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Big St. Patrick’s party at Pius X

Today as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day [a day early for the parade and gathering at the Harrietstown Town Hall] initiated by Mayor Clyde Rabideau four years ago, we take a look back at a party and dance in 1973.

It’s great to run across stories filled with local names such as the following, written as a Letter to the editor by Florence McCarthy and Paul Stevens, Sr., co-chairs of the following St. Pat’s celebration.

“The rewards are many in the success of an event such as the St. Patrick’s Day Dance sponsored by St. Bernard’s Parent-Educator’s, held at Pius X Educational Center, and the overwhelming feeling of joy within a for a job well done would not be sustaining or even meaningful if we were not cognizant of all the efforts of so many people who, indeed, become involved these past few weeks.

“We wish at this time to express our endless gratitude to all who participated and a chance to list them here. It is obvious by the length, we could miss some and if we have please accept our apologies.

“To Joe Drutz, Peg Callahan and all the Enterprise staff, and to Jim and Keela Rogers and all at WNBZ staff go our special thanks for coverage and assistance.

The committees

“Tickets: Mary Baker, Peg Martin, Noreen Willette and Pat and Tom Oddy; Food: Roddy Reynolds, Pat Goodrow and Carl Coventry, Carol and Peg Devit, Helen Munn, Marilyn Clement, June Riley, Kathy Brady and Donna Magee; Beverage and Concession: Mike Ryan, Marty DeVit, Bill and Elsa Krichbaum, Dave Munn and Father Menard; Decorations: Charlan (Chugs) Duffy, Doris Ryan, Louise Wilcox, Barbara Meritt, Nancy DeMars, Marke Howard, Alice (Fuzzie) Scollins, and Barb Stunzi; Set-up and Transportation: Pete Donnelly, Roy Trudell, Phil Capone, Ron Keough, Bud Duffy and Ray Scollins. Clean-up: Barbara Capone, Margaret Trudell, Ed and Ginney Crutty, Shirley Hosler and Karen Donnelly.

“Many committee persons served multiplie roles in a blend of community.

“In addition to these, our thanks go also to Sister Joseph Marie, Sister Rhea bean and all the Sisters, as well as to Father McAvoy and Father Kane, for their help, guidance and support when needed, and to all the mothers and friends who donated food and their time in preparing it. Last, but not least, we thank Ed McCarthy and Lois Stevens, who, as our spouses and chairmen of the entertainment committees and without whose support the evening would have been much less enjoyable.

“We were very privileged to have the Bluish Green Band from Potsdam for the main musical entertainment and the Saranac Lake Square dance Ensemble of John and Francis Law and John Tolbert [I can attest to the fact that all were great fiddlers] and Bill Golden [Saranac lake Police Officer] calling and we have received many praises of them.

[Back in the day, we couldn’t wait to hear Clayt Woodruff, leading his C&W Band, start the square dancing at the Colonial Inn on the Bloomingdale Road, when he would step up to the mike and sing out, ‘Partners to place, corners address, its 16 hands around to the left!’

“The door prize of a painting was won by Brian Hanlon, and the raffle with donations from Joe Vuzzi and Paul Stephens and from George Stearns was won by George Hewlett.”

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