The Peru Gazette

Source: Changes to the Senior Pass (U.S. National Park Service)

Source: Institute for Advanced Manufacturing nears completion | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Farm owner Don Dimock (Left) and Poulin Grain Dairy Nutrition Consultant (Right) discuss strategies to improve the farm’s economic viability and cow health.

The Dimock Farm team, from left, Greg Palmer, Sam Dimock, Bruce Dimock, Don Dimock, and Anne Farrell.

Dimock Farms Has Won Highest Milk Quality Award Every Year since 2004

PERU, NEW YORK: Dimock Farms has been committed to their cows and community by producing wholesome, high quality milk since 1971. Earlier this year, this family farm defended their title for the best overall quality milk for Region 11 in Northeastern NY for 2016, a regional award they have won every year since 2004. In 2007, Dimock Farms had the highest milk quality out of over 1,300 farmer-owners of Cabot Cooperative Creamery located across New York and New England.

What’s their secret? According to farm owner Don Dimock, “Excellent milk quality starts with clean, healthy cows. We fill the cows’ beds with fresh sand, which keeps the cows comfortable and dry. Automatic scrapers clean manure from the barn floors every few hours day and night, which improves cow cleanliness.”

Each cow’s udder is cleaned and dried before she is milked, and then after milking each teat is dipped in a conditioning salve. According to Dimock, “It’s kind of like chap stick for humans. It keeps the skin on the cows’ udder healthy, and healthy udders means that the cows will produce healthy milk.”

For the Dimocks, this attention to detail pays off – they receive about a five-cent bonus for every gallon of milk their cows produce, which is added on top of the pay price that they receive for their milk. Although the milk quality bonus is helpful, the real payoff for the Dimocks is providing a safe and healthy product to consumers.

Maximum cow health also requires that cows consume a healthy diet. Dimock Farms works closely with Dillon Snell of Champlain, NY, a dairy nutrition consultant from Poulin Grain. “Cows are grouped on the farm with other cows of similar age and milk production,” says Snell, “This allows us to feed the cows a ration that exactly meets their nutritional needs.”

Ensuring that a cow’s nutritional needs are satisfied means that she will produce healthy and nutritious milk. Milk provides nine essential nutrients and is high in protein and healthy fats. For the Dimocks, producing food for their community is their top priority, which is why they take their cows’ health and nutrition very seriously.

Today more than ever, every small detail counts towards farm success. The entire team at Dimock Farms follows Don Dimock’s wise words, “Do everything as well as you can, every day. You can’t let anything slip.” Its attention to detail like this that allows Dimock Farms to produce quality milk, maximize cow health, and ensure a sustainable farm business today and long into the future.

Dimock Farms was founded by Don and Martha Dimock. Today, Don is in partnership with his son Bruce. Don’s daughter Anne, his grandson Sam, Sam’s wife Karlie, and herdsman Greg Palmer round out the Dimock Farm team.

            Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced he will be hosting three blood drives this month in an effort to ensure local hospitals are not faced with a summer blood shortage.             “Hospitals are always looking for blood donors, but it’s especially vital in the summer when blood supply tends to diminish,” Jones said. “It’s crucial that they have lifesaving blood and platelets on hand as more people spend time outside and the need for blood rises.”

The dates, times and locations for Jones’ blood drives are:

• Plattsburgh Blood Drive: Monday, July 17, 9 a.m – 4 p.m., UVM Health Network-CVPH, Auditorium B, 75 Beekman St., Plattsburgh

• Saranac Lake Blood Drive: Thursday, July 20, noon – 5 p.m. Adirondack Health, Second Floor, Red Field Board Room, 2233 New York 86, Saranac Lake

• Malone Blood Drive: Friday, July 21, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Alice Hyde Medical Center, New Cafeteria Conference Room, 133 Park St., Malone

All blood donations will be given to local hospitals to combat the recent blood emergency declared by the New York Blood Center (NYBC).[1]

“Blood drives are a great way for a community to come together and help save lives,” Jones said. “Tragedy can unfortunately strike at any time, serving as a reminder of just how important it is for our hospitals to have access to blood in a time of need. We can all do our part in ensuring that every patient can receive lifesaving blood.”

To donate, eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be in good health and meet all U.S. Food and Drug Administration and New York State Department of Health donor criteria, which can be found at nybloodcenter.org. For more information, contact Assemblyman Jones’ office at 518-562-1986 or JonesB@nyassembly.gov.

Source: Morrisonville bridge named for Gordie Little | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: Applications now available for $6,000 private tuition discount – Times Union

We’ve had too much rain, but one good aspect is that it make the raft ride through Ausable Chasm very exciting. John Stafford was kind enough to share this video taken yesterday. Click here to view 

The former Natalie Aldous of Peru

Source: Malone Telegram | Hospice of the North Country names new executive director

AGENDA – TOWN BOARD REGULAR MEETING
July 10, 2017
7:00 PM

Call Meeting To Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Roll Call

MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Town Board Regular Meeting of June 26, 2017

DISCUSSION/MOTION: Reports from all Departments: (Water/Sewer/Valcour; Highway; Town Clerk; Dog Control; Youth Department; Code/Zoning; Supervisor’s Report; Court; Website; and Banking Reports)

Community Input

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Acceptance of Aqualogics Proposal.

DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Acceptance of Hach Proposal.

DISCUSSION: Left Over Water Funds and Water Plant Upgrades.

DISCUSSION: Ball Field Maintenance.

DISCUSSION: Swain MOU Update.

DISCUSSION: IT Update.

DISCUSSION: Main Street Project Walk Audit.

DISCUSSION: Internal Audits

DISCUSSION: Court Postage.

Other Business.
Community Input on Agenda Items.

Motion to Adjourn.

L-R Jesse Decosse, Heather Giuliano, Manager Diana Padron, Keri Bashaw, Tammy Rawleigh. Missing Wendy Cribb.

TD Bank’s extremely friendly staff is #6 in the Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.  The bank’s interior was recently renovated giving it a whole new look; nevertheless, it’s the staff who do their best to enthusiastically greet every customer by name who make this a great place to visit.

The bank is open Mon-Wed. 8-5, Th-Fri. 8-6 and Sat. 9. Call 643-2387.

Source: Fort Drum Soldier Accused of Shooting Trooper, Wife to Death in Jefferson County

Peru – Margarett Christian’s career has been devoted to assisting handicapped individuals, first as a teacher aide at Peru Central (2006-2015) and now as a Direct Support Professional at Mountain Lake Services. Now, Margarett Christian is the person needing assistance in the form of a diabetic alert dog. A Virginia-based organization named Service Dogs by Warren Retrievers (SDWR) will pay 50% of the dog’s $50,000 cost, but Christian must raise the other 50% or $25,000.

A Keeseville native and resident, Christian addressed the Peru Town Board at last Monday’s meeting stating, “When I learned the Peru walking trail and dog park are handicapped accessible, I knew it would be the perfect place to host my fundraising event.” Margarett wanted a place where the handicapped clients she serves would be comfortable when they attend the event. The board immediately granted permission. Now it’s up to community members to support her cause. The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 15th from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will include a dog goody raffle, a dog treat sale and a 50-50 raffle.

The Peru Gazette spoke to Sarah Gibson, Director of Client Services at SWDR. Gibson said training an alert dog costs $50,000. SDWR pays $25,000 through its own fundraising, but the client is expected to raise $25,000. Once the fundraising goal is achieved the dog receives customized training to meet the client’s needs. SDWR personnel will bring the dog to Margarett’s home where the training will continue for a few days. Six months later they will return for a follow-up visit and will provide more follow-up visits for up to eighteen months.

Christian was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes five years ago. About five months ago the diagnosis changed to severe hypoglycemia. She wears a constant glucose monitor; however, her sugar lows often occur while she’s sleeping. She explained, “An alert dog would sense the lows up to 20 minutes sooner than the monitor and reduce the risk of a seizure or coma.” Alert dogs can bring a more confident and independent lifestyle to severe diabetes sufferers.

Diabetic Alert Dogs are trained to help with just a few of the following :
• Alert High’s and or Low’s 30 – 45 minutes before they occur
• Retrieve third party support
• Retrieve insulin, meter, meds, juice and or bottled water
• In severe cases they can be trained to dial 911 on a specialized dial pad if needed

Contributions are tax deductible. Checks must be made out to SDWR with a notation “In Honor of Margarett Christian.” For further information please call Margarett Christian at 572-7167.

Today’s 9th Annual St. Augustine’s Parish Picnic at Mother Cabrini Shrine. The photos include some of the people who work behind the scenes. It was a great day for the parish family with several family members and friends visiting from all over the country. Click here to view photos

The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to announce the opening of our Professional Framing Studio on July 19, 2017, located on the Second Floor of the Main Building at 23 Brinkerhoff Street in downtown Plattsburgh, NY. Simply take the elevator to the left of the main entrance up to the Second Floor and the Framing Studio is the first door on the right as you exit the elevator. The Strand Center Framing Studio provides space, equipment, and training for artist members who look to frame and exhibit their work at the professional level. The Strand Center Framing Studio also provides its services to the community as a custom framing shop.

An orientation to the Framing Studio will be held the first Saturday of each month for artists interested in framing techniques. Read more »

There will not be a 9:30 a.m. Mass at St. Augustine’s Church on Sunday, July 9th. Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at Mother Cabrini Shrine on the Patent Rd. followed by the 9th Annual Parish Picnic. All are invited! Please bring a dish to share.

The Peru Community Church summer worship schedule is in full swing, with one Sunday worship service at 9 am in the sanctuary.    Following the service, all are invited to coffee and conversation in the Fellowship Center at 13 Elm Street (across from the sanctuary).  One morning service continues through Labor Day.

This summer, the Rev. Peggi Eller is preaching on some of the Bible’s more familiar stories, the Parables.  These stories were taught by Jesus, and sometimes explained by him, though more often listeners were left to find their own meaning.  Join with us over the coming weeks to hear the old stories with new ears, considering deeply what Jesus was and is saying about our own lives.  By examining the context of the story – the time, place and social/political climate – we all can explore new interpretations that have the potential for changing our lives.  Remember, Jesus told these stories before anyone knew he would be crucified and resurrected.

