The Peru Gazette

Click here to read story on the lady who saved Mrs. Timmons when she was attacked. 

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 10^th at 6:15 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School.  It is anticipated that an executive session will take place immediately following the 6:15 PM start.  The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.  Anticipated topics include:

• Recognition of  recently hired/re-hired employees
• District Emergency Response Plan
• Playground Installation
• Corrected Tax Rolls
• Appointment of Personnel

The full Board agenda will be available on the District’s website.

All are welcome.

Source: CCC’s Institute for Advanced Manufacturing is open for business | NCPR News

Story about the Jamaicans at Forrence Orchards

Source: The Jamaican Apple Pickers of Upstate New York – NYTimes.com

The Peru Central School District Board of Education has selected Mr. Thomas Palmer as its new Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Palmer will start his new position on Jan. 1, 2018.

Mr. Palmer is currently the Superintendent of Schools in the Tri-Valley CSD in Grahamsville, NY, and has been in that position since 2008. He is certified in New York State as a School District Administrator (since 2003) and has served as an Assistant Principal and Principal in North Carolina and New York schools.

The search was conducted by Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES), headed by the CVES District Superintendent Dr. Mark Davey.  CVES worked closely with the Peru CSD Board of Education to conduct a community survey, hold several public forums and to engage Peru community stakeholders in the search process.

Mr. Palmer is pleased to be coming to Peru, “I am very eager to get to work in the Peru Central School District. I am coming into a district that already has many innovative and effective programs, such as Peru Pride, ADK P-TECH and the CHISEL Project. My goal is to continue these programs, and to seek out new educational opportunities for the students of the Peru CSD.”

Peru CSD Board of Education President Kim Mayer said, “The Board is excited to have an educational leader with a history of excellence serving as our Superintendent. Thomas Palmer’s experience and expertise is a good fit for Peru, and we look forward to working with him to keep our district on the cutting edge of educational practices, and to stay on the road to continuous improvement.”

“The Peru Board of Education would like to thank the faculty, staff, students and community members for their valuable input throughout its Superintendent of Schools search process.”

Interim Superintendent Cynthia Ford-Johnston will stay on as a consultant to assure a smooth transition for Mr. Palmer.

Source: Sullivan Co. man tapped as new Peru School super | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Click here for a TV 5 News Story 

Click here for a TV5 News Report 

Strand Center for the Arts Announces that The ARTrageous Entertainment Auction will be held November 11, 2017. Rebranding its long successful Arms and Legs Auction where creative community minded people and regional artist take household items and create works of art from the whimsical to a masterpiece. This year we have an “entertainment” theme, but really anything goes!

The Strand is looking for people who will find their perfect household item to be jazzed for this year’s auction. Take any interesting item such as a table, chair, platter, wine glasses, picture frames and let your creative side make a statement piece. We also are accepting art work or other donations to be auctioned to support all art programming.

If you are interested in donating a piece to this action please email strand@strandcenter.org. We will be showcasing the pieces in the Strand Center Gallery from November 4 to 9^th and then the auction will be in the Strand Theatre November 11, 2017. Absentee bidder cards available for those wishing to bid but not being able to attend the auction.

The Auction will be at the Strand Theatre. There will be a silent auction from 6 to 7PM  and the Live auction from 7 to 9 PM. Ticket prices include all food, drink during and a bidders card. Tickets will be $25 until 11/09/17 and then $35 at the door.  Auctioneer will be Steve Martin and Master of Ceremony is Steve Frederick and special guest! 

Tickets can be purchased online or download forms at  www.strandcenter.org. Click on the ARTrageous banner!

Peru Central School District’s Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Thursday, October 5^th at 7:15 AM in the District’s Community Room, located in the Jr/Sr High School at 17 School Street.

The anticipated topic is discussion of the appointment of a Superintendent of Schools.

No other school board or school district business is slated for this meeting.

The full agenda is available at www.perucsd.org.

