Lake Placid Media

Lake Placid Joins Facebook; Launches Fan Page with a “Triple Dog Dare Ya” Photo Challenge

2009-09-16T14:36:00.002-04:00

Best Photo Fetches a Lake Placid Getaway for Two

LAKE PLACID, NY -- September 16, 2009 – Are you a fan of Lake Placid? Triple dog dare ya to share it with your friends! To launch its new presence on Facebook, tourism officials for upstate New York’s Lake Placid region have chosen a “Triple Dog Dare Ya” theme that extends to its first-ever promotion on this social networking site: a photo challenge inviting fans to submit their best Adirondack adventure images to win a Vertical Drop Getaway. The prize trip includes two nights’ lodging for two at Lake Placid’s Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort and three days ski/board passes for the East Coast’s greatest vertical drop – Whiteface Mountain. Sponsored by the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, the competition ends at 12:01 p.m. EST on November 30, 2009. A first round of judging will take place on December 7, followed by a public voting period from December 8 through January 15. The winning entry will be announced on January 17, 2010. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age. To view Lake Placid on Facebook, click HERE.

Lake Placid’s Facebook page is intended to engage the destination’s fan base in an online conversation about its many attributes, from extreme outdoor recreation to “extreme” relaxation – and to do so with a touch of humor. “We’ve applied this ‘dare’ approach to the full range of activities that can be experienced in our corner of the Adirondacks,” said James McKenna, president/CEO, Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. “That includes everything from the thrill of downhill skiing and mountain biking to relaxing endeavors such as attending a world-class orchestra concert or enjoying a spa treatment.”

Photo albums and videos, posted on the Lake Placid Facebook page by the visitors’ bureau and fans, introduce newcomers to the beauty of Lake Placid and its many recreational appeals. The page also provides a forum for discussions on topics pertinent to Lake Placid tourism, as well as links to a variety of community partners.

Lake Placid is less than five hours by car from New York City and other major cities in the region, making it an ideal destination for Northeast travelers. Its myriad appeals range from outdoor adventures in the Adirondacks to performances at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts to the quaint, small-town atmosphere of historic Main Street, lined with restaurants, shops, hotels and other attractions. A two-time host of the Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid is tucked beneath the Adirondack region’s high peaks, including the renowned ski slopes of Whiteface Mountain and the state’s tallest peak, Mount Marcy. For more information, visit www.lakeplacid.com or call 1-800-44-PLACID (1-800-447-5224).

Joey Logano first driver into the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering

2009-09-16T11:35:00.004-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Joey Logano, driver of the No. 20 Home Depot Toyota
in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series announced today, Wednesday, Sept. 16, that he will again compete in the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering to be staged in Lake Placid, N.Y. January 8-10, 2010.

The Bodine Bobsled Challenge features NASCAR and NHRA drivers piloting specially-made bobsleds down Lake Placid’s infamous track in two different races geared to raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project.

Geoff Bodine, 1986 winner of the Daytona 500, teamed with Chassis Dynamics in 1992 to form The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project which builds American-made bobsleds for United States athletes. The sleds have been a tremendous success at all levels of competition, including World Cup, World Championships and Olympic competitions, where the United States consistently finds itself on medal podiums. During the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games, the U.S. squad mined gold, silver and bronze medals and broke an Olympic podium drought that dated back 46 years. Just four years later, in Torino, Italy, Team USA won more Olympic hardware… this time silver.

Just last season, on the same track that will host the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, Steve Holcomb guided his 4-man team to a world championship gold medal, marking the first time a U.S. sled had won a world championship medal since 1959. That finish has also placed Holcomb and his crew as one of the favorites to win an Olympic medal at the 2010 Winter Games this February in Vancouver, Canada.

"I am really excited to get back up to Lake Placid again this year to support the Bo-Dyn bobsled event,” said Logano. “Driving bobsleds is one of the most fun and exciting things I’ve ever done.

“It makes me feel great to support such a patriotic event, especially with this being an Olympic year. Hopefully we can help the USA men’s team with winning an Olympic Gold in bobsledding this year for the first time since 1948”.

Logano will compete for the third time in the Challenge and last year he almost won Race-One, finishing second to Todd Bodine.

SPEED Channel will again televise four hours of the Bobsled Challenge. Monies raised from the Bodine Bobsled Challenge go directly to this project.

Fan packages, interactive offerings and event merchandise for the 5th Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge may be purchased online at www.bodynbobsled.com. Also visit www. lakeplacid.com, or call 1-800-44-PLACID (1-800-447-5224) for reservations.

What Daytona is to auto racing, Lake Placid is to bobsledding.

USMMA Band at Fort Ticonderoga… Saturday

2009-09-14T09:28:00.002-04:00

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. --- Fort Ticonderoga will host the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band, Saturday, Sept. 19, at 11:30 a.m. This renowned group has performed all over the country and the world in venues as diverse as all Presidential Inaugurals Parades, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and on the Queen Elizabeth II entertaining World War II veterans on board at Normandy, France.

Though the cadets in the band change twice a year they sound like a seasoned group with years of experience. They have just issued a CD, “Music of the Marines – United States, Royal and Merchant” and have two more on the way. The Academy opened at Kings Point, N.Y., in 1943 and the band was originally made up of professional musicians from New York City. A full-time director was appointed and a company formed in 1971. The 80-strong band is now under the direction of Captain Kenneth Force, who is adamant about the importance of the cadets seeing Fort Ticonderoga.

“It will be a great history experience for the Midshipmen and I want the Fort to benefit, too,” Force said. The band is scheduled to perform at the Crown Point Celebration later in the day.

After taking an historical tour of the Fort, the band will muster and enter the parade ground en masse in their dress uniforms at 11:30. The repertoire includes popular military songs and patriotic marches, all accompanied by precision marches much like a half-time show.

Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit historical site and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission includes the USMMA Regimental Band performance as well as all exhibits, tours and The King’s Garden. The Fort is open through Oct. 20. The King’s Garden will close on Columbus Day. For additional information, go to www.FortTiconderoga.org.

Festivals this Weekend Offer Something for Everyone

2009-09-03T11:53:00.001-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Whether you want to celebrate the final days of summer or the beginning of the autumn season, you can choose to at any one of the number of festivals, fairs and markets being held throughout the region this weekend, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 4-6. From farmers markets to car shows, there’s something to enjoy during the last holiday weekend of the summer season.

On Saturday and Sunday, celebrate Irish heritage and culture during the second annual Festival of Ireland. Taking place at the Olympic ski jumps in Lake Placid, this event offers traditional Irish music, food, games, dance and competition. Admission is $15.00 for adults and $12.00 for juniors and senior citizens.

If you’re a car buff, then don’t miss out on the 27th annual Olympic Car Show and Parade, Saturday and Sunday, also in Lake Placid. The show is open to all makes and models of cars. The parade will make its way down Main St., while the show will be held on the Olympic speed skating oval. In addition to 49 different classes of cars there will be plenty of food and family entertainment.

The Labor Day weekend will offer great and unusual foods in beautiful settings with the 43rd annual Lobsterfest, in Westport, and the second annual Great Adirondack Rutabaga Festival, in Keene.

Beginning Friday at the Westport Marina on Lake Champlain, the Lobsterfest brings together boaters and land-lubbers, for music, races, barbeque and of course… lobster. The festival kicks off Friday, by inviting guests to see Smokey Joe’s Café, with music by Leiber and Stoller, featuring classic rock and roll songs, at the Depot Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday’s activities include a make-it-yourself cardboard boat, paddled by one or two persons in the 4 p.m. race, followed by a baby-back rib or steak barbeque dinner at 6 p.m., with dancing to The Riddlers at 9 p.m.

Sunday is “Lobsterfest” day. Activities include kayak races, as well as balloon art and face painting, all leading up to the long-awaited feast. Steamed clams are served at 4 p.m., with the lobster and barbeque-chicken dinners served from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Sunday’s rutabaga festival, held at Marcy Field in the town of Keene, celebrates the hardy, tasty and adaptable vegetable that thrives in our sometimes harsh climate. Activities begin at 10 a.m. with the 5K fun run, followed by the High Peaks hula hoop championship and the crowning of 2009 Rutabaga King and Queen.

No barbeque will be complete without a visit to Friday’s farmer’s market in Elizabethtown, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Sunday’s farmer’s market in Keene, beginning at 9:30 a.m. The markets, feature fruits, vegetables, maple syrup, flowers, baked goods, local wines and arts and crafts.

Finally, unique rustic and handcrafted furniture will be on display during the 22nd annual Rustic Furniture Fair, Saturday and Sunday, at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. The Fair offers unique furniture, furnishings and fine art, plus delicious music and demonstrations. The hours Saturday are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lake Placid Hosts New York State Maple Tour

2009-09-01T09:54:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- More than 150 of the Empire State’s top maple producers will gather in Lake Placid, N.Y., Sept. 27-29, for the New York State Maple Tour, hosted by the Adirondack Maple Producers Association. The event comes on the heels of this spring’s maple season, which was considered one of the best in recent memory. An estimated 362,000 gallons of syrup was produced in the state, an increase of 10-percent from last year’s production.

“The group meets in different places every year and it’s a great chance for producers to tour different sugarhouses and learn from each other and research different technologies,” explained Mike Farrell, director of Cornell University’s Uihlein Forest, in Lake Placid. “While to some degree this is still a ‘mom and pop’ type industry, with those people producing as a hobby, the industry is changing and becoming more technology based. Producers are learning to be more environmentally friendly, but it’s still labor and energy intensive for the smaller operations.”

While in the region, the producers will visit several Lake Placid area sugarhouses including North Country School, which operates a wood-fired evaporator that boils 400 buckets worth of sap collected by students, and the Uihlein Maple Forest, the 200-plus acre research center and extension field of Cornell University. They will also visit Heaven Hill Farm, Henry Uihlein’s old sugarhouse which has been renovated as a site for teaching local students about syrup production, before traveling north to visit producers in Chazy. When Lake Placid last hosted the tour in 2000, a record 300 maple producers attended.

It’s believed that tapping maple sugar trees began mistakenly when a Native American chief, struck a tree while practicing tomahawk throwing. The industry has grown considerably since then. Last season, the Cornell Sugar House collected more than 70,000 gallons of sap and produced a record 1,500 gallons of maple syrup.

According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, there are more than 1,500 maple producers, who generate more than $8-million in sales, making New York the third largest maple producing state, behind only Vermont and Maine. Farrell believes that there’s still room for growth. “I’ve conducted comprehensive surveys of the maple industry in North New York and the reports show that there’s still great potential to produce even more,” noted Farrell. “I think that I’m being conservative when I say that this could be a $9-million annual industry to the state.”

The Tour opens Sunday evening, Sept. 27, at the North Elba Show Ground when Dr. Timothy Perkins, director of Proctor Maple Research Center at the University of Vermont, discusses the latest research on check-valve adapters, which have the potential to produce between 50 to 90-percent higher sap yields. Landowners interested in learning more about maple syrup production are encouraged to attend the 4-6 p.m. event. There is a $10.00 fee and includes complimentary hors’ doeurves.

13th Annual Adirondack Marathon Runs Sept. 20

2009-08-26T11:51:00.000-04:00

SCHROON LAKE, N.Y. --- The summer racing season is beginning to wind down in the region and runners are gearing up for one more race, the 13th annual Adirondack Marathon, Sept. 20, in Schroon Lake, N.Y.

The marathon recognized as “the most beautiful 26 miles, 385 yards you will ever run,” begins at 9 a.m. with a mass start on Main St. in Schroon Lake Village. The course takes the runners north around the lake to the finish line at the village beach. Each runner who completes the course will receive a finisher's medal. Prizes will be given for the top three overall finishers and top three in each age category.

In addition to the marathon, there will be a two-person relay race in which each person will run one-half of the marathon course. This event is open to 100 teams.

The race’s most popular event is the half-marathon which is expected to draw a sold-out field of 500 runners. This 13.1 mile, race begins at 10 a.m. and will take the runners through an easier section of the marathon course before finishing at the village beach. Runners who also finish the half-marathon run will receive a finisher’s medal and prizes will be given for the top three overall finishers and top three in each age category.

The 13th annual Adirondack Marathon also features a 5 and 10k run, and a children’s 1k fun run, Saturday, Sept. 19. Both the 5 and 10k runs begin at 9:30 a.m. in Chestertown, while the 1k fun run, for runners ages four-12, begins at 2 p.m. in Schroon Lake. All the proceeds from the 5k and 10k races will benefit the Helpers Fund and assist individuals, families and children facing extreme hardship in their lives.

For more information about the 13th annual Adirondack Marathon, log on to www.adirondackmarathon.org, or www.schroonlakeregion.com.

Music, Fun and of Course Lobster Sept. 4-6 in Westport

2009-08-25T14:01:00.001-04:00

WESTPORT, N.Y. --- It’s more than 40 years old and it’s still one of the region’s best end-of-the-summer bashes. The 43rd annual Westport Marina Lobster Festival will be held rain or shine, Sept. 4-6, at the Westport Marina on Lake Champlain. Bringing together boaters and land-lubbers, the three-day festival features music, races, barbeque and, of course, lobster.

The festival kicks off Friday, by inviting guests to see Smokey Joe’s Café, with music by Leiber and Stoller, featuring classic rock and roll songs, at the Depot Theatre at 8 p.m. Saturday’s activities include a make-it-yourself cardboard boat, paddled by one or two persons in the 4 p.m. race followed by a baby-back rib or steak barbeque dinner at 6 p.m., with dancing to The Riddlers at 9 p.m.

Sunday is “Lobsterfest” day. Activities include kayak races, as well as balloon art and face painting, all leading up to the long-awaited feast. Steamed clams are served at 4 p.m., with the lobster and BBQ-chicken dinners served from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Locally grown corn-on-the cob, basil tomatoes, homemade coleslaw—a lobsterfest tradition, and dessert round out the menu. After dinner, from 8 p.m to midnight, Damaged Goods—more classic rock and roll, play for dancing with a break for the costume parade, celebrating “400 years in the Champlain Valley,” at 9 p.m.

Advance reservations are required for Sunday’s lobsterfest dinner. Walk-in’s will be accepted only if there’s extra food. Prices vary according to menu items selected. For more information about the 43rd annual Westport Marina Lobster Festival, visit www.westportmarina.com.

XTERRA Triathlon Series Races into Lake Placid Aug. 22-23

2009-08-06T12:10:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Strength and endurance will be tested again when a new triathlon races through the Lake Placid region, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 22-23. Much different than the recent Ironman Lake Placid triathlon, the world-famous XTERRA triathlon features a 1,500-meter swim, a 25k mountain bike ride and a 10k trail run.

