The Peru Gazette

Ogdensburg airport will (soon) offer flights from Allegiant Air « The In Box.

WASHINGTON—Today Congressman Owens announced two Federal Aviation Administration grants totaling $1,159,700 awarded for rehabilitation and upgrades to airports in Plattsburgh and Lake Placid.

“These airports make travel easier and more convenient for local business leaders, residents and visitors,” said Congressman Owens. “Investing in these facilities will help ensure their long-term viability and prevent disruptions that could be caused by more expensive and time-intensive repairs down the road.”

The first grant, totaling $950,000, was awarded to Clinton County to rehabilitate several taxiways at Plattsburgh International Airport. Existing pavement joints on the taxiways are in poor condition and require resealing to maintain the structural integrity of the pavement.

The second grant, totaling $209,700, funds an environmental assessment to evaluate issues related to a proposed off-airport obstruction removal project.

Jim Langley, Minority Leader of the Clinton County Legislature and chair of the Legislature’s Plattsburgh International Airport standing committee, also offered comment in response to the announcement. “The Federal Government by way of the FAA has come through again for Plattsburgh International Airport.” he said. “The unusually harsh winter this year accelerated the need for rehabilitation of taxi ways. We greatly appreciate these funds, which will help keep the airport operating efficiently and safely, and our Members of Congress, who work hard to support projects in the North Country.”

Plattsburgh, NY (June 6, 2014) – The Strand Center for the Arts (SCA) is excited to announce its new ArtQuest camps for the summer! Five weeks worth of ArtQuest camps are offered over the course of the summer and are available in half or full day sessions for children ages 5-8 and 9-12.

With classes such as Refuse Reuse, History Detective, and Garden Explorer, children have the opportunity to look more closely at the world around them while exploring these special themes through clay and visual arts.

“ArtQuest camps are a great way for children to actively learn and create,” says Rebecca Conklin, SCA ArtQuest instructor. “Participating in the arts not only provides a creative outlet, but allows children to have continued development of fine and gross motor skills and exposure to diverse sensory experiences over the course of the summer.”

“Study after study shows that exposure to arts programs help students academically and socially. We worked hard to create half and full day art camp classes that integrated art with themed topics to ensure that area children have access to quality arts education programming,” says Aimée Baker, SCFA Education Coordinator.

The cost of each ArtQuest class is $95 or $85 for members. Scholarships are available. Register your child for a fun-filled summer by visiting the SCA website or by contacting the Arts Center directly!

The Strand Center for the Arts is open to visitors Tuesday through Friday, 10am – 5pm and Saturdays, 10am – 4pm. For a complete listing of all classes and workshops, please visit the Arts Center’s website at: www.plattsburgharts.org

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named 861 students to the President’s List, in recognition of their academic excellence in the Spring 2014 semester. The SUNY Potsdam students were honored for earning top marks by Interim President Dr. Dennis L. Hefner.

The students included:

Emily Allen of Peru, NY, whose major is Music Education.
Megan Breton of Peru, NY, whose major is Childhood/Early Childhood Education.
To achieve the honor of being on the President’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

About SUNY Potsdam: Read more »

The State University of New York at Potsdam recently named Robert Duquette of Peru, NY to the SUNY Potsdam Dean’s List.

Duquette, whose major is Speech Communication, was among 355 students who were honored for academic excellence in the Spring 2014 semester.

To achieve the honor of being on the Dean’s List, each student must have satisfactorily completed 12 numerically-graded semester hours, with a grade point average of between 3.25 and 3.49 in the given semester.

SUNY Potsdam has a strong focus on academics, with its long history of excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. To find out more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

About SUNY Potsdam: Read more »

Large dump trucks filled with asphalt and dirt will be a common sight in Peru this summer. Several long-discussed Town of Peru construction projects are underway. They include paving Woodland Drive, Maiden Lane and Button Brook Parkway; replacing a major Fuller Road bridge; constructing the Heyworth/Mason Park to Sullivan Park Walking Trail; and replacing the Town Hall entrance steps. The Peru Gazette stopped by several projects today and took a few photographs. The highway paving photos were taken on May 29th. Click here to see a Trail Map  

From the Office of Congressman Bill Owens

PLATTSBURGH, NY—Today Congressman Bill Owens announced that the Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $1,500,500 in grant funding to the Head Start Program run by Joint Council for Economic Opportunity (JCEO) of Clinton and Franklin Counties.

“Head Start programs like the one at JCEO are a proven tool preparing students for their educational careers and increasing the chance that they will succeed later in their lives,” said Congressman Owens. “Funding for these programs is a critical long-term investment in the growth and stability of communities throughout the region.”

JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties focuses support on individuals and families that are actively pursuing self-sufficiency, serving low-income communities across Clinton and Franklin counties. The Head Start program includes 17 Head Start centers and three home visit options that deliver comprehensive early childhood education services to 377 children and their families.

