Compiled by Erik Pekar
75 years ago, Dec. 11, 1947
The death of Patrick J. Roche, chief of police of Granville, occurred at the Albany hospital Saturday morning, after several weeks’ illness. His death is a community loss; one who served his community for about 25 years is not easily forgotten. Pat left a good impression in Granville as a kind and devoted father, an excellent officer, and a gentleman.
The new snow loader purchased by the village of Granville for the removal of snow from the village streets has arrived and was put to use over the weekend. The unit consists of an elevator mounted on a tractor, with a worm arrangement in front which picks up the snow and places it on the elevator which carries it to the truck following immediately behind.
At the County Convention held at Hudson Falls Nov. 28, John Prouty, of Granville, was elected chairman of the Washington County Agricultural Conservation Committee for 1948. Mr. Prouty has been on the committee for several years and has been vice chairman for the past two years.
Contributions for the first two weeks of the Christmas Seal Sale in Washington County have reached about $4,000. This a little less than half the sum of $8,500 set for this year’s goal required to carry out the plans of the Washington County Tuberculosis and Public Hearth association in the coming year.
Fun night at the meeting of the Granville Parent-Teacher Association Monday evening was a success in every way. Two skits were presented, both of which were very much enjoyed by those present. Following the program a “white elephant” auction was held, with Albert Berkowitz as auctioneer.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors remained in session at Hudson Falls through Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of last week. On Friday they took time to offer strenuous objection to the levying of non-realty taxes in the county for the purpose of financing the schools of the county; the levying of such taxes has been recommended by the state government.
The annual DeMolay Ball will be held Friday, Dec. 26, at the Granville high school gymnasium. Music will be furnished by Bill Lawson and his 10-piece band, with vocalist Barbara Carpenter. Tickets are $2.40 per couple.
Ripley Lumber Company of Poultney has a selection of Christmas trees available.
At the Ritz: Today and Friday, “Cynthia”; Saturday, “Carolina Moon” and “Dangerous Millions”; Sunday and Monday, “Wild Harvest”; Tuesday and Wednesday, “The Arnelo Affair” and “The Trespasser”.
Weddings: Gertrude C. Monaghan, New York City and Paul W. O’Connor, Middle Granville; Teresa Kordiak and John Thomas, both of Granville village; Helen Edwards and Hayden Hughes, both of Granville village; Beatrice A. Smith, Rutland, Vermont and Bruce L. Kallahan, Rutland, Vermont, formerly of Granville.
Obituaries: Charles Juckett, Westport; Owen Davies Roberts, Granville village, formerly of Wales; Frank G. Hutchins, Vergennes, Vermont, formerly of Middletown Springs, Vermont; George W. Lee, Seattle, Washington, formerly of Granville; Mrs. Arthur (Anna) Getty, Mechanicville, formerly of Granville; Patrick Carmody, Poultney, Vermont.
50 years ago, Dec. 14, 1972
Cleo Noel was nominated last week by President Nixon to be United States Ambassador to Sudan in Africa. His wife is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John F. McHenry, who lived in the apartment above the Scott Furniture Company store.
The Granville Performing Arts Club have decided that something was lacking on the Miracle Way at this time of the year. Starting Monday, Dec. 18, Christmas music will be pouring forth from the second floor of the old Masonic building above American Hardware.
The Granville Rotary Club devoted the program of its meeting on Dec. 6 to a report on the Head Start Program for children of Washington County. Mrs. Beth Osborne, director of the project, explained its origin and work and the need for its services in the county.
Middle Granville Elementary School has scheduled its annual Christmas program for the evening of Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. The program will be directed by Mr. Kenneth Besaw with Mrs. Brenda Smith playing the piano. There will be no charge and the public is cordially invited.
On Jan. 18-20 in the high school auditorium, the Granville High School Drama Club will present the much-acclaimed Broadway musical, “Carnival”. Kathy Clark, a senior at Granville High, has the leading role of Lili, the young orphan girl who comes to the carnival in search of a friend and a place to stay.
A “living” nativity scene will be presented on the evening of Dec. 17, 7:30 to 9 p.m., at the Quaker Street park band stand. The scene employs persons who act in “tableau” with living animals, and a narration of scripture and carols by speaker system. The scene runs for about 20 minutes and then is repeated after a brief interval.