The Inaugural XTERRA Lake Placid triathlon, organized by Tri and Du It Multisports, is one of almost 50 to 60 XTERRA races in the United States each year and one of almost 15 XTERRA international competitions. “Lake Placid and the Adirondack region represent the Live More philosophy of XTERRA with all the outdoor activities and lifestyles,” said race director J.P. Latkovic. “The area is about being outdoors and being active and this event is the same thing.”

On Saturday, the day prior the XTERRA triathlon event, there will be a 10k and 5k trail run on the same run course as the triathlon. The 10k race begins at 9 a.m., followed by the 10k run at 9:05. The race will start and end inside the Olympic oval.

Sunday’s triathlon begins with the mass start swim, at 8 a.m. The stage consists of two 750 meter rectangular loops. Upon completing the first loop of the event, the athletes will run 100 feet on the beach to re-enter the water and complete the same loop. Upon finishing the swim athletes will have to run 1/4 mile to the transition area in the Olympic oval to begin the bike stage, which will be followed by the race’s final event… the run. Both stages will take on portions of the Jack Rabbit Trail.

Athletes can still register for the XTERRA Lake Placid triathlon. The minimum age to compete is 13. Registration will be held on the Olympic oval Friday, from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday, from 7-9 a.m. and Sunday, from 6-8 a.m. All racers receive a race shirt and race goodie bag.

Volunteers are still needed in the race’s transition area swim course, bike aid and run stations, finish line and registration. Volunteers are also needed to assist in the race’s set-up and breakdown. For more information about the XTERRA Triathlon, visit www.XTERRAlakeplacid.com.

Essex County Fair Celebrates 161 Years

2009-07-29T09:31:00.001-04:00

WESTPORT, N.Y. --- Don’t miss out on the fun and excitement of the 161st Essex County Fair, Aug. 12-16, in Westport, N.Y.

The Fair, which was established in 1848, offers visitors action packed shows and events including Buffalo Barfield’s Unherd-of-Entertainment, Wednesday through Sunday, the Upstate New Yorkers, Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 12-13; the Essex County Idol contest, Friday, Aug. 14, and harness racing, which has been a part of the Fair since day-one.

Other events include music from Lucid, Wednesday, Aug. 12, the ATV and garden tractor pull, also Wednesday, the street legal truck pull, Thursday, Aug. 13, and the demolition derby, Saturday, Aug. 15.

Daily admission including shows and carnival rides is $10. On Wednesday and Thursday, seniors, over the age of 60, will receive $2.00 off food coupons with their $10.00 admission.

For more information about the Essex County Fair log on to www.essexcountyfair.org.

Ironman Extends Agreement for Ford Ironman Lake Placid

2009-07-27T10:57:00.001-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.– World Triathlon Corporation, owners and organizers of Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events and brands, the Village of Lake Placid, the surrounding communities of North Elba, Jay, Keene and Wilmington and the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, are pleased to announce the extension of their partnership for the Ford Ironman Lake Placid.

Ford Ironman Lake Placid is one of six full-distance Ironman events in the continental United States and features the natural beauty of Lake Placid and the Adirondack area. Local officials spoke to the popularity of the event, “We are fortunate to have an event such as Ironman that has proven to generate a significant amount of revenue of bed tax and sales tax, this resulting in a lower property tax,” said supervisor Randal Douglas, town of Jay.

The event annually features more than 2,200 athletes from all 50 states and more than 30 countries around the world. Athletes vie for qualifying spots to the Ford Ironman World Championship and professional triathletes are in the hunt for a prize purse of $50,000.

Ford Ironman Lake Placid also features significant volunteer support as more than 3,500 volunteers from the area offer their time to get athletes through the 140.6 mile journey. The volunteers hail from upper New York State and are a testament to the commitment of the entire region. Lake Placid mayor Craig Randall commented, “This world-class event is similar to other prestigious events hosted by Lake Placid. The economic impact of Ironman is significant to our entire region, it flows to our many area shops, restaurants, lodging and related support services, and to everyone they employ.”

Ford Ironman Lake Placid has become a staple of the summer event calendar in the Adirondacks. “The town of Wilmington is excited to learn that Ironman will continue to be with us, it has been an economic engine for the region and the state filling our motels and restaurants generating a large amount of revenue for us all,” according to town Supervisor Randy Preston.

“Ford Ironman Lake Placid has played a large part in the history of the sport in the United States and has become a hub for the triathlon community, said Shane Facteau, Ironman’s director of operations. We are excited to be back for another three years.”

For more race related information, log onto www.ironmanusa.com or for information regarding Ironman event and brands log onto www.ironman.com. Media inquiries should be directed to either Helen Manning at 407.832.6547, Helen@ironman.com or Blair LaHaye at 727.808.0646, Blair@ironman.com.

Fife & Drum Corps Muster Spans Centuries

2009-07-14T09:02:00.002-04:00

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. - Over its ‘occupied years’ the walls at Fort Ticonderoga would have echoed with the sounds of military music from the French, British and the Revolutionary troops who shaped the North Country and America’s history. Today, the same is true but the music emanates from a single source, the Fort Ticonderoga Fife & Drum Corps.

All that changes when the Fort Ti Corps hosts other groups from around the Northeast at the annual Fort Ticonderoga Muster on the Parade Ground. This year’s muster is slated for Saturday, Aug. 1, and will feature nine corps in all. The additional groups will extend the range of the military music all the way through the Civil War.

Joining the Fort’s Corps for the 2009 Muster are the East Hampton 3rd Connecticut Regiment of Fifes & Drums; Green Mountain Fife & Drum Corps; Seth Warner Mount Independence Fife & Drum Corps; Hanaford’s Volunteers, VT, the 3rd New Jersey Field Music; Colonial Musketeers Fife & Drum Corps, NJ, and Fort George Fife & Drum Corps, Ontario, Canada.

The music will start at 10 a.m. and will continue throughout the day with a rousing finale at 3:30 p.m. Saturday evening at the Hancock House visitors will be treated to a twilight performance as all the units perform a short historical timeline.

Much more than entertainment for the troops of old, a fife and drum corps was a communication tool, calling soldiers to meet, sending signals and sounding out warnings. Fort Ticonderoga’s Corps performs several times daily during July and August and during special functions throughout the year. Drum Major Mike Edson (an elementary school teacher in real life) leads the group of local teens with authentic commands and regulation maneuvers. Fort Ti’s Corps’ parade uniforms that have been funded in by The Stevens Family Fund for the Fife and Drum Corps and others donors and are authentic handmade reproductions of the French Royal-Rousillion and American First New York Regiment. The visiting corps will dress in period uniforms too, as they play military and popular tunes from the Americas Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and Civil War.

Fort Ticonderoga & The King’s Garden are a not-for-profit private site which is open daily from 9:30 to 5:00. The Log House Restaurant and Gift Shop is also open at those times. The admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and $7 for children seven to 12. Children 6 and younger are admitted free. Local residents are always welcome to visit the Fort at no charge. See FortTiconderoga.org for a full schedule of family and children’s programs and special events.

Birthday Party for Fort Ticonderoga

2009-07-13T11:13:00.000-04:00

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. – It was one hundred years ago that Fort Ticonderoga first opened its gates to the public. The occasion was the 1909 Tercentenary of the landing of Samuel de Champlain and President Howard Taft spoke from the steps of the Pavilion Hotel on the fort grounds.

Now, as the North Country celebrates the Quadricentennial of Champlain’s landing the Fort is having a 100th Birthday Party. On Friday, July 24, guests can join the fun and indulge in cake and refreshments while enjoying music from Atlantic Crossing. The party will take place in the new Deborah Clarke Mars Education Center.

From those early days when restoration of the west barracks had just begun until July of 2008 the fort has been in a constant state being restored to its original French skyline. With that effort complete in the opening of the mars Center, Fort Ticonderoga begins its second century of bringing history alive to an untold number of future generations. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for children 7-12 and can be reserved by phone at 585-2821. Younger children are admitted at no charge.

The Fort’s 100th season is full of activities, family programs, tours and more, in both the King’s Garden and the fort. Fort Ticonderoga is a private not-for-profit site maintained by membership, grants, gifts and ticket sales. All the information is available at FortTiconderoga.org .

Westport Heritage Festival Celebrates the Champlain Quadricentennial with “400 Years of Boating”

2009-07-08T12:31:00.000-04:00

WESTPORT, N.Y. --- The 10th annual Westport Heritage Festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, and will celebrate 400 years of boating on Lake Champlain. The festival, which benefits the Westport Heritage House, begins at 10 a.m. with a fun race from Camp Dudley to Ballard Park and concludes with a fireworks display, beginning at 9:30 p.m. In between, there’s plenty of activity for the entire family.

“This is the single fundraiser for the Heritage House and it’s a great event that brings together the entire community,” remarked Nancy Decker, the festival’s chairwoman. “Each year there’s a lot to see and do, but this year I’m particularly excited because of many of the new activities and events.”

One of the new events added to the festival is the bike decorating contest. Youngsters are encouraged to bring their bike decorated in one of three categories, funniest, most patriotic and back to the future, to be judged at the Ballard Park pavilion, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The Westport Quadricentennial Committee is also looking for items to place in its time capsule that will be ‘buried’ during the festival. “We would like to have items that represent our town,” stated Decker. “We’re still trying to find an appropriate place to ‘bury’ the capsule, but this is a way to leave Westport’s historical footprint behind for the future.”

Other events highlighting the festival include the Lake Champlain antique and classic boat show with a parade of boats and the Lois McClure at the marina, the Philadelphia II at the Yacht Club dock, the Plein Air silent auction and the themed basket silent auction. In addition there will be a wide array of music performed at the Ballard Pavilion.

The line-up features the Dudley Rhythm Ramblers, from 1:30-2:30 p.m., James Mayo with the Dudley Choir, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., and Atlantic Crossing, from 7-9 p.m. There will also be music at the Yacht Club dock, from 2:00-4:00, with Chris Layer and Pete Sutherland.

Access to the festival is free with tokens being sold near the beverage tent for the food. Raffle tickets and pins can also be purchased and all proceeds benefit the Westport Heritage House. For more information, log on to www.westportny.com or contact Nancy Decker at 518.962.4805, or by e-mail, decker2@westelcom.com.

Got Barbeque?

2009-06-17T15:54:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Barbeque teams from throughout the country, Canada and even Great Britain return to Lake Placid and the Olympic oval to fill the air with the sweet smell of barbeque and hickory smoke when they cook and compete in the fourth annual Lake Placid— I Love Barbeque Festival. The three-day, food-fest begins Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend.

“I can’t think of any better way to spend the July 4th weekend than with family, friends and barbeque,” stated the festival’s director of operations Dmitry Feld. “This is an event that’s created to bring together the community and family to celebrate all that’s American… barbeque, plus raise money for an important organization.”

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Shipman Youth Center of Lake Placid, a not-for-profit community organization providing support to children and youth ages 10-18 through a supervised safe and exciting environment where local children can grow and develop as individuals. Now in its fourth year, more than 8,000 people have attended the event and raised more than $20-thousand per year.

A new addition to the weekend festival is the first-ever junior world championship barbeque competition. During the junior world championship event, barbequers, between the ages of 16-21, will compete for big scholarship money from Paul Smith’s College. The gold medal winning team and individuals will receive a $10-thousand scholarship from the school, while the silver medal winning team will earn a $6-thousand scholarship and the third place team a $5-thousand scholarship. Although the school specializes in hospitality, resort and tourism management, culinary arts and service management, the teams can use the scholarship money for any of the college's programs of study.

“This event has taken the festival to a new level and is another reason for people to come to Lake Placid and to this event,” remarked Feld.

Also highlighting the festival is Saturday’s, July 4, “Buck-a-Rib” contest, where visitors can taste an assortment of ribs from 26 competing teams for just $1.00 apiece, and Sunday’s, July 5, grand championship and New York state title cook-off. The winner will earn an automatic berth into the American Royal barbeque contest, in September, In Kansas City, Mo.

Admissions into the fourth annual Lake Placid-I Love Barbeque Festival is $6.00 for adults and children 12 and under are admitted free. In addition to great food and barbeque, the festival will feature music, food demonstrations and plenty of other activities for families and children. For more information, log on to www.ilbbqf.com.

The Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic Set to Tee it Up for a 9th Year

2009-06-09T14:42:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Many of the area's best golfers and several of the area's… not so best golfers will team with U.S. Olympic athletes and other celebrities in the ninth annual Olympian Celebrity Golf Classic, Thursday, June 18. The four-person team scramble, held at the Craig Wood Golf Course, in Lake Placid, N.Y., benefits the United Way of Clinton & Essex Counties.

"Outside of the annual campaign, this is our biggest fundraiser," remarked Shirley O’Connell, the tournament’s chair and director. “Each year the tournament raises over $10-thousand, so I can easily that this event has raised more than $90-thousand for the two counties.”

Thirty, three-person teams from across northern New York have signed up to tee it up with Olympians including 2002 Olympic bobsled silver medalist Todd Hayes, 1998 Olympic ski jumper Casey Colby and Joe-Pete Wilson, a member of the 1960 U.S. Olympic Nordic team and 1965 four-man bobsled world championship bronze medalist. The celebrity field also features Olympic broadcasters Tim Singer and John Morgan and the newly crowned women’s singles luge world champion Erin Hamlin, who also slid in the 2006 Olympic Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

“This is a tremendous event and a terrific opportunity for friends and supporters of the United Way to have a truly enjoyable day,” remarked John Bernardi, the executive director of the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties. “In one way it’s an opportunity to raise money and awareness for the United Way, but it’s also a celebration of this area’s rich Olympic heritage that can only be found in this area.”

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the Craig Wood course and the tournament begins with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. The Jack Shea Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the first place gross team and the Mike Mannix Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the first place net team. After the round of golf a steak and chicken barbeque will be served, along with drawing for prizes.

Space is still available for six additional three-person teams. If you would like to sponsor a team contact Ms. O’Connell at 518.563.8450. For more information, log on to www.unitedwayce.org.

Lake Placid Horse Show Celebrates 40 Years

2009-06-03T11:35:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Almost a half-million dollars will be at stake when the world’s best equestrians return to Lake Placid, N.Y., and the North Elba showgrounds, June 23 through July 5, to compete in the annual Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows. The shows’ two grand prix events, the RV Sales of Broward Grandprix of Lake Placid, Sunday, June 28, and the Hermès Grandprix, Saturday, July 4, feature prize purses of $75,000 apiece.

The two Lake Placid horse shows are regarded among the top stops on the national tour and often bring in the best riders including two-time Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward; three-time Olympic medalist Joe Fargis; 1996 Olympic team silver medalists Anne Kursinski and Peter Leone and 2000 Olympians Nona Garson and Margie Engle. The rider who comes away with the most prize money from the two grand prix events will also receive the Richard and Diana Feldman Perpetual Challenge Trophy for Excellence.

