The Peru Gazette

By Donald McBrayer


It was 1:30 PM Sunday, August 16, 2009 when they came through the Intersection of Bear Swamp Road, and Rt. 22 — the thunderous roar of 200 plus Harley-Davidsons representing the 9th annual Jeff Wyand Miracle Ride, a motorcycle rally to benefit Fletcher Allen Health Care’s Vermont Children’s Hospital in Burlington.

As the stirring image of hundreds of bikers riding in unison passed by me I couldn’t help a feeling of pride and respect. It’s great to see people come together for a cause, and this group waving and riding certainly represents that spirit best.

Ride on!!!

The adirondack almanack reports

The adirondack almanack reports

The Post Star reports

By Joanne Kennedy

My sister and I stopped at Rulfs Orchard in Peru in hopes of satisfying a family craving–fresh blueberry pie.  No we didn’t just purchase one at the bakery but drove down the dirt road to the U-pick blueberry patch.  We were not disappointed.  The high bush blueberry plants are loaded with the luscious treat.  In the distance you could hear a recorded screech of a robin in distress to ward off birds trying to nibble on the berries.  Debbi who mans the stand said, “This is the best year yet in the last 5 years of growing the berries.”  Before long we had our eight baskets brimming to the top and were headed home to start baking.  The orchard hopes to have berries as late as the Labor Day weekend with picking from 7am to 3pm.  It is a good idea to wear a brimmed hat to block the sun and also bring cold water to quench your thirst on these hot August days.

The adirondack almanac reports

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The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Press Republican reports

The Press Republican reports 

By Donald McBrayer

I sat out last night with friends and a glass of merlot and watched dozens of shooting stars streak overhead. The Perseid Meteor shower peeks on the 12th, but it can still be enjoyed all weekend.

The best way to spot Perseid Meteors is to go to a dark location after 10PM (most backyards are just fine for this), and look to the Northeast, toward the constellation Cassiopeia (the star formation that looks like a big W). Below Cassiopeia is the constellation Perseus. It is from here the meteors seem to originate, and why they are so named. They tend to shoot along an east to west path through the Big Dipper. You’ll know them when you see them. On average you should see one every four to five minutes, and less frequently as the weekend passes. The meteors are dust remnants from Comet Swift-Tuttle that passed through Earth’s orbit a few years back. As our part of the planet takes point in the late evening through this region of Earth’s orbit, the remaining comet dust enters our atmosphere much like bugs hitting a windshield. It’s just as fun to watch with no messy cleanup.

Kids love them, and it’s more memorable than anything on TV.

The Elmore SPCA continues its wonderful series of creative fundraisers with “an evening of delicious delectable desserts and exhilarating eclectic entertainment.” It will take place on Friday, August 28th from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. Tickets are $15.00 in advance; $20.00 at the door; $5.00 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 & under. Tickets are available at area stores, at the shelters or from a board member.

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The adirondack almanack reports

By John T. Ryan

As previously reported, the Peru Town Board did not reach a decision on the appointment of either a supervisor or counselor at its August 10th meeting. Jeff Meyers of the Press Republican filed a detailed story covering the Board’s deliberations.

The large number of residents in attendance witnessed Counselors Peter Glushko and Brandy MacDonald facing off against Counselor Tom Powers. Read more »

The Press Republican reports

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board failed to reach agreement on the appointment of either a supervisor or a counselor at its Monday, August 10, 2009 meeting. Discussion centered on the appointment of a board member. Counselors Peter Glushko and Brandy McDonald generally favored people with previous town board experience while Counselor Tom Powers proposed a person who has regularly attended board meetings and is a manager in the business community. A detailed story will be published on Tuesday.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has established a website that tracks government spending at all levels. It’s called “Open Book New York.” It includes the grants being awarded under the federal government’s economic stimulus program. This link is provided for the use of our readers.

The Peru Lions Club will be hosting the 15th Annual Stan Hughes Golf Classic on Sunday, September 15th at the Barracks Golf Club. The proceeds will benefit many worthy local community projects, so help out by either playing or sponsoring a hole. It costs $60 a person to play, $50 for an individual to sponsor a hole and $100 for a business sponsor. For more information see the attached entry and hole sponsor forms. Tournament Forms 

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports

By John T. Ryan

Technicians from Triangle Electric were installing solar panels at the Peru Free Library this week. The panels are part of a $67,000 renovation project which is progress at the library. The Peru Gazette will have more details on the solar energy portion of the project in an upcoming story. Denton Publications published a story on the overall project on March 25, 2009.

By John T. Ryan

Town of Peru Co-Historians Ron and Carol Allen led a joyous celebration Friday, August 7, 2009 on the occasion of the unveiling of the historical markers for historic Peru Landing and Port Jackson.  (See more photos) The unveiling took place on the site of the original Port Jackson – the Valcour Conference Center. New York State Assemblywoman Janet Dubrey, Quadricentennial Commission Vice-Chair Celine Paquette and Clinton County Historian Anastasia Pratt welcomed those present to the ceremonies.

Ron Allen said that Peru Landing is important in Peru’s history because it is the point where many of Peru’s first settler’s stepped foot on to the North Country soil. The landing was established by John Craig in 1787 and is located .3 miles north of the entrance of what is now Ausable Point State Park. Everett, Finch, Ketchum and Jackson are just a few of the families who arrived in Peru at Peru Landing. Unfortunately, the water wasn’t too deep at that point along Lake Champlain, so in 1820 Port Jackson was established 1.3 miles to the north at what is now known as the Valcour Conference Center. For the remainder of the 19^th century Port Jackson was a departure and arrival point for passengers and goods. The North County’s products such as lumber and iron ore, potatoes and other agricultural goods were shipped from Port Jackson, down Lake Champlain into the Hudson River to New York City. The Laphams Mills Road was a direct route to the port.  In 1876 the railroad connected Plattsburgh and Albany and the steamship gradually declined as the preferred method of transporting goods. 

The adirondack almanac reports

Click here for the Board’s August 11th Agenda