Daily Archives: March 14, 2013

Black Bear’s appearance at McCauley causes concern for Webb police, DEC

An emaciated Black Bear startled skiers at McCauley Mountain when it emerged from the woods onto Helmer’s Lane on Sunday, March 10.

A chairlift operator was the first to spot the unhealthy-looking bear between towers seven and eight on Helmer’s early in the afternoon, according to McCauley employee Andrée Newton.

The bear caused concern, notably because it appeared at a time of year when most bears are still hibernating.

McCauley staff called Town of Webb Police Chief John Russell, who responded to the call with Officer A.J. Silverman.

Chief Russell observed the bear for approximately 25 minutes and reported that its fur was sparse and was so emaciated that its hip bones and ribs were showing through its skin. It also had trouble walking.

Chief Russell determined the bear was obviously suffering and beyond rehabilitation and made the decision to euthanize it.

McCauley ski patrol personnel roped off Helmer’s and the chairlift was temporarily shut down to provide a safe environment in which to dispatch the bear.

The bear was wrapped in a tarp and transported downhill by sled before it was taken away by truck. Continue reading

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Old Forge goes green Friday with Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

The Old Forge St. Patrick’s Day Parade will commence up Main Street at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 15.

Marchers and float entries can start lining up lining up at Keyes Pancake House at 4:30 p.m.

For safety purposes, Town of Webb Police are restricting Main Street parking from Adirondack Accents up to the busy corner. The areas will be blocked off with cones beginning late Friday morning.

Plenty of specatator parking is available in the lots behind Tony Harper’s, across from the Strand Theatre, and on side streets.

The parade will end at the Old Forge Fire Department where the annual Irish Stew Cook-Off will be held.

The Cook-off is open to local restaurants and will be judged by the public following sampling. Irish stew entries should be dropped off at the Old Forge Fire Hall by 4 p.m. on Friday.

Parade winners and the winner of the MAC’s Safe Ride 50/50 raffle will be announced at the TOW Bar between 7 and 7:30 p.m.

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Webb students to stage Bye Bye Birdie musical this Friday & Saturday

Kody Earl catches a fainting Allie McCumber in a scene from Bye Bye Birdie. Photo by Wende Carr

Kody Earl catches a fainting Allie McCumber in a scene from Bye Bye Birdie. Photo by Wende Carr

After three months of practice and a final week of dress rehearsals, the Town of Webb School drama students are ready to take to the stage for their production of Bye Bye Birdie.

The play, which is under the direction of Valerie Gaudin and Ann DeFilipps, will take place in the school gym on Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16 at 7 p.m.

Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (62+) and $5 for students.

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MAC’s Safe Ride to park its vans for spring break

The board of MAC’s Safe Ride has announced that Saturday, March 16 will be the last night of operation of the late night transportation service until May.

And though the vans will be parked and taking a rest prior to the start of the busy spring and summer seasons, the efforts of the organization will continue, much to the thanks of a new group of volunteers known as The MAC Nuggets.

The MAC Nuggets, or Friends of MAC’s, is a recently formed committee that was developed to assist the board with such tasks as attracting volunteer drivers and navigators, scheduling, and organizing fundraising efforts of the not-for-profit organization.

“They are a very energetic group of people that have great ideas and a willingness to help out and do whatever they can,” said Gisele Kress, organization co-founder.

Kress said volunteers for MAC’s Safe Ride now have a headquarters in the Webb Building on Main Street, Old Forge where they can relax while waiting for calls—a welcome addition that Kress hopes will encourage more volunteer drivers and navigators.

MAC’s Safe Ride will run Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16 from 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. To catch a ride, call (315) 369-8121. New drivers, navigators or MAC Nuggets are always welcome at MaCs369.8121@gmail.com.

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Snofest draws crowd of 5,000+ for end-of-season show

John Lewis of Camden, Kelly and Dave Bennett head up the line waiting (on foot) for their turns to test drive Ski-doos during Snofest

John Lewis of Camden, Kelly and Dave Bennett head up the line waiting (on foot) for their turns to test drive Ski-doos during Snofest

Organizers of Snofest 2013 estimated that over 5,000 snowmobile enthusiasts were on the grounds of the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center in Old Forge on March 8 and 9 to take a look at what they can expect to see on the trails in the 2013/2014 season.

The event featured daredevil jumping shows and test rides on 2014 sleds by Arctic Cat, Polaris, Ski Doo and Yamaha which, according to Phil Martin of Big Moose Yamaha/Arctic Cat, likely helped to boost attendance numbers to the highest in its five-year history.

“We worked nonstop for two days providing demo rides—with sizable waiting lines. The Pavilion was busy all day Saturday, and the evening show was jam-packed.

“A lot of communities would die for what we’ve got, with four major snowmobile manufacturers coming to Old Forge and jumpers coming to spice up the show,” Martin said.

Greg Vinci, of Tree Line Sled Style

Greg Vinci, of Tree Line Sled Style

Martin and other local snowmobilers dealers reportedly took anywhere from 250 to 630 test riders out per sled model in the course of the two-day event, which helped to stimulate snowmobile sales.

Doug Smith of Smith Marine, who traditionally brings in extra staff to cover his shop over Snofest, reported that he received 17 deposits on 2014 machines, which is double of last year’s numbers.

Laurie Barkauskas, events coordinator for the Central Adirondack Association, said activity inside the pavilion was steady also with a complete sell-out of event merchandise and t-shirts.

Raffle ticket sales for a new snowmobile trailer were healthy, she said, adding that the winner was Bill Lux of Westernville. Continue reading

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Webb school fifth graders Virtually track the Iditarod

When mushers from around the globe set off for the annual Iditarod dogsled race in Anchorage on Saturday, March 2, they were accompanied by Anne Phinney and her fifth grade students at the Town of Webb School.

While the students did not travel to Alaska for the iconic race, they did participate vicariously by staying in daily contact with Old Forge resident Mike Mitchell who is following the race by snowmobile.

Mitchell has previously followed the 1,100 mile race trail by plane and snowmobile, but this year he intended to cover its full length solely by snowmobile.

This is the third year Phinney has incorporated the Iditarod into her history class curriculum on the subject of Alaska. Each of the students chooses a favorite musher who they track throughout the race.

Mitchell has been providing on-site updates to the students and sending photos on a regular basis to help the students relate to the dogsled action.

Upon his return from the Iditarod, Mitchell will offer a presentation to the students on his experience and will distribute souvenirs, such as dog booties, that he collected from along the trail.

Though Mitch Seavey of Seward, AK was the first to cross the finish line on Tuesday, March 12, the students will continue to keep an eye on the racers until the race ends. A celebratory banquet will be held on Sunday, March 17.

Seavey, whose time was nine days, seven hours, 39 minutes and 56 seconds, also won the Iditarod title in 2004.

At age 53, he is the oldest winner. His son Dallas, winner of the 2012 Iditarod, was the youngest winner at the age of 25.

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Card of Thanks

I would like to thank the Town of Webb Health Center Fund for the generous scholarship I received. This has helped me tremendously with the many expenses I have had to incur for my continuing education to become a radiographer.

Gratefully,

Tim Mills

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