Admission to the events is $2.00 on weekdays and $5.00 on weekends. Spectators who show their Price Chopper “Advantedge” card will receive 50 percent off. In addition to the daily jumping and the two grand prix events, both shows offer a full array of activities including behind the scene tours, the 17th annual doggie costume contest, kids days, raffles, giveaways and autograph sessions with the riders.

For more information about both the 40th annual Lake Placid Horse Show, June 23-28, and the I Love New York Horse Show, July 1-5, log on to www.lakeplacidhorseshow.com.

State Police and Officials Work Together to Get Road Construction done on Route 73

2009-05-28T16:05:00.003-04:00

NORTH ELBA, N.Y. --- The New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that a 2.5-mile long stretch of Route 73, between Stagecoach Rock and the beginning of the three-lane section west of Keene, known as the “Cascades,” is scheduled to be re-surfaced beginning in late-June or early-July. The project was scheduled after local officials had become concerned about deteriorating road condition for both motorists and for the athletes training and competing in the July 26 Ironman race.

“This was a tremendous effort at all levels of state government, from our local officials to our representatives in Albany,” said James McKenna, president/CEO of the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. “A great deal of credit goes to Major Richard Smith, the commander of the Troop “B” State Police headquarters in Ray Brook, for bringing this to the attention of the state, county and local officials as a public safety issue for the athletes and motoring public that share most of the roadways used during the Ironman. This road also serves as a ‘first impression’ of what visitors have when they visit the region.”

The resurfacing work will be done in time for the 11th-annual race, which traditionally brings in 2,200 athletes and their friends and families to the region. The world will be done using one-way, alternating traffic operations controlled by flag people. Motorists are advised to proceed through the area with caution.

Travelers Looking for Adventure Fun this Summer

2009-05-28T16:05:00.001-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Camping, boating, hiking, biking or visiting museums, how are you and your family going to spend your summer vacation?

“Travelers are being a little more value conscious and want the best possible experience for their dollars and time,” noted James McKenna, president/CEO of the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau. “These are cost conscious activities for the entire family and since we’re located in the middle of this country’s biggest outdoor playground, we’re situated well for a good summer.”

Two recent surveys support McKenna’s claim and point that U.S. travelers will be going a little leaner and greener this summer.

An AOL and Zogby International poll, of more than 2,000 travelers, showed that 52 percent of those surveyed said that they have smaller vacation budgets for this year, when compared to last year, and 30 percent went on to say that they would be spending $1,000.00 or less when vacationing. The Trip Advisor poll, of 3,000 U.S. travelers, showed similar findings. Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year, while 47 percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008.

“We shouldn’t be alarmed by these two surveys, but that doesn’t mean that lodging in the region shouldn’t be more creative to attract customers,” remarked McKenna. “Market trends are showing that packages are attracting customers, and you don’t have to look too far to see that properties are noticing and adjusting. Just the other day, I saw that the Sagamore in Bolton Landing (New York) had rooms and packages starting as low as $119.00 a night. The competition is fierce in this industry right now, and properties need to determine how they will position themselves to attract business.”

The Lake Placid region’s proximity to major metro markets may have helped it weather this past winter. While several vacation destinations including Hawaii, Las Vegas and Orlando saw significant declines in visitations in 2008 and during the first quarter of 2009, the Lake Placid region only felt a small decline in occupancy tax collections from the same time last year, however; it’s well ahead of what was taken in during the first quarter of 2007.

“It’s a slight advantage being situated near major urban centers, just 200 to 300 miles, from cities like New York, Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal,” noted McKenna. “It does give us a bit of an edge over several other travel and ‘fly-to’ destination so our proximity to major New England, Mid-Atlantic and Canadian metro areas bodes well for the Adirondacks.

“So far this year most of our online reservations are from people who live within a six-hour driving distance and the reduced gas prices have allowed visitors to seek destinations closer to home”

McKenna also believes that the wide array of summer activities and events should continue to attract visitors to the region. Some of what’s happening in the area include the Lake Placid and I Love New York Horse Shows, the annual Saranac Lake Rugby Tournament, the lacrosse tournaments, as well as both the Lake Placid Marathon and half marathon and the Lake Placid Ironman.

The July 26 Ironman race has become the leading revenue producing event in our county, with an estimated $10-million in direct spending leading up to and during the race weekend. This includes $375-thousand generated in Essex County sales tax.

5th Annual Lake Placid Marathon Kicks Off Lake Placid Summer Racing Season

2009-05-27T14:02:00.001-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Lake Placid’s summer race season “officially” kicks off the weekend of June 12 through 14 when 2,000 runners participate in the fifth annual Lake Placid Marathon. Runners from over 45 states and five countries including Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, are set to run. The Sunday, June 14, event includes a 26.2-mile long marathon, 13.1-mile half marathon or the 26.2-mile long marathon relay.

In only five years, the race’s field has doubled in size and the event has quickly become one of the most popular races in the Northeast. This year’s general entry for the Lake Placid marathon, half marathon and marathon relay was sold out on April 29.

“Runners love Lake Placid and our races are geared towards a wide range of athletic abilities,” noted co-race director Brad Konkler. “Obviously, the July Ironman and the half-marathon event in the fall have been huge successes, but co-race director Jeff Edwards and I thought that there was still room for another race, especially in the early season. This race also fills the town on what would be a quiet weekend.”

The race weekend events begin Saturday, June 13, with a free kid’s race on the Olympic Speed skating oval, beginning at 2 p.m., while the Lake Placid Film Forum’s screening of “Run For Your Life” will be seen at 4 p.m. at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Sunday’s race begins at 8 a.m., with a shotgun start, in front of the speed skating oval. All races end at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.

“The weekend is about much more than the race, it provides a weekend Adirondack experience for friends and family,” added Konkler. “In addition to this there are a number of charitable organizations who also benefit from this race, including Team in Training (TNT), Run for Dad and the Lake Placid Outing Club. Last year TNT and Run for Dad used the event to raise over $400,000 for cancer research and awareness.”

Once the gun sounds, thousands of runners will make their way along Main St. and through the center of town for the first half mile. The field will then proceed clockwise around Mirror Lake and proceed out to Route 73 before doing a 2.8-mile out and back on River Rd for the first loop. All three races will end in the speed skating oval.

For more information about the fifth annual Lake Placid Marathon, log on to www.lakeplacidmarathon.com.

On Foot or on Bike, they Climb Whiteface Mountain

2009-05-19T11:34:00.001-04:00

WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- Runners and cyclists will ascend Whiteface Mountain in a pair of races scheduled for June. Runners will climb 3,500 feet up the scenic Whiteface Mountain Veteran’s Memorial Highway during the 32nd Annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race scheduled for Sunday, June 7, while cyclists will try to tackle New York State’s fifth highest peak during the eighth Annual Whiteface Uphill Bike Race. This almost eight-mile long race is slated for Saturday, June 20.

More than 170 runners from six states and Canada are set to run up Whiteface on June 7. Last year, husband and wife Robert and Kim Douglas, of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., took top honors. Robert Douglas was the top male finisher when he covered the 7.9-mile course in one hour, 3-minutes, and 15-seconds. Kim Douglas beat all the women runners to the top of the Olympic mountain when she clocked a time of 1:21:42. The top runners from this race will also have the opportunity to be crowned King or Queen of the mountain if they choose to compete in the uphill bike event.

Almost 300 cyclists are expected to peddle 7.8 miles up the memorial highway en route to the finish line, and most will do it in less than an hour. The Whiteface Mountain race is also the first of nine events making up the 2009 Bike Up the Mountain Point Series (BUMPS). Cyclists are automatically registered for BUMPS when they participate for any of the nine races, and earn points based on the difficulty of the race and their finish. The cumulative elevation gain for all nine races is more than 27,000 feet.

For the second consecutive year, a portion of each bike racer’s registration will benefit the Brain Injury Association of New York State (BIANYS). Founded in 1982, BIANYS is one of the oldest state affiliates for the Brain Injury Association of America. This non-profit organization advocates on behalf of individuals with brain injury and their families.

A barbeque lunches for racers and spectators will be held at the Wilmington town beach following each race. These races are organized and run annually by the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau and through the efforts of countless volunteers and local businesses. For more information about the 32nd Annual Whiteface Uphill Foot Race and the eighth Annual Whiteface Uphill Bike Race, log on to www.whitefacenewyork.com.

Lights... Camera... Action... Port Henry Celebrates its Silent Film History

2009-05-14T09:02:00.002-04:00

PORT HENRY, N.Y. --- Long before movies were ever produced in Hollywood, Calif., they were made in the Adirondacks. During the Silent Film era of the early-1900s, films including The Perils of Pauline and Uncle Tom’s Cabin were shot in the region as producers were looking to the Adirondacks as a replacement to the Yukon and Europe. As long as the shots were tight, so that no one could notice Vermont to the east, Lake Champlain was even used once or twice as a replacement to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Moriah Historical Society will celebrate the region’s film history during its first-ever Moriah Film Festival, Friday and Saturday, June 5 and 6. This educational, historical and entertaining two-day event is being presented in cooperation with the Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks, the Adirondack History Center, the Moriah Chamber of Commerce and Moriah Central School.

“The Festival aims to educate residents and visitors about local film history, and to celebrate by presenting some on of some of the films that were produced in the Village of Port Henry in the early 1900’s at the Arctic City set, dubbed the ‘Hollywood of the Adirondacks,’” said Barbara Brassard, Event Coordinator Moriah Silent Film Festival Committee. “By the 1920s, Port Henry was a major player in the motion picture industry and I think that this has been forgotten. It’s a great opportunity to make people aware of the role this community and region played in that exciting time of film.”

The event begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 5, with Premier Night, featuring Once Upon an Opera House, a silent film created this spring by the Moriah Central School eighth-grade class. The evening will also include a showing of a chapter from the 1941 Captain Marvel movies, the forerunner to the Indiana Jones films. Following the films, attendees will have an opportunity to meet the stars of Once Upon an Opera House!

On Saturday, June 6, from 2 - 5p.m., Festival showings will include serial episodes of The Perils of Pauline, and more! In addition, there will be a panel of experts on hand to discuss Arctic City film history and silent films.

Festival events will all be held at, and courtesy of Cheney’s Church Street Restaurant second floor event hall, at 6 Church Street in Port Henry.

Friday night “Dinner and a Movie” specials are being offered by several local eateries, including Boyea’s Grocery and Deli, Grover Hills Deli and Cheney’s Church Street Restaurant. Event tickets will be available at these locations for the dinner specials, and at the door on site for the event. Ticket prices are: $4 Adult/$2 students for Friday’s Premier Night, and $2 donation for Saturday’s events.

For more information visit the website, or contact event coordinator Barb Brassard at barb_12960@yahoo.com or 518.546.8607.

Fort Ticonderoga Opens for 100th Season

2009-05-13T10:25:00.002-04:00

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. --- Fort Ticonderoga opens as a historic landmark for the 100th consecutive year on May 21.

“We opened briefly to the public in 1909 for the Tercentenary of Champlain and at the beginning of the Fort’s restoration. We’ve been open every season since and the restoration is finally finished,” said Fort Ticonderoga director of marketing Marci Hall. “There’s no reason the Fort won’t be here for another century.”

The 18th-century fort, built on the south end of Lake Champlain, in Ticonderoga, N.Y., served as a military fortress and controlled a portage between Lake Champlain and Lake George. The French originally constructed the fort, between 1755 and 1758, and it played a significant role in the French & Indian War. During the Revolutionary War, in May 1775, Americans seized the fort under the commands of Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. The fort remained under American control until June 1777, when British forces gained control until 1781. The fort was abandoned by the British following the failure of the Saratoga campaign.

Each year, nearly 90,000 people visit the fort and this season, a full roster of events is scheduled including a 100th Birthday Party and a Quadricentennial celebration, the 400th anniversary of the arrival of French explorer Samuel de Champlain on Lake Champlain, on July 25. The annual encampments and re-enactments of both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War are joined this year by a Scottish Festival on June 20. The Grand Encampment of the French and Indian War is scheduled for June 27 and 28 and will focus on the events of 250 years ago, 1759, when the British took Fort Carillon from the French and renamed it Ticonderoga. The Revolutionary War encampment is set for Sept. 12-13. Hundreds of re-enactors will portray British, Continental, German, and Native soldiers involved in the struggle for America’s independence.

“Each day is full of programs for kids, families and tours. During the months of July and August our Fife & Drum Corps will perform. It really is fun for all ages and so many families are bringing their second and third generations for visits. The Fort is a tradition!” remarked Hall.

Fort Ticonderoga is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through Oct. 20. Admission is $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors and $7 for children seven to 12. Youngsters six and under are admitted free. For more information about the historic Fort Ticonderoga, visit their website, http://www.FortTiconderoga.org.

Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau Achieves Int’l Accreditation

2009-05-11T14:54:00.001-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau announced Monday, May 11, that it has joined only one other New York State and 84 other worldwide organizations to achieve accreditation by the Destination Marketing Association Program (DMAP). Developed by the Washington, DC based Destination Marketing Association International, the industry-wide accreditation program recognizes destination marketing organizations that meet or exceed industry standards.

“This accreditation addresses our standard of performance and measurement of success,” noted Bureau president/CEO James McKenna. “We become transparent in our reporting requirements and the end results are increased customer confidence, accountability to our funding sources and a more focused organization with defined standards. It allows our organization to be the best and most creditable for our clients, partners and staff.”

In earning the accreditation, destination marketing organizations communicate to their community, visitors and potential visitors that their organization has attained a significant measure of excellence.

“The accreditation goes a long way in recognizing the hard work of the Bureau and helps to streamline its internal process,” said Bureau board president Jenn Webb. “In going through the accreditation process, it helped to improve the efficiency inside the Bureau, which will only lead to better serving the area and its visitors.”

To become accredited, the Bureau successfully completed a rigorous application process, requiring evidence of compliance with 55 mandatory standards and 33 voluntary standards. The standards set by DMAP covered a wide variety of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research/market intelligence, innovation, and stakeholder relationships. Currently there are a total of 86 accredited organizations. The Lake Placid Bureau is the second accredited organization within New York State.

DMAP is an independent international accreditation body and leader in defining quality and performance issues in destination marketing. For more information on DMAP, visit their official web site, www.destinationmarketing.org.

Millions More Now Know what’s Special about the Adirondacks

2009-04-30T14:08:00.002-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- We know what’s special about the Adirondacks and that’s why we live here. Now millions more are learning about all there is to do in our little part of the world after picking up recent editions of USA Today and National Geographic Adventure Magazine.

Last week, the Adirondack Park made USA Today’s list of the top-10 Great Places on Earth You Don’t Want to Miss. The list, which also included Mount Kilimanjaro, Valley of the Kings, The Dead Sea, and Piazza San Marco, came out in anticipation of last Wednesday’s Earth Day.

