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Missing Persons Bulletin
As Zonebreaker commented a few days ago, On the Sly has provided "the opportunity to hear from many old friends and even find out where they are now ...." That has sure been true for many of us. I have heard from long-lost students in all parts of the country and from childhood friends who had worked their way to the back of my memory.
But that comment got me thinking the other day: What about some of my childhood friends that I haven't heard from? Where are they? And do they even remember little Ray Gagnon from Johnson Avenue, before he became the blogging Fox?
When Goose and I were talking football recently, he mentioned the brothers who lived on Johnson Avenue and went to Our Lady of Victory Academy. They were two tough football players named Kenny and Pete Canestorp. I think their father was in the Air Force and they might have lived on Johnson Avenue for about five years. They were really nice guys, but when they strapped on the football helmet, they made Coach John Flynn smile! They were big and they were brawlers. When they moved from Plattsburgh, we never heard from them again.
Also just down the street from our house the LaRocco family moved in. They were an Italian family and the father, Joe, was also in the Air Force. He had black hair, dark eyebrows and sang a song like Tony Bennett. He was often talking about recording some of his songs, and he may have cut a record locally. He would sing for anyone who would listen, including my Mom, which didn't make my Dad too happy.
But I was more interested in his daughter, Valerie, who was the same age as I and in the same class at OLVA. She was taller than I, but I guess most girls were in those days. Okay, in these days too! But she was very pretty and she was my date (yikes! there's that "date" word again!) when we went on the "Dusty Boyd Show" at the WPTZ-Channel 5 studio on Cornelia Street. There we were on television, live ... and dancing ... and me trying to stand on my toes a little to look taller. I'd love to hear from her. I'm sure she is married to an Italian guy, one who has a great singing voice and stands about 6' 4".
And I wonder what ever happened to Ronnie Zak. He lived further down Johnson Avenue and was older than the usual gang that hung out in Elizabeth Street schoolyard. He was a big guy. I mean tall and bulky. But sometimes he would play baseball with us, and once in awhile he would hit a towering fly ball that would go over Elizabeth Street School. I mean, we would look up and it would go over the roof and land someplace on Elizabeth Street. While two or three of us ran to try to track the ball down, Ron would be loping around the bases, laughing all the way. After high school I guess he moved away, and I've never heard from him again.
A friend and I were talking about high school days this past weekend and she mentioned the name Henry Yerger. Henry was in my 1966 OLVA graduation class. He hadn't grown up in the North Country, but when he arrived he gave all of us Fox Hill guys some competition for the girls. He had good looks and this curly hair, always neat with the little curly wave in the front. He was a friendly guy who moved away after graduation, and I've never heard from him again.
And while I'm at it, where's Donald Reille from Hartwell Street and Faith Parent from Waterhouse Street? When I was a senior in high school, I had a crush on Leitha Bashaw from Keeseville, and before that, there was this Air Force girl named Judy North. In 1966 I fell head over heels for an OLVA boarder from South America named Myriam Barrientos. During the summer of '66 letters from her arrived weekly all the way from her homeland. All summer I brushed up on my Spanish. But when she returned to Plattsburgh in September, she dumped this local guy for an Air Force dude she met at Brodi's. Seems that his Air Force uniform was more appealing than my Gus' Red Hots white shirt with grease spots all over it.
Anyway, I'd still love to find out what happened to these missing persons in my life. Anyone know?
Sure would like to add some of these names to the On the Sly club.
Comments
I don't if you remember me, but I recently logged on to the site and have been reading some of your older articles. They really brought back some of my fondest childhood memories. The "Where are they now" article was of big interest to me. Some of the names of interest to me are: Diane Osher, Bobby King, Pinky Bushey, Terry St. Dennis, the James brothers, Stephanie Duquette and her brother I think his name was Lenny, Joe Staves, Mike Flynn, just to mention a few.
I remember playing sand lot baseball with you and your brother (sorry I forgot his name) at the Elizabeth street school lot.....Hit the wall and it was a home run, and also at the old field where the Notre Dame gym is now.
I haven't been back to the North Country for some time, but may plan a trip in the next couple of years.
It would be good to hear from you and any information you have on these people. My last trip up there, I did meet up with and had dinner with Randy Dame and Robin Bouyea.
Take care,
Steve
(Foxy's note: This comment is from Steve Manor, who lived on Monty Street. The last time I spoke with him was in the early 1980s for my "Where Are They Now?" article for the Press-Republican. He was living in Las Vegas at the time. Great to hear from him!)
Posted by: Steve Manor | June 4, 2007 9:22 AM
for those of you who were "stowaway" fans and attended the "y" dances, they are doing a reunion in july around the 15th i believe. what a great time that was and to get in was only 5O cents. hope to see all the "groupies" back in town.
fox, save me a dance, better make it a slow one for us.
