Onterrio LaDuke stopped and talked

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Stephanie Ormsby is #4 in our Peru Gazette photo series featuring people who make Peru a wonderful place to live.

For many of the people who bring children to Peru Elementary School’s grade 3-6 entrance, Stephanie Ormsby’s warm greeting is a wonderful way to start the day. Each morning, during good weather and bad, she’s at the school’s front entrance greeting drivers and children with a bright smile and an enthusiastic wave. It was difficult taking photos Wednesday morning because so many boys and girls wanted to give her a hug or to say a few words to her. When a student and her dad arrived on a motorcycle, Stephanie waved to the dad and then joined the student to wave goodby as he drove away and a second and third time as he traveled down Pleasant Street.

Elementary Principal Matt Slattery is very aware of Stephanie’s work saying, “We all appreciate the positivity, optimism and friendly disposition Stephanie brings to the start of each day.”

Many people send Stephanie thank you notes or just say “thank you for being so nice.” When people ask how she keeps such a positive attitude she responds, “Why wouldn’t I?” She does admit that during the snowy and rainy days being so nice can be challenging. She commented, “I hate getting my hair wet!”

L-R Zoey Snider, Stephanie, Nora Mesec, Cierra LaDuke, Natalie Baker

Stephanie greets Haleigh Herringshaw

Stephanie Ormsby has been a Peru Elementary School teaching assistant for 22 years and has been greeting everyone at the school’s front entrance for the past five years.

Source: Prevost lands biggest contract in its history | Local News | pressrepublican.com

This is very big news for all the North Country! 

VISTA OPPORTUNITY – AmeriCorps VISTA Member (Volunteers in Service to America)

United Way of the Adirondack Region, Inc. is seeking a dynamic individual with excellent communication skills, problem solving skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team and manage multiple projects.

Preferred skills and qualifications:
Education:
Associate’s degree or higher
Skills:
Excellent communication skills.
Problem solving skills.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and manage multiple projects.
Experience in Human Services and nonprofit sector is helpful.

Source: Legislature passes bill to ban use of e-cigarettes indoors – Capitol Confidential

Source: Cuomo signs bill to raise the age for marriage – Capitol Confidential

Source: Battle over NYC schools has impact upstate – Times Union

Very important story that all NYS residents should read.

Source: Malone’s Valehaven adult home to close in August | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Spring 2017 Semester

Presidential Scholars: 

Clarkson University – Samantha Crosby, a senior majoring in communication and Nick Lawliss, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering

Siena College – Michael Mills and Alyssa Murphy

SUNY Canton – Jamie Vogt, a criminal investigation major

SUNY Potsdam – Kali Dorey, a psychology major; Molly Lawliss, a childhood/early childhood education major; Matthew Nugent, a business economics major.

Dean’s List: 

SUNY Canton – Chase R. Boyer, a business administration major; Otis Edwards, an air conditioning maintenance and repair major; Raymond P. Flick, a veterinary science technology major

SUNY Geneseo – Teagan Plimpton and Maria Remillard

SUNY Potsdam – Keagen Briggs, a history major and Hillary Drake, an exercise science major

The University of Vermont – Rebecca Pellerin, a microbiology major

By John T. Ryan

Peru – James Hilchey joined the Boy Scouts at age 12. Tonight, at age 18, he became an Eagle Scout in ceremonies conducted at St. Augustine’s Parish Center. The son of Jennifer Reyell-Cameron and Christopher Hilchey, James will be a senior at Saranac High School this fall. Peru Troop 8049 Scout Master Fred Tuller complimented Hilchey saying, “James has grown a lot. He’s become a good role model for upcoming scouts.”

Eagle Scout candidates must satisfy numerous requirements including planning, developing, and giving leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or their community. Hilchey concentrated on Baker Cemetery in Morrisonville by leading a graveyard cleanup, a cemetery mapping and constructing a cemetery sign-in box.

Tonight he thanked others saying, “I couldn’t have completed the project without the help of others.” He mentioned his grandparents Craig and Lynn Hilchey, Eric Hidook, Richard Mason Jr. and Richard Mason Sr., D.J, and Sam Trombley.

The Boy Scouts have many requirements to achieve their highest rank of Eagle Scout. They include:

1.Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Life Scout.

2. As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God, how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then
the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references.

3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges Read more »

Source: More Norsk machines bound for Plattsburgh | News | pressrepublican.com

Homeland Security Honor Guard & Au Sable Valley School Superintendent Paul Savage

There was a huge turnout of local residents this morning for the North Country Honor Flight Ceremony at the U.S. Oval. What a wonderful send-off for the deserving War War II and Korean War Era Veterans.

Click here to view all our Peru Gazette photos. 

A message from Town of Plattsburgh Supervisor Michael Cashman

Early this year the Towns of Plattsburgh and Town of Schuyler Falls NY passed a joint resolution asking Senator Betty Little and Assemblyman D. Billy Jones to sponsor legislation to name the NYS RT 22B Morrisonville Bridge after North Country Legend Gordie Little. Senator Little successfully got the NYS Senate to pass the legislation. We just got word Assemblyman Jones was successful in getting the NYS Assembly to pass the same. A special thank you to our two representatives for working so hard on this. It now goes on to Governor Cuomo for his signature. We will keep people updated.

The Strand Center for the Arts, in partnership with SUNY Plattsburgh, is conducting an Arts and Cultural Asset Mapping Project to create a web-based interactive map of the region’s artists, artisans and cultural organization. Information surveys are available at ARTSMAP.net. All individuals and organizations with arts and cultural activities in Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties of New York are encouraged to participate.

Source: Making higher education more affordable for North Country students – Sun Community News & Printing

Source: Latest Census data puts NY at top of school spending list – Capitol Confidential

Peru – The terms of office for several of Peru’s elected officials come to an end this year. Over the next few weeks the Republican and Democratic parties will meet to either nominate incumbents or introduce new nominees to the political scene. The Democrats have announced that they will caucus on June 29th at 7. p.m. at the Peru Town Hall.

The open positions include:

The four-year town council seats currently held by Republican Donald McBrayer and Democrat Jim Douglass

Date: June 17-18
Event: 10th Annual Museum Days Weekend
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Museums Throughout Clinton County, NY
Description: Museums in Clinton County open free to visitors all weekend! Part of Path Through History Weekend. More details will be announced as the date nears!
Cost: Free
Contact: Melissa Peck, coordinator@adkcoastcultural.org

Eight members of Dunkin Donuts’ 20-person staff. L-R Syed I, Richie, Liz, Manager Deannie LaCroix King, Michelle, Patricia, Checole and Amanda.

Continuing our posts of local business and institution staff members who make Peru a wonderful place to live, today the Peru Gazette highlights several Dunkin Donuts staff members.

On November 1, 2016 Dunkin Donuts relocated from Maplefields to its own new building at 729 Bear Swamp Rd. Customers from near and far appreciate the modern building, its tasty offerings and friendly staff. Dunkin Donuts is open 24 hours daily. Phone 643-5525.