Holly Hughes wrote of the six-million acre Adirondack Park in USA Today: "Much of the park's heart has been kept inaccessible to vehicles, preserving a slice of wilderness. The best way to appreciate it is to canoe through its quiet rivers and forested lakes. You'll see white-tailed deer, beaver, and, if you're lucky, you may spy a red fox or even a moose."

Shortly after more than two-million people read about the Adirondacks in USA Today, another two-million more read about the Park in the National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s listing of the 50 Best American Adventures. In the April/May edition, writers Jim Gorman, Robert Earle Howells and the magazine editors listed canoeing the Adirondacks fifth overall. The only other adventures that topped paddling our lakes, ponds and rivers were biking the Continental Divide Trail, kayaking Lake Yellowstone, rowing the Grand Canyon and climbing Mountain Rainier.

The writers added: “Nearly one-million acres have changed hands from private to public in the past ten years, including vital acquisitions that unlocked a grand flat-water paddling circuit nestled between the park’s marquee High Peaks and Five Ponds wildernesses. So new is this route that it has no official name and several of the portages, or "carries," are merely flagged with tape. With polished navigational skills and determination, paddlers enter a remote sanctuary where moose are staging a remarkable comeback, ferret-like fishers lope along lakeshores, and oversize coyotes, possibly crossbred with wolves, howl in the night.”

“The two articles speak to the fact that the Adirondacks are clearly a sustainable differentiator which will help our region get through these difficult economic times,” replied Lake Placid/Essex County Visitor Bureau president/CEO James McKenna. “For more than a century, our Adirondacks have allowed many visitors to recharge and refuel their minds and bodies.”

To read more about USA Today’s list of the top-10 Great Places on Earth You Don’t Want to Miss, click HERE, and to read more about National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s listing of the 50 Best American Adventures click HERE.

Village of Lake Placid and Town of North Elba Name their 2009 Volunteers of the Year

2009-04-27T15:04:00.003-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Village of Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba recognized local residents, Conni Cross and Julia Appleton, as their 2009 Volunteers of the Year award winners. Cross was named the recipient for the Volunteer of the Year, while Appleton was chosen as the Youth Volunteer of the Year during Saturday’s, April 25, reception and ceremony held at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

Cross’ volunteer efforts have spanned six decades, when she was the North Elba Park District summer playground supervisor. She has also lent her time as a volunteer for the 1980 Olympic Winters, the 1972 FISU World University Games, the Tri-Lakes Humane Society, the Lake Placid Hall of Fame and the Lake Placid Ironman.

Currently, Ms. Cross is a member of the Mirror Lake Watershed Committee, and organizer for the Lake Placid Spring clean-up program, the Garden Club Beautification program and was the founder and is current president of the Lake Placid Beautification Association.

“For over 25 years, Conni has been a sustaining force that has made our beautiful flower dressed street, parks and town entrances so very special,” wrote Town of North Elba supervisor Robert “Robby” Politi in his nomination letter. “She has never, ever accepted the word ‘no’ and she always find a solution to every problem. And moreover, she has generated a sense of pride and community in the jobs that she has created as the founder of the Lake Placid Beautification Association.”

“It’s wonderful to be honored tonight, but there are so many other people who should also be recognized for all that they do,” noted Cross. “I couldn’t possibly be this involved without the support of our community leaders. It’s important to give back to the community and to keep the spirit of volunteering growing.”

Appleton, a senior at Lake Placid High School, has logged more than 250 hours of community service. The 18-year-old has contributed her time to the Uihlein Mercy Center and has raised money and support for breast cancer awareness, Mountain Lake Services, UNICEF and for the global food crisis. She has also been active through the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and worked with local elementary school students.

“I love to volunteer, it’s about serving the community and that’s what I desire to do,” remarked Appleton.

“People who volunteer make a difference in our lives,” said Sate Sen. Elizabeth Little (R-Queensbury, N.Y.), who was also in attendance Saturday evening. “In so many ways volunteers improve the quality of our lives in a community, they’re an important part to the overall spirit of a community.”

Cross joins Annette Albright (2007) and Vincent Forester (2008) as past Volunteer of the Year Award winners, while Appleton joins Scott Pedu (2008) as past youth award winners.

Maple Sugar Producers Enjoy their Sweetest Season in a Long Time

2009-04-23T14:17:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- This spring’s frosty nights and warm sunny days made for one of the best maple sugaring seasons in recent memory. A typical sugaring season usually runs from late-February through early-April, but this season the sap continues to flow.

“I think that everyone has made the most out of the weather conditions,” said Mike Farrell, director of Cornell University’s Uihlein Forest, located in Lake Placid, N.Y. “This year we’ve had optimal temperatures. Usually, there’s a cold snap in mid-March, but this year it didn’t happen so most, if not all, of the producers made syrup everyday.”

Farrell has been trying to keep up with the sticky flow, collecting sap during the day and boiling it at night. During the night, the cooler temperatures allow suction to develop, which draws water into the tree. Once the warmer temperatures develop during the day, pressure develops in the tree, causing sap to flow. Since it takes about 40 gallons of sap to make a single gallon of syrup, the Cornell Sugar House collected more than 70,000 gallons of sap and produced a record 1,500 gallons of maple syrup.

“We had a pretty even mix for all grades of syrup,” added Farrell. “The weather dictates what type of grade we’re able to produce, for example when temperatures are in the higher 50’s we produce a darker grade syrup, but this year we produced just as much lighter grade syrup as we did the darker grade.”

Farrell tapped his first of 5,000 trees on Feb. 20 and is now beginning the process of cleaning up and boiling his last batch in an evaporator that can hold up to 40 gallons of syrup. The sugaring season ends once the temperatures stop fluctuating between freezing at night and thawing during the day and the first stage of buds develop on trees, the sap stops flowing.

It’s believed that tapping maple sugar trees began mistakenly when a Native American chief, struck a tree while practicing tomahawk throwing. The industry has come a long way since then. Statewide, there are more than 1,500 maple producers, who generate more than $8-million in sales. New York State is the third largest maple producing state, behind only Vermont and Maine, and is ranked second in value, behind only Vermont.

More than 150 of the state’s maple producers are expected to come to Lake Placid Sept. 27-29 to participate in the New York State 2009 Maple Tour. “The group meets in different places every year and it’s a great chance for producers to tour different sugar houses and learn from each other and research different technologies,” stated Farrell.

On Saturday, April 25, the Adirondack History Center Museum, in Elizabethtown, N.Y., will celebrate the season with a maple sugar festival. The 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. event will feature a pancake breakfast feast, pancake eating contest, dessert contest, beard contest, exhibition, and the opportunity to meet local maple sugar producers. Admission is $6.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and youth six to 12, while children under the age of six will be admitted for just $1.00.

On Sunday, the Shipman Youth Center, in Lake Placid, will host an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year, the youth tapped 43 trees in and around Lake Placid and collected almost 900 gallons of sap, which they boiled and turned into 20 gallons maple syrup at the Uihlein Forest. All proceeds benefit the Shipman Youth Center.

Bird Banding in Crown Point Begins in May

2009-04-21T15:35:00.000-04:00

CROWN POINT, N.Y. --- Beginning Saturday, May 9, master bird bander Mike Peterson will again begin banding migrating birds that pass through the Crown Point, N.Y. area on the shore of Lake Champlain. The program is a well-established and indispensable technique for studying the movement, survival and behavior of birds.

Bird banding has been used for more than 100 years to keep track of the activities of wild birds. Banding involves placing a metal or plastic band around the leg of a wild bird and then releasing it back into the wild. If the bird is recovered, either dead or alive, at a future time, the information is sent to the original bander. In this way, scientists can find out how far birds travel how long they live, where they spend their winters and whether the species populations are rising or falling.

“Most of the birds that we recover travel along the Atlantic Seaboard,” said Peterson. “Some of the birds will travel between Canada and the Caribbean Islands before returning to Crown Point.”

The Bird Conservation Area is located on the grounds of the Crown Point State Historic Site, at the tip of Crown Point peninsula, just south of the bridge to Vermont. Jutting northward into Lake Champlain, the peninsula serves as a migrant trap in spring, concentrating waves of northbound birds in thickets west of the British fort. The State Historic Site has also been designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the National Audubon Society.

Over 200 bird species have been observed at the Crown Point BCA, with as many as 27 different species of colorful warblers possible during May. Since the station opened in 1976, almost 15, 000 birds and 98 species have been banded. “When we open the nets in a couple of weeks, I expect that we’ll reach 15,000 birds,” added Peterson.

“This is a great program for groups, schools, scouts, seniors and inter-city kids,” remarked Peterson. “They release a bird, but before they do, we take a photo of them with their bird and they also get a certificate about their bird. Plus, we notify them if their bird comes back. Some of the people who have banded birds have received certificates year after year, some for as many as five to nine years in a row.”

Today, band colors and the placement of bands identify countries and other types of bird markers are fixed to bills, webbed feet, necks, tails and wings. Dyes are used on feathers and radio transmitters are used to track birds from day to day. Some markers are designed to wear off in time, while others are meant to be permanent.

For more information, on the May 9-24 program, please contact Mr. Peterson of the Crown Point Banding Association at jmcp7@juno.com, or by phone at 518.873.2052.

Two Flies… Ausable River… Tournament Scheduled for May 16

2009-04-15T09:10:00.001-04:00

WILMINGTON, N.Y. --- The Ausable Two-Fly Challenge will be held on the banks of the West Branch of the Ausable River, Saturday, May 16. Now in its 10th year, the tournament brings together fly fisherman from across the United States, who want to test their skills on the acclaimed river, while at the same time promote the 35-mile long river as a fishery and raise money to protect it.

Rules for the catch and release tournament are simple. Anglers are allowed to bring two barb-less hook flies, of any combination or patterns and once the flies are lost or unusable… you’re out. Anglers must fish with a partner and each must record the total number of fish caught, the length of each fish and the cumulative number of inches. Only fish handled by the angler and successfully released will count as caught fish.

The Two-Fly Challenge begins Friday night, at R.F. McDougall’s, with a fly tying demonstration and the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the best fly anglers from around the country. Anglers are asked to gather Saturday morning at the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau at 6:30 a.m. and the Challenge begins at 7.

The Ausable River Two-Fly Challenge is not a professional contest, but it will feature a pro-division. The pro-division applies to anyone who gets paid to fly-fish, including guides and anyone who professionally competes for money. Prizes will be awarded to winning anglers in both the amateur and pro divisions during the banquet dinner, which will also feature a guest speaker, raffles and auctions.

Registration is open to the public and for more information, contact the Whiteface Mountain Regional Visitors Bureau at 946.2255, or through e-mail at info@ausableflyfishing.com.

Maple Sugar Festival to be Held, Saturday, April 25, at Adirondack History Center in Elizabethtown

2009-04-15T09:08:00.001-04:00

ELIZABETHTOWN, N.Y. – The 2009 Maple Sugar Festival will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Adirondack History Center in Elizabethtown. The day features a pancake breakfast, games and contests.

The Maple Sugar Festival is the first event of the Adirondack History Center’s museum’s season, 1609 – 2009: Celebrating a Landscape of Culture and Ideas, for the Quadricentennial year. The museum revived the Maple Sugar Festival three years ago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the event.

A pancake breakfast will be served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and children ages 6-12, and $1 for children under 6. Proceeds benefit the museum’s programs. The Elizabethtown Kiwanis and the Elizabethtown-Lewis Chamber of Commerce will do the cooking and serving.

At 12:30 p.m., there is a special celebration for Our North Country Heritage, the arts-in-education mural project completed by the students of the Elizabethtown-Lewis Central School in partnership with the museum. The school is open for all to see the mural and there will be horse and buggy rides between the museum and school, weather permitting. The mural features the many schoolhouses in the region and students will interview community members at the museum about memories from their school days. Students’ art posters and poems based on the mural will be on display at the museum.

Contests include pancake eating, a beard contest for men, and a maple dessert contest. The beard contest categories recognize the longest, thickest, greyest, whitest, most promising and most distinguished beards. The winner of the maple dessert contest will have their dessert featured at the Deer’s Head inn in Elizabethtown.

Festival activities include a slideshow of images from the museum’s Maple Festival from the past 50 years. Mike Farrell, Northern Maple Specialist and Director from the Uihlein Forest Maple Sugar Field Station in Lake Placid will be available to answer questions and to give a presentation on grading syrup. Maple producers are invited to submit samples of their syrup for a judging contest.

The Adirondack History Center Museum is located at 7590 Court Street in Elizabethtown. For more information contact the museum at 873-6466 or visit http://www.adkhistorycenter.org/cal/maple/maple09.html.

Maple Dessert Contest
The Adirondack History Center Museum is hosting a Maple Dessert Contest at its Maple Sugar Festival on Saturday, April 25. The contest will be judged by a committee of local residents experienced in the preparation and appreciation of fine foods. All desserts are welcome: pastries, cakes, puddings, cookies, pies and more. The only requirement is that real maple syrup, preferably Adirondack syrup, is used in the creation of the dessert. There are three categories of entrants, with a limit of one entry per person. Categories are: child to age 12, youth age 12 – 18, and adult 18 and over.

People should bring their desserts to the Maple Sugar Festival by noon on Saturday, April 25. Entries should be protected and enclosed in a cooler or other secure container. Each entry will be judged by an assigned number. The grand prize winner’s dessert will be featured at the Deer’s Head Inn in Elizabethtown the following week.

Lake Champlain Region’s Official Web Site Re-Launches with a New Look

2009-04-14T10:17:00.002-04:00

CROWN POINT, N.Y. --- The Lake Champlain region’s official web site, www.lakechamplainregion.com, has re-launched with a new design, aimed at promoting the region’s 400 year history and its Quadricentennial celebration.

The site also showcases a new video highlighting the “New York’s Adirondack Coast” and its 121 miles of shoreline as well as activities including boating, hiking and sailing. The aerial video also features the area’s architecture, entertainment dinning, shopping and outdoor activities such as biking, hiking and golf.

The site also makes it simple for visitors to plan their vacations in the region with an easy to find events calendar, trip planner and activities guide. “We’re excited about including video on the site – it gives us a fresh option to showcase the scenic beauty and all there is to see and do in the region,” said Lake Placid/Essex County Visitor Bureau’s executive vice-president Carol Joannette. “There’s a lot. It was hard to keep it within the three minute limit.”

This year the region is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of French explorer Samuel de Champlain on Lake Champlain. The towns and villages lining Lake Champlain will soon be flying the ExploreNY 400 flag as designated Quadricentennial communities. Visit www.lakechamplainregion.com for a complete listing of all the events and activities.

