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Fulton County Foliage Report: Week of September 24-October 1
I LOVE NY started their Fall Foliage Reports on September 11 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County will also continue participation in this annual report.
Kane Mountain, Caroga Lake week of September 24-October 1
Fulton County Report for the Week of September 24-October 1:
Reporting station: Fulton County Tourism Department, Gloversville
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 50-75%
Brilliance: Average to Bright
Predominating colors: Gold with green, higher elevations had a lot of red and orange
Rating: Midpoint to Near Peak
Continuing with my morning commute route, the lower elevations still have a lot of green and gold. I am starting to see some red and orange; over the next week a lot more color should become visible.
In some higher elevations, there are already patchy spots missing leaves, but the prominent colors are red and orange. It is a gorgeous view! This weekend is a good time to get out for leaf peeping before the opportunity is missed.
The weather forecast is sunny and low 70s. In the coming week, if we get any rain it may take that opportunity away.
Come stay for the weekend… the farm markets are open, “Little Shop of Horrors” is at The Glove Performing Arts Center, and Fulton County’s Day at the Farm is on Sunday. Visit our calendar to help plan your autumn getaway.
FREE Harvest Tour, Route 29A Chain of Lakes, and Great Sacandaga Lake informational maps are available.
1.800.676.3858
Fulton County Foliage Report: Week of Spetember 18-24
I LOVE NY started their Fall Foliage Reports on September 11 and will continue until the end of the foliage season, around the first or second week in November. Fulton County will participate in this annual report.
Gloversville tree week of September 18-24
Our Fulton County Report for the Week of September 18-24:
Reporting station: Fulton County Tourism Department, Gloversville
Percent of trees predicted to have changed by the coming weekend: 25% or more
Brilliance: Dull
Predominating colors: Gold with green, touches of red and brown
Rating: Just Beginning
My morning drive took me through the Broadalbin-Perth area into Gloversville. The tree lined roads are always picturesque in the morning sun, but when the leaves start to change to autumn colors it is always a little more special. The crisp mornings are a reminder that many fall events are happening and the Adirondacks are a great place to see the foliage change.
The variety of colors is just starting to show. Many trees have a yellow and gold color to them. Some have a brownish red peeking through. At this point, very few have orange or any deep vibrant colors. Within the next two weeks, we should see a brilliance of color and reach peak leaf peeping.
The mountain views showcase a progressive timeline in the change of colors. The higher elevations tend to change slightly earlier. If enjoying scenic rides through Fulton County, expect to visit the higher elevations a few days earlier than lower elevations.
Call for a free copy of our Harvest Tour map to accompany your Fall Foliage ride! The Harvest Tour map will assist in finding apples, cider, pumpkins, mums, baked goods, and so many more seasonal products.
We also have the Route 29A Chain of Lakes map and the Great Sacandaga Lake map; both maps include attractions, shopping, dining, and much more to help plan your Fall Getaway!
1.800.676.3858
Final Johnson Hall Walking Tour
To further highlight the 250th anniversary of the building of historic Johnson Hall and the development of its surrounding estate, the State Historic Site has presented special interpretive walking tours during the 2013 season.
Beyond The Mansion: A Walking Tour of the Johnson Hall Estate and Outbuildings is led by Aaron Robinson, Johnson Hall’s Senior Historic Site Interpreter. Archeological evidence, historic documents and ongoing research have provided a better understanding and interpretation of the property. Robinson will detail the historic grounds and outbuilding locations of Sir William Johnson’s 700-acre 18th century working estate, highlighting how the craftspeople, guests, servants and slaves utilized these spaces to make Johnson Hall function.
Robinson, a graduate of the University at Albany Public History Program, has been on the Johnson Hall interpretive staff since June 2011.
The final Beyond The Mansion guided tour will be held on Saturday, September 21 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Tour-goers should meet in the East Stonehouse – reservations are not necessary. The tour is be given rain or shine.
Johnson Hall State Historic Site will be open for the 2013 season for guided tours through Sunday, October 13. For more information on Johnson Hall, contact (518) 762 – 8712, visit the Site’s Facebook page, or visit www.nysparks.com.
