Run for Jon
TO THE EDITOR: Want to do something that’s fun, good for you and helps a really good cause?
Come to the 22nd-annual Run for Jon, to be held at Forrence Orchards, off the Mannix Road in Peru at 5 p.m. Saturday Aug. 25 (register from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.).
There’s something for everyone: a lovely, non-competitive, 1.25-mile walk through the orchard, a fun run for younger kids and a beautiful, 2.5-mile cross-country run through the orchard for runners of all abilities.
The race is sanctioned by USA Track and Field and has, over the years, attracted some of the best male and female distance runners from all over the country. Some have gone on to the Olympics, national rankings and state championships. Many high school and college teams participate for early season competition.
You don’t have to be an elite runner to enjoy the Run For Jon. There are Top 3 place awards for: teams of 3 or more, baby joggers and male/female, age group runners aged from 0-60 plus.
There are many great raffle/door prizes, such as a brand new iPad 2.
The event is a fundraiser for the Jonathan Evans Fund, which helps families with seriously ill children pay their medical and related expenses. Since its inception, the event has raised tens of thousands of dollars for deserving families and attracted thousands of participants.
Come on out to watch or participate. You’ll be glad you did.
For information on entry fees, visit the www.runforjon.com website or call 834-7583.
Don’t miss this wonderful community event.
ROD DRISCOLL
Peru
Donations appreciated
TO THE EDITOR: Great things have been happening at the Imaginarium Children’s Museum.
Recently, the Imaginarium was blessed by two wonderful groups who also believe in our mission of creating a place for children and families to play and learn together.
First, we had the honor of accepting a $3,000 check from Graymont and the AM Kiwanis, our share of the proceeds from Dozer Day. The money we received was specifically earmarked for exhibits, so there will be a lot of construction going on over the next few months in the exhibit room.
In fact, our plan is to close down for September while everyone is getting in their back-to-school groove.
We would like to thank the groups that host Dozer Day, AM Kiwanis and Graymont, and their sponsors. We also owe a thanks to the many Imaginarium volunteers who staffed Dozer Day.
Then the Adirondack Regional Theater program made an amazing donation of $1,000, the proceeds from their “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” shows held recently. We are honored to have been chosen as the recipients of their hard work. We also would like to thank all of our supporters who turned out for the shows to help further our cause and support the wonderful students who donated their time to star in the production — they did an amazing job.
The donations made by these two groups are big steps in helping the museum move forward, but we’d also like to thank all of our volunteers, past and present, for their hard work. The Imaginarium Children’s Museum, while it is still an emerging museum, has come so far in such a short amount of time — all on 100 percent volunteer power.
We will be hosting a volunteer barbecue 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, for all of our volunteers, past and present. Please join us for an afternoon of free open play, a barbecue and hear about what’s happening at the museum in the next few months.
JENNIFER MESCHINELLI
Imaginarium Board of Directors
Plattsburgh
Local hospitality
TO THE EDITOR: On behalf of my wife and children, I extend my humble thanks for the hospitality and generosity of the people of Plattsburgh.
In July, we attended the Clinton County Fair. Not having been to Plattsburgh, I was unsure of what to expect. Shortly after arriving, though, we all agreed that this was a gem of a city, large enough to cater to all of our needs, yet small enough to feel welcome — and did we feel welcome.
Clinton County Fair Director Glenn Gillespie and his staff treated us so well. I had contacted him about seats for the Hunter Hayes show that my daughter just had to attend, where to stay and so on. Upon arrival at the fair, I met him and other staff who went out of their way for us. My daughter even ended up speaking with Rick from Eagle Country radio on air, after discussing our journey from Nova Scotia to Plattsburgh.
But, it wasn’t just us that were received so well. Several other young girls were treated to a personal meet and greet with their heartthrob, Hunter Hayes. One girl’s story was particularly touching, and even brought my tough school-principal exterior to break down a bit; however, in the short time I had spent in Plattsburgh, this hospitality seemed to be the norm.
In a brief letter such as this one, it is difficult to convey the gratitude for our experiences in Plattsburgh, those made possible by your ambassadors Glenn and his staff, Rick from across Lake Champlain and everyone else we met at the fair and in Plattsburgh. I think you’ll see us back in Plattsburgh in July 2013 — that’s the impact your city had on us.
Visitors to our region often tell me that Cape Breton hospitality is second to none; I guess they haven’t met the good folks of Plattsburgh.
PAUL GARTLAND
Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
Tapawingo revived
TO THE EDITOR: Camp Tapawingo on Point au Roche has a history of creating wonderful summer memories for girls of the North Country, dating back to the 1950s.
Thanks to the devotion of many individuals, it once again was a “place of joy” recently. I would like to thank Kim Akins of Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York for helping to bring Camp Tapawingo back to life, along with the entire Plattsburgh office of GSNENY.
Jim Carter of the Plattsburgh Boat Basin spearheaded an effort to bring together Graymont and Mooney Bay Marina to donate, anchor and install docks for swimming and future boating. During his busiest season, Jim remained committed to providing a local summer camp for children of the North Country.
The all-volunteer camp also would not have happened without the effort of Donna Agnew, who organized and directed camp. Thank you to her and her entire staff for helping to make camp a reality.
The history of Camp Tapawingo for hundreds of North Country women and the promise of summer recreation for future generations has been worth the effort to bring Tap back to life.
The North Country has a gift in Camp Tapawingo, and thanks to Ernie Turner, the property remains available to non-profit youth organizations in our area.
After being shuttered for five summers, Camp Tapawingo has a bright future for the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York and all children of the North Country.
COLLEEN LEMZA
Secretary
