Party Time In Schroon: Welcome Marathoners!!!

Warren Sieme plays Sticks and Sones tonight from 6:30 pm

What a weekend ahead, the town is buzzing with anticipation as our slice of paradise is about to be shared with hundreds here for the Marathon Weekend.

We have some last minute additions to what’s happening around town.

From our buds at the Paradox Brewery:

“It's going to be a great day to play hooky on Friday...the PDX beer garden tent will open EARLY @ NOON! Come enjoy a pint of Paradox Pumpkin or Oktoberfest Lager. Need an excuse to skip work? We got em:
- Bad haircut.
- Couldn't find a good parking spot.
- Your physic told you not to.
- Your dog is depressed and you need to cheer him up.
- You couldn't find an outfit (construction supervisors love this one)
- The PDX tent will be closing at the end of October".

After your visit to the Brewery, we’ve got some music for you to kick off your weekend. Warren Sieme is playing live tonight from 6:30pm - 9:00pm to kick off Marathon Weekend at Sticks & Stones! On Saturday night it’s crazy Karaoke at the Timberwolf Pub

Want freebies?  Marathon Runners can get free admission into one of the best kept secrets in the Adirondacks: Railroads on Parade in Pottersville, either of Saturday or Sunday, according to our friend, Barbara Dunham. Their hours are for both days are noon to 5pm,  
although Barb says they are  planning to open “a bit earlier” on both days.

And for runners wanting to loosen up – and have some fun at the same time – check out Anna Hay ‘s Zumba class at 4pm Saturday. It will be on the soccer field behind the Schroon Lake Central Schrool's  gym (where the expo is held).

Got an event we missed? Tell us in comments.

The Mini Greater Schroon Visitor’s Guide For Marathon Weekend

Circle B Ranch. Fall is the perfect time for a horse ride

This weekend thousands of runners and their families and entourages will descend on the greater Schroon Lake area for the ADK Distance Festival Weekend.

If you are a first timer or a veteran, there is a lot for you and your party to do while waiting for your event:  Horse back riding, boating, hiking, eating, drinking and that favorite American past-time: shopping. And of course you will be surrounded by the early stages of our leaves turning.

If you still haven’t secured a place to stay, check out the Schroon Lake Place, right down town, just feet from the start line and all the action of Main Street. And there's also Drake's Motel, a couple of miles north of town.

Main Street Schroon Lake is full of surprises: A yoga studio, coffee shops, an antique store, with pubs, shops and restaurants. We also have a full service pharmacy for any emergency supplies. Be sure to check out the amazing three floors of The Towne Store. From Schroon and ADK memorabilia, books, jewelry, clothing, and kids toys – and that’s just the beginning.

There’s a bargain basement with heavily discounted outdoor and camping equipment. On the top floor, you will find one of a kind ADK inspired arts and crafts.

Across the street there's the new Giant Mountain Studio and the work of an extraordinary group of artists. This gallery is a jewel.

Image Courtesy: Giant Mountain Studio

If you are a book lover, you are in for a treat. On Saturday the Friends Of The Schroon Lake Library will have their final book sale of the year, in their new, expanded digs, under the Hudson Headwater Health Building. The new space is bursting with bargains.

For outdoor adventurers, fun awaits at every corner.

If you have only experienced the lake by driving or running around it – why not get on it!!! The Schroon Lake Marina has speedboats, pontoon boats, kayaks and stand up paddleboards for rent. But get in before the rush and reserve now.

Up for a little leg-stretching hike? There are three very, easy and beautiful walks close by. 

Schroon Lake viewed from Mt. Severance. Schroon Laker Collection. 2014. Copyright. All Rights Reserved

Hiking Mt. Severance will give you fantastic views of both Schroon Lake and Paradox Lake. Check out directions, here. Then there’s Gull Pond and Crane Pond, both easy and presenting you with beautiful views at the end .Looney about the Adirondacks has these handy guides here and here. More more hikes, click here.

Paradox Lake viewed from Mt. Severance. Schroon Laker Collection. 2014. Copyright. All Rights Reserved

And there's now Spin Schroon, where Wendy Ryan will give you an workout in her lakeside studio. Claases are on Friday and Saturday at 9am. Email Wendy here, for details.

Wendy Ryan's Spin Class, is first class!

​Outer Schroon – to the North,  a little up Route 9, try some of the finest Italian Food around at Drake’s Restaurant.

Drake's Zuppa Langosta is an overflowing plate consisting of half a good size lobster, clams, scallops, calamari and shrimp in a garlic and white wine sauce served over pasta.

It's a great excuse to cargo-load! A little up the road on Route 9, there's some good pickings at  Check out DeCesare's Pizza, just south of town, opposite Schroon;s own "Shopping Mall", aka the Dollar General.

Sticks and Stones won't break your bones, but they will quench your thirst and hunger.

Further south on Route 9 there’s the ever-popular Sticks and Stones and their amazing wood fired pizza and Witherbee’s Carriage, with its museum quality collection of ADK artifacts. (It’s also the official after marathon party location!).

Life at Paradox Brewery is a Paradox!

A bit further south, be sure to check out the Paradox Brewery and tasting room. Their beer garden is a terrific way to sample their ales, buy a growler, and have it filled. (All Paradox offerings are available at all Schroon bars and restaurants with liquor licenses!)

Further down Route 9 be sure to check out the Natural Stone Bridge and Caves and Railroads on Parade – two family fun packed experiences you will want to do again.

Take a ride at Circle B Ranch.

And we highly recommend checking out the Circle B Ranch in nearby Chestertown. The good folks at Circle B offer a horse riding experience for all levels. What a great excuse to see the Fall colors. Click here to save a few bucks off your ride and be sure to book ahead.

And for those staying on the eastside – go and fill up on a yummy breakfast or lunch at the Adirondack General Store  -- now under new management.  You will also find an amazing array of ADK and Schroon souvenirs.

Kids Paradise in Schroon Lake: Three Fishing Derbies!

With the recent 1st Annual Val and Lorraine DeCesare Kids Fishing Contest last month, Schroon now boasts three contests that are open to kids.

The DecCesare event joins the Schroon Lake Fish and Game Club’s Ice Fishing Derby and the Club’s Kids Fish Fishing Derby.

The 1st Annual Val and Lorraine DeCesare Kids Fishing Contest --  held on August 23, was a free event at the Schroon Lake Town Docks and open to kids up to 15 years of age.

Each participant was given goodie bag and pizza lunch donated by DeCesare’s Pizzeria. Kids won an assortment of prizes donated by area businesses.

A bake sale was  also held for the scholarship fund, which has given a scholarship to a Schroon Lake High graduate each year for the last 22 years. From the organisers:

We Are About To Bestow A New Title On Schroon!

Schroon Laker.com is about to bestow a new crown on our little slice of Adirondack paradise: the new Fitness Capital of the 'Dacks!

Besides hosting the Adirondack Long Distance Festival with neighboring hamlets, and our premiere 1-Eyed Bike Riding Classic, Schroon entrepreneurs have not been slouches on the fitness front.

The trail blazer for introducing organized fitness  to Schroon is the one and only Deb Philp, who took a huge gamble -- and at the same time fulfilled a dream -- by opening True North Yoga.

Photo: Courtesy Deb Philp

From humble beginnings in a church basement, to her landmark, gorgeous Zen palace on Main Street, Deb introduced many to the joys of Hatha,Vinyasa, Restorative and chair yoga.

And we would be remiss in not mentioning True North’s belly dancing lessons, featuring Natalie, from Montreal.

Submitted Photo

Zumba gurus Cathy Peace and Anna Bentley Hay have really got us jumping!!! They have shown all age groups the joys of working off the pounds in a fun and supportive way, in classes that are both free and fee based.

And as we reported recently, Schroon now has Spin Cycle classes, introduced by Wendy Ryan. Wendy will get your heart pumping and the sweat flying off you as you ride your way around Schroon Lake from her studio, which overlooks the lake.

Wendy Ryan. Photo Schroon Laker Collection

These activities of course compliment the great, outdoor sports like biking and kayaking. If you are a full timer or here on vacation, be sure to check out Mountain Air Adventures, run by Towne Store owners Bob and Patti Mehm.

Stock Photo

From new Trek bikes to Pelican kayaks and canoes, Bob can deliver to your door step, or drop you and one their kayaks or canoes in at any point along the Schroon River. Our favorite drop in point is at the bridge on Route 74. The ride is picturesque, smooth and easy.

The rentals are affordable and the service is outstanding. Find out more details here.

The Schroon Lake Marina also rents kayaks and was the first local business to introduce Stand Up Paddle Boards (which they also sell). The Marina’s Craig Kennedy swears by them and he’s in the majority.

Stock Photo

The Outdoor Foundation's 2013 Outdoor Participation Report, stand up paddling was listed as the most popular outdoor activity among first-time participants with 56% of all the first-time participants of outdoor activities in 2013, beating boardsailing/windsurfing which had 43% of first-time participants in 2013. The report also cited the median age for stand up paddling in 2013 as 28, accounting for 63% of all the men and 56% of all the women who participated in outdoor activities during 2013

And of course we are blessed with a whole lot of free physical activities: running, jogging, power walking and hiking. Not forgetting the town's golf course and tennis and basketball courts and a crazy little game called Pickleball.

Pickleball at the Schroon Lake Town Tennis Courts; Photo: Schroon Laker Collection.

What’s your favorite way to keep in shape while you are on vacation? Tell us in comments.