Schroon’s Paradox Beer Makes National News

CNBC host Joe Kernen surprises financial guru Jim Cramer with a throwback memory of Camp Paradox in the Adirondacks, and an offer of some Paradox Beer, from the Schroon Lake Brewery on Squawk Box, on the Friday, April 28th edition of the show.

Viewers turning into CNBC’s Squawk Box today got a little bit of history on Paradox Lake, The Adirondacks and Schroon’s own Paradox Brewery.

It all came about when host Joe Kernen asked financial guru Jim Cramer if he went to camp  Paradox or knew what a Paradox was.

Jim replied that yes he knew. It was a camp he used to go to as a kid in the summer on Paradox Lake in the Adirondacks.  “Wow, that’s harking back,” Jim said, totally floored by the out of the blue question. 

Joe: “How many years did you go there?

Jim: “I went for about five years, that’s where I became a 46er.”

Next came Paradox Brewery’s shining moment under the bright lights on the set.

Joe: “You ever had any Paradox Beer?”

Jim: “No".

Joe: “I have some for you”.

Where Joe got the beer from is a bit of a mystery. Schroon Laker has learned that Joe incorrectly identified the beer source as one of Jim’s fellow campers.  But other than that, the true identity of who got the beer to Joe remains a secret. The exchange starts about 55 seconds into the above video clip.

Jim seemed thrilled by the prospect of tasting the beer and told Joe they would drink it at Jim’s restaurant in Brooklyn, Bar San Miguel, on Cinco de Mayo.

Congrats to Paul and Joan Mrocka, and the all of the gang at Paradox on this momentous occasion. For history buffs:  Camp Paradox was a boys camp until the late 1950s to early 1960s and then closed briefly. It reopened for one year, serving boys and girls, and then closed permanently.

Where and When: Current Brewery Hours: Friday 3-7, Saturday 12-6, Sunday 12-4.  154 State Rtoue 9,, Schroon Lake, New York. Call (518) 351-5036 @paradoxbrewery

RIP: Douglas Earl Fawthrop

We have just learned of the passing of Douglas Earl Fawthrop, a jovial fellow who loved golfing at the Schroon Lake Golf Course. He was 87. Doug passed away at Saratoga Hospital on April 14, 2017.

From Doug’s Official Obit:

“Doug was born on June 4, 1929, in Clifton Park, to the late William and Erminie (Fountain) Fawthrop. He graduated from Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School and spent his entire career working with his father in the family business, William Fawthrop and Son. He moved to Schroon Lake in 1984 and remained there until last month.

Doug was an avid golfer who loved both playing and watching the game. During his retirement, he frequently enjoyed golf outings with his multitude of friends in Schroon Lake, and he continued playing until the age of 86. Doug was known to be an extremely social and fun-loving man who never missed a chance to tell a good story, many of which would leave his listeners in stitches of laughter. Doug loved travelling the roads of New England and especially enjoyed his visits to Vermont and the Maine coast. He was very dedicated to his family and loved nothing more than a call or a visit with his grandchildren. Doug was a proud member of the Shriners and volunteered in his younger days to transport children to the Shriner’s Hospital.

Doug was predeceased by his wife BettyJane (Austin) Fawthrop, his longtime friend and companion Lorraine DeCesare, and his sisters Hazel Hubbs and Ella Dennebaum.

He is survived by his daughter Deborah Titolo (William Gentes) of Saratoga Springs; his son Paul (Beth) Fawthrop of Helena, Montana; five grandchildren, Phillip (Carrie) Titolo, Ashley Titolo, Mallory (Marcus) McDowell, Forrest (Candi) Fawthrop, and Cortney (Jake) See; and by seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Doris (Carl) Johnson, his brother-in-law Milton Austin, and many nieces and nephews and their families.

Doug generously decided to donate his body to Albany Medical College in the hopes that it might help the students there learn about his diseases and their effects on the human body.

A memorial service will be held on his birthday, June 4th, at a location to be later decided on by the family. Donations in his memory can be made to: Northeast Kidney Foundation, 501 New Karner Rd., # 6, Albany, NY 12205. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

Schroon Laker Wishes A Happy 75th Birthday To The Press-Republican

In an age where print journalism is heading the way of the dinosaur, it’s refreshing to know that there’s dedicated scribes  -- and their publishers and owners – who are champions of the art.

So it’s a happy 75th Birthday to the folks at the Press Republican, who keep area residents informed and educated about the world around them here in tye North Country and beyond.

And a special hat tip from us to Lohr McKinstry, one of the best. And our own Ann Breen Metcalfe, a former reporter for the PR, offers her congrats.

“Ann Breen Metcalfe, living in Mamaroneck and Schroon Lake after a career as a writer and then manager at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City: "Congratulations on the Press-Republican's 75th anniversary. It is a fine newspaper, giving excellent service to the North Country.

"My first job was as a reporter for the P-R. I started in the fall of 1953 and was there about two years.

"I covered many stories, from the construction of the Strategic Air Command's Plattsburgh Air Base to the summer-long chase for Major James Call, who had killed a Lake Placid police officer.

"Bill Babel was the editor, and Bill Lundquist was the general manager. The paper was owned by the Ottaway family, who gave each employee a turkey for Thanksgiving.

"We typed our stories on long rolls of paper, after which they were edited and sent to the linotype operators in the back of the building. The good old days.

"Good wishes for the future of your fine paper."

HAPPY EASTER SCHROON LAKERS

We hope you had a wonderful and blessed Passover and Easter with your friends and family. After a short break here at ‘Laker HQ, I’m happy to report Annette and I are back.

After a busy first quarter here at Schroon Laker, with our largest readership ever, we took a little break in the first weeks of April.  Kind readers have inquired if we are OK – you betcha.   

Annette recently had surgery on her ACL, after a skiing accident at Gore, and is well on her way to a full recovery.

We are ready to go, with more of your favorite stories and content. Got news to share or a story tip? Send us an email at schroonlaker@me.com. Thanks for your loyalty and continued support. 

--Anthony Batson