Recently retired Piercefield town clerk reflects on the job

Piercefield Town Supervisor Neil Pickering recently presented retiring Town Clerk Don Mauer with a plaque of appreciation for his many years of dedicated service to the Town of Piercefield. (photo provided)

by Rich Rosentreter

Don Mauer’s last day as the Piercefield town clerk was Friday, February 19 and his replacement has officially taken over the post – but the former clerk took time to reflect upon the job he’s been doing for the past 13 years.

“I’ll be seventy years old this year, so I figured it’s time to retire,” Mr. Mauer told the Free Press in a recent interview.

Mr. Mauer started his job as town clerk in 2008 after seeing an advertisement in the local newspaper, and he decided to apply since he needed some type of work after moving to the area full-time from the Rochester area. Although the clerk post is typically one determined by an election, he explained that the person who was elected had health issues and could not fulfill the duties of the job, therefore the town was forced to advertise for the position. He was eventually interviewed by the town board and was appointed, and after that has run for the position unopposed for the two-year position.

“It was about the time my wife and I were moving up from Rochester for the second time,” he said, joking that he applied for the clerk job out of desperation. Mr. Mauer said he has a background in engineering and there are not too many jobs in that field up here. His story is one that is familiar to so many people who decide to live in the area but need to find several means of income to survive.

“When I came up for the second time, I figured I had to be a chameleon and take whatever is out there. I also had my own painting and wallpapering business and I knew that wasn’t going to be enough,” he said, adding his wife had a position at the school library. “I took this on as a part-time job. I also took a job at Boulevard Wine and Spirits. With those three jobs and my wife working, we were able to make ends meet. And we’ve been up here ever since.”

“I always say you have to be a chameleon, you have to be able to do all kinds of things in order to make ends meet up here. My background is in math actually. Taking care of the financial aspects and keeping tracking the details of the job and stuff like that was a natural for me,” Mr. Mauer said. “The job itself wasn’t difficult, but there was a myriad of details to keep track of in the position.”

Duties

The duties of Piercefield town clerk encompass four official capacities: town clerk, tax collector, registrar of vital statistics and records management officer. Mr. Mauer said his background in math has been helpful to him when it comes to his job.

“There’s several financial things to deal with, the tax collection is one, sometimes people pay in cash and other times they pay by check or money order. Some use the payment installment plan and you have to keep track of everything. The county issues a warrant to collect and at the end you have to account for every penny. You have to show them how much you collected and how much you haven’t collected and any penalties you’ve collected for late payments. You have to keep track of all those numbers, and then of course it gets audited by the (town) board every year as well,” he said. “There’s a lot more to it than people are aware of. There’s a lot involved and I couldn’t begin to go through all the details.”

Mr. Mauer did outline just some of the particulars of the town clerk's job.

“Preparing for board meetings, preparing the minutes and putting it up on the website, taking care of all the resolutions and the peripheral duties that result from that – compiling local laws with New York State. As far as the registrar is concerned, taking care of death registrations, death certificates, marriage licenses, all of that. Knowing which information is public and which is not available to the public is also tricky. There’s a lot to learn about what’s private and what’s public,” he said, adding there is a lot under the clerk umbrella. “The town clerk is pretty much the first line of defense as far as the public is concerned. People call the town hall and it’s the town clerk that answers the phone. Sometimes it’s something that the clerk can handle but sometimes it’s something that needs to be funneled off to the town bookkeeper or town supervisor or highway superintendent. There are reports to file with the state or county on a monthly or yearly basis. You just have to keep track of all these things, be proactive and know what’s coming down the line – and do things on time.”

“I’ve been feverishly training Christielee Geiger as my replacement, and just when she thinks she’s got a handle on it, I throw a monkey wrench into it and say ‘By the way, here’s some more details for you.’ But I’ll be working with her. I won’t be continuing with any official capacity, but I’ll be mentoring Christielee, at least for the course of the year for the different aspects of the job that we have to deal with. It’s just that there are so many details, it’s a real challenge – for anyone.”

Challenges and rewards

Mr. Mauer said the town clerk job has several challenges, and one in particular is a relatively new one.

“One of the challenges has to do with the dog licensing. It used to be that New York State monitored that. They kept track of whenever someone’s dog license was due and send them a notice, then the town folk would come up and renew their dog license with me. But in 2011, the state dumped that whole burden onto the town clerk. So not only do we have to collect the fees, we have to keep track of when the licenses become due and notify all the dog owners. It was up to us to generate the forms and all that and keep track of the whole collection, we still have to pay money to the state,” he said. “It’s like you still have to send us the money, but we’re not going to manage the program anymore. It was kind of a slap in the face.”

“One thing that people may not understand is the hours that the office is open to the public, that’s not necessarily the job. That’s just the hours the office is open to the public, that’s not the hours the clerks has on the job, and that’s just you have to do what needs to get done,” he added.

But there have been some rewarding experiences for Mr. Mauer as well.

“Getting to know the people of the town and demographics and all that, that’s definitely a plus. It’s rewarding to be able to help people and answer their questions and solve their problems,” he said, then explained one example. “Somebody may call and say they need a copy of their birth certificate because they need a passport, of course you can’t do that kind of thing over the phone for security reasons. You have to send an application and they have to prove their identity.”

After that he would have to conduct a search to see if there is a record of their birth in the town, then follow though to certify that record exists and eventually create paperwork and put the town seal on it to make it official.

“I tell them this is a legal document and they can use as proof of being born in the town of Piercefield,” he said. “That’s just one example. Being able to satisfy the needs of the people, that’s the most rewarding part of the job I think.”

Small town, big hat

“We have to perform all the same duties as anyone in a big town, and actually even more because a small town can’t really afford the personnel for different departments that a big town does, so you have to wear several different hats,” he said, and gave the transfer station as an example.

“We don’t have a separate department for the transfer station. The highway department is in charge of the nuts and bolts of it, transporting the garbage to the Tupper Lake transfer station. When it comes down to managing the fees, that money comes down through the town clerk. I wind up going to get all the receipts and preparing the documents for the transfer station annual report – things of that nature,” he said. “We also don’t have a water department like a big town might have. It’s not just a town clerk job that the town clerk does.”

Mr. Mauer was asked how long it took to learn the job, and he explained that it is a job that one never stops learning while doing.

“You know, every year something else comes up that you never saw before. It’s a continuous learning process and I’m sure that town clerks that have been doing this job for twenty or thirty years will tell you the same thing. If you talk to Laurie Fuller (town clerk) in Tupper Lake, and you see if she doesn’t wind up seeing new things every year,” he said. “You’re always on your toes that’s for sure. Something would come in the mail and you say ‘What in the world is this?’ There are always surprises. And there are always interruptions. That’s just the nature of it. It’s an elected position, so basically you’re on call 24-7. You do what needs to get done when it needs to get done and just don’t count the hours.”

Now that he is leaving the post, he said he looks forward to the free time.

“I really don’t expect to miss it much. If I miss anything, it’s going to be the interactions with the town folk because I probably won’t see as many as often as I would being the town clerk. Even a little small-town clerk it’s surprising how much interaction you have with the local people – maybe even more so in a bigger town or in the county. You see the same people over and over again where the county clerk is seeing different people all the time and you don’t get time to establish any kind of relationship them. Having people come in and recognize them year after year and get to carry on conversations, that would be the most rewarding part of the job and I’ll miss that,” he said, adding that he doesn’t really have any plans set. “There’s so much to do, not only hobbies, but things I’ve put off to go to work and it’s going to be a strange feeling knowing that for the first time in my life I’m the master of my own schedule now. It’s going to take some getting used to, although I’m sure my wife has some ideas.”

Mr. Mauer did have some final messages to town residents.

“Be kind to your elected and appointed officials. They’re working harder than you think they are. When I see what the other officials are doing too, anybody that works for the town, there’s a lot more that is involved than just the so-called prestige of holding the position. They are all seriously dedicated workers for the benefit of the town,” he said, adding that the town clerk position appears to be in good hands. “I think that Christielee appears to have all the capabilities. She’s a quick study and enthusiastic. I think she brings things to the job that I don’t just because she has a whole different background and approach to things. She’s perfectly capable, I wish her well and I hope she sticks with it.”

Town to acquire Big Tupper lands, if it can

-photo courtesy of Photographer Rick Godin

by Dan McClelland

The Tupper Lake Town Board members unanimously agreed Thursday for the town to try to purchase the 440 acres on Mt. Morris where the Big Tupper Ski Center now sits idle, if the property comes up for county tax auction this year.

For months the members of the Tupper Lake Business Group have been lobbying town leaders to formalize their interest in acquiring the Big Tupper lands, if and when it ever comes up for sale.

Acquiring those Mt. Morris lands by the town to lease the ski center to a private or public operator and to develop other recreational venues there is the cornerstone of a recreational strategy advanced by the steering committee of the new business group last fall.

The ski center parcel is currently owned by Preserve Associates LLC, a limited liability company formed by Philadelphia Attorney Michael Foxman when he purchased the Big Tupper tract from owners Peter Day and LeRoy Pickering a score of years ago. The ski center was a centerpiece of Mr. Foxman's plan to develop the 700-unit Adirondack Club and Resort development on lands on and surrounding Mt. Morris.

There are currently about $130,000 in back taxes owed on the parcel, with about $40,000 added in penalties and interest by the county.

If the county leaders put the parcel in their package of properties to be sold at county auction this year and the back taxes aren't paid at that point, the town leaders want the chance to acquire it from the county. The plan would be that the county leaders would grant the town title to the acreage before it ever got to auction.

Supervisor Patti Littlefield briefed her board members Thursday on “the multiple meetings” she and Councilman John Quinn have had with the Tupper Lake Business Group in recent months via Zoom. The TLBG had also met with the other town officials in separate meetings.

The business group made a presentation of all its goals to the town board at January's regular monthly meeting of the town.

The seven members of the TLBG's steering committee were also tuned into last week's meeting, anxiously anticipating the good news from the board.

“The long and the short of it is, and you all know and we all know, that the Big Tupper lands may or may not be on the county's foreclosure list this year, along with multiple other properties here.

“Some of the properties we're interested in are Big Tupper Ski Area, Cranberry Pond (below it) and a little waterfront parcel” at the foot of the Big Tupper/Country Club Road. The third piece was a tiny waterfront lot on Tupper Lake where the ACR developers had proposed a water in-take station to provide an alternative to Cranberry Pond for getting water up the mountain to operate an artificial snow-making system for a renovated and rebuilt ski center in the ACR plan.

“The business group members have been working very, very hard to come up with a plan to recommend to the town on what could happen should the town be able to acquire title to those parcels. Dan McClelland has written story after story, editorial after editorial explaining it all, so I'm not going to go there tonight, because we all know it.”

“The only thing I would iterate this evening is that nothing is for sure at this time!”

She said there was a deadline of February 9 set by the county where every owner of a property to be foreclosed upon had the opportunity to contact the county treasurer, “a nice lady by the name of Fran Perry who I speak to frequently,” to make arrangements for a payment schedule with the county to eventually satisfy their back taxes debt.

Mrs. Littlefield said she was unaware of any repayment schedule formulated between Preserve Associates LLC and the county at this time.

The supervisor said that “because of COVID-19 the governor has pushed back until at least May any date for a foreclosure action” and subsequent tax auction.

She said that while the governor's intention was to protect individuals with individually-owned parcels from foreclosure until after the pandemic, Franklin County leaders opted to include all properties with back taxes owed in their interpretation of the governor's order.

She admitted the governor's foreclosure postponement date has moved several times “and may move again. We don't know! For now it's sometime in May.”

“So that means that in May, county officials may or may not see taxes paid on those properties at Big Tupper and Cranberry Pond.” She said when the governor permits foreclosures to go forward the county could then schedule the properties it intends to sell at public auction.

A foreclosure notice by County Judge Robert Main customarily precedes any county auction of properties with outstanding back taxes, she noted. “He makes the judgement that the county can foreclose on these parcels.”

“When and if the Big Tupper lands should, or may or do get listed among the properties to be sold, the business group would like the town- and we've talked about it openly for a long time- to ask the county if the town could be considered to acquire those parcels.” An option, she said, would be for the county to give the town those lands, as it has done in arrangements with many towns and villages around the county when parcels come up for back taxes.

“Typically the county does that,” she said, remembering the title change that came when the village acquired for free the former Sabin's Electric lot for back taxes. The property is now village parking.

Because of the size of Big Tupper lands and their taxable assessment it may be that the town has to pay the back taxes owed.

The business group is currently exploring different ways a county-town deal could be consummated.

The supervisor said the business group leaders have asked the town to draft a resolution indicating its interest in the Big Tupper properties to the county legislature.

She said the town will “go through” County Legislator Paul Maroun “to get his blessing” on the proposal. The two local lawmakers met several times in recent weeks to discuss the proposal.

The business group has also met with Mr. Maroun numerous times by Zoom in recent months and he has strongly indicated his support for any plan whereby the community sees a re-opened ski area to economically and recreationally benefit Tupper Lake and its citizens in the years ahead.

Mrs. Littlefield said last week after the most recent meeting with the business group she spoke with the chairman of the Franklin County Legislature, Don Dabiew of Malone and they had what she called “a very nice conversation.”

“One of the things he said to me was that typically if a town or village wants a particular parcel that is going up for foreclosure, it could ask for it and we would normally turn it over to it.”

She said, however, because Big Tupper is a much larger piece of property than normal it may not come to the town as an outright gift.

“We talked about that and the fact it will all have to go before Judge Main and the entire county board” before anything came to pass.

Mrs. Littlefield noted that the Big Tupper property has not yet been foreclosed upon by the county at this point and the owners have “plenty of time to pay their back taxes, right up until the point the county takes title.”

She admitted there are a “lot of what if?” questions ahead in the months to come.

