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Memories
of our...
October 22, 1999
Tony, 10/29/99
Hi Tony,
Hi, Linda
again! I loved
the Caroga
site! My
brother is
going to
freak, he
lived there
for quite
awhile before
moving to
Frankfort.
Thanks
Hi Tony. . .
.Thanks for
the "Reach Out
And Touch"
contact. You
put
together one
H--l of a Web
Site. It is
great to have
access to so
many pix. I
did not have
time to view
all of them,
but I also had
a hard time
getting myself
to
stop clicking
for the next
one!
Tony:
Dear Tony= Nancy Robinson Hauck
Hi Tony,
Hi,
Date: 11/4/99
8:54 PM
I know Pat
that lives in
the brown camp
on the corner,
next to yours.
Also met the
D'Alessandris
who owns the
camp now. A
nice fellow.
Date: 11/7/99
10:35 AM Rick Lilley (Ontario Canada)
Date: 11/5/99
8:53 AM Martin 11/8/99
Dear Tony:
I hope when you are back home you will get a chance to meet me so that I may give you a guided tour. Your e-mail comes at an opportune moment. My wife, Ruth and I want to do one wall of the dance hall with photographs of people and Sherman's throughout the years. We will make copies of the photographs and return the originals to whoever submits them. We hope to give credit and identify the people depicted in the photographs. It is important to know the year of the photograph was taken. Ruth knows how to make this internet thing work and right now I am asking my secretary to work the computer for me so that I can view your site. I would love to hear more from you and hope that you will be able to assist us in our restoration effort. If you have any suggestions, please let us hear from you. Thanks again. George Abdella
Hey,
Tony,
Date: 11/27/99
10:17 AM
11/28/99
Date: 11/29/99
6:08 PM
I've been in
Michigan for
30 years. I
have pictures
somewhere of
my daughter
taken in 1980
when she was
six on "The
Whip."
Date: 11/29/99
7:13 PM
Date: 12/3/99
3:22 PM
Date: 12/4/99
4:53 PM Fred Viola, Riverside, Ca.
Hi, I just
clicked in
your web site
and it's
fabulous.
Thanks a
million. Hi,
We lived at
312 Fon Clair
right at the
end of Cady
Street. My
brother is
John, my
sister is
Barbara. 12/21/99
Hi Tony,
Date: 12/22/99
8:18 PM
12/23/99 What a great site! I stumbled upon it while looking at the bulletin board on the Gloversville site. Although I am only a few years older than your daughters I have many fond memories of Caroga lake, Sherman's, and the beach at Pine Lake from my early childhood.
I still
remember
Sunday drives
with my
parents and
ending up at
Sherman's, if for nothing else,
ice cream and
popcorn! My
favorite ride
was the
tilt-a-whirl
and maybe the
bumper cars
too. Kathleen Eagan
Date:
1/17/2000 4:59
PM
Don Zullo
,
Date:
1/18/2000 6:14
AM Having lived in Caroga Lake , back in the Early 50's up to 72 when we moved to Fl. Been here for 30 yrs. My younger son and I go back every summer to visit old friends. Your site sure brings back the old days. My son will try to find some old pictures , you might want to add to your site. You might know my older son, Richard Spraker. Do you get back to Caroga Lake often?
Regards
Date:
1/29/2000 6:26
PM
Date:
1/31/2000 1:58
PM
I'm
originally
from
Dolgeville, so
"the lakes"
are indeed a
part of my
"old stomping
grounds." The
covered bridge
in Salisbury
is but 100
yards
Pine and
Caroga lakes
were my
favorites
while I was
growing up in
the '50s. Pine
was the best
swimming lake
(nice sandy
beach) and
Caroga had the
carnival
atmosphere. So
sad to see how
they have
deteriorated
over the
years, and
Caroga closing
completely...
Even my home
town - homes
falling apart,
lacking
upkeep, etc.
Such stark
contrast to
where I live
now, near
Charlotte, NC,
where
everything is
new and
growing. You
also mentioned
Fonda - I
frequented the
old drag strip
there in the
mid to late
'50s. got to
see Shirley
Muldowney
(famous drag
racer) race
her 'vette a
few times!
Date:
2/16/2000 9:28
PM March 12, 2000 Hi there Tony:
Nice job on
Sherman's. I'm
passing it on
to my friends.
Can't wait for
them to open.
This should
give a boost
to the town.
Hope our Town
Fathers try to
help,
too.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tony, I just got thru the whole thing on Caroga. I think it's more wonderful than I said in my last E-Mail to you. Millie Busch 3/13/2000 Thank you for the memories. As ones before me has said, it brought a tear to my eyes. My family could never afford a camp, but would camp out in the state park, and the highlight was Sherman's. We lived in Fort Plain NY and every Sunday was Dad's ritual, to drive to Sherman's for "HOT" peanuts. We did this every year until there was no more peanut stand. Broke poor dads heart. It's a very sad sight to even go past there now, such a shame that it no longer is the greatest place to visit. Thanks for this great site. Claudia Howe (Keller)
3/25/2000 March 29, 2000 Wow! I heard about your site and truly enjoyed it. By the way, I'm "Sissy" Avery. You know, Bob's daughter and the sister of Lyman, Bart, John, Gary and Connie Avery. I now live in PA and do get back home once a year to visit all and we have a family reunion at our lake in Arietta each summer
Keep up the
good work and
thanks.
Can't tell you how much I enjoy your Caroga Times! It is awesome.
My family had
a camp on
Garlock Road
when I was a
kid. After my
parents passed
away I had to
move to Albany
to live,
however, I
continued to
come to Caroga
every
weekend. While enjoying Caroga Times we were in the Caroga Area Scenery section and a picture of a barn came up labeled Old Barns Near Stratford. (not the large barn where they held dances, the smaller barn with the farm equipment near the tree on left) This barn was owned by Jack and myself from 1977 until we sold it in 1993 and is located on Newkirks Road in the Town of Caroga. It is on an old farm which was owned years ago by Tunis Lane and his family.
Thought you
would like
this
information.
If you look
close you can
make out a
sign on the
side of the
barn facing
you - Bruce
Busch made
that sign and
it read "trail
to Jack's
place. " I
will be
looking for
some old
pictures to
send you. April 10, 2000 Hi Tony, What a wonderful way to start my day, viewing your web site! I have cried and laughed and thought of all the people I want to share it with. It was as if you and I were sitting on the front porch of my parents house, chatting.
I must go
now and finish
viewing the
site. But
first, do you
remember the
machine in the
arcade, where
you could make
your own
record? I'm
going to send
some photos.
March 18, 2000
Thanks for
sending this
fabulous site
of yours to
me. I tried to
contact you
4/18/2000 Mr. Ermie, I have to tell you that you have put together an amazing website. My Grandparents purchased a camp on Kirchens Grove in 1945 and our family has been going there every year since. Thank you for providing me with a great historical prospective on Caroga Lake. Sure did bring back some great memories!
April 19,2000
Tony, April 26, 2000
Great site of
Caroga Lake. Keep up the good work. I
look forward
to seeing more
"old time"
pictures. May 1, 2000
Hello,
Ruth Wilson May 6, 2000 TONY What a great site, I am not done looking at it yet but I had to send you a message. Your site brings back many great memories. It makes me think I am a child again. I graduated from jhs with Ted Farnsworth and Harold Witzke, so it was nice to see the picture of Ted and the parade for Harold. And I remember Chisel Greco very well, what a guy. Well Tony just wanted to congratulate you on a great site. I will send it to all my friends. Thank you for contacting me. KIERAN FEENEY May 16, 2000
Tony, May 23, 2000 Tony- I have spend 61 summers at Caroga and you can imagine how thrilled I was when Millie passed on Caroga Times to me. I also have passed it on to old friends that have moved from the area. You did a wonderful job with it and should be congratulated. We are lucky enough now to spend five months at Caroga and are packing up as I type. I will look in the old photo alums at camp and if I come across anything you could use, I'd be glad to send them to you. Our camp is on the south shore of W. Caroga and is under the name of LENZ. Nice talking to you. PEGGY LENZ DAVIS May 23, 2000
Found your
website today.
It brought
back great
memories of
Caroga Lake. I do a lot of biking and I ride daily from Pleasant Lake to Caroga by way of the Canada Lake shore road and London Bridge Rd. It's sad to see the place as it is today. I try to tell my kids about the fun we used to have there and all the activity that went on, but it must be hard to understand when they see it now. It was a special part of growing up.
Thanks for the
memories. May 28, 2000
Thanks, Tony My sister, Linda worked for Fay and Ray, in the ice cream place and the gift shop. Oh how I loved the old clam shack across from the beach. It may have been the original Willies. I was happy to here Sherman's has reopened. We are going to my husbands 50th high school reunion in Aug. in Herkimer and look forward to driving out to the lake. Thanks, an excellent site.
Gail {Trask}
Jones June 4, 2000
Your web site
just flooded
my mind with
such fond
memories of
Caroga Lake.
We all loved
Trixie, and
fed her
peanuts almost
every day when
we would stop
by on our way
to the post
office. Does
anyone
remember when
the high wire
acts were over
the midway?
Now that was a
great summer. June 7, 2000
What a
tremendous job
you have done
to compile so
much of the
Caroga Lake area - THANK YOU June 7, 2000 I cannot tell you the memories it brought back for me. My parents started taking me to Sherman's when I was about 5 years old, more than 50 years ago. I can still smell the cotton candy and the popcorn, hear the carousel music and remember falling off a great white steed trying to catch the brass ring.
Thank you so
much for the
trip back to
my childhood. June 10, 2000 Tony,
Thanks for
sending you
Caroga Times!
Sure is
GREAT!! Your site brought back a lot of pleasant memories. Our family camp back in "the cove" is now owned by my brother Brian and his family. Mom & Dad just didn't want deal with the upkeep anymore. My husband Paul and I have a summer place up on the Sacandaga, about a 1/2 mile north of Lanzie's. The rest of the year is spent in Johnstown.
My sister
Nancy and her
husband live
in Saratoga.
The youngest
brother is in
Durango, Colo. Mom & Dad still live in
Sammonsville.
Will you and
your wife be
coming to the
class reunion?
We have
another
meeting this
weekend at
Karen & Chuck
Wright's
house. Sure
doesn't seem
like we have
been out of
school 40
years. After
all--I am only
35!!!! HA HA!! June 17, 2000
Tony - your
website is
fabulous. I am
Jennie,
Chuck's wife,
and Chuck and
I were just
looking at the
pictures. Of
course, he
knew most of
the people. June 19, 2000 Just spend 2 hours enjoying your "Caroga Times" website. I cried and laughed and enjoyed the whole experience. We live in Bleecker and have enjoyed the area our whole lives. Caroga and Shermans was a place of many memories, especially when we were dating. Keep up the good pages. Al & Shirley Alfini June 19, 2000
Hey Tony, June 30, 2000 Tony, Fantastic site. As a member of Little Falls High School class of 1957, I want to tell you we spent most of our free summer time at Sherman's. Many memories of Caroga Lake and Pine Lake. I haven't been back there since. 35 years in the California desert followed by retirement to Oregon (much more like Caroga). How many megabytes does that incredible website contain? Jim Fitzgerald July 11, 2000 I am new to the internet and just today discovered your website. What a marvelous job you have done. About 35 years ago St. Mary's Hospital purchased a camp on Canada Lake. I am one of the sisters there and was privileged to share some time each summer for most of those summers. In later years I discovered the amazing beauty of the other seasons as well. This year the camp was sold (anyway I think it was) and it ended an era for me but I treasure the memories I have shared in this beautiful part of the country. I still live in Amsterdam and so I am able visit the area and now will do as you suggest and visit some of those roads you just don't know where they will come out. I have some shots I may send if I can get to a scanner and learn how to do this or maybe I will snail to you. So just know that you made my day today. It was a great journey of memories and I will be back to visit here again and tell my friends and family about it as well. Thanks, Sister Johanna Ryan July 18, 2000 What a wonderful Wed Site. I was born in Canada in 1935 and had Grandparents in Northville. Every summer when we visited we made one or two trips to Caroga Lake. I remember the bumper cars and the monkey very well. Thanks for bringing all of this back to me. Jim... July 20, 2000
Though my
wife's family
(her Mom was a
Sherman from
Gloversville)
are from
Fulton Co,
I've never
been there,
but your site
is a marvelous
recollection
of the joys of
small town
America. July 21, 2000
Tony..
June 22, 2000 June 24, 2000
Saw the
picture of Mr.
& Mrs. Ken
Rexford. August 11, 2000
Hello Tony,
My favorite
memory was to
see the nuns
and priests in
the scooter
cars and we
kids got a
chance to
"Bump
them"...I can
still see the
smiles on
their faces. Best wishes to you and hopefully you will get some more great pictures. I will look thru my albums and see if I have any and will send them to you.
Thanks again, August 23, 2000 Hi Tony - Checked your "Caroga Times" Website. Very nice indeed! John Freiberger August 25, 2000
Hi, Juanita Booth Baytown, TX. August 29, 2000
You have
really put up
a great site.
It brought
back a lot of
memories. I
worked at
Sherman's
during the
summers of
1973-1976. My
father and
mother (George
& Dorothy
Manchester)
ran Manchester
Lakeview
Market in the
Yates store in
the late 60's
early 70's.
Later I would
occupy that
building in
1980-82 with
T&T repairs
service. I
joined the
Marines in
1982 and
currently am
serving as the
First Sergeant
for a unit at
Twentynine
Palms
California.
You mentioned
so many
familiar names
I have not
heard in years
it sure
stirred up
memories. 9/1/2000
Hi, September 4, 2000
Hi Tony!
Your
descriptions
of the whip
and those
bumper cars
was memory
jarring. I
always rode
the whip and
remember the
smell. And,
although I
didn't like
the bumper
cars, I did go
on them every
time because
my sister
wanted to! You
say on your
site that Pine
Lake
Restaurant is
for sale. Does
this include
the amusement
park? Gee,
I've got to
get back there
before it
goes! 10/7/2000
Hi Tony:
I live near
Syracuse, New York now and have spent a
lot of today
walking down
memory lane.
Guess after 58
you do that
some of the
time. My
parents, Ken
and Verna sold
our house at
123 East
Fourth after I
married and
moved away,
they bought a
place on
Caroga Lake
and later
after selling
that rented
from Mother's
Day til
October when
they would
head for
Florida. Nice
to see some
familiar
sites. Thanks
for the great
web pages.
October 30,
2000 October 31, 2000
Thanks for all
those pictures
and
information. I
can see myself
swimming with
all my
friends; I can
see myself
dancing on
Saturday
night. The
music
accompanying
the pics is
great. Good
job Tony! November 1, 2000 Well Ermie, You did it again. How emotional I get looking at Caroga times. It seems like it was only yesterday that night Sat.in July in 1956 that I first walked into Sherman's as a new bride. And another Sat .night in summer of 1983 on a visit back. The year before my husband died. And all the other pictures of places we went. My kids loved the covered bridge at Salisbury. And Pine lake. I loved all the pictures .Don and I are camera bugs. We take hundreds of pictures with our video camera and our digital camera as well as our 35m. Now we have a dazzel digital video creator so we are having fun putting our nineteen grandchildren on Video. He is enjoying Caroga times also even tho he has never been there. I am getting him hooked so he will take me back!! I am so happy that it has reopened. So many wonderful memories. You have done a incredible job with it. Thank you for letting me know about the new things you put on. Makes a person want to be there now. Best wishes. Juanita Booth in Tx. November 1, 2000 Tony, great job with the pictures and music.
I'm living in
Houston, TX now and before that I lived
in
Sammonsville
for the past
20 years. My
mother and
father live at
the junction
of 10 & 10A
across the
street from
the Stocks.
Helen & Stan
Moore and my
Aunt Marge and
Uncle George
Davidson live
right next to
them. Anyway I
enjoyed
looking at
your pictures
and the music
fit so well. I
wanted to show
my friend what
the colors of
fall look like
and you had a
few. My
brother David
Soltner did
some of the
stained glass
work in the
carousal house
when he worked
for Don Dwyer
of Adirondack
Stained Glass. Gary Soltner November 28, 2000
Thank you so
much for
letting me
know about the
latest
addition to
your site. I
loved the
story of
Frank. It was
so touching &
as always
brings back
lots of good
memories. I
really
appreciate
that you keep
me posted when
you add items.
We all get
busy but never
too busy for a
wonderful trip
down
memory lane.
Once again you
made my day. November 11, 2000
Hi Tony, Rosemary Piccola December 1, 2000 Tony, Your web site is WONDERFUL! Enjoyed every minute of it. Since we're relative newcomers I didn't have a clue about what Caroga was like 30 or more years ago - particularly Sherman's. Thanks so much for sharing it with me. As it turns out, we have a visitor coming from Virginia this weekend who grew up in Little Falls in the 50's and spent much of his summer youth at Sherman's. Your pictures, dialog and music will be a real treat for him. Thanks Again Judy Moritz December 11, 2000 I just got wind of your Caroga Lake site. It is great. Have enjoyed reading and seeing all the pictures. I have heard all the stories and listened to the tales of the good old days at Sherman's. I never was privileged to be there. I understand that a picture of our place was on Sept. web site, Sorry I missed it. Keep up the great work. Joan Dudley, Granny's Ice Cream December 15, 2000 I have to tell you.... I'm a little upset with your web page... I'm In the air force now stationed in San Antonio TX, but i grew up just about 6 miles from Sherman's Amusement park at the intersection of Caroga lake stage and State Street Extension. Now I've been in Texas for a couple years and Korea and California for the few before that. I'm going home for Christmas this year for the first time in a long time, and after reading your rather extensive web pages and viewing your pictures, I'm going to have a very hard time trying to talk myself into going back to the bleak, semi urban nightmare that is San Antonio. Which means I'll be AWOL and be arrested... you can see my dilemma. But seriously, This is a very well constructed site that loads rapidly, very good job. I build web pages for a living and can appreciate the time spent in this endeavor. Thank you for putting forth the effort to not only make an interesting sight but taking the time to make it work right...
Benjamin
Rowland 12/20/2000 Was surfing around the web and came across your site...I enjoyed visiting. I am a direct ancestor of the 'original' Sammons that settled in New York; while looking over the pictures posted on your site I couldn't help but feel that I was looking at "home" somehow. Great job on a fantastic place to visit online!!!
Thomas Sammons December 27, 2000
Dear Tony,
I grew up in
Gloversville
and remember
many, many
times at
Sherman's
while my Dad
and Frank
would walk and
talk - they
grew up
together. My
Dad (Robert E.
Lee O'Donnell)
passes away a
few years ago
and my
Brother, Danny
O'Donnell
still lives in
Caroga Lake. The next time you see Mr.
Sherman ask
him if he
remembers the
dead owl which
was wrapped up
and left as a
gift on his
front porch
about 45 years
ago. My father
shot it and
then had us
sneak it on to
Mr. Sherman's
porch. I don't
know if my Dad
ever admitted
it, but I do
know Mr.
Sherman
suspected him
(the owl was
killed with a
bullet between
his eyes - my
Dad was a hell
of a shot). December 28,2000 Enjoyed watching your Caroga Times .com that Colleen Graves sent me in a Christmas card.
