New youth baseball field opened Saturday

by Dan McClelland

As the eleven and twelve year olds on Tupper Lake's Little League team anxiously peered out though the fence onto their new diamond in the municipal park awaiting the start of play, the leaders of the Tupper Lake Youth Softball and Baseball Association welcomed the crowd of supporters and local officials in preparation for the Saturday's ribbon-cutting.

Association president Dan Brown, welcoming the crowd of about 100 at 9a.m. that morning, explained that the new Little League-sized field adjacent to the Little Logger Playground comes on the heels of many great projects here this past decade.

He listed the Wild Walk, the adjacent playground, the Lions bandshell and various other community projects “but this one takes the cake as far as contributions from everyone in our community. We've had numerous fundraisers at Raquette River Brewing, several at Big Tupper Brewing, many contributions from local foundations and organizations- raising a sum of over $100,000. So it has been quite the effort by the community!”

He added Tupper Lake really came through for its kids.

He endeavored to list major contributors to the project which included the Tupper Lake Fire Department volunteers for their donation of $2,500, the two local breweries, the local VFW post for hosting the annual fundraising dinners which raised over $15,000 in total, the local Lions Club, the town board, Angie Snye, Supervisor Patti Littlefield, AS Services of Plattsburgh for the architectural plans and the work preparing for the Adirondack Park Agency permits, in conjunction with Village Clerk Mary Casagrain, Kentile Excavating, Skiff Construction, Mayor Paul Maroun and our village board, which he said was great working with their group on deciding on a final site for the athletic field.

The site search began on Washington St. park, moved to a place adjacent to the Palmer Gazebo to its final site next to the playground, Mr. Brown told the supporters and well-wishers.

He listed too the help of ROOST's Michelle Clement, village superintendents Mark Robillard and Marc Staves and their crews.

A loud shout out he gave to Bob DeGrace and the village department of public works crew, who included Mark Exware, Brian Kennedy, Glen Bencze and others “putting in extra hours” early mornings and evenings with village machinery.

Big financial support for our project, he said, came from the Adirondack Foundation with its gift of over $5,000, the ADK for Kids, Cloud Splitter Foundation, Shaheen's Supermarket, LeRoy's Auto, Spruce and Hemlock, Tupper Lake Supply and Rick Dattola, ARISE, Russ Cronin for his accounting help, Jeremiah Hayes and the Infant Jesus of Prague Fund and Ellen Maroun and the Aseel Legacy Fund.

Mr. Brown, high school athletic director, recognized some of his board members that morning: Maynard Peroza, “who from the start took every advantage he could to get the cause rolling, as our secretary and keeping us all on track,” Josh Trembley “working with our funds and making sure it was always where it should be and that we weren't bouncing checks,” Jed Dukett, who took “a lead on our irrigation system installed last year with Will Howard, Cory Kenniston “putting on a big final drive at the end getting the dirt on the field, building the mounds, getting the fencing up,” and Jay Skiff, “who from the start worked closely with Kentile Excavation” on all the site work and with Tupper Lake Supply on other details.

“Right from the start when we began working with the Rotary Club members about five years ago, they've been a great partner, with a lot of experience on other community projects and with their help the project came to fruition.”

Dan said for the board members one of the biggest thank yous is due their wives who suffered through their absences. “A lot of those times we were down here crawling in the dirt, leaving our homes early and coming back late.” He said when they said they be gone two hours the wives soon learned that would be actually four hours.

“There was a lot of time and sweat equity that went into this project!”

“To the kids of the community we want you to know this project is for you!” he told the youngsters gathered behind the backstop and side fencing. “-And it was a lot of fun for us to do!”

Also at the ceremony was a team from Saranac Lake waiting to play against Tupper Lake the first game on the new field.

To the local kids and young teens he said they wanted them to know that the community is behind them “and we do these things for you. You are the future of Tupper Lake!”

“Remember this is your field and take care of it!” he told them.

Dan also recognized Carol and Jeff Denit for their donation of $3,000 that will build the press box and to the local Knights of Columbus council for sharing many of the proceeds of its annual auction with the field-builders.

Board member Jay Skiff acknowledged the able leadership of Dan Brown. “He's been instrumental in this whole thing.” He said the project began with the two of them “leaning on a truck in the middle of a baseball game at the high school” talking about the need for a better playing field. “It was Dan's idea and here it is!”

As a delegation of project organizers and local leaders gathered in front of home plate for a ribbon-cutting, Tiny Jason Brown had the honor of helping his dad cut the red ribbon with giant scissors.. Charlie Skiff, Carter Kenniston and Lucas Dukett, three Little Leaguers, threw out the first ceremonial pitches following the ribbon-cutting.

Young Jason Brown gets help with the giant scissors from his dad, Dan, as the ceremonial ribbon is severed.

Tupper Lake Youth Softball and Baseball Association president Dan Brown (at center), with his directors and their children, had high praise for all those who helped and all those who contributed to the creation of the new $100,000 plus Little League-sized field in the municipal park.

Tupper Lake baseball players listen to the opening ceremonies Saturday before the ribbon-cutting of the new field adjacent to the Little Logger Playground in the municipal park.

Bandshell opens with large crowds and great acts

Tupper Lake's band Night School was the first entertainment group to play on what Mayor Paul Maroun has dubbed the Sunset Stage in the Lions new bandshell last Wednesday as part of a summer-long series of concerts and performances brought to Flanders Park by Tupper Arts and the Village of Tupper Lake. The band members include (from left) Micah Tyo, Jay Martin, Ian Roantree, Andrew and Ben McClelland. The menu of rock tunes served up by the local boys pleased the pallets of about 300 local listeners, relaxing in their lawn chairs and on blankets on the terraces in front of the brand new performance venue, as shown below. Photos by Dan McClelland.

The second group to perform there as part of Tupper Arts' Summer Sunset Series was put together by Tupper Arts mainstays Liz and George Cordes and their associates in High Peaks Opera, past and present members of the local Red and Black Players, and the female barbershop quartet called Fourtissimo- all coming together that night as “Making a Raquette.” The show featured many strong solo and group numbers, many of them very appropriate to bring in America's Independence Day Thursday with tunes like “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America. A number of popular show tunes were also performed. Among those on the Sunset Stage were (not in order) Carol Lamb, Deanna Courtney, Gretchen Reid, Danielle LaMere, Karyn Ryan, Harriet Connelly, Hannah Zehr, Kirsten Denis, Kathleen Lefebvre, Stephanie Fortune, Michell Jensen, Matt Varden, Ian Gillis and Noah Cordes.

The second group to perform there as part of Tupper Arts' Summer Sunset Series was put together by Tupper Arts mainstays Liz and George Cordes and their associates in High Peaks Opera, past and present members of the local Red and Black Players, and the female barbershop quartet called Fourtissimo- all coming together that night as “Making a Raquette.” The show featured many strong solo and group numbers, many of them very appropriate to bring in America's Independence Day Thursday with tunes like “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America. A number of popular show tunes were also performed. Among those on the Sunset Stage were (not in order) Carol Lamb, Deanna Courtney, Gretchen Reid, Danielle LaMere, Karyn Ryan, Harriet Connelly, Hannah Zehr, Kirsten Denis, Kathleen Lefebvre, Stephanie Fortune, Michell Jensen, Matt Varden, Ian Gillis and Noah Cordes.

Danielle LaMere sings a solo

The second group to perform there as part of Tupper Arts' Summer Sunset Series was put together by Tupper Arts mainstays Liz and George Cordes and their associates in High Peaks Opera, past and present members of the local Red and Black Players, and the female barbershop quartet called Fourtissimo- all coming together that night as “Making a Raquette.” The show featured many strong solo and group numbers, many of them very appropriate to bring in America's Independence Day Thursday with tunes like “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America. A number of popular show tunes were also performed. Among those on the Sunset Stage were (not in order) Carol Lamb, Deanna Courtney, Gretchen Reid, Danielle LaMere, Karyn Ryan, Harriet Connelly, Hannah Zehr, Kirsten Denis, Kathleen Lefebvre, Stephanie Fortune, Michell Jensen, Matt Varden, Ian Gillis and Noah Cordes.

The second group to perform there as part of Tupper Arts' Summer Sunset Series was put together by Tupper Arts mainstays Liz and George Cordes and their associates in High Peaks Opera, past and present members of the local Red and Black Players, and the female barbershop quartet called Fourtissimo- all coming together that night as “Making a Raquette.” The show featured many strong solo and group numbers, many of them very appropriate to bring in America's Independence Day Thursday with tunes like “This Land is Your Land” and “God Bless America. A number of popular show tunes were also performed. Among those on the Sunset Stage were (not in order) Carol Lamb, Deanna Courtney, Gretchen Reid, Danielle LaMere, Karyn Ryan, Harriet Connelly, Hannah Zehr, Kirsten Denis, Kathleen Lefebvre, Stephanie Fortune, Michell Jensen, Matt Varden, Ian Gillis and Noah Cordes.

George Cordes steps up to the mic.

The happiest July Fourth baby to grace the new lawns overlooking the Flanders Park bandshell Wednesday evening was Shannon and Josh Trembley's third boy, Tommy, brother to Frank and Louie. The lad came decked for the occasion. More photos on our web site this week.

The evening produced a vivid sunset for the first night at the bandshell, as shown below.

First student film festival draws praise

Rotary Club President Rick Dattola and Rotarian Seth McGowan flank two of the folks who helped organize the recent first Adirondack Student Film Festival in Tupper Lake at the Wild Center- teacher and advisor Wendy Cross and student Grace Mitchell.

by Dan McClelland

The first Adirondack Student Film Festival, dubbed “Beyond the Peaks,” generated some impressive student films among the 50 entries from seven different school districts across the Adirondack Park. Organizers called it “a red carpet event!”

