4/8/2008
Salem, NY - Returning to this year's Tour of the Battenkill in Salem, NY on April 19 is Team R.A.C.E. Pro cycling team of Canada. Team R.A.C.E Pro returns with an expanded squad that includes one-day classic specialist and 5-time Canadian National Road Champion Mark Walters, as well as 2007 Univest Omnium Champion Ryan Roth. Both are aiming for Beijing Olympic berths in 2008. Team R.A.C.E. Pro is managed by Tour de France Stage Winner and Olympic Silver Medalist Steve Bauer and Josee Larocque of Cycle Sport Management, Inc.
"We are sure the competition will be very good," said Bauer. "Its a Classic Road Race. It has great elements to bring out the best in racers."
Bauer, who wore the Tour de France Yellow Jersey for 10 days during the 1990 epic stage race, leads a team that has taken on a dual role as professional cycling team and ambassadors for the R.A.C.E Foundation - Race Against Cancer Everywhere.
"R.A.C.E. is a foundation that has a strong club team supporting the fundraising events. Our principal sponsor Planet Energy loves the sport and supports the cause in a serious way. Planet Energy wants the name of the team Team R.A.C.E. Pro to remain present bringing awareness to the cause," said Bauer. "Any support and funds raised for kids living with and beyond cancer is a big success. We hope the professional team will be an international success to match its legacy. "
Excellent sponsorship is instrumental to Team R.A.C.E. Pro's success.
"We have obtained amazing support this year and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with our partners: Planet Energy, Catalyst Capital Group Inc, and Silverback Media form our financial sponsor group. These financial commitments to the team allowed us to get serious about leveraging the teams potential. Argon 18 bicycle frames led by my former National road teammate Gervais Rioux has backed us from day one. Shimano Canada including PRO components has stepped up and supplied a very important primary need. Pearl Izumi Clothing is the technical race wear to carry our colours. Giro Helmets, Oakley sunglasses, Thule racking equipment, Pedros Tools and lubricants, Hutchinson Tubeless Tires CarbBoom energy gels. Great industry leaders all of them. " said Bauer.
Team R.A.C.E. Pro ranks among the best UCI Continental teams in North America and will be challenged by more than 16 other elite teams that includes Rite Aid Professional Cycling Team, EVA-Devinci, Calyon Pro Cycling, and Jet Fuel Coffee Cycling Team.
Added Bauer, "in general we have group of all round road racers. Mark Walters and Ryan Roth are both seasoned road guys that can win big one day races. All the rest of the boys are ready to show what they are made of. We are giving them an opportunity to be professional cyclists. The rest is up to them."
Already the largest single-day road race in the U.S.A with more than 1300 racers from 25 States and Canada registered in 16 different fields, the Tour of the Battenkill expects to draw nearly 1600 racers by race day that includes a full, 125 rider Pro/1 field. The event is hosted in cooperation with the Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com). Proceeds will benefit Farm Team Cycling of Cambridge (farmteamcycling.org) - a regional Junior-level cycling team, and the Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY.
Starting & finishing in the rural Washington County New York village of Salem, the race features one of the most challenging and unique race courses on the North American calendar with a single 55 mile loop for the amateurs, rolling countryside, direct passes through small villages, covered bridges, and the un-paved roads that have become the race's trademark. Challenging sections of the course include Juniper Swamp in the Town of Salem - a 1/4 mile un-paved climb with a 15% grade, Meeting House and Becker Roads in Easton - 4 very difficult un-paved climbs that come late in the course, and the challenging climb up Willard Mountain at mile 30. The Elite and Professional Men will race on an extended 82 mile course that will feature the rarely-travelled McKie Hollow in the Town of White Creek - a 1/2 mile unpaved climb that averages 12-15% in grade, and they'll finish with a final 7 mile circuit in the Town of Salem. Along the way, racers will pass directly through the small villages of Salem, Cambridge, and Greenwich giving spectators several opportunities to see the race.