Thank you January 1. 2001 Hello , Just a quick note to let you know that you have a very interesting website. I own the monument business in Ephratah and last summer we had a guest from England and spent some time in Caroga he enjoyed it to no end. I have just sent this link to him and his family to enjoy .. He will be back this summer with his family and no doubt want to go to Caroga ..... Thank you for this site Harold St John January 2, 2001 Dear Tony & Kathy,
My name is Peggy Parkhill Unger. I am from Gloversville Ny and my parents use to have a camp on Unger Ln. in Caroga Lake. I love the site it brings home to me since I don't get to there enough. Now I live in Georgia. My mother still lives there in Gloversville and I have an Uncle and Aunt that lives on London Bridge Road in Caroga Lake. Every summer we went to camp and had a wonderful time there. Always went to Sherman's and went swimming. Please keep up the good work and the web site. Thanks for the memories. Peggy Parkhill Unger 1/16/2001 My time at Caroga, precedes yours by a few years, however pictures and comments were especially good. I've been in Idaho for quite some time now, still enjoy the upstate memories, keep up the good work... Dick Ryall 1/18/2001 I enjoyed the site! I'm from Broadalbin and used to work for Ernie & George Abdella in the early 70's. Ernie's "girlfriend" [Maggie Wilkins] is my cousin so I see him regularly, and I checked out the renovation this past summer when I was visiting. Your Caroga site was fun & nostalgic.
Thanks! January 20, 2001 Hi Tony,
We don't know
each other but
I want to tell
you how much I
am enjoying
your site! The
memories it
brings back
are Great!!! I
graduated for
GHS in 1953.
Our family
spent many
good times at
their camp.
We also spent
many good
times with our
children at
Ken and Joan
Benton's camp
too!!! Our
children loved
to go
there!!!! January 21, 2001
Recently I
got YOUR
web
address from
Colleen
Graves, simply
awesome! My
name is Jeff
Wood, My
family, Kim,
Alison, Lyndsi
and Jeffrey
moved to
Caroga Lake in Feb.2000 after visiting
a friend who
lives here. We
LOVE it! The
school is
great, parents
actually come
to the events
to show
support.
David Jung
just restarted
the Cub Scout
troop up. It
seems to be
going well. January 22, 2001
Just loved
your page.
Kept me up
longer than I
planned to be
but well worth
it. Many
memories of
Caroga Lake. In fact the last time I
was there was
in 1972. We
celebrated my
Dad's 88th
Birthday. January 30, 2001 Thanks for the memories................I also spent many summers at the lake, 1967-the presents..........on North Shore Road, West Caroga in our little camp and now at my parents (Jack and Beverly Barkevich) who live there year round on South Shore Road, West Caroga (they bought Klena's place at the end of the lake by the cove)
I am enjoying
it year
round.......my
sister, Sally
Barkevich
Cram, also
lives there
year round on
North Shore
Road.......Sally
and I both
worked at
Sherman's,
starting when
I was 16 until
about 22 years
old (it helped
to pay for
going to
college).....I
worked for Ray
Allen in the
soft ice cream
stand and
Sally worked
on the midway,
first with the
games and then
on the
rides.......what
memories...........thanks
for the
"Caroga
Times"!!!! February 4, 2001 I grew up in Gloversville and am currently living in Massachusetts. My Aunt and Uncle (Irene and Ed Smith) lived in Caroga Lake and My Grandfather (Earl Smith) had a camp in Green Lake. The camp is still in the family although not in it's original form. As you can imagine I spent more time than I can calculate in Caroga Lake, Canada Lake, Green Lake, and Sherman's as well. I suspect we even walked past each other at Sherman's a couple of hundred times and never even knew it! I spent times at these places with people that I love that I wish I could have back. Finding this website PLUS the Caroga and Canada Lake sites has meant a great deal in helping me reconnect with my memories and how vividly they have stayed with me through the years.
Though I can't
have "things"
the way they
were it's nice
to see these
places by way
of your
website and
the others. It
helps me
revisit the
people I love
as well if
only in my
imagination. February 6, 2001
Tony , I was
born and grew
up in
Johnstown. I
lived on West
Madison Ave. I
just spent
some time
viewing the
wonderful
memories that
you provided
with your
photos.
I really thank
you for taking
the time and
interest to
provide the
beautiful trip
down memory
lane. February 6, 2001
I live in
Gloversville
and recently
found your
excellent
memories of
Caroga Lake. February 8, 2001 I was on the classmate site for 1962 for Ft. Plain and noticed Caroga mentioned. We had a camp at East Caroga for 55 years. My brother still lives there on South Shore Caroga lake road. I remember the wonderful times at Sherman's and I loved your photos. Thanks so much. Nancy Macintrye Runnion February 11, 2001 Just had a great time scrolling thru your site. Lots of familiar faces, some family, some friends. My Dad owned the Bleecker Hotel with Muriel & Charlie Robinson in the 40's and 50's.
Just thought I
would add -
found my
cousin Mel
O'Donnell on
the site and
Jeanne
Smullens -
small-small
world. Bill
Bennett and,
my Dad, Mel
Ernst opened
the Adirondack in Pompano FL in 1956. we stayed Bill went back! Have lots of stories
from my
background and
very large
family (30
first
cousins). February 16, 2001
I have camped
up to Caroaga
Lake since I
was seven
years old. My
parents had a
camp on Lake
Ave. Yes, the
smell of
popcorn and
all the fun
hanging out at
Sherman's.
Boating,
dancing and
just plan good
old fun! February 19, 2001
Tony- February 20, 2001
Hi Tony February 23, 2001
...when I see
the picture of
Frank gazing
out of the
garage with
"bittersweet"
memories, all
I can think of
is at least he
is there in
person and can
see it and
smell it and
walk it and be
it......unlike
some of us who
haven't been
back in so
long......or
cannot come
back because
the family
camp has been
sold. February 24, 2001
Tony, March 1, 2001
Tony, March 4, 2001 Tony, that was a great look back at Johnstown from Lew Decker. Thanks for putting it on your site. I am sure many people will get great enjoyment out of the photo's, as my family and I did. Thanks again. And great music to go with it. Kieran Feeney March 4, 2001
Great new
photos! Seeing
the trolley
car reminded
me of a story
from my Dad.
He used to
work for Pecks
Flowers and
would have to
go to the
greenhouse in
Johnstown to
pick them up.
In order to
save time
getting there
from G'ville
he said he
would drive on
the trolley
tracks - Old
man Peck could
not figure out
how he could
go and get
back so fast!
My Dad's
theory was
time was money
and he would
be able to
make more
deliveries if
the
arrangements
were done. March 4, 2001
Hi Tony, I
enjoyed the
new site of
"Old
Johnstown" My
husband worked
at the old
Tryon Oil co.
when it was
the Atlantic
station. He
worked with
"Chile"
Hildreth,
"Stretch "
Weiss, Chuck
Tysko and
Chuck Wilson.
This was back
in the early
60's. Jackie Faville blondie2@capital.net March 4, 2001
Hi Tony, March 4, 2001
This is an
outstanding
site, thank
you! March 4, 2001
You are doing
a wonderful
job .You have
made a lot of
people happy
in remembering
their memories
of long ago.
It is the way
you bring it
to life as if
it was just
yesterday. March 4, 2001
Hi Tony -
Viewed the
"old
Johnstown" and
found it
delightful -
nice job!!!
Was beginning
to think you
took off or
something when
no new pages
or mail
appeared -
glad to see
you are still
at it doing a
marvelous
job. I also
read the mail
that you have
received - do
you know how
many people
you have
touched with
your work on
these projects
- I have not
seen a
response like
that - all
favorable too,
in a loooong
time. Can't
offer any
suggestions on
Johnstown
project - how
can anything
be an
improvement on
that? I am
just jealous -
wishing it
were
Gloversville. March 6, 2001 I spent the past half hour or so laughing, remembering, and yes even some tears shed for some dearly departed family members who loved Caroga Lake. Your music was also great! I also spent several nights, weekends, and summer weeks with my family at the Sammons camp. We were way down at the end of the lake and could look straight across at Sherman's. It was like little Summersville there at Caroga lake with my grandparents camp, Aunt' camp, uncles and of course my fathers camp all in the same area. What great times. It has been good time spent on this wintry blustery blizzard day - 3/6/2001. We have had in excess of 25 inches of snow. My workplace has been closed for two days - as has been schools, college, business, etc. Interesting that the URL for your site was sent to me from a friend now retired in Florida. Now I can't wait to send it to a lot of my Fulton County friends and relatives. Can I have permission to add your sight as a link from my company business site? We have a nice section of links to Fulton County area sites and your site would be a fine addition. Please let me know.
Regards, Oh - one more question or comment if you will - are you a writer? If not you should be! March 7, 2001
Dear Tony, March 9, 2001 A friend forwarded the Caroga pictures and history to me. It was very enjoyable and interesting. Are you related to Jim Ermie? He is about 47 years old and he went to school with my son, Greg. Again, I enjoyed the "tour" and I know a lot of work must have gone into this. Jeanine Precopio March 12, 2001 My husband and I are enjoying your travelouge through Fulton Co. He will be retiring from being County Judge and Surrogate ..this year. You will find our picture in Deckers first book about Fulton Co. Do you have the tiny book about J'town published in about 1945? It's about 3by5inches. I'll try to find one for you. Graziella Lomanto March 20, 2001
Hi Tony, March 21, 2001
Hi ! I still come back to visit a couple of times per year. I would like to thank you for your efforts on this particular site. It was very well done . I was excited to see all the old pictures and recognized some of the buildings and photos .I also found the site to be a little sad in the way that in the early 1900's the streets of Johnstown appeared to be hustling and bustling and today if you drive down main street at 6:00pm all the stores are closed and the streets are empty. So much for modern technology ! ( Dam that Walmart ) Anyhow, thanks for the stroll down memory lane. It's one of the best strolls I've taken on the net yet !!! Steve Pitcher April, 7, 2001 What an awesome surprise! I opened my email this morning and there it was. I wasn't surfing the web. Your mail, then website, appeared. The trip down memory lane was moving to say the least.
We had a camp
for about 16
years with my
uncle and his
family and my
grandparents
and spent the
entire summer
there from
"school's
out!" to Labor
Day (the
saddest day of
all). I
remember my
grandfather
taking his
walk, after
church (at St.
Barbara's) on
Sundays, to
Sherman's for
his bag of
peanuts and
his weekly
talk with Mr.
Sherman and
the "pretty
little blond"
(as my
grandfather
referred to
her) at the
popcorn stand. April 7, 2001 I just looked over your site and loved it. My family is from Stratford, the Johnson family. We visited Shermans many a Sunday. and remember the good old days keep up the pictures it brings back many wonderful memories. thank you.
Gina (
Johnson)
Coffin April 10, 2001 Dear Tony: I just want you to know that I have viewed your site many times!!!! I used to spend quite a bit of time in Caroga in the summertime with Bruce and Mike Heberer who's parents still have a camp on Lake Ave in Caroga Lake. Bruce says that they are related to you. Also, the many pictures of Sherman's bring back memories to my wife, Lita Guy Hillier. She is the daughter of Butch and Patty Guy. I am sure you know Butch, he worked for the Nick Stoner Golf Course for 30 years. Lita's mom, Patty, was the former Patricia Barney, who parents Gordon and Versella Barney lived in North Bush for years. Versella was a Stock, sister to Donald and Robert Stock, Loretta Ferrari, and Iva Zayicek. Do any of those names ring a bell? My wife Lita worked summers at Sherman's when the Morris' owned it. She said she used to have a ball the last few years Sherman's was open. My wife is now the bookkeeper and budget officer for the Town of Caroga. She started when Bruce Busch was Supervisor and continues to work for FritzAnn. We loved the pictures from the coffee shop you posted. Another tie to Sherman's my wife and I have, is that we held our wedding reception in the banquet room at Sherman's on 6/6/92. That is when the Abdella's first purchased it and it wasn't even open yet. My wife and I kind of met there in the late 80's when Carbone's ran it like a night club. It was only fitting that we celebrated our marriage there. We took our wedding party on a party barge - pontoon boat around the lake before "landing" on the docks at Sherman's. What a day - almost 300 packed into Sherman's. I am a lieutenant at the Fulton County Sheriff's Office in Johnstown. I am also GREAT friends with Little Joe Riccardi! He and I traveled to NYC a couple of months ago and stayed the weekend at a FDNY station in the south Bronx. You have to agree with me that Joe has a line of "B.S." a mile long and when he said he had "friends" in the fire department I thought he was just kidding. Boy was I wrong! They even know him in the Big Apple. Sure knows his way to Little Italy! It was nice to see the posting of Lil Joe! It was great!!! Keep up the good work! Your website certainly matches or exceeds the printed work of Barbara McMartin on the history of Caroga.
Have a great
day. April 11, 2001
Tony... 4/17/2001
Hi Tony -
don't know if
you'll
remember me,
but I grew up
in Johnstown
and April 20, 2001
Tony, April 24, 2001 Tony: Enjoyed the visit to Johnstown. During October 25, 1786, my distant relative Lt Col Volkert Veeder of the 4th Regiment of Tryon Co., fought in the battle of Johnstown during the revolutionary war. Many of my relatives are from your home. I will go visit this summer. My past surnames include: Easton, Morrell, Gaylord, Vrooman, Veeder, Bailey, Scott, Dalrymple, Smith and Mabie. Gloversville, Fonda, Cherry Valley, Fort Plain, Albany, Mohawk are all towns where my relatives lived. I hope to visit all of them this summer. You lived in a very beautiful area of the country!
Robert M
Easton,
Jr, OD, FAAO April 24, 2001
Tony, April 24, 2001 Hello.... Just looked at it for the first time........GREAT...GREAT JOB. I am the third generation to own our camp on the East lake. Looking at the pictures sure took me back. Again GREAT JOB......I will be back...... Thomas Hermance, Gloversville (for the winter) April 25, 2001
Tony,
Your site
information
was sent to me
by Jane
Vrooman
Bowman, a
fellow
classmate.
Having just
moved house
for the 19th
after 27 years
in the
military and
my fifth move
here in
Belgium, I
know I have
some info on
Johnstown in
some box from
the turn of
the century as
my grandparent
lived in
Thyneville and
across the
street
(Hamilton St)
from the Wells
Estate. I will
try to locate
it and will
pass it on to
you if it is
in decent
shape. April 25, 2001
Hi Tony! I do
keep checking
this great
site--love the
Johnstown pics--even
though I did
not grow up
there. Hope
all is well
with you & the
family. I
give you so
much credit
for bringing
so much joy
and memories
to so many
people. Added
one more
grandchild to
our list in
August--please,
Lord, keep
them
coming!!! Did
you ever post
that picture I
sent on the
Merry-go-round
last year?
Take care &
keep up the
wonderful
work. April 25, 2001 Hi Tony, A link to your website was sent to me by my sister-in-law and I just went through the whole site and even read every page. I enjoyed every part of it immensely! You did a Beautiful job putting this all together. I will be forwarding this link to many people and highly recommend they see this site. I am 56 years old now and I remember so many good times going to Caroga Lake as a boy. I grew up in Ilion and still live here, and I remember when I was in Grade School some of us were what you called Patrol Boys. Basically, we would be let out of school a few minutes before everyone else and we would go to various street corners and stop traffic to let the smaller kids cross the streets safely. Each summer the Local Police in Ilion through their PBA would charter a Bus and take all the Patrol Boys to Caroga Lake for the day. they would give us each a Dollar spending money and a Box Lunch. That was their way of thanking us for being Patrol Boys for the year. We all looked forward to that annual Trip so much. Later on in Life I started to work in Remington Arms and I am still there. Been there for almost 39 yrs now. Back in the '70's we use to have our Annual shop Picnic at Caroga and they would give each Kid a Dollar spending money and an arm band where they could ride the rides all day for free. Those days are gone now and you just don't see the times anymore. I guess we can all say we lived during the Good Days when people worked hard, but they played hard too. We knew how to make our own fun and just enjoy life! Thank you so much for sharing some of your memories, but also letting me remember some of mine. Dave Dunckel PS I also do Scenic and Wildlife Photos of the Adirondacks and other parts of NY and I have a large e-mail list that I send them to people who have moved from this area and some who are still here. I will definitely send them this link because I know many of them and their families will enjoy it as much as I did. April 27, 2001 What a wonderful few moments of nostalgia of Caroga Lake. My name is Wally Pina and I have been going to Caroga Lake for over 40 years. We bought a camp in "Lake View Grove" in the late 50's and stayed their for around 12 years until we just outgrew it. (five children) Two of my children worked at Shermans. Susan as a waitress, dishwasher etc during her college summers and my oldest son Jerry who worked in the indoor pavilion. Both liked it lots and have fond memories. My other son Michael (now deceased) went to Wheelerville when we were between homes and had to stay at the lake until late Oct. He was on the championship football team there and they threw him a big party when he left to return to Westchester. We presently own a camp on Scott road in East Caroga Lake. We have been their for the past 30 some years. Anyway, I enjoyed your sight and will place it in the "favorite" category. Keep up the good work, and stop by and visit at "Pina's Palace" on the end of Scott road. We have a cute spot on the lake and would love to meet you in person. Wally Pina May 4, 2001
Tony, May 4, 2001
Tony, May 11, 2001 Hi Tony: Just amazin'! I lived in Gloversville in the late 50s and used to be good friends with Joey Riccardi. Caroga Lake holds a lot of memories for me, including staying at the Riccardi camp. When I stumbled on this website, I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. The Riccardi's were watching after me when my father became very ill (and passed away in the summer of 58). If you have a way of getting word to Joey, please say hey for me. Larry Mullen May 25, 2001
Hey Tony: May 25, 2001
Hi Tony May 25, 2001 Hi Tony, It's Colleen, Lil Joe's daughter. I wanted you to know that they printed the story that I wrote on my father along with the web address in the Am-Jam newspaper. I imagine that you will be getting several hits. Again thank you, you've done a wonderful job! Keep up the good work!! Colleen Graves May 29, 2001
Was just
visiting
Caroga Times
on the
internet. It
brought back
many memories
from years
past. I grew
up in
Gloversville
and graduated
from high
school in
1955. Still
get up there
every few
years to
visit, and
always make a
trip to "the
lake" a
priority.
Thanks for
having this
site to go
back in time
to......I
remember the
MONKEE's
dearly. May 30, 2001
Tony,
Loved your
site, only
looked at the
first couple
of sections so
far. There was
a reference to
your site in
the email from
the Fulton
Computers
Group fmcug@yahoo.com June 4, 2001 A friend of mine sent me your web site address and I thought I would give it a quick glance. I've been giving it a quick glance for the past 2 hours. What a trip down memory lane! I was raised in the Town of Oppenheim and on occasion my folks would take us kids to Caroga Lake. What a treat that was. I can only envy you because you lived there and must have had some awesome times. I can relate to alots of things you mentioned like the dump at Stratford. I can remember sitting in the car and watching the bears come out and paw through the garbage. Those were the days. In the past 2 hours I've gone from laughing my butt off to choking back tears. You have done a beautiful job with this site and can't wait to pass it on to my local friends who also grew up in this area. I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as I did. I also intend to pass it on to people I know who think New York is one big city. After seeing your site they will understand why I love it here so much. I was in the Air Force for 20 years and traveled all over the world and can honestly tell you there is no place more beautiful than the Adirondacks. It has so much to offer year round. People that visit me from other states are really surprised to what they see when I take them around to see the sights. And of course no tour would be complete without a stop by Caroga and Pine Lake. Below you will see a web site that I put together. It started out as a small hobby, but I think its turning into a monster. With your permission, I'd really like to create a link to your site from mine. I would like for as many people as possible from around here to see your site. Maybe the extra exposure will produce more pictures and information that you can use. Since my retirement from the service, I've lived in Salisbury Center. Just down the road from the covered bridge you mentioned. I drive thru it just about every day. I noticed the pictures of the bridge show it closed off with boards across the entries. I don't know when or why it was closed, but it is open and was wondering if you would like some pictures of it without it being blocked off? Again, Thank You!! You really made my day. Keep up the great work.
