Monthly Archives: November 2012

‘Little Women’: Melissa Murphy playing Meg in ALCA production

Melissa Murphy

Among the cast members of the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts’ upcoming production of Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” is Melissa Murphy of Old Forge.

Melissa, a sophomore at Town of Webb Schools, will play Meg Marsh, eldest sister of the “little women.”

At 15, Melissa has previously performed in many ALCA productions—and is excited for the opportunity to again work with the Blue Mountain-based team of professionals.

“We’ve done quite a few productions together—Annie, Cinderella, and Into the Woods which was performed for summer theater with professional actors from New York City together with local actors. I learned a lot from them—no matter what happened on stage they were always in character,” she said.

Melissa’s involvement with “Little Women” has required hours of commitment.

She and her mother, Lisa, travel 45 to 60 minutes each way to Blue Mountain Lake for the three-hour weekday rehearsals.

Weekend rehearsals range from six to eight hours each day. Continue reading →

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Old Forge: Christmas on Main Street continues this weekend

There will be a variety of activities for visitors and residents to enjoy in Old Forge during this weekend’s An Adirondack Christmas on Main Street event.

Festivities are scheduled throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday.

Santa’s reindeer can be visited outside of Walt’s Diner, and horse drawn wagon rides will be available next to Souvenir Village on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand Saturday at the Forge Motel for pictures from 1 to 4 p.m.

Santa Trains at Thendara Station will run at 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday, and all are welcome to visit Candy Land at the Thendara Town Hall on both days beginning at 11 a.m.

Professional photographer Becky Barrett will be taking holiday family photos outside of Mountain Greenery (weather permitting) from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Ozzie’s Coffee Bar will host a BBQ on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. with proceeds to benefit the Polar Bear Ski Club.

And also on Saturday, the Old Forge Ballet Company will present performances of the holiday classic Nutcracker Ballet at the Strand Theatre at 2 and 7 p.m.

On Saturday, in addition to the exhibitions on display, View will host two workshops.

The first workshop is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and participants will have the opportunity to create a tie-dyed long sleeve t-shirt with the help of snow.

The second workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. will allow participants to paint their own holiday pickle ornament.

A special performance by a capella group 5-Second Rule will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Point Park with the Tree Lighting following at 6:45 p.m.

Volunteer drivers and navigators of MAC’s Safe Ride will sponsor a fundraising Bowl-a-Thon at Gigi’s Bar & Grill on North Street on Saturday. Bowling action begins at 7:30 p.m.

A Holiday Breakfast at the North Woods Community Center will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Sunday, and the Let it Snow 5K Run/Walk will begin from Point Park at 9 a.m.

The Town of Webb Historical Association will host an Open House on Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

All are welcome to stop by and view the exhibits and enjoy refreshments.

Paul Feeny, Professor Emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell, will speak on “The Impact of Plant Poisons on the Evolution of Butterfly Lifestyles” on Sunday December 2 at 2 p.m. in the Eco Gallery at View. The lecture is free and open to the public and part of View’s Science on Sunday programming.

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Polkafest back on track for 2013

The Central Adirondack Association has announced that the annual Polkafest event, which is traditionally held over Memorial Day weekend, will continue in 2013.

The CAA is working with organizer Dave Sychtysz to bring the popular event back to the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center.

The CAA is planning on growing the event in 2013, according to CAA event coordinator Laurie Barkauskas, and will be offering a local discounted admission.

More information will follow in the coming months.

For a complete list of CAA events visit www.VisitMyAdirondacks.com.

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Kiwanis Club of Central Adirondacks: Ceremony honors eight new members

Membership Co-Chairs Doc Foley and Bob Teesdale, New Members Chris and Dee Kraft, Sharon Kleps, Penny Stuart, Carmon Mastroianni, Helene McAleeese, Donna Dutton and George Pearson. On the far right is Kiwanis President Jim Connerty

At a recent recognition event, The Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks inducted eight new members to the club at a recognition event held on Monday, November 26.

Following an introduction by President Jim Connerty, Membership Committee co-chairs Bob Teesdale and Doc Foley introduced the new member sponsors.

Tom Smedley sponsored George Pearson, Donna Dutton, and Chris and Dee Kraft.

Annette Mahoney was the sponsor of Penny Stuart; Sharon Kleps was sponsored by Linda Bamberger, Helene McAlesse was sponsored by Deb Carhart, and Bob Van Slyke was Carmon Mastroi-anni’s sponsor. Continue reading →

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Help fulfill library’s wish list for new books

Colin Criss reads a Christmas story to youngsters at Old Forge Library

If you are grateful for the reading opportunities afforded you and your family by the Old Forge Library, the library is offering an opportunity to “give back” this holiday season.

The library staff, with input from patrons, has compiled a wish list of new books to be added to the library collection.

Titles include selections from children’s, young adult, adult fiction and nonfiction, and Adirondack books.

All are invited to make a selection from the Evergreen Tree Wish List placed on the library counter.

Payment can be made to the library desk attendant, then the donor can write down the name of the book title(s) and their name (optional) on a paper ornament and hang it on the library’s Christmas tree. Continue reading →

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Barney Barnum honored for years of service to Big Moose community

Barney receives 50-year Mason membership award-Tim Harwood presenting with Andy Getty and Pete Meneilly observing

A party was held recently at YMCA Camp Gorham in Big Moose to celebrate and honor the 90th birthday of their first Camp Ranger, Barney Barnum who, with his late wife Betty, worked at the Camp for twenty-seven years,

Among the 200 people in attendance were the Big Moose Fire and Ambulance Company, the Eagle Bay Fire Department, members of the Camp Gorham family, and the Masons.

According to Camp Gorham Executive Director, Anne Thornton, Barnum received a number of awards in recognition to his lifetime of service to the community.

Big Moose Fire Company awards lifetime achievement award – Jason Pratt (fire chief) and Craig Smith presenting.

He was awarded a lifetime achievement award for his 65 years of service to the Big Moose Fire Department as well as an award for 50 years of service to the Masons.

As a birthday present to Barney, a scholarship fund was created in his and his wife’s name by Camp Gorham that will allow children from the Town of Webb to attend the camp each summer.

“They lived on site while they were here, and have lived down the road from here for the last 28 years,” Thornton said.

“So to honor him we are having a scholarship and 100% of the funds raised go to Town of Webb Kids to attend Camp Gorham.” Continue reading →

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Point Park: A Capella group to entertain on December 1st

Town of Webb graduate, Nichole Sears and her a capella group are scheduled to perform during Adir-on-dack Christmas on Main Street on Saturday, December 1.

5-Second Rule

The concert, scheduled for 6 p.m. will precede the tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

Founded in 2008 by Cristin Sick Mancuso and friends, 5-Second Rule is an all female a capella group made up of five talented post-collegiate singers who all share a passion for performing and who all wished to continue their musical training after college.

In addition to Sears and Mancuso, the group also consists of Denise Anderson, Bitsy DeLorme, and Leia Jones.

Nichole Sears

Before joining 5-Second Rule, Jones and DeLorme both sang a capella at SUNY Geneseo, and it was DeLorme’s friendship with Cristin that sparked the inspiration for the group.

When searching for group members, Cristin looked to fellow Nazareth College graduate, Sears to join and perform as a bass for the group.

The group released their first full length CD in 2011, entitled “Just Blow On It” which can be purchase for $10 at Adirondack Christmas on Main Street or by emailing 5secondrulemusic
@gmail.com.

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