Let’s GO!

Column by fine arts photographer and wanderer Sue Clark. M.Ed. (AKA Mustang Sue)

Destination: Lake Luzerne, NY in the Southern Adirondacks.

Let me introduce myself properly. Sue Clark is my name. A M.Ed. degree explains my style - a combination educator, storyteller and fine arts photographer.

I’m also a car enthusiast, a twin, a writer and a wanderer. That’s the short list. I find many “out of the way” places through my wanderings... and record said wanderings/ discoveries with my trusty camera beside me, whether that be my Canon DSLR or cell phone camera. Believe it or not... the advances in cell phone camera picture quality simply blow me away nowadays, so I find myself using the cell phone camera more often than not.

I start my “Let’s Go!” column with the name of the local destination, post hours and contact information, give a little history about the destination, and include some photos.

BTW... it’s always good to call ahead to any travel destination to confirm hours of operation.

Yes. Linda said I would not get rich producing this column... yet. OK then. I’ll be doing it for the fame. BTW, I’m not a historian by profession. My writing style is more like a storyteller/educator/entertainer. So pour yourself a glass of your choice, and come along for the ride. We all could use new places to visit that won’t break the bank.

Towns close by: *Saratoga is approximately 25 miles south. *Lake George is approximately 10 miles northeast.

If Grammarist defines a “hop, skip and jump” as a short distance, well then... that certainly defines a road trip to Main Street, Lake Luzerne. And what a main street it is! You see, that area is called “Lake Luzerne Heritage District” for good reason. It has numerous places of historic interest! You’ll find me on Sundays from 12-3 pm through Columbus Day at the historic Rockwell Harmon Cottage and Visitor Center, at 37 Main Street in Luzerne. The cottage has a big back porch overlooking the Hudson River. Feel free to bring your comfy folding chair and sit out on the back porch. It’s lovely in the summer and fall. The Hudson River down below talks to you as you enjoy the breeze. On Main Street you will also find the Adirondack Folk School, which showcases fabulous crafts in their gift shop. They are open 7 days a week. Down the street is the restored one room Gailey Hill Schoolhouse. Across the street you’ll find the Kinnear House Museum with its own gift shop. Up the hill in Mill Park beside the beautiful falls and walking trail, you’ll find the historic Pagenstecher Pulp Mill. The stream here empties into the Hudson River which then flows down into the Atlantic Ocean! Wayside Beach is found up by the main road of 9N.

Unless otherwise noted, most of these buildings are open on Sundays, in the afternoon, 12-3, through Columbus Day Weekend. The Rockwell Harmon Cottage and Visitors Center is open Thursday - Sunday during the summer in the afternoon, and only weekends in the fall. When the buildings are open, you’ll find an “open” flag out front. If not open, you can peek through, let’s say, the Gailey Schoolhouse windows. You can also walk to the Rockwell Falls Library. Check the library site for year round open hours, visiting lecture series, and programs. Always entertaining! And don’t pass up seeing the cascading falls at the end of the street. Always open! The Hudson and Sacandaga Rivers meet here. The view in this area is breathtaking. Bring your camera!

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By Sue Clark. M.Ed. (AKA Mustang Sue)

Lake Luzerne and surrounding areas in Warren County became well known for their dude ranches back in the day, so much so that this area was called “Big Hat Country.” Earl Woodward was the man who started the dude ranch era of Lake Luzerne many years ago. He bought up /built /sold many properties in the area including numerous dude ranches, homes and a rodeo.

