On The Sly

You look good for a 93 year old man. Your grand daughter is on the Wheel of Fortune and told all about you and said you were 93 and still tending bar.

oldest bartender best gram!!!!

HOW ABOUT THE RAINBOW AND LEO. NOW THAT'S THE PLACE TO GO AFTER HOUR EVERYBODY HAD LAST CALL. I REMEMBER LEAVING AND DRIVING DOWN THE RAILROAD. THAT WAS THE TALK OF THE TOWN.

Foxy:

I remember many of your mention of bartenders. Living in Ct. now and coming up for family visits I hadn't frequented the bars in quite a while until a couple of years ago . At that time a high school reunion reunited myself and some old buddies. Now we get together up there once a year and stay out til all hours of the morning for a couple of days. We sure drink alot less then we did, but we frequent the same old haunts. I was surprised when I walked into the Monopole and saw Noel. A step back in time.
The Monopole had quite a line up of bartenders at one time and many of them were relocated from the Egg and Machine shop. Pat Harrigan did some time at both places and had some great stories.

Foxy we all read your column and when we gather for our guys weekend, we go to some places you have suggested in your column. You were right on with that hot peppered steak sandwich from Bobby's lounge. That was dinner on the first night together and at least one night after that. What a sanddwich, Miney and Woody will agree I'm sure.

Kepp up the suggestions cause we will be back

Thanks

Stan

this is a little off base.. but does anyone know or remember donald "ducky" mcghee??.. bartender at filions in the 72-75 years...

Were there ANY sober teachers during my developmental years? And no, Mr. Z, I am not conceding any responsibility as the reason why you all drank! It's good to see you have all out-grown your destructive behaviors. You have, haven't you?

(Foxy's note: Good question, Kern!)

foxy, just too many stories to be told and the list of those who've been given the "heave ho" from Meron's over the last 80 years is just too long... I propose that a special meeting be called ... report to Meron's Friday December 1st at 5:00 to expand on some of these stories,legends and myths ... Fred, Skip, Mike, Miney, Norm, Bullet, Jim "old timer" the long lost "W" and all other former bloggers mark it on your calenders (I hear Grace is off that night so maybe we can get some service!)

Foxy: Now that the "infamous" Fred Forkey, Mr. Skip and the ageless Sal Righi have jumped on board with their tales of the "oldest bartenders" that they remember, it would be hard to think that a better crew could chime into this blog. If only Pickles Proctor and Marty Douglas were around to lend some advice. I am sure that the above mentioned trio must remember some of the many old timers who tended bar along the river run at Finnan's Fun Farm, The Northern Lights, Clayburg Hotel and the even the legion in Lyon Mt. after some baseball games. Don't forget George LaGree at the LaGree Hotel in Cherabusco. There was also the Weatercock in Chazy, the Saxony in Rouses Point and the Holland Hotel in Champlain. Even closer to home how about Johnny Bell's Place on Fox Hill and we cannot forget Della's Inn in Peru after those summer town team games.

After reading what Skip said about the matriarch Mrs. Meron (Grace's Grandma), I have to tell you she threw my Dad out of Merons'when he was a rowdy young guy in Plattsburgh - and he turned 86 the day before your Mom, Foxy.

(Foxy's note: Well, Miney, your Dad is one good guy, and I find it hard to believe he could have been tossed out of Meron's. Must have all been a misunderstanding!)

I think John Ryan is the oldest still active bartender, still tends both sides of the bar.
Connie LaMarshe also tended bar at the Korina for a number of years. I remember hearing about Ray L., Hector, Maynard, Big John, Glen, Rita, Jack J., Noel, etc. but I never really met any of them.....
I do think Grace at meron's is the oldest barmaid (remember when we could say barmaid) that is still putting in time behind the bar. Some people say she hides her age well but I know it is under a stone tablet in her basement. A stone tablet she used to keep notes on in high school.

