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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:                              Contact:

Monday, May 4, 2009                                       Sue Stricker, (631) 470-2197

                                                                      Micheline Kagan, (718) 746-4753

                                                                      or (516) 659- 8852;

                                                                      or Paul Ertelt, (518) 449-3870 

                                                                      e-mail

                                                                 

Explore Diversity, Scenic Beauty of Undiscovered Long Island

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. -- Join the Long Island Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) for a memorable weekend exploring the diversity and scenic beauty of the Island through a creative schedule of hikes, beach walks, paddles, bike rides, winery tours, cultural activities and more.

“ADK Spring Outing 2009: The Undiscovered Island Revisited,” June 26-28, is open to ADK members and nonmembers. The weekend’s 33 outdoor events are

moderate or easy, with the exception of a 14.2-mile wilderness beach hike on Fire Island.

Pre-registration is required for all participants, and the registration fee is $25 per person. Kayak rentals for $35 are available on all but one paddle outing. There are additional charges for certain outings, such as the three-hour sail on the Oyster Sloop Christeen ($35) and a visit to the Bronx Botanical Gardens ($6, $3 for seniors).

Saturday outings include a Paddle on the Carman River, Cranberry Bog and Kettle Hole Walk, a Tour of Montauk Lighthouse and Hike of the Bluffs, Pine Barrens Interpretive Walk and a Hike and Poetry Reading on the Walt Whitman Trail. Sunday outings include an “Old Money” Bike Ride on the Oyster Bay Peninsula, a Walking Tour of Historic Lower Manhattan and Introduction to Sea Kayaking at Setauket Harbor.

In addition to the 33 outings, there will be Saturday night banquet ($35 per person) with after-dinner entertainment by old-time-fiddle band Dance All Night and caller Annette Kirk. On Friday evening, there will be workshops by local experts such as Lee McAllister, author of “Hiking Long Island.” 

The Ronkonkoma Holiday Inn, 3845 Veterans Memorial Highway, will be outing headquarters. An ADK group rate of $129 (plus tax) per room is available until May 31. Call (631) 585-9500.

More information, including a complete outings schedule and a registration form, is available at www.adkli.org.

The Adirondack Mountain Club, founded in 1922, is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to protecting the New York State Forest Preserve and other wild lands and waters through conservation and advocacy, environmental education and responsible recreation.