Fitz-Enz, a 30-year army veteran, earned the Soldier’s Medal for Heroism, the Bronze Star for Valor with four oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, and three-leaf Legion of Merit honor.

On Saturday, July 31 from 1-3pm, Fitz-Enz will sign copies of his books: “Why a Soldier,” “The Final Invasion,” “Old Ironsides,” and “Redcoats’ Revenge” at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center overlooking the Sackets Harbor village waterfront.

“The Great Lakes Seaway Trail history programs take audiences young and old from today’s lovely waterfront village of Sackets Harbor back to its time as headquarters for the American Great Lakes fleet and several thousand soldiers and sailors preparing to fight invading forces,” Fitz-Enz says.

“Traveling the Great Lakes Seaway Trail offers an authentic modern-day experience of the War of 1812 on this America’s Byway noted for its significance to the national history of the United States,” Fitz-Enz adds.

Much of the War of 1812’s outcome was decided along the freshwater shoreline of New York and Pennsylvania. The 518-mile Great Lakes Seaway Trail is a signed series of roads along the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie. Learn more about at www.seawaytrail.com.

The $5 fee for the July 30 evening program at the Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center benefits the educational programming mission of the Seaway Trail Foundation. For more information and seating reservations, call 315-646-1000.

(Adams Center, NY) On Saturday, August 14, 2010 Live More Ministries will present Susan Richter speaking on “Facing Your Giants Head-On with God-Given Faith and Patience” at 9:45 a.m. at Grace Community Church in Adams Center. A breakfast served by the Grace Community Church women will be held from 9 to 9:45 a.m. followed by the program.

The church is located at 17784 Michael Road off US 11 south of Adams Center.

The church has recently begun welcoming women from the northern Oswego County area to its programs. All are welcome.

Susan will share how faith can help people face such real-life challenges as the upheaval of moving a family with children several hundred miles, leaving family behind, and needing to sell a house in one area and find jobs in another.

Susan says, “I look forward to sharing our family motto: Remember who you are and whose your are as you face your giants. I hope the women attending this Live More Ministries program will take home the message that they can let God lead them to work through their challenges whatever they may be and make them able to face their ‘giants’ without being overwhelmed.”

A life-long teacher, she taught gifted students in the Beaver River and General Brown School Districts for a number of years after moving to the North Country region in 1988.

Live More Ministries is a Christian women’s fellowship group based in the South Jefferson area. Women from all locations are welcome at Live More Ministries’ programs. To learn more about Live More Ministries or the August 14 program, call Chris at 315-767-2058 or email sallyj@twcny.rr.com or go online to livemoreministries.blogspot.com.

Zufall Dairy has been a 100 percent grassfed operation for three years. The cows are outside for more than half the year.

The field day will talk about the advantages of organic dairying, including less manure to handle, cleaner cows, and fewer foot problems. The herd rotates through most of the farm’s 540 acres every 30 days. Weeds that have not been grazed are clipped to prevent them from taking over.

Bob Zufall, a member of the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program farmer committee, will discuss his management strategies.

This field day is presented by the Cornell Small Dairy Program and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY). Horizon Organic and the Grazing Land Conservation Initiative are providing refreshments. For directions and to pre-register for this event, call NOFA-NY at (585) 271-1979.

(Watertown, NY) This summer there is a new trend on the New York must-have list: a seat at the local demolition derby. A grassroots fixture of fairs and race tracks across the country, demolition derbies crashed into the heart of Americana in the 1950’s and haven’t left since.  Derby enthusiast Chris Marquart believes the misjudged motorsport deserves a place in the hearts of his fellow New Yorkers.

Marquart, who attended his first derby at the age of three, explains the appeal: “It’s mayhem and madness and it’s brilliant when you think about it – it pares down the most exciting and dangerous parts of a typical oval track race.” Marquart was recently named an Ambassador for the DEMOLITION DERBY LEAGUE (DDL), the international organizing body for combative motorsports. He points out that although some derbies have a “hokey redneck stigma,” in reality the sport requires knowledge of physics, driving strategy, and technical expertise – not to mention a flair for drama.

DDL Commissioner Dudley Disastro states: “We’re excited to bring some exposure to New York derbies – there are some amazing shows in the area, with different events, multiple heats and purses up to $10,000.” This summer’s shows vary in levels of expertise and degrees of legal car modification, with plenty of opportunities for first-time derby drivers to participate.

The DDL is pleased to announce the following events in the Summer 2010 NY Demolition Derby season:

The DEMOLITION DERBY LEAGUE is the member-based international organizing body for combative motorsports and is dedicated to providing opportunities for participants of all interest levels to engage in the world of aggressive driving.

