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Tupper Lake in the news

(Thanks to Kathleen Bigrow — Dec., 1972)

In three short weeks it will be 50 years since my friend Kathleen had a feature story about the Tupper Lake Fire Department entertaining the residents of Sunmount and penned other Tupper Lake news into her Adirondack Daily Enterprise column.

It is so great to find pictures where the people in the photos are all identified. I even found a couple of friends in the above photo, Bucky Kentile and Bill Delair.

“The Tupper Lake Fire Department entertained the residents of the Sunmount State School at their annual Christmas Party. About 25 volunteers contributed their time to entertain the residents.

“Santa toured the infirmary wards distributing holiday goodies such as cookies and ice cream to all the residents.

“Immediately following his tour, Santa made an appearance at the festive dance already in progress in the gaily decorated Recreation Hall.

When small town Main Streets were big, and busy (circa 1950s) and Tupper Lake was no exception. The Hotel Altamont was a great place, shown on the left — look at all the business signs — when small towns were self sufficient — no online shopping, just Montgomery Wards. Photo from a book “Fifty Years of Tupper Lake” all photos by Kathleen Bigrow, edited by Jim Lanthier, Ed Donnelly and Rena Sellin. My copy a gift from niece and nephew, Rosie and Tim Littlefield and their offspring, too numerous to mention here. (Provided photo — Kathleen Bigrow)

“Santa and his helpers personally dispensed ice cream, cookies and soft drinks at intermission time. Bill Delair and Leonard Cassell played the part of Santa. [Two Santa’s?]

“Music for dancing was furnished by ‘The Northern Breeze’, a local group composed of the following: Jeffery Mayotte, lead singer and rhythm guitar; Dick Pilon, drums; Robert Pilon, electric bass; Chris Reandeau, lead guitar and Denise Morrow, tambourine.

“Ed Lizotte, duty recreator, assisted the firemen.”

From Kathleen’s column

Bernard M. Singer of White Plains, who attended schools in Tupper Lake, has donated $100 to the Tupper Lake Business and Professional Women’s Club Memory Tree. Money raised through this project is used for a scholarship. The contribution reads, ‘In Memory of the parents of Bernard M. Singer and Clare P. Singer’.

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Mr. and Mrs. Dan Dattola of 63 Washington Street and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Shaheen of 456 Park Street and their children, Jimmie and Joanie will return on Sunday, December 31 after spending the holidays vacationing in Reggio Calabria, Italy. Mr. Dattola is a native of Southern Italy.

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Navy Machinist Mate Third Class, Rock Nadeau, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alban Nadeau of 20 Park Street, has been promoted to his present rank and he has completed the basic machinist mate’s segment of nuclear power training at Great Lakes.

He will be assigned to a short training period aboard ship and then to Basic Nuclear Power School at Bainbridge, Md.

He is a 1972 graduate of Tupper Lake High.

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The winners in the Christmas home Decorating Contest were announced this week by the sponsor, the Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Chartier of Front Street received the $25 first prize for the best over-all decoration.

Stanley Amell of Little Wolf Road was awarded $15 for the best religious theme, and Jerry Lines of Sunset Avenue won $10 for the best decorated entrance.

Honorable mention went to Lawrence Mayville and Fernand Desrosiers of Little Wolf Road; D. Rolley of 9 LeBoeuf Street and George Weis of 4 Mohawk Avenue for religious themes; Rouleau’s Highway Motel, doorway; Mrs. Dezira LaMare, Mrs. Allie Jardine, D. J. Bedore Jr., Raymond Gaudet and Philip Payment, over-all.

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State Police Sgt. Paul Richter of Main Street has been promoted to Zone Sergeant at the Troop B Substation in Ray Brook replacing Alfred Smith who has been promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to Albany. Sgt. Duane Eldridge who has been stationed in Ray Brook will replace Sgt. Richter in Tupper Lake.

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On today’s sick list are Cynthia Chellie, Thelma Paparzzo, Catherine Bradley, Annette Richer, Vincent Kavanagh, Rene Murphy, Dorothy Boulter, Katherine LaPorte, Wesley Wight and Michael Pickering.

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Now, how did Kathleen know who was sick? Were these people hospitalized? Is that how Kathleen got their names? Did people call Kathleen and say, “I’m sick?” Anyhow, I did know Kathleen quite well and she pretty much knew everything going on in Tupper Lake … except when she missed Rock Hudson and Jim Nabors [aka Gomer Pyle] having lunch on Main Street.

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