Adirondack Family Time™

Here is a brief synopsis of family events happening around the Adirondack Park this weekend. Of course this wouldn't include taking a dip in a secret swimming hole or taking a fun walk in the woods. Those events are just assumed to be on the roster. Clinton County: July 24-26: Clinton County Fair: www. clintoncountyfair.com Essex: July 24: Rebecca Kelly Ballet (free) 6:00 p.m. Lake Placid, Mini-Performance at Mids Park Bandshell July 25: Champlain Quadricentennial and Fort Centennial Celebrations. Fort Ticonderoga Re-enactors,Suffragette, Music & More! July 25: 10:00 a.m. (Matinee seats all $12) The Wizard of Oz at the Pendragon Theatre July 25: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Strawberry Festival, Lake Placid Franklin: July 25, 7:00 p.m. free Shakespeare in the Park Tupper Lake July 25-27: (free) Chamber Music for Families at the Saranac Lake Free Library on the 25th at 10:30 - 11:15, Loon Lake Jewish Center on the 26th at 7:30 p.m. or Saranac Lake Laboratory on the 27th at 7:30 p.m. Ju

There is something so powerful about the word free. In my humble opinion it needs to be used with more frequency. I don’t think we should reserve it for special occasions or use it with the solemn shake of the head, “in times like these.” We should be hearing it all the time. The word plays like a musical in my head, “Free!” I can sing it, dance it and if someone is giving something away I can stand in line for it. (My husband manages to stand on line but I can’t cater to that.) Well, for the second year in a row the Champlain Centre 8 Cinema in Plattsburgh is hosting its Family Film Festival and yes to add to the tongue twister it is free and fun. As much fun as walking through the movie turnstile without a ticket and choosing between two free films can be. My kids feel pretty powerful just waving to the attendant as they pass by and I have to say I do too. These second-run films are a mid-morning fiesta with kids pondering over such tough decisions as should they see the free G rate

1 cup flour 1 cup hot tap water 2 tbsp. lemon juice ( You can use vinegar or some kind of acid. I just like the way the lemon smells) 1/2 cup salt 1 tbsp. oil Mix and knead together. I have the kids help measure and mix as well as mold whatever they want. Even my nine-year-old still likes to play with this. Tip: Roll in seeds in the winter and put outside for the birds. The artwork will eventually melt away in the weather (unless the dog eats it first) and the birds or squirrels will enjoy a wrestle with the seeds. Enjoy! Eat well. Live well. Love well.

If your children like to go on the rides the Mega Pass is the best bargain for the weekends. If rides are not the agenda then it is worth just paying the gate fee and enjoying the vendor exhibits, clowns, magic shows and other sponsored events included with admission. Go to www.clintoncountyfair.com. See you at the fair! LAST DAY TO GET MEGA PASS IS JULY 20th: Good for any ONE day of the Fair. This covers the gate fee (usually $7/adults, children 11 and under free) and all rides . This does not cover the "games of chance." All tickets and passes are available at the Fair Office or by calling 518-561-7998 If you can not get a MEGA PASS, buy a wristband for unlimited rides. Wristbands are only available on Wednesday (all day), Thursday (7:00 p.m. - close) and Friday (all day). Schedule: July 21, Tuesday: (Press Republican Day: FREE newspaper for early birds) 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Rides are FREE! A fter or before noon all rides will require a ticket (ouch!) That can get qui

Laugh all you want until your child/niece/nephew or friend takes a leap off the toilet when the automatic flush goes off. The tears and clean-up that ensue can be easily handled by just placing your hand over the sensor until business is taken care of. Another tip, unless you have really long arms, pull off the paper first so you don't have to become a contortionist.

Assistant to the Curator Stephanie Pfaff leads us on a whirlwind tour of the Miner family in Chazy. It is astounding how one family could shape a community. She touches on some of the basics like Heart’s Delight Farm as an experiment in modern farming, starting a K-12 school that became the 1st centralized school, building a hospital, church and the Alice T Miner Museum. The unusual part of the museum is that Alice Miner had the museum specifically built to replicate a house to highlight how people lived in the mid 1800s. Her directive was to showcase American history. This isn’t a renovated building altered to fit the museum’s vision but a specific example to allow visitors a glimpse into the Colonial Revival time period. We are shown the downstairs sitting and formal rooms. The children are asked to identify various articles from the collection and play three guesses. For the first item my son guesses a spoon warmer correctly. His recent fondness for soup has him rethinking our tab

Since 1915, Seagle Music Colony has been training talented singers in opera and musical performances in Schroon Lake. Located on the web at www.seaglecolony.com.