On the beaten path

By STEPHEN BARTLETT
Staff Writer

PLATTSBURGH — I’m in awe of children’s resistance and ability to cope with and adapt to emotionally trying situations.

I’ve read the literature stressing children need security, love and guidance to blossom beautifully in life, but still, their ability to persevere, often more efficiently than adults, amazes me.

My daughter, Darby, is 13. She grows more independent each day, transforming into a young woman emotionally, mentally and physically, contending with all the internal and external factors associated with that and all the while excelling in school and falling into her comfort zone socially.

Many wouldn’t know her little brother, Samuel, fought to be born and came into this world a question mark, under 4 pounds and struggling with extremely poor heart function.

She learned he had 1p36 Deletion Syndrome and would be viewed by some as inferior, even though to her Samuel was simply the beautiful baby boy she fell in love with. Of course, he was different; for her, there was no one else like him out there.

Over the summer, Darby was with Samuel’s mother, Shannon, and I in Boston as he underwent open-heart surgery, successfully, but not without trying moments.

She watched a baby who barely opened eyes and was fed through a tube grow into a strong little dude who pulls her hair, yells at her occasionally and laughs and smiles at her often.

If that weren’t enough, Darby learned Shannon and I were separating. She’s dealt with the impact of that news and moving into a smaller home with her father, no longer perfect.

While I apologized for my failings, I’ll never erase that memory. Friends say admitting, followed by change, is an excellent learning moment for a child. Sure, but I still can’t rid the unpleasant taste from my mouth.

Early into the school year, Darby experienced her first personal disappointment in grades, not doing as well in math as she’d have liked. Her teacher said she didn’t seem focused.

I explained the situation and told Darby not to beat herself up, especially given what she’s gone through. It’s okay to lose focus.

She’s since brought her grade up and has stepped back into the shoes of a child, or I should say, young woman, who is comfortable around and laughs around her father and stepmother.

Heck, I’m sure she doesn’t tell me everything and still hurts over the struggles with Samuel and the splitting of her parents. And while Shannon and I kept communications lines open and ensured she knew we were always in her corner, I’m overwhelmed by her strength.

That’s why it’s especially troubling to run into children who are suffering extreme turmoil and who are broken, with no one to hold them tight and help them feel safe amid the fear, uncertainty and hurt they’re experiencing.

But that’s another discussion.

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at:
sbartlett@pressrepublican.com

Posted by Lois Clermont at 3:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

By JOE LoTEMPLIO
Staff Writer

Things I’d like to see in the North Country but doubt I will.

I’d love to see the “booze cruise” return to Lake Champlain. For a quarter of a century, colorful
Captain Frank Pabst sailed merry customers around the lake at midnight, offering a fine steak and fine spirits.

The cruise was immensely popular and became a rite of summer for many.

The captain also offered family outings for those not interested in imbibing.

But the city bought Pabst out in 2001, spent a ton of money cleaning up the waterfront area and brought in a new boat from Burlington for cruises.

The new cruises were expensive, however, and lacked the old Juniper charm.

The Spirit of Plattsburgh was gone after about a year, and now we have nothing.

Too bad the Juniper was sold and dismantled and shipped out of the area for good.

Maybe Pabst, a magician when it comes to acquiring vessels, can find a tub somewhere and resurrect the booze cruise and other tours of the lake.

Speaking of the waterfront, I’d love to see the hotel plans come to fruition.

Like many, I’m not holding my breath to see construction anytime soon. The city is now in a legal battle with Syracuse developer James Monahan, and it does not appear that anything will break soon.

Mayor Donald Kasprzak says there are three or four local developers interested in a hotel project at the site, but nothing can be done until the issue with Monahan is resolved.

A hotel at that site would be fetching and could transform the entire downtown area. While former Mayor Daniel Stewart may have been a little lax on finance issues, he did have a vision for the waterfront that is exciting.

It’s just too bad the plans got stalled in the manner they did. Now the empty parking lot has become the butt of many jokes, and who could argue with that?

I’d love to see all michigans be sold for no more than $1.

Michigans are the North Country’s signature food, and I think a buck is not only a fair price but would enhance the whole image of the product.

Some restaurants offer dollar michigans from time to time, but given business costs in this state, it is doubtful the dollar price would ever be permanent.

I would love to see the city bring back ice to the Crete Memorial Civic Center. With Lake City Stars Arena for sale and its future in doubt, the need for another ice rink has become pressing.
The Plattsburgh State Field House has limited offerings for youth hockey and other groups since it must, understandably, cater to its own teams and groups first.

The city operated an ice rink at the Crete from 1974 to 1999, and it was known in hockey circles as not a bad rink.

But you don’t make money in the ice business unless you have a host of amenities, and the
Crete didn’t have that.

Given the poor financial climate of the city, it is highly doubtful the city would ever again venture into a money-losing operation of an ice rink.

In a slightly different category, I’d love to see the Plattsburgh State men’s and women’s hockey teams, and the men’s basketball team win national championships, which they certainly could.

The men’s hockey team is bouncing back to national power form and has played high-level hockey all year long, bringing back memories of 1987, 1992 and 2001, when they won the national championship.

Speaking of the 1987 championship, it’s been more than 20 years since it was vacated by the NCAA for violations. I say it’s time to reinstate the title that was earned on the ice and say the penalty has been paid for what basically was minor violations.

Plattsburgh State women’s hockey has to be the best bargain in all of sports. Admission to their games is free, and they have some of the most entertaining talent in the land.
The skills of junior Danielle Blanchard are amazing, and I can’t understand whey they usually get fewer than 200 people to their games.

While Blanchard is dazzling on the ice, so is guard Anthony Williams on the hardwood at Memorial Hall.

With great speed, ball-handling skills and smarts, Williams is clearly head and shoulder above most of the other players in Division III.

If you get a chance to see him or Blanchard play, take it.

You won’t regret it.

Posted by Lois Clermont at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)