Essex, New York Guide and Community Blog
The Boquet River Association (BRASS) was created in 1984 to facilitate river conservation and improvement efforts on the Boquet River. The Boquet River begins on Dix Mountain in Keene, NY, and runs 47 miles to then empty into Lake Champlain in the territory of the Town of Willsboro. The mouth of the river has been a [...]
Note: The following post is excerpted from “Dueling Banjos: An Adirondack Reflection” which first appeared on Rosslyn Redux. I’ve loved ”Dueling Banjos” since I was a boy, but there’s another less obvious reason that this song, synonymous for many people with John Boorman’s Deliverance, strikes a chord. (Forgive the pun!) I was reared in the rural [...]
The first part of A Brief History of William Gilliland explores Gilliland’s beginnings and his pioneer settling of the North Country, but this segment of his history will reveal the unfortunate downward spiral in the latter part of his life. American Revolution Begins Gilliland’s Downfall The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) destroyed the original Willsboro settlement. The [...]
The following quotation and the image of William Gilliland’s portrait come from Plattsburgh resident, historian, and writer David Glenn. Portrait of William Gilliland (1734-1796) Pioneer Settler of Essex and Clinton Counties, New York This oil paint on canvas portrait was painted in New York City in 1789 by the renowned portrait artist Ralph Earl. Will [...]
Finish the Trail! Saturday, October 6, 9:00am Do you want to help create the next new trail in the Champlain Area Trails system? Then join in on the work this Saturday as the trail behind the new Willsboro tennis courts begins to take shape! Make your mark on this new Willsboro CATS trail. We made a great [...]
The Boquet River Theatre Festival is proud to present their 19th annual summer season’s musical production, “Once on This Island“. This enchanting musical is a Caribbean adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid”, starring 32 local area kids ages 8 through 14. [“Once on This Island Jr” is] a musical that directors Dale Mason [...]
You’ve tried canoeing and kayaking on Lake Champlain, but have you SUP’ed? A fast growing new water sport has made it’s way to the North Country – and more specifically, to Essex! Now, you can rent a stand up paddle board from Split Rock Outfitters and Guides in Essex, and explore the lake! That’s right, [...]
The pale, parched soil gladly accepted a little rain yesterday. We are still sorely dry around here but the established vegetables are still dark and lush and fruiting out. It’s a little harder on the newly seeded and transplanted crops with their short, thin roots, reaching just inches under the well-baked topsoil. After our very early cutting of hay and [...]
Jen Zahorchak‘s essay “Turtle Crossing” is a humorous, informative and entertaining entry in the Champlain Area Trails Travel Writing Contest. Zahorchak and her family moved to the Champlain Valley to get away from the negatives of city life and get closer to nature. She remarks that a turtle crossing sign helped them make the decision that their [...]
“Nature and Birding Trails in this Town of Willsboro park offer extraordinary views of the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain. Includes the Willsboro Town Beach.” There is also access to the tranquil mouth of the Boquet River as it flows into Lake Champlain. Also located inside is a quaint summer day camp for children. [Visit Noblewood Trail [...]
