Polishing Garnet Hill - New owners' first season focuses on continuing tradition

By ERIN DEMUTH - edemuth@poststar.com

JOHNSBURG -- Old Man Winter's chilly, gusting breath searched for chinks in the wooden beams of Garnet Hill Lodge, seemingly intent on sucking out the warmth within.

Despite his persistence, Winter's blustery might and awesome ability to turn snowflakes into stinging, wind-borne weapons was no match for the cozy hearth and friendly faces of Garnet Hill Lodge's new owners.

In July, two Boston engineers, currently searching for a permanent home in the Johnsburg area, took over the establishment.

Since that time, Joe and Mary Fahy have imposed a cheerfulness on the lodge that's only surpassed by their sincere delight in the new responsibility they've taken on.

Even just walking through the lodge, Joe Fahy has trouble keeping the boyish smile off his face and the spring out of his step.

"I grew up in a guest house in Ireland, and it's just something I've always wanted to do," he said, speaking in a rolling Irish accent that made a passing waitress grin. "I was up here skiing last year, and I found it was for sale. The rest is history."

History is one reason the Fahys chose to become proprietors of a 70-year-old business that's made up as much of tradition as it is of wood and stone.

In 1893, Frank Hooper began mining garnet near the lodge, Fahy said. The operation was so successful a school house, Hooper's home, a mill, other structures and the lodge sprang up.

"The lodge was set up in 1937, and one of the miner's houses is still here," he continued. "I love that. I'm a big history buff, and coming from Ireland, history is very important to us. It's nice to be part of this history here."

To honor that past, the Fahys named one of the new amenities they've added after those who dug garnet from the rugged and unforgiving mountains. Four weeks ago, they opened their bar.

"It's called Miners Pub. That's to celebrate the whole mining community here," Fahy said, bobbing his graying head happily. "We have lots of local microbrews, good Irish whisky and Guinness -- of course."

The Fahys, who have three young children, are also working hard to restore an old favorite to its original glory.

"We're building back up the restaurant," Fahy said. "The restaurant, it wasn't as good as it could have been. This place has been famous for its food."

That famous food Fahy credits almost totally to one Mary Jane Freebern.

Freebern herself just looks at cooking for Garnet Hill customers as something she loves, and something she hopes she'll never have to stop doing.

"Some guests came here a year before me, and they're still coming," said Freebern, who has been the head of kitchen and housekeeping for 36 years. "I wouldn't want it to ever close. It's almost like home to me."

These long-time customers, in Dick Carlson's opinion, wouldn't want Garnet Hill to close either.

In the 25 years Carlson's been director of skiing, he's seen the resort become more and more popular.

"It grew by leaps and bounds in the '80s and '90s," he said. "And there's quite a few season pass holders."

Season pass holders tend to be local, but some spend hours in the car each week just to get to Garnet Hill.

"There's one family, they drive all the way from Saratoga just for an hour and a half of skiing," Carlson said.

While Fahy values such customers, and attributes much of the success he's experienced in his seven months of ownership to them, he gives just as much credit to employees like Carlson and Freebern.

"You don't find staff like this anymore," he said, his black ski pants rustling as he moved to open the kitchen door for Freebern. "If they didn't care for this place, it wouldn't still be here.

"They're the reason I bought this place," he added.

The area itself also factored into the decision Fahy and his wife made to purchase the resort.

"It reminds me a lot of Ireland. There's a great sense of community, and the school system is great, obviously," Fahy said. "My young fellow came here, and he loved the fact that you can't hear traffic at night."

ABOUT GARNET HILL LODGE

Garnet Hill Lodge is located south of North River on Thirteenth Lake Road, off Route 28. During the winter months, Garnet Hill offers cross-country skiing, free snowshoe classes on Wednesday mornings and skiing on Thirteenth Lake. During the summer months, trails are open for mountain biking, and the lake can be used for canoeing or kayaking by guests. In the near future, Garnet Hill hopes to offer birding classes, sailing, and horseback riding.

Rates for winter stays at the resort range from $115 to $185 per person. Summer package prices range from $99 to $145 per person.

For additional information, call Garnet Hill Lodge at 251-2444 or visit www.garnet-hill.com.