Feb 24, 2009 — Last week, we aired a story about the state Health Department's rules against serving home-cooked food at community events. You can listen to that story on our website at ncpr.org. The food regulations have been in existence since 1997. But in many cases, they're just catching the attention of local groups. The Church and Community Program in Canton has decided to cancel its weekly "lenten luncheons" in March. State health department director in St. Lawrence County, Bruce Stone, says health officials aren't cracking down. He urges event organizers to contact the health department so he can help events go on as planned while also satisfying health codes. The number in Canton is 315-386-1040. Last week's story elicited a strong reaction from local event organizer Patricia Greene. She submitted this commentary.  Go to full article

Dec 17, 2008 — During hard economic times, many nonprofit organizations face a double challenge. A weak economy often means decreasing revenue, but increasing demand for services. Cali Brooks directs the community foundation serving the Adirondacks.  Go to full article

Oct 21, 2008 — Ginny Berson, vice president of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, is in the North Country this week. Her radio roots go back to Pacifica Radio. Now she advocates for a broad alliance of community-based radio stations and producers. She talks with Martha Foley about similarities and differences between public and community radio.  Go to full article

Jun 27, 2008 — An education forum today at Paul Smiths College is looking at building communities for all ages. It's co-sponsored by Mercy Care for the Adirondacks. The keynote speaker is Dr. Nancy Henkin, founder and director of the Center for Intergenerational Learning at Temple University. Henkin told Todd Moe that with youth and elders making up an increasing proportion of the population, it's critical for the two groups to join together on issues like housing, education, transportation and healthcare.  Go to full article

Apr 08, 2008 — The sixth annual North Country Symposium convenes tomorrow at St Lawrence University to consider how to make the region more self-sustaining by "going local." Dr. Chuck Fluharty, founding director of the Rural Policy Research Institute, is the keynote speaker. Dr. Fluharty is a seasoned analyst of the rural factor in public policy. He's been an advisor to most federal departments, as well as state and local governments. He told Martha Foley rural America is getting the short end of the deal, and thats hurting individual as well as community development. (Symposium contact: Ben Dixon 315-229-5664.)  Go to full article

Nov 16, 2007 — Over the next year, North Country Public Radio is collecting stories about food along with photos and recipes for our website, and possible inclusion in a food book. For more than nine years, a group of neighbors in Potsdam has shared in the preparation of weekly family meals. It started as a time-saver for busy families, but you might call it a revival of dinner as a time of pleasure, culture and community. Our occasional series on growing, cooking and eating locally, "Local Flavor", continues as Todd Moe heads into the kitchen for dinner served families-style.  Go to full article

Oct 30, 2007 — Next Tuesday, millions of New Yorkers will vote on a constitutional amendment that will determine the future of one tiny Adirondack village. The proposed change would allow the 160 residents of Raquette Lake to draw drinking water from a well that sits on the Adirondack forest preserve. The constitutional amendment is needed because most human structures are banned on state land in the six-million acre park. As Brian Mann reports, the ballot initiative represents a partnership between local government leaders and pro-environment groups.  Go to full article

Aug 08, 2007 — Supporters of a temporary cap on the size of retail stores in Saranac Lake and Harrietstown turned out in force at a public meeting on the issue Tuesday night. Most of the roughly twenty people who spoke supported a proposed two-year size-limit on stores. Individual stores would be capped at 40,000 square feet. Shopping centers would be capped at 68,000 square feet. The proposal comes in the wake of Wal-Mart's failed attempt to locate a super center in Saranac Lake. As Chris Knight reports, town and village leaders are expected to consider implementing the retail cap in the coming weeks.  Go to full article

Feb 01, 2007 — A national farming magazine rates St. Lawrence County the 6th best place to live in rural America. The Progressive Farmer releases its annual rural county rankings today. Contrary to its name, Barren County, Kentucky, took the top honors. David Sommerstein spoke yesterday with Joe Link, The Progressive Farmer's executive editor. Link says the magazine names the top 200 counties based on a range of quality-of-life indicators and statistics. Then, editors visit the top 20. Link himself came to St. Lawrence County last fall. He says his first visit was in Canton, with Varick Chittenden of Traditional Arts in Upstate New York.  Go to full article

May 08, 2006 — Dozens of gardening volunteers prepped two community gardens in Canton and Potsdam yesterday for another growing season. The gardens are being tended by students from SUNY-Potsdam and members of the Unitarian-Universalist Church in Canton through "UShare", a congregation project to grow vegetables for food pantries. All the produce from the two gardens will be delivered to St. Lawrence County foodshelves during the harvest. Todd Moe spoke with some of the volunteers in the Cecilie Garden yesterday afternoon.  Go to full article