SPORTS2CAMBRIDGENY

2006-04-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

1965:

CCS "Kids" Finally Best Aging Alum Greats

Severson Bros. Defend Vietnam Presence

Pierce "Ace" Sports Reporter

The class of 1964 won the annual Alumni Basketball Tournament, defeating the great (but aging) '57 team that had won so many of the events. Off-setting the 28 points by "Duke" Nennstiel was the 24 by Tom Parsley, the 17 of Ivan Purdy and the 16 of Dick MacDougall.

Malcolm Parrish, for the 42nd year, was elected president of the Cambridge Valley National Bank.

CCS lost to Greenwich in Basketball 55-54. Then Hoosick Valley did it 79-24 on the Indian court.

The Hoosiers slowed down the new, CCS wrestlers 27-19, but they got by Greenwich 44-6. Then Stillwater laid another loss, 78-60, on the hapless basketball team.

And Salem, leading the League, did a number on the Indians 105-76.

This off-set the football loss to the Indians and evened the competition for The Old Oaken Bucket.

Salem Central School was enjoying a well-nigh unprecedented good fortune in basketball. According to the research of Donald Hanks, resident farmer, the team had won 37 consecutive games.

Don Pierce kept up the unhappy duty of chronicling the dismal CCS basketball season, writing at length of the Indians' 85-31 loss to Lake George. Then Stillwater did it 69-51.

The wrestling team won its fifth and sixth matches against four defeats over Greenwich (41-13) and Hoosac (42-8).

Doug Eighmey, 56, died in Hoosick Falls. For 33 years he had been coach and director of phys. ed. before illness forced his retirement.

Schuylervilled defeated the CCS basketball team 74-49. Then Lake George beat them 91-51.

Hoosick Falls took the county wrestling title that year, finishing 6-0.

Their basketball team added to the carnage, beating the Indians 74-48.

A near capacity crowd was attracted to a PTA Hootenanny, where some young performers were better clued in than their elders. Rich and Rob McGeoch, joined by Charlie Ackley Jr. were a hit.

Eldridge Rouse, a veteran regional musician, teamed with his talented daughter Suzanne on guitar and accordian.

Phil Sica submitted his resignation as Village Police Chief. He was to become a campus policeman at Albany State, but it was just before "all hell" broke loose on America's campuses.

Greenwich continued to pile it on the basketball team, 72-64.

The wrestling team beat Schuylerville 29-21. This gave the Indians a second place tie in the League.

Milt Tesar's Indians placed 10 wrestlers in the county tournament finals and they took five titles. But Hoosick Falls won the tourney. County winners were Stinner, Madison, Ridler and Peters and Watkins.

Salem took a second game from the CCS basketballers 76-38.

The Indian matmen finished their season at 8-4 with a 44-6 win over Hoosac School. They finished third in the class C Sectionals.

Web Madison and Lloyd Peters made it to the quarter-finals.

In the final game of a very long basketball season, Hoosic Valley defeated the Indians 106-73.

Don Pierce's steady reporting is perhaps the very best student sports reporting in the long history of the WCP.

The bright spot of the basketball season came in April when the CCS eighth graders won a tournament at Stillwater. Playing on that team were Steve Parrish, John Tully, Chuck Watkins, John Briggs, Tom Shiland, Pete Bell, Don Waite, John Raymond, Bob McDonald, John Cullinan, Tom Langer, Joe Ganser, Jay Dearstyne, Bob Brown and Ron Peters. Ralph Smith was coach.

Milt Tesar prepared to coach 25 boys through the track season.

Coaches Don Brennan and Al Bailey opened the CCS baseball season with few returning starters.

The new wing added to Miekleknox Home was dedicated May 15th.

The CCS trackmen took all firsts in their win against Stillwater. Capt. Tim White and Bob Harrington were double winners.

Also winning were Bob Woodard, Larry Bennett, Webb Madison, Bob Stinner, and Jerome Sardi. Also on that team were Steve Schnell, Dave Craig, Chris Kyer, John Russo, Brent Lerch, Steve Davis, Don Hamilton, Tom Severson, Jim Blanchfield, John McCarty and John Langer.

The baseball season opened with a win over Hoosick Falls, 4-2. Vinnie MacDonald was the winning pitcher. Then they went 5-2 over Salem.

Then Stillwater set them down 12-2 on the CCS diamond.

Saturday, May 1 they hosted Schuylerville, but lost again 8-4.

On May 3, Hoosick Falls got revenge with a 7-0 whitewash of the Indians.

The Track team downed Hoosick Valley 65-44.

After all the hoopla of his departure, Phil Sica was going back on the job effective June 1. He hadn’t liked commuting to his job at Albany State.

The big news of May was that Principal Charles Bowler had resigned. He would take over the Milne laboratory high school at Albany State for one year while its regular principal was on sabbatical. He had spent 11 years at the helm of CCS, some of the most productive in its history.

The track team continued to over-power opponents in head to head competition, this time Salem 57-52. But when they went to a big meet at Granville they could only place fifth.

Tim White cracked the school mark for the triple jump with a leap of 39' 10 1/4", but it was good for only fourth in this meet. Bob Harrington won the shot put with a toss of 47' 4".

The 1965 CCS track team appeared in a photograph on the front page of the 5/27/65 WCP. The baseball team appeared on p. two.

Schuylerville set back the CCS tracksters. Tim White's triple jump of 40' 5 5/8" was a new school record.

The Indians finished fourth in the county meet and fourth in the Class C track sectionals.

Debbie Lull was named Valedictorian of the class of 1965.

Dan and Mike Severson visited home before reporting for duty. Lt. Dan was going to the 101st Airborne's jump school. Lt. Mike, US Marine Corps, had completed helicopter training and was headed for Vietnam.

The Cambridge Flying Club came close to disaster that June, when the club plane, piloted by Danny O'Connor of Greenwich, landed directly on top of a plane just taking off. The planes were damaged, but everyone escaped unharmed.

A flagman was on duty, but apparently did not see the approach of the Club plane. The Club had 25 members who flew regularly and in 2 1/2 years of its existence, this was the first accident.

Charley Bowler received a testimonial dinner and Carson Fuller began another summer as director of the Cambridge swim and playground program.

Another record class graduated from CCS, with 64 seniors "walking the plank".

The Battenkill Predicted Log Race was advertised that year, in a picture starring Robert Raymond. Any type of craft was eligible.

July, 1965, Carson Fuller had 158 kids in the swim program. Others would join after Vacation Bible School was over.

George W. Brown Jr. was named district principal at CCS.

It was announced that month that the brick hotel, Main and Park St. had been purchased by the Sun Oil Co., and that it would be razed to make way for a gas station.

The Holy Name Society gathered to honor Maurice O'Connor, who, after nine years at CCS, had taken a job at Whitehall.

Mike Yushak of Shushan announced that he would host a tennis tournament on the court behind his store.

Another CCS footballer, Foster Goodrich, published a book, "Your Future in Direct Selling". A copy was placed in the Cambridge Library.

Editor Mahoney eulogized the giant elms, doomed by dutch elm disease and slowly dying.

John Herbert in August was appointed high school principal. Suddenly the Central School had the three full-time administrators the community had resisted for so long.

The Sept. 2 issue of the WCP announced new faculty added to CCS, one of whom was "yours truly".

Tim White defeated Jay Prediger 6-3, 6-2 to win the Tri-Community Tennis Tournament (Shushan, Salem and Cambridge). The finals were played on the new CCS court.

Dick Hatch wrote the CCS sports that fall. He reported that the Indians dropped their first football game 37-24 to Draper. Bob Harrington scored all four of CCS' touchdowns. One was a 65 yd. kick-off return.

Editor Mahoney was having trouble with the Vietnam War. He wrote "...A sizeable portion of the American public never has been convinced that Americans should be dying there.

"...It strikes us that while war is being threatened from many parts of the world, a quarter of a million Americans should not be getting shot at by guerillas in Vietnam."

If a conservative, Catholic small-town editor couldn't understand it, then how could "America"?

After abandoning plans to make a country club on Colfax Mtn., another scheme surfaced for West Cambridge. The Courtenay Wands place on Meeting House Rd. was to be incorporated as Highlands Country Club, and include an 18 hole golf course, an Olympic-sized pool, tennis courts, etc.

Farmers Home Admin. was again supposed to loan the money.

Schuylerville dropped the Indian gridders 6-0.

The Indians got their first win 13-0 over Hoosick Falls. Web Madison made both scores.

Cambridge was close in every football it played that year, but Coach Milt Tesar's charges dropped their third, to Fort Edward 18-13.

William Stearns Sr. of Eagle Bridge bowled a perfect 300 game on the Cambridge Recreation Alleys. King's Bakery gave him a cake.

The community mourned the passing of a legendary resident, Charles John Stevenson.

The Indians routed St. Peters in a night game, 25-7. Web Madison and Bob Harrington were proving very effective running backs. Of course having Beaver Watkins and Bunkie Peters up front must have helped.

The old Eagle Bridge Schoolhouse was sold to the Forrest Moses for $500. It was to become a shrine to Grandma Moses. They did it, but there was so little local support that they dealt it away to the Bennington Museum, where it is very well appreciated.

Greenwich stopped the Indians 40-7.

Judy Ellis reported on CCS girls field hockey. The "Squaws" downed Greenwich l-0 and Salem 3-0.

The Indians downed Ravena 20-0. Roger Holcomb, Bruce Bracken and John McCarty were also opening holes for the backs.

On Tuesday, Nov. 9th the brick hotel came tumbling down, and noone was there to write its obituary or to mourn its passingt.

Plans for the Highlands Country Club progressed.

