The Peru Gazette

Clinton County, September 2, 2022. In April, the Clinton County Health Department’s Eat Smart Waste Less, Clinton County (ESWL) partnered with Casella Waste Management at the Clinton County Solid Waste & Recycling Facility to provide green cone solar digesters to county residents at a reduced rate. The Earth Day sale proved successful and resulted in a waitlist of over 100 eager residents. ESWL was able to purchase additional green cone solar digesters and they are now available for purchase. 

By using the sun’s energy and tapping into the surrounding micro-organisms, solar digesters provide a low-maintenance, space-sensitive alternative to traditional food scraps recycling options, like composting. The solar-heated unit safely eliminates cooked and uncooked food waste, including items your backyard composter can’t handle such as meat, fish, bones, and dairy products. For more information, visit www.greenconeusa.com. 

Green cone solar digesters will be available at a reduced cost of $50 beginning on Tuesday, September 6th, 2022 at the Schuyler Falls Convenience Station, 404 Sand Road, Morrisonville, NY 12962. All funds collected from the sale will be used to purchase additional digesters to sell to the public at a discounted rate. 

Convenience Station hours are: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 am – 4 pm and Wednesdays and Fridays from 12 pm to 4 pm. Cash or personal checks will be accepted for payment. Supplies are limited. 

ESWL is an initiative to reduce food waste and is supported through funding from the Environmental Protection Fund administered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (9/2/2022) – Tickets are on sale for The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) “Stepping out for Your Heart” fundraiser. The eighth annual event is scheduled for Thursday, September 22 at the West Side Ballroom.

Each year, guests dressed in red attire come together for a special evening dedicated to raising funds and awareness to end heart disease and stroke for all women. Live and silent auctions, education and a heart-healthy dinner are just some of the main attractions in store for attendees.

“A healthy heart is always in style,” The Foundation Events and Special Projects Manager Michelle Senecal pointed out. “Year after year, community members step out to support the women of the North Country. You can truly learn something that may save your life or the life of a family member, friend or neighbor. At the same time, it’s a great way to help CVPH continue providing the excellent care our cardiology patients need.”

The event features two breakout education sessions to choose from:

• Chair Yoga and Focused Breathing with Jess Bouharevich from White Rainbow Farm.
• Fat and Fiber in Your Diet with Registered Dietician Marla Given.

Attendees will also hear from Teresa Frederick of West Chazy. The 53-year-old, who considers herself fit and active for her age, was shocked when she learned that she had congestive heart failure following a routine physical.

“It just was extremely scary. It scared my husband, who I’ve been with for almost 37 years, just as bad and he said, ‘I can’t lose you.’ But he’s been by my side through this whole thing. And the Cardiology team at CVPH has been amazing, making me feel like I am their most important patient whenever I’m there. The women in Cardiac Rehabilitation are the ones who inspired me to talk at the event,” Frederick offered.

Frederick will be sharing her story during the event, including what she has learned about her experience with congestive heart failure, and how speaking to your Primary Care Provider about symptoms you may be experiencing, like significant fatigue and shortness of breath, could save your life.

This year’s keynote speaker is University of Vermont Health Network-CVPH Chief of Psychology and Assistant Medical Director Aron Steward, PhD. Dr. Steward also has a private practice, ReallyBeU Health & Wellness, which focuses on trauma recovery, and she is a RISE Consultant for the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. She will be discussing stress, mental well-being and your heart.

Tickets for “Stepping out for Your Heart” cost $65 each. There is a special senior citizen price (65 and older) of $50 each. Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.uvmhealth.org/cvphheart. Proceeds from the event will benefit the CVPH Heart Center and will directly impact the care of cardiology patients in the North Country. Last year’s fundraiser, which was held virtually, brought in $30,000.

For more information, contact Michelle Senecal at (518) 314-3359 or email her at msenecal@cvph.org.

