By Jay Lawson
The Inlet Area Business Association (IABA) held its monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 3 at Screamen Eagle with 17 members in attendance.
IABA will start a fundraising campaign to assist the Town of Inlet with costs associated with maintaining the InletNY.com website.
The campaign is being run by Ted Christodaro.
This will allow the business community and others to help with Inlet marketing, while leaving regular advertising and promotions intact.
IABA said it hopes business owners and other community members will recognize the importance of presenting an attractive and functional website to the online public.
A number of funding sources will be explored as part of the campaign.
Also, IABA will schedule meetings to receive ideas on how InletNY.com can better serve online visitors.
IABA reported that a membership drive is underway with forms available at the Inlet Information Office.
Forms will also be available online in the near future.
Everyone is asked to participate by telling friends about the IABA and the benefits associated with being a member.
IABA voted to become a $100 sponsor of Community Pride Day on Wednesday, May 6.
Community Pride Day is an annual event where regional volunteers clean their communities in preparation of the upcoming summer season.
Participants are provided with free t-shirts and free lunches.
Last year 1,018 shirts were ordered for Community Pride Day, according to IABA’s Adele Burnett.
IABA will again sponsor the Adirondack Boat Show to be held on June 7 and 8 at Arrowhead Park.
Reggie Chambers said she and Jim Connerty are continuing with arrangements for the event.
Local boat sales and service providers are being contacted to participate, including major marinas and canoe and kayak dealers.
Reggie Chambers is also working with Adirondack Kids book series author Gary VanRiper on a new activity designed to promote hiking, biking and paddling in and around the Town of Inlet.
This will be an ongoing “challenge” activity with participants receiving special maps, checklists and achievement patches.
The target audience will be families and individuals.
Details are still being determined, but “The Challenge” (an official name will be announced later) is expected to start this summer.
An official kickoff will take place during Adirondack Kids Day on October 3, 2015.
Linda Heistman gave a presentation to IABA about the new Senior Health Activity & Recreation Program (SHARP) in Old Forge.
The free program has seniors participating in social, physical, educational, spiritual, and communal activities.
Seniors from Forestport to Raquette Lake are welcome to join the group, Heistman said.
The group meets every Wednesday at Niccolls Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lunch is provided by the Town of Webb Health Center Fund.
Ted Christodaro updated IABA on the Epic Outdoor Adventures Black Fly Challenge to be held on June 13.
This year marks the event’s 20th anniversary.
Sponsorship opportunities will remain open, but the deadline for inclusion in the Black Fly Challenge’s Outdoor Guide is April 15.
The event expects to have 1,000 racers this year.
Saturday’s Post-Race Party and Sunday’s Rodeo events should encourage many participants and families to spend the night, if not he whole weekend, Christodaro said.
Sponsorship form and ad rates for the Outdoor Guide can be found at www.blackflychallenge.com.
Questions about the event can be emailed to Ted Christodaro at ted@pedalsandpetals.com.
The next meeting of the Inlet Area Business Association will be on Tuesday, May 5.
