Meet the Town

Meet the Town™
CA N TO N , N Y
A Po c k e t F u l l o f H o m e t ow n P r i d e
FREE
2010-11
VILLAGE
MAP
INSIDE
w w w . M e e t T h e To w n . c o m
A
Meet the Town™
CANTON, NY
(in St. Lawrence County)
A GUIDE TO THE CANTON REGION
Advertisers Directory
Welcome
Message from the Chamber
Eat Local
Canton History
Facts About Canton
Special Event Highlights
Attractions
Recreation
Sports & Activities
Adirondack Lakes Region
Map of Canton
Parks & Playgrounds
Communications
Transportation
Education
Health & Wellness
Community Services
Organizations
New York State Agencies
St. Lawrence County Gov’t.
Churches
Emergencies
Meet the Town™
ESTABLISHED IN 1927
Meet the Town Owners
Thomas W. Sheridan (1927-1969)
Jacques/Jeanne DeMattos (1969-2000)
Jacques/Alice DeMattos (2000-2007)
Andy/Dawn Flynn (2007-present)
Table of Contents
2010-2011
© MAY 2010
HUNGRY BEAR PUBLISHING
40 McClelland St.
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
(518) 891-5559
EMAIL: [email protected]
www.hungrybearpublishing.com
Meet the Town is available
as a PDF download at
www.meetthetown.com.
2
3
4
5
6
8
11
13
15
17
19
20
22
24
26
27
29
32
36
38
39
40
40
Meet the Town is distributed through its advertisers, chambers of
commerce, public institutions and state bureaus free of charge.
Reproduction of any part of this publication is prohibited without permission of the owners.
0
Directory of Advertisers
Attractions
Adirondack Museum (20)
St. Lawrence County
Historical Association (7)
TAUNY (13)
Banking
Seacomm Federal Credit
Union (A)
Books
Adirondack Attic book series,
Andy Flynn (B)
Business Services
Adirondack Economic
Development Corp. (33)
Catering
Timeless Taste Catering (5)
Northern Light Yoga (30)
Health Services
Media
NCPR (back cover)
Restaurants
Hot Tamale (5)
McCarthy’s Restaurant (23)
Retail
Coakley ACE Hardware (A)
Kinney Drug (21)
Visitor Information
Canton Chamber of
Commerce (4)
Franklin County Tourism (19)
Tupper Lake Chamber (18)
Saranac Lake Area Chamber
(18)
History of Meet the Town
In 1927, Thomas W. Sheridan, who relocated to Saranac Lake in
1919 to treat his tuberculosis, produced the first issue of Meet the
Town for Saranac Lake, helping the many visitors of tuberculosis
patients and townspeople find the finest establishments of that era.
In 1928, Sheridan published his first Lake Placid guide. In 1969,
Bloomingdale residents Jacques and Jeanne DeMattos, former
owners of WNBZ-AM radio, purchased Meet the Town. Their son
and daughter-in-law, Jacques and Alice, took over the business in
2000. Andy and Dawn Flynn, owners of Hungry Bear Publishing,
purchased Meet the Town on Dec. 31, 2007. They have since added
editions for Tupper Lake/Long Lake/Newcomb, the Au Sable
Valley, Potsdam and Canton.
2
Welcome to Canton
Canton—the St. Lawrence County seat—retains its small town
charm and agricultural heritage despite America’s affinity for sprawling commercial development, a “bigger is better” attitude, and an
ever-increasing reliance on electronic gadgetry.
Here, in farm country, nestled between the vast open tracts of woods
and waters of the 6-million-acre Adirondack Park and the natural border between the U.S. and Canada, known as the St. Lawrence River, is
a community that has found a healthy balance in the Information Age.
Canton residents live on the cutting edge of technology and society—
thanks to St. Lawrence University, SUNY Canton, North Country
Public Radio, and the St. Lawrence County government—yet they are
still rooted in the country way of living.
Why do people love Canton? Quality of life. Recreational opportunities. Culture. It’s a safe place to raise a family. It’s a great place to
do business.
With college students constantly on the move and residents driving
here daily to complete their business at the county government offices,
Canton is a bustling village. You can feel the community’s vibrance
from a bench at the Village Green, watching a steady stream of traffic
flow by the four corners. But you can also hear birds chirping, kids
playing, water trickling down from the historic fountain. If he were
alive today, Norman Rockwell would find plenty of subjects to paint
in Canton.
The community’s proximity to Canada is not lost on residents. In
fact, many relish a chance to head north for the day or the weekend to
explore the rural sights in southern Ontario or the many cosmopolitan
activities in the capital city of Ottawa. The Thousand Islands region on
the St. Lawrence River offers visitors and residents another chance to
explore the natural beauty of the region.
Whether you choose to live here, study here, or simply visit, we
hope you enjoy your stay in Canton.
Andy and Dawn Flynn, Publishers
3
Chamber of Commerce Message
On behalf of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, we would like to
officially welcome you to Canton and invite you to enjoy all our community has to offer.
Those who live in Canton feel a genuine sense of community and
take pride in our village. We have a vibrant past and celebrate our rich
heritage. We also look forward to an exciting and promising future.
Our community is especially attractive for young professionals, for
retired couples, and for families. We also appeal to the entrepreneurs
who wish to start a niche business and for those in technology of communication who can choose a location based on quality of life.
Whether you are visiting or here to stay—welcome!
Canton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Executive Director Sally Hill
4
Eat Local
When we say “Eat Local” we mean choosing healthier foods and
supporting businesses close to home. Whether it’s buying farm-fresh
food from a roadside stand or a farmers’ market, choosing a caterer for
a special event, or simply going out to eat at a local restaurant, helping your neighbors helps the local economy and strengthens your
community. Plus, it can be a healthier choice.
As for local restaurants, check out Hot Tamale at 67 Main St. in
Canton, featuring a variety of Mexican food. Eat in, take out, or they’ll
deliver. Phone: (315) 386-3333. Web: www.yourhottamale.com.
For the best American cuisine around, stop by McCarthy’s
Restaurant on U.S. Route 11 South in Canton. They make you feel at
home. Phone: (315) 386-2564.
Need food for a special event? We recommend Timeless Taste
Catering, serving St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson counties.
Contact Kathy Whiteford (315-347-2649) or Liz Carpenter (315-3473448). Web: www.timelesstastecatering.com.
Farmers’ Markets: You can buy a wide variety of fresh foods at
these local farmers’ markets this summer:
Canton: Village Park, Main and Park streets. May 14 - Oct. 29.
Tuesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Potsdam: Main Street in front of the municipal parking lot next to
the Clarkson Inn. Wednesdays, 2-5 p.m. (mid-July through October);
Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (May 15 - Oct. 30).
5
Canton History
The first townships along the St. Lawrence River—known as the St.
Lawrence “Ten Towns”—were part of the Macomb Purchase and were
formed by the New York government on Sept. 10, 1787, in order to
create a buffer of settlements along the U.S.-Canada border. It is here
in St. Lawrence County—with towns five wide and two deep—that
the town of Canton was first given its name. Most of these towns were
named after cities from around the world. The other nine towns were:
Louisville, Stockholm, Potsdam, Madrid, Lisbon, De Kalb,
Oswegatchie, Hague (Morristown), and Cambray (Gouverneur).
