The inside pages were also filled with the new century celebrations: headlines such as “Party Began Early on Times Square,” “State Braces for Y2K” and “Stars to Join President Clinton for National Y2K Gala” … we will cover a bit of that story.

When all the headlines for the new century read “Y2K” I naturally, being a high-functioning brainiac, thought it represented some journalism formula created by Albert Einstein when he resided here for five summers.

Newspaper guys and dolls know how to beat the odds when it’s time to save space — as in POTUS [President of the United States]– so the Y2K was much easier than spelling out Year — 2000 — Kilo (thousand).

The lead story in the Enterprise was written by reporter Erica Along.

“What does it mean to be 2000 compliant? In Saranac Lake and surrounding areas, it means prepared for what most people believe to be much ado about nothing.

“But with all the hype about terrorist threats, computer failures and major disasters, most Tri-Lakes residents are ready for anything the New Year brings their way.

“Saranac Lake Police Chief Don Perryman said that the extra personnel will be on guard and on patrol should there be a power outage.

“I don’t foresee any problems,” Perryman said.

“Howard Riley, village manager said he is setting up places to give shelter to people, there are several buildings we can use.”

“Water and Sewer Chief Steve Paye told a similar story. The water plant is hydro mechanical which means it is all manual operation. ‘We don’t use computers and if the power goes off we have generators.’

“Should the Apocalypse come and mankind is left to his own devices, the people who stocked up and thought ahead will surely be the ones to survive.

“Bill Decker, who owns Big D Fuel & Propane, sells fuel oil, and propane as well as boilers, heaters and furnaces.

“Most inquiries for our services have been limited to the times right after a storm,” Decker added.

“Riley and Mary Peria, village treasurer said, ‘We don’t anticipate any problems.” [And I might add, we didn’t have any.]

Tupper Lake

Enterprise reporter Kelly Fox covered the Tupper preparations for the new century.

“The Village of Tupper Lake is prepared for the year 2000, according to Mayor Mark Arsenault.

“Arsenault said he is confident that should any Y2K problems occur, Tupper Lake will be okay. All village crews are on standby and police and emergency vehicles are ready should anything happen.

“There will be water and sewer for the village in the power goes out and emergency shelters are in place for residents. They will be located in Holy Ghost Academy, Holy Name Church and Ivy Terrace. If all of these shelters become full, Sunmount will be used as a backup shelter.

“The Tupper Lake Police Department will be prepared for the worst in case of looting, according to Tupper Lake Police Chief Ronald Cole. Although no major problems are expected, police officers will be ready to take action if necessary. A reaction plan is in place, Cole said.”

Lake Placid

This story was covered by Peter Crowley, former Editor of The Enterprise.

“What if the lights go out at 12:01 a.m., January 1, 2000?

“State police, at least, will be ready for anything.

“Although it is nothing like the military-style buildup New York city police are staging in Times Square, state police at Troop B Headquarters in Ray Brook Brook are also gearing up for the dawn of 2000.

“‘Pretty much everybody we have is going on duty that night,'” Lt. William Keeler said. ‘Everybody’s losing their pass for the holidays.’

“‘We just want to make sure we have the manpower should something arise,’ he said.

“As for whether the power will stay on, Lake Placid Electric Department spokesman said not to worry too much.

“‘We are totally in compliance with Y2K,’ Lake Placid Electrical Superintendent Peter Kroha said Monday, Dec. 27.

“Jay Rand, general manager of Whiteface Ski area, said skiers will be enjoying the slopes on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Sandy Caligiore, commendations director at ORDA, said, “We do have a ‘plan B’ ready to be put into operation.”

“Lake Placid Mayor Jim Strack said that the village appears ready for the bug. ‘We have had every department check their equipment,’ he said, ‘but anything can happen, but I have been assured that we’re okay … unless we have some kind of a huge storm or flooding like we’ve had before, I’m convinced we’ll be all right.'”

[Celebrations were planned in every village. Apparently Lake Placid had the biggest party at the oval to be known as the Funfest.]

Celebrating in Washington, D.C.

“The nations’s capital may rival New York’s Times Square for the most spectacular celebration to ring in the new millennium.

“Hundreds of stage workers, scaffolding technicians, electricians and camera and sound specialists crawled over the front of the Lincoln Memorial Tuesday, setting up a huge stage, a ton of marble scenery, more than 250 miles of cable, three movie screens and 75 generators to light and heat it all.

“They were setting up for the three-hour, $12 million Hollywood extravaganza in which President Clinton and thousands of celebrants will ring in the new century Friday night.

“The show is being financed by corporations, foundations and individual donations.

“There will be an 18-minute Steven Spielberg film, song-and-dance numbers, a symphony orchestra, pyrotechnics and an array of stars.

“The televised show, produced by Quincy Jones, will be set at the base of the Lincoln Memorial near the Reflecting Pool. At the end of the evening, director Spielberg will present his vision of America’s past and future with ‘Unfinished Journey.’

“Speaking at a news conference at the memorial on Tuesday, Spielberg described the 18-minute film as a kind of musical and poetic celebration of why we are here today, what were the shoulders we stood on to achieve this moment in history.

“After the movie presentation, the President will speak to the nation and the thousands of people expected to gather on the National Mall. The children will ignite a fuse to illuminate a string of lights stretching across the Reflecting Pool to the Washington Monument. As the nation counts down to the new year the monument will be lit up section by section.

“Among the stars who will be performing during the evening are actors Will Smith, Robert Duvall and Diane Keaton; opera singer Kathleen Battle, country singers Kenny Rogers, Trisha Yearwood, and the cast of the Broadway show ‘Stomp.'”