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The Cobble Lookout Trail: Easy Hikes near Whiteface MT, Wilmington (NY)

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Cobble Lookout trail now has a new sign!  UPDATE: There is a new sign marking the trailhead! Cobble Lookout Elevation = 2,600' Vertical Ascent = 400' Distance -  0.75-mile I am all about the easy hike  for my visiting family, whether they have kids or not. I enjoy backpacking, camping and the more challenging hikes, but nothing is more beautiful than being able to get in an easy hike with a beautiful view and still have my evening free to enjoy another Adirondack (ADK) activity.  Wilmington (NY) Cobble Lookout Trail with views of The Adirondack High Peaks and Santa's Workshop, North Pole Recently while at Lake Stevens we managed to fit in a quick stroll to the top of nearby Cobble Lookout trail off Gillispie Dr (Franklin Falls Rd.). It’s a relatively new trail.  So new, in fact, that at the time of our climb a few weeks ago, a trailhead sign wasn’t part of the program. (I was told to relax and enjoy the mystery and intrigue.)  Wilmington (NY) Co

FREE Adirondack Fire Tower Program at the Adirondack History Museum

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Poke-O-Moonshine Fire Tower The Adirondack (ADK) History Museum is offering a free Adirondack Fire Tower Program on August 12 from 9 am – 3 pm starting at the Elizabethtown museum home base. The daylong session will start with an educational discussion with Fire Tower expert David Thomas-Train. According to Adirondack History Museum Director Aurora McCaffrey this is the second time this summer that this free program has been offered to families with children in 4 th to 8 th grades. “We have held this program in 2013 and a shorter program in 2014,” says McCaffrey. “This summer we did a similar educational day and hike in July. We meet at the museum and the class will visit the whole museum. David Thomas-Train will show the new fire tower exhibit and the light-up Essex County map of all the restored fire towers. He’ll also lead smaller groups up the museum’s fire tower. Then the group heads to Poke-O-Moonshine to climb the mountain.” The hiking participants will lea

Review: Depot Theatre’s “New York Water” is Dynamic

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New York Water at the Depot Theatre, Westport What: Written by Sam Bobrick and published by Samuel French, Inc, New York Water is a dark comedy about two mid-level professionals who meet while living in New York City.  They make a rash decision to get married and move to the Midwest for a quieter life only to search greener pastures in Los Angeles and finally return to Manhattan. Where : The DepotTheatre , 6705 Main Street, Westport, New York 12993, 518-962-4449,  Ticket price: $29/adult, $27/senior/student, group discounts are available. When: Westport NY: August 7,8,9,10,14,15, at 8 pm and August 9,13,16 at 5 pm. Matt Mundy as Alfred and Juliane Godfrey as Linda in New York Water Cast/Crew: Director: Misti Wills Linda: Juliane Godfrey Alfred: Matt Mundy Stage Manager: Sarah Overturf Scenic Design: Bonnie Brewer Lighting Design: Margaret Swick Sound Design: Jim Carroll Technical Director: Kati Long (WESTPORT) In a world of speed dati

Fishing in the Adirondack (ADK) High Peaks with Kids: Wilmington's (NY) Lake Stevens

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by Diane Chase Recently my husband has started adding a fishing pole to our “must have” gear we leave in the car. The pole and tackle box now sit along side our water shoes, hiking boots, and towels. His logic makes sense.  We are usually finishing a hike or going on some Adirondack adventure that culminates with a watery stop. With 3,000 lakes and ponds at our disposal within the Adirondack Park’s 6-million acres, it is a nice option to always be able to cast a line. A nice place for children to be able to try out fishing is Lake Stevens in Wilmington. Located at the Whiteface Memorial Highway Tollhouse, this small dammed lake is stocked with trout and designated just for children and anyone with limited mobility. In the Adirondacks children under the age of sixteen are not required to have a fishing license. This small lake is also handicap accessible. Lake Stevens is named for J. Hubert Stevens, the 1932 Olympic gold medal winner in the Two-Man bobsled competition. La

Review: PENDRAGON THEATRE BRINGS BELLY LAUGTHS AND GOOD FUN WITH VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