The Town of Canton was formally established on March 28, 1805
and would eventually become the home of two colleges and the St.
Lawrence County government.
The town’s first settler was Connecticut native Daniel Harrington,
arriving on the east side of the Grasse River around 1800, where the
village is currently located. Harrington eventually moved away.
Vermont native Stillman Foote, who moved to the area in 1801, is
credited with being Canton’s first permanent settler. The town’s first
official meeting was held in the Foote household in 1806, and Mr.
Foote became the first supervisor.
The Village of Canton was incorporated on May 14, 1845, establishing a five-member Board of Trustees. In 1846, residents elected
the following men to the Village Board for a one-year term: Prosper
Barrows, Benjamin Squire, Nathan Pratt, Barzillai Hodskin, and
Nathaniel Hodskin. The trustees chose Nathaniel Hodskin as their first
“president” of the Village Board.
By 1845, the population in the Town of Canton was about 4,000 and
had increased to about 6,000 by 1860. The town’s population is now
about 10,300, with the village population at almost 5,900.
The three most famous Canton residents were Frederic Remington,
J. Henry Rushton and Silas Wright
Frederic Remington (1861-1909) was born and is buried in
Canton. Initially, he became known as an illustrator for many of the
6
popular magazines of the 1880s and 1890s, including Harper’s
Weekly, Harper’s Monthly, Collier’s and Outing. He is known mostly
for his illustrations, paintings and bronzes of subjects from the
American West.
J. Henry Rushton (1843-1906) built his first boat, a canoe, in
1873, and established a small boat shop in Canton. He became widely known as the premier boat builder of his generation, producing
canoes, guideboats, skiffs, sailboats, rowboats and even some steam
and motor boats.
Silas Wright (1795-1847) was born in Amherst, Mass., and he was
the first lawyer to locate in Canton, moving here in 1819. He was the
county’s Surrogate Court Judge (1821-1824) and served in the NY
Senate (1824-1827), the U.S. House of Representatives (1827-1830),
and U.S. Senate (1833-1844). He was the NY Comptroller (18291834) and New York State’s Governor in 1845-1846.
The office for the Canton Village/Town Historian, including the
historical collection, is located on the second floor of the Municipal
Building. Historian: Linda A. Casserly. Phone: (315) 386-1633.
Founded in 1947 and chartered in 1955, the St. Lawrence County
Historical Association is located at the Silas Wright House, 3 East
Main St., Canton. The collection includes the Macomb Purchase
Papers, Silas Wright Collection, J.H. Rushton Collection and Walter
B. Leonard Collection. Open year-round, Tuesday-Saturday, Noon - 4
p.m. (Fridays until 8 p.m.). Free admission. Charges for use of
research library. Phone: (315) 386-8133. Web: www.slcha.org.
7
Facts About Canton
The Town of Canton includes two municipalities: the Village of
Canton and the Village of Rensselaer Falls. Today, the town’s biggest
industries are education and agriculture. Corning, Inc. has a manufacturing plant and Community Bank, N.A. has an operations office in
the town. Based on 2008 numbers, the town’s top five employers are
St. Lawrence County (1,010), St. Lawrence University (820), St.
Lawrence NYSARC (613), St. Lawrence BOCES (586), and SUNY
Canton (450). Canton is the St. Lawrence County seat. The county
constitutes 2,685 square miles and has 112,000 residents.
Population (village): 5,900 (not including college students)
Population (town): 10,300 (not including college students)
Offices for the Town of Canton, established in 1805, are located in
the Municipal Building, 60 Main St. Town Clerk: Lisa Hammond,
(315) 386-3735. Town Supervisor: David T. Button, (315) 386-2962.
Services at the Town of Canton offices include: Dog Licenses,
Marriage Licenses, Sporting Licenses, and Birth/Death Certificates.
Handicap Parking Permits are available at the Police Department.
Taxes: Town and County tax bills are mailed Jan. 1 and payable
through the Town Clerk’s office. School tax bills are mailed Sept. 1
and are payable at the Town Clerk’s office. Village taxes are mailed
out June 1 and payable at the Village Clerk’s office.
The Canton Town Court, located at the Municipal Building, is
held at 4 p.m. the first and third Wednesday of the month and at 7 p.m.
the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Town Justices:
Cathleen E. O’Horo and Thomas Wheeler. Canton Village Court
meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Village Justice: William Galvin, (315)
379-9844.
The Canton Town Highway Department is responsible for construction and maintenance of all town roads and contracts with the
county for plowing and sanding of the county roads located within the
township. The highway garage is located at 9 Stiles Ave. Highway
Superintendent: Terry R. Billings. Phone: (315) 386-8707.
8
The Canton Town Assessor’s Office is located at the Municipal
Building. The assessor maintains the municipality’s assessment role,
which contains a physical description and value calculation of every
parcel, and approves and keeps track of property tax exemptions.
Assessor: Steve Teele. Phone: (315) 386-2871.
Offices for the Village of Canton, incorporated in 1845, are located at are located in the Municipal Building, 60 Main St. Village Clerk:
Sally Noble, (315) 386-2871. Mayor: Charlotte Ramsay (315) 3862851. Village Superintendent: Brien Hallahan, (315) 386-4700. The
Village Board meets at 7 p.m. the third Monday of the month in the
Board Room. The Village maintains a Planning Board, Zoning Board
of Appeals, and a Housing Authority. Web: www.village.canton.ny.us.
The Canton Village/Town Code Enforcement Office is located at
the Municipal Building. Code Enforcement Officer: Russell “Rusty”
Lawrence IV. Building Permit applications may be picked up daily at
the Code Enforcement Office or the Town and Village clerk offices.
Permits/applications are available online at www.cantonnewyork.us.
Phone: (315) 386-2871, ext. 3 (call for appointment).
The Canton Chamber of Commerce office is located on the second floor of the Municipal Building. “Working together for a better
community.” Executive Director: Sally Hill. Phone: (315) 386-8255.
Web: www.cantonnychamber.org.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is located at
101 Main St. Executive Director: Pat McKeown. Phone: (315) 3864000. Web: www.northcountryguide.com.
The Canton Village Police Department is located at the Municipal
Building. Chief: Alan P. Mulkin. Phone: (315) 386-4561.
The Canton Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad is
located at 77 Riverside Dr., Canton. Fire Chief: Michael E. Dalton. In
2009, volunteers responded to 327 fire and 1,093 EMS calls. Phone:
(315) 386-4613. Web: www.cantonfirerescue.com.
Water Supply: In the Village of Canton, the primary source of
water comes from groundwater drawn from the Upland System. The
Upland System consists of subsurface collection galleries and wells
9
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Corrections & additions welcome.
Call Andy Flynn at (518) 891-5559.
located on Waterman Hill in the Towns of Canton, Pierrepont, and
Russell about 6 miles from the Village. The Upland System was originally constructed around 1917 and has received upgrades over the
years, including one in 2002. The Upland System consists of a 1 million gallon reservoir, caisson and groundwater extraction wells and
infiltration galleries. Water is chlorinated before being conveyed to the
Village from Waterman Hill.
Utilities: National Grid services electricity and St. Lawrence Gas
distributes natural gas in the Town of Canton.
The Canton Free Library, established in 1908, is located at 8 Park
St., Canton. Phone: (315) 386-3712. Hours: Monday and Wednesday,
9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; and
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Web: www.cantonfreelibrary.org.
New York State Assembly: 118th Assembly District,
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D), St. Lawrence County District
Office, 70 Main St., Suite 1, Canton, NY 13617, (315) 386-2037.
New York State Senate: 48th Senate District, Sen. Darrel J.
Aubertine (D), District Office, 317 Washington St., 4th Floor,
Watertown, NY 13601, (315) 782-3418.
U.S. House of Representatives: 23rd Congressional District, Rep.
Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh), 2366 Rayburn House Office Building,
Washington, DC 20515-3223, (202) 225-4611.
U.S. Senate: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, 478 Russell Senate Office
Building, Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-4451.
U.S. Senate: Sen. Charles E. Schumer, 313 Hart Senate Building,
Washington, DC 20510, (202) 224-6542.
The United States Postal Service operates two post offices in the
Town of Canton: Canton (13617), 100 Main. St., (315) 386-4502; and
Rensselaer Falls (13680), 217 Rensselaer St., (315) 344-2468.
10
Special Event Highlights
The Canton Chamber of Commerce offers a variety of events
throughout the year, including: Winterfest (February); Peter Rabbit
in the Park (Saturday before Easter); Big Wheels Race (first Friday
in June); St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Parade & Festival
(first Friday and Saturday in June); Canton Community Sale & BBQ
(August); Phantoms in the Park (Saturday before Halloween); and
Make a Difference Day (October).
Winterfest, sponsored by the Canton Chamber of Commerce, will
be held Feb. 3-15, 2011. This event features the Chamber
“Celebration” Dinner, a Chili Cookoff & Feast, concerts, sports competitions, children’s programs and more. Phone: (315) 386-8255.
The annual Canton Canoe Weekend, featuring the Rushton
Memorial Races and sponsored by the St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers,
is held every spring. Web: www.slvpaddlers.org.
The St. Lawrence County Dairy Princess Parade & Festival will
be held June 4-5, 2010 at the Village Park in Canton. The Festival
starts at 10 a.m. and includes, music, food and games. The parade
starts at 1 p.m. Sponsored by the Canton Chamber of Commerce. For
more information, call (315) 386-8255.
The Antique Engine and Spring Planting Exhibition will be held
June 12-13, 2010 at the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum,
located at the former Goolden-Mann Farm, State Highway 345,
Madrid. Web: www.slpowermuseum.com.
11
The 20th annual Madrid Bluegrass River Festival will be held
June 25-27, 2010. The weekend includes great music from the U.S.
and Canada, food, fireworks, canoe races, special dinners, crafters and
the 14th Annual Madrid Bluegrass Ramble (half-marathon, 5K and
10K walk/run). Contact Les Haas, (315) 322-4093 or Tammy
Hawkins, (315) 322-4341. All tickets sold at the gate. Learn more
online at http://web.northnet.org/madridbluegrassfest.
The Potsdam Summer Festival is held the second weekend in July
(parade on July 10, 2010) and features an Antique and Classic Car
Show, craft show, concerts, etc. Web: www.potsdamchamber.com.
Founder’s Day (July 16-18, 2010) is the kick-off for the
Ogdensburg International Seaway Festival (July 17-25, 2010).
Founder’s Day is a re-enactment of battle scenarios from the French
and Indian War (Seven’s Year War). This event is held at Lighthouse
Point in Ogdensburg on the banks of the majestic and scenic St.
Lawrence River. Experience life as it was in the lat 1700s along the
Fourth Coast, with re-enactors in period costume, mock military battles on land and water, colonial vendors. Learn more online at
www.fortlapresentation.net and www.ogdensburgseawayfestival.org.
The 159th St. Lawrence County Fair will be held Aug. 2-8, 2010
at the Fair Grounds, 85 East Barney St., Gouverneur. Phone: (315)
287-3010. Web: www.gouverneurfair.net.
The Old Fashioned Harvest Days Exhibition will be held Sept. 45, 2010 at the St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum, located at
the former Goolden-Mann Farm, State Highway 345, Madrid. Web:
www.slpowermuseum.com.
The Frederic Remington Arts Festival will be held Oct. 1-2, 2010
in Canton. Festivities include a 5K run, art show, student art competition, children’s activities, horse-drawn carriage tours, concerts,
demonstrations, food, music and a Farmer’s Market.
Visitor Information: Contact the Canton Chamber of Commerce
at (315) 386-8255, www.cantonnychamber.org, or the St. Lawrence
County Chamber of Commerce at (315) 386-4000,
www.northcountryguide.com.
12
Attractions
The Silas Wright House, located at 3 East Main St. in Canton, is
home to the St. Lawrence County Historical Association.The museum
is the restored home of the 19th century New York Gov. Silas Wright.
The museum includes exhibits, public programs, and a gift shop.
Hours: Open year-round, Tuesday-Saturday, Noon - 4 p.m. (Fridays
until 8 p.m.). Free. Phone: (315) 386-8133. Web: www.slcha.org.
Traditional Arts in Upstate New York (TAUNY), 53 Main St.,
Canton, is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people
understand and appreciate the folk culture and living traditions of New
York’s North Country. From the heart of downtown Canton, TAUNY
showcases the traditions of the 14-county region north of the Mohawk
River, from Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River to Lake
Champlain, including the Adirondack Mountains. TAUNY collects,
preserves, interprets, and presents the region’s stories through changing exhibits and a variety of programs and workshops offered both at
The TAUNY Center in Canton and around the region. The North
Country Folkstore is TAUNY’s museum shop. The Folkstore features
authentic, handmade products from more than a hundred individuals
and families throughout the region. It provides an outlet for local traditional artists to sell their items and a resource for visitors to find
13
local products for souvenirs and gifts. Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 10
a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open year-round.
Phone: (315) 386-4289. Web: www.TAUNY.org.
The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery, located at St. Lawrence
University, is free and open to the public during the academic year.
Hours: Monday-Thursday, Noon - 8 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.;
Saturday, Noon - 5 p.m. Phone: (315) 229-5174.
The Indian Creek Nature Center, in the Town of Canton, offers
nature trails and special events on 350 acres adjacent to the 8,757-acre
Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Two entrances
are located on County Route 14, between Rensselaer Falls and State
Highway 68. Web: www.indiancreeknaturecenter.us.
The Frederic Remington Art Museum, 303 Washington St. in
Ogdensburg, is dedicated to collecting, exhibiting, preserving and
interpreting the art and archives of this accomplished artist. Hours:
Nov. 1 - April 30, Wednesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and
Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.; and May 1 - Oct. 31, Monday - Saturday
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays. Phone: (315) 393-2425. Web: www.fredericremington.org.
The St. Lawrence Power & Equipment Museum, located at the
former Goolden-Mann Farm, State Highway 345, Madrid, hosts two
annual events: the Antique Engine and Spring Planting Exhibition,
June 12-13, 2010; and the Old Fashioned Harvest Days Exhibition,
Sept. 4-5, 2010. Web: www.slpowermuseum.com.
Singer Castle was constructed between 1902 and 1904 on Dark
Island in the St. Lawrence River. In 2010, guided tours (10 a.m. - 4
p.m.) are offered on weekends from May 15 to June 13; daily from
June 19 to Labor Day; and on weekends from Sept. 11 to Oct. 11. Boat
tours leave from Alexandria Bay and Hammond. Phone: (877) 3275475 or (315) 324-3275. Web: www.singercastle.com.
