9th Annual Pumpkin Fest: Giant pumpkins win big prizes

by Rachel Hunter

The 9th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Fest, presented by the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association and the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce, featured the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest on Saturday, September 26 at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds. Giant pumpkin growers from all over New York State arrived with their gourds on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning to enter into the competition in either the adult or youth division. Much gratitude was extended to all those who participated to make the annual event bigger and better than ever. All participants were asked to wear face masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association utilized a scale to accurately weigh the giant pumpkins entered into the competition.

The first prize ($150 and rosette) in the adult division went to the heaviest pumpkin on the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds – a 1,108-pounder entered by Christine Nolan, a former Gouverneur resident who currently makes her home in Champion. Nolan’s passion for the giant gourds has been visible at the annual pumpkin festival since she started growing the giant pumpkins and entering them into competition in 2012. When asked by the Gouverneur Tribune Press how she grew the giant pumpkin, Nolan said that her motivation was through a little family competition with her son-in-law, Travis Clemons of Croghan. Travis won the second-place prize ($100 and rosette) with his 949-pounder. Nolan said said her secret – especially in a hot summer like this one has been – was to ensure that her giant gourd received plenty of water. She said she also started the plant early, and buried vines to help the giant pumpkin receive it best chance to receive all the nutrients it needed for proper growth.

“You have to start it early, by the end of April, and it takes a lot of work,” Nolan said. “I had one year that was bigger than this, but I’m happy. I was worried because Travis’ is higher, mine is lower, so I kept trying to think if I smooshed his down would it be that long…”

The close race was evident, and Travis Clemons said he is planning on returning for the 10th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Fest for a chance to claim the top podium spot. When asked by the Gouverneur Tribune Press the reason for his smaller giant pumpkin this year, Clemons said that he didn’t know if any pumpkin festivals would be organized this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and stopped “feeding” his gourd, not wanting to put money into it for a fruitless return. But the second-place finish did not discourage Clemons, but instead motivated him to grow a bigger than ever giant pumpkin in 2021.

And Nolan is ready for this family competition to commence once again, knowing that there is always room for growth. She commented that the Saratoga Pumpkin Fest draws giant pumpkins that weigh over 2,000 pounds. Knowing this, Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Manager Don Peck encouraged all those in attendance to participate in the 10th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest, directing the crowd to pick up some giant pumpkin seeds before leaving the fairgrounds.

The Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest results were announced in an award ceremony by Fair Manager Don Peck. The results commenced with the youth division, followed by the adult division. The top prize in the youth competition went to Travis Clemons’ son and Christine Nolan’s grandson, Brayden Clemons of Croghan, who entered a 752-pound giant pumpkin. He told all those in attendance that the Clemons’ had weighed the gourd before travelling to the Gouverneur Fairgrounds, and it weighed 761 pounds. When asked what he did to grow the giant pumpkin, Brayden Clemons did not reveal his secrets. Fair Manager Peck then encouraged the youth to keep doing whatever he did to grow the giant, and to return next year. The youth smiled as he walked away with his rosette and first-place $50 prize.

Brayden’s sister, Lilyanna Clemons, also entered a 14-pound pumpkin into youth division contest, and took home 12th place.

The second-place winner in the youth division, taking home the $25 prize, was Jolie Fuller with a 60-pound giant pumpkin.

The third-place winner in the youth division, taking home the $10 prize, was Peyton Fortin with a 57-pound giant pumpkin.

Fourth-place went to a 47-pound giant pumpkin, entered by Jack, Afton, and Max Riley of Richville. They also entered a 20-pound pumpkin in to the competition, which took 11th place. There was a tie for fifth place. Jonathan Webb and Liam Fields grew giant pumpkins weighing in at 43 pounds. Colby Fortin grew a 40-pound giant pumpkin, Jackson Fortin, a 38-pound pumpkin, Wyette Daniels, 37-pound pumpkin, Blake Fortin, a 32-pound pumpkin, and Stanley Fields, a 26-pound pumpkin. Many words of congratulations was granted to the youth for their participation in the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest this year. All were encouraged to grow bigger pumpkins next year and bring them to the competition at the 10th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Fest.

In the adult division, the remaining results are as follows: The third prize ($50 and rosette) was presented to Lyle Hotis of Gouverneur (Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Past President and Director), who entered 459-pound pumpkin. He also won fourth place with a 426-pound pumpkin, fifth place with a 417-pound pumpkin, sixth place with a 404-pound pumpkin, and seventh place with a 248-pound pumpkin. Eighth place went to Chris Boyle for his 119-pound pumpkin. Ninth place went to Fred Morrill with a 63-pound pumpkin. Tenth place went to Dave Bishop with a 47-pound pumpkin. Eleventh place went to Kriston Webb with a 38-pound pumpkin. Much gratitude and words of congratulations were extended to the adult participants as well.

“I think this is one of the best years we have had as far as attendance of pumpkins,” Fair Manager Don Peck said. “Last year it was a little sparce, but this year it turned out very, very well. I am glad we did this.”

Fair Manager Don Peck encouraged all who were interested in growing a giant pumpkin to talk with the growers and pick up a few seeds that were made available for anyone interested in testing out their green thumb in time for next year’s competition.

While many of the growers wouldn’t give out their secret for growing the giant gourds, the following tips will go a long way for those who are interested in joining next year’s competition:

Choose or prepare the soil for growing giant pumpkins. Collect some of the soil where you intend to plant your pumpkins. Take the soil to your local agricultural or conservation agency for testing. The test will let you know exactly what nutrients are in the soil. You can then determine what needs to be added. Having the right kind of soil will create vigorous, healthy vines. You can prepare the soil in early spring when the ground begins to warm, but it is best to start preparations in fall. This will allow any amendments you add to break down and work their way into the soil. You will need to prepare a 25 x 25 x 25 triangular area for each giant pumpkin vine to grow. Giant pumpkins generally need 2 pounds nitrogen (N), 3 pounds phosphorous (P2O2) and 6 pounds potash (K2O) per 1,000 square feet of growing space. Your soil should fall between 6.5 and 6.8 on the pH scale.

Choose a fertilizer to enhance your soil. If your soil doesn’t have the proper amount of nutrients, fertilizers can help to create the perfect environment in which to grow your pumpkins. Even if your soil is nutrient rich, adding a granular fertilizer, composted manure, or mature garden compost will fertilize the soil while improving the structure of the soil. Incorporate this fertilizer into the soil several days before you intend to transplant your pumpkins. Your plot should be located in the sun. Pumpkins need a fair amount of sunshine to grow up healthy and large. Keep in mind that pumpkins are sensitive and will need shelter from any intense wind. Add organic matter to your soil. Organic matters like manure will help your pumpkins grow up strong, healthy (and large!) You should use four inches of manure. Work the manure into the top few inches of soil.

