Daily Archives: November 22, 2012

Railroad plan could be game changer for region, say guest speakers

by John Isley, Guest Contributor

Boonville meeting outlines the possibilities for area economies and tourism

The Tug Hill Commission and Northern Oneida County Council of Governments met with representatives of the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society (ARPS) on Tuesday, November 20 to discuss the future of the railroad.

The meeting was held at the Boonville Municipal Building and was prompted by the recently announced plan by Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC to start Pullman Car rail service from New York City to Lake Placid via the Adirondack Railway—a plan that Bill Branson of the Adirondack Railway Society has called “a game changer” for the region. Sixty people were in attendance.

Kate Fish of the Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) opened the meeting with a slide presentation of the current train promotions and the economic impact that the new “Pullman agreement” could provide. Fish stated a “brew train” sponsored by Saranac, an artist palette train associated with the state-of-the-art “View” art center in Old Forge, a Maple Express sponsoring the maple industry, dinner trains to Forestport’s Buffalo Head Restaurant and a 100 percent increase in the bike and paddling ridership are some of the current ways that the Railway is impacting the local economy.

Branson reported that some 14,000 passengers are booked for this year’s Polar Express trains, and that 1.2 million passengers have been transported on the 70 miles of operating tract. John K Bartow, Executive Director of the NYS Tug Hill Commission said that negotiations with the Iowa train company started in June and have moved into the partnership phase. Continue reading

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New holiday hanging baskets grace Old Forge’s Main Street

Back in September, CAP-21 released a story to the local newspapers about its summer hanging flower basket program and an event held in recognition of the volunteers who helped keep the flower baskets watered throughout the season.

In the text of the story, CAP- 21 Executive Director Nick Rose mentioned a suggestion by Town of Webb Publicity Director Mike Farmer to hang winter baskets in the downtown area of Old Forge for the holidays.

Tom and Diane Hartney of Vienna, VA read the story while vacationing in the area at the time.

The couple, originally from Holland Patent and self-professed “Friends of the Adirondacks,” thought the idea to be a good one and promptly forwarded $100 to CAP-21 to get the project going. The CAP-21 board and the Central Adirondack Association (CAA) both contributed funds to purchase decorations and solar lights. And according to Rose, with the help of the usual volunteer contribution that this community is renowned for, a new component has been added to enhance the town for the holiday season.

In addition to the Hartney Family and CAA, CAP-21 thanks Kate Russell for her time and decorating expertise, Fred and Carolyn Trimbach, Ellie Cohen, Reed and Barbara Proper and Tetreault Tree Works and Walt Parent & Son Tree Service for their assistance.

Rose expressed a special thanks to Fred Trimbach who has coordinated the hanging flower basket program for the last 14 years.

“In terms of coordination, the hanging baskets require so much time—from planting, hanging, and watering to taking them down, drying the liners, recycling materials, and storage. All volunteer time from a great community citizen,” Rose said.

CAP-21 has only been able to recoup about half of the cost of this Main Street beautification project and is appealing for further donations.

Donations can be sent to CAP-21, P.O. Box 642, Old Forge, NY 13420 or via on-line donations to www.cap-21.org.

Rose said the organization invites comments or photos on the new holiday baskets.

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Town of Webb UFSD ranks third in area academics

Business First, a Buffalo-based business magazine, has rated the academic performances of 37 public school districts in the Utica-Rome Area, with the Town of Webb School being ranked third on the list.

The Utica-Rome Area consists of school districts in Herkimer, Oneida and Otsego counties.

New Hartford ranked at the top of the list with Clinton placing second.

Business First used a 192-part formula to generate the Utica-Rome Area rankings, based on four years of standardized test scores from the New York State Education Department. Continue reading

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Bigfoot topic of Boonville talk

 A presentation on Bigfoot in the Adirondacks will be held on Saturday, December 1, at the Dodge Pratt Northam Art and Community Center in Boonville. The program will take place from noon to 3 p.m.

During the program, a presentation will be given by area Bigfoot researcher Adirondack Jack Leach.

The art center is located at 106 Schuyler Street.

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New View exhibit showcases ‘The Wild Life’

Bear photography by Don Andrews

Wildlife Expressions and Tales” a new exhibition of photography by Don Andrews will be on display at View beginning Saturday, December 8.

The exhibit will highlight animals familiar to New York residents as well as their relations from the Rockies, including brown bears, eagles, moose and fox.

A special artist’s preview reception will be held Friday, December 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. in conjunction with the opening for “The Wild Life,” an exhibition of wildlife art showcasing works by several artists.

The reception is free and open to the public.

Andrews has been an outdoor enthusiast his entire life. The photographic images of “Wildlife Expressions and Tales” are a culmination of many years in the backcountry of Montana, Wyoming, Washington and Oregon.

Born and raised in upstate New York and with family ties in the Central Adirondack region, Andrews credits the Adirondacks with his interest in photography.

Exhibition admission is $10 for non-members and $5 for members, children 12 and under receive free admission.

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Women’s club collecting cookies for cancer

The North Woods Women’s Club will be partnering with Cookies for Cancer and Glad to Give in an effort to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

The drive will be on Monday, December 17 and cookie drop off will take place between 3 and 4 p.m. at Helmer’s Fuel on Main Street in Old Forge.

Participants are asked to bake and bring in a dozen (or more) cookies that will  be counted and photographed and sent to Glad to Give.

The organization will donate up to one dollar for every cookie to Cookies for Cancer.

Once the cookies are collected, The North Woods Women’s Club will distribute them to organizations throughout the community.

More information about the NWWC and their outreach programs can be found on their Facebook page, or by contacting Meagan Langworthy at MEArmington@gmail.com.

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VIEW: Tom Yacovella exhibition to open Saturday, December 8th

Tom in a Tree, a self-portrait by painter Tom Yacovella

Among the artist featured at View’s newest exhibit, “The Wild Life,” will be Tom Yacovella, who is widely known throughout New York and beyond as an artist and outdoorsman.

Top award winning wildlife paintings and catching record setting fish are just two of Tom’s specialties.

A special artist’s preview reception will be held Friday, December 7 from 5 to 7 p.m. in conjunction with the opening for “The Wild Life,” a large exhibition of wildlife art showcasing works by several artists.

The opening reception is free and open to the public.

In the exhibit, “The Artventures of Tom Yacovella,” View will showcase works created by Yacovella throughout his career. Continue reading

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