MOUNTAIN — We’re glad to see that the truly excellent Wild Center is such a huge draw, and that Tupper Lake businesses are benefitting from the nature museum’s popularity. The large crowds at the Wild Center, even on weekdays, prompted us to have our new reporter Aaron Cerbone talk to Tupper Lake business owners to see how many of those people are becoming customers. As it turns out, we had good news to report: These businesses’ owners and clerks see a major increase of customers still wearing their Wild Center admission stickers — and that’s not counting visitors who removed their stickers or are on their way to the museum. We hope this symbiotic relationship continues to grow and thrive.

VALLEY — It’s terrible that hemlock wooly adelgid has been confirmed in the Lake George area of the Adirondacks. This invasive bug, similar to an aphid, has largely wiped out the beautiful eastern hemlocks in much of southern New York and Pennsylvania. Sustained temperatures of 30 below zero or colder can kill most of these adelgids, according to research from Cornell University, but as winters get more mild, the bugs march north. How far north? It’s hard to say. The Lake George area is the warmest corner of the Adirondack Park, so we hope they stop there. Meanwhile, we are grateful to environmental scientists from environmental groups, universities, the state Department of Environmental Conservation and other government agencies for their work to monitor and contain the threat of invasive species.

MOUNTAIN — Hooray for Amy Farrell, the Tupper Lake resident who, for the second time in three years, was the fastest woman in the Ironman Lake Placid triathlon. She’s amazing.

MOUNTAIN — Hooray to Pendragon Theatre, Dewey Mountain Recreation Center and everyone else involved with putting on a wonderful version of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on a new outdoor stage at Dewey. We loved it and strongly encourage everyone to catch one of its last shows: tonight at 7 p.m., Sunday at 2, and Wedneday and Thursday at 7. Bring the $10 admission fee, bug spray and your sense of humor.

MOUNTAIN — Hooray for generous local people who have donated toward the medical expenses of Alex Marklund and Brooke Dewyea, two locals who were severely hurt in car accidents. Dewyea, 20, of Piercefield, was jogging on the roadside when she was sideswiped by a passing camper. Marklund, 31, of Bloomingdale, crashed his car on the Bloomingdale-Gabriels Road. We’re glad they have people here looking out for them.

VALLEY — There remains an urgent need for foster care in the North Country, largely because opioid drugs have left so many parents unable to perform their duties. Being a foster parent is a huge undertaking, but if you think you can, we encourage it. For more information, call the Franklin County Department of Social Services at 518-481-1812 or the Essex County DSS at 518-873-3414.