“What Don and I talked about is: how about if the town drafts a letter to everyone one of the Franklin County board of legislators” after we talk with our legislator, Paul Maroun, and let them know in writing upfront that we would like to be at the table with the county in the event it takes title to the property?” She said the county chairman liked that idea.

Mrs. Littlefield said she knows Paul Maroun has been exploring ways that the Franklin County Industrial Development Agency might be able to help with financing of any purchase, if necessary.

The supervisor said if the town is required to pay for the acquisition that any price include only that back tax amount and not any penalties or interest that have been levied against that parcel.

“We're not asking the county leaders to write the entire thing off and give it to us for nothing. We're saying we could probably pay the back taxes. -And we at least want the option of being at the table to discuss it all, should it get to that point!”

She told her colleagues she had drafted a letter that day, using “bits and pieces” of much of the information provided her by the business group in recent weeks and forwarded the draft to them that day. “I don't know if there are things you want to change or edit or have it sent to our attorney.” She said she welcomed any or all comments from those four board members and Town Attorney Kirk Gagnier, who was on that evening's call.

“Mr. Dabiew thought a letter like this to all the county board members would be 'a great idea' for the town board to do.”

He told Mrs. Littlefield that any letter from her and the board would be read out loud at a county meeting so every county elected official would be aware of the Town of Tupper Lake's desire to re-acquire the Big Tupper lands. “That way they would all have a record of our sincere interest in it!” she said he told her.

“That's the long and short of it,” she concluded.

Councilman Mike Dechene said he had time to read her letter before the meeting that evening “and I liked it.” He said there were a “couple of typos” that needed to be corrected.”

“It's very well written and it gets across all the information we need to get to the county board, in the event something does happen. We need to be involved and at the table with this. I'm all in favor of it!”

Councilwoman Mary Fontana said she also had a chance to read the supervisor's letter and she echoed Mr. Dechene's comments about it.

“Overall I was very satisfied with the letter. I think it clearly makes our position known.”

The supervisor apologized for the typographic errors, explaining she was writing it that day at the same time when she was trying to get into a Zoom meeting with the Development Authority of the North Country about another town project, “when the internet went out.” She said it took sometime for her and staffer Angie Snye to connect to the Zoom meeting, after which she had no time to proofread her letter.

Councilman John Quinn, who has in the past called the reacquisition of those recreational lands on Mt. Morris by the town “a no brainer,” had several suggestions to the board letter.

He said omitted in the letter was mention of the tiny shoreline property just off Route 3 which some future operator may need to draw water from the big lake. Mr. Quinn also suggested that Assessor Paul O'Leary provide “exact tax numbers” for those three properties for quoting in the letter so there is not confusion or ambiguity about the parcels requested.

Mike Dechene also thought that small parcel was important for the town to own and said any pump station eventually erected there could be an important source of water also for the town-owned golf course in the future.

Mr. Quinn additionally suggested sending copies of the town letter to not just Mr. Dabiew but to every county legislator and to various county officials like the county clerk, county manager and the county treasurer “so we know everyone there got a copy.”

Mr. Quinn was bothered somewhat by one sentence in the letter which mentioned that the town wanted a role in any county decision about the future ownership properties. He said it should be made clear that while he hopes the county leaders will consider the town's request favorably, all decisions relating to those disposition decisions ahead are the county board's alone.

“I'll support the letter with those changes,” the deputy supervisor told the supervisor.

Supervisor Littlefield reminded Mr. Quinn of their conversations with County Treasurer Fran Perry several years ago shortly after she was appointed to her position about the town's future interest in the Big Tupper lands, should she ever become available. The treasurer had placed a note in the parcel's file of the town's interest in possibly acquiring those at some time in the future.

Mrs. Littlefield admitted town board interest in those lands date back to her arrival on the town board.

She agreed to make the changes to the letter suggested that evening and forward the final version of it to all board members for their review before it is sent to the county lawmakers and county officials. Mr. Gagnier was also asked to review it in the days ahead and he said he would.

She told the business group members attending that evening the contents of the board letter won't be shared with them until it is in final form for mailing to the county leaders. “It becomes public information at that point and not in draft form as it is tonight!”

The Tupper Lake Business Group leaders also met in recent weeks with Assemblyman Billy Jones via Zoom where he has offered his support for the acquisition by the town of the Mt. Morris lands and for the group's entire recreational proposal.

The motion to send the letter, once in final form, came that evening from Mr. Dechene and Ms. Fontana. It passed 4-0 with Councilwoman Tracy Luton absent that evening.

Village outdoor rink open in the park

Jocelyn and Amelia enjoy the free space at the skating rink.

by Dan McClelland

Jocelyn Savage and her daughter Amelia, 5, braved the bone-chilling temperatures on Saturday to skate on the public skating rink at the municipal park on Demars Boulevard. The pair were wearing their masks but took them off briefly to post for this Free Press photographer. Jocelyn said that they “just had to get out of the house,” and “it’s not so cold when you’re skating. An added bonus was that the pair had the rink to themselves as no one else was out in the nippy weather. The skating rink is open daily from noon to 8 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required. (Rich Rosentreter photos)

The village’s outdoor skating rink opened the third week of January after considerable preparation by the village’s department of public works team. As in recent years the rink was built atop the basketball court area of the park, after a large tarp was placed on the asphalt surface.

The outdoor rink is particularly important for skaters here this winter, with the school district-owned Tupper Lake Civic Center closed all season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plans for the outdoor rink were discussed between DPW Superintendent Bob DeGrace and the board members at the January monthly meeting.

The elected officials approved his plan to operate the rink seven days a week, noon to 8p.m. each day for the balance of the winter, weather permitting.

“We’d like to try your plan and see how that works,” Mayor Paul Maroun told the supervisor that evening.

Mr. DeGrace said the park lights in that section of the park are now programmed to extinguish at 9p.m. each evening.

The rink operation will be unsupervised like the village did two years ago, the last time a rink was offered here by the village when winter conditions permitted. Last year relatively mild weather prevented the DPW crew from sustaining an outdoor rink, despite its determined efforts.

The basketball court was flooded three separate times last years, only to melt after warm rains followed cold ice-making temperatures.

There are two signs posted at the rink to inform skaters as to the rules of using the facility, such as maintaining social distancing and wearing masks at all times and those who skate with a hockey stick and puck must use a helmet. .

Signs have been posted there stating that “skaters must skate at their own risk.”

Mr. DeGrace also requested that time be set aside each week for “stick and puck” play by local hockey players. It permits informal hockey action there as local hockey enthusiasts stickhandle and pass the puck around between themselves.

“A couple of years ago we offered that twice each week from 4p.m. to 8p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Are we going to do that again?” Mr. DeGrace asked the village leaders.

Trustee Ron LaScala spoke in favor of it, saying he believes the season will see more stick and puck action down there this year than in the past, what with the civic center closed and hockey teams here traveling to arenas around the area that are open for their practices each weekend.

“Do you want to add more days?” Mr. DeGrace asked the board.

Trustee Clint Hollingsworth felt that two days was probably satisfactory at the start but more days could be added, if the demand is there. Others agreed.

David “Haji” Maroun, a recently retired trustee, was on that night’s teleconference call and he recommended an additional “stick and puck” session on the weekend.

Trustees LaScala, Hollingsworth and Jason McClain all liked that idea.

Trustee LaScala said many young hockey players, who are normally very busy each winter, have a lot of time on their hands with the pandemic.

Trustee McClain explained that many of the local hockey players are now traveling with their parents to areas around the North Country for practice on Fridays and Saturdays. “Sundays would probably be a good day” to offer a third session of the stick and puck.

The other trustees agreed with him.

Mr. DeGrace said as in the past young skaters with their hockey sticks and pucks will be required to wear a hockey helmet. He said it was a requirement of the village’s insurance carrier.

Shin and elbow pads and hockey gloves, while advisable, are not required to be worn.

Trustee Clint Hollingsworth asked Mr. DeGrace to make sure there was an adequate number of garbage cans at the rink site and the DPW chief said there would be.

There will also be port-a-jons on site as well, it was noted.

All skaters at the outdoor rink will be required to wear masks and stay sufficiently distant from each other, in accordance with state pandemic guidelines.

New postmaster at helm at Tupper Lake PO

New Tupper Lake Postmaster Hannah Falkenmeyer stands in front of the local post office on Cliff Avenue. (Rich Rosentreter photo)

by Rich Rosentreter

There’s a new postmaster at the helm at the Tupper Lake post office, but it’s not a new face. Hannah Falkenmeyer has worked the window for the past few years and was recently promoted to the head role by the U.S. Postal Service – replacing Kevin Hanlon, who transferred to another office.

Hannah’s first day as postmaster was August 15, 2020, but she first started her postal career in Saranac Lake and quickly transferred over to Tupper Lake on April 30, 2016 when an opening popped up as a clerk – a position she took because it promised more hours of work. She moved to Lake Clear in 2017 with her husband Josh and two dogs.

Background

Hannah, 28, grew up on a farm in Schoharie and first came to the North Country as a student at Paul Smith’s College to study Hotel Resort and Tourism Management. After staying on campus as a freshman, she moved to the North Country permanently after her second year at the college.

Just like so many others who fell in love with the Adirondacks and Tri-Lakes area, she wanted to stick around.

“I decided that I didn’t want to be in Schoharie anymore,” she said, adding that before too long, she also began to change her career path at some point during her studies. “I wanted to be a party planner, an event planner. But I realized three semesters into that it’s not what I wanted to do, but it’s a great communications degree, and I really I can’t complain because I’ve learned how to communicate with all different people of all different ages.”

Hannah stayed in the area and worked at some businesses in the area, including a restaurant and retail business in Lake Placid and later worked at American Management Association (AMA) in Saranac Lake for about a year. Along the way she lived in Saranac Lake and Vermontville.

“I thought I wanted to go into marketing. I interned at AdWorkshop for a year,” she said.

Hannah and her husband Josh skiing in Chamonix, France last year. (Photo provided)

Then came a pivotal moment for Hannah when a mutual friend of her husband told her about an opening at the post office in Saranac Lake.

“I decided to apply for it,” she said, adding that she got the job, went to the job orientation, but did not spend much time working at that post office.

“The day I got back from orientation, the position in Tupper Lake was available, and it was more hours than I was getting there, so I decided to go for it to see if it would happen,” Hannah said. And the rest is history.

Another year later she was awarded a full-time clerk position at the local post office and she was on her way.

“I can’t complain - it’s a great place to be,” she said.

Doing the job

When Hannah first started her job in Tupper Lake, her clerk position eventually brought her up to the window to serve customers. After several years on that job, she was able to not only learn many aspects of the postal job and allowed her to handle a variety of situations, but she even developed a keen awareness to customers' needs.

“You’re on your toes the whole day. You don’t know what someone is going to ask you when they walk in the door. You’re happy when they have a package or something in their hands because you know that’s what they want,” she said. “When someone pulls out their wallet, you sort of know they’ll want stamps. Everyone has the same look on their face when they want a change of address card because those are not in the lobby and they come in and start looking around.”

Hannah said after several years as a window clerk, she was eventually given the opportunity to get a taste of a managerial post when she was recommended to fill the Officer in Charge (OIC) position, which is the second-in-command spot and the person in charge when the postmaster is absent.

Hannah began her OIC post in August of last year and quickly embraced the idea that she would be able to move up the postal managerial ladder – and was aided by the tutorage of then-postmaster Kevin Hanlon. She said she learned a lot from her mentor.

“I wound up running the office a lot when he was gone. I filled in for him on Saturdays or any days that he was out,” she said. “He was great, he taught me an awful lot. He was really cool to teach me a lot of the higher level things. Kevin and I worked very well together, and I still lean on him when I need help.”

Getting the postmaster job took some determination, a will to learn – and some tense moments from the timeline to decide if she wanted to apply for the job to learning whether or not she would land the position.

“I had about two days to make the decision to apply for the postmaster job or not,” Hannah said. “I decided it would be a good experience to have the interview and go through the process whether or not I got the position. I wanted to see how the process would go and work on the resume stuff, so I decided to go for it. I thought I should still try and even if I didn’t get it, I was still going to have my clerk position and if I did get it, I was going to have a seat in this office.”

Hannah had an early-morning phone interview on a Thursday and from there the anticipation and excitement grew.

“I had never done a phone interview before, so it was stressful,” she said, adding that other people were being considered for the postmaster job, including someone from Saranac Lake with four years supervisory experience to Hannah’s none. But she did recognize some of her selling points.

“I think the bonus is that I’m young, I have a long-term possibility and I could be a great resource for other people who are starting here as the other people who are postmasters that I’ve reached out to are for me,” she said.

Then later that evening, Hannah received the phone call with the life-changing good news that she was waiting for. She got the postmaster job.

“I very nicely said ‘Thank you so much,’ and then I threw my phone and Josh and I jumped up and down. It was exciting,” she said. “I was at home, and I never really had that kind of exciting reaction to getting a job before. I was like ‘Holy Cow, is this happening?’ You know, this is a career. I’m going to be here until I’m done. There’s no reason for me not to.”

Duties

In the postmaster role, Hannah’s job duties have changed from being a clerk and the level of responsibility has increased as well.

“I do a lot of reporting. I report all of our office information through our systems,” she said looking over her checklist. “I tell how much mail we received, how much mail was late, what time the carriers should be out, make sure all the scanners are working everyday. If there’s issues with things I have to reach out to people that are in charge of those systems.”

There is also a separate system that deals with complaints, and that saw a lot of activity over the holiday period as there was a delay in package delivery across the nation.

“It’s hard because it’s all things that we can’t do anything about, we have to wait for the tracking to do something,” she said, adding that keeping the customers informed and happy is part of her mission. “If someone replies, you have to get back to them. It gets a little redundant at times, but that’s what customer service is and I like customer service.”

