Something fun to do in Blue St. Patrick’s Day Weekend!
A St. Patrick’s Day celebration to remember! Magic and the luck of the Irish in abundance at Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake on Saturday, March 15 when the Adirondack Lakes Center For the Arts holds its annual Winter Benefit. Oh….and good food too!
Just look at some of the cool items auctioneer Kip Blanchard will be selling at live auction!
1. A steamboat cruise around some of the islands on Raquette Lake, or if there is a bit more time, up the Marion River or South Inlet. Enjoy cheese and crackers and wine, compliments of Raquette Lake Navigation Co.
Up South Inlet in Raquette Lake
Up to 12 people in a convoy of seven or eight steamboats the week of August 17~22. These steamboat captains rent St. Williams on Long Point during this week in August. Must happen sometime week of Aug 17-22, 2014. Captain Carl says: “I would characterize these boats as being a throwback to the glory days of steamboats as seen during the 1890’s when steam launches provided transportation to the various camps and islands of Raquette lake as well as many other Adirondack lakes. The boats are wood or coal fired and cruise at a gentle speed of five or six miles per hour. Their engines are silent as compared to their modern gasoline powered cousins and their whistles echo the spirit of days gone by.”
Steamboats tied up at St Williams
A fleet of steamboats waiting for your arrival!
A farm visit to Moose River Farm, with hosts Anne and Rod Phinney.
2. Farm Visit
Great family outing and memories for kids, parents and grandparents alike. What do Noah the pot-belly pig, Olivia the Canada goose and Lowtchee the Dutch Friesian have in common? “They all joined me while I was Finding My Way to Moose River Farm.” The lives of these and many other indelible animal characters are chronicled in this heartwarming memoir of a happy life spent with a variety of extraordinary creatures. Includes an autographed copy of Anne’s book- Finding My Way to Moose River Farm: Living with Animals in the Adirondacks. Anne T. Phinney is an elementary school teacher. She and her husband Rod own Moose River Farm. 11 horses, 4 dogs, 3 goats, 2 donkeys, an iguana and a pot belly pig live there too! Although Anne has had several articles published in magazines and newspapers, Finding My Way to Moose River Farm is her first book.
Check out www.mooseriverfarm.com for excerpts from the book! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaEIr7qy-HE
3. Westport Chair by Windy Baker of North River
Westport Chair
You know the Adirondack chair. What you may not have known is that the ubiquitous lawn lounger is based on an earlier design like this one—less refined, more rustic—called the Westport chair.
Thomas Lee was bent on comfort when he designed and built the original, back in 1903 while he was vacationing with family and friends at his summer cottage in Westport, NY. A deeply pitched seat and slanted back practically demand that you recline, and gratuitously wide arms easily host a good read and a cool drink, not to mention a lazy limb.
This fabulous Westport Chair, crafted by rustic furniture maker Windy Baker of North River, will look great on your deck, dock, or ‘round the fire pit. Handmade of unfinished pine. Windy says most people want these chairs in pairs. He’ll craft a second chair for the same price this chair goes.
The ingenious joinery actually tightens up when you sit down.
4. Adirondack Cedar Chair by Charles Grover Woodworks of Long Lake
Cedar Adirondack Chair
The special design of a Charles Grover Woodworks chair makes it the most comfortable Adirondack chair you’ve ever had the pleasure to sit in. Features a sculpted seat and curved back slats for maximum comfort. Made from 5/4 Western Red Cedar, an excellent wood for outdoor use. Cedar resists insects and rot, and is very strong, yet light in weight. Each piece is meticulously sanded and all sharp edges and corners are rounded over. The chair is hand-finished with a cedar stain which brings out the red color of the wood, or a clear oil finish, which offers protection while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to shine through. All furniture is glued with waterproof outdoor glue and screwed together with stainless steel fasteners. 100% customer satisfaction guaranteed!
5. Tiffany-style inlaid stained glass fireplace screen
6. 4 Day/3 Night Stay at historic Twitchell Lake Lodge for up to 14 people with a catered dinner prepared by Chef Sue Rohrey on one of your nights.
Twitchell Lake Lodge
Snuggle down into soft beds and history in this completely renovated, Earl Covey Lodge ca. 1900, located on scenic Twitchell Lake, Eagle Bay, NY. The historical integrity of the property was maintained throughout Historical Restoration, during the years of 2011 and 2012.
Each guest will share in an authentic Adirondack experience! Guests will enjoy gathering in the spacious Great Room or Dining Room. There are seven bedrooms with private baths, a modern kitchen and three gas fireplaces. The master bedroom opens to a “Ladies Cave-let” and a “Man’s Cave” just for him. There is a playroom for Wee Campers, a Game Room with large screen TV and a pool table. Porches galore, overlooking Twitchell lake and a huge deck off the kitchen. Enjoy the lake from your private dock, or using the rowboat, canoe, or kayaks. On one of the nights Chef Sue Rohrey of Long Lake will prepare and serve a 3 to 4 course dinner, based on a talk between the two of you! i.e. Favorite dishes, allergies, dietary restrictions. Food provided. You buy the wine!
Available 2014, June, September, October. Guests: 2 to 14 Gather Your Clan Or A Group Of Special Friends For This Special Adventure!
