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Showing posts from 2013

Adirondack Inside Public Skating

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Ice Skating is a fun Adirondack family activity that my family enjoys all winter long! When the weather outside is cold and the ice thickens on the Adirondack lakes and ponds, we take out skates with us.   Inside we have the opportunity to take off our skates, warm up our toes and listen to the music piped in over the sound system.  Here are some Adirondack Civic Centers . So strap on those skates and hit the ice!

Fake Christmas Trees vs. Real Trees

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According the NYS Department of Environment Conservation (DEC), for every one Christmas tree that is cut, one to three more seedlings are planted.  The benefit for using a real Christmas tree instead of a plastic (fake) tree is that almost all Christmas trees are grown as crops making the switch from an artificial tree to a real one an easy decision. It takes six to seven years to grown a Christmas tree. For those years that  real tree soaks up carbon dioxide , a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change (global warming) and the chemicals to make plastic trees actually creates more greenhouse gases. Real Christmas trees are a renewable resource. In addition most town collect used trees to be chipped and recycled for mulch, which helps reduce water usage in municipalities. Most fake trees are not biodegradable.

LiĆØge Sugar Waffle Recipe: Not to be confused with the American "Belgian Waffle"

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My family recently returned from a trip to Paris. While walking the streets and enjoying the atmosphere we meandered through an antique fair. One vendor was selling these delicious sugary waffles.  It has been a long time since I've had a Li ĆØ ge waffle. It brought back such amazing memories.  Here is how to make your own sugar-pearl waffles.  What is a Li ĆØ ge Waffle? Centuries ago, the Bishop-Prince of Liege,Belgium, grew tired of his breakfast brioche and asked his chef to prepare something new and different.  Just before baking, he put the sugars “pearls” that were normally on the outside of the finished brioche into the dough directly.  Instead of baking the dough patties in an oven, he baked them in a waffle iron.  His result was a fragrant, warm waffle coated with caramelized sugar.

Recipe: Frozen Fresh Fruit Pops

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Frozen Fresh Fruit Pops 3 cups watermelon puree (about 1/4 to 1/2 a watermelon) 1/2 cup fresh blueberries 1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced 1 peach or nectarine, diced small handful fresh cherries, pitted and chopped Cut the watermelon into chunks and then puree it in a blender until smooth. Set aside. Set out about 1 dozen popsicle molds (amount needed will vary depending on size of molds). Fill each one with the chopped fresh fruit. Then pour in the watermelon puree until each mold is full to the top. Place a popsicle stick into each one. Place into your freezer and freeze for about 6 to 8 hours.

Streetcar Lecture Series at Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake

An exciting multi-media lecture series with scholar John Dileo will take place  on Sunday  afternoon July 14 th called “T. Williams and Company: His Essential Screen Actors” and  on Monday  evening July 15 th  entitled “Streetcar…is that you?: The On-Screen Imitators of William’s Masterwork”. Book signing will follow the lectures. John DiLeo  is the author of five books about classic movies: And You Thought You Knew Classic Movies!: 200 Quizzes for Golden Age Movie Lovers  (1999); 100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember But Probably Don’t  (2002);  Screen Savers: 40 Remarkable Movies Awaiting Rediscovery  (2007);  Tennessee Williams and Company: His Essential Screen Actors  (2010);  Screen Savers II: My Grab Bag of Classic Movies  (2012). John has presented his Tennessee Williams programs at the Williams festivals in Provincetown and New Orleans. You can follow him at his blog ( screensaversmovies.com ), website ( www.johndileo.com ), and on Twitter (@JOHNDiLEO).  

New York State Park Geocache Challenge

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If you want to try Adirondack treasure hunting, here is the 2nd annual NYS Geocache Passport Challenge.  John Brown Farm  Historic Site in Lake Placid has one cache

Lake George: Martha's Dandee Ice Creme

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Sunday - Thursday 11 am - 9 pm Friday - Saturday 11 am - 10 pm  © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities™.