Select proper seeds for planting. The genetics of the seeds you choose is important. They should come from a background of large-to-giant-size pumpkins. Plant your seeds (such as the ones made available at the Gouverneur Pumpkin Fest).If you live in a place that could potentially get frost in late April or May, you should start by planting your seeds in pots and keeping them indoors. If you think your pumpkins will be safe from frost, plant your seeds outside. Keep in mind that the seeds that sprout the fastest will generally grow the strongest pumpkins.

Germinating your seeds inside: Plant your seeds in peat pots that have four to six inches of soil in each pot. Plant the seeds one inch deep in the soil that is moist and keep the pots at around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). Some people use a greenhouse effect while others find setting them on top of the refrigerator works well. You should begin to see sprouts within three to five days. Germinating seeds outdoors: Before planting the seeds, soak them in warm water for four hours. Create a two-foot circle in the soil and remove the top inch of soil. Plant five seeds in the circle and cover them back up with the one inch of dirt. If possible, you can create a greenhouse over where you intend to plants the seeds and begin warming the soil several weeks in advance and several weeks after the sprouts have come up.

Transplant your sprouts. Only do this if you have chosen to germinate your seeds inside. Transplant your sprouts when you see the first true leaves appear (they will be green and full looking.) Build up mounds of soil that are roughly two-foot circles (they should be about the size of a pitcher’s mound.) Plant one sprout in each mound. Keep each mound approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) apart. If possible, place a small greenhouse on top of each mound. Doing this will keep your sprouts warm and healthy. Cut off weak vines. After a few weeks of growth, examine the pumpkin plant. Select the strongest looking vine in the group. Remove all others by clipping off the vines.

Pollinating: Pollinate the pumpkin blossoms by hand. Pollinating by hand is the preferred method but if you don’t have the time or the energy, it is a pretty safe bet that the bees will do most of the pollination for you. The flowers generally show up in late July. Pick your vine. The strongest and thickest vines often produce the largest pumpkins. Monitor your vines and see which one seems to be growing the fastest and thickest.

Identify the male and female plants to pollinate by hand. As in every form of reproduction, there is a male and female pumpkin counterpart. Do not begin pollinating until you the plant has roughly 200 leaves. The female has a small pumpkin at the base and no pollen inside the flower. To achieve the strongest female plant, you can break off the first female flower and wait for the second or third to grow (the strongest females grow when the vines are roughly 10 feet long, or longer.) The male will have a stamen inside the flower. The stamen will be covered in pollen. These male flowers generally show up before the female flowers do. Pull the petal from the male blossom. Only do this when a female flower grows from the largest and healthiest vine. Pulling the petal will help to expose the pollen needed for pollination. Rub the pollen stamen on the blossom of the female flower. This step is most successful if completed before the middle of July. This will ensure that the pumpkin has ample time for growth.

Time to pick your prize pumpkin. The largest pumpkins balloon out from the vine. Vines generally have two to three pumpkins. Once your pumpkins have reached the size of a softball, select the one on a vine that looks the most promising. You will have to cut out the others as they will steal nutrients from the prize pumpkin. Tear out the roots that are close to the pumpkin. Pumpkin vines grow roots at every leaf. Tearing out the roots nearest to the pumpkin will allow the pumpkin a bit of wiggle room. If the vine is held down by the roots near the pumpkin, the pumpkin might accidentally tear itself away from the vine as it grows massive. This would effectively end any more growth. Train vines away from the pumpkin. While growing, the pumpkin could accidentally crush the vines near it. Make sure to weed the area completely as your pumpkin vine grows. Once it reaches twenty feet and has covered the garden with leaves, you shouldn't have to weed anymore.

Pinch off the ends and side shoots. Only do this when the primary vine has reached 20 feet (6.1 m) in length. Pinching off the ends and side shoots will guarantee that the vine’s nutrients will go to your pumpkin. To increase the chance of a prize-winning pumpkin, shape the vine into a triangle. Treat the base of the vine as the bottom of the pyramid. You can cut the secondary side shoots shorter and shorter as they grow farther away from the base. For example, the shoots growing closest to the base might be twelve feet long; the next set of shoots might be ten feet long, then eight feet and so on.

Give the pumpkin shade. You can either drape a sheet over it or build a small structure to hold a tarp up over the pumpkin. That said, try not shade too many of the leaves. These need sunlight to grow the pumpkin. Give each plant 15 to 20 gallons (56.8 to 75.7 L) of water twice a week. Only do this if it is a dry season. Pumpkins do most of their growing at night. Water in the early evening so that the leaves and soil are not wet overnight. Try to avoid getting water on the leaves because wet leaves are more susceptible to disease.

Harvest your pumpkins to bring to the Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival!

The 2020 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival was also complete with a crafter/vendor fair, food truck vendors, pumpkin giveaways and raffles, and so much more. A great draw was the Giant Pumpkin Drop, which concluded the day-long event at 4 p.m. The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association encouraged all to maintain COVID-19 precautions throughout their attendance at the 9th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Fest on Saturday, September 26 while on the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.

Surgeon Dr. Brandy Joins SLHS Team in Canton and Gouverneur

General Surgeon Kiri Brandy, MD, has joined St. Lawrence Health System’s Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) medical team. She has offices in the lower level of the E.J. Noble Medical Building, 80 East Main Street, Canton; and at Gouverneur Hospital’s CPH Specialty Suite, 77 West Barney Street, Gouverneur.

Dr. Brandy’s name may be familiar to many regional residents; she has had privileges at Canton-Potsdam Hospital for several years, and now has employed provider status with the Hospital. She earned her New York Medical College, Fifth Pathway Certification; her medical degree from Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico; and underwent her residency at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY.

“I have lived and worked in St. Lawrence County for my entire professional career and it is definitely a place I call home. The people of the North Country are extremely special to me,” Dr. Brandy said. “I look forward to being able to continue to serve the community and help my patients through their healthcare needs. Assisting each patient as an individual is something I am passionate about.”

“It’s an honor to work within St. Lawrence Health System as it grows and adapts to meet the ever changing healthcare needs of the region,” she added.

As a general surgeon in Potsdam and Gouverneur, Dr. Brandy specializes in laparoscopy with an emphasis on minimally invasive breast surgery, venous disease, upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, wound care, and skin lesions. She also performs minimally invasive breast surgery, minimally invasive venous treatments, gall bladder surgery, hernia surgery, vascular access, and skin excisions (including neoplasia).

For more information on General Surgeon Dr. Kiri Brandy, visit https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/providers/kiri-brandy.

