When most people think of treasure hunters, they likely imagine the pottymouthed pirates of yore who sailed God-forsaken waters in search of gold coins and precious jewels. These savage characters used X-marked maps and primitive navigation tools to guide them to their booty.
Winters in the North Country can get a little slow, so members of West Plattsburgh’s American Legion Post 1619, already known for their summer fishing derbies, decided it was time to come up with an event to get the community through the winter’s coldest months.
The idea for a family winter event was first generated three years ago, from notes jotted on a paper napkin. And legion members had no idea how the event would turn out, but they gave it a try and in the first year had 100s of people turn out for the weekend. Last year, they estimate numbers over the two days to be close to 1,000.
Inspired by the Saranac Lake and Quebec City Winter Carnivals, members started planning Winterfest, and managed to get an army of volunteers and sponsors to help make the event a success.
The saying goes: “there’s never a bad day on the water.” That’s especially true if you’re introducing your kids to the sport of fishing. This is one outdoor activity that is easy, inexpensive and, once a love of fishing is instilled it can last a lifetime.
Bear in mind that the love of fishing is only partly about the actual mechanics of fishing … the other parts include respecting the environment, enjoying the serenity, and spending quality time together.
Fishing relies on the commitment of families to pass the love of the sport along to subsequent generations. Children whose father taught them to fish often become adults who fish – and will often teach their own children. It’s heartwarming to see an older man fishing with his middle-aged son – knowing that they have probably been fishing together for many, many years. Fishing with the kids is something that can connect you for a lifetime.
By this time of year, many ordinary people have tilled their garden, cut their grass, swung their golf clubs and swatted at flying insects.
But for a few diehard skiers and snowboarders, there are still remnants of snow stashed away in remote places, beckoning us to make a few more turns before calling it quits. Spring skiing and riding is fairly common, but by mid-April through early May, it is truly the bitter end and only the hardcore fanatics are clinging to what very little remains of their favorite season.
The many traditions of winter here in Northern New York can sometimes make the season pass by quicker if you are one of the many who enjoy winter and its activities, such as ice fishing and rabbit hunting.
These two long-standing traditions are started at a young age for many and become family past times, as well as a way of life and gathering food.
Ice fishing can be as easy as walking out onto the ice with an ice fishing pole and an ice pick, or as elaborate as pulling a shanty out on the ice with your truck, a power auger and spending every weekend out there.
Winters in the North Country can get a little slow, so members of West Plattsburgh’s American Legion Post 1619, already known for their summer fishing derbies, decided it was time to come up with an event to get the community through the winter’s coldest months.
The saying goes: “there’s never a bad day on the water.” That’s especially true if you’re introducing your kids to the sport of fishing. This is one outdoor activity that is easy, inexpensive and, once a love of fishing is instilled it can last a lifetime.
By this time of year, many ordinary people have tilled their garden, cut their grass, swung their golf clubs and swatted at flying insects.
The many traditions of winter here in Northern New York can sometimes make the season pass by quicker if you are one of the many who enjoy winter and its activities, such as ice fishing and rabbit hunting.