Snow Sculpture Contest on Ice

The first event of what was billed as Schroon Lake’s first ever Winterevent – a snow sculpting contest this Friday --  has been canceled after Joanie Cunningham, the organizer of the event, was hospitalized.

Joanie, who returned to full health this past January, after bravely battling a mysterious, undiagnosed disease which has hospitalized her for many months over the last three years, is currently receiving treatment at Albany Medical, her husband Greg told Schroon Laker Tuesday.

“We are disappointed, but we need to move the contest until March, while Joanie makes a full recovery,” Greg told us.

The snow sculpting contest, which was to have taken place in the Town Park near the Fountain, will now be held on March 9, the weekend after Schroon’s Annual Ice Fishing Tournament.

Joanie is the beloved owner of Joanie’s Baked Goodies, which is just a snow balls throw away from the Town Park, where the contest will be staged. Just last month Joanie was celebrating being back home, after being given a clean bill of health by doctors at the National Institutes of Health’s Human Genome program, Greg said

Greg told Schroon Laker the contest entry deadline has been extended. If you wish to enter call or email Greg at Joaniesgoodies@gmail.com or (518) 532-9900.

The Winterevent featured several festivities new to Schroon, sponsored and organized by Joanie -- incldung a Taste of SChroon Restaurant Week --  as well as established Schroon Winter Traditions, including the Ice Fishing Derby, Chili Cook Off  and sledding and skiing at the Town’s Ski Tow at the the Golf Course.

The snow Sculpture Contest offered a total purse of $700 in prize money, with $200 going to the winning team. The theme of the contest is “Honoring our Children.”

We sincerely wish Joanie a speedy recovery. If you have a message for Joanie, leave it in comments. What do you think about Winterevent? Leave your thoughts in comments.