That's what one of the student organizers, Grace Mitchell and her teacher, Wendy Cross, told the Rotarians during a recent lunch meeting at the Burgundy Steakhouse.

Wendy is a high school art teacher, who also teaches the film class.

The 50 entries came in seven categories: comedy, documentary, horror, drama, public service, “Made in the Adirondacks” and open.

The event was a sell-out at the Wild Center on May 10, with 165 tickets sold.

For those who couldn't attend but wanted to, the show is on Youtube. It runs over two and one-half hours, Miss Mitchell told the Rotarians and guests.

“Overall, I say it was a great success!” Her teacher agreed.

“It gave students here and in communities across the park a chance to speak and to get their ideas out there,” said Grace. “The films showed a lot of quality!”

She thought the Wild Center was a perfect venue, as it was shown off to many area visitors. The natural history museum's Flammer Theater was used to show the films. There was apparently live-streaming to screens in the Wild Center lobby too.

The films were limited to a minute, 30 seconds in length, according to the student. Films in the open category were unlimited in length, she added.

“As this was our very first time, we were pretty proud” of the entry and crowd numbers, explained Ms. Cross, her teacher.

“We had 19 in the open category.”

Grace explained the main judge of the films was an area film-maker, Evan Williams of Wilmington. He also shared a sample of his recent works.

There were volunteers from AdkAction, the non-profit organization that helped the student organizers host the show, and who were also judges. Among them was Superintendent of Schools Seth McGowan, a member of the organization's board.

The winners of each film category received $100 prizes.

There was also a $400 prize for the top film in the open category.

Cassandra Sipler of Tupper Lake, for her film on the life and photographs of photographer Kathleen Bigrow, won the first prize in the documentary class.

Tupper Arts is planning to screen Cassandra's piece several times this summer.

Ms. Cross said at the show the top three films in each of the seven categories were shown that evening to the audience.

There was much enthusiasm about the films in the “Made in the Adirondacks” category, where each film had to show “the essence of life we enjoy here” in the Adirondacks, according to the film club advisor.

Foreign exchange students at Newcomb School District made a very moving film about teen suicide, which some viewers found hard to watch.

The Newcomb school district, with its very low student enrollment each year, typically hosts many foreign exchange students. Of this year's eleven, seven participated in the film festival, according to Grace.

Ms. Cross said before the film festival, the student film-makers took part in two professional development sessions hosted by AdkAction where local teens and their teachers got to work with other students and faculty from other districts around the region.

“We all got to collaborate before we submitted our films” to the festival, she explained.

Most of the student film-makers were high school age, but there a couple of middle school-age students who honored from Wells, N.Y.

The organizers of the festival, according to Grace, hired a technical director from Plattsburgh to run the lights and the sounds and to synchronize the showing of the films.

The consultant was unable to attend at the last minute and student Molly Sullivan had to learn the job in 20 minutes and fill in, Grace said. “She did an amazing job, but it was scary!”

“Very scary,” Ms. Cross agreed.

Molly has the job already for next year, Grace announced.

Planning has already started for next year.

“Mr. McGowan and I will be meeting with several of our partners in August. Because we sold out and filled all seats, we may move it to Paul Smith's College next year” to accommodate a bigger crowd, the teacher told the Rotarians.

The show was open to the public and was free of charge.

“We had calls the week of the event from people wanting to come but we had to tell them we were all sold out,” Grace noted.

The two thought there may be an admission charged in the future, given the fact that people are charged when they go to the movies.

Any future charge may include the price of food served there, for which there was a charge this first time.

“Are there some really budding film-makers among us?” one lunch guest asked.

“A film festival like this is very beneficial for people- both those who want to take film very seriously and for those who just want to mess around with it,” Grace told the service club members.

She said they witnessed “a broad spectrum of talent” among the student participants.

“For me, the animation category,” saw some unpredicted judging, said Ms. Cross. She said Tupper Lake's Molly Sullivan is an old-style animator who draws individual frames like they do at Disney and puts her works together frame by frame. “She's amazing and learned this all on her own...super talented. I thought there's no way she won't win first place”

Unfortunately, Molly didn't even finish in the top three.

The film judged first was a compilation of photographs.

The teacher and student felt that in festivals like this viewers take the message of the film more seriously than the quality of the film or the technique.

“Another surprise for us, when we were promoting it, the tri-lakes area schools didn't submit,” the film advisor noted. “We were begging them,” Grace added.

Schools that did participate were Tupper Lake, Long Lake, Newcomb, Wells, Westport, West Canada near Utica and Salmon River.

“One reason we wanted to get Saranac Lake and Lake Placid to join was that it would generate a lot of local press,” Miss Mitchell explained.

Ms. Cross said she was recently contacted by a person from Cornell University who is running a ten-day camp for student film-makers this summer, so word has spread about the success of their recent event.

The high school building boasts a film studio in the Fred. C. Baker wing, which is a rare thing for a high school, Seth McGowan noted.

He said he would like to see greater advantage taken of that place. “We've had kids graduate from Tupper Lake without any experience in film or animation and go to compete with kids who have gone to college with these sorts of capabilities. Film and the visual arts are an important part of human expression...and it's a valid part of what schools should offer!”

Altercation leads to stabbing at new market

by Phyllis Larabie

Early Sunday morning, June 2, at approximately 12:30a.m. the New York State Police in Tupper Lake and the Tupper Lake Police Department responded to a report of a knife assault occurring at the new Doubleneck Gardens, Market and Bakery, located at 2594 State Route 3. Troopers were on the scene and yellow tape surrounded the commercial premises, formerly The Market Place, from the early morning hours Sunday well into Sunday evening while New York State police investigated the incident. Village police officers were also present some of that time. According to New York State Police Officer Jennifer Fleishman, Kimberly L. Watson, 34, of Long Lake, initially reported that she and her boy friend Phillip Mosher were assaulted by unknown assailants inside the building of their business. Ms. Watson then drove to the Tupper Lake Police Station on Santa Clara Avenue to alert the police of the assault and that her boyfriend had been stabbed and was still at the business. The pair was transported to the Adirondack Medical Center, in Saranac Lake for treatment by the Tupper Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad. Mr. Mosher was treated for multiple stab wounds to the back and chest. According to Matthew Scollin, director of communications at Adirondack Health, “Mr. Mosher is listed in stable condition.” Ms. Watson was treated and released for contusions to her face and legs.” State police officials stated they came to the conclusion that Ms. Watson and Mr. Mosher had been fighting and Ms. Watson stabbed her boyfriend in the back and chest. Both were arrested. Mr. Mosher was charged with Assault 3rd degree. Ms. Watson was charged with Assault 2nd degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree, and Falsely Reporting an Incident 3rd degree. Mr. Mosher was issued an appearance ticket to appear in the Town of Tupper Lake Court on June 6, 2019, at 5 p.m. Ms. Watson was arraigned at the Town of Tupper Lake Court where she was remanded to the Franklin County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail, or $5,000 bond. An order of protection was issued. Police tape also surrounded Kimberly Watson's car that she had driven down to the police station on Santa Clara Ave. The long-time farm market and bakery had just recently been opened by the couple. The business below Sunmount hill had been closed since last fall after Kelly and Jim Facteau opened their mobile food concession at the Raquette River Brewery. In recent years the Facteaus did extensive renovations there and ran the business as a restaurant and deli and base for their catering business. Ms. Watson told the Free Press recently that she and Phillip planned to return it to its roots here as a farm and garden market, plus add a bakery. In recent weeks they have been selling potted and hanging plants, including flowers and vegetables.

Quite a “Party on Park”

Saturday's “Party on Park,” while abbreviated by rain, drew hundreds of people to the uptown business district to help celebrate the arrival of five new business there, several of which marked their grand openings that day.

The five new places were Spruce and Hemlock, the Adirondack Store and Birch Boys, The Row, Stacked Graphics and Well Dressed Food's new “Libations” bar.

The promotion was spearheaded by Garrett Kopp, one of the Birch Boys.

The street was closed off and the event opened at 1p.m. but the rain arrived shortly after 2:30 p.m., putting a damper on the outdoor activities and the sales at the outdoor vendors on the one block length of Park Street. The rain, however, had an unexpected benefit for the new businesses. It moved visitors and locals indoors to the new shops at mid-afternoon and many stayed for quite some time to explore all the new retail goods for sale. The Park Street businesses reported unbelievable crowds and brisk sales as a result.

According to comments that day, too, people were impressed with all they saw in these brand new retail outlets.

These photos show some of the on-street activity in the early afternoon (clockwise from top left): Wild Center staffer Shannon Surdyk spins cotton candy from the center's locally-drawn maple syrup supply; Cabin Fever's Anne Hoag worked out of her vintage trailer, selling among other things tie-dyed roses (some of her flowers are now sold inside Spruce and Hemlock); Broyce Guerette, who with his wife Allison bought Childwold's popular Leather Artisan shop over the winter from Tom and Donna Amoroso, shows off some of their new purses and handbags (also sold now at Spruce and Hemlock); and Nicole Jessie, a hard-working lass who spent her college years working in businesses all over Tupper Lake, was manning the taps at the popular Raquette River Brewing booth. Below youngsters enjoy fishing in front of the State Theater. (Dan McClelland photos)

Community gathers to remember the fallen

by Ian Roantree

After the end of the American Civil War, a conflict that saw more casualties than any other that the United States has been involved in since, American communities began holding tributes during this time of year to honor those who had fallen in result of that four year-long war.

Despite the sides that those men fought on and the banners and flags they flew, each life that was lost was an American one.

Originally observed as Decoration Day, by 1971 it evolved to Memorial Day and was officially recognized as a federal holiday to honor and commemoration of those who sacrificed their lives in service with the United States Armed Forces.

In the late morning of Monday, May 27, in continuance of a long-time tradition, the Tupper Lake community congregated at the Tupper Lake War Memorial to take witness to the annual Memorial Day ceremony that was hosted by the VFW Post 3120.

While onlookers watched from the street, veterans and former service men and women flanked the memorial while community members and organizations patiently awaited to place their wreaths at the foot of the memorial and to pay their respects to those who have fallen.

The Master of Ceremonies that morning was Tracy Luton, commander of VFW Post #3120, who opened the ceremonies and introduced the speakers who made their remarks.

In usual tradition, Rev. Rick Wilburn led the opening prayer. As hats were removed and heads lowered he said, “As we approach Memorial Day, may we honor and remember those who died that we might live in freedom. We remember our departed loved ones gone on before. Those who we honor will be in our lives forever.”

The Tupper Lake Band proceeded to play The Star Spangled Banner, followed by the crowd’s saying of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by members of Boy Scout Troop 23.

The guest speaker of the ceremony wasn’t a veteran or service member as typical of such an event. “Usually we have a veteran come up and speak for us, but this year we decided to have an elected official,” explained Commander Luton.

“We wanted to get a different perspective and somebody that has been here her entire life. She’s someone who served on the town board, someone who has worked here in the village and has served and volunteered in this community.”

“I would like to thank the VFW and Commander Tracy Luton for bestowing this incredible honor upon me on this Memorial Day,” began Supervisor Patti Littlefield. “It was without reservation that I accepted the invitation to make comments here today.

“I’d like to thank you all for joining us; to stand in front of this monument in recognition and honor of all our loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation is very moving.”

One of the most compelling thing about Memorial Day, Supervisor Littlefield pointed out, is that nearly each and every person at that service knows someone, whether it be a family member or a friend, who is serving at this very moment, or who has served in the past.

“I would like to recognize all those servicemen and women among us who have served or are currently serving in all of the branches of our military, as well as any of you here who may have lost a loved one in service.

“We are humbled by your sacrifices as we know they are great. We commend the demonstrations of courage and strength that you have no doubt shown throughout the most difficult of times.

“We must remember that Memorial Day is the day that we remember our heroes who have gone to combat and have not returned and the ones who have died here at home. We are forever thankful for what they have done.

“So much pride is felt by many families right here in Tupper Lake, let alone the county. Memorial Day is a day to remember our own fallen and those who served with them and to say thank you.

“Over a million men and women have died in wartime throughout the span of our nation’s history. This, of course, does not even begin to take into account those who were wounded or went missing. That number is closer to three million.

“Those number should truly humble us, as they represent people—individuals who were brothers, husbands, mothers, sister and friends. These were people woven into the fabric of communities across the nation and here in Tupper Lake. They were loved, they were mourned and they are missed.

“As a fifth generation Tupper Laker, I realize more every year just how beautiful it is here and how we who live and work here year after year do tend to take it all for granted.

“John M. Sparks, the man who instilled in me a sense of community and country, a man who passed away nearly 41 years ago was a Marine, a Staff Sergeant in Korea. His eldest son, my brother, William J. Sparks is a Navy veteran who served during the Middle East conflict. They were some of the lucky ones who came home.

“There are many of you who can relate to your family members and friends who were also so lucky. I hope and pray for all of you who have loved ones in the military today that they too are the lucky ones who come home safely.

“May all of our fallen rest peacefully. May all of us find peace and understanding in their sacrifice and that the America that they so loved and protected and gave their life for is forever worthy...we will never forget you.

After Supervisor Littlefield’s speech, the Tupper Lake Band performed a service medley of Ballad of the Green Berets and Marches of the Armed Forces.

After the vibrant musical numbers the ceremonial laying of the wreaths took place. Wreaths were laid by Girl Scouts of the North Country New York, Tupper Lake Service Unit, 454 represented by Cadette Troops 4170 and 4123, Knights of Columbus Council 2177, Sunmount and DDSO, the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, the Tupper Lake Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, the Village of Tupper Lake, the Town of Tupper Lake, American Legion Post 220, Tupper Lake Honor Guard, Adirondack Leatherneck 1268 Marine Corps. League, Amvets Post 710, Amvets Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Post 3120 and Woodmen Lodge.

The laying of the wreaths was followed by the Honor Guard’s three-round rifle volley, led by Honor Guard Commander Mike Larabie.

After the rifle volley, Tupper Lake high school student and trumpeter, Shannon Soucy, performed the ceremonial solo-trumpet piece, Taps.

The band then followed with another Memorial Day standard, Stars Over America.

The closing prayer and remarks to end the ceremony were said by Jim Ellis.

He said, “very soon we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of D-Day: June 6, 1944. On that day, young Americans, Canadians and British stormed ashore. The hottest sector was in the U.S. sector at Omaha Beach.

“Six thousand young men were given their service and their lives at the end of that day. Let us always remember that. Let us remember that our country has existed for over 200 years and it’s because of the sacrifice of people like them. Over one and a quarter million of whom gave their lives on the battlefield and as pointed out by our speaker, about three million total who may have been shortened in their lives because of the wounds they received and the missing in action.

“This never would have happened if our land had not been blessed by God, the Father Almighty and the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of Jesus the Lord that it continues and that our young people present here today, will remember not so much the fact that we have thinning hair, gray locks, our steps a little uncertain. But for all of us here, I’m sure that I say, we love our friends who have given their lives, many of whom we knew.”

Mayor Paul Maroun, in his Navy Reserve fatigues welcomed many of his old friends Monday. From left veterans Craig Bowman, Bob Woods, David Premo, Ben Peets and Stevie Stevensen.

Members of the Tupper Lake Honor Guard.

The Reverend Rick Wilburn delivered the opening prayer, asking the Lord's blessing for all those who gave their lives for their country and their families.

A small delegation of Tupper Lake's boy scouts who included Jamin Whitmore, Ethan Edwards, Brayden Flagg and Christopher Gilman (not in order) led the crowd Monday in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Boy Scout Brayden Flagg assisted Mayor Paul Maroun placing a wreath.

Troop 23 Scout Leader Pete Edwards and Scout Jamin Whitmore presenting a wreath on behalf of their organization at Monday's Memorial Day observance

VFW Post Commander Tracy Luton and host of Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies at the veterans' park on Park St. congratulates Guest Speaker and Supervisor Patti Littlefield on a very meaningful address she delivered.

Members of the Tupper Lake High School Band, under the direction of Laura Davison, again performed with great enthusiasm and talent at Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies, treating the crowd to well-played and rousing versions of patriotic anthems and a medley of the official songs of each branch of the American military.

Members of the Tupper Lake High School Band, under the direction of Laura Davison, again performed with great enthusiasm and talent at Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies, treating the crowd to well-played and rousing versions of patriotic anthems and a medley of the official songs of each branch of the American military.

Knights Bob Guiney, Steve Crate and presented a wreath on behalf of the Tupper Lake Council Knights of Columbus.

Mark Moeller, commander of the Tupper Lake American Legion, placing one of about 15 wreaths Monday.

A wreath was laid at the Veterans' Monument by Mike Larabie, commander of the Tupper Lake Honor Guard on behalf of his group.

Marine veterans Leon LeBlanc and Craig Bowman presented a wreath on behalf of the Adirondack Leathernecks Marine Corp League Monday.

Joanne Wilber and Judy Wilburn laid a wreath on behalf of the Woodmen Lodge.

The firing of three volleys was again performed Monday by the Tupper Lake Honor Guard whose members that day included (those firing) Ray Bigrow, Tracy Luton, Joe LeBlanc andCommander Mike Larabie and in front Kim Kopp, Charles Johnson and Wesley Hoyt.

Shannon Soucy played “Taps” at Monday's Memorial Day observance. This was the third time the member of the high school band performed the traditional and stirring piece at ceremonies here. Her mom, Tracy Luton, hosted this year's observance as the VFW commander.

Making their first public appearance in their new uniforms at Monday's Memorial Day ceremonies were members of the Amvets Post 710 Ladies Auxiliary. From left behind their wreath were Cindy Hoyt, Celeste Amell, Fran Smith, Diane Buntich, Vicki Dukette, Lisa Reed, Lorri Neumann, Phyllis Larabie and Patty McMahon.

Bob's dress uniform still fits

Bob Woods' uniform still fits, as was evident at Monday's Memorial Day service at the Veterans Park in the uptown business district. Bob was chatting after the well-run ceremony with veteran and Paskungameh Road resident John Whalen, who came sporting his Disabled American Veterans cap.

The 91 year old Mr. Woods, a lifelong Junction resident who will be 92 in July, served two years in Korea and 16 months in Europe during his active Army days. Back home in Tupper Lake he joined the U.S. Army Reserves, when there was an active unit here. The local unit met for many years at Frenette Bros. Headquarters on High Street after its Tupper Lake Coca-Cola division moved to its new plant at the foot of Wawbeek Ave. Later operations moved to Malone. Some meetings too were in Plattsburgh, where Bob was a member of the color guard in his infantry regiment.

