“I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”
Vincent van Gogh
Bits of Everything
Ironside Has Become Rusty
Denton Publications has a story about guardrails that were supposed to be an environmental innovation, becoming well……rusty.
Warren & Washington County Homes Sales Plunge
The Post Star has a story about plummeting homes sales in Warren and Washington Counties.
When Photoshopping Goes Too Far
Here’s an interesting story about how some media outlets have gotten into trouble when they photoshop images. This is an interesting subject as image manipulation becomes more advanced. (The code on the page linked to has an error which may force you to scroll to the right to see the article.)
Memorial Day 2009
Photo Courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery
To all those who have served, and their families who have sacrificed, we say thank you.
Saturday Quote
“If you aren’t fired with enthusiasm, you will be fired with enthusiasm.”
Vince Lombardi
Can You Remember? We Can’t Forget
The recent extradition of alleged suspected war crimes criminal, John Demjanjuk, for being the infamous Ivan the Terrible made me think about this.
Many people may remember that back sometime in the 1970’s, a person moved to Dresden (who has long since left the Town) who I believe was suspected of being a war crimes criminal from World War II. I have the person’s last name but have run into numerous dead ends trying to do a story about this.
Recently the Simon Wiesenthal Center has increased its reward for information related to tracking down former Nazi war criminals. If anyone remembers anything about this, I would appreciate anything that you remember.
What I remember myself (I was only a child) is that this individual lived in Dresden and was hounded repeatedly by media organizations and then moved out of the Town. My guess is that it was in the 1970’s. If you know anything about this, I’d appreciate hearing from you.
“Man What A Ride”
How do Whitehall, Lake Champlain, and the U.S. Naval Academy all come together in a post?
Well, Whitehall is the birthplace of the U.S. Navy and I recently visited the U.S. Naval Academy. In their new visitor’s center they have an exhibit dedicated to Alan Shepard Jr., the first American in Space, and a 1945 graduate of the Naval Academy, who was picked up by the USS Lake Champlain on May 5, 1961 when he splashed down. How’s that for six degrees of separation from Huletts? If you ever visit Annapolis, Md. it’s certainly worth the trip.
Here are a few shots that I thought everyone might like.
Bits of Everything
Washington County Gets Serious About Saving Money
This is good to see. Washington County sees that they have to cut back. Read the Wash Blog.
The Adirondack Museum Opens on May 22
The Adirondack Almanack tells you all you need to know about the museum’s great new exhibits and 2009 schedule.
Saratoga’s 2009 Schedule
While we’re on the subject of fun things to do in 2009, here is Saratoga’s racing schedule for 2009.
Happy Mother’s Day
“When I was a child, my mother said to me, ‘If you become a soldier, you’ll be a general. If you become a monk you’ll end up as the pope.’ Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.”
— Pablo Picasso
Saturday Quote
“In my eager surprise I was trying to behold God’s deathless, sapphire gemmed city of burnished gold.”
H.H.Hyder, “The Double Golden Chains with Blazing Diamonds Strung” (1889)
Bits of Everything
The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Take Two
Ever heard that Japanese knotweed or garlic mustard threaten the Adirondacks? Well they do. Read the Adirondack Alamanacks’ article on how the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) was one of 26 projects across New York State to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highest honor: the Environmental Quality Award.
This is Wrong: NY State as the Godfather
The State of NY has gone off the deep end with this move. Expect more businesses to leave NY over this one.
Washington County Sales Tax Down
This is not good news for next years Washington County Budget.
What Exactly is a Catamount?
The NCAA basketball tournament is over for this year but I finally got a chance to sit down with my friend Mike Lonergan and talk about what life is like for the Vermont basketball coach. As we head into our “summer season”, his year is winding down and we finally had a chance to get caught up.
If you see Mike on the beach this summer, he’ll talk basketball all day long.
We go back to our days at Catholic University when we were both students. You would go on to become the head coach there and actually won the NCAA Div III championship in 2001. Could you tell our readers a little bit about that experience?
“Coaching at my alma mater was a great experience and it was very rewarding. We built the most successful Division III men’s basketball program in the country and did it with true student athletes. The last 3 seasons I coached at Catholic University my wife was the women’s basketball coach which was kind of cool. We were actually able to help each other recruit. We didn’t just talk about the CUA Basketball Family we actually lived it!”
