New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Lapeer

Hiking in James Kennedy Memorial State Forest, Cortland County

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Part of the combined Finger Lakes Trail and North Country Trail in James Kennedy State Forest (courtesy Finger Lakes Land Trust)The James Kennedy Memorial State Forest, located in Cortland County, is a hiker’s dream. This popular state forest boasts two large, forested properties spread across 4,507 acres in the towns of Harford, Lapeer and Virgil.

You can hike for hours on more than 16 miles of the Finger Lakes and North Country Trail, as well as on miles of spur trails and access roads. The forest also features a trail to the highest point in the area — Virgil Mountain at 2,132 feet. [Read more…] about Hiking in James Kennedy Memorial State Forest, Cortland County

Last Remnants of Prohibition May End in New York State

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Still image from Murdoch Mysteries, 2015, recreating a prohibition local option protestThe 21st Amendment ended national Prohibition and the question of alcohol control and regulation was left to the individual states. Each state created its own unique regulations. According to the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, 17 states, including New York retain direct control over wholesale or retail operations. [Read more…] about Last Remnants of Prohibition May End in New York State

Kennedy State Forest’s International Loops

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Cristina Creek Falls in James Kennedy State Forest photo by Alex GonzalezAlthough Alex and Michele Gonzalez began their trail construction and maintenance relationship with the Finger Lakes Trail on private land a few years earlier, their formal volunteer work in James Kennedy State Forest began in 2004.

They concentrated at first strictly on the Finger Lakes Trail, but soon began to construct a series of trails known collectively as the International Loops. [Read more…] about Kennedy State Forest’s International Loops

James Kennedy State Forest: History & Recreation

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James Kennedy State Forest (photo by Chris Ray courtesy Finger Lakes Land Trust)There are many recreational resources at the 4,507-acre James Kennedy State Forest, including snowmobile trails, a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail, and a cross-country ski trail. The Forest, named in memory of the District Forester James D. Kennedy, is located in Harford, Lapeer and Virgil, in Cortland County, NY.

The towns of Virgil, Lapeer, and Harford, in which the James Kennedy State Forest is located, were developed under the Military Tract that was established in 1789. The Governor of New York, DeWitt Clinton, plotted land from Oswego to the southern border of present day Cortland County. This land was dedicated for the payment of New York’s Revolutionary War soldiers. [Read more…] about James Kennedy State Forest: History & Recreation

New York Changes Sunday Alcohol Blue Laws

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New York State CapitolOn Saturday, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation changing New York’s “blue laws” to will allow for the expanded sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday, extends the brewer’s license, where alcohol can be served, and more. [Read more…] about New York Changes Sunday Alcohol Blue Laws

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