The Peru Gazette

The Peru Federal Credit Union is now the Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union. The name change emphases that Mountain Valley now serves anyone who lives, works, worships, attends school or volunteers in both Clinton or Essex Counties. Soon a Wilmington branch will join the branches in Peru, Au Sable Forks and Keeseville.

Awardees Recognized for Extraordinary Service to Improve DEC Facilities and Enhance New York’s Natural Resources

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced the first recipients of the inaugural Stewardship Appreciation Awards. The award recognizes outstanding contributions of volunteers and partner organizations in stewardship, promotion, and maintenance of state lands, waters, and DEC facilities.

The announcement was made during the Department of Environmental Conservation’s week-long celebration of Earth Day 2021.

DEC Commissioner Seggos said, “With nearly five million acres of land and hundreds of buildings and facilities, DEC works hand-in-hand with our dedicated partners and volunteers to keep these special places welcoming and accessible for the visitors who enjoy them each year. Whether New Yorkers are hiking, paddling, fishing, birdwatching, or just appreciating our natural resources, more often than not there’s a partner or a volunteer helping to make that experience more meaningful. As New Yorkers continue to seek refuge on our public lands during the COVID-19 pandemic, our partners are more important than ever. My sincere thanks and congratulations to all of the winners of DEC’s first-ever Stewardship Appreciation Awards.”

The Stewardship Appreciation Awards were launched in 2020 to recognize not-for-profit organizations, individuals, educational institutions, and municipalities that have formal agreements with DEC. This year’s winners were chosen for their commitment to stewardship, promotion of environmental education, and creativity in programming. The 2020 winners are:

Stony Kill Foundation – Public Engagement Award

In 2017, Stony Kill Foundation launched a new collaboration with San Miguel Academy of Newburgh that bridges the Foundation’s hands-on farming and environmental education programs with San Miguel Academy’s mission to educate and inspire City of Newburgh youth, so they may break the cycle of poverty and achieve new potential. Every two weeks, San Miguel students spend time at Stony Kill Farm with the Foundation’s educators, helping raise lambs, tapping maple trees, incubating chickens, and participating in a wide range of immersive projects that encourage students’ curiosity and confidence and foster a closer connection to the working farm, its fields, and forests.

Students participate in hands-on learning at Stony Kill Farm

Adirondack 46ers – Natural Resources Steward

From its 46ers Trail Crew to Outdoor Skills Workshops, the 46ers collaborate with DEC to steward state lands and educate the recreating public. In 2017, the 46ers started a Trailhead Steward Initiative held on summer and fall weekends to help educate hikers heading up Cascade Mountain about Leave No Trace principles, proper gear, waste disposal, and general DEC guidelines. Over the course of a season, the completely volunteer-run Trailhead Steward Initiative interacts with more than 13,000 hikers. Other recent projects include the relocation of the Mt. Van Hoevenberg lean-to and rock and gravel work at the bridge over Santanoni Brook.

Adirondack 46ers trailhead steward program,
courtesy of Adirondack 46ers

Mike Medvesky (Friends of Five Rivers) – Natural Resources Volunteer

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North Country native Kathryn Sloat “whose harp playing evoked the angels” (Brooklyn Discovery), is known for her work in opera, Broadway, orchestra, and contemporary chamber music in New York City and throughout the United States. Her program has a nocturnal theme. The one-hour concert (without intermission) will finish just as night begins to fall – how poetic! Among the mix of classical, contemporary, and popular works are Debussy’s “Clair de lune,” Glinka’s “Nocturne,” Salzedo’s “Chanson dans la Nuit,” and Henry Mancini’s “Moon River,” Optional fundraising dinner before music; dessert for all afterwards.

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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.

Town of Dannemora
Clinton County
Law Enforcement Action: On April 16 at 12 p.m., Forest Ranger Booth overheard New York State Police emergency radio traffic advising of a domestic situation involving a loaded firearm. Ranger Booth responded to the location, and once on scene, quickly sized up the situation. From a position of cover, the Ranger encouraged the male subject, who had access to a loaded firearm, to calmy come outside. After complying with Ranger Booth’s request, the unarmed subject was taken into custody and turned over to the State Police.

Town of Keene
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 17 at 3:15 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch Center received a call regarding a hiker with a possible broken ankle on Blake Mountain in the High Peaks Wilderness Area. After consulting with Forest Ranger Captain Kostoss and based on the injury, location, and amount of daylight left, Forest Rangers Praczkajlo and Lewis requested New York State Police Aviation assistance to conduct a helicopter hoist operation. With Ranger Balerno as Crew Chief, Rangers O’Connor and Lewis were inserted near the summit of the mountain. From there, the Rangers quickly located the 61-year-old subject from Johnstown. The woman was safely hoisted out and flown to a local hospital for medical treatment. Rangers then escorted the remaining members of the hiking party out of the wilderness. All Rangers and hikers were clear of the incident at 8:30 p.m.

Hoist Rescue on Blake Mountain

Town of Bolton
Warren County
Wilderness Rescue: On April 17 at 7:20 p.m., DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from two lost hikers in the Tongue Mountain Range. The pair was concerned about becoming lost in the woods after dark. The hikers were still on the trail, 3.5 miles from the nearest trailhead, and an additional five miles away from their vehicle. The hikers were encouraged to continue making their way out of the woods. About an hour later, the hikers called back as one of them was having a panic attack, fearful that their cell lights wouldn’t last much longer. Forest Ranger Kabrehl responded to assist the 26-year-old women from Montgomery, NY, and Oradell, NJ. By 10:14 p.m., Ranger Kabrehl and the hikers were out of the woods.

Town of Lyonsdale
Lewis County
Wilderness Search: On April 18 at 8:34 a.m., Acting Forest Ranger Lt. Hoag received a call from DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch advising of a request from Lewis County 911 for assistance with a missing 39-year-old man from Pittsburgh, PA, in the Fowlersville area, along the Moose River. The camper missed a planned meeting with a relative on April 17, and had not been heard from since April 13. Forest Ranger Snyder responded to the scene and met with Lewis County Sheriff’s Deputies, New York State Police, and family members. Forest Rangers Hanno and Evans also responded to aid in the search, along with Forest Ranger Baldwin with a drone. Further investigation determined the man had sustained an arm injury on April 14, and he evacuated to a nearby road where he was transported to a local hospital by a passing motorist. All units were clear of the scene by 12:35 p.m.

Source: With millions in federal cash on the way, Vermont’s small towns wonder how they can spend it – VTDigger

Source: Ted Nugent sick with Covid-19, months after dismissing pandemic as scam – syracuse.com

Source: At least 300 people quarantined in Oneida County after dance competition in Syracuse – syracuse.com

Source: Update: Onondaga County restaurant gift card program sells out in five hours – syracuse.com

Source: George Floyd death: Derek Chauvin found guilty of murder, manslaughter – syracuse.com

Source: Saranac Lake Marina lawsuit presses state to study ‘overuse’

Source: Border restrictions continued through May 21 | Sun Community News CHAMPLAIN | The U.S. and Canadian governments have announced that existing restrictions on non-essential border travel have been extended to May 21.

Source: USDA extends pandemic universal free lunch waivers through school year 2021-2022 – The Washington Post

By John T. Ryan

Peru residents are very fortunate. We live in a community that is home to virtually all of life’s necessities, including several excellent eat-in and take-out restaurants. We even have two Pasquales – Pasquales Restaurant and Bar and just across the parking lot Pasquale’s Pizzeria. Scott Bazzano founded both restaurants, one with a bar and dining room. The other specializing in take-out. Today they have different owners, but they’re still local favorites. The Peru Gazette previously highlighted Pasquales Restaurant and Bar. Today we highlight Pasquales Pizzeria. 

Brad and Colby Weaver have owned Pasquales Pizzeria since 2016.  You often find them working side-by-side at the front counter: Colby taking orders while Brad tosses or decorates the restaurant’s New York Style pizzas. Brad began his working life as an electrician, but he’s been working in the foodservice industry for fifteen years. Colby has been working in restaurants since her teens. She said, “I love feeding people.  It brings me joy to bring people together to eat and enjoy each other’s company.” 

Colby describes the couple’s business as a family business catering to families. Colby means family. Two of Weaver’s three children, Nicholas and Olivia, work at the restaurant, and twelve-year-old Aiden is doing light chores. Pasquale’s Pizzeria has eleven employees, several of whom are Peru High School students. 

Most customers reside within a ten-mile radius of the restaurant’s 2937 Main St. location. Brad explained,  “We deliver in a ten-mile radius. We have many customers near both the Ausable Valley and Peru schools.” Colby added, “This is a great community. We’ve had great community support, especially through this pandemic.” 

Pasquale’s menu includes appetizers, nachos, salads, desserts, cold sandwiches, hot subs, specialty wraps, burgers and stuff, pasta, pizza, wings, specialties, and children’s items.  The Weavers also offer light catering for holiday parties and other get-togethers. 

The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday. It’s closed on Monday. Call 518-643-0791. You can often expedite your order by downloading and using the Slice app. Slice customers enjoy a 5% discount. Brad Weaver’s tablet sounds loud when a Slice order is received. 

Source: Burlington’s Flynn Theater begins to reopen for more in-person performances – VTDigger

Those who knew Kainan J. Provost of Plattsburgh described him as a kind young man who touched the hearts of the people he met.

Peru High School Graduate 

Source: Plattsburgh man dies in one-car crash | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Are marijuana and weed the same thing? Pot nicknames, explained (video) – syracuse.com

Source: New York’s huge boost for medical marijuana: Here’s what patients need to know now – syracuse.com

Source: Still no decision on 2021 New York State Fair, Cuomo says – syracuse.com

Source: Capacity limits increasing for indoor arenas, movie theaters, museums, zoos in NY – syracuse.com

Source: NY college graduation rules: Will grandma make cut? Get a Covid test, hold on to your hat – syracuse.com

ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) — New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli asked Attorney General Letitia James to launch a potential criminal investigation into whether Gov. Andrew Cuomo used state resources to write and promote his book on leadership in the COVID pandemic.

Source: Attorney General Letitia James Asked To Investigate Whether Andrew Cuomo Used State Resources To Write, Promote His Book – CBS New York