This year’s author, Jennifer Roy, will give presentations on Thursday, Nov. 17, to students from the Town of Webb Schools, Inlet School and home schooled students between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Old Forge Library.
The 10 a.m.-11 a.m. session is open to interested book club members, writers and the general public. During the presentations, Roy will discuss her books, the writing and publishing process, and how she became an author. Her goal is to provide an experience that educates, enriches, entertains and exceeds your expectations.
Roy is best known for fiction including the highly
acclaimed book “Yellow Star,” which won a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for Excellence in Children’s Literature and a Sydney Taylor Honor Award. It was a Jewish Book Awards Finalist, an ALA Notable Book, School Library Journal Best Book, and a NYPL Top Book for Reading and Sharing Books for the Teenager.
She is also the author of “Cordially Uninvited,” “Mindblind,” and the coauthor of the “Trading Faces” series, written with her twin sister, Julia DeVillers. She has written 35 educational books for children ages 5–16. Roy has a new non-fiction book just released in July: “Jars of Hope.”
Call the library at (315) 369-6008 for more information.

Tuesday, Nov. 8
6 a.m.-9 p.m. Polls open for Election Day.

8 a.m. Bake sale by the Old Forge Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary at the Park Ave. building. Goes until everything is sold.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

4:30-8:30 p.m. A fundraiser to offset the costs of a basketball clinic to be held at TOW UFSD at the Front Door Diner.

5 p.m. Pancake supper at American Legion Hall. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, home fries and beverages.

7 p.m. Trivia at the Raquette Lake Tap Room.

Wednesday, Nov. 9
8:30 a.m. Morning yoga at View.

9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

10 a.m.-noon Sorting donations at the Mission Boutique thrift store at Niccolls.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. SHARPS senior program at Niccolls Church.

5:30-7 p.m. Evening yoga at View.

8 p.m. AA meeting at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

Thursday, Nov. 10
8:30 a.m. Kiwanis Board of Directors’ meeting at Adirondack Bank in Old Forge.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

Friday, Nov. 11
8:30-10 a.m. Morning yoga at View.

9 a.m. AA meeting at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

10 a.m.-noon Mission Boutique thrift store open at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

11 a.m. The American Legion will hold a brief Veteran’s Day service at the memorial in front of the Legion building.

7-8:30 p.m. Mission Boutique thrift store open at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

8 p.m. AA meeting at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

Saturday, Nov. 12
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fun with Functional Pottery: Thrown and Altered Forms Inspired by Tradition and Necessity with Sumi Von Dassow , View, Old Forge. Sumi will demonstrate a variety of forms for use in the kitchen, inspired by traditional forms as well as modern necessity. Many of her forms are thrown and altered, using the wheel as a tool to form basic elements which are often cut apart, reshaped, and assembled to create useful functional ware. Her pottery ranges from the traditional, such as sauerkraut crocks and butter crocks, to the modern, such as car cups and ware for use in the microwave. Lunch is included. Preregistration required.

10 a.m.-noon Mission Boutique thrift store open at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

7 p.m. The Eagle Bay Fire Department Turkey Party sponsored by the Eagle Bay Fire Department and its Fire Ladies Auxiliary. This annual event will be held at the Eagle Bay Fire Hall located on Rte. 28 in Eagle Bay. Many turkeys will be raffled, tons of door prizes given away a 50/50 raffles Basket of Cheer, and Lottery tree raffle will be held.

8 p.m.: AA meeting at Niccolls Church, Old Forge.

Sunday, Nov. 13
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Fun with Functional Pottery: Thrown and Altered Forms Inspired by Tradition and Necessity with Sumi Von Dassow , View, Old Forge. Sumi will demonstrate a variety of forms for use in the kitchen, inspired by traditional forms as well as modern necessity. Many of her forms are thrown and altered, using the wheel as a tool to form basic elements which are often cut apart, reshaped, and assembled to create useful functional ware. Her pottery ranges from the traditional, such as sauerkraut crocks and butter crocks, to the modern, such as car cups and ware for use in the microwave. Lunch is included. Preregistration required.

7:30 p.m.: AA meeting at Inlet Community Church in Inlet.

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

Monday, Nov. 14
8:30-10 a.m. Morning yoga at View.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

10 a.m.-noon Sorting donations at Niccolls Church’s Mission Boutique thrift store in Old Forge.

