Adirondack Family Time™

Adirondack Invasive Species Awareness Week Celebrated Annually the Second Week of July Adirondack communities and organizations will celebrate the 8th annual ISAW July 7 - July 13, 2013 . WHY*      Invasive plants and animals threaten Adirondack lakes, ponds, rivers, and forests, which are precious resources that underwrite the economy of many communities through recreation, tourism, forestry, and numerous other uses. WHAT*   Learn about the issues surrounding invasive species (both plant and animal, aquatic and terrestrial) and about the importance of native biodiversity in the Adirondacks by attending workshops, field trips, lectures, and control parties.  WHO*     Hundreds of citizens of all ages across the Adirondack region. WHERE*     Nature centers, natural areas, lakes, rivers, agricultural fields, parks, campgrounds, institutions of higher learning, natural history museums… WHEN*   ...

We thought we could use a bit of practice for the 9-Miler canoe race so when a friend asks to meet us at Lower St. Regis we quickly agree. We take the canoe and drive to the Lower St. Regis canoe launch, arming each child with a paddle. A Paul Smith’s College Watershed Steward greets us. He diligently checks the canoe for any invasive plant life, specifically Eurasian Water-milfoil. The Watershed Stewardship Program, among other duties, is responsible for helping to educate the public with ways to avoid the spreading and introduction of invasive species into the lakes. The canoe passes the test. My daughter and I sit in the center while my son practices his stroke in preparation of the big race. We head west about 1/4 –mile, looking out for the first carry. We have a contest on our boat to see who will view the DEC sign first. My son is the winner. The portage is about 200 yards, a quick jaunt. Bog Pond is aptly named. We traverse through a channel with grasses reaching over ou...

By Diane Chase For the 2 nd  year Amusements of America will be coming to Tupper Lake between stops at the Saratoga and Franklin County Fair. In case anyone is wondering about these traveling fairs, Saratoga County Fair (held in Ballston Spa) is one of the oldest fairs in New York State and still organized by the Saratoga Agricultural Society while the Franklin County Fair (held in Malone) is run by the Franklin County Agricultural Society and has continued to provide this annual event for over 150 years. Now the Tupper Lake Lions Club has gotten into the carnival game. From July 27-31 at the Tupper Lake Municipal Park there will be an assortment of carnival rides for children of all ages, from rides for small children to something the parents can share like the Ferris wheel, merry-go-round or the “dizzy dragon.” I can’t tell you what the last one is because when I spoke with Maurice from Amusements of America it sounded like he was on the Ferris Wheel at Saratoga County Fair. He...

Ebony Jewelwing Adirondacks For Kids: Be a Bug Detective while you are playing outside or along a nature hike and look for this damselfly known for its bright body and black wings. It can be seen buzzing about usually during the summer months of July and August.  The Ebony Jewelwing is a type of damselfly. This bug eats large quantities of aphids, flies, mosquitos and other insects! Just the type of outdoor friend we like to have. Not only is this little creature beautiful but very helpful.  That said, it also is a meal for birds, dragonflies and bats. Well, we all can't be at the top of the food chain. 

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. ...

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.

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!

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...

Adirondack Shakespeare Theatre will celebrate its second season with four productions and a full schedule of events with performances of the comedy "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). A full season pass can be purchased for only $30, which includes all performances to "A Mid Summer's Night Dream and Merchant of Venice as the well as Adirondack Shakespeare's original productions by  Sean Adams,   Theseus and the Minotaur , which features an adapted version of   A Midsummer Night’s Dream .   The season will open July 3  with FREE performances at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m at Shepard's Park in Lake George. Also check back for a FREE children's performance at Lake Placid's Mid Park July 23 and August 3.  Adirondack Shakespeare Theatre Schedule of Events

T hurman NY hosts FREE Monday Night Concerts in the Park at 7:00 p.m.  Bring a chair and a friend. Free Concerts in the park every Monday in July and August   Monday, July 4th ~ Smokey Greene in Concert followed by FIREWORKS.   Regional favorite Smokey Greene will kick off Thurman's weekly Concerts in the Park. He'll leave you wanting more, so take home the "friendly voice of Smokey Greene" on CD.  http://www.smokeygreene.com/ Monday, July 11th ~ Vintage Country in Concert  -  Enjoy classic country music, a few tunes of the 50's & 60's and maybe even a round or square dances. Influenced by the likes of Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline, Tanya Tucker and the Bellamy Brothers, this group aims to please. Meet Debbie and Wil Pixley, Ken Darling and Bub Sherman. Visit them on Facebook. Monday, July 18th ~ The Bluebillies in Concert   performing country, bluegrass, rockabilly with close harmonies of Mel and Mark Guarino with John Kribs, Doug Moody and Dale H...

By Diane Chase If you don't have an opportunity to go to a Meadowmount School Summer Chamber Concert, check out their YouTube page . MeadowMount School was founded in 1944 by legendary violin teacher, Ivan Galamian and directed by Eric Larsen. This international school is for serious students of violin, viola, cello and piano. There is a seven-week summer program for solo and chamber music. Located in Lewis, NY near Westport. Enjoy! 2011 Concerts Dates: J uly 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 31 August 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 All concerts begin at 7:30 pm. Admission is $7.00/adults and $4.00/Students/Senior citizens (Meadowmount students/parents admitted free) © Diane Chase, author of Adirondack Family Time: Tri-Lakes and High Peaks (Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 A ctivities) available online or bookstores/museums July 2011. Diane is currently working on the second guidebook and app for four book series of Adirondack Family Activities.

