TUPPER LAKE, NY - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST) is happy to announce the launch of the Tupper Lake Triad paddling challenge. While hiking challenges have continuously grown in popularity throughout the Adirondacks, so has the Triad in Tupper Lake. Since 2014, more than 5,000 people have completed the Tupper Lake Triad hiking challenge. To build off of the success of the hiking challenge, a committee including ROOST, community leaders, and business owners have worked to establish the Tupper Lake Paddling Triad. Beginning July 3, paddlers are invited to complete what is believed to be the first water-based challenge within the Adirondack Blue Line. By completing three paddles near Tupper Lake, adventurers can earn a sticker, patch, and inclusion on the finisher roster. The three paddles included in the challenge are close to Tupper Lake and feature iconic Adirondack destinations. All the paddles are shorter trips that can be completed in one day, or overtime – at the paddlers’ leisure. The three trips are: Stony Creek Ponds to Axton LandingRaquette River Boat Launch (Crusher) to Tupper Lake Boat Launch Raquette Pond to Setting Pole Dam “We’re thrilled to announce this unique challenge that highlights the water resources around Tupper Lake and gets people outdoors,” ROOST Tupper Lake Marketing Manager Katie Stuart said. “Building on the success of the Tupper Lake Triad hiking challenge, we think the paddling challenge will bring new people into the area, and maybe dedicated hikers will try something new. Whether you’re an avid paddler, new to the sport, or just looking for inspiration for your next outing, the Tupper Lake Paddling Triad is a great place to start.” The original Tupper Lake Triad was established in December 2014 by Charlie Hoffer, a retired physical education teacher in Tupper Lake. The challenge consists of the three hikes of Goodman Mountain, Coney Mountain, and Mount Arab. It also has a winter designation for those who do the three short hikes from December 21 to March 21 each year, as well as a doggie patch for the 4-legged hiking companions. “I’m glad that we can encourage people to get outdoors and enjoy everything that Tupper Lake has to offer - from our great mountains to our peaceful rivers to our bustling downtown,” Triad founder Charlie Hoffer said. “I enjoy seeing young families being introduced to hiking as a lifelong sport as they accomplish the Tupper Lake Triad.” For more information on the Tupper Lake Triad and the specific paddling trips in the new paddling challenge, please go to www.tupperlaketriad.com. ### https://youtu.be/21JGM9oCXo8

ADIRONDACKS, USA - The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism and local leaders are encouraging residents to register for the 10th annual Great Adirondack Garage Sale. Traditionally held each Memorial Day Weekend, the sale this year will take place on Aug. 7, 8, and 9. The garage sale stretches over 150 miles through the Adirondacks, and includes residents in the towns of Old Forge, Inlet, Raquette Lake, Indian Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, Cranberry Lake, Piercefield, Newcomb, and Speculator. An interactive website showcases sale locations and allows unlimited photos of the items for sale to be uploaded. Registration is free, and listings on the website include dates and times for each sale. Each community will also receive paper maps of local sale locations to hand out. To register and for more information, go to www.GreatAdirondackGarageSale.com. “Visiting garage sales and looking for hidden gems is a summer tradition,” Christy Wilt, Director of Hamilton County Economic Development and Tourism said. “We’re looking forward to our residents cleaning out their garages and catching up with neighbors, as well as encouraging visitors to get out and explore all of our wonderful communities. This initiative is always win-win, and we’re glad that garage sales can take place!” Garage and yard sales are allowed under New York’s Phase 4 reopening plan, and both sellers and buyers should continue to follow social distancing and mask-wearing advice.