5:30-7 p.m. Evening yoga at View.

6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Short story discussion group at the Old Forge Library.

Tuesday, Nov. 15
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Ongoing gallery exhibits at View.

7 p.m. Trivia at the Raquette Lake Tap Room.

7 p.m. The Inlet Barnstormers Snowmobile Club will hold its membership meeting at the Inlet Information Center in Inlet. Winter activity information will be discussed and food will be served following the meeting. All members and non-members are welcome to attend.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

The Town of Webb UFSD Board of Education held its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the school library. A large group of parents at the meeting showed concern for the changes to the school’s athletic code and wanted to know the date in which the finalization of the code would occur.
The board announced that the code was still under review for changes and the results are expected to be presented at the next scheduled BOE meeting. The original discussion of the prosed athletic code was on Tuesday, Oct. 18. Since then, suggestions have been gathered via a Google survey made available to parents and participants of the TOW UFSD and comments have been collected, “We have received a compilation of comments per section, by section. We will go through the comments with people who have been working on the athletic code to see if some comments should reflect change to what’s needed,” said Phillip Petty, board member, “The board will bring the info back to the board at the next meeting.”
During the remainder of the meeting, the board voted to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on Oct. 18 and to combine the Cooperstown Central School District Ski Team with the Town of Webb UFSD (host) at the varsity level for the 2016-2017 school year, “Essentially we are helping them with their one student,” said Superintendent Rex Germer. The board also approved the appointment of the 2016-2017 winter sports Nordic Ski Coach John Leach, Alpine Ski Coach Terry Murray, and Assistance to Alpine Skiing Coach Tom Down. Molly Babcock’s termination as part-time teacher’s aide was approved and took effect on Oct. 19, the appointment of Jennifer Quinn as part-time teacher’s aide was approved and took effect on Oct. 20 at the rate of $11 per hour, and Jason Fowler was also approved as a substitute teacher and teacher aide at the rate of $11 per hour. 
According to Germer, an agenda of the next scheduled TOW UFSD BOE meeting will be available for viewing online by the Friday before the Tuesday meeting. More information can be found at, www.towschool.org/page/13.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

Officer Brenan Riolo and Officer Jace Janczewski have joined the ranks of the Town of Webb Police Department this November.
Riolo has served over seven years as a police officer of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office located in Wampsville near Rome. He has recently transferred to the TOW Police Department to serve the Old Forge community as a full-time officer under the direction of TOW Police Chief Ron Johnston.
“They are a nice addition to the department,” said Johnston.
According to Johnston, Riolo is an avid kayaker and loves the outdoors.
Jace Janczewski is another addition to the TOW Police Department. Johnston said that Janczewski is currently a paramedic supervisor at the Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps in Oneida County and dually serves the TOW community as a part-time police officer, “They have been busy,” said Johnston about the new officers.

Today, Nov. 8, is Election Day throughout the United States. Polls for the Town of Webb District 1 are at the Park Avenue Building in Old Forge; for Town of Webb District 2, polls are in the Eagle Bay Fire Hall in Eagle Bay. The polls are open from 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
While voting in Old Forge, stop by the Old Forge Ladies Auxiliary Election Day Bake Sale. The sale starts at 8 a.m. and goes until the goods are all sold. Proceeds go to benefit the Ladies’ scholarship fund.
The Covey-Pashley Post 893 of The American Legion will serve an Election Day pancake supper from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, at the Legion Hall. The meal includes pancakes, sausage, home fries and beverages.

