Daily Archives: May 24, 2013

Services set for Adirondack Detective author John H. Briant, 83

John H. Briant, 83, of Old Forge, NY and Goodyear, AZ, formerly of North Syracuse, passed away from natural causes on Tuesday, May 14, at his home.

Born in Throopsville, NY, John resided in Old Forge for the last 34 years. Shortly after graduation from Port Byron High, he enlisted in the USAF, attaining the rate of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1953, and then joined the New York State Police where he served a distinguished 29 year career as a Trooper and BCI Investigator in Troops D & B.

Trooper Briant was cited as a legend maker in the force and in 1970 received the Brummer Award, the Forces highest award, issued for bravery. Upon retirement from the NYSP, he was employed in the security department in a Syracuse bank.

In retirement, John attained a Bachelor of Science Degree and embarked on a new career as a writer and artist. He authored, One Cop’s Story, the beginning of his series of mystery novels featuring the Adirondack Detective, Jason Black, and all his works focused on his beloved Adirondacks.  Continue reading →

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Talkin’ Code with Andrew Getty

Building Code for energy conservation: One thing leads to another

Energy code

Remember back in the 1970’s, even into the 80’s, when houses were always built with 2 X 4 wall studs? The first NYS Energy Conservation Code was introduced back in the 1980’s.

Changing to 2 X 6 studs had nothing to do with structural requirements, it was all about providing more insulation.

When the Energy Code kicked in the minimum R-value required was R-21.

The easiest way to comply was to use 2 X 6 studs. Conventional fiberglass batt insulation is 5.5 inches thick and provides an R-value of 19.

Then, the sheathing, siding and interior sheetrock was counted by adding the extra couple of “R” to get to 21.

There are other ways to obtain an R-21 in the walls, without building with 2 X 4 studs.

The use of a high R, foil faced rigid foam board became popular and remains a fairly common product today.

This is applied to either the inside under the sheetrock or outside under the siding.

Either way, the overall thickness of the wall assembly is thicker than just a 2 X 4 wall with plywood and sheetrock. Continue reading →

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Services: Douglas J. Marshall, 58

Doug MarshallDouglas J. Marshall, 58, of LeRoy, died at home on May 17, 2013 in the loving presence of his family.

Doug was born September 22, 1954 in Rochester, NY, a son of Robert and Jane O’Connell Marshall.

He will be remembered as a man who loved his family, his friends and the outdoors.

In addition to his parents, Robert and Jane Marshall of Mohawk, he is survived by his loving wife, Christina Kessler Marshall, children, Anthony (Meaghan) Marshall of Tuscon, AZ, Amy (Kevin) Simmons of Denver, CO and Alexander (Nichole) Kessler of LeRoy, his seven grandchildren, a brother, Brian (Scottie) Marshall of Lake Placid, a sister, Sherry (Scott) Kendrick of Pittsburgh, PA, sisters-in-law, Karen Marshall of Lake Placid and Janet Wren of Mohawk. He was predeceased by his brothers, Scott Marshall and Kirk Marshall. Continue reading →

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Felicia Thibado & Brian Smith wed

Felicia and Brian Thibado

Felicia and Brian Thibado

Felicia Thibado and Brian Smith were united in marriage on September 22, 2012, at St Mary’s Of the Assumption Church in Baldwinsville, NY.

Bridesmaids in the wedding were Veronica Gloo, Meridith Nackley, Katrina Fudo and Martina Kieb. Groomsmen were  Paul Sorbello, Ross Sorbello, Andrew Thibado and Josh Montclair.

Parents of the bride are Barbara and Dennis Thibado of Baldwinsville. Parents of the groom are Nancy  and Michael Smith of Syracuse.

Grandmothers of the bride are Marlene Thibado of Eagle Bay and Marion Skowron of Inlet.

The couple held a reception at Red Mill Inn in Baldwinsville and honeymooned in California. They reside in Syracuse.

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Letter to the Editor Band students appreciate Mr. Clark

Dear Editor:

I am writing in response to a little piece of news I’ve been informed of. On Wednesday, May 22, towards the end of the school day, the Town of Webb Senior Band was practicing marching around town for the Memorial Day parade. Upon returning to the school, band teacher Mr. Clark congratulated us for our good efforts at marching under the hot sun that afternoon.

Afterward, he asked us to gather around for a minute before going inside. He had some unpleasant news for us. Mr. Clark told us that he will not be here next year as our band teacher. As soon as those words left his mouth, jaws dropped and my heart sank.

Now, the official papers will say that Mr. Clark resigned. But we band students know that isn’t the truth…he was forced to resign. We’ve been told that it is because some of the higher-ups of the school do not like his way of teaching, but I am writing to defend Mr. Clark’s way of going about educating us.

How many teachers in our school teach kids, not to just want to improve, but empower their passions? How many teachers in our school not only try to teach us to put full effort into everything, but to also be kind, considerate human beings?  Continue reading →

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British soldier hits the canoe trail

Sven Heaps registering for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail on Tuesday, May 21. Photos by Mike Farmer

Sven Heaps registering for the Northern Forest Canoe Trail on Tuesday, May 21. Photos by Mike Farmer

British army soldier Sven Heaps is paddling the Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT), taking time to clear his head after returning from Afghanistan.

Heaps launched his Wenonah canoe on Tuesday morning, May 21, after buying the boat and needed gear at Paddlefest over the weekend. Mike Farmer, Director of Tourism, was there to record the moment with camera and to wish him well.

Heaps decided while in Afghanistan that he needed to take time away when he returned to Britain after his stint in the Near East. An experienced paddler, he started out looking at Canadian canoe routes but discovered the NFCT online. Continue reading →

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To Remember, or Not to Remember, That is the Question…

by Jerry Dupuis of Inlet, Lt. United States Navy

As we approach what Americans call Memorial Day, it might serve us well to know a bit of the holiday’s history. Originally called Decoration Day, it has always been a day for remembering those who gave their lives in service to America.

There are many stories and claims to its beginnings. However, there is clear evidence that organized women’s groups, in the South, were decorating graves of Confederate soldiers before the end of the Civil War. Nevertheless, in May 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson officially declared Waterloo, NY as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

In any event, it’s not important to know what community was first to celebrate America’s war dead; what is important is that Memorial Day was established, not to emphasize division among us but, reconciliation, and a coming together to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.

Originally, Memorial Day was first officially proclaimed on May 5, 1868, by General John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, and was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

New York was the first state to officially recognize the holiday in 1873. By 1890, it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died in the Civil War, to honoring all Americans who died fighting in any war.

It was established nationwide when, in 1971, Congress passed the National Holiday Act. Several southern states still honor their Confederate war dead on different dates: Texas, January 19; April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina, and June 3 in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem, In Flanders Fields, Moina Michael replied with her own poem: Continue reading →

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