Tobacco marketing
TO THE EDITOR: Tobacco marketing is hurting our economy; physically, it’s killing people.
More than 5 million people die every year from tobacco use, and 12 people die every day in the United States alone. The tobacco industry spends $1 million to market this deadly weapon. I do not like to see or hear about people dying over something that can be prevented.
The industry does not care about who lives or dies, just as long as they get paid.
“We don’t smoke it, we just sell it to the young, the black, the poor and the stupid.” This quote is what the tobacco industry thinks about us. They think they have power over everyone, including the adults.
Well, they are wrong. That is why I joined Reality Check, a youth group that exposes the tobacco industry for what they really are: Killers!
CHANTEL PETTWAY
Mooers Forks
Heritage collection
TO THE EDITOR: Anderson Falls Heritage Society would like to thank former Mayor Meegan Rock and Keeseville Board of Trustees for allowing us to store our collection in the Civic Center until we were able to find another location.
Thanks to United Methodist Church and the Rev. Edie Poland for allowing us to hold our monthly meetings in the Church Hall until we had a place of our own; Lincoln Kilbourne for leasing us the property at 96 Clinton St. and his ongoing cooperation in our progress; the towns of AuSable and Chesterfield and Village of Keeseville for your support, advice and assistance in many ways; and Adirondack Hardware, Kim’s Karpet’s and Lowe’s for your support and assistance.
Also, thanks to Supt. Bruce McCormick, Sgts. Hughes and Hutchins and their hard-working crews from the Moriah Shock Camp for helping us move our collection to our new location, the Heritage House at 96 Clinton St., Keeseville; to Dan Collins, who loaned us his 20-foot enclosed trailer, and Tom Golden, who drove the trailer, along with all the volunteers who assisted to make the move go quite quickly and smoothly. Not one item was damaged.
Thanks to the Plattsburgh State volunteers who helped us with preparation work and moving furnishings; the members and volunteers who helped to pack the collection, search for a location and then all those who volunteered time, talents and treasure, whether it be cleaning, patching, scraping, sanding, painting, trips to the dump and those who gave donations and did whatever they could, no matter how big or small. To date, a total of 2,460 hours have been put in.
While we are not completely ready for opening day, we are much closer. With the continued help and interest, and as funds allow, it should be soon.
BETTY BRELIA
Secretary, Anderson Falls Heritage Society
Keeseville
Freedom Festival
TO THE EDITOR: The North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association is deeply grateful to Roy Hurd, Lita Kelly, Joan Crane, Towne Meeting, Charlie Stone & Split Rock, the Lake Champlain Gospel Choir, the Press-Republican, the Ausable Chasm Company, the Town of Chesterfield, Bob’s Music, Cornerstone Bookstore and Pennysaver, who gave so generously of their talents, time, supplies and space to helping us launch the first Freedom Festival of Music on Aug. 2 at the Ausable Chasm Pavilion.
A special thank-you to committee members Lita Kelly, Erin Flanigan and Charlie Stone, who gave us the guidance to provide the best music, and to the Chasm Company and their staff, who provided the perfectly groomed venue.
The Freedom Festival of Music was a joyful event and additionally a fundraiser for the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, which is now in its second year of operation.
The museum is supported by donations and staffed by volunteers. Museum hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week from Memorial Day to Columbus Day and after that by appointment.
We will soon announce a date for next year’s festival.
DON PAPSON
President
North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association
