Adirondack Museum

to open for 51st season

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE -- When the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake opens for the season Friday, May 23, visitors will discover fresh exhibits, hands-on activities and a wealth of special events.

Among them, according to a press release, is "Adirondack Voices," an interactive computer and Web-based activity available at the exhibit "Woods and Waters" and on the museum Web site, www.adirondackmuseum.org. Log on and join a conversation about the past, present and future of the Adirondack Park. Along with a new exhibit called "Rustic Tomorrow," which features distinctly futuristic, one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture constructed with traditional techniques, are "Mildred Hooker's Tent Platform," where visitors can experience camping in an 1880s platform tent; and "Mrs. Merwin's Kitchen Garden," with the types of vegetables that Frances Merwin, wife of Blue Mountain House owner Miles Tyler Merwin, grew in her garden a century ago. To learn about other innovations or for more information, visit the Web site or call 352-7311. Although admission is charged, year-round residents of the Adirondack Park are welcomed free of charge in May, June and October.

Auditions set for Three Oranges' production

ESSEX -- The Essex Theatre Company Inc. will hold auditions for its August 2008 production of "Three Oranges," a play for children and the young-at-heart, written and directed by Kathy Poppino, from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Essex.

Children ages 6 and older, teens and adults may try out for this community theater production. Performance dates are Aug. 14 and 17 and Aug. 21 and 24, for a total of eight shows at the Masonic Lodge in Essex. The show has magic spells, witches, a prince, a king, a jester and three beautiful princesses for a total of 14-plus roles. Call Kathy at 374-5410 for more information.

PBS Art Auction

deemed successful

PLATTSBURGH -- Mountain Lake PBS raised $88,930 with its recent Arts Auction.

The station auctioned off close to 150 pieces of donated artwork, as well as sold admission tickets, held a silent auction and received corporate sponsorships.

"For such difficult times in our economy, we came out on top with this year's auction, and we have exciting plans for next year's 25th auction, which are already under way," said President and CEO Alice Recore.

The station had 56 new bidders this year, according to a press release from Mountain Lake, as well as many returning bidders -- including one veteran bidder who purchased more than $15,000 of artwork alone. Almost 100 volunteers helped throughout the auction and numerous businesses donated food, wine and beer. The annual Arts Auction is the station's largest fundraiser. Next year's event is scheduled for April 2009 and details will be available soon on the station's Web site, www.mountainlake.org. Also found on the site is another way Mountain Lake PBS supports local artists and manages to raise some funds at the same time; Art Online is a juried gallery of artwork available for purchase at any time through the station.