by Rachel Hunter
The Town of Fowler’s 9th Annual Fowler Family Day will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 87 Little York Road, home of the Fowler Playground and the Herbert V. Whalen Memorial Pavilion.
This year’s Fowler Family Day is dedicated to the memory of Randy L. Durham, Sr., Fowler’s longtime Superintendent of Highways, whose passing earlier this year left a profound and heartfelt void across the town he served so faithfully.
Randy was born on December 16, 1959, in Gouverneur to Donald W. and Beverly A. (Dusharm) Durham. A proud graduate of Gouverneur Central School, he stepped immediately into a life of service, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps and serving four years before continuing his military career in the United States Army. Over the next 17 years, Randy built a record of dedication, discipline, and honor, ultimately earning an honorable discharge in 2007. On July 12, 1986, he married Lisa Allen at the Gouverneur United Methodist Church, beginning a life centered on family, community, and service.
Randy’s civilian career reflected the same commitment he brought to the military. He worked as Assistant Manager at Ames Department Store before becoming the Highway Superintendent for the Town of Fowler — a role in which he became a steady, reliable presence for residents. He also served as President of the St. Lawrence County Highway Superintendents Association and worked as a Real Estate Broker for TLC Realty in Gouverneur. His community involvement ran deep: he was a member of the Gouverneur Elks Lodge No. 2035, serving as Exalted Ruler from 2018–2020; a member of the Gouverneur Masonic Lodge; and a member of the AmVets.
Outside of work, Randy was known for his love of hunting, fishing, volunteering, and talking politics. He was an avid Yankees fan, and those who knew him best will smile remembering how much he loved his cows. Randy lived fully, gave generously, and carried himself with the quiet confidence of someone who understood the value of hard work and neighborly care.
His dedication to Fowler, his constant presence in times of need, and the way the community rallied around his family after his passing have made this year’s tribute especially meaningful. The Fowler Family Day Committee hopes residents will come together not only to honor Randy’s memory, but to celebrate the strength, compassion, and unity that define the Town of Fowler — the very qualities Randy embodied every day.
This year, Fowler gathers not just for a celebration, but for a remembrance — a chance to stand together, reconnect, and carry forward the spirit of service and community Randy leaves behind.
Family Day continues to serve as a major fundraiser for improvements to the town’s playground and pavilion. Sidewalk and basketball court upgrades are underway, and the committee’s next goal is expanding the playground and adding new equipment — investments that will benefit local families for years to come.
The day’s schedule is packed with activities designed to bring people together. Fowler resident Franny Knott will perform two original shows — Treasure Time Littles at 11:00 a.m. for ages 3–6, and Treasure Time Mainstage at 11:30 a.m. for ages 7–12. Her Starcazia Music program is known for its energy, creativity, and ability to get kids fully involved. Organizers say her performances are a highlight for all ages.
Food and festivities will fill the grounds, including Mullins Food Truck, popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, burgers, hot dogs, and a chicken BBQ by the Gouverneur Elks. Classic cars, kids’ games, a cake walk, live goldfish, law enforcement displays, vendors, and crafters will round out the day. This year’s event also includes a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.
Raffles remain one of Family Day’s biggest draws. Fowler merchants and residents have donated an impressive lineup of prizes. Big‑ticket drawings include a Honda EU2200iTAN inverter generator from Newvine Auto Parts; 125 gallons of fuel oil from Tripp Fuels; Adirondack chairs and a table donated by Tim Knowlton; and cash prizes of $500, $400, and $300. Last year’s small raffles featured nearly 100 donated items, and organizers expect another overflowing raffle table this year.
There also will be a silent auction for a quilt to benefit Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley. Faithful readers of Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that a treasured quilt has returned to Fowler for a second act of generosity, renewing its support for Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley more than twenty years after it first aided the cause. Stitched by 32 Fowler Baptist Church members, the 49‑square quilt depicts beloved North Country scenes and was finished by Norb Hall of Fabric Arts. It was first won by Norton W. Taylor, who proudly displayed it for decades and left instructions that it be returned to the town upon his passing. The Town of Fowler will raffle the quilt during Fowler Family Day on July 18, continuing its legacy of community care.
New this year, the Town of Fowler will launch its first‑ever “Stuff the Bobcat Food Drive” to support the Town of Fowler Food Pantry through the Hometown Assistance Program. Organizers hope the entire community will join in by collecting and donating non‑perishable food items during the 2026 Fowler Family Day celebration. The idea is simple: fill the town’s Bobcat with enough food to help local families through the coming months. But the heart behind it is much bigger. Fowler Family Day has always been about neighbors looking out for one another, and this new effort gives everyone a chance to turn a fun summer gathering into meaningful support for North Country families. Whether it’s a few cans, a box of pasta, or a bag of rice, every donation helps strengthen the safety net that keeps Fowler families fed. Organizers say the drive is a natural extension of what Family Day represents — community pride, shared purpose, and the joy of giving back together. It’s one more way to reconnect, pitch in, and make a difference right here at home.
Fowler Family Day has always been about connection, and this year’s celebration leans even more into the joy of gathering. It’s a chance for Fowler to come together again — to celebrate the people who shaped the town and the neighbors who continue to make it feel like home. Organizers say it best: Come spend time with friends and neighbors. Stay Fowler Strong.
For more information about the 2026 Fowler Family Day, visit www.FowlerNY.gov.