New town board agrees to permit county elections board to move voting here to Aaron Maddox Hall

by Dan McClelland

The new Town of Tupper Lake town board agreed in a split vote last week to permit the Franklin County Board of Elections to move its single polling place here from the former Holy Ghost Academy to the town-owned Aaron Maddox Hall.

Republican Elections Commissioner Tracy Sparks was at Thursday's meeting to make a case for the move.

In recent years all of Tupper Lake's voters have voted in the same place- the former parochial school on Marion Ave.

“We've been using HGA for a long time. It's been an awesome place and Terry Doolen (as caretaker) has been amazing,” Mrs. Sparks began that evening.

“We were paying a small fee” for the use of the premises on primary and election days “which was fine.” She said her county agency was willing to continue using the place at that rate of rent.

She said in December, after the county budget was already approved, the fee was doubled by church leaders to $200.

“That's not a lot for the board of elections to pay,” she admitted.

She said her office is currently working on a new consolidation plan for voting districts in the county. Recent state election law changes now allow for 2,000 voters for every election district. That new formula means that Tupper Lake's five election districts can be reduced to three, she explained to the town leaders that evening.

Going forward will be one full-town district and two village election districts.

A number of years ago the number of districts in Tupper Lake was reduced from six to five.

The county board of elections office has now fully embraced the poll pad system. “No longer, when a person goes to the polls to vote, are there books to sign.” The poll pads eliminate the need for a voter to even know their polling district, she noted.

“So the amount of space we now need for checking purposes has also decreased.”

Mrs. Sparks explained that the space available in the town-owned Aaron Maddox Hall is now adequate to accommodate all Tupper Lake voting on general election and primary days.

She said spacing requirements were carefully examined by her and her fellow election commissioner, as was accessibility to the building.

Mrs. Sparks said even though the new $200 charge is not excessive, “we don't feel it is a good taxpayer-funded cost.”

All the costs of the county's election operations are charged back to the towns, it was noted in the discussion that evening.

“We're fortunate in Tupper Lake to have the Aaron Maddox Hall which can easily accommodate the number of voters we now have.”

The current Tupper Lake vote count is about 3,300 voters- “give or take some,” she estimated that evening.

The biggest voter turn-out here during a recent presidential election was about 2,600 people, when about 80% of eligible voters here voted at the HGA, according to Mrs. Sparks.

The plan would be to use the Aaron Maddox Hall proper for the voting. The rear ramp into the senior citizen part of the building would provide “the accessibility” for all voters.

The building, she said, would generally be used two days a year- the primary in June and for November's general election.

Every four years, she said, the building would be used three days a year, with the third day being the presidential primary that April. Some years the building would be only used for voting one day when there were no primary contests.

On voting days the building would be open from 6a.m. to 9p.m. and elections officials would need time before and after the voting hours for preparation and procedural work, she told the town leaders.

“It will be easier for us to have a smaller area to use.”

Responding to a question from Councilwoman Tracy Luton, she said she has already talked with Adult Center Director Ray Bigrow about “the accessibility” to the place through his part of the building.

“Did he have any concerns about disturbing the lunches served the seniors?” Ms. Luton wondered.

Mrs. Sparks said Mr. Bigrow thought arrangements could be worked out to accommodate all parties.

“We use several other adults centers around the county for voting...and there haven't been any issues there!”

She said most people would enter the building via the front entrance off Main Street. The rear ramped entrance would only be for those with special accessibility needs.

Mrs. Sparks admitted said they also considered using a bay or bays in the fire station portion of the Emergency Services Building as a possible site. “The concern there is, while we could open up a bay and move a truck or trucks out, if there was a fire, and some voter had temporarily parked out in front, that could be a concern.”

In an election where a large turn-out resulted, like in a presidential election, parking near the building and the need to move emergency vehicles in and out of the immediate area could result in problems, she suggested.

She noted too during the 2020 presidential election, the average wait time per voter at the polls was about 25 minutes.

“So I certainly don't want cars blocking emergency vehicles here.”

“-And God forbid, should someone forget where they parked and were wandering about after voting and something were to happen!”

Supervisor Clint Hollingsworth said that one of his concerns with the relocation plan was that the new site was “right on the main street, on a busy corner.” By contrast, he said, the Marion Ave. site is in a quiet neighborhood with a very spacious parking lot.

“If it was a nasty evening in November,” safe access in and out of the hall could be a problem, he thought.

“I know there's a parking lot there, but the HGA parking lot accommodates many more cars.” He added that the emergency services building has a large parking area, as does the civic center a short distance away.

Mrs. Sparks reminded the board members that the Aaron Maddox Hall was a traditional voting place for the two junction election districts here for many years prior to the centralization of voting at the HGA site.

Using it again, she suggested, may present some historical significance for some here. She said too many years ago more voters voted in that two-poll site, than will in all the districts now.

She said too that while the HGA request is not a huge amount, it comes at a time when her agency has been dealing with dozens and dozens of state election law changes, which each come with increased costs to her agency's budget.

The Marion Ave. site was the only one in the county that the elections board had to pay rent to use. The rest are free, she told the town lawmakers.

“Normally we haven't minded, but doubling the fee is concerning,” despite how accommodating Terry and others have been there.

Councilman Rick Donah asked Mrs. Sparks when she needed a decision from the town board. “Do we need to make this decision tonight?” he asked her.

The elections commissioner said that all information about poll sites needs to be in the hands of the state board of elections by March 1. Inter-county poll decisions need to be in place by the second or third week of February.

Councilwoman Tracy Luton didn't see any problem with the Aaron Maddox Hall site. “A good number of people can park on Water Street” or on Main Street. She thought the town quarters could accommodate even a large election turnout some future year. “I'm okay with it!” She made the motion and it was seconded by Mary Fontana.

A motion to permit the board of elections to use the town building passed four to one with the dissenting vote coming from Rick Donah, who said he thought the HGA quarters more easily accommodates more people, and particularly elderly voters with its ground level entrance.

Mrs. Sparks told the local lawmakers that the reason her office likes to use senior citizen centers for polling places is that they are specifically designed to accommodate elderly people. Many, she said, have received state and federal grants to make sure they are fully handicapped accessible and have greatly benefitted from that assistance.

She speculated too if there was a conflict between election use of the building and the delivery of meals on wheels, meals could be doubled up the day before an election event, similar to the way senior citizen centers double up Fridays to include weekend meals to recipients.

Interior renovations planned at train station this winter for train traffic next summer; museum looking for new home

by Dan McClelland

In preparations for the coming of train excursions here next summer will be renovations to the interior of the Tupper Lake train station off Depot Street in coming weeks.

The Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society, which has been charged by the New York State Department of Transportation with operating the new tourist train line, anticipates the first train to roll into town on July 4. From that point on there will be various trips up and down the Adirondack line to and from Tupper and from points south like Big Moose, Remsen and Utica.

Various train excursions from Tupper Lake for special dining and other events are planned by the not for profit railroad operators, starting next summer. There will also be rail bikes for rent, out of the Tupper Lake station.

In order to adapt the interior of the historic train station into a working station, ARPS is planning to engage a local contractor to erect partitions and such to provide offices for the volunteers who will work there selling tickets and such and serving train-traveling patrons.

According to Bob Hest, who with Jim Ellis and Al Dunham are three members of the ARPS board who live in the area, the design of the new offices and visitor areas inside the station will be historic in nature, in keeping with the building's 1895-era architecture.

The photo above left shows a nearly empty great room of the Tupper Lake train station this week, in anticipation of interior construction work in the weeks ahead by the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society.

For the past three years the train station has been home to the Tupper Lake Museum, which delighted visitors with its local artifacts. Nearly 1,000 visitors have enjoyed its historical offerings each of the past two summers.

So that the place can really become a train station this coming summer, the museum volunteers have been working diligently in recent weeks bundling up the museum's many possessions into carefully labelled boxes for moving day last Thursday.

The museum leaders contracted with Madden's Transfer and Storage that day to move all the artifacts and its display cases into clean and dry storage at several sites around town.

Museum President Kathleen Lefebvre said Bill Madden and his staff were all very careful in loading and unloading the museum's keepsakes. The laborious moving event took over eight hours. The photo above right shows the Madden trucks backed up to the train station doors.

One of the temporary storage places is the former Hyde Fuel gas station on Demars Blvd., the premises generously loaned out by a museum board member, Marlene Hyde, and her husband Tom. Office space and storage areas were also made available to the museum group at Ivy Terrace by the board members of the Tupper Lake Housing Authority and the Ivy Terrace staff.

Plans are currently underway by Mrs. Lefebvre and her board members to find a permanent home for the Tupper Lake Museum- so that it will never have to be moved again.

Discussions are currently underway with several local property owners and their real estate representatives.

A fundraising campaign to raise the money needed to buy a building on a main thoroughfare here that would be suitable for a local museum is expected to be launched in coming weeks. Watch for details of that!

Woodmen Life chapter helping to bring Homeward Bound retreat closer to reality

The officers of WoodmenLife chapter 1024 based here in Tupper Lake were both happy and joyous to be able to put the money of its members to work in assisting the campaign of Homeward Bound Adirondacks to build its new veterans retreat center. Presenting HBA president Mark Moeller (right) with a giant $10,000 check on the steps of Community Bank last week were from left WoodmenLife officers Phil Wagschal, Joanne Wilber, Rick and Judy Wilburn and John Ellis. (Dan McClelland photo)

by Dan McClelland

A $10,000 gift was made last week to the campaign of Homeward Bound Adirondacks to help it build its new retreat to help disabled veterans recover from their injuries. The major donation was made by the officers of Tupper Lake's WoodmenLife Lodge Chapter 1024.

The giant-sized version of the check was presented last Monday by the lodge's board to Homeward Bound chapter board chairman, Mark Moeller on the steps of Tupper Lake's Community Bank. Friday marked Mr. Moeller last day as bank manager on the occasion of his retirement.

The following is a statement released with their gift to Homeward Bound last week by the WoodmenLife lodge officers: John Ellis, Phil Wagschal, Judy and Rick Wilburn and Joanne Wilber.

“As the pandemic goes on, it creates different needs in our communities. In many ways, it makes things worse, like the situations of homeless people, that less fortunate veterans or their families face when it gets colder outside, and the needs of every day living and medical support. So local chapters of WoodmenLife across the nation are making it just a little warmer with more help in our 'Shelter with Care' campaign.

“Even though we have suspended all in-person community activities, we are still living out our values, like supporting our communities in other ways during these uncertain times. Your future Adirondack Veteran Retreat Center in Malone project is perfect! The additional services you are providing also shows your cause is leading to results!

