The Peru Gazette

GRANTS UP TO $50,000 AND LOANS UP TO $500,000 AVAILABLE TO HELP BUSINESSES ENTER THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE 

(News Release from Empire State Development (ESD)

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the Global NY Fund Tour visited the North Country region this week, stopping first in Watertown yesterday, Monday, April 4, before heading to Plattsburgh today. The Global NY Fund Tour is a series of informational sessions being held in each of New York State’s 10 economic development regions. The tour launched last week to inform small- and medium-sized businesses and non-profits about new resources available to support international export efforts through the $35 million fund.   Read more »

Source: Cuomo takes $15 minimum wage, paid leave victory lap – Capitol Confidential

If you’re a Patsy Cline music lover or simply enjoy country music and a good time, you’re sure to enjoy “AFTER MIDNIGHT” with Courtney Shayne at the Peru Community Church Fellowship Center on Saturday, April 23^rd at 6 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Peru Community Church Capital Campaign.

Courtney Shayne’s beautiful voice and humor thrilled a crowd at the Fellowship Center in September 2014, so people are excited to see her return. Advanced Sale Tickets at $15 each are available at the Fellowship Center. Tickets are $18 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Questions: Call Howard or Debbie Bell at 643-2261. Click here for a preview.

Please help the Clinton County Health Department learn more about the health concerns of County residents and their families. Our goal is to collect information from residents over the next two months, but we need your help to reach as many people as possible with our brief survey. The information will be used to identify priorities for the 2017-2020 Community Health Improvement Plan.
The survey consists of twelve questions and generally takes less than five minutes to complete. 

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CCCHA

For more information or to get paper copies of the survey, please contact Jennifer Trudeau, Registered Professional Nurse for the Division of Health Planning and Promotion for the Clinton County Health Department, at 565-4993.
Sincerely,
Clinton County Health Department  

Peru Music Boosters presents Beartracks in concert to kick-off their “Fill the Drum” fundraiser to help raise money for new Timpani drums. Saturday, April 9, 7:00 p.m., Peru Jr./Sr. High School Auditorium.

While most bands and orchestras typically have between 4 and 6 different-sized timpani, Peru currently owns 4 timpani (only 2 different sizes): two c.1960’s drums that are minimally-functional and two c.1980’s drums that have greater (but still limited) functionality. Through this fundraiser, the Peru Music Boosters hope to begin replacing the non-functioning drums in order to allow our students the opportunity to learn correct technique and musicianship.

Tickets: $10 in advance, $12 at the door.

Advanced Sale Tickets can also be at:
Peru Pharmacy, 3 Gorman Way, Peru, NY, -(518) 643-2318
Saranac Country Store, 3346 NY-3, Saranac, NY (518) 293-1234
Alpha Stereo, 332 Cornelia St, Plattsburgh, NY (518) 561-2822
Adirondack Coffee Roasters, 373 NY-3 #1, Plattsburgh, NY (518) 324-2633

Beartracks is a critically acclaimed, locally-based Country/Bluegrass band that performs regularly throughout the Eastern US and Canada. This concert marks their first performance of the season, and first performance with their new banjo player Larry Neu!

Construction of the new 9,000 sq. ft. Rulfs Orchard farm stand is underway. The Town of Peru issued a Building Permit on Tuesday, March 29, 2016. The building will also be the home of Apple Blossom Florist. Luck Brothers is the general contractor.

Click here for our February 18th story which has more details. 

Plattsburgh station’s programming is now also available at 100.7 FM.

Source: WIRY launches FM signal | Local News | pressrepublican.com

Source: North Country DA “reviews” inmate death at Clinton-Dannemora prison | NCPR News

By John T. Ryan

The Town of Peru and its Youth Commission is well known for the vibrant summer programs. Thanks to collaboration between the CVPH Foundation and five local communities including Peru, even more activities will be available this summer.

The Fitness in the Parks Program funded by a $200,000 New York State Health Department grant will fund free, weeklong sessions in golf, archery, gymnastics/tumbling, karate and hip-hop dance. All the programs are to be led by professional instructors.

Laurie Williams, the project manager for the CVPH Foundation said, “The primary mission of Fitness in the Parks is to get kids and families back out into our parks.” The grant funds the local programs for two years. If successful, corporate sponsors will be sought to continue the programs.

Peru Youth Commission Director John Flynn commented, “I think it’s going to be successful. It’s nice of the CVPH Foundation to coordinate the program.”

The Peru Gazette will publish registration information when it is available.

By John T. Ryan

The Peru Free Library is well known for its wonderful art exhibits, but one annual exhibit always draws the most people and it’s on display until April 15^th. KidsArt features the artwork of Peru Elementary School’s classes. Everyone is invited to stop by and see this exceptional show. You will thank yourself for attending!

The Peru Free Library is open Tuesday – Thursday from 10-7; Friday 10-4; and Saturday 10-3.

