PLATTSBURGH — Downtown Champlain is where Geri Favreau met her groom Jim Favreau at Central Tavern, locally known as Bodette’s Bar.
He was stationed in Germany and home on leave from the U.S. Army, and she worked at Ayerst in Rouses Point and lived with an aunt and uncle in Champlain.
“He went back to Germany. We got engaged on my Aunt Anna’s birthday, September 5, 1969 and married in November at St. Mary’s in Champlain. I’m from Churubusco, but we got married in Champlain because most of our friends were in Champlain,” Geri, president of the Clinton County Historical Association, said.
One hundred and fifty well-wishers witnessed the fall nuptials.
“My maid of honor was my first cousin Peggy Woods Duncan,” she said.
CCHA museum studies intern Lily LaValley curated the exhibit-within-the exhibition on Favreau’s wedding day, which includes a sales slip for the wedding gown from Magram’s in Burlington, Vt., though there was a sister store on Margaret Street in Plattsburgh.
Favreau is not sure where she purchased her going-away dress.
“Magram’s? Merkel’s There were a of dress shops in Plattsburgh in 1969,” she said.
“It was snowy, Nov. 22. I have a picture of me coming out of the church with snow. My mother had given me her coat to wear. We had our wedding reception at the Anchorage in Rouses Point. I have the slip, we had chicken breast and it was $3.50 each plus wine.”
The Favreaus divorced in 1999 after 30 years of marriage.
“But, I still kept what I had because it was still a part of my life,” Geri said.
“We have two amazing kids, and have two amazing grandkids. So, there are good thing that came out of the marriage even though it didn’t last.”