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Responses to Dec 20th
News Letter
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From: Don Vitello
Date: 1/2/2009 4:13:41 PMKen,
Although, I can't be 100% sure, it does not seem logical that '57 beat '60
in that first Alumni Tourney, or any Tourney. I will have to discuss that
in detail with John Pemrick, Bill Nennstiel, Don Record and Dave
Herrington when I see them this summer at the annual reunion. I don't
believe that Bill Nygard, Bob Nygard, Chuck Cole, Bill Potvin, Tom Canzeri,
Jack Lylis, Mick Kent, Dan Severson, and I would have allowed that to
happen. LOL
This has probably been answered, but, John Herbert initiated the CCS
Alumni Basketball Tourney. I don't know the reason why. I was a freshman
in college, returned to Cambridge for Christmas, and played in that first
game, with many others.
The Seversons were John (not Fred) and Ann. They were Dan and Mike's
parents. Although, there was a Fred Severson.
We also use to get great pizza from The Village Inn, not far from the
Hoosick Valley school, I think in, what was called, Middle Falls.
Great job!!! You are definitely going to generate more interest in the
annual reunions.
Don
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From: Frank Smith
Date: 12/21/2008 7:39:32 AM
Ken,
I have found the information about Cambridge fascinating. Only last year
at this time, when we were home for Christmas, my Dad, Charlie Smith
relayed stories of during WWII that I had never heard before, but found
interesting.
He went on to tell how during the war there were watches posted somewhere
on top of Rice's Seed Company, beings that it was the highest spot in
town. These watches were on the look out for possible enemy aircraft and
served to track all aircraft flying within visibility. He also talked
about nights where there would be blackout drills. All lights out and
someone went around town ensuring everyone was complying. All of this in
the little town of Cambridge, so far from the battle sin Europe and Japan
amazing.
You may want to add, The Townhouse and I don't know any of us kids that
didn't eat at Pops Candy Shop more than once (Burgers, Fries, Shakes . . .
).
Frank Smith
Class of 76.
Norfolk, Virginia
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From: Betty White
Date: 12/28/2008
Hi Ken:
Just got around to reading your "history series" and have to say I've been
enjoying it.
A few of my recollections:
The restaurant across from the Bog was Tommy Powers' - the Friendly
Restaurant. Some of my friends and I used to walk up and eat lunch there
when we were juniors (or seniors, really don't remember.).
The restaurant that you refer to as Derings (in Arno Wilson's store) was
called The Hub when I was in high school. We used to go there after
basketball games. Although Peggy Dering was a close friend of mine, I
don't remember them running it. I'm thinking maybe it may have been Bob
Craig. Not sure. Pearl might remember.
Charles and Esther Wocell ran a restaurant back in the early thirties - I
think it was in the area of the old Shaefer Store. My late Aunt May, my
mother's sister who died at age 21, used to work for them in the
restaurant and also help with their new baby, who was Connie Wocell.
There was indeed a Veteran's Day Parade back in "the old days". I was a
majorette and I can attest to how cold it was in those "cute little
outfits". My baton teachers were first Martha Buckley, Class of '51 and
after she graduated her sister Gulielma ('53) took over the lessons. Lots
of fun. My arms were so short that my Grandmother had to go all over Troy
looking for a smaller baton. One particular Veteran's Day stands out in my
mind. I don't remember who the other majorettes were but we were very
proud of our cartwheels. The very next week there was a letter in the
Washington County Post complaining about our "lack of respect" because we
did those cartwheels. I don't remember who wrote it but imagine it was
some very prim and proper older lady!! Somewhere I have a picture of me in
my outfit with my baton. I'll bring it to our next meeting if I can find
it. Believe it's in my mother's cedar chest, along with a lot of treasures
that possibly you could use.
Happy New Year!!!
Betty
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From: Lorna Finning
Date: 12/21/2008 10:43:16 AM
Great job on the newsletter, Ken. The guided tour
was very interesting. I'm sure you're loving your work with the school.
I remember the Memorial Day Parade ending up in the
little league field a few times, which will explain the turn north, but
onto Division Street.
Also, my mother used to own Bill's restaurant,
before Bill. I think there was another lady who owned it between them.
People from Tom Dwyer's class spent a lot of time in there as teens, when
it was called "Mother's"
Thanks for all your work on these things.
Lorna Finning
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From: Joan Roberts
Date: 12/21/2008 4:30:25 PM
Ken,
I remember the Veterans day parades, they really did exist! I don't
remember much about them other than the fact my family stood outside of my
Dads store on Main street to watch the parade. I seem to remember the
normal military vehicals, jeeps, even a tank on year.
