Did you know? Philadelphia cream cheese was born in Upstate NY and there’s a whole festival for it – newyorkupstate.com

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Did you know? Philadelphia cream cheese was born in Upstate NY and there’s a whole festival for it – newyorkupstate.com

If you’re eating a bagel with a Philadelphia cream cheese schmear while you read this, you can thank Upstate New York.

Yes, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York, not the city of brotherly love, though some Philadelphians may refute that claim.

Local folklore says the cream cheese came from Philadelphia, NY, just northeast of Fort Drum. It’s even mentioned on the town website, but others claim its just a myth.

Lake Alice

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The primary purposes of Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. The area encompasses 1,468 acres. The principal portions of this management area were acquired in two stages from the William H. Miner Foundation-648 acres in 1953 and 750 acres in 1970. Prior to state ownership, the area was primarily used for agriculture and timber harvesting. In addition, water control structures were built along Tracy Brook to generate hydro-electric power. This mosaic of cropland, woodland, and impounded open water provided an ideal base upon which to establish a wildlife management area. https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24410.html

Old Route 8B Bridge Inspection and Rehabilitation

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I am quite intrigued by what is happening with the Old Route 8B South Bridge in Wells. Seems like a lot of infrastructure for just an inspection, when they could bring in cherry picker or depending on seasonal water levels, an inspector in waders.

I wonder if Hamilton County plans to re-open it to automobiles? It is an important part of state snowmobile trail system, but the bridge has been closed to cars since the 1990s. It's possible they got interested in restoring it after the Robbs Creek Bridge emergency closure, which not only threatened the snowmobile trail but hunting cabins and properties off Robbs Creek Road.

I can't find anything about the work on the Hamilton County website.

Sunday April 27, 2025 — Perkins Clearing and Speculator Tree Farm Conservation Easement Lands