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June 20, 2009
A Denton Publication
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Doctor is in
Politics
Outdoors
Dr. Moon is the newest addition to the AMC staff.
Garcia gets Democratic party nomination for DA.
Young anglers will be hit hardest if hatchery closes.
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Community turns out High Peaks Animal Hospital reaches milestone to support St. Agnes By Sarah L. Cronk sarah@denpubs.com
By Chris Morris denpubs@denpubs.com LAKE PLACID — A crowd of nearly 100 people packed the cafeteria at St. Agnes School in Lake Placid June 15 to show their support for the school, which could be closed by July 1 if student enrollment isn’t bolstered. The decision to close the school, which serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade, was made last week when the parish finance committee met with school pastor Father Joseph Morgan. St. Agnes School principal Anne Bayruns was later given two weeks to try and increase enrollment for next fall. There are currently 37 students expected to attend classes in September – the school needs about 50 to remain open. Bayruns said the number of people who showed up for last night’s meeting will help school officials gauge the community’s support for the school and the potential of increasing enrollment. “It just goes to show that everything I’ve been saying all along is true,” Bayruns said. “Lake Placid needs this school, there are people who believe in it, and everyone wants to help. I was amazed that it was as big as it was, but it just went to prove my point that this school needs to stay open. It was wonderful.” During the meeting Bayruns touted the benefits of the school, saying that many students who graduate from St. Agnes have gone on to become valedictorians and salutatorians. She said they also have programming not available in public elementary schools, like French, outdoor education, and drama club. “St. Agnes provides our children with such a strong foundation,” Bayruns told the crowd. Father Morgan said school administrators plan on raising tuition from $1,500 to $1,700. But the parish is already $50,000 over budget for the current school year. The only grade with an enrollment in the double digits is third grade, with 10 students. “So, what do we need?” Father Morgan said. “Well, simply put, we need more students.” Parents, teachers, and alumni asked Bayruns and Father Morgan what they could do to keep the school’s doors open. Lake Placid School Board member Pat Grant sent three children to St. Agnes. “What is it going to take?” she asked. “Does someone have an answer?” Shannon Duffy, who graduated from St. Agnes in 1999, encouraged other former students to spread the word about the benefits of an education at St. Agnes School. “The alums are the ones that went here and we’re the ones that can speak first hand for what this has done for us and for our lives,” Duffy said. “I know, I went here, and I definitely wouldn’t have had it any other way. It’s a close community and everybody feels just like a family. It’s something I would never forget and I’ll fight and do whatever I can.” Throughout the course of the meeting, several parents with children in the school’s pre-k program confirmed they would send their kids to kindergarten next fall, raising enrollment from 37 to 42 students.
See ST. AGNES, page 10
High Peaks Animal Hospital in Ray Brook recently reached the milestone of being in business for 20 years, growing and expanding along the way. From left is Dr. John D. Cogar, Alison Hollingsworth, Monica Perry, Carol Michelfelder, Angela Provost and Dr. Ron Kim. Photo submitted by Linda Konrad
RAY BROOK — After 12 years of being a veterinarian, Dr. John D. Cogar opened High Peaks Animal Hospital. Now, 20 years later, Cogar and the business show no signs of slowing down. Cogar had compassion for animals throughout his childhood, which he believes is typical of many children. However, his 34 years in practice have shown him it takes just a little bit more to become a veterinarian. “You need to be someone that when you get into junior high and high school you have a real desire, or aptitude for biology and sciences. You have to be a good student and want good grades, too,” said Cogar. “There’s a lot of kids that will say they love animals, but you’ve got to be willing to pay the price for the tedious academic workload.” After graduating from the Cornell University of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca in 1975, Cogar spent two years working as a veterinarian in Newburgh, finally making his way up to Bloomingdale, where he settled for another 12 years. Then, in 1989, Cogar opened High Peaks Animal Hospital in Ray Brook, where he plans to stay. “It was definitely the first animal hospital in Ray Brook, there’s no question about that,” recalled Cogar. “Actually, there
See MILESTONE, page 13
Barbecue festival heats up with new competition By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com LAKE PLACID — The Winter Sports capital of the world is about to become a center for young people looking to show off their summertime outdoor cooking skills. Lake Placid’s fourth annual I Love Barbecue Festival will host the inaugural I Love Barbecue Junior World Championships during its July 4 weekend run this summer. The event, which is the first-ever major youth competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, is open to youth 16 to 21 years of age. “The competition is designed to energize young barbeque enthusiasts and culinary students at the high school, vocational and college levels,” said ILBBQF organizer Dmitry Feld, who first suggested adding the Junior World Barbecue Championship event as part of the weekend festival. Seven teams have registered for the ILBJWC so far, including groups from New York, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Illinois. “It puts Lake Placid and ILBBQF on another level of American Barbecue competition and culinary arts in general,” said Feld. “Visitors will be able to observe junior teams in action. It will also bring families and friends to Lake Placid to support their teams.” Up to 24 teams are allowed to compete, and are responsible for bringing their own barbeque pits, grills and tools. They will be judged on preparation of three meats, grilled vegetables, a starch and a dessert. Adults may accompany the participants but may not be involved in the food preparation in any way. The overall winning team will be named Junior World Barbecue Champions and receive $1,000 in cash and prizes. $500 prizes are awarded to
both the second and third place teams while another $3,000 will be split between the top five teams in each of four food categories. As if the prize money were not enough, Paul Smith's College will award thousands of dollars in scholarships to members of the top teams. Members of the team placing first will each receive a $10,000 scholarship; second place team members will receive $6,000 scholarships, and third place winners will receive $4,000 each. The scholarships can be used over four years toward a bachelor's degree in any of the college’s areas of study, such as Hospitality, Resort and Tourism Management, or Culinary Arts and Service Management. “This gesture is guaranteeing our youth a barbeque and culinary future,” said Paul Smith's College Provost Richard Nelson. “This year and every year to come, Lake Placid's I Love Barbecue Junior World Championships will extend its hand to the youth of the world.” The ILBBQF is an annual three-day event at the Olympic Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid, with all proceeds benefiting the Thomas Shipman Youth Center. “For the last three years, ILBBQF raised over $60,000 for the Shipman Youth Center,” said Feld. “This event would not be possible without the generous support of many local businesses, local government agencies, Lake Placid Central high school, civic organizations and volunteers.” The festival begins on Friday evening, July 3, and features weekend-long adult grilling competitions, cooking demonstrations by area chefs and barbecue team pit masters, and children’s activities. There will also be plenty of live music with two appearances by Zydeco music legend C.J. Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, as well as performances by ten different area bands. The World Junior Barbecue Championships take place on Saturday, July 4. An entry form and complete rules are available on the festival's Web site, www.ilbbq.com with an entry deadline of June 25.