Let the celebrations begin!The summer season is off to a great start - the water is as blue as the sky, the sun is shining, and our seasonal shops are open for business!The action really heats up this week as our villages prepare to celebrate the long holiday weekend with events for all ages. We invite you to come celebrate with us along the Adirondack Coast; it is really the ideal location for this specific holiday.It was on the waters and...

 Recently my wife and I took a little spring outing. The morning sky was clear and the sun shown warm as we started out. Opening the car door, our two enthusiastic companions and intrepid explorers, Cappy and Waggs, excitedly jumped in and we embarked. We have been exploring our local CATS (Champlain Area Trails), starting with a lovely hike up Coot Hill/Big Hollow last fall. We decided Crowfoot Pond would be a more challenging follow-up -...

Feature photo: Early morning trout stocking- courtesy of Chris Barber  Thousands of the beautiful trout that enjoy life in our streams, creeks, ponds, and lakes spent their youth at the Essex County Fish Hatchery. Every year this hatchery acquires approximately 77,000 rainbow trout eggs, 75,000 brown trout eggs, and 70-77,000 brook trout eggs from huge US Fish and Wildlife suppliers located across the country.Not all of the eggs make...

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions. In fact, I think they're downright silly. I guess I’m just more comfortable with my vices than most folks. Don’t get me wrong, if you have made some pledge to better yourself in the coming year, I salute you, but enough time has gone by that I say it is time to take stock of your life… and by that I mean it’s time to restock on goodies and sweet treats!The Adirondacks may seem like a...

One of the most common phobias is fear of heights, or acrophobia. Research speculates that 3-5% of our population is affected by this fear. So much so that their anxiety limits many of their activities and they bypass opportunities for some spectacular experiences. The Lake Champlain Region offers phenomenal scenic vistas; some of which are best achieved in elevated areas. If you are a member of this 3-5% let me share three ideas where you may...

There’s no doubt about it: Alexander Hamilton is a rockstar right now.The Founding Father is the subject of the smash-hit Broadway musical “Hamilton: An American Musical,” which tells the story of the American Revolution and the early days of our country through a hip-hop lens. It has taken America by storm, selling out shows since its off-Broadway debut in February 2015 and only gaining steam when it moved to Broadway in August 2015. It’s been...

As I started to write this blog it was snowing! Are you as anxious as I for some real spring/summer weather and all the opportunities and activities to choose from? A major summer treat for me are the farmers’ markets. I find them a feast for all senses. The colorful sights, smells, and tastes of summer are all on display at the numerous farmers’ markets throughout the region. Luckily, Ticonderoga is not making us wait until the depths of summer...

Abundance of Recreation and NatureSituated directly on the Adirondack Coast, on Lake Shore Road about half way between the hamlets of Westport and Essex, is an unusual site - a remarkable playground for any outdoor enthusiast. There is a plethora of outdoor experiences and recreational opportunities to be had all in one place, rather a one-stop “shopping mall” for nature lovers. This site has everything: history, water, views, cliffs, forest,...

February events in the Lake Champlain RegionThe Lake Champlain Region is gearing up for a busy February, with historic re-enactments, concerts, rock climbing and snowshoe hikes for starters.Ice and rock climbing talkWinter Climbing will be the subject of the CRUX Climbing Center's event on February 4th. Famous Adirondack ice and rock climber and author, Don Mellor, will be on hand along with Mark Scott to discuss ice climbing technique in the...

How lucky is the Lake Champlain Valley?Unbelievably. We may live 5 hours or so from NYC but we are always learning of a new talent who has decided to settle in this quiet and picturesque valley.For about a year now, I have been hearing about one such resident--composer/trumpeter, Taylor Haskins.According to his website, Mr. Haskins is being hailed as one of the most original new voices on the trumpet today. Downbeat magazine declared him...

It is a quintessential autumn day, slightly past peak, sunny and warm enough to walk around with just long sleeves yet there is a slight crispness to the air. It is Canadian Thanksgiving and Columbus Day weekend, one of the busiest weekends of the year in the North Country.I am celebrating by taking a ride to Ted Cornell’s Art Farm (aka Crooked Brook Studios) in Westport, NY. This blog is more or less a continuation of a blog on Ted’s slide...

Fall events in the Lake Champlain Region bring together history with arts and cultural happenings. Topping the list this coming weekend are the Fort Ticonderoga Brown's Raid Re-enactment and the Otis Mountain Get Down.Brown's Raid Re-enactment is a two day event, September 14 and 15. With General John Burgoyne’s Army south at Saratoga in September of 1777, march with Colonel John Brown and his militia men as they raid Ticonderoga, releasing...

The Essex County Fair is in full swing and in respect of its impressive 165 years running, I thought I would post some great historic photographs and a bit of history. The first Essex County-Clinton County Fair was organized by Elkanah Watson in 1848. It was held on the Port Kent Road, on the plains east of the Town of Keeseville. The most important event was horse racing, which is still a component of the fair. In 1850, Essex and Clinton...

It’s opening night of the 35th annual season of the Depot Theatre in Westport and the lobby is a buzz. Tonight we will be treated to a world premiere of a new musical and the writers themselves, are among the excited audience members. We are told this by the Depot Managing Director, Angel Wuellner, in her curtain speech to us before the show begins.The show we will premiere is “Route 66” which has been advertised as a new romantic musical comedy...

When President Lincoln issued a call for volunteers in the spring of 1861, the citizens of Essex County responded immediately and in numbers far out of proportion to their population.  Crown Point, Elizabethtown, Keeseville, and Moriah quickly formed companies. Throughout 1861, men from all over the county followed suit; joining existing infantry regiments, forming new ones, or creating special cavalry or artillery units to fill specific...