The Cambridge Central School Band, under the direction of Ken Bovio, began playing and marching at all home football games. It was about 50 players strong.

The Indians seemed to take off at the end of the season, goring Stillwater 35-0. They ended the season at 4-4. A team of 23 freshmen enjoyed a 4-1 season, so Coach Tesar was optimistic about the future.

Prof. Thornton staged his first play "arena style", and the article (which again does not mention his name; subtle "dog" that he is) spent half a column explaining the technigue. Seating was limited to 300 nightly. Stars were Kerry Marsh, Bruce Squires, Steve Heron, Joe Vitello, Terry Gillis, Ron Wilwol, Janet Gray, Sandy Cramer, Grace Hallock and Mary Ackley.

Tuesday, Nov. 9th, the most massive power failure in history left 30 million people in the Northeast without electricity.

Malcolm Maxwell Parrish, president of the Cambridge Valley National Bank for the 42nd year, died at the age of 73. The Bank was 100 years old. Mr. Parish, the son of Hiram H. and Eleanor Maxwell Parrish, was elected president in 1924, the youngest bank president in the State at the time.

He was a graduate of Cambridge Union School, a star CHS athlete and a Veteran of WW I.

He was instrumental in the formation of the associated fish and game clubs of Washington County, which purchased land surrounding perpetual springs north of the village and presented the property to the State. During his presidency, a fish hatchery was built on the site.

That November the First Presbyterian and the United Presbyterian congregations voted to unite.

An open house was held at the proposed Highlands Country Club.

Mike Severson took issue with the Mahoney Vietnam editorial.

The CCS basketball team that November lost its opener to Granville. Dick Hatch forgot to include the score. Ralph Smith was coach.

Dr. Philip Brown, radiologist at Mary McClellan Hospital, was battered and bruised on his own farm in Coila by three hunters from Brooklyn. They were arrested. Charged were Salvadore Martino, Benny Giangrasso and Vincenza Azzerelli. They were fined $25. The charge was assault third degree and trespassing.

Dr. Brown had posted the farm to protect his horses. Sheriff T.T. Buckley and deputies made the arrests.

Wrote Editor Mahoney, "The fines assessed... could hardly be considered deterrents....

"When a man with a gun trespasses on another's posted land and beats him, it would seem that a fine of more than $25 is in order.

"It is cheaper to assault a man on his own land than it is to jack a deer."

The Indian wrestlers defeated Schuylerville 41-13. Then they beat Mechanicville 26-20. Then they beat Tamarac 31-19.

The basketball team lost 36-56 to Greenwich, for their third defeat in as many starts.

Dieter Kampf was the AFS exchange student at CCS. He lived with the Everett Ashworths.

Rev. Alastair C. Parr became pastor of the joined UP Congregations.

The basketball team lost its fourth 59-51 to Tamarac. Then they lost to Stillwater 62-59.

2nd Lt. Dan Severson followed brother Mike onto the editorial page with a letter from Vietnam.

Milt Tesar was proving a better wrestling coach than football coach. His grapplers defeated Saratoga 46-10. Schuylerville beat the basketball team 66-47.

2006-04-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

1964: Fed Kills Colfax Golf Course

"Chanticleer" Ends Run. New CCS Gym

Vandals thumbed their noses at the good adults of the community and Police Chief Phil Sica that Christmas, stealing 15 wreaths from the front doors of homes in the Village, then stuffing them under the Chief's front porch.

The CCS Ski Team won its first meet of the season at Willard Mountain. CCS boys won both the slalom and the giant slalom. Ten boys teams from regional high schools and several individual female skiers competed.

The next week they were second at the Saranac Lake HS Winter Carnival.

At the annual winter alumni tournament, the class of '57 team won. It was their third straight triumph. They were led by "Duke" Nennstiel and Dave Herrington, each scoring 33 points.

The Hoop Indians lost to Hoosick Valley 76-65. Rich McDougall scored 29 for the losers.

Charles Ashton, a CHS graduate and Olympic competitor, retired as head of the sales division of the Dictaphone Corp.

Malcolm Parrish began his 41st year as president of the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Valley National Bank.

The Indians lost 79-50 to Salem, then took a 61-42 non-conference win from Burr and Burton of Manchester. In late January, CCS split another pair of games, a 103-97 loss to Williamstown and 48-46 win over Stillwater.

McDougall had 32 pts. in the loss.

The Ski Team finished second again, this time led by Joe Manhart, the foreign exchange student. Old Forge was tops of the eight competing schools.

Schuylerville downed the Indians 48-45 that February.

The Colfax Mountain Recreation project in Jackson was declared eligible for an FHA Loan of about $230,000. The project would center on a nine hole golf course and require 200 or more members at an annual fee of $100. The annual club budget was expected to be $40,000.

Hoosick Falls defeated Cambridge 67-59.

Open New Gym

CCS defeated Hoosic Valley 68-53. Greenwich then fell 99-78. Rich MacDougall had 28 points. Tom Parsley had 27.

That February CCS opened its new gym. The former locker rooms of the old gym were renovated into rooms for the music dept.

The first basketball game to be played in the gym was the last game of the season, against Stillwater. The visitors took some of the pleasure out of the new home court by downing the Indians 56-53.

The Ski Team went to Cooperstown, where it took team honors in the giant slolam and second in the cross country.

Beaver Ross was second in cross country. Three locals placed in the slalom. In the downhill Ross was again second.

Next week the Ski Team won the Burnt Hills Invitational at Willard, sweeping the first three places of the slalom. Joe Manhart was first, followed by Beaver Ross and John Romack.

Ten schools competed.

Chess Competition

Al Brigham's chess club engaged in its first interscholastic competition, defeating the Saratoga Springs team. Playing for CCS were Peter Matcovich, George Ridler, Doug Wilkie, Sue Rogers and Cheryl Lentz.

Carson Fuller and August Dering built a new worship center for the chapel of the Cambridge UP Church. The John Merrimans provided the cherry wood.

Carson Fuller had always been interested in woodworking. As he approached his retirement years, he set up a shop in his garage and gradually became expert at cabinet-making.

By 1964, Milt Tesar even coached the track team. He expected 33 boys to turn out that spring.

Don Brennan was baseball coach. In warm-up games, The Indians beat four area schools.

Capt. Gordon B. Frank of Cambridge was awarded the Silver Star for valor in Vietnam. In the same group of three being decorated was Capt. Colin L. Powell of St. Albans, NY, who received the Bronze Star for meritorious conduct. Powell would go on to head the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time of the Gulf War.

Tesar's track team beat Hoosick Valley 75-29. Darryl Decker and Steve Morse were double winners. Decker took the 100 dash and the broad jump.

The Indians lost a track meet to Greenwich 68-36, then bounced back against Salem 59-45.

They broke two school records, but lost to Schuylerville 65-39. Tim White set a new discus mark of 133' 7". Frank Gates raised the pole vault mark to 9' 6".

Both Hoosick Falls and Schuylerville beat the Indian baseball team, 13-2 and 6-3, as they opened the season.

Naomi Marsh was the valedictorian of the class of '64.

In mid-May, CCS trackmen were fourth in a meet with eight area schools. Then they easily defeated Argyle in winning ll of 12 firsts.

Hoosick Valley gave the Indians their third consecutive baseball loss 4-3.

Colfax Golf Dies

Colfax Mountain as a resort and golf course died an ignominious death when the Farmers Home Administration refused after 18 months of negotiating, planning and high hopes, to authorize the requisite loan.

Responded Mr. Hunt, "This sudden reversal with no apparent opportunity to appeal the decision has shaken my confidence in any further negotiation.... Mrs. Hunt and I plan to develop our Christmas tree plantation.... It is doubtful that we will ever again seek government help".

And that was the end of John Hunt's dream. What an incredibly great loss to Old Cambridge!

Bucket Returns

Cambridge athletes won back the Old Oaken Bucket that spring by downing Salem 13-6 in a baseball game. Tom Severson was the winning pitcher.

Then Stillwater cooled them off 14-3, behind a 16 hit attack.

Late in May the cindermen raced over Stillwater 81-23, the Indians taking all running events. However, Greenwich took the county meet with 51 points. Cambridge and Hoosick Valley tied for third.

Darryl Decker was first in the 180 low hurdles. The entire team would be available for the sectionals at Linton on Memorial Day.

Being small for Class C competition was a disadvantage, but the Indians finished 5th in the Sectionals, out of 12 schools.

Mrs. Waldemar Roewer soloed that summer at the Cambridge Flying Club.

Daniel Severson graduated from the Univ. of Maine. He was class of '60 at CCS. At Maine he earned three varsity football letters. One of those years they were conference champs. A member of ROTC, he would go to Fort Benning, Ga. to Ranger training for service in Vietnam.

Carson Fuller would once again direct the Cambridge summer recreation and swim programs.

The best school band in the Washington County Volunteer Firemen's Convention in Granville that May was the Cambridge High School Band.

Clarence Coulter announced that he would retire from the CCS school board. He had served since 1938.

Fifty-three graduated from CCS that May.

The dought was so severe the summer of 1964 that 180 area residents raised $2,500 to hire a "rain-maker".

June 26th was designated Charles John Stevenson day at Radio Station WGY in Schenectady. He had turned 75. The WCP carried his life story. That Friday, the 26th marked the end of Stevenson's long run as the "Chanticleer" early morning broadcaster.

He began the "Chanticleer" program in 1945.

Charlie Bowler's days as school principal were numbered. Unfortunately, Charlie’s shoes could not be filled by his replacement.

The Fourth of July predicted Log Race on the Battenkill continued. This year Bernie Morache won. The race was from the Jack Hudson farm on 313 to Eagleville.

Rain making efforts in the area ceased when the money---estimated at $6,700--- ran out.

One of the warmest summers on record supplied the incentive for the largest attendance at the Cambridge recreation swim program.

Carson Fuller noted that 100-150 were attending the evening baseball program at the school grounds and the basketball program under the lights was also popular.

Folk singing was for the first time a big part of summer entertainment. Big name performers like Josh White and The Kingston Trio appeared in the region. Many locals weren't in tune with this new trend.

In mid-August, the Andrew Bells bought Hubbard's Hall and the double stores from Gen. Frank Sherman Henry.

The Vietnam War was attracting more and more National attention. Editor Mahoney noted that "It requires a lot of reading ... to form an opinion on why American fighting men are in Vietnam. And after the reading, still no broad understanding of the American role there is forthcoming....

“…We will continue the immoral practice of sending in a handful of men to sacrifice their lives for a reason which our government has never seen fit to explain.

"It is asking too much of a few American fighting men. It is that which is not in the American tradition."

There were hard, hard times ahead.

Don Record, one of its most gifted student athletes, returned to CCS as a teacher and coach.

The summer recreation program closed, with the distribution of 482 cards denoting success in the various swimming programs.

Fifty-one reported for football practice that fall. Coach Tesar set up a controlled scrimmage with Watervliet.

CCS opened Sept. 9th, with 1,200 students on board.

The Cambridge Flying Club sponsored an FAA ground school for those who would learn to fly.

The first football game of the season was with Draper High School, who won 33-0.

The drought continued into the Fall.

CCS lost the second game of the season to Hoosick Falls 13-6. Beaver Ross put the Indians ahead by scoring their lone touchdown, a 48 yard run on an interception.

A strong Fort Edward defense broke a second quarter tie and led to a 26-13 win over the visiting Indians, who were yet to get a victory.

Finally they got it, 26-0 over St. Peters. Bob Harrington scored two of the TDs.

Greenwich and Hoosick Falls were at the top of the Washington County League with 3-0 records. Cambridge was in the middle at 1-2.

The D & H received permission from the PSC to retire its freight station at Cambridge. Local deliveries would be handled through the Salem office.

Greenwich throttled Cambridge 35-0. It was their fourth consecutive victory over the Indians.

Don Pierce wrote the sports story that told of Cambridge's second victory of the football season, 21-12 over Salem.

This put them a leg up for the Old Oaken Bucket.

Meanwhile, Hoosick Falls marched to their fifth straight win.

The Nation went to the Democrats that November, Johnson and Humphrey prevailing over Goldwater and Miller.

But the big headline was reserved for the Indians, who defeated Stillwater 18-0. This brought CCS to 3-3 on the season, the last two contests being victories.

Schuylerville beat the Indians 14-6, despite the loudest efforts of the school band.

Maurice O'Connor was the star of the annual football banquet, this season attended by 155 in the school cafeteria.

Mike Severson of Cambridge was commissioned that Fall as a Navy 2nd Lt. and pilot, a Naval aviator and helicopter pilot. He graduated from CCS in 1961.

The first game of the basketball season, CCS lost to Granville 40-29.

The drought was lessened by a severe, early December ice storm. Local power was out 11 hours.

The Indians continued to lose, this time 35-33 to Granville.

The new varsity sport, wrestling, began for CCS against Hoosick Falls, where they lost. But more impressive was their 40-11 victory over Mechanicville. Milt Tesar knew wrestling.

The Indian basketball team floundered fearfully, falling 60-44 to Schuylerville and going, according to the stats of reporter Don Pierce, to 0-3 on the season.

The the wrestling team took it, pinned by the Schuylers 37-13. Then they lost a close match to Bennington.

The Hoosiers drove the spike into the Indians 72-33, as the basketball season got worse.

2006-04-23T06:48:00.000-07:00

1963: Girls Repeat Track Champs, Strong Ski Team

Alum Linwood Strout, Regional Sports Writer

"Duke" Nennstiel's team again won the annual Alumni Torunament. Diane Dunham was queen of the Snow Ball.

The CCS ski team won the second annual Willard Mt. Invitational. They had also won the first one. Six teams competed. CCS edged Johnstown. Dick Morse was capt. of the team. John Romack won the best combined.

The CCS ski team won the Saranac Lake High School Winter Carnival Downhill Race. Led by Capt. Richard Morse, the Indians upset four North Country teams.

Beaver Ross, skiing in the B division for those under 16, took individual honors. He was first in the Downhill.

Mary Cornell became the first CCS girl to compete in interscholastic sports since the 1930s. There were 25 girls in her division.

The CCS Basketball Indians defeated Hartford 51-28. Tom Parsley led scoring. At that point in the season, Hoosick Falls was 8-0, Greenwich and Hoosic Valley were 6-1 and Cambridge was 3-4.

Then CCS reached .500 with a 70-48 win over Argyle. Richard MacDougall scored 32 points, only 5 off Kenny Stinner's school record.

Matt Meagher's expanded Town House Restaurant was booming, Matt reported that he catered 32 banquets in December.

CCS skiers were fourth at Johnstown in a field of 13 schools.

The Salem Generals took the second round of the Old Oaken Bucket as the Indians lost game no. five on the season, 75-48.

Linwood "Lindy" Strout, well-known sports writer from Cambridge, resigned as Post Star sports editor to go to work for the Times-Union. He had worked at Glens Falls since 1957.

CCS downed Schuylerville 57-47, behind the 30 points of Larry Parsley.

Then sharp-shooting Stillwater dropped them 71-53.

An American Field Service chapter formed at CCS. Mrs. Dorothy Bell was president of the executive committee.

St. Patrick's annual "smoker" drew Yankee slugger Dale Long.

The CCS ski team again won the invitational meet at Willard Mountain. Cambridge was first among nine Section II high school teams competing.

They dominated both events. In the giant slalom, they won the first three places, Dick Morse, John Romack and Beaver Ross. Ross won the regular slalom, with Romack second. Among girl racers, Betsy Cornell was third in the giant.

Among the individual boys, David Craig was second over-all.

This team received very little support from the school. They furnished most of their own equipment, paid their own fees and provided their own transportation.

Hoosic Valley downed the Indians 71-59.

Dick Record graduated from SUNY Cobleskill, with an emphasis in dairy technology.

The Tackle Box fishermen's store on the Battenkill was sold by Roy Brown. In 14 years, Brown had built the Tackle Box into an institution known from New York to Indiana. Stories had ben printed about it in the New York Times and the Albany-Times Union.

Mr. Brown left his champion trout, taken form the Dutchman's Hole in 1923, on the wall.

The CCS ski team was third among eight competing schools at the Cooperstown Invitational.

CCS defeated the Tanagers of Hartford 72-63. Next they faced sectionals-bound Salem.

Oaken Bucket

Goes North

In early March, the Salem Generals secured possession of the Old Oaken Bucket for the year by defeating the Indians 56-40. It was the first time the Bucket had to make the journey north. The Bucket symbolized over-all athletic superiority between the schools on the year.

Darryl Decker led CCS scoring with 12 points, but Steve Ludd had 29 for Salem.

The Monday night youth basketball league was feted with a banquet. Teacher Maurice OConnor ran the league, which varsity

Coach John Herbert started five years previous.

The Masons again gave the basketball team a banquet.

In the Section II championships in March, the Cambridge ski team placed second, behind Johnstown and ahead of four other high schools.

Beaver Ross captured the giant slalom to lead CCS to a team victory in that event. Johnstown was second. In the regular slalom, Johnstown won and Cambridge was second. Somehow this gave Johnstown the Section II title by a couple of points.

The Cambridge "A" team was composed of Richard Morse (capt.), Beaver Ross, John Romack, Peter Morse, Steve Morse and Dave Craig. They competed in eight sanctioned meets on the season.

In the season, CCS competed against 28 different schools and had the distinction of having defeated every one of them on at least one occasion, except for Old Forge. Old Forge (not in Section II) was not defeated by anyone in the 1962-63 season.

Only Capt. Dick Morse would be lost through graduation. The team chose his brothers, Pete and Steve, to captain the next season.

Colfax Mountain, then the possession of John and Mary Hunt, was considered by the Farmers Home Administration for development as a recreation area. If the Hunts had their way, it would feature a golf course, a swimming pool and a mountain lodge, with picnic and camping grounds. Unfortunately, the deal didn't go through.

Dr. John H. Kingsley, former principle of the Cambridge Union School, died March 20 in Tucson, Ariz. He was one of the three best administrators ever to grace the local halls of learning.

That spring, Al Baratto was operating a popcorn wagon on Cambridge streets.

The CCS Track team swamped Stillwater 78-26, taking firsts in every event. Darryl Decker took the broad and high jumps. Steve Morse took the hop-step-jump and the 440. Tim White won the 880 and the discus, and Bob Harrington the Shot.

Frank Ludwick took the mile and Jerry Coon won both the 220 and the 100. The relay team won handily.

Ivan Purdy was voted most valuable player in the Siena College basketball intramurals.

Joe Jerrard coached the baseball team that spring. The Indians lost to Schuylerville 3-2 in the opener, then defeated Salem 8-3. This they followed with a 21-1 blow-out of Hartford.

Darryl Decker was the team's leading pitcher.

A distinguished New England golf architect surveyed Mount Colfax and declared that it could make a fine golf course. According to owner John Hunt, when all plans and cost estimates were completed, the Colfax Recreation Assoc. would apply for an FHA loan.

The Cambridge Flying Club formed, with the object of buying a jointly owned plane to fly off Chapin Field. George Chapin, who gave the field, was club vice president.

Diana Yalo was Valedictorian of the class of 1963.

At Cambridge Central, the $1 million addition was going up.

Schuylerville walked off with its fifth consecutive Washington County Championship in Track that May. The best Cambridge could do was pick up some individual winners.

Darryl Decker was tops in the county in the low hurdles, Frank Ludwick won the Mile and Steve Morse won the high jump. As defending champion in the event, he cleared 5' 10".

Girls County

Track Champs

The CCS girls team won the Washington County Track Championship for the second consecutive year. Pat McLenithan had two firsts. The girls amassed 45 points to best Greenwich, second with 24.

McLenithan took the 50 and 100 yard dashes. Austin took the 75. Marilyn Hendrickson of Cambridge took the standing broad jump. Debbie Craig won the high jump. The 220 relay went to Cambridge. Running were Ruth Boeker, Pratt, Cornell and Hendrickson.

The AFS chapter at CCS announced that Joseph Manhard of Austria would be the first exchange student to enroll at the high school.

That May, Andrew and Dorothy Bell could boast of having nine children attending CCS: Virginia, Philip, Robert, James, Peter, Bruce, Ted, Sylvia and Alan, who was about to graduate.

All of them played in the band.

Fifty-one graduated from CCS.

The Cambridge Recreation program kicked off that July, under the direction of Carson Fuller, as usual.

That Fourth of July saw the first publicized inauguration of the Predicted Log Race down the Battenkill River. John McCall won, just 50 seconds off his estimated time.

The race was not publicized, but the paper found out. The race would eventually be killed by its ever-growing popularity.

Jack Murphy, 16, of Academy St. was the first member of the new Cambridge Flying Club to solo.

That summer, a golf course expert certified that Mount Colfax would be a good setting for a golf course.

For the school year 1963-64, Milt Tesar of Binghamton was hired to replace Joseph Reilly as elementary teacher and head football coach. Carson Fuller had, indeed, been replaced.

Joe Kent put into use that Fall the first modern, garbage collection vehicle in the area, called "a collectomatic packer. It was to eliminate refuse falling off the truck and papers blowing on the way to the dump.

CCS opened Sept. 9th with 1,155 enrolled.

Fifty boys reported for Milt Tesar's first football team. Beaver Ross, Bruce McLenithan, Karl Rogge, Ed Jordan, Bob Warren, Steve McLenithan, Pete Morse, Thure Johnson, Rog Holcomb, Peter Matcovich, Ed Hunt and Bill Watkins, Dick Eddy and Paul Harris were among the veterans. Darryl Decker was a likely candidate for quarterback. Paul Adams and Rob Harrington, Web Madison, Jeff Ashworth, Ted Ridler, John Hunt, Ron Dawley, Tim Squiers, Ed Rouse, Paul Virtue, John McCarty, Worth Gassett, John Cole, Mike Meagher, Don Jepson, Jim Blanchfield, Larry Ackley, Bruce Squiers, Rob Radley, Fred King, Dave Craig, Steve Schnell, Steve Davis, Joe Manhart, Charles Marsh, John Porter, Bill Hatch and Tom Moore all expected to be on the squad.

CCS scrimmaged Watervliet to a draw, in their first practice game.

Rogers Gorman, 37, was appointed editor of the Daily Record, a Rochester newspaper.

CCS defeated Fort Edward on a last ditch pass play from Darryl Decker to Richie Eddy, 13-6.

The next week, CCS used the final seconds to defeat St. Peter's, 12-7. Another Decker to Eddy pass set up the winning score. Carl Adams took it to the three and Rob Harrington punched in.

Mike Severson graduated from Naval pre-flight school, Pensacola. He would continue training to be a pilot.

Greenwich won the next football game 26-9.

But the following week, heroics by John Hunt, Darryl Decker and Mike Meagher led to a 21-7 win over Salem on the first leg of the Oaken Bucket contest.

Joe Mansart, the foreign exchange student, became the PAT kicker for the football team.

Stillwater downed the Indians 26-18.

CCS downed Schuylerville 13-6.

Hoosick Falls beat the Indians 16-0.

The Village was beset by vandalism during these years, with the smearing and desecrating of monuments and trashing of homes and yards. Control seemed beyond the adults.

John Hunt pushed forward with his plan to turn Colfax into a recreation complex. He sought to form a membership corporation based upon wide community participation. The FHA encouraged the group to proceed with plans, on the prospect of a loan from them.

The November 28th issue of the WCP mourned the assassination of another president. Wrote Nick Mahoney, the editor of the WCP at the time:

"The head of our nation..., the man who had stared down the Soviets across the island of Cuba..., the man who had fought for civil rights for all... murdered in a great city of the country he had served so well."

2006-04-22T13:35:00.000-07:00

1962:

"Coach!" Shunted Aside

Track, Wrestling Teams Shine

Charles F. "Bud" Cary, Jr. was recently named director of recreation for the Mohonasen Central School of Rotterdam. Cary was a Cambridge athlete and grad and a Mohonasen faculty member the previous five years.

Hoosick Falls' 47-37 win over Cambridge put them into a three way tie for the League lead. The Hoosier win streak went to five. They were tied with Stillwater and Fort Ann.

John Harrison led scorers with 23. Stinner with 14 was the only Indian in double figures.

The new Hoosick Falls Central School was dedicated that January.

No bus transportation was available, but the Cambridge Recreation Committee went forward with the Willard ski program, using private cars. Equipment could be rented at Willard for $1.

Thirteen area high school girls were participating in the McClellan Candy Striper program.

That January, voters from Union School District No. 10 (the Village) voted yes on two propositions affecting the Village Library. Proposition no. 1 passed 167-13. It allowed the discontinuation of the facility for school purposes.

Proposition no. 2 passed 178-7. It allowed Dist. 10 to convey the lot and building to the Village.

The Village Board had already obligated itself to accept and finance the library, and a charter was applied for.

A Monday night developmental basketball league opened at CCS, with such titles as the "Primadonnas", the "Jets", the "Bears". English teacher Okie O'Connor ran the league.

The Grand Jury indicted four individuals for entering a house in Town of Jackson and stealing shot-guns and sporting goods. indictees were William J. Herrington, 20, Eagle Bridge; William G. Schneider, 11, Camden Valley; William James Blondin, 20, Hoosick Falls and William LeRoy Barber, 20, a transient formerly employed in Shushan.

The Indians brought their season record to 4-3 when they fell to Hoosic Valley 55-53. Stinner's 31 points didn't have enough support. Only Purdy joined him in double figures.

The BOE announced in January that the building construction proposal would go before the voters.

A discussion centered on "overall extention of federal aid" to schools. The CCS Board felt federal support would not help in New York, as it was one of the richer states and voted 4-1 for a resolution saying members are not in favor of extending federal aid programs.

CCS students went through posture rating tests to detect problems and to reveal a student's degree of fitness.

Cambridge lost to Salem 69-58, then downed Schuylerville 56-40.

CCS lost its first home game of the season when Hartford surprised them 40-42.

The vote on CCS school construction was Feb. 18. The Board was asking for 21 more classrooms, another gym and other items. They projected an enrollment of 1,245 by 1968.

Because of diminishing interest the Cambridge Valley Grange sold their hall at Main and N. Park Sts. This was 100 years ago The Old White Church. Ralph Carpenter, Schenectady, tried to buy it, without disclosing plans. It would be torn down to make room for an A & P store.

The Indians bounced up and took two games in early February, winning at Greenwich 55-45 and hosting Fort Ann, a team that had beaten them earlier in the season. CCS won 58-41. Tom Parsley was high scorer both games, 21 in each. CCS went to 8-5 on the season.

The sport of wrestling was introduced in the area. Hoosick Falls and Cambridge boys wrestled between the halves of a Hoosick Falls and Schuylerville basketball game.

Wrestling in the first match in the history of CCS were John Hunt, Ed Saari, Ed Jordan, Carl Wulff, and Bob Harrington.

Cambridge, Schuylerville, Greenwich and Hoosick Falls started the sport. Steve Tierney was the proponent at CCS.

Weather and sickness delayed some Washington County League games. One that was delayed involved Cambridge. Stillwater sat atop the league with a 12-1 record, followed by Hoosick Falls at 12-2. Cambridge was stuck in the middle at 8-5.

The Cambridge Central Ski Team placed second in class B competition at Lake Placid Winter Carnival Feb. 3-4. Peter Proud and the George Morses took the seven competitors. Boonvilled edged them. Competing were Beaver Ross, John Romack, Peter Morse, Richard Morse, Stephen Morse, Seth Craig and Terry Briggs.

Peter was third on the cross country. Fifty boys competed.

The only significant air disaster in the history of Old Cambridge occurred shortly before 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26th when a USAF F-102 jet fighter, flying out of Westover AFB "augured into a pasture in Center Cambridge.

The heroic pilot, Capt. Carl Evankovich, deliberately delayed bailing out until the ailing aircraft had cleared the Village. He aimed the plane into land owned by Town Supervisor Ben English and ejected. But he was too low. He died of multiple bone fractures. A monument to his memory stands in front of the Town of Cambridge Archive.

The big news in March was that the voters of Cambridge decided 457-226 to build an addition to the central school that cost over $1 million, about the same as the entire original school had cost.

The Cambridge Ski Team won the first Willard Mountain Invitational, with five teams competing for the Vanderzee Cup. Beaver Ross and Capt. Dick Morse led the local skiers. They defeated Mt. Greylock (Williamstown), Benningt, the Johnstown B team and Averill Park.

CCS could only shoot 28 percent in their loss to Schuylerville 58-41.

With Glens Falls as an affiliate, McClellan opened a school of practical nursing.

