I had a happy day last Saturday as I met up with friends, many I had not seen in over 15 years. We gathered to pay tribute to a former colleague of mine, Jack Skinner, who passed away last fall. Jack captured the Adirondacks with a video camera in extraordinary ways.

I met the group at Casa del Sol in Saranac Lake, Jack's favorite restaurant where Jack's mentee and colleague Paul remembered Jack interviewing the late filmmaker Fred Sullivan not far from where we sat. Jack often planned his shoots in Saranac Lake around Casa's schedule.

It was sad that we met because Jack is gone but we all felt his presence and spirit. It was evident in his friends and family and especially his daughters who joined us after hiking Jack's favorite peak in the Adirondacks, Indian Head. It was a joyful day because we knew Jack has gone to a better place and he would be pleased to have his loved ones and old friends remembering him fondly. I could see him beaming and his eyes twinkling as I looked around the table. It was very cool that his daughter's husband wore one of Jack's favorite shirts. He's inherited a nice collection of comfy shirts. Jack would like that too. Rest in peace Jack.

Thanks to Marco (left with Jack's tequila) for sending these photos along. I had not seen Marco since he left WCFE-FM many years ago and it was great to see him again. It is nice that we get to hear him on "The World" on public radio.

http://www.theworld.org/

I miss the days when he was covering this area as the news director for Mountain Lake Public Radio. We had a great station and we did some great work there.