On The Sly

It's that time of year for reunions -- class reunions, family reunions, and even neighborhood reunions. I had a ball last Saturday at Bonnie LaPorte's camp on Point Au Roche, telling stories with kids from the old neighborhood. I say Bonnie LaPorte because that was her name when she lived on Johnson Avenue. Since then she has gone on to enjoy an outstanding career as a teacher under the name of Bonnie Gregware.

No one was really willing to take credit for the idea, but when I arrived there were plenty of familiar faces to greet me. Gerald and Karen (Maisano) Burdo were present, along with David and Linda (King) Richard, Len and Debbie (McNally) Duquette, John and Brenda (Clinebell) Ireland, Gary and Sue (Toussaint) Baker, Bobby Harris, Dan and Brenda Drowne and the one and only Goose Gagnon.

It was great to see Dora LaPorte, Bonnie's mother, and her Johnson Avenue neighbor since 1952, Olga LaPierre. Both still look young and were smiling as they listened to old stories from what-used-to-be young kids.

Carl LaPierre, Olga's brother-in-law, who used to be a frequent visitor to the neighborhood, was also present. He had taught for many years in the Moriah Central School District.

I even brought Gail Gagnon, my son's mother, to the event. Her cousins, the Rougeaus from Hartwell Street, will be invited next year, as will several others whose names cropped up during the afternoon barbeque.

As the boys gathered in the shade of an old oak tree, each with their favorite beverage in hand, the stories turned to old teammates and old girlfriends. Dave reminded me about a girl I liked who went to Peru Central -- one that I had somehow forgotten until his memory jogged mine.

I reminded Dave about how I had originally liked that redhead Linda King, but Dave had made up his mind that she was the girl of his dreams. Dave pawned off Linda's friend on me so that I'd be distracted, and we ended up double-dating at the Clinton County Fair in summer of '65. Forty years later Dave and Linda are still smiling together.

Back in the good old days, Johnson Avenue, like many neighborhoods around the city, was bustling with kids. There were bicycle races, baseball games, kool-aid stands and marbles. Ray LaMonda was the first on the street to have a mo-ped. He was nice enough to let us all have a try at it.

Before anyone left it was decreed that next year's neighborhood reunion will be on the third Saturday of July, again at Bonnie's camp. The inaugural group will be back, hopefully joined by Pam and John Quilliam, the Bells, the Gagnier girls, the Mooneys, and more. Maybe good old Gary Aglieri can stop making money in Texas long enough to join us as well.

THE STOWAWAYS RETURN ON SATURDAY

And speaking of reunions, the Stowaways, one of the North Country's legendary local bands from the Sixties, will return as part of Plattsburgh High School's Class of 1968 forty-year reunion. Back this year, after last year's record-setting concert, are Jim Wells from Florida, Kenny Phillips from Los Angeles, Geoff Jones from Rochester, as well as Plattsburgh's Spencer Bosworth and Mike O'Connell.

They are excited about the fun planned for Saturday night at Olive Ridley's on Court Street in Plattsburgh. At 8:30pm Last Licks will open the musical night. The Stowaways will take to the stage around 9:45pm with three one-hour sets. Sitting in with the band on some third-set songs will be Glen Dalton on guitar, Nelson Bosworth on flute and sax, Fred Passino on sax and Andy Fee on keyboard.

I've been invited back as the emcee for the night, and I'll make my debut with the band sometime during the night. I've been practicing the tambourine all week.

Bentley Austin, who was a key figure in the band's return in 2007, is busy this summer in Columbus, Ohio, with a summer music series and unable to attend Saturday's event. He will be missed by the band.

Olive Ridley's will start filling up early on Saturday, with a $5 cover charge starting at 6:30pm. The first in line might be John Wood, PHS Class of '68, who stopped by today's rehearsal to meet the band. He's here for the reunion all the way from Michigan.

Slip on your white bucks and turn your shirt collar up. See you at Olive Ridley's on Saturday night for the Stowaway's Second Reunion Concert.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'm having a happier retirement than Brett Favre. I can certainly understand a guy or girl retiring and then having second thoughts about it. I was lucky. I didn't have any second thoughts about retiring after 35 years of teaching.

