Trudeau Sanatarium Dramatic Club Fourth of July Celebration “My Girls with Powdered Hair” — about 1910. (Courtesy of the Saranac Lake Free Llibrary — Adirondack Room - P82-288)

Well, a little more than 60 years ago, I keep telling you that four out three people can’t do math.

I always imagine what it would be like if some old timers could come back and take a look at what happened — things that followed after they had laid the groundwork.

For instance, how about taking 1962 North Elba Town Supervisor Bill Hurley on a tour of Lake Placid today … you think he would be impressed!!??

An excerpt from a page one story:

“The first definite steps toward securing additional convention facilities in Lake Placid were taken Tuesday night at the North Elba Town Board meeting. In answer to a request from a Chamber of Commerce Committee, the Board decided to investigate the costs and plans for enlarging the Olympic Arena or building an addition.

“Chamber President James C. Sheffield asked the Board to consider a referendum this fall for an Arena addition. He pointed out that a number of conventions are booked for next year which will need the added facilities, and that the New York State Bar Association has indicated that it would be interested in returning if facilities e improved. There is already a conflict, he said, with the summer skating program.

“There is general agreement that the convention hall proposition was defeated when it first came up in 1958 because it became a political issue. [Isn’t that exactly what screws up a lot of things?]

“Supervisor William J. Hurley, reported that William Prescott of Keeseville, an architect, has approached the Board to do a survey of the Arena facilities and make recommendations without charge.”

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Saranac Lake board OKs bus service

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“By an unanimous vote, the Saranac Lake Village Board gave its consent to the Tri-Lakes Transit Corporation’s operation over village streets.

“With one dissent, the Board also voted to purchase property for the extension of the fire house. [What else is new?]

“Consent to the bus operation was granted with several minor restrictions, as follows:

The buses must limit their operations to the routes designated in the company’s P.S.C. tariff, namely Main Street, Church Street, Broadway and Bloomingdale Avenue. Buses must also conform to existing village speed ordinances.

“Trustee William Wigger cast the only ‘nay’ vote when the Board voted to purchase property north of the present fire station at 101 Broadway. The majority voted to enter a contract with Dr. John Murphy, owner of the property in order to relieve crowding in the present fire facilities. The sale price of $7,500 is to be paid on receipt of the proceeds of a projected village bond issue.

“Wigger gave his reasons for his opposition to the expansion of fire department facilities at the present location. He cited the traffic hazards at the corner of Bloomingdale Avenue and Broadway and the proximity of a lumber yard to the present facilities.

“In other matters the Board continued the ban on lawn sprinkling until further notice; accepted with regret the resignation of Kenneth Garwood as assessor; voted to accept the bid of Gladd and Leaper auto agency to sell the village a 1960 station wagon to replace the village manager’s car. The price of $1,400 includes the trade-in of the old car.”

[In 1962 Alton B. Anderson was Mayor, and Trustees serving with Trustee Wigger were Francis L. Gladd, George L. Stearns and Myron J, Skeels.]

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Paul Smith’s Club Boys’ Camp

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“The Paul Smith’s Fish and Game Club has been instrumental in placing seven boys on this year’s roll of campers at the Boys’ Camp sponsored by the State Conservation Department.

“Some boys were sponsored by the Saranac Lake Elks Club and others were selected randomly for sponsorship and scholarships. In addition other boys who will attend included Richard Lester, Charles Baldwin, Mitchell Durett, Michael Durett, Donald Trumble and Jeff Crary. Officers of the Club are Clem E. Collins, Julian A. Joffe, Dan Dudek, Dr. H. G. Pickett, Paul F. Flynn, Hayden Tormey and Vere Mix.”

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Grievance Day in Altamont

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“A number of requests for reductions in tax assessments, amounting to about $52,000, were presented to the Altamont Town assessors at annual Grievance Day yesterday. The largest single reduction, $27,000, was asked by Attorney Jim LaPan of Saranac Lake on behalf of Litchfield Park Corporation.

My nephew Kevin Littlefield is superintendent of Litchfield Park today, probably managed by John Stock in 1962.

I found the following information in the caption of a great book of photos, 1830-1930, by Donald R. William given to me by my son Kean, for Father’s Day.

The men and women in the photo, very nattily dressed are supposedly the Litchfield family but none are identified — following is the caption:

“Edward H. Litchfield, a Brooklyn lawyer who found the Adirondacks to his liking in 1866, built a massive chateau near Tupper Lake in 1905. The man wearing the suspenders might be the caretaker, an important position in the year-round care of the 8,600-acre estate. Oral tradition tells of Litchfield surrounding his Adirondack property with an eight-foot high chain-link fence to hold his wild game farm. In later years the fence company wanted to photograph the fence still in use but unsuccessfully searched for it near Litchfield, Connecticut.”

There was no action taken on the assessment reduction requests.

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Good deal on boat for sale

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“19 Ft. Chris Craft Inboard, 65 H.P. with new top and windshield. Fully equipped. Excellent condition. Price $900. R. J. Mahoney, Lake Placid. 523-3951.” [Don’t bother folks, I called already, it’s been sold.]

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Good Deal on apartment for rent

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“Furnished 4-room apartment for rent. Includes heat and hot water. $48 per month. Also double and single rooms for rent. 164 Broadway.”