Deborah Evans and Kate Lewis check out turn of the 19th century surveying equipment

Mapping the Adirondack Park: Historic Pathway to the Settlement of the Town of Webb”, a new exhibit co-created by Deborah Evans and Terry Rozycki, was showcased at Town of Webb Historic Association’s Open House on Sunday, December 2.

The genesis of this mapping exhibit lies in the vast array of maps and related artifacts that have become part of the association’s collection. The exhibit features progress made in mapping the region between the late 1700’s and 1912.

Various maps allow viewers to follow the progress of settlement and the establishment of hotels in the area, which were boosted significantly when Dr. Webb introduced the Adirondack Railroad in the late 1880’s.

Vintage Photography: Old Forge on a busy day

It was in the 1880’s that Seneca Ray Stoddard’s work brought a greater accuracy to maps of the Adirondacks.

The exhibit will remain in the front room of the Historical Association building until October 2013.

Seneca Ray Stoddard’s work brought a greater accuracy to maps of the Adirondacks. The exhibit will remain in the front room of the Historical Association building until October 2013.

Sheila Brady and Chris Gaige. Photo by Wende Carr

Local Kiwanis Club members become busy little elves during the Christmas season hosting a variety of fund raising efforts that help support programming that benefits the community.

Throughout the two weekends of the Adirondack Christmas on Main Street celebration they conducted raffles for a basket of cheer and a sled full of toys.

Elaine Harrison was the winner of the basket of cheer and Butch Boris of Stittville was the winner of the toys.

According to Sheila Brady, chairperson of the holiday raffle, over $1,100 was raised for the Kiwanis Christmas for Kids Project.

“The raffles brought results beyond our greatest expectations.Each year our community expresses its holiday good will by providing families and kids in the community with special Christmas gifts, mittens, scarves and food for the holiday,” Brady said. Continue reading →

Singer/songwriter Donna Mucks of Forestport entertains Lakeside residents.

Loretta Kaye serves hot mulled cranberry juice to Lakeside residents. Photos by Wende Carr

Members of the Old Forge Garden Club hosted a Christmas party for residents of Lakeside Terrace on Tuesday, December 4. The gathering began with caroling led by Donna Marie Mucks of Forestport.

Gary Lee gave a power point presentation featuring his photographs of flora and fauna of the region.

Following the program there was more singing and all enjoyed hot mulled cranberry juice and holiday cookies.

At the conclusion of the party Garden Club members presented each resident with a potted poinsettia and cookies.

OFFD rescue sled. Photo by Wende Carr

Ever since snowmobiling has been popular in the area, the Old Forge Volunteer Fire Department has had a snowmobile in its fleet of emergency rescue vehicles. Fifteen years ago, the department purchased a second snowmobile due to the number of accidents which sometimes involved more than one patient.

Each time a rescue snowmobile is dispatched, a driver and an EMT are on-board, said Fire Chief Charlie Bogardus, adding that approximately half of the volunteer firemen and women of OFFD are certified EMT’s. The department averages 20 to 25 snowmobile accident calls per season. Bogardus cited excessive speed and inexperience of machine operators as the primary causes of the accidents. Continue reading →