Lt a 0099 0207

Page 1

ECRWSS PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID DENTON PUBLICATIONS/ NEW MARKET PRESS PO Box 338 Elizabethtown NY 12932 Postal Patron

Editorial» Governor Cuomo holding our schools hostage in budget process

PAGE 4

YOUR NUMBER ONE SOURCE OF COMMUNITY NEWS, SERVING THE TRI-LAKES REGION

www.valleynewsadk.com

A Denton Publication

FREE

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Locals key to Big Tupper success

This Week WHALLONSBURG

By Pete DeMola pete@denpubs.com

TUPPER LAKE Ñ If you look carefully after touching down at the Big Tupper Ski Resort, youÕ ll notice a small sign in the lodgeÕ s front window: Ò Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it.Ó Following several weeks of sustained snowfall, Big Tupper opened this past weekend, launching the fifth season since a group of local volunteers tackled what was once seen as an improbable project, the resurrection of a moribund ski resort.

Whallonsburg Grange kicks off centennial PAGE 2 FARM TO TABLE

The Big Tupper Ski Resort kicked off their fifth season this past weekend. Pictured above are some of the volunteers who made it possible. From left: Dale Reandeau, Tim Brown, Tom Sciacca, Cliff LaMere, Bill Mozdzier, Kate Bencze and Ted Merrihew. Photo by Pete DeMola

Regional food hub comes to fruition in Essex PAGE 3 SPORTS

Kearney places second in Whiteface World Cup stop With retirement likely, FIS calls the season an “extended victory lap” for the Vermont moguls star By Andrew Johnstone andrew@denpubs.com

Red Storm get by Blue Bombers in girls hockey action PAGE 12

WILMINGTON -- Knees pumping like pistons, Hannah Kearney blazed over and through mogul after mogul on her way to the second jump. Then, for a moment that seemed as if time somehow slowed, she was airborne, skis crossed and body spinning, eyes on the snow 15 feet below. Kearney spotted her landing, touched down, and was instantaneously back into a rhythm navigating terrain few skiers can handle at a fraction of the pace. She crossed the line, edges biting hard into the skied-off finish area, and waited for the scores to come in, all while the crowd CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Hannah Kearney soars through the air off the second jump on the Wilderness mogul course at Whiteface Mountain on Jan. 29. She finished the World Cup event in second place, just .43 points behind Canada’s Justine Dufour-Lapointe.

Remember to keep clicking valleynewsadk.com all day every day for the latest local news, featured stories and extras

www.valleynewsadk.com

SIGN UP TODAY!

Each week, we’ll send you the printed edition straight to your email’s inbox for FREE. Cancel any time. To sign up, simply go to

www.valleynewsadk.com/alerts/manage/

Twitter

Online

Facebook

© ORDA / Andrew Johnstone

BLOOD, TEARS

SWEAT

AND

The rebirth of what was once one of the stateÕ s premier ski destinations began in September 2009 when Jim LaValley, a local realtor, floated the idea to repair and possibly reopen the resort, which had been shuttered for a decade. Ò Most people thought he was crazy,Ó recalled Big Tupper Operations Coordinator Kate Bencze. Cliff LaMere was dispatched to inspect the-then defunct chairlift and spent three days examining the gear. Ò My fear of heights is nonexistent,Ó he laughed. Afterward, a group met at the local VFW to discuss the impossible. Four months later, after a lot of Ò blood, sweat and tears,Ó the team got it all together, recalled Bill Mozdzier, who now serves as a trail groomer. Aside from a brief blip, Big Tupper has been running for the past half-decade, a symbol of perseverance in a town CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Facebook & Twitter

Become a “fan” on Facebook. Simply search keyword “Valley News” or follow our Tweets at

www.twitter.com/valleynewsadk


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.