Moving up to postmaster has posed Hannah with some challenges.

“Going from a clerk to being a supervisor is one of the hardest parts because I’ve worked with these people. It’s a little bit different because there’s a different dynamic but I feel like I’ve come into it a little better than I did at first, she said.

Although the job has its challenges, Hannah said she truly appreciates the fact that she is always learning more about doing her job.

“It is fun. I’m learning every single day and that’s something that’s something that I never had in a job before,” she said. “I’m learning constantly and I’m challenged constantly, and it’s interesting – usually.”

When asked if the correct terminology for her position is postmaster or postmistress, Hannah said she doesn’t mind being called postmaster.

“Just as long as it’s boss,” she joked.

Rewards

Now even with only five months on the job, Hannah said she has a rewarding feeling about working in a small community – and she wouldn’t want to work in a big city environment.

“It’s refreshing when I go out of my office and customers see me and say ‘Oh, we miss you so much’ or ‘I haven’t seen you in a while, how are you doing?’ I can hear people ask ‘Is Hannah still here?’ It’s been really nice. Tupper Lake is a really nice town,” she said, adding that the reaction by the community has been positive. “All the people and customers who do know have been very supportive, very excited and very happy that it’s someone who they knows cares as well. They see my face, they know my face.”

Hannah described one of the little things the community does to help her, and others in the Tupper Lake post office, feel appreciated.

“The thank you cards I get, just saying thanks for doing what you do. It’s the small stuff like that that lets us know that we are remembered and we do matter,” she said. “It is nice to have someone say thank you.”

Of course, she also recognizes that the post office is a team of players who work hard to get the job done.

“I have such a great team here. I’m more than lucky in many ways that the carriers know what their job is. The clerks know their job. I don’t need to be micro-managing anybody,” she said, adding that the post office is still a big part of the community and people’s lives.

“It’s incredibly important especially in rural areas,” she said, as she also manages the mail heading to Piercefield and Cranberry Lake. “We get their mail first and get their mail to them. We handle medication, we handle correspondence, we are a resource and we are a lifeline for some people.”

“I grew up in a rural area,” she said, and she remembers the excitement of getting mail. “I was just happy to get a catalog in the mail because it was a piece of mail and it had my name on it!”

Although she is now the postmaster, Hannah said there are some things she misses about being up at the window on a daily basis.

“I miss the customers a lot. Once in while if the clerk needs to do something, I’ll hop out there and work the counter for a few minutes.,” she said. “I miss being a clerk a little because there was a lot less responsibility, but at the same time I’m happy to be where I’m at because I’m secure and hopefully this is where I’ll be for the next twenty years.”

Hannah said her goal as postmaster is simple.

“To get the job done. Every day is different. I want us to stay efficient,” she said. “I do the best I can at giving the best that I can and that’s the best that I can do. I am a people person and I try my best to be a people pleaser. I am a customer service person, I love it.”

Her message to the community is simple as well – she truly loves being the postmaster of Tupper Lake and will continue to do her best to serve the community well.

“I’m here for it. This is a great little town to be in. I love to cross country ski at the golf course. I love to walk around town on my lunch break. I had a great summer being able to do that before I got this position,” she said. “I love being able to go get lunch or a cup of coffee around the corner, and being able to know so many faces here. It’s great that this town is just so nice. People are nice to us here and people are nice to me.”

Editorial: Larabies now on path to rebuild house

Phyllis and Mike Larabie welcomed their nephew Jim Peabody to town Friday. - And with good reason. Jim, a busy and successful contractor from North Carolina who is married to Mike's niece, Joanne, is donating his time and time of his crew to rebuild their house on at the top of Vachereau. Joanne is the daughter of Mike's sister Susan and her husband Wayne Barcomb. See editorial this week on page 4. (McClelland photo)

This past week Phyllis and Mike Larabie made the decision not to have their badly burned house on Vachereau razed. They've had three generous offers from local contractors to tear it down for free.

Instead they are going to rebuild. That decision came easy after Mike's nephew, a builder and contractor from North Carolina, offered to rebuild their place for free. All they have to do is pay for the materials, and the money that has been donated by all sorts of generous folks here will go toward that.

For weeks the local couple has agonized over what to do. A number of people with building expertise have suggested they raze it and build a new house on the site. Others, like village code enforcement officer Pete Edwards, have encouraged them to rebuild and avoid the disposal costs. Even with the offers to tear it down from free, tipping fees at the county landfill could run thousands and thousands of dollars. Pete said the old house has good bones.

Mike's nephew, Jimmy Peabody arrived Friday and met with the code enforcement officer. The next morning he and two of his workers- Josh Hinckley and Tim Martin started peeling off the burned rafters and roof pieces that remained after the recent fire. By Sunday they were building a new attic deck and sheathing it. The floor was finished early this week.

The new Advantec style plywood is supposed to be impermeable to water for many months, at least that's what the company advertises.

The top photo was taken early Saturday when the first load of lumber from Tupper Lake Supply arrived aboard Contractor Jim Peabody's trailer.

Their plan is to seal that floor against the elements so the house can dry out over the new couple of months. Phyllis' sons Jordan and Jerry and some of their friends are expected to attack the inside of the house with their pry bars in the weeks ahead and remove all the wall and ceiling coverings and insulation and expose the studs and exterior sheathing. Any who would be willing to help them, we know the lads would appreciate it.

With the entire gutted, they will know how much water damage the house sustained when firefighters doused the attic blaze on December 17.

Jim Peabody and his crew will be back in mid- to late-winter to begin the rebuild.

The mercury was hovering in the mid-20s during the day light hours since Saturday morning, but the builders seemed not to be bothered working in the cold. Even the four or five inches of snow that fell Saturday didn't deter them. Apparently they are snowmobilers and may bring their sleds on their return.

Josh and Tim said it was better than working in the heat of a North Carolina summer.

A fourth worker arrived later Saturday.

Jim Peabody's company is based in Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. The company does work up and down the east coast, including in New York. It has tackled numerous building projects for Wells Fargo.

“Tupper Lake is home for my wife Joanne and I, as her parents both come from here. Mike and Phyllis are family and you always help family!” Jim also said he has roots in Clifton-Fine and Edwards.

He said he and his crew will do whatever the couple want them to do on their way to a new house. He said if they want locals to do finish work after the structural work is completed, it will be up to them.

“Three or four dumpsters from now, everyone in town will want to work in here. That's when the hard part is over!”

As of this writing the upper part of the house has been wrapped in a large tarp, awaiting building weather to return.

The amazing gifts by Jimmy and his crew comes on the back of thousands and thousands of dollars in gifts from local residents since the fire.

The photo above was taken Sunday with most of the burned rafters and roofing removed and a new attic deck installed.

This week the various funds set up to help the couple have been combined into one house fund. In the first days after the fire a GoFundMe account was started by Ashley Frezzo and that fund topped $8,000.

Unsolicited donations given or sent to Phyllis and Mike between the fire and the creation of our house fund poured in during those first days, exceeding $20,000. Theose funds were deposited in an account at the Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union by Phyllis' daughter Celeste.

The total of the three funds now approaches $40,000 and that's all money that will pay for construction materials to help the Larabies rebuild their house. There's been several generous donations in recent days that we'll report next week.

We've told friends around the region about the fundraising in the past month and they are overwhelmed by the generosity of Tupper Lake people.

Published below are many of the people who gave in the first weeks after the fire: Nina LaVenture, Eileen and Mike Richer, Corey Larabie, George Harriman, Taylor Vaillancourt, Valerie DeGrace, Tammy Planty, Stacey Mallette, Randy Bedore, Fran and Jeanine Akiki, John Maloney, John R. Shackelford, Gale Valliere, Mary Ellen Claremont, Christina Tremblay, Gina Gravlin, Peggy Liberty-Olcott, Jeff and Karen Bombard, Kellie Trudeau, Jacob and Emily Spencer, Dana Jeweler, Bill Stranahan, Jeff and Sonya Wells, Jeannie Greene, Joe Guido, Sarah Stansbury, Nicole Pickering, Shannon Savage, Dennis Quinn, Shaunie and Kyle Kavanagh, Maeghan Ottrey, Kiersten Lamica, Joann Larabie, Mary Sharp, Billie Jo Pickering, Sam Churco, Sherrie Decker, Kurt Bedore and Kelly Devirgeles, Ryan Hathaway, Blake Riggs, Shelly Gagnon, Tammy Boucher, Alicia Avery Oro, John Ellis, Suzanne Thompson, Andy and Nita DeVirgeles, Tabitha Bailey, Ronald Belleville, Karen Bennett, Mary Denis, Angie and Vern James, John and Rita Quinn, John B. Briaddy, Sharron Langdell, Dane DeGrace, Stephanie Bujold, Maddison Kelly, Robert Woodhill, Pat and Gabrielle Schneider, Gisele Denno, Vicki Gonyea, Shawn and Ashley Ladue, Bruce Cook, Tom and Candy Callaghan, Michelle and Dennis Ryan, Virginia and Donald Earlin, Jessica Kelly, Cara Beauharnois, Robert Smith, Jordan Lizotte, Erica Bath, Rick Pickering, Emily and Jay Martin, Michelle Hill, Devon McCauley, Polly Garvey, Francine Smith, Mary Joe Wells, William Shaver, Phyllis Trudeau, Kate Martin, Debby and Kirk Gagnier, Jessie Hewitt, Jennifer Mullikin, Sheila Jessie, Terry and Robyn Doolen, Tesha Derrico, Hildred Williams, Chris Mitchell, Noah Santana, Amanda Kelly, Michelle Reardon, Cheryl Fee, Dezarae Dattoma, Marah Liseum, Maureen Zande, Sally Strasser, Patti Amell, Larry Lanthier, Kaylee Rae Adams, Heidi and Mike Cheney, Jenn and Bailey Charron and Jessie Gonyea, The Davison Family, Joan Beaudette, Tina LaCombe, Patti Stott, Micheline Vaillancourt, Alyssa Rupert, Thomas and Tina Vaillancourt, Linda Sexton, Emma Dubey, Patrick Barrett, Jeremy and Michelle Dukette, Theresa Denis, Samantha Whitman, Linda and Steve Farnsworth, Nicole Rice, Alicia Lanthier, Alan Bailey, Patrick Beaudette, Lucus Bishop, Ashley Frezzo, Jessica and Royce Cole, Erica James, Carole and Walter Barrett, Carrie Bouchaud, Bob and Cindy Platt, and seven anonymous donors.

These are the donors who made outright gifts to the couple: Terry and Richard Whitman, Dan and Judy McClelland, Jane and Ed Whitman, Ashley and Rose Courtney, Diane and James Lanthier, Sunmount H/R and PayRoll, Lois Jessie, Cindy and Scot Dukett, Deb and John Miller, Sayla and Brayden Harris, Cale Taylor, Austin Fortier, Theresa Joseph, Bob and Sue LaBarge, Marie Mayotte, Holly and Ron Sauvie, Margaret, Amanda Amell and Nate Lewis, Paul Maroun, Mark and Carrie Counter, tenants at Don Smiths, Sue Arsenault, Michele Salamy, Bruce and Jane LaVoy, Mary Bradley, M/Ms Claude Desabrais, Carol Peets, Mary Reandeau, Pat and Darlene Donnelly, Tim and Petra Labarge, Lisa Reed, Amvets Ladies Auxiliary, Faith and Andrew McClelland, Dean and Kathy Lefebvre, Jill Provost, Bruce VanVranken, Fred Schuller, Zig Akiki, Nancy Phelps, Kurt Rolley, Lynn Zande, Haile North/Audrey, Patricia Nichols, Mike and Kathy Farkas, Mike Vaillancourt, Dave Bell, Mitch and Connie Robillard, Football Boosters, Bev Sauvie, Michelle Blair, Anne and Rudy Gibbs, Patty Francisco, Jeremiah and Eileen Hayes, Mary Gonyea / Nicole and Kevin, John and Carol Girouard, Walt and Julie LaVoy, Tupper Lake, Ecumenical Pastor Fund, Maurice Helms and Billie, Richard and Judy Wilburn, Woodman Life Chapter, Harry and Joanne Wilber, Christine Danussi, Katie Stuart and Robbie LaLonde, Stuart and Roxanne Soucy, Shawn and Joan Stuart, Richard Rule, Leroy and Trudie Pickering, Amvets, Debbie and Chipper LaVigne, Jane Cole, Jason Roberge, Charlie Madore, Josh Jones Food Pantry, Laurie Pickering, Tammy and Broderick Cross, Glenn and Anne Bedore, Jane and Steve Wilson, Linda Pickering, Red Cross, Donald Clark, Stacy Callaghan, Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union, Bruce and Elizabeth Smith, Cory Whitman, Mary Kay Strack, Michele Boyea, Nancy Foote, Anne Hoag, Mel and Marj Derr, all the supporters at the spaghetti dinner organized by the VFW Post 3120 and the post itself, NYS Police, Kathleen McPhilips, Robert and Helen Kentile, Tupper Lake Hardwood Inc., Shirley Boyer, Matthew Choate, Paula Rose, Carol Jones, Theresa Woulf, James and Sheila Larkin, David and Joanne Dechene, Linda and Terrance Perrigo, Violet Jensen and Phyllis DeVirgeles.

To that generosity, we can only say “Wow!”

Those who wish to add their names to this impressive list, drop off your check to the Free Press office, in care of Larabie House Fund.

-Dan McClelland

Shooting incident on Main Street New Year's Eve

These shots Thursday afternoon by avid Tupper Lake photographer Jim Lanthier show a combination of village police, state police and environmental conservation officers patrolling on foot various Junction streets around Fortunes' Hardware, well armed and on the look out for shooter Michael Valentine of Tupper Lake.

In a press release Monday Village Police Chief Eric Proulx reported that on December 31 at approximately 2 p.m., the Tupper Lake Police Department was dispatched by Franklin County 911 to an active shooter incident at Fortunes Hardware on Main Street.

Due to the nature of the call, the New York State Police were also dispatched to provide assistance. While responding, Officer Michael Vaillancourt was informed that a male subject, determined to be Michael Valentine, age 31 from Tupper Lake, had fired several rounds from a rifle in the parking lot of Fortunes Hardware store.

Four bullet holes are very visible in a front window of Fortunes' Hardware storage building across Main Street from the store. The photo below shows one of the plugged holes in the garage door at the end of the store. (McClelland photos)

Mr. Valentine then walked into the store with the rifle and engaged in conversation with the business co-owner Maurice before fleeing out a back door of the business.

Members from the Tupper Lake Police Department, the New York State Police and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation began a search of the area for the suspect. At approximately 2:40 p.m. the suspect was observed by Tupper Lake Police K-9 Sergeant Jordan Nason walking on Depot Street, directly behind Fortunes Hardware Store.

The suspect did not have the rifle in his possession and admitted he had concealed it in an area behind the Woodmen Tavern on Depot Street where it was subsequently recovered. The suspect was taken into custody by Sgt. Nason without incident.

There were no injuries as a result of the incident.

Further investigation determined the suspect believed people were following him and he had unlawfully entered a storage building owned by Fortunes Hardware, located across the street from the actual hardware store. The suspect stated he wanted to get the attention of an employee who he observed outside in the parking lot at the hardware store across the street. It was found that the suspect fired nine rounds from the rifle while in the storage building, four of which struck Fortunes Hardware store across the street and immediately adjacent to where the employee was standing. The other five rounds were shot into the storage building structure. No individuals, including the suspect, were injured as a result of this incident. The rifle used by the suspect was a Marlin 30-30 caliber lever action rifle. The investigation determined the firearm was reported stolen from Syracuse almost 35 years ago. How Mr. Valentine ended up with it is unknown this week.

The suspect was transported to the Tupper Lake Police Department and charged with the following: three counts reckless endangerment in the 1st degree, a D felony, two counts criminal use of a firearm in the 2nd degree, C felony, one count burglary in the 2nd degree, C felony, one count criminal possession of a weapon in the 3rd degree, D felony, one count criminal possession of stolen property in the 4th degree, E felony, two counts criminal mischief in the 4th degree, a misdemeanor. He was also charged with several misdemeanors by NYS Environmental Conservation Police.

The suspect was arraigned in village court in front of Judge Christopher Delair. He was remanded to the Franklin County Sheriff's Department on $20,000 bail / $40,000 bond.

It’s Wild! Wild Lights highlights new winter season at The Wild Center

By Rich Rosentreter

There is a new light show attraction at The Wild Center and it’s appropriately called Wild Lights as the museum continues its efforts to provide outdoor activities not only during the COVID-19 pandemic, but throughout the winter season as well.

The latest addition to The Wild Center’s entertaining arsenal is geared to brighten up spirits, not only during the holiday season, as the Wild Lights will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. every weekend from now until the end of March and each day during holiday vacation week December 26 to January 2 and February 12 through February 20, according to the center’s Marketing Manager Nick Gunn, who also shed more light on the attraction.

“Basically what we’ve done is taken Wild Walk and the Forest Music Loop Trail, which is a quarter-mile trail and has speakers throughout, and we’ve taken what we’ve calculated to be over 50,000 lights and strung them throughout campus to provide this really neat, evening experience,” he told the Free Press. “We are inviting families to come check it out. We think it will be a fun, safe thing for people to do during the winter. It’s a really neat experience in the woods with the music and lights.”

“We’ve commissioned a new five-song instrumental piece for that music trail, specifically for Wild Lights, and it’s cool – you get a little bit of Charlie Brown Christmas, a little bit of other stuff, it’s a really nice backdrop to create this cool winter wonderland out there,” Mr. Gunn added. “It’s fun, I think. Hopefully it begins a new tradition for families in the area.”

Mr. Gunn said that the museum has effectively utilized its resources to construct the new feature as the coronavirus has forced them to think creatively.

“The interesting part of the whole pandemic is that in keeping the indoor exhibits closed, it forced us to look at what The Wild Center already has and what we can change a little bit to provide a difference experience and still being safe,” he said, adding that so far, the public appears to enjoy the light show as the opening days of December 11 and 12 both sold out.

“It’s been fantastic,” Mr. Gunn said. “The feedback from people who visited was overwhelmingly positive. We got a lot of great feedback in person from people saying how much they enjoyed it with their families, and a lot of great comments on social media as well, all from people who appreciate having something nice to do outside. It was very rewarding for sure.”

The Wild Center Staff put lots of effort into creating the winter attraction, according to the marketing man, and getting feedback that confirms the public’s enjoyment has been “very satisfying.”

“We put in a lot of planning beforehand and lot of legwork to string lights and get ready to make sure people would have a great experience,” he said. “When folks were actually on-site and we were finally getting that positive feedback, that’s the most rewarding aspect about this. It makes the whole planning and effort totally worth it. When you go out there and you see families taking pictures and enjoying themselves and saying how much fun their having – last weekend was really, really great.”

COVID-19 precautions are still being followed at the center, he said.

“We are still limiting capacity to keep people spread out and reservations are required before visiting so that helps us manage the flow of traffic,” he said, adding that masks and social distancing are also mandatory. There are also hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility. “We are maintaining what we did over the summer, which was really successful in terms of people feeling safe. We are doing more of the same in the winter.”

Other winter attractions

The Wild Lights is not the only addition to the winter lineup at the center, as there are other features even before 5 p.m. when Wild Lights starts, he said.

“There’s a lot of new attractions throughout the day, he said. “We have a lot of new things on Wild Walk.”

There are snow ball ranges that have targets for people to throw snowballs at and targets all along the trails walk as well as a few different photos opportunities along the way.

“We are doing not only free snowshoe rentals, but also kick sleds. We just got a bunch of new kick sleds in, and I had no idea what a kick sled was before this winter. It’s very popular in Nordic countries and I think that’s going to be fun for families to try, and we have the new outdoor animal viewing spaces,” he said, adding that the hope is to have those available all day. “We’ve created new spaces. The fun part about those animal viewing areas is that our outdoor otter play yard, that we experimented with in the summer and had a great reaction, but now in the winter is almost more fun because the otters actually run and slide on the snow. It’s a totally new, fun thing for people to see while they’re out there.”

There is also a “build a snow fort” area and as soon as the pond is frozen ice-fishing will begin.

“We’re just waiting for it to be safe to go out there and then we’ll start some safe, socially distancing ice-fishing demonstrations and people can try that as well,” he said.

The Wild Center has always operated with winter hours, but the Wild Walk would typically close during the fall around the end of October or early November, the staff member said.

“The new thing is that we’ve never done the evening hours,” he added. “Although we’ve been open winters, this winter looks a lot different.”

How it happened

The development of winter attractions at the center happened in part because of the pandemic but also follows the mission of the museum, Mr. Gunn said.

“It was really important to us, working in the atmosphere in which we’re working in right now, to be able to provide a fun, safe experience for families in the area,” he explained. “We’ve always had this idea to do something with lights on campus and it was always in our files somewhere and this year provided an opportunity for us to dust that file off, rethink it and how we could do it, and just because we’re outdoor only and we still want people to come to The Wild Center and make memories and enjoy themselves, now is an opportune time to actually do that.”

“So that was the impetus behind all of this was being able to do something safe and fun and outside and use everything that we have already, just putting a little different spin on it. That was the whole idea behind Wild Lights and the new winter experiences.”

Having additional attractions during the winter months not only excited guests, but has uplifted the staff at The Wild Center as well, according to Mr. Gunn.

“We had our first re-cap meeting on Saturday, and the energy of the staff was really evident. To be able to be a part of something new and exciting that is going to be around for a really long time and something we are expecting families in this area to make like a new tradition and come back year after year is the really exciting and rewarding part,” he said. “It’s funny, everybody has a little extra pep in their step for the last couple of weeks, for sure, just being able to be a part of something that we’re proud of and that we think people are going to enjoy, and after last weekend, it’s kind of panned out that people are loving it.”

Despite the pandemic and keeping things in proper perspective, Nick said The Wild Center had a good overall year.

“A large number of people came through to visit since we re-opened in July. Visitation has been good, people’s experiences have been really good. We did post-visit surveys and customer satisfaction and feeling of safety both rated very high, so that’s great,” he said, adding that although the museum has been operating in the red during the past few months, the focus remains on its positive attributes. “We have been losing money, but in terms of people visiting and enjoying themselves and us delivering on The Wild Center mission of providing the type of experience that people know and love, that was off the charts – as far as that goes we couldn’t have asked for a better year. Now we’ll continue to try to make up that gap the best we can. We’re still committed to staying open and providing that experience. Overall it’s been a great year, all things considered.”

Back in July when the museum first re-opened, no one at The Wild Center could predict if people would still visit and, perhaps even more importantly, accept the restrictions and safety precautions put in place.

“We had no idea what to expect. We were asking people to wear masks,” he said. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive. I can’t think of one single issue that we had since we reopened. People have been really respectful and everyone is enjoying themselves. In terms of safety and people adhering to the guidelines that we put in, it’s been great. It was a relief. To have people overwhelmingly respectful was nice to see.”

Community-oriented

According to Mr. Gunn, having The Wild Center open through the pandemic and beyond is vital both to the museum and community.

“The idea from the very onset of COVID in March was that The Wild Center still committed to our community as a whole, not only to staff and volunteers and members, but also to the Tupper Lake community,” he said. “We know what Tupper Lake looks like when we’re open in the summer when we’re getting 600-700 people in a day and what that means for the surrounding community, whether it’s people spending money on lunch or Park St. to buy a souvenir, so I think being able to stay open and operational and provide something, whether it’s locals or visitors, with something to do in Tupper Lake, that was really important to us. So being able to do that successfully over the summer and now to provide something else in the winter, that was our most important thing when planning out our year.”

“Whether it was back in July or Wild Lights right now we’re excited to get people to visit and spend more time in Tupper Lake,” he said, adding that one successful local promotion has been offering free admission for students and their families. “People have been very appreciative of that. It’s been tough for families over the past eight months, but in particular the last four to six weeks of having kids in school and then remote, going back and forth, we wanted to be able to provide something fun and educational for those families to do. Those free passes for Tupper Lake students have been successful. Parents have been appreciative to be able to get out of the house.”

The student promotion will continue through January 2.

“We hope that people come out and take advantage of that,” he said.

Gunn said he hopes that word will spread of all the expanded winter attractions – whether it be word of mouth or through posting photos and comments on social media.

“We just hope that families in Tupper Lake come out whether they’ve been to The Wild Center before or it’s they’re first time, we think that this new experience is like nothing that we’ve done before,” he said. “I think that now is the perfect time to come and visit.”

For reservations, call 359-7800. For more information on The Wild Center’s schedule of operation or COVID-19 safety policies, visit its website at www.wildcenter.org.

House at top of Vachereau destroyed by midnight fire

by Dan McClelland

A popular Tupper Lake couple lost their house and all its contents in a dramatic attic fire shortly after midnight Wednesday.

The fire occurred at 20 Vachereau Street, which has been owned for the past two years by Phyllis and Mike Larabie. Unfortunately, there was no insurance coverage in place to cover any of the loss.

The Tupper Lake Fire Department was called about 12:15p.m. and firefighters found the attic area of the large house fully involved upon their arrival. Departments and volunteers from both Piercefield and Paul Smith's also assisted at the scene.

The firefighters fought the stubborn blaze for hours as the mercury dipped well below zero F.

Phyllis and Mike stood by in their night clothes, helplessly watching their life go up in smoke.

Now homeless the couple are currently staying with Phyllis' mother, Carol, on Berkley Ave.

Mike Larabie said this week the fire in the attic may have started as early as 11p.m. but the couple was unaware of it.

“We were in bed reading and watching television in a back bedroom of the main floor when the lights flickered,” he explained.

When they went upstairs to explore they found the electricity in one bedroom and the bathroom was off. Twice they went into the basement to check the breaker and both times the power was restored temporarily. A third time the electricity remained on.

It is believed the two rooms on the second floor and the attic were all on the same circuit. The access to the attic was from a pull-down ladder in the second floor hallway.

About 15 minutes later the breaker tripped again.

Phyllis was on the phone with her sister Melissa Roberge about 11:40p.m. when the lights in their bedroom flickered.

“We worried the power in the neighborhood was about to go out so we went to bed so I told Melissa I would talk to her the next day.”

As they laid in bed they heard a loud pop and a bang upstairs. “We thought the dog had knocked something over but then realized our dog was in our bedroom,” Phyllis recalled.

“We got up and looked around the kitchen and the living room and nothing was out of the ordinary.”

Mrs. Larabie said she could hear a soft trickling sound coming from the second floor “and I thought maybe a pipe had busted.

The attic stairway was partially down as Phyllis had planned to go up earlier in the evening and sort through her Christmas decorations.

As she began to climb the stairs she noticed the entire ring of the attic portal in flames.

“I screamed to Mike that our house was on fire, call 911 and get the dog out! I didn't realize I had the phone in my hand, so I ended up calling.”

Although they didn't see it as they evacuated the house, flames had apparently started coming out of the roof at the back.

Mike returned inside briefly to retrieve his wallet and cell phone and in the seconds he was inside, flames began erupting from the roof peak at the front.

By then too smoke was starting to descend into the second and main floors, he remembered.

The firemen were able to contain the blaze to the attic area, but the house suffered extensive smoke and water damage throughout. In the days following the fire the couple was able to retrieve some articles of clothing which were able to be washed.

Most of the appliances were damaged beyond repair and a refrigerator in the kitchen literally melted. All the furniture and contents of the house, including family photographs, were lost.

