Adirondack Family Time™

By Diane Chase This weekend   Whiteface Mountain   will celebrate its last  The annual pond skimming contest will take place at the base of Whiteface on April 9th  with no entry fee required. Skiers and snowboards will try to gain as much speed as possible to "skim" across a man made pond to win prizes for longest distance, biggest and best splash and best costume. Pond skimming at Whiteface is not just for ticket holders. Spectators can access the event for free. For those in need of accessibility, the event will have a limited view from the sun deck. Pond skimming can be viewed from the gondola but tickets are required. 

Here is a list of Maple Farms. Call ahead to make sure that they are open. It is a wonderful way to welcome in spring in the Adirondacks. There are maple breakfasts, wagon rides and tours of farms. Besides plenty of opportunity to sample the maple products. Enjoy! 

“Frackenpohl Honors Brass Quintet” Recital and Reception 4:00 P.M. Sunday, March 27, 2011 St. Eustace Church This student brass quintet from the Crane School of Music in  Potsdam ,  NY  includes musicians Brian Masterson, Trumpet, Brianne Borden, Trumpet, Denise Peters, Horn, Shawn Cagney, & Michael Casey, Tuba.   ~ Donations Gladly Accepted, Proceeds Benefit the  Lake Placid  Educational Outreach Programs Program to include: La Peri Fanfare by Paul Dukas, arranged by Wayne Barrington Fire Dance by Anthony DiLorenzo Colchester Fantasty movts. 1 & 4, by Eric Ewazen Centone No. V by Samuel Scheidt Quintet No. 1 Op. 5 by Victor Ewald Exaltation by Brian Balmages

Gore Mountain is celebrating the last weekend of "Take Your Son Skiing" where all sons 19 and under can ski/snowboard for free with a paying adult Whiteface is open and will be celebrating SpringFest with a pirate themed weekend of activities McCauley Mountain is open and Friday is Crazy Friday where all tickets are $12 and tomorrow will bring on the Snowmaker's Ball. West Mountain is celebrating its Family Fun Day on March 26th with carboard sled races, pond skimming, BBQ and more. Big Tupper, Mt Pisgah, Oak Mountain are all closed for the season.

By Diane Chase Paul Smith's Retail Bakery Themes March 23  = Princess Day March 30 =  Chocolate April 6 = Cupcakes April 13 = Springfever April 18 = Easter (open two days for Easter) April 20 =Easter (open two days for Easter) April 27 = Daffest I have never managed to get to the Paul Smith’s College Retail Bakery when it is open. I have certainly managed to get to the shop when it is closed, peered into the window looking at the empty bakery shelves thinking if I had only remembered a few hours earlier. I am told the prices are more than reasonable and the 2 nd  year bakery students use this opportunity to showcase the skills they’ve learned toward earning their Associated Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts.

By Diane Chase Here are ten ways to enjoy Thurman New York (NY) Maple Weekend this March 12-13. With the weather starting to warm up, the sap will start running and it will be pancakes for everyone!  March 12-13, 2011 1) 9:00 a.m. Enjoy a pancake breakfast at Valley Road Maple Farm. (on Saturday and Sunday) 2) Grab your snowshoes or borrow a pair from Adirondack Gold Maple Farm and walk around the 35 acres of trails. 

My video skills are a work in progress but here is a video of the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute. Such a fun thing to do with or without kids around the Adirondacks! If you have visiting family or just go by yourself! Enjoy the fresh snow!