The Adirondack Artists Guild will host an opening reception for Totems and Vessels, an exhibit of new work in clay by Mary Lou Reid on Friday, August 3, from 5-7 PM at the Artists Guild gallery at 52 Main St., Saranac Lake. The show will run through August 29, 2012.

Artist Statement for Photographic Exhibit “Simplexity”:

 Simplexity: An emerging theory that proposes a possible complementary relationship between complexity and simplicity.

Local photographer Burdette Parks is the featured artist for the month of August in the lobby gallery of Pendragon Theatre. An exhibit of his photographs titled “Simplexity” opens on August 7th with an Artist’s Reception from 5:30 to 7:00 and will run through Labor Day.

According to Mr. Parks’ artist statement for the show:

“The natural Order (pun intended) of Nature is Chaos. Nature tends not to do things in an orderly way. The natural world is a chaotic jumble of random occurrences of complexly ordered systems. There are too many variables and influences at work for order to be sustained. So when we observe nature in it’s unadulterated state, we see mostly the resulting chaos.

In this series of images, my goal as a photographer has been to make images of the natural world that simplify nature’s inherent chaos. This, I think, is a rather normal impulse for many photographers when framing and composing an image. But for this series, I have concentrated on the essentials. I worked to emphasize the graphic qualities of the subject, eliminating unnecessary detail and focusing on shapes, forms, colors, textures and relationships. As one focuses in more and more closely to natural subjects, the truth of the old aphorism that one can find a world in a grain of sand becomes abundantly clear. Things that appear extremely simple, even orderly, from a distance become intricately complex on closer inspection. On the other hand, by reducing the apparent detail in a larger perspective (akin to squinting at a landscape) detail is diminished and basic forms predominate.”

The display system for the images in this exhibit is a marked departure from the more traditional matting and framing of prints under glass. In collaboration with a skilled woodworker, a unique shadowbox-like presentation was created with the images “floating free” within a finely crafted natural wood box. The images were printed on specially coated photo-canvas using archival pigment inks. After drying, they were given two coatings of sealant to protect the surfaces from scrapes, water and UV light. (Though like any photo image, they should not be displayed in direct sun.) The canvases were then “stretched” onto wooden panels, positioned over background panels and locked in place. “Floating” within the box gives the images an added impression of depth.

William Blake: “To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wildflower.”

Burdette’s Photo Bio:

Burdette was born and educated inNorth Dakotareceiving a BA in Theater Arts from the University of North Dakota. He developed an early interest in photography through his father, an inveterate and prolific family picture taker. That interest was cemented in 1964 when he sold two nature slides to the North Dakota State Travel Department. In college at the University of North Dakota, Burdette did yearbook photography for the Journalism Department, learned processing and darkroom basics doing work-study at the University News Bureau and was mentored in photography by a commercial photographer and a successful photojournalist while pursuing first a pre-med degree and ultimately a degree in Theatre Arts. A brief invitational stint with the U.S. Army got him toTexaswhere he managed and owned live theaters over fourteen years in bothSan AntonioandAustin.

During more than two decades directing and producing live theater, Burdette incorporated photography—doing publicity and production photography for his own and other theaters. His first formal gallery show was in 1980 at aSan Antoniogallery and for thirty years a sculptural piece of his has graced theSculptureGardenat the San Antonio Museum of Art.

In 1982, he took his act on the road with one-man theater performances. Frankly, B. Franklin was his first foray into the exhilarating realm of solo performance and his first in-depth exposure to Ben Franklin (if you overlook an earlier episode asFranklinin the musical 1776.) In 1985 he wrote and began performing a second solo show, Shakespeare Live! – resulting in him traveling with two alter-egos, Ben and Will—Benjamin Franklin and William Shakespeare—not bad company.

Since 1990, he has been living in the Adirondacks with the wife he met through the amorous influence ofSaranacLake’s Pendragon Theater and since 2001, has enthusiastically resumed a decades long affair with photography.

