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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.

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Bits of Everything

Made in the Adirondacks: Coming Soon

Denton Publications has a story about an idea to create a logo that can be applied to things made in the Adirondacks.

Rachel Ray Returns to Lake George

She remembers where she came from. Here is a story from the Post Star about Rachel Ray returning home to Lake George for a fundraiser.

Washington County Puts Parcels Up For Sale

Washington County is really making an effort to cut back and raise revenue apart from hitting up the taxpayers. Read the Post Star article here.

Hudson River Dedging to Start this Week

The spot that they’re digging up is very close to the Washington County Building. Channel 13 reports here.

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The Casino – 2009

Today, we’re going to interview Leann Ingalls who is managing and running the Casino this year. Leann has many connections to Huletts and has been working all winter on improving the Casino for this summer.

Leann, first could you tell the readers of the Huletts Current a little bit about yourself?

“Well most people know me from my place, Division Street Cafe, in Whitehall which I ran for almost 10 years. I always tried to give people a great meal at a good price with a nice atmosphere. I’ve catered dinners at the Casino before and I know so many people from Huletts. I’ve met many people at Church, and the people from Huletts have always been great.”

You’re planning on having the Casino open for Memorial Day. Could you tell our readers some of the positive changes in store for this summer?

“We’ve been working very hard! There’s a new roof, new bathrooms, fresh paint, alot of cleaning. We’ve even got new pictures with some historical flare in the front room. There’s also a new floor and new lighting in the front room. We’ve also worked a lot on sound control, adding new windows and new back doors. The remainder of the outside will be painted in June. I’m hoping to make it a better Casino this summer, while still keeping the down-home feel to everything. Many Huletts people are planning to do events that haven’t happened for a few years – we’re excited about that. If this year goes well, we’ll be making even more improvements next year. Everyone who has seen what we’ve been doing the last few months, has been really happy.”

You have many connections to Huletts. Could you tell us some of the ways you know people in the community?

“I didn’t grow up in the area but my father was from Whitehall and joined the Navy. I came here about 10 years ago to visit – and stayed! My son, Johnny, (who keeps me young because he’s out doing what 5 year-olds do) and I are looking forward to a great summer on the lake, and hopefully many more in the years to come! I really feel the folks will appreciate the work we’ve put into the Casino this winter. Everyone deserves a nice place on the “Landing” to go to!”

You’re planning some great events and some special speakers for this summer. Could you tell everyone when your schedule will be out and what are some of the things they can expect?

“Probably the biggest news, is we’ll have an earlier schedule. No closing at 4 a.m. anymore! I also want to try a new Saturday wine and cheese social hour at 7 p.m. I think those are things that people will really like. We’ll have the usual events like A Day to Remember, Skip Linhart day, the Black Mountain Hike & Breakfast, and the Labor Day Talent Show, but we’re also bringing back the Hoe-Down Pig Roast, and we’ll have some music and bands, too.”

“This year Martin the Magician will be coming back also. I’m also working on some new events and lectures but we’re keeping them a secret for now! If there’s an event someone would like to have, I’d like to hear from them. I’ll be releasing our schedule sometime in mid-June, so we’ll get it to you to post on the Huletts Current.”

Leann thank you for sitting down with us and telling us about your plans. I can tell you that everyone is looking forward to the new and improved Casino being a great success this year.

“Its been my pleasure.”

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“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.

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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

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Now For Some History – 1902


Click on the image to see a larger view.

This is a picture of people waiting for the steamer to arrive in Bolton Landing in 1902. It’s always fascinating to see pictures of people getting off and on the steamships because they traveled in such different clothes than people travel in today.

This picture caught my attention for a couple of reasons. The men are all wearing hats and the women are all in dresses. It’s interesting that you can even see the horses with a carriage for luggage waiting in the back. It’s easy to forget but this was before the age of the automobile.

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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)

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The Year Without a Summer – 1816

The year of 1816 is commonly known as the year without a summer. I found this interesting article from the Warrensburg News from August 31, 1905. It tells about how our area was severely affected by the extreme weather.

Year Without A Summer
Ice Formed in July and Corn Was Frozen in August 1816.

