Thursdays, Feb. 16, 23; March 1, 8, 15 and 22 – Little Bobcats
VIC staff will lead a series of programs for 3-to-5 year-olds and their parents. Activities will focus on the local flora and fauna around the VIC. Sessions meet Thursdays from 10 a.m.–noon. $2/session for members of the Adirondack Park Institute; $5/session for those who have not yet joined. Parents are asked to participate with their children. Please register by calling Sarah Keyes at (518) 327-6241 or emailing skeyes@paulsmiths.edu.
Thursday, Feb. 16 – Armchair Traveler Lecture Series
Join us at 7 p.m. for a presentation by John Omohundro on “The Granola Myth – Hikers’ contribution to the Adirondack Economy.” Learn something new from an expert or expand your knowledge about distant places from someone who’s been there. Free to season-pass holders and students; $5/lecture for all others. Please call the Paul Smith’s College VIC at (518) 327-6241 for more information.
Saturday, Feb. 18 and Sunday, Feb. 19 – Snow Sports Weekend
Go outside and play this winter! Events start at 10 a.m. Saturday with the “Choose Your Own Trail” adventure trek around the VIC trails and up Jenkins Mountain. Teams of one to four people will have four hours to collect points by visiting check points on various natural features around the VIC property. There will be both competitive and touring categories. Entry fee: $25 per team. Sunday will feature a 1-kilometer “Kids Snowshoe Stampede” at 10 a.m. followed by a 10-kilometer classic ski race at 11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded.
Saturday, Feb. 18 – Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides
Take a ride on a horse-drawn sleigh through the scenic forests near the Paul Smith’s College VIC. Join Bob Brhel and the college’s team of draft horses from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family.
Sunday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, March 4 – Afternoon Ski Jam
Grab your skis, poles and guitar and head to the VIC from 1-5 p.m. for a fun afternoon of skiing and music. Join local musicians for a jam session anytime.
Tuesday, Feb. 21 – No-School Day Programs
VIC staff will lead a series of nature programs for 6-to-10 year olds during the President’s Day break. The theme for the day’s programming will be “Junior Adirondack Stewards.” We will find out why the Adirondacks are such a special place to live. Bring warm clothes and a lunch; snowshoes and snacks are provided. Sessions meet from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $20 for Adirondack Park Institute members; $25 for those who have not yet joined. Please register at least a week in advance by calling Sarah Keyes at (518) 327-6241 or emailing skeyes@paulsmiths.edu. Limited spots available.
Tuesday, Feb. 21, New Moon Art Opening
Celebrate the new moon at the VIC with our monthly art opening and star gazing. From 5-7 p.m., you can step out and be the first to meet our featured Adirondack artists Ginger Dora and Georgette Bacon at the VIC. The new moon will mark the opening night for each new artist, whose work will remain on display for the month. And, from 7-9 p.m., you can come stargaze at the VIC during the new moon. We have the perfect dark sky, and, depending on the weather, we will have inside and outside stargazing. Free for season-pass holders. $5 for all others.
Wednesdays, Feb. 22 and 29 – TR (Teddy Roosevelt) Winter Series Snowshoe Bird Walks
Join Brian McAllister of the Adirondack Birding Center from 9-11 a.m. for a morning snowshoe bird walk in search of the hardy birds that call the Adirondacks their winter home. The walk will end with a cup of hot cocoa in the VIC. $10/session for VIC season-pass holders, $20/session for all others (includes a day pass). Snowshoe rentals available for additional fee. Please call (518) 327-6241 to register.
Saturdays, Feb. 25, and March 3 and 17 – Winter Exploration Weekends
Come to the VIC to learn about the wonders of winter. All walks start at 10 a.m. and meet in the building. Topics include tracking, winter survival and winter birding. $20/session for season-pass holders; $25/session for non-pass holders. Snowshoe rentals available.
Sunday, Feb. 26, and Sunday, March 18 – Coffee House
The Paul Smith’s College VIC will hold an open mic night with local artists at 6 p.m. Free for season-pass holders, $5 for public.
Thursday, March 1– Volunteer Potluck
Paul Smith’s College VIC volunteers will get together with VIC staff at 5 p.m. for a preview of upcoming events and activities. Prospective volunteers are welcome. For more information, call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 or email skeyes@paulsmiths.edu.
Thursday, March 1- Armchair Traveler Lecture Series
Join us at 7 p.m. for a presentation by Frank Lescinsky on his experience as a VIP guest on a NASA Mars Exploration Launch. Learn something new from an expert or expand your knowledge about distant places from someone who’s been there. Free to season-pass holders and students; $5/lecture for all others. Please call the Paul Smith’s College VIC at (518) 327-6241 for more information.
Friday, March 2 – Bunny-Boot Ball VIC Fundraiser
Kick up your feet for a thumping good time. We’ll be skiing, dancing and generally having a good time from 6-11 p.m. at our first major VIC fundraiser. Come show your support for the progress we have made and contribute to the success of the transition of the Paul Smith’s College VIC. Ski by head lamp, dance to the “Roadside Mystics,” enjoy delicious snacks prepared by Paul Smith’s culinary students, warm yourself by the bon fire and take a chance on the silent auction. Wear your big winter bunny boots, but bring your dancing shoes, and join us for a night of music and inside and outside fun. $15 per person, $25 per couple.
Sunday, March 4 – Snow Patrol Track Workshop
The Paul Smith’s College VIC invites you to learn about tracks. A VIC naturalist will teach you to identify tracks and use those skills out on the trail. Sessions start at 1 p.m. Participants will return to the building to have hot chocolate and make tracks to take home. Please dress warm. Free for children accompanied by adults. $10/session for VIC adult season-pass holders, $20/session for all others (includes a day pass). Snowshoe rentals available for additional fee. Please call the VIC at (518) 327-6241 to register.
Thursday, March 8 – Armchair Traveler Lecture Series
Join us at 7 p.m. for a presentation by Peter Plumley on “Paleomagnetism and the Adirondacks.” Learn something new from an expert or expand your knowledge about distant places from someone who’s been there. Free to season-pass holders and students; $5/lecture for all others. Please call the Paul Smith’s College VIC at (518) 327-6241 for more information.
More Info: Paul Smith’s College VIC
More than 50 species of trees and shrubs are now available to schools and public and private landowners at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Saratoga Tree Nursery, DEC announced today. The Saratoga Tree Nursery provides trees for erosion control, wildlife habitat, reforestation and other uses.
The Sons of Sound — students from the Saranac Lake High School — will provide pre-show entertainment. Steve Borst and Sue Grimm will provide music, and there will be dance routines by the pages and court members. There will be performances by the Saranac Lake High School Vocal Ensembles, directed by Drew Benware and accompanied by Tom Delahant; a barbershop quartet called the Meter Maids; Crackin’ Foxy; the High Peaks Juggler, Eric Geoffrey-Belcher; and finally, the Rotary Show Dancers, celebrating the 83rd anniversary of dancing for Saranac Lake.