Visitor Information: Contact the Canton Chamber of Commerce
at (315) 386-8255, online at www.cantonnychamber.org, or the St.
Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce at (315) 386-4000,
www.northcountryguide.com.
14
Recreation
With the woods and waterways of the St. Lawrence Valley and the
nearby Adirondack Park, there is something for everyone in this outdoor playground. Go solo or go with friends. Just go outside!
The Remington Recreation Trail, surrounding the Partridge Run
Golf & Country Club, is a 3.3-mile paved fitness trail designed for
bicycles, roller blades, walking, jogging or cross-country skiing.
Golf: Three 18-hole golf courses are available in the region. The
Partridge Run Golf & Country Club is operated by the Village of
Canton and located on Sullivan Drive (315-386-4444). The St.
Lawrence University Golf & Country Club is located on U.S. Route
11 next to the Best Western University Inn (315-386-4600). The
Potsdam Golf & Country Club is located on State Route 56, 2 miles
south of the Village of Potsdam (315-265-2141).
Guides: Choose a New York State licensed guide to lead you on a
memorable adventure through the wilderness, from paddling and hiking to fishing, rock climbing and birding. Find one at the New York
State Outdoor Guides Association: www.nysoga.com.
Hiking: There are plenty of trails on state land maintained by the
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
Even experienced woodsmen do not venture into the wilderness without taking every precaution for safety. A visit to the DEC Region 6
Headquarters, 317 Washington St. in Watertown, will provide people
with advice, maps, and well-prepared booklets on campsites, canoe
routes, horse and/or snowmobile trails and more. Hiking guides for the
Adirondack Park are published through the Adirondack Mountain
Club (518-523-3441, www.adk.org).
Boating: Rivers provide the best boating opportunities in St.
Lawrence County, from the Grasse River to the Raquette River and the
mighty St. Lawrence, with miles of waterways that may be traversed
by canoe, kayak, rowboat, guideboat, pontoon boat or motor boat. And
don’t forget scenic Black Lake. For an Adirondack Waterways guide,
contact the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council at (518) 846-8016.
15
Fishing: The St. Lawrence River and Black Lake provide the best
fishing opportunities in St. Lawrence County. And don’t forget the
many lakes, ponds and rivers in the nearby Adirondack Mountains,
with many waterways stocked with fish yearly by the NYS
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Fishing regulations are available at the DEC web site: www.dec.ny.gov.
Hunting: In New York’s Northern Zone, hunters take to the woods
each fall with bows, muzzleloaders and rifles. Hunting is permitted on
all state lands, so the hunting territory is considerable. Please be considerate of posted private lands. Archery season for deer and black
bear opens Sept. 27 (regardless of year) and continues through the
next-to-last Saturday in October. Regular deer and bear season commences on the next-to-last Saturday in October and continues through
the first Sunday in December. Muzzleloading season for deer and bear
is the seven-day period ending on the day before the regular season
begins. Early bear season starts on the first Saturday after the second
Monday in September through the day immediately preceding the
opening of muzzleloading season. Web: www.dec.ny.gov.
Downhill Skiing: The Big Tupper Ski Area in Tupper Lake was
reopened for the 2009-2010 ski season. Web: www.skibigtupper.org.
The Titus Mountain ski center near Malone operates 10 lifts and 27
trails. Web: www.titusmountain.com.
Cross-Country Skiing: There are many cross-country ski trails in
the Canton region, and residents can be found wandering the open
fields on a pair of skis, especially at the local golf courses.
See the Grasse River falls at the Canton Heritage Park.
16
Sports & Activities
The Canton Bicycle Club hosts organized rides. Check out 20 of
the club’s suggested rides around the St. Lawrence County region at
www.northcountryguide.com.
The Canton Pee Wee Association is a non-profit organization that
exists to provide all young people in the Canton area the opportunity
to participate in athletics, regardless of skill level or economic situation. The Association strives to provide opportunities for personal
growth and development of young athletes, while also reinforcing positive influences, self-confidence, self-esteem and the ability to excel
on and off the playing field. It seeks to instill in its participants an
appreciation of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle that leads to a lifelong awareness of health and wellness issues, as well the attributes of
sportsmanship, fair play and team work. Sports: baseball, football,
hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, and wrestling. For information, call
the Canton Pavilion at (315) 386-3992. Web: www.cantonpwa.com.
The Canton Sportsmen’s Club, located on the Nickerson Road in
Canton, sponsors horseshoe tournaments, softball tournaments, and
events associated with hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Phone:
(315) 386-4089.
The St. Lawrence Figure Skating Club has been in operation in
Canton for over 50 years. With more than 150 members, the club now
skates at both Appleton Arena and the Canton Pavilion. Many skaters
have earned gold medals in the U.S. Figure Skating categories of
Dance, Freestyle and Moves, and some skaters have gone on to skate
professionally for shows such as Disney on Ice. Club leaders are proud
of their long heritage of providing fun and instruction to the skaters.
Contact Janet Warner, (315) 386-4551. Web: www.slfsc.org.
The St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers club sponsors races and host the
annual Canton Canoe Weekend, featuring the Rushton Memorial
Canoe Races every spring. St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers is a not-forprofit club—formed in 1993 and incorporated in 1994—open to anyone with an interest in paddlesport. Web: www.slvpaddlers.org.
17
18
Visit Adirondack Lakes Region
Within an hour, you could be immersed in the wilderness of the 6million-acre Adirondack Park, enjoying the natural wonders of the
Adirondack Lakes Region—in neighboring Franklin County—on the
water or in the woods.
Make your Adirondack base camp in communities such as Tupper
Lake, Saranac Lake, Lake Clear or Paul Smiths. Franklin County is
home to the only wilderness canoe area in New York state—the St.
Regis Canoe Area. Canoe or kayak the county’s 689 lakes and ponds
or the Raquette and Saranac rivers. This part of the Adirondack Park
is well known for its island camping on the Saranac Chain of Lakes,
fishing on Big Tupper Lake, and loon watching near Lake Clear.
With your base camp in the Adirondack Lakes region, there are
plenty of activities to keep your family busy when you’re not in the
woods. Golf courses are located in Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake and
Saranac Inn. Attractions include The Wild Center in Tupper Lake,
Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center and White Pine Camp
(1926 summer White House) in Paul Smiths, Six Nations Indian
Museum in Onchiota and Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage in Saranac
Lake. Plus, you are a short ride away from the Olympic Village of
Lake Placid, with more attractions and shopping opportunities.
For a peaceful, mountain vacation, stay in the Adirondack Lakes
Region. Contact Franklin County Tourism at (800) 709-4895 or visit
online at www.adirondacklakes.com.
19
20
21
Parks & Playgrounds
The Canton Trail is a communitywide network of nine bicycle and
pedestrian trails. The five trailhead signs are located at McDonald’s
(Historic Downtown), the Remington Recreation Center, SUNY
Canton, the Bend-in-the-River Park, and St. Lawrence University. The
routes serve residents, college students and visitors. Trails are designated in three classes: Class I, pathways with no motor vehicle traffic;
Class II, high-traffic roadways with wide shoulders/bicycle lanes; and
Class III, low-traffic roadways in residential neighborhoods.