Bob is legally permitted to wear his Reserves uniform to funerals, veterans services and other public functions here because he retired from the Reserves after 20 years of service. He retired as a sergeant first class, the second highest enlisted rank at the time and one stripe less than a sergeant major. His promotion to the higher rank was pending when he retired.

Tupper Lakers come out strong to remember Jamie, recognize dangers of domestic violence

by Dan McClelland

Tupper Lakers again came out strong Saturday for the second year to remember the tragic loss of Jamie Rose Martin and to recognize the dangers of domestic violence. Nearly 180 walkers and joggers took part in the second annual five kilometer “Power Walk,” sponsored by the Family and Friends of Jamie Rose Martin, which began and ended for the first time at the new Tupper Lake Christian Center.

About 50 walkers pre-registered and 110 signed up that morning. Many children and dogs accompanied the participants.

The theme of the domestic violence awareness event was “Break the Silence...Stop the Violence.”

The second annual event netted just under $10,000 to help the local group further the fight against domestic violence.

Amanda Amell, this year's coordinator of the event and her team of over 20 volunteers, produced a well-organized event and the weather was perfect for it, with clear but overcast skies and the mercury hovering in the low fifties.

Ms. Amell told the Free Press that morning the committee hopes to make this an annual event, in honor of their friend Jamie, who was murdered by her boy friend at her home two years ago this month.

“Some year we may switch it up and do a different event, but we'll certainly organize something” in honor of Jamie, she added.

This year's walk followed the popular Michelle Farkas Dewyea Turkey Trot route each Thanksgiving through the Junction neighborhoods and around Little Wolf Lake.

Along the way the committee posted about 16 signs, educating participants and the passing general public on some of the dramatic statistics associated with the growing national problem.

For example, Amanda said, one sign read: “Domestic violence is one partner in an intimate relationship of abusing the other.”

Domestic violence is unisexual in nature, she added.

As people pass the signs we hope they will be mindful of domestic violence and what happened to Jamie, Amanda said that morning after the participants left the staging area.

The first few steps for everyone was across the Little Wolf Creek bridge which was decorated with ribbons and blue balloons, fashioned by high school students and inflated that morning by Amanda's mother, Louise.

Before the event began Jamie's mother, Diane, read the following statement, fighting back tears at times.

“Each and every one of you is making a difference by joining us today. We are all taking a stand against relationship violence and abuse. We are ensuring that Jamie’s loss is not forgotten in our community by continuing to spread awareness, messages of hope, and education.

“It has been just over two years since my family was robbed of our joy-filled, Jamie. That’s 720 days, 8,640 minutes. Seconds that are too many to count. Our pain is real and always present.

“But…the community of Tupper Lake is on the verge of greatness. You see, through our efforts and with your help, we have begun training our neighbors in the Mentors in Violence Prevention program. We have provided scholarships to young women who are determined to carry on Jamie’s legacy. We are connected to and providing additional support to agencies in Northern New York that provide crisis relief and help to people trying to escape violent relationships. We are continuing to work with lawmakers to establish more protections for those who are abused. We are writing to legislators in hopes of bringing more financial support to upstate New York, a forgotten region at budget time when it comes to social programs like mental health and domestic violence prevention.

“My family and me thank you all for joining us in our fight to better our communities and recognizing that although our beloved Jamie is not here on Earth with us, her spirit lives on and continues to bring wellness to all. We know that she is with us today and every day. Thank you again for coming and supporting us. Also thank you to the Family and Friends of Jamie Rose Martin and the community for the countless hours all of you have put in in order for this event to take place today.”

The participants finished back at the Christian Center, where the raffle winners and the first place finishers were honored.

First across the finish line for the second year in a row was Tupper Lake's Hannah Klossner. Danielle Spencer was second and the husband and wife team of Sue and Sherm LaLonde shared third place. Cash prizes of $100, $50 and $25 went to the winner, respectively.

“We received a lot of great feedback from a lot of people,” Amanda noted. “Many said it was very well organized and many said they really enjoyed it.”

Besides registration some of the proceeds from the Power Walk came from the sale of tee shirts. The committee still has a number of shirts to sell, in sizes medium and large. To buy one, supporters can log onto to Family and Friends of Jamie Rose Martin Facebook page or call Amanda at (518) 354-0540.

Two major donations helping to finish Rotary/Youth Association field

Two major donations helping to finish Rotary/Youth Association field

by Dan McClelland

May 1 was a big day for the Tupper Lake Rotary Club, which has been a key fundraiser for the Tupper Lake Youth Baseball and Softball Association's new Little League field in the municipal park. That day the club received major donations of $2,500 and $3,000 which just about finishes the civic club's year long fund drive to create the new playing field.

The club had a special Wednesday night session to congratulate and recognize the donors.

In the photo above Jeff and Carol Denit present their very generous gift of $3,000 to Lydia Kriwox, incoming Rotary president (second from left) and to Jay Skiff, a member of the baseball and softball association (right). The Denits' donation will pay for the construction of the press box which will overlook the field and Raquette Pond beyond.

In the photo below, Royce Cole (center), chief of the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, presents his firefighters' donation of $2,500 to pay for one of the two team dug-outs on the field.

The two dug-outs at the field next to the Little Logger playground and the press box will be constructed in upcoming weeks by Rotary and Youth Association volunteers as soon as the site dries up.

The extensive drainage system that was completed by Kentile Excavating and a cadre of volunteer diggers last year is performing well these days, drying up the new playing surface on what was once a very soggy place.

Baseball players here are expected to be able to use what is now the best Little League-sized field in the North Country on or about mid-June, official says. (photos provided)

Police Officer Tom Fee honored on 40 years of service to village

by Dan McClelland

Major milestone in police work

Police Chief Eric Proulx and Mayor Paul Maroun flanked Tom Fee recently when he was presented by the village with a special award commemorating his 40 years of service to the village and its police department. (photo provided)

Tupper Lake's Tom Fee has been a police officer here for 40 years- a milestone few other law enforcement officers have celebrated here.

In recent weeks the village presented the oldest member of the local force with a plaque inscribed with a message of commendation for his long and dedicated service to the village and its police force.

Mr. Fee, who retired six years ago as police chief, now works as a patrolman without employment benefits, the result of which the village sees big payroll savings.

He told the Free Press last week much has changed in the business of law enforcement in his four decades on the squad. The most troubling change is the number of teenagers and adults on drugs. “They are right into the hard drugs!

The switch from marijuana and cocaine to narcotics and heroin has been both sharp and dramatic here, like in many small towns in America today.

“If you would have told me ten years ago I would be delivering Narcan on the street I would have told you that you were crazy!”

He said the scope of the drug problem in Tupper Lake is far beyond what people think it is.

Narcan (naloxone) is an anti-drug spray which is administered up the nasal passage of an over-dosing opioid or heroine drug user to resuscitate them and save their life.

It binds to opioid receptors in the brain, preventing opioids from binding there. It revives the user in two to five minutes.

The role of police officer has changed dramatically over the years here, he knows well. Today it is part law enforcement, part social work, as domestic incidents and drug-related investigations take more and more of a police officer's time and attention.

Tom joined the local force at the age of 22 after working for a short time at another police department in New Hampshire. He worked for a time with his father Creighton at his surveying business. In high school he worked as a swimming instructor and life guard at Little Wolf Beach.

Tom's brother Kevin was also a swimming instructor here and Tom also followed him into the local police force, where Kevin worked until later joining the Ogdensburg city force.

Tom's first day on the Tupper Lake force was in February, 1979.

His first chief was the late Clarence Bell and Tom was employed on a trial basis that year because the force was expanding to 12 from its traditional 10 officers because of the coming 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid.

Officials then thought Tupper Lake was to see a huge economic boom from the Olympics when in fact it saw none. The place was like a ghost town when none of the expected Olympic visitors and lodgers arrived.

In 1993 Tom made sergeant and in 2007 he was named chief by the village board.

He served as chief until February, 2013.

One of the best things to happen during that time- and something he pushed strongly for- was the arrival of the county emergency services office to dispatch local police calls. It began as a part-time initiative on weekends and after a strong push from Chief Fee and local leaders it was eventually embraced full-time by the county. The 911 service out of Malone saved the village the cost of paying local dispatchers and put more officers on the street more often.

When he retired from the department's top post, he left open the door he could return. “I also wanted the option I could go somewhere else and do the same thing!”

“We were in Florida and Eric (Police Chief Eric Proulx) called me to stop and see him when I got back home.”

He rejoined the force as a patrolman again shortly after their conversation.

Since then Officer Fee has worked for straight salary, and no village employment benefits, because those benefits now come from his police retirement program.

“Tom saves us $50,000 a year,” Mayor Paul Maroun recently commented.

Officer Fee is fast approaching 62 years of age and initially was told he would have to hang up his gun and badge then. He recently learned, after Chief Proulx contacted the county civil service office, he can work into the foreseeable future, which he plans to do for a time.

That will prove valuable for Tupper Lake as the long-time officer has a wealth of information about the community and its residents at his fingertips.

He said that many old-timers here often ask for him when they visit the station, because they have worked with him in the past and are comfortable working with him.

Tom said he likes doing the job of policeman and working with the guys on the team. “We have a good group of guys in the department right now!”

Officer Fee confided that when he goes to work every day, no matter what the shift, he looks forward to it!

As a young officer, he said, he thought his police career would end at the 25-year retirement date, but his law enforcement career and its path just keep winding on.

Creative spirit turns scrap materials into works of art

By Rich Rosentreter

There’s an old saying that one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Well, sometimes what was once considered to be junk heading to the dump can be turned into a creative treasure – something that lives on with function and purpose. Such is the case with the items in a new shop on the outskirts of Tupper Lake.

