Adirondack Family Time™

By Diane Chase Charlie’s Inn in Lake Clear is going to become a hub of activity this weekend, July 16-17, in celebration of the Lake Clear Junction Station Centennial. Inside the beautifully preserved Lake Clear Junction Station Depot is an exact miniature replica of the Lake Clear Depot and surrounding houses, circa 1911.  To commemorate the event will be a variety of vendors, events and activities meticulously planned by Betsy and Wayne Tucker. The building has some stories to tell. My daughter and I are able to gather just tidbits of the momentous era when train travel provided possibility to the Adirondacks. Historic Saranac Lake, Paul Smith’s College and over 15 other vendors will be around to demonstrate the elements that brought together Dr. William Seward Webb, Paul Smith, stagecoaches, an electric railway, NY Central Railway and settling the Adirondacks. There will be authors to meet, Adirondack Carousel carvings to see and a Pendragon Theatre historical interpretation.

By Diane Chase The Clinton County Fair will take place this year from July 19-24, 2011 with a variety of Grandstand events, This annual county fair is located at 8 4 Fair Grounds Rd in Morrisonville , just outside of Plattsburgh. In its 64th year, the Clinton County Fair  One special treat will be the 1966 Batmobile on display all week at the Clinton County Fair in Building One.  Sometimes going to a fair can be a drain on your finances. Save money by checking out the schedule to see the various specials and discounts being offered.  A Megapass is another way to save money. It is good for any one day at the fair and includes admission and rides all day. The catch: It's only on sale until July 18 at Price Chopper (Plattsburgh & Champlain) or at the Fair Office. (Save an additional $1 if you use your Advantage Card )

Seagle Colony presents "The Three Billy Goats Gruff" By Diane Chase Twenty-nine years and still going strong, the Ticonderoga Festival Guild continues to provide weekly children’s programming under the name Arts Trek. Each Wednesday morning at 10:15 a.m. Ticonderoga Arts Trek holds court at the Knights of Columbus Pavilion, behind the K of C Hall on Montcalm, for anywhere from 200 to 250 children. According to Executive Director Cathie Burdick the program name Arts Trek originated in the 80s and is an anagram of the then popular TV show Star Trek.

FREE YOUNG  and FUN ARTS SERIES schedule At the Lake Placid Center for the Arts auditorium 10:30AM • FREE ADMISSION Seating is First-Come, First-Serve. Doors Open at 10:00 a.m. No General Reservations July 13 • Billy Goats Gruff Seagle Music Colony This charming intro to opera retells the classic fairy tale story. Adapted by John Davies and featuring music from operas by Mozart, Donizetti and Rossini. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. July 20 • Vermont Singer / Songwriter Jon Gailmor Songs to make people feel alive! Humans prenatal through prehistoric will enjoy a great blend of music from this multi-award winning Vermonter. Humor and audience involvement are integral parts of this fun show!

The 6th annual Childstock Music Festival  is not only a day of acoustic and electric music it is a family-friendy event for all ages!! The day starts at and is filled with music from "The Stone Revivial Band" to "Lucid."   Doors open at 10:00 a.m, July 30, 2011 Tickets are $18 (presale) adults, $15/students,  Children 12 & under are FREE when accompanied by a paying adult.  $22 tickets at the "door"    Childstock is a charity event, donating all profits to the Malone Music Booster, dedicated to keeping music in schools! They are also supporting local food and beverage vendors.  Children's activities will be available from 11am-3pm, including: ~Recycled & Biodegradable Art~ tables FULL of things from nature to make beautiful art with ~Wishboat Workshop~ build your own boat and set sail with a special wish! ~Painting & Coloring ~ express yourself with markers, crayons & paints!

By Diane Chase If you have not eaten at Eat N' Meet  139 Broadway in Saranac Lake, you are missing an experience. The food is deliciously prepared by Chef John Vargo from mostly Adirondack locally grown or harvested products. Check the reviews yourself! With a motto of "It's Not Fast, It's Food," Eat N' Meet offers a daily menu that alters between the standard (yet still delicious) Mac N' Cheese to more complex options like Chicken coq au vin or Blackened Catfish.

Red Baneberry can be founded in wooded areas and thrives in full shade Plant is 1'-2' height White flowers that flower from May - June Berries start to form and show in July - August WARNING: Berries are poisonous © Diane Chase, author of  Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities)  available  online  or bookstores/museums July 2011. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook in the proposed four book series of Adirondack Family Activities.

