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PLPA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Hi! Winter is here, (I think), although there not yet enough snow or cold weather for some of us.
I would like to mention the PLPA's tradition of Christmas Caroling. Every year we try to recognize some of those individuals and families who have lived at Peck's Lake for many years. They, in many ways, have contributed to what the lake is today. We also carol to new families to welcome them to our community.
This year we had approximately thirty people come to sing, our best turnout ever in recent years. Afterwards, Joanne and Larry Wheelock hosted the caroling party. It's a good thing that they have a large house -- fifty plus people had a wonderful time. Thank you so much!
What's next?? Check the calendar -- WINTERFEST in February and LAPLAND SKIING in early March.
There has been much discussion during the past year about developing a list of various activities outside the Peck's Lake area. These might be day trips for canoeing, hiking and downhill skiing, or weekends at other attractions in our Adirondack Park. If you have an idea and wish to get involved in leading an informal activity, please call me. We always need volunteers.
Enjoy the rest of the Winter!
Dave Pratt, President
A grand time was had by all at the December Caroling. Thanks to Larry and Joanne Wheelock for hosting the pot luck supper afterwards...excellent turnout, food and company!
A Welcome to Peck's Lakers from the Peck Family
Once again, the year 2002 has brought with it many changes in ownership of houses and building lots at Peck's Lake. It is difficult for us to stay in touch with all the new residents as the lake community continues to grow and properties change hands, particularly during the later part of 2001 and on into 2002, so please feel free to stop over at the Marina and say "Hello" at any time. We look forward to meeting all of you newcomers. If we can be of assistance to you in settling into the lake community, please don't hesitate to call upon us.
This month's issue, as always, included our Calendar of Events and a listing of our Officers, Board Members & Committee Chairpeople. Volunteers are needed to serve as chairperson for the Welcoming Committee, coordinator of the PLPA Picnic & Concert and to serve as the PLPA Historian. To volunteer please contact Dave Pratt or any of the other officers.
Condolences are extended to the family and friends of North Shore resident, Mrs. Gunrun Skarstein. She passed away in December.
The new Bleecker Dog Warden is Steven Manger, 773-8924.
DEER? The mild weather has allowed food access, so they haven't migrated this winter...DRIVE with CAUTION!!
THANK YOU to all who are shovelng out the Mailboxes!!!
Maps, Guidebooks and Directories for sale for $3 each. Contact Larry Doubleday at 725-6680.
PLEASE minimize parking on the road, especially over-night and during the winter.
| JANUARY | 3 (Th) | 9 (W) | 16 (W) | 24 (Th) | 30 (W) |
| FEBRUARY | 6 (W) | 13 (W) | 21 (Th) | 27 (W) | |
| MARCH | 6 (W) | 13 (W) | 20 (W) | 27 (W) | |
| APRIL | 3 (W) | 10 (W) | 17 (W) | 24 (W) | |
| MAY | 1 (W) | 8 (W) | 15 (W) | 22 (W) | 30 (Th) |
| JUNE | 5 (W) | 12 (W) | 19 (W) | 26 (W) | |
| JULY | 3 (W) | 10 (W) | 17 (W) | 24 (W) | 31 (W) |
| AUGUST | 7 (W) | 14 (W) | 21 (W) | 28 (W) | |
| SEPTEMBER | 5 (Th) | 11 (W) | 18 (W) | 25 (W) | |
| OCTOBER | 2 (W) | 9 (W) | 17 (Th) | 23 (W) | 30 (W) |
| NOVEMBER | 7 (Th) | 14 (Th) | 20 (W) | 27 (W) | |
| DECEMBER | 4 (W) | 11 (W) | 18 (W) | 26 (Th) |
RECYCLING
For taxpayers in the TOWNS OF JOHNSTOWN & BLEECKER
North Shore - 1st & 3rd Thursdays of each month (Not July 4th!)
South Shore - 2nd & 4th Fridays of each month
CLEAR GARBAGE BAGS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL RUBBISH & RECYCLING MATERIALS
For printable schedule CLICK HERE.
COUNTRY LIVING by Esther P. Neal
This year the lake was open much later than usual. It did not freeze over until December 26th, which is a month later than last year. Most days there was nothing out of the ordinary; but on December 9th, following a 6-inch snowfall, there was a really unusual sight. Thanks to a phone call from my next door neighbors the Brennos, I had the good fortune to see a Bald Eagle! He was perched on a small rock that was located about 6 feet from shore, eating a fish, right in front of 150 Maplewood Drive. Just as I focused by binoculars, the bird flew away.
For the past several weeks I have been visiting in Palo Alto, CA, which is located on the southwest side of San Francisco Bay. The birding in coastal California is quite different from Peck's Lake. There is a bird watchers paradise, less than a mile from where I am staying at my daughter's home. This portion of the Bay has extensive restored marshlands, which are resting areas for the vast number of migratory birds. On January 6th we went to one of these bayside marshes and saw 40 pelicans wheeling overhead. They had been on a slough resting prior to takeoff.
I was thrilled to see several large ducks, almost as large as a Loon, and they had a dark reddish head and broad white sides. They were Canvasbacks. I had never seen them before. There were loads of Greater Scaup. We commonly see Lesser Scaup in the east. The Greater scuap are larger with a more rounded head than a Lesser. I finally saw a few Northern Shovelers. They are somewhat strange looking with a spoon-shaped bill, and these ducks are about 17-20 inches in length. They are mostly black and white with rufous sides, which are the distinguishing identification marks.
My most exciting moment came when I clearly saw a hawk fly over a mixed group of about 15 ducks. The hawk appeared to be intent on catching a duck for lunch. Two of us watched the hawk circling over the Canvasbacks and Shovelers for 5 minutes. It took looking through our bird book to confirm what it was. It had a white rump patch, which was a dead giveaway: a Northern Harrier, also called a Marsh Hawk. We have these in New York as well. They can be seen flying low over fields and marshes looking for rodents and small birds. The males are striking in soft gray with black wing tips. Females, which this one was, are brown with streaked under parts, black-banded tail and the conspicuous white patch rump. They are about 2 feet in length with a wingspan of three feet.
Chickadees at the feeders in California are a bit smaller than our Black-Capped variety. Although smaller, they are so similar that you know that it is a chickadee at once. These in Palo Alto are Chestnut-Backed Chickadees. They act just like our eastern variety, taking a seed, flying away to hold it by their feet and eating.
Another fascinating small bird I saw was a male Anna Hummingbird, which has a red crown and throat, and is almost identical in size to our Ruby-Throated Hummingbird. They remain all winter in the San Francisco Bay area.
A plum tree next to the kitchen patio seemed to attract a variety of birds including a White-Breasted Nuthatch, and both gray and black squirrels. I had not seen many black squirrels since I'd lived in Illinois. They are very common there, but I think this color phase has moved gradually east, since we now see one occasionally at Peck's Lake.
Another stranger for me was the Oregon Junco with its solid black head and throat, and brownish sides. It hops about searching for seed just like its eastern cousin, the Dark-Eyed Junco.
All I can say is the birds in the Bay Area are fascinating, and as tantalizing as a tour of lakeside woods.
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