Brief Bio: Barbara Green

Age: 61.

Residence: Old Forge.

Occupation: Retired hairdresser, and currently a basket weaver and instructor. 

Accomplishments: My husband and our daughters would be my greatest. Secondly would be that I have been able to be self-employed most of my adult life, and I was the third woman on the Webb Town Board, on which I still serve.

Favorite adventure: A great adventure was taking a seaplane ride when my daughters were young and witnessing the vastness of the Adirondacks from the air!

Favorite view: My favorite view is actually right out my front window. We overlook Class 1 wetlands at the west end of First Lake on the Fulton Chain. We see all kinds of wildlife. Nature is literally outside my front door, and yet we can see beauty everywhere.

Local lessons: The greatest lesson I have learned from living in the Adirondacks for over four decades is perseverance. I believe that was as true for the early guides and settlers as it is for local residents today. It isn’t an easy life, but it sure is an amazing one!

Basketry materials: The reed I use is not available here, although I will occasionally accent baskets with birch bark or other local materials. The design of my Adirondack pack basket is derived from original styles, and I have repaired many old ones with ash.

Why I love the Adirondacks: The people. We “get” each other, for the most part. We understand the spirit of creativity that is born of necessity. We are an amazing support system when one of our own is in need, and fiercely defend our sense of place here.

Memorable wildlife experience: I think most remarkable would be the moose I have NEVER SEEN after living here all this time!

If I were in charge of the park: I would like to be able to provide affordable homes and rentals for year-round residents. As a board we work on it, talk about it, ask for help to provide it, but it is a problem that exists across the nation in popular tourist destinations.