Talk:Saranac Lake

Hi, everyone. Here's some publicity that I cut from the "New York (state)" page. Decide whether you want to use some of it.

Michael 07:04, 27 Apr 2006 (UTC)

Saranac Lake, NY. Saranac Lake is a charming, if not quirky village tucked away deep in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York State. It is the largest commercial hub in the Adirondack State Park, which is the largest park inside of the contiguous United States. The Adirondack Park is actually larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon combined and includes thousands of miles of lakes and rivers, some of the tallest mountains and best skiing in the Eastern United States.

Shortly after its inception as a village in the late 1800's, Saranac Lake became one of the most prominent health restoration centers in the United States. When TB was raging across the great cities of Europe and North America, some of the wealthiest people sought refuge in Saranac Lake, believing the fresh air was "the cure." Grand homes and palatial residences were built for this influx of wealthy patients and the attending physicians. Thousands did survive in Saranac Lake and it's long history as a second home for affluent city dwellers began.

In the mid-1900's, with the advent of antibiotics, TB was no longer viewed as a death sentence. The time coincided with the Jet Age and many full and part time residents left the area for more exotic, far-flung destinations. Economically, the area was on a downward spiral and endured several decades of general economic depression. The phrase "too proud to whitewash, too poor to paint" summed up the remaining populace. Historic buildings and residences remained standing, if only due to benign neglect.

As the 1990's began and an unprecedented prosperity swept across America, historic Saranac Lake and its inspiring natural beauty was rediscovered. Surrounded by soaring mountains, covered in a lush carpet of evergreen and pines, an appreciation of what the area had offered was reborn. Historic buildings were saved, village neighborhoods gentrified and a fresh influx of wealth came to a destination known as "America's Emerald Village."

With the dawn of the new millennium, artists discovered Saranac Lake and it has become the largest Arts Colony in northern New York. Visual, performing and interpretive artist come to the area for its abundance of natural beauty and inspiration. The historic Saranac Club and Inn in Saranac Lake has become the center of the area's arts movement, where receptions, discussions, readings and showings are performed regularly. Actors and musicians are often in residence, mingling with regular guests at the luxury inn. Performances are held regularly and are open to the public during the peak seasons of Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Other major centers for the Arts include the Pendragon Theatre (the only year-round theatre group in the Adirondacks,) and the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Artists galleries, interspersed with bistro's and coffee houses, line the main thoroughfare of the village of Saranac Lake. Several film festivals are held throughout Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. The "Cabin Fever Film Festival" is held annually at the Hotel Saranac and the annual summer "Screen in the Green" is held weekly at the Saranac Club and Inn.

In line with Saranac Lake's original reputation as a "Curing destination," in 2005 it became a "Caring destination," with the opening of Tranquility Lodge USA. It is a collection of properties devoted to providing respite and retreat services to men and women who are in the final stages of various life ending illensses. As a community with a unique and complete history devoted and dedicated to serving others, the history and beauty Saranac Lake makes it one of America's most distinctive destinations.

For additional information on Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and the remote, rugged Adirondack Mountains, go to http://www.nationaltrust.org/dozen_distinctive_destinations/2006/index.html

Understand

Saranac Lake, NY Understand that time spent in Saranac Lake is best spent enjoying the magnificent scenery and enjoying the wide array of outdoor activities. In the summer, days are best spent on the lakes boating and fishing. Landlubbers will dig the hiking (thousands of miles of trails within an hour of Saranac Lake.) As you can imagine, the scenery is stunning in the Autumn when the leaves are changing. In the winter, Saranac Lake is often reported as the coldest location in the nation. As a result, winter is best celebrated although not for the light-hearted. Ice fishing, cross-country, snow mobiling, bobsledding, luging, dog sledding, riding in a horse drawn sleigh, hockey, curling and some of the most challenging downhill skiing on Earth is all within 15 minutes of the heart of the village. This area, along with Lake Placid (10 minutes away!) is one of only three places on EARTH, selected to host the Winter Olympics twice!

Once the sun sets, evening are often spent relaxing in front of a crackling fire. Where? Either at one of the Great Camps that surround the lakes or at one of the luxury hotels. When something a bit more stimulating is in order, have the hotel shuttle take you the ten minutes to the heart of Lake Placid village, where there are bars and restaurants galore! All in all, after a day of breathing in the clear mountain air, this is a community that hits the sacks relatively early. Few disco's are open past midnight as most people are asleep.

While culture and the arts are taking an increasingly prominent place in village life, understand that physical acitivity is part of the local culture. Being fit and outdoorsy is the local mantra and as a result, is home to many of the most fit and attractive people in New York State. Olympians from all over the planet live here and train year round. There aren't many communities where bumping into international athletes at the grocery store is a daily occurrence.