Hiding Out in North Country

During the pandemic, and still now, I must have walked the loop around Moody Pond in Saranac Lake, New York, at least a  million times.  Like the beautiful trees that surround the lake,  Moody Pond never let me down during the anxiety of Covid fears and the many changes in moving to a new town and state.     It took some time for to learn about the aquatic invasive "milfoil," and the danger it poses to ponds and lakes in the Adirondacks and everywhere! I realized that I need to be as much of a caretaker as those who live on the lake, and was happy to become a member of the Friends of Moody Pond who came together to eradicate this invasive from the lovely pond.  For more info go to:   Friendsofmoodypond.org .   

This fall, Lake Placid Film Festival will return to a live event, and shepherding it to fruition is Gary Smith, the current Chair of the Board of Adirondack Film Society.   Schooled by his more than 40 years in the hospitality industry, Gary sees the festival as an opportunity to display the attractions of the Lake Placid area, as well as to bring filmmakers and their audiences together for the lively and thoughtful sharing of ideas.   His enthusiasm for film, however, is no greater than many other cultural and artistic expressions. According to Nathalie Thill, Director of Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW), "Gary Smith   is a   whirling dervish of energy and passion.   Gary has been involved with more projects, spanning multiple art forms, than anyone else I know. In everything he gives his time, his heart   and his wonderful sense of humor. I’m so thankful the arts community has him on our side. “   Gary also serves on the Board of the ACW. As Gary has helped to build Adirondac

Tall snow laden trees, a larger than life frog, an explosion of purple lilacs, these are among the brilliant watercolor and oil paintings that surprised me as I entered the doorway of the Small Fortune Studio for my interview of Tim Fortune.  Located at  76 Main Street, Saranac Lake, New York, the Small Fortune Studio is a good place to stop during Saranac Lake’s  first Art Walk of the season on July 15, 2021.  Owner artist Tim Fortune is a native of Saranac Lake. His paintings of nature, however, have also been inspired by his time living in Florida, Rome and Venice.  Tim’s vision and technique has allowed him to create a distinctive translucent quality found in his paintings of trees, plant life, land and sky of the natural world.  Particularly noteworthy is how natural light seems to set his paintings on fire.  A watercolor “Milkweed,” at 53 x 87  is an example of how Tim maintains  detail in his very large paintings, filled with colors and contrasts. The most challenging portion of