First Day Plunge Dips into Frigid Temps

Since moving the ADK's and the Lake George Region I have really come to appreciate the hearty souls that live in this region. Their ability to thrive in a not-so-easy area (both economically and environmentally) should be commended. This past week in Lake George village, on New Years Day was proof of this tenacity. Hundreds of brave souls took a dip in freezing Lake George when temperatures struggled to try to get above 10 degrees! (it was - 5 at my house in the morning). Kudos to all who participated (many from near and far away places) to do this great winter homage!

Driving from Bolton Landing to Lake George this weekend my husband and I did see that the bays along the west side of the lake are showing ice...hopefully this trend will continue so that the Winter Carnival Committee can have all their great special events on the ice during the weekends in February. (More about winter carnival in future blog updates).

Snowmobiliers and skiiers have been very happy these past few weeks in the North Country. Skiing at West Mountain and Gore are in full speed ahead mode and only less than 28 minutes either direction from Lake George. DEC opened up the road to the summit of Prospect Mountain just opposite our chamber office on RT 9 in Lake George and i did see several snow mobilers making the pilgrimage. It's an awesome view from the top of the mountain and the several overlook sites. Also handy is the Stewarts Gas Station and Super 8 Motel that are at the base of the driveway (Super 8 even has snowmobile parking areas). Makes gas-ing up and overnighting really easy for snow mobile lovers. Speaking of Gas prices...it sure is nice to see $1.66 per gallon again!

Watch for updated news on the 09 Elvis Festival, Winter Carnival and more being posted soon! Let me know if there are topics you would like to see covered in our chamber blog. We would love to hear from you anytime!

North Country Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour, Lake George Region, NY

The Lake George Regional Chamber is announcing the last chance to peak inside 15 Adirondack Bed & Breakfasts in the Lake George Region of Upstate NY during special tours this weekend. This weekend, Dec 6 & 7, fifteen Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers have decorated their inns in holiday finery, will put out goodies and refreshments and await your visit to tour their lovely properties. The event, being sponsored by the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce features North Country B & B's including Victorian Gingerbreads, historic farmhouses and secluded Log Cabins. Tickets have been on sale for a month, but there is still time to take yourself (and perhaps a good friend or "best friend") on a fun filled weekend self-guided tour! Tickets are available for sale at the chamber office from 9 AM-10:30 AM on Saturday, Dec 6th only (cash or check). However, each participating Bed & Breakfast also has tickets available at their door. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for Seniors/Students. Tickets are required to tour each of the 15 properties. Ticket holders may visit over the two days of the tour. Tour hours are; Saturday, Dec. 6th from 11 AM to 7 PM and Sunday, Dec. 7th from 11 AM to 4 PM. A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit local Habitat for Humanities Programs. The tour is a wonderful way to get decorating ideas, restoration and holiday decorating ideas and to see inside some of Washington, Warren and Saratoga Counties most beautiful Bed & Breakfasts! Check out the event website at: www.lakegeorgechamber.com/bbtour for more details and a complete listing of the properties on tour. Once again, its not too late to go on the tour--just make a trip to the closest B & B on the tour and purchase your ticket. You will be given complete information and driving directions to all the inns on tour by a gracious innkeeper. The best part is...if you visit at least 9 of the 15 inns on tour this weekend you will be able to register to win a FREE weekend get-away at one of the inns of your choice! Visit www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com/bbtour for details.

Culture and Scenery Never Stop in the ADK's

Just when the final glimpses of a perfect autumn have all but faded away, The Lake George region continues to unfold some terrific reasons to visit us including a Wine & Chocolate Festival, Meet Me in St. Louis, Art Gallery Receptions, Music Concerts, Holiday Showcases and more. Of course, our beautiful scenery never stops either-majestic mountains, scenic lakeside overlooks, meandering hiking trails...roaring fireplaces in restaurants! There are activities and unique things to keep you busy...if you want to be! This coming weekend in the heart of Glens Falls (if you have not seen or experienced their renaissance you need to!) there is the Wine & Chocolate Festival on Friday, Nov. 14th held at the Queensbury Hotel. Meet Me in St. Louis a play put on by the Glens Falls Community Theater continues its run this weekend and there is an Exhibition Reception of Prints by Kristine Croso Tolmie at the Courthouse Gallery of the Lake George Arts Project from 4-6 OM on Saturday, Nov 15th.

