Adirondack Family Time™

The Yule Log By Diane Chase Though difficult to trace, as most traditions are, burning the Yule Log has become a symbol of prosperity and luck for the coming year. Stories have dated back to the 12th century when European winter festivals celebrated the winter solstice. The lighting of the log symbolized the return of the sun and longer days. Some people have each family member sit upon the Yule Log before it is burned for good luck. Others will write a wish to toss into the fire to ensure good luck for the coming year. All in all, it is a means to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to family and friends.  The tradition is maintained from year to year by saving a small portion to use to light the next year's log. We all have our holiday traditions but nothing is seeped more in the tradition of winter activities than the town known as the birthplace of winter sports in America. Once again Lake Placid is bringing back traditions of ol'. The High Peaks Resort i

Wassail!   (Wassail" is an olde English word for a toast similar to "Good Health" while  the wassail  refers to the drink  ( spiced or mulled wine or ale) you are toasting with.  Enjoy your holiday with a warm drink among family and friends!  Wassail* 1 gallon apple cider 1 quart cranberry juice (not cocktail) 1 tsp whole cloves (substitute nutmeg other spices you enjoy) 1 cup brown sugar 3 sticks cinnamon 1 orange, sliced in thin slices DIRECTIONS  Mix all items in crockpot or large sauce pan. Simmer to keep warm * mix in  a Madeira or red wine  The Wassail Song!

UPDATED:   The program now includes 3rd and 4th graders!  By Diane Chase I always think that I have stumbled upon the deal of the century, only to find that everyone is already in the know. So just in case I am not the last person to find out that New York State is once again offering the Ski and Ride Passport Program to all 3rd and 4th grade children, I’m here to let you in on the secret. The program was first established in 2000 to introduce children to skiing and promote a healthy lifestyle choice. The passport offers free lift tickets and other discounts like soft drink coupons. Personally, the beverage option seems to cancel out the healthy lifestyle choice. Perhaps it may help encourage a child to get off the couch and onto the slopes. There are two different types of passports: Learn to Ski/Snowboard or Ski and Ride. The Ski and Ride Passport is a booklet of coupons for free lift tickets (with adult purchase) for 31 listed ski mountains including Gore, Whiteface, T

Reviews for  Adirondack Family Time Tri-Lakes and High Peaks:  Your Four Season Guide to Over 300 Activities  (with GPS coordinates) 33 easy hikes 19 swimming holes and beach 21 historic sites snowshoe and cross-country ski trails and ski centers free ice-skating Trivia organized by town and by season two indices (Index by Activity and Index by Age) 18 inside activities/games sledding, skiing, playgrounds, ice cream and much more Democrat and Chronicle  " My copy already has creases in the cover and plenty of dog-eared pages.  There are more than 300 activities outlined in the guide (maps, photos and GPS coordinates will get you there), and best of all none take up an entire day.  Chase's book really is for anyone looking to make the most of their time in the Adirondacks. Throw it in your glove compartment and have the kids read it on the drive up."  Adirondack Life :  " For your own cuties there’s  Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes & Hig

Lake Placid will celebrate it's annual Holiday Village Stroll December 9-11, 2011. There are many family-friendly activities from a FREE movie at the Palace Theatre to arts and crafts at the High Peaks Resort.  Friday, December 9, 2011 5:00-7:00 pm Artist Reception at the  Northwoods Inn 6:30-8:30 pm FREE  Holiday Skating Party at the Olympic Center with free skate rental. Featuring Santa, hot cocoa and a performance by regional skating clubs. Evening Hours Local restaurants & bars will feature live music, happy hour, great food, and much more!   Saturday, December 10, 2011 8:30 am Jingle Bell Charity Run -  Village Beach - Registration at 7:00 am To benefit the Adirondack Health Center Fit For Life program 10:00 am Local shops will have special promotions all day. 10:00-2:00 pm Harvest Market at the  LPCA 11:00-11:30 am FREE  Holiday Story Time at  Mirror Lake Inn 12:00-1:00 pm Santa arrives on a Fire Truck at Mid's Park (Located at the center of Main

One thing we always try to do around the holidays is to have the children attend one of the many arts and crafts events around the area. The goal is two-fold. The kids get to create something and then give it to someone as a Christmas gift. The weekend in Ticonderoga, the Ticonderoga Business Chamber is sponsoring its second annual North Country Christmas. The activities range from   Kids Holiday Craft Day at Glens Falls National Ban k to the ability to drop your small ones off to do some craft while you shop ($5) at All Bout Critters.