The “western style” dude ranches he built catered to the big cities, where lots of young single female factory workers, many NYC born and bred, were in need of clean fresh air and a break. Ranch brochures and advertisements enticed them to come to this area for R and R. Once here, many fell in love with an Adirondack cowboy and moved to the area! They then got married and raised families here. There is still much evidence of the dude ranch era here. Log houses. Horses. Rodeo. And more horses! There are still many horse back riding stables to choose from locally, including Mountain View Rocking B Ranch, (formally the historic Bennett ’s Riding Stable) and Ruggiero’s, down by the historic Painted Pony Rodeo. You can find all on line, and make reservations for fall riding. I for one prefer crisp fall days to ride a horse. Nowadays I just like to sit in the saddle and have a quiet walk through the forest, which these stables offer. I don’t need to be Annie Oakley anymore! In winter, sleigh rides and snowmobiling rule. So check back with those business websites as seasons change to see what they are offering.

If you’re getting hungry while in the area, there are a number of great places to eat in Hadley/Lake Luzerne area. Try Nettle Meadows “Hitching Post Tavern” for eats. Open year round. A bonus here - the Hitching Post building is historic. It’s a well-preserved example of old school Adirondack log style architecture. The gift shop carries Nettle Meadows ºfamous artisan cheeses and many more items. The Longhorn Saloon is a destination ride for many folks riding their motorcycles. Music is offered most weekends there. Harris Grocery makes great “to go” sandwiches, side dishes, and desserts too, if you are on the run, or going for a hike. Bend of the River Golf Club is an excellent golf course, located in Hadley. The Rockwell Falls General Store, AKA Hadley General Store is serving food too. Joe’s Mini Mart makes great to go subs. Rocco’s II serves hot fresh pizza and more. Lake Luzerne market also makes great sandwiches and other go to foods!

Note: As the colder weather approaches... some establishments may offer shorter opening schedules, or may close for winter season. Always call ahead (or Google) for day/hrs open. There is SO much to do in and around Hadley/Lake Luzerne area, you won’t be lacking for activity

~ Mustang Sue

Sue’s favorite quote: “NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST.”

Stop in to one of the local libraries, grab a book, summer is great time to read. Bring the kids! Check out their websites or Facebook pages to get information about events coming up.

GLOVERSVILLE

PUBLIC LIBRARY

58 East Fulton St., Gloversville, NY 12078 (518) 725-2819

Valerie Acklin, Library Director gpl@mvls.info

Hours: Mon. 2pm-7pm Tues. - Thurs. 10am-7pm Fri. 10am-5pm Sat.10am-4pm • Closed Sunday Call for Summer Hours to the August 17, 2023

AMSTERDAM

PUBLIC LIBRARY

28 Church St., Amsterdam, NY 12010 (518) 842-1080

Nicole Hemsley, Library Director amslib@mvls.info

Hours: Mon. & Thurs. 10am-7pm; Tues. & Wed. 10am - 5pm Fri. 10am - 3pm Sat. 10am - 1pm Sun. - Closed

JOHNSTOWN

PUBLIC LIBRARY

38 South Market St., Johnstown, NY 12095 (518) 762-8317

Erica Wing, Library Director ewing@mvls.info

Hours: Tues.-Wed.-Thurs.; 9am-6pm Fri. 9am-4pm Saturday; 10am-1pm Sun. & Mon. - CLOSED

BROADALBIN

LIBRARY

10A North Main St. Broadalbiin, NY 12025 (518) 883-5976

The library is a non pro t administered and managed by local volunteers and funded through the generosity of patrons and citizens of our community.

Hours: Mon. 3-5pm; Tues. 2-4pm; Wed. 3-5pm; Thurs. 2-6pm; Fri. Closed; Sat. 10-12

Go!to that High School REUNION Lunch! The Annual Broadalbin Alumni Reunion Luncheon

All who attended or graduated from Broadalbin High School during the years 1940-1973 are invited to attend.

Broadalbin-Perth Junior/ Senior High School

100 Bridge St., Broadalbin

$20 Per Person

The Class of 1973 is celebrating 50 years out of high school, we hope you will be able to attend. This luncheon is separate from any other planned activities for your class.

Reservation Deadline is August 11, 2023

For those who were members of the class of 1940-1973, you should have received an email invitation. If you know of any alumni from these years that may not know about our luncheon please pass on this information to them.