Jane and Joe Denis operate Jane’s Place located on state Route 3 in Piercefield where they specialize in items that have been repurposed. The shop opened in September and Jane said she is gearing up to open for the season over Memorial Day weekend.

Inside Jane’s Place one will find a plethora of items, from basic décor and display items to small furniture such as dressers and shelving to vintage doors turned into a decorative masterpiece. Although each item is unique, they have one thing in common: Each was repurposed from something that either was earmarked for the dump or simply lying around unused.

“It’s a little bit of crafts and treasures. It’s such a good feeling to know that you saved something from going to the dump - and you created something new,” Jane told the Free Press during a recent visit to the shop. She quickly pointed out a headboard that was turned into a bench. “We gave it a new life. This is really a labor of love – and we have fun doing it.”

But Jane does not do everything by herself. Her husband Joe does the building and her son Joshua, who lives in Massachusetts, works on lighting fixtures.

According to Jane, she started building the shop up slowly with inventory in June and after opening in the fall, remained open until just after Christmas. As word spread about her new shop, she started to hear positive comments.

“The initial feedback was great,” she said. “There was a lot of word of mouth, one person showed off their purchase and it seemed to blossom from there. It’s not crazy busy, which is nice because I wouldn’t want it to be that way.”

“Everything we do it’s something different, there are no two pieces exactly alike,” Joe said. “It may look somewhat the same, but there is something different about each piece.”

Getting started

The idea of opening a store began some time ago for Jane, but she traced the genesis to a sign her son constructed for her using old tools that contained what would become the store’s name: Jane’s Place.

“He created the sign and gave it to me as a gift a few Christmas’ ago. That was where the name was created, but I’ve always wanted to do this,” Jane said, adding that after retiring from working at the local bank in June, she was able to find the time to follow her dream.

The shop is more than a dream now as it is a mix of a creative spark and teamwork. Jane comes up with the idea and her husband Joe, who is also retired, builds and crafts items.

“She just tells me what she wants and it’s done, but the painting and refinishing is her responsibility,” Joe said, adding that the labor is pretty easy for him. “I’ve always done construction and stuff like that. I can make pretty much anything out of wood. I don’t know how to use a computer but I can probably make one out of wood.”

In addition to working on lighting, her son comes up to visit often and helps with the placement of the decor.

“He also has access to more (items to refurbish) in Massachusetts as far as flea markets and second-hand stuff,” Jane said. “He’s not here all the time but he plays a role.”

But creating is not new for the Piercefield couple who said they were creating canoe shelves since the early 1990s and going to craft fairs.

“I also did dolls and stuff but that kind of fizzled out. We didn’t have much time anymore to create,” Jane said, adding that as time went on, they once again began to create items for themselves. “A lot of it was us creating things for our own home. We slowly started making extra things with the potential of opening a store.”

The process

Now that Jane and Joe are in full gear, they shared how material is gathered for their shop.

Jane said she travels to sales such as flea markets and garage sales with her husband to bring back items to repurpose for the shop, and they have traveled as far as Tennessee on their mission. One of their favorite destinations is going to the Brimfield Flea Markets – one of the most popular in the Northeast – in Massachusetts. Joe said he once came home with about 40 doors for repurposing after a flea market trip.

“We do the sales together,” Jane said, adding that sometimes they see a piece and an idea is sparked or she’ll ask Joe if a certain project can be done. “And pretty much anything can be done with a particular item. Sometimes I wouldn’t see it as something, and he’ll provide an idea.”

Both said that traveling to find items is a key part of the fun – and many times they come home with a truck full of materials.

Not all the items in the store get sold. Sometimes they wind up right in Jane’s own home.

“We just did a bedroom,” Jane said, and instead of going to the big box store, she went right down to her den of creativity at the store. “I say I’m going shopping and came to the shop to add. I took a window mirror from the store. I do that with a few items that I created, they wind up in my own home.”

As far as prices go, Jane said she tries to keep everything affordable so customers visit the store again.

“I’ve had a lot of people tell me that my pieces are great so I try to keep the prices down so the items move,” she said. “I try to put a fair price. Really, I don’t want somebody to come in one time and think that the prices are so high and they never come back.”

Ideas for projects

Although many of the ideas for products that wind up in the shop are generated by the Denis family, sometimes ideas come from the customers. Jane said if a customer asks if she could create something specific, the job becomes more challenging.

“There’s a little more pressure on when someone asks for something specific because you try to create according to their expectations instead of just being able to create it,” she said. “A special order is a little bit harder.”

Other times there is something in the store that fits right into a customer’s wants and needs and people comment on the ideas in the shop. And sometimes Jane is able to work together with the customer to fulfill their needs.

“It’s amazing how many people would say ‘I was looking for that one thing to go in a spot and I’d never have thought of that,’” Jane said. “I had a customer who said they needed a coffee bar. I pulled an old dry sink out and she said perfect. I reconfigured it and the customer was really happy.”

And the creativity is all around Jane’s Place. Some examples are: two doors that have been put together to form a very decorative entry; an old door shaped into a form of a Christmas tree; a headboard turned into a coat rack; and another old door turned into a gardening bench. There are also many small items such as signs, wooden decor and a few antique pieces.

“That piece is decorative, sealed for outdoor use and you can hang tools on it. It’s still cute but it serves a purpose too,” she said.

Jane said she tries to stay on top of the latest colors and the popular trends.

“I do what I like or think will sell. I try to keep up with what is trending, the colors that are trending. I look on Pinterest for the colors of 2019 and different things like that,” she said.

One would think Jane is happy whenever she makes a sale, but that’s not the case as she said she would actually love to keep all her creations as a part of her goes with each sale.

“It hurts. I hate to see it go I wish I had space for everything,” Jane said, as she pointed out one creation. “I love this potting shed and would be super happy if someone would take it, but if that space was empty, I would be a little sad. So we would just create something else.”

But Jane was quick to add that there is still a sense of reward.

“People take an item home and I ask them to shoot me a photo. Some of them remember and send a photo, and when I see the item being enjoyed, it’s just awesome.”

Keeping it simple

Although both Jane and Joe have plenty of time as retirees, they do not plan on having the shop take up all of their time – but the way it’s been working, they have fun spending time creating so the shop isn’t a burden. And even though the shop is full of inventory to sell and material to turn into creative products, the couple has no plans on making the space larger.

“We want to finish the porch area and get more items outside, but I don’t want to get too big, I don’t want to lose sight of what I am doing. I don’t want the pressure of getting too busy,” Jane said. “This keeps us busy enough and active, but in a fun way. If we don’t want to open we don’t. There’s a big difference between going to work and enjoying being creative.”

In the meantime, Joe said they’ll do their best to keep up with any demand.

“We just sold a clock, so I guess we’re going to have to make more clocks,” he said. “When we see things that are going to sell, we’ll try to keep up with the demand.”

Currently the pace of demand is reasonable to keep up with – and the next big date on the calendar is the opening weekend of the store, which is also the date of the Great Adirondack Garage Sale – May 25 and 26.

“We’ll probably put some stuff out for that one,” Jane said.

Until the store opens for the season, anyone who wants to check out what Jane’s Place has to offer can make an appointment. Of course any time after opening day, people are welcome to visit and just browse the creative items – and maybe get some ideas for their own projects.

“You can contact us at any time. We’re more than happy to show it off,” she said. “Just contact me. If the store’s not open, I always tell people I only live up the hill, I can just come on down.”

Contact Jane by email at janespurdythings@gmail.com or visit her Facebook page titled “Purdy Things at Jane’s Place.

New Lions bandshell almost ready for performers

The new Lions bandshell in the village's Flanders Performance Park will soon be the place for concerts this summer. Side windows were installed before winter as was much of the landscaping. All the remains is some siding work on the rear closet in the band shell and the erection of the community's hemlock cone.

The photo below shows at left the tiers of grass seating, faced by large granite pieces cut and numbered to fit. To the right is the mosiac-style stone dance floor.

The village electric crew installed low-voltage lights atop bollards to gently light the seating areas.

Tupper Arts has finalized its season of Tuesday evening concerts, dubbed “Summer Sunset Series” and sponsored in part by village funds and donations which will be collected at each event. The first performance will be July 3, which will be a patriotic performance to kick off the fireworks in the park later that evening and the celebration the next day. Performers Ben and Jay will open for George and Liz Cordes and their band of talented area musicians who will salute the nation in music.

The Lions Club is hoping to sponsor, in cooperation with other local civic clubs and private businesses, a handful of Wednesday night concerts, featuring local and area performers. The Adirondack Singers are booked for an evening in late July. Any band or solo artist interested in performing and any group or business here interested in sponsoring a Wednesday evening presentation is asked to contact Dan McClelland.

Eggs, kids everywhere

It seemed like early every Tupper Lake child gathered at L.P. Quinn in the late moments of the morning of Saturday, April 6, to participate in the Erin Farkas Dewyea Easter Egg Hunt.

There were kids and eggs as far as the eye could see.

Thousands of vibrantly-colored Easter eggs, each one filled with candy, stickers and toys, were strewn across the Rotary Track and Field athletic field and the school parking lot where school busses line up on a typical school day. At the strike of noon an air horn sounded marking the official beginning of the hunt which brought a stampede of little feet in pursuit of Easter surprises.

While the youngest of the group scavenged the wet grass of the football field, the older kids hunted their eggs in the parking lot.

Six children found golden eggs and won Easter baskets full of toys and goodies. Every child left with their baskets or bags filled eggs and a stuffed Easter bunny.

