The Peru Gazette

File Photo

The Watertown Daily Times reports

Dignitaries cut the Museum Grand Opening Ribbon

By John T. Ryan

Local leaders traveled to the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum on Saturday, June 12th to congratulate the Babbies and to participate in the museum’s Grand Opening. Speakers included Congressman Bill Owens, Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, Clinton County Board of Legislators Chairman James Langley and Peru Town Supervisor Peter Glushko. Beekmantown County Legislator Tom Sears and Peru Councilmen Kregg Duprey and James Douglass were also present. (See more photos)

David Babbie and his dad

A very emotional Leeward Babbie thanked everyone for their presence. He expressed his gratitude to all the family and friends who have assisted in getting the museum operating. Following the opening ceremonies the many first-time museum visitors toured the buildings and grounds and enjoyed the demonstrations of several pieces of equipment. The corn shelling machine, a thrashing machine, a wood shingle machine, a hay fork and a hit-and-miss engine were all operating.

Read our previous museum story for more museum details and photos.

The adirondack almanac reports

Rick Laurin and Leeward Babbie

By John T. Ryan

Leeward Babbie will always remember two days in 2010. On January 12^th the Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum received a provisional museum charter from the New York State Department of Education. On Saturday, June 12^th at 11 a.m. the ribbon will be cut officially opening the museum. Although Babbie was a farmer for 40 years opening a rural and farm museum is a almost natural for him. He’s enjoyed collecting farm tractors and machinery throughout his life. Establishing a museum gives Babbie the opportunity to share his collection with the general public and to offer others the opportunity to donate or loan items to the museum’s collection. About twenty percent of the items on display have been donated by various North County residents.

The entire Babbie family has been working feverishly for the past several weeks in preparation for Saturday’s grand opening. (See more photos) Leeward’s daughters Le and Sheila traveled east from their Colorado homes to assist their dad. Leeward’s sisters, sons, daughters-in-law, other family members and friends have all contributed their time and talents. Conceiving and organizing the many displays in the main building and several nearby buildings has entailed endless hours of work.

Rick Laurin, Leeward Babbie’s nephew, is a museum director. He’s been helping Leeward to get the museum up and running and he plans on working side-by-side with Leeward in the future. Laurin has big plans for the museum. He sees it being a valuable learning vehicle for area schools. He also hopes to bring museum programs into area schools.

The title “Rural Farm and Learning Museum” describes Leeward and Rick’s goals. Leeward says, “It will be nice to appeal to both younger and older generations.” The museum has displays of equipment and household items dating from the 1850’s. Most of the items are in operating condition. Leeward has personally rebuilt several pieces of equipment. Leeward’s son David, one of the region’s most capable mechanics, has also lent his assistance. The museum will feature working demonstrations. This weekend a corn sheller, a wood shingle machine, a hit-and-miss engine and a hay fork will be in operation. A stagecoach will be transporting people around the property. Three miniature donkeys and a beautiful team of Haflinger horses should also fascinate the kids.

The variety of exhibits in the museum’s main building will surprise many visitors. Its attractions include an artwork collection, a model rural kitchen, model tractors, an impressive antique washing machine collection and many other interesting items. One washing machine is turned by dog/goat power and another is powered by a gasoline engine. Retired SUNY Plattsburgh President Dr. Joseph Burke will be on hand Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to autograph his book, “William H. Miner, The Man and The Myth.” The museum store features local produce and reasonably priced embroidered shirts and caps.

When visitors leave the main building and walk to the west they will find a milk house, a horse/cow stable, a chicken coop and a barn filled with two floors of functioning equipment such as hit or miss engines, a wood shingle machine and a two-man chain saw. Visitors will also enjoy the museum’s setting in the middle of beautiful rolling Adirondack hills.

Admission to the museum at 275 River Rd. is free of charge, but donations are welcome. It will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. this weekend. Regular days/hours will be Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Babbie has applied for a 501c(3) designation which would make any gift tax deductible. Individual and business memberships are available. (See museum website)

Peru’s history dates back to settlement by farmers and the Babbie Farm and Rural Learning Museum provides a wonderful opportunity for all generations to learn about the area’s farming history. Public support will keep the museum operating and growing in importance to the Peru and North Country community.

AGENDA, TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, June 14, 2010 @ 7:00 p.m. Read more »

The Adirondack Almanack reports

The Free Press reports

The North Countryman reports Berry is a retired Peru Central administrator

The North Countryman reports

The Post Star reports

The Post Star reports

The New York Times reports

The Times Union asks is the threat is real!