Major 2008 Race Sponsors include Glens Falls Hospital (glensfallshospital.org), Trade Manage Capital (trademanagecapital.com), WestoodVelo (westwoodvelo.com), the Rice Mansion Inn (ricemansioninn.com), Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company (gfnational.com), Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com), Reynolds Real Estate of Greenwich (lreynoldsrealestate.com), Cabot of Vermont (cabotcheese.com), Echappe Equipment (echappeonline.com), 53x11 Coffee (53x11coffee.com), Udderly Smooth Udder Cream (uddercream.com), Flex Power (flexpower.com), Adidas Eyewear (adidas.com/eyewear), Washington County Tourism Association (washingtoncounty.org), Maxxis Tires (maxxis.com), Adirondack Sports & Fitness Magazine (adksportsfitness.com), and LUNA (lunabar.com).
See www.tourofthebattenkill.com for race details, contact information, volunteer information, race expo opportunities, and the many sponsorship opportunities still available.
3/31/08
Salem, NY - Organizers of the 2008 Tour of the Battenkill (www.tourofthebattenkill.com) are proud to announce a preliminary list of teams competing in this year's Professional races on April 19 in Salem, NY. Highlighting the Men's Race will be returning 2007 Men's Champion Mathieu Roy who won last year's edition by less than a bicycle length in a 12-rider sprint. He will be challenged by a full field that includes 5-time Canadian National Champion and 3-time World Championship team member Mark Walters of Team RACE of Ontario. 2007 Women's Champion Heather Labance of the Advil-Chapstick Women's Professional Cycling Team will also defend her title on the difficult course through Southern Washington County, NY. Labance also placed third the the US Open Cycling Championships and 11th in the Women's Elite US National Championships in 2007. The current teams are:
Advil/Chapstick Women's Professional Cycling Team
Kenda/Raleigh Men's Cycling Team
Rite Aid Pro Cycling
CCB/Volkswagen
Calyon Professional Cycling of Montreal
Target Training Elite Development Team
EVA Devinci Pro Cycling
Team RACE Professional Cycling of Ontario
Team Volkswagen of Quebec
MetLife Pro-Am Cycling
Alliance Environmental Elite Cycling Team
Sakonnet Technology U25 Elite Cycling Team
CRCA Empire Cycling Team
Fitness Together / IF pb Lionette's
Fiordifrutta Cycling Team
Jet Fuel Coffee Cycling Team - Toronto
Many more professional teams are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Already the largest single-day road race in the U.S.A with more than 1300 racers from 25 States and Canada registered in 16 different fields, the event expects to draw nearly 1600 racers by race day. The event is hosted in cooperation with the Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com). Proceeds will benefit Farm Team Cycling of Cambridge (farmteamcycling.org) - an area Junior-level cycling team, and the Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY.
Starting & finishing in the rural Washington County New York village of Salem, the race features one of the most challenging and unique race courses on the North American calendar with a single 55 mile loop, rolling countryside, direct passes through small villages, covered bridges, and the un-paved roads that have become the race's trademark. Challenging sections of the course include Juniper Swamp in the Town of Salem - a 1/4 mile un-paved climb with a 15% grade, Meeting House and Becker Roads in Easton - 4 very difficult un-paved climbs that come late in the course, and the challenging climb up Willard Mountain at mile 30. The Elite and Professional Men will race on an extended 82 mile course that will feature the rarely-travelled McKie Hollow in the Town of White Creek - a 1/2 mile unpaved climb that averages 12-15% in grade, and they'll finish with a final 7 mile circuit in the Town of Salem. Along the way, racers will pass directly through the small villages of Salem, Cambridge, and Greenwich giving spectators several opportunities to see the race.