Record numbers enjoy family fun at Harvest Town Corn Maze

by Rachel Hunter

A record-breaking 200 people drove to the Harvest Town Corn Maze, 1580 US-11, Gouverneur throughout the day on Saturday, September 19 to enjoy some old-fashioned family fun. For a $5 admission cost per person, families can enjoy an obstacle course, walk through a corn maze, play on the glider, go a hayride, etc. There is free admission for all those under 3 years of age. The Harvest Town Corn Maze is open Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. -- rain or shine. Private parties can also be booked upon request.

Harvest Town Corn Maze opened to the public on Labor Day (September 7, 2020) and Owner Karl Bender of Gouverneur said repeat customers have already returned to enjoy all the activities at Harvest Town. For Mr. Bender, it is a dream come true.

“I always loved doing them when my kids were small,” Mr. Bender said. “We actually did one in Morristown… it was three generations at the time. My father passed away, and we had lived in the Village of Gouverneur and moved out here and got the land. So we decided to move the corn maze to here.

“Friends of mine in Lake Placid have the mining system, and I always thought that looked great and I always wanted to do it. So we built the mining tower, the mining system, and they can mine for gems, fossils. So we put that in.

“We have the maze. We used to do a haybale maze. I don’t have hay, so I was trying to figure out what I could do. So if you see our mine shaft, I was driving down the road and I saw a bunch of tires stacked up. And I said, “I could do that. I could make a tunnel.” So I went to Smithers Tire here in Gouverneur, and they gave me the tractor tires. And I said, “Well, if I have tractor tires, I can do a balance beam. And after I did the balance beam, I said: “I could do stairs.” And then of course everybody has to do the football obstacle. And then you come over and you run through the mine shaft (tunnel) and then you end by shooting balls to take on the dragon. That’s how you finish. We have two stations over there, so you can race.

“We have this glider over here, which is really interesting and cool, that we built and perfected across the road. Then we brought it here and the kids are loving the daylights out of it… It’s made out of one-inch PVC pipe, and wheels we bought on Amazon. And they hug the one-inch PVC so it stays on.

“We do a hayride too. And starting in October, we are going to have haunted hayrides on Saturday nights, time to be announced. This year, we are going to have Salem Witch Trial. This is fictitious. But here is the story: “I bought a map of St. Lawrence County. An old map of St. Lawrence County. When I unrolled it, there was another, smaller map. The smaller map had a road from Salem, MA to Gouverneur, NY. I then found out through my research that Gouverneur was a puritan community just like Salem. So you know how the Salem Witch Trials ended up being fake, right? That’s because the real witches got out before it happened. There was only two Puritan communities besides Salem that they had ben welcomed to. One of them was in Maine and one of them is in Gouverneur, NY. That is the tie. So while I was getting ready to do my haunted hayride, the shed over there will be full of witch stuff. We found it in the woods! And we kept being followed by a young lady. I think this young lady might be from Salem… We are posting these videos on Facebook. So we are whispering that were 100 feet away, using a telephoto lens and that she can’t see us. And she is sitting up in a tree… What happens is we tell the story of how I found the shed. And then she shows and we drop the camera. So we have (this footage) and we’ll be posting them along the way to tell the story. So I am going to be dressed up as a Bannister (judge), and the Salem Witch Trials rules and regulations are still in the Salem government books. The governor of Massachusetts has graciously allowed us for one night to use the rules and regulations of the Salem Witch Trial here in Gouverneur. We happen to know where this person is in the woods. I want to see if they are really a witch, and I need people to come and be the jury. As members of the jury, we’ll find out who put this witch on trial… following the Salem Witch Trials rules of 1692.” So that is our thing, we put them on the hayride, take them out. We get them in the woods, which is scarier than scary. We put them through two or three little scares, and we put them in the trial. It is more of a theater act, and we want them to ask questions of the witch and try to help me either prove she is a witch, or she is not a witch.”

When asked by the Gouverneur Tribune Press how many people could be in this jury, Mr. Bender said that the maximum allowed number was 6,000.

“New York State rules and regulations say that we can only have 33 percent capacity,” Mr. Bender said. “We are 13 acres, and that works out to 20,000 people. We are allowed to have 6,000. If we hit 6,000 in one night… we’ll have to go and have somebody look in the Village because there won’t be anybody left.

“So, this has been a dream of mine because it is one of the things we did as a family. My family is still highly active. We added the mining because it was something I always wanted to do. The obstacle course was because I couldn’t afford the haybales, so everything here is free. The sawdust comes from the Amish sawmill down the road, and the tires came from Smithers Tire in the Village. We recycled it all, and people are enjoying the daylights out of it… We lowered our fee. We were at $8, but lowered it to $5 because of the COVID-19, and our first post on Facebook hit 25,000 views in one day. And there is a high chance that we are going to get a lot of repeat customers… so I said, “Let’s lower the price and make it more affordable for families.” The very first day I had a grandfather, grandmother and four grandchildren. They came up and asked: “How much is it?” I said it is $5 per person. The grandfather looks at me, and he says: “Corn maze? Obstacle course? The glider thing?” I said, “Yeah.” He was like, “For $5?” I was like, “Yeah. The only thing you have to pay for was this mining thing, because I got to buy the roof… oh and I forgot, you also get a hayride.” And he was like, “I get a hayride too for $5?” I was like, “Yes, sir. You are getting all that for $5. We are doing this for family fun. We enjoy the Gouverneur community, and we are members of the Gouverneur community. We are here…”

Mr. Bender said the Harvest Town Corn Maze is possible thanks to his family, who is integral in every aspect of the operation. He said it is still being operated by three generations, as his children and grandchildren are involved. “I just moved up a peg,” he said.

Mr. Bender said he gets a kick out of seeing all the families come and enjoy the activities at the Harvest Town Corn Maze, and especially when he sees repeat customers back for more old-fashioned family fun.

Mr. Bender said that Harvest Town Corn Maze will be open through Halloween on Saturday, October 31. “And at the end, we are going to pick the corn. We got a corn picker. Right now most of the farmers are harvesting their corn, and come November it will be past where it is worth anything except for the corn itself. So we bought a corn picker, and we’re going to sell the corn off too. So everything is going to get used. And we’re hoping that it keeps growing.”

When the Gouverneur Tribune Press asked about COVID-19 precautions, Mr. Bender said the following: “We are considered a low-risk outdoor activity… because we are outdoors. The requirements by New York State is that you have a mask, and as long as you are more than six feet away and in your group, you don’t have to wear a mask. Once you get within six feet of somebody, you have to mask up.” The owners clean/disinfect common surfaces, and especially the pans that are used in the mining activity. Those, he said, are cleaned after each. Also mention was that the tables are cleaned once a day, and whenever customers aren’t using them. Mr. Bender informed that all requirements are followed as provided by the health department.

“We went through stuff with the Health Department, Economic Development… because both had the right to say if we could open or not. But we’ve met all the rules and regulations, and we have a whole COVID-19 plan, COVID-19 policy,” Mr. Bender said.

