by Rachel Hunter
Looking to the future, Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall encourages Laurie Allen’s grandchildren – Laurie Ruth Allen and Harley Quinn Allen – to stand by the Jane Magnolia tree that was dedicated last Saturday, November 2 in front of the Gouverneur Community Center. (Rachel Hunter photo)
A magnolia tree, planted at the Gouverneur Community Center, was dedicated in memory of Laurie Allen on Saturday, November 2. A crowd of over 25 persons attended the special dedication ceremony. Local dignitaries in attendance included Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall, Village of Gouverneur Clerk/Treasurer Barbara Finnie, Village of Gouverneur Chief of Police Laurina Greenhill, Town of Gouverneur Supervisor David Spilman, Jr. and Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin.
The ceremony was a great celebration of the life and legacy of the late Laurie Allen, a longtime youth advocate in the Gouverneur area. Mrs. Allen passed away after battling against cancer on May 14, 2015. It was Dede Scozzafava at the 2015 Gouverneur Breast Cancer Walk who first suggested that something should be done in Laurie's memory, and was joined in the effort by Laurie's friend, Donna Sawyer, and Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell.
Laurie accomplished much in her years as youth advocate, serving as a member of the Gouverneur Recreation Committee and chairperson for the St. Lawrence County Youth Advisory Board. She also volunteered at St. James School for 25 years teaching art, and was responsible for creating the scenery for all the plays and shows.
Mrs. Allen and her son Corey were responsible for starting indoor roller hockey rink at the old Great American store in the former Ames plaza, along with the help of Casey Canell (current Gouverneur Recreation Director) and the Gouverneur Recreation Committee.
She also brought children from the Gouverneur Recreation Center to the family home on California Road to enjoy hiking on the nature trails and summertime barbecues.
Laurie Allen – along with her husband Darrell and their three sons Corey, Jason and Justin – was also instrumental in clearing the land (with the help of equipment from Zinc Corporation of America) for what is now the current Riverview Park in Gouverneur, including the land where the Gouverneur Community Center now is.
The dedication service commenced at about 12 p.m. (noon) in front of the Gouverneur Community Center. All were invited to surround the magnolia tree that was recently planted on the left side of the sidewalk entrance into the community center. Mrs. Sawyer had hung a red ornament the one of the magnolia tree’s branches which drew much attention during the ceremony. The idea came from Casey and Stacey Canell of Gouverneur as the dedication ceremony was being organized. The Jane Magnolia tree offers vibrant pink blooms and a longer season of color, and is in a league of its own when it comes to the Magnolia family. And because it blooms later than most varieties, it’s unaffected by the late spring frosts that cause other Magnolia blooms to fall. The tree will grow to be 10- to 15-feet tall, and 5-10-feet wide. It is a cold hardy variety down to -20 degrees.
At noon, Village of Gouverneur Mayor Ronald McDougall welcomed all those in attendance. “As many people do in this community and throughout Northern New York, (Laurie Allen) battled cancer, and she put up one heck of a fight,” he said. “There’s no question about that. We will never forget her… She touched a lot of lives in this community for a long time through the Recreation Department. We have Riverview Park as an outcome of that.”
A plaque, by Harland Brown of Brown’s Jewelry Store in Gouverneur, was presented and ready by Mayor McDougall as follows: “The Jane Magnolia Tree given in loving memory of Laurie Allen for her many contributions to the Gouverneur Recreation Program on this day, November 2, 2019.”
Mayor McDougall then gave the floor to Town of Gouverneur Supervisor Dave Spilman, Jr. to say a few words: “If you folks look left and right, this is what she helped start… It serves thousands of people each year. So, this is wonderful.”
Town of Gouverneur Deputy Supervisor Eldon Conklin then said the following: “I can’t remember her not being there, and involved in the Recreation Committee. Also, when we were having problems getting the Recreation Center set up at the fairgrounds, she was there always.”
“She was always supportive, and definitely a visionary,” Mayor McDougall said.
In the spring of 2020, Supervisor Spilman announced that the plan is to move the magnolia tree to the right of the Gouverneur Community Center sign by State Highway 58 in Gouverneur. “The tree is actually going to be planted by the entrance, because it is going to grow a bit too big for where it is now,” Supervisor Spilman said.
Meanwhile, it will be protected by the Gouverneur Community Center in the winter months.
“If you see the pictures, in a few years it won’t work here… It will be moved out there where more people can see it, but the plaque will be put in a prominent position in the Gouverneur Community Center. Anyone who uses the facility will remember Laurie.”
Laurie Allen’s best friend and co-organizer of the dedication ceremony, Donna Sawyer, then invited the family to say a few words. Much appreciation was extended for all the work that went into organizing the event.
“The Recreation Center, the Recreation Department was very important to Laurie,” Mrs. Sawyer said. “I wasn’t involved in that, but we were best friends. We did a lot together. We raised our kids together. We tore our kitchens apart together. We did a lot of things together – road trips and things of that nature. She epitomized grace and courage, and we miss her.”
Mrs. Sawyer then read a letter from Gouverneur Recreation Director Casey Canell was read as follows: “Today is a day to reflect on the memory of one of the biggest advocates for our Recreation Department… Laurie Allen. Laurie was active in the Gouverneur Youth Commission where she served as president when the Gouverneur Recreation Department was established more than 25 years ago. She served as a liaison and representative for Gouverneur on the St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Advisory Board for many years. Laurie volunteered countless hours and was instrumental in the development of year-round programming for the Recreation Department.
“Laurie’s presence is greatly missed! She did so many things behind the scene people don’t realize, and she never wanted recognition. However, I find it so appropriate that this tree celebrates her memory for all the beautiful things she did to enrich the lives of our youth throughout the years. In her honor, the tree and memorial plaque will be a reminder of Laurie’s influence and all that she has done for our community.
“Dear Laurie, my friend and confidant… your warm smile, enthusiasm and encouragement are truly missed. We are all more blessed because of your dedication and impact on our community. This moment is for you… Thank you for everything!”
Mrs. Sawyer then told the crowd gathered that it was Laurie Allen who got Director Canell started with the Gouverneur Recreation Department in a part-time capacity years ago. “Casey is just Laurie in that the Gouverneur Recreation Department was so important to Laurie,” she said. “I want to thank everyone for coming today.”
Mayor McDougall then closed the ceremony with the following: “We are remembering the past, but we should look to the future.” Attention was then directed to Laurie’s young grandchildren, Laurie Ruth Allen and Harley Quinn Allen, who paused with the dedication plaque by the magnolia tree. Great applause sounded.
“I don’t know if any of you know how many children pass through the Gouverneur Recreation Center. We get (Director Canell’s) reports every month at the town and the village. Last month, it was 1,600 children in his different programs. The smallest I have ever seen is 800 in a month. That is usually in the summer when he is doing his summer youth program. Just to give you an idea of how far this has gone, and how Laurie helped get this all to happen. It’s wonderful.”
After a few more comments, Mrs. Sawyer said the following: “She was definitely a force to reckoned with when it came to the Recreation Department.”
The ceremony continued for several moments as those gathered remembered the life and legacy of Laurie Allen.