Adirondack Family Time™

By Diane Chase Tupper Lake Woodsmen's Days will be here July 8-10, 2011 at the Municipal Park. This event kicks off with an evening  BBQ and live music at the Municipal Park Bandshell. This is an fun-filled weekend of activity that highlights all the traditional logging competitions from large horse pull to a greased pole race, all in the Adirondack Park. People from all over the country participate in this annual event to show the skills and art involved in the logging industry. Logging played such an important part in the history of Tupper Lake, it only makes sense that this event continues to thrive and draw people from all walks of live. Paul Smith's College, Forestry Department, has teams of students usually participating in this annual event. Enjoy!. There is even a schedule of events just for kids' activities . Kids can enjoy an obstacle course, water balloon toss or magic show to name just a few. © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes an

By Diane Chase “What’s the difference between a lie and a tall tale?” asks Bill Smith. “You don’t get a lickin’ for telling a tall tale.” That is how the storyteller recounts his youth at last year’s Adirondack Storytelling Festival in Old Forge at the McCauley Mountain Chalet. My son sits openmouthed while stories, yarns and tall tales range from Bill Smith’s folklore to author Joseph Bruchac’s Abenaki Indian heritage. The stage is set with a backdrop of a lean-to while storyteller after storyteller took the stage. My kids have grown up on audio stories. No matter their age, they are still enthralled with the magic of stories. The opportunity to watch the Bruchac books that my children have borrowed from the library come to life and to meet the author is a bonus. Adirondack nature walks and storytelling workshops, songs and craft centers were all around. One woman sits by her spinning wheel while a wood carver gave a brief lesson on whittling. The tone is casual and we hav