Don’t throw away that old sewing machine, it could change a life! We had an inspiring presentation from Kate Mulderig about her volunteer work with Sewing Peace, a program grown from the Pedals for Progress initiative. Kate restores vintage, all-metal sewing machines whose goal it is to help divert durable equipment from landfills so it can be shipped to communities across the globe, including Uganda, Togo, Tanzania, and Guatemala. Through partnerships with trade schools, artisan programs, and local community organizations, these refurbished machines, especially sturdy treadles and hand-crank models that don’t require electricity, provide essential vocational training and tools for self-sufficiency. Women, men, and youth are learning trades, opening tailoring businesses, and earning sustainable livings to support their families. Locally, Kate has worked with Riverside Thrift Shop to service and taught other volunteers how to repair these classic donated machines. We learned there are Rotary Clubs in other communities who are involved with Sewing Peace. Have a vintage machine sitting in your attic or basement? Consider donating it to be restored and given a meaningful second life. Learn more at http://p4p.org
Rotarian Debbie Erenstone and a group of Outing Club members talked about their experiences with the Club and this past summer's trip to New Hampshire. Founded in 1993, the Outing Club is dedicated to getting local kids outdoors for remarkable, screen-free adventures! Completely volunteer-led and free to join, the club offers trips of all kinds—from rock climbing and paddling to mountain biking and skiing. Highlights from their presentation include: Adventures for All Ages: Youth ages 8 and under join with parents, building confidence and trying new challenges together. Backpacking at Johns Brook Lodge: Summer trips to JBL introduce kids to backcountry overnights, teamwork, and conquering their first High Peaks. Next-Level Challenges: Older youth tackle epic treks like the Presidential Traverse in New Hampshire, learning real-world resilience, problem-solving, and trail smarts along the way! Community Spirit: Thanks to generous support from Rotary and our community, the club also provides a gear-lending barn at Lake Placid Elementary School to help make the outdoors accessible to every family.
At this morning’s presentation, athletic trainer Dino Angelopoulus highlighted the critical role certified athletic trainers play in keeping student-athletes safe—and why schools in our North Country communities need greater access to them.
Unlike personal trainers, certified athletic trainers are licensed allied healthcare professionals. They bridge the gap between initial injury, medical evaluation, rehabilitation, and a safe return to play. During regular school hours, nurses care for students; however, during afternoon practices and games, an athletic trainer is often the only medical provider on-site when an emergency occurs.
Key takeaways from the discussion: 1) Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) Save Lives: Having licensed staff who regularly rehearse EAPs and know the exact location of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can be the difference between life and death in sudden cardiac arrest or traumatic incidents. 2) Injury Prevention & Rehab: Athletic trainers address everything from concussion protocols and joint injuries to chronic overuse, helping young athletes strengthen opposing muscle groups to avoid re-injury. 3) Proactive Screenings: Proactive heart health initiatives, such as pre-participation EKG screenings, are helping detect underlying cardiac risks before students step onto the field.
Keeping kids safe in sports takes a coordinated team of coaches, healthcare professionals, and school administrators.
We had an inspiring visit from Jason Hooker and Sarah Diehl, who shared exciting updates on how the Shipman Youth Center continues to make a difference for local kids:
- Record Engagement: The center is buzzing, welcoming up to 30 kids daily and over 170 individual students this past year. From gym activities and indoor games to dedicated spaces for high schoolers and the community garden, it remains an essential haven for students after school.
- New Career Programming: Thanks to a recent grant from the Adirondack Foundation, the center is teaming up with local businesses to host career fairs, mentoring opportunities, and resume-building workshops for youth.
- Community Events & Fundraisers: The return to the Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds for Dimitri’s Feast of the Peaks was a massive success, raising essential funding with record volunteer support. Plans are also underway to bring back the beloved Wing Wars in November 2027!
- Long-Term Growth: After finalizing the purchase of the land beneath the center, leadership is focused on sustainable programming, intergenerational community initiatives, and expanding local partnerships.
