by Ann Mulford Kent

I had waited three months to finally return to my Adirondack camp where I have enjoyed 59 years of memories, Adirondack tales of other generations and a sense of “Adirondack Peace.”

When I pull into the driveway at camp thoughts of work, appointments, and my list of “shoulds” seem to dissipate into the Adirondack air.

My soul begins to take in the gifts of quiet, the smell of pine and the calls of the loons at night.

I look forward to ending each day with windows open, listening to the breeze and the lapping of the water against the shore—an “Adirondack slumber.”

Sometimes, however, that Adirondack Peace is challenged! Last night was one of those times!

I had spent a beautiful day on the dock, reading and swimming to my heart’s content.

It was the kind of day you think you could stay in your suit forever, your mind blank of anything but the blue sky above and the beauty of the Adirondack view in front of you.

Relaxed and happy to “burrow” into a night at camp, I pulled out some knitting and headed to the porch, ready to listen to the sounds of an Adirondack night.

Just as I was about to sit down, the phone rang. It was my brother calling with a camp update as he had just left paradise and was headed home to West Virginia.  Continue reading →

Kurt and Ximena Gardner

It’s only been two years since Kurt and Ximena Gardner launched their local production company, Adirondack Mountain Productions, but already the couple has attracted domestic and international film and print crews to the area.

A short film by a group of New York University film students in the winter of 2010/2011 was the first project managed by the Gardners.

The drama, “And Winter Slow,” won Best Narrative Short Film at the 2011 Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, CA.

And recently they wrapped up their work with a Danish high fashion menswear magazine, Jack & Jones, that shot on location in Port Leyden, Hawkinsville, Blue Mountain Lake and at Wheeler Pond in Old Forge.

In both projects the Gardners scouted for all of the locations and took care of all of the film crew’s needs—from transportation to catering to furnishing photo props.

The Gardners are currently awaiting word on two new projects, one of which is a photo shoot for a French menswear bathing suit catalog that could possibly begin in late August.

Kurt, a native of Victor in the Rochester area, studied photography in college and worked at Kodak.  Continue reading →

Pauline C. Freese Thomas, 88, of Old Forge and formerly of Rochester, died on Sunday, August 5, 2012, at the Sunset Nursing Home in Boonville.

She was born on Novem-ber 30, 1923, in Marianna, PA, a daughter of the late Frank and Mary Zedar Kotchar.

After graduating from high school, Pauline moved to Detroit and worked for Boeing during WWII.

While at Boeing she worked as riveter and helped build the B-17 Fortress and B-29 Super Fortress. She was later transferred to the Boeing plant in California.

She then moved to Rochester and worked as a hairdresser and later worked for a computer company that manufactured integrated circuits.

Pauline married Raymond J. Thomas in 1962 in Erie, PA and in 2005, Pauline and Ray moved to Old Forge to be closer to her son Phil. Ray died on February 4, 2008.

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A burial service was held for Betty S. Meeker on Saturday, August 4 at the family plot at the Carmichael Hill Cemetery in  Steuben.

Betty passed away in Florida on February 25, 2012, where she had resided for 30-plus years. She was the wife of the late George H. Meeker, who passed away in April of 2010.

She was born on November 23, 1926 in Barneveld, NY to Mary Jane Jones and Edwin Dewey Sizer. She retired from Whitesboro Senior High School where she worked in the main office.

She was an avid golfer, enjoyed bridge, and was a 50-plus year member of Daughters of the American Revolution.

She enjoyed her many years summering at the family camp “Rock Haven,” on the Holly-wood Hills Road in Old Forge.

She is survived by three sons: George S. Meeker (Beverly) of Old Forge; Charles J. Meeker (Patricia) of Milwaukie, Oregon; and Kerry D. Meeker (Candice) of Avon Park, Florida.

She also leaves a sister, Norma S. Ure of New Hartford, NY, several grands, great-grands and nephews.

Contributions in her memory can be directed to the Carmichael Hill Cemetery Association c/o Harry Landman, 9751 Starr Hill Road, Remsen, NY 13438 or Cornerstone Hospice, 227 US 27 North, Sebring, Florida 33870.

All area young artists are invited to share their visual or performing arts at the 6th Annual Youth Artist Festival at McCauley Mountain in Old Forge on Thursday, August 16.

The festival is under the direction of Pat Rickard and will also include deaf storytelling and a performance by the Khoros Kids.

Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Stories by deaf storyteller Vickie Norquist, assisted by interpreter Megan Libous, will begin at 10 a.m.

From 10:45 to 11:05 a.m. students from the New York State School for the Deaf (NYSSD) will dance and sign songs.

From 11:10 to 11:30 a.m. the Khoros Kids will perform the skit, “Life in the Wonderlands”,  written and directed by Pat Rickard, followed by Megan Libous leading a Dance Activity.

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Lexie Haehl of Old Forge checks out items on the Library Bash raffle table at the Old Forge Library. Photo by Carol Hansen

Raffle items for the Friends of the Old Forge Library’s annual Library Bash are currently on display at the library. Tickets for the annual fundraiser, which will be held Sunday, August 19 from 4 to 6 p.m., are $15 and can be purchased during regular library hours.

The Friends are most grateful to all those who have donated to this year’s fundraiser, said organization member Hazel Dellavia.

Items available for raffle include: Sculpture “My Cat loves Dog Stories” by Joni Dyer; Knife-carved Chickadee by Bob Zimmerman; Basket of Adirondack Books from Old Forge Hardware; Children’s Books from The Friends of Old Forge Library; Handmade purse by Sharon Petrides; Victorian Tree Skirt by the Pointed Pine Quilters;

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 In honor of Rolf Brynilsen, who will be celebrating his 80th birthday on August 10, friend and admirer Ann Mulford Kent, wrote the following poem

Are you really 80?

It can’t be true!!

That handsome, charming, incredible you?!

Could it be that baby,

Now 80 years “young” 

Could grow into this man

So full of fun!!

Did this mother of his ever possibly know

What a voice he would have,

That would “move” people so!

When he sings The Lord’s Prayer

Could she ever have guessed…

That truly her baby with a voice was blessed!!!

His enthusiasm for life, He as ready to share..

Letting friends and strangers know that he cared.

With Jan beside him

He always is thankful..

Together, their memories, fill up a “tank full”!

So to you Rolf we say…

“So glad we met ya” 

Happy Birthday to you, with love, “you betcha!”