Lake Placid Media

Lake Placid Joins Facebook; Launches Fan Page with a “Triple Dog Dare Ya” Photo Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:36:00 +0000

Best Photo Fetches a Lake Placid Getaway for Two

LAKE PLACID, NY -- September 16, 2009 – Are you a fan of Lake Placid? Triple dog dare ya to share it with your friends! To launch its new presence on Facebook, tourism officials for upstate New York’s Lake Placid region have chosen a “Triple Dog Dare Ya” theme that extends to its first-ever promotion on this social networking site: a photo challenge inviting fans to submit their best Adirondack adventure images to win a Vertical Drop Getaway. The prize trip includes two nights’ lodging for two at Lake Placid’s Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort and three days ski/board passes for the East Coast’s greatest vertical drop – Whiteface Mountain. Sponsored by the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, the competition ends at 12:01 p.m. EST on November 30, 2009. A first round of judging will take place on December 7, followed by a public voting period from December 8 through January 15. The winning entry will be announced on January 17, 2010. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. To view Lake Placid on Facebook, click HERE.

Lake Placid’s Facebook page is intended to engage the destination’s fan base in an online conversation about its many attributes, from extreme outdoor recreation to “extreme” relaxation – and to do so with a touch of humor. “We’ve applied this ‘dare’ approach to the full range of activities that can be experienced in our corner of the Adirondacks,” said James McKenna, president/CEO, Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. “That includes everything from the thrill of downhill skiing and mountain biking to relaxing endeavors such as attending a world-class orchestra concert or enjoying a spa treatment.”

Photo albums and videos, posted on the Lake Placid Facebook page by the visitors’ bureau and fans, introduce newcomers to the beauty of Lake Placid and its many recreational appeals. The page also provides a forum for discussions on topics pertinent to Lake Placid tourism, as well as links to a variety of community partners.

Lake Placid is less than five hours by car from New York City and other major cities in the region, making it an ideal destination for Northeast travelers. Its myriad appeals range from outdoor adventures in the Adirondacks to performances at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts to the quaint, small-town atmosphere of historic Main Street, lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and other attractions. A two-time host of the Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid is tucked beneath the Adirondack region’s high peaks, including the renowned ski slopes of Whiteface Mountain and the state’s tallest peak, Mount Marcy. For more information, visit www.lakeplacid.com or call 1-800-44-PLACID (1-800-447-5224).

Joey Logano first driver into the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:35:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series announced today, Wednesday, Sept. 16, that he will again compete in the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering to be staged in Lake Placid, N.Y. January 8-10, 2010.

The Bodine Bobsled Challenge features NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially-made bobsleds down Lake Placid’s infamous track in two different races geared to raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.

Geoff Bodine, 1986 winner of the Daytona 500, teamed with Chassis Dynamics in 1992 to form The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project which builds American-made bobsleds for United States athletes. The sleds have been a tremendous success at all levels of competition, including World Cup, World Championships and Olympic competitions, where the United States consistently finds itself on medal podiums. During the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games, the U.S. squad mined gold, silver and bronze medals and broke an Olympic podium drought that dated back 46 years. Just four years later, in Torino, Italy, Team USA won more Olympic hardware… this time silver.

Just last season, on the same track that will host the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, Steve Holcomb guided his 4-man team to a world championship gold medal, marking the first time a U.S. sled had won a world championship medal since 1959. That finish has also placed Holcomb and his crew as one of the favorites to win an Olympic medal at the 2010 Winter Games this February in Vancouver, Canada.

"I am really excited to get back up to Lake Placid again this year to support the Bo-Dyn bobsled event,” said Logano. “Driving bobsleds is one of the most fun and exciting things I’ve ever done.

“It makes me feel great to support such a patriotic event, especially with this being an Olympic year. Hopefully we can help the USA men’s team with winning an Olympic Gold in bobsledding this year for the first time since 1948”.

Logano will compete for the third time in the Challenge and last year he almost won Race-One, finishing second to Todd Bodine.

SPEED Channel will again televise four hours of the Bobsled Challenge. Monies raised from the Bodine Bobsled Challenge go directly to this project.

Fan packages, interactive offerings and event merchandise for the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge may be purchased online at www.bodynbobsled.com. Also visit www. lakeplacid.com, or call 1-800-44-PLACID (1-800-447-5224) for reservations.

What Daytona is to auto racing, Lake Placid is to bobsledding.

USMMA Band at Fort Ticonderoga… Saturday

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:28:00 +0000

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. --- Fort Ticonderoga will host the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11:30 a.m. This renowned group has performed all over the country and the world in venues as diverse as all Presidential Inaugurals Parades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and on the Queen Elizabeth II entertaining World War II veterans on board at Normandy, France.

Though the cadets in the band change twice a year they sound like a seasoned group with years of experience. They have just issued a CD, “Music of the Marines – United States, Royal and Merchant” and have two more on the way. The Academy opened at Kings Point, N.Y., in 1943 and the band was originally made up of professional musicians from New York City. A full-time director was appointed and a company formed in 1971. The 80-strong band is now under the direction of Captain Kenneth Force, who is adamant about the importance of the cadets seeing Fort Ticonderoga.

“It will be a great history experience for the Midshipmen and I want the Fort to benefit, too,” Force said. The band is scheduled to perform at the Crown Point Celebration later in the day.

After taking an historical tour of the Fort, the band will muster and enter the parade ground en masse in their dress uniforms at 11:30. The repertoire includes popular military songs and patriotic marches, all accompanied by precision marches much like a half-time show.

Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit historical site and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission includes the USMMA Regimental Band performance as well as all exhibits, tours and The King’s Garden. The Fort is open through Oct. 20. The King’s Garden will close on Columbus Day. For additional information, go to www.FortTiconderoga.org.

Festivals this Weekend Offer Something for Everyone

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:53:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Whether you want to celebrate the final days of summer or the beginning of the autumn season, you can choose to at any one of the number of festivals, fairs and markets being held throughout the region this weekend, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 4-6. From farmers markets to car shows, there’s something to enjoy during the last holiday weekend of the summer season.

