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In TICONDEROGA | pg. 10
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Battle at the fort
In OPINION | pg. 6
Workmanship and pride
Fort Ticonderoga event planned
Thoughts from Behind the Pressline
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In CROWN PT.| pg. 9
Water works
Main break to be repaired
Giving school supplies to help St. Mary’s
Visiting youth starts supply drive By Keith Lobdell
keith@suncommunitynews.com
TICONDEROGA — As local schools get ready for the start of the 2015/16 school year, one school is putting the final touches on getting back to reality. Recently, the Kapusinski family, who have a summer home in Hulett’s Landing, went to services at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ticonderoga, where they learned about the plight of St. Mary’s School. “We had entered late, so we missed a presentation from Sister Sharon (St. Mary’s Principal), but we heard about it as we were leaving,” Doreen McSharry Kapusinski said. “We ap-
proached Father Kevin (McEwan) to ask what we could do and he told us to go speak with Sister Sharon.” The family did so, and soon an idea formed in the mind of 11 year-old daughter Margot. “At mass, they spoke about how the school was burned down and a lot of supplies were destroyed,” she said. “After church, I went to Walmart and got some school supplies.” She did not stop there. She contacted local churches where she lived in New Jersey, asking if they would also contribute to the cause. “We asked for any parishioners that would like to help and said we would be thankful for the support,” Margot said. “We >> Story Continued | pg. 3
Harrington: Keep state Weclome back hike campsite open longer SLCS plans back-to-school
By Christopher Pratt
christopher@suncommunitynews.com
CROWN POINT— CROWN POINT— With amazing views of Lake Champlain, military relics and a boat launch site, Charles Harrington knows the Crown Point Public Campground is a prized asset that local businesses and community members value. But the facility at 784 Bridge Road is slated to cut off overnight camping bookings after Sept. 6 -- the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. “These state sites should not be closed,” said Harrington, the town supervisor. He noted there are “heavy, heavy weekends” of tourist traffic expected through September and up until Columbus Day, which is Oct. 12. The last night of camping varies at state campgrounds. For example, Paradox Lake campground’s last night is slated for Sept. 6, while Rogers Rock and Putnam Pond will continue hosting visitors through Oct. 11. Harrington said he has seen a good stream of camping traffic coming into the state facility throughout the summer, and he plans to
approach state Department of Environmental Conservation officials about keeping the Crown Point site open longer this year. “That’s something that needs to be explored,” Harrrigton said. Traffic is up at state camping facilities across New York this year, according to numbers released last week from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. Cuomo said in a statement that state campground reservations were running 5.2 percent higher than in 2014. Through Aug. 17, visitors had reserved more than 562,000 overnight stays at state park campgrounds. In 2014, a record total of 594,441 overnight stays were booked. “We’re on track for a banner year at New York state campgrounds and it’s not too late to see what you’ve been missing,” Cuomo said. “With Labor Day right around the corner and the fall foliage season fast approaching, there is still plenty of time to make a reservation and visit one of New York’s great campgrounds and experience that naturalbeauty that dots every corner of this state.” DEC acting commissioner Marc Gerstman also noted that fall foliage made September
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excursion for Sept. 2
By Christopher Pratt
christopher@suncommunitynews.com
SCHROON LAKE — The school year is nearly upon students in Schroon Lake again, but there’s still a bit of time for them to collect their thoughts before forging ahead in their academic pursuits -- and there’s no better place to contemplate than atop a mountain. On Sept. 2, students entering grades 7 through 12 in the Schroon Lake Central School are invited to spend a day hiking the Rooster Comb Mountain in Keene Valley. “We think going out in the mountains is a great way ... to get them excited about the whole process,” Superintendent Steven Gratto said last week. Gratto said a hike can help instill in students a sense that “the whole world is a classroom.” It will be a free outing to the High Peaks attraction. Gratto, who was hired last spring to lead the district, said the hiking trip is a new activity for the district. It’s a good chance for
students and staff to interact before classes begin Sept. 9. Rooster Comb was a good selection in part because it offers great views, including of Mount Marcy, Gratto said. According to information shared with parents on a permission slip form, the 2.5 mile, one way, trail is over easy to moderate terrain. Plans call for hikers to go swimming at the North Hudson Beach following the hike. To attend, parents need to sign the permission slip agreeing their children will be at the Schroon Lake School at 8 a.m. They should be returning to the school around 3 p.m. For students who attend, there might even be a chance to show they haven’t forgotten their preparation skills over the summer. Remember common hiking sense: bring comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots; snacks for the hike; a water bottle, and warm or rain protective clothing if the weather looks bad. If students plan to swim at the beach, they should bring a bathing suit and a towel. >> Story Continued | pg. 13