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5th Graders Ski Free in Vermont

For a $10 processing free any 5th grader can get a 5th Grade Passport that is valid at participating Vermont Alpine and Nordic ski areas from December 1, 2009 to May 1, 2010 except on the blackout dates stated on the individual coupons and the application. It can take up to three weeks to receive the passport so fill out the application as soon as possible! The Passport may be used to obtain no more than three (3) complimentary one-day tickets or trail passes at each participating Vermont ski area between December 1, 2009 and May 1, 2010, subject to the blackout dates listed on the back of Passport coupons. The following resorts are participating for the season: The following ski areas are participating for the season: Ascutney Mountain, Bolton Valley Resort, Cochran's, Bromley Mountain, Burke Mountain, Jay Peak Resort, Killington Resort, Mad River Glen, Magic Mountain, Middlebury College Snow Bowl, Mount Snow Resort, Pico Mountain, Okemo Mountain Resort, Smugglers' Notch Reso

Adirondack Museum: Battle of Plattsburgh

So it's not a real museum in the sense that you go inside but rather a living experience with adventures at every corner type of museum. This is the closing weekend of two weeks worth of events. For the price of a $10 button the Battle of Plattsburgh Society will have a host of events continuing through Sunday. If that isn't the museum of your choice New York Heritage Weekend will get you free admission to the Adirondack History Center Museum in Elizabethtown and Fort Ticonderoga this weekend as well as other museums all around New York State. Other children events in the area include Wilmington's Festival of Colors. This event is free! The event will take place from 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at the tee-ball field on Springfield Road. Thirty vendors will be on hand displaying everything from local produce to homemade toys. Performers from Santa's Workshop will kick off the show at 10:00 a.m., followed by local band "Organized Chaos", then at 1:00 p.m. "Pips

Adirondack Labor Day Celebrations

There are quite a few celebrations, festivals and events planned for this Labor Day Weekend. Port Henry will start the celebration this evening with music and fireworks on Champ Beach with a Labor Day Parade down Port Henry's Main Street @ 1 pm will have a Quadricentennial theme. Westport Marina celebrates its 43rd annual Lobsterfest Weekend with cardboard boat races, BBQ dinner and dacing. Sunday's Chix BBQ has been sold out but come for face painting, balloon art of the Kayak races. Long Lake's Mt. Sabattis Pavilion will host a BBQ, music from the Fulton Chain Gang and fireworks. For those interested in the Festivals, here are a few: The first annual Hobo Festival ( read more about the music scene in Adirondack Almanack ) which will take place on Depot Street in Saranac Lake not "the big rock candy mountain" and the Irish Festival which will include hay bale tossing and keg lifting. In my world that just spells "family reunion." To attend an Irish

Recipe: Five-minute Chocolate Cake

I first saw this recipe in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise section "Lake Clear News" and wish to give credit to Charlotte Hall. I am not sure if now having the ability to make chocolate cake in 5 minutes in my microwave is actually a good thing. Tasty, yes. This is instant gratification at its best. Tip: Have your children help mix their own dessert. 5-Minute Chocolate Cake (This recipe is all over in the internet and I couldn't find an original source.) 1 large microwave safe coffee mug 4 Tbsp. flour 4 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp. cocoa 1 egg 3 Tbsp. milk 3 Tbsp. oil 3 Tbsp. chocolate chips (optional) a small splash of vanilla extract 1. Add dry ingredients to mug and mix well. 2. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. 3. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. 4. Mix in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract. 5. Place mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on High. The cake will rise above the top of the cup. Remove from microwave . 6. Remove from microwave and let cool. 7. Enj

Color blind Test

Today is the first day of school for my now 1st and 4th graders. After doing a meet and greet with the 1st grade teacher, I moved along to my son's classroom. There is something disheartening to have to explain to a teacher that your child, who receives wonderful grades, thrives in school and enjoys learning is unable to distinguish between the red and green markers used on the Smart Board. Luckily, his teacher is amazing, thoughtful and willing to watch out for any issues. For most people being colorblind (a misnomer) is never an issue. If anything, it should be more accurately called color deficiency. It only effects 8% of males typically of European descent and 1% of females. The most common type is red/green from an inherited mutated X chromosome. Yes, he received that from me as well as his sparkling wit. My father carries the same trait and assures me that it never hindered him at all plus we were able to place blame on his fondness for mixing patterns and a flair for black

An Adirondack Almanack Contributor!

This is long overdue but I am honored to announce that I have been asked to contribute a weekly family activity to the Adirondack Almanack blog. I hope you enjoy! -Diane

Easy Short Lake Placid Hikes and Adirondack Museums: The ADK Loj's Heart Lake Nature Museum

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By Diane Chase Only in the Adirondacks can a person go for a walk and come across a museum. The Adirondack Mountain Club’s (ADK) Heart Lake Nature Museum seems more nature center than museum but what’s in a name. As in the Gershwin song, “You say either and I say eyether; you say neither and I say nyther.”* It’s not the name that matters but what is inside that counts. I double-check the meaning of museum and it is simply a building where objects of artistic, historical or scientific importance are kept and studied. My child’s collection of rocks, old bottles and action figures only partially meets the criteria. For all I know major scientific discoveries could be found in his room as well but would I want them on display? We are not ready to open up to the public and I’m not sure what the interest level would be anyway. On the other hand, the Heart Lake Nature Museum’s one room schoolhouse appeal gets children and adults alike to examine the natural world. The “Cranium Case” sho

Adirondack Theatre: Off to see the Wizard!