“The smoke damage is the worst, but there was a lot of water damage to everything,” Phyllis noted with sadness.

In addition to their Christmas tree and Christmas decorations stored in the attic, there were gifts the couple had purchased for their children and grandchildren for Friday's Christmas.

Gifts like several personal computers for two of their grandchildren were stored in one of the front bedrooms and were destroyed.

Another bedroom was occupied by granddaughter Erin Collins' extensive lego collection- and much of that melted.

In another room in the back of the house Phyllis' son Jordan had furniture and other family belongings stored until he secures a new and larger apartment. All of that was ruined.

“The outpouring of donations from family members and friends has been incredible,” Mrs. Larabie said of the generosity they have seen from the community. “The day after the fire people were coming up to us with checks...we have been so very touched.”

Several family members and friends have donated checks of $500 or more and some as high as $1,000 and $1,200. Some people too have donated boxes of Christmas gifts for Mike, Phyllis, their children and grandchildren.

Some of the Christmas gifts have been replaced through generous donations from Tupper Lake Central School District faculty and staff where Phyllis' daughter Celeste works as a teacher aide.

The volunteers from the VFW Post 3120 where Mike is active staged a benefit spaghetti dinner Sunday which apparently sold out and which was earmarked for family Christmas gifts lost in the fire.

A Go Fund Me account started for the Larabies has raised over $8,000 so far which will help Mike and Phyllis furnish an apartment with appliances and furniture and various belongings.

Another account at the Adirondack Regional Federal Credit Union has been set up by family members for family expenses ahead.

See editorial on page 4 this week about plans to create a Larabie Family House Fund.

Santa slows down due to COVID – but he’s still comin’ to town

By Rich Rosentreter

The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down local schools and in-person classes and even slowed Santa and the number of local appearances he makes, but he’s still in town and planning to bring joy and smiles to children in the area.

The Free Press recently met with the jolly ol’ fellow to discuss how the coronavirus has impacted his visits with local kids and how he plans to maintain the spirit of Christmas. This is his 42nd year of bringing joy as Santa Claus to Tupper Lake and the surrounding communities and during that time span he has traveled to spread joy locally throughout the Tri-Lakes area.

According to Santa, by this time of the season he normally has made appearances at about a dozen events, but due to COVID restrictions he has only done three in the community with two of them being for family members.

“It’s really had an effect. This year I can hardly go anywhere,” he said.

Restrictions

When Santa does make an appearance, he must follow safety guidelines to keep everyone protected from the coronavirus, the main precautions being wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing, which means he is not permitted to allow children to sit in his lap to tell him what they want for Christmas. So for now children should get their “What I Want for Christmas” lists mailed out to the North Pole as soon as possible.

“With all this COVID people have to wear a mask at all times,” Santa said, adding that mask-wearing is something he firmly believes in because he has had out-of-town family members who have passed away due to the virus.

“Santa takes it seriously, unlike some people. There are many, many people who are not taking it seriously,” he said, “It’s awkward, it’s inconvenient, it doesn’t look good, but with all the different types of masks they have and gadgets, you can really do it and it helps prevent the spread of the virus.”

Another restriction is when there is an event, no more than ten people are allowed at that gathering.

“Anyone there must be wearing a mask,” he said. “A few events that I am going to do people have promised not to be in ill health or have more than six people in the house.” He said he is currently scheduled to do six visits so far later this month.

“I’ve been offered to attend events with plexiglass in front of me, but it’s not the same,” Santa said, explaining that having a barrier is not part of his plans. “How can you tell the really young children they cannot run up to Santa? How are you going to tell a kid not to hit the plexiglass? That’s not my forte. I like to really communicate with the kids and how can you communicate with a piece of plastic in the way?

Santa said he is not ruling out attending such an event if one was scheduled, but the situation has to be right. He is prepared for any event that is scheduled, however, as he carries his own hand sanitizer right around his neck, regularly cleans his hands and has several pairs of gloves.

“I also have about 25 different masks,” he said, adding that many have been donated to him by caring local residents. “The whole community has been really behind me.”

Santa said this holiday season has been frustrating so far, as he is easily recognized but cannot always be his jolly self and give out hugs.

“Even when I am not in my Santa suit, children come up to me and they want to hug me,” he said, adding that when he does not give a hug, it’s hard to watch the children’s reaction. “The child will say ‘Mommy, Santa doesn’t want to hug me.’ Then their mom will tell them, ‘Yes he does, but he is just trying to obey the safety rules.’”

But Santa said he always is prepared for any such moments.

“I carry a pocket full of candy canes to hand out! I handed it to him and the child said ‘Oh Santa, you do love me!’”

“It really kills me not to be able to interact with the kids and talk to them. Over the years, I’ve seen so many heartwarming stories – good and bad,” Santa said. “The kids are a precious commodity that we have. In this whole situation, kids are learning but they’re not learning the true meaning of giving. Christmas is supposed to be a beautiful event. It’s a religious holiday and people have to learn that COVID is just a dreadful thing we have and we have to cope with it the best they can. I’m going to cope with it the best I can. It’s really horrendous.”

It’s not just the youngsters who Santa has an impact on – he will miss senior citizens as well.

“What really hurts me is not being able to go to Mercy this year. I used to go there two or three times during the season and deliver gifts,” he said. “For some of these people the only bright light they have is during the holiday season. That’s what I really will miss.”

Santa said he always remembers even those who are “shut in” and live alone at home and his visit is special even if it is only for 15 seconds.

“They tell me ‘You didn’t forget me Santa, everyone’s forgotten me.’” he said.

Plans for joy

Despite a schedule that has been cut, Santa said the annual ride organized by the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department is still scheduled to take place – but with some changes compared to ones held in previous years.

“We will have a special sleigh. We may do some virtual events or park some place and have kids stop by, they won’t be able to gather,” he said, adding the TLFD Santa ride is slated for December 16 and 17 and he will ride on the sleigh escorted by fire trucks. Some of the changes are that normally the entourage would stop on certain streets, but not this year. The trucks and sleigh used to stop at Stewart’s and Larkin’s for about 30 to 45 minutes but cannot do that this year.

“We will slow down but not stop. We’ll be handing out stuff,” he added.“We will still will be able to provide some joy. Santa has a lot of restrictions too, but I am going to do my best.”

The exact times of the Santa ride will be announced on the fire department’s social media page, Santa said, and although people may not see him as much as in years past, he is still making plans for this holiday season.

Santa’s message

Santa did have some messages for the community.

For the older seniors: “My message to them is to keep the faith you’ve always had and what you’ve always taught the younger generation, it’s not a total disaster but you can always do better and you can always think about the future because there is always a future. Don’t worry about yesterday, worry about tomorrow because there’s always a light in the end.”

For the children, he reminded them that even with the virus, Santa will not forget them and he promises to bring them smiles and cheers – and he knows if they’ve been naughty or nice!

For everyone: “Stop and think, be safe, be kind. Think of other people that are deprived this year. Many people are out of work.”

“I’m not depressed, I am saddened, but it could be a joyous sad knowing that we are doing our best to make it as joyous as possible,” Santa said. “The biggest thing is to look up. You will see the sleigh go by, even if you can’t see it, you can close your eyes and imagine it. Imagine the joy that it is going to bring to the young and old. It will still be a bright holiday season. And Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!”

It's Charlie behind that mask!

For the past 15 holiday seasons in our community, Tupper Lake's hardworking and very dedicated bell ringer, Charlie Blackman, has been raising thousands of dollars for the good work of the Salvation Army from his perch in front of Shaheen's Supermarket. This year is Charlie's 16th at his holiday post. Since Thanksgiving he has been ringing his bell each week day, spreading good cheer to everyone who passes that busy corner. In the face of this year's growing pandemic, Charlie has appropriately donned his Salvation Army mask to keep kettle donors safe as they come and go into the popular supermarket. (Dan McClelland photo)

Observance short but meaningful

This year's Veterans' Day observance at the Veterans' Park in the uptown business district was an abbreviated affair Wednesday, but the remembrance of all who served this country in past wars was very much in evidence. In the photo above the Tupper Lake Honor Guard, under the direction of Commander Mike Larabie, fires one of its three volleys that morning shortly after 11a.m. From left were members Ray Bigrow, David Johnson, Tracy Luton and Joe LeBlanc. Below Mayor Paul Maroun, a retired commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, places at wreatt on behalf of the Village of Tupper Lake in front of the memorial. There were about a dozen wreaths placed at the memorial of the fallen that day. In the photo at the bottom Deputy Mayor Leon LeBlanc presents a wreath on behalf of the Adirondack Leathernecks Marine Corp. League. The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Larabie, who led his guard through its traditional three-volley salute and who introduced the wreathes that were laid. (Dan McClelland photos)

Reggie Charron made Veterans Day 2020 very special for his fellow veterans, his town

by Dan McClelland

Reginald “Reggie” Charron, a Piercefield resident who turned 99 on October 3, made today- Veterans Day 2020- very special for many veterans of his town and their families.

Reggie honored his deceased brother Gerard and 95 of his fellow World War II veterans, many of whom were his friends from town, by having a large bronze plaque engraved with all their names. It now stands in Piercefield’s town park on the small twin-peninsula overlooking Raquette Flow.

Reggie collected all the names and paid for the beautiful bronze piece to be made and then donated it to the town whose highway crew prepared and polished a huge granite boulder where the plaque was affixed. Jay Rust did much of the polishing, Reggie noted.

Reggie compiled the list by contacting the families of all the veterans he knew from Piercefield.

Including Reggie’s name there are 97 names on the memorial.

It took Reggie three different companies to finally get the plaque he wanted. In all he figures he spent somewhere over $30,000 on his project, adding: “-And I felt good doing it!”

On this special day and time of remembrance of all veterans Reggie encourages all local residents to visit the new monument to pay tribute and homage to the veterans of that war.

The memorial is especially meaningful to Reggie as his brother was killed in the war’s famous Battle of the Bulge in Germany. Gerard’s birthday was Veterans Day- today.

Reggie’s monument can be seen, along with the American Flag flying high, by passersby on the Piercefield bridge crossing the Raquette River on Route 3. A close inspection of it reveals wonderful craftsmanship.

Flanking the monument and the flag is a World War II- vintage machine gun donated by Reggie’s friend Paul Thomas.

The park, with its spectacular views of the river and the mountains beyond every season of the year, is a popular local spot for fishing, picnicking and the launching of kayaks, canoes and small fishing boats.

After a tour of his monument we followed Reggie to the house of his friend and next door neighbor, Carol Fuller, for an interview.

Reggie has lived in the house where he now lives for about 40 years. Carol has been his neighbor there since 1981.

Reggie was born in Quebec, Canada and came here with his family as a five year old. His father landed a job at Piercefield’s International Paper mill and he said he enjoyed growing up in that town, making many friends as a boy. “But I think I was a mean little boy!” he joked, remembering the many pranks he played.

Reggie is a jokester, it's obvious.

He attended school at the Piercefield schoolhouse which is where the town offices are situated now. He remembers many trips to the principal’s office during his school years.

One day he left school on his own volition but before he got home his teacher had dispatched some of the older students to go and catch him.

Piercefield was a busy little town when he was growing up. It boasted several stores.

“There were many company homes there when the mill was in operation. There was one doctor, Dr. Bury. He was a good doctor.”

Carol’s house was Dr. Bury’s house. Reggie’s house was the doctor’s office.

When his father died at the plant a short time after their arrival, Reggie’s mother raised her four children as a single parent.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 as a teenager and was a communications specialist on the telegraph using the dots and dashes, or as Reggie said, “dits and dots” of Morse Code.

He admitted he became very proficient reading and recording coded messages. “You had to be good!” He noted that he could take the coded messages down by hand and also with a machine, when the dots and dashes came too quickly.

Reggie started in the service in the tank corp and later switched to communications. He was attached to the 38th division in the final days of the war.

He remembers vividly the trip overseas from California to the South Pacific on board a not so sea-worthy ship. It was one of the American fleet's smaller boats “and not a very good one!”

The trip took several months because for much of the time there had to observe radio silence and frequently kill the ship's engines for fear of detection by Japanese war ships.

The large waves of the Pacific also pounded the tiny American craft and many of his shipmates were sea sick all the time, he remembered. Reggie escaped seasickness.

On the way over their slow boat narrowly missed a torpedo from a warship and fortunately for him and his fellow soldiers it was the last projectile that the Japanese craft had. “We could see it coming. Luckily, it was their last!”

Telegraph operators were often mobile and it made for tough communications in many remote places.

“It wasn’t like the nice phones today. You had to work like heck to get the messages out!”

His ship first landed at a U.S. base in New Guinea.

“We were on one side of an island and the Japs were on the other.”

Large mountains separated the two, Reggie remembers.

Reggie and his division were on their way to the Japanese Islands to invade the enemy when the atomic bombs were dropped that ended the war.

“We were ready to go right into Japan when they dropped the bombs!” They were making their way through the Philippine Islands when the bombs were dropped.

He said they were told to expect mass casualties had the land invasion occurred.

After the war Reggie found employment at the General Motors plant at Rochester N.Y. The typing he learned during the war was a big help to him in his new jobs there, he noted.

He retired from the auto manufacturer in 1980, after holding many positions. Reggie said the company offered him promotions to other plants around the country but he liked where he was and the people he worked with there.

“There were 5,000 employees and everyone called me ‘Reggie.’”

“GM paid me a lot of money and I’m still getting some.”

He and his late wife, Doris, returned to Piercefield full-time after his retirement. They have three children, Kim, Eric and Leslie. Leslie currently lives in England, where she was the chief security officer with Reuters News Service. Her husband, according to Reggie, was a pilot for the Royal Family. Eric lives in Scottsville, N.Y. in the family home where he was raised. Kim lives on Lake Ontario.

