I came across your site and wanted to thank you for creating it - fun to have a place in which to share some fond memories.  I think your wife and I used to be grade school friends - isn't she the former Christine Brennan?  I am the former Elizabeth Drollette - known as "Betty" back then.  My father and her father were also grade school friends and returned to being good friends after they both had lost their spouses.  Dad used to say he and Bill Brennan talked almost every day in the late 80s/early 90s.  My dad, Edgar Drollette, passed away ten years ago.

Christine had a birthday party in the 50s in which she received a red and a yellow turtleneck - turtlenecks were just coming into vogue then as a result of what the Mickey Mouse Club Mousekeeters wore - remember Annette Funicello?  I remember all the little girls oohhhing and ahhhing over Christine's wardrobe additions.  I also remember spending a week or some part of a week at her camp on Chazy Lake.  My sister, Nancy, was often invited to spend overnights at her friend's camp, Joan Dame's, and it was nice to be invited to "my friend's camp."

Reading through the e-mails you've received brought back lots of memories.  Many of the names are recognizable.  My family is woven throughout, including a picture of my grandfather, Elmer (Elmore) Drollette as a prison guard and then the tragedy of my father's sister, Bernadette, drowning in Chazy Lake.  I was unfamiliar with the drowning that occurred since, near my uncle Francis' camp, as relayed by their nephew on the Gratto side.   Sad to read....

Since my siblings and I were "conveniently" spaced, between Jean, Bernice, Daniel, Nancy and myself, we were involved in Dannemora activities from the late 40s to the 60s.  When we get together, names from graduating classes every four years come popping up.  My sister Jean passed away in the early 70s, Bernice still lives in the west Plattsburgh area, Daniel lives in Massachusetts, Nancy in Rochester, and I in the Philadelphia suburbs. 

With regard to Chazy Lake, my godparents are Lillian and Francis Drollette who reside there year 'round.  I remember spending overnights at their little bungalow before their home was built.  My sister, Nancy, spent considerably more time there because her cousin, Joanne, was also a very good friend of hers.

For those of us whose family didn't own a camp, each summer the school arranged for a bus to take us to the lake Monday through Friday.  There was that big white building with the girls' changing room on the left and the boys' on the right.  It also smelled of Lysol - there was a plastic tub filled with it in which to stick your feet before/after changing your clothes.  They sold "pop" (such an Adirondack term for soda!), popcorn and ice cream.  The girls would bring transistor radios and blankets and flirt with the boys - and the boys would tease the girls.  The little kids would play in the sandy part of the beach where Mickey Cooper's older sister was a life guard/swim instructor.  But for those of us who wished to be "cool" - we'd put our blankets near the deep end where you dove into cold, over-your-head water and swam to a floating raft. 

So many names come to mind that I remember growing up with.  Besides being friends with Christine, I have fond memories of Barbara Merrit, Susan Light, Ginny Hickey, Barbara Safford, Diana Dragoon, Susan Follette, Kathy - was it Sumner? and playing endless games of kick-the-can with my neighbors on Emmons Street/Hammond Street, Jackie and Kevin Brown, Pat Gregory, Dick and Sally Harrica, and Juanita and Dickie Racette.  In the winter we would sled almost every night down the hill.  And walk!..... because there wasn't any type of cafeteria, we all walked to school, home for lunch, back after lunch, and home after school.  For me, that was four miles a day!  We called the Main Street area "Up-town."  I can still recall most of my teachers names - 1st Grade - Mrs. Mayette; Second Grade - Mrs. LaFountain; Third Grade - ?; Fourth Grade - Mrs. Bennette; Fifth Grade - Mr. Bennette; Sixth Grade - Mrs. Vass; Seventh Grade - Mrs. Light; and Eighth Grade Mrs. Coffey.  (Forgive any misspellings...)  Everyone feared Mrs. Vass and there was a belief that if she wore her red dress - watch out!

You felt really grown up when you were given the responsibility of bringing home the mail at lunchtime.  To this day if I close my eyes I can easily recall what the inside of the post office looked like and our box number including its combination!  Our family bought their groceries at Breyette's and my sister and I would turn in the pop bottles for two cents or a nickel and buy candy at Fernette's.  You bought your Ford car and gasoline at Bailey's.  Friday night, the high school kids gathered at Ting's.  (I went to St. John's Academy in Plattsburgh for high school, so don't have DHS high school memories to share.) 

