Paul Smith's College VIC
Winter Schedule 2013
The Paul Smith’s College VIC has put together a full schedule of outdoor educational, recreational, arts and music activities of interest to VIC season pass holders and the general public. When you come skiing or snowshoeing, all visitors are asked to sign in at the VIC building where you can pick up the new full color map. In general, trails are skied in a clockwise direction. Access to all trails is through the Visitor’s building. Trail passes, rentals, food, drinks, local art, and last minute essential supplies are available.
Arm Chair Traveler Lecture Series
February 14, Bob Dedrick – Slides and Stories of an unsupported trip on the Coppermine River to the Arctic Ocean
February 28, Sandra Hildreth – Glacier and Yellowstone Parks through an Artist’s Eyes
Join us at the VIC every other Thursday at 7 PM for the Travel & Science Lecture Series. Come on out to learn something new from an expert or expand your knowledge about distant places from the traveler's point of view. Free to season pass holders and students, $5 for all others.
Volunteer Potluck
14 February
Appetizers at 5 PM, dinner at 5:30 PM prior to the Arm Chair Traveler presentation. Bring a place setting and a dish to pass. Current and aspiring volunteers welcome. Come learn about upcoming events and programs from VIC staff.
Explore the VIC Saturdays
Come to The VIC to learn about the wonders of winter with VIC Naturalist Brian McAllister! All walks start at 10 AM and meet in the building. $20 per person for non-members, $10 for season pass holders. Snowshoe rentals available. Walk topics include tracking, winter survival and winter birding. Preregistration is required.
Winter Night Life at the VIC
15
February
Come snowshoe and explore the winter night life on the VIC trails with naturalist Brian McAllister. The program runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Bring your own headlamp and snowshoes (rentals available). $20 per person for non-members, $10 for season pass holders. Preregistration is required.
Northern New York Maple Project
The Paul Smith’s College VIC has partnered with The Wild Center and Cornell Maple to expand maple syrup and sugaring opportunities in the region. Working on a grant from the Northern Border Regional Development Commission, the VIC will develop two demonstration sugar bushes – one with lines and one with buckets – to model what a family could do in their own back yard. The VIC will also build a sugar house, offer clinics on maple sugaring, develop a community maple project to encourage others to tap their maple trees, and participate in the Maple Sugar Weekends. For more information, go to Northernnewyorkmapleproject.com
Maple Workshop – Setting up a Tubing System with Mike Farrell
16 February 2013
This workshop is designed for those interested in starting or expanding a maple sugaring operation but unsure where to begin. Mike Farrell, of the Uihlein Sugar Maple Research & Extension Field Station in Lake Placid, will present a hands-on tubing workshop from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Paul Smith’s College VIC. The workshop begins inside with a short program; participants will then head out to set up a tubing system for the Paul Smith’s College VIC’s Sugar Maple Demonstration site. Topics to be covered include preparing the sugar bush prior to tubing installation, site considerations, line placement and installation, tapping trees, sanitation, and sap collection. Contact: Brian McDonnell at 518.327.6241 or bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu.
NYS Maple Weekend
16-17 & 23 March 2013
The Paul Smith's College VIC will be part of the Northeastern New York Maple Producer’s region-wide event. Come for a tour of the VIC's new sugar bush, visit the sugar house, try some maple confections and baked goods, learn about maple sugaring, sign up for the VIC's Community Maple Project, and support the VIC by purchasing a “tree-share” in the bush or a jug of Paul Smith’s made maple syrup.
Beginner Maple Workshop
23 March 2013
Paul Smith’s College students will be on hand to lead “Learn the art of maple sugaring” workshops. Participants will learn about backyard tapping, collection and boiling. The program runs from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Contact: Brian McDonnell at 518.327.6241 or bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu.
Adopt a Sugar Maple (Acer sacharum)
Support the development of maple sugaring at the VIC by adopting a tree we will tap. Each tree you “adopt” is $25. You will be investing in the education of an intern, tapping and equipment for “your tree” and the best part is you get a quart of maple syrup from “your tree!” “Adoption papers” are at the front desk of the VIC.