Eric visits his dad regularly and they often play golf here together.

Reggie’s regular golf partner is Bucky Kentile. Reggie gave up driving this year so Bucky is often his wheels around town. They recently made a visit to Buck-A-Year hunting club on Litchfield Park here.

Carol also drives Reggie to errands and appointments around the Tupper area.

During his war years and the years following the war, he said he wasn’t a fan of war general and later the 34th U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The popular motto of his campaign for president “I like Ike,” never sat well with him. “I didn’t like Ike!”

As the European commander of the war effort many lost their lives on his watch unnecessarily, Mr. Charron said he believes. He also chastised General Eisenhower for his treatment of captured enemies.

“He was not a good general!”

Mr. Charron said his brother Gerard was all set to be discharged at Christmas when he was called into battle at The Bulge- where he lost his life.

He blames Eisenhower for poor planning in that strategic battle.

Reggie prides himself at working hard his entire life and he figures that has contributed to his long life. He still does his own yard work and sometimes some of Carol’s too.

Reggie and his wife wintered in Florida for years in their cozy double-wide trailer in a park in Lady Lake about four miles from The Villages and Reggie continued going after his wife’s death. He left last week for the winter and looks forward to playing more golf with friends there this winter.

Reggie was one of the first World War II veterans from this area to be celebrated by the North Country Honor Flight organization with a trip to the nation’s capitol and public honors there about a decade ago.

It made such an impact on him that he talked it among several of his friends here like Walter “Bud” Hauser, who were also honored by the veterans group on later trips to Washington, D.C.

Reggie called it “a very nice program” and he said he loved the tours of the various war monuments there. “People were fighting to shake my hand! The people were so nice!”

Editor’s note: our thanks to Carol Fuller for putting us on to this story and for her help sharing it with our readers today.

Trick or treating from Trunks

Tupper Lake celebrated Halloween in a new way this year when costumed kids were invited to a “Trunk or Treat” candy distribution from vehicles Saturday. These photos show some of the well-decorated family chariots and the costumed kids who enjoyed the bounty from their trunks. The event was organized by Lisa Reed and a local committee of volunteers. Over 60 well-spaced vehicles were present for the first time distribution of its kind here. Over 520 costumed kids took part in the 3p.m. to 6p.m. Halloween canvass. Business was so brisk that many people, including Lisa, had to run for more goodies half way through the event. Their were costumed volunteers at the park entrance allowing families to enter one at a time to keep everyone safely distanced. (Judy McClelland photos)

Students take their fire safety lessons at the curb

Chief Royce Cole giving youngsters in Miss LaMere's class life-saving facts about fire safety.

Children in Mrs. Safford's kindergarten class hand out drawings about Fire Prevention Week they made for the visiting firemen Thursday.

Fireman Mark Picerno asking questions about fire safety to kindergarten students Thursday.

Fire Chief Royce Cole explains to L.P. Quinn pupils how a full-dressed fireman would look and sound like if he was in their home when a fire broke out. Volunteer Josh Clement was in full gear. (McClelland photos)

by Dan McClelland

As usual, officers and members of the Tupper Lake Fire Department kicked off October's Fire Prevention Week with a visit to the L.P. Quinn Elementary School. The event began Thursday morning at 9.

In past years the local volunteers have presented fire safety lessons to the elementary school kids with multi-class sessions inside the school library. And every year the firefighters, fully dressed, pull up in their pumpers in front of the school and permit children to climb aboard to check out all the equipment and get a realistic feel for the giant rigs.

This year, with the COVID-19 pandemic in place, there were neither in-school lessons nor exploring the vehicles.

Classes filed out one after another to hear Fire Chief Royce Cole, firefighter Mark Picerno and others ask them fire safety questions every school child should be able to answer. The children did well in their responses.

About a dozen local members were there to greet each class, including Captain Matt Whitman, whose daughter Quinn was one of the first students out that morning. She was excited to see her dad in full battle dress.

The first class out was Mrs. Safford's kindergarten students, all four and five year olds. Kittie Villeneuve, teacher's aide, accompanied them to meet the local firefighters. Kittie was teleconferencing with a student who stayed in the classroom. The children in that class presented drawings highlighting Fire Prevention Week to the awaiting volunteers.

Fireman Mark Picerno greeted the first class.

“Have your teachers talked about fire prevention in class?” he asked them.

Several students chimed in together they have learned about it.

Mr. Picerno asked them what they all should do in the event they are in close contact with fire.

“If your coat is on fire or your hair is on fire, stop what you are doing and get down and roll,” one tiny fellow told Mr. Picerno.

“Stop, drop and roll, right?” the veteran fireman agreed.

“What else do we do?” asked Mr. Picerno.

Their teacher reminded her students to tell him about their meeting spot.

“Who has a meeting spot at their house, in the event of a fire?” Mr. Picerno asked them.

Several hands went up. He grilled each one and they told him individually where they were all to meet in their homes in the event of a fire.

At that point Miss LaMere's kindergarten class had converged in front of Chief Cole and several of his department members in front of the department's four-wheel drive truck.

The chief also asked them about what they should do, if the event they catch on fire. “Stop, drop and roll, right?”

All the heads nodded.

“And what else should you do?” the chief asked.

“We must cover our face when we roll!” he told them.

“Does everyone have a meeting place where you meet with your mom and dad if there's a fire at your house?”

Some young heads nodded.

“-And if you don't have one, you need to make a plan as a family,” Chief Cole told them. “Tell Mom and Dad: 'we need to make a meeting area!'”

“Do we ever play with lighters or matches?”

A resounding “no” from the youngsters.

“And if you find a lighter or matches, what do you do?” asked the chief.

“We give them to our Mom or Dad,” one tiny female voice told him.

“That's very good,” the chief praised.

“Does everyone have smoke alarms in their house?”

“I do. I do. I do.” came three young voices in a row.

“You should always have smoke alarms in your house and if you don't you should tell your Mom or Dad to get some.”

He also told the kids to remind their parents to change the batteries in all alarms on a regular basis. “That's going to be your home work today!” Chief Cole told them.

“Mine has never been changed since we got it, but it still works ” confessed one lad.

The fire chief told him to have his parents change the battery as a precaution.

He apologized to the kids that they couldn't climb on the trucks as they usually do, because of the sickness.

Chief Cole said the souvenirs for that day's event hadn't arrived on time for their visit, but he promised they would be distributed to them in upcoming weeks.

“We hope you guys practice fire safety at all times,” he told the children.

“What's the number you call if there is a fire or an emergency at your house?”

“911” was the answer from at least a half dozen students.

“Very good. Let's all say it together.”

“911!” every student told him.

“-And remember: we never play with matches. We all need a meeting area. Why do we need a meeting area? So your parents know you are out of the house and safe! And that the firemen who come to your house will know that everyone is out. And always change the batteries in your smoke alarms.”

The last thing the chief did that morning for that class was introduce Fireman Josh Clement, who was in full gear with a breathing apparatus on.

He pointed to his air pack and mask which he explained helps firemen breath and protects them when they go inside burning buildings.

“Does he look scary?” Chief Cole asked them.

“No,” was the overall response.

“Are you going to be afraid of him if you see him in your house.”

“No,” they told him.

The chief said they shouldn't be afraid of him “because he's just someone's dad, and just a normal person underneath all that gear that helps him breath in a fire. If you ever see a person in this gear, don't ever be afraid...don't ever hide under your bed.”

The chief said he will be calling out in a muffled voice “is anyone in here?”

Josh demonstrated what he would call out: “Is anyone here? Call out to me!”

The chief admitted a fully masked fireman will “sound a little weird.”

“But you always say to him: 'I'm over here! I'm over here!”

“If you need to take one of your stuffed animals or one of you toys and throw it at him so he can see you... do it! Never hide from a fireman because he's always there to help!” the chief told the kids.

Renovations done to Historic Beth Joseph Synagogue over the summer

by Rich Rosentreter

The Historic Beth Joseph Synagogue underwent a facelift over the summer with the highlights of the work being a fresh paint job and new stained glass, access to the internet to allow for Zoom recordings of services and areas of rotting wood were also replaced along the structure.

The Free Press recently connected with vice president of the board of directors of the synagogue, David Mandelbaum, who has been a member of the board for nearly a decade. He has been attending services on Friday nights at Beth Joseph Synagogue since 2007 and his wife and her family have been spending summers at their home on Mount Arab Lake since 1964.

According to Mr. Mandelbaum, because of the pandemic the board decided in the spring of 2020 that on-site services at the synagogue would not be held.

“We decided to take advantage of the hiatus to have the exterior, which was badly in need of it, repainted,” he said. He added that local businesses were kept in mind when planning the renovations. “We also felt it important to support the Tupper Lake economy as much as we could by retaining Tupper Lake businesses for the work on the synagogue.”

“Mike Delair of MJD Painting Plus did a fantastic job. He and his associates did a meticulous job of removing the old paint, repainting, caulking, etcetera. A wonderful improvement was replacing the old, cloudy plexiglass over the stained glass window which is now much more clearly visible,” Mr. Mandelbaum said. “Scott Snyder of Adirondack Carpentry replaced areas of rotted wood on the back of the synagogue and installed a timer for a flood light inside the synagogue that shines on the stained glass window. The beautiful stained glass window will light up from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. every night through the winter. It’s a beautiful sight.”

“Mr. Delair also scraped and painted the fence around the Synagogue Cemetery, which is located at the corner where your turn to go to the Wild Center. It looks great,” he added.

“We installed internet service in the synagogue which allowed us to hold Zoom services every Friday night through the summer as well as on the Jewish New Year on Friday Night, September 18 and Saturday September 19. The Zoom services were a tremendous success, with people joining from all over, including local people as well as California and Israel!,” Mr. Mandelbaum said. “The Zoom services allowed for many friends of Congregation Beth Joseph to participate in services and see the synagogue via Zoom. We hope, along with everyone, that next year we will be having services on site, but we plan to continue having Zoom services in parallel with the on site service so people at a distance can continue to share the Congregation Beth Joseph experience.”

There are also plans for future improvements, Mr. Mandelbaum said.

“The kitchen in the synagogue is very bare bones and we are exploring renovation possibilities with Scott Snyder to improve the kitchen a bit which, we hope, will make the synagogue more suitable for holding functions for those in the region,” he said.

The work and reaction

When the improvements to Beth Joseph were under way over the summer, the equipment made the public aware that something was being done at the synagogue.

“The painting work, which included the use of a crane to reach the upper parts, generated a lot of exposure for the synagogue,” Mr. Mandelbaum said. “Mike told me that many people stopped to ask him questions about the synagogue, being unaware that it was there.”

He said that during a typical summer there are tours of the synagogue and after this work, the goal is that the improved appearance will generate more interest and involvement.

According to Mr. Mandelbaum, the renovations are important to both the community and those associated with the historic building.

“First and foremost is the protection and preservation of the structure which was built in 1905. The renovations also make the synagogue an inviting place for worship,” he said. “The synagogue is also a venue for concerts during the summer, and the new paint job makes it a more attractive setting for the concerts. We had a Zoom concert this Sunday.”

“The Tupper Lake community is rightly very proud to have this historic building in its midst. We are looking into organizing archival material and converting the lobby of the synagogue into something of a museum recounting the history of Tupper Lake and its Jewish Community at the turn of the 20th century,” Mr. Mandelbaum said. “Beth Joseph Synagogue is a treasure. It is a warm, inviting spiritual place and the Tupper Lake community has taken excellent care of it.”

Matt’s riding to fight kids’ cancer

by Dan McClelland

Every day when the Junction’s Matt Arsenault rides to work at Sunmount, he’s riding to fight kids’ cancer. -And already this month he’s raised $3,000 for the cause.

It’s part of the Great Cycle Challenge held one month every year where cyclists like Matt who enjoy riding set personal ride targets and log their miles throughout the month.

Traditionally the event is slated for June but this year, due to the pandemic, it was pushed back to this month.

The program is nationwide and for all ages and all fitness levels. Goals can range from 25 miles for the month to 1,000 miles ore more.

“There’s no minimum,” organizers say. “It’s your challenge, ride it your way!”

Riders spread the word of their challenge and Matt has used Facebook almost exclusively. People routinely respond to the news by making a donation to support childhood cancer research and save little lives.

The Great Cycle Challenge USA computer application is downloaded by riders and that’s where they record their miles ridden in September and where a total is kept of the miles for the month on each rider’s profile page.

Those bikes with GPS devices directly upload miles travelled to the rider’s account.

This is the fourth year in a row that Matt has taken the challenge.

About four years ago he noticed an advertisement for the Challenge on the internet and it piqued his curiosity. He decided to give it a try.

The first year he raced as a tribute to his childhood best friend Mike Straub, who died of cancer at the young age of 22.

“We were best friends growing up! He lived on Webb Row and I lived on Pine St. growing up.”

As teenagers Matt went with Mike to some of his treatments during his long battle with cancer. “When Mike died it was like losing a brother!”

“So that year I rode for Mike and that’s how I got into it.”

He explained people learning of his quest on Facebook started donating to him and so he continued year after year.

The donations are just straight donations, not a certain sum per mile, he explained during an interview in his sunny kitchen on Amell Lane Saturday morning.

Matt rides a multi-speed mountain bike and he tries to get out on it every day, weather permitting.

The event is organized by the national Childrens’ Research Fund. Checks in support of Matt are always made out to that charitable organization.

Donations should flow in all month.

“Last night I received a donation from Kim Kopp, who is in the U.S. Air Force Reserves and who is currently stationed in the Middle East.”

“Right now I think I’m $30 shy of $3,000 this year. He’s already past this year’s personal goal of $2,500.

“The first year I tried to be humble about what I was doing and didn’t get on Facebook and only told a few people and I raised $300. I think last year my total was the most to that point: $2,600.”

