Hamilton County Express

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Don Williams brings the Wells Outlier to life at the Wells Historical Museum —What exactly is the Wells Outlier, and why...
09/07/2026

Don Williams brings the Wells Outlier to life at the Wells Historical Museum —

What exactly is the Wells Outlier, and why is it found only in Wells? Those were among the questions explored Saturday afternoon when noted local author Don Williams (pictured) brought his knowledge and research to the Wells Historical Museum.

Approximately 50 people gathered at the museum at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 8, to hear Williams discuss the fascinating geographic anomaly known as the Wells Outlier. With examples on hand for visitors to examine, Williams offered a unique opportunity to see and better understand a feature that is part of Wells’ distinctive geological story.

Williams also shared some of the history behind his many books and his experiences as an Adirondack author and researcher. His presentation kept the audience engaged as he connected the Wells Outlier with the area’s broader history and natural heritage.

The afternoon also gave visitors an opportunity to see the many changes taking place inside the Wells Historical Museum. Guests explored the museum’s new fossil exhibit, along with several other new and updated displays.

Those improvements were made possible in part through a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) Decentralization Program, administered by the Blue Mountain Lake Center for the Arts. The grant provided funding to upgrade the museum’s lighting and display cases, allowing the museum to better showcase and preserve its collections.

The improvements are an important part of the museum’s continuing effort to make Wells’ history accessible and engaging for residents and visitors alike.

The Wells Historical Museum thanks Don Williams for sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with the community, as well as everyone who came out to attend the program. The museum also extends its appreciation to the Blue Mountain Lake Center for the Arts and the NYSCA Decentralization Program for their support.

With new exhibits, improved displays, and programs featuring local history and the people who have helped tell Wells’ story, the Wells Historical Museum continues to offer visitors a chance to discover something new about the community and the unique landscape that surrounds it. The museum will be open Thursdays and Sundays from 2-4 p.m. for visitors.
— Photo courtesy of Wells Historical Museum

— By Pam Broiles, For the Express

We are pleased to hold an Ecumenical Service at St. William’s on Long Point (pictured), Saturday, September 12 at 2 p.m....
09/06/2026

We are pleased to hold an Ecumenical Service at St. William’s on Long Point (pictured), Saturday, September 12 at 2 p.m. Boat transportation from Raquette Lake Village will start at 1:30 p.m. Our chairperson is Jean Bird, and we’ll welcome clergy from Raquette Lake, Inlet, and Old Forge.

An ecumenical Christian worship service includes Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, and Community Churches, all gathering to pray, worship, and reflect together. The term comes from the Greek word oikoumene, meaning “the whole inhabited world,” reflecting a spirit of unity across diverse church traditions. We can’t think of a better place for spreading unity than St. William’s on Long Point.

Once again, we’ll have public transportation available from the town dock to St. William’s for this year’s service by 1:20 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. The boats will leave at about 1:30 p.m.

The historic 1890 St. William’s church building is open from Memorial Day to early September. Remember, we are a boat-access location only, and you can put in at the village dock, right between Raquette Lake Supply and the W.W. Durant. All are welcome to come in, look around, ring the bell, and take a moment to breathe in the peace and quiet. Join us for a late summer picnic, some potential early leaf peeping, or just some peace and solitude within the church walls.

Check out our website at https://www.stwilliamslongpoint.org/ or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/stwmlongpoint/. You can also call 315-354-4265 for more information about our concerts and events.

We’re already building our calendar for 2027!
— Photo submitted

— By KATE BAKER, For the Express

The Lake Pleasant Library hosted a wide variety of events and activities this summer including many programs for childre...
09/05/2026

The Lake Pleasant Library hosted a wide variety of events and activities this summer including many programs for children. Pictured are participants in the Summer Reading Program , and the Rubber Duck Decorating Contest.
— Photos courtesy of Lake Pleasant Library

The New York Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association will hold the annual 13th annual Lighting of the Fire Towers...
09/04/2026

The New York Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association will hold the annual 13th annual Lighting of the Fire Towers on Saturday, September 5 at 8:30 p.m.

