The editor is John Ryan at email: perugazette@gmail.com. The Peru Gazette is a free community, education and information website. It is non-commercial and does not accept paid advertising.
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Ava Currie with Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York Council Staff.
Assemblyman Billy Jones presents Ava Currie with a proclamation.
Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York CEO Brenda Episcopo presents Ava Currie with Medal of Honor.
Plattsburgh, N.Y. – Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (GSNENY) recently recognized 11-year-old Cadette Ava Currie from Plattsburgh, who earned the Medal of Honor from Girl Scouts USA for rescuing a four-year-old boy from drowning when he fell into a pool while throwing pool toys into the pool from the deck.
While numerous adults were on and around the deck when the accident occurred, Ava’s no-hesitation and actions ensured the safe rescue. When she saw the boy fall into the pool and immediately swam to him and pulled him up and out of the water, all before he could start choking on the water.
The Medal of Honor is a rare award given to Girl Scouts for saving a life or attempting to save a life under circumstances that indicate heroism or risk of her own life. Since 2017, only 196 Girl Scouts nationwide have earned the Medal of Honor.
Girl Scouts between the ages of five and 17 can be awarded this award if they fit the criteria for consideration. The criteria considered for receiving a Medal of Honor include: if the Girl Scout acted at or above her age, maturity, or training; to what degree was this a girl-led/directed rescue effort; degree of difficulty of the rescue and danger to the life of the person(s) being rescued; nature of risk to Girl Scout’s life; the amount of assistance received by others; whether proper first aid/emergency care procedures were followed; extent of good judgment; and circumstances surrounding the event. Awards are made by a special committee of Girl Scouts of the USA.
Other examples of acts that have earned the Medal of Honor include Girl Scouts who have addressed life-threatening cases of respiratory failure, loss of consciousness, airway blockages/choking, water rescue/drowning, stroke, seizure, heat exhaustion, cardiac arrest, accidents (like car crash, machinery accidents), diabetic emergencies, severe sickness and more.
MOTION/DISCUSSION:To Accept Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports) No JCEO;
MOTION:Approval of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of November 20, 2023.
Community Input.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Possibility of Purchasing a Used Dump Truck for Highway Dept.
DISCUSSION/MOTION: Opportunities for Grants for a Mural and Windows on the Heyworth/Mason Building.
RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:Approve Contract for Income Surveys for Water and Sewer Depts. by Liz Tedford.
DISCUSSION/MOTION:Changing Back to One Regular Meeting a Month.
Sunday, December 10, Peru – Pancakes, French Toast, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Hash Browns, Real Maple Syrup and more! That’s the menu for the Sunday, December 10 Community Pancake Breakfast hosted by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus. Served in the St. Augustine’s Parish Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $10 for adults, $5 children 5 to 11, Children under 5 are Free. Take-outs are $10. Everyone is invited!
The Peru CSD Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the High School Community Room. It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. The meeting will be recorded and will be available on the District’s website at www.perucsd.org.
The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal safety procedures and protocols will be followed.
Currently, two (2) public comment opportunities are planned as follows:
First public comment: Related to items on the agenda. Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
Second public comment: Comments are limited to three (3) minutes per speaker.
Individuals who are unable to attend the regular meeting in person may submit public comments by emailing perucomments@perucsd.org no later than 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, December 12th. Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.
Anticipated topics include:
Capital Project Planning
State Testing
Personnel Appointments
Donations
Bus Purchases
The complete agenda will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).
(PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Dec. 6, 2023) The Strand Center for the Arts expresses gratitude to Adirondack Regional Theatre for their $10,000 donation toward the Strand’s Theatre Lighting Project. This contribution has allowed the Strand to upgrade its lighting console with the goal of enhancing the overall quality of productions, thereby creating a more immersive community experience.
Adirondack Regional Theatre has been a steadfast supporter of the Strand Center for the Arts over the years, and their dedication to the arts has played a significant role in the Strand’s success. Their commitment to enriching the lives of the Plattsburgh community has been evident through both their financial support and active involvement in the theatre community.
