Daily Archives: January 2, 2014

New years provide new starts—which doesn’t always mean change

Each New Year brings certain hopes of something refreshing, new and somehow better than the year before. Here in the Town of Webb Code Office the same applies… but, time has proven that not much changes.

There are plenty of good things to reflect on. Each year this office issues nearly 400 permits.

Then there are well over 100 Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Appeals applications processed.

On top of that we’ll deal with an equal or greater number of inquiries, complaints, enforcement actions, pre-planning meetings with all kinds of property owners.

This office can easily have direct involvement with over 1,000 issues in any given year. The vast majority are positive interactions, guiding people through the regulatory requirements involved and ultimately leading to a successful conclusion. Continue reading →

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Back Door Bar raises $700+ for Girouard/Sears scholarship fund

Over $700 was raised for the Matt Girouard and Craig Sears Scholarship Fund, when The Back Door Bar in Old Forge held its First Annual “Back Door Ball” on Saturday, December 28.

Tom Greco was among those conducting raffles and casino game fundrais

Tom Greco was among those conducting raffles and casino game fundraisers

The public event featured a 1920s-theme with guests attending in period costumes.

Various casino games were conducted in the adjoining Front Door Diner and raised $250.

A 50/50 raffle raised $200, then an additional $200 when winner, Dan “Bubba” Rouse, donated back his share.

Bartenders also donated time and tips to the cause.

Zach King and Mayan Whyte sporting ’20s inspired outfits

Zach King and Mayan Whyte
sporting ’20s inspired outfits

Tom Greco and Albert Kiss, owners of the Back Door Bar/Front Door Diner, said the event was a success thanks to many volunteers, including Kristin Dowling, Jason Perkins, Guy Greco Sr., Max Cohen, Meg Bryant, Ben Cohen, Elisha Pylman, Pat Duffy, Samantha Schramp, Rocky DePaul, George Patterson, Sandy Albert, Ashley Szewil.

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Old Forge Library hosts Community Read

Festivities celebrating the Old Forge Library’s 100th anniversary began on January 1 with the kick-off of a community read of the book, A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly.

The work of historical fiction, published in 2003, is set in 1906 against the backdrop of Grace Brown’s murder on Big Moose Lake.

The book will appeal to readers of all ages and  many will recognize the local landmarks featured on its pages. Continue reading →

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Services held for Richard E. Ferland, 70

Richard E. Ferland of Old Forge passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 26, 2013, at home and surrounded by his family. He was 70 years old.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Richard was born on September 9, 1943 in Hopewell Jct., NY, the youngest son of Sybil and the late Emile Ferland. He married Noreen (Candy) Frusciante on May 27, 1971, who survives at home.

In addition, Richard is survived by his three children, Michele Ferland (Bob Church-well) of Bedford, MA; Suzanne Jeckovich and her husband Clint of New Smyrna, FL; and Matthew Ferland and his wife Christine of Boonville, NY; two grandchildren, Jessica Edwards of Deltona, FL and Joseph Williams of Coco Beach, FL; two great-grandchildren, Taelor and Dominic Edwards of Deltona, FL; three older brothers, Donald of Beacon, NY, Howard of Jamestown, IN and Frederic of Dandridge, TN, and their wives;  a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Ben Tirabassi of Holmdel, NJ and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Richard worked for many years with his late father at DeLaval in Poughkeepsie as a union machinist.  Continue reading →

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Mourning loss of another perfect holiday vacation day

It was a perfect week to be off from school. With temperatures lingering at about 20 degrees, conditions were great for an eight year old looking to spend the whole day on the surface of frozen Limekiln Lake.

I gathered my winter wool socks and pulled my old hand-me-down skates from where they were hanging in the cellar stairway.

With my dog Mutt at my side, we made the 100-yard journey down the road to the lake.

The slightly snow-covered road shielded a coating of ice. I shuffle-skated in my boots for a hundred feet before stopping to put on my skates.

I had decided to tackle the rest of the downhill slope on steel blades.

I laced up my skates, tied my boots together and flung them around my neck. I was ready to stand and give it a go.

I must have looked a bit awkward when I got on my feet as it appeared that my skates were wanting to take off on their own.  Continue reading →

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Merry Christmas to Me!

Yay for today—Christmas Eve day. This is my official last day on Brown, and quite frankly I couldn’t be more ecstatic. It’s been a looong month, but one filled with learning and good cheer. So what have I learned from this experience?

• Never, EVER accept a job that requires me to be out after dark. Not happenin.

• People shop online. A lot. Some receive packages each and every day, and the mail system is one amazing machine. Shout out to postal workers everywhere—you folks rock.

Sarah and Rich (O.F. P.O.), thanks for not beating me up for playing Jingle Bells on the doorbell. Couldn’t help myself, but your upbeat attitudes during the busiest time of the year are inspiring. Not to mention the snacks and goodies you’ve shared—so appreciated!  Continue reading →

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North country ice storms scatter several birds our way

Dating this column almost always gives me my first opportunity to write down the number of the new year…and here we go again.

The year 2013 ended with a bang, as Karen and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.

Karen didn’t want any big party as she parties at the Old Forge Library all the time. And with the library celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, festivities will be on-going.

Since I last wrote, the shortest day of the year has passed. Winter began (or should I say ended) that weekend, but is now making a comeback.

We had some super cold temperatures and some unusually warm ones for this time of year as it hit 51 one day and minus 22 on another. Continue reading →

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