Seagle's Fulton Fryar’s Closet: An Encore Presentation on Mountain Lake PBS This Weekendend

The year was 1957 and this small building (above) was a new addition at the Seagle Music Colony on Charley Hill Road.

That summer it housed a 17-year-old singer named Fulton Fryar. He was the first African American to study at the colony. His sleeping quarters were kept separate from those of the other singers on the campus.  Fulton’s story came to light a couple of years ago when it was slated for demolition and a friend of Darren Woods, The Seagle Music Colony’s Artistic Director --  Jonathan Green – learned about the room.

Fulton Fryar, was 17-years-old in 1957

“Jonathan became obsessed with saving this little room and bit of African-American history in the Adirondacks. He contacted Steven Englehart with Adirondack Architectural Heritage who then sent the pictures to Laura Rice at the Adirondack Experience (formerly the Adirondack Museum),” said Darren. (It is now part of the Adirondack Experience permanent collection).

You can read more of Darren’s story here and this weekend viewers in the Mountain Lake PBS region will once again have the chance to watch an award winning documentary about the history of Fulton Fryar’s closet. The documentary features an interview with Fulton, and Darren Woods and explores the unknown story of racial inequality in 1950s Adirondack culture.

Fulton Fryar’s Closet: A Spotlight Special airs this Friday night at 8:00.  It repeats Sunday morning at 5:30 am and 10am.

Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park.  Spotlight is also supported by Hill & Hollow Music.

The Census and Seasonal Home Owners

The good folks at the East Shore Schroon Lake Association sent an email blast to its members reminding them that seasonal and second home owners need to complete a census form for every property they own.

Here is what you need to do:

For each property you own but use only part of the time, please follow these instructions:

1. Visit www.my2020census.gov.
2. Enter the Census ID or address for your secondary property.
3. Enter “0” for the number of people living at this property.
4. Hit Next, and when a “soft error” occurs, click Next again.
5. Select “No” when asked to confirm no person lives at this property.
6. Select primary reason – for example, "Seasonal."
7. Complete!

And we are hearing from Joe Steiniger  that Schroon Lakers in Essex County need to be counted.

“As of last week (8/26), only 40% of Essex County residents and only 24% (!!!!) of Town of Schroon residents had responded to the census! It is urgently important for our area residents to be accurately counted for our community to receive its proper amount of federal benefits (and Congressional representation). If you are not SURE you have responded, please click on the link in the post and BE COUNTED! Please forward this to anyone you think might not have responded to a census questionnaire. Time is running out!

For more information, please go to 2020census.gov.

Schroon Lake Says Goodbye to Summer

Trail Break at Schroon Lake’s new patio dining. Designed by Eric Welch.

It’s been a tough for many on Main Street, but the town’s brave entrepreneurs did a fab job opening their doors, practicing social distancing and welcoming back their customers. It was great to see downtown Schroon buzzing this year: From folks often lined up for a seat at Pitkin’s new outdoor dining area, community gardeners tending to their plots, and the crowds at Stewart’s for ice-cream.

And outdoor dining is now available at Trail Break at Schroon Lake.  The large, inviting space was designed and built by ADK Garden’s Eric Welch, who provides terrific landscaping services. He and his family also sell plants, herbs and fresh fruits and vegetables at their Route 9 greenhouse and store.

But we were saddened to learn of the closing of True North Yoga’s studio. Founder  Deb Philp was a pioneer businesswoman who took a chance, and at the same time changed people’s lives through yoga and reiki. Her legacy will continue on-line. From Deb:

“Virtual classes are offered through the Zoom video conferencing platform. To get the link and password, you must register for the class at least 15 minutes before the start time. You can register for any class or purchase a discounted 4-pack of virtual classes here.”

This weekend marks the unofficial end of the Summer season and for some businesses closing up for the year.

Vine and Barley, atop the Town Store, is inviting Schroon Lakers to an end of season party on Sunday, from 12. – 6pm. There’s drink specials all weekend, including two for one bottled beers and discounts on wine and their famous slushies. At the Town Store there are bargains in every department.

And photographer Tom Patrick is hoping to capture some unique images of camp fires along the shores of the lake on Saturday night with his drone.

Rest In Peace Jane Whitehouse

Whitehouse, Jane M. TROY Jane (Miller) Whitehouse, 64, tragically passed away on August 21, 2020, a victim of a fatal accident in Schroon Lake, N.Y. She is survived by her loving son, Ryan J. Whitehouse, of Austin, Texas; and brothers, John C. Miller of Booth Bay, Maine, and Thomas J. Miller of Dover, Pennsylvania

Jane was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, to Claude and Meriam (Yagel) Miller, who predeceased her. She was president and CEO of Whitehouse Associates, a consulting firm specializing in industrial health and safety, working with companies throughout the entire United States. Jane received a B.S. in biology from Lafayette College where she also swam competitively in the butterfly stroke.

She went on to receive her master's degree from Harvard in environmental health sciences. Jane was president of the Capital District Swim Officials organization and officiated swim and diving meets. Jane loved spending time with friends and family at her home on Schroon Lake in the Adirondacks. She was an avid slalom water skier and kayaker.

Jane's friends and family are heartbroken at the loss of this beautiful, vibrant, loving life. Small memorials will be held to celebrate her life in Troy and Pennsylvania. Please check her Facebook for further details. Donations may be made in her honor to the Double H Ranch, which caters to disabled and seriously ill children, at www.doublehranch.org/donate.