Author and outdoor enthusiast Erik Schlimmer has spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks – from Good Luck Lake to Whiteface Mountain – and he’s gotten to know some of the places and their names pretty well. So well, in fact, that he’s written two books dedicated to Adirondack place name history: “History Inside the Blue Line” and “Among the Cloud Splitters.” What he’s found is that “behind every name is a story, and that story’s usually pretty good.”
On Friday, Sept. 6, Erik will kick off the 2019 Coffee and Conversation series at the library by sharing some of these stories and talking about the research that went into decoding the history behind hundreds of Adirondack names. The program – “Adirondack Place Names: Why is That Thing Over There Called That?” – starts at 1 p.m. and will be followed with coffee.
Erik first visited the library this spring to discuss his book “Cradle of the Union: Albany History Uncovered,” where he took a closer look at the street names of Albany. He has written for a number of outdoor publications and is also the author of “Thru Hiker’s Guide to America,” “Blue Line to Blue Line” and “My Adirondacks.”
Expedition Anniversary
It’s been one year since hundreds of library enthusiasts visited all 36 UHLS libraries. Everyone (whether you completed the Expedition or not!) is invited to celebrate the anniversary of the Library Expedition Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Crossings in Colonie. There will be cider and doughnuts, as well as fun activities. Sign up online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org or call.
— Kristen Roberts
