This newsletter provides information from various local sources about upcoming community events and programs of interest to military families in the region. It includes details on fishing and hunting resources, financial counseling fellowships for military spouses, an author book signing, summer camps for military children, and concerts and exhibits happening around the area in spring 2012. The newsletter encourages readers to verify any restrictions or guidelines for these events and programs.

1. FRSA FLASH 22 March 2012
Contents of this news letter are compiled from multiple military family news sources and local area event sources. Material
presented does not represent the views or endorsement of the 2nd BSTB, 2 nd BCT or the Army. This material is for personal
use by the readers. All readers are encouraged to do further research for all applicable restrictions and guidelines
http://www.fortdrum.isportsman.net/file/Fort_Drum_Outdoors_2012Spring_Newsletter.pdf
VISIT THIS SITE FOR THE FULL NEWSLETTER, IT CONTAINS GREAT FISHING AND
HUNTING INFO AS WELL AS HELPFUL WILDLIFE TYPES, LIKE PROPER TICK
REMOVAL PROCEDURES.

2. Financial Counselor Fellowship
The Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®) in association
with the National Military Family Association and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation is
pleased to announce the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Accredited Financial Counselor®
Fellowship. This program provides military spouses with the education necessary to enter the
financial counseling career field.
The fellowship covers the costs associated with completing the Accredited Financial Counselor®
(AFC®) training and the first two attempts at both exams. Upon successful completion of the
program and required practicum, the participant will be awarded the Accredited Financial
Counselor® designation from AFCPE®.
Many employers such as credit unions, financial aid offices, and community housing agencies
need well-trained, ethical and caring financial counselors to meet the increasing demand for
financial counseling services. Military spouses can fill this need while building a rewarding
career that is flexible to the demands of the military family lifestyle.
https://secure2.convio.net/nmfa/site/SSurvey?JServSessionIdr004=2busnqhxl5.app243b&ACTI
ON_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=6840
Mindy Whitten will be selling and signing copies of her first
published book, “An Alpaca in My Pocket,” from 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. March 30 and 31 at the Post Exchange.
Whitten also will read her book during story time at McEwen
Library March 23, April 17 and June 12.
For more information or to purchase a book, email Whitten at
AnAlpacaInMyPocket@gmail.com

3. OPERATION PURPLE
National Military Family Association
<http://www.facebook.com/militaryfamily> is
accepting applications for its annual Operation
Purple Camps.
Apply at: http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-
programs/operation-purple/
Operation Purple Camp applications are being accepted now. These are free summer
camps for qualifying military dependents. There are 2 camps available in NY
State, Camp Wabasso locally from July 29, 2012 - August 3, 2012 and Pioneer Camp
from July 8, 2012 - July 13, 2012 in Western NY. There are also camps available
in other areas of the country as well. To find out more about the camps, the
qualifications to apply, and to register go to www.militaryfamily.org

4. Spring 2012
2012 Black River Valley Concert Series March 24 ~ Nicole Johndrow, Broadway Cabaret
March 31 ~ Lipone Redding, Unique Artistry
**First concert at Lowville Academy, all others at Lewis County Historical Society, 7552 South State St, Lowville
All concerts at 7:30pm, Tickets $20 at the door, $18 in advance, Season Tickets $100
For more information please call (315) 376-8957
March 23 – 25
Watertown
Great Outdoor Expo at the Fairgrounds YMCA Coffeen Street http://www.greatoutdoorexpo.com/
March 30 & 31
Alexandria Bay
Bonnie Castle Resort, Holland St. The Thousand Islands Bluegrass Preservation Society's Eleventh Annual Winter
Getaway Weekend. Friday, 7 - 10 pm: Delaney Brothers (first Getaway appearance) $10 per person Saturday, 7 - 10
pm: Darren Beachley & Heart Town $10 per person Dave Nichols and Spare Change will open both Friday and
Saturday shows. Jamming every day including Sunday. Guitar Raffle, 50/50 raffles and more. Tickets available at
the door. Special room rates being offered at Bonnie Castle.
March 31
Canton
The annual Peter Rabbit in the Park, sponsored by Canton Chamber of Commerce and St. Lawrence University is
scheduled for March 31 in the Village park. The event will begin at 12:00noon with the games and cake walk, the
egg hunt for ages 4 and under and 5-6 will start at 1:00. There will be a photo area for Peter Rabbit, bring your own
camera or we will take a photo for $2.00. There will be prizes for special eggs and candy in all. If the weather is bad,
the event will be moved to the Canton Pavilion, outer Lincoln St. For more information call the Chamber office at
386-8255.
April 1
Sackets Harbor
www.playhousecomedy.com, Lake Ontario Playhouse. The world's most famous mentalist, The Amazing Kreskin
will perform on Sunday April 1 for 2 shows (3:00pm and 7:00pm) at the Lake Ontario Playhouse, 103 W. Main
St..Ticket prices are $30.00 at door and $27.00 if purchased by March 24th..call box office at 315-646-2305..With a
showman's flair, a comedian's wit and the capacities of a bona fide mentalist or thought reader, The Amazing
Kreskin has for 5 decades dramatized the unique facets of the human mind, his own! for more info visit website:
www.playhousecomedy.com Contact Michael Kinnie PHONE- 315-778-7795 playhouse@aol.com
April 10
Carthage
7:00 pm. The internationally acclaimed Dallas Brass will be performing at Carthage High School, tickets available
for $12 contact Richard Weber at 493-5945

