Big Tupper/ Wild Center Bonus

Big Tupper has teamed with The Wild Center, the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks. Anyone purchasing a ticket to the Wild Center or a day lift ticket for Big Tupper will get a free day pass to the other venue. The free ticket is good for up to two weeks.

I am a fan of Big Tupper. Literally, a fan. I clicked on the Facebook flag and became a fan of the little mountain that could. I have been swept along with all the momentum of hearing about and have friends (this time real ones not just Facebook) that have spent time getting the mountain open. With all the computer progress updates and conversation, I have yet to ski there. My family has been able to go but it seems that my own family time has its work conflicts like any one else’s. Ironic isn’t it? To write about family activities but to then send the family off to enjoy so that I can work. My children assure me that they will report back in detail any discoveries from their ski outing at Big Tupper.

Before I regale you with the wonders of hot chocolate after a day of fun skiing, because that is what my six-year-old came home with, I will say that the one chair lift open (Chair 2) allows about 2/3 of the trails to be open and the Mighty Might rope tow can ease any trepidation for the true novice. Since Big Tupper has no snow making capability the recent rain will have created a hard pack but all this fresh power should make for a good come back. Another positive part of the equation is that volunteers took a conservative approach and the mountain is only open on the weekends.

My husband comes back from the mountain nostalgic. He reminisces of skiing with his sisters at Big Tupper when he was young. He started skiing when he was just two and recalls growing up in a generation of skiers before ski resorts depended on snowmaking and loving the feel of natural snow. My husband comments on the exceptional grooming job that was done on the trails. My children can’t remember specifics only that they had fun.

So $15.00 for a lift ticket to Big Tupper is certainly a bargain. Starting this Friday Big Tupper is also teaming with The Wild Center, the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks, to make the pot even sweeter. Anyone purchasing a ticket to the Wild Center or a day lift ticket for Big Tupper will get a free day pass to the other venue. The free ticket is good for up to two weeks.

As for my scout, she said the hotdogs were pretty good, too.

Big Tupper tickets are $15 though children six and under, seniors 70+ and Active Duty Military are free. Click here for Mountain openings and Mother Nature’s Ski Report. For more events and information regarding the Wild Center. Read More......

Will playing games raise your child's IQ?

Will playing games raise your child's IQ? I am not talking about the cloak and dagger kind of games or my children's ability to creatively conjure ways to get out of walking the dog.

According to a research study by Dr. Silvia Bunge, a neuroscientist at UC Berkeley, and her graduate students found certain off-the-shelf board, card and video games improved children's IQ significantly. Read more here Read More......

Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Schedule of Events

The complete Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Schedule of Events is here. Starting with the Coronation of Carnival Royalty.

Thursday, February 4
5:30 p.m.: 11th Annual Past Royalty Mixer and Dinner (Moose Club, $, call 891-1286 for reservations)

Friday, February 5
7:30 p.m.: Coronation of Carnival Royalty (Harrietstown Town Hall) Sponsored by the Women’s Civic Chamber
Post Coronation: Reception following the ceremony at the B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1508
9 p.m.: Cocktail Hour – Music by Mecca Bodega (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge, $)
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.: Music by Road Dog Kill (Captain Cook’s, $)


Saturday, February 6
10 a.m.: Ice Palace Fun Run (4 miles) (Ice Palace)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: 17th Annual Business & Professional Women Chocolate Festival (Harrietstown Town Hall, $)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Lutheran Church Women’s Craft Sale (Harrietstown Town Hall, $)
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Petrova Winter Carnival (fun for kids) (Petrova Elementary School Cafeteria, $)
11 a.m.: The Adirondack ARC Curling Exhibition (Near the State Boat Launch site on Lake Flower)
11 a.m.: Paul Smith’s College Woodsmen’s Exhibition (Riverside Park)
12:30 p.m.: NBT Bank Ladies’ Fry Pan Toss (Riverside Park, $)
2:30 p.m.: Gold Rush – follow the clues (Riverside Park, $) Sponsored by the Women’s Civic Chamber
4:30-7:30 p.m.: 12th SL Figure Skating Spaghetti Dinner (Methodist Church, $)
7 p.m.: Lighting of the Ice Palace, Guideboat Realty Fireworks (Ice Palace)
8 p.m. – 12 a.m.: Music by Reflections (Captain Cook’s, $)
9 p.m.: Cocktail Hour - Music by Rev Tor (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge, $)
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.: Karaoke (Romano’s Saranac Lanes)

Sunday, February 7
10 a.m.: White Stag Downhill Ski Races (Mount Pisgah Ski Center, $)
11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Arctic Bar-B-Que (Mount Pisgah Ski Center, $) Presented by the Friends of Mount Pisgah
1-4 p.m.: Ultimate Frisbee Tournament (Petrova Athletic Fields, call 637-2067 for more information)
2 p.m. & 5 p.m.: 9-Pin No-Tap Bowling Tournament (Romano’s Saranac Lanes, squads at 12, 3 and 6 p.m., call 891-8301, $)
2-6 p.m.: Northern Lights School Super Bowl Pizza Sale (Pickup at Presbyterian Church; $15/pizza; call Amy @ 891-4751 to order or for information)
3 p.m.: Bloody Sunday Show with Music by Jamie Notarthomas (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge)
7:30 p.m.: Music by Sandra Bargman, “The High Way of Life” (Saranac Village at Will Rogers, $5 donation)

Monday, February 8
7 p.m.: Classic Film - “High Noon” and a short, “My Little Duckaroo” (Saranac Laboratory, Church St., $6 adults/$5 senior citizens/under 12 free) Sponsored by the Saranac Lake Classic Film Festival
7 p.m.: Interfaith Service in Celebration (St. Luke’s Church)
7 p.m.: Bingo (Saranac Lake Adult Center)
7:45-9:45 p.m.: Firemen’s Broomball (Saranac Lake Civic Center)
9 p.m.: Blue Monday Show with Music by Sven Curth (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge)

Tuesday, February 9
5:30 p.m.: Grand Marshal Reception (Lake Clear Lodge and Retreat, cash bar, Pages meals provided by Adirondack Motel)
6:30 p.m.: Royalty Dinner (Lake Clear Lodge and Retreat, $30, reservations by Feb. 2, call 891-4367)
9 p.m.: New Castle Ale Presents – Music by Joey Driscoll (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge)

Wednesday, February 10
6 p.m.: MAC’s Canoe Livery Snowshoe Races (all ages) (Dewey Mountain, call 891-2697, $)
9 p.m.: Heineken Light Presents – Mardi Gras in the Mountains with Music by New Orleans E.O.E (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge, $)

Thursday, February 11
7:30 p.m.: 23rd Annual Figure Skating Show (Saranac Lake Civic Center, $)
9 p.m.: Abe Lincoln’s Bday Bash Show with Music by Jeff Bujak (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge)

Friday, February 12
10 a.m.: Adirondack Bank Innertube Races (Mount Pisgah, $)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: 21st Annual Winter Book Sale (Saranac Lake Free Library, Cantwell Community Room, 109 Main St., $) Books, Videocassettes, DVDs, Audio Books, Puzzles
12:30 p.m.: NBT Bank Children’s Skating Races (Saranac Lake Civic Center, $)
7:30-9:30 p.m.: Firemen’s Broomball (Saranac Lake Civic Center)
7:30 p.m.: Rotary Club Variety Show (Harrietstown Town Hall, $12 in advance/$15 at the door)
9 p.m.: Cocktail Hour – Saranac Brewery Presents – Music by Hot Day at the Zoo with special guest Jatoba (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge, $)
9 p.m. - 1 a.m.: Music by Time Out (Romano’s Saranac Lanes)
10 p.m. - 1 a.m.: Music by Threatened (Captain Cook’s, $)

Saturday, February 13
8:30-9:30 a.m.: Breakfast at McDonalds with Grimace and Carnival Characters (McDonalds, $)
8:30-11 a.m.: Mason’s Pancake Breakfast (Saranac Lake Adult Center, 136 Broadway, $) Sponsored by Whiteface Mountain Lodge 789 Masonic Temple
10-11 a.m.: Meet the Carnival Characters (Ice Palace)
10 a.m.: Mountaineers Rugby Game (Petrova School Athletic Field)
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: 21st Annual Winter Book Sale (Saranac Lake Free Library, Cantwell Community Room, 109 Main St., $) Books, Videocassettes, DVDs, Audio Books, Puzzles
10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Lion’s Club Chili Sale (Harrietstown Town Hall, $)
11 a.m.: Paul Smith’s College Woodsmen’s Exhibition (Riverside Park)
12-4 p.m.: Paul Smith’s College Alumni Reunion (Hotel Saranac, no charge, cash bar)
12 p.m.: Parade Line-up (Lake Colby Drive)
1 p.m.: Gala Parade (On Broadway & Main Street from Ampersand Avenue to Lapan Highway)
After the Parade: Band Concert (Harrietstown Town Hall)
After the Parade - 8 p.m.: Music by Cloning Cooper (Captain Cook’s, $)
3 p.m.: Post Parade Party with Music by Los Blancos (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge)
7:30 p.m.: Pendragon Theatre, “Moby Dick: Rehearsal” (call 891-9052 for reservations, $)
9 p.m.: Dance with Double Axel (Hotel Saranac, $9 at the door) ages 21 & over
9 p.m.: Saranac Brewery Presents – Music by Raisinhead with special guest Lucid (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge, $)
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.: Music by Big Boss Sausage (Captain Cook’s, $)
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.: Music by Damaged Goods (Romano’s Saranac Lanes)