“We want people to know that WoodmenLife is here to lend a hand, so we were encouraged as a chapter to make monetary donations to homeless shelters or other organizations that assist anyone in need. Certainly, the addition of your capital campaign for the retreat center site and your increased essential services now in our North Country area is remarkable! Your group, simply put, is the vital link to fulfilling the multiple needs of our veterans through advocacy. Perhaps our donation on behalf of all WoodmenLife members in our communities will honor our veterans that your projects serve.

“Please accept this $10,000 donation from your local WoodmenLife chapter 1024 in order to to help support the capital campaign and everyday services you provide. Thank you for your board leadership, multiple volunteers and the staff at Homeward Bound Adirondacks. Your efforts bring our veterans a brighter and warmer day. But more importantly, helping them to independent living is where you shine!”

About WoodmenLife chapter 1024: Since April 1, 2019 the WoodmenLife fraternal chapter or members' community support connection was re-organized. Its officers are John Ellis, president, Phil Wagschal, vice president, Judy Wilburn, secretary, Joanne Wilber, treasurer and Rick Wilburn, auditor. The group's mailing address is P.O. Box 1136, since it has no physical location at this time.

The chapter's area of service is basically all of Franklin County and nearby areas where chapter members reside. The chapter board meets four times a year to transact business. However, during the pandemic there have been no public gatherings of the membership or the board, which operates electronically.

WoodmenLife was founded in 1890 as a not for profit. The organization gives back to its nearly 700,000 members, who are joined together in a shared commitment to family, community and country.

In a letter last month Mark Moeller appealed to the community for help with its current project, the creation of a permanent home on its recently acquired 105-acre tract south of Malone.

The new place will be called the Sgt. Carlton A. Clark Veterans Center. Sgt. Clark of Vermont was a 22 year old member of the 101st Airborne Division killed in Baghdad, Iraq killed in 2006 during combat operations.

In his letter Mr. Moeller wrote that “almost two decades of war has taken its toll on the many individuals serving our country in uniform. PTSD, depression, anxiety, isolation, traumatic brain injuries, physical disabilities and intolerable rates of suicide has brought us to a critical point.

“To address the needs of our veterans, Homeward Bound Adirondacks (HBA) was formed. It is a private, community-based not for profit veterans' service organization located in Saranac Lake. With a small, dedicated board of volunteer directors and a mental health professional who serves as our executive, we are focused on helping veterans and their families.

“Funding for all we do comes from grants and through the generosity of donors who believe in our mission. We are proud to boast an overhead of less than 3%. That means over 97% of all the money we receive directly benefits veterans. Over the years we have been able to provide referrals to community services, transportation to medical and mental health appointments, emergency grants and assistance for veterans and their families including those facing homelessness, hunger and thoughts of suicide, restorative weekend retreats that provided hope and healing for hundreds of veterans dealing with the physical and mental injuries resulting from their services to our country. These retreats are free of charge to the veteran and offered through the support of our donors.

“How can you help Homeward Bound Adirondacks? HBA has begun a capital campaign to build the structures needed on our new property to host weekend retreats for up to 20 people. Donations will help HBA to develop and maintain a retreat site in the Adirondacks which means HBA will reach more veterans in need.

To support the mission of HBA, people are asked to visit Homewardboundadirondacks.org and hit the donate button. Donations of any size are appreciated and begin at levels of $25.

Middle/High school winter concert entertains parents, families

by Rich Rosentreter

The Tupper Lake high school held its Winter Concert on December 14 as the band and chorus entertained family and friends with holiday and other music in the high school auditorium.

The concert got under way with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner followed by a performance by the chorus under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Cordes. They began with “Alleluia, Alleluia!” and continued with “White Winter Hymnal,” “Larger Than Life” and a song originally done by John Lennon and Yoko Ono titled “Happy Xmas,” with solos by Shae Arsenault, Hannah Barber, Ayden Rabideau, Hailey Bissonette, Raegan Fritts, Sophia Staves, Jamin Whitmore, Emileigh Smith and Lowden Pratt.

Next on stage was the high school band under the direction of Mrs. Laura M. Davison. The band performed “Chameleon,” “Duel of the Fates,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Christmas Vacation” and “The Polar Express.”

Members of the high school chorus are as follows:

Seniors: Hailey Bissonette, soprano; Aiden Dattoma, baritone; Morgan Dewyea, alto; Lowden Pratt, tenor; Emileigh Smith, alto; Trista Strader-Moore, soprano; Jenna Switzer, soprano

Juniors: Genna Carmichael, soprano; Emily Roberts, soprano (Area All-State); Jamin Whitmore, baritone.

Sophomores: Shae Arsenault, alto; Cody Auclair, tenor; Michael Baker, baritone; Katherine Barkley, soprano; Garrett Dewyea, baritone; Raegan Fritts, soprano (Area All-State); Abby Rogers, alto; Peyton Williams, tenor.

Freshmen: Hannah Barber, soprano; Elli Dukett, soprano; Samantha Flagg, alto; Amira Foster, alto; Genavieve LaScala, alto; Charels Levey, baritone; Dane O’Connor, baritone; Ayden Rabideau, tenor; Sophia Staves, soprano; Taylor Stoll, soprano; Nevaeh Toohey, soprano; and Sadie Tower, soprano.

Members of the High School Band are as follows:

Seniors: Karen Bujold, flute; Morgan Dewyea, flute; Emileigh Smith, flute; Johnathan Jauron, bass clarinet; Nolan Savage, bari sax (Area All-State); Lowden Pratt, trumpet; Dawson Symonds, tuba.

Juniors: Olivia Ellis, flute; Meika Nadeau, tenor sax and flute (Area All-State); Jamin Whitmore, alto sax; Angela Bujold, percussion; Kylie Mashtare, percussion.

Sophomores: Peyton Williams, flute; Kylie Rohrbach, tenor sax and flute; Raegan Fritts, clarinet; Margaux-Angel Flagg, alto sax; Emily Bissonette, trombone; Tory Amell, tuba.

Freshmen: Mary Becker, flute; Nevaeh Toohey, flute; Hannah Barber, alto sax; CJ Levey, bari sax; Dillon Boudreau, trumpet; Dane O’Connor, mallet percussion; Ayden Rabideau, percussion (Area All-State).

Middle school winter concert brings season alive

by Rich Rosentreter

The Tupper Lake middle school held its Winter Concert on December 16 with members of the band and chorus entertaining family and friends in the high school auditorium.

The concert started with the playing of the Star Spangled Banner followed by the performance of the 7th and 8th grade chorus. The students performed “Shine Like Stars,” I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas,” “Cantar!” and “Winter Lullaby.”

Next on stage was the 7th and 8th grade band, which performed “Theme from Spiderman,” “Saxes Take the Lead,” and “Up on the Housetop.”

The 6th grade chorus were next and started with “Seize the Day,” which included solos by Molly Hales, Aubrey Bissonette, Eliza Bujold, Odessa Holmes, Lacey Pickering, Lyla Robillard and Lylah Fuller. They also performed “Snow is Falling” and “Give Us Hope.”

Finally, the 6th grade band performed “Cowboy Cattle Drive” and Jolly Old St. Nicholas.”

The chorus was directed by Mrs. Elizabeth Cordes and the band was directed by Mrs. Laura M. Davison.

Members of the 8th grade chorus are as follows: Joelle Bedore, part 2; Hannah Callaghan, part 2; Haylee Callaghan, part 1; Antwon Gachowski, part 3; Morgan Lohr, part 2; Casper Pratt, part 2; Tanner Varden, part 3.

Members of the 7th grade chorus are as follows: Ash Barber, part 2; Ethan Barkley, part 2; Jeevika Branchaud, part 1; Heather Bujold, part 1; Olivia Chesbrough, part 1; Odelia Combs, part 1; Brittany Curry, part 2; Adrianna Dattola, part 1; Ava Facteau, part 1; Mya Fortier, part 1; Aubriana Giacovelli, part 2; Bug LaVigne, part 2; Abbygail Stalhammar, part 1; Payton Stevens, part 1; Alaina Strack, part 2; Lacey Tarbox, part 1; Brianna Towne, part 1; Blake Wagner, part 2; Mary Wood, part 2.

Members of the 8th grade band are as follows: Alison Richer, clarinet; Casper Pratt, bass clarinet; Brock Fleishman, alto saxophone; Averie Switzer, trumpet; Antwon Gachowski, trombone

Members of the 7th grade band are as follows: Brittany Curry, flute; Ava Facteau, flute; Heather Bujold, clarinet; Jeevika Branchaud, alto saxophone; Brianna Towne, alto saxophone; Sean Wood, alto saxophone; Ethan Barkley, tenor saxophone; Kendyl Hanna, euphonium; Aubriana Giacovelli, percussion; Bug LaVigne, percussion; Shanlee Ricker, percussion.

Members of the 6th grade chorus are as follows: Aubrey Bissonette, part 1; Eliza Bujold, part 1; Lylah Fuller, part 1; Molly Hales, part 1; Odessa Holmes, part 2; Raegan Hudak, part 1; Rylee Kennedy, part 2; Nicholas LaPlante, part 2; Lacey Pickering, part 2; Rena Reandeau, part 1; Addison Roberts, part 1; Lyla Robillard, part 2; Noah Switzer, part 2.

Members of the 6th grade chorus are as follows: Eliza Bujold, flute; Raegan Hudak, flute; Rylee Kennedy, clarinet; Rylee Preston, clarinet; Memphis Collegian, alto saxophone; Nicholas LaPlante, trumpet; Bryce Richer, trumpet; Kristoff Rohrbach, trumpet; Noah Switzer, trumpet; Odessa Holmes, mallet percussion; Lyla Robillard, mallet percussion; Taylor Dewyea, percussion; Levi Harrison, percussion; Logan Lohr, percussion; Kamden White, percussion.

Kiwanis Club making Christmas better for many children

In a Christmas tradition that began decades ago with Dan and Issy Cassell and their Cassell of Toys, members of the Tupper Lake Kiwanis Club, which took it over some years ago, have been working like busy elves all year long gathering gifts. On Saturday morning, all those gifts for local girls and boys were moved downstairs from their headquarters above the VFW Post to be loaded onto Santa's sled. Deliveries of boxes full of toys went to many families that morning and to children whose holidays were made brighter by them. Shown above were the masked Kiwanis Club Castle of Toys volunteers who had just finished loading the sleigh and below was Santa saluting their efforts. Photos by Dan McClelland.

Village wins $10 million DRI grant to help build business

Mayor Paul Maroun and Assistant Secretary to Governor Kathy Hochul, Barbara Rice of Saranac Lake, display an enlarged replica of the $10 million headed to Tupper Lake in coming months. Beside Paul was was his old boss, Senator Betty Little, who came up from Queensbury that day to help Tupper Lake officials celebrate the good news. Behind Mayor Maroun and Mrs. Rice were Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Billy Jones. (Dan McClelland photos)

by Dan McClelland

Perhaps the best news to hit Tupper Lake and its businesses in decades was the announcement that the Village of Tupper's New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) application was funded to the tune of $10 million.