Adirondack Invasive Species Awareness Week July 7-13, 2013

Adirondack Invasive Species Awareness Week Celebrated Annually the Second Week of July Adirondack communities and organizations will celebrate the 8th annual ISAW July 7 - July 13, 2013 . WHY*      Invasive plants and animals threaten Adirondack lakes, ponds, rivers, and forests, which are precious resources that underwrite the economy of many communities through recreation, tourism, forestry, and numerous other uses. WHAT*   Learn about the issues surrounding invasive species (both plant and animal, aquatic and terrestrial) and about the importance of native biodiversity in the Adirondacks by attending workshops, field trips, lectures, and control parties.  WHO*     Hundreds of citizens of all ages across the Adirondack region. WHERE*     Nature centers, natural areas, lakes, rivers, agricultural fields, parks, campgrounds, institutions of higher learning, natural history museums… WHEN*     The second week of July every year. HOW*    Plan an activity for

Baking Soda Volcanos and 40 Other Uses For Baking Soda

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Since we all have an interest in keeping the toxic items aways from our kids, here is one product no family should do without. Baking soda!  Sodium Bicarbonate is not only cheap but can be used as a cleanser or beauty product. My kids love to make "volcanos" simply using a bottle, baking soda and vinegar. You can get a bit more complicated if you wish but I  like to keep things simple. To make a volcano: Materials: One short bottle (not too tall or the baking soda "lava" won't flow over the top), 2 tbs of baking soda, few drops dish detergent, vinegar, towels to clean up the mess Put a few drops of dish detergent at the bottom of the bottle Put in about two tablespoons of baking soda into the bo ttle S lowly pour in the vinegar and watch the volcano erupt! The baking soda and vinegar combine to produce carbonic acid which breaks apart (causing all the fizzing) into water and carbon dioxide. • If you wish to get fancy, papier-mĆ¢chĆ© the bottle with

Learning Roadside Signs

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Did you know? There is not just one system! • The US Highway numbering system was established by the federal government in 1926. • Interstate Highway numbering system was established in 1956 by the Federal Aid High Way Act during the Eisenhower administration. • Regional roads are numbered under individual state and county systems How to tell where you are going! Interstate Highway signs North to South • Are marked with a blue and red "shield" shape • North-South routes are assigned odd numbers  i.e. look for Interstate 87 t hroughout the Adirondacks  or Interstate 95 traverses the east coast from the Canadian Border outside Houlton, Maine to the southern tip of Miami, Florida. • The numbers are lower in the west and increase from west to east. Interstate Highway signs from East to West • Are marked with a blue and red "shield" shap • East-West routes are assigned even numbers i.e. look for Interstate 90, which crosses USA from Boston, Massachuse

Adirondack Farm to School June 6

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Adirondack Coast Free Museum Day Schedule June 1-2, 2013

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For the 6 th year, the Adirondack Coast Cultural Alliance (ACCA) and Press Republican have pulled together a free passport to 14 participating museums, cultural centers and historical societies for the first weekend in June.  Make sure to ask about the ACCA Passport. Though this weekend offers free admission, each passport can be used to collect the necessary stamps from each venue throughout the summer. Participants must collect one stamp from each venue by September 12, 2013 in order to be eligible for prizes from Ausable Chasm, Titus Mountain, Parker Family Maple Farm and more.    

Building and Placing A Bat House

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Do you want to help bring back the bat population to the Adirondacks?  White-nose Syndrome has killed more than 5.7 million bats  since it was discovered in a single New York cave in February 2006 DID YOU KNOW? • There are cave bat species (Northern Bat, Little Brown Bat, Indiana Bat, Eastern Pipistrelle, Big Brown Bat) and tree bat species (small-footed bat, red bat, hoary bat, silver-haired bat,  in New York State • All cave bat species in New York State spend the winter hibernating in caves and mines where they live off stored fat reserves.  • According to Bat Conservation International ,  a single bat can capture 500 to 1,000 mosquitoes in a single hour! • Bats are the only mammal that can fly! (Flying squirrels just glide) • Bats wings are similar to a human hand. Yes, it is has four fingers and a thumb • All bats located in New York State eat insects. Other breeds eat    fruit, nectar, small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, fish, and blood.   • Bats' predators in

Mini golf coming to inlet

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Here is the beginning of mini golf behind the Tamarack in Inlet. 