Route 29A Chain of Lakes Maps Available
The Fulton County Tourism Department has announced that the official 2013 Route 29A Chain of Lakes Map is printed and ready for distribution. The Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce is the designated tourism promotion agency for Fulton County that promotes tourism utilizing I LOVE NY tourism matching funds. This map is one of many brochures that the Tourism Department produces to attract tourists to the area.
The Route 29A Chain of Lakes Map is an informational map highlighting dining, shopping, lodging, recreational services, and attractions in close proximity to the lakes along the 29A corridor. Updates were completed for continued distribution to businesses and attractions in Fulton County. The previous version was distributed this past spring and summer via local businesses, information centers, trade shows, goody bags, and many other venues. This map is a companion piece to the Fulton County Travel Guide and the Great Sacandaga Lake Map.
Fulton County is a four-season destination; there is always something to do. With the fall season in full swing, leaf peeping, craft fairs and harvest events, and apple orchards are some of the activities bringing visitors to Fulton County. This map is a great piece to aid in planning a day trip or weekend getaway. It is never too early to start planning for next summer’s experience. And there is plenty to do in the winter including skiing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling.
The maps are available at the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber office at 2 North Main Street, Gloversville and the Fulton County Visitor Center, at the corner of State Routes 29 and 30, Vail Mills. For more Fulton County tourism information visit www.44lakes.com.
Vintage Baseball Game and Fulton County Baseball & Sports HOF Inductions Scheduled at Parkhurst Field
The Fulton County Baseball & Sports Hall of Fame will be holding its 2013 Inductions on Saturday October 12, 2013 at Parkhurst Field in Gloversville NY between innings of a Vintage Baseball Game. The game will be played that day between the Whatley Pioneers of Western Massachusetts and the local A., J. & G Team, which is being compiled of former Gloversville Little Leaguers who once played at the historic Parkhurst Field site and have gone on to play professionally. The starting Pitcher for the Whately Pioneers will be New York Yankee Legend Jim Bouton, while the Manager of the A., J. & G Team will be Major League Coaching Legend Jack McKeon.
Set to be inducted will be players from the old New York State League Teams that played in Johnstown & Gloversville from 1895-1907. Inductees will include Jack Chesbro (Johnstown Buckskins 1895/NY Yankees/MLB HOF’er), Cupid Childs (MLB 1888-1901/A.,J&G’s 1902), George Bell (A.J.,G’s 1904- 1905/MLB 1907-1911), Howard Earl (MLB 1890-1891/A.,J.&G’s 1904-1907) and Joe Birmingham (A.,J.&G’s 1906/MLB 1906-1921).
According to event Co-Chairman Mike Hauser, “We are excited to be blending our traditional HOF concept with a Vintage Game to be played at an historic site such as Parkhurst Field where some of the 2013 Inductees actually played over 100 years ago.”
“We are taking the concept a step further by creating a team that honors the A., J. & G teams and players who played on this site with former Gloversville Little League Players, who also began their baseball careers on the very same patch of land several decades later,” adds David Karpinski, President of Gloversville Little League and Co-Chairman of the event.
“Both teams will be wearing throwback uniforms consistent with those worn by their respective teams at the turn of the century, while playing by MLB Rules in place at that time. Adding such modern day legends as Bouton and McKeon will add to the excitement of the day and provide a wonderful memory not only for the players participating in the actual game, but for the residents of Fulton County & Upstate NY who will have the opportunity to witness this historic event,” comments Hauser.
This marks McKeon’s first managing job since he retired as the Miami Marlins Manager at the end of the 2011 Season. Prior to that, McKeon had guided the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series Championship over the NY Yankees. McKeon has been in the game of Baseball professionally for 64 years and has managed the Kansas City Royals (1973-75), Oakland A’s (1977-78), San Diego Padres (1988-90), Cincinnati Reds (1997-2000) and the Florida/Miami Marlins (2003-2005 & 2011). McKeon is the only manager in the history of Baseball to win over 1,000 games in both the Minor Leagues & the Major Leagues. Along the way, he earned Major League Baseball’s Manager of the Year Award in 1999 & 2003, while becoming the oldest person to win a World Series in 2003 at the age of 72 when he guided the Florida Marlins past the New York Yankees.