This year Old Forge Ballet Co. has chosen Darby Bick to portray Clara and Asher Murray to be her brother Fritz in the company’s production of the “Nutcracker” ballet to be performed at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Strand Theatre in Old Forge.
Eight-year-old Darby Bick has been dancing since the age of three with the Old Forge Ballet Co. She is the daughter of Steve Bick and Jennifer Hartsig. Her grandparents are Butch and Anne Hartsig of Old Forge. Six year old Asher Murray is in his second year of study with the company. He is the son of Terry and Erica Murray of Old Forge. His grandparents are Randy and Gail Murray of McKeever and Mike and Ellen Wilcox of Old Forge.
Clara is the heroine in the Hoffmann tale that takes place on Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaum house in the 1800s. They are hosting their annual Christmas party when the mysterious Godfather Drosselmeyer arrives. He presents life-size mechanical dolls that are the life of the party and gifts to his Godchildren. For Clara of a wooden Nutcracker and a stuffed mouse for Fritz. Fritz is jealous of his sister’s gift and tries to break the toy. Godfather comes to the rescue and Fritz is reprimanded for his stunt. Clara falls asleep after the party and her dream ensues. Nutcracker, Toy Soldiers, Mice and the Christmas tree grow to be more than life-size. Nutcracker and his soldiers win the battle with the Mouse Princess and her mice. Then Clara is lead into the Land of Snow and eventually to the Land of Sweets with her Prince by the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. There they are entertained by a divertissement of dances from many lands including, Spain, India, Russia, China, and the ever popular Mother Ginger with her Bon Bons, Waltz of the Flowers and the Sugar Plum Fairy with her Cavalier.
Tickets will be available at the door. Call or email (315) 369-8721 or (315) 369-6273 oldforgeballet@roadrunner.com for more information.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

Young talent came together at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 3 at the Town of Webb Gym and filled the gym with music.
Under the direction of the TOW USFD music teacher Emily Herrmann, the stage was set as the Town of Webb Union Free School District’s Senior, Junior, and Stage Band presented the “Famous Composers of Yesterday,” a themed concert with offerings from the Junior Band’s rendition of “Radetzky March” by Johann Strauss to the Stage Band’s performance of “Crazy Train” from the affectionately nicknamed Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne.
“Which is pretty cool,” Herrmann said.
The Senior Band closed out the night with a patriotic song, John Philip Sousa’s, the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Before and after the concert, baked goods were on sale to help support the Junior Band’s 2017 spring trip to Washington, DC.
The program was made possible by the school’s Superintendent Rex Germer, Principal John Swick, Vocal Music Teacher Mr. Josef Kovalovsky, the Physical Education Department, and the custodial staff.

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By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff
The annual Turkey Party at the Eagle Bay Fire Hall took place on Saturday, Oct. 12. People from Inlet, EagleBay, Old Forge, and further afield found their way to the Turkey Party. The room was filled with eager people who tried their chances at winning a free turkey. Prize raffles were had and money was given away in the 50/50 raffle where half of the proceeds go to benefit the Eagle Bay Fire Hall. Friendly faces were everywhere at this charitable gathering.

The Poland girls soccer team made it all the way to the state finals by winning the semi-final game against Bolton Landing-Warrensburg last Saturday, Nov. 12.
After a scoreless first half, Poland went to work and controlled the second half on its way to a convincing 3-0 victory. The win set up the final game against Wheatland-Chili the next day in a game played at SUNY Cortland.
Wheatland-Chili, out of Section V in the Rochester area, outplayed Poland and won the State Championship game, 2-0.
It is always sad to lose that final game, but Poland is young and it should help them if they get back to the states next year. Poland should continue its dominance in soccer next year and, hopefully, they will win it all.
— Dave Clark

High school basketball rosters
The Town of Webb High School basketball teams have been working out for over a week now and the coaches, Tom Greco and Andy Kalil are getting close to naming who is on what team.
Greco, the varsity coach and Kalil, the junior varsity coach, have the following boys out for their teams: TJ Hulser, Carter Kelly, Erik Lenci, Connor Ulrich, Waddie Kalil, Tyler Kearns, Josh Kelly, Ryan Johnston, Josh Huber, Tyler Pittarelli, Skyler Delano, Sully Ulrich, David Ehrensbeck, Shane Hulser, Wyatt Beckingham, Jim Connell, Nolan Fenton, Dylan LaPorte and Collin Weedmark.
The teams will be picked by the time they have a home scrimmage on Nov. 21.

Nordic ski team roster
The Nordic ski team has their rosters all set to go as they build to their opening encounter on Dec. 10 at Osceola. The veteran coach, John Leach, has the following athletes on his roster: Tyler Rudolph, Jack Rivet, Macgregor Ritz-Kenny, Emily Greene, Laura Levi, Rachel Smith, Emily Rudolph, Julie Brosemer and Mikeeli Hanson.

Alpine ski team roster
Terry Murray, coach of the varsity Alpine ski team, has the following boys and girls on his team. Like all rosters at this time, it is always a possibility that changes could be made: Lauren Beckingham, Alex DiOrio, Sydney Payne, Alex Sutherland, Alexis Hollister, Paige Schweinsberg, Abby Kelly, Hannah Kane, Johanna Lutz, Tyler Kane, Charlie Uzdavinis, Noah Lamphear, Calvin Barkauskas, Thailer Ehrensbeck and Dylan LaPorte.

