$25,000 in Grant Support Awarded to Update Aging Infrastructure

     LOWVILLE — A $25,000 Community Foundation grant will help the Lewis County Agricultural Society restore its historic grandstand at the county fairgrounds off Bostwick Street. 

     First built in the 1860s, the roughly 160-year-old site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Deteriorating grandstand infrastructure and new drainage system are two priorities facing upgrades to keep this well-used community asset viable. The Community Foundation previously provided a major grant in 2006 for renovations performed at that time.

     Emergency maintenance was done last summer to keep the grandstand operational through this year’s fair. Work was completed to stabilize the structure and ensure the future integrity of the building while repairing damage caused by powder post beetles.

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New Community Foundation Charitable Fund Will Accept and Steward Additional Contributions

     WATERTOWN — The city’s Thompson Park should soon see an updated convening space to host small performing arts events thanks to support from the Community Foundation and a leadership gift from the family of T. Urling and Mabel Walker.

     An all-volunteer committee is pursuing a project in the park to restore the stone bandstand located near the 10th Mountain Division Honor the Mountain Monument, by adding a roof to the historic structure.

     The Community Foundation, together with the Walker Family Community Fund of the Community Foundation, are providing a $50,000 lead gift in support of the project’s $150,000 funding goal.

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Former Bridge Authority Official Supports Employees, Retirees, and their Families

     ALEXANDRIA — Two Jefferson County students with family ties to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority were recently named the Class of 2023 recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Russell I. Wilcox Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Scholarship.

     Natalie L. Hunter and Tucker Rosbrook, both 2023 General Brown High School graduates, were each awarded a $1,000 scholarship.

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Boldt Descendants Continue Support of Jefferson County Students for Two Years of Post-Secondary Study

     HEART ISLAND — Three Jefferson County high school members of the class of 2023 were honored this month as recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation George C. Boldt Scholarship.

     Chantell L. Beach, Watertown High School, Cameron L. Derouin, Sackets Harbor High School, and Sadie S. Pasinello, South Jefferson High School, were each awarded a two-year $10,000 scholarship during a reception at Boldt Castle with George C. Boldt’s great-great-grandson, Charlie Goodridge, and family. Brayden P. Wiley, a member of the Thousand Islands High School class of 2022 who was named a Boldt Scholarship recipient last year, was also recognized. Brayden was unable to attend last summer’s Boldt Scholars recognition event.

     The scholarship honors the legacy of the castle’s builder, noted hotelier and philanthropist George C. Boldt Sr. Charlie Goodridge’s father, Malcolm Goodridge, led efforts to establish the scholarship with other descendants of Mr. Boldt and dozens of North Country donors who have made gifts to the scholarship fund at the Community Foundation.

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Grant Supports Intern for Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church History Project

     WATERTOWN — While a Community Foundation grant helps document and preserve the history of an important city landmark, a recently established charitable fund will aid efforts to restore the Thomas Memorial AME Zion Church on Morrison Street.

     A $2,250 grant awarded to the Preservation League of New York State is funding a summer intern to research, document and produce a comprehensive history of the church, which has deep ties as an African American church with connections to the Underground Railroad.  

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