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Showing posts with the label springtime activity

Gardening with Kids: Make Your Own Newspaper "Peat" Pots

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by Diane Chase A cost effective way to pot plants and recycle and reuse from your paper bin is to make newspaper "peat" pots that can be planted directly into the ground. It is an easy process and children enjoy the activity. it can be done on a rainy day, if you need something to do or make a family night out of the activity. Then plants your seeds or seedlings, water and wait for your indoor garden to grow! Continue for step-by-step directions

Adirondack Events: National Trails Day with the Adirondack Mountain Club

The American Hiking Society has designated the first Saturday of June as National Trails Day. Across the United States events take place promoting and celebrating the nation's extensive trail network. The Adirondack Mountain Club asks its vast volunteer base to help with trail maintenance and give a little something back to the area that is preserved for everyone to use. Volunteer trail work originally started with "Trails and Shelters" in 1923, but the focus transitioned from building trails to sustaining them. On June 7-8, 2014, the Adirondack Mountain Club is highlight the historic Northville-Placid trail for National Trails Day. The original entrance to the trail will be moved from its Benson Rd location to downtown Northville. This will be the first annual Northville Trails Day Festival with activities such as Smokey the bear, crafts, artisans, bounce houses, guided walks and local Adirondack cafe. © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activiti

Northern Lights School Mayfaire at the Adirondack Carousel

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By Diane Chase It was a long winter, though I did enjoy every minute of it. My family was able to ski, snowshoe and skate through most of those cold winter months. As Chaucer wrote, “…all things have an end,” so there goes winter in the Adirondacks leaving us to celebrate spring with all its most delightful changes. It is easy to let the seasonal changes go by without appropriate fanfare. When blackflies start biting or mud washes out our favorite trails, we want to remember the flower buds, robins and rock-hopping adventures rather than focus on the negative. One annual event that emphasizes the change of season is the Northern Lights School (NLS) Mayfaire. For the second year the NLS Mayfaire has joined forces with the Adirondack Carousel in Saranac Lake for its May 31 st  (11:00 am – 3:00 pm) celebration of spring. The schedule is set for an afternoon of community art, nature crafts, and live music. Green Goddess Natural Foods will have an array of their wonderful food a

New York Maple Weekends March 22-23 and 29-30

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There are a variety of places that a person can visit to see maple sap collected, especially this weekend as maple producers join together for the first of two New York State  Maple Producers Association Maple Weekends , March 22-22 and 29-30. My husband and I have had our experiences (and disagreements) with making maple syrup. It is hard work, but each year we can say we did it. We enjoy attending other large-scale  producers so we can continually fine-tune our own backyard maple-making system.    In order for the sap to flow temperatures must rise above freezing during the day and drop below freezing at night. Depending on where you visit t his weekend should not be a problem. It is supposed to be high 30s in certain areas, allowing the sap to thaw and flow throughout the day. This is a great weekend activity for families.  Each producer may have different activities planned such as samplings, face painting, petting zoos and horse-drawn wagon rides. It is best to check with

Pendragon Theatre presents New Directions

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Each March Pendragon Theatre offers to the public something new whether introducing a new director, play or original work.  For me this opportunity highlights the importance of live theatre. When seeing a movie the audience misses all that goes into the making of the film and can only catch a glimpse when the credits role with job descriptions that most of the time have little meaning.  Theatre gives us the chance to see a collaborative effort where special effects are not computer generated.   Pendragon Theatre, Saranac Lake, is presenting its annual New Directions Series  Friday, March 22 nd  at 7 pm and Saturday, March 23 rd  at 2 pm and 7 pm. General Admission tickets are $5.

