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Peru, NY – Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 – Peru Girl Scout Troop #4183 members toured the water treatment facility on Reservoir Road tonight. Water district superintendent Courtney Tetrault explained where our water comes from and walked the girls through how it is treated and delivered to our homes. Special thanks to Courtney for taking the time with us!
L-R Mason Wilson, Store Manager Greg Mills and Maddox Wilson
Dick’s Sporting Goods believes that sports can change lives and that kids who take part in sports will learn essential life skills such as leadership, discipline and integrity. Dicks Sporting Goods Store Manager, Greg Mills, presented the North Country Cougars Hockey Club with one of this year’s $4,000 Sports Matter Grants. The Cougar’s Hockey Club has used this grant to make needed repairs to their snack bar. Through the Dicks Sporting Goods Foundation, the Sports Matter grants aim to address the growing issue of underfunded youth athletics nationwide.
Lorelei Wiggins received the Youth Patriotic Award Citation.
Peru Girl Scout Unit #446 received the National Youth Group Supporting Our Veterans Citation.
VFW Auxillary President Judy Lefevre made the following remarks.
Lorelei Wiggins has an extensive list of accomplishments and activities. She dances at Center Stage in Plattsburgh, where she is a member of the Lake City Players. As a junior at Peru High School, her activities include Select Chorus and All-State Chorus. She was selected to perform solos at the New York State School Music Association and has been a member of the Drama Club.
At St. Augustine’s Applefest, where Lorelei sells her canning products to help her parents pay the costs of her extracurricular activities, she promoted the VFW Auxiliary and our youth scholarship programs to anyone and everyone who will listen. She was terrific, even though she is not currently a member of our Auxiliary.
Lorelei is an Ambassador Girl School and Peru Community Delegate at State Conferences. For the past two (2) summers, she has served as a Councilor in Training, learning, and practicing her leadership style to become a Camp Councilor.
We have witnessed Lorelei’s leadership skills as she mentored the younger Peru Community Girl Scouts and called the commands as the younger girls posted our nation’s colors during both Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies. I am honored to present Lorelei Wiggins with a Youth Patriotic Award Citation for her dedication to veterans.
Tonight’s second (2nd) award is to Melissa Wiggins as a representative of Unit # 446 Girl Scout leaders. Before Memorial Day, the Peru Community Girl Scouts cleaned and re-planted the flower beds around our building and in front of the Veterans Memorial Wall. On Flag Day, they performed a beautiful flag-burning ceremony. In September, before our 50th Anniversary Dinner, the girls met here and did a fall cleanup around the building and the Memorial Wall. These activities were a tribute to our veterans.
I am honored to present The National Youth Group Supporting Our Veterans Citation to Peru Community Girl Scout Unit # 446 in “Recognition and appreciation of your support of our veterans and their families.” Congratulations! Thank you for all you, your fellow leaders, and the girls do for our veterans, their families, and this community.
St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 Grand Knight Michael Langlois with the winter coats and boots his council delivered to the Peru Elementary School.
Peru, November 21, 2024 – This week, St. Augustine’s Knights of Columbus Council 7273 delivered twenty-one new children’s winter coats and twelve pairs of boys’ and girls’ boots to Peru Central’s Primary and Intermediate Schools. School Nurse Kathy Bedard thanked the Knights, stating, “We know kids who need coats. Thank you so much for doing this each year.” The knights who deliver the coats and boots say it’s an emotional experience to see how appreciative the school nurses and staff are for the needed clothing. Since 2013, the Peru Knights have donated 275 new children’s winter jackets to the Peru Elementary School. They added boots last year after school nurses said the children needed them.
Schuyler Falls/Peru, NY—“Kissing Ball Christmas” will be held at the Kickin’ Up Dust Farm, 362 Peasleeville Road, through December 7. The event aims to raise money for Thera-Pets, Inc., a local charitable organization dedicated to improving human health through farm animals. In addition to donkeys, the farm also has goats, horses, Alpacas, and various birds. It is a recognized 501 (c)(3) organization.
The Kickin Up Dust Shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You’ll find kissing balls, wreaths, crosses, candy canes, gnomes, and swags. The primary Kissing Ball Christmas activities occur on November 30 and December 1. There’ll be pony rides from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., a bouncy house, Buddy the Elf, Yukon Cornelius, and the Bumble. Santa will visit from 1 to 3 p.m. with a gift for each child, and Grinch might show up. Free hot chocolate will be available on weekends.
The Kickin’ Up Dust Farm welcomes school groups and families by appointment. Its donkeys visit nursing homes, facilities for people with disabilities, andschools and assist other non-profit groups. Ken and Holly Besaw run the Kickin Up Dust Farm with support from many benefactors and volunteers.
