The Peru Gazette

Local farmers held a press conference last fall to express their concerns

From the office of State Senator Dan Stec

Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today wrote to Governor Hochul, urging her to take action in advance of the upcoming September 6 meeting of the Farm Laborers Wage Board. At this meeting, it is assumed the board will issue its final recommendation in support of lowering the overtime threshold for farm workers.

In his letter, Stec highlighted the importance of agriculture to our state’s economy and the impact rising costs and inflation as reasons to reject the board’s decision.

“In recent months, our national GDP has dropped significantly and the Federal Reserve is now attempting to head off a major recession,” Stec said. “Inflation continues to soar, interest rates are higher than they have been in years and major change in farm law would only exacerbate these troubles.

“Most family-owned farms operate on tight budgets and deadlines. Lowering the threshold would force a radical change in operations for owners and impact the ability of farm workers to find and maintain employment,” he continued. “This could New Yorkers who rely on these goods may be forced to go without them due to scarcity or exorbitant cost.

“We can’t allow that to happen. To help protect our family farms and ensure that all New Yorkers continue to have access to healthy, affordable food grown and raised in our state, I urge Governor Hochul to reject the Farm Laborer Wage Board’s recommendations and keep the current overtime threshold in place,” Stec concluded.

Don’t forget the Sunday evening concerts at Heyworth- Mason Park — 6 to 8 p.m. This week the “See 3” band is on the stage. Bring a chair or blanket, or use one of the several picnic tables. It’s a beautiful atmosphere to relax, see your friends and enjoy.

Click here for the NBC 5 News story 

Click here for the NBC 5 story 

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is thrilled to host “Inside and Out”, artwork created by artist Brianna Forkey, in the Main Gallery. This upcoming exhibition will open in The Strand Center Main Gallery on Friday, August 5th, 2022. A free reception will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 pm that night during First Friday Plattsburgh.

Born and raised in Northern New York, Brianna studied art locally at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh. In 2021 Brianna graduated with a BFA in Studio Art, with a double-concentration in Painting and Drawing. During her time at SUNY Plattsburgh, Brianna traveled abroad to Dingle Ireland, where she studied plein air painting and developed an interest in landscapes. Combined with her interest in architecture and interior compositions, Brianna would continue to shift between quick, small, textured landscapes and large layered interior scenes. 

During her final years of university, Brianna expanded her artistic interests into the creation of jewelry, as well as leather and crystal art. In 2019 Brianna began selling her art online, creating an online Etsy shop called “BForkeyArtStudio.” 

Color, texture, light and composition are all important tools used throughout “Inside and Out.” Shifting layered colors add depth and atmosphere to stagnate interior scenes, while quick brush strokes, and thick textured paint calls back to the immediacy of plein air painting, and the fluctuating light of the landscape. 

These empty fields and quiet rooms evoke feelings of bareness and agelessness. Figures remain faceless, lacking identity or a place in time, while interiors are stripped of defining technology, and simplified into ambiguous settings. 

Windows play a defining role within “Inside and Out,” as both a source of light and a physical link between the indoors and outdoors. Windows are a common component found within these interior scenes as they transmit light and create contrast in dark environments. This transmission of light is also vital to both Sun Catchers and Dream Catchers, not only to enhance their beauty, but to act as a natural purifying agent.

This unique exhibit will be on view in The Strand Center Main Gallery at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in Plattsburgh from August 5th to August 28th, 2022. Regular gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm. For more information on these exhibits, upcoming events, concerts, or classes happening at The Strand Center for the Arts, please call 518-563-1604 or visit strandcenter.org. 

From the office of Assemblyman Billy Jones

“There has been confusion in the media and among North Country residents about the concealed carry law that was passed earlier this month, especially regarding the Adirondack Park, sporting competitions like biathlons, and on conservation easements. This law will impact over 100,000 New Yorkers with firearm permits who live in the counties within the Adirondack Park and they all deserve clarification on this bill. I wrote a letter to the Governor asking the following questions and look forward to working the Governor and her office to address these concerns:

• How is public park being defined in this bill? Since the Adirondack Park is defined as a park by law, does there need to be an exception added to this bill to ensure that the Adirondack Park is not considered a park?
• Will there be a distinction between public and private lands in parks like the Adirondack Park? Will a lawful gun owner like myself be guilty of a felony for possessing a firearm on my own property?
• Are conservation easements, which are often used for hunting, ATV use, and hiking, considered a public park, especially since these lands are often perceived as state-owned lands?
• Will, a lawful firearm owner who crosses the (Blue) Line into the Adirondack Park while carrying their firearm be guilty of a felony?
• With the upcoming World University Games in Lake Placid and the shooting sports teams and athletes who practice and compete in the Adirondacks, how will shooting sports be handled so that athletes will be permitted to carry firearms in the Adirondack Park?”

Click here for the Syracse.com story 

Event will showcase modern agriculture and fun family activities

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Benefit honors local classic car enthusiast

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here to read the NCPR story 

Click here for the NBC 5 News story 

Click here for the Houston Chron story 

Click here to read the lead paragraph of the Albany Business Review story 

Click here for Warren County EDC News 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story 

Click here for the NBC 5 News story 

Recent Statewide Forest Ranger Actions

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents statewide. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations, and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured, or distressed people from across New York State.

In 2021, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 426 search and rescue missions, extinguished wildfires, participated in prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate hundreds of acres of land, and worked on cases that resulted in thousands of tickets or arrests.

Town of North Elba
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 20 at 7:15 a.m., Northern Frontier Camp of Indian Lake contacted Ray Brook Dispatch to report a 17-year-old camper having a seizure near the Flowed Lands Lake. The camper from Delaware was attempting to hike 22 High Peaks in approximately one week. Forest Rangers Evans and Martin responded with the Lake Colden caretaker. The caretaker reached the subject at the Herbert Brook lean-to and brought them to the Lake Colden Outpost for possible aviation evacuation. At 10:38 a.m., New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation landed at Lake Colden where Rangers helped the subject into the helicopter, which brought the camper to the hospital for further treatment.

Town of Ticonderoga
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 22 at 4:10 p.m., Forest Ranger Kabrehl responded to a call for two hikers who became lost on the Grizzle Ocean Mountain trail and were running out of water. The 43- and 15-year-old hikers from Buskirk were planning to hike the big loop to Pharaoh Lake and back to the Putnam Pond Campground. The hikers made it to Pharaoh Lake and headed toward Grizzle Ocean, but lost the trail near Wolf Pond. The subjects mistakenly thought they were in the Grizzle Ocean outlet and hiked upstream to find the trail. When they became exhausted and dehydrated, they called 911. Ranger Kabrehl found the subjects at 7 p.m., provided water, and helped the pair back to the campground. Resources were clear at 9 p.m.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On July 24 at 7:40 p.m., Forest Ranger Mecus found an injured hiker on the way down Mount Marcy. The 27-year-old from Ballston Lake became separated from her family at the summit and took a wrong turn at the Phelps junction. The hiker fell in a drainage and hurt her leg. Ranger Mecus bandaged the injury and helped the subject to the Johns Brook outpost. At 10:40 p.m., Ranger Lewis arrived and assisted the hiker to the Garden trailhead. At 12:10 a.m., the hiker was reunited with her family. Read more »

From the North Country Chamber of Commerce

Important update! Did you decide not to apply for a grant because of the requirement to show positive net profit in 2019? That requirement has been lifted, so you may now be eligible. Visit nysmallbusinessrecovery.com to apply today!

Your business no longer has to demonstrate positive net profit in 2019 to be eligible for a grant up to $50,000. Haven’t applied yet? Visit nysmallbusinessrecovery.com today!

There’s still funding available, and requirements have been updated to make more businesses eligible! If you didn’t apply before, there’s still time. Visit nysmallbusinessrecovery.com today!

Applications are still being accepted AND more businesses are eligible for grants! Your business no longer has to demonstrate positive net profit in 2019 to be eligible for a grant up to $50,000. Apply at nysmallbusinessrecovery.com today!

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanack story 

The Clinton County Historical Association Announces

“Clinton County’s Civil War Soldiers”

Tuesday, August 9^th, 6:30 pm

Lake Forest Senior Living Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh

Back by popular demand, Julie Dowd will present stories and pictures of our County’s Civil War veterans.  Many Clinton County residents are descended from the over 5,000 men who enlisted here for the Civil War. Her presentation will show how you can use free online resources to find your own Civil War ancestors. 

For the last four years, Julie has been adding vignettes of Civil War veterans daily to the Clinton County Historical Association’s Facebook page – Clinton County, NY, Civil War Record – 1861 to 1865. Learn more about our soldiers who mustered at the Plattsburgh Barracks and other places and how they participated in all theatres of the War of the Rebellion.

The event is free and open to the public.

The Clinton County Historical Association Announces:

“Sunday on Valcour Island” featuring Tours of the Historic Bluff Point Lighthouse, Sunday, August 21, 2022.

Transportation leaving every 20 minutes from 9:20 am to 1:20 pm Peru Dock, 3930 State Route 9, Plattsburgh, $30 per person 

The public is invited to join the Clinton County Historical Association (CCHA) on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at the Peru Dock for the opportunity to visit the historic Bluff Point Lighthouse on Valcour Island.  Round trip transportation will be provided for $30 per person.  The fee will include a trail guide and George Clifford’s book on Lake Champlain Lighthouses. Special lighthouse T-Shirts and ornaments will also be on sale that day.  The boat, which holds 4-5 people per trip, will begin shuttling at 9:20 am, with trips to the island every 20 minutes.  The Lighthouse will close at 2:45 pm and all visitors to the Island must return by 3 pm.  In the event of wind or thunderstorms, the tour will be canceled, and refunds will be offered. 

Pre-Registration, payment and scheduling departure times must be done in advance to guarantee a spot on the boat.  Once on the island, a Docent will be available for tours of the Lighthouse. Participants must be aware that the trip requires the physical ability to debark and board from the Island’s natural landing, walk on uneven surfaces over rough terrain and climb stairs.  The Island is also famous for poison ivy and poison parsnip plants.  An adult must accompany anyone under the age of 12 and those under 16 must bring and wear their life jackets.  Individuals may bring a picnic lunch to enjoy while on the island and must carry out what they carry in.  

Visitors to the Lighthouse will view displays depicting the history of Lake Champlain Lighthouses, Lake Champlain’s Military History, the 20^th Century Camps on Valcour Island and the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper. Visitors may climb to the Lantern Room to see the functioning light and the outstanding view it offers.

For more information and to register your spot, please call the Clinton County Historical Association at (518) 561-0340.  Information about the Lighthouse can be found on Facebook or the Museum’s website.

Editors Note – This was originally scheduled for August 7 but had to be rescheduled to August 21.