Heard Up North

(03/09/12) The Potsdam Museum recently rediscovered an historic War of 1812 officer's uniform in its archives -- just in time for bicentennial commemorations. Museum officials say the dark blue and red wool uniform is in "very nice" condition for a 200-year old garment.

It's thought to have belonged to Shubel Clark, a soldier from Canton who was assigned to the New York Detached Militia in Ogdensburg. The heirloom was donated to the museum in 1953 by Clark's family.

Todd Moe stopped by for a closer look yesterday. The story behind the old coat is today's Heard Up North.

(03/07/12) Cold nights, warm days, sunshine: chickdees are busy, and the sap is rising. It all adds up to maple syrup season. Whether your operation includes a bulk holding tank and miles of plastic tubing, or just a few buckets hanging off the trees in the backyard, it all starts the same way, with a strategically placed hole in a sugar maple.

And it's today's Heard Up North, produced by Martha Foley.

(02/02/12) An arrest in a 2010 disappearance in St. Lawrence County--Justin Trimm has been charged with 2nd degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Jason Wing. A Pennsylvania groundhog has told us we'll have more winter--but it doesn't seem the North Country's going to be seeing much more wintry weather. Local leaders weigh in on the DNA database expansion bill that just passed the Senate. Heard Up North: splitting wood. And Governor Cuomo tells county leaders he'll meet them halfway on mandate relief.

(02/02/12) There were clear skies, cool temperatures...and a woodpile. A perfect combination for our Heard Up North.

(02/01/12) North Country police and officials say legal fake pot is starting to become a real problem. Essex County's supervisor Randy Douglas was at the capitol this week for a big meeting of county leaders. One big topic on people's minds was mandate reform. Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver continues his push to raise the state minimum wage. And we'll visit one family's root cellar for today's Heard Up North.

(02/01/12) Root cellars were an essential part of nearly every home a hundred years ago. And along with an increase in the number of people growing their own food is the return to the root cellar. More than a basement, it's the cousin to canning and freezing and another way of preserving the harvest into the winter months. A couple of winters ago, Todd Moe visited Winnie and Rob Sachno's root cellar on their St. Lawrence County farm for a closer look at a simpler way of storing food.

(01/26/12) Not all pipers start young - and they aren't all Scottish either.

John Sullivan came to Canada from England back in 1952. Today he lives in Ottawa and pipes in neighboring Kemptville. Sullivan took up bagpipes later in life, almost on a whim. This past Wednesday, he helped pipe in the haggis for a Robbie Burns luncheon held in Burritts Rapids, Ontario.

Prior to reciting the traditional "Address to a Haggis", Sullivan told Lucy Martin how he reached this point. Sullivan is today's Heard Up North. more

(01/19/12) Environmental groups look to spread their message about the Adirondack Club and Resort--but with a vote expected tomorrow, it's down to the wire. New York state loses one of its longest-serving congressmen--Maurice Hinchey announced Thursday he won't seek reelection. And local school leaders responses to Governor Cuomo's plans for educational funding aren't exactly overwhelmingly positive. Also, Heard Up North: Meet Hugh Graham, longtime fair-and foul-weather Rideau Canal skater.

(01/19/12) Part of Ottawa's Rideau Canal Skateway opened for skating this past Sunday, kicking off its 42nd season. Once weather permits, nearly five miles of frozen canal will see heavy use for another month or two. The free skateway is a star attraction for Winterlude, coming up February 3-20. Sunday, just a short section was open, and the ice conditions were listed as poor.

Long time canal enthusiast Hugh Graham keeps a kick sled on hand for bad ice days. The sled looks like a light kitchen chair on long, thin runners. Wearing home-made studded boots, he can ride the runner with one foot, and push along at a good clip with the other. There's even room for some gear or a light passenger on the chair. Graham showed off his kick sled to Lucy Martin for today's Heard Up North. more

(12/30/11) Earlier this month, Todd Moe gave a presentation on radio and NCPR for a group of Cub Scouts, their den leaders and parents in Colton. Some of the boys are working on their Communication badges, which requires them to learn more about local media outlets.

After the meeting, Todd asked the Scouts - tigers, wolves, bears and Webelos -- to recite their motto and talk about Scouting for today's Heard Up North.