Enter the HGTV Dream Home Giveaway

Camp in the Snow

Fourth Lake, Frozen

The Boathouse in Winter, January 3, 2009

Fourth Lake Whispers

We hear that. . . Maryann Kowalsky is a grandmother. Her daughter, Kim, and son-in-law, Dave, have a beautiful daughter and are living in Saratoga Springs. . .Tyler Gervaise and his family have finished their camp leveling and restoration project at their Fourth Lake camp near Alger Island. . .Artist David R.C. Oster has been working on a pen and ink drawing of the new house at Penwood and will unveil it soon. . .Sarah Cohen has left Old Forge for the winter and is comfortably settled in her winter home in Guatemala. . .Dr. Robert Segaul and his wife Susie of Segaul's Nest are enjoying their grandchildren in Plantation, Florida. . .George and Madeline Spoll are enjoying the sunshine at their winter home in Longboat Key, Florida. . .Cathy and Paul Rivet, proprietors of the excellent Old Forge restaurant Five Corners Cafe, have closed the cafe for the winter and are enjoying time with their son. . .the venerable Old Forge Hardware has been sold to local residents Erica Wilcox Murray and Terry Murray by Sarah Cohen and Linda Cohen. . .

Holiday Message from President-Elect Obama

Snow Falling on Pine Trees Winter 2008

Letter from Dan Rosenthal to Dorothea Rosenthal

The following is the text of an undated letter from Dan Rosenthal to his sister, Dorothea Rosenthal, my grandmother, found in a scrapbook kept by Dorothea.  It was written by Dan while he was a student at Harvard Law School.

Dear Dot:

I hardly have the time to write you the kind of letter I should - as I am smack in the middle of exams, as you know.  Nevertheless, I wanted this note to covey to you my fondest wish for a very, very happy birthday.  You deserve it, Dot, as you are a nice girl.  -- That's unusual for me to admit it, isn't it. -- Mother wrote me that you were admitted to Northwestern so all your worries on that score are gone.  Well, once again - Happy Birthday!

Love,

Dan

Christmas inside the Blue Line

We had a holiday dinner last night, a mixed Christmas-Hanukkah evening of celebration.  The dinner was beef tenderloin, butternut squash soup, saffron risotto and asaparagus, followed by a salad of mixed greens and dessert of flourless chocolate cake.  Everyone was in bed and asleep shortly after dinner. We lit the menorah and watched the snow drifts outside the house.  The night before, there was a horrific howling wind, with 50 mph gusts.  If I had let the dog out, she would have blown away.  Branches flew by the windows and the wind dipped into the fireplace from the chimney above, making a creepy howling sound.  The lights fluttered and flashed; the power went out. We heard the hum of the generator come on and power was restored -- I think it was out most of the night.  This morning, I awoke to Audrey staring at me and begging silently to go out.  We went outside where it was eerily quiet and quite cold.  The winds had died away and the stars were bright. 

View from the City, Very Early Morning, December 24, 2008

It is 3:46 am and we have not yet made it out of the city for our holiday in the Adirondacks. The bags are packed and ready by the door.  We thought we would leave the city yesterday, but had a visit from a friend that extended into dinner and drinks, so we decided to stay the night here. We had our first holiday presents, including two scarves, two sweaters and two new pair of much-needed and much-appreciated winter gloves.  Anthony received a mini Etch-a-Sketch and I received some vintage playing cards for my collection of games for the house.  Audrey, our dog, is ready for some major Adirondack snow in which to roll and rollick.  Before we get on the way, we will stop to stock up on food and supplies for the holiday.  I have never cooked a beef tenderloin, but there is one sitting in our refrigerator now that I hope to have in the next few days.  We have a cooler that plugs into an outlet in the back of our car, which is necessary to keep the food cool during the long drive, which usually runs 4.5 to 5 hours.  I must confess that, looking at the footage from the President-elect's trip to Hawaii, I wish we had made plans to go somewhere warm for the holiday, but it was not in the cards this year.  I must make a New Year's resolution to plan our trips early this year or we will never get out of the city, other than our frequent jaunts to Fourth Lake.

Fourth Lake from Above, With Cedar Island and Dollar Island

The President's Remarks, Hanukkah 2008

The President's Remarks (Excerpt), Hanukkah 2008, The White House

The story of Hanukkah recalls the miraculous victory of a small band of patriots against tyranny, and the oil that burned for eight nights. Through centuries of exile and persecution, Jews have lit the menorah. Each year, they behold its glow with faith in the power of God, and love for His greatest gift -- freedom.

This Hanukkah we celebrate another miraculous victory -- the 60th anniversary of the founding of the state of Israel. When President Harry Truman led the world in recognizing Israel in May of 1948, many wondered whether the small nation could possibly survive. Yet from the first days of independence, the people of Israel defied dire predictions. With determination and hard work, they turned a rocky desert into fertile soil. They built a thriving democracy, a strong economy, and one of the mightiest military forces on earth. Like the Maccabees, Israel has defended itself bravely against enemies seeking its destruction. And today, Israel is a light unto the nations -- and one of America's closest friends.