Eighty-nine years ago was the year without a summer. Frost occurred every month in the year 1816. Ice formed a half inch think in May. Snow fell to the depth of three inches in New York and also in Massachusetts in June. Ice was formed of a thickness of common window glass throughout New York on the 5th of July. Indian corn was so frozen that the greater part was cut in August and dried for fodder, and the farmers supplied themselves from the corn produced in 1815 for the seed in the spring of 1817. The old timers of Warren county will tell you that the rising generation is “not in it” with all the big snow storms when comparison is made away back in the days when they were boys.

Many people know of “Hogtown” Road in Fort Ann. I was not aware that this area got it’s name from the year of 1816 when local farmers brought their hogs to this area to feed because of the plentiful nuts and acorns on the ground. It was the only thing that the hogs could eat that year because there was nothing to feed the livestock.

To learn more about the year without a summer, look here.

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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.

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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.

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The School Board Candidates: Jim Huntington

Today we conclude our questions with the second candidate running for the two seats on the Board of Education up for election on May 19th. The Huletts Current submitted the following questions to each candidate running for the school board. I explained to each candidate that I would run their answers as the they submitted them on the Huletts Current.

Could you please tell us about yourself and why you are running for the school board?

The Town of Dresden pays a high percentage of the taxes to finance the school budget (around 50%) while having only approximately 10% of the students in the school district. What specific steps will you advocate that will decrease school taxes?

Residents of Huletts Landing feel their concerns regarding rising taxes are not being heard. Would you be willing to attend a meeting in the summer at Huletts Landing to listen to the concerns of seasonal residents there who pay a proportionally large share of the school budget?

Are you in favor of academic, behavioral and/or attendance probation that will deny students the ability to participate in interscholastic or after-school activities who are failing, exhibit behavioral problems and/or who refuse to attend school regularly?

For the past several years, the Whitehall School District has run budget surpluses that are placed in special reserve accounts after approval by the voters to be spent later with voter approval. Will you vote to return any of these budget surpluses to the taxpayers in the form of reduced taxes if elected? Does this indicate a problem with the budgeting process to be consistently over-budget every year?

Today we present how Mr. Jim Huntington, the current school board president and candidate for the school board, replied to our questions.

Dear Mr. Kapusinski:

I have received your letter dated April 18, 2009. Thank you for your interest in my position as a candidate for the Whitehall Central School Board. I do appreciate your interest in my views as a candidate, however at this time, I feel that as a sitting Board member, I would be overstepping my position to attend a meeting in Huletts without the full consent of my fellow Board members whom I would be representing. As President of the Board, it is my duty to represent the consensus of the board in each area that is questioned. If I stated my opinion, without asking for Board approval, I do not feel that I would be fairly representing the School Board.

Yes, I am a resident of Dresden and I am proud to have lived here all of my life and to have raised my three children here. Now, I am a representative of not only the people of Dresden, but I am a representative for all of the residents of the Whitehall School District. All students, no matter whether they reside in Dresden, Hampton or Whitehall are my concern. I do not favor any one over the other. They are all important to me as they should be.

I am proud of the fact that the Whitehall School Board, the Administration and the entire staff continually consider the needs of our School Community and learning environment. In the present economy, there is a delicate balance in providing for the education for all of our students and the funds needed to sustain the high level of education, which is provided to our students. We, as a Board, strive to meet government mandates in a way that keeps costs as low as possible and at the same time provide a meaningful education that will ensure success to all students.

Mr. Kapusinski, I acknowledge that we share the same concerns in this educational process. That is why I became an involved taxpayer. I, as I’m sure you do, want to provide our children with an education that will help to ensure them a successful and productive future. At the same time, the School Board is acutely aware of the cost burden put upon the taxpayers. These are tough decisions and we certainly try to make decisions that benefit the majority and still stay within New York Department of Education mandates.

As always, the Board of Education meets on the third Monday of every month. We would gladly listen to any concerns and comments whenever they are presented.

Sincerely,

Jim Huntington

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Washington County Beach Hours for 2009

While this article from the Post Star is almost completely about the public beach in Jackson having its hours cut this summer, the article touches upon the schedule for the Washington County Beach in Huletts at the end.

“The Huletts beach will be open 84 days from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its season also starts on Memorial Day weekend. The beach will be open regularly starting June 28 until Sept. 7.”

