February eNewsletter 2022
Welcome to our February eNewsletter!
Can you believe that February is already here? 2022 seems to be going quickly – we hope everyone has had the chance to enjoy the winter weather this year! Lewis County is perfect for snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing this time of year. Find a few suggestions on winter activities in this eNewsletter!
This month’s eNewsletter also includes a letter from the Chair of our Board of Directors, Nick Mir, one new Member, this month’s Cuisine Trail Spotlight, our February Giveaway, information on Membership renewals, and more!
Starting this month our eNewsletters will be directly on our website – instead of as a pdf or other file. We hope this makes the eNewsletter easier to access for all of our Members and readers!
Letter from the Chair of the Board
Lewis County,
I’m delighted by this opportunity to introduce myself as the newly elected Chairperson of the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Aside from this exciting new role, my days are spent operating Snow Ridge Resort as General Manager for the last seven years.
My family and I took over operations at Snow Ridge in 2015, after having worked over 40 years collectively in the ski industry. I grew up south of Syracuse, in the small, rural town of Fabius, where my mother and owner of the resort, Cyndy, still resides today. The area is very similar to the North Country in a number of ways, allowing me to feel at home as soon as I moved to Turin following the purchase. Since then, I’ve been able to explore the beautiful landscape, frequent a number of local shops and businesses, and feel nothing but support from the community as a whole.
We’ve made significant improvements at Snow Ridge over the last seven years, and I’m very excited to see what the future holds. However, I am just as eager to see what is in store for the Chamber of Commerce. Since joining the Board of Directors in 2017, I’ve been a supporter of the Chamber’s mission to promote Lewis County business and tourism. I believe the Chamber has a bright future and know our county is much better off for it.
I’d be remised in my duties if I didn’t use this opportunity to promote shopping local and getting out to explore this beautiful place we all call home. Valentine’s Day is coming up, and countless local shops have the perfect gift waiting for that special someone. Rather than placing that order on Amazon or going down to Destiny, consider grabbing a gift from one of the local florists, gift shops, or food producers. Enjoy a meal at one of the many excellent restaurants, spend the night at a beautiful bed and breakfast, relax with a message at a spa, or enjoy the outdoors on the slopes (shameless plug), snow tubing, or with a snowmobile rental! Our local businesses have so much to offer and shopping local keeps your money right here in Lewis County!
I look forward to meeting many more of you over the coming years at Snow Ridge, Tavern230, or one of our Chamber of Commerce events. Now get out there and explore our backyard!
Nick Mir
General Manager Snow Ridge Ski Resort
Chair of the Board
New Members
KOA Natural Bridge
Two of New York’s finest vacation areas – the Adirondack Mountains and the Thousand Islands – practically meet right at your site when you set up camp at Kampgrounds of America Natural Bridge/Watertown. At the campground you will find roomy and shaded campsites, old fashioned wagon rides, a heated indoor pool and so much more!
Just minutes from Natural Bridge KOA, campers can enjoy rafting, fishing and ATV trails. Hike or horseback ride in the Adirondacks – or marvel at the region’s beauty on a scenic kayak ride. Tour the grand Singer and Boldt castles or join in one of the boat excursions that weave among the lovely Thousand Islands.
Click on the website or Facebook button below to be redirected to their website or Facebook.
Cuisine Trail Spotlight
Cedar Hedge Farm
Cedar Hedge Farm is dedicated to raising happy dairy goats, making healthy farm-based products, and managing the land to its natural potential. Cedar Hedge Farm is a 3rd generation family farm sharing the bounty of their crops and dairy with their customers. Cedar Hedge Farm make jams, jellies, baked goods, and a growing list of dairy goat products.
- 7153 Olmstead Road, Lowville
- (315) 376-3621
- Facebook Page
During the winter their Farm store is open depending on the weather and by appointment only. If you would like to stop by their store please message them on their Facebook, or send a text or call (732) 513-3966.
Their products include (but are not necessarily limited to):
- Chevre
- Feta
- Cheesecake
- Caramel Drizzle
- Jam and Jelly
- Fresh Baked Goods
Their jams and jellies are made from fruit grown on their farm and their flavors include: Apple Pie, Blueberry, Elderberry, Horseradish, Mint, Rhubarb, and Red Hot Rhubarb.
Their baked goods include: English Muffin Bread, Rosemary Feta, Mediterranean Rye, and Greek Olive Bread, blueberry and lemon poppy seed muffins. These items are only available freshly baked for Farmers Markets or by order.
You will also find their fresh based goods and other goodies at West Martinsburg Mercantile, Nolt’s Country Store, and at the Blue House Restaurant in Madrid.
Find Cedar Hedge’s Video on their Facebook as well!
The Lewis County Cuisine Trail?
The Lewis County Cuisine Trail is a trail going through our beautiful region featuring local producers and their cuisine. On this trail you will find goat farms such as Cedar Hedge Farm, cow dairies, farmer owned cooperatives, Museums, famous Croghan Bologna, and more!