“We are profoundly grateful to Adirondack Regional Theatre for their continued support,” said Jerrod Olsen, the Director of Operations at the Strand Center for the Arts. “This generous donation has empowered us to take a significant step forward in our commitment to delivering exceptional theatrical experiences to our community.”
The impact of Adirondack Regional Theatre’s support extends beyond the walls of the Strand Center’s theatre; it resonates with individuals who attend productions, workshops and classes.
“We are privileged to have Adirondack Regional Theatre as a partner in our mission to enrich, energize and engage the community through the arts,” Olsen said.
“Adirondack Regional Theatre and its Board of Directors admire the work the Strand Center for the Arts does in the community and its diligent efforts to improve the world around us,” said Tom Lavin, the Executive Director of Adirondack Regional Theatre. “The Strand’s efforts are greatly appreciated, not only by ART but by most members of this community. We look forward to seeing the continued progress the Strand will make in the near future.”
As the Strand Center for the Arts embarks on this new chapter with enhanced lighting capabilities, members of the organization “invite the community to join us for upcoming performances and witness the transformative power of the arts!”
For more information about Adirondack Regional Theatre, please visit adktheatre.com
For more information about the Strand Center for the Arts, visit StrandCenter.org
The 2023 Peru Tractor Parade is on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 6 p.m. It is on the same route as last year. It starts at the Irwin farm on Jarvis Road, left on River Rd., right on Laflure Lane, Right onto Rt. 22, right over the bridge, Right at Liberty’s on Union Rd., left on Cross St, left onto Route 22, back over the bridge to Stewart’s, left on Holden Ave, left on School Street to 22, and done.
The 2023 Peru Tractor Parade is on Saturday, December 9, beginning at 6 p.m. It is on the same route as last year. It starts at the Irwin farm on Jarvis Road, left on River Rd., right on Laflure Lane, Right onto Rt. 22, right over the bridge, Right at Liberty’s on Union Rd., left on Cross St, left onto Route 22, back over the bridge to Stewart’s, left on Holden Ave, left on School Street to 22, and done.
Peru Gazette Note – Twenty people volunteered to donate blood on Monday, December 4 in Peru with eighteen units collected.
If you couldn’t donate in Peru there are several other December opportunities.
The Adirondack Regional Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), makes giving blood easy with drives planned throughout the region and convenient Donor Center hours.
The December blood drive schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, December 5, Malone Fire Department, 2 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, December 6, Essex County Department of Social Services, Elizabethtown, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, December 7, Mooers Fire Department, 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Friday, December 8, Burke Adult Center, 9 to 11 a.m.
Monday, December 11, Chateaugay American Legion, 4 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13, Bloomingdale Fire Department, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 14, Champlain Centre Mall, 2 to 6 p.m.
Friday, December 15, Clinton County Government Center, first floor meeting room 8:30 a.m. to 12:30pm
Tuesday, December 19, Ellenburg Knights of Columbus, 4 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, December 20, Alice Hyde Medical Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, December 21, Franklin County Court House, second floor conference room, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, December 26, CVPH Laboratory Conference Room, Miner Medical Arts Building, 214 Cornelia St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 27, Cumberland 12 Cinemas, 4 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, December 28, Holy Name Parish Center, AuSable Forks, 4 to 7 p.m.
Walk ins are always welcome at the Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd. It’s open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Blood collected by the Adirondack Regional Blood Center stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. Its success rests on the generosity of donors and sponsors.
A donor card or another form of identification is required to donate. Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call (518) 562-7406.
Ski sign ups are online now!! Copy the link below to your browser and sign up by January 7th.
We will received one complementary chaperone pass for every 10 students who register. If you are interested in a chaperone pass, please message me, Emily Sypek, and your name will go into a lottery. There will NOT be chaperone passes available for purchase this year. Chaperone passes will be on paper, not online.
Alison Webbinaro addressing the town board at its November 14 meeting. L-R Webbinaro, Councilmen Kregg Bruno and Melvin Itwin.
