The Peru Gazette

WESTPORT, NY – Champlain Area Trails (CATS), an accredited land trust founded in 2009, is dedicated to creating and maintaining trails, protecting land, connecting people with nature, and promoting economic vitality in the Champlain Valley. With over 100 miles of trails, 3,000 acres of protected land, and hundreds of hikes, outdoor education outings, and volunteer events annually, CATS is expanding their outdoor programming and partnering with local schools to help children experience the outdoors.

“Our mission has always been to make the Champlain Valley more accessible and enjoyable for everyone and all ages,” said Chris Maron, Executive Director of CATS. “By creating family-focused programs and events, we can inspire the next generation to appreciate and protect our natural resources.”

One such program is a partnership with the Boquet Valley School District, where CATS partners on outdoor education activities to help students connect with nature. Through hands-on learning experiences, children discover the benefits of physical activity, mental wellness, and social connections from spending time in the great outdoors.

CATS is hosting a special early evening walk on Saturday, November 16, at 6:00 p.m. at Black Kettle Farm Trail in Essex in collaboration with the Lakeside School. All families from various schools are invited to join this event, which promotes family inclusivity and welcomes participants of all ages. Participants can join a guided night walk to listen for owls and other nocturnal wildlife, plus learn about how our vision works in the dark. The event encourages families and people of all ages to explore the trails, appreciate the natural beauty of the Champlain Valley, and promote physical activity and mental well-being.

“Connecting children with nature at a young age can have a profound and lasting impact,” added Torey Patenaude, Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at CATS. “By providing these engaging and educational experiences, we’re inspiring a lifelong love of the outdoors and a commitment to environmental stewardship.”

For more information about CATS and its upcoming family events, please visit www.champlainareatrails.com or call 518-962-2287(CATS).

Ostomy Department web shoot (employees pictured) at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital University of Vermont Health Network.

Meetings aim to help patients feeling isolated (CVPH photo and news release) 

 PLATTSBURGH, NY (11/11/2024)—Ostomy care can lead to many difficult questions for patients and their family members. University of Vermont Health Network—Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital aims to address that by offering a new support group. The first meeting will occur on Thursday, November 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital’s auditorium.

People may need an ostomy when their bodies are unable to properly eliminate waste. This can be due to a number of reasons, including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, injury to the small or large intestine, and diverticular disease. The surgical procedure creates an opening in the body to collect waste in a removable pouch worn on the outside of the body.

Deborah Frank, RN, a wound ostomy nurse at CVPH, says some patients have a hard time after the procedure and may isolate themselves.

“Adjusting to life with an ostomy bag is not easy. Patients may feel embarrassed to be around others or worried about what kind of activities they can do. Anxiety, depression, body image issues and low self-esteem are some of the common mental disorders we see these folks struggle with. It can also be stressful for the patient’s loved ones, who may not know how best to help or care for them,” Frank explains.

That is why she and fellow nurse Tori Trim, RN, are starting the support group.

“We don’t want people to feel like they have to do this alone. They can come to this group, get their questions answered, and know that they are surrounded by others going through the same experiences. We hope that by connecting, they’ll realize they can still live a happy and full life,” Frank says.

The meeting is free to attend, and no registration is required. It is open to anyone who has received care for an ostomy, regardless of where they received it. Loved ones are also invited.

Money will be used to renovate sidewalks and install new lights

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Reactions from the 21st Congressional roll in after formal nomination and acceptance Nov. 11

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1977 newlyweds

Bonny and Jimmy this morning, just before they left for the Veterans Day Service and American Heroes Flagpole Presentation at the U.S. Oval.

By John T Ryan

Peru, NY—On October 27, many veterans, family members, and friends gathered to witness Danny Kaifetz present James “Jimmy” Devan with an American Heroes Foundation Flagpole. Some people who read the Peru Gazette’s flag presentation story must have wondered what Jimmy Devan’s life has been like since returning home from Vietnam. In January 1968, as a member of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, a booby-trap explosion destroyed his eyesight (100%) and left him with a shrapnel-laden body.

