To the Editor:

For 35 years, I have observed and often participated in job creation and job loss in Northern New York. This recession brought a sharp drop in sales for many of us who own or manage small businesses and organizations, and it has been among the most challenging time for thousands of our neighbors who lost jobs, wages, and career opportunities.

But one bright spot in recent months in Northern New York is the growing interest in small business development.

To the Editor:

I would like to extend many thanks to Matthew Flynn II for his recent endorsement of my candidacy for District 8 St. Lawrence County Legislator. We both fought clean and hard campaigns. We competed door to door, sticking to the issues, and discussing what we could bring to the table to help with the county’s present and future challenges.

I read with interest the original Soundoff about the mother who was complaining about kids running amok while she was trying to grocery shop and the subsequent rebuttals (“Parenting Classes Needed,” Oct. 20-26). As a parent, I cannot imagine letting my children run wild through stores or allowing them to scream their heads off while grocery shopping. I, however, was raised in a family that if we as children misbehaved in public, we were removed from the public place and were given a spanking. I am a fine, functional contributing member of society.

Re: “Parenting Classes Needed” (Oct. 20-26), When people are quick to call Child Protective Services for child abuse and try to tell others how to parent, it is understandable why parents do not discipline in public. Suggesting people take parenting classes because their child misbehaves and they don’t spank them is a stretch. Those parents whose initial reaction is to smack their child need to take parenting classes and anger management. There are better solutions to deal with problem behaviors; leaving the store is also not one of them in my opinion.

MASSENA -- A Massena man was charged by state police with felonies in two separate cases Tuesday.

Shannon P. Derouchie, 41, was charged with first-degree scheme to defraud-property in excess of $1,000, allegedly committed Oct. 7 in St. Lawrence County.

He was also charged with fourth-degree grand larceny in an alleged incident in the Town of Bombay Tuesday.

Derouchie was issued an appearance tickets, one for Bombay court Nov. 2 and the other for Massena Town Court Nov. 3.

Troopers say the investigation continues.

POTSDAM -- Due to illness, the ghost walks that were scheduled for Fright Night have been cancelled.

There were to be two tours for adults during Fright Night.

All other Fright Night events will occur starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28.

For full schedule of activities go to www.potsdamchamber.com

EDWARDS – The Edwards Opera House will present its 8th annual Halloween show for families Saturday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m.

The entire family will enjoy Richard Tenace, The Magic Guy. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes.

Tickets are $4 at the door, and children 12 and under are free.

The opera house is on the second floor at 161 Main St.

MASSENA – The Nature Center at Robert Moses State Park in Massena will hold a wet-on-wet oil painting class for teens and adults on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Massena Knights of Columbus Hall, East Orvis Street.

No experience is necessary.

The title of this painting is "Rocky Coast." It can be viewed on artist, Wilson Bickford's website.

Certified art instructor, Wilson Bickford of Governeur will teach participants the techniques of wet-on-wet oil painting.

Boston University awarded academic degrees to 1,491 students in September 2010.

Among the graduates was Patti Dishaw, Parishville, who received a Master of Criminal Justice Degree in Criminal Justice.

Boston University is the fourth largest independent university in the United States, with an enrollment of more than 29,000 students in its 17 schools and colleges. The university offers an exceptional grounding in the liberal arts, a broad range of programs in the arts, sciences, engineering, and professional areas, and state-of-the-art facilities for teaching and research.