Joan Roberts
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From: Robert Wallace
Date: 12/20/2008 3:35:38 PM
KEN, WHAT ABOUT THE CANDY SHOP THAT WAS BETWEEN THE HOTEL AND THE OLD POST
OFFICE. I REMEMBER GOING IN FOR A TINY SUNDAE THAT SOLD FOR $.15. DOES
THAT COUNT?
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From: John Roy
Date: 12/21/2008 9:36:13 AM
Estramontes had a small restaurant across from the East End Market, now
the Bog, later Tommy Powers bought it and ran it.
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From: Kim Bubar
Date: 12/20/2008 2:53:28 PM
Jim's Diner!!!! Up there by that junk collector's paradise place going
toward Salem on Rt 22!!
Man, I loved that place!
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From: June Lawrence
Date: 12/20/2008 5:00:06 PM
Hi Ken,
You sure named a lot of the eating places around. For some reason, in the
back of my mind I remember walking after school for ice cream in a
restaurant or ice cream shop on Main Street next to the Hotel Cambridge
and across the street from what was then the Baptist Church (I believe
anyway). Is that in my dreams or was there such a place and what was the
name of it, I don't know. Now I graduated in 61 so that must have been in
the mid or late 50s.
June
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From: Bill Nennstiel
Date: 12/21/2008 8:04:21 PM
As a member of the class of 1957 championship team, I played with other
members of our class (John Pemrick, Don Record and Dave Harrington) in the
first tournament. I believe it was started by Mr. John Herbert CCS
basketball coach and math teacher. Incidentally, we beat the 1960 CCS
Sectional champions that included Bill Nygard, Don Vitello, and the
current school superintendent, Dan Severson.
Bill Nennstiel
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From: Karen Dusha McKean
Date: 12/20/2008 5:54:22 PM
Hi Kenny G - I sure am enjoying all of your historical accountings. There
was also a firemen's parade in the mid '50's that marched east on Main
Street toward Ash Grove. I am not sure where it ended but possibly the
field behind Dusha Florist was the spot. About the Veteran Day parades. I
actually got to participate in a few and I even have my picture in one.
The picture came from Marj. Ridler's Historical Society calendar-2007 and
it includes a CVFD fire truck rounding the cornor nears the Ayers Gas
Station. I am one of the kids allowed to ride on the truck. Maybe Marg
could get you a copy of the calendar. The other riders in the fire truck
were Cindy Ridler, Laura and Barbara Burch and possibly Janet Tully. Since
the Veteran's Day parades were in the winter months, that might have been
when the fire department got their most logical wear out of those red
shirted wool uniforms but maybe a senior fireman could address that
question...Bill Hatch??Karen
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From: Web Madison
Date: 12/20/2008 4:05:16 PM
Ken -- It was John and Ann Severson ------- and Tom Powers ran a
restaurant and later the Bassetts across from the Bog--- was torn down for
the new A&P. Now Rite Aid----- Called the Friendly Restaurant
Web
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From: Ed Cantwell
Date: 12/20/2008 4:48:18 PM
Ken-
WOW!!! Thanks for the thought provoking newsletter!!! See my comments
interspersed below....
Ed C.
CCS Class of '58
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In a message dated 12/20/2008 12:50:02 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, ken@gottry.com
writes:
Where’d You Eat in Cambridge?
Dining out was a rarity when I was growing up, however I do recall several
places to eat in Cambridge and the surrounding area. Here’s my list. Send
me yours and we’ll post the final list on the website.
Jack Weller’s Restaurant -- See #17 below....
Phoenix Restaurant – before Jack’s
Cambridge Diner
Bill’s at the corner of West Main and North Union --
aka Mac's Coffee Shop owned and run by Linda McMorris' family. I worked
there as a waiter after school. Mac sold it to a member of the Russo
family. Forgot the new name of the place.
Lamplighter (just west of Cooper’s Pharmacy)
The Seversons (Fred & Ann?) had a place in the back of the building just
west of Charlie Ackley’s store
Log Cabin
Oasis
Burger Den – was that around in 1968?
King’s Dairy Bar – was that called Tom Thumb? --
Yes, I believe it was!
Fiesta – now Benson’s on the corner of Rt 22 and Rt 67
Dunham’s Dairy Bar – at the junction of Turnpike Road and Rt 67 – what can
I say, I dated and married an Eagle Bridge girl
Legrys Drug Store (milk shakes count as food, don’t they ;-)
King Bakery
Cambridge Hotel
Eagle Bridge Inn – Kyer’s
Jim Bassett’s family had a lunch place across from CCS --
Before he opened his spot on East Main St.
