Carol Parenzan Smalley

Booey's Doing Well!

2011-05-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Other than running labby loops in the sand and finding mud puddles to splash in, Booey is doing well at Guiding Eyes.

She is currently in harness training but being evaluated for their breeding program as well.

She is well loved (and loving those around her well). She's such a kiss face!

It's great to see her off to a fine start.

We're cheering you on, Boo Bear!

The Puppy Passed!!

2011-05-10T18:21:00.000-07:00

Booey passed her testing at Guiding Eyes for the Blind today with flying colors.

Her next step is a medical evaluation and then she begins her harness training.

She did it!

Three cheers for the puppy! She's come along way since that day we got her in March 2010.

Good Luck to Booey!

2011-05-05T17:02:00.000-07:00

Barbara, aka Booey, leaves the Capital Region tomorrow for her testing and placement at Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Many Puppy Bones to Barbara.

And thanks to everyone who was involved in her puppy raising.

She's going to change lives.

Bye Miss Boo.

23 DAYS!!!!!!

2011-05-04T13:33:00.001-07:00

See you on the beach in 23 days.

Splish! Splash! Last one in buys the first round of ice cream!

A Formal Caroga Tease

2011-05-04T13:25:00.000-07:00

I will be speaking about my latest book at an upcoming Caroga Lake event on Saturday, June 18. More details to follow.

The Caroga book is due to be on bookstore shelves on July 4.

Check back for a listing of summer speaking and booksigning engagements. See you there!

Carol

Waiting for Spring

2011-04-03T15:39:00.000-07:00

The calendar says April but ...

I took this photo today at our cabin. The boys were boiling down maple sap to make syrup, but the wind and snowpack felt much more winterlike than springlike.

We need sunshine! (And there's mixed precipitation in the forecast for tonight.)

Reviewing the Caroga Proofs!

2011-04-03T05:40:00.000-07:00

The proofs have arrived.

I now have one week to perform a final check, dig a little deeper for a few facts, cross the t's and dot the i's, and send the proof back for final prep before it goes on the press!

Woo Hoo!

The book is scheduled for release on July 4.

Carol

P.S. The beach opens in 54 days!

A Sneak Peek at the Caroga Cover!

2011-02-19T08:32:00.001-08:00

The cover for Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake is now on Amazon, with a projected release date of July 4, 2011.

Do you know where this shot was taken? (Answer lies on the inside cover of this book!)

Here's a marketing tease from Amazon:

Product Description

The southern Adirondack Mountains community of Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake is known for the power of its water and the perseverance of its people. The quiet mountain-lumbering community changed quickly in 1865 when two entrepreneurs purchased 20,000 acres of hemlock-rich land and erected a tannery to cure leather for a shoe-making business. Additional lumbering opportunities followed, and sawmills sprung up around many of the lakes. Horse-drawn carriage services and wood-burning steamboats delivered summer residents and artists to rustic camps that dotted the lakes' shorelines and tourists to grand hotels. Today the ghostly remains of Sherman's Park on West Caroga Lake and Groshans' Park at Pine Lake remind its residents and guests of the past that was and the future that might yet be.

About the Author

Author and educator Carol Parenzan Smalley moved with her family to the area in the late 1990s to live in a log cabin nestled within a maple sugar bush. She sees the dams with engineering eyes and feels the entrepreneurial spirit of the lakes. When not capturing the summer sun on sandy lake beaches, she hikes old Native American paths and logging roads to explore the area's trails and listen to tales of those who traveled before her.

Woo Hoo! 100 Days!

2011-02-16T18:17:00.001-08:00

The beach opens in 100 days.

Good bye ice and snow.

Hello sunshine!

Looking at Lakes' Past

2011-01-02T05:41:00.000-08:00

An article about the creation of the Caroga Lake book is in today's Leader Herald newspaper.

From the article:

Carol Parenzan Smalley hopes her new book, to be titled "Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake and Pine Lake," will be a conversation starter around campfires for people visiting the lakes this summer.

The Johnstown resident said she hopes those conversations will turn from the area's past and focus on its future.

Enjoy! (And be sure to test your knowledge of the lakes by scrolling through this blog for questions.)

For my fellow beach bums, I'll see you on the sand in 145 days!

Watch for an Article in the Leader-Herald

2010-12-27T13:41:00.001-08:00

The Leader-Herald newspaper interviewed me today about the Caroga Lake book. When the story is live, I'll post the link!

Woo Hoo!

2010-12-17T12:36:00.000-08:00

Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake is now officially in production!

I still have a few new images to find and captions to tweak, but we are moving forward and on schedule for a summer release as planned.

I have many "stories behind the stories" to share. Watch for a release date, book signings, and special programs!

Carol

Thank You, Herkimer Gifted 4th Graders

2010-12-14T18:01:00.000-08:00

I spent the day with a wonderful group of gifted fourth-grade students at Herkimer BOCES, where we make books that Flip, Flop, Squeak, and Pop!

Thank you to the Herkimer BOCES administration for inviting me, the teachers that accompanied the groups of students for assisting, the buildings staff for helping us set up and clean up, and the enthusiastic and energetic young artists and mathematicians! I had a fantastic time.

Here are a few of their creations:

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 40

2010-12-02T15:22:00.000-08:00

Caroga Lake was known for Sherman's Park. However, it wasn't the lake's first park. What amusement park first sat on the banks of West Caroga Creek?

The Caroga Clock is Ticking!

2010-11-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

I am doing my final research and caption writing this weekend for my book -- Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake -- for Arcadia Publishing.

On Monday, it goes to two sets of eyes for review. (Fingers crossed I haven't made any glaring mistakes!)

On December 6, an electronic file containing 200+ photographs, captions, and text heads to South Carolina for editorial and layout work.