Incoming VFW Post 309 Commander Fred Hoffman is sending a  letter to area organizations.  It soulds like the VFW has some exciting days ahead. Would your group be interested in entering?

Dear ——-,

Would you be willing to enter a team in our VFW Tug of War MUD DRAG Event and volunteer a Fire Truck to fill the mud pit and hose down muddy contestants?

I am the incoming Post Commander for Peru VFW Post 309.  I take office June 26th, 2010.  On Saturday, August 7th, 2010 we will hold a Field Day type event at the Post.  It will be the typical Chicken Bar-B-Q, games, dunk tank, raffle, FAMILY FUN DAY.

We are already creating excitement with with our newest event, a Tug of War with a Mud Pit.  The Peru H.S. Football team has challenged all comers.  Others expressing excitement to form teams are Beekmantown H.S., State Police, Post Offices, UPS, Corrections Officers, etc, etc,…. Will you accept the challenge?  There are competition categories for all!!

We are hoping for your support to make this a fun memorable time for the community and be another mentor encouraging everyones FUN competitive North Country spirit.

Click here for tug-of-war-entry-form Rules, categories and entry form attached.  Please respond via email or by phone: Home 643-0612, Post 309  643-2309.

Sincerely,

Fred Hoffman

VFW Post 309 Commander-elect

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 elected officers for the 2010-2011 fraternal year at the organization’s June 7, 2010 meeting. Grand Knight Allen H. Dixon was reelected to serve another year as leader of the 155 member organization. Dixon was elected to office in October 2008 and has been very successful in strengthening council programs and membership growth.  Each year the Peru council conducts programs in five areas: church, community, youth, council and family and contributes $15,000 to $20,000 to local organizations and programs.

• Grand Knight Allen H. Dixon
• Deputy Grand Knight Peter G. Glushko
• Chancellor Brian J. Mulcahy
• Recorder John J. Theisen
• Treasurer Dwane D. Bast
• Advocate Peter F. Keenan
• Warden Anthony C. Andrews
• Inside Guard Paul L. Miller
• Outside Guard Lynn D. Wilke
• Trustee One Year Guy D. Banker
• Trustee Two Years Robin K. Bashaw
• Trustee Three Years James J. McCarty

The Press Republican reports

The Watertown Daily Times reports (includes informative links)

Congressman Bill Owens

Click here to read letter

The adirondack almanac reports

The Post Star reports

The Post Standard reports

The Times Union reports

The new VFW Post 309 officers for the upcoming year 2010-2011 starting June 26.

• Post Commander – Fred Hoffman
• Senior Vice Commander – Thomas Fusco
• Junior Vice Commander – Bud Gehrke
• Quartermaster – Ralph Wurtz
• Adjutant – Richard Dabrowski
• Advocate – Darrell Altizer
• Chaplain – Russell Poole
• Surgeon – James McGuire
• 3 year Trustee – Robert Johnson
• 2 year Trustee – Reggie Besaw
• 1 Year Trustee – William Wright

First meeting of newly installed officers will be July 6, 2010 at 7:30pm.

By John T. Ryan

Peru resident and Adirondack Life, Press Republican & Peru Gazette contributing photographer Joanne Kennedy is displaying her photos at Zenfolio, a website catering to commercial photographers. While I have seen hundreds of Joanne’s photos, I have a new appreciation for her skills. Take time to view her work at http://joannekennedy.net/

By John T. Ryan

Retired U.S. Air Force Chaplain Father Richard Demers has been a priest in residence at St. Augustine’s Parish in Peru for about five years. A few months ago St. Augustine’s/St. Patrick’s Pastor Father Alan Shnob was having a few trees cut at St. Patrick’s Oratory. Father Demers happened to notice two slabs of wood from the fallen trees and asked if he could have them. Father Shnob couldn’t help but ask, “Richard, what are you going to do with those?” Today, Father Shnob knows only too well what his friend was going to with the wood slabs. The St. Augustine’s rectory is filled with Father Demers’ wood furniture (Click here to see more photos) – almost all of it fashioned from wood slabs. Read more »

The Free Press reports

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder that this Saturday, June 5 is Museum Day. The Alice will be open from 10am – 4pm (our usual hours) and all tours will be free.  (Click here for details) Read more »

The Press Republican reports

Click here for our September 29, 2009 story on the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum