{ title: 'Press-Republican. (Plattsburgh, N.Y.) 1966-current, November 04, 1995, Page 6, Image 6', download_links: [ { link: 'http://www.loc.gov/rss/ndnp/ndnp.xml', label: 'application/rss+xml', meta: 'News about NYS Historic Newspapers - RSS Feed', }, { link: '/lccn/sn88074101/1995-11-04/ed-1/seq-6/png/', label: 'image/png', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn88074101/1995-11-04/ed-1/seq-6.pdf', label: 'application/pdf', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn88074101/1995-11-04/ed-1/seq-6/ocr.xml', label: 'application/xml', meta: '', }, { link: '/lccn/sn88074101/1995-11-04/ed-1/seq-6/ocr.txt', label: 'text/plain', meta: '', }, ] }
Image provided by: Northern NY Library Network
PAGE 6 PRES&RfPUBLICAN FAMILY ALL Ab* ut It Official leaf peepers rate colorful fall foliage Test your reading comprehension by reading the story below and answering the questions that follow. BETHLEHEM, N.H. (AP) - The orange and red fall foliage rates oohs and aahs from tourists this weekend. From Gerard Benson, it rates a no-nonsense 5.6. Benson is, an official \leaf peeper\ — one of 22 volunteers who rate the fall colors in various parts of the state for New Hampshire's Office of Travel and Tourism. \I think it's important people know what's going on here with the leaves,\ Benson says, an official score sheet tucked firmly under his arm. \People come here to see the leaves and they should know exactly what they are going to see.\ Though Benson has no special training or degree in \leafology\ — he's actually an elemen- tary school principal — his work is a New Hampshire tradition. The tourism office has relied on official leaf watchers to help track the progression of the state's renowned fall colors for more than 30 years, says Betty Lund, who coordinates' the foliage reports that tourists rely on. The watchers call themselves \leaf peepers,\ once a mild put-down but now a standard term for any foliage aficionado. Their rating information is important because fall accounts for almost one-quarter of New Hampshire's $2.5 billion tourism industry. The official peepers rate the leaves in their assigned areas on a scale that, like the leaves, builds to a climax and then peters out. Two means the leaves are starting to turn, 5 is the peak and 7 means the color\ has \gone by.\ Benson does most of, his peeping in the western White Mountains on his way to and from work. \At first, I just noticed the color and when leaves fell off,\ he says. ?But then I started noticing patterns ... most trees change from top to bottom.\ The foliage in his area has just passed its prime — somewhere between 5 and 6v . He says the leayes were at their brightest last weekend, but were hurt by this past week'sjeain. \Once you get the first storm it justjiakes the color out of the leaves,\ he says, gently fingering an orange leaf from a maple tree. \If you look at the leaves closely, you'll see—that- they're definitely very bright ... but there's some brown in them.\ There is no salary; Benson says the leaves are , payment enough. \I think it's breathtaking,\ he says. \There are absolutely brilliant colors because we have lots of maples. The maples give you lots of oranges and reds. That's what makes New England unique.\ Answer the following true and false questions: 1A \leaf peeper is a person who rates the color of fall foliage. 2.Throughout the state of New Hampshire, peepers are paid to watch the trees change color. S.Gerard Benson, one of 22 official leaf watchers, is principal of an elementary school. Recording to the article, Benson is described as a foliage aficionado (admirer) because he owns many maple trees. 5.People who volunteer to judge the leaves must have a degree in \leafology.\ 6.A rating of 5 means the leaves are bright and color- ful. 7.For the past 30 years, the New Hampshire Office of Travel and Tourism has used the color ratings to predict rain. 8.Many people probably plan to visit New Hampshire when the foliage begins to turn a deep brown. 9,As soon as the leaf color peters out (comes to an end), the tourists are asked to return homer lO.New Hampshire's tourist business earns the state more than $2 billion a year. BONjJS: The story reported that Benson decided to become an official leaf peeper because he spends a lot of time outdoors. ^^ m 2)p m m g)p 6)T 7)F 8)F 9)J 10)T Bonus)F Gollege is tougher than local students anticipated ByJOELoTEMPUO Staff Writer As they near the middle of the first semester of their cojlpge lives, two local freshmen,/?;are ; learning that life on campus is not all fun and games. \It's really, really* really hard,\ Angie Strong, a. freshman at Potsdam College, said recently, \You have to° put your mind toward what you are doing, and, it's all work. You can't dilly-dal-,. With 21 credits and work* , s study, Strong, a 1995 graduate of*J Plattsburgh