LOCALadk Magazine

58 Spring 2016 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk The Adirondack 102 Club: Your Passport and Guide to the North Country Henry instilled the nostalgic feeling of stepping back in time. Although they have completed the book and earned the title of Vagabond, Houck and Blum both travel with the book and continue to enjoy more of what this great Park has to offer. The third Vagabond is Mark Friden, Town Historian of Clifton in St. Lawrence County. He enthusiastically agreed to write about Clifton when contacted by Marty. Friden loved the concept of visiting all 102 towns and helped with some book signings. He has even written a poem about the club, entitled Ode to the 102 Club. One of the most interesting stamps Friden collected for his book was from the North Pole Post Office on Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington. The Post Office is only open for the Christmas season, yet accepts Christmas cards from all over the country to be cancelled from The North Pole. The sole per- son on duty had piles of boxes of Christmas cards to cancel and send out. Despite the amount of work, she was cheerful and happy to stamp Mark's book. Braden Houston, another Vagabond, hails from Hamilton. He took 14 full days of travel to complete the book. He started on April 2, 2015 and completed it on September 3, 2015, just in time to join the club dinner. Braden's approach to visiting each town and completing the book was about meeting people - he met 694! His book is filled with 694 signatures, each one representing a different story. His unique goal was to meet as many people as possible - whether locals, seasonal residents, vacationers or business owners. Almost everyone made an impression, but a few people who stood out include three el- derly gentlemen having coffee at Vaughn's Country Store in Lewis. They are all veterans who served in Korea and Vietnam. They regaled stories of growing up in Lewis and how it has changed over the years. These and many more stories are why Braden, although offi- cially a Vagabond, plans to continue to travel the Adirondacks with his 102 Club book. He loves meeting people and has a long range goal to procure 1,000 signatures and stories. I started my quest to be a Vagabond on October 21, 2015 by visiting the town of Horicon and getting my first stamp in the Hamlet of Adirondack, a place I had never been before. Perhaps by the next dinner, to be held in Wilmington, I will have completed the challenge. Regardless, The Adirondack 102 Club is a fun way to visit more of the Park, learn about each town's history and highlights and, without a doubt, meet some great people along the way. Grab a map, the 102 Club book, and maybe a good friend and venture out on an Adirondack road trip to discover some place new. Martin 'Marty' Podskoch has created a fun and interest- ing new book, and with it a new challenge. The concept of the book is to encourage people to visit all of the towns and villag- es within the Blue Line. Introducing "The 102 Club" presents the opportunity to see more of the Park, meet new people and maybe even become a "Vagabond". Inspired by Dr. Arthur Peach, who wrote a story in Vermont Life about starting such a club, he encouraged people to "veer off the beaten path, discover the secret and lovely plac- es that main roads do not reveal". Peach felt that every part of Vermont had its beauty, history, attractions, traditions, and interesting people. Marty Podskoch presented this idea to the Adirondack Asso- ciation of Towns and Villages. The Association was very re- ceptive to the proposal and encouraged Podskoch to pursue it. He asked each town and village to describe its own unique location and history, and to highlight interesting places to vis- it. He was met with excitement and enthusiasm, and enjoyed great success. The book was published in August 2014, and can now be found in stores all over the Adirondacks. The 102 Club book is designed to be signed, stamped, or not- ed that its owner did, in fact, visit that town or village. It is not a contest or race; there are no rules on becoming a member except to note visits to each town. Successfully visiting and verifying each visit in each of the 102 towns and villages ele- vates one to the regaled status of Vagabond. Today the Vagabonds are 5 strong and growing. On Septem- ber 3, 2015 the first Adirondack 102 Club Dinner was held in Brant Lake, where the first members were recognized and awarded their Vagabond patch. Each Vagabond will have his own unique tale about his ventures. The first two to complete the book and become Vagabonds are Joyce Houck and Barba- ra Blum, who completed the list in 8 months. They have be- come ambassadors for the book, and would like to familiarize towns and villages with the concept of the 102 Club, and to prepare the towns for future visitors. When asked about the journey and which towns became fa- vorites, they described Edinburg, as it had an Adirondack fla- vor, Clare had the smallest population but perhaps the most pride, and Croghan is known for the Croghan Meat Market - which dates back to 1888 - and is known for its delicious bolo- gna. Many towns, such as Raquette Lake, Long Lake and Port

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