The Peru Gazette

A Hill and Hollow Music Presentation

One can always depend upon a concert by the violist Patricia McCarty to be absolutely tops. Tops, in terms of choosing music partners, selecting fascinating repertoire, communicating deep musical understanding with clarity, displaying sheer virtuosity, and radiating sincere feeling. From Bach to Keith Jarrett, McCarty’s performances on five continents have been acclaimed for her“dark tone analogous to the quality of a fine tawny port” (Strad), and “the fine blue-flamed torch of her mind” (Ottawa Citizen). Her recordings for Northeastern, ECM and Ashmont have received international accolades including “Critics’ Choice” (Gramophone) and “Selection CD” (Strad).

Ms. McCarty has assembled a string quartet of a rather unusual stripe. Instead of the customary configuration of two violins, viola, and cello, it will be a single violin, viola, and two cellos. All the players are luminaries of the classical music world. Her frequent music collaborator Arturo Delmoni will be violinist. Julia Lichten and David Geber will be the cellists. They will perform Anton Arensky’s String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 3 (1894) – arguably the most significant work written for this uncustomary ensemble. They will also give the North American premiere of Seven into Eight (2008) by the British composer John Hawkins.

The quartet will perform on Sunday, November 3 at 3:00 pm at the historic Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 in Saranac. Other featured works on the program are Beethoven’s String Trio in G major, Op. 9, No. 1 (1797) and Jean Francaix’s String Trio in C major (1933). Seating is open with a requested general donation of $15; special rates for students and seniors; children under 12 attend free. For further info please telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail hillholl@hughes.net or visit www.hillandhollowmusic.org.

More About the Players Read more »

1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION:  Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meetings of September 23, 2019.

5. 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; JCEO; and Banking Reports)

6. Community Input.

7. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Wastewater Plant Clarifier Equipment Purchase.

8. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  School House Wood Work Quote Approval.

9. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Resignation of Steve LaBounty from Zoning Board of Appeals

10. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Resignation of Tom Fusco from Zoning Board of Appeals.

11. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Appointment of Terry Aubin, Jr. to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

12. DISCUSSION:  Sewer Collection Project Update 

13. DISCUSSION/MOTION:  Set a Public Hearing Date for Valcour Sewer Rate Increases.

14. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Approve/Sign Clinton Co. Conservation Easement Corrective Deed.

15. DISCUSSION:  Facebook Page for Water and Sewer Department.

16. DISCUSSION:  Other Business. 

17. DISCUSSION:  Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

18. RESOLUTION/DISCUSSION:  Pay Bills

MOTION:     Adjourn

Read more »

Plattsburgh – October 12, 2019

At each North Country Honor Flight each veteran receives his or her Orders of the Day. Honor Flight Director Janet Duprey compiles  biographies and reads them as the Orders are presented.  Saturday’s vets included Ralph McClintock, a crew member of the U.S. Pueblo, who was held prisoner by the North Koreans for 335 days. Peru’s Rolland “Rollie” McGee was also one of the honored veterans.  Click here for photos of all the vets. 

John ‘Dick’ Adams

Marines     1953-1956       Korean       Corporal

While in high school, Dick was a fireman on the USS Fort Ticonderoga (CV-14) and shoveled tons of coal to keep the ship running.  He was the last person to run the engine as the Ticonderoga was decommissioned shortly after World War II.  The ship was recommissioned too late for the Korean War but was active during the Vietnam War.  

With the Fort Ticonderoga gone, Dick joined the Marines as a 30-caliber machine gunner before transferring to an Amphibious Track Company.  He was then assigned as a truck driver, but he had never driven a car or a truck.  After grinding the gears, a lot, he finally got the hang of it.  

James  ‘Fuzzy’  Blair

Navy 1952-1956 Korean  Gunner’s Mate 3^rd Class

James prefers to be called Fuzzy.  He began his service on the USS Albany CA-123.  

He clearly remembers crossing the Equator going from a polywog to a shellback.  I thought that must be a Navy thing!   SO,  I did learn it’s a form of initiation that Fuzzy says was pretty severe – not for the faint of heart.

He was discharged in Beirut, Lebanon, and he then boarded the USS Lake Champlain.  Fuzzy said where he grew up and is still living is just 3 short miles from Lake Champlain.  Knowing the USS Lake Champlain was taking him home made his final Navy adventure a great trip.  

Kenneth Bowlby

Air Force 1966-1987 Vietnam Master Sgt.

Ken served with the Civil Engineer Squadron as a Structural Technician and Production Control Technician.  In 1971 he was stationed at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon.

The Red Horse Heavy Construction Squadron brought in concrete Ken and 6 others used to repair and replace damaged runways. They also finished concrete retainer walls around buildings and served as Security Guards.  Working 6 days a week/12-hour days each of the 7 got a day off.  

Although serving in a combat zone, they carried no weapons and were instructed to ‘make a mad dash’ to Armory if they needed their M-16 assault rifles. Having left his pregnant wife behind, Ken was in Vietnam when his oldest son was born.                

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Peter Darling

Army 1945-1947 WWII               Private 1^st Class

After basic training in New Orleans, Peter had a short furlough  in Syracuse joining other veterans on a train to Chicago where they were advised they could board an Army plane instead of riding the train to Fort Lawton, Washington.  However, the flight took them to Utah, then California, before arriving in Seattle waiting for orders to Japan.

Instead of Japan, Peter went by troop train to Red River Arsenal south of Texarcana, Texas serving as a transmission tank mechanic.  Final stop Fort Jackson, South Carolina as a motor pool driving instructor, teaching civilians on base to drive tanks and jeeps.  

I assure Peter today will be a direct flight to Dulles and back – no cross-Country detours.

Lester Faville

Air Force 1966-1991 Vietnam   Master Sgt 

Lester was a Supply Sergeant who operated as a Rescue Unit member.  He recalled being thrown out of Africa because Quadafi didn’t want anyone from the United States in his country.

While part of the US Air Force Support Squadron stationed at Royal Air Force Alconbury, England, Lester remembers peace protestors camped outside the gate.

During their time in England, Lester’s son played Little League baseball.  If the team had won their final game, they’d have represented Europe in the Little League World Series.

Lester completed his military career as Inventory Management Supervisor  with the 380^th Bomb Wing, SAC receiving his discharge at Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  

Glenn Flora

Air Force 1967-1971 Vietnam Sergeant

Glenn, who goes by Butch, transferred to 4 air bases in 1968:  Lackland and Shepard in Texas, Dover, Delaware and Clark, Philippines.  He then spent a year and half in Vietnam first at Tan Son Nhut Air Base before switching to Cameron Bay on the South China Sea.  

Butch worked on the C-133 Cargo master planes.  These planes brought 3 missiles – the Atlas, Saturn and Titan – to Cape Canaveral.  Butch has the distinction of launching the last C-133 plane on July 30, 1971 as it left Travis Air Force Base in California landing at  Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.  

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James Frenette    

 Army                     1951-1953     Korean          Corporal              Reserves – Sgt. 

Jim served in the 11^th Airborne, 503^rd Infantry Regiment.  Volunteering for jump school, he found great esprit de corps  among paratroopers. 

They did maneuvers at Fort Drum and Alaska sleeping outside in tents or snowbanks often in open fields.  

At Fort Drum the First Sergeant was short 4 soldiers at roll call.  It turned out they were sleeping soundly under an overnight snow cover and just didn’t wake up.  

On a practice flight, a Lt. Colonel unfamiliar with the process directed 18 paratroopers to stand up and hook up.  Unfortunately, the plane was accelerating upward. The last to jump, Jim woke up in a tree unable to get out of his chute.  He finally worked his way down dropping about 10 feet to the ground.  

Herbert   ‘Bucky’  Kentile

Marines         1945-1946           WWII           Private First Class

Bucky quit school at 17 to enlist.  While at Paris Island boot camp, World War II ended.

At Floyd Bennet Field, Brooklyn, the Marine barracks closed, and the Marines found themselves at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.  At mealtime the Marines were seated at a table while the sailors stood in line.  Bucky seemed to enjoy sharing that tidbit!

Bucky spent more time in China than in the United States performing guard duty at bases across China.  A highlight was the Shandong vacation spot where the Marines went swimming in the Yellow Sea.  

Heading home on USS Breckinridge, Bucky from Tupper Lake met John Fitzpatrick from Saranac Lake.  They were discharged at Quantico, and 2 Adirondack soldiers went home.  

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Ralph McClintock

Navy 1963-1969       Vietnam               Cryptologic  Technician 2^nd (CT2)

Aboard the USS J.R. Perry, Ralph and 4 other Intelligence Collection Agency crewmen, volunteered to join the USS Pueblo on January 1, 1968.

3 weeks later on January 23^rd, international waters, the Pueblo was confronted by a North Korean ship.  Captain Pete Bucher (Boo-ker) said they were leaving, but seeing the U.S. flag, the North Koreans began firing 57-millimeter shells trying to kill everybody on the bridge and shutting down communications.  One sailor was killed – 10 wounded.

Below deck, the intelligence team was destroying top-secret code documents as shells exploded in the passageway. 

All were taken above deck and blindfolded as prisoners of war.  Placed 4 in a small cell, they were randomly selected for torture and indoctrination.

Ralph is clear North Korean food sucked consisting mainly of sewer trout with a foul smell and taste many couldn’t eat – Ralph did.  The food improved slightly, and rice was added late November.  The water was warm, putrid, filled with dirt.  

Routinely facing a firing squad, Captain Bucher (Boo-ker) refused to confess wrongdoing. When crew members were put in front of the firing squad, he wrote a phony confession with code words assuring the U.S. government would know he was not compliant. 

After 11 months, 335 days, the captives were put on buses, told not to look back or they’d be shot.  December 23^rd,  they crossed the Bridge of No Return through the Demilitarized Zone into South Korea.  Freedom.

While at the checkpoint,  Ralph realized the only news they had  heard was the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert F. Kennedy.  Grabbing the young man, he asked “what happened in 1968”.  With a shaky voice, he replied ‘3 men are on their way to the moon’.  

Soon the released prisoners of war received a call from the Apollo 8 astronauts – James Lovell, Frank Borman, William Anders, thanking the POWs for their service, welcoming them home.  

Ralph knew the ordeal was over – healing could begin.  They were free. 

Roland ‘Rollie’ McGee        

Army     1959-1993             Vietnam                       Master Sgt. 

Rollie started in Korea with the 4^th Army Missile Command.  At Fort Dix during the Berlin Crisis, he served with Army Security. 

In 1976 back in Korea,  Rollie worked directly with general officers assigned to the United Nations Command Military Advisory Group.  Discussions with North Koreans were at a conference table with a line in the middle marking DMZ 38^th parallel.  

In Thailand for the World Bank Conference headed by Alan Greenspan, Rollie sat with members of Congress Patricia Schroeder and our District’s David O’B Martin.  

A star athlete, Rollie began a Little League in Turkey umpiring and teaching kids baseball.  He played on a traveling baseball team in Korea.  

Ethan ‘Mac’ Purcell

Air Force Vietnam       1965-1977           Staff Sgt.  

Mac joined the military with the 380^th Bomb Wing, Plattsburgh Air Force Base as an Administration Specialist spending considerable time in the alert facility.

Transferred to the Electronic Warfare Office at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam, Mac ran the administrative office completing paperwork for 20-30 officers. Every Saturday, a Major and Mac nervously drove into Saigon to buy steaks, potatoes and vegetables.  The Colonel paid for dinner making Saturday the best day of the week.

Before leaving Tan Son Nhut, Mac re-enlisted and transferred to Germany serving 4 years as an Intelligence Administrator in Communications.  Coming full-circle, Mac returned home to Plattsburgh.

Beverly Rock

Air Force           1952-1955           SAC            Airman 1^st Class

After high school, Bev had to wait for her August birthday to enlist.  Instructed to eat bananas and drink beer to gain weight, they never checked her weight again. 

Bev had basic training in Texas and communications school in Wyoming before arriving at the Pentagon.   With security clearance she received coded teletype messages quickly transmitting them to 7 bases all with different codes.  In Newfoundland it rained all the time – smelled like fish. In Louisiana she finally got a desired telephone operator position. 

Bev and her husband Clifton met during the Korean War and planned to go together on Honor Flight.  Bev’s beloved Rocky died May 23, 2018. Without a doubt, his spirit will be with Bev and their daughter Cathy all day.  

Jean  ‘Stoney’ Stone    

Air Force 1951-1954       Korean Airman 1^st Class

Jean prefers to be called Stoney.  He began his service in Albany boarding a train that took 3 days and 3 nights to reach Texas.  Arriving at 2:00 in the morning, the troops were given canvas cots and a tent.  Stoney said he near froze that night!  The tents were their accommodations for 2 weeks before they moved into barracks.

Stoney served as a Diesel Mechanic with the 13^th Motor Vehicle Squadron.  He spent 22 months in Guam as a bus mechanic.  

During some down time, looking for something to do, Stoney decided to pick potatoes in the Limestone Majove fields. Stoney said he wasn’t very fast, but he received some assistance from two girls who helped him to catch up

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Robert Turoff

Navy 1959-1963 Vietnam Yeoman

Bob was part of VF-33, a small squadron of 125 men.  He was invited to play chess with squadron officers – often beating the head of the administration department Lt. Richard Truly.

Years later, watching a PBS show about the early space efforts, Bob recognized the speaker as a familiar face.  Former Lieutenant Truly was the Administrator of NASA.  Bob reached out to him and has an autographed photo from the head of NASA who recalled Bob’s expertise at the game of chess!

Bob served on the USS Forestall — the ship’s bell is at the Dry Dock in Plattsburgh.  He was aboard the USS Enterprise when they participated in the Cuban blockade.  

Bob wishes he’d re-enlisted and spent more time in the Navy. 

Gordon Young

Army 1954-1956 Korean Private 1^st Class

Gordon completed basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas entering the 10^th Infantry Division.  He was assigned to Operation Gyroscope and ‘traded’ to Germany.

Stationed in Schweinfurt, Gordon recalled 30-minute mortar regiment training and using old weapons such as the M-1 and old WWII guns for target purposes.  There was nothing modern.

Gordon describes the winters as ‘like our old winters use to be’. They trained at various training grounds throughout Germany.  All winter the troops pitched tents and slept in the fields.  

Wherever they were, it was cold and uncomfortable, and Gordon was glad to be traded back to the United States and the comfort of his Adirondack home.  

Thanks to meteorologist John Hart for a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) accepted precipitation report for the period October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019. Measurements were taken on the Jabez Allen Road, 4.1 miles east, southeast of the hamlet’s center; other locations may differ a little, or a lot! click here to view in a pdf, more readable format.

John Hart explained the report in more detail.

What is the US Geological Survey(USGS) Water Year? A water year (also called hydrological year, discharge year or flow year) is a term commonly used in hydrology to describe a time period of 12 months for which precipitation totals are measured. Its beginning differs from the calendar year because part of the precipitation that falls in late autumn and winter often accumulates as snow and does not drain until the following spring or summer’s snowmelt.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly board meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 6:00 PM in the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru High School.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:00 PM start, and that the school board will reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Recognition of NYS School Board Appreciation Week and CFES Brilliant Pathways School of Distinction

• Strategic Plan

• Smart Schools Bond Act

• Testing Data Review

The full agenda is available on the District’s website (perucsd.org).

All are welcome.

Peru’s new Stewart’s Shop is being constructed at a rapid pace. Photos of 10/11, 10/7 and 10/2/19.

A great Christmas gift for family and friends!

Peru, NY:  Peru Community Church is holding a Texas Citrus Sale!  Orders will be taken until Sunday, November 17^th with anticipated delivery of the fruit in early/mid December.

A full box (2/5 bushel) of Texas Rio Star Grapefruit will be sold for $17 with half boxes at $9.

A full box of Sweet Oranges will be sold for $18 with half boxes at $10.

A full box of ½ Grapefruit and ½ Oranges will be sold at $18 with half boxes at $10.

Order forms can be picked up at Peru Community Church Fellowship Center (13 Elm Street, Peru) or you can download a copy on the website at www.perucommunitychurch.com.

Send your payment and orders to:  Peru Community Church, PO Box 38, Peru, NY 12972

Place “Fruit Sale” on memo line of check.  Please include your name, address, phone number, and email address with your order.  You will be notified when the fruit arrives.

The Peru Community Church is located at Elm, Pleasant and Main Streets (Routes 22 and 22B) in Peru.  All are invited to worship and participate in the programs and ministries of the church.

By John T. Ryan

Schuyler Falls – October 8, 2019 would have been Francis Brown Turner’s 97th birthday. Instead, the North Country native, WWII veteran and school teacher was laid to rest in the Schuyler Falls Cemetery next to his wife Barbara Randall Turner and their three sons.  At the time of his death on April 27, 2019, he was believed to be our nation’s oldest living Eagle Scout. Mr. Turner spent most of his working life in the Utica-Rome area. For the last 20 years he resided in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Mrs. Lyu Hardishek, his longtime caregiver, brought Turner’s ashes from Georgia for burial. She commented, “All heroes do not have a pivotal moment that changes the outcome of a situation. Mr. Turner was a humble hero as a teacher, a dedicated father (all three of the Turner’s sons suffered from Downs Syndrome), a loving husband and an Eagle Scout who was committed to leaving this world better than he found it.”

Called to active duty in 1943, Francis Brown Turner’s was awarded the American Campaign Service Medal, European/African Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, two Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

Following World War II he married, earned a teaching degree from Plattsburgh State, taught school and did charity work for veteran groups and his communities. Last year at age 96 he created a drive for Camp Corral, a program dedicated to assisting the children of fallen and disabled veterans.

Mrs. Hardishek was escorted to Schuyler Falls by retired USAF Col. John Spangler and Diana Smith, members of the Chateau Elan Military Support Foundation of Braselton, GA. The New York Patriot Guard Riders escorted them from Utica to the Schuyler Falls Cemetery.

Many members of North Country VFW Posts, American Legion Posts, North Country Honor Flight, Disabled American Veterans and Boy Scout Troops attended Tuesday’s ceremony.  Peru VFW Post 309 Ladies Auxiliary hosted a meal following the ceremony. 

Source: Jefferson County experiences whooping cough outbreak | Jefferson County | nny360.com

Oct. 10, 2019 – Town Highway Department personnel paved the road from the Heyworth-Park entrance gate to parking area today. The pavement replaces a gravel surface which was very difficult to plow during the winter months. The parking area was also expanded for about 10 more parking spaces.

The paving was financed by unused NYS grant monies related to the “dead” Main Street improvement project. The Town has requested to the remaining grant monies to replace the sidewalk on the Town Hall side of Main Street.

Peru – Oct. 10, 2019 The concrete beams have been installed and construction is rapidly proceeding on the new Davern Rd. Bridge.

On July 5th Clinton County awarded the contract to Luck Brothers Inc. of Plattsburgh who submitted a bid of $885,102.66. Luck Brothers has until December 6th to complete the project. Now it looks like it will open in early to mid-November.

Source: Long-awaited Plattsburgh Kohl’s location opens – Sun Community News & Printing

A bar with many names: Fuzzy Duck, After Hours and I think Jackie’s Club.Source: Fire Destroys Former Bar | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Bill signed outlawing certain pelvic exams

Source: NY21: Stefanik, Cobb oppose assault weapons ban, as public support grows | NCPR News

Source: Stefanik disagrees with Trump on Syria | Top Stories | nny360.com