A bit off topic, but I have been thinking about you as I am reading a book by Susan Wiggs, which is about upstate NY and takes place in a town called Avalon--not sure if it is real or ficticious.
It is a fiction/romance and not sure if that is a interest of yours.
There are 6 books in the series, and you should be able to find all but the last new one at used book sales.
Summer at Willow Lake
The Winter Lodge
Dockside'
Snowfall at Willow Lake
Fireside
Lakeshore Christmas --new 2009, in hard cover.
They make me think of you because of the place they are written in, which is a small town -- and very isolated, which reminds me of the place you must be at in NY.
Anyway just a FYI if you have any interest. Enjoy the rest of your time at "the lake" and hope you stay warm.