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Buying Local – Episode 40: Mike Nelson’s In With the ARCC

Written by Command on . Posted in Business, Community, Entertainment, Featured, Media.

Buying Local Glens Falls

Episode 40: Mike Nelson’s In With the ARCC

Welcome to Buying Local!

Saratoga, Warren, and Washington County have no shortage of fantastic goods and services to offer! In this podcast, our host Mike Nelson will clue you in on the amazing gems hidden in your very own community!

Mike Nelson’s In With the ARCC

Episode 40

In this episode, our familiar Mike Nelson is interviewed by Amanda Blanton on an episode of her radio show, I’m In With the ARCC! This gives him the chance to tell the story of his two biggest companies – Five Towers Media, and Glens Falls TODAY! How does each company operate? How do they work together? The answer is here in this very special episode!

00:21 – Introduction

01:18 – The Five Towers Package

02:24 – Social Media Has Left the Building

05:04 – The Five Towers Amplifier

07:40 – Getting To Know All About You

09:22 – The Local Appeal

11:16 – AI Can’t Replace Creatives!

14:08 – Commercial: Visit SkyZone Queensbury!

14:24 – The One and Only Mike Nelson

15:32 – Glens Falls TODAY: Free News for Free People

18:23 – Business-Focused

19:05 – Veteran-Focused

21:26 – Tag Teams: Shoutout to Derek and Steve!

22:29 – Good, Quality Content

23:34 – Mike’s Words of Wisdom: Buy Local!

23:48 – How to Get in Touch

Listen Now

PRODUCTION NOTE: The opinions reflected in this podcast are not indicative of the views of Saratoga Business Report, SaratogaBride.com LLC, Saratoga TODAY, Glens Falls TODAY, Spa City Digital, or Five Towers Media.

Details

  • Host

    Amanda Blanton

  • Guest

    Mike Nelson

  • Runtime

    26 min, 1 sec

  • Air Date

    September 18th, 2023

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Balloon Fest Takes Flight This Week!

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured.

Can you Imagine lifting off the ground in the gondola basket of a hot air balloon? This is the exact spectacle that over 150,000 visitors will come to our area will see this week. Locals and visitors alike can witness the beauty of hot air balloons against the blue of the Adirondack sky…

The 50th Adirondack Balloon Festival is only days awa,y and you can feel the excitement building! This event is expected to host more than 70 balloons, drawing pilots from throughout the world, including Saga, Japan, and Gatineau, Québec. This year’s fest will begin on Wednesday, September 20th, and go through Sunday, September 24th. The launches will be at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, Hiland Country Club, and Crandall Park.

Fifty years ago the question was posed: “What kind of event would bring visitors to the region after Labor day?” This question was answered by John Marsden – a balloonist from Manchester, Vermont – and Walter Grishkot, who dabbled in all things Glens Falls… And the rest is history!

In 1973, this event was originally held at Adirondack Community College (SUNY Adirondack), and has grown from there. It began with 19 balloons launched during a two-day event. This event has created local lore and captured the imagination. During the 1973 launch, one balloonist landed in Argyle, a dry town, and presented the property owner with a bottle of champagne, which is the traditional gift of appreciation for being allowed to land. Kindness prevailed (a favorite saying of Gishkot), and the Argyle police allowed the balloonist to dispense the champagne.

The Adirondack Balloon Fest which is organized by volunteers has an indelible economic impact on the area. The Adirondack Festival Board has booked 400 to 500 rooms in 12 different hotels to accommodate special guests. Mark Donahue, the Balloon Festival Board President, estimates that this event brings the area five to ten-million dollars annually, as those who arrive for the event take advantage of local hotels and businesses. 

The Festival runs on roughly a $200,000 budget. About $50,000 of the festival’s funding comes from Warren County Occupancy Tax Revenue. Businesses and individuals can sponsor balloons, and online donations can be made at www.adirondackballoonfest.org.

A major goal of the festival is to remain non-commercial and free. The festival benefits local non-profit groups, including Rotary, World Awareness Children’s Museum, and The Open Door Mission. It has raised nearly one-million dollars for these organizations over the last 49 years.

Labor Day Weekend is Here! Fireworks, Festivals and Fun for the Entire Family!

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured.

