Daily Archives: May 24, 2013

Daybreak to Twilight

Carolina Wren in hand

Carolina Wren in hand

Determined hummer hangs at feeder despite chilly temperatures We have had a few frosty mornings here at Crown Point with ice on the net bags three different mornings.

The warmer water of the lake didn’t even protect us from the cold temperatures.

The birds that were out those mornings were sitting in the sun to get warm even before they ate a few green worms.

Banding crew Wendy Burkowski, Gordon Howard, Ellie George, me, Tom Barber

Banding crew Wendy Burkowski, Gordon Howard, Ellie George, me, Tom Barber

The worms that live in the leaves of the hawthorns are one of the reasons so many birds stop at Crown Point to refuel before going further north.

One frosty morning several of the little green worms left their curled up leaves and spun a single strain web to the ground. They will live in the soil for a little while before hatching into moths.

All those frosty single webs in the morning sunrise made for a neat picture.

I don’t have the final total of birds banded during the two weeks at Crown Point but we did pass 300 over the weekend with 53 different species.

The best bird we banded—a Carolina wren—had never been recorded there before. Continue reading

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An open letter to the Community Billy’s dinner to benefit Mary Russell fund

To the Community:

Billy’s Restaurant will host a fund raising dinner on Thursday, May 30. The proceeds of the dinner will benefit the Mary Russell Continuing Education Scholarship presented by the Covey Pashley Unit #893 of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Named for one of our deceased members, Mary Russell, our scholarship benefits a student who has plans to continue on past their first year of college. Mary believed wholeheartedly in the value of higher education; be it college, technology school, graduate school, or other training. Whenever possible, Mary encouraged any young person she knew to continue their education, and the auxiliary proudly carries on Mary’s legacy.

The auxiliary is currently accepting applications for this year’s scholarship. Any person who has completed at least one year of post-high school education and plans to continue his or her studies in the fall may apply. Those interested may contact me at (315) 369-2206 for more information. The deadline for applications is June 14, 2013.

Please plan to attend dinner at Billy’s Restaurant on May 30th and help the American Legion Auxiliary continue funding the Mary Russell Continuing Education Scholarship.  Thank you to Billy Burns and his staff for offering this fund raising opportunity.  We hope to see you there!

Judy Ehrensbeck, Old Forge

Member Covey Pashley Unit #893 American Legion Auxiliary

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Growing up Adirondack by Mitch Lee

Worming my way through a Limekiln Lake fishing excursion

worm_2013Fishing was such a big part of my daily life in the spring and summer of 1976 that it seems like I spent most of my free time looking for worms.

I suppose more time was expended with the hunt than actually wetting my line and feeding the assortment of maroon and pink wrigglers to the fish population of Limekiln Lake.

Hunting worms took cunning and a little bit of luck as my skills at the time were only slightly honed.

But my knack for the search was growing every day.

Most of my worm quests began at my regular hunting grounds. I searched around the garage, under piles of boards—any place within 200 yards of our house.

I equipped myself with a small, rusty half-moon-shaped worm container that conveniently slipped onto the belt of my pants. I wore the container like an accessory and took it with me everywhere. Continue reading

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Water recreation enthusiasts make Paddlefest 2013 another big success

Jo Holahan and Connee Wilson of Cazenovia came to Paddlefest for classes- Paddle Like a Girl, Kayaking 101 and Easy Paddling for All Skill Levels

Jo Holahan and Connee Wilson of Cazenovia came to Paddlefest for classes- Paddle Like a Girl, Kayaking 101 and Easy Paddling for All Skill Levels

Last weekend’s Paddlefest 2013 was another resounding success with the event’s big sellers being standup paddle boards (SUPs), lightweight kayaks, rack systems for cars and super lightweight paddles, according to John Nemjo, owner of Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company.

Nemjo was pleased that his new nine foot lightweight canoe, “The Adirondack Passage”, sold very well at the show. He said it rivals Hornbeck’s “Lost Pond” boat.

“Hurricane kayaks, Warner paddles and Wilderness Systems kayaks also proved especially popular,” Nemjo said.

