Adirondack Family Time™

I love going to a place that has a story. Though not every place I bring my family to has as rich a history as The Pine Inn in Lake Placid, there is usually something interesting about all the Adirondack locations that makes us come back for more. Though we went during the special Duncan's Grille Oktoberfest weekend at The Pines' Inn in Lake Placid, the intimate dining experience wasn't just about the amazing food, it was about the quality of the experience. We started out with some fresh pretzels , hot mustard and a cold beer. Delicious! We were given a few choices of sides so my kids chose the tasty red cabbage,  fresh sauerkraut with potatoes and gravy along with the main course.  Bratwurtz and Schnitzels! I wasn't sure how my kids would like the food. They aren't picky, but sometimes my youngest can't pass up the grilled cheese menu option when we go out to eat.  They loved it all! It was comfort food on a plate. I didn't get

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.

The last scheduled winter event of the season with the Lake George Land Conservancy will take place this Saturday, March 23 at the Lake George Recreation Center/Berry Pond Preserve.  Saturday, March 23; 9 am – 1 pm This FREE event is in its third year. Join in all the family-fun while enjoying the trail system at the Berry Pond Preserve. There will be live raptor demonstrations, educational touch-tables, soups, hot chocolate and kids crafts.  

By Diane Chase, Adirondack Family Time Titus Mountain has six double chairlifts, two triple chairlifts, and two hand-tows serving 42 trails and two terrain parks.   The mountain has a history around skiing that started in the late 1940s when a local man built a rope tow on his property and powered it with an old Buick sedan. Neighbors and friends enjoyed the simple ski hill until it officially opened as a ski center in the early sixties as Moon Valley.  The Lodge at Titus Family Ski Center has been enlarged! 

Andy Flynn, publisher of Hungry Bear Publishing in Saranac Lake and author of the popular Adirondack Attic book series along with  friends from the Adirondack Forest Preserve Education Partnership (AFPEP)  has published a Kindle ebook titled New York's Adirondack Park: A User's Guide .  According to a press release from Flynn the book includes 13 of Flynn’s stories from the “Adirondack Attic” book series, straight from the archives of the Adirondack Museum, to help illustrate the “how-to” aspects of using the Forest Preserve and give a historical perspective.

Irish Road Bowling takes place on a country road, but beware the road is not usually blocked off to traffic.  Speculator, NY and Indian Lake are just two places that enjoy this St. Patrick's Day tradition!  Irish road bowling has been played in the Irish countryside since the 1600s.  Using a 28-oz iron or steel ball, called a bowl, or bullet is chucked down a country road to the finish. The player or team with the fewest shots at the finish line wins. The "course" can up to two miles long.

Visiting the Central Adirondacks?  McCauley Mountain's cross-country ski trails are FREE for the whole month of March!  

Inspired by  Jr Iron Chef VT, a project of Burlington School Food Project and Vermont FEED , North Country Iron Chef Jr is helping to bolster the local food movement in school cafeterias.  North Country Iron Chef Jr is making its debut on March 9, 2013 at the  Eben Holden Center, St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY. A cooking competition for middle and high school students from  Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence Counties. , North Country Iron Chef, Jr.  The goal of North Country Iron Chef Jr. is for students, using a combination or local and USDA foods create a recipe that could be prepared in a school cafeteria. While promoting the use of local foods in school menus, North Country Iron Chef Jr also provides students with hands-on experience and an opportunity to lifelong skills that relate to healthy living.  Each team had to submit a recipe the the committee by February 1 that met a list of criteria including the use of 2   local products

I love Benne wafers. They have a slightly sweet taste and crisp texture. Just a few can satisfy my sweet tooth. Sesame is also high in protein, contains no cholesterol and is rich in calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins B and E. Of course, when you toss it into a cookie, it has to fend for itself.  Benne (the Bantu word for sesame) was brought to America from East Africa in the 17 th  century during the slave trade era.  Here are two recipes I found the  BENNE WAFERS RECIPE ( 1954 Gourmet magazine ) INGREDIENTS: 1 1/2 tablespoons butter 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons flour 3/4 cup sesame (benne) seeds (toasted) 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt PREPARATION: Lightly toast the sesame (benne) seeds in a nonstick pan until golden brown. Watch carefully so the seeds won't burn. Cream butter and sugar together and mix with other ingredients in the order given. Use a 1/2 teaspoon to measure the dough and drop onto a cookie pan covered with parchmen

The Lake George Land Conservancy will be hosting two family-friendly events in March.  These events are FREE and open to the public. Do register though by calling 518-644-9673 or emailing . Registration is required. Enjoy! Wildlife Tracking at Amy's March 2, 10:00 a.m - 1:00 pm  Amy's Park, Bolton Landing Join the LGLC for this family friendly, easy hike or snowshoe (snow-dependent) through Amy’s Park; look for tracks in the snow with naturalist and wildlife tracker Matt Walter. Walk will cover about 2 miles of easy trails and include frequent stops. In the case of rain an indoor presentation will be available at LGLC's Center for Conservation in Bolton Landing. Winter Warm Up March 23, 9 am - 1 pm FREE Lake George Recreation Center, Transfer Road, Lake George It's almost time for the annual Winter Warm Up! Bundle up the family and join us for fun activities, great food and hands-on presentations. Warm up by the bonfire and listen to tales from our storyte

Take a moment to explore the experts of the Adirondack Park. Meet talented artists and performers and learn through these inexpensive lecture series. Enjoy! February 23  -  Annie and Jonny Rosen at the Adirondack Mountain Club's Heart Lake (free) Come in from the cold and warm up with the wonderful musical talents of  Annie and Jonny Rosen . These talented musicians from Schenectady are making their journey up North to help us celebrate winter in the Adirondacks. You’ll enjoy listening to their beautiful vocals and harmonies that are blended into an eclectic mix of acoustic folk, torchy blues, standards, bluegrass, gospel, early jazz and more. A great night of musical entertainment for everyone! February 24 -"Lies Will be Told Today"  with Chris Shaw (Free to Adirondack Museum members and students; $5 for non-members)   1:30 p.m. at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek, NY .  Join Adirondack singer, songwriter, and storyteller Chris Shaw for an

WHAT IS THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT?  How to do the Great Backyard Bird Count The Great Backyard Bird Count is a four-day event to gain a real-time idea of where birds are located across the continent. Anyone from novice to expert bird watcher can participate. It is free and fun for all members of the family. 1. Plan to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. You can count each day or just some of the days and you can count in different places. Just be sure to keep a separate list of birds for each day and each location. 2. For each type of bird you see, count the most you see at any one time. For example, maybe you see two chickadees when you start watching, then five chickadees a few minutes later. The number you put on your list for chickadees is five. Do NOT add two plus five. (This way way you don't accidentally count the same bird twice.) You may find it helpful to print out your  regional bird checklist  to get an idea of the kin

Making your own alcohol extract is easy and will save you of money .   (For parents only) For example:  Usnea (Old Man's Beard) is an herbal remedy that has been used for centuries to help with immune related issues. With cold and flu season upon us, perhaps this is the year for you to check out Usnea's healthy properties, whether you make your own or buy it at your local health food store!