Wildcat Volleyball Senior Night Recognition

The Gouverneur Central School District recently held a Senior Night Recognition for the 10 senior student-athletes on the Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Volleyball Team. Pictured from left: Elaina Raven (#5), Ivey Bulger (#4), Mallorie Fuller (#6), Destiny Blair (#24), Ninah Newcombe (#3), Tatum Mulder (#1), Emily Infield (#16), Jacey Sheen (#9), Lydia Blaine (#10), Kayla Davenport (#7). Each senior student-athlete was recognized for the athletic achievements, present a yellow carnation and blue ribbons (thanks to the Wildcat Athletic Booster Club), and well-wishes from their teammates. The ceremony was conducted by Coach Christine Cognetti in the Gouverneur Middle School gym. (Rachel Hunter photo)

Senior Night: 19 Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football senior student-athletes recognized

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Central School Districted feted its 19 senior student-athletes on the Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football Team before the Section 10 Class C Championship game on Saturday, October 28 at Frank LaFalce Field in Gouverneur.

Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football Head Coach Sean Devlin and the coaching staff extended appreciation to the senior student-athletes and their families for their years of dedication and commitment to the Gouverneur Football Program. “This group has been one of the most dedicated groups of players that have played for these coaches, and have been great role models for the younger generation of Wildcats,” Coach Joel Baer said from the announcer’s stand. “We wish them the best in the future. They will always be a part of the Gouverneur Football family. We still have work to do this year. Thank you players.”

Each senior student-athlete was presented with a yellow carnation and blue ribbon, thanks to the Gouverneur Wildcat Athletic Booster Club.

The following 19 senior student-athletes were recognized:

Gouverneur Wildcat RB/LB Vincent Thomas (#24), son of Michael and Kiersten Thomas and Heather Colburn.

Gouverneur Wildcat RB/LB Hunter Mashaw (#25), son of Paul and Kara Mashaw.

Gouverneur Wildcat DB/WR Connor Bishop (#38), son of Matt and Holly Bishop.

Gouverneur Wildcat RB/LB Vandavian Way (#11), son of Daniel and Shannon Way.

Gouverneur Wildcat WR/DB Gunner Simmons (#10), son of Ed and Desiree Simmons.

Gouverneur Wildcat OL/DL Brodie Burns (#51), son of Kenny and Pam Burns.

Gouverneur Wildcat RB/DB Connor Witherell (#15), son of Erin Hughes and Dean Witherell and Ashley Plantz.

Gouverneur Wildcat WR/DB Tanner Hitchcock (#80), son of Thomas and Kim Hitchcock.

Gouverneur Wildcat DL/TE William Riutta (#2), son of Roger and Sarah Riutta.

Gouverneur Wildcat DL/OL Ashton Bowman (#57), son of Derek and Amy Bowman

Gouverneur Wildcat RB/LB Drew Gates (#30), son of Marty and Erin Gates

Gouverneur Wildcat FB/LB Laike Lumley (#23), son of Brian Lumley and Allison Woods.

Gouverneur Wildcat OL/DL Owen Siebels (#56), son of Ed and Beth Siebels,

Gouverneur Wildcat LB/TE Trevor Moore (#22), son of Brandy and Shawn Crawn, and Kenny Denny and Brooke Parmeter.

Gouverneur Wildcat FB/LB Jonavin Ayen (#20), son of John and Rochelle Ayen.

Gouverneur Wildcat OL/DL Alexander Ordway (#73), son of Brennan and Amy Ordway.

Gouverneur Wildcat DL/OL Gabriel Hance (#58), son of Cory Hance and Lindsay Weaver, Amanda Evans and Josh Creel.

Gouverneur Wildcat QB/DB Holden Stowell (#7), son of Kim and Josh Stowell.

Gouverneur Wildcat FB/LB Gage Cornell (#32), son of Natalie Hartle, Tony Cornell and Alicia Cornell.

Gouverneur Wildcat OL/DL Cael Denesha (#62), son of Cory Denesha and Autumn Baker.

The Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football senior student-filmers – Caitlyn Storie, Abigail Bowman, Meredith Bush, and Chloe Smith – were also recognized. The coaching staff extended gratitude for their invaluable dedication to the Gouverneur Football Program over the last couple of years.

Also recognized were the two senior student-athletes on the Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football Cheer Team – Elizabeth Jenne and Carynn Way. During the special ceremony, the Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football Cheer Team accepted flowers on behalf of Carynn Way and her family. Coach Baer announced that Miss Way was unable to be in attendance as she was in a Vermont hospital recovering from a tragic accident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Way family as Carynn begins her recovery,” he said.

Words of congratulations were extended to all the senior student-athletes following the ceremony. The Gouverneur Wildcat Varsity Football won the Section 10 Class Champion, 55-0, over St. Lawrence Central. Tonight, the Gouverneur Wildcats will compete in the NYSPHSAA Regional Semifinals against Saranac Central at Plattsburgh High School. Kick-off is at 7 p.m. For full schedule information, visit sections710.org.

Gouverneur Recreation Department hosts 28th Annual Community Costume Spooktacular

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Recreation Department’s 28th Annual Community Costume Spooktacular on Oct. 28 drew local families for some spooktacular fun before the Halloween holiday.

The mood was eerily set with werewolves, scarecrows, bats, witches, ghosts and more were positioned around the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center, 4673 NY-58, Gouverneur, in readiness of the event. Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell welcomed all youths inside with an evil laugh, as they made their way to the registration table. Others on hand to welcome the youths included volunteers Stacy Canell and Corryn Canell, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. and Patti (Farley) Spilman, Gouverneur Recreation Attendant Kristin Lamanteer, Gouverneur Recreation Attendant Michelle Prashaw, Lisa Wood of the Gouverneur Community Center and Gouverneur Code Enforcement Officer Rick Wood, among others.

All those in attendance enjoyed the Halloween themed activities, including costume judging, Halloween parade, spooky music and entertainment, several fun games and activities, including a scavenger hunt for small toy skulls for a chances at special prizes of Halloween décor and candy. At the conclusion, door prizes were drawn for coveted Halloween décor items and a gift subscription to the Gouverneur Tribune Press. Much gratitude was extended to all who contributed any type of service to the event’s success.

There were many big smiles and wishes for a “Happy Halloween” as the local families waved their farewells, with a great time being had by all those in attendance. Many community members said they enjoyed the Eldon B. Conklin Gouverneur Community Center as a venue for the event, and look forward to attending the 29th Annual Gouverneur Recreation Department’s Community Costume Spooktacular in 2024.

For more information about the Gouverneur Recreation Department, call 315-287-0524.

Gouverneur Recreation Department hosts 11th Annual Mummy Wrap

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Recreation Department hosted its 11th Annual Mummy Wrap on Wednesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 19 at the Gouverneur Recreation Center, Trinity Ave., Gouverneur.

In timed events, local students from UPK to Grade 1 and Grade 2 to Grade 4 had the opportunity to form teams to play the “mummy wrap game” during the Gouverneur Recreation Department’s After-School Program (STEAM Studio), which provides youth with the opportunity to explore the STEAM field, with theme days, guests with fine arts appreciation, gaming stations with tournament, and interactive social play. The mummy wrap fun started with a mummy-themed rice crisped cereal treat by Sweet Treats Up The Street in Gouverneur that was enjoyed by all those in attendance. The Mummy Wrap game was also played during Toddler Town on Thursday morning during the recreational pre-school playgroup’s program which features include interactive socialization, music, art, storytelling and snack, and active play.

The youths in the Gouverneur Recreation Department programs started the Mummy Wrap event with the youth forming teams of two, three or four people. The teams then decided which team member would be wrapped like a mummy. The Gouverneur Recreation Center staff then distributed rolls of paper towels and toilet paper to each team, and provided some instructions on proper wrapping techniques to all the youths gathered. All teams were encouraged to wrap their mummies from head to toe (but not including the face).

Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell encouraged the youths to go slow in wrapping their mummies due to the easy-to-tear quality of the paper towels and toilet paper, and yet to be expedient as the judges would award winners based on the work quality.

“Ready, set, go!” Director Canell said, and a flurry of activity began in the Gouverneur Recreation Center as toilet paper and paper towels started to fly as the youth worked speedily to wrap their respective mummies. There was much glee and laughter as each team used their own strategies to wrap and decorate the mummy within the time limit. All youths were encouraged to use their creativity in making their mummy design stand out from the crowd.

Gouverneur Recreation staff served as judges, and a series of special prizes were awarded to the youth in attendance.

Much gratitude is extended to the Gouverneur Recreation Department for making this event one not-to-be missed for local youth in the Gouverneur community.

The Gouverneur Tribune Press will include more reports on the Halloween Happenings at the Gouverneur Recreation Center in an upcoming edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

All North Country residents are reminded of the following events:

A Halloween Theme Bingo and Hat Contest for Senior Citizens will be held on Friday, October 27, 10 a.m. to noon, for a bingo and coffee social. All senior citizens are encouraged to wear their craziest hat.

The Gouverneur Recreation Department will present the 28th Annual Community Costume Spooktacular on Saturday, October 28, starting at 11 a.m., on the Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur for all ages, weather permitting. The event will feature a Monster Mash music and entertainment, with costume contest judging will be held at 11:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded. All North Country community children are invited to participate. For more information, call the Gouverneur Recreation Department at 315-287-0524.

2023 Walk: Over $150,000 raised to support North Country breast, ovarian cancer patients

by Rachel Hunter

The North Country community arrived in the Gouverneur Village Park on Saturday, October 7 in strong support of the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund at its 22nd annual walk.

It is estimated that over $150,000 was raised in support of the fund’s mission to provide financial assistance to those fighting Breast or Ovarian cancer or a cancer that has metastasized from those cancers. The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund assists individuals who live in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, and Franklin counties providing financial assistance with household, medical, travel, and living expenses during a patient's treatment of those cancers. Every penny of support goes directly to assist newly diagnosed patients with their recovery.