Want to get involved? With daily attendance growing, volunteers and community mentors are always warmly welcomed. Reach out to Jason at the Youth Center to lend a hand!
Emily Kilburn Politi, a Board Member of the Homestead Development Corporation, recently joined our local Rotary club to share exciting updates on local housing initiatives and introduce their next major Lake Placid project: Fox Hill.
Building on the success of the completed Fawn Valley neighborhood—which created 22 deed-restricted, attainable homes for local workers and volunteers—Fox Hill will bring another 22 energy-efficient dwellings to Algonquin Drive. The planned neighborhood includes 16 single-family homes (featuring modular ranches and capes) alongside duplexes, thoughtfully designed around environmental wetlands.
Key Highlights:
- Permanently Attainable: Capped for buyers earning under 200% of Area Median Income (AMI), deed restrictions and shared-equity resale formulas ensure these homes remain affordable for future local generations.
- Vital Infrastructure: Active fundraising and community grants are underway to offset the estimated $840,000 Phase 1 infrastructure cost, keeping purchase prices directly tied to construction rather than site work.
- Breaking Ground: Lot clearing and site prep aim to begin this fall, helping essential workers, healthcare providers, young families, and downsizing retirees build their futures right here in our community.
For more invormation visit homesteadadk.org. Watch the video about the Fawn Valley neighborhood. https://youtu.be/TacBRKbJhds?si=VXizfmIxFVKQUCWr Emily is also a Councilperson for the Town of North Elba.
And what a great day it was.
Here's a short highlight reel about the race. We'll have a few more soon. https://youtu.be/GOZzJyaP0yw
Looking for a list of the winners? Watch this short video listing who had the lucky ducks: https://youtu.be/xNsc1nyTxHk
At our meeting today, John Banta, VP of the Saranac Lake Rotary Foundation (SLRF) discussed the operating model, community impact, and administrative challenges of the organization. Acting as a fiscal sponsor, the foundation provides non-profit status, banking, and liability insurance for community groups and initiatives—including pickleball courts, Dewey Mountain facilities, and youth literacy programs. SLRF manages 21 partner organizations, holds nearly $300,000 on deposit, and has facilitated roughly $4 million in cumulative community investments. The Foundation charges partners a $150 annual flat fee and retains interest earned on deposited funds (invested in insured CDs) to cover operational expenses. As part of risk control, dual signoff on all transactions is required. Cash and ACH payments are prohibited There is a reserve fund maintained for potential liabilities. Online donations are primarily managed via PayPal to simplify accounting. SLRF presently relies entirely on an aging, volunteer board. With few younger members available to dedicate the needed 10–12 hours weekly, John highlighted an urgent need for a transition strategy, possibly via a regional collaboration or contracted services. As projects grow larger, navigating the New York State pre-qualification system and managing reimbursement-based state grants requires significant administrative capacity that stretches volunteer limits. John is shown with Chandler Ralph, Chair of the Lake Placid NY Rotary Foundation.
Tammy Morgan and Sam Baker are high school science teachers for the Lake Placid Central School District. They are the advisors and managers of Placid Earth, a community based - student run composting program that has been turning food wastes from local families into valuable compost for school gardens and pollinator projects since 2019. Big things happen when students take action! At a recent presentation to the Lake Placid Rotary, we heard about journey of Placid Earth, an inspiring, student-driven in-vessel composting initiative. What makes it special? Smart Composting: Uses an in-vessel drum composter set inside a shipping container to process organic waste year-round—even during freezing Adirondack winters. All Food Welcome: The system easily breaks down all types of food waste, including meat, fats, oils, and bones (no compostable plastics, though!). Local students manage the data, clean buckets, paint murals, and turn food scraps into rich soil. The finished compost directly nourishes school gardens, the STREAM alternative education program, pollinator beds, and local community spaces. $20/month community membership: Local families drop off food scraps and can take home free, nutrient-dense compost anytime. As the initiative continues to grow, Placid Earth is partnering with local community organizations to secure long-term fiscal support and expand opportunities for student internships.
