This fall, Saranac Lake High School 10th graders in Eric Bennett’s English classes were challenged to write personal narratives in just 100 words. In about the space of a paragraph, students were tasked with telling a story with a beginning, middle and end; expressing something true about ...

Our books column’s subject this time barely qualifies as a book. It’s a 6-inch-by-3-inch, 16-page assemblage of “advice and good cheer” titled “A Trotty Veck Message: Be Friendly,” published by “Trotty Veck Messengers, Saranac Lake, N.Y.” It’s not dated, but extensive material ...

Halloween was an emotional eternity ago, although, in reality, it’s only been days. We had our five trick-or-treaters. The deer actually left our pumpkins alone. And we consumed the four bags of Halloween candy I bought “just in case.” All in all, this year was much like last year. It ...

When I asked my husband to join me for an easy hike, we did not align on what we considered easy. He evaluates ease with ability and vertical challenges. I enjoy backpacking, camping and an all-day excursion, but the easy hikes are done in a few hours and leave time for brunch. Wilmington’s ...