The Peru Gazette

(PLATTSBURGH, NY – September 4, 2026) The Strand Center for the Arts is facing an immediate financial crisis. Without substantial support from the community now, they may not have the resources necessary to meet their current obligations and continue operating. 

“The world is changing around us and we need to change with it but first we need to be able to exist beyond this year. This is not the message we thought we would be sharing with the community now but, here we are,” said Megan Charland, the Executive Director of the Strand Center for the Arts. 

“The Strand is fortunate to have a committed and hard working staff, and our class, youth camp and event offerings in the arts center are often sold out fairly quickly. However, the theatre, where most of our profits come from, is underperforming considerably when compared to last year and compared to trends over the last three years. Across the country, performing arts organizations are navigating changing audience and ticket-buying trends, and the Strand is experiencing some of those shifts as well. Theatre revenue has historically made up 60-65% of the organization’s annual revenue. Just last year it was 66%. Theatre revenue through July is down 27% since last year, equating to a loss of about $140,000 in revenue. This reflects a national trend in declining ticket sales and the Strand is not immune. We need the support of the community to help us continue investing in the artists, performances, programs and experiences that bring our mission to life,” said Ryan Demers, Board of Trustees President of the Strand Center for the Arts. 

As a mission-driven non-profit organization, the Strand has always relied upon grants, sponsorships, and donations, both small and large, to supplement their earned income and support their efforts. Fundraising is currently lower than last year by about 30%. 

Programming revenue in the Strand’s arts center remains steady, which reflects the community’s desire for more classes and youth camps, but the revenue and profits from those efforts is significantly lower than those driven by the theatre. The Strand relies on grants and other forms of income to supplement their efforts, but those have decreased versus last year by 75% as funding is limited and more arts centers, like theirs, express greater needs. 

“In order to continue our mission to enrich, energize and engage our community through the arts, we’re asking you to donate what you can to help us get through this tough time. The Strand has been a Plattsburgh destination for the arts and entertainment for the last 26 years, and attracts over 35,000 visitors a year, and we hope to keep that going for another 26 years into the future,” said Ryan Demers, Board of Trustees President of the Strand Center for the Arts. 

“Right now, we urgently need to raise $50,000. Every contribution, whether it is $25, $100, $1,000, or more, will help us continue paying our immediate obligations and keep the Strand’s doors open. If the Strand has brought joy to you or someone you love, please stand with us now,” said Megan Charland, the Executive Director of the Strand Center for the Arts. 

To learn more and make a donation, visit their website at: www.strandcenter.org 

About Strand Center for the Arts 

Founded in 2000, the Strand Center for the Arts (SCA) is dedicated to offering arts education & cultural events to residents from Clinton, Essex & Franklin counties, and surrounding areas in Vermont and Québec, through a multi-disciplinary Arts Center and performing arts Theatre. The SCA strives to improve the quality of life for all members in our community by promoting creativity and self-growth, creating strong models for cultural & civic engagement, and by providing resources for better physical, mental & emotional health. We work to offer these services regardless of socio-economic status, age, or abilities. The SCA is a cultural and economic driver, and hub for family engagement, unique in capacity, reach & caliber as the only 

major arts center in a 50-mile radius: vital in the surrounding rural areas of the North Country region. Through diverse programs & partnerships, the SCA contributes toward improved personal wellbeing for people of all ages and ability with high-quality visual & performing arts classes; robust theatre offerings, including music, dance, comedy & film; and digital engagement efforts widely distributing arts resources. For more information on the Strand Center for the Arts visit our website: StrandCenter.org 

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By John T Ryan 

Peru, NY, September 3, 2026 – If you’ve ever admired the Irwins’ Maplegrand Farm on Jarvis Road, you might have noticed something different yesterday afternoon. One of the farm’s five silos is no longer there. 

