Adirondack Family Time™

TNot only will this December 31st be a day for throwing out the old and ringing in the new it also has the unusual status of commonly being known as a blue moon. Hopefully the prediction for snow won’t hamper anyone’s New Year eve festivities. Though 2010 will come regardless of the “ball dropping,” champagne, sparking cider or streamers. A popular belief is that the second Full Moon of the month is a "blue moon." A second moon in a month is a rare occurrence, every 2.72 years to be exact so if old sayings hold true if something is happening “once in a blue moon” it truly is an occasion for celebrating. Read more

First Night® Saranac Lake is one of 130 events held around the world providing family-oriented, alcohol-free activities while showcasing arts and community. There is still plenty of time to get your First Night® button ($12 for adults). It can be purchased at Ampersound Music, Price Chopper Supermarket, Books & Baskets, Blue Line Sports, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce or Lake Placid Visitor Bureau . Children twelve and under are admitted free but need to display the First Night® button designed especially for them, which is to be available at all venues. For the rest of the post

The only manuscript known to exist from Charles Dicken's 1843 tale A Christmas Carol has been digitized. The original is housed in the Morgan Library and Museum in Manhattan. Readers unable to attend the showing of the original manuscript (through January 10) are able to flip from the handwritten version to the typed via a high resolution scan made possible by the New York Times . Read more

Looking for events between Christmas and New Year's? Here are some ideas: The Lake Placid Center for the Arts will host the Pendragon Theatre holiday production of "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!" on Dec. 26, 27, 28 and 29. All shows begin at 7:00 p.m. The Wild Center will be open for special holiday hours from Dec. 26 to Dec. 31, and on Jan. 2 and 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. See a movie at the Lake Placid Palace Theatre (518.523.9271) or Tupper Lake State Theatre (518-359-3593) Go to the Paul Smiths VIC to see a nature film, ski the trails or play with the touch table. Hours are from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday, closed Christmas. The trail are open from dawn to dusk, every day of the year Join a pick-up game of hockey at many outdoor free skating rinks. Wear a helmet! Check out the Olympic venues Ski at Whiteface , Gore , Titus , Mt Pisgah or Big Tupper . Participate in First Night® Saranac Lake with activities, events, music, fireworks and food

Both Vermont and New York transportation officials said the demolition had to be rescheduled for December 28 at 10:00 a.m. due to ice forming on Lake Champlain and severely cold temperatures, which have delayed work preparing the bridge for demolition. In New York, two viewing areas will be available along the shore in Port Henry, about two miles west of the 80-year-old bridge. The main public viewing area is going to be the boat launch in Port Henry, N.Y., and an alternative area is the Bulwagga Bay Park in Moriah, N.Y. Read more

Santa's Workshop at the North Pole in Wilmington will be open to the public tonight (December 21) and tomorrow (December 22) from 4:30 p.m to 7:30 p.m. for anyone wishing to see the "merry ol' elf before he hits the sky way. Rides and shows are limited. The price is $9.95/person for ages two- ninety-nine. Call 518-946-2211 for more information. The whole village is decorated for Christmas. The Nativity Pageant will be playing while Santa and the reindeer ready his sleigh. Carolers will perform and all the holiday shops will be open. Please keep in mind that snacks will be available but no restaurant. The carousel will be running for anyone wishing to take a ride on their very own a reindeer. Happy Holidays!

A 2006 South Australian study into arts education indicates that going to the theatre can improve children’s literacy and social skills. The Children's Voices study documented the impact of live theatre on 140 State Government primary school students over three years. It was conducted and jointly funded by the Department of Education and Children’s Services, The University of South Australia and Windmill Performing Arts. Windmill Performing Arts project manager Julie Orchard, who is a Department of Education and Children’s Services teacher, said children’s oral and written language improved significantly during the project. In a prepared statement, author of the report and director of the study, Professor Wendy Schiller, Director of UniSA’s de Lissa Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies Research Group, said the children’s response to live arts performance directly affected their learning and their lives. “The most noticeable impact was the children’s marked gain in lit