POTSDAM -- John Lancaster of Potsdam, along with Bernard Amadei and T. Berry Brazelton will be awarded honorary degrees at Clarkson University's 118th commencement on Saturday, May 7.

Each will speak briefly to the students, their families and guests about a topic central to their success in life.

HANNAWA FALLS – Tas Cru, who performed throughout the eastern U.S. last year, will perform during a day full of music, food and raffles April 9 to benefit the Jesse McCarthy Music Scholarship Fund.

The event will take place from noon to 10 p.m. at the Hannawa Falls Firemen’s Field. Tas Cru performs a variety of formats ranging from solo acoustic to an eight-piece backing band that includes the singing trio Stacked Deck. He appeared at the Billtown Blues Festival, Kalamazoo Blues Festival and Chattauqua Hills Blues Festival in 2010.

BRASHER FALLS – A roast beef dinner will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, CR 50, on Saturday, April 9 from 5 until 7 p.m.

The menu will include a choice of roast beef or roast pork, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, dinner rolls, beverage and dessert.

Cost is $8 for adults, children under age 5 are free.

Save $1 per person by purchasing pre-sale tickets by calling Phil Davis, 389-4627 or Rayona Thompson at 389-4584.

POTSDAM – The Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Fling, with a theme this year of “Fun and Games,” is set for Friday and Saturday, April 15 and 16.

Businesses around town have been planning special events, some with the chamber’s theme, “Eat Local, Buy Local, Be Local.”

All participating business will receive a sign to display on their doors and listing in all marketing for the events.

More info can be had by calling the chamber office at 274-9000 or emailing to [email protected].

POTSDAM -- The first-ever Hockey Day in Potsdam, held in January, raised $9,460 to benefit Marine Cpl. Aaron Howell, a Parishville native who is recovering from serious wounds suffered in the line of duty last April.

POTSDAM -- Kids and teens can expand their creativity at St. Lawrence County Arts Council art, comic book drawing and magic classes in Clarkson University’s downtown Snell Hall.

To register, call 265-6860 or visit www.slcartscouncil.org.

Classes in April will include:

• Chilean Rainsticks from the Rainforest, for ages 6-12, with Kris Rozelle Saturday, April 9, 10 – 11:30 a.m.; craft a musical instrument which imitates the sound of the rain and decorate it with your own unique colors and designs; $15, plus $5 materials fee.

OGDENSBURG – The Ogdensburg Mall will host a craft fair, flea market, and bake sale to benefit Am Vets Auxiliary on Saturday, April 9, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the AmVet club rooms.

There will be 44 tables with lots of variety -- sweetgrass baskets; native American, vintage and new jewelry, pillows, handmade sweaters, baseball cards, garage sale items, collectors items, flea market items, bake sale, and more.

Prizes will be awarded throughout the day.

A $1 admission fee per person, children included, will include eligibility to win prizes.

To the Editor:

In regards to the consolidation study and regional high schools, I want people to know that it is not okay for high school students to be on a bus any longer than elementary. My child is an honors student involved in many activities. The bus is not a good place to do homework. So now the time my oldest child and eventually my younger children used to do homework and other activities will be spent on a bus and they will receive less opportunities to develop athletic and leadership qualities. Unless of course I buy my children a car to reduce the amount of time on a bus.

I am hearing a lot of talk about schools merging and closing. Instead of listening to the local rumor mill, I decided to do some research on my own. I encourage everyone to look into this topic- a great website is http://www.p12.nysed.gov/mgtserv/sch_dist_org/GuideToReorganizationOfSch... There are even flyers being circulated in one community with a lot of misinformation on them. Did you know that schools can’t merge without voter and community approval?