Five new members were tapped for the National Honor Society. They were seniors Betsy King, Peter Kent, Sandra Elliott and Seth Craig Jr.

CCS closed its initial wrestling season with an exhibition win over Schuylerville. Alan Bell, Vince Cristaldi and Ed Saari scored pins. Paul Virtue "Showed that he is a promising prospect, as he fought his man to a close decision".

In its initial wrestling season, CCS won the county title, taking first place honors in the 115, 130 and 155 lb. classes. Cambridge had 26 pts., Greenwich 18, Hoosick Falls 17 and Schuylerville 14.

Saari won the 130 lb. crown,. Bell the 115 lb. and Bassette won the 155 lb.

Stillwater, in their last league game, downed CCS 72-57.

CCS continued to tumble. Salem took a second game from the Indians 47-40. They did well on the Boards, with Stinner and Knapp getting the most, but continued to be plagued by a poor shooting percentage.

The Indians then closed out the season with a 52-37 victory over Hoosic Valley. Senior Fred Knapp and Sophomore Tom Parsley scored 16 points each.

William Artemas Scott died. He was born in 1886, the son of Rev. John C. Scott, Coila UP pastor. He and his brother Walter were outstanding track athletes at Cambridge Union School.

In April the Old White Meeting House (a.k.a. The Grange Hall) at Main and Park was torn down to make way for an A & P.

Cambridge and Bennington high schools did eschange visits with their bands.

That spring, the hard surface tennis court on the north end of the Central School grounds was opened to the public.

A reading lab went into action at CCS, as one of the unending string of "cure-alls" that set out to undo the damage no one would admit TV was doing to attention spans and reading levels.

Dick McGuire led a group of Shushan residents in protest of the plan to remove the covered bridge and substitute a modern one.

The CCS track team defeated Stillwater and Argyle, but lost big to Greenwich. They were very good in the running events, having won 12 of 15 in the three meets.

The Gus Thums opened "Cambridge Books" in the Hitchcock Block, E. Main.

The CCS baseball team went to 3-1. Hartford beat them 16-3, getting nine runs in the first inning.

Then Mike Baratto fanned 10 in leading the club past Hoosick Falls 6-4 and Darryl Decker pitched a three hitter to get them past Argyle 8-2.

Betty Boeker was awarded a fellowship to study biochemistry at the University of California, Berkley. She would be working toward a Ph.D in biochemistry.

Holding a National Merit scholarship, miss Boeker did her undergraduate work at Radcliffe. During the past year she did research at Massachusetts General, under the auspices of the National Science Foundation and Harvard Univ. She made the Dean's List each year and graduated Cum Laude.

CCS track team finished second in the Washington County meet to Greenwich. Cambridge runners were without parallel. Jerry Coon took the 100 and 220 dashes in the record times of 10.3 and 23.3 secs, as the Indians swept every running event except the 880 relay.

Carrol (Beaver??) Ross won the 2 mile, the first time it was ever run in Section II.

The running attack of Coach Carson Fuller's team had gone through all competition that season without a defeat. Coon was unbeaten in the sprints and Saari and Walrath had done the same in the mile and half-mile.

Darryl Decker had lost his specialty, the 440, once, and that to teammate Peter Morse.

Ed Saari led milers with a time of 4:53.

Carson Fuller's varsity track team made up for two basketball pratfalls by John Herbert's charges to retain the "Oaken Bucket".

To avoid losing the "Bucket" the locals poured it on, winning 73-31. The Indians swept the running events, Jerry Coon, Darryl Decker, Cliff Walrath, Ed Saari all winning.

Ray Purdy won the pole vault.

Salem won only the high jump and the discus.

The track team placed fourth in Section II. Ed Saari dominated the mile, winning Section II. Cliff Walrath won the 880.

Jerry Coon took first in the 100.

Fort Edward won the meet. Whitehall was second and Greenwich third.

CCS won a dual meet with Hoosic Valley 60-44, although Jerry Coon, the undefeated 100 dash man, lost out. He missed the starting call and was left in the blocks. He made up for it by taking the 200.

Five of Carson Fuller's track stars went to Linton High, Schenectady for the Regionals: Ed Saari, Walrath, Decker, Coon and Ross.

The Cambridge Indian Band was a sartorical "hit" at the Memorial Day parade that year. They had their full uniform of black slacks, orange blazers, white bucks and sailor straws (black ties and white shirts).

The Village was plagued by late night malicious mischief. Flower boxes overturned, porch railings removed, bird houses destroyed. Construction sites were vandlaized. Three plate glass windows had been broken on Main St. Street lights were broken. Ten windows were broken from the Russo plant on Pearl St. Fireworks were regularly exploded in the dead of night.

The Cambridge Youth Commission and Recreation program was about to kick off. It was chaired by Richard Ross and directed by (who else?) Carson Fuller. The program is still supplied free of direct charge to the youth of the Village.

The annual school budget rose to $775,400.

There was some controversy when it was revealed that $400 had been cut from the summer recreation program. When the crowd erupted in indignation, the sum was restored and the budget passed over-whelmingly.

The Village Library had been given to the Village with the understanding that its budget would be funded through Village taxes. However, William J. Robertson, chairman of the Library Board, came to the school meeting and asked that the District by an additional tax levy raise $1,500 toward the Library budget. This was roughly half of the projected budget.

There was the question of double taxation of Village residents, who would have to come up with the other half of the Library budget, but someone had figures showing that 40 percent of the users lived outside the Corporate limits. It was an argument that carried the point, just as it has at every school budget meeting since.

A Cambridge Saddle Club Gymkhanna drew 97 participants.

The CCS Band and The Cambridge Band combined that August for a concert at Railroad Park. Peter Proud conducted.

The football season opened without Carson Fuller. The veteran coach had been honored at a testimonial dinner that August and then sort of turned out to pasture, after 13 years at the helm.

The Carson Fuller Trophy was established. Each year an athlete of Mr. Fuller's choice would be honored at graduation by having his name engraved on the three foot trophy.

In the meantime, 40 boys, most of then new, showed up as Jim Reilly, assisted by Dick Ross and Don Record, became king of the CCS grid-iron.

In September the BOE let the bids for the construction of the latest addition to CCS.

The CCS football team prepared to launch against St. Peter's. The proposed starting lineup was: Mike Meagher and Paul Harris, E; Carl Wulff and Peter Morse, T; Denny Saari and Ed Jordan, G; Bob Potvin, C; Steve Morse, QB; Darryl Decker and Dick Morse, HB and Ray Purdy, FB.

Others on the team were Doug Dornan, Dick Eddy, John Bassett, Thur Johnson, John Hunt and Steve and Bruce McLenithan.

The boys eeked out a 7-0 victory. Using a single wing attack, Darryl Decker ran around end 35 yards for the lone score. Decker passed to Paul Harris for the PAT. The score came in the second quarter.

The Brick Hotel passed into the hands of the Dibbles, who dubbed it The Cambric Inn; Cambric formed from "Cambridge" and "Brick". In September they featured the John Ogden Trio in "The Cupboard Room".

Matt Meagher Sr. added banquet facilities to his Town House Restaurant. Its design would allow five rooms to become one, and featured an auxiliary bar and kitchen.

As hunting season approached, the Ashgrove good old boys kicked up their heels. Taking advantage of the new people running the paper, they sneaked a piece onto page one of the WCP, in which George Guber turned 70 and was at the same time elected "mayor" of South Hollow.

The article continued, "His opponent in the election, genial Walter Collamer, stated that he almost hated to run against such a stalward citizen, however he just wanted to clear all the issues involved.

"Prior to the town hall type election, both candidates gave stirring speeches, clarifying their platforms...."

Dan Severson was a starter on the Univ. of Maine football team that season.

CCS lost the second football game of the season 7-0 to Greenwich.

This was the first season when tooth protectors were made mandatory in football. Cambridge dentists took impressions of the boys' teeth and poured the latex casts.

In October, the Cambridge Bank foresook its 100 year old stately red brick building for a modern brown brick non sequitur further west on Main.

CCS lost 19-13 to Salem.

In October it was announced that the Shushan Covered Bridge would be preserved.

CCS took it on the nose again, as Stillwater bested them 20-6.

And at least one of Carson Fuller's former players had enough. He fired off a letter, saying it was prompted by Fuller's removal as football coach.

"A football coach must not only teach his players the fundamentals of the game, he must also teach them to be able to 'take it' as well as 'dish it out'.... Having played three years of football under Coach Fuller, I realize how well he has accomplished this task. I believe the many other athletes who played under him feel like-wise....

"It is most unfortunate that an individual can obtain the power to remove a man from a position which he loved and at which he was very capable.

"One look at the trophy case at Cambridge Central will point out the fact that the teams under Coach Fuller's direction have brought home their share of gold.

"In closing, I must say it was not just a mistake to remove Mr. Fuller as head football coach; it was an injustice."

(Signed) Edward C. Cantwell.

Then the Schuylerville Black Horses had their turn, romping through hapless Cambridge 39-6. Ray Purdy punched the only Indian score through the second and third Schuylerville teams.

Andy Bell shot a 400 lb. black bear near Saranac Lake.

Hoosick Falls then took its turn whacking Cambridge, 25-0. It was the first time in four years that HFCS beat them.

Cambridge blamed its failing season upon injures, although some of Fuller's former players might have thought differently.

Then it was the turn of Fort Edward, who did it by a single point, 14-13. Defensive End Mike Meagher picked up a fumble and raced 30 yards for the first CCS score.

In a snowstorm, Paul Adams picked off a lateral and ran 25 yards to give CCS the lead.

Fort Edward's first score came on a 99 yard run from scrimmage. The victory dragged Fort Edward out of the cellar, which must have become the sole possession of Cambridge.