Then, I catch my breath just in time for the next holiday (and the next big project)!

Thank you to everyone who has supported this effort along the way. For those of you who shared photos and stories, I say thank you.

For my friends and family who knew I was simply lost in my own world, thank you.

For the historians, museums, agencies, and all-knowing Carogians who never seemed to mind one more question, another email, an unusual phone call ... thank you.

For those of you who will come out to a summer program or book signing ... I thank you in advance.

It truly is a Thanksgiving!

Now ... to make it through another North Country winter and find that warm spot of sand by the lake in June! (Thank you.)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 39

2010-11-21T04:29:00.000-08:00

With my manuscript due to the publisher in just two weeks, I'm quickly scanning the last of my collected photos and memorabilia. While most folks will be stuffing themselves with turkey and shopping for Black Friday specials this week, I will be laying out a book, writing captions, and putting the final touches to Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake for Arcadia Publishing. We are on track for a June 2011 release, and this project has been one of my favorites, as I have met some wonderful people and heard remarkable stories.

How well do you know the lake area? Print out the teasing tidbits from this blog and take them with you to your family's Thanksgiving celebration. They'll be good conversation sparkers.

Here's the latest tidbit:

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) biologists are collecting the skat of what species of animal that has been observed in the Caroga area? And, why are they collecting it?

[A photo of one is planned for the book -- with the answer too!]

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 38

2010-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

If snow-birds are people who "fly south" for the winter, what are snow-monkeys?

[I'm having too much fun!]

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 37

2010-11-17T17:12:00.000-08:00

What's a Skippy?

[Hint: It doesn't go with jelly -- not even Adirondack blueberry jelly!]

Adirondack by Owner

2010-11-10T14:25:00.000-08:00

For more flexibility in showings, marketing, and pricing, we have moved our log home that is for sale onto "Adirondack by Owner."

We invite you to take a peek both online and in person.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Carol@CarolSmalley.com
518-332-0891

The Caroga Cover!

2010-11-08T09:18:00.001-08:00

Arcadia Publishing's Art Department has completed the cover for Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake. It captures the essence of days past at the lakes well. Thank you, Arcadia.

Thanks, too, to Fulton County Historian Peter Betz for keeping me on the straight and narrow (or at least off the bottom of the lake). Peter will be reviewing my content and writing the foreword for the book.

But no sneak peeks of the cover! You'll have to wait until the book has been officially released to see the outside (and the inside too).

Speaking of the inside, folks with photos and other hidden treasures are popping out of the woodwork these past few days. Thank you!

For anyone reading this who has a photo he or she thinks I "might" be interested in seeing (or even one that you don't think I would be interested in seeing), please contact me! The publishing clock is ticking.

Carol@CarolSmalley.com
518. 332. 0891

See you at the bookstore!

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 36

2010-11-07T14:50:00.000-08:00

Artist Clare Dwiggins was often struck with inspiration while summering at Canada Lake, but what almost struck him while working in the Dwigwam one summer day?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 35

2010-11-04T04:51:00.001-07:00

In the Stewart's Landing area, what unusual method did locals use to bathe during the warm-weather months? [Hint: It wasn't the lake!]

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 34

2010-10-31T08:36:00.000-07:00

What connection did water lilies and wedding bells have in the region?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 33

2010-10-31T04:36:00.001-07:00

Near Nine Corner Lake are nine wandering points. What were they?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 32

2010-10-29T04:36:00.000-07:00

How are both a "straw" and a watch connected to Canada Lake's Stoner Island?

New to My Blog?

2010-10-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

For those visitors who are new to my blog, you may be wondering what these questions about Caroga/Canada/Pine Lakes are all about.

Glad you asked!

I am currently under contract with Arcadia Publishing to write a book for its "Images of America" series called Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake.

My cover and cover copy have already been submitted.

The internal "guts" are due in about a month.

And, the book will be on bookstore shelves in June. I will also be conducting a series of workshops, presentations, and book signings during the summer.

Stay tuned for more information, and while you're waiting: Test Your Lake Knowledge! (Answers will be shared in June 2011!)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 31

2010-10-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Why did some loggers take the bark off of the tree and leave the trunk behind to rot?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 30

2010-10-22T10:27:00.001-07:00

There are 44 lakes in Fulton County. How many of them lie in the Town of Caroga, the primary focus area for this book?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 29

2010-10-21T04:50:00.000-07:00

Cracking ice can leave interesting patterns across the surfaces of the many lakes in the area. But during one, winter week back in 1971, something else started to crack and then collapse. What was it?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 28

2010-10-20T16:48:00.000-07:00

Carogians are known for their water sports. Over the years they have raced motorboats and sailboats and other floating devices across the water. But what unusual item have they raced across the ice during the frozen winter months?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 27

2010-10-19T16:58:00.000-07:00

Some farmers dig up potatoes; others dig up beets. One resident of the area dug something else from his garden that was quite unusual. What was it?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 26

2010-10-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Sightings of this Adirondack mammal have become more frequent over the past ten years. Scientists are studying its DNA by collecting scat in the area to determine movement of particular animals (and families) from north to south and back again. What animal is this?

[Rumor has it that one was spotted in the last month at Royal Mountain Ski Area!]