Before the leaves begin to change and the kids go back to school, enjoy the last days of summer around the Glens Falls region! There are plenty of activities to celebrate Labor Day! Here are some of the offerings from around the region…

To kick off the weekend, the Shirt Factory (located at 71 Lawrence Street) will be having their Thursday Market & Food Truck Corral from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM. This event has evolved over the years and become like a weekly block party – each week, there is a steady rotation of food vendors, and plenty of exotic ethnic offerings. This event features multiple stages for live music, local distilleries, homemade items for sale, and free or low cost activities for the whole family! There is so much to see and do on Thursdays at the Shirt Factory!

For more information, please visit shirtfactorygf.com

There will be live music at Blue Water Manor – located at 4436 Lake Shore Drive in Bolton Landing – to celebrate all Labor Day Weekend long!

Tonight: Chuck Kelsey from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Friday, September 1st: Neal McHugh 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Saturday, September 2nd: Who Knows from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Sunday, September 3rd: Mike Lapoint from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Monday, September 4th: Brandon LaRocca from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

For more Information, please visit bluewatermanor.com

Tonight at 9:30 PM will be the last night of Thursday Night Fireworks at Shepard Park on Canada Street in Lake George! Bring your picnic basket and claim your spot on the lawn to watch the fireworks on the lake. To confirm that the event is happening, call (518) 668-5771; rain date is on Friday.

Tonight, from 7:45 PM to 9:45 PM, there is the Blue Moon Summer Bonfire at the Battenkill Conservancy in Jackson, New York. This free event is taking place to celebrate the rising of the “Super Moon”. Enjoy the natural beauty while sitting around a bonfire!

For more information, please visit battenkillconservancy.org

Tonight, at 9:15 PM, is the Final 2023 Thursday Night Firework Cruise on the Saint! The Lake George Steamboat Company – located at 57 Beach Road on Lake George – invites you to climb aboard the gorgeous steamship Lac du Saint Sacrement and enjoy a boat ride, a cocktail and snack bar, and fireworks! This event is $35.00 for adults and Seniors, and $18.00 for kids. The cruise takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the cruise boards 15 minutes prior to departure time. Another firework cruise on the Minne-Ha-Ha will take place on September 3rd!

For more information, please visit lakegeorgesteamboat.com

Friday, September 1st through Sunday, September 3rd is the Adirondack Independence Music Festival at Charles R. Wood Park at 17 Elizabeth Little Boulevard (Formerly West Brook Road), Lake George! This three-day, multi-band event features several premier touring bands currently on the festival circuit. Music at the festival runs continuously across two side-by-side stages until 11:00 PM each night. A single day ticket costs $70 online, and $80 the day of the show; 2-day General Admission is $130 online, $140 the day of the show; and 3-day general admission is $180 online, $195 the day of the show. This event is suitable for all ages!

For more information please visit adkmusicfest.com

Thursday, August 31st thorugh Saturday, September 2nd, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM, there is Jazz at the Lake: A Graphic Design Retrospective! Located at The Lake George Arts Project Courthouse Gallery at 1 Lower Amherst Street in Lake George, this free event showcases the evolution of imagery through integrated design that highlights the beauty of Lake George, along with a visual representation of Jazz sensibility. This event will also Honor the vision of Paul Pines, who was the Jazz at the Lake founder and artistic director from 1984 to 2018. Admission is free!

For more information, please visit Lakegeorge.com

Friday, September 1st: Live Music with James Mullen at the Adirondack Winery’s Queensbury Tasting Room from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, located at 395 Big Bay Road in Queensbury!

For more information, please visit adirondackwinery.com

Friday, September 1st: Paint & Sip at Slickfin Brewing Company, located at 147-149 Broadway in Fort Edward! This event is $50 per person from 6:00 PM 8:00 PM, and includes all painting materials, a free drink, and instruction by Andrea Tabor.

For more information, please visit slickfinbrewing.com

Friday, September 1st: Line Dancing Classes! This free event takes place from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at 1000 Acres Ranch, located at 465 Warrensburg Road in Stony Creek, NY. These classes are taught by Dee Bowen, and no experience is necessary!

For more information, please visit 1000acres.com

Saturday, September 2nd: The Bolton Arts & Crafts Festival! Located at 5 Cross Street parking lot in Bolton Landing, this event takes place from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will feature 25 artisans and craft vendors.

For more information, please visit visitlakegeorge.com


And, lastly, on Sunday, September 3rd: The Summer Farmers Market at West Mountain! This Sunday will be the final Summer Farmers Market of the season. The event will take place from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at 59 West Mountain Road in Queensbury.

For more information, please visit Westmountain.com

With so many wonderful events across the region to choose from, you can’t go wrong this holiday!

Laurella’s Restaurant 21 Bay Street Glens Falls

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, Food.

Jerry Porreca, owner of Laurella’s Restaurant, comes to the Glens Falls restaurant scene with a lifetime of experience in the hospitality business!

Located at 21 Bay Street, Laurella’s Restaurant serves “Old School” Italian food. It has a sophisticated yet welcoming ambiance, a full bar, and offers live music on both Friday and Sunday nights!

The menu at Laurella’s features all of the popular mainstay Italian favorites, as well as sandwiches, burgers, salads and appetizers… Jerry has found that Laurella’s generous portions can be a lot in one sitting and now offers small plates for the entrée portions. 

21 Bay Street is a location that Jerry has had his eye on for some time, and he is enjoying meeting new customers and seeing old friends! Laurella’s as a new addition to the restaurant scene in Glens Falls allows owner Jerry Porreca to keep doing what he loves.

Jerry, who has a welcoming presence and just a hint of a resemblance to Tony Bennett, is originally from Hudson, New York… That’s where he began his career as a musician: “I’ve done this all my life… I started out as a musician. I started out playing at places, and said I can do this myself. Our first place was just music, then we moved to Saratoga and I learned how to cook there, and our last place was Smokey Joe’s in Lake George… And now, we are here,” Jerry said.

Laurella’s invites guests to sit at the bar for Happy Hour Tuesday through Sunday for $3.00 Domestic beer, $4.00 Imports and $5.00 Drafts. House wines and well drinks are $4.00, and premium wines and call drinks are $6.00. In addition to drinks, ½-priced appetizers and $9.00 Flatbread Pizzas are amongst the offerings. 

So, if you’re still thinking of a way to celebrate Labor Day Weekend, why not stop in to Laurella’s? Say hello to Jerry, and enjoy wonderful Italian food, ambiance, and making new friends! 

Laurella’s is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Battlefield Park Alliance Hosts Members and Holds Elections

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, Entertainment, Featured.

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance held its annual meeting on Saturday, August 19th at Battlefield Park, where Alliance President John DiNuzzo reported on the organization’s success over the past 12 months… During this time the Lake George Battlefield Alliance has seen a 78% increase in membership, and have hosted programs that have attracted as many as 152 attendees!

Russell P. Bellico, author and Alliance Trustee 

DiNuzzo also noted that the Battlefield Park Visitor Center seems very likely to exceed its attendance figure from last year, due to popular exhibits such as the diorama of Abercromby’s 1758 flotilla donated by the Adirondack Experience, artifacts of Native Americans, an 18th Century British bateau provided by the State Museum, and a replica cannon loaned by Fort William Henry.

The Alliance membership elected the following individuals to serve on the organization’s Board of Trustees:

• President: John DiNuzzo of Lake George

• Vice President: Francis Cocozza of Lake George

• Secretary: Peter Wuerdeman of Queensbury

• Trustee: Vinnie Crocitto III of Lake George

• Trustee: Jay Levenson of Ballston Lake

• Trustee: Bob Wilcox of Clifton Park

They will join the Alliance’s current governing body incumbents: Rosemarie Earl the Treasurer, and Trustees Larry Arnold, Russell Bellico, Todd Earl, Margaret Mannix, Pat Niles, and Bruce Venter.

The day’s events concluded with a presentation by Phil Giltner of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, who shared the State’s plans for the 250 anniversary of the American Revolution and highlighted the number of Revolutionary sites in New York – a number unequaled among the states.

Phil Giltner, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

DiNuzzo concluded his remarks by highlighting some of the events for the year ahead, and thanking volunteers: “It’s been a terrific year for the Alliance, thanks to the member-volunteers who have worked behind the scenes with our board to bring great programs to fruition. Despite some challenges that all history organizations face, many unique opportunities – as represented by our excellent Visitor Center, the prospect of reinterring in the Battlefield Park the remains of 44 Continental soldiers found in 2019 at Lake George, the upcoming 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and several other initiatives already underway – await us!”

