The Freedom March of the Adirondacks fundraiser for the Wounded Warriors Project held on Sunday, June 24, attracted 60 runners and walkers who helped to raise a total of $4,661.86 for the cause.

The Freedom March was organized by Pat Venetz and Sam Phaneuf, Town of Webb School graduates and members of the Norwich College of Cadets, who were inspired by Norwich University’s 50-mile Legacy March.

They plan to hold another Freedom March next year, said Venetz.

Thirty-six walkers participated in the 13-mile march that began from Fern Park in Inlet at 10 a.m.

Marchers proceeded along the South Shore Rd. to Park Ave. and the Green Bridge Road, ending at Van Auken’s Inne.

The walkers began arriving at approximately 1:30 p.m., two hours earlier than projected.

The 5K race, which included 24 runners/walkers, followed the march.

“The weather was perfect on South Shore Road. We had shaded areas that blocked the sun,” said Phaneuf.

“Some were going at their own pace, picking flowers along the way, and then you had Jerry Smith of Liverpool who finished the 13 mile walk in three hours,” he added.

Assemblyman Marc Butler (R,C,I-Newport) was on hand to congratulate event participants along with the young organizers.

“I just want to congratulate these young men for organizing this event and all of the walkers and runners. We can’t do enough for our Vets,” Butler said.

“I’ve been involved with the Wounded Warriors in other events and it’s money well spent. It’s a great cause and I congratulate them for what they did here.”

Following, participants relaxed on the Van Auken’s porch and enjoyed a barbecue as musical entertainment was provided by Adam Reynolds and Donna Mucks.

Paula Tormey of Old Forge, who has been teaching art in a variety of mediums for 30 years, will instruct Introductory and Intermediate Precious Metal Clay classes, and evening Painting on Glass classes at View in the coming weeks.

Tormey, who is a Certified PMC Instructor with RIO Grande, has been teaching the PMC method for eight years, and has made a variety of jewelry including silver necklaces, bracelets, earrings and pins.

Because she enjoys the process of desiging for specific individuals, she also creates jewelry by special order.

The Precious Metal Clay (PMC) which contains pure silver in a powdered form and a combination of binders, was developed by Japanese scientists in the 1990s to make use of the vaults of silver backing from FUJI film that had been returned to Japan, Tormey said.

Tormey, who has also done metalsmithing and is a talented potter and artist, became interested in the PMC process when she was introduced to adding the clay to her pottery before glazing and firing.

After seeing the results, it didn’t take her long to start making silver jewelry.

Paula and her husband John have lived in Old Forge for many years, first as part-time residents, and then permanently once they both retired—John from IBM and Paula from RIT where she was Director of Development Systems.

“I was able to enjoy my art in Rochester, too,” she said, adding that she taught art in her big studio to nearly 100 students. Her father, who painted as a hobby, inspired her love of all art forms, she said.

She has studied under Javir Ramos, an outstanding artist in Mexico, where she spends winters every year, and she has also studied under Frank Howell who is a ceramist in Mexico.

“I love learning. I can’t get enough of it, “ she said. “And I teach people that if they don’t think they have any talent, they can still learn anything if they want to do it badly enough.”

Tormey’s Introduction to Precious Metal Clay (PMC) process of making Silver Jewelry will be held Wednesday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a half hour lunch break.

The $25 fee covers one 9-gram package of PMC clay for producing a pair of silver earrings or a couple of small beads, the firing and the tool usage.

Intermediate PMC Classes will be held on Wednesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a one hour break, on July 25, August 8, and August 22.

The class is suitable for students who have had experience using Precious Metal Clay.

Her “Painting on Martini or Wine Glasses—Girls Night Out” classes will be held each Wednesday, from July 11 to August 29, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The themes for each class will include Paint Your Own Design, Lily Flowers and Snow Leopard Eyes.

Students will be able to take home their two finished hand-painted glasses by the end of the evening.

To register for any of Tormey’s classes, call View at (315) 369-6411.

To the Editor:

The Walk for Wounded Warriors last Sunday was a complete success. The organizers, Patrick Venetz and Sam Phaneuf did a great job of planning and execution. As one of the slower walkers (my wife calls me the tail gunner) I was a little concerned about finishing the thirteen miles.

Sam and Patrick were great. Patrick must have checked on me a dozen times. The finish at Van Auken’s was welcoming and well managed and the walk volunteers were outstanding. The route had at least five water stops with water and fresh fruit.

Wow, last year these guys were in high school. Don’t worry about the future generation, just listen to them. Thank you! It was a privilege to take part.

