The Peru Gazette

L-R Honoree Geri Kaplan-Downs and Girl Scouts of NYNY CEO Brenda Episcopo

Plattsburgh, N.Y. – Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (GSNENY) hosted its 20th Women of Distinction event for the Northern Region of the council on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the West Side Ballroom in Plattsburgh. This event honors women who have been nominated by someone in their community who exemplifies the values and abilities instilled in Girl Scouts.

This year’s honoree is an ambitious woman who takes calculated risks, motivates others, perseveres through hardships, and uses her leadership skills to act as an agent for change in her community.

The 2024 Woman of Distinction is Geri Kaplan-Downs from Morrisonville. She received the Distinguished Personal Achievement Award. Kaplan-Downs is the accounts receivable specialist at Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center. Outside work, she is a Girl Scout leader and treasurer for her Troop and the Paret Teacher Organization at her daughter’s school. She is also a foster parent with her wife, Courtney. She has volunteered with Honor Flight, spent time at her local Pet Smart cleaning cages for cats being adopted, and runs an adult women’s softball team.

Whether at work, volunteering, or giving back to people in need, Kaplan-Downs loves knowing that her actions make a difference. She hopes to inspire the future generation of Girl Scouts to go out and help make a difference in the world.

“Whatever you do, give it your all; don’t short yourself. Go in with a positive attitude, dig deep, and be proud of who you are and what you’re doing,” Kaplan-Downs said.

The Women of Distinction event honors these women and raises funds to support Girl Scout programs.

Many women who are leaders in their fields credit Girl Scouting for helping them build the skills that have paved the road to success.

GSNENY serves over 5,000 Girl Scouts across 15 counties in New York, including over 500 from Clinton, Essex, and Franklin counties. GSNENY is the preeminent leadership development organization offering year-round programs for Girl Scouts to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Peru—CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive will be held on Monday, October 14, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru.

The drive is being coordinated by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273.

Peru – September 23, 2024,  Culvert replacement priorities dominated the Peru Town Board’s Monday, September 23, 2024, Regular Peru Town Board Meeting. Engineering Ventures representatives Peter Gibbs and Mark DeCrescente explained why exiting culverts failed and the challenges in replacing them.  Peru Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell recently evaluated/scored ten culverts to determine the replacement order. He did not score the closed Telegraph Road culvert. The need to replace it ASAP is self-evident.

FEMA monies installed most, if not all, the culverts needing replacement following severe floods in 1996 & 1999. Since then, regulations have changed, and technology has improved. Gibbs and Nummelin cited undersized culverts and changing weather patterns as the primary reasons for the ongoing problems. Undersized culverts result in faster water flow, more silt and sediment, and culvert deterioration, including the fill above and below a culvert.  In many cases, fast-flowing waters wore the galvanization off the culverts. Changing weather patterns also resulted in higher-than-expected water levels and faster flows.

The highest priority culverts are Wescott Rd., Fuller Rd., and Lions Rd. Their estimated replacement cost is about $4.9 million. The Wescott Rd. culvert will be the biggest challenge. Six homeowners rely on it for access to their property. The town must keep one side of the existing road open or construct a temporary bridge. Engineers estimate its replacement cost to be just over $1,527,000.

Supervisor Craig Randall said the immediate challenge is finding funding for the engineering work needed before construction begins and researching bonding sources for long-term borrowing. Randall and Farrell want engineering plans and financing in place, making the town eligible for any available grant monies.

Vibes virtuoso Tim Collins enjoys a thriving career performing jazz throughout Europe. The Plattsburgh native has been living in Munich for over a decade, but he loves returning to the North Country to visit family and friends and play music. A Tim Collins concert is always a highly anticipated event.  Tim is returning to the States and bringing one of his favorite ensembles with whom he frequently collaborates and tours-Quadro Nuevo. After playing together for many years, the instrumental artists of Quadro Nuevo and Tim Collins have joyfully evolved their own distinct magical music genre somewhere between Jazz and World Music.

Tim Collins and Quadro Nuevo will perform live in concert on Sunday, October 13 at 3:00 pm at the Strand Center for the Arts Theater in Plattsburgh, NY. Advance tickets at several price points are available online at strandcenter.org/theatre-events.  Advance tickets may also be purchased in person at the box office during regular business hours at the Strand Center for the Arts located at 23 Brinkerhoff Street.  For further info, telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail ambrown.hillholl@gmail.com or visit hillandhollowmusic.org

October 8 – 2:30 pm, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Avenue, Plattsburgh. Transportation in Clinton County with Transportation Historian Dick Soper. A photo selection of the various means of transportation in Clinton County from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s, including trains, boats, carriages, and cars.

October 11^th – 4:30 pm, Clinton Community College, Moore Building, 2nd-floor lobby, Plattsburgh, NY. Commemorating the 248^th Anniversary of the Battle of Valcour Island. Hosted by the Saranac Chapter of the DAR with the Valcour Battle Chapter of the SAR. Guest speaker is Don L. Wills on “History, Reputation, Honor”.

October 12 – 9:30 am, Mooers Riverside Cemetery, Mooers, NY. Tour of the Mooers Riverside Cemetery.  Join Mooers Town Historian Vicki Brassard to learn about the 220-year-old cemetery, which reflects the town’s history and the significant people who gave the Town of Mooers her start, character, and personality. This cemetery site is unique on the National Register of Historic Places and is now a Veteran’s Memorial. The tour starts promptly at 9:30.

October 16^th – 6:00 pm, American Legion Post 912, 29 Pratt Street, Rouses Point. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Rouses Point. Sponsored by the Rouses Point and Champlain Historical Society. Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development in Rouses Point, which opened Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. See past photos, then aerial videos of today’s rails. The Rouses Point story is the second in a 5-part series spanning the period from 1833 to the present and includes photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

October 18 –12:30 pm, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Mooers (Part III). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development, which opened Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. See old photos, then aerial videos of today’s rails and stations. This is the third in a 5-part series spanning the period from 1833 to the present and including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library.

October 24 – 6:30 pm, Clinton County Historical Association, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh.  Emotions, Letters, and War: Through the Eyes of Civil War Soldiers Franklin Prairie and Joseph South. When the Civil War erupted in 1861, over 5000 men from Clinton County enlisted to serve. SUNY history graduate Aubrie Bourgeois presents the stories of two local men, Franklin Prairie and Joseph South who enlisted in the Macomb or Plattsburg Regiment. Her research shows how emotions and impacts of the war were conveyed in their letters home.

October 29 – 6:45 pm, Lake Forest, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. The History of Railroads in Clinton County – Mooers (Part III). Transportation Historian Dick Soper will share the history of rail development which opened Clinton County to new markets and eventually to new tourism and a past we now take for granted. See old photos, then aerial videos of today’s rails and stations. This is the third in a 5-part series spanning the period from 1833 to the present and including photographs, newspaper articles, aerial videos, and information from the large collection of railroad books recently added to the Clinton County Historical Association’s research library. Doors open at 6:30 pm

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

New York also granted access to FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

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You are invited to join USA Dance Plattsburgh’s dance session tonight, Wednesday, Sept. 25 (and every Wednesday until Spring), from 6-8 pm at the Peru VFW Post 309, 710 NY-22B, Peru, near the Schuyler Falls town line. These weekly “practice” sessions are free and everyone is welcome. Our repertoire of dance music includes Ballroom dances-Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot; Latin dances-Rumba, Cha Cha, and Salsa; and Swing dances-East Coast and West Coast Swing. No partner or experience is required.

Dance Plattsburgh is hosting a Swing-Latin-Ballroom dance with Foxtrot lessons on FRIDAY, September 27 at the North Country Squares Dance Club, 84 Fairgrounds Rd., Morrisonville, NY. We are excited to announce that Patti Panebianco will offer an Intermediate Foxtrot lesson at 6:15pm and a Beginner Foxtrot lesson at 7:00pm. General dancing will follow until 9:30pm. Admission is $15/person; $10/USA Dance members and students.

USA Dance Chapters have a simple mission – to promote social ballroom dancing in the local community. Regarding our informal dance sessions at the Peru VFW – they are low-key with casual attire. Although there is no formal instruction at the weekly sessions, veteran dancers are happy to help with the basic steps or show you a new figure when you’re ready. A small donation (no more than $5) is appreciated – but not required to help cover the weekly rental fee. The Post bar will be open to purchase water, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages (no outside beverages are permitted).

For more information on USA Dance, Social Dancing, or to become a member of Chapter #3068 (or renew), visit https://usadance.org/.

Other dance opportunities that may be of interest: 

**Square Dance free “Fun Night” Thursday, September 26 from 7-9 hosted by North Country Squares, 84 Fairground Road, Morrisonville. Square Dancing is great fun, great exercise and very social! Introductory “Mainstream” classes start on Thursdays in October and will run through early Spring. No experience or partner needed to join the class – which will cost $5/week. Come check out the Fun Night and see whether Square Dancing might be a fun activity for you!