I was sorry to see what I thought "deterioration" of the town set in.  I don't think the town looks nearly as neat and pretty as it once did.  The old warden's house was a lovely piece of architecture.  And of course, without the school, it seems to have lost its vibrancy.   In retrospect, life was very simple, very straight forward (we used to think the bad guys were all on "that" side of the wall), and for activities, you had to enjoy your surroundings....walking the tracks, hiking on Lyon Mountain, swimming in Chazy Lake, biking to Saranac, sledding down the hills, ice skating at the rink the prisoners maintained each winter, playing marbles in the school yard, picking berries in the summer, playing board games with neighbors or siblings on rainy days, trading comic books, going up to the artesian well to get spring water, seeing older sisters in pincurls during the day transform into evening prom queens, attending all the Dannemora basketball games and CYO functions because that's all there was to do.....good stuff. 

 Godspeed to the Bigelow family!

Liz Risney Manning - formerly, "Betty" Drollette ermmpm@comcast.net

 My husband often talks about "camp" at Chazy Lake. His grandfather owned a cabin there many years ago. The Grandparent Kennedys have since passed on and that cabin, to my understanding, is still in the Kennedy name.  I was fortunate enough about 8 years ago to visit the Kennedy "camp" and share in the beauty of that area for about 4 days. I had heard about it for so long and could see why my husband was infatuated with the lake and serene atmosphere.
I per chance stumbled upon your website and was pleasantly surprised to see that somebody has researched what I thought of as a "lost campground". I was wondering if you may have some history of the Kennedy Camp? I'm afraid that I do not know the
address. Any details are sketchy. I do remember that it was very red. When I visited the red was rather worn from age so it may have been repainted since I last saw it in 1996. Bernard and Katie Kennedy also ran a motel/hotel in that area many years ago. I am unable to find any information on that either. It seems that there could not be but so many hotels in that area during the 40's 50's or so. The only memorabilia that we have is a signed menu from Jack Dempsey to Bernard. Thank you so much for your time. I realize that I have given you very little to go on but it is worth a stab in the dark to learn of any history that the camp may have.
Respectfully,
CarolAnn Cartwright
and Mark Kennedy Cartwright

                     In the summers we spent much time at the beach in Chazy Lake. I
                     well remember the gated property of Werrenwraths. I had the
                     occasion to go through it once, and was very impressed with the
                     fact that so many prominent people had visited there, even
                     President Roosevelt.

I will now search for the tragedy in 1927. The drownings of the High School seniors that my folks told me about
on the year I was born.
This is great!!!
 Memories. In 1932 when I was 5 yrs old. Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of FDR had her State Police Sgt. Miller lift
me up on her horse and we rode from the old boat house at the pump station to Werrenrath's mansion!!!
Many memories of Chazy Lake!!! Tolosky's camp, Breyette's, I was at Bill Donahue's camp about 6 yrs.
 ago.
We now live in the Blue Ridge Mountains is much like the Adirondacks, but NOT as cold!!
Rod, You have done a great job. My son Bob who has Lou Gehrig's Disease found your material and
forwarded it all to me. I love to talk about the Dannemora area
  I remember when Clarence Brennan built his house on Emmons St. Clarence was Bill Brennan's brother. Bill taught me in 8th grade in Dannemora. The Bigelow's were pretty fair basketball players with the Wings, Tolosky, Layman, Gilroy, etc. The Dannemora Purple Raiders!!! Town team!!!
In 1935 at 8 am one morning, my father Tom Brannigan shot a convict who was wrestling Jerry Callahan over
a machine gun on tower #2 across from Lafoutains store. With a little 25 cal. pistol.
Frank Provost wrote about it in the Plattsburgh Press-Republican 35 years later.

75 Years ago, I was born in the Holland House located on the main highway just below the "Bug House"
In 1932 we moved to the 2nd new state house on T.B. Hill. Bill Donahue lived in the first and Jack Eagan
lived in the fourth! All of our fathers worked for the prison. On my wall I have a cell block key dated 1889. I was
raised until H.S. in Dannemora and then moved toPlattsburgh. While in college at PSTC I worked on the walls
4-12 shift and in "D" Block. 1947-49!
I knew the Bigelow family well, the Brennans, etc.
I will write more later.
Thanks
Jim Brannigan
jameseb@mitchell.main.nc.us