By John T. Ryan

Traffic should be heavy on the River Road this Saturday as people travel to 280 River Road to bid on the large array of farm equipment on display. Peru’s farm community is losing a family. Brian and Carole Sipley are moving to Williamsburg, Iowa where they’ve purchased a larger farm.

Brian and Carole purchased their 650-acre Peru farm from Leeward Babbie in 2001. They named it BCS Farms. As Brian explained, “Carole and I operate this farm together and the farm’s name reflects that.”

The Sipley’s new Iowa farm will have 800 milking cows, double the size of their Peru farm. It’s large enough to bring the couple’s sons Zachary and Benjamin into the family business. Over the past month the Sipley’s 400 milking cows have been transported to Iowa where Zach and Ben have been tending to the herd and getting the new farm up and operating.

The Sipleys would have liked to expand their Peru farm, but as Brian explained, “There’s no growth potential here. I can’t compete with the large farms for the available land.” Ironically, Iowa land sells at a higher price than land in Peru, but it’s available. Carole said, “Everywhere you look there’s corn.”

Brian Sipley will be joining his sons next week while Carole will remain in Peru until their daughter Emily, a senior at Peru High School, graduates. Emily traveled to Iowa during February break to check out their new farm and her new hometown. She said she’ll miss Peru and all her friends, but she’s very enthusiastic about her family’s new undertaking. “My brothers are amazed at how friendly and helpful all the people they meet have been.” Emily is a high honor roll student and flutist in the Peru High School Band. She’s received scholarships to attend Iowa State University where she’ll major in agricultural business.

On Wednesday morning of this week, a virtual parade of trucks, all with Vermont license plates, passed through the center of Peru on the way to the Sipley Farm. Earlier in the day a North Hero, Vermont barn burned. None of that farm’s 330 cows were lost, but a barn was needed to board the cattle. As they did when a Plattsburgh barn burned a few years ago, the Sipley’s and BCS Farm’s future owner Jon Rulfs of Adirondack Farms agreed to board the cows until the Vermont farm is back in operation.

Although visibly exhausted as they prepare for Saturday’s auction, Brian, Carole and Emily Sipley radiated a spirit of determination and excitement when speaking of the months ahead. Carole Sipley expressed the family spirit when she said, “We’re always open for a new adventure.”

PLATTSBURGH, NY- Clinton County Farm Bureau together with Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County and Soil and Water will host a Farm New York State Department of Transportation Workshop on Wednesday April 13^th from 1-3pm at Mountain View Equipment in Plattsburgh.

The afternoon will include a presentation by Trooper Gonyo and a hands on demonstration. A farm vehicle will be present for Trooper Gonyo to go through step-by-step and show attendees how to keep safe and avoid tickets and fines. The program is free and open to all farmers. No pre-registration is required. For questions, please contact Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County at (518) 561-7450 or email Sara Bull at slk95@cornell.edu.

TO THE EDITOR:

The North Country Honor Flight Committee would like to thank everyone who made the 1^st Annual “Cabin Fever” gathering of World War II and Korean Veterans a tremendous success. On Saturday, March 19^th 46 veterans (with family and friends) who have flown to Washington DC over the past 4 years met at Plattsburgh High School for a special get together with music, lunch and a chance to spend time with their peers. They enjoyed the entertainment of “Lone Star” who donated three hours of their time to perform 50’s and 60’s music which had many of the veterans and their spouses dancing to. Unfortunately, the breakdancing, worm dance and limbo contests had to be canceled due to the fact that most of the veterans had eaten to much delicious Baked Ziti provided by Zachary’s Read more »

A Message from the Veterans Service Agency 

50 YEARS REMEMBERED / HONORED

2016 marks the 50^th Anniversary of the North Country Platoon. For those who are not aware, this was a group of young men from the North Country, enlisting together in the Marines during the Vietnam War. As with most veterans of the Vietnam War, these men were never recognized for their service, thanked, or welcomed back.

On this Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday May 29, 2016, we are looking to honor and remember these veterans for their service and sacrifices. Although this is 50 years later, our thanks and appreciation are none the less sincere.

The activities for the day will start at Veterans Park, on the Old Base Oval. There will be a Memorial Day Service starting at 1PM, where we hope to address the Veterans and/or their families. There will be a dedication of a segment of the new wall, to the North Country Platoon, where they will be remembered as part of Plattsburgh’s rich military history.

Following the services, the NCVA, located on the Town Line Rd, will be hosting an informal BBQ for family, friends, and any and all Veterans. We hope this will afford all the opportunity to reconnect with, share memories, and to reacquaint with old friends.

Please join us for the festivities. Bring your stories, photos, and families…old and young.

If you have contact information for any of the following men or their families, please contact Emily Latour @ Veterans Service Agency, 137 Margaret St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, or call 518-565-4720. Read more »

The Peru Central School District is seeking candidates to fill one (1) vacancy on the Board of Education, due to the expiration of the term of Mr. Brian Post. The seat is at large for a five-year term from July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2021.