While the supervisors had previously cut the spending for both the Jackson and Dresden beaches late last year, the Dresden Town Board came up with a plan to keep the Huletts beach open and operating as it has in the past.

This is the difference that good leadership makes.

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The School Board Candidates: Adam Mickel

This year there are two vacancies on the Board of Education and only two candidates running for these two seats. The Huletts Current submitted the following questions to each candidate running for the school board. I explained to each candidate that I would run their answers as the they submitted them on the Huletts Current.

Could you please tell us about yourself and why you are running for the school board?

The Town of Dresden pays a high percentage of the taxes to finance the school budget (around 50%) while having only approximately 10% of the students in the school district. What specific steps will you advocate that will decrease school taxes?

Residents of Huletts Landing feel their concerns regarding rising taxes are not being heard. Would you be willing to attend a meeting in the summer at Huletts Landing to listen to the concerns of seasonal residents there who pay a proportionally large share of the school budget?

Are you in favor of academic, behavioral and/or attendance probation that will deny students the ability to participate in interscholastic or after-school activities who are failing, exhibit behavioral problems and/or who refuse to attend school regularly?

For the past several years, the Whitehall School District has run budget surpluses that are placed in special reserve accounts after approval by the voters to be spent later with voter approval. Will you vote to return any of these budget surpluses to the taxpayers in the form of reduced taxes if elected? Does this indicate a problem with the budgeting process to be consistently over-budget every year?

Today we present how, Mr. Adam Mickel, candidate for the school board, replied to our questions.


Adam Mickel, pictured on the left, is a candidate in this years election for the school board.

Dear Mr. Kapusinski:

I appreciate your interest in the Whitehall Board of Education Elections this year.

I have attached a statement in lieu of your specific questions. I did this as I do not feel comfortable answering questions of policies that I have yet to be acquainted with. I also did not have an adequate time for verify the percentage and facts you relied on, which I am sure you can appreciate as a journalist and a lawyer. What I have provided you with is a brief overview of my background and experience. I also touched, in general, the topics that you originally asked.

I will leave it up to you if you print my response or not.

Thank you for the opportunity to address your readership.

Adam J. Mickel MS Ed.

(Editor’s Note: I replied to Mr. Mickel that while I would take credit for being a blogger, I am not an attorney.)

My name is Adam Mickel and I am candidate for the Whitehall Central School District Board of Education this May 2009. I was born and raised in Whitehall and have strong family ties to the area. I graduated Whitehall Jr.-Sr. High School in 1994. I went on to Adirondack Community College where I earned my Associates of Science in Criminal Justice. I then furthered my education and attended the College of St. Joseph in Rutland and earned a Bachelors of Arts in Education/Liberal Studies. I finished off my student career at SUNY Plattsburgh earning a Masters of Science in Education. I then taught for four years at the elementary level, and later finished the course work to gain my secondary licensure, and taught social studies in middle and high school for an additional three years. During the summer I also taught Adult Basic Education at Great Meadow Correctional Facility for six consecutive summers. I recently left the education field and became a Vermont Correctional Officer and have had been employed at the Southern State Correctional Facility since March of 2008. On a personal note, my wife, Julie Gosselin-Mickel, and I purchased our first home together in the village. We reside there with our daughters Alexandria Mickel and Elizabeth Gosselin.

With my varied background I feel as though I can accurately understand all facets of the educational system: as a former educator, a parent, a community member, and as a taxpayer. First and foremost is that education is Paramount. Taxes are always a concern to all families, especially in these hard economic times, but we need to balance this with our children’s’ and community’s needs. I feel as those my perspective, and multiple hats I have worn if you will, places me in a position to be an effective board member.

I have attended many different board of education meetings during the course of my career. I would like to see attendance at the board meetings increase. Public participation is a fundamental part of any political entity, and I believe that participation and attendance show a strong support and interest in the school and community. I believe this so strongly that I, as a Participation in Government Teacher, used to require my students to attend school board, as well as town and village board, meetings. It is during this venue that such things as interscholastic eligibility policies and budget discussions can be observed and audience input sought.

I look forward to serving my community and getting back into the educational system in a new capacity. I look forward to working with my fellow board members and the school district.