The grant money will go to create new businesses here and expand existing ones in coming years in the target area. While the state's DRI program has been around for a number of years, this was the first year the village applied.

Mayor Paul Maroun, who helped shepherd the coming windfall for local businesses in the uptown district and along Demars Blvd., was smiling ear to ear Friday afternoon at Tupper Arts center when Governor Kathy Hochul's representative, Barbara Rice of Saranac Lake delivered the good news.

The money which will be channelled through the North Country Regional Economic Development Council in coming years will help develop a dozen or more business expansions and commercial development projects in the village's Park Street business district and along Demars Blvd to the town hall.

Mrs. Rice, a former county legislator representing Saranac Lake and now assistant secretary to the governor on matters of economic development, told about 40 local and regional officials and leading citizens here she was “super excited to be in Tupper Lake that afternoon” on behalf of the new governor.

She introduced some of the state dignitaries in the spaced out seating area- including Senator Dan Stec, Assemblyman Billy Jones and former Senator Betty Little.

“The last 20 months have been tough on all New Yorkers. All of our lives have been upended by the pandemic and here in New York we are still recovering...mentally, emotionally and financially. That's why I'm so proud to be here today to make this announcement.”

“On behalf of Governor Hochul it is my distinct pleasure to announce that Tupper Lake has been awarded a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

Loud, sustained clapping ensued.

She said New York's DRI “will invest $200 million in downtowns statewide. The DRI program, led by the department of state, is a cornerstone of the state's economic development policy by transforming downtown neighborhoods into vibrant centers of activity. This program will do many things here in the North Country. It will boost the local economy, attract tourists and regional visitors which will increase commerce for businesses and restaurants, create jobs, improve quality of life so residents and visitors can enjoy revitalized and renewed downtown areas.

“This award is truly unique for Tupper Lake. The DRI allows communities to re-imagine themselves for the better!

“-And it's all because Tupper Lake believed in itself and its community! -And this is one more sign of locals' ambition to grow their community.”

Mrs. Rice said the proposed goals of each DRI are ambitious and “that's testament to what Tupper Lake can become. The DRI is a shining example of what communities can do if they believe in themselves.

“And as we rebuild from the pandemic our downtown revitalization initiative is bringing a renewed sense of hope to communities across the state- especially in Tupper Lake!”

“The DRI will help transform these communities and build resiliency to come back stronger through the pandemic.”

She said the Tupper Lake community and its leaders will come together over the next several months to determine the projects they will support and how “they want to re-imagine” their downtown areas.

“Governor Hochul and I are so excited to see what projects get selected. -And I'm so excited for Tupper Lake!”

More loud clapping from the audience, as Mrs. Rice leaves the podium.

Mayor Paul Maroun, who has been working on the DRI project for several years, offered the community's thanks to Governor Hochul “for putting her confidence in Tupper Lake and our plan and our future. He also thanked the North Country Regional Economic Development group for its support of the village's application.

“This has been a hard road and we have worked hard. I would be remiss if I didn't mention a few key people. “These things don't just happen out of the air. Without help of Melissa McManus (Tupper Lake community development coordinator) who put this program together,” wouldn't have happened.

He recognized too Village Code Enforcement Officer Peter Edwards who he said “pushed us through” the various steps of the application.

The mayor also stressed “that if it hadn't been for Village Clerk Mary Casagrain” this wouldn't have happened.

“The other person in this room who I want to thank, because she has expanded my abilities in government over the years and who put a lot of money here through state grants over the years and who has had great faith in Tupper Lake over the years and who loves Tupper Lake: Senator Betty Little.”

The mayor also had great praise for the assistant secretary, Mrs. Rice.

“She was the daughter of my good friend Gail Rogers Rice, a past president of North Country Community College. So I called her 'the daughter' for a time. Then she got elected to the county legislature and I called her 'my colleague.' She said next to me on that board for six years. Then I had to call her 'chairman' was she was elected chairman of the legislature. Now the biggest honor I can give her- and especially someone who says they are going to give me $10 million, is to call her State Secretary Rice.”

“Now there's a lot of work to be done. We have a lot of great projects that we put forth in our application.”

The mayor turned the audience's attention to copies of a speech he delivered to the board of directors of the North Country Economic Development Council this past September 10. See his comments on our editorial page this week.

“The speech shows what work went into our application. The village board and the town board and the Franklin County board stood behind us, as also did Assemblyman Jones and Senator Stec, to move this along!”

“We have shovel-ready projects. We have hotels waiting to be build. We have an OWD complex waiting to be redone to create 90 new housing units. We have this arts center where you are standing today which does all sorts of cultural things we never had before. We have great things already happening on this main street in the DRI area.

“I want to thank Governor Hochul, madam secretary and I wanted to thank everyone for coming today!”

“Congratulations, Tupper Lake. This is fantastic news!” Senator Dan Stec announced when he was invited by the mayor to the podium.

More sustained clapping.

He too thanked Governor Hochul and the regional economic development council members.

He called the state's economic development strategy through its regional economic development councils “one of the brighter spots in each state budget” since he joined the state legislature.

Senator Stec said with that regional plan in place he knew the North Country would eventually benefit and “move the needle in our communities” to progress. “I fought hard to keep” the regional approach to economic development in the state budgets I have worked on and will continue to keep funding for them there.

“We know these projects in our North Country communities are great investments. They are well managed and well organized. -And they are certainly needed. They are safe investments to put in our communities!”

“They are particularly safe when they are put in the hands of someone as trusted as Mayor Paul Maroun, the village board and community leaders here that have really been churning on these projects and trying to put this application together. As Paul pointed out, it doesn't happen by itself!

“As a representative that doesn't live in Tupper Lake I learned early on how important Tupper Lake is and how (improvements) to the downtown will have a ripple effect on the entire region. This is a wonderful investment and I'm both delighted and thrilled Tupper Lake won this funding.”

He offered his assistance and the assistance of his office to move many of these projects along. “We stand ready to help you anyway we can!”

Assemblyman Billy Jones called it a great day for Tupper Lake and called on everyone in the room to give themselves applause for the work that has been done here to ready the community for this major grant.

“When I started out in the legislature a number of years ago I began coming down here to meet with Paul and others. You could feel that good things were coming to Tupper Lake. I want to congratulate you Paul, your village board and everyone here- and Melissa, of course, for all the work you have put into this. This big check just doesn't come overnight...a lot of work goes into it!”

“Everyone in this room has been a part of that effort! Congratulations to all of you. This is the second award of its kind in Franklin County.” He reminded the audience of Saranac Lake's successful win several years ago.

“It's been the third one in my district in the past couple of years!”

“As Senator Stec said: 'this is good stuff' because you are putting the grant money into local peoples' hands...people who know the community and know what the community needs!

“Congratulations, Tupper Lake. There's a lot of good projects going on already and this will only move those forward and may have a few new ones too, I assume, he said looking at the mayor.

“It's a great day to be in Tupper Lake and I look forward to the many good things that will come out of this!”

As the short ceremony closed, Mayor Paul Maroun said he will be inviting the new governor up here soon “to see all the good things we're doing!”

Jacks play first hockey game in years; fall in opener but win second match

By Rich Rosentreter

The Tupper Lake Lumberjacks varsity hockey team hit the ice for the first time since the 2015-16 season as they started a new campaign on home ice, unfortunately the locals dropped the opener 11-2 on December 1 to the Potsdam Sandstoners. The local boys, however, bounced back on December 3 with a 4-3 triumph over the Norwood-Norfolk Flyers. The win was the first for Tupper Lake since topping Malone during the 2015 season.

Against the Sandstoners, the ‘Jacks fell behind early and appeared to become demoralized after being pumped up when the puck was dropped to start the action.

Potsdam jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first period, and as the period ended, first-year coach Broyce Guerette said his team may have been rattled by opening night nerves.

“We had some breakdowns on defense,” he told the Free Press on his way to the locker room. “The defense needs to pull it together. We need to show a lot more hustle. We’re a good team, we should be doing better.”

In the second period, however, Potsdam kept up the pressure and piled up the goals with a sense of confidence against the ‘Jacks and netted four more goals to take a commanding 8-0 lead.

Tupper Lake was finally able to get on the scoreboard with 6:33 left in second period when Jack Desmarais got the first Tupper Lake goal of the game – and first in several years.

First win

On Friday, Tupper Lake traveled to Norwood-Norfolk to take on the Flyers, a team they hadn’t beaten since the 1990s. But this time, there were no opening night jitters as the ‘Jacks notched their first victory in years – which was also a triumph for the school’s hockey program.

Tupper Lake Athletic Director Dan Brown weighed in on how important of a win it was.

“As far as the win, it's great to see obviously. The kids and parents have been waiting for this for a long time!” he said. “It makes everyone proud any time we get a win, but a come-from-behind win, for the first win in five years - that’s something special.”

Game statistics were not available as of press time.

The Jacks played a home game Monday against Ogdensburg. The team hits the ice again tonight with a road game against Massena then returns home for a noon matchup Saturday against Salmon River.

New record: 500 dinners served by Knights, other volunteers on Thanksgiving

by Dan McClelland

More Thanksgiving dinners were served Thursday from the Knights of Columbus kitchen here than any other time in the local fraternal organization's more than 40 year history of feeding local residents on the holiday. This year the 500 dinners mark was reached- about 50 more meals than on Thanksgivings of recent years.

There were no meals served inside the Knights hall on High Street, due to COVID-19 precautions. So all of the 500 meals were either delivered by volunteers or picked up by residents.

Each year the members of local Council 2177 begin the day before Thanksgiving preparing for the big community repast. The work continues from early morning on each Thanksgiving Day and serving begins about 11a.m.

While some of the Knights and their supporters prepare the traditional meal of turkey with all the trimmings in the kitchen, another dozen or so volunteers organize the containers for delivery. Each year members of the Tupper Lake Kiwanis Club assist with deliveries to homes around Tupper Lake with help from a cadre of other volunteers.

The operation is seamless year after year and this year was no exception.

This year saw two hours of non-stop action at the K. of C. home with the 500th meal served about 1p.m.

The tradition goes back to the late seventies when it was started by the late Dick Moeller, then the manager of the High Street clubhouse. Diane LeBlanc, who with her husband Dave have been active with the council and its operation since that time, Thursday reflected on those early years and how the event has become a mainstay of the holiday season here.

