Northern New York is rich with agricultural history, dating back generations.

The Northern New York Agricultural Society is working to raise money through their annual auction and donations, to allow for the continuation of the society and museum. With the dip in the economy, admission to the museum has dropped.

Currently, there is one full time staff member and a part time employee. Area farmers and society members have joined together and collected many items for auction with the hopes to keep funding up.

On Saturday, May 19^th starting at 10 a.m. the Annual Consignment Auction will beheld at the NNY Agricultural Society Museum,located at 30950 NYS Route180 in Stone Mills.

The museum will benefit from 15% of the money raised while the other 85% goes to the donor.

Members of the NNY Agricultural Society donate many hours to allow for the continuation of the museum and services. The society would like to see the employee base grow, but Bob Laisdell, auction chairman, says without funding they are going to have to turn to a 100% volunteer operation.

To learn more about the annual auction and to hear from Bob Laisdell, watch the complete video story.

The 18^th annual fundraiser, the Clayton Preschool Clipper Inn Fundraiser will be held tonight, May 16^th from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Clipper Inn.

Money raised at the fundraiser will supplement annual tuition costs for families and will maintain a scholarship fund for families in need of financial support to attend the preschool program.

“The Clipper Inn Fundraiser is the main fundraising event of the year for the Clayton Area Preschool, and as a result, through the generosity of the Clayton community, the Preschool is able to provide partial scholarships to families in need of support and purchase new supplies equipment for the classroom” said Chairperson Diane Leonard.

Reservations are encouraged for members of the community wishing to dine-in at the Clipper Inn the night of the fundraiser by calling (315) 686 – 3842. Cost for the fundraiser is $12 per person. Take out orders may also be placed during the event.

A raffle will be held at the event to increase fundraising efforts. Many items have been donated by local businesses and organizations, including $3,000 of gift certificates and merchandise.

In an effort to maintain a historical building, funded by membership, the Black River Valley Club in Watertown has opened their doors to the public.

The historical club, located at 131 Washington Street in Downtown Watertown, has been operating since the early 1900’s, solely funded on membership donations and fees.

“We want to keep this structure open and we think it’s a lovely addition to the downtown area, and we would hate to see it close,” said Dr. David  VanEenenam, President of the board of directors at the Black River Valley Club. “So we are trying to get a broader spectrum of support in all of our activities.”

But now with a dip in the economy and membership down, the Black River Valley Club wants to invite non-profit organizations and community members to the facility to explore the historical building and encourage new members.

Dr. VanEenenam says that membership that used to be limited will no longer be structured that way. Membership is now open to any area resident, with no limitation of age or gender.

“We have an ongoing membership campaign. Obviously we need a core of members to support the building and its costs. It takes a lot of money to keep an older building open through the summer and of course the winter,” said Dr. VanEenenam.

According to Dr. VanEenenam, membership offers a unique opportunity for business and social networking. Members can hold meetings, events, lunches or dinners at the club as part of their membership fee. There are five private rooms, a Cabaret room, and a large banquet hall in the three story building.

“Everyone is talking about millions of dollars to save these buildings,” said Black River Club Manager David Boucher while speaking about the many historical buildings in Downtown Watertown. He says that it will only take thousands of dollars to save the Black River Valley Club, and he hopes by increasing membership that will be a possibility.

If you are interested in membership, can contact events@brvclub.com or call 315-788-2300.

For more information, and to hear from Dr. David VanEenenam on why the club is seeking new membership, watch the complete video story.

A Watertown woman has been arrested after she left a large burn on her daughters arm with a hot iron pulled her hair and punched her several times in the back.

Watertown City Police have arrested Anna I. Rodrigues, 53, of South Meadow Street, and charged her with Criminal Contempt in the 1^st, Harassment in the 2^nd, two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Assault in the 2^nd and Criminal Contempt in the 1^st.

Rodrigues was arrested by Watertown Police after she punched her 16-year-old daughter in the back several times and pulled the child’s hair. The 16-year-old child was protected under a court order of protection issued by the Watertown City Court.