I had a great time on my last day of teaching and was given a great send-off by my colleagues at Stafford Middle School. I went on to enjoy the summer of '05, and I didn't get the itch-twitchy feeling when September school days rolled around.

I guess Brett Favre is different. But what if I had decided to un-retire in September of 2005? What if I had gone to Principal Patty Amo and said, "I'm coming back!"?

I had already announced my retirement to my employers months before, just like Brett. By the time the new school year rolled around, the head-honchos at Stafford Middle School had made other plans, just like the Green Bay Packers. My replacement, and a good one at that, had already bought new shoes, sharpened pencils and created a classroom bulletin board.

Even if a bunch of Stafford students, who loved me, had signed petitions calling for the reinstatement of Foxy, I would have been locked out. That darn new security system at Stafford would limit me to peeking through the front window.

And, guess what! Somehow the 2005-2006 school year went by in the city of Plattsburgh without Foxy Gagnon. The job still got done. Just like the Packers will get along without Brett Favre.

Brett Favre should be no different from you or me. So what if he makes more money and makes more headlines? He's just another family man with bills to pay and a job to do. And he retired. He wanted to move on to other things.

And so, with tears in everyone's eyes, the Packers and Brett moved on. But now he wants to stuff those goodbye words back in his mouth and reclaim his Packers' locker. Sorry! Some other guy is stuffing his sweaty underwear in that locker now.

Just as the Plattsburgh City School District offered me a job as a substitute, the same goes for Brett. The Packers will take him back, but as a sub. Maybe if somebody gets sick or hurt, he can get more work, but, for now, he'd have to be a sub.

I feel bad for Brett. He never really gave retirement a chance. He never really got away from the hustle and bustle of everyday work to enjoy what it's like for somebody else to punch in at work and you just sit home with your feet up, enjoying a bowl of popcorn.

Maybe Brett should move in with me a few weeks. I could show him a nice place in the afternoon to watch sports and enjoy beverages while chatting with some great retired guys. I could introduce him to a few nice friends who enjoy music and laughter and like to stay up late at night partying. Although I'd probably try to avoid introducing him to a certain someone.

Maybe Brett got tired of looking at a "To Do" list that his wife has had waiting for him all these years. There's no "To Do" list over at Foxy's, Brett. There are a lot of great things about retirement, Brett. In the summer, instead of working out and playing football, there are pig roasts, demolition derbies, music festivals and fishing derbies, and so much more!

You never really gave retirement a chance, Brett.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

I've just spent parts of three days at the Clinton County Fair with three more fun days to go. My main mission during the fair days is to spread the word about all the things to do there. So, I end up with about five television programs for the public-access channel.

It all started on Tuesday night with the Opening Ceremonies, presided over this year by Steve Frederick, who replaced Bob Bruno, who had emceed for what seems like decades. I arrived early with a certain someone as my videographer and we opened the "Fox On the Run" show with interviews with some of the dignataries who were present on opening night.

Our first interview was with Bill Meconi, the Democratic Party's candidate for Family Court Judge. I asked Bill and the other important county officials about their involvement in the fair through the years and what things they enjoyed the most about the Clinton County Fair. I also spoke with County Treasurer Joe Giroux, a fellow 1966 graduate of Our Lady of Victory Academy, and county legislator Tom Sears.

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey somehow found time to attend, despite her many responsibilites in Albany. She is a tireless representative of our assembly district and I see her at many community events.

Tim Lawless, the current Family Court Judge, who is seeking a second ten-year term, stopped by to remember his days as a youth at the fair. He is the Republican Party's candidate for the post.

On Wednesday with Cortney on camera, the second "Fox on the Run" show featured businesses and organizations who had displays at the fair. We spoke with a variety of people and picked up souvenirs from the Republican Party and Democratic Party booths as well.