The Canton Village/Town Recreation Department maintains the
Canton Pavilion, the Riley Community Room, and several parks and
playgrounds. The office is located on Lincoln Street at the Canton
Pavilion, which is used for ice skating, hockey and other activities.
Recreation Director: John S. Taillon. Phone: (315) 386-3992.
The Bend-in-the-River Park is located next to the Canton Pavilion
at the end of Lincoln Street. It features a picnic shelter, barbecue grills,
Sign for The Canton Trail at McDonald’s
22
a lighted softball field, paved walkways, volleyball and basketball
courts, and a scenic waterfront. The picnic shelter and softball field
can be reserved. Call (315) 386-3992 for rates.
Buck Street Playground, located on the corner of Buck and
Lincoln streets, has swings, slides, merry go-rounds and monkey bars.
The Canton Heritage Park, located on Coakley Island and Falls
Island in Canton, opened to the public in June 2008. The trails include
interpretive signs explaining the history along this section of the
Grasse River. The park was a special project of the Grasse River
Heritage Area Development Corporation. The trail begins at the historic King Iron Bowstring Bridge, which was originally built in the
1870s and restored in 2007. The bridge connects the parking area on
Coakley Island to the 4.4-acre Falls Island, which was the heart of the
manufacturing district in 19th century Canton. There was once a gristmill, a sawmill and a sash and blind factory on Falls Island.
The Canton Village Green in the heart of downtown Canton is the
scene of many events, including the Canton Farmer’s Market. This
park features a war memorial and a 19th century fountain.
The Monsignor Billmeyer Playground is located at Canton
Central School on State Street.
The Taylor Park Community Beach, located on the Miner Street
road, is open from mid-June to the end of August. The park has changing rooms, a softball area, a playground and picnic areas.
Across the street from the Canton Heritage Park, on the south side
of Main Street, is the Willow Island Park (Canton Island Park).
23
Communications
Meet the Town, founded in 1927 in Saranac Lake, is an annual
pocket-sized community guide that gives residents and visitors vital
information about communities in the Adirondack North Country
region, including St. Lawrence County, with six booklets covering
Canton, Potsdam, Saranac Lake, Lake Placid/Wilmington, Tupper
Lake/Long Lake/Newcomb, and the Au Sable Valley. Based in
Saranac Lake. Publishers: Andy and Dawn Flynn, of Hungry Bear
Publishing. Phone: (518) 891-5559. Web: www.meetthetown.com or
www.hungrybearpublishing.com.
Member-supported North Country Public Radio, based at the E.J.
Noble Medical Building at St. Lawrence University in Canton, provides regional and world news, information and cultural programs to
the Adirondack North Country region and parts of Ontario, Quebec
and Vermont. NCPR also works with community organizations, agencies and educators to enrich the regional cultural life. Music programs
range from folk and bluegrass to classical, world beat, jazz, opera, and
the blues. Popular National Public Radio programs are featured,
including Morning Edition and All Things Considered. The local frequency is WSLU Canton, 89.5-FM. Web: www.ncpr.org.
The Stevens Media Group owns several radio stations in the
Seaway Valley: WRCD 101.5-FM (The Fox), Canton; WNCQ 102.9FM (Q Country), Canton; WMSA 1340-AM, Massena; WVLF 96.1FM (Mix 96), Norwood; WPAC 98.7-FM (PAC 98.7), Ogdensburg;
and WYSX 96.7-FM (Yes FM), Morristown.
Community Broadcasters LLC operates several radio stations in
the North Country, including WQTK 92.7-FM, Ogdensburg; WSLB
1400-AM (ESPN Radio), Ogdensburg; and WLFK 95.3-FM (The
Wolf), Gouverneur.
WSNN 99.3-FM and WPDM 1470-AM, based out of Potsdam,
offer news, sports and music to its listeners.
The Daily Courier-Observer is published six days a week
24
(Tuesday-Sunday) and covers Potsdam and Massena. Potsdam office:
(315) 265-6000. Web: www.mpcourier.com.
The St. Lawrence Plaindealer, founded in Canton in 1856, is published weekly and covers Canton. Phone: (315) 386-8521.
North Country This Week, located in Potsdam, is published weekly and covers the greater Potsdam area. Phone: (315) 265-1000. Web:
www.northcountrynow.com.
The Watertown Daily Times has a St. Lawrence County bureau in
Canton. Phone: (315) 386-3571. Web: www.wdt.net.
Fourth Coast Entertainment Magazine, based in Canton, is published monthly and covers the arts in the North Country. Phone: (315)
379-9543. Web: www.fourthcoastentertainment.com.
WWNY-TV News Channel 7 and WNYF-TV FOX Channel 28
are in Watertown. Phone: (315) 788-3800. Web: www.wwnytv.com.
WPTZ NewsChannel 5 is located in Plattsburgh. Phone: (518)
561-5581. Web: www.wptz.com.
25
Transportation
Adirondack Trailways. Phone: 800-776-7548. Catch the bus at the
Partridge Cafe on Miner St., Canton.
The Massena International Airport, located at 90 Aviation Road
off the North Raquette River Road in Massena, offers a unique and
convenient air travel alternative with daily shuttle flights and connections to all major U.S. destinations. Cape Air offers scheduled passenger service to Albany. Private airplanes may use the facility. Also
known as Richards Field, the 475-acre airport is operated by the Town
of Massena and has two runways. Phone: (315) 769-7605. Web:
http://massenainternationalairport.com.
The Ogdensburg International Airport, located on Route 812 in
Ogdensburg, offers daily commercial air service to travelers flying in
and out of Northern New York and Southeastern Ontario. Cape Air
offers scheduled passenger service to Albany. Private airplanes may
use the facility. The airport is operated by the Ogdensburg Bridge &
Port Authority. Phone: (315) 393-4721. Web: www.ogdensport.com.
The St. Lawrence County Public Transportation provides affordable, accessible transportation to residents throughout the county with
scheduled service in the communities of Canton, Potsdam,
Ogdensburg, Massena and surrounding communities. Fair: one-way,
$2.00 (ages 3 and under free). Buses do not run on major holidays. The
Village of Canton is serviced by the following Bus Routes: Route 1
(Ogdensburg to Norfolk) and Route 2 (Ogdensburg to Potsdam). Both
routes stop at the following Canton locations: Human Services
Building (State Highway 310), Harold B. Smith Building (6 Judson
St.), SUNY Canton (French Hall), St. Lawrence University Bookstore,
Law Lane Apartments, Trailways (Partridge Cafe), and the Grasse
River Enriched Housing Apartments. Exact fare, tokens or passes
accepted. The main office is located at the Human Services Center, 80
State Highway 310, Canton. Phone: (315) 393-5200. Web:
www.commuterbusinfo.com.
26
Education
Canton and Potsdam Head Start, a preschool program for 3- and
4-year-olds, accepts applications for center- and home-based programs. Benefits include a low student-to-teacher ratio, healthy meals,
bus service to locations within the Canton and Potsdam school districts, a four-hour day, and all services are free. Head Start works also
with special needs children. Phone: (315) 386-8574.
