Battle of Plattsburgh Artist 1st place: Molly Dumar, Rouses Point

PLATTSBURGH | Battle of Plattsburgh buttons are out and in local shops, featuring the artwork of Fourth Grade student Molly Dumar, 11, of Rouses Point Elementary School. Awards for the top four young artists were presented at 1814 Commemoration Inc.'s official reveal on the day before Independence Day. Stellina Menardi from the city's Oak Street school earned fourth place; John Higgins, of Seton Catholic won third place; and Scarlett Gottschall, also of Seton Catholic, earned second prize. Their colorful interpretations bring an important moment of American history to life in the 21st century. The contest opens to fourth grade classes in the fall to schools throughout Clinton and Essex counties. In all, the art challenge drew 200 submissions, which were then reviewed anonymously by a panel of judges led by Shannon Piché-Smith, art and visual arts teacher at Beekmantown Central School. For Piché-Smith and Linda Masterson Ward, who coordinates outreach for the 1814 Commemoration Education Committee, the art project helps bring a seminal moment of American history to light. "The children are able to have an easier time interpreting history because they actually learned the history," Ward said of the project. "It is part of the New York state curriculum to include local history, so we decided that we really needed to take a stand and get into the schools." The Education Committee also produces a book, illustrated by Ricky Laurin, of Chazy, that is provided to 1,500 fourth grade students in both counties. Piché-Smith said the Battle of Plattsburgh awards presentation is the best part of the school year, coming shortly after school ends for summer break. For Molly, art is a favorite activity and something she does all the time. Her mom, Margaret Dimock-Dumar, nodded emphatically. Molly interpreted the naval battle just off the Plattsburgh shoreline with two ships facing each other, one flying the Union Jack, the other bearing the stars and stripes. Holes are evident in the ships' torn sails, as gunfire erupts from sailors' guns on both vessels. In a carefully drawn background, she indicated ships sunk amid battle. "It was hard to draw the edge of the sunken ship against the trees in the background," she said of getting detail into her work. But the 11-year-old was clearly pleased with the finished illustration and happy that her interpretation will be part of the 2024 Battle of Plattsburgh celebration. John and Scarlett also depicted a naval battle with boats engaged on choppy waters. Stellina, who said she loves animals, drew Champ coiled under the waters of Lake Champlain carrying an American Flag. The legendary sea serpent looks out from the picture as cannonballs fall from above. The awards kick off Battle of Plattsburgh button sales. 1814 Commemoration Inc. President Tom Donahue sold the first button to Mayor Christopher Rosenquest, as is tradition, and unveiled the schedule of events that begin on Sept. 11 this year, the date of the historic battle, and run through Sept. 15. The Crab Island ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Sept. 11, and people are welcome to use their boats to attend. Ceremony on Sept. 12 takes place at the Riverside Cemetery, 30 Stelzer Road, off Broad Street. U.S. Army Band will perform at the Strand Center for the Arts this year at 7:30 p.m. Ceremonies at Culver Hill and Halsey's Corners will be held on Friday, Sept. 12 along with a host of music and entertainment at Trinity Park and City Hall Place: The U.S. Army band performs a tribute concert at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. A concert at 6:45 p.m. brings music of the 40's and 50's to the City Hall steps stage with Frankie & the Moonlighters. And then the U.S. Navy Band Northeast returns to Plattsburgh to play at 8:45 p.m. shortly before the evening fireworks, "Rockets' Red Glare" at 9:15 p.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday are jam packed with fun, interactive events for families and children. There will be games, an Old Tyme Fair, and history presentations, along with music performances downtown and the Macdonough Monument Challenge Climb to the top. The Celebrity Bed Race Regatta is on Saturday at 11 a.m. just before the Battle of Plattsburgh Parade, which starts at noon on Sept. 14. The parade theme this year is "Ships, Boats and Buggies," Donahue said. Reenactor encampments will provide a glimpse of living history with military equipment and tradesmens' demonstrations at the Kent Delord House throughout the weekend. Sunday brings together the North Country Classic Car Show at City Hall Place and the highly competitive Fire Engine Pull in front of Macdonough Monument at 2 p.m. along with much more to do and see. History museums and cemeteries are open for self-guided tours. Donahue invited everyone to come and celebrate the important battle won in Plattsburgh. "What happened here in back in 1814 laid the basis for us being the United States today," he said. "If we lost that battle most likely the British would have gone right through to New York and we'd be speaking with a British accent," he said. An oft overlooked but key moment in history, he said, it's up to people here to keep the spirit borne in the Battle of Plattsburgh alive. The entire list of events, locations and timeline is online: 1814inc.com BRING AMERICAN HISTORY TO LIFE The 1814 Commemoration Inc. volunteer committee is looking for residents to help throughout the 2024 Battle of Plattsburgh celebration. If anyone has some time to spare, contact Tim Horn, volunteer coordinator, via email: timothy.horn@yahoo.com or call him at: 520-609-4926 and indicate area of interest. People can also visit the 1814 Commemoration website to sign up: 1814inc.com/volunteer

Signup for our newsletter

Battle of Plattsburgh Artist 1st place: Molly Dumar, Rouses Point

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS