The Peru Gazette

Your editor visited the Clinton County Government Center this morning. The Government Center looks great from a distance; however, the entrance area could use a little more tender-loving maintenance care. It should be a County showpiece!

August 8. 2:30 pm. Redford Glass Uncovered with Helen Nerska, The Grand Room, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Ave., Plattsburgh.

The presentation will take participants back to 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, it produced products that demonstrate craftsmanship that still survives. By the end of the presentation, participants will see how the Company, which was once famous and esteemed for its crown glass windowpanes, has become synonymous with unique and priceless glassware.

August 18, 12:30 pm. Redford Glass Uncovered with Helen Nerska, Plattsburgh Senior Center, 5139 North Catherine Street, Plattsburgh.

The presentation 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, it produced products that demonstrate craftsmanship that still survives. By the end of the presentation, participants will see how the Company, which was once famous and esteemed for its crown glass windowpanes, has become synonymous with unique and priceless glassware.

August 19, 10:30 am. Walking Tour of the Oval. Begins at 98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh. Hear stories and see photos of the buildings first constructed in 1894 by the US Army. We will see inside an Officer’s quarters residence and the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel by special agreement.
Call 518-561-0340 to register for the tour.

August 22, 2:30 pm. The History of the Lozier Company and Family with Dick Soper, The Grand Room, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Ave., Plattsburgh.

The Lozier story includes rarely-seen photos of the family and company operations. Henry Abrahm Lozier was an Indiana-born sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer. After selling his bicycle business, Lozier moved to Plattsburgh to manufacture boats and marine engines. In 1905 he started the Lozier Automobile Company and entered the automobile manufacturing business. He produced the luxury Lozier, in Plattsburgh, from 1900 to 1915. Loziers were top-line luxury cars and, for a time, were the most expensive cars produced in the United States. The 1910 model featured cars priced between $4,600 and $7,750. That same year, a Cadillac could be bought for about $1,600 and a Packard for about $3,200. A pre-assembly line Ford Model T of the same year retailed at approximately $850 and the average annual salary in America was approximately $750.

Mr. Soper was born in Plattsburgh and served in the US Air Force, stationed in Germany, in the field of Communication. His vast experiences in the area of transportation included work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut, where he built jet aircraft engines. He also worked at Bombardier Transportation building passenger rail cars. For 12 years, he has worked at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum as Director of Exhibits. He is currently a member of the Clinton County Historical Association’s Board of Trustees.

August 22, 6:45 pm, The Creative Destruction of Plattsburgh: From Village to City in the Late 19th and Early 20th Centuries by James M. Lindgren, Emeritus Professor of History, SUNY Plattsburgh. Lake Forest Senior Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh.

Examining the era’s cultural and economic scene, Lindgren explores the rapid rise of industries, the expansion of the area’s infrastructure, and the “civilizing” of the village as it became a city. These changes led to demolishing a downtown neighborhood to create an image of a “progressive” city.
While teaching US history at Plattsburgh State for thirty-seven years, Lindgren authored four significant books on US historic preservation and some seventy-five other publications. He retired from teaching in September 2021.
Doors open at 6:30 pm.

The Town of Schuyler Falls’ Morrisonville hamlet will be buzzing with activities on Saturday and Sunday, August 12th and 13th, as the town celebrates its 175th anniversary. All are welcome and invited; the parade and festival are free. Vendor and food booths will offer items for sale.

Starting at noon on Saturday the 12th, the parade travels Route 22B from Broadwell Road to the center of Morrisonville, turning on Emory Street to Mason Street to the Town Hall at #997 Mason. Honored guests, fire trucks, EMS, horses, classic cars, highway equipment and politicians are included. Residents and friends can line the parade route in cars or chairs to best view the parade. Side roads from the Gordie Little Bridge to Flat Rock Road will be blocked with traffic detoured during the parade. Parade judges and announcer are on Emory Street at the K of C building.

At 2 PM at the Town Hall, a color guard, flag raising and veterans’ salute will start the opening ceremony. Special guests will be welcomed, speeches presented, and sponsors thanked.

A free festival for all ages begins at the Town Hall grounds from 2 PM until 6 PM. Horse and pony rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, trolley rides in the hamlet, displays, vendors, music, food and beverages, bouncy house and other activities for kids are planned, and a classic car show, all on the town hall grounds. Historical artifacts, videos, and displays will be inside the town hall.