Adirondack Kids at Carousel Birthday Bash

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This is not just any birthday party for the Adirondack Carousel ; it is coming up on its first. What an amazing first year it has been. Offering carving workshops, art exhibits, birthday parties, field trips or just a unique carousel ride, the people involved have given much to the community and have much to celebrate.    Instead of throwing a private little affair, the Adirondack Carousel is opening its doors and asking the public to stop by on Saturday and enjoy what the entire Carousel has to offer. On May 25 th  there are a variety of events happening from 10 am – 3:00 pm. Enjoy face painting and balloon animals with MerriLoons the Clown, book signings, and free carousel rides from 10 am – noon. At noon, top it all off with a piece of birthday cake. Ride tokens will be available for purchase for the remainder of the day.

Trail Map: John Brown Farm State Historic Site Lake Placid

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Looking for a pleasant place to relax for a few hours? Try John Brown Farm and Historic Site in Lake Placid. As the final resting spot for abolitionist John Brown, the John Brown Farm and Gravesite encompasses the original 244 acres purchased by the Browns in 1849.   After Brown and his followers were executed for treason for the raid at Harper’s Ferry, WV John Brown ’s name soon became synonymous with the anti-slavery movement. 

What To Do For Mother's Day?

Happy Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day is a special time to be able to show your appreciation for the person who gave you life. (That is what I frequently remind my children, in case they were to forget.)  There are many traditional ways to spend Mother’s Day with family such as a homemade breakfast in bed, brunch at a local restaurant or lovely bouquet of flowers. All are thoughtful gifts.  Sometimes children aren’t really involved in the Mother’s Day gift giving process. They become passive recipients. Here are a few ideas to get everyone involved.  1) Go for a nature walk and search for flowers on the trail. Create a “no-pick” bouquet by taking photos or drawing pictures of what was seen. Identify the flowers and trees and put it all in a memory book that will last forever.  2) Ask your mother or grandmother what her favorite game was growing up and ask her to share. Perhaps everyone will learn a new game.  3) Have children bridge the generation gap by a

Recipe: Make Your Own Healthy Fruit "Roll-Ups"

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Fruit Leather Trying to find a recipe for children's snacks can be challenging. Thankfully my kids and I have been able to make a fun fruit leather thanks to Chow.com . There are other options and recipes on how to make variations of this healthy version, but we liked the easy use of the applesauce lightly flavored with raspberries. Enjoy!  Difficulty:  Easy |  Total Time:   15 mins, plus at least 6 1/2 hrs baking and cooling time  | Makes:   6 to 8 servings Texture and flavor vary greatly among apple varieties, so we decided to use applesauce as a shortcut in this  DIY  fruit leather recipe. It delivers more consistent flavor and cuts out having to cook and purĆ©e the apples yourself. To get the fun, shockingly pink color, no fake dyes are necessary—we just added raspberries, which also give the fruit leather a nice tartness. Special equipment:  You will need a nonstick silicone baking mat. Time frame:   The fruit leather needs to slowly dehydrate so i

Know About Ticks and Lyme Disease

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By Diane Chase I recently spent my Sunday in the Emergency Room due to a classic "target" shaped bite that showed up on my ankle after an Earth Day weekend of clearing trails and picking up roadside garbage near Westport, N.Y. Not only did I get to spend my leisure time with the ER staff but I, usually so diligent with tick searches, did everything wrong regarding my own health. So to save you a trip to the ER and a bothersome dose of antibiotics, here are some safety tips for tick prevention. I live in the northern sector of the Adirondack Park and did not take in consider that the above average warm temperatures in the southern Adirondacks would bring out ticks earlier than usual. I had dressed for the cold with dark pants and socks. I was on my knees clearing brush and digging out long forgotten garbage. I was careless and now have a 14-day round of antibiotics to show for it. By the time I noticed the classic bullseye tick bite indicator, I no longer had the tick to i