Source: Keeseville VFD audit urges more review – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Area youth coaches to engage in suicide prevention campaign – Sun Community News & Printing

The Catholic Community of St. Augustine’s and St. Patrick’s Parish, The Peru Community Church, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Monica 2598 and Knights of Columbus Council 7273 in Peru, NY will hold a Pulled Pork Dinner on Saturday, October 14h from 4-6:30 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Parish Center.

Guests will get a plate full of pulled pork, corn on the cob, baked beans, salad and rolls. Beverages and dessert come with the meal. Adults $10 each, Children 12 & over are $5 each, , Children under 12 are free.

Proceeds from the dinner will go to The North Country Mission of Hope, The Jamaica Project, and The Red Bird Mission. 
Please consider joining us on Saturday, October 14th. For more information please contact  Duane/Krissie Bast at 643-2162 or Linda/Bob Manchester 518-643-8977. We hope to see you!

The Town of Peru, has scheduled the following Budget Workshops for the 2018 Budget. The workshops are open to all.

L-R Melvin, Jim & Bob Irwin

By John T. Ryan

Peru – October 14, 2017 will be a day of significant change for Bob, Jim and Melvin Irwin owners of Maplegrand Farm at 139 Jarvis Road. An auctioneer will sell the farm’s 170 cattle. A few days later when all the cattle are gone, the brothers will still be farmers, but they will be crop farmers rather than dairy farmers. They’ll continue to grow and sell the hay, corn, oats and apples harvested on the farm’s fertile 1,300 acres.

Ironically, it was 100 years ago in 1917 that their grandparents, Joseph and Lenore Church Irwin, decided to leave Peasleeville and purchase the Jarvis Road farm and it was 67 years ago on October 14,1950 that their late parents Kermit and Bertha Nax “Bert” Irwin were joined in marriage. Joseph and Kermit loved farming and passed that love on to their offspring.

Bob Irwin explained, “We’re not selling the cows because we don’t enjoy it any more, but we’re getting to the point where everything is work. We used to work 12 to 14 hours a day and not think anything about it. When you get into your 60’s it’s not as much fun. It’s more work than it used to be.” They also recall when their father Kermit advised them not to work too long. He wanted them to get out and see more of the world.

Kermit and Bert Irwin had six children: Betty, Bob, Jean, Jim, Melvin and Chris. When they were first married they lived in the house at the corner of the River Road and Route 22B. Bob said, “Dad had 100 acres there. I can still remember looking out the window and seeing Dad harvest oats on what is now LaFlure Lane and Washington Street.” The Irwins still own that house and 3.8 acres of nearby apple orchards.

The brothers treasure memories of life along the Little Ausable River. Melvin explained, “The river is a big chunk of our childhood. Like Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer, we’d go out to run in the hills until Mom would ring the bell for lunch.” Jim added, “We’d all run trap lines for muskrat and we’d fish. The Mason Lumber Company would put up their flush boards and the river’s water level would rise. We’d swim or go rafting. We’d have sliding and skating parties and play hockey on the river. Sometimes there were 30 or 40 kids. We could skate all the way to Harkness.”

Bob, Jim and Melvin formed an ownership partnership in 1982. Anyone in their presence quickly senses their close working relationship. Kermit Irwin taught them well. Melvin said, “I think Dad pretty much instilled that in us over the years. He always said, ‘If you can’t get along you’ll have nothing.’” The brothers have complimentary college degrees – Bob in animal husbandry, Jim in agriculture and engineering and Melvin in agronomy, or as Bob says, “Manure, grease and dirt.”

The Irwin’s registered holstein herd has long been known as one of the best producing herds in the region. In 1980 one of their cows won awards as the top producing cow in the United States and 7th in the world. Recalling that cow Melvin said, “Dad used to say, ‘When all the cows were laying down in the pasture she was still munching.’” The farm’s reputation has grown to the point that its cows and their offspring can be found in Russia, Korea, Saudi Arabia and even South America.

When asked what the most satisfying part of farming has been they responded in unison, “Raising our families here.” Melvin said, “All our kids showed cows at 4-H and the fair. A lot of lessons were learned there. It was a big part of our life.” Between them the brothers have nine children, 8 girls and 1 boy. Jim’s son Tyler will continue working at the family farm.

