by Jessyca Cardinell
The Osborneville Country School, that was in existence from 1876 to 1942 and today is lovingly known as “the little red schoolhouse” on Rock Island Road, came to life as the Gouverneur museum hosted an open house on Sunday, July 10.
A warm welcome was extended as interested people from all age groups who wanted to experience what it might have been like to attend school back in the early days in this one room schoolhouse.
There are antique desks that were used in that era as well as chalkboards, books and even a wood stove that had been used to keep the school warm during the chilly months of the school year.
Punch and cookies were laid out as parents and children recreated a lesson plan like what may have been learned so many years ago in the little schoolhouse.
As children took turns giving each other lessons, they found another friend who had been taking notes...a mouse!
Museum curator Joe Laurenza opened the desk where a little boy had been seated, out jumped the furry friend from his nest inside the desk to the floor! There was much excitement to be had as the little creature scurried about and into a new hiding spot!
Mrs. Zelema Venton Hall, daughter of Carl and Jenny Cunningham Venton, became a student at the schoolhouse in 1932 and was able to recall memories of the school, as she brought along her daughter, granddaughter and great grandchildren.
She recalled there being 18 children in the small one room school while she was attending. She had Sadie Ames of Depeyster for her first grade teacher and Florence Greenhill as her secondgrade teacher.
In those days she discussed with others present Sunday how you were not made to attend school until you were seven years old. She herself started at six years old.
You could attend sooner if your parents desired but it was not mandatory. When comparing school then to now she stated, “Children’s lives now are too restricted and they aren’t allowed to use their imaginations anymore.”
She was able to recall walking to school. “In the great depression, there were lots of hobos out on the roads, so my mother would watch me walk to Barbara Hosmer Scott’s house and then I walked to school the rest of the way from her house,” said Mrs. Hall.
Students in this time period would bring their lunches, Mrs. Hall specifically remembers peanut butter sandwiches as a part of her lunch that she carried in a pail that honey first came in.
She spoke of the troublesome times as well. This included when she was knocked unconscious twice in a short period of time. “It’s a good thing I didn’t go there any longer than I did” she joked. The first time was my fault”, Mrs. Hall said. “A girl named Kelly was swinging a baseball bat, when I ran out in front of her.”
“The second time, we would always get in trouble if we didn’t come in when the teacher rang the bell. We had been playing on the slide and the older kids taught us how to go backwards.”
Ginny Hosmer Chilton was supposed to catch me, but the bell rang and so she ran for the schoolhouse instead and away I went.
She also spoke of her own experience wearing the dunce cap. “I was in the second grade and I couldn’t read. We were reading the book Lambicans, when it came to be my turn. I kept telling the teacher I can’t say lambicans so she made me wear the dunce cap in the corner.”
Lucy Strate (formerly Denesha), who once lived on a farm on the corner of Stevens and Peabody Roads in North Gouverneur, made her way into the schoolhouse. Although she herself didn’t attend this particular school, it was on her bucket list of things to check out and see. She was elated that she finally made it to take a look around.
She attended the Cole Schoolhouse in Richville from first grade until fifth grade when the school combined into a district and then she had to go to West Side and then onto high school.
That schoolhouse had three separate rooms, one for grades one through three, another room for fourth and fifth grades and the upstairs for sixth grade students.
She recalls one of her teachers Mrs. Loop who taught at the school. Mrs. Strate said, “I loved learning, loved to read and to learn math. And even history. They used the old maps that the teachers pulled down.”
Mrs. Strate was a bus monitor for years and also owned the Brasie Corner Store for nine years.
Elizabeth McEathron Glachman came to the schoolhouse for a short tour as she said she doesn’t remember much of the schoolhouse but knows she did attend there for one year in the early 1940’s. She told of how she had to walk across a creek during the winter months and it being so frigid cold out. Her fondest memories were at a schoolhouse on Island Branch Road where she had a nice teacher named Miss Davis who she remembers as having long red fingernails.
Curator Joe Laurenza of the Gouverneur Museum, and our own Gouverneur Tribune Press reporter Sandy Wyman had their own recollections of what it was like learning in a schoolhouse, much like the one opened up to the public.
Mrs. Wyman who attended Brasie Corner School in 1954 as a second grade student with teacher Doris Sigourney, said she just loved the small school setting and although she was not there very long as her family moved to Waddington where her dad became employed on the Seaway.
There were two rooms, housing first through 8th grades until the school system centralized in 1954.
Mrs. Wyman said there were lots of children, as the town had a wonderful country store and farms. In good weather, she walked to school with many others from the now Route 58 locations and she brought lunches to school.
As for the early spring season, Sandy said, “there was nothing better than wax on snow!”
It was a time like no other as she said, “everyone was happy to go to school and really enjoyed it. I remember being happy. Life was so much simpler, maybe not as far as technology or medically but, all in all, simple.
Other people in attendance that day said they had the same experience in that living such simple lives encouraged happiness.
One childhood memory that really sticks out for Sandy is Halloween. “Halloween was the best! Ruth Hutton made the best-raised donuts you ever ate, ever! We made our own costumes. One year my dad gave me his old green wool coat and dressed me up as old hobos. I had a stick with a bandana and a felt hat.”
Mrs. Wyman gives her dad credit fora big interest of her life. “My love of history came from my dad, love of what was, not what is.”
Also a wonderful memory for Mrs. Wyman was the station cans of milk that were loaded from the neighborhood farms and were drawn to the then Ogdensburg Creamery.
Friday’s at school brought drawing contests and spelling tests that quizzed the children on 20 words.
Sandy’s husband, Don, also attended a two-room county school in New Salem, Massachusetts. He stated that first through third grades were on one side and across the hall were fourth through sixth.
Don stated that he started school at five in the first grade, as there was no kindergarten there at that time.
Joe Laurenza spoke of his school days in a schoolhouse in Andover, Massachusetts. “She was a beautiful redhead,” Mr. Laurenza said of his third and fourth grade teacher Miss Sanders.
He also remembered the first through second grade teacher Miss Tory. This schoolhouse was also a bigger one as it had four rooms split up into first and second grades, third grade with fourth, fifth with sixth grade and 7th and 8th grades together.
It truly was a wonderful educational day for all those who came out to receive this historical experience. Terrific job Sandy Wyman and Joe Laurenza for taking time out of your schedules to give people a splendid afternoon.
The Gouverneur Museum extends appreciation to Tammy Finley for her dedication of keeping the pristine little red schoolhouse grounds to perfection.
The Osborneville Country School was established in the 1800s. The first schoolhouse was a log structure.
The current schoolhouse was built in 1876. Classes for those in grades one through eighth were held there until the school closed in 1942. A 1942 calendar still hangs in the schoolhouse to this day.
Wallace Hurlburt, son of Erwin Burr Hurlburt, attended the school. Clinton Thompson started in 1928, and had Mrs. E. Bigelow as teacher. The school year started with only two students, but by the end of the year there were 13 pupils.
In 1976, the Gouverneur Morris Yorker and the Marble City Yorker Clubs purchased the Osborneville Country Schoolhouse to be used as an extension of the Gouverneur Museum.
The restoration of the Osborneville Country School was the bicentennial project of the two clubs. This undertaking involved both students and faculty advisors from the Gouverneur Central Schools.
It was completed in 2004 and a plaque was put up in schoolhouse to commemorate this achievement. The Gouverneur Historical Association oversees the maintenance of the school and many other benefactors contribute to its ongoing preservation.
The schoolhouse is located in District #16, known variously as the Tyler or Osborneville district. It was organized in 1844 from part of DeKalb District #11 and a former joint district with Depeyster. The district originally included all of Rock Island Road and Maple Ridge Road from the intersection with Gore Road.