On Saturday and Sunday, celebrate Irish heritage and culture during the second annual Festival of Ireland. Taking place at the Olympic ski jumps in Lake Placid, this event offers traditional Irish music, food, games, dance and competition. Admission is $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for juniors and senior citizens.

If you’re a car buff, then don’t miss out on the 27th annual Olympic Car Show and Parade, Saturday and Sunday, also in Lake Placid. The show is open to all makes and models of cars. The parade will make its way down Main St., while the show will be held on the Olympic speed skating oval. In addition to 49 different classes of cars there will be plenty of food and family entertainment.

The Labor Day weekend will offer great and unusual foods in beautiful settings with the 43rd annual Lobsterfest, in Westport, and the second annual Great Adirondack Rutabaga Festival, in Keene.

Beginning Friday at the Westport Marina on Lake Champlain, the Lobsterfest brings together boaters and land-lubbers, for music, races, barbeque and of course… lobster. The festival kicks off Friday, by inviting guests to see Smokey Joe’s Café, with music by Leiber and Stoller, featuring classic rock and roll songs, at the Depot Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday’s activities include a make-it-yourself cardboard boat, paddled by one or two persons in the 4 p.m. race, followed by a baby-back rib or steak barbeque dinner at 6 p.m., with dancing to The Riddlers at 9 p.m.

Sunday is “Lobsterfest” day. Activities include kayak races, as well as balloon art and face painting, all leading up to the long-awaited feast. Steamed clams are served at 4 p.m., with the lobster and barbeque-chicken dinners served from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Sunday’s rutabaga festival, held at Marcy Field in the town of Keene, celebrates the hardy, tasty and adaptable vegetable that thrives in our sometimes harsh climate. Activities begin at 10 a.m. with the 5K fun run, followed by the High Peaks hula hoop championship and the crowning of 2009 Rutabaga King and Queen.

No barbeque will be complete without a visit to Friday’s farmer’s market in Elizabethtown, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday’s farmer’s market in Keene, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The markets, feature fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, flowers, baked goods, local wines and arts and crafts.

Finally, unique rustic and handcrafted furniture will be on display during the 22nd annual Rustic Furniture Fair, Saturday and Sunday, at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. The Fair offers unique furniture, furnishings and fine art, plus delicious music and demonstrations. The hours Saturday are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lake Placid Hosts New York State Maple Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:54:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- More than 150 of the Empire State’s top maple producers will gather in Lake Placid, N.Y., Sept. 27-29, for the New York State Maple Tour, hosted by the Adirondack Maple Producers Association. The event comes on the heels of this spring’s maple season, which was considered one of the best in recent memory. An estimated 362,000 gallons of syrup was produced in the state, an increase of 10-percent from last year’s production.

“The group meets in different places every year and it’s a great chance for producers to tour different sugarhouses and learn from each other and research different technologies,” explained Mike Farrell, director of Cornell University’s Uihlein Forest, in Lake Placid. “While to some degree this is still a ‘mom and pop’ type industry, with those people producing as a hobby, the industry is changing and becoming more technology based. Producers are learning to be more environmentally friendly, but it’s still labor and energy intensive for the smaller operations.”

While in the region, the producers will visit several Lake Placid area sugarhouses including North Country School, which operates a wood-fired evaporator that boils 400 buckets worth of sap collected by students, and the Uihlein Maple Forest, the 200-plus acre research center and extension field of Cornell University. They will also visit Heaven Hill Farm, Henry Uihlein’s old sugarhouse which has been renovated as a site for teaching local students about syrup production, before traveling north to visit producers in Chazy. When Lake Placid last hosted the tour in 2000, a record 300 maple producers attended.

It’s believed that tapping maple sugar trees began mistakenly when a Native American chief, struck a tree while practicing tomahawk throwing. The industry has grown considerably since then. Last season, the Cornell Sugar House collected more than 70,000 gallons of sap and produced a record 1,500 gallons of maple syrup.

According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, there are more than 1,500 maple producers, who generate more than $8-million in sales, making New York the third largest maple producing state, behind only Vermont and Maine. Farrell believes that there’s still room for growth. “I’ve conducted comprehensive surveys of the maple industry in North New York and the reports show that there’s still great potential to produce even more,” noted Farrell. “I think that I’m being conservative when I say that this could be a $9-million annual industry to the state.”

The Tour opens Sunday evening, Sept. 27, at the North Elba Show Ground when Dr. Timothy Perkins, director of Proctor Maple Research Center at the University of Vermont, discusses the latest research on check-valve adapters, which have the potential to produce between 50 to 90-percent higher sap yields. Landowners interested in learning more about maple syrup production are encouraged to attend the 4-6 p.m. event. There is a $10.00 fee and includes complimentary hors’ doeurves.

13th Annual Adirondack Marathon Runs Sept. 20

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:51:00 +0000

SCHROON LAKE, N.Y. --- The summer racing season is beginning to wind down in the region and runners are gearing up for one more race, the 13th annual Adirondack Marathon, Sept. 20, in Schroon Lake, N.Y.

The marathon recognized as “the most beautiful 26 miles, 385 yards you will ever run,” begins at 9 a.m. with a mass start on Main St. in Schroon Lake Village. The course takes the runners north around the lake to the finish line at the village beach. Each runner who completes the course will receive a finisher's medal. Prizes will be given for the top three overall finishers and top three in each age category.

In addition to the marathon, there will be a two-person relay race in which each person will run one-half of the marathon course. This event is open to 100 teams.

The race’s most popular event is the half-marathon which is expected to draw a sold-out field of 500 runners. This 13.1 mile, race begins at 10 a.m. and will take the runners through an easier section of the marathon course before finishing at the village beach. Runners who also finish the half-marathon run will receive a finisher’s medal and prizes will be given for the top three overall finishers and top three in each age category.