After the first attack on her daughter, Rodriguez then took a hot iron and struck the child in her left arm, causing a large burn.

Rodriguez was transferred to the Public Safety Building where she is being held pending arraignment.

State Senator Patty Ritchie has named Fulton’s Jan Rebeor as a 2012 “Woman of Distinction.”

Mrs. Rebeor, a life-long resident of Oswego County who survived a bout with cancer, was selected from nearly a dozen individuals nominated by friends, family members and community leaders throughout Oswego, Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties. Senator Ritchie will fete all of the nominees at a special reception in Watertown on June 7.

“Jan is everything a ‘Woman of Distinction’ should be. She’s hardworking, dedicated to her community and a survivor,” said Senator Ritchie. “Few people contribute as much to their community as Jan has, and because of that commitment, I am proud to name her as the 2012 State Senate Woman of Distinction.”

Mrs. Rebeor will join honorees from across the state at a special ceremony in the Senate Chamber and at a reception at the State Capitol Tuesday evening.

Before working for Ed Vayner & Associates, Mrs. Rebeor graduated from Oswego High School and earned her associate’s degree in business at Central City Business Institute.

In 1999, Mrs. Rebeor was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.  She says her battle changed her outlook on life, and made her more appreciative of every moment she has with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Mrs. Rebeor is involved in a number of activities in her community, including Fulton’s Project Bloom, the annual City of Fulton Community Development Agency Home Show, the United Way Stone Soup Luncheons, St. Luke’s John Foster Burden Fund, and many more.

In 2007, the Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce created a new award—the Jan Rebeor Community Champion Award—in her honor. It is presented every year to a local chamber member who has shown an unselfish, long-term commitment to the chamber.

In 2011, Senator Ritchie honored Karen Richmond, executive director of the Children's Home of Jefferson County, as a Woman of Distinction.

A new attraction has opened in the Salmon Run mall.

Glowgolf, an indoor, glow-in-the-dark, miniature golf coursehas opened a new location inside the Salmon Run Mall.

Located next to Gander Mountain, Glowgolf will be openMonday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m.until 9 p.m., and on Sunday’s from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Cost for admission is $9 for an adult and $7 per child.

The new Glowgolf course features a giant 36-hold miniaturegolf, a Lazer Maze Challenge attraction and an area for birthday parties andgroup events. Participants can play up to 54 holes of golf with theiradmission.

A local art organization is working to create free and low cost art and music workshops thanks to a newly obtained not-for-profit status.

betterArts, located on Cottage Hill Road in Redwood at Better Farm, only received their 501 (c)3 status a month ago, but already have workshops and events scheduled to benefit North Country residents.

Nicole Caldwell, executive director of betterArts and Better Farm, began accepting artist residency’s from across the country nearly three years ago. Strong positive feedback inspired Caldwell to create betterArts and spread music and art across the tri-county region.

betterArts relies strongly on fundraising and donations from local residents and other art organizations. Currently Caldwell is working with the St. Lawrence Arts Council on two separate grants that will allow for area art and music teachers, who have partnered with betterArts, and artist residents staying at the farm to offer free workshops.

On May 26^th, from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. betterArts will hold their annual fundraiser and open house event.

The event will feature live music and performances, interactive art projects for the public to participate in, information on upcoming workshops and private instruction, arts and crafts stations, a gallery exhibit of work by local and visiting artists, a tour of their studios, an afternoon barbecue at 3 p.m. and more. Admission is free and open to the public.

The event is in conjunction with the First Annual Artists' Studio Tour scheduled for the Thousand Islands Region from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 26^th and 27^th.

For more information visit www.betterArts.org.

To hear from Nicole Caldwell on the mission of betterArts and to learn more about the annual open house and fundraiser, watch the complete video story.

Watertown (Nathan Lehman WTNY) -- An apartment complex in the City of Watertown suffered extensive damage following an overnight fire.

Fire crews were dispatched to the 200 block of High St. just after 3 am.

The apartment building at 239 High St. was the home for several residents, all of whom were believed to have gotten out and are accounted for. There is a report of some people taken to the hospital as a result of the fire.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire is underway.