Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 to honor Veteran, Auxilian of the Year

by Rachel Hunter

The 79th Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Anniversary Dinner & Dance will be held on Saturday, March 8 at the VFW Hall, 100 W. Main Street, Gouverneur. The event includes: cocktail hour (5 p.m.), pot roast dinner (6 p.m.), awards ceremony (7 p.m.), and dance featuring The Common Revolution (8 p.m. to midnight). Tickets are now available for purchase, $15 each, at the VFW Post 6338 during regular hours of operation.

The event will honor Veteran of the Year George Griffith of Gouverneur, and Auxilian of the Year Jeff Platt of Gouverneur. The announcement was recently made by Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Commander Roland Roderick.

Veteran of the Year

George Griffith of Gouverneur has been selected as Veteran of the Year. Griffith graduated from Gouverneur High school, and enlisted into U.S. Navy in 1968. He went to Vietnam on a destroyer, the USS Agerholm. “We did plane guard, and went up the Mouth of the Mekong. We shot five-inch rounds. We shot a lot there. We would shoot all day, and unload ammo all night at sea.” Griffith served for three years, ten months and then returned to his beloved hometown of Gouverneur, NY. He was employed at Seaker Chevrolet in Gouverneur, iron works in Virginia and Gouverneur, Harrisville Manufacturing, and enjoyed a 30-year career at the Natural Dam paper mill.

Griffith joined VFW Post 6338 in 1968. Griffith told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that his father paid his membership while he was overseas. “I have been a member ever since,” he said. “I was always worried about not getting the membership paid. But then I won the life membership here a few years ago.” Griffith is now retired, and enjoys volunteering at the VFW Post 6338. “I just came here to help,” he said. Griffith serves as an assistant to Quartermaster William Randall, and helps the VFW Post 6338 with bookwork, writing checks, and counting the gambling tickets. As of press time this week, the hunt for the Queen of Hearts is still on. The jackpot is now over $55,000. The next drawing is Friday night, 6 p.m., at 100 W. Main St., Gouverneur.

Griffith encourages all North Country residents to apply for membership at the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 in Gouverneur. For more information, call 315-287-4682 or stop by 100 W. Main St., Gouverneur during regular hours of operation.

George Griffith married Nancy Faye Marcellus on August 1, 1969, at the Gouverneur VFW Post rooms. The couple enjoyed nearly four decades of marriage, before Nancy passed away in 2008. The couple raised three children, Laura Schneller of DePeyster, Bryan Griffith of Gouverneur, Sarah Griffith of Gouverneur, and have grandchildren. Griffith is now in a relationship with Barbara Laidlaw of Gouverneur.

While he believes himself to be “no hero,” Griffith looks forward to celebrating the 79th Anniversary of the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 with family and friends.

Auxilian of the Year

Jeff Platt of Gouverneur, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, will be presented the Auxilian of the Year honor.

Platt worked as a telecommunications specialist and scientific laboratory technician. He went to basic training on December 10, 1973. He separated on December 31, 1993, and entered retired status on January 1, 1994. He retired after 20 years of military service. His first assignment took him to Okinawa, Japan. He was stationed at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland, cross-trained at McClellan Air Force Base in California, and Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. He received a National Defense Ribbon with a Battle Star for being a Vietnam-era veteran who served during Operation Desert Storm. He also has a commendation medal, and many awards.

“I was never in theatre of operations, so I am not eligible for the VFW,” Platt said, explaining that he belongs to the VFW Auxiliary at Post 6338, James Maloy American Legion Post 65, Heuvelton AmVets Post 1997, and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

Jeff Platt told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that he joined the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Auxiliary on October 16, 2015 under his eldest brother, Charles “Clifford” Platt, a life member of the VFW Post 6338, who was stationed at Korea. Platt has served the local post as conductor (2017), president (2018-2024), and senior vice president (2025), and a two-year trustee. At the district level, he has taken on the roles of senior vice president, president, treasurer, three-year trustee. At the state level, he is currently serving as Department of New York Assistant Chief of Staff for District 9. Platt also serves as the Scholarship Chairman and Youth Chairman for the VFW Post 6338 Auxiliary. He also takes great pride in the VFW Auxiliary’s support for veterans and families throughout the North Country region.

Jeff Platt has two children who live in Florida, four granddaughters, and a grandson. He is looking forward to the 79th VFW Post 6338 Anniversary Dinner and Dance on March 8, and celebrating with friends and family.

Mr. Platt encourages all youths to participate in the Illustrating America (Kindergarten to Grade 8) and Patriotic Art (Grades 9-12) contests. The deadline is March 31, 2025. For more information, call 315-287-4682 or visit vfwauxiliary.org. All submissions must be made through the Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Auxiliary.

Anticipation is high for the 79th Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338 Anniversary Dinner & Dance on Saturday, March 8. Purchase tickets now to ensure your seat. Stop by the VFW Hall at 100 W. Main St., Gouverneur for more information. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. Doors will open at 8 p.m. for those who would just like to see the free show from local band, The Common Revolution. For more information, call 315-287-4682.

Town of Gouverneur to purchase more sand to treat local roads

by Rachel Hunter

The Town of Gouverneur Council at its Feb. 11 meeting approved the purchase of 1,500 yards of sand for the Town of Gouverneur Highway Department to use this winter season for the treatment of local roads.

Town of Gouverneur Highway Department Superintendent Michael Wainwright said the following: “We plowed and sanded 23 times in January. 10 times we plowed twice in one day. So that is 33 times we plowed the township... We need to get some more sand. We have salt on surplus up to the state barn that we stockpiled in the fall in case of this problem. We did get 1,000 less yards of sand in the fall. We figured we’d have enough. But, like I say, we went 33 times around the township in a month. It really depleted our salt pile.”

Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. said. “It’s the 11th of February, and we’ve already gone out six days in February.”

“Probably 1,500 yards of sand will do it, with the 100 ton of salt that we’ve already got. We’ve already paid for the salt. We don’t have to purchase that. It is at that point where if we get one good freezing rainstorm, and we are going to be in trouble. When it is 28 degrees and raining, and you’ve got four 10-wheelers running, it does not take long and you go through a lot of material. I just want to make sure it is okay to…”

“How many yards do you need,” Town Councilperson Lory Whitton asked. “And how much is it per yard?” It was estimated that the total cost would be about $8,000.

“We didn’t have to do it last year,” Supervisor Spilman said. “We were lucky. But every year that I have been here, we’ve had to. Usually it is a little later in the year. Into February and March, you are guessing on whether you are going to make it through.”

Supt. Wainwright said, “I’ve seen it where we’ve had to haul it twice in a winter.”

Councilperson Whitton asked: “Is there a time of year when it is cheaper?”

“No,” Supt. Wainwright said. “Cooke Sand and Gravel pretty much gives us the price that others can’t compete with.”

“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Councilperson Whitton said.

“Yeah, I just worry,” Supt. Wainwright said. “We could put up 1,500 yards over winter break and not go out. It has happened before. We put up 1,500 yards, and never went out again. Maybe we could cut back next year, depending on what we use. It’s just. We use a lot of sand. Salt’s in it. We have to put the extra in it to get the roads to melt. Maybe I have been a little excessive over it. I don’t know… We put that 100 ton of salt up to the state barn. Now we can just go up there, load our trucks and bring it back. We’ve already paid for it. It is just sitting there waiting in case of an emergency.”

“Then we can put it back next fall,” Supervisor Spilman said.

“Yes, a lot of times that price changes drastically in the middle of the winter,” Supt. Wainwright said. “They’ll jump it up $20 per ton.”

“It’s going to change now,” Deputy Town Supervisor Jay Bowhall said.

“But look at the way it has been,” Supt. Wainwright said. “There’s been storms way down into Texas. There’s states that have gotten snow and cold this year that don’t usually get it. A lot of the salt mines are here real close.”

There was no further discussion on the matter. The motion to allow Supt. Wainwright to purchase 1,500 yards of sand was made by Deputy Town Supervisor Jay Bowhall, seconded by Town Councilperson Lory Whitton. The motion carried, with full support from the Gouverneur Town Council.

“We’ve got to have what we’ve got to have this time of year,” Supervisor Spilman said. “We are going to use some more tomorrow morning, and more on Thursday and Friday and Sunday.”

In other news: The Town of Gouverneur is still working with FEMA on storm recovery.

The Town of Gouverneur Highway Department has started removing trees in preparation for the upcoming building move.

The Town of Gouverneur Highway Department reported a lot of breakdowns with the trucks this month.

The Town of Gouverneur Highway Department has started cleaning out fire hydrants.

The new heaters were installed in the Gouverneur Town Barn.

The next regular meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council will be held on March 11, 6 p.m. at the Town of Gouverneur Offices Building, 1227 US-11, Gouverneur. For more information, call 315-287-2340 or visit www.gouverneurny.com.

Clifton-Fine Community Fund Supports Five Projects

The Clifton-Fine Community Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation will support five community projects with $6,000 in grant funding for initiatives and programs that benefit residents of six southeast St. Lawrence County communities.