XTERRA Lake Placid Triathlon Seeks Volunteers

2009-03-16T09:33:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- In August, Lake Placid will play host another world-famous triathlon series, the XTERRA Triathlon. The event, which is scheduled for Aug. 22 and 23, features a 1,500-meter swim in Mirror Lake, a 25-kilometer mountain bike ride and a 10-kilometer run, both of which will be on parts of the Jack Rabbit Trail

XTERRA officials are looking for volunteers to assist the expected 300 competitors, who will be testing both their strength and endurance. If you are interested in being a volunteer for the XTERRA Lake Placid Triathlon and Trail Run, visit XTERRA’s official web site, www.xterralakeplacid.com , or you can e-mail JP Latkovic, the race’s director, at volunteer@triandduit.com. All Volunteers will receive a free future race credit to a Tri and Du It Multisport Race, T-Shirt and lunch during the event.

Volunteers are needed in the transition area, swim course, bike aid and run stations, finish line, and registration. Volunteers are also needed to assist in the race’s set-up and breakdown. For more information about the XTERRA Triathlon, visit their official web site, www.xterraplanet.com.

For more information about Lake Placid and other events this summer visit www.lakeplacid.com.

Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon Seeks Leaders

2009-02-23T11:11:00.000-05:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Thousands of athletes from around the globe will be in Lake Placid, Sunday, July 26, testing every ounce of physical strength and endurance when they compete in the 2009 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon. The 11th annual event brings together more than 2,000 triathletes, who push themselves to the limit through a grueling 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile long bicycle race, followed by the 26.2-mile Marathon run.

Triathlon officials are looking for “leaders” to work with the more than 3,000 volunteers, and join other Captains working for their communities, who work behind the scenes of the 140-mile long race. The leaders are needed to help in the female transition tent, gear bag check-in, run aid stations on Route 73 and River Road, as well a VIP viewing areas. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer leader, please contact the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau’s Margaret Marchuk, director of events, at 518.523.2445 ext. 189, or through e-mail at Margaret@lakeplacid.com.

Also, local athletes interested in registering for the 2009 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon must do so by emailing a request to jeffedwards@ironman.com as soon as possible. Eligible participants must be a resident of Lake Placid, Keene, Keene Valley, Upper Jay, Jay, Wilmington, Black Brook, Ausable Forks, or Saranac Lake. Entry will be limited and the entry deadline is March 1. This will be the final year for a specialized local entry program. In the future, local athletes will need to register as current racers, volunteers, or through general entry.
For more information about the annual Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon, visit, www.ironman.com/events/ironman/lakeplacid.

Sliders and Fans Gather in Lake Placid for World Championship Racing and Fun

2009-01-30T14:52:00.000-05:00

LAKE PLACID, NY. --- The world’s best luge, bobsled and skeleton athletes will be in Lake Placid, N.Y., beginning Monday, Feb. 2, competing in the 2009 World Sliding Championships at the Olympic Sports Complex track on Mt. Van Hoevenberg. The event marks the first time ever that all eight sliding world champions will be crowned in the same month, on the same track. The event will also take place just one year before the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada.

In addition to elite level sliding, activities off the ice include the World Championship Fan Fest celebration, Saturday, Feb. 7, Sunday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 28. The Festival, being held at the Village of Lake Placid beach on Mirror Lake, begins all three days at 3 p.m. where fans can participate in winter activities such as curling, hockey, skating and tobogganing. There will also be live music, bonfires, athlete recognition ceremonies and concluding with fireworks at 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the 2009 World Sliding Championships, click HERE. For more information at the World Championships Fan Fest celebration, click HERE.

Lake Placid Visitor’s Bureau Annual Dinner Set for February 5

2009-01-14T09:09:00.000-05:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau (LPECVB) will be hosting its annual dinner at the Lake Placid High Peaks Resort (formerly the Hilton) on Thursday, Feb. 5. Reservations for the event are being accepted through Friday, Jan. 30.

During the annual dinner, the LPECVB will introduce its 2009 board of directors and honor long-time local newscaster Jack LaDuke, who recently retired from WCAX-TV after 40 years working for the Burlington, Vt. CBS affiliate. During that time, LaDuke covered news from the Champlain Valley to deep into the Adirondack Park, covering local stories about the economy, tourism, politics and more. The 74-year-old also served as the audio-visual director for the 1980 Olympic winter games in Lake Placid.

The annual dinner also presents a great opportunity to make important connections with those in the Adirondack and Essex County tourism and business community. The Bureau’s marketing partners are encouraged to attend and learn more about the Bureau’s role in generating tourism within the region.

Guests may arrive beginning at 5:30 p.m. through the main entrance of High Peaks Resort, on Saranac Ave., and receive complimentary parking. The dinner’s cocktail reception will be held in PR’s lounge, followed by dinner in the Great Range room. The menu includes a vegetarian option and you may make your selection when you reserve.

Local ensemble “The Dogs of Jazz” will be the entertainment for the evening. The saxophone quartet is recognized for their traditional and modern mix of jazz and blues, by such artists as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Dave Brubeck. The group will also be accompanied by accomplished jazz vocalist Joanna D'ascoli of Keeseville, N.Y.

Reservations may be made by calling Margaret Marchuk, the Bureau’s director of events, at 518.523.2445 ext. 189 or through e-mail, margaret@lakeplacid.com. Seating is limited to 160 people at $39 per person, coffee and tea included. Guests are responsible for all other drinks.

Five Tabbed as Nominees to the LPECVB Board of Directors

2009-01-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau (LPECVB) recently announced its five nominees for its 2009 board of directors. The nominees will replace the current board members whose terms expired at the end of last year.

The list of nominees include Roy Holzer, owner of the Little Super Market and Village Hardware store in Wilmington, N.Y.; Ed Finnerty, vice-president of the Champlain Valley National Bank; and Kate Fish, president of SPAN560. Current members, Deborah Fitts, executive director of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta; and Maryann Hawley, owner of Parajax in Lake Placid; have been re-nominated to the board. The three new nominees are expected to replace outgoing members Susan Hockert, treasurer; Jen Briggs, 2nd vice-chair; and Holly Haley, who stepped down earlier last year.

Holzer has been a lifelong resident of the Town of Wilmington where he was elected to the town council at the age of 18. He served on the council and as deputy supervisor for 12 years before becoming the town’s supervisor for four years.

Finnerty has been an active member of the Lake Placid community for many years and has been a part of many boards including the Placid Hospital and Adirondack Medical Center, North Country Community College board of trustees, U.S. ski team board of directors, and the New York Ski Education Foundation board of directors. Finnerty is also a current member of the Lake Placid Rotary Club and the Essex County Housing Assistance program. He was also inducted into the Lake Placid Hall of Fame in 1998.

Fish brings 18-years of experience working with corporations and non-profits in the fields of sustainable development, corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement. Fish founded and led an environmental non-profit who mission included the coordination of a major yearly environmental event in St. Louis, Mo., as well as developing and environmental demonstration center to showcase environmentally sound products and technologies. She was hired from the non-profit to become vice-president of Public Policy for Monsanto Company.

Ballots will be cast for the director’s election during February’s regular board meeting, which will be held in the Lake Placid beach house conference room.

Saranac Lake First Night® Buttons Available at Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau

2008-12-11T11:45:00.000-05:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- Buttons for Saranac Lake’s annual First Night® celebration are now available at the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, located at 49 Parkside Dr., in Lake Placid. By purchasing a First Night® button for $10.00 you will gain entry to all venues.

The Saranac Lake celebration, which is one of 130 First Night® celebrations in the United States, begins New Years Eve, Jan. 31, at 5:15 p.m. with a parade and opening ceremonies at the Hotel Saranac and concludes at mid-night with the ball dropping and fireworks from the Lake Flower boat launch. A complete list of activities and entertainment can be found by visiting the event’s official web site, http://www.firstnightsaranaclake.org/.

Buttons may also be purchased at several Saranac Lake locations including the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Blueline Sports Shop, Snapshot Photo, Book & Baskets, Ampersound Music and the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce. Children ages 12 and under will receive free admission to First Night®.

Legislative Breakfast Brings State and Local Leaders Together

2008-12-03T12:13:00.004-05:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- This morning, Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Lake Placid-Essex County Visitors Bureau and the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association (NYSH&TA) hosted the annual legislative breakfast at the Lake Placid Lodge, in Lake Placid, N.Y.

During the breakfast, state and local issues, including responsible tourism growth, affordable housing and the popularity of road biking in the Adirondacks were addressed.

The event was one of three legislative receptions to be held in New York State. Earlier this month, NYSH&TA also sponsored receptions in Rochester and Cooperstown where local legislative representatives met with tourism industry leaders to discuss issues pertaining to their regions.

About NYSH&TA:
The New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA) is a not-for-profit trade organization representing more than 1,400 member businesses and individuals in the lodging and attractions industry. NYSH&TA's mission is to provide a strong voice for the New York state hospitality and tourism industry, and to protect and enhance the financial welfare of the industry.

Whiteface Mountain Opens Thanksgiving Weekend - Look Out!! Lookout Mountain, the Region's Newest Trails and Lift Opens for the 2008-'09 Season

2008-11-21T15:06:00.002-05:00

Take out the skis and make first tracks down the highest vertical in the east... Whiteface Mountain! The Olympic mountain, in Wilmington, NY, is open for the season, Friday, Nov. 28. Click HERE to book your early season ski discount packages and ski or ride the region's newest trails and lift on Lookout Mountain. There's more to the Adirondacks this winter than skiing. Click HERE for more high peaks' activities and fun.

Annual Holiday Decorating Contest Announced

2008-10-29T16:07:00.000-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- The holiday season is quickly approaching, are you ready? The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau is sponsoring the annual “Adirondack Holiday” themed decorating contest for local residents and businesses.

Decorating contest categories include retail/commercial business, window display, restaurant, lodging property, residential, children’s delight, best of show, standard of excellence, and continued excellence. Everyone participating in the decorating contest is encouraged to decorate and light their properties by Tuesday, Dec. 2, by 4 p.m. and committee members will view the homes and businesses on Tuesday and the following Wednesday and Thursday.

All residents and businesses are invited to enter the contest. This year the judging routes will include homes and businesses starting from the North Elba Show grounds, on Route 73, to Main St., and Saranac Ave., to the Price Chopper Plaza. If you are not in the immediate judging area and would like to be included on the on the judges’ driving routes, please contact Margaret Marchuk at the Visitors Bureau at 523-2445 ex. 189 or margaret@lakeplacid.com to confirm your participation.

Lake Placid announces Holiday Village Stroll Weekend

2008-10-23T09:34:00.001-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. - - A festive holiday spirit, twinkling lights and unique Adirondack holiday decorations will all come together during the first-ever Lake Placid Holiday Village Stroll, Dec. 5-7. Designed to appeal to everyone - singles, couples and families alike - Lake Placid is looking forward to turning the Holiday Village Stroll Weekend into an annual event for visitors and residents to enjoy for many years to come.

“Winter comes early up here in the mountains and our warm, festive atmosphere makes it hard not to get into the holiday spirit… a weekend dedicated to encouraging visitors to do the same is a perfect fit for us,” says Village of Lake Placid Mayor Jamie Rogers.

The Holiday Village Stroll Weekend will include fun, child-oriented activities as well as a lively nightlife. Families will delight in the variety of children’s activities and special events, and couples and singles will surely appreciate the fine specialty shopping and gourmet food, as well as the various evening entertainment options.

For more information as well as a detailed list of event times and locations, check out www.LakePlacid/holidays.com.

Highlights of Holiday Stroll Weekend include:

•Free skating and skate rentals at the Olympic Oval on Friday night complete with complimentary hot chocolate, a skating show and holiday characters on ice.

•“Shopping with a Cause” – On Friday night, participating stores will stay open late and donate 10 % of their proceeds to the North Elba Christmas Fund.

•Local choir groups and carolers will add to the festive, holiday atmosphere all weekend long.

•On Saturday, Santa will arrive on Main Street in an old-fashioned fire truck; kids will enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cookies and a chance to talk to Santa.

•On Sunday, a free matinee at the Palace Theatre, beginning at 11 a.m.

•Specialty shops will be offering extra incentives and treats such as free gift wrapping, hot apple cider, book signings, trunk shows, later store hours, etc.

•Restaurants will be featuring happy hours, wine tastings, gourmet food samplings and live music throughout the weekend.

•Complimentary holiday crafts and story times as well a variety of free holiday movies will be offered throughout the weekend at different times and locations.

•Breakfast with Santa will be held at a variety of hotels including the Mirror Lake Inn, the High Peaks Resort and the Golden Arrow.

•The town of Lake Placid will be offering free parking for the entire weekend.

•Hotels will be rolling out the red (and green) carpet for guests during Holiday Village Stroll Weekend. Stroll packages have been created at most local hotels and include a wonderful array of holiday features and incentives.

Holiday Village Stroll hotel package highlights as follows:

Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa - Holiday Village Stroll Packages, starting at $275 per night for a family of four, includes a $50 credit towards shopping and a hearty Adirondack breakfast each morning - including one with Santa! Visit www.MirrorLakeInn.com or call (518) 523-2544 for more information.

The Pines Inn - Holiday Village Stroll Packages starting at $279.00 for a family of four. Enjoy two nights lodging in our comfy family inn, a hot breakfast each morning, and a holiday welcome gift bag upon arrival. Visit www.thepinesinnlp.com or call (518)523-9240 to make a reservation.

The Golden Arrow - The Holiday Stroll Package includes two nights lodging in a Family Suite, $50 worth of "Placid Bucks" valid at most shops & restaurants in town. Have Breakfast with Santa & make gingerbread houses on Sunday morning. Cost: $299 per person, based on double occupancy, with children under twelve free.

High Peaks Resort - Holiday Village Stroll Packages, starting at $219 per night for a family of four, includes a two night stay, breakfast for four in our new Dancing Bears restaurant, and a surprise from Santa! Visit www.highpeaksresort.com or call 518-523-4411 for more information.

The Holiday Village Stroll promises to be a delightful start to the holiday season, so pack your sled and head to the picturesque town of Lake Placid for a warm and wonderful weekend in the mountains.

For more information as well as a detailed list of event times and locations, check out www.LakePlacid/holidays.com.

The Adirondacks Awakes to Snow

2008-10-22T12:39:00.002-04:00

LAKE PLACID, N.Y.--- North Country residents of New York State awoke this morning to the season's first snowfall. Snow covered the front of the John Brown statue at the historic John Brown Farm in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Village of Lake Placid Mayor Jamie Rogers with Proclamation of Friendship

2008-10-21T14:28:00.002-04:00

Village of Lake Placid Mayor Jamie Rogers returned to Lake Placid from the Oct. 9-11 first-ever General Assembly of the World Union of Olympic Cities. The two-day Summit, held in Lausanne, Switzerland, featured 39 summer and winter Olympic cities discussing urban, socio-political and environmental issues that arise from hosting the Olympic Games.

