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Remembering Last Year
I guess not everyone is into nostalgia. As much as I enjoy remembering the good ol' days in some of my blogs, and as much as some readers enjoy adding their memories to the story, some people just can't connect.
A few days ago I walked into a local business and one of the female employees approached me and said with a smile, "Oh, Foxy, I always read your blogs. But you have to write about something I know about." I could tell by looking at her that she was younger than I. She obviously never sat on a barstool at the Rainbow or dined at the Cadillac Club or the Gran-Vue. She obviously never bought a hat at Herman's or a suit for her husband at Jerry Donnelly Ltd.
"I never heard of any of those places you write about," she added. "Write about something new."
I guess I just find it hard to feel nostalgic about something I did last year. I can tell stories galore about shopping at Woolworth's and Fishman's downtown with my Mom when I was a kid, but I have a hard time digging up memories about last year.
"I wasn't living in the North Country until ten years ago," she continued. "Write about some places that I go to." I looked at her and wondered where that might be. If I were in my thirties instead of nearing sixty, where would I go?
It occured to me then that some day forty years from now, she might be writing a blog at the www.pressrepublican.com website. And she'll be writing nostalgically about the Naked Turtle and Ground Round and Irises and the year they knocked down Dairy Queen to build a Starbucks. She'll remember the good ol' days of dancing with her friends at Tabu Night Club and how popular kareoke was.
Maybe she'll think back with a grin about the time there was a Farmer's Market on the riverbank of Durkee Street and how gas prices were only around $3 a gallon. She'll write about local North Country personalities in those days like Gordie Little (and the youngsters in 2046 will say, "Who's he?"), Ducky Drake, Jack Stewart, Johnny Seiden, Amy Valentine, Pete Whitbeck, Gena Rosenbaum and those wild brothers, Foxy and Goose.
So, for those readers who can't connect to my memories of the 1950s and 1960s, this one's for you: Ah, it was great sitting on that back deck of the Naked Turtle last summer. It was midnight and the breeze off Lake Champlain felt great. The band Glass Onion had the place rocking. Seems like it was only last month, not last year.
And the next day I met some friends at Ponderosa, where we loaded our plates with wings and things and ate till we couldn't eat any more. And, for dessert, ice cream with all the added sweets you want! That's what I call a meal.
Yes, 1960 was a great year for me, but, now that she made me think about it, I guess last year was pretty good, too. I guess in a certain way I'll always remember the Summer of 2005.
Comments
As an ex-Montrealer now residing in Ottawa, of course I remember The Stardust Drive-in: there were two others in Plattsburgh and two in Champlain-Rouses Point. In those days the only thing on Route 3 was a Grandway Department store where us Canadians would stock up on M&M candies and Madras shirts. Of course we would pack up the IHOP across the street on a Sunday morning.
In a way it's sad that Route 3 has become your new downtown, nothing beats the charm of a real town center as exists in Burlington, Saratoga Springs and Kingston(Ontario).
Hopefully the projects that are underway in your city will revitalize downtown.
Posted by: Norm Stotland | October 6, 2006 10:38 AM
Foxy,
I got a laugh reading your blog because I can understand exactly how your friend feels about being left out of the good old days of yore. I too can only go back so far upon my arrival to the North Country. Here are some things I can remember back when I arrived but keep in mind the 70's were kind of fuzzy. The day I drove off the Northway, air conditioners were being delivered by helicopter to the rooftop of the mall that was still under construction. My first thought was that’s different.
Hammond Lane, which I traveled to and from work was a dirt road and Route 3 was a two- lane road with not much development past Champlain Center Mall, Monopole was the place to hang out and there were no Chinese restaurants except the Tea House on Miller Street. Then I was invited to go on the River Run. Now that’s something to experience, all I can say is I lived to talk about it. Kind of like when I was invited to hike Lyon Mountain.
Another thing I remember is the traffic lights. I seem to remember there were only two sets of lights between Dairy Queen and Keeseville Bank! And they were strung up high across the road, not on lampposts on the side of the road like I was use to. Needless to say this driver went through a few lights before remembering to look up.
I can appreciate Andrew's thoughts about history but I guess I am the exception - I love history especially ancient history. But I guess I can't be part of the really good old days just the really good semi-old days. Geeze, I feel just like your friend, in fact, I could be her.
Thanks for the nostalgia and giving me a birds eye view of the good ole days.
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the comments, Glassbit. I hope you'll be a regular around here! Yes, Route 3 has changed a lot. Was there still a drive-in theater on Route 3 when you arrived in Plattsburgh? That was one of our teenage hot-spots, one of our first stops when we got our own car! And, yes, the Tea House Inn is where I tasted my first Chinese food. )
Posted by: Glassbit | October 5, 2006 7:32 AM
I think reading your blog and the pressrepublican.com is a way for many of the north country faithful who have moved away to still feel like we have a little connection. So, as for me, Foxy, thanks alot I really enjoy reading your blog. It helps me to remember what a great place that Plattsburgh and the North Country were and still are as well as what great people have lived there and continue to live there. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: JH | October 3, 2006 12:41 PM
Hi foxy, I agree, we're leaving some of the younger bloggers out, but there are plenty of good spots this year and last ... but what she's got to realize, like fine wine, as time goes by is the older the story is .. the better that spot will get , for example, naked turtle today could have been brodi's in years past... ground round, toot-n-tell'em ... tabu, probably compares to the "egg and Machine shop" yesterday, meron's today ...wait a minute meron's (that place never changes!) .. and before "old timer" and "Mannix" get to it ... Korina today .. The Penguin yesterday (1947)... remember foxy, grandma carver lived on fox hill for about 70 years ... we've got all kinds of info tucked away in the time capsule. keep the blogs flowin!
(Foxy's note: Wow, I thought Sal Righi and Steve Bedard were the only ones in the North Country to know that the Korina was originally named the Penguin!! Leave it to "the carver" to do his homework!)
Posted by: the carver | October 2, 2006 6:06 PM
This makes me think of the people who say that they hated History classes in school. A lot of times, they'll say that they can't relate to things they didn't experience ... or that it isn't "relevant" to them. I've never understood this. I love history. I guess its just one of those differences you find as you go through life. Some people are interested in the past. Some just aren't.
Posted by: Andrew Pulrang | October 1, 2006 2:17 PM
It seems like only yesterday when we were heading out to all corners of the North Country taping basketball games and football games etc. . .
I will be back in town this Christmas. I will give you a call, maybe we can meet up for a few cold ones. . .my treat!
Posted by: Kelly Miller | October 1, 2006 1:33 PM