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Wildcat soccer future uncertain
Saturday, June 6, 2015
This Week
THE CHAMPS
TICONDEROGA
Gratto introduced at Schroon Lake reception
Team Rhyan to rally June 20
By Christopher Pratt christopher@denpubs.com
PAGE 2
SCHROON LAKE Ñ School officials are exploring how the district can continue offering soccer as an activity in the fall as the number of players continues its downward trend. Athletic director Lee Silvernail told Schroon Lake school board members last week the district is unlikely to be able to field its own boys and girls’ varsity soccer teams for the upcoming season. Ò We just donÕ t have that critical number of students anymore where we can consistently fill our soccer teams,Ó Silvernail said at the May 28 board meeting. Silvernail sought direction from the board about ways to deal with the difficult dilemma and officials could discuss possible mergers with other area teams at future meetings. Though no specifics were discussed about them during the brief presentation, itÕ s likely potential mergers will be on the list of items incoming superintendent/principal Stephen Gratto will be making decisions on when he officially takes the position in July.
2-9
EDITORIAL
6
LETTERS
7
MORIAH
10
SCHROON CROWN POINT SPORTS
PAGE 16 SPORTS
Photo by Keith Lobdell
Index
CALENDAR
Therapist opens doors
The Ticonderoga Lady Sentinels’ softball team captured the Section VII/Class C title May 28 with a win over AuSable Valley. The school also earned individual track and field titles with Shawn Silliman (110 hurdles, 400 hurdles) and Lillith Ida (high jump). For more, see sports on pages 18-19.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
TICONDEROGA
CROWN POINT
11 14-15 16 18-19
BRIEFS
20
CLASSIFIEDS
21
Spring season wraps up PAGE 18-19
Students get hands dirty at environmental field days By Pete DeMola pete@denpubs.com WESTPORT Ñ Waaaaaaaaammmmmmppghhhh! Every 10 minutes, the air horn blasted Ñ Waaaaaaaaammmmmmppghhhh Ñ scattering kids across the Essex County Fairgrounds where 10 instructors waited to impart their knowledge, from how to spot invasive species to planting trees. Eight local schools participated in the Environmental Field Days this year, the 31st installment. The primary goal, said co-organizer Linda Gillilland, is to expose kids to careers in environmental sciences and teach them to be aware of their surround-
ings and how they impact their environment. Each instructor volunteered their services. One of them was Brendan Wiltse, the Stewardship and Outreach Coordinator for the AuSable River Association, who hoped to educate kids about the connection between people and their effect on the river. Kids should understand that healthy water is important, he said, and is shared with other organisms. Earlier that morning, he drew samples from local streams. They sat on the table with kids excitedly using nets to see the creatures within — mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies and damselflies.
Ò Those are all organisms that indicate good water quality,Ó said Wiltse. Waaaaaaaaammmmmmppghhhh! At the sugar house, students from Lake Placid Central appeared to be enraptured at a lecture on maple production by 4H volunteers Lucy Misarski and Ian Pierce. Misarski took them through the process, from tapping to evaporating. Ò Anyone know why itÕ s called an evaporator?Ó she asked. Ò Because it takes out the water?Ó said a boy. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10