The Cannabis Control Board will be reviewing its first retail applications next week

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Stewart’s Shops proudly announces its milk has been named the best in New York State, by Cornell University Department of Food Science. The award was presented on Dairy Day, September 1st, at the New York State Fair in Syracuse, NY. The recognition is part of Cornell’s New York State Milk Quality Improvement Program.

Cornell University collected samples from New York State plants in October and May. The samples of whole milk, 2%, 1%, and fat-free milk were scored on various criteria, including best flavor. Milk samples are judged on microbial analyses, fat determination, freezing point and flavor. Stewart’s Shops proudly took top honors in the milk category.

According to Stewart’s Shops president, Gary Dake, “My grandfather and his brother started this business as a dairy company over 100 years ago. We take great pride in the quality of our dairy products and providing fresh and local milk to our customers. This award would not be possible without our hard-working dairy farmers and experienced dairy team.”

Travis Smith of Smith Dairy LLC is a 3rd generation dairy producer and supplies milk to Stewart’s Shops. He says, “We work hard to produce a great product. This award validates everything we do every day on the farm. We focus on cleanliness which is a top priority when getting the best quality milk. I am proud to be a dairy producer for Stewart’s Shops. I love that our milk stays local and feeds my neighbors and my family.”

Stewart’s works with 20 local dairy farms to source raw milk. They pick up the milk daily, process and bottle it themselves at their manufacturing plant in Greenfield, NY to ensure the highest standards of quality.

To celebrate this award, Stewart’s Shops is giving out double punches on Milk Club Cards from Monday, September 5^th to Sunday, September 11^th! Customers will get 1 punch for every half gallon they buy, and two punches for every gallon! And it’s not just milk – Stewart’s half gallon juices and Refresher’s count, too! 10 punches earn a FREE ½ gallon of milk, juice, or drink or ½ priced gallon of milk!

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Sixty-five-year-old man gets bird’s-eye view of the High Peaks

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Retiring SLCSD teacher hands classroom off to her daughter

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Union leaders and families stood unified Aug. 31 calling for a repeal of HALT

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The union says staffing plays a big challenge in putting a new safety plan in place

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Clinton County Historical Association article follows: ‘A treasure in our midst’
Nestled in the hills of West Peru, called “the Patent,” with its small yet sturdy steeple prominent among the trees, lies St. Patrick’s Church. Solemnly beside the Church, amid a park-like setting with fourteen Stations of the Cross, is a Shrine to the founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini. The late Gordie Little from Hometown Cable described this Shrine as a “spiritual spot.” Many people have found it so and have left mementos for the spiritual gifts they experienced when visiting. The shrine was dedicated in 1947, just one year after Mother Cabrini was canonized by Pope Pius XII. She was the first saint with American citizenship. Much has been written about Mother Cabrini, the Italian-born Catholic nun, who Pope Leo XIII directed to go west instead of east. She left her mark in New York City and Chicago, and many communities in the United States, Europe and South America can claim her influence. As it happens, St. Patrick’s church in the Peru Patent became the site of one of the first shrines dedicated in remembrance of her, and it was her first shrine in Northern New York.
The story of St. Patrick’s Church begins in the 1840’s with the small Irish community that settled west of Peru village to farm and work in the mills and iron mines. The church itself went through many openings and closings and upgrades through the years, all supported by the local parishioners and their resolute priests. Descendants of these families are still in the area, families who worshipped and worked to keep the small church as a focal point for baptisms, weddings, funerals, and celebrations. The names of those original families are inscribed on the church bell.
In 1945, Father Harold McCabe was assigned as pastor to St. Patrick’s Church, which was a mission of the St. Catherine’s parish in Clintonville. Born in Port Henry and assigned over the years to a number of parishes in various areas of Clinton, Essex and St. Lawrence Counties, he was, according to the Plattsburgh Press Republican, “well known around Northern New York as an able speaker.” Father McCabe had his own radio show and was particularly devoted to Mother Cabrini. Educated at the Wadhams Hall in Ogdensburg and St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto, Canada, he was ordained in 1936. Under his direction and with his encouragement, the local parishioners of St. Patrick’s made plans for the creation of the Shrine, raised the necessary funds, gathered the stones for the grotto, and hired local stonemason and carpenter Phillip Duprey to build the Shrine. Michael Langlois in the North Country Catholic noted that Phillip Duprey was second generation French-Canadian, constructing a shrine for an Italian born saint, beside a church built by Irish immigrants. As fitting with our story, Mother Cabrini would later be designated as patroness of immigrants. Mr. Duprey would go on to build the fourteen Stations of the Cross which dot the setting and were at the time the only outdoor Stations of the Cross in the North Country. Photos of Father McCabe and Phillip Duprey are in the shrine’s enclosure. Phillip Duprey is buried in the cemetery behind the church.
Father McCabe was known as the founder of the shrine and later as director of the shrine and through his efforts the shrine attracted thousands of visitors from the United States and Canada. He held services at the Shrine regularly until he was transferred in 1955.
Today, the quiet setting that Gordie Little visited in 2012 would still enchant him, would still have that spectacular scenery, and possess the “magic” he felt, and would still be on his list of special places. The grounds include trails, a pond, and a cemetery and are handicapped accessible. The area is special because of the generations of friends and parishioners who worked over the years to keep the church open and expand the surroundings. All are welcome at the Mother Cabrini Shrine on the hill in West Peru on 51 Patent Road.
Thank you to Deacon James Crowley, John Ryan, Hometown Cable, and Joyce Lucia-Kolb for sharing their information with CCHA.
Received January 28, 2022

