There are a surprising number of celebrities
who either grew up in or have ties to the Adirondack Park. Due to the
relatively small population of the Adirondacks, and the weird talents and jobs
that Adirondackers have, I was surprised to see that many celebrities have come
out of the Park. There are also numerous celebrities who did not grow up in the
Adirondacks, who moved there after becoming famous. Something about the
beautiful landscape and the peace and quiet of the Adirondacks led a bunch of
busy actors and singers out of Hollywood. Although many of these celebrities
are contributing to the second home problem, they also are seriously boosting
the Adirondack economy and bringing positive press to the area.
One celebrity who grew up in the
Park, and continues to visit regularly, is chef and Food Network star Rachel
Ray. Ray grew up in Glens Falls, but now commonly visits Lake George and
Grainville during her monthly visits to the Adirondacks. Another who grew up in
the Park is Lana Del Rey, native of the Olympic Village in Lake Placid. Despite
her roots, she moved to California for the business and now lives a California
lifestyle instead of her natural Adirondack lifestyle.
Two celebrities who did not grow up
in the Park, but later grew a fondness to it are Shania Twain and Kevin Bacon.
Shania Twain bought a mansion on Dexter Lake in St. Regis and built a recording
studio on her property. After four years in St. Regis, donating huge sums of
money to the local fire department and school system, she moved away due to
arguments over additional building on her property. The people of St. Regis
were sad to see her go because she helped out the town greatly. An even bigger contributor
to the Park than Twain is actor Kevin Bacon. Bacon’s family has had a home in
the Adirondacks for approximately one hundred years, but he grew up in
Pennsylvania. He is now a member of the Adirondack League Club in Old Forge and
is part of an audio tour at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. He and
his brother are so enthusiastic about the Adirondack Park that they made an
album called Songs to Keep: Treasure from an Adirondack Folk Collector. To hear
some of their music, go to baconbros.com. Other
notable celebrities with ties to the Adirondack Park are Bruce Springsteen, Sigourney
Weaver, the Rockefeller family, the Vanderbilt family, the Morgan family (as in
J.P. Morgan) and the DuPont family.
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| Kevin and Michael Bacon |
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http://www.adirondackexpress.com/News/08202013_baconbrothers
Wow, I didn't know that so many famous people resided or have resided in the park. What do you think their impact has been on the park? Do you think they're ever involved in any sort of park programs or committees? Or do you think they're more just taking in the natural beauty like your typical vacationer who isn't there for the long haul?
ReplyDeleteI'm also part of the Adirondack League Club and I've seen Kevin Bacon's house! They live on a super private lake where most members of the club don't even go very often. You can only get to their house by boat. I'm guessing they really wanted their privacy!
ReplyDeleteMy family has had a camp on the same lake for over 70 years - I remember Kevin at age about 5 there - small world - I respect his privacy
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteOne correction: The album Songs to Keep was produced by TAUNY. The Bacon Brothers donated their time to record one track on that album. If anyone is interested in purchasing the CD, we sell it at tauny.org and in our shop in Canton.