Adirondack Family Time™

Just mentioning an outhouse and the potty humor starts pouring out. So before I go into a complete downward spiral, I’d like to say “only in the Adirondacks,” but that wouldn’t be true. Across the nation there are numerous wheeled “soapbox derby” races with themed outhouses pushed by costumed racers pitted against their decorated neighbor. The difference from those races and the upcoming Lake George Winter Carnival Outhouse Races is the ice.   The first 2015 Adirondack outhouse race takes place February 7, Saturday, at 12:30 pm on Lake George. There is an alternate location if the ice is considered unsafe. Registration begins at 10 am at Duffy’s Tavern (518-668-5323.) According to Adirondack Studios’ owner Tom Lloyd what started as a quirky competition for his custom design and fabrication firm has grown to be a competitive race. Eight years ago the Adirondack Studios design team took a break from its large-scale projects for the Broadway stage and other elements of the en

The U.S. Greeting Card Association’s website states that about one billion valentines are sent worldwide each year. Not that I am not the sentimental type but most of the time cards end up in the recycling bin. Saving cards seems to create just one more thing to move. There are some items that I do keep that are only significant to me. So for anyone looking to create a different keepsake, here is a paper of felt fortune cookie. Paper or Felt Fortune Cookies Getting ready for Valentine's Day? Need a quick idea to make little treats for your children's friends? Use the template and follow the simple directions to make quick and easy fortune cookies.

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY! © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™guidebooks have easy Adirondack family hikes, Adirondack swimming holes, Lake Placid Olympic activities, Adirondack trivia, Adirondack horseback rides, Adirondack snowshoe family trails and more. Look for the Adirondack family guidebook online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the next Adirondack Family Activities™ guide.

UPDATED!  Recently my family went on an evening Owl Prowl with the Champlain Valley Areas Trails (CATS) . Now on January 30 at 7 pm, they will be conducting another  moonlight hike to explore the woods and experience winter under the evening sky. There is always something magical about getting outside and skiing under a bright Adirondack full moon. Though it is certainly easy enough to visit any trail with a headlamp and proper gear, it is sometimes the camaraderie of an organized event that pulls everything together. Most organized activiies are family-friendly, but if you are in need of night off from the kids then Cascade Ski Center’s Full Moon Skis are the place to be. (Look for more ski/snowshoe options in my Adirondack Family Time guidebooks.) Champlain Valley Areas Trails (CATS) . January 30: 7 pm   - free moonlight hike starting at the Angler Hill Rd trailhead to walk along the new Wildway Passage Trail in Westport. Concluding the snowshoe hike there will be a gath

Every Super Bowl Sunday Lake Placid's The Palace Theatre offers discounted movie theatre passes. You can squeeze in a matinee or skip the game altogether for the amazing price of 99¢ for all shows. Enjoy!    © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™guidebooks have easy Adirondack family hikes, Adirondack swimming holes, Lake Placid Olympic activities, Adirondack trivia, Adirondack horseback rides, Adirondack snowshoe family trails and more. Look for the Adirondack family guidebook online or bookstores/museums/sporting good stores. Diane is currently working on the next Adirondack Family Activities™ guide.

On our visits to the Adirondack Museum, my family has always found that there really isn’t enough time to see it all in one day. That is why the Adirondack Museum Cabin Fever Sundays present a different way of learning about the vast information tucked within the museum’s buildings in Blue Mountain Lake.  According to Adirondack Museum Marketing Assistant Paige Doerner the second Cabin Fever event will feature Adirondack Life Senior Editor Niki Kouroksky’s tales of “Adirondack Outlaws.” Kouroksky is bringing the Adirondack’s criminal element to light and is highlighting just a few of the scallywags, bandits and fiends from her recently published book,  Adirondack Outlaws: Bad Boys and Lawless Ladies. “We have a lot of variety this year,” states Doerner. “We have Niki’s lecture and book signing on February 1 st  here at the museum. We also have a Mohawk Dance and Cultural Presentation, the Adirondack Wildlife Rehabilitation Refuge will bring a wolf and two musical events in

DEADLINE EXTENDED: February 16 Last year Saranac Lake’s professional theatre company Pendragon Theatre provided a unique opportunity to any high school-aged young adults living within the whole Adirondack Park, The Pendragon Young Playwrights’ Festival. The Festival focuses on a competition for high school students to submit a one-act play (up to three plays per playwright or team) on any subject. The February 1 st  deadline is quickly approaching so I want to encourage young adults to take advantage of the chance to have their winning play performed at the March festival.  I’m always a bit skeptical of writing competitions. There always seems to be some hidden fee involved, but Pendragon Theatre’s competition is free. The winning playwrights are also given the chance to meet with a creative team to further develop their submission for the stage before the March production.