By John T Ryan
Peru – It’s time to hire a professional to update Peru’s zoning ordinance. That’s the message Planning Board member Ali Webbinaro delivered to the Peru Town Board at an October budget workshop and on November 14 at the board’s special meeting to adopt the 2024 town budget. Noting that she was disappointed the board didn’t include funding in its 2024 budget, Webbinaro said she realized she brought up the topic late in the budget process.
Webbinaro said two planning board members, two zoning board members, and Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup have been meeting informally to determine where the ordinance needs changes. She stated, “It’s too big an undertaking for the planning and zoning boards to do on our own. It will help shape the continued growth of our community in a way that keeps the integrity of what we want to continue.”
Supervisor Brandy McDonald mentioned having the zoning officer conduct an internal ordinance review. Webbinaro responded, “To do that would get us back to the point where we are now….”It’s getting difficult to move things forward concisely and professionally. Before you start piece-mealing it together, I would urge you to do the research.”
Councilman Kregg Bruno commented, “The last time we had a committee.” Webbinaro pointed out that getting the boards together for monthly meetings is difficult. She believes having them meet as a body at other meetings would add another layer of difficulty.
Webbinaro indicated that hiring a professional to do the update would cost the town about $70,000, but there’s a good possibility for state grant funding. She would do her part by researching state funding sources and hopes the board would include funding in the town’s 2025 budget.
Note – The above article is based on this video and telephone interview.
Dear Editor:
Over the Thanksgiving holiday, the Peru Lions successfully completed their 46th annual John P Adams Memorial Turkey Trot. Over 500 people registered for the trot at the Peru Intermediate School on Thanksgiving Day to participate in the 5k and 10K runs. Many runners said of the event, “It’s a tradition”.All of the Lions Club’s efforts are supported by numerous volunteers and organizations throughout the area. The Peru NY Lions Club wishes to thank the following:
– Peru Central School for the use of property, buildings and grounds personnel and support staff.
– Our sponsors who have supported us monetarily throughout the years and donors who made our raffle so successful.
– The Peru High School National Honor Society who assisted with checking in our participants in a smooth and quick fashion.
– The NY State Police and Clinton County Sheriff Department for traffic control.
– The Peru ambulance squad for being on standby.
– Peru Fire Department for manning street positions.
– Local media outlets who covered the race.
– Adirondack Coast Events for registering the runners and timing.
– Duprey’s Drone Zone for the aerial video of the trot.
Finally, we acknowledge family members of former Lions, the Lions themselves who selflessly gave their ime and presence and of course, we would especially like to thank the participants who made this event possible.
The Lions’ motto is “We Serve”, and the proceeds of this event will support dozens of local organizations and nonprofits in Peru and around the north country.
Thank you to all who were involved in this fundraising effort that enables the Peru Lions Club to continue to support dozens of local services including local vision screenings, financial assistance of eye exams and glasses, JCEO food shelves/Headstart, Clinton County Christmas Bureau, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta for
children with cancer, Camp Abilities for blind children, North Country Hospice, Peru School Backpack Program, Salvation Army, North Country Honor Flight, Special Olympics of the North Country, Tour de Force (Assisting Law Enforcement families), Lions Clubs International (for Disaster Relief), North County Center for Independence, Peru Girl and Boy Scout Troops, Peru Youth Commission, Peru Soup Kitchen, Babbie Rural Farm Museum, Peru and Keeseville Libraries, and two scholarships for Peru students.
(PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Dec. 6, 2023) The Strand Center for the Arts expresses gratitude to Adirondack Regional Theatre for their $10,000 donation toward the Strand’s Theatre Lighting Project. This contribution has allowed the Strand to upgrade its lighting console with the goal of enhancing the overall quality of productions, thereby creating a more immersive community experience.
Peru Gazette Note – Twenty people volunteered to donate blood on Monday, December 4 in Peru with eighteen units collected. 
Peru Sports and Youth Program
Dear Editor: