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Fr. Scott Seymour is pastor of St. James Church in Cadyville, St Alexander’s Church in Morrisonville, and St. Augustine’s Church in Peru. At today’s Peru VFW Post 309 Memorial Day Service he talked about the importance of “remembering” and he related a meaningful family story. Five minutes long.
Post 309 honored our fallen war heroes, prisoners of war and missing in action, its deceased members, and World War II – Korean War Veteran Curtis Banker, celebrating his 99th birthday today. Rev. Scott Seymour was the guest speaker.
Clinton County American Legion Commander Joe Patnode
The official groundbreaking on May 26, 2023.
A large number of people turned out for the groundbreaking.
By John T. Ryan
May 26, 2023 – Plattsburgh Excitement was in the air Friday as many supporters attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Battlefield Memorial Gateway. Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman told the large gathering he was so excited he had trouble sleeping the previous night. Located on Route 9 across from Clare and Carls Restaurant, the seven-acre Battlefield Memorial Gateway Park will connect what Cashman called the “triangle of history,” the mainland, Crab Island, and Valcour Island. The park’s ultimate goal is to honor our veterans and its history and to educate both residents and visitors on that history.
Local historian John Rock approached Cashman with the Gateway concept shortly after Cashman took office six years ago. Over the past five years, planning and fundraising have been taking place. Cashman praised Assemblyman Billy Jones for securing $250,000 in state monies, saying, “Without those funds, we would not be here today.” Jones referred to the park as a public-private partnership, emphasizing that more funding and “sweat equity” are needed to complete the project.
The American Legion and several local businesses have committed to the project. Clinton County American Legion Commander Joe Patnode told the gathering, “This park will be for all veterans, educating our youth, as well as many adults, including myself, on how this area was instrumental in the development of the greatest Constitutional Republic ever formed.”
Michael Cashman, Assemblyman Jones, and John Rock believe the park will attract visitors to our region. Rock stated, “I believe this will be a destination point for tourism… This is one of the most historic sites in the nation that I know of that has not been shown the honor that has taken place here and its importance in the birth of our country.” Rock noted that fifty Americans who died in the War of 1812 are buried on Crab Island. He said, “Until a flag pole was erected on the island in 2022, their names had not been displayed since September 11, 1814.”
Historian John Rock, who conceived the Gateway
Supervisor Casham directed people to where an amphitheater and playground will be constructed. He envisions teachers bringing history classes to the park.
Plans call for the park to be opened in phases to be complete for our nation’s Semiquincenntial (America 250) on July 4, 2026. Luck Brothers Construction is currently working on phase 1.
Photos of St. Augustine’s Cemetery in Peru, where members and auxiliary members of VFW Memorial Post 308 erected flags this Friday. They mark the graves of many people who have served our nation in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U. S. Marines, U.S. Coast Guard, and Space Force.
Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day (the last Monday in May), is for honoring those who have died in our nation’s wars. It originated during the Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those killed in battle.
One of the best ways to honor our fallen heroes is to visit a local cemetery this weekend. You won’t believe how many local men and women served and died in our nation’s wars. Bring your children. Since 1973, when our country introduced the volunteer military, fewer and fewer of our children know someone who died when serving our nation.
One of the many reasons people love Peru is that our little community has so many things to offer. This time of year it’s fruits, flowers, plants and fresh vegetables like asparagus. Here are some things Northern Orchard Farm Stand on Union Road is offering this weekend.
You can help Champlain Area Trails (CATS) develop its first trail system in Peru on Saturday, June 10, from 9 am to 1:00 pm. The CATS “2nd Saturday-of-the-Month Trail Project” will continue making the eight-mile network of Allen Hill Trails that features incredible views from Huckleberry Hill, gurgling brooks by Bennett Hill, waterfalls on the Reverend York Trail, and pleasant walks on wonderful old roads. We will clear a new trail, “Sue’s Trail,” which winds along Caldwell Brook.
CATS will bring tools and suggests you bring loppers and/or hand saws. It’s helpful to let CATS know you plan to come, so email info@champlainareatrails.com or call (518) 962-2287. Calls or texts on Saturday morning should go to 518-637-8365.
Volunteers will meet on the road in front of the Peru Rod & Gun Club at 136 Rod and Gun Club Rd in Peru at 9 am on Saturday.
Directions: Take Exit 35 on the Northway and drive west .6 miles into the village of Peru. At the first light, turn left on Route 22. Go 1.8 miles and turn right on Davern Road. Go 2.1 miles and turn left on River Road. Go 2.4 miles and turn left on Allen Hill Road. Go 0.6 miles and turn right on Rod & Gun Club Road. Proceed 0.7 miles to the meeting point. From there, vehicles with high clearance will continue straight another 0.5 miles to the trailhead.
Peru K of C Grand Knight Cormac O’Callaghan and JCEO Outreach Coordinator April Wright
May 25, 2023, Peru – Charity is the first principle of the Knights of Columbus; therefore, thousands of local councils conduct many programs supporting that principle. For example, each year, St. Augustine’s Knight of Columbus Council 7273 directs part of its charitable efforts to the Peru JCEO Outreach Food Shelf by conducting a “40 Cans For Lent” program at St. Augustine’s Church and making a monetary donation.
As they have done yearly, St. Augustine’s parishioners responded to the Knights’ call for help. During Lent’s 40 days, they brought 1,220 pounds of food to the church, which the Knights took to the Town Hall Outreach Center each Monday. Then Council Grand Knight Cormac O’Callaghan delivered a $500 check to Outreach Coordinator April Wright. When April runs short of specific food items, she’ll have funds to purchase them locally.
The Peru Knights conduct raffles and dinners to raise money for their charitable donations. They’re grateful to the many St. Augustine’s parishioners, local and area residents who support their efforts.
CVPH program supplies blood, and blood products to hospitals across our region
PLATTSBURGH, NY (5/25/2023) –The Adirondack Regional Blood Center, a program of the University of Vermont Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), is conducting several community blood drives this month as part of its mission to ensure an adequate blood supply for the region.
The following is the June schedule of blood drives open to the public:
Thursday, June 1, Fort Covington Adult Center, 2 to 5 p.m.
Friday, June 2, Clinton County Government Center, first-floor meeting room, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Monday, June 5, St. Augustine Parish Center, 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 6, Malone Fire Department, 2 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, June 7, Massena Village Center, Noon to 3 p.m.
Thursday, June 8, Mooers Fire Department, 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Friday, June 9, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, Clinton County Fair Grounds, 5 to 8 p.m.
Tuesday, June 13, St. Lawrence County Human Services Center, Canton, Noon to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, June 14, Bloomingdale Fire Department, co-sponsored by Knights of Columbus, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 15, Beekmantown Fire Department, 4 to 7 p.m.
Monday, June 19, Keene Fire Department, 3 to 6 p.m.
Tuesday, June 20, Ellenburg Knights of Columbus, 4 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 22, Long Lake Town Hall, Noon to 3 p.m.
Monday, June 26, Adirondack Medical Center, Saranac Lake, Noon to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, June 27, Chateaugay American Legion, 4 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, June 28, Cumberland 12 Cinemas, 4 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, June 29, Clinton County Advocacy and Resource Center, New York Road, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Walk-ins are also welcome at the Adirondack Regional Donor Center, located at 85 Plaza Blvd, and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blood collected by the Adirondack Regional Blood Center stays in the North Country, helping hundreds of people in this region. Its success rests on the generosity of donors and sponsors.
A donor card or another form of identification is required to give. Learn more about the Adirondack Regional Blood Center, giving blood and becoming a sponsor at UVMHealth.org/GiveBlood or call (518) 562-7406.
May 25, 2023 – From the North Country Chamber of Commerce – The New York State Labor Dept. has released seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates for April, showing some area counties approaching record lows and most outperforming the statewide figure of 4%. The unemployment percentages for April 2023 are as follows: