Remembering Frontier Town

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Frontier Town postcard, circa the 1960s

Frontier Town postcard, circa the 1960s

The very mention of the word Frontier Town -- to many in these parts -- and many more across the US,  brings smiles and great stories about what was once a sparkling jewel in the North Country.

For some, the memories are still vivid of the rodeo, the stage coach holds ups, Main Street shoot outs and the steam train ride. Others remember when there was a landing strip where folks would arrive by plane. From the 1950s heyday, to a second reincarnation in the mid-1990s, many hold dear the memories of their time there, either as a visitor or worker. (At its peak the park provided full and part time work for around 500 folks).

Long shuttered, and most recently the subject of a controversial tax sale, it’s those glory days that two local authors are seeking to recapture in a new book they hope to publish.

Tammy Whitty-Brown of Plattsburgh and Jennifer St. Pierre of Crown Point will spend this Saturday collecting stories, scanning photos and photographing memorabilia, at the Annual Frontier Town Celebration at Gokey’s Trading Post in North Hudson.

From Charles Mayhood, who was a greet and parking attendant:

"Put there because of my stellar (beginner) French. So many Canadians! I still remember... Bonjour Madame (Monsieur), bien venue a Frontier Town. Voice est une carte du village. Stationer au droit, s'il vous plait.... a thousand times a day. My grandmother, Violet Carlson, was the weaver there in the early days".

Organizers of the event are encouraging Frontier Fans to come out, set up a table and bring a chair. The events starts at Noon  and goes to 4pm. Check out the fabulous Facebook page for terrific pictures – from then and now – that fans have shared, right here.

 

Fast Forwarding To Fall

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New York State has just released its first fall Foliage report of the season – and it’s still summer!!!

But with autumn like temperatures and conditions in these parts, we can see why. In fact last week we may have spotted the first tree to "turn" here in Schroon – across the way from the Schroon Lake Shopping Mall, aka “The Dollar General.”

From the State’s website:

“…the first significant signs of spectacular fall colors are beginning to appear in the Adirondacks, Thousand Islands-Seaway, and Catskills regions, according to observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism's I LOVE NEW YORK program.

In the Adirondacks region, foliage spotters based in Lake Placid expect up to 20 percent color change by the weekend with brilliant patches of gold, yellow, orange and some scattered red leaves. Cool, crisp nights and sunny days are creating the components for a fantastic foliage season according to foliage spotters in the Tupper Lake/Mt. Arab areas of Franklin County. For the coming weekend they expect up to 20 percent color change with leaves of muted brilliance. Look for sporadic tones of burgundy, scarlet, ginger and goldenrod”.

Are you ready for fall? Tell us in comments.

Saying Good Bye To A Local Legend

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Photo: Jane Smith

Photo: Jane Smith

Shannon, the Adirondack Postmaster, a friend and so much more to hundreds of folks and generations, is licking the business!

Today marks her last day at the Adirondack Post Office, but she is not being shipped out quietly. Locals are holding a wrap party after her last stint behind the counter, at the park opposite the post office. (look for the Blue Canopy).

A little background on Shannon: After graduating college she worked in the restaurant business and later the Post Office in North Creek for 20 years, while she and her husband John raised their daughter. 
Shannon and John will move to Arizona  to join her extended family in their Native American jewelry business.

The party runs from 3:30pm  -- 5:30pm. Shannon will join when she has finished her shift. Refreshments will be provided. Bring a chair and sit awhile. Good Luck Shannon!