Mark Moeller, who is deputy knight at the local council, noted that many of their recipients each year are the senior folks who live at Don Smith's Apartments, Woodlands Apartments and the other senior residences here.

Asked about the new record set Thursday, he guessed it was the growing popularity their Thanksgiving event and its many follower here.

“Last year we served about 450 meals and this year saw a nice increase.”

“The group of volunteers, many of whom have been helping with the event for years, did another nice job this year!”

-And as a result 500 residents here who might otherwise not have had the opportunity for a home-cooked turkey dinner with all the fixings got to enjoy a festive meal- thanks to the Knights and their many supporters here.

A few of the early morning cooks at Thursday's traditional Thanksgiving meal at the Knights of Columbus hall kitchen before that's day rush: from left- Steve Richer, Diane LeBlanc, Mark Moeller and Raymond Skelling. (Dan McClelland photo)

Veterans' Day observed solemnly and musically here Thursday

by Dan McClelland

Dozens of Tupper Lake citizens gathered on a sunny Thursday morning to pay tribute with their thoughts and prayers to all American veterans and particularly those who gave their lives to defend this nation's freedoms.

Tupper Lake Honor Guard member Ray Bigrow hosted this year's observance and introduced the Rev. Richard Wilburn who offered by opening and closing prayers this year.

“Heavenly Father, we do thank you for the opportunity to gather here this day to celebrate those who have served and who continue to serve during these times of conflict and dissension. We pray for unity and we know that we are united in spirit here in this place. Bless all of those who have served!”

Mr. Bigrow announced the Tupper Lake High School Band, under the direction of Laura Davison, would perform the national anthem- and it did in rousing fashion.

Mr. Bigrow led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

He introduced that day's guest speaker, our county legislator and mayor, Paul Maroun. He said Mr. Maroun was retired from the U.S.Navy as a commander. He was mobilized after 911 and served three years in Washington, D.C. at the defense intelligence agency's headquarters.

Mr. Maroun began by telling the crowd that part of his message that day may be familiar, as parts of it were included in an address he gave here on Veterans' Day 2010. It was entitled “It Really Doesn't Matter.”

“Good morning friends of veterans, families of veterans and most importantly: All of the veterans gathered here in Tupper Lake; to honor all of America’s veterans.

“I could tell you the basic history of the 11’s: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. The war to end all wars, but I won’t.

“I could tell all of you that Tupper Lake has always had an impressive group of men and women who have sacrificed life and family to defend their country, but I won’t.

“I could tell you story after story of men and women veterans from here and around America who exercised heroic deeds to save their comrades in battles around the world- from New Guinea to Germany, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, but I won’t.

“I want to focus on these words, “it really doesn’t matter.” While attending a Marine Corps ball here in Tupper Lake a few years ago, I looked around the room; there were a lot of Marines, but there were veterans from all of the branches there- talking, dining, and enjoying the ceremonies and camaraderie of the moment. Their branch of service really didn’t matter.

“Whether a veteran was in battle, behind the lines, in the air on the sea or on the ground; whether a vet saw action or sat behind a desk; whether the vet swabbed a deck, loaded bombs or served chow; it really doesn’t matter.

“What matters is this, the common bond all veterans share is an oath all vets take in which they swear their willingness to die if necessary defending America and our way of life.

“As General Patton said in one of his speeches: we eat, sleep and die, if necessary, as a team defending America and what we stand for.

“You know, an airman working on a wing of a transport plane doesn't seem so important. But until you are flying in that transport plane at 30,000 feet and you see a dozen screws fly by the window, then he's the most important airman that you have ever known.

“At General Colin Powell's funeral a few days ago, his son Michael told a story about how he and his dad entered a PX. They saw a captain making a sergeant salute him repeatedly. General Powell asked the captain what was going on. The captain replied: 'sir, he failed to salute me as he passed. So I'm making him salute me 100 times.'

“General Powell replied: 'Okay, but you be sure to salute him back 100 times because we are a team when we show respect to each other and to every vet.'

“I was at a local pub in Tupper Lake a little while ago and there was a young man and woman there who were sailors, stationed in Virginia.

“I was introduced as the mayor and that I'd served in the Navy and that I'd retired as a commander. As soon as I said that, they both stiffened up as they were at attention. I told them please stop that. We were all members of the Navy. Seamen and petty officers are what keep the Navy moving. We were all on the same team as we all are today. It really didn't matter our rank as long as we all worked together for the Navy and for America.

“To close I want us all to remember several things: our veterans are today in places we wouldn't want to be, doing things we wouldn't want to do. -And please remember this: it really doesn't matter what branch of the military a veteran serves or what their designator said they are supposed to do. We are all on the same mission. God bless all our veterans and all the people here today and God bless America.”

The high school band then played the medley of anthems from each branch of the armed forces- a popular element at each Veterans Day ceremonies in the past decade or so when the students have performed.

The performance was met this time too with loud applause.

When the wreath-laying portion of the program begam, Councilwoman and VFW Commander Tracy Luton placed the first wreath that morning on behalf of her organization.

Ray placed a wreath at the monument on behalf of AmVets Post 710.

Veteran William “Steve” Stevenson laid the wreath on behalf of American Legion Post 220.

A wreath donated by the Tupper Lake Honor Guard was placed in front of the war memorial by its commander, Mike Larabie.

Trustee Leon LeBlanc placed a wreath on behalf of the Adirondack Leathernecks Marine Corp League.

A handful of girl scouts of Northeastern New York, led by new Gold Award recipient Libby Gillis placed a wreath on behalf of their troop.

Dan Santerre and Tom Arsenault presented a wreath on behalf of Knights of Columbus Council 2177.

Mike Russell laid a wreath on behalf of his colleagues in the Tupper Lake Fire Department and Paul Maroun placed another on behalf of the Village of Tupper Lake.

The local girl scouts returned again to place the Town of Tupper Lake's wreath and Joanne Wilber placed the Woodmen Lodge wreath at the war monument.

The honor guard then fired three volleys, as is customary here.

The ceremony concluded with two more songs by the high school band and a closing prayer by Pastor Wilburn.

“Taps” this year was ably performed by Lowden Pratt.

Guests were invited back to the VFW Post 3120 for refreshments after the 17-minute ceremony.

The veterans groups here also staged a brief ceremony that afternoon at Mercy Living Center to honor the veterans there.

Two-day search for avid outdoorsman Ray Martin ends in tragedy

by Dan McClelland

Nearly two days of searching the woods on the back side of Big Tupper Lake last week ended in tragedy when the body of Tupper businessman and community leader Ray Martin was found in the Bridge Brook Bay area, his favorite hunting spot.

As many as 300 volunteers, under the direction of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation rangers, environmental police and the state police, combed the state land in the Town of Piercefield Wednesday and Thursday looking for the owner of Raymond J. Martin Accounting, an avid and well experienced sportsman.

Ray left the Martin Family camp on the west side of the lake early Tuesday and traveled by boat a short ways down the lake to hunt the Bridge Brook Pond area where he had hunted since he was a teenager.

His wife Lori was also staying with him at camp. Ray apparently called Lori about noon Tuesday. When the able outdoorsman didn't return at dark Lori knew something was wrong and called their son Jay.

Jay came over by boat and went to look for his father. He was accompanied on that initial search by his uncle Tom Brunette, friends John Tice and John Quinn.

They found Ray's boat on the shore of Black Bay but couldn't find any trace of him. Jay notified his mother to call 911 which she did and they continued to search until about 2a.m. Wednesday. Some area rangers, including Adam Baldwin, apparently joined them that first evening. Ranger Baldwin, who is assigned to sections of St. Lawrence County including Piercefield, directed some of the search operations last week.

Temperatures dropped below freezing both Tuesday and Wednesday nights, with light snow falling Tuesday night.

According to State Police spokeswoman Kristin Lowman, “On Tuesday, November 2, at around 8:30p.m., state police were notified of a missing hunter. Raymond Martin, 66, of Tupper Lake, went hunting in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest and did not return home.

“State Police, New York Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Tupper Lake Fire Department and volunteers searched for Mr. Martin on Tuesday night, Wednesday, and Thursday.

“At around noon on Thursday, November 4, Mr. Martin was located in the area he was hunting,” she reported.

St. Lawrence County Coroner June Wood pronounced Mr. Martin dead at the scene.

Early Wednesday search volunteers met at the state boat launch site at Moody where teams were organized by the available rangers. There were over 50 vehicles in the parking lot that morning, many of them DEC vehicles and boat trailers. Search dogs were also dispatched to the search site at Bridge Brook. Due to the terrain there could only be a half a dozen or so searchers assigned to each ranger.

Unfortunately there was a shortage of rangers Wednesday to guide the parties, so some volunteers were sent home mid-afternoon that day. The parking lot reflected that.

The search ramped up dramatically Thursday morning when more than 200 searchers showed up at the Tupper Lake Fire Station in the village emergency services building, where the command center had been moved from Moody. More than 100 cars and trucks filled the Santa Clara Ave. corridor.

All the fire department vehicles were moved out of the garage to make room for the command center.

Tables were set up inside staffed by local ladies. It was the reception area to dispense donated food stuffs to feed the volunteers when they were shuttled back and forth between the command center, the boat launch and the search site that morning. That operation was directed by Kelly Fleury, a staff accountant with Mr. Martin's firm. A number of local businesses donated drinks and food, including coffee and chili, for that effort.

“We estimate there were over 300 people involved in all...it was very moving,” Jay Martin said this week.

Ray's cousins Rob Beausoleil of Pennsylvania and Dave Beausoleil of New Jersey came up to join the search, along with dozens and dozens of friends and fellow hunters here. Other volunteers came from across the region to assist.

According to reports this week Ray had bagged a six-point buck Tuesday and was in the process of carrying it out when he was stricken. See editorial and tribute from a friend, Dan Christmas, on our editorial page this week.

Laura LaBarge is the town’s new recreation & youth activities director

by Rich Rosentreter

The Town of Tupper Lake recently named Laura LaBarge as the recreation and youth activities director, taking over the post previously held by Angie Snye.

The Free Press recently spoke with Mrs. LaBarge regarding her new post. She said she has plenty of experience working with the public, specifically in the Tupper Lake community and most recently working in the front office at the L.P. Quinn Elementary School.

“The experience I gained there, working with staff, students and families is truly invaluable. It has already made such a difference in the short time I’ve been working in this position,” Mrs. LaBarge said, adding that her predecessor has helped with the transition to the post. “Angie has gone above and beyond in orienting me in the procedures of the job. She set up meetings with her contacts and has encouraged me to create my own as well. Everyone in the office has been so great in welcoming me to the team.”

According to Mrs. LaBarge, skills such as working with families and members of the public will not only be a great asset, but help her be successful at her position.