Schedule
Wednesday, Nov. 16
GMODVB vs. Remsen at home 4:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 18
GMODVB at Adirondack 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 19
GJVVB at Little Falls 10 a.m.

Monday, Nov. 21
BJVBB vs. Beaver River at home 5 p.m. (Scrimmage)
BVBB vs. Beaver River at home 6:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 22
GMODVB vs. Clinton at home 4:30 p.m.

Photos by Joan Herrmann Bristly beard, scientific name Usnea hirta, grows only to a few millimeters in areas that are polluted, and upwards of 10-20 cm long where the air is clean. It is used by scientists to monitor pollution.

by Joan Herrmann

Just as mushrooms add color and interest to autumn woods so do lichens. Lichens are colorful and plentiful, and come in a multitude of shapes and sizes. Lichens are often confused with mosses or algae but, are in a special group all by themselves. That is because lichens, simply said, are unique organisms composed of fungi and algae.
When hiking and talking with my students I like to tell them the story of Freddie Fungus, an architect, engineer and builder who was longing to find a companion. Happily he met Alice Alga a magnificent chef who concocted marvelous meals out of thin air. It was love at first sight. They married and had many children, all named Lichen.
Another way to visualize lichen, is to imagine it to be a pie, made up of a fungus crust bottom, top and sides with an alga filling.
Today hundreds of lichen genera and more than 14,000 species are known worldwide and scientists are still discovering more. Lichens are known to survive arctic cold to -58 degrees and desert heat of 122 degrees and are very sensitive to pollution. Lichens can be found growing on rocks, trees, buildings and on the ground. Lichen have no roots and don’t need a constant supply of water, they can tolerate long dry periods and grow on surfaces where plants can’t, such as bare rock. Lichens have also evolved the ability to completely stop functioning and then start again, once they are able to, then photosynthesize and make food. The process is called cryptobiotics. Lichens are named, by lichenologists, scientifically for the fungus component, because fungus determines the form of the lichen. There are three basic types of lichen. Crustose attaches to rocks, trees or the ground, and looks like it has been spray painted to the surfaces. Foliose has a leafy appearance divided by lobes. Fruticose is bushy or shrubby and probably the most interesting of all. Lichens absorb all their nutrients directly from the air and rainwater.
Many animals use lichens daily. The ruby-throated hummingbird uses shield lichen (Parmelia squarrosa) in its nest for camouflage. Northern parula warblers weave strands of beard lichen (Usnea hirta) through their nests. As many as fifty other species of birds also use lichens in their nests. White-tailed deer, moose and flying squirrels all eat lichens. Many insects including bark lice, springtails, mites and silverfish eat lichens. Gray treefrogs use lichens for camouflage. Lichens are among the first in “new landscapes” to grow on rock surfaces, which then allow mosses, grasses and eventually trees to do the same. Some species of lichens even aid in soil fertility. Lichens are being studied for possible medical benefits because of their anti-germination and anti-bacterial properties. Icelandic lichen (Cetaria islandica) has been used as a food source for humans in times of need. Northern Europeans ground it and added it to breads and porridge; it was called “bread moss” in Norway. Herbal medicines can be found containing lichens, and are used for harsh coughs and sore throats. Herbal toothpaste and deodorants may contain lichens as well. In India curries and masalas are flavored with lichens. Thousands of tons of lichens are harvested each year and used as a fixative for perfumes. Lichens have been used in the past as a dye for Harris tweeds, not only to color the wool but also to make it mothproof.
While hiking or kayaking in the Adirondacks many of the more unusual lichens can be found. Ferd’s Bog off Uncas Road in Eagle Bay is a relatively easy hike along a well traveled hiking trail. While walking through the forest you can see lichens on the trees, fallen logs and rocks, leading to the boardwalk into the bog. On a single tree of a sugar maple you may find as many as 20 species of lichen.
As you walk along the trail look at the rocks, you may find concentric boulder lichen (Porpidia crustulata) or tattered jellyskin (Leptogium lichenoides). If you are hiking to Lock and Dam, from the Green Bridge in Thendara, look for a glacial erratic (a large boulder with mosses and lichens growing on it) to find frosted rock tripe (Umbilicaria Americana) or maybe plated rock tripe (Umbilicaria meuhlenbergia). While driving the Moose River Recreational Area look for trees that might have the larger, showier type of Foliose lichen, tree lungwort (lobaria pulmonaria) it is a favorite food of moose. While kayaking or canoeing, slowly along the shoreline, many species of lichens can be seen and photographed. Lichens can be observed in any season which is a special bonus for photographers. What I mean by that is, so often what we wish to photograph is already just beyond peak season, when we finally get the chance to go out and shoot.
Many books are now available for lichen identification, and our local bookstores carry copies of these guides. Take along a copy in your daypack when cross country skiing or snowshoeing. If your visit to the Adirondacks is for some restful time, while sitting on a rock, dock or porch, look around I am sure, that after a few moments, you may begin to see lichens that you didn’t observe before. When looking for lichens take along a magnifying glass or a macro lens for your camera, as many of them are quiet tiny.
If you should see me on the trails please stop and say hello.

