Monthly Archives: December 2012

Letter to the Editor: Not sold on rail conversion plan

Dear Editor:

If ripping up the railroad tracks is going to bring hundreds of new tourists to the area, why aren’t all these proposed hikers, bikers, and cross country skiers using the existing facilities?

They ripped up the railroad tracks from Old Forge to Raquette Lake in the 1930’s and that corridor is still there. They also built the TOBIE trail, and the only people I see using it is four or five people a day walking their dogs.

These corridors connect to the Moose River Plains Recreation Area that goes all the way to Indian Lake.

That gives us over 100 miles of corridor trails that I don’t see being used.

If the New York State Snowmobile Association (NYSSA) thinks Adirondack Recreational Trail Advocates (ARTA) is their friend and wants to promote snowmobiling, I’d like to sell them snowmobile permits for trails in southern Arizona.

Once they rip up the tracks in the wilderness area, you won’t even be able to ride your bike there.

Dick Bird, Old Forge 

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Services held for William L. Ward, 75

William Loren Ward, 75, of Old Forge passed away December 13, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center after a long illness.

He was born in Lowville on August 20, 1937, the fifth of six children to Donald and Emma (Roy) Ward Kaban. Bill attended Lowville Academy and Central  School, graduating in 1955. He entered the U.S. Army that same year, and after serving in both CO and NJ, was honorably discharged in 1961.

Bill married the former Joan Benedict on May 28, 1960, in Turin. Together they raised five children.

Bill worked for the local telephone company in Old Forge for over 35 years, retiring in 1992. He was a life member of the Old Forge Fire Department, and had served on the Town of Webb School Board of Education for several years.

Survivors include Joan, his wife of 52 years; five children, Suzanne Sattler (Dan) of Rochester, Michele Grosch (Ron) of Warren, PA, Dawn Lenci, Loren and Larry Ward, all of Old Forge; a brother, Jack Ward, of Lowville; eight grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Walter and Richard, and two sisters, Lila Campbell and Yvonne O’Neill. Continue reading →

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Inlet seniors enjoy Christmas Luncheon

Forty members of the Young at Hearts senior group attended the annual covered dish Christmas luncheon at the Inlet Town Hall on Thursday, December 13.

As part of the day’s festivities music instructor Gwen Tracy and her students in grades three through six at hosted a sing-along for the luncheon guests.

“Everyone brought delicious dishes, and the students brought leaflets with their songs so we could sing along with them—which everyone seemed to enjoy,” said Young at Heart member Letty Haynes.

The Young at Hearts organization holds monthly luncheons and get-togethers as well as weekly events. Currently, members of the group meet weekly to play bridge and pinochle.

Young at Heart is open to individuals over the age of 55. Anyone interested in learning more about the organization can contact organization president Kay Carmichael.

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Herr-Story by Charles Herr A look at local days gone by

Before there was Inlet II: James Galvin and the Fulton Chain Club

PART ONE

For us and many other property owners in Inlet, the abstract of title invariably lists James and Jennie Galvin as early, if not the first, owners.

But until I performed the research for this narrative, I believed as have other Inlet landowners and early 20th century newspapers that the Galvins were sole owners of the 6000 acres surrounding the Head of Fourth Lake.

I learned that he was an agent for the Fulton Chain Club and it was through his efforts that the land was sold for hotels and camps, and ultimately to the first residents of Inlet.

James Galvin, the son of an Irish immigrant, was born on March 6, 1835 in the town of Wilna, Jefferson County.

His father, Edward, was a successful farmer and also managed a prosperous charcoal production trade. Edward was also a founding trustee of Carthage’s St. James Church.

James is listed as a farmhand and a farmer on the 1850 and 1860 censuses, respectively.

But from the age of fifteen, he dealt in horses and cattle and became successful in buying stock both in New York and Canada.

He commanded large credit.

To be continued..

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Webb Way Committee says Thank You

The Town of Webb School’s Webb Way Committee would like to thank the faculty, administration, staff, and community for the success of their recent Chicken and Biscuits dinner.

Under the kitchen direction of Paul Giesler and Lisa Hanford, a delicious dinner was created and faculty, administration, staff, parents and PTC volunteers helped set up, serve, clean up, and create wonderful desserts to top off the meal.

Over 115 people took part in the dinner.

Special thanks go to the Lion King Restaurant; Walt’s Diner, Slicker’s, and Main Street Station who provided take out containers and creamers.

The committee has been busy planning second quarter rewards and will be setting forth a special challenge to students in grades 6 through 12 for the third quarter and second semesters.   Continue reading →

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Card of Thanks

Lakeside Terrace tenants sincerely thank the Haderondah 4-H Group for their choral presentation and sing-along of favorite Christmas carols on December 11.

This intergenerational activity brought smiles to all.

The children had previously baked cookies and tasty treats for all to sample. We laughed, we sang, we enjoyed the evening.

Thank you for sharing time with all of us.

Phoebe and Jeff Greene

Lakeside Terrace

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Aussie girls ski McCauley for summer vacation

Aussie Girls, from left, Tiana, Cassie, and Raisa Litchfield. Courtesy photo

Aussie Girls, from left, Tiana, Cassie, and Raisa Litchfield. Courtesy photo

Raisa, Tiana, and Cassie Litchfield of Melbourne, Australia joined their mother and grandfather on a visit to Old Forge on Wednesday, December 19 to go skiing at McCauley Mountain.

The three girls, who are currently on summer vacation, said they were spending the holidays in Watertown with their grandparents before heading south to Washington, D.C.

It was their grandfather’s idea to take a day trip to McCauley, one of the only area ski mountains with snow.

After renting equipment from the McCauley Mountain Ski Shop the girls headed out to Mighty Mite.

It was their hope that after a few warm-up runs they would have the courage to meet their grandfather on Challenger.

Wednesday’s visit marked the girls’ second time skiing.

Their first was three years ago in New Hampshire.

They said they were looking forward to getting out on the slopes.

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