The 13th annual Adirondack Marathon also features a 5 and 10k run, and a children’s 1k fun run, Saturday, Sept. 19. Both the 5 and 10k runs begin at 9:30 a.m. in Chestertown, while the 1k fun run, for runners ages four-12, begins at 2 p.m. in Schroon Lake. All the proceeds from the 5k and 10k races will benefit the Helpers Fund and assist individuals, families and children facing extreme hardship in their lives.

For more information about the 13th annual Adirondack Marathon, log on to www.adirondackmarathon.org, or www.schroonlakeregion.com.

Music, Fun and of Course Lobster Sept. 4-6 in Westport

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:01:00 +0000

WESTPORT, N.Y. --- It’s more than 40 years old and it’s still one of the region’s best end-of-the-summer bashes. The 43rd annual Westport Marina Lobster Festival will be held rain or shine, Sept. 4-6, at the Westport Marina on Lake Champlain. Bringing together boaters and land-lubbers, the three-day festival features music, races, barbeque and, of course, lobster.

The festival kicks off Friday, by inviting guests to see Smokey Joe’s Café, with music by Leiber and Stoller, featuring classic rock and roll songs, at the Depot Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday’s activities include a make-it-yourself cardboard boat, paddled by one or two persons in the 4 p.m. race followed by a baby-back rib or steak barbeque dinner at 6 p.m., with dancing to The Riddlers at 9 p.m.

Sunday is “Lobsterfest” day. Activities include kayak races, as well as balloon art and face painting, all leading up to the long-awaited feast. Steamed clams are served at 4 p.m., with the lobster and BBQ-chicken dinners served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Locally grown corn-on-the cob, basil tomatoes, homemade coleslaw—a lobsterfest tradition, and dessert round out the menu. After dinner, from 8 p.m to midnight, Damaged Goods—more classic rock and roll, play for dancing with a break for the costume parade, celebrating “400 years in the Champlain Valley,” at 9 p.m.

Advance reservations are required for Sunday’s lobsterfest dinner. Walk-in’s will be accepted only if there’s extra food. Prices vary according to menu items selected. For more information about the 43rd annual Westport Marina Lobster Festival, visit www.westportmarina.com.

XTERRA Triathlon Series Races into Lake Placid Aug. 22-23

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:10:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Strength and endurance will be tested again when a new triathlon races through the Lake Placid region, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23. Much different than the recent Ironman Lake Placid triathlon, the world-famous XTERRA triathlon features a 1,500-meter swim, a 25k mountain bike ride and a 10k trail run.

The Inaugural XTERRA Lake Placid triathlon, organized by Tri and Du It Multisports, is one of almost 50 to 60 XTERRA races in the United States each year and one of almost 15 XTERRA international competitions. “Lake Placid and the Adirondack region represent the Live More philosophy of XTERRA with all the outdoor activities and lifestyles,” said race director J.P. Latkovic. “The area is about being outdoors and being active and this event is the same thing.”

On Saturday, the day prior the XTERRA triathlon event, there will be a 10k and 5k trail run on the same run course as the triathlon. The 10k race begins at 9 a.m., followed by the 10k run at 9:05. The race will start and end inside the Olympic oval.

Sunday’s triathlon begins with the mass start swim, at 8 a.m. The stage consists of two 750 meter rectangular loops. Upon completing the first loop of the event, the athletes will run 100 feet on the beach to re-enter the water and complete the same loop. Upon finishing the swim athletes will have to run 1/4 mile to the transition area in the Olympic oval to begin the bike stage, which will be followed by the race’s final event… the run. Both stages will take on portions of the Jack Rabbit Trail.

Athletes can still register for the XTERRA Lake Placid triathlon. The minimum age to compete is 13. Registration will be held on the Olympic oval Friday, from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, from 7-9 a.m. and Sunday, from 6-8 a.m. All racers receive a race shirt and race goodie bag.

Volunteers are still needed in the race’s transition area swim course, bike aid and run stations, finish line and registration. Volunteers are also needed to assist in the race’s set-up and breakdown. For more information about the XTERRA Triathlon, visit www.XTERRAlakeplacid.com.

Essex County Fair Celebrates 161 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 13:31:00 +0000

WESTPORT, N.Y. --- Don’t miss out on the fun and excitement of the 161st Essex County Fair, Aug. 12-16, in Westport, N.Y.

The Fair, which was established in 1848, offers visitors action packed shows and events including Buffalo Barfield’s Unherd-of-Entertainment, Wednesday through Sunday, the Upstate New Yorkers, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 12-13; the Essex County Idol contest, Friday, Aug. 14, and harness racing, which has been a part of the Fair since day-one.

Other events include music from Lucid, Wednesday, Aug. 12, the ATV and garden tractor pull, also Wednesday, the street legal truck pull, Thursday, Aug. 13, and the demolition derby, Saturday, Aug. 15.

Daily admission including shows and carnival rides is $10. On Wednesday and Thursday, seniors, over the age of 60, will receive $2.00 off food coupons with their $10.00 admission.

For more information about the Essex County Fair log on to www.essexcountyfair.org.

Ironman Extends Agreement for Ford Ironman Lake Placid

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:57:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.– World Triathlon Corporation, owners and organizers of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events and brands, the Village of Lake Placid, the surrounding communities of North Elba, Jay, Keene and Wilmington and the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, are pleased to announce the extension of their partnership for the Ford Ironman Lake Placid.

Ford Ironman Lake Placid is one of six full-distance Ironman events in the continental United States and features the natural beauty of Lake Placid and the Adirondack area. Local officials spoke to the popularity of the event, “We are fortunate to have an event such as Ironman that has proven to generate a significant amount of revenue of bed tax and sales tax, this resulting in a lower property tax,” said supervisor Randal Douglas, town of Jay.

The event annually features more than 2,200 athletes from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Athletes vie for qualifying spots to the Ford Ironman World Championship and professional triathletes are in the hunt for a prize purse of $50,000.

