The following few words come from quite a few contributors to this special edition. Following Christmas break, we will cover more of the stories in depth.

FRANCIS B. CANTWELL (Barry and Bills Grandfather) says:

“The history of sled dog racing in the Adirondacks should begin about 1923 when the Syracuse Post-Standard offered a prize cup for a 10-mile dog race between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. This cup was secured through the efforts of Joe Adams, a reporter for the paper and myself.

“The first dog team to appear in Saranac Lake, and for that matter in the Adirondacks, came here from Alaska and was owned by William F. Cooper.”

“‘DOC’ HODGKINS says:

Following a summer of extensive work on the trails, slopes and mechanical equipment, New York State’s largest, highest and finest ski center is ready for what appears to be its greatest season since its opening some five years ago. The number of inquiries received from clubs, college groups and individual skiers since last September has run ahead of any previous year with requests for reservations still pouring in.

“Whiteface Mountain is actually two ski centers in one, with two separate levels of operation at elevations of 2400 and 4400 feet. With plenty of snow cover, the lower level is utilized. When the going gets rough at the 2400-foot level, the upper development which always has plenty of snow is put in operation. Both levels have four trails with their separate tow systems.”

ED KEYS, vice president of the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce says:

“Long before the Winter Olympic of 1932 brought this pioneer resort into international prominence, Lake Placid began to develop its outstanding program of Winter sports activities. The experience of these years produces today one of the finest all-around sports calendars for the spectator as well as the participant to be found in the country.

“Lake Placid is more than just a ski center. Guests can enjoy indoor or outdoor ice skating, hunting, bobsledding, aerial flights, skeet shooting, indoor rifle or archery practice, tobogganing, horseback riding, ice-fishing, ski-joring, sleigh, cutter, dog sled or straw rides , figure skating, ski-picnics, snow shoeing, baseball on ice and many other activities. The more intrepid can even try their hand at ski-jumping.”

DR. DAVID McKEE of Paul Smith’s College faculty says:

“Every year the first snowfall is eagerly awaited at Paul Smith’s College Forestry, Hotel Management and Liberal Arts students, with their ski lacquered and waxed, are ready to enjoy the unusual skiing facilities to be found on the 20,000 acre campus.

“With a tow on the lighted campus slope and one of the rugged slope of Jenkins Mountain, provision is made for both the beginner and the expert. For the touring skier miles of woodland trails are available.

“The 11.3 mile cross country Ski Championships in 1951 and 1952 will be used this year in the F.I.S. cross country tryouts for the 1954 World Ski Championship in Sweden.

“Skiing activities are already in full swing at Paul Smith’s. The F.I.S. cross country and Nordic Combined squads accepting the invitation of Paul Smith’s College arrived early in December and out in a month’s intensive training for the tryouts to be held this week for the selection of the team to go to Sweden.”

CARL LEBEAU says:

“Although fishing through the ice is not as popular a sport as skiing or skating, it has many enthusiastic followers. When the occasion arises, these hardy sportsmen brave the elements day after day to enjoy their favorite past-time. Little Joe Smelt, that prolific warrior of the deep, iks the object of most Winter fishermen in this area. He is quite numerous in both Lower and Upper Saranac Lakes as well as nearby Lake Champlain.

“For this article we will confine our activities to Lower Saranac Lake where smelt fishing has become a growing sport for the past twenty years.

“To day most of the fishermen have acquired fishing shanties. These are small huts on sleds so they can be moved easily from one fishing spot to another. They are of various sized and shapes and covered with all kinds of material, but all are designed with only one thought in mind; to catch fish and furnish some degree of comfort. They have chairs, stools or Built-in benches to sit on and a small coal-burning stove to keep the shanty warm and make coffee and warm your lunch which generally consists of hot dogs or hamburgers which are much more palatable when prepared in this manner. Ask any fisherman.”