Dan and Natalie Tickner,

Old Forge

The Old Forge Fire Department is one of the many fire and emergency agencies in the Northeast that will have been toured by a contingent of youths from Young Rescuers USA, a New Hampshire-based program that teaches basic first aid and emergency training and life saving skills to children ages 13 to 17.

Among the seven young people selected for the 2012 Young Rescuers USA team is Zachary Wiskow, son of Karen Tille Wiskow of Matthews, NC and grandson of Major (ret.) Jim Tille and Marie and Bob Shue of Old Forge.

The USA team has been joined by a five-person delegation from Belarus as they participate in the emergency, safety, and fire training exercises, educational events, games and sports.

Among the agencies they have visited are New Hampshire Fire Academy, the Boston Fire Department, City of Manchester Fire Department, the U.S. Coast Guard rescue vessels and National Guard emergency response teams.

They also had the opportunity to visit historic sites and take excursions including visiting the New Hampshire seacoast, the U.S.S. Constitution, Boston Harbor, state capitols, and the White Mountains.

The group will participate in training at the Old Forge Fire Department on Sunday, July 1 at 1 p.m. The public is welcome to stop by and observe.

The program will conclude in Old Forge on July 3rd.

Young Rescuers USA was founded by David Tille, formerly of Old Forge, and Ambassador (ret.) George Bruno.

Along with David, Major James Tille (ret.) helped lead the Young Rescuers USA delegation in 2008, 2009, and 2010.

For further Information on Young Rescuers USA visit the website: www.youngrescuersusa.org.

AdkAction.org will hold an information session and discussion from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 at the Old Forge Library.

AdkAction.org is a fast-growing, non-partisan, issue-based organization founded in the Tri-Lakes area in 2007, has expanded its interests throughout the entire Adirondack Park. Membership is open to seasonal and fulltime Adirondack residents.

Dave Wolff, AdkAction.org Chair, will make a brief presentation at the Old Forge meeting explaining AdkAction.org’s history and the major issues on which it is focused.

Several members of the group and its board will be on hand to answer questions following the presentation. Refreshments will be served.

Some of the accomplishments of AdkAction.org include encouraging equitable and uniform property assessments through reactivating an Adirondack assessors’ organization; underwriting a comprehensive report by the Adirondack Watershed Institute of Paul Smith’s College on the effects and costs of overusing road salt as well as sponsoring two region-wide salt conferences on how to reduce road salt use in the Adirondacks.

Currently, AdkAction.org is helping to raise awareness of the need for universal broadband access throughout the Adirondacks as well as by securing grant money to help pay to bring high-speed Internet to Long Lake and parts of Hamilton County.

“The issues we tackle are politically neutral, but we believe they are of great importance to the future of the Adirondacks,” Wolff said.

“Some are economic, and some are environmental. We try to focus our limited resources where we can make a difference and, most importantly, we try to take action and make things happen,” he added.

Space is limited, but those interested in attending can email: info@AdkAction.org to reserve a seat.

More information about the group is available at: www.adkaction.org.

Old Forge Legion Post #893 hosted four military families stationed at Fort Drum for a Wounded Warriors Weekend on June 22, 23 and 24th.

The weekend was supported by a year-long fund raising effort through the legion’s Wounded Warrior Project, which provides an expense-free stay in Old Forge for soldiers injured in the line of duty and their families.

This is the Legion’s third year of hosting the event.

“We do it to honor our Wounded Warriors for their dedication and ‘above and beyond’ sacrifices in making the USA a better place to live,” said Bill Simpson, who co-chairs the program with Bill Ransom.

The weekend began with a pizza and wing luncheon at the legion post on Friday, where Simpson distributed promotional packs that included tickets to the Enchanted Forest/Water Safari and Old Forge Lake Cruises, and information on other area attractions.

Accommodations for the families were arranged at Water’s Edge Inn and the Old Forge Camping Resort and each family was provided with extra spending money to cover personal discretionary expenses such as meals, ice cream, gifts, etc.

The families were also invited to be special guests at a dinner at the Grill Room at Thendara Golf Club on Saturday evening which followed the Legion’s fund raising Wounded Warrior Golf Outing.

Enjoying a weekend stay was Paul Miller, his wife, Tina and son, Tyler; Chris Ramsay, wife, Amy, and daughters Grace, Kelley, Margaret, Rachel, Gemma, Cath-erine, and Ally; Joseph Wancoskie, wife, Jacqueline and sons, Ricky, Caleb and Logan; and Adrian Tennant, wife, Lynn, and daughters, Brady and Gianna.