Sporting Events
Empire State Winter Games Snowshoe Races
10 February
Paul Smith’s College will host the snowshoe sprint races of the Empire State Winter Games at the Soccer Field in the morning; the 5K Cross Country Snowshoe Race will take place at the VIC starting at 2:00 PM. The 5K Cross Country Snowshoe Race will be a mass start, using the same course as the 2012 Jingle Bell Snowshoe Race. The course will be a back country undulating single woodland loop on a groomed surface. The course will be well marked with cones and pin flags. The start and finish will be near the VIC Main Lodge. Race registration for the 5K is from 12:30 PM – 1:45 PM. The presentation of 5K snowshoe awards will take place in the VIC Main Lodge once the final competitor is finished. This should be at or near 3 PM. For more information, contact Jim Tucker at 518-327-6286.
“Ultra” VIC Team and solo snow shoe and ski races
2 March
The Ultra VIC will take place featuring team and individual competition on a 10K freestyle, 10K Classic and 5K Snowshoe course. Put a three person team together or be an “Ultra Competitor!” Preregistration is appreciated.
Jenkins Mountain Snowshoe Stampede – “There and back again”
3 March
The Adventure will start at 10:00 AM. Teams of 1 – 4 people will navigate the VIC on either a 5K or 15K course. The 15K course will include the TOP of Jenkins Mountain! There will be both competitive and touring categories. After all, “It’s about the experience.” Go for speed or collect points by visiting controls on various natural features around the VIC property. Entry fee is $20 per person, $15 for season pass holders. Prizes will be awarded. There will also be a 1k “bunny run” for youth up to 12 years old at 11:00 AM. Preregistration for all races is appreciated.
“Chase the Leprechaun” 5K Fun Race
17
March
Catch the little green guy and win yourself a “piece of gold.” Watch out – you’ll need a bit of Irish luck to catch the cagey sprite! Entry fee is $20 per person, $15 for season pass holders.
Adirondack Birding Center Programs
Teddy Roosevelt Winter Series Snowshoe Bird Walks
5 & 19 February
Join Brian McAllister, of the Adirondack Birding Center, for a morning snowshoe bird walk in search of the hearty birds that call the Adirondacks their home. The program runs from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Bring binoculars, snowshoes, and dress appropriately. Snowshoe rentals available. Please register by calling the VIC 327-6241. Cost: $10.00 for season pass holders, $20.00 for others (includes a pass)
Live Birds of Prey
Saturdays
The Paul Smith’s College VIC and Adirondack Raptors invites you to spend Saturday afternoons immersed in the lives of birds of prey. Mark Manske of Adirondack Raptors will have live birds on hand from 1:00 to 3:00 PM to describe the amazing lives of hawks and owls of our region. Free with trail pass.
Music & Art
Impromptu Music - Weekends at the VIC!
Join local musicians on Saturday and Sunday Afternoons during the ski season. Go for a ski and come on in for a cup of cocoa and enjoy some local music while you warm up. Most weekends 1 – 5pm. Free with day pass.
Full Moon Friday Ski Pass Holders Pot Luck, Coffee House and Ski
22 February
Come join us for inside and outside fun! We’ll bust out the tiki lights luminaries and headlamps for some night skiing and a fire outside and invite our musically talented and poet friends to perform inside. Bring a dish to pass and a place setting and join the VIC staff, our musical guest host Celia Evans and other pass holders for some good food, great music and super skiing under the moonlight. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Musicians and poets sign up for a spot. Free for members, public $5.
“Bunny Boot” Ball Dance and Ski Party
2
March
Kick up your feet for a thumping good time at the VIC! We’ve enlisted the Fat River Kings for your dancing and listening pleasure. We’ll be skiing and dancing and generally having a good time. There will be live music, food, a silent auction, bonfire, and indoor and outdoor activities. Wear your big winter bunny boots, but bring your dancing shoes and join us for a fun night of music and dance. $15 per person, $25 per couple ($10 and $15 for season pass holders!)
Songwriters Showcase
15
March
Join Doug Irving, John Krebs, Steve Boerst, and Ray Agnew for an evening of songs and tall tales in the great room of the VIC.
New Moon Art Shows
Every month on the new moon the VIC features a different pair of local artists who adorn the walls of the VIC Great Room with their art. From February 15 to March 25, Ginger Dora and John DiGiacomo will dress up the walls of the VIC great room with their art.
Cribbage Tournament
21
February
The tournament begins at 3:30 PM and end when the last card is played! Each participant is guaranteed at least 2 best of three game rounds. Entry is free for season pass holders, $5 for public.