Two seniors were recognized as the top graduating athletes at Watertown High School and the recipients of the William I. Graf Award on Wednesday. Jillian Girardi was selected as the school’s female recipient, and Peter Victoria was chosen for the school’s male honor this year.

The William I. Graf Award was created in 1954 by the Italian American Civic Association to honor Mr. Graf’s leadership and civic engagement in the community. Mr. Graf was a multi-sport coach and athletic director at Watertown High School. Graf award honorees are expected to have participated in at least two or more varsity sports in their senior year and showcase exceptional individual characteristics in sportsmanship, discipline, fair play, training, ability and academics. [Read more…]

An anonymous donor has offered a $5,000 matching challenge to create a permanent scholarship in honor of long-time North Country educator and administrator Gary F. West. Mr. West will retire as Immaculate Heart Central elementary school principal at the end of the school year. He has served for 40 years in various capacities in both public and parochial education in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. The Gary F. West Faith-Based Education Scholarship will be a component fund of the Northern New York Community Foundation and will provide financial assistance to elementary students attending Immaculate Heart Central School. Those wishing to honor Mr. West and support the scholarship can make tax-deductible gifts to the Northern New York Community Foundation, 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601. Gifts should designate the scholarship on the memo line or can be made online at www.nnycf.org. All gifts will be matched up to a total of $5,000, which will create a $10,000 endowed fund in his honor. [Read more…]

Cross Island Farms on Wellesley Island is holding a wine and cheese tasting to benefit the Northern New York Community Foundation from 4-7 p.m. Friday July 14. It will take place outdoors rain or shine (with tents in case of inclement weather) in the Farms’ recently planted “Edible Forest Garden.”  Homestead Heritage Cheese of LaFargeville and The Cape Winery of Cape Vincent will be offering samples and sales of their cheeses and wines accompanied by Jim Burr on the keyboard.  A representative from the Community Foundation will be on hand to meet and greet attendees.  Informal tours of the garden will be led by Dani Baker, its designer and co-owner of the Farm.  The event is open to the public for a minimum donation of $20 per person.  All proceeds will go to the Community Foundation. [Read more…]

In November 2016, lifelong Watertown resident William P. “Bill” Plante passed away after a brave three-year battle with cancer. Bill’s community service accomplishments for the past three decades were numerous, as he had been deeply involved in supporting the local community in many ways.  Bill was a constant – always there, always dependable, and always dedicated to support his local church, local schools, youth lacrosse and any other community action that needed his help.  Bill willingly donated his time, his common-sense approach to solving problems and his engineering expertise.  He did it all – from the simple things, like fixing a broken fan belt for a friend, to complicated large-scale projects, such as the safe removal of asbestos insulation from a school classroom, the planning and installation of a playground, and even a complete sports field project.

The William P. Plante Memorial Fund is being established with the Northern New York Community Foundation to honor Mr. Plante and to carry on his legacy of selflessly giving back to the area. The fund will support community projects and provide an annual scholarship that will be awarded to local high school students who demonstrate a passion for contributing to the community.

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The Northern New York Community Foundation and Stage Notes are combining forces to launch a new giving challenge which will provide Jefferson County middle school students with the opportunity to compete for a total of $10,000 in community grants to area organizations by year’s end. Students who will be in grades 7 and 8 in September will be asked to participate by submitting an essay describing what the word “community” means to them. They will then recommend a local charitable organization that they feel helps support their definition of community. A committee will judge the applications and various grant amounts will be awarded, which the students will present to their chosen organizations.

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