It was nice to see Hannah and her family at the fair. There is an area for the Hannah's Hope Fund (www.hannahshopefund.org). Even Hannah was there to smile for our cameras, along with her two sisters, Madison and Reagan. I interviewed Lori Sames, who filled me in on recent fundraisers and events to raise money for research into Giant Axonal Neuropathy (GAN).

This "Fox on the Run" show includes information about everything from thermal heating to energy drinks to log cabin homes and Avon products.

On Thursday Cortney was on camera again as we added more interviews, including stops to talk with Mike Parrotte of Airborne Speedway about the North Country's finest race track. I even had the opportunity to try driving a modified race car on a simulated Airborne track on a computer system set up by Gary Hamel. It was fun, but I crashed three times and handed the steering wheel over to Cortney, who did a better job, even though she's had a driver's license for just a few months.

I also talked with representatives of the Clinton County Firefighters Association, who, year after year, spend countless hours teaching children about fire safety. They have a great display. Before I left I was presented a firefighter's plastic helmet and sticker as an official junior firefighter.

Of course, the county fair is famous for its food. I've been so busy working thus far I've only had time for a few stops, but on Friday I'll really indulge. I've enjoyed a michigan at McSweeney's and hot wings at Owlyout's. Those wings were hot, but being a junior firefighter I knew how to put out the fire!

The highlight of Thursday was the michigan-eating contest, sponsored by McSweeney's to raise money this year for the Boy Scouts of America. There were ten contestants this year. Nine challengers for the defending champion, the four-time defending champion, David Burdo. Mike Criss gave David a challenge this year, as he did a few years ago, but the final stats showed that in the twelve-minute time period, David Burdo downed 14 michigans and Mike Criss gobbled 13. Howard Newton and Zael Kravitz tied for third with ten each.

Five-time champion David Burdo left with $100 in his pocket and one more michigan in his hand, just in case he got hungry while enjoying the fair the rest of the evening.

I haven't even mentioned the main entertainment each evening and the free music every day and night. I haven't even mentioned the midway with the rides and games. That remains for Saturday's show.

Then on Sunday it's the Demolition Derby. This year's event, promoted by Butch Hendrie, should be extra spicy with a grudge match and several last-minute entries. Most of the veterans will be there, as well as some newcomers who have promised to become heavy hitters.

Over our last eight years of videotaping the Clinton County Fair's demo derby our all-time heaviest hitter choice is Brian Criss in #98. Word is that the derby vet will be back and you can bet he'll be banging like never before. There's no sandbagging with Brian Criss. Just constant metal on metal.

You still have Friday, Saturday and Sunday to enjoy the 61st edition of the Clinton County Fair. Odds are you'll see me someplace, probably at one of the food vendors. I still have time to enjoy sausage and peppers, french fries, ice cream, and another batch of hot wings. Maybe I'll even take home some cotton candy for that certain someone.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 12:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Summer in the North Country brings a great opportunity to enjoy local music. Rock bands at the Naked Turtle and many of the downtown night spots blast their way into the early morning hours.

Then you have the Concerts on the Bluff, and many hamlets have bands playing in the park during the week or on weekends. As noted earlier, on Saturday, August 2nd it's the annual Whitey & Flo's Campout in Riverview, just west of Redford. It's a weekend of free camping and classic country music. Visitors from the Albany area and neighboring states such as Vermont and New Hampshire come back each year for this event.

Then you can step the music up a notch with good old classic rock at Square Dashnaw's Steak Bake in Standish. The steamed clams will be ready and hundreds of music lovers will gather for this longtime North Country event. Last year was my first visit and my return has been on the calendar for a year. You can bet I won't be the only guy with a ponytail at this event.

Also taking place on August 2nd is the Stowaways Return Reunion. Last year's 40-Year Reunion was such a hit, we just had to have more. This year's event is at Tabu Night Club, located in downtown Plattsburgh. For music lovers my age, Tabu is located in the area of Fishman's and Woolworth's downtown. Or, maybe right in the spot where Kresge's used to be.