He said each donation is inspiring and makes him want to ride more miles. “They make me get out and ride my bike.”

Although he enjoys random rides around the community, Matt noted that most of the miles he accumulates is the three and one half mile ride to his job as a security guard at Sunmount, and then, of course, back home again after his shift.

“A couple of the recent mornings it’s been in the twenties when I leave for work so I have to bundle up!”

He said on those less than perfect rides that’s where he gets the motivation from the generous donations to ride his bike instead of driving to work.

His son Brenden said he’s proud of what his dad is doing and often rides with him on excursions around town. Tiny daughter Genevieve goes on those rides too. She says she goes the fastest of the three.

Organizers give out small gifts to reward riders.

Half way through the month, riders receive a “Kick Cancer’s Butt Day” sticker. On that day the American Cancer Society matches all donations.

“This year I received $313 that day that was matched by the society.”

People who wish to donate go to the Great Cycle Challenge web site and donate directly. There’s a button there to find their rider so the donation goes to his or her account.

There are also fundraising levels riders can meet where they receive jerseys with messages like “Great Cycle Challenge” and “GCC” on a Spiderman costume background, both of which Matt has received. The GCC jersey is called “the hero jersey,” he noted.

“People come up to me in town with cash or a check and tell me they want to support my ride and I send the money in for them.” He said the giving from local people in this little town is amazing.

“People come up to me in a store and ask me how my ride is going. Even if they don’t have a donation, it’s that support that keeps me going!”

Outside his rides to work, Matt’s longest ride this month was 20 miles and for a 49 year old that’s a lot of time to sit on the narrow seat of a bike, he notes.

The event also features an appreciation day when the riders' faces are posted on a large digital bulletin board in New York City’s Time Square. If you collect a certain amount of donations you have your face posted with three others. If you raise another level of donations, you are featured alone there, he explained.

“I got my own photo up there this year and I’m quite proud of that.”

He said he wasn’t going to do it a fourth time this year, but decided at the last minute to give it another whirl. “I’m glad I got motivated again.

“The exercise is good for me and it makes me feel good riding to help young kids battling that terrible disease!”

Stefanik wins kudos for $200,000 grant for new broadband project here

Officials greet good news at fire station

Some of the officials who joined Congresswoman Elise Stefanik at Wednesday's announcement of the $200,000 grant to fund a new broadband system here flank the federal representative in front of one of the fire department's pumpers. On the left were Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce and Town Supervisor Patti Littlefield. On the right were Mayor Paul Maroun and Assemblyman Dan Stec, who is running this fall for Senator Betty Little's position. (Dan McClelland photos)

by Dan McClelland

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik was in town Wednesday to meet with local officials and to discuss all the possibilities for the coming of a new high speed broadband telecommunications system here that a new $200,000 grant to the town will create. The federal representative is a member of the Northern Border Regional Commission which funded the grant for which she lobbied.

The money will permit the Development Authority of the North County (DANC) to install connections to the high-speed fiber optics line installed through Tupper Lake about five years ago to all businesses in the uptown and downtown areas. The new network is expected to be at least ten times faster than current ones available here and can be easily upgraded to speeds 100 times faster in the future. Many homes which aren’t served by the internet right now will be, under the new town plan.

The meeting of about 15 individuals who included Assemblyman Dan Stec, who is running this fall for Senator Betty Little’s seat, Mayor Paul Maroun and Supervisor Patti Littlefield was held in the fire truck bays of the Paul A. Maroun Emergency Services Building. A dozen or so seats were spread out in the central garage bay in front of a table where the congressional representative and Assemblyman Stec sat. Assemblyman Billy Jones joined the meeting via Zoom on a lap top on the table.

Congresswoman Stefanik remembered her visit there five years ago when the $4 million building was officially opened.

“The purpose of today’s event is to highlight the positive news of the Northern Border Regional Commission rural broadband funding for Tupper Lake, ” she began.

“As we all know rural broadband is more important than ever, given our many small businesses who have suffered through the COVID, for local governments struggling to get better broadband but also for our schools as well.”

She called the new money for Tupper Lake and its unique broadband project a bi-partisan effort at the county, state and federal level, noting that Assemblyman Jones, Senator Betty Little and local and county officials had all worked with her on the grant.

“The good news about the Northern Border Regional Commission funds is $200,000 of federal dollars that are going towards 5.5 miles of fiber cable here in Tupper Lake’s business community, plus three wireless hot spots and direct broadband access to 125 unserved homes.”

She said the application was prepared for the town and a committee formed by the town board nearly two years ago by DANC “which is such a critical partner” to communities in the region when it “comes to all sorts of new infrastructure.”

“In addition to my work advocating for the federal funding through the commission, I am also one of the leaders advocating for bi-partisan solutions for rural broadband infrastructure across the region.”

“I’ve introduced legislation with colleagues across the aisle on broadband and for that too on the federal Farm Bill.” She noted that farmers across the region are looking to technology to improve their herds and their crops.

She said part of her work has been with the Federal Communications Commission to “make sure its pot of money” for broadband is shared with New York State.

Ms. Stefanik said there were “issues” at the FCC earlier this year which prevented monies in that agency coming to this state and she said she was instrumental in working with the commissioner to make sure New York State was eligible for its funds for broadband.

“The purpose of today’s event is to talk about why this grant and this project is important for Tupper Lake!”

She opened up the forum to those in attendance that morning.

Assemblyman Dan Stec of Queensbury said “the importance of broadband in our communities cannot be overstated! It is an absolutely critical infrastructure now. It is today what years ago was electricity and the electrification of rural America.”

“That means there is a goal for government to play to bring this important infrastructure to places where it needs to be for its own sake but for the value it adds to property, the economy, public safety and now with issues like telemedicine, so important now with this pandemic.”

Telemedicine is where patients can now see their doctor or a doctor via computer.

“As we all know broadband is so important for the education of our children, and made more important now with the pandemic” and the need for distance learning, he stated.

He said without modern high-speed internet through broadband fiber optics systems like the new trunk line through Tupper Lake, children here “would be at a competitive disadvantage” to children in urban areas that already have high-speed internet.

“It’s an injustice we must continue to work on...it’s complicated work with many moving parts, but I’m absolutely thrilled with the announcement of these grant funds and the work that our congresswoman and all of our partners at all levels have done.”

Assemblyman Billy Jones of Chateaugay said, via computer, that in his assembly office broadband questions and need for better internet service and people getting connected “represent between 30% and 40% of our e-mails and calls.”

The Democrat applauded the Republican congresswoman “for all the work she has done getting this grant and other grants for our small towns and rural neighborhoods “providing projects that are essential to them.”

“Broadband is a utility. It is just as important as putting up the power poles in America at the beginning of last century.”

“This is an essential service that our businesses and our residents need. -And now more than ever with this pandemic it is so important for the distance learning going on in our schools.”

“We will continue to push for essential broadband and internet service- and just not getting it, but getting the proper services for our region.”

He said the satellite-based internet service that many in rural communities have had to depend upon “is just not satisfactory.”

Of today’s leaders in the North Country he said broadband improvements will be the legacy they will leave behind for future generations of families here: “getting connected, getting businesses connected, getting people connected. It is so important in our economic development, in our education and in our health and well being!”

Supervisor Patti Littlefield, whose town board formed a committee headed by Councilman John Quinn which did the leg work for these new funds, called the grant “a win for Tupper Lake that is beyond exciting for us!”

“We have so many people in our tiny little community who still don’t have proper internet service and access. With the schools closed in spring and summer and with the remote learning that is so critical now and the number of travelers who are coming to Tupper Lake to do business here, this is going to be such a boost to our economy. I can’t thank you all enough for participating in and supporting our grant application. The sum of $200,000 is a lot of money for us to get to provide this service to these people and to the community in general for our economic development.”

“Thank you, so much, Elise, for sponsoring this grant application with us, and a big thanks to our partners at DANC.”

She recognized DANC staffer Dave Wolf, a member of the town committee and the man who wrote much of the grant application.

“We are so happy to have our wonderful relationship with the Development Authority.”

The town has partnered with DANC on several successful public works projects here in recent years, most recently the expansion and upgrade of sewer district No. 3 at Tamarac village.

“We had a wonderful committee working on the application which assembled a lot of data for it,” the town supervisor told the group.

Committee members working under Mr. Quinn were Councilman Mike Dechene, Village Trustee Clint Hollingsworth, Community Developer Melissa McManus, Mr. Wolf, Leslie Karasin of the Northern Forest Center, Phil Wagshall, businessman Joe Hockey, Jeremy Evans of the county industrial development agency and Stephanie Ratcliffe of the Wild Center.

“The study the committee did really opened our eyes to the number of people here who do not have the availability for good internet service. With this broadband improvement, we certainly feel this is a win-win for Tupper Lake,” the supervisor concluded.

Mayor and County Legislator Paul Maroun had three points to make that morning.

“People don’t realize how hard it is to win a grant today. The Northern Border Commission does not just represent Tupper Lake. So when we have a congresswoman who can get us a grant for $200,000- just think of all the others who were competing for this money.”

He thanked Congresswoman Stefanik for “all your hard work securing us this money!”

He said her influence as chairwoman of the Northern Border Commission “bore fruit for Tupper Lake” on this important project.

His second point was that “not only education, not only our businesses, but we have many seasonal people here who live on the lake and are from the city and who want to work here more often. With broadband they will be able to stay here longer each year and maybe work right out of Tupper Lake at their lake homes year round.”

“This project has very expansive implications for us!”

He said as a county legislator this will spur the economy and generate more sales tax for the county “to help us keep property taxes down.”

“What the congresswoman has done today is going to affect all of us!”

Dave Wolf, telecommunications manager with DANC thanked the congresswoman for her support in what he said “was a highly competitive” grant application program.

He said of 43 applications from across four Northern states, only eight were funded.

“I know we wouldn’t have won without your support!” he told the house representative.

He applauded too the Town of Tupper Lake board for its initiative. “A lot of what made this happen was the town recognized this issue and established a committee to address it. The group looked at this in detail for over a year and that helped a lot.”

“The town wisely recognized that not only is broadband important but as a town they can work on many unique things.” One important element the town can control is “the affordability” of this new service.

He said DANC has helped many school districts connect to households for good distance learning. Mr. Wolf said one of the obstacles was not its availability, “but that families just couldn’t afford the services that were there.”

“With the town I think they can work through some of those issues” to make services affordable to all residents.

“The goal of this grant was to not just provide broadband to everyone, but to provide it at a lower price!”

“That will be important and the continued growth of the network will also be important!”

Also attending the session that day was Garry Douglas, president and CEO of the North Country Chamber of Commerce, who said the issues of good broadband service and good cell phone service across the region are closely tied together in importance.

The recent pandemic pointed out the desperate need for both, he stressed.

“If anyone was still saying: ‘oh, why should we be spending all this money on the Adirondacks so a few people there can watch movies on their computers’, this pandemic showed that’s not what this issue is all about. This pandemic proved this is now absolute human essential and we cannot have a region like the Adirondacks left out of this human essential!”

He said dispensing medical attention through new telemedicine means via computer was “largely theoretical” before this pandemic. “Insurance companies didn’t want to cover and people were reluctant to use it, but it’s now here!”

He said the pandemic “proved telemedicine was essential in this type of environment. Going forward it will be a key part of how healthcare is delivered, particularly in rural regions like ours. Folks now need access to tele-health...it’s not a choice!”

Mr. Douglas said the reliance of many schools and colleges since mid-March on distance learning has also pointed up the shortcoming of the North Country’s internet systems. “Many students couldn’t connect via the internet and had to go to some aunt’s house who lived somewhere to connect to their classes!”

He said the pandemic showed broadband is essential to life in the region.

It is also vital to business in the region, if it is expected to survive.

“Part of the old mythology of the economy of the North Country and the Adirondacks is that people are eventually going to live wherever they want in the world and they can tele-commute… they’ll do their work at home from the top of a mountain somewhere.”

“That of course is nonsense because we didn’t have broadband or good cell phone service there!”

As the availability of both become more commonplace in New York’s rural regions, that is happening at a good time “as people are exiting the cities in droves.”

He said there is a real estate boom currently underway in the Adirondacks because downstate people want to move to our communities and do their work from their new homes there.

“That trend needs to be supported more than ever by good broadband!”

“Thank you for all of that,” he told Congresswoman Stefanik. “It’s not a convenience now. It is a necessity!”

Of the timeline for the new broadband project here Dave Wolf said the aim is “to get everything up and running before the start of new summer.”

He predicted the new grant contracts would be signed this October or November. All the planning, final designs and equipment procurement for the new local system would be done this winter. Construction could start as early as April, he said, for a firing up of the new system by late May or early June.

Congresswoman Stefanik said during her tenure in Congress the funding for the Northern Border Commission has been substantially increased to permit the awarding of more grants like Tupper’s.

“The other key change I really fought for and was proud to deliver was that initially they only considered the counties right on the border to be part of the Northern Border region. I worded to expand the territory to include all the counties in the 21st congressional district.”

Before, she said, many counties like Warren had huge amounts of tourism reliant on the Canadian border but weren’t considered part of the Northern Border region. “I worked to change things so we were viewed as a region and not by whether our counties” actually touched the border.”

A good example of that benefit was the funding through the Northern Border Commission two years ago for a new cell tower in Old Forge, she said.

As a close to the discussion that morning Supervisor Littlefield said the speed of this current grant application process was amazingly fast.

“I don’t remember another grant that we have done at the town that the process was as smooth and the return so quick! It was not years but months!”

“We rely on grants in Tupper Lake, because we don’t want to hit the taxpayers for new programs we add!”

“Grants are wonderful things and the town and the village has gone after so many of them, a good share of which have been funded!”

The taxpayers have reaped the benefits of many grants awarded to the town and village, she concluded.