Ford Ironman Lake Placid also features significant volunteer support as more than 3,500 volunteers from the area offer their time to get athletes through the 140.6 mile journey. The volunteers hail from upper New York State and are a testament to the commitment of the entire region. Lake Placid mayor Craig Randall commented, “This world-class event is similar to other prestigious events hosted by Lake Placid. The economic impact of Ironman is significant to our entire region, it flows to our many area shops, restaurants, lodging and related support services, and to everyone they employ.”

Ford Ironman Lake Placid has become a staple of the summer event calendar in the Adirondacks. “The town of Wilmington is excited to learn that Ironman will continue to be with us, it has been an economic engine for the region and the state filling our motels and restaurants generating a large amount of revenue for us all,” according to town Supervisor Randy Preston.

“Ford Ironman Lake Placid has played a large part in the history of the sport in the United States and has become a hub for the triathlon community, said Shane Facteau, Ironman’s director of operations. We are excited to be back for another three years.”

For more race related information, log onto www.ironmanusa.com or for information regarding Ironman event and brands log onto www.ironman.com. Media inquiries should be directed to either Helen Manning at 407.832.6547, Helen@ironman.com or Blair LaHaye at 727.808.0646, Blair@ironman.com.

Fife & Drum Corps Muster Spans Centuries

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:02:00 +0000

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. - Over its ‘occupied years’ the walls at Fort Ticonderoga would have echoed with the sounds of military music from the French, British and the Revolutionary troops who shaped the North Country and America’s history. Today, the same is true but the music emanates from a single source, the Fort Ticonderoga Fife & Drum Corps.

All that changes when the Fort Ti Corps hosts other groups from around the Northeast at the annual Fort Ticonderoga Muster on the Parade Ground. This year’s muster is slated for Saturday, Aug. 1, and will feature nine corps in all. The additional groups will extend the range of the military music all the way through the Civil War.

Joining the Fort’s Corps for the 2009 Muster are the East Hampton 3rd Connecticut Regiment of Fifes & Drums; Green Mountain Fife & Drum Corps; Seth Warner Mount Independence Fife & Drum Corps; Hanaford’s Volunteers, VT, the 3rd New Jersey Field Music; Colonial Musketeers Fife & Drum Corps, NJ, and Fort George Fife & Drum Corps, Ontario, Canada.

The music will start at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day with a rousing finale at 3:30 p.m. Saturday evening at the Hancock House visitors will be treated to a twilight performance as all the units perform a short historical timeline.

Much more than entertainment for the troops of old, a fife and drum corps was a communication tool, calling soldiers to meet, sending signals and sounding out warnings. Fort Ticonderoga’s Corps performs several times daily during July and August and during special functions throughout the year. Drum Major Mike Edson (an elementary school teacher in real life) leads the group of local teens with authentic commands and regulation maneuvers. Fort Ti’s Corps’ parade uniforms that have been funded in by The Stevens Family Fund for the Fife and Drum Corps and others donors and are authentic handmade reproductions of the French Royal-Rousillion and American First New York Regiment. The visiting corps will dress in period uniforms too, as they play military and popular tunes from the Americas Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and Civil War.

Fort Ticonderoga & The King’s Garden are a not-for-profit private site which is open daily from 9:30 to 5:00. The Log House Restaurant and Gift Shop is also open at those times. The admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and $7 for children seven to 12. Children 6 and younger are admitted free. Local residents are always welcome to visit the Fort at no charge. See FortTiconderoga.org for a full schedule of family and children’s programs and special events.

Birthday Party for Fort Ticonderoga

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:13:00 +0000

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. – It was one hundred years ago that Fort Ticonderoga first opened its gates to the public. The occasion was the 1909 Tercentenary of the landing of Samuel de Champlain and President Howard Taft spoke from the steps of the Pavilion Hotel on the fort grounds.

Now, as the North Country celebrates the Quadricentennial of Champlain’s landing the Fort is having a 100th Birthday Party. On Friday, July 24, guests can join the fun and indulge in cake and refreshments while enjoying music from Atlantic Crossing. The party will take place in the new Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center.

From those early days when restoration of the west barracks had just begun until July of 2008 the fort has been in a constant state being restored to its original French skyline. With that effort complete in the opening of the mars Center, Fort Ticonderoga begins its second century of bringing history alive to an untold number of future generations. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children 7-12 and can be reserved by phone at 585-2821. Younger children are admitted at no charge.

The Fort’s 100th season is full of activities, family programs, tours and more, in both the King’s Garden and the fort. Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit site maintained by membership, grants, gifts and ticket sales. All the information is available at FortTiconderoga.org .

Westport Heritage Festival Celebrates the Champlain Quadricentennial with “400 Years of Boating”

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:31:00 +0000

WESTPORT, N.Y. --- The 10th annual Westport Heritage Festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, and will celebrate 400 years of boating on Lake Champlain. The festival, which benefits the Westport Heritage House, begins at 10 a.m. with a fun race from Camp Dudley to Ballard Park and concludes with a fireworks display, beginning at 9:30 p.m. In between, there’s plenty of activity for the entire family.

“This is the single fundraiser for the Heritage House and it’s a great event that brings together the entire community,” remarked Nancy Decker, the festival’s chairwoman. “Each year there’s a lot to see and do, but this year I’m particularly excited because of many of the new activities and events.”

One of the new events added to the festival is the bike decorating contest. Youngsters are encouraged to bring their bike decorated in one of three categories, funniest, most patriotic and back to the future, to be judged at the Ballard Park pavilion, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Westport Quadricentennial Committee is also looking for items to place in its time capsule that will be ‘buried’ during the festival. “We would like to have items that represent our town,” stated Decker. “We’re still trying to find an appropriate place to ‘bury’ the capsule, but this is a way to leave Westport’s historical footprint behind for the future.”

Other events highlighting the festival include the Lake Champlain antique and classic boat show with a parade of boats and the Lois McClure at the marina, the Philadelphia II at the Yacht Club dock, the Plein Air silent auction and the themed basket silent auction. In addition there will be a wide array of music performed at the Ballard Pavilion.

