This past weekend hundreds of visitors and residents came into the village of North Creek for Race The Train, WayneStock, the Tri County Auxiliary Bazaar and Artists and Authors at the Hudson. Welcoming them were colorful new banners adorning the primary entrance to the village of North Creek.
The volunteer efforts were spearheaded by the marketing subcommittee of the Business Alliance. This group of women business owners who have “entertainingly” called themselves “WOW” or Women of Wisdom, consists of Sharon Taylor the Alpine Lodge, Lisa Thomas of Trimmers, Mary Ann and Anna Bowers of bar Vino, Poiema and the Vault, Kathleen Bennett of Braley & Noxon Hardware, Helen Miner of The Owens House Educational Center, Andy Waldron at Andie’s at Smiths, Laura Pierson of Laura’s Tavern, Sarah Hayden of Café Sarah, Mary Jane Lang of Cunningham’s Ski Barn, and Laurie Arnheiter of Hudson River Trading Co. The funding for this effective marketing and beautification project was made possible due to the Towns participation in the Warren County Bed Tax program. The committee submitted a bed tax application in 2009 and received a high rating for signage, banners and holiday lighting. The same committee yearly coordinates the “Lights On” program including the “Lights On Christmas Parade”.
The 10 four-season recreation-oriented welcome banners were placed at the entrance to the business district to encourage travelers to reconsider speeding past the community to northern destinations on the (appropriately named) RT 28 Bypass. Additionally the committee believed it would reinforce the recreational opportunities available in the immediate area. In 1992 the award winning North Creek Action Plan crafted by the community and Saratoga Associates identified the primary gateway to the community as the 28N entrance and proposals for beautification were recommended and never fulfilled. The banner project was an attempt by this group of volunteers to begin to improve that entrance and welcoming visitors. “Now I would like to see the poles painted” said local resident Tim Record. “The banners look nice; the poles could use some sprucing up!” When asked by the Gore Mountain Chamber President Dave Bulmer to include the chambers “Purely Adirondack” line, the committee supported the chambers request on many of the banners while also promoting “An Authentic Ski Town’ on others.
The committee opted to use local businesses to complete the project. Garnet Signs of Chestertown supplied the materials and hung the signs and banners. Photography was supplied by James McEntee and Linda Wohlers and designs were created by Linda Wohlers a new resident to the community. Ms. Wohlers most recently worked with Warren County Department of Tourism following a lengthy term as Creative Director for New York States “I Love NY” marketing campaign. Residents will recognize local citizens in many of the banners. Bill Thomas who for 18 years served as the Supervisor for the Town of Johnsburg, and presently sits as one of the commissioners of the Adirondack Park Association and occasional conductor of the Upper Hudson River Railroad is the first banner, followed by Gail Setlock Snow Sports Supervisor at Gore Mountain, Michelle Pollock of Lake George Kayak, Bolton Landing with Warren County Assistant DA Jason Carusone cross country skiing, Sagamore assistant chef and friend at the black hole fishing, and Josh Harvey a Wevertown resident on the rope swing at the towns recreation area known as the Black Hole among others.
The committee wishes to thank the Town of Johnsburg and the Bed Tax Committee for its support and pledges its efforts to unselfishly continue to promote the town, its residents and businesses through volunteer economic development efforts.