Jimmy returned to his hometown, Cadyville, NY, about a year after being wounded. He explained, “In 1968, wounded vets flooded many military hospitals. They put me in hospitals in Alaska, Illinois, Long Island, and even in Walter Reed. I finally ended up at the St. Albans VA hospital in Albany.” Next, he went to the VA Blind Rehabilitation Center in West Haven, Connecticut, to learn braille and how to use a cane. The final stop was in New Jersey for pairing with a seeing-eye dog. Today, many people know Jimmy as the tall man accompanied by his seeing-eye door Ryder walking a daily 3.5-mile route along Route 22B, Mason Street, and Salmon River Road. Jimmy remarked, “Sometimes in the mall, people say to me, “Hey Jimmy, I’m the person who tooted at you this morning.”

Jimmy’s wife, Bonny Lamar Devan, grew up on Route 22B in Peru, near where the couple lives today. Bonny’s sister Millie happened to live next door to Jimmy in Cadyville, so Bonny knew Jimmy before he volunteered for the Marine Corps. She was in high school when he returned home but would visit Jimmy. They talked, laughed a lot, and eventually fell in love. They tied the knot in 1977 at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru. Bonny was 23, and Jimmy was 28.

Have there been difficult moments, given the extent of Jimmy’s injuries? Bonny responded, “I don’t think there has been. We get along 99% of the time. Every once in a while, we don’t agree, but who doesn’t? There’s nothing I regret. He’s been a good supporter.” Part of that support includes doing the dishes and vacuuming the couple’s home. Bonny was a secretary and teachers’ assistant at Peru Central for 25 years, retiring in 2008. She took time off during those years to have two children, Sharon and Jamie. Today, Jimmy and Bonny babysit Sharon’s 2/1/2-year-old daughter while she teaches at Peru Central.

Jimmy’s blindness didn’t stop him from working for the Clinton Coal Company for about ten years. Jimmy recalled, “My father was a plumber at Dannemora Prison. I learned how to cut boiler pipe, which I did at Clinton Coal Company.” War injuries didn’t impact his hearing. He commented, “We attend the SUNY Plattsburgh hockey games. I listen to the games on WIRY. On Saturday nights at Airborne Park, I listen to the races on the park’s short-range radio system.” Bonny didn’t say if she enjoyed the races, but she said, “Airborne Park has great food, too, especially the burgers, fried dough, sausage, and green peppers!” Jimmy also enjoys audiobooks, especially Westerns and history.

As you talk to Jimmy and Bonny, you can’t help but conclude that friendly people have had much to do with Jimmy Devan’s life. Jimmy recalled that last year, on Veterans Day in Plattsburgh, a man walked up and gave him a beautiful 1st Battalion, 7th Marines lapel pin and a young woman named Shauna Ratigan hollered across the mall parking lot, “Thank you for being a veteran.” Jimmy said, “People couldn’t be any nicer.”

Over the past few years, American Legion Post 1619 in West Plattsburgh has also been a big part of Jimmy and Bonny’s lives. Jimmy said, “I’m not big on fanfare, but when I walk into the Legion, the bartenders say,’ Hi’ right away or ‘Happy Tuesday.’” A Post 1619 Honor Guard participated in the flagpole presentation; its choir sang, and many members attended. Bonny is an Auxiliary member and sings in the Legion’s choir.

Last year, Jimmy flew to Washington, D.C., on North Country Honor Flight #51. Since then, he and Bonnie have tried to attend all the Send-Off Ceremonies. Jimmy said, “Many people were there to see me off, so we think we should be there.”

During our conversation, Jimmy Devan expressed his positive attitude, saying, “What choice do you have, move on or just give up?” Or, as he learned at Marine Corps training at Parris Island, “The possible you do today, the impossible takes just a little bit longer.” That attitude, combined with so much support from his wife Bonny, his daughters Sharon and Jamie, friends, and fellow veterans, means a happy life for James “Jimmy” Devan.

Editor’s Note: Jimmy returned from Vietnam in 1968, not 1969 as originally stated. Corrected 11/17/24

1st graders sang patriotic songs and gave speeches about the history of each branch of the military

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Pork Loin

Potatoes 

Vegetable 

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!

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);

5. MOTION:  Acceptance of Minutes for the Regular Meeting of October 28, 2024, and Public Hearing of November 4, 2024.

6. Community Input. 

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve Final Payment for Retainage on Cook Rd. Project.
8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Accept Layer Eight Proposal for Camera Replacement for Highway Garage.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION: Acceptance of Portion of Washington St. Roadway described as Orchard View, Phase II as shown on map and Lot 23 – Storm Water Detention Area.