During the Summit, Mayor Rogers and Lausanne Mayor Daniel Brélaz exchanged Proclamations of Friendships and International Goodwill between the two cities. In recent years, Lake Placid has also signed Proclamations of Friendship and International Goodwill with other winter Olympic host cities including Albertville, France; Calgary, Canada; Lillehammer Norway; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA and Torino, Italy.

2008-10-21T11:05:00.001-04:00

Tour Operators of RSAA Learn More about Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. --- A group of 12 members from the Receptive Services Association of America (RSAA) spent last weekend, Friday and Saturday, touring and learning more about Essex County and its unique vacation opportunities, properties and destinations.
“The goal of the trip was to expose the region’s lodging properties, while highlighting the outdoors, scenic drives and nature of the Adirondacks,” said Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau CEO and president, James McKenna. “This was a great opportunity for RSAA members to learn more about the area so that they can better promote the region to their clients.”
Formed in 1991, the RSAA brings together all of the major receptive tour operators and suppliers in the New York and New Jersey region. As a result of continuing interest and growth from across the country, the RSAA grew into a national organization that represents the major inbound operators in the United States who handle the inbound package tour business in this country.
While in the region, the group enjoyed a crisp autumn weekend and visited several of the areas that they will promote to their clients including both the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake and Tupper Lake’s Wild Center. They also toured several Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) venues including Whiteface Mountain including the Olympic Museum, Whiteface Mountain and the sports complex luge/bobsled and skeleton track.
To learn more about how Essex County properties can work with the RSAA and other tour operators, contact Arlene Day, Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau director of sales, at 523-2445 ext. 133 or through e-mail at arlene@lakeplacid.com. For more information about the Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau, visit their web site, www.lakeplacid.com.
###

Media Advisory:
The Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau announced Monday, Oct. 20, that Jon Lundin has been named the bureau’s director of Communications. Lundin joins the bureau after spending almost nine years as the United States Luge Association’s media and public relations manager. Lundin begins his responsibilities immediately and can be reached at 523-2445 ext. 104 or through e-mail at jon@lakeplacid.com

Lake Placid on CBS Early Morning Show

2008-09-02T12:08:00.001-04:00

This past weekend a segment entitled, Procreation Vacation, aired on the CBS Early Morning Show. Over 1 million viewers tuned in to watch the weekend morning show where "Travel & Leisure" Associate Editor Sarah Kantrowitz named Lake Placid, NY one of the best and most romantic weekend getaway spots for couples. The segment, featuring footage provided with help by the Communications Department of Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau, aired between 8 and 9am on Saturday, August 30th 2008 on CBS.

You can view the segment at http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4401109n%3fsource=search_video

Coverage In Philly

2008-09-02T10:42:00.003-04:00

Written by Albany Times Union writer William M. Dowd, an artical entitled In The Adirondacks, A Real Olympic Village was posted on August 24th, 2008 on the website Philly.com.

The article highlights the diverse, unique experience of visiting Lake Placid and it's surrounding communities.

You can view the article at http://www.philly.com/philly/travel/20080824_In_the_Adirondacks__a_real_Olympic_village.html

Today's Main Line Today newspaper

2008-08-27T11:13:00.002-04:00

Awesome Adirondacks
Once you get a glimpse of this stunning portion of New York State, you may be tempted to simply pull up one of those famous chairs and take in the postcard-perfect views. But then you'd miss all the fun.
By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

Freelance writer Marilyn Odesser-Torpey visited Lake Placid this past May and as a result wrote a very informative piece for today's Philadelphia's Main Line Today newspaper.

You can see the article at http://www.mainlinetoday.com/Main-Line-Today/August-2008/Awesome-Adirondacks/

Essex County, Lake Placid, Champlain Region covered in two new sources

2008-08-25T14:52:00.003-04:00

Recently Travel + Leisure posted a article promoting Easy Fall Getaways, one of which was Lake Placid. You can check out the article at

www.travelandleisure.com/articles/easy-fall-weekend-getaways

Also, recently published was a book entitled New York Curiosities by author Cindy Perman. After traveling around the state she is proud to release to the world the things she found most curious in the Empire State.

A collection of about 200 stories about interesting and offbeat things from all over the state – everything from a man who built his own castle out of found objects in the Hudson Valley to a museum devoted to Jell-O in western New York, a two-story outhouse in central New York and the Loch Ness monster's long lost American cousin in the Adirondacks! Check out my Web site for more info.You can find more information on her website www.cindyperman.com

Lake Placid 2009 to feature World Championships in Luge, Bobsled, Skeleton

2008-07-24T13:45:00.004-04:00

Earlier today Ted Blazer, President and CEO for ORDA; Claire DelNegro, a Vice President of the FIL (International Luge Federation); Robert Storey, President of the FIBT (Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing); Jaime Rogers, Mayor of Lake Placid; and Robert Politi, Supervisor for the Town of North Elba announced that Lake Placid will host 2 World Championship events at the Olympic Sports Complex in February of 2009.

Eeach speaker expressed their joy in having Lake Placid host the last major competition before the Olymics in 2010.

Also in attendance were leaders and athletes representing the United States Luge Association and the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation.

A Gift From NA Sports

2008-07-18T10:14:00.002-04:00

This year Ironman USA Lake Placid will surpass 20,000 participants bringing in just under $100 million dollars in direct spending during its first 10 years in Lake Placid.

Additionally Ironman USA Lake Placid continually inspires our youth, promoting friendly competition and an active and healthy life style.

Ironman USA Lake Placid also serves as a major national sports marketing tool for Lake Placid and the ADK's annually bringing in participants from all 50 states with most participant having articles written about their trip to compete in the event.

The trialthalon exposes Lake Placid on an international level as well, regularly featuring participants from over 20 nations.

It is with that in mind that to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the largest single day event in the ADK's, 2 local business owners, 2 elected public officials, and CEO of NA Sports spoke this past Tuesday morning at the Olympic Oval in downtown Lake Placid.

The speakers were:

Chris Ericson - owner of the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery and Chairman of the Branding Committee

Jill Cardinale - Co-owner of the Pines Inn

Graham Fraser - CEO of NA Sports

Jay Rand - Deputy Supervisor for the Town of North Elba
and Mayor Jaime Rogers

Speakers touched on the positive effect Ironman USA Lake Placid has had on Lake Placid business, moral, fitness, and exposure. While Graham Fraser announced NA Sports' gift to the community ~ A 400,000 project to build a year round sports surface on the shores of Mirror Lake. The surface will be frozen in the cooler months for ice skating and hockey type activities, while in the warmer months hosting activities such as basketball, ball hockey, lacrosse, etc.

8.8 Mile Hike on 4,161-foot Phelps Mountain

2008-07-10T09:44:00.005-04:00

Recently we invited Women's Health writer Andrea Minarcek for a weekend full of excitment in the Adirondacks.

As part of her weekend Andrea stayed at the Winterberry Bed & Breakfast ~ http://www.winterberrybb.com/

Visited the 1932 & 1980 Winter Olympic Museum ~ http://www.orda.org/newsite/togo/museum.php ~ and the Olympic Sports Complex, where she to a thrilling ride on the Bobsled run ~ http://www.orda.org/newsite/

Andrea ate at The Cottage on Mirror Lake ~ http://mirrorlakeinn.com/dining-cottage.cfm ~ and Caribbean Cowboy ~ http://www.caribbeancowboyrvresort.com/ ~ in addition to sampling wine from the Goose Watch Winery ~ http://www.goosewatch.com/ ~ and the Brown Dog Cafe & Wine Bar ~ http://4peaks.com/fawbdog.htm

You can read more about her exhilerating weekend here ~ http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/hiking-at-lake-placid?page=1

If you are someone that has a story idea or like what you see in any of our stories please feel free to contact Margaret Marchuk at margaret@lakeplacid.com or Chris Ward at chris@lakeplacid.com.

Check It Out!

2008-06-23T11:57:00.007-04:00

Recently 3 adventure seeking travel writers visited Lake Placid and wrote wonderful articles about their experiences.

Allain Bisson, a resident of our friendly neighbor to the north, went white water rafting, biking, and hiking during his weekend in Lake Placid. You can read about his trip here.

http://www2.canoe.com/voyages/decouvrir/destinations/archives/2008/06/20080613-153157.html

Bob McNitt and Leon Malone, two seasoned fisherman, were part of a FAM fishing tour that came to Lake Placid for the chance to fish our rivers and lakes. You can read about each of their experiences staying, eating, and fishing in and around Lake Placid below.

Bob McNitt http://www.evesun.com/news/stories/2008-06-12/4497/A-plethora-of-activities-available-at-Lake-Placid/

Leon Malone http://www.oneidadispatch.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19770512&BRD=1709&PAG=461&dept_id=70195&rfi=6

If you are someone that has a story idea or like what you see in any of our stories please feel free to contact Margaret Marchuk at margaret@lakeplacid.com or Chris Ward at chris@lakeplacid.com.

Tribute, permanent exhibit commemorating Ski Jumper Art Devlin

2008-06-13T13:23:00.003-04:00

At the Ski Jumping Complex the family and friends of ski jumper Art Devlin gathered today to pay tribute to the Lake Placid icon with the unveiling of a permanent display in his memory.

Art Devlin, a five-time Olympian, was a Lake Placid native who died in 2004. In addition to his athletic career, Devlin was a television commentator for CBS and ABC, and was instrumental in Lake Placid securing the bid for the XIII Olympic Winter Games. He also served as Vice President of the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Organizing Committee.

Jen From Golden Arrow Says, "Look At Our New Roof Garden!"

2008-06-11T14:58:00.002-04:00

Today the Visitor's Bureau attended a press conference at Charlie's Restaurant on Main Street in Lake Placid in celebration of the Golden Arrow's new roof garden.

The Golden Arrow to our knowledge is the only lodging facility in the North East to have this eco-friendly and beautiful feature.

In commercial applications green roofs can and do control storm water, replace green spaces, improve air quality, extend the life of roof surfaces, and greatly reduce solar heat gain, which reduces cooling costs.

Congratulations to the Golden Arrow on the completion of their very hip, green, and beautiful project.

http://www.golden-arrow.com/

Ontario Media in Lake Placid

2008-06-06T14:19:00.006-04:00

Recently we were visited by Ontario Media -image atop Whiteface Mountain from the left: Rachel Desjardins, Ottawa Life writer; Serge Desjardins, Ottawa Life photographer; Pat Tivy, Active Adult writer; Lisa Van de Ven, National Post and Toronto Star writer; and Mark Wessel, Bullpen PR.

They stayed at the Mirror Lake Inn, dined at the View Restaurant and Lake Placid Pub and Brewery. They went hiking and kayaking with the Adirondack Mountain Club staff ,visted Olympic Venues and local shops on Main Street.

Image courtesy of Mark Wessel.

NY State Outdoor writers fishing for brook trout

2008-06-06T09:32:00.018-04:00

This past few days we hosted NYSOWA outdoor writers who came to Lake Placid to experience fishing . Our local guides took them fishing for a brook trout to nearby ponds, lakes and streams. After fishing they learned about the brook trout restoration from Bill Schoch, Regional Fisheries Manager, of the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Region 5, Ray Brook. They also enjoyed browsing our quaint Main Street, taking a scenic boat ride on Lake Placid and visiting Olympic Venues. They stayed at the Northwoods Inn located on Main Street, dined at the Northern Exposure and the Hungry Trout Restaurant.

Thank you to our local guides : Joe Hackett , Mike Gray , Daryl Crist and Dean Lavigne for providing great fishing services.

Photo courtesy of Bob McNitt.

Lake Placid Welcomes Montreal

2008-05-22T13:51:00.008-04:00

Last weekend The Lake Placid Visitors Bureau hosted 5 media professionals from Montreal to enjoy fishing, biking, and white water rafting. The rafting trip was done as a complete group and we had wonderful weather. It did start to rain just as we were getting off the Hudson River but at that point we were already wet so...

People who participated were:

Alain Bisson from Journal de Montreal (rafting + biking)
Catherine Crepeau from Actualite medicale (rafting , charter boat fishing on Lake Placid)
Marie Claude Savard host of Salut Bonjour on TVA (rafting + hiking)
Nathalie Schneider from Geo Plein Air (rafting, chilling out)
and
Elizabeth Boileau, the Bureau's PR official in Montreal (rafting and charter boat fishing on Lake Placid)

Guests stayed at the Interlaken Inn, Mirror Lake Inn, and Paradox Lodge.

The rafting trip was hosted by Adirondack Rafting Company and Bear Cub Adventure Tours served as our fishing experts for the weekend.

While in Lake Placid guests also enjoyed touring the Olympic Venues, local shops and dining out on the town.

It is official, Montreal loves Lake Placid!

PBS To Air Special "The Adirondacks"

2008-05-07T15:10:00.003-04:00

Explore the remarkable history, seasonal landscape and current state of the Adirondacks through the varied perspectives of several passionate characters on Wednesday, May 14th.

PBS will be airing the high-def special, THE ADIRONDACKS, at 9pm.

For more info:

http://www.pbs.org/previews/adirondacks/

Once a Community is Clean You Are Less Likely to Dirty It!!!

2008-04-23T15:42:00.007-04:00

The 2008 Annual Lake Placid Village Clean-Up is taking place

THIS SATURDAY, April 26th.

Sponsored by the Garden Club of Lake Placid (LPGC.com), the Village Clean-Up is an all-day event for people of all ages.

The Village of Lake Placid will again be donating all the trash bags and The Lake Placid Garden club will be donating a number of recycled grocery bags for the kids to use.

The two hour clean up event will conclude with a lunch and all the picked up trash will be hauled away thanks to the Village and other local volunteers with trucks. The trash will then be taken to the Town of North Elba Transfer Station.

If you would like more information or have questions regarding the event you can contact Heidi Roland at 523-9243 or Peggy Dennin at 523-4145. Be sure to listen to WSLP FM 93.3 for updates. May 3rd will be the rain date in the event of bad weather.

Come out and support a great event and jump into summer in the Adirondacks with a sense of pride in our appearance. It’s like the posters say, “Every Little Bit Helps!”

Experience rafting in the Adirondacks!

2008-04-15T13:52:00.004-04:00

The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau is inviting Media on assignment to experience rafting in the Adirondacks.
FAM tour date: May 17th /18th/19th 2008. (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) – Sign up date by Tuesday, May 6th – For more information contact : Margaret Marchuk- Director of Media Relations by e-mail: margaret@lakeplacid.com, phone : 518-523-2445 ext. 189

The Hudson River Gorge is the most dynamic stretch of the mighty Hudson River, which runs from the highest peak in the Adirondack Mountains all the way to New York City. This stretch of the Hudson River is one of the top 10 rafting trips in the United States. Spring trips on the Hudson River offer challenging World Class Rapids through the Adirondack Wilderness. In the spring, summer and fall the Hudson is perfect for people of all ages and ability levels.

