2012 March

Entries from March 15th, 2012

Day of Caring Returns to the Adirondack Region

March 15th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Community Members get Involved this April

Plattsburgh, NY – On Saturday, April 21 the United Way of the Adirondack Region is teaming up with the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau and Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh for the Second Annual Day of Caring. This volunteer-driven event hosts more than 30 projects that have included cleaning homes of senior citizens, helping complete projects for regional human service agencies and building homes through Habitat for Humanity. The event already has a few projects lined up, but is still looking for more. Focused on addressing some of the urgent needs facing our community, the event is looking for projects of all types throughout Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

This year’s event is expanding its scope to include projects in the tourism industry for the first time. Michele Powers, Vice President of Marketing for the North Country Chamber of Commerce, and director of the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau stated, “We feel it vital to the health of our community to be able to reach out and support our non-profit museums as well as for-profit attractions that were affected by recent natural disasters. We are also encouraging volunteers from the tourism industry to step up and get involved. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Project Help at SUNY Plattsburgh Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh had 500 students that volunteered on the day last year.. “Project H.E.L.P. at SUNY Plattsburgh is once again proud to be partnering for Day of Caring. Last year we had incredible success in engaging our student citizens by placing them at local agencies in this wonderful community they call their home away from home. The Day of Caring represents the best of the North Country’s spirit it is about student, professionals, family, friends and neighbors coming together to serve those in need.” said Michael Cashman, coordinator for student activities and volunteerism at SUNY Plattsburgh. With an anticipated high number of volunteers the 2012 Day of Caring wants to put every one of them to good use, at as many sites as they can. Larry Pickreign, Outreach Coordinator for United Way of the Adirondack Region stated “The United Way of the Adirondack Region has a service area of Clinton, Essex, and Franklin Counties. Through the Day of Caring volunteers have the opportunity to serve agencies and individuals in their very own town. The Day of Caring is truly a neighbors helping neighbors event.”

If you have a project you would like to submit for consideration or would like to volunteer, please apply by April 6th.

Download: 2012 Day of Caring – Application (PDF)

Tags: clinton county·events

Adirondack Off-The-Beaten-Path Things to Do and See This Spring

March 14th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Visit Adirondacks ADIRONDACK REGION, NY – This spring, dive deep into the cultural landscape and outdoor recreation opportunities of the Adirondack Region of Northern New York. Find unique travel experiences from theater and sculpture workshops, to quirky Adirondack events and wildlife viewing that will enrich and inspire.

Discover a new talent, explore sunken shipwrecks in the St. Lawrence Seaway, watch for migrating birds along Lake Champlain or create a work of art. This spring, the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council invites you to get off-the-beaten-path and on the road to discovery with these seven things to do in the Adirondacks:

World Awareness Children’s Museum – GO! In Glens Falls. For nearly 20 years, the Children’s Museum has offered a creative and inspirational outlet for kids. “Go!” is a re-invented interactive space filled with hands-on activities, exhibits, workshops and special events. The museum’s mission is to foster curiosity in the world through art, awareness and understanding.
Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake. This multi-disciplinary art center offers visual arts workshops, musical performances, theater and dance. Spend a day writing skits, learn how to sculpt feet, watercolor landscapes or design your own Adirondack chair.
The Lake Champlain Birding Trail is the largest trail of its kind in North America. For more than 300 miles, the trail winds from the Lake Champlain Basin to the Atlantic Flyway – connecting 88 birding sites in New York and Vermont. See shorebirds, hawks, songbirds, waterfowl and hawks during the spring migration season. Find the best birding spots in the Adirondacks.
Annual SNIRT RUN in the Adirondacks Tughill Region on April 14. The family oriented ATV poker run is a favorite even for locals and visitors from across the country. Sign up and race, or simply watch as thousands of riders cover 200 miles of snow and dirt – or “snirt” – to raise money for the maintenance of the area’s prized ATV and snowmobile trails.
Scuba Diving in the St. Lawrence River offers late spring season and summer adventure. Explore the wreckage of five ships: the Eastcliffe Hall, Conestoga, Fleur Marie, American and Loblaw’s Wreck. Dive day or night for a sub-aquatic adventure in the St. Lawrence River.
Wild Winter Weekends at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake provides a host of weekend activities, experiences and events to delight excite and inspire kids of all ages. Learn how to make maple syrup, paint a stained glass window and meet live owls, porcupines and snakes.
Great Camp Santanoni in Newcomb. Hike, bike and snowshoe into Santanoni Preserve – a 12,900 acre complex home to Great Camp Santanoni, a National Historic Landmark, and access to nearby hiking trails. The preserve is open year round, though the buildings are only open from the end of June through Labor Day.

For more information: VisitAdirondacks.com, Twitter, Facebook.

Tags: attractions·events

Amtrak and Fort Ticonderoga Partner in 2012

March 13th, 2012 · No Comments · Adirondack News

Free companion fare with purchase of regular adult rail fare

For the first time, Fort Ticonderoga and America’s National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) have partnered to connect people traveling between New York City and Montreal to one of the nation’s oldest and most significant historic sites, Fort Ticonderoga. Amtrak will offer one free companion rail fare with the purchase of one regular adult rail fare, on the state supported Adirondack line to and from Fort Ticonderoga, New York, beginning April 1, 2012 through October 31, 2012. Customers simply need to purchase tickets a minimum of 3 days in advance and enter discount code V430.. The Northbound Adirondack operates daily between New York City and Montreal, departing New York Penn Station at 8:15 am arriving in Ticonderoga at 1:17 pm. The Southbound Adirondack departs Montreal at 9:30 am, arriving in Ticonderoga at 2:33 pm.

Fort Ticonderoga is one of America’s must-see destinations because of its significant history and natural beauty. Located in the 6-million acre Adirondack Park and situated on Lake Champlain, the Fort offers sweeping vistas of Vermont’s Green Mountains and New York’s Adirondack Mountains.

“The partnership with Amtrak will enable Fort Ticonderoga to reach a broader destination market from New York City to Montreal,” according to Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga Executive Director. “Fort Ticonderoga is very fortunate to have an Amtrak stop on our property. Our epic story combined with the Fort’s immersive programs and beautiful landscape makes Fort Ticonderoga an exciting destination experience.

“As the nation’s intercity passenger railway, Amtrak is delighted to support Fort Ticonderoga – America’s Fort,” said Kevin Chittenden, District Superintendent, Empire District, Amtrak. “We are excited to be part of Fort Ticonderoga’s educational mission and to help it serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the beautiful Adirondack region.”

Debra Malaney, Ticonderoga Town Supervisor, said “The Town of Ticonderoga is delighted to see the partnering of Fort Ticonderoga and Amtrak. The Fort has a major impact on both the local and region’s economy and this pairing will provide a wonderful opportunity to broaden our potential tourism market even more. This collaborative effort should have a direct impact on tourism and revenue into our community.”

Fort Ticonderoga opens for the 103rd season on Friday, May 18 and will offer new programs, events, exhibits, gardens and a six-acre corn maze designed in the shape of the Fort! Visitors will immerse themselves in nearly 2000 acres of exquisite landscape at Fort Ticonderoga and experience the story of how the blood spilled to create an empire in the French and Indian War resulted in the struggle for liberty and America’s independence a generation later. Visitors to the Fort in 2012 will step back in time to the year 1775 as the newly-formed American army begins to repair and refortify Ticonderoga as the critical American stronghold on Lake Champlain. Fort Ticonderoga is open daily from May 18 through October 18, 2012 from 9:30 am until 5 pm.

Tags: essex county·lake champlain·museum·train