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From Our Neighbors Who Are in the South


The sunset in Key Largo.

While another low temperature record was set today in Huletts for March 7th, I received the above picture and following message from Dave Richards who is in sunny Key Largo, Florida.

Hi George,

Saw your Huletts weather bulletin on the minus 7 new record for March 4 … all the pioneers at the Lake have our sincere sympathies. The temps here in Key Largo have been in the 80’s … sending you a recent sunset picture to warm your spirits…remember,…”Spring ” is just around the corner! So keep the faith and, even more importantly, keep warm!

Dave – thanks for the picture. It was a cool 0 degrees in Huletts this morning!

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LGA Celebrates Read Across America Day


The Lake George Association’s Executive Director, Walt Lender, reads to second graders at St. Mary’s School in Ticonderoga.

Today, March 3, 2014, is the NEA’s Read Across America Day, which celebrates Dr. Seuss’s birthday and the joys of reading, More than 45 million readers, both young and old, are expected to pick up a book and read today.

LGA’s Executive Director Walt Lender put aside his director’s hat for a bit this morning to don the ultimate reading hat, the red and white striped stovepipe made famous by the Cat in the Hat. To help celebrate the sixteenth annual celebration of reading and Dr. Seuss’s 110th birthday Lender began the day by reading to the second graders at St. Mary’s School in Ticonderoga. The class was well prepared and excited for his arrival – with their ‘Cat in the Hat’ hats all on.

Lender read a book about watersheds titled ‘Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean’ that teaches children about how water shapes the earth and why it is important to keep our water clean. After he was done reading, they had a lively discussion about Lake George and how special it is. The timing was great too, as the class will be starting to learn about the water cycle in coming weeks. “I’m just glad to have had the chance to read to the kids this morning. Their energy and excitement and interest in learning are a big part of why we do what we do at the LGA. We want to protect the Lake for them – so they can enjoy it years from now,” said Lender.

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Land Conservancy Honors Apperson with Annual Walk on Water


Participants walk to Dome Island during the “Walk on Water,” sponsored by the Lake George Land Conservancy and the Dome Island Committee.

Thanks to an old-fashioned winter with plenty of snow and ice, the Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) was able to hold its annual Walk on Water on February 15, 2014. Donning snowshoes and skis, eighty-eight people participated in the coveted trek out to Dome Island.

Scheduled each February as a collaborative effort between the Lake George Land Conservancy and the Dome Island Committee, the Walk on Water is a unique opportunity for the public to visit Dome Island.

The island, which is preserved and off-limits to the public, was donated by John S. Apperson Jr. (1878-1963) in 1956 to The Nature Conservancy with a $20,000 endowment for its continued preservation. Today Dome Island remains one of the few islands on which no structures have been erected, and because of its unique “un-touched” quality is used for research.

Apperson was an avid sportsman and a life-long and tireless conservation activist whose efforts throughout the Adirondacks, especially on Lake George, successfully preserved much of what we love today about the region.


Participants standing offshore near Dome Island.

Walk on Water participants were able to climb onto Dome Island to see a plaque dedicated to Apperson in recognition of his donation and work to preserve Lake George.

Three separate groups were taken out to the island, each led by a member of the Dome Island Committee, a group of local residents who oversee the Apperson endowment. The leaders provided an historical background and experienced guidance over the mile-long trek.

Afterward, Katie Bruening, a participant in the noon excursion, said, “Thank you for a wonderful experience! On Saturday my sister, her 15 year old son, my 11 year old son Carson and I enjoyed snowshoeing out to Dome Is and exploring the Is. Our leaders for the 12:00 excursion were knowledgeable and helpful. When we were on our way home Carson said, “Mom, that was a great day”. Having opportunities like this and the Hike-a-thon (which we did in July) help us all appreciate Lake George on a deeper level. Your hard work for these events and all that you do to help protect the Lake George region is greatly appreciated.”

Dependent on the lake’s ice conditions, the Walk on Water is not guaranteed; because of past warmer than usual winters, this was the first Walk on Water since 2011. Despite its uncertainty, however, each year the event attracts dozens of people hoping to take part.

To see more pictures from the day, go to the Picasa Photo Album

(Click images to see full-scale.)

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Deibold Wins Bronze In Snowboardcross

Alex Deibold, who grew up in nearby Manchester, Vermont, took the Bronze medal today in snowboardcross.

You can read about his epic performance on ESPN. This accomplishment is even more remarkable in that four years ago he attended the Olympics as a snowboard technician, the man who essentially gets the snowboards in shape for the athletes.