High School and a performing-arts major Potsdam, certainly has full. \It's very challenging. In the beginning, I didn't think it would be this hard, but now it is,\ Strong said. On a'typical day, she goes to classes from 8 a.m. to. noon, works from noon to 2 p.m.. and has chorus practice between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., followed by drama practice from 7 to 10 p.m. Mon- day through Thursday. . She fits meals in when time allows, but that doesn't bother her too much. \The food, is really, really disgusting,\ she said, her scowl almost visible over the telephone. But Strong is holding her own in the classroom and on stage and has met a lot of new friends. \I think sometimes the hardest part is getting up for classes in the morning when you don't have ' P : R'File Photo Angie Strong: \You have to put your mind toward what you are doing, and it's all work. You can't dilly-dally.\ to if you don't want to. But I guess that's what responsibility is all about.\ Like Strong,. Erin Trudeau, a 1995 graduate of ;Saranac Cen- tral School tod a £ freshman at Cortland State, agrees college life is hard. \It's work, but it's also a lot of fun. I think the hardest part is managing your time.\ Trudeau also has a full sched- ule — finding time to eat and so- cialize is not always easy. But the physical-education major makes sure she goes out for a run WHERE ARE THEY NOW? On Aug 19, Erin Trudeau and Angle Strong, two local students who wars about to go off to college for the first time appeared In a story on the Family Page of the Press Republican At the time, the pair agreed to write letters in a month updating us on their college lives In typical freshman fashion, they procrastinated. Jusirktd- : ding; But since they have been very busy, the P*R recently contacted them, i and the,, fallowing is a brief account of their college lives so far. every night to stay in shape. \I've actually lost abput three pounds,\ she said in defiance of the \Freshman 15\ axiom that says first-year students;will gain 15 pounds during their first two semesters. . Trudeau scored an 88 on her first * college examination and says the rest of her classes are going just as well. That's enough to make mom proud. Oops. Shouldn't have mentioned mom. \I miss her and everyone a lot, and I think about home, but most of the time I'm so busy I don't think about it.\ . .. \ FAMILY FARE Drawing workshop CHAZY — Two studio draw- ing workshops for youngsters have been scheduled for the Alice T. Miner Museum Saturday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Dec. 2, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meredith O'Connor is the instructor. All materials are provided with a $6 registration fee. Participants must at least be in the fourth grade. Pre-registra- tion is required. Class size is limited to 15. Call 846-7336 for more information. Ornament making WILLSBORO - The 1812 Homestead hosts a holiday- ornament-making workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, at the Homestead, three miles north of Willsboro on Route 22. Todd Wadsworth, florist of the Enchanted Garden in Willsboro, will conduct the workshop, \Kissing Balls and Other Holiday Ornaments.\ A kissing ball is a large, fragrant, spherical decora- tion usually made with evergreen cones and festooned with a bright, holiday ribbon. Those wishing to participate in the workshop must pre-register by Nov. 3 by contacting the Homestead's Curator, Kristen Bronander, at 963-4071. The workshop class is limited to 15 participants. A fee, discounted to Homestead members, is charged, but all necessary materials are provided. Sun dials PAUL SMITHS - Youngsters and adults can build their own working sun dials and learn how to set them for accurate time readings at two sessions at the Adirondack Park Visitor Center. Children can build their own sun dials today at 1 p.m. Ad- vanced registration and a $6 Staff Photo/Lohr McKinstry DAY CARE: The Silver Bay YMCA Camp recently opened a non-profit day-care center for Ticonderoga and Hague area residents. Community Child Care Center Director Helen Barton (shown here) said the new Marjorie Hilliard Hodges Children's Pavilion is designed to resemble a boat, with portholes and nautical trappings, Programs are for infants to 5-year-old pre- schoolers, either day-long or morning only. materials fee are required. Children under 6 should be ac- companied by a parent. Adults can build more elabo- rate sun dials, Sunday, Nov. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be several models to choose from. Advanced registration and a materials fee ranging from $15 to $35 are required. For more information or regis- tration, call the Visitor Inter- pretive Center at 327-3000. Packbaskets PAUL SMITHS — Anyone can create a perfect packbasket with a little help from Clear Creek Weavers, Sunday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Adirondack Park Visitor Center. Advanced registration is required. Materials- and instruction fees are $45 or $40 for Adirondack Park Institute members. For registration or more in- formation, call 327-3000. Ploy BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE - Three Thistles, Puppet Theatre presents the French children's classic, \Pitou The King Child,\ at 7 tonight. Pitou, the French puppet prince needs help. He wants to become King, but the sky dragon guards the King's crown, the sea dragon guards the king^s cloak, and the earth dragon guards the king's scepter. You and your children can help Pitou become King. Admission is $7 for five adult members, $3 for children, and a maximum of $15 per family. The 36 gwrs of dttflliti? STRAIGHT FROM THE TREES: Macintosh • Cortland * Red Delicious • is, Cookies, Donuts Fresh Daily • Candied & Carmel Apples Order Your Gift Boxes For The Holidays Now! UPS Shipping Daily Our Own Sweet Cider. Jug Your Own Saturday thru Monday Special Orders Available Local Honey Maple Syrup •— Jams'Jellies Sugar-Free Conserves • Onion River Pottery • Ciaxton Fruit Cakos OPEN DAILY 10 A.M.-5 P.M. 563-2438 Located at the intersection of Rte. 374 & the Military turnpike •> show is appropriate for all ages. For more information, call the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts at 352-7715. Kids program PAUL SMITHS - Moss does not always grow on the north side of trees and following a . brook downstream may not lead to civilization. But a compass needle always points north and terrain can pro-. vide clues to location. Children can learn these back-country \lost\-proofing techniques, Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. at the Adirondack,Pjark Visitor Jiv^ terpretive Center. A second program, Saturday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m., takes youngsters on an official trail hike to a secret slab cave, testing their lost-proofing skills. Partici- pants should bring a snack and a water bottle in a comfortable backpack. Youngsters registering for the programs must be old enough to understand basic math skills, read a map and be capable of hiking several miles. To reserve places in this free program, call the Interpretive Center at 327- 3000. Letters to Santa NORTH POLE, Alaska - Children of all ages can get into the holiday spirit by receiving a personalized letter from Santa Claus from the North Pole (North Pole, Alaska, that is). Send $5 with the child's (or adult's) first and last name along with the child's sex, age, full mailing address, brother's and sister's names, pets' names, names of two additional relatives 'and relationship to the child, favorite hobby- or activity and something special you would like Santa to tell your child in 15 words or less. . For $3.50, send the child's full name, address and age for an economy tetter. Mak~e sure tcrTnciude—your- name and telephone number. Letters will be mailed between Dec. 5 and Dec. 20. To place an order by fax, in- clude the above address and your Master or Visa Card number (in- clude full credit card name and expiration date) to 907-479-8541. You may also visit our home page on the internet and place an orderathttp:// www.polarnet.com/Users/Santa/ santa.htm. Make checks payable to: Greetings From the North Pole, P.O. Box 55781, North Pole, Alaska 99705-0781. Drawing contest NEW YORK - The 1996 Christmas Seals Kids' Drawing Contest is soliciting entries from children, ages 6 to 15, to design the next Christmas Seal.. For each drawing entered, the Triaminic Parents Club will do- nate $1 to the American Lung Association. This year's state winners will receive a My First Sony Elec- tronic Sketch Pad. The grand- prize winner will receive a multimedia computer. The deadline is March 31, 1996. To receive an entry form, call 800-LUNCMJSA. For more . information, call 214-443-9901, ext. 5414. Playground planned WESTPQRT — The volunteer group \The Westport PALS (Play And Learn Safely) Playground Committee\ has formed to create a playground at the Westport School. The plan of a school-based community-built playground was modeled after several area pro- jects. With parents, faculty and staff members, the Westport PTO and a %ard of Education liaison, Westport PALS have been meeting regularly to design a new playground. The playground will be open to all local residents, For more in- formation, call Carol Linder at 962-4982. Propane Qui^k Jjemce if :j\ :P|Qft§ Call ^* k **** Look What *34$Q*> tax (with credit approval) • Hook-Upsusually within48 hours * 100 lbs of Propane • Gas check® - a thorough inspection of your propane system Haifa century * Same Name • Same Place • Same Service jlNoj&inimicks 4833 U.S. Avenue Plattsburgh, KY iiM ^MmimiM0» f, .. ??;,:•..;••*'.rk ;,.;• • ,-'•;,.:•: ..';• •...; : !;• •
