The Upper Saranac Lake Association Mailboat October 2014 Wow! What a summer! 2014 Summer Wrap Up Susan Hearn Our lake has grown quiet as the summer residents have returned to their homes. But it’s fun to take the time to reflect on the summer activi- ties that were sponsored by USLA and hosted by your Cultural Affairs committee. We opened the summer with a photography workshop led by Saranac Lake photographer, Mark Kurtz. This was in preparation for (but not essen- tial to) our 2014 USLA Photography Contest that encouraged USLA pho- tographers and their guests to submit their photographs for evaluation by Mark Kurtz and our members, for the people’s choice award. What fun! Our BarbaraBoth photos: Franklin members were invited to view over Wawbeek Pastiche – dinner 100 photos submitted by these talent- from the Wawbeek to help us recall a time when we had an estab- ed photographers and vote for their favorites. (See separate article lishment on the lake that offered elegant Adirondack hospitality. about the photography contest winners!) Hikes of the Saranac Six were undertaken, with some of our We recalled nights at the Wawbeek with an event called Wawbeek members willing to lead and a number willing to follow. We added Pastiche. The Clubhouse of the Saranac Inn Golf course was trans- a few members to the Saranac Six hikers, with Dave Fraczek, and formed into a cozy and comfortable dining room. Dinner was Barbara and Michael Franklin adding their names to those who prepared by Chef Richard Brosseau and music provided by Steve have completed the Saranac Six. Borst. Nancy and Norm Howard and others brought memorabilia Finally, we had a good ol’ night around a fire, making s’mores, eating watermelon and listening to stories. Keene storyteller, Karen Glass, shared her Adirondack stories that held her audience’s rapt attention. What a great night! We wrapped up the summer with a Celebration Night to enjoy a beautiful Adirondack evening, announce our photography contest winners, our new Sixers, and thank those who volunteered some of their summer time to help our events come off fabulously! And, wouldn’t you know it? We had all those photographers there, but not a single camera. Wish I had a picture to show you what a spe- cial gathering it was! Maybe next year? Your Cultural Affairs committee, Sally Ward, Patty Koch, Dale Skivvington, Mary Jane Staufenberg and Susan Hearn, thank you for your participation on our events this past summer. We welcome your feedback and your ideas for future events. If you would like to join our committee or share your ideas, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Enjoy the fall and winter. Wawbeek Pastiche – memories Visit www.uppersaranac.com The USLA Mailboat October 2014 UPPER SARANAC LAKE ASSOCIATION, INC. President’s Message P.O. Box 872 Saranac Lake, NY 12983 Nancy Howard www.uppersaranac.com The USLA Mailboat Greetings, Lynne Perry, Editor I hasten to begin with a nod of appreciation to you for giving me this leadership oppor- Harry Wirtz, Layout/Design tunity. I have already benefited tenfold from the ready energies and knowledge of many of you. This is strong evidence that members have keen interest in and affection for the care BOARD OF DIRECTORS and feeding of and life on Upper Saranac Lake. Norman and I are celebrating twenty year-round years here on Upper Saranac Lake. OFFICERS Together we’ve accrued more than 100 Adirondack summers – as prior to landing at The President, Nancy Howard (359-9177) Wawbeek, we summered at the Howard Vice President, Susan Hearn (359-8136) family camp on Lake Champlain at Corlear Secretary, Jeff Dickson (534-2731) Bay…which place is why the moment we Treasurer, Jay Kapolka (359-7298) set foot on The Wawbeek’s doorstep we felt a kinship. Both are perfect settings for COMMITTEE CHAIRS introducing folks to this landscape called Communications: Sara Sheldon (637-4304) the Adirondacks. Cultural: Susan Hearn (359-8136) My inauguration was indeed baptism Environmental: Barbara Franklin (891-6649) by fire – ignited by the DEC’s stirring Government Affairs: Cindy Rosenwald (891-0818) announcement only a week after the Nominating: Charles Svenson (891-9256) annual meeting that the Back Bay public Membership: Dean Butts (891-8433) boat launch would close on September 8 Safety: Michelle Brown Garcia (891-3905) for its landmark upgrade. The flurry of USLA leadership communications that ZONE CHAIRS followed led to exercising best routes pos- Zone 1 Bob Tate (891-1269) sible for advising our membership. In the Zone 2 Mary Ann Randall (891-0430) process we learned a lot – about what we Zone 3 Bo Dixon (891-0688) as an organization could do in an instance Zone 4 Cindy Rosenwald (891-0818) such as this to alert our membership - i.e. Zone 