Sep 30, 2011 — The Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg is celebrating Remington's 150th birthday this season with three exhibits. October 4 is Remington's actual birthday, but the new exhibits are open this weekend.

Todd Moe walked through the exhibits with curator Laura Foster, starting with the "Fred and Friends" display, filled with new art inspired by a Remington work in the museum's collection.  Go to full article

Jul 21, 2011 — Hundreds of French and Indian War re-enactors return to Ogdensburg this weekend for Founder's Day events. About a dozen colorful re-enactment units portraying 18th century regiments of the French and British armies, their colonial militias and Native allies will set up their canvas tents on Lighthouse Point. Nine bateau and traditional boats will mark the navy encampment on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Keeping an eye on those boats will be Harbor Master Michael Whittaker, from Ontario. He told Todd Moe that the nearness of the archaeological remains of Fort de la Presentation puts re-enactors in touch with the history they treasure.  Go to full article

Jul 21, 2011 — Hundreds of French and Indian War re-enactors return to Ogdensburg this weekend for Founder's Day events. About a dozen colorful re-enactment units portraying 18th century regiments of the French and British armies, their colonial militias and Native allies will set up their canvas tents on Lighthouse Point. Nine bateau and traditional boats will mark the navy encampment on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Keeping an eye on those boats will be Harbor Master Michael Whittaker, from Ontario. He told Todd Moe that the nearness of the archaeological remains of Fort de la Presentation puts re-enactors in touch with the history they treasure.  Go to full article

Jun 28, 2011 — The Catholic Church leads opposition to New York's new law legalizing same sex marriage. In a statement over the weekend, Bishop Terry LaValley of the Diocese of Ogdensburg called the law "deeply disappointing and troubling."

The statement calls marriage between a man and a woman the only "authentic" marriage.

David Sommerstein spoke yesterday with Bishop LaValley about the new law and about his parishioners reaction to his statement.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 17, 2011 — This week, it's been all about same sex marriage in Albany. Supporters, led by Governor Cuomo, have been lobbying hard for a vote in the State Senate. Now they're one vote shy of passage.

According to a Siena College poll this week, 55% of New Yorkers support legalizing same sex marriage. Sarah Harris chatted with shoppers in Ogdensburg to get their opinions.  Go to full article

Madrid, NY, Jun 01, 2011 — The windows in many of the rural churches in the North Country were created by one of the best stained-glass window artists in the country. Harry James Horwood designed stained-glass windows in the late 19th and early 20th century. His factory was in Ogdensburg. A local historian says Horwood supplied windows for country churches and even the parliament building in Ottawa.

Todd Moe talks with Dave Martin, who has spent the last five years photographing church windows in St. Lawrence, Franklin and Jefferson counties. Martin is determined to find out more about the family that was devoted to the art of stained-glass.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2011 — Congress is out of session. That means representatives are criss-crossing their districts to talk with constituents. Coming off a town hall meeting Wednesday night in Plattsburgh, Democrat Bill Owens made several stops yesterday in St. Lawrence County.
He visited the chamber of commerce in Canton, spoke to a rotary club in Ogdensburg, and met with seniors at a nursing center in Massena. While on the road, Owens spoke with David Sommerstein.
When Owens returns to Washington, he'll face what's expected to be a divisive debate over next year's federal budget and raising the nation's debt ceiling. Owens has said he's likely to vote in favor of raising the debt ceiling.  Go to full article

Apr 21, 2011 — A press release from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand's office surprised a lot of people in the north country last Friday. The release urged support for a major wind turbine production project that would create 1200 jobs in Ogdensburg. It's an idea that had been floated for Massena a couple years ago, but the shift to Ogdensburg was news to many. North Country Public Radio's Nora Flaherty explains what happened.  Go to full article

Waddington, NY, Apr 19, 2011 — The little village of Waddington along the St. Lawrence River is vying for a big distinction. The World Fishing Network is holding a competition to determine which community is America's "ultimate fishing town". The prize is a $25,000 check and a spot on TV.
So far, Waddington leads the pack with more than 2,000 votes, even though neighboring Ogdensburg is pulling away a couple hundred votes in a bid of its own.
Waddington Chamber of Commerce director Alicia Murphy is urging people to vote early and often. She spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Mar 31, 2011 — Last week, the first freighter of the year rumbled up the St. Lawrence River. That marked the 53rd season of the St. Lawrence Seaway, a man-made channel linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

The Seaway's billion dollars of commerce is mostly an economic conversation between Canada's southern coast, America's Midwest, and the far-flung ports of the world.

But it's caused vast environmental damage in the North Country and across the Great Lakes, largely via invasive species.

David Sommerstein went to the Seaway's opening ceremony last week in Montreal. He sends this report on the Seaway's delicate balance between the economy and the environment.  Go to full article