“In a small, tight-knit community like Tupper Lake, cultivating connections is huge. I have strived to maintain positive relationships and open lines of communication with those I have been fortunate enough to form connections with. Being personable and enthusiastic have been important qualities, as well as being compassionate and understanding with people,” she said, adding the town’s recreation department is an essential piece of the community. “We offer activities year-round. We facilitate not only youth sports and activities, but also oversee the management of Little Wolf Beach and Campground. We offer seasonal employment for high school and college students.”

She pointed out that the recreation department also partners with ROOST, Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), the Tupper Lake school district, the Adirondack Foundation, the Foster Grandparent Program, Goff-Nelson Memorial Library, Tupper Lake Food Pantry and Adult Center among many other local organizations, “to create a greater community experience for all ages.”

Mrs. LaBarge said that she has gained a greater appreciation for working with children through her previous experience.

“Working with children has taught me so much! Kids are real and honest; their intentions are genuine. I was able to work as a counselor this summer for the town’s day camp program. This allowed me to observe younger members of our community in a less structured setting than what I was used to. It was so neat to learn the different aspects of their personalities. Each child has something unique to offer. When you are open to their thought process, you often end up learning something new too. This is incredibly beneficial to their own learning and social development,” she said. “Watching these kids learn and grow from our shared experiences is definitely the most rewarding aspect for me.”

Mrs. LaBarge was asked about her vision for Tupper Lake’s youth programs for next year and the future.

“I have been brainstorming ideas to build on the foundation that already exists within the recreation department. We’ve started to streamline the registration process with online forms, hoping to make things easier for working parents/guardians. This option is more convenient for parents and more efficient from our perspective,” she said. “I’ve continued conversations with the athletic director from the Tupper Lake school district (Dan Brown) about enhancing our youth sport offerings for older kids. Our hope is to bridge the gap between youth and modified sports.”

Working as the recreation director won’t be without its challenges, and Mrs. LaBarge named some she will face and how she will deal with them.

“Uncertainty, doubt, fear of change. As with anything new, you just have to make the choice to power through,” she said. “I’ve learned that listening to people’s concerns with a sympathetic ear will go a long way. Keeping lines of communication open and staying enthusiastic about your goals are essential when working through challenging situations.”

Mrs. LaBarge also has some a message to both parents and the youth in the Tupper Lake community.

“To parents: Encourage your children to stay involved, to participate in something. Even if they are shy or timid, unsure or uncoordinated - I am not athletically coordinated. Youth sports teach so much more than just athletic skills. Kids gain confidence, learn what it means to be part of a team, have improved respect and self-control, instill a sense of pride in themselves - real deal life skills,” she said. “Many of our youth programs rely on the help of volunteers! Coaching kids at this level can be fairly basic, and so much helpful information is available online. Simply showing up and interacting with the players is the most important thing.”

“To teens: We are always looking for seasonal help. Lifeguard and camp counselor work experience is great on college applications and resumes. If you are unsure of the process, please reach out to me and I will gladly walk you through it.”

“To children: Try everything! You won’t know what you like until you try. Find a friend to bring along!”

Finally, the new recreation director recited the mission of her department and incorporated it into her own mission for her job.

“It is our mission to serve the youth community and the families of Tupper Lake through activities including, but not limited to, youth sports, holiday events and summer day camp. We hope to enrich the lives of these youths by engaging them in activities in a safe, positive environment,” Mrs. LaBarge said. “My parents instilled a very strong work ethic into my younger brothers and I. As a result, I have been working in some way or another since the age of nine years old, when I started taking babysitting jobs for family friends. The ideas of working hard, striving for your goals, and enjoying what you do have brought me to this point. Growing up, I was surrounded by extended family- grandmothers, aunts, uncles, cousins who always supported and encouraged me to keep going toward whichever goal, even when I didn’t want to. It was this strong, nurturing environment that cultivated the morals and values I hold dear to my heart. I believe that this is the stuff that every child should be surrounded by, and if the recreation department can offer this type of environment through sports teams, holiday events and day camp, then we’ve succeeded in our mission.”

Laura is married and along with her husband Travis, are lifelong residents of Tupper Lake. The couple has two daughters, two dogs and one cat.

“We love the Adirondacks and take full advantage of the area by hiking, fishing and camping as often as we can, although not as often as we would like!,” she said.

It was the Monster Dash...a graveyard smash?

The Monster Dash drew dozens of costumed folks and their parents to the Sunset Stage pavilion in Flanders Park on a pleasant Wednesday afternoon, after it had been rained out the weekend before. The event was sponsored by the town's Youth Activities Department, under the direction of Laura LaBarge. In addition to an assortment of games and contests, there were many sweet treats and an opportunity for kids to have their fortunes told. Also part of the event was a walk down the shoreline promenade. These shots by Dan McClelland show some of the fun that afternoon.

Scenes from OkTupperfest 2021

Vintage snowmobiles return to park Saturday

Residents will find vintage snowmobiles of every type and model and some of the most unusual snow machines ever made when they visit the Tupper Lake Municipal Park this Saturday for another version of the Vintage Show and Swap Meet.

The popular event is again sponsored by the Tupper Lake Snowmobile Club. Key organizers again this year are Reese and Kelly Fleury.

If this year's event mirrors recent ones here, there will be vintage snowmobile buffs and their unique sleds from all over the northeast. Visitors may witness some “horse trading” of sleds and plenty of trivia and facts about old snowmobiles and the way that early riders in the 1960s and 1970s had to always be ready for break-downs on the trail.

The show starts at 8a.m. but vintage snowmobile owners will be pulling in as early as Friday evening, so the grounds will take shape fast.

The event will again feature trophies in a number of categories and door prizes. Trophies will be presented at 2p.m. after a morning of judging.

Advance registration has been strong in recent weeks, according to Mrs. Fleury, “and so we expect to see a lot of people from out of town.”

As people inspect the old and sometimes pristine vintage sleds that day, Kelly said a common comment organizers expect to hear from people is “I used to own one of those!”

To feed the hungry, Mike Vaillancourt's Porkbusters trailer will be open at the event.

Plein Air Festival brings artistic talent to town by the dozens

by Dan McClelland

Amateur but often very accomplished artists from all over the country converged on Tupper Lake to fashion on canvass and paper their images of local scenery and familiar vistas last week as part of Tupper Arts’ third annual Plein Air Festival.

Beginning Wednesday keen artists and their easels were parked all over the community creating their pieces of art in oil, watercolor, pen and pastel.

Three of them that day used the parking lot pull-off on Route 30 near Rock Island Bay. All three were focused on the big lake and island in front of them, framed by shorelines of evergreens.

Cheryl Simeone of Three Mile Bay on Lake Ontario, just south of Cape Vincent, said she has been painting “practically here entire life and she loves it.”

She was an art teacher, now retired, at Homer Intermediate School, and this was her first visit to Tupper Art’s early autumn Plein Air. She said she was impressed by its organization.

“I’m planning on coming back next year.”

Painting 20 feet from Cheryl was Jan Byington who was attending her first Plein Air here but who has attended the Saranac Lake event several times in the past. Jan resides in Clayton, N.Y.

Her hometown also sports its own Plein Air event in August each year, she told the Free Press Wednesday.

She said she was looking forward to Friday’s reception at Tupper Arts’ headquarters on Park Street to visit with the other artists and take in their artistic entries.

Jan had just placed her initial brush strokes when we stopped by to visit.

In the third spot on the pull-off area was Lynda Mussen, also making her first visit to the local event.

“I moved to the North Country about five years ago and started my new career in painting.

She said she began her earlier careers, first as a scenic set designer and later as a teacher of English As A Second Language.

Of the change in career into education, Lynda said she followed her mother’s advice of pursuing “something you can always fall back on”- and teaching certainly fit that bill.

She is originally from Long Island but her family moved to Ohio when she was 13, so there’s little left of the Long Island accent.

“I lived in the midwest until I met my husband and we worked in the theater together. I was always in set design and my husband built scenery sets for television and Broadway productions.”

“I free-lanced on Broadway for a few years, assisting some set designers and did some Off-Broadway shows. But I never really made the leap!”

Closer to town Thursday, on a pull-off on The Flow, were three more artists, all getting ready to begin their works.

First was Katherine LaPointe of Potsdam, who didn’t think she was related to any of the Tupper Lake LaPointes.

Katherine is a graphic designer by trade and is a veteran of all three of Tupper Arts annual shows.

Each year, she said, she has painted scenes of The Flow, noting “I figure I’d keep it up tis year.”

She describes herself as an impressionist.

Lisa Burger Lentz of Media, PA, just west of Philadelphia, described her art as what is typically done outside.

She explained that Plein Air is a French Canadian term that is loosely translated as “outside.”

“The rules for an event like this is to paint outside,” Lisa explained.

Set up beside Lisa was Laura Martinez-Bianco from Marlboro, N.Y. Laura was sketching with pastel crayons.

“Right now I’m just organizing them before I start because they are a mess,” she said with a grin.

Besides making art with pastels, she also does works with classic bees wax encaustic paint. “You use torches and heat guns. It’s a lot of fun when it’s really cold and you can’t come outside and do this.”

“Instead of having a palette set, up, you use a griddle and you put your paints and waxes on it!”

Laura has a studio in her hometown in the Hudson Valley about a half an hour south of Kingston, N.Y.

“I’ve painted in the Adirondack Festival. I’ve painted at a Keeseville event. This year I thought I’d go try Tupper Lake,” she explained, adding, “I’m enjoying it!”

Lita Thorn set up her easel Wednesday next to her van along Demars Blvd. with a view of the former Oval Wood Dish Corp. complex.

This is the third year she and her husband, Bruce, have attended Tupper Lake’s Plein Air.

“My husband and I both like coming here!”

The Thorns live in Harriman, N.Y.

Lita said she was aware of the history of the former industrial complex and the new plans to develop it into apartments.

“That’s why I’m painting it,” she admitted.

“Every time we’ve come to Tupper Lake we drive by it and I decided I have to paint it this year.”

Bruce Thorn set up his chair and easel on Lake Street Wednesday across from Steve Wilson’s dentist office and was painting the former Root family home on the corner of Lake Street and Wawbeek Ave., a stately structure now a Sunmount community residence.

“In past years we did a bunch of landscape stuff” and this year we thought we’d try buildings, he told the Free Press.

“We love coming here to paint!”

This year’s Plein Air Festival was the best attended yet, with nearly three dozen artists participating.

“There were 34 artists who registered, but two had to drop out,” Tupper Arts President Susan Delehanty reported Monday. The artist total exceeded last year’s which exceeded the event when it was held the first year.

“We had a lot of new artists this year. One woman came all the way from Dallas, Texas!”

“We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the artists on our event this year,” she noted.