The Clifton-Fine Community Fund was established at the Community Foundation in 2013 as a geographic-specific fund to support projects and programs that positively impact the quality of life in the southeast St. Lawrence County region, specifically in the towns and hamlets of Fine, Oswegatchie, Star Lake, Newton Falls, Wanakena and Cranberry Lake. The fund aims to enhance the quality of life for all who live in the region while maximizing the opportunity for residents to give where they live.

“Each of these grants touches the lives of so many citizens across the Clifton-Fine region,” said Max DelSignore, Community Foundation vice president. “We are grateful for each recipient that properly stewards these meaningful grants and for the thoughtful donors who make these awards possible. The philanthropic spirit of this region shines through the Clifton-Fine Community Fund. The fund committee and the Community Foundation are eager to support its growth now and in the future.”

The Northern New York Community Foundation stewards this charitable fund. To build initial support, the Foundation awarded a $50,000 challenge grant to donors interested in giving to this philanthropic resource.

By the end of 2014, people from across the region came together to create a $100,000 community fund that will award grants to support local projects and nonprofit organizations in perpetuity.

A committee of Clifton-Fine region residents collaborates with the Community Foundation to evaluate grant requests each year.

Since 2014, the Community Fund has awarded more than two-dozen organizations nearly $56,000 to support 50 projects and initiatives. This year’s grant recipients are:

Clifton-Fine Central School, $2,000 to help continue an after-school program that has seen successful participation in past two years. Programs including art club, cooking, gymnastics, martial arts, and science club were offered to elementary, middle, and high school students. Martial arts experienced the highest participation rate with up to 40 elementary school students attending sessions. Grant funding will help the school district continue a martial arts program and retain a local instructor at a reduced rate.

Additionally, the Hilary J. Hooper Fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation will provide $5,000 to support the program. Mr. Hooper was a Newton Falls resident who passed away in December 2019. During his lifetime, he established a legacy fund at the Foundation to support several charitable organizations and needs in southern St. Lawrence and northern Lewis counties. One of Mr. Hooper’s charitable goals was to help with emerging needs at Clifton-Fine Central School.

Wilderness Health Care Foundation, $1,500 to help Clifton-Fine Hospital with its capital campaign project, which will create a new emergency services annex. The new space will allow for updated private treatment rooms, installation of contemporary equipment, enhancement of physical and occupational therapies spaces, as well as improved lab and imaging rooms. It is the hospital’s most important project in the last 30 years.

Cranberry Lake North Shore Hub, $1,000 to support replacement of a hazardous sidewalk, which hinders accessibility. Established in 2018, the Hub has become an important community gathering venue in Cranberry Lake. The organization offers speaker series, a concert series, events coordinated by the local library and Cranberry Lake Boat Club and much more.

Wanakena Historical Association, $1,000 to help acquire all-weather vinyl curtains for use on the front porch of its history center, which plans to use the porch as a year-round space to feature exhibits and displays, particularly in the spring and autumn seasons. The historical association is one of the most active nonprofit organizations in the Clifton-Fine region and is committed to showcasing the region’s rich industrial history.

Mervin Eno American Legion Post 1539, $457 to support the purchase of new kitchen pots and pans. The legion is actively working on kitchen upgrades to enhance its ability to continue veteran activities and support community gatherings. The Post was chartered in 1946 to support veterans who live in Clifton-Fine area communities. This grant is being supported in stewardship by the Clifton-Fine Economic Development Corporation.

The Clifton-Fine Community Fund will accept proposals for 2026 grant funding in August. Complete details and an application will be made available this summer. Meanwhile, to help extend the effort and make a gift to the fund, visit nnycf.org to access secure online giving.

About the Northern New York Community Foundation: Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties. Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others. The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.

Village hires part-time police dispatcher

by Rachel Hunter

The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its Jan. 21 meeting approved the hiring of a part-time police dispatcher at the Gouverneur Police Department.

A memorandum from Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Darren Fairbanks said the following: “Having been approved by the Village board to hire a part-time dispatcher for the Gouverneur Police Department, we have identified a candidate, Reigan Ayen, 18, of Gouverneur, NY who meets the qualifications for such position. I am seeking the board’s approval to offer a part-time, non-competitive dispatch to Reigan at $17.31 per hour. I ask that Reigan’s hire be effective immediately, so arrangements can be made to begin her training, a minimum of 80 hours, as soon as possible. I also ask the board to waive the pre-employment physical requirement. She is already required to undergo the electronic fingerprinting at the expense of the Village in the near future. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.”

Mayor Ron McDougall added that Reigan Ayen is a part-time employee with the Village of Gouverneur Recreation Department.

The motion was made by Village of Gouverneur Trustee Troy Besaw, seconded by Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine. The motion carried.

The next regular meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Feb. 18, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.

Town of Gouverneur accepts Data Collector’s resignation

by Rachel Hunter

The Town of Gouverneur Council at its Jan. 14 meeting accepted with regret the resignation of Data Collector Phyllis Shaw.

The letter of resignation was dropped off to Town Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. in December 2024. It reads as follows: “Supervisor Spilman and the Town Board: I am writing to inform you of my resignation, effective February 1, 2025. My last day on payroll will be January 31, 2025 (close of business). I would like to thank the board for allowing me to serve my community as the Town/Village Data Collector. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Board for giving me the opportunity to work with and get to know the amazing group of selfless public servants. If there’s anything I can do to assist with any transitional needs, please don’t hesitate to ask. Phyllis Shaw.”

Supervisor Spilman then said the following: “Phyllis is retiring from her regular job at BOCES, and so she is doing both at once…”

“Good for her,” said the town councilmembers and Supervisor Spilman. “I’m jealous,” Town Assessor Sherry Geer said. “Me too,” said Town Clerk Marion Bowhall.

“Can I get a motion to accept Phyllis’ resignation with regrets?” Supervisor Spilman asked. The motion was made by Councilwoman Lory Whitton, seconded by Councilman Curran Wade. The motion carried with full support from the town council.

“How long have you and Phyllis been working together?” Supervisor Spilman asked Assessor Geer. “Since Fowler, right?” Assessor Geer said since 2017. After some discussion, Supervisor Spilman said: “We’ll see what the future holds. She actually loves doing the data collection...”

The next regular monthly meeting of the Town of Gouverneur Council will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 6 p.m., at the Town of Gouverneur Offices Building, 1227 US Highway 11, Gouverneur. For more information, visit www.gouverneurny.com.

Partnering In Your Care Event is Jan. 29 in Gouverneur

You may have heard the term ‘partnering in your care,’ but are not really sure what it entails. Rochester Regional Health’s St. Lawrence Region is hosting discussion sessions to better explain what it means and how it can benefit you as a patient or community member.

The Partnering in Your Care model of healthcare was designed to give patients, their loved ones, and their proxies autonomy to be as proactive and engaged as possible in sustainable quality care; regardless of whether it’s at home, a hospital, or a long-term care facility. From lifestyle and nutrition choices to preventing and managing chronic diseases, individuals have more control over their health than they may realize.

The public is invited to attend the upcoming Partnering In Your Care educational event this month where the concept of ‘Partnering’ will be discussed and explained. The same content will be shared at three different locations to ensure everyone has access to a live session close to home.

Please RSVP for one of the following free educational sessions which all begin at 10 am: Wednesday, January 29 in the Community Room at Gouverneur Hospital, 77 West Barney Street, Gouverneur.
Thursday, January 30 in Conference Room A/B at Canton-Potsdam Hospital, 50 Leroy Street, Potsdam.
Friday, January 31 in the Board Room at Massena Hospital, 1 Hospital Drive, Massena.

Additionally, future discussions are being planned throughout 2025 as part of the full Partnering In Your Care education series and will include topics that support healthy living that were requested by patients and community members alike.

“Patient and family engagement are crucial aspects of healthcare. This level of participation involves creating conditions where patients, their family members, care partners, providers, and hospital staff work together as partners to improve the quality and safety of care,” noted St. Lawrence Director of Quality and Regulatory Affairs Jackie Scanlon.

“Through this collaborative partnership, community members can expect to have improved patient experiences and outcomes. By attending our community events, we hope our patients and local residents will gain a better understanding on what services we have for them, and how we are here to assist them,” Director Scanlon said.

Future Partnering In Your Care events will include providers and specialists in their fields discussing a variety of programs that focus on health and well-being and provide clarity around healthcare terms and requirements. This includes: Advanced Directives, Behavioral Health, Cardiology and Pulmonology, [Being a] Care Partner, Fall Prevention in the Home, Imaging, Infection Prevention, Medication Safety, Nutrition, Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care, Pathway to Excellence and Magnet nursing designations, Quality and Patient Safety, including the MyCare patient portal, Rehabilitation Therapy/Physical Therapy, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Substance Use Disorders, [New] Technology, Trauma, Wound Care. The St. Lawrence Region is looking forward to sharing further information with the public on all of its upcoming Partnering In Your Care sessions.

To register for one of the January programs, please share your name, phone number, and indicate which location/date you will be attending by calling (and leaving a message) at 315-261-5413, or emailing corporatecommunications@rochesterregional.org. Please RSVP by Friday, January 24.