The ‘Petition for Nomination of Candidate’ is available in the District Office at 17 School Street on Mondays through Fridays, except school holidays, or via the web at http://www.perucsd.org.  Petitions must be directed to the School District Clerk, shall be signed by at least 25 qualified voters of the District, and shall state the name, residence and phone number of the candidate.    Petitions must be returned no later than 5:00 PM on Monday, April 18, 2016.

The School Board Election will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016.

Source: NY21: Democrat Mike Derrick says Rep. Stefanik is vulnerable | NCPR News

We are happy to announce that the Peru Community Church has partnered with the Senior Citizens Council Nutrition Program! This new location at the Fellowship Center will enable us to serve more members of the Peru community. Our opening date is April 4^th with the Grand Opening on April 7^th. The hours of operation will be from 9am – 1pm. Lunch is served at 11:45 am.

Please come and join us for coffee in the morning and lunch in the afternoon. The suggested contribution is $3.00 for any senior over 60 and this includes their spouse no matter what age. The mandatory fee of $8.00 is for any other guest under 60. Please RSVP to 561-8320 by April 1^st. 

Photos and Story by Mike Langlois

About sixty people from the St. Augustine and Peru Community churches gathered on a chilly Sunday morning to celebrate Easter Sunrise Service at St. Patrick’s Oratory in West Peru, NY. The service celebrants were Pastor Bob Svenson and Father Alan Shnob from the Peru Community Church and St. Augustine Church respectively. The service began a little before the original 6 a.m. scheduled time.

As people began to arrive, a Waning Gibbous moon hung in the western sky above a brightly lit Mother Cabrini Shrine. The temperature at the time of the service was twenty-seven degrees.

The forty-five-minute Ecumenical Service included a silent meditation, hymns; a reading from Isaiah 25:6-9, and the Gospel from John 20:1-18. St. Patrick’s alter was decorated with lilies, a white linen draped across a wood cross and a cardboard cutout of Jesus facing the worshipers.

Father Shnob’s Homily focused on modern science’s study of the Shroud of Turin. The shroud is a length of linen cloth bearing the image of a man that is believed by some Christians to be the burial cloth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Throughout history people have speculated on the Shroud of Turin’s authenticity. The shroud has been thought to be a hoax; the man’s image painted on for an unknown reason. Shnob said recent studies of the shroud show the image is actually physically raised on the burial cloth. The new evidence has led modern-day scientists to link the shroud’s image potentially to Quantum Physics. “It gave me a more dynamic view of the resurrection then I had before,” he said. “We’d love to know how (the image) happened and what the process was.” Shnob tied the new scientific findings to an upcoming lecture at SUNY Plattsburgh.

On Friday, April 1, Robin Meyers, an award winning columnist, minister, peace activist and expert on progressive Christianity, will deliver a lecture on, “Quantum Physics and the Future of God.” Meyers lecture is part of the SUNY Plattsburgh Cron Lecture series on the impact of scientific discoveries and our understanding of God.

People walked out of St. Patrick’s to find the sun cresting in the east over Vermont’s Green Mountains. Many taking the time to snap photos or chat with their neighbors.

Saturday, March 26, 2013 – Cloudy in Peru, but Whiteface and the Adirondack Mountains to the south are still very beautiful!

Happy Easter to all Peru Gazette readers.

1. Call Meeting To Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Roll Call
4. MOTION: Approval of Minutes for the Minutes of the March 14, 2016 Public Hearing and for the Minutes of the March 14, 2016 Regular Board Meeting.
5. Community Input
6. DISCUSSION: Codes/Zoning Office Update.
7. DISCUSSION: New Mower Purchase.
8. DISCUSSION: Proposed Increase in Water Hook Up Fee.
9. DISCUSSION: Highway Salt Shed Update.
10. DISCUSSION: Highway Department Union Negotiations Update.
11. DISCUSSION: Town Park Vandalism.
12. DISCUSSION: Sewer Project Update.
13. DISCUSSION: Main Street Project Update.
14. DISCUSSION: Walking Trail Update.
15. DISCUSSION: Tennis Court Repairs Update.
16. DISCUSSION: Other Business.
17. DISCUSSION: Public Comments on Agenda Items Only.
18. DISCUSSION/RESOLUTION: Approve/Pay Bills.
19. MOTION:    Adjourn

St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Grand Knight Bill Allan (Left) and Peru JCEO Food Shelf Manager Pat Holmes.

Over the past six weeks St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 conducted a 40 Cans For Lent Program at St. Augustine’s Parish to assist the Peru JCEO Food Shelf. Parishioners were asked to bring in two or three canned food items each week during the 40 days of Lent to attain a 1,000-pound goal. On Palm Sunday, the parishioners surpassed their goal by 10 pounds. Peru JCEO Manager Pat Holmes said, “These donations came at a great time of year. We get many donations around the holidays, but food is also needed at this time of year. We appreciate these donations very much! ”

Bill Allen said Council 7273 is grateful to the JCEO Food Shelf for its good works and to St. Augustine’s parishioners for their Lenten sacrifice.