Author Archives: Dana Armington

Nikki Friedlander booksigning set May 25th at Old Forge Hardware

Nikki Friedlander, of Old Forge and Palm Beach Gardens, FL, will sign copies of her new book, The Divine Journey, at the Old Forge Hardware book department on Saturday, May 25 from 1 to 3 p.m.

The Divine Journey tells the story of Tori Litchfield, a woman who embarks on an unorthodox spiritual journey following a series of personal challenges. Her quest is to make peace with herself and her family through a deepening connection to the divine.

Friedlander graduated from the New York Fashion Academy in 1956, and has been a resident of Old Forge since 1958.

The inspiration for the book, she said, comes from her love of journaling and traveling, but most importantly, from the teachers she has come in contact with along the way.  Continue reading →

Share Button

Action! Park-wide initiative to save local theaters starts at Lake Placid

The Go Digital or Go Dark Campaign, the Adirondack Park-wide initiative to assist theater-owners with funding for their film-to-digital conversions, kicked-off at the Palace Theater in Lake Placid on Friday, April 26 in Hollywood style.

Movie-goers walked the red-carpeted entryway to view the premiere of a movie trailer created by filmmakers Aaron Woolf and T.J. Brearton in support of the effort.

The region-wide fundraiser, organized by the Adirondack Film Society in conjunction with the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), aims to increase awareness and funding for 10 north country movie theaters, including the Strand Theatre of Old Forge.

The trailer begins as a typical movie trailer, then abruptly cuts to an image of an empty film roll and patrons sitting in a darkened theater.

A voiceover explains how the digital switch by major Hollywood studios—which goes into effect in fall 2013—could force small theater owners to shut their doors due to the cost-prohibitive nature of the conversion.  Continue reading →

Share Button

Town of Webb Health Center transition nears with NYS inspection set May 6

Representatives from the New York State Health Department will be on site at the Town of Webb Health Center on Monday, May 6 to perform a final inspection to ensure the building meets the NYSHD’s hospital code as a primary care office

Once the facility passes inspection, it will be added to St. Elizabeth’s operating certificate.

Having already received documents concerning fire alarm and air conditioning testing, Health Department officials will walk through the building to verify that changes have been made and the building is completely up to code.

Provided everything is satisfactory, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center will be notified within 24 hours that the Town of Webb Health Center can be added to its operating certificate.

St. Elizabeth’s Chief Operating Officer Robert Scholefield said patients at the health center may have already noticed some changes, including the new computer for registration, adjustments to the entryway, and the isolation of Dr. Rintrona’s dentist office from the doctor’s office.

As far as big changes, Scholefield said the staff will now be on the St. Elizabeth’s payroll.

St. Elizabeth’s is still recruiting primary care physicians to join Dr. Socash at the Health Center, according to Scholefield. However, due to high levels of competition throughout the country, and the rural location, they have yet to find a good fit for the town.

“We certainly want to find someone that you’re all going to be comfortable with for the long run,” he said.

Share Button

Melissa Murphy receives theatrical scholarship

Melissa Murphy of Old Forge has received a full scholarship from the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts to attend The Redhouse’s Theatrical Institute in Syracuse.

Murphy, along with three other actors representing the Adirondack region, have been selected to participate in the month-long intensive drama and music camp to gain more experience in the world of professional theatre. Colleen Pine, Brandon Bedore, and Vicky Franko will be joining Murphy in the experience.

The young actors will also participate in the touring production of Shrek as part of  ALCA’s Summer Theatre Festival.

Murphy, a sophomore at the Town of Webb School, moved with her parents, Don and Lisa Murphy, to Old Forge at the age of 13. She got her start in acting at the age of seven with Florida Studio Theater and has appeared in a number of local productions.

Previously she was cast in ALCA’s productions of Cinderella, Into the Woods, Annie and Little Women. She has also appeared in the Old Forge Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker, as well as the TOW School Drama Department’s presentations of Anything Goes and Bye Bye Birdie.

Share Button

FAA investigating cause of Seventh Lake seaplane accident

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAInlet Police Department personnel responded to a report of a plane crash on Seventh Lake in the Town of Inlet at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23.

Upon arrival at the scene they found that a privately owned seaplane, operated by Thomas Payne, 50, of Old Forge, had crashed while landing on Seventh Lake.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPayne was treated by Inlet EMS and transported to the Old Forge airport where he was met by a LifeNet helicopter for transport to Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse.

After the accident was called in, the Old Forge Fire Department was called to clear the landing zone at the airport for the helicopter. According to Old Forge Fire Chief Charlie Bogardus, the action is standard protocol when a LifeNet helicopter is called in.

The investigation has been turned over to the FAA to determine the cause of the accident.

Town of Webb Police, New York State Police and the Inlet Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Share Button

ANCA kicks off campaign to save north country theaters

Old Forge's Strand Theater. Photo by Dana Armington

Old Forge’s Strand Theater. Photo by Dana Armington

Bob Card and Helen Zyma of The Strand Theatre in Old Forge, and Nick Rose of CAP-21 have been working together to raise funds to save The Strand and 10 other North Country theaters before the film industry’s mandatory digital conversion takes place this fall.

They have been working with the Adirondack Film Society and the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) to create a Regional Theater Alliance to help raise awareness and solicit donations to help offset the costs of the conversion.

Through their partnership, a fundraising campaign titled “Go Digital or Go Dark” has been created to help coordinate a community-based campaign as well as an outreach to major donors. ANCA’s foundation sponsors for the campaign are Adirondack Bank and Community Bank.

As part of the campaign, movie posters and donation boxes will be set up at each of the participating theaters. Also, an individualized promotional movie trailer created by filmmakers Aaron Woolf and TJ Brearton will be played in each theater prior to the start of films.

According to Card, the 10 participating theaters collectively need $1.5 million to make all the necessary changes. Through the campaign, theater owners are expected to raise 75 percent of their individual costs with ANCA helping to raise the remaining 25 percent. The ANCA funds will be distributed to the theaters through a series of grants. Continue reading →

Share Button

National Geographic Channel: Network seeking Adirondack properties for new reality show

The National Geographic Channel is currently looking for volunteers for a new reality show that will be set in the Adirondacks.

The program, Building Wild, will be produced by George Verschoor, creator of the long-running television show Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

The premise is to craft unique rustic cabins for people with real passions for the outdoors.

Each camp would be compact—no more than 400 square feet—of rustic style, and most likely be off the grid and seasonal. The structures will be built in a week by volunteers and professionals.

Any Adirondack landowner who has a parcel of land that can be approved for a building permit is eligible to participate in the television show. The production staff must be provided with photos of the prospective land and views from all angles. Along with the photos, owners are also asked to describe what they love about the Adirondacks.

Information can be emailed to: BuildingWildCasting@gmail.com. 

Share Button