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More About The Peru Gazette

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.

Comment Policy

The Peru Gazette welcomes comments on posted stories. The author MUST include his/her first and last name. No  foul or libelous language permitted. The Peru Gazette reserves the right to not publish a comment.

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Peru’s Morrison gets elusive win at Phoenix Bass Fishing League event

Alec Morrison’s two wins have come in his third year after trading in co-angler status

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for April 2015 story on Alec Morrison’s love of fishing

UFirst Federal Credit Union makes unprecedented donation

Plattsburgh YMCA receives $100,000 for a New Y Future

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Child bitten by possibly rabid fox in Crown Point

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Meadowmount Free Concert in Saranac, Saturday August 5, at 7:00 pm

Advanced string students from the renowned Meadowmount School of Music will perform at the Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 on Saturday, August 5 at 7:00 pm. The young musicians, who are on professional career tracks, come from points throughout the United States and from many countries around the globe. They have undergone a rigorous selection process to win the honor of attending Meadowmount’s seven-week training program, founded in 1944 by Ivan Galamian, the legendary Russian violinist and Juilliard pedagogue, in Lewis, NY.

The August 5 program highlights Tchaikovsky’s String Sextet in D minor, Op.70 “Souvenir de Florence.” Tchaikovsky adored the city of Florence and returned there many times throughout his lifetime. Composed between 1887 and 1892, “Souvenir de Florence” sounds distinctly Russian while being a tribute to an iconic Italian city. It is scored for two violins, two violas, and two cellos. It will feature three Meadowmount Young Artists (including the 2022 Gurrena Fellowship recipient) and three seasoned professional Meadowmount Faculty members (including Janet Sung, Artistic Director of Meadowmount). Mixing it up this way onstage is sure to create a particularly exciting chemistry and live performance!

The program’s first half is TBD – but be assured that it will be varied, excellent, and wonderful! Free and open to the public, the concert is sponsored by Hill and Hollow Music. Donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted and matched by Hill and Hollow Music up to $1000 for the Meadowmount Scholarship Fund. Refreshments will be served during intermission. For further info: telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail ambrown.hillholl@gmail.com or visit hillandhollowmusic.org

What is a Legally Exempt Child Care Provider, and why are more people pursuing it?

“Basically, a friend or a neighbor or a family member can be approved to a family’s children, in their home, and get paid by the state to do so.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

Solar farm battery fire in Jefferson County

Click here for the NCPR story 

Peru Lions Club DAV Donation

The Peru Lions Club recently donated $300.00 to Peru’s DAV (Disable American Veterans) Chapter #179. The funds are targeted for use in transporting area veterans to the VA Clinic in Albany for medical care. Pictured are Lions Club co-presidents Ed Eisele (l), David Dalton (r) and Steve Robare, Commander of DAV #179. Peru Lions Club is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to serve the community of Peru and its residents.

ATV driver killed, 2 others injured in crash in Peru

A Dannemora man was killed in a crash that involved two other vehicles, police said.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

NY’s power grid is holding up. But officials are concerned for the future

Click here for the NCPR story 

Fire Chiefs Association honors Greg Timmons

L to R NYSAFC President Scott Ewing, honoree Greg Timmons, and NYSAFC Past President Jim Comstock. Credit – Wainwright Photo.

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs 2023 award recipients were recognized during the General Session of the 117th Annual Conference & FIRE 2023 Expo on June 15, 2023, in Syracuse, NY.

Commissioner Greg Timmons of the Peru Fire Department (Clinton County) was honored with the Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award, recognizing an association member for outstanding fire service training and education effort. Timmons is a 50-year fire service veteran, past Peru Fire Department chief, and Clinton County deputy fire coordinator. He has been a New York state fire instructor for 30 years, educating Clinton County and North Country students.

Note – On July 7, The Peru Gazette published a link to a Press-Republican story on this presentation. Yesterday, the Chiefs Association kindly emailed the press release to the Gazette. The accompanying photo identifies the presenters.