Ken Rasbach
6/23/01 I was thrilled to find your site. My family sold our camp last fall, and we all miss Caroga terribly. Thanks for the wonderful site Margaret Varieur 6/25/01 Wow...I can't believe I stumbled across this site....what a trip down memory lane.....you probably don't remember me.......but check out my web site to see if you do..... www.louisemuller.com
We have been
gone from
Johnstown
since 1991 but
did get back
to Caroga the
last 2 years
and will be
there again in
August of this
year.....can't
wait to have
more time to
really get
into the site.
6/28/01
Hi my name is
Michael
Servido, my
family owned a
cottage on 5th
ave on Caroga
lake. My
grandfather
Vito Servido
brought it in
the late 50's
and my father
sold it in the
early 90's due
to illness. We
all were very
sad to loss a
great place
like that. I
spent most my
childhood
summers on the
lake. I been
all over this
country and
still Caroga
lake is the
best place i
have been. 7/03/2001 Tony, These pictures bring back such happy memories. Back in the early 60's , I went to ST. Michael's school in Cohoes New York. The Resurrection nuns ran the school and they would bring us here every year on a field trip. It was the excitement of the year. I think I have some old pictures, I will check for them.
The Pictures
are ok 7/03/01
Great site ...
well done too
... (being in
the internet
business ... I
see alot)
Don't know
what compelled
me to look up
Caroga lake
and Sherman's
park
tonight...but,
was good to
see some old
pics from the
60's ... gotta
love that
yellow popcorn
! ... and
those
motorized
go-karts were
so cool .....
(the
"turnpike"?) 7/4/01 Hi Marie Gilbert sent me your e-mail and it sure does bring back memories. I graduated from Johnstown High in 58 and grew up in Johnstown since 4 and as you get older you realize memories are what it is all about. You have done a great job of putting together memories. Glad Marie forwarded this on to me. Keep it up. Happy 4th. Betty (Smith) Twardy 7/6/01
Tony, July 20, 2001
A friend just
emailed me to
check this
site out. I
love it, it
brings back so
many wonderful
memories of
when we went
there on those
summer
weekends. This
would be in
the late 40s &
early 50s when
I was a
pre-teen. I
especially
remember the
paddle
boats. Keep up
the good work. July 28, 2001 Tony, I'm afraid that I don't remember you, but Shermans was an old haunt. I went there many times as a youngster and worked there after I grew up and married. I drove for Coca Cola and stocked soda coolers on weekends. My father, Everett Brown, worked many years from about 1949 until he died as a handyman around the Lake and did a lot of cooler (refrigeration) work for the Shermans. I lived up on Morey Road from 1954 until I left for active duty in the Army in 1963. Five of my six children were born in Nathan Litteaur (sp?) Hospital in Gloversville while we were living there. I do remember the Shermans, Yates's, Baker's, Holloday's, Lakes, Busch's and many, many more. Thanks for the "drive" down memory lane! Dick Brown July 28, 2001
Many years ago
(20+) my
family used to
travel to
Caroga Lake.
What a great
place and
wonderful
memories! I
swam across
the lake when
I was 11. August 8, 2001
Hi, even
though I moved
out of Caroga
lake less than
10 years ago,
I was amazed
at how
familiar some
of the
pictures of
places around
town were. August 11, 2001
Dear Tony... August 12, 2001
Dear Tony:
This summer, I took my family to the Johnstown/Gloversville area because my roots on my father's side began in that region. My Grandmother, Mildreth Louise Gaylord was a DAR through her relation to Lt Col Volkert Veeder who was in the 3rd Regiment of Tryon Co Militia and fought in the Battle of Johnstown. I took my family to the site of the Battle and the Stone of Dedication by the DAR. We also visited the Fonda Archives, where I met a descendent of Lt Volkert Veeder with his name, Volkert Veeder. Volkert was very helpful to me in explaining the history of the area and how he and I was related to the Lt Col. Volkert gave us a tour of the area where all the Veeders lived. Volkert was a true servant to his heritage and his community. I hope to see him again on a future visit. We also visited Gloversville Pleasant Hill Cemetery with another relative of mine, Emmett Van Arnam. Here most of my relatives of the Bailey, Morrell, and Vrooman family were buried. Most of my family were Glove Manufacturers in Gloversville. We toured the area and enjoyed the architecture, the surrounding flora, and the clean air. On our next visit, I hope to take my father, Robert Morrell Easton Sr and his wife back to his mom's roots. This area of the country is beautiful. Thanks for providing us your webpage,
Robert Morrell
Easton,
Jr, OD, FAAO August 12, 2001
Enjoyed the
addition,
especially to
the Caroga
Site. August 19, 2001 I thoroughly enjoyed the Fall 2000 "Picture Show" by the various folks who have brought back to us, the many fun times we all had at Sherman's, when we were young. My husband and I live on E Caroga Lake during the summer and fall months, leaving after the leaves change for Florida until May of the next year. It's been a real pleasure to visit the Caroga Times web page to see what has been added since our departure the previous year.
My uncles and
aunts, (the
Charlie
Vedders, the
Richard
Jenners) have
lived at both
the Caroga Lakes for years, as well as my
parents, Reg &
Rusty Drake.
Now our
children and
grandchildren
are enjoying
all that we
experienced
years ago. August 23, 2001
What a trip
down memory
lane! I've
been going to
Caroga for 43
years - since
I was 2. I
remember
heading up to
the lake and
asking "When
are we going
to Shermans?"
If we were
there for a
week, Mom and
Dad would have
to space the
two trips we
were allowed
during the
week. I still
remember the
cotton candy
and we'd have
to finish it
before we got
in the car
because we'd
make a mess of
the car... and
we weren't
allowed to get
the cotton
candy until
the rides were
finished. Then
we were taken
home and put
in a bath
because we'd
gotten cotton
candy in our
hair and
everywhere
else. Mary Gilmour August 23, 2001
Hi Tony, August 27, 2001 Thanks for some of the memories!
I started
coming to
Caroga Lake in the late 60's (in my
teens) & spent
weeks in the
Caroga Lake
camp site with
the Bell's. We
enjoyed many a
good time at
Sherman's trolling
for the
opposite sex
(unfortunately
at that time
without
success). I
did ask my
wife out on
our first at
the Jammer
though in
1980. They
were good
times as well.
I guess I
might have
some stories
as well about
some local
characters
from our
times. Caroga Lake has been asleep for a few years with regards to a lot of activity. I do see a change coming in the wind. Lets hope everyone embraces it. Robert Sullivan August 29, 2001
Tony, Congratulations & kindest personal regards,
Charles
Schwab, '59 September 7, 2001 Tony, this is Ron Knapik from ASW Computers in Tribes Hill NY. We have received much input from our local customers who really like your site. Since so many people from the Mohawk Valley and Capital District spent some of their youth at Sherman's or came there as adults to dance, we would like to post a link to your site in the ASW Links Library of our site. Check it out, and let me know ASAP if we could post a link to your site. Thanks
Ron Knapik September 9, 2001
I absolutely
love you
website! It
brings back
memories of my
younger years.
But then I'm
sure you've
heard that
many times
from many
people. I truly wish you would. The Gloversville Business & Professional League produced a photo slide show screensaver. Their production can't hold a candle to what you have produced on your website. In my opinion what they did was not done well. Too bad because there is a lot of history in Gloversville just as in Johnstown and Caroga. There are sufficient picture etc. available if someone had the talent and time to work on a Gloversville segment. You obviously have the talent but perhaps not the time.
Anyway...
Love Your
Website! October 2, 2001 I live in Germany and was at a party this past week and I met Ray Healy who lives in Belgium. We asked each other where we are from and we both found out we came from upstate New York. To make things easier for people from the other 49 states, we say we're from near Albany. Well when we both said that we had to narrow down our geography a little bit more. It turns out that Ray is from Johnstown and although I grew up in Schenectady, both of my parents came from Gloversville and my mother's family had a camp on East Caroga where I spent every summer of my youth. I left that area in 1971 and moved to Europe. I have visited Caroga several times since then. I thoroughly enjoy your web site and have forwarded it to my brothers. Thank you for sharing your website with us. Bill Van Husen October 6, 2001
This is Greg
and Joan
Caliri of
Bradford, Massachusetts. Greg doing
Our daughter
is now 24
years old, and
even she has
happy memories
of Caroga with
"Popsie and
G'ma Baker".
My own parents
sometimes
lament that we
let the house
go, as do we. October 16, 2001 Dear Tony, The site brought back such good memories, it brought tears to my eyes. I shared the site with my six year old. After all I am an "older" mom who visited Shermans almost every year of grade school with ST. Michaels School from Cohoes, NY , this was the highlight of the year, going to Caroga Lake. It has such good memoriesl I explained to him , that this was where I went on my field trip. I have a coworker who has camp there now who hooked me up to the site originally.
I am going to
bring him
sooner or
later. October 17, 2001
I'm Dick
"Growler"
Nolan who
lived in
Johnstown from
the late 40's
to the early
'50. I
remember the
area you cover
on your Site
with great
pleasure so I
was delighted
to look at
your pictures
and read your
comments. You
did a
marvelous job
of putting the
appropriate
music to the
great pictures
and prose. Art
Stock of
Gloversville,
who is married
to my cousin
Mary Ann, has
roamed, hunted
and fished and
trapped that
area all his
life and has
told me many a
tale of the
locations you
featured. Just
wanted to let
you know how
much I enjoyed
your work and
wish you the
very best. October 17, 2001
Hi Tony: October 22, 2001 Tony,
I saw this and
thought of the
back roads,
the dirt
roads, you
have taken us
on at your web
site and
thought you
might enjoy
this. You do a
great job
sharing Fulton County with us. I wish you grew
up in
Amsterdam or
my hometown
near Syracuse
(Camillus). I
would love to
see memories
like yours
shared on the
net. I missed
most of the
fall here
because I was
visiting in
Colorado but
did get back
in time to see
some of the
prettiest
color right
across the
street from me
where I live.
Have a good
day.
November 29, 2001
Hi! Wolf Conover, GHS '42
November 30,
2001 I have to say, I love this site. I currently live in Washington, DC, but was born and raised in Amsterdam New York and spent many summers and holiday weekends at Bleeker Mountain. While I am too young to remember Sherman's, I know that my older siblings, as well as my mother went to Sherman's years ago. My fiancé and I, also from Amsterdam, are getting married in September at Shermans, surrounding the carousel and would like to use a true photo of the area for a reply card for my invitations. I saw that a few of the pictures are used with permission from Ms. Mc Martin.
Could you
please respond
with her
contact
information,
or pass along
my email
address to her
so that I may
get in touch
with her. November 30, 2001
Fantastic. November 30, 2001 Tony, ABSOLUTELY GREAT! this past summer, took our kids (8 & 10, we live in Florida) up and climbed Kane Mt ... they loved it (our camp was next to Sherman's house ... we sold it) Mike Gisondi December 3, 2001
I was sent
this web site
from Dave
Dunkle and
found it very
interesting
and
nostalgic. I
would camp
here at Caroga
every year as
a child with
my
grandparents,
more than 55
years ago.
Then as a
teenager I
would baby-sit
for the
Coakley family
who owned a
camp on the
lake. During
the 1970's we
had fun family
times there
with the
Sperry/Univac
plant
picnics. Thank you.
Barbara
Jackson
Doxstader December 3, 2001 Hi Tony - what a great site! It brought tears to my eyes as I remembered all the wonderful times our family had at Caroga Lake during the summers in the 40's and 50's. Although my memory has faded some with time, your site stirred up memories of the beauty of the area and all the fun we shared there. Your pictures are outstanding....keep taking them. The majority should be framed. They are really pieces of art. My brother lives in Ilion and sent me your site. Kudos.......... Sharron in South Carolina December 3, 2001
Just viewed
your piece on
Frank Sherman
and would like
to
congratulate
you on a job
well done. He
not only was
the mechanical
genius you
portrayed but,
also, one of
the most
astute
business
persons I had
ever met. 12/4/01 I am Don Jonas from Frankfort and spent my time at Piseco. Went to Caroga lake over the washboard road from Piseco. Fritz Limpert from Ilion made the trip many times. You did a great job on this program. Don Jonas 12/4/01
Hi Tony...
Fay's cabin
was on the
right side of
the dirt road,
just past the
old saw mill
and the
hound/gun
club, as you
were driving
up the
mountain. It
was just a bit
down the road
from the
Kobuskie
place. He
cleared quite
a bit of space
for the hen
house,
Jughead's barn
and some for
planting. He
won Jughead
from an Indian
in a poker
game (his
version). Fay
and the other
loggers would
hitch
"runners" to
Jughhead as a
means of
carting hewn
logs out of
the woods. I
would follow
along
(starting at
age 6),
carrying a
lunch bucket
and looking
forward to a
plate of fried
"brookies" for
lunch. Fay
always caught
them with a
hand line. 12/4/01 Hi Tony: I was directed to 'Caroga Times' probably about a year ago; Thought it was spiffy. Now you have added more attractions and it is even spiffier. I went to grade school with your aunt Ernestine and your mom, a little older, went to school with my sister Madlyn. 20 yrs. ago, or so, when Sherman's (before the fire) had dancing upstairs, as in the old days of the 40's, we met your mom and dad, also your little girls who had a great time dancing. After your dad's passing we were still in touch with Mary during the summer months at Sherman's.. Things are not quite the same now, but we all have wonderful memories. Only this week my husband and I have enjoyed the many postcard pictures from the Hogan's. They took us back to even before our time. They are just great great. I have a photo of me taken by Frank Ambrose-----A bathing suit photo----on the dock at Sherman's. Maybe I'll send that to you some day. Anyway, thanks for the note. Give my love to Mary and a Merry Christmas to you and yours. Sincerely, Gloria Sutton Davis 12/4/01 I was forwarded to your site by a friend of mine. I love it! We have a camp on Canada Lake and guess who one of our good friends is? The Don Hoffman! My husband grew up across the street from their home in Dolgeville and said you could never ask for a better neighbor. I am going to tell Don about this site and have him come over to check it out. Thanks for the bit of nostalgia! Have a happy holiday season!
Sincerely,
12/5/01 Greetings from Pensacola, FL! I just had to write and tell you how very much I enjoy your web site!!! It has brought back some wonderful childhood memories of summers spent there with my family. I particularly remember dancing with my grandfather by standing on his feet...and my mom and my uncle doing the jitterbug!!!! My grandparents, Burr and Zaida Metzler owned a camp in Gnatville....we used to drive to Sherman's on Saturday nights to listen to the music, eat popcorn, and get our fortune's told by the Gypsy!!!!! We swam and fished and always had a wonderful time! I remember getting sick on the tilt-a-whirl....but always wanting to ride it again.....and riding the rollercoaster at Pine Lake....my family has many wonderful memories of Caroga Lake. I am now grown, with kids of my own and my grandparents have been gone for many years. But when I look back on my childhood, my fondest, most special memories are of the times spent at Sherman's with my family. Those were definitely the good 'ol days!!!!! Thanks for reminding me, Cindie Hutchison, Pensacola, FL 12/5/01
Great web site 12/6/01
I received a
call from my
father-in-law
Don Hoffman
from
Dolgeville and
he told me
about this
web-site. I'm sorry I never met Frank but as you know his sister Dorothy in Don Hoffman's mother, or Bob Hoffman's grandmother. She is still alive and turned 100 years old this past year. I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed reading about Caroga Lake. Of course, Bob remembers so much of it and what he had forgotten came back. If you need more pictures Don has a photo album of the good ol' days. We just saw it when we were up there this passed summer. My name is Peggy and Bob and I live is Tuscaloosa, Alabama where we have been for 10 years. Bob was the Postmaster but retired just a few months ago. We were here in Tuscaloosa in the late 60's where Bob graduated from the University of Alabama with a double degree. One in engineering and one in accounting. It was very interesting that he was transferred here in 93 because we loved it here but never thought we would ever live here again. We just love it. We have two son's, one is married with two beautiful children. A son that just turned 3 and a daughter 8 months. Our other son is here in Tuscaloosa also. He graduated with his MBA in May in E-Commerce and MIS. Would love to hear from you. I have to call Bob's parents now and tell them all about your wonderful work of Caroga Lake and Frank Sherman.
Thank you so
much. 12/7/01 I am greatly impressed and delighted to get Caroga times. I spent my teen years there during the 40's. Also, worked at Harmony Lodge, one summer. It was operated by the VanAlstine family. We would always find a ride to Sherman's, on the weekends, to dance to Freddie Clute. We really never worried how we were going to get home, Only how we were going to get there, Ten cents a dance. In my early years, I didn't get there that often, as my Dad did have a car. But if I was fortunate to be invited by someone, what a thrill. The merry-go-round, the whip, etc.
Always loved
listening to
the lady
laugh, close
to the popcorn
stand. Also,
the monkey. I
guess, I could
go on and on.
But I loved
Caroga Lake,
then and now.
I'm glad it
has new
owners, and
hopefully,
will give
pleasure to
many
generations to
come.
sincerely,
12/6/01
On one of your
pages you
stated that
Don Hoffman
was married to
Frank
Sherman's
daughter --
WRONG! Donald
Hoffman is
Frank
Sherman's
nephew. Don's
mother is
Frank's
sister,
Dorothy, who
just
celebrated her
100th birthday
last May.
Donald's wife,
Erma Youngblut
Hoffman, was
from
Dolgeville and
was not
related to the
Sherman's
except through
marriage. You
can check on
this if you'd
like, but I'm
positive of my
facts. 12/9/01 Finally allowed myself a peaceful hour to watch your presentation and it is fantastic. I spent a lot of time at Caroga Lake with my girlfriends and later with boyfriends and it sure brought back many memories. I'll look and see if I have any pics that would be timely. You have done a fantastic job of putting it together and the music was perfect. I also live many thousands of miles away from Caroga Lake (St Augustine FL) and found it refreshing. Thanks for what you have done for all of us transplants. My maiden name was Stella Cerneckas, class of 60, DCS. Now Stella Wahl, stella@aug.com 12/13/01
I have enjoyed
your website.
Finally got to
the page where
you mentioned
the
sledge-hammer
game (or
whatever it
was called).
Since I am( no
doubt) older
than you, I
thought
perhaps you
wouldn't
mention it
because it was
probably gone
by the time
you were at
Sherman's in
the fifties,
sixties,
seventies. MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family. I can't thank you enough for this site about Caroga. I haven't even clicked into the Johnstown part yet, but will when I have time. The music is great, too. I admire what you have done and are doing with this site. I have tried to explain to my sons how Caroga Lake/Sherman's used to be, but it is difficult. When they visit us sometimes in the summer and we drive through Caroga I think they believe I am exaggerating. Now they can see for themselves. One lives near Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the other lives in North Carolina. We have a trailer at Peck's Lake Campgrounds and spend as much of the summer there as we can. Marion (Mosher) Keyser Little Falls, N Y 12/29/01
What a
wonderful
place to
revisit... I
grew up in
Gloversville
and graduated
in 52 .... We
use to rent a
cottage every
year with my
family at
Caroga...
Thanks for the
memories...
1/1/02
Dear Tony, 1/5/02
I greatly
enjoyed all
the pictures
on this site.
