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Fulton County Tourism Cooperative Marketing
The tourism department of the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce announces a new cooperative marketing program for 2018 for Fulton County tourism facilities and organizations holding events and promotions. The cooperative marketing program is partnering these tourism entities with the Times Union and other Hearst media outlets. The program includes options to choose digital, print, and storytelling marketing.
“We are seeking organizations and tourism properties wanting to enhance their marketing budgets with this matching dollar-for-dollar campaign,” states Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Director of Tourism for Fulton County. “Organizations wanting to apply to the program should be currently marketing, or wanting to market, outside of Fulton County.”
This cooperative marketing program includes the opportunity to run ads in the travel issue or travel sections of both UPSTATE and WOMEN@WORK Hearst Albany magazines. For as little as $213 an organization can take advantage of this print ad opportunity. There is an online display package that will pinpoint target areas of interest in a designated market area. A minimum investment of $750 will get successful applicants $1500 in this online advertising package. These are examples of the opportunities available in this cooperative marketing program. An ala cart menu and guidelines will be provided to interested partners.
The Fulton County Tourism Department will match partner marketing budgets up to $10,000 total for the program (a value of $20,000 in marketing). Following is an example of how the program works:
An attraction has $1,000 for marketing outside of Fulton County. Investing the $1,000 in the cooperative marketing program will be matched with $1,000 creating a $2,000 marketing budget.
DaBiere-Gibbs adds, “The goal is to enhance current marketing practices of Fulton County tourism properties, to help them better attract visitors from outside of Fulton County to increase overnight stays and visitor spending in Fulton County.”
Any Fulton County tourism property or organization interested in maximizing their marketing budgets with this program should contact the tourism department for more details at (518)725-0641 or tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org.
Channeling Moses – Fracking Art by Linda Finch Exhibit
Sacandaga Valley Arts Network (SVAN) announces the exhibition “Channeling Moses” Fracking Art by Linda Finch beginning December 29, 2017 and continuing through March 1, 2018 in the SVAN Gallery located in the Northville Public Library at 341 South 3rd Street. This visual diary illustrates the impact that some gas companies are having on rural New York State. Although horizontal fracking is banned (temporary moratorium), the business of gas extraction, transport, and storage are big business, and small villages, communities and their citizens make up part of the landscape that inhabit the same terrain as these energy sources.
Ms. Finch began this series as inspired by Grandma Moses’s pictorial visions of life in rural New York and Vermont. “This style was perfect to tell the stories of the travesties that have befallen our farming and rural communities.” adds the artist. The show was first opened at the Bennington Museum in Vermont adjacent to the Moses gallery where it received excellent reviews. It was recently shown at The Fenimore Museum in Cooperstown where Otsego County is fighting their own battles with gas corporations and land infringement.
Ms. Finch’s acrylic work in folk art genre tells of her own experience living in one such rural hamlet, that of Sullivanville in the Marcellus Shale region of the Finger Lakes. Although New York State purports to have a renewal energy plan, the state continues to allow these companies from Virginia, Texas, Ohio to access gas in or region and supports the build-up of fossil fuel infrastructure that can pollute our water, land and air. Some companies have recently turned their attention to the Utica Shale region, which includes Otsego, Oneida, Herkimer, Fulton, Montgomery, Schoharie County and others nearby.
Linda (Lopuch) Finch was born in Gloversville N.Y. She received her B.S and M.S from the NY State University at New Paltz. She has additional degrees from Cornell University in Industrial Labor Relations and is retired from the New York State Education Department. Some of her work is in the permanent NYS collection. In addition to painting canvases Linda also paints murals and has several in homes in Florida and St Croix, US Virgin Islands.
Growing up near the Cayadutta Creek in her home town made her acutely aware of the effects of pollution on both the natural environment and the health of the people in her neighborhood. In 2017 she moved to Northville N.Y., as her home in the Finger Lakes was no longer safe, due to a large industrial gas compression station built next to her residence.
She is currently researching and executing a new collection of works that focuses on historic Sacandaga Park as it was in the early 1900s. Her interest in the area stems from summers spent “at camp” in the town of Northampton, as well as hearing stories from relatives and mother, Agnes Simonds Lopuch.
LAPLAND LAKE NORDIC VACATION CENTER’S ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center will host its two-day annual Open House Saturday and Sunday, December 9th and 10th from 9:00am – 4:30pm each day.