Early Wednesday, six Amish men arrived and set up scaffolding inside the empty silo. By 8:30, 30 more Amish men joined them. Some climbed the 60-foot-high scaffolding and soon removed the silo’s metal crown. Then they removed the hoops encircling the silo before yanking out the 80-pound cement interlocking sections (staves) . Then they passed the staves to a man who shouted a warning before dropping them onto the hay pile below. Young men quickly gathered the staves and carried them to men stacking them on two large flatbed trailers. By 3 p.m., the silo was gone. The 1,200-plus staves and the crown were ready to be transported to an Amish farm in Ellenburg. The Amish said the silo would be rebuilt there by this afternoon. Why take down the silo? Jim Irwin explained, “We haven’t used the silos since we sold the cows in 2017. We needed more space to turn the equipment around. So, we offered the silo to the Amish.” 

Today, the Irwin brothers—Jim, Bob, Melvin, and Jim’s son, Tyler—focus on growing crops. Near the four silos that remain, a cornfield is thriving. Not far away, hay is almost ready for a second cut. A few days ago, the Irwins harvested oats across the road, and their nearby apple orchard is almost ready for picking. The Irwins are still farmers!

Jim, Bob, Melvin, and Tyler no plans to take down the silos that are still standing.  Maplegrand Farm is still a thing of beauty!  Thank you, Irwins. 

Editor’s Note – The Gazette respected the Amish request that photos not be taken of them.

The law would allow the state to charge the world’s biggest fossil fuel companies $3 billion annually over the next 25 years to pay for climate damages

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

Click here for the Adirondack Almanac story 

How an Aug. 2024 incident that resulted in the deaths of a sow and two cubs turned a town into animal advocates.

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

Click here for the Adirondack Explorer story 

September 10^th – 2:00 pm, 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Walking Tour of the Plattsburgh Oval.  Starting from the Clinton County Historical Association, with tour guides Maribeth Dunajski and Richard Caudell, hear histories of the historic buildings with special inside views of the Officers’ quarters and the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel. Registration is suggested by calling 518-561- 0340.

September 12 – 10 am to Noon, Trinity Church, Plattsburgh. Macdonough’s Naval Career before and after the battle with Military Historian Thaddeus Booth Trudeau and The History of the Macdonough Monument with CCHA Director Helen Nerska.

September 16^th, 6:00 pm, Pine Harbour, 15 New Hampshire Street, Plattsburgh.  William Henry Miner and His Lasting Legacy in the North Country with Amy Bedard, Library Director, William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute.  William Henry Miner’s life is a true Horatio Alger story. Orphaned as a pre-teen, Miner was sent from the Midwest to live with his aunt and uncle in Chazy, New York. Miner returned to the Midwest as a young man and eventually became a successful inventor of railroad equipment by the late 19th century. After achieving his wealth, Miner returned to Chazy with his wife Alice to establish Heart’s Delight Farm. The farm was a model of agricultural innovation and self-sufficiency. The Miners also believed in using their fortune to help others and their remarkable generosity continues to impact the North Country.

September 18^th – 12:30 pm. Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh. The Grange Movement in Clinton County and its Legacy. Beginning in Mooers in 1897, the Grange Movement quickly spread throughout Clinton County providing access to what was declared in the Plattsburgh Sentinel in 1904 to be one of the “grandest educational organizations in the world.” Welcoming both men and women into their organizational hierarchy, granges and their leaders built halls, published histories, held educational forums and hosted community events throughout Clinton County. Helen Nerska, the daughter of a ‘granger’ shares her research on the impact of this nation-wide movement in our County.

September 19^th, 6:00 pm. Pine Harbour, 15 New Hampshire Street, Plattsburgh. Redford Glass Uncovered. The presentation with CCHA Director Helen Nerska will take participants back to a period more than 200 years ago to learn about the short-lived history of the Redford Glass Company.  Although the company was in business for only 20 years they produced products that demonstrated unique skilled craftsmanship that survive to this day.  By the end of the presentation participants will see how the Company, that was once famous and esteemed for its crown glass windowpanes, has become synonymous with unique and priceless glassware.

