Monthly Archives: April 2012

Memorial service planned May 2 for Davis Gilman Johnson, 93

Davis Gilman Johnson, a psychologist who retired in 1983 after working at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) for more than 20 years, died on April 13, 2012. He was 93 years old.

A native of Springfield, MA, he graduated from its Classical High School in 1937 and from Amherst College in 1941.

After working briefly in the family business (Johnson’s Bookstore), he was a teacher-coach for one semester at the New Hampton School in NH.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1946 and attended its ASTP Personnel Psychology program at the U of Pennsylvania, its Medical Administrative Corps OCS, its Battalion Surgeon Assistant’s course, and its Adjutant General’s school.

After brief duty in the Philippines, he was discharged as a first lieutenant in the Adjutant General’s Department.

Following the war, he earned a Ph.D. in personnel psychology from Columbia University in 1951.

His early post-war work experience included being concurrently from 1948-52 a vocational and educational counselor at Vocational Counseling Service, Inc. in New Haven, CT and Asst. Prof. of Education at what is now Southern Connecticut State University. Continue reading →

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Ad’k Current by Colin Criss

Webb’s link to county gov’t seat in Herkimer worth strengthening

Most are familiar with our national, state, and town governments, and how the systems work on each level—more or less. And we understand the powers of each body.

A fourth level that tends to be more obscure, yet is still extremely important to our country’s inner workings, is that of county government.

Most in the Town of Webb, including myself until just a few weeks ago, are shaded from the activity of county government. The media covers the other three levels of government, but with Old Forge being so far from the Herkimer County seat we can feel disconnected from our county legislature.

Recently I was invited to attend an internship put on by Cornell Cooperative Extension in Herkimer for four different sessions over two months.

I had the good fortune of participating in this opportunity and, two months later, I can say the program successfully cured my case of mild apathy for county government. Continue reading →

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CASART Trailer gets facelift as outfit continues to grow

by Margie O’Hara, CASART Secretary

The Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team, based in Inlet, continues to grow and to update equipment.

Since its organization in 2003, the team has now attracted nearly 90 members, primarily from the Adirondacks, Capitol Region, and Central New York.

This figure makes CASART the largest all-volunteer search and rescue team in the state.

It is also one of the best-trained groups, with the latest in high-tech equipment.

All of the training and equipment are paid for by individual members, grants, municipal support and donations.

CASART has a trailer which was donated several years ago and has been equipped with everything needed to be used as a mobile ICP (Incident Command Post), such as a computer, printer, mapping software, base and handset radios, individual GPS units, compasses, and extrication equipment.

Time and weather have taken a toll on the exterior of this indispensable search and rescue tool.

Recently, CASART member Mark Shantz, who runs a body repair shop, along with his wife Sandy, his father, and the shop employees, decided to undertake the task of giving the trailer a fresh exterior.  Continue reading →

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Old Forge Library to host babysitting clinic

The Old Forge Library will offer a Babysitting Clinic on four Thursday evenings in May from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. This is a great teaching aid for those children who may watch younger siblings or wish to babysit for others.

The clinic is open to students ages 10 and up who have not previously participated. On May 3, Kandis Griffin, Guidance Counselor, will teach a class on Childhood Development. On May 17, teachers Karen Beck and Judy Ehrensbeck will discuss Educational Play.

On May 24, David Berk-stresser, Paramedic Instructor, will give a talk on Health and Safety. During the final session on May 31, Dietician Kelly Hamlin will discuss Food and Nutrition.

To receive a Baby Sitter Certificate participants must attend all four sessions, however you may make up one missed session by taking and passing a test).

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Water test pick-up available

Verona Labs will provide pick up of water samples for testing on Tuesday, May 1 for ocal businesses or individuals, who can drop off water samples by 10 a.m. on Tuesday at either the Forestport Town Hall or Adirondack Grocery in Otter Lake, or by 11 a.m. at the Visitor Information Center in Old Forge, or by noon at The Tavern in Eagle Bay or the Inlet Town Hall.

The cost for bacterial testing is $33 per sample that includes a $5 pickup charge per customer. A business that also needs nitrate or nitrite testing can also drop off additional samples, the cost is $34 for the first test and $29 for each additional test.

This service is for northern Herkimer County, Hamilton County, and northern Oneida County.

Sample kits and forms for this service can be obtained from the pickup locations. A phone number should be included on the forms so the lab can reach the sender if necessary.

Questions should be directed to Roger Blind at (315) 427-5850 or Bonnie at Verona Labs, phone 363-5841.

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Growing up Adirondack by Mitch Lee

Longing for spring during late-season snowstorm

I was curled up in my room reading J.R.R Tolkien’s Return of the King on a wet and chilly Saturday in mid-April.

I looked out at the mix of rain and snow that was falling and wished for a real spring.

As a fourth grader I longed for continual spring-like weather—the kind where I could be running around my woods in a sweatshirt.

But instead the snow was stacking up outside.

I rested my chin on the windowsill. With my nose pressed to the glass I tried to follow a single flake as it made its way down to the ground.

When my eyes became weary from the task, I rolled back onto the bed and sifted through a few more chapters of my book.

Continue reading →

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Gary Lee’s Daybreak to Twilight

When southern storms hit, a birder’s paradise is born

We are into another week here on Sanibel Island and the population has gone down, much like it does in the Old Forge area in the late fall. We can easily cross traffic now and get in most restaurants without a wait.

Blue Grosbeak

It wasn’t that way when we got here two weeks ago, and according to the locals it wasn’t that way during the winter season either.

They claim that 17 to 18 thousand cars came across the bridge to the Island from Fort Meyers every day during that time period.

That would surely tie things up on the few available island roads and certainly overflow the parking areas.

Summer Tanager

The weather has been great but very windy. We had several thunderstorms the last couple of days and big waves washed way up on the beaches overnight.

The waves washed out all the Snowy Plover nests and put most of the crab traps up on the beach.

Most of the traps contained crabs, but they were released by the beach goers.

Along with the storms came some beautiful rainbows.

Continue reading →

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