On Tuesday, June 10, Fred Trimbach made 3 trips (in a very large van) to New York Mills to pick up 386 flowerpots for the Fifth Annual CAP-21 Hanging Flower Basket project. These baskets now stretch from Forestport to Raquette Lake and grace the business district in Stillwater. The helping hands of Louise & Robert Watson, Barb Proper, Ruth Brussel and Stuart Nelson joined me to await his arrival at the North Street Recreation Center and unload the flowers. Thank you all.
Many, many thanks to the volunteers who arrived the next day for the Annual Potting Party. This list hopefully includes all of those who helped; if you ducked out before signing in, please call CAP-21 and let us know. Your time and efforts are greatly appreciated!

William & Susan Kenefick, Frank & Jackie Rudolph, Peter Hossler, Nathan Voegele, Lauren Kravetz, George & Bill Hasenauer, Mark Kavouksoian, Ruth Brussel, MaryAnn & Stuart Nelson, Alison Nelson, Paul Sonnier, Don Townsend, Mona Lincoln, Fred Trimbach, Lani & Jim Ulrich, Bill & Mary Anne Ransom, Joanne Vogan, Terry Rozycki, Jim & Nina Cole, T. J. Gonyea, Joe VanValkenberg, Kathy & Bob Clonan, Bob Thayer, Peg & Doug Masters, Audrey Crafts, Vonnie Kinney, Paul Rubyor, Jean VanValkenberg, MaryAnn Rubyor, Virginia Milton, Bess Folsom, Penny & Tom Smedley, Jim Kameron, Richard Risley, Mike Ross and Dave Winslow, Diane & Tony Ponzio, Joan Robinson, Bob & Sally Garrison, Steve Gauthier, and Joanne Strike .
Special thanks to Marion & Joe Romano and the Rudolph's for the extra food, Barb Thibado for the gorgeous cake, the Knotty Pine for preparing & delivering dinner, Jim Cole for helping set up, all who brought trucks to deliver and hang baskets throughout the region, and the Town of Webb for the use of the stake rack truck and the recreation center.

Finally, thanks to all the sponsors who purchased the flowers and to the dedicated volunteer waterers who join town employees in keeping them beautiful throughout the summer. Help is still needed in Old Forge, Thendara and Eagle Bay. Call the office at 369-3353 if you have time to donate to this earlymorning effort.

In Memoriam

It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of our colleague, Christine Snide. Christine was Supervisor of Long Lake and served on the CAP-21 Board in ex-officio capacity. She lost her battle with cancer on Thursday, June 26. She will be missed not only by friends and family, but by all she touched in her town and in the Adirondack Park.

Two years ago, members of the CAP-21 Board attended a Community Exchange Day in North Creek, NY north of Indian Lake. Over the last 10 years, this community has pulled together to maximize the benefits of its waterfront, scenic railroad, shopping district and ski slope. North Creek also boasts a 5 diamond hotel and most recently a 2.8 million dollar community performance center which was donated to the town.
On Thursday, July 10, members of the North Creek CORE Committee will tell their story of success and renaissance. This session will be held at the Park
Avenue Building in Old Forge at 7PM. Coffee and pre-registration begins at 6:30. Please pre-register by calling 369-3353 or by e-mail at cap21@capital.net.

Comprehensive Master Planning Updates—Webb

To support completion and implementation of comprehensive master planning in the region, CAP-21 will publish updates on progress made in the towns of Forestport, Inlet and Webb. In this issue, we highlight the Town of Webb.