September 22^nd, 6:45 pm, Lake Forest Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh. “Revisiting the Brinkerhoff & Court Street Historic Districts: Gains, Omissions, and Losses over 50 Years.” With Dr. James Lindgren, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Plattsburgh. With the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the many threats to Plattsburgh’s rich cultural heritage in those years, Dr. Allan Everest and the Clinton County Historical Association jump-started a drive in the 1970s to protect endangered architecture in the city center. Their work led to the creation of four National Register Historic Districts, which included two very different districts on Brinkerhoff and Court Streets in 1982. This illustrated presentation assesses what was included, how it changed over the years, and the many issues still facing both districts.

September 24^th, 6:00 pm, Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel, Old Base, Plattsburgh. The Archaeological Examination of Arnold’s Bay. In October of 1776 a tiny bay on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain was the site of the final encounter of the three-day Revolutionary War Battle on Lake Champlain which started at Valcour Island. In this location, formerly known as Ferris Bay, five colonial vessels, under the command of Benedict Arnold, were burned to deny their capture by the British fleet. Arnold and his men crews escaped overland while under fire from the British vessels. Since 2021 the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum has been conducting a battlefield survey of Arnold’s Bay and the shoreline around it with a goal of refining our understanding of the battlefield and any remaining vessel wreckage through in-water and terrestrial survey.  Lake Champlain Maritime Museum Executive Director Chris Sabick will present the background history of the site and a description of previous archaeology work, and present preliminary results of recent excavations.

For more information, contact Helen Nerska, Director, Clinton County Historical Association.

(cell) 513-582-7246, (museum) 518-561-0240

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Ellenburg Depot man walks away from his job in Corrections 

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Top artists from the Champlain Valley — and one special guest performer from Delaware — present masterworks in existence at the time of the Battle of Plattsburgh

Plattsburgh, September 1, 2026 – For the second consecutive September, this year’s Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Weekend will feature for special programs showcasing music that would have been heard by audiences in Europe and in North America in September 1814, the month and year when the battle was fought. 

All four concerts will feature standout Champlain Valley performers whose professional credits range from Carnegie Hall to Broadway, from the Boston Symphony Orchestra to the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, from the Crane School of Music to Yale University, and from several other top-level venues across Japan, Canada, and multiple European nations — plus a special appearance by veteran stage and screen actor Steven Mumford, who will travel from Delaware to deliver an exclusive performance of his original monologue portraying Battle of Plattsburgh hero Commodore Thomas Macdonough.   

Each concert is free of charge with the purchase of a Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration button, with all performances taking place in the sanctuary of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Plattsburgh.

The schedule of this unique Battle of Plattsburgh period music series includes: 

Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos By Champlain Strings. Sept. 12, 4 p.m. 

The Plattsburgh-based string orchestra that delighted listeners last year with The Four Seasons returns to present three of Johann Sebastian Bach’s masterpieces: the immortal Brandenburg Concertos No. 3, No. 5, and No. 6! Likely the first time that all three of these melodious works have been performed in the same program anywhere in the North Country! Featuring Champlain Valley-based professional soloists Marilyn Reynolds (violin), Robin Cameron-Phillips (flute), and John Curtis (harpsichord).

Beethoven’s Chamber Music For Wind Instruments By The Adirondack Wind Ensemble. Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m. 

Ludwig van Beethoven’s Octet for Winds and Sextet for Winds were popular classics at the time of the Battle of Plattsburgh, and both works remain gems of the wind instrument repertoire today. Daniel Gordon leads musicians from the Adirondack Wind Ensemble in presenting these two compositions by a composer who was still dazzling the Western world when the turning point of the War of 1812 occurred in our community.

McCarty & Macdonough: The Violist & The Commodore. Sept. 13, 1 p.m.

Violist Patricia McCarty, whose professional credits range from the Boston Symphony Orchestra to an impressive globally celebrated array of solo recordings, presents a program of solo viola classics by Georg Philipp Telemann, Johann Sebastian Bach, Alessandro Rolla, and more. 