The 2023 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Walk – as is becoming an annual tradition – is held during October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) to help promote screening and prevention of the disease, which affects one in eight women in the United States every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. It falls soon after Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month each September, the second most common gynecologic cancer and the most deadly one in the country. The sea of pink and teal quickly amassed in the Gouverneur Village Park on Saturday morning, as hundreds gathered joined cancer survivors in walking in honor of a loved one battling cancer or in memory of someone lost to cancer. Pre-registration numbers grew over 100 persons strong before the 2023 walk, with hundreds more registering in-person. The first 300 persons to register received a thank-you bag filled with goodies from the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund and local sponsors. Each person who had over $40 in pledges donated received a free 2023 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund T-shirt.

First Student Bus Garage of Gouverneur donating its services to all walkers starting at 9 a.m. through the end of the walk ceremonies at the Riverview Recreational Park. Many North Country residents took advantage of the service both to the Gouverneur Village Park and on the return trip following the ceremonies and raffle drawings. Much gratitude was extended to First Student of Gouverneur for its generous donation.

From breakfast available from Dunkin’ in Gouverneur to pink and teal hair extensions and informational booths from medical centers and organizations, there was something for everyone to do in the Gouverneur Village Park. Tickets were available for the Big Button Raffle (featuring hundreds of items from local businesses, artists/crafters, and more) the big raffle (featuring a 22-inch Leslie’s rose gold necklace with a Rose Gold Ribbon with a pink Sapphire and Teal Diamond with accent diamonds (retail value over $2,300), hand designed and set by Harland Brown of Brown’s Jewelry in Gouverneur). New this year, attendees had the opportunity to purchase pink and teal gumballs for a quarter donation.

The 2023 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Walk – held annually rain or shine – saw a great turnout, despite the inclement rainy conditions. Pink and teal raincoats, umbrellas and other seasonable attire could be seen throughout the Gouverneur Village Park as the opening ceremonies began. The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Committee welcomed all those in attendance, including several local dignitaries: New York State Assemblyman (116th District) Scott Gray, Gouverneur Village Mayor Ron McDougall, Town Councilman Curran Wade, Town Councilwoman Lory Whitton, Village Trustee Floyd McAdam, among others.

The crowd was energized by local media personalities, Community Broadcasters’ Johnny Spezzano and WWNY-TV’s Makenzie Piatt, at the onset of the opening ceremonies. The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Committee and its guests this year were on a raised platform from KT Contracting in Gouverneur, due to the recent improvements to the Gouverneur Village Park. Mayor McDougall promised that the Kinney Gazebo would be installed by the 2024 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Walk. The national anthem was performed by Deb Ward of Gouverneur.

The guest speaker was Lynn Tharrett of Massena. “I absolutely love seeing the sea of pink and teal. It is so heartwarming to see everybody here today… This is my ninth year as a breast cancer survivor. I want to start off today by thanking this amazing organization. They have supported me ever since the very beginning. Terry Pistolesi reached out to me when I was first diagnosed in 2014, and she and all of these lovely women have been by my side since. I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done for me, and for the women in our four counties. Thank you.

“When you are little, everyone always asks you what you want to be when you grow up. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a teacher… but I never remember thinking that I wanted to be a cancer survivor. Yet, from the young age of 22, cancer has been something that has defined pretty much who I am today. In fact, it has defined me just as much as being a fifth grade teacher for 20 years has. It can’t be helped, because what we do and who we surround ourselves with, the decisions that we make, and the major events in our lives shape us like a ball of clay. At 22, I was diagnosed with Stage 2B Hodgkins Lymphoma. I went through nine months of chemotherapy and came out a survivor five years later. When I was 36, I lost my dad to esophageal cancer at the veery young age of 58. At 42, I was diagnosed with HER2- multifocal, invasive ductal breast cancer. Since that time, my breast cancer has been back in my bones and my pleural cavity in 2017, 2019, and this past spring. Last December, I had to say goodbye to my best friend, my mom, also from cancer at the age of 69 – again, way too young. I guess you could say that life has handed me lots of lemons, especially in the form of cancer. I refuse to let it hold me down, because what I have learned through all of this, is that we all matter. But it is also what you make from those lemons that is going to define you. It is going to define who you are, what you do, and how you survive this thing called life. So today, I am encouraging all of you to take your lemons and turn them into pink lemonade with me. Thank you.”

The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Committee was then introduced, including Mona Allen, Judy Bush, Tammy Blevins, Marilyn LaPierre, Bridgette LaPierre, Joey Shelly, and Terry Pistolesi. Much applause sounded for the work that the committee does all year-round.

Mrs. Pistolesi then took the microphone and said the following address: “Thank you so much for coming out today. It is more than we anticipated, considering the weather. Every one of you showed up. That’s what I wanted to say today. I heard from a friend that the most important thing to her when she was sick was people showing up. And I have not been able to forget that. It’s not just showing up today. It’s not showing up the day of diagnosis. But it is showing up when they are going through chemo. It is taking five minutes to send a note to say hello or making that phone call that most of us tend to forget… Show up. All of you today have shown up for every survivor, for everyone who is fighting this disease, and for everyone that we are honoring today in our memory. Thank you so much for showing up. It means more to all of us than you will ever know...”

The opening prayer was then offered by Fr. James “Jay” Seymour of St. James Catholic Church in Gouverneur. The prayer of hope and comfort was taken from Psalm 62.

The sea of pink and teal then mustered out toward East Main Street in Gouverneur to start the one-mile walk to Mills Park, before crossing the pedestrian footbridge to the Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur. The walk was led by the Gouverneur Police Department, driven by Officer Sheen, in the GPD-412 apparatus. Next was the Superior Plus Propane’s “Delivering Hope” truck, followed by the Gouverneur Fire Department, and the Gouverneur Rescue Squad. The GPD and GFD assisted with traffic control. Grove and Church streets were closed by barricades provided by the Village of Gouverneur. The sea of pink and teal upon arrival at the Riverview Recreational Park in Gouverneur enjoyed refreshments, the survivor ceremony, and raffle drawings.

Much gratitude is extended to all those who showed support of the 2023 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Walk, including over 80 local sponsors. Those who would still like to donate can mail their donation to: Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund, PO Box 64, Gouverneur, NY 13642. For more information, follow the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund’s Facebook page.

Gouverneur Memorial Arch restoration work nearing completion

by Rachel Hunter

D B Masonry in Gouverneur has nearly completed all of the repairs needed at the War Memorial Arch in the Gouverneur Village Park.

Owner Naaman Lowry told the Gouverneur Tribune Press this week that 95 percent of the project’s work is done.

The Village of Gouverneur contracted with D B Masonry in Gouverneur for the project work, which included repairs and cleaning to the Memorial Arch in the Gouverneur Village Park. The project included grinding out and repointing old mortar joints, repairs to the concrete top, restore the marble corner on the southwest corner of the arch, and the cleaning and powerwashing of the monument. The project cost was estimated to cost over $30,000, which was funded through a grant secured through New York State Senator Patty Ritchie’s office in 2019 to allow the Village of Gouverneur to make a series of upgrades to the Gouverneur Village Park. Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall told the public that the Memorial Arch was the Village’s top priority in the list of items to be addressed. Other project work will include the installation of a new gazebo and other improvements in the Gouverneur Village Park. (It is estimated that the village park improvements will continue on Monday, October 9.)

D B Masonry in Gouverneur told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the project was more involved and more expensive than previously projected, due to extensive amount of restoration work needed, especially at the top of structure.

“The grant was for $32,000. I had to do a change order for $7,800 because of the unsuspecting cracks in the stone that I had to fix,” Mr. Lowry said, explaining that it added to the materials cost and the estimated project time. The project was delayed from its original schedule due to backordered materials and supply chain shortages.

The repair and restoration work was daunting, but D B Masonry tackled it head-on this summer. “There were one to three inch cracks all the way across both sides of it,” Mr. Lowry said. “Over the years, all of that water got down in it, and calcified. We had to grind that out… and that was just from the water leaking inside. Once we started grinding some of the mortar joints out, there was nothing behind them but dirt. So it was lucky that we addressed it now.”

Mr. Lowry said the repairs will weatherproof the Memorial Arch against further damage, even during the North Country’s harsh winters.

“We repaired the top with a waterproofing concrete, and then we also sealed the top,” he said. “We also caulked the big joints with a waterproofer sealant, and then we put the concrete over that, so hopefully that will last a little bit.” Mr. Lowry suggests that the Village of Gouverneur look at the condition of the Memorial Arch every 10 to 15 years for maintenance purposes.”

The Village of Gouverneur asked D B Masonry to take the scaffolding down in readiness for the “sea of pink and teal” that will arrive in the Gouverneur Village Park for the 2023 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Walk this Saturday, October 7. There is a small amount of sealant and joint-filling work that D B Masonry will tackle at a later time. D B Masonry in Gouverneur was “very proud” to do the repairs and restoration work on the War Memorial Arch for the Village of Gouverneur.

Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the Gouverneur Memorial Arch was built in the center of the downtown village park in 1905. The effort was funded by the local Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) from the proceeds of special postcards printed with the architect's design for the arch. The Gouverneur Museum reports that close to 200 families made additional donations. Their names were placed on a list that was sealed inside the cornerstone before it was laid. The memorial arch was dedicated on August 30, 1905, as part of the town's Centennial celebration. Over the arch is engraved "Lest We Forget," the theme and purpose of the monument. Various plaques list the names of Gouverneur's first settlers from 1805-1807, and local residents who lost their lives during the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Newly restored, the Gouverneur Memorial Arch continues to stand as one of the area’s most prominent landmarks in the Gouverneur Village Park. For more information about the Memorial Arch, visit www.gouverneurmuseum.com.

Giant Pumpkin Drop thrills crowd at 12th annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival

by Rachel Hunter

The 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival drew crowds to the Gouverneur Fairgrounds on Sunday, September 24 to witness the Giant Pumpkin Drop. An annual fall tradition for many local families, the Giant Pumpkin Drop was truly a hit as residents from all over St. Lawrence County and beyond witnessed the pumpkin-smashing action

The promise of big cash prizes drove North Country residents to purchase raffle tickets for the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival’s Giant Pumpkin Drop at pre-festival sale locations (including the Gouverneur Farmers Market) and at the Pumpkin Fest on Saturday and Sunday. Among the local dignitaries present on Sunday were Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, Town of Gouverneur Councilman Jay Bowhall, and St. Lawrence County Legislator District 5 Harry Smithers (R-Gouverneur).

The pumpkin dropped was a 486-pounder grown by Fair Director Lyle Hotis of Gouverneur. It was gutted of its meat and seeds by Fair Director Dave Bishop of DeKalb. The public was then invited to take the giant pumpkin seeds, and grow their own giant pumpkin for exhibition at the 2024 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival. The pumpkin was then relocated to the Horse Show Ring on the Gouverneur Fairgrounds, where it was harnessed and filled with water and numbered golf balls for the Giant Pumpkin Drop contest by a well-oiled team of volunteers and officials from the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association. The numbers on the golf balls corresponded with raffle tickets sold in advance of the contest. Big cash prizes were promised to the top three winners, after the lengths traveled had been measured and the furthest traveled determined.

At the 4 p.m. start time, the 486-pound pumpkin now brought in estimates of a 700-pound weight after being gutted and filled with water and golf balls. The crane, donated by RSI Roofing Inc. in Gouverneur and operated by Barry Turner, then lifted the harnessed gourd up in the air a total of 75 feet. With great anticipation, the crowd with the help of Fair Manager Don Peck of Edwards began the countdown. The giant pumpkin was released by Pastor Dave Hart of Richville with assistance from the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association officials. Moments later, the giant pumpkin smashed onto the wooden surface below, sending pumpkin meat, water and the numbered golf balls flying in all directions.

After some measuring and determinations, local youths helped to gather the golf balls from the grounds in and around the Horse Show Ring as the results were determined by Fair Secretary April Patton and Treasurer Linda Bishop. The results then were announced by Fair Manager Don Peck of Edwards and echoed by Chamber Director Connie Stowell of Gouverneur as follows: The first place prize of $500 went to Jessica Sweet of Gouverneur (golf ball numbered 218 traveled a total of 122.2 feet). The second place prize of $250 went to Rachel Riley of Richville (golf ball numbered 850 traveled a total of 111.3 feet). The third place prize of $100 went to TJ Simmons of Gouverneur (golf ball numbered 105 traveled a total of 105.6 feet). Congratulations were extended to all the winners.

Throughout the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival, local youth had the opportunity to win pumpkin giveaways. The pumpkins were provided by Charlie Burt of Rowan’s Little Pumpkin Ridge of Gouverneur and Mike Livingston of DeKalb. The youth winners were all smiles as they gratefully accepted the pumpkins, and gratitude was extended to the local pumpkin growers for making the giveaways possible.

The North Country community, still riding on the high from the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival, is already making plans to attend the 13th annual event in 2024.

For more information on the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association or the Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival, visit gouverneurfair.net.

12th Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival this weekend

by Rachel Hunter

Fair President Beth Martin selling raffle tickets ahead of the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Fest’s Giant Pumpkin Drop, which will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 24 at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. The funds raised will go to support the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. (Rachel Hunter photo)

The 12th Annual Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival, presented by the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair and the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce, will be held on Saturday, September 23, noon to 6 p.m., and Sunday, September 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. Proceeds raised will help the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association with its building and maintenance fund. Much gratitude is extended to this year’s sponsors, including RSI Roofing, Gouverneur Garden Club, Blevins Ford, and Crane Operator Barry Turner.

A crowd favorite now for over a decade, the Giant Pumpkin Drop will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The public is invited to purchase $5 raffle tickets, and have the chance to win big cash prizes at the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival. Each entrant’s corresponding number will be on a numbered golf ball that is put into a giant pumpkin in advance of the drop. The top three golf balls that travel the furthest are then determined, and the winners announced. Big cash payouts are promised, and the local winners will not be disappointed. The prize for the furthest ball traveled is $500, second place is $250, and third place is $100.

Tickets will be available for sale in pre-festival locations throughout the Gouverneur community. Fair Director Lyle Hotis of Gouverneur harvested his giant pumpkins on Wednesday, September 20 and they will be available for viewing in various locations before the Pumpkin Fest as volunteers sell pre-festival Giant Pumpkin Drop tickets. Follow the fair’s Facebook page for up-to-date information on the pre-festival ticket sale dates and locations.

One of the giant pumpkins grown by Mr. Hotis will be the one used for the 2023 Giant Pumpkin Drop on Sunday. Giant Pumpkin Drop tickets will also be available throughout the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival on the Gouverneur Fairgrounds this Saturday and Sunday.

Giant Pumpkin growers from all over the North Country will converge at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds for the 2023 Giant Pumpkin Weight Contests. All growers can bring their entries on Saturday or Sunday. The Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off will be held on Sunday, 1 to 2 p.m., with the awards ceremony to follow. Prizes will be distributed to the top winners. The prizes in the senior division are as follows: first prize ($200), second prize ($100), and third prize ($50). The prizes in the junior division are as follows: first prize ($50), second prize ($25), and third prize ($10). There also will be a Guess The Pumpkin Weight 50/50 Raffle, tickets will be $1 each. There also will be free pumpkin giveaways for the youth.

Vendor space is still available to crafters, vendors, and flea marketers, and registration forms are now available online at gouverneurfair.net and gouverneurchamber.net.

The 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival schedule is as follows:

The Pumpkin Festival fun will begin on Saturday, September 23 with craft show, children’s activities, vendors, food (hot dog cart, New York Pizzeria, Cotton Candy N More, Mullins, etc.), and games. There will be a chicken barbecue, $15 per dinner, starting at noon till sold out. Only 100 chicken halves will be available for sale, so all those interested in enjoying the scrumptious chicken barbecue dinner is encouraged to come early and enjoy the meals at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. The Gouverneur Pumpkin Cruise-In Classic Car Show, sponsored by Blevins Ford, will be held on Saturday, 1 to 3 p.m. The long-awaited auction (in-person and Facebook live) will be held at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds Youth Building for the exceptional pieces created by chainsaw carving artist Jennifer Black at the 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair. The North Country can preview the items anytime during the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival. Advance photos have also been posted to the Don Peck Auctioneer Facebook page.

On Sunday, September 24, the fun will begin at 8 a.m. with registration for the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur’s annual Pumpkin Run/Walk 5K. There will be yoga at 8:15 a.m., walk/run kick-off at 8:45 a.m., mat pilates at 9:45 a.m., and zumba at 10:05 a.m. The cost is a $35 registration fee. For more information, visit the event page on Facebook. The UMC Gouverneur Church Service will follow at 11 a.m. in the FFA Building.

The craft show and draft horse wagon rides (by Bango Valley Percherons) will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Steelin’ Country will perform in the Youth Building from noon to 2 p.m. The Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. with the awards for youths and adults to follow. The Giant Pumpkin Drop will be held at 4 p.m. There also will be children’s activities by the Gouverneur Recreation Center on Sunday.

With something for everyone, the 2023 Gouverneur Pumpkin Festival promises to be a community event not to be missed. For more information, visit the Gouverneur Fair website, www.gouverneurfair.net.

Carolyn Pistolesi Memorial Golf Tournament raises over $11,000 to support breast, ovarian cancer patients

by Rachel Hunter

The 2023 Carolyn Pistolesi Memorial Golf Tournament on Sunday, September 10 at the Gouverneur Country Club raised over $11,000 for the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund. A North Country tradition for over two decades, the benefit golf tournament has raised over $2 million in its history, and helped about 1,000 people. The event in 2023 was named in memory of Carolyn Pistolesi, a founding member of the Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund, who passed away on September 11, 2022.

The origin story of the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund has been reported as follows: After losing a very dear friend to Breast Cancer in 2000, Carolyn Pistolesi and Marilyn LaPierre decided to show their support in the fight against Breast Cancer by participating in a Breast Cancer Walk/Run in Norwood, New York in August. Monies raised at this event went to help women who were diagnosed with Breast Cancer through the Healthy Living Partnership of St. Lawrence County and the Jefferson/Lewis Healthy Women's Partnership.

These two partnerships had money through state funds to help diagnose women, but if they were above the qualifying financial assistance level once diagnosed, there were no funds to help them in their treatment. All funds raised during the event were used to provide treatment and services to these women. On the way home, both women felt good that they had done something positive in memory of their dear friend Donna Weldon.

A few weeks went by, and these two women, both members of the Gouverneur Business Women Club, were together again doing something related to Breast Cancer. During their monthly meeting, DeDe Walter, a local businesswomen, community member, mother, wife, sister, and Breast Cancer survivor, happened to be the month's guest speaker. DeDe was on the Board of Directors for the not-for-profit that supported the walk attended by Carolyn and Marilyn back in August. She talked about the upcoming major fundraiser in October and her involvement in the cause, but what really touched the group was when she spoke about her experience dealing with Breast Cancer. How she felt, how her family and friends rallied around her to support her as best they could, and her fears for her daughter as she became older. She also spoke of what she wanted to see for other Breast Cancer patients in the future. She was one of the lucky ones; she had survived and had a story to tell.