The district was later reduced in area to only include Rock Island Road and the lands northwest of it on Chandlerville Road.
The Osborneville Country School also opened on Friday, June 5 to the fourth grade class from St. James School who held class at the schoolhouse for the afternoon.
For more information on the Osborneville Country School or the Gouverneur Museum, people may call 287-0570. The Gouverneur Museum is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1p.m. to 3p.m. Admission is always free. Those interested can also visit them online at gouverneurmuseum.com.
GHS graduation celebrated
by Kathy Moses
Gouverneur High School held its annual graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2016 last Friday evening at the full grandstands on the fairgrounds in perfect weather.
The 118 graduates were each honored with a diploma presented by Board of Education President Barry Smith.
The processional featured the graduated walking down between flags of the school’s colors blue and gold and was accompanied by the Gouverneur High School full orchestra under the direction of Victor Correa III playing “Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar and arranged by Merle J. Isaac.
The Chamber Singers, under the direction of Richard Haynes, performed the “Star Spangled Banner” arranged by Henry W. Davis. Senior Class President Cassandra Foster led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The class speakers, elected by the Honors Groups, gave their remarks. They were Frederic Nentwick, Sarah Geer, and Noah Forsythe.
Superintendent Lauren French expressed her gratitude to all who have supported the graduates, the school, and the community. She especially thanked the parents as she remembered the support she received from her own parents. She said several of the parents of the graduates were her own students at one time.
Superintendent French told the story of a family who collected returnable cans and bottles and raised enough money to take a trip. She reminded the graduates viewing a glass as half empty or half full can result in different outcomes. She honored retiring board members Barry Smith and Laurie Roberts for their nine years of service to the district.
President Smith recognized the family members of graduates currently serving overseas in the armed forces. He told the graduates new and change can equal opportunity.
High School Principal Cory Wood thanked many groups and individuals for their contributions to the success of the Class of 2016, including district employees, family, and friends. He said 77 members of this class earned 426 college credit hours while still in high school, a 300 percent increase over 2015.
Mr. Wood said 43 graduates will attend a two year college, 34 will attend a four year college, one will attend a technical school, 21 are seeking full-time employment, and six have enlisted in the United States Armed Forces with one in the Air Force, two in the Army, two in the Army Reserves, and one in the Coast Guard Reserves.
Mr. Wood announced 86 percent, or 101 graduates, earned a New York State Regents diploma with 32 graduated earning Advanced Regents, and 10 earning Advanced Regents with Honors.
Class of 2016 advisors Mary Dixon and Michelle Benda led the presentation of awards. Earning Senior Academic Achievement for making the honor roll every marking period for the past four years were Catherine Andrews, Arden Ball, Gabriella Dunkelberg, Noah Forsythe, Sarah Geer, Kayla Gladle, Nicholle Gotham, Cody Hartle, Katelyn Kennedy, Maddison McIntosh, Chelsea Miller, Daniel Mullin, Brooke Shattuck, Ryan Shippee, Cade Stevens, Daniel Sweet, and Mary Kate Wainwright.
The Southwest Tech Vocational Awards were Most Improved Student to Robyn Carr and Brionna Walton and Outstanding Student to Catherine Andrews, Cody Bishop, Taylor Ellis, Shannon Knowlton, Cody Orr, and Jackson Sheen.
Gouverneur School-Related Personnel Scholarships of $300 from the district’s non-instruction union were presented to Catherine Andrews, Kathleen Erdman, and Jackson Sheen.
The Elizabeth Kirchner Gleason Scholarship of $500 was presented to Samantha Dooley. This award is given to a graduate planning to major in art from retired Gouverneur art teacher Elizabeth Gleason in memory of Lillian Tood and Diana Lynde, deceased Gouverneur art teachers.