The Canton Central School District—the Golden Bears—serves
more than 1,300 students in grades preK-12. The district operates the
Banford Elementary School, the McKenney Middle School and the
Hugh C. Williams High School. Athletes compete in a number of
sports, including cross country running, soccer, swimming, volleyball,
basketball, ice hockey, softball, baseball, lacrosse, indoor and outdoor
track, wrestling, golf and football. The Booster Club supports athletics. District offices are located at 99 State St., Canton. Phone: (315)
386-8561. Web: www.ccsdk12.org.
The Canton Day Care Center, located at the Maplewood Campus
at 205 State Street Road, is is a not-for-profit, community-based child
care program functioning to enhance the development of the whole
child in a safe, healthy and positive learning environment. Phone:
(315) 379-1829. Web: www.cantondaycare.org.
The Canton Golden Bear Education Foundation, Inc. accepts
and administers gifts for charitable purposes, provides enrichment and
enhancement of education programs and opportunities for students by
securing and distributing financial and other resources for the district
and its students. Contact Mike Archibald ([email protected]).
The Little River Community School, located 5 miles south of
Canton at 1227 County Route 25, is an alternative school for kindergarten through grade 12, serving 24 students in a three-room schoolhouse. Phone: (315) 379-9474. Web: www.littleriverschool.org.
St. Mary’s Parochial School, located at 2 Powers St. in Canton,
serves students in preK-grade 6. Established in 1930. Phone: (518)
386-3572. Web: www.cantoncatholics.com/st_mary’s_school.htm.
27
The St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES, located at 139 State Street Road
in Canton, serves 18 school districts in Lewis and St. Lawrence counties “by providing cost-effective shared services, including career
training for high-school students and adults, special education, alternative schools, technology education, and teacher training.” The
BOCES Seaway Career & Technical Education Center is located at
7225 State Route 56, Norwood, (315) 353-2293. The BOCES Board
of Education meets monthly. Phone: (315) 386-4504. Web:
www.sllboces.org.
St. Lawrence University (SLU), located at 23 Romoda Dr. in
Canton, serves more than 2,000 students and is guided by a mission
“to provide an inspiring and demanding undergraduate education in
the liberal arts to students selected for their seriousness of purpose and
intellectual promise.” Founded in 1856, SLU offers the following
degrees in liberal arts: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master
of Education, and Certificate of Advanced Studies in Educational
Administration. It is the oldest continuously coeducational institution
of higher learning in New York state. The academic calendar consists
of fall and spring semesters and optional summer terms. Graduate programs in education are available. SLU participates in the International
Student Exchange Program, offering programs in 15 countries.
Admissions: (800) 285-1856. Web: www.stlawu.edu.
SUNY Canton, the State University of New York College of
Technology at Canton, is located on the outskirts of the Village and is
one of the fastest-growing colleges in Upstate New York. The College
has set new enrollment records in each of the past two years and serves
more than 3,300 students. SUNY Canton offers two- and four-year
degrees in the health professions, engineering technologies, business,
computing, arts and sciences, and criminal justice. There are nearly 20
majors leading to bachelor’s degrees and numerous others that lead to
associate degrees and one-year certificates. Courses are offered oncampus at 34 Cornell Dr., and many courses are also available online
through SUNY CantonOL. The school was established in 1906.
Phone: (315) 386-7011. Web: www.canton.edu.
28
Health & Wellness
Adirondack Physical & Occupational Therapy, LLC, based at
19 Hodskin St., Suite 1, in Canton, offers physical and occupational
therapy, in addition to hand therapy. Individuals experiencing pain,
stiffness, and disability may benefit from one of these services. Phone:
(315) 379-0992. Web: www.adirondacktherapy.com.
The Afterhours Healthcare Clinic, located at 80 East Main St. in
Canton in the E.J. Noble Medical Building (lower level), sees patients
on a walk-in basis. The center is staffed by a combination of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, with support from
nursing and clerical personnel. Phone: (315) 386-3300.
AIDS Community Resources (ACR), with an office at 9 Miner St.
in Canton, is a not-for-profit, community-based organization providing prevention, education and support services to those infected with
and affected by HIV/AIDS in the Central, Northern, and Mohawk
Valley regions of New York State. Phone: (315) 386-4493. Web:
www.aidscommunityresources.com.
The St. Lawrence County Unit of the American Cancer Society is
located at 94 East Main St., Canton. Phone: (315) 386-8249.
The Canton Health Center, 39 West Main St., is an extension of
the Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and serves the healthcare needs
of Canton and surrounding communities by providing pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric primary care. Phone: (315) 379-4700.
The Canton-Potsdam Hospital, 50 Leroy St. in Potsdam, provides
comprehensive acute medical-surgical care and emergency care, and
has widely recognized programs in chemical dependency treatment,
cardiac care, obstetrics, and physical rehabilitation services. The hospital operates the Warner Cancer Treatment Center. The medical staff
of 61 physicians includes specialists in 23 areas, including nine surgical specialties. Phone: (315) 265-3300. Web: www.cphospital.org.
Caregivers, based at 19 Hodskin St. in Canton, is a home health
agency devoted to providing the highest quality care while allowing
people to remain in the comfort of home. A nurse performs a free, in29
home evaluation and discusses special needs, concerns and circumstances. Phone: (315) 379-1445. Web: www.caregivershomecare.com.
The Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country operates
the CP Family Health Care Center at 4 Commerce Lane in Canton and
offers medical services to the general public and individuals with
developmental disabilities. Phone: (315) 386-8191.
The Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, located at 214 King St. in
Ogdensburg, is a private, not-for-profit, 159-bed community hospital
and regional referral center. Claxton-Hepburn has an active medical
staff of more than 40 physicians representing over 20 specialties.
Phone: (315) 393-3600. Web: www.claxtonhepburn.org.
Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley, based at
6805 State Highway 11, Potsdam, offers the following services: home
visits several times a week; management of pain and other difficult
symptoms; 24-hour assistance and advice; help with bathing and
grooming; emotional and spiritual support; patient and caregiver education; coordination of multiple services; help for family caregivers;
and home visits. Phone: (315) 265-3105. Web: www.hospiceslv.org.
The North Country Association for the Visually Impaired, based
in Lake Placid, serves the blind, legally blind and visually impaired in
the counties of St. Lawrence, Franklin, Essex and Clinton. Phone:
(518) 523-1950. Web: www.ncavi.org.
North Country Children’s Clinic, located at 3 Remington Ave. in
Canton, is a private, not-for-profit agency dedicated to ensuring that
all children have the basics necessary for a healthy start in life. Many
of the programs were developed for working families without insurance and those covered by Medicaid, although health care and dental
care are available to families of all income levels. The Clinic also
sponsors the WIC Program and the Adolescent Pregnancy Program
and operates a Dental Clinic in Ogdensburg. Phone: (315) 386-8128.
The Northern Light Center is located at 595 Miner Street Road in
Canton. It houses Northern Light Yoga, which offers yoga and meditation classes, along with workshops, private sessions, yoga therapy
and a variety of activities related to conscious living. Contact Rebecca
30
Rivers at (315) 386-8461 or at [email protected]. Web:
www.blissnorth.com.
Planned Parenthood of the North Country New York, located at
9 Miner St., Canton, is a non-profit organization that provides family
planning and reproductive healthcare, education and advocacy services in Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.
Phone: (315) 386-8821. Web: www.plannedparenthood.org.
Red Cross of Northern New York, 73 Market St. in Potsdam,
serves Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties. Phone: (315) 2680102. Web: www.redcrossnny.com.