My family had
a camp at Pine Lake from the late 60's until
the early
70's. Any idea
whatever
happened to
Bob Lord? My
mom would take
us to Caroga Lake (Sherman's) as a special treat.
If you have
any other
pictures of
Pine Lake, I would love to see them
on this site.
The one of the
beach with the
huge slide
brought back
some great
memories......... 1/5/02 Dear Tony; I'm a resident of Caroga Lake and I really enjoyed your website about the history of Caroga and all of your little stories. Is it no longer on because I have not been able to get it on again lately. If not I think you did a great job and enjoyed every bit of it. My husband and I have both lived here all of our lives and it is nice to see that other people enjoy it here also. Some of your friends are cousins of mine, like Joe Simone and Johnny Gage. Hope all is well with you and your family. Thanks again. Louise Stock
1/6/02
Hi Tony, Are you a relative of Joe Marchetti who had a little corner store on Meadow and Montgomery? I have a few stories about that place too. When I get some time to pass along a story or two I will. I want to explore this web site for awhile and reminisce. I would love to hear from some of the old campers of the 50's thru 70's.
Scott 1/7/02
Tony, 1/18/02
I haven't got
time right now
to write more,
but the Hogan
pictures are
great. My wife
Donna and I
love this
area. We have
a place on
Garlock. Keep
up the good
work 2/5/02
Hi Tony, Thanks for sending the link to your site & letting me know it is still up & running. Your site has made a small town in a fast world look back at how lucky we all are to have had such a remarkable place to enjoy in our own back yard. My family has lived in Caroga lake since the 50's & as kids we spent almost every day at Shermans from dusk to dawn it seemed. It was sad to hear of Franks death, For he was a true legend who made what we all share and to look back at & enjoy what is still left today. I was also glad to see that Colleens story I helped her with on her dad, Lil Joe made it to your web site. Like I mention I have a house full of Collectible & Antique items and many items we won playing the games Kip & his girl Kat...(Kat it was he called her) ran along with many post cards. I also have many home made 8mm movies & remember Shermans being on some. I was really good friends with Kat's son Timmy & remember going down to Kip's store On Main street in Gloversville & watching him load up his U-haul it with all the great Prizes for Shermans. Many of our allowances was spent on the Ring Toss Game. I will take some pictures of some post cards & email you them. I go to a few Post card shows & always try & get the ones of Shermans & Caroga lake area. One of your visitor to your site ask if you knew what ever happened to Bob Lord, the guy who ran Pine Lake park??? Last I knew he was fishing off a yacht he bought somewhere's on the ocean. He has a beautiful home In Johnstown. I know his nephew & can ask him if you would like to know more. His brother Lance is still around & I think he's in Politics. Thanks for a great step back in time of home, Gene Baker & Family 2/25/02 Tony: This is one of the best web sites I have ever seen! I married a girl from G'ville who's family is still there and a big part of the town. I remember Sherman's from the 70's and I feel like I grew up there myself! Thanks for doing all that you have done with this site. I'll be back again and again...
Charles
-
LCS Computer
Systems
3/8/02 3/16/02 I can not tell you how much I enjoy your Caroga Times, some I have to cry some I have to laugh. I think my wife of many years is ready to leave me because I spend so much time in the past GOD bless you great job Bernie Geisler 3/19/02 Hi Tony, My nephew just put me in touch with this great web site. Originally from Ft. Plain, I grew up every summer at Caroga Lake, spending much of my time at my brother-in-law's camp-Camp Russell-which is still located on the road just a short walk along the water line from "Shermans". Our families, the Utters and Ehles, have great memories of Caroga Lake and Shermans. I can't wait to look further into this web site. The pictures, alone, bring back so many fond memories. Even though I now live in Peoria, AZ., every time we travel back east, we, always, try to take a trip out to Caroga Lake. Although the area has changed drastically, we still enjoy walking around the immediate area every time we go there. Thank you for getting this site going. Bob Utter-Ft. Plain, NY 3/19/02 TONY, JOE SIMONE FORWARDED ME A LOT OF YOUR PHOTOS FROM THE JOHNSTOWN AND CAROGA LAKE AREAS. THEY ARE WONDERFUL AND BRING BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES. DON SMITH 3/22/02 Thanks a million....we really enjoy your website...... Dick and Marsha Jones 3/23/02
Dear Tony: 3/24/02
Hi Tony, 3/27/02
Hi Tony, 3/27/02 I live in Syracuse and own a lake house on east Caroga. I recently began residing there and commuting home on weekends. Due to the 9/11 events my airline job has taken me to the Albany airport. Your pages are wonderful and nostalgic, my late father once worked at Sherman's and Willie's during the 1950s and I know he would have loved looking over them. Thanks for taking the time. D.Smith
4/11/02
Hi tony...thanks
so much for
the pictures
and write-up
on Caroga
lake.. Boy it
brought back
so many
memories and
good times.
how nice of
you to think
of me and send
some great
times that I
always will
cherish.. 4/13/02 I just wanted to tell you how much my wife and I enjoyed going through your website this evening. So many memories came flooding back. After Shermans closed we would take rides up that way and and in our minds eye remember the crowds, the picnics, swimming, the whip, the merry-go-round, the candy apples, the creamy whip (which I have never found anything that tastes as good as that did then ) and we would always comment on that whenever we rode by. We enjoyed the place when we were kids and then we brought our kids there. Thank you so much for the wonderful trip down memory lane! :o) Marlene Duseler 4/27/02 Tony,
Thanks you for
bringing back
the good old
days of Caroga
Lake.
Remembering
those days
gave me goose
bumps...to
pass there is
a terrible
feeling of
loosing a
great place
and pastime
that left many
memories in
everyone's
heart and mind
of the good
times spent
there either
for the
season, or a
day It was
Awesome!!!
Remembering
the dances ,
the crowds
that sometimes
parked down
the road a few
blocks just to
be able to
dance and
enjoy the
evening, I
frequented
Sherman's
since 1967,
without fail a
few times a
week and every
week just to
remember the
great roast
beef dinners
and the great
French fries
with gravy
have been and
still are a
conversation
in our family
on many a
night wishing
we could jump
in the car and
go to Caroga
Lake and enjoy
all of that.
The ice cream
, cotton
candy, made by
John and Ray
Allen, a great
treat. Not to
mention the
ferris wheel,
the penny
arcade, and
rides and
games of sorts
it makes you
feel real
lonely, and
heartbroken,
it all had to
come to an
end, wish we
could go back
in time.
Everyone was a
big happy
family meeting
each and every
week at
Sherman's. And
not let us
forget the
great
fireworks that
put us in awe,
and the
traffic jams
it caused but
was worth it
all...To bring
it all back
...OH yes..
Thanks Tony
for making my
day and our
family too.
God Bless you.
Thanks so
Much!!! 4/28/02 Tony, I would like to thank you for the memories your site just brought back to me. Seeing some of the pictures really made me smile. I could almost smell the popcorn, and scent the bumper cars gave off. I used to go to Sherman's weekly as a child from 1971 until its closing with my parents and grandparents. We would go for the roast beef dinner, and afterwards I would get to go on the bumper cars, Ferris wheel, carousel, or in the game room, and if I was really good I'd get to toss a few darts and try to win an iron-on for a t-shirt. I can still remember Ray serving up his goodies with his words of wisdom. When Ray was asked how he was doing he would reply "I'm all right, it's the people around me that ain't all right". I remember going to the polka dances with my family and dancing at the age of around 5. Thanks again for the great memories. Michael Kunath 4/29/02 Tony: Congratulations on the creation of the Caroga Lake site, you certainly did your research. My family and I spent some wonderful years there. Bill Morris was a good friend of my parents, Dr. Marcel Pagerie and Simone Pagerie, both, my sister Simone Pagerie Kunath and I built, owned and operated the French Restaurant in Meco, called "Page-One". Bill Morris, his family and friends frequently visited us for dinner as we did at Sherman's.
Our favorite
was the rare
roast beef and
the french
fries with
gravy. I was
glad to see
Sherman's is
back and I
look forward
to visiting it
again. My
parents are
deceased now,
but I still
have family in
Johnstown and
Ephratah and I
do visit them
and I
definitely
will return
back to
Sherman's for
some good food
and memories.
Again Tony,
thank you for
such a
wonderful
wed-site. 5/13/02
Tony; I often heard him tell stories of Sherman's and the good times. Later I played at Sherman's. Several times up stairs with a classic rock group called "Peppermint Twist" I then started a new group with more "mature" musicians. We played several time down stairs and the crowds were usually quite good. We played all kinds of music, but swing was our thing. I also played many parties at Nick Stoners. Very nice place.
I will look
around for
some pictures
and if I find
any I will get
in touch with
you. 5/14/02
Thanks for the
wonderful
memories of
Caroga Lake and Sherman's, a special
part of my
summers
growing up.
Born and
raised around
the lakes, I
especially
enjoyed the
comments from
fellow Fulton
Countians. It
was a truly a
virtual trip
back home for
me. 5/16/02 You have no idea what you've brought to me. I cried I laughed I cried. Someone like you should live in every town and city just to bring back Good things. In this world where people don't ever know their neighbors any more, to busy to smile and say hello This dog eat dog world should think how it was years ago. I don't think it was just Caroga Lake but yes your right, as I read about the Golden phone I was closer to heaven back then. I can't even tell I how emotional you've made me Thank you from the bottom, no from my whole heart. When I find that Golden phone I feel it will be you answering it. Thank you Betty Harris Mentone Calif. Eh 909389@aol.com 5/30/02
Hi Tony 5/30/02 HI TONY, RECEIVED YOUR NOTE "TO ALL" TODAY. GONNA CHECK YOUR SITE AGAIN AND VERY SOON I WILL BE SENDING YOU A CHEESECAKE PHOTO OF YOURS TRULY AT SHERMAN'S DOCK WHEN I WAS ABOUT 15 OR 16. NOW, HERE IS ANOTHER MATTER.....YOU MET MY DAUGHTER, STEPHANIE, AND HER HUSBAND, BOB SWANSON RECENTLY AT THE SAWDUST RESTAURANT. I GUESS YOU WENT TO SCHOOL WITH BOB AND RECOGNIZED HIM, FOR HE HAS NOT CHANGED TOO MUCH THRU THE YEARS SINCE JHS. SMALL WORLD, AYE?
WHOEVER WOULD
EXPECT YOU
FROM
CALIFORNIA TO
WIND UP IN A
HICVILLE PLACE
LIKE BLEECKER
AND WHY?
ANYWAY, WE
HAVE ALWAYS
HAD A SUMMER
PLACE ON
MOUNTAIN LAKE
AND ALL OUR
KIDS GREW UP
THERE ALL THE
WONDERFUL
SUMMERS OF
THEIR LIVES,
SO BLEECKER IS
OUR SECOND
HOME. BESIDES
THAT, MY
MOTHER WAS
BORN AND
RAISED THERE
AND HER
PARENTS
OPERATED A
LARGE
DANCEHALL
(PETERSON'S
DANCEHALL) I
WAS LITTLE
THEN AND THE
BUILDING
SEEMED HUGE),
THAT'S ALL FOR
TONIGHT,
TONY. GIVE MY
REGARDS TO
YOUR MOM. AND
BY THE
WAY...WHAT
WERE YOU DOING
IN BLEECKER?
5/30/02
Dear Tony, How
wonderful, it
is, that you
take the time,
to bring back
such memories
for us. The
pictures,
almost, make
me cry. They
were such
wonderful
times, so
peaceful and
nice.
Unfortunately,
times have
changed and
life goes on.
But, I
wouldn't give
up those
Caroga
memories for
anything. They
sure were
beautiful
times in my
life, as well
as the many
people that I
send your
"Caroga times"
to. They also,
are very
thankful. Sincerely, Elizabeth Sizemore 6/5/02 As a Foreign Exchange Student in Gloversville 1962/63 I spent many days and hours at Caroga Lake with "my" family The Abdellas. As I'm going back for a very short visit this summer, I found it great to look at old as well as new pictures. I'm looking forward to see the restored carrousel.
And spending
an evening at
Sherman's
after 40
years. 6/9/02 My name is Lisa Dougherty and I live in Castleton, Rensselaer county, NY. As a child in the 60's and 70's, we would often visit my great aunt at her Caroga Lake camp. I'm hoping someone can tell me the address of that camp. From what my mother has told me, my great aunt and uncle, Emma and Howard IRWIN, owned two camps on Caroga Lake; one they rented out, one they stayed in themselves. It's the latter camp that I remember. I have some pictures of it from I'd guess about 1966. My aunt ran a beauty salon there- the sign in one of the pictures reads "Emma's Vanity Shoppe". My aunt and uncle had a daughter Carol who recently passed away. I don't remember Uncle Howard Irwin at all since I was quite young when he died, but I remember Aunt Emma Irwin quite well- she was a very small woman with dark (and then gray) hair. She passed away in 1989 and the camp was sold since no one in the family had the financial resources to take it over at the time. One more thing I remember about the camp was it had screen porch which was built around a giant tree! I remember being very impressed with the "indoor" tree when I was a kid! I'd love to find out where this camp is today, and maybe do a "drive by". Any help is appreciated! Lisa Dougherty 6/12/02
I was sitting
with a friend
of mine
tonight who we
are taking up
to Peck Lake and we were talking about
the NY area.
He had said
that he was
good friends
with a Sarris
who died when
he was 21 but
had a couple
of siblings.
They owned an
Italian
restaurant, I
think he said
in Johnstown,
would you
happen to know
of any of
them? We'll be
visiting the
week of 4th of
July from the
Philadelphia
area and I'd
love to
surprise him
with some
information. I
came across
your web site
in a "Google"
search - I'm
dying to show
it to my
father-in-law
who grew up in
Cooperstown and Dolgeville. Thanks for your help - 6/16/02
Hello, Best Regards, Tony & Colleen Mattioli 6/18/02
Have enjoyed
so much the
web page on
Caroga Lake and the memories it has
brought back
as children
and young
adults we
spent many
hours at
Sherman's and
Caroga Lake dancing playing games and
riding rides
enjoyed
especially the
music of the
merry go
round. I have
lived in
Syracuse, NY since 1948 but come back
every so often
once a year
for a reunion
luncheon with
our class of
1945 and
wanted you to
know that I
enjoyed the
memories you
have worked to
put together. 5/22/02 Just wanted you to know what a pleasure your site is. It brings so much good memories back that. Wish that I could be back there now. Brian Northville NY 5/22/02
Hi, Thanks for
the memories.
I used to go
there all the
time when I
was growing
up.
I heard about
the fire, what
year was that?
I remember
going in to
eat at Sherman
I think in the
mid 80's. It
was April or
September as
that was when
we came back
home from here
in Ohio to
visit my
parents. a few
years ago I
got interested
in carousels
and toured a
lot of museums
and noted on
the carousel
pages, they
never
mentioned the
Caroga Lake one. Then in June,
1999 we got to
visit upstate
New York again
and my husband
and I stopped
at the
amusement
park. I think
we were the
only ones
there. I
looked into
the carousel
and noted that
the horses
weren't
original. By
that time I
was pretty
expert on
them, but I
told the guy
in Mansfield,
Ohio and I
think he went
there to check
up on it. I
also heard
someone had
been killed
while riding
the carousel
in a
wheelchair and
that was why
the park was
closed. The
bumper cars
were all gone,
I don't know
if there were
any chairs
left on the
Ferris Wheel.
But I did take
video of the
place. I think
the Tilt O
Whirl was gone
too. I don't
know what is
going up there
now. I know
the restaurant
was closed and
that seemed
unusual in
June. So what
is going on
there now? I
remember the
Pine Lake place had a small amusement
park too and I
remember
riding on
these flying
chairs. That
is probably
long gone. I
remember
playing ski
ball and going
to the arcade. 6/30/02 HI. THIS IS PENNY..... A LONG LOST FRIEND OF JOE RICARDI AND DIANE. FIRST THOUGH, LET ME SAY THAT YOUR CAROGA TIMES WEB SITE BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES FOR I HAVE SOME FOND MEMORIES OF CAROGA. I NOW LIVE IN WHITESTONE. NY. A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE IS PURCHASING PROPERTIES UPSTATE AND JUST THIS WEEK TOLD ME HE BOUGHT A PROPERTY ON CAROGA LAKE....SO OF COURSE ,I LET HIM IN ON A FEW OF MY OWN PERSONAL STORIES. I THEN CAME HOME AND WENT ON MY COMPUTER, TYPED IN CAROGA LAKE AND WOW!!! ANYWAY THANKS AGAIN. MY EMAIL IS m0mdab0m104@aol.com
P.S. TYPE
ZEROS INSTEAD
OF THE LETTER
'' O'' IF
YOU SEE JOE
AND DIANE
PLEASE TELL
THEM TO EMAIL
ME...I WOULD
REALLY
APPRECIATE IT.
I OFTEN THINK
OF THEM. MY
SISTER HARLIE
IS COMING FOR
A VISIT AND
IM SURE SHE
WOULD LOVE TO
SEE JOE AND
DIANE TOO. 7/4/02 What a beautiful group of pictures!!! Gene and Marion Sutliff July 6, 2002 Tony: Thanx for the memories... I got my first Brass Ring up there and got a free ride... I'm 61 and it seems like yesterday ... the monkey cage... the Paddle Boats... I was young.... Thank You.... Geo. Syzdek 7/9/02 Have just been advised of your Caroga Times Web site. It is wonderful. I spent the summer so of 1948 and 1949 operating the Ferris wheel for John Morris. Many fond memories. Eating contest as how many pancake cooked by Bill Morris week could eat at one setting. I got to twelve. My Twin brother and I spent many summers at my Aunts Camp on 2nd st (excuse the expression) at EAST Caroga. Along with my cousin Binnie Van Auken spent many hours at Sherman's. Mostly during the War years. Had to walk from East Caroga , by the state Camp site, it didn't bother us. Remember well Fredie Clute, danced many a dance to his smooth music. My brother and I graduated from GHS in 1945. Anybody seeing this that wants to send and email I'll answer it.
Socorro, NM 7/13/02
Sir:
Thank you for
presenting a
photographic
essay on the
town, the
amusement
park, and the
people who
have played a
part in both. 7/20/02
Tony, 7/21/02
Hello! 7/27/02 THANKS FOR THE COLLECTION OF ALL THE OLD TIMES. FROM ALASKA BILL JURICA 7/28/02
Dear Tony, I'm sending an attachment of a picture of my Mother (Vera Demarest) at Caroga Lake taken today sitting on the Ferris Wheel. As you can see by the smile on her face she was so thrilled to be there. We took a ride up there this afternoon and it brought a lot of memories flooding back to us. My Grandfather (my Mother's father) Amasa Smith, used to work for Frank Sherman years and years ago. She can't remember what he did though, but said she remembers her father working for him. We got an ice-cream and reminisced about the great taste of the Creamy Whip. We looked at the place where the monkey used to be and could still see him in our minds eye. Seeing the Ferris Wheel and the Merry-go-round in working order brought back memories of when we were all younger and used to look so forward to going up to Caroga and riding on the bumper cars, trying to catch the ring on the Merry-go-round so we could get a free ride, rocking the seat of the Ferris Wheel to scare the girls and enjoying the scene from the top when we would stop up there as people were getting off at the end of the ride, leaning in the corner of the Whip thinking that would make it go around the corners faster, the smell of the popcorn and the cotton candy, the hotdogs and the music playing, the beach, so many things that we just strolled around and thought about today. How happy we were to see so many cars in the parking area, like the good old days. And as we walked through the entrance area it was as if we went back in time. Thank you so much for a fantastic website. We visit it often - it brings back so many memories of the happier carefree times of our younger years. Bob & Marlene Duesler 8/4/02
Hi!