(Foxy's note: Cricket, that's the best offer I've had in a long time! Thanks!)
Posted by: Cricket | February 5, 2007 6:58 PM
I, too am happy 'W" has come back from the depths of despair and wish him the best in his recovery. Not to worry about the split personality thing, I don't hold any grudges. It is a small world though. I actually competed with Tara Conner in the co-ed double luge a few years back and won a Platinum medal and two made of Manganese. We would still be sliding today had we been able to decide who would be on top. Since we couldn't agree, she decided to go on to the USA pageant, which she eventually won. What a twist of fate.
I especially liked visiting W's virtual apartment and noticed he had a local artist on your I-pod. He wasn't at the "Help Feed Your Neighbor Night" but does have a band of his own. His name is Rick Davies and the song was ‘Rumba Nortena’. I was in Keeseville that night listening to some C&W with Hartman on base.
I also heard the Old Timer and his brother were kicked out of the Y men's b-ball league for fighting back in the 80's. They'd sure be a help for crowd control in a campaign. I wonder if we could locate that wiry air-dale dog they called WIRY that lived on North Catherine Street in the 50’s as a mascot. Maybe we could ask M&M.
Happy National Foxy Bloggers day, I think I’m getting this in under the wire.
Posted by: Tom-A-Hawk | February 2, 2007 9:27 PM
It wouldn't surprise me if the Myrtle Beach golf courses have entered an APB for the Skipper. I am sure he has found friendly surrounds to spend his time though.
Posted by: applejacks | February 2, 2007 8:31 PM
Foxy,
Congratulations on National Foxy Blog Day.
What a momentous occasion for the return of "W". I have been searching countless blogs over the last few months in the hope of coming across his wisdom and sage advice. Now that he is planning on sharing his enormous talents with us in our fair city then he can count on me to be part of his campaign team. I will even offer to help counsel him as he makes his adjustment. Great to have you back.
Bullet
Posted by: Bullet | February 2, 2007 5:38 PM
Foxy, this is just a side bar to Myrtle Beach......Skip, it happened again, but, I was on the receiving end this time.......A guy in the next fairway knocked MY hat off with his drive yesterday......I guess it's a case of "what goes around, comes around"........sorry to hear about your accident.......If you do go thru with that threat of coming to South Florida, stop in for a visit..... We are spending the winter in Venice, an hour north of Ft. Myers.......phone number is (941) 488-4366
Posted by: Long John Silver | February 2, 2007 4:18 PM
Hey Foxy - just wanted to check in and wish you a happy "National Foxy's Blog Day". I've enjoyed all the "blasts from the past" and look forward to other reminders of just how freakin' old I'm getting!! Perhaps once W gets elected he can create a special Public Service Award just for you...keep up the good work!
(Foxy's note: Thanks, "Smell." )
Posted by: "Smell" | February 2, 2007 3:48 PM
Hey Foxy!
Tell the Carver I'll gladly work on W's campaign. Our motto: "Vote for W and Vote often"!
As for being a Wild West AARP connection, FIE! ... Well, maybe, although I stopped at age 39 MANY years ago!
Finally a few day's respite from my own busy political adventures here, but, Foxy's blog is the first on-line site I open in the morning. (After reading the comics in the RGJ, of course!).
Oh, we're heading to a Super Bowl party this Sunday. I have no idea who's playing - without the Giants, Jets or Patriots in the game, I'm there for the food!
Think spring ... it'll be in the 50-60s here next week. Alas.
Lynda
Posted by: Lynda (Bouyea) Bevins | February 2, 2007 3:20 PM
Foxy:
Thought I would respond as part of The Carver's check-in campaign.
In response to one of your previous postings, I too can't wait for Spring Training to start. I think our Dodgers have a chance to make some noise this year in the N.L. West. Is there a chance I'll see you down at Holman Stadium in Vero Beach this Spring?
(Foxy's note: Not this year. I still need a year or two more to soak up that nice cold air of the North Country in my lungs! Then I'll hit spring training.)
Posted by: vin scully | February 2, 2007 12:04 PM
"W" - glad to have you back and equally happy to hear that the rehab went well. Like Carver, I will be there for you in the fall. I was going to vote for you in the fall but I thought the "W" on the ballot meant withdrew. My bad! Just to let the Carver know I followed his request and signed in on the Foxy Ground Hog Day blog under the January blog. Foxy it sounds like you need to have a full blown OLVA, "all-classes" reunion, if for no other reason, personal therapy. "W" - don't be gone for so long, your absence causes great concern for Bullet.
