RIP William G. Christian: 1938 - 2017

Bill CHRISTIAN served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1962 as a Boatswain's Mate aboard the USS Salinan.

One of Schroon Lake's most famous sons,  Bill Christian passed away on Sunday (January 15). He was 78.

At Bill's request there will be no services. Interment in will take place at the convenience of the family at the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery 

The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to the Seagle Music Colony in Bill's honor.

From his official obituary:

Bill was born April 28, 1938 in New York, NY, the son of the late William G. and Dorothea Christian and was raised in Howard Beach, NY.

He was predeceased by his childhood sweetheart, the love of his life, and his wife of 54 years, Dolores Christian in September of 2014. They lived and grew up in the same Howard Beach neighborhood and met when Dolores was five years old. They were married Jan. 3, 1959.

Bill served in the United States Navy from 1956 to 1962 as a Boatswain's Mate aboard the USS Salinan, an ocean going tug. He carried his love of the sea his entire life.

After his honorable discharge from the navy, Bill worked a Morgan Yacht and Iceland. When he moved to Schroon Lake in 1975, he began a career as a carpenter. He was proud to have built numerous homes in Arcaday Bay Estates on Lake George and several large amusement rides at the Great Escape. He was also the caretaker of Seagle Music Colony for many years and considered the Colony to be a very special part of his life.

Bill had a love for his family especially his children William F. (Patricia) and Dennis (Sandra) Christian of Schroon Lake and Joseph (Catherine) Christian, and his daughter Diane Christian of Florida, his grandchildren, Michael Brook Christian, William (Grace) Christian, Amanda Christian, Ashleigh (Gordon Graves) Christian, Cassidy Christian and Tiffany (Ryan) Schelin.

He especially proud of have great- grandchildren , Daniel Krogh, Jace and Gage Moon, Teyah and Mason Graves, Isabella and Savannah Christian and Serenity Schelin.

The family would like to thank the loving staff of the Heritage Commons Nursing Home for their care of Bill over the past two years.

The family suggests memorials take the form of donations to the Seagle Music Colony. In Bill's honor. For online condolences click here. 

The Ice Fishing Is Easy, Here in Schroon

FISHING ON THE LAKE NEAR THE TOWN BEACH. SUNDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016

The countdown is on until the Schroon Lake  Fish and Game Club's annual ice fishing derby over the weekend of March 4th and 5th. Now in its 25th year, the club is hoping for a huge turnout. So far weather conditions on most of the lake are optimal for getting your tip ups in! We've got the latest from the Club's Drew Hanchett, Dave Insull and Mike Ryan:

January 2017
Dear Fellow Fishermen, Women and Children,
Our 25th Annual Ice Fishing Derby will take place on Schroon Lake on Saturday and Sunday, March 4th and 5th, 2017.
Fishing will start at daylight on Saturday and end at 4 PM on Sunday by which time all fish must be weighed in at the Clubhouse. All fish must be caught in the designated waters of Schroon Lake. Tickets must be purchased prior to fishing to be eligible for any prizes. This includes children who have tip-ups out.
 

If pre-registered you do not have to sign in at the clubhouse before fishing. Tickets are $15 per person. If you are unable to pre-register in person prior to the derby you may pre-register by mail. Send a check made out to the S.L. Fish & Game Club with a PRINTED list of entrant’s names, complete addresses including zip code and phone numbers to the above mailing address. Please make sure all information is included. Mail in entries must be received by February 24. Entrants that pre- register may pick up their tickets at the Fish & Game Club Friday March 3rd 12 noon -9 or anytime during the remainder of the weekend. Last minute entries may be completed at Flanagan’s on Friday evening March 3 or at the Fish & Game Club Friday, March 3 from 12 noon to 9 PM, or Saturday, March 4 or Sunday March 5 all day. 
There will be three categories of fish – Trout, Salmon and Northern Pike with three cash prizes in each category determined by weight.

There will also be a cash prize for the heaviest Pickerel and Perch. Legal sizes and take in Schroon Lake are Salmon- 15” (3), Lake Trout – 18” (2), and Northern Pike – 18” (5), Perch any size (50). There are no limits on Pickerel. Because of the large number of entries, we will NOT accept any Lake Trout or Pike under 24”. Please return the smaller fish to the lake – keep only what you want to eat. Any discrepancies and/or decisions will be decided by the committee. All cash prizes will be awarded at the Clubhouse after the 4 PM close of fishing on Sunday. Door prizes donated by area merchants, members and friends of the Club are drawn Saturday by noon and available for pickup Saturday and Sunday. Be sure to check the prize lists at the Club. If you would like to donate a prize, please contact a co-chairman. Weather permitting there will be marked vehicles on the lake to pick up your fish and bring them to the Club for weigh in so that you do not have to leave your tip-ups or fishing area. There will be no pick-up service after 3:30 pm on either day. The fish will be displayed at the Club with your name and ticket number until you pick them up. 
 

