Hammond is a small rural town that has many things going for it. Nestled in the western most part of St. Lawrence County where the 1000 Islands Region begins, it is host to unique landmarks and natural resources that include two huge bodies of water (Black Lake and the St. Lawrence River), a large agricultural land base, extensive waterfront development, a tourist economy that boasts a castle that is visited by thousands each year (22,000 in 2011), one of the largest concentrations of stone houses in this area of the country, and almost 100 small businesses that service the local area.

To the Editor:

The Friends of the Nature Center in Massena wish to thank all the volunteers that made their recent “Halloween Woods Walk” a success.

The annual event was held during the evening of October 18th and although it was damp and chilly, just over 70 participants enjoyed the festivities.

Children and adults of all ages went on the holiday hike and learned something new about animals in the North Country.

This night hike leads participants through a comical but educational skit along one of the trails.

CANTON -- Allysa L. Houle, of Childwold, is participating in St. Lawrence University's International Study Program for the fall 2011 semester. Houle, a member of the class of 2013 at St. Lawrence, is studying in Kenya. Houle graduated from Tupper Lake Middle High School in Tupper Lake.

The 2,300 students at St. Lawrence University have the option to study in programs in Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, India, Italy, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Spain, Thailand, and Trinidad/Tobago.

POTSDAM – Interviews are being conducted “continuously” in the investigation of the murder of 12-year-old Garrett Phillips last week, according to the Potsdam Police Department.

A press release from the village police said they distributed more than 1,500 fliers Monday near the Market Street apartment where the boy was murdered last week.

POTSDAM -- Mrs. Santimaw and Mrs. McCormick's co-taught class at Lawrence Avenue Elementary School spearheaded a school-wide food collection for the Potsdam Neighborhood Center, collecting nearly 900 items to donate.

“Bucket-filling” themes of respect and responsibility along with the Annual Make a Difference Day volunteering effort were reinforced throughout October and through this project.

They were loaded on a bus Tuesday to deliver it to the Potsdam Neighborhood Center.

CANTON – Get in touch with your sixth sense at the Mystical Journey Holistic and Psychic Faire Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Nov. 4-6 at the Best Western University Inn, as Wanda Winters and B.J. Mosher present a gathering of readers, energy workers, vendors, and lecturers for the spiritually inquisitive.

Faire hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

POTSDAM -- The C.O.R.C. Thrift Store, 8 Willow St. is holding a $3 bag sale Friday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

People may fill a bag with fall clothing, housewares, toys and books for $3.

All new inventory will be on sale on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information call 265-3940.