Happy Halloween! ...

My few hours as a blonde at the school party for K-6 this afternoon! Even my own son and daughter-in-law didn't know me!

4-H Cookie Time!...

This evening the doorbell rang and there were two young boys selling 4-H cookies and candy bars. The proceeds from this goes to fund award trips to the state capitol, state fair and "Club Congress" at Cornell University. As these boys are my grandsons I immediately chose several packages to buy!


If you aren't familiar with 4-H, here is the website,... http://www.4-h.org/ and the wikipedia page,... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4-H . My grandchildren are third generation 4-H club members. A great-grandmother, a great-grandfather and a grandmother were 4-H club leaders. I guess 4-H is a family thing!

Saranac Village,...

Last evening I was invited by a friend to go with her to an evening of music at Saranac Village at Will Rogers. What a fun evening it was! Featured was Dave Nichols and Spare Change, check them out at:

http://www.myspace.com/davidnicholssparechange

Saranac Village at Will Rogers is a seventy-unit retirement community. It occupies the historical building built to be a "cure" home for theatrical tuberculosis patients. This photo is taken from their website listed below.

http://www.saranacvillage.com/index.shtml

The current residents of Saranac Village enjoyed the evening of music and chatting with Dave and his band members during their intermission.

A "good time was had by all" as the social accounts of olden days used to report!

A New Skyline,...

Driving home today from a long weekend of camping these wind turbines stretched along this ridge in Clinton County for as far as the eye could see.


Some people here in the Adirondacks find anything that mars a ridgeline or view to be offensive. This sight, rather than offending my eyes, fills my heart with hope. I do not know about the quantity of production , the mechanics, or the merchandising of the power generated. But I do believe we need to explore more of this! I wish i could put one here on my hill!

The Sun Shines on North Creek!...

After what has seemed like weeks of rainy weather, this north country event enjoyed blazing sun and high spirits! The Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival, August 22-24, brought people from all over to the small town of North Creek. The northern part of the Hudson River flows nearby, hence the name "Upper Hudson."

The Ski Bowl Park was filled with campers, tents, vans and large motorhomes. When I arrived at noon on Thursday, a day before the opening act came on the stage, there were many people already there and small groups gathering for "field picking." Festivals such as these are a staple in the summer social scene and a wonderful example of Adirondack/North Country culture.

Here is Dave Nichols and "Spare Change" from Malone, NY. Dave is playing mandolin, his wife, Nadine is playing the bass. He always features each band member in various songs, sharing the "spotlight."


By mid-day on Saturday the audience filled the pavillion, by sunset the lawn in front was covered with people on blankets and in lawn chairs. Children danced and played to the music.



"Smokey" Green, a North Country legend entertains,....

In the parking lot people gather at various campers to enjoy informal jam sessions. This lady playing the bass was singing a ballad with a sweet and clear voice.

Beartracks,.... Junior Barber, Julie Venne-Hogan and her brother Tom Venne. Julie's energetic style on the bass is such fun to watch. http://www.beartracksband.com/

Here two young men are working the edge of the crowd selling raffle tickets for a guitar by Blueridge. Dave Nichols donates a guitar for a raffle and all proceeds go to support the festival. Dave does this at each festival he attends. What a generous way to support the continuation of bluegrass in the Adirondacks and surrounding areas. Dave Nichols is an artist who builds mandolins and also does custom pearl inlay work as well as performing. Check him out at http://www.custompearlinlay.com/aboutdave.htm .

Other performers were The Atkinson Family,...
and another of my most favorite,... Cabin Fever, http://www.thecabinfeverband.com/

If you want to experience fun and friendship in the "bluegrass family"... attend a festival. Don't forget to bring a lawn chair,... and settle down to spend a few hours or a weekend with some great music!

Horsing Around,...

Horsepower in the true sense was the way work was accomplished in times past. A few people still keep draft horses and work them today. When the work was finished many years ago farmers and lumberjacks would gather for pulling contests between their teams. Those contests are still held today.

