Adirondack Family Time™

Free Cone Day is on April 9th! So, make  sure you swing by one of Ben and Jerry's   participating Scoop Shops  and grab yourself a FREE cone.  Free Cone Day is something Ben & Jerry's has been doing since 1979 when Ben and Jerry celebrated their first year of business!  Ben and Jerry wanted to thank everyone for their support in the best way they knew how; with free ice cream! Once again this year they’re giving away plenty of classic flavors as well as some of the new flavors like Candy Bar Pie and Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yogurt. Needing to locate a participating Scoop Shop near you? No problem - just head to the  Scoop Shop Locator !   © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™, which is available online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the third guidebook in the four-book series of Adirondack Family Activities™.

Being active is an important part of family time. Sometimes all it takes is a walk around the block after dinner to unwind from a stressful work and school day. It doesn't take a huge event to turn off the television, go for a walk and really listen to what is happening with your family.  There are many places to go around Saratoga Springs. Saratoga PLAN (Preserving Land and Nature) has been working over time to provide a variety of wilderness locations to allow everyone to get out and enjoy nature.  In summer 2012 the 63-acres Coldbrook Preserve was added to the Saratoga PLAN list.  In addition to wildlife protection, the preserve will provide opportunities for walking, hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing for area residents and connects land owned by The Nature Conservancy, Saratoga County Forest, and Wilton Wildlife Preserve. Look for Blanding's turtle, a New York State threatened species. This preserve will provide critic space for its wetland habitat. 

Did you know the Blanding turtle is named for a  19th century naturalist William Blanding of Pennsylvania?  Di you know the  Blanding Turtle can live up to 80 years!  Blanding's Turtle is medium in size!  It has an  average shell length of about  7 - 9"  usually not reaching any larger than 10"   Distinguishing feature?   A bright yellow chin and throat.  What is the upper shell called?   The carapace, which is domed but slightly flat along the midline but looks oblong when viewed from above. The upper shell (Carapace) is flecked with   numerous yellow  specks  What is the lower shell called ?  The  plastron  is yellow with dark blotches symmetrically arranged.  The head and legs are dark, and usually speckled or mottled with yellow.  I s it a box turtle?   No, Blanding's turtle is called a semi-box" turtle because the plastral lobes do not shut tightly like a box turtle, but the plastron are hinged.

SCHOOL BREAK CAMP - APRIL BREAK When regional schools are on break, Saratoga Arts offers full-week programs in both theater and visual arts for children ages 5-14. Our visual arts campers will learn about famous art and artists while creating their own masterpieces inspired by them; our theater campers will learn the basics of theater like character development and set design and will conclude their program with a performance in our Dee Sarno Theater. Saratoga Arts’ faculty know and understand how children learn about and create art and work with students to ensure they are reaching their full artistic potential. Saratoga Arts offers three different programs during April Break: Monday - Friday: April 1 - April 5 April Break (ages 5-7) Our 1/2 day visual arts camp for the little ones. The program runs Monday - Friday, 9am - 12pm. $130 for members / $140 for non-members April Break (ages 8-14)   only 5 spots left! Our full day visual arts camp. The program runs Monday - F

This video is about a small town located in Hamilton County, in the Southern Adirondacks, in the State of New York, in the United States of America. Narrated by Lake Pleasant Town Historian,"Anne Weaver", and Speculator Village Historian, "Bev Hoffman". All Pictures are provided by the Historical Society of Lake Pleasant and Speculator. This video was created for the opening of Lake Pleasant's Bicentennial, which was the year 2012. 

I love going to a place that has a story. Though not every place I bring my family to has as rich a history as The Pine Inn in Lake Placid, there is usually something interesting about all the Adirondack locations that makes us come back for more. Though we went during the special Duncan's Grille Oktoberfest weekend at The Pines' Inn in Lake Placid, the intimate dining experience wasn't just about the amazing food, it was about the quality of the experience. We started out with some fresh pretzels , hot mustard and a cold beer. Delicious! We were given a few choices of sides so my kids chose the tasty red cabbage,  fresh sauerkraut with potatoes and gravy along with the main course.  Bratwurtz and Schnitzels! I wasn't sure how my kids would like the food. They aren't picky, but sometimes my youngest can't pass up the grilled cheese menu option when we go out to eat.  They loved it all! It was comfort food on a plate. I didn't get

Each March Pendragon Theatre offers to the public something new whether introducing a new director, play or original work.  For me this opportunity highlights the importance of live theatre. When seeing a movie the audience misses all that goes into the making of the film and can only catch a glimpse when the credits role with job descriptions that most of the time have little meaning.  Theatre gives us the chance to see a collaborative effort where special effects are not computer generated.   Pendragon Theatre, Saranac Lake, is presenting its annual New Directions Series  Friday, March 22 nd  at 7 pm and Saturday, March 23 rd  at 2 pm and 7 pm. General Admission tickets are $5.