October 2014 Newsletter: Gathering of Elders

Congratulations to everyone involved with BLIA’s “Gathering of Elders” at the Town of Ballston Library on Oct. 10th. Organized by Suzanne Bishop and facilitated by Mary Sanders Shartle, a Union College professor, the panel reminisced about the “good old days” around Ballston Lake. The speakers included Nancy Bellamy, Edward Clifford, Wes Devoe, peter Herman, Richard Horstman, Lillian Neal, William Manhey, Beverly Ricks, George Splain and Muriel Swatling. We heard fascinating stories:

A young girl used to deliver papers to Lundy Lane residents by canoe. One fellow rowed a boat from Eastside Drive to around Lake (but needed a truck to get back home.)
Bathing beauties, studly showoffs and young lovers came from all over to frolic at White’s beach. The beginning of hunting season had people lined up out the door at Ketchum’s Hardware. A wonderful bakery with cinnamon buns and macaroons contributed to yummy aromas on Main Street. The house between Carney’s and the RR tracks was once an ice cream parlor. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

A DVD of the "Gathering of Elders" event is being made, and that it will be available in the BH library and in the office
of the Ballston town historian.