John Briggs, Old Cambridge's beloved, "resident Democrat" came close that November, but could not defeat Larry Corbitt of Fort Edward for State Assembly. Corbitt had 9,800 while Brigs got 8,200.

An issue in the school in 1962 was how to protect the children in the event of nuclear attack.

A junior senior assembly to commemmorate the Thanksgiving holidays featured as speaker Col. William C. McLaughlin USMC retired, a veteran of WW II in the Pacific Theater.

The Holy Name Society hosted the CCS football team, again.

Charley Bowler had the good sense to send his "regrets".

The athletic program at CCS had by this time, like the "cold war", gone completely out of control.

The PTA that November had as its topic of discussion, "What Cambridge Will do if the Bomb Drops" "a subject much in the public mind during the Cuban crisis".

Although restricted to "play days" instead of interscholastic competition, the girls of CCS played with gusto. They had four play days that fall and defeated Hoosick Falls 4-0, Hoosic Valley 3-0, Stillwater 2-1 and nailed down the championship with a 3-1 win over Schuylerville.

The squad was coached by Eva Hopkins. Scoring leaders were Elaine Peters, Mary LeBarron, Laurie Craig, Ruth Boeker and Carol Nygard.

Dr. Joseph Pender was elected head of the McClellan medical staff.

In November, Dick McGuire was elected a director of the New York Farm Bureau. He was a past president of Washington County.

A race-horse belonging to Mario Cicotti of Troy was shot while at pasture on the Morris Bentley farm. Concensus was that some hapless hunter mistook it for a bear.

John Bell completed his varsity football career at St. Lawrence.

The PTA, after hearing from the Washington County Civil Defense Director, called for a radio monitor to be installed to give immediate warning in time of crisis. The CCS BOE declined to participate in the meeting. On the plus side was Charlie Bowler's "go home" plan which he drew up in 1959.

The Basketball season got off to a better start. The Indians defeated Ft. Ann 61-38 behind the 21 points of Tom Parsley. CCS picked up a second league win 54-43 over Schuylerville.

Dan Severson, a 220 lb. tackle, was named co-captain for the 1963 Univ. of Maine football team.

The Petersburg Pass ski resort was listed in the guides as about to open.

The basketball Indians went on the road in December and took their first loss. As was traditional in WCP reporting, when the local team loses, little attention was paid to details, such as the score.

Then Hoosick Falls came to the Village and wallopped the Herbert team 69-48. Skip Starr led HF with 24 points. Thirty years later, his children would star for CCS.

Then Hoosic Valley brought in an undefeated team and they thrashed the Indians 63-46.

Then Greenwich beat Cambridge 68-53.

2006-04-22T13:26:00.000-07:00

1961:

Morse Leads Track Sectionals Title

Reed Harris Assists Edward R. Murrow

Two heavy snow storms struck the region in time for Christmas and New Years.

When TT Buckley resigned to become county sheriff, the Town Board appointed Ben English as Cambridge Supervisor.

The CCS Indians downed Schuylerville 55-31. Kenny Stinner led scorers with 21.

The Adirondack Community College was getting off the ground. Day classes were to begin that Sept.

Gus Dering was installed master of the Masonic Lodge.

CCS won a critical basketball game, 42-29 over Salem, to climb back into contention for the County title. A thousand spectators again jammed the local gym. Bill Potvin was led with 12 points.

A major league umpire was to be the speaker at the annual Holy Name Society smoker.

Two local Jap businessmen, "Lunaleni and Ke-caly" (Gardner Cullinan and Charlie Ackley), demonstrated Judo for a PTA fund-raiser.

At the request of the CCS Teachers Salary Committee, the BOE had two representatives meet with the committee to discuss salaries.

Bill Potvin led CCS on an easy, 87-45 conquest of hartford. This left the varsity with a record of 7-2, tied for first place with Salem and Stillwater as they began the second round of league play.

Then they took a close game from the Argyle Scots, 64-59. Bill Nygard had 19, Stinner 17 and Potvin 15.

Playing for a special, PTA benefit would be the local "Dixieland Jazz Band", composed of Charlie Bowler, Peter Proud, "Tink" Parrish, Gordon Herrington, Art Center, Dick Center, Cortland Cottrell, Ed Harmon and Joe Sorrentino.

Col Charles W. Raymond II retired that same week. The Col. was the third in his family descent to graduate from the United States Military Academy. He was a CHS graduate, the only member of the famous 1920's "champions of the world" football team to achieve a classics diploma from the Cambridge Union School.

Stinner, Fred Knapp and Potvin hit in double figures as CCS ran rough-shod over Fort Ann 72-48. Hoosick Falls led the league, with Cambridge and Salem tied for second.

Stillwater took a second game from CCS 53-41, after CCS blew a big opening lead.

Hoosick Falls downed the Indians a second time, 50-47. It left CCS with four losses in the League on the season. Salem was leading the league with 12 wins and two losses.

Stinner and Nygard led CCS past Hoosic Valley 79-65.

Bill Nygard led CCS over Schuylerville 64-50. The Indians were no longer in contention for the league crown. Salem led by half a game over Hoosick Falls and Stillwater, with a record of 14 wins and 2 losses.

Dan Severson, winner of the McWhorter Athletic Trophy at CCS the previous year, was a member of the track team at University of Maine. At the Feb. meet, Freshman Dan broke the meet record and tied the freshman school record for the 50 yard dash. He played right tackle on the freshman football team.

At the next meeting of the BOE, they raised teachers salaries. Teachers without BAs would recieved $4,300 the first year. Teachers with BAs would start at $4,600, with a maximum in 13 years of $6,650.

Teachers with BA plus 30 would start at $5,100 to a maximum of $7,750 in 16 years.

CCS lost 61-47 to Salem, who were guaranteed at least a tie for the League title.

The Cambridge Indians won their final game, 73-36 over Hartford.

A modern, language lab was installed at CCS. There were 20 student stations and a central control.

Kathy Dunn was crowned Queen of Hearts for a Valentine dance.

That March, the CCS Band went to Unadillo, as part of an exchange plan.

Tapped for the National Honar Society were seniors Sheryl Knapp and Alfred King, and juniors Josephine Boeker, Donna Pratt, Cynthia Wands and Ed Saari.

The Fifth Annual Masonic Basketball Banquet was given the CCS team, coaches and Cheerleaders.

The Unadilla Central School Band visited CCS, completed the exchange between the two schools.

Carson Fuller expected strong baseball and track teams that spring. John Herbert would assist him with track, where 33 boys had reported.

The Tri-State Music Festival would return to Cambridge on May 19-20. Eighteen schools were to be represented.

Frank Church took "Mr. Cambridge", a three year old chesnut gelding and others of his stable off for a season at the Canadian Raceways.

In May, the BOE approved a project to construct a track and level land for a baseball field.

The salaries of the principals were raised to be competitive with area schools.

The horse vans rolled out of the old fair grounds with Harry Motsiff's stable of horses, bound for the trotting track at Hillsdale, which opened for the season. Motsiff raced Darn Hansome, Onward Diamond, Jerry Products, Rice Brook Dean, Shirley's Dream, Mighty N' High, Tinkle Bell, Anna Barnes Indian Buze Dale and Mable Haven.

Once again the Lions Club hosted the Tri-State Music Festival. The community thrilled to the music of the bands and choruses from 17 regional high schools, then watched in awe as they paraded through the Village.

CCS track team had won three of four meets to that point in the season. Carson Fuller was assisted by John Herbert. The Indians defeated Greenwich, Salem and Stillwater, losing only to Schuylerville.

Runners were Chad Morse, Jerry Coon, Bob Nygard, Al Broadhead, Steve Morse, Paul Harris, Dick Morse, Pete Morse, Dan Penrick, Norm Hahn, Ed Saari, Cliff Walrath, Jim Perry, Alan Bell, Doug Dornan, Tony McEvoy, Don Gagne, Carl Adams, Darryl Decker. The field men were Tom Canzeri, Butch Dering, Bob Potvin, Paul Harris, Carl Adams, Dick and Steve and Peter Morse, Jerry Coon Gagne, Decker, Nygard, Bob Craig, Terry Briggs, Ray Purdy, Potvin, Vince Cristaldi.

CCS did not do well at the County meet, since most athletes were taking College Board exams.

The State of New York took bids to spread asphalt over the yellow brick road through the Village of Cambridge. The estimated cost was $42,000.

Don Vitello played baseball for the Univ. of Maine freshman team, which won five of eight games. Don played second base.

With Chad Morse, senior sprinter, leading the way, CCS Track Team won the Class D Sectionals, held at Hudson Falls. In doing so, they dethroned perennial champions Ft. Edward.

Morse won both heats in the l00 yard dash and the 220 and went on to win the finals.

Jerry Coon placed third.

Tom Canzeri took another first by hurling the discus 128 ft., breaking his own distance record in the event by eleven feet.

The rest of the points were earned by seconds, thirds and fourths, which were specially planned by Coach Fuller.

The total team score was 40 1/3 to Ft. Edwards' 35 1/6. Ten other schools were strung out behind the leaders.

A large black bear was sighted in Coila that month. It appeared by the side of the road as the Robert McCartys were motoring past the pond at the north end of Coila, sauntered across behind them and continued on its way.

Plans got under way to build permanent fair facilities on the flats west of Middle Falls.

Donald Record, a pitcher on the SUNY Cortland baseball team, finished the season with three wins and two losses. His earned run average was 1.94. In 16 at bats, he had 7 hits, for a .438 ave.

The team was 7-1 in its conference and took the championship.