Public invited to Walk With A Doc on Jan. 18 in Gouverneur

by Rachel Hunter

Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur will return to the Gouverneur Middle School on Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10 a.m., at 25 Wilson St., Gouverneur. All North Country residents are invited to join a variety of St. Lawrence County healthcare providers for a free, fun walk. This event is open to all and is for people of all abilities.

There is great anticipation for the first Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur of the 2025 year. Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur is made possible thanks to the Community Health Center of the North Country, St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, and a Bridge To Wellness: St. Lawrence County Health Improvement Plan.

Walk With a Doc is a local chapter of an international 501(c)3 that is inspiring communities through movement and conversation. With an aim to make hope and health accessible to everyone around the world, the doctor-led walking groups are safe, fun and a free place to get in some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends.

Walk With A Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. Frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, Dr. Sabgir invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.

Since that first event in 2005, Walk with a Doc has grown as a grassroots effort with a model based on sustainability and simplicity. A doctor gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. In 2009, Walk With A Doc became an official 501(c)(3) and added an Executive Director with a focus on building a program that could easily be implemented by interested doctors in other cities around the country. As a result of these efforts, the reach of Walk with a Doc now extends all around the globe with over 500 chapters worldwide, including Walk with a FUTURE Doc chapters led by medical students.

Walking was recognized by the Surgeon General of the United States of America as one of the single most important things we can do for our health. Now, as we usher in 2025, is the time to join the movement in making health and happiness accessible for all.

Walk With A Doc has released a list of 100 reasons why walking is important, and it can be viewed online at walkwithadoc.org. Did you know that walking is one of the best things you can do for your health? Many diseases, conditions, and ailments can be prevented or even healed by participating in regular physical activity. Fortunately, even moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking can provide these health benefits. All are welcome to join Walk With A Doc in Gouverneur on Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Middle School to learn about the importance of physical activity, and to participate in a free, fun walk right here in the Gouverneur community.

For more information about Walk With A Doc, visit walkwithadoc.org.

Gouverneur-area youths pen letters to Santa Claus

by Rachel Hunter

Continuing a century-old tradition, the Gouverneur Tribune Press is once again opening its pages to publish the Christmas wishes from Gouverneur-area children in advance of the Christmas holiday. The messages below are delivered to the North Pole before Santa Claus’ sleigh is packed full of gifts for the good boys and girls around the world. The “One and Only Gouverneur, NY” has hundreds of children eagerly anticipating Christmas morning, with a hopeful glance for a special treat from Jolly Old St. Nick.

The messages were received from the Gouverneur Elementary School are transcribed as follows:

Dear Santa, my name is Isaac. I would like gumball. I have been nice. I will leave milk and cookies out for you. Love, Isaac.

Dear Santa, my name is Bailey. I have been nice. I need stuff to keep me warm. I need a cup to drink out of the cup. I need dolls. I want a stuffed dog. I will give you cookies and milk, Love, Bailey.

Dear Santa, my name is Hudson. I have been nice this year. I want a sled. I need a blanket to keep me warm. I will leave you cookies. Love, Hudson.

Dear Santa, my name is Landon. I have been very good this year. I hope you bring me Power Rangers, a phone/tablet and paper to color. I’ll set out cookies. Love, Landon.

Dear Santa, I love you. I need new pants, shirts, and shoes. I would love a Barbie. I need a book. Love, Raelynn.

Dear Santa, my name is Mia. I have been nice! I want a car from Christmas. I will leave cookies out for you! Love, Mia.

Dear Santa, my name is Caleb. I have been a little naughty and nice. I want a stuffed dinosaur. I need underwear. I will leave cookies and milk. Love, Caleb.

Dear Santa, my name is Maverick. I want toys. I need a hat. I will leave cookies and milk for you. Love, Maverick.

Dear Santa, my name is Zoey. I have been nice this year. I am wishing for makeup. I need mittens. I love you, Santa. Thank you for presents. Love, Zoey.

Dear Santa Claus, I know that you have been working hard. I hope everyone has a good Christmas. My family and me watch you on TV. I have been good this year. I really want to have the Meta Quest XR headset. I helped my mom. I take out the trash for my mom. I helped my dad to cut a tree and load up wood. I hope you have a jolly, merry Christmas. From Grayson.

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. My report card was good. When I accidentally tripped them, I said: “Are you okay?” and helped them up. I hope I did not get too naughty. I hope you have time to read this letter. If I’m not too bad, I want a giraffe plushie. From Braden.

Dear Santa, I have been very good. Santa, I want a dirt bike and phone. I want a North Pole elf. From Dezden.

Dear Santa Claus, I have been very good this year, so I hope you will see my Christmas list. I have helped my family a lot. I would like a McLaren Lamborghini, an iPhone 16, a PS5, a 100-inch TV, and action figure. From, Luca.

Dear Santa, I’ve been very good this year. I helped my mom do the dishes and I cleaned the house. I did something when nobody told me to do that. That’s why I’ve been good. I want a PS5 and a tracker, Nerf guns, and new shoes and a phone. From, Rhett.

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year. My report card was very good. I hope you give me some presents this year. I am so that you got me some presents last year. From, Kaylee.

Dear Santa, I am really good at school. I was nice to my family and my friends. If you don’t mind, please get me a blue squishmallow that is an owl. I hope you have a good Christas. You are nice to get me an elf of the shelf, Noah, last Christmas at my dad’s. Madelyn.

Dear Santa Claus, I have been the best I can be in school. I’ve been good at home. I helped my mom because she was in the hospital. I helped my mom with the dishes and I did all my chores. I’ve been so good this year. I got ten bucks. I know you are busy at the North Pole, but can you please give me Mini Brands 5? I hope you have a good Christmas. From, Benjamin.

Dear Santa Claus, I’ve been very good this year. I hope you take time to read this letter. I always help my mom at home. I really like my family. They are really nice. In the winter, I shovel the driveway for my parents. What I want for Christmas are slime kits. Love, Adalyn.

Dear Santa Claus, I think that I have been good by cleaning my house, and on my report card I got all 3s and 4s. I love Santa Claus because he gives me presents. Can I have a Xbox game and a $50 gift card please? Can I have the PlayStation 4 please? There are the reasons why I like Santa Claus. Love, Logan.

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year because I have been good by helping my mom and my sisters. I have been saying please, thank you, and you’re welcome. So, can I please get some presents? I want a hoverboard that’s blue and a phone, please. Love, Jryden.

Dear Santa, I have been good and my report card was very good. I would love a set of pens, chocolates and new bed sheets. Thank you, Aubrey.

Dear Santa, I have been very, very good because I have helped with decorating the tree, being a good friend, and I helped pick out a color for mommy’s nails. My report card was good. If it is not too much trouble, I want a sleeping mask, cute revel, and a new Barbie house. I hope you have a holly, jolly Christmas. From, Wren.

Dear Santa, in my opinion, I think I have been very good because I stick up for my friends and have been good in school. So, if you are not too busy this year, I want an iPhone, a puppy, kitten, and horse that has hair on the hooves. For the iPhone, I want a stitch and angel phone case. Can Snowflake stay for Christmas and my birthday? From, Hadley.

Dear Santa, I have been very good this year in third grade. I am nice to my friends. I would like to have a good Christmas this year with my family. I would like to go safely driving to my grandma’s house this year. I know you are busy. Thank you for everything. Love, Lanie.

Dear Santa, I have been okay this year. Would you please bring me a bike? Love, Liam.

Dear Santa, I have very good this year. Would you please bring me an Elsa microphone? Love, Celena.

Dear Santa, I have been good. Would you please bring me a Spiderman walkie-talkie? Love, Malex

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. Please bring me the three ruins? Love, Brenner.

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. Would you please bring me press-on nails? Love, Reya.

Dear Santa, I have been okay this year. Would you please bring me a Mickey Mouse walkie-talkie? Love, Brady.

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. Would you please bring me a stuffed animal? Love, Lilliana.

Dear Santa, I have been okay this year. Would you please bring me a Hulk skateboard? Love, Charly.

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. Would you please bring me a remote control Monster truck? Love, Leeum.

Dear Santa, Are you okay? Please a snowflake walkie-talkie? Love Kathryn

Dear Santa, I have been okay this year. Would you please get me a remote control trucks. Love, Easton.

Dear Santa, I have been okay this year. Would you please bring me a watch? Love, Myles.

Dear Santa, I have been okay. Would you please bring me a skateboard. Love, Denver.

Dear Santa, This year I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: clean my room. I would love for you to bring me a drumset, monster truck, and a bird that talks. Love, Stihl Keith.