Posted by: Zonebreaker | February 2, 2007 10:30 AM
Checking in from cold and snowing Ohio. No shadow here or even a groundhog!
Miney, how is Al and Chris doing? I remember Chris having red hair. When did you graduate?
Paul
Posted by: Paul Shirley (Class of 1963 - PHS) | February 2, 2007 10:15 AM
W,W,W, so glad you're back!!! I was afraid your summer reunion did you in. I can't speak for the others but you can certainly count on me for moral support in your election campaign, need to get "zonebreaker" on your side though, his experience in bringing in the bucks and connections would be a feather in your cap... you could get "oldtimer" to handle the AARP group, "Bullet" for the southern states, "skipper "for the midwest, and maybe Lynda in the west.
Foxy, I did recognize one of those sweethearts on your list... I believe if you talk with "flukie" he will tell you she was his date to the the '67 prom ! Sorry I missed the "Dusty Boyd Show" but I was a guest on "Captain Al's Adventure Club"! believe Skipper was the cameraman!..speaking of skipper. sorry to hear of your mishap.... that ice in the glass can be the most dangerous of all! Remember all, today is "National Foxy's Blog Day".. will foxy see his shadow or not?? (probably a good chance with all that penny candy he's been chowing on)...please take a moment to check in!
(Foxy's note: Thanks, the Carver. You are a great drum-beater for my blog! Hope everyone who reads this will quickly check in for a head count!)
Posted by: the carver | February 2, 2007 8:26 AM
The Ron Zak who transferred in 1962 from OLVA to PHS? The last known e-mail I have of him is zakrjzak@aol.com. He didn't come to our reunion in 2003, but I did receive several e-mails from him when I was "head hunting" classmates for the reunion. We plan to have another reunion this next year (our 45th) in 2008, hopefully in Plattsburgh. If I get ahold of him, I will pass on that you are looking for him!
Paul
(Foxy's note: Thanks for the update, Paul. I wonder if he remembers me.)
Posted by: Paul Shirley (Class of 1963 - PHS) | February 1, 2007 9:53 PM
My name’s not on your list, but guess who’s back. I was so distraught at the lack of support I received in my mayoral campaign that I decided to get counseling. I discovered my problem and am now on step 15, the last step in my recovery. (I met Tara Conner in rehab. She said she was Miss USA, but I didn’t believe her because I missed the competition.) I now must face all those I confronted during my early days of blogging to complete my journey back to normalcy.
My addiction was not drugs, gambling, alcohol, or multiple personality disorder (although I do apologize to Tom-A-Hawk and Forest Gump for their mistreatment.) I discovered I had such a propensity to Foxy’s blog that I had to enter rehab to break free. Through my therapist I realized this cagy, Foxy character has duped people into his cult for years. It all began in Middle School where unsuspecting students became hooked on English. He then moved into video and gathered a new following through mass media, and the Internet provided another venue to spread his chaos through a blog. He now, possibly through an elaborate scheme with local dentists, is trying to draw people into a candy frenzy by promoting Atomic Fireballs and passing them out to the masses.
It was only at great personal expense that I was able to realize and break free from the blog and I encourage others to be cautious. Rehab of this nature is not a covered expense by Insurance companies. At any rate, I am well and looking for the hat I threw in the ring last fall. When I find it and decide which party I belong to, I will be throwing it into the race for the Presidency. I’ll have to toss it high since the pile is growing. To this end I send my greetings to Carver, Bullet, Zonebreaker, J, and The Old Timer and ask them for their support this fall. I’ll be looking again to fill my cabinet with forward thinking individuals of deviant character with fertile minds. I only hope they can talk me into voting for myself this time around. I’ve learned in therapy that once I’ve settled old debts, I can then start to offend new ones by starting over. It’s a lot like confession, but with a heftier pricetag.
In response to ‘Channel 5 News’ I remember being captivated by Syd Spiegel’s radio play-by-play of bobsled races back in the 50’s and 60’s. “They’re going into shady, they’re coming out of shady, they’re zigging, they’re zagging, they’re finished.” Wow, what an exciting broadcast. One could envision the sleds reeling down the ice-covered track at breathtaking speeds. That was sport at its purest. I couldn’t help noticing a string in a recent blog of ‘the older I get, the better I was’ from a newbee who most certainly will become a regular. Blogging is so easy even a kman can do it, but knowing what to blog and when not to blog it is the hard part. Think about it (tbi).
To verify my identity, click on my name and visit my new digs. I’m back, but only for a visit. My therapist says I must move on.
(Foxy's note: This comment says it all and "W" is back! I wish he could stay, but he and his doctors know best.)
Posted by: W | February 1, 2007 7:10 PM