The Peru Gazette

L-R Jerry Johnson and David Hamilton

By John T. Ryan

Peru – On January 1, 2016 Jerry Johnson and David Hamilton took on a new role at Pasquale’s Restaurant and Sports Bar. They became co-owners of the business. Both men are longtime head chefs at the extremely popular eatery that Scott Bazzano operated since 2004. Dave Hamilton said, “Scott would joke asking us why we didn’t buy the business. A few months ago he showed us the business numbers and they worked out. Jerry and I had been talking about owning a restaurant for years.”

Both Johnson and Hamilton are Peru natives. They graduated from Peru High School in the early 90’s and have worked in the restaurant industry ever since. Jerry Johnson recalled, “I started as a dishwasher at the Royal Savage and Valcour Lodge. I got hooked on it.” He went on to become head chef at the respected Windows on the Bay in Plattsburgh and Crickets in Peru. In 2007 he became Pasquale’s head chef. Dave Hamilton worked in several restaurants before joining Jerry as a sous chef at Crickets and in 2008 at Pasquale’s.

Needless to say, both men are enthusiastic about their new business opportunity. Hamilton said that they have always taken a personal interest in the business and ensured that food leaving the kitchen was properly prepared and presented. Asked why Pasquale’s has been so successful, Dave Hamilton said, “I think it’s been our consistency. People know if they liked a meal once they’re going to get another good meal the next time they visit.  People also like our portion size. They know if they can’t eat it all here, they’re going to have lunch the next day.”

Customers have the choice of the Adirondack-Italian atmosphere of the 50-seat dining room or the 30-seat sports bar with its 8 televisions featuring the NFL, NHL and MLB sports packages and New York Lotto. Hamilton said, “The sports bar is a fun atmosphere. We have a wide choice of craft beers along with old time American favorites.” Pasquale’s Romeo chicken wings with their tangy, sweet sauce are definitely best sellers. Hamilton said, “Some people are obsessed with the sauce. I’ve seen people drink it.” Burgers made with Kilcoyne Farms’ high quality, flavorful beef have been an instant hit.

Having grown up locally both men know many Peru residents. Johnson said, “People have been very supportive. We want people to know we’re here to serve the community. We want to contribute back to the community.”

Pasquale’s is located at 2931 Route 22 just across the street from the Tops Plaza. It’s open seven days a week: Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Call 643-0799 for information or reservations.

Also fined $1.75M, forced to forfeit $5.3M

Source: After saying he’s ‘truly sorry,’ Silver gets 12 year prison sentence | POLITICO

The Town of Peru Highway Department will be closing Jenkins Street from School Street to house #20 on Wednesday, May 4th from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. for cross culvert replacement. There will be no thru traffic, including emergency vehicles, during that time period.

A message from Adele Douglas of Peru’s Main Street Project Committee

As part of the Town’s Main Street Project, a focus group will be meeting on Monday, May 16th, from 6:00 to 7:30pm at the Town Hall. If you live on, operate or own a business on Rte 22, between Bear Swamp Rd and Sullivan Park, please join us.The purpose is to discuss streetscape and revitalization ideas.

If you can’t attend, or live elsewhere, there will be an open house for all the community community later in the year to present the streetscape and revitalization ideas to all Peru residents and businesses. The Town’s Main Street Committee has been working with River Street Consulting and Place Alliance to develop some ways to make our Main St more walkable, attractive and business friendly, we’re looking forward to sharing these ideas and getting your input. Main St Committee members include: Dwane Bast, Adele Douglas, Judi Grant, Nicki LaPlante, Don McBrayer, Becky Pace, Diana Padron, Mark Robinson, Jerry Ross and Anne Marie Spear.

Peru – St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 will host its 30^th annual charity golf tournament on Friday, June 17^th at the Adirondack Golf and Country Club. The four-person scramble will start at 10 AM followed by an awards dinner in the clubhouse. The cost is $300 per team. Obtain entry forms and information from Greg Lombard at 643-0242 or email gnetlombard@charter.net.