Paddling Safely in Springtime Conditions

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By Diane Chase Safety is always a concern when paddling with children so we want to take whatever precautions necessary to assure a fun experience. Adirondacks Lakes and Trails Outfitters   owner Steve Doxzon says, “This time of year it’s the cold water that is the biggest issue. People need to dress for the water temperature not the air temperature. It may be 70 degrees outside but the water is still only 37 degrees.” Doxzon especially urges a person kayaking to dress accordingly as there is a greater chance for capsizing and  hypothermia . He reminds paddlers that sudden changes in conditions, like windy days, are something to be wary of when getting out on Adirondack lakes, rivers and ponds. Read More Here

Adirondack Museums: Adirondack History Center in Elizabethtown

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The Adirondack History Center Museum in Elizabethtown is open for the season.  2011 Admission: Adults $5.00, Seniors $4.00, Students $2.00,  6 and under are free. One  highlight of the visit is to climb to the top of the adjacent fire tower. This particular steel tower was reconstructed from two different fire towers. At the top we can see all around the village of Elizabethtown and surrounding mountains.

Adirondack Races: Whiteface Marathon and Inlet Black Fly Mountain Bike Challenge

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You don't have to run a marathon or bike a long distance race. This weekend there are opportunities to be an "armchair athlete" while watching these two great events. People are out and about in the Adirondacks. Lake Placid is hosting its 7th annual Lake Placid Marathon and Half Marathon while all weekend between Inlet and Indian Lake, mountain bikers will be around preparing for or participating in the Black Fly Challenge. Since the mid-90's Inlet has hosted the mountain bike challenge, appropriately named,  the Black  Fly Challenge . This mountain bike race alters each year between a start in  Indian Lake and Inlet.  This year the shuttle will leave Inlet for Indian Lake so races can prepare the the long distance race.

Schedule for Plattsburgh Museum Day June 4, 2011

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Click here for the rest of the schedule for Plattsburgh's FREE Museum Day

Adirondack Easter Egg Hunts: April 23, 2011

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By Diane Chase This weekend   North Country Community College   (NCCC) will host its 2 nd  annual Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds of the Sparks Athletic Complex Soccer Field in Saranac Lake. No worry there is an inside alternative in case of bad weather. The backup plan for the event is the Sparks Athletic Complex Alumni Gymnasium, according to NCCC’s Athletic Director Heather Conger. My children never seem to grow out of hiding refillable toy eggs. They have gathered quite a collection over the years from wooden, plastic and even metal egg-shaped trinkets. Most have the capability of hiding a treasure even though the eggs are usually empty. Full of candy or hollow, my kids’ seem to revert back to their caveman instincts of hunting and gathering. For my children these multi-colored faux eggs are really a smaller version of the cardboard box that holds the child’s attention longer than the actually gift.

Adirondack Earth Day Outings: What to do with kids for Earth Day!

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By Diane Chase If you are looking to make Mother Nature’s job just a bit easier here are a few ideas of events and activities in celebration of Earth Day.  For anyone in Essex County that wishes to “dump the pump” on Earth Day, the Essex County Transportation Bureau is offering   free bus rides   for everyone on April 22nd. On April 23rd, Judy's Computer Support will be at the   Adirondack Daily Enterprise 's parking lot from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. as part of a Community Computer Recycling Day to collect used computers, printers, laptops, monitors, faxes and computer cords. Read More

What to do in Lake Placid: High Falls Gorge Spring Hours

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High Falls Gorge in Wilmington has announced its spring hours.  Considered on the natural wonders of the Adirondacks, High Falls Gorge is handicap-accessible with many opportunities for families to wander in a natural environment. This family-owned and operated business is worth the trip.  Children can do the mining activity all year long. Enjoy!

Family-Friendly Saranac Lake Daffest Schedule of Events

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By Diane Chase  51,000 bulbs are starting to wake up in Saranac  Lake New York (NY)  in time for the first Daffest   April 29 - May 1, 2011. Throughout the weekend there will be garden tours, historic tours and the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce will have a booth with a map available. 

Adirondack Family Activities: Spring skiing at Whiteface and Gore

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By Diane Chase This weekend   Whiteface Mountain   will celebrate its last  The annual pond skimming contest will take place at the base of Whiteface on April 9th  with no entry fee required. Skiers and snowboards will try to gain as much speed as possible to "skim" across a man made pond to win prizes for longest distance, biggest and best splash and best costume. Pond skimming at Whiteface is not just for ticket holders. Spectators can access the event for free. For those in need of accessibility, the event will have a limited view from the sun deck. Pond skimming can be viewed from the gondola but tickets are required. 

