Welcome to a new feature that we’ll include in each edition of ROOST News: the Staff Spotlight. Every other week, we’ll introduce you to a different, randomly chosen member of the ROOST team. It’s a fun, smart, eclectic bunch, so make sure not to miss this feature in each ROOST News! Name: Brooke O'Neil Where do you live? I live in Lake Clear (where I just bought my first house - whoop whoop!), but I grew up in Bloomingdale! How long have you worked at ROOST? I have worked at ROOST for just over a year and a half. What do you do at ROOST? Marketing & Media Buyer- I coordinate digital media buying, and then manage those campaigns to make sure our marketing plan is implemented and successful. I also coordinate quarterly promotional contests, as well as organize our photo database. What do you like about working at ROOST? My favorite part of working for ROOST is that we are able to accomplish all of the things we get done, while still having plenty of fun! We're a very energetic and creative group! Tell us about your pets and/or children. I have a 5-year-old chocolate lab that I rescued four years ago, and he is the best dog I could have ever asked for. Some rescue dogs can have a number of issues, but Brody is the most lovable and loyal dog ever. He follows me everywhere, and I mean everywhere, and I think it's because he's a giant marshmallow, but I don't mind giving him extra love! Some might say I am obsessed, but if you saw his face....he just melts your heart and it's hard not to be! Who is your hero and why? Oddly enough my younger brother is my hero. He's four years younger than me, but in some ways he definitely has it more figured out than I do. The thing I admire most about him is that he doesn't care what anyone else thinks about him, and he never compares himself or his life to anyone else's. He's genuine, and he's true to himself, and sometimes I wish I was more like him! What places are on your travel bucket list and why? What's your favorite place that you have traveled to? If I could pick one place in the world to travel to, I would definitely pick Greece simply for the fact that it looks absolutely beautiful! I also really want to go to Hawaii, and my cousin just moved there, so I may be planning a trip in the near future! My favorite place I've ever traveled to is Jamaica, and it was incredible. It was the first time I ever left the country so it was a huge eye opener for me that not everyone is as fortunate as I am, but I had a blast learning about the culture and indulging in Caribbean life! That is one trip I will never forget! What are you passionate about? One thing that I have always had a passion for in life is figure skating. I started skating when I was 7 years old, I fell in love with it right away. I competed in a number of competitions when I was younger, and I continue to coach with the local skating club. My coach was always a huge influence in my life, and I hope that I can give that to some of my students because they are amazing!

ROOST partnered with the Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce this summer to survey participants of the bass fishing tournaments that occur in the Lake Champlain Region. ROOST and the TACC worked together to create a survey for participants, and postcards that helped distribute the survey link. The postcards were shared with tournament directors and circulated among participants at each tournament, which occur between May and October on Lake Champlain. The survey was initially born through ROOST's Destination Planning effort in the Lake Champlain Region and Ticonderoga area. ROOST is currently calculating the economic impact the tournaments have the area. Highlights: - 71.7% of respondents say they heard about the tournament because they have participated before. This indicates that many participants are return visitors. (40.2% from fishing club membership or pre-qualification, and 24.5% from friends or family.) - 45.6% of respondents say that they have participated in 11 or more fishing tournaments in the Ticonderoga Area / Lake Champlain Region. This is more support for repeat visitors. - 62.5% of respondents say that they have traveled to the Ticonderoga Area / Lake Champlain Region for trips other than fishing tournaments. This shows that the fishing tournaments could be driving other visitation, although that's not guaranteed to be the case. - 24% of respondents stayed 2 nights, and 21.3% of respondents stayed for 6 or more nights. - 98.9% of respondents say that they would return to the Ticonderoga Area / Lake Champlain Region. The full survey results can be found on roostadk.com.

After a successful week of fun events for the whole family last year, ROOST will partner with other local groups to bring the Holiday Fun Zone back to Lake Placid's Main Street this December. From Dec. 26 to 31, families can head to Mid's Park after skiing and before heading out to dinner, from 4 to 6 p.m., for some holiday fun. Volunteers will provide visitors with free hot chocolate and s'mores, and families will be able to participate in a variety of fun games and activities. For more information about this year's Holiday Fun Zone, go to lakeplacid.com/events/the-holiday-fun-zone.

Congratulations to all the local projects that won grants in this year's round of Regional Economic Development Council grants! Many tourism-related initiatives that won funding that will help us market the area better to potential visitors, and that will give travelers more options when they visit the area. A prime example of this is the hotel project in Tupper Lake that won $2 million to begin construction. A variety of necessary infrastructure projects will ensure that the Adirondacks will remain a high-quality destination for visitors. ROOST is excited to work with all the grant winners to keep improving the Adirondacks! For more information, view the awards booklet.

Wilmington and the Whiteface Region are excited about the anticipated opening of the Pourman’s Tap House, located at the main intersection of Wilmington. Owner Jesse Rogers is working on the finishing touches and stocking the bar/restaurant for the scheduled opening the week of Dec. 19. Once open, Rogers plans to have 12 beers on tap alongside a variety of bottled beers, and he will serve light fare as well. Rogers plans to host a New Year’s Eve party at the Tap House as well. For updated info and official opening date, follow the Tap House on Facebook.