44. Name: Mary Anne Binger (formerly Buck)
E-Mail: email me...................................ROD
Location: Depoe Bay, Oregon
Date: 01/24/2002
Comments:
great site and wonderful memories.  I left Dannemora about 1954??...have traveled the world and now reside on the beautiful coast of Oregon.  I would love for you to post my address and correspond with people that I knew there...I graduated from Dannemora HS, Class of 60.  I am now working as a real estate Broker here and have been in the business for more years than I care to remember.  It would be so nice to hear from people back there...people I went to school with..your site is fantastic..keep up the good work.
                                  I've so enjoyed your site...reading e-mails from people I knew and
                                  re-visiting Chazy Lake......I grew up Dannemora..my grandmother
                                  and grandfather had Buck's Diner there for many years when I
                                  was very young.My uncle, Miles Buck was the local dentist..my
                                  father, Norton a guard at the prison....My aunt Ruth Lamar, wife
                                  of Tom Lamar was quite the pianist and played for the silent
                                  movies..so many people I recall and will enjoy e-mailing them. I
                                  have moved your site to the desktop to keep abreast of the
                                  latest.....I am hoping to hear from some of those I remember.
                                  Thanks again for a great site.....Mary Anne

I am looking for information on my relatives.  I found info. on a
message board about a book that someone found in Chazy Lake that mentioned
the St.Jermaine Hotel and had pictures of Ben St.Germaine, who is one of
my relatives.  I was wondering if you knew of any such book and if so
where I could get a copy.  The message mentioned that he purchased the book
in a drug store in Chazy Lake.  If not, if you have any information about
the St.Germaines in Chazy Lake I would appreciate it if you could either
share or point me in the right direction as far as my research.  I am at a
dead end at this point and would appreciate any info you could share.
                              Thank you,
                                 joan

Hello Mr. Bigelow,
I read with great interest your history of Chazy Lake. You have shed light on many stories that i 've
heard mentioned for years.
I'm curious whether you know anything of the history of Mr. Reinald Warrenrath's place or that of my
Grandfather, Mr. Edward M. Hayden.
I haven't been near Chazy Lake for years, but have many great childhood memories of it.
Thanks for all the work you have done.
 Regards,
    Tim Baker

  Rod,

I've enjoyed reading through your Chazy Lake web site.
We're interested in purchasing a camp on Chazy Lake for summer use.
We're a bit concerned about the cold water.  Can my children swim in the lake
without turning blue in June and July?  Do they need to wear wet suits?
How much does the lake level change each year?  Does the power
plant's use of the water ever take the lake "too" low.
Thanks for your time.
Gerry McPartlan
770-422-6746

The picture below is copied from  your site.

A number of things intrigue me about the picture.

The first is the hat on the man in the boat.  While this type of hat was quite common at the lake, it was Grandpa's winter
trademark when I was growing up.

The second is the boat.  Grandpa had a boat like this when I was very little.  It was an inboard with a mahogany top.
The boat was painted red and white.

Third, is the dock and the orientation to the point.  Memory doesn't always serve well, but this dock is in what
was King/Breyette territory back then.

Fourth.  The ice is only recently off the lake (must have been the first week of August ... just kidding!).  You can see it
piled up on the north side of the point in the back of the picture.

Grandpa always had to be among the very first on the lake with all his boats.  So I'm thinking that this is a picture of
Howard King, Sr. in his inboard boat. Out for some early trout fishing.

Do you know anymore about it.  It appears to be a postcard, which would not surprise me if it were indeed Grandpa.

Cheryl King

see halfway.jpg  picture..................................ROD

Rod

In the picture of the Badger Hotel and inset if George Badger there seems to be a hand on the left shoulder of George.
Was this picture just cut off for the purpose of your web page?

The reason I ask is that a Josephine Trudell was married to George Badger. I am related to the Trudell line from
Ellensburg (Bradly Pond Road). Josephine's brother was killed at the Catalon Forge in Standish NY (1910) his three
daughters worked at Badger Hotel with their cousins doing dishes and linens. I am interested if the picture shows
Georges wife?

Thanks for any information you might have

Bill Roberts

Hi Rod,  I am enjoying the web site of Chazy Lake a great deal.  I left Dannemora in August of 1959 and entered the Navy.  After the Navy, I lived
mostly in Washington State.  I have fond memories of Chazy Lake and the summers we spent at the pump house beach.
Don and Beth (Abrahamson) LaDue
Snohomish, WA