Make no mistake about it -- we love music. There is not a one of us who doesn't have a favorite song or several favorite songs. Sometimes all it takes is a song on the car radio to bring back happy memories or remind us of a former love.

The first 45rpm record I ever owned was a gift from Santa Claus to go with my new stereophonic record player. It was "Be Bop Baby" by Ricky Nelson. It was 1957 and I was nine years old.

Then my Dad took me to the Record Center downtown and I purchased "Good Golly, Miss Molly" by Little Richard. From that point on I was hooked on rock & roll and dreamed of playing in a rock band. That dream never came true, except for one night of pretend music when Rod Hershey and the Almonds took to the stage at an OLVA high school dance. I was the pretend drummer while Rod Dame sang a song for real.

Some time ago Rolling Stone magazine listed the "40 Songs That Changed the World." The songs were listed chronologically with the first one from 1954 - "That's All Right" by Elvis Presley and the last one from 2001 - "Fell in Love With a Girl" by The White Stripes.

In between were some of my all-time favorites, such as "Maybelline" by Chuck Berry (1955), "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall" by Bob Dylan (1963), "I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles (1963), "Like a Rolling Stone" by Bob Dylan (1965), "Respect" by Aretha Franklin (1967), "Imagine" by John Lennon (1971) and "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen (1975).

The Rolling Stone's list covers music of all kinds that "changed the world," so songs like "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson (1982), "Like A Virgin" by Madonna (1984) and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana (1991) are on the list. You won't find those in my CD or album collection.

Odds are you and I will see each other at a musical event this summer. We will smile at each other, give a wave and our toes will be tapping.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 7:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

On Saturday two good men passed away -- Bobby Murcer and Tony Snow. From very different walks of life, but both similar in several ways. I didn't know either of these men personally, but I am sad about their deaths.

I met Bobby Murcer a few times at Jarry Park in Montreal in the mid-1970s after his first stint as a New York Yankee. When I say I met him, I mean to say that I was one of hundreds reaching out to him, pen in hand to obtain his autograph. From those brief moments you could tell that Murcer was somebody special. He looked at you when he returned the signed item, he smiled while signing, and he would talk with the fans if they engaged him in conversation.

During batting practice he smiled with his teammates, enjoying his time as a big league baseball player. When he reached the big leagues with the Yankees in 1965 I was in high school and my baseball card collecting days, for the moment, were over. But I wanted to get Bobby Murcer's baseball card because he was billed as "the next Mickey Mantle." Somewhere in a dusty album I still have Bobby Murcer's 1966 Topps rookie card.

When Murcer joined the YES Network as a broadcaster he was one of the few Yankee announcers who didn't get me mad. He was open, he was honest, and he seemed to tell it more like it was. As a player and as an announcer he was someone you respected. He didn't champion his own statistics, but preferred instead to talk about his teammates.

His statistics fall just short of Hall of Fame credentials, but everyone will agree that he was a Hall of Famer as a person, and that's more important.

Tony Snow was thrust into the limelight in April 2006 when he was appointed White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush. From 1996-2003 he hosted the television program FOX News Sunday, and then he moved on to his own radio talk show on Fox News Radio.

However, it was not until his press secretary position that I took note of Tony Snow. Even though I usually disagreed with him politically, I enjoyed watching his handling of the media. He was always knowledgable, forthright and used his sense of humor as a fine tool. He was a likeable guy.

As the Sunday morning television analysts spoke of Tony Snow today, it occurred to me that many of his qualities matched what the sports pundits were saying about Bobby Murcer.

On days like this we get reminders that, as great as these men are, they are just like us. They have families, loved ones, friends who care deeply. At this time the accomplishments of home runs and press conferences held don't really matter. What matters is what kind of person we are. What matters at the end is how we treated others and whether we demonstrated a zest for life right down to the finish line.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 12:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

FOXY'S NOTE: Recently all the comments for the blog "Making Some Friends Along the Way" and, perhaps, some comments from other blogs were inadvertantly deleted. I do not know how this happened. I am checking into it.

The opportunity to write this blog has brought with it renewed friendships, new friendships and a chance to spread the word on matters large and small.

Last month an old friend showed up at my front door. Known to the Blogoteers as "vonrader," he brought with him a gift. Having read my blog "Root Beer Will Never Be the Same" (January 2008), "vonrader" was armed with a heavy glass mug with the A&W Root Beer logo on it -- just like the one I used to enjoy as a kid. Root beer tastes way better in a frosted glass mug than a paper cup.

"Vonrader," who grew up on Elizabeth Street in Plattsburgh, now lives in Kirwin, Kansas, where, among other things, he operates an antique store. He is well-known in Kirwin, mostly because Kirwin is so small that everyone knows everyone in Kirwin. Maybe someday the drummer from Plattsburgh will be mayor of Kirwin.

In the meantime, I've been buying A&W Root Beer in the two-liter bottles and pouring it into my new-old frosted mug. Makes it seem like it's 1963 once again.

Another old blog which gets intermittent attention is "The King & His Court" (May 2006). If you Google "Eddie Feigner" my blog comes up. As a result, since writing it over two years ago, several people from all around the country who knew "The King" have commented on the life of Eddie Feigner, the greatest softball player ever.

Recently, a fellow by the name of Joe Pickering Jr. added his thoughts, including the words to his song about Feigner called "From An Orphan to a King." Blogoteers might find it interesting to give "The King & His Court" blog a second look.

There is a buzz once again this summer about the "Return of the Stowaways." Last summer's jam-packed musical event, the 40-Year Reunion, was one of the North Country's best ever. You can read about it in the blog "Wrapping Up the Stowaways" (July 2007). This year the rock band from the 1960s will return and you can bet that even more old friends will be there.

The date is Saturday, August 2, and the site is Tabu Night Club on Margaret Street in Plattsburgh. There have been many discussions about Plattsburgh's lack of a large facility for such occasions and I've received some phone calls suggesting possible sites.

According to a recent press release, band members Spencer Bosworth, Geoff Jones, Jim Wells, Mike O'Connell and Ken Phillips will return from far and wide for another night of "oldies but goodies." The opening act will be members of the Falcons, Johnny Champagne, Fred Passino, Dean Trombley and John Kains, along with Billy Pajonas of the legendary Thunderbolts.

The blog "Let's Huddle Up for Hannah" (May 2008) continues to pop up. There is an interesting fundraiser for the Sames' daughter Hannah and for the Hannah's Hope Foundation on Monday, July 28. Former New York Yankees' great Roy White will make a guest appearance at the Colonie Golf and Country Club during the Hannah's Hope Charity Golf Tournament. A full day of golf and fun is planned for that date. For more information, contact Mike Ellis at 518-365-6227.

Wouldn't it be great if a few foursomes from the North Country could support the event?
I'm not a golfer and I'm not a Yankees fan, but I sure would like to meet the classy ex-Yankee Roy White. He played for the Yankees from 1965-1979.

There are plenty of things going on in both the real world and the Blogosphere. Or are they one and the same?

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 4:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

I'll be honest -- I can think of a ton of things that are better to do than hang around a bar in the afternoon watching five televisions, playing Quick Draw and sipping on suds. But everything in moderation, I say, and as long as it's not a daily routine, once in awhile it can be a fun change of pace. And you never know who you might run into.

That's what's happened in my last two stops at one of my favorite refreshments stands. There I was on the Fourth of July having some sodas with my brother with visions of hot wings dancing in my head.

We were having some fine conversations with some of the other customers when in comes my friend, the ever-popular Len Skillan. With him was a tall neatly attired gentleman that I didn't know. Len hopped on to the stool next to me and his friend took the other vacant spot to Len's left.

After a few minutes of cordial chit-chat Len introduces his friend, a fellow by the name of Tim Cunningham. As soon as I heard the name I gave Len's friend a closer look. By golly, it was Tim Cunningham, who worked at the Press-Republican back in the 1980s.