Peru – April 30, 2016

59 degrees, sunny and absolutely beautiful at Heyworth/Mason Park about 5 p.m today. This morning volunteers planted trees along the park riverbank. This afternoon joggers, families and teens were enjoying the park and walking trail. Jerry Ero, who planted trees this morning, was back. This time he was picking up any things (cigarette butts, candy wrappers, etc.) dropped by some users. Most people are taking great pride in their park and trail. What a wonderful addition to our community!

Click here to view 14 photos taken today. 

Approximately 20 volunteers planted about 225 trees this morning at Heyworth/Mason Park. The goal was to prevent or reduce river erosion. The trees were donated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. The program was coordinated by the Clinton County Soil and Conservation District and Adele Douglas here in Peru. It was an absolutely beautiful day to plant trees.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board and many Peru residents have had hopes that by late this year pickleball courts would be ready for play at the now closed Jenkins Street tennis courts. It’s not going to happen! At the Monday, April 25^th Town Board meeting Counselor Donald McBrayer, a vocal pickleball supporter, explained, “The NYS grant we would have received was for finishing only. We would be responsible for getting the sub-surface up to grade. That would have required us to dig down three feet, build it back out and pave it. We also had to do repairs on the fence. All this would have cost $30,000, which we simply don’t have at the moment.” When the high cost was determined, constructing only one court was considered, but the grant administrator determined that the $32,000 grant would have a greater impact in Plattsburgh where that amount of money would finish five new courts.

After listening to McBrayer’s report Board members discussed alternatives such as establishing courts at the Laphams Mills Park. Councilman McBrayer continues to favor a location inside the hamlet citing the Peru’s Comprehensive Plan, which advocates offering activities such as pickleball inside the hamlet. McBrayer also cited periodic limited parking at Laphams Mills Park. He views pickleball as an activity rather than an organized sport such as those supervised by the Peru Youth Commission.

Meanwhile, the Jenkins Street tennis court gates will remain locked until the Board determines if there is an appropriate and affordable use for the property.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Town Board will be interviewing candidates for Code Enforcement Officer (CEO) on Monday, May 2nd and Tuesday, Mary 3^rd. Town Supervisor Peter Glushko said seven applications had been received as of the Monday, April 25^th Town Board Meeting.

Glushko and Counselors James Langley and Donald McBrayer met with Acting CEO Steve Imhoff late last week. Glushko said, “We discussed tightening up the office so that we enforce all laws and rules.” Glushko also said permit fee increases were discussed. The increased fees would likely apply to developments that involve multiple inspections and many hours of the CEO’s time.

The Peru Central School Class of 65 is having a (51st!) class reunion July 29, 30, 31. We are hoping to bring most of our 160+ classmates back to the North Country for a memorable and fun-filled reunion. 

We have not had a full-scale reunion in 31 years and as a result are struggling to find everyone! We are looking for  classmates who both graduated with us or were with us for most of our high school years. 

If you were (or know someone who was) in Peru’s class of 1965, and have not yet heard from us, we would like to send you reunion information.  Please contact me by either email or phone.

Carlene Allen Wood

Peru Central School Class of 65

cmawood@gmail.com

107 Jabez Allen Road

Peru, NY 12972

513-509-8755(call or text)

Beginning May 4th, Town of Peru Historian Ron Allen will be in his office at the Town Hall every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Other hours are available by appointment by calling Ron at 561-0038.

LAKE PLACID — The new Marshalls store here is expected to add about 60 full- and part-time jobs.

Source: Marshalls department store to open in Lake Placid | News | pressrepublican.com

The Annual Meeting will be held on April 26 at 6:00 PM at the Peru Community Church.  The following items will be on the agenda: 

1)  Fiscal report for the year January 1 to December 31, 2015

2)  Nomination and election of officers, 3 slots are open. 

