Monthly Archives: May 2011

Gary Lee’s Daybreak to Twilight

Bird tour a success for visiting West Coast nature organization

Well, I could tell you that it rained last week, but I guess you already knew that. I was camping out near the Crown Point Banding Station all week and after five days of rain things got a little damp around the edges.

It’s different when you are able to go home each night and dry out.

None of the thunderstorms were too close to us, however the rain was very steady at times.

We never took down the nets but we did a lot of checking with the aid of umbrellas and raincoats. Continue reading →

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Old Forge hosts 2nd annual Fishing Expo

Chip Kiefer, Co-chairman of the Fishing Expo with Leo Maloney, said that the Expo held on Saturday in the Park Avenue building drew 150 people.

In addition to the indoor booths, the Expo offered a variety of fishing demonstrations that were held both indoors and outdoors that included fishing by horseback, packing a canoe for backcountry fishing and travel, fly casting, fly tying, fish cooking, and backpacking for trout.

There were also seminars on Kayak fishing, brook trout fishing, trolling techniques and lures, bass fishing and how to take better fishing photos.

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Black Bears: DEC offers tips to help prevent encounters

Campers, hikers, and homeowners need to combine efforts in detering animals that get too close for comfort

Last year the Town of Webb printed four-color BearSmart posters as a means of educating the public on the ramifications of feeding and attracting bears, deer and other wildlife.

A supply of the posters are available at the Town of Webb Visitor Information Center for $2 each. They can also be picked up at the Inlet Information Office. Continue reading →

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Webb student Calvin Risley earns award for national 2nd place finish

Calvin Risley, an 11th grade student in Mr. Brad Dono-van’s Financial Math class at the Town of Webb School has been awarded a SIFMA Certificate of Achievement Award as a member of a Second Place Team in the nationwide Stock Market Game competition.

SIFMA, or Securities Indus-tries and Financial Markets Association Foundation, sponsors this on-line game for students to promote financial literacy by giving each student $100,000 of “money” in an account that they can use to purchase “actual” stocks that interest them.

Using real data from actual markets, the student’s account will track their daily gain or loss as the actual stock market fluctuates.

The students are able to buy or sell stocks and bonds daily, or even ‘short sell’ stocks.

“We only play the game for four to six weeks while we are learning the lessons, but the game actually goes on during the entire school year and awards prizes as part of a competition between students,” said Donovan.

“This year Calvin Risley was one of the lucky winners. He succeeded in building the second highest portfolio from all the students playing across New York state.”

Calvin’s investments included Nike and Hasbro.

“It was sort of an experment. You start buying stocks and hope to get some money out of it,” he said.

In addition to the Award Certificate, Calvin also received a Silver Medal, a Winner’s Blue Ribbon, and a letter of recognition of his accomplishment.

Calvin is the son of Richard Risley and Valerie Mills of Thendara.

The Town of Webb School offers the Financial Math course for college credit in cooperation with Herkimer County Commu-nity College.

Their “College Now” program allows high school students to earn both college credit and high school credit at the same time.

 

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Fulton Chain of Lakes Assoc. awards highest honor to Don Kelly

Don Kelly of Old Forge received the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association (FCLA) Outstanding Service Award during the Skull Island Restoration Project last August.

The award is the highest honor presented by FCLA to a director who has made a significant contribution to the association.

Although he has chaired many committees and helped with many projects, the Skull Island Restoration Project is a favorite.

“Skull Island was one of the things that really got me excited last year. We put a little story in the paper and invited anyone who was interested to come and help with the restoration. A lot of people were waiting for us when we got there,” he said. Continue reading →

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Village of Herkimer putting tough demands on county taxpayers Fortunately county legislature has options, ability to keep new jail on track at reasonable cost

by Patrick Russell Herkimer Cnty. Legislator, District 15

Discussion is still going on as to what constitutes a fair price for the county to hook up to the village sewer lines at the former P&C property in Herkimer.

Herkimer County legislators, wanting to build a new jail facility at the location on Route 28 had originally offered the village $800,000 ($400,000 up front, $20,000 per year for twenty years).

This money was intended to help with the $1.6 million infrastructure cost the municipality would incur in upgrading their sewer services.

It was also intended to help offset any loss in property taxes.

Although I didn’t support the measure, the proffer back in July 2010 was certainly fair-especially since it also included the hook-ups needed to bring the sewer lines to the site.

However the village of Herkimer refused the offer. Continue reading →

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Thursday, June 2nd Kiwanis Club plans youth McCauley Mountain hike

A Mountain Hike for local youths has been scheduled for Thursday, June 2, and will take participants to the top of McCauley Mountain in Old Forge, according to Bob Van Slyke of the Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks, whose Youth Experience Committee helped organize the event.

Others involved are the Town of Webb, Kiwanis volunteers, and Principal Rex Germer of the Town of Webb School.

The event is open to students in grades three through six at Town of Webb, and all are encouraged to participate.

The hike is intended to render a strong feeling of accomplishment and many scenic memories, Van Slyke said.

The hike will begin at the McCauley Base Lodge and proceed up a ski trail to the top of McCauley Mountain.

Another route will be used on the descent.

While at the top, the children will have the opportunity for a spectacular view of the Fulton Chain of Lakes.

A Town of Webb School Bus will drive the children to the McCauley Base Lodge after school.

Parents are asked to pick up children no later than 4 p.m. at McCauley.

An informational flyer and permission slip will be distributed to the children at the Town of Webb School.

“The children love these outdoor events,” said Sheila Brady, Kiwanis Past President and event chairperson, in acknowledging the the efforts of those who bring them about.

McCauley Mountain Manager Steve Uzdavinis and Town of Webb School Principal Rex Germer have been instrumental in arranging the McCauley hike, Brady said.

The Youth Experience projects are an outgrowth of a survey conducted several years ago by the Youth Commission, according to Brady.

The survey’s purpose was to identify wilderness and tourist experiences that local children might have an interest in and not have the opportunity to enjoy in our tourism-oriented community, she said.

Previous outdoor programs included a climb to the top of Rondaxe (Bald) Mountain, kayaking and snowshoeing.

 

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