The Adirondack History Center Museum in Elizabethtown is open for the season.  2011 Admission: Adults $5.00, Seniors $4.00, Students $2.00,  6 and under are free. One  highlight of the visit is to climb to the top of the adjacent fire tower. This particular steel tower was reconstructed from two different fire towers. At the top we can see all around the village of Elizabethtown and surrounding mountains.

You don't have to run a marathon or bike a long distance race. This weekend there are opportunities to be an "armchair athlete" while watching these two great events. People are out and about in the Adirondacks. Lake Placid is hosting its 7th annual Lake Placid Marathon and Half Marathon while all weekend between Inlet and Indian Lake, mountain bikers will be around preparing for or participating in the Black Fly Challenge. Since the mid-90's Inlet has hosted the mountain bike challenge, appropriately named,  the Black  Fly Challenge . This mountain bike race alters each year between a start in  Indian Lake and Inlet.  This year the shuttle will leave Inlet for Indian Lake so races can prepare the the long distance race.

Each day one flavor is offered, twisted with vanilla. Anything not sold daily is packed into containers for sale in the dairy case. This year Donnelly’s will sell an estimated 5,000 gallons of ice cream. Please pick a size, the flavor has already been decided for you. Since 1920, the Donnelly family has been involved in the dairy industry. But it was in 1953, after two aunts went to a dairy equipment show, that Donnelly’s Corner became synonymous with ice cream. Look to see the original Cherry Burrell ice cream machine still in use today. It is taken apart and sanitized daily then filled with the delicious mixture providing us with the flavor of the day. Donnelly’s soft ice cream is located at the intersection of Routes 86 and 186, outside of Saranac Lake. Monday - Nut Surprise Tuesday - Red or Black Raspberry Wednesday - Chocolate Thursday - Fruit Surprise Friday - Strawberry Saturday and Sunday - Chocolate

FREE 2010 YOUNG & FUN ARTS SERIES AT THE  LAKE PLACID CENTER FOR THE ARTS SELECT WEDNESDAYS IN THE LPCA THEATRE 10:30AM • FREE ADMISSION Seating is First-Come, First-Serve. Doors Open at 10:00 a.m.

By Diane Chase Circus Smirkus is coming to Plattsburgh this weekend, July 2-3 behind the Crete Memorial Center, 4 Beach Road. Since 1987, Circus Smirkus has provided an avenue for young people ages 11-18 an opportunity to learn circus performing arts through in-school and summer circus camp opportunities. Children are representing this year’s Big Top from 13 states and the United Kingdom. This lofty goal initiated a movement to teach fundamentals as well as creativity from coaches from around the world as far reaching as China, Russia, Mongolia and around the U.S. Children are immersed in the traditional circus lifestyle. They learn multiple circus acts as well as technical aspects like staging, concession, cleaning and rigging all while living at the Vermont base. There is even a Smirkling Camp for children ages 6 to 8. So children can actually run away to the circus. The relief for parents is to know that it’s under the guise of summer camp. There is no Circus Smirkus camp for pa...

By Diane Chase Watching the Lake Placid Horse Show may be intimidating for anyone without a background in Show Jumping but don't let inexperience allow a wonderful event to pass by. (My horse experiences consist of trail rides on only the oldest and most gentle animals.) For a dollar you can take a walking tour and learn the ins and outs of jumping. The Lake Placid Horse Show Association offers weekday in-depth visits behind the scenes of the grounds. The tour meets in the vendor section of the horse grounds. Read More

There is really nothing like a canoe trip to really bring out the strengths and weaknesses in a family. It requires balance; strength and teamwork some of which we are sometimes in short supply. As we transition from winter sports to summer fun our organization skills are put to the test. The children have outgrown their life jackets and the weather can’t decide whether to snow or rain. The bug spray has to be found along with my very attractive bug netting. Citronella wafts around us like a cloud sparking memories of spring. We have decided to take two cars and leave one at the end of our destination so we will only be going downstream. We are not equipped to go over the permanent rapids and decide a portage isn’t in the cards for this short outing. We start just north of the Village of Saranac Lake and spend a few moments going over the rules of the river. It may seem like common sense but my children always need to be reminded not to stand up in a canoe. The current is swift and...

There is still a buzz in the air regarding, what has been termed “the “Mozart Effect.” There have been studies done and videos made all in the attempt to make our children smarter, better and stronger. One aspect of the term emerged from the work of University of California Irvine’s Raucher, Shaw and Ky (1993). Their findings researched the effects of Mozart’s Music on 36 college undergraduates and tracked improvements in spatial intelligence after listening to 10 minutes of certain scores of Mozart. The findings created a cottage industry of hope for the fountain of intelligence with as many critics as followers. One part of the equation that I feel isn’t given its due is the passion and drive of a musician, those that practice for love of their instrument and what can come out of it. Those that want to show music as more than a sheet of paper with notes or a disk in a jewel case. It is a connection with people, played by people and very much for people. That is the Loon Lake Live! E...