Winter comes to the Lake George NY region

Finally...some terrific "white stuff" amounting to a few inches of snow blanketing the Lake George Region in upstate NY. In the past few years it seems that all the good snow storms have come up the NJ and PA areas, get to just below Albany and bang a quick right into New England. Just not fair!! Luckily, we have some great snowmaking systems for our ski mountains here and Gore and West Mountains have been preparing for weeks for this school vacation week in particular.

At Gore Mountain, the interconnect is complete and has opened up a whole new set of runs and glades that connect the North Creek Ski Bowl to the main mountain(s) at Gore. Whiteface Mountain, about 90 miles to our north, and the home of the Olympic Ski venues has been cooking on full steam for several weeks now. A co-worker was up into Lake Placid village last Thursday and said it "was a different world up there with lots of natural snow everywhere!".

Closer to Lake George, we also have West Mountain, in Queensbury. A very family friendly place with great skiing, snowboarding and tubing for everyone. Easy to get to off I-87 the Northway too. Hickory Ski Center came online again last year. Snugged against a mountain that overlooks down into the Hudson River, Hickory is one of the last remaining, truly natural terrain mountains of the east. Most of its ski terrain is glades that you would think you were the first human being to discover in the wilderness. Because of this, however, their snow making is very limited so they really depend on Mother Nature to do her dilligence and get their runs covered with the white stuff. Hickory is a must do for Black Diamond skiiers seeking a bit of something different. Not a lot of flash or glamour but the thrill of feeling like you are the very first explorer to find the mountain!

From my window, as always i will keep my eye on the Veteran's Memorial Highway at Prospect Mountain. My office window overlooks the gates and when i see they have opened for snowmobilers i will keep everyone informed. Its a must do and very awesome to get to the top and see for 100 miles in all directions! If you like a challenge of hiking or snowshoeing, you can access the mountain anytime from walking trail access points. Slap your snowshoes on your back, get to the roadway on the mountain and start treking! Next week, some tips on cross country skiing options in the region.

Need info on any of the Adirondack North Country ski areas or any other winter sport?? Contact our office or check out our website at http://www.lakegeorgechamber.com/ and we have links to ski conditions, businesses open and welcoming guests, etc. right from our home page.

Winter has arrived in the North Country and Lake George....come and visit--the fireplace is cracklin'

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New Years special event abound in the LG region!

New years is around the corner! There are plenty of things to see and do during a New Years get away to the Lake George Region and Warren County. From outlet mall and unique ADK shops to lakefront dining and fabulous New Years packages there is something for everyone.

One of my favorites is going out on "the lake" first thing on New Years day. Seeing the folks diving into the lake is a treat too....esp. while sipping a steaming hot cappucino from inside a local restaurant! LOL

Watch for our e-newsletter coming out in a few weeks listing all sorts of places having some great New Years packages available...from lake cruises at midnight to lakefront or remote getaways to just..forget 2010 and usher in 2011! if you are not a subscriber already, please visit our website and sign up to be part of the email club! you can opt out anytime---but the news, discounts and extras are great! Last minute reservations are welcomed.

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics

This past Saturday a small but mighty team from the chamber dove into 47 degree water in Lake George for the annual Polar Plunge to support NYS Special Olympics. Congrats to Janice, Michael and Christine for "freezin' for a reason"!! also thanks to Roberta who made the plunge again this year for her Fort Wm Henry team!! Thanks guys!!

a good time was had by all. Most of the shops and restaurants are always open during any special weekend events off season...so please visit us!

Worlds Largest Garage Sale in LG Region this Weekend

For anyone who loves the "prospects of the hunt" for trash and treasures....Warrensburg NY, just minutes northwest of Lake George holds the golden key this weekend. Oct 2-3 are the dates of the "World's Largest Garage Sale" which amounts to hundreds and hundreds of vendors, local homeowners and antique shops putting their wares out for sale at great prices! Every main street, side street, lane and front yard is covered with stuff!!!!!

Warrensburg is a wonderful place to go antique hunting anytime of year...ask me...i am a regular--since they have several really good shops on their main street. but during garage sale weekend the whole town really comes alive. There are antique and flea market vendors from all over the country and esp. the north east. Now not all is antique or collectibles...there is some second hand junk (but you know the saying--one person's trash is another's treasure!), some flea market stuff and also some farmer market and (really good) food vendors too. So in essence, there is something for everyone.

Its a very popular event, rain or shine...people come by busloads. They do have shuttle parking and its well marked off exit 23. My suggestion... you gotta experience it...at least once! For more info call our chamber at 518-668-5755.

So much going on this weekend in the Lake George Region!