Bouton, who authored the controversial book Ball Four, a tell all diary & memoir of his playing days as a MLB Player, will start the game for the Pioneers. Bouton’s Major League Career spanned from 1963 to 1978, with the NY Yankees, Seattle Pilots, Houston Astro’s and Atlanta Braves. He was a 1963 All- Star and a World Series Champion with the NY Yankees in 1962. His World Series Pitching Record is 2-1, with a 1.48 ERA.
At the conclusion of the game, a roadside ceremony will take place in which representatives from the Fulton County Museum will be on hand to help unveil the very first Fulton County Sports Historical Society road marker that denotes that Baseball has been played at that site since 1906. The Parkhurst Field Museum chronicles the history of the facility since 1906 and will be open to the public that day.
Admission to the game is a $5 donation to the groups HOF Fund. Gates open at Noon and the Vintage Game/Ceremonies will begin at 1pm. Parkhurst Field/Gloversville Little League is located at 50 Harrison Street in Gloversville.
For more information, visit www.fchof.com or contact Mike Hauser at 518-725-5565. You can also visit the “Parkhurst Field” or “Fulton County Baseball & Sports HOF” Facebook Pages.
Johnson Hall Lecture Series Continues this Fall
Johnson Hall State Historic Site’s 250th Anniversary Lecture Series, marking the building of the historic Johnson Hall estate, continues on Saturday, September 7. Through October, on the first Saturday of each month, lectures that focus on the period surrounding the 1763 building of the home will be held at Johnson Hall.
Due to continued historic restoration on the mansion’s back entrance, the September 7 lecture will be held, beginning at 11am, in the East Stonehouse, where seating will be limited. Refreshments will be available following the lecture. Regular public tours will be available after 1:00pm on lecture days.
On Saturday, September 7, Gayle Ann Livecchia will present “Colonial Johnstown, According to the Daybook of Robert Adems, Sir William Johnson’s Bookkeeper”. Livecchia has done extensive research on Adems, who also worked for Sir John Johnson following Sir William’s death. By examining Adems’ meticulous record-keeping, a picture emerges providing insight into the items stocked in the frontier store and the customers from all social classes. The customer list included Joseph Brant, Gilbert Tice, Daniel Claus and Guy Johnson. Major account holders used it as a bank, sending laborers and craftsman to the store for payment for services rendered. For the majority of people in the ledger, Adam’s notation of their visit is their only documentation of their lives.
An Ohio native, Livecchia received her undergraduate degree and MBA from Youngstown State University, and an MPA and MS in Rural Sociology from Ohio State University. She taught sociology at New Jersey community colleges and Fairleigh Dickenson University, then turned her research skills to history. She has presented papers at the New York State Historical Association conferences, the Researching New York conference at the University at Albany, and at the Elizabethtown College Amish Conference. Her primary research focus is the American Revolution in New York’s Mohawk Valley.
The final session of the 250th Anniversary Lecture Series will be held on Saturday, October 5 with Judy Anderson presenting “Georgian Opulence – in the Wilderness, above the Hudson, and on the Seacoast”.
For more information on Johnson Hall, contact (518) 762 – 8712, visit the Site’s Facebook page, or visit www.nysparks.com.
Triathlon Donates to Local Charity
(l to r) Boys & Girls Club Member Simia Chandler, Ruth Drake, Chairperson for the Boys & Girls Club, Mick Brenno, PLPA, Chair of the Peck’s Lake Triathlon, Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Director of Fulton County Tourism, and Boys & Girls Club Board of Managers Members, Audrey Bowman and Lyn LeMaitre
137 athletes participated in the Fourth Annual Peck’s Lake Challenge Sprint Triathlon, held on Saturday, August 3 on and around Peck’s Lake, located in the towns of Johnstown and Bleecker in Fulton County. $1,000 was raised by the event to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Gloversville. The event was co-presented by the Peck’s Lake Protective Association and the Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“We are pleased to help present a positive event such as the Triathlon in our community and to be able to donate a portion of the proceeds to such a worthy cause,” stated Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Director of Tourism for Fulton County. “Fulton County is fortunate to have such a great event that showcases the area to visitors. And the Boys & Girls Club is an essential venue for our youth to be involved with.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Gloversville promotes the social, educational, health, leadership, and character development of boys and girls during critical periods of their growth. The Gloversville Chapter serves all youth of Fulton County, with special concern for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, to become responsible citizens and leaders. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Gloversville, please call (518) 725-1711.