Vacation Bible School registration is now open!  Hosted at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center and grounds (in partnership with St. Augustine’s Parish of Peru), “PASSPORT TO PERU” is August 7^th – August 11^th, Monday through Friday, from 9am to 12 noon.  Classes are for preschoolers (age 3) through grade 6.  Volunteers of all ages are needed to assist during VBS.  Please contact the church office to sign-up or for information (518.643.8641).   Advance registration is strongly encouraged.

After Labor Day, two Sunday morning services will return, along with a new format Sunday evening service called ‘Glimpses’.  Sunday school for all ages also begins in September.   All are invited and welcome to worship, services, and events.  Questions?  Please call the church office at 518.643.8641, or email office@perucommunitychurch.com.  Our website is www.perucommunitychurch.com.

Peru Central’s Board of Education launches its reorganizational meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 6:30 PM at the school district’s Community Room, adjacent to the main entrance of Peru Jr/Sr High School.  At approximately 6:45 PM, it will continue on with its regular monthly meeting.  An anticipated executive session may take place immediately following the 6:45 PM start.  The school board is slated to reconvene for public session business at approximately 7:00 PM.

Anticipated Topics Include:

• Approvals of CEWW BOCES/CVES Services
• School Meal Prices
• Section VII Sports Mergers
• Appointment of Personnel

Both Board agendas are available on the District’s website.

All are welcome.

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Jet service returns to Watertown International Airport

Peru – A subdivision agreement, sidewalk construction, grant applications, water testing, zoning board issues, highway department budgeting and a report from County Legislator Peter Keenan highlighted the Peru Town Board’s June 27th meeting.

The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Town of Peru and Buttonwood Subdivision developer Donald Swain has been sent to Swain for review. In return for deeding land to the town for a new sewage lift station, the MOU has a provision exempting Swain from including sidewalks in the next phase of his subdivision. Counselor Brandy McDonald asked town attorney Matt Favro what options Swain would have if the Peru Planing Board required sidewalks when the subdivision comes up for review. Favro responded, “He probably will sue the town.” The Planning Board has required sidewalks in at least one other development. The majority of board members believe that Swain’s subdivision does not need sidewalks because of its wider lots, his sidewalks would not connect to any existing sidewalks and the fact that his first phase did not include sidewalks.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell reported that he will be training his personnel on sidewalk construction. He has acquired forms, pins and dividers and needs a concrete vibrator. Town Clerk Kathy Flynn asked if this might be an area where Peru could share services with neighboring communities.

The town applied for a NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation $1,006,000 water-sewer grant. Assemblyman Billy Jones visited the sewer plant and submitted a letter supporting the application. Last year the grants were announced in August. An application for a State Revolving Funds Grant has also been prepared. Qualifying may require perfecting the recent household income survey. Upgrading the system has been estimated to cost just over $4 million.

An application has also been submitted for a $30,000 NYS Engineering Planning Grant for the preparation of an engineering evaluation of the wastewater treatment plant. It will include options for effluent disinfection. Notification of these grant awards is made in December.

The New York State Health Department has significantly increased the required water sampling for lead and copper content. Peru’s water department recently changed water disinfection chemicals to save money.  The increased testing will reduce those savings.

Matt Favro who serves as town, zoning and planning board attorney said he will be holding pre-meetings with the zoning board to inform them of his legal analysis and how to fit that analysis to the matter being considered. He also recommended that zoning board members attend a Town of Plattsburgh Zoning Board meeting to witness how that board functions.

Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell told the board that he recently attended a budgeting school. He said a few costs such as garage maintenance (approximately $50,000) have been allocated to his department; however, they should have been allocated to the town’s general fund account.

County Legislator Pete Keenan reported that county sales tax collections for FY 2017 are $400,000 above projections. Legislators are hopeful that air service can be established to Philadelphia. The Penn Air connection to Boston is extremely underutilized. It leaves too late to make many connections. Keenan said, “There have been weeks (not days) when Penn Air has had zero passengers.”

Source: A peek inside Norsk Titanium’s high-tech, 3-D printing shop | NCPR News

L-R Mark White, Manager Bonnie St. Cyr, Polly Perky, Janice Krinke, Kati Burdick and Melissa Norman

Apple Blossom Florist is #5 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring staff members of local businesses and institutions. They are important people in making Peru a wonderful place to live.

Located in Rulfs Orchard and Farm Market’s beautiful new building at 531 Bear Swamp Road, Apple Blossom has been serving our community since 1980. Ed and Shirley Nelson operated the business at 25 Pleasant St. until 2012 when they sold it to Rulfs Orchard.

Apple Blossom is open M-F 9-5, Sat. 9-1. It is closed on Sundays. Phone 643-2108.

More Friendly People of Peru 

Source: Watertown Daily Times | Katie Wilson second Democrat to challenge Stefanik