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Catholic Chapel of the Assumption Interior Renovation in Progress


The new floor of the Chapel of the Assumption can be seen with all the pews removed for refinishing. (Click image to see full-scale.)

Despite the severe winter weather we’re having, work is progressing on the proposed improvements to the Chapel of the Assumption, namely to redo the floor and refinish the pews. Shortly after the Columbus Day weekend, all the pews were removed and taken to be refinished. The work on the floor is nearly complete, that is, removing the unsightly tiles that covered the aisles and covering the entire floor with new hardwood oak flooring.


The wall partition behind the altar. (Click image to see full-scale.)

As the pews and floor were removed, the discolored surface of the wall partition behind the altar was also refinished. This was sorely needed and if done later, could have spread abrasive sawdust all over the newly finished floor and pews. The refinished pews will be brought back and reinstalled, ready for the 2014 Memorial Day Mass. Timing necessitated that this necessary work be done while people were away, and the hope is that it will be covered by generous sacrificial donations, as Our Lady of Hope has made a contribution to cover the chapel’s costs initially.

Over the last decade or two, many other maintenance issues have also been addressed, not as noticeable as the current project but equally important. The outside paint has been continually kept up; a water supply has been brought into the sacristy; the slate roof and the stained glass have been repaired; a new front entrance, new lighting fixture, and a sound system were installed; a handicapped walkway was poured; the big old rotten oak tree in the rear was removed; the electric service and lighting was upgraded; the altar tile was updated; and most recently air-conditioning was added for many who have been so debilitated by the heat and humidity that they have had to leave Mass at times. All of these necessary upgrades were done with past donations of time, energy, and money apart from the weekly offerings.


The renovation will be completed by the 2014 Memorial Day weekend. (Click image to see full-scale.)

For a tiny Adirondack hamlet we are indeed fortunate to have a vibrant Catholic community willing to take an interest in our Chapel’s upkeep and, most importantly, a priest who will faithfully serve us. Hopefully it will be ongoing. If you are in “Huletts” this winter or spring and would like to see the progress, please call either Mrs. Cathy Aiken or Mrs. Carol Borin to have the chapel opened.

If you would like to make a donation to this needed work, please send your contribution to: Mission Chapel of the Assumption c/o Our Lady of Hope, 9 Wheeler Avenue, Whitehall, NY 12887.

Many thanks to all those who have and/or will in the future contribute to this valuable work.

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Interview with Annelies Cook, U.S. Biathlon Team


Annelies Cook will compete in the Olympic biathlon in Sochi.

I recently had the chance to interview Annelies Cook, a biathlete from Saranac Lake, while she was in Italy preparing for the Olympics. The Olympic biathlon is a marriage of cross-country skiing and shooting. It became part of the Winter Olympics for women in 1992. Yesterday, Ms. Cook was officially announced as part of the U.S. Biathlon team.

Below is my interview with her.

As you wrap up the days before the Olympics, what are your goals?

At this point, there are only three weeks left until we head to Sochi. I have one more world cup this weekend and so far, I have not had the competitions that I would like due to some illness and some muscular issues that are now resolved. I think it is important to continue keeping my confidence high and executing my race plans in the same way that I would in Sochi. Hopefully this week is a positive experience! After that, we have two weeks of training where we are going to do some volume so that our base doesn’t disappear and after that we will start peak training. That includes more rest and very high intensity intervals. After that, it is just recovery and staying healthy! My goals are to go into the Olympics feeling good and confident.

What goes through your head while competing?

There are LOTS of things that go through your head but they usually depend on how you are doing. If I am having a challenging race, I have to focus on the positive and the process of the race- technique and things like that. In a great race where you feel aggressive and things are going well, you get this kind of high feeling where the pain almost feels good and you can welcome it. Then, it is easier to focus on catching the girls ahead of you and you don’t feel hesitant to go for it.

What will be unique for you about the Sochi Olympics?

Well first of all, it is my first Olympics so it will all be unique for me. The entire world starts to pay attention during the Olympics. While biathlon is the most popular here it is only during the Olympics that people from the U.S. pay attention to biathlon. So there is a lot more media attention and excitement. One of the biggest goals is to keep things as normal as possible during the Olympics. There is a lot more security, there is a lot more pressure, and there are athletes from many different sports around. It will be quite exciting.

The Biathlon is a unique sport, what should your fans be watching for as your Olympic event(s) unfolds on TV?