Canoeing from Bear to Bog to Little Long

We thought we could use a bit of practice for the 9-Miler canoe race so when a friend asks to meet us at Lower St. Regis we quickly agree. We take the canoe and drive to the Lower St. Regis canoe launch, arming each child with a paddle. A Paul Smith’s College Watershed Steward greets us. He diligently checks the canoe for any invasive plant life, specifically Eurasian Water-milfoil. The Watershed Stewardship Program, among other duties, is responsible for helping to educate the public with ways to avoid the spreading and introduction of invasive species into the lakes. The canoe passes the test. My daughter and I sit in the center while my son practices his stroke in preparation of the big race. We head west about 1/4 –mile, looking out for the first carry. We have a contest on our boat to see who will view the DEC sign first. My son is the winner. The portage is about 200 yards, a quick jaunt. Bog Pond is aptly named. We traverse through a channel with grasses reaching over ou

Getting Ready for Bug Season: Homemade Mosquito Trap and Deterrent

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Getting ready for the Adirondack Bug Season? Try these homemade remedies! Homemade Mosquito Deterrent* I TEMS NEEDED: Combine in a 16 oz bottle: 15 drops lavender oil  3-4 Tbsp of vanilla extract 10 drops of citronella oil 1/4 Cup lemon juice. HOW:   Fill bottle with water. Shake & it's ready to use. Spray on yourself. (Substitute 10 drops of lemon eucalyptus oil instead of citronella oil)  *Do not apply without doing a skin test first. Children can be especially prone to rashes from essential oils) HOMEMADE MOSQUITO TRAP: I TEMS NEEDED 1 cup water 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 gram of yeast 2-liter plastic bottle HOW: 1. Cut the plastic bottle in half. 2. Mix brown sugar with hot water. Let cool. When cold, pour in the bottom half of the bottle. 3. Add the yeast. No need to mix. It creates carbon dioxide, which attracts mosquitoes. 4. Place the funnel part, upside down, into the other half of the bottle, taping them together if desired. 5. Wrap the bottle with

Adirondack Native Plants: Foam Flower

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Foam Flower Tiarella cordifolia   zone: 3-9  light: sun to shade  soil: moist  flower color: white  bloom: May - June  height: 6" - 1' plant spacing: 1' uses: groundcover, spreads by runners divide: spring or fall

Peru: Babbie Rural Museum Opens for Season

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Look forward to these fun activity days at the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum in Peru, NY Opening Day is May 3, 2013 • Plow Days - May 4 & 5 • Museum Days - June 1 & 2 • Woodworking & Conservation Days - June 29 & 30 • Hay & Grain Harvest & Music Weekend - August 17 & 18 • 3rd Annual Kids Fair & Festival - Sept. 7 & 8 • Harvest Weekend - Oct. 12 & 13 Look for us in the Battle of Plattsburgh Parade and the Peru Applefest Parade Museum hours - 1 0 am to 4pm - May, June, Oct. (Fri. thru Sun.) July, Aug.,Sept. (Thurs. thru Sun.) Closed for the Season - Oct. 14

2013 Lake Placid Sunday Garden Series (FREE)

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April 28,  Sunday 3-5 pm Heaven Hill Farm, 302 Bear Cub Rd, Lake Placid  The Climate-Friendly Gardener Combat global warming from the ground up. Learn why gardeners are part of the solution. May 19,  Sunday 3-5 pm Heaven Hill Farm, 302 Bear Cub Rd, Lake Placid  Fresh is Best Grow your own salad year-round. From easy window gardens to herbs grown outside. Take home a little salad garden. June 1,  Sunday 9:30 am at Lake Placid Rug and Home, 2077 Saranac Ave Plant Sale Perennials, vegetable seedlings, and garden merchandise (new and used) will be for sale. Free PH testing and lots of gardening information available. All proceeds benefit the Master Gardener Volunteer Prgraom of Essex County Cornell Cooperative Extension. © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of

Ausable Forks: Asgaard Farms Kidding Season

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By Diane Chase,  Spring break may be starting for area schools but this is a busy time of year for Rhonda Butler and David Brunner, owners of Asgaard Farm and Dairy. Once owned by illustrator, printmaker and artist Rockwell Kent, the property, designed by Kent, has remained mostly unchanged.   Since March 9 over 62 baby goats (kids) have been born with more expected during the week of March 31-April 5. I talked with Rhonda at length about the spring births and was delighted to find out there are many opportunities to visit the kids and even attend a birth. The goats at Asgaard are breed through their natural cycle. Though larger dairies use artificial light to manipulate the goats to breed off-season, Asgaard continues to follow the natural season. 

