Nov 26, 2002 — The holiday season is bringing home another dimension of the gap caused by the loss of Ames Department stores in many North Country communities. Non-profit groups used the retail chain for their gift-giving programs. With the stores closed, many community groups fear a leaner holiday season for their clients. Lorraine Taylor is Director of the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center, one of the communities which partnered with Ames during the holidays.