By June, the Lions Club had raised $1,400 toward the public tennis court. Rather than string out the plan, the Lions Club gave the money to the School with the understanding that they would come up with the rest of the money and build the court.

The Cambridge area recreation program got underway. This included the Red Cross swim program and the evening baseball leagues.

Director Carson Fuller reported that the swim program set new records that season, with 73 students riding the bus to Hedges Lake and 20 already present there.

Reed Harris, a CCS alum, was appointed executive assistant to Edward R. Morrow in the United States Information Agency.

Mr. Harris was a reserve on the great CHS football teams of the 1920s. He married the former Martha Tellier of Cambridge. He attended Columbia Univ, and gained publicity as editor of The Columbia Spectator, an undergraduate newspaper. He wrote several articles deriding professionalism in college athletics and later wrote a book entitled "King Football" He was suspended from the University, which caused wide publicity. He was reenstated, and promptly resigned.

He had served the State Department since 1946. Prior to that, he served in the US Army Air Corps and the Office of War Information. Prior to WW II, he was director of the New York State office of Government Reports.

Under pressure from Senator Joseph McCarthy, chairman of the House Unamarican Activities Committee, he resigned from the State Dept. to operate his own publishing company.

In 1961 he lived in Chevy Chase, Md. with wife and three children.

He had written several books on gerontology, the best known being "Aging in the Modern World". He became a major force in the National Veterans organization, "AMVETS".

Because it had become so popular, the swim carnival Carson Fuller put together at the end of each summer of instruction would be held two nights at Hedges Lake.

The Cambridge Valley Bank announced that it would build a modern facility on the property at 25 W. Main St.

Gov. Nelson Rockefeller called George Morse that August to inform Morse of his appointment as Washington County District Attorney.

The CCS teaching staff numbered 59 for 1961-62.

Stephen Tierney Jr. was appointed as a third phys. ed. teacher. He would introduce the varsity sport of wrestling. Some saw him as Carson Fuller's "successor", but Carson's shoes were too big to be filled by even two new coaches.

The Board of Education approved the building of one tennis court by Morehouse Construction of Middle Falls, at a cost of $3,600.

Half of this had been raised by the Lions Club.

Coach Fuller, assisted by Coach Tierney, found 42 boys out for football that fall.

CCS launched their football campaign with a 19-0 win over Salem. Terry Briggs was the student reporter that fall.

The Village Board instructed Chief Sica to enforce parallel parking on the West End of Main St.

The Indians lost to Stillwater Warriors, defending League champs, who went to 3-0. CCS lost decisively 27-6, to go to 1-2.

The football season continued to go downhill, although CCS put up a game fight in the rain and mud, holding the Black Horses of Schuylerville, still undefeated in the league, to a 12-6 victory.

That Fall, Matt Meagher opened his Town House Restaurant on N. Park.

In those days high school students took phys. ed. every day, but, due to short periods (I presume) it was still 100 min. per week less than the State required.

The Cambridge Ski Club owned a ski tow. But they advised the Board that they had sold it.

Mike Severson, a CCS grad and athlete, entered the Academy of Aeronautics, LaGuardia Airport, New York.

Cambridge salvaged something of the football season by defeating Hoosick Falls 12-0.

The November 2nd, 1961 issue of the Old WCP announced its sale to Nicholas J. Mahoney Jr., formerly of Massachussets, then of Hoosick Falls. It was the first time since it was moved to Cambridge in 1849 that the Post had been owned out of town.

Gardner Cullinan, the seller, was to continue as the editor.

A steadily improving CCS football team downed Fort Edward 25-13. Apparently inspired by Coach Fuller, the third quarter effort was the best the Indians had played all year. Mike Baratto was Indian QB. Dan Pemrick played well, as did Dick Morse and Fred Knapp. Morse, a track star as well, ran 54 yards for one TD. Pemrick passed 32 yards to Knapp for another. Baratto "sneaked" 26 yards for another.

Harry E. Van Surdam began to write a big-time college football column for the WCP and the Hoosick Falls Standard-Press.

Then in a fine finish to the season, the Cambridge Indians easily defeated St. Peter's Academy at Saratoga, 12-0. David Warboys and Ben White were stand-outs in the line. Tackle Seth Craig, guard Carl Adams, ends Fred Knapp and Ken Stinner, Backs Pemrick, Baratto and Saari played their last game, as they were seniors.

In typical Fuller fashion, by half time, when the game was in hand, Coach Carson Fuller begain playing his second team.

The Holy Name Society gave them the traditional banquet.

Stillwater won the Washington County League championship that year, with a perfect, 7-0 record. Greenwich was second, Schuylerville third and Cambridge, at 4-3, was fourth. Hoosick Falls, at 3-4, was fifth in the eight school league.

The CCS tennis court was nearing completion. Only the fence and net were yet to be installed. The Lions Club raised $1,400, but more than that was contributed by CCS District tax payers.

The total cost was $4,500.

The Petersburg Pass Ski resort was laid out with a purchase of 500 acres on the Taconic Trail.

Skidmore College acquired 1,000 acres north of Saratoga for a new campus.

With the November issue, as never before in its history, a great amount of Hoosick Falls and Berlin news began to appear on the inside pages of the WCP, as the new owner began to consolidate and streamline the production of his two weeklies.

The editorial page came alive with a feature that would be written by the publisher for a number of years: "Knick's Knacks".

In the fall elections, George Morse was elected Washington County District Attorney.

A general discussion of the proposed consolidation of central schools, among Argyle, Salem, Greenwich and Cambridge took place at a meeting of the CCS Board led to the Board's vote to dispense with the idea and to continue looking at adding space at CCS.

John Bell completed his varsity season of football at St. Lawrence. He was a sophomore.

Thirty-five boys reported for basketball at CCS.

The BOE that November presented a building plan that would add 21 new classrooms and a "three station" gymnasium to the existing plant at CCS. Ten rooms would be for the elementary and ll for the secondary.

CCS began the '61-'62 basketball season with a win over Hartford, 74-61. Ken Stinner led scorers with 24, Fred Knapp contributed 19, Dan Pemrick 14 and Ray Purdy 11.

On December13, 1961 one of the most remarkable women in local history died. Grandma Moses passed quietly in her sleep. She was l0l.

CCS got a second win, leading Argyle all the way for a 65-48 victory. Ken Stinner hooped 27. Stinner, Knapp and Pemrick led rebounding.

Then they downed Greenwich 53-49. Stinner continued to lead scoring.

In December, the ownership of the Village library heated up. The fight, led by Katherine Brash, led the BOE to adopt a resolution which would bring the question before the voters of Union School District # 10.

Voters would decide two questions: One, to formally close the library for school purposes; and two, to convey the library plot and building to the Village of Cambridge, providing that within two years a charter os obtained from the NY State Board of Regents for a public library.

The Trustees of the Village pointed out that tax payers would have to provide approx. $3,000 in addition to the usual burden. That was the amount of the proposed annual library budget.

The Student Council at CCS innovated a holiday alumni basketball tournament, to feature former CCS greats and to be run off during the Christmas vacation.

Bill Nennstiel captained the winning team. Bill Nygard's team came in second. He was voted most valuable. John Bell most sportsman-like.

CCS downed Stillwater 51-37.

Then it was standing room only at Hoosick Falls as the Hoosier varsity downed CCS 47-37. They had stood atop the league tied for first place with identical, 4-1 records.

2006-04-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

1960: Sectional Basketball Title

CCS basketball team downed Schuylerville 58-26. Bill Potvin and Bill Nygard led scoring. Then they slipped into a tie for first place in the County League by defeating Salem 45-37. David Lee was writing the sports report for the WCP at that time. CCS was tied for first with Hoosic Valley and Salem, all with 6-1 records.

Editor Cullinan noted that the Lions Club was interested in building a tennis court for public use.

And then there were two. CCS dropped Hartford 75-26, while moving a game ahead of Salem. Bill Nygard, Chuck Cole and Bob Nygard led local scoring.

Col. Daniel Harry Pratt died at his Florida home. The Old Cambridge boy was one of the first pilots commissioned by the Army Air Force during World War I.

He was a star athlete at Cambridge Union School before enlisting in April, 1917.

CCS began the second half of the basketball season by defeating Greenwich 56-47 on the road.

Potvin, Bill Nygard and Don Vitello paced the Indians.

CCS continued tied, this time with Salem, for first in the League, following their defeat of Fort Ann 46-32. Bill Nygard controlled the boards and scored 18 points.

Then CCS went to 10-l in the league with a 56-42 defeat of Argyle. The one-two punch of the Nygard brothers was too much for the Scots.

The following week they defeated Stillwater 69-49 and took over first place in the League. It was their 11th victory of the season.

CCS took a two-game lead over Salem and Hoosic Valley on the strength of a 54-38 win over Valley. Bob Nygard had 19 and helped brother Bill on the boards.

Principal Bowler again advised the BOE that, even with the recently completed addition, CCS was too crowded.

In March, the village recreation committee looked at sponsoring student bowling after school on Wednesdays. It ws something the central school board should have implemented years before, didn't then and hasn't yet.

The annual Junior-Senior Play was to be "Our Hearts were Young and Gay".

League Champs

CCS Indians stretched their season victory skein to 14 with a win over Schuylerville 47-39. Bill Nygard scored 17 points in the first half and sat out the second.

Then Salem burst their bubble with a 46-45 upset on the CCS court.

The Cambridge Indians were too far ahead to be thwarted. They defeated Argyle 77-33 to take their second straight Washington County League Championship, ending the season with a 16-2 record.

The March 10 issue of the Old WCP featured a team picture and a one inch high banner headline announcing the fact.

