28 YEARS AGO — 1996
• A top state historian says the British anchor found recently in Plattsburgh Bay belongs to the people of New York but should be displayed in this area. It should also go back into the lake as quickly as possible until a plan for preserving it is developed. Philip Lord Jr., the chief for the Historical Survey Utilization Group at the New York State Museum, visited Plattsburgh to get a first-hand look at the anchor, which experts believe came from the British flagship Confiance.
While here, he signed a petition to keep the anchor in Plattsburgh. Many people have expressed fear the anchor will be carted off to Albany to be displayed at the State Museum. “It would be a tremendous educational opportunity if placed on display in Lake Champlain,” Lord said from his Albany office. “The people of Plattsburgh and Lake Champlain look at it as their heritage. It’s something they’re very proud of.”
• Toys ‘R’ Us is still coming, but may not be here until next February. The mega toy store made news earlier this summer when it confirmed it would be coming to Champlain Centre North. Mall Manager Mark Wagner said Friday that a lease has been signed, and efforts were under way to get the store open by Christmas: But because of problems getting construction material, the opening may have to be delayed until February 1997. “We’re doing everything we can to get them open this year, but every day it doesn’t happen it makes it tougher,” Wagner said. Toys R Us is slated to go into a large space at the south end of the mall where Family Connections and Albank used to be. They were moved to make room for Toys ‘R’ Us. Wagner said the new store will feature a large glass storefront with a lot of specialized mill work. But construction materials haven’t arrived.
50 YEARS AGO — 1974
• The dumping of animal blood on property within the Town of Champlain by a Burlington, Vt. rendering firm has stopped. It will not resume (if at all) until the investigating government bodies have issued their findings. Champlain Town Supervisor James Daily said Monday that officials of Corenco, the Vermont rendering firm, promised to stop dumping and thus far they have. Edward P. Mitchell, manager of the rendering firm, told Daily that they will not dump the blood until he is told of the “health department’s findings.” Mitchell added that his firm is now transporting the animal blood, which is picked up at Alco Packing, back to Vermont. Daily said that Mitchell promised him no more dumping would occur until he had received word from the health department and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
• The State University College at Plattsburgh has been chosen as the staging site for the United States Olympic Team when it gathers prior to competition at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
Dr. Ernest Rangazas, chairman of the college’s division of health, physical education and recreation, was notified Sunday morning by F. Don Miller, executive director of the United States Olympic Committee. Earlier, members of the Board of Directors for the USOC met in Milwaukee, Wis., and chose Plattsburgh as the ‘76 staging site. Rangazas will serve as local liaison officer for the Olympic Committee, organizing local committees to provide services for the members of the Olympic Team. “We are delighted to have this opportunity to take such an integral part in the 1976 US Summer Olympic efforts.” State Sen. Ronald Stafford, Peru, in Milwaukee for the USOC meetings as a representative of the Temporary State Commission for the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics, called Rangazas shortly after the decision was made. He offered Rangazas congratulations and full support.
50 YEARS AGO — 1949
• Owen J. Lafountain, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Lafountain of Altona, has been promoted to the grade of corporal in the U.S. Air Force, it was announced by Lt. Col. Willis S. Johns, commanding officer of the 1809th Airways and Air Communications Service group in Japan. Cpl. Lafountain is assigned to the personnel section of the 1955th AACS squadron at the Itazuke Air Force base in Kyushu, Japan.
He has been serving in the Far East since June of this year. On Sept. 21, Lafountain enlisted in the Air Force. After receiving basic training at the Lackland Air Force base in Texas, and attending an AF technical school at Fort Warren, Wyoming, where he took courses in administration, he was sent overseas. The airman is a graduate of Altona Central high school in the class of ‘48.
• Members of the Clinton County sheriff’s office and the Plattsburgh Fire Department today may renew the search for the body of a baby which two men insist they saw Saturday in the water a short distance from where the Hotel Champlain’s dock juts out into Lake Champlain. Sheriff Emmett Ducatte said yesterday, however, that the foot which Michael Lambert and Herbert Burgess said they saw beneath the surface may have been a tin can reflecting light from the surface.
100 YEARS — 1924
• The day of the bathing plump or slim brunette or blonde on automobile windshields in Plattsburgh is done. These charming figures in red, whose supportive postures are always intriguing, have fallen under the ban of Charles A. Harnett, state commissioner of motor vehicles. In a letter received yesterday by Chief Eli Senecal of the Plattsburgh police force, Commissioner Harnett stated that all postings must be removed from automobile windshields, as they prevent 100 percent vision on the part of drivers. Violation of this ruling will result first in a warning, then in revocation of the operator’s license of the offender, his letter said. Chief Senecal immediately gave orders to the force to carry out these instructions, and warn all motorists violating the rules.
• Clinton County hospitality is not to be excelled anywhere. We have all heard of the famous English clergyman who stopped overnight with his valet at the home of an American preacher. The American rose early and saw not only the guest’s shoes, but also his valet’s, parked in the hall. Not to be phased, the Yankee parson blacked both pairs, but he never mentioned the matter to the Englishman. But that is a small favor compared to the act of hospitality accredited to Arthur Douglas of Dannemora, by a neighbor who called up the Press last night. Douglas has a friend visiting him from Fairhaven, Vt., by the name of Charles Dannehy. Yesterday, according to the Press correspondent, Douglas was seen in the early morning washing Danneby’s automobile. Automobile owners will appreciate that no man has greater love for his friend than that.
— Compiled by Night Editor Ben Rowe