I believe that
Karin and I
worked at
Willie's the
summers of '71
and '72. I'm
sending this
from my
mother's home
and email.
Thanks for
sharing the
Caroga photos! 8/5/02 I really enjoyed what you have done with your site. I am one of the "Morris" girls... Ron is my dad. I was a little upset to see my grandpa's and uncle's names mentioned in the "old" Sherman's pictures and stories, but not Dad's. All 6 of us kids grew up at Sherman's. It was our heaven! We had the opportunity to meet and become friends with many wonderful people. Summer's end was always bittersweet, with looking forward to seeing old friends at school and having to say goodbye to new friends. Keep the pictures and memories coming. It is good to look back!!
Lori (Morris)
Weaver 8/14/02
Thank you for
the
information
about Glen
Harris, I
worked at the
Christmas Tree
lodge when
Nora Harris
owned it. It
just so
happens my
last name is
Harris also. I
was going to
Gloversville
to pick up
supplies one
time and
driving to
fast, a police
car going the
other way saw
my brake
lights when he
went by, he
turned around
and pulled me
over. When he
saw my license
he asked are
you related to
Glenn Harris,
I lied I
didn't want a
ticket, I told
him he was my
favorite
Uncle, he told
me just this
time I'm going
to let you go,
slow down and
remember if
your driving
to fast, don't
ever hit your
brakes when a
cop is going
in the
opposite
direction we
can see your
brake lights.
8/15/02
Hi Tony, my
name is Bonnie
Wiltey Pulis.
I grew up on
Meadow St. You
may remember
my older
brother Butch
Wiltey. Your
site has
brought back
so many
memories of my
childhood. I
remember my
mother roller
skating down
the street
only to
"crash" in
front of
Marchetti"s.
Joe laughed
until he
cried! I was
a friend of
Ann Marie
Precopio and
to this day
can smell the
"Pasta Fazool"
in her mothers
kitchen. One
day, on my way
to Ann
Marie's, on
the corner of
Meadow and
Clinton (Marchetti"s)
some boys (I
don't know
who) ambushed
me and put a
snake down the
back of my
blouse. Mr.
Precopio ran
across the
street, got
the snake from
my blouse and
cut it into
pieces (my
hero!) I was
all of eight
or nine at the
time. A
million years
later my son
Billy bought
Pino's. You
can't imagine
the joy we
have had
looking at the
old
photographs on
your site of
Marchetti's,
now Pino's.
Back in the
"Hood"! I
work at
Johnson Hall
State Historic
Site, live in
the
"Caretakers
Cottage" . A
few years ago,
visitors were
walking into
the office, I
took one look
and said "Oh
my God,
Ralphie
Marchetti!"
He said
"Bonnie Wiltey!"
Not bad after
what? forty
years! Just a
joy to view
your site and
I thank you.
9/3/02 Hi Tony, My brother just found your wonderful web site and sent it to me at work. You can imagine not much is getting done here this morning. I just had lunch last week with Cathy Leotta Gage and she told me about the reunion for the 60 year-olds. It sure sounded like fun. I will send this address on to her so she can relive those wonderful times at Caroga. Next project--how about a St. Patrick's School web site.
Thanks for
the memories. 9/8/02
Tony, thank
you thank you
and thank you
again for
taking the
time to put
together these
wonderful
pictures and
thoughts of
Caroga Lake
and
Sherman's.
They sure did
float me right
back to "the
good old
years" when
life was more
simple and it
took so little
to make us
happy. Being
almost 60
years old it
is so nice to
be able to go
back! Life
really was
wonderful (and
still is I
might add!) !
Thank you
again, I am
going to pass
them on to a
friend in
California!
Bette Atty 9/8/02
Just saw the
message from
my sister,
Lois Hadley
Applegate. Our
oldest sister,
Linda, was at
my home today
and we talked
about this web
page. I was
"shocked" to
hear that
there was a
bar at Caroga
that would
serve underage
minors! Plus
she talked
about the
gambling raid
at the place
next to the
movie theater. 9/9/02
Hello Tony,
9/12/02
Tony - Just
received this
link from a
good friend.
It's great!
Certainly
brings back
wonderful
memories. I
live in
Schenectady, NY and my family would take me
there several
times a year -
I loved it and
then went back
in my early
adult years.
Used to love
the amusements
and all the
friendly
people. Don Marcello 9/23/02 Hi, I'm a native of Gloversville, and a cousin of Frank Sherman's (1st cousin, once removed). My memories of Sherman's go back to the 1920's , 30's and 40's when my Great uncle Frank was at the popcorn machine, and always stopped to get us the most marvelous tasting ice cream cones. A friend in Gloversville just told me about the web site. What I have seem so far I love. I am pretty emotional right now, actually crying, because so many of my days were spent in and around Sherman's and with my cousins Connie and Beth Sherman, Floyd's girls. In the winter we'd ride our bikes around the Whip track. That was exciting!
I
moved away
from Gloversville in 1946 so have not seen Frank in years. I don't know if I will spend many happy hours looking at your site. Thank you!
Marjorie Bacon
Giebitz 9/24/02 Dear Tony Great site. My wife and I lived in Little Falls and Caroga Lake was the place to go. High School picnic's, etc. We still make sure Pine Lane and Caroga Lake is visited each year. EVERY YEAR!! We were up there just last week. Wonderful memories, Brought tears to my eyes. I guess we really didn't realize what a prize we had when we were growing up. It was a great era to grow us in and a great place to grow up near. I will look through our archives and see if we have anything we can send you. Would love to help you. I will pass this on to other friends from my high school class and maybe they can also. All the best and thanks Dave Blovat 10/5/02
Thank you so
much for
putting this
site
together.
It has been
many years
since I've
been to the
Caroga area
and it
brought back
a flood of
wonderful
memories.
Being from
the Mohawk
Valley, it
truly was
our "Disney"
world.
Don and Judy
(Daly)
Ropeter
JRopeter@cfl.rr.com
Palm Bay,
Florida
10/10/02
Tony, I don't
know where to
begin, but
here goes. My
name is John
Ryan, 11/5/02 Tony, this is just amazing!! I can hardly keep a dry eye looking at those pictures, and listening to that beautiful music. I have forwarded it to EVERYBODY..... Loesje van Tongeren Barnhoorn 11/17/02
Tony,
What a great
site! I
keep finding
new sections
to read and
each one
brings a
smile! My
family owned
the Skakel
Camp on
Green Lake.
It was
originally
The Tryon
Camp owned
by the
Johnstown
Firefighters,
established
in 1918. My
grandfather,
being one of
the firemen
owners,
bought it as
a private
camp in the
'30s. He
turned it
over to my
Dad, Ralph
Skakel, who
turned it
over to my
sister
Cheryl and I
a couple of
years ago.
Spending
summers at
the lake was
a joy -
climbing
Kane Mtn [
going up the
Green Lake
Trail and
down the
Pine Lake
Side, going
on the rides
and then
back along
the road]
Wow! We
couldn't do
that today.
I remember
the fishing
contests for
kids.
Caught lots
of sunnies,
perch, and
bullheads.
Always got a
few more
than Davey
Sponenberg
which made
my day! Of
course, he
wouldn't
remember it
that way.
I'd write
more but
there's so
much more of
your site
that I have
yet to get
to.
Thanks again! Barbara Skakel Plantz 11/21/02
I worked at
Sherman's. I
painted
Sherman's. I
loved,
laughed, and
cried in a
little
'camp'
called the
Gray Gull. I
guarded the
beach for
the
Association
on East
Caroga. I
made
doughnuts at
Morris'
Foodarama
and bagged
ice until my
fingers
turned blue
in the
middle of
the summer.
I cared for
my
neighbors,
laughed with
them
aplenty,
pitched in
when people
needed help,
fell in love
in the
starlight on
Association
beach, and
healed
myself in
solitude in
the same
place. 11/21/02
Hey Tony: Dave Ackerbauer 11/22/02
I was
surfing the
net, and
found your
website.
It's
fascinating! 12/07/02
Tony
Dave
Ackerbauer
sent me
the link
to your
site.
Boy what
memories
it has
brought
back to
me. The
one memory
I have is
pulling on
my fathers
hand so we
could
cross the
road from
the
parking
lot. Once
across it
was my
Disneyland.
Tom
Manning
Tracy CA
thmlmm@concentric.net
12/8/02
Hello from
J!town: I
very much
enjoy your
web site:
It bring
back old
memories
from the
past. Keep
up the
good work,
Thank you
from the
1/19/03
Loved your
site...Would
love to
see
pictures
of
Stratford
i.e.
Stewart
Landing,
That's
where I
grew up.
You
brought
back so
many
memories.
Thanks so
much 1/21/03 Hello from Paul Galway. Great website. Have spent much time scanning through. Would love to hear from you. I'm married & living in Florida. Gail says hello & not to take Rosie's pills & make pizza. Do you have an email address for Brian Yates? If you see him, tell him I would like to hear from him. My email address is ptgalway@aol.com. 1/21/03 Tony, 2/4/03 Tony, 2/5/03
hi Tony; 2/14/03 Hi Tony: 2/15/03 Hello Mr. Ermie, I enjoyed your website. We
used to go to Sherman’s and Caroga 2/18/03 Tony I'm not
from the lake yet it caught my heart with the attention of my husbands' past.
Take Care To All Rony Groshans 2/23/03
HI
My name is Betty Tranowicz, was
Betty Becker, I lived in Meco until I married. These pictures
my sister sent to me via computer and they bring back such great memories. We use to go to Sherman's all the time. As I am writing you, I can smell the popcorn and hear the merry-go-round.. After I married I moved to Glens Falls, but have brought my children to Sherman's, of course it wasn't the same, but they got a picture of what I did as a child.
Thank you for these beautiful memories, Betty,
3/24/03 Tony, 3/20/03 Tony, My name is Bobby Marchetti and I live in Denver Colorado. I
was so impressed with your website,
Tony,
You certainly brought me back a few years. For better than 20 years our
family (30 of us) would
make the pilgrimage to Canada Lake to Ron and Bonnie Buckner's Lakeside Motel.
We would go to Jim Remmington's restaurant for dinner, the guys would play
golf at Nick Stoner's.
But the times were never complete without breakfast at Sherman's and countless
rides on the bumper
cars, skee ball in the arcade, riding the ferris wheel, and awesome carousel.
That place was magic to me when I was a little kid. I could not wait to see
the whirly gig on
the corner of the popcorn stand as we made our way up to Canada Lake.
I have many many photos of the place in the family archives and will at some
point make the
drive home to get then and send them off to you.
Thanks for putting the site together. It was an awesome ride down memory
lane!
Mariann Izzo
Monticello, New York
4/15/03
MY FATHER OWNED "THE WELL" IN CAROGA LAKE. ON THE CORNER OF 10 AND 29 A DURING
THE 1950 ERA.
he sold it to Babe Unger when the "Unger HOUSE" BURNED DOWN. My BROTHER CLAYTON PEDRICK ATTENDED WHEELERVILLE SCHOOL. I finished SCHOOL IN JOHNSTOWN AS I WAS NEARING GRADUATION. ' 'PART OF THE NORTH END GANG'' GRADUATING CLASS OF 1953.
When I get home from Florida, I will be searching thru my pictures. I know of
several of my
graduating class enjoying good old Sherman's. I also have pictures of my mother and aunt taken at Sherman's in the early thirties ,on the beach.
Many a day I have camped at the state park in the early 1940.1950, and after
marriage and
5 sons, camped every summer with my family. My name is NITA Pedrick 4/30/03 Tony - 5/5/03
Tony - Don Marcello
6/10/03 Great site. Brought back a lot of memories.
Ron Baker
Lake Worth, FL
rbaker48@msn.com
6/14/03
Tony,
Hello, my name is John Utter. I grew up in Caroga Lake. I currently live
in Charlotte,N.C. My
Grandparents owned a camp on Garlock Road @ East Caroga. The name of the camp was " Stumble Inn ".
I remember those days like they were yesterday. I am 32 years old now &
still visit Caroga Lake
a couple times every summer. Always on the 4th of July. I never miss a boat parade !
I just wanted to let you know that I really like your website. I will
pass it on to the rest
of my family.
Best Regards,
John Utter
akaju31@aol.com
6/15/03 6/22/03
Just read the Sunday News paper, and now I
know who has the beautiful plate with Caroga on it.
I followed you to Caroga last week one day. I have lived in Caroga Most of my life. My name is Julie and I am related to the Foster's and Arnst's. My mother's maiden name was Eva Foster. I remember allot of the real good old days. Julie Thompson
6/27/03 6/29/03
Tony,
I was thinking of my parents (Ted
and Shirley Farnsworth) while I was on the computer, and I
don't know why I typed in Caroga Lake. It brings back so many memories with my family and my mother and father. This site is just wonderful. I can not believe that I just found it. I am going to pass this to my brothers and sisters, and there is 13 of us together and what fun we had in Caroga Lake.
Thank you for this site. What a uplifting
it is. God Bless to you and your family.
Shannon (Farnsworth) Borst
Borst Construction Company
Our Reputation Says it all...
1-800-408-3784
1-518-548-8111
7/12/03
Hi Tony
Don't know if you remember us or not but would
like to say Hi and tell you what a wonderful
thing you have done. I was just reading some of the notes people have sent you and my thoughts are with you also. Thank you
Don & Kathy
Ellis Biron
7/13/03
Tony- I was playing golf yesterday with your
cousin Jim Ermie and I was mentioning my childhood
days when we vacationed at Caroga Lake from NYC. He directed me to your wonderful web site.... a magnificent accomplishment to say the least. Your parents gave me a nickname which was strictly related to Caroga Lake, your family, and all the people who worked at Sherman's Janet and Bob Kane, The Hoffman's, among others.) Do you remember it? I moved to Johnstown in 1959, when my father retired from the INS (his life long dream to return to Johnstown) I feel so fortunate to have met my wife, raised my two children, and spent my entire career in the Johnstown area. It is truly a wonderful place with fantastic people and I include all the surrounding area as well. I will be visiting your web site often and will be alerting others of its creation. Best wishes to you and your family. "SALTY" Michael Mongin
Hi Tony,
I have tried to write you through
your wonderful website but to no avail. It just wouldn't
go out on the Net so now I'm trying just plain e-mail. I have been setting for hours just enjoying every bit of your website. You probably don't remember me or my family, but my daughter and son were kids when you and Peter were and we, along with my parents, owned "O-So-Ko-Z" which was about 4 camps to the left of your camp. I knew your folks and used to visit with your mother. We got the camp in the fall of 1947 and had it until in the mid 60's when my dad developed Alzheimer's and my mom didn't want to be out there anymore. So the place got sold and we bought a truck camper and then a big 5th wheel camper. My husband, Dick had the first 70 horse motor on the lake and was the first one to ski on the lake. Our first boat was a big wood one which we had tied to our dock out in front and then later we traded that in for a classier blue and silver one. You may remember Dick trying to balance himself on a wooden disk and then after that, he tried balancing himself on a chair, etc. My husband and dad also helped tear down Harmony Lodge and a lot of the lumber that they salvaged was used in the little camp back beside our garage which we owned and then rented out and we called it "Lil Kozy". We have been spending about 6 months in the winter in New Smyrna Beach, Fl. for the last 23 years, but still come up by the family for the summer. We are now living back in
Palatine Bridge, N. Y. where I grew up One of these days we will
By the way, you had a picture of Charlie
and Florence Burkart. I wanted you to know that
we called on Charlie in the nursing home last Monday.. We were good friends with them all those years, too.
We used to go up to Willie's little
shack on the corner by Bath Ave, and buy fried clams.
They cost us 25 cents a bucket and we used to have to scrounge around to get enough money to go and buy them. Also, I used to go up to the dances long before I was married and remember the big guy roping us off of that dance floor so we wouldn't stand a chance of getting in a second dance for that dime. The music was wonderful and such a beautiful spot when it was a balmy night and all the shutters were open. The music echoed down the lake. Well, I don't want to bore you with all my recollections but your website has sure jarred a lot of my memory and all I can say is Thanks Again For the Trip Down Memory Lane!
Barbara Shults
barbrs@frontiernet.net
P. O. Box 135
Palatine Bridge, N. Y. 13428
7/25/03
This was a fantastic production.
I relate to Groshan's Park Dance
Pavilion at Green Lake where I played trombone nightly
during the summers of 1937 and 1938 in a dance band led by Art Gibbons. I was a GHS grad of 1937.
My memory is a bit hazy now but the
other members of the band that I recall were;
Bob Wiley
piano Bill Rigs(?) trumpet
Walt Campo
drums ? "
Duane Rupert sax &
clarinet ? base
Tony........... " "
? "
"
If anyone can fill in these names or has
a photo of this band I would be most appreciative
if I could obtain a copy. I now live near Ocean Shores in WA. My wife succumbed to cancer two years ago.
Charlie Smith
charliebone@coastaccess.com 7/26/03
GREAT! I happened on your site as I
was looking for "good ole days" - info for a Fall Singles
Retreat. Thanks so much for sharing. Nancy Gillepsie 7/28/03 7/29/03
What great memories. we rode up to Caroga Lake on the 4th of
July & you could have shot a gun
off on the mid-way and not hit any one. What a change from when we were young. We have so many fond memories of Sherman's and the good times we had. One memory that is so special to me is the great dance floor and the big bands. I was about 8 yrs. old and my father would put my feet on his and we would glide around that big floor. I felt just like a Princess. That was the best of times. Thanks for a stroll down memory lane. Marie Hall----butterfl@superior.net 7/31/03
Tony,
Wow! What a fantastic site
you have there! I can't wait to go through the whole thing.
Brings
back lots of memories.
Feel free to use my little
"history" any way you want. I can give you an original updated
copy if you wish, rather than taking it from the PLPA site. Up to you.
John Peck
Peck's Lake 8/3/03
Hi Tony, You really hit a spot
with the Caroga times on the internet, I grew up in Stratford,
and have many many memories of the Lakes. Wish I did have pictures, my dad had a band and often played at the dances. Mostly in the Pine Lake pavillion. Keep them coming. Thanks Bill Bradley, I now live in Pittsburgh Pa, and moved around the country San Diego, Boston etc. What memories. Thank you for taking the time to do this. Bill Bradley 8/10/03
This is a great site brought
back some fond memories. Our class trip was at Caroga Lake
(class of '56) what class would do that now?? Good to see the lake is making a come back. Was sad to see it when we returned back to J'town (we were in the Navy for 20 yrs). Good to be back,,we look at all the great photos of the area, back when,,,,great job everyone,,,,, Raymond & Eileen (Winchell) Spawn 8/16/03
What a thrill and joy to find
your web site. My grandparents took me to Sherman's often
when I was a boy back in the 60's. Thanks for creating it. Made my day.
Larry Hinkle
Bradford, Massachusetts
11/01/03
Just came across your site,
looking for info on Caroga lake, My family had a house
on
the lake, for many many years. It was sold in the late 80's. My cousin and I were just talking about all the wonderful memories of the summer reunions at the lake.
thank you
It is a wonderful site.