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Numerous roads closed in Moriah, Westport, Essex and Crown Point

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By John T. Ryan 

Peru – The Peru Town Board appointed Kristen Marino as Interim Recreation Director at its August 22, 2022, board meeting. Marino will hold the position until the board hires a replacement for retired Recreation Director John Flynn. Marino previously served as assistant recreation director. She told the board she is a certified coach for modified softball ball and track and has coached varsity track and gymnastics. Marino said she doesn’t anticipate any children being on a waiting list for fall sports. There will not be an opening day event; instead, there will be a final day event and a moving-up ceremony. Thus far, 352 children have signed up for the fall soccer program. 

New York State imposed a 2023 budget 2% tax cap for all municipalities. Noting that Peru, especially the highway department, is encountering increased expenses, Supervisor Brandy McDonald explained why a local law permitting the town to exceed the tax cap is necessary. He said, “We have no intention of exceeding the cap, but a law has to be in place now, not later. We’d rather be safe than sorry. We want to be safe with everything going on, highway department expenses, and a double-digit health insurance increase (13% to 15%).” The board scheduled a public hearing regarding the local law for September 26 at 5:45 p.m. McDonald emphasized the board would not make a final decision on exceeding the tax cap until its annual budget meeting. Last year that meeting was held in mid-November. 

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell asked town attorney Matt Favro to engage NYS DOT and the Peru Central School regarding water drainage issues in the vicinity of the Pleasant Street school entrance road. Heavy rain runoff from school property and NYS Route 22B adversely impacts several Elm Street residents. School property and state highway water runoff enters drainage lines and flows down a hill to Elm Street. Favro stated that the school and state are causing the problem; therefore, NYS DOT and Peru Central School, not the Town of Peru, should resolve the issue. 

Supervisor McDonald reported that Clinton County officials reviewed the town’s recent stage construction at Heyworth Mason Park. They concluded that the town had not violated any NYS flood plain regulations. 

In other actions, the board: 

Accepted a $25,550 bid from Granite State De-icing Supply of Merrimack, NH, for highway department salt brine application equipment. There was only one bidder. 

Approved Christopher Malin’s resignation from the Water-Sewer-Parks Department. Malin accepted a similar job with the City of Plattsburgh, where employees reportedly earn higher hourly wages and have more potential for pay growth. 

Approved a Sunday, September 4, See 3 Band concert at Heyworth Mason Park. There will be a bonus concert next Sunday, Sept. 4 from 5 to 7 pm (earlier due
to darkness).  The band canceled a previous concert due to a family illness.