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
September 14, 2020
A blend of online community and real-life meetups, the Adirondack Coast Hike it Baby Facebook group has close to 600 online members throughout the Champlain Valley, from Plattsburgh to Lake Placid.
By Melissa Hart
August 27, 2020
Annual Farm 2 Fork Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5 at the San in Saranac Lake. This year’s theme is “Community is the Cure,” with a nod to the historical healing properties of Saranac Lake. The festival will feature online ordering that will be open through Sept. 2 at www.Farm2ForkFestival.com. Visitors order their picnic…
By Melissa Hart
August 20, 2020
Farm fresh fruits and vegetables are a highlight of the Adirondack summer, but for those with limited incomes, this source of produce may be entirely inaccessible. A new offering at no cost to eligible seniors and individuals in need has been launched by a partnership of community groups this summer. The Hamilton Healthy Food Connections…
By Melissa Hart
July 10, 2020
During the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic nonprofit AdkAction teamed up with Hub on the Hill commercial kitchen/local food distributor to put together emergency food packages (EFP) with a week’s worth of locally produced food and ready-to-eat meals. To date, over 2,300 food packages or about 35,500 meals, have been delivered to the doorsteps of…
By Melissa Hart
July 4, 2020
Starting Monday, July 6, NYS DEC has announced it will open reservations for the 2020 camping season. Currently, all DEC-managed campgrounds are open for those with existing reservations. On Monday, campers will be able to book stays that will start on July 10 and later. Online reservations are recommended (click here) and walk-ins not permitted…
By Melissa Hart
June 2, 2020
The Food Supply Chain System is Vulnerable In his weekly column, retired Cornell Cooperative Extension agent Richard Gast makes the argument that local meat should be a household staple, not just a luxury. He writes “America’s meatpacking plants endure some of the highest rates of workplace injury of any U.S. job sector. COVID 19 has…
By Melissa Hart
May 30, 2020
By now, we’ve all seen the effects of a vulnerable food system. ANCA makes the case for a localized approach, particularly when it comes to dairy: https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2020/05/dumping-milk-while-people-go-hungry.html
By Melissa Hart
May 18, 2020
Adirondack Harvest wanted to gauge people’s desire to source more food that’s locally grown and produced, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The organization posted a survey, which generated 162 responses. Here are some key take-aways: People were asked where they are buying local food (people could choose all that applied to them). About 70% of people…
By Melissa Hart
May 15, 2020
The Hub on the Hill, a food hub/food distribution facility in Essex, has launched an online ordering system. The site — https://hubonthehill.localfoodmarketplace.com/Products — offers local food and products with the added convenience of home delivery, within 100 miles of its location in Essex. (Place orders by Monday and then choose a delivery day.) The project…
By Melissa Hart
May 7, 2020
Newcomb's business was booming before the pandemic pause. To some, the momentum points to a dream come true.