After DeDe was done speaking and the members wiped away a tear or two, then president Marilyn LaPierre said, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could do something like that too." With that statement, the Gouverneur Business Women's Breast Cancer Walk was started. The members talked and bounced ideas around, and Marilyn asked for volunteers. Six women said they would start the committee. Marilyn LaPierre, Carolyn Pistolesi, Judy Bush, Mona Allen, Becky Fiacco, and Terry Hitsman-Moses. The committee formed, ideas were had, and now it was time to put it all together and achieve the results they desired, to help women in the Gouverneur area who couldn't afford all the extra expenses brought on when fighting Breast Cancer.

Living in a small community with a population base of about 4,500 residents, no one knew what to expect from the first walk. The committee members all voiced what they thought they'd raise, with the most aggressive goal being $10,000.00. They all decided that whoever had the closest goal to the actual amount raised would be taken out for the dinner of their choice. No committee member was prepared when they raised over $19,500.00 in the first year. The idea of making the walk an annual event was discussed, and decided that the committee needed to create its own organization. With the advice of a local attorney, the application to become a 501(c)3 was completed, bylaws written, and official board members named. Effective March 21, 2003, the official not-for-profit exemption was official. In 2014, the "Gouverneur Business Women's Breast Cancer Walk Fund" became "Gouverneur Breast Cancer Fund." A new website was launched to observe the change. In 2020, the walk was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Fund decided to attempt a "virtual" walk to be held during the months of September and October 2020. The 2021 Walk was cautiously scheduled for October 2, 2021. In 2022 the very successful Gouverneur Breast Cancer Walk was held on October 1, 2022. Also, in 2022, the organization officially became the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund, as the name better aligns with the Fund’s mission.

The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund’s mission is to alleviate at least some of the financial burden patients face during their treatment and allow them to focus on recovery and healing. Patients receive financial assistance with medical expenses, household expenses, rent, mortgages and car payments as a few examples. All support goes directly to assist newly diagnosed patients with their recovery. The Fund assists individuals who live in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, and Franklin counties, New York, by providing financial assistance with household, medical, travel, and living expenses during a patient's treatment of both breast and ovarian cancers.

The 2023 Carolyn Pistolesi Memorial Golf Tournament drew its own sea of pink and teal to the Gouverneur Country Club with North Country residents making donations to support the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund, while remembering the life and legacy of Carolyn Pistolesi. Although Carolyn’s journey with this disease was short, her legacy continues through the organization that she was so dedicated to, and her vision continues to touch the lives of men and women in their fight.

The teams were greeted by the Gouverneur Breast and Fund Committee, including volunteers Judy Bush, Connie Stowell, and Terry Pistolesi at the registration table.

Organizer Connie Stowell of Gouverneur welcomed all those in attendance at the 1 p.m. start. “The most important thing is to have fun today. We are going to make Carolyn proud,” she said. The Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund and all those in attended extended gratitude to Connie Stowell for her fundraising efforts every year.

The 2023 Carolyn Pistolesi Memorial Golf Tournament also included raffles, food, and fun for all.

Terri Moore of Gouverneur was proclaimed the winner of the $500 Princess House Shopping Spree, which was donated by Connie Stowell.

Many of those in attendance showed much interest in the Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund’s raffle for a 22-inch Leslie’s rose gold necklace with a Rose Gold Ribbon with a pink Sapphire and Teal Diamond with accent diamonds (retail value over $2,300), which was hand designed and set by Harland Brown of Brown's Jewelry in Gouverneur. Raffle tickets for the necklace and the many items donated by local businesses and community members in the button raffle are now available from any Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Committee Member and will also be available at the Walk. The drawing will be held on October 7.

The 2023 Carolyn Pistolesi Memorial Golf Tournament received support from the Gouverneur community through event and hole sponsorships, donations for the raffle table and more. Much gratitude was extended to the following sponsors: Kinney Drugs Foundation, Casablanca, Gouverneur Hospital, Joel and Bridgette LaPierre and girls, Pistolesi Girls, KT Contracting, Pistolesi Rentals, Northland Veterinary Clinic, Patti Visconti and Laura Carbone, Lauren French, Fun Unlimited, Barb and Phil Tulley, Anita and Tom Sleeman, Gouverneur Savings and Loan, Route 11 Diner, Community Bank, Luanne and Tom Hilts, Chris and Al Betrus, Bill Miller Painting, as well as those who donated raffle items and volunteered.

The 2023 Gouverneur Breast and Ovarian Cancer Fund Walk will be held on Saturday, October 7. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. in the Village Park, or register online at www.gouverneurbreastovariancancerfund.com. The first 300 registrations received will receive a free gift bag, and all who donate with a minimum of $40.00 registration fee, receive a free t-shirt. The public is reminded that all donations are used to support patients going through breast, ovarian cancer, or a cancer that has metastasized from said cancers, living in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis or Franklin Counties of New York. For more information, visit www.gouverneurbreastovariancancerfund.com.

Pickleball craze hits Gouverneur

by Rachel Hunter

The pickleball craze is going strong in Gouverneur – with no sign of souring any time soon.

The pickleball courts at Mills Park in Gouverneur were established in 2022, thanks to $1,000 in memorial and private contributions. The courts were recently resurfaced thanks to the Village of Gouverneur who allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the improvement of Mills Park, including the pickleball courts. It is anticipated that colors will be added in Spring 2024. Now, over a year since the third pickleball court was added in Mills Park, the pickleball craze has hit a fever pitch, and the Gouverneur, NY Pickleball group is inviting people of all levels and abilities to join the fun.

What is pickleball? Pickleball is a racket or paddle sport in which two (singles) or four (doubles) players hit a perforated, hollow plastic ball with paddles over a 34-inch-high net until one side is unable to return the ball or commits an infraction. The game was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, at the summer home of Joel Pritchard, who later served in the United States Congress and as Washington's lieutenant governor. Pritchard and two of his friends, Barney McCallum and Bill Bell, are credited with devising the game and establishing the rules.

While it resembles tennis and table tennis, pickleball has specific rules, paddles and court dimensions. The court is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide, and the paddle is larger than the one used in table tennis. The hard plastic ball used in pickleball produces less bounce than tennis balls. On each side of the net is a 7-foot area known as the non-volley zone (or the kitchen), where the ball must bounce before it is hit. The rules specify side-out scoring, where only the server can score a point. The minimal amount of bounce, the non-volley zones, and the underhanded stroke with which all serves are made, give the game a dynamic pace.

Between 1965 and 2020, pickleball became a popular sport in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, and began to grow in popularity elsewhere. In 2021-2023, the sport was named the fastest-growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, and by 2023 it was estimated to have over 4.8 million players. The growing popularity of the sport has been attributed to its short learning curve, its appeal to a wide range of ages and fitness levels, and its low startup costs. There are now thousands of pickleball tournaments throughout the United States.

Organizer Barbara Little told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that the concept of pickleball is a beautiful combination of camaraderie and competitiveness, and that people of all levels and abilities can enjoy the sport. “It is a great way to meet people,” she said. The Gouverneur Pickleball Courts are often in use, and those who want to join are encouraged to come to Mills Park on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 9 to 11 a.m., or on Saturdays. Join the Gouverneur, NY Pickleball Facebook group or visit www.playtimescheduler.com to discover the best time to head to the local courts.

Certified Pickleball Instructor Michael Rivers of Watertown has a passion for pickleball and wants to see the sport grow through Northern New York. He has been a frequent fixture at the Gouverneur courts – putting on clinics and giving guidance and instruction on the game of pickleball to those in attendance. He also has put on clinics in Alexandria Bay, Watertown, Croghan, and more. “I just want to get people enthused,” he said. “It’s addictive. You can chat back and forth and exchange cherry cobbler recipes if you want. It’s fun. We’re not curing cancer. We’re just having fun. I play in tournaments. I compete. But anywhere in between, it’s fun… The rules of this sport are so unique that it mitigates the difference in skill level. When I was playing competitive racquetball, I played someone that was just starting – and it was no fun for them, and no fun for me. But that doesn’t happen in this sport really… now don’t get me wrong, good players find who the weak players are, and they attack. But if you can master the three shots… and I teach them in every clinic… serve, return a serve, third shot. If you know those, you can play. I just love it. And most of these guys when we started were 2.0. They couldn’t serve. They didn’t know the rules. They’ve got a ways to go, but we’ve been doing this a while… The goal is to make this fun, so that you don’t get into pickleball snobbery where the 4.0 doesn’t want to play with the 2.5. I don’t play like that. You just pick your rotation and you go out and have fun. It’s a great sport.”

Anyone interested in pickleball is encouraged to join the Gouverneur, NY Pickleball group and get involved as this sport continues to grow throughout the North Country and beyond.

GH Auxiliary Antiques In The Park deemed a success

by Rachel Hunter

Treasure seekers were thrilled at the variety of antiques available for purchase from vendors across the North Country region at the 26th Antiques In The Park, sponsored by the Gouverneur Hospital Auxiliary. All funds raised will be used in support of the Gouverneur Hospital, an affiliate of St. Lawrence Health and Rochester Regional Health.

The event was moved to the St. James School gymnasium due to inclement weather. This was the first time in the event’s history that it was not held in the Gouverneur Village Park. But the rain didn’t dampen the spirits as big smiles and joy-filled laughter filled the St. James School as North Country residents enjoyed talking with the vendors. There were streams of customers throughout the day, as the local community greatly welcomed the return of Antiques In The Park. With continued support, it will continue to be a thriving fundraiser for the Gouverneur Hospital Auxiliary and continue to grow in future years.

The Gouverneur Hospital Auxiliary held their big raffle fundraiser for an antique picture frame (donated by the Gouverneur Museum) filled with a $100 bill and $100 worth of lottery tickets (made possible by the GH Auxiliary). Raffle tickets were $2 each or three tickets for $5. Pre-sale tickets were sold at the Lifesaver Gift Shop at the Gouverneur Hospital as well as Kinney Drugs on Clinton Street. Tickets were also available for sale at the 2023 Antiques in the Park, and GH Auxiliary members warmly greeted all those in attendance. The winner’s name was picked at the 3 p.m. drawing, and the winner was Collette Green from Gouverneur.