Progress includes areas of: Personal Water Craft-The town continues a partnership with the Fulton Chain of Lakes Association (FCLA) and their public awareness campaign of regulations on behalf of the TOW. Handbook/Employee training-contracted out with AMTEK, a professional municipal employee policy-writing company. The first Webb employee handbook is within 40 or 60 days of implementation pending review by town employee
unions. High speed Internet-continuing to monitor the progress of ADELPHIA Cable and their promise to bring fiber optic lines to the town of Webb. Environmental issues- encouraged the further study of Eurasian milfoil by the Fulton Chain and the 7th and 8th Lake Associations. Further, FCLA has created a committee drawing from all of the local lake associations to begin a long-term study and awareness plan. Heather Stafford agreed to chair this beneficial and important task. Economic Development-supported the CAA/AEDC regional economic development office in the amount of $2,500.00 and further supported funding for same from Herkimer County in the amount of $10,000.00. North Street Plan- created a working and financial partnership with the Town of Webb Schools to fund a redevelopment plan for the current space at North Street Park. The preliminary plan has been drawn. Due to the frequent use of the Park, selection of a season to do the work without greatly interfering with sports or commercial activity is difficult. Nature conservancy land swap-engaged in numerous discussions regarding a possible land swap in an effort to protect the north and middle branches of the Moose River. Conversations continue. Uniform Snowmobile directional signs-appointed a committee to research and create a plan to implement this MP recommendation. Expect initial action and improvements this winter. Parking –Retained CAA EDO and CAP-21 to complete a grant to fund acquisition of easements and property improvements for off-street parking. Grant awards due this fall. Timber inventory-Phase one has been completed on 50% of the Town’s 7,500 acres. Phase two has been initiated which will not only estimate timber value but will complete a comprehensive management plan. Emergency Services- Started the conversations to explore a unified plan with the Town of Webb fire commissioners to address ways to strengthen fire and ambulance services.
~ Richard Risley

Changes have occurred to the original Thendara, Old Forge, Big Moose, Inlet and Eagle Bay (TOBIE) Pedestrian Bikepath. The route of the path along Park Ave. will hopefully run behind the Maple Ridge Chalet, up behind the school parking lot and behind the Lakeside Terrace, pending the receipt of a right of way from HUD, the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The Old Forge lakefront plan now provides a 6' paved area from the South Shore Road corner to the beach house for bikers and skaters only. The walkers will be led from the South Shore Road down to a paved covered boardwalk. This new walkers area will be finished with the same style of paving stones recently added to the waterfront. The walking path will go on the right side of the tennis courts, through the fence and into and out of the beach before the beach house. The current intention is to add the beach bathhouse to include a pavilion on one side and a large two-sided handicap accessible bathroom on the other side.
Another exciting change is the sidewalk and path on the left side of North Street past the Mobile Home park. This new planned path will keep the children and adults off of the roadway up to the Pavilion parking lot.
Engineering has been completed costing approximately $99,000 of the $684,000 original project funding. This amount has been invoiced and reimbursed back to the town via DOT, the Department of Transportation. We fully expect some of the path to be on the ground and useable during the 2003 building season.
~Richard Risley

CAP-21 has received an anonymous grant to fund a student intern position for the Summer 2003. This nine week, part-time position creates a paid position for a Town of Webb student interested in detailed office work. This year’s intern is Ms. Katie Kelly of Old Forge. Ms. Kelly will be assisting staff in mailings and indexing of office files. Our deepest thanks to our thoughtful donor for making this internship possible.

Lake Associations’ Roundtable

In February, surveys were sent to all lake associations in the area to identify top issues of concern. Based on response, CAP-21 plans to host a Lake Association Roundtable to assist groups in identifying ways to work regionally toward common goals. To accommodate seasonal residents, this session will be scheduled in August. Initial areas of concern include invasive plants, water levels, water quality, shoreline development and public access. Associations who have yet to receive a survey are asked to contact the office at 369-3353 or by e-mail at cap21@capital.net.
~ Diane Ponzio

CAP-21 Secures grant from Niagara Mohawk/National Grid for Hamlet Study in the Town of Webb

CAP-21 is pleased to announce that a $5,000 grant was received from Niagara Mohawk/National Grid for the Town of Webb to begin a “Hamlet Study” in the heart of downtown Old Forge. This project, to be administered by CAP-21, will look for ways to enhance optimal usage of the study area including strategies to fill empty storefronts, sustaining existing businesses, beautification and green space ideas and infrastructure analysis. An additional challenge grant for this study has also been received from Sarah and Linda Cohen. Efforts are underway to augment the Niagara Mohawk and Cohens’ grants with additional money from public and private investors.
The process will begin this summer with a meeting of land and property owners within the pre-described study area. Various public officials will also be invited to attend. The project will serve as a model in regional hamlet revitalization in business districts adjacent to waterfronts throughout the region..
~Lucy Popkess

Help Wanted…..Everywhere!