Pictured is Madison Barracks at Sackets Harbor.

(Sackets Harbor, NY) On Saturday July 31 local high school and middle school age youth will have the opportunity to experience and write about one of the most dramatic naval attacks on American soil at Sackets Harbor with the help of one of the leading historians of the War of 1812.

The event, “Youth Protecting the Home Front in the War of 1812” takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Student program begins at Seaway Trail Discovery Center with Author, Colonel David Fitz-Enz. Fitz-Enz is the author of “Why a Solider, the Final Invasion and Redcoats Revenge.”

One of the most significant battles in that war occurred in Sackets Harbor, then, the pivotal headquarters for the US’s Great Lakes Naval Fleet.  Long forgotten to most Americans, the invasion  ranks alongside  the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor as being one of the most dramatic attacks on America’ soil by a foreign powers in nation’s history. The writing workshop will be held at the very site of that fateful battle.

Only 14 seats are available for the free workshop, so email tuleonard@msn.com to make your reservation.

Questions can be directed to: Great Lakes Seaway Trail, 401 West Main, Sackets Harbor, NY.  315-646-1000. A broad range of Information about the Battle of Sackets Harbor writing workshop can be found on the History Mysteries section of the Great Lakes Young Writers Website www.greatlakesyoungwriters.net.

From April through October, Adults and Kids Can Experience Fishing Fun

ALBANY, NY (04/06/2010)(readMedia)– Twenty-six Free Fishing events were recently announced by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Pete Grannis. During these specially-designated activities in each DEC region, the agency waives the requirement to purchase a fishing license with the goal of encouraging new interest in fishing and educating the public about New York’s unique natural resources.

“These events are a great way to take part in one of New York’s oldest and most exciting outdoor recreational activities,” Commissioner Grannis said. “Fishing is a wonderful way to spend time with family or to enjoy solace in nature, and we hope that young and old alike take part in these fun and educational events.”

DEC’s Free Fishing events provide participants with an opportunity to learn about fish identification, fishing equipment and techniques, fisheries management, angling ethics and aquatic ecology in their communities. No fishing license is required to participate. Many activities, such as family fishing clinics, also provide equipment to use (check with the event contact to find out the specifics). Each of DEC’s nine regions can sponsor up to four free fishing events per year. Most free fishing events occur during the period from April through October.

For a listing of currently posted events and contact information, visit the DEC website at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/27123.html . Be sure to keep checking the list, as new events may also be added during the fishing season.

In addition, each year DEC designates the last weekend of June as “Free Fishing Weekend.” For 2010, New York’s Free Fishing days are Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27. During those two days, anyone can fish New York State waters and no fishing license is required. This event started in 1991 to allow people the opportunity to sample the incredible fishing New York State has to offer. It is the perfect time to take a friend or relative fishing since no license is required.

Presenters include James DeChene, Manager for the Eastern Region of the US Chamber; Margaret Moree, Director of Federal Affairs at the Business Council of NYS, and Tom Carman, CEO, Samaritan Medical Center.

Both the US Chamber and the Business Council of NYS are business advocacy organizations, and as such, keep a close watch on legislation that will impact businesses both positively and negatively. There is concern that the changes to the healthcare system will add costs to companies that currently provide heath insurance benefits to their employees and to the taxpayer in general, so the Chamber has asked them to address these concerns. Samaritan Medical Center is not only the largest provider of medical services in the county, but they are also one of the largest employers, so they will be addressing the healthcare issue from their perspective.

The input from the businesses attending the Forum will help determine the Chamber’s position on this critical issue. This program is part of the Chamber’s Critical Issues/Speakers Series sponsored by the Watertown Daily Times and Slack Chemical.

The cost is $10 per person, which includes a Breakfast Buffet. Reservations are required. Contact the Chamber at 315-788-4400 or www.watertownny.com

Sponsored by Care Net of NNY

~To remember our precious little ones who left us too soon due to prematurity, stillbirth, miscarriage, abortion and illness~

Date:  Saturday, July 18, 2009

Where:  Sackets Harbor, NY

(the corner of Main St. and Ambrose lawn)

Registration: 8:30-9:00am

Opening Ceremony: 9:00 am

*Please bring a story, memory, poem, etc. to share about your precious little one if you wish!  Everyone is welcome!

Pledge Form

We will be collecting funds at the walk to help raise money for an ultrasound to be used at the pregnancy center.  This ultrasound machine will give pregnant women who may otherwise not receive an ultrasound the ability to see the tiny life inside them in order to make informed decisions about their child’s future. Donations will be collected during registration at 8:30 am.

Please contact Erin at 315-646-3528 for a pledge form or if you have any questions.