On site was the Easter Bunny himself, ready to greet the kids and pose for pictures.

The organizers offer their thanks this week to the many donations and support from the community, the Farkas family, the Dewyea family, and McDonald's. With the help from many student and adult volunteers, the hunt was a great success!The event is named each year after Erin, a remarkable teacher who left an indelible mark of many of her students during her time teaching at the school. (Ian Roantree photos)

Nolan LaQuay, Estelle LaBarge, and Abigail Boushie in great excitement hunting for eggs.

Middle schoolers Rachel Sorensen, Garrett Dewyea, Lexi Sabin and Emelia Foote volunteered on Saturday to help the younger ones navigate to their appropriate easter egg hunting ground.

Remi McClelland braved the cold in his snow suit that day to participate in his first Erin Farkas Dewyea Easter Egg Hunt.

Frankie Tremblay made haste to fill his basket with easter eggs.

Myles Carmichael had his hands full of easter eggs on Saturday.

Paisley Silvia and Genevieve Arsenault rush to fill their Easter baskets.

Community comes out to raise $10k for Sparks family

by Ian Roantree

Last weekend, on Saturday, April 6, this community did what this community does best and came together to raise money for a noble cause.

While fundraising was a primary goal of the several events that underwent throughout Saturday’s afternoon, this group, lead by Tammie Lalonde and Andrea LaMere, also sought to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis while supporting the young and brave Aubrey Sparks and her family as she battles everyday with the disease, and to provided financial support for their medical travel expenses.

The fun-filled day started at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the State Theater with a showing of Five Feet Apart, a story of a young romance between two teenagers with cystic fibrosis. While the cost per ticket was $6, the State Theater’s Sally Strasser donated $1 from each ticket sold, which raised $123.

After the movie, the group moved next door to the Tupper Arts center where they massed for the starting of the Ultimate 65 Roses Scavenger Hunt. The scavenger hunt, orchestrated by Pam Jones, drove groups of four all across town in a wild race-against-the-clock event. A registration fee of $40 was required for each team to participate, and with a total of 92 players involved and 23 teams, the scavenger hunt gathered $920 for the cause.

The victors of the scavenger hunt were Kelsey Amell, Danielle Amell, Deolinda Jessie and Melissa DeVirgeles.

To wrap up the day, the community went to fill Raquette River Brewing and continued to raise money and support. With nearly 400 bodies packed into the brewery’s great room, 753 pints of craft beer and ciders were sold.

From 6 p.m. until they closed their doors and shut down their taps at sometime after 9 p.m., RRB donated $1 from every pint of craft beer and cider sold. Over 750 pints were sold that evening.

Funds were also raised through 50/50 and basket raffles, on-site donations and through the trinkets, magnet and bracelets sold to brewery patrons that evening.The winner of the 50/50 was Annie Furnia.

Over $5,000 was raised through the basket raffle, around $2,500 from donations and $1,082 from 50/50, coming to a grand total of $10,581 over the course of the day.

A day of fun to help Aubrey, raise CF awareness

By Phyllis Larabie

This Saturday, April 6, the family, friends and the community of Tupper Lake will enjoy a fun-filled day of events to help raise awareness for Cystic Fibrosis and to help support Aubrey Sparks' Family on their medical journeys ahead.

The proceeds will help alleviate medical costs and travel expenses for the family.

The day's events will start at the State Theater, showing the movie “Five Feet Apart”, with showings at 2p.m. and 4p.m. The movie is based on two cystic fibrosis patients that fall in love, even though the hospital rules state they must stay five feet apart at all times.

Then it's on to the Art Center for the first of two scavenger hunts at 4p.m. The second is The Ultimate 65 Roses scavenger hunt from 4:15p.m. to 5:45p.m. This event is a race against the clock that consists of completing various tasks, constant laughter, photo opportunities, and making memories for the chance to win a cash prize. Teams should be made up of a maximum of four people and needs to include a licensed driver. Online registration is open now and ends on: Friday, April 5, 2019 at 6p.m. Participant must register their scavenger hunt teams at https://localraces.com/events/tupper

lake-ny/65-roses-scavenger-hunt.

The evening ends at the Raquette River Brewery End your evening from 6p.m. to 9p.m. with music by Slingshot.

The entire day is in honor of Aubrey Sparks, who just turned 13 years old on March 2 and was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis through newborn screening at birth.

Cystic Fibrosis, also known as CF, is a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time.

CF is a genetic disorder that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and digestive system. Although there has been significant progress in treating this disease, there is still no cure and too many lives are cut far too short.

More than 30,000 people live with the disease in the US. It is a complex disease that affects each person differently.

Aubrey was diagnosed through a sweat test and blood test. She is the only daughter of Artie and Meaghan Sparks and has two brothers Taylor, 22 and Anderson, 8.

The family was devastated and totally unprepared for the difficult news they had received. After several appointments and some research they had a better understanding of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and how it may affect Aubrey.

Artie and Meaghan became determined to do everything in their power to help Aubrey live a full, happy and healthy life. They learned how to do manual chest physical therapy and administer inhaled medications which became part of every day life.

The first year went well and Meaghan stated it seemed as if the CF had gone away.

After that things began to change and then came a rough year and a half.

Aubrey was hospitalized several times for pseudomonas infection and her weight was dropping at an alarming rate. The doctors encouraged Artie and Meaghan to have a feeding tube placed in her. Unfortunately, Aubrey had complications. The lining of her stomach did not adhere to her intestinal wall. After some time things began to turn around and they slowly began to see the benefit of Aubrey's “tubie,” as they called it. It saved her life, stated Meaghan. Things went well for the next five years.

In the fall of 2012, Aubrey started having problems with her sinuses. She has undergone four sinus surgeries because of the sticky mucus from having CF plugged her sinuses almost entirely. The surgeries were beneficial.

The past few years have been tough. the family takes it one day at a time. In 2017, Aubrey was approved to try a new CF medication called Kalydeco. She was able to begin the new medication while she was hospitalized in November 2017. She had been doing well until recently when she began having stomach issues.

Aubrey is an amazing, strong young lady. She is loving seventh grade. She played on the modified volleyball team this past fall. She continues to play the clarinet in band, and is a member of the chorus. She was recently in her third school play. Aubrey is also a writer for the Lumberjack Lyre and a member of the SADD. This year she also joined the modified basketball team. She has recently been named to the Junior National Honor Society.

Aubrey loves to be with her family and hang out with her brothers and cousins Grace and Maddie. She has so many great friends in school. Aubrey is living her life to the fullest and her family is so very proud of her.

The family and Aubrey have began the Make A Wish process. Her dream is to go to Paris.

Meaghan stated, “we look forward to the future and will continue to take it one day at a time. Life is good and we should all remember to BREATHE!!”

Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, dreams are forever.

Come out and join Aubrey and her friends and family this Saturday.

Mike Dominie welcomed as new electric chief

Mike Dominie was welcomed by the village board last week as the new electric department superintendent, replacing retiring Marc Staves.

Mr. Dominie began his village career as a mechanic for the department of public works. After two years he took a position with the electric department, serving as lineman for about 13 years and as department foreman this past year.

Posing with him were Trustees David “Haji” Maroun, Clint Hollingsworth, Marc Staves, Mayor Paul Maroun and Trustee Ron LaScala.

On Mr. Dominie's appointment, the mayor said he was happy that a successor to Mr. Staves was found within the department and that “continuity” of leadership will be maintained. “We're going to have Mike with us for a long time!”

The mayor and trustees also paid tribute that evening to the work of retiring Marc Staves. The mayor said Mr. Staves has agreed to work with the village on a number of upcoming projects on a part-time basis. “His expertise will not be lost to us!”

Mr. Dominie noted it will be helpful to him to have Mr. Staves assisting the department in the months to come so that the leadership transition will be smooth.

Trustee Clint Hollingsworth, who directed the electric department as a board member, had great praise for Marc Staves.

“It's been great working with you!” he told him that evening.

He said in all his dealings with the superintendent, he always brought innovation and great thought to every discussion. “You were always thinking outside the box!”

He said Mr. Staves routinely brought novel ideas and a fresh outlook to the issues before his department and the village in general.

The trustee credited the administrator with the village's new electric car installations, with the preparations for the new department garage and with the various upgrades to the village system over the years.

“I always enjoyed going upstairs and talking things over with you, Marc!” the trustee told him.

Mr. Staves said he too had enjoyed working closely with the trustee.

Dress a Girl chapter melds love with needles and threads

by Dan McClelland

Lions Club past president Stuart Nichols presents a club gift of $250 to help underwrite some of the expenses of the local Dress a Girl chapter. Pine Grove co-owner Donna Philippi and Librarian Peg Mauer hold up two of the dresses local volunteers made recently at a recent Lions Club meeting. (Dan McClelland photo)

The Tupper Lake chapter of the international organization, Dress a Girl Around the World, boasts of some dedicated and hard-working members whose hearts are behind their needles and threads.

“Imagine a world where every girl owned a least one dress,” is the international organization's motto.

Librarian Peg Mauer, who is a leader of Tupper Lake's chapter, told the story of the initiative to the members of the Tupper Lake Lions Club in recent weeks.

The way it works, friends, co-workers, church group members, families get together for a night of sewing once a week or once a month or once a season and sew dresses for underprivileged girls in poor countries around the world.

Proponents say that providing a new dress to some girl without one can change that girl's destiny. Women everywhere know that a new dress makes them feel good. So imagine never having had one! A new dress tells each girl that God loves them and that someone else loves them too- and enough to have made a dress for them. That often makes a difference in how the recipient feels about herself.

