“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.”
Albert Einstein
Thoughts on September
September was always a hectic month when I was a child. We would always leave Huletts on Labor Day with our U-Haul trailer in tow. We packed everything – including the dog – and would head off. My grandparents would always say – Huletts turned into a different place at 3:00 pm on Labor Day – everything would go quiet, very quickly.
We would always head down through Fort Edward and stop at Stewarts where we would walk the dog. One year he got away and ran down to the Hudson River. As I was chasing after him, I remember thinking ‘this water is nothing like Lake George.’ We would travel over Bridge Street and across 197 and pick up the Northway at exit 17 because my father would say we missed all the traffic that way. Years later, driving that way always brings back memories.
We would always hit more traffic as we headed south, and our thoughts would turn to the beginning of the school year. My mother would always bring brown paper shopping bags because we used them to make covers for our schoolbooks. In our school district we always learned who our new teacher was at the end of the previous year, so starting wasn’t too stressful. My mother was President of the PTA so all the teachers came to our house for a luncheon in September so we knew them all.
Leaving the lake was always the hard part. There were no cell phones then. So, you basically “enjoyed” the ride. My brothers and I, along with the dog, would be crammed into the back seat of our station wagon and my parents would talk about the good things that happened that summer. I was always hoping for a successful year for the NY Giants, who I always rooted for, because I knew NFL Sundays would start soon.
So, wherever you are this point in the summer – in Huletts, back at your winter destination, or even on the road, a blessed and relaxing September to everyone. The NFL might even distract you from realizing that you’re not in Huletts anymore! (But maybe you are still in Huletts. If so – enjoy the peace and quiet!)
Ed Briody, R.I.P
Ed Briody walking in the 2023 New York city St. Patrick’s day parade.
I’m sorry to report that our longtime friend, Ed Briody, died recently after a short illness.
Ed was a humble, devout man who was always willing to serve others. My parents met Ed many years ago when the Catholic Alumni Club vacationed on Vicars Island. Ed brought his family to Huletts and, while renting a house, fixed so many things that we had to adjust the rent accordingly. Over the years, he became like family.
After retiring from a career with NY City, Ed spent his spare time advocating for those who lacked a voice, helping our family and visiting his relatives in Ireland. Ed believed in the goodness of work and was fiercely proud of his Irish heritage. Hard, physical labor was never too challenging for him. When he wasn’t performing some type of strenuous labor, he was getting ready with his tools and supplies for the next day. There were times when I would go out at night and find him doing all types of work. When I told him to come home for dinner, he would tell me he still had things to finish and to let him finish them.
Even though, he had not been to Huletts in a few years, we would speak regularly, and he always wanted me to convey his good wishes to all in the community.
If you believe that life is a gift to be used in the service of others, you would understand Ed. He will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Ed!
“May God support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in His mercy may He give us a safe lodging, and a holy rest and peace at the last.”
New Sign at Huletts Firehouse
A new outstanding and “Fire-Rific” sign has been installed at the doorway to our “House of Heroes” Huletts firehouse, honoring our men and women volunteer firefighter company. What an impressive creative design and public placement.
(Click image to see larger image.)
HLVFC Community Day: Tuesday August 8th
When & Where: Tuesday August 8th, Original Casino Site and HLPOCA Pavilion at 11:00 am
Fire trucks and fire boat
Fire apparatus on display
See firefighters in action
Fire prevention & safety Information
A possible visit from Sparky the Fire Dog
Live fire hose training
Free hotdogs and cold drinks
Family’s Clothing Business Supports Love of Lake George
Lake George Apparel will have a table set up in front of the Huletts soda fountain every Monday from 9:00 am till noon. You can also find them online.
Public Safety Panel Discussion: August 14th
Panel of Washington County
Professionals and Public Safety
Huletts Landing Volunteer Fire Company
Monday, August 14, 2023
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
At the firehouse
Presenters will include information about:
Fall Prevention / CarFit
Emergency Preparedness
How to maximize your cell phone for personal safety
How to avoid being scammed
Overview from Office of Aging and Sheriff’s Department of available resources and safety measures
Lunch will be provided following the presentation.
*This is a free event sponsored by the fire department
However a head count is needed. If you plan on attending please contact Fire Department Secretary, Pam Hansen.
(Her number is in the phone book.)
Marci Wilbur’s Produce Stand / July Mondays
I’m happy to announce that Marci Wilbur will be setting up her produce stand on Monday mornings in July between 9:00 am and noon in front of the Huletts Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor. Please stop by on a Monday morning if you are interested in purchasing some fresh produce. (Click image for larger view.)
Thoughts on June
June was always a great month for us as children because it was the beginning of summer vacation. When you are a child, three months of summer vacation seems like an eternity with September light years away. We were always encouraged to read, play golf or tennis, and generally stay busy. Our mother wouldn’t allow any TV watching. Such good memories. Those childhood memories stay with you for a lifetime. Parents have it a bit harder. It’s a lot to manage with many children at home. Many of the grandparents and extended families in the community help with watching younger ones during the summer months.