The mission of the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative, located at 6439 State Highway 56 in Potsdam, is “to reduce the burden of
chronic disease in both individuals and the community by empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to live healthier
lives and by creating communitywide policy, environment, and practice changes to increase options for healthy living.” Programs include:
Eat Well, Play Hard; Access to Care Program; Health Quest MOVE;
SPORT Tobacco Cessation; Worksite Wellness Program; Chronic
Disease Training; and Community Health Champion. Phone: (315)
261-4760. Web: www.gethealthyslc.org.
The St. Lawrence County Public Health Department offers a
wide variety of health services and programs to county residents,
geared toward improving both individual health and well being and
that of the community. Office: Human Services Center (Suite 2), 80
State Highway 310, Canton. Phone: (315) 386-2325. Web: www.co.st31
lawrence.ny.us/Departments/PublicHealth.
The Seaway Valley Council For Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Prevention, Inc., based at 2 Riverside Dr. in Canton, is a private, nonprofit corporation whose Board and staff are committed to improving
the future of our community through quality prevention services.
Phone: (315) 379-1211. Web: www.seawayprevention.org.
The United Helpers organization offers a variety of services in the
Canton/Potsdam area, ranging from independent retirement communities to complete skilled nursing services. Partridge Knoll Independent
Retirement Community, located on Sullivan Drive in Canton, offers
the privacy of your own apartment with the added convenience of
gourmet meals served in “The Hearth,” housekeeping services, transportation, weekly laundry services, and many more amenities. Visit
online at www.partridgeknoll.org or call (315) 379-1428 for a free virtual tour or to schedule a private tour. United Helpers Home Health
Services offers companion care, home health services and housekeeping services. Call (315) 386-1051 to learn more. United Helpers’
Maplewood Campus offers St. Lawrence County’s first Assisted
Living Program; rehabilitative services; out-patient physical therapy;
and skilled nursing services. Maplewood’s cottage-style neighborhoods offer an alternative to traditional skilled nursing facilities.
Phone: (315) 386-4541. Web: www.unitedhelpers.org.
32
Community Services
The Adirondack Economic Development Corporation (AEDC),
based in Saranac Lake, was established in 1984 to coordinate economic development activities for the 14-county North Country region. The
AEDC offers classroom training for small businesses and is a U.S.
Small Business Administration certified lender and microloan intermediary. Phone: (518) 891-5523. Web: www.aedcventurefund.com.
The Adirondack North Country Association (ANCA), based in
Saranac Lake, was formed in 1954 as a non-profit private corporation
that serves the 14 counties of northern New York and provides services and programs in enterprise and community development, working
landscapes, capacity building, culture and tourism. Phone: (518) 8916200. Web: www.adirondack.org.
Campus Kitchens is a national program designed to feed those in
need a good nutritious meal. The local affiliate is at St. Lawrence
University. Students collect unused, leftover food from SLU and
SUNY Canton kitchens. Volunteers reheat the food at the EbenHolden facility at SLU, transport it, and serve it at a community dinner held every Monday from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Unitarian
Universalist Church in Canton. To volunteer, contact Stacey
Sommerfield ([email protected]).
The mission of the Canton Economic Development Office, located in the Municipal Building, 60 Main St., is to facilitate the community’s economic growth by working with major employers, small busi-
33
nesses and community initiatives to bring jobs, residents and visitors
to Canton. The office works directly with small and large businesses,
including new ventures. Services include: Development incentives
and financing; site selection; grants for job creation or retention; business assistance; low-interest business loans; and customer research.
Director: Linda McQuinn. Phone: (315) 386-2871, ext. 5. Web:
www.cantonecondev.com.
The Canton Enriched Housing program is for people in need of
assistance in maintaining an independent lifestyle due to disabilities or
health conditions. Located in Canton Housing Authority properties
at 35 and 37 Riverside Dr. in Canton. Phone: (315) 386-8830.
The Canton Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC),
located at SUNY Canton (Room 023, Wicks Hall), delivers high quality business counseling and training to people who want to start a business or improve the performance of an existing business. Regional
specialties include working with manufacturing projects, SBA programs, microloan projects, veterans, women, minorities and Native
Americans. Phone: (315) 386-7312. Web:www.nyssbdc.org.
The Church and Community Program is a program of the Canton
churches created to ensure that lower income residents of the community can obtain needed food, clothing and other essentials. To find out
how you can volunteer, contact Shari Wilcox at (315) 386-3534.
The Free Will Dinner in Canton is always in need of volunteers.
Dinner is prepared and served at the Canton United Methodist Church
on the second, third, and fourth Wednesdays of the month. To volunteer, contact Carlton Doane at (315) 386-4281.
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit, ecumenical
Christian housing ministry that invites people of all backgrounds to
build houses together with families in need. The Raquette Valley
Habitat for Humanity serves Canton. Phone: (315) 244-1335.
Literacy of Northern New York, with an office at 2 Park St. in
Potsdam, trains volunteers to work one-to-one with adults who need
help with reading, writing or English as a second language. Phone:
(315) 265-0194. Web: www.proliteracynny.org.
34
The Seaway Valley Office of Parent to Parent of New York State
is located at 4 Commerce Lane in Canton. This is a statewide not-forprofit organization with a mission to support and connect families of
individuals with special needs. Phone: (315) 379-1538. Web:
www.parenttoparentnys.org.
The Potsdam Humane Society, located at 17 Madrid Ave. in
Potsdam, operates a not-for-profit animal shelter and provides care
and protection to animals in need. Phone: (315) 265-3199. Web:
www.potsdamhumanesociety.org.
The St. Lawrence NYSARC, 6 Commerce Lane, Canton, was
founded in 1959 and is a non-profit membership association dedicated to full inclusion and integration for persons with intellectual and
other developmental disabilities in St. Lawrence County. NYSARC
provides advocacy, work opportunities, living options, individualized
supports and services, and guardianship to individuals with disabilities
and their families. Phone: (315) 379-9531. Web: www.slnysarc.org.
The St. Lawrence County Office of Economic Development is
located at the Human Services Center, 80 State Highway 310, Suite 6,
Canton. The office helps businesses through the St. Lawrence County
Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and employees through the St.
Lawrence County One-Stop Career Center. Phone: (315) 379-9806.
The St. Lawrence County Veterans Service Department, Human
Services Center, 80 State Highway 310 in Canton, provides factual
information on the full range of benefits available to eligible veterans
and survivors. They can assist veterans in obtaining medical treatment
from appropriate veteran’s medical facilities, education benefits for
veterans and survivors, compensation, burial and death benefits for
survivors, and a myriad of other services. Phone: (315) 386-4754.
The St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House for victims of family
violence is located at 3 Chapel St., Canton. The group’s goal is to help
participants identify abuse, recognize their own strengths and weaknesses and make decisions of their own making. No appointment necessary. Collect calls accepted. Phone: (315) 379-9845. Web:
www.slvrenewalhouse.org.
35
Organizations
The Laurentian Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club
(ADK) has more than 300 members from communities in St.
Lawrence and Franklin counties and southern Ontario and Quebec.
The club sponsors recreational outings in the region and supports
ADK’s mission of recreation, education and conservation. Meetings
are held in the Potsdam Civic Center. Web: http://adklaurentian.org.