If you’re looking to find out more about the trail, visit the website and make your way through our delicious local cuisine: cuisinetrail.com
February Giveaway
This months giveaway is featuring five delicious products from Cedar Hedge Farm!
In this gift basket you will find Cedar Hedge Farm’s Caramel Drizzle, Blueberry Ham, Elderberry Jam, Spiced Apple Jelly, and Ginger Snap Cookies! The winner of this giveaway is in for a great jam session! The winner will also win a reusable Shop Local Lewis County bag!
You can enter to win these goodies on either Facebook or Instagram!
HOW TO ENTER!
- LIKE the post
- FOLLOW us on Facebook or Instagram!
- COMMENT your favorite jam flavor
The winner for the giveaway will be randomly selected on February 11th.
Terms and Conditions: In order to win the giveaway you must be a resident of New York State and must be able to pick up the prize within two weeks at the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce (7551 South State Street, Lowville, 13367).
Business Leaders Breakfast
Naturally Lewis is excited to bring back Business Leaders Breakfasts to our Lewis County Business Community!
Business Leaders Breakfast events, hosted by Naturally Lewis, are informative networking events created to bring the business community and like-minded individuals together in one room to discuss ‘all things Lewis County.’ Join them on February 11, 2022 from 8:30-10:00am, at Lowville Elks Lodge in Lowville, NY, to rebuild and reconnect our business community through a series of speed networking discussions.
Link to register: naturallylewis.com
Naturally Lewis recently also shared a list of local places to get Valentine’s Gifts from! Why not take a peak?
Find it here: Local Love: Gifting in Lewis County
the Great New York Sportsman’s Expo
Over the weekend of January 28th-January 30th our Executive Director, Kristen Aucter and First Vice President, Jackie Mahoney attended the Great New York Sportsman’s Expo!
“The Expo provides the outdoorsmen a weekend of exhibits showcasing the latest in products, travel and entertainment for hunters, fisherman and outdoor enthusiast. The New York Sportsman’s Expo is Syracuse’s and Central New York’s Premier Sportsman’s Expo.”
Find out more about the Expo on their website: newyorksportsmansexpo.com
Enjoy some pictures taken at the show by Kristen and Jackie!
Updates from our Members
Our Members also have plenty of information to share! See updates on events, business meetings, business initiatives and more in this section of our eNewsletter!
Ready, Set, LAUNCH! Lewis County, NY has $200,000 and is seeking creative entrepreneurs who are looking to start or grow their businesses that will enhance the quality of life for residents and make Lewis County a more attractive place to live, work, and play. Launch Lewis County is a business competition grant program that helps businesses start or expand. The program will provide eleven (11) winners with training, funding, and the tools needed to successfully open or grow their businesses.
Cook off information la di dee da
Lewis County Participants:
Deep Roots Fresh Market and Cafe
River Valley Inn
Whiskey Jacks
The Tour de Lewis is a non-competitive Metric Century Ride through Lewis County’s scenic Adirondack Park, Black River Valley, and Tug Hill Plateau. Participation is open to recreational and competitive amateur cyclists alike. Riders of all abilities can participate in one of the three distances.
Ride Options:
- Oswegatchie to Osceola – 62 miles of paved State and County Roads. Three rest stops, Partial SAG Wagon support from Oswegatchie to Turin. Full SAG wagon support from Turin to Osceola.
- Turin to Osceola – 28 Miles of paved county roads. One rest stop in West Leyden. Full SAG wagon support.
- West Leyden to Osceola – 15 miles of paved country roads. Full SAG wagon support.
Winter in Lewis County
There are plenty of things to do in Lewis County this time of the year!
Whether you’re more of an outdoor person or an indoor person – we have suggestions for you!
Downhill Skiing
Ski or Snowboard this winter! Downhill Skiing is available at Snow Ridge Ski Resort in the Adirondack Tug Hill Area.
Snow Ridge Ski Resort
4173 W Rd, Turin, NY 13473
Tubing
Tubing is a favorite winter activity in our area! Have you been tubing yet this year?
Snowmobile
Tug Hill is famous for its snowfall and the subsequent snowmobiling!
Looking for more information on snowmobiling in our area?
Find information you should know, clubs & associations, and information on where to find snowmobile rentals by clicking on the button below.
Snow Shoeing/Cross Country Skiing
Our hiking trails are also great trails for snow shoeing or cross country skiing! If you are looking for great places to do either winter activitiy we suggest the following locations!
You can also find other trails throughout the county and guides to those trails by clicking HERE. Some of these trails are part of the LC 33 Hiking Challenge!
Looking for regular updates on what’s happening for the Chamber and our Members?
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! See a sneak peak of our latest Instagram posts below.
Looking for more upcoming events in the area?
You can find our events and other local events in our calendar!
What else has been happening on our website? Check out our latest posts below!