When we first met Laura Donaldson a few years back, we quickly discovered a woman with multiple talents and passions who wears many hats. And she always does it with a smile. This innkeeper, seamstress and fountain of local knowledge is featured as this week’s Profile.

 

Name:  Laura Donaldson

Where do you live?

Between Schroon Lake & Olmstedville! 

Full time? Part time? Seasonal? 

Full Time

When did you move here or discover this part of paradise?   

Born and raised on Trout Brook Road, moved away for 15 years and had the opportunity to move back to my family property in 1990

Where did you grow up?

In Schroon Lake and graduated in 1976.

How do you -- or did you -- make a living?  

I run two businesses: I'm a seamstress/tailor and also run the Rocky Acres Bed & Breakfast, I have catered with Gourmet Gals six years, worked as an election board officer 25 years, worked at a school cafeteria, bus monitor and cleaner for many years, Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce summer worker 13 years, At the Strand Theater I helped at the andy or ticket counter as needed.

I also clean and care-take for a few homes. The last two years I have opted out of many jobs - just keeping my businesses and the care taking and cleaning. 

How do you spend your free time?

Volleyball, kayaking, but mostly redoing my yard and improving my home

Coffee, Tea, or…? 

Water, Diet Dew, a Whiskey Sour or Margarita :)

What’s your idea of a perfect Saturday? 

Getting things accomplished!

What’s your favorite local restaurant? 

Pitkin’s for burgers, Flanagan’s for veal parm, Sticks 'n Stones for fungi pizza and Witherbee's for prime rib. I've earned these hips- love food:)

Favorite season(s) and why?

Fall. For the colors, less bugs, it's cooler, I can hike, bike and kayak

What’s on your nightstand?

Phone, little Christmas tree to remind me of my hubby and parents favorite time of year. A clock.

What are you listening to? 

A Movie

What are your current addictions?

Fit Bit and Diet Mountain Dew, éclairs

Who/what makes you laugh?

Just about everything. My girlfriend Nancy. I have a warped sense of humor. 

Talent you would most like to have?

More knowledge to do all the projects that I would like to have completed

What’s the best kept secret about Schroon Lake and or surrounding areas?

What great, caring and creative people we have in our midst

What do you hope they say about you at your funeral? 

That I was creative, happy, self sufficient, strong, determined, friendly, motivated, faithful: that she made the most of her life, the old fart