Breaking News: The Strand Has Been SAVED!!!!

Photo: Emily Rossi-Snook:(left) and Elena Rossi-Snook (right) in 2014 July 4th Parade. Copyright Schroon Laker Collection.

We are thrilled to announce that the efforts of so many dedicated folks, young, old and everyone in between -- locals and those from afar -- has paid off. The Fund Raising Goal to convert Larry and Liz McNamara's Strand Theatre on Main Street into a digital facility has been met. Earlier this week Larry told us he was thrilled with news, and wanted to thank everyone involved in this magnificent effort.

From Save The Strand Committee leader, Emily Rossi-Snook:

I wanted SchroonLaker.com to be one of the first to know the news that we have met the fund raising matching goal for the Strand Theatre. Yes, this wonderful, supportive community, through their generosity has made sure that the Strand Theatre lights will shine again and we will have our movies, our programs with other local organizations, our holiday parties for the little ones.

ANCA will put out an official press release shortly, but we received word just yesterday that our goal has been met; the Schroon Lake community has raised the required goal of  $40,000. Here are the specifics:

As soon as NYS releases the awarded grant money,  the customized screen will be designed and the equipment to accommodate the specifics of the Strand will be ordered. Realistically, this may take longer than any of us want, be we are hoping that this process moves along quickly.  In the meantime, the committee thanks the donors for their generosity, their support, and their positive energy.

I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful committee members who worked tirelessly all year; Elena Rossi-Snook who guided our way through the industry ins and outs and designed the logo, banner, shirts, mugs and the December fund raising program at the Strand; Lil Richardson who always has her finger on the pulse of the Schroon Lake community and  was always willing to ride a float, sit at a table, speak to an audience; Ann Breen Metcalf who so eloquently took care of the letter content and explained the details of the fund raising grant to the rest of us; Kate Rossi-Snook who managed the Facebook page. There were many supporters who ran their own events up and down Main Street. Thank you all so  much.
We would like all supporters of the Strand to assemble in front of the theatre on Saturday, August 16, at 12 noon for a celebratory photo; And if you have an "I Helped Save the Strand" t-shirt, please wear it! We would like as many supporters as possible in this photo! This should take only a few minutes.

With great appreciation,

Emily Rossi-Snook:

For Save the Strand Committee

A Big Weekend in Schroon: Are You Ready?

There are a ton of activities in Schroon this weekend – so we sure hope you are ready. As of this writing, the big East Side Shindig is in full swing, starting with the annual Adirondack Garage Sale.

Karaoke is always a blast at theTimberwolf Pub every Saturday night!

And headlining a great Sunday is the 25th Annual Adirondack Folk Festival in the Town Park, proudly sponsored by the Schroon Lake’s Arts Council, featuring multiple acts, including Possumhaw, pictured below.

And there’s also the ADK Shakes and Seagle performances. Then again, there’s plenty of lazy day activities, like hanging out at our beautiful town beach.

Watchya doing this weekend? Tell us in comments.

Last Stop For Railroads on Parade?

Photo Courtesy: Railroads On Parade

One of the premiere attractions of our region – Railroads on Parade in Pottersville – may be forced to close their doors. Barbara and Clarke Dunham,  the owners of the magnificent displays  -- featuring dozens of model trains in incredibly detailed settings  --   say they can no longer sustain the business.

A backer of the project needs to withdraw his investment, and when that happens the doors will close on the attraction in October, Barbara Dunham told Schroon Laker today.

“There is not a possible way of reimbursing our backer in the situation we're in,” Barbara said. Both the Dunhams and the investor have sunk a substantial amount into the business, which is housed in an old auto repair shop on Route 9.

The attraction has been operating on a very tight budget and has not been able to advertise, relying solely on brochures and word of mouth.

“Without advertising. It’s just not possible to catch up. He (the investor) needs to pull out. We don’t know what we're doing. We are looking for an entity that would like to take over Railroads on Parade. It can be local, it would better if it were. It could be in Glen Falls, Saratoga, Albany, Lake George, or here, but it is a difficult and untenable situation at this point”.

Railroads on Parade is largely dependent on  weather conditions, in terms of how large an audience it can attract.

“On rainy days we're packed. On sunny days we're empty and the problem being that we haven't had the money to even advertise. We're basically going on brochures”.

Ideally Barbara just wants to find a home for the attraction, where it will continue running, whether  “it’s somebody who wants to make a profit  from it or run the attraction as a non-profit”.

Barbara and Clarke own and operate Dunham Studios, which build and design from scratch high end custom model train layouts for enthusiasts at their Pottersville workshop,  which is separate from Railroads on Parade

They got into the model train business almost by accident. Up until 1987, Clarke was a very successful Broadway set designer, nominated for two consecutive Tony Awards  in 1984 and 1985.

That led to many commercial projects, which included designing and fabricating the Christmas train exhibit at Citicorp Center in New

York City. That exhibit ran annually for many years, before the Dunhams moved the bulk of the display – and other scenics – to their Pottersville location.

Rooting For Rockology's Rhonda Barnes

Locals are Pulling together to help Rhonda Barnes, the drummer for one of our area’s most popular bands, Rockology, as she battles cancer. Dustin Scott, Rhonda’s step son, is taking the lead on fundraising, setting up a page on the YouCaring.com website. From Dustin:

My name is Dustin Scott, my step mom was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. Multiple Myeloma is a cancer of your plasma cells, a type of white blood cell present in your bone marrow. Fortunately it was caught before it was too late, but she has a long fight ahead of her. She has worked at the Sagamore (a beautiful resort in Bolton Landing,,NY) for over ten years. Unfortunately the doctors have said she will not be able to return back to work for up to a year. She has a beautiful daughter Megan (my baby sister) who is 11 years old, she is turning 12 in August. She is going into the seventh grade. Rhonda has been transported to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Although she is getting the best care in the world and is exactly where she needs to be, life doesn't slow down.. Her health insurance will only cover some but not all, she will be responsible for those bills. This fundraiser is to help with her medical bills, help her daughter Megan so she can continue going to her school in Schroon Lake, NY that she loves dearly, help Megan get down to see her mother, help Rhonda with her other expenses and bills. Every little bit helps and will go a long way! Lets do all we can to help out this amazing mother, friend, sister, aunt, band member, girlfriend and so much more!!

Dustin, what a terrific letter!  You can find the website here. If you know of additional fundraisers send us an email here, or leave details in comments.