Coming Home
Alumni Who Have Returned to Canton to Live and
Work
From time to time, St. Lawrence presents
stories of alumni who establish homes and businesses in the
North Country.
Like many folks in the North Country, Chris Angus ’72 has crafted
a varied career: business owner, writer, landlord. He’s also become
a community servant, involved today in the betterment of Canton.
Writer
“Writing is in my family,” says Angus. “Seven of us have
been published.” An ardent canoeist, for five years he wrote “Reflections
from Canoe Country” for the local newspapers. During that time, “one
of those miracles that happen to writers like me once in a lifetime” took
place, he says: the New York Times published his op-ed on access to
navigable waters in the Adirondacks, based upon a dispute over access to a
public waterway.
There followed a book that collected his columns and
other essays; a stint as book reviewer for the Adirondack Mountain
Club magazine, Adirondac;
and a well-received biography of iconic Adirondack conservationist
Clarence Petty. This spring, North Country Books will publish
his anthology of essays about the Oswegatchie River.
Public Servant
But it is community involvement where Angus has made a name
for himself recently. He is putting that expertise into practice
as chair of the nine-member Board of Directors of the Canton
Community Fund.
"I like being involved in things that can improve Canton and the
quality of life for its residents,” he says. “We assist food
banks, the Grasse River Players, the high school jazz band, the public
library building fund, a literacy program called Our Families Count, and
SLU Buddies, in which St. Lawrence students team up with local at-risk
children. We are looking into improving transportation for the elderly,
disabled and needy, and into helping the Canton Farmers’ Market accept
food stamps. We are working to increase our endowment so we can expand
our programs.
“Canton is a vibrant community,” Angus says. “It’s
a social town – people drop by to visit. It’s safe,
it offers opportunity to entrepreneurs and young professionals,
and there’s lots going on, with two colleges within walking
distance.” Thanks to the work of people like Chris Angus,
those attributes seem likely to last.
Those wishing
to learn more about the Canton Community Fund should call 315-386-1842.