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Once again Pendragon Theatre has been able to breathe new magic in an old classic. For those expecting a theatrical version of the movie, this production of The Wizard of Oz is a wonderful surprise. The simple set is cloaked in darkness, allowing the vibrant costumes to pop out from the black walls. The focus is on the actors. There are still plenty of quests for a heart, a brain and some courage and least I forget, the best-loved message that there really is, “no place like home.” That still holds all the power with a simple click of Dorothy’s ruby slippers. I ask my children how they like the “black box” theme. My son has no idea what I’m talking about. I remind him that the theatre walls were painted black, the stage had a minimal of props and the cast used very simple techniques to get the action and story across. It is like I’m talking to a wall. Did we see the same production? He is not concerned about the black box. He is more curious about the switching of costumes, the lig

Adirondack Music: The Loon Lake Live! Effect

There is still a buzz in the air regarding, what has been termed “the “Mozart Effect.” There have been studies done and videos made all in the attempt to make our children smarter, better and stronger. One aspect of the term emerged from the work of University of California Irvine’s Raucher, Shaw and Ky (1993). Their findings researched the effects of Mozart’s Music on 36 college undergraduates and tracked improvements in spatial intelligence after listening to 10 minutes of certain scores of Mozart. The findings created a cottage industry of hope for the fountain of intelligence with as many critics as followers. One part of the equation that I feel isn’t given its due is the passion and drive of a musician, those that practice for love of their instrument and what can come out of it. Those that want to show music as more than a sheet of paper with notes or a disk in a jewel case. It is a connection with people, played by people and very much for people. That is the Loon Lake Live! E

Adirondack Theatre: Shakespeare at the Paul Smith’s VIC (and other venues)

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Puck or Robin Goodfellow is still up to the same old tricks, even some 400+ years later. Believed to have been composed before 1600, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, continues to be one of the most popular of the Shakespearian comedies. My children listen to an audio CD so are familiar with the storyline but had yet to see it in performance. It is a physical romp around the Flander’s Park venue in Tupper Lake where actors utilize the whole park as a stage rather than being confined to a small space. Modeled after other outdoor theatre venues, the 12 performances are free. The cost to the pocket is nothing more than, well nothing! An added benefit, as far as I’m concerned, is no need to stand in a virtual e-ticket line like larger open-air venues such as the Central Park Delacorte Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. There is nothing worse than standing in line whether virtual or real time. We get to walk right in and set up our blanket and chairs, spread out our picnic

Adirondack Family Time Event Spotlight 7/30- 8/1

Here is a brief synopsis of family events happening around the Adirondack Park this weekend. Clinton County: July 31: 11:00 a.m. The Annual Bits and Pieces Festival at the Adirondack History Center Museum: 400 yrs. of history with reflections on the Quadricentennial created in collaboration with the Depot Theatre, the Westport Central School and the Westport Heritage Festival. Tickets are: $10/general; $5/museum members; $2/students. Essex: July 31: 8:30 p.m. (free) Lake Placid Heart Lake Program Center at ADK's Adirondack Loj. Night walk. Franklin: July 31: 7:00 p.m. (free) Shakespeare in the Park, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center’s (VIC) amphitheatre. www.adirondackarts.org. Hamilton: August 1, 2:00 p.m, Shakespeare in the Park, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” www.adirondackarts.org - Inlet August 1, 7:00 p.m., Shakespeare in the Park, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” www.adirondackarts.org - Speculator August 1: (free) Children's Concert

Susan G Komen Race for the Cure

Help this turtle win the race for the cure! I will not be the rabbit in this race but the turtle steady and slow. Hopefully each step I take and each pledge you make will help us all reach our goal and find a cure. This September 13th I will be running in the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure in honor of my friend Joan Taylor Westman. Joan was a mother, daughter, friend, wife, artist and much more to many more. We have all been touched by circumstances similar to Joan's. Perhaps you know someone right now who is waiting to hear the news that a cure is in reach. Please help make that wish a reality. Sometimes we are unable to find a way to help. Please give what you can. I believe that all of you will help me exceed expectations. If I can get out and run (and you know how much I looovvveee to run) then you can dig out that change from under the couch, think about a friend, neighbor, teacher, or relative that is struggling to overcome this obstacle and donate. It's the only way!

Family Time Weekend Spotlight: 7/24/09

Here is a brief synopsis of family events happening around the Adirondack Park this weekend. Of course this wouldn't include taking a dip in a secret swimming hole or taking a fun walk in the woods. Those events are just assumed to be on the roster. Clinton County: July 24-26: Clinton County Fair: www. clintoncountyfair.com Essex: July 24: Rebecca Kelly Ballet (free) 6:00 p.m. Lake Placid, Mini-Performance at Mids Park Bandshell July 25: Champlain Quadricentennial and Fort Centennial Celebrations. Fort Ticonderoga Re-enactors,Suffragette, Music & More! July 25: 10:00 a.m. (Matinee seats all $12) The Wizard of Oz at the Pendragon Theatre July 25: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Strawberry Festival, Lake Placid Franklin: July 25, 7:00 p.m. free Shakespeare in the Park Tupper Lake July 25-27: (free) Chamber Music for Families at the Saranac Lake Free Library on the 25th at 10:30 - 11:15, Loon Lake Jewish Center on the 26th at 7:30 p.m. or Saranac Lake Laboratory on the 27th at 7:30 p.m. Ju