Michelle Migliore
11/07/03
Tony, I'm sure you remember my family. We had a camp on
the south shore road of West 11/10/03 11/10/03
Tony- My cousin Jeanne just told me
about your Caroga web site. My grandfather was John
Sherman and his brother Frank. My grandfather owned a house on the shore side. It was a two family cottage and shortly after being converted to a beautiful summer home burnt down along with many other beautiful old homes. My grandfather rebuilt exactly as it had been. My mother spent many summers there and danced her heart away at Sherman's. The house stayed in the family while I was young and we loved it. When my father (he also grew up on Caroga Lake) decided we should spend our summers in a more creative way and sold " Lake Home" we all cried. Susan Doty 12/20/03 Thanks for posting this. What a wonderful trip down
memory lane. I can 12/28/03
Thank you for your nostalgic, magical and often
hilarious site. I was feeling kind of
low today, missing my late husband, and happened on your site. I found myself smiling, singing, dancing with my little dog in my computer chair and even laughing until I had tears rolling down my face. I almost feel like I have been there. It has been a wonderful time here with you and I am going to tell my friends to come visit too. Thank you again.
Alma Green
annaliese4648@earthlink.net
1/24/04
Dear Folks --
What a
treat! While researching Barbara McMartin's long
list of books, I discovered your site. Talk about
a rush of great memories!
We had a family camp on the north shore of West Caroga for 20 years (1967 to 1986). We were the last occupant of our property's 80-plus-year-old house, which was demolished when we sold it to make room for a new building.
I have a
treasured copy of Barbara McMartin's first
edition of "Caroga." Our family was one of its
patrons. We wore out several
copies of her wonderful little "Walks and Waterways" guide, happily tramping through the woods surrounding Caroga.
The owners of
the camp before us represent a real Who's Who of
Caroga folks. From 1897: Morey, Burr, Miller,
Vrooman, Pedrick,
Lake, St. George Cottage Association, Jung, Farhart, Johnson, and ourselves.
We loved
Caroga, and our old camp. A tiny part of me still
haunts that waterfront and hillside. Wonderful,
irreplaceable times.
Keep up the
good work! I'll be back.
Lou Raichle
Barnstead, New
Hamp
3/12/04
Tony, thank you so
much for allowing me to go back to the good old
days and Caroga Lake. We were you're neighbors
on
Fon Claire Street and I knew your Mom and Dad very well. I have so enjoyed the articles that I have read and surprisingly, I remember most of everything you talk about. Please keep up the good work. I am now in Florida but I am determined to go to Sherman's this summer while visiting up there. Thanks again.
Helene ( Walsh
) Hladik
3/16/04
What a great
site!!! I have never been to your lake or town
but we are making a trip this weekend to look
for a vacation
home in the area (03/20/04).
My wife and I have
been searching for a long time now and think
that we have found a camp/house near the
lake. Makes
me feel good to see all the pictures and read about the history and good times that everyone is and has been having. Keep up the good work!!
Jerry and
Jennifer Rasiak
Long Island , N.Y.
b0atguy47@aol.com
3/21/04 3/21/04
Juanita (Manchester) Booth. 3/21/04
Thanks for the up-date, Tony. Hope we can
meet you this year when you are in Caroga
again. Will look for your electric car!!!
It looks like a good idea to have one like that with gas prices going higher all the time.
We will be camping in our trailer at Peck's
Lake again this summer. It may not be early
in May, though, as we have lots of snow
and it is in the 20 degree range here in Little Falls today. The calendar says "Spring", but it sure doesn't look like it outdoors yet.
Sincerely,
Marion (Mosher) Keyser
3/21/04 3/21/04
Tony,
I don't respond very
often, but looking through the site today
brought back some great memories.
People were kinder and gentler back then.
Was there, or not, a
"tilt-a-whirl" at Caroga? I know I milked all
the sympathy I could get from the
Little Falls girls one summer when I nearly lost a finger in a summer job accident while at RPI. Believe it or not there is a relationship between the injury and the tilt-a-whirl.
How did you come to be in
Visalia? I lived in Lancaster for years and
just drove up 99 a few days ago
after attending a Lockheed flight test reunion along with old buddy who now lives in Three Rivers.
Years ago when we
frequented Caroga, no one dreamed of moving as
far away as we are. Now we
are spread all over, I in Oregon now.
Jim Fitzgerald
3/21/04
I enjoyed seeing the new pictures..... 3/21/04
My son sent me the link to your web site and I
really enjoyed browsing through it. My
husband was Gregg Smith; I believe you
Some years ago, as Gregg and I were leaving
our camp on Garlock Road, we spotted one of
the old bumper cars, resting on Thanks for the engaging web pages – Gregg would have loved the web site. Regards, Irene Smith 3/22/04
Wow Tony, I'm literally oozing nostalgia. What
a great adventure you are sharing with 3/27/04
Denny Vosburgh sent me this web site months ago
At the time I only glanced at it. 4/23/04
The Caroga
Times site is a true treasure. Thanks so much
for putting it together and for giving a time
to remember to
those of us who cherish memories of Sherman's and summers at the lake. I attended Ephratah Consolidated School and remember our yearly springtime outings to the lake. It the carousel still in operation? My wife and I enjoy summer trips in our RV. We would love to camp near the lakes for a wekeend if there is a nearby campground. Do you have any recommendations?
With best
regards,
Randall
B. Krum
Chair, Division of Science and
Technology
May 18,2004
What a beautiful
site, you have done a fabulous job. I sure
enjoy looking ai the various images and
reading the stories.
As a child we
would go to Sherman's several times each year,
what a treat! I use to love the go carts and
of course the
penny arcade. We currently camp at Pine Lake and think (we know) it is our heaven. Thank you for such a treat.
Art Parmer
Little Falls, NY
5/18/04
Tony,
Just wanted to say a quick hello and let you
know how much Eric and I enjoyed your
website Sunday morning.
Mom had mentioned it to me a few times so I decided to check it out. With Eric's career and schedule, he has rarely had the opportunity to meet anyone from Grams side. It was nice to be able to point of so many places and faces that I so often speak of along with the old and new pictures from Caroga Lake. We are now both looking forward to visiting this summer. Rumor has it that you will be spending the summer there too?
Feeling pretty well and knocking down the
days until it is all over. Doctors and
professionals have been great along
with my biggest fan, Eric.
Hello to your family and thanks again for
the story and pictures.
Be Well,
Deena Ecker
5/25/04
Hi:
I actually
came across your web-site by accident. I
have spent the last two hours looking and
remembering. I found myself
consumed in your memories as well as some that I had as a kid.
I grew up
in Ilion, NY and many times our family would
hop in the car and go to Pine or Caroga Lake
for the day.
Some time
my dad would just say "I'm hungry for
popcorn" and we knew we were on our way to
Sherman's. We always
had a bring an extra set of clothes for my little brother Jeffrey (he's 49 now) because he would get so excited when we rounded the corner and saw the Ferris wheel he would always "wet himself". And the monkey?? He was the greatest animal.
I still
have the silver coin that was punched out of
the machine with our kids name on it!
I am in my
fifties now but remember some of my best
childhood memories. Swimming in the lake,
riding the rides, crack the
whip and tilt a whirl were my favorites and picnicing with homemade fried chicken, and potato salad, on the back of the old woody station wagon. They think "tailgating" was just invented? I remember being six.
Thanks Tony
for taking me back to a happier time, when
families took time to talk to each other,
eat meals together, play
games together and just be a family!
Sue Walsh
Albany, NY
5/26/04
A wonderful site, I’m from Gloversville, but
certainly made the trek up 10 and 29, to the
Caroga area, I must say I miss those days,
Matthew J. Goguen
hi -Tony i so
much enjoy this web site! - it brings me
back to so many great memories of J'town and
Caroga lake!!
7/5/04
Hello Tony: I just came
across some of your old time pictures and
they brought back many many good memories
of my life in good old Johnstown, every time i see them they mean more and more to me as i am getting older. Also living across the street from the good old Knox Field and Knox School i have a few pictures of Wiesner's Store that you may be able to use. How do i get them to you ? I hope to hear from you regarding these some time soon. You do a great job on your web site, I just love it. Thank you very much for all you efforts. Thanks again, Louis Wiesner 11 East First Ave. Johnstown,NY.12095 518-762-3764. 8/9/04
Tony,
I just spent
some time looking at your website - it is
wonderful - love the music too
Thanks so
much for the memories !!!
Joanna
Siedlecki Fratangelo
8/13/04
What an incredible experience finding
and viewing this website. I grew up in
Central NY and visited
Caroga/Sherman's with my family often in the 60's as a young boy. What incredible memories I have of those visits to Caroga and Pine Lake. I now live in Dallas, Texas and in mid-July 2004, made a trip through Caroga region on my way from Saratoga to Utica with my son, who is 10. I must admit, I had to rely on my sense of direction and memories to find the right roads from Saratoga to Gloversville and beyond to Caroga.
I had hoped to be able to share some of
the wonderful experiences that I had as
a child at Caroga,
but sadly, Sherman's was closed and just a shadow of it's former self. It was a rainy day and appropriate for the mood and what I saw on this journey. I was pleased, however, to see some parts of Sherman's preserved...the Carousel, the Ferris Wheel, the Pavilion, the Ice Cream stand...it had been at least 25-30 years since I visited the area. Our drive to Pine Lake revealed much the same as Caroga...only memories. I was happy to see a school bus of children visiting Pine Lake and enjoying that wonderful sandy beach that was my favorite as a child. Those beautiful mountains on the other side of the lake haven't changed a bit. I must say, living in the flat plains and urbanity of North Texas, I now truly have an appreciation for the beauty of New York, and particularly the Adirondacks (which I know that I took for granted when I live in the area!). I had to re-create the scene, as I remember it as a child..."that's where the midway was". and the "slide was over there, on the right side of the beach facing the lake".
Then, I found your website... I can't
thank you enough for creating this great
site that I will surely visit again
and again. Thanks to this incredible website and this great collection of photography and memorabili I can share with my children the wonderful times and memories I had as a child growing up in CNY.
I appreciate your effort and look
forward to visiting the site again soon
and hopefully seeing "new" memories.
Mark Carden
Dallas, Texas
AUGUST 28TH-2004
Tony~
A well done website for a fabulous
Adirondack community! Looking
forward to your continued updates!
Sincerely,
Robin & Peter Fields
124 Lakeview Avenue
Caroga Lake
9/12/04 9/17/04
HI TONY: FINALLY
FINISHED POURING OVER YOUR UPDATE .
GREAT WORK. PARTICULARLY
ENJOYED THE ESSAY ON B. McMARTIN. WHAT A LOVELY LADY... AND THE TOUR OF HER HOME VERY INTERESTING. IT APPEARS YOU'VE HAD A MOST BUSY SUMMER....... THANK YOU........
GLORIA
S. SUTTON DAVIS, 318 CO HWY 102,
G'VILLE NY
9/21/04
Tony,
It's Shirley...first time I've
been on your site...LOVE IT. See
ya next weekend
Shirley
Florcz 9/24/04 Tony,
Thank you for this
web-site. I grew up in Caroga Lake.
Seeing these pictures floods my
memories. I pull u
I grew up on London
Bridge Road and I worked at
Sherman’s for a few years (I think
working at Sherman’s
There is so much more,
but I would be writing for days in
recollection. I now live in Denver,
CO. and I take
I sometimes show fellow
workers this web-site and act as
tour guide and everyone who listens
and
Garth
Unger 9/25/04 Tony,
I have read a
number of Barbara McMartin's books
over the years and was thrilled to
see the tribute to her on A friend sent me the link to your site. I'll be back often.
Carrie
Streeter Hi Tony, What a wonderful job you've done with the story on Barbara McMartin. The last page actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, Victoria Smith 10/08/04 10/17/04 Does anyone know what that white
covered pot is to my left in the
"1910 parlor" John and Eveline 10/28/04
Dear Tony,
Thanks for keeping us posted on
the goings on. I love the old
photos. They sure do bring back
so many memories.
I love it! Wish the kids could have enjoyed times like we had in this old place. Alas by the time my little one was ready for it, the fire had done its damage. But the memories have spoken volumes themselves. In any case, thank you for sharing yet another treasure. Keep them coming.
Ruth Corey 10/29/04 Tony, I came across your site by accident while searching the web. What an
incredible thrill to see tribute
to one of my favorite Adirondack
authors, Barbara McMartin, on it.
Hopefully, While I've
never been to Caroga Lake, after
spending two hours on your site,
it almost felt like home. What, as 12/2/04 12/20/04 Hi Tony,
Don Biron, 308 Wells
Street, sent me your web
site. When I came 1/25/05
Tony: I can't tell you how
much I have enjoyed reading
the many messages
1/26/05
1/31/05
Tony,
Thank you for posting all of
the pictures, and
2/10/05
I recently learned of
your website from Bill
Pollak (former Johnstown
mayor).
I spent a good deal of
time looking at it and
enjoying the pictures,
history, and comments.
It was terrific.
I spent a great deal of
time at Caroga Lake from
the late 50's and early
60's. My brother Steve
Thompson, along with
his partner, Tony Sokol, owned Steve and Tony's, which I guess is now the post office.
Sorry, I have no
pictures.
Jim Thompson
Tony:
I spent a lot
of time at Caroga
lake, Shermans, and
your parents (Aunt
Mary and Uncle
Tony's camp when I
was
just growing up. I have many great memories.
My mother told
me about the
website. It is
great!. Hope all is
well1
David
Gutowski
3/19/05
Very nice walk
down memory lane
- thank you.
My mom and dad
were Rosalie
(Fernandez) and
Harry Paxton of
Johnstown/Gloversville.
Mom was the
daughter of
Frank and Bertha
Fernandez of 28
Lexington Ave.,
Gloversville.
I was born in
1943 and sister
Gale was born in
1940 married Don
Garguilo and now
lives in Los
Alimitos, CA.
Brother Chris is
47 and lives in
Murietta, CA
Mom and dad came
to California in
1963 or so. Dad
died in 1970 and
mom in 1999.
I married
Mozelle Lansing
in 1966 in
Gloversville.
Her mom and dad
were Hank &
Arlene (Laird)
Lansing.
Page 1 of Caroga
Times shows
Mozelles grand
father William
Laird (on the
motor cycle).
Arlene Laird
Lansing is alive
and well and
lives in Hemet,
CA.
Unfortunately
Hank Lansing
died 2 years
ago.
Mike
Paxton
mikepaxton1961@hotmail.com
3/23/05
Hi there,
Tony,
One day, I
was feeling
a bit down,
and went for
a really
REALLY long
ride. I just
drove and
drove, not
sure where I
was headed,
and found myself in this beautiful town. There was an old carousel on the right, and before that, some sort of antique/second hand shop. If I remember correctly, it was on the left side of the road. It had old wood siding and reminded me somewhat of a barn. It was filled with lots of old items, from old milk cans to rusted old farming tools, pottery, etc etc. I stopped there and looked about. As I continued on, I saw a lake to my right, and there were some jet skiers out for a spin. The lake looked beautiful and there was an old carousel there as well, not too far from the road if I remember. It was about 6 years ago. I stopped, got some ice cream (comfort food for those feeling a little blue, you know!), and then continued on. I also came to a store with hunting and outdoor gear, and it was a flat kind of a building, with almost a sidewalk alongside it. There was a little gift shop there as well. Not sure if it was before I got to the lake or after. I also remember seeing a right hand turn just past the carousel, I believe, that led to the lake or to some campgrounds. Eventually, I think I ended up way up on route 28, and headed South to return back to Utica.
I have since
looked on
the internet
for this old
carousel,
and the name
of the town
I was in, to
no avail,
until I saw
your site
tonight. I
think this is where I was! I think I was in Caroga Lake! I have looked and looked for several years until tonight! I wanted to come back so many times, since it gave me such a calm peace of mind there, and it took the sad feelings that brought me on my long ride, away. I loved it there.
Do you think
I could have
been there,
at Caroga
Lake? Please
let me know
if you do.
Thank you so
much!
Debbie
5/1/05
This is,
without
doubt, the
best web
site I
ever
visited! I
was born
in
Gloversville
in 1946,
and spent many great times at Sherman's (1950's and till I moved away 1966). I have been back a few times over the years. My father (born in 1921) still lives in G'ville; and recalls his family's camp on Caroga (1930's) Thanks for the memories, Gary Merrill P.S. The music is great, also!
5/26/05
Hi
Tony,
Just
found
your
site
and
love
it.
Brings
back
many
memories
for
me.
Back
in
the
early
70's
my
folks
bought
a
camp
up
in
Pine
Lake
and
we'd
send
every
weekend
up
there
from
as
soon
as
the
roads
cleared
till
the
snow
got
too
deep.
I
have
many
memories
of
Vooman's
buffalo
wings, also
where
I
bought
my
first
beer
,
riding
the
"big"
whip
at
Sherman's
and
riding
the
horses
at
Paradise.
It
was
the
best
place
in
the
world
for
a
city
kid
from
Albany
to
spend
his
summers.
We
had
our
property
right
up
till
the
mid
70's.
My
dad
had
a
heart
attack
and
was
forced
to
sell
the
place
right
about
the
time
Bob
Lord
sold
the
amusement
park
at Pine Lk.
My
mom
and
me
returned
to
the
area
in
'80
for
a
time,
we
rented
the
house
next
to
Putman's
store
on
Rt10.
We
only
stayed
there
about
a
year
or
so
before
we
had to go back down to the city for financal and work reasons.
I
miss
them
days
up
there
!
I've
been
living
here
in
Greensboro,NC
since 1989
,
last
time
I
was
up
in
New
York
was
'99 to
lay
my
mother
to
rest,
wished
I
had
taken
the
time to visit the lakes but time was pressing. Sorry to hear the amusement park is no more but I very happy to hear that some of the place has been saved. Looks like they have a great operation .
Anyway
just
wanted
to
say
thanks
for
the
trip
down
memory
lane.
Sincerly
Art
Chartrand
10/25/05
Dear Tony --
Your recent tribute to Barbara McMartin was beautifully done. I'm so glad to have had a glimpse of some of her last days,
at her beloved Canada Lake home. Congratulations on a tasteful and heartfelt piece.
During our 20 years at Caroga, Barbara's books inspired us to so many wonderful family hikes through her "gentle wilderness,"
and her "Caroga" book about the town is endlessly fascinating. She had a huge effect on our enjoyment of our beloved camp.
Again, thanks for your splendid tribute, and for your continuing efforts with Caroga Times.
Sincerely,
Lou Raichle
DeLand, Florida
12/24/05
Dear Tony,
This was my first visit to Caroga Times. My Aunt and Uncle Caroline and Orlando who were also your Aunt and Uncle had their camp
at Caroga too. I spent many wonderful days there with Jim. He told me about your site. It is marvelous Tony. My mom and Caroline were sisters. She treated me to stays at their camp every summer when I was growing up. I remember being very young and sitting on the corner behind your parent's camp right across from the lake with a beach blanket while watching the 4th of July fireworks. My uncle taught me how to waterski on that lake behind his boat. Jim and I would fish early in the morning behind the carousel next to the little footbridge. We always caught a pail of bullheads too! There was a neighbor next to your parent's camp who would play the guitar and harmonica for us. What was his name? My goodness Tony this has stirred so many memories for me. Thanks again! Have a Merry Christmas! My e-mail is jingle@superior.net .
Always,
Joe Inglese
1/3/06 Tony, I was listening to the Bob Cudmore's "Focus On History" radio show this morning when, to my surprise, he mentioned he Tom Gilles
1/6/06
Thanks so much for a wonderful site! I laughed and cried! Spent a lot of time at Sherman's as a kid in the fifties. My dad brought Frank
his Pepsi from Fitzgerald's in Amsterdam- he had a crush on Janet with that blonde hair!
The A. V. Smith's of 2nd Ave were my surrogate grandparents- their son Frank was married to my aunt Norma. My cousin drowned there
in the 60's. Smiths still own the camp.