The Mariano Pistolesi Memorial Wrestling Scholarship of $500 given in his memory by his family was presented to Daniel Mullin by Bridgette LaPierre. Mr. Pistolesi was a member of Gouverneur’s first wrestling team in 1934. This award is based upon dedication, inspiration, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Kiwanis Club Scholarship of $500 was presented to Ryan Shippee by Charity Zawatski. This award is given based upon a letter of personal reference, community service, and academic achievement.
The Key Club Scholarship of $500 was presented to Katelyn Kennedy by Charity Zawatski. This scholarship, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Gouverneur, is given to a graduating Key Club member who has shown exemplary leadership in carrying out the club’s agenda.
The Faye S. Hopper Scholarships of $500 each were presented to Tyler Bowman and Nicholle Gotham. This award honors Mrs. Hopper’s commitment to musical excellence while serving the Gouverneur United Methodist Church for 62 years as organist and is given to seniors who have demonstrated musical excellence and shared the gift of music with the school and community.
The Roger O. Favro Memorial Scholarship of $500 was awarded to Frederic Nentwick. This award is given in memory of Mr. Favro who served his country in the United States Army, held the office of Canton Town Justice, and was a highly respected social studies teacher at Gouverneur for thirty years. The award is given to a graduate who best exemplifies ethical character, responsibility, community service, and a sincere appreciation of social studies.
The William E. Appleby, Jr., Humanities Award of $500 was presented to Sarah Geer. This award is given in Mr. Appleby’s memory by his family. He was a gifted teacher, writer, and accomplished musician. He taught English at Gouverneur for over 25 years providing leadership and inspiration to young adults. This award is given to a graduate pursuing post-secondary education in English, music, or the arts.
The New York State Academic Excellence Awards of $500 per year, based upon specific Regents exam scores, were presented to Noah Forsythe, Arden Ball, and Nicholle Gotham. Sarah Geer was awarded $1,500 per year.
The Roy G. Gibbs Scholarship of $2,500 was presented to Tyler Bowman by Kari Schermerhorn representing the Gouverneur Agricultural Board. This award, provided by the Gouverneur Agricultural Board, honors a graduate for youth leadership. Mr. Gibbs was a Gouverneur agriculture teacher from 1923-1954 well known for his dedication to teaching and young adults.
The graduates were Christopher Aldridge, Kasey Aldridge, Catherine Andrews, Devin Ashley, Arden Ball, Joshua Bennett, Lane Besaw, Abby Bice, Thomas Bigelow, Kirrah Bink, Cody Bishop, Tyler Bowman, Erica Briggs, Blade Briscoe, Shelbie Brothers, Hunter Burns, Joey Bush, Robyn Carr, Drewanna Charter, Breanna Clement, Chad Curcio, Abbigale Currier, Kylie Currier, Samantha Cushman, Frances Daly, Alex Deon, Samantha Dooley, Michaela Douglas, Malory Drake, Gabriella Dunkelberg, Mark Dunkelberg, Cheyenne Earlywine, Nazzarena Easton, Taylor Ellis, Nicole Embry, Kathleen Erdman, Dalton Fayette, Braden Fenlong, Cody Finnerty, Aimee Firth, Noah Forsythe, Zachary Forsythe, Cassandra Foster, Jared Fuller, Ty Fuller, Sarah Geer, Dylan Gibson, Kayla Gladle, Ronnie Goodelle, Megan Gore, Nicholle Gotham, Belisena Hall, Calaeb Hance, Dillon Hart, Cody Hartle, Rachelle Hight, Matthew Hills, Amy Horton, Tiffany Janack, Cayla Jenne, Aleksandr Karabats, Katelyn Kennedy, Shannon Knowlton, Matthew Kopchinski, Virginia Labarge, Jesse Love, Michael Mandigo, Michaela Mann, Hannah Martin, Devin Matice, Jordon McCloud, James McIntosh, Maddison McIntosh, Mychal McIntyre, Chelsea Miller, Cassidy Morrison, Daniel Mullin, Frederic Nentwick, Cody Orr, Theresa Otto, Tristan Pataky, Kirsten Phillips, Amber Reardon, Spencer Ritchie, Cailey Roberts, Delaney Roddy, Erika Rotundo, Nikolaus Schiszler, Maria Shampine, Brooke Shattuck, Jackson Sheen, Ryan Shippee, Justin Simione, Margeaux Simmons, Benjamin Sitts, Tyler Small, Kelsey Smith, Joel Spellicy, Aaron Stevens, Cade Stevens, Marissa Storie, Brandon Streeter, Daniel Sweet, Dean Tarus, Sarah Toppin, Alexis Utter, Johnathan Vanderbogart, Mary Kate Wainwright, Gloria Walker, Danielle Walrath, Kimberly Walrath, Brionna Walton, Ciera Ward, Shandan Way, Brooklyn Wilson, Tyler Woods, and Isaiah Young.
