Raymond Belleville: 1941 - 2013

Raymond Belleville, a well known and very well liked Schroon Laker has passed away. His obiturary from the Post-Star:

SCHROON LAKE — Raymond Belleville, 71, passed away early Monday morning, Nov. 11 2013, at Glens Falls Hospital.

Ray was born Dec. 1, 1941, in Ticonderoga, the son of the late Ross and Joyce Arthur Belleville. He was brought up by his stepfather, Clayton Wright.

He attended Ticonderoga Central School.

Ray was a truck driver and worked many years on construction jobs around the area. He retired from Reale Construction Corp. in Ticonderoga.

Ray was a member of BPO Elks Lodge No. 1494 of Ticonderoga and the American Legion Post No. 224 of Ticonderoga.

Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Patricia Venner Belleview of Schroon Lake; his son, Roger (Vicky) Belleview of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; his daughter, Sharon Durham of Woodville, Texas; his brothers, William and Clayton Wright of Chilson, N.Y.; his sister, Carol Cooper of Schenectady, N.Y.; eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Edward L. Kelly Funeral Home, 1019 US Route 9, Schroon Lake.

Interment will follow at Chilson Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from noon until the service at 2 p.m.

The family request memorials take the form of donations to American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057, or the Schroon Lake Emergency Squad, Schroon Lake, NY 12870.

Save The Date: The Commish is Coming

The date for  a presentation by controversial State Education Commissioner John King to Schroon Lake teachers, parents and students has been announced.

King will hold a public forum in the Schroon Lake Central School’s auditorium  to talk about the new Common Core Curriculum on November 20, from 3:30 pm – 5:30pm.

From The Schroon Lake Central School Blog:

"Senator Betty Little, BOCES District Superintendents from area BOCES as well as area Superintendents and possibly their BOE’s, administrators and parents may attend.  In addition, it is anticipated that  Board of Regents members and other legislators may attend".

King had previously cancelled four public forums following a contentious appearance in Poughkeepsie.

Will you be attending? What grade would you give King?

Two Views Of The ADKs

Two very different views of the Adirondacks: The above photo was taken just after 9am today from the Schroon Laker Dropcam. The photo below was taken by Gore Mountain staff late this afternoon, capturing the first snowmaking of the season! From Gore Mountain:

"We're hard at work on a 2-mile stretch combining Foxlair, Sunway, Quicksilver, 3B, and Jamboree! Keep in touch with us as we confirm our Opening Day schedule!"

A Schroon Laker Sounds Off

Vanessa Weber, from Schroon Lake, got some attention Sunday when a letter to the New York Daily News Opinion Page was published. Vanessa's beef?   Animal rights activists getting it wrong when it comes to horse drawn carriage rides. From the New York Daily News:

Silly Season

Schroon Lake, N.Y.: I find it fascinating, but not entirely surprising, that the animal rights activists have not thought through their desire to rid the city of horse-drawn carriages. Animal rights activists typically ignore the experience of owners, scientists, vets and breeders alike. They prefer to reinterpret things according to their personal experience — as people. If a horse is asleep, standing up — which is usually how horses sleep — the horses are “sad.” If a horse is resting a leg by cocking it, it is “broken” and the drivers are being “cruel.” Our political candidates have bought into this silliness. I fear for the city I grew up in. Vanessa Weber."

Vanessa's piece was also picked up by the Facebook Page "I Love Animals, But hate Animals Activists"