Major 2008 Race Sponsors include Glens Falls Hospital (glensfallshospital.org), Trade Manage Capital (trademanagecapital.com), WestoodVelo (westwoodvelo.com), the Rice Mansion Inn (ricemansioninn.com), Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company (gfnational.com), Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com), Reynolds Real Estate of Greenwich (lreynoldsrealestate.com), Cabot of Vermont (cabotcheese.com), Echappe Equipment (echappeonline.com), 53x11 Coffee (53x11coffee.com), Udderly Smooth Udder Cream (uddercream.com), Flex Power (flexpower.com), Adidas Eyewear (adidas.com/eyewear), Washington County Tourism Association (washingtoncounty.org), Maxxis Tires (maxxis.com), and Adirondack Sports & Fitness Magazine (adksportsfitness.com)
See www.tourofthebattenkill.com for race details, contact information, volunteer information, race expo opportunities, and the many sponsorship opportunities still available.
Salem, NY - The organizers of the 2008 Tour of the Battenkill Cycling Race announce that with more than 1200 current registrants, the race has surpassed Monterey California's prestigious Sea Otter Classic as the largest single-day road cycling race in the United States. 1600 racers from more than 25 States and Canada are expected to race on April 19. The event is hosted in cooperation with the Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (www.visitbattenkillvalley.com). Proceeds will benefit Farm Team Cycling of Cambridge (farmteamcycling.org) - an area Junior-level cycling team, and the Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY. See www.tourofthebattenkill.com for race details, contact information, and the many sponsorship opportunities still available.
Starting & finishing in the rural Washington County New York village of Salem, the race features one of the most challenging and unique race courses on the North American calendar with a single 55 mile loop, rolling countryside, direct passes through small villages, covered bridges, and the un-paved roads that have become the race's trademark. Challenging sections of the course include Juniper Swamp Road in the Town of Salem - a 1/4 mile un-paved climb with a 15% grade, Meeting House and Becker Roads in Easton - 4 very difficult un-paved climbs that come late in the course, and the challenging climb up Willard Mountain at mile 30. The Elite and Professional Men will race on an extended 82 mile course that will feature the rarely-travelled McKie Hollow Road in the Town of White Creek - a 1/2 mile unpaved climb that averages 12-15% in grade, and a final 7 mile circuit in the Town of Salem. Along the way, racers will pass directly through the Villages of Cambridge and Greenwich giving spectators several opportunities to see the race.
There are 17 separate races from Junior to Professional Men's & Women's races. Among the Professional teams attending are the Advil/Chapstick Women's Professional Cycling Team, Kenda/Raleigh Men's Cycling Team, Calyon-Litespeed Professional Cycling of Montreal, Target Training Elite Development Team, Team RACE Professional Cycling of Ontario, Fitness Together / IF pb Lionette's Men's Elite Cycling, MetLife Pro-Am Cycling, and VW/Trek of Quebec.
The race also features a race expo organized by the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce at the finish line on West Broadway in Salem featuring food, local crafts, cycling vendors, and live entertainment, as well as several viewing areas around the course.
Major 2008 Race Sponsors include Glens Falls Hospital (glensfallshospital.org), Trade Manage Capital (trademanagecapital.com), WestoodVelo (westwoodvelo.com), Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company (gfnational.com), Reynolds Real Estate of Greenwich (lreynoldsrealestate.com), Cabot of Vermont (cabotcheese.com), Echappe Equipment (echappeonline.com), 53x11 Coffee (53x11coffee.com), Udderly Smooth Udder Cream (uddercream.com), Flex Power (flexpower.com), and Adidas Eyewear (adidas.com/eyewear).