–English Country Dance will host a dance Friday, October 11 at the North Country Squares Dance Club 7-9pm, 84 Fairgrounds Rd., Morrisonville, NY. Callers Wendy Gilchrist and Bruce Kokernut teach the figures before music plays. Cost is $5/person. All are welcome! Please email Wendy at wgilchrist2015@yahoo.com to get on the English email list!

–Contra Dance on Saturday, September 28 from 7-9:15pm at the North Country Squares Dance Club, 84 Fairgrounds Rd., Morrisonville, NY. The dance will feature caller Jeremy Clifford and live music with Adirondack 2-Step. Cost is #10/person; $5/students. No partner or experience needed.

—The Peru VFW Post 309 hosts a live band, Just Jammin’ every Thursday eve from 5-8pm and attracts a dancing crowd – all are welcome to attend.

–Snowmotion Dance with instructor Sarah Snow offers numerous group lessons in Burlington, VT. Latin Tuesdays feature a beginner’s Salsa class 7-8pm; Intermediate Bachata 8-9pm. Cost per class is $20. Visit the website at https://www.snowmotionstudios.com/

–Vermont Swings hosts Tuesday classes at the North Star Community Center, 20 Crowley Street, Burlinton, VT 6:30-7:30pm. A social dance follows starting at 7:30pm (East Coast Swing, Lindy, Jive). Costs: $15/$10 (Student w/ ID) by-the-week for a series or one-time classes.  No partner is required. Dancers can pre-register at https://vermontswings.com/classes. Please bring a change of clean, non-marking shoes (or socks) to protect your knees and the beautiful wooden floor. Email contact@vermontswings.com with any questions

–The 802 Westie Collective offers a monthly dance (West Coast Swing) and weekly lessons on Wednesdays at the North Star Community Center, 20 Crowley Street, Burlington. Visit https://802westiecollective.org/ for more info.

If you have any questions please feel free to call/text/email (cell: 518-645-1930). To “unsubscribe” from this group, please email me back and ask to be unsubscribed.

With appreciation for our social dance community,

Diana Wardell, President

USA Dance Plattsburgh #3068

Cell/Text: 518-645-1930

PLATTSBURGH, NY—The Plattsburgh Rotary Club requests proposals from local organizations to benefit our community.

The Club is asking that all requests for this Rotary year be submitted for review by October 31, 2024.

The Club has a limited amount of money to distribute to local organizations in Clinton County; therefore, the maximum grant that can be received is $500. These grants are given to 501c3 organizations serving a larger population and a greater good, not to an individual. All grants are given for special projects, not for the organization’s general operations or fundraising. Specific events like walks, golf tournaments, etc., will not be considered. Special funding is available for Youth-At-Risk programs that positively impact individuals under 18.

Please include the project title, organization name, contact information, funding amount requested, program length, goal and summary of the project, any collaborative partners, budget, and any means of recognizing Rotary if funded. Requests should be submitted to P.O. Box 86, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, or sent electronically to khaley@cvph.org.

The Plattsburgh Rotary Club diligently raises money annually to reinvest in local organizations and support worldwide health efforts led by Rotary International. For questions, please email khaley@cvph.org.

Dr. Tim Mihuc, Director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute

Keeseville, NY—On Monday, September 30th, Dr. Tim Mihuc, Director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute, will present an overview of microplastics and research underway to identify sources of these tiny pollutants in our waterways in Keesville, NY.

Dr. Mihuc’s Microplastics in Lake Champlain presentation is a special fall edition of the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program’s (LCBP) Love the Lake speaker series. The LCPB is hosting the presentation with the New York Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain Management.

Dr. Mihuc is a Distinguished Service Professor of Environmental Science and Director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute at SUNY Plattsburgh. His teaching and research interests include aquatic ecology, food webs, invertebrate communities, and invasive species.

This FREE public program begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Ausable Valley Grange, 1749 Main Street, Keeseville, NY 12944, following the NYCAC meeting at 6:00 p.m. (also open to the public). Coffee, tea, and homemade desserts will be served. For further information, contact Katie Darr at (802) 372-0219 or email at kdarr@lcbp.org.

