With all the activity surrounding the renovation of the Northwoods Inn, I would be remiss if I did not extend a personal thank-you to Homeward Bound Adirondacks, a local veterans organization serving to assist the veterans returning to the communities, our communities, within the Blue Line.

HBA assisted our efforts by using its reach to assemble volunteers to move the Northwoods Inn’s used furniture to worthy recipients throughout the North Country, using capable organizations like Family Champions in Tupper Lake, the Salvation Army and We Soldier On. It is our belief that as a result of this effort, dressers, desks, tables, chairs, televisions, refrigerators, microwave ovens and stoves can find second lives in the homes of people who need them most.

Even as HBA is assisting with our effort, this past weekend HBA organized yet another retreat at Lake Clear Lodge, welcoming our veterans home. Ten families and two couples experienced three days of winter outdoor activities including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and lantern-lit sleigh rides pulled by the Paul Smith’s College draft horses at the lodge. There was also downhill skiing, snowboarding and beginner ski lessons at Big Tupper. In addition to the outdoor winter events, there were indoor wellness activities provided by Dan Sullivan, healing demonstrations by Lynn Cameron, morning yoga, child care and a healthy cooking class given by the lodge’s executive chef, Kathy Hohmyer. It was a welcome home if ever there was one, Adirondacks style.

It is with a deep sense of appreciation that I thank the HBA partners, Snowslip Farm, Joe Hackett, Valerie Ainsworth, the myriad organizations that helped with this weekend’s retreat, its Community Advisory Committee and the local members of the HBA board and staff – Steve Erman, Kat Chase, David Aldridge, Mark Moeller, Greg Moore, Bob Ross and Chessie Monk – for their support, their capable leadership of HBA and their personal contributions to our efforts.

Gary D. Smith

The Northwoods Inn

Lake Placid