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recentnews18-blog · 6 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://shovelnews.com/christmas-at-the-forks-promises-spectacular-fun-local-news-plattsburgh-press-republican/

Christmas at the Forks promises spectacular fun | Local News - Plattsburgh Press Republican

AUSABLE FORKS — The second-annual Christmas in the Forks Parade has almost doubled in size over the one that drew a crowd of 2,000-plus last year.

That’s more than 25 floats and other entries.

And parade Co-Directors Kevin Zaumetzer (Town of Jay Department of Public Works director), Norm Hatch and Dale Walton “promise many surprises along this year’s route,” a press release said.

The nighttime parade starts at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, after a multitude of activities through the day.

“Our Executive Committee has been meeting weekly to iron out all the final details, and we have a tremendous weekend of activities planned,” Event Director Helen Wirt Kennedy, who is also Black Brook town clerk, said in the release.

ENDLESS ACTIVITIES

The 14th-annual Christmas at the Forks begins with a Christmas Vendor Fair set for 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the Town of Jay Community Center, where the work of many artists will be on display and available for purchase.

Here’s the schedule for Saturday:

Noon to 4 p.m.: Christmas Craft Fair at St. James Parish Hall.

12:30 p.m.: Fun Run, starting from the Black Brook Town Hall.

1 p.m.: Christmas activities and wreath making at Holy Name Parish Hall.

2:30 p.m.: Stories and Crafts with Mrs. Claus, the Au Sable Forks Library, 9 Church Lane.

4 p.m.: Christmas Music at 20 Main Tavern; children’s movies at the Hollywood Theatre.

6 p.m.: Holiday Parade, followed by annual Tree Lighting ceremony and the fireworks display provided by Santore’s World Famous Fire Works.

7 p.m.: Children’s movies, Hollywood Theatre; Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus and others, Jay Community Center.

7:30 p.m.: Ugly sweater contest for adults, 20 Main Tavern.

On Sunday, Dec. 2, the AuSable Forks Fire Department will host a breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m.

Artist Jessie Furnia will show how to paint a holiday scene at American Legion Post # 504 on Sunday morning, too. That activity costs $20 per person.

‘TRULY SPECTACULAR’

Christmas in the Forks Executive Committee members Randy Douglas and Jay Tax Collector Susan Richards return as MC/co-hosts of the parade, Tree Lighting Ceremony and the fireworks display, which is provided by Santore’s World Famous Fire Works.

This will be the 13th year for Douglas, a former Jay town supervisor, and the 12th for Richards.

Officials for the towns of Jay and Black Brook have been very involved with the festivities, as have AuSable Valley Central School and participating businesses, churches, the library and, as parade sponsor, the AuSable Forks Fire Department.

The aim, said the release, has been “making this a truly spectacular event for all to enjoy.”

Parade judges will be Jay Town Supervisor Archie Depo and Town Justice Dan Deyoe; Black Brook Town Supervisor Jon Douglass and Town Justice Gary Frenia; and AVCS Principal Javier Perez.

Security and public safety detail will be provided by State Police, the Essex and Clinton county sheriff’s offices, AuSable Forks Fire Department and AuSable Forks Ambulance Service.

WINTER WONDERLAND

The Christmas tree this year was donated by Pat and Tracy Santamaria in memory of Pat’s mom Betty.

“It is sure to warm the hearts of many,” the release said, offering special thanks to Northline Utilities and Jamie and Brandon Atkins for setting the tree in place in the “Forks Times Square” Clock Park.

This year, a new “Merry Christmas” archway will light up the entrance to the park, a gift of the AuSable Forks branch of Community Bank NA.

The traditional skit there, narrated by Douglas and Richards, will include crowd favorite Buddy the Elf ( Michael Rafferty).

Also there will be the Grinch, Frosty Forks, the Abominable Snowman, Santa and Mrs. Claus and many more of the beloved characters that take part each year.

When children visit Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Jay Community Center, they will be greeted by a winter wonderland scene provided by Town of Jay Historian Sharron Hewston and friends.

‘AMAZING FEELING’

The annual holiday festival, Douglas said, “is my favorite night of the year.

“It’s such an amazing feeling to see all the community come together and to look out at the crowd and see a smile on everyone’s faces.

“Just the best feeling in the world to see our two towns and AVCS School with our residents come together to share in such a spectacular event.”

