Tiffany Rea-Fisher, Director of the Adirondack Diversity Initiative (ADI) paid another visit to our club to update us on the programs and progress being made with ADI’s programs. She acknowledged that there is a rapidly changing attitude towards DEI programs yet by recalibrating goals and styles, there are many positive goals that can be achieved over time. Community education, changes to law enforcement training and other programs are undertaken to make the Adirondacks a welcoming place to those unfamiliar with the area and local culture. With population declines due to many factors, there are many opportunities in the area for newcomers to find meaningful careers with the help of ADI’s programs to provide a fair and common sense approach to inclusion. [Photo credit David Escobar, NCPR}
At our January 9th meeting, one of our newer members, C J Dates spoke to us about his educational and travel background, giving us insight into his approaches to family, work and life. Traveling through many nations on several continents, CJ talked about his studies on histories and language of several cultures. Now focusing on development of non-profit organizations, community involvement and spiritual development, CJ also enjoys fishing, hunting and working on restoration agriculture.
We have some additional pictures from our Christmas Gift Giving at Elderwood of Uihlein at Lake Placid. We were able to fulfill the wishes of every resident and we look forward to doing this again come December. Pictures provided by Elderwood. That NY Yankee fan has his gift proudly displayed.
Our club's Literacy Committee presents an award for $1,000 to the Adirondack Family Book Festival as part of our continuing support of this great, free to the public, event. From the Festival's website: The Adirondack Family Book Festival brings together an illustrious and richly diverse group of children’s and YA authors and illustrators under a big convening tent and several smaller tents to meet their readers of all ages, read aloud, and talk about their work. Activities that pair select books with the natural beauty of the John Brown Farm and hands-on art making and discovery are also planned. The 2025 festival will be August 16 at historic John Brown Farm. Guest authors spend time with their enthusiastic readers and enjoy Adirondack hospitality provided by local businesses including The Bookstore Plus. For more information visit https://adirondackfamilybookfestival.com. Shown L to R are Bambi Pedu, Adalyne Perryman, Mary Liz Alexander, Martha Swan, and Randy Quayle.
Our holiday tradition continues with our club subbing for Santa as we bring gifts to fill the Christmas wishes of the Elderwood residents. We also bring a pizza lunch/dinner in recognition of the hard working and caring staff at Elderwood. Tracey, Heather and Elderwood's Fabiana Steward are shown with the pizzas. Stephanie, Chandler, and Bridget are shown with some of the gifts about to be brought to the residents.
Not exactly a stranger to the Rotary Club of Lake Placid, today we inducted Daci Shenfield as a full/active member. Daci is the daughter of long-time Rotary Member and Duck Race Co-Chair, the late Tina Leonard. We're looking forward to Daci's active participation in club activities. Today we also had a visit from Jim & Diane Lubin of the Rotary Club of Millbrook NY. Jim & Diane told us about their club and their their fundraiser, the Millbrook NY Business Directory. The Lubins are part-time in Lake Placid and we'll be seeing more of them in the weeks to come. Daci is shown with John Huttlinger after the induction ceremony. Jim Lubin is shown in the other image with Daci and John.
Happy 90th Birthday wishes to long-time club Sgt.-At-Arms and Paul Harris Fellow Joe McAvoy on the occasion of his 90th Birthday. The club held a small gathering to extend our well-wishes to Joe who celebrated with his wife, Elle. Thanks Joe for your service to our country and our club. We look forward to celebrating many more happy birthdays with you.
Nick Gunn, Marketing Director for The Wild Center in Tupper Lake, joined the Lake Placid Rotary Club on Thursday, December 5th. Nick shared recent updates with the Club. Congratulations to The Wild Center for being recognized as the Best Science Museum in 10 USA Today’s 10BEST. Also recognized by the Museum Association of New York is the Wild Center's curated exhibits. Recently expanded by a generous gift of land the Wild Center opened their newest activity: Let the Good Times Roll. An elevated wooden track with wooden balls and stations has been installed along the beautiful Fen Trail, inviting all to walk through the woods and have some fun. Nick also explained Wild Lights, the exhibit that was created within the last few years and is a magical experience. If you have not yet gone to the Wild Center - go soon! It is a wonderful place to learn more about our ecological area, wildlife and what we can all do to help preserve the beautiful Adirondacks. Start by planning your visit here: http://wildcenter.org Please visit our Facebook page for more pictures from Nick and The Wild Center.