The headline on the Enterprise of Nov. 5, 1980, 36 years ago, was in huge block letters an inch and a half high, so only 10 letters fit in the eight column headline: “REAGAN?WINS.”

An eight-column sub ad: “Republican Surge in Country; Massive Local Turnout” … with this lead paragraph:

“Washington (AP)- Ronald Wilson Reagan won the White House on the crest of a conservative tide that swept republicans to control of the Senate for the first time in 26 years and gave the president-elect a landslide mandate for his promises of a tougher America abroad and less government at home.

[He won the highest number of electoral votes of any non-incumbent candidate ever 489 to 49. George Bush was elected VP.]

“President Carter congratulated Reagan and pledged ‘our fullest support and cooperation in bringing about an orderly transition of government’ and added ‘I can’t stand here tonight and tell you it doesn’t hurt.’ ”

[No matter what your politics, if you were like so many of us, we liked President Reagan. He was great pals with his fellow Irishman, Democrat Tip O’Neill, Speaker of the House, when they could be seen huddled together, with O’Neill towering over Reagan who was 6 foot, 1 inches tall, telling stories – as related in Chris Matthew’s book.]

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Huge Harrietstown/North Elba turnout

“North Country voters turned out in unprecedented numbers Tuesday to usher in a major Republican victory.

“In the town of Harrietstown, 2,116 of a possible 2,993 voters went to the polls. The figure represents better than 70 percent of the registered voters in the town.

“Indications of a heavy turnout came early. Town Clerk Wesley Manchester said that nearly 1,000 people had voted by noon, and the 2,000 mark was reached nearly an hour before the polls closed.

“Only 85 of 581 voters in Wilmington failed to vote. Officials were astounded by the turnout in the growing Essex County township where there was also a town council seat contested.

“It was clear from the start that voter turnout in North Elba would surpass all expectations. A steady flow of voters filed into the North Elba Town hall throughout the day to cast their ballots.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many voting, Mrs. Beverly Reid, along-time lake Placid election inspector, said.

“Well over 80 percent of the registered voters in North Elba cast their ballots Tuesday. In at least one of the four North Elba voting districts voter turnout peaked at 90 per cent.”

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New man in congress

David O’B Martin won an easy victory in the then 30th Congressional District (now the 23rd Congressional District) over Mary Anne Krupsak 106,777 to 56,011.

Long time Congressman Bob McEwen had decided not to run again and State Senator Ron Stafford and State Senator Douglass Barclay both declined the GOP offer of backing for the seat. Martin, from Canton, was a two-term member of the Assembly. Martin’s victory was credited in part by his opposition to the creation of the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) when he was in the Assembly and Krupsak had supported the APA which had been founded only eight years before in 1972.

Krupsak was Lt. Governor under Gov. High Carey- this is a quote from that story written by Enterprise publisher William Doolittle: “Krupsak, who had been the most prominent woman politician in New York State, has been sidelined since her break with Governor Hugh Carey in 1978.”

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Bill Clinton loses in Arkansas

Excerpt from an Associated Press story:

“One of the more striking Republican triumphs was confirmed today as Little Rock businessman Frank White ousted Bill Clinton of Arkansas.

“At 33, Clinton is the nation’s youngest governor and was regarded as one of the rising stars among Democrats. But his embrace of President Carter may have cost him dearly in a state swept by Reagan, as White wound up with 52 percent of the vote.”

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Tourism association holds annual meeting

Politics was not the only news in 1980:

“The Adirondack Attractions Association, a group of nine tourist related attractions within the Adirondack mountain region held their annual meeting October 24 at the Tirolerland Inn in Jay.

“The group, led by President Walter Page of AuSable Chasm, was host to officials of the tourism industry including chamber of commerce and publicity bureau officials from the counties of Essex, Clinton, Franklin, Lewis, Warren, Fulton, Herkimer and Hamilton.

“Guest speaker for the event was Ed Allen, New York State Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Commerce. Other guest speakers were Luke Patnode of the Essex County Publicity Bureau, Don Benjamin, director of the Adirondack region’s publicity program and Tom Connors of Advertiser’s Workshop of Lake Placid.

“The Adirondack Attractions Association was founded in the early 1950s. Members include Santa’s Workshop, High falls Gorge, AuSable Chasm, Fort Ticonderoga, Storytown, Gaslight Village, Enchanted Village, Home of 1000 Animals and Frontier Town.