A number of the pieces generated by the Plein Air artists were sold at the artists’ reception Friday night and in the days since.

Mrs. Delehanty said Tupper Arts offered all the artists the opportunity to leave their works on display at the gallery so the public could enjoy them in the weeks and months ahead and most of the artists took the organization up on its offer.

“Most of the artists left their art with us. We’ll have it hanging in our gift shop or in our gallery over the winter” so people here can enjoy it and possibly buy some of it, she explained.

Mrs. Delehanty said the quality of the works this year was impressive. “Some of these people have been creating art for years and many attend Plein Air festivals all over the country.”

At the Plein Air Festival, like all of the art shows and exhibitions each year at Tupper Arts, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of art pieces goes to support the local arts center.

Ladyjacks fall to Brushton-Moira Panthers

Senior Ruby LaDue fights for position in the offensive zone against the Panthers.

Senior Izabella Stalhammer (#10) looks to move the ball upfield September 14 against the Brushton-Moira Panthers – she scored the only goal of the game for the Ladyjacks. See more photos and story inside this week. (Rich Rosentreter photo)

Freshman Taylor Stoll (#25) battles for the ball with a Panthers player.

Senior Leah Whalen (#5) fights for ball possession against a Panthers player. (Rich Rosentreter photos)

By Rich Rosentreter

The Tupper Lake Ladyjacks varsity soccer team played another hard-fought game at home on September 14 against the Brushton-Moira Panther but still fell by a 4-1 score.

The Ladyjacks got off to a little bit of a slow start and Brushton quickly took control of the game and was able to capitalize with some beautiful shots on goal, according to Head Coach Brittney Willett.

The ‘Jacks managed to score a goal towards the end of the first half after the Panthers goalie came out past the 18-yard marker and picked up the ball – the miscue led to Tupper Lake being awarded a direct kick.

Senior Izabella Stalhammar hit the back of the net when she nailed a high ball over the goalie's finger tips.

“Towards the end of the first half and definitely in the second half, the girls picked up their momentum and began to take control of the game,” Coach Willett said. “The girls were going to the ball and pushing the ball up the field for more offensive opportunities to arise. Izabella, Leah, Lauren, Livia and Taylor all had beautiful shots on goal, but we were unable to capitalize on them. The Ladyjacks fought to the end of the game, but unfortunately didn't end up netting any more goals.”

On Saturday, September 11, the Ladyjacks had their first home match against the Chateaugay Bulldogs, and despite the 5-0 loss, Coach Willett said she was impressed by her team’s fight as they kept the Bulldogs off the scoreboard in the second half.

“Chateaugay is always a tough opponent. We had a hard time finding their momentum and groove in the first half of the game. Chateaugay was out-hustling the girls, and were able to capitalize on multiple opportunities,” Coach Willett said, adding that although going into half time, ‘Jacks were down 5-0, after halftime, the local girls came out ready to play. “They were hustling and beating Chateaugay athletes to the ball, passing with a purpose up the field, and attacking in the offensive zone. Offensively and defensively, we looked a lot better in the second half. The girls were able to see and feel better about the game, and they quickly realized they could compete with Chateaugay.”

“Taylor, Izabella, and Livia each had a few offensive opportunities. Defensively, Ashleigh, Emma, Hailey and Olivia worked very well together and were able to pull Chateaugay offsides over  six times in the second half,” she added. “Libby Gillis had quite a few beautiful saves in the second half.”

“Although the first half didn't go our way, I was very pleased as to how the girls went about the second half. We spoke about how it was a clean slate, and a good time to just start fresh,” Coach Willett said. “Of course, the score was still in the back of their minds, but moving forward, it was a team effort and they all played their position well during that second half.”

The ‘Jacks played a home match on Monday against the St. Lawrence Larries. Next on the schedule, Tupper Lake will play a home match at 10 a.m. Saturday against Madrid-Waddington.

Entrance addition ribbon-cutting honors Senator Betty Little

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by Dan McClelland

Town of Tupper Lake leaders officially cut the ribbon on their new entrance addition and honored the woman who helped to fund it in a ceremony Wednesday afternoon on the front lawn of the town hall.

The ribbon-cutting honors went to Senator Betty Little, who arranged for a $100,000 state grant to build the $400,000 addition to the town hall, which made it fully handicapped accessible via a new elevator/lift.

“We're here today to honor Betty for all the work she has done for the town and village over the years, and for our entire region,” stated Supervisor Patti Littlefield, who organized the event that afternoon. “-And we'd like to cut a ribbon for the opening of our new addition.”

The long-time state senator was surprised she was being honored that afternoon, and thought she had been invited to town just to tour the new front piece of the town hall.

The supervisor said Senator Little “was instrumental in securing funding” to help the town build the new entrance area. “-And we're very thankful to her for that.”

Mrs. Littlefield said that Betty's successor, Senator Dan Stec, and Assemblyman Billy Jones had both planned to attend the ceremony but were called back to Albany by the new Governor, Kathy Hochul, for a special session.

A video message from the assemblyman was played during the ceremony and then read aloud by his legislative aide, Molly Ryan, who he dispatched to Tupper Lake for the event.

Mrs. Littlefield introduced the three town council members present- John Quinn, Mike Dechene and Mary Fontana. Councilwoman Tracy Luton had to work that afternoon.

Also present from the town office staff that day were Recreation Director Angie Snye, who the town supervisor said will soon be appointed deputy town clerk, assistant assessor and assistant planner, effective October when Donna Maliszewski retires, Town Accountant Samantha Davies, long time town clerk, Laurie Fuller and Donna.

Mrs. Littlefield acknowledged “three friends from ROOST present that afternoon: Michelle Clement, Katie LaLonde and M.J. Lawrence.

Local residents Hope Frenette and Don Sabin were also in attendance that day, as was Mayor Paul Maroun, who also spoke as a guest speaker.

After the introductions Mrs. Littlefield began her address:

“Elizabeth O. C. Little, who we like to call Senator Betty Little or just Betty, it is an honor to have you come visit us today. We have been trying to all get together for over a year now but COVID dictates our schedules sometimes. That's a whole other story, sadly.”

“The Town of Tupper Lake is so thankful and so lucky for the 25 years you have dedicated to all of us in the North Country as our senator and our assemblywoman.

“Keeping track of 6,800 square miles of Washington, Clinton, Essex, Franklin and St. Lawrence counties and over 300,000 constituents was no small feat!

“-And we know Tupper Lake was always first on your mind and on your agenda,” she joked.

“You've proven this to us time and time again with all your grants and access to funding you've worked so hard for all the taxpayers here to benefit from...parks, waterfront, water and sewer improvements and the reason we are here today, the very long overdue town office renovation so our town hall is fully accessible.”

“This turned out to be a wonderful project- a little more expansive than we expected in the beginning- but with all the rules and regulations we like to follow, we did the right thing!”

“We thank you for all your hard work,” she told Mrs. Little, who retired at the close of last year.

She also thanked Sharon Henderson, Betty's legislative aide who the supervisor called “Betty's partner in crime.” Mrs. Littlefield confessed that she and Sharon had many phone calls over a several year period to get all the grant paperwork “right and approved.”

She said the state money came very quickly once the construction project finished last year.

“The application process was a few years in the making and your staff was on top of it from the start,” Mrs. Littlefield told the senator.

“And you sure did get things done,” she said of Senator Little's tenure in state office.

She reminded the small crowd that day that Mrs. Little was the longest serving woman senate in state history. “I doubt anyone will break that record!”

“You have been called a leader among leaders.”

She said she remembered a conversation she had with Betty a number of years when she told her how difficult it must be to have to campaign every two years, unlike local officials whose terms are often four years.

“Your answer sticks with me to this day: 'Campaigning gets me out to talk and meet with people and that is my main role!'”

“We say your constituent services made you the peoples' senator,” Supervisor Littlefield told Mrs. Little.

She noted that Mrs. Little will continue to serve the people of the North Country as a new member of the Olympic Regional Development Authority Board (ORDA) which will orchestrate the World University Games in 2023.

“We bid you a very hearty thank you for your service!”

The supervisor presented her with a warm black jacket with the community's hemlock cone logo on the front.

The senator said the jacket will come in handy on a trip she'll take soon out west. “I was thinking the other day I should get a black jacket for the trip,” she said of the coincidence.

Mrs. Littlefield also thanked Friends Construction of Malone which built the addition and to the “town's new friends” at the Development Authority of the North Country (DANC), who did the engineering and design work and what she called the “heavy lifting” prior to construction. She applauded Community Development Director Melissa McManus for hooking the town up with DANC, which has resulted in a number of collaborative efforts with town projects in recent years.

It was difficult to hear Assemblyman Billy Jones digital message from a lap top so Molly Ryan, his chief of staff, read it.

She began by telling the crowd she began working with Billy his first day in office a number of years ago “and I'm a hundred percent sure we wouldn't be where we are today without the help of the senator and her staff.”

“You are greatly missed in the senate,” Ms. Ryan told her.

The following is the assemblyman's letter that Molly read:

“I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to you and the Town of Tupper Lake on the dedication and expansion of the town hall to make it handicapped accessible. It was an honor to serve in the state legislature with you and I miss our working relationship. We worked closely together during our time in Albany, collaborating on many initiatives for the North Country and I'm thankful for the friendship we built.

“I also want to thank all the local officials who made the addition possible and in recognizing you and your efforts in approving the community.”

He said Mrs. Little's “work has left a lasting impact on the region which will last for decades to come and I'm so pleased that not only is your legacy ingrained in the hearts and minds of the residents of the North Country, but in this expansion of the town.”

Mrs. Littlefield then called on Mayor Paul Maroun to offer his praises of the senator, calling him “a man who needs no introduction here.”

The mayor had to limp to the microphone, apologizing for a recent leg ailment.

“I've known Betty for over 30 years. She was our assembly person when I was in the county legislature. Then she became our senator and I was her counsel for 17 years. When you think of the word 'counsel' you think of lawyers. That's not what a counsel does in Albany. A counsel builds a bond in a relationship. A counsel needs to know what your boss is thinking, how he or she operates, what he or she is all about!”

“Over the 17 years we talked almost every night, whether I was in Tupper Lake or Albany and I've come to know Betty quite well.”

“I wear three hats today- the mayor's hat, the county legislator's hat and her counsel-retired's hat. But I can tell you Betty is a nice person. She smiles always. We all know how nice she's been to all of us. She also helped us secure money for the emergency services building. Everything Patti said...she has helped us with so many things.

“She was a good friend with the past Governor...and whenever she wanted something she could get access to him. -And that's what important in Albany!”

Mr. Maroun said despite her nice and friendly demeanor, he's also seen the tough side of Betty Little, as she fought for the things to help people here and across her senate district.

“I remember pulling her out of a meeting one time with the Adirondack Park Agency, as she was so angry she was about to attack its legal counsel and chief of staff.”

“She was a great legislator who will do great things for ORDA.

He admitted he has worked with and for a lot of state lawmakers over the years, but “Betty Little has one thing that a lot of people don't: she has heart for people!”

Mayor Maroun said there needs to be more of that in government at all levels these days.

He presented her with pink roses that afternoon, apologizing because Betty likes yellow roses. Unfortunately, he said, the flower shop was out of yellow ones.

He also presented her with a plaque from the county legislature, adopted at the close of her term last year, thanking her for all her service to the North Country and its residents.

“Everyone is Albany thought highly of Betty Little. And that's a lot to say, because in Albany a lot of people don't like or respect a lot of other people!”

Before a tour of the new addition, Senator Little said thought she had been invited that day just to look at the new addition. “I didn't even know the set time until yesterday.” She admitted she learned of the honoring when she read a front-page story in the Free Press that morning while at breakfast at Reandeaus' Swiss Kitchen.

“I really thank you all. Because if you hadn't voted for me I never would have had these opportunities. And I had such great opportunities to represent all of this area and to meet so many people. The people in Albany call the people they represent 'their constituents.' My constituents have been my friends and they've helped me as much as I have helped them. I've learned so much from the people of this district and from those who are elected and for those voting for those elected.

“I can't thank all of you enough.”

“Who would have ever thought that when I was in elementary education” I would have someday become a state senator.

“I've always said raising six kids as a mother was my best preparation for the job. I learned there was at least two sides to every single thing in the world and sometimes more than two sides.”

She said she has thoroughly enjoyed working with people.

“Thank you so much. Thank you for honoring me. You didn't have to do this...your votes have been an honor enough to me!

Of her long-time counsel, Paul Maroun, she said “he has been really great for Tupper Lake...he let me know everything that is going on here. We spoke on a daily basis...even on weekends. He's kept me well informed and we worked well together.

She said her other aide, Sharon Henderson wouldn't miss their trips to Tupper Lake, and discussing what we can do and who we can do it for on those many road trips.

In closing Senator Little predicted Governor Kathy Hochul, who she called “a great friend of the North Country and a great friend of mine,” will do great things for New York State in the months and years ahead. “She really likes getting things done and she really respects local government,” as that is her background.

“Gov. Hochul won't forget the Adirondacks or the North Country! She likes to come here!”

Senator Little also said she is looking forward to helping ORDA prepare for the exciting university games happening in Lake Placid in less than 500 days.

See editorial this week...

New entrance signs finally finished and up; town's digital sign still fodder of discussion

The back side of the final entrance sign to be installed at the eastern side of the community, thanking visitors for visiting and sporting our new hemlock cone logo. (Dan McClelland photo)

by Dan McClelland

The installation of three new signs at each entrance of our community generated applause from Councilman John Quinn at the town board's meeting in August.

At the time of the meeting on August 11, the entrance sign on the east end of the community was missing. It has since been erected, however, completing the project.

The three signs were paid for through a wayfaring grant that Community Development Specialist Melissa McManus landed for the town about five years ago. The signs feature the community logo, which includes the hemlock cone and the words: “Tupper Lake...Connect and Discover.”

The final design of the new signs took many meetings over a five-year period. Involved were not only local officials, but representatives of the state Department of Transportation. Because the signs are situated on state highways, they had to comply with rigorous state color and state design standards- thereby complicating the process.

Town officials did not see the final designs until earlier this year.

One of the criticisms by John Quinn and others on the board was that there was no messaging on the back of the three signs in the final designs forwarded to the town.

The finished products, however, carry a message on the back of each, thanking visitors for visiting Tupper Lake.

At this month's town board meeting Councilman Quinn was pleased with the message on the back side of each sign. “Someone got to the DOT and I am giving credit to Melissa McManus.

On another sign issue, he said he thought the new digital sign on the front lawn of the town hall “should basically serve local government purposes- announcing town board meetings, planning board meetings, emergency notifications, etc.”

“If we have space and time to put up the Riverpigs games announcement, I don't have a problem with that. I notice this week the Tupper Lake Open was advertised...I'm fine with that. I'm just concerned that if we have a number of groups competing for sign space, someone is going to get their nose out of joint” if their announcement doesn't make it on the lighted board.

“It's just a comment I offer” to avoid a conflict in the future, he told his colleagues.

Supervisor Patti Littlefield said Mr. Quinn had discussed the issue with him before the meeting.

“As I thought about that and when we applied for our variance to have that sign legally placed and I met with the zoning board at the village office, we said we would use it for public notifications and certainly for emergencies,” Mrs. Littlefield said.

“We also mentioned it wouldn't be too bright so it didn't fight with our dark skies.”

“Emergency announcements must always take precedence over everything else,” Mr. Quinn asserted.

“I think John makes a good point,” Councilman Mike Dechene chimed in, saying there should be rules or a policy for what is posted on the town sign. “Someone may eventually ask us to post their keg party...people often ask for funny things!”

The supervisor said she has seen similar signs in North Country communities where couples are congratulated on their upcoming wedding or the arrival of a new baby.

Mike Dechene said when he was a member of the school board and the district's new digital sign was installed on the side lawn of the high school “I was adamant we post emergency notices first!”

“-And it didn't happen as much I would have liked to see it happen...we are one community and so I was glad to see when community events began to appear there. I congratulate school officials on that!”

He cautioned that it is a fine line any sign owner must tread between what are private notices and which are public or community ones.

Mr. Quinn also said he was “still bugged” by those four stray lights that appear on the town sign.

The supervisor said to delete those lights they were advised by the company that installed the sign from Colton that a corrective measure can be found in an access panel near the top of the sign to check the connections.

“Could we ask the company to come back and do that for us?” Mr. Dechene asked the supervisor, who said she has called the company “forty times. We're hoping one day they will show up to fix it!”

Riverpigs visit USA Luge training facility and hit the ice

The Tupper Lake Riverpigs pose outside the training facility for the USA Luge National Team in Lake Placid with members of National Luge Team, from far right: Ashley Farquharson, Sophie Kirkby and Jayson Terdiman, who competed on the USA National Luge Team in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia and the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. USA Luge Market Manager Dmitry Feld, is second from left and Jonny Gustafson, fourth from left. (Rich Rosentreter photos)

Edward Salcedo of the Riverpigs gets set to slide down the practice luge track as his teammates root him on - he was the first position player to volunteer to ride the sled.

Drew Thomas rides the luge.

USA National Luge Team members Ashley Farquharson and Jonny Gustafson (from left) give Empire League president Eddie Gonzalez some last-minute pointers as he gets set to go down the luge practice track - he was the first to get on the sled as all the players were hesitant to be the first one down.

Edward Salcedo makes it across the practice luge track.

The Riverpigs get a lesson about the process of building an actual Olympic luge sled.

by Rich Rosentreter

The Tupper Lake Riverpigs took a break from the baseball season on August 3 - a day before their playoff loss that ended their year - to visit the USA Luge training facility in Lake Placid, where they met Olympic athletes and took a slide down the luge practice ice track.

Jayson Terdiman, who competed on the USA National Luge Team in the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia and the 2018 Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea (he missed a Bronze Medal by 0.1 seconds) led the tour when the Riverpigs arrived - and he appreciated having the baseball team as guests.

“I think it’s great any time somebody who doesn’t know what luge is gets a chance to come in, to see the sport, experience the sport, talk to myself and my teammates and get a little understanding,” Terdiman said following the players tour of the facility. “We’re a niche sport, so it’s not well-known, but we sure are an exciting one, and I think that the more people that can get introduced to the sport, the more fans we can create - and I’m a big baseball fan, so having a baseball team here is great for me.”

The experience at the luge was fun for the players, many of whom never even heard of the winter sport - but it took the president and director of the league to lead the way as no one wanted to be the first one to slide down the icy track - even after an expert lesson and pointers from the USA luge athletes. It was Eddie Gonzalez who was the first to brave the track - and he spoke to the Free Press right after his bold move.

“I’ve got to show everybody who’s got guts and glory here. They’re all chickens and didn’t want to jump in,” he said, saying he was not worried or nervous going down. “It was awesome. I was more worried about what to with my hands without gloves more than anything. I was happy to know that when I got off, they told me everybody who tries for the first time falls, and I didn’t fall. Nobody was lining up to go, but now it looks like I got them started.”

He agreed the players were probably saying to themselves: “If Eddie could do it, I could do it.”

Then one of the Riverpigs star players was the first to follow the lead - it was Edward Salcedo, who also spoke about his experience after a successful run.

“That was a lot of fun, it was great,” he said, and then was asked what made him the first player to go. “I don’t know, I just wanted to try it. I am enjoying myself here, but I was a little nervous.”

“It was way faster than I thought it was going to go, and I actually didn’t bang into the boards. It was impressive - from my own end. It felt really good, it was a lot of fun. This is awesome,” Ron Krsolovic said, saying he felt an adrenaline rush on the sled. “I’ve never done anything like this, and I think nobody here has ever done anything like this, so it’s definitely different, and there’s definitely a lot of nerves that go through you when you do something that you’ve never done before.”

He said it helped that Eddie had led the way. “Yes, it helped a lot to see somebody go and not get hurt,” he said.

Then the floodgates were open as more of the Riverpigs slid down the ice and afterwards shared their thoughts on the ride.

“It was sweet, the first time down I was hitting the sides and I was burning my arm a little but it was pretty fun. It was quick, it’s hard to keep yourself straight on the way down. It was fun though. All the guys were buzzing,” Magglio Ordonez Jr. said. “A lot of then didn’t even know it existed, so it was pretty eye-opening.”

He said many of the players were still talking about the experience after they returned to Tupper Lake and gained a greater respect and appreciation for the luge athletes.

“We were looking at competitions on Youtube to see what they actually looked like, and they were going about eighty-miles-per hour, it was crazy,” he said. “You don’t know the sport until you actually meet the athletes in person and talk to them and they explain what it is.”

Ordonez surmised it has to be more difficult for the luge athletes since they don’t have anything similar to a baseball league. “I think it’s harder because they have to prepare for the Olympics. We looked at the athletes and thought those are tough guys and gals once you see what they have to do. They put a lot of amazing work into their craft and it was amazing to see.”

He also said that a new connection was established as he and Jayson Terdiman now follow each other on the social media platform Instagram.

Ordonez also said he told father- who played in the majors with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers, about the luge experience - and his senior also had no idea what luge was.

“He thought it was really cool,” Magglio said, adding that he has no inspiration to pursue becoming a luge athlete. “It’s way too cold and way too fast.”