Live! Folklife Concerts: 3 Events at 2 Sites

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Community, Downtown, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts.

The Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library is excited to announce its Fall series of free live music featuring 3 bands, each for 2 nights at 2 locations – Crandall Public Library, 251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801, and Historic Salem Courthouse, 58 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865.

Cantrip, an Old Scots word for charm, magic spell or piece of music, this foursome creates compelling, energetic music with swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and rich voices, on Thursday September 7, 7 pm at the Library, and again on Friday, September 8, 7 pm at the Courthouse. Visit cantrip-music.com for more about Cantrip.

Heron Valley, on tour from Scotland, this foursome has roots in Scottish and Irish traditional music, on fiddle, guitar, keys, bagpipes, whistles bass, vocals, on Thursday, September 21, 7 pm at the Library, and again on Friday, September 22, 7 pm at the Courthouse. Visit heronvalleyband.com for more about Heron Valley.

Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman, on tour from England with “blazing guitar and dancing harp” (so-says Dirty Linen) to present a breathtaking blend of traditional Irish music, hot jazz, bluegrass and baroque, on Thursday, October 19, 7 pm at the Library, and again on Friday, October 20, 7 pm at the Courthouse. Visit maireandchris.com for more about Maire Ni Chathasaigh & Chris Newman.

This season of Live! Folklife Concerts are produced by the Folklife Center at Crandall Public Library, in cooperation with the Historic Salem Courthouse. Doors open at 6:30 for the 7 pm shows. Seating is first come, first served, with no reservations. Portions of past concerts can be viewed at the Folklife Center’s YouTube page – www.youtube.com/thefolkllifecenteratcrandallpubliclibrary.org.

Live! Folklife Concerts are made possible with Folk Arts grant funding to the Folklife Center from the New York State Council on the Arts supported by the Governor’s Office and the New York State Legislature.

Washington County Fair: August 21st through 27th

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, Food.

The Washington County Fair will be held from August 21st to 27th, at 392 Old Schuylerville Road in Greenwich, NY. Adult admission is $15.00. Children under the age of 13 do not require an entry ticket. Separate tickets are required for the rides. Advanced ride tickets are on sale until August 18th – a sheet of 20 ride tickets is $12.00, and each ride uses 3 to 5 tickets. Parking for the fair is free. 

The Washington County Fair is an event that locals look forward to all year round! For nearly a century the fair has provided a week of rides, food, and agricultural exhibitions. Fairgoers have the opportunity to see aspects of everyday life on a farm, and get a glimpse of what life is like on a working farm.

This year, the fair is featuring “The Big Push” which is a live dairy birthing demonstration celebrating the beauty of new life. This is an experience that dairy farmers celebrate throughout the year. 

The Washington County fair gives fairgoers an opportunity to taste local food, dairy products, and produce. Each year, there is a wide variety of food to experience… This year, there will be Mexican Street Corn Pizza, Hearts Catering will feature a Southwest Egg roll, and Polar Bear will have a Pumpkin and Peach ice cream! Traditional fairground favorites like fried dough will also be available, and to quench your thirst throughout the day, you can stop by the Craft Beverages Corral, where there will be samples of local beer, wine, cider, and spirits. 

While enjoying the food and beverages, entertainment will be all around you… New performers this year include Catalyst Quartet, Kevin Warren and the Bedrock Foundation, Craic Agus Ceol. Jay Mattioli’s Electrifying Magic, Micheal Goudeau the Comedic Juggler, and Pirate Dan. For the kids, story time will be provided by the Argyle Free Library. There will be the always popular 3.0 diesel class truck pull and demolition derby contests… And, of course, so many wonderful animals to see!

For more information, please visit washingtoncountyfair.com 

Cantrip: Free Concert at the Folklife Center

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts.

On Thursday, September 7th, Cantrip will be performing a free concert at The Folklife Center at Crandall Library! Doors open at 6:30 PM music begins at 7:00 PM. The Folklife Center is a place to hear live music from world-class bands in an intimate setting. The concerts are free to the public due to funding from the Friends of Crandall Public Library and the New York State Council on the Arts: Folk Arts Program.

