Status of the Indian Lake Association's quest for hydropower for the Indian Lake and Abanakee Lake dams

Yesterday's Indian Lake Association (ILA) summer meeting was a great success, thanks to the planning of ILA President Glenn VanNorstrand, whose idea it was to have the meeting in the morning with a catered breakfast, before members are lured into their boats and onto the lake for the day. We even hosted several members of the Lake Abanakee Residents Association, who were impressed with the meeting. Helen "Cookie" Glass, our newest board member, handled the census taking and guest admissions.

Thanks also to to John Callaghan, Chairman of the Hudson River Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD) for his excellent talk to the attendees! He was kind enough to address the 87 members of the Indian Lake Association and guest members of the Lake Abanakee Homeowners Association who attended the annual ILA summer picnic meeting. He eloquently and clearly described the nature of the upcoming repair and maintenance work on our dam which is scheduled to begin this fall, which will resume through the fall of 2024. He patiently answered every question and left the audience reassured that the job will be done with minimal impact on lake water levels. When completed, the dam will be much sturdier, easier to operate, and no longer leaky, and it will sport a kayak take-out/put-in path for paddlers looking to run the headwaters of the Indian River in the future.

John Callaghan addressing the crowd

In answering questions from the audience, he assured them that, although the RD is not looking to have a hydroelectric powerplant inserted in the soon-to-be-restored dam, the dam could definitely be adapted for that purpose in the future.

 

 The 87 attendees of the 2023 ILA breakfast meeting in Byron Park, Indian Lake

I am too stubborn to give up on the idea of bringing hydroelectric power to the Town of Indian Lake! Some people are starting to call me Dan Quixote, but I am not chasing windmills- I am chasing a hydroelectric generator!!

Stay tuned....

Thanks to the Glens Falls Chronicle and the Long Lake Historical Society!

Cathy DeDe of the The Glens Falls Chronicle wrote a wonderful review of my fourth book, Seneca Ray Stoddard; an Intimate Portrait of an Adirondack Legend recently. Yesterday I was in Long Lake, addressing the Long Lake Historical Society at the Town Hall, where I read excerpts from Stoddards 1874 Adirondack Guidebook relating to Long Lake, and discussed his career and why I wrote a book about him. Thanks to Tim Helms for his help! Although I was a little rusty, the audience was very receptive and made my first book talk since before the COVID pandemic a success!

Feedback on my Stoddard book

Here is some feedback from a fellow Adirondack author, Noah Chirnomas, who wrote "I thoroughly enjoyed your book! It’s definitely a must read for anyone interested in Stoddard and uncovers many hidden gems (Stoddard’s own articles and unpublished photos). One of my favorite chapters was where you pieced together your connection with Stoddard and the relationship between your family and his."

Thanks Noah! That's what made me decide to include the word "intimate" in the book's title- there are very personal aspects of his life that have never been covered in any of the the six other books that have been written about my great-great "Uncle Ray". Let me hear from other readers!

My Stoddard book is finally complete and in print!

I am happy to announce that, after five years of research, writing, editing, and networking I have put the finishing touches on my fourth book manuscript! Anyone who knows me knows that for decades I have been a fanatic fan of the illustrious Adirondack photographer, author, environmentalist, cartographer, artist, and publisher Seneca Ray Stoddard. I have been collecting his photographs and books for thirty years and, with the help of Don Rittner at the Warren County Historical Society I hope to have the new book, entitled Seneca Ray Stoddard- An Intimate Portrait of an Adirondack Legend in the stores and for sale from me on Amazon and Ebay for $32.99 plus tax by March 1st. If you would like to purchase a signed copy from me, you can find them online with Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0989943755?ref=myi_title_dp, and on Ebay at https://www.ebay.com/itm/364155986767

I just read a great book!

For those lovers of Lake George, a new book has been written by Noah Chirnomas about the history of Dome Island on Lake George. This young author, only 19 years young, has done a thorough job researching the history of the island's geology, history, ownership, restoration and preservation, with many illustrations. It is a testament to what a small number of caring people can do to protect and preserve a natural resource for posterity. It is a quick read with plenty of historical images that will appeal toanyone who cares about and enjoys boating on the Queen of American Lakes!

Update on Monday, August 28, 2023 at 5:57PM by Daniel Way

Check it out!