At 6PM the focus shifts to River Street Park in Morrisonville where The Bootleg Band will be playing until 9 PM. Bring chairs or blankets to enjoy the concert. Food & beverages will be for sale.

At 9:30PM, on the Town Hall grounds, a fireworks display will cap off the Saturday festivities. The show should be visible from Route 22B and all-around Morrisonville and surrounding.

On Sunday, August 13th, the festival continues from 2 PM to 6 PM at the town hall and grounds with the rides, vendors and displays. At 6 PM, Music in the Park (free) at River Street Park with a DJ and Karaoke Tunes of Time caps off the celebration weekend.

The 175th Celebration is sponsored by the Town of Schuyler Falls, with major support from Casella for the festival, Ryan’s Masonry LLC & Schuyler Falls MiniMart LLC for the fireworks, and NYSCOPBA for the Bootleg Band concert. Thanks also to the Sheriff’s Department and all those helping and participating in the parade and festival and activities.

The following weekend, August 18-19-20, is the traditional Schuyler Falls Town-Wide Garage Sale, with Music in the Park featuring Neil Gillespie on Saturday night, August 19th, 6-9 PM at River Street Park.

To register for the parade or festival (by August 2) or if you have questions, call the Town Hall at 518-563-1129 or contact Kevin Randall, Town Supervisor, or Barb Benkwitt, Town Historian.

August 22, 2:30 pm. The History of the Lozier Company and Family with Dick Soper, The Grand Room, Meadowbrook Healthcare, 154 Prospect Ave., Plattsburgh. Lake Forest Senior Retirement Community, 8 Lake Forest Drive, Plattsburgh.

The Lozier story includes rarely seen photos of the family and company operations. Henry Abrahm Lozier was an Indiana-born sewing machine and bicycle manufacturer.  After selling his bicycle business, Lozier moved to Plattsburgh to manufacture boats and marine engines. In 1905 he started the Lozier Automobile Company and entered the automobile manufacturing business.  He produced the luxury Lozier, in Plattsburgh, from 1900 to 1915. Loziers were top line luxury cars and for a time were the most expensive cars produced in the United States. The 1910 model featured cars priced between $4,600 and $7,750. That same year, a Cadillac could be bought for about $1,600 and a Packard for about $3,200.  A pre-assembly line Ford Model T of the same year retailed at approximately $850 and the average annual salary in America was approximately $750.

Mr. Soper was born in Plattsburgh and served in the US Air Force, stationed in Germany, in the field of Communication.   His vast experiences in the area of transportation included work at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut where he built jet aircraft engines.  He also worked at Bombardier Transportation building passenger rail cars.  For 12 years he has worked at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum as Director of Exhibits. He is currently a member of the Clinton County Historical Association’s Board of Trustees.

Alec Morrison’s two wins have come in his third year after trading in co-angler status

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for April 2015 story on Alec Morrison’s love of fishing

Plattsburgh YMCA receives $100,000 for a New Y Future

Click here for the Sun Community News story 

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Advanced string students from the renowned Meadowmount School of Music will perform at the Saranac Methodist Church on Route 3 on Saturday, August 5 at 7:00 pm. The young musicians, who are on professional career tracks, come from points throughout the United States and from many countries around the globe. They have undergone a rigorous selection process to win the honor of attending Meadowmount’s seven-week training program, founded in 1944 by Ivan Galamian, the legendary Russian violinist and Juilliard pedagogue, in Lewis, NY.

The August 5 program highlights Tchaikovsky’s String Sextet in D minor, Op.70 “Souvenir de Florence.” Tchaikovsky adored the city of Florence and returned there many times throughout his lifetime. Composed between 1887 and 1892, “Souvenir de Florence” sounds distinctly Russian while being a tribute to an iconic Italian city. It is scored for two violins, two violas, and two cellos. It will feature three Meadowmount Young Artists (including the 2022 Gurrena Fellowship recipient) and three seasoned professional Meadowmount Faculty members (including Janet Sung, Artistic Director of Meadowmount). Mixing it up this way onstage is sure to create a particularly exciting chemistry and live performance!