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Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Pendragon Theatre What: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the 2013 Tony award for Best Play. Written by Christopher Durang, this play centers around three siblings, their housekeeper, one adoring neighbor and a 20ish boy toy.    Where : PendragonTheatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, Saranac Lake, 518-891-1854,  Advanced tickets price: $25/adult, $22/senior, $15/student with ID, $20/matinee At Door ticket price : $30/adult, $27/senior, $20/student, $15/matinee When: Saranac Lake: July 29, 30, 31, August 1,4,5,6,7 at 8 pm with a matinee at 2 pm on August 2 PENDRAGON THEATRE BRINGS BELLY LAUGTHS AND GOOD FUN WITH VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Cassandra (Christina Eskridge) predicts the future (SARANAC LAKE)   The comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is as long in name as it is in laughs. Directed by Shawna Mefferd Kelty, this captivating show is set in present time Bucks County where middle-aged siblings V

Review: DIVE RIGHT IN: DEPOT THEATRE’S “THE BIKINIS” IS A SWIMMINGLY GOOD TIME!

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The Bikinis at Depot Theatre, Westport, NY What:  Created and Written by Ray Roderick and James Hindman, the musical “The Bikinis” joins together an all girl band from the 60s that are reunited over a vote to either save or sell the Sandy Shores Mobile Home (Beach Resort). Upbeat songs from the 60s through the 80s move the story from under the boardwalk through various events in the lives of the band members. Where : Depot Theatre, 6705 Main Street, Westport, New York 12993, 518-962-4449,  Ticket price:  $29/adult, $27/senior/student, group discounts are available.  When:   Westport NY: July 17,18,20,24,25 at 8 pm and July 19,23,26 at 5 pm. (WESTPORT) Rain or shine, a fun beach romp this year is at the Depot Theatre ’s production of “The Bikinis,” showing through July 26 th . This musical treat transports the audience to the sandy shore with over 25 songs performed by an all-girl 60s beach band reunited to perform at a Florida beach resort, 20 years after breaking up.

$1 Summer Movies at Regal Theatre Plattsburgh

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Each summer Regal Entertainment Group in Plattsburgh offers a summer second-run film series for families called "Summer Movie Express" . The fun, inexpensive events take place every Tuesday and Wednesday during July and August at the Regal Champlain Centre Stadium 8 Theatre, 60 Smithfield Blvd, Plattsburgh. There are two movies offered. All movies start at 10 am and are rated either G or PG  July 14 and 15: Paddington and Turbo July 21 and 22: Rio 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 July 28 and 29: Mr. Peabody and Book of Life August 4 and 5: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and Penguins of Madagascar August 11 and 12: Madagascar 3 and Dolphin Tale 2 August 18 and 19: Muppets, Most Wanted and Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day August 25 and 26: The Lego Movie and The Sponge Bob Movie: Sponge Out of Water © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™guidebooks have easy Adiron

REVIEW: PENDRAGON’S TINTYPES IS FLAWLESS

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Tintypes at Pendragon highlights snapshots of history through song and dance.  What: The Tony nominated play, Tintypes , a musical conceived by Mary Kyte with Mel Marvin and Gary Pearl, is a turn-of-the-century musical revue that provides a series of vignettes into America’s immigrant experience at the onset of World War I. The cast of five actors documents the end of an era through a series of songs and a poignant understory. Where : Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, Saranac Lake, 518-891-1854, www.pendragontheatre.org Advanced tickets price: $30/adult, $25/senior, $15/student with ID, $20/matinee At Door ticket price : $35/adult/senior, $25/student, $20/matinee When: Saranac Lake: July 2, 3,7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 at 8 pm with matinees at 2 pm on July 4,11,18. VIEW in Old Forge: July 6 at 8 pm. Tintypes: A fun play for all ages.  By, Diane Chase, AdirondackFamilyTime.com (Saranac Lake)  Tintypes , now playing at  Pendragon Theatre  until July 18,

