Upstate New York Archives - Mark Marchand blog

Albany-area residents view the April 8 solar eclipse. (Photo credit: Times-Union, Albany, NY)

Guest commentary on the 4/8 total solar eclipse

Post published:April 16, 2024

(The Times-Union daily newspaper of Albany, N.Y. accepted and published my guest commentary on the April 8 total solar eclipse:) Commentary: All eyes on the sky The total solar eclipse was an opportunity to live in the moment, no cellphone required — except for taking photographs By Mark Marchand April 14, 2024 In those low-tech pre-internet days, I was often called upon as a Verizon spokesman to relate how world events affected phone call volumes. Two of my favorite happenings were the O.J. Simpson trial verdict in 1995 and the 1981 wedding of…

Viewing the April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse in the Adirondacks

Post published:January 11, 2024

The Adirondack Explorer newspaper up in the Adirondacks assigned me to research and write this story on the upcoming April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse. One of the best places in the northeast to view it will be in the Adirondack Mountains. When the sun, Earth and moon align What to know about this rare celestial event By Mark Marchand Residents and visitors will get a chance this spring to witness a stunning cosmic phenomenon that hasn’t occurred in the Adirondack region for nearly seven centuries. On April 8, a complex orbital…

The panel at the Times-Union of Albany HQ Nov. 15, 2023 (l-R: Kenneth C. Crowe II, Casey Seiler, Jon Schleuss, Judy Patrick, Margaret Sullivan, Mark Vinciguerra, and NY Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner.)

Why we need local journalism more than ever

Post published:November 21, 2023

When Virginia became the 10th and final necessary state to ratify the Bill of Rights on Dec. 15, 1791, those founding fathers probably didn’t realize that 232 years later part of the first of those 10 constitutional amendments would still be so important … yet struggling to thrive. Throughout our nation’s history, freedom of the press has been a firm guidepost for our country and how the news media can and should be used to hold governments and others accountable to American citizens. And while this fundamental right has survived many threats…

FDR's Springwood mansion in Hyde Park, N.Y.

Presidential history on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River

Post published:March 28, 2023

By Mark Marchand It’s near the end of another typical day for this man living on the east side of the Hudson River in the first half of the 20th century. After long hours in meetings, he propels himself and his wheelchair slowly toward the tiniest room on the first floor of his house. He rolls into the claustrophobic chamber and pulls an iron gate closed behind him. Turning himself and his chair around, he seizes a thick rope. He pulls it down slowly. His little “room” ascends. Together, he and his…

Mapping a vision

Post published:December 8, 2021

I wrote the following article for the Adirondack Explorer newspaper, reporting on a new 30-year vision plan for the six-million-acre Adirondack Park, researched and written by the Adirondack Council. Below the article is a link to where the article resides on the newspaper's website. ***** Mapping a vision November 16, 2021 Vision 2050 report cover Adirondack Council plots journey to improved park management and communities By Mark A. Marchand Building on a 129-year-old promise to protect and nurture the Adirondack Park, the Adirondack Council on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for the…