Adirondack Family Time™

What is the difference between a frog and toad? Well, one tastes a lot like chicken while the other has a bitter taste that wards off predators. Neither will give you warts and even if you kiss one it still won't turn into a prince. Though you don't have to take my word on that last one. Go ahead... give it a try!

Bald Eagles can be seen in the Adirondacks, Alaska, and every state but Hawaii. If you take your kids out in the Adirondacks and see a bald eagle, please remind your kids not to interfere, just observe! If you are out on a walk or hike near a Adirondack pond or lake, you may just come across a bald eagle. Below are some fun facts to share!

By Diane Chase Most of the time we find there is too much we want to do on the weekend. I am not referring to our garden, the deer, moles and now resident mutant woodchuck. I have heard that groundhogs like dandelions. If so, they have moved to the right yard. If only it would stick to its side of the garden. At some point we need to take a break from the battle for our yard and take our minds off all the housework. The issue for us is how can we get to all the activities we want to do. On May 21st there are four free events that come to mind for people with families. Now is the time to trade in those bicycle helmets and participate in the annual Saranac Lake Bicycle Rodeo at the SL Civic Center from 10:00 a.m. – noon. At 11:00 a.m. Pendragon Theatre is hosting the Colgate Children Theatre Workshop with a FREE performance of “They Say Her Name Is Alice,” based on Alice in Wonderland. It’s just general seating so get there a bit early.

By Diane Chase One quick, on road, bicycle ride in Lake Placid is the  John Brown Road  loop. Starting at John Brown Farm and Gravesite, we park our car and hop on the bikes. Some of us need to get our bicycle legs back after a long winter free from pedaling. As John Brown Road has two entrances off Old Military, we bear left at the Y and head northwest onto Old John Brown Road for about 0.8-mile. At the end of the road we turn right onto Old Military Road, passing the North Elba Cemetery and Lake Placid Community Garden.   Read more

Susie Middleton, the talented author of Fresh, Fast & Green ,  is always tinkering in her kitchen coming up with fresh recipes for all the produce from her garden. As a trained chef and former editor and current editor-at-large of Fine Cooking , Susie experiments with fresh product so that I don't have to. It is about as close as I'm going to get to a personal chef. I love to cook but I'm going to leave the recipes to Susie! With my rhubarb popping up all over, I need some new recipes to use up the rhubarb, get my children jazzed about their school snacks and add something interesting when backyard grilling. Rhubarb muffins? Each week my children help make muffins for their school snacks. They get to choose different recipes or make old favorites. It has become a few precious moments we spend with each other and the outcome is always delicious. On Susie's blog, SixBurnerSue , she has pages dedicated to testing recipes from her own garden or from the test kitc

Do you need an inside project to do with your children? Build a bluebird house over the weekend. Here is a free plan that uses just one piece of lumber. It could also be completed with scrap. Make a couple and then come spring you will have a nice nesting box for birds.

By Diane Chase On May 8th,   Pendragon Theatre   will open with the E.B. White classic story of   Stuart Little   adapted for the stage by Joseph Robinette. Personally I belief that seeing a family play isn't just for people with kids. Sometimes in my hectic life I want to be reminded of magic and animals that talk and to be pulled along into a story that exercises my imagination.   Stuart Little   promises all of that. Pendragon Theatre Managing Director and Co-Founder Bob Pettee says," There will be no intermission during   Stuart Little . It is a one act play. The basic story is of a couple who have an unusual son, a talking mouse. We follow the mouse on a series of adventures and meet a variety of characters along the way." Read more