5. April 13-15
Clayton
40TH ANNUAL 1000 ISLANDS SPRING BOAT SHOW, Cerow Recreation Park Arena Spring is in the air and
the River is calling you. Stop by and see the latest from fishing boats to cruisers. Admission charged.
Email: info@1000islands-clayton.com CHAMBER STAFF Phone: 315-686-3771 - CLAYTON CHAMBER
April 20
Clayton
BALLROOM DANCE PARTY FRIDAYS WITH DOUG & BONNIE Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Dr.
Waltz & Mambo $10 at the door. 7 - 10 pm, featuring 1 hour of instruction and 2 hours of open dance.
Phone: 315/686-2200 – INFORMATION Links: http://www.claytonoperahouse.com
April 28
Watertown
10th Annual Taste of the Town 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Dulles State Office Building, Taste of the Town is a fundraiser for Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County
with all proceeds to benefit services to victims of violence and crime in Jefferson County.
May 4
Potsdam
CPS presents National Players: "Of Mice and Men" Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM http://cpspotsdam.org/
Event Description: Now celebrating its 62nd anniversary season, National Players brings to life “Of Mice and
Men,” a classic tale by Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck. This tragic and endearing story follows the
mismatched friendship of two displaced migrant ranch workers, George Milton and Lennie Small, in California
during the Great Depression.
May 6
Watertown
http://www.msupstateny.org Event Description Walk MS is a simple but incredibly powerful way for you to share
in the hope for the future. Walk MS is our rallying point, a place and time for us to stand together and to be
together, while raising funds to end this disease.
May 20
Sackets Harbor
GREAT STRIDES WALK TO BENEFIT CYSTIC FIBROSIS Held @ Gazebo on W. Main Steet Starts @ 8am
and ends 4pm Email: cjardine@cff.org MORE INFO Phone: 315-463-7965 - CRISTINA JARDINE
May 26
Sackets Harbor
VILLAGE WIDE YARD SALE Phone: 315-783-2995 - BARB MCKEEVER
May 26
Alexandria Bay
Grape Blossom Festival at Thousand Islands Winery Time: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
http://www.thousandislandswinery.com Event Description: Come help us welcome Spring at the winery during our
Grape Blossom Festival! We will have a pig roast, beer, Thousand Islands Winery Wine, local craft vendors, and
live music! Complimentary wine tastings and winery tours available! Dont miss this fun for the whole family event!

6. May 26 – June 24
Sackets Harbor
SACKETS HARBOR 12TH ANNUAL SPRING ART SHOW Sackets Harbor Arts Gallery 119 West Main Street
Open to the public Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 12:00-4:00pm. Free admission. The Arts Association of
Northern New York invites you to come and enjoy the competitive artwork of our local and regional artists. Seven
divisions plus youth. Email: ldeming1@twcny.rr.com MARSHA DEMING Phone: MARSHA DEMING - (315)
785-9038 DONNA REPATY - (315) 777-2492
Links: http://www.aanny.org
May 29
Sackets Harbor
''THE WAR OF 1812 STORY FROM A CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE''
Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site Barn, Hill St., off West Washington St.
Join the Sackets Harbor Battlefield Alliance for their annual meeting with guest speaker MJ John Grodzinski from
Kingston's Royal Military College for his presentation at 7pm following the annual business meeting at 6pm. MJ
Grodzinski teaches history and writes extensively on military topics.
Email: box 27, sackets harbor, ny CONSTANCE.BARONE@OPRHP.STATE.NY.US
Phone: 315-646-3634 - CONSTANCE BARONE
Links: http://www.sacketsharborbattlefield.org
http://www.sacketsharborny.com
http://www.nysparks.com
May 30
Watertown
Opening Day Watertown Farm & Craft Market
Date: May 30, 2012 Time: 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM
If you haven’t
already done so,
please like us on
Facebook as we
have several photos
of the Soldiers. This
is a great way for
you to share JRTC
pictures with your
extended family.
Find us on
Facebook
2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 10th
Mountain Division
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/2nd-
Brigade-Special-Troops-Battalion-10th-
Mountain-Division/250994961588597

9. United Concordia News
United Concordia is no longer being granted the contract for dental coverage for
our Uniformed Military Service Families. Instead, as of 1 May 2012 the coverage
will go to Metlife. I've included a website with all the pertinent information.
You can also go and find out which dentists have picked up as a Metlife PPO
(Preferred Provider Organization). There are some dentists who are not going to
change over and pick up the dental plan due to the insurance PPO dictating as to
what they will charge.

12. Contents of this news letter are compiled from multiple military family news sources and local area event sources. Material presented does not
represent the views or endorsement of the 2nd BSTB, 2 nd BCT or the Army. This material is for personal use by the readers. All readers are
encouraged to do further research for all applicable restrictions and guidelines.