CANTON – General-in-chief of all the Union armies, George Brinton McClellan, and his relationship with President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War will be the topic Bob Wells will speak about at the Civil War Roundtable Sunday, Feb. 26, at 2 p.m. at the St. Lawrence County Historical Association, 3 East Main St.

The event is free and the public is invited.

DEKALB JUNCTION – A jamboree to benefit Bud and Danetta Hance who were victims of a fire in January will be held at the DeKalb Junction Amvets Post 22 Sunday, Feb. 26 beginning at 1 p.m.

There will be raffles, door prizes, food and music and dancing by Classic Country, Little Rock and Pure Country.

To the Editor:

The Racquette River provides many benefits and recreational opportunities to the people of the North Country year-round, by being a very accessible natural resource.

Some things people use the river for are recreational. In the summer, residents like to canoe, fish, kayak and swim. In the winter, they like to go skiing, skating, and ice fishing. Many of these activities benefit local businesses. Also producing electricity is an important function of the Racquette River.

This week’s “Practice What You Want” piece (Sound Off, Feb. 15-21) features “a practicing Catholic” who advises Catholics to “practice what you want.” What this defines is being Protestant, not Catholic! This person is what we call “a cafeteria Catholic” choosing what they like. S/he is at worse, a heretic, at best not a Catholic.

Re: “Take A Look at BOCES” (Sound Off, Feb. 15-21), the assertion that the list of positions referred to as 45 pages of BOCES employees is actually a listing of positions in school districts in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin, and Clinton counties. In no way does our local BOCES employ that many employees. Local districts are well served by the many dedicated BOCES people.

In response to “Too Little, Too Late” (Sound Off, Feb. 15-21), I would agree. Although it was admirable for the president of the Clarkson Pep Band to come forward and apologize on their behalf, if it was indeed a “tasteless comment from a handful,” as the president indicated, and I have no reason not to believe him, then I think what people would like to hear from him is that these handful have been identified and suspended from the Pep Band pending further investigation and will be subject to disciplinary action. Might I suggest community service at a day care center?

POTSDAM – A garage on property across from the Potsdam airport was significantly damaged by fire this morning.

Investigators said the blaze was ignited by a woodstove.

The garage, at 238 State Rt. 11B, is on property owned and occupied by Steve and Judy Deon.

Potsdam fire and rescue units got the call at 7:07 a.m. and were on the road immediately. Mutual aid was provided by West Stockholm and Parishville volunteers.

Investigators said the back wall of the garage was destroyed, and there was smoke and water damage throughout.

POTSDAM – Families in need in the Potsdam area can get donations of household necessities such as dish soap and toilet paper.

They will be able to pick these things up at Trinity Church, Maple Street, Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

The Colony of Kappa Delta Chi sorority at Clarkson University’s new service initiative is designed to help people in poverty in the area.

According to sorority Vice-President Deanna Hauser, the initiative involves giving boxes of basic necessities such as dish soap, toilet paper, napkins, and so forth to people who are in true need of them.

OGDENSBURG -- Town of De Kalb Municipal Historian Bryan Thompson will present “The Accidental Commander: The North Country’s Forgotten War of 1812 General” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Ogdensburg Public Library during The Battle of Ogdensburg Weekend.

Brigadier-General Thomas Brigdum Benedict of De Kalb commanded the northern frontier from Sackets Harbor to Salmon River from June to December 1812.

Many people have heard of General Jacob Brown and Captain Benjamin Forsyth, but not Benedict.