Cantrip formed nearly twenty years ago in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name Cantrip is an old Scots word meaning a charm, magic spell or piece of mischief… This name aptly describes the unexpected twists and turns in their musical arrangements! Swirling border pipes, raging fiddle, thunderous guitar and rich vocals create an energetic sound. The music that Cantrip performs has its roots in 1960’s and 1970’s traditional music, but over the years, influences of funk music, metal, blue grass, and swing have shaped their sound. 

This high energy Celtic music comes from a group of friends – Dan Houghton, Jon Bews, Alasdair White and Eric McDonald. Dan Houghton began his career playing bagpipes, and plays the flute, bouzouki, and DADGAD guitar… Jon Bews is a veteran fiddle player… Alasdair White plays the fiddle, and Eric McDonald studied the mandolin and guitar at Berklee College of Music.

Cantrip signed to the Foot Stompin’ label and created their first album “Silver” in 2001. Over the years the band has done significant touring, and later began producing their own records, “Boneshaker” in 2005 and “Piping the Fish” in 2008, and critically acclaimed “The Crossing” in 2016.

For more information, please visit cantrip-music.com

Veteran-Owned: Slickfin Brewing Company of Fort Edward

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Business, Community, Entertainment, Featured, Food, Local Leads.

Slickfin Brewing Company, located at 147 Broadway in Fort Edward, is owned and operated by former US Marines Kris and Heather March. This husband and wife couple came to Fort Edward, a small historical village along the Hudson River in Washington County… That’s where Slickfin Brewing Co. has made its home, and they’ve never looked back!

When Kris and Heather first discovered Fort Edward, the downtown was filled with vacant and deserted storefronts… Now, the area has a welcoming vibe, with the hustle and bustle of a thriving village that supports a variety of commerce. The couple saw the potential in downtown Fort Edward, and have worked to help build a neighborhood and community around them: “We were scouting locations for the brewery and came to Fort Edward to look around… What we saw were a lot of empty storefronts along the Hudson River, which is right there (Kris pointed to their backyard beer garden). We looked around and thought we could do something here,” Kris said. 

Slickfin Brewing Company has full-sized windows that look out onto a sidewalk patio with tables that line Broadway. The beer garden around the back of the building provides tons of space for patrons to relax! Kris described the interior of the building when they first found it: “The whole interior area was divided into small spaces. It was all sectioned off and very dark,” Kris said. Kris and Heather worked to open the space up, and Kris built the bar himself. 

The unique name of the brewery comes from Heather and Kris’s shared military experience – the term Slickfin refers to the fin on a bomb, as during his time in the Marines, Kris was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician. His experience inspired the name, and the name in turn inspired their logo.

Kris and Heather love working together and being part of a community… Heather grew up in Fort Ann, on Hadlock Pond. She graduated from Fort Ann High School in 1998, and attended SUNY Adirondack prior to joining the Marines. Heather is happy to build their business and raise their family in the area where she grew up: “My family is here, and my friends are here. That makes a big difference to us,” she said. 

Kris and Heather met on the rifle range at the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, and married a year later… Together, the couple run the brewery, with Kris brewing the artisanal craft beers, and Heather focusing on creating a welcoming environment and expanding their customer base.   

Slickfin Brewery is perfectly situated to both watch and be a part of the evolving resurgence of Fort Edward! Kris and Heather have watched new businesses move in around them and, love being part of building that community. “Our community wants to be a part of the change that is happening… Everyone is looking and watching and wants these businesses to succeed,” Heather said, as we gazed out the front window watching cars navigate the Broadway. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s taken a while,” Kris added with a smile. 

Kris and Heather experienced the support of the community first-hand while navigating the pandemic – having established their business in 2017, Slickfin Brewery officially opened in March of 2019. The pandemic created unforeseen challenges that warranted creative solutions… Slickfin provided curbside pick-up for their customers, and expanded their patio to serve their customers safely.  Having only recently opened, Heather and Kris found that the community was dedicated to helping their business: “Cars would line up along Broadway, and we would run their order out to them after they had paid over the phone.” Heather said. “It was definitely a challenging time, but we got through it.”

