Town of Franklin Board Newsletter
Volume 7 Issue 2 - The Franklin Flyer Our Town News - OCTOBER, 2016
From the Supervisor
By Art Willman
I will be keeping my remarks brief so as to conserve
space for other items and for an important survey we
want you all to complete and return. This survey will help
guide us in our plans for a community center at Kate Mt.
Park. Please fill it out and either mail it or drop it off at
the Town Hall.
As of this writing, we have reached the end of the summer
season. Looking back, we see that quite a few items have
been crossed off our "Bucket List." At the Town Halls
some of you may have noticed a rather large hole appear
outside the building. We had to do some digging to
expose the well for the Health Dept., after which we
replaced the current shallow well jet pump with a
submersible pump and extended the casing so it was
above grade and readily accessible, since the old casing
was about 10 feet below grade. We are now once again in
compliance with the Health Department regulations.
Our CDBG, also known as the HUD grant that we
received in 2014 has come to a close as of the end of June
with all projects completed. We have continued to apply
for subsequent rounds of funding but have not yet been
successful; however, no others in the North Country have
been successful. We will continue trying.
Kate Mountain Park
Another great year has come and gone for our Youth
Program. We had a very busy summer with, at times,
record attendance. It is apparent that townspeople and
those in our general area find this a valuable program.
Also regarding the Park, we have enlisted Andrew Chary
Architects to help us develop a forward-looking realistic
plan for the park. To aid us in this, we received a
Community Revitalization grant for technical assistance.
We have completed the first phase and the drawings
are available for viewing at the Town Hall. We are now
in the process of soliciting proposals for the design of
the community building. This is why your responses to
the survey on the back page are extremely important.
We like to have it back by Oct. 15. Thank you in
advance for your input.
$$$
By Lauren LeFebvre
As much as I cannot stand being outside, there is one
thing I will go outside for .....MONEY, specifically,
fund-raising for a Community Center at Kate
Mountain Park. There are two more fund-raising
events between now and the end of 2016. Thankfully,
one takes place INSIDE.
Oct. 15: the 3rd Annual Pumpkin Heaves at Kate Mt.
Park. The same team that brought you Founders' Day
is also planning this. As far as outside aspect goes, I
start my "all in" mental preparation for this day, in
August. This day takes being outside to a whole new
level, but you know what? At the end of the day, it is
the most exciting and fun event we do. You've seen
Punkin' Chunkin' on TV. Well, this is our version.
Pumpkin Heaves cannot happen without catapults or
trebuchets. That's where you come in. Build
something as a family, co-worker, class project, club, a
church or whatever. Name your team, name your
dream machine and register now. Registration and
rules are on the website www.townoffranklin.com .
Click on events. We need contestants now and what
better time to start your project? Our reigning champs
are the Tartan Tossers, a family team from the Malone
area. They had a combined distance of approximately
472.8 feet. Whiteface Lodge has had a consistently
great team and has competed each year. Get in the
game folks. It's a blast.
Regarding the use of the Town Hall, please note the
following: Monday nights are booked for the Cub
Scouts. The 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. the
55+ Club meets (noon in winter; 5 pm in the
summer.) Wednesday nights are for the Code
Enforcement Office hours AND Town Board or
committee meetings. Thursday is court, ALWAYS.
Approximately 30 out of 52 weekends are booked for
private parties ( birthdays, wedding receptions, baby
showers, family reunions, etc,) Around four times a
year or so, someone asks to have a post funeral
gathering during business hours. For those, we never
say no; we close our offices out of respect for the
family and they have their gathering. If you want to
book the Town Hall, you can do it on 1sr or 3rd
Tuesday .... Maybe. In the summer, the calendar for
weekend bookings for the pavilion at Kate Mountain
Park is nearly full before the end of May. Also at the
Park, starting in June and lasting until the weather is
inevitable, there is Drop-in dog training every
Wednesday night.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR HELPING
MAKE THE TOWN OF FRANKLIN
FOUNDERS' DAY A HUGE SUCCESS:
Blue Moon Café, Nori's, Goody Goody's,
Cashier Furniture, Ace Hardware, Joe, Lynn
and Beth Nelson, Post Office Pharmacy,
Adirondack Wine and Liquor, Community
Bank, R&L Towing, Mirror Lake Inn, The
Spa at Mirror Lake, Riverside Pet Supplies.
