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Matthew Brankman

By John T Ryan

April 24, 2025, Peru, NY – Many have been curious about what happened since the Livingoods Restaurant sign was taken down. A new establishment, Ledge Hill North, is now operating at 697 Bear Swamp Road. Matthew Brankman, the owner of Ledge Hill Brewing Co. in Ticonderoga, oversees this new venture. Brankman stated, “This is a ‘soft’ opening. For the next few days, we are on a feedback-collecting mission; our official grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, May 17. We want to learn what people are looking for.”

The operating hours are Wednesday through Friday from 4 PM to 8 PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM to 8 PM.

Brankman has a passion for brewing beer. A six-year Navy veteran and a 20-year educator, including roles as an elementary school principal, he opened the first Ledge Hill Brewing Co. in his hometown of Westport in 2017. In 2022, he moved to 92 Montcalm St. in Ticonderoga. The new Peru location allows him to expand his vision and skill set. He remarked, “As a former educator, I like moving forward.” The popular Ticonderoga pub will continue.

Ledge Hill North will feature six to eight beers on tap, a full bar, and a hard cider made from delicious apples from Rulfs Orchards. Brankman mentioned, “The food menu will be familiar yet different. We want to honor what our predecessors have done here, but offer a new twist.” He also added that if customers have specific requests, they may introduce specials from time to time.

A July 24, 2022, Sun Community News story on Ledge Hill’s Ticonderoga opening beautifully describes Matthew Brankman’s business philosophy.  He stated, “There is something magical about beer; beer brings people together from all different demographics and walks of life and experiences,” mused Brankman thoughtfully. “Having a beer with somebody is a way to build community and connections – most of the good things that have happened in the history of the world have happened over a beer,” Brinkman said he hopes Ledge Hill will be a place where people can come together and transcend age and occupations and enjoy themselves and one another…” 

April 24, 2025 Correction, 7:15 PM. It is Matthew Brankman, not Brinkman. Spellchecker gone rogue.

The incident constitutes the largest immigration enforcement action against migrant workers in Vermont in recent memory.

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Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 19 at 6:14 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two hikers looking for assistance getting down from the top of Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The two 19-year-olds from Quebec were not prepared for the cold and rainy conditions on the trail. At 6:52 p.m., Forest Rangers Curcio and Foutch reached the hikers on the road. Their clothes were soaked through, and if further subjected to the cold, the pair would likely have suffered from hypothermia. Rangers provided warm clothes and transported the hikers to their vehicle. Resources were clear by 7:50 p.m.

To avoid similar issues, hikers are encouraged to check the weather before a hike, wear insulating layers, and bring traction devices when icy conditions are possible.

Town of Newcomb
Essex County
Wilderness Search: On April 21 at 2 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from New York State Police about a GPS beacon initiated by a lost hiker. Coordinates placed the hiker off the Santanoni Express trail near the junction with the Bradley Pond trail. At 5:05 a.m., Forest Ranger Martin located the 36-year-old from Brockport and 41-year-old from Fairport and escorted the hikers back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 7:50 a.m.

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Shepherd’s Pie 

Fruit 

Bread 

Dessert

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., take-out only, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972 

All are invited and welcome!

AGENDA – Peru Town Board Regular Meeting of April 14, 2025 @ 6 p.m.

1. Call Meeting to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call 

4. 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; Banking Reports, and JCEO);

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March 2020 Peru Gazette Photo. Richard Williams is chairing the meeting.

Once again, the Peru Town is seeking Planning Board volunteers. The longtime chairman, Richard Williams, is giving up his position, and one vacant position has not been filled. The board can have up to seven members; It’s been getting by with six plus one alternate. 

Regarding serving on the board, Richard Williams explained, “Why not get involved in the town? You vote; you live here. It’s only one meeting a month and you learn about town government. I’ve enjoyed serving on the board, trying to help out on projects, getting them moving forward, and working with the surveyors who represent the applicants. It’s rewarding to see them come in with other projects.”  Williams doesn’t keep records, but he thinks he started serving on the board about 24 years ago and has been chairman for about fifteen years.  

Community service has been a hallmark of Richard William’s life. He taught at the Peru Elementary School for thirty-two years and has been a Peru Volunteer Fire Department member for fifty-three years. He is moving to South Carolina, where he’ll be near his son, Tyler, and not far from his son, Townsend, who lives in North Carolina as a member of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division. Tyler and Townsend were members of the Peru Fire Department, with Tyler serving as chief. 

People interested in serving on the planning board should call Code Enforcement Officer Bob Guynup at 518-643-2745, Extension 103.

On Friday, April 18, Plattsburgh Town Supervisor Michael Cashman unveiled plans for the Battlefield Memorial Park’s Remembrance Plaza. The park is on Route 9, directly opposite Claire and Carl’s Restaurant.  Here’s a link to a November 17, 2023, Sun Community News story on the park. 

On April 18, the Peru Gazette photographed the park’s current status.

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Drive, Monday, April 21,  from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru.

The blood collected by the Donor Center provides more than 95% of the blood used at CVPH and is used to supply other hospitals in Elizabethtown, Malone, Massena, Saranac Lake and Glens Falls.

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 is coordinating the drive. 

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Monaco’s Land of Make Believe heritage is safe–and on public display–at the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown

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