Happy weekend, North Country! In today’s happening-today edition: Free swimming at city pools, vintage camper rally and car show, and live animal program with sled dogs + events worth checking out today & tomorrow.
Today’s sponsor, GoldCo, is helping folks around the North Country protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Theater renovations advance: Tupper Arts received a $99,000 NYSCA grant to install a sprinkler system at Adirondack State Theater, part of an over $82 million capital project to expand movies, classics and events -- get the full details.
Community steps up in support: Thanks to donations, everyone can swim free at Watertown city pools this summer. The change follows the city's proposed $3 entry fee and applies to residents and visitors alike -- learn how pools stay free.
Future use takes shape: Watertown demolished the condemned building at 518 Coffeen Street, leaving a lot that could serve as parking during Newell Street work and redevelopment, with foreclosure expected in early July -- see the Coffeen Street plan.
Thoughtful Father's Day gifts, ready by Sunday. Father's Day is tomorrow, which makes shipping anything now a gamble you'll probably lose. Skip it entirely. A whole range of Father's Day gifts is ready for same-day pickup in hours, so something personal is well within reach by tomorrow. -- get it today.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's $150 off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold just posted its strongest run in decades...And the momentum is carrying into 2026. Silver has become one of the most talked-about assets as investors look for ways to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, GoldCo has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how investors are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Staycation under the pines: Cedar Creek Campground is family owned, spread across 86 acres with a swimming pond, nature trail, and 175 spacious open and wooded sites. Close to the Black River and Adirondacks, it’s an easy local getaway where the kids run wild and you finally finish that book.
Guinness gravy dreams: When the week calls for cozy, Coleman's Corner serves proper pub comfort, from Irish fries with Irish whiskey gravy and gooey Irish nachos to shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and corned beef and cabbage... the kind of stick-to-your-ribs lineup North Country folks appreciate.
Dial in your swing: Highland Meadows Golf Course is the easy local fix when the driver gets wobbly, with a no-fuss driving range, a steady lineup of leagues, and online tee times that actually work. Grab a bucket, groove a few, then decide if this is your summer golf home.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
The real retirement risk isn't a bad year, it's a long life: 40 years of saving, and the hard part is making it stretch across 30 more. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. The plan is built around you, not their commission. No obligation to hire anyone. *Start the quiz →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →
The conversation no man wants to have with his doctor: Turns out ~70% of men over 50 are avoiding the exact same one. The hesitation, the awkward throat-clear, the hoping it just sorts itself out… you're far from alone. The good news? You don't need the waiting room at all. What used to mean a face-to-face appointment and an uncomfortable pharmacy run now takes a few clicks from the couch — discreet online evaluation, personalized treatment shipped straight to your door. *No appointment, no awkward small talk →
Get cash back on your gas, groceries, and dining: This is real cash, not points you have to convert like credit card rewards. There are no coupons to clip and no deals to hunt down, you just claim an offer, pay with your linked card, and the cash back lands automatically. You can set it up in minutes and start earning on your very next purchase. *Start earning → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Around town today & tomorrowOur favorite events going on the rest of this weekend. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🚐 Vintage Camper Rally and Car Show @ Shady Oaks Camping Resort (Plattsburgh) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats strolling past polished chrome and vintage campers, trading stories you swore you forgot. This vintage camper rally and car show benefits Relay For Life’s Team Kermit, with $15 car entry, $5 admission, and easy walk-up registration, because tailfins and good causes belong together.
🛍 Summer Fest Flea Market @ Arsenal Green (Malone) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Clear out the garage and your conscience at the Summer Fest Flea Market, where treasures, oddities, and perfectly good 'spare' chairs find new homes. Early-bird pricing for vendors is still on the table, a fine match for your haggling skills, patience, and neighborhood gossip.
👨 Father's Day Artisan Market @ The Strand Center for the Arts (Plattsburgh) | Saturday (6/20) at 10:00 AM – Give Dad a proper victory lap at the Father’s Day Artisan Market on The Strand Center’s front lawn, the third in a six-market run. Up to 40 local makers with gifts he’ll actually use, not another novelty tie, plus neighborly chatter, easy browsing, and coffee.
🎉 Riverfest 2026 @ Morissette Park (Ogdensburg) | Saturday (6/20) at 11:00 AM – Riverfest is taking over the waterfront with live music, food trucks, crafters and vendors, and tastings of wine, beer, and spirits. Bring the kids for bounce houses and a petting zoo, then toast the Seaway Festival fundraiser like locals, patient, resilient, and thirsty.
🐕 Live Animal Program: Summer With the Sled Dogs @ North Country Children's Museum (Potsdam) | Saturday (6/20) at 2:00 PM – Ever considered trading your carpool for a dogsled? Pop into the museum for story time and a book signing with Denise Lawson, then get a glimpse of Yukon River life, mushing know-how, and sled dog adoption. Meet the retired four-legged pros, free to all museum visitors.
🧘 Solstice Healing Hour: Sound Healing + Reiki @ StoneWorks Spa and Wellness Center (Plattsburgh) | Saturday (6/20) at 4:00 PM – Ready to let the solstice do the heavy lifting? This sound bath with Reiki has you stretching out in savasana while Cheley Frazier’s crystal bowls and Bee Deartour’s hands-on energy work melt the static, delivering deep rest, calmer nerves, and a reset you can feel.
🎨 Colors of Freedom Juneteenth Art Exhibit @ Plattsburgh State Art Museum | Saturday (6/20) at 5:00 PM – If your idea of freedom involves skipping yard work for art, this free Juneteenth exhibit at SUNY Plattsburgh Art Museum delivers. "What Remains: Voices from the Margins of History" digs into stories we should have learned sooner, plus a free reception, conversation, and zero pretense. Live music & entertainment:
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — The North Country report Weather forecastToday — High: 69°F — Low: 55°F — Precip: 61% A chance of rain showers between 7am and 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. West wind around 12 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southwest wind 2 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 73°F — Low: 56°F — Precip: 24% A slight chance of rain showers before 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 2 to 8 mph. This house is wildThis Lake Champlain waterfront retreat pairs easy single-level living with big views and even bigger charm. Cathedral ceilings, picture windows, hardwood floors, and a gas fireplace set the tone inside, while a wraparound deck, brand-new 2025 dock, and kayak racks keep the lakefront fun front and center. A loft suite, garage, and workshop add flexibility.
Take a peek inside → | | |