Jay Annis, left, and Stacy (Allott) Annis were chosen by the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee to lead the Gala Parade on Feb. 12 as the 2022 Grand Marshals. From their back deck on Lake Flower, they have a clear view of the Ice Palace during Carnival. Here, Gracie, left, and Tillie, their English Setters, enjoy the crisp air with the couple. Gracie and Tillie are bird-hunting pointers from the same family, several generations apart. They lay down in complete synchronization, diligently follow Jay and Stacy around, and love to be pet. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Cerbone)

SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival Committee has chosen Stacy (Allott) Annis and Jay Annis as the 2022 Grand Marshals to lead the Gala Parade on Feb. 12.

They’re a couple who have warm smiles, a cozy home on Lake Flower and a clear view of the Ice Palace from their back deck where they sit with their English setters, Gracie and Tillie.

Stacey and Jay moved to the area in 1978 and 1984, respectively, and met in 1990. They’re now married and have two children, Baylee and Sam Annis. Jay said he’s never missed a Winter Carnival as long as he’s lived here. Stacey said she’s only missed one because she was in Alaska. Both are members of the IPW101 Ice Palace Workers.

They said they were surprised by the announcement that they were chosen as the Grand Marshals and are still learning what the job entails. They know they’ll be leading the parade, though.

“We were psyched about it,” Stacey said.

They’re not sure who nominated them for the positions.

“They’ve done a lot for the community,” Winter Carnival Committee Chairman Jeff Branch said. “They’re very involved in, not only Winter Carnival, but the Saranac Lake community at large. I think people thought it was a no-brainer.”

Jay Annis moved to the Adirondacks in 1984, after graduating from WCVTI, a boat building school in Maine, to pursue wooden boat making. He managed — and later purchased — a boatbuilding and antique and classic boat restoration shop, which evolved into Spencer Boatworks.

He also created and manages the annual Runabout Rendezvous on Lake Flower each July, highlighting the classic wooden boats gracing Adirondack lakes.

Stacey moved from Elizabethtown to attend Paul Smith’s College and after graduating in 1978, has called Saranac Lake and the surrounding area home ever since.

“It’s the Adirondacks,” she said. “Why wouldn’t you?”

The couple said Saranac Lake is the perfect place. Stacey said while others plan to move south when they retire, they both plan on spending their retirement year-round in Saranac Lake. Stacey described herself and Jay as “lifers” in the Tri-Lakes.

A practicing land surveyor, she obtained her license in 1985 and founded Geomatics Land Surveying in 1994. She served on the Saranac Lake Local Development Corporation for six years, the local planning committee for the village’s DRI award project selection process and currently serves on the Town of Harrietstown Planning Board.

She was girls’ Pee Wee and high school hockey coach, and also coached women’s rugby for Adirondack High School Rugby and Paul Smith’s College.

Jay was the tournament director for the Can-Am Rugby Tournament from 2005-2020, a period in which the tournament moved from a two day to three day multi-venue event with over 100 teams attending.

They’re both members of the Black Jackets, an honor society of the Mountaineers Rugby Club.