The line-up features the Dudley Rhythm Ramblers, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., James Mayo with the Dudley Choir, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., and Atlantic Crossing, from 7-9 p.m. There will also be music at the Yacht Club dock, from 2:00-4:00, with Chris Layer and Pete Sutherland.

Access to the festival is free with tokens being sold near the beverage tent for the food. Raffle tickets and pins can also be purchased and all proceeds benefit the Westport Heritage House. For more information, log on to www.westportny.com or contact Nancy Decker at 518.962.4805, or by e-mail, decker2@westelcom.com.

Got Barbeque?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:54:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Barbeque teams from throughout the country, Canada and even Great Britain return to Lake Placid and the Olympic oval to fill the air with the sweet smell of barbeque and hickory smoke when they cook and compete in the fourth annual Lake Placid— I Love Barbeque Festival. The three-day, food-fest begins Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend.

“I can’t think of any better way to spend the July 4th weekend than with family, friends and barbeque,” stated the festival’s director of operations Dmitry Feld. “This is an event that’s created to bring together the community and family to celebrate all that’s American… barbeque, plus raise money for an important organization.”

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Shipman Youth Center of Lake Placid, a not-for-profit community organization providing support to children and youth ages 10-18 through a supervised safe and exciting environment where local children can grow and develop as individuals. Now in its fourth year, more than 8,000 people have attended the event and raised more than $20-thousand per year.

A new addition to the weekend festival is the first-ever junior world championship barbeque competition. During the junior world championship event, barbequers, between the ages of 16-21, will compete for big scholarship money from Paul Smith’s College. The gold medal winning team and individuals will receive a $10-thousand scholarship from the school, while the silver medal winning team will earn a $6-thousand scholarship and the third place team a $5-thousand scholarship. Although the school specializes in hospitality, resort and tourism management, culinary arts and service management, the teams can use the scholarship money for any of the college's programs of study.

“This event has taken the festival to a new level and is another reason for people to come to Lake Placid and to this event,” remarked Feld.

Also highlighting the festival is Saturday’s, July 4, “Buck-a-Rib” contest, where visitors can taste an assortment of ribs from 26 competing teams for just $1.00 apiece, and Sunday’s, July 5, grand championship and New York state title cook-off. The winner will earn an automatic berth into the American Royal barbeque contest, in September, In Kansas City, Mo.

Admissions into the fourth annual Lake Placid-I Love Barbeque Festival is $6.00 for adults and children 12 and under are admitted free. In addition to great food and barbeque, the festival will feature music, food demonstrations and plenty of other activities for families and children. For more information, log on to www.ilbbqf.com.

The Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic Set to Tee it Up for a 9th Year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:42:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Many of the area's best golfers and several of the area's… not so best golfers will team with U.S. Olympic athletes and other celebrities in the ninth annual Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic, Thursday, June 18. The four-person team scramble, held at the Craig Wood Golf Course, in Lake Placid, N.Y., benefits the United Way of Clinton & Essex Counties.

"Outside of the annual campaign, this is our biggest fundraiser," remarked Shirley O’Connell, the tournament’s chair and director. “Each year the tournament raises over $10-thousand, so I can easily that this event has raised more than $90-thousand for the two counties.”

Thirty, three-person teams from across northern New York have signed up to tee it up with Olympians including 2002 Olympic bobsled silver medalist Todd Hayes, 1998 Olympic ski jumper Casey Colby and Joe-Pete Wilson, a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Nordic team and 1965 four-man bobsled world championship bronze medalist. The celebrity field also features Olympic broadcasters Tim Singer and John Morgan and the newly crowned women’s singles luge world champion Erin Hamlin, who also slid in the 2006 Olympic Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

“This is a tremendous event and a terrific opportunity for friends and supporters of the United Way to have a truly enjoyable day,” remarked John Bernardi, the executive director of the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties. “In one way it’s an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the United Way, but it’s also a celebration of this area’s rich Olympic heritage that can only be found in this area.”

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Craig Wood course and the tournament begins with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. The Jack Shea Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the first place gross team and the Mike Mannix Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the first place net team. After the round of golf a steak and chicken barbeque will be served, along with drawing for prizes.

Space is still available for six additional three-person teams. If you would like to sponsor a team contact Ms. O’Connell at 518.563.8450. For more information, log on to www.unitedwayce.org.

Lake Placid Horse Show Celebrates 40 Years

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:35:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Almost a half-million dollars will be at stake when the world’s best equestrians return to Lake Placid, N.Y., and the North Elba showgrounds, June 23 through July 5, to compete in the annual Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows. The shows’ two grand prix events, the RV Sales of Broward Grandprix of Lake Placid, Sunday, June 28, and the Hermès Grandprix, Saturday, July 4, feature prize purses of $75,000 apiece.

The two Lake Placid horse shows are regarded among the top stops on the national tour and often bring in the best riders including two-time Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward; three-time Olympic medalist Joe Fargis; 1996 Olympic team silver medalists Anne Kursinski and Peter Leone and 2000 Olympians Nona Garson and Margie Engle. The rider who comes away with the most prize money from the two grand prix events will also receive the Richard and Diana Feldman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for Excellence.

Admission to the events is $2.00 on weekdays and $5.00 on weekends. Spectators who show their Price Chopper “Advantedge” card will receive 50 percent off. In addition to the daily jumping and the two grand prix events, both shows offer a full array of activities including behind the scene tours, the 17th annual doggie costume contest, kids days, raffles, giveaways and autograph sessions with the riders.

For more information about both the 40th annual Lake Placid Horse Show, June 23-28, and the I Love New York Horse Show, July 1-5, log on to www.lakeplacidhorseshow.com.

State Police and Officials Work Together to Get Road Construction done on Route 73

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:05:00 +0000

NORTH ELBA, N.Y. --- The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that a 2.5-mile long stretch of Route 73, between Stagecoach Rock and the beginning of the three-lane section west of Keene, known as the “Cascades,” is scheduled to be re-surfaced beginning in late-June or early-July. The project was scheduled after local officials had become concerned about deteriorating road condition for both motorists and for the athletes training and competing in the July 26 Ironman race.

