Carnival royalty and volunteering

Then-Winter Carnival Queen Patti Ploof and Winter Carnival mascot Sara the Snowy Owl stand atop the Hotel Saranac next to the “Hot Sara” sign on a blustery Friday in 2023 to get a view of the kingdom. (Enterprise photo — Aaron Marbone)
I know a queen. I know more than one. How many people can say that besides everyone in Saranac Lake? It’s an honor. I am not being sarcastic, though, as I reread my words, I may come off that way. I am, indeed, sincere.
I spoke to a friend about the wonderful tradition that ties community service to the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. It isn’t only that it takes a village and a full year to throw together this 10-day event, but it embraces community unity through volunteerism.
My friend was and will always be a queen. She is the person who gives her all to everything involved. Her name is attached to all sorts of good works, dedicating her time to helping others. It is a gift. There are so many other people who also give their heart and soul to support Saranac Lake in a variety of ways. After nominations and deliberations, two other volunteers will be crowned. Perhaps I’ll know more royals.
According to a Forbes magazine article by Dr. Tracy Brower, PhD, the power of volunteering not only aligns with a person’s values and passion but provides a human interaction. Connectivity is lacking in many workplaces, whether it’s ZOOM meetings or working from home, but volunteering gets people together in different ways. Brower further states that research indicates that when people focus on others, there is a significant increase in motivation, joy, and reduced stress. Volunteering increases interactions through new friendships and a sense of purpose. The biggest obstacle is a lack of time. Brower writes that research demonstrates the opposite. After volunteering, people perceive that the amount of time in their day expands when being involved in causes they care about.
I’ve been told it isn’t an easy decision to pick new royalty. Everyone nominated deserves the accolades for their long-term commitment making our communities more pleasant, livable, and enjoyable for visitors and locals. Previous kings and queens read the resumes of each nominee and vote by secret ballot. Then, the next crowned king, queen, and court will be honored while representing Saranac Lake to residents and visitors. I want to congratulate all past, present and future kings and queens. I also thank each and every one of them for their dedication to our community. Enjoy Winter Carnival!