Dear Santa, This year I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I shared the kitchen set. I would love for you to bring me a kitchen set like Mrs. LaShomb’s, camera, and swingset. Love. Levi.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: clean my dishes. I would love for you to bring me: coconut, snowglobe. Love, Magdalena.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I gave Novah a hug when she was sad. I would love for you to bring me: kitchen set. Love, Aubrey.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I took care of the puppies. I would love for you to bring me makeup and a Barbie doll. Love, Karlie.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I shared my books. I would love for you to bring me: unicorn, Barbies, baby doll. Love, Novah.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I helped Daddy cook mac and cheese. I would love for you to bring me: marble run toy, Lego’s, matchbook cars. Love, Luke.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: be good. I would love for you to bring me: monkey and candy gun. Love, Hudson.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I left cookies. I would love for you to bring me: Lego’s and Spiderman. Love, Grayson.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. I would love for you to bring me: Barbie dolls, Barbie car, and balloon. Love, Ellyanna.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: pick up the toys in my classroom. I would love for you to bring me: princess. Love, Noa.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: playing with my sister. I would love for you to bring me: Peppa Pig toy, Christmas book. Love, Landon.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: helping mommy clean up. I would love for you to bring me Barbie House, Barbie dolls, gabby gabby house, and fluffy blanket. Love, Brinley.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I helped my sister get out of the Pack N Play. I would love for you to bring me: Nike hat (blue), clothes, and a fire truck. Love, Thomas.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: I shared my books with Mrs. LaShomb. I would love for you to bring me: a baby, markers, and a rubber dog. Love, Lindley.

Dear Santa, This year, I have been very nice. One thing that I did that was extra nice was: feed the animals. I would love for you to bring me: Barbie dolls, Baby dolls, pants (pajama ones). Love, Stella.

Dear Santa, I was okay this year. I helped bring the dog out. I am asking for a new PS5 and a new critters. I will leave you sugar cookies and milk. Love, Gauge.

Dear Santa, I was okay this year. I helped my mom do the dishes. I am asking for a little live pet dog. I will leave you sugar cookies and carrots. Love, Makenna.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my cousin learn how to count by tens. I am asking for books, and a golden retriever – a toy one is good too. I will leave you sugar cookies and milk. Love, Kenya.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my mom not yell at me. I am asking for 1000 V-Bucks and a candy cane. I will leave you chocolate chip cookies and milk. From, Jayce.

Dear Santa, I was okay this year. I helped my baby brother. I will leave you cookies and milk. I am asking for toy race cards, pink slime, and dollars. Love, Hailey.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my brother. He was sent to the hospital. I am asking for platform UGGs (size 3), skincare, iPad, and pink Stanley. I will leave you sugar cookies and milk. I love you, Santa. From Payton.

Dear Santa, I was okay this year. I helped take out the trash. I am asking for Play-Doh and a pair of Nikes, car, and a PlayStation5. I will leave you a cookie with sugar. Love, Xavier.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my mom do dishes. I am asking for a cat squishmallow… I will leave you chocolate chip cookies and milk. Love, Scarlett

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my mom and dad clean. I am asking for new WWE toys, plushies, toy cars, Minion fart spray toy gun, monster toy and Mr. Beast toy. I will leave you chocolate chip cookies and milk. Love, Liam.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my mom do the dishes. I am asking for a Barbie. I will leave you milk and cookies. Love, Jaelynn.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped with the decorations. I am asking for marbles. I will leave you cookies and carrots. Love, Charlotte.

Dear Santa, I was a little naughty and nice. I helped my mom wash dishes. I am asking for a dog this year. I will leave you milk and cookies and carrots for their reindeer. Love, Stacey.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped mom do the dishes. I am asking for a toy car. I will leave you a note on Christmas. Angler

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped my mom do the dishes. I am asking for Flash. I will leave you new glasses. I love you, Noelle.

Dear Santa, I was a little bad this year. I helped mommy find Mrs. Palmer in the cafeteria. I am asking for a real kitten because I want to have a friend. I will leave you milk. Love, Jenna.

Dear Santa, I was a little bad this year. I helped Mom get garage boxes sometimes. I am asking for a bakery, kitten and makeup. I will leave you cookies and milk, and carrots for your deer. Love, Jade.

Dear Santa. I was good this year. I helped Mommy bring in the groceries. I am asking for one million crayons. I will leave you cookies and milk. Love, Kasten.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped mom and dad. I am asking for V-Bucks. I will leave you a present. Love, Dauntae.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped dad mow the lawn. I am asking for a PS5. I will leave you cookies. Love, Garrison.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped mom to decorate the Christmas tree. I am asking for a Barbie doll. I will leave you cookies and milk. Love, Freya.

Dear Santa, I was okay this year. I helped Boppy feed the fish. I am asking for a Squishmallow. I will leave you a present. Love, Margot.

Dear Santa, I was good this year. I helped feed the dog and cat. I am asking for a remote-controlled car in green. I will leave you cookies, carrots and milk. Love, Walker.

Dear Santa, I was good thus year. I helped dad with the lights. I am asking for a Barbie. I will leave you milk. Love, Riley.

Dear Santa, How are you doing? How are the reindeer? How is Snowball doing? Hey, Santa, can I have DS card. I hope your holiday is fun! From, Luca.

Dear Santa, I hope you are having a good time at the North Pole! I wish to get a blanket hoodie! I also wish for a puppy, please! My dog needs a friend. I also want a hamster, pretty please. I also want a Christmas without me and my sister arguing! From, Brinley.

Dear Santa, how are you? For Christmas, I would like a Lego battlefield. I would like a Robo DCS Pikachu. I would also like little Pokemon mini figures. How are your elves? From Michael.

Dear Santa, Are you going to have a good day today? I hope you do! This is my wishlist: Android phone, a bike, and a guinea pig. Those are my wishes. Make sure to drop it at the right house. I hope you have a wonderful day. From, Aydin.

Dear Santa Claus, I hope you’re doing okay at the North Pole this year. This year, for Christmas, I want Lego’s and right now in December, an elf for the next year and Pokemon cards. If you’re too busy, it’s okay if I don’t get any presents and it is okay if I get coal for Christmas. From, Jackson. Have a Happy New Year!

Dear Santa, how are you doing? I can’t wait for Christmas! Are you okay? Can I get a kitten, please? Can I get a guinea pig, please? Can I get an elf for the year, please? Have a happy New Year! From, Joey.

Dear Santa, How is the North Pole? I bet you love it there. Here is my Christmas list: Can I have a bike, please? A hoodie blanket, please. Can I also have some leggings, please? I hope you have a jolly Christmas. I hope the elves are working hard. From, Ava.

Dear Santa, I hope you have a great Christmas. I love adding joy to Christmas. Christmas is my favorite holiday. Santa, I hope you have a great Christmas Day. I hope the elves are working hard. I love getting together on Christmas with my family. Christmas is a happy holiday. Christmas is a joyful day. From, Evelyn.

Dear Santa, How are you doing this year? For Christmas, I want slime, please. I also want more Lego’s. How do you go to every home in the world in one night?! Have a jolly Christmas. From, Mia.

Dear Santa, I wish for a new bike. I wish for a new phone. I wish for new lipstick. I wish for new lights…

Dear Santa, I’m wondering what it is like in the North Pole. Do the elves look like my elf, Rosie, but moving? Do you use the toy machines or do the elves make them by hand, or do you buy them? And how do you reward the elves? Those are some questions, I hope you have a merry Christmas. From, Leighton.

Dear Santa, How are you doing? Here is my wish list: Butter and Cloud Peachie Babies Slime (Purple), a hamster, an Xbox, and hoodie blanket. Hope you have a jolly holiday season. From, Cora.

Dear Santa, I wish for some ameye gips please. I also want some Air Jordans please in blue. Also I a hoodie blanket. Also I want a big, big water bottle please. Also tell Rudolph I said “hi.” From, Jackstin.

Dear Santa, my name is Kiahi. I am 5 years old. This year I have been nice. There are three things I am wishing for: skateboard, cat and dog (stuffed one). I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From Kiahi.

Dear Santa, my name is Jade. I am 6 years old. This year I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: Barbie, Skateboard, toy car that I can ride in. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Jade.

Dear Santa, my name is Lula. I am 5 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: skateboard, hoverboard, and a real cat. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Lula.

Dear Santa, my name is Izzie. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things, I am wishing for: tiny Christmas tree, camera, and kitten. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Izzie.

Dear Santa, my name is Brayden. I am 5 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: boots, RC car, and hoverboard. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Brayden.

Dear Santa, my name is Raiden. I am 5 years old. I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: race car, big trucks, and fire truck. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Raiden.

Dear Santa, my name is Autumn. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: camera, cat, and mystery gift. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. Love, Autumn.

Dear Santa, my name is Everly. I am 5 years old. Thus year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: bells, markers, and Hot Wheels race track. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Everly.

Dear Santa, my name is Declan. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: hoverboard, Pokemon stuffies, toy car. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Declan.

Dear Santa, my name is August. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: Spiderman, necklace for Mom, and gumball machine. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, August.

Dear Santa, my name is Mikey. I am 5 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are things I am wishing for: Army guy, Siren Head, and castle. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Mikey.

Dear Santa, my name is Aurora. I am 5 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: axolotl, Moana sword, and shark race track. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Aurora.

Dear Santa, my name is Harper. I am 5 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are things I am wishing for: video game controller, puppy, and cow. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Harper.