Easy Adirondack Hikes: One of 33 Easy Hikes: Lake Placid's Cobble Hill

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Summit of Cobble Hill  By Diane Chase When I first moved to the area and didn’t have the time or inclination to just climb the 46 High Peaks, I decided to take a different route. That route has led me to explore beautiful trails, walks and swimming holes around the whole Adirondack Park. There are some places that have been worth a repeat visit and other places that were just okay.  My two-year-old hiked in Crocs while carrying "her" purse My route has lead me over hills and through fields exploring all the fun activities that take place in this Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region and beyond . One favorite hike is so conveniently located in the center of Lake Placid that I always suggest it to people of all ages and hiking abilities. Cobble Hill has an elevation of 2,345’ and a vertical ascent of only 462’. My ADK kids can easily finish it within an hour or I can take longer and explore the local flora and fauna. There are a few trail entrances, b

2015 Summer Stock at Westport's Depot Theatre for 37th Season

Depot Theatre Announces its 37th Season   Westport, N.Y. - Complete with classic songs from the 60’s, zany romantic comedy and toe-tapping honky tonk, the Depot Theatre is pleased to announce its dynamic 2015 main stage lineup.   “The Bikinis” opens the season on  July 10 . A non-stop celebration of classics like “It’s In His Kiss,” “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “Heat Wave,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” punctuate the story of a girl band’s 20-year reunion, and will have audiences dancing in the aisles! The opening musical is followed by “New York Water!”. This quirky, off-kilter adult romantic comedy documents Albert and Linda’s relationship from their first fearful meeting in New York City through to the mid-west and on to the left coast as they search for meaning, happiness, and success.  Rounding out the season is the Northeast regional premiere of “Savin’ Up for Saturday Night: The Honky-Tonk Musical”, with an energetic combination of showstoppers, cat fights

The Wild Center's Wild Walk: Let's Our Inner Child Come Out to Play!

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Tupper Lake's Wild Center is asking people to look and leap while relishing in its latest adventure, The Wild Walk. Part interactive nature center and part nature playground, The Wild Walk is a Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse adventure that has us crawling, swinging and grasping with childlike awe for all that our wild surroundings provide. It allows us to sit quietly in nature in benches or swing chairs or jump feet first into a giant spider's web.   A tree house, hollowed tree have interactive elements demonstrating the Adirondack natural environment The Wild Center in Tupper Lake has always been a "go to" spot for my family. Whether we go to a solar workshop to increase our green footprint, watch the otters frolic in their own waterpark or just relax at the natural playground, The Pines, each visit is a different experience. With extended family soon to visit, we get to share the latest wild expansion that is taking down the museum walls and  "tra

Adirondack Strawberry Festivals and U-Pick Farms

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Strawberry flowers Though we have had more rain than sun over the last few days, strawberries are starting to ripen and Pick-Your-Own fields are planning on opening to the public over the next couple of weeks.  Festivals are set to gesture in summer with all things strawberry. Rulf’s Orchard in Peru is holding their 4th annual Strawberry Festival on June 27 with a bounce house, vendors, strawberry shortcake eating contest and wagon rides to the U-Pick patch.  Raquette Lake is whipping up fresh strawberry shortcake while Crown Point will host its annual celebration of those delicious red berries.  According to Shannon Rulf their strawberry fields opened last Sunday for U-Pick. During the festival She expects more people to come to take part in all the activities, not come to pick huge quantities of berries so she is also offering a special quart-size price for people taking the Country Dream Farm free horse and wagon ride to the fields.  "This year we are

Saranac Lake: Bass Season Opens with Father’s Day Fishing Derby

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Father’s Day is just around the corner, June 21, and the Saranac Lake Fish and Game Club wants to get all anglers under the age of 16 on the water with their father. This year the event coincides with the opening of Bass Season . The rules are simple. Participants are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect for other people. The purpose of the free event is to get people outside, to enjoy the morning and have fun together.  I contacted members of the Fish and Game Club and started quite a discussion on the exact number of years that the annual Father’s Day Fishing Derby has been taking place. The general consensus is that this annual event has provided almost 30 years of fun competition for children. The Father's Day Fishing Derby will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Lake Colby and is open to all children fifteen years and under, who don’t require a fishing license. Registration is at the Lake Colby Beach prior to fishing that morning.  There are five