Plattsburgh, NY, Feb 08, 2012 — Planned Parenthood of the North Country is closing down its teen pregnancy and parenting program after New York cut the program's in its effort to trim statewide Medicaid expenses.  Go to full article

Sackets Harbor, NY, Nov 15, 2011 — Over the last few months, a new music and dance club at Sackets Harbor High School has grown from a few students to more than 30. The Glee Club focuses mostly on music, but there's an anti-bullying message, too.

Joanne Heaslip is the leader of Sackets Harbor's Parent Teacher Organization and manager of the Glee Club. She's hoping the arts and music will build self-confidence in students. The TV show Glee has made the club popular and even students from other districts have joined.

Heaslip told Todd Moe that Thursday night rehearsals are fun, but she wants the experience to help students who sometimes feel bullied in school to build self-respect and confidence. For more information about Sackets Harbor's Glee Club: slips824@yahoo.com  Go to full article

Sackets Harbor, NY, Nov 15, 2011 — Over the last few months, a new music and dance club at Sackets Harbor High School has grown from a few students to more than 30. The Glee Club focuses mostly on music, but there's an anti-bullying message, too.

Joanne Heaslip is the leader of Sackets Harbor's Parent Teacher Organization and manager of the Glee Club. She's hoping the arts and music will build self-confidence in students. The TV show Glee has made the club popular and even students from other districts have joined.

Heaslip told Todd Moe that Thursday night rehearsals are fun, but she wants the experience to help students who sometimes feel bullied in school to build self-respect and confidence. For more information about Sackets Harbor's Glee Club: slips824@yahoo.com  Go to full article

Nov 11, 2011 — There are support groups for service members and spouses, but what about the children of 10th Mountain Division soldiers sent overseas? Last spring, a theater class at Indian River High School teamed up with a local playwright to produce a very personal look at how teens respond to their parents' deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. In response to positive reaction, the play, In My Shoes, will be performed again tonight in Sackets Harbor and Saturday night in Clayton. Todd Moe met the students and creative team last June.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Oct 26, 2011 — The Grasse River Players fall production opens Thursday night (7:30) in Canton and includes a cast of more than a dozen youngsters from three area school districts. There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom is based on Louis Sachar's book that's found on many middle school reading lists. The plot involves Bradley, a troubled fifth grader; his school counselor, Carla and classmate Jeff, and how they tackle some of the mysteries of growing up: friendship, self-esteem and respect for others.

Todd Moe spoke with three young actors and their director, Karen Wells, who says that although the cast is mostly tweens, the play has a message for adults, too.  Go to full article

Clayton, NY, Aug 29, 2011 — The Thousand Islands Young Leaders Organization held a summit last Friday to gather ideas from young people about their vision for the future of the Thousand Islands Region. The group was founded in April 2008 to help improve quality of life for young Northern New Yorkers, and to get them more involved in their communities. Joanna Richards was at the summit and has this report.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Jul 05, 2011 — In 2006, Burlington writer James Lantz's first play, The Bus, was a surprise hit. The play, about two boys who pursue a forbidden relationship late at night in a church bus, drew crowds and glowing reviews. It's set in a small town and deals with gay teens, sexuality, religion and homophobia. An off-Broadway theater is giving Lantz an opportunity to present his play to big city audiences this fall.

James Lantz has written three other plays, including American Machine, which was a co-commissioned project of The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. As an award-winning filmmaker, he has produced, written and directed over 200 commercial films, videos and live events. Todd Moe spoke with him about The Bus and its off-Broadway debut in October.  Go to full article

Evans Mills, NY, Jun 08, 2011 — There are support groups for service members and spouses, but what about the children of 10th Mountain Division soldiers sent overseas? A theater class at Indian River High School teamed up with a local playwright to produce a very personal look at how teens respond to their parents' deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The play, "In My Shoes", will be performed in the school's auditorium on Friday night. Todd Moe stopped by to meet the students and creative team.  Go to full article

Colton, NY, Apr 06, 2011 — Kathleen Winter's first novel, Annabel, was a finalist for Canada's prestigious Giller Prize. Set in Labrador, the book imagines an intersex child growing up in a remote northern village. Our book critic, Betsy Kepes, has this review.  Go to full article

Ithaca, NY, Mar 22, 2011 — The We Live New York summit gets underway Thursday through Saturday in Ithaca. The summit is intended to attract young people from around upstate to talk about the future of the region. Emma Jacobs has more for the Innovation Trail.  Go to full article