“This was a tremendous effort at all levels of state government, from our local officials to our representatives in Albany,” said James McKenna, president/CEO of the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. “A great deal of credit goes to Major Richard Smith, the commander of the Troop “B” State Police headquarters in Ray Brook, for bringing this to the attention of the state, county and local officials as a public safety issue for the athletes and motoring public that share most of the roadways used during the Ironman. This road also serves as a ‘first impression’ of what visitors have when they visit the region.”

The resurfacing work will be done in time for the 11th-annual race, which traditionally brings in 2,200 athletes and their friends and families to the region. The world will be done using one-way, alternating traffic operations controlled by flag people. Motorists are advised to proceed through the area with caution.

Travelers Looking for Adventure Fun this Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 May 2009 20:05:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Camping, boating, hiking, biking or visiting museums, how are you and your family going to spend your summer vacation?

“Travelers are being a little more value conscious and want the best possible experience for their dollars and time,” noted James McKenna, president/CEO of the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. “These are cost conscious activities for the entire family and since we’re located in the middle of this country’s biggest outdoor playground, we’re situated well for a good summer.”

Two recent surveys support McKenna’s claim and point that U.S. travelers will be going a little leaner and greener this summer.

An AOL and Zogby International poll, of more than 2,000 travelers, showed that 52 percent of those surveyed said that they have smaller vacation budgets for this year, when compared to last year, and 30 percent went on to say that they would be spending $1,000.00 or less when vacationing. The Trip Advisor poll, of 3,000 U.S. travelers, showed similar findings. Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year, while 47 percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008.

“We shouldn’t be alarmed by these two surveys, but that doesn’t mean that lodging in the region shouldn’t be more creative to attract customers,” remarked McKenna. “Market trends are showing that packages are attracting customers, and you don’t have to look too far to see that properties are noticing and adjusting. Just the other day, I saw that the Sagamore in Bolton Landing (New York) had rooms and packages starting as low as $119.00 a night. The competition is fierce in this industry right now, and properties need to determine how they will position themselves to attract business.”

The Lake Placid region’s proximity to major metro markets may have helped it weather this past winter. While several vacation destinations including Hawaii, Las Vegas and Orlando saw significant declines in visitations in 2008 and during the first quarter of 2009, the Lake Placid region only felt a small decline in occupancy tax collections from the same time last year, however; it’s well ahead of what was taken in during the first quarter of 2007.

“It’s a slight advantage being situated near major urban centers, just 200 to 300 miles, from cities like New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal,” noted McKenna. “It does give us a bit of an edge over several other travel and ‘fly-to’ destination so our proximity to major New England, Mid-Atlantic and Canadian metro areas bodes well for the Adirondacks.

“So far this year most of our online reservations are from people who live within a six-hour driving distance and the reduced gas prices have allowed visitors to seek destinations closer to home”

McKenna also believes that the wide array of summer activities and events should continue to attract visitors to the region. Some of what’s happening in the area include the Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows, the annual Saranac Lake Rugby Tournament, the lacrosse tournaments, as well as both the Lake Placid Marathon and half marathon and the Lake Placid Ironman.

The July 26 Ironman race has become the leading revenue producing event in our county, with an estimated $10-million in direct spending leading up to and during the race weekend. This includes $375-thousand generated in Essex County sales tax.

5th Annual Lake Placid Marathon Kicks Off Lake Placid Summer Racing Season

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:02:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Lake Placid’s summer race season “officially” kicks off the weekend of June 12 through 14 when 2,000 runners participate in the fifth annual Lake Placid Marathon. Runners from over 45 states and five countries including Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, are set to run. The Sunday, June 14, event includes a 26.2-mile long marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon or the 26.2-mile long marathon relay.

In only five years, the race’s field has doubled in size and the event has quickly become one of the most popular races in the Northeast. This year’s general entry for the Lake Placid marathon, half marathon and marathon relay was sold out on April 29.

“Runners love Lake Placid and our races are geared towards a wide range of athletic abilities,” noted co-race director Brad Konkler. “Obviously, the July Ironman and the half-marathon event in the fall have been huge successes, but co-race director Jeff Edwards and I thought that there was still room for another race, especially in the early season. This race also fills the town on what would be a quiet weekend.”

The race weekend events begin Saturday, June 13, with a free kid’s race on the Olympic Speed skating oval, beginning at 2 p.m., while the Lake Placid Film Forum’s screening of “Run For Your Life” will be seen at 4 p.m. at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Sunday’s race begins at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start, in front of the speed skating oval. All races end at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

“The weekend is about much more than the race, it provides a weekend Adirondack experience for friends and family,” added Konkler. “In addition to this there are a number of charitable organizations who also benefit from this race, including Team in Training (TNT), Run for Dad and the Lake Placid Outing Club. Last year TNT and Run for Dad used the event to raise over $400,000 for cancer research and awareness.”

Once the gun sounds, thousands of runners will make their way along Main St. and through the center of town for the first half mile. The field will then proceed clockwise around Mirror Lake and proceed out to Route 73 before doing a 2.8-mile out and back on River Rd for the first loop. All three races will end in the speed skating oval.

For more information about the fifth annual Lake Placid Marathon, log on to www.lakeplacidmarathon.com.

On Foot or on Bike, they Climb Whiteface Mountain

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:34:00 +0000

WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- Runners and cyclists will ascend Whiteface Mountain in a pair of races scheduled for June. Runners will climb 3,500 feet up the scenic Whiteface Mountain Veteran’s Memorial Highway during the 32nd Annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race scheduled for Sunday, June 7, while cyclists will try to tackle New York State’s fifth highest peak during the eighth Annual Whiteface Uphill Bike Race. This almost eight-mile long race is slated for Saturday, June 20.