Mr. Bender also informed that through 95.3 The Wolf, Gouverneur Breast Cancer T-shirts were available for purchase in support of that organization’s mission to to help someone who is facing the long road from diagnosis to recovery from breast or ovarian cancer in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, and Franklin Counties, New York. All funds received from donations become direct financial support to someone who is facing a diagnosis of breast or ovarian cancer and needs help during this challenging time. A Virtual Walk is also being organized, check out gouverneurbreastcancerfund.com for more information.

“You can buy your shirts here for the $10, and all the proceeds are going to the Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund,” Mr. Bender said. “The COVID-19 really hurt their fundraising… So 95.3 The Wolf came up with this idea, and said: “Will you help us out with this?” And I said, “Hey, we support the Gouverneur Breast Cancer Walk too.”

Food trucks are also available on site. Nibbles Snackery of Rensselaer Falls has been on site to serve customers. Joining in October will be Nick and Amber Ormasen’s Cotton Candy N More. They will offer their usual menu along with the addition of hot cocoa and hot apple cider.

Mr. Bender also informed the Gouverneur Tribune Press that pumpkins were available from purchase. He said they came from Charlie Burt of Rowan’s Little Pumpkin Ridge in Gouverneur. The pumpkins have already attracted much attention from those who arrived to the Harvest Town Corn Maze in the past couple weeks.

Mr. Bender said he hopes that, as word spreads about the great activities offered to North Country families at Harvest Town Corn Maze, that this past weekend’s record attendance will be smashed. Don’t miss your chance to visit Harvest Town on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The time for the Haunted Hayrides on Saturday nights through October will be included in an upcoming edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press when the information becomes available.

Ed. Note: Karl Bender is also the Owner/Professional Engineer at AOK Engineering, PLLC, in Gouverneur.

More than 100 North Country students attend First UMC ‘s first drive-thru We’ve Got Your Back 2 School

Volunteers showcase the backpacks available at the Annual We’ve Got Your Back 2 School giveaway event, hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur on Sunday, August 30. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Volunteers showcase the backpacks available at the Annual We’ve Got Your Back 2 School giveaway event, hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur on Sunday, August 30. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

The First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur hosted the North Country community at its 34 Grove Street location for its annual We’ve Got Your Back To School giveaway event on Sunday, August 30. Over 100 students in the North Country region were served during the event, encompassing the Gouverneur Central School District, Harrisville Central School District, Edwards-Knox Central School District, and Hermon-DeKalb Central School District.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, the annual event was organized by appointment with stations being set up in a drive-up style around the church. The efforts of many volunteers made the event possible. Social distancing was observed. Volunteers wore face masks, and hand sanitizer was available throughout the event.

Volunteers ready the school supply packets for community members at the Annual We’ve Got Your Back 2 School Giveaway at the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur on Sunday, August 30. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Volunteers ready the school supply packets for community members at the Annual We’ve Got Your Back 2 School Giveaway at the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur on Sunday, August 30. (Rachel Hunter photo)

School supplies were gathered in individualized packets, and brought to the community members vehicles as they arrived. At the next station, the community members were able to choose from a wide selection of backpacks. Also, toiletries and food was made available to all attendees.

Many contributions from community members and businesses made this event possible to help support local students during the upcoming 2020-21 school year.

Attention was also drawn during the event to the First UMC Blessing Box. This box (cabinet) is meant to provide non-perishable food items and toiletries for folks with an immediate need. Take what you need, give what you can, share the word if you know of someone who needs a little boost. You may add items to the box at any time, if the box is full you may drop items off at the church office (Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 1 PM) to replenish when supplies are low.

For more information on First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur, visit the church Facebook page or website gouverneurumc.org or call (315) 287-2440.

St. Lawrence County Holstein Club hosts 2020 show at Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County fairgrounds

by Rachel Hunter

Noah MacDonald of Elm-Dell Farm in Richville showing at the 2020 St. Lawrence County Holstein Show. He won the Master Showman award. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Noah MacDonald of Elm-Dell Farm in Richville showing at the 2020 St. Lawrence County Holstein Show. He won the Master Showman award. (Rachel Hunter photo)

The 2020 St. Lawrence County Holstein Club Show was hosted at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds at the Harry Parow Show Ring on Thursday, August 13.

Spectators arrived throughout the day to see the high-quality dairy cattle get evaluated. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, all those gathered were encouraged to wear facial coverings and abide by all local and health recommendations while in attendance.

The 2020 SLC Holstein Club Show judge was Adam Liddle, who owns and operates Liddleholme Farm in Argyle, N.Y., with his wife, Nicole, and children, Anthony, Brock and Hailee. Liddle developed an appreciation for deep pedigrees and show types by working as a herdsman for PamTom Farm, Reid’s Dairy and Ridgedale Farm prior to purchasing his farm and developing his own herd. His 75-cow milking herd has an elite breed age average of 110.7% and a lactation average of 22,000 lb. of milk. Liddleholme cattle have earned numerous All–New York and Junior All–New York awards, as well as nominations for All-American and Junior All-American recognition. Liddle serves on Expo’s Dairy Cattle Show Committee and is a director of the Tri-County Holstein Club. He’s judged many shows, including the Northeast Fall National, All-American Junior Show, Western National Spring Show and Wisconsin State Fair Junior Show. In 2008, he was the associate judge of Expo’s International Holstein Show.

All those in attendance were impressed with the high-quality Holsteins that were entered from dairy cattle farms all around New York State.

Full results will be published once they are made available to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur commences Fruit Bags Program with ENF grant funding

The First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur Fruit Bags Program had its first distribution on Wednesday, July 29. The bags were packed in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur. From left: Volunteers Susie Spilman, Carol Amberg, …

The First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur Fruit Bags Program had its first distribution on Wednesday, July 29. The bags were packed in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur. From left: Volunteers Susie Spilman, Carol Amberg, Terry Streeter are pictured with the packed bags that are tagged and ready for distribution. The bags are resting on the picnic tables that were recently built and made available for the North Country community members to use. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

The First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur on Wednesday, July 29 distributed the first round of “Fruit Bags” to shut-ins and senior citizens in the Gouverneur community. This was made possible due to the generosity of a $1,700 grant distributed from the Elks National Foundation to the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur by the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035. Its purpose? To serve community members – especially senior citizens – in need during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

A selection of fruit, including such fruit as peaches, apples, oranges, bananas, plums, nectarines, and clementines, were put in paper bags. A tag with an explanation of the program along with one of four Bible verses was included (I John 4:11, Psalm 133:1, Proverbs 17:17, and Galations 6:2). Volunteers who assisted in putting the bags together included Jim Mosher, Terry Streeter, Carol Amberg, Barb Laidlaw, Joe Laurenza, Judy Brown, and Susie Spilman.

