TEAM IRONMAN FOR HUMANITY
On July 23rd, Karen Trank, Julia Kameron, and Shane Eversfield formed Team Ironman for Humanity, and participanted in the Lake Placid Ironman Race raising over $3,800 for Habitat for Humanity. The money raised, with some funds matched by Janus Charity Challenge, will be divided between the AuSable Valley Habitat for Humanity and the Lafayette Habitat for Humanity in the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. The Lafayette Habitat has completed 6 homes, and has 11 more under construction. Many thanks to Karen, Julia, and Shane.

SECOND ANNUAL HABITAT GOLF OUTING
The Second Annual Habitat Golf Outing was held July 21st at Westport Country Club. The outing was sponsored by the Northern Adirondack Board of Realtors (NABOR), with the support of Bruce Ware, NABOR President, and William McHone. This golf outing raised over $2,000. We look forward to next year’s annual event. Please keep on the lookout for information regarding the 2007 golf outing. We appreciate all the support we have received from realtors and businesses in our area, who have helped further our fund-raising ventures.

DEDICATION OF OUR 7TH HOME IN 14 YEARS
Thanks to the continued generosity and loyal support 
of our many volunteers and donors, we have been able to provide decent housing and hope for seven families in 14 years. In August, the AuSable Valley Habitat 
dedicated its 7th home. The Gifford family from Keene has four children, with two girls and a boy living at home. Bob works in St. Huberts for the AuSable Club, while Kris runs a day care out of their home. Congratulations to the Giffords!

TWO NEW PARTNER FAMILIES
We are presently working with our next two partner families. Matthew and Jennifer Parks, from Wilmington, have two children and another is expected in January. The Ouimet family live in Jay and have two children. Our primary task now is to locate two parcels of land and begin the process of building with both families. If you know of land that might be available or have ideas about donors who can help with costs of purchasing land, please contact us at your earliest convenience. We’ve had several meetings and discussions concerning environmental stewardship, and intend to do our part as often as possible to build “green.” —Judy Caner & Kara Page

COMMUNITY Housing TRUST
We also have had several meetings with Allen Hipps, Executive Director of the Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc.; Kirby White, a nationally recognized expert on community land trusts; and others, regarding the possibility of joining forces in developing a housing trust partnership with the AuSable Valley Habitat for Humanity. This will make it possible to keep new homes built by Habitat affordable for generations to come. In the land trust, the land is leased to the home owner for 99 years, while Habitat will have control over the resale price and over family selection. — Jim Marlatt

PAINTING DONATED TO HABITAT
AuSable Valley Habitat for Humanity has received a generous gift. Rimawi Art Gallery of Rosemere, Quebec, Canada, has donated an original oil painting by an artist named Michel Dion. A self-taught French Canadian artist born in 1949, Michel paints landscapes of rural and urban life. He captures, with precision, his characters in action and his paintings are rich in composition. His specialty of “naïve art” features children with great spirit, and this particular painting centers around children embracing their homes. This is a perfect symbol of what the AuSable Valley Habitat for Humanity is all about. Michel Dion’s paintings are increasing in value and reputation, and are shown throughout galleries in Quebec and Ontario. The painting will be offered on eBay in the spring. Visit our website for the latest information. Many thanks to the Rimawi Art Calery for their generous gift. — Carrie Fine

NEW WEB SITE
The AuSable Valley Habitat will re-launch its web site early in the New Year. Please visit our renovated site at www.avhabitat.org to donate on line, and find out what’s happening!

AV Habitat Pursues Sustainable Energy
Since February 2006, the AV chapter has been learning about energy efficiency and renewable technologies available in our region. We invited Lori Clark from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to a board meeting and she told us about financial incentives available for builders and homeowners who adopt energy efficiency measures. We are examining plans for energy-efficient “low-income” housing developed by three other sources: the Keene Affordable Housing project, Friends of the North Country, and Habitat’s affiliate in Jefferson County, New York. Energy and heating costs are often among the highest expenses for Habitat families and we are hoping by this effort both to lower their long-term costs and to make a lower impact on the environment.

Showing the flag at 
Otis Mountain Music Festival
We were a featured beneficiary of the 
August 25-26, 2006 bluegrass 
music festival, and we raffled from the stage
this Adirondack chair 
constructed by a board member. A fine time 
was had by all who attended the 
community-oriented event.