The Canton and Potsdam Climate Smart Communities wish to thank all those who helped make the Green Living Fair on April 20 a great success. On a holiday weekend, the Fair attracted some 500 visitors and vendors, which we consider a remarkable success.

Comments were overwhelmingly positive: “Loved it! Learned a lot and found ‘we’ have very informed and concerned people living here.” “Great that so much is happening in our area. Lots of info.” “Very worthwhile. I was interested in more items than I expected and learned so much.” The focus of the Fair was food, energy and climate, and the goal was to provide information and tools for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping to build a more resilient local economy.

The Canton and Potsdam Climate Smart Communities wish to thank the following: Canton and Potsdam municipal officials for endorsing the Fair and encouraging residents to participate; Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County for dedicating significant resources to planning and implementation of the Fair; SUNY Canton for the field house and staff support; Local Living Venture for their extensive organizational experience; and, North Country This Week and NorthCountryNow.com for all the great help with publicity.

Significant resources were also provided by organizing committee members from North Country 350 Alliance, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton, Clarkson University, and the Environmental Action Organization at St. Lawrence. Additionally, the Green Living Fair would not have been an effective educational event without the over 50 local businesses and organizations who took time out to exhibit at the Fair and share their knowledge and experience with visitors.

We also wish to thank local businesses who donated prizes. These included Coakley’s Home & Hardware, Nature’s Storehouse, St. Lawrence Valley Roasters, Potsdam Food Co-op, Woody’s Maple, 8 O’clock Ranch, Evans and White Ace Hardware, and Marigold Kitchen & Bakery. We gratefully acknowledge North Country Public Radio for media sponsorship and a special thanks goes to Kathy and Peter Wyckoff for their underwriting support.

We are grateful to the Possumbilities, who enlivened the Fair with their music. Last but certainly not least, we appreciate each of the three dozen-plus student and community volunteers who stepped up to help out wherever they were needed that day.

Ann Heidenreich, coordinator

Canton & Potsdam Climate Smart Communities