Beatlemania

Beatlemania, my favorite Skidmore tradition (check out some of my other "favorite things" around Saratoga), was awesome! We got there at 7:30 pm and there were no seats left. We were able to bring in chairs and sit at the very back. The Zankel Music Center (coming soon) will be able to accommodate the entire crowd!
Standing room only
The Bandersnatchers

Alex Selby, summer tour guide extraordinaire, rocking out with his crew

Twenty-four hours of Manchester, Vermont

The admissions office held its annual reading retreat. The admissions committee leaves Saratoga and spends twenty-four hours in Manchester, Vermont. We carefully cover all aspects of the application review process. (No cameras allowed during our meeting:))

After a full day of work, we headed into town and spent some time in the outlets. I went with a group to the Northshire Book Store and spent an hour or so happily reading. Some of us later went to the Burr and Burton Academy Hockey game. The team's head coach, Corey Herrington, is a Skidmore Alumnus (class of 96).

Leaving the admissions office for Manchester, Vermont
Travel gift exchange to round out the official part of our meeting
Peter keeps getting taller at Skidmore. In front of Northshire Bookstore in Manchester

Burr and Burton Academy Hockey game!

Jane reads a question to an opposing team during a game of Cranium

More Gore = More Sore

Skidmore has an ideal location in so many ways. We are three hours from some incredible cities like New York City, Boston and Montreal (not to mention being in Saratoga Springs). We are at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and we are close to some great ski mountains!

Skidmore is:
90 miles from Mount Snow

87.2 miles from Killington Ski Resort

64.2 miles from Stratton Mountain

61.9 miles from Gore Mountain

19.4 miles to West Mountain

Peter and I decided to go to Gore for the day. He has a season pass at Gore (which he got for $300 because of his young age:)) and I buy the Price Chopper pass books (3 tickets + a couple companion tickets for $105). We had an awesome day of skiing and boarding. Peter cut out early but I continued to board until closing (and I am really feeling it today)! Peter is really tall and I am really short (and Peter was standing on a pile of snow)
Peter is happy because Gore has gondola
Permanent smile from the cold

My Favorites list

My favorite Pizza: Panza's. This place has thin crust pizza that is only made a few nights a week. It is located on the lake and I would guess the vast majority of Skidmore students don't know about this hidden gem. I've only known about this place for a few years.

My favorite shop: Alpine Shop is a cool little snowboard/ski shop that students can walk to from campus. They have a friendly dog in the shop, free popcorn, and knowledgeable staff.

My favorite restaurant: Lanci's is hands down the best dining experience in Saratoga and beyond. It is a tiny restaurant where you will be treated like you are the only guest in the place (we were the only guests the last time we were there). The food is top notch, the service is excellent and I can't think of a better restaurant experience (anywhere) for a quiet dinner for two.

Favorite Bagel shop: Uncommon Grounds is the obvious choice here. It really is a coffee shop and I hear their coffee is really good ( I don't drink coffee so I wouldn't know). Our office will get a bunch of bagels and cream cheese for a nice treat every once in a while.

My favorite hotel to recommend: The Springs Motel. It's not the nicest place in town. In fact, it is probably one of the most affordable in town. The Springs Motel is consistently clean and most of the guests are repeat clients/guest. It is also owned by one of Skidmore's security officers.

Favorite Fast Food: Moe's. Huge portions for really fair prices. I usually get the Overachiever, Billy Barou, or the Homewrecker. The queso sauce is addictive.

Favorite place for a Sandwich: Roma's Deli! I've only ordered one type of sandwich here for the last few years; domestic prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, lettuce, onion and light Italian dressing on an Italian sub. Olives on the side.

Favorite place for a quick bite downtown for less than four dollars: Esperanto. The rice and beans plate is an awesome meal for so little money. Don't forget to try the dough boy (you'll need more than one to fill up).

My favorite Skidmore tradition

This post is going to spawn in to another post about all of my favorite things at Skidmore! However, this post is specifically about my favorite Skidmore tradition, Skidmania Beatlemore. Originally dubbed "Beatlemania" seven years ago on the 40th anniversary of the coining of the term "Beatlemania" -this festival is probably some of the best two hours spent in the Skidmore community. http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/mu344-Beatles/Skidmania/Skidmania-2007.htm

See you there!

Skidmore Invite

My colleagues and I arranged for a group of students from New York City to spend a Saturday at Skidmore. Thanks to all of the Skidmore students who helped make the day an enjoyable one for all of our visitors!

Some students pose with the EAC bottle dino (see next picture)

Our panel addresses some great questions about being a student of color on campus

The Dynamics serenade one of the prospective students TDS perform for the students
Ujima Fashion show rehearsal
We enjoyed two meals in the dinning hall