Those who wish to join virtually can join with this Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUsf-Gpqz0pGdSwJSKJFThW8vPeiTiO7V8N

State Senator Dan Stec at podium

Senator Dan Stec (R, C-Queensbury), Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) and Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R, C-Black River) joined law enforcement officials from St. Lawrence, Clinton, Franklin and Jefferson Counties at a press conference to advocate for their legislation (Senate bill S.2147/A.5145) that would repeal the state’s “Green Light Law” for border counties. Under that law, federal, state and local law enforcement are not allowed to coordinate their efforts in addressing illegal northern border crossings. The lawmakers’ bill would restore cooperation between all law enforcement agencies.

Joining the state legislators to speak on these difficulties and the need for inter-agency cooperation were St. Lawrence County Sheriff Rick Engle, Franklin County Sheriff Jay Cook, Clinton County Sheriff David Favro and Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Barnett. As Stec and his legislative colleagues made clear during the press conference, restoring this cooperation is vital in meeting the public safety challenges created by the migrant crisis and the governor’s migrant policies.

“Because of the ill-conceived policies coming from the governor, there’s an ongoing crisis along our northern border. I’ve heard repeatedly from our law enforcement officials along the border that a major impediment in addressing security and illegal immigration concerns is the Green Light Law,” said Stec. “The legislation I sponsor in the Senate and advocated for today ends the Green Light Law’s restriction on federal and local law enforcement co-operation by allowing local law officers to work with federal immigration officials on finding and removing criminal illegal immigrants in our communities. As lawmakers, we have an obligation to secure our border and protect lawful residents. The legislation my colleagues and I discussed today would go a long way toward accomplishing that goal.”

As we face increasing challenges at our northern border, it is imperative that we enable full cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement,” said Gray. “The current restrictions under the Green Light Law hinder our ability to effectively manage and secure our communities. Our proposed legislation aims to restore this vital collaboration, ensuring the safety and security of our residents. Together with Senator Stec and Assemblyman Blankenbush, I am committed to addressing these pressing issues and safeguarding our border regions.”

“We need to repeal the state’s Green Light Law immediately,” said Blankenbush. “Cooperation between all levels of law enforcement is crucial to deal with the northern border crisis. Once again, Albany and the NYC Democrats show they are incapable of considering the entire state.”

Clinton County, September 24, 2024. The Clinton County Health Department (CCHD) is reporting one case of West Nile virus, the first case reported this season. 

The individual, who is over the age of 50 and resides in the Town of Chazy, began experiencing symptoms consistent with West Nile virus on September 1 and was subsequently hospitalized. They are now recovering. 

“Though mosquitoes usually are considered a nuisance or a pest, they occasionally can transmit viruses to people and animals,” explained Nichole Louis, Director of Health Care Services at CCHD. “In Clinton County, the mosquito-borne illnesses we can encounter are Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE, Triple E) and West Nile virus (WNV).” 

EEE and WNV are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Along with this case of WNV, Clinton County has previously reported one EEE case identified in a horse. No human cases of EEE have been identified in Clinton County. 

Most people infected with EEE or WNV develop mild symptoms or do not develop any signs or symptoms. If illness develops, symptoms usually occur 3-15 days after the bite from an infected mosquito. Symptoms of EEE and WNV can be similar, but EEE is a much more serious illness in people who develop severe disease and much more likely to result in death. People with mild cases of mosquito-borne illness may develop fever, headache, body aches and occasionally a skin rash or swollen glands (lymph nodes). People with severe cases of EEE or WNV usually have a sudden onset of headache, high fever, neck stiffness, muscle weakness, altered mental status, tremors, convulsions, paralysis, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) or the membranes of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or coma. 

Individuals under 15, over 50, and those with chronic illness or compromised immune systems are at most risk for severe infection. Clinton County residents are urged to take precautions to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, especially during mosquito season, which extends through November. 

Take the following steps to protect yourself:  Read more »

Click here for the NCPR story 

Peru – CVPH Donor Center Blood Brive, Monday, October 14, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St. in Peru. All blood collected is utilized in our trl-county region.

The drive is being coordinated by St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273.

CVPH collected 21 units of 24 attempts at the August 19 Peru Blood Drive. Let’s see if we can surpass that total!

Homemade Ground Beef Meatloaf with Ketchup and Spices
** Note: Shallow depth of field

Meatloaf

Potatoes

Vegetable 

Dessert

Served 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., take-out only, at St. Augustine’s Parish Center, 3030 Main St., Peru, NY 12972 

All are invited and welcome!

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

$1M remodel officially unveiled with fanfare Sept. 16 will also benefit local food shelves

Click here for the Sun Community News story