Many volunteers are needed for the safe hosting of the race. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Christine Hoffer at volunteers@battenkillroubaix.com or 518-677-5741 for details.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BY THE TOUR OF THE BATTENKILL CYCLING RACE - April 19 - Salem, NY
www.tourofthebattenkill.com
February 4, 2008
Salem, NY - Organizers of the 2008 Tour of the Battenkill (tourofthebattenkill.com) are proud to announce that the total number of registrants for the 2008 race in Salem, NY has reached 1,000 with more than 10 weeks to go. Already the largest Pro/Am race on the East Coast in 2007, the race is now primed to approach 1500 racers by race day, April 19. Hosted by local Junior's cycling team Farm Team Cycling of Cambridge (farmteamcycling.org) in cooperation with the Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (visitbattenkillvalley.com), the Tour of the Battenkill is in only it's 4th year, but drew from more than 25 States and Canada in 2007. Proceeds from the event will benefit Farm Team Cycling and the Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY.
The race organizers are also proud to announce sponsors for the 2008 event. Glens Falls National Bank has signed on as a major sponsor and will be providing commemorative wristbands for racers and spectators who will receive discounts from area businesses supporting the event.
"We're excited to take part in the race this year", said Glens Falls National Bank & Trust Company Regional Manager Rich Norman. "Cycling has become an important part of our community here and in the region, and with so many of our customers participating in the sport we felt it was a great opportunity to contribute to the success of the event."
Other major sponsors include Greenwich, NY real estate office, Reynolds Real Estate, Glens Falls Hospital (glensfallshospital.org), Trade Manage Capital (trademanagecapital.com), Cabot of Vermont (cabotcheese.com), Echappe Equipment (echappeonline.com), Hannaford Supermarkets (hannaford.com) and Whalen Chevrolet of Greenwich (whalenchevrolet.com). Many sponsorship spots are still available. Contact sponsors@battenkillroubaix.com for details.
The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a race expo at the finish line again this year and is currently accepting vendor applications. The event will be held at the White Presbyterian Church on West Broadway in Salem. Vendors will be outside (rain or shine), in the front church yard near the start/finish line. Vendor space is expected to be in high demand - please reserve your space soon. Several food vendors and cycling-related have already confirmed. Contact Jessica Corey of the Salem Chamber at 518-854-7971 or expo@battenkillroubaix.com for information.
The Tour of the Battenkill is a one-of-a-kind cycling event in the U.S.A. Originally fashioned after the early spring classic cycling races in Northern Europe such as the 100 year-old Paris-Roubaix, the race features rolling countryside, covered bridges, long stretches of unpaved roads, and direct passes through the villages and hamlets of Southern Washington County, NY including Salem, Cambridge, and Greenwich. Amateurs & professional women in 13 different classes & age groups will compete over a 55 mile route. Professional and elite amateur men will race over an extended 82 mile course. All races start and finish on West Broadway in Salem. Races begin at 9 AM on April 19.
Volunteers are needed for the safe and successful operation of the event. Please contact Volunteer Coordinator Christine Hoffer at 518-677-5741 or volunteers@battenkillroubaix.com if you are interested in taking part.
“ICE BREAKER WINTERFEST”
February 7, 8,9 and 10
The Towns and Villages of the Battenkill Valley
This multifaceted three-day event, February7-10, offers something for all age groups. Bonfires will blaze at most venues, and local businesses and youth groups will participate together to create this community-wide event.
Wintertime outdoor activities abound throughout the weekend at Battenkill Valley Outdoors including winter tracking, back country camping and weather permitting cross country skiing, snowshoeing, mini snowberm golf, and snow ice cream making.
Snow permitting, the Villages of Cambridge, Salem and Greenwich will have snow sculptures created by the community, lead by a sculptor from Salem Art Works. These artists include mi Chelle Vara of Ballard Road Art Studio creating in Greenwich; Daniel Richmond will create in Cambridge in Railroad Park just across from the Cambridge Hotel and sculptors Adam Zaretsku, Zac Woard, John Umphlett, Gary Humphreys, and Theresa Smith will sculpt on the grounds of SAW.
Art does not stop when the snow flies. The Ice Breaker Winterfest is a collaborative effort of artists, commerce and communities to promote our regions arts and attractions. The days will be filled with artists making and demonstrating their skills with sculptures out of snow, blowing and forming glass, glazing and firing Raku. The Crandall Library will present stories around a bon fire at Battenkill Valley Outdoors and Salem Art Works.