3) Discussion of the following free programs will be presented: 

    a)  JJ…a  program for children with developmental issues or challenges. 

    b.  Grieving children. 

    c.  Nursing home, assisted living, hospital visitation with animals, mostly miniature donkeys. 

On-site programs are held on the Butternut Ridge Farm located at 648 Calkins Road, Peru, NY 12972

The Peru Gazette apologizes for missing this announcement in our email. It was received on April 16th. 

By John T. Ryan

A date and time have been set and volunteers are needed to plant trees in Heyworth/Mason Park. Anyone willing to help should report to the park this coming Saturday, April 30^th at 9 a.m. Over 200 trees will be planted near or on the banks of the Little Ausable River. The goal is to prevent or reduce riverbank erosion. All necessary tools will be provided.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is providing the trees at no charge to the Town of Peru. The Clinton County Soil Conservation District is coordinating the program. If you have questions, please call Adele Douglas at 643-7863.

The Town of Peru Water and Sewer Department will be flushing hydrants from May 2 to May 6th. Users may experience low water pressure and cloudy water during this process.

L-R Bernie Jakobetz, Melissa & David Goodrich, Jane Gage, Ann Wilke

By John T. Ryan

Peru – Are you a person age 60 or older or do you know anyone 60 or over who would appreciate a good meal, a few laughs and interesting conversation? If the answer is “yes,” you’ll find all of this and more at 11:45 a.m. Monday through Friday at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center. The Peru Gazette stopped by the Fellowship Center this past Thursday. We sampled the food, talked to everyone and we loved it!

Thursday’s menu featured a delicious salad, michigans, tasty potatoes, green beans, fruit-filled jello and unforgettable banana cake – all this for a suggested donation of $3.00 for folks 60 and over and $8 for anyone under 60. Reservations are requested. Just call 561-8320. A Peru phone (420-4184) will be activated in the near future. The Senior Citizens Council of Clinton County and the New York State and Clinton County Offices of the Aging sponsor the meal program. The sponsors recently responded to participant requests to return the program to the Fellowship Center in the center of Peru hamlet.  Meals had been served at the Peru VFW for several years.

The ladies and gentlemen enjoying Thursday’s meal had a diverse background. They included Bernie Jakobetz, a retired member of the U.S. Air Force; David Goodrich, a retired corrections officer and race horse trainer; Melissa Goodrich, a homemaker who earned a teaching degree in special education after her children left home; Jane Gage, a nurse who later became a nursing home administrator; Ann Wilke, a longtime medical office administrator and active community member; and a Korea native (who departed before we could get her name) who immigrated to the United States and ultimately became a missionary in Africa.

The meal program is designed to get seniors (irregardless of income) out of their homes to socialize and enjoy healthful, good tasting meals. Video bowling is also offered each Monday and Wednesday. Dave Goodrich remarked, “We love to play cards and would if we had a few more people coming.” Bingo is another option if enough people show interest.

Menus April and May

 1. Call Meeting To Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes of the March 28, 2016 Regular Board Meeting.

5. Community Input

6. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: New Cover for Highway Salt Shed 

7. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: First Niagara Leasing Agreement. 

8. DISCUSSION: CHIPs Update. 

9. DISCUSSION: Code Enforcement Officer Interviews. 

10. DISCUSSION: Code Office Update. 

11. DISCUSSION: Subdivision Regulations Committee. 

12. DISCUSSION: Dunkin Doughnuts Sidewalk.

13. DISCUSSION: Pickle Ball Court Update.

14. DISCUSSION: Main Street Committee Update 

15. DISCUSSION: Change in Town Historian Office Hours.

16. DISCUSSION: Peru International Festival III.

17. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Adjourn to Executive Session. 

18. DISCUSSION/MOTION: Return to Regular Session.

19. DISCUSSION: Other Business. 

20. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.

21. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills. 

MOTION:    Adjourn

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Source: List of Sears, Kmart stores closing across the U.S.

