fbpx
Skip to main content

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.

Tu-Ner Featuring King Crimson Legends Trey Gunn and Pat Mastelotto With Markus Reuter To Release Debut Double Album “T-1 Contact Information” August 14, 2023

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Entertainment, Featured, News.

From the kitchen of the original King Crimson R&D fraKctal units & Stick Men comes Tu-Ner featuring touch guitarist Markus Reuter, alongside the powerhouse rhythm section of Pat Mastelotto on drums and Trey Gunn on Warr guitar.

Defying logistics to grab four days together, the immersive session included repertoire rehearsal; as well as recording semi-prepared pieces and several full improvisations. The band’s chemistry has deep roots and connections are made quickly so large slabs of music appear unedited.

These two hours of recordings are the outcome of their debut double disc album “T-1 Contact Information” coming August 14th.

disc:ONE

  1. Crowfin
  2. 31
  3. Apple Turtle
  4. On The Other Side
  5. Contact Information disc:TWO
  6. Forcibly Taken Into The Future
  7. Moses
  8. Poodles
  9. Poem About A Sad Horse
Band photo by Julia Hensley.

Pat Mastelotto – Very rarely does a drummer go on to forge the most successful career on the demise of their former hit band. Phil Collins and Dave Grohl have managed it, and so too has Pat Mastelotto, a self taught drummer from Northern California, who has also been involved with pushing the envelope of electronic drumming. Pat has spent a lifetime jumping genres from pop, to prog, to electronica to world music with – among others – Mr. Mister, XTC, David Sylvian, The Rembrandts, Kimmo Pohjonen, and for the last 25 years with King Crimson and Stick Men.

Markus Reuter is a composer, guitarist, and producer. He began his musical journey as a composer before delving into Robert. Fripp’s Guitar Craft, mastering the Chapman Stick, and eventually transitioning to the U8 Touch Guitar. Reuter has released numerous solo albums and has collaborated extensively with various musicians. He holds a prominent position in the experimental band Anchor and Burden and forms the duo Tuner with Pat. Additionally, he was a member of Europa String Choir and has worked alongside notable artists such as Gary Husband, Robert Rich, J. Peter Schwalm, Mark Wingfield, and many others. Reuter’s versatility is evident through his involvement in Devin Townsend’s touring band. Notably, he also performs in power trios including Stick Men with Pat and Tony Levin, TRUCE with Asaf Sirkis and Fabio Trentini, and Markus Reuter/Tim Motzer/Kenny Grohowski.

Trey Gunn, the extraordinary Warr guitarist and musician, has left an indelible mark on the world of progressive music. Renowned for his virtuosic talent, he has graced the stages and recording studios with legendary acts such as King Crimson, Brian Eno, David Sylvian, Robert Fripp, Happy Rhodes, Puscifer, Tool and John Paul Jones, contributing his unique blend of mesmerizing and innovative playing. As the founder of the esteemed 7D Media record label, Gunn continues to be a guiding force in curating exceptional musical experiences. Trey Gunn’s visionary artistry and unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of sound make him a true luminary in the realm of progressive music.

Markus Reuter – Touch Guitar, Soundscapes
Pat Mastelotto – Drums, Electronics, Vocoder
Trey Gunn – Warr Guitar, Fretless Warr Guitar, Vocoder

All pieces by Gunn/Mastelotto/Reuter

recorded June 7-11, 2023
recorded by p@ & Bill Munyon @ p@’s place
mixed & mastered by Erik Emil Eskildsen
cover design by A.J. Chippero
booking Leonardo Pavkovic (MOONJUNE)