Have you ever wanted to shop or dine only to find a store closed? Waited too long for a meal while watching frantic staff try to keep up with business?
The Help Wanted sections are full. In every hamlet in our region businesses are short-staffed. Gone are the days of small cabins and inexpensive summer housing for a young, seasonal workforce. As the economy wobbles, more and more Americans aged 65 and older have returned to work for spending money, health and activity and to regain a bit of the camaraderie many enjoyed during their working years. Since 1980, due to longer life and worries about lasting savings, older Americans working or looking for work has increased 50% to 4.5 million. Recent publications note the percentage actually in the labor force rose steadily since 1990 reaching 13.2% in March 2002.
As local efforts continue to address affordable housing needs in the region, young retirees may be the answer to the workforce crunch in the Central Adirondacks. So, if you own or manage a business or have retired to the Adirondacks, consider becoming a part of this national trend.

2003 Vision Fair with Congressman Boehlert

On Thursday, April 24, Webb hosted Congressman Sherwood Boehlert for a celebration of Earth Day 2003. After a series of tours and meetings, CAP-21 hosted Vision Fair 2003 in the TOW School Gymnasium, a time to highlight a variety of programs and initiatives in the area. Displays included the TOW Historic Association including Bald Mt. Tower and Hemmer Cottage Preservation Efforts, Old Forge Library Expansion, Arts Center Expansion, McCauley Mountain Recreation Center vision, the Adirondack Park Agency, Cornell University Adirondack Fishery Research Program, the Central Adirondack Association (CAA), the Adirondack Ecological Center, CAA Economic Development, Niagara Mohawk/National Grid, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and the West Central Adirondack Development Association (WARDA).
One unexpected outcome of the Vision Fair was the attendance of a sizable number of high school students. Athletes returning from after-school sports stopped to see what was going on and were particularly interested in the spread of food. In the spirit of “feed them and they will come,” we welcomed them to the food AFTER they went through the Vision Fair! How wonderful to see the amount of time these students spent viewing the displays and talking with the exhibitors. Though their original curiosity was food-motivated, these students expressed interest in learning about the wide range of activities and services available in the community. They seemed genuinely surprised at all this area has to offer. Perhaps the Vision Fair has planted a seed which will lead to future participation by these students.
~ Mary Jane Lasher

Volunteers and Donations

Volunteers have made CAP-21 what it is today.
In addition to board, committee and special projects such as the Flower Baskets, many hands support CAP-21 operations.
Thanks to: Phil Petty, Bruce Condie and Frank Rudolph for the professional computer assistance and guidance; Bob McAleese and Tony Ponzio for the future moving and telephone rewiring; Bess Folsom and Audrey Crafts, our mass mailing assistants;
Niagara Mohawk for the 2 computers and printers; Bill Ransom and Greg Cato for the 3rd computer donation; Marie Adams and Patty Harwood for internship support; and Joyce Turner for proof-reading support.
If you have time and interest, give us a call for more details.

CAP-21 Newsletter, August 2002

Hanging Flower Baskets Celebrate 5th Year!

In Memoriam

North Creek Renaissance Spotlighted

Comprehensive Master Planning Updates—Webb

TOBIE Pedestrian Bikepath Update

Grant Brings Office Support

Lake Associations’ Roundtable

CAP-21 Secures grant from Niagara Mohawk/National Grid for Hamlet Study in the Town of Webb

Help Wanted…..Everywhere!

2003 Vision Fair with Congressman Boehlert

Volunteers and Donations

Planning for the future...while preserving and protecting the beauty and benefits of our heritage and our natural resources.