Green Acres Retaurant customers are about to have their wish granted

By John T Ryan

Peru – When Green Acres Restaurant closed at the end of June, customers wished it wouldn’t be long before someone reopened a similar restaurant specializing in breakfast and lunch. In the next few days, those wishes should come true. Tony Axelsson and Crystal Kelly have been painting, erecting temporary signs and giving their personal touch to what will be known as Rove Cafe & Kitchen. They haven’t had to do a lot of cleaning; Both say Donna Rowley left the restaurant, including the kitchen, in great shape.

Tony and Crystal hope to open as soon as the Clinton County Health Department and the Peru Code Enforcement Officer issue approvals. Hopefully, that will come in just a few days.

The Peru Gazette will publish a more detailed story before the opening. Meeting the friendly, engaging couple who purchased a home in Peru and love living here was a pleasure.

Foundation of CVPH Invests in Hospital Workforce, Students


Funding addresses staffing shortages, supports employees’ growth
 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (7/25/2023) – The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) has awarded nearly $250,000 to support current and future health care workers pursuing further education. In total, 11 recent high school graduates and 30 CVPH employees are benefiting from scholarships provided by The Foundation of CVPH as well as the administration of money from a generous donation made by The William H. Miner Foundation.

“Healthcare workers are needed more than ever in northern New York, and we are proud to support these people in achieving their educational goals,” CVPH Associate Vice President of Philanthropy Kerry Haley, CFRE offered. “Whether they’re just getting started or are seeking to grow professionally, what they learn will lead to even better care provided to our community.”

Graduating High School Seniors

The Foundation is awarding $10,000 to 11 recent high school graduates who are pursuing careers in health care. Four of the students are seeking degrees locally, including CVPH School of Radiologic Technology, Clinton Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh. Nursing, exercise science, biology, biochemistry, radiology, and physical therapy are among the programs these students will be studying.

Haley added that the scholarships often jumpstart a long and fulfilling career in health care at CVPH.

“We have seen a number of folks who have received a scholarship from The Foundation, studied hard at our local schools, then landed a job here at the hospital and are now doing great work to care for our patients,” she said.

CVPH Employee Scholarships

A total of 22 hospital workers will also receive $41,898 in scholarships from The Foundation. Among them are 13 nurses seeking higher degrees, including 3 who are participating in the hospital’s RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program. Emergency Management Services, Physical Therapy, Medical Home, Perioperative Services, Patient and Family Experience and the Family Medicine Center are other areas with employees applying for and receiving financial support.

Education scholarships are available to any CVPH employee seeking financial assistance with pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree, taking a course or continuing education that will improve and strengthen their role at the hospital. Scholarships are available for high school seniors in Clinton and Essex Counties. All applications are reviewed by The Foundation Scholarship Task Force and total awards are made based on available funding each year.

To learn more, visit UVM Health Network – CVPH-Foundation Scholarships or email CVPH Director of Annual Giving Karen Reid, CFRE, LMSW at KReid@cvph.org.

Educational Career Advancement Program (ECAP) at CVPH

An additional eight employees at the hospital are receiving about $200,000 in total funding through ECAP. The Foundation administers the program, which was created through a generous $1.2 million donation made by the William H. Miner Foundation last summer. This will be the second group of healthcare professionals at CVPH to benefit from the program, which includes five employees studying to become Registered Nurses (RN) and another who is studying to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). A masters degree and a degree in respiratory therapy are also being pursued.

ECAP offers financial assistance for education to CVPH employees in exchange for a commitment to work for the hospital for a defined period of time upon completion. Participants are reimbursed for books and tuition, and some may receive a stipend. Participants may also be able to adjust work schedules if needed while they pursue their degree. ECAP applications are accepted on a yearly basis. Representatives from Patient Care/Nursing, Professional Services, The Foundation and Human Resources review the applications and select participants based on open positions, future staffing projections and recruitment and retention trends. Preference is given to those pursuing high-need, hard to fill roles in the organization.

Kara Keenan, LPN is part of the first cohort to participate in ECAP. She is studying to become a RN – a dream she admits may never have come true without the program. “Being closer to my career goals still feels like a dream. I thank my lucky stars every day I was chosen to be part of this amazing program! In the beginning of each course I have taken, the instructor always asks what brought us to this point or what made us continue our education. I am always sure to mention ECAP and how grateful I am for this opportunity.”

