Opening weekend celebration set at the Big Moose Inn

The public is invited to attend an opening celebration at the Big Moose Inn from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 featuring complimentary fine wine and hors d’oeuvres by Chef Brian Markovics, the new head chef who will be launching new fine and casual dinner menus.
On Sunday, May 11, Mother’s Day meals will be accompanied by Adirondack celtic harpist, Martha Gallagher. An award presented by the Central Adirondack Association in recognition of the Inn’s 100 years of service to the tourism industry will be on display.
The Big Moose Inn and Restaurant on Big Moose Lake was built in 1902 for George Burdick at a cost of $1,100 by E.J. Martin, the owner of the Waldheim on Big Moose Lake, which is still owned and operated by the Martin Family. Burdick, a colorful character reknown for his eccentricity, was a popular guide in those days. He was successful and able to add a new wing to the Inn in 1915. Following his death, the Inn was known as Burdick’s Camp. It had various owners through the years and was re-named the Big Moose Inn in 1946 by Dorothy and William Ebel. In 2005, the Inn was purchased by Robert Hankey, a long-time homeowner on Big Moose Lake. He has worked diligently to continue the Inn’s tradition of excellence. To make reservations, contact the Big Moose Inn at (315) 357-2042.

Local author has book signing

Local author John Briant will be signing copies of his books from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Borders Book Store in Watertown on May 10. Briant is the author of the book series “Adirondack Detective” as well as his autobiography, “One Cop’s Story: A Life Remembered” about his years as a state trooper in the North Country.
Garden Club to meet                    

The first meeting of the Old Forge Garden Club for the 2008 season will be at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13 at the Arts Center/Old Forge.
Dolores DeSalvo will speak about growing vegetables in our area. She is well-qualified to speak on the subject: she not only grows organic vegetables but also manages the Lowville Farmer’s Market, is Nutrition Community Educator Coordinator of “Eat Smart New York,” works at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County, and has a radio talk show called “How Green is my Garden” on the Moose station in Boonville. Delores and her husband, Pete, own Northern Sun Farms in New Breman. Refreshments will be served by hostesses Carol Burak and Peg Flora.
Members are requested to bring flowers for the Lakeside Terrace residents.
The Old Forge Garden Club meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from May through October, along with a December holiday party. Dues are $10 per year.
The club is looking forward to seeing returning members, along with new members, who are always welcome.

CAA schedules spring banquet

The Central Adirondack Association will host a semi-formal banquet on Thursday, May 15 at the North Street Restaurant in Old Forge. The event, reminiscent of the formal CAA gatherings held years ago, will celebrate the business successes of the past year, while kicking off the upcoming business season. The evening will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. followed by a dinner buffet at 7 p.m.
The evening includes a guest speaker and the presentation of awards. Michael Conway, the new executive director for the Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) will be the guest speaker. The Seventh Lake House will be presented with the CAA Business of the Year Award. Charlie and June Kiefer will be presented with the CAA Lifetime Achievement Award.
Reservations may be made by calling the Visitor Information Center in Old Forge at (315) 369-6983. The cost is $20 per person, and the deadline for reservations is Monday, May 12.
ALCA to host
birthday benefit

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts in Blue Mountain Lake would like to extend an invitation to the public to its annual Birthday Party Benefit at the Hedges on Blue Mountain Lake.
The event will take place on Saturday, May 17.
Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.
Seating is limited, and reservations are required by May 9.
For more information, call the Arts Center at (518) 352-7715 or go to www.adk-arts.org.
 
Fishing derby set
in Raquette Lake      

The third annual Lamphear Memorial Fishing Derby, hosted by the Raquette Lake Fish & Game Club and Parks & Recreation, will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday May 16 and end at 1 p.m. on Saturday May 17 in Raquette Lake. The derby has both a junior and adult division. Each division has its own prize money awarded for the top three weights in bullhead, perch, lake trout and brook trout.
Applications can be picked up at The Tap Room in Raquette Lake, where participants can also purchase a Fish & Game membership. Officials will start assigning contestant numbers  at 5 p.m. on Friday. If you have not pre-registered, you can register then.
Fundraising dinner set during vote

There will be a spring pasta dinner from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, during the school budget vote, in the Town of Webb UFSD cafeteria. Dinner consists of pasta, with or without meatballs, salad with house dressing, roll, beverage, and dessert.
This fundraiser will support the P.B.I.S. (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), also known as “The Webb Way,” program at the Town of Webb UFSD, which teaches and rewards students for positive behavior throughout the school day. These behaviors tie into the school’s goals that all students will Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Love to Learn, and Achieve Excellence. The money raised will be used to provide incentives and rewards.
The cost for dinner is $5 per person, $3 for children under age 8, with a maximum cost of $20 for a family. 
 
Tourney to benefit baseball team

The Charles J. Love, DSC Post 406 of the American Legion in Boonville is hosting a two person Captain & Crew Scramble golf tournament on May 10 at Woodgate Pines Golf Course in Boonville to benefit the Legion’s baseball team. Everyone is welcome to play in the tournament. The fee covers 18 holes of golf (including cart), prizes and an Italian sausage and peppers buffet at the Legion afterwards. The shotgun start will be at 9 a.m. Skins are extra. Mulligans and raffle tickets will be sold at the course. You can sign up by calling Woodgate Pines at (315) 942-5442 or the Legion at (315) 942-2434. 

Transylvania trio
in North Creek

“Trio From Transylvania” will perform classical piano trios at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday May 10 at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek. The program includes selections by Ludwig van Beethoven, Eduard Grieg, and Dmitri Shostakovich.
The trio is lead by cellist Ovidiu Marinescu, one of the outstanding musicians of his native Romania. He was chosen to play at Carnegie Hall for Romanian President Constantinescu.
Sylvia Ahramjian is acclaimed for her spirited violin performances and innovative recital programs. She is a graduate of the Juilliard School and received a Master of Music degree from Indiana University. Ahramjian is a professor of Violin and Viola at West Chester University.
Pianist Eugene Albulescu is an award-winning artist who has performed and recorded on four continents. A New Zealand artist of Romanian origin, he currently resides in the United States.
For more information, call (518) 251-3751 or go to www.upperhudsonmusic.org.