dorothy, we are not in kansas anymore

I have taken a ride in the car and alas -- I am not in Binghamton any longer. The news around Binghamton is filled with sad tales and July 4th will take place despite the ban on swimming or boating in Broome County. Watch out folks in Broome County -- do not stray into the water in any park this weekend. With the exception of Chenango Valley State Park, the beaches are closed. I would say - pay the entrance fee and try to relax for a day, if you can.

Myself, I am now in the land of Winnie the Pooh. Yes, according to Gary Trudeau, growing up in an Adirondack Town is like being the child Christopher Robin. Gary grew up in Saranac Lake and had a very happy childhood there.

I am having a happy older life in Tupper Lake, New York. And true to all fairytales, the dream will come true on July 4th when the new Adirondack Natural History Museum will open (alias , The Wild Center).

On Tuesday, the day is open to all -- free admission. Richie Havens will be performing. Another great singer will be there, too, Martin Sexton. His hometown is Syracuse, I believe. He has been seen frequenting Hoppy's Ice Cream in Oxford, New York.

Enough of the celebrities to be visiting little Tupper Lake Village on Tuesday.

The rest is all stuff of dreams -- will Hillary and Bill be here? The rumor mill is saying "yes". (Bill does love the Ubu Ale from Lake Placid Brewery). George Pataki will be coming as he is one of the biggest sponsors of the new Museum. George is a big sponsor of the Adirondack Park. Thank you George for your efforts here. And I sincerely mean that.

One of the many favorite Tupper families that will be attending are the Frenettes. Bill and Ginny Frenette are the head of this clan, and brother Jim (whom I have not met *yet*). The local supporters of the Museum are to be congratulated for the tremendous accomplishment of opening this Museum. It was just a dream of a few people and now is a reality after hard work by a community and friends.

I will be writing more about this over the weekend. Bringing my digital camera here will get me to start posting more pictures to make my little blog a bit more interesting.

Binghamton -- we can do some of the things that Tupper is doing. We need the initial ideas, and then we need the perserverance to carry it through. It is not the whole answer for any community (even one as small as Tupper) but it is a great start!!!!

More tomorrow!