These draft horses are meant to work, they practically dance in anticipation when they are backing up to hitch. Yesterday's contest at the fair was marked by sportsmanship between drivers who all shook hands at the end when the winner was announced. And at no time did a driver mistreat a team. It was a real joy to watch the teams do what their breeding meant for them to do.

These teams are ponies.

Teams rest at the side rails between pulls.

Cement blocks are added in 500# increments. They represent the weight of chores in the past when horses were used in the woods to skid out logs or to pull farm machinery in the fields.

Waiting his turn...

A team of Belgians hitched and ready to do what comes naturally for them.

Other horse events were happening in the show ring. Here a young lady readies her favorite friend for his saddle.

Comepetition in various classes of horsemanship...

Of course the midway was the hub of the fairgrounds as it was Saturday and parents were bringing their children for the fun and games...

But my favorite place was hanging out with the big guys,... this was my goodbye shot as I was leaving to go home!

Around the grounds,...

Wednesday was the first day of the county fair. The sky was threatening rain again so that may have been a factor in the reason for a smaller than usual crowd. Also the more exciting events are toward the end of the fair's run, things such as tractor pulling and demolition derby. This day's events were horse and cattle events.



Game prizes and balloons wait for eager children to try their luck...





The Ferris Wheel with bright lights stands in contrast to the overcast sky,...





The midway rides were just starting. The first two youngsters enjoy this kiddie ride.





A crowd was gathered at an exhibit of wood carving. Rather than a whittling knife this man was using a chain saw. An eagle is finished. He's now starting a bear.





What is a fair without "fair food?" Funnel cake is a sweet treat!



Antique tractors on display. Not so many years ago these were not antiques but the workhorses of the local farms.

Here a young lady is grooming her horse for competition. She works with her horse with patience and love,...
The final reward for hard work hangs in the 4-H barn. Rosettes for Junior Champion, Senior Champion and Reserve (2nd place) Senior Champion all hang over Jersey cows from the same 4-H family. There must be proud young people in that family tonight!

4-H at the County Fair....

It's "fair week"... and the year of hard work raising 4-H calves and cows is down to the wire, or should I say down to the judges decision! Children ages 5-19 join local clubs, estimated at 90,000 clubs worldwide, and work on projects that range from dairy cows, horses, to sewing, cooking and carpentry skills.

Wikipedia describes 4-H as follows: "The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, and life skills of youth through mostly experiential learning programs. Though typically thought of as an agriculturally focused organization as a result of its history, 4-H today focuses on citizenship, healthy living, and science, engineering and technology programs."

Here local youth bring their cattle to the fair's show ring.


This young man won Grand Champion Ayshire for his cow.

A busy fellow, he's here again showing his prize winning Jersey cow along with his cousin who also took an award.

This little Holstein calf is hoping she can rest after finishing a trip to the show ring and winning a blue ribbon!

Bedore's Flea Market....

There is an old saying in 5¢ & 10¢ stores,..."if we don't have it, you don't need it!" Here is a case where that may be true.



Shelves and shelves of clean and neatly arranged typical flea market items...




Several rooms are waiting for you to explore.



Do you want a book to read?



Or an antique barber's chair?


Antique saws and other tools are hanging by the nicely crafted fireplace.


Would you like deer antlers for your den?

Or maybe canoe paddles?

When you go, you will find Bedore's located on route 9N between AuSable Forks and Jay. The shop is open Saturdays and Sundays. Have fun looking for a real treasure!

The Old Dock...

Monday I joined two friends for lunch at a local summer eatery on the shore of Lake Champlain in Essex. The weather continues to be rainy and overcast, but the conversation was sunny and warm!
The entrance is welcoming, lined with flowers and herbs.



Despite the overcast sky the breeze was not chilly...


There are moorings provided for those that wish to arrive by boat. At mid-day these were empty but evening hours finds them busy with people arriving for dinner from up and down the lake and across from Vermont.

The sign over the bar out on the deck ....

A few feet north of the restaurant is a ferry that travels back and forth between the NY and VT side of the lake.

Lunch at The Old Dock,… always a treat! Now if we could only have some sunny weather!