While Bob, Jim and Melvin Irwin will miss dairy farming, they’ll undoubtedly ensure that Maplegrand Farm continues to thrive. They’ll also continue spreading the good news about life on a family farm.

Click to see Peru Gazette photos of Maplegrand Farm over the past several years. 

Click here for the Hometown Cable Recording of Saturday’s Honor Flight Ceremonies. 

Source: Concern grows on state’s farms – Times Union

AGENDA – Planning Board, WEDNESDAY, October 11, 2017 @ 7:00 PM, TOWN OF PERU

CALL MEETING TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL of September 13, 2017 minutes.
OPEN FLOOR to public hearing
APPLICATIONS:

1. Site Plan Review with SEQR: P-2017-019 Robert Baggs
Site Plan Review – Outside Wood Boiler
3003 State Rte. 9
Peru, NY 12972

2. Site Plan Review with SEQR: P-2017-020 Anne Forgues
Site Plan Review – Pet Grooming Business
86 Quaker Highlands Rd.
Peru, NY 12972

3. Site Plan Review with SEQR: P-2017-021 Stephanie Blair
Site Plan Review – Retail Store
225 Rt. 22B
Peru, NY 12972

4. 2-Lot Minor Subdivision with SEQR: P-2017-022 Leeward LaMoy
2-Lot Minor Subdivision
561 Fuller Rd.
Peru, NY 12972

5. 2-Lot Subdivision with SEQR: P-2017-023 Buttonwood Limited Partnership
2-Lot Minor Subdivision
268.-1-22.5
Peru, NY 12972

6. 2-Lot Subdivision with SEQR: P-2017024 Winfried Holdereid
2-Lot Minor Subdivision
280.1-5-4.1
Peru, NY 12972

7. Site Plan Review P: 2017-025 Kassis Superior Signs
Kinney Drugs
Site Plan Review – Building Sign and a Free Standing Sign
3 Gorman Way
Peru, NY 12972

8. ANY FURTHER BUSINESS:
9. CEO REPORT:
10. ADJOURNMENT

Several of the North Country Firefighters and Ambulance Crews who honored the Honor Flight Veterans this morning. Peru’s Department was present and accounted for as always. Click here for more Peru Gazette Firefighter Photos 

By John T. Ryan

Sept. 30th Plattsburgh – A huge crowd was present early this morning at the Plattsburgh Recreation Center to wish 16 North Country Veterans well as they departed on the 21st North Country Honor Fight to Washington D.C. 314 vets have flown on the 21 flights.

Today’s veterans in order of introduction:
Benjamin J. Kelly, Sgt. U.S. Army 1950-52
Artis Brown, Chief Master Sgt. U.S. Air Force 1955-82
Joseph T. Faubert Jr., Major, U.S. Army, 1950-73
Paul Fisher, Staff Sgt. U.S. Army 1973-92
Charles A. Gallagher, Major, U.S. Army 1973-93
Everette E. Gonyer Sr., Staff Sgt. Navy, USAF, 1944-64
Arthur S. Hatfield, Sgt., U.S. Army, 1953-55
Thomas V. Herne, Sgt., U.S. Marine Corps, 1949-52
Charles J. Jacobs, Corporal, U.S. Army 1953-55
Louis D. Jacobs Jr., SSG, U.S. Navy, Army & Air Force, 1950-92
Benjamin J. Kelly, Sgt., U.S. Army, 1950-52
Jerry N. Marshall, Corporal, U. S. Army, 1949-52
John McDonald, Corporel, U.S. Marine Corps. 1952-52
John L. Quackenbush, Specialist 3rd Class, 1964-66
James P. Rice Jr., AVCDT, U.S. Navy, 1943-47
George T. Sheelar, PHM 3, U.S. Navy, 1943-46

Click here to view more Peru Gazette photos

Source: Clinton County GOP sees leadership change – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Clinton Co. gives OK to para-transit change | Local News | pressrepublican.com