A September Weekend in the Adirondacks
Rising early in the Saturday morning darkness, I laced up my running shoes and drove to Cooper Street across town in Glens Falls. I was meeting Christine Cifone-Clohosey, Cristina Marchese, and a few others from the Adirondack Runners group. It had been an over ten-year tradition for the group to embark on a run in the dark toward Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport. This year marks the 52nd year of the Adirondack Balloon Festival, a staple and tourist attraction of Glens Falls and Queensbury, New York.
All of us were carrying flashlights and some wearing reflective vests as we began the cold run toward Ridge Street. By the time we got to the intersection of Quaker and Ridge, the line of cars heading to the festival was beginning to take shape. There were cyclists and walkers heading the same direction as well. A few of the drivers recognized Cristina, shouting words of encouragement as we ran on the side of the road past Cronin Road. When we turned onto Chestnut Ridge Road, I picked up some trash and empty cans on the side of the road to clean up the path. Given that there were no trash cans by the road, I carried them all the way to the airport.
A little passed the five-mile mark on our watches, we passed by a group of people walking toward the festival, coffee in hand. They decided to pick up their speed and run with us. After talking with them, the group was in the area from across the country for a wedding, some of them traveling from Philadelphia, Colorado, and beyond. We finished the six-mile run a short distance from one of three entrances to the festival, grabbing some long-sleeved shirts to keep warm from … ‘s car. As we recovered our breath and walked, I picked up more handfuls of trash, cultivating a good feeling of environmental stewardship and humorous thoughts surrounding the trail of alcoholic drinks.
At the entrance was the Warren County Police and Sheriff Jim LaFarr, helping to ensure traffic and pedestrians arrive at the festival safely. We passed by the entrance to the airport, a statue of a plane by a slogan that states, “Your Gateway to the Adirondacks”. The Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport was built in 1941 after Col. Clarence B Coombs approached Warren County Supervisors to consider its construction with the support of the Federal Government. While the United States had not entered the second World War yet, its location between New York City and Montreal, Canada was considered a good investment.
The airport was named after a distinguished Navy Pilot that was born in Warrensburg, New York in 1890. Famous for being the first pilot to venture to the North Pole in 1926 (though the claims were later disputed), he passed away in two years later in Quebec, Canada. While the completion of the Adirondack Northway decades later reduced the amount of air travel, per the Warren County website, “some of [the current] users are International Paper Company, General Electric Company, Aetna Insurance, Irving (purchased Scott Paper Co.), Nibco Company, and Travelers Insurance to mention a few,”.
Once we passed the entrance building, there were dozens of venders spread out on the airstrip, from local nonprofit organizations like the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs to small sandwich shops. We all gathered to take a ceremonial picture by the balloons and spend the morning exploring the area. Up ahead, I saw the long line in front of Stinky’s Coffee, a small coffee company started by Ryan McNaughton in 2022. While he has cultivated a persona as a popup coffee destination, he is about to open a storefront by the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Fort Edward, New York.
Feeling a bit tired, I decided to head to the back of the line and wait for some coffee. While standing in line, I met John Sheridan, Junior, a documentarian that explores the Adirondacks for Bigfoot encounter. His company, Adirondack Bigfoot, has a social media presense on YouTube, where they uploaded over 350 videos and garnered over 2,000 fans. He enthusiastically told me about the Sasquatch Festival happening in Whitehall, New York next weekend, and I am super excited to venture into the interesting community.
Freshly brewed coffee in hand, I chatted with Christine Cifone-Clohosey’s family as we watched balloons take flight and explored the vast selection of vendors at the 15th Annual Zonta Craft Show happening at the airport. There were lots of hot air balloon inspired gifts and other locally produced nicknacks. By the time we got to the parking lot to drive home, I was exhausted but excited for a party at our home this afternoon with Michael’s work colleagues.
The following morning, I ventured to Crandall Park for the 34th Annual Duck Drop fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls. While it usually involves rubber ducks being dropped into the Feeder Canal, this year, the rubber ducks would be lifted up by a crane from Rozell Industries and dropped onto a vinyl tarp at Crandall Park. As I arrived at Crandall Park, Ben Driscoll, dressed in a reflector vest, was directing traffic to parking spots. Once I parked, I headed to the registration table to hand over five dollars to procure an entry and support their cause.
I ventured over to the tents across the fields, first spotting Emily Murphy and Shell Fairbanks under the Wood Theater tent. They had brought a small selection of costumes next to a wheel where kids (and kids at heart) could spur their imaginations by dressing up. Nearby, I chatted with Jason McLaughlin, executive director of the Wait House. His organization provides programs like emergency shelters for youth in the area. I learned about his inspiring story and incredible outlook on life, helping those that are in need.
Hearing laughter by the amphitheater, I walked over and enjoyed an incredibly humorous show by entertainer Mr. Twisty. His name is Chad Currin, and he has an illusionist for forty-seven years. A couple years ago, he shared a copy of the Schenectady Gazette from 1983 with an article showing himself at 14-years-old teaching magic tricks to other youngsters. His act brought smiles to both children and adults as he included the audience into the show. Later on, before the rubber ducks were dropped onto the field, he expertly rallied the crowd’s enthusiasm by bringing people from the crowd to the front and tested their ability to yell. While my voice did not carry as loud as he wanted, it was incredibly fun to join in front of everyone.
Moments later after a countdown from the crowd, thousands of rubber ducks were lifted into the air and dropped onto the group, making a loud thud that reverberated around the park. The volunteers of the Kiwanis Club began to grab the numbered rubber ducks that made it on several targets and worked to figure out the contest winners. In the crowd, Nancy Turner, a Warren County Supervisor, had snapped a picture of me, and we chatted about the upcoming election and city meetings.
Nearby, Mr. Twisty lead the children toward duck-shaped pinatas, humorously stating that he was the pied piper of Glens Falls. He enthusiastically cheered on each child as they swung at the pinata, hoping to break it to release the contents inside (most likely candy). Every child, young or old, had smiles on their faces. At the Kwanis tent, the volunteers had finished writing down the winners. While I did not win, the Glens Falls Senior Center, as well as a variety of organizations and people, walked away from the event a little richer. Even those that did not win the prizes left Crandall Park with a feeling of compassion and kindness. As Emily Murphy stated, “While I did not win the prize money, I won a beautiful day in the park.”
This weekend was chalk full of activities and showed the power of coming together as a community for good causes and fun events. There are so many good people around Adirondacks that are a beacon of hope in a world that tries to instill despair. Keep showing up for each other with kindness, showing your enthusiasm and gifts to the world.