Following is an example of the weekend events.
Thursday, February 7 6:30p-10p
Village of Greenwich
Downtown Greenwich is open late tonight! Step out this evening to shop, dine and stroll. Don’t forget Valentines is just a week away.
Upstairs at 111 will host Salem Art Works glass artists Leif Johnson, Marc Barreda and others. Meet the artist 5:30p -7:30 p.m.
Experience the beauty and magic of fire and ice – Glass
Friday , February 8 7:00-10:00 p Easton
Christ the King Spiritual Center
This expansive facility will host two venues on Friday night.
Join the Towns and Villages of the Battenkill Valley for an evening of Wine, Chocolate and the silky smooth sultry sounds of the Rachel Cuite Jazz Trio.
Atop a hill in Easton between Cambridge and Greenwich sits the Christ the King Spiritual Center. The Welcome Center is a picturesque location for an evening of indulgence in the finer things in life ~ chocolate and wine perfectly paired with the sultry sounds of the Rachel Cuite Jazz Trio. $20 per person
Oh, and Mom and Dad, don't forget the kids....we have a party for them as well!!
Hot Chocolate and S'mores. Just across the parking lot is the Great Hall and we have a fun filled evening lined up for the kids and for families. Hot Chocolate, sledding, s'mores by a bon fire, crafts, movie and snacks, under the watch eyes of Beaver Cross Camp Director and staff. Yes, Mom and Dad, you can bring the kids with you. Sign them up for an evening of chocolate fun in the Great Hall and you can step across the parking lot to the Welcome Center and enjoy your evening of chocolate. Children grades K-8 with parents attending the silky smooth occasion in the Welcome Center and Families are welcome to enjoy the Hot Chocolate and S'mores event together. $5 per person, $25 family, Combined events $45 per family
Click here for more details of this event and money saving coupons
These venues offer the perfect opportunity for Mom, Dad and the kids.
Saturday, February 9 Early Morning Magic
6:00 a.m.
Hot Air Balloons will launch from the Village of Cambridge – a true spectacle of Fire and Ice. (weather and wind permitting)
Saturday, February 9 10-5 PM
Battenkill Valley Outdoors,
Cambridge/Jackson, NY
Winter is a great time to explore the Battenkill Valley. The openness through the trees lets you see vistas otherwise obscured in other seasons.
• Backcountry ski & snowshoe demonstrations: Representatives from snowshoe and cross country ski companies will be on hand to answer questions and give you a chance to try new equipment.
• Winter camp scenario: See what it is to camp in the winter and enjoy it!
• Winter Tracking: Snowshoe or hike through the woods looking for tracks and marking of our forest friends.
• Snowberm Golf: Try your gloved hands on our 9 hole miniature snow golf course.
• S’more kits sold by local youth groups for bonfire & learn to make ice-cream from snow- then drizzle it with local maple syrup
• 330-440p Crandall Public Library Center for Folklife, History & Cultural Programs: Presents storytelling around the fire with Jim Bruchac.
• 5 PM-Dusk- Moonglow- experience the sights & sounds of inflating hot air balloons, on a crisp winter night (wind and weather permitting)
Pipin' Hot Foods and Beverages for purchase by Spoonful Catering of Easton
McCartee’s Barn’s -Salem 1:00-4:00 pm
Hosts an opening reception for a new exhibit RED HOT featuring the work of Animation Artist Ray Favata, and Ceramics Sculptor Bob Nopper. Come and meet these featured artists as well as other artistic friends of McCartee’s Barn who will be exhibiting some “Red Hot” pieces just before Valentine’s Day!
