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Turn Thanksgiving into ThanksLIVING

2020 has been challenging for all of us, including the fear that life will never return to normal. But we should be grateful for what we have, and find joy in small things, especially considering what’s happening all around us. While the virus numbers will get worse before they get better, the good news is the end of the pandemic is now in sight with new vaccines coming, so keep wearing your masks and physical distancing to protect yourself and others.

I’m grateful for every day I’m on this beautiful Earth, living and playing in good health, sharing this life with family and friends, and working to ensure that all people feel welcome. I’m also grateful for our advertisers, exhibitors, staff, contributors and readers who’ve supported the magazine, expos and business for 20 years. We survived 9/11, the financial crisis, and now this global pandemic. With the start of holiday shopping, please support our advertisers and exhibitors – local businesses and organizations who need your support to stay alive.

There’s something to be appreciative for each day so try your best to be optimistic. This will help with better feelings of happiness, connection, self-esteem and energy levels. Take care of yourself by exercising daily (walking counts), eating well, and getting enough rest. This leads to improved health, fitness, emotional and social well-being. Finally, try to see things bigger than you, tell loved ones you’re grateful for them in your life, and use those gifts to help make a difference.

It doesn’t take a professional meteorologist to see that the traditional cycling season is over in upstate New York. The golds and reds of autumn have turned brown and the mercury is plunging.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t still pedal your way to cardio fitness, or hold onto those gains you’ve made with the bike you bought, or the one you pulled out of the basement to cope with Covid lockdown induced stress. There are still plenty of options to ride outdoors, at home, or at the gym with others or by yourself. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Keep riding outdoors. Yes, it can get cold and dark and messy. But there are still plenty of ways to take your ride outside. Ride the bike you already have with proper preparation and clothing. For tips on how to do that, see our story in the October issue at adksports.com/2020-10-bicycling. Keep in mind that safety and visibility are more important in the winter months with more hours of darkness and drivers who may not be expecting to see cyclists on the road. There’s no such thing as too many lights or too much reflective clothing when riding outdoors in winter.

Here’s a David and Goliath story if there ever was one, girls from Willard Mountain’s Freestyle Team crush the competition from Killington and Stratton at the 2020 Empire State Winter Games, taking 1st, 3rd, 6th and 7th place overall. That’s right, Willard Mountain in Easton, “New York’s Coolest Little Ski Area.”

I first heard about Willard more than 20 years ago when a cousin had her kids take lessons here. My kids were at a much bigger, well-known place in Massachusetts, but her kids became much better skiers. Spend just a few short hours here and you’ll see why.

Maryann and Tim Kelleher have been coming to Willard for many years. This is where he learned to ski and worked as a teen. “I couldn’t afford it, so the deal was that I could ski for free, and would help in the cafeteria when they needed me,” said Tim. These days, their four kids spend several nights a week and weekends here, perfecting their skills, among friends and family – Willard’s size allows for that familiarity. Everyone knows each other, and kids have many adults and teens looking out for them – on the mountain, in the lodge, and when they’re away on trips. Many of the instructors learned here and return to teach year after year, Tim and his nephew are just two examples.