Posted on

Huletts Fire Company Volunteers Drill


Members of the Huletts Volunteer Fire Company drilled this past week in front of the Huletts Casino. (Click on image to see full-scale.)

This past week, the Huletts Volunteer Fire Department held a fire drill to simulate a response to a fire in Huletts Landing. Water was quickly pumped up from the lake and was used to fight a simulated fire.

The drill took place in front of the Huletts Casino. Here are some pictures from the event. Many thanks to all the volunteers who took part!! (All pictures clickable for full-view.)


Huletts volunteers at work.

Posted on

The Importance of Leashing Dogs

Recently, I was out for a walk early in the morning in Huletts when I encountered an unleashed dog. The dog was unfriendly and quite aggressive and rushed me, barking and snapping. It ignored all commands from its owner to respond. This is a perfect example of why dogs always need to be leashed.

Part of the universal appeal of Huletts, is its safety and the “caring spirit” of the community. Young children and wildlife abound. What if the unleashed dog had encountered a child and a child had been bitten or scratched? What if the dog went after a another animal and was bitten by that animal?

The owner of the dog was clearly ignorant of, or simply disregarded, the rules of numerous Huletts Associations that require dogs to be leashed. By doing so, this person showed little concern for their neighbor’s safety or that of their dog by allowing the animal to be unleashed. The owner’s response to me was that they did not expect to encounter anyone on their morning walk.

I share this story to highlight the importance of keeping pets leashed and under control. The purpose of having a “leash rule” only works if people follow it.

Posted on

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.

Posted on

Jon-Carl Smith and Serena Gallagher Married in Huletts Landing


Jon-Carl Smith and Serena Gallagher celebrate with their wedding party in Huletts Landing on June 15, 2019.

Congratulations to Jon-Carl Smith and Serena Gallagher who were married on Saturday, June 15th. It was a slightly windy day, but the sun was out for the large crowd who witnessed the wedding ceremony on the Huletts Landing Property Owners Civic Association’s beach. Congratulations are also extended to the Smith and Gallagher families.


The day was sunny and warm as the bride and groom exchanged their vows.


The happy couple walking arm-in-arm, in front of the many family and friends who wished them well, as the wedding ceremony concluded.

(Click all images to see larger images.)

Posted on

Friends of Historic Huletts Landing 2019 Schedule


The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing (FHHL) recently announced their schedule for 2019.

The Friends of Historic Huletts Landing (FHHL) will have an exciting schedule this summer. Please remember to pay your dues at www.historichuletts.org.

June 22: Clean up day. 8am-12pm

June 29: Trustees Meeting. 9am Huletts Libary & Gallery

June 29: Nancy Smith will show her paintings. 5-7pm, Huletts Libary & Gallery

July 14: “Lighting the Cities and Hotels in New York State before Electricity” by John Ripp 7:30pm, Mountain Grove Memorial Church

July 27: Tom Keating; Jim Keating; Drawings Show, Huletts Libary & Gallery

July 31: “New York City Landmarks” by Tom Keating 7:30pm, Mountain Grove Memorial Church

August 17: “Why Build the Northern Canal and Its Impact on Canal Communities” by Brad Utter, New York State Museum 7:30pm, Mountain Grove Memorial Church

August 31: Members Meeting. 9 am, Huletts Libary & Gallery

Posted on

Natalia Ripp and Giancarlo Capodanno Married in Huletts Landing


Giancarlo & Natalia (Ripp) Capodanno had the sun shine on their wedding in Huletts Landing on June 1, 2019.

The 2019 “summer season” may just be starting, but the first wedding to take place in Huletts happened on June 1, 2019. Congratulations to Giancarlo & Natalia (Ripp) Capodanno and the Ripp and Capodanno families.


The bride and groom were married on the shores of Lake George and a festive party followed.


The happy couple departing by boat.

Posted on

Casino to be Closed until June 14th

The Casino will be closed until Friday, June 14th. After two busy weekends, and lots of rain in the forecast, the Casino will return to its June hours in time for Father’s Day weekend. In the meantime, here is Chris Janson singing Fix A Drink.

Posted on

Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company Fund Drive

Please support our Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company with a generous donation.

The Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company recently mailed out their 2019 fund drive letter which can also be found here.

Last year the fire company petitioned the town board on 3 occasions for an increase in the amount the fire department receives through taxes. While a small $5,000 increase was agreed to by the board, this amount was still less than the fire department requested. So the fire company is still short the funds they need to operate as they deem necessary.

The donations the community gives, are essential to see that our wonderful Huletts volunteers have the support, equipment and training they need to protect us all. Please give as much as you can as soon as you can.

Posted on

School District Election Results

The vote totals for the recent school budget and board seats were:

Budget Proposition to approve $16,849,365 budget for 2019-2020:
Yes – 145
No – 16

Bus Proposition to approve $258,500 to purchase a 65-passenger bus and a 41-passenger bus and a van:
Yes – 143
No – 18

Board Of Education Election (Top 2 candidates)

Carrianne Arquette: 147 votes – Winner 3 year term
Roxanne Waters: 128 votes – Winner 3 year term

Posted on

Liam Ballantyne Graduates from U.S. Coast Guard Academy


Ensign Liam Ballantyne (left) receives his U.S. Coast Guard Academy commission from the National Security Advisor of the United States, John Bolton (right) on May 22, 2019.

Congratulations to Liam Ballantyne, son of Peter and Angela Ballantyne, who will be attending flight school later this summer after receiving his commission from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Posted on

Whitehall School Enrollment Continues Long Decline

School enrollment figures for school districts across the state were updated recently for the 2017-2018 school year (last year) and the Whitehall School District’s total enrollment fell to 708 students. This was a drop of 50 students from the 758 enrolled during the 2016-2017 year.

The complete enrollment figures for 2017-2018 school year can be found here.

I have been tracking and reporting on the enrollment for a number of years. To put this number of 708 students into historical context I have updated my yearly enrollment chart below:

School Year 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13
Students 885 860 858 845 815 779 753 742 755
School Year 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18
Students 757 736 736 758 708

Total overall enrollment is now down 20% since the 2004-2005 school year. While there was a short-lived increase in students between 2012 and 2017, the trend is quite persistent. The district has now reached the lowest enrollment since I have been tracking this.

During this time, local property taxes have increased every year. The Board of Education has not passed on any savings from this plummeting enrollment to the local taxpayers, in spite of increased state aid during the same time period.

For far too long this has not been discussed in planning for the district. A large building campaign has begun and another year of tax increases is being voted on. Now is the time to start planning for more enrollment decreases because that has been the trend for the last 14 years.