For more information, call 518-569—1263 or go to the Thera-Pets Facebook page. You can also make donations on the Thera-Pets Inc. Facebook page or mail them to Thera-Pets, Inc., P. O. Box 319, Peru, NY 12972.
Grand Isle, VT – A new video series launched by the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program in partnership with Peregrine Productions and NEIWPCC celebrates the beauty of the Lake Champlain basin and efforts in several communities to protect and restore our shared waters.
With the web-based Summit to Shore StoryMap as a guide, viewers can digitally explore the landscape around Lake Champlain, from distant mountain peaks in the headwaters to wetlands on the lake’s shoreline. The videos include breathtaking drone imagery, intimate portraits of streams and rivers, and panoramic 360-degree video.
The map and videos feature three of the major rivers that flow to Lake Champlain.
The Winooski River, Lake Champlain’s largest tributary, flows through the largest population center in the basin before emptying into the lake in Burlington.
The Ausable River begins in the High Peaks of New York’s Adirondack Park, one of the oldest, largest, and most unique protected areas in the United States.
The binational Missisquoi River ties Quebec’s rich French heritage with English tradition and includes the only federally designated Wild and Scenic River in the Lake Champlain basin.
Ryan Mitchell, Communications and Publications Coordinator for the Lake Champlain Basin Program, said, “We are fortunate to live in an extraordinarily beautiful place. We wanted to share that beauty and the stories of communities that are working to protect and restore these lands and waters. Our hope is to inspire others to get involved.”
Vince Franke of Peregrine Productions said, “As a videographer, it was a joy to capture the beauty of our local rivers and our connections to them. From the stunning but often inaccessible headwaters, I was struck by the expansive views of the rivers as they flow through such a variety of rich habitats and communities on their way to Lake Champlain.”
Organizations in these communities are invaluable sources of knowledge and information. They provide many opportunities for individuals to get involved as stewards of the natural and cultural heritage in their own backyard.
The Summit to Shore stories include an artist-in-residence program that connected students to their watershed; a collaboration between private landowners and their local watershed organization to remove a dam; improvement of public river access points; and a partnership between a researchers and town officials to reduce the amount of road salt entering a local lake.
Assemblyman Billy Jones: Reduced Border Hours will negatively impact the North Country
“I am disappointed and dismayed by the recent decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency to reduce the hours at border crossings across the North Country. This will have a negative impact on families and businesses along the border who rely on these crossings and now must travel further to get to their desired destinations. Some of the ports of entry affected like the one at Chateaugay are commercial ports, which will lead to delays for commerce coming through the North Country. This is a huge inconvenience and I have heard from many businesses and residents who will be negatively impacted by this decision. I encourage folks to reach out to our federal representatives- Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand- to make sure your voices are heard regarding this important issue.”
STEC TO U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: “YOU CAN’T HAVE A PART-TIME BORDER!”
Senator blasts federal decision to reduce operating hours at four northern border crossings
Senator Dan Stec (R,C-Queensbury) today expressed his outrage over the decision by United States Customs and Border Protection to reduce operating hours at four northern border crossings in New York State. Given the unique relationship between communities on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border, as well as the turmoil created in this region by the illegal immigration crisis, the move to reduce these operating hours will have a major impact on the safety and well-being of thousands of New Yorkers.
“Communities along the U.S.-Canadian border have a special bond, with residents on each side serving to assist the other as firefighters and EMS first responders,” said Stec. “Just today because of this mutual assistance pact, two Canadian fire companies used one of these crossings to respond to a structure fire in Chateaugay. Emergencies don’t happen on a planned timetable; if a community along the border is in need of assistance, a closed crossing means emergency crews will have to take substantive, lengthy detours to provide aid. It can quite literally be the difference between life and death. In less than a day, I’ve already heard from multiple fire departments and first responders about how much more difficult this will make emergency response in our rural communities.
“Someone needs to tell federal officials and Democrat leaders that you can’t have a part-time border.”
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) will once again host a toy drive to benefit the Christmas Bureau. For the past seven years, Jones has collected toys from the North Country community to ensure that every kid is able to open a present this holiday season.
“The North Country is always willing to give to their neighbors in need and I look forward to my toy drive every year due to the overwhelming response from the local community,” said Jones. “By the end of the drive, it’s difficult to maneuver around the office because of all the toys- and honestly, that is a problem I am happy to have. I want to thank Tammy and all the volunteers at the Christmas Bureau for all their hard work every holiday season and the community for their gracious donations. Let’s make this year the biggest drive yet!”
“I want to thank Assemblyman Jones and the community for always supporting us during the holiday season,” said Tammy Perrotte Sears. “Getting toys to every child during the holiday season would not be possible without all of you.”
You can drop off new unwrapped toys and monetary donations at Assemblyman Jones’s office at 202 US Oval in Plattsburgh starting Monday, November 25th. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The drive ends Friday, December 13th.
The 11th Annual Town-Wide Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival will be held on Saturday, December 14th, at the Town Hall, 997 Mason Street, Morrisonville, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Continuing the town’s tree-lighting tradition (started in 2014), this year’s event will be held at the Town Hall and grounds, with plenty of space for inside festivities and outside viewing and parking.
The doors open at 4:00 pm with music, mingling, and refreshments (donuts & cookies, cocoa, eggnog & coffee) continuing until 7:30 pm. A lighted fire truck parade moves through the hamlet, with tree lighting promptly at 4:30 pm.
Crafts to make and take and other activities for kids with special guests Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus continue from around 5 pm until all have visited. Kids can chat with Santa and take pictures with him in front of festive holiday backdrops. Children ages 2 through 8 will also receive an age-appropriate gift from Santa.
This is a time for all town residents, friends, and neighbors to connect during this festive holiday season. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
Thanks to all the volunteers; more is always appreciated. For information or to volunteer, contact the Town Hall at 518-563-1129 for Mindy Smith, Town Supervisor. Thank you to sponsors Leroux Fuels and Simpson Auto and for product donations from Stewart’s Shops.
The Town of Schuyler Falls wishes all a pleasant holiday season and a Happy New Year!
Acting on Highway Superintendent Michael Farrell’s recommendation, the board (5-0) accepted a portion of Washington Street, part of Phase II of the Orchard View Development. The town will be responsible for its maintenance. A few months ago, the property changed hands. The board hopes the project will advance, adding much-needed homes to our community.
Youth Director Kristen Marino said she needs a site manager for the basketball program conducted at Peru Central on eight Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. to about 2:30 p.m. Following the meeting questions, Mrs. Marino explained more about the program. The town provides the site and equipment (including uniforms), finds volunteer coaches, sends out rule books, and facilitates and runs the sites. Clinton County coordinates and provides schedules, trains, and pays officials. She manages practice time slots and gym access with the school. The program aims to improve Peru’s basketball programs and allow children to be part of a team and exercise regularly during winter months while building needed skills.
Basketball, Baseball, or Softball are all county programs. Athletes must play for the town they reside in or get a waiver from their town to play elsewhere.
Former Councilman Rick Barber, a Member of the America250 Commemoration Committee, reported that a plan is in place to erect a 20-foot flagpole at the Peru Dock overlooking the Battle of Valcour scene. An effort to salvage the Revolutionary War gunboat, the Spitfire, is also being considered. The Philadelphia, a similar vessel, is on display at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. Barber said the Spitfire would hopefully be on display at the former Automobile Museum at the U. S. Oval.
Water-Sewer Parks Superintendent Courtney Tetrault reported that he sent a second lead-pipe survey to water district members. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires towns to identify any lead water pipes. The town reports results to the NYS Health Department. Tetrault has said several times that over the past 19 years, he’s never seen a lead water line in the town other than short connectors not covered by the mandate.
Highway superintendent Michael Farrell reported that he placed a solar power camera on the southern end of Telegraph Road. He hopes it will resolve issues regarding his department’s not timely plowing of the road and adjoining neighborhoods. Cameras combined with plow truck technology will enable him to identify precisely when his personnel plowed town roads.
Farrell also reported that the state’s electric truck mandate remains on hold for two years. Electric truck batteries are experiencing many performance issues in cold climates. Farrell also stated that NYSEG needs more electrical production capacity in this region before it can take on more heavy users.
HamilSun Community Solar opened its subscriber portal. If you do not fall into the low—to moderate-income category, the portal will accept your information and get back to you later. To apply, you’ll need a photo or copy of some or all of your NYSEG bill.
By Melissa Hart
Dick’s Sporting Goods believes that sports can change lives and that kids who take part in sports will learn essential life skills such as leadership, discipline and integrity. Dicks Sporting Goods Store Manager, Greg Mills, presented the North Country Cougars Hockey Club with one of this year’s $4,000 Sports Matter Grants. The Cougar’s Hockey Club has used this grant to make needed repairs to their snack bar. Through the Dicks Sporting Goods Foundation, the Sports Matter grants aim to address the growing issue of underfunded youth athletics nationwide.
Schuyler Falls/Peru, NY—
Grand Isle, VT – A new video series launched by the Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program in partnership with Peregrine Productions and NEIWPCC celebrates the beauty of the Lake Champlain basin and efforts in several communities to protect and restore our shared waters.
(Posted in the order received) 
STEC TO U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: “YOU CAN’T HAVE A PART-TIME BORDER!”
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) will once again host a toy drive to benefit the Christmas Bureau. For the past seven years, Jones has collected toys from the North Country community to ensure that every kid is able to open a present this holiday season.
The 11th Annual Town-Wide Tree Lighting & Holiday Festival will be held on Saturday, December 14th, at the Town Hall, 997 Mason Street, Morrisonville, from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