Don LaDue gave me this web site. Are you Rod Bigelow by chance? If so, I remember you. My name is Rodney McKinney. I lived on Thayer Avenue and you
lived on Cook, near Revoirs, I think, but that was many years ago.
Got a kick out of seeing it (the castle) called Brooke Shields Place. I remember when it was Warrenrath, who built it in the 1920s 0r 1930s. Mrs. King, (Emily), came up to work for them and care for the old man and met Adrian, who worked at the pumphouse and they were married. As you know, the Kings still have both camps, on the land right beside the old pumphouse.
Years ago, when my dad was alive, my parents retired and moved to Long Beach, California, where I was living. I took my dad down to Belmont Shore to visit
an old friend from Dannemora. He, I think was your uncle and ran a dry-cleaning place in the shore. I remember mentioning you and he knew you well, but I don't recall his name. Claude Bigelow is his name and still lives in California..................ROD
I am retired, on a second marriage of eight years and live in La Mirada, California. We were in Plattsburgh and the Adirondacks for nearly a week in
late September. we love it, but can't handle the snow.
Rod McKinney

Rod, Great website! Would you please add us to the list of north country people who grew up there and left?
We are Ron LaDue and Helen (White) LaDue
Annapolis, Maryland
farmer1ron@aol.com
Thanks. We'll be looking for it and enjoying the many photos of the north country.

29. Subject: Chazy Lake
 Date: Wed, 5 Apr 2000 21:03:44 EDT
 From: CTolosky@aol.com
now:  ctolosky@nycap.rr.com

A friend of ours picked up a message that we left on the Plattsburgh Press
Republican 's web page message board.  She forwarded your Chazy Lake page
becasue we spent summers next door to each other on the pump house side of
the lake.
My grandfather, Joe Tolosky, bought the old Bunchberry Lodge in 1965 about
3-4 properties up from the pump house.  We were on the little bay with George
Spence and Leo Breen on the pump house side of us and Joe & Polly Reif on the
other side, followed by Small and Moncur (both Montreal).  I spent summers
there as a kid, teenager and then with my kids until my Dad, Joe (Judd)
Tolosky Jr., sold his interest in the camp to my uncle Donald (Pickles)
Tolosky who still owns it. So I went there from 1965 at 10 years old until
the mid to late 80's.   We go back once in a great while to visit.   We live
in albany area and my mom still lives in Moriah.

We're moving.  Looking for lakefront property?
http://www.freehomelistings.com/index.asp?ListingID=51773
http://www.freehomelistings.com/index.asp?ListingID=51763

I was surprised to find your web site regarding Chazy Lake.  As a young boy, my father and I would visit his Aunt and Uncle there every year. They had a place on the lake but have long since passed on.
I've got two young boys of my own now and would love to rent a place on the lake, preferably with use of a motor boat for fishing.  This, I think, would be a great birthday present for my dad- just the four "guys."  Do you know happen to know anyone that has a place that would fit the bill? Thanks. 

Quest2: "Tim Ryan" <bonesttr@sover.net> 02/14/01 11:52AM >>>
 Thanks for the reply. Have you heard at all about any Browns being caught in the recent past? If I read you right you are not stocking lakers any more? We do catch the salmon and rainbows. How big will they get in chazy lake?
We have not caught any over the 18" or so. Thanks, Tim Ryan
Reply2:
 Yours is the only brown I have heard of.  The salmon have been topping out at about 20", but we have adjusted the stocking rates down to allow for better growth.  Atlantic Salmon seen to be particularly sensitive to stocking density and sometimes subtle stocking corrections can impact growth significantly.
The lake trout are abundant and our 1996 survey showed that despite stocking, virtually all the fish were from natural reproduction.  There is no point to stocking lakers at this time.  Upper Chateaugay Lake is just the opposite - good population, but entirely from stocking.
Policy was deleted in 2000.  I occasionally hear of 5 lb. rainbows now, but have not seen any personally.  Salmon hopefully will get that big with new stocking rates.  Let me know if you see change.  Thanks.

Quest3: I have also been told by my brother who lives in Dannemora that pike have been caught this winter (ice fishing) in Chazy Lake. Any truth to that? Am I correct that we do not want any pike in with our trout and Salmon population? Please give me some insight on how they live together good or bad.
I forgot to tell you I 'm on the board of directors for Tu here in Vt. So this goes further than just my personal interest.

Reply3: Pike would not be a good addition to Chazy Lake.  They can be slighly to severly harmful to trout and salmon depending upon the lake.  A lake like Chazy Lake which has quite a bit of deep water habitat may help lessen their impact, but there would still be some detimental effects.  I am also concerned for the Musky fishery downstream in the Chazy River.  It is
suspected that Muskies often loose out to northern pike.  It is really a shame how people cannot leave will enough alone when it comes to introducing fish.  And in a large lake like Chazy there is nothing that can be done to reverse the situation.

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