The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.
Melissa is a journalist with experience as a reporter and editor, combined with work for nonprofits. As the Explorer's digital editor, she serves as editor of Adirondack Almanack.(com) and helps manage the Explorer's website. When not online, she enjoys hiking, camping and other outdoors activities, and spending time with her husband, their twin daughters, and rescue animals -- two dogs and two cats.
By Melissa Hart
To address food insecurity, nonprofit AdkAction has teamed up with Hub on the Hill commercial kitchen/local food distributor to put together emergency food packages (EFP) with a week’s worth of locally produced food and ready-to-eat meals. Each EFP contains eggs, bread, apples, healthy snacks, yogurt, greens, granola, soup, and two large trays of frozen entrees.…
By Melissa Hart
Saranac Lake resident Gail Brill wanted to do something to help out during the COVID-19 crisis. So she put her creative skills to work, mobilizing a team of sewers scattered around the Tri-lakes area. They’ve been keeping busy sewing and distributing cloth masks to frontline workers around the region. Read about it in the Adirondack…
By Melissa Hart
Some Adirondack-area distilleries are switching gears and turning their product into hand sanitizer.
By Melissa Hart
In a post on Sunday, March 15, Dan Berggren writes “So what's a musician to do? Write a song and share it with you, so you can sing it and pass it on, too.”
By Melissa Hart
By Melissa Hart Even though we’re only a few months into 2020, “panic buying” ranks high for one of the memorable phrases of the year, up there with “social distance.” In the recent rush to stock up on pantry staples like rice, beans and canned goods (not to mention toilet paper!), perishables tend to be…
By Melissa Hart
School tastings give students chance to weigh in on local foods One of the big challenges for school serving local foods (particularly vegetables) is figuring out ways to get kids to eat them. That’s where Meghan Brooks, Farm to School Educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension comes in. About once a month she pays a visit…
By Melissa Hart
Willsboro students try indoor gardening Students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades at Willsboro Central School have been experimenting with growing vegetables and herbs indoors, in three grow carts set up with lights in one of the classrooms. According to teacher Tara Valachovic, the supplies were purchased with a STEM grant and so far the…
By Melissa Hart
Two interesting opportunities Here are two interesting farming positions, both in the Saratoga Springs area: Pitney Meadows Community Farm is seeking its first Executive Director. They are looking for candidates who have experience running a nonprofit organization and have an affinity for farming, conservation and community gardens. Send cover letter and resume to [email protected] Featherbed Lane Farm…
By Melissa Hart
North Country School in Lake Placid hiring interns North Country School and Camp Treetops in Lake Placid are offering paid Summer and 12-Month Farm and Garden Internships. Both positions start this June 2020 and provide room, board, and a generous stipend. For more information, contact Tess at [email protected].
By Melissa Hart
Meet local farmers and sample tasty dishes Cornell Cooperative Extension of Clinton County and Adirondack Harvest are teaming up for its annual “Food from the Farm” event on Saturday, March 7 from 2-5 p.m. at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County office, located at 6064 State Route 22, Suite 5 in Plattsburgh. As part of…