Canton, NY, Jun 14, 2011 — Farmers markets are one of the things that make summer, summer--and although the rainy weather this spring means a lot of us may not have gotten outdoors to buy fruit, veggies and other delights, the way we'd like--the farmers have been there. The season's just now really getting started--and for today's Heard Up North, Nora Flaherty made her first visit this summer to Canton's farmer's market:  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Jun 13, 2011 — Dairy farming is a way of life and a major industry in the North Country, but for All Before Five host and recent downstate transplant Nora Flaherty, it's a little bit of a mystery. Nora paid a visit to Canton dairyman Jon Greenwood--he has a herd of about 1200. They started in Greenwood's milking parlor, where the cows were listening to some Latin music.  Go to full article

Bennington, VT, May 27, 2011 — If there's an upside to this season's devastating weather, it's that we feel an even greater appreciation for the more benevolent signs of spring and summer. Butterflies are one of those welcome sights, and many early-season species are starting to take flight.

For this Heard Up North, Angela Evancie met up with Kevin Hemeon at Park McCullough's Mile-Around-Woods in North Bennington, Vermont to look for a rare butterfly called the West Virginia White. Hemeon is a butterfly enthusiast - he contributed more than 2,000 records to a state butterfly survey that was recently released by the Vermont Center for Ecostudies. (Hemeon didn't spot any butterflies on this outing, but at least it wasn't raining.)  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, Apr 27, 2011 — Spring cleanup is a major feature of life in the North Country, but for the Department of Transportation's Bruce Reynolds, it's a day's work. Reynolds cleans up trash, dead animals, and beaver dams; and North Country Public Radio's Nora Flaherty caught up with him by the side of the road for this heard up north.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Mar 03, 2011 — Today is Girls' Festival Day in Japan. It's a day to celebrate the future success and happiness of daughters. Peach blossoms, tri-colored cake and festive sushi are all part of the celebration. Yuka Uno is a Japanese exchange student at St. Lawrence University. She says, traditionally, the day is celebrated with a display of formal dolls on a red-robed stand, crowned by the emperor and empress. Yuka Uno spoke with NCPR's Barb Heller and is today's "Heard Up North".  Go to full article

Canton, PA, Jan 03, 2011 — Martha Foley's neighborhood has gathered to press cider for ...umm... a long time.
This year was a good one for apples in her part of the North Country. They were abundant, sweet, and juicy. That meant a record turnout for the annual pressing. People brought apples gathered from roadsides, abandoned pastures, and downtown backyards.

The hand-cranked press lives in an old milk house. It's a barrel-shaped contraption on iron legs, with wooden slatted sides. Whole apples are chopped in a belt-driven corn chopper nearby, then loaded in the press. The cranking starts, the squeeze gets tighter, and, eventually, the cider flows.

The whole process is a team effort, starting outside, with a bath for the apples. Here's the Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Dec 16, 2010 — Across the North Country, towns and villages are decked out in their Christmas best. Historic Public Square in Watertown is adorned with lights that grace a multi-million dollar renovation completed two years ago.

David Sommerstein found the holiday cheer in Public Square for a double dose Heard Up North. First, wet your whistle with Watertown's favorite cocktail--the Tom & Jerry at the Crystal Restaurant--then Walk around to the East end of Public Square and into the Paddock Arcade. Built in 1850, it claims to be the oldest continuously operating covered shopping mall in America.

On Wednesdays, the arcade is lined with crafters selling Christmas gifts. Megan Pistolese employs the power of crystals for her jewelry.  Go to full article

Antwerp, NY, Nov 18, 2010 — A little "upnorth" slice of the south now. North Country Public Radio is erecting a new radio tower in the Jefferson County town of Antwerp. It's to better serve Gouverneur and the surrounding area.

A crew of experts at this kind of thing is putting the tower up. It's the same group of guys who put up our new tower in Canton a few years ago. And back is the winch operator, Larry Jones, who gave us this Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Nov 11, 2010 — The weather forecast for the next few days looks just about right for catching up on outdoor chores. Clear skies, daytime temperatures up to about 50F. Along with raking and mowing, there could be a woodpile on your list...here's a Heard Up North to set the mood.  Go to full article

Upper Canada Village, ON, Aug 18, 2010 — The duties of the head gardener at Upper Canada Village, a living history museum in Morrisburg, Ontario, are many...and varied. Brian Henderson "lives" gardening as it was in the mid-1800s. It's a full time commitment, from seedlings, through summer, and the harvest. Brian Henderson uses "period" tools and methods...and wardrobe, as well. He's today's Heard Up North.

Henderson told his story to Jill Breit, of Traditional Arts in Upstate New York. TAUNY is our partner in the Garden Plot, and you can find more about Jill's trip to the Upper Canada Village gardens at the Garden Plot blog.  Go to full article