Sunday, February 14
10 a.m.: Adult X-C Skiing (Dewey Mountain., call 891-2697, $)
11 a.m.: Snowflake Volleyball Tournament (Saranac Lake Civic Center Rotary Field, $)
11 a.m.: Showshoe Softball (Elks Field, John Munn Road, $)
12 p.m.: Saranac Lake Teachers Association Kids X-C Ski Races (Dewey Mountain, call 891-2697, $)
12:30-3 p.m.: Snowy Owl Face Painting for children (Harrietstown Town Hall)
2 p.m.: Kiddie Parade (From the Saranac Lake Free Library to the Town Hall) Sponsored by the Adirondack ARC and Keeseville Pepsi-Cola
3 p.m.: Fifteenth Annual Winter Carnival Baroque Concert (Methodist Church, Donation) Sponsored by the Saranac Lake Young Arts Association (SLYAA)
3 p.m.: Bloody Sunday Show with Music by Tim Herron (Waterhole Upstairs Music Lounge)
5-7 p.m.: Pendragon Theatre 30th Year Open House. Celebrate Carnival and the community with music & light refreshments
7:30 p.m.: Carnival Slide Show (Ice Palace)
8 p.m.: Gala Fireworks Display (Ice Palace)

Thursday, February 18
2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.: Post-Carnival Slide Show (Saranac Village at Will Rogers) Read More......

Lake Placid Ski Jumping Clinic - Fun and Games

For the past four years we have been invited to have our son participate in the annual ski jumping clinics at MacKenzie-Intervale Jumping Complex. My husband and I embrace the idea. What an opportunity to experience something so few other regions have, an Olympic facility near by with coaches and experienced staff of World Championship caliber. Each year my son declines.

For the first time, at no encouragement from us, he decided that he wanted to see what the big deal was all about. A friend was going and there was a mention of snacks.

We hung out with other families while my son practiced on the play hill, playing games, taking jumps the size of moguls he encounters regularly while downhill skiing. The coaches eased even the most reluctant skier down the hill with fun play and games.

The group then moved to the 5-meter hill where the children lined up and did easy jumps. It was all done with a nice transition and sense of play. Much to our surprise our son went with the 30 other kids kicking off their skis and hiking up the 18-meter jump.

Though some children eventually transitioned to the starting gate (top) most continued to get the feel for the sport by beginning at the landing zone (the curved section that allows the jumper to soar in the air.) Either way there was never any pressure and always the emphasis on having fun.

My first child doesn’t seem to want to pursue anything beyond this one clinic. We assure him that is fine. He never would have known if he hadn’t tried. My second child just shrugs her shoulders. She says she’ll try anything once she learns how to stop.

The “Learn to Fly” program is organized by NYSEF assistant ski jumping coaches Evan Bliss and David McCahill with the goal of exposing children six years of age and older, with prior cross country or downhill experience, to the sport of ski jumping. The next date for the clinic is January 27 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Any NYSEF members are free otherwise the clinic is $5.00. For more information go to www.nysef.org or e-mail Evan Bliss at blisster101@yahoo.com. Please bring skis, boots and helmets. There are some helmets available at check-in. Read More......

January 26 - Mt. Pisgah closed for ski lessons

This is not a huge surprise after the rain received yesterday that Mt. Pisgah in Saranac Lake will not be having ski lessons this evening. Read More......

Parents' Night at Pendragon Theatre

Don't let kids have all the fun! Kids’ Night Out will be held at the NCCC Sparks Athletic Complex from 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on Friday, January 22nd allowing any parents wishing to see the Pendragon Theatre's performance of Moby Dick Rehearsed. There will be enough time to drop off children and be at the Pendragon Theatre for opening curtain at 7:30 p.m.

Complimentary desserts will be available during intermission.

Pendragon Theatre brings Moby Dick Rehearsed back to its home turf for a limited engagement before continuing its North Country tour. Teaming with North Country Community College’s (NCCC) Kids’ Night Out on January 22nd, Pendragon Theatre hopes to give all community members the opportunity to see this incredible show.

Kids’ Night Out provides free play and some organized games under the supervision of NCCC athletes. The three-hour program costs $10 per child and is open to all children from five to twelve years of age.

Please contact each organization for more information. For Pendragon Theatre reservations, the Adirondack's only year-round professional theatre call 891-1854. For questions regarding NCCC Kids Night Out, contact Heather Conger at 891-2915 x236. Read More......

Build an Eastern Bluebird Birdhouse

Do you need an inside project to do with your children?

Build a bluebird house over the weekend. Here is a free plan that uses just one piece of lumber. It could also be completed with scrap. Make a couple and then come spring you will have a nice nesting box for birds. Read More......