Pastors in poor countries around the world report that a girl wearing a new dress presents the appearance she is well care for and may discourage would-be predators, who typically prey on these victims. A “Dress A Girl” label is attached to the outside of each new dress. It apparently sends an additional message that each girl is under the care of an organization, giving her a layer added protection from those who would seek to harm her like predators and human traffickers.

In this modern day and age, it's incredible how prevalent human slavery is.

“It's like a little badge of protection,” Mrs. Mauer noted that evening.

The effort is part of the ministry of Hope 4 Women International, which if funded solely by tax-deductible donations given by supporters in this country and around the world. The ministry is based in Forest City, Iowa.

Mrs. Mauer told the Lions she learned about the organization about ten years ago when her sister was making dresses for a large chapter in the Rochester area.

Peg asked her sister to come to Tupper Lake to talk with a group of local women interested in forming a chapter.

“We started making dresses in the spring of 2014 in Long Lake. Our goal there was a 100 dresses and we accomplished that.

A group of amateur seamstresses started meeting in Tupper Lake in October of 2018.

“The goal of Dress a Girl around the world is to provide dresses for little girls who have none!” These are mostly girls from Third World countries.”

She distributed photos of little girls- many of them orphans- wearing little else but a couple of pieces of frayed cloth, literally held together with threads.

“By making dresses for them they look like they are cared for.” She said that has a tendency to dissuade potential perpetrators who might grab and enslave them.

“They look nice...they must belong to someone...I better not mess with her,” is what a criminal might think, she explained to the Lions.

“It really does reduce human trafficking!”

Mrs. Mauer brought along with her to the Pine Grove Restaurant that meeting sample of dresses the local group has fashioned.

“We make dresses for girls six months old all the way up to size 14,” she explained.

Many of the recipients are young black girls. “So we try to use fabric that is substantial and not flimsy.” She said that way when the dresses get wet they are neither clingy or revealing.

She said the organization's biggest challenges are shipping and distribution to needy children.

“So when we learn someone in our community is going somewhere” outside normal tourist destinations “we ask if they could take some dresses in their luggage.”

Such was the case recently when dresses were carried by Maureen Peroza on a recent trip she took to Haiti.

“In October our ladies were really cranking out the dresses...it was amazing. In November we learned that the Tupper Lake Baptist Chapel each year sends out these Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes carrying footwear and other materials for different-sized boys and girls.”

The volunteers at the church agreed to send out the tiny dresses in the shoe boxes. “They just wadded them up and tucked them in!”

“That took care of 38 dresses we made in October and November.”

She said she later learned that Maureen was going to Haiti on a mission to help poor children there and 64 dresses went along with her.

She brought with her that evening pictures of the local retired elementary school teacher distributing the dresses to needy girls in that impoverished nation that shares its Caribbean island with the more prosperous Dominican Republic.

Many of the dresses, she said, are distributed through missionaries working in poor countries around the world.

Maureen, upon her return from Haiti, told Peg that with presentation of a dress often comes the blessing: “I bless you with this dress. May it keep you safe and bring you joy!”

Typically the distribution of the dresses go through local missionaries who know of the needs in each place.

Mrs. Mauer said her chapter doesn't care where the dresses go, only that they find young girls who need them.

“So when I approached Maureen she told me she was going to the Haitian Island of le Gonave. Her program is called 'Days for Girls.'”

The aim of that program is to provide absorbent cloth materials used by girls for menstrual purposes so they are not banished once a month to what are called “red tents,” she told the Lions.

Peg said Mrs. Peroza was delighted to take the local group's dresses on her mission visit.

Mrs. Mauer said that their organization ships finished dresses instead of donating sewing machines and fabric so people could make their own clothing. She explained that most of these countries are “so dirt poor” there are neither the facilities nor the electricity to make dresses.

“There are so many barriers right now” for these impoverished people to make their own clothing, she added.

In Haiti, for example, many people are homeless and spend their days when the tide is out on on the beach, often called the salt flats. Tarps and tents give them temporary shelter from the sun. They must move in from the beach when the tide returns.

“That's where the poorest of the poor live in Haiti. They have no homes, no jobs...nothing!”

Many dresses from Dress A Girl go each year to impoverished countries on the African continent. Missionaries, individuals like Maureen and humanitarian teams hand carry the dresses there.

Mrs. Mauer said she has been asked how the chapters can make enough dresses to clothe the millions of young women around the world living in stark poverty.

“Dress A Girl starts with one girl at a time,” she said of its overall mission. “It makes a big difference to those girls who do not own a dress!”

In Tupper Lake's chapter, most of the fabric is donated. Members often canvass the local thrift shops in search of good quality fabric to buy. It's often a dollar a bag, said Mary Sojda, a local Lion who is one of Tupper's dress-makers.

The dresses made here take about an hour to cut out the fabric and sew the pieces together. Often added are decorative pieces around the neckline or on the sleeves to make them pretty. Pockets and elastic waist bands are sometimes added too.

Mrs. Mauer said the members also put together bags with all the materials needed to create a dress. They are used by some volunteers who like to make their creations at home.

Around the country, chapter members often make dresses for American girls living in impoverished sections of the nation like some of the Native American reservations in the southwest and for people in Appalachia.

This organization is devoted to the needs of poor girls. There are other ministries that cater to poor young boys.

The local chapter will meet on Saturday, March 30 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. at the Goff Nelson Memorial Library for its next dress-making session. Everyone interested in helping is invited.

People may bring pieces of sturdy cotton fabric with them, if they wish, as well as cutting wheels and surgers.

Participants should bring a sandwich for lunch and soup will be provided.

Lanthier presents town with Oval Wood Dish Corp. aerial shot

By Dan McClelland

On behalf of Tupper Arts and himself, Jim Lanthier presented a framed aerial photograph by Kathleen Bigrow of the Oval Wood Dish Corp campus on Demars Blvd.

At the center of the photograph was the company's headquarters, which became the town hall.

Mr. Lanthier said the piece might be appropriately hung on one of the walls of the new two-story entrance area which has been substantially completed.

The photograph vividly shows the six or eight homes in Sissonville, the company's factory homes.

Supervisor Patti Littlefield called it “an excellent gift,” and thanked Mr. Lanthier. She promised it would hang in the new front entrance gallery, which already sports a Rick Godin aerial shot of Big Tupper Ski Center taken decades ago and several other attractive pieces that were donated to the town.

“We'll find a good place for it!”

Mr. Lanthier inherited the photographs and negatives of the well known local photographer, affectionately known as Brenda Starr.

In recent weeks he has been working on the new show at Tupper Arts, “Through the Lens of Kathleen Bigrow”- covering 50 years of Adirondack photojournalism.

Mr. Lanthier complimented the board on its near-completion of the new $400,000 entrance addition.

He called the town hall a very historical building, given its long affiliation as the operational base of the large company which dominated the village's economy for many years.

Talking about the building Mrs. Littlefield said one of its unique features is that the paneling in each room is fashioned from a difference species of wood.

There are some antique fixtures in some of the offices that won't be replaced.

The basement court room are where the board meets now sports new energy efficient lighting, which replaced relatively dim track lighting, according to the supervisor.

That was done with grant money through the village and the New York State Power Authority. With grant money too new fixtures were installed on the main floor of the building, she said.

New furniture in the new entrance area was also purchased with grant money.

“We try to do things with grant money if we can. That way we're not using taxpayers' dollars,” she noted.

The supervisor said that once the stone work around the entrance pillars is done in the spring, she said she intends to schedule an open house to show off the entrance area.

Kathleen Bigrow show is a trip back in time

by Dan McClelland

Stopping at the Tupper Arts center to view its new photographic show featuring the works of well-known Tupper Lake photographer Kathleen Bigrow is like taking a step back in time.

In the gallery are over 200 images of Kathleen's works- Tupper Lake buildings, social activities, sports teams, wedding parties, major events, former residents, etc.

The show is called “Thru the Lens of Kathleen Bigrow,” 50 years of Adirondack Photo Journalism.

Each visitors to the Tupper Arts headquarters is given a 12-page hand-out which identifies many of the photographs on display. It also contains an order form where people can order reprints of Kathleen's photos to underwrite some of the cost of the show.

It also carries a brief profile of the photographer and the art center's work with her collection, published below.

“According to a 2008 Adirondack Life magazine article, in the early 1950’s a young Kathleen Bigrow, reporting for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, decided to buy her first camera when the photographer assigned to her showed up late to a press conference that she was covering. With $300 borrowed from a local bar owner (her loan request was turned down by commercial banks), she began a long career in photo journalism. Long before the age of digital photography, Kathleen’s husband, Bert, built a darkroom in the basement of their home so that she could develop her films in time for press deadlines.

“Over the years she honed her skills as an accomplished photographer. From comments of those that knew her she was a gritty no nonsense reporter who never said no to a story.

In his book Mostly Spruce and Hemlock, Louis Simmons states “no record of the newspaper people of the community would be a complete without a note on Tupper’s lone woman worker in the field, Mrs. Kathleen Bigrow, who has covered the Tupper area from some 25 years for the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, and has represented the Syracuse Herald-American and Syracuse Post-Standard here for many years. An indefatigable reporter and photographer, she has earned a reputation for tireless, thorough day in day our coverage of the local news and has compiled an impressive file of photos of events and personalities in the community over the years.

In 1977 she joined the staff of the Tupper Lake Free Press and was its photographer for nearly 20 years.

Kathleen passed away in 2014 at the age of 91.

