October 17th, 2023

Hello Friends,

     Starting as a young boy I always enjoyed New York’s “North Country", the Adirondack Mountains. My introduction to them was through Boy Scouts. My parents enrolled my brother Pat and me in scouting, at an early age. Now, I never really cared for the military aspect of Boy Scouts…. Troops, uniforms, saluting, competition and earning badges….that just wasn’t my style, I didn’t need no stinking badges!  But camping, canoeing, mountain climbing, and treking through the woods…that was right up my alley and there was no better place to do that then Massawepie Lake, high up in the Adirondack mountains. Each year, our troop, 163, would make the voyage by bus to the tiny lake in the northern most region of New York State. Although we had the confines of rules and regulations of the troop, we were always able to find the time and the freedom to explore the woods and a roam the mountain trails. The best of that came when we took a canoe trip. That allowed us to paddle away from the camp, and to be completely on our own for two or three days…far from any elements of civilization. It was the taste of freedom.

    Many years later, while I was a college student, my best friend, Scott Schraeder and I spent a week traversing the canoe route from Old Forge, through the Fulton Chain, Raquette Lake, Long Lake, all the way to Tupper Lake. The trip was at least 100 miles long and it required us to bring along all of our necessary food and supplies and involved several portages. Carrying that canoe and our packs around Buttermilk Falls was a test of endurance. It was a trip that I always recall fondly. It was a formative time in my life and gave me memories that I attempted to repeat as often as I could over the years.

   And so it was with great joy that I received the news from Julie, that she had prepared a surprise birthday party for me in the Adirondacks, with her brothers and their wives. The six of us met up in the town of old Forge, and spent two evenings and three days cavorting around the town. While, I can’t climb mountains anymore, I was able to use my mobility cart to trek around town and some of the campsites. I was even able to visit the venerable Old Forge Hardware Store without bumping into any major displays. It was a great birthday and we are going to plan another trip as soon as we can.

     We came back to Rochester and worked in the store on Friday. That evening we had dinner at my daughter, Rose’s house.  It was a great birthday celebration with all my family. On Saturday, we received some very important packages in the mail. Bernunzio Uptown Music has some interesting things coming your way!

Sincerely,

John Bernunzio 

The Adirondack Park boasts 3,000 lakes and ponds, and 30,000 miles of rivers and streams

Tammy, Ed, Julie, Lin and Steve…let the party begin!

….and miles to go before I sleep…

Happy Birthday John!!!

Scenes from the store on Saturday….