A total of $244.84 was spent on the first round of the Fruit Bag Program, and a total of 70 people throughout the Gouverneur community received the Fruit Bags.

Seniors citizens throughout the Gouverneur community received the Fruit Bags, including those who were shut-in, and those at Cambray Court and Kilkarney Court.

Much gratitude is extended to the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035 for making this program through the $1,700 ENF grant.

The First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur also invites the North Country community to enjoy sitting at the picnic tables in front of the church building. Organizer Susie Spilman said the idea to build and position a couple picnic tables under the tree’s shade when church members spotted that several motorists had their cars parked along Church St. and were eating their lunches in their vehicles. She supervised the project, while the pressure treated wooden tables were assembled by Teddy Markwick and Kyle Spilman. The project took a couple hours to complete, but now the First Presbyterian Church of Gouverneur hopes the community will make good use of the tables in the future.

USDA Food Box Distribution hosted by Gouverneur Kiwanis to be held August 5

Volunteers preparing for the distribution on July 29 at the Gouverneur Elementary School in conjunction with the free milk distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Volunteers preparing for the distribution on July 29 at the Gouverneur Elementary School in conjunction with the free milk distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

The USDA Food Box Distribution at the Gouverneur Elementary School, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club in partnership with Renzi Foodservice was canceled on Wednesday, July 29 due to a mix-up in communication.

The first USDA Food Box Distribution in Gouverneur was organized to be a free, first-come, first-served event. The pre-packaged boxes on the Renzi Foodservice truck were to contain produce, dairy and frozen meats. The USDA Food Box Distribution Program is part of the Federal COVID-19 Food Assistance Program. Local distributors, such as Renzi Foodservice, deliver the products to non-profit partners who manage distribution to local families and individuals.

Gouverneur Cub Scouts Pack 2035 Cubmaster Chris Gates volunteering at the Free Milk Distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club in partnership with Hood Dairy, on Wednesday, July 29 at Gouverneur Elementary School. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Gouverneur Cub Scouts Pack 2035 Cubmaster Chris Gates volunteering at the Free Milk Distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club in partnership with Hood Dairy, on Wednesday, July 29 at Gouverneur Elementary School. (Rachel Hunter photo)

The news spread like wildfire in the Gouverneur community, and local residents arrived as early as 6 a.m. to get a distribution. By the 8 a.m. scheduled start time, motorists had surrounded the bus loop and filled Gleason Street and had reportedly even started lining up on Rock Island St. Shortly after 8 a.m. news of the miscommunication was received on site when the Renzi Foodservice truck hadn’t arrived, and the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club issued its sincere regrets via its Facebook page and informed each attendee of the mix-up at the event.

It was reported to the Gouverneur Tribune Press that USDA Food Box Distribution will be held at the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday, August 5, but no further details were available by press time.

All Gouverneur community members who stopped by the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday morning had the opportunity to receive free milk.

The Gouverneur community is reminded that 5,376 units of milk is delivered by HP Hood LLC each week for families in need throughout the North Country. The free weekly milk distribution is held at the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason Street, Gouverneur, 8 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday through August 26. Pick-up is at the bus loop entrance at the rear of the elementary school building. Follow the traffic cones and signs for guidance to the cafeteria loading dock area, and simply let the volunteers know how many gallons and what type you would like. This is a curbside pick-up only. Please remain in your car safely distanced. Volunteers will come you wearing a face mask, abiding by COVID-19 regulations.

Stephanie LaShomb helping to register North Country residents at the free weekly milk distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, at the Gouverneur Elementary School, on Wednesday, July 29. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Stephanie LaShomb helping to register North Country residents at the free weekly milk distribution, hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, at the Gouverneur Elementary School, on Wednesday, July 29. (Rachel Hunter photo)

This past week, organizers started collecting demographic data on those attending and encouraged all those participating to fill out the Census.

In addition, the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club received a $500 grant to support families and community during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Northern New York Community Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Fund. Local farmers – thanks to the work of Brian Bennett of Bittersweet Farm, a small family farm in DePeyster, which is certified organic with NOFA-NY – have graciously partnered with the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club to bring fresh, local produce for distribution at weekly free milk giveaway at the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 29. Bittersweet Farm also made an additional donated contribution to increase the amount of produce available to the North Country community. The vegetables to North Country consumers on Wednesday, July 29 included green beans, summer squash, zucchini, potatoes, and so much more.

Also, there was a distribution of cereal, made possible by the Kinney Drugs Warehouse and the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur.

To keep informed on the latest breaking information about the USDA Food Box Distribution events hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, follow their Facebook page as well as the GCSD Wildcats Facebook page. Gouverneur Kiwanis Club President Charity Zawatski said a final agreement has not been formalized with Renzi Foodservice, but the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club has requested to enter an agreement to host a weekly USDA Food Box Distribution at the Gouverneur Elementary School.

NNY Community Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund grants Gouverneur Kiwanis Club $500 award to support community during COVID-19 pandemic

by Rachel Hunter

Brian Bennett of Bittersweet Farms in DePeyster joins Stephanie LaShomb and Gouverneur Kiwanis President Charity Zawatski filling bags of produce from local farmers to be distributed during the free weekly milk distribution on Wednesday, July 22. Mr…

Brian Bennett of Bittersweet Farms in DePeyster joins Stephanie LaShomb and Gouverneur Kiwanis President Charity Zawatski filling bags of produce from local farmers to be distributed during the free weekly milk distribution on Wednesday, July 22. Mr. Bennett told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that $250 worth of produce was brought for distribution to the community on Wednesday, July 22 and $250 worth of produce from local farms will be made available for distribution at the Wednesday, July 29 distribution at Gouverneur Elementary from 8 a.m. to noon. All are welcome. (Rachel Hunter photo)

The Gouverneur Kiwanis Club received a $500 grant to support families and community during the COVID-19 pandemic from the Northern New York Community Foundation COVID-19 Community Support Fund.

Local farmers – thanks to the work of Brian Bennett of Bittersweet Farm, a small family farm in DePeyster, which is certified organic with NOFA-NY – have graciously partnered with the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club to bring fresh, local produce for distribution at weekly free milk giveaway at the Gouverneur Elementary School on Wednesday, July 22 and Wednesday, July 29. Bittersweet Farm also made an additional donated contribution to increase the amount of produce available to the North Country community.

“We appreciate the partnership with Brian Bennett from Bittersweet Farm and their local support for our community,” Gouverneur Kiwanis Preside Charity Zawatski said. “The gratitude of our community goes to the Northern New York Community Foundation and their continued support in giving back and providing for all Northern New York communities.”