Dear Santa, my name is Azariah. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are three things I am wishing for: doll, heart ring, Christmas tree and presents. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Azariah.

Dear Santa, my name is Colby. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. I am wishing for Power Rangers. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Colby.

Dear Santa, my name is Liam. I am 6 years old. This year, I have been nice. These are things I am wishing for: Spiderman, spider-web shooter, and Spiderman mask. I will set out cookies and milk for you on Christmas Eve. From, Liam.

Free To The Community Christmas Dinner is Dec. 23

by Rachel Hunter

The Free To The Community Christmas Dinner, hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur and sponsored by the Friday Senior Lunch Program, will be held on Monday, December 23, serving starts at 4 p.m.

Organizers told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the meal will include: ham, baked potato, and all the trimmings.

The dinner will be served from the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur, located at 34 Grove St., Gouverneur. All meals will be available via drive-thru only. The one-way traffic will enter by Tangles Salon & Day Spa in Gouverneur and exit by Key Bank. Call the church office at 315-287-2440 to make a reservation no later than 11 a.m. on Dec. 20.

Gouverneur students will activate HOPE with Sweethearts & Heroes

An amazing duo of superheroes without capes, including a Purple Heart Recipient who has released a children’s book, will be in Gouverneur to teach students and educators how to activate compassion, empathy and HOPE in their classrooms — and beyond.

Sweethearts & Heroes will be in the Gouverneur Central School District (CSD) on Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Wednesday, Dec. 11. Sweethearts & Heroes aims to prevent hopelessness, bullying and suicide by providing dynamic, inspiring content that centers on the human interaction skills necessary for schools and other organizations to change all aspects of their culture — skills such as empathy, compassion and teamwork.

Sweethearts & Heroes offers a profound, engaging signature presentation that calls for HOPE (Hold On, Possibilities Exist), Empathy and Action; Circle, which is built on the ancient ritual of communicating in a circle to build compassion and empathy; and the BRAVE Youth Leadership Program, which trains older students in bully drills that they, in turn, teach to students in lower grades, thus creating a sustainable, student-directed initiative that can change a school’s culture.

During this school year, Sweethearts & Heroes started offering Train the Trainer, which teaches current educators how to weave their own Circle trainings for future hires; and STEP (the Student Teacher Empathy Program), which teaches high school students how to present Sweethearts & Heroes’ signature assemblies for students in grades K-2 and 3-5.

Sweethearts & Heroes’ central team of traveling presenters includes: Tom Murphy, Director and Founder, of St. Albans, VT; Ret. U.S. Army Sgt. Rick Yarosh, a HOPE expert, Purple Heart recipient and motivational speaker from New York who was burned severely while serving in Iraq; and Pat Fish, BRAVE Program Director & Circle Specialist, also of New York.

“Sweethearts & Heroes doesn’t focus on creating another SEL (social-emotional learning) or Human Skills curriculum,” Murphy said. “Instead, we implement practices and habits that genuinely empower and nurture students’ growth. When people genuinely connect on a daily basis, they naturally develop the capacity for more meaningful interactions and thoughtful responses. Prioritizing human skills shouldn’t require extra preparation or a separate curriculum — it should be our primary focus. After all, before we can effectively teach academic subjects, we must first be teachers of humanity.”

For more than 16 years, Sweethearts & Heroes has presented what Murphy calls “‘the ‘stop, drop and roll’ of bullying” to more than 2.5 million students in school districts from New England to Hawaii and north into Canada. Sweethearts & Heroes also tailors its presentations and workshops for businesses, non-profits and civic groups. Murphy said, “We go where we’re needed. That’s what heroes do.”

During Veterans Day week, Yarosh released A Bridge Named Amos, the inspiring, true story of his hero and service dog, Amos, who died in October, just before the book went to press. Born on Christmas, Amos was a lovable, black Lab who traveled with Yarosh over thousands of miles to hundreds of schools with Sweethearts & Heroes. Together, they taught children and adults how to overcome challenges, celebrate differences and embrace empathy. A Bridge Named Amos is told from Amos’ warm perspective, and it comes with a free downloadable workbook. OESJ Central School District (NY) Art Teacher Kevin Cannon illustrated the book.

Sweethearts & Heroes’ other books include Boredom School: For Those Bored in School, a collection of captivating, humorous and thought-provoking poems by Pat Fish; and 13 Pillows For Affective Teachers, a novel by Tom Murphy and Brian McKeon, of New York, that covers the themes of HOPE, Empathy and Action in the Sweethearts & Heroes curriculum.

In September, during National Suicide Prevention Month, about 140 students from seven Upstate New York schools attended Sweethearts & Heroes’ first three-day — and phone-free — Youth Leadership Summit with Spartan Race at Killington Resort in Vermont.

Sweethearts & Heroes has also created The HOPE Classroom, a digital subscription service designed for various grade levels and different school sizes. This value-packed offering can allow Sweethearts & Heroes to be in every school in the U.S. For more on Sweethearts & Heroes, find them here on social media.

Gouverneur Lions roar into the holiday season with Christmas Tree fundraiser

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Lions Club is holding its Annual Christmas Tree Fundraiser, starting Small Business Saturday (November 30). The sale is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 30-Dec. 1 and Dec.7-8 at Emerald Greens, 1485 US-11, Gouverneur. As in past years, the Gouverneur Lions Club will be offering free delivery. Pre-orders are available, call 315-771-1433. The Gouverneur Lions Club is a visible force for good, and all proceeds will benefit the local community.

Did you know? The Gouverneur Lions Club for over 85 years has worked to improve health and well-being, strengthen local communities. The club has a rich history of community service and helping to enrich the lives of local residents. King Lion Betsy Cummings, president of the Gouverneur Lions Club, has told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the club’s main focus is on efforts to support the blind and visually impaired. The club also supports efforts to improve the environment, aid during natural disasters, and fight pediatric cancer and diabetes.

Did you know? The Gouverneur Lions Club was organized on October 31, 1935. It was the first group with international affiliations to be formed here. In fact, it was one of the first Lions Clubs that were established north of the rail line from Syracuse to Albany. On August 12, 1935, the first northern club was started at Tupper Lake. Canton and Massena followed, on October 21, 1935. Ten days later, the Gouverneur Lions Club completed its formation. Herbert A. Dye of Niagara Falls was the district governor in 1935, and his territory was the entire state of New York, including Long Island. One visit to each club was required during his one-year term. To ensure better roads for the district governor’s long trip from Niagara Falls, the formal charter presentation was postponed until May 15, 1936. Harold Murphy had been elected the first president at the organization meeting in October. Vice-presidents were the late Glen W. Severance, the late Roy D. Gibbs and Walter Clinch. Robert G. Cottrell was secretary-treasurer. The first club activity, back in 1935, was a school banquet for the school football team which played in the championship but didn’t win it. The Lions invitation was issued prior to that important game. The invitation stated that, “win, lose, or tie, we back you and want you as our guests.” Gold footballs were presented to each varsity player. Since Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” in 1925, the Lions Club International has improved eye health and eye care for hundreds of millions of people around the world. Today, 80 percent of vision impairments are preventable or curable, so the service is more important than ever before. Lions and Leos screen vision, educate communities, build clinics and support the blind and visually impaired through assistive technology and vocational training programs. The Gouverneur Lions Club is just one of the 49,000 clubs who bring hands and hearts to the communities they serve in nearly every country on earth.

The Gouverneur Lions Club is excited to once again enrich the lives of the community with the 2024 Christmas Tree fundraiser. The fragrant scent of the evergreen trees triggers holiday memories past and present. Don’t miss the opportunity to “shop local, support local” and get your hands on a Christmas tree… or more! Call 315-771-1433 for more information.

The Gouverneur Lions Club is always accepting new members. For more information, call 315-771-1310.

Reminder: RSVP for Free Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 28

A free community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, November 28) at the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur, 34 Grove St., Gouverneur. Serving starts at 11:30 a.m. There is no cost for the Thanksgiving Dinner, featuring turkey with all the trimmings. The meal is sponsored by the Friday Senior Lunch Program, and is available via take-out only. Reservations are required. Call the church office at 315-287-2440 by Nov. 26.

Save The Date: Chamber’s Christmas Parade is Dec. 7

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Christmas Parade and Festivities on Saturday, December 7, in downtown Gouverneur. The event is sponsored by the Chamber’s Marble Member Kinney Drugs, Gold Members Bonaparte Pharmacy, Community Health Center of the North Country, Gouverneur Hospital and Lawrence Manor.

The fun starts in the Gouverneur Village Park at 2 p.m., with free mechanical reindeer rides (2-5 p.m.) and horse-drawn wagon rides (2-4:30 p.m.). There will be free hot cocoa and cookies available in the basement of the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur (34 Grove St.), and a children’s coloring contest will be on site.

The parade will line-up, 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., near Green Funeral Home. All parade participants are required to sign-in upon arrival. The parade will start at 5 p.m. There will be a $50 prize for the best parade float. All businesses, churches, clubs and organizations, schools, and families are welcome to participate. The Chamber encourages all to showcase their holiday spirit with creative lighting during the parade.