Will never forget the Tilt-A-Whirl, cotton candy, and the sledge hammer thing where you had to ring the gong.
Thanks again- I'll be thinking about Caroga all day!
Marilee Watermann Litwa
http://www.marileelitwa.com
1/7/06 Hi, Thanks so much for your wonderful website. My husband and I are both in our 70's now, but vacationed at Pine Lake, Canada Lake
1/7/06 Spent time today looking at Caroga Lake etc. It sure brought a lot of memory's. Spent lots of summers there.
Really enjoyed got the web sight from the Schenectady Gazette story in today's paper.
Thanks for the memories.
Edith and Theodore Strobeck
1/7/06
I just wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed your website. As a
child I used to beg my father to take my brother and I to Sherman's for a swim. We would often stop there on a summer Sunday afternoon for an ice cream. My mother would tease our father about the "Popcorn Lady." I will always remember her blonde hair. I remember the arcade, and the fortune teller lady. As a child, I used to be a little afraid of going by her booth. I think that your fortune came out in a small little scroll. Caroga Lake and Shermans will always be a special part of my childhood memories. I had a math teacher named Isabelle Fliegle, and she had a camp on Caroga Lake. Just wondered if you remembered her. Your site about Mr. Sherman was really a wonderful tribute to him Thank you for all of your hard work. It is really appreciated by so very many people, I for one. Sincerely, Thursa Martin tinker@capital.net
1/8/06 Tony, This site is fantastic! My grandparents and relatives from Canajoharie always told their stories of a camp on the South Shore and going to Shermans in the early 20’s and 30’s. Your site brought back warm remembrances of a simpler and quieter time… The penny arcade, bumper cars, the whip, and the merry go round are my Thank you so much! Tim Triumpho
1/8/06 Hi Tony, my 84-year-old mom in Fort Plain, NY just phoned me today with your
Tony,
This site is the best!!!! I , too stayed the summer in Caroga Lake
mainly in the 60’s with my family on Garlock Road. Taya (Marcellino) Kardash
1/9/06
Hi,
My sister Esther (Holdridge) Capece from Oppenheim
sent me an email with the link to your website. I am the former
Margaret (Peggy)
Holdridge and I grew up in Oppenheim, NY. I attended Oppenheim-Ephratah Central School so we spent many summers visiting Sherman's and Pine Lake. I have so many fond memories from the area.
Thank you for sharing your pictures and stories from
Sherman's and the area surrounding Caroga Lake. It sure brought back
many
memories of fun times.
I recently retired and moved back to NYS. Last
summer we went to Caroga Lake and it was sad to see how little is left
of Sherman's
but the carousel is still there and we enjoyed walking around and thinking about all the rides and games that we remembered from the 50's and 60's when things were booming in Caroga Lake and Pine Lake.
Peg (Holdridge) Pinkham
1/10/06
Hi Tony,
I
live in northeastern Tennessee , but was raised in Lasselsville and
went to school in Oppenheim .
A very good friend who lives up there sent me this site.
I have only briefly checked it out, but I KNOW I will spend
many hours on it next weekend.
I can only guess at how much time and thought you put into this,
and wanted to let you know it is appreciated.
Respectfully
yours,
Gary A.
Jubar
1/11/06 Nice job, you done on
this. My brothers, and I use to go up there on weekends, when Paul Jordan 1/12/06 Hi Tony,
1/14/06
Thank you so much for the wonderful stroll down memory lane....
I wanted to mention that on the bar in the upstairs of Sherman's there are
thousands of pennies all encased in some kind of clear
lacquer...It's quite unusual. Also, there used to be another bar in Caroga Lake. We used to go there a lot...One of the owners and/or bartenders was a midget. One of the greatest guys!!! Can't think of the name of the bar. When I was a young teenager, my mother had the opportunity to buy a two room "Shack" in Shantytown...for $75.00...probably in 1946 or 1947 ...I'm originally from Fort Plain and several families from there had bought those small shanties too. They sure weren't much...no indoor plumbing, no running water...but it was fun to go to the well and pump the pails full of water. My girlfriends and I absolutely loved Caroga Lake...1946 - 1954. My husband (of 51 years) and I used to go there on dates every weekend to dance the night away in the old dance floor upstairs.
I can't remember the name of one of the bands that played there...I think
they also played at someplace in Gloversville or
Johnstown too. They had made a recording...the name of which I can't remember now...perhaps some of your "readers" remember. I even think I bought it...the old "45's" but have no idea what became of it.
We married and moved to Chicago where my husband was attending school. I
think it was while we were there 1955
that Sherman's had the fire. I was devastated...It was like my youth was washed away ... But what wonderful memories.
We took a ride there a couple years ago and danced downstairs one Sunday
afternoon. It was fun, but not like it was
when we were in our early 20's. Anyhow, if I can come across any photos of anything of Caroga Lake, I will send them to you. If you can't use them, that's okay.
Thanks for reading this E Mail...Would enjoy hearing from you.
Sally Peters
E Mail: flo103@aol.com
1/14/06
Dear Tony;
In my younger days my parents and their
cousin owned a camp on the South Shore. My dad was Wendel Fallis
my mom was Doris H. Fallis. I spent parts of my summer on the lake and have just read your article about Frank Sherman. I agree he certainly was the Walt Disney of Caroga Lake. Many times we stopped for popcorn and on Friday night we would spend the evening at Sherman's. Taking in the fun and community there. I remember the go kart track (my first driving lessons). The merry go round, ferris wheel and arcade made a few hours seem like a full day. My many thanks for the
enlightenment of the history. I am grateful that you would take the time
to document
Richard H. Fallis
1/15/06 TONY, I REALLY ENJOY YOUR HEART
SONG MOMENTS SITE. I WAS WATCHING IT TONIGHT AND SAW MYSELF IN THE JOHNSTOWN
DUKE CARUSO 1/15/06
Tony, Just wanted to let you and your viewers know the Royal Mountain Inn
will be opening in the spring of 2006. I hope all will come
Hi Tony,
What a wonderful website and the memories came flooding back. We used to
spend a great deal
of time at my Aunt and Uncles camp on Cozy Cove on West Caroga - Bea and
George Edick. My Mom
and Dad, Clark and Evelyn Young re-located to Caroga Lake from Sammonsville
in 1978. Evelyn, my Mom
was Tax Collector there for years. I now live in Ohio with my Husband Ed
Schlote and he too has several
memories as his family had camps on East Caroga; when we visit Johnstown, we
never miss an opportunity
to visit Caroga Lake - it is just incredible. It is indeed a "little slice
of heaven.
Sincerely,
Gale Young Schlote
1-16-06
JHS Class of 1962
egschlote@adelphia.net
1/18/06
Hi, Tony. You've created a very good website here. The section on Frank
Sherman I find very poignant only because
While browsing the Johnstown section, I was transported back in time when I
saw the pictures from Fon Claire Street.
Caroga Lake, and especially Sherman's Amusement Park carry fond early
memories for me also. My grandfather worked
My mother and dad both worked so we spent holidays and weekends at the camp.
We often spent the entire day at I
haven't viewed all of the sections of your website as yet but I plan on
returning to do just that. I have John Gage
1/21/06
WOW. This is amazing. So much good info to
absorb and I haven't gone through half of it.
Ed Davidson
1/24//06 Dear Tony,
Let me first introduce myself. I was Janice
Frasier now Janice
I just loved what you’ve done here. Although I
didn’t spend a lot of time at Caroga
I use to go to the parties the ladies would have
from the glove shop. My mother is still
I live in Connecticut now. I think you were
younger than I was then. You Again, Tony thanks for the memories it was fun.
Jan
1/24/06
I have to tell you how entertaining this web
site is. Thanks so much for all the
1/27/06 Hi Tony,
I spoke with my mother and told her
about your Carogatimes. She was so excited. I told her she was in a
picture at Crescendo.
1/31/06
Thanks for the great Caroga Lake web site. Went there as a kid with
my mom and dad, in the late 1940-1950.
We come from Amsterdam. I now live in Dighton . Ma. Again thanks so much.
Joan Orleanski Ready
2/2/06
As a kid my family and I camped at Pine Lake every
summer. Your site brings back many memories as we often
went to Caroga Lake. Thanks for the time that you put into this and best wishes!
Bob Heneka
2/15/06 As usual, nice job Tony. I didn't know Holton,
but recall very clearly him in the Cafe. Wished I did know the gent.
2/15/06 Thanks for sending out the email regarding Holts
passing... sad to say I
Thanks for there "trip" down
memory lane!
As
kids, we camped many summers at Caroga Lake.
Frank
Frank Scrima
2/15/06
Tony
You did a
"GREAT" job honoring Holt. I don't remember meeting him at all but
reading your tribute and his obituary I wish I would have met him.
Mike
Patino
2/15/06
Thanks for that, Tony! (small tribute to Holton Seeley)
As a proud, active duty member of the United States Air Force Band "Airmen
of Note" (a direct descendant
of the Glenn Miller Army Air Corps Dance Band), I had the honor of performing some Glenn Miller favorites on the main stage at the opening of the WWII Memorial here in Washington, DC. You wouldn't believe the sea of people that were on the National Mall that day! I can't tell you how many times that day I laid eyes on the faces of men and women who served during that most trying of conflicts. I made it my mission to thank each and every one I made eye contact with, and to breathe a prayer of thanksgiving for those I couldn't speak to that day. There were hundreds of thousands of people there. Some in wheelchairs. Some without limbs. Some widows and widowers came in honor of their spouses who didn't make it to see that day - my fiance's grandfather among them. Some just came and cried. For many, I knew this trip was a very difficult one to make and would likely be the last great "setting out" in each of their respective lives. They had already made the most difficult expedition of their lives, though. Hadn't they? I could see that, to them, this long awaited and more than well deserved journey was one that culminated in the release of many a fear and heartbreak. There were reunions, smiles, handshakes, heart-felt embraces, and there was an ocean of tears shed on the Mall that day. Today, there is an aura of peace surrounding that monument. It is an amazing work of art and I know in my heart that we owe an infinite debt of gratitude to those for whom it stands. If you haven't seen the WWII National Memorial, please make a point to visit the DC area soon. We'd love to have you and I promise you won't regret it!
May the Lord bless you and keep you...
Sincerely,
TSgt Paige C Wroble
2/19/06
Hi Tony,
Again I was going through the web page and
admiring, remembering many scenes while I was a student at JHS. i.e. The FJ
and G line.
I was originally from Fonda and transferred to JHS in my sophomore year.
I am relatively sure that when I was a senior you
sat right behind me in a huge study hall. I made an attempt to play football
for Prof
Siedliecki but I was not very good. I did not "play" my senior year. I believe that you were a quarterback and a good one! (The last that I knew, Prof Siedlecki's son Alex, was the head football coach at Yale University.)
I was a pole vaulter behind Jim Soulia at JHS, To
this day I am a coach at Cannon School in Concord, NC and for 30 years I was a
teacher/coach at Guilderland HS..Many times, I took our boy's team to JHS for the track and field invitational. Fred Maderic was a great coach and friend.
Very soon it will be year #50 for the class of
'57. Has there been any news that you may know of with regard to a reunion?
(I realize that you graduated in '60).
Keep up the great work with regard to the website
re: Caroga Lake, Johnstown and vicinity..
Bill Drake
'57
2/20/06
Tony,
Thanks for sending me this GREAT website. Good job. I really
appreciate the time and effort you put into this GEM.
Doug Sager
2/23/06
Tony -
Just got a brand-new computer, and for the first
time I'm able to hear the tunes that go with each
picture - what a revelation! I now have 512 MB of
RAM, instead of 40 MB for the old one, and I also
have DSL -
I'm
really seeing Caroga Times for the first time,
for taking us back to "the (really) good old days!"
Keep up the great work!
Pete Schwarz - n4fef@bellsouth.net
2/28/06
Hi Tony,
I came across your website, and thought I
could add to some of the modern pictures in the links. I picked these
pictures because it shows some great scenery
in the background of East Caroga on the south shore. These were taken last July 4th. Although I am fairly young, (27), I can remember Sherman's amusement park, and I also remember the Jammer (not that I went there), but I didn't recall anyone mentioning that place, and it still sits there along with many of the old abandoned buildings. I have spent every summer on Caroga Lake, and every summer carries unique memories and our own little traditions. Specifically my neighbors have an egg toss on July 4th that brings neighbors on each side of us. The boat parade is a great memory that still goes on, which is also something that I don't think was mentioned, although I read through the pages quickly and could have missed its mention. My camp is rich in its own memories and traditions, specifically the family memories of which it has been passed down through the years. I was sad to hear hat I missed the car races last weekend, also a tradition that I have fond memories of as a child. Unfortunately, I do no have a picture of my camp, but you can see what a view I have of the Adirondack mountains on the lake.
Your site is something that I will revisit
over and over again, whenever "winter blues" sets in.
Greg Jones
Frankfort, NY
3/24/06 Wonderful memories! I wish we could live them all over again. My family owned a camp on west Caroga, South Shore, right across from Sherman's'. I remember family parties, bats in the camp at night, going to bed when Sherman's' lights went out, and the smell of the freshly oiled roads in the spring. Rainy days, which were few, we played games on the porch, blueberry picking in the woods, the potato chip guy who came to sell them door to door, and how about those fresh donuts that melted in your mouth! My best memories are of my Dad, Jesse Eacker, and I dancing to the polka music upstairs after a delicious roast-beef dinner in the brightly colored booths. They truly were the best days of my life. Thank you for a wonderful site to go to ...to remember!!!
Cher Eacker Briggs
tbriggs@capital.net
11/29/2006
Thanks for giving us a trip back in time and the
great website. My wife Janet and I both spent many hours at Sherman's in
the 50's and early 60"s enjoying the bands and the atmosphere of the park. Many of our friends from Mayfield and Northville went there and remember . We now live in Northville in the summer and in Florida for the winter. I always think of the rope that took you off the floor after each set. A wonderful job. Bob Venner put me wise to your site. Thanks again Bob..
Bob and Janet Eschler
12/04/2006
Hi Tony
Wow I couldn't agree with you more, I
was honored to display the U.S. flag in my front yard, the strange part
is I am a Canadian
and a proud neighbor to the U.S.A. I am the woman who created the FDNY/ angel snow sculpture you have up on your site, http://carogatimes.com/misc/takeastand.htm and gee whiz that didn't offend anyone in my country. Keep up the fight for your rights, there have been too many lives sacrificed for our freedom. Sincerely, Darlene Racicot 1/20/07
Hi Tony
Your site is wonderful. I grew up going to both
Caroga and Pine Lake, As a small kid we went there all the time, for
picnics, and just a day at the beach and ridding the rides. Later on in life when I had kids, We rented a camp for a couple weeks, my mom went with us, It was so wonderful for me to be back, my kids didn't seem to know what they were doing there, they were bored, said they had nothing to do. They never seemed to get the excitement I had. When I was in grade school. We use to take a bus and go to Pine Lake every week,
Bonnie Buck Taylor
2/16/07
Hi Tony!
My name is Maggie Clark and I live in
Gloversville. I'm sure you probably won't remember me, but I
graduated from
JHS in 1959. I was so amazed when I looked at the Caroga Times website last night. I loved all the old pictures!! By any chance do you have a picture of the old Warren St. School? I am searching for one and am hoping someone would have one. I noticed you mentioned my Uncle Henri Causse (cop) in your story about the fire alarm box. He meant business!! Thanks for any help you can give me on the picture. Keep up the good work with the old pictures and memories!!
Maggie (Earl) Clark (we
lived on the farm out on West State St. Extension)
3/2/07
3/2/07
Great pics Tony. I sit at my
PC and become real home sick. I was in Johnstown last spring,
had a good visit with my
friends, Bill Fioravanti, Fred Volpp, Don Biron, Carl Siligato, John Alfano, we were only a couple of years ahead of you.
Thanks again for the great
work.
Sincerely.. Ray Bishop
3/4/07
This is Joe Precopia from
Cayadutta St. I keep an eye on Johnstown thru the Leader
Herald and clicked into your web site.
It is very well done and a a real tribute to the community. I also work with many Chambers and one is Fulton County. Wally Hart is the Executive Director and I am forwarding the site address to him .
Nice Job
Joe
3/28/07
Hello, Memories of Caroga and Canada
Lake. As a deputy sheriff for Fulton County, I spent
Summers on lake patrol at Caroga and Canada lakes. I
worked for Sheriff John Brown and Under sheriff Bob
Wandel. In the other months I patrolled the county in
a vehicle. Remember the Bears at the dump up in
Bleecker? This was in 1967/69. Anyone remember Tod
Hunter and Phoebe Ballard on Canada Lake? They were
writers of Western stories like Zane Grey? I also
used to help out directing traffic at Caroga Lake. And,
yes, I remember the amusement park so well. I live in
Mesa, Arizona and often think of this area. Heard that
Sherman's would reopen in 2000! Did that happen?
Sincerely, Mercer Weiskotten E-Mail lablover2001@cox.net
9_25_07 SEPTEMBER 22, 2007.... CAROGA TIMES...
