Our destinations in the media Jan. 21, 2015: Newsday, "Winter break vacation ideas for families" Newsday includes Lake Placid in its list of great places for families to visit on winter vacations.

Whitty-Brown named Executive Director for the Schroon Lake Chamber of CommerceSchroon Lake, N.Y. - The Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Tammy Whitty-Brown to the position of Executive Director.Whitty-Brown, originally from Schroon Lake, brings not only a vast understanding of the community, but diverse, applicable experience to the position. Her background includes experience in finance management, wholesale and retail sales, museum management, event planning and marketing.“We are thrilled to welcome Tammy back to Schroon Lake,” said Shelby Davis, of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. “Her experience is spot-on for what the job requires, and her extensive and personal connection to Schroon Lake and knowledge of its challenges and opportunities will serve the community well.”“I am excited to collaborate with the team of volunteers that are already working so hard to make Schroon Lake a successful community and visitor destination,” said Whitty-Brown. “I will make it my mission to support development projects, tourism promotion and expansion of the current list of existing cultural events to help my former childhood home grow and prosper.”Whitty-Brown will take the reins at the Chamber on February 2. For more information, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 518.532.7675.###Follow the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce on Facebook!

The Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism elected four new board members at its annual dinner Monday, Jan. 19. More than 125 people attended the dinner at the Whiteface Lodge, including ROOST employees, board members, businesspeople and elected officials from throughout ROOST's seven Adirondack regions. As guests sat down for dinner, Communications Director Kim Rielly introduced the board, board Chairman Mike Beglin talked about all the good work ROOST has done over the past year, and CEO James McKenna welcomed elected officials in attendance and underscored the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in creating a sustainable tourism economy. Local jazz band Le Groove entertained the crowd throughout cocktail hour, dinner and afterwards as people got up to cut a rug on the dance floor. New board members added for 2015 are Adam Boudreau of Tupper Lake, Marc Galvin of Lake Placid, James Lemons of Lake Placid, and Laura O'Brien of Speculator. Boudreau has been president of the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce for the last year, and he works for Kentile Excavating in Tupper Lake, a business that has been in his family for over 40 years. Galvin has owned the Bookstore Plus since 2005. He is also an active member, past president and current chair of the Lake Placid Business Association. Lemons took over as executive director of the Lake Placid Center for the Arts at the start of 2013. He has vast theater experience that includes Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, and 10 years as associate artistic director and communications manager at WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas. O'Brien is the vice president of marketing and sales and co-owner of Oak Mountain Ski Center in Speculator. She started her ski career at Sugarbush Resort — where she met Matt, her now-husband and co-owner of Oak Mountain — then moved to the Ski & Snowboard School at The Canyons in Park City, Utah. "We're excited about the variety of background and skills we're adding to the board," said ROOST board Chairman Mike Beglin, proprietor of Beglin's Lake Placid Jewelry and Gifts. “With representation from Essex and Hamilton Counties as well as the communities of Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, the board has grown to match the organization’s evolution.” Beglin thanked outgoing directors Debbie Fitts from the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, Mary Ann Hawley of Parajax Inc., and Sharon Piper from the Schroon Lake Bed and Breakfast for their dedication of time and expertise to the board. The rest of the ROOST board is comprised of the following: Chair: Mike Beglin, Beglin’s Lake Placid Jewelery and Gifts Vice Chair: Ed Finnerty, Champlain National Bank Vice Chair: Cristina Lussi, Vice President and Co-owner, Crowne Plaza Resort Treasurer: Charlie Cowan, financial consultant with Janney Montgomery Scott Secretary: Bob Hockert, owner of Little Peak Chalet and Clearwater Camp vacation rentals Justin Smith, COO Prestige Hospitality Beth Hill, Executive Director at Fort Ticonderoga Kate Fish, Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA) Jill Cardinale, owner of The Pines Inn Sarah Wilson, Sarah Wilson Communications Melinda Little, who wears a variety of entrepreneurial hats in Saranac Lake Chris Erikson, former ROOST board chair and owner, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery For more information about ROOST, visit www.roostadk.com.Board Chairman Mike Beglin talks to attendees about ROOST's good work.Director of Communications Kim Rielly poses for the camera while introducing one of the evening's speakers.ROOST CEO James McKenna talks about ROOST's new initiatives.Members of Le Groove jazz band listen as CEO James McKenna speaks.

ROOST in the news Jan. 22, 2015: Lake Placid News, "ROOST moves forward in new year" Naj Wikoff covers ROOST's annual dinner. READ THE ARTICLE Naj Wikoff photo

Our destinations in the mediaJan. 25, 2015: I Love New York, "3 Places to Go for a Spa Weekend Getaway"I Love New York's blog lists Lake Placid as one of three great places to go for a spa weekend getaway. The post highlights the Mirror Lake Inn as well as the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute, dogsled rides, bobsledding and skiing. READ THE ARTICLE