Santa Claus will once again be the special guest of the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce for the holiday celebration Santa will greet the children and give them a gift, immediately after parade, under the new village gazebo.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, December 7, and make plans to join this memorable holiday celebration in Gouverneur. For more information on the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gouverneurchamber.net.

Veterans Day Observance is Nov. 11

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Veterans Day Observance will be held on Monday, November 11, 11 a.m., at the Gouverneur Memorial Arch in the Gouverneur Village Park. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The guest speaker is LTC Richard T. Sposito, Jr., who hails from Newport News, Viriginia. Upon graduation from the Longwood University ROTC, he received his commission in the Military Police Corps in 2007. Following graduation, he attended the MP Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. His first assignment was to Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he served as Platoon Leader and Assistant Operations Officer in the 4th BCT, 101st ABN DIV (AASLT), deploying to Afghanistan in 2008-2009.

LTC Sposito graduated from the MP Captain’s Career Course in 2012 where he received an M.A. in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster’s University and was assigned to 94th MP BN (Seoul, ROK) assuming command of the 55th MP CO (Camp Casey, ROK). Upon completion of command, MAJ Sposito was assigned to The Citadel (Charleston, SC) as an APMS. In 2017, LTC Sposito graduated ILE at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and was assigned to the 16th MP BDE serving both as the BDE Chief of Operations and Training Officer, deploying as part of the contingency response force to the Southwest Border in 2018. While still at Fort Bragg, LTC Sposito served as BN XO, 503d MP BN then BDE XO, 16th MP BDE from 2019-2021. Following the completion of his time in the 16th MPBDE, LTC Sposito served as the Military Police Organizational Integrator, Forces Command from 2021-23.

Currently, LTC Sposito serves as the Commander, 91st Military Police Battalion and Director of Emergency Services, Fort Drum, New York. His awards include Meritorious Service Medal (3OLC), Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC). His badges include the Combat Action Badge, German Armed Forces Efficiency Badge (Gold), Chilean Parachutist Badge, US Army Parachutists Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Pathfinder Badge. His unit awards include the Meritorious Unit Citation. He is also a recipient of the General MacArthur Leadership Award.

LTC Sposito is married to the former Carla Blum from Gloucester, Virginia and together they have two children, Kaitlyn and Abigail.

Following the Veterans Day Observance, the public will be invited to attend a luncheon at Silas Wainwright VFW Post 6338, 100 W. Main St., Gouverneur. Remember:  “All gave some, some gave all. We did not know them all, but we owe them all.” For more info, call 315-287-4682.

Gouverneur CSD Board of Education hears Wildcat news

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur CSD Board of Education heard the Wildcat news report, given by Gouverneur CSD Supt. Jackie Kelly, at the Oct. 21 meeting.

“As you know, our cafeterias have begun to use locally sourced food, and tonight I have some facts about that to share with you,” Supt. Kelly said. “The Gouverneur cafeterias have served approximately 1,600 pounds of locally grown, picked and processed apple slices as well as unprocessed apples. We served 250 pounds each of salsa mix, diced onions and diced green peppers. We also just began to receive butternut squash. We started using corn on the cob and green beans that had been flash-frozen allowing us to have fresh vegetables throughout the entire school year. These fruits and vegetables are grown and harvested by our local farmers right here in St. Lawrence County. Then, they are processed and packaged in the Harvest Kitchen at the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Canton. Apples, salsa mix, onions and green peppers are delivered to Gouverneur and neighboring school districts each week by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES staff. We are also using local potatoes to make homemade French fries as well as fresh beef and pork products that are sourced locally. We are very excited to be able to offer these vegetables, fruits and meats to our students, and we are continuing to work to offer more locally grown produce in the future.

“Next, in our Wildcat news, I want to share a great opportunity in which some of our students participated last week. On Thursday, October 17, some of our high school students here at Gouverneur participated in St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES Annual Manufacturing Day. The event had students tour manufacturing facilities across the region, learning about the array of products that are made right here in the North Country and discovering the variety of careers possible in the industry. This year, some of the companies right here in Gouverneur (including Kinney Drugs, CIVES Steel, and Riverside Iron) participated in this special event. Our students from Gouverneur visited Riverside Iron and the Five Mile Farm in Lisbon. At Riverside Iron, our students saw some of the miscellaneous ornamental and structural steel fabricated right here in Gouverneur. Our students also visited the Five Mile Farm in Lisbon, which has been in the Akins family since the mid-1800s. Today, the fifth, sixth and seventh generations work together on the farm. Our students got to see a modern farm, including a 50-cow rotary parlor that improves the efficiency of milking cows in operation. Manufacturing Day is a national initiative spearheaded by the Manufacturing Institute. It is traditionally held in the month of October, or whenever there is an opportunity to spark interest in the next generation of manufacturers. In this part of the region, the effort is organized by St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, who coordinates the business visits with St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency. Over 340 students from St. Lawrence County attended this event, and students from Hammond, Morristown, and Lisbon visited businesses right here in the vicinity of Gouverneur. I’d like to thank Mr. Sochia for chaperoning this educational opportunity for our students.

“Finally, I’d like to provide an update on the RECOVS grant. As you know, we were the recipient of the 2023-2025 New York State RECOVS Recover from COVID School Program Grant in the amount of $508,000. This money is helping us continue some of our ARP-funded positions through the year 2025. In addition to the two social worker positions that were created, we will still be working with Gouverneur Behavioral Health to expand student access to school-based mental health professionals right here in our school buildings. We are all very excited about the development of this relationship with a local organization that will help support our students and their families. As a reminder, Gouverneur was one of only two school districts in the North Country to receive this grant, and it is a tremendous opportunity for us, our students and their families. Thank you!”

Much gratitude was extended to Supt. Kelly for her report.

In other news:

The Gouverneur CSD Board of Education was recognized during the School Board Appreciation Week, October 14-18. The Board includes: David Fenlong, President, Todd Bates, Vice President, Brooke Bush, William Cartwright, Lisa McGregor, Nickolas Ormasen, Laurie Roberts, and Laura Spicer. Appreciation was extended to the Board for all that they do. Gouverneur CSD Supt. Kelly said: “The New York State School Boards Association recognized Oct. 14-18, 2024 as School Board Recognition Week,” she said. “This is a time to promote awareness and understanding of the important work performed by our school boards. Board members are required to make difficult decisions and spend countless hours studying education issues and regulations in order to provide accountability to our community stakeholders. Our board members spend many hours volunteering their time to ensure strategies, resources, policies and programs align with our district goals. School board members give the citizens of Gouverneur a voice in decision making. They are advocates for public education. It takes strong schools to build a strong community. These men and women devote their time to make sure our schools help every child to have the opportunity to be successful. Every decision they make is not only in the best interest of our 1,444 students but also in the best of interest of our district families, our faculty and staff members, and the entire community of Gouverneur. Thank you, to each and every one of you, for all that you do for all of the stakeholders in our district.” A tribute video was posted on the Gouverneur CSD Facebook page following the board meeting. During public comment, Jerrilyn Patton, Co-President of the Gouverneur Education Association, presented a small token of appreciation (gift certificate to the Casablanca Restaurant in Gouverneur) to the school board members in gratitude for all the work that they do, and the support of the students, school programs, etc. For more information on the Gouverneur CSD Board of Education, visit www.gcsk12.org.

The Gouverneur CSD Board of Education heard the audit report from Crowley & Halloran, CPAs, P.C. The Board then accepted the external auditor’s report for fiscal year, ending June 30, 2024.

The Board approved the following recommendations for tenure: Bobbie Holmes (Science Teacher) and Jean C. Johnson (English Teacher).

The Board approved the addendum to the Memorandum of Agreement #5 between the Gouverneur Central School District and the Gouverneur School Related Personnel Union to provide additional compensation to teacher aides who substitute teach when no substitutes or other appropriates means are available to extend through the 2024-25 school year.

The Board approved Memorandum of Agreement #1 between the Gouverneur Central School District and the Gouverneur Education Association to amend Appendix A to recognize DEI Club (Class E).

The Board accepted resignation requests from Erika J. Woodrow (Individual Aide), Elizabeth Rathbun (2.75-hour Food Service Helper), and Michelle Fiacco (2.75-hour Food Service Helper).

The Board approved the following appointments: Ashley Barr and Lindsey McCormick were named Gouverneur Elementary Afterschool Tutoring Instructors. Pam Stevens was named a Middle School Afterschool Tutoring Instructor. The following substitutes were appointed: Carlton M. Bresett, Mallorie Fuller, Rachel Laso, Morgan Prashaw, Jennifer Stiles, Gabrielle Platt. The Board approved the following 2024-25 advisors: Select Strings (Janeen L. Streeter), FFA Assistant (Taylor A. Rollins), FFA Summer 2024 (Kylie Torres).