The Board of Trustees of the Pember Library and Museum has announced the appointment of Paul A. Hughes to the board to replace Rev. Tom Aikman. Other members now serving on the Board of Trustees include: President Miriam Everts, Mrs. Frederick Gibbs, Mrs. Lester Browde, Mrs. Earle Wood, Mrs. M. H. Manchester, William Wright, and Rev. Gordon Clark.
The installation of officers for the Mettowee Valley Senior Citizens took place on Thursday, Dec. 7, at St. Mary’s social hall. Preceding the installation, an American flag was presented the group by American Legion Post 323, represented by commander Mike Woodell and vice commander George Labas Jr. The following officers were presented for the ensuing year: President, Mrs. Kathryn Duel; vice president; Mrs. Elizabeth Chadwick, secretary, Mrs. Laura Smith; treasurer, Mrs. Mary Closs.
Basketball: Granville’s Golden Horde cagers went down to their third straight loss of the still young season, Friday evening, 71-56, to Northern Conference defending co-champs, Queensbury. The game’s high scorer was none other than “Rocket” Rudd, with 19 points.
Weddings: Cindra White and Lynn Arthur Steves, both of Fort Ann.
Obituaries: Carrie J. Spaulding, Middletown Springs, Vermont; Cora Hall Leffingwell, Middletown Springs, Vermont.
25 years ago, Dec. 17, 1997
Local police agencies paid a visit to Granville High School on Friday, Dec. 5, but it wasn’t a social call. Armed with drug sniffing dogs, officers from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Glens Falls City Police Dept. made a sweep of student lockers Friday morning. In a move that took many at the school by surprise, district officials arranged for law enforcement agents to do a random test of the school’s lockers to determine if illegal drugs were being smuggled onto school property. By the end of the sweep, school leaders were pleased to say that Granville High School was clean.
A man’s lifetime of service in the United States Army and the Army Reserves came to a fitting and prestigious end when Col. Edward Fish was awarded the Legion of Merit at his retirement ceremony in November. Fish, a longtime Granville resident, was commissioned in 1956 and served on active duty for four years in Europe. He then went on various active-duty tours with the Army Reserves from 1956 to 1990, serving in whatever capacity his country needed him. From 1990 to 1994, he returned to active duty in the Logistics Operation Center. He officially retired in February 1995.
The Granville town board, at their meeting on Thursday, Dec. 11, discussed moving forward with a reevaluation of all the town parcels. Granville’s last reassessment took place between 6 to 8 years ago and cost the town about $180,000. At that time, the entire project was launched from scratch; the upcoming reevaluation should not cost the town as much since it would be an upgrade. Bids have been requested; one for full reassessment, the other for reassessment of just commercial properties.
Granville town officials recently received notice that the Latham-based commercial real estate development firm Schuyler Companies, which developed the Price Chopper shopping plaza that opened earlier this year, has filed an “Article 7” procedure against the town. Such a procedure is normally filed when a property owner thinks their assessment is too high and seeks a reduction. The property is currently assessed at $3,299,000.
Parishioners of the First Church of Granville joined in the spirit of Christmas Saturday evening to present a “Live Nativity” scene for the enjoyment of the greater Granville community. The manger was constructed in front of the Chamber of Commerce building on Main Street.
Boys’ basketball: Last weekend saw the Horde’s varsity record even at 2-2 overall. Tamarac traveled to Granville Friday night, Dec. 12 and pulled out a squeaker, 65-59, after trailing the entire game but outscoring the Horde in the fourth quarter. Matt Sharrow had 22 points. The next afternoon, faced with the possibility of falling in an early-season hole, the Horde pulled out a victory to even things up at .500. The Horde had a 62-49 non-league victory over North Warren on Sat. Dec. 13. The Horde offense was led by Justin Olson, with 20 points.
Girls’ basketball: Monday, Dec. 8, was a good day for the Granville girls varsity team, as they racked up 44 points to defeat Class B Hudson Falls in their first win of the season, 44-37. Merilee Wood scored a total of 23 points. In a Friday, Dec. 12 game against Tamarac, Granville fell 47-38. Granville’s Wood was the game’s high scorer.
No births reported.
Weddings: Christine Gauthier, New Haven, Michigan and Daniel Scarlotta, Granville.
Obituaries: Margaret Ann Marchaland, Poultney, Vermont; Henry Carl, Green Island; Dorothy Kaveny, Pawlet, Vermont; Drusilla Lee, Wells, Vermont; Howard Juckett, North Granville.