During the two-day Open House all in-stock merchandise: ski equipment, apparel, specialty foods and gifts, is 15 – 60% off. Complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and tea will be available at the resort’s Kuuma Feeding Station located in the Finnish Line Ski Lodge and hourly door prizes will be drawn. Pat Ferri, PSIA-certified instructor and Assistant Nordic Director, will offer free wax and ski care tips sessions. All are invited! Lapland Lake Season Pass Memberships will be available at normally reduced early-season rates; regular Membership rates will go into effect Monday, December 11th.
Open House is free of charge. Facility use fees will be half-price both days for those wishing to ski, snowshoe and tube (conditions permitting). If there is no snow, visitors are welcome to enjoy complimentary hiking on the resort’s 50km trail system.
A complete cross country ski and snowshoe facility celebrating its 40th winter season, Lapland Lake offers fully equipped rental and retail shops, a comfortable two-story warming lodge with food service. The trail system has 50km of trails for all ability levels. 38km are marked, mapped and snowcat groomed with trackset and skating lanes; 12km are ungroomed, marked, mapped snowshoe trails.
In addition to cross country skiing and snowshoeing, other resort activities include ice-skating and tubing on two junior hills.
Lodging is available in private rooms and 10 housekeeping cottages. Lodging packages include use of trails each day and evening including days of arrival and departure, use of the Finnish wood burning sauna and discounted ski lessons. Attractive lodging discounts are offered midweek.
Lapland Lake has been presented with numerous awards:
- Best Cross Country Ski Resort category (#3) in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Travel Award contest.
- North America’s Top 10 Snowshoe-Friendly Nordic Centers (#4), Snowshoe Magazine
- Tourism Partner Award, Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Private Sector Tourism Partnership Award, Adirondack Regional Tourism Council
- Best XC Ski Resort in the Mid-Atlantic Region (two consecutive years)
- Best XC Ski Resort for Families – Best XC Ski Resort Poll
- Top Ten XC Ski Resorts Catering to Families – xcskiresorts.com
Located in the south-central portion of the Adirondack Forest Preserve, Lapland Lake is just over an hour’s drive from Schenectady; only 60 miles from Albany and Utica; four hours from New York City and Boston.
Lapland Lake may be contacted at 518-863-4974, vacation@laplandlake.com and online at www.laplandlake.com.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT JOHNSON HALL STATE HISTORIC SITE
In conjunction with the City of Johnstown’s Colonial Stroll holiday activities, Johnson Hall State Historic Site will hold a Holiday Open House on Friday, December 1 from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM.
The Hall will be decorated for the holiday season and will feature live 18th century music performed by Liaison Plaisantes in the second floor hall. Mulled cider and ginger cookies will be served at the Slave Quarters fireplace. The museum shop will offer 20% off for holiday shopping that evening. Horse-drawn wagon rides of the mansion’s candlelit circular drive, by Fritz-Ann Farms, will be available to visitors between 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. An outside fire to keep warm is also planned.
The evening’s event is free and open to the public. Donations will be gratefully accepted and will be earmarked for the continued historic restoration efforts of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant’s historic home.
This year’s event is co-sponsored by Johnson Hall State Historic Site, the Friends of Johnson Hall, Goderie’s Tree Farm, Hewitt’s Garden Center and the Fulton-Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Johnson Hall was the 1763 Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant and their family. Sir William (1715 – 1774) was the single largest landowner and most influential individual in the colonial Mohawk Valley. His success in dealing with the Six Nations had a lasting impact on their relationship with the English, and largely influenced England’s victory in the Anglo-French struggle for control of colonial North America. The main house and flanking stonehouses, originally surrounded by a 700 acre farm, now interpret the Johnson family through guided tours of the period room settings, educational programs and special events.
Johnson Hall State Historic Site is located at 139 Hall Avenue in historic Johnstown, just off West State Street (State Highway 29 West). For more information visit their Facebook page or www.friendsofjohnsonhallny.org, or email JohnsonHall@parks.ny.gov.
Walleye Challenge 2018
To read the rules for the 2018 Walleye Challenge click here: Rules 2018 Walleye Challenge
Please be reminded the 2018 Walleye Ice Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, February 17, 2018. Due to unseasonably warm winter weather the past two year, the tournament date has been pushed back in hope of safe ice conditions.