Mr. Bennett this past Wednesday brought summer squash, green beans, peppers, strawberry rhubarb jam, cabbage and more – but it wasn’t just from his own garden. He said the produce came from about six or seven different farms around the North County, including some Amish families and some farms that were represented at the Canton Farmers Market. Bittersweet Farm also donated one-pound bunches of LambsQuarter, otherwise known as “Wild Spinach.” Mr. Bennett said he recommends experimenting when preparing dishes with the LambsQuarter as there are dozens of good ways to use the leaves – everything from Spanikopta (or Greek Spinach Pie) to omelets, fritatas, quiches, and stir-frys (with bacon and onions). He added that LambsQuarter is sturdier than common spinach and freezes well. The green is higher in iron and Vitamin C than any one can find in the grocery store.

Mr. Bennett said he was glad to hear about the $500 grant from Northern New Community Foundation amid the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, and the ability to help to stimulate the local farming community through this distribution effort.

While at the July 22 weekly free milk distribution, the Gouverneur Tribune Press learned that the First United Methodist Church and Kinney Drugs Warehouse donated 600 boxes of cereal to be paired with the weekly food donation.

Gouverneur Kiwanis Club President Charity Zawatski also informed the Gouverneur Tribune Press that tthe Gouverneur Kiwanis Club has partnered with Renzi Foods and will be distributing the USDA Food Boxes that are pre-packaged and contain produce, dairy and meat as available. At this time, no registration is required. The first distribution will be July 29th from 8:00-10:00 until boxes and supply are gone. “We anticipate weekly distribution as long as Renzi's has it available,” President Zawatski said. “This is a curbside pick-up at 111 Gleason Street. This is FREE and OPEN to anyone who wishes to come and get boxes of food. This is not affiliated with the Summer Feeding School Lunch Program, which is also still available. Please remain in your car, make sure your trunk is clear for loading.”

President Zawatski also announced the following: “The People Project facilitated by Mary Wills, American Federation of Teachers, NYS United Teachers and the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club all partnered and were able to get a grant sponsored through T-Mobile for Internet data hot spots for our community. We are receiving four. These are good for two years and all the data is paid for. Locally, Brandi Jenkins supported the placement at the Richville Snack Shack with one data hot spot located there for use. A second location is at the Fowler Town Hall and was supported by Rick Newvine. In addition, free books will be distributed to children as donated through the People Project.”

First UMC of Gouverneur volunteer and GCSD Board of Education Member Naaman Lowry stands with a portion of the 600 boxes of cereal that were made available for distribution at the free weekly milk distribution on July 22 at the Gouverneur Elementary…

First UMC of Gouverneur volunteer and GCSD Board of Education Member Naaman Lowry stands with a portion of the 600 boxes of cereal that were made available for distribution at the free weekly milk distribution on July 22 at the Gouverneur Elementary School. (Rachel Hunter photo)

In conclusion, President Zawatski said: “So, clearly, during COVID-19, the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club is very active and supporting the community.”

The Gouverneur Tribune Press reminds all to take advantage of the free offerings made available through the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club, especially the free weekly milk distribution. The free weekly milk distribution is held at the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason Street, Gouverneur, 8 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday through August 26. Pick-up is at the bus loop entrance at the rear of the elementary school building. Follow the traffic cones and signs for guidance to the cafeteria loading dock area, and simply let the volunteers know how many gallons and what type you would like. This is a curbside pick-up only. Please remain in your car safely distanced. Volunteers will come you wearing a face mask, abiding by COVID-19 regulations.

For more information, check out the GCSD Wildcats page.

Free milk for all available in Gouverneur this summer

by Rachel Hunter

Volunteers distributing free milk to community members in need, thanks to the weekly distribution hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club. The weekly shipment of 5,376 units of milk from Hood is received at Gouverneur Elementary and then distributed e…

Volunteers distributing free milk to community members in need, thanks to the weekly distribution hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club. The weekly shipment of 5,376 units of milk from Hood is received at Gouverneur Elementary and then distributed each Wednesday morning from 9 a.m. to noon. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Gouverneur Kiwanis Club President Charity Zawatski announced to the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that all 5,376 units of milk delivered by HP Hood LLC had been delivered to families in need throughout the North Country within the first week of the free milk distribution.

The free weekly milk distribution is held at the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason Street, Gouverneur, 8 a.m. to noon, every Wednesday through August 26. Pick-up is at the bus loop entrance at the rear of the elementary school building. Follow the traffic cones and signs for guidance to the cafeteria loading dock area, and simply let the volunteers know how many gallons and what type you would like. This is a curbside pick-up only. Please remain in your car safely distanced. Volunteers will come you wearing a face mask, abiding by COVID-19 regulations.

This milk is free to anyone. “You do not have to be a school member, student or live in Gouverneur,” President Zawatski said. “It’s open to everyone from anywhere.” All are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.

President Zawatski also announced that the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club has partnered and shared with the Hammond Central School District, Heuvelton Central School District, Lisbon Central School District, Edwards-Knox Central School District, SLU Office of Student Activities and Leadership, Office of Aging in Gouverneur and surrounding locations (including the Gouverneur Community Center), Ogdensburg Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army of Ogdensburg, and local food pantries in Gouverneur Ogdensburg, and Canton.

As was earlier edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press, the first free milk distribution was held on Wednesday, July 8, the pop-up distribution event being hosted by the Gouverneur Kiwanis Club. The distribution is being made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Glazier Packing won the bid to conduct the distribution through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and asked HP Hood LLC – one of two dairy processors supplying milk to Glazier Packing – for help finding communities in need. Glazier has, in turn, partnered with the Gouverneur Kiwanis as a registered 501c3 to coordinate the distribution.

“It’s really a joint effort between many parties,” HP Hood Communications Specialist Laura Lynn said. “But it is all being made possible because of USDA.”

In an attempt to find communities in need and reach local families, HP Hood Communications Specialist Laura Lynn said their sales team got to work, reaching out to the local community. It was Senior Sales Representative Heather Love that reached out to the American Red Cross locally in the area. “They are the ones that connected her to the Kiwanis and set up the relationship between Glazier and Kiwanis,” Lynn said.

Each week, 5,376 units of milk will be trucked to the Gouverneur Elementary School in preparation for the distribution. A total of 1,344 units of each of the following four products will be available for distribution: 2% half-gallons, 2% full-gallons, 1% half-gallons and %1 full-gallons. The distribution at Gouverneur Elementary will be through Wednesday, August 26.

All North Country community members who would like free milk are encouraged to stop by Gouverneur Elementary on Wednesday mornings from 8 a.m. to noon. Pick-up is at the bus loop entrance at the rear of the elementary school building. Follow the traffic cones and signs for guidance to the cafeteria loading dock area, and simply let the volunteers know how many gallons and what type you would like. This is a curbside pick-up only. Please remain in your car safely distanced. Volunteers will come you wearing a face mask, abiding by COVID-19 regulations.