Boy Scouts of America: The Hiawatha Seaway Council, based in
Syracuse, serves the counties of St. Lawrence, Cayuga, Jefferson,
Lewis, Onondaga and Oswego. At the northern end of the Council is
the Northern Lights District, which encompasses all of St. Lawrence
County. Phone: (315) 463-0201. Web: www.cnyscouts.org.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County is
located at 1894 State Highway 68, Canton. The Extension Learning
Farm is located at 2043 State Highway 68, Canton. Cornell
Cooperative Extension coordinates activities for 4-H. The 4-H club
program is open to all youths ages 8 to 19. Phone: (315) 379-9192.
Free and Accepted Masons: The St. Lawrence Lodge No. 111 is
located at West Main Street. Meetings are held the first and third
Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. The Empire-Hermon No. 68
Order of the Eastern Star meets the second and fourth Thursday.
Phone: (315) 386-2531.
The Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways was formed in July 2009
from five legacy councils, including the Thousand Islands Girl Scout
Council, which served Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties
and was incorporated in 1963. The closest office is located at
Watertown. Phone: (315) 782-1890. Web: www.gsnypenn.org.
Founded in 1974, the Grasse River Players is a community theater
group that produces various performances throughout the year. Web:
http://grasseriverplayers.com.
The Canton Kiwanis Club meets at 7 a.m. Tuesdays at McCarthy’s
Restaurant. P.O. Box 268, Canton, NY 13617.
The Knights of Columbus Council 1059 is located on 30 Miner
36
St., Canton. Phone: (315) 386-4330. Monday Night Bingo: 7 p.m.
The Canton Lions Club meets the first/third Monday, 6:30 p.m., at
the Best Western University Inn. P.O. Box 532, Canton, NY 13617.
The Northern New York Library Network, 6721 U.S. Highway
11, serves libraries in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis,
Oswego and St. Lawrence counties. Phone: (315) 265-1119. Web:
www.nnyln.org.
The Canton Rotary Club meets at noon Mondays at the Best
Western University Inn. P.O. Box 385, Canton, NY 13617.
The St. Lawrence County Arts Council is located at 51 Market
St., Potsdam. The gift shop and gallery hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday - Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday. Phone: (315) 2656860. Web: www.slcartscouncil.org.
The VFW Post 1231 is located at 34 Gouverneur St. in Canton.
Phone: (315) 386-8953.
Zonta International: The Zonta Club of Canton meets the second
Tuesday of the month. P.O. Box 365, Canton, NY 13617.
37
New York State Agencies
The New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) manages the state-owned lands in New York.
Region 6 Headquarters at 317 Washington St. in Watertown—serving
St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Lewis, Hamilton and Oneida counties—provides field offices for its divisions. The DEC maintains three Wildlife
Management Areas in St. Lawrence County: the Upper and Lower
Lakes WMA, 8,757 acres, 3 miles west of the Village of Canton along
State Highway 68 (adjacent to the Indian Creek Nature Center at
Rensselaer Falls); the Fish Creek WMA, 4,438 acres, 1 mile south of
Black Lake; and the Wilson Hill WMA, 3,434 acres on the St.
Lawrence River, 6 miles west of the Village of Massena. Phone: (315)
785-2239. Web: www.dec.ny.gov.
The New York State Health Department district office serving all
of St. Lawrence County is located at 58 Gouverneur St., Canton, (315)
386-1040.
The NYS Office of Real Property Services Central Region office,
serving St. Lawrence County, is located at 401 South Salina St.,
Syracuse. Phone: (315) 471-2347. Web: www.orps.state.ny.us.
New York State Police, headquarters of Troop B, is located in Ray
Brook. Phone: (518) 897-2000. The territory covered by Troop B
includes Clinton, Franklin, Essex, St. Lawrence and Hamilton counties. The Zone 2 station is located at the Public Safety Building, 49 1/2
Court
St.,
Canton.
Phone:
(315)
379-0012.
Web:
www.troopers.state.ny.us.
38
St. Lawrence County Government
The main St. Lawrence County offices are located at the Court
House, 48 Court St., Canton. Administrator: Karen St. Hilaire. Phone:
(315) 379-2276. Web: www.co.st-lawrence.ny.us.
Departments include the Board of Elections, 48 Court St., (315)
379-2202; County Clerk/Department of Motor Vehicles, 48 Court
St., Building 2, (315) 379-2237; Courts, 48 Court St., (315) 3792219; Department of Highways, 44 Park St., (315) 379-1542;
Department of Social Services, 6 Judson St., (315) 379-2111;
District Attorney, 48 Court St., (315) 379-2225; Emergency
Services, 48 Court St., Building 8, (315) 379-2240; Probation, 48
Court St., (315) 379-2230; Public Defender, 48 Court St., Corner
Building, (315) 379-2115; Real Property, 48 Court St., Building 1,
(315) 379-2272; Solid Waste Department, 44 Park St., (315) 3799084; and Weights & Measures, 44 Park St., (315) 379-9734.
County departments located at the Human Services Center, 80
State Highway 310, include: Economic Development, Suite 6, (315)
379-9806; Office for the Aging, Suite 7, (315) 386-4730; Public
Health, Suite 2, (315) 386-2325; Public Transportation, (315) 3863276, ext. 125; Veterans Service Department, Suite 5, (315) 3864754; and Youth Bureau, Suite 4, (315) 379-9464.
The 15-member St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators meets
at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month in the Legislative Board Room
in the Court House. Canton is covered by two districts. At press time,
District 8 was represented by Legislator Tedra L. Cobb (D), 365 Town
Line Road, Hermon, (315) 386-4928; and District 9 was represented
by Legislator Peter W. FitzRandolph (D), Canton, (315) 386-1062.
The St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is located in Building 8
at 48 Court St. Phone: (315) 379-2222.
The St. Lawrence One-Stop Career Center, operated by the St.
Lawrence County Office of Economic Development, is located at the
Human Services Center, Suite 8, 80 State Highway 310 in Canton.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday (8 a.m. - 4 p.m. in the summer). Phone: (315) 386-3276. Web: www.slconestop.com.
39
Churches
BAPTIST, 103 East Main. St., 386-4110
BAPTIST, 5 East Main St., 386-8608
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CENTER, 3662 CR 14, 322-4758
EPISCOPAL, 9 East Main St., 386-3714
METHODIST, 41 Court St., 386-4500
NEWMAN CENTER, 33 Court St., 386-8425
PRESBYTERIAN, 2 Park Place, 386-2570
PRESBYTERIAN, 155 Route 310, 379-1578
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST, 52 Court St., 386-3550
ROMAN CATHOLIC, 66 Court St., 386-2543
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST, 3 ½ East Main St., 386-2498
Emergencies
Dial 911 for immediate assistance
Village Police: (315) 386-4561
Sheriff Department: (315) 379-2221
State Police: (315) 379-0012
Fire Department/Rescue Squad: (315) 386-4544
Veterinarian: Canton Animal Clinic, (315) 386-2754
American Red Cross: (315) 268-0102
Seaway Valley Council for Alcohol/Substance Abuse
Prevention: (315) 379-1211
Domestic violence: SL Valley Renewal House, (315) 379-9845
Readers love us!
Advertise in Meet the Town.
Call Andy Flynn @ 891-5559.
40
B