Joining her will be award-winning actor and playwright Steven Mumford, who is traveling from Delaware to present an exclusive performance of his original monologue in the character of Commodore Thomas Macdonough, the hero of the Battle of Plattsburgh, telling this dramatic story through spoken episodes that intertwine with the music!

Battle of Plattsburgh Vespers. Sept. 13, 3 p.m. 

Helen Demong, Artistic Director of the Northern Lights Choir, leads a chamber chorus of North Country vocalists in a program of choral classics, joined by beloved collaborative pianist Jennifer Moore. Sacred and secular works by Mozart, Palestrina, William Billings, Michael Haydn, Tomas Luis de Victoria, and many more — plus some stunning vocal solos — will bring this commemoration weekend to a deeply moving conclusion.

The four concerts are produced by Plattsburgh resident Benjamin Pomerance and are made possible through the generosity of the Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration Committee. 

Seating for each concert is first-come, first-served. Attendees are encouraged to come early to secure their seat of choice. 

For more information, please contact Benjamin Pomerance at pomerance.benjamin58@gmail.com

Peru Gazette file photo

BETA Technologies to unveil one-of-a-kind “P-51 Bustang” during a special 6:30 a.m. event at the U.S. Oval

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — September 1, 2026 — North Country Honor Flight will send 29 North Country veterans to Washington, D.C., on Saturday, September 5, for a day dedicated to honoring their service and sacrifice.

The veterans traveling on North Country Honor Flight Flights 72 and 73 represent several generations of American military service. The group includes a Korean War veteran, several Vietnam War veterans and veterans who served during the Cold War.

This mission will also mark the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind vehicle created specifically to transport North Country’s heroes.

Introducing the “P-51 Bustang”

Flights 72 and 73 are being sponsored by BETA Technologies, which has transformed a bus donated by Saranac Central School into a rolling masterpiece.

Patterned after the legendary P-51 Mustang, the specially designed bus has been affectionately named the “P-51 Bustang.” The one-of-a-kind vehicle represents a deep appreciation for the veterans it was created to serve.

“Rich, Ashley and the entire BETA Technologies crew have poured their heart and soul into the project. The P-51 Bustang will become a lasting part of our organization, and we are incredibly grateful. ” says Barrie Finnegan, Executive Director of North Country Honor Flight.

The P-51 Bustang will be officially unveiled at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, September 5, at the U.S. Oval in Plattsburgh, as the veterans arrive for their Honor Flight sendoff ceremony.

September 5 Sendoff

Veterans will travel through town with “Thunder in the ‘burgh” and arrive at the US Oval at approximately 6:30 a.m., where BETA Technologies will unveil the P-51 Bustang.

The official North Country Honor Flight departure ceremony will begin at 7:00 a.m.

Family members, friends, fellow veterans, community members, local officials and supporters are encouraged to gather at the U.S. Oval to give these 29 veterans the sendoff they deserve.

Following the ceremony, the veterans will continue to the airport and begin their journey to Washington, D.C. There, they will visit the memorials dedicated to the generations of Americans who served our country.

For many of these veterans, the trip will provide an opportunity to finally see memorials that honor their service and the service of their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

North Country Honor Flight extends its deepest appreciation to BETA Technologies for sponsoring Flights 72 and 73 and for creating a project that will remain a part of Honor Flight for years to come. Special thanks also goes to Saranac Central School for donating the bus that made this project possible.

Assemblyman Michael Cashman News Release of September 1, 2026 – “We have known cuts to Medicaid and increased eligibility requirements to access coverage were coming ever since the passage of the H.R.1 bill early last year. These cuts will undoubtedly result in lowered access to routine appointments, quality care, medication, and other healthcare needs for millions of New Yorkers. The changes have already begun to put strain on our local medical providers and instilled fear in many who rely on these programs.”

