Author Archives: Carol Hansen

Locally shot film to be screened at Old Forge’s Strand Theatre

Kurt and Ximena Gardner of Old Forge-based company Adirondack Mountain Productions, Are hosting a special screening of the film, And Winter Slow, at the Strand Theatre on Saturday, October 20, at 7 p.m.

The “And Winter Slow” film crew, including Director Brian Lannin and Director of Photography Kristina Nikolova, shot some scenes on North Street in Old Forge.

The short drama, originally called Jezebel, was filmed in the Old Forge area during the winter of 2010–2011 by New York University graduate film students, with production assistance by the Gardners.

The film won Best Narrative Short Film at the 2012 Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA. and is entered in the Woodstock Film Festival scheduled for October 10 to 14.

This has qualified the film to be reviewed by the 85th Annual Academy Awards in the Short Narrative category.

“It is presently being reviewed by the Academy. The hope is that we will move up from one out of 21 films to the next list of ten, and ultimately be put on the short list of five and be up for an Oscar!” said Ximena.

Tyler Fenton, left, and Brendon Lis were two local actors who had roles in the film “And Winter Slow.” Photos by Kurt Gardner

“It’s done very well and we’re really proud of it,” said Kurt, “and since it was filmed locally, we wanted to bring it to the Strand to give everyone a chance to see how it turned out.”

Five other short films will also be screened at the Strand, with an expected total running time of an hour and a half.

The directors, cinematographers and producers of all the films will be in the audience and will answer questions at the end of the show.

“It’s a great opportunity for people in the surrounding area, especially those who are into making films, to be able to meet people in the film industry,” Kurt said.

The Gardners’ ultimate goal is to make the Adirondacks and the Old Forge area a filming destination, and to let the film industryknow that we are photo and film-friendly. Continue reading →

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Library Elf Walk raises over $700

Gary “Bah Humbug” Lee, right, led the Old Forge Library’s Elf Walk up Route 28 on Wednesday, October 3. Photo by Carol Hansen

The annual Elf Walk fundraiser to benefit the Old Forge Library was held on Wednesday, October 3, with Head Elf, Gary “Bah Humbug” Lee, leading the pack of walkers with assistance by library elves Snowflake and Jingle Belle.

Twenty-seven participants, including Kiwanis Key Club members from the Town of Webb School, raised more than $700 in pledges to walk three miles to Thendara and back to the library.

Upon returning to the library the walkers were treated to a pizza party. Prizes were awarded to Key Club participants for raising the most money by a group, and to Beverly Meeker for the most money raised by an individual.

Christian Olsen participates in the Old Forge Library’s Elf Walk

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Sheila Brady Named Kiwanian of the Year

Sheila Brady said she was surprised and very moved to be named Kiwanian of the Year.

Over the years Brady has become known among her fellow Kiwanians as a reliable volunteer for all of the Kiwanis and Key Club activities for children. She grew up in a large family in Utica, the youngest of eleven children. She learned about helping other children while working with the poor in the Utica area as a Y Teen member at the YWCA.

She knew then that her mission was to work with children and Kiwanis is helping to fulfill that mission, she said.

But first came a move to New York City, where she enjoyed a long career with the Association of American University Presses. Brady said she served as its sales manager for a number of years before starting her own business, Thor Information Services, which compiles lists of academics for publishers.

“A lot of my clients do books about education for children and families,” she said. Continue reading →

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Webb School: Slain Columbine teen’s message of caring continues

The Town of Webb School hosted “Rachel’s Challenge,” an enlightenment program resulting from the Columbine High School shooting tragedy of 1999, on Wednesday, September 26, in the school gymnasium.

The program was inspired by the writings and untimely death of Rachel Scott, the first victim shot in the Columbine High School shooting.

Rachel’s father, Darrell Scott, founded “Rachel’s Challenge” after discovering the young student’s diaries.

Six volumes worth, they contained essays and entries that challenge students to replace acts of violence, bullying and negativity with kindness.

It asks students to look for the best in others.

This can start a chain reaction of kindness and compassion in fellow students, according to Scott.

The program, designed for students in grades six through twelve, has been presented in 12 school districts this fall, which are served by Herkimer County BOCES.

It is being sponsored locally by the Herkimer County Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.

Rachel’s Challenge has been presented throughout the United States and in many countries around the world. Continue reading →

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Celebrated jazz trio to perform in Bistro setting at View, Sept. 20

 The annual Bistro and The Gallery Jazz Concert at View will be held Thursday, September 20, featuring vocalist and bassist, Nicki Parrott, accompanied by renowned guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and Chuck Redd, accomplished performer on drums and vibraphone.