If you have questions or need a registration form, please call Nancy Whiting at 518-883-3954 or email Carol Carpenter Carelli at ccarelli51@gmail.com

Just a reminder, when you are adopting a pet remember to take the time to meet the scared ones, the shy ones, the ones that don’t stick out to you, the ones with the boring colors or missing limbs, the older ones, the frail ones. They have not given up. They just need you. And maybe you need them too.

~ Author Unknown

Park St., Fonda, New York, 12068

If you would like to visit the Montgomery Department of History and Archives, an appointment is required. Please go to our website at www.co.montgomery.ny.us to do so.

If you cannot make an appointment online please call (518) 853-8186

When Montgomery County moved its county seat from Johnstown to Fonda in 1836, the transition was marked with the construction of the impressive Greek Revival edifice, known to many today as the Old Courthouse. Adorned with Ionic columns and topped with a gold-leafed dome, the building has seen numerous changes over the past 185 years. Many various trials occurred within these walls including two murder cases ending with executions in the courtyard and an 1839 libel suit involving James Fenimore Cooper.

Despite the removal of the court proceedings in 1892, activities continued to be held in the Old Courthouse. From the funeral of a Revolutionary War soldier, to the services of the Reformed Church, to the meetings for social organizations, to political functions and office space for county departments, the building has never been vacant.

After a series of transitions, the Old Court House continues to retain its magnificence. Fortunate for genealogists and historians alike, the building has been home to the Montgomery County Department of History & Archives since 1934. As the department’s collection grows, so too does the number of individuals amazed at the history of the building in which they sit.

yrs.

Jackson was found as a stray and his owner never came for this sweet boy. He is a little over 2yrs old and weighs about 70lbs. Jackson does well with other dogs. He is an active boy and very sweet. He previously lived with children as well!

Up for adoption at Fulton County Regional SPCA

If you would like more information about him, please call (518) 725-5956

117 W. Fulton St., Gloversville, NY 12078

Open By Appt. Only • www.fcrspca.org a presentation on September 27th at 6pm at

Interested in Photography? Don’t Miss This!

2112 East Street, Galway, NY 12074

Bill will be speaking about life as a professional photographer, news photo-journalism and the places he has photographed along with the people he has met in his travels and more.

Even if it’s not too hot outside, it is TOO HOT INSIDE YOUR CAR!!

Saturday, July 29th 2023 • 10am-4pm

A Downtown celebration of Harry Potter’s Birthday presented by McLemon’s & Mysteries on Main Street Downtown Johnstown

Vendors, Activities, Photo Ops, Food & Drinks, Games, Music and more!

Never leave your pet unattended in a parked car for any period of time!

ON A WARM DAY, the temperature in a car can exceed 120˚ in a matter of minutes - even with the windows partially open. Your pet can quickly su er brain damage or die from heatstroke or su ocation.

If you see an animal in a car exhibiting signs of heat stress, call your local animal care and control agency or police department immediately!

How many of us can say that they truly remember their third grade teacher?

I do! It was Jean Amy Swenson (her last name was Waterstreet when I had her for a teacher) She was wonderful! Books are what I remember so well about third grade at Vrooman Ave. school. She read us James and the Giant Peach. She stood by the window, and the way she read it felt like we were right there in the story. Each of us students also had the little “Hot Dog” cut out with a strip around the belly of the dog. Every time you read a book and let the teacher know you got another strip added to your dog. I can honestly say that she fostered a love of reading in me and I am sure she lives on in the hearts and minds of the many other children she inspired over the years.

At the Spring Fling this year we asked folks to let us know about positive things in the community. A friend, Beth, came over to our table and said to check out the “Jean Amy Swenson Literacy Fund” I went over and met Robert and learned about this wonderful program that was started in my favorite teacher’s memory and knew we had to get this in print!

~ Linda Palmieri