Co-authors of the Adirondack Kids book series to make an appearance at Creekside for 1st annual Local Children’s Author Day, Saturday May 16th, 2009 at 1:00 pm.

[Skaneateles, NY]  Creekside Books & Coffee announces that Gary and Justin VanRiper, Father and son co-authors of the well-known Adirondack Kids book series will make an appearance at Creekside’s first local children’s author day on Saturday, May 16 at 1:00 pm.  Creekside will be their first venue to introduce the ninth book in the Adirondack Kids series, Legend of the Lake Monster.

“The Adirondack Kids series has been incredibly popular with our young readers; especially during the summer months.  We are so excited to be hosting the Van Riper’s again and we are looking forward to seeing and hearing about their newest release in the series,” says Erika Davis, owner of Creekside Books & Coffee.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

The VanRiper’s
Justin VanRiper is an award-winning children’s book author.  He is currently a freshman at Houghton College and has plans to become a high school English teacher.  He enjoys snowboarding; hiking, wowing his friends and strangers with card tricks (hand him a deck at a book-signing and see what happens!); acting, writing and is a drummer for his church’s worship team. 
Gary VanRiper, Justin’s dad, is an award-winning journalist, photo-journalist and children’s book author. His photographs have appeared in numerous publications over the years including Birders’ World, Wildbird, The Conservationist, Farm & Ranch Living, New York Alive, Guideposts, Modern Photography and Petersen’s Photographic. For seven years, he co-published a local community newspaper, The Camden Times & Beach Journal. He is currently the full time senior pastor of Camden Wesleyan Church in Camden, New York.  On his “days off”, his wife, Carol, has him speaking to children in public and private schools and at libraries throughout New York state about the importance of reading.

Julie Cummins is the author of many children’s titles including Country Kid, City Kid and her most recent, Women Daredevils, in which Cummins profiles 14 women ranging in age from 15-63 who, between 1880 and 1929, performed death-defying acts guaranteed to generate thrills and chills and to challenge myths about the proper place of women. Stories have always been an important part of Julie’s life, both true and imagined.  She is a former children’s librarian and now writes children’s books

Marsha Hayles & Donna Farrell make up the author/illustrator team of Here’s a Cheer for Our Childfirst Day. 

Marsha Hayles is the author of several picture books, including He Saves the Day, The Feathered Crown, Pajamas Anytime, and the upcoming Bunion Burt. She also writes poetry for young people and just sold a novel called Breathing Room for mid-grade readers. She is a frequent guest speaker at schools and libraries where she talks to young people about the joy of working—and playing—with words.

Donna Farrell’s lively illustrations capture the fun and spirit of childhood. Her own whimsical, wonderful children inspired her art for her first picture book—Here’s a Cheer for Our Childfirst Day. Donna has created colorful art for everything from gift bags to stickers, from school room decorations to art for mass market publishers. In her interactive school and library presentations, Donna brings art to life as she and her audience create playful characters and creatures together.
Elizabeth Hurley, resident of Skaneateles, has recently authored her first children’s book, Digging Spring.  Elisabeth Hurley was born and raised in Germany. She graduated from Fordham University summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature and a Master of Science degree in Education. For an independent study she received special honors. A passionate reader with a love for the written word, she has collected children’s books from different time periods. By writing a book for children, the author fulfilled a long-time dream. Her recent retirement gave her the free time to let her imagination take full reign. Picturing her granddaughter and niece, both of kindergarten age, helped immensely. Yet, Elisabeth’s own love of nature was the start and focus of the story. 

Irene Uttendorfsky love of history and story led to her desire to share history with children as an author of historical fiction. Three historical fiction novels written for middle grade and young adult readers have been published by Spruce Gulch Press: A Punkeyville Girl: A Tale of Old Forestport and the Canals, Hannah and the Two Sisters: An Erie Canal Adventure and When Thunder Rolls, A Story of the Underground Railroad and the Civil War. Her early chapter book, Adirondack Mouse and the Perilous Journey was selected as the 2006 Best Children9s Book by the Adirondack Center for Writing.  Irene is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Adirondack Center for Writing.  Irene and her husband reside in Lewis County, NY.

Elizabeth Weinstein is the author of Shakespeare with Children, a book written for educators that includes six scripts for young players.  Bruce Coville writes of Weinstein’s work, “Elizabeth Weinstein has created an amazing resource for teachers who want to introduce their students to the richness and wonder of the Bard.” Elizabeth lives with her husband and two children in Tully, New York, where she first developed and wrote these scripts for local elementary school productions. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Carleton College and a master’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota, and writes both fiction and nonfiction.  Elizabeth will be bringing a few young performers with her to this event to entertain the audience using the Shakespearean scripts from her book.

