Adirondack Family Time™

By Diane Chase This is a frustrating report and seems to go against everything that scouting stands for, a pin/belt for video gaming? There is a badge for computers but to gain the badge supports an outdoor lifestyle with requirements such as "using a spreadsheet program, develop a food budget for a patrol weekend camp out." The Video Gaming Belt Loop or pin is an award for the Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, and Webelos Scouts with such requirements as "Teach an adult or a friend how to play a video game." and "Choose a game you might like to purchase. Compare the price for this game at three different stores. Decide which store has the best deal. In your decision, be sure to consider things like the store return policy and manufacturer’s warranty." According to the home page of Boy Scouts of America "Scouting promises you the great outdoors. As a Scout, you can learn how to camp and hike without leaving a trace and how to take care of the land. You’ll s

A late spring snow storm won't stop children from having fun!

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Well, it is supposed to snow upwards of 6-8 inches today. We already have a light dusting and it is coming down steadily. Perhaps those pesky black flies will get their comeupance with this freeze, though I fear my flowers are going to pay the price as well. I'd gladly sacrifice a few daffodils for a bug-free spring! There was quite a bit of grumbling in our household this morning as my son begrudgining dug out long pants while staring longingly at his shorts and flops. Having to wear a winter coat might have been the last straw. I asked them to look on the bright side: no snow pants or boots! My son comments to his sister that 'Mom has finally snapped.'

By Diane Chase Earth Day is every day and to prove it here is a continuation of fun activities happening around the Adirondack Park. Also, even though the ski season just ended don't miss out on discounts for season passes to Gore Mountain or Whiteface . Southern Adks 4/23/10 all day The Adirondack Living Show 7:00 p.m. Benefit concert for the United Way and see FLAME at the Gloversville High School 7:00 p.m. Free Film Forum: Sharkwater Rock Hill Café, 19 Exchange St, Glens Falls 4/24/10 all day The Adirondack Living Show all day: Lake George Land Conservancy Earth Day Celebration 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Feeder Canal Annual Clean-Up , Queensbury 9:00 a.m. - noon Farmer's Market at Christ Church Methodist Church, Glens Falls 11:00 a.m. Wood Carving workshop at the Adirondack Center for the Arts 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Make May Baskets at the Chapman Historical Museum 2:00 p.m. 30th Anniversary Ice Show 5:30 p.m. Tannery Pond Community Center spaghetti dinner ($) and free slide sh

By Diane Chase When do you ever hear the words library and mini golf in the same sentence? I haven’t seen the Weekender write-up but I hope that it includes at the very least the word oxymoron and possibly “brilliant idea.” So if you are heading to the links this weekend perhaps a warm-up at the Saranac Lake Free Library is worth the trip. You can get in a bit of putting practice while supporting a good cause. Five dollars for eighteen holes of play has to be the best deal in town. The library will be closed for regular services on Saturday but this will give us all an opportunity to explore every nook our library has to offer. One part I am looking forward to is on the walls. The original artwork, which has been appraised, is currently being upgraded with archival materials one piece at a time. The staff has been updating the old catalog that includes write-ups about the original artwork, some donated by tuberculosis patients taking “the cure.” We each have our favorite sections of

My family's Earth Day tradition is cleaning the trailhead of one our favorite hikes. We have found some crazy things tucked along the edges of the parking lot of Ampersand Mountain. Some have been personal items that I had difficulty explaining to my son, which only reinforced the importance of wearing gloves. The deer carcass would have been easy to justify in nature, except its remains were still wrapped in a plastic bag. Beer cans and cigarette butts are sadly a normal sight. Read more