Saranac Lake, NY, Dec 31, 2012 — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his family have spent the last few days vacationing in the Adirondacks. Cuomo's two daughters have been skiing at Whiteface Mountain while the governor has been working on his State of the State speech.

The governor paid a surprise visit to the Adirondack Daily Enterprise offices in Saranac Lake Friday where he sat down for a cup of coffee with the newspaper's staff and talked about tourism, hydraulic fracturing, the state's property tax cap and other topics.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Dec 17, 2012 — Rows of poinsettias, clusters of cyclamen--favorite seasonal plants are crowding florist shops and supermarkets.

Cornell Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy talks with Martha Foley about getting the most from these flowering plants.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Dec 10, 2012 — It's the thick of Christmas tree season. The Associated Press reported this morning that New York tree farms are having a great year, with more people buying their trees from local growers.

That probably means they're getting a fresher tree. But it's always a good idea to check for the freshest tree on the lot. Martha Foley talks with Cooperative Extension horticulturist Amy Ivy about how to pick the best, and keep it fresh.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Nov 29, 2012 — Over the past decade or so making gingerbread houses has gained popularity in the North Country, in large part because of a workshop and contest organized by TAUNY. Making a candy house brings the some families together every year for something deliciously fun. But the history of candy houses also has some darker roots.  Go to full article

Long Lake, NY, Nov 21, 2012 — Students, teachers and staff at Long Lake Central School celebrated Thanksgiving with a special lunch this week. It included turkey and the usual side dishes: potatoes, stuffing, corn bread, carrots, and pies o'plenty for dessert.

For the last three years, the school has celebrated the Holiday with special meals during their usual lunch periods. But on Monday, the entire school celebrated with one big meal -- everyone ate together in the gymnasium. The highlight was locally grown vegetables and dishes prepared by the students.

The staff and teachers are hoping the annual event allows their students to learn more about creating community, cooperation and fun by commemorating our national harvest festival. Todd Moe has more.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jul 04, 2012 — Independence Day, more often referred to as the 4th of July, parades are the universal way of celebrating the nations birthday. In a scene repeated all across America, Saranac Lake held it's 58th annual 4th of July Kiddie Parade. Flags, Lady Liberty, Uncle Sam hats and red, white and blue bunting were the costumes and decorations of choice in the Saranac Lake celebration.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Dec 20, 2011 — Between Jupiter in the east and Venus rising in the west, there's lots to see at night. And as the Solstice approaches, there's plenty of nighttime hours at both ends of the day. Aileen O'Donoghue teaches astronomy at St. Lawrence University. She stopped in to give Martha Foley the highlights of the night sky in late December.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Dec 19, 2011 — Whether you cut your own or buy from the local fire department, there are things to look for to find the perfect Christmas tree. And there are a couple of must-do's do keep it as fresh as possible. (Water soon, and often.) Cornell Cooperative extension horticulturist Amy Ivy shares tips with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Utica, NY, Dec 09, 2011 — The Polar Express train ride to see Santa Claus might have been even more memorable than usual - when it went off the rails on the way to the North Pole last night. More than 300 children and adults were on the train. The Utica Fire Department says there was one minor injury, but otherwise no one was hurt.

Molly Hartnett of Manlius was on board with her two grandchildren. She says they hadn't even had hot chocolate yet, when the incident occurred.

"We had pulled out of the station, probably riding about two minutes, very slowly. And bang, bang, bang, it felt like we were being hit or run over by things, and felt like we were in a dip or pothole or something."

Hartnett says the train quickly came to a stop, and it was announced that the train had gone off the tracks. Utica police say four cars derailed.

Hartnett says they waited for a long while, but everyone was in good spirits because Santa's elves were singing and telling jokes. And before they knew it, she says Santa himself was on board, taking his time to talk with each of the children.

"It was really exciting. I think the kids didn't understasnd what was going on, but they knew that something had happened to the train. And Santa told my grandson that Rudolph and the other reindeers had been playing reindeer games, and had gotten into a game of tag football and knocked the train off the tracks."

The passengers eventually boarded buses back to the Utica station. Utica police say an investigation is up the Railroad police. Adirondack Scenic Railroad officials say tonight's two scheduled Polar Express trips have been canceled, but they expect to have the tracks fixed in time for Saturday's 4:30 p.m. trip.  Go to full article

Ogdensburg, NY, Dec 09, 2011 — Getting your kids' pictures taken with Santa Claus has been a longtime holiday ritual for many. In recent years another group has begun vying for Santa's attention--pets...and a picture of an awkward dog or an annoyed looking cat in Father Christmas' lap has become a fairly common site on the mantle.

In Ogdensburg on the day after Thanksgiving, Amvets Auxiliary post 19 invited people to come out to Tractor Supply with their pets to meet Santa. The event was a benefit for St. Jude Children's research hospital. Nora Flaherty's dog gets nervous in crowds, so she stayed home--but Nora did bring her recorder for this Heard Up North:  Go to full article