Email Suzanne Moore:

[email protected]

Twitter: @editorSuzanne

LEARN MORE

For more information about:

The Christmas Vendor Fair, call Morgan Himmel at 518-578-0082.

The Fun Run, call Amanda Whisher and Mark Ortiz at 518-420-2410.

Paint a Holiday Scene, call Jessie Furnia at 518-637-1700.

Source: https://www.pressrepublican.com/news/local_news/christmas-at-the-forks-promises-spectacular-fun/article_cb05fdab-5543-55a3-81ba-04f1f6c5f7f9.html

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mobikefed · 8 years ago

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ALERT: Key Mississippi Greenway Trail Connection in St. Louis County needs your support today

An important trail in south St. Louis County, years under development and with broad public support, is being stopped by one new St. Louis County Council member.

Planned Mississippi River Overlook on the Cliff Cave Trail. The trail takes users over several major obstacles to create excellent bicycle/pedestrian access to the Mississippi Riverfront area.

Trakas claims that emails on the subject are running 50-50 for and against the trail. We need to change that in a BIG way if we want to save this important trail. We need 10-to-1 in support--or better. Your help is vital.

Please take 2 minutes today to call & email Councilman Ernie Trakas "I support the Cliff Cave Park Trail - Please don't slow or stop it."

[email protected] - 314-615-5442 OR his assistant Carmen Wilkerson 314-615-0159 - [email protected]

If you live in the STL County, please also cc: your own County Council member.

Contact info for all County Council members & more details about the situation below.

New article indicates officials meeting this week to make decisions; Delay may kill the trail project

The Call has a new article this week about the Cliff Cave Park Trail project that paints an ominous picture of the ability of one single, new County Council member to stop a project that already has years of planning and development behind it, many public meetings, broad public support, and hundreds of thousands of dollars invested:

Future of Cliff Cave Park trail in doubt if shelved this month

If a new trail in Cliff Cave Park is shelved this month due to objections from neighbors, it may never get built.

The Cliff Cave Park Trail will connect neighborhoods and existing bike lanes on Telegraph Road to an existing 4.6 mile trail along the Mississippi River and make an irreplaceable connection in the massive Mississippi River Greenway trail system.

Great Rivers Greenway, or GRG, hopes to build a 2-mile paved loop, similar to Grant's Trail, in Oakville. The path would wind up and down the bluffs from a trailhead on Cliff Cave Road and end at a pedestrian-only entrance at Telegraph and Erb roads. The $5 million trail is on hold at the County Council due to concerns 6th District Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-Oakville, wants to convey to GRG from nearby residents who worry about traffic and safety. . . .

"This is an extremely important project to the development of our trail system throughout the county, and it's a really neat project for the 6th District," county Parks Director Gary Bess said. "It's got a great trail system that will connect the on-street bike lanes on Telegraph to the lower section of the park, it provides for a great overlook where you can see the Mississippi River. It's just a great addition to the park and a great addition to the regional trail system." . . .

The project is in the final planning stages and shovel-ready at any minute, and if it is delayed, GRG could likely drop it due to rebidding and redesign costs, Trautman said. "It would be extremely difficult for us to proceed with the project if we dropped it this year," she said. "We've made quite a significant investment already, and I would hate to lose that investment." The regional trail district is comprised of St. Louis County and city and St. Charles County, and if the project is scuttled, south county residents could send a signal that new trails are unwanted, Bess said. "If we don't do this, not only are we losing that recreational opportunity for residents, I think we're also jeopardizing future projects from a trails perspective in the 6th District," Bess said. "I hope we don't send the wrong signal to our partners at GRG that they should not expand trails in the 6th District." . . . GRG has modified the original design based on feedback, including downsizing the Telegraph entrance, downsizing the proposed new parking lot at Cliff Cave by half, moving it back from the road and surrounding it with a landscape buffer, Bess said. But none of those concessions is enough to appease residents who oppose the trail.

The trail is not only an important local connection, but is a vital connection in the Mississippi Greenway project--a plan to create continuously connect trail along the Mississippi River throughout the entire St. Louis region.

Without the Cliff Cave Park Trail--which takes trail users over several obstacles otherwise impossible to cross--the Mississippi River Greenway project will remain forever disconnected at this point.

Suggested message in support of the Cliff Cave Park Trail

Be polite and persuasive when you contact your elected officials--this is by far the most effective approach.

