Author Archives: Marianne Christy

Michael Butterman conducs the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

Michael Butterman conducts the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra

The symphony performance by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, July 6 drew an audience of over 400 to Inlet’s Arrowhead Park.

IMG_3953******Jerry Dupuis,  chairman of the Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council, host organization of the event, said he and his fellow board members were pleased with attendance numbers at the concert, and that the cocktail party at the Woods Inn was a massive success with 250 guests. Continue reading

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Brandon, Brody, Megan and Jacob DiMartino. Photo by Marianne Christy

Brandon, Brody, Megan and Jacob DiMartino. Photo by Marianne Christy

There will be much more than meets the eye for folks strolling the streets of downtown Inlet this summer as Brandon and Megan DiMartino open the doors to their latest venture, Putterfingers Mini-Golf and Arcade.

The DiMartinos, owners of the Tamarack Café, will unveil the outdoor mini golf course situated behind their Main Street eatery, on Friday, June 21st.

The complex features the 18-hole course and 11 arcade games—including tabletop bowling, foosball and a variety of claw games. There is also a Snack Shack offering light fare such as hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, chicken fingers, nachos, soft pretzels, popcorn, ice cream novelties and beverages. Enclosed seating is available as well as convenient off-street parking.

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Brody and Megan DiMartino

The DiMartinos, the parents of two young sons, Brody, 2, and eight-month-old Jacob, were prompted to start the business when they recognized a void in family-oriented downtown options—particularly during the bustling summer and fall seasons.

They came up with the concept last fall and got Steve LaMesa of MGC Developers of Connecticut to help with the design. Jantzi Construction of Croghan was contracted to execute the plans.

LaMesa, who owns property in the area, sat in as a consultant for the construction of the first four holes of the course, with Jantzi recently wrapping up the remainder of the project independently.

Brody DiMartino with Tamarack Cafe employee Tibi Turu. Photos by Marianne Christy

Brody DiMartino with Tamarack Cafe employee Tibi Turu. Photos by Marianne Christy

The DiMartinos said the building process has invited a lot of curiosity seekers who have stopped by to take a look and offer well-wishes. The interest was welcomed, Megan said, due to the anxiety that comes along with creating a brand new business.

“We have put our hearts and souls into this. And in the beginning, it was pretty hard for even us to picture what it would look like,” she said.

“We have gotten a tremendous amount of positive feedback and support from the community and other downtown businesses. Some have said they are going to work their evening hours around our’s because they know it will attract more foot traffic,” Brandon said.

Inlet Supervisor John Frey and Inlet Tourism Director Adele Burnett agree that the new venture will enhance the community at large.

“I’m thrilled about the new addition of the mini golf course and arcade. It will invite more people to wander around town and give kids and visitors more to do,” Burnett said.

“We’re excited about having the challenging outdoor 18-hole mini-golf here in Inlet. I applaud Brandon and Megan DiMartino for bringing in a fine replacement for the foot traffic once created by the movie theater. The golf course and arcade will create a continual flow of traffic which could inspire neighboring businesses to stay open later— it’s a great addition to the town,” Frey said.

Putterfingers will be open on Friday, June 21 from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost of playing 18-holes of mini golf is $6 and as an opening weekend special, the DiMartinos will be offering $1 hotdogs.

Beginning Friday, June 28 Putterfingers will be open seven days from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Billy’s Donation Dinners end for season having helped many community groups

Billy Burns and his staff at Billy’s Italian-American Restaurant in Old Forge hosted their final donation dinner of the spring on Thursday, June 20 with a dinner to benefit Old Forge American Legion Post #893.

Since the fall of 2010, Burns has held weekly or bi-weekly dinners on behalf of area causes—mostly not-for-profit organizations—with 20 percent of the sales donated back to assist with their individual programming.

Since then, many thousands of dollars have been raised in their support.

“The outcome has been more successful than I ever imagined. It’s been a pleasure to be able to give something back to the many organizations that are so vital to our community. And I’m fortunate to have such great people working with me who help make it all happen,” Burns said.

He said his most successful dinner to date was held on behalf of the Strand Theatre when 162 dinners were served on-premises and 69 take-out orders were filled.

Burns was compelled to host a second dinner to satisfy the disappointed Strand supporters who were shut-out the first time around.

The dinners begin the Thursday following Columbus Day and continue through the third week of June.

Traditionally, Old Forge American Legion Post #893 is the benefactor of the proceeds at the beginning and end of each season.

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Inlet Common School fifth and sixth graders: Bottom left to right: Natalie Brownsell, Johanna Lutz, Britney Levi, Rianna Lindsay, Cullen Rose, and Joseph Townsend. Middle: Jamie Gaffney, Alex Sutherland, Melissa Hoffman, and Sean Manzi. Back: Deb Daiker, Ann Powley and Matt Newman. Courtesy photo.

Inlet Common School fifth and sixth graders: Bottom left to right: Natalie Brownsell, Johanna Lutz, Britney Levi, Rianna Lindsay, Cullen Rose, and Joseph Townsend. Middle: Jamie Gaffney, Alex Sutherland, Melissa Hoffman, and Sean Manzi. Back: Deb Daiker, Ann Powley and Matt Newman. Courtesy photo.

The fifth and sixth grade students of Deb Daiker at the Inlet Common School had a full day on Friday, June 7 as they visited a few New York state landmarks while on a school trip. Continue reading

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Steve Muller dunks the Donut Shop donut

Steve Muller dunks the Donut Shop donut

For the last couple weeks, customers of The Donut Shop in Eagle Bay, have been asking owners Pat and Dave Rowe where the donut went—a question prompted by the missing donut-shaped sign that marks the entrance to the legendary eatery.

Patrons thought Pat was pulling their legs when she told them it was last seen in Big Moose Lake, but she wasn’t kidding.

The Rowes contracted with painter Steve Muller of Big Moose to give the sign a facelift. While he was sanding it down, it flipped off the stand he had placed it on. It then rolled downhill and got dunked in the lake.

The fiberglass sign wasn’t damaged by the incident, so Muller had his picture taken in the middle of it and sent it to the Rowes.

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The Inlet Respite Group including the staff, Inlet Common School Teachers, and parents look on. Courtesy photo

The Inlet Respite Group including the staff, Inlet Common School Teachers, and parents look on. Courtesy photo

Inlet Common School Grades K - 6 singing to the seniors in the Respite Center in the Inlet Town Hall. Courtesy photo

Inlet Common School Grades K – 6 singing to the seniors in the Respite Center in the Inlet Town Hall. Courtesy photo

The kindergarten through sixth grade students at Inlet Common School took a stroll to the Senior Room at the Inlet Town Hall on Wednesday, June 12 for a musical presentation for the seniors taking part in the Resource Center for Independent Living program.

Under the direction of music teacher Gwen Tracy-Duess, the kindergarten through second grade students sang, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” the third and fourth graders sang, “If I Had a Hammer,” and the fifth and sixth graders sang, “In My Life.” Continue reading

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Dale Huebner, left, with Robin Dwyer

Dale Huebner, left, with Robin Dwyer

The congregation of the Inlet Church of the Lakes and friends of Robin Dwyer gathered at the Senior Room of the Inlet Town Hall on Wednesday, May 22 for a farewell potluck dinner for the retiring pastor intern.

Dwyer, who has been pastor intern of the summer seasonal church for the past seven years, has recently relocated to Williamsburg, VA. Continue reading

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