The Beat

Albany, NY – The public is invited to a free online event being held by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. During this time of social distancing, Discover the Night is a virtual opportunity to experience nighttime in the globally-rare Albany Pine Bush.

The public is invited to visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/discover-the-night now until December 31, 2020 to enjoy preserve staff and special guest videos featuring local wildlife, storytelling, night hiking and more! People can also play interactive games, download fun activities and nature craft instructions. The site includes something for all ages.

Corning, NY — It’s not every day you can explore local history through something new, but this holiday season the Steuben County CVB will be launching the release of a brand new fully illustrated picture book inspired by a very significant piece of local history. Titled The Legend of the Gathers: Protectors of the Light, the picture book puts a supernatural spin on a very real event that happened in Corning in the late 1800s.

When inventor Thomas Edison received patents for his incandescent lamp back in 1879, and again in 1880, he needed someone to make the special glass containers. Historic accounts vary as to when Edison and Corning Glass Works started working together, but in researching this historic collaboration, the CVB discovered a sense of mystery surrounding the identity of a young shop boy who it seems actually blew the first glass bubble in Corning.

Give the Gift of Camping this Holiday Season                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that DEC gift cards and electronic gift certificates for stays and services at all DEC campgrounds are now available for purchase online.   

“DEC camping gift cards are the perfect gift for campground-loving visitors,” Commissioner Seggos said. “This year, DEC makes it easy to give the gift of camping with gift cards and electronic, print-it-yourself gift certificates available online. We have you covered for the upcoming holiday season with excellent camping opportunities at DEC campgrounds in 2021.”…

Remains open with Winter Wild Walk, Wild Lights and more

Tupper Lake, N.Y. - The Wild Center is excited to announce Wild Lights, presented by Merrill L. Thomas, Inc., a dazzling display that will transform The Wild Center's campus into a winter wonderland. Wild Lights offers a whole new way to celebrate the season, with thousands of enchanting lights that will illuminate the campus all winter long, with special nighttime viewing hours on Friday and Saturday evenings beginning Fri., Dec. 11. The Wild Center, which plans to remain open throughout the winter season, will also offer familiar activities, such as Winter Wild Walk and snowshoeing, as well as new ones like kicksledding and the outdoor winter otter play yard.

Virtual tree lighting, downtown decorations, letters to Santa, holiday house contest and more.

Santa parades through town on Friday, December 4, at 6 p.m.

Glens Falls, NY — Downtown Glens Falls’ annual Hometown Holidays event, organized by the Glens Falls Collaborative and sponsored by the Glens Falls Business Improvement District, has been updated for 2020 due to Covid-19. While a single downtown event will not take place, the following is planned. Safe holiday shopping is encouraged throughout downtown Glens Falls as well!

There will be a virtual tree lighting shared on the Downtown Glens Falls Facebook page on Friday, December 4, featuring special guests, Mayor Dan Hall and Santa Claus, along with angels, elves, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, his friend Clarice and Sax-o-Claus. The Collaborative thanks Pepe Productions for their video services. Bookmark the link: www.facebook.com/downtownglensfalls…

December 8, 7pm online discussion first of four quarterly conversations

Saratoga Springs, NY (December 1, 2020) — The Saratoga Springs Arts Commission, in partnership with Skidmore College, invites the community to the first in a series of four quarterly town hall style discussions with local arts leaders. The Arts Commission is excited to present information about our city’s vital and vibrant cultural landscape, and to provide an open dialogue with its leaders.

The first discussion will take place Tuesday, December 8, at 7 p.m. and focus on Arts for Young People.

Schenectady, NY – We could all use a little extra cheer this holiday season. Most of us are sticking close to home this December, celebrating with those who live close by. The Festival of Trees brings wintry brightness to our community during this difficult time, by offering a safe, socially-distant, and glittering celebration of the holidays. Hosted jointly by the Schenectady County Historical Society and YWCA NorthEastern NY, the Festival of Trees features dozens of lighted fir trees, each decorated in eccentric to classic styles, with their own evocative flair.

The Best New Places to Eat and Drink in Kingston, NY – Food & Wine

8 of the world's most stunning micro-houses – CNN

Review: In the Catskills, A Tiny House Resort Looms Large – Inside Hook

Ski Resorts That You Can Rent Out – Outside…

Ticonderoga, NY – The Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce in coordination with area businesses and organizations will host the 11th Annual Ticonderoga Area North Country Christmas Celebration from Saturday, November 28th through Sunday, December 6th, 2020. While the celebration and its aspects will certainly be different in 2020 due to COVID-19 the Chamber and their committee has worked hard to bring a holiday celebration to the community. The Chamber reminds everyone to follow all COVID-19 Guidelines including wearing a mask, social distancing, and not gathering. All information subject to change.

Tupper Lake, NY - Tupper Lake Triad continues the tradition of supporting mountain restoration efforts with a $1,000 contribution to the Friends of Mount Arab (FOMA).

The Friends of Mount Arab (FOMA) is a not-for-profit volunteer organization formed in September 1997. Working with the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), FOMA’s mission is to preserve and restore the fire tower and observer’s cabin on Mount Arab to a safe condition, as well as educate the public on the human and natural history of the site. Part of that mission is encouraging proper stewardship of our wild places and historical sites.