Since I woke up earlier than usual, I decided to read the book I started last night, ONCE UPON A WARDROBE, by Patti Callahan. This novel was one that had been suggested by a patron. I brought it home and I’m so glad I did.The book I had started to read on the weekend reminded me too much of a Thomas Hardy novel. In his stories, circumstances and coincidences, always seem to bring grief and an end to the characters hopes and plans. I’ve only read to page 79 of Callahan’s novel, and I already want to tell you about it. I am already looking forward to coming home from work to continue reading this novel. Yesterday I had a most interesting conversation with a patron about our choices in what we read, she is a mostly a non-fiction reader and I am a mostly a fiction reader. She does occasionally read fiction as I do sometimes read non-fiction. Well, this morning I read a somewhat similar conversation between the novel’s protagonists. These two sentences I had to copy immediately…..”Reason is how we get to the truth, but imagination is how we find meaning.” Wow! Then, on page 79. “With stories, I can see with other eyes, imagine with other imaginations, feel with other hearts, as well as with my own.” Double WOW!! I have learned so much from the novels I’ve read over these many years. I have gained understanding and empathy that I can apply to my actual life. Novels have helped me through difficult times. When reading novels, my own imagination transports me into that different time and place. I know the characters like I know the people in my life. I am so grateful for writers of both fiction and non-fiction. I’m grateful for Bambi and all the librarians before her that made sure our library provides books for people of all different reading tastes and interests. Browse the shelves and discover the many choices available. We have books published many years ago, and the newest books on the best seller’s list today. Today, I am particularly grateful to Patti Callahan. Thank you, Ms. Callahan and thank you to the patron who recommended this novel.
This is a photo from the Fire Department folder in our archives. It isn’t dated, though we think it’s from sometime around the late nineteen fifties or early sixties. We have most of the names of the people in the photo, all except the second man from the right, kneeling in the first row. The names we have are listed below. Do you know the name of the man in the front row, or the year this was taken?
UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who helped name these firefighters! Their names will be updated in our archive.
Fourth Row (in the back):
Jim Strack, Leo Jewtraw, Bob Mullarney, Clarence Hare, Ken Planty Sr., Sherry Bickford, Don Jaques, Ken Foster, Jim Wasson, Dean Wikoff, Earl Blinn, Robert Whitney, Howard Daby, Ed Lincoln, Toot Gonyea
Third row:
Don Wilson, Bernie Preston, Dusty Smith, Loren Torrance, Ed Connor, Ray Wilson, Toot Coolidge, Pudge Conway, Jerry Strack, Jim Moore, George Beattie, Bernard Stevens, Vic Strack, Dean Bickford, Bill Kelly, Walt Morrison
Second row:
Harry Fregoe, Rev. Sorley, Glen D’Avignon, Reg Ormsby, Carroll Wells, Bill Mullarney, Jim St. Louis, Bob Wilson, George Sullivan
Front row:
Don Whittemore, Chet Lawrence, Joe Desourcly, Joe Morrison, Charlie Winchell, Phil Wilson
This original watercolor of the Brewster building on the corner or Park and Main was painted by local artist Rusty McKenna in 1973. There is a note on the back that says, “Picture taken from Brewster Bldg after fire [in 1988], frame broken.” On the far left side of the painting you can see a peek of Brewster park, which was recently rededicated thanks to the efforts of Bev Reid.
Here are the winners of the 2022 Student Poster Contest.
This is a 3 1/2 by 5 inch photo from the Heaven Hill Farm folder in our archive. It is unlabeled, so we do not know who the people in the photo are or the precise date it was taken.
This is a photo from the Hockey folder in the library’s archive. There are names written in cursive on the back, but no date for when this was taken. We’re pretty sure about most of the names, but there is one we are having trouble deciphering.
Here’s what we know:
Back Row – left to right
1 Ray Pratt
2 Doug B______?
3 Ray Bigelow
4 Jack Shea
5 Fred Cunningham
6 Ed Lynch
7 Ken De SourdayFront Row – left to right
1 Tony Miller
2 Ellis Jacques
3 Dick Strack
4 James Hadjis
5 Ken Porter Jr.
6 Rod Dashnaw
7 Ray Levitt
Does anyone have any educated guesses about the year this was taken or who #2 in the back row is?
The Adirondack Family Book Festival brings together an illustrious and richly diverse group of children’s and YA authors and illustrators under a big convening tent and several smaller tents to meet their readers of all ages, read aloud, and talk about their work. A youth panel and activities that pair select books with the natural beauty of the John Brown Farm and hands-on art making and discovery are also planned.
The Adirondack Family Book Festival is free and open to all.
Join us for a celebration of community, diversity, and storytelling in the beautiful Adirondack mountains!
These classic cars are parked in front of the Esso Service Center in September 1950. They made the news back then with the headline “Glidden Tour of Ancient Automobiles will Leave Mon. on 463-Mile Trip” LAKE PLACID NEWS, September 8, 1950. From our archives.
Photograph of Doris from the library’s archives. There is a hand-written note on the back of this photo:
“Doris” (90′ x 21′)
Launched 1898. 4 cyl. – 55 HP
Gray & Bowen engine
aprox. 12 MPH @ 525 RPM
30 x 36 3 blade prop
Sold 1951 to Mrs. Nohowel for $500.00
2471 Main Street,
Lake Placid, NY 12946
(518) 523-3200
librarian@lakeplacidlibrary.org