(Hitchcock Block), Jack had a restaurant directly across from CCS on South
Park St. Kerry Mc Kernon, Bob Raymond and I would eat lunch there every
noon. GREAT cheeseburgers!!! I remember large plate glass windows all
across the front of the place. The building was razed when they revamped
the intersection of Rt. 313 and Rt. 22. Believe it was originally an auto
dealer showroom as part of the gas station (George Brimmer's) on the
corner of 313 & 22??????
Red Brick Hotel
Innisfail
Club 22
Dennis Coffee (Candy) Shop - on Main Street between
the Cambridge Hotel and the old Post Office. Owned by Paul and Alice
Dennis who lived on Spring St. near St. Luke's Place. This was a haunt for
all the locals to get their morning coffee and news. Used to have the old
glass front cabinets with penny candy and 1 cent baseball bubble gum
cards. They had great home made ice cream sodas & shakes as well.
Chauncey's - THE hangout for all of us in the high
school years. Was located in a small building at the red light next to the
ESSO Gas Station where Rite Aid is now. Owned by Chauncey Davenport.
Estramonte's Restaurant - Just east of
Chauncey's & west of the Estramonte's homestead (where Rite Aid is now).
This restaurant was aka The Friendly Restaurant and was run by Wilma
Bassett's (CCS - '58) family for some time after the Estramontes' retired.
Village Tavern - Valley Falls -- If you wanted the
BEST pizza, you went to Valley Falls to get a VT pizza!!! Recipe is still
offered today at a place (forgot the name!) in Schaghticoke near the
Hoosick River bridge. I stopped with my Granddaughter on the way in from
Albany Airport last July to try a pizza. It's still great!
Dering's -- on East Main St. in the old Arnold
Wilson TV & Radio place (just west of John Henry's Store aka Hubbard
Hall), there was a restaurant (dairy bar???) run by the Dering family.
They had super coffee milk shakes! Peggy Dering worked the counter as well
as her folks.
Did you march in the Parade?
I’m looking for some history on the parades in Cambridge. I have a
postcard from the 1920-1940’s that shows the parade on Main Street
marching from east to west. When the parade marched in that direction
where did it start? Where did it end? When did the parade shift to march
west to east on Main Street? Was it right after the new CCS was opened in
1950, making it a logical new termination point?
I have another postcard showing the fire trucks in a parade moving west to
east on East Main … and turning NORTH onto North Park Street. Someone told
me there used to be a Veteran’s Day parade that traveled that route,
ending up at the cemetery. Can anyone confirm? Veteran’s Day seems rather
late to have a parade. Did CCS band march in a Veteran’s Day parade?
Ken - let me think about these. Yes, we did have a
Veteran's Day parade in November. Gotta dust off the brain cells on this
one.... Is Tink Parrish still around? He'd be a good contact to check with
about the parades. I played with the CCS Band in several parades and then
marched with the Cambridge Firemen's Band after I graduated.
Ken, thanks for getting my memory cells activated!!! Will see what else I
can remember from the parades and anything else related to the above!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Regards,
Ed
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From: Dave Herrington
Date: 12/20/2008 6:36:23 PM
"Does anyone recall an earlier date?" Yes....... I
don't know if it was the first one or not, but I know I played in one in
1958 along with Don Record, John Pemrick,''Duke'' Nennsteil . I was a
member of this 1957 team that dominated the tournament until age took it's
toll. Looking back I'm surprised that I even played because I was playing
for Cobleskill and in this day and age would be forbidden to play in this
type of game. I played at least two years in the old gym with the square
backboards before moving to the new gym with the glass backboards. This
info. is to the best of my knowledge. Dave Herrington
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From: Richard Cristaldi
Date: 12/21/2008 8:17:25 AM
Ken a couple of thoughts on your newsletter. I believe that the alumni
tourney was started with the idea of bring back to CCS the very talented
players that had just graduated, Nygard, Nienstiel(sp) etc. We had some
very talented players in the 50's, so that seems to make sense... I
remember being part of it in the mid-60's with Rich MacDougall and others.
As for the parades, I do remember marching in a parade east to west, don't
remember when but early on for me and perhaps one of my first parades,
maybe late 50's. I remember the tri-state music festival parade held in
Cambridge, and a heavy downpore halted the parade, and one of the bands
came into our house on West Main to stay dry. I marched numerous parade in
Cambridge most of them west to east starting on Academy, but a couple
starting up by our house and forming on the old Coila Rd.
Richard
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From: Betsy Dearstyne
Date: 12/23/2008 3:56:36 PM
It was Tom Powers that had the diner. My Mom (Margaret Powers Bloom, Tom's
sister) worked there when she was young
Betsy Bloom Dearstyne
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