This past week, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum opened a new exhibit about the history of the Whiteface Mountain Ski Center in Wilmington, as it celebrated the 60th anniversary of the ski center’s dedication. The exhibit, called “Name Game: A History of Whiteface,” focuses on the development of the resort as well as the many names – in general managers and trails – that have changed over the years. In our report from Editor Andy Flynn, we spoke with museum Director Alison Haas about the names and Whiteface’s challenges and successes during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

Our Olympic previews begin this week with profiles on a few of our U.S. Olympians who either live or train here: Tim Burke of U.S. Biathlon, Emily Sweeney of USA Luge and John Daly of the U.S. skeleton team.

We have a preview of the many special events Lake Placid will host during the Pyeongchang Olympics, including Winterfest on Feb. 24 that will feature a meet-and-greet session with notable U.S. Olympians such as 1980 speedskating gold medalist Eric Heiden and 1980 hockey team goalie Jim Craig.

The Empire State Winter Games will pack Lake Placid and surrounding communities this weekend as youth from around New York converge on the Adirondacks to compete in a variety of winter sporting events. We have a preview in this week’s News.

Staff Writer Griffin Kelly was busy this week and gives us two exclusive features. In the Up Close profile, he spent time recently at the Adirondack Community Church in Lake Placid to speak with staff from the High Peaks Resort’s Dancing Bears Restaurant who regularly volunteer at the Wednesday community lunches. In our Adirondack Living feature, he spent time in Keene interviewing artist Emma Silverstein, a potter, musician and a ballet dancer who works at Craigardan.

Correspondent Steve Lester visited furniture maker Wayne Ignatuk at his workshop near Upper Jay for this week’s Artist Profile.

In addition to columns from Naj Wikoff (On the Scene), Martha Allen (Martha Sez) and Andy Flynn (Lake Placid Diet), we have an Our Animals, Ourselves column from Annoel Krider about the new Essex County animal abuse hotline. This week’s North Country at Work story from North Country Public Radio features a tour of the Tupper Lake Police Department with Chief Eric Proulx.

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SPORTS

The Lake Placid News continues its countdown to the Pyeongchang Olympics this week with a profile of hometown hero Andrew Weibrecht. Affectionately nicknamed the “Warhorse,” Weibrecht has medaled in each of the past two Olympic Games. The Lake Placid native hopes to climb another Olympic podium in February, but will have to overcome a series of injuries that have hampered his World Cup performances the last couple years.

Another local Olympian, Lowell Bailey, spent last week in Italy competing in the European biathlon championships. Bailey teamed up with Susan Dunklee to capture bronze in the relay.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Luge team wrapped up its World Cup season last week in Latvia. Summer Britcher completed a career season and finished third in overall points, while Chris Mazdzer, of Saranac Lake, turned in a season-best sixth-place showing. Both will now focus their complete attention on South Korea.

Closer to home, the Irving Jaffee Championships took place last week on the speedskating oval in Lake Placid. Once again, the Canadian contingent proved to be up to the task and occupied several of the top spots.

On the high school sports front, the Lake Placid boys and girls basketball teams and the girls hockey team were in action as they prepare for the postseason.

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OUTDOORS

Joe Hackett has been out and about in the woods as a thick layer of ice covers the landscape. He warns to watch out for the edges of streams which can look deceiving but give way at any time.

Outdoors Writer Justin A. Levine brings LPN readers up to date on the classification status of the eastern cougar. Hint: Don’t believe any rumors you may have heard.

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