Hey Foxy,

I can't help you much with the oldest bartender as I was only allowed to go to the "Store" for milk and bread. It used to stay open pretty late though and after the 3-11 shift at Imperial I would stop and pick up the aforementioned staples for my mother. But it seemed that most of the time Mr. Ryan as I called him in the early 70's was holding court. If he is still doing so I can't see anyone matching his endurance. As for a Bloody Mary, Foxy, I would recommend the recipe of very dear friend, Flukie's, as he has often served them at many different occasions, most notably on train rides to north of the border. By the way, Happy Birtday Mrs. G, not a sweeter woman to grace "Fox Hill" in the last 85 years. Can't wait till the 90th Birthday Party.

Bullet

Hey Fox Hey Fred

Glad to recall Ray Lalonde and his connection to the Store Tavern and perhaps the longest standing (sometimes not) bartender in Plattsburgh, John Ryan.
When I was younger I plied the very same taverns you mentioned plus some more along with Fred Forkey and Sal Righi.

May I recall some memories of the earlier days at Meron's where Maynard Meron held court. His bartenders Glen and Big John were the kindest gents in the North Country but each had his own unique style about him. Maynard's waitstaff was Glen's wife, Rita and diminutive Agnes. The matriarch Mrs. Meron (Granma Grace) was the self appointed sergeant-at-arms that zealously guarded the backroom from interlopers and stags. It was waiting line only on Friday and Saturday nights. Grace, the present proprietor, was merely a wisp of a teenager then but often came down bearing food for Maynard, her uncle.

As for Noel Sowley I remember that I was the first person he had met in Plattsburgh as he arrived for college and was going to live with me and other students at Branon's house on Tremblay Ave. He was discharged from the USMC and was escorted by his dad.

Jack Jerry of Bernie's Lounge had been there a long time and had the reputation of being cantankerous and limited his clientele. If Jack had doubts of the suitablity of a potential customer he would perfunctorily dismiss him and say, "Sorry, private party." Well, Bernie's is now Bobby's Lounge and except for a few years absence Bobby Hall is in the running for longest term bartender in Plattsburgh.
Also in the running should be Hector at 4th Ward. He has been a fixture in the north end of the city for a quite a few years and has provided his many friends quite an array of experiences since he continued the family business.
There are so many memories of the local haunts through the years; it would take volumes to do justice to them all , or even just a few.

Well, Foxy, I have a secret formula for the perfect Bloody Mary but would not disclose here in public. Maybe I'll see on Saturday to taste Jen's.
Take care Fox . And to Fred : I bet that between the two of us we can fill Foxy's head with bar tales.

Skip

Foxy: You spoke of the Store Tavern. Well, John Ryan, owner and "sometime" bartender of his establishment should indeed be in the running for the title. Not only has John been running the store since Hitler was in boot camp, but he puts some time behind the bar as well.

(Foxy's note: Good one, Fred, and I also goofed on where Ray Lalonde tended bar. Sal Righi reminded me that it was The Store, not the Korina.)

Foxy,
If you like a Bloody Mary, have you tried a Bloody Caesar?
It's made with Clamato juice instead of tomato juice, a bit of worcester sauce, salt and pepper. It has to be the most popular mixed drink In Canada, invented some 20 years ago or so at the Westen Hotel In Caigary.
Basically unheard of in the US, although I had a good one in Saratoga Springs this summer.

(Foxy's note: Norm, just the idea of CLAM -ato juice upsets my stomach. I love tomato juice, tho. Should I try a Bloody Caesar just for you? Next time I'm in my favorite hangout I'll give it a go!)

Oh Boy..."Old Timer" is going to eat us alive in this one! he's an expert in both categories! ...any way I'll throw in a dark horse..Connie LaMarshe. currently tends a little bit at the "The Store" tavern and prior to that spend many years at "Murphy's" in Peru .. I'll bet she's been in the bartending business longer than most local watering holes have been open! my second choice might be Grace at Meron's, or a least it seems like she's been there 100 years! Happy Birthday Grace! ( I won't mention which one!)