Photo by Cathy Bowsher
TOW UFSD Principal John Swick and Joe Tahan’s Clearance Center’s mover Chris Baird show off their lifting skills.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

The Town of Webb UFSD added some finishing touches to the newly established student Honor Lounge on Thursday, Oct. 10. The Honor Lounge was created as a reward for high school students who achieved academic success.
The lounge is located adjacent to Town of Webb UFSD Principal Swick’s office and is a designated space that is comfortable. The lounge is semi-private with some half glass walls, enough privacy for studying and maybe some light recreation too.
Students must maintain a grade point average of 85 and above and stay out of trouble to be granted access to the lounge.
“The idea was to create a place for students in high school that would be desired for studying and for working independently as a reward for their hard work,” said Swick.
Seeking help furnishing the lounge, the school wrote a letter to Joe Tahan’s Clearance Center located in Rome, “When sharing the vision for this idea in a letter to Joe Tahan’s furniture, we were thrilled to get a reply in the early fall that they would be willing to partner with us on this project,” said Swick.
Al Tahan, son of the late Joe Tahan, and his movers arrived at the school with a red moving truck wrapped with the Tahan family name. Furnishings for the school lounge were packed inside and plenty of helping hands were ready to help move it all inside, “Today we received brand new furniture that Mr. Al Tahan picked out himself and came up to deliver in person. The gratitude and excitement to give this gift has been overwhelming,” said Swick.
In honor of his father’s name, Al Tahan was more than happy to help the school, “This would have been a small project my dad would have loved. He never went to high school having to leave the eighth grade to help work during the days of the Great Depression. However, dad never lost sight of the value of education. It would be our pleasure to assist you (the school) with the lounge,” said Tahan.
The TOW UFSD encourages students to try their best to achieve great things and Al Tahan showed his support by donating to the Honor Lounge.

Writers, songwriters, aspiring writers and members of the public are invited to share and read their own work or to come and enjoy readings by others at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Featured writer and emcee will be Aline Newman.
After attending several Old Forge Writers’ Workshops, Aline Alexander Newman began submitting her work to magazines. Dozens of rejections followed. But she kept at it, eventually publishing 250 stories and articles in over 20 different publications. Today Aline writes kids’ books for National Geographic. Her titles include four chapter books and two best-selling animal communication guides: “How To Speak Dog” and “How To Speak Cat.” “Rascally Rabbits” is Aline’s most recent release. In it, she tells the incredible true stories of some trouble-making bunnies, a problem pup, and Yellow-Yellow–an Adirondack black bear that lived on Mount Marcy. Her seventh book, called “Cat Tales,” is due out in April 2017.
Aline is a wife, mother, grandmother, and animal lover. She and her husband, Neil, divide their time between an old farmhouse in northern New York and a seasonal camp in the Adirondacks. They recently adopted an abandoned dog they found running scared on a country road. His name is Moose.
If you plan on participating on Open Mic Night call the Old Forge Library at (315) 369-6008 ahead of time so they may plan accordingly, but walk-ins are always welcome. These readings are held to inspire writers and create opportunities for regional writers to meet. They are co-sponsored by Adirondack Center for Writing.

