Aloha from Elvis on Shores of Lake George, NY!

The Lake George Elvis Festival is kicking (or should I say 'rockin' ) into high gear. This year the festival will run from May 29th to June 1 in Lake George, NY--nestled in the gateway area to the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.

Its cool...its filled with great music...and "THERE'S A WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN' GOIN' ON!"

FOR DETAIL INFO CHECK THE WEBSITE AT: LakeGeorgeElvisFestival.com

Here are some schedule highlights:

Thursday- May 29th

-Opening Night Party at Adirondack Pub & Brewery

-Opening Ceremony in Shepard's Park (FREE)

Friday- May 30th

-Memorabilia & Craft Show opens for the weekend

-First Round of the Tribute Artist Competition at the Lake George Forum

-Friday's Big Show3: 40th ANNIVERSARY COMEBACK- starrring Dwight Icenhower and Irv Cass who join our 2007 champions Justin Edwards and Robert Washington to recreate Elvi's acclaimed '68 Comeback Special-to be held at the Lake George Forum

-After Hours Party hosted by Ronnie Craig at the Boardwalk Restaurant

Saturday- May 31

-Classic Car Parade through Lake George Village

-Second Round of Tribute Artist Competition at the Lake George Forum

-Impromptu citings of "you know how" Around Lake George

-Saturday's big Show: ALOHA FROM LAKE GEORGE-starring Shawn Klush and Donny Edwards with the Change of Habit Tribute Band and MC Ronnie Craig -at the Lake George Forum

-After Hours Party hosted by Irv Cass at King Neptune's Pub

Sunday- June 1

-Gospel Concert at the Lake George Forum (FREE)

-Tribute Artist Competition Grand Finals and Awards Ceremony at the Lake George Forum

-Festival Wrap Party at the Steel Pier sponsored by the Lake George Steamboat Company

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For lodging info, maps, discount coupons to area attractions/restaurants/shops please stop by or call our chamber office at 1-800-705-0059 or visit us at 2176 State RT 9, Opposite Prospect Mountain, in Lake George. Our Visitor Center on Beach Road is also open all weekend!

Visit our Website at: LakeGeorgeChamber.com for complete listing for the entire region from Glens Falls and its boutique downtown-- to Ticonderoga and its 18th Century recreated Fortress on Lake Champlain!

Check out our downloadable online discount coupons!

Stop in our main office with a print out of this blog for a special FREE gift!

WOW.. This weather-gets visitors coming early!

One would almost think that summer has come to the Lake George Region in the Adirondacks! but wait....what is that? there is still snow on my mountain in Bolton Landing--so lets not be too quick to think we have escaped all remnants of winter! From what I understand...what we had was a "typical old fashioned winter here"...and lingering snow is part of that mix. However, it still amazes me that we can have 8 days of mid -60-70 degree weather and still have snow ladden forests and streambed rocks. It is beautiful!

Just the same, our mid-70's degree sunny weather has foisted us into some great opening days to the season. Last week, while enjoying a lunch out on the sunny deck of JC Montana's restaurant on Canada Street my friend and I could not help but notice the literal "throngs" of people. The restaurants that were open had small waiting lines to get a seat outdoors!! Bless those outside cafe's started last year--now business owners have to scramble to get them re-installed. Kinda seems silly to have to take them down in the first place but that was the Village rule. In any case, Kudo's to those businesses who in a flurry opened their doors, put on their smiles--greeted the visitors and fired up their cash registers!! Reports have it from one business on Canada Street that business on Saturday was amazingly close to volume of a typical Americade day. Now that IS SAYING SOMETHING!

When a Channel 8 news reported stopped in my office to do a story on the rising gas prices and how they were going to affect tourism, I said---now IS THE TIME, but here is NOT THE PLACE, "lets go down to the lakeside and enjoy the sun, the water and of course--this one in a million view!" So off we went and enjoyed ourselves while doing business. Any excuse I can get (or for that matter our hundreds of thousands of annual visitors can get) to come away and escape to "THE LAKE" is a good enough reason for me. I still have to pinch myself that I have been so fortunate to live right here in this majestic place.