Tu-Ner on Tour

August 14 – Piermont, NY (The Turning Point)
August 15 – Allentown, PA (Rodale Room, Allentown Symphony Hall)
August 17 – Hudson Falls, NY (Strand Theater)
August 19 – Rochester, NY (Loving Cup)
August 20 – Buffalo, NY (Mohawk Place)
August 22 – Cleveland, OH (Beachland Ballroom)
August 23 – Detroit, MI (Joy Manor Westland)
August 24 – Milwaukee, WI (Shank Hall)
August 25 – Indianapolis, IN (Irving Theater)
August 26 – Chicago, IL (Reggies Rock Club)
August 27 – Benton Harbor, M (The Livery)
August 29 – Columbus, OH (Woodlands Tavern)
August 30 – Cincinnati, OH (The Ludlow Garage)
August 31 – Asheville, NC (The Grey Eagle)
September 1 – Charlotte, NC (The Milestone)
September 2 – Chapel Hill, NC (Storybook Farm)
November 29 – Brno, Czech Republic (The Crimson Marathon at SONO Music Club)
November 30 – Prague, Czech Republic (The Crimson Marathon at Archa Theatre)

To be continued in 2024!

For more information:
Band website: https://tu-ner.com/
Album url: https://7dmedia.com/tu-ner-t-1

Binley Florist & Garden Center: “We are Here to Stay!”

Written by Kate Haggerty on . Posted in Business, Community, Featured, Home & Garden.

Binley Florist & Garden Center is located at 773 Quaker Road… Several thoroughfares meet there, and these roads are some of the busiest roads in the Glens Falls/Queenbury area, handling thousands of cars a day. This location is prime real estate for a variety of businesses – including Binley Florist and Garden Center, which is under new ownership! Tami Fields, as the new owner, is working to carry on the traditions of the past and build new relationships… Binley’s is an institution in the world of plants, flowers, and floral design, having been in business for 130 years. Tami is looking forward to carrying that tradition into the future.

Tami may be new to the owner role at Binley’s, but the business is not new to her; Tami has worked at Binley’s since 2000. She came to the company as a sales clerk and floral designer and was named Floral Manager early in her career. 

Tami, along with her husband and son, are carrying on the traditions of Binley’s and building new relationships as they move forward. The property and the business were purchased from Wally Hirsch by Taco Bell… Field bought the business from Taco Bell, and leases the land from them: “I couldn’t see a 130-year old business go down the drain,” Tami explained… Initially, Tami had been concerned about working and negotiating with a business as big as Taco Bell, but has been inspired by their commitment to help her business grow and move forward: “Taco Bell has been wonderful! They are wonderful! They are my landlords. They have bent over backwards for us,” she said.

“I have had to downsize since we’ve taken over… We lease the retail sale space, but not the growing space. Our plan is that next year, we will go back to growing our geraniums… Our customers love geraniums. It is important for us to bring in inventory that our customers like. We will be operating on a smaller scale, but focusing on what has always been important to the customer base and community that Binley’s has built. That’s why we are here,” Tami said.

Binley’s has maintained open communication with their customers through Facebook: “We love our customers, and our community and look forward to the years ahead.” Tami said.

For more information, please visit binleyflowers.com

Folklife Center 30th Anniversary Festival

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

In City Park, the Folklife Center celebrated its 30 year Anniversary from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 25th. Live music played at the Bandstand as people sat and listened, content to enjoy the summer day surrounded by friends and neighbors… Artisans explained their crafts, and food trucks set up along Maple Street. 

The lawn at City park was dappled with bear sculptures made by Peter Winters Bears and Signs and artisans setup under white tents to show and explain their crafts. Carrie Hill of the Akwesane Mohawk Territory was on hand to explain Black Ash and Sweet Grass Basket Making – she teaches her own classes, performs demonstrations, and even offers restoration services. 

“I got an invitation from Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY) to attend. So I worked with them a few times and they thought that I would be a good fit for this event… I’m showing and explaining basket making. This is a traditional art form that has been in my family for many many many generations,” Carrie said. 

TAUNY is a nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing the folk culture and living traditions of New York’s North County. This organization collects, preserves, interprets and presents the customs and traditions of the Mohawk River from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to Lake Champlain, including the Adirondack Mountains.