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 25

2010-10-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

The three-lake region often receives in excess of 100 inches of snow each year. In what year(s) did the most snow fall in a single 24-hour period, in one month, and over an entire winter season?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 24

2010-10-16T20:00:00.000-07:00

If Aughstagradi was "the-chief-who-catches-many-fishes" and he came to live in Auskerada Lakes, known as "the-waters-of-many-fishes," who, exclusively, was invited to purchase property in Auskerada Park?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 23

2010-10-16T19:56:00.001-07:00

Sometimes, travel to the region was prohibited, not by trolls under the bridge, but by something else. What was it?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 22

2010-10-16T05:49:00.000-07:00

Some residents from the region used holes, some used slits, and others used geometric shapes. What were they marking?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 21

2010-10-15T09:50:00.000-07:00

The first one of "these" occurred in the Town of Caroga in 1800. What brought folks together on that day?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 20

2010-10-14T04:09:00.001-07:00

Why is the Wheelerville Union Free School not located in Wheelerville?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 19

2010-10-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

Adirondack folksinger, Dan Berggren, has performed in the area several times. In 2003, from the barn on the grounds of the Caroga Museum, he sang about an animal that is as important to the region as its summer people. The lyrics went:

"Like the voice of the [ ]
That carries its tune
North, east, south and west
Over your land and my land
Low land and high land
A song of the wilderness"

What animal did Dan Berggren share his voice with that night?

[You can listen to the answer here. (Select Number 5.)]

Taking the Trail of the Steam Boat

2010-10-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Pat and Bob Hagen for hosting me on a cruise this afternoon up through Stewart's Landing into Lily Lake, West Lake, and Canada Lake as part of my on-going research for my book Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake.

My cheeks are rightfully wind-burned after an afternoon on the water, where we saw ...

Kane and Camel Back Mountains, with the fire tower on the high left

Ducks in the Canada Lake channel (need to return there with a kayak for more exporation!)

Nick Stoner Island displaying its autumn colors

Kayakers dancing with the sunlight

I returned with a deepened appreciation of the area.

Next time: Let's find Moose Number 6!

Thanks, Pat and Bob.

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 18

2010-10-10T06:16:00.000-07:00

Most families named their camps. These names from the region -- Whip-poor-will, Wanderer, Water Lily, Kanaughta, and Bedbug -- however, are names of something else. What were they?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 17

2010-10-08T17:01:00.000-07:00

On which lake do you take a boat to attend storytime on an island?

[I hope I get invited to storytime next summer as a visiting author!]

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 16

2010-10-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

For what event was it considered an honor to place your royal butt on a block of ice?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 15

2010-10-06T14:31:00.000-07:00

How is this region connected to the children's classic, The Wind in the Willows?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 14

2010-10-04T03:59:00.001-07:00

At Sherman's Park in Caroga Lake, tickets were sold for 10 cents a piece or 3 for a quarter. They weren't for rides, however. What were they for?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 13

2010-10-03T13:21:00.000-07:00

Where did a "rooster" make its home along the lakes?

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 12

2010-10-03T04:20:00.001-07:00

Which lake-country establishment boasted at one time that it had the longest bar in Fulton County?

(It is unknown, however, if any tap dancing was ever done on the bar. More research is required.)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 11

2010-10-02T18:41:00.001-07:00

On which lake did they film scenes for the movie, The Last of the Mohicans, in 1936?

[Hint: It's one that has to be hiked into!]

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 10

2010-09-30T08:49:00.000-07:00

What local industry could have been an attraction to Halloween witches and goblins?

(That one should stump you!)

Colorful Canine

2010-09-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

After a much-needed bath, stinky-dog Barbara Boo Bear posed in front of the mums for her autumn portrait.

Barbara is doing fine. She's now 8.5 months old, weighs about 55 pounds, and loves to go for car rides and on long walks. One of her favorite activities is to tease her feline friends with slobbery puppy kisses. (Junie and Ammy are not impressed.)

As the weather turns cooler and the leaves start to fall, Barbara and I will be hiking Adirondack trails. We both need the fresh air and exercise!

Check back to see where our adventures take us.

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 9

2010-09-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

On which lake(s) did steamers operate to transport lake country guests across the water to their summer camps?

(Find out next summer!)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 8

2010-09-24T04:31:00.000-07:00

Although most people pronounced the name Groshans as GROW-shins, the family did not. How did the owners of the amusement park at Pine Lake pronounce their family name?

(You'll have to attend one of the many planned events for Summer 2011 to learn the correct pronunciation!)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 7

2010-09-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

Why were large blocks of ice carried to the top of Kane Mountain?

(Answer in 8.5 months!)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 6

2010-09-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

What was an unusual source of building materials for some of the camps in the 3-lake region?

(June, 2011)

Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, and Caroga Lake Memories

2010-09-20T15:55:00.000-07:00

To reach as many "Carogians" as possible for photographs and lake memories for possible inclusion in my book on Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake, I will have a table at the entrance area of the North Bush Methodist Church's annual roast beef dinner at the Wheelerville School on Saturday, October 2.

If you'd like to share your family history with me, please stop by and say hello.

Bring your photos! I'd love to see them.

Bring your stories. I'd love to hear them.

Bring the family matriarch and her memories! Pull up a chair and visit with me.

See you there!

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 5

2010-09-20T15:50:00.000-07:00

Where in the Town of Caroga is a black civil war veteran buried and why was his memorial service held in 1996?

The answer may surprise you!

Our Door is Open

2010-09-19T20:14:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, we are selling our log home on the edge of the Adirondack Park.

We are hosting an open house for interested buyers on:

Sunday, September 26, 2010

12 noon - 2 pm

215 Church Street
Saint Johnsville, NY
(Lassellsville, near the intersection of Routes 29 and 10 in Fulton County -- not in the town of Saint Johnsville in Montgomery County.)

To learn more about the property, see photos, get directions, and more, please visit this site.

To take a virtual tour, click here.

To ask questions, contact me via email (Carol@CarolSmalley.com) or phone (518-332-0891).

Please spread the word to individuals who might enjoy living in a place that is "forever wild."

Join us if you can on Sunday, or arrange for a private showing if another time is more convenient for you.

Thank you.

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 4

2010-09-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Another teaser of a question:

What body of water in the three-lake region was home to water lily plants from around the world?

(You'll find out in June 2011!)