Use a brief, clear subject line such as "I strongly support the Cliff Cave Park Trail"

Clearly state that you strongly support the trail and strongly oppose his effort to slow or stop it. Your support it and support moving forward with it quickly. Delay is equivalent to opposition (unfortunately, in this case).

St Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas has indicated he may oppose the Cliff Cave Trail

A short message is as effective or more effective than a long one.

Include your connection to the County (live, work, visit, vacation, etc) , especially if you live work, or visit St. Louis County District 6, Ernie Trakas's district in SE St. Louis County.

Include a sentence or two, or a quick story, showing why trails, bicycling, and walking are important to you personally, to your community, and/or to St. Louis County.

Your message is about Cliff Cave Park specifically, but is also a valuable opportunity to raise the profile and importance of trails, bicycling, and walking with the St. Louis County Council.

County Council members need to know that the County has many strong supporters of the bicycle, pedestrian, and trail system in the County.

We are working closely with our local partners, members, and affected agencies on this effort, including Trailnet, the regional St. Louis area advocacy group that works the create positive change in the St. Louis bi-state region by encouraging healthy, active living and that founded the region's trail system in the 1990s. Look for more information coming soon from both us and our local and regional partners on this important issue.

Contact Information for St. Louis County Council

If you live in the County, contact your own County Council representative and also cc: Mr. Trakas, who is the key decision-maker on this issue.

If you don't live in the County or have a connection to a particular Council District, you might email Mr. Trakas and cc: Steven Stenger, St. Louis County Executive.

Phone calls are very helpful. And email message is also helpful, and both phone and email followup is best of all. A posted letter or fax is also very effective, simply because constuents more rarely take the time to send a 'real' letter and that makes each one more impactful.

Map of St. Louis County Council Districts.

Cliff Cave Park

St. Louis County Council District 1 - Hazel Erby (D) [email protected] - (314) 615-5436 and Fax: (314) 615-7890 Ferguson, Jennings, Vonita Terrace, etc.

St. Louis County Council District 2 - Dr. Sam Page [email protected] - (314) 615-5437 and Fax: (314) 615-7890 Hazelwood, Creve Coeur, Maryland Heights, etc.

St. Louis County Council District 3 - Colleen Wasinger (R) [email protected] - (314) 615-5438 and Fax: (314) 615-7890 Sunset Hills, Town & Country, Valley Park, etc

St. Louis County Council District 4 - Rochelle Walton Gray (D) [email protected] - (314) 615-0393 and Fax: (314) 615-7890 Bellefontaine Neighbors, Florissant, Black Jack, etc

St. Louis County Council District 5 - Pat Dolan (D) [email protected] - (314) 615-5441 and Fax: (314) 615-7890 Ladue, Shrewsbury, Clayton, etc. Councilman Dolan was sponsor and a major supporter of St. Louis County's Complete Streets initiative. You might thank him for his prior support of walking and bicycling in the County.

St. Louis County Council District 6 - Ernie Trakas (R) [email protected] - 314-615-5442 Executive Assistant: Carmen Wilkerson Phone: 314-615-0159 E-mail: [email protected] Lakeshire, Green Park, South County, etc You might cc: Carmen Wilkerson on any email message you send to Councilman Trakas. We understand that Councilman Trakas's voice mail has been full; again you might call and speak with (or leave a message with) his assistant instead.

St. Louis County Council District 7 - Mark Harder (R) [email protected] - (314) 615-5443 and Fax: (314) 615-7890 Wildwood, Ballwin, Chesterfield, Eureka, etc

St. Louis County Executive Steven Stenger [email protected] - (314) 615-7016 County Executive - Entire County

Working to create and support a complete, connected, world-class statewide bicycle, pedestrian and trails system is one of the primary goals in MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Project like the Cliff Cave Trail and the Mississippi Greenway are important connections in that statewide vision.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support helps turn our Vision in to reality!

Photo credits:

Cliff Cave Trail map - Great Rivers Greenway & St. Louis County Parks, 2016 Cliff Cave Public Presentation

Cliff Cave Mississippi River Overlook Visualization - Great Rivers Greenway & St. Louis County Parks, Oct 2016 Cliff Cave Public Meeting Materials

St. Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas

Cliff Cave Park - Dave Clark on FlickR

#mobikefed.org

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