Jim Fluery, currently an Operating Room Technician also studying to become an RN, echoed Keenan’s sentiments. “There are no doubts that without ECAP, I would not be able to meet the requirements of family, work, and the nursing program. The support that ECAP has given me is helping me reach a goal that I have had for many years. I am so thankful to the Foundation of CVPH and the Miner Foundation for all of their support that is allowing me to achieve my dream.”

Haley offered her deep gratitude for the many donors who have made ECAP and The Foundation’s scholarship program possible. “These employees and students are able to increase their knowledge, improve clinical skills and gain new experience that will benefit health care in the North Country for years to come. The kindness and generosity of our community is helping keep talented and committed professionals right here in our region, and we are so thankful for that support,” Haley added.

International Maple Grading School and Quality Control Program Coming to North Country September 7


The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) is collaborating with the International Maple Grading School and Quality Control Program to offer a full day of hands-on maple education for beginning and advanced maple producers. The highly-requested training combines science-based instruction with intensive hands-on activities on how to accurately grade maple syrup and maple products and other quality control measures. The program will be offered on September 7, 2023 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Lewis County Education Center, 7395 East Road, Lowville, New York.

The day-long program includes sessions on accurately grading maple syrup, the chemistry of the different maple grade colors, standard flavors, the cause of off flavors and how to detect them, density and equipment, clarity and filtering, and food safety.

Pre-registration is required; space is limited. This special presentation of the International Maple Grading School and Quality Control Program is being offered for $20 per person with lunch and training materials included. This program typically costs $100 per person.

To register online, visit  https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaXyv0JOpJuGgse. To register by mail, request the registration form from Uihlein Maple Research Forest Director Adam D. Wild at 518-523-9337, adw94@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County Executive Director Michele Ledoux at 315-376-5270, mel14@cornell.edu. Read more »

Contemporary Dance – A Cautionary Glimpse of A.I. in “This is Not A Test”

Admission is free to all.
(PLATTSBURGH, NY – Strand Center For The Arts will present Jess Bouharevich’s Contemporary Dance class performance of “This Is Not A Test” at 6 pm Friday, 7/28 at the historic Strand Theater. Admission is free to all.
About the Performance
News reports bombard us daily with the dichotomy between glorious optimism and horrendous consequences that artificial intelligence (AI) poses to our globe.
“This Is Not A Test” is a thoughtful yet chilling commentary on technology moving at speeds far more significant than ever. The present is truly the future.
We hope you can join us at The Strand for an emotionally charged interpretive dance vision of this life-altering technology.
“This Is Not A Test” is a short-form, imaginative Contemporary dance performance suitable for all ages.

Assemblyman Billy Jones joins community shoe drive for Ukraine

           Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) will be collecting gently used sneakers for men sizes 8-13 at his district office in Plattsburgh as part of a community shoe drive for Ukrainian soldiers. Dmitry Feld, a Ukrainian native living in Lake Placid, is the main organizer and will send a shipment of shoes to Ukraine later in August. Shoes must be in good condition so that soldiers can use them.

            “It’s been a year since the war started and we must not forget about the people of Ukraine,” said Jones. “Since the crisis started, I have been inspired by Dmitry’s tireless efforts to support his home country and the least I could do was offer my office as a drop-off location for his shoe drive. I ask the North Country community to join me in supporting Dmitry and Ukraine and donate your gently used sneakers if you are able.”

            Jones is collecting sneakers at his district office at 202 US Oval Plattsburgh, New York until Thursday, August 3rd. The office is open 8:30 am-5 pm Monday-Friday.

Stefanik Co-Leads Letter to Customs and Border Protection Urging Resolving of Northern Border Staffing Shortages

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stefanik, Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, co-led a letter with Rep. Higgins (D-NY) to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), requesting that CBP and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) address staffing and resource shortages at the Northern Border.

In the letter, the lawmakers state, “Excessive delays for travelers cannot continue as we are in the busy summer travel season. CBP must always properly staff our Northern Border ports of entry in order to ensure border crossings are as seamless as possible for both our constituents and our Canadian neighbors to the North. We strongly urge that you maintain requisite resources at the Northern Border to allow for its proper functioning.”