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 3

2010-09-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

What unusual item, normally found in a home or large hardware store, was used to race across one of the lakes about 25 years ago?

You got it! You'll need to read the book in June 2011 to find out!

Splish splash!

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 2

2010-09-16T10:49:00.001-07:00

Here's a new tease to make you think!

What role did grape juice play in the making of western films in the area?

Find out in June 2011 when Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake is released by Arcadia Publishing as part of its "Images of America" series.

Caroga/Canada/Pine Lake Teasing Tidbit No. 1

2010-09-15T05:13:00.000-07:00

As I work on my book -- Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake -- for Arcadia Publishing, I am uncovering intriguing information that may or may not make it into the book.

As I find these teasing tidbits, I will share them with you here in my blog.

Here is the first one:

In which lake will you find cannon balls?

To find the answer to this tease (and more to follow), you'll have to purchase the book, scheduled for release in June 2011!

Interviewing Pine Lake Residents and Friends

2010-09-12T06:13:00.000-07:00

I will be spending Saturday, September 18, at Pine Lake to meet with long-time residents and families who have stories and photographs to share.

Do you have photos of record-setting snowfalls, dam-breaking floods, ice rescues, loons on the lake, residents wearing strange-looking blackfly protective clothing, rides on the midway, performers at the Paradise ...?

Please contact me to arrange a time to meet you if you have items to share! Thanks.

Carol@CarolSmalley.com
518.332.0891

P.S. I am also interested in meeting with folks from Caroga and Canada Lakes. Watch for future dates.

Preserving a Piece of History

2010-08-31T05:34:00.000-07:00

Arcadia Publishing awarded me a contract to create a pictorial history book called Around Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, and Pine Lake for the company’s “Images of America” series.

I am currently looking for photographs and stories from local residents.

To learn more about this book, due for release in June 2011, I am hosting an information session on

Thursday, September 2, at 6:30 PM

at the Glenn H. Harris Memorial Park pavilion, across from the Caroga Town Hall.

If you are unable to attend the session but have information to share, please contact me at 518-332-0891 or Carol@CarolSmalley.com.

Arcadia Publishing’s “Images of America” series includes books about Johnstown, Gloversville, Amsterdam, and other area towns and attractions. This will be one in a series of over 5,000 pictorial history books!

With a tight deadline, I will be scrambling! It should be a fun way to end the summer lake season and welcome fall and winter.

A Chat in Chautauqua

2010-08-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

Friday evening, I was the guest speaker at the Hall of Philosophy at the Pennsylvania Chautauqua in historic Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania.

I spoke about the creation of my two books for Milton Hershey School's centennial celebration.

Thank you to Kathy Snavely and Chautauqua for inviting me to speak. Thank you to those who chose to listen to me (and not Sarah Palin in nearby Hershey!).

Final Summer Splash!

2010-08-15T06:02:00.000-07:00

Summer has gone out with one final, big SPLASH!

Our last summer reading program workshop was held on Wednesday, August 11, at the Gloversville Public Library.

Kyna and I truly enjoyed our final session of rain making, frog croaking, music creating, haiku writing, and fish printing with this wonderful group of children and adults. We brought lots of goodies to make things and left with a warmth in our hearts. Thanks to everyone who made the program possible.

To celebrate the final Splash!, we share haiku and a collage of photos from the event.

Have a wonderful school year, everyone!

Carol and Kyna

--

Swimming in ocean
Lib likes to play in water
Waves and sand and shells.
- Libby, age 9

Fishing at the pond
Cast my pole and catch a fish
Bass or perch or trout.
- Douglas

Celia likes water
Celia is a great swimmer
It's fun at the lake.
- Celia

Sharks live in water
Water is good to swim in
Water hose a weed.
- Noah

Dark river flowing
Bobbing under broken bridge
Big frogs are happy.
- Joseph, age 10

Rough waves tumbling
Slowing flowing reflecting
Leaping out to sea.
- Nia, age 9

Haley likes water.
She goes swimming every day
She plays in water.
- Haley, age 6

On the Lawn in Claverack

2010-07-29T07:03:00.000-07:00

Our last stop in the Hudson Valley last week took us to the Claverack Library, where music skipped across the front lawn.

We listened to frogs in the bog

and created music of our own using glasses, water, and spoons.

We played scales using various heights of water in the glasses

and painted scales on trout replicas to make prints.

And we captured our time together by writing water haikus:

Water of water
Tum-ble-ing over goddess
Come to you and me.
- Megan, age 13

Mud puppies swimming
in the mud in the morning
They love mud all day.
- Kyle, age 5

Splish splash in the stream
Skipping rocks to watch them bounce
Stream walking is fun.
- Ellie, age 6

Splash go the raindrops
Falling down upon the rocks
Nourishing the ground.
- Alicia, age 6

Lovely lady loons
Glide across the water pool
Feeling quite peaceful.
- Ruth, age 11

Tap in a raindrop
A puddle makes a big splash
Pat got really wet.
- Brandon, age 10

Thanks for making us a part of your summer reading celebration!

Phish in Philmont!

2010-07-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

No, not phish, but fish, and lots of them!

Last Thursday took us down into the Hudson Valley where we stopped first in Philmont, just off the Taconic Parkway, at the Philmont Public Library.

This is a repeat visit for me, as I spent time with this wonderful group of young readers last summer making 3-D salt dough maps of the river.

Because my camera was still in the Finger Lakes, I don't have any photos of the day's event to share with you. (Karen, please share a few shots if you can!)

I do have some creative water haikus, however, to share:

Water goes "splish splash"
When I go underwater
Do you love water?
- Elizabeth, age 9

Clean liquid speed is
Tumbling over small pebbles
And the biggest rocks.
- Ruby, age 11

Waves crashing slowly
Tide is flowing out to sea
Where dolphins jumping.
- Anneka, age 12

Water splashing high
Splish splash splish splash I hear it
Crashes to the ground.
- Jenna, age 9

Water is freezing
Water is healthy for you
Refreshing and cold.
- Emily, age 10

Water falls quickly
Water falls down from above
Storms cause trees to fall.
- Conner, age 9

Thanks for inviting us to your wonderful new facility. Happy Summer!

Fish, Fingers, and Fire Trucks

2010-07-21T08:33:00.001-07:00

The latest stop for the Splash! program was in the tiny hamlet of Hector in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, at the Elizabeth B. Pert Reading Center.

Here, young readers are also young naturalists, and they really know their fish!

They also know fire trucks, as the Reading Center shares space with the local volunteer fire department!

They wrote beautiful water haikus, including:

Colorful fish splash
Waves are lapping the shore now
I get really wet.
- Sara, age 11

Ocean tide is high
The fish swim underwater
Fish are rejoicing.
- Kali, age 9

Sunshine rests on the
Rich, gleaming waters of a
Stunning paradise.
- Ruthe, age 11

Fish in the water
Moving his fins back and forth
Jumping for the fly.
- Jason, age 4

Summer night noises
Frogs making loud noisy songs
Until the morning
- Aliyah, age 7

Kyna and I had a wonderful visit to a colorful part of the state, where the blue of the lakes swirls with the greens and purples of the grape vines. Thanks for inviting us. Enjoy the last part of summer! Splish! Splash!

(Thanks, Bobbie, for returning my camera! )

Ready, Set, Go, Flow in Little Falls

2010-07-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

Ready ...

Set ...

Go ...

Flow ...

Water into glasses to make a musical xylophone.

Frog music into shapes and colors.

And paint onto fish to make trout fish prints.

Thanks, Little Falls Public Library, for making my latest summer workshop visit a flowing good time.

And thanks, also, to college intern Kyna and her two sisters (Hailey and Sage, who were visiting from Florida) for their help with the stations, and to Elise (author's daughter, college art student, and a young published author with Barnes and Noble) for taking the photographs of the event!

Remember two things from this Splash! activity:

Never wear flip flops when serious rain-making needs to be done. (Looks like your hard work paid off. It poured the next day!)

And, art can be found in the most unusual places, including dirty paint water!

Here are some of your water-word haiku from our time together.

The water is calm
In the river I see fish
The seahorses walk
- Trystan, age 12

Clear water to drink
Water tumbles over rocks
It adds some splashes
- Rebecca, age 11

The rain falls from clouds
Dripping and making puddles
I like when it rains
- Claire, age 10

Some water is clear
Seaweed is green and slimy
Starfish slowly walk
- Alivia, age 10

Oh, I like to swim
My face goes underwater
I play in the pool
- Gabby, age 7

Flow from July into August and have a splash of a good summer and school year too! Thanks for inviting us!

Splish! Splash! Splunk! in Johnstown

2010-07-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

Ripple
Babble
Roar
Drip
Drop
Wave
Flow
PLOP!

These are some of the water words that the young water enthusiasts used in last night's summer reading program at the Johnstown Public Library, where everyone -- young and old -- participated in the water program.

Side by side, parents and their young readers

... giggled to the frogs in the bog while imagining sounds and shapes

... wrote water haiku

... and peeled back fishy discoveries

Here are some of their 5-7-5 syllable thoughts:

The water is cool
Water can make big puddles
Water can flow fast
- Hailee, age 6

I hear the water
Flowing down the waterfalls
It sounds beautiful
- Hayleigh, age 7

Dolphins in water
Swim and jump in the air
I like all dolphins
- Sydney, age 7

Atlantic Ocean
River, stream, and waterfall
Pacific Ocean
- Kyle, age 6

Water is swoshing
I love water, do you know?
It is sparkle-ing
- Alayna, age 6

Water is flowing
Flowing through the river still
Fresh traveling tears
- Shain, age 8

Drip drop drip drop drip
Rain drops into the ocean
Water flows away
- Anne, age 9

Have a wonderful summer, Johnstown! And when we have our next dry spell of weather, remember to snap, clap, click, and stomp to encourage the rain to fall! (You made it not only rain but pour last night! Wow!)

Schools of Fish in Schoharie!

2010-07-08T19:46:00.000-07:00

What is better than happy readers on a hot summer day? Happy readers enjoying ice cream and strawberries following a wonderful library workshop! Thanks, Schoharie Free Library, for treating Kyna (my college intern helper this summer) and me like strawberries-and-cream royalty. We had a great time.

This group created beautiful gyotaku, or Japanese fish prints.

They also wrote some wonderful water haiku.

I saw some frogs jump
I could see them eating bugs
It was cool watching
- Zebulun, age 9

Hear the water sing.
What does it tell you tonight?
What does it tell you?
- Niamh, age 11

If you don't see your fish print here, blame Andy, the library cat. He was fishing for a good story. (Actually, blame me. I tried to photograph them all, but I may have missed a few fish. Sorry.)

Have a splish-splashy good summer!

Music and More in Middleburgh

2010-07-08T15:13:00.000-07:00

Music from the bog and frogs eminated from the Middleburgh Library this afternoon, where we ...

... pondered frogs on lilypads (while we closed our eyes and listened to frog music)

... counted syllables for water haiku

Water is rushing
The thunderstorm scares the fish
At storm's end, fish swim
- Johannah, age 9

Bubbles being blown
Having fun on a kayak
Swimming in a pool
- Ashton, age 6

... measured water to create musical tones

... painted silly fish (wearing Silly Bands) (to make Gyotaku)

... captured the shapes and colors of the bog

... and made real rain! Really! As we performed an auditory rain-making activity inside, the sky rained upon us outside. (The young rain-makers were that good! Must have been the double action of pounding feet and hands that did it. No stomach crunches are needed for the next few days!)

I had a wonderful time with the young readers in Middleburgh. Thanks for inviting me back.

Splish! Splash!

Skies Opened Up Over Schuylerville

2010-07-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

What a storm last night! Did you hear those thunder claps?

In Schuylerville -- where we made rain with snaps, claps, and slaps -- we did!

Thanks to the wonderfully polite and attentive young readers and rainmakers at Schuylerville Public Library, where my college helper, Kyna, and I spent the evening as part of the summer reading program.

We captured the colors and shapes of frog music.

We wrote rhythmic haiku.

We reeled in ...

and unveiled fishy delights.

And made music -- using water, of course -- to sweeten the night.

From the young readers and writers of Schuylerville, we leave you with these beautiful thoughts:

Swimming in the pool
I like laughing and splashing
Swimming with Jack-O.
- Alaina, age 5

Big splash, little wave
Water cool in summertime
Frogs jump in the bog
- Sloan, age 10

Lillipad and ducks
Jumping on a trampoline
The ducks fly off it
- Samuel, age 7

Water Science in Stillwater

2010-06-24T09:10:00.000-07:00

As part of the Stillwater Free Library's summer reading program launch, I presented "SPLASH! into New York State Water Science" last evening. Over 60 participants attended.

We made rain in the gym (without spilling a single drop of water!).

After reviewing syllable counts (or beats) of words, we wrote water haiku.

Rolls over pebbles
Colors dance before my eyes
Relaxing yet nice

- Hannah

In the hot summer
I like to go in the pool
Splishy, splashy fun!

-Emma

Water is so fun
Swim, float, spray, sprinkle, drip, drop
Dive right in and SPLASH!

-Breanna

We listened to peepers and frogs and imagined what their music might look like in shapes and colors.

We created our own music using water and glasses.

And, we made a memory of the evening's activities with gyotaku, or Japanese fish printing, where we

... painted a replica of a trout

... transferred that image onto cloth

... and witnessed the results of our creative efforts.

Special thanks to Director Sara Kipp and the many parent and adult volunteers who made the evening a success. A special thanks to Fulton-Montgomery Community College student Kyna Kuhlman who traveled with me, helped me set up and tear down, washed many paint brushes, and helped the young naturalists with their many projects.

Have a splashy good summer, everyone!

Print Making at Pember

2010-06-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the young readers and naturalists at Pember Library in Granville, New York, where today, to launch the summer reading program, we ...

made fish prints (gyotaku) of the state fish, the trout ...

created a water xylophone to make music to accompany the frogs in the bog ...

and wrote water haiku too.

Flowing blue water
Splashing others and go under
Water in my mouth.
- Genni, age 11

Tum-bl-ing water
Water, water, everywhere
Purified water.
- Devin, age 12

Rivers flowing blue
Mettowee and Indian
Keeping Granville new.
- a "big kid"

A special thanks to Lucy, the library cat, for being part of our rain-making circle today! (You should receive a special fish treat for your literary efforts.) And, a special thank you to Ryan, for helping me move program materials into and out of the library.

May you splash all summer long, inside and outside the library!

Frank Lloyd Squirrel

2010-06-10T07:23:00.000-07:00

We are watching a construction project in action.

A squirrel has moved in -- between an old stain-glass window (on the outside) and a clear window (on the inside) -- in our kitchen.

We wonder if she has a little internal construction project of her own in progress!

Wait until the two Siamese kittens take notice of this activity! Our menagerie continues to grow! Should be fun.

Who's Counting?

2010-06-03T04:20:00.001-07:00

I am!

Today is the 11th anniversary of my 39th birthday ...

Or, today I turn 40-10 ...

Oh, what the heck!

Today I'm the BIG 5-0!

I can now wear each of my gray hairs proudly!

This is a napkin that was in an assortment of gifts from one of my beach buddies. (Thank you!)

Leave a message ... I'm in a meeting today.

A Perfect Day for Hiking, Splashing, and Sunning

2010-05-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful day for enjoying the Adirondacks.

While Elise hosted an Internet Radio Show, Barbara and I escaped to hike the trail to Tenant Creek Falls in Hope (NY). This photo is of the infamous "tree on the rock." If you've ever looked at an Adirondack photography book or calendar, you may have seen this tree. The photo is by photographer friend Judy Olson. (Thanks, Judy!)

To cool down, we headed to the Great Sacandaga Lake at the Northville Boat Launch, where Barbara Boo Bear waded ..

splashed ... (She loves water!)

and posed in the posies. (She's getting bigger and becoming quite the ham!)

We ended our afternoon by "sun-napping" on the boat launch. I was awakened by one wet tongue in the ear. (At least Barbara's tongue doesn't feel like sandpaper -- unlike the tongues of the two Smalley Siamese kittens!)

What will tomorrow bring?

Into the Wilderness

2010-05-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite books is Sara Donati's Into the Wilderness. I read it shortly after moving into our family's log cabin in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, the setting for Donati's story.

We are ready for a new adventure and are now moving "out of the wilderness." Our log cabin is for sale.

To see photos of the cabin, inside and out, and to learn more about the property, please visit the listing.

Any inquiries should be directed to the listing agent, Loretta Weldner, at Coldwell Banker Arlene M. Sitterly, Office: (518) 762-9885.

(It would make a wonderful writer's or artist's retreat!)

Just a Day at the Spa

2010-05-02T15:20:00.000-07:00

I want a dog's life -- well, at least, this dog's life!

Today, while my daughter, Elise, had a behind-the-scenes tour of the Tang Museum at Skidmore College with her art club from Fulton-Montgomery Community College, Barbara, the guiding eyes puppy, and I went to the spa.

We spent the afternoon at Saratoga Spa State Park, where Barbara ...

strolled along the mineral deposits ...

swam in the creek that runs through the park ...

ran like a crazy lab ...

and sampled water from one of the medicinal springs. (She wasn't impressed with this last activity.)

She came home to have her first bath, as her coat smelled of sulfur from one of the springs. (She thought it would be fun to "roll in the rust."

Now, she is meditating (sleeping). Lucky her!

A Historical Walk

2010-04-29T14:21:00.000-07:00

After doing some research about the Erie Canal at Schoharie Crossing, the puppy and I took a hike along the historical canal. Barbara posed for me in some posies at the start of the hike.

Then, she quickly engrossed herself in the signage and history, learning about both the original and enlarged canals.

Here, she stopped at one of the old locks.

Along our travels, we saw hundreds of snapping turtles sunning on logs in the canals. Most of them dove into the water as we approached, but this old guy didn't seem to be fazed by one energetic puppy and one snapping photographer. We also saw a muskrat, numerous pairs of waterfowl, redwings, and many butterflies.

As I write this, snores are coming from the kennel. I think the pups is pooped!

(You can follow the many adventures of Barbara, the guiding eyes puppy in training, at Two Eyes, Four Paws.)

By the way, my book idea about the canal took a leap of its own today. Just two words on one of the displays have been floating this idea in a new direction. Stay tuned!

An Adirondack Adventure

2010-04-18T13:21:00.001-07:00

Today, Barbara (the guiding eyes puppy), one of my daughter's friends, and I ventured to Nine Cornered Lake in the southern Adirondacks.

Barbara came back pooped and muddy! She is now soundly snoozing in her kennel!

You can follow all of Barbara's puppy adventures as she is raised to become a guiding eyes dog on Two Eyes, Four Paws.

49 Days!

2010-04-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

Although there is snow in the forecast for tonight, the beach at Pine Lake opens in 49 glorious days!

Bring on the sunshine!

When I was there yesterday with the puppy, I first saw and then heard the loon. Summer is officially on its way!

There's no better sound than the loon. There's no better feeling than the sun on the face and the toes in the sand.

Keep the countdown coming!

Please note: This is not my photo. I do not have the equipment to shoot a close-up like this. I borrowed the photo from National Geographic. Please visit the site to learn more about this incredible critter.

Puppy at the Pine

2010-04-08T16:33:00.000-07:00

The guiding eyes puppy, Barbara, and I ventured to Pine Lake in northwest Fulton County (upstate New York) to play in the water and enjoy the unusually warm weather.

She had a great time.

Is there anything better than a dirty puppy with a big stick?

You can follow her adventures at Two Eyes, Four Paws.

Spiders in the Library

2010-04-08T10:54:00.000-07:00

Today, I spent a delightful morning at the Gloversville (NY) Public Library, where I taught many children (of all ages!) to sign some American Sign Language signs for Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider.

We learned words like ...

spider
wind
web
fly
cow
horse (the sign to the right)
duck
dog
cat
rooster
goat
sheep
owl

And because we're not spiders that eat flies, we learned some more delicious words like ...

French Fries
pizza
popcorn
soda
milk
juice
hot dog
hamburger

After learning the signs and signing The Very Busy Spider, we created our own rebus-like stories using ASL signs.

Click here to learn more about this program, "Sign it with Rebus."

Thanks, everyone, for making my morning a fun one!

Four Young Authors Shine at Book Fair!

2010-03-27T13:45:00.001-07:00

Today was our final class for the SAGE program at Shenendahowa Schools (Clifton Park, NY). The four young authors shared their final book projects with each other and their families.

Ben wrote about hurricanes. He also prepared a PowerPoint presentation.

Rohan focused on volcanoes. One of his illustrations used paper-engineering of a volcanoe that popped off the page!

Janine grew alongside a cacao tree. Her choice of colors matched her colorful personality!

And, Drew wrote about a rhino and its present endangered status. (This is just his working or "dummy" book. He is creating his final book now.)

Thank you to the four young authors and their parents for making this a successful program.

Writers, remember to send me a signed copy of your first book when it's hot off the press!

Bravo! Bravo!

(I'm going to miss you!)

Follow the Adventures of Barbara

2010-03-15T16:33:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Elise, is blogging about our guiding eye puppy raising experience.

Follow the paws ...

Meet Barbara!

2010-03-10T06:36:00.000-08:00

We have a new resident in our house. Barbara, a guiding eye puppy in training, arrived last night. She is eight weeks old, about ten pounds, a yellow lab, and full of energy. My daughter, Elise, will be her primary raiser. (As usual, Mom is the taxi driver, pet food buyer, and the provider of patience.)

Check back often and watch her grow!

It Looked Good Enough to Eat ...

2010-03-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

... so we did!

For today's Saturday's Scholars program at Shenendahowa, we worked on illustration techniques using a still life of fruit.

We divided a large sheet of paper into four quadrants. In one quadrant, we illustrated using only pencil. In another, we used only colored pencils. In the third, we used markers. And in the fourth, we used cut-paper collage.

We also learned how to control what we see by making a window with our hands to limit the view, from the entire plate of fruit to just the seeds on the watermelon!

When we finished our artwork, we do what all artists do best. We ate it! Yums!

In Praise of Chocolate

2010-03-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

The Patriot-News Company (Harrisburg, PA) ran a short article about my visit to Linglestown Elementary School. It's always fun to hear what the young students gain from my time with them! It's even more fun to discover what I gain from them! Thanks again, Linglestown Elementary, Phillips Elementary, and Middle Paxton School. Happy Reading. Happy Chocolate!

New Works in Progress

2010-02-27T15:24:00.000-08:00

Today I started another artist-in-residency program, this time working with four highly gifted young authors and illustrators in the Shenendahowa School District in upstate New York.

We had fun brainstorming animals from A to Z, from ape all the way to x-ray fish, wildebeest, yak, and zebra. (They are very smart kidlets!)

We selected interesting "living" items to parallel our lives to for our living history books.

We started to develop our personal timelines too. Each child was traced onto a large sheet of paper, and then starting with his or her birth date at the toes, each author is adding important events in his or her life from the feet to the current-day head.

Ben will be paralleling his life with famous hurricanes over the same time period.

Drew turned his attention to the rhino and its life cycle, both being born around the same time.

Rohan is focusing on volcanic eruptions over his lifetime.

And, Janine will skate her way through the life of a cacao tree. (We were both born in Hershey, Pennsylvania! How sweet is that?)

Stay tuned to see where our timelines and stories take us next week!

A Warm Welcome!

2010-02-24T18:47:00.000-08:00

Dear Acorns,

Thank you for the warm and wonderful welcome you offered me as I visited your elementary schools at Central Dauphin School District near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The students at Phillips Elementary welcomed me with posters lining the hallways ...

and the students at Linglestown had a display awaiting me in the library.

Your warmth and generosity made my heart sing. I enjoyed my visit with you. Thank you. Remember to eat lots of chocolate and grow to be mighty oaks!

Chocolate blessings,

Carol Smalley (and Junie B =^..^= and Amber Brown =^..^=)

100 Days!

2010-02-17T04:50:00.001-08:00

In only 100 days, we'll be putting our toes in the sand and our untanned bodies in the water. The lakes here in the Adirondacks will open for the summer season on the Saturday before Memorial Day. (The photo here is from last winter. We are lagging behind in snowfall for this winter.)

Let the countdown begin!

Now, to go clear the sidewalks of snow ...

Farewell at Five Rivers

2010-02-13T18:09:00.000-08:00

The Big Sisters group met for one final time today to celebrate our creative spirits, share our living history stories, and bid farewell to the critters at the nature center.

We had a wonderful time. I will miss these young writers.

They outdid themselves with their final book projects. They discovered their similarities to the domestic cat,

mountain lion,

river otter,

and whitetail deer.

Journey well, Young Writers. I'm saving a spot on my bookshelf for signed copies of your first published books.

NYC Department of Education Recommends Hudson Book

2010-02-08T17:40:00.001-08:00

The New York City Department of Education, Office of Curriculum, Standards and Academic Engagement, has listed my book -- What's So Great about Henry Hudson -- in its On the Half Moon with Henry Hudson: A Resource Guide for the Quadricentennial.

This is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in learning more about Henry Hudson, the exploration of the Hudson River, New York State Native Americans, the Half Moon, and more.

For the past year, I have been busy traveling around the state to meet with fourth graders who are learning about Henry Hudson and his historical voyage. In our work sessions, we have been creating salt-dough maps of the Hudson River Valley.

Creative Progress

2010-02-07T05:46:00.000-08:00

The girls in the Big Sisters program at Five Rivers have made great progress on their living history books.

We also had a surprise visitor! (One of the girls was writing about the eating habits of a porcupine, so one magically appeared!)

Next week, at our final session, each girl will share her story with the group. We'll also be celebrating our creativity. The girls were in charge of planning the party. No detail was overlooked! We will have music, pizza, wings, brownies, cookies, ice cream, and soda. (I'm bringing some veggies and dip to balance out the buffet!)

Hamster Care

2010-02-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

As part of the Johnstown Public Library's Storybook Sundae celebration to be held on Sunday, March 21, I have donated a basket called Hamster Care. The "basket" is actually a hamster cage, filled with four zhu zhu hamsters, four sleeping bags, a critter carrier, and a copy of my book, How to Convince Your Parents You Can Take Care of a Hamster.

As one of over 50 anticipated baskets, Hamster Care will be raffled off as a fundraiser for the library.

Please contact the library if you are interested in attending Storybook Sundae or purchasing raffle tickets for any of the baskets. (518) 762-8317.

Torn and Popped

2010-01-30T16:53:00.000-08:00

Today at the Big Sisters program, we experimented with two non-traditional illustration techniques for our books.

First, we did a little paper engineering. Here we created a pop-up mouth. I wanted to share with the participants the role of mathematics in children's books! After measuring, folding the paper into right triangles, and inverting the fold, we had a movable mouth.

Then, we created using torn-paper collage. For those in the program who are feeling a little intimidated by traditional illustration techniques, torn-paper collage took the pressure off!

Now the pressure is on! Next week we'll feverishly write and illustrate our stories so we can share and celebrate our successes the following week.

Who's the Dummy?

2010-01-26T11:25:00.000-08:00

No one! But we made dummies, dummy books, that is, at the latest Big Sisters gathering. Now we have blank canvases to begin to write and illustrate our stories.

We also continued to work on our personal timelines.

And, we selected our "spirit animals" with which to parallel our journeys. We will grow alongside a river otter, mountain lion, and a domestic cat.

Check back to see what tracks we leave in the snow!

A "Big" Brainstorm

2010-01-16T14:43:00.000-08:00

For the past two weekends, I have been spending time at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center working with a Big Brothers/Big Sisters arts-in-education program through the New York State Alliance For Arts Education. In teams of big and littles (mentor and student), we are creating living history books, much like the picture book I wrote for Milton Hershey School.

Today, we got our creative juices flowing by brainstorming descriptive words. The first two and last two sheets here are words selected to describe individuals in the program. The middle sheet focuses on an animal -- the wolf.

To create these books, each writer will select an animal or plant with which to parallel his or her life. For example, a 14-year-old in the program will show significant life events over her fourteen years, while sharing the life cycle of a plant or animal for that same time period. Eventually, we will each create an illustrated picture book to capture these parallel events.

Stay tuned for regular updates on our progress! Great books are emerging!