Wish Granted!
Jazzing It Up
Seven-year-old boy from Saranac gets his Make-A-Wish granted to visit John Deere HQ.
Adirondack Jazz Orchestra will now perform regularly at Olive Ridley’s.
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August 29, 2009
Keese Homestead’s historical marker replaced, unveiled New marker properly credits Peter Keese as abolitionist would be the burden of the property owner. Paczak reached out to Neal Burdick, a descenPERU — The North Though the Keese Homestead dant of the Keese famiCountry’s connection to house today officially stands within ly, and the two worked the Underground Railthe boundaries of the town of Austogether with the road and a family creditable, it is often considered to be part North Country Undered for playing an imporof the town of Peru. Prior to Ausable’s ground Railroad Histant role in the abolitionformation and the changing of torical Association to ist movement has been reboundary lines in 1839, the house host a fundraiser last stored. stood in Peru, explained Peru’s town November at Peru A new historical markhistorian, Ron Allen. In fact, the Community Church er honoring the Keese Keese Homestead was Peru’s first “It just made sense,” Homestead on Harkness settlement, established in 1789 by Paczak said of raising Road was unveiled in a Keese family ancestor William money to replace the ceremony Aug. 20. The Keese, who claimed the spot as paymarker. original marker was lost a ment for his surveying services folThe benefit raised few years ago as the result lowing the American Revolution. more than $600 and, of a motor vehicle acci“It really doesn’t matter,” said thanks to the added dent. Allen. “The histories of Peru, Keegenerosity of neighbor Lita Paczak, a teacher seville and Ausable are so interJon Rulfs and Ann with Seton Catholic Centwined, the political boundaries don’t Keese Chien, another tral School who has taken make any difference. We share a lot Keese family descenstudents on field trips to of history.” dant, the remaining the site, was credited for balance of the cost was being one of the driving covered. forces behind helping the The unveiling of the new historical markproperty’s owners, Lincoln and Ann Sunderer was personally gratifying for Burdick, land, getting the marker replaced. who is the great-great-grandson of Stephen Though the original marker was paid for Keese Smith, a leading citizen in the Quaker by the state, said Paczak, it was learned the Union and first cousin, once removed of Pecost of a replacement marker — which
By Jeremiah S. Papineau
Did you know?
jeremiah@denpubs.com
amounted to a little more than $1,000 —
The unveiling of the new historical marker at the Keese Homestead included the attendance of state and local officials, historians, and supporters of keeping alive the Keese family history. Standing by the marker, from left, are Neal Burdick, Lita Paczak, and Ann and Lincoln Sunderland. Photo by Jeremiah S. Papineau
See MARKER, page 12
‘Fortune Cookies’ program encourages teens in reading By Sarah L. Cronk sarah@denpubs.com DANNEMORA — Reading can indeed be fun. The Fortune Cookies teen program began three years ago at Dannemora Free Library, with the help of former library director Niki Kourofsky. During the school year, teenagers from age 13-18 come to the library for a monthly meeting where they tie in a book with a special activity. For example, current library director Laura Pritchard chose a book titled, “Shiva’s Fire,” which is about a girl from India who wants to dance. “So, we went and got some Indian food and cooked it up and ate it, and
we did henna tattoos and stuff,” Pritchard explained. “We try to make the activity we do go with the book we read.” The program also continues in the summer months, although it usually follows the statewide teen program set up by the New York State Library. Now that September has arrived, students are heading back to school, which Pritchard finds to be an opportune time to join The Fortune Cookies. “When teenagers or any student of any age reads outside of school, it increases their reading comprehension everywhere. Not just outside of school but in school,” explained
Participants in The Fortune Cookies, the teen program at Dannemora Free Library, dress up in bubblewrap during a Project Runway fashion show held at the beginning of the summer. The teens are, from left, Rachel Tobin, John Sheraldy, Lexi Haley, Megan Mangum, and Nathan Bedell.
SARANAC — The Saranac Central School District will begin classes for the 2009-10 school year earlier than other school districts within Clinton County. While other schools will open their doors to students Wednesday, Sept. 8, schools in the Saranac school district will begin classes Thursday, Sept. 3. Superintendent Kenneth O. Cringle has written an article that will be published in the school district’s September newsletter explaining the reason for the early start. In his ar-
See READING, page 12
Photo submitted by Laura Pritchard
See SCHOOL, page 12
By Jeremiah S. Papineau jeremiah@denpubs.com
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