Slickfin is surrounded by businesses that help support each other. Heather gives credit to their neighbor – Underwood Park CrossFit – because their clientele often frequent the local businesses… The community has also welcomed the Twisted Taco Food Truck, and still values the long-standing businesses like The Anvil Inn, Ye Old Fort Diner, and Mamma’s Cafe.

Seeing what Heather and Kris have created begs the question, “What’s next?” Kris has her answer: “We have plans. Our fifth year in business is coming up in March of next year, that’s the year we plan to go to market… I’m working on organizing my methods. Since we opened, we have brewed over 200 types of beer… I would like to stick to between 50 and 75 of those. We have had a lot of fun. The small system that we use allows us to do a lot of things… It allows us to change our menu frequently,” she said. The Slickfin craft brew menu creates an opportunity for patrons to enjoy a 5-oz taster, the traditional 16-oz pint, or a 32-oz Crowler – a growler in a can!

Slickfin Brewery does not serve food, but has created partnerships to encourage patrons to support neighboring eateries – Kris and Heather keep menus of neighboring restaurants on hand, and allow customers to order food in! There are menus from Stumpy’s Pizza, and the Twisted Taco truck parks right outside of Slickfin’s on Tuesday nights.

Kris and Heather keep their customer base up to speed on what is on tap through their website… They are currently featuring Maize for Days Lager, Yacht Rock-Blueberry Blonde Ale, Silhouette IPA-Belguin, Chameleon IPA, Riptide Hard Seltzer,  Before I had Status IPA-American, Street Fighterz, Lager- Japanese Rice, Incoming-Spark it up and Choose a flavor -Sour, Riptide Slushie- Mixed Berry or Peach Hard Seltzer, and NightShade Maple Porter.

Kris and Heather are proud of what they have been able to build in Fort Edward and the calendar ahead is filling up with much anticipated events. August 19th is the 2nd annual Fort Fest. This event takes place at the Brewery from 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM. On Friday, September 1st, Slickfin is featuring a “Paint and Sip” event and then their attention will turn towards OktoberFest!

Slickfin Brewery is open Tuesday through Sunday. The hours of operation are 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Tuesday through Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays from 2:00 pm to 10:00 PM, and Sunday 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

For more information, please visit slickfinbrewing.com

Summary of “Last of the Mohicans” Program Held on August 3 at Fort William Henry Conference Center

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Community, Entertainment, Featured, In the Arts.

LAKE GEORGE, NY – The presentation by the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French and Indian War Society at Lake George of a program entitled “James Fenimore Cooper: History & Fiction in ‘The Last of the Mohicans’”, drew a rapt audience of 152 to the Fort William Henry Conference Center, Lake George on Thursday evening, August 3.

Dr. Nick Junkerman, Associate Professor of English Literature at Skidmore College, recounted
the backstory of Cooper’s life and the creation of the book’s memorable characters, such as
Natty Bumppo/Hawkeye, Magua, Chingachgook and Uncas, in the context of the historical
events surrounding the Siege of Fort William Henry in 1757.

The 50-minute presentation was followed by an extended question-and-answer session by Dr.
Junkerman with the audience, many of whom expressed appreciation for their enhanced
understanding of the Siege and its aftermath that occurred at Fort William Henry, the nearby
Lake George Battlefield Park (site of a large British encampment and much of the massacre that
occurred following the British surrender to the French), and other area locales referenced by
Cooper in his story.

About the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance

The Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance is a volunteer-driven organization of individuals who have an abiding interest in the Lake George Region’s critical role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. The Alliance manages the Battlefield Park’s Visitor Center and sponsors events throughout the year that educate the public about the site and its unique history. For more information, visit www.lakegeorgebattlefield.org.

About the French & Indian War Society at Lake George

The French & Indian War Society at Lake George was founded with the mission of educating the public about the French & Indian War (1754–1763) and to foster appreciation for Lake George, Lake Champlain and the Hudson River and their roles in American history. The group was chartered under the New York State Regents in May 2018 and is operated by a volunteer board of trustees comprised of historians, archaeologists, and enthusiasts. Members of the Society visit schools to teach students in grades
four, seven and 11 about the historical significance of the area. The Society also encourages archaeological research and the preservation of early material culture for the benefit of the local community and visitors. For more information: https://www.frenchandindianwarsociety.org.