CANTON – TAUNY will host a reading and signing of “Why We're Here: New York Essayists on Living Upstate” on Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. at its 53 Main St. center.

Edited by St. Lawrence University English professor Bob Cowser, the book is an anthology of essays that explore various aspects of life in upstate New York.

The book, published by Colgate University Press, includes essays by Cowser's colleagues Paul Graham, Mary Hussmann, and Natalia Singer, who will also be at TAUNY to read from their essays and discuss their perspectives on North Country life.

OSWEGATCHIE – An Ogdensburg man is county lockup after allegedly burglarizing a Bromaghin Road residence at 10:45 p.m. Sunday, according to St. Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies.

Christian R. Leeder, 18, of 4458 Co. Rt. 6, Ogdensburg, has been charged with second-degree burglary, a class C felony, fourth-degree grand larceny, a class E felony and fourth-degree criminal mischief, a class A misdemeanor.

Deputies report Leeder broke into a residence and stole $1,300 in cash and a watch valued at $300.

POTSDAM -- More than 70 North Country schoolchildren penned essays about their favorite holiday songs, ranging from the classic to the contemporary, for the Community Performance Series' Carols of Christmas Youth Writing Contest.

Students in grades 5 through 10 were invited to submit a letter detailing their favorite carol and why it should be included in the Dec. 11 "Carols of Christmas" concert with The American Boychoir and the Orchestra of Northern New York. Numerous students took advantage of this opportunity to express their knowledge and passion for their favorite carol.

As an employee of the county for 11 years and working in the new Human Services Center, I feel the presence of security guards is a necessity. If you worked in the building, you would know that they do patrol the perimeter of the building and are there when panic alarms are pushed. Working in the department that I work in, I have constant contact with the public and not all of them are exactly friendly. Given the hard economic times, we’ve had people in our building make threats, but who is to stop someone from doing something more drastic?

Regarding “Pep Band Not to Blame” (Nov. 24 – 30), is the writer at the same games I’m at? I enjoy the music and some of the chants but the band and students are 100 percent to blame for the vulgar cheers about the opposing team and refs. They also have no respect for the announcer or the fans who wish to hear the announcements. I look forward to the one game a year the band is not there.

It seems more and more criminals are being released to the supervision of probation. Many of which are violent in nature, or in need of “drug rehab.” I don’t hear anybody recommending that the probation department should have more staff to deal with this trend. Are we out of jail space again? What’s the law enforcement, correctional & probation agencies’ take on this? I’d like to know. The judge knows which individuals are salvageable. He dealt with many of these people when he was DA. As a law-abiding taxpayer, I’d like to know. What gives?

To the Editor:

I write this letter to congratulate the village and surrounding communities of Potsdam on a remarkable member of their community.

Dr. James P. Lyons (MD OBGYN) is a remarkable doctor who has served the families of the Potsdam area, and has touched the lives of many.

To the Editor:

“Thank You” seems like much too small of a word for the appreciation I feel toward our wonderful children, relatives, friends and neighbors, Hospice, doctors, Pastor Donna Doig and Rev. Mike -- in fact toward the whole North Country Community -- for the many, many acts of kindness and generosity recently shown to our family.

It was very touching. Roger would have been pleased!

Heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you!

Ann Huntley and families

State Senator-elec

NORWOOD – Improved bulk rail freight service to northeastern St. Lawrence County is expected with the opening of the “Norwood Terminal.”

Owned and operated by Knowlton And Son Inc. (K&S) of Norwood, the new multi-modal facility will provide commercial bulk freight access to Norwood, Norfolk, Potsdam, Canton, Massena and other communities in the area.

An open house and presentation will take place at the Norwood Terminal, 1252 River Rd., to mark the first shipments on Friday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m.

POTSDAM -- Potsdam Central High School students, coaches and teachers will join employees of Canton-Potsdam Hospital Thursday, Dec. 9 in an effort to triumph over the New York State Troopers.

It will be the fifth year CPH has held a basketball game to benefit the American Cancer Society.

The benefit game is scheduled to take place in the high school gym after the junior varsity boys basketball game against Canton that begins at 6 p.m. and before the varsity boys game against Canton scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.