An idyllic retreat in Canaan

Founded in 1979, Adams Point Beach Association is a local, volunteer-based, non-profit community beach. Located in Canaan, New York, on Queechy Lake, our membership is open to residents (taxpayers and tenants) of Canaan and New Lebanon.

Please note, eligibility is based on township residency, not school district. If the property you reside is on the property tax roll of Canaan or New Lebanon, you are eligible. This is strictly enforced, as membership eligibility is defined in our bylaws, as well as our lease with Berkshire Farm. Not to mention, the beach is not large enough to allow for exceptions.

Decades after its founding, the simple pleasures of Adams Point Beach remain the same. The walk through the meadow on a hot summer day, the lake breeze that greets you as you enter the shady woodland path, the splashing laughter of children, and the diamond sparkle of this precious jewel of a lake that welcomes you to its cool silky waters.

A Summer Tradition

Read about our history on Queechy Lake.

MEET THE APBA BOARD

  • Jeanne Veillette Bowerman

    PRESIDENT, COMMUNICATIONS & HR

    president@adamspointbeach.org

    Jeanne is the Editor-in-Chief of Pipeline Artists, Senior Executive at Pipeline Media Group, hosts two podcasts, manages Mountain View Cemetery, and runs an antique shop in the Village of Chatham’s oldest building—Olde 1811 Antique Shoppe. Don’t ask. Long story. But the shop is haunted. She's also a lover a history, writing a historical fiction novel set in the mid 1700s. It'll be no surprise that you'll find her at the lake with her head buried in a book ... or more likely, with the book in the sand as she enjoys a rare day off and the deep friendships created with fellow members of APBA.

  • Maurice Bowerman

    TREASURER

    treasurer@adamspointbeach.org

    Maurice is a seasoned advisor with over 25 years of investment and financial advisory experience. Through his career he has worked for ITT Hartford, Marshall and Sterling, AIFG Capital Consultants, Bowerman Financial, and prior to joining Salisbury Trust, he spent 11 years at First Niagara Bank in Chatham as a Financial Advisor. Within Salisbury Trust, Maurice was a member of the Trust Investment Committee. Maurice is currently Vice President, Trust Services & Private Banking at Lee Bank.

  • Stephanie Guelpa

    SECRETARY

    Stephanie has lived in Canaan since 2008. Her passions are playing piano, growing vegetables and raising chickens. Since moving to the area, she has volunteered at Moments House, a cancer support group, and is currently a volunteer at the Hancock Shaker Village and Site Manager of the lunch program for Canaan Seniors. Stephanie feels that the Adams Point Beach is a valuable asset for our community, and she is delighted to serve on the Board. She also generously volunteers her husband, Jack Steffek, whenever we need heavy equipment or a MacGyver mind.

  • Barbara Patzwahl

    HR

    hr@adamspointbeach.org

    Barbara has worked in various areas of Human Resources,  for over 30 years. She interacted with all levels of management and staff, to help resolve workplace issues, and in addition was a member of the management union negotiation team within the healthcare industry.

    She and her husband have raised their family while living in the Queechy Lake area for the many years. Her three children grew up enjoying Queechy Lake, and all that it has to offer.  They worked as swim instructors, lifeguards and Rec Assocation staff for some time.

    In addition, Barbara was a past member of the Canaan Historical  Society Committee, as well as a past board member of  the Canaan Recreation and Swim Program as well.

    Barbara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going for walks, playing golf, kayaking  and swimming on Queechy Lake.  She enjoys many of the cultural events that Berkshire and Columbia County has to offer 

  • Anita Lossow

    MEMBERSHIP

    membership@adamspointbeach.org

    Anita has lived in Columbia County all her life having resided in Chatham, Ghent, East Chatham and for the past four years, Canaan. Having raised her children Brittany and Matthew in East Chatham with her husband Brian, she and her family have fond memories of swimming at Adams Point Beach with friends. She feels extremely fortunate to call Queechy Lake her home and to be creating new lake memories with her family, which now includes her two grandchildren. She looks forward to her grandchildren being big enough to learn the love of sandcastle building as she does.

    As a former NYS DOCS Administrative Assistant and retired Teaching Assistant of the Chatham Central School District, her passion has not only been her family but for the youth of the local community.  She embraces the importance of community resources for youth and their families, young and old, and understands the importance of Queechy Lake having a clean, safe, and enjoyable beach experience by all members and visitors.