October 2026

Tom Techman Walks the ADK Rail Trail

SARANAC LAKE – On Sept. 19, coinciding with his birthday, singer/songwriter Tom Techman of Saranac Lake finished his three-week endeavor of walking the length of the Adirondack Rail Trail – making him the first known person with a mobility disability to walk all 34 miles of the trail. Tom has cerebral palsy, making mobility and balance difficult when walking. Armed with his trekking poles, he has been walking regularly on the rail trail since the first section opened in 2023. The low grade, even surface, and wide rail trail comply with guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act, allowing him to incorporate walking on the trail into his everyday routine.

Tom appreciates the freedom it brings him as he’s able to move at his own pace without people assuming he needs help or asking if he wants a ride. Tom emphasizes the importance of taking breaks when needed, as they help him to maintain his stamina. His inspiring efforts serve as a reminder of how important accessible trails are to the community. The Adirondack Rail Trail Association is continuing to look for ways to make the trail even more accessible, encouraging more use by all.

On a related note, the Lake Placid trailhead of the Adirondack Rail Trail is now open at 242 Station St. This beautiful project has a covered pavilion with bathrooms, picnic tables, water bottle filling station, and more. Thanks to OSI, Lake Placid, DEC, and ESD: adirondackrailtrail.org.

Good Moment Premiers at Soho Film Fest

ALBANY – On Sept. 28, Ian Mackay finished his eight-day trek along the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail in his mouth-controlled power wheelchair. He finished just two weeks before the world premiere of his and his team's film, Good Moment, at the SOHO International Film Festival in New York City on October 12. Good Moment is a feature-length documentary following Ian’s extraordinary journey as he sets out to break the world record for miles traveled in 24 hours using a mouth-controlled power wheelchair. The next screening of the film will be in Ian's home state of Washington, on Oct. 23.

After Ian’s paralyzing bike accident in 2008 and battling years of depression, he began to travel on the Olympic Discovery trail and other bike paths in his local area, going just a bit further each time. In 2016, he rode his power wheelchair north to south across the state of Washington. With a goal of getting outside and improving his mental health, his rides quickly showed what people with disabilities are capable of as he started to advocate for accessible trails. Now a world record holder and organizer of Ian’s Ride, he is breaking barriers and creating connections as he shows what’s possible when outdoor recreation, trails, and routes are accessible and inclusive for all. In Ian’s words, “Nature is truly the best medicine:” iansride.com.

Alpine’s Screening of Warren Miller’s Days Off

SARATOGA SPRINGS – Alpine Sport Shop, Saratoga Springs’ go-to ski shop since 1941, is hosting their annual screening of Warren Miller’s newest film, Days Off. On Friday, Oct. 30, at 7pm, the 77th installment of Warren Miller’s winter tradition is kicking off the snowy season at the Trombley Auditorium at Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs. Directed and hosted by Katie Burrel, the film follows the some of the world’s best athletes and how they spend their days off. From the infamous powder of Hokkaido to a skijoring course in Banff, the movie captures the pure joy experienced in the varied sport of skiing. Along with the screening, there will be chances to win great prizes, including skis, helmets, goggles, and more. 

You can get tickets at Alpine Sport Shop, at the door the night of the event, or at Alpine’s booth at the Northeast Winter Expo at Saratoga Springs City Center on Oct. 24-25 (cash only). All profits support Saratoga Springs High School Ski Team and Double H Ranch Adaptive Winter Program.

While purchasing your tickets, be sure to commend Alpine Sport Shop on their 85th ski season, and their recent honor and induction into New York State’s Historic Business Preservation Registry. The HBPR acknowledges and celebrates local NY businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have made a relevant impact on their community: alpinesportshop.com.

Wild Center Unveils Permanent Troll

TUPPER LAKE – TROLLS: Save the Humans, presented at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake started on June 1 and continues through Oct. 31, features Danish artist Thomas Dambo’s folklore-inspired troll sculptures. Built using reclaimed and recycled materials, each of the six trolls in the touring exhibit has a unique message to share, inspiring viewers to rethink how we relate to the natural world. Since the opening of TROLLS early in the summer, The Wild Center has experienced the highest visitation in their 20-year history, on track to break previous records by 185%.

After fundraising throughout the summer, The Wild Center was able to secure a permanent troll, the first in New York, which Thomas unveiled earlier this fall. The 30-foot tall troll, whose name is Patrick Sapling, kneels among boulders as he lifts a living sugar maple tree toward the light it needs to grow. Patrick Sapling’s name is a tribute to sculptor Patrick Dougherty, whose work is crafted from living saplings. The Wild Center is also home to Hopscotch– one of Patrick’s few remaining permanent sculptures. According to Thomas, Patrick Sapling is a guardian of small beginnings, a quiet reminder that every towering tree in the forest around him once started out as a fragile little sapling. Find him now at the Wild Center and read his beautiful poem: wildcenter.org.