Photographically, the shift from film to digital happened for Burdette in 2001 and he has been diligently working to keep pace with this rapidly advancing technology ever since. Specializing in fine art landscape/nature work, he has had work showcased in numerous juried shows in the Adirondack region (photographs of his were awarded Best of Show in the Art’s Council of the Northern Adirondack’s 2009 Cover Art competition and an Honorable Mention in their 2011 show) and has been featured in numerous exhibits. As a relatively early convert to digital photography, Burdette has accumulated a vast store of information on this rapidly evolving medium and has been sharing his discoveries and enthusiasm through classes and workshops. And as a year-round resident in the endlessly scenicAdirondackPark, he is constantly striving to refine and improve his vision of this special landscape.

While people and theatre remain strong photographic interests, Burdette finds the natural studio of the Adirondacksa beguiling place to explore expanding photographic horizons. His web address is: www.roundlakestudios.com.

For further information about Pendragon’s gallery or any of the summer offerings, contact the theatre at 518-891-1854, on the web: pendragontheatre.org or via e-mail: pdragon@northnet.org.

The Honorable

Clyde Rabideau

Mayor of the Village of Saranac Lake,

The Saranac Lake Board of Trustees and the

Saranac Lake Local Development Corporation Members

Cordially Invite the Honor of Your Presence

To a Grand Reception

Welcoming and Saluting the Commencement of Biotech Operations of

Myriad-RBM

In its New 3 Main Street Saranac Lake Location

Wednesday Evening, August Eighth

Commencing at Five O’clock

In Riverside Park

The Evening’s Theme is

“The Good Old Summer Time”

Old Fashioned Ice Cream and Root Beer

Will be served to the Music

Of a Dixieland Band

With Complimentary Boater Straw Hats

Tours of the New Myriad RBM Facility Will be Conducted During the Reception

RSVP-By August Sixth-VSL Community Development Office

39 Main Street

comdevassistant@saranaclakeny.gov

This Event is Primarily Underwritten By

J. Hogan Refrigeration and Mechanical, Inc.

Peru, NY

www.jhoganrefrigeration.com

Celebrate the Adirondack’s rich snow-sport heritage and support its future!

28^th Annual NYSEF Summer Benefit – Saturday, August 11, 2012, 6:30-9:30 pm
Turf & Field Club, Lake Placid Horseshow Grounds

 Lake Placid, NY, August 11, 2012 – The New York Ski Educational Foundation (NYSEF) is hosting the 28^th Annual Summer Benefit, Saturday, August 11^th in the Turf & Field Club at the Lake Placid Horseshow Grounds from 6:30-9:30 pm. Join NYSEF for a special evening to support local youth – step into the past with wooden skis and leather boots, traditional European cuisine, cocktails, music and silent auction.

Adirondack tradition has a history rich in snow sports and Olympic heritage. Let’s preserve that heritage by supporting and investing in its future. Lake Placid has hosted two historical Olympic Winter Games, and continuously aspires to update and maintain the venues for World class competitions and training; and to mold young athletes to pursue their dreams.

NYSEF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to providing professional guidance and support to athletes of all ages in Alpine, Freestyle, Cross-Country Skiing, Ski Jumping, Snowboarding, Biathlon, and Nordic Combined. NYSEF athletes represent the United States Ski and Snowboard Teams competing at Olympic, World, Jr. World and National Team levels. Join us for an evening to support the continuation of this tradition!

Open to ages 21 and up – advance purchase tickets are $80/person, $150/couple and $40/ages 21-35. Tickets are $90 at the door. For details and to purchase tickets visit NYSEF online at: www.nysef.org or call the NYSEF office at 518-946-7001.

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PLATINUM LEED HOUSE IN LAKE PLACID

 Creative Healing Connections, a North Country nonprofit group that provides arts and healing retreats, is hosting a benefit cocktail party at the new home of Larry and Nancy Master in Lake Placid on August 16th.  The home just received a Platinum LEED Certification.

 “We use the arts in nature to help women with cancer and chronic illnesses, female veterans and female military spouses to heal,” commented CHC board president and founder Naj Wikoff of Keene Valley.  “What an incredible opportunity to see a platinum LEED certified home that is lovingly built with the planet’s health in mind, while learning about healing women in nature.” 

 LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  LEED is an international standard created to help building owners with green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community has met their standards so that the homeowner or home buyer can be assured that it was constructed in an environmentally sound manner ­ and built to last.