The program’s first half is TBD – but be assured that it will be varied, excellent, and wonderful! Free and open to the public, the concert is sponsored by Hill and Hollow Music. Donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted and matched by Hill and Hollow Music up to $1000 for the Meadowmount Scholarship Fund. Refreshments will be served during intermission. For further info: telephone 518-293-7613, e-mail ambrown.hillholl@gmail.com or visit hillandhollowmusic.org

“Basically, a friend or a neighbor or a family member can be approved to a family’s children, in their home, and get paid by the state to do so.”

Click here for the NCPR story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

A Dannemora man was killed in a crash that involved two other vehicles, police said.

Click here for the MYNBC5 story 

Click here for the NCPR story 

L to R NYSAFC President Scott Ewing, honoree Greg Timmons, and NYSAFC Past President Jim Comstock. Credit – Wainwright Photo.

The New York State Association of Fire Chiefs 2023 award recipients were recognized during the General Session of the 117th Annual Conference & FIRE 2023 Expo on June 15, 2023, in Syracuse, NY.

Commissioner Greg Timmons of the Peru Fire Department (Clinton County) was honored with the Chief Fred W. Singer Fire Educator of the Year Award, recognizing an association member for outstanding fire service training and education effort. Timmons is a 50-year fire service veteran, past Peru Fire Department chief, and Clinton County deputy fire coordinator. He has been a New York state fire instructor for 30 years, educating Clinton County and North Country students.

Note – On July 7, The Peru Gazette published a link to a Press-Republican story on this presentation. Yesterday, the Chiefs Association kindly emailed the press release to the Gazette. The accompanying photo identifies the presenters.

By John T Ryan

Peru – When Green Acres Restaurant closed at the end of June, customers wished it wouldn’t be long before someone reopened a similar restaurant specializing in breakfast and lunch. In the next few days, those wishes should come true. Tony Axelsson and Crystal Kelly have been painting, erecting temporary signs and giving their personal touch to what will be known as Rove Cafe & Kitchen. They haven’t had to do a lot of cleaning; Both say Donna Rowley left the restaurant, including the kitchen, in great shape.

Tony and Crystal hope to open as soon as the Clinton County Health Department and the Peru Code Enforcement Officer issue approvals. Hopefully, that will come in just a few days.

The Peru Gazette will publish a more detailed story before the opening. Meeting the friendly, engaging couple who purchased a home in Peru and love living here was a pleasure.

Funding addresses staffing shortages, supports employees’ growth 

PLATTSBURGH, NY (7/25/2023) – The Foundation of Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) has awarded nearly $250,000 to support current and future health care workers pursuing further education. In total, 11 recent high school graduates and 30 CVPH employees are benefiting from scholarships provided by The Foundation of CVPH as well as the administration of money from a generous donation made by The William H. Miner Foundation.

“Healthcare workers are needed more than ever in northern New York, and we are proud to support these people in achieving their educational goals,” CVPH Associate Vice President of Philanthropy Kerry Haley, CFRE offered. “Whether they’re just getting started or are seeking to grow professionally, what they learn will lead to even better care provided to our community.”

Graduating High School Seniors

The Foundation is awarding $10,000 to 11 recent high school graduates who are pursuing careers in health care. Four of the students are seeking degrees locally, including CVPH School of Radiologic Technology, Clinton Community College and SUNY Plattsburgh. Nursing, exercise science, biology, biochemistry, radiology, and physical therapy are among the programs these students will be studying.

Haley added that the scholarships often jumpstart a long and fulfilling career in health care at CVPH.

“We have seen a number of folks who have received a scholarship from The Foundation, studied hard at our local schools, then landed a job here at the hospital and are now doing great work to care for our patients,” she said.

CVPH Employee Scholarships

A total of 22 hospital workers will also receive $41,898 in scholarships from The Foundation. Among them are 13 nurses seeking higher degrees, including 3 who are participating in the hospital’s RN to BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program. Emergency Management Services, Physical Therapy, Medical Home, Perioperative Services, Patient and Family Experience and the Family Medicine Center are other areas with employees applying for and receiving financial support.

Education scholarships are available to any CVPH employee seeking financial assistance with pursuit of an undergraduate or graduate degree, taking a course or continuing education that will improve and strengthen their role at the hospital. Scholarships are available for high school seniors in Clinton and Essex Counties. All applications are reviewed by The Foundation Scholarship Task Force and total awards are made based on available funding each year.

