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Smokey Bear Turns 75, Still Teaching About Forest Fires

August 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the launch of the Smokey Bear Wildlife Prevention campaign by the U.S. Forest Service. The iconic character was created by the U.S. Forest Service as it’s mascot and modeled after a small cub rescued from a wildfire in New Mexico. It has become a symbol for forest fire prevention. Smokey’s catchphrase, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” is readily understandable to all.

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DEC Forest Ranger Rescue near Montcalm Point

On July 30 at 9:21 p.m., Warren County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from two young women who were part of a group from Camp Chingachgook who had lost the trail when they went to retrieve water from the lake on their way to a campsite near Tongue Mountain Range. Using the coordinates obtained through 911, Dispatch was able to place their location just north of Montcalm Point on Lake George. Forest Rangers Charles Kabrehl and Arthur Perryman responded to Green Island, where they took a boat out to Montcalm Point. At the request of Forest Ranger Kabrehl, Dispatch contacted the initial caller and instructed them to head back downhill towards the western shoreline. At 10:49 p.m. the Forest Rangers found the 16-year-old from Davidson, N.C., and the 17-year-old from Troy along the shoreline where the Rangers picked them up and took them back to their camp.

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Congresswoman Stefanik Announces $500,000 in Funding for New Lake George Wastewater Facility


Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (at podium) with Walt Lender,
Executive Director of the Lake George Association, NY State Senator, Betty Little, and Lake George Village Mayor, Robert Blais. (Click image to see larger view.)

Last week, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik announced $500,000 in grant funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission to build a new wastewater treatment facility, which is under a consent order by New York State DEC to be replaced by Fall 2021. The current facility has been in operation since 1939.

“I’m thrilled to announce $500,000 in funding for the Northern Border Regional Commission to build a much needed and modernized wastewater treatment facility,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “I have been a consistent advocate for the NBRC since day one in Congress, and I’m proud to have been able to deliver this important result for the community, and will continue my efforts to revitalize our region.”

“We greatly appreciate Congresswoman Stefanik’s support in this vital project, to insure “The Queen of American Lakes” will be protected and enjoyed for many generations,” said Lake George Village Mayor Blais.

Many thanks to Congresswoman Stefanik and all those who made this funding possible.

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An Artful Landing


A number of art enthusiasts came to Huletts Landing by boat to find the location that a famous painting was created from.

An art history cruise visited Huletts Landing Monday June 24th, arranged by the Albany Institute of History and Art under the direction of artist Anne Diggory, whose exhibition is at the museum until August 18th.

The group came on shore to view the perspective that David Johnson depicted in two paintings in 1870 and 1874. The 1870 version is in the collection of the museum.


Posing with a reproduction of the painting are Tammis Groft, Executive Director of the Albany Institute of History and Art; Anne Diggory, tour director; and Doug McCombs, the museum’s Chief Curator.


The 1870 version of the painting by David Johnson.

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Senator Little Begins Ninth Term


State Senator Betty Little sworn in for her ninth term. (Click image for larger view.)

State Senator Betty Little is administered the oath of office by Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, in the New York State Senate Chamber on Wednesday, January 9. Little was joined her son, David, and grandson, Matthew, holding the Bible. Little begins her 9th term in the State Senate, where she serves as the ranking member on the Education Committee, as well as on the Rules, Finance, Health, Environmental Conservation and Housing Committees.

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Empire State Winter Games Comes to Fort Ticonderoga and Surrounding Area January 31- February 3, 2019


Photo provided by the Empire State Winter Games.

Fort Ticonderoga, in partnership with the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce, will host the first stop of the 39th Empire State Winter Games (ESWG) torch relay on January 31, 2019 from 6:45-8:45 am. As part of this celebration, local dignitaries and state officials, as well as torch runners, will be in attendance to speak about the 2019 Games and their impact on the state of New York. During the ceremony, Fort Ticonderoga museum staff will provide demonstrations including historic trades. Following the ceremony, dignitaries, state officials, and torch runners will be available for interviews.

ESWG is a multi-day sports event hosted in the Adirondack Park, New York that brings together athletes from across New York State and beyond to compete in over 30 winter sports events. The 2018 Games included more than 2,100 athletes of all ages, including master divisions, and the 2019 Games are expected to exceed that number.

“Fort Ticonderoga is delighted to be part of the torch relay for the Empire State Winter Games,” said Beth L. Hill Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “As one of our nation’s most iconic places, it brings us great joy to welcome the torch runners and community to the historic grounds.”

The Empire State Winter Games is a community-driven event, courtesy of a partnership between the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST); the towns of North Elba, Wilmington, Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Malone, and Brighton; the villages of Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths, Malone, Wilmington, and Saranac Lake; the counties of Essex and Franklin; the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority, and New York State Senator Betty Little. Sport venues are located in Lake Placid, Wilmington, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Malone, and Paul Smiths. Venues include: Lake Placid Olympic Center Herb Brooks Arena, Lake Placid Olympic Jumping and Sliding complexes, Mid’s Park in Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain, Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smith’s College VIC, Saranac Lake Civic Center Ice Rink, Dewey Mountain Recreation Area, Tupper Lake Memorial Civic Center, Olympic Cross Country and Biathlon Center, Titus Mountain, and Mount Pisgah. LPECQD, Inc, a subsidiary of ROOST, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and is fiscally responsible for the Empire State Winter Games.

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Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) Officially Sworn In


Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (left), officially swears in Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) (right). (Click image to see full-scale.)

Thursday, January 3, 2019, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) was officially sworn in to represent New York’s 21st district in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 116th Congress.

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New Book: Archeology in the Adirondacks by David R. Starbuck


Archeology in the Adirondacks by David R. Starbuck

As we move into the holidays, here is a book that would make a great gift.

While numerous books have been written about the great camps, hiking trails, and wildlife of the Adirondacks, noted anthropologist David R. Starbuck offers the only archeological guide to a region long overlooked by archeologists who thought that “all the best sites” were elsewhere. This beautifully illustrated volume focuses on the rich and varied material culture brought to the mountains by their original Native American inhabitants, along with subsequent settlements created by soldiers, farmers, industrialists, workers, and tourists. Starbuck examines Native American sites on Lake George and Long Lake; military and underwater sites throughout the Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga, and Crown Point regions; old industrial sites where forges, tanneries, and mines once thrived; farms and the rural landscape; and many other sites, including the abandoned Frontier Town theme park, the ghost town of Adirondac, Civilian Conservation Corps camps, ski areas, and graveyards.

To read a preview look here.

To purchase from the publisher go here.

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C-130 Flight Down Lake George

A fun video taken from the cockpit of a C-130 flight down Lake George in August 2018. The video starts from the north coming in over Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga and continues on a southerly path down Lake George.