Last year, more than 30 historic fire towers were lit up across New York State. The ‘Lighting of the Fire Tower” event is done to honor the men and women who worked in these historic towers; protecting homes, businesses, communities and surrounding forests.w

The plan is to place a light in fire towers around the state from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with an option for an illuminator to keep the tower lit until 9:30 p.m. if they choose. All illuminators will read aloud the names of those who served in the towers as they turn on the light.

Established in 2014, this statewide event is the brain child of Doug Hamilton of the Red Hill Fire Tower Committee, and is meant to showcase the history of fire towers around the state.

Speculator Mayor Jeannette A. Barrett said that the Makomis Fire Tower, located in the Village of Speculator, will participate in this event.

According to Laurie Rankin, director and president of the New York State Chapter of the Forest Fire Lookout Association, this is not a hiking event, but an opportunity to visit an area where you can see a fire tower light come on.

“Plan a small gathering, plan refreshments and enjoy! We invite people to go to locations around the community (listed on our website) where they can look up, see the light on the horizon and remember that there was a fire tower there watching over them,” said Rankin

A list of all participating fire towers and additional information can be found online at www.nysffla.org

In The Fall — September 2026 e-editionhttps://weeklyexpressnews.com/?p=19349𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨...
09/04/2026

In The Fall — September 2026 e-edition

https://weeklyexpressnews.com/?p=19349

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

ON THE COVER: Paddlers venture from all over the Northeast to explore the waterways in the Inlet area to enjoy spectacular fall views. — Photo courtesy of Town of Inlet Information Office

ALCA will host Seagle Festival’s “Life is Happiness: An Evening of Leonard Bernstein (pictured, left) on Sept. 3. Pianis...
09/03/2026

ALCA will host Seagle Festival’s “Life is Happiness: An Evening of Leonard Bernstein (pictured, left) on Sept. 3. Pianist Tony Siqi Yun (right) will perform on Sept. 5 and return as a guest speaker on Sunday, September 6.

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts (ALCA) will celebrate Labor Day weekend with three consecutive evenings of exceptional live performance, featuring the music of Leonard Bernstein, an acclaimed contemporary musical, and a concert by a worldclass pianist.

The Three-Day Celebration of Music begins Thursday, September 3, at 7:30 p.m. with the Seagle Festival’s “Life Is Happiness: An Evening of Leonard Bernstein.” Singers from the renowned Seagle Festival will honor one of America’s most beloved composers with an evening showcasing Bernstein’s wit, theatricality, and unforgettable music.

On Friday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m., the ADK Lakes Theatre Festival concludes its 2026 season with its final performance of Jason Robert Brown’s “The Last Five Years,” featuring actors Sam Balzac as Jamie and Hannah Eakin as Cathy. This intimate and emotionally powerful musical follows Jamie and Cathy’s five-year relationship from two different points in time: Jamie tells their story from beginning to end, while Cathy moves backward from its conclusion. The production is directed by ALCA Artistic Director Meg Trelease, with musical direction by Mark Schenfisch.

The three-night celebration culminates Saturday, September 5, at 7:30 p.m. with a solo concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Tony Siqi Yun. Celebrated for his artistry, technical brilliance, and deeply expressive performances, Yun brings ALCA audiences an extraordinary opportunity to experience one of today’s most exciting young classical musicians in the intimate setting of ALCA’s Main Hall.

The weekend continues Sunday, Sept. 6, at 7:30 p.m., when Yun returns to ALCA as a featured guest of the 730 Speaker Series. This free event offers audiences an opportunity to hear directly from Yun about his life, artistry, and experiences performing on stages around the world.

ALCA is committed to making outstanding live performance accessible to the community. Under 35 tickets are $15 for ALCA members and $20 for non-members. Full-time Adirondack Park residents may purchase $10 ADK Neighbor tickets at the door. Children age 12 and under attend free. Sunday’s 730 Speaker Series event is free and open to the public.

All four events will take place at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, located at 8897 State Route 30 in Blue Mountain Lake.

For tickets and additional information, visit www.adirondackarts.org.
— Photos courtesy of ALCA

— By Meg Trelease, For the Express

About the week of August 26, 1978...In Indian Lake:Chris Helmsworth (picturd), son of Mrs. Betty Helmsworth of Indian La...
08/31/2026

About the week of August 26, 1978...