Note: The following letter has been sent to the Editors of regional newspapers. To the Editor, Together, we all have an opportunity to use the current set of circumstances in Saranac Lake as a jumping-off point to move the dial on inclusivity in this region. Now is the time to recognize that there is racism in our region and that it needs to be addressed. The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism fully supports the Adirondack Diversity Initiative and values all the work Nicky Hylton-Patterson has accomplished thus far as the Executive Director. The education and leadership Nicky has provided is imperative to our region’s long term sustainability. We must acknowledge that racism is a significant issue as well as the need for our region to become more understanding and welcoming to a diverse resident and visitor population. This must happen. It will be a process that will need the commitment of all leadership, businesses, and residents. Let’s start now. Sincerely, James B. McKenna, CEO Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism

Stamford CT – July 2020 - Connecticut-based online training company Autism Double-Checked (ADC) has announced an initiative to help travel and hospitality staff in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut area by offering free training courses on a first-come-first-served basis through August 31st 2020. The training is designed to educate hospitality industry workers to better assist travelers with Autism needs. CEO, Alan Day, said, “Huge numbers of travel industry employees are out of work and are facing a very competitive job market. Our easy-to-take autism awareness courses will allow participants to acquire a new skillset from home that can be put to good use when they return to their jobs or look for employment. As many of the users may currently be struggling to make ends meet, these courses are being offered free of charge. On completing the course satisfactorily, enrollees will be able to print a certificate of learning valid for three years.” Participants will select the most relevant course to their job function: There are six options for hotel staff, eight choices for airport and airline workers, five choices for those at visitor attractions/theme parks and another course for restaurant staff. Sandy Burns, Director of inflight service for Flair Airlines of Canada said “Last year, Flair’s 150 cabin crew were all very excited to take the ADC course and I constantly get very positive feedback on how it has helped them assist special needs passengers. If I were to receive a resume where the applicant had personally taken the initiative to become certified as autism aware, it would certainly say a lot about that person and we’d definitely want to meet them.” All courses are online, can be accessed from any web-enabled device and are available in Spanish or English. Course lengths will vary from 30 to 60 minutes, all are self-paced and suited to any educational background. When the loosening of restrictions allows, families with autistic children and autistic adults, will be just as eager to travel as everyone else. When they do, they will want to know that the people assisting them understand the issues that arise when traveling with autism. According to Day, the size of the Autism market is about 10 million people in the United States alone. These people are eager to travel but face many challenges. Having Autism-trained staff can be an asset to encourage more travel in a time when all hospitality businesses are trying to recover. John Mason of Bedford, Mass, and father of a young autistic adult said, “Thank you. The work you are doing is so important. Travel with our son can be difficult, but it is not impossible. Some of our requests may sound strange to those who do not understand autism but are perfectly normal to people who know even a little about it. The more people in hotels, airlines, restaurants and attractions with that important knowledge the easier it will be for us to travel.” About Autism Double-Checked (ADC): Stamford CT-based ADC was founded in 2014 by two travel industry veterans: CEO Alan Day has over 20 years’ experience it retail travel and – as the father of an autistic son – he recognized the lack of special needs training in the travel industry. Co-founder David Tait OBE is a career airline executive and author, who started Virgin Atlantic Airways with Richard Branson in 1984 and ran the airline in the USA for 20 years. Together Day and Tait formed ADC with the mission of preparing travel entities to receive autistic guests while simultaneously readying the autistic guest for their destination – the latter is done by way of a customized Social Story and Visitor’s Guide. For more information about autism, travel with autism or training, contact Alan Day, Autism Double-Checked at (203) 750-0000. For enrollment, go to: www.AutismChecked.ORG For more information about courses, contact support@autismchecked.net ### Press Release provided BY FINN Partners/ILNY

Please help us collect data for so that the Adirondacks are all represented accurately at the Federal Level. Getting a complete and accurate count of our total population will have a lasting impact for the next 10 years. Federal funding – money allocated for schools, healthcare facilities, roads, public works, and other vital programs here in Essex County is based on the total population. Federal representation – the number of our state’s congressional representatives is based on population. During the 2010 census, NYS lost 2 seats… 2 fewer voices to advocate for the needs of the North Country region. Local government efficiency – budgets and planning at the local level, for roads, schools, emergency services, and other important public services, are more effective when based on accurate statistics. Federal grant opportunities – access to various federal and state grant and loan opportunities relies heavily upon population data and socioeconomic data that is collected through the Census and accuracy is crucial! The Census affects ALL OF US, regardless of age, race, cultural and ethnicity. Respond to the Census by: Web: 2020census.govPhone: 844-330-2020 Completing the Census is PRIVATE, SAFE, EASY & EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.