More than 170 runners from six states and Canada are set to run up Whiteface on June 7. Last year, husband and wife Robert and Kim Douglas, of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., took top honors. Robert Douglas was the top male finisher when he covered the 7.9-mile course in one hour, 3-minutes, and 15-seconds. Kim Douglas beat all the women runners to the top of the Olympic mountain when she clocked a time of 1:21:42. The top runners from this race will also have the opportunity to be crowned King or Queen of the mountain if they choose to compete in the uphill bike event.

Almost 300 cyclists are expected to peddle 7.8 miles up the memorial highway en route to the finish line, and most will do it in less than an hour. The Whiteface Mountain race is also the first of nine events making up the 2009 Bike Up the Mountain Point Series (BUMPS). Cyclists are automatically registered for BUMPS when they participate for any of the nine races, and earn points based on the difficulty of the race and their finish. The cumulative elevation gain for all nine races is more than 27,000 feet.

For the second consecutive year, a portion of each bike racer’s registration will benefit the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS). Founded in 1982, BIANYS is one of the oldest state affiliates for the Brain Injury Association of America. This non-profit organization advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injury and their families.

A barbeque lunches for racers and spectators will be held at the Wilmington town beach following each race. These races are organized and run annually by the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau and through the efforts of countless volunteers and local businesses. For more information about the 32nd Annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race and the eighth Annual Whiteface Uphill Bike Race, log on to www.whitefacenewyork.com.

Lights... Camera... Action... Port Henry Celebrates its Silent Film History

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:02:00 +0000

PORT HENRY, N.Y. --- Long before movies were ever produced in Hollywood, Calif., they were made in the Adirondacks. During the Silent Film era of the early-1900s, films including The Perils of Pauline and Uncle Tom’s Cabin were shot in the region as producers were looking to the Adirondacks as a replacement to the Yukon and Europe. As long as the shots were tight, so that no one could notice Vermont to the east, Lake Champlain was even used once or twice as a replacement to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Moriah Historical Society will celebrate the region’s film history during its first-ever Moriah Film Festival, Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6. This educational, historical and entertaining two-day event is being presented in cooperation with the Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks, the Adirondack History Center, the Moriah Chamber of Commerce and Moriah Central School.

“The Festival aims to educate residents and visitors about local film history, and to celebrate by presenting some on of some of the films that were produced in the Village of Port Henry in the early 1900’s at the Arctic City set, dubbed the ‘Hollywood of the Adirondacks,’” said Barbara Brassard, Event Coordinator Moriah Silent Film Festival Committee. “By the 1920s, Port Henry was a major player in the motion picture industry and I think that this has been forgotten. It’s a great opportunity to make people aware of the role this community and region played in that exciting time of film.”

The event begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 5, with Premier Night, featuring Once Upon an Opera House, a silent film created this spring by the Moriah Central School eighth-grade class. The evening will also include a showing of a chapter from the 1941 Captain Marvel movies, the forerunner to the Indiana Jones films. Following the films, attendees will have an opportunity to meet the stars of Once Upon an Opera House!

On Saturday, June 6, from 2 - 5p.m., Festival showings will include serial episodes of The Perils of Pauline, and more! In addition, there will be a panel of experts on hand to discuss Arctic City film history and silent films.

Festival events will all be held at, and courtesy of Cheney’s Church Street Restaurant second floor event hall, at 6 Church Street in Port Henry.

Friday night “Dinner and a Movie” specials are being offered by several local eateries, including Boyea’s Grocery and Deli, Grover Hills Deli and Cheney’s Church Street Restaurant. Event tickets will be available at these locations for the dinner specials, and at the door on site for the event. Ticket prices are: $4 Adult/$2 students for Friday’s Premier Night, and $2 donation for Saturday’s events.

For more information visit the website, or contact event coordinator Barb Brassard at barb_12960@yahoo.com or 518.546.8607.

Fort Ticonderoga Opens for 100th Season

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:25:00 +0000

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. --- Fort Ticonderoga opens as a historic landmark for the 100th consecutive year on May 21.

“We opened briefly to the public in 1909 for the Tercentenary of Champlain and at the beginning of the Fort’s restoration. We’ve been open every season since and the restoration is finally finished,” said Fort Ticonderoga director of marketing Marci Hall. “There’s no reason the Fort won’t be here for another century.”

The 18th-century fort, built on the south end of Lake Champlain, in Ticonderoga, N.Y., served as a military fortress and controlled a portage between Lake Champlain and Lake George. The French originally constructed the fort, between 1755 and 1758, and it played a significant role in the French & Indian War. During the Revolutionary War, in May 1775, Americans seized the fort under the commands of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. The fort remained under American control until June 1777, when British forces gained control until 1781. The fort was abandoned by the British following the failure of the Saratoga campaign.

Each year, nearly 90,000 people visit the fort and this season, a full roster of events is scheduled including a 100th Birthday Party and a Quadricentennial celebration, the 400th anniversary of the arrival of French explorer Samuel de Champlain on Lake Champlain, on July 25. The annual encampments and re-enactments of both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War are joined this year by a Scottish Festival on June 20. The Grand Encampment of the French and Indian War is scheduled for June 27 and 28 and will focus on the events of 250 years ago, 1759, when the British took Fort Carillon from the French and renamed it Ticonderoga. The Revolutionary War encampment is set for Sept. 12-13. Hundreds of re-enactors will portray British, Continental, German, and Native soldiers involved in the struggle for America’s independence.

“Each day is full of programs for kids, families and tours. During the months of July and August our Fife & Drum Corps will perform. It really is fun for all ages and so many families are bringing their second and third generations for visits. The Fort is a tradition!” remarked Hall.

Fort Ticonderoga is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through Oct. 20. Admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and $7 for children seven to 12. Youngsters six and under are admitted free. For more information about the historic Fort Ticonderoga, visit their website, http://www.FortTiconderoga.org.

Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau Achieves Int’l Accreditation

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 11 May 2009 18:54:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau announced Monday, May 11, that it has joined only one other New York State and 84 other worldwide organizations to achieve accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association Program (DMAP). Developed by the Washington, DC based Destination Marketing Association International, the industry-wide accreditation program recognizes destination marketing organizations that meet or exceed industry standards.

“This accreditation addresses our standard of performance and measurement of success,” noted Bureau president/CEO James McKenna. “We become transparent in our reporting requirements and the end results are increased customer confidence, accountability to our funding sources and a more focused organization with defined standards. It allows our organization to be the best and most creditable for our clients, partners and staff.”

In earning the accreditation, destination marketing organizations communicate to their community, visitors and potential visitors that their organization has attained a significant measure of excellence.

“The accreditation goes a long way in recognizing the hard work of the Bureau and helps to streamline its internal process,” said Bureau board president Jenn Webb. “In going through the accreditation process, it helped to improve the efficiency inside the Bureau, which will only lead to better serving the area and its visitors.”

To become accredited, the Bureau successfully completed a rigorous application process, requiring evidence of compliance with 55 mandatory standards and 33 voluntary standards. The standards set by DMAP covered a wide variety of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation, and stakeholder relationships. Currently there are a total of 86 accredited organizations. The Lake Placid Bureau is the second accredited organization within New York State.

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing. For more information on DMAP, visit their official web site, www.destinationmarketing.org.

Millions More Now Know what’s Special about the Adirondacks

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:08:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- We know what’s special about the Adirondacks and that’s why we live here. Now millions more are learning about all there is to do in our little part of the world after picking up recent editions of USA Today and National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

Last week, the Adirondack Park made USA Today’s list of the top-10 Great Places on Earth You Don’t Want to Miss. The list, which also included Mount Kilimanjaro, Valley of the Kings, The Dead Sea, and Piazza San Marco, came out in anticipation of last Wednesday’s Earth Day.

Holly Hughes wrote of the six-million acre Adirondack Park in USA Today: "Much of the park's heart has been kept inaccessible to vehicles, preserving a slice of wilderness. The best way to appreciate it is to canoe through its quiet rivers and forested lakes. You'll see white-tailed deer, beaver, and, if you're lucky, you may spy a red fox or even a moose."

Shortly after more than two-million people read about the Adirondacks in USA Today, another two-million more read about the Park in the National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s listing of the 50 Best American Adventures. In the April/May edition, writers Jim Gorman, Robert Earle Howells and the magazine editors listed canoeing the Adirondacks fifth overall. The only other adventures that topped paddling our lakes, ponds and rivers were biking the Continental Divide Trail, kayaking Lake Yellowstone, rowing the Grand Canyon and climbing Mountain Rainier.

The writers added: “Nearly one-million acres have changed hands from private to public in the past ten years, including vital acquisitions that unlocked a grand flat-water paddling circuit nestled between the park’s marquee High Peaks and Five Ponds wildernesses. So new is this route that it has no official name and several of the portages, or "carries," are merely flagged with tape. With polished navigational skills and determination, paddlers enter a remote sanctuary where moose are staging a remarkable comeback, ferret-like fishers lope along lakeshores, and oversize coyotes, possibly crossbred with wolves, howl in the night.”

“The two articles speak to the fact that the Adirondacks are clearly a sustainable differentiator which will help our region get through these difficult economic times,” replied Lake Placid/Essex County Visitor Bureau president/CEO James McKenna. “For more than a century, our Adirondacks have allowed many visitors to recharge and refuel their minds and bodies.”

To read more about USA Today’s list of the top-10 Great Places on Earth You Don’t Want to Miss, click HERE, and to read more about National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s listing of the 50 Best American Adventures click HERE.

Village of Lake Placid and Town of North Elba Name their 2009 Volunteers of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:04:00 +0000

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Village of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba recognized local residents, Conni Cross and Julia Appleton, as their 2009 Volunteers of the Year award winners. Cross was named the recipient for the Volunteer of the Year, while Appleton was chosen as the Youth Volunteer of the Year during Saturday’s, April 25, reception and ceremony held at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

Cross’ volunteer efforts have spanned six decades, when she was the North Elba Park District summer playground supervisor. She has also lent her time as a volunteer for the 1980 Olympic Winters, the 1972 FISU World University Games, the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, the Lake Placid Hall of Fame and the Lake Placid Ironman.

Currently, Ms. Cross is a member of the Mirror Lake Watershed Committee, and organizer for the Lake Placid Spring clean-up program, the Garden Club Beautification program and was the founder and is current president of the Lake Placid Beautification Association.

“For over 25 years, Conni has been a sustaining force that has made our beautiful flower dressed street, parks and town entrances so very special,” wrote Town of North Elba supervisor Robert “Robby” Politi in his nomination letter. “She has never, ever accepted the word ‘no’ and she always find a solution to every problem. And moreover, she has generated a sense of pride and community in the jobs that she has created as the founder of the Lake Placid Beautification Association.”

“It’s wonderful to be honored tonight, but there are so many other people who should also be recognized for all that they do,” noted Cross. “I couldn’t possibly be this involved without the support of our community leaders. It’s important to give back to the community and to keep the spirit of volunteering growing.”

Appleton, a senior at Lake Placid High School, has logged more than 250 hours of community service. The 18-year-old has contributed her time to the Uihlein Mercy Center and has raised money and support for breast cancer awareness, Mountain Lake Services, UNICEF and for the global food crisis. She has also been active through the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and worked with local elementary school students.

“I love to volunteer, it’s about serving the community and that’s what I desire to do,” remarked Appleton.

“People who volunteer make a difference in our lives,” said Sate Sen. Elizabeth Little (R-Queensbury, N.Y.), who was also in attendance Saturday evening. “In so many ways volunteers improve the quality of our lives in a community, they’re an important part to the overall spirit of a community.”

Cross joins Annette Albright (2007) and Vincent Forester (2008) as past Volunteer of the Year Award winners, while Appleton joins Scott Pedu (2008) as past youth award winners.