Tim hasn't aged much since those days and he looks very much the same. He hasn't added a ponytail or gained twenty pounds or lost his hair or turned grey or traded in his neatly-pressed trousers for jeans with holes in the knees.

But even though I've grown a ponytail, added some pounds, lost some hair, turned greyer and wear jeans with holes in the knees, Tim remembered me from those years when I wrote a column called "Where Are They Now?" for the Press-Republican sports department. He had many questions to ask about the newspaper and its personnel.

Tim, who left the Press-Republican in 1991, now lives in Austin, Texas. A family reunion brought him to New York State and he figured he'd arrive back East a few days early so that he could visit Len. It was great to see Tim after all these years.

And today I was enjoying lunch at the same establishment when in walks my longtime friend, former colleague, former boss, Paul Dingman. Paul retired as the principal of Stafford Middle School in January 2004. Since then he's been working in real estate and enjoying his free time back in the construction field, helping family and friends build camps and whatnot.

Alongside Paul is a young gentleman, and they take the two spots just to my right at the bar. Paul and I immediately start updating our lives, recapping the last few months. There are always plenty of stories when Paul and I run into each other.

Paul then introduces me to his sidekick and real estate partner, John Fowler. The Fowler name rings a bell, so I ask if he ever heard of Dennis and Mary Fowler. He said, "Which Dennis and Mary?"

I found that odd, but he later explained there are two couples named Dennis and Mary Fowler. I added, "Well, the Dennis Fowler and Mary Desotelle who went to OLVA."

He smiled. "They're my father and mother," he said.

I shook my head. "I graduated with them." How nice to meet their son. I haven't seen Dennis Fowler since high school graduation, and for Mary it's been nearly as long. While Paul and John enjoyed their lunches, I asked John about his parents and family. I found out that John had graduated from Ausable Valley Central School.

Just two little moments that could easily have been forgotten. But, without a doubt, I felt my life was a little richer seeing Tim after all those years, and meeting John for the first time.

It wouldn't have happened if I'd stayed home those days and watched TV or played around on eBay. Once in awhile it's good to get out and find a place to relax. You never know who you might run into. It's always nice to make some new friends along the way.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 10:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Imagine going to the post office to buy a 42-cent stamp and Linda or Pat or Beth tells you, "We are all out of stamps!" How about two 21-cent stamps? "All out!" Seven 6-cent stamps? "We are all out of stamps today, Foxy!"

Or imagine you pull into the gas station to purchase a few gallons of that expensive gasoline, and you see a sign: "All Out of Gas!"

Not going to happen, right? I beg to differ. Last night a certain someone was putting in some late night hours at my house helping me get caught up on my eBay mailings. At one o'clock in the morning we realized that we were a little hungry.

So, we agree that a break is in order. This certain someone suggests we go to Dunkin' Donuts because she's hungry for something like a ham-and-egg croissant. I figure this would be a great time for a couple of those fresh-baked donuts.

Moments later I'm at the drive-thru at Dunkin' Donuts ordering "one ham-and-egg croissant, please."

The invisible female responds, "We are all out of croissants." While my friend decides what to select as an alternative, I add, "Two chocolate donuts, please." I immediately pictured myself at home biting into a chocolate donut and washing it down with a glass of cold milk.

The invisible female responds, "We are all out of donuts."

"Okay, two plain donuts, please," I say.

"We are all out of donuts," the invisible female repeats.

I can't resist retorting, "This is a donut place. Does this happen very often?"

"Almost every night," the voice says.

Since that moment I've just been shaking my head. Why have a huge sign that probably costs many thousands of dollars that says the word, "Donuts"? Why have the word "donuts" in eight places within eyesight, but not have any to sell?

I just don't get it. Does the post office run out of stamps? Does the gas station run out of gas? Does the car dealer run out of cars? Does the shoe store run out of shoes?

My friend went back to my house with a ham-and-egg sandwich on an English muffin. After two bites she tossed it into the trash. I went back without a donut. No donut to go with my glass of cold milk. I settled for a peanut butter sandwich. Next time we'll just stay home.

Posted by Foxy Gagnon at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)