#schroon lake

[vintagecamping]

Some campers cook at a stone fireplace. Schroon Lake in the background.

Upstate New York

1935

[chris-makes-art]

Schroon Lake No. 2 - Acrylic on Canvas - 16" by 20". This one is based on a photo of my family at Schroon Lake, NY - circa 1984! That's me with the red beach towel.

[porcelainapparition]

Schroon Lake, New York

built in 1868

[all-about-tents]

Dillon Park Contract Squabble Threatens Outdoor Season for Hundreds

Paul Smith's College struggles to secure contract with International Paper, jeopardizing the opening of John Dillon Park for the season.

John Dillon, a former executive at International Paper and an alumnus of Paul Smith's College, passed away in March 2023. Now, the park named after him, John Dillon Park, is facing the possibility of not opening for the season due to a contract dispute. Campers with reservations from Memorial Day weekend through June 13 have received cancellation notices from Paul Smith's College, the park's manager, as the college does not have a contract from the landowner, International Paper, to operate the venue.

Located just ten minutes from the town of Long Lake, John Dillon Park spans 200 acres and has been offering recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and backcountry camping since 2006. The park is known for its accessibility, with over 3 miles of accessible trails and several accommodations for people with disabilities. However, the lack of a contract has put the park's future in jeopardy.

Negotiations and Cancellations

Paul Smith's College has been in negotiations with attorneys representing International Paper for the past six months in an attempt to avoid canceling reservations. The college has expressed its desire to open the park this season and states that it could do so within a few days if a deal is reached and permits are approved by the state Department of Health. International Paper, the largest pulp and paper company in the world, has indicated that it still intends to work out a deal.

The primary issue in the negotiations appears to be the length of the contract. The college's original 15-year contract expired in 2020, and since then, it has only received a series of 1-year contracts. Paul Smith's College is now seeking a five-year deal that would allow for long-term improvements to the park experience.

The college's contract proposal includes provisions for additional fundraising for future projects.

The Legacy of John Dillon

John Dillon, a retired CEO of International Paper, played a pivotal role in the establishment of John Dillon Park. Born in Schroon Lake in 1938, Dillon earned a forestry degree from Paul Smith's College in 1958. He had a personal connection to the cause, as he had a childhood friend who lost the use of his legs in an accident.

Dillon's widow, MC Dillon, shared that her husband wanted to create a park in the Adirondacks specifically for people with wheelchairs, inspired by his friend's experience.

Jason Thurston, a quadriplegic who serves as the park's outreach coordinator, emphasized the impact of John Dillon's vision. Thurston believes that Dillon's passing has contributed to the current situation, as there is no longer an advocate for the park within International Paper. He expressed frustration that the company's representatives lack a deep understanding of what John Dillon Park represents and what it could become.

Thurston hopes that a compromise can be reached between the two parties to ensure the park's future.

The Importance of John Dillon Park

For many individuals with disabilities, John Dillon Park has been a place of hope and independence. Jason Thurston, who was paralyzed 20 years ago, highlighted the transformative experiences the park has provided for him and others. The park's accessible campsites and facilities have allowed people in wheelchairs to enjoy activities such as camping and hiking, fostering a sense of independence and accomplishment.

The park has become a beloved destination for families and friends who return year after year. In 2022 alone, campers spent 1,253 nights at the facility, with approximately half of those stays by people with disabilities. The park also serves as a day-trip destination for many individuals seeking solace and rejuvenation in nature.

The contract dispute between Paul Smith's College and International Paper threatens the opening of John Dillon Park for the season, putting the recreational opportunities it provides at risk. The college's efforts to secure a long-term contract reflect its commitment to improving the park experience and ensuring its accessibility for years to come. With the legacy of John Dillon at stake, both parties must find common ground and reach an agreement that allows the park to continue its mission of providing inclusive outdoor experiences for all.