Some may say that late spring is still not the time for a visit to LG. I beg to differ. While its true that not all the businesses are open--many are, at least on the weekends. But the clear sky, the little bit of crispness in the air and the warm sun are a magical recipe. Putting in a canoe or kayak can yield the paddler and up close and intimate rendezvous with a Loon and his family or the awesome sight of a bald eagle or deer who have come to feed on remote lakeshores. If you are into white water rafting---there is NO BETTER TIME than now! There is plenty to see and do and places to stay. The area is waking up and we are loving the folks who have already come to visit and get a jump on summer!

Please let me know if there are topics of interest that you would like to see covered in my blog about the Lake George Region. I would be happy to oblige if possible!

Next week.....info about Americade and Elvis!

Dunham's Bay Resort Hosts Great Chamber Mixer

Many thanks go out to the folks at Dunham's Bay Resort for their wonderful hospitality in hosting one of our Business After Hours Mixer's last evening. Sitting at the head of Dunham's Bay the view is simply breathtaking (and sure is good to see NO signs of ice!) and we could not help but feel that spring and the new summer season is around the corner. We had a very nice turn out of members and it was especially great to have three of our newest member businesses on hand; Adirondack Winery, Paychex, Inc-K. Delsignore and Ballooning Adventures! Our chamber mixers are a great way for members, prospective members and new members to meet, greet and network. I saw some great cross-marketing talk going on between retailers and hoteliers, accommodations and restaurant owners. That type of event is what a chamber is all about. Thanks again Rex Moon (Marketing Director) and Mark Childs (General Manager & Executive Chef) from Dunham's Bay Resort for making this event such a great one!

Hey...there are people out there!!

It is always great to know that somewhere, at some point in a busy day...someone has had a chance to visit our blog. It makes the time spent feel worthwhile for sure. Well, Lake George is coming alive slow but sure. In Bolton Landing there are still places with two feet of snow (like my backyard!) but in LG Village signs of spring are happening. The shop keepers are starting to restock, spiff up storefronts and the village crews are starting their rounds. I even saw some crocus blooming in Queensbury yesterday! We have several new stores that have opened over the late winter and a few more soon to open in spring.

You simply have to check out the new bakery on the side street going to the Mini-Chopper food store. Old fashioned bakery feel with simply luscious things to eat! Also new and soon to open will be Adirondack Winery on Canada Street. They are up in the new building opposite Shepard Park. Visit them at www.adirondackwinery.com. They are new members to the chamber and we wish them well.

In the next coming weeks LG Village will be hosting many tried and true events that bring in thousands of visitors. I will be posting details of event info soon so please come back to visit.

Tourist Rail line Expansion Opens up Expanded Tourism Possibilities

The Warren County Supervisors have a tough job on a week by week, day by day basis. The decisions they make affect every segment of our business climate and the quality of life for area residents. At a recent meeting I attended (I try to attend as many as my schedule will permit) one topic of hot discussion was the continued funding and support for the expansion of the "tourist rail" lines that could eventually link the North Creek Station to Saratoga. The County is already in for a considerable amount of funds as well as a signer on a grant that would infuse more dollars. The question appears to lie on just how much more will need to be spent and should additional funds be allocated and sought to build "real stations" at strategic points or would simple platforms suffice.

What a blissful marriage this historic tourist rail program would be! Saratoga is already an easy destination for NYC dwellers who do not own cars but can easily get to Saratoga via rail. Having that additional amenity of a rail connection to North Creek could enhance not only the viability of this quintessential North Country village year round--but also provide viable reasons for economic development and tourism promotion to the small towns and villages that dot the tracks along the way. Towns like Thurman, Stony Creek and even Lake Luzerne (though over the river) can and would all benefit from this added rail link with creative and progressive thinking and their own communities support. There are special interest hobbiests and clubs who seek out historic rail excursions, and non-profit groups have already seen some great results from hosting events on the train. I can envision full schedules of fall foliage tours, Christmas Holiday Santa Trains, School trips, Red Hatters, Senior bus tours, etc. etc. A growing Destination Wedding marketing effort is panning out as well! (see our article in our 08 vacation guide which highlights the Upper Hudson River Railroad and a wedding held there). As part of being able to lure tour operators to our region having a unique cache of itineraries to offer is key to landing them here.

