Kyle M. Page is another contestant in the Champlain Area Trails Travel Writing Contest. His essay “Exploring Connections by Roads, History, and Ice Cream” takes the reader on a journey though the Champlain Valley. He begins by writing about the CATS trails system and the beautiful Black Kettle Nature Trail in particular. He then mentions a bit about the historic architecture of Essex, before taking the reader to Ausable Chasm and discussing some features surrounding that marvel of natural architecture. In the final segment of his essay Page spends the most time going into detail about Mac’s Ice Cream Stand in Keeseville.

Connections Through the Champlain Valley

Signs at Mac's Icecream Stand — Signs at Mac's Ice Cream Stand (Photo credited to Kyle M. Page)

Page describes the current owner of Mac’s, Paul MacNeil, and discusses how the man is interested in the past and heritage of the old ice cream stand. Mac’s has undergone renovation in the past, and MacNeil has always desired to see a picture of the original restaurant from the 1960’s. Perhaps this post will catch the attention of some tourist that has a photo?

Mac’s guestbook shows that the shop has gotten visitors from all across America and even from overseas. It’s amazing to realize how many people from such far off places have been to the Champlain Valley! MacNeil created the sign post in the accompanying photo that stands outside the ice cream stand to honor the far reaching connections the shop has created.

Read Page’s essay below, and be sure to read all of the other stories in the contest. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite to win a $250 prize! Voting ends on May 31st!

“Not far down Route 9 heading towards the Interstate is an old-fashioned, family-oriented ice-cream shop. One of the wonderful things about the Champlain Valley is how rich it is with history. Essex has a great historical society that represents its community as does both the Chasm and CATS trails with organizations to represent them so the history is readily apparent. This is not the case for Mac’s Ice Cream Stand, which is sad as it has a wonderful historical story of its own…” [Continue reading “Exploring Connections by Roads, History, and Ice Cream.”]

CATS Celebration on June 2, 2012 (champlainareatrails.com)
Vote in CATS Travel Writing Contest (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)

About Katie Shepard

Passionate about reading and writing stories, Katie Shepard enjoys discovering more about her home while writing and editing for Essex on Lake Champlain. Katie graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2011 where she studied English literature, philosophy, and Asian studies. Her first book Essex, New York Architecture: A Doodler's Field Guide was published in 2015. Connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, or at Linked.in. Or email her at katie [@] essexeditions [dot] com.