President Randall Swanson shared information about the not-for-profit organization, as well as opportunities for volunteering next year. President Randall spoke about the VIS-owned neighborhood parks, and recognized the volunteer members of the organization’s board of directors and its park managers.

Swanson reminded the crowd of VIS’s connection to the famed Olmsted Brothers Landscape Firm. In 1909, The Olmsted Plan for the Improvement of Saranac Lake was presented to the village board with the recommendation that “small open spaces, scattered about a village … furnish the opportunity for people to rest outdoors … such small bits of park are very real and important elements in making for civic beauty and the joy of living.” In 1910, ten women banded together and formed the Village Improvement Society with the intention of seeing this plan through to fruition. 108 years later, and VIS is still enhancing the natural beauty of this community.

VIS partners with many organizations and individuals, including the Village of Saranac Lake, the Downtown Advisory Board, the Kiwanis Aktion Club, the Community Development Board, and Roger Pratt Property Services. All were recognized for their assistance during the year.

VIS member Donna Walsh spoke about VIS’s important outreach work with the Saranac Lake Middle School and the DEC Campership Scholarship program. VIS presents a DEC environmental campership scholarship to two middle school students each year. Walsh also had the privilege of honoring Aktion Club members Eric Viscardo, Michael Heath, and John Kellogg, with an appreciation of service award for their volunteer work this past summer collecting VIS donation jars and planting/tending to flowers.

Bradley, Andrew, Abilene & Brooke Varner with their “Keep Saranac Lake Blooming” award certificate of appreciation. (Photo provided)

The highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the annual “Keep Saranac Lake Blooming” awards, presented to local businesses and homeowners in Saranac Lake who maintained beautiful flowers, window boxes, gardens and lawns for the enjoyment of all passers-by. Businesses recognized and presented with an award certificate included The Belvedere Restaurant, Boushie & Associates, Red Fox Restaurant, Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, and St. Regis Canoe Outfitters. Homeowners honored for their gardening contributions included Laura Hanford (Lake Flower Avenue), Terry & Lynn Kemp (Shepard Avenue), Franny Preston (Santanoni Ave.), The Varner Family (Ampersand Avenue), Judith Steinberg (Old Lake Colby Road), and the Hall Family Residence (Neil Street).

VIS volunteers serve a vital role in beautifying the community of Saranac Lake, maintaining VIS neighborhood parks, and preserving our rich historical legacy for future generations. For more information about VIS or to get involved, visit www.saranaclakeVIS.org, and like them on Facebook.

The Hall Family Residence on Neil Street (Photo provided)