“We do have some other volunteers coming to help – like the Gouverneur Cub Scouts Pack 2035, St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess, Tedra Cobb, Cerebral Palsy Association, and Bittersweet Farm, and our own kids that wish to help,” President Zawatski said. “We welcome volunteers and they can contact Charity if their group or organization would like to help.”

For agencies, schools or other programs, call Charity at 315-727-5839 or email at zawatski.charity@gcsk12.org to make special large quantity pick up arrangements.

Don’t miss your chance to pick up free milk at Gouverneur Elementary this summer!

Justice for Trey: Gouverneur community holds candlelight prayer vigil for murder victim

by Rachel Hunter

A heartbroken Gouverneur community on Monday, June 22 cried out “Justice for Trey” at the candlelight prayer vigil as hundreds gathered in the Gouverneur Village Park to mourn the loss of 18-year-old Treyanna Summerville.

As of press time on Tuesday, the Gouverneur Tribune Press confirmed that a 13-year-old unidentified suspect was charged with second-degree murder in the ongoing homicide investigation into Treyanna’s death. The arrest of the 13-year-old took place at New York State Troop B- Gouverneur Station, 1005 US Highway 11, Gouverneur at 3:20 p.m. on Monday. District Attorney Gary Pasqua said the suspect was arraigned in the youth part of St. Lawrence County Court on Monday afternoon. Pasqua wouldn’t comment whether Summerville’s death was the result of a domestic incident because it is the subject of an ongoing homicide investigation.

Anyone with information or tips for law enforcement is encouragement to contact their local police agency or the State Police to report relevant information, anonymously or otherwise, so that appropriate action may be taken. State police spent all day Monday investigating the Gouverneur High School student’s death at 135 Rowley Street. The first 911 call came in at 3 a.m.

Treyanna Summerville’s identity was released to news outlets Tuesday morning after authorities could notify family members of her death. Her identity was, however, widely known and spread on social media, throughout the Gouverneur community, and at the candlelight prayer vigil as the community gathered to mourn her loss.

The candlelight prayer vigil was scheduled to commence at 8 p.m. Traffic and pedestrian control was handled by the Gouverneur Police Department and St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. The Village of Gouverneur Department of Public Work was also in the Gouverneur Village Park. New York State Police were still investigating the scene on Rowley Street at the time, which is why it was moved from its original location at 135 Rowley Street, Gouverneur.

Gouverneurians arrived with candles and signs to place at the base of the tree adjacent to the Gouverneur Village Park. The candles were lit in Treyanna’s memory. Tears flowed as Gouverneur community members prayed and remembered a life taken too soon. In addition, for those who did not bring candles, tapered candles, were passed out by Jessica Miller of Route 11 Diner as Gouverneurians entered the park. The candlelight prayer vigil lasted about an hour, and culminated with the singing of “Amazing Grace.”

Treyanna Summerville, 18, was a member of the GHS Class of 2020 and was only a few short days away from walking across the stage to receive her high school diploma. The GHS Class of 2020 came out in strong numbers as the grieved over the loss of one of their own. Papers filled with messaged were put in an Angel Jar and will be placed on Treyanna Summerville’s seat at the GHS Class of 2020’s Commencement.

On Tuesday morning, Gouverneur Central School District issued this statement: “We are heartbroken over the tragic death of Treyanna Summerville and join the Gouverneur Central community in mourning her loss. We understand our students and staff will have many questions and strong emotions as they grieve. We have assembled our Crisis Intervention Team, made up of a professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this. Counselors are available to meet virtually with students as needed. Please call 315-287-1900 and your request will be directed to a counselor. In looking for comfort I found this Korean Proverb – When a child dies, You bury the child in your Heart. Treyanna, you are safely in my heart. We are working with a committee of students to create a fitting recognition for Treyanna at graduation. These details will be shared when finalized.”

Southwest Career and Education Center also released the following statement: “We join together with the Gouverneur community, our students and faculty in mourning the tragic, heart wrenching loss of Treyanna Summerville. Our staff is here and available to all. We will be joining the supports GHS is putting into place for everyone and by your side always.”

Further details will be reported when they are made available to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

4-H Educator Amy Sands Feted After 24-Year Career

4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands recognized for her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County at her retirement party on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Gouverneur Community Center. Pictured from left: CCE Executive Direc…

4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands recognized for her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County at her retirement party on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Gouverneur Community Center. Pictured from left: CCE Executive Director Patrick Ames, Amy Sands, 4-H Youth and Family Leader/Health and Nutrition Issue Leader/SNAP-Ed Program Manager Cassondra Caswell. (Rachel Hunter photo)

by Rachel Hunter

St. Lawrence County 4-H Extension Educator Amy Sands was feted on Sunday, March 1 at the Gouverneur Community Center for encouraging countless youth “to make the best better” throughout her 24-year career with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County.

Former and current 4-H members and leaders were invited to a retirement party held in Amy Sands’ honor from 1 to 3 p.m., and the dozens flocked to the Gouverneur Community Center to join the celebration.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County Executive Director Patrick Ames welcomed all in attendance, and brought the guest of honor centerstage, as the throng gave applause.

“Twenty-four years is a remarkable commitment to Extension, and Amy’s retirement is pretty significant to the organization but I think it is pretty significant to the staff that you see here in this room, the 4-H volunteers that have joined us here, and the 4-H’ers,” he said. “Her impact is very significant. But it is more than that. It is personal too. As a director, I try to refrain from using the word family when I describe staff but the reality is you can’t work alongside someone like Amy Sands for 20-plus years and not be like family. She’s been there to celebrate the birth of my kids and has had an impact on my kids. We’ve watched her grandkids grow up through 4-H. We’ve shared hard times together. She’s always been there. It’s been remarkable. So, this is much more than losing a really good 4-H educator. But it is losing a family to us.

“As a team leader… Those of you who don’t know my history, I worked in 4-H alongside Amy for years and then had the privilege of being a team leader and we worked together and I’ve got to tell you… being a 4-H educator is not an easy job. It’s a lot of long hours, long days. They can be stressful. They are always rewarding. But they are fatiguing, nonetheless. When I think back to our days at the county fair, I could always count on the fact that at the end of the week… Amy would have lost her voice. And often immediately, somehow miraculously, after the fair ended she would come down with the cold or be sick. She would always blame it on the fair dust. It was always the show ring dust that was causing it. But the reality was she put in countless, tireless hours leading up to the fair, getting ready for it, getting kids ready for it, and at the fair I don’t think there was a single program or contest that she wasn’t a part of, or didn’t have her hands on. She simply just left everything on the court, and I think her body knew at the end it had to give in… and then somehow within a week or two she was getting kids ready for the state fair and taking them down, and visiting our 4-H’ers at the state fair with livestock...