“This funding is really important to us,” said Bruce Garcia, CEO of JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties. “This means that we can continue to provide services throughout the entire two-county area, from Keeseville to St. Regis Falls to Tupper Lake. We’re really happy that we’ve gotten this and will be good to go for the rest of the year.”

JCEO of Clinton and Franklin Counties is one of 58 Community Action Agencies in New York State. 96% of JCEO service recipients are temporarily in need and not on any form of public assistance.

Honor Flight interim director named » Local News » Press-Republican.

North Country Honor Flight director resigns » Local News » Press-Republican.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Austin Waid-Jones of Peru, N.Y., a junior majoring in mechanical engineering, was named to the university’s Dean’s List for academic excellence for the Spring 2014 semester.

A total of 1,380 undergraduate students achieved the criteria required for WPI’s Spring 2014 Dean’s List. The criteria for the WPI Dean’s List differ from that of most other universities as WPI does not compute a grade point average (GPA). Instead, WPI defines the Dean’s List by the amount of work completed at the A level in courses and projects.

“WPI’s academic programs are remarkably rigorous, so being named to the Dean’s List is a testament to hard work, a sharp mind, and a commitment to excellence,” said Provost Eric Overstr?m. Read more »

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Stefanik, Doheny Spar in TWC News Debate for North Country’s Congress Seat – Time Warner Cable News.

Trooper Killed Following Traffic Stop in Binghamton – Time Warner Cable News.

The Town of Peru Highway Department will be paving Buttonwood Parkway, Woodland Drive and Maiden Lane (in that order) on Tuesday, May 29, 2014 beginning at about 7:30 AM.  The project should be complete by about 10 AM.  The streets will be closed or restricted during the paving process.  Yesterday’s rain delayed the paving 24 hours.

GRANTHAM, PA (05/27/2014)(readMedia)– Peru resident Edward Larow was named to the dean’s list for the 2014 spring semester at Messiah College. Larow is a junior majoring in history with social studies certification. Dean’s list is earned by receiving a 3.6 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Mechanicsburg, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg.

NYC trash, shipped by rail, coming to landfill.

Lower-cost states’ tax breaks lure NY companies | Crain’s New York Business.

Peru VFW Post 409 conducted its traditional Memorial Day Ceremonies today. Clinton County Legislator Peter Keenan was the main speaker.

The Robert A. LaFountain Disabled American Veterans Chapter 179 conducted memorable Memorial Day Ceremonies today at the Veterans Park on the U.S. Oval. Chapter Commander Carmon Rust welcomed the large crowd. The ceremony included a very moving Raising of the Flags ceremony and a speech titled “Why We Remember” by Steven Bowman, Director of the Clinton County Veterans Service Agency.  It closed with a Placement of Wreaths ceremony. Awards were presented to several people who raised funds to purchase a new DAV van to transport veterans to V.A. hospitals for examinations and treatment.

Click here to view a slideshow (Music plays on a PC). Click here to view individual photos. 

The North Country Cultural Center for the Arts is excited to announce a new call for artists. The NCCCA is currently working with a private client to purchase artworks for their commercial building as it is being renovated. Artists may submit up to three entries each. Entries should be submitted by email to gallery@plattsburgharts.org and include a thumbnail of the image, artist name, title, date and price with “Private Brokerage” in the title line. The deadline for entries is July 7th 2014.

Artists are encouraged to submit works that relate to peace, hope, tranquility and contemplation. Works chosen will be those that evoke a sense of calm and serenity in viewers with an emphasis on comfort. This call is for all forms of media, including sculptural works and wall reliefs. Large scale works will be accepted, but space for them is limited. All works must be properly wired or fabricated to hang correctly, have a quality frame and an aesthetic taste coinciding with the theme.

Please forward any questions or inquires to the NCCCA Museum Coordinator, Christina Elliott, by email at gallery@plattsburgharts.org, by phone at 518-563-1604 or stop in the office at 23 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh. The deadline for entries is July 7th 2014.

The Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the 16^th Annual Great Adirondack Car Show, Craft Fair & Giant Garage Sale! Join us on Saturday, June 14th at the Crete Center to see cars, truck and motorcycles from every era competing in 30 different classes. Enter your vehicle in advance for only $10.

This family event also features a Giant Garage Sale. Turn your stuff into cash by setting up a table and selling your items or wander through the tables yourself and find some treasures to take home. Space is available for $20 in advance or $30 at the show.

The Craft Fair features homemade crafts of all kinds. Crafter space is available $20 in advance or $30 at the show.

General admission to all three events is only $3 per person. Children 12 and younger are free.

Sponsored by The Chauvin Agency, Hometown Radio WIRY, The City of Plattsburgh and WOKO/WKOL/WJOY this event is fun for the whole family.  Don’t miss the Great Adirondack Car Show, Craft Fair & Giant Garage Sale on June 14th from 10am – 3:00pm at the Crete Center. For more information, call the Chamber at 563-1000 or go to www.northcountrychamber.com

The Atlantic Arch at the World War II Monument

The Freedom Wall’s 4048 Stars

On Saturday May 17, 2014 Ed Eisele of Peru escorted his mother Peg Eisele, a World War II Navy WAVE, on a North Country Honor Flight to Washington DC. Jeff Pescia of Plattsburgh escorted Joe Kelly of Peru. Both escorts were kind enough to send The Peru Gazette several photos and Ed was kind enough to submit a narrative describing the trip.  Click here to view a slideshow with music (music plays on a PC) of their photos.  Click here to view individual photos. 

