Margaret Karkoski’s smile is infectous

L-R Leaders Sally Kokes and Cynthia Gagnier

By John T Ryan 

Peru – If you enjoy a happy atmosphere, humor, and friendly people accompanied by healthy exercises, the Peru Community Church’s Fellowship Hall is the place to be Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9:30 and 10:30. What’s happening? It’s the Peru Exercise Program which happens to be celebrating its 25th Anniversary this month. The group formed on April 16, 1998, and it’s been going strong ever since. Participants are wearing bright-colored tee shirts this month to celebrate the occasion. On April 25, they’ll gather for a noontime anniversary luncheon celebration at Pasquales Restaurant. 

Peru residents Priscilla Altizer and Bernie Halstead have participated since almost the program’s first day. Bernie Halstead explained. “It’s fun, you meet friends, and it’s helped me physically. It sometimes gets lonely when you live alone.” Still active at age 92, Priscilla Altizer said, “It keeps me going. My doctor told me it’s one of the reasons I’m the way I am.” Other ladies mentioned Nan Mitchell, who suffered a severe fall in her early 90s. She credited the exercise class for not breaking her wrist bone. They also mentioned class member Bev Huntley who quickly improved her walking ability after a stroke. Several other ladies said their bone density has dramatically increased. 

Experts at Cornell and Tufts Universities designed the low-impact program to strengthen the bones and joints. Exercise leaders Sally Kokes, Linda Manchester, Karen McCloud, Carol Campanella, and Cynthia Gagnier know the participants’ abilities, an essential ingredient to making it enjoyable. They also take required leadership training and are CPR certified. 

Thanks to financial assistance from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg, the program is offered free of charge. Cynthia Gagnier said, “We’re also very grateful to the Peru Community Church for using its Fellowship Hall. It’s a perfect place, especially with its easy access.” 

People come as far away as Jay, Au Sable Forks and Keeseville. Everyone’s welcome! The first time you participate, a leader will ask you to sign a release form and give you another form for your doctor to sign at their convenience.

Cynthia Gagnier’s husband, Steve, is the only current male participant, but he said he’d love to have company. Over the years, there have been men participants who are always welcome. If a man or lady is interested, show up before 9:30 any Tuesday or Thursday. Sign a release form, and you’re ready to make new friends, improve your health, and have fun!

Cynthia Gagnier led the class in Tai Chi

The Peru School Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting in the High School Community Room on Tuesday, April 18^th at 6:15 PM.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:15 PM start, and that the Board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM. 

Anticipated topics include:

1. Five-Year Capital Facilities Plan
2. Personnel Appointments
3. Public Hearing on the Code of Conduct
4. Establishment of the 23-24 Budget Amount
5. Property Tax Report Card
6. Student Wellness Policy

The meeting is open to the public and current District, County, State and Federal COVID-19 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, April18^th.  Online comments are also subject to the conditions stated above.

The agenda will be available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).  The Board meeting will also be recorded and available on the website at a later date.

Marianna Worczak, MD

World-wide program promotes benefits of physical activity

PLATTSBURGH, NY (04/13/2023) – North Country physicians are stepping up to get more people in the community moving toward a healthier lifestyle. The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) Family Medicine Residency is hosting its first Walk With a Doc event on Saturday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m.

The walk starts at the CVPH Family Medicine Center at 159 Margaret Street. In case of inclement weather, the group will meet at the food court of the Champlain Centre Mall and walk inside.

“Walking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health,” CVPH Family Medicine Residency Program Director Marianna Worczak, MD stated. “It’s low impact and easier on the joints than running. Walking can help you lose weight, reduce stress and anxiety, give you more energy during your day and help you sleep better. You can even significantly lower your risks for many serious health conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.”

Dr. Worczak will be the featured physician for the inaugural walk. She will kick the hour-long event off with a brief discussion on the importance of exercise and how to get started.

“I’m excited to see anyone who wants to come out to get some steps in, have some fun, maybe learn about health and meet new friends along the way. And our team of physicians is looking forward to spending time with members of the community outside the exam room,” Dr. Worczak added.

Each walk will take place on the fourth Saturday of every month at 10:00 a.m. and feature a different physician. The Walk With a Doc program is funded by The Foundation of CVPH and its generous donors.

“We’re thrilled that The Foundation is able to support our effort to bring people together and encourage more physical activity. I’m also grateful for the people who graciously give to The Foundation to help fund programs like ours, as they are truly making a difference in the health of our community,” Dr. Worczak stated.

The Plattsburgh program is one of 13 in New York State. In all, there are 418 Walk With a Doc programs across the United States and Washington, D.C., with additional programs in 32 countries around the world.

The event is free and no registration is required, though participants will need to sign a waiver before their first walk. For more information, contact CVPH Family Medicine Residency Coordinator Heather Lacey at (518) 314-3868 or hlacey@cvph.org.