After that you moved on to the University of Maryland as an assistant coach, do you have any good stories about your days at Maryland that you could share?
“I was a lifelong Maryland fan and a Gary Williams fan. I had a great time during my 1 season coaching at Maryland but it was a little difficult being an assistant coach again after being a head coach the previous 12 seasons. It was a great experience working for Gary but I can’t tell you any stories about Gary. You wouldn’t believe them anyways! He is a great coach and quite a character.”
You are now the head coach at the University of Vermont and have had good success there. What is the life of a NCAA coach like? Do you spend most of the year recruiting? Is there alot of travel?
“We have been fortunate to have had a lot of success here at UVM. It is truly a special place. I can’t think of a better place for my wife, Maggie, and I to raise our 4 children. Coaching is not an easy life. I spend a lot of time on the road and it makes my wife’s life tougher but the rewards far outweigh the sacrifices my family has made. I actually recruit less at UVM than I did at Catholic University because of the NCAA rules. There are certain times of the year that are “dead” periods when we are not allowed off campus to recruit. At DIII you could recruit 365 days/year! The best time of the year for DI basketball coaches is August. We are not allowed to recruit and our students are home most of that month. I love August because my family can go for a nice vacation at our favorite place – Hulett’s Landing! People always tell me I don’t know how to relax but I finally found a place where even I can relax and enjoy, and that’s Hulett’s Landing!”
You probably get this a lot, but what exactly is a Catamount?
“A Catamount is a type of Mountain wild cat. It is supposedly extinct but there have been some reported sightings in the last few years. I actually like that our mascot is a Catamount because it is not a common nickname.”
Mike – I know a lot of your friends in Huletts were disappointed when Vermont lost the America East tournament this year. Could you give us your thoughts?
“We had a very good year (24-9, America East regular season co champions) but didn’t make the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully next season will be even better. I hope some of the people from Huletts can come up to Burlington next winter and see us play. It is a great atmosphere at Patrick Gym. We have one of the best players in the country in 2 time America East Player of the Year Marqus Blakely. He is fun to watch!”
Mike thanks for taking the time to tell our readers about Vermont basketball and how great Huletts Landing is!
Smiles all around.
Bits of Everything
Champlain’s Astrolabe Now on a Keychain
The Times of Ti had an interesting story about a new keychain made in celebration of Samuel de Champlain’s Quadricentennial year. The keychain is made like an astrolabe which Champlain used in discovering the lake which bears his name. It was a astronomical instrument which was used in locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars; determining local time given local latitude and vice-versa; surveying; and triangulation. With no GPS, what’s an explorer to do?
No East Lake George for You
The Post Star reports that there will be no new village of East Lake George this year.
Ticonderoga Ferry Gets New Owners
The Press Republican reports that the Ti Ferry has been sold. This is a great trip over to Vermont from Ticonderoga if you’ve never taken it.
Is the Huletts Current the Best Blog Out There?
There’s a new invention coming soon that will revolutionize the Internet. You know the answer to this question already but if you want to learn how the Internet is about to change, click here.
Saturday Quote
“He who every morning plans the transaction of the day and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the maze of the most busy life. But where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incidence, chaos will soon reign.”
Victor Hugo
Bits of Everything
Off Roaders Travel the Road Less Traveled
This is an interesting piece from Channel 9 about off-road highway users who drive on ancient town roads through state forest just to keep them open. The DEC doesn’t like this.
National News
Maryland School Boy Builds New Type of Computer
This is such a great story because it’s what makes the U.S. a leader in innovation and technology. A 17 year old Maryland boy has built a computer out of spare parts and a fish tank which uses mineral oil to cool itself after being told it would never work. Why on earth would he want to do it? He just wanted to prove he could. This is the type of device which will most likely lead to other advances in computing. Bravos to young, Brandon Glorioso, who demonstrates first hand where innovation comes from. Read the whole article.
PSA’s on the Swine Flu from the 1970’s
I found this and thought it was applicable today. The only problem is there isn’t a vaccine for the current strain yet. Follow Mom’s advice and wash your hands and use a tissue until one becomes available.