Triathlon results for all participants can be found on the Fulton Montgomery Chamber website. Photos from the event can be found on the Visit Fulton County, NY Facebook page.
Fulton County Agritourism
Agritourism is tourism based on attracting visitors to agricultural operations. This type of tourism is comprised of businesses such as crop and animal farms, u-pick operations, wineries, aquaculture and for-fee fishing operations, Christmas tree farms, herb farms and greenhouses, maple syrup and cheese producers, and farm stands.
To highlight agritourism in Fulton County, the Harvest Tour map is a valuable resource. The map promotes local products available during all four seasons, lists farmer’s markets, and allows the user to find a farm to tour and learn more.
Farmer’s markets in Fulton County can found on:
Tuesday 2-5pm, Northville
Tuesday 3-6pm, Johnstown
Friday 2-5pm, Northville
Saturday 8:30am-12:30pm, Gloversville
Upcoming agricultural events include the opening of Eagle Mills Cider Press for the season and Fulton County’s Day at the Farm. The Eagle Mills will begin pressing on Saturday, August 31; watch the antique water powered cider press go into action for the first time this season during a free mill tour with cider samples. Pressing demonstrations will continue every autumn weekend at noon.
Sunday, September 29th marks the 4th annual “Fulton County’s Day at the Farm” agricultural festival. Support the agricultural community at Rogers Family Orchards. 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.
For more agricultural events visit our calendar. Call 1-800-676-3858 for a FREE copy of the Harvest Tour map!
18th Century Cricket
Members of the British Brigade will visit Johnson Hall State Historic Site on this Saturday August 17th 10:00 – 4:00, to play 18th Century Cricket. The event is co-sponsored by Johnson Hall State Historic Site and the 24th Regiment of Foot of the British Brigade.
The British Brigade Inc. is a NYS Board of Regents charted living history organization that demonstrates the military activities and social pastimes of those British and American soldiers and their families, who served their country loyally during the American War of Independence.
Johnson Hall will serve as an elegant setting for the tournament, as Brigade members play the original version of this 18th century pastime. Period spectators will watch on the sidelines, creating a splendid outdoor scene, as they dine and relax among their comfortable field furnishings.
There will be no food vendor on site, spectators are encouraged to bring their own picnic lunch, locate a comfortable place in the shade and enjoy the matches. To complete the experience, opportunities will be made available for the public to try their hand at Cricket.
Matches are scheduled to take place on Saturday between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Major Paul Novotny will deliver game history and playing instructions at both 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM with matches following. A special match scheduled at 1:00 P.M. to be played by teams representing the 24th Regiment of Foot and St John’s Episcopal Church.
Admission to the house and tournament is free. Donations to support this and other events at Johnson Hall are always appreciated.
Johnson Hall State Historic Site is located at 139 Hall Avenue in Johnstown, just off West State St. (State Hwy 29 West). For more information on this event please contact wade.wells@oprhp.state.ny.us or call 518-762-8712.
Fulton County Tourism Celebrates the 19th Annual $10,000 Bet on Fulton County Raffle
The Fulton Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce held the 19th annual fundraiser for the Fulton County Tourism Department to help their work in promoting the area to visitors on Friday, August 9, 2013 at the Holiday Inn Johnstown-Gloversville.
Gina DaBiere-Gibbs, Fulton County’s Director of Tourism said, “I’m grateful to the community for their support of our tourism program and am pleased with the attendance during the evening’s festivities. We are fortunate to have held this raffle for 19 years and to still have the continued support each year.”
The final two tickets holders for the evening’s raffle decided to split 1st & 2nd Prizes of $10,000 and $1,000, each receiving $5,500.
1st Prize & 2nd Prize Shared Winners of a total of $11,000, Ticket numbers 178 and 212 were Amy McCray and Alan Jones
3rd Prize $1,000, Ticket # 199, Julia Brockhum
4th Prize $200, Ticket # 254, Sara Pine
5th Prize $100, Ticket # 083, Kurt Bens
6th Prize $100, Ticket # 252, Michael Bowman
7th Prize $100, Ticket # 281, Barbara & George Heide
Consolation Prize (1st Ticket Drawn) $100, Ticket # 192, Skoda
For more information about Fulton County call (518) 725-0641 or visit our tourism website at www.44lakes.com.