News stories tagged with "culture"

(02/07/12) We continue our series, the Adirondack Attic, with Andy Flynn. You may know Andy from his series of Adirondack Attic books on local history. He uses the objects people make, use and leave behind to tell stories about the life and times of the region.

NCPR is collaborating with Andy and his sources at the Adirondack Museum and other historical associations and museums in the region to bring these stories to air. Today, we'll get the history and the back-story of Saranac Lake's Winter Carnival, and its famous Ice Palace.

(01/20/12) New York State now includes more than 10,000 Amish people in 25 settlements, many of them in the North Country. In her book New York Amish, Karen Johnson-Weiner explains some of the history and customs of the Plain people. Betsy Kepes has this review. more

(01/13/12) This weekend in Blue Mountain Lake, the Adirondack Museum will host a lecture on the Chester Gillette murder trial. The 1906 murder of Grace Brown on Big Moose Lake was one of the biggest national scandals of its day. The case inspired "American Tragedy," one of the great novels of the 20th century. In the decades since, the story of Grace Brown and Chester Gillette has sparked more novels, operas, folk songs, Hollywood films and documentaries. In 2005, Brian Mann set out to travel from the Adirondacks to New York City, to trace why this particular murder case continues to hold such a grip on our imagination.

(11/16/11) SUNY Plattsburgh is celebrating International Education Week with a series of workshops, lectures, debates and the "Night of Nations" cultural showcase on Saturday. Todd Moe talks with Student Association president, PJ Shah, an international student from Nepal, about the lure of attending college in Plattsburgh.

(09/15/11) This Saturday you're invited back inside Traditional Arts in Upstate New York's newly renovated space on Main Street in Canton. The work trucks and dumpsters are out of the back parking lot and the brown paper is coming off the front windows by Saturday morning. TAUNY showcases the folk culture and living traditions of the North Country. The first phase of renovations includes an elevator, improved lighting and fresh paint. Todd Moe stopped by TAUNY earlier this week for a sneak preview with Executive Director Jill Breit.

(06/17/11) This week, it's been all about same sex marriage in Albany. Supporters, led by Governor Cuomo, have been lobbying hard for a vote in the State Senate. Now they're one vote shy of passage.

According to a Siena College poll this week, 55% of New Yorkers support legalizing same sex marriage. Sarah Harris chatted with shoppers in Ogdensburg to get their opinions.

(06/06/11) It was a perfect sunny day Saturday, and Canton was out in force for the annual tradition of the Dairy Princess parade. There was dairy royalty, lots of tractors and floats, and plenty to satisfy the sweet tooth. David Sommerstein was there and sent this audio postcard... more

(05/19/11) Traditional Arts In Upstate New York is celebrating 25 years of showcasing the folk culture and living traditions of the region. As part of a year long anniversary, TAUNY hosts its "TAUNY at 25" fundraising auction next Thursday in Canton, including a collection of hand-carved birds by the late Hazel Tyrrell of Pierrepont. Todd Moe talks with TAUNY's executive director Jill Breit about the organization's 25 years of collecting, preserving and interpreting customs and traditions of the North Country. Breit says Varick Chittenden was the founder and first director of TAUNY in 1986.

(02/14/11) Saranac Lake's Winter Carnival closed yesterday with a cascade of fireworks over the ice palace on the shore of Lake Flower.

While the castle is the centerpiece of the 114 year old carnival, one of the most revered traditions is the annual parade.

It's a showcase of all the energy, joy and creativity that the village has to offer. Brian Mann was on hand for this year's festivities and sent an audio postcard. more

(12/08/10) Folk balladeer Lee Knight joined Todd Moe in the studio this morning to share
some favorite Christmas music with roots in Appalachia. Knight, who grew up in Saranac Lake, lives in North Carolina and has dedicated his career to preserving traditional music in the Adirondacks and the Appalachians. He became familiar with the cultures of both regions in college and learned the stories and music from traditional sources -- the people who had them as part of their community for generations.