Complimentary rafting trip wil be provided by the Hudson River Rafting Company http://www.hudsonriverrafting.com/

Fishing in the Adirondacks

2008-04-07T10:26:00.006-04:00

The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau welcomes visiting media members on assignment to experience the lure of our angling. It will be our pleasure to provide additional details and/or showcase our destinations for you in an individual familiarization tour. We are happy to assist you with lodging, and during certain times of year we may be able to provide discounts or complimentary rooms.

Please contact Margaret Marchuk, Director of Media Relations at margaret@lakeplacid.com with any questions, requests for editorial and/or images, story ideas and to schedule an individualized familiarization tour at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you.

Travel World International Comes to Lake Placid

2008-03-18T13:42:00.002-04:00

Kim Foley MacKinnon, editor of Travel World International Magazine recently came for a stay in Lake Placid, and had some great things to say about us! Thanks Kim and Travel World!

You can find her article here.

Lake Placid Dining Featured in The Gazette

2008-03-17T08:59:00.003-04:00

The fantastic dining that Lake Placid has to offer has been most recently featured in an article written for Montreal's Gazette by Lesley Chesterman for March 15th. The Gazette has a subscription rate of over 100,000 readers. You can find it here. For more great story ideas please add yourself to our media contact list or contact us at 518.523.2445.

Newsday Features Lake Placid

2008-02-22T09:14:00.003-05:00

Newsday has featured Lake Placid in a recent full-page article by freelance writer Malerie Yolen-Cohen highlighting all the great activities in the Olympic region. Here's a snippet:

"I want to state flat-out that as much as I love, in spring, summer and fall, to summit mountains or huff through backcountry with nothing more than a bag of trail mix in hand, my ideal hiking trail in deep freeze features a zero-degree grade, is poured from a cement mixer and preferably skirts some fun boutiques and restaurants. Luckily, Lake Placid provides this level path, and that is one of the reasons it appeals to a growing number of "novice" outdoorsmen in addition to hard-core adventurers who prefer the straight up rock-face variety of winter sports."

Newsday has a daily readership of over 2.1 million people on Long Island and the general area. We're really getting the word out!

Lake Placid et Canada!

2008-02-14T13:15:00.006-05:00

Nous parlons également français ! (légèrement) Nos amis au Canada à Canoe.ca, Le Journal de Montreal, et Bel Age ont écrit un article merveilleux concernant notre région. Lake Placid a des idées ainsi si vous êtes de la région de Montréal ou n'importe nous contactez pour un kit de médias et pour programmer un voyage aux montagnes d'Adirondack!

(Nous apprenons toujours que les Français satisfont ainsi pardonnent toutes les erreurs grammaticales !)

We have plenty of English covering in Canada as well, so watch regularly and subscribe to our .RSS feed for story ideas!

Canoe
Le Journal
Le Bel Age

Merci!

Looking for Story Ideas?

2008-02-07T15:19:00.000-05:00

Well, look no further! The Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau is gearing up for spring and we've got lots of great story ideas in the works, just waiting to be snapped up! Whether you're writing for a culinary publication, ski rag, or the travel section of any size newspaper, we'd love to hear from you and we'll be glad to set up a fam' tour at your convenience. Just contact our Director of Media Relations, Margaret Marchuk at 518.523.2445 ex.189 or email at margaret@lakeplacid.com.

Lake Placid Noted in the NY Times

2008-01-28T13:19:00.000-05:00

Once again our fame has launched us into the national spotlight! Harry Hurt has written a fantastically witty piece about ORDA's Bobsled track at the Olympic Complex. Here's a snippet:

"For the sake of a smooth transition into the following turn, I could claim that was when my bobsledding due diligence flashed through my brain. But that would be a lie. All I saw through my mind’s eye was darkness. In retrospect, that vision of absolute nothingness was a fitting image for the reckless executive pursuit into which I had just lost myself."

For the rest of the article please visit their website.

ABC News Names Lake Placid One of the Best Budget Destinations

2008-01-14T12:57:00.000-05:00

Nationally Syndicated Media Outlet ABC News recognized Lake Placid as one of the greatest places for "budget travel" recently. Lake Placid is a destination for all budgets, and we welcome anyone who would like more information about activities and members of the media on assignment looking for story ideas. Heres the story:

"Find perfect winter skiing and stay at this luxury ski lodge nestled in the high peaks of the Adirondacks of New York state. Whiteface Mountain is surrounded by thousands of acres of Adirondacks forest, and is the site of two Winter Olympic Games. It has by far the greatest vertical in the East as well as a gentler side, with a sheltered trail system for families and beginners. Unlike some tony resorts, there's no "attitude" here — people are down to earth and unpretentious. The town of Lake Placid is the ultimate winter village, offering restaurants, shopping and other winter sports (like ice skating and bobsledding). For $355 you can stay in a junior suite at the Whiteface Lodge, which includes breakfast for two guests. Amenities include a spa, fitness center, year-round indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool, indoor and outdoor hot pools, four-season ice skating rink, outdoor cigar and cognac lounge, 54-seat movie theater, snowshoe/cross-country ski trails and more. Best time to go: now for the skiing!"

The article can be found here

New York Times Recognizes Whiteface Mountain!

2008-01-11T11:41:00.000-05:00

The New York Times, serving a huge demographic in the metro area as well as around the northeast to millions of people, has written a great guide to Whiteface Mountain, our great skiing location next to Lake Placid. Here's a snippet:

"Ten miles from Whiteface lies the village of Lake Placid, which the ski industry magazines often rate as the best ski town in the East. It’s an authentic village with plenty of restaurants, bistros, bars and bookshops. There are mom-and-pop stores, outlets stores, hotels, motels and unusual boutiques. But Lake Placid is best known as host to two Winter Olympics, in 1932 and 1980, and there is an athletic energy pumping through the former Olympic village that invites participation. Steps from Main Street, there is a former ski jump rebuilt into a toboggan slide that flings people several hundred yards across frozen Mirror Lake. There are bobsled and luge runs open to the public, as is the outdoor Olympic speed-skating oval. There are dog-sledding rides on the lake, miles of cross-country trails and two huge ski jumps towering over the village outskirts. Play your cards right and you might even end up in an impromptu game of pond hockey not far from the famed “Miracle on Ice” Olympic hockey rink. There is something about Lake Placid that brings out the snowball-fighting kid in each of us."

You can read the rest of the article here.

Ausable River in Eastern Fly Fishing Mag!

2008-01-11T11:37:00.002-05:00

The Ausable River, a well-know hotspot for trout fishing, has been recognized by Eastern Fly Fishing Magazine with their article about the great angling there. Eastern Fly Fishing has a circulation of 30,457 nationwide, so the word is out! You can read the article here.

Winter in Lake Placid!

2008-01-04T13:57:00.001-05:00

Our good friend Leo Maloney has written a wonderful piece about Lake Placid for the Oneida Daily Dispatch for Friday's edition - here it is below. If you are looking for story ideas and topics please don't hesitate to get in touch with either Margaret or Sal at 518.523.2445!

Learn to love winter in Lake Placid

By: LEO MALONEY, Outdoors columnist

01/04/2008

The morning sun glistening off the high peaks with their fresh coating of snow frames the scenic village of Lake Placid and surrounding area. From its majestic mountains to the valleys between there is a myriad of natural and man-made attractions awaiting the winter visitor.

The leisurely pace and squeak of the snow by the cross country skier contrasts with the blurring speed and rattle of runners on ice as a bobsled flies down the track a half mile away. A gondola ascends Whiteface like a magic carpet ride offering visitors a scenic vista while skiers glide down the Olympic mountain.

Amidst the beauty of the surrounding mountains outdoorsmen enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice fishing and other winter sports. The rugged beauty and crisp chill of a backcountry trail contrasts with the warmth of a fireplace and cozy atmosphere of a lodge or restaurant in town.

Some people like my friend John Sullivan enjoy the challenge and experience of hiking and camping in the backcountry of the high peaks region in winter. Others prefer the Olympic venues and the comforts of more traditional accommodations. Of course shopping, dining, or the arts provide a break from whatever winter activities you choose.

Lake Placid is one of my favorite places, regardless of the season. I especially love it in winter because of the Olympic sports in addition to traditional winter sports and other attractions.

You have the chance to see world class athletes perform while training or even watch World Cup events, depending on schedule.

Cross country ski areas abound, including DEC facilities at Mt. VanHooevenberg, the Jack Rabbit Trail, John Brown's farm, and others. You can enjoy groomed trails for a modest fee or you can experience back country skiing or snowshoeing on many statetrails in the area.

For those who want to experience the Adirondacks in winter but lack the equipment, skill, or knowledge of the area, there are several excellent guide services. Bear Cub Adventures offers several options such as ski tours, snowshoe trips, telemark skiing instructions, ice fishing, or even winter mountaineering. Gary Marchuk provides for different levels of ability and provides guides, lunch, and equipment. Check the web site www.mountain-air.com or call (518) 523-4339 for more information.

The Lake Placid /Essex County Visitors Bureau will help you plan your stay or even book accommodations. For a complete list of accommodations, services, things to do, and events taking place call the Bureau at 1-800-44PLACID.

You can also check their web site www.lakeplacid.com for activities, schedules, locations of attractions, accommodations, special get-away vacationpackages, snow and trail conditions, and weather.

Be sure to check the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) shop in downtown Lake Placid for your "passport" which gives you admittance to all the venues at reduced price, as well as the complete schedule of events going on. You can also purchase your bobsled tickets ahead of time there, which is often a good idea for this popular attraction. See their web site www.orda.org.

Of course a highlight of any of my trips there is a ride on the bobsled. Professional drivers and brakemen take you on a breathtaking ride down the track through curves like Zig-Zag in horizontal position to the final clubhouse turn where you whip through in a blur on the way to the finish line. Mt. VanHooevenberg is also the site of the Olympic luge run and cross country ski areas.

Even if downhill skiing isn't your sport a ride up the gondola at Whiteface Mountain provides a beautiful ride to enjoy the majesty of the high peaks surrounding you. A trip to nearby Intervale to see the 70 and 90 meter ski jumps is a must.

Seeing this sight and the athletes training there gives you a sense of amazement and appreciation for these skilled and fearless athletes. A chairlift up the hill and the elevator ride up the 90 meter jump tower provide a spectacular view.

The things to do here are too numerous to list and too many to do in a short few days. Contact the Visitors Bureau at 2610 Main St, Lake Placid, NY 12946 or by phone for their free booklet "Forever Adirondack Winter."

There are accommodations and dining to suit every taste and budget. Forget about being a snowbird this winter; head north to Lake Placid where winter is really enjoyable.

Short Casts
Cazenovia Lake Access: Region 7 Fish and Wildlife Management Board (FWMB) has been working for many years to establish access to Cazenovia Lake. Recently the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation started work on a car top type access with winter parking for ice fishermen at the new McNitt State Park on East Lake Rd. in Cazenovia

This past summer FWMB was asked by the Village of Cazenovia to have a representative of the FWMB sit on a Village sponsored committee to discuss ways of allowing non residents to access Cazenovia Lake through their Village Park Boat Launch. Also sitting on this committee was a representative of the Conservation League. This access would be for trailered parking (which is not available at McNitt) through a permit system. The committee dedicated many hours trying to come up with a way to take all interests and concerns.

The public hearing on this proposal will be January 22, 2008 at 7PM at the

Cazenovia Village Municipal building. FWMB urges that this proposal be supported. This has taken many years of work and will finally allow recreational use of Cazenovia Lake to all. Please attend and let the Cazenovia Village Board know how much we appreciate their consideration on our behalf. If sportsmen want trailered access we have to support this proposal,
____________________________________

Fishing Report: Ice fishermen have been disappointed by the lack of enough cold weather to form safe ice on various waters. With the forecast of warm weather for this weekend and early next week, it looks like the tip-ups will have to wait a little longer. Steelhead anglers report that there are fish scattered throughout the Salmon River with most action in the upper river near Altmar.
____________________________________

Frostbitten Dogs: Winter weather brings on the dangers of frostbite. Remember that dogs can suffer frostbite too, especially on the ears, tail, and feet. Signs of frostbite are flushed or reddened tissue, white or grayish tissue, evidence of shock, and scaliness of skin.

Never rub frozen tissues. Prompt veterinary treatment is needed. If this is not possible, warm the affected area immediately by immersing in warm water or by applying warm moist towels. Gently dry and bandage affected areas, and get your dog to the vet as soon as possible
__________________________________________

Clean Guns: We all know that guns need attention and cleaning, especially in winter weather. However with new developments such as choke inserts, over-bored barrels, and newer types of ammunition there are questions about procedure and what materials to use. Shooters Choice, a maker of top quality solvents and lubricants offers a web site with lots of information as well as step-by-step instructions on proper cleaning of your gun. Check www.shooters-choice.com for helpful information.

Find the original here

Mt. Marcy Featured in Backpacker Magazine

2007-12-28T15:14:00.001-05:00

New York State's highest peak located in the Adirondack Mountains at 5,344ft. was featured in the latest edition of Backpacker magazine. Mt. Marcy is the apex of the 46 High Peaks, located in the heart of the Adirondack Park. Famous for it's stunning 360 degree vistas at the summit, Marcy is popular with hikers from around the country looking for a great hike from multiple approaches around the base. Summer or winter, Marcy can be scaled in less than a day, proving to be one of the most exciting climbs in the east. Backpacker magazine has a nationwide circulation of 333,815 people, so the word is out. Thanks Backpacker!

To view the article click here.

Happy Holidays!

2007-12-21T13:47:00.001-05:00

The communications department at the Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau would like to wish everyone happy holidays and safe travels. We are looking forward to working with even more Media in 2008, and will have a challenge on our hands since 2007 was so great! We'd like to say a final thanks to everyone we met and worked with in 2007. Safe travels, get good story ideas, and keep in touch with us!

Canadian Media Skiing at Whiteface Mountain

2007-12-19T15:02:00.000-05:00

Last weekend, Lake Placid was visited by five journalists from Quebec on assignment to write about our area. We hosted Claudine Hebert from Ski-Presse , Marie-Claude Savard from TVA Morning Show, Alain Bisson from Journal de Montreal, Isabelle Bluteau from Clodine Magazine and Isabelle Vallee from Moi & Cie magzine.

They stayed at the rustic Whiteface Lodge and the victorian Interlaken Inn where they had a delicious dinner prepared by their famous Chef Richard Brosseau. They also visited popular Charlie's Restaurant located on Main Street.

They all had a great time skiing at the Whiteface Mountain and shopping on our quaint Main Street. What a great weekend getaway !

Whiteface Featured on Weather Channel

2007-12-04T13:30:00.000-05:00

Whiteface Mountain was featured today on WeatherChannel.com's videos of ski resorts!

Check it out.

Lake Placid Featured on MSN.com!