There will be a homemade pasta dinner including pasta sauce with meatballs and bread served at the Club starting at 5 PM on Saturday for $10 each. The Club bar will be open Friday, 12 noon – 9 pm and on Saturday and Sunday noon till? for members and guests.
Please remember the VHS disease and DEC regulations. Folks who are fishing are allowed no more than 100 bait fish at a time. Bait must come from a shop that has certified bait or be bait you have caught yourself in Schroon Lake. Bait cannot come from one lake to another in an effort to stop the spread of this disease. You may use smelt you have caught in Schroon Lake.

As most past anglers are aware ENCON and the NYS Police will be present and checking licenses and registrations as well as tip-up’s, etc. Please remember to bring all licenses and registrations for you and your machines with you. For all information regarding the NYS Ice Fishing regulations please visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov.
For further information or to confirm mail-in registrations please call 518-532-7953. Be sure to leave your name and number if no one is available and we will return your call.

Yours in Fishing,
Drew Hanchett
Dave Insull
Mike Ryan

Local Snow Mobile Trails Getting Better All the Time

Work on the trail on Sunday. Photo Courtesy Dwayne Anderson

Thanks to the kindness of local property owners –- and the encouragement of die-hard sledders in our community –- area snow mobile trails are expanding. That’s the word from Dwayne Anderson, who reports on recent progress by the Schroon North Hudson Snow Mobile Club to improve our trail system.

From Dwayne:

“BIG STRIDES TODAY!!! We got permission from the Lenhards , Gina Lenhard and Mike, to ride thru their campground, and also Petee Sabia and Lloyds (formerly McKenzie) property, to get to Johnson Pd. Rd. via scenic trail vs. riding the road from the old Frontier Town property! THANK YOU ALL for your support of our snowmobile club, as well as our community! People like you make our towns like no other! THANK YOU!!! Now is it asking too much to pray for snow for us???
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, stay on the trail so we can continue this type of relationship with all our landowners, and show them the THANKS and APPRECIATION they deserve. 
I am confident we in the snowmobile community already do this.....

A Community Comes Together Again For Ralph Dudley

Time and time again, Schroon Lakers unselfishly come together to help others. Many folks know that Ralph Dudley, co-owner of Alpine Pizza, has been battling brain cancer since June 2015. By his side has been in partner in life, Kristen Forrester. Now, Kristen needs our help. From Kristen:

“Since then he has developed 2 more inoperable tumors.  He is going through treatments for the last tumor but the doctor is saying this treatment works in 1 out of 3 people; it can reduce the tumor size to increase quality of life.  Prognosis is typically about 9 months, some patients may have less and some may have more time.

Ralph and I have been together since 1992.  We met in Saranac Lake, NY at his friend’s pizza shop.  Then we moved down to Schroon Lake, NY to take over his friend Jay's other pizza shop in 1992.  We have had some great times working at our shop.  Our customers are like our family to us.  We have watched kids grow up and move away but when they come back to visit they wanted "Ralph's Pizza"!  Just wanted to say Thanks so much for all that, you have already done for us.  Love, Kristin.”

More from their friend Jill Reilly:

"Hi friends! Many of us know Kristin Forrester and Ralph Dudley and if you don't know them by name you have probably ordered Pizza from their business Alpine Pizza. Ralph has been struggling with his health and there is a huge financial burden looking ahead for Kristin. Although Ralph is doing ok, he will never get better. Kristin was told he has about 9 months left. While her head is reeling from that devastating news it leaves her worrying about making future funeral arrangements and other mounting costs. We are a wonderful close-knit community and they could really use our help. I remember Kristin and Ralph always donated Pizzas for fundraisers. Kristin is in the process of getting a fundraising account set up at Glens Falls National. She has enough emotional pain and stress to deal with and a rocky road ahead where she will need her friends around her. Let us help at least relieve some of the financial stress and worry by giving any amount you can! I will post the link once the account has been set up. Please also SHARE this on your Facebook so we can reach even more people who know and love Kristin, Ralph and Alpine.

You can give by clicking this link, having Witherbee’s match your contribution or chip into the bucket at DeCesare’s Pizza. There is also a bake sale on January 21st.