By Diane Chase The Adirondack Council will once again present their Forever Wild Day at The Irondequoit Inn in Piseco. NY, July 9th. This all day event features guided hikes to Echo Cliff on Panther Mountain or join Council members on the Northville-Placid Trail or Cold Spring Falls. There are birding activities and self-guided tours to such beautiful Adirondack places like Good Luck Lake, Good Luck Cliffs and Auger Falls. Mountain bike around Speculator, NY with an easy Kunjamuk Cave (7.2 mile) loop or the longer 13.7 mile loop. There will also be a native plant sale and information regarding Adirondack invasive plants. Perfect for the local or visitor! Paddle to Kunjamuk River and look for Blue Heron, Osprey and various wild duck species. Enjoy! © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) available online or bookstores/museums July 2011. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook in th

Familypalooza! Join the Adirondack Museum and kick-off your summer with an action packed day for families. Children age 17 and under will be admitted free of charge on July 9 for this special event. The Albany Radio Disney Station  will be at the museum to start the day! Enjoy 2 hours of fun, games and prizes while rocking out to the hottest kid-friendly songs. The Utica Zoomobile from the  Utica Zoo  will be on-site with animals of New York State. Special programs will take place between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Members of the  Adirondack Mountain Club, Albany Chapter will be offering introduction to kayaking and safety and rescue demonstrations. The action-packed demonstrations will take place on the museum's pond in the morning and afternoon. Let the kids burn off some energy with a trip to the bounce house, or to the museum's Tot Lot and Little Log Cabin. After that, grab a scavenger hunt map and explore the Adirondack Museum's exhibits. Make believe with the Adirondack L

The Vilas Home's ~ Second Annual Summer Concert Series Thursday, July 7 at 6:00pm  -  August 25 at 7:00pm Location 61 Beekman Street (across form Hawkin's Hall) Plattsburgh, NY Created By Vilas Home More Info It's time wonderful time of year...we are having our annual summer concerts on the lawn. Every Thursday night starting in July and lasting until the last Thursday in August. This Year's Line up: 7/7- The Castaway's 7/14- Charlie Stone & The Split Rock Band 7/21- The Meter Maids 7/28- Gary Sargeant 8/4- Rod Driscoll (from the Too Tall String Band) 8/11-Roy Hurd 8/18 - The Sweet Adeline's 8/25 - The Back Porch Band The concerts will be held on our lawn's under a large tent and provided seating. We will also provide lemonade. We hope you join us for a great 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

New Building Gala Opening Weekend July 7 - 10 Thursday, July 7: Gala Fundaraising Dinner Limited seating please call to check availability ($250 pp.) 5:30pm Cocktails, Music, and Silent Auction 6:30pm Dinner 8 - 10pm Dancing, High Definition Band Friday, July 8: Dedication & Postal Cancellation 10 - 10:30am Dedication & Ribbon Cutting followed by refreshments and music with Al Nathan 10:30 - 11:30am Special Commemorative Postal Cancellation 10am - 4pm Open House and Workshop Demonstrations Saturday, July 9: Open House and BBQ 8am Hiking Safely Lecture 10am  Nature Walk Led by Gary Lee 10am - 4pm Open House and Workshop Demonstrations 6pm Fulton Chain Gang Concert & Barbecue (tickets $15/$10 members) Sunday, July 10: Family Day Noon - 4pm Open House Workshop Demonstrations (Including Iron Pour) Live Music by Jim & Bonnie Tracy Utica ZooMobile Tie-dye (fee for t-shirts) Clown, Face-Painting Food Concessions (Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Ice Cream)

Camp Out for Families: An Overnight at the Adirondack Museum Join the Adirondack Museum and the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts for a fun-filled night July 8-9, 2001. See the exhibits by lantern, get dramatic about Adirondack history, hear songs and stories by the campfire, and have a sleepover in the  Woods and Waters  exhibit. For families with children ages 7 - 13;  1 adult chaperone requested for every 1 to 4 children.  Program starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends the following morning at 9:30 a.m. Pre-registration required. Call or email to register: jrubin@adkmuseum.org  or (518) 352 - 7311 ext 115 mhall@adkmuseum.org  or (518) 352 - 7311 ext 128 Fee includes dinner, evening snack, light breakfast, and all activity materials. $45 per person for Adirondack Museum members and Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts members; $55 per person for non-members all content and photos © Diane Chase, author of  Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes &  High Peaks:Your Four-Season Guide to