Rickele Lomax and Amy Hughes, both librarians in the children’s department of Crandall Library, were on hand to help with events for children: “We have fun activities for children to do along with the Folklife Festival,” Rickele said. 

Librarians Rikele Lomax & Amy Hughes

The Folklife Center partnered with New York Folklore of Schenectady and Traditional Arts in Upstate New York of Canton to organize the event. Friends of Crandall Public Library donated additional funds. 

Registration is Open for Warren County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event 

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured, Home & Garden.

Registration has opened for Warren County’s next household hazardous waste collection event on Saturday, August 26th, 2023 at Queensbury Highway Department – 742 Bay Road, Queensbury – from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

This event, which is overseen by the Warren County Department of Public Works, is open to Warren County residents that would like to safely dispose of hazardous household materials. These materials include cleaners, pesticides, other household chemicals, antifreeze, latex paint, and fluorescent light bulbs. There is no cost for the disposal of these items.  

There are items that will not be accepted by the Warren County event collection staff… Those items include gasoline, munitions, automotive oil, batteries, asbestos, pharmaceuticals, infectious waste, and tires.

Registration is required for this event, and is open to Warren County residents only. Registration can be completed online at warrencountyny.gov/residents/waste, by mail, or in person at Warren County DPW, 4028 Main Street Warrensburg N.Y., 12855, or by fax at (518) 623-2772.

Dr. Nick Junkerman Presents “Last of the Mohicans”: History & Fiction

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

Join the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and the French & Indian War Society at Lake George for “James Fenimore Cooper: History & Fiction in ‘The Last of the Mohicans,’” a presentation by Dr. Nick Junkerman (YUNK-er-man) – an associate professor of English Literature at Skidmore College – at The Fort William Henry Conference Center at 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 3rd.

James Fenimore Cooper’s iconic “The Last of the Mohicans” is an American classic, a beloved tale of a dashing hero, ladies in distress, and a clash of nations… But it’s a fictionalized account of the Siege of Fort William Henry. So, how close is it to the truth of what happened 266 years ago?.. Cooper’s story is one of five works of historical fiction he wrote between 1823 and 1841, collectively called “The Leatherstocking Tales”. Cooper’s heroes were Natty Bumppo (also called “Hawkeye”), born to white parents but raised among indigenous people of the Northeastern Woodlands, his foster brother Chingachgook, and his nephew Uncas.

First published in 1826, The Last of the Mohicans is a gripping tale of the bloody conflicts that roiled the Lake George Region in the middle of the 18th Century – specifically when French and indigenous forces attacked Fort William Henry in 1757, two years after its construction by the British. Dr. Junkerman’s talk explores the fateful historical events that took place in and around the fort during August 1757, and some differences in the fictional account depicted in Cooper’s novel.

“Mohicans” has been adapted into numerous film versions, most recently in 1992 with Daniel Day-Lewis as Natty Bumppo/Hawkeye… That movie was filmed in North Carolina, but there has been renewed interest in the Lake George Region, where the real-life events occurred and where the novel was set. Although the actual fort burned away in 1757, a replica was built in the 1950s where the original once stood.

“Every day, guests come to the Fort William Henry Museum who either read Cooper’s book or saw the movie,” said Kathy Flacke Muncil, CEO of Fort William Henry Corp. “Our guides separate fact from fiction so visitors leave with a better understanding of this era in history.” The French and Indian War was a complex, lengthy power struggle for control of North America.

Cooper’s depiction of the siege published nearly 70 years later was so popular, it became the most recognized event of the French and Indian War, according to Russell P. Bellico, a trustee of the Lake George Battlefield Park Alliance and author of “Empires in the Mountains” and several other books on the region’s vast history: “The 1757 siege of Fort William Henry and the adjacent entrenched camp (present-day Lake George Battlefield Park), and the subsequent ‘massacre’ were indelibly etched into the psyche of American colonists through vivid contemporary newspaper accounts. Rallying provincial troops at Crown Point in 1760 on the eve of the last campaign of the war in North America, Brigadier General Timothy Ruggles called on troops to ‘Remember [Fort] William Henry… and the Massacres there!’” Bellico said.

