Monthly Archives: August 2011

Adirondack Detective author John Briant to visit Old Forge Hardware for Saturday, September 3 booksigning

I started right here in this room,” said John Briant, standing at the podium in the Old Forge Library wing on Tuesday, August 16, where he was giving a reading from his latest book, As Autumn Leaves Turn.

John Briant presents a signed copy of "As Autumn Leaves Turn," the latest book in his Adirondack Detective series, to Marguerite Kershaw following a reading and book talk at the Old Forge Library on Tuesday, August 17. In the background is Briant's wife Marge. Photo by Carol Hansen

“I would say it was almost 20 years ago. I had signed up for a writing workshop program. That’s where the (writing) seed was planted,” he said.

Briant, a retired New York State trooper published his first book, One Cop’s Story in 1995, then followed it with the Adirondack Detective series. His latest book is the seventh in the series.

In the current book, Briant’s main character Private Detective Jason Black, his wife Patty, and 10-year-old son Jay, are settled in their log home in Old Forge, where Jason continues to work on bad check cases, Patty is involved in knitting groups, and Jay attends school. Continue reading →

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Justice Robert H. Jackson of the Supreme Court, the chief United States prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crimes trials. Schulberg Productions

Restored Nuremberg film to play Strand over Labor Day weekend

Justice Robert H. Jackson of the Supreme Court, the chief United States prosecutor at the Nuremberg war crimes trials. Schulberg Productions

Nuremberg: Its Lesson for Today is a film about the Nuremberg Trial that was commissioned by the United States War Department at the end of World War II.

The film, which was not screened in American theaters until this year, will be featured at Old Forge’s Strand Theatre on September 2, 3, 4, and 5.

Sandra Schulberg, daughter of the late Stuart Schulberg who wrote and directed the film, will be present at all showings of the film to speak to the audience.

According to Sandra, the film premiered in Germany in 1948, two years after the trial of Nazi war criminals ended at Nuremberg.

But despite its U.S. backing the film was banned from American theaters for political reasons.

In making the film, her father, a Marine Corps officer at the time, and her uncle, Navy Lt. Budd Schulberg, who later wrote and won an Oscar for On the Waterfront, were assigned to locate and assemble the Nazi films that were presented as evidence in the Nuremberg courtroom.

The Schulberg brothers were under the supervision of movie director John Ford, commander of the OSS War Crimes film unit.

The OSS was the wartime spy agency and a precursor to the CIA.

Continue reading →

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Friends of writer Anne LaBastille gather at Twitchell Lake for remembrance event

A display of photos of Ann LaBastille's life was arranged for attendees of last weekend's memorial service at Twitchell Lake. Photo by J. Huss

A Twitchell Lake memorial observance was held for Anne LaBastille, a well-known writer and seasonal resident of Twitchell, over the weekend of August 20 and 21.

Labastille was best known for her personal accounts of Adirondack wilderness living, which she put forward in her Woodswoman series, and an observance display included copies of her books and photos documenting her public and private life, which she shared with her beloved German Shepards.

Over the years Twitchell Lake residents have had the opportunity to know Labastille separate from her public persona and continue to hold many memories.

For a time LaBastille served as a commissioner of the Adirondack Park Agency.

She was active in several causes, some of which brought controversy, but her writing and creativity were universally admired.

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Woodgate: Meeting set to discuss driver safety on revamped Route 28

Anyone with concerns about the newly rebuilt stretch of Route 28 that runs through Woodgate is invited to attend a meeting to be held on Saturday, September 3 at 1 p.m., at the White Otter Fish and Game Club in Woodgate, said Don Olney, chairman of the Safe and Sane Drivers Committee.

When the stretch of road was refurbished recently, the driving situation was made less safe, according to Olney.

“Things didn’t come around the way they should have with that road design, and the finished product has made for less-safe driving,” he said.

According to Olney, driver visibility has been diminished near the Woodgate corners, and benefits to businesses along Route 28 have not come to fruition.

“This situation affects everyone that drives the road, whether or not they happen to be resident,” he said.

Olney said he hopes the September 3rd meeting will help people organize and bring about changes, including a reduction in speed limit.

“This might be the first of many meetings,” he said.

 

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Coming Sunday, September 4th

CAP-21: Still time to enter feathered steeds in Duck Derby Race

Tim Foley and Paige Schweinsberg. Photo by Carol Hansen

The CAPPY Duck Derby is set for Sunday, September 4th, over Labor Day weekend, and according to Timothy Foley, the fundraiser chairman, it’s not too late to “get your ducks in a row” for the big event.