Ann Lee Yankel is the author of Jake in the Box, a story about a young boy and his family who were forced to live in poverty during the Great Depression and learned to overcome many hardships.  Ann has been artist all of her life but also loves to write for children.  She has received many awards, including three national first place prizes for the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Ann lives in a rural area in upstate New York and has reared seven children and many cats and dogs.

“Most of these children’s authors have not been to Creekside yet so we are looking forward to welcoming them and hope that many will come out to experience this gathering of local talent,” says Davis.  “Each visitor to this event will be proud to have connections to Central New York, and will want to learn more from these amazing authors.”
Creekside Books & Coffee is located at 35 Fennell Street in Skaneateles.  The bookstore is the only retail store in the village selling new hardcover and paperback books as well as toys, gifts, greeting cards and other merchandise. The coffeehouse features the freshest roasted coffee in town, a light fare menu and a pleasant atmosphere to relax and enjoy.

Helen O’Leary to join poets for Creekside Books & Coffee’s poetry reading on May 9th, 2009.

[Skaneateles, NY] Creekside Books & Coffee, an independent bookstore and coffeehouse in Skaneateles, has just confirmed that Helen O’Leary, local poet and educator, will be joining the talented lineup of poets who will be reading at Creekside’s Poetry Reading on May 9th at 7:00 pm in the coffeehouse. 

“This means that we now have five (5) local poets who will be sharing their original work with us for an inspirational evening of poetry,” says Erika Davis, owner of Creekside Books & Coffee.  “There is much to learn and be inspired by from those involved in the creative writing process. We hope that many come out for the evening to enjoy these talented writers.”

About the Poets

Helen O’Leary Syers is a graduate of Vermont College and Empire State College, where she is now an online instructor in cultural studies. In community centers and churches in Syracuse, Skaneateles, and Auburn, Helen has facilitated study groups of The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron’s bestselling workbook on creative recovery, as well as other study groups on the value and practice of living a creative life. Her short fiction and poetry have been published in several local small presses.

Rachel Guido deVries is a poet and fiction writer.   She continues her book tour of Central New York venues reading from her newest publication, The Brother Inside Me, published by Guernica Editions in 2008.  This collection of poems considers with characteristic clarity and honesty the early death of her brother, her father’s life with dementia and the changes and wisdom that come with age.  Her first children’s picture book, Teeny Tiny Tino’s Fishing Story, was released in January, 2008 by Bordighera Press, and was chosen as the winner of the 2008 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People, in the category of Grades Pre-K-3.    A past recipient of a New York Foundation for the Arts award in fiction, she lives in Cazenovia, NY.  She is a poet-in-the-public schools, and offers workshops and readings independently.

Mary Gardner Mary has returned to writing poetry and essay after a career in human resources and management development during which time, twenty-two of her articles were published in professional literature.  She has won poetry awards from the National League of American Pen Women, CNY Branch, and was one of 16 winners in the 2007 Syracuse Art Poster Project; the latter features haiku in a city-wide celebration of poetry and the graphic arts.  Her poems have appeared in The PEN WOMAN and in the recently published anthology, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MR. LINCOLN, an officially endorsed publication of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Heidi Nightengale was born in Connecticut but spent her school years in Skaneateles and graduated from Skaneateles High School in 1979 and went on  to attend Keuka College and Cornell University.  She is currently a PH.D candidate studying at Capella Univerity.  Heidi teaches for Empire State College and LeMoyne College’s graduate department of education.  She has been published in journals and anthologies across the United States.  Bird Vision is her first chapbook.  She is also working on children’s stories.  A literary review of Bird Vision will be published in summer 2009 in the literay critique journal, Book/Mark.  Heidi currently lives in Auburn where she attracts faeries to her gardens and enjoys hanging May Day baskets and creating Harry Potter inspired Ministry of Magic letters for friends and family.
Elizabeth Patton was born and educated in the South and has lived in New York since 1966.  In addition to teaching English, she has taught history, Latin, and music in several states.  In 1984, she left an English position at Skaneateles High School, where she developed a senior elective in creative writing.  Her writing has appeared in professional journals, literary magazines, anthologies, and newspapers.

Creekside Books & Coffee is located at 35 Fennell Street in Skaneateles.  The bookstore is the only retail store in the village selling new hardcover and paperback books as well as toys, gifts, greeting cards and other merchandise. The coffeehouse features the freshest roasted coffee in town, a light fare menu and a pleasant atmosphere to relax and enjoy.

‘Having Fun All Summer Long’ in Skaneateles

Whether your idea of summer fun is boating, antiquing, shopping at sidewalk sales, fine dining, or music under the stars, you’ll find it all in Skaneateles—a picturesque, historic lakeside village in the eastern Finger Lakes region of upstate New York.
 
