Adirondack Family Time™

April 11 is the 2nd annual Kidding Day at Asgaard Farm and Dairy A Springtime Farm Visit isn't Old-Fashioned Family Fun! It's about showing children/kids where food comes from.  While the rest of us have been searching for spring under all the latest snow, Asgaard Farm and Dairy has been getting signs of spring since early March in the form of over 70 baby goats. Perhaps the reason there is still so much snow in the Adirondacks, Mother Nature has been waiting for the annual Asgaard Farm Kidding Day.  The owners and staff at Asgaard encourage visitors any time of the year, but this April 11 from 10 am – 3 pm is dubbed Kidding Day. During Kidding Day the barns are open for people to walk through. Some goats are grouped in smaller pens while other goats wander around in an open barn. There are other animals to view and a full store to browse. There is food provided during Kidding Day, but if last year is an indicator, it goes quickly. It is serviced on a first come, fi

By Diane Chase,  Spring break may be starting for area schools but this is a busy time of year for Rhonda Butler and David Brunner, owners of Asgaard Farm and Dairy. Once owned by illustrator, printmaker and artist Rockwell Kent, the property, designed by Kent, has remained mostly unchanged.   Since March 9 over 62 baby goats (kids) have been born with more expected during the week of March 31-April 5. I talked with Rhonda at length about the spring births and was delighted to find out there are many opportunities to visit the kids and even attend a birth. The goats at Asgaard are breed through their natural cycle. Though larger dairies use artificial light to manipulate the goats to breed off-season, Asgaard continues to follow the natural season. 

This second annual winter-sports film  competition for the   Adirondack region supports the freestyle and snowboard subculture while also acting as a fundraiser for athletes trying to make Nationals.   1) The film festival will take place at the   Hollywood Theatre   in AuSable Forks this Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m. 2)  All tickets are $5 3) This is an amateur film competition  4) Cash and prizes for top three finishers in 2 categories: under 5 minutes and under 20 minutes 5)  Other prizes will be awarded from   PlacidPlanet Bicycles   and   Hardway Apparel , GoPro,  6) A ll funds will be used to support the   United States of America Snowboard Associations Adirondack   (USASA ADK) athletes at Nationals at Copper Mountain, CO.

2nd Annual Footy Film Festival will take place at the Hollywood Theatre, Au Sable Forks March 24, 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Here is a quick sample of what to expect! Come and check out the finalists in the  2nd annual wintersports film competition to benefit USASA Adirondack athletes headed to 2012 Nationals at Copper Mt, CO.

By Diane Chase One thing we like to do is to enjoy a small intimate theatre experience. Not just live theatre, though that plays (no pun intended) a prominent role in our lives. No, it’s escaping for a few hours and going to “The Movies.” At one time many towns in the Adirondacks had their own movie houses. Sadly most have made way for the multiplex. Some theatres have retained their original architecture so the movie is not always the only thing to observe. Take a moment and enjoy a small slice of history. Each theatre offers a unique experience that a larger cineplex may not. These theatres are independently owned and operated and can offer a less expensive ticket price. 

All sorts of businesses have stepped up to help those in need. Don't worry if you can't attend an event. You can donate online for the Keene/Keene Valley Recover Fund  or mail a check for the Jay/AuSable Flood Recover Fund   b y sending a check or money order with the notation “UJFR” to:  Town of Jay Irene Relief Fund – P.O. Box 730 – Ausable Forks, NY 12912 Today in Lake Placid, September 14, 2011 at 5:30 p.m.  This event is open to the public with a $10 donation suggested. The Whiteface Lodge will be hosting The Hurricane Irene Benefit with Silent Auction, Below are just a few of the Silent Auction Items: -Tivoli Lodge- 3 Nights Stay -The Sky Lodge- 2 Nights Stay with 2 Signautre Massages -Msoaic Hotel- 2 Nights Stay -Lake Placid Pub & Brewery $100.00 Gift Certificate

By Diane Chase What is the difference between an alpaca and llama? Well, there are quite few. Though alpaca and llama are related (they're kissing cousins) the llama can weigh up to 3 times that of an alpaca. Alpaca and llama come from  Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Since they are a hardy breed many people in the Adirondacks breed them for a variety of purposes.  Alpaca are more timid while the llama are brave Llama are used more extensively as pack animals You may see alpaca and llama in the same field because the l lama will protect the alpaca . Llama serve as herd guards. Llama's have a course fleece while alpaca's fleece is soft, fine and seen as hypoallergenic . Alpaca have been domesticated and breed for their fleece for thousands of years. Llama has ears that are shaped like bananas while the alpaca's ears are smaller and The two breeds can be interbreed but there is no purpose as the offspring would not be as strong as the llama or have as lux