The Board appointed the following 2024-25 winter coaches: Varsity Wrestling (George J. Baer), Basketball Girls 8th Grade (Evelyn G. Barton), Basketball Boys 7th and 8th Grade (Jarrett W. Bullock), JV Wrestling (Shawn Cummings), Wrestling 7th & 8th Grade (David M. Dailey), Varsity Girls Basketball (Sean Devlin), Winter Cheerleading (Erica Dowling), Volunteer Girls Basketball (Chelsi Peck), Girls Wrestling (Dylan Morrison), Modified Indoor Track (Julie K. Neiss), Basketball Girls 7th Grade (Korrine Patterson), Varsity Boys Basketball (Michael A. Shattuck), Basketball Girls JV (Rick L. Vrooman), Indoor Track (Kurtis P. Wells), Swim Boys Volunteer Assistant (Saddie R. Whitaker), and Swim Boys (Brett M. Worden).

The Board appointed students Kristen Burns as lifeguard, fitness room attendant. It also appointed Cayleigh Flynn as fitness room attendant.

The Board revised the appointment of Grace Mashaw, School counselor, to a probationary period, effective September 24, 2024 to September 23, 2028.

The Board appointed Madison L. Hurlbut to the non-probationary position of long-term substitute to replace a certain employee, effective September 17, 2024 to approximately December 13, 2024.

The Board had its first reading in its policy review for the following: 3231 (Complaints and Grievances by Employees), 3232 (Complaints and Grievances by Students), 3421 (Title IX and Sex Discrimination), 4250 (Evaluation of the Superintendent and other Administrative Staff), 5240 (School Tax Assessment and Collection/Property Tax Exemptions), 5681 (School Safety Plans), 8212 (Fire and Emergency Drills, Bomb Threats, and Bus Emergency Drills), 6550 (Leaves of Absence), 7220 (Graduation Requirements), 7224 (Virtual Instruction), 7470 (Student Government), 7540 (Student Directory Information), 8130 (Equal Educational Opportunities), and 7555 (Educational Services for Married/Pregnant Students). It is anticipated that the Board will adopt the recommendations at the Nov. 4 board meeting.

The Board approved the request for the Varsity Wrestling team to attend and compete in the following tournaments: Windsor Holiday Tournament, Windsor, NY (December 27-28), Peru Invitational, Peru, NY (January 4), Dame of Thrones, Halfmoon, NY (January 5), and King and Queen Bison Invitational, Latham, NY (January 25-26).

The Board approved the request for the Varsity Girls Basketball team to attend and compete in the following tournament: VVS Holiday Basketball Tournament, Verona, NY (December 27-28).

The Board approved the request for one member of the local chapter of the FFA to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis from October 20-26, 2024. The student traveled with Assistant FFA Advisor Taylor Rollins and the Lowville chapter, and will cover her own expenses. The Board noted that it is interested in hearing about the trip at a future meeting.

The Board approved the request from the Class of 2025 for an overnight trip to Boston, Mass. in May 2025.

The Board authorized the Business Administrator to dispose of items declared as surplus that are obsolete, no longer useful or necessary for school district purposes and of no value to the school district.

The Board appointed Alissa McEathron, Julie Neiss, and Stephanie Plaisted as Teacher Ambassadors to the St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES for the 2024-25 school year.

The next regular meeting of the Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education will be held on Monday, November 4, 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.gcsk12.org.

Community Watch in Gouverneur gaining momentum

by Rachel Hunter

Interest in the Gouverneur Community Watch group is growing in the local community.

The community watch program’s purpose is to create an alert neighborhood by using simple crime prevention methods. The program works through the mutual aid of neighbors watching the property of other neighbors and reporting suspicious activity to police. The monthly meetings are maintaining the interest of over 30 community members. Also there are representatives from the New York State Police, St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gouverneur Police Department. Local dignitaries who have expressed their support include Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine, Village of Gouverneur Trustee Floyd McAdam, Village of Gouverneur Trustee Troy Besaw, Village of Gouverneur Trustee Shelly Simons-Washburn, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr., Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Jay Bowhall, Town of Fowler Supervisor Rick Newvine, among others.

The third meeting of the Gouverneur Community Watch Group was held on Oct. 16 at the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center. The 80-minute meeting provided updates, and answered community members’ questions and concerns with the support of local law enforcement.

The meeting was emceed by Village of Gouverneur Deputy Mayor Charles Newvine, who reported that work has already begun to establish crime reporting zones in Gouverneur. The zone committee met a couple of times in the past month to arrive at the following recommendation: Zone 1 (Jefferson, W. Babcock, W. Barney, Austin, Clinton, Mill, Vaile, Snow, Dexter, Pearl, Johnstown, Ethel, E. Babcock, Trinity, E. Main, Barnes), Zone 2 (E. Barney, Barnes, Howard, Trinity, E. Main, N. Gordon, Caroline, Rock Island, Gleason, Valley, Meadow, Dale, Birchwood, Waid, Rowley, Edith), Zone 3 (Grove, Dodge, S. Gordon, Sterling, Beckwith, Averell, Depot, Pooler, Dorwin, Spencer, Factory, Lincoln, Bullard, Scotch Settlement), and Zone 4 (Bellevue, Vista, Adelia, Smith, Wilson, Murdock, Washington, Preston, W. Main, Reid, Starbuck, Prospect, McKean, Helena, Eckman, Parker, Hailesboro, River, Graves, William, South, Water). The group used the Village of Gouverneur’s brush pick-up zones to determine the zone recommendation. The zones may be further developed as future input is given.

Deputy Mayor Newvine said the success of the Gouverneur Community Watch group depends on community participation. The Gouverneur Community Watch Group needs volunteers, who are interested in seeing change in the local community. The group is currently looking to tailor the program to the needs of the Gouverneur community. But it needs people who are willing to put their name on the dotted line and sign-up to help. Deputy Mayor Newvine said now is the time for the Gouverneur Community Watch group to get organized.

“Crime is in your backyard in this small little town,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said, and then asked those present: “Will you be willing to observe, document and report?” He highlighted the reporting excellence by Dale Cronk, Sr., a Village of Gouverneur resident. “Mr. Cronk is very well-documented. Where he lives is a very problematic area in the Village. He keeps it very well-documented with a portfolio of where, what, when and why and how it happened. If you are willing to do that, then that’s a great thing. I will tell you: You will have to sign something. You will have to put your name on a piece of paper. That criminal will know your name and your address. That is the truth. They have the right to know that. That process isn’t slow for them to get it… What is your commitment level to this as far as having a community watch and having your name and personal information out there. That is something you have to ask yourself. The truth is that people are going to know who you are, and that’s not a lot of fun.” Deputy Mayor Newvine encouraged all those interested in volunteering to have a point of contact card that lists all local law enforcement phone numbers, and the zone coverage schedule.

Deputy Mayor Newvine said there are no protections that exist for those involved in the Gouverneur Community Watch group. He told the crowd, “If someone breaks onto my property, and my father sees it and tries to do something about. He is going to get arrested for assault, and that criminal is going to get trespass. He doesn’t care. He is a criminal, and it just goes in his file. This working class gentleman is going to get assault, and he is going to pay a lawyer and go to court and it is going to cost him money. That’s why these guys say that the justice system is broken… Are you willing to patrol and observe? Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to patrol the streets at 2 o’clock in the morning till 4 o’clock in the morning. There’s no coverage here from the Village police department from 11 p.m. on. So, 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., and 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. These criminals are working while we are sleeping. That’s the shifts we are talking about here. Is it going to happen in the day? Yes, crime happens during the day too. But a lot of it goes on at night. Are you willing to do that? That is something you need to ask yourself.”

Deputy Mayor Newvine then gave the crowd the good, the bad, and the ugly about crime in Gouverneur and the surrounding community. “The good news is that we are here. We have people involved here, and we are going forward with this. We are going to be proactive and not reactive to this. That is what we are trying to do. That is the good news. We are trying to do something,” he said.

“The bad news is that it is worse than you think. If you think it is bad out there, it is worse than you think. Very recently, I have gotten up early to drive through the Village with my dog. I check on Newvine’s Auto Parts and I cruise around by the car wash, and I go back through town. If you want to get up at 5 o’clock in the morning and check on what’s going on in this Village, please do. Driving through the Village during the day, it doesn’t get much better. So, it is worse than you think. There’s probably about 11 people sleeping underneath the bridge. (Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr.) runs into it at Riverview Park all the time. That is the bad news, and there’s not much help out there… for them or for us. The other thing is that it is going to get worse before it gets better. If you think it is bad now, it is going to get worse before it gets better.

“This is the ugly part. I am going to give you the truth with as much grace as possible. If you haven’t talked about home defense with your loved ones at your house, you are already behind the eight ball. I have had the discussion with my kids not too long ago. They know exactly what is going to happen at my house if somebody breaks in. They know exactly what they are going to do, where they are going to be, and what they are going to do when they get there until I come get them. I know what I am doing at my home. I know exactly what is going to happen at my home if somebody should break in. If you don’t have that conversation with your loved ones, you are already behind the eight ball. That is the truth with as much grace as I can muster.