“Skaneateles” (Skan-ee-atlas) is an Iroquois word meaning “long lake” – and Skaneateles Lake, covering an expanse of 16 miles, is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. In its downtown district, Skaneateles features shops, boutiques, galleries and restaurants in restored buildings that date back to 1796.
 
“And if the lake and historical charm aren’t enough, there’s always something to do, particularly in the summer,” says Susan Dove, executive director of the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. “You won’t find a friendlier community anywhere.”
 
Throughout the season, visitors can enjoy a local farmers market (Thursdays, 3:30-6:30 p.m. at the Skaneateles Community Center), community band concerts (Fridays, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in July and 7 p.m. in August, in Clift Park), U.S. Mailboat cruises (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1:15 p.m.) and dinner cruises (daily, 6-9 p.m.), sailboat races (alternate Sundays, 1 p.m.), polo games (Sundays at 3 p.m. at the polo grounds on Andrews Road), First Friday arts-themed events (6-9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month at Skaneateles Artisans), live musical entertainment at the Sherwood Inn and Creekside Books & Coffee, and tours of The Creamery Museum (Thursday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m.) and the John D. Barrow Art Gallery (Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.).
 
Additionally, a variety of special events draw visitors from around the region and around the world:
 
Hank Bryant Scholastic Jazzfest, presented by jazz students from Skaneateles High School. June 7, noon-6:30 p.m. at the Gazebo in Clift Park. Free.
 
5th Annual Strawberry Festival, a fund-raiser to benefit the Stella Maris Retreat & Renewal Center. June 7, noon-4 p.m. at Stella Maris, 130 E. Genesee St.
 
Rotary Annual Pancake Breakfast. June 21, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Austin Park Pavilion.
 
Lighting of the flares around Skaneateles Lake. July 3, at dusk.
 
Skaneateles Library Book Sale. July 9-11. Thursday, 6 -9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 49 E. Genesee St.
 
50th Annual Antique and Craft Show, sponsored by the Skaneateles United Methodist Church. July 10 and 11. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Austin Park Pavilion.
 
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, annual gala sponsored by the Skaneateles Area Arts Council. July 12 on the lawn at Stella Maris.
 
Curbstone Festival & Sidewalk Sales. July 16-18. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., in downtown Skaneateles.
 
Syracuse Symphony Summer Concert. July 22, 7 p.m. at the Austin Park Pavilion. Free.
 
Antique and Classic Boat Show, featuring some 80 antique and classic boats displayed on land and water, a boat parade, musical entertainment and children’s activities. July 24-26 in Clift Park. Free.
 
Rhythm, Blues & BBQ festival, on the west lawn of the Sherwood Inn. July 26, starting at 3 p.m. Free.
 
Anything Goes!, performed by the Skaneateles Summer Theatre. July 30-Aug. 1. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m., at Skaneateles High School.
 
Skaneateles Festival, 30th anniversary season, featuring a solo recital by guitarist Eliot Fisk and a weeklong celebration of music from New York. Aug. 12-Sept. 5. Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church; Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. at Brook Farm. For more information, go to http://www.skanfest.org.
 
Concert Lakeside, sponsored by the Skaneateles Area Arts Council. Aug. 26 in Clift Park.
 
Skaneateles Race Weekend, featuring triathlon events, open water swims, time trial and road races. Sept. 5 and 6. For more information, go to http://www.skanraces.com.
 
Volunteer Fire Department Annual Field Days. Sept. 5 and 6 at the Austin Park Pavilion.
 
Labor Day Parade. Sept. 6, 4 p.m. in downtown Skaneateles.
 
Skaneateles visitor accommodations include inns, bed-and-breakfasts, motels and cottages.
 
For more information on Skaneateles events and attractions, go to http://www.skaneateles.com .
Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce
315-685-0552                                                            sdove@skaneateles.com
http://www.skaneateles.com

Wildflower Walk at Guppy Falls

May 2, 2009
9am to 11am

Skaneateles Conservation Area
one mile south of Old Seneca Turnpike
Skaneateles NY 13152

There is a wildflower walk at Guppy Falls which is part of the
Skaneateles Conservation Area.  We will be meeting in the parking area.
We are hoping to see wildflowers at their peak.
This event is free.

”Make and Take” Rain Barrel Workshops

May 2nd 2009
10 am to 1pm

Village Water Department Garage
75 Fennell Street
Skaneateles, NY
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Onondaga County is hosting a ?Make and Take? Rain Barrel Workshop,
co-sponsored by the Spafford Area Garden Enthusiasts. Workshop participants will convert recycled
food-grade containers into rain barrels that can then be attached to the end of a downspout to capture
the rainwater that falls onto the rooftop. Rain barrels are becoming increasingly popular with homeowners
because they provide a free source of clean water to use in lawns and gardens. Workshop participants
will also learn the basics of rain barrel installation and maintenance and will be able to paint their
barrel to better match the landscape of their home.

Call 424-9485 for more information.