For additional information, call the CAP-21 office at 369-3353.

Northern Forest a special place, museum creator says
By Carol Hansen
The Weekly Adirondack
May 31, 2007 vol. 3 no. 2

    Mike Wilson, Senior Program Director and creator of the Northern Forest Center’s Ways of the Woods Museum parked in Maloy’s parking lot the weekend of May 18 through 20. He came up with the idea for the mobile museum a decade ago.
     “There has been a lot of attention to the Northern Forest Region since the 1980’s, “ he said, “and much of it was driven by big changes in land-ownership patterns, the economy and conservation initiatives,” he said.
     Because of the debate about policy issues and the future of the forest region, he said it was important to recognize that people in the rural areas of Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and New York have similar concerns, and the concept for the mobile museum became a reality.
     “In 2002 we received the third in a series of grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and that’s really what allowed us to build this museum,” he said, “and we were only able to get that grant because we were working closely with the Adirondack Museum and Adirondack Architectural Heritage, and others across the region, “he said.
     “We have lots of challenges but it’s worth recognizing that the Northern Forest Region is a special place and it’s worth taking a moment to celebrate it and celebrate its culture over the years.” That’s what the mobile museum is all about. And as people climb aboard the big tractor trailer to view the kiosks and listen to recorded history, including historic photos and narrations about Old Forge and its surrounding communities, Wilson said that the response has been great. “People feel we’ve captured the stories of the region in an honest way and it really helps them to feel good about the place where they live.”
     On Tuesday, May 22, the mobile museum pulled out of Old Forge and headed for their next stop at Sacketts Harbor near Watertown., followed by a stop in Lowville. They plan to return to another area in the Adirondacks.

Out of the Woods
Housing, jobs are among local resident's concerns
By M. LISA MONROE
Express News Staff

Click for the May 29, 2007 Adirondack Express Article

CAP-21 Award Committee received the Community Impact Award on May 5, 2006

Robert Moore welcomes the Sustainable Economy Initiative Seminar particpants on May 18, 2007.

The Adirondack Storyteller at the opening reception for Ways of the Woods.

Highlights of CAP-21 Events and Programs - October 1, 2006 - September 20, 2007

CAP-21 to host Housing Seminar September 18-19, 2007

The Central Adirondack Partnership for the 21st Century (CAP-21) convened a 2-day session which focused on Affordable Housing in conjunction with the Northern Forest Center. Community Bank NA, Adirondack Bank and the Central Adirondack Association (CAA) who sposored the event, held Tuesday evening Sept. 18, and Wednesday Sept. 19 at the Woods Inn in Inlet.

Steve Blackmer and Joe Short of the Northern Forest Center, who were presenters at the Sustainable Economy Initiative held at the Northern Forest Days in Old Forge last May, were facilitators. Among the featured speakers wereTom Both, former Town Supervisor of Town of Keene, and Northern Forest Center Board member; Bill Osborne, Hamilton County, Director of Tourism and Economic Development; and Alan Hipps, Executive Director of the Housing Program of Essex County.

New Executive Director Appointed
CAP-21 Board of Directors hosted an open house on August 26, 2007 to Meet & Greet Deborah Carhart, the new Exectutive Director.

Highlights of CAP-21 Events and Programs - October 1, 2005 – September 30, 2006

Annual Meeting and Tip-of-the-CAP awards
On October 17, 2005 32 awards were given to individuals and businesses, thanking them for making a positive difference in our communities.

Programs on Community Housing
In December Brian Mann, North Country Public Radio reporter, presented points from his article “Priced out of Paradise” which covered events since 2001 which have contributed to the current housing crunch. Lively discussion followed as to what we want our communities to become. Do we want to be a thriving, year-round economy or do we want to become resort towns?

In January Bill Osborne, Director of Tourism and Economic Development for Hamilton County shared statistics on the changing demographics in Hamilton County which are reflected throughout the region. Colin Clark, Guidance Counselor, Town of Webb School, discussed the continuing decline in student enrollment as well as the difficulty new teachers and administrators have in finding affordable housing.

Community Exchange
On March 15th community members traveled to Cooperstown to meet with Mayor Waller and other community leaders. We discussed the relationship between year-round and seasonal residents, the need for non-weather dependent opportunities for tourists which would also contribute employment opportunities for year-round residents, and services for our aging population. A tour was conducted of the Clark Sports Center and the Clara Welch Thanksgiving Home Assisted Living Facility.

Legislative Luncheon
On April 27th legislative leaders were invited to share with the public their views on the issues and possible solutions within the region. Senator James L Seward, Assemblywoman Teresa R Sayward, and Assemblyman David R Townsend were able to attend. Questions and Answers followed. The four town supervisors were also in attendance: Joan Ingersoll, Forestport; Robert Moore, Webb; JR Risley, Inlet and Greg Wallace, Long Lake.

“Visioning” for the Future
As part of the LWRP (Local Waterfront Revitalization Program) two “visioning” sessions were held. The first, held on May 15th was led by Margaret Irwin of River Street Planning and Development, and Andy Labruzzo, NY State, Department of State. The second, held on August 24th was facilitated by Lani Ulrich, Executive Director of CAP-21.
Topics covered: Is this the future you imagined? What do you love about the corridor and the waterfront? What would you like to change? What are the untapped opportunities you’d like to see utilized? What are the next steps?

Sharing the Park with Nature’s Animals
In June, CAP-21 introduced the use of Animal Resistant Garbage and Storage Cans which are on sale at the Hemmer Cottage.

On July 24th Zoe Smith of the Wildlife Conservation Society and Steven Heekens of the NYS DEC region 6 office gave a seminar on “Living with Black Bears in the Adirondacks” followed by questions and answers.

The Adirondack Park Agency
On August 17th Sarah Reynolds, APA Representative conducted a seminar, “APA 101”
covering the building and permitting processes which fall under the APA’s jurisdiction.
Questions and answers followed.

Hanging Flower Baskets
Visually unifying the region 384 flower baskets were planted and hung by nearly 60 volunteers. During the summer close to 50 volunteers known as “Wand People” faithfully watered these baskets.

WARDA, (the West-Central Adirondack Recreational Development Association)
WARDA has created a brochure outlining the conceptual plans for the operation and enhancement of the McCauley Ski and Recreation Park. A trail, connecting Old Forge and McCauley Mountain is nearing completion, a tour of which was conducted on August 11th. Funding sources for implementing WARDA’s plans are being pursued.

Partnerships
CAP-21 continues to work in partnership with a diverse group of agencies and organizations. Though partnerships more can be accomplished for the betterment of our communities. Some of these are: CAA, CAA Economic Development Committee and the Housing Committee, ANCA, AEDC, TOW Historical Association, RCIL, CASSAC,

Ongoing Projects
CAP-21 is continuing work on the LWRP project with the towns of Forestport and Webb. A partnership has been developed with Colgate University. Students, as part of their curriculum, are working on the Inventory and Analysis section under the supervision of their professors, our consultant, River Street Planning and Development and CAP-21 staff. The Steering Committee will then work on the plan which should be completed by March 31, 2007.

Cap-21 is working on a community grant writer proposal.

On June 6th the CAP-21 board and advisors attended a 4 hour seminar to establish and prioritize next steps in the growth and development of CAP-21. The board defined and prioritized seven steps.