Adirondack Almanack

Is Adirondack Bouldering Unethical? Illegal?

Published on 2010-08-23 14:00:00

Glacial erratics are part of the Adirondack landscape. On just about any trail, you can find one of these boulders left behind by retreating glaciers eons ago.In places, you can find collections of giant erratics. One such place is near Nine Corner Lake in the southern Adirondacks—a major attraction for those who practice the art of bouldering. The guidebook Adirondack Rock describes Nine Corners

The Murder of Adirondack Guide Eula Davis

Published on 2010-08-23 11:00:00

In late 1928, the life of an Adirondack guide came to an unfortunate, premature end. Like many of his brethren who died from accidental shootings over the years, the victim succumbed to a serious gunshot wound. But the demise of Eula Davis was no accident. Clearly, this was a case of murder, and the beginning of a twisted saga that kept all eyes glued on the Lake Pleasant region for some time.The

Chris Morris: Election Update 2010

Published on 2010-08-23 05:00:00

It’s been too long since I’ve posted on the upcoming primary and general elections, so let’s dive right in.First off, we’ve got some debates in New York’s 23rd Congressional District. In fact, I’ll be moderating one of them, right here in Saranac Lake.Matt Doheny and Doug Hoffman will square off in a primary debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7 at the Harrietstown Town Hall in Saranac Lake. It’s

A New Dean for Paul Smith's Hospitality Program

Published on 2010-08-22 05:00:00

James Miller has been named Sodexo Dean of the School of Hospitality, Resort and Culinary Management at Paul Smith’s College. Miller will start the job Monday, Aug. 23. The post, which has been endowed with a $1 million, 10-year pledge from Sodexo Inc., is the first endowed chair at Paul Smith’s College.“I look forward to working with our hospitality and culinary faculty to provide teaching and

Forestry: Free Workshop on Invasive Beetles

Published on 2010-08-21 11:00:00

On August 24-26, 2010, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust will offer a free, three-day workshop where participants will learn more about invasive beetles that threaten regional forests and sugarbushes. The workshop will be held at the Quality Inn, Massena, NY.Forest owners, sugarbush operators, local public works officials, grounds department personnel and any

Adirondack Wildflowers: Primrose Watching

Published on 2010-08-21 05:30:00

Every summer when I was little, my sister and I would spend two weeks at my grandparents’ house in Gloversville, where we would visit with cousins, run through sprinklers, ride our bicycles past beautiful old Victorian houses, feed the birds and squirrels, slide down banisters, and generally have the kind of summer vacation that creates the best memories. One of the evening events that sticks

This Week's Adirondack Web Highlights

Published on 2010-08-20 14:00:00

NCPR: Greening the Afterlife Artvoice: Larry Beahan, Conservationist, Physician 2010 Wakely Dam Ultra: Final Frontier Video Northern Woodlands: Keep Stowaways Out of Your Canoe I Am Alive: Saddleback and Basin Watershed Post: Flyfishers Sacrifice Favorite Gear Fuel-n-Food: Great Sacandaga Lake Report Jonathan Brown: Cautionary Video for Rooftop Highway? Jon Alexander: Economic Development in The

A Rebirth for Lake George Dinner Theatre?

Published on 2010-08-20 11:00:00

The Lake George Dinner Theatre began more than forty years ago as a producer of light, summer stock. Over the years, it has presented entertaining but predictable fare to an increasingly aging audience, usually delivered to the door in motor coaches.Three years ago, actor and director Terry Rabine purchased the business, fully aware that while he could ill-afford to lose the tour bus trade, the

Animal Rights Group Questions Adirondack Museum

Published on 2010-08-20 09:13:00

The organization Adirondack Animal Rights (ADK-AR) has called on the Adirondack Museum to not conduct a beaver skinning and fleshing demonstration during the American Mountain Men Encampment this weekend. According to an announcement on the Museum's webpage, “This year's encampment may include blacksmithing as well as a beaver skinning and fleshing demonstration.” The event will take place today

This Week's Top Adirondack News Stories

Published on 2010-08-20 05:00:00

Ultralight Crashes, Pilot Dead Old Adirondack Lays Off Some Workers "Foxy" Gagnon Gets Five Years Essex County Plans 20 Job Cuts Local Climber Falls From Cliff, Dies Local Columnist Laura Viscome Passes APA Reclassifies Raquette River Acres Hamlet Rangers Rescue Another Injured Hiker More Visitors For Adk Campgrounds Island Campers Organize

Current Conditions in the Adirondack Park (August 19)

Published on 2010-08-19 17:00:00

This announcement is for general use - local conditions may vary and are subject to change. Detailed Adirondack Park camping, hiking, and outdoor recreation and trail conditions can be found at DEC's webpages. A DEC map of the Adirondack Park can also be found online [pdf]. Listen for the weekly Adirondack Outdoor Conditions Report on Friday mornings on WNBZ (AM 920 & 1240, FM 105 & 102.1) and

Whiteface Mountain 5th Annual 5K Downhill Race

Published on 2010-08-19 14:00:00

The Whiteface Mountain Bike Park, operated by High Peaks Cyclery, is hosting their 5th Annual 5k Downhill Race, Sept. 10-12. The race, being held on Whiteface, in Wilmington, is not only the finals for the Pro Gravity Tour, but is also the seventh event of the eight-race Gravity East Series.Online registration for the 5K downhill is now open to the public. The race will have a $5,000 cash purse

New Hunting, Fishing, Trapping Licenses on Sale

Published on 2010-08-19 11:00:00

The 2010-2011 hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) are now being sold by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).New Regulations for 2010-2011Hunters and trappers should be aware of several new regulations in effect for 2010-2011. Air guns may now be used for hunting small game. Pheasant hunting areas and seasons have been modified.

