The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.
Melissa is a journalist with experience as a reporter and editor, combined with work for nonprofits. As the Explorer's digital editor, she serves as editor of Adirondack Almanack.(com) and helps manage the Explorer's website. When not online, she enjoys hiking, camping and other outdoors activities, and spending time with her husband, their twin daughters, and rescue animals -- two dogs and two cats. Sign up for Melissa’s newsletter
By Melissa Hart
October 22, 2020
Some of the Adirondack Park’s most popular farmers markets have switched into fall/winter market mode. And keeping with ongoing COVID precautions, they are continuing with online pre-ordering and socially distanced pick up options. SARANAC LAKE: The Saranac Lake “Farmers Park-it” is back in session. Order online by Thursdays at 9pm and pick up your orders…
By Melissa Hart
October 21, 2020
It’s been almost seven months since I took on the role as editor for the Adirondack Almanack and almost one month in my new job as digital editor for both the Almanack and Explorer. I welcome your feedback and suggestions, and if you are not too “zoomed” out, join me for a “coffee and conversation” session this…
By Melissa Hart
October 20, 2020
We all like farm fresh food, and even more so when you can buy it at a fair price? Back in the height of the coronavirus, nonprofit AdkAction teamed up with nonprofit food hub/commercial kitchen Hub on the Hill. Together, they produced and delivered thousands of Emergency Food Packages to those in need. Since then,…
By Melissa Hart
October 17, 2020
We’re coming off what’s typically the busiest weekend of fall in the Adirondacks, but interestingly, that’s not the top story of the week. (Keep scrolling to find out!) Here’s a look at some of the week’s top news, on both AdirondackExplorer.org and AdirondackAlmanack.com. If you want to dig in deeper, take a look at our full slate of topical Explorer…
By Melissa Hart
October 14, 2020
We’re coming off what’s typically the busiest weekend of fall in the Adirondacks, but interestingly, that’s not the top story of the week. (Keep scrolling to find out!) Here’s a look at some of the week’s top news, on both AdirondackExplorer.org and AdirondackAlmanack.com. If you want to dig in deeper, take a look at our full slate of topical Explorer…
By Melissa Hart
October 13, 2020
Fall pics taken from around the park Here’s a snapshot of what the holiday weekend was like for hiking, from various spots outside the busy High Peaks Wilderness. Clockwise from top: the view from Baker Mountain in Saranac Lake (by Debra Thuet); from Goodnow Mountain’s fire tower in Newcomb (by Michael Hernandez); looking at Lake…
By Melissa Hart
October 10, 2020
Greetings!I'm writing in my new role as digital editor of the Adirondack Explorer and Adirondack Almanack.
By Melissa Hart
October 7, 2020
Greetings!I’m writing in my new role as digital editor of the Adirondack Explorer and Adirondack Almanack. I hope you use these platforms to join in the numerous conversations happening around Adirondack issues, and join me for a “coffee and conversation” Zoom session coming up later this month. Earlier in the summer, readers weighed in on “secret spots” and…
By Melissa Hart
October 3, 2020
Here's a look at some of the week's top Adirondack news stories, on both AdirondackExplorer.org and AdirondackAlmanack.com.
By Melissa Hart
October 2, 2020
Here are some Ideas for short/easy hikes in the Adirondacks to best view the fall foliage and the brilliant colors this season