Luy Lindeyer and Skip Taylor pose with a line of Swift kayaks. Photos by Wende Carr

Luy Lindeyer and Skip Taylor pose with a line of Swift kayaks. Photos by Wende Carr

The manufacturer reps love coming to this show, according to Nemjo, because of the setting and the fact that it’s one of the few where folks can test paddle the boats.

“They go to a lot of shows in auditoriums in big cities, but this is where paddle sports happen,” Nemjo said. “They love coming here.”

Many of the folks who come to work at Paddlefest go out for paddles themselves in the evenings.

Customers at Paddlefest came from as far away as Maine, Canada and England. Continue reading

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Writer David Hazard to offer June 9 workshop on successful publishing

Author and mentor/ coach David Hazard is offering two free workshops in May and June, in conjunction with View.

“My goal is to build a sustainable writing program through View,” Hazard said. “I’ll start out by covering some of the basic forms people are writing in generally… narrative writing techniques for use in fiction and nonfiction, historical narratives, memoirs, etc. We’ll also cover basic essay writing for self-help and other books. We’ll get into writing classes for playwriting, and eventually poetry.”

“We want to create a program which is accessible to the everyday writer and which brings with it high standards,” said Hazard whose resume boasts almost 35 years in publishing.

Hazard has personal aspirations to acquire a lakefront property and create a writing habitat.  He sees people coming to a bed and breakfast there, to work with him as a professional writing coach for a week or two at a time.

One such workshop is already scheduled for September 8-13, 2013 in the Adirondacks. To read more about it, and/or to register, go to www.itsyourlifebethere.com.

Hazard is currently working on a series of nature essays set in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks.  He’s also writing a book on developing one’s creative consciousness. Continue reading

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Take a hike in Inlet for National Trails Day ’13

The Town of Inlet will commemorate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1 with a hike led by Mitch Lee of the Inlet Information Office.

Lee will take hikers on the three to four hour tour of the DEC’s newly built Seventh Lake community connector trail in Inlet. This trail now connects The Moose River Plains primitive camping area to Sagamore Road in Raquette Lake for hiking, mountain biking and snowmobiling.

Interested participants can meet at 9 a.m. at the Inlet Town Hall located at 160 Route 28. The hike, an approximately six-mile round trip, will begin from the Seventh Lake boat launch parking area. Hikers will have the opportunity to  explore a portion of the trail as it winds its way west towards the Moose River Plains Wild Forest entry point, located at the Three Mile Marker.

Hikers should pack a lunch, wear good sturdy footwear, and apply bug spray or wear head nets as it is black fly season. The terrain is moderate but has some steep climbs and wet portions.

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Kayla Yuckel & Molly Rodriguez named Kiwanis Students of Year

Town of Webb School seniors Kayla Yuckel and Molly Rodriguez have been selected as 2013 Students of the Year through a partnership between the Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks and The Town of Webb Police Benevolent Association (PBA).

Kayla was selected Kiwanis Student of the Month for Septem-ber 2012 and Molly was Student of the Month for March 2013.

Kayla, the daughter of Randy and Tina Yuckel of Old Forge, was named Student of the Year by the Kiwanis Club. Molly, the daughter of Jorge and Linda Rodgriquez of Old Forge, was named Town of Webb Police Benevolent Assoc-iation Student of the Year.

“The PBA is very pleased to partner with Kiwanis to provide scholarships for two very deserving students,” said Kevin Birtle, PBA president.

Both girls will be recognized at the Kiwanis Recognition Event on Monday, June 10 at the North Woods Inn. They will each receive an award certificate and a $500 scholarship to be used for further education. The public is welcome to attend.

The selection criteria for the Kiwanis Student of the Month/Year are community service, academics, athletic involvement, student need and extra curricular activities.

Ray Schoeberlein, chairman of the Kiwanis Student of the Month Committee, extended his sincere appreciation to School Counselor Kandis Griffin, Key Club Advisor Diane Amos, and the entire Town of Webb School administration for all their efforts and cooperation in this student recognition program.

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