Ray Favata’s career in animation began in the early fifties in NYC and spanned a period of 50 years winning numerous awards, including an Emmy in 1982. During the reception there will be a viewing of vintage animation by Ray Favata’s, and an exhibit of framed cells from vintage television commercials produced in the 60’s and 70’s, which are very colorful and a lot of fun! Ray resides in Cambridge, NY.
Bob Nopper has been working with clay for the last ten years and is currently the manager of the Historic Salem Courthouse Pottery Studio. His work includes functional and sculptural ceramics, exhibited regionally. Bob owns Bear Pottery Studio, at his home in Hebron, NY.
Contact us at 518-854-7614, or just look for the open sign! 23C East Broadway.
The Cabaret at Fort Salem Theater 8:00 p.m.
Presents “SONGS TO WARM A WINTER’S WEEKEND”
Featuring Gordon Hazzard and Marie Acquilano “Songs to Warm a Winter’s Weekend” features two of the stars of December’s Fort Salem Mainstage hit, A Christmas Carol: A New Musical, singers Ann-Marie Acquilano and Scrooge himself, Gordon Hazzard. The performance will kick-off Salem’s participation in Fire and Ice Saturday evening. The Cabaret at Fort Salem Theater is located at 11 East Broadway, in Salem. Costs for the event include an entertainment charge of $15 and a $5 cover, applied to coffee and dessert catered by Norene & Fred’s. Seating is limited and reservations are highly recommended (518-854-9200).
Sunday, February 10 11-5 SAW
( Salem Art Woks) Salem, NY
Right in the Village of Salem are artists who like to do BIG things. Salem Art Works (SAW) works is an independent artists’ community situated on 120 acres of rolling hillside and pasture in Salem, NY. Come experience a fun day of creative inspiration.
• Ice sculpture display- Professional artisans and student groups will work all this week, carving and forming ice into wonderful shapes. Come see what they have created- and try to tame a mound for yourself- all ages welcome. Artists on hand to assist.
• Bob Nopper manager of the Salem Pottery Studio will present a hands on workshop in RAKU glazing and firing. Participants can purchase a piece of unglazed pottery and with Bob’s assistance glaze and fire in an open fire.
• 230-330p Storyteller presented by Crandall Public Library Center for Folklife, History & Cultural Programs The program will warm up the crowd with traditional stories and tales by James Bruchac.
• Snowdrifter snowmobile parade
• All Day -S’more kits sold by local 4H for bonfire
• Improv drumming by Scott Carrino & Dave Norman jam with car hoods, buckets, rocks, sticks and other “things”
• Molten Glass demonstration
Food and beverages available on site throughout the day.
Artisans Guild of North Main Salem
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11-4p
Phoenix Fire - Rebirth of The Artisans
Art and Craft Demonstrations, and new work by member artisans Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11-4.
Located at 196 N. Main St., Salem Fiber Art, Photography, Pottery, Beaded Jewelry, Acrylic and Watercolor Paintings, and more.
This event is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts Decentralization Program, administered locally by the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council. As well as, The Cultural Tourism Initiative, a project of the Arts & Business Council of New York and the office of Senator Elizabeth Little.
When Everett Bidwell stopped hanging his winter deer on the tree in front of his house, she could tell something was up. Roseanne Delacroix had lived across the street from Everett since she was eleven years old, and it was hard to remember a winter when, if Everett had a deer, it wasn’t hung out there for all the world to see.
Over the years, Roseanne had mentioned to Everett that she didn’t care if he had a deer or not. She didn’t care to have him aging it or chilling it or really just displaying it right out across the street from her front window. Everett simply said that was the best tree he had, and that was the end of it. Until this year.
This year, for whatever reason, Everett was behaving somewhat differently. Roseanne sometimes felt if she squinted a little, he also seemed to have stacked the wood next to his outdoor furnace just a little neater than he had in recent years.
And it was not that she was imagining these things. Since her husband Ray had been laid to rest by Ned MacWhirter’s logging skid three years earlier, Everett had been paying special attention. Once he had left a copy of the Fort Edward Reformer-Dispatch in her mailbox because it featured a picture of him with a twelve and one-half pound large- mouth bass that he caught in McDougal Lake.