Nicki Parrott

Nicki Parrott was born and raised in Australia and came to the U.S. in 1994 as an unknown double bassist.

She was drawn to music at age five, she said, when her parents bought a piano.

“I did classical piano and classical flute until I was a teenager when I switched to double bass,” she said. She has been a bassist ever since.

To support herself after arriving in New York City, she got a job selling textile designs to fashion designers while trying to break into the music business.

But after eight months she quit the job.

“It wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do with my life. So I did what every musician does in New York. You go out and try to meet as many musicians as possible and try to play as much as possible,” Parrott said.

She did everything from playing bass in the pit for Broadway shows to a little bit of classical jazz.

Eventually she was discovered by the legendary Les Paul, who asked her to play the double bass in his band.

She performed in the Les Paul Trio every Monday night as bassist and vocalist from 2000 to 2010, she said. She has also performed with various other jazz artists, including Randy Brecker, Clark Terry and Jose Feliciano.

She also performs frequently with Bucky Pizzarelli and Chuck Redd who are joining her in the Jazz Trio at View.

Bucky Pizzarelli

Bucky Pizzarelli’s legendary career spans six decades with performances at White House concerts with Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra, with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra, and many other jazz legends.

He was honored with the Jazz Wall of Fame by ASCAP in 2005 and has received many other prestigious awards.

A resident of New Jersey all of his life, he was recently inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and two of his guitars, along with his recorded history, have been placed in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.

He serves on the faculty of William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ.

He developed his own technique on the 7 string guitar and he has written and published three guitar instructional method books.

“We’ve known each other for many years,” said Parrott. “He’s an incredible musician and he has some great arrangements.”

Chuck Redd

Chuck Redd has been performing and recording internationally since he was 21, when he joined the Charlie Byrd Trio.

He was the featured vibraphonist with the Mel Torme All-Star Jazz Quintet from 1991 to1996 and served as Artist-In-Residence at The Smithsonian Jazz Cafe in Washington, DC from 2004 to 2008.

In 2007 he performed with the prestigious Milt Jackson Tribute Band. Other highlights include a concert with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet in Africa, a recital at the White House with the Barney Kessel Trio and concerts at Carnegie Hall with the Mel Torme Quintet.

In 2008 he was featured in the finale concert at the Lionel Hampton International Jazz festival with The Lionel Hampton Big Band and the Clayton/ Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.

Continue reading →

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Building’s new paint job reflecting its historic Howard Johnson roots

Bob Card, co-owner of the Strand Theatre is continuing the renovation and restoration of the former Howard Johnson’s restaurant building across the road from the theatre.

Currently, Card is having the roof painted its original orange hue, in homage to its HoJo roots.

However, for licensing reasons, Card will forego the additional signature colors of aqua and white and paint the trim and cupola purple and lime.

At one time, Howard Johnson’s Restaurants were widely scattered across the country, but according to Card, only two are still in operation—one in Lake Placid and the other in Bangor, Maine.

Card said plans are still in the works to split the interior of the building to make it suitable for a business, or businesses, to lease or rent.

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Volunteers representing KYAC and HASCA served up food.

Charity Go-Kart Race raises $12,400 for KYAC and HASCA

The First Place winning Old Mill team was Tim LaPorte, Liz Zerilli, Jesse Allen, and Andrea Ross, shown here with Katie Noonan, center.

It was another great turnout for the Annual Charity Go-Kart Races at Calypso’s Cove that were held on Tuesday, September 11, according to Katie Noonan of Enchanted Forest/Water Safari, which sponsors the event.

Noonan reported that 2012 was a record-breaking year with $12,400 raised in support of this year’s charity recipients, the Kommunity Youth Activity Center (KYAC) and the Home Aide Service of the Central Adirondacks (HASCA).

Proceeds will be divided evenly between both organizations.

Emcee Mike Cunningham

Volunteers representing KYAC and HASCA served up food.

Noonan said that 265 spectators came out to watch the 34 teams and 170 racers, representing the communities of Old Forge, Eagle Bay, Inlet, Blue Mountain Lake, and Indian Lake, compete in 51 heats during the course of the event.

The first place winning team was from The Old Mill Restaurant, with the Pied Piper Hot Dawgs placing second.

There was a tie for third place between the Heroux Construction Rock Busters and the team, Hookers and Hoes.

“This was our 19th year of the event, and year after year, it continues to grow. There was great support from the area—it’s always exciting when we have a successful event,” Noonan said.

Ben Cohen

 

 

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