Poem written in celebration of Wilmington’s Bicentennial

Shared at Time Capsule Commemoration, Saturday, September 17

Carrie Ann Conrad wrote the poem below, on what it means to be a part of the Wilmington community. She shared it at the commemoration of Wilmington’s Time Capsule, which will be opened 50 years from now.

You can read more about the Wilmington Time Capsule in the Lake Placid News article by Andy Flynn HERE.

A POEM FOR WILMINGTON’S BICENTENNIAL

August 16th, 2022

Standing on the front deck of the house purchased in 1999
I listen to crickets as the sky darkens.
This is contentment, watching the few Goldfinches light upon the feeders.
Soon, leaves will begin to flame and my thoughts turn to greedy
Black bears. Will we have a visitor this fall?
Last year I woke to see a brute feasting on black sunflower seeds.

We have deer who prefer our Hostas, groundhogs who prefer any
Tender new vegetable, foxes who seem to love our peaches,
And many creatures devour our fallen apples. I load the drops
In my packbasket to bring deeper into the woods. The sweet rot
Smell and buzzing bees make me smile.

We make peace with the fact that we share our harvest with wildlife.

There’s a log pile waiting to be cut and split, then stacked (my favorite chore).
Our woodstove will comfort us come winter. My black Lab soaks in its warmth,
Like an Andrew Wyeth painting. This too is a season of contentment.
And when the diamond-like glittering snow blankets us, stinging my eyes,
My heart soars, breathing in the crisp air. Time to strap on the snowshoes,
Ready my cross-country skis.

The many seasons in my small hometown are exceedingly perfect.

I have lived in Wilmington longer than any other place. Born in Essex County,
Returning feels like destiny. The connections I’ve made fill my soul.
Friends for life, more precious as the years pass.
This is home.

Carrie Ann Conrad

*Written expressly for Wilmington’s Bicentennial, the year 2022. At age 63 I do not expect to witness the opening of the time capsule, however I will be there in spirit.

It’s Banned Books Week!

A national, annual event celebrating the freedom to read, September 18 thru 24, 2022.

How can a book be banned? Schools, school districts, libraries, bookstores, etc. can prohibit people from having access to books and information.

Here’s a few examples of commonly banned books. Heard of any of these titles?

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I Am Jazz by Jazz Jennings and Jessica Herthel
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
The Bible

Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas.

Our store front window is highlighting banned books and I’ll bet that you recognize some of these titles. We hope you’ll join us in reading banned books this week – and always!

The Bookstore Plus, 2491 Main St, Lake Placid

You can read more about Banned Books Week HERE.

Artists interested in participating may drop off up to 3 pieces of work between Thursday September 22nd – Saturday September 24th.

The Opening Reception will take place on Friday, September 31st from 5 pm to 7 pm. All pieces will be priced $99.

Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council, 7 Lapham Place, Located on Glens Falls City Park, Glens Falls

“RECIPROCITY” CONVERSATION

The public is invited to the third in a series of Conversations at Lake Flower
Landing, 7 pm, Wednesday, September 21, 421 Lake Flower Ave.

These gatherings are free!
Space is limited. To RSVP, please email Ren Davidson Seward at lakeflowerlanding@gmail.com.

We live in a multicultural community. These four people are sharing their cultural knowledge and finding new business models in uncertain times. Professionals who represent museums, institutions of higher learning, and public and private sector land trusts, each is an active student of cultural competency. They are taking small steps to further relationships and having effective impacts on the world we live in through observation, patience and honed listening skills. They are highlighting the fact that there are enterprising, entrepreneurial, cultural and traditional ways we can work together to heal our world.

Please join the conversation. Come face-to-face with four local changemakers who are an example of the power of sitting at the table to create mutually beneficial outcomes that resonate in our lives as neighbors and friends.

September 24-25 – ArtMarket & Studio Tours!

On September 24-25, Saranac Lake ArtWorks will host an outdoor ArtMarket in Riverfront Park! Downtown galleries, studios, and other arts organizations will be open and welcoming visitors. Individual artists will take part in an outdoor ArtMarket in Riverfront Park. Demonstrations, special exhibits, guest artists and other events will be planned.

You are invited to stop in at any arts venue and pick up information about where to go and who is participating. Additional artists located beyond the downtown area are opening their studios to visitors – a unique experience to see the variety of art that is created!

Fall Tent Sale at Abstract Adirondack Gallery

September 24&25, October 1&2, October 8&9, 10 am – 5 pm

A gallery showcasing established and emerging artists in the North Country.

More information HERE.

Abstract Adirondack Gallery, 391 Park Ave, Saranac Lake

20th Anniversary Silent Auction

All items have all been donated by area artists for a Silent Auction to benefit BluSeed Studios. The price listed is the minimum bid. See the full offerings HERE.

Click on “CONTACT THE ARTIST,” call (518-891-3799) or email (admin@bluseedstudios.org) to place a bid and check on what the current bid is. Come down to BluSeed in person to see the actual items.

The auction will run all month long and close at the “Closing Ceremony” of the 20th Anniversary Show, 6 pm, Sept 30.

BID HIGH & BID NOW!

BluSeed Studios, 24 Cedar Street, Saranac Lake