Mr. Thomas graduated from Saranac Lake High School in 1924, the last class to graduate from that school on Main Street, which was torn down to build the Hotel Saranac.

Another big deal was the story itself, by my long-time pal and colleague, Enterprise Sports Editor Bob Goetz … he was one of the best. He later was sports editor of the Plattsburgh-Press Republican. Oh, and one more thing. We, mostly Bob, did get in a little jam one evening following a day at the track in Saratoga … if anyone wants to know more about that story, although I can’t imagine who would, they better ask Bob.

“Lake Placid traded in its established and highly successful Tik Tok (a bar and restaurant located at 81 Saranac Ave. in Lake Placid) softball team for two pennant contenders over the winter months, and already the Olympic Village looks like a winner in the transaction.

“When the Tik Tok team decided to disband after the 1970 season, the players each went their separate ways and in so doing have given Lake Placid what amounts to two entries in the Tri-Lake Softball League, the Majestic Restaurant and Winnie’s Lounge of Saranac Lake. (I do not remember Winnie’s Lounge.)

“And with the two teams sharing the league lead after eight weeks of play, the Tik Tok tradition of success has multiplied twofold making Lake Placid the big winner this summer.

“The Majestic Restaurant, 7-1, on the season, is the former Marine Midland team of Saranac Lake but with a number of new faces from Lake Placid on the roster this year and a new sponsor. Their stiffest challenge to a second straight regular season championship thus far has come from Vinnie’s Lounge, (owned by Vinnie Pelletieri, which may still have been at 24 Broadway, later moved a hundred yards to the corner of Dorsey & Broadway) stacked with former Tik Tok regulars and the Hi-Hat Lounge of Tupper Lake (located at 93 Park St.)

“Among the Placid performers on the Majestic roster are first baseman Mike Hollrock and left fielder Dick Strack, veterans of many seasons and former regulars with now defunct Placid teams. Both Hollrock and Strack have been instrumental in the Majestic’s success so far.

‘Vinnie’s Lounge, although based in Saranac Lake has more of a Placid complexion than the locally based Majestic since many of the Tik Tok players

banded together and joined the established Saranac club making its strongest challenge ever for league laurels.

“Pitcher Steve Morgan leads the local contingent which consist of first baseman Jack Levitt, third baseman, Vic Sacco, catcher Ernie Hough and outfielders Roby Politi and David Bliss. Morgan’s pitching has been the big lift for Vinnie’s, but manager Bob Walsh won’t discount the added punch from the Placid sticks and the airtight defense from the newcomers.

“Vinnie’s and the Majestic have met only once thus far (were scheduled to meet last Wednesday but rain forced cancellation of the important game) with Majestic taking advantage of Morgan’s off night as they put Morgan’s wildness to good use in scoring a 12-2 victory.

“But the big story as far as Vinnie’s is concerned has been ever since that crushing defeat, counting Monday’s forfeit win over VFW, Vinnie’s has reeled off eight straight victories to become the hottest commodity in the eight team loop halfway through round two.

“It’s highly probable that by the time the two teams meet again sometime in mid-August both club’s will still be blanketing first place and fighting for the regular season championship.”

Lake Placid News in brief

“The 15th Annual Lake Placid Free Skating competition for singles, mixed pairs and similar pairs came and went this weekend with more than 150 skaters competing.”

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“The Lake Placid Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club under leader Gar Jones will sponsor a wilderness exploration on August 6, 7, and 8. They will camp at Moose Pond Friday night and climb the trailless Sawtooth Range from the East. This is a wild area bordering Cold River though the summit is visible from Lake Placid. The trailess bushwhacking may be difficult and it is not expected to be an easy climb.”

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“Frank Van Luick, Vice President of Engineering Environment of One Corporation will present a lecture at Marble Mountain Lodge at the Whiteface Mountain Field Station on the ‘Present Status of Air Pollution from the Viewpoint of Industry.’ The lecture will take place at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 3.”

(I would love to be able to read that 52-year-old lecture paper on air pollution considering today’s conditions.)