This evening, we have the great privilege of celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary and Hanukkah in a very special way. Thanks to the generosity of the Truman Library, we are fortunate to light the menorah presented to President Truman in 1951 as a symbol of friendship by Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion.

A decade after President Truman received this gift, he visited Prime Minister Ben-Gurion for one of the last times. As they parted, Ben-Gurion told the President that as a foreigner he could not judge President Truman's place in American history, but the President's courageous decision to recognize the new state of Israel gave him an immortal place in Jewish history. Those words filled the President's eyes with uncharacteristic tears. And later, Ben-Gurion would say he rarely had seen somebody so moved.

And so tonight I'm deeply moved to welcome the grandsons of these two great men -- Clifton Truman Daniel and Yariv Ben-Eliezer -- to light the Truman menorah together.

Laura and I wish all the people of Jewish faith a happy Hanukkah and many joyous Hanukkahs in the years ahead. Thank you. (Applause.)

The President's 2008 Christmas Message

Presidential Message 

Christmas 2008

"'I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'"

Luke 2:10-12

Each year, Christmas brings together families, friends, and communities to rejoice in the birth of Jesus Christ and celebrate the wonderful gifts God has bestowed upon us. During this season, we remember Jesus' birth from the Virgin Mary, His justice and mercy that changed the world, and His ultimate sacrifice for all people. Though Jesus was born humbly in a manger, He was destined to be the Savior of the world. The light He brought into the world continues to break through darkness and change people's lives two thousand years later.

This holiday season, as you rejoice in the good news of Jesus' love, forgiveness, acceptance, and peace, I encourage you to show grace to those less fortunate, just as God showed it to us. By serving those in need and through other acts of love and compassion, we can honor God's goodness and affirm the immeasurable value God places on the sanctity of life. We remember the members of our Armed Forces serving to protect our country and secure God's gift of freedom for others around the globe. All Americans are indebted to these men and women and their families for their sacrifice, devotion to duty, and patriotism.

Laura and I send our best wishes for a very Merry Christmas. May you be surrounded by loved ones and blessed by the Author of Life during this joyous holiday and throughout the New Year.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The White House Ornament 2008 Honoring President Benjamin Harrison's Administration

September 3, 1938: The Boulders, Summer Home of Rosenau Family, Consumed by Fire

President Harrison's Adirondack Lodge

In Love with the Adirondacks: Ex-President Harrison Purchases Land to Build a Cottage

From The New York Times, January 11, 1896

ROME, N.Y., Jan. 10. --Ex-President Harrison, who spent a portion of last summer at Dodd Camp, First Lake, Fulton Chain, was so well pleased with the North Woods that he has bought of Dr. Seward Webb about twenty-five acres of land at the point where First and Second Lakes join, and will build a cottage.

The plot has a water frontage of about 1,000 feet. Gen. Harrison has had the land cleared of stumps, logs and under-brush, and as soon as possible will build a handsome cottage, which he expects to have ready for occupancy next Summer.  His purchase is on the south side of the lake, about three and a half miles from Old Forge, and about one mile above Dodd Camp, which is on the opposite side.  

A survey has just been completed for a standard-gauge steam railroad from Fulton Chain station on the Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad, to Old Forge, at the foot of First Lake, Fulton Chain, and the road will be built as soon as the snow goes off.  An electric railroad is contemplated, which will connect Fourth Lake with Racquette Lake, eight miles further north.

White House Christmas Ornament 2008 Honors Adirondack Pioneer President Benjamin Harrison

The White House Historical Association sells a limited edition ornament to support the mission of the Association -- to preserve and promote the history and historic collection in the White House.  This year's ornament honors the administration of President Benjamin Harrison, whose Adirondack camp on Second Lake, Berkeley Lodge (sometimes known as the Harrison House) is still a functioning camp well known to Adirondackers.  His desire to receive regular mail at his lodge helped create the first mail boat delivery service, which continues to this day. The 2008 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of President Benjamin Harrison (1833-1901), the twenty-third President of the United States. Serving one term, from 1889-1893, Harrison was a centennial president inaugurated 100 years after President George Washington. Inspired by the Harrison family's Victorian Christmas tree, the ornament interprets the first recorded tree to decorate the White House.  The tree, laden with baubles and garland, is a canvas for all sorts of treats and toys.  Beneath the tree are the presents the Harrison grandchildren received: a toy train and a wooden sled await Benjamin, and nearby is Marthena's much wished-for dollhouse. A three-foot high Santa Claus completes the season's spectacle.

The Roar of the Chris-Craft on a Fine Summer Day

Knollwood Club Boathouse, Saranac Lake