Many North Country residents also participated in the silent auction, which was made possible due to the great support from community members, local artists and small businesses. As well, there was much support at the Gouverneur Hospital Auxiliary bake sale, at the Nibbles Snackery food truck, and more.

There is much anticipation for the Gouverneur Hospital Auxiliary’s Antiques In The Park to return in 2024. For more information on the Gouverneur Hospital Auxiliary, call GHA President Kim Halpin at 315-276-4494.

Ryan’s Wish Foundation Golf Tournament raises funds for those diagnosed with cancer, serious illnesses

by Rachel Hunter

The 2023 Ryan’s Wish Foundation Annual Charity Golf Tournament was held on Saturday, August 19 at Emerald Greens’ 18-hole golf course in Gouverneur. Golfers turned out in great number to support the Ryan’s Wish Foundation’s mission to help those diagnosed with cancer and serious illnesses throughout St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin and Lewis counties.

Gouverneur’s own Dr. Robert Saidel and his wife Rita founded Ryan’s Wish Foundation in memory of their son, who strived to live life to the fullest even as he battled cancer. Ryan Saidel from Gouverneur, NY was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was 14 years old and fought the disease for five years before he passed at age 19 on February 7, 2004. During his five-year struggle, Ryan touched the lives of countless people. To those around him, Ryan defined the word courage as he lived his life inspiring others to make the best of each and every day.

A year after Ryan’s death, the Ryan’s Wish Foundation was created to celebrate Ryan’s inspirational life, and is dedicated to helping others who are battling a serious illness “play and live strong.”

The Ryan’s Wish Foundation (501 (C) (3) nonprofit organization) is created to celebrate the inspirational life of Ryan Saidel. The foundation is dedicated to helping people who are battling a serious illness to “play and live strong.” The Foundation serves people in the tri-county areas of Northern New York: Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties. Funds received from the Foundation can help offset traveling costs and other expenses incurred by individuals and their families during treatment or hospitalization. More than $1 million has been distributed to help North Country residents who had been diagnosed with cancer and serious illness throughout St. Lawrence County, Jefferson County, and Lewis County.

The welcoming address was given by John Cunningham, owner of Emerald Greens in Gouverneur, joined by Dr. Robert and Rita Saidel of Gouverneur. “We would like to thank you for joining us today,” Mr. Cunningham said. “We would like to thank you for showing your support of the Ryan’s Wish Foundation.” He also extended gratitude to the Ryan’s Wish Foundation Board for their help organizing the event, along with the Emerald Greens staff.

“Again, we want to thank everyone for coming out today,” Dr. Saidel said. “You know our mission, and you probably maybe even had some friends or others that we have helped in the past. We do St. Lawrence County, Jeferson County, and Lewis County. This year, there has been a lot of people with a lot of health problems that are critical… and that needs transportation, multiple trips to Boston, Syracuse. Because of your donations and coming here to show your support, we are able to not turn down anybody, which is a blessing.”

Great applause sounded as the 20 registered teams of golfers headed out to play on Emerald Greens’ 18-hole golf course last Saturday.

Donations to the Ryan’s Wish Foundation are always gratefully accepted: Ryan's Wish Foundation, c/o Dr. Robert Saidel, P.O. Box 326, Gouverneur, NY 13642.

Exhibitors showcase top quality beef cattle at county fair

by Rachel Hunter

The 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Open and 4-H Beef Cattle Show was held in the Harry Parow Memorial Cattle Showring on the Gouverneur Fairgrounds on Wednesday, August 2. Beef Cattle Superintendent John Hunter of Gouverneur opened the competition to both purebred beef cattle and dairy-beef entries this year.

The Open and 4-H Beef Show was evaluated by Steve Ledoux of Adirondack Beef Company in Croghan.

Supreme and Grand Champion went to a Red Angus cow, Phillips Mildred 922, with calf, Max, at side, exhibited by Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood. Reserve Grand Champion went to the White Park yearling heifer, Whitmore’s Molly, exhibited by Whitmore Family Farm in Gouverneur. Both exhibitors are making plans to exhibit their beef cattle at the New York State Fair.

The Overall Dairy-Beef Champion was a Wagyu-Jersey crossbred finished steer, Willy, exhibited by Graham Rozler of Cowbell Acres in Canton. Reserve went to a prospect steer, Roc-Val Rayne, exhibited by Harlin Brown of Richville. Reserve Senior Champion went to a finished steer over 1,000 pounds, exhibited by Otter Creek Cattle Company. Reserve Junior Champion and Calf Champion was won by Whitmore Family Farm in Gouverneur. More ribbons were presented in the 4-H and open competition for the exhibitors’ quality entries in the breed classes.

4-H’er Luke Steifel of Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood won Overall Master Showman and the Junior Master Showmanship honors. Reserve Master Showman went to 4-H’er Isabella Perretta of Canton who was also named Senior Master Showman. The Reserve Junior Master Showman went to 4-H’er Kelsey Whitmore of Whitmore Family Farm in Gouverneur. The Reserve Senior Master Showman went to Ty Steifel of Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood. Chloe Whitmore received a Cloverbud ribbon for her participation, and Graham Rozler of Cowbell Acres in Canton, and Harlin Brown of Richville received blue ribbons for their participation in the 4-H showmanship classes.

The exhibitors who competed in the 4-H and Open Beef Show were also allowed entry into the first-ever Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Beef Cook-Off Contest. A trophy and $100 gift card to J & S Feed and Outdoors in Gouverneur was presented to the top winner, Cowbell Acres in Canton. Other participants included the following: Otter Creek Cattle Company in Redwood, Roberts Family in Heuvelton, and Whitmore Family Farm in Gouverneur. The judges were Fair President Beth Martin, Jerry Sauls of J & S Feed and Outdoors in Gouverneur, and Floyd Rood of Hermon. The winning entry was awarded for its exceptional taste, appearance, texture, and more. All exhibitors in the 4-H and Open Beef Show are encouraged to consider entering the Second Annual Beef Cook-Off at the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair.

Wildcats Win Mascot Competition

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur Marching Wildcats took first place during the 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair’s Carlton Peck Day Mascot Competition on Wednesday, August 2.

The mascot competition has been a beloved feature of the Carlton Peck Band Day for over a decade – and the 2023 Mascot Competition did not disappoint with a standout performance by the Gouverneur Wildcats.

Gouverneur Wildcat Mascot Maxwel Lucas, with the support of his Gouverneur Wildcat bandmates, blew away the competition with their stellar performance, which featured songs and scenes from Disney’s The High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Little Mermaid and more. The Wildcats worked for weeks in preparation for the performance, and fairgoers were wowed by the talents of the students on the grandstand stage.

In recognition of the exceptional performance, Band Day Director Sean Peck awarded Gouverneur Wildcat Mascot Maxwel Lucas a $25 cash prize. Great cheers and applause sounded from the crowded grandstand in support of the Gouverneur Wildcats.

There is much anticipation building for the 2024 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair’s Carlton Peck Band Day. For more information on the county fair, visit www.gouverneurfair.net.

See You At The Fair: 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair to open Tuesday

by Rachel Hunter

The 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will open on Tuesday, August 1 and run through Sunday, August 6 at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.

There is free gate admission, and a nominal $5 parking fee.

From crowd favorites to new features, the 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair promises to offer something for everyone.

From the carnival rides and games by the Coleman Bros. Shows Inc. to the fair food from by local vendors, the midway will be the place for North Country residents and visitors who want to thrill their senses, and tantalize their tastebuds.

The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair also offers prime entertainment events on the fair grandstand this year.

The fair opens on Tuesday, August 1 with the Local Talent Show at 6:30 p.m., free grandstand.

The Carlton Peck Band Day will be held on Wednesday, August 2 with the high school bands parade at 1:30 p.m. with awards to follow, and the firemen’s parade at 7 p.m., free grandstand.

On Thursday, August 3, harness racing will start a noon, with the “Redneck Thursday” events (Diaper Derby, Straw Bale Throwing, Mullet, Beard, & Mustache Contest) scheduled to start at 4 p.m., with the local band, Common Revolution, taking the grandstand stage at 7 p.m.

On Friday, August 4, at 6 p.m., there will be the New York Hot Farm Pulling Series.

On Saturday, August 5, at 7:30 p.m. (gates open at 6 p.m.) will be the headline concert featuring County Artist Dylan Scott. Tickets will be available at the gate. Special concert shuttle transportation from the Gouverneur Elementary School, 111 Gleason St., Gouverneur, will be provided every half-hour from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 5 only, courtesy of Don Peck Auctions.

On Sunday, August 6, at 1 p.m. will be the crowd-favorite Demolition Derby. Ticket prices and the full weekly schedule of events can be found online at www.gouverneurfair.net.

Coleman Brothers Shows Inc. will once again bring their carnival rides and games. The midway will be open at 2 p.m. daily from Wednesday, August 2 through Sunday, August 6. Food and concessions only will be available on Tuesday, August 1. The wristband schedule has been posted on the fair’s website. Fairgoers can receive at $10 discounted savings on wristbands if they purchase online before Monday, July 31. For more information, visit www.gouverneurfair.net.

Free ground acts this year will include the Eudora Farms Petting Zoo, Rosaire’s Royal Racers, and Chainsaw Carver Jennifer Black.

There also will be plenty of livestock, ag exhibits, and competitions to see in the agricultural end of the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. Fairgoers can expect the finest dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and horses on display in the different barns on the fairgrounds. All livestock entries must be in place by 11 a.m. on Tuesday. The livestock shows start on opening day, Tuesday, August 1 and continue through Sunday, August 6. The fair starts this Saturday, July 29 for youth throughout St. Lawrence County with the 4-H Judging Day (9 to 11:30 a.m.) and the Horticulture Contest (noon). The full weekly schedule of events – including both open and junior contests – is now available on the fair’s website.

The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association has been working for months to ensure that this is the best fair yet. The Gouverneur Fairgrounds have been improved and fairgoers will once again be awed by the floral wonder displayed throughout the fairgrounds. For more information about the 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, visit www.gouverneurfair.net, or call 315-287-3010.

Wildcats Win First In Class B

The Gouverneur Wildcat Marching Band, under the direction of GCS Band Director Jenelle Yeoman, on Saturday, July 15 took first place in Class B with a score of 80.5 at the 51st Can-Am International Festival Parade in Sackets Harbor. The Gouverneur Marching Wildcats also received first place in Class B at the 2023 Jefferson County Fair’s Firemen’s Parade, and second place in Class B during the High School Bands Parade. The Gouverneur Marching Wildcats, over 70 students strong, are performing their 2023 Show, “Groovy Gouvy,” which features “That’s the Way I Like It,” “Low Rider,” and “Funkytown.” Director Yeoman told the Gouverneur Tribune Press, “Every time I have given the students a challenge this season, they have beaten the challenge. This is the biggest score change I have ever seen from them all in a short amount of time. They increased by 11 points within two parades. That is huge. They all amaze me!” The Marching Wildcats will next perform at Battle of the Bands at OFA on July 23, Seaway Festival in Ogdensburg on July 29, and the 2023 Carlton Peck Band Day at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair on Wednesday, August 2. (photos provided)

Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza wows crowds at Gouverneur Public Library

by Rachel Hunter

The world-famous, Guinness Book of World Records master bubble wrangler Jeff Boyer impressed local audiences with his Big Bubble Bonanza in the Gouverneur Public Library’s loft on Thursday, July 6. A total of 159 local residents enjoyed the bubble spectacular in three separate shows.

Jeff Boyer is a proven crowd-pleasing performer engaging, amusing and educating audiences for decades. He’s been excited about bubbles and physics since he was a kid. Studying acting at SUNY Jefferson (Watertown, NY) and the Boston Shakespeare Company brought his skills and calling into focus. Jeff moved into performing for family audiences in 1993. He’s enjoyed being part of ensemble casts and being a one-man show including musical theatre, drama, comedy, science and magic performance. He started Jeff Boyer Productions in 1999 and has been wowing audiences internationally with bubbles, science, and comedy ever since. A variety artist with over 25 years of entertainment experience, Jeff mixes the flair of magic, comedy, music and audience participation. He specializes in inclusion and diversity performance, seamlessly engaging audiences beyond language, cultural, age, and ability barriers. His dynamic style galvanizes communities. Jeff began creating bubble shows in 2005. His experience with school groups led him to raise audience participation to a new level. With Big Bubble Bonanza, Jeff Boyer engaged, delighted and appealed to the local crowds, inspiring the locals with the sensory-friendly bubble extravaganza, which proved to be fun for the whole family.

The Gouverneur Public Library has been excited to bring Jeff Boyer’s show since they booked him in early January 2023. It was Judith Poticher, president of the Gouverneur Public Library Board of Trustees, who saw Mr. Boyer’s show first-hand and knew that they wanted to bring it to the Gouverneur Public Library for local families to enjoy. Gouverneur Public Library Manager Greta Schrader eagerly welcomed all local residents to the Gouverneur Public Library last Thursday, and were ushered up to the library’s loft to grab a seat for the performance.

“I am a bubble expert,” Jeff Boyer said. “I perform all over the world. I have performed in countries like Qatar, Mexico, all over the United States… But I’ve learned I am not the only bubble expert in the world. In fact, all kids are bubble experts. You grown-ups have seen it. Kids know bubbles. So let’s make a deal. I’m going to teach you what I know about bubbles… but I’m also hoping you guys can teach me about what you know about bubbles.”

During the educational show, Jeff Boyer first asked the youths to answer the question: “What is a bubble?” After listening to several definitions from the youths, he provided the following definition that he uses to describe a bubble: “A bubble is air surrounded by a wall of water.”

“In fact, every bubble that I make for you today has three layers. It has two layers of bubble solution, and in between those two layers of bubble solution, is a layer of water. Water has something called surface tension. It’s what bugs use to walk on top of the water. Bugs can do that because they use the surface tension that water has – and it is that surface tension that not only holds that bubble together, but it pulls it into that shape. I doesn’t matter what shape your bubble wand is, every bubble you make with it will be perfectly round because that surface tension naturally pulls that bubble into the shape with the least amount of surface area. And that shape is a sphere.”

Mr. Boyer then asked the North Country families in attendance: “What happens to a bubble when you touch it?” “It pops,” screamed the youths in attendance. Mr. Boyer then explained the nature of a bubble. “As long as you touch the bubble with something wet, you can touch it all you want.”

The educational component continued throughout the 50-minute show as Mr. Boyer impressed the local audiences with tiny bubbles, giant bubbles, bubbles inside of bubbles, creating bubbles with everyday household items, encapsulating people in bubbles, and so much more. Many of the local children were engaged through the many opportunities for audience participation.

Jeff Boyer also informed the local audiences this was not his first visit to Gouverneur. In 2008, he appeared at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair alongside the Dazzling Mills Family from Marion, Ohio who were famous for their juggling and unicycle act. His friend, Steve Mills, a world-famous juggler, passed away recently in June 2023.

Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza ended with great fanfare as the bubble wrangler created thousands of bubbles in the library loft. “My name is Jeff Boyer, and you guys are incredible. Thank you so much.” The local youths then took the opportunity to get out of their chairs and joyfully dance in all the bubbles as the show came to a close.

The Gouverneur Public Library was proud to bring Jeff Boyer’s Big Bubble Bonanza to the Gouverneur community. Much gratitude was extended to all those who attended the shows. Many North Country families expressed interest in seeing the show again. Information on upcoming programs at the Gouverneur Public Library will be announced as information is made available to the Gouverneur Tribune Press.

Gouverneur Public Library Manager Greta Schrader alongside library staff distributed goodie bags to all the local families in attendance, which included information on the 2023 Summer Reading Program at the Gouverneur Public Library. As of July 7, the Gouverneur Public Library had 92 participants signed up for the program, with plenty of room for more participation from those in the Gouverneur community. The Gouverneur Public Library’s All Together Now Summer Reading Program will run from July 1-31. There are four categories Adult (Ages 18+) Teen (Ages 12-17) Children (Ages 6-11) and Pre-K Children (Ages 1-5). Participants will receive an activity sheet for their category. They will receive one grand prize raffle ticket at sign up and will receive additional raffle tickets for each completed level of their activity sheet. There is a grand prize for each category and additional prizes for Pre-K and Children participants. Please visit the library during regular open hours to sign up any time during July.

For more information, call the library at 315-287-0191.

Celebrating The Fourth: GFD Fireworks Spectacular wows community

by Rachel Hunter

The North Country community gathered at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 2 to witness the Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular – which proved to be the largest, most spectacular and longest fireworks display in the North Country. The event was held by the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department in celebration of its 145 years of service to Gouverneur and the surrounding communities.

Did you know? The first fire department in Gouverneur was known as “Gouverneur Hose Company No. 1” and was organized in December 1868. On November 22, 1877, this company voted to disband. On January 29, 1878, the Fire Company was reorganized again under the name “Gouverneur Hose Company No. 1” and chartered by the State of New York, and has remained in continuous service to this day.

The Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department takes great pride in offering the largest fireworks display in the North Country each, thanks to the efforts by the Northern New York Display Fireworks (Potsdam, NY) and contributions for local community members and businesses. This year’s sponsors include: Superior Plus Energy Services, Conklin Insurance, The Casablanca Restaurant, Dunn Paper, Gouverneur Savings and Loan Association, Northland Veterinary Hospital, KT Contracting, Empire Northeast, RSI Roofing, Tripp Fuels division of Glider Oil, Blevins Ford, Cives Steel, Vanderbilt Minerals LLC, MRSLC, Newvine’s Napa, Fun Unlimited, Hill Top Energy, and Titan Mining. The Gouverneur Fire Department extends gratitude for the contributions from these fine local sponsors.

Allan LaValley of Northern New York Display Fireworks has been deploying fireworks for 28 years, and was pleased to return to the Gouverneur Fairgrounds for the 2023 GFD’s Fireworks Spectacular. The Gouverneur community was once again wowed by the incredible display of 1,870 fireworks, which was deployed by the Northern New York Display Fireworks crew and volunteers from St. Lawrence, Jefferson and Lewis Counties. This was just one of the 40 shows that the Northern New York Display Fireworks organizes each year.

The Gouverneur Volunteer Firefighters accepted donations at each fair entrance (Rock Island St., E. Barney St., and Babcock St.) after the gates opened at 5 p.m. Much gratitude is extended to all the North Country families who showed their great support of the Gouverneur Volunteer Fire Department at the event. The first fireworks spectacular on the Fourth of July weekend since the COVID-19 pandemic, it is estimated that hundreds upon hundreds packed the Gouverneur Fairgrounds for a chance to witness the fireworks spectacular from their selected spot around the fairgrounds track and midway.

Many North Country families enjoyed fun, food and fellowship at the event. The family friendly fun available included locomotive train rides, a chance to see classic cars (shown by the Nichols Family in Gouverneur), participate in the GFD’s 50-50 raffle, and so much more. Those who entered the fairgrounds via the W. Barney St. entrance (by the fair office) had the opportunity to view GFD’s Engine 17, Engine 18 and Truck 2 (from which a large American Flag was proudly displayed). Food vendors on site included several local businesses, such as Cotton Candy N More, Mullin’s, New York Pizzeria, Nibbles Snackery, Kim’s Cheesecake on a Stick, Reczko's Munchies, and the Pepsi-Cola Bottlers of Ogdensburg.

The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association was also on site to promote the upcoming 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair, headline concert (Dylan Scott) and pre-sale discounted wristbands. They also sold soda, water and ice cream. The 2023 Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair will be held Tuesday, August 1 through Sunday, August 6, at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds.

The Coleman Bros. Shows Midway opens 2 p.m. daily, starting Wednesday, August 2. The schedule of grandstand events features the following: The Local Talent Show will be held on Tuesday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m., free grandstand. The Carlton Peck Band Day will be held on Wednesday, August 2 with the High School Band Parade at 1:30 p.m. and the Firemen’s Parade at 7 p.m., free grandstand. On Thursday, August 3, the local band Common Revolution, will perform on the grandstand at 7 p.m. The NY Farm Pulling Series will be held on Friday, August 4 at 6 p.m. Tickets for the headline concert by Country artist Dylan Scott on Saturday, August 5, 7:30 p.m., are still available. The ever-popular Demolition Derby will be held on Sunday, August 6, 1 p.m. For more information, call 315-287-3010. The Gouverneur Fire Department extended much gratitude to the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair association for the use of the grounds for the GFD’s Fireworks Spectacular.

Many North Country residents told the Gouverneur Tribune Press that they were impressed by fireworks spectacular, calling it the “best fireworks” seen in Gouverneur in recent history. Much credit was also extended to the food vendors and others for making the event fun for the whole family. North Country residents are already making plans to witness the Gouverneur Fire Department’s Fireworks Spectacular in 2024.

Gouverneur Central High School Graduates 100

by Rachel Hunter

The Gouverneur High School’s 135th Commencement was held on Friday, June 23, 7 p.m., at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds grandstand.

The processional, “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, was performed by GHS Music Teachers Paul Buell, Renee Powlin, and Jenelle Yeoman. The graduating seniors were led from the Gouverneur High School to the grandstand stage by GCS Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly and Gouverneur High School Principal Cory Wood, followed by GHS Class of 2023 President Mariah Manning and Vice President Addison Conklin. They were followed by the rest of the Class of 2023, as well as district officials and members of the GCS Board of Education.

GHS Senior Class President Mariah Manning led all the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The Graduation Choir, conducted by Renee Powlin, performed the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Francis Scott Key. The welcoming address was made by GHS Principal Cory Wood.

“As the high school principal, I have the honor of introducing tonight’s proceedings,” he said. “I am pleased to announce that tonight’s ceremony is being broadcast live via Facebook to our friends and families who are unable to attend tonight’s special event. I am also pleased to be able to welcome all of our friends and family tonight. Despite the threat of rain, it’s turned out to be a beautiful evening, and we’re excited that all of you have joined us tonight.”

The GHS Class Speakers – Mariah Manning, Addison Conklin, and Ava Bartholomew – then gave inspirational speeches to the GHS Class of2023. See related story inside this edition.

Remarks to the Class of 2023 were then provided by Gouverneur Central School District Board of Education President David Fenlong. See related story inside this edition.

The Chamber Singers conducted by Renee Powlin, then performed a musical selection, “Homeward Bound,” as arranged by Mark Wilberg.

The presentation of awards was announced by Class Advisors Bobbie Holmes and Kathleen Stamper:

Senior Academic Awards: The following students were acknowledged for Senior Academic Achievement: Ava Bartholomew, Lia Canell, Allison Carvel, Addison Conklin, Shane Muyano, Randi Griffith, Rikki Griffith, Niciara House-Bowman, Elizabeth Riutta, Jack Schroeder, Kobe Steorts, and Jerricka Walton. These distinguished seniors made the honor roll every marking period since they began their high school as ninth grade students. They have earned honor roll status 15 times during the past four years. Senior Academic Achievement with Distinction honors went to Noel LaPierre and Mariah Manning. These students not only earned honor roll status 15 times during their high school career but did so with a 97 or better average.

The Mariano Pistolesi Memorial Wrestling Scholarship Award was presented to James Hayden. This $500 award is given in memory of Mariano Pistolesi by his family. Mr. Pistolesi was a member of the first wrestling team at Gouverneur High School in 1934. He was an avid outdoorsman and of course a huge wrestling fan. This award is annually given to a graduating senior of the wrestling team planning a post-secondary education, based on dedication, inspiration, perseverance in the face of adversity and financial need. The award was presented by Joseph Pistolesi Cummings.

Elizabeth Kirchner Gleason Scholarship: This year’s recipient is Jacob Edney. This $500 art scholarship is given by retired Gouverneur art teacher, Elizabeth Gleason. This scholarship is given in memory of Lillian Todd and Diana Lynde, deceased art teachers of Gouverneur High School. The award is presented to a graduate who has majored in art during high school who will continue formal study of a visual art field in college.

Kiwanis Club Scholarship: This scholarship was awarded to Jerricka Walton. The Gouverneur Kiwanis Club awards a $500 scholarship to a Gouverneur High School graduate based on a letter of personal reference, community service and academic achievement. Key Club Scholarship: Elizabeth Riutta was awarded the Key Club Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Gouverneur and is awarded to a graduating Key Club member who has shown exemplary leadership in carrying out the club’s agenda. The awards were presented by Gouverneur Kiwanis Club Member Roland Roderick.

Faye S. Hopper Scholarship: Hazen Given and Mariah Manning were awarded the Faye Sprague Hopper Scholarship. This scholarship was established to honor Mrs. Hopper’s commitment to musical excellence while serving the Gouverneur First United Methodist Church as organist for 62 years. This $500 award is given annually to a graduating college-bound senior who has demonstrated a commitment to musical excellence and has shared the gift of music with the school and community. The award was presented by Alan and Elaine Hopper.

William E. Appleby, Jr. Humanities Award: This year’s recipient is Allison Carvel. This $500 award is given in memory of Mr. William Appleby, Jr., by his family. Mr. Appleby was a gifted teacher, writer, and accomplished musician. His hobbies included horses, music, poetry and St. Lawrence University hockey. A graduate of SLU and the University of Buffalo, Mr. Appleby was a member of the Gouverneur High School English Department for over 25 years. As a teacher, he provided leadership and inspiration to many young adults. This award in his name is given to a graduating senior who is pursuing a post-secondary education in English, music or the arts.

NYS Academic Excellence Scholarships: The $1,500 award winner is Mariah Manning. The $500 award winners are Ava Bartholomew, Noel LaPierre, and Elizabeth Riutta. The 2023 Scholarships for Academic Excellence, provided by the New York State Education Department, are awarded to the top students in the graduating class for up to five years for undergraduate study in NYS.

Evergreen STEM Scholarship: This year’s recipients are Elizabeth Riutta and Shane Muyano. St. Lawrence County students, including two from Gouverneur, were honored last fall with $3,000 awards by the Northern New York Community Foundation. The Evergreen STEM scholarships are provided former Gouverneur residents, Charles Owens and Higouhi “Hi” Owens, to students majoring in science, technology, engineering, or math.

Other scholarship awards, presented during Moving Up Day 2023, were also announced in the commencement program. Congratulations were extended to all the award winners.

GHS Principal Cory Wood then presented the Class of 2023 as follows: “It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Class of 2023.” Principal Wood extended gratitude to GCS Superintendent of Schools Jacquelyn Kelly, GCSD Board of Education President David Fenlong and Vice President Todd Bates, as well as the entire GCSD Board of Education and administrative team, teaching faculty, guidance staff, maintenance staff, custodial staff, GHS Music Department staff, Senior Class Advisors Bobbie Holmes and Kathleen Stamper, the students in the GHS Class of 2023, as well as friends and families.

“Tonight is truly one of those forever moments that our graduates will remember for years to come,” Principal Wood said. Lastly, I would like to thank the students of Gouverneur. The last four years, you have shared many moments together – beginning with COVID and remote learning to today. You have taken each a different path, and have illustrated what it takes to be ready to take on the future as young adults. The past year, each of you have contributed to memories and the successes of our school. Whether it was moments in between scenes in a musical, time in class, or out on the athletic fields, there are too many moments to count that are memorable and each of you will remember your time here in many different ways. But today is the day that you move forward as and will be remembered as the Class of 2023. Congratulations. Beginning tomorrow, you’ll begin to make your mark individually with your talents, your interests, your passions. The upcoming years are yours. Now, go out and find something you love and spend your life chasing your dreams. The excitement of leaving is near, but tonight you stand one last time as the Class of 2023. I am proud when I say thank you for letting me share this part of your lives with you.

We are very proud of the accomplishments of this class. The Blue and Gold shines a little brighter tonight. The graduates tonight have been faced with a great deal in their four years of high school. Through COVID and the individual obstacles and pressures from society, this group of young adults have persevered to accomplish one of the many milestones in a person’s life. Graduation is more than a piece of paper. It is 13 years of personal growth, the acquisition of knowledge and experiences. Throughout the four years, this class delivered time and time again what it means to be a graduate of Gouverneur High School. Individually and collectively, the young ladies and gentlemen sitting on the stage tonight have been outstanding role models for our younger students to follow. Here are some of the details: In the Music Department, our musicians have returned to the stage and produced a number of outstanding musicals in their high school career. While at Gouverneur, our seniors have participated at the highest level of state competition, with several receiving the highest marks for their efforts. For their efforts, eight were selected for the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and finally, we were able to produce “Into The Woods” to packed houses every night. Congratulations.

“The Class of 2023 also includes some very accomplished technical students – 58 seniors attended Southwest Tech with eight earning distinction in the National Technical Honor Society. GHS had one attend the capstone program at the Canton Agricultural Academy. The skills learned with our partnerships with Southwest Tech and BOCES have provided several of our seniors with immediate work skills to enter the workforce after graduation. This year our CTE students also returned to SkillsUSA to showcase their skills, with one student received a top 10 finish. The seniors sitting here tonight have earned certifications in a variety of fields and continue to meet New York State’s challenge to career ready. Congratulations, seniors.

“The seniors once again proved to be instrumental in leading our athletics teams to another successful year. We had an outstanding group of senior student-athletes showcased throughout the year, earning local accolades. We celebrate our seniors for their receipt as All-Northern award winners in each of their sports and despite the contest, the Wildcats will always go competing knowing that we have the largest and loudest fans in Section 10 and beyond. We thank you, the community, for your continued support. Our student-athletes don’t just succeed on the field, pool, or mat, they exceed in the classroom. Ten of our 17 teams earned the scholar-athlete team awards. This group can also boast 30 times a student-athlete was presented with an Athlete of Distinction for maintaining a 90-plus average during their season.

“Now we get a chance to talk about why we are here, the academics. This senior class posted impressive credentials. This class of 100 outstanding young adults has accomplished the following: 443 potential college credits already earned through our partnerships with Syracuse University, Hudson Valley Community College, and SUNY Potsdam. At Gouverneur, 11 of our seniors have earned 20 or more college credits with a total of 37 of our 100 seniors taking at least six credits or more. That’s an impressive academic record. Fifty-two (or 52 percent of this class) will attend higher education next fall. Twenty-six will attend a four-year college, 16 will attend a two-year college. We have five that will enter the U.S. Military immediately following graduation, with three going to the Air Force, one to the Army, and one to the National Guard. Congratulations, students.

“We also have 28 of our students accepting or are pursuing full-time employment after graduation. We wish them well and we wish them good luck. In addition, 13 seniors are members of the National Honor Society, 18 are members of the GHS Honors Group, maintaining an average of 90 or above for 3 ½ years, and nine students belong to the National Technical Honor Society, and eight belong to the Tri-M Honor Society. And finally, this is an incredible statistic, 95 percent are receiving a NYS Regents Diploma, which includes 30 with Advanced Regents Designation, and four with Honors. Great job, students.

“And now for the moment you have all been working hard for… Supt. Mrs. Kelly, Mr. Fenlong and the rest of the Board of Education, on this day, I certify to you and all here present that each of these students have fulfilled the requirements for graduation in accordance with the guidelines established by the New York State Department of Education and the Board of Education at Gouverneur Central School. With great pride, I present the Class of 2023.”

The diplomas were then presented to each graduate by GCS Board of Education President David Fenlong with assistance from GHS Principal Cory Wood. Each name was announced by Class Advisors Bobbie Holmes and Kathleen Stamper. The high school diplomas were first presented to members of the GHS Honors Group (who had an academic average of 90 and above for 3 ½ years and signified by the gold honor chord), which included the following students: Noel LaPierre, Kobe Steorts, Rikki Griffith, Randi Griffith, Ava Bartholomew, Elizabeth Riutta, Shane Muyano, Mariah Manning, Niciara House-Bowman, Aurora Hayden, Addison Conklin, Addison Blair, Shia Bright, Jerricka Walton, Allison Carvel, Maxwel Lucas, Jack Schroeder, and Maya Bartleson. Diplomas were also presented to the following members of the GHS Class of 2023: Markeyce Abar, Hunter Aldridge, Ethan Alguire, Madison Ayen, Cason Babcock, Cameron Barbarito, Isabelle Bishop, Haley Blair, Olivia Blye-McQuaid, Hailey Bodah, Caiden Burns, Lia Canell, Michael Cooper, Hunter Crews, Sarah Crook, Daniel Dixson, Jacob Donaldson, William Dubberly, Isaiah Dunning, Jacob Edney, Ashton Farr, Jesse Farr, Ethan Fenlong, Saraphenna Filiatrault, John Finne IV, Ethan Fitzgerald, Raelynne Flynn, Jakob Fuller, Maya Gaines, Robert Gardner, Landon Gaumes, Hazen Given, Jaelyn Goodale, Elizabeth Hamilton, Sierra Harmer, Jeremiah Harris, James Hayden, Hailey Hitchcock, Grace Holmes, Madison Hubbard, Megan Hubbard, Peyton Huckle, Cassidy Ingram, Drew Jenkins, Hannah Kirby, Ravin Labarge, Jaret Link, Branden Loveless, Heather Martin, Alexandra McDougall, Lily McDougall, Mikayla McNeil, Deseree Miller, Nicolis Moran, Katie Newcombe, Alexis Nichols, Shay O'Donnell, Ethan Platt, Elisabeth Porter, Genecca Potter, Nolan Reed, Jenika Richards, Riley Seaman, Nathan Shattuck, Abigail Simmons, Piper Simmons, Trevor Sixberry, Jahonna Sloan, Shaylee Smith, Isaiah Sochia, Cale Stowell, Levi Stowell, Tanner Stowell, Wava Stowell, Daniel Thomas, Sedina Thomas, Makendra Thorpe-Maloy, Abigail Way, Raneissa Way, Alexander Whitmire, Avery Winters, Jadian Youngs.

The Graduation Choir, conducted by Renee Powlin, then led the crowd in singing the Alma Mater by Ryland Hewitt (GHS ’09).

“Graduates, your journey has been met with challenges that no one could have predicted. But you have completed this major milestone in your lives with grace and poise. You are now beginning those next steps we spoke about four years ago when you made the commitment to graduate. A few things to leave with: Learn to give more than you receive. Always look to be your best you. Take ownership of your actions. Remember, nothing will ever change if you are always pointing fingers. Out of responsibility, comes possibilities. And finally, surround yourself with people who care about you and who you care for. Seniors, after today, some of you will move away while others will stay in the area. But for all of you, remember this. Gouverneur will always be home, and always look to home in the lessons you learned at GHS to guide you on the next adventure. Seniors, you are ready for this. Your families believe in you and on behalf of Gouverneur High School, we believe in you.”

GHS Principal Cory Wood then called for Senior Class President Mariah Manning to take her position at the front of the class to conduct the tassel-turning ceremony. Once complete, great cheers broke out as the GHS Class of 2023 threw their caps in the air in a triumphant gesture in celebration of their graduation.

The recessional medley was then performed by Paul Buell, Jenelle Yeoman, and Renee Powlin, as the graduates departed the grandstand stage to accept their graduation envelopes and reunite with their families and friends in attendance.

Much gratitude was extended to the GHS Senior Parent Group, which contributed in great support of the jumbotron rental for the commencement exercises. The Senior Parent Group also paid for a professional photos of each graduate accepting their diploma to be taken by Gidget Wainwright Photography. The replay of the livestream is now available for viewing of the Gouverneur CSD Wildcats Facebook page. For more information about Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.

Gouverneur Elementary School Fun Day recognizes community heroes’ vital role in North Country community

by Rachel Hunter

“It’s our helicopter!” Gouverneur Elementary School students screamed in excitement as the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s 227th Aviation Support Battalion landed a U.S. Army MEDEVAC HH-60 “Mike” Model Black Hawk Helicopter on the school’s baseball field. The event kicked off the Gouverneur Elementary School’s Fun Day, an annual end-of-year event, on Tuesday, June 13. Organized by Gouverneur Elementary PTO, the Fun Day event served as a way for the Gouverneur Elementary School students to meet and learn from the community’s heroes.

The big attraction was the Black Hawk Helicopter and its crew, including Gouverneur native, CW4 Nate Halpin, the son of Charlie and Kim Halpin of Gouverneur, who is stationed on Fort Drum, and his daughter attends Gouverneur Elementary School. CW4 Halpin, a pilot, has been flying Black Hawk helicopters for 15 years. “It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve been doing it for a long time and I still love it. There’s a lot of challenges.” The Gouverneur Elementary School students were amazed at the opportunity to see a Black Hawk up-close and in person – perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “I remember when I was their age going over to Fort Drum, climbing on the helicopters whenever we had the chance,” CW4 Halpin said. “It’s pretty cool.”

The HH-60M-model is specifically designed to support aerial medical and ambulatory patient transport MEDEVAC services such as evacuating wounded troops from the battlefield under difficult weather conditions, during day and night. While the primary mission of the HH-60M is MEDEVAC, it can also be easily tasked to carry out personnel transport, search and rescue, resupply, aerial reconnaissance, cargo transport, and wildfire suppression missions, making it a truly multi-purpose aerial asset. The HH-60M is manned by a pilot, co-pilot, crew chief and flight medic. The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade’s 227th Aviation Support Battalion does a lot of local support with the MEDEVAC HH-60M “Mike” Model Black Hawk Helicopter. With the hoist on the side of the helicopter, they are able to extract people out of the North Country’s waterways and rivers that the other air-evac helicopters are not able to do. In 2022, they responded to 78 calls, and they look forward to continuing to support the North Country community.

In addition to the display from the Ft. Drum military, the following law enforcement, rescue and fire agencies were also on site:

The Gouverneur Fire Department brought their new Truck 2, Engine 17 and Rescue 4 Trucks for the Gouverneur Elementary School students to view during their Fun Day event. All students had the opportunity to learn about fire safety, firefighting equipment, and more from Gouverneur Fire Chief Thomas Conklin and other GFD Firefighters in attendance.

Gouverneur Police Department Officer Jesse Sheen talked with the students about the role of a police officer and their equipment, and gave the students the opportunity to check out the GPD’s apparatus.

The Gouverneur Rescue Squad was also on site with their ambulance, A-175. Students had the opportunity to learn about the Emergency Medical Services and what is involved in becoming an EMT. They also had the opportunity to learn about the equipment aboard the ambulance.

Also on premises was a New York State Police (Troop B) K-9 Officer M. Berwald who demonstrated the helpful role of police dogs in the execution of specialized tasks.

In addition to the exceptional display by these community heroes, the Gouverneur Elementary School students also enjoyed games (including tug-of-war), bounce house fun, sno-cones (served by the Ice Cream Bowl), and so much more. The Gouverneur Elementary School Fun Day was made possible by the Gouverneur Elementary PTO and all of the volunteers who came out in great number to ensure the Fun Day was one that the local youths would never forget.

For more information on the Gouverneur Central School District, visit gcsk12.org.