 Founded in 1999 and also built to last, Creative Healing Connections gives scholarships to nine out of ten of its female participants, and this event will help raise scholarship funds for 2012 and 2013. 

 “In May we held the nation’s first retreat for female military spouses and partners in Saranac Lake,” said CHC director Martha Spear of Upper Jay.  “It was a huge success and we are so grateful to all our funders for making it possible.” 

 “We are offering three more retreats this year,” remarked CHC co-founder Fran Yardley, of Tupper Lake, who also leads retreats.    “Two for female veterans in August and one for women with cancer and chronic illnesses in September.  All the retreats are filling up fast.” Yardley, a storyteller, will be one of several featured guests at the Masters’ home. 

 “While this event is a fund-raiser for CHC, we want anyone to come who is interested in enjoying this private house and garden opening,” said event co-chair Susan Rose Hockert of Wilmington.   “Entry to the event is free, with an optional donation of $50 per person suggested.” 

 Larry and Nancy Master are “best friends who have been married for 40 years,” according to the website of the Adirondack Community Trust where they have a donor advised fund.  Larry serves on the board of several environmental and conservation groups, while Nancy serves on the board of the North Country SPCA.  The new home is the fulfillment of their lifelong dream to live lightly on the land. 

 “I am very happy we can do this for Creative Healing Connections,” said Larry in a recent phone call.

 “Relatedly, please save the date for our 2013 Mad Hatters Ball featuring Roby Politi as the Mad Hatter:  Thursday, March 21^st at 5:30 p.m. at Heaven Hill Farm in Lake Placid,” added Franny Preston, of Saranac Lake, who co-chairs the event with Hockert and Erin Perkins of Lake Placid.

 To RSVP for this event please contact director Martha Spear at 518-390-3899 or director@creativehealingconnections.org.

Thursday, August 16: Art Walk: Come visit the Saranac Laboratory Museum and enjoy some live music. As an architectural wonder, the building itself is a work of art. Also on display are new exhibit panels and historic photographs of Saranac Lake in the John Black Room. 5:00-7:30. Free of charge.

Fri., August 24-All are invited to a free opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. for an exhibition of works by nature photographer John DiGiacomo at the Guy Hughes Gallery in the Laker Placid Public Library. Proceeds from photo sales will be donated to the non-profit organization Reason2Smile, which supports a school and orphanage in Kenya.

Pat Stratton Memorial Bicycle Ride through the Adirondacks near Saranac Lake

August 25, 2012 (Saturday) – Mt. Pisgah, Saranac Lake, New York

One-Day Event – All Bike Riders and Abilities Welcome – Rain Date: August 26

The Century Ride starts at 8:00 a.m., 50-mile ride at 10:00, 25-mile ride at 11:00 and a free kid’s ride at 1:00. This is a well-supported bike ride with feed stations, port-a-johns and a sag wagon. There will be prizes, a BBQ, tee shirts, music and homemade pies!  Proceeds benefit youth programs of the Saranac Lake Kiwanis Club, including the annual Bike Rodeo that has distributed over 1,000 bike helmets to area youth.

This is a beautiful ride through Adirondack Park forest and farmland north of Saranac Lake.  Great mountain views but no mountain climbing on the ride. Wide shoulders on the State Routes, otherwise quiet back roads. Along the route are Paul Smiths, Mecham Lake, Lake Clear, Gabriels and St. Regis Falls.

Registration fee is $40 for the Century Ride, $35 for the Half-Century and $30 for the 25-mile ride.

Active Duty Military and Law Enforcement Ride Free

    Register Online:

or print a PDF of the Registration Form and mail with a check to Pat Stratton Memorial Ride, 33 Depot Street,  Saranac Lake  NY  12983.   For more information contact Dan Reilly, 518-891-1616 or e-mail adkbuild@roadrunner.com

Starts and ends at Mt Pisgah Ski Area, 92 Mount Pisgah Rd, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (44.345596,-74.125682).   SeeGoogle Map for route and support locations.  