Daffest 2013 in Saranac Lake

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After packing away the skis, making mud pies through the spring season it is time to celebrate summer with Saranac Lake's Daffest.  In addition to all the activities below, don't forget to just take some time to explore all the parks around Saranac Lake and see the beautiful daffodils! Enjoy! Check frequently for changes in schedule:  April 26  1 pm Historic Tour through Riverside Park to Bartok Cabin ($5) 5:30 pm - 8 pm . Harriestown Hall.: Meet the soapbox derby contestants, taste free samples and vote on the pastry competition April 27  10 am - 3 pm: Festival of Blooms Riverside Park,  • Paul Smiths College baking students bring baked goods for sale and to sample • Merrilooms the clown will be on hand for face painting and balloon animals. • Blue Line Sports Shop will be holding fly and reel fishing demos and clinic. • Adirondack Lakes and Trails will be holding kayak, canoe demos and clinic. 11 am:  Daffest Derby Day at the George LaPan Highway in Saranac L

FREE showing of Oscar nominated movie LINCOLN at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall

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To celebrate their 10th anniversary, The Champlain Valley Film Society is screening a FREE showing of the Oscar nominated film Lincoln at The Grange in Whallonsburg LINCOLN Saturday,  April 27, 8.00 pm Whallonsburg Grange Hall Oscar winner as this year’s Best Actor, Daniel Day-Lewis stars in one of the most acclaimed movies of the year, Steven Spielberg’s deeply moving story about Lincoln’s fight to abolish slavery and unite our nation. Other movie shows:  May 11  SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK May 25FORT APACHE by Westport director Addison Mehr

Living Able Series with Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Blue Mountain Lake

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All performances of HONK are open to the public and will be held at the Long Lake Central School Auditorium. The Saturday, April 13 performance will take place at 7 pm while the Sunday, April 14 performance will take place at 2 pm. Tickets are available for $10 general admission.  This year’s performance of HONK is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen's "The Ugly Duckling.” Watch while the strange-looking duckling “Ugly” goes on a quest to find his real mother after being lured away by a sneaky Cat. Ugly encounters some hardship but also encounters friendship and love.   Previous performances for the LIVING ABLE Series have been A Year With Frog and Toad , Rockin’ To OZ and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown . The LIVING ABLE SERIES provides  workshops and performance  opportunities for individuals  with disabilities and Sunmount  Staff at the Sunmount location  in Tupper Lake, the Arts Center  in Blue Mountain Lake and  other off-site locations.

Puppet Show April 13 in Keene

Looking for a fun activity for your little ones! Join the faculty of The Lakeside School at the Belden Noble Library, Essex on Saturday April 13 at 11 am and the Keene Valley Library at 4 pm.  Come see the puppet show, have a chance to meet the puppets and the teachers, and have a snack.  This event is free.   Lakeside  School  is a birth - 2nd grade  school  based on the Waldorf philosophy on a working farm in Essex, NY.   Date: Saturday, April 13th Location: Belden Noble Library, Essex, NY Time: 11:00a.m. Location: Keene Valley Library, Keene Valley, NY Time: 4:00p.m.

April 9 is Ben and Jerry's FREE Cone Day

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Free Cone Day is on April 9th! So, make  sure you swing by one of Ben and Jerry's   participating Scoop Shops  and grab yourself a FREE cone.  Free Cone Day is something Ben & Jerry's has been doing since 1979 when Ben and Jerry celebrated their first year of business!  Ben and Jerry wanted to thank everyone for their support in the best way they knew how; with free ice cream! Once again this year they’re giving away plenty of classic flavors as well as some of the new flavors like Candy Bar Pie and Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yogurt. Needing to locate a participating Scoop Shop near you? No problem - just head to the  Scoop Shop Locator !   © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities™.