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Hello North Country! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A hidden gorge, Stewart’s Shops expansion, and a wild Victorian house + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Carved by time and water: Tucked near Lowville, Whetstone Gulf State Park hides a dramatic three-mile gorge with cliffside views, rugged Rim and Gorge trails, and a campground set amid Tug Hill’s wild woods — get all the details.
Growth plans take shape: Stewart’s Shops plans to grow in the North Country, working to acquire Dexter Market and Alex Bay Big M, boosting its footprint around Watertown and the Great Lakes Seaway — see where they’re expanding.
Strengthening local nonprofits’ futures: NNYCF has launched a $250,000 matching program to grow North Country nonprofit endowments, with ten $25,000 grants available first come, first served to strengthen long term charitable impact — see how to participate.
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.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas with a view: Top of the Park serves tapas-style small plates with Adirondack vistas and cocktails made with care. Best with a friend, these shareable bites have a way of turning a ‘light bite’ into dinner. Grazers and go-all-in types both find plenty to love.
Winter adventure fix: High Peaks Cyclery stocks skis, snowshoes, fat bikes, and mountaineering gear to keep Adirondack days lively, with rentals and easygoing expertise when you’d rather try than buy. Cabin fever roaring? Their Mountain Guides can map a worthy outing, from mellow rambles to alpine pushes.
Movie night, solved: When the couch won’t cut it, Roxy Theater serves a classic popcorn-and-previews escape, with first-run flicks and occasional community picks from Cinema 10, all in the heart of downtown. Ideal for a midweek hang with a friend; cozy screens make any movie feel like an event.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
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.
🎸 Ajo @ Olive Ridley’s | Wednesday (3/4) at 7:00 PM – Olive Ridley’s is swinging again with the Adirondacks’ big band, 18 local players making your toes tap before your drink hits the table. It happens the first Wednesday every month, it’s free, all ages, and yes, you’ll recognize half the faces and at least three Sinatra charts.
🎨 Junior High and High School Art Show Opening Ceremony @ Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – Swing by Flower Memorial for the Junior High and High School Art Show opening, a free, open-to-all look at work from Case Middle and Watertown High. Light snacks, proud parents, and after-hours browsing of art only, the desks are closed, the creativity is not.
🎨 Toddler Painting @ Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library | Friday (3/6) at 10:30 AM – Got a tiny Picasso who thinks your drywall is a canvas? Bring them to the library’s Children’s Room for sponge-powered process painting, from four-leaf clovers to butterflies. Designed for ages 0 to 5, all your little ones are welcome, and you can skip the cleanup.
🏁 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.
❄ Winter Bocce @ Italian American Civic Association | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Winter Bocce is rolling into the Italian American Civic Association with friendly rivalries, proper Italian vibes, and bragging rights that last till patio season. Field a team or spectate with flair, then linger for tradition, camaraderie, and a little good-natured debate over the pallino.
🍎 Top of the Square Farmer’s Market @ Top of the Square | Saturday (3/7) at 9:00 AM – Every Saturday, take a lap around the Square, where the winter market keeps Watertown thawed with local vendors, fresh baked goods, art, and live tunes. Grab a warm drink, meet your neighbors, and make cabin fever someone else’s problem, at least for an hour.
🍀 Sprinkles of Luck for the Littles @ The Silver Cauldron | Saturday (3/7) at 2:00 PM – Round up the littles for an afternoon of sugar cookies, pint-sized crafts, and a leprechaun project that literally puts their faces on the fun. Consider it sanctioned sugar with art supplies, and yes, there’s an optional fantasy photo keepsake. Ages 4 and up, adults stay.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 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.
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📻 North Country report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 38°F – Low: 25°F – Precip: 0%
Patchy fog before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Southwest wind 2 to 6 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Southeast wind around 3 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 44°F – Low: 32°F – Precip: 30%
A chance of rain showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 44. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 1am, then rain showers likely and a slight chance of freezing rain. Cloudy, with a low around 32. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
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 outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
This beautifully restored 1890 Victorian in Ogdensburg spans 22 rooms of character. A wraparound porch, turret, maple floors, pressed-tin ceilings, and fifteen Henry Horwood stained-glass windows shine. The 2008 to 2009 addition delivers a gourmet cherrywood kitchen with Jenn-Air appliances, plus a 1,700-bottle wine cellar and a two-story garage with media room, steps from the Oswegatchie and St. Lawrence.
Take a peek inside →
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