Press-Republican

Sports

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.
comments powered by Disqus
July 23, 2010

Lakesider: July 23, 2010

Press-Republican

Skiers and snowboarders seek refuge from the "off season" on lakes, ponds and rivers throughout our region.

Like the snow covered mountains we cherish, these fresh water gems have a unique culture and vibe all their own. Perhaps it is the "positive ions", described one evening by our good friend Lisa Napper, as the fire crackled by the shore of the lake. After all, being on or near the water has obvious medicinal value and for me the draw is similar to my insatiable appetite for snow, chairlifts and frozen vistas.

Such fondness led me from high school to Paul Smiths College where I studied such fascinating subjects as Ecology, Limnology and Entomology. The lakes, ponds and rivers of the North West Adirondacks were our spectacular classroom and magnificent laboratory.

When I wasn't goofing off with my then wife to be, Karen, I actually learned a great deal and furthered my life long appreciation for the Adirondacks and the great outdoors. I also managed to ski a fair amount at Big Tupper, Titus and Whiteface during the beautiful winter months.

My mother would often ask me whether I was getting an education or enjoying a vacation for the tuition she was shelling out. My standard reply, of course, was that she was getting both for the price of one and that she was truly fortunate to get such bang for her buck. The wooden spoon, stained red by years of stirring the sauce, quickly brought me back to reality as it cracked my fleeing backside.

Nonetheless, Karen and I got married on the shore of Lake Placid and our love for lakes and mountains is as true as the keel of a hand crafted guide boat and as pure as the driven snow.

Speaking of lucky couples, the Common Loon has enjoyed a great resurging comeback throughout the Adirondack Region. Once endangered, this majestic symbol of the north woods has entertained countless observers and spectators with its handsome plumage and its unique vocalizations.

Indeed, one of the quintessential experiences of being on or near an Adirondack lake is hearing the hauntingly romantic call of a distant Loon piercing through the dark of night. I am experiencing the pleasure of watching a successful nesting pair closely this season, from the time they arrived from their wintering grounds to the current point of teaching their young to dive and feed. When the chicks were smaller, they rode happily on the backs of their parents to conserve heat and avoid predators. Incidentally, people on the lake protect this lucky family with the vigor of a Pit Bull on steroids.

Not as lucky, three drake Mallards hung around our cove earlier this season looking for love in all the wrong places. This band of frustrated suitors attempted to lure a committed hen from her protective mate. Common in the spring, male ducks who haven't been too lucky will band together as social outcasts and are subject to a "rumble" should they venture too close to a betrothed.

Like a scene from "The Outsiders", this band of misfits caught a feisty wrath from another drake defending her honor and his promise of love. He single handedly drove them off voraciously, while the hen shook her tail feathers from a rock nearby. The three bachelors paddled away reluctantly with battered egos and broken hearts.

Speaking of love and the lake, there is a foolish rumor circulating along the western shore of Chazy Lake about some hanky panky nonsense occurring on our Boston Whaler. While it's true that Karen and I do enjoy our cruising, there is no existing proof of such antics. Nonetheless, jovial neighbors repeatedly insist on good behavior when we leave our dock and one of them actually bought some brand new, high-powered binoculars in the hopes of further perpetuating the hogwash. While such nonsense is purely anecdotal, the "positive ions" are at times intoxicating and we do appreciate having the sun top and bow cushion as optional equipment on our spunky little boat.

John Bernardi is an avid skier, outdoorsman and freelance writer. He can be contacted through his website at www.slopesider.net.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local Sports