The Kathleen Bigrow Film Conservation Project

Tupper Arts has been given a valuable resource that has historical significance to the Adirondack region. The vast photographic collection of journalist Kathleen Bigrow has been generously donated to Tupper Arts by Jim Lanthier Jr. The collection includes thousands of film images taken over the 50 plus years of Kathleen’s career. Tupper Arts has begun an effort to catalog, digitize and archive these wonderful images. In addition to protecting the collection, Tupper Arts goal is to make the collection available to the community.

“The exhibition is the center's first attempt to share Kathleen’s unique vision and artistry.”

At the heart of the new display is photographer Jim Lanthier Jr., who spent hundreds of hours preparing for it...creating the photos from Kathleen's negatives, mounting them and sometimes framing them. The presentation was impressive.

Jim furnished the art center with modern computers, scanners and printers in past months to begin the preservation project.

Tupper Arts volunteer Ed Donnelly is working with Mr. Lanthier in the massive cataloguing process ahead.

The show runs through April 27 and admission is free.

St. Patrick's Day Party again raises thousands for football program

A few hours before the start of Saturday's Football Booster St. Patrick's Day party at the Knights of Columbus hall there were still a number of volunteers devoted to last minute details. We caught some of them in action.

From left were Chris Delair, Christina Russell (in front), Jim Facteau, Mike Russell, Jim Pryor, Carl Sorensen, Travis Dupuis and Paul Pickering. Out in the bar area the LeBlancs- Dave and Diane and their daughter, Danielle, had drink preparations all ready to go. Before the guests arrived was this impressive collection of 300 cupcakes and 100 mini brownies, made will skill by Amy Boudreau.

This year's event was again sold out, as it is almost every year, and thousands of dollars was raised for the support work of the Football Boosters, whose contributions to the football program have exceeded in worth well 'over a half a million dollars.

One of the big highlights of the annual March event, besides the great Irish fare and the festive atmosphere was the big drawing.

The grand prize of $5,000 was shared by Mary LeBlanc and her son Leon Jr. and Stacy.

The $2,000 second prize went to Rick Godin.

Three $1,000 prizes went to Patty and Ian McLear, Sam Gaff and Pat Cook's dinner group. Reggie Bishop won the $500 fourth place prize. The $250 prize winners were Zig Akiki, Chris Keniston, Paul Lefebvre and Russell Bartlett.

There were also ten folks who got the $100 price of their ticket back: Amy Arsenault, Leona Kavanagh, Laura Davison, Teneille Gonzalez, Kevin Willette, Arlene Mace and Lauri Dukette, Nicole Desmarais, Rose Courtney and Dominic Dattola, Cooper LaBarge and Rick Scranton.

Planners approve Spruce and Hemlock, Stacked Graphics relocation to 115 Park

by Dan McClelland

Andrew McClelland, at the recent town board meeting, discusses his plans for the new building.

The town and village planning board last month unanimously approved a new joint retail and service business venture at 115 Park Street that is one of several new arrivals in the uptown business district that is expected to breath new life in the place.

Only volunteer Scott Snyder was absent from the seven-member board's deliberations that evening and there was only one thing on the agenda.

Representing the business owners again that evening was Andrew McClelland, who with his wife, Faith and brother-in-law Pat Bedore formed the new limited liability corporation Chum House, LLC, which purchased the former Newberry building from Joy and Vin Moody last fall.

Faith and Andrew's Spruce and Hemlock, which they started about four years ago at 52 Lake Street, will occupy the left hand side of the large two story building. In past weeks both sides of the building have been extensively rewired, with the addition of a third service entrance.

Half of the left hand side of the building had the original hardwood flooring. Brandon Moeller of BTM Flooring resanded that half and restained it a dark mahogany stain to match new hardwood flooring he will install in the back half of the large front room, which in recent years was the fitness center.

Beyond that 2,700 square foot space, there is another 700 square foot room, where the new owners hope in several years to add a mini-cafe and bakery.

The decorative tin ceiling has been scraped and repainted and all of the chandeliers replaced. There will be new wall sconces every 12 feet or so.

More insulation was added to the 12 foot high interior walls on the perimeter of the entire building.

On the Spruce and Hemlock side, new drywall was installed by Pete Desmarais and his son earlier this winter.

On the right hand side of the building next to One Group, many of the acoustic suspended ceiling tiles were replaced and more ceiling insulation was added by Andrew and Pat.

New drywall was also applied to all interior walls, after they were firred out to permit the addition of more insulation by the owners.

The Stacked Graphics partners will do their screen printing, embroidery and sign-making from the 2,000 square foot first floor, and expect to eventually expand production in the 4,000 square foot basement, which was high enough to use for retail sales when Newberry's was there the 1940s through 1970s.

On the second floor of the building is one occupied 1,200 square foot apartment.

The front apartment was gutted by previous owners, but boasts the large double-hung windows on the front of the building which offer a complete overview of the business district.

The building owners hope to renovate that large three-bedroom apartment in the next year or so.

A preliminary meeting by the board a month or so which began the special use permit process drew no comments from the general public in the days since, Planner Paul O'Leary reported to his board that evening.

Free Press Publisher Dan McClelland noted that in an editorial several weeks he praised the coming changes, including this new joint venture, to the Park St. business district and asked if that piece could be included in the minutes of the meeting. His request was granted.

Village Code Enforcement Officer Peter Edwards, who attends all planning board meetings on behalf of the village, said it was good to see new “young owners taking these buildings” and putting them back in local service.

He said Mr. and Mrs. McClelland and Mr. Bedore have a grant dream and are “doing this right, taking these building which have been let go or neglected in recent years.

He said it is apparent to many that many buildings are undergoing restorations “and it's good to see that.”

Mr. Edwards said the owners of the two businesses going in there have “great business plans.”

With that the public hearing was closed by Chairman Shawn Stuart and the regular part of the meeting was opened.

Volunteer Jim Merrihew began the discussion. Last month he had asked the owners to provide for that night's meeting a front view of the building, along with the signs planned there.

Mr. McClelland provided the board with those color renderings, showing the existing facade, which was redone in rough cedar and cedar shake overhang in recent years.

He said their drawings of the new signs that evening would be close in nature to the actual once they will construct in their sign shop once winter breaks.

The Stacked Graphics sign will be made of cedar with raised letter in a metal frame, he told the planners.

The Spruce and Hemlock sign next door will be a custom-cut shape, sporting the business' logo. Both signs, he said, would be above the respective doorways and be about 10 feet long and three feet high.

The Stacked Graphics sign will look like old wood, whereas the Spruce and Hemlock sign will be brighter and cleaner, he told them.

“We were going to make them look similar, but then we didn't want people to confuse the two, as they separate businesses.”

The lighting of the signs and the storefront will be overhead sconces- gooseneck in appearance and shedding the light downward, in keeping with the community's dark skies lighting requirements.

He said the lights will be similar in design to those at Well Dressed Food down the street.

The door on the Stacked Graphics side of the building will lead into the company's front office, where their clients can place orders or pick up shipments.

Behind the two storefront windows, they plan to hang curtains to block the public's view of their printing and embroidery operations in the back.

“We want to keep it so if you look in from the street or the highway, you won't see all of our machines.”

The partners, with the help of a machine from Kentile Excavating, moved those large and heavy production machines from the Free Press rooms to their new quarters in the past two weeks. The machines have been serviced by company representatives in the past week and are now in full operation at 115 Park Street.

He said the front windows will be decorated in keeping with the changing seasons. Andrew thought his wife would lend her decorating talent to that effort and perhaps even use some of the space to promote her wares next door.

“We're not opposed to possibly renting that storefront area some day,” as we move some of our operations to the basement area.

That depends too on insulating and putting more heat in the underground quarters, he added.

That would free up space in the front of the building on the main floor, according to the entrepreneur.

“At the moment, however, we need all that main floor space until we can take over some of that basement area.”

This summer the building owners will be replacing the flat roofs on the two-part building with modern roofing materials and pointing up some of the exterior masonry brick which needs work.

The partners will also looking at quotes this year to install a cornice around the top of the building, similar to the work done around the top of the former Ginsberg's building this fall, Mr. McClelland noted.

“We want to preserve the building and part of that involves stopping water from getting behind the brick facade.”

The planning board members had nothing but positive comments to share with Andrew that evening.

Volunteer Doug Bencze, for example, called it “a good project.”

Jan Yaworski wondered when the businesses would be open and was told they are currently printing now at the new Stacked Graphics location.

Once the new floor at Stacked Graphics is done early this month, Faith will begin moving in her inventory and new displays in time for a late-April or May 1 opening there, Andrew said.

“I'm glad we have another storefront that will provide two new businesses,” said Dave St. Onge. “That's great for the community and our main street!”

Of the three business people, he said it was good to see these young entrepreneurs in Tupper Lake.

Tom Maroun and Chairman Stuart both called them “good projects” that will be good for the community.

“It will be great to see the greater foot traffic” in the uptown business district that Spruce and Hemlock is bound to create, Mr. Stuart added.

Andrew said his wife is excited to see how much their new location will boost sales at her already popular business. He admitted it was always a challenge to direct people to their former location on Lake Street.

Mr. St. Onge said the visitors who come to Park Street to dine may also become the patrons of the new stores coming to the business district.

“Right now when we are in there working, even in the off-season, we see people wandering about, looking in store windows,” Mr. McClelland told the planners. “After they eat, there's not much else for them to do right now and so they leave.”

He said the arrival of The Adirondack Store, Birch Boys and The Row will be good for everyone in retailing on Park Street.

The planners wished Mr. McClelland and his partners good luck on their new ventures.