In Indian Lake:

Chris Helmsworth (picturd), son of Mrs. Betty Helmsworth of Indian Lake, was seen wearing a gold medal that was awarded to members of the victorious four-man bicycle team in the New York State sponsored Empire Games in August of 1978.

About to start his junior year at Claremont College, California, Chris had engaged in bicycling for four years at the time.

After qualifying in the 120-mile race in Luzerne in June of 1978, he and his teammates captured the prize in the Empire State Games by finishing the 62-mile course on Syracuse’s Liverpool Parkway in two hours and 23 minutes.
– file photo

Read more from The Way Things Were by Aaron Weaver:
https://wp.me/peJPvR-50R

On Friday, July 31, the Speculator Lake Pleasant Historical Society hosted an Open House of the Lake Pleasant Museum. In...
08/30/2026

On Friday, July 31, the Speculator Lake Pleasant Historical Society hosted an Open House of the Lake Pleasant Museum. In 2022 The Town of Lake Pleasant received a grant from Adirondack Architectural Heritage, through the Adirondack Rural Revitalization Program, funded by the National Park Service, Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Fund to replace the building’s foundation. After careful consideration, the Town of Lake Pleasant voted to replace the foundation, front porch, and back room, using funds from the Town, along with funds raised by the Historical Society. The scope of work for the grant was redirected to replace the roof and repaint the siding on the building. The Historical Society has worked diligently to update and restore the museum’s displays and artifacts. As a thank you to the Town, the Historical Society presented a check in the amount of $5000 to contribute to all of the restorative work that has been completed on the building.

— Photo courtesy Town of Lake Pleasant

08/28/2026

This September, Lake Pleasant Public Library invites you to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month and discover how a library card can hit all the right notes, no matter what your tastes are.

With a library card, you can do more than check out books. From free classes and job resources to homework help, streaming media, and cultural events, today’s libraries connect communities to information, inspiration, and each other.

An initiative of the American Library Association, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September since 1987 to mark the beginning of the school year, combat illiteracy, and encourage communities everywhere to explore all the offerings that having a library card unlocks. Today, thousands of public libraries and schools nationwide participate in the month-long celebration each fall.

This year’s theme, “A Library Card Hits All the Right Notes,” is a reminder that libraries offer something for everyone—no matter your age, background, or goals. Whether you’re checking out a classic story or trying something new, finding harmony at the library’s programs, finding your focus in a study room or vibing out in a cozy nook, or composing your future with new skills, there’s a seat in the front row at the library for you, and your library card is the ticket.

At Lake Pleasant Public Library, you’ll find:

• New release books, including favorite authors, and best sellers. Plus, econtent like magazines, available via the library app, Libby.

• An Adirondack collection of books, spanning decades.

• Programs and events for all ages—from weekly PreK storytimes, older adult technology help and classes, book clubs for teens, and after school programs for kids.

• Try It Kits and a Library of Things – check out hobby kits like crochet, calligraphy, and more! Or, check out a museum pass and receive a discount on tickets to hot spots like Adirondack Experience, or the Utica Zoo.

Getting a library card is free, easy, and empowering. For students, it’s a key to academic success. For adults, it’s a gateway to lifelong learning. For everyone, it’s a smart way to stay connected to your community.

Join us throughout September for special Library Card Sign-up Month activities, including:

• Wednesday, September 16 at 4 p.m. — Cr’After School. In honor of Library Card Sign up Month, kids can DIY their own library card, from design to creation! Best design will win a prize! Call the library at 518-548-4411 to sign up.

• Thursday, September 24 at 11 a.m. — Library Open House. In honor of Library Card Sign up Month in September, you’re invited for snacks and refreshments at the library! Learn what’s new and exciting at the library, take a tour of our Try It Kits and Library of Things, and enter for your chance to win a prize!

• Saturday, September 26 at 11 a.m. — Adirondack Author Talk with Curt Stager and Dave McFadden. Hear two local authors discuss their new book, “The First Adirondackers.”

This September, be sharp and sign up for a library card. Stop by Lake Pleasant Public Library or visit us online at www.lakepleasantlibrary.sals.edu to sign up for your card today.

— By KATRENA COHEN, For the Express

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2942 State Route 28
Amsterdam, NY
13420

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