Then there was the time he had slowed down on Kilburn Road to show her the new tires he had bought for his truck. And while they were fine new tires, Roseanne had to believe it was not the first time he had driven past her with new rubber. Roseanne believed that a woman knows these things, and she was the first to credit herself with such fundamental knowledge.
Now, Valentine’s day on McDougal Lake is not such a special day that the ice fishermen stay home, and it is certainly too early for the crocuses that begin to peek out in early April. But on that particular day, something happened that no one could remember happening before, in February at least, and it happened right after the blackberry muffins wound up in Everett’s mailbox.
There was Everett in his Sunday suit on a Thursday, with his hair all slicked down, stepping up the walk to Roseanne’s front door, carrying a small brightly wrapped package. Roseanne, who did not notice the package at first, just Everett, thought someone must have died and Everett was there to bring the news. Instead, Everett presented her with a box of fine chocolates he’d gotten from Steiningers in downtown Salem, and asked would she like to join him for dinner.
Well, Roseanne, who already had a soft spot for chocolates and was now developing one for Everett, thought that sounded like fine idea, even if it was only three o’clock in the afternoon. So they jumped in Everett’s truck, the one with the good rubber, and went off to the center of Cossayuna to have dinner at Quack-Ups.
They were able to get the table next to the stuffed mountain lion on the piano, and so Wanda Ferne was their waitress. As anyone could see, everything was clearly working in their favor, and from all reports, it was an afternoon to remember.
Ephraim Watson caught the first fish of the New Year at McDougal Lake, and it was a beauty! The fish was a thirty-two inch Northern Pike that Ephraim said he caught after only sitting there from six until maybe eight-thirty that morning. "That morning" was, of course, the first morning of the New Year, and Ephraim who traditionally does not stay out late on New Year's Eve, was pleased to be up and catching the first fish.
"Northern Pike aren't your great eating fish," he confided, "even one this big. But what they do is they eat up all the game fish in the lake until there's no good eating fish to be found anywhere at all." Ephraim also confided he would probably wind up eating this one nonetheless, as long as he could get his wife, Molly, to clean it.
Ephraim normally drills between seven and twelve holes in the ice "depending on how tricky the fish are that particular day. Some days you'll put a hole ten feet away from where you're catching nothing, and that'll be where all the fish are hanging out." He feels patience is a true virtue of ice-fishing, almost as much as sheer skill. " Of course, patience can be a skill all by itself."
It was not cold enough to warrant taking a shelter out on the Lake New Year's Day, and Ephriam was able to fit most everything he needed on a small sled. The ice wasn't quite thick enough, he said, to risk driving his truck out onto the lake, especially with his new Christmas plow. Several inches of new snow were predicted later in the day, and Ephraim did not want to miss out on that.
He packed up his sled and left the lake at noon, declaring it "a good day". After a quick stop at the general store in Cossayuna for a quart of beer, he went home to get his Northern Pike cleaned. It was time for an early supper.
12/19/2007
Salem, NY - Farm Team Cycling of Cambridge, NY and The Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley are proud to announce the 4th Annual Tour of the Battenkill cycling race on April 19, 2008 in Salem, NY. Already the largest Pro/Am race on the East Coast in 2007 with more than 1000 racers from 25 States and Canada, the 2008 edition is expected to draw nearly 1500 racers from throughout North America. Formerly known as the 'Battenkill-Roubaix' the race is a unique event on the North American cycling schedule. With direct passes through the small villages of Southern Washington County, NY, difficult climbs, and extended portions on dirt and gravel roads the race rivals many European races in scope and scenery. See www.battenkillroubaix.com for race details.
