Monthly Archives: April 2013

Town of Webb Health Center transition nears with NYS inspection set May 6

Representatives from the New York State Health Department will be on site at the Town of Webb Health Center on Monday, May 6 to perform a final inspection to ensure the building meets the NYSHD’s hospital code as a primary care office

Once the facility passes inspection, it will be added to St. Elizabeth’s operating certificate.

Having already received documents concerning fire alarm and air conditioning testing, Health Department officials will walk through the building to verify that changes have been made and the building is completely up to code.

Provided everything is satisfactory, St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center will be notified within 24 hours that the Town of Webb Health Center can be added to its operating certificate.

St. Elizabeth’s Chief Operating Officer Robert Scholefield said patients at the health center may have already noticed some changes, including the new computer for registration, adjustments to the entryway, and the isolation of Dr. Rintrona’s dentist office from the doctor’s office.

As far as big changes, Scholefield said the staff will now be on the St. Elizabeth’s payroll.

St. Elizabeth’s is still recruiting primary care physicians to join Dr. Socash at the Health Center, according to Scholefield. However, due to high levels of competition throughout the country, and the rural location, they have yet to find a good fit for the town.

“We certainly want to find someone that you’re all going to be comfortable with for the long run,” he said.

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Northern Forest Canoe Trail in Old Forge: Pair kicks off paddle season with season’s first 740-mile trek

Emma & Emily. Mike Farmer photo.

Emma & Emily. Mike Farmer photo.

Town of Webb Public Relations Director Mike Farmer shares a toast with Emma and Emily on the eve of their launch

Town of Webb Public Relations Director Mike Farmer shares a toast with Emma and Emily on the eve of their launch

Emma and Emily shove off near the Old Forge covered Bridge. Wende Carr Photos

Emma and Emily shove off near the Old Forge covered Bridge. Wende Carr Photos

Though ice has been coming and going on nearby lakes the past several days, a pair of women paddlers departed Old Forge at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, to start a 740-mile canoe journey to Fort Kent, Maine.

They are the first paddlers this season to tackle the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, which goes through four states. They plan to complete their trip in 40 days.

Old Forge Publicity Director Mike Farmer was on hand for the launch by St. Lawrence alum Emily Rooney and Emma Carlson.

“All the rivers in Vermont are raging and really swollen right now, so hopefully by the time we start paddling upstream, it’ll be down a bit,” Carlson said.

They intend to cut a spruce sappling and attach a metal cleat to the tip, to create a pole for upstream movement. They’re carrying wheels for use on extended carries.

“I’m not a big backpacker, so the fact that you can paddle from the Adirondacks where we met, up through Vermont [where paddling partner Rooney is from], into Maine where I grew up is pretty magical,” Carlson said.

Rooney explained that both of them have sea kayaking experience but have an affinity for river travel. “We’re river people.”

Both Rooney and Carlson participated in St. Lawrence University’s (SLU’s) Adirondack semester as seniors. During that program, they lived in a yurt at Massawepie Boy Scout Camp, home of the SLU ADK semester, near Tupper Lake. Continue reading

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Adirondack communities to show pride; beautification day set May 1

Town of Inlet Tourism Director Adele Burnett, reminds all area volunteers that Community Pride Day is Wednesday, May 1st.

All volunteers are being asked to check in and sign up early for a section of roadway and reserve a shirt size.

Early sign-up allows organizers to plan accordingly on how many people will be expected for lunch.

All who show up to clean up the streets of their respective towns will receive a free shirt and a free lunch.

Check-in begins at  9 a.m. at the following locations where volunteers can sign up for a section of roadway and pick up their shirts, trash bags and rubber gloves. At the time of sign-up, volunteers will be told where and when lunch will be served.