The fundraiser will begin with a Pancake Breakfast at the American Legion Hall from 7:30 to 11 a.m. followed by the duck launch over the Old Forge bridge into the Moose River at noon.

The owner or sponsor of the first duck to reach the finish line one-quarter mile away, will win $1,000.

The sponsors of the next dozen or so ducks to cross the finish line will also receive prizes provided by area businesses that include: a $400 Zydeco Dagger Kayak from Mountainman Outdoor Supply Co.; a $300 gift basket from Old Forge Hardware; a $200 rafting trip from ARO; a $250 cash prize; in addition to a several $100 cash prizes and several $50 cash prizes.

It’s not necessary to be present to win.

Sponsors of the cash prizes include Billy’s Restaurant, Benny’s Ice Cream, Meyda Lighting & Nutty Putty Golf, and Foley Law Firm.

Before the Derby, there will be DJ Music by Lisa and games and Face Painting for kids.

Volunteers are still needed to help with Face Painting and anyone interested can call the CAP-21 office at (315) 369-3353.

Ducks are still available for adoption and will also be sold the day of the Derby.

The bright yellow rubber ducks are weighted to keep them floating straight along the river.

Cost of entry for the Derby, is $5 for one duck, or $20 for a flock of five ducks.

Ducks can be purchased by calling (315) 369-3353 or through PayPal at: Info@Cap-21.org, or on the website: www.cap-21.org.

The Cappy Duck Derby is a major fundraiser for CAP-21 and all proceeds will support the organization’s community grants and projects

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Talkin’ Code The Town of Webb Office of Code Enforcement tackles some frequently asked questions with Andrew Getty

The where, the when, and the why of residential stairs and landings

Q: My name is Mr. Contractor. Is a landing required outside the door of a house onto the deck?

A: A landing is required outside any exit door from the house.

In this case, if the deck is only one riser down from the threshold of the door, then the deck serves as the landing.

Q: The deck is about two feet down from the floor of the house, we are going to have three risers. Do we still need a landing?

A: Maybe. Is this door the required exit door out of the house? Continue reading →

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Nourished Living by Dietician Kelly Hamlin MA, RD, CDN

Making healthy after-school snacks easily available to kids Woo Hoo!

It’s almost time for our little (and not so little) ones to head back to school. Time to get back to schedules and routines.

I don’t know about your kids, but the first thing mine look for when they get home is a snack.

It’s not only important to offer a healthy snack after a long day at school, but also to provide healthy, portable snacks for kids who have sports practice or on buses back and forth to away games.

Healthy snacking is important because it allows you to add to your intake of essential nutrients, can help increase energy levels, and may prevent you from overeating at your next meal.

Be smart about your snacking. Cookies and sweets are yummy but they may not satisfy a hunger, which could make you or your kids eat more than needed.

Snacks that include a combination of protein, fat and carbohydrates will fill you up and keep you going longer.

Here are some suggestions for healthy snacks to get your school year started.

1. Toast and peanut butter. Try whole wheat or raisin toast. Add some slices of banana.

2. Fruit. Fresh, canned, frozen or dried—all of it is great.

3. Vegetables. Cut them up ahead of time and have them ready in the refrigerator with some lowfat dip, salad dressing or guacamole.

Try broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, red peppers, zucchini, cucumber, celery, and jicama. Kids might like to put the veggies in a pita pocket with some dressing or hummus.

4. Yogurt. By itself or made into a smoothie with some fresh or frozen fruit.

5. Trail mix. Mix up your own using raisins, dried blueberries or cranberries, papaya, apricots, almonds, peanuts, cashews, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and a few chocolate bits or M&Ms.

Measure it in 1/2 cup servings and store for easy access and portion control.

6. Popsicles. Look for ones with no sugar added or made from 100% fruit juice. Or make your own!

7. English muffin or bagel pizza. Spread tomato sauce on a half, add a little basil, oregano, and garlic to taste, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and toast in toaster oven until the cheese melts.

Cut-up veggies can be added for variety.

8. Lowfat microwave popcorn without butter. Try sprinkling with Parmesan cheese instead.

9. Cereal. Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Grape Nuts or other lowfat, low-sugar cereals and 1% or skim milk. Throw some fruit on top for extra color and sweetness.

10. Whole grain crackers such as Triscuits, served with peanut butter or lowfat cheese.

11. Tortilla chips and salsa.

Make it easy for your kids to choose an after-school snack by posting a list of available choices on the refrigerator.

However, the best plan is to leave something out in plain sight.

That way your kids will spot it as soon as they walk into the kitchen.

A hungry child, like a hungry adult, is going to gravitate to what is quick, easy and available.

So keep the cookies off the counter!

It’s been a wonderful summer, but let the countdown begin…

 

 

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