“When I think about Extension, that’s how she handled her job not only at the fair but when I think about our Maple Program at the Farm or the Spring Ag Awareness or the Farm Day Camp. She was involved in absolutely every program we had to offer, day in and day out and it was really remarkable to be part of that.

“As the director, I have to tell you that Amy is a team player and I would say that she is always put the needs of Extension over her own needs and that is a rare trait today. I’m going to think back to a specific year. It was 2016. It was a pretty tough year for us. We had created all these programs at the Extension Farm, and they were taking off like mad, and then suddenly it was one of those years where we had a whole bunch of turnover, vacancies, and I really didn’t know how we were going to get everything done. I remember commiserating with Art Hurlbut, who was on the Board of Directors at the time. I said, “I don’t really know how we are going to pull this off.” And he used a phrase I never heard before, he said, “Patrick, if you want something done, give it to someone who is already busy.” That really described Amy and her work ethic and her drive with Extension. That year, she stepped in as our After-School Director for North Wind After-School and then she stepped in as our Farm Day Camp Director and still held down everything else that was still on her plate. She did two other people’s jobs. So that year it was my privilege to give her the Director’s Award for the employee who most exemplified the spirit and ideals of Extension. It was a privilege. So, that was Amy, but that wasn’t just Amy in 2016, that was Amy every year that she worked for us.

“A lot of you don’t know this, but she was instrumental in BOCES Even Start program for years and then when we started the Advantage After School Program in Ogdensburg we assigned that to her and then for years she worked in four different school districts keeping that program afloat. She was a great liaison between Extension and that after-school program. She brought 4-H to after-school over there. She created the Farm Day Camp with me. She was there at the ground level, building that program, and now that reaches over 350 kids every summer and growing.

“But there is something about Amy that nobody knows but me… We worked together a long time and whenever we had a new educator struggling in a after-school program, I would talk to Amy and quietly assign Amy to that educator as a mentor and she would shadow them for sometimes 8-12 weeks, whatever it took and go with them to their program. She saved a couple partnerships by going into these schools and modeling positive youth development and modeling relationship building. We saw educators turn around with her guidance. It has been a wonderful resource to have and it is going to be tough to replace that too.

But lastly, I want to mention Amy’s dedication to children and to our 4-H’ers. Studies have shown that the number one factor in a child having a positive, successful youth development outcome, if you will, is that one mentor that they know will do anything for them at any cost. Amy has been that mentor for many, many 4-H’ers over the years. I wish there was some way to give you a statistic and pull a number together and say, “These are the number of lives that Amy Sands has touched.” It would be a remarkable number. It would be staggering… Working alongside of you, Amy, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I really appreciate everything you have done for Extension.”

Youth and Family Lead Cassondra Caswell then said the following: “4-H does have the power to change lives, as I am sure many of you as 4-H families or 4-H employees can attest to… Patrick nailed it on the head. We all have mentors. We all have people that we look up to, whether it be our club leader, our project leaders, maybe staff at Cooperative Extension and for me Amy Sands was my mentor… I know for certain my career path would not be the same if it wasn’t for (Amy). I was a quiet 17-year-old in the 4-H program and all I wanted to be was a fly on the wall. I was pretty sure I was invisible, but it was at a clothing revue event that Amy came up to me and my mom and said, “What would you think of working at our Summer Day Camp program?” I didn’t really know who this lady was at that point in my life other than she was there at 4-H events and for me, I wasn’t invisible. This lady saw me. I hope it was the potential she saw in me. From that first summer experience, I knew that 4-H was really something that I wanted to have a career in. I grew up in 4-H. I knew I loved the program, but to really see the impact that a 4-H educator has on the lives of so many people was just empowering to me. And Amy, you helped me and mentored me to learn what it meant to work with and empower youth, especially those that maybe need a little bit extra help and a little bit more love. Through my 4-H career and working at Cooperative Extension, I am very fortunate to have gotten to share 12 of your 24 years at Cooperative Extension – and I will personally never forget the impact that Amy has had on my life.”

Youth and Family Lead Caswell then told stories of Amy Sands’ trips down to the New York State Fair, teaching youth to sew, putting on the annual Dairy Camp, instructing outdoor survival skills at the Extension Learning Farm, and much more.

“Truly I want to say thank you for all your years of enrichment for not only myself, but for all these people here today that you have made an impact on and, as you are well aware, the hundreds more that are not in this room and the 4-H and Cooperative Extension staff,” Miss Caswell said. “We thank you so much for everything you have dedicated in your 24 years.”

Then it was time for the presentation of gifts. “You have left your mark on our lives and now we are leaving ours with you,” Miss Caswell said, sharing the theme of the retirement party.

Amy Sands was presented with a chicken-shaped wooden cutting board and a memory lap quilt with blocks from former extension educators, families, clubs as well as neighboring 4-H counties to extend gratitude for her 24 years of service. Miss Caswell also said the following: “We are actually trying to do something with the Maple Program. We have cut a cookie out of a tree and we are planning on making a table out of that as well. The tree did not dry in time for us to make something with it. But you will have a bit of Cooperative Extension somewhere in your home.” A memory book was also available for all those present to share treasured moments and thoughts with Amy Sands during the occasion.

Executive Director Ames also gave the floor to anyone who wanted speak to impact Amy Sands made on their lives and the crowd gathered heard from Extension staff, 4-H volunteers, 4-H leaders, 4-H parents and more for several moments. At the conclusion, all those who were impacted by her dedication through her 24-year career at Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County were invited to stand to show visibly her impact.

Amy Sands then was given the floor to address the crowd before her: “I want to thank everyone for coming, and I want to thank all the adults for sharing their children’s lives with me,” she said. ‘There is nothing more precious than a child. It’s true. I tell my own kids that. The most precious thing you ever have is your children. To be able to share somebody else’s child is great.”

The crowd enjoyed refreshments during the two-hour fete, and a decorated cake that also recognized Amy Sands’ 24 years to Extension and youth in St. Lawrence County.

A Gouverneur native, Amy (Kapfer) Sands, is a 1968 graduate of Gouverneur High School and Clinton Community College in Plattsburgh. She married John Sands, a 1967 Indian River Central School graduate, in 1972. At the retirement party, Amy was proud to introduce to the crowd her family, son Christopher and Kristie Sands, son Andrew and Jennifer Sands (children Owen, Jorja), son Rob and Jen Sands (children Tracker, Ledger, Lana, Colter). She also introduced her sister Ann (Kapfer) LaRock and Tony and Jennie Kapfer (child Jordan) and brother-in-law Jeff Sands.