The Peru Gazette

Aaron Ishmael following his visit with the Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

Peru – It’s a safe bet that very few people know that Peru, NY has three new radio stations operating within its boundaries. 103.7 FM and 1070 AM (WPLB) are operating out of the old WEAV building on the Lake Shore Road and 97.9 FM “The Moose Real Country” is transmitted from the Terry Mountain tower once utilized by WPTZ television. Aaron and Jessica Ishmael are co-owners of all three stations. When the Peru Gazette spoke to Aaron today, he and his wife Jessica were loading a truck at their Bristol, Connecticut home. In a few days the Ishmaels and their 3-year old son Henry will be North Country residents.

Aaron Ishmael is pursuing his lifelong dream of being a radio station owner. His father, a program director at a northeastern Colorado radio station, exposed him to all phases of broadcasting ranging from being a D.J. to news and engineering. He finally concluded that the best career opportunities would be in broadcast engineering. Starting out in Denver, Aaron’s career has taken him to the States of Washington, Georgia, Wyoming, New York and Connecticut. His last two jobs were with ESPN, first as chief engineer at WEPN in New York City and then as chief engineer for the ESPN Radio Network headquartered in Bristol, Connecticut.

The Ishmaels are coming to a very competitive radio market. Thirty-five stations serve northeastern New York. Aaron Ishmael believes that his stations can find a niche. He explained, “I believe in radio as a medium. I’ve seen too many cases of it not working for the people. I want to see it work for the people. We will emphasize the Champlain Valley with a focus on Plattsburgh and Burlington.” Ishmael has signed a lease for studio space at 29 Clinton St. in Plattsburgh. He said, “ Even though today’s stations are very automated, I want people to walk by and see the station in operation.”

The stations can be streamed online at www.TheMoose.fm and www.1037WPLB.com. The Moose 97.9 has a 80s and 90’s “real country’ format while WPLB 1070 AM/103.7 FM features late 50’s and 60’s rock and roll, early country and early R&B. 1070 AM and 103.7 FM also broadcast SUNY Plattsburgh women’s hockey and men’s and women’s basketball. Local marketing consultant Herman Downer has also been doing live remote broadcasts from local businesses and events.

The Ishmaels are seeking more local sales representatives. Aaron can be reached at 518-490-9790. Anyone who would like to learn about advertising on the stations should contact Herman Downer at 518-257-0716.

This editorial is very informative for anyone with Medicare questions. 

Source: Editorial: Invaluable service for local seniors | Opinion | pressrepublican.com

Source: Federal tax-code changes could force New York to adopt lean spending plan | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Local family shattered by immigration crackdown – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Police seek help in solving Peru cold case murder – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Canadian company expanding in Plattsburgh | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Click here to view a video of this meeting.  The video has two brief gaps because of technical issues and the video inexperience of your editor. 

The Town of Peru, Town Board has scheduled their Organizational Meeting for 2018 for Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 1:00 PM.  The Meeting will take place at the Peru Town Hall.

Kathleen Flynn

Town Clerk

Town of Peru

Outgoing Town Supervisor Peter Glushko and his wife Karen will have the honor of lighting the Town Christmas Tree at 6:45 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017 at the Little Ausable River Park Gazebo. The Peru Fire Department will transport Santa Claus to the Community Church Fellowship Center following the tree lighting.  Everyone is invited to participate in this joyful community celebration.

Based on the novel by Lois Lowry, Jonas’ community prides itself on sameness. Yet when he is chosen to become the next Receiver of Memories, his world will be upended forever. What he learns will leave him questioning everything he has ever known.

Presented in the Peru Jr/Sr High Auditorium on December 1st and 2nd at 7:30 PM. The show runs approximately 90 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Admission is $5 in advance and $7 at the door. For more information and ticket reservations, please e-mail perudramaclub@gmail.com or call (518) 551-0811. Tickets are also available at Kinney’s Pharmacy in Peru.

Plattsburgh ​​Amtrak Station 2017-11-27 @ 7:15 PM 7:30 PM – 8:00 PM Performers – Jim Cuddy, Devin Cuddy and Kelly Prescott
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Dr. Anne-Marie B. Spear, Mary Turgeon – Dental Assistant, Jaime Frenyea – Front Desk, Deb Rix – Dental Assistant, Kim Poirier – Hygienist

By John T. Ryan

The staff at Boule’/Spear Family Dentistry is #24 in our Peru Gazette series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live. Asked to describe her dentistry practice Dr. Spear thought for a moment and responded, “I’d describe it as caring, good quality, with a relaxed family atmosphere. We try not to lose the personal touch.”

Dr. Spear and her staff can be found in the Peru office at 2993 Main Street on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Mondays and Wednesdays they work at the Boule’/Spear Family Dentistry office at 263 Tom Miller Road in Plattsburgh. Call 518-643-8015 or 518-563-3090 for information.

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING, November 27 @ 7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the November 13, 2017 Regular Board Meeting and the November 15, 2017 Special meeting.

Community Input

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Schedule 2018 Organizational Meeting.

DISCUSSION: Town IT Update.

DISCUSSION: County Computer Sale.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Road Name Change.

DISCUSSION: Water/Wastewater Grant Update.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Highway Employee Hire.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Cold War Veteran Tax Exemption.

DISCUSSION: Town Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

DISCUSSION: Other Business.

DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.
MOTION: Adjourn

L-R Yolanda Agnew, Betty Furnia, Brooke Vaughn, Christina Vassar, Breanna Vance, Lindsey Ashline (Administrator),  Anita Sachs, Deb Hancock, Tina Parker, Jenny Blake, Pam Courtney, Colt Hicks & Tim Trayah.

The Valehaven Home For Adults’ staff is #23 in the Peru Gazette series of people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.  They provide 24-hour, 7-day a week care for up to 40 residents.  At a time of year when we give give thanks, the Valehaven residents the Peru Gazette spoke to were very thankful for the care they receive from the Valehaven staff. Providing personal and health care to others is a very high calling!

Peru—Fall Into Winter Craft Fair will be held at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Hot lunch, baked goods and basket raffles will also be available.

Peru – The Peru Community Church invites everyone to a Community Thanksgiving Service to be held on Tuesday, November 21st at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome!

Private First Class Ernest LaPine

L-R Madeline LaPine, Janet LaPine Downs, Ernest LaPine

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Veterans Day has a special meaning for Janet Downs. Her father Private First Class Ernest LaPine was in a hospital in France recovering from combat wounds on the first Veterans Day, November 11, 1918. On Veterans Day 1984, 66 years after being severely wounded, Private Lapine was awarded a Purple Heart.

Janet Downs related her father’s story at this year’s Peru VFW Post 309 Veterans Day Service. A Westport, NY native and longtime Keene Valley resident, Ernest LaPine enlisted in the U.S. Infantry on April 25, 1918 at age 22. On May 19, 1918, less than 30 days after entering service, he departed for England. On June 2nd, he was assigned to duty in France transporting goods by horse and wagon from the coast to the French interior. Just over 90 days later, on September 17th he was severely wounded and hospitalized with shrapnel in his left shoulder. His family wasn’t aware of his injuries until October 8th when they received a telegram from Washington, D.C. On March 10, 1919 Private LaPine was discharged from military duty. He brought home a reminder of his service to our country – the piece of the shrapnel that had been lodged in his shoulder. He carried that shrapnel in a change purse in his pocket for the rest of his life.

World War I veterans didn’t talk much about their war experience. Even though Lapine had suffered severe wounds, he didn’t complain about not having received a Purple Heart. However, as Janet Downs related, her parents were loyal fans for the television series Mash where Purple Hearts were awarded almost weekly. Janet’s mother Madeline started saying, “If they can get one, Ernest certainly deserves one.” She soon discovered that getting one would take persistence.

On April 18, 1983 an application for the award was submitted at the Veterans Administration office in Elizabethtown. The discharge records documenting Ernest LaPine’s wounds and the telegram informing his family of his wounds accompanied the application. Ernest even submitted a photo of the shrapnel.

Janet Downs said, “That’s when the fiasco began.” One government office quickly responded, “We’re all out of Purple Hearts.” Then a government official stated that Private LaPine’s records may have been housed in a St Louis, Missouri warehouse that had been destroyed by fire. Finally, after a year had passed, someone in Washington advised the family to contact their Congressman.

In July, 1984 the documents Ernest LaPine had preserved were sent to Congressman David O’B. Martin’s office in Washington D.C. The Congressman soon assured the family that the award would be received within the next six weeks. Finally, on Veterans Day 1984, Jim Lloyd of the Elizabethtown Veterans Administration office presented the Purple Heart to Private First Class Ernest LaPine at CVPH Medical Center where he was a patient. He passed away a little over 30 days later on Christmas Day 1984 at age 88, the proud recipient of the Purple Heart. The family also learned that the telegram informing them of his wounds was the document that made the award possible.

Western Union Telegram to the family

The Peru Ski Club will be holding a registration on December 10th from 6pm to 7pm at the Peru Town Hall, downstairs.

– Participants must bring a birth certificate.
– The child participating must be present
– Payment in full is required at registration.
– This program is Non-refundable once payment is made.

More info and registration forms can be found at the town website: www.perutown.com

The Peru Lions Club will host it’s 40^th Annual John P. Adams Memorial Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 23, 2017.  5K, 10K, and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk start time is 8:45 AM at the Peru Elementary School.

Online registration and full event details available at https://www.perulionsclubnewyork.org/turkeytrotregister

Bib/Chip packet pick-up at Peru Elementary School cafeteria 4-7PM on Wednesday, 11/22 and 7:30am to 8:15am on Thursday, 11/23

All proceeds from this event, used only in this local area to support Peru Lions Club sight preservation projects, provide aide to the blind and visually impaired, and to assist other local service organizations in meeting needs of residents in this area “We Serve”.

Source: DEC Announces Summer Camp Registrations Open – – The Adirondack Almanack

By John T. Ryan

Peru native Cindy Snow battling MS. I have loved her restaurant’s food.

Source: Downtown Plattsburgh eatery closes | Local News | pressrepublican.com