HomeEnergy, Pack basket Diner, Fusion
Market, Glenn Swinyer, Veronica Nason, Carl
and Phyllis King, The Waterhole, Hyde Fuel
Two Horse Trade Company, Pine Cone Ice
Cream, The Belvedere Restaurant, Hulbert's
Tri Lake Supply, Taylor Rental, Blue Line
Brewery, Aubuchon Hardware, Downhill Grill,
Owl's Nest Pizza Parlor, Shamrock Bar and
Grill, Sturdy Supply, The Laughing Hen
Luncheonette, High Peaks Wine and Liquor,
Curtis Lumber, Adirondack Bank, David and
Lisa Nester, Foster's Tents, Adirondack Daily
Enterprise, MX Productions DJ Service,
Carcuzzi, Town of Franklin 55+ Club
Your generous contributions helped raise over $3,700
toward building a Town of Franklin Community
Center. THANK YOU.
Other UPCOMING EVENTS:
Lasagna Dinner - November 19 - 4-6:30
Visit with Santa - December 17 - 1–2
Roast Pork Dinner - January 21 - 4-6:30
Town Board Meetings
5:30 p.m. 2nd Wednesdays of the Month at the
Town Hall, Vermontville
St. Paul's Food Pantry
Building behind Town Hall.
Distribution one day a month and as needed...
Make out donations to:
St. Paul's Food Pantry
C/o Mary Ellen Keith, 9 Tyler Rd, Vermontville,
NY12989
54 Years Ago in Sugarbush
by Melinda Hadley, Town Historian
I was 12 years old in October, 1962. My knowledge of
world affairs was superficial at best. If my parents reacted
to something on TV news, I would pay attention because I
knew they were not panic-prone people. I had heard
something about the Russians putting nuclear missiles in
Cuba. I, and the dozen or so other kids on Lee Tuthill's
Bus#4, were not impressed. After all, we had our own
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile ( ICBM) Atlas F in a silo
on my Aunt Annie Keese's former farm. We would
routinely see it raised and lowered, without the warhead,
for training drills.
One beautiful October morning, however, we all knew it
was "not a drill." On the news, the night before, President
John F. Kennedy had stated that any attempt to deliver
nuclear weapons to the island of Cuba would be
considered "an act of war against the United States." The
incoming Russian ships would be met with a blockade.
School and work went on as usual the next morning. Lee
pulled the bus over and stopped where we could see "our"
missile. The warhead was on, displaying its deadly
earnestness above an American flag insignia and the
vertical letters "United States of America." There were 11
more raised around Plattsburgh's Strategic Air Command
(SAC) base and who knows how many more around the
Country. Proud and nervous, we spent our "normal" day at
school until the loudspeaker blared out 5 unforgettable
words, " The Russians have turned back!" There was
nothing to see but a beautiful sunset in Sugarbush.
The Town of Franklin 55+ Club
NOSTALGIA – MEMORIES
By Mary Ellen Keith
I am sitting at the picnic table in my yrd 6 pm on a
summer's day. Tranquility, a rustle of leaves, a bird on
a wire, fragrance of blooming flowers turned toward
the latest sunlight of the day – memories galore. Tears
of joy and memories recalled the days of yesteryear.
On May 22nd the 55+ Club visited the Wilder Farm,
the home farm of the popular TV story of the Little
House on the Prairie. Entering through the enclosed
fence surrounding the farm, we stopped at the General
Store.; shelves now lined with books, leaflets, and
souvenirs. A glass case housed the dolls of Nellie,
Laura, Will, etc.
Our group of nine seniors and one guest teenager was
greeted by a very special knowledgeable, personable
young man who guided us through our tour. Ripe red
raspberries on bushes intertwined with blueberry
bushes basking in weeds as we stepped into the
blacksmith shop. An anvil, horseshoes, square nails,
ball peen hammers, sledge hammers graced the
wooden beams and walls. It was not impossible to
imagine the "shoring" of a horse.
We then stepped into the adjoining barn and carriage
house, hay and grain mows. My tears flowed of
memories of our of families barns, same designs, same
tools of back home. The pushweeders, hand
cultivators, scythe and snaphe, wet stone, wooden hay
rakes, threshing machine, pig pens, horse stalls, cow
stanches, grain boxes, milking stools – what memories!
The chickens had a roost housed in the barn. The heat
from the animals kept the chickens warm. Hooks
supported the lanterns when darkness descended at
chore time. Beautiful buggies and sleds are on display
as well as wagons and harnesses.
We walked along the rolling yards with evidence of
deer and rabbit droppings as they feasted on wild
apples from trees ; fields carpeted with clover and
freshly mowed grass.
Next stop was a lesson in authenticity as we gathered
at the homestead. Through the kitchen door we
viewed the pantry, flour barrels, grinders, pots, dishes,
and recipe books. The kitchen sink had pails for
carrying water, frying pans, tea kettles, towel racks
lined behind the stove. A bench cradle where babies
could be watched midst the bustle of the day and cozy
from the kitchen stove. Rocking chairs were a must,
not an option. Rain barrels and the pitcher pump
house were a vital source of water. A tour of the parlor with candle sticks, an organ, roll top desk, beautiful
upholstered couches and chairs, family portraits on the
walls, demanded refined manners. A room so beautiful
questions one's authenticity. The older members decided
to take a trip from home. Older girls and a mature boy
were to take over the chores for a week. They did well day
by day except for one chore, that is, to blacken the parlor
stove every day with "stove blacking." As the end of the
week approached, this duty had been woefully neglected.
Fearing the wrath for disobedience, the girls decided to
help the boys with the " stove blackening." With a Yeah,
"we'll help you" fashion, they tossed a cloth saturated
with the stove blackening to their brother. He missed the
catch and it hit the wall. Wow! Remedy? We'll hang a
portrait on the blob because the black smudge was
permanent. Years later a family descendent proved the
authenticity of the farm after having the black smudge
analyzed.
Up the hill overlooking the farm, is the restored school
house which also served as the church, both activities
sacred to the welfare of their lives. Before we left, we
looked at the cellar, which appeared to be a replica of that
in my home. I was amazed! My day of "nostalgia" and
memories ended as I proceeded to my kitchen, opened the
cellar door and viewed the huge boulder foundation and
stairway off the pantry – a replica of the Wilder
homestead. I closed the door and stood in awe. We do
live in a beautiful part of the world. Thank you God.
The day ended with dinner at a Chinese restaurant paid
for by money earned by the 55+ Club's bake sales and
dues. We invite seniors to join us for fun, good and
community participation.
Upcoming 55+ Club Events
- Bake Sale at the Pumpkin Heaves event on
October 15th.
- Trip to the Trudeau Lab on Church Street in
Saranac Lake on October 25th.
- Bake Sale on Election Day, November 8th at
the Town Hall.
- Christmas Dinner at either the Cascade Inn,
in Lake Placid, the Fireside in Lake Placid, or
The Red Fox in Saranac Lake.
55+ Club Meetings
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the Month ,
12:00 noon (Winter), 5 pm (Summer) at
the Town Hall, Vermontville. Bring
"Covered Dish". Contact Donna
Buckley 891-9214
KATE MOUNTAIN PARK SURVEY
Give us your opinion of one of your of your Town's
most beautiful places:
1.Have you participated in any activities held at Kate
Mountain Park? Y/N
2.Have you ever participated in any activities held at the
Town Hall in Vermontville? Y/N
3. Do you think your Town would benefit from a
Community Building at Kate Mtn. Park Y/N
4. Are you aware of the ongoing effort to raise funds
to build a Community Building at Kate Mountain Park?
Y/N
5. If a Community Building were located at Kate Mtn,
Park, what would you like it to be available for?
(Circle all that apply)
A. Fund Raisers
B. Youth/After School Programs
C. Workshop/Classes
D. Community Dinners
E. Private Parties
F. Club/Group Meetings
G. Other_______________________________
Attach more sheets if you needed. We want to hear
from EVERYONE
Include name and phone number if you want us to
contact you.
Drop it off at the Town Hall or mail it to: TOF
PO Box, Vermontville, NY12989 or scan and
email to franklinclerk@roadrunner.com