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, the Lake George Region is the place to find something for everyone of all ages. There is the Stony Creek Mountain Festival, a traditional North Country favorite which brings the pages of Adirondack life "to life" and there is the debut of "The Last of the Mohicans Outdoor Drama" which is being presented in the courtyard of the Fort William Henry Museum on Canada Street. To find out more visit: http://www.lastofthemohicans.org/ for all the details. Looks like opening night is going to be a sold out event but tickets are still available for the rest of the show nights. The performances run through Tuesday, August 10. This historical drama is set to begin running every summer in Lake George, but seeing it for its very first run is a real special treat for the whole family!

Other great activities include:

Hague Arts Fair in beautiful lakeside Hague on Lake George

Fife & Drum Muster at Fort Ticonderoga

4 on 4 Volleyball Tournament at Million Dollar Beach

So please come up to "THE LAKE" and experience a wonderful summer getaway! For info on these or any future events, please call the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce at 668-5755 or visit our website at www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com

Last of the Mohicans Outdoor Drama's Debut in Lake George, NY

The Last of the Mohicans Outdoor Drama will be hosting its Second Annual Fundraiser Cruise on Monday, July 12 aboard the MOHICAN cruise boat on beautiful Lake George. The event will feature some of the performing cast who will do vignettes from the play as well as some period singers and other special features.

The Last of the Mohicans Outdoor Drama, Inc. is a local, non-profit organization who has as its mission to bring historical entertainment and education regarding the significance of the Lake George region during the founding of our country and specifically during the French & Indian War period. The play is an original production written by Michael Dufault who used James Fenimore Cooper's classic novel to allow the story pages to come to life in this outdoor historical drama.

Full productions will be performed evenings on August 5th through August 10th. For more information and to purchase tickets for the Cruise or performances, please visit: http://www.lastofthemohicans.org/ or call 518-257-6659

ADIRONDACK WINERY’S “HONOR YOUR DAD” FREE WINE TASTING EVENT
When: Sat. 6/19 11a-7p AND Sun. 6/20 11a–6p
Details: Adirondack Winery is honoring Dads with a FREE wine tasting session on Father's Day Weekend! In addition to FREE wine, we’ll have fine foods, cheese & chocolate out, too! To treat your Dad, bring him with you to the winery; or Dads -- bring a picture of your kid(s) to the winery.
Where: Adirondack Winery & Tasting Room, 285 Canada Street, Lake George, NY 12845

For more info: (518) 668-9463 or http://www.adirondackwinery.com/
See this event on facebook

Welcome Americaders

June in the Adirondacks is filled with sunlit skies, clear air and clean water, budding flowers....and the wonderful din of Rock n' Roll (The annual Elvis Festival last weekend) and now this week we roll out the red carpet to over 35,000 touring motorcyclists from all over the country...and the world! ( I met someone from Israel and the UK two years ago!)

In heading back from a family gather in NJ last weekend it was wonderful to see bikes from North Carolina, Michigan, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia and more rolling up the ribbon of highways ultimately landing in our beautiful Lake George.

For their part, the organizers and staff at Americade "Central" have been at work for the past year to ensure that once again this event happens and happens with the gusto and panache that has been its annual trademark. They should be applauded for their outstanding work.

This event is a wonderful one that allows our area to showcase itself to Americade registrants and onlookers. Many visitors during this week come back to spend their family vacation here with us at other times of the year. Its economic impact has been logged in at $46Million per year to the local economy. Certainly, without this infusion of commerce, our local taxpaying residents would feel the bite into their pocketbooks in the form of increased taxes. As it stands, thanks to Americade and its visitors....we can tolerate a little motorcycle hum and traffic...and say...hey thanks Americaders!! We love seeing you!!

Queen's Great Boating Weekend-May 21-23

Join us in Lake George as we kick off the summer boating season with the new "Queen's Great Boating Weekend." Scheduled activities include:

A high performance boat parade on Canada Street, Friday night followed by a welcoming reception and party at the Fort William Henry.

The 4th Annual Milford Lester Memorial Cup Rowing Race at Million Dollar Beach on Saturday at 9 AM.

An Offshore Demonstration "Race" featuring high performance boats from the Lake George Village docks, Saturday at Noon.

An outdoor boat show in the Beach Road Parking Area throughout the weekend.

Live music, fireworks, and a celebration at King Neptune's Pub throughout the day and into the evening on Saturday.

For more information visit www.QueensGreatBoatingWeekend.com or email info@QueensGreatBoatingWeekend.com

Adirondack Winery & Tasting Room Celebrates Success!

