When I was younger I remember summer vacation felt just as long as the school year. In elementary school I remember riding my bike with a horde of other kids. We'd visit the arcade, build rickety …

In the early days of my backpacking trips I often carried too much gear. We were somewhere in the middle of a multi-day journey near Cranberry Lake. It was hot. I was chafing. It was humid and rainy. …

Last year vehicles lined State Highway 37 as we searched for a place to park in Morristown. When we finally found a spot we exited the cool interior of the vehicle to be hit with that thick muggy …

When I bought my first house years ago, it was a pretty exciting day. I found an affordable place surrounded by trees on a dead end road. It came with a nice barn and a few acres of land. Truth be …

There are very few things you can count on in this world, but for as long as I can remember my father’s been one of them. As a young child growing up in Spokane, Washington, my father …

I often hear people complain that they don’t have a voice, or their vote doesn’t count. While there is sometimes merit to those comments based on a variety of factors, other times it …

Never underestimate the impact you might have on someone’s life. It’s true for all of us, but especially true for educators. While most teachers will help you learn specific skills, which …

During my tenure in Congress, I have strongly advocated for delivering high-quality rural healthcare for our families and seniors. A primary concern not only for my constituents across New …

After so many months of winter whiteness, it’s a relief to watch the snow recede at last. We’re always grateful for the spring melt, even though the loss of snow cover gives way to a …

On Monday thousands of St. Lawrence County residents witnessed a “once in a lifetime” event as the moon blocked our view of the sun in what’s called a total solar eclipse. …

As the soil warms up in April and May and green plants spring forth once again, a delicate aroma hangs in the air, apart from any floral scent wafting on the breeze. It’s earthy and fresh, and …

A few short weeks ago, we told you about the newly-formed Empire State Local News Coalition. North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com are proud to be a member of this  fast-growing …

BY PAUL HETZLER Even if its precise definition isn’t at the tip of your tongue, most everyone gets the drift of what’s meant by the term ‘biogas.’ There is biology …

In her poem “It Sifts from Leaden Sieves,” Emily Dickinson lauds the sublime beauty of snow – gossamer flakes that garnish a forest, wispy grains that infiltrate nooks and crannies, …

I watched the 1993 film Groundhog Day featuring Bill Murray at least a dozen times. Or maybe it just felt that way. Just as February 2 was on a nonstop loop in the film, this …

Although I never lived in Ogdensburg, I spent my school years in Lisbon. Due to proximity and interests many of my friends attended Ogdensburg Free Academy and I spent a fair amount of time enjoying …

Months ago I wrote about my attempt to quit smoking cigarettes. It was near the end of summer and it was the most miserable of processes. Bouts of anger, difficulty writing, near constant …

Back in primary school in the ‘70s, we learned about nature’s “food chain.” In this linear model, which I assume was devised by surveyors who normally lay out rail lines and …

For many communities this month brings a fresh start. We have new mayors, new town supervisors, new council members and a new sheriff. For those of you new to the jobs, I wish you well and …

As we celebrate National Milk Day, I am especially grateful to our dairy farmers in Upstate New York and the North Country who work tirelessly to provide our communities with delicious and nutritious …