5 Dick Gunthert (891-4138) put notice in an immediate e-Mailboat as Zone 6 Cheryl Joyce (891-4344) well as send an urgent email singularly, Zone 7 Mary Jane Staufenberg (891-1428) also ask Zone Chairs to alert their zone Zone 8 Jane Oravec (891-5992) neighbors, and finally send a post card. Norman Howard We also realized what we do not know. Nancy Howard at Back Bay Launch site­ – Zone 9 Nancy Howard (359-9177) Most importantly, who specifically among construction begins. Zone 10 vacant our members did this decision affect? Zone 11 Bill Mansfield (359-2217) When all is said and done, the bottom line is the boat launch will be state of the art first of Zone 12 Airlie Lennon (359-7417) its kind in New York State. MEMBER AT LARGE Also, toward the end of August, our popular website webcam began to look as though it Tom Swayne (359-7679) needed a windshield wiper. I say “popular” because we heard about it from dozens of you! We hope you are enjoying the new camera. Were it not for Sara Sheldon’s perseverance in Mike Bonheim (891-8074) this matter, it would still be on a back burner somewhere. HONORARY DIRECTORS After brushing up on my Roberts Rules via a 1926 edition found in our camp library, I Charlie Ritchie, Jr. (891-4288) greeted an energetic and enthusiastic board for our September meeting. We’ll have another Bruce Holran (891-8447) via conference call before the New Year to tie up 2014, follow up and lay out 2015. Of inter- est to you for now, we have welcomed aboard Mary Ann Randall who has assumed the USL SCHOLARSHIP FUND, INC. Chair of Zone 2. And having noted the bylaws call for their review every five years, a task President: Bruce Holran (891-8447) force, chaired by Airlie Lennon, has been formed for this purpose. Secretary/Treasurer: Sally B. Ritchie (891-1713) Finally, thank you for taking time to read your Mailboat. The editors work diligently to bring to you items and photographs of interest, sentiment and value. All of us on the board DATABASE ADMINISTRATOR including the zone chairs, value your input. WEBSITE ADMINISTRATOR Let us hear from you! Sara Sheldon (637-4304) Nancy’s Adirondack Bio: [email protected] • Saranac Lake Free Library: Volunteer; Clinton Essex & Franklin Library System: Board Photo of the mailboat, “Saranac”, courtesy of the • Upper Saranac Lake Association: Regional DEC: Residents Committee to Develop a Adirondack Collection, Saranac Lake Free Library Plan for Upper Saranac Lake, Environmental Committee & Zone Chair © 2014 USLA • The Adirondack Garden Club: Conservation Chair & Garden Club of America NY State National Affairs & Legislation/Conservation Chair • Adirondack Economic Development Council: Board Like us on Facebook • Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce: Board President www.facebook.com/UpperSaranac • The Wild Center: Founding Trustee & Secretary 22 Visit www.uppersaranac.com The USLA Mailboat October 2014 New Board Members Cheryl Joyce, Zone 6 Chair Mary Ann Randall, Zone 2 Chair Cheryl Joyce has lived and worked in the Saranac Lake area for Hello everyone, my name is Mary Ann Randall. The USLA about 22 years. She first came to Saranac Lake from Peabody, Mass Board has appointed me as your new Zone 2 Chair. in 1981 to backpack the High Peaks and decided that at some Over nearly 40 years my parents, my daughter, my brothers and point she would make the area her permanent home. In 1992 their families have established she accepted a full time position at Paul Smiths College teach- traditions and a love for our ing chemistry and has been in the area ever since. She and her camp, the lake and the out- partner, Jeff, bought ‘The Edge of the Earth’ (789 Bartlett Carry door activities in the Saranac Road -if you have seen the driveway you will know how it got its area. I have been coming up name) in 2012. They are at camp full time from June through mid- to the lake mostly weekends September and reside on Pisgah Mountain the rest of the year. since my parents, Jack and An outdoor enthusiast, Cheryl can often be found swimming in Mary Brennan, bought our Upper Saranac Lake, walking Bartlett Carry Road, biking and hik- camp in 1976. This summer ing or cross country skiing at the Paul Smiths VIC. I did spend multiple weeks at camp which allowed me to meet many more neighbors (and their canine compan- ions) on my long walks. These pleasant encounters moti- vated me to become more involved in lake affairs. As your Zone 2 representative, I will convey your concerns, Mary Ann Randall questions, suggestions to the USLA Board. Time spent at the lake is more enjoyable with the connections we make with our neighbors. In addition to being a conduit to the board, I hope to have some informal potlucks at our camp so we can get to know one another better.