Village leaders host open house for new $3 million modern garage

Cutting the ribbon

A host of local officials was on hand to cut the ceremonial ribbon Wednesday during an open house of the $3 million village garage off McLaughlin Ave. Actually cutting the ribbon were Mayor Paul Maroun and Deputy Mayor Leon LeBlanc, at center. From left were Scott Bova of the engineering and architectural firm, The MRB Group, Electric Department Superintendent Mike Dominie, McKayla Hall, project engineer for Murnane Contracting, the general contractor, Village Clerk Mary Casagrain, who purchased the ribbon and the refreshments for the event, Assemblyman Billy Jones, Town Councilman John Quinn, Village code officer Peter Edwards, retired electrical superintendent Marc Staves and deputy village treasurer Jackie St. Louis. (Dan McClelland photo)

by Dan McClelland

Village of Tupper Lake leaders hosted an open house Wednesday afternoon to show off some of the modern and spacious features of the new $3 million village garage that will be the headquarters for the electric department and department of public works. About 40 people attended the event.

The 10,000 square foot plus structure replaces and sits behind the old blue metal garage that served the village and those two departments for 53 years.

Mike Dominie, who now directs the Tupper Lake Electric Department, says the garage sports 10 full size bays, with doors high enough to permit the bucket trucks and other large vehicles the village owns to easily enter and exit. The garage was designed to permit easy drive-through. The majority of the bays with doors on the front and back of the building were designed to permit vehicles to drive in on the one side and exit on the other.

Four of the bays will be allocated to the DPW, including one with a smaller door where a lift will be installed and where the village mechanic will operate, according to Mr. Dominie.

The structure is roomy enough to permit the electric department to store all of its large trucks inside and there's room in the bays of the DPW section to store many of the department's backhoes, loaders and dump trucks. Mr. Dominie noted that some of the DPW's auxiliary equipment will still be parked outside.

The new building is heated by large propane furnaces with hang high in the corners of the mostly open interior.

He predicted the two departments would begin moving in this week, once a few minor things were completed.

The old garage will be razed once everything is moved into the new quarters.

The western end of the building hosts various modern offices for Mr. Dominie, DPW Superintendent Bob DeGrace and the electric department foreman. There are also restrooms, a lobby and a spacious staff room, naturally lit by large windows facing south.

The new garage is larger than the existing one, particularly with the office section if figured in.

Mr. Dominie said the new headquarters has more room for storage of materials both in rooms on the main floor and on a second floor mezzanine. In the old garage, all storage areas were crammed.

Many of the guests that afternoon joined Mayor Paul Maroun and other village leaders in the staff room where several people connected to the project spoke.

The mayor said in the old garage it was commonplace to see raindrops falling inside during rainstorms and in winter months to see steam escaping from the roof as there was little insulation. Ice build-up was a annual problem.

He introduced Scott Bova of the Rochester-based architectural and engineering firm which designed the building, The MRB Group. Also in attendance was McKayla Hall, the project manager representing the general contractor, Murnane Building Contractors of Plattsburgh.

McKayla has a solid Tupper Lake connection. She is the daughter of the former Julie Dechene of this village. She and the firm have moved on to the exterior renovation of the Lake Flower Apartments in Saranac Lake. New vinyl panels are being installed over the brick facade by the Murnane group.

McKayla who lives in Chateaugay has been with the large contractor for four years after graduating with a civil engineering degree from Clarkson.

Also among the guests was Assemblyman Billy Jones, also from Chateaugay.

“Safety here is the priority,” the mayor began, explaining the need for the new garage.

“This thing is all about safety right now.” He said some of the guests that day saw the old, crammed bays in the older garage where Brad Paige, the mechanic, and DPW Chief Bob DeGrace were working that day. “You saw how close everyone was in there.”

“This new garage will also protect the taxpayers as we are going to be able to work on more of our own equipment” in the roomier setting. He said the village will cut down the amount of machinery it has had to send out to private firms for repairs “which will save our taxpayers money.”

He also introduced retired Electrical Superintendent Marc Staves, who he said “started the planning process for the new garage” when he was still with the village. With Marc was his wife Cathy and grandson Caden.

“Marc figured out for us how we were going to do this project!” working with the New York State Power Authority.

Mayor Maroun said Mike Dominie ably took over the project when he succeeded Mr. Staves as superintendent.

The mayor was emphatic that taxpayers dollars haven't been spent on this new building. Instead, he explained, the bond payments have been built into the current rate structure of the department through the electric bills paid by electric customers here. The entire deal was approved by the New York Power Authority, which oversees the village municipal system.

He introduced the electric department's auditor, Bill Freitag, who does the electric department's accounting and who the mayor said “makes sure we have enough money to pay for all of this while keeping our rates as low as possible.”

Mayor Maroun said the preparation for the building would not have been possible without the many contributions of the village treasurer and village clerk, Mary Casagrain. “She doesn't like to have her picture in the paper,” he joked, pointing her out across the room. In this project she was instrumental in keeping constant communications between the engineers, the general contractors and the various subcontractors like Burns Brothers, ENI Mechanical (HVAC) and Weydman Electric. Mary also works with the village's bonding attorney and financial experts to chart the financing in every village project.

“Without Mary this project would not have been possible.”

Mary told him that afternoon kudos were also due to electric department bookkeeper and deputy treasurer Jackie St. Louis, who was in attendance that afternoon.

The mayor also credited the work of Trustee Clinton Hollingsworth, who oversees the electric department but who because of work was unable to attend the event that day.

McKayla Hall, representing Murnane, thanked all the players who worked on the new garage. “A project is only as good as the team” that does it. “We had a good team from all angles!”

She said the overall effort resulted in the completion of what she called “a great building” that will serve the village and its residents for many years.

The MRB Group's Scott Bova said his company's intention was to design a building “that will last for at least 60 or 70 years.”

He said in designing it he and his colleagues had “to think into the future.”

“Seeing the working conditions (in the old garage) you had before, it is very apparent that this building is well deserved.”

Mr. Bova applauded “the collaboration” his firm enjoyed with the village board and the village electric department.”

“We met with Marc a number of times at first and then later Mike.”

He said the various parties involved in the project met regularly and collaborated well which, he felt, contributed to the overall success of the project.

Assemblyman Billy Jones told the group “a lot of hard work” goes into projects like this one. “There are many tough days and tough evenings talking over what you want and how to best serve this community.” He said the final product is strong evidence it will serve the community well for many years.

“Anyone who has ever been involved in these sorts of projects knows they are a lot of work.”

He called the new garage a great collaborative effort between some of those in the room that day and the community at large.

“At the end of the day it's about what a beautiful product you have here!”

“-And it's all about serving the community!”

“All of you should be very proud of it...and it will service the community for many years,” he concluded.

When the mayor opened the session up for questions the Free Press publisher said the “main reason the old building failed was its lack of insulation” and a constant ice build-up on the roof over the bays each winter. “You are not anticipating any ice problems?” Mr. McClelland asked.

Mr. Bova said he wasn't. “This building was entirely designed and constructed with insulated metal panels which provide continuous insulation of all wall and roof sections.”

“We've been doing this building construction type for about eight years. We don't get ice. Our buildings are very tight. You also save operationally (heating costs) on these types of buildings.”

“This is a well insulated structure.”

Marc Staves noted that one of the things they discovered in their planning for the new building several years ago was “that the snow-load capacity of the old garage was much less than what is required for this climate.” He noted the old garage was designed for the snow load seen typically in warmer states, and joked: “Somewhere south of the Blue Line.”

Before moving outside for the cutting of a ribbon, Town Councilman John Quinn expressed his board's congratulations to the village on the new building and its contractors “for a job well done. It will be a welcome asset to the community!”

Mayor Maroun noted that both village and town electric customers in the local municipal electric system will pay for the new building through their electric rates in the years ahead.

There were trays of cookies and such for the guests to enjoy that day, after the ribbon-cutting.

Speaking afterwards Mr. Bova said the building had been designed into three sections by fire areas, each with independent sprinkler systems.

The bottom five feet or so of the exterior was done in decorative masonry block “to keep the insulated panels off the ground,” he told the small crowd. The blocks will make it easier to maintain the building over the years, he added.

Insulation was also installed behind the block.

The insulated panels were all completely connected right up to the ridge line on the roof and hung on the metal skeleton of the building's framework.

“The thicker panels can span wider distances,” Mr. Bova said, adding they were designed to “handle all the lateral loads. It's a nice system!”

He said the building was “sized three bays wide” for more room parking and servicing all the vehicles.

Mr. Bova said the cathedral-style ceilings in each of the bays gives a lot more height room for the often tall trucks and when they are lifted on hoists for repairs.

“With this roof it also afforded room for a mezzanine” in the DPW area with storage areas beneath it.

Mr. Bova said because all the bay areas of the new garage are all open without partitions so there is plenty of room for employees to work on the trucks. “That promotes employee safety.”

He also noted that windows in the bay doors and reflective materials used to decorate the interior add to the lighting in the building so everything is bright inside.

He expects the building will be very efficient to heat, despite the many doors.

His firm chose unit heaters hung from the ceilings, believing they were the best way to heat the building. “They are very efficient. We found that unit heaters are the most efficient way to bring the building up to temperature again when the doors are opened. It is a quicker recovery time.”

He said they did not propose in-floor heat for the building “because its heat recovery time is very slow.”

Mr. Bova said had in-floor heating been installed it would have been warmer for mechanics and other employees working on their trucks, “but the unit heaters are the best of both worlds.”

“When you have this many doors and when they are opened, all the heat goes out so you want to be able to recover quickly.”

“The trucks will enjoy the heating system. They will start easily.”

He said the entire concrete floor was treated with a special sealant to prevent oil and other materials from penetrating it.

The floors in each bay are sloped to a run in the center to a long drain which leads to a water separator in the building which he said was easy to maintain.

In all aspects of the building, most of the finishes on the walls and counters of the building, while they look elaborate in place, “were all conventional. We were very creative in using economical materials in a very creative ways!”

He said he thought Murnane Contracting did a very good job finding the right materials to produce the “finishes” in the building that the designers wanted.

“All in all I think it is going to be a very enjoyable building” for all who work there, he concluded.

The MRB Group is headquartered in Rochester but it has offices in Syracuse and Saratoga Springs too.

Moose on the Loose around town

There's plenty of colorful, two-dimensional moose around town this week as part of Tupper Lake Arts “Moose on the Loose” project. More than 30 special moose, hand-painted by many local artists, are scattered around town in front of many local businesses.

The following photos show a sample of the great pieces.

The moose will be all herded up today and corralled in two places: on Thursday at Raquette River Brewing from noon to closing and Friday in the municipal park across from McDonald's from noon to 5p.m.

There art lovers can participate in a silent auction of the unique animals. All proceeds will benefit Tupper Arts and its great work here. Auction winners will be announced Friday.

They will be available for pick-up by the high bidders at the arts center on Park St. Saturday and Sunday.

New exhibit “Relatively Speaking” opens at Tupper Arts Center

By Rich Rosentreter

A new exhibit titled “Relatively Speaking, the Burnett/Ketcham Family Art Show,” opened Wednesday at the Tupper Arts Center on Park Street and the four-person art exhibit and sale will run through September 7. The show is free and the gallery is open from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.

The exhibit contains the artwork of four artists - Matt Burnett, Amy Coddington-Burnett, Melissa Grant and Randy Ketcham - who are all related and “share a love of the Adirondacks and the art it inspires.” In addition to the regular art show, on Thursday, there will be a Meet the Artists reception during the center’s hours of operation and the artists will be on-hand to answer questions and discuss their creations. Masks and social distancing is required at the arts center.

The artists

The Burnetts and Ketchams are members of a creative family as “music, theatre, crafts and the arts were always encouraged, and a do-it-yourself ethic was passed down from our parents and grandparents,” it reads in the artists' biographies page. “From knitting, basket-making, and community theatre to playing organ for the Methodist church, we were always encouraged to work with our hands.”

The following are artist profiles as found on the Tupper Arts Center website:

Matt Burnett is long known for his oil paintings of the Adirondack Wilderness. Fueled by inspiration from his childhood at Whitney Park and his years as an Assistant Forest Ranger in the Western High Peaks, his works recall solitary wilderness experiences in woods, mountains and water from the Adirondacks and other wild places including Maine, Nova Scotia, and the Alps.

Melissa Grant (Burnett) is Matt’s sister and started painting much more recently, around 2010. In her oil compositions, she employs a finely blended photoreal style. She is particularly drawn to sunsets and waterscapes, although she also doesn’t shy away from portraits of animals or people.

Randy V. Ketcham, (a.k.a. uncle weirdo) learned woodcraft and do-it-yourself craft from his parents, Betty and Sam Ketcham. He later attended the Lake Placid Institute of Art (now Lake Placid Center for the Arts) studying painting, photography,  printmaking and writing . The progressive atmosphere there, combined with mis-pent late teen and early adult years would lead to a slightly warped view of the world. A shameless dumpster-diver, he enjoys creating “fringe art” from found discarded objects that speak to him. He currently sells rustic twig and birch frames, mirrors signs, and other Adirondacky stuff at craft fairs in Keene Valley, Westport, Blue Mountain Lake and other places at his booth Lucky Dog Twig Worx.

Amy Coddington-Burnett (Matt’s spouse) also grew up in a creative family, her parents both involved with community theatre, music, and community organizations like the Eastern Star. She first came to the Lake Pleasant area as a child on vacation, then more frequently when her parents moved to Long Lake in the 1980s. Amy studied graphic design at Virginia Tech and worked for many years at the Smithsonian in Washington DC before moving to Saranac Lake with Matt in 2002. Amy’s visual work incorporates collage, drawing, painting, sowing, grommeting and many other processes, mixing styles and motifs with cheek and humor.