The members of the National Honor Society are Arden Ball, Tyler Bowman, Gabriella Dunkelberg, Cassandra Foster, Sarah Geer, Kayla Gladle, Nicholle Gotham, Belisena Hall, Katelynn Kennedy, Jordon McCloud, Frederic Nentwick, Brooke Shattuck, Ryan Shippee, Cade Stevens, Daniel Sweet, and Mary Kate Wainwright. They are recognized for scholarship, character, service, and leadership.
The members of the National Technical Honor Society are Kasey Aldridge, Catherine Andrews, Devin Ashley, Abby Bice, Cody Bishop, Breanna Clement, Abbigale Currier, Nazzarena Easton, Taylor Ellis, Kathleen Erdman, Dalton Fayette, Shannon Knowlton, James McIntosh, Chelsea Miller, Daniel Mullin, Brooke Shattuck, Jackson Sheen, Marissa Storie, Brandon Streeter, Johnathan Vanderbogart, Kimberly Walrath, Ciera Ward, and Brooklyn Wilson. They are recognized for personal conduct, scholastic achievement, and educational excellence in a vocational setting.
The Tri-M National Music Honor Society members are Tyler Bowman, Gabriella Dunkelberg, Sarah Geer, Nicholle Gotham, Cody Hartle, and Mary Kate Wainwright. They are recognized for music, academics, leadership, service, and character.
The Honors Group members are Arden Ball, Thomas Bigelow, Tyler Bowman, Frances Daly, Gabriella Dunkelberg, Noah Forsythe, Cassandra Foster, Sarah Geer, Kayla Gladle, Nicholle Gotham, Belisena Hall, Cody Hartle, Katelyn Kennedy, Maddison McIntosh, Daniel Mullin, Frederic Nentwick, Cailey Roberts, Brooke Shattuck, Ryan Shippee, Cade Stevens, Brandon Streeter, Daniel Sweet, and Mary Kate Wainwright. They are recognized for an academic average of 90 or above for their high school careers.
The National Future Farmers of America delegates were Tyler Bowman, Megan Gore, Rachelle Hight, Chelsea Miller, and Alexis Utter. They were recognized for leadership, personal growth, and developing leadership abilities through officer positions and/or attending state and national conventions.
Following the presentation of diplomas Chamber Singers performed the Alma Mater. The recessional, “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and arranged by Michael S. Sweeney, was performed by the full orchestra. A reception followed hosted by the senior parent group.
Oxbow Fire Company Hosts Car Show and Fun For All
by Jessyca Cardinell
There was fun to be had by all in the Oxbow Park as the Oxbow Fire Company Inc. hosted its first ever Car Show event.
“This event is a good old-fashioned family fun day, a chance for families to get out together and enjoy themselves,” said Anne Potter, event organizer and Assistant Fire Chief of Oxbow Fire Company.
There were a great variety of tractors, vehicles, motorcycles and other recreational vehicles, from antique to unique, they had it all. People traveled from near and far, including Canada, to be a part of this show.
