AEC News, Information and Events
In Memory of George Persson
The SOS Committee has decided to name the annual 5K Walk/Run in memory of George Persson, so, it will now be the GEORGE PERSSON MEMORIAL SOS 5k Walk/Run. Not only was George a friend of many in the community; he was also the president of the SOS (Save Our Schoolhouse) and was instrumental in saving the old Star Lake schoolhouse, which is now the location for the Adirondack Exhibit Center. This year's race (2017) will mark the first year of this dedication to a most wonderful, creative, skilled and productive man. He will be sorely missed by the SOS and the AEC community.
White Out Weekend at the AEC
The White Out Weekend fell on the coldest weekend of the 2016 winter; but despite the cold, many people worked hard to provide a wide variety of activities for those brave enough to venture out. The SOS Committee was no exception, providing a warm sanctuary with indoor activities.
Wayne Allen, a retired instructor from the Ranger School, gave a presentation about one of Wanakena's most famous woodland guides, Wilfred Morrison. Wilfred was a very colorful man whose life was spend guiding "sports" who flowed to our area for fishing and hunting. He came to Wanakena in 1902 and was part of the guiding community until his death in 1938.
Our local train engineers (Bob Meredith, Ed Opel, Ted Tate, and Paul Kiser) were on hand to share their two train setups with visitors. Their miniature worlds depict Wanakena, Newton Falls, and Benson Mines during the first decade of the 1900's. Each year shows the growth of this intricate world, which depicts the history of our unique area.
Mairi Meredith, who is an accomplished artisian of fiber production, was on hand to demonstrate the spinning of wool yarn from natural sheep wool, as North Country women may have done at the turn of the century. Alice Antwine, a local artist, demonstrated the art of weaving pack baskets. This would have been an important skill to the local guides, as they used them to carry supplies into their camps within the Five Ponds area.
Mary Jo Muse and Sue Novak prepared a "warm-up station" consisting of free hot drinks and homemade scones. Thanks to the effort of Joe Russo, our new furnace kept the schoolhouse warm and cozy. Visitors and presenters alike enjoyed a look into the past of this incredible part of the Adirondacks.
Four Saturdays of Crafting and Readings in October
Families are invited to free fall crafting and read-aloud events scheduled on the first four Saturdays of October. Crafts include making a burlap wall hanging decorated with fall flowers and leaves; a shadow box; an autumn accordian book; and pumpkin carving. Dates and info can be found here.
AEC Hosts "Meet and Greet" Evening
September 23, 2015 The Save our Schoolhouse Committee along with the Clifton-Fine Parent-Teacher Organization jointly hosted a "meet & greet" evening at the AEC on Wednesday, September 23rd from 4-6 pm. Community members came to meet four new teachers at the school and four foreign exchange students. Refreshments were served.
Welcomed to our community are four foreign exchange students. From left to right are: Caya Koster from the Netherlands; Juan Montalvan from Ecuador; Lucas Nogueira from Brazil and Lea Danielewicz from Munich, Germany. (click picture for larger image; "back" to return)
New teachers include Miss Teelin, vocal music; Mr. Bretsch, HS resource room; Miss Brown, elementary art; and Miss Teetsel, long-term substitute.
Crafting with Mary Jo Muse
February 28th, 2015 As part of the Adirondack Winter Whiteout, the Adirondack Exhibit Center hosted a crafting event organized by Mary Jo Muse. Knitting, crocheting, spinning, quilling, and beading were taught by experienced crafters. An herbalist was on hand to make herbal sachets. All supplies were available free for participants and snacks were supplied. The train exhibit was open and manned by our local "engineers." The event was very successful and helped to introduce people to our exhibit center. (click picture for larger image; "back" to return)
2014 5K Walk/Run a Big Success!
Sunday, August 3rd, 2014 A record 105 entrants crossed the finish line of the 9th annual 5K Walk/Run Race. Derek Poirier had the fastest time for men: 20 minutes, 7 seconds; and Stephanie Poirier was the first woman to cross the line with a time of 24 minutes, 32 seconds.
An ice cream social and silent auction followed the race. For more information, click here.
Preservation Award for SOS Initiative
September 24th, 2012 Representatives of the Adirondack Exhibit Center (SOS) were presented with the Sensitive Restoration and the Adaptive Reuse awards by Susan Arena, Program Director of the Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) at their 18th Annual Preservations Awards ceremony. The ceremony took place at the Farmhouse at Top of the World, Lake George, NY.
A write-up of the SOS awards in the program briefly described the history of the renovation of the old Star Lake Schoolhouse. For more information about the AARCH, go to their web site. Click the back button to return here.