Huletts has always been a place for families. It can be hard with all the summer commotion and activities, but the sounds of children always make it worthwhile. Hopefully 2023 will be a wonderful year of making good memories for all families. Young and old! Three months of happiness starts today.
Stiling Ferguson Knight: August 28, 1926 – April 20, 2023
Stiling Ferguson (Ty) Knight, 96, resident of Huletts Landing, NY, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2023, surrounded by family.
Ty was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on August 28, 1926. As a boy, he attended the one-room Red Schoolhouse in Huletts Landing, NY, and was always an avid reader. He graduated from Whitehall High School in 1943. At seventeen years old, Ty enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served in Europe, as a Browning Automatic Rifle specialist, with the 4th Infantry Division. He was awarded medals and citations, including Bronze Service Stars for campaigns in Germany and Central Europe, the Combat Infantry Badge, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Belgian Fourragère and Presidential Unit Citation for his unit’s action in the Battle of the Bulge demonstrating exceptional heroism in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. After serving in World War II, Ty graduated from Columbia University, School of General Studies, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He had a successful career as a research chemist for Best Foods, a division of CPC International. Ty was an organic chemist and held several patents on edible oils that were essential to the development of Best Foods’ products such as Mazola® corn oil.
Ty met his beloved wife of 66 years, Delphine (Del) Wagner Knight, in Huletts Landing, when they were teenagers. After Ty returned from serving in World War II, Del and Ty married on June 4, 1955. They raised their family in Forest Hills, NY, and Huletts Landing. Ty was a devoted, loving and supportive son, husband, father and grandfather. He was a protector and champion of his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends listening, advising and encouraging them to succeed in their endeavors and try new adventures. Ty loved reading books, especially on military history and politics, researching, writing, sharing ideas, playing golf, swimming and boating on Lake George, walking in the woods and gazing out at the Lake, as well as visiting with friends and neighbors.
Ty was predeceased by his beloved wife, Del, his parents, Winthrop Proctor and Edith Babb Knight, his brother, David Winthrop Knight, and his sister, Molly Knight Minon. He is survived by his children Delphine Knight (Sean) Brown of Darien, CT, and Dr. William Stiling Gerard (Emia) Knight of Port Washington, NY; his grandchildren Derek William Chan Knight, Ian Wagner Brown, Caitlin Chan Knight and Delphine Marie Brown; as well as many treasured nieces and nephews.
Calling hours: Friday, April 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Jillson Funeral Home, 46 Williams Street, Whitehall, NY.
Funeral Mass: Saturday, April 29, at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Hope Church, 9 Wheeler Avenue, Whitehall, NY.
Interment: Friday, May 26, at 1:00 pm at Clemons Cemetery, in Clemons, NY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Skenesborough Emergency Squad or the Wounded Warrior Project, in memory of Ty Knight.
The Bacon Brothers Sing “My Adirondack Home”
“My Adirondack Home” performed by the Bacon Brothers, pays tribute to the summer home of Michael and Kevin Bacon and their families, as they have a family camp in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. The song features in the Emmy Award-Winning documentary “Songs to Keep: Treasures of an Adirondack Folk Collector.” The program showcases folk music collected by a historian named Marjorie Lansing Porter in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. Producer Paul Larson won the Emmy for outstanding documentary at the Boston/New England Regional Emmy Awards. “Songs to Keep: Treasures of an Adirondack Folk Collector” is a production of Mountain Lake PBS.
Saturday Quote
“There isn’t time, so brief is life, for bickerings, apologies, heartburnings, calling to account. There is only time for loving, and but an instant, so to speak, for that.”
Mark Twain
Palm Sunday, Holy Week Begins
Remember those special family Easter traditions you experienced as a child and as a parent? Easter baskets, egg hunts, family movies, chocolates, the sheer joy of the day!
Is that joy still there? Those family traditions give holy week a special significance for so many of us. Easter’s coinciding with the newness of another spring should awaken gratitude in our hearts! Winter is fading away; the days are getting longer, and we have hope in our hearts.
So don’t forget those traditions, continue them or begin them again. Try even establishing a new one – holy week is here and so are we. The habit of expressing gratitude tends to keep us focused on the good things of life and prevents us from falling prey to negativity.
May this week awake in you those things that give you joy and happiness and may this week bring you renewed hope. Easter will be here soon. Blessings and joy to everyone, whatever your traditions may be.
Thoughts on February
With temperatures in the northeast approaching extreme lows, I wanted to reflect on the month of February. I once knew someone who said he simply could not understand why so many people subscribed to the common assumption that February was the dreariest month of the year.
He always said that in his opinion it was no worse than any other month and at least it was the shortest with a bonus every leap year of one day shorter. I suppose he had a point even though we do not have a leap year in 2023. He also said that in February we also see the end of the worst of winter and the lengthening of days.
At any rate, we are now here and so far, the weather hasn’t been too bad up to this point. As my friend said, after a few more nice days – it will be Valentines Day and we will start seeing the budding of the flowers and the trees.
God bless everyone and keep warm and well during this misunderstood month of February. Before we know it, spring will be here!