As the car show was in full swing, Oxbow fire fighter Cody Young, the DJ, offered a variety of great music for all to enjoy throughout the day.
There were children's activities to keep youngsters having a blast, including a bounce house, playground, face painting by Audrey Martin and a dime toss run by Kylie Mandigo. The Rossie Community Center donated three boxes of dishes for the dime toss at Car Show.
Several vendors were ready with samples to try and items to buy, including Darrel and Teresa Whitton of Gouverneur with their Wildlife Wonders, Paparazzi Jewelry with Kaitlyn Thorne, Jessica LeFevre of Gouverneur selling Kitcheneez meal mixes and homemade sides, Diplicious with Kathy Goodwin, Avon representative April Louis of Philadelphia, Linda Strate of Gouverneur offered Mix Party samples to try and oils to buy.
Bea Murdock of DeKalb offered a variety of yard sale items, Brandy French of Macomb selling beautiful homemade items, Todd and Lisa McIntosh had tables filled with stainless steel jewelry and many other items. Justine Wagner was set up with her Justine's Creative Crafts tables.
The fire department had a grill and refreshment table set up in the park for those who needed a bite to eat and a drink to cool down, with Culleen Mandigo on food prep.
A 50/50 raffle was available for the adults who wanted to take a chance at winning big. The community yard sales were in full swing, for those who love to seek out treasures and good deals. The fire hall offered a place to escape the heat and enjoy a delicious chicken barbeque meal.
Scott “Vern” Cunningham (Fire Fighter of the Year) although still going through cancer treatments, came out and supported his fellow brothers and sisters of the fire company, helping in any way he could.
Angie Walsh said of Mr. Cunningham, “He had cancer a few years back and there was a huge benefit in Oxbow at the Fire Hall called VernFest. That's our Vern! Still kicking cancer's butt while fighting fires, or whatever is needed by his community in crisis!”
Mrs. Potter said not only did all the fire company members work very hard but also the community itself. “This was a community wide effort to bring this all together.” Mrs. Potter added, “What sets the Oxbow Fire Company apart from the rest, is the real brother and sisterhood we have. We all treat each other with respect as if we were real brothers and sisters. When that whistle blows we all come together to get the job done and the same is true when there is an event in the community, we're all there ready to work.”
As the day went on, many awards were given out for those who participated in the car show and what made this so unique and wonderful was some of the award winners were selected by the children at the car show.
Motorcycle Award
Two sisters Makenzie and Natalie Farrell of LaFargeville, NY selected a kid’s choice award that was very sentimental to the Oxbow Fire Company for the late Dean Mitchell's Slingshot motorcycle. Dean had been a member of the Oxbow Fire Company for around 20 years before his sudden tragic passing this May. Mr. Mitchell's wife Sandy requested that her son John Bango, who has his motorcycle license, show the motorcycle in this car show in honor of Mr. Mitchell, who she said would not have missed this event.
Oxbow Historical
Association Award
Wendell Canfield for his 1929 Ford Mode-A with Sears Tractor kit.
Mr. Canfield used this tractor to relocate the historical building to present location many years ago.
Oxbow Fire
Company Award
Doug and Lynn Shoulette for their 1968 blue Pontiac GTX
Antwerp Town
Supervisor Award
Presented by Jack Shaw, supervisor, to John Smith of Gouverneur for his 1925 Model-T Ford Truck, all-original.
The Chief's Award
An antique fire hose nozzle engraved by Sonny Mandigo, presented to David McCarter of Depauville, N.Y. for his 1941 vivid lime green Ford custom convertible
Kid's Choice Awards
Tractor Award
Selected and presented by Abbey Sampson to Leo Rastley of Rossie, N.Y. for his 1938 John Deere
Snowmobile Award
Selected and presented by little Sandy to Jeff Drawn's 1973 Polaris 400 Custom
Antique Car Award
Selected and chosen by a young man named Adam to Eli Tracey for his 1926 Model-T Ford Car
Late Comer Award
For the last car to arrive at the show presented by Oxbow Fire Company President Ryan Hays and Vice President Angie Walsh to Harold Walsh of Rossie N.Y. for his 1975 Corvette Stingray
Wonderful job Oxbow Fire Company and all others throughout the community for putting this event together!
