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*********************5-DIGIT 13642 1622 12-25-20 75P 23S READING ROOM 56 CHURCH ST GOUVERNEUR NX 13642 l,nlULIL,LLU,lull Feeding the A record number seek weekly help from food pantry By Dick Sterling Bob LaVeck, pastor at Christian Life Fellowship, 52 Church Street, Gouverneur, probably understands just what the economic crunch means to the people of Northern New York better than most anyone else in the area. Pastor LaVeck is also the coordinator, driver, grant writer, accountant, shelf stacker and distributor for Grace Food Pantry, a charitable organization that distributes food weekly to needy folks in the area. In fact, Grace Food Pantry helps more people and families than any other such organization in the entire county. St. James Church and the Gouverneur Neighborhood Center also offer assistance, but not on such a large scale as Grace Food Pantry. Each Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon, people from as far away as Parishville, Harrisville and many other areas, not to mention hundreds from the immediate Gouverneur area, line up for the food that helps theirfamily make it through very difficult times. The pantry helps to get them from one week to the next. Lately Pastor LaVeck has certainly noticed a dramatic increase in the number of folks who are looking for a little assistance. \Times are tough. People, who just recently were doing okay, are suddenly without a job. It doesn't take long to feel the brunt of the tough economy, especially when you're unemployed, under- employedj or are facing health related problems.\ Pastor LaVeckprepared the following statement to try and explain just how many people are in need of a little assistance in the area: \Last week, we saw a record number of people come through our Gouverneur food distribution location at Grace Food Pantry. If numbers like this continue, we may reach between 2,500 and 3,000 by Christmas. We are at approximately 1,800 to 2,000 right now.\ \Last Thursday morning, before the doors were open, our supply of food looked quite significant. But by noon, it looked like we had been hit by a plague of locusts. For the first time In our 12 years of operation, I was wondering how we were going to meet the demand of the next opening!\ \Apparently the realities of our economic plight are starting to hit home, especially with the price of fuel oil, gas, electric and everything else, dramatically rising. There are many things changing in the realm of charity food distribution that are not good.\ \The many large companies that have been the traditional donators of food, are now tightening their belts and are miming things closer to the bone, meaning for us, less surplus and donations.\ \The government sources seem to be drying up. We are not seeing much USDA any more. That used to be a large part of what we depended on and now there's almost nothing. People are all complaining that their food stamps are being cut back or cut off completely.\ \To meet next week's needs, I have to go down to Syracuse and try to buy wholesale. I am also making a trip to Malone, in the hope that an organization up there might have some extra. We were recently blessed with a very generous donation of a Chevy Suburban to haul food, that of course, takes some gas.\ \I have never felt the press like I do now. We need to see a dramatic increase in grants and donations or we will literally have to turn some people away this winter, if things keep on going the way they are going.\ \As a Christian, I see this as a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the love of God and also experience again, the awesome generosity of our corrimunity, when faced with a true human need.\ \ I assure you, this is one of those. We have always appreciated the various food drives that the community does, but, I want to be bluntly honest with you, those drives hardly make a scratch in the overall situation.\ \The most productive and efficient way that we have to meet this need is to receive financial aid, which we can use to buy food from the Syracuse Food Bank at 14 cents a pound. I am sure you can see that this method will get the most food to the most people for each dollar spent. Another way to put it would be to take five dollars and buy five to eight pounds of noodles or give us the five dollars and receive approximately 3 5 pounds.\ \We still are in great need of volunteers with strong backs, public relations workers and grant writers. The time has come for us to pull together as a community and truly love one another.\ \Please come and see for yourself what we are doing. I would welcome the opportunity to come and speak with your churches, fraternal organizations, and businesses.\ Pastor LaVeck can be reached at287-7656 or 287-2777, or ' e-mail him at rlaveck@yahoo.com . He said that each week he and 10-15 other volunteers, many from the Fowler Baptist Church that is a great partner in the pantry, get together to do what they can to help families in the area to a little of life's basic necessity... food. Pastor LaVeck said that he welcomes any kind of help at any time, and that the need in the Gouverneur area, and all across the county, is greater now man ever before. \I will continue to do everything in my power to see that those folks who find their way here eveiy Thursday, have some food to take home and feed their families.