To the Editor:

Many bird populations are in decline. Does the writer of (“Stick to the Facts About Birds and Wind Turbines,” Sound Off, Mon. Dec.12) suggest we continue to augment the rate of bird deaths by constructing more threats such as wind turbines?

Be cautious using “facts” to justify your conclusions. Facts may show buildings kill more birds than turbines, however it is the combined impact of all bird threats that should be our focus.

When I finished shopping at Price Chopper today, I went to check out and my card would not work after many tries. Much to my surprise, the woman behind me offered to pay for my order! What a kind thing to do! She said it was a sign and an opportunity to “pay it forward.” That put a smile on my and my daughter’s faces. I’m still smiling and intend to do the right thing and also pay it forward. Merry Christmas to this awesome woman and I hope all that witnessed this act of kindness also “Pay it Forward!”

CANTON – All are invited to attend a Pagan Solstice family celebration at historic Herring-Cole Hall on the campus of St. Lawrence University Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of music, merriment, science and revelry.

Bring musical instruments to join in as we create a circle of sound to welcome the returning sun.

Items of non-perishable food for donation to our local food pantries will be accepted. For further information contact [email protected].

Air Force Airman Jeremy R. Pike, formerly of Canton, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Pike is the son of Joan and Ron Pike of Stiles Road, Canton.

To the Editor:

Last week I heard some disturbing news from the North Pole. Some of the programs across Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence County that provide Christmas presents to needy children were seeing a dramatic increase in requests.

Unfortunately, the number of toys and gifts that were being donated were not enough to keep up with the increase in the requests for help.

Some agencies were already preparing to tell families that their children were out of luck this year.

POTSDAM – State Sen. Joe Griffo will tour the facility as work continues to complete Clarkson University’s new Nanoengineering and Biotechnology Laboratories

Griffo joins Clarkson President Tony Collins for a tour of the new laboratories at 10:30 a.m. today.

Clarkson says work is drawing to a close and they are starting to move several research groups into the new labs.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released a handbook for farmers who want to take advantage of the federal H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program, which allows hiring of seasonal foreign workers when domestic labor is unavailable.

Congressman Bill Owens says that he and his colleagues have worked to get the H-2A program to ease the administrative burden on family farms who use the program to secure seasonal labor.

LOUISVILLE -- Louisville firefighters were called to a house fire at 210 County Rt. 36 Saturday evening.

The call came in to the station at 6:55 p.m. They were joined at the scene by the Massena Rescue Squad, and Waddington, Madrid, and Norfolk volunteer fire departments.

On standby were volunteers from Massena and Lisbon.

The St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation has begun their seasonal removal of channel markers from the St. Lawrence River throughout the Thousand Islands Region.