Photos: Bear Hug

Friday, October 18, 2013 - 16:36

Sorrow and horror show in kids’ faces, lower left, as they watch a film telling Smokey Bear’s story: He was created in 1944, and now Smokey and his current motto — “Only you can prevent wildfires” — are recognized by 95 percent of Americans. The first living symbol of Smokey was a cub rescued in 1950 from a wildfire in New Mexico.

Smokey himself appeared on Monday, a day off from school for Columbus Day, and gave a big hug to a girl who had his portrait painted on her cheek, center. He exchanged high fives with a boy as a ranger looked on, below.

The annual event was hosted by the Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center to teach visitors about wildfire prevention and the use of prescribed fire as a management tool in the Pine Bush Preserve. The day included races, games, and crafts — as the boy, at top, carefully colors a bookmark.

Photographs by Michael Koff

More Regional News

  • County opens Saint Rose pool for public use

    ALBANY COUNTY — The pool on the former College of Saint Rose campus is now open for public use, A

  • Grants available for public playgrounds

    Applications are now being accepted for $67.5 million in capital funding to help municipalities a

  • NYS sets another flu record — with hospitalizations

    As part of its Respiratory Surveillance Report, the state’s health department maps activity for each county statewide. In Albany County currently, as in the rest of the state, there are more than 40 cases of influenza per 100,000 of population. For COVID-19, Albany County has 20 to 39.9 cases per 100,000 of population. And for Respiratory Syncytial Virus, known as RSV Albany County currently has  0.01 to 7.09 cases per 100,000 of population.

The Altamont Enterprise is focused on hyper-local, high-quality journalism. We produce free election guides, curate readers' opinion pieces, and engage with important local issues. Subscriptions open full access to our work and make it possible.