Ritchie

Students are back in school and it will not be long before the leaves start to turn and the air gets a bit more crisp and cool. It may not have seemed likely just a few weeks ago, but these are sure signs fall is just around the corner.

Not that long ago, I hosted a special event at the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg. It attracted more than 30 U.S. and Canadian leaders from both sides of the upper St. Lawrence River to share ideas on how we can strengthen our already tremendous relationship. It was also a chance for me to show off the museum and its amazing artwork to those who can help spread its story. The works of Frederic Remington are a true North Country treasure.

It is hard to believe another summer is drawing to a close. Now, as we prepare for fall, families across our region are gearing up for another school year. As a mother and grandmother, I know there are certain steps that can be taken to ensure the first day, and the rest of the year, go as smoothly as possible

Over the course of my time as a state senator, I have seen how impactful the relationship is between our region and our Canadian friends to the north. While I have worked hard to ensure this partnership is one that benefits both great nations, I am simply picking up where others left off. There is no better example of how well connected we are to Canada, than the largest symbol of our welcome to one another, the Thousand Islands International Bridge.

It is hard to believe that Labor Day is just around the corner. However, before we wrap up another great summer in Central and Northern New York, there is still lots of fun to be had, and that includes the Great New York State Fair. Last year, the Great New York State Fair drew a record 1,161,912 visitors and this year is expected to be the best yet.

This summer has been one of the hottest, most humid, I can remember. While the extreme heat is forcing all of us to take some extra precautions, it is important we do not forget our animals, pets and those responsible for producing the main ingredient for many of our farm fresh foods, milk. Unfortunately, as temperatures rise, so do the stress levels of dairy cows.

Every year, more than 150,000 animals are brought to local shelters across New York State. While our shelters do an amazing job of spreading the word that these animals need a loving home, the unfortunate, heartbreaking, reality is that many of these animals do not end up finding their forever family.

One of the treasures of the North Country is the Wellesley Island State Park. Its breathtaking views and unrivaled recreational opportunities draw more than 200,000 people each year. This year, just in time for the summer season, Wellesley Island State Park got even better.

New York State parks and historic sites offer a wealth of recreational activities for residents and tourists alike. This is especially true in the summer months, when nearly 70 million people visit state parks across New York State, including more than four million in Central and Northern New York, for everything from boating and camping to fishing and hiking.

Long before I became a State Senator, I was aware of the growing substance abuse problems in our region. In the years since, we have seen illegal drugs not only become a crisis in our communities, but they have greatly affected our families, friends and neighbors. Most of the focus of this drug problem has been on opioids and heroin, and rightly so.