Cody West said he had a good time and felt confident in his luge form.

“I was searching for the handles a little bit, but I feel like my overall launch was pretty solid,” he said. “If baseball doesn’t work out for me, I’ll be luging.”

“I just wanted to stay as straight as possible because I saw so many others hitting the walls. It was a smooth ride,” Drew Thomas said, adding he too had an adrenaline rush. “Now I want to go again because I was trying to go easy and not go too fast, next time I want to let loose!”

“It was a thrill-seeking experience. It was pretty cool,” Joey Skov said, adding it felt natural, although he delayed going down because of his size. “I actually didn’t think I’d fit in the sled, I had to bend my knees a little bit. It’s awesome, this team-bonding is always a great time.”

Khalyd Cox was more analytical in his description of the luge experience - he had stayed straight while cruising down the track, unlike most of his teammates - and he attributed that to remaining calm.

“It felt good first, but when you push yourself off at the start, it’s a little tougher than you think, then it’s more of a hill and you pick up speed and let the luge do the work,” Cox said. “If you get a little heckity or whatever you want to call it, that’s when the bad stuff happens, you can’t steer it and you hit the wall. Maybe I had a little bragging rights for being able to keep the sled straight. You just put it in your back pocket and just try to have as much fun while doing it - and that’s a good way to go about life I guess.”

Luge athletes

The Riverpigs weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves during the visit - the luge athletes, all members of the USA National Luge Team, were having an equally good time.

Jonny Gustafson gave the Riverpigs a quick lesson on riding the luge down the track - said introducing fellow athletes to a new sport was something he enjoyed.

“It’s cool. I always like to see people when they try luge for the first time, even if it’s just pulling a start like we’re doing here. It’s become so ingrained for us as far as technique, and it’s cool to see people from another sport who have no idea about the sport, to see what their approach is,” he said. “I could definitely tell that they were a little nervous. They all think it’s going to be so fast, but this is only about one percent of what the track is actually like. It’s always fun watching people get over their nerves and try it out.”

“I love people to try luge, I mean I love the sport so much and it’s nice to see other people trying it out,” Gustafson said, adding that some of the Riverpigs handled themselves just fine on the sleds and some even got better in a second run.

“I would say a couple did. Some had some pretty good pulls for a first time,” he said. And his grade? “Oh, definitely an A for sure. For beginners, they impressed. They did great.”

Sophie Kirkby, who recently joined the double circuit on the luge team, said she too had a good time hosting the Riverpigs.

“It’s definitely interesting, not too many people actually know what the sport is, so it’s great to see some people have a common interest in what we do,” she said. “It felt great just knowing that other people appreciate what we do.”

Teammate Ashley Farquharson agreed.

“It’s always fun. Usually we get families of people that don’t really know much about sports in general, but it’s cool having other athletes here with us because they can relate to things more than an average person can,” she said adding that she can relate to the apprehension the players had hitting the sled.

“I’m always a little nervous at being first to go, but when you have a good time, you always want to go again,” she said - and she like having the team as guests. “I really enjoyed it.”

Terdiman along with his luge teammates said they especially enjoyed seeing all the smiles on the Riverpigs faces.

“That was great, watching them come back between the start ramps, everybody was smiling - I love seeing that, people are having a good time when they’re smiling. I see luge as one of the greatest things you can do for fun, and to get to experience that even just a small bit like they did is awesome,” Terdiman said. “I love doing this kind of stuff, being an ambassador for the sport is one of the better perks, and I get to meet some great people - these are competitive ballplayers and we can relate on that level of being athletes and being competitive, and it’s great to be around like-minded people.”

And the Riverpigs appreciated their hosts.

“It was great because for me that was new, I had never seen that before, and to be there with professionals who were in the Olympics, it was a great experience,” Salcedo said, adding that the team was still talking about the experience on the way home - and probably will be for years to come.

Eddie Gonzalez summed up the visit to the USA Luge facility.

“Any time you can get the entire group of guys together, it’s a wonderful experience, it’s always good for bonding, but it’s even better that we’re dealing with competitive sports, taking a tour of this Olympic facility and training facility. It opens eyes and it inspires these guys. It may be a little too late to start learning how to get into the Winter Olympics, but it will inspire them in their sport of baseball and setting goals for the future. So overall, it was a great experience, team bonding and just for them as individuals.”

As far as Olympic history: “They’re definitely going to know it now if they didn’t know it - and just listening to these guys (luge team) speak, and hear them talk about the history of the sport and the Olympics and how long they’ve been here, I’m sure it’s something that’s very educational for them.”

Riverpigs Manager Jonathan Albaladejo echoed that thought.

“Having fun is a part of being a team like this, it brings us together and I’m very happy that we got to do this today,” he said.

Permit for new brewery proposed okayed by planners

by Dan McClelland

The village and town planning board issued a special use permit Wednesday to a local couple who are planning to create a brewhouse/tap room at 138 Park Street, next to the Tupper Lake Free Press building.

Cornelius “Neil” and Sara Kriwox pitch their new tap room proposal for 138 Park Street to members of the town and village planning board Wednesday. They were issue a special use permit for their project (Dan McClelland photo)

Cornelius “Neil” and Sara Kriwox provided details of their new business plans to the planners in a public hearing that evening.

“We want to open a tap room in Tupper Lake where we’ll brew beer,” Neil began that evening. He said he has been brewing beer as a hobby for a number of years.

Their beer will be brewed and consumed “on-site,” he said, explaining they don’t anticipate selling kegs of their beer products to area restaurants and bars.

“If you want our beer, you’re going to have to come to Tupper Lake to buy it,” he said of their simple business plan.

The couple has a contract to purchase the property from Pat Bedore and Andrew McClelland of Stacked Graphics, who purchased the property from Dan Jenkins when they were looking to relocate from the Free Press building a half dozen years ago. Instead of moving their business there, however, they purchased the former Newberry building with Andrew’s wife Faith and relocated there alongside Faith's Spruce and Hemlock store.

“We don’t plan on doing any food. A third party will provide the food for us,” he said referring to a nearby restaurant. Or the food served will come from food trucks parked on site.

He said there will be water and electric hook-ups on site to accommodate food truck operators who may situate there.

Neil said they anticipate a “small operation” on the village lot.

The new business will be back to back with the house on Vachereau Street they recently purchased from Jane Cole.

“We’re looking to develop a nice community place we think will be very good for Tupper Lake.”

Chairman Shawn Stuart asked them their plans for the former Jenkins Storage building that occupies most of the southern half of the lot and the brick garage behind it.

Sara Kriwox said they plan at this point to raze both buildings “and then build fresh.”

She said any new building will likely be aligned to the frontages of neighboring buildings which front right on the Park Street sidewalk.

The building may be slightly wider than the former Jenkins Storage building, she thought.

Asked where any food trucks would be parked, they figured on the paved driveway that currently exists there.

When the session was opened for comments from the public Publisher Dan McClelland spoke in favor of the project. “As a neighbor, I support them. These young folks seem very industrious and in whatever they do they will do a great job. Their new brewery will be right in the hub of the uptown business district, across from our new Crossroads Hotel. I think it will be a wonderful addition to our Park Street business district.

Vachereau Street resident David “Robbie” Dechene said he agreed with Mr. McClelland.

“That old building out front was pretty beat up and it’s good if it comes down!”

He said the building was at one time decades ago the headquarters for Magrino’s Dry Cleaners. Tony Magrino owned the business and Bob Magrino worked for Tony, Mr. Dechene told the planners.

The building for a time was also the offices of Dan Dattola and Ray Jenkins and their company Adirondack Concepts, which helped develop several major housing initiatives in the 1980s which included Rock Ridge Townhouses and Haymeadow Development, Mr. McClelland remembered.

After the hearing closed the board moved on the application by the couple for the permit.

“We’re discussing more of the use of the property tonight, rather than physical appearance of any proposed building,” the chairman explained of the process before his board.

“I have no problem with a new brewery there,” said member Doug Bencze, who was first to speak. He said Little Italy is right next to it, turning that section of Park Street into a place residents and visitors can find good food and good beer. He felt the two businesses would complement each other. “I think it will be very good for uptown!”

Jan Yaworski said she felt their proposed brewery “is ideally located,” given the presence of the popular restaurant next door and the new hotel coming soon across the street.

She referred to a comment one of the Kriwoxes made about the new siding of the new building and that it would likely match the sidings of other buildings on Park Street. “Can you elaborate a little?” she asked the couple.

Sara Kriwox said that before they make final plans for the design and overall appearance of their new brewery building they will again be approaching the planners for their ideas. “We want it to look how you want it to look...how you think Park Street should look!” she told the planning board members.

“We’re open to your ideas about design and color...we want your input, as right now we’re not completely firm on those things. Whatever you think would look best to make Park Street look better, we'd like to hear your comments!”

Mr. Stuart suggested those discussions about design and building color should be left to an upcoming meeting.

Board Member Tom Maroun called the proposal by Mr. and Mrs. Kriwox “a great idea,” that reckons to be a great improvement to that section of Park Street, given the condition of the two buildings now there.

Mr. Stuart said he “certainly agreed” and called for a motion to approve the special review use which came unanimously from the four members present.

Of the forthcoming process about the board’s involvement with the actual design and exterior appearance of the new brewery, Planner Paul O’Leary said a condition of the permit is that an “approved site plan will be required” at a subsequent meeting of the board.

“The applicants will return with a site plan and site elevations for review by the planning board,” he explained of the process.

Mr. Stuart directed the applicants to work with Mr. O’Leary on the development of their plans. “I can tell you, however, we are looking to keep the flavor of the area,” he told them.

He said it will not be required for them to build their new building right to the sidewalk but that it could be set back a bit to perhaps allow seating and tables out front.

Sara Kriwox admitted she was hoping the building could be set back a distance, but they wanted to do whatever the planning board required.

Tom Maroun also said he thought the building could be pushed back from the sidewalk.

“These are all things you are going to have to work through, but definitely you will need to have a two-story facade,” Mr. Stuart told them.

“You know that little single story brown building across from the village office. It can’t look like that building” and must follow the character of the two-story buildings on the street.

Sara said they envision a narrow two-story building with two large covered porches in front- one on the ground floor and a second one above it.

Mr. Stuart suggested instead of engaging the services of an architect they could develop “some conceptual designs” and present them to his board “so we can go back and forth on them with you. We would be certainly willing to help you!”

He suggested as they develop their building plans they should investigate the plans and proposed design of the Crossroads Hotel across the street for ideas.

Mr. Kriwox said Curt Eggsware will be the builder. His wife said the building will likely have a wooden exterior, painted Adirondack colors.

He said they looked forward to working with the planners on the development of their building plans.