Adirondack Maple Sugar Shacks: Go for a Tour of a Maple Farm!

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Here is a list of Maple Farms. Call ahead to make sure that they are open. It is a wonderful way to welcome in spring in the Adirondacks. There are maple breakfasts, wagon rides and tours of farms. Besides plenty of opportunity to sample the maple products. Enjoy! 

Adirondack Spring Skiing: What ski mountains are still open?

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Gore Mountain is celebrating the last weekend of "Take Your Son Skiing" where all sons 19 and under can ski/snowboard for free with a paying adult Whiteface is open and will be celebrating SpringFest with a pirate themed weekend of activities McCauley Mountain is open and Friday is Crazy Friday where all tickets are $12 and tomorrow will bring on the Snowmaker's Ball. West Mountain is celebrating its Family Fun Day on March 26th with carboard sled races, pond skimming, BBQ and more. Big Tupper, Mt Pisgah, Oak Mountain are all closed for the season.

10 ways to enjoy Thurman Maple Weekend: Adirondack Family Activities

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By Diane Chase Here are ten ways to enjoy Thurman New York (NY) Maple Weekend this March 12-13. With the weather starting to warm up, the sap will start running and it will be pancakes for everyone!  March 12-13, 2011 1) 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a pancake breakfast at Valley Road Maple Farm. (on Saturday and Sunday) 2) Grab your snowshoes or borrow a pair from Adirondack Gold Maple Farm and walk around the 35 acres of trails. 

Adirondack Fun: Spring May Faire

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Sometimes my children seem to forget that spring is a season. To them it seems more pit stop to summer than an event of its own. After a long winter, that seemed to want to continue with those late snowfalls, our house is a rush of summertime activity. My children want to discontinue jackets while one even attempts to boycott long pants. I am afraid to pack up the boots and coats because last time I stored the winter gear it snowed. I am just superstitious enough to believe that there is a connection. The 1st annual Daffest will be a wonderful way to really cement the idea that spring deserves celebrating on its own. Saranac Lake’s new community event will paint the town yellow in 2011. Pathways and parks will be a bloom of color. Over a million bulbs will be planted this fall out and around Saranac Lake. To find out how to help, please go to daffest.com. Bulbs are available for purchase at a variety of sponsorship and donor levels. After a long winter a million daffodils will be a wel

Adirondack Fun: Paddle on the Saranac River

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There is really nothing like a canoe trip to really bring out the strengths and weaknesses in a family. It requires balance; strength and teamwork some of which we are sometimes in short supply. As we transition from winter sports to summer fun our organization skills are put to the test. The children have outgrown their life jackets and the weather can’t decide whether to snow or rain. The bug spray has to be found along with my very attractive bug netting. Citronella wafts around us like a cloud sparking memories of spring. We have decided to take two cars and leave one at the end of our destination so we will only be going downstream. We are not equipped to go over the permanent rapids and decide a portage isn’t in the cards for this short outing. We start just north of the Village of Saranac Lake and spend a few moments going over the rules of the river. It may seem like common sense but my children always need to be reminded not to stand up in a canoe. The current is swift and

Family Fun: May Day! What to do in the Adirondacks 4/30-5/2 2010

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By Diane Chase The Adirondack spring snow was unexpected. It doesn't matter if it happens every spring, I still do not expect it. I pack my children's boots away hoping that the mere act of getting the winter gear out of site will render them out of season. Well, that plan didn't work for me so back we loaded on the layers, made snow blobs (it would be too generous to call them men, women or children) and had a snow ball fight. It may not snowed lemons but we made lemonade just the same. This Saturday is May Day. If you want to resurrect the old fashioned tradition of a May Day basket, check out these tips. Also a reminder that the Wild Center reopens on May 1st after a month of putting on a new spring face! The theme of events this weekend seems to be all about recycling and reusing as everyone from town-wide rummage sales to library sales are on the docket. This weekend is supposed to be back to warm weather but we'll keep our jackets handy. Enjoy the weekly line-u