• CAP-21 Grand Opening Draws Displays and Crowd
  Over 20 exhibitors and 100 individuals attended the Grand Opening for CAP-21... (more)

• Community Foundation Celebrates 50 Years!
  The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, major sponser of... (more)

• Hemmer Cottage Moved to New Home!
  On June 1, 2001, the Hemmer Cottage Preservation Team successfully purchased... (more)

• CAA Economic Development Office Opens at CAP-21 Center
  Recently CAA announced the formation of an office for regional economic development... (more)

• Forestport Brainstorming Identifies Varied Concerns
  On Thursday, March 26th, CAP-21 and the Town of Forestport hosted a community visioning... (more)

Over 20 exhibitors and 100 individuals attended the Grand Opening for CAP-21 held on Thursday, April 25th at the TOW School. Guest speaker, Margo Fenn, Director of the Cape Cod Commission, presented a program on issues and solutions facing Cape Cod. Ms Fenn’s presentation so inspired the audience that the question and answer period which followed could have lasted all evening. Emphasis was given to the need to build relationships amongst groups in small towns and regions. She related a multi-year struggle on the Cape before planners and the business community began to dialogue and work together.

During her afternoon workshops, she complimented our regional efforts to constantly expand the dialogue of planning.

The welcome for the evening was offered by Robert Moore, Webb Supervisor, Don Kelly, CAP-21 President and Dave Etsen, CAA President. Their words were followed by an announcement by Webb Historian Peg Masters that land for Hemmer Cottage had been donated by Sarah and Linda Cohen. The standing ovation which followed set the tone for the remainder of the evening.

Community Foundation Celebrates 50 Years!

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, major sponsor of C-2000 and CAP-21 efforts, celebrates its 50th birthday this summer. Summer events here in the Central Adirondacks are currently in the planning stages.

Don Kelly put it best when he stated that the Community Foundation is everywhere in the Central Adirondacks! Congratulations and many thanks!

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On June 1, 2001, the Hemmer Cottage Preservation Team successfully purchased the Hemmer Cottage, thus saving it from imminent destruction. The team worked to identify future use, raise funds, and locate a permanent home for this irreplaceable piece of local history. Senator Meier stepped forward with a member initiative grant of $25,000 to cover actual moving costs. Local sponsors made donations and pledged in-kind support. In April, Sarah and Linda Cohen donated the lot on the corner of Park Avenue and South Shore Road as a permanent site. Contractors, utilities, the TOW School and local officials were then contacted. All agreed that the move should be completed before the busy summer season. Therefore, on Friday, May 31st, the last Hemmer Cottage on the original site of the Hemmer Cottage Colony left its home by the Town of Webb School and was escorted down Park Avenue to its new home overlooking Old Forge Pond!

The cottage received an appropriate send off from the Town of Webb School Chorus, opening a short ceremony with "God Bless America" and ending it with the TOW School Alma Mater, written by Mary Hemmer while she resided in the cottage. The move estimated to take 1-2 hours, was completed in 30 minutes. After an extended early lunch due to a severe rain delay, the cottage was lowered into the site of its future foundation. Additional work to secure and landscape the site will be completed over the summer. The cottage will not be open to the public until Summer 2003 at the earliest. Volunteers who wish to assist in anyway are invited to attend Team meetings at 4pm on Thursdays in the CAP-21 office. Contact Peg Masters or Bill Ransom for further information.

Thank you again for your support and understanding as we save and preserve one more piece of Central Adirondack cultural heritage. The Hemmer Cottage Preservation Team would like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the chicken barbecue fundraiser at the Town of Webb Lakefront on Sunday, May 26th. Thanks to all who then attended the move and gave support, pledges and purchased Hemmer collectibles. Thanks to all neighbors and residents for your patience and understanding during this extraordinary time. Special thanks to all the businesses, organizations and the countless volunteers who helped to make the move of the Hemmer Cottage a reality! The successful move of the Hemmer Cottage May 31st, 2002 could not have been possible without the help of the following:

Possible uses include a history of transportation museum, an Adirondack Guide Hall of Fame, a TOBIE pedestrian/bike path rest-stop, a Hemmer Folk Art museum, interpretive center, as well as office space and meeting space with additional public restrooms.

Hemmer Cottage collectibles with all proceeds supporting the Hemmer Cottage Fund are available at the CAP-21 Office and at Twin Oaks on Main Street, Old Forge. Donations to the Hemmer Cottage Preservation Fund may be sent to:

The Hemmer Preservation Fund
P.O. Box 642, Old Forge, NY 13420.

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Recently CAA announced the formation of an office for regional economic development. Work will include assistance and support to existing businesses while progressing on specific projects. AEDC has offered additional start-up funding and has assisted in initial staffing of this office through the designation of Wayne Glass as director.

Wayne will spend four days per month in the Old Forge office. Workshops offerings are scheduled throughout the month. CAP-21 and CAA have extended their partnership by through a sharing of office space in the CAP-21 center. Wayne may be reached through a local number at 369-3128.

CAP-21 congratulates CAA on this exciting next step in economic development.

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On Thursday, March 26th, CAP-21 and the Town of Forestport hosted a community visioning / brainstorming event at the Woodgate Firehall. CAP-21 facilitated as 20 community members shared ideas and visions for the future in Forestport. Call the CAP-21 office to find out how you can participate in the future of our regional communities. At the end of the evening, 51 ideas, dreams and concerns had been identified. A short prioritizing exercise followed. The following items were included in the "top 10":

• Educate the general public about the benefits of zoning and put it in place.
• Develop and adopt a land use management plan.
• Put a "hold" on all development until a comprehensive land use management plan is in place.
• Pursue more research on the quarry proposal concerning the following: traffic control, environmental impact, noise and dust pollution, potential decrease in property values
• Preserve the natural beauty and resources of the area.
• Promote the use of non-motorized crafts and activities. Need rental availability of canoes, kayaks, cross country skis, etc.
• Ensure clean & well-maintained waterways and roadways.
• Develop a nice town park - with playground, basketball court, lighted walkway, par course.
• Build a new town hall including a senior citizens center/room and large meeting room.
• Develop municipal water and sewer districts.

Other comments encouraged development of a Rt. 28 corridor management plan for entrance and exit to the many hamlets and ever-increasing dialogue amongst year-round and seasonal residents. Copies of the complete list are available at the CAP-21 office or by email.

A follow-up session this summer will offer a potluck while viewing the Ed McMahon tape, "Balancing Nature and Commerce".

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