For more information on these and a myriad of other cultural, sporting and historical events happening this weekend (or any week for that matter) please check out our online calendar at:

www.lakegeorgechamber.com/chamber_events.asp or call our friendly and knowledgeable staff at 518-668-5755--they have the details and also can offer lodging and restaurant info for the region.

It is true we get a little bit sleepier up here in the North Country during non-summer months, some seasonal only businesses are closed, others limit their hours, but for many people that is the best time to enjoy our natural setting, unwind and enjoy what locals know are the real fruits of living in such a beautiful area. There are great rates at hotels and motels, restaurants offer some wonderful specials and as you can see from our cultural calendars "the beat goes on!". Coming for a visit during our slower seasons also affords you the opportunity to "scope out" where you want to visit when you come back during that much needed summer vacation. We hope you visit us soon....we love to share our ADK's!

North Country Holiday Bed and Breakfast Tour-Save the Date

Over the river and through the woods takes on a completely new twist this December as the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce hosts the "North Country Holiday Bed & Breakfast Tour" on Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th. Fifteen (15) area bed and breakfasts will be completely decked out in their holiday finery and open their doors to ticket holders to tour their inns. From rustic Adirondack Log "Castles" to quintessential Victorian Gingerbreads and Historic Farmhouses, tour visitors will get a chance to see the many varied and unique lodging experiences available in "The North Country" of the Lake George Region. The tour is self-guided with the chamber providing a brochure guide of each property with directions and sample driving itineraries.

Tickets will go on sale through the chamber's office beginning next week. Advance ticket purchases are required. Tickets are $25 per person, $20 for Seniors/Students. The tour will be held regardless of weather. Tour hours will run: Saturday, 11-5 (with some inns open till 7 PM) and Sunday, 11-4. The B & B's on the tour do have limited rooms available for weekend stays at this time. In addition, you can find a myriad of lodging at nearby hotels and motels by visiting the chamber's website at http://www.lakegeorgechamber.com/ This two-day outing is perfect for a girlfriend getaway or for couples to see what romantic or rustic retreat they wish to visit for a future stay!

The Lake George Regional Chamber will be hosting special pages on their website which will show a photo and have a weblink to each of the 15 Bed & Breakfasts on the tour. The tour is self-guided, so ticket holders can go at their own pace and tour the countryside, perhaps stopping off for lunch along the way. The chamber expects the website to be active also beginning next week and will continually add new information and features as the months progress leading up to the tour on the first weekend in December. Support for this event is being provided by the Warren County Tourism Dept.'s Occupancy Tax Event Fund.

Watch for our announcement that the

North Country Holiday Bed & Breakfast Tour

Webpages are active!

EMAIL ME TODAY at Director@lakegeorgechamber.com

if you would like a tour flyer sent to you!

Flyer features a photo of each property, tour and weblink information.

A portion of the ticket sales will be donated by the chamber to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Lake George Jazz at the Lake--this weekend

Lake George, NY will really be "warming up" this weekend for the 25th Annual Jazz at the Lake, Lake George Jazz Weekend hosted by the Lake George Arts Project. The event dates are Sat., September 13 and Sunday, Sept. 14. Coinsidently...Saturday night is the last night to also enjoy our Lake George Area Restaurant Week at 15 area participating restaurants!!

The Jazz Weekend runs from 1 pm-till 9:30 PM when a shoreline fireworks show will be a fitting finale to the 25th anniversary of this great festival that attracts Jazz lovers from all over the East Coast and beyond. There is a planned "lull" in the music between 6:00 and 7:15 to encourage people to patronize the many restaurants offering the special Restaurant Week offer of a 3-course meal for $17.57.