The fans should be looking for the way that the pressure on the shooting range can transform the outcome of a race. Imagine skiing as hard as you possibly can and then standing at the shooting range with 10,000 people standing behind you cheering for each hit and knowing that if you hit all of your targets you can be a gold medalist, but also knowing that the person you are competing against has the same pressure. In this way, one miss can be the difference between an Olympic champion and tenth place. In biathlon, anything can happen.

Any words for you Adirondack fans?

I hope you have an exciting time watching all the athletes from the Adirondacks competing! Almost every sport is represented by someone local and it is a time to feel really proud of our community.

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Jack Rosen: R.I.P.

I am sorry to end the year having to pass along the news that Jack Rosen died this past week. Dr. Rosen has been a pillar of the Indian Bay community for many years and he will certainly be greatly missed.

Our condolences and sympathy go out to the Rosen family for their loss.

“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”

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Bits of Everything

Magic Salt on Lake George Streets

Denton publications spotlights the village of Lake George using a new substance instead of traditional rock salt on local roads.

Lindsey Jacobellis: Olympic Profile of US Snowboard Hopeful for Sochi 2014

Bleacher Report profiles Vermont snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis, with a video of her agonizing 2006 Torino loss.

Saturn and its Moons in Holiday Dress

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has some amazing pictures of Saturn and its moons as seen by the Cassini spacecraft.

Retired Saratoga Racehorse, Metro, Pays Medical Bills By Painting

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Saturday Quote

“It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.”

Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

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Mike Foster: R.I.P.


Mike Foster with Kathy Huntington.

I am very sorry to report that Mike Foster died on Saturday, November 30th at his home. Mike was the cousin of former Dresden Town Supervisor, Sue Foster Ives and the partner of Kathy Huntington, the Dresden historian.

On a personal note, Mike provided me with critical information and the only known photograph of his great grandfather, Willis C. Foster, who discovered the Hulett Hotel fire in 1915 and which can be found in my book, The Hulett Hotel Fire on Lake George.

Mike was a “bear” of a man, with a heart to match, who loved talking about the history of Dresden and Huletts Landing. He will be sadly missed.

Our condolences and prayers go out to the Foster and Huntington families for their loss.

“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”

I will post additional info once I hear more. (Photo provided by the Foster family.)

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Happy Thanksgiving

As we gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving, know that I give thanks for all the good you do in our community.

Happy Thanksgiving.

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Five Years Old

Well, here it is November 9, 2013 which is the day I celebrate the “birthday” of the Huletts Current. It has been exactly five years since my first post in 2008. The news ebbs and flows but I’ve been happy to share the “goings on” around town with you for the last five years.

So thank you for continuing to read the Huletts Current and know I appreciate sharing the “news” with you. Hopefully you’ve learned a thing or two while checking in periodically. It seems like the pictures, history, and other short items are informative also, because I get comments on those too.

As is my custom, here are the most read posts from the past year.

1.) Breaking: Mountain Dam Rupture Causes Flash Flood
2.) Arthur Borin, R.I.P.
3.) Berry/Clayton Wedding Takes Place in Huletts
4.) Kerry A. McNelis Memorial Draws Large Crowd of Family and Friends
5.) 2013 Day to Remember: Race Results
6.) Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Luke Smith
7.) Interview with Dresden’s Frank Barber, School Board Candidate
8.) Surprise Birthday Party Held for Mrs. Aiken
9.) Rare Historical Find: 1958 Video of Diane Struble Swimming Lake George
10.) Gettsyburg 1863: Washington County’s Heroic Fight

Now it’s on to year six!

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Stec, Gov. Cuomo Honor Keene Valley Resident


Assemblyman Dan Stec (left) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (right) honor Keene resident Ron Konowitz with a Hurricane Irene Recovery Award.

Assemblyman Dan Stec (R,C,I – Queensbury) and Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently honored Keene Valley resident Ron Konowitz with an Emergency Preparedness Award during the governor’s Conference on Emergency Preparedness. The award was given in recognition of Konowitz’s extraordinary courage and dedication as a volunteer firefighter in service of our communities.

“When times were tough and things were at their worst, Ron Konowitz was at his best,” said Stec. “Ron was on the frontline as a volunteer firefighter and his courage and dedication to helping others has proven crucial not only in helping our friends and neighbors recover in the wake of Hurricane Irene, but in saving the lives of others. It was an honor to present him with an award recognizing his service to our communities and on behalf of the entire 114th District, I thank him.”