Lake George: Strolling down Canada Street means a lot of things to a lot of people. For wine lovers and affectionato's two years ago...another memorable happening....happened!! Adirondack Winery opened to fanfare and corks popping! Owners, Sasha and Michael Pardy have continued to rack up awards and kudo's from locals and visitors far and wide.

This month, the store and wine tasting bar is celebrating its Second Anniversary in a big way! Check out this link to find out more about their unique business and how you can join them in celebrating with several FREE WINE TASTING events. Be sure to check out their award winning wines, gift selections and parings of cheeses, chocolates and other deliciousiousness!

Enjoy....and let them know the Chamber sent you!!

Luisa

It's Bands and Beans Time in the North Country!

The Lake George Arts Project will be hosting their fun-loving, "bean and burn" contest this coming Sunday, March 7th at the Roaring Brook Ranch in Lake George, NY. The event, officially called "Band's N' Beans" is one of the Arts Projects major fundraising events. The afternoon is filled with a myriad of live music bands playing while hundreds and hundreds of "food critics" a.k.a. the public who attends plys their way to dozens of "chili chefs" who have brought their secret formulas to tempt tastebuds and perk palates. For Ticket info call 518-668-5755 and our chamber staff will be glad to help with more info. We even have our own Sandy from our office entering in the Chili Contest this year!! Its a great event, lots of fun and a perfect thing to do on a winter Sunday in the North Country. come and join in the fun!!

Wrightstage Productions is presenting Brian Clark’s drama, Whose Life is it Anyway? at The Wood Theater in Glens Falls, NY on Friday, February 19 and Saturday, Februrary 20 at 7:30pm each evening.

Read more and purchase tickets online at www.Wrightstage.net

Wrightstage is a two-year old, local theatre company run by Neil Akins. Get your tickets ($15-$17) from The Wood box office (874-0800)

Whose Life is it Anyway? This drama about a young teacher/sculptor who becomes paralyzed from the neck down as the result of an automobile accident, features Nicholas Baroudi whom many of you saw in A Few Good Men, A Walk in the Woods and Our Town. The dramatic conflict revolves around his desire to be discharged from the hospital so he can die on his own terms and the hospital’s refusal to allow that to happen. The “right to die” issue is explored with great thoroughness and yes, even humor.

Please support this show!

Snowshoe Tours at Natural Stone Bridge and Caves!

Grand Opening

Stone Bridge & CAVES
Snowshoeing Adventure Tours.
On Thursday January 14, 2010, for the first time in its 55 year history, the Stone Bridge and surrounding property is open to the public during the winter.
Over 4 miles of trails (6.4 miles with roundtrips) highlighting views of Trout Brook, Sinkholes, Huge Glacial Erratic Boulders, & Vertical Ledges are currently available. See the Stone Bridge, the LARGEST marble CAVE ENTRANCE in the East. Constantly changing, everyday is a new experience at Natural Stone Bridge & Caves.
DAY PASSES for self-guided tours are available from Thursday – Sunday from 10am – 4pm (closed M, T & W)

EVENING MOONLIGHT TOURS are offered on Saturdays, 5pm-9pm. The walk begins with a 40min guided tour of the Stone Bridge Cave (lighted) followed by self-guided tour of the additional trails. A warm campfire and marshmallows await you after the hike.

Also included with either the Day or Evening Pass purchase is FREE use of our 9 “hole” Disc (Frisbee) Golf Course. Bring your own disc or we will provide you with a free rental disc. Playing in the snow is a blast!

SNOWSHOE RENTALS are available for use on site. Please call ahead to reserve (518-494-2283). Group Rates (10+) are available with prior arrangement only.

Located just 2.5 miles off of I-87, exit 26 at the end of Stone Bridge Rd, this location is a short trip from the Lake George or Lake Placid regions. Upon arrival, proceed to the lower parking area to the log lodge building and enter through the green double doors to the small heated gift shop. Hot drinks, snacks and souvenirs are available.
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If you would like more info about this topic, directions or, please call Greg or Dee Beckler at 518-494-2283, e-mail Greg at stonebridgeandcaves@frontiernet.net or visit our website at http://www.stonebridgeandcaves.com/, with links to updated pictures on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

They are at it again!!! This time with Warm, Spiced Cider!!

Event Name:
Adirondack Winery’s “Spice Up Your Winter” FREE Wine Tasting Event

Details:
Catch a break from the bitter cold of the New Year by enjoying this FREE wine tasting event at Adirondack Winery; featuring a number of warm, spiced mulled wines paired with yummy home-baked treats.

When:
Saturday, January 16 11:30am – 5:30pm
AND
Sunday January 17 11:30am – 3:30pm