2007-12-03T10:23:00.000-05:00

Check out MSN.com and see what they're saying about Lake Placid! We were first on their list of America's 10 Best Outdoor Towns, owing to our great hiking and biking trails, ski season, downtown activities, and places to eat and drink. It seems we're really catching on!

Lake Placid in the 101 Accessible Vacations book

2007-11-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

If you are interested in travel ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers check out Candy Harrington -Editor, Emerging Horizons newest book : 101 Accessible Vacations. Candy included Lake Placid in the Exploring the Adirondacks chapter. For more information about the book visit here.

National Geographic Adventure magazine

2007-11-27T13:06:00.001-05:00

Lake Placid was recently featured in an article in the National Geographic Adventure magazine. The piece highlighted winter recreation in the area including skiing and shopping, as well as the great dining and accommodations available in town. We want to thank them for the great job!

View the article here .

Meet us at the World Travel Market in London

2007-11-08T15:55:00.000-05:00

Margaret Marchuk, Director of Media Relations will be attending the World Travel Market in London, UK. (12-15 Nov.)

Media visting the event are invited to meet Margaret at USA Exhibits.

contact: margaret@lakeplacid.com
Learn about World Travel Market at : http://www.wtmlondon.com/

First Tracks in NYC!

2007-11-06T10:26:00.000-05:00

Sal Cania, Communications Manager at the Visitors Bureau, will be attending the First Tracks ski resort reception in New York City on Thursday. The event is sponsored by the New York State Tourism office, I LOVE NY. Please contact Sal @ 518.523.2445. ext104 or sal@lakeplacid.com if you will be coming to the event and would like additional information about Lake Placid and Essex County.

NYSHTA Thanks!

2007-11-02T11:39:00.000-04:00

We would like to thank NYSHTA and all the members of the media who attended this Friday morning's legislative breakfast and helped to make it such a success. If any media have additional questions, please feel free to get into contact with us here at the Bureau.

Getting ready for winter

2007-10-29T12:04:00.000-04:00

Winter season is coming soon and many publications and websites are getting ready to unveil all their skiing opportunities and packages for winter enthusiasts. We met with Phil Johnson, ski columnist for the Skiandsnowboard.com website who visited Lake Placid to update information on Whiteface Mountain, lodging, restaurants, and apres skiing activities. Phil stayed with the Golden Arrow Lake Side Resort where he learned about their Green Program and indoor parking, which has proven to be very convienient during cold days. He also visited many resturants and shops to make sure information for visitors checking his website will be up to date.

Are you wondering why Phil recommends to visit Lake Placid in winter? Check out his report here.

Photo courtesy Olympic Regional Development Association

Girlfriend Getaways in the Adirondacks

2007-10-29T11:13:00.000-04:00

After we were mentioned in the Woman's Day Magazine online, Jennifer Conrad - their online editor, decided to take the trip and see how our town looks for real! She came with her girlfriend for a weekend to take a break from busy New York City. They stayed at the Mirror Lake Inn which was full of activities celebrating their Weekend of the Adirondack Style. There were many seminars where they could learn about Adirondack decorating, architecture, Adirondack recipes w/table settings, and ADK centerpieces. Despite rainy weather they decided to join a canoe trip with the Bear Cub Adventure Tours to explore remote a river and learn about wildlife and the history of the Adirondacks. They had some time to take stroll on our quaint Main Street, visiting shops and tasting wine at the Goose Watch Winery.

We are happy to have Media visiting Adirondacks and lerning about our rich heritage and culture.

Photo courtesy Inphorm

Spirit of Saratoga Magazine

2007-10-19T13:42:00.000-04:00

We were visited by Stacey Morris , a travel writer writing for a new magazine out of Saratoga, Spirit of Saratoga. She visited Lake Placid to update information on activities and events for the upcoming winter. She stayed with the Lake Placid Lodge , in the luxurious log cabin by the shore of Lake Placid. She stopped for lunch at the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, known for their fresh micro-brewed ales and lagers, including the famous Ubu Ale. Stacey also visited the Maple Syrup Station , the John Brown's Farm grounds and The Ski Jumping Complex.

She can not wait to come back to Lake Placid during the winter to take a dog sled ride on Mirror Lake or a Sleigh Ride through the forest to admire the beautiful mountains covered in snow. So exciting!!!

Spirit of Saratoga is targeting residents and tourists interested in fine living, dining, fashion, home design, entertainment and the social scene. It will be distributed in The Saratogian and at select sites in Saratoga County and the Capital Region.

Media Visit

2007-10-18T10:12:00.001-04:00

This time we were visited by Louise Robitaille, a travel writer who writes for two magazines: Le Lundi and TV HEBDO covering the Quebec area. Louise stayed with the Interlaken Inn, a historic Victorian House built in 1912 and she sampled the fine cuisine prepared by their famed chef- Richard Brosseau. She visited our Olympic Venues, took a stroll down our quaint Main Street and admired the beautiful surroundings of the Lake Placid area. What a great idea for a quick gateway!

That time of the Season!

2007-10-15T09:24:00.000-04:00

While it may seem early for many parts of the country, the High Peaks of the Adirondacks are getting into full swing for winter and it would seem as if the weather agrees! A light dusting of snow foreshadowing a great season to come is currently gracing our beautiful summits, enticing writers and visitors alike to travel to our region and snap some fantastic photos and snatch up all the great stories that come with the beginnings of our colder months. Don't let them slip away, feel free to contact Margaret Marchuk, our Director of Media Relations for information and help regarding stories, travel assistance, and advice on our great locale!

The Montreal Gazette visiting Town of Essex

2007-10-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

This time we were visited by Rochelle Lash , a columnist from the Montreal Gazette newspaper who made her trip to explore the town of Essex. During her trip she visited historic B&B 's and admired beautiful scenic vistas. Historic Essex, an “unspoiled” community on Lake Champlain, is known for its architecture, with most of its main street listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It contains one of the most intact collections of pre-Civil War architecture in America, and for centuries it has warmly welcomed travelers and sightseers, delighted by its beauty and surroundings on the beautiful shores of Lake Champlain.

To learn about Essex and more unique villages on Lake Champlain visit here.

Lake Placid Noted in Woman's Day Magazine

2007-10-02T09:32:00.000-04:00

Lake Placid and the Adirondacks were recently noted in two articles published in the online version of Woman's Day online. Editor Jennifer Conrad published a segment about Wellscroft Lodge in Jay, NY citing it on a list of 'Haunted Hotels' in the travel section of the website. Additionally, the town of Lake Placid was noted as one of their hot spots for 'Just for Girls Trips', featuring the shopping and fine cuisine that we have to offer. Thank you, Jennifer, for including Lake Placid on your website!

Successful AGLOW Conference!

2007-09-25T14:04:00.000-04:00

We've returned from our first successful AGLOW conference in Niagara Falls last week and are excited to report that we made some amazing contacts and got a great sense of the organization and its writers. If writers are interested in pursuing hunting and fishing opportunities in the Adirondack region, we strongly encourage them to contact us and we will be more than happy to set up a guided trip - deer, bear, turkey, or grouse - anything goes!

AGLOW Conference

2007-09-11T10:47:00.000-04:00

Be sure to check out Lake Placid's display at Niagara Falls next week during the 2007 Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers show! We will be there from September 17th through the 19th, and have our display set up on the first day for story ideas and information about Lake Placid and the Adirondacks. Feel free to stop and say hi to Margaret Marchuk, our Media Relations Director and Sal Cania, Communications Manager at the Lake Placid Essex County Visitor's Bureau. They're as excited as you to talk about Lake Placid's fantastic opportunities for outdoor fun and recreation!

Golfing in Lake Placid!

2007-08-22T13:59:00.000-04:00

This year our visiting media have tried all kinds of diffrent outdoor activities other than golfing. Nathalie Gilbert broke that rule and experienced a round of golf at the Lake Placid Resort Golf Club. She admired the spectacular mountain views while playing the 18 hole Links course. Nathalie and her family stayed at the Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club , experienced the casual elegance of dining al fresco and browsed the numerous Adirondack boutiques .

Nathalie Gilber is editor of Sortir and Le Seigneurie - a family oriented magazine ( more than 200,000 circulation) . This magazine is distributed to 150,000 doors on the South shore of Montreal. She will write about our beautifull region in mid September.

"OUT & ABOUT" with Donna Pennell

2007-08-21T14:25:00.000-04:00

This week we were visited by Donna Pennell, Executive and Host of OUT & ABOUT- TV Show. She came to our resort town to explore outdoor activities in our area, restaurants, shops, and places to stay. You can catch her show this Sunday, August 26th at 11:30am on WNYT News Channel 13 and see what the best things we have to offer are.

OUT & ABOUT was developed by Donna Pennell, a Capital Region New York native, who has been producing programs since 1994, and began her career working in film and television in Los Angeles. OUT & ABOUT has been seen in a number of markets on ABC and NBC network affiliate stations including Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, New York, Boston, Massachusetts, areas of Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec Canada.

Syracuse New Times in Lake Placid

2007-08-16T09:15:00.000-04:00

This time we were visited by Lorraine Smorol - the Associate Editor for the Syracuse New Times (190.000 readers.) She came to gather information about our region for their summertime issue for 2008. She stayed with the Golden Arrow Lake Site Resort located on the shore of the Mirror Lake. She visited our summer attractions, the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, and then went to see the LEND ME A TENOR performance at the Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake. She enjoyed browsing along vendors of fresh produce at our Farmers Market and she tried some local samples of maple syrup during her tour at the Cornell Cooperative Sugar Maple Research and Extension Field Station. She enjoyed listening to the Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series performing at Mid's Park and walking along our quaint Main Street.

Media visiting our Historic Sites!

2007-08-03T14:01:00.000-04:00

This week we were visited by Lise Giguère, a travel freelancer who was interested in exploring historic sites in our region. She visited Penfield Homestead Museum, Champlain Monument & Lighthouse and Crown Point State Historic Site in Crown Point. She took the tour at Fort Ticonderoga and drove to Mount Defiance to admire the beautiful view of Lake Champlain and the aerial view of the Fort Ticonderoga. She stayed at Stoney Lonesome B&B in Crown Point. On her way back home she visited John Brown's Farm Historic Site in Lake Placid and the breathtaking Ausable Chasm - the oldest attraction in our region. There is no doubt that we have a plethora of historic sites to visit in our region! Lise writes for: LE LUNDI, FEMMES D’AUJOURD’HUI, EXPRESS VOYAGE – monthly magazines that have a circulation of about 45 000 copies.

Fishing on Lake Placid by Marianne Wisenthal!

2007-07-31T13:58:00.000-04:00

Once again we were visted for a fishing experience! Marianne Wisenthal, Field Producer (Features/Entertainment) This Morning Live Global Television tried charter boat fishing on Lake Placid. She went fishing with Gary Marchuk from Bear Cub Adventure Tours and she stayed at the Mirror Lake Inn. She visited our quaint Main Street and the Olympic Venues. She will be sharing her experience in Lake Placid with Canadian Residents on Thursday, August 2nd, during the This Morning Show on Global TV. Marianne had a wonderful time fishing with Gary, and she thanked us for helping to set up her weekend in Lake Placid!

Marianne , Thank you for visiting our region !

La Presse visiting Lake Placid !

2007-07-26T14:56:00.000-04:00

The past week we were visited by Martine Bouliane from La Presse newspaper - main stream daily paper (circ.196,970).

La Presse, established in 1884, is a daily broadsheet French-language newspaper published for residents of Montreal.

Martine stayed at the Interlaken Inn and went flyfishing on the Ausable River guided by the TCO/Hungry Trout Fly Shop in Wilmington. She chilled out on Main Street by visiting various shops, relaxed during a scenic boat tour on Lake Placid and tasted truly unique wines at the Goose Watch Winery. She admired our beautiful views from the Whiteface Mountain. Her article will be published on July 28th 2007. Doesn't it sound like a perfect vacation?

New guide book is coming out !

2007-07-26T14:31:00.000-04:00

The Lake Placid Essex County Visitors Bureau was visited by Cindy Perman who is writing a book called “Curiosities: New York," a collection of 200-250 short stories about quirky, off beat or just generally interesting people, places and things from all over the state, as well as historical factoids. It is part of a state-by state series from the Globe Pequot Press. She spent two days in Lake Placid collecting interesting stories for her book which should be published in Spring of 2008. We wish her good luck with her project !!!

Media Attends Essex County Fair Milk Off!

2007-07-26T11:28:00.001-04:00

The Essex County Fair kicked off on Wednesday with a Milk-off between eight of the county's supervisors sponsored by the Essex County Visitor's Bureau. Dan Connell of Westport took first place, earning the most points for both volume of milk and style. Noel Merrihew of Elizabethtown came in a close second. All participating supervisors were given honorable recognition for their part. Those media in attendance for the competition were: Brian Mann of North Country Public Radio, Rebecca Steffan of the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Reporter Jack LaDuke of WPTZ Channel 3 News, Whitney Jackson of Tri-Lakes Denton Publications. The Visitor's Bureau would also like to thank: Chris Knight reporting for WNBZ, Reporter Ben Stein from WPTZ Channel 5

To all those who attended the Milk-off and made it fantastic fun, thank you!

You can learn more by going to www.essexcountyfair.org

Coordonnatrice,magazine Camping Caravaning

2007-07-06T14:58:00.000-04:00

Sophie Marsolais from the Coordonatrice, magazine Camping Caravaning visited Lake Placid this past weekend. She came to update information on campsites and atrractions in our area. She sent us her picture with few words about her trip : "We had a wonderful time in Lake Placid! The cruise was really great and we learned a lot of things. I also really enjoyed High Falls Gorge and the Olympic sites. The ski jump was impressive!"

Her article in September will also invite readers to visit our area during foliage season . There is no doubt that the Autumn foliage in Lake Placid offers the greatest variety of colors.

Travel Writers Visit

2007-06-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

This weekend Lake Placid was visited by another member of the travelling print media, this time it was Catherine Elie from Les Affaires. Established in 1928, this monthly magazine from Quebec publishes nearly 100 special editorial features a year on various business-related topics.

Catherine and her friend Jean stayed at the Whiteface Lodge, went on a fly-fishing trip guided by Gary Marchuk of Bear Cub Adventure Tours, and visited other popular Adirondack attractions like Whiteface Mountain. The article will be published in the spring of 2008. Hopefully it will get readers thinking about visiting our area just in time for summer!

Lake Placid Print News Media Coverage

2007-06-06T09:29:00.000-04:00

Well, we have already seen some results in the form of print media coverage for the whitewater rafting trip. Neal Gulley, contributing writer from the Plattsburgh Press Republican wrote a story that was featured on the cover of the Spectrun section on Sunday, June 3rd. Read Neal's account of our adventure and view some great photos too.

The town of Lake Placid was also recently featured in the May 14, 2007 edition of Sports Illustrated as one of four destinations that are well-known as winter sports havens, yet have fun and excitement during the summer too.