HI THERE! I LOVE THE SITE.... WHEN JUNE ROLLED AROUND BACK IN 1954 AND YEARS AFTER, IT MEANT TO ME NOT ONLY WAS SCHOOL ABOUT TO BE MERCIFULLY ENDED, BUT THAT WE WOULD BEGIN TO GO TO CANADA LAKE AGAIN TO OPEN UP THE CAMP FOR THE SEASON! IT WAS HARD TO FOCUS ON EXAMS BECAUSE ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS HOW MUCH FUN IT WOULD BE TO SEE ALL OF MY FRIENDS FROM THE NEW YORK, LONG ISLAND AND POINTS SOUTH. THOSE SUMMERS FROM 1954 TILL INTO THE 60’S AND BEYOND WERE SPENT AT OUR CAMP ON DOLGEVILLE POINT, ON CANADA LAKE. THE ‘LAKE GANG’, CIRCA 1957-20?? , ARE STILL IN EXISTENCE, MINUS A FEW DEPARTED MEMBERS WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE US. AS A PRE –TEEN WE USED TO ENTERTAIN OURSELVES WITH SWIMMING, SLEEPOVERS, POPCORN AND PIZZA PARTIES, LATE MOVIES AND LEARNING TO PERFECT OUR TECHNIQUE\ ON THE SLALOM AND LOOK COOL! WE LOVED TO SKI UNDER THE ROAD INTO GREEN LAKE AND TAKE A SPIN AROUND AND SHOOT THROUGH THE UNDERPASS AGAIN! SHOPPING IN GLOVERSVILLE AT THE FACTORIES WAS A HAPPY PAST TIME AS WELL. GOING TO SHERMAN’S ON SATURDAY NIGHT WAS SOMETHING WE ALL LOOKED FORWARD TO EACH WEEKEND. I REMEMBER THE MONKEY, THE BEST COTTON CANDY IN THE UNIVERSE AND THE SOFT ICE CREAM. A VISION ANY DENTIST WOULD EMBRACE FOR FUTURE PATIENTS! THE TILT –A –WHIRL WAS ONE OFMY FAVORITES AND WE COULD SCREAM AL LOUD AS WE WANTED AND NO ONE CARED, AS WE SPUN OFF AT AND ALARMING ANGLE AND THEN JOLTED IN REVERSE! TIME MARCHES ON AND AS A TEENAGER WE WOULD SPEND OUR DAYS WATER SLIING, BOATING, SAILING, PLAYING CARDS (POKER AND PITCH BEING SOME OF OUR FAVORITES), AND SNEAKING BEERS FROM OUR PARENTS SUPPLY. WE WOULD ‘GAS UP’ AT’ SKEET SLITERS’ LAKESIDE STORE, BUY A TON OF CHIPS TO FORTIFY US FOR THE SUN FILLED, LAZY AFTERNOON AND TAKE OFF FOR THE STEUBERS DOCK TO ENJOY ANOTHER HEDONISTIC, VICE FILLED TIME WITH MY FRIENDS. ON THE WEEKENDS, WE WOULD ALL GO ‘EN MASSE’ IN SEVERAL CARS FIRST TO PINE LAKE TO DANCE FOR A WHILE, THEN MOVE ON TO CAROGA TO DO SOME SERIOUS SQUARE DANCING IN THE PAVILION TO LIVE MUSIC! THE RIDES AND THE MIDWAY BECKONED DURING ‘BREAKS’ FROM TOO MANY DO-SI-DOS! NO MATTER WHAT ONE’S AGE THE RIDES WERE ALWAYS SO MUCH FUN. THE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE Ferris wheel IS ONLY A MOMENT AWAY WHEN I CLOSE MY EYES. AND THE SMELL OF THE POPCORN POPPING AWAY IN THE BIG GLASS ENCLOSURE. IF ONE WAS STOPPED ON TOP, THE SCENE OF THE TWINKLING CAMP LIGHTS AROUND THE LAKE WAS LIKE A DIAMOND NECKLACE ON A SHIMMERING BLACK SATIN DRESS. WHEN YOU LOOKED DOWN ON THE ENTIRE AMUSEMENT PARK AREA IT SEEMED AS THOUGH YOU WERE HIGH ABOVE A LIGHTED JEWEL BOX! EVERYTHING LOOKED SO BIG THEN.... I LOVED RIDING AN OUTSIDE HORSE ON THE CAROUSEL IN HOPE OF CATCHING THE BRASS RING, JUST ONCE OR TWICE. THE BUMPER CAR RIDE NEVER SEEMED LONG ENOUGH TO GET REVENGE ON THE ‘PRE- NASCAR GUYS’ WHO TOOK GREAT DELIGHT IN RAMMING INTO YOU WITH AN EVIL GRIMACE ON THEIR FACES! ON A RECENT VISIT, I SPIED A RUSTED HULK OF A BUMPER CAR, AND IT BROUGHT TEARS TO MY EYES. JUST THINK, LONG BEFORE PAC MAN, SUPER MARIO, ATARI, ETC., THERE WERE PIN BALL MACHINES WITH THEIR LIGHTS, BELLS AND FLIPPERS! AH THE WONDERFUL DAYS AT THE LAKE AND FUN FILLED NIGHTS AT CAROGA. LATER ON, WHEN WE WERE OF LEGAL DRINKING AGE, WE WERE THE REGULARS AT PINE LAKE LODGE (KNOWN AS TOREY’S), LAKE AIRE, VROOMANS, CHRISTMAS TREE, SNO-DRIFT, AND THE 19TH HOLE (NOT NECESSARILY IN THAT ORDER!) HERE THE GANG SPENT MANY HAPPY HOURS WITH A CURRENT BEAU, OR NOT, JUST PLAYING SHUFFLEBOARD AND DANCING UP A STORM TO THE JUKEBOXES OR BAND IF THERE WAS ONE THAT NIGHT. IT WAS ‘BAR HOPPING’ AT ITS BEST. WE WOULD OFTEN CLOSE THE SNO-DRIFT OR 19TH HOLE AND WANDER TO THE BOATHOUSE, TO CAREFULLY NAVIGATE THE BOAT TO THE POINT. SKEET USED TO LEAVE HIS LIGHT ON FOR ME, WHICH MANY A NIGHT I NEEDED AS A GUIDE IN THE FOG! IF I FORGOT TO CLOSE THE AUTOMATIC BAILER WHEN I TIED UP THE BOAT, THERE WAS HELL TO PAY THE NEXT MORNING FROM MY FATHER! OFTEN WE WOULD TAKE EARLY MORNING HIKES UP KANE MOUNTAIN TO THE FIRE TOWER, CLIMB UP AND HAVE A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE ADIRONDACKS. THIS WAS ALWAYS BREATHTAKING AND MADE YOU REALIZE HOW BIG THE AREA WAS. WE WOULD CATCH UP ON LAKE GOSSIP ON SKEET’S STORE STEPS AND ENJOY A COLD COKE FROM A BOTTLE! I SPENT MANY ‘CAMPING OUT’ NIGHTS ALONG THE BANKS OF LILY LAKE, COMPLETE WITH AN ‘INDIAN RAID’ BUY SOME OF THE GUYS ON THE LAKE! THESE CAMP OUTS AFFORDED US A CHANCE TO SMOKE UP A STORM WITH LUCKY STRIKES OR CAMELS, PINCHED FROM OUR FATHER’S PACKS AND ENJOYS A FEW BEERS AROUND A CAMPFIRE. MY PARENTS, THE BACHMANS USED TO HOST CLAMBAKES AT OUR CAMP FOR PEOPLE ON THE POINT AND OTHER GUESTS FROM THE LAKE. THE DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT WERE BUSY TIMES FILLED WITH PREPARATION FOR THE ‘BAKE’. THIS OPERATION ENTAILED THE LOGISTICS OF ‘BARGING’ TO THE POINT ALL THE LARGE COOKERS NEEDED FOR THE STEAMING OF CLAMS, CORN, CHICKENS LOBSTERS AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY WANTED TO THROW IN! WITH THE ADDITION OF ALL MANNER OF SALADS, SIDE DISHES, FRUIT AND DESSERTS, AND BEVERAGES HAVE EVERY ILK.... THIS WAS TRULY ‘A MOVEABLE FEAST’. IT BEGAN ABOUT 10 AM AND AFTER OUR ‘HOMAGES’ TO THE SUNSET THAT EVENING MANY WOULD GATHER UNTIL WELL PAST MIDNIGHT AROUND A HUGE CAMPFIRE DOWN NEAR THE LAKE. MY DAD WOULD GROUSE THROUGHOUT THE DAY, WITH REGARD TO THE ABILITY OF OUR SEPTIC TANK TO HOLD UP WITH ALL THE HEAVY USE! THANK HEAVENS; SOMEHOW, IT ALWAYS MADE IT THROUGH THE DAY! PHEW! I REMEMBER WHAT GREAT FUN WE HAD SKIING DOWN LILY LAKE FOUR ABREAST BEHIND JOHN CASTILLOUX’S INCREDIBLE ‘CAGARETTE BOAT’, THINKING WE WERE NEARLY READY FOR CYPRESS GARDENS SKI SHOW! EVEN THOUGH OUR PARENTS BELONGED TO THE CLUB, MANY EARLY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNINGS WE WOULD SNEAK ON NICK STONER’S BACK NINE AND ENJOY A ROUND OF GOLF WITHOUT PAYING! IT WAS PROBABLY MORE ABOUT THE ‘SNEAKING ON’ AND NOT GETTING CAUGHT, THAN THE GAME. IMAGINE, WE THOUGHT WE WERE SO COOL.... OUR GANG CONSISTED OF THE RHORS, HEALEYS, EVANS, STEUBERS, YEUNGERS, T.WILLARD, GOHNS, FRANZ MENGE, JOHNNY MILLER AND THE LIBERTIS AND JOE AULISI ON OCCASION. WHAT A CREW, AND WE TOOK UP FIVE OR SIX TABLES WHEREVER WE WENT! WHEN I MARRIED AND LIVED IN NYC WE WOULD BRING OUR DAUGHTER TO THE LAKE WHERE SHE WAS ABLE TO LEARN TO SAIL AND PLAYED WITH MY FRIENDS CHILDREN. LIVING ONLY 5 HOURS WAY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP UP WITH MY ‘LAKE GANG’ AND THEY’RE FAMILIES FOR MANY YEARS. WHEN MY FATHER PASSED AWAY, MY BROTHER, BUTCH BACHMAN (BACHY) TOOK OVER THE CAMP AND SPENT MANY HAPPY YEARS WITH HIS COMPANION LOIS MILLER. AFTER HE DIED IN A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN 1990, THE CAMP PASSED TO LOIS. SHE HAS BEEN VERY KIND AND INVITED US BACK MANY TIMES TO ENJOY THE CAMP, LAKE ACTIVITIES AND OLD FRIENDS. OFTEN WE WOULD DRIVE TO CAROGA TO SHOW MY DAUGHTER SHERMAN’S AND TO BUY AND ICE CREAM. I LOVED WALKING AROUND AND REMEMBERING THE GOOD TIMES ... I CAN CLOSE MY EYES NOW AND HEAR THE MUSIC OF THE CALLIOPE AS I GO ROUND AND ROUND WITH MY OUT STRETCHED ARM HOPING TO CATCH THE BRASS RING JUST ONE MORE TIME..... Judi Bachner Dunn
9/30/07
This is a most beautiful site,I am a relative of the
Conte family. They had a summer home here. I have
not been here since I was four years old.Today I am
sixty one. However, I have never forgotten the
natural beauty of this place, even though I haven't
seen it since then. Believe it or not.
When I see these wonderful photos,
especially of Sherman's it is like I was there only
yesterday. I don't know why, but I remember every
detail of some of these photos as if it was
yesterday. Mom and Dad used to take us here every summer till we were four years old. Then, sadly, I have never seen Caroga Lake again.
I knew someday I would look up this beautiful place
again though. I hope to someday come back there for
a visit, or perhaps two.
Thank you so much for your wonderful site.
Sincerely,
Richard J Glass Jr.
9/30/2007
Hi Tony, I love the way you describe things,
places.....yes I can close my eyes an be on the
camp porch looking across the lake to the
mountains splashed with the fall colors palette
reflecting in the still mirror of Canada Lake.
Maybe the call of a loon will interrupt my
reverie and break my dreamy stare, or the
irritating squawk of a nearby jay jolt me back
to reality..... The inherent peace and
tranquility of just 'lake watching' was so
soporific and it was a time when one though the
you could hear God in the stillness of the
scene. The magical mountains with the mist
rising..... As I grow older I love being able to
distill the memories and thoughts of today into
a treasure chest of what is really important to
me, before and now. I believe it
is a very good thing that in our youth, misspent or not, we never had too many serious thoughts! This rumination is best left to the golden agers! I feel so happy knowing I grew up in a kinder and gentler time and place... with unlocked doors, not much tv, no game boys, play outside after dark, double features by ourselves on Saturdays, and the sense of safety and security our homes and hometowns gave us. How lucky were we? Judi Bachner Dunn
10/2/07
Hi Tony,
It was good to see you this
summer tootlin' around the lakes in your electric
car!
I just want to thank you for the
hard work you have put into creating and maintaining
this site. It has brought immeasurable pleasure to
so many of us! THANKS!!
Ky (Carolyn Suffern)
Johnson
10/25/07
Hello Tony,
My name is
Bill Kollar. I am originally from Johnstown
but my wife and I currently live in the Town Of
Caroga on the Beechridge Road near Royal
Mountain.
I love the
additions to your site. I had visited it a few
years back and enjoyed it very much then also.
I'm so glad that I took the time to visit it
again. What memories ! ! !
By any chance
do you have any pictures of the "Old" Pine Lake
Park that include shots of their midway and
arcades? I would love to see a few.
Thanks and keep
up the good work.
Ever Wonder ?
_bill
11/22/07
Tony may not know of me Jim Race class of
'66 J.H.S. but I learned about this web site
thru my mother Frances Lyons (Race)
and she learned about it at the senior citizens center at a computer class. The computer she swore up and down she didn't need. Now I can't get her off of it at age 78 but keeps her mind active. Anyway since I looked at the site I've passed it on to several people including the class of '66/ Joey Caruso at WIZR who I hope will get the word out about your great web site. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so I
could remember my past. RACEY!!!!! Jim Race
12/22/07
Tony..... 12/30/07
Hi Tony: I don't
know where to start so I'll tell you that I
was born on Clinton St. in 1922. Moved to
Frasier Ave. in 1928 then back down to
Meadow St. In
1942 when I married. I remember the Ermies, Costas, Marchettis Cocos, Vroomans. Burns, Joyces, Malatinos, Lucks, Johannes, Mullins, etc.
My parents (Ben
and Gertrude Pierson) had a camp on the
South Shore of W. Caroga so I am very
familiar with everything on your web-site.
My brother Ben
still lives on the South Shore road. My
husband (Bob Baker) and I moved away
in1956 but came back to Johnstown and the
lake
every year for many years. Thank you for the wonderful memories.
Sincerely,
Virginia Pierson Baker
PS: I now live
in Gulfport, Fl.
Virginia@mediabrand.com
7/2/08
Thanks for the
wonderful trip through memory lane! I too
used to enjoy Sherman's with my family as a
child and straight through until I was
around 18. I recently drove there and got
out of my car and strolled around with my
two dogs at my side. We had the whole place
to ourselves -- it was very eerie. Although
the grounds were maintained, on this past
Memorial Day not a soul was around. The
last I heard, George Abdella bought the
place, but wasn't able to revive it to any
successful extent. Do you have any updated
information on Sherman's as of 2008? Do you
know if anyone uses it for anything during
the summer? I would really enjoy hearing
about it.
Thanks for your
time,
Carol
Blanchard Grzybowski
8/9/08
WOW the best web site I have ever
been on. You took me through a
remarkable journey , bringing to life
some of the warmest childhood memories
I've hade . Now that most of my family
are gone I have only the vague memories
of summers at Caroga Lake . My mom and
her folks lived in Scotia and we would
spend many summers at Caroga Lake in
the early sixties. We had a decent
sized house off a black tar rode that
led to the lake. Off of the main road
I remember a grocery store where we
would buy fresh doughnuts . Then as
we walked towards the Lake on the tar
road if you went left facing the lake I
recall another grocery store .
We went to a part of the Lake with a
nice beach and a raft quite far out
there. At 4 I was so proud of myself
to be able to swim out there. I hate to
say it but we would bring soap down to
the lake and take a bath every now and
then.
Nights at Sherman's . I also remember
on the way from Scotia we stopped in
Johnstown at a diner type restaurant
for strawberry shortcake made with
biscuits.
Wow - u triggered so many good
memories . I have to get back up there
this fall. Even remember my
grandmother having a small jar of
skippies peanut butter on the small
kitchen table at camp . Such a small
jar seemed to last soooo long.
Thanks again and if there were awards
for web sites, you'd have my vote.
Loved it
Chris Freudenrich
Mom and grandparents were Heidlauff.
11/24/08
All
I can say is wow. The latest photo
of the Grave Stone was so moving.
You are correct, the stone was
beautiful and so touching.
Joe
Chizek, Jr.
11/26/08 I've been looking at your site for
about an hour now. You have my grandma
and grampa on there a couple times,
Millie and Bruce Busch. Also my dad,
Harold Busch is a friend of Lil Joe...he
is a nutty guy. I like the site, reminds
me of home. Good job, and keep it up..I
miss Caroga. 11/27/08 I knew my grandma was in the post office, but when I read your site, I didn't know they actually owned the coffee shop. I thought that was pretty neat, and I also never knew Frank Sherman, but I read that story, and it was good. I
absolutely love Caroga, though I moved to
Montana with my mom when I was 10, so I
lived most of my childhood there, and it's
so gorgeous, almost brought tears to see
everything actually on the internet. It was
unexpected to see Lil Joe there, I never
knew he was into motorcycles, though I was
young...by boyfriend loves the old Indian,
so I'm sure he and Joe would get along, ha.
Thanks for putting up the site, I'll be sure
to visit it again. 12/26/08 I am Steven Baird my father who just passed away in Saratoga Springs last month at age 87 William E Baird. Was born in Gloversville his father was President Of The Fulton Bank in Gloversville Leon Baird.
The Baird family has had a place on East Caroga
right on the water next to the old Blackmon
place (recently sold) . They were our next store
neighbors.
I remember the merry go round at Sherman's as a
child as I am 57 now . I remember hearing the
Strauss waltzes being played while it was
turning and looking out at the lake as it turned
.I will take that memory to my grave. Leon
provided the money to build that little
amusement park at Pine Lake that is now just a
memory. I also remember the popcorn and the
dance hall fondly.
It is sad that all good things turn to memories.
Steve Baird
12/23/09
Went to school at
Wheelerville back in the 50"s with Floyd. Have
some great memories of Caroga Lake. We lived
there on Fisher Road and I went through the 5th
grade at Wheelerville before moving to
Gloversville to be with my grandfather after my
Grandmother died.
Henry Born
1/23/2010
Hello-
My name is Theo
Maas. I am a cousin of Loesje. My father &
Loesje's mother were brother and sister. When I
came over from Holland in 1963, I stayed with my
aunt & the family until I went to California. I am
now living in Peekskill, New York.
Over the years
I have thought about her often. When we were young
in Holland, Loesje & I used to spend alot of time
together with our oma in Amsterdam. Oma lived 2
streets away from my school & always wanted me to
come over after school.
Last night I
had a dream about Loesje & my wife went on the
computer to see if she could find her and here we
found your site and all the photos from the past.
It touched my heart to see the old photos, it
brought back such warm memories. I remember
that her husband Henk was in the restaurant
business before he managed the golf course.
Is it possible
to get in contact with Loesje? Or can you forward
this message to her. I would very much like to get
in touch with her and would deeply appreciate it
if you could help.
Thank-you
Theo Maas
home-914-739-8813
cell-914-403-8693
2/22/10
Hi Tony,
Just re-read your
writings of Barbara McMartin and her husband.
What a fabulous job you did on this.
I never really got to
know Barbara personally but did have the
opportunity to talk with her when she was
writing a Town of
Caroga book. There is a story in one of her Caroga
books that speaks of my father and
a couple other men
building a toboggan run at Green Lake years ago.
It is sad that she had to leave so soon-
she possessed such
talent.
You certainly have a
knack for writing, Tony. It didn't take long
after getting into the story of Barbara, along
with the music and
pictures, to know that this story very well
belonged to Caroga Times. You probably haven't
given much thought to
the numerous hours of pleasure you have given to
so many people all over the country
that have a piece of
Caroga in their hearts. It is a very sentimental
and heartwarming journey to go back in
time through your
stories of Caroga Times again and again.
Thank you.
Doodie
6/26/10 Hi Tony; I visit your Web Site very often. I did not have a lot of exposure to Caroga , but enjoyed the time i did. Have a cousin Doris Gage who has lives in North Bush for over 50 years. In the early 50 I would visit her and her sisters at the state camp site. Around 1969 i would ride the Ferris Wheel With a girl named Linda at night. I would give the operator some money and we would ride for 15 to 30 minutes in the moon light. I grew up on a dairy farm in Mayfield and was in the class of 1955. Thanks Tony; Donald Blowers Longwood Fl. poppy06@earthlink.net
8/22/2010
Tony......this is
Jack Papa and I don't know if you remember me or
not!....I had been told about your CAROGA LAKE
TIMES many years ago. However, for whatever
reason - I never got to view your great site.
Just want you to
know that I have a deep passion for Caoga Lake
and sooo many fond memories of the late forties
and early fifties up there. I still paddle east
& west Caroga Lakes, and ride by on my bicycle,
and pass by when going to do some cross country
skiing. And I never am up there without a tear
in my eye as I pass by - after all of these
years. GGGGRRRREEEEAAATTTT memories.
And BTW - I not only
enjoyed "ALL" the pics. but also the great
music. Thank you for all of that. I will return
to this site often....
Jack Papa
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