“Starting in September, New Yorkers enrolled in Medicaid plans will receive notice of potential changes in coverage via mail or email. It is essential that enrollees make sure their contact information is up-to-date with Medicaid to make sure they get the most accurate information regarding their specific situation.”

“Starting on January 1, 2027, many Medicaid enrollees will have new work and eligibility reporting requirements. Enrollees will be informed as to if they need to meet these requirements. Exemptions are made for individuals who are disabled, veterans with total disabilities, pregnant or recently pregnant individuals, caregivers to disabled individuals and young children, and additional qualifiers. A full list of exempt individuals can be found online here: https://info.nystateofhealth.ny.gov/stay-covered. Enrollees will likely have to provide evidence of their exemption to renew their coverage.”

“Many enrollees will also have to verify their continued eligibility twice a year as opposed to the current once a year. Enrollees should make sure their contact information is up-to-date, especially if they have recently moved.”

“While addressing abuse and fraud in our social systems is vital, implementing these measures will cause many eligible enrollees to be unjustly kicked from coverage due to the higher likelihood of clerical errors and filing mistakes. For the vast majority of enrollees, Medicaid coverage is a lifeline between their temporary hardship and accessing essential services. Adding barriers to health care is simply unjust, especially to communities that are already experiencing hardship and difficulty accessing care.”

“These cuts will also have a direct impact on our own rural communities and our already-strained providers. Our hospitals rely on Medicaid dollars to function. When people do not have healthcare coverage, they do not go to the doctor. People will get sick. People who have preexisting conditions will go without treatment. People will inevitably die because of these cuts and the lack of access to care.”

“As of July 2026, Clinton County had roughly 19,500 residents enrolled in Medicaid, Franklin County had roughly 14,500, and Essex County 7,900. These are thousands of residents right here in the North Country that are facing major changes to and potential loss of critical health care coverage.” 

Matej Kollar, Chief Financial Officer, University of Vermont Health Network-Alice Hyde Medical Center (AHMC) and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH), said: “In our Emergency Department and clinics, we are already seeing more patients without health insurance as a result of changes to eligibility requirements and the increased cost of health insurance. With additional changes anticipated in the coming year, we expect to see that number increase even more. These changes come at a time when rural hospitals, like CVPH, are already operating on razor thin margins.”

“Our priority has been and will always be to provide the care our community needs. We look forward to working with our elected officials to ensure the North Country continues to have accessible and affordable healthcare now and for generations to come.” 

Bill Schneider, RN, New York State Nurses Association Second Vice President and a nurse at Adirondack Medical Center, said: “As a nurse in the North Country, I see how our patients need access to quality local care to stay healthy. We care for a large number of people who rely on Medicare and Medicaid. The federal Medicaid cuts will decimate rural healthcare and our patients’ access to care. We’ve already seen hospitals cut services and propose maternal health closures in anticipation of the deeper federal cuts that are coming this winter. We urge the Trump administration to reverse course and invest in the health of our communities instead of cutting access to lifesaving care.” 

Helen Wallis, 1199SEIU Vice President for the North Country, said: “Deep Medicaid cuts have a devastating impact on our communities, hospitals, and nursing homes. We’ve already seen cuts to the healthcare workforce throughout the North Country – we don’t want to see more jobs lost as a result of last year’s H.R. 1. Access to critical medical care in our rural communities is essential to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. When access to care is limited, people will not get the quality care they need to live and thrive.”

“We need to stand together as a community to call upon our federal government to reestablish Medicaid coverage to those in need while simultaneously preventing the abuse and fraud of these systems,” Cashman said. “New York State simply cannot foot the bill that this deficit will cause. I will do everything within my power to minimize the harms the North Country feels.”

“The Constitution is clear that Congress — not the President acting alone — possesses the authority to decide whether the nation enters war,” the letter from 27 Vermont veterans and Guard family members states.

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Schools are shifting away from full novels to excerpts to prep students for state exams and accommodate lower stamina for reading.