Space is limited, so those planning to attend the program are encouraged to register in advance at the following email address: info@lakegeorgebattlefield.org. For more information, please visit lakegeorgebattlefield.org

Crandall Library Folklife Center Festival

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

The Folklife Center located on the lower level of Crandall Library will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, July 25th, 2023! This free festival will take place outside of Crandall library in City Park from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and will feature live music, crafts, and specialty food.

Entering Crandall Library and walking down the stairs to the Folklife Center hooks you into the history and culture of our region instantly… The folklife gallery surrounds you with an intimate knowledge of the lives of the people who lived and worked in our communities. The gallery’s pieces harken back to a time not so long ago, and traditions both long forgotten and still engraved in our hearts and minds.

The Folklife Center was founded in 1993, as a place to catalog research culture, traditions and history in the southern Adirondacks and upper Hudson Valley. During the celebration, folk artists will be demonstrating their crafts and food traditions… There will be music all day, and hands-on activities for the entire family. 

Todd DeGarmo – Founding Director for the Folklife Center – said: “It’s our 30th anniversary as a department at the library. I have been here since 1986. I started out doing projects, like festivals, quilt shows and children activities on and off through grant funding… 30 years ago the board decided that we should consolidate all of this work into a department. We had a consultant come in from RPI, and he showed us the potential of growing the collection,” Todd said.

DeGarmo is an anthropologist/ folklorist who has been the director of the Folklife Center since its inception… The center began with a part-time archivist, and has only grown from there. Currently, DeGarmo works with Amanda Franzoni, who specializes in research and special collections; Trisha Dalton, who is a historian and librarian; and Kevin Rogan, a media specialist. 

In 1993, the Folklife Center took over an underutilized area in the library and created archives based on the local research, cultures, traditions, neighbors, and music… This research was consolidated and stored in the same space, and made available to the public. 

A portion of DeGarmo’s work is grant writing. Through grants, the Folklife Center has been able to shine a spotlight on cultural aspects of this area… For instance, “Battenkill Inspired”, a series of mini-video documentaries that tell the story of life and work along the Battenkill River. This series examines the impact of the Battenkill River on the history, local art and activities of the region, and features grassroots history with stories of the local communities.

Currently, the Folklife Center is featuring the Champlain Canal Stories: 200 Years from Waterford to Whitehall. This series is located in the main Folklife Gallery, and will be on display until December of 2023. 

“We like to sponsor a variety of events… Some big events, some more intimate. We seem to kind of fly under the radar… We have film festivals, we are starting a Ukulele Club, (and) we have the Shutter Squad,” DeGramo said. The Shutter Squad is a workshop for kids between the ages of 10 to 13… Over the course of six weeks, they learn the principles of photography.

For more information, please visit crandalllibrary.org

ARCC Ribbon Cutting for Go Play With Your Food

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

On Tuesday July 18th, 2023, Tricia Rogers and the ARCC crew worked their magic and hosted a ribbon cutting for Go Play With Your Food… Located at 126 Glen Street, Go Play With Your Food is owned by Kristen & Mark Shaw, and partners, and is open seven days a week for food and board-gaming fun!  This eatery gives patrons the opportunity to rent a table, and play with any of over 600 board games- all while offering a full menu of beer, wine and hard seltzers. 

In an industrial chic setting, an exposed brick wall frames the bar, comfortably spaced wood topped tables dapple the dining area – each with plenty of space to lay out a board game – and then there is the view… A view of a wall of games!

Go Play With Your Food creates an opportunity to play a variety of over 600 games, and enjoy menu offerings and beverages. With a variety of levels, there is something for everyone-games for beginners, family- friendly games, moderate to advanced level games and games that can have up to 20 players. This puzzling eatery features a menu with a variety of appetizers, flatbread pizzas, salads, and desserts. 

