North Creek Depot Museum presents

90th Anniversary of the First Rope Tow in New York State

Saturday, December 20, 3 pm

Please join us as we celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the First Rope Tow in New York State. On this date in 1935, Carl Schaefer first operated his rope tow—powered by a 1929 Buick. With help from Alexander’s Garage and a friend from Bakers Mills, the tow was ready for the 1935–36 ski season. It was the first rope tow in New York State and the second in the Northeast, marking a major milestone in the history of winter sports.

The celebration will include light refreshments and brief remarks from Gore Mountain staff and Depot Museum President Tony Cucchiara. Vice President Greg Schaefer will share additional history about the rope tow and how it came to be at the North Creek Ski Bowl.

Following the remarks, anyone with a Gore Mountain ski pass is invited to participate in a ceremonial ski run down the Village Slopes to commemorate the occasion.

For updates, please visit HERE.

Image:  Carl Schaefer’s Rope Tow, 1936

Minder Lodge, Historic North Creek Ski Bowl, Ski Bowl Road, North Creek

The Mill presents 

Taylor Haskins in SOLO Solstice

Saturday, December 20, 7 pm

Join Taylor Haskins for his 7th annual solstice concert. A meditative evening of solo improvisations to mark the eve of the winter solstice and welcome the return of the Sun. 

Special guest : Felix Haskins, cello

More info and tickets HERE

The Mill, 6679 Main Street, Westport

The Depot Theatre Academy and the Grange present

A Christmas Carol Radio Play

Sunday, December 21, 2025, 2 pm Refreshments, 3 pm Performance

The Depot Theatre Academy and Whallonsburg Grange Hall invite audiences to gather for a heart-warming Adirondack holiday tradition—the 4th Annual presentation of A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play by Philip Grecian, based on the timeless novel by Charles Dickens.

Directed by Ginene Mason and Amy Fitts, this beloved adaptation captures all the spirit, humor, and redemption of Dickens’s classic tale. The performance blends live radio-style storytelling, Foley sound effects, and a talented cast of Academy alumni and local artists to conjure the world of Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.

Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted to benefit area food pantries.

Additional info HERE.

Whallonsburg Grange Hall,1610 NYS Route 22, Whallonsburg

Celebrate the season with a cherished Chapman Museum tradition!

Join us for a cozy screening of the holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life, complete with popcorn and cocoa.

This timeless film tells the story of an angel sent from Heaven to help a frustrated businessman by revealing what the world would have been like without him.

This program is free but requires registration.

Space is limited. To register, please call (518)793-2826.

Chapman Museum, 348 Glen Street, Glens Falls

Adirondack Community Foundation announces

Generous Acts grant applications now being accepted

Grants—fueled by local donors—will support basic needs, educational pathways, and economic vitality 

Community organizations are encouraged to submit grant applications to Adirondack Community Foundation’s Generous Acts program, which will distribute close to $1 million in 2026 to address basic needs, educational and career pathways, and economic vitality in the Adirondack region.

“The Generous Acts program was established as a perpetual yet flexible resource to drive positive and enduring change in the Adirondack region,” said President and CEO Cali Brooks. “We aim to provide grants to address current and future needs in our communities. Whatever challenges or opportunities our communities will be facing, Generous Acts grants will be there to make a difference.”

Nonprofits, schools and municipalities can submit applications starting Wednesday, Dec. 10; the deadline to apply is Feb. 4, 2026.

Generous Acts grantmaking is funded by the generosity of hundreds of donors from across the Adirondack region and allows the community foundation to respond to pressing needs and emerging opportunities.

“We know this is a challenging time for many organizations, so we will be giving special consideration for grants to support collaborations that help them adapt to the evolving environment and remain resilient and responsive to community needs,” Brooks said.

Adirondack Community Foundation shares Generous Acts applications with other funders to bring attention to important causes and garner additional grant dollars. Since its inception, Generous Acts has awarded close to $5 million in grants to organizations across the Adirondack region.

To ensure the community foundation can meet rising demands, community members are also invited to contribute to the fund. As federal funding landscapes shift, local philanthropy serves as a critical stabilizer for the region. Gifts of any size can be made HERE.
 

For more information on how to apply, as well as application details and FAQs about eligibility and criteria, visit HERE. Applicants can also contact Adirondack Community Foundation staff by calling (518) 523-9904 or emailing info@adkcommunityfoundation.org.

In Case You Missed It

“Improv, irony and accents

Pendragon’s take on ‘The Gift of the Magi’ 

to roam Saranac Lake, Lake Placid”

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise’s Aaron Marbone penned this profile of Pendragon Theatre’s preparations for the upcoming “Moveable Feast” series performance of The Gift of the Magi.

You can read the full article HERE.

Editors’ Note: More details on the performance includes dates and times are in Friday’s ADK A&E e-News #629, available HERE. 

Image: Isaac Evans, Lenora Shoemaker, Ada Popp, Ruby Williams, Evelyn Zander, Ellie Henderson and Taika Mzese rehearse The Gift of the Magi on Wednesday.  (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)