[st-hubertus]

Schroon Lake by Thomas Cole (1840)

[millingroundireland]

The Bibbys in Pottersville [part 1]

In 2013, Kathy Maiorana of the Johnsburg Historical Society interviewed, as a living history, Bill Bibby, a long time resident in North Creek New York, a town in Warren County. He noted that the Bibbys were in Pottersville until 1950s. This brings us to the question of the Bibbys in Pottersville. It is a small hamlet of Chester, New York, within the Adirondacks, and in the Schroon Lake Region. Bibbys are clearly present in the town. The New Pottersville Cemetery has 13 Bibbys buried there:

Nicholas Bibby Co L 2 Regt NY Cav 1831-1909 Eliza Nicholson Wife of Nicholas Bibby b Dec 25, 1844-D Aug 17 1908

C Werthmuller Wife Eleanor Bibby Jan 25, 1877 d April 19, 1911

Dr. George Bibby 1886-1964 Wife Jane Tobin 1892-1959

Frederick N Bibby M.D. 1833-1934 Wife Myrtle McFarland 1875-1918

Thomas S. Bibby d Dec 27, 1915 a 80y-Wife Mary A Wallace d April 27, 1914 a 76y

Alida Bibby

Laura Elizabeth Bibby VanDerwarker (1871-1955)

Alice Jane Bibby Westcott (1924-1994)

Margaret Nicholson Bibby (1849-1894)

A website for New York Gravestones lists Ella Bibby (1855-1884) and George H. Bibby (1863-1867, it claims 1862 incorrectly) as buried in the Old Pottersville Cemetery. Both Ella and George are mentioned on Find A Grave, but three more are added:

George Harold Bibby, Sr (1821-1905)

Anne Lavery Bibby (1835-1919)

Samuel B. Bibby (1798-1885)

Still, this doesn't address the main drive of this article. What about Bibbys in Pottersville?

© 2019-2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

This post was originally published on WordPress in January 2019.

Continued in part 2

[kevinpshanblog]

On Monday July 31st, I attended a showing of Harold Lloyd’s classic 1923 silent feature comedy “Safety Last”. It was at the beautiful Strand Theatre in Schroon Lake New York. The theater opened in 1922, so there is a chance that the film actually was shown there during its original release.

Live piano accompaniment was provided by Ben Model @silentfilmmusic , who is a master at his craft. When I lived on Long Island, I regularly attended his monthly silent movie presentations at the Cinema Arts Center in Huntington, New York with my friend @4dtimetraveler. I also haven’t missed an episode of his wonderful live YouTube broadcast the Silent Comedy Watch Party.

Although I've seen the movie many times before, this was the first time I saw it with an audience of 100+ people. The reaction was overwhelming. All the gags that I thought were funny when I watched it in the seclusion of my own living room, proved to be just as funny for a modern day audience, as I expected. I don't think anyone left the theater disappointed.

While the film is considered a “Thrill Comedy” and everyone remembers the daredevil high jinks as Harold scales the building, it is filled with dozens of great comical moments building to that memorable finale as you can see in one of my favorite clips.

Lloyd and his production team relied heavily on previewing their films in front of live audiences. This allowed them to see which gags worked, and which didn’t and also to assess if there were any sections of the film that went too long without a laugh. This allowed them to go back and re-edit and reshoot to ensure that the film was constructed for nonstop reactions.

It seems this is an annual event at the theater, so even though it was a two hour and forty five minute drive, I'm already looking forward to attending next year's performance. #silentfilm #haroldlloyd #schroonlakeny

[k12academics]

Discover your perfect New York getaway like  "Lake Song Lodge”!!  Wake up to beautiful views of Schroon Lake and have your morning coffee on the deck overlooking the lake.  Perfect for family and friends. Book your getaway today

[jphilspace]

Schroon Lake, NY 2014

[wildturkeyday]

Schroon Lake NY WTD2022

[fanceebaby]

[chris-makes-art]

Schroon Lake No. 1 - Acrylic and Pen on Canvas - 12" by 16"

[tranquil-noise]

Schroon Loon. 

[focusonthegoodnews]

Tipping North Country spreading love with random acts of kindness Good News Notes; "The Facebook page, ‘Tipping North Country’ is spreading love and positivity in the region.