Pretty exciting, don’t you think? Join us in supporting the Adirondack Lakes Center For the Arts (AC) for an evening complete with cocktails, appetizers, dinner, a silent and live auction. Sat March 15 at Minnowbrook. 6-9 pm. $40 pp Arts Center members; $45 non members. Each admission includes a complimentary beverage. Call 518-352-7715 to reserve. www.adirondackarts.org
7. 22 X 28 Framed Photo “Memories” taken of Blue Mountain Lake by award-winning photographer Carolynn McCann Dufft
8. Norridgewock special package for 2 includes narrated cruise, lunch on arrival, dinner, overnight stay and hearty breakfast.
No roads lead to Norridgewock!
Not just in Alaska. Believe it or not there are still lodges in the Adirondacks you can’t drive to! Norridgewock in Beaver River is just such a place! Established in 1911, the Lodge is known for its remote Beaver River location, water and mountain sports, spectacular fall foliage, and winter fun. No roads reach us! Beaver River is surrounded by “forever wild” lands of the Adirondack State Park. People visit The Norridgewock by boat, car ferry, float plane, or snowmobile. You can also hike from Twitchell Lake, or ski from Big Moose or Stillwater.
The lakeside resort offers four cabins and four motel rooms. The Norridgewock also has a restaurant serving three meals a day, as well as a fully stocked tavern. The general store sells dry goods, ice and Adirondack gifts to remember your Beaver River visit. The Norridgewock Lodge is the perfect place for those seeking a non-commercial, yet comfortable vacation in the wilderness.
9. Looking for an unusual destination for a Girlfriends’ Getaway or a Family Reunion?
Unique setting for Girlfriends’ Getaway or a Family Reunion
Choose to stay at historic St. William’s on Long Point (c.1890) in Raquette Lake. Two nights, midweek or weekend, for up to 19 people. This boat access only, private getaway situated on the original site of the former village of Durant, NY, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Fully equipped kitchen, BBQ grills, out door fireplace. Must supply your own boat transportation and furnish your own linens, food and drink. What a spectacular site for a reunion of family and friends! Based on availability and valid in June and September, 2014. Any other time must be by special arrangement. You’ll have the entire facility for your private and exclusive use. Reserve your date early!
And to make your weekend of activities even more unforgettable, the WW Durant will pick your group up at the St. Williams dock and cruise for 90 minutes around Raquette Lake, with historic commentary pointing out the Great Camps dotting the shoreline. Everyone else boards the Durant at Pier I in town. Your group however will have the celebrity status of having the Durant come to you, give you a narrated tour of the lake and drop you off at St. Williams.
Here comes the Durant to pick you up at St. Williams dock.
10. Redhouse, here we come! Enjoy 1 night at Ophelia’s Garden Inn B&B after you’ve seen a performance at Redhouse, the AC’s sister arts center in Syracuse.
Ophelia’s Garden Inn, a lovely Victorian B&B on Avery Avenue, right near Tipperary Hill. Can’t get much more Irish than that!
Join us at the Winter Benefit on Saturday, March 15 at Minnowbrook. 6-9 pm. $40 pp Arts Center members; $45 non members. Each admission includes a complimentary beverage. Call 518-352-7715 to reserve. All proceeds benefit the AC and its mission to provide quality arts programming for the entire Adirondack region. 14 Live Auction items and over 40 silent auction donations. Something for everyone! Great opportunity to pick up a gift or a company party venue.
Main Lodge Minnowbrook Conference Center
Better yet….make it a getaway! You can rent a room Sat night at Minnowbrook and enjoy a hot breakfast Sunday morning before checking out. It’s a treat to sleep at Minnowbrook, the last Great Camp built, because individuals normally cannot book a room. Minnowbrook caters to corporate and educational groups except on this one Winter Benefit night. Don’t miss out on this opportunity. Room rates start $75.
Picture this scenario: Arrive Blue Mt Lake around noon Saturday. Check into your room. Then don outdoor gear and hike or snowshoe Castle Rock or Blue Mountain or maybe ski Lake Durant. Or is downhill skiing is your preference, Gore is just 30 minutes away. Ski Gore all day and then check in about 5 pm. Then time for a glass of wine or beer, appetizers, dinner, conversation and wonderful donated items to browse and bid. Retire for the evening, breakfast Sun morning. Then a few more hours to play in the snow before heading home to get ready for your work week. Didn’t I start this conversation with
“Looking for something fun to do St. Patrick’s Day weekend?” Well????? Life is good!
Minnowbrook Dining Room where dinner and live auction take place.
Great Room in Main Lodge where Silent Auction set up.
Blue Mountain, a high peak wanna-be….almost 4000 ft!
Many people think it’s easier to climb in winter than summer. What do you think?
Chef Kevin’s menu for the evening-
Appetizers
Cheese and vegetable mirror
Artichoke parmesan stuffed mushrooms
Assorted mini quiche
Crispy Polenta with roasted vegetable relish
Teriyaki glazed meatballs
Bacon water chestnut wraps
Entrees
Honey Roasted Parsnip Bisque
Cranberry Irish soda bread
Corn Beef and Cabbage with boiled red potatoes and carrots
Irish Fish cakes
Sheppard’s pie
Vegetarian Entrée
Dessert
Guinness Chocolate Cake
Bread pudding
Peanut Butter cake
Plus red and white wines and Heineken for sale at the bar.
Raquette Lake Navigation Co is a proud business sponsor of the AC’s Winter Benefit.
- Captain Dean and Donna hope to see you at Minnowbrook on March 15!
Call the AC at 518-352-7715 FMI/reservations or online at www.adirondackarts.org