Meet the People Behind the Scenes at
Persis Granger's
BEAVER MEADOW PUBLISHING

Thurman, NY, Business Number 1001

Laurel (Granger) Nittinger- illustrator

I've always enjoyed drawing, so when my mom asked me to illustrate this book for her, I was more than happy to take on the task. I took a few drawing and painting courses for fun while earning my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh.

Now I'm employed by Mehigan, Robert & Bellone, Inc., of Schenectady, New York, as a communications consultant for the New York State Department of Civil Service Employee Benefits Division. I still like to draw and paint in my free time and also enjoy graphic design and woodworking. I live in South Bethlehem, New York, with my husband John, son Charlie, and dog Chester.

Richard Granger drew the maps.

Here's a little information about him:

I'm the author's husband. I grew up in the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts, and my friends and I used to spend hours in the woods building hideouts from branches, logs and scrap lumber. In 1989, after I was grown up, I decided to build a real house out of logs cut from our own woods at the foot of Crane Mountain. It was a big project, and after it was done I built four more small log cabins. Before I began building log cabins, our family had a small farm where we raised and preserved most of our own food.

Every book needs eagle-eyed proofreading to find mistakes. Meet Robin Granger, who did the job for us.

I love details, so proofreading is the perfect job for me! I earned my Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications from Potsdam College of the State University of New York in 1988 and have spent the majority of my career in marketing and event planning. I am currently Vice President of Communications and Member Relations for The Chamber of Schenectady County. I live in Clifton Park, New York, with my husband Steve, son Clark and two dogs. Every chance we get, we head north to the Adirondacks and our second home, Beaver Meadow Lodge. Contact: rgranger@nycap.rr.com.

Before the book can go to the printer, a book designer has to get it formatted and insert the illustrations. Steve Buckbee used his extensive experience in printing to prepare Adirondack Gold. He also advised me on sections of the book dealing with hunting and survival skills. Here’s what Steve has to say:

I'm Steve Buckbee, son-in-law of the author, and I absolutely live to be in the woods! I have a Bachelor of Science in Technology Education from the State University of New York at Oswego. In 2002, I became a New York State licensed guide in hunting, fishing and camping so I could spend more time on the land I own in the Adirondacks in Thurman, New York.

I'm owner and operator of New York Outdoor Adventures (NYOA), a guiding and booking service for outdoorsmen across New York State. Prior to forming NYOA, I was a partner in Digital Page LLC, a printing and prepress company in Albany, New York. I live in Clifton Park, New York, with my wife Robin, stepson Clark, chocolate Labrador Spencer, and step-beagle Patch. I'll be helping with the Adirondack Mountain Writers' Retreat in August 2008. You haven't lived till you've tasted my breakfast sandwiches cooked over a campfire when the mist is rising off the beaver pond! Contact: sbuckbee@nycap.rr.com

Clark Rischbieter was the book's first critic, listening carefully to the early drafts of the first chapters. He also prodded me to hurry up and get it done, and posed for the book cover illustration. Here's a little bit about Clark:

I'm Clark Rischbieter, grandson of the author. I may not be a native of the Adirondacks, but they're sure in my blood! I'm finishing up my sophomore year in the Shenendehowa School District of Clifton Park, New York. I have straight A's, and my best subjects are science and math. I play bass and do vocals in a band called "Enigmatic Heart" that my friends and I started. I also enjoy guitar, lacrosse, and graphic design! I love to visit my grandparents and Beaver Meadow Lodge in Thurman, New York, where I can ride my four-wheeler. I live in Clifton Park with my mom Robin, stepdad Steve and two awesome dogs. Visit my band's web site at http://www.myspace.com/enigmaticheart, or see our T-shirts and CDs at http://enigmaticheart.bigcartel.com/ .

Tom Kennedy is a long-time family friend of the Grangers and one of the Crane Mountain Valley Boys, the Beaver Meadow Lodge house band. He plays guitar and mandolin.

Tom is the Magnet Resource Technology Specialist at Beal Elementary School in Springfield, MA, and has a long-time interest in web developmemt. He has been designing web pages for schools since 1995, and is an advocate of Linux, Apple, and alternative operating systems. He is Beaver Meadow Pcblishing's original web site creator. (It worked perfectly till I started messing with it. If I've created problems, please notify me by clicking the contact link on the navigation bar. I'll try to fix it. PRG)

Along with his wife, Diane, and his two daughters, Katelyn and Colleen, Tom lives in Easthampton in Western Massachusetts. He can be reached at tjkenn@charter.net