Go Play with Your Food has offers a variety of meads, six beers on tap, 24 canned beers, seven canned ciders, as well as a nice mix of hard seltzers, teas, and wine by the glass… So, if CandyLand has you craving something sweet, an eight-hour Risk conquest has left you absolutely famished, or a Jenga tower gets you oddly in the mood for a club sandwich, there is an opportunity to regroup, grab another game, and fall into a world of enchantment and adventure that’s been with us since childhood… Enjoy time with family and friends in this unique board-gaming eatery!

For more information, please visit goplaywithyourfood.com

Beech Leaf Disease Has Reached Adirondacks

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

The Adirondacks are one of the most popular tourist destinations in New York State. Hiking, camping, fishing and other outdoor activities attract millions of visitors to the Adirondack region every year, along with the beauty of the natural scenery… The visitors to the region represent an integral part of New York’s economy, generating hundreds of millions of tourism dollars each year. 

However, maintaining the delicate ecosystems that attract these visitors has its challenges… Invasive species threaten the Adirondack ecosystem. Currently, the American Beech Tree faces an uncertain future due to Beech Leaf Disease, which is lethal to the species – American Beech Trees are a dominant breed of trees in the Adirondack forest. The American Beech tree is the only native species of beech that grows in North America… The American Beech normally grows 50-70 feet tall with a rounded crown. The Adirondack region is home to Beech trees that are 150 to 200 years old. 

American Beech leaves are elliptical – they have pointed tips, many straight, parallel veins… These leaves are green in the summer, golden yellow and brown in the fall, and stay on the tree well into the winter. The characteristics of Beech Leaf Disease are striping, which is bands of thickened, dark green tissue between the leaf veins, and distorted puckering or curled leaves. The disease causes reduced leaf and bud production, and possible leaf loss as the disease progresses… This disease can kill mature trees in six to ten years, and young trees in two to three years.

The American Beech has value to the Adirondack wildlife… It is a welcoming host to caterpillars of the Early Hairstreak butterfly. These trees produce beechnuts, which are amongst the most important food for different species of wildlife – Raccoons, White-Tailed Deer, Porcupine, American Martens, Red Foxes, and Black Bears all consume beechnuts. Beechnuts are specifically important to Black Bear reproduction, because the females need the high protein content in their fall diet prior to hibernation… The American Beech also provides food and nesting sites for a variety of birds.

Beech Leaf Disease has been discovered in the Adirondacks, and is a lethal disease to Beech trees. This disease is believed to be caused by Nematode (Microscopic worm) Litylenchus crenatea mccannii. The full cause of the disease and how it spreads is still unknown… There are no known ways of managing this disease.

Tourism in the Adirondack region generates an estimated $387-million is direct labor income, and $644-million including direct and indirect income. The ecosystem of the Adirondack helps to support this tourism, and maintaining that ecosystem is crucial to the next generation of tourism, residents, and wildlife alike.

For more information, please visit wildadirondacks.org

Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls & Tri-County United Way Team Up For “A Putt Above” Golf Classic

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

On Friday, August 18th, 2023, the Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls and the Tri-County United Way will be hosting the “A Putt Above” Golf Classic at Cronin’s Golf Resort in Warrensburg. This event features a four-person scramble, with a shotgun start at 12:30 PM. Presenting sponsors for this event are Albany Med Health System, and Glens Falls Hospital. 

Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Teams and individuals are welcome, $125.00 per player or $500.00 per team – this includes cart rental, lunch from 11:30PM to 12:30 PM, beverages, prizes, and a steak dinner followed by awards. 

The Tri-County United Way as an organization is dedicated to helping people improve their lives and make a positive impact on communities. Tri-County United Way encourages volunteerism, and resolving community problems through identifying and communicating community priorities. 

The Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls is a service organization that contributes to the well being of the community through fundraising and community service.  For more information about the “A Putt Above” Golf Classic, please visit tricountyunitedway.org