Line up for the Jazz Musicians this year includes:

Saturday: Marilyn Maye and the Ted Firth Trio, Roswell Rudd & Shout, Pucho and the Latin Soul Brothers.

Special performance on Sat night at 8 pm include the Andy Narell Group which will be followed by the fireworks show.

Sunday: Lee Shaw Trio, Cindy Blackman Quartet, and The Either Orchestra

FREE ADMISSION to the entire weekend!! Music is held at the open air Band Shell at Shepard Park. Our beautiful Lake George, "Queen of the American Lakes" is your backdrop!! Rain site is the Lake George High School Auditorium on RT 9 on Canada Street, just north of the park.

SO come up to the lake...enjoy some great Jazz, some great scenery and some fantastic dining experiences!

for additional info visit: http://www.lakegeorgearts.org/

Its Restaurant Week in the LG Area

Its Restaurant Week in the Lake George, NY Area! What does this mean? It means that for the modest price of $17.57 dining customers can relish in a 3-course meal at any one of 15 participating restaurants in the area. A sampling of the types of offerings include; Lobster, Prime Rib, Chicken or Shrimp Alfredo's, fantastic Italian and Mexican dishes, Roast Duck, Grilled Salmon and a myriad of other culinary delights. But that's not the half of it!! Each 3-course meal comes with your choice of an appetizer and a dessert.

The hardest part of Restaurant Week is trying to select which ones to try! Since there are 15 to choose from we have tried to help by showing their specialty menus on our website. This way you can see what great varieties are being offered and perhaps try a restaurant you have wanted to get to but never got the chance. Here is a perfect way to try a new eating establishment for a very affordable price. Check out the details including restaurant websites for hours, days of operation and their special menus for the week at: www.LakeGeorgeChamber.com and click on the Restaurant Week icon on the left margin.

Why $17.57? In the year 1757, the British Army controlled Lake George and were garrisoned at Fort William Henry on its southern shore. The French Army moved along the western side of the lake from Montreal and laid siege to the fort. The British were forced to surrender. It is considered one of the high points in the French & Indian War. So much so that centuries later, James Fenimore Cooper wrote a fictional tale using the siege as the basis for his novel, The Last of the Mohicans. The Lake George Area is so rich in history from both the French & Indian War era and the Revolutionary War. Last year there was a major living history reenactment to commemorate the 1757 siege.

ADK Nationals Car Show this Weekend!

For anyone who jittered in the 40's, be-bopped in the 50's and survived the 60's there is something for you to see this weekend as the 20th Anniversary of the ADK Nationals Car Show rolls into Lake George! (Sept 5-7) Thousands of classic antiques, custom collectibles and hot rods make up the huge event which sprawls over acres and fills the village with color and excitement. To check out all the details go to: http://www.albanyrodsandkustoms.com/. The volunteer organization, Albany Rods & Kustoms who has put their heart and soul into this have, over the years, created a signature event that pleases the whole family while really making sure that the reverence for the automobile stays the highlight and focus. There are all sorts of vendors, special drawings, contests, car parades, and things for all ages to do and see. From what we here....this year there are FIREWORKS planned for THREE NIGHTS in a row--starting tonight!

And if that is not enough....just a short hop away is the ADK Vette Fest (9/5-7) being held at Roaring Brook Ranch on RT 9N, a Fiddlers Jamboree (9/6-8) being held in the town of Thurman and a special show called "The Seneca Ray Stoddard Magic Lantern Show" (9/5-6) at the Wood Theater in nearby Glens Falls. Seneca Ray Stoddard was the famous photographer who chronicled life in the ADK's during the late 1800-early 1900's.

PREVIEW: Our Second Annual Lake George Area Restaurant Week starts on Monday, September 8th and runs thru Saturday-September 13th!

15 area restaurants will offer 3-course meals for $17.57 in commemoration of the famous Siege of Fort William Henry in 1757 during the French & Indian War. Full details including a list of participating restaurants and their menus is available on our website at www.lakegeorgechamber.com . Watch for daily postings on this blog next week. We would love to have you chime in if you get to dine at our participating restaurants!