A Plug for Non-Profits and Pines

I was first charmed by the idyllic little town of Lake Luzerne through a good friend of mine. A friend who's gone onto bigger and better things but still comes home to escape her celebrity status. You may love her, you may not, either way Ms. Rachael Ray of the Food Network knows a good thing when she see's it. Her cabin in the woods was one of the many locations where we shot 30 Minute Meal pieces for the local tv news. But those humble beginnings feel like ages ago and in its wake production work continues with my shooting video at the Double H Hole in the Woods Camp for children with disabilities. I've finally found my calling and it's not food or entertainment or news or comedy, it's non-profit production work.

Ages 7-17, the world's most generous little human beings visit the camp to do all those things normal kids take for granted, like swim, climb trees, play soccer, dance and go boating. Their infectous smiles and playful personalities mask a life of feeding tubes, wheelchairs and medical attention. For one week, and in the company of kids just like them, those differences disappear and they fall in love with living. It's heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. Many times I just wanted to toss the camera aside and participate in the activities with them, like zip-line from tree-to-tree or fish for sunnies off the side of the pier or shout in cadence the camp motto during dinner in the dining area. The energy and commitment of the staff and counselors is unmatched by the most altruistic public figures. Despite the heavy soaking this week, all but one event, whitewater rafting, went according to schedule including a visit to Six Flags Great Escape Fun Park. With a few minor adjustments even rollercoasters and bumper cars were on the menu for them to enjoy.

Not to be remissed is my 5 day stay at Bobby's shabby chic Adirondack home-away-from-home. Set inside a patchwork of pine trees and log camps, Bobby's cabin is, what he likes to call, "his little slice of heaven". And as if the kids at camp didn't keep us busy enough, Bobby showcased his quaint hub of nature by canoeing me from location to location. Who knew that little Lake Luzerne was once a thriving vacation mecca for wealthy politicans like President U.S. Grant? But that too was ages ago and left behind are preserved bridges, historical signs and the footprints of many grand hotels.

Lake Luzerne, with or without a camera, with or without children, is worth spending a week or more basking in yesterdays glory days. And best do it now before private companies buy up all the lake front property and turn it over to developers. It's the one of the last remaining.