Photo submitted
Primitive rendezvous and hunting campers sit in a historically correct tent.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

The New York State Muzzle Rifle Loading Association (NYSMLA) Moose River Primitive Rendezvous and Hunt was in its 25th year this October at the Moose River Plains just north of Inlet. The rendezvous is a living history encampment that takes visitors on a week long journey back in time to the pioneer era.
“Visitors come to experience something unique while starting off the muzzleloader season,” said 2016 Booshway (The leader of a party) of the Fur Trade Era group Maria Heckle. A muzzleloader is a 1700s style single shot firearm that has to be loaded by the barrel in order to function, a fitting firearm for the living history encampment at the Moose River Plain’s rendezvous.
Visitors of the Moose River Encampment witness primitive tent setups made of gathered branches and linen. Contrary to popular belief, the pioneers rarely had a cone style teepee shelter set up for camping. Instead, the construction of low slung tents made of heavy linen and scrapped split logs were more plausible as building material. The 15 feet high poles of a tee pee set up would be too heavy to carry, too time consuming to make for every encampment, and too dangerous because Indians could easily spot the massive constructions.
Take a peak into the past and drop in during the week long encampment next year at the Moose River Plains. The event is free of charge and open to the public, “Everyone visits us, we even have hunters stopping in to hang out after a full day of hunting and kids love seeing everything here, we make sure to focus on the kids because they are sponges and learn so fast,” said Maria. Families are encouraged to join the rendezvous fun to support the NYSMLA in their goal to preserve the primitive lifestyle of past pioneers. Adults and children can try on historically accurate pioneer clothing, watch how food is prepared over an open flame, participate in period firearm and bow shooting demonstrations, and try their hand at some tomahawk and knife throwing activities. Kids can try their skills at flint knapping or striking an object with another object (lithic reduction) to shape it into the desired form, usually an arrowhead.
Attend a rendezvous sponsored by the NYSMLA and help promote, support, and preserve the historical heritage of the sport of muzzleloading and of primitive living, “Although our numbers are dwindling, we have had the same core members attend every year so far, the ones who started it all at Moose River still come and the weather this October was gorgeous enough that we did have three new campers join us this year,” said Maria.
After the public portion of the encampment, Maria and the rest of the rendezvous campers stay for a few days to wind down, “After everyone is gone, we all get together and celebrate another successful year,” said Maria.
The first recorded rendezvous was in 1825 when General William Ashley of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, originally known as “Ashley’s Hundred” trail blazed the exploration of the west. Ashley and his company’s knowledge of the land was so informative that according to a book called, “Fur, Fortune, and Empire: The Epic History of the Fur Trade in America,” written by Eric Dolin, the US government would seek out former members of the Ashley’s Hundred company as consultants for geographic knowledge or travel advice regarding the west.
The lifestyle of “Ashley’s Hundred” consists of extreme weather conditions, starvation, dehydration, and at times extreme solitude. Random attacks from Indians or animals were a part of the company’s daily lives. Ashley later became a congressman who specialized in western affairs.
The rendezvous of the 1800s were for mountain men, pioneers, and travelers to exchange fur for supplies and to re-group after long fur trapping excursions. According to a biography about mountain man James Beckwourth, an African-American pioneer of the Ashley’s Hundred company, Beckwourth described the rendezvous as a place of “mirth, songs, dancing, shouting, trading, running, jumping, singing, racing, target-shooting, yarns, frolic, with all sorts of extravagances that white men or Indians could invent.” Beckwourth was linked to the trapping expeditions of the American Fur Company, a brother company of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company (Ashley’s Hundred) where he worked with famous mountain men like Jedediah Smith.
Alcohol was a big part of the mirth Beckwourth mentions in his thoughts about the rendezvous. Alcohol was not an uncommon thing to a pioneer. English heritage of the 1800s declared that water was bad for a person’s health and that beer or whiskey was an alternative for water. It was considered healthier to drink warm booze in hot weather rather than cold water in the heat. The idea was that heat was loss from the inside of the body and that the stomach needed to stay warm, hence the saying, “fire in my belly”.
For more information on how to get involved in the next rendezvous, contact
Joseph or Maria Heckle at, (315) 298-5107 or email them at, josephheckle@yahoo.com.