10. DISCUSSION:  Other Business.

11. DISCUSSION:  Department Head Comments.

12. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

13. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay October/November 2024 Bills.

14. MOTION:  Adjourn to Executive Session.

15. MOTION:  Return from Executive Session. 

16. MOTION: Adjourn Meeting.

Described as “the Assembly’s Ambassador to Canada”

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County voters approve NYS Prop One

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The Town of Peru Town Board has scheduled a Workshop for Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 4:00 PM. The workshop will discuss the wastewater treatment project and will take place at the Peru Town Hall.

Click here for the Clinton County Board of Elections Totals 

President of the United States
Kamala Harris & Tim Waltz – 896
Donald Trump & JD Vance – 1,276
Write-ins – 17

United States Senator
Kristin Gillibrand – 954
Michael Sapraicone – 1,474
Diane Sare – 3
Write-ins – 3

Representative 21st District in Congress
Paula Collins – 1,151
Elise Stefanik – 1,313
Write-ins – 3

Equal Rights Proposition
Yes – 1,107
No 1,048

These totals do not include:
177 – Early Vote Mail-Ins
223 Absentee Votes
783 Early Vote
Total 1,183
(23.6% of Peru’s 5,007 Active Voters)

Jim will walk out his office door into retirement on December 31.

By John T Ryan

November 5, 2024, Peru, NY – One of Peru’s most visible and long-standing businesses will change hands at the end of this year. Langley Insurance Agency owner James Langley Jr. is retiring on December 31, 2024, and Troy Shepherd will become the agency’s new owner. Shepherd, the owner of the MLM Insurance Agency in Westport, brings ten years of industry experience and advanced technology skills to the business. With 30 years of industry experience, Grace Bechard will conduct day-to-day operations in Peru. The Agency’s name will not change.

At age 65, Jim Langley says it’s time to retire. “I plan to spend more time with my family and travel. My wife Tammy will be joining me. She’s retiring next July.”

A few days ago, the Langleys purchased a home in Cohoes, NY, near Latham, where their daughter Tiffany and her husband Chad and grandchildren Payton and Jackson live. Jim and Tammy also plan to spend several months at their Chazy Lake camp each year. They’ll be close by son Tyler, his wife Elora, and their kids Silas and Elowyn, who live in Peru.

Jim Langley is well-known in at least two circles—insurance and community service. After graduating from Canton ATC in 1980, he worked for ten years in his father’s insurance agency, J. Langley Associates. In 1990, Langley bought the Ross E. Clark Agency on Mannix Road, and in 2006, he opened his new building along Bear Swamp Road at 5 Davey Drive, opposite the Peru Post Office.

Langley loves his chosen profession. He commented, “I’ve never considered this to be work. I enjoy meeting people and learning about their lives. I’ve never had to advertise. I visit people’s homes and businesses. I learned that from Barbara Thew at the Ross E. Clark Agency. We treat people here like extended family.”

Thinking about memories of living in Peru, Jim commented, “Peru is a very accepting community. There’s a village with everything a family needs. Peru Central is great for the kids; our kids loved it. Thanks to my wife Tammy and her family, we are proud to say our children were the fourth-generation graduates of Peru Central, and one day, I expect our grandchildren Silas and Elowyn will be the fifth.”

Langley always found time to serve his community. His service included assisting in coaching basketball, soccer, and baseball and being a member of the Community Bank Advisory Board. He was a member of the Peru and County Planning Boards, the Peru Town Board, and the Clinton County Legislature (1999-2015) until a new law term-limited him out of office. From 2001 to 2013, he was the Legislature’s Chairman, where many people praised his ability to bring people together to accomplish positive change.

Two of those changes serve thousands of people – relocating the county airport from Route 3 to its current location on the former airbase and the Cumberland Head connector road to and from the ferry. Under his leadership, the county acquired millions of dollars in federal and state funding for both projects by working directly with the agencies involved. Locally, Jim worked with the NYS Department of Transportation to redesign a hazardous Route 22B—River Road intersection.

Langley summarized his feelings: “I have served my community in many ways over the years. I’m proud of being a Peruvian and the community that has accepted me for the past 35 years.”