Going Batty in Schroon

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Bats in Schroon? Welcome Back!

As many Adirondackers know, it has been a grim few years for bats, since the discovery of white nose syndrome about a decade ago.

The fungus has spread rapidly across the United States and Canada, causing massive die-offs in bat caves. 

New York state wildlife biologist Carl Herzog recently told the Adirondack Park Agency commission he became aware of the their decline back in 2007 and 2008, when folks  started seeing bats acting strangely. "Flying around in the middle of winter when they're not normally seen and that's presumably a desperate attempt to find something to eat for an animal that's starving to death."

According to NCPR, the devastation has been profound:  99% of tri-colored bats in New York State are dead. Northern long-eared bats – 99% dead. Little brown bats, once the most common species in New York – only 10% remain. In addition, the Indiana bat, an endangered species, has lost 80% of its population. There is only one big colony surviving here in the Adirondacks.

 

So it was with much excitement Joe Steiniger recently reported discovering a bat at his home, inside an umbrella.

Spotted a bat? Let us know where in our comment section.

Take A Hike Up Mt. Severance

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It's a relative easy -- and very rewarding -- close by hike near Schroon and Paradox Lake. It's  a short trip up Mt. Severance with interesting terrain along the way. Most of the walk is under an umbrella of shade provided by trees. The summit gives a narrow, but highly scenic, view of Schroon Lake to the right, and Parados Lake to the left, with a gorgeous view of  Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. Always take water and wear a hat.

How To get There:

Mt. Severance trail head: Directly across from the Alder Meadow Road intersection, on State Route 9, approximately one half mile south of the intersection of Route 74. There's a parking lot near the trail head, which passes through tunnels under the Northway.

The details: 2.4 miles RT, Moderate Climb, Elevation 1693.

Patchouli & Terra Guitarra In Schroon Tuesday

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Patchouli and Terra Guitarra  --  master guitarist Bruce Hecksel and singer-songwriter, guitarist Julie Patchouli -- return to the Boathouse next Tuesday, (August 8).

The concert by the husband and wife couple,  is proudly sponsored by the Schroon Lake Arts Council.

The duo has been described as “one of the top nuevo-flamenco groups in the world”, with a #1 and two top 5 internationally charting albums and multiple Album of the Year nominations.

Patchouli is a folk festival headliner and Public Radio favorite with pure, haunting lead vocals and beautiful harmonies. Their sound, depth and virtuosity is described as “Simon and Garfunkel meets the Gipsy Kings” and “taking a yoga class in a field of running mustangs."

Their soulful fusion of blazing Spanish and world guitar instrumentals, spine tingling vocal harmonies, and epic folk rock anthems are infused with a visible onstage chemistry. An extraordinary bond is immediately apparent as two guitars merge into one acoustic wall of sound and their innovative, percussive flat-picking and hybrid fingerstyle techniques leave even astute listeners wondering where the drummer is.

So get your tickets now, by visiting www.schroonlakeartscouncil.com.