Click here for the New York Focus story 

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By John T. Ryan 

Peru, NY, August 31, 2026 – “I enjoy meeting new people. In this business, I meet people from all walks of life. You never experience the same thing in any two places you go,” said Kyle Spear about operating his new business, Spear Septic Service. 

“It took a lot of thought to say, I’m going to do it,” Spear recalls. And do it he did. Since its incorporation in August 2025, Spear Septic Service has purchased a 2001 International truck, a 3,300-gallon tank, a vacuum pump, and a hydrojetter to clean sludge from leach fields and clear line blockages. Spear said, “The truck needed a total rebuild: brakes, exhaust, rear end, paint job, you name it! The tank only needed a paint touchup.” Thankfully, Spear’s step-father, Curtis Smith, gave his time and talents to the rebuild effort. Today, the fully equipped truck is an impressive-looking rig. 

Spear said scheduling has been a big part of running his own business, especially since he’s a full-time employee at the Peru Highway Department. “I’ve got to figure out when I can do jobs and fit it into my family life.” The 2009 Peru High School grad is married with three children. He stated, “I schedule calls for Fridays, evenings and weekends. I don’t have to pay employees, so I can keep my prices reasonable.”  Spear is happy with business since his first call in January and is looking forward to expanding with new equipment. 

Kyle Spear is a friendly man and good communicator. Customers should enjoy doing business with him.

For more information or to make an appointment with Kyle Spear, call 518-569-6974. See his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Spear-septic-service-61584256390633/

Date of incorporation was August 2025, not August 2026 as originally stated. 

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Franklin, St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis County Sheriffs join in the lawsuit 

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PLATTSBURGH, NY August 27, 2026 – Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) is proud to announce the appointment of Emily Blair as Principal at the Rise Center for Success. As Principal, Blair will lead and support Life Skills programming focused on helping students build the academic, social, and functional skills they need to achieve greater independence and success. She will work closely with Rise staff, students, families, and component school districts to strengthen opportunities and outcomes for every learner.

Blair brings more than 20 years of experience in education to the Rise leadership team, with a career dedicated to supporting students with diverse learning needs. Her experience as both a special education teacher and district-level administrator has provided her with a strong foundation in instructional leadership, student support services, special education programming, and collaboration with students, families, staff, and school communities.

Blair began her career as an Elementary Special Education Teacher at Northern Adirondack Central School before transitioning to a Secondary Special Education Teacher within the district. She later moved into district leadership, serving as the Director of Pupil Personnel Services, where she provided leadership for special education programs and oversaw a range of services designed to support student success.

She earned a master’s degree in special education from SUNY Plattsburgh and a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Pupil Personnel Services from SUNY Plattsburgh at ACC.

“I am delighted to welcome Emily to our CVES Family of Professionals,” Dr. Mark Davey, CVES District Superintendent, said. “Her extensive experience, leadership, and commitment to students will be a tremendous complement to our outstanding Rise team. Emily knows our region well and understands the important work we do in partnership with our component districts and families. We are thrilled to have her at CVES as a new member of our Administrative Team and look forward to all she will bring to Rise.”

“I am truly excited and honored to join the Rise Center as the new Life Skills Principal,” Blair said. “Having worked alongside the dedicated Rise staff for many years, I have witnessed firsthand their commitment to students and excellence in education. I look forward to building on the school’s many successes and partnering with staff, families, and students to create meaningful opportunities for every learner.”

“Emily brings a tremendous combination of experience, compassion, and leadership to the Rise Center for Success,” Executive Director of Special Education, Dr. Matt Slattery said. “She understands the unique strengths and needs of the students we serve, and she has built her career around creating the conditions for students to be successful. Just as importantly, Emily understands that this work is rooted in strong relationships with students, families, staff, and our component school districts. We are excited to welcome her to the CVES leadership team and confident she will make a meaningful difference for our students and the entire Rise community.”

CVES welcomes Blair to the Rise Center for Success leadership team and looks forward to the experience, collaborative leadership, and commitment to students she brings to the role.