BY PAUL MITCHELL

North Country This Week

POTSDAM - As the spirit of the Help Sami Kick Cancer Foundation continues to grow, so does the beloved The Lodge @ Dreaming Tree Ranch. 

After hosting two families in 2019 and one in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic halted family visits. But that hiatus did not stop Jim and Karen Curtis, along with family and friends, from taking advantage of the situation by completing several projects at the 185 Nickerson Road landmark.

The property now houses a new sugar house with state-of-art equipment. The first sugar season is now under their belts and maple syrup sales are underway. 

“Sami had a love for the sugar bush,” said Mrs. Curtis.

Samantha “Sami” Curtis passed away in 2017 after a two-year battle with cancer.

The patio area adjacent to the pool, fencing and a fieldstone wall were recently completed. Also, several inside projects were modified or completed.

The three visiting families hailed from Chazy, Fulton, and southern Pennsylvania near the Maryland border.

Also during the pandemic, the foundation comforted 12 to 15 families with groceries, household supplies, gas cards and other assistance for expenses.

Upcoming fundraisers include a pie sale at The Lodge on Friday, June 18, from noon until sold out, a garage sale, a blueberry sale and a Blue Jean to Black Tie event.

The third annual Sami Curtis Motorcycle Run will begin and end at The Lodge on July 31. Registration will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. with kickstands up at 11 a.m. The cost is $20 which includes the ride and a post-ride chicken barbecue. Stops on the ride, in order, are the Timber Tavern in Potsdam, Robideau’s Mahogany Ridge in South Colton, Trackside Tavern in Harrisville, Skunk’s Nest in Hermon then returning to The Lodge.

For more information, contact ride organizer Paige Corbine at 315-854-5705.

The Waydown Wailers will provide musical entertainment. The public is welcome to the ranch after the ride. Leftover chicken dinners will be available for $13. There will be a raffle and door prizes.

T-shirts ($15) and hoodies ($25) are now available for order by July 1 by visiting https://bit.ly/2QXJJzT.

Members from all three families who had visited The Lodge in 2019 and 2020 will be in attendance on July 31. 

To date, three families are scheduled to visit the ranch in September and October. Family referrals to the Curtis family come from hospitals, insurance companies and providers. No referrals were realized during the Covid pandemic.

Prior to arrival, families are asked to provide a list of what they want to eat, and what they want to do. All the food preparation, housekeeping and indoor and outdoor activities are provided.

“We specifically ask what the pediatric patient wants along with the rest of the family,” said Mrs. Curtis. “We want the rest of the family to get the most out of it. We basically provide the family time away from cancer. And when they get involved they get to know our story as well. It’s very therapeutic.”

The Lodge experience has now teamed with Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley’s Advanced Illness Management (AIM) team who will provide 24/7 care in the event of any medical issue.

“This provides a whole other level of comfort for families,” she said.

The main part of a families’ wish lists include recreational activities. Mr. Curtis noted these events range from hunting and fishing, horseback riding, gator riding, arts and crafts, and more.

Those interested in making a donation to The Lodge can do so through PayPal on the helpsamikickcancer.org website or by emailing foundation members at helpsamikickcancerfoundation@gmail.com.

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