Lutheran Care recently was awarded a grant in order to provide free services to those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia living in rural or underserved communities with limited resources. This grant focuses specifically on those living in Northern Oneida, Madison, Herkimer, and Lewis Counties. This grant would allow Lutheran Care to provide respite services, support groups, education and training, and social events at no cost to the caregiver.
The respite service would be provided by a program that has been in place for almost five years now, Lutheran Care’s Helping Hands Home Companions. Home Companions can provide in home, non-nursing care including services such as companionship and socialization, assist with morning and evening routines, prepare meals, grocery shopping or errands, reminders regarding medication and prescriptions, and light housekeeping (cleaning, bed-making, laundry, etc).
Respite services may also be provided by Lutheran Care’s Active Day Social Day Program which offers daily exercise and activities, continental breakfast, lunch, and a nutritious snack, group outings, shopping trips, and scenic excursions, door-to-door transportation, hair salon services by appointment, and case management services.
To sign up for the program, an intake is completed in the home. Following this assessment, referrals will be made to additional services as necessary and appropriate.
If you know of anyone that may be appropriate for and benefit from these services, call Kelly Cieplenski at (315) 235-7147 or (315) 269-5266 or email KCieplenski@lutherancare.org.

By CATHY BOWSHER
Express Staff

The room was full with attendees at the Inlet Town Board meeting held on Oct. 9. During the public comment portion of the meeting, members of the Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council and the Inlet Town Board spoke about the pros and cons of a proposed request to relocate the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra concert from its usual spot under the tent at the Woods Inn.
The RPO is in its 19th year and members of the FCLPAC want a change. The FCLPAC initially asked for permission from the board on Oct. 15 to hold their annual fundraising cocktail party immediately after the RPO concert at the Inlet Arrowhead Park, rather than at the usual Woods Inn location.
The board was not without reservations about the idea, “Arrowhead Park is a nice pristine family oriented park and the thought of alcohol there is disturbing to me,” said Town of Inlet Councilman William Faro.
Town of Inlet Supervisor John Frey chose to remain neutral in the discussion due to his affiliation with the Woods Inn, “I will be abstaining from any vote on this because I feel that I may be oddly involved, fair and balanced, but I will be involved in the discussion.” Frey has ties with the Woods Inn by relation to owner Charlie Frey.
FCLPAC Chairman Bonnie Lutz spoke about the proposed relocation, “Moving it from the Woods Inn isn’t from lack of performance, we need a change also and we had a lot of people with feedback that wanted the change,” said Lutz, “We don’t want Inlet to feel as if we are trying to take business from them.” According to Lutz, in past conversations with the Woods Inn owner Charlie Frey, Charlie felt that they (the Woods Inn) may not be able to accommodate her catering request due to staffing complications at this time of year. Charlie Frey was not available for comment.
Further into the discussion, Town of Inlet Supervisor John Frey and other board members voiced their concerns about making sure that the business owners of the community were asked for their involvement. Frey insisted that they should be given ample time to respond as well, “We think local and buy local as much as possible, I would like to see that local businesses are considered,” said Frey about the matter.
Another concern about the RPO’s relocation to Arrowhead Park is of safety, “I don’t see a problem in this but it has to be contained,” said Councilman Tim Brownsell. Frey showed the board and attendees a mock up map of the possible designations needed at the park during the concert. The goal is to control the crowd flow during the event to minimize any possible beach-front hazards that could happen, “A snow fence along the boardwalk, boundaries to control where the crowd goes would be ideal, and you would need ushers to watch that area,” said Frey.
Frey announced that the board and he would have and answer before Thanksgiving. A specific date for the final decision has not been set.
In other news, The Highway Department has started the arduous task of setting up snow fencing where needed through out the town.
The Transfer and Recycling Center’s hours are from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1-6 p.m. The center will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The next scheduled Inlet Town Board Meeting is at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13.