Most racers will compete on a single, 55 mile loop. Starting and finishing in the scenic Upstate New York Village of Salem, the race travels over local roads to the tiny hamlet of Eagleville and over the Eagleville Covered Bridge, through the Village of Cambridge, to the Town of Easton, through the Village of Greenwich, and finally back to Salem. Along the route, racers will be tested with now-famous dirt roads such as Juniper Swamp Road in the Town of Salem, Meeting House Road in Easton, and Ferguson Road in the Town of Greenwich, among others. A full race expo with food vendors, local crafts, and live entertainment will greet each racer at the finish line in Salem. The elite and professional men will compete on an 82 mile course, while the Juniors age 10-14 will race on a 13 mile course.
There will be 15 separate races for amateurs to professionals, youth to senior. Races will begin at 9 AM on West Broadway, Salem. Online registration will open on Friday, December 21 at 12 noon at www.bikereg.com. Most races are expected to fill to their respective limits very quickly. There is no mail-in registration.
Several events are being planned around the race, including a pancake breakfast, guest-speakers at local venues preceding the race, and.a bike-art competition and auction sponsored by the Towns & Villages of the Battenkill Valley (www.visitbattenkillvalley.com). Proceeds from the event will benefit Farm Team Cycling - a regional cycling club for youth, and the Public Libraries of Southern Washington County, NY.
For sponsorship & volunteer information, please contact Race Promoter Dieter Drake at promoter@battenkillroubaix.com.
There are only three houses on McDougal Lake, and only two of them are lit up for the Holiday Season.
There is a house roughly in between these two, but it is primarily a summer house, and its people have their Christmas in Boston. And then there are houses on the way to the lake, houses on McDougal Lake Road that are lit, but only in the most traditional sort of of way.
There are no blinking lights or styrofoam snowmen to be seen anywhere in the vicinity of the lake, and not that many multi-colored lights either. There are mostly white lights and blue, Christmas wreaths and red ribbons, and the occasional split-rail fence wrapped in pine branches woven around the posts.
Imagine, then our surprise as we drove home one cold night from a Christmas Eve service and saw, across the lake, our house, apparently flanked by an unknown dwelling blinking out Christmas joy from all of its windows. The light fairly bounced off the frozen lake.
"Good Lord," said my wife. "Can that be Rick up here in weather like this?"
"If it is," said I, "he's freezing his tookus, because that's a cold house in October."
Minutes later, we pulled off our long driveway, which branches over to Rick's house. Smoke was indeed billowing from the chimney. The house was dark, except for the white lights blinking in the picture windows, but I walked to the door nonetheless.
I knocked. "Rick?" I asked, not sure of the answer.
Immediately, the door was opened by a man dressed like a lumberjack. It was Rick.
"Merry Christmas!" he called out. "Come on in!"
I signaled to my wife in the car, and we walked into a house that was only marginally warmer than the outdoors. "Rick," my wife asked, "what in the world are you doing up here? Is Daphne here with you?"
"No," he said cheerfully, "it's just me. It looks like this is our last Christmas on the lake, so I thought I'd come up and see what it looks like to begin with. Never spent Christmas here before, and we're selling the house in the spring."
My wife and I tried to absorb both of these concepts at once, but could only look at him and wonder if he would survive the experience. "Don't worry about me," he said, reading our faces, "I'm dressed for it."
We stayed and talked and reminisced and told how much we's miss each other. We drank brandies by the fire until my wife and I were certain we were about to freeze solid.
We offered him one of our guest rooms, but he was determined to stay in his house by the lake for his Christmas. It was magic, he said, and the magic would keep him warm.
The magic did. We saw him briefly late Christmas day before he headed back to Boston, still dressed like a lumberjack. He took his lights home, but with him took none of the magic of that particular lake, that particular Christmas.
It was somehow magical all the more, simply to realize what it meant to someone who wouldn't ever have it again.
And so, at this time, we send greetings and deep wishes from all of us at this special place. We send them in hopes of fine Holidays for all of you and just possibly, the most magical of New Years.
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