Saranac Lake's 2nd annual Home For The Holidays is a weekend full of activities from marshmallow roasts, children's crafts, movies, Breakfast with Santa, snowman building contest and more. Enjoy this time to walk the streets of Saranac Lake, peek around and enjoy some family time!  

Christmas in Warrensburgh  (full schedule below) Readings and Book Signings  Friday, December 2, 7 p.m. FREE "Season's Readings" at Willows Bistro .  Adirondack Center for Writing and Fiction Among Friends collaborate with Christmas in Warrensburgh to host this event at Willow's Bistro, 3749 Main St.  Area writers present readings from their works. Featured ACW reader, Mary Sanders Shartle reading from  Winterberry, Pine  and her new novel,  The Hermit.  Also reading, Mason Smith ( Towards Polaris , and  Florida) ; Doug Deneen and Bibi Wein. . Refreshments are available. 504-4344 Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Book Signings by Adirondack Authors at Willows Bistro.  Fiction Among Friends and Willows Bistro combine forces to host seven area authors offering perfect holiday gifts. Stop in for a visit. 10:00 - Pat Leonard; 11:00 - Mary Sanders Shartle; noon Amanda Shaffer and Meghan Lemery 1:00 - Joseph C. Parker; 2:00 - Diane Chase (wit

The New York Sun's newsman Francis Pharcellus Church's response to then eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon has since become history's most reprinted newspaper editorial.  Is There A Santa Claus?   "We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of THE SUN: DEAR EDITOR:  I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? VIRGINIA O'HANLON. 115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.  

Join Adirondack Family Time author Diane Chase and Adirondack Outdoor Expeditions, LLC guide Tyler Chase for a book signing and knot tying activity at Willows Bistro , 3749 Main Street in Warrensburg on December 3 at 2:00 p.m. Part of Christmas in Warrensburg , Willows Bistro and Fiction Among Friends  with Persis Granger will present a variety of authors to round out your gift list.

Cook Mountain  Distance 1.3 miles one way Ascent 895' From the summit of Cook Mountain, you can enjoy an expansive view of northern Lake George The Cook Mountain Preserve was established in 1990 through the generous donation of 176 acres by Donald and Marjorie Delano, George’s grandchildren. In 1995, the Cook Mountain Preserve was expanded by an 18-acre parcel donated by Dr. and Mrs. George Boyle. Directions:   At the monument/traffic circle (Moses Circle) in Ticonderoga, head straight (south) on Lord Howe St. for 0.75 miles to a “T” intersection with Alexandria Street (County Route 5). Turn left and then immediately right onto Baldwin Road. Proceed south on Baldwin for 1.5 miles to the 192-acre Cook Mountain Preserve. Park to the right. © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for the towns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Jay/Upper Jay, Wilmington, Keene/Keene Valley whi

There are also plenty of opportunities to help those in need.  So during this Thanksgiving season, spend a few moments while filling yourself with turkey and the works and clean our your own cupboard .  I know I have quite a few things in there that I will never eat. Perhaps it is time to donate my few impulse buys to people that will actual use them.  If you children have toys in good shape or a coat they've grown out of, get kids involved. Have them look through their own belongings for items they have out grown but are willing to gift to others.  When I go grocery shopping, I give my children $1 so they can choose an item to put in the food pantry box at the front of the store.  Sometimes stores have a 10/$10 sale so the item costs less than a cup of coffee.  Every $1 helps.  I don't hunt. I did not grow up hunting and I don't even eat meat. That said, there are plenty of other people that do. (Thanks to Leo Roth at Democrat and Chronicle for this tip.

The Adirondack's only year-round professional theatre presents "To Kill A Mockingbird"  Performances  in Saranac Lake are:  November 17,18,19, 30 at 7:00 p.m.   December 1, 2 at 7:00 p.m.   The only matinee is Sunday, December 4, at 2:00 p.m.   The production will return to Saranac Lake for only one more performance  as a part of the Winter Carnival on February 11, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. To Kill A Mockingbird  will tour through March to schools and Arts Centers throughout the region. Consult the Pendragon Theatre’s website or contact the Pendragon Theatre directly for information about these performances “on the road”. Ticket prices are $20 adult, $18 senior and $10 for people under 17. For further information contact the theatre at: 518-891-1854,  via e-mail:  pdragon@northnet.org   or on the web: www.pendragontheatre.org.  © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities) for