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Employee-owned business supports community health and wellness

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Town of Peru is seeking a Part Time Assistant Recreation Director. Starting salary $ 3,200.00. Please apply at Peru Town Hall 3036 Main Street Peru, New York. 

Kristen Marino was introduced at an October 15, 2022, soccer game.

By John T Ryan

Kristen Marino is officially Peru’s Recreation Director.  Deputy Supervisor Douglass, who presided at the Monday, April 11, Town Board Meeting, announced the news saying, “That was the Board’s decision. Three citizen volunteers, Larry Ewald, Dave Gosnell, and Corinne Kerley, sat in on our interviews. We had good applicants.” Counselor Kregg Bruno motioned to approve the resolution and stated, “Kristen is the proper person to go with. We like to hire from within because it’s easier from many perspectives, and she’s done an outstanding job since taking over the position.” Counselor Melvin Irwin seconded the motion, and the Board unanimously approved Marino’s appointment at an annual salary of $18,000. (Salary corrrected 4/13/23 at 7:23 p.m. The first published $22,000 figure was incorrect) Marino has served as Interim Director since August 22, 2022. The Board also plans to hire an Assistant Recreation Director at an annual pay rate of $3,200. They will advertise the position.

Kristen Marino’s appointment will result in her husband, Brian Marino, resigning as Youth Commission Chairman. Councilman Rick Barber reminded the Board that according to the Youth Commission By-laws, members of the same family could not hold the two positions. Marino said he planned to resign. As one of his last acts, he informed the Board that the Youth Commission’s recreation assistants needed a pay raise. Marino believes that if their pay is divided by the hours worked, they make less than the minimum wage. Last summer, eighteen youths worked as recreation assistants, helping out the coaches at practice and during games. 

The Youth Commission’s Fun Run needs new leadership. Kristen Marino said Angel Hicks and Tracy Posada indicated that they don’t desire to lead the program again this year. 

Peru has one of the region’s most active youth programs offering t-ball, baseball, softball, tennis, summer soccer, arts and crafts, basketball, and volleyball, plus the very popular Fun Runs. Three hundred seventy-two youths participated in the last soccer program. 

The Parks Department is beginning to clean up town parks. Porto-Potties should be in place by May 1. 

The Board recently requested bids for furnishing and installing a dropped ceiling and air conditioning system in the town hall. Two air conditioning contractors submitted bids; however, no one submitted a bid for the dropped ceiling. The Board asked Water/Sewer/Parks Department Courtney Tetrault to review the air conditioning bids before they decide. Then they asked Town Clerk Dianne Miller to prepare and advertise bids for the dropped ceiling. 

The Board will meet with AES Engineering on June 13 at 4 p.m. to discuss major upcoming water-sewer projects. The meeting is expected to last about two hours and is open to the public. 

A Peru Central School club lacrosse team is playing at Lapham Mills Park. Town Attorney asked Marino to request that Peru Central state in writing that the town would not be liable for any injuries at the field. 

Town Attorney Matt Favro told the Board that John Helmer’s Davis Pond Road use issues are private; therefore, the town should not involve itself. Favro will also be drawing up an easement giving the town the right to maintain a soon-to-be-installed culvert on Locust Drive. The culvert will hopefully alleviate flooding issues during heavy rainfalls that two homeowners are experiencing. 

April 12, 2023 7:45 p.m. – Recreation Assistant salary corrected to read $3,200 not $3,500. 

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After 15 years of farming, Fledging Crow Vegetables has filed for bankruptcy

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A Writing Workshop for Everyone at ACWApril 12—Saranac Lake, NY—The Adirondack Center for Writing (ACW) will offer a free, drop-in writing workshop for attendees of any experience level (age 16+) on Wednesday, April 19 at 7PM at 15 Broadway, Saranac Lake. As April is National Poetry Month, the theme for the workshop is Blackout Poetry.

In this workshop, participants will learn about and try their hand at blackout poetry (also known as erasure). Blackout poems are culled from source texts that are (in many cases) not inherently poetic. Source texts could include scientific textbooks, political speeches, celebrity interviews, or national park brochures. The writer then erases or crosses out the majority of the words (redacting), with the remaining words creating the poem. Publication of erasure poetry will also be covered. All supplies provided. No writing experience required. This workshop will get participants creating no matter their genre, age, or experience level.

Led by ACW’s Visiting Writer Erin Dorney:

Erin is the author of “I Am Not Famous Anymore: Poems After Shia LaBeouf” (Mason Jar Press, 2018), co-founder of Fear No Lit, and has been published in Autofocus, Tolka, HAD, and other literary journals. Her literary artwork and installations have been featured at the Center for Maine Contemporary Art, Hennepin Theatre Trust, the Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and Susquehanna Art Museum.

She has been in residence at Soaring Gardens Artists’ Retreat (Laceyville, PA), Hewnoaks (Lovell, ME), Tofte Lake Center (Ely, MN), Anne LaBastille Memorial Writers Residency (Twitchell Lake, NY), and Spruceton Inn (West Kill, NY). Learn more about Erin’s work at www.erindorney.com.

ACW wants creative writing to be known as something anyone can try, regardless of past experience or education. Writing can be therapeutic, help to organize and detail a person’s thoughts, or simply be a source of fun, play, and experimentation. It all comes back to a core principle of ACW’s mission: everyone has a story to tell and deserves to be heard.

More about the instructor: Tyler Barton is the author of Eternal Night at the Nature Museum (Sarabande, 2021) and The Quiet Part Loud (Split/Lip, 2019). His short fiction, essays, and poetry have appeared in The Iowa Review, Kenyon Review, Electric Literature, LitHub, Barrelhouse, and have twice been listed as “Distinguished” by Best American Short Stories. He lives in Saranac Lake, NY and serves as the Communications Manager for the Adirondack Center for Writing Learn more at tsbarton.com.

The Adirondack Center for Writing has been serving communities throughout the entire Adirondack Park for over 20 years. For more info about ACW and our latest programs, visit www.adirondackcenterforwriting.org and follow @adkctr4writing on social media (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook).

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Ben Crenca, whose stage name is “Big Trouble Ben Bishop” graduated from the University of Vermont in 2013, playing in 100 career games over his four years with the Vermont men’s basketball team.

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Miner Institute Research Scientist Laura Klaiber checks the on-farm tile drainage monitoring equipment for her NNYADP research project. Photo: Miner Institute

Chazy, New York. The farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) has announced that on April 18 Miner Institute Research Scientist Laura Klaiber will present the latest results-to-date of her agricultural tile drainage research as part of The Tile Drainage on Farms: Managing for Water Quality and Soil Health workshop. The workshop will be hosted virtually from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. via Zoom and with additional limited in-person attendance available by reservation at the Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District building in Auburn, New York. For more information, visit cals.cornell.edu/tile-drainage-on-farms or contact PRO-DAIRY at 607-255-4478.

With grants from the NNYADP, Klaiber has been conducting research to build a foundational understanding of how agricultural tiling impacts the complex movement of water and nutrients into, across, and through soil.

Klaiber’s research began in the Lake Champlain watershed on land near Chazy provided by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in 2012; it is now conducted on a working dairy and crop farm in both tile-drained and non-tile drained fields equipped with edge-of-field monitoring technology.

“The farmers who guide the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program prioritized development of a real-world, data-based foundation for creating and refining best management conservation and agricultural guidelines that can work in tandem to protect both water quality and crop production success,” said NNYADP Co-Chair Jon Greenwood of Canton, New York.

Klaiber has presented her progressive project results and detailed data at conferences of farmers, soil and crop scientists, agronomists, soil health specialists, and natural resource conservation and management professionals. This will be her second presentation in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Her first was a virtual presentation for the 2021 Bob Brower Owasco Lake Scientific Symposium>

Reports of the year-to-year research quantifying the long-term agronomic and environmental aspects of tile drainage, including edge-of-field trial data on surface and subsurface water and nutrient movement, are posted on the NNYADP website at https://www.nnyagdev.org.

Funding for the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program is supported by the New York State Legislature through the New York State Assembly and administered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Sponsors of the 2023 Tile Drainage on Farms: Managing for Water Quality and Soil Health Conference include Partners for Healthy Watersheds, American Dairy Association North East, Cayuga County Farm Bureau, Cayuga County Soil and Water Conservation District, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County, North East Dairy Producers Association, New York Animal Agriculture Coalition, and Cornell CALS PRO-DAIRY.

MyChart subscribers can schedule blood draws at time, location of their choosing 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (04/11/2023) – The University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) has added another new feature, Lab Self Schedule, to its MyChart patient portal.  This easy and convenient feature allows patients to self-schedule their blood draws at the Main Hospital, the CVPH Diagnostic Center, the Lab at Hudson Headwaters Family Medicine, Champlain, Alice Hyde Medical Center, Malone or the Fanny Allen Medical Office Building in Burlington, VT.

To access that function, MyChart users should log on, select visits and then request appointment.

“Lab Self Schedule gives our patients the ability to set up their blood draws at a time of their convenience and at a location that works for them,” explained Regional Director of Patient Access Melissa LaMountain.

MyChart, part of the industry standard electronic health record system Epic, was implemented at CVPH in April of 2022. Using the MyChart patient portal, patients can make appointments, communicate securely with their physicians, check on lab and test results and receive reminders about upcoming visits or recommended vaccinations and now, begin the check in process a week before the scheduled appointment or procedure.

Signing up for MyChart is simple, quick and can be completed at UVMHealth.org/MyChart.

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