Tag Archives: Adirondacks

Old Forge adds special events & attractions for Adirondack Christmas on Main Street weekend

New attractions have been added to the schedule for this weekend’s An Adirondack Christmas on Main Street event in Old Forge, most notably the addition of on-the-hour musical performances by the Cast in Bronze carillon from 1 to 5 p.m. outside the Old Forge Hardware.

The carillon is a four-ton medieval instrument of bells played from a mechanical keyboard with fists and feet.

Performed by a silent and masked “Spirit of the Bells,” it has appeared on the Today Show, Walt Disney World’s Epcot, and during an appearance by Pope John Paul II at New York’s Central Park. Professional photographer Becky Barrett will be taking photos of visitors in an antique sleigh outside of Mountain Greenery from 2 to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday.

The photos are free of charge, however donations will be accepted.

The sleigh is on-loan from local residents Mary Ann and Bill Ransom.

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad will bring passengers from Utica on Friday and Saturday.

Also on Friday and Saturday, the railroad will operate Santa Express Trains to Otter Lake and back at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Once passengers return to the Station they will be escorted by Mrs. Claus and her elves to Candyland at the historic Thendara Town Hall.

A Light Parade up Main Street will begin from the Town of Webb School at 6:15 p.m. on Friday and the Tree Lighting at Point Park will follow at 6:30 p.m. Another Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

The weekend will also include pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Forge Motel, horse-drawn wagon rides, Santa’s reindeer, a BBQ at Ozzie’s to benefit the Polar Bear Ski Club, holiday-themed workshops at View, and the opportunity to enjoy unique Christmas shopping and holiday experiences throughout Old Forge and Inlet.

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Adirondack Scenic Railroad welcoming riders for foliage trips

Linda Ellison, operations manager at the Adirondack Scenic Railroad in Thendara, reported that the railroad had a good summer—and so far, a good fall—with plenty of passengers riding the rails from Utica Station or enjoying one of their many scenic specialty trips.

She said the “Paddle Down the Moose River” trips held in partnership with Tickner’s Moose River Canoes in the summer and fall, have been a top ticket seller.

“We’ve been doing it for years, and it’s one of our strongest train trips. Where else can you canoe down the river and come back by train?” Ellison said.

“We start getting phone calls in the winter for reservations for the canoe and kayak trips,” she added.

The Fall Foliage trips always draw a lot of passengers, she said, with three trips daily on Wednesday through Sunday.

Al Heywood of Remsen, an Adirondack Scenic Railroad board member who also serves as conductor for the Utica and Thendara runs, agreed that the season is going well. Continue reading

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Herkimer Cty Legislator: Incumbent Patrick Russell seeking reelection

Legislator Patrick Russell is seeking reelection to his seventh term as northern Herkimer County’s representative in the County Legislature.

He will appear on the Republican, Conservative and Independence ballot lines in November.

Russell said he’s attuned to the needs of his fellow residents and, as a legislator, has worked hard to advance and protect their interests.

“I share their concerns. My entire life has been spent in this community and I have many friends and family here. I am aware of the struggles people face in our part of the world. I understand the burden that government spending puts on our local taxpayers. Continue reading

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VIEW event at North. Street: Stems & Steins Festival returns for second year on September 24 & 25

View will present the 2nd Annual Stems & Steins Festival, a wine, beer and food event, at the George T. Hiltebrant Recreation Center and Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25.

The festival will take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

The event celebrates New York State entrepreneurs and their products, and is sponsored by Pride of New York and the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Continue reading

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Gary Lee’s Daybreak to Twilight

Coastal hurricane winds could blow some rare birds our way

If you have been out and about you certainly have seen the changing leaves. There are many reds along the lake shorelines and swampy areas.

Though we haven’t had a frost yet, many of my ferns have started to turn brown.

This is the time of year to move your perennial plants and flowers.

All you have to do is get the root as most of them are done growing and just waiting for a killing frost to take their leaves.

Speaking of flowers, my white and purple Giant Lobelias have just started to bloom.

The little Ladies Trusses are out in the clearing by the dry hydrant between Inlet and Eagle Bay.

The Fringed Gentians in that same area should be in bloom by now as I had previously seen many buds on the plants.

I’ve moved some of their seeds to my yard and other areas where the Ladies Trusses grow as the trusses are indicators of soil conditions that the Gentians also like. Continue reading

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