Visit our Sponsors, who make the ride and the donations possible:

   HomEnergy Services       Gladd Electric    Scheefer’s Adirondack Builders

  Don Rumble Construction       Wilkins Insurance          Fitness Revolution

  Flowering Meadow Nursery      AdirondackCraft.com        H & M Steel 

  Stratton Plumbing & Heating     

  Schrader General Contracting

Annual Christmas Retreat – Guggenheim Lodge

Guggenheim Lodge will hold it’s annual Christmas Retreat August 24th through the 26th. A Mass of Healing will be at 3pm Saturday, with Fr. Anthony Gramlich officiating – All are welcome.

There will be an opening reception for “Water+Color,” an exhibit of watercolor paintings by Jacqueline Altman, at the Adirondack Artists Guild, 52 Main St., Saranac Lake, from 5-7 on Friday August 31. The show will run through October 3. Everyone is welcome at the reception.

The Farm 2 Fork Festival is a celebration of Local Food with Vendors along Route 3 at Riverside Park.. It takes place from 7am until 3pm and there will be 4 speakers on stage from 9am until 11:20am

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Au Sable Forks Free Library

The Trudeau Institute announced today that Peter Lawson-Johnston, a fifth-generation member of the Guggenheim family, will discuss his memoir, “Growing Up Guggenheim: A Personal History of a Family Enterprise,” on Wednesday, September 12, in the John Black Room of the Saranac Laboratory Museum.

The event will begin with a reception at 5:30 pm and Lawson-Johnston will give a brief lecture at 6 pm. He also will be available to sign copies of his book following the lecture.
A grandson of Solomon R. Guggenheim, since 1964 Lawson-Johnston has been a trustee of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, which currently operates Guggenheim Museums in New York, Bilbao (Spain) and Berlin (Germany), along with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice (Italy). He is presently honorary chairman of the foundation.

A graduate of the Lawrenceville School and the University of Virginia and a former reporter for the Baltimore Sun, Lawson-Johnston has also served as a senior partner at his family holding company, Guggenheim Brothers, since 1971, having joined the firm as a partner in 1962. He has also been a director of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation since 1968 and its chairman since 1971.

Walter Cronkite described Growing Up Guggenheim, first published in May 2005, as a “book of extraordinary and surprising revelations by a Guggenheim about the private lives of that fabulous and opulent family.” And William F. Buckley Jr. called Lawson-Johnston’s memoir a “splendid book, original, readable, dramatic, and instructive.”
Local residents are encouraged to attend the September 12 event and share with Lawson-Johnston and his daughter, Mary (Mimi) Lawson-Johnston Howe (vice president of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection), any personal experiences they may have had with philanthropist Edmond A. Guggenheim, who helped supervise his family’s copper holdings for nearly 50 years and summered in the Adirondacks. Guggenheim built the Guggenheim Camp on Lower Saranac Lake, which he owned from 1917 to 1963. He also acquired the famed Algonquin Hotel, which was located on an adjacent property, and donated it to the Trudeau Institute, which replaced the structure with their present building in the late 1950s.
The event, co-sponsored by the Trudeau Institute, Historic Saranac Lake and local resident Lilo G. Levine, will conclude at approximately 7 pm and is free the public. The Saranac Laboratory Museum is located at 89 Church Street in Saranac Lake.
About Historic Saranac Lake Historic Saranac Lake is a not-for-profit, architectural preservation organization that captures and presents local history from its center at the Saranac Laboratory Museum.
The Trudeau Institute is a nonprofit biomedical research center founded in 1884 by Dr. E.L. Trudeau. The Institute’s fundamental research on immunity fosters the development of vaccines, treatments and cures for many life-threatening diseases, including cancer, tuberculosis and influenza. The Institute is supported by federal and state grants and contributions from individuals, private foundations and corporations. For further information about the Trudeau Institute, go to www.trudeauinstitute.org.

Catholic Daughters Court St. Bernard #787 kicks off another year with their first monthly meeting on September 12^th at 7pm in St. Bernard’s School cafeteria.  This will be an organizational meeting to plan the year’s activities. Refreshments will be provided.  Please come and support your newly elected officers. Your attendance and input is very important!  Thinking of becoming a Catholic Daughter?  Join us for a meeting or two.  New members are always welcome.