Adirondack Family Time™

By Diane Chase Please be careful whether you are celebrating New Year's Eve with family, friends or a huge group of people. Here are taxi and cab services for your convenience. Remember to always take a taxi* or ask a friend to be a designated driver if you are drinking, no matter how little you feel the amount is that you've consumed! Be careful, be safe and have a Happy 2011.

Clipart from Clipartheaven.com By Diane Chase What better way to ring in the New Year than to celebrate the innovative and exciting ways that people bring community and guests together. Coming up with new ideas isn’t difficult.    It is the implementation that is the challenge. We have our busy lives and get caught up in all the activities. Thankfully there are those who are thinking outside the box and willing to carry out their “great ideas.” Without those special people in the community we would not have live theatre like Pendragon , Third Thursday Arts Walks and First Night® Saranac Lake , just to name a few. First Night® started five years ago when Sue Paterson and Connie Landon attended other First Night ® celebrations in Burlington and Saratoga and thought Saranac Lake would be a perfect fit. This weekend, the excitement continues with over 42 family-friendly activities in 12 venues.

Happy New Year! Dance the night away as part of Saranac Lake First Night.  Dance the night away in this family-friendly event.  Sparkling Cider, hors d'oeuvres and desserts will be provided. Bring in the 2011 New Year as part of Saranac Lake First Night ® at Will Roger's in Saranac Lake, just minutes from Lake Placid.  Join musical guests Dan Duggan and Peggy Lynn with their Adirondack style of bluegrass and folk music.  This program is open to the public as part of the First Night® Saranac Lake celebration.  A First Night Button is needed for members of the public and they will be available to purchase ($12) at the door.  Purchasing this button will allow you admission to all First Night activities.

By Diane Chase First Night   celebrations offer  families visiting or living in the Adironacks an opportunity to ring in the New Year in a healthy fashion. Just ten minutes from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake will ring in the New Year with its fifth First Night® celebration.  Originating in Boston over 35 years ago, First Night originators wanted to provide non-alcohol related New Year’s Eve festivities. The arts centered event grew from a small community celebration to what now showcases Boston’s diverse culture and art. There are now 200 similarly modeled celebrations worldwide. In our part of the world,   Saratoga Springs   and   Saranac Lake   are two such sanctioned events. Read More

* Please note at the end, comments regarding blow down and conditions on the rest of the Deer Pond Loop! So many sweets have found the way into my home lately that if I didn’t know better I would think it was some evil plan of my dentist to keep himself in business. Plates of homemade treats line the counters and bowls are filled with brightly wrapped candies. I look at the bounty and rub my hands together with glee. I am the willing recipient of homemade goods. Since I have no shut off valve and devour the treats with wild abandon, I also need an outlet to work off my sugar overload. One way to work off those holiday treats is to go for a ski or snowshoe. There are many options and guidebooks available to venture outside and enjoy the snow. One cross-country ski my husband continually informs me I “have to” do is finally complete the 7.3-mile Deer Pond loop. There are two entrances for the Deer Pond area and I have always taken the less popular path near Bull Point on R

By Diane Chase New York State Ski Discounts for the Adirondack Mountains. Alpine skiing can be expensive for a family. The great thing as that so many downhill ski mountains offer discounts and special events that if you plan ahead you can save money. Please keep checking back as discounts become available I will list them here.  Keep money in your pocket while enjoy all the Adirondack ski resorts have to offer. Ski Olympic mountains or small family-size hills.  Below are just a few savings so go to the websites to see if lodging and other discounts fit more to your family's needs. Besides discounts I have listed those mountains that offer night skiing and tubing as well. 

By Diane Chase Did you know? Charles Dickens • Charles Dickens was born in 1812 • At 12 he was forced to leave school and work in a factory to help get his family out of debt. • He is considered a Victorian author because he wrote during the Victorian era • He was the most popular writer of his time • Dickens began his writing career as a journalist • He wrote plays, journals, travel books, and weekly periodical called Household Words and All Year Round as well as numerous novels • He also traveled to the United States to speak against slavery • He had ten children with his wife, Catherine • Dickens wrote five Christmas books but A Christmas Carol is the most popular. • He died before his last book, The Mystery of Edwin Drood was completed • He used his writing to highlight poor working conditions and the atrocities of child labor • The characters from his books were inspired by real people from his life Like the character Mr. Micawber in David Copperfield, Dicken

Photo from MrEclipse.com What to do with kids in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, Lake George, Saranac Lake, High Peaks Tuesday, December 21, 2010 EST  Total Eclipse of the Moon time frame partial eclipse = 1: 33 a.m. total eclipse begins = 2:41 a.m. mid eclipse = 3:17 a.m. total eclipse ends = 3:53 a.m. partial eclipse ends = 5:01 a.m. Be a Nature Detective: What is a Lunar Eclipse? • An eclipse of the moon can only take place when the moon is full and if it passes through part of the earth's shadow. • A lunar eclipse is safe to view with the naked eye while special filters are required to view a solar eclipse.

Santa is making those last minute rounds around the area so there will be plenty of opportunity to get any last minute letters and whisper into the ear of the merry ol’ elf. The area business communities have once again pulled together to bring Santa out and about. Last week had its own special events for children while this weekend provides even more activities to ensure every child the opportunity to get a gift from Santa. For the 34 th  year, Santa will be at the Department of Environmental Control (DEC) in Ray Brook on Friday, December 17 th  from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and it only makes sense that Smokey Bear will be there as well. Don’t try to get Smokey to talk; I’m told he doesn’t give interviews. Elves will be passing out treats. Face painting and cookie decorating is available with a special holiday concert from the Saranac Lake High School Chorus.   The Saranac Lake Youth Center has managed to grab Santa from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday for those last minute photos

Don't be a Scrooge! Check out Pendragon Theatre's performance of A Christmas Carol.  Call 518-891-1854 for reservations. Tickets are $10.00 for adults and $8.00 for those under 17 At the Pendragon stage December 18 and 19, 2:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m.  December 21, 22, 23, 7:00 p.m.  At the Lake Placid Center for the Arts December 27, 28, 7:00 p.m. 

By Diane Chase I  want that simpler time with Adirondack carolers, hot chocolate and exchanging friendly greetings on the street. I want to alleviate the holiday stress and just enjoy being with my family. On December 10-12, 2010, the village of Lake Placid will turn on its old world alpine charm and celebrate its annual Lake Placid Holiday Stroll. Santa will kick off the event with  free  skating at the  Olympic Center  on Friday the 10th starting at 6:30 p.m. Read More of my Post on Lake Placid.com

Children try small jumps first By Diane Chase The 'Learn to Fly" Wednesday is back as the NYSEF coaching staff at the Olympic Ski Jumps in Lake Placid will have four fun ski jump clinics in 2011 on the hill of Vancouver Olympians Bill Demong and Peter Frenette. These clinics are open to all children. Date and Time: Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. as follows: January 5, 12,18 (Tues) and 26th Location: Base Lodge of the Olympic Ski Jumps in Lake Placid, NY. Cost: First year jumpers are $5.00/session A successful clinic at the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumps Age: All athletes six-years and older with prior skiing experience Equipment: Alpine or XC skis and a helmet There will be plenty of snacks and hot chocolate to keep your little ones energized! Kids progress to the jumps at their own initiative.

By Diane Chase Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex The Chair lift to the top He's a winner!