The public is invited to Niccolls Memorial Church for its annual Fair Trade Alternative Christmas Market from 8 to 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 20 in the church’s Fellowship Hall.
This year’s market, sponsored by the Mission Committee of Niccolls Church, will feature a variety of seasonal, decorative and gift items from the SERRV consignment sale, including a selection of scarves and jewelry hand-crafted by local artisans in Peru, Ecuador, India and Africa. There will also be crafts, household items, high-quality olive oil and hand-blended spices. In addition to SERRV items, there will be fairly traded gourmet coffees, teas, and chocolate from the Equal Exchange organization.
The market is an opportunity to purchase gifts for yourself or those on your Christmas shopping list in a way that benefits impoverished third world crafters and farmers. Purchase of crafts and other items from SERRV help crafters to form co-ops and to find markets for their crafts. Purchase of Fair Trade items from Equal Exchange does the same for small farmers.
Ken Strike, a member of the Niccolls Church Mission Committee said, “This marketplace may be the one for that just-right Christmas gift, maybe something unique, or special. Not only will you be getting wonderful gifts, but you will be helping someone receive a fair trade price for their craft.”
SERRV is an organization that partners with artisans and farmers around the world to ensure they receive a fair price for their labor. Many people who live in poverty are encouraged through business training, help with marketing, and small loans to form cooperative businesses which produce products people can use and appreciate. Purchasing their products helps them support their families, have enough food to eat, and afford the school fees they need to educate their children.
The SERRV website describes their mission this way: “SERRV is a nonprofit, fair trade organization dedicated to lifting disadvantaged artisans, farmers, and their families out of poverty. Behind every basket, tunic and necklace that we offer, you’ll find a story of positive change. A story of an empowered artisan or farmer who works in a safe environment, can send his or her children to school, and can save for the future with the reliable income he or she earns through fair trade.”
There will also be an opportunity to give a gift to Church World Service in honor of a friend or loved one. The person who has everything will appreciate having someone who has nothing receive a gift of chickens, micronutrients for children, or literacy classes in their name.
Niccolls Memorial Church is located at 228 Crosby Blvd. next to the Old Forge Library.

This year’s yuletide season is being kicked-off with a Tree Lighting Party sponsored by the Town Of Webb and the Eagle Bay Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary. This annual event will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Eagle Bay Information Center located at the corner of Big Moose Rd. and Rte. 28 in Eagle Bay.
There will be Christmas caroling around the community Christmas Tree followed by the tree lighting.
Afterward there will be refreshments and a pot luck supper at the Eagle Bay Fire Hall. Bring your appetites and if you are able, bring a dish to pass. Come join your neighbors and support your community at this old fashioned Tree Lighting Party.
Even Santa Claus promises to drop-in and to bring gifts for all the good little kids. If you have children attending, call (315) 390-4006 before Dec. 4 and let Penny, Santa’s helper, know how many will attend. Everyone is invited and all are welcome to this gala event. 

Susan J. Hutchins
November 4, 2016

Susan J. Hutchins, 77, widow of John F. passed away suddenly on Friday, Nov. 4, at her residence.
She was born in Rome, on July 3, 1939, a daughter of Charles E. and Anna Morris Miller. Susan grew up on her family’s farm, in the outer district of Rome, receiving her education at Oriskany Central School, where she graduated with the Class of 1956. Thereafter, until her retirement in the mid 1990s, Mrs. Hutchins was employed as a typist and clerical secretary at Griffiss Airforce Base of Rome.
On Jan. 31, 1970, Susan was united in marriage with John F. Hutchins in Rome. In April of 1973, the couple settled at their present home in Otter Lake. For several years they spent winters at Zephyrhills, Fla. Mr. Hutchins, a Marine Corps veteran of the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters of WWII, and a retiree of Griffiss Air Force Base, Rome, passed away on June 12, 2003.
After her retirement, Mrs. Hutchins was employed at the Old Forge Library. She was very talented and found great enjoyment in drawing, sketching and painting. For many years Susan was an active member of Otter Lake Fire Co. Ladies Auxiliary, where she helped in founding the annual Labor Day weekend Steak Bake and truck raffle, a function which became a major fund raiser for the fire department and an enjoyable end of summer event for the Otter Lake area.
Susan dearly loved her family; she is survived by a sister, Mary (Steven) Clauson, Redding, Calif., a special nephew and godchild, Bernie (Debra) Lekki, Oriskany and their family who Susan greatly enjoyed seeing; Brian (Kim) and children, Heather (Mike) Barnes and children, Matt (Amber) and son; Alexandra, Elyssa, and Noah; a sister in law, Marlene Miller, Rome, and many relatives in California. She was predeceased by four brothers, James, Robert, Fred, Bill and by two sisters, Grace and Ruth.
There was a graveside service at the Woodgate Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Otter Lake Fire Department, 13053 State Rt. 28, Forestport, NY 13338.
For an on-line message of sympathy, please go to www.trainorfuneralhome.com.