Congrats to Tara and Patrick

A huge congrats to Schroon Lakers Tara Bradway and Patrick Siler, who tied the knot last weekend. The couple, co-founders of the Adirondack Shakespeare Company, have called Schroon home for the last several years. We wish this amazingly talented couple many happy years together. And this weekend is your last chance to see them this year, as the company wraps up their fall season.

This year’s production of Hamlet stars Tara Bradway, in the title role, who also acts as ADK Shakes Artistic Director. It’s their third production of their annual Hamlet Project, as they continue to offer a full, uncut production of Hamlet once a year for the public, as well as for educational tours. 

To learn more about Adirondack Shakes, click here. To learn more about what Shakespeare has said on the institution of marriage, click here.

Getting in the Schroon Groove with the Class of 2018

Schroon’s Stewart’s Expansion: Not Dead Yet

Supporters of a new, expanded Stewart’s Shop in Schroon have reason to keep hope alive. There will be another “resolution to reconsider a zoning change” on the agenda of next Monday’s Town Board Meeting (October 16, 2017), Supervisor Mike Marnell told Schroon Laker today.

“We will need a super majority of the Town’s board members to have the resolution passed. That’s four  members out of five,” Marnell said.

If that happens -- and barring any legal challenges filed by opponents -- the path is cleared for Stewart's to break ground.

The last time the issue came up for vote, there were three Town Board Members in favor: Don Sage, Clara Phibbs and Marnell. Board member Meg Wood voted no and Roger Friedman abstained. 

Stewart’s had planned on buying the home directly behind their current location, a house on the corner of Dock and Taylor Streets, in order to increase the store’s footprint from 2,500 to 3,700-square-feet. The current zoning for that property includes uses as a resort or dining location.

In order for the million dollar plus expansion to move forward, the zoning needs to be changed to retail usage.

Five homeowners on Taylor Street and a local business were among those against the expansion.

The debate has dragged on for months, with heated exchanges at Town Board meetings and on the sidewalks of Schroon and in online forums.

Stewart’s representatives first presented a proposal to raze and rebuild the store at an April Town meeting. Soon after Stewart’s modified the plan to include  -- among other changes -- a privacy fence, noise reduction air-conditioning units and discreet lighting.

Schroon Laker's Poll in May

In two unscientific polls conducted by Schroon Laker, (May and August) the majority of respondents were overwhelming in support of the expansion, which would include more gas pumps, more parking spaces and a larger selection of groceries, food and pizza.  The current store, built in the mi-1980s, features 1970s style architecture. The proposed new design blends iconic Adirondack style features.

Schroon Laker's Poll in August

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RIP : Raymond W. Butler

Schroon Laker has recently learned of the passing of Raymond W. Butler, formerly of Altamont. He died unexpectedly at his Schroon Lake home on Saturday, September. 9, 2017. He was 62. More from Raymond’s official obit:

He was born in Albany on Sept. 21, 1954. Mr. Butler was raised by his foster parents, George and Janice Van Etten of Knox.

He worked as a supervisor for Ultapet, retiring in 2012.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia; by his daughter, Monica Toto, and her husband, Rolando, of Mississippi; by his stepdaughters, Shannon, Erica, and Donna Hartman; and by his 10 beautiful grandchildren, Wisdom, Justice, Harmony, Jeremy, Unique, Destiny, Uriah, Bukera, Shantei, and Rolando.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Donna Mousseau; by his siblings, Ronald and Gloria Butler; by his brothers-in-law, Gary Mousseau and his wife, Debbie, and Larry Mousseau and his wife, Patty; by his sisters-in-law, Carolyn and Cheryl Mousseau; and by several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services were private.