Check-in locations are as follows: Inlet area – Inlet Information Office (315) 357-5501; Eagle Bay and Big Moose – Eagle Bay Fire Hall (315) 357-5501; Old Forge and Thendara – Town of Webb Visitor Center (315) 369-6983; Long Lake – Mt. Sabattis Greiger Arena (518) 624-3077; Raquette Lake – Tap Room (518) 624-3077; Indian Lake/Blue Moutain Lake – Indian Lake Town Hall (518) 648-5828.

Anyone interested in early sign-up can contact the towns at the phone numbers provided above. More information is available by calling the Inlet Information Office at (315) 357-5501.

Community Pride Day is sponsored by the Central Adirondack Association.

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Webb, Inlet schools joining for spring music concerts, activities

The Town of Webb school’s instrumental music instructor Greg Clark and his students are going full tilt through the end of this school year with several concerts, events and performances planned.

On Saturday, April 27, over thirty students will travel to Watertown High School for a New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Solo Festival. Students have prepared individually challenging pieces of music, and will be performing them for adjudicators.

“This is always one of the best ways to challenge our strongest players,” Clark said. “Unlike previous years, we will be taking some Inlet Common School students with us, with their teacher, Miss Caitlyn Goodwin.”

Adjudicators at NYSSMA festivals grade students on a scale of 0-28, with 28 being a perfect score. They also give students constructive criticism, according to Goodwin.  “It’s a very positive experience which promotes musical independence and lends to improved musicianship,” she said.

Goodwin teaches individual instrumental lessons to Inlet students on Thursday afternoons and conducts ensemble days monthly.  Continue reading

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Melissa Murphy receives theatrical scholarship

Melissa Murphy of Old Forge has received a full scholarship from the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts to attend The Redhouse’s Theatrical Institute in Syracuse.

Murphy, along with three other actors representing the Adirondack region, have been selected to participate in the month-long intensive drama and music camp to gain more experience in the world of professional theatre. Colleen Pine, Brandon Bedore, and Vicky Franko will be joining Murphy in the experience.

The young actors will also participate in the touring production of Shrek as part of  ALCA’s Summer Theatre Festival.

Murphy, a sophomore at the Town of Webb School, moved with her parents, Don and Lisa Murphy, to Old Forge at the age of 13. She got her start in acting at the age of seven with Florida Studio Theater and has appeared in a number of local productions.

Previously she was cast in ALCA’s productions of Cinderella, Into the Woods, Annie and Little Women. She has also appeared in the Old Forge Ballet Company’s production of The Nutcracker, as well as the TOW School Drama Department’s presentations of Anything Goes and Bye Bye Birdie.

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Town of Webb school hosting series of parent training sessions

Mary Starring

Mary Starring

The Town of Webb Union Free School District is hosting a series of parent training sessions by Charlie Merrick of the Northern Regional Center for Independent Living (NRCIL) in Watertown, which focus on four topics.

On Tuesday, April 30, the topic will be Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

IDEA is the law which requires and governs special education in New York State. This session will cover how the law came about and contents of IDEA, including the rights of students with special needs and their parents, including the right to a free and appropriate public education.

On Tuesday, May 14, the presentation will be Understanding Your Child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

This session will address the contents of each section of an IEP and the reasons for each. It will cover the information with which parents may want to be prepared, prior to an IEP meeting, so they are able to actively participate and contribute in the meetings.

Earlier presentations have focused on effective communication to benefit students, parents, teachers and the community with local experiences being discussed.

Continue reading

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Own Your Own Caboose

Hanson Schmid, Jason Landl, Thomas Lindsay and Kody Earl on the train

Hanson Schmid, Jason Landl, Thomas Lindsay and Kody Earl on the train

The Town of Webb UFSD’s Drama Department is looking for a new home for the train caboose that was created by Jeff Evans for its recent “Bye, Bye Birdie” productions.

The caboose is offered in exchange for a donation to the drama department. Too nice to destroy, the train car promises a great playground feature or prop for another appropriate location.

Proceeds from its sale will go toward the next musical production. To make an offer on the caboose, call vocal music teacher Valerie Gaudin at 369-2723.

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