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It’s Friday, North Country! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Lenore VanderZee becomes UEDA president, a $3M cultural center, and the Atlantic Salmon Film Tour + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Advancing entrepreneurship and research partnerships: SUNY Canton VP Lenore VanderZee was named president of the University Economic Development Association Board of Directors, highlighting North Country leadership in innovation, workforce, and business with over 160 organizations — learn about her new role.

Years of groundwork pay off: Ogdensburg’s Fort La Presentation Association plans a $3 million cultural center at Lighthouse Point, with designs complete, fundraising beginning, housing artifacts, interactive exhibits, and community space — read the full story.

Spotlight on student futures: North Country tech school CV-TEC was honored with the U.S. Army Community Partnership Award. Around 4% of students choose military careers each year, and leaders expect enrollment to grow — read the full story.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Paint your pet at Old Soul
• Shop local at Lucky Night Market
• Enjoy bilingual storytime in English and Spanish
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

Auto insurance premiums have been climbing across the country… and most folks won’t notice until it’s time to renew and they’re hit with a higher bill.

The frustrating part? Loyalty rarely gets rewarded. Insurers adjust prices constantly, and new customers often qualify for better rates than long-time policyholders.

I learned that the hard way. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, I saw the charges come in every month and never thought twice about them. Turns out I was paying well above the national average ($175/mo) for a single car… for years.

This free comparison tool lets you check rates from multiple insurers in just a few minutes. It costs nothing to look, and it could save you hundreds this year.

🫶 We got your back

Plant-based lunch upgrade: Craving a hearty vegan wrap, a bright salad, or a responsible-tasting smoothie? Green Goddess Natural Market serves scratch-made, locally sourced goodness that hits the spot from noon to night. Fresh flavors, zero fuss… and enough variety to keep lunch interesting and dinner handled.

Treasure-hunting fix: Non-Vintage Antiques in Lake Placid blends Adirondack nostalgia with stained-glass lamps, quirky collectibles, and authentic Olympic memorabilia, including 1980 tickets and 1932 ephemera. When the “freshen up the house” urge hits, it’s the spot that’s easy to roam, surprisingly tough to leave empty-handed.

Brows that stay put: Whether your brows are sparse or just need shape therapy, Kalina PMU & Lashes delivers careful, Phibrows-certified microblading and lash upgrades that look like you… just more awake. Expect natural definition, soft texture, and easy mornings without the pencil.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🛍 Pop-Up Artisan Market @ Old Soul Design Shop Inc | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – Local makers are taking over the taproom, celebrating the women who get stuff done. Browse art, sip discounted drafts during happy hour, and pretend you’re just popping in while you inevitably find gifts for everyone, including yourself.

🏁 3rd Annual Oswegatchie Snow Drags @ McIntyre rd ogdensburg ny 13669 | Saturday (3/7) at 8:00 AM – Snowmobile season still going strong, so the 3rd annual Oswegatchie Snow Drags are back with straight-line thrills, roaring sleds, and friendly bragging rights. Twenty bucks gets you in, kids 12 and under free, classes follow Jerry’s rules. Locals will point you where to go.

🐣 Easter Craft Fair @ St. Anthony’s Church | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Ready to trade plastic grass for the good stuff? The Easter Craft Fair lets you browse handmade finds, catch up with neighbors, and hover for hourly raffles. Two bucks gets you in, bragging rights are free, and the glue-stick scent is purely nostalgic.

🎨 Paint Class Fundraiser @ Knights of Columbus | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Break out your inner Bob Ross, but with paws, at the Knights of Columbus in Ogdensburg, where you’ll paint a cat or dog stencil to support Gracious Friends Animal Sanctuary. It’s $45 with light refreshments, and the only shedding happens on canvas, not your sweater.

🎯 Hospice Cornhole Tournament @ Jefferson County Fair | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Grab your bag-toss buddy, put those driveway reps to use, and toss for Hospice of Jefferson County at a BYOP cornhole tourney with competitive and social divisions. Round-robin seeding into double elimination, six games guaranteed, payouts to top five competitive, prizes to top three social.

🎥 Atlantic Salmon Film Tour @ SUNY Plattsburgh: Hudson Hall – Room 106 | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Plattsburgh snagged one of only two U.S. stops for this international film tour on dam removal, river fixes, and wild Atlantic salmon. Come for free short films and a Saranac chat, stay to help match a local donation, no waders required.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Highland Cow on Vinyl Record @ 1UP Arcade & Pub | Sunday (3/8) at 1:00 PM – Trade green beer for green paint at 1Up Arcade, where you’ll deck out a lucky Highland cow on a salvaged vinyl record. It’s $35, supplies included, and Bob Ross can relax, the pattern’s already on there with step-by-step help. Good grub, cold drinks, zero pressure.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 The Fultons @ Valcour Brewing Company – 5:00 PM
• 3/6 Gentle Yoga Bliss @ The Yoga Loft – 6:30 PM
• 3/6 Urgent @ 1812 on the River by 1812 Brewing Co. – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 Lap Dulcimer Workshop Series – Youth @ The TAUNY Center – 10:00 AM
• 3/7 Y2K Adult Prom @ 1812 On The River – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 The Fultons @ Old Soul Design Shop Inc – 8:00 PM
• 3/7 The Apollos @ Monopole Bar – 9:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 North Country report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 47°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 3%

Partly sunny, with a high near 47. Southeast wind around 6 mph. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Later: Rain showers after 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind 7 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 59°F – Low: 34°F – Precip: 94%

Rain showers before 4pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. South wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 34. Southwest wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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American Home Shield covers repairs and replacements on most of your home’s major systems and appliances — old or new, no inspection required.

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This house is wild

Classic Cape Cod charm in the Village of Malone on a quiet side street, this 3-bed, 2-bath home features updated vinyl siding, a metal roof, 200-amp service, on-demand hot water, and a propane furnace. Main-floor bedroom and bath, hardwood dining and living rooms with two sets of French doors, convenient laundry, and a corner lot with a 1-car detached garage.

Take a peek inside →