“It’s frustrating that we have succeeded in restoring Canadian visitation at our Champlain border crossing to a level of 92% of pre-pandemic 2019 numbers but then are confronting them with long wait times,” states Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “While everyone can appreciate the staffing demands at the southern border, we cannot sacrifice the flow of legitimate travel and commerce at our northern border, robbing Peter to pay Paul. We need full staffing at the Canadian border and adequate resources to complete the important mission of restoring full and normal cross border travel and business connections. We thank Congresswoman Stefanik and Congressman Higgins for their solidarity and advocacy.”

Stefanik and Higgins explain that inspection booths at Northern Border Ports of Entry are understaffed, and they have received reports of only two out of twelve regular inspection lanes being closed at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York. They also state that at the border crossing between Champlain, New York and St. Bernard de Lacolle, Quebec, wait times have tripled, on average, and some days, waits can be over two hours long. The lawmakers explain that long waits dissuade travelers from crossing the border, stifle economic activity, and cause undue harm to our border communities.

As a co-chair of the Northern Border Caucus, Congresswoman Stefanik has continually called on CBP to ensure resources and proper staffing levels are maintained at the Northern Border.

Read the full letter here.

Preliminary tally indicates Vermont floods damaged more than 4,000 homes and 800 businesses

Click here for the VTDigger story 

2023 NYS Fair tickets on sale Thursday, including new $20 pass for ‘frequent fairgoers’

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Second teen in Saranac Lake crash dies

Whiting donated four of his organs that day after dying from non-recoverable injuries. His death came nearly two weeks after he was in a car crash, which also took the life of one of his best friends, 17-year-old Lucas “Loo” Tendler.

Click here for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise story

There’s still time to register for the Mission of Hope Golf Classic

From Venezuela through Roxham Road: “We made the decision to seek a better future”

Click here for the NCPR story 

Ogdensburg to pay firefighters more than half a million dollars in back pay

Click here for the NCPR story 

Phish to donate funds from special concerts to Vermont, New York flood recovery

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Are Your School-Aged Children Up-To-Date on Required Vaccinations for the Upcoming School Year?

Another school year is fast approaching and the Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) reminds residents that all children must be age-appropriately immunized to attend school in NYS. “We saw a number of children fall behind in required vaccinations and well-child visits due to the recent pandemic,” explained Nichole Louis, Supervising Public Health Nurse in the Division of Health Care Services at CCHD. “With the recent closure of one of our largest pediatric providers, it is extremely important for parents and caregivers to be proactive in scheduling these visits with their provider prior to the next school year.” If you have no insurance, no provider, or the provider cannot see your child for immunizations before the required date for school attendance,

CCHD can assist you. “CCHD offers immunization clinics for residents who are uninsured or underinsured every Tuesday from 9-11 am,” added Ms. Louis. “In addition to these clinics, we will also offer several afternoon/early evening clinics to accommodate our families.” Additional clinic dates include: – Monday, August 14, 3-5 pm – Monday, August 21, 3-5 pm – Monday, September 18, 3-5 pm – Wednesday, September 20, 3-5 pm – Thursday, September 21, 9-11 am – Monday, September 25, 3-5 pm. All clinics will be held at CCHD (133 Margaret Street in Plattsburgh). Do not wait to schedule a visit with your child’s provider. If you delay, your child will likely miss the cut-off date for return to school and subsequently be excluded from school. If your child does not have insurance, is underinsured, does not have a provider, or their provider cannot see them prior to the required deadlines, contact CCHD at 518-565-4848 to speak with a nurse who can assist you in obtaining the necessary vaccinations.

To learn more about NYS Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance visit https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2370.pdf. “Working Together for a Healthier Community” – 2 – About the Clinton County Health Department: The Health Department is an accredited full service department serving the residents of Clinton County. The Health Department’s Mission is to improve and protect the health, well-being and environment of the people of Clinton County. Visit our website at www.clintonhealth.org or connect with us on Facebook (@clintonhealth), Twitter (@ClintonCountyHD), and Instagram (clintoncountyhealth). ###

Meeting God in Our Community – Peru Community Church’s Vacation Bible School