Spring should be arriving soon, and many people will be thinking about their flower gardens! Why not purchase your plants from the Peru Community Church Ladies Guild who will be selling geraniums, begonias and marigolds, by order only, in May. There will be three colors of geraniums (red, white and pink), and the cost will be $1.50 per plant. The begonias will be mixed colors in a six pack, and the cost will be $1.75 per six pack. The marigolds will be mixed colors in a six pack, and the cost will be $1.75 per six pack.

Flowers can be ordered until May 15^th. Pick up date is May 20^th from 12:00 to 6:00 pm. Orders can be made by calling the church office, 643-8641. Every person who orders will be eligible to win a door prize of a wooden plant stand/bench made by Steve Dennie.

“After Midnight” – a Patsy Cline experience with Courtney Shayne – is Saturday, April 23, at 6 pm at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center, 13 Elm Street, Peru. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door; children 12 and under are free.

Hailing from the Albany area, Courtney Shayne as Patsy Cline wowed the crowd when last here in 2014. Enjoy great music and interesting stories about the life this country music icon, lost too soon. With audience participation, this will be a fun evening for young and old alike. Come kick up your heels – there’s also space for dancing!

Advance tickets are available through 3 pm, Friday, April 22 at the church office, 13 Elm Street, or by contacting the organizers, Howard and Debbie Bell at 518-643-2261, or Jane Way at 518-569-4514. Doors open at 5:15pm, tickets will be sold at the door, but space is limited. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the show.

Proceeds benefit the Capital Fund for building upgrades at the church, including the new roof installed last year at the Fellowship Center.

PLATTSBURGH, NY – The Strand Center for the Arts is excited to host another installment of its lunchtime music series in its Gallery in April, 2016 featuring music performed by students from SUNY Plattsburgh. In this performance Rachel Hurtt, Ricardo Burgos-Mendez, and Elidia Lopez, along with flautist Trevor White and soprano Dana Bowers will demonstrate their amazing musical talents. Dr. Karen Becker, chair of the Department of Music at SUNY Plattsburgh, will accompany the musicians. This upcoming free event will take place in The Strand Center Gallery on Friday, April 29 from 1:00-2:00 PM. Read more »

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey cuts the celebratory ribbon and School Superintendent Dr. Patrick Brimstein looks on.

By John T. Ryan

Tuesday, April 19, 2016 was a historic day for staff and students at Peru elementary School. The school’s long-awaited elevator was put into service. Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, who expedited funding for the project, cut the ribbon to celebrate the elevator’s being put into service.

Many Peru Elementary School assemblies, concerts and other activities take place in the “Crackerbox” gym at the southern end of the very long school. Prior to Tuesday, students confined to a wheelchair or having mobility challenges had to leave the building and travel down a long sidewalk to the Crackerbox. Being outdoors may have been pleasant during the springtime, but it wasn’t so enjoyable during Peru’s cold winter months.

Peru Central Superintendent Dr. Patrick Brimstein praised Assemblywoman Janet Duprey for her support of the elevator project. He explained. “We wanted to get the project completed, but it was going very slowly. Janet Duprey called the State Education Department and she was able to get the project moving.”

3rd grader Jay Wood and teacher Courtney Rock were some of the first elevator riders.

Peru Central School District’s Board of Education will have a brief, special meeting on the morning of Thursday, April 21^st at 7:15 AM in the Jr/Sr High School Community Room.

Thursday morning’s brief special meeting will focus exclusively on consideration of the BOCES administrative budget for the 2016‐2017 school year and consideration of candidates running for seats on this region’s BOCES.

No other school board or school district business is slated for Thursday morning. The full agenda is available at www.perucsd.org.

All are welcome.

How much money a school can spend on its students still depends, in large part, on local property taxes. And many states aren’t doing much to level the field for poor kids.

Source: How School Funding’s Reliance On Property Taxes Fails Children : NPR