Thank you to our sponsors Frank’s Gun Shop and Saratoga Eagle!
Tourism Workshop Announced
The tourism department of the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced that it has scheduled a tourism packaging workshop for tourism properties in the Fulton Montgomery Counties region. The workshop will teach new ways to increase visitation and improve profitability through cooperative tour packaging. The workshop will begin at 9am on Wednesday, November 15 at the Holiday Inn, 308 North Comrie Avenue, Johnstown.
The workshop will be led by seasoned tourism professional Lynn “Spike” Herzig of the Herzig Group, Inc. A career of leadership in developing cultural heritage tourism products has helped Spike Herzig earn the respect of his industry partners while elevating their competitiveness in the marketplace. A consummate innovator in bridging relationships across the tourism spectrum, he founded several non-profit ventures to help grow cultural and heritage based destinations. From private sector consultation, to consulting for the country of Mexico, to running a major regional destination marketing organization, to establishing cultural-based packages that boost capacity options for heritage tourism suppliers, Spike has vast experience and leads multi-faceted workshops in customer service training and retention as well as international tourism.
The workshop is open to all tourism-related facilities looking to grow their business. The cost is $10 per person and includes all workshop materials and refreshments. To register please call the tourism department at (518)725-0641 or email tourism@fultonmontgomeryny.org.
Fall Foliage Report: October 3-9
I LOVE NY began the “New York Fall Foliage Report” on September 14 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County has its own “foliage spotters” to participate in this annual report.
Reporting station: Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, Northville
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 45%
Brilliance: Dull
Predominating colors: Yellows and browns, with some remaining reds and oranges
Rating: Nearing midpoint
The unseasonably warm weather the last few weeks seems to have slowed the change in color. Typically the region reaches peak around the Columbus Day weekend, but many of the leaves that possessed early color have fallen. Patches of bright colors are thin but can found.
While the leaf peeping season is less than vibrant this year, there are still many reasons to visit Fulton County. The event calendar is full with festivals and a variety of events. It is also Path Through History
weekend in New York State.
Visit Johnson Hall State Historic Site to learn about the experiences of African slaves in colonial New York featuring presentations and demonstrations by The Children of Dahomey, an educational performance group. Visitors can participate in traditional dances, theatrical demonstrations and instrument-making workshops, and hear traditional storytelling. In the slave quarters, culinary historian and hearth cooking specialist Lavada Nahon will demonstrate open-hearth cooking and interpret historic African and African-American food ways. An Open House will also be held with free admission. Regular guided tours of the historic house will not be offered on this day.
Celebrate the season at the Fulton County Museum Harvest Festival. This event is 
co-sponsored by the Mayfield Grange and the Fulton County Historian’s Office. Enjoy activities for all ages, live music, displays by community groups and businesses, and more. Learn about the history of farming in the area and explore the museum’s many exhibits, including the Military Room, FJ&G Railroad exhibit with working model, history of glove making, and lots of other unique and fascinating exhibits. A special walking tour of Historic Kingsboro kicks off the event at 12:00pm; the tour will meet at the Museum.
The Grange is sponsoring a pumpkin and sunflower contest for ages 5 and up with prizes. The Museum will also sponsor a pumpkin decorating contest for kids. This event is free and open to the public.
Visit our calendar for more information on these events and the many other activities in Fulton County.
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.676.3858
African Traditions in Colonial New York at Johnson Hall
Eighteenth-century African life and customs will be highlighted during the program “African Traditions in Colonial New York” at Johnson Hall State Historic Site on Saturday, October 7 from 11am to 4pm.
The Children of Dahomey, an educational performance group specializing in the historical experiences of African slaves in colonial New York, will demonstrate aspects of traditional African culture that were preserved and practiced despite the bondage of slavery. Also, a dramatic presentation of To Be So Confin’d: Complexities of Slavery in 18th Century New York will be performed by Donald Hyman and Frederick Jones, examining the complexities of northern slavery and the nature of that bondage within one household. In addition, culinary historian, hearth cooking specialist and independent scholar Lavada Nahon will return to the slave quarters at Johnson Hall to demonstrate open-hearth cooking and interpret historic African and African-American food ways. There will also be blacksmithing by Olaf Jansson and fur-trading demonstrations, and an Open House of the Hall will be held. Refreshments will be available for purchase. A schedule of the various events will be posted that day.