Our economic tourism generator is always in need of new things to keep our region fresh and competative. When we, as a chamber, go promoting our region at national travel expos it is normally the first or second question we get asked...."what is new??" Of course this is always what media and travel writers want to know as well. It behooves us, our tourism-based businesses and yes, the county fathers and mothers to always be looking for opportunity when it comes knocking...or in this case...tooting its whistle!

APA seeking input on Snowmobile trail access

Is snowmobiling threatened in the Lake George Area? The Adirondack Park Agency recently published a press release noting they are seeking public comment and opinions regarding snowmobiling in the Adirondack Park.

From this writers viewpoint---(literally looking out at a major snowmobile hub at Prospect Mtn), --Snowmobiling in the Lake George Region is key to the economic viability of our region in the winter months. We have year round flag hotels that are depending on a growing winter and year round season to survive. Our Winter Carnival events each weekend in February have many events which capture the attention and support of snowmobilers. Several recent news articles have noted that the proposals on the table would enhance some trail access and broaden linkages between hamlets and towns. It bears review and a deeper look into!

According to the APA article, the public comments are "being gathered as the agency will be reviewing its policies in early March regarding the extent of snowmobiling in the Adirondacks". APA Staffers and Dept. of Environmental Conservation representatives presented their recommendations to the APA on Feb 7. These recommendations "propose limiting snowmobile trails to 849 miles".

We encourage our blog readers to check out the proposal directly and forward comments to the APA quickly. According to the news article which appeared in the Adirondack Journal recently, you can access the APA proposal and comment section at:

www.apa.state.ny.us/press/slideshow/text.htm

Written comments can be sent to: James Connelly, Deputy Director, Planning at the Adirondack Park Agency, PO Box 99, Ray Brook, NY 12977

(photo image by L. Duffy-LK Geo. Winter Carnival Cmt)

Lake George Region Looses "Mind's Eye" Naturalist Photographer-Richard "Dick" Dean

It is with deep regret that we acknowledge the passing of Richard "Dick" Dean who for decades has been recognized as the pre-eminent naturalist photographer in the Adirondacks and our Lake George Region. Many in the area know that I am "a new comer--and most likely will be one for as long as I live--and that's okay with my fresh eyes. One of the very first things I recognized having only moved to the region four years ago was that no matter where I went, or what website I used to research before my move I was continually reminded of the magnificent and sheer natural splendor of this area through the eyes of Mr. Dean and his "Dean Color" hallmark. It is that "minds eye" way of looking through the lens of a camera that makes a split second in our world part of a lasting legacy on printed paper.

As I have the pleasure to now visit so many businesses in our area as the Executive Director of the Lake George Regional Chamber I am reminded how many people understand, recognize and value his work as well--and have for generations. Each week I see his photographs in a shop, office, reception area, hotel guest room, or at minimum on countless websites. the Dean photographic image of Lake George and our beautiful Adirondack Mountains is all around us. I would venture a guess that many of our visitors to the area carry home their own framed photo or at minimum send a postcard with a Dean Color image on it. Here at the chamber we commissioned Mr. Dean many, many years ago to create a plethora of photographs for us to use in our marketing and media work. Many of these images are still used today by our staff because they are as timeless as the subject matter itself.

While one of his daughters remarked recently that she ventured " millions of copies have been made of Dad's photographs over the years" I can honestly say that each time you see one its like you are sitting at that very moment seeing that sunset, casting out that line or turning to see the snowfall on the branch for the very first time. Our area has truly lost a legacy-- who through his generous eyes we all can benefit for future generations to come.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Dean Family. Dean Color has been a member of our chamber for many, many years and helped to shape the "Minds eye" image of the Lake George Region forever.