\ Sarah Rastley of Gouverneur, a member of the Homeschool Hillybillies 4-H Club is shown with her \snowman\ creation constructed at the November 21 regular meeting of St. Lawrence County 4-H Clubs held at the Large Martin House in Canton. (Rachel Hunter photo) Benefit for Nathan Whitton a \standing room\ success By Sandy Wyman Jonathan began to The plight of young experience severe pain in his Nathan Whitton, son of Cnest an d breathing quickly Jonathan and Tracy Whitton, became a labored difficulty. Edwards-Knox seniors present \Murder Runs in the Family By Dorna Hathaway Nearly every high school in the country presents an annual senior play. Proud family members look on as their children, grandchildren, brothers or sisters, do their best to coax a round of applause. But how many school plays can you remember that actually result in the on-stage demise of the school's superintendent? On Thursday and Friday, November 20-21, students from Edwards-Knox Central School presented their annual production. Murder Runs in the Family, and the many folks from the Edwards and Russell area who attended, certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. All play productions have many people that put in time and energy. This year's play was no exception. The set had plenty of hours of extra work and care put into it by everyone involved. Ann Trusedell has directed many plays at E-K, and her casting of parts suited the students well. Dawn Zacharek was the assistant director. The lighting and sound crew included Corey Aldous and Steven Jones, who added special effects that were right on time. The play certainly had a few surprises. Superintendent of Schools Dr. William U. Cartwright was the surprise guest of the production as he played a sheriff who meets his end. Chris Kirkpatrick, on opening night, managed to lose a line or two, but adlibbed, which pleased the big crowd. Mari Zacherack played the young girl who hired a private investigator to solve the murder of her stepfather. The messenger, played byRyanGault, gracefully fell with a knife in his back while delivering his last message. Amber Barker played the uptight mother, a set of twins was played by Emily Chambers, Kristina Devito played a tough girl with a funny sumo wrestler scene. A audience favorite was Jeff Stone, who was cast perfectly as the butler, his voice delivered a tone that was very humorous and his timing was excellent. Jenelle Parker and James Hewlitt played a well-matched married shady couple. Megan Hubbard's role as the aunt, who ended up being the murderer, was funny, and very well done. Amanda Clark played the lawyer who had the will... or did she? Many of today's most popular actors get their start in high school productions. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the players of this interesting production at Edwards-Knox Central School. who at the tender age of 13 is battling Hodgins Leukemia has been to say the least, a family affair of worry, trepidation, travel and prayers. That all changed on Sunday, November 23 when the Casablanca Restaurant was the setting for a benefit spaghetti dinner. It certainly can be said once again that Gouverneur is a caring community as over 200 dinners (in two hours) were served to caring and compassionate individuals in a show of support. Nathan, after this past Monday has ended his three rounds of chemotherapy that started on July 22. \I feel great,\ stated Nathan Sunday. \He is gaining ground and seems to be his old self,\ mom Tracy added. Checkups and testing will remain a part of his life however Nathan is back to his regular routine and still maintains honor roll status along with extra school activities. While family and friends gathered for a celebration of life, dad Jonathan was not in the mix. Another scare for the family occurred last Friday when the father and son team were just exiting the hospital in Syracuse. Not wanting to alarm Nathan, his dad decided not to return to the hospital because he feared that Nathan would he left alone. After making it to their vehicle and being able to at least catch his breath, Jonathan started the journey for home. Once Nathan was home safely, Jonathan realized that the problem was escalating and then drove to our local hospital where he was promptly evaluated and admitted. The diagnosis: blood clot in the lungs! He is now on the mend and seemed little worse for wear when this reporter stopped by to visit Sunday afternoon. When informed of the huge crowd at the Casablanca, Jonathan just shook his head in disbelief. \We have been managing and will continue to do so, but it is an overwhelming feeling to realize that we have generated this kind of support. I honestly do not know what to say.\ Sometimes words are not necessary in times of strife, actions speak volumes and on this past Sunday, they spoke loud and clear! \Murder Runs in the Family,\ was presented last Thursday and Friday at Edwards-Knox Central School. Spectators of the annual senior play thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Cast members included: Seated (from left): Megan Hubbard, Amber Barker, Chris Kirkpatrick, Mari Zackerack and Amanda Clark. Standing: Jenelle Parker, Superintendent of School Dr. William Cartwright, Kristia Devito, Jeff Stone, Emily Chambers, James Hewlitt and Ryan Gualt. (Dorna Hathaway photo) The spaghetti dinner benefit for Nathan Whitton that at the Casablanca Restaurant saw a huge crowd that turned out to show their support for this young man battling Hodgins Leukemia. Shown with Nathan (right) is grandmother Joyce Withered (seated), grandfather Al Griffin and mom Tracy Whitton. (Sandy Wyman photo) E. J. Noble Hospital Auxiliary purchases \Anodyne\ The Anodyne Infrared Light Therapy System is non-invasive, drug-free device that has been cleared by the FDA for temporarily increasing circulation. Physical Therapy Director Gary Bryant holds the new Anodyne, recently purchased for EJ Noble Hospital in Gouverneur by the hospital auxiliary. Accepting on behalf of the hospital is Administrative Assistant Bonnie Porter (left) presented by Auxiliary Past President Helen Kennedy. (Sandy Wyman photo) Due to the caring and commitment of the E.J. Noble Hospital Auxiliary, the hospital has been able to obtain this device at the cost of approximately $6,500! Diabetes and other vascular diseases can limit blood flow to the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the nerves in your arms, legs and feet resulting in pain. The Anodyne system increases circulation to relieve the pain associated with impaired circulation. The treatment also reduces pain, stiffness and muscle spasms and has been used safely on thousands of patients. It may be just what the doctor ordered and with perhaps less pain and medication, you may feel your best once again. Emily Fuller, owner of Emily's Flower Shop, put plenty of time and effort into getting ready for her annual open house last Saturday and Sunday. Emily said that plenty of folks stopped by to check out her holiday arrangements and unique gift items. A visit to Emily's certainly can put you in the Christmas spirit. (Dick Sterling photo) * J