The Children of Dahomey will invite visitors to participate in traditional dances, theatrical demonstrations and traditional instrument-making workshops. Traditional storytelling will also be presented, utilizing African, Caribbean, and African-American folktales in their traditional manner to teach life lessons, values, and mores while thoroughly entertaining audience members of all ages. Education about the reality of life as an African slave is interwoven throughout each presentation.
Performers, based out of the New York City area, include Judith Samuel, Keith Johnston, Babalawo Neil Clarke, Marcha Tracey, Lloyd Crosdale and Vesta Walker. Company members have performed and taught extensively worldwide as solo and ensemble artists.
Samuels explains their name derives from Haiti, known as a “Child of Dahomey” because so many Africans from Dahomey (now the Republic of Benin) were kidnapped and enslaved in Haiti during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. These African/Haitians refused to allow their culture to be forgotten or destroyed. They hold the proud legacy of being the only nation whose enslaved freed themselves from slavery.
Nahon, a native of Texas, has spent over 20 years studying the culinary culture of the Mid-Atlantic region from the 17th through 19th centuries, and is now expanding her interest into the Northeast. She has shared her research and knowledge through lectures, demonstrations, workshops and cooking classes throughout the country.
Johnson Hall, the 1763 Georgian estate of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant, today interprets their family life through guided tours of the period room settings, educational programs and special events.
Johnson Hall State Historic Site is located at 139 Hall Avenue in historic Johnstown. For more information, write JohnsonHall@parks.ny.gov, or visit www.facebook.com/johnsonhallstatehistoricsite or www.friendsofjohnsonhallny.org.
Fall Foliage Report: September 19-25
I LOVE NY began the “New York Fall Foliage Report” on September 14 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County has its own “foliage spotters” to participate in this annual report.
Reporting station: Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, Northville
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 35-40%
Brilliance: Average
Predominating colors: Increasing reds, yellows, and oranges, with some brown and purple shades mixed in.
Rating: Approaching midpoint
While there is still green visible, an array of colors are mixing in as depicted in our photos.
The Mohawk Harvest Cooperative Market has transformed North Main Street in Gloversville with their mums display. The Co-op has mums for sale and other seasonal local products.
This weekend the 23rd annual Eagle Mills Art and Craft Show continues. The Bridgewalk at the Perthshire is also having a craft fair.
The 8th annual Fulton County Day on the Farm returns to Rogers Family Orchards, 260 County Highway 131, Johnstown on Sunday, September 24 from 12-4pm. Support our agricultural community and join your friends and neighbors for this agricultural festival. Everyone receives a complimentary ice cream cone and a chance to climb the hay mountain.
Horse and tractor drawn wagon rides are always a favorite. Pick your own apples or a wide selection of already picked apples, pumpkins, vegetables, and cider, honey and maple products will be available for purchase. Festival food will be available from vendors.
Exhibitors will showcase oxen, dairy and beef cattle, horses, alpacas, rabbits, poultry and other farm animals. Local producers of Christmas trees, ornamental nursery stock, bedding plants, fruits, vegetables, and fall flowers will be on display. Farm equipment from days past and modern farming technologies will be represented to remind residents that farming remains viable today and important to our local economy.
Come and enjoy the colors of autumn and the many events Fulton County has to offer.
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.676.3858
Fall Foliage Report: September 12-18
Some of the colors visible this week.
I LOVE NY starts the “New York Fall Foliage Report” on September 14 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County has its own “foliage spotters” to participate in this annual report.
Reporting station: Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center, Northville
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 20-25%
Brilliance: Dull with spots of bright
Predominating colors: Greenish-Yellow, Brown with touches of Orange and Red
Rating: Just Beginning
The leaves are just beginning to change with a lot of green still visible. But bright reds and oranges are appearing.
Other signs of the fall season are popping up as well. Local farm stands have pumpkins and mums for sale. And apple picking season has started.
This weekend features an array of events from live music to food festivals. The 23rd annual Eagle Mills Art and Craft Show kicks off on Saturday for two great weekends! Lapland Lake is hosting the Second Annual Course the Wall Trail Run; your choice of either 5K or 9K on the Lapland Lake private trail system. Both courses include The Wall which is a short but steep hill conveniently located near the end of the course.
Come and enjoy the colors of autumn and the many events Fulton County has to offer.
Call for Travel Guides and Specialty Maps!
1.800.676.3858