On The Sly

Foxy, Continuing to enjoy your articles from Asheville, NC. I grew up in the 60's on the north end of the city. We often met to play pickup games at Bailey Ave. or Oak St.schools. We always had enough guys to play and never needed a ref. I think it helped us to get along and solve our own disagreements by making our own rules. I think it was great practice. Some of the old Montcalmers that I remember well are Dave Mayette, Mike Maille, Les Lucas, Wick Cadieux, the Gebos- Norm and Jeff, my brother Roger Bordeau and many others. Greetings to my old friends and the other Montcalmers. Russ Bordeau

It seems as though everyone’s neighborhood ‘back in the day’ was the best. On Morrison Avenue, we used to have full 11 on 11 football games with only members from the street participating. We played in the back yard of the ‘white’ Booths who lived next door to the ‘red’ Booths who all had red hair and lived in a red house. Often times there were over 40 kids who played kick-the-can on hot summer evenings and there were close to 50 children living on the street. During the winter months, parents would close off the street and pull everyone behind cars on toboggans and sleds. I’m afraid those neighborhoods don’t exist anymore and we’ll probably never have them that way again. (tbi)

Great stuff Foxy, I grew up in Dannemora and we played ball from sun up to sundown,,,at the school we had the strike zone on the wall and the power lines designated the hits..the Ryans and the Breyettes always gave us back the ball..Those were great times..wish my kids had them..But the boys do play wiffle ball in the yard alot and I am introducing them to the amazing sport of Lemon Ball.

Foxy,

Interesting thoughts on neighborhoods. Fox Hill was pretty much one big one with different sections. Everyone knew one another especially the adults. How many times did we think we had gotten away with a little mischief when our dads would tell us exactly what we did and where, especially at the dinner table. Somebody had seen us and had told our parents. Everyone looked after one another and it was a much safer world. Also our parents never questioned another adult or, heaven forbid, a teacher or a person in authority. A couple of other names to throw in with the old "hood", the Primard's, Greg, Gary and of course "Chee Chee" from Elizabeth St., John and David Burdo from Sherman Ave., the James boys from So. Catherine, Lynn and George. I also remember moving games from the old school yard to Monty St. fields when the teams got too big. I must be getting too melancholy.

Foxy- Enjoying your blogs. I grew up in the Jersey Section of Au Sable Forks in the late 60s and even though I was a GIRL, I was out there playing with the BOYS. We played football, baseball, softball, basketball and screen. I agree with your readers, its too bad that kids today don't have what we had. One reason kids do not have it is because they are in their own town leagues playing soccer, pal football,etc. I believe we start our kids way too young in these leagues. Seems like the minute they are walking they are in some sport. I also had great neighbors that allowed us to play in their yards. We had a neighbor that put a light pole in his yard so we could play at night. Thanks for bringing back some of the best times in my life. Yes- you need to do a vote on those MASH POTATOES! (If you do not know who I am, I am Beth-the postal lady!)

Hey Fox, I remember those days, great times with great friends. You don't see that anymore, it seems that kids are more worried about being cool or playing video games. I'm sorry but nintendo did not make my generation better athletes. It was repetitions and playing the game like as if it were the last.

Excellent Foxy. I remember walking past your house on the way to Monty Street School from South Platt st. In the spring, your yard on Johnson ave. always had those beautiful lilac bushes, it marked the start of baseball season. I remember in 1971, you taking over as coach of our little league baseball team, Prescription Center and your dad would keep book. Then came split scessions, as they built the new middle school, 10 or so of us played baseball every morning before school at the foxhill field. I guess all boys had their "Elizabeth st. schoolyard." Ours was in the lot of the old EW Tompkins building on South Platt st.

those were the neighborhoods, i lived across from dickson's bar,bernie's lounge and now bobby's,
we had the empty lot right next to our house which is now the drive way for apartements in the back.
put out many a window in harvey's big office building.ate alot of crab apples and played whiffle ball till dark, then hide and go seek. what days those were. i to was raised on fox hill, lived there for a period of time, but would move back in a minute if i could. what a great neighborhood.

Ahh growing up on Johnson Ave. 1 Johnson Ave to be exact where my Nana & Pa lived..Hubert (Cy)& Irene Williams..Monty Street school remember the air raid drills. Oh and the ice cream truck with real ice cream or the pizza truck that came by every afternoon...all the fun at Fox Hill where arts and crafts were a real summer treat and sliding in the winter..and yes playing Barbie Dolls was very important to us way back then...just as a WALK to the old PHS field for skating in the winter..back then that rink seemed like it was Olymic size...my how time flies and things change..except for our visits to Richard's store to visit with Dave & Linda for some fishing info...

Foxy- Great Stuff! It sounds a lot like the movie The Sandlot. My dad used to tell me the same kind of stories about what was going on across town at the same time (playing behind St. Peter's school).
Growing up in Plattsburgh of the mid 1980's we would meet at the Bailey Ave little league field to play our games. Sometimes there were 20 kids or more waiting to play.
Our modified football was played in the field by the church on Tremblay, and our Basketball was of the driveway variety, even when we had to shovel off the snow.
You don't see those things going on today.

Foxy, As I mentioned in one of your earlier blogs, my dad replaced many a window and never once complained. There were a couple of neighbors that would make us just beg to get our ball back as I recall. Keep up the good work.

Hi Foxy, you just brought back some old and great memories. I grew up on Elizabeth Street and spent alot of time on Johnson Avenue right at the Bouyea's. Angel was my first best friend and her father John was my second Dad.

The old school yard was my cut through until they put those condos in. Then I had to walk all the way around or jump a fence behind the church to Richard's store.

I wish to God there were neighborhoods like that now, ones where I could let my kids run all day and come home around dark; just like I did.

I have very fond memories of my childhood and I thank you for reminding me.

By the way, I also have very fond memories of my favorite English teacher......