In the 1932 Olympic Winter Games there were 252 athletes participating — 231 men and 21 women from 17 countries. The U.S. won the most medals— 6 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze. The U.S. had 64 competitors and Canada 42.
Now this:
“Lake Placid, Feb. 13 (AP) – Jack Shea, hero of many skating races, has declined the invitation extended to him by the Norwegians to return with them when they leave and participate in their races early in March. Mr. Shea studies at Dartmouth where he is a student preventing him from making the much desired trip.”
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We will have extensive coverage of the 1932 Olympic Winter Games in this space in February 2025.
In a show of great cooperation between the village of Saranac Lake board of trustees and the Harrietstown town council, a joint planning board was appointed.
It’s nice to cover news from the village of long ago. I try to find stories with lots of local names because their relatives discover activities about them they probably never knew … at least that is what the relatives tell me.
“Saranac Lake and the Town of Harrietstown last night completed the appointments of a planning board to deal with such subjects as the health and welfare and proposed improvements for both Town and Village.
“The formal establishment of the board was made at the regular meeting of the Village Board. Hayward Plumadore, Harrietstown Supervisor, [Tony Anderson was Mayor] attended the meeting and told the Trustees that the Town had previously named George LaPan, Erwin Heck and Arthur O. Buck to serve. For the Village Trustees added William Distin, Sr., Al Shortt and Jacques DeMattos.
“The board which will advise the two groups of officials on anything which will increase efficiency of community operation, will begin functioning on a date which will be decided at tomorrow night’s meeting of the Harrietstown Town Board.
“Also under discussion last night was the possible change in dates for the Saranac Lake Village fiscal year. The Department of Audit and Control has told the Village officials that the new finance articles for all villages requires officials to either pass a resolution continuing their present fiscal year or change the date to August 1. If this is not done the fiscal year starts June 1.
“Village Manager Frank Buck informed the Board that the present fiscal year for the Village is March rather than June as called for in the existing schedule.
“Mr. Buck pointed out that a March tax collection places an additional burden for many residents due to Town taxes in January and then the regular government income taxes. He explained that by making June 1 as the Village fiscal year date, the present schedule of collecting taxes in that month might be legally continued. August 1 is an optional date.
“The Board must decide by September, 1955, whether to set the budget for a period of 15 months, which would temporarily raise the tax rate or consider borrowing for the three-month period to carry out Village operations through the transition to the new fiscal year.”
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The rotary club
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It was nice to find this story about the local Rotary Club. The Rotarians have done so much for the community over the years … to say nothing of the laughs they create when they put on their show during Winter Carnival.
“Saranac Lake Rotarians learned yesterday of a program of federal aid to education which has been carried out for many years ‘with the minimum of interference or domination by the federal government or by the state.’
“The field is that of vocational education and the speaker was Dr. Joseph R. Strobel, assistant commissioner for instructional service of the vocational education branch of the New York State Department of Education.
“Dr. Strobel explained that approximately $1,500,000 of federal money comes to New York State every year, based on two pieces of legislation passed in 1917.
“Despite the dangers involved in federal aid in the education field, Dr. Strobel felt that this program proved it could be carried out without federal interference. ‘The basis of our program,’ he said, ‘is the local community and local problems.’
“Dr. Strobel is attending the conference of local directors of vocational education in the state who are meeting this week at the Lake Placid Club. He said the group includes a number of administrators of private vocational schools, and he paid a special tribute to the highly professional standards of these private institutions.
“Ferris Hewitt, program chairman for the day, introduced Dr. Strobel who said this was the first of the annual conferences of vocational education people to be held in this part of the state.
“The assistant commissioner praised President Eisenhower for having raised the sights in the rehabilitation field generally. While there is naturally some confusion at the present time, he said, as to when and how much money is to be allocated, it is clear that there is a new emphasis on rehabilitation, under state jurisdiction.
“Dr. Strobel explained that the program of vocational education is designed for young people in high school and for those generally in need of occupational rehabilitation. It is based on the premise that young people need help in choosing their lifetime work, and that they need instruction in their chosen fields.”
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New chamber dirctors
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“The new Board of Directors of the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce had its first meeting last night in the Chamber offices on in the Town Hall on Main Street.
“Jacques De Mattos, recently elected president, presided and named the following committees for the coming year; [Mr. DeMattos and his wife Jean owned WNBZ Radio at that time; it was located in the second story front offices of the Berkeley Hotel with big windows overlooking the entire downtown.] Membership, George LaPan, chairman; Merchant’s John Monroe, William Holloran, Richard Woodruff, Richard Goldstein, C. Wamganz and Charles Green. George Stearns will be general chairman of the 1955 Winter Carnival with Charles Keough in charge of the ice palace. Fire prevention will be under the direction of Chief Carl Smith; a safety driving campaign will be in the charge of Philip Falice, driver training instructor at the high school, and Police Chief William Wallace.
“A Publicity Committee consists of James Loeb, Mr. DeMattos, John Delahant Jr., Harry Nason, [Enterprise Editor] Mrs. Blanche Griswold, [famous for going out to the airport, boarding Bobby Kennedy’s private plane by mistake and flying with Kennedy’s family to New York City] and R. Signor. Philip Wolff will again head the Transportation Committee and Richard Basile the Tourist Committee. The control of village solicitations will be in the hands of Thomas B. Cantwell and William Scheefer, Jr.
“Serving on the Budget Committee will be Mr. DeMattos, Steve Waltein, Mrs. Harriet Finnegan, and Lynn Baxter. The Executive Committee is composed of Mr. DeMattos, Mr. Baxter, Mrs. Finnigan and Mr. Scheefer. Named to the Industrial Committee are Byron Haldemann, chairman; Collier Baird, Sidney Feifer, Mr. Stearns, Richard Longtin and John Leary.
“The Board ended the meeting after voting to take a year’s membership in the Adirondack Association. Roy Higby, president of the Association had appeared at the meeting saying they needed the full support of everyone in the area if they are to achieve its aim of promoting better roads and advertising.”
