Around & About Lake George: Friday, July 8, 2011
Lake George in the summer is bound to keep everyone busy…and sunburned. But if you don’t mind being lobster red, or come prepared with SPF 1 million, the water is the place to be. Stand up paddling seems to be getting quite popular in the area – I’ve seen a lot of it this summer, personally. If you aren’t afraid of losing your balance and tipping into the water – unlike me, as I have little poise – why not try stand up paddling this weekend?
As per usual for the area during the summer, there is quite a bit to do. The free concert in Shepard Park tonight is the Garcia Project. If you prefer a soundtrack to live music, there’s also a movie – “Gigi” – playing at 8PM (outside) down in Glens Falls at the Shirt Factory as a part of Art in the Public Eye. The Lake George Forum will also be busy this weekend – “The Servant of Two Masters” is on again. But if you eschew music, movies and theater for dance, the New York City Ballet is at SPAC in Saratoga for the next, oh, ten days or so.
If that isn’t enough for you, the weekend is pretty much packed with things to be done. Pick up some knick-knacks and much on Grandma’s best cookies; there’s a yard and bake sale going on pretty much all day Saturday at the Lake George Senior Center at 75 Schuyler.
A family-friendly game of mini-golf can mean a lot more – the annual benefit to support the Lake George Land Conservancy is Saturday. Mini-golf followed by some giggles on the Minnie Ha-Ha; take your morning to support a very worthy cause. Registration is required, though, so if you’re interested, decide fast!
If you’d rather be paddling than supporting the land you’re paddling around, there is also going to be a paddle tour of the ecology on the Hudson down in Moreau with State Park naturalist guides. Bring a life jacket, food and a kayak or canoe – or you can rent a kayak if you get there soon enough. Reservations are required, and it’s $3 a person ($18 if you manage to rent a kayak).
And if even that isn’t enough for you the 4th annual Runabout Rendezvous is Saturday from 10 to 3 at Lake Flower in Saranac Lake – admission is free, but if you want to enter the competition it’s $25. You’re sure to get your fill of fun on the water this weekend, whatever you choose to do.
Sunday would be a great recovery day from all that busy on Friday and Saturday. But if you don’t feel like being a bum on your couch (like I definitely would) why not stroll around the gardens in Ticonderoga? It’s sure to be a beautiful sight.
As for next week, it’s perhaps not quite as busy as the weekend, but there is still a great deal to keep everyone well entertained. “Mao’s Last Dancer” is playing at the Sembrich Museum on Monday.
Tuesday brings some spice with the premiere of Second Act Cabaret as a part of the Adirondack Theater Festival. If you feel like a different kind of exploration the LGA is offering to teach people how to identify various aquatic plant species at a paddle from Dunham’s Bay, or for the landlubbers, the LGLC is guiding a hike through Berry Pond Preserve Tuesday through mid-afternoon.
Shooting Star – a touching romantic comedy – runs Wednesday through Saturday as a part of the ATF in Glens Falls. Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers, presented by Lake George Arts will be playing at 7:30 in Shepard Park on Wednesday as well. Too bad you won’t be able to see both – unless you can catch the Wednesday matinee of Shooting Star…
If you want more bang for your buck than a romantic comedy (typically) offers, just wait until Thursday. The Lake George Community Band is playing in Shepard Park at 8 with fireworks afterwards.
End a wonderfully relaxing summer week gazing at the fireworks with all those that you care about – the best way to do anything, don’t you think?