By Ed Eisele

The North Country Honor Flight is dedicated to transporting as many US military veterans as possible to see the memorials of World War II in Washington DC at no cost to the veteran.  The veterans of the Honor Flights are escorted by volunteer guardians who help them on the flight and around the monuments in Washington. Everyone has an escort. The Peru veterans and escorts were led by an honor guard of two motorcycles and state police with lights flashing to the parade grounds on the old Air Force Base in Plattsburgh at 6:00 in the morning.

Gordy Little interviewed Joe Kelley

Upon their arrival many veterans, former Honor Flight escorts, scouts, citizens and media were in attendance. There was patriotic music playing as well as music from the WWII era (Don’t Sit under the Apple Tree). At the parade grounds the veterans and escorts registered, received nametags and a goodie bag with snacks and the itinerary.  Some were interviewed twice-once by the local cable TV and by the Peru Internet newspaper The Peru Gazette.

After everyone had checked in, there was a brief ceremony with reveille, flag ceremony and announcement of Honor Flight men who had passed away while taps was played followed by a 21 gun salute. Honor Flight veterans were introduced and local dignitaries said a few words. As the escorts brought the veterans to the bus, they were roundly applauded by families and all the well-wishers both veteran and civilian. Again, a full contingent of motorcycles, fire engines and varied law enforcement vehicles lead the way to the terminal. Enroute there were more fire vehicles, police and a huge American flag hoisted above the highway.

L-R Art LeFevre, Joe Kelley and Bob Mullady

When they arrived at the Plattsburgh airport, the veterans again received enthusiastic applause from many people. A section of the airport building was set up for us. The executive director of the North Country Honor Flight, Dan Kaifetz greeted everyone. After the Pledge of Allegiance and singing the Star Spangled Banner, dignitaries such as Congressman Bill Owens and NYS Legislator Janet Duprey spoke. All 15 veterans were again introduced with a short biography of what each did in wartime and then they were dismissed to go through TSA and board the plane.

As the plane taxied for takeoff, two Plattsburgh Air Force Base fire engines shot streams of water over the plane.  On the flight the plane had to stop at Islip Air Field on Long Island to refuel due to stronger than expected head winds. Since this was an unscheduled stop, it set our trip back an hour.

Saranac Central School Freedom Club

The plane landed in Baltimore and many military men and women from all branches of the service received the vets. Civilian passengers of all ages joined in the receiving line as well. Then the vets and escorts boarded the bus to Washington with several sailors accompanying us for the day.

Upon arrival at the World War II Memorial, approximately 30 Saranac High School students who are members of the “Freedom Club” greeted the vets. Then Senators Bob and Elizabeth Dole received the veterans. At this point, the veterans were able to convey appreciation for Dole’s spearheading the building of the monument.  We were also able to have our picture taken with the Doles.  We spent an hour there speaking to visitors and viewing the monument.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery

Iwo Jima Monument

Next, the bus took a tour of Arlington Cemetery enroute to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where we observed the changing of the guard ceremony. Upon leaving the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the host Dan pointed out the grave marker for Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in American history. The next stop was the Iwo Jima Monument, which was also most impressive.

Returning from Washington to Baltimore, the bus stopped at a VFW for dinner. On arrival in Baltimore, the vets boarded the plane and once in the air, they were surprised by a special “mail call”. Each of them received an excess of letters from family, friends, students, and veteran organizations thanking them for their service and offering their well wishes.  When landing in Plattsburgh, a very enthusiastic crowd once again warmly received the group.

Click here to view The Peru Gazette’s slideshow of the Honor Flight’s U.S. Oval and Plattsburgh International Airport ceremonies.

Superintendent Shuffle: Why Vermont’s Top Jobs in Education Turn Over So Quickly | Education | Seven Days | Vermont’s Independent Voice.

ALBANY, NY (05/22/2014)(readMedia)– Recognizing the legal challenges faced by veterans, the New York State Bar Association has extended, through November 2014, a statewide program that provides discounted legal help to military veterans.

The Veteran Referral Panel program, which began in November 2013, helps veterans with a broad range of legal matters, including obtaining federal benefits, military discharge upgrades, adoptions and family law, and bankruptcy. The program originally was to end later this month. More than 250 attorneys from around the state are participating in the effort.

Veterans who wish to take advantage of the discounted legal services should call 1-800-342-3661 or email lr@nysba.org. Attorneys who wish to assist veterans should visit www.nysba.org/vetvolunteer for an application. Read more »

Regular Mtg Agenda 05282014