Assistant Chief Anne Potter and Vice President Angie Walsh for all of your hard work and efforts to make this day a success.
Kudos to all those who came out to support the Oxbow Fire Company! Congratulations to all award winners and youngsters who were able to help out and select winners!
Tribute: We’ll miss Al Douglass
by Dick Sterling
I was saddened last week to hear about the sudden passing of Al Douglass. Al died unexpectedly on Wednesday (June 15), at his Gouverneur home. He was 78 years old.
Al was born and raised in New Jersey, but he came to Gouverneur to marry his sweetheart, Mary (Storrin), at St. James Church in 1966. The couple was only 10 days shy of their 50th wedding anniversary when Al died.
Mr. Douglass began his teaching career at Gouverneur Central and remained a fixture for 34 years. Even though Mr. Douglass was a wonderful teacher, and helped to guide many to further their educational goals, it was GHS sports where he displayed his passion for sports, competition, and the qualities of being part of a team and teaching youngsters, primarily female athletes, the finer points of the games he coached. He was a tremendous mentor. He coached volleyball, golf and soccer, but will be best remembered by most for his Ladycat basketball teams.
I can remember standing courtside and watching Coach Douglass throwing his arms up in the air in utter disbelief over a call by the official, “You have got to be kidding,” he would yell.
He was always teaching his girls how to play fairly and how to win. Some of his teams were the best Gouverneur has ever seen. The one thing I can remember more than anything else was Al’s passion for sports and his love of the games.
Coach Douglass was also a familiar voice on the air for Gouverneur sports and was featured in the Tribune as a sportswriter as well as a features writer… sharing some of his post-retirement adventures on some of America’s finest golf courses.
Al was as passionate about the game of golf as he was any other sport. He would talk at length about his golfing experiences, not just how he did on the scorecard, but also what he witnessed and enjoyed during his particular trip to a course, famous or not, and what he liked or disliked about it.
A few years ago the Tribune published a story about Mr. Douglass and his unique experience of landing a fantasy job as a ball boy, even though he was over 70 years of age, for the New York Yankees at their spring training facility, Steinbrenner Field, in Florida, where Al and Mary wintered. Al was so excited when he stopped in to share the details of his winter/spring job, the people he met, the things he saw and the joy he felt working for the Yankees… he returned to the Yankee job every February and March since.
When it came to sports Al Douglass retained the excitement for the games he enjoyed right up until the end of his life. He was a great teacher, a tremendous coach and a good man… who was a life-long supporter of the Wildcats.
Our condolences to Mary Douglass, his three children and three grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by our community.
Gouverneur’s annual Flag Day Parade set for tomorrow
Photo by Kathy Moses
by Kathy Moses
Gouverneur’s annual Flag Day Parade, sponsored by the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce, will be held tomorrow at 2 p.m. Interested entrants do not need to register. Line up in on Johnstown Street between 1p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Enter by way of Wilson Street to line up. The parade will proceed down West Main Street and then East Main Street past the gazebo.
The parade will include the Gouverneur High School Wildcat Marching Band, Alexandria Bay High School Marching Band, Heuvelton Central School Marching Band, Elks Club, village and town officials, political candidates, First Student, St. James School, and the Gouverneur Police, Volunteer Fire Department, and Rescue Squad.
The formal Flag Day ceremonies will be held at the village park at noon. The park will feature live entertainment, farmer’s market, craft tables, wineries, children’s games, and a bounce house sponsored by Aubuchon’s and supervised by the Gouverneur Recreation Department.
Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Donna Besaw said, “We’d love everyone to turn out for this great event!”