To learn more, visit UVM Health Network – CVPH-Foundation Scholarships or email CVPH Director of Annual Giving Karen Reid, CFRE, LMSW at KReid@cvph.org.

Educational Career Advancement Program (ECAP) at CVPH

An additional eight employees at the hospital are receiving about $200,000 in total funding through ECAP. The Foundation administers the program, which was created through a generous $1.2 million donation made by the William H. Miner Foundation last summer. This will be the second group of healthcare professionals at CVPH to benefit from the program, which includes five employees studying to become Registered Nurses (RN) and another who is studying to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). A masters degree and a degree in respiratory therapy are also being pursued.

ECAP offers financial assistance for education to CVPH employees in exchange for a commitment to work for the hospital for a defined period of time upon completion. Participants are reimbursed for books and tuition, and some may receive a stipend. Participants may also be able to adjust work schedules if needed while they pursue their degree. ECAP applications are accepted on a yearly basis. Representatives from Patient Care/Nursing, Professional Services, The Foundation and Human Resources review the applications and select participants based on open positions, future staffing projections and recruitment and retention trends. Preference is given to those pursuing high-need, hard to fill roles in the organization.

Kara Keenan, LPN is part of the first cohort to participate in ECAP. She is studying to become a RN – a dream she admits may never have come true without the program. “Being closer to my career goals still feels like a dream. I thank my lucky stars every day I was chosen to be part of this amazing program! In the beginning of each course I have taken, the instructor always asks what brought us to this point or what made us continue our education. I am always sure to mention ECAP and how grateful I am for this opportunity.”

Jim Fluery, currently an Operating Room Technician also studying to become an RN, echoed Keenan’s sentiments. “There are no doubts that without ECAP, I would not be able to meet the requirements of family, work, and the nursing program. The support that ECAP has given me is helping me reach a goal that I have had for many years. I am so thankful to the Foundation of CVPH and the Miner Foundation for all of their support that is allowing me to achieve my dream.”

Haley offered her deep gratitude for the many donors who have made ECAP and The Foundation’s scholarship program possible. “These employees and students are able to increase their knowledge, improve clinical skills and gain new experience that will benefit health care in the North Country for years to come. The kindness and generosity of our community is helping keep talented and committed professionals right here in our region, and we are so thankful for that support,” Haley added.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program (NNYADP) is collaborating with the International Maple Grading School and Quality Control Program to offer a full day of hands-on maple education for beginning and advanced maple producers. The highly-requested training combines science-based instruction with intensive hands-on activities on how to accurately grade maple syrup and maple products and other quality control measures. The program will be offered on September 7, 2023 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at the Lewis County Education Center, 7395 East Road, Lowville, New York.

The day-long program includes sessions on accurately grading maple syrup, the chemistry of the different maple grade colors, standard flavors, the cause of off flavors and how to detect them, density and equipment, clarity and filtering, and food safety.

Pre-registration is required; space is limited. This special presentation of the International Maple Grading School and Quality Control Program is being offered for $20 per person with lunch and training materials included. This program typically costs $100 per person.

To register online, visit  https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aaXyv0JOpJuGgse. To register by mail, request the registration form from Uihlein Maple Research Forest Director Adam D. Wild at 518-523-9337, adw94@cornell.edu or Cornell Cooperative Extension of Lewis County Executive Director Michele Ledoux at 315-376-5270, mel14@cornell.edu. Read more »

           Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake) will be collecting gently used sneakers for men sizes 8-13 at his district office in Plattsburgh as part of a community shoe drive for Ukrainian soldiers. Dmitry Feld, a Ukrainian native living in Lake Placid, is the main organizer and will send a shipment of shoes to Ukraine later in August. Shoes must be in good condition so that soldiers can use them.

            “It’s been a year since the war started and we must not forget about the people of Ukraine,” said Jones. “Since the crisis started, I have been inspired by Dmitry’s tireless efforts to support his home country and the least I could do was offer my office as a drop-off location for his shoe drive. I ask the North Country community to join me in supporting Dmitry and Ukraine and donate your gently used sneakers if you are able.”

            Jones is collecting sneakers at his district office at 202 US Oval Plattsburgh, New York until Thursday, August 3^rd. The office is open 8:30 am-5 pm Monday-Friday.

Click here for the VTDigger story 

Click here for the Syracuse.com story