“Are you going to be willing to patrol? Meaning, if you are going to take the 2-4 a.m. shift on Prospect Street, are you going to patrol? I’ll give you a sign. I’ll give you a hat. We’ll put something on your car. What if a criminal comes up to you? Do you have a taser? Do you have mace? Do you have a pistol? If you do, I hope it is concealed carry. If not, you have to be going to the range or from the range. And if you do have concealed carry, you have to be retreating with that firearm and it has to be your last line of defense. If it isn’t, you are going to jail. That is the truth. If you are on patrol and you are observing and reporting, and you get out of your car, and that criminal comes to you, are you going to go hands on? Because there are people who talk about fighting and there’s people that fight. Those criminals are the last one. That is the truth… If you haven’t talked about home defense with your family, you need to do that. The First Amendment says that you can say anything you want. The Second Amendment says you better have a gun if you are going to do it. That is just the truth. If you are going to try to observe and report, and somebody wants to go hands on… are you going to go hands on? That is something you have to ask yourself.”

Village of Gouverneur resident Judy Brown then asked: “Where are they all coming from?” Deputy Mayor Newvine responded, “There is a mental health crisis in this community, and we are seeing it. Gouverneur Hospital sees it. They go Thursday to get help… on Sunday, they sign themselves out until Monday. They cope until Thursday, and they do it all over again. And there’s nothing you can do. There’s people in such a mental health crisis that they don’t know what to do. There’s help out there, but they don’t want it.”

“Why is it happening more here?” asked Village of Gouverneur resident Miki Hopper. “Don’t think it is happening just here,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “It’s not. It’s Canton. It’s Ogdensburg. It’s Potsdam. It’s worse in other places. But you are going to see more foot traffic here.” Deputy Mayor Newvine reminded the crowd that citizens are to observe and report only, and to let the local law enforcement agencies handle the policing. “There cannot be vigilante justice,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “But we’ve got to try to take back our community. “Can we fix all of it? Probably not. We can’t fix Canton. We can’t fix Ogdensburg. We can’t fix Potsdam. We’re concerned about that, but we need to fix Gouverneur. It’s a small, little town that I grew up in, was fortunate to move away for four years to go to college, and came right back here to sell brake pads. You all have a vested interest in this town. If you didn’t have a vested interest, you wouldn’t be here. We’re not doing it for our own sake. I mean, we are. But we are doing it for the sake of our children, our grandchildren. It doesn’t look like it did when I was in high school. It doesn’t look like it did five years ago. Things have changed. The system is broken.”

The Gouverneur Community Watch group wants to purchase and install 10 solar-powered surveillance cameras at high-crime locations in the Village of Gouverneur. The locations have been noted by Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Darren Fairbanks of the Gouverneur Police Department. Maps of potential locations were distributed at the community watch meeting. “We are going to first prioritize where the problem areas are, and stick them in the right spot. You are going to see that the hottest spot is over by Prospect St.,” Deputy Mayor Newvine said. “That is just the truth. They go over there a lot. You can cut from Prospect St., right behind NAPA onto Main St., and you can get from Prospect St. over to Parker St. where they can hide a little bit on the west side of town.” It is estimated that $50,000-$100,000 is needed to fund the project. Generous donations are already being promised. The group is also discussing fundraisers to help support the project. There also have been discussions on signage, social media presence, and so much more.

But more people need to be involved. The Gouverneur Community Watch Group is looking for participation from local clubs and community organizations, and is seeking representatives from the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce, the Gouverneur Lions Club, the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, among others. The group also plans to reach out to elected officials, including: St. Lawrence County District 5 Legislator Harry Smithers (R-Gouverneur), NYS Senator Mark Walczyk, NYS Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush, and others.

The Gouverneur Community Watch group needs a logo. Deputy Mayor Newvine said he contacted GHS Art Teacher Robert Decker on the topic. A logo design contest is anticipated, and local students are encouraged to participate.

The Gouverneur Community Watch group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, 6 p.m., at the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center, 4673 NY-58, Gouverneur. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 20. All those interested are encouraged to attend. For more information on how you can get involved, email cwnewvine@yahoo.com or phone Newvine’s NAPA Auto Parts at (315) 287-4098.

Village sets trick-or-treating hours

by Rachel Hunter

It’s official! Trick-or-treating in the Village of Gouverneur will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 31 (Halloween). The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees voted on the matter during the Oct. 15 meeting. See the Tribune’s community calendar for local Halloween happenings.

Gouverneur Trunk or Treat is Oct. 25

by Rachel Hunter

The 7th Annual Gouverneur Trunk or Treat, sponsored by the Community Health Center of the North Country and Seaway Valley Prevention Council, in partnership with the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association and Gouverneur Central School District, will be held on Friday, October 25, 6 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. All trunk-or-treaters are encouraged to wear their best costume, as the annual event once again is held via a walk-through format.

Motorists are asked to park in the Gouverneur Central lot on E. Barney St. Costumed children will then make their way through the fairgrounds entrance between the parking lot and the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair office. They will then walk down the Gouverneur Fair Midway, stopping at each vehicle with decorated trunks and receive their treats. This is a free community event, and all are invited to attend.

Seaway Valley Prevention Council and the Community Health Center of the North Country hope that the Gouverneur Trunk or Treat will once again be a fun, family-friendly way to get the word out about what services are available for people dealing with substance use issues. The idea originated with the Seaway Valley Prevention Council who in partnership with the Massena Drug-Free Community Coalition held a successful Trunk or Treat at Massena High School years ago, drawing in hundreds of costumed children. Piggybacking on this rousing success while seeking a fun, engaging way to spread the word in the local community about the services available to those with substance use issues, SVPC and CHCNC thought the best way would be to bring a Trunk or Treat event to Gouverneur. The event drew an estimated 1,400 costumed community members in 2023.

The Community Health Center of the North Country and the Seaway Valley Prevention Council have put a call-out for trunks at the 2024 Gouverneur Trunk or Treat. All businesses, organizations and individuals interested in decorating a trunk are encouraged to register their vehicle by emailing clebeau@svpc.net. The Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce informed the Gouverneur Tribune Press that they will be there with their decorated trunk, and encourage the local business community to register. All those entering decorated trunks are encouraged to start the planning process, and pack candy (or other treats) for the trunk-or-treaters. Make sure to arrive early for set-up so that you can hand out candy and show off your decorations.

Mark your calendars today for the 2024 Gouverneur Trunk or Treat event, sponsored by the Community Health Center of the North Country and the Seaway Valley Prevention Council, on Friday, October 25, 6 p.m., at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.

Village of Gouverneur hears monthly GRD report

by Rachel Hunter

The Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees at its Sept. 17 meeting heard the following report from Gouverneur Recreation Department Director Casey Canell.

The Before-School Morning Program meets weekdays at Gouverneur Elementary School, and is hosted in partnership with the Gouverneur Central School District. Enrichment program features early morning wake-up activities, interactive social play, arts and crafts, and breakfast. Highlights this month included a Meet & Greet with families at the school

The After-School Program meets at the Gouverneur Recreation Center STEAM Studio on Trinity Ave., Gouverneur, for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Match activities. The After-School Program is held on Mondays and Wednesdays for Grades 2-4, and Tuesdays and Thursday for those in UPK-Grade 1. Bus transportation is provided by the Gouverneur Central School District. The program highlights include recreational opportunities exploring STEAM field, theme days and guests with fine arts appreciation, gaming stations with tournaments, and interactive social play. This month, the youths enjoyed Fall Fun theme days.

Toddler Town meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for a recreation pre-school playgroup. The program features interactive socialization, music and art, story and snack, and active play.

The Senior Citizen Program continues to be held weekly on Friday mornings for food bingo games and coffee social. All area seniors are welcome to attend.

The Gouverneur Recreation Department was at the 13th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds on Sept. 22 with various youth activities, including scarecrow making, carnival games and a scavenger hunt. They also had various youth activities at the Community Health Center of the North Country’s Celebration of Dr. Schuessler on Sept. 14 at the Gouverneur Village Park. The Gouverneur Recreation Department also attended the Youth Bureau Advisory Board Meeting on Sept. 10.

Gratitude was extended to the Spilman family for their continued support of the Gouverneur Recreation Center facility.

Also, gratitude was extended to GS&L for the recent contribution to the Gouverneur Recreation Department. Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association (GS&L) recently applied for and distributed $10,000 grants to five local businesses and organizations in the Gouverneur community. The $50,000 was made available through the 2024 Small Business Recovery Grant (SBRG) program. This grant, provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, offers substantial financial support to businesses and non-profits across their district.

The next meeting of the Village of Gouverneur Board of Trustees will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 6 p.m., in the municipal courtroom. For more information, call 315-287-1720.

Notice: Hydrant Flushing in Gouverneur is Oct. 2-3

The following is a public service announcement from the Village of Gouverneur:

The Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Works wishes to inform residents that hydrant flushing will be done during the day, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and then again from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Residents may notice a loss of water pressure and a slight discoloration of the water. While the water is safe to drink, residents are encouraged to hold off on doing white laundry.

“Thank you for your cooperation and we are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause,” DPW Supt. TJ Simmons said. If you have any further questions, you can contact the Department of Public Works at 287-0110.