American Mountain Men Return to the Adirondack Museum

Published on 2010-08-19 05:00:00

The grounds of the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake, New York will become a lively 19th century tent city with an encampment of American Mountain Men interpreting the fur trade and a variety of survival skills thisweekend, August 20 and 21, 2010.The group will interpret the lives and times of traditional mountain men with colorful demonstrations and displays of shooting, tomahawk and knife

Wildflowers: Adirondack Moonshine

Published on 2010-08-18 14:00:00

I know what you’re thinking: Prohibition, rum runners, Uncle Frank and the still out back. In this case, however, Moonshine is merely another name for one of our late summer wildflowers: pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea).A member of the aster family, as many of our late summer flowers seem to be, pearly everlasting can be found gracing the dry, sunny margins of our roads. Unlike the

The Best Day-Hike in the Adirondacks

Published on 2010-08-18 11:00:00

Well, the title of this post could lead to controversy -- I'm sure every hiker has their favorite route, depending on location, level of fitness and how much climbing (or none at all) they wish to do in a day.Last weekend I did the infamous Bald Peak-Rocky Peak Ridge-Giant Mountain traverse, a hike of nearly 12 miles that takes those with strong knees and thighs on a grand tour of some of the

The Death of Climber Dennis Murphy

Published on 2010-08-18 05:00:00

In my last post, I wrote about the risks and rewards of solo climbing. I didn’t expect to write about rock climbing again this week, but I can’t help it.The death of Dennis Murphy at Upper Washbowl Cliff in Keene Valley deeply affected his friends and colleagues and gives pause to all climbers to reflect on the nature of their chosen sport.I didn’t know Dennis well, but I often chatted with him

Lake George Association to Celebrate 125th Years

Published on 2010-08-18 05:00:00

The Lake George Association will hold its historic 125th Annual Meeting this Friday, August 20 at 10 am at the Lake George Club. The public is invited to attend and the meeting is free; an optional lunch afterward is $21 per person. Reservations are required.Ken Wagner, Ph.D. will be the keynote speaker. Ken is editor in chief of Lake and Reservoir Management, the international journal of the

Adirondack Family Activities: Adirondack Polo Club

Published on 2010-08-17 14:00:00

This weekend the Adirondack Polo Club will hold its Leslie Cup to raise funds and awareness for High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care.According to Lonnie Cross, Adirondack Polo Club member, the club is in its fifth season though for the last two years has made Westport its summer home. Previously the club traveled to destinations as far away as New Orleans to participate in matches. When Cross

Let's Eat: Lumber Camp Cook Rita Poirier Chaisson

Published on 2010-08-17 11:00:00

Rita Poirier Chaisson was born in 1914 on Canada’s Gaspe Penninsula. In 1924, her father Paul Poirier, a lumberjack, moved the family to the North Country where logging jobs were more abundant. Her mother agreed to leave Canada with reluctance. The Poirier family spoke French, no English, and she was convinced that New Yorkers “just talk Indian over there.”The family kept a farm near Tupper Lake,

Conservation Fund Advisory Board to Meet Locally

Published on 2010-08-17 05:00:00

The public is invited to attend the day-long summer field meeting of the Conservation Fund Advisory Board (CFAB), which begins at 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010, at Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Lowville Field Office on State Route 812 in Lewis County. The Conservation Fund Advisory Board was created by New York State law to make recommendations to appropriate state agencies

Commentary: The Adirondack Club and Resort

Published on 2010-08-16 14:00:00

Michael Foxman invariably exudes confidence in his proposed Adirondack Club and Resort in Tupper Lake, and elicits great loyalty from many in the community who have a legitimate interest in reopening the Big Tupper ski center.For all that, in my five years of observation he is one poor negotiator. Since the first conference between Mr. Foxman, APA and potential parties to a public hearing in

A Franklin County War Hero Without A Gun

Published on 2010-08-16 11:00:00

In the early 1900s, woodsman Oliver Lamora of Brandon, New York became somewhat of an Adirondack hero, earning coast-to-coast headlines with his ongoing battle against billionaire William Rockefeller. At the same time, just 20 miles north of Oliver’s homestead, a young man began a career destined to earn him international praise as a hero of two world wars—without ever hoisting a gun to his

Commentary: Corporate Media Ignore Candidates

Published on 2010-08-16 05:00:00

Smaller party and independent candidates like Green gubernatorial nominee Howie Hawkins feel like they hit the lottery if their names are mentioned even as a footnote in the mainstream press. It's not surprising, but still enraging, that the corporate media has a bias in favor of the candidates of the two corporate parties.The common rationalization for such bias is the self-serving claim that

Follow the Almanack via E-Mail, Twitter, Facebook

Published on 2010-08-15 16:00:00

More than 3,000 people get Adirondack Almanack each day via RSS, e-mail, or Twitter or Facebook updates. It's a convenient way to get the latest news and information about the Adirondacks.There are a number of ways you can subscribe:Get The Almanack By E-MailRSS Feed - Subscribe!Follow us on TwitterFriend us on FacebookThanks to one of our readers there's also a LiveJournal feed: adk_almanac