Players on that great team were: Freeman Perry, Thomas Canzeri, John Lylis, Dan Severson, Ken Stinner, Chuck Cole, Bill Nygard, Bob Nygard, Fred Knapp, Ed Kent, Don Vitello and Bill Potvin. Head coach was John Herbert, with Merwin Nichols assistant.

CCS would once more challenge at the Class D section II level. Their first opponent, according to reporter David Lee, would be Warrensburg. The game would be played at Glens Falls.

Cambridge's Indians carried their basketball season one game further when they defeated Warrensburg 34-31 in the first round of Section II. The next game was against Voorheesville.

Don Vitello and Bill Nygard provided the offense, what there was; scoring 12 points each.

Section II Champs!

CCS came the closest to basketball glory the boys ever have when it swamped Voorheesville in the sectionals at Mechanicville, 70-40. Bill Nygard had 39 points. Vitello had 15. This broke by one point the CCS scoring mark for a boy in a single game. The 6' 4" senior also grabbed 25 rebounds.

CCS would meet Perth in the Class D finals at Troy High. Nearly the entire Village of Cambridge moved to Troy that Friday night to witness the game. It was an upset over the highly favored Perth club.

CCS led all the way, with Perth narrowing it somewhat at the end. They jumped out to a 10-0 lead before Perth got going. At one point Cambridge led by 15. Bill Nygard, who was double-teamed most of the evening, still managed 23 points.

Bob Nygard saw little action because of illness. Chuck Cole filled the slot.

They had little trouble with Perth, winning 61-52.

Finally, the Cambridge Indians had gone all the way. The Class D, Section II championship trophy was presented to co-captains Bill Nygard and Don Vitello at Troy High School.

It was like old times when the team returned. Where church, fire and school bells once boomed out the tune of local triumph, the electric carillon in the belfry of the 1st Presbyterian Church, announced the basketball landmark win.

The coach of Dartmouth College basketball, Alvin Julian, was featured speaker when the Masons honored CCS' Section II champs.

Charles John Stevenson was MC.

Principal Bowler reported that Patrician Hall would be available for use as a classroom in the coming year. At the April meeting of the BOE they considered yet another addition to the Central School building.

The CCS baseball season kicked off with a 21-7 win over Argyle, behind the throwing of John Ublacker.

The track team returned for its second season, fielding 10 veterans. Dan Severson, Carmen Olff, Dick McLenithan, Bill Nygard, Glenn Davis, Neal Laverty, Chuck Cole, Chad Morse, Ed Sarri and Charles Clark.

New members were Mike Severson, Carl Adams, Bill Potvin, Jack Lylis, Bob Craig, Seth Craig, Jim Kenyon, John Tonneson, Cliff Walrath, Ben White, Allan Bell, Bob Inslerman and Ray Purdy.

CCS baseball season rolled with a 10-6 win over Greenwich and 5-3 over Fort Ann.

Then they lost to Stillwater 3-0.

Fred Knapp was writing school sports that spring, and had to bring the bad news that CCS lost a second game, 9-1 to Hoosick Falls, committing 13 errors.

It was Ublacker's first loss in three starts.

Then the boys broke out with a 10-2 win over Schuylerville.

The track team helped safe guard "The Old Oaken Bucket" trophy with a 46-43 win over Salem.

Dan Severson was a double winner. Severson put the shot 48' 9".

That month, Foster Goodrich of S. Cambridge was named president and director of sales of Stanley Home Products.

Goodrich was born in Cambridge in 1908. He attended Cambridge Union School, playing football on the great teams of the 1920s.

Carson Fuller, director of summer recreation, announced that plans were complete. The popular swim program was to begin July 5.

Ryder and Link architects were drawing up yet another addition to the Central School.

Dick Skellie won the go-kart racing feature at Lauderdale Speedway. Nine Karts started the feature. John Bassett won a heat race.

The following week, Phil Clark won the 25 lap go-kart feature at Lauderdale Speedway.

Because of insurance risks, go-kart operates were banned from using the old school grounds for practice.

Go-Kart racing really caught on. Dick McCauley laid out a 3/4 mile course over a rolling field near Shushan, and would host the "Petit Grand Prix".

The winning driver was to receive a victory wreath from an area beauty queen and would take the checkered flag around on a victory lap. There would be no admission charge.

Mrs. Donald Skellie of Greenwich was appointed women's phys. ed. director, in place of Eva Hopkins, who was granted a years leave.

A large crowd were on hand for the annual water carnival of the Cambridge Recreation Program at Hedges Lake, climaxing the season. Carson Fuller was director and chief swim instructor. He and his assistants distributed 303 Red Cross cards among the children. Lessons given totalled 2,891. The average attendance for the program was 110 kids a day.

That August John Herbert was placed in charge of the complete basketball program, with Merwin Nichols as JV coach, and two assistants to work with junior high.

Carson Fuller was authorized an assistant for football.

CCS opened for the fall on Sept. 7, with another record enrollment: 1,095 students.

That Sept. 7th, Grandma Moses celebrated her 100th birthday and CCS opened the football season with a largely new cast. Tony McEvoy wrote the stories for the WCP. The first game was a victory over Salem 24-13. The following week they fell to Stillwater 19-0.

Lose Title By a Point

CCS bounced back from defeat to top Schuylerville 38-13. They continued to roll, topping Hoosick Falls 26-0.

Next, they plowed under Fort Edward 20-6. This left them died for first place in the League.

CCS lost the county football title by a one point loss to St. Peters. Then in the finale, they shut out Greenwich 21-0. They missed the championship by a single point.

The third annual football banquet was held at the Hotel Cambridge. The Holy Name Society sponsored.

John Kennedy was elected to the US Presidency, although Washington County stayed Republican. Town of Cambridge's Theodore T. Buckley was elected county sheriff.

The Lions Club continued to work on a community tennis court.

A large truck visited CCS that winter. It was loaded with a model fall-out shelter.

Seth Craig Jr. was the reporter for the Old WCP. CCS opened the 1960-61 basketball season with a win over Argyle, 57-52. Ken Stinner led scoring with 25 points.

The starting five was Nygard, Morse, Stinner, Pemrick and Potvin.

Tom Carlson and Fred Knapp played well.

Then they took Greenwich. At that time Greenwich was in Class C, while Cambridge was in Class D.

Bob Nygard led scoring the next week with 17 as CCS stopped Fort Ann 51-45.

CCS experienced their first basketball loss of the season at Stillwater, 53-41. Bill Potvin was high scorer with 15.

Then Hoosick Falls handed them a second loss, 45-43. The defending Section II champs were vulnerable. CCS led until the final four minutes.

Harrison and Rowley led Hoosick Falls with 15 and ll.

Another addition to the Central School was drawn and was in the hands of the State Ed. Dept. for approval.

The locals downed Hoosic Valley 68-54. Ken Stinner set a new school scoring record by wracking up 37 pts. This broke the old individual record of 36 held by John Luke.

(NO. I HAVE BILL NYGARD WITH 39 IN CLASS D SEMI-FINALS ---P7 1960)

Stinner had 14 field goals and 9 free throws.

The Cambridge Chiefs, made up of grads from the area, played in the Northway Basketball League. Players were Fred Petteys, Frank Green, Don Vitello, Leo Bartuski, Ron Seifort, Bill Nygard, Howie Andrews, Denny Bornt and Joe Scarfo. They took on the likes of the Glens Falls, Ballston Spa and Fort Edward.

2006-04-22T08:35:00.000-07:00

1959: THREE!! League Titles

The PTA Scholarship Fund was to benefit from a special evening of basketball that January. Players were the likes of Gardner Cullinan, Charley Ackley, Phil Sica, Bus Hedges, Harold Fairbanks and George Morse. Muriel Lufkin was to design the costumes, everything from Tarzan attire to "The White Swan Hotel" ballet.

A huge crowd turned out to watch the oldsters make fun of themselves at the PTA fun night. Alice Ashton and Anne Boeker led the "sparky flappers". Final scores included "Dungaree Dolls 17, Bloomer Girls 6; Cool Cats 17, Hot Shots 6", etc.

Carson Fuller announced skating every evening in back of the Hubbard Annex.

Led by the shooting of Bill Nygard, Dick Record and John Bell, CCS Indians downed Ft. Ann 54-39 to stretch their season record to 6-0.

CCS continued to roll, over Schuylerville 62-49.

The Cambridge Squaws continued their athletic activities, turning from summer softball to winter bowling.

League Hoop

Champions

CCS downed Greenwich 69-41, pushing their record to 9-0. Nygard and Bell led scoring. Then they decimated arch-rival Argy le 81-53 for no. 10.

CCS dropped a league game that wasn't reported in the WCP (typical), but went to 10-1 with a 77-34 defeat of Salem.

CCS took their 13th league win with a 78-30 rout of Hartford. They were on the brink of their second county championship in three seasons.

Fort Ann fell next, 61-34, for the 14th league win. Then came a 83-43 romp over Hoosick Falls. One more win and they were county champs. Bob Nygard had 30 points.

Next came Schuylerville, riding a seven game league streak and only one game back of second place Hoosic Valley.

The March 5 edition of the WCP included a banner headline: "Cambridge Indians Win Championship!" They did it with a 75-52 triumph over Schuylerville, who finished 12-5 in the league. Both would advance to Section II.

CCS was 16-1. Bill Nygard, 6' 2" junior, led scoring with; 278 pts., a 16.4 pt. per game average. John Bell, a senior forward, at 6 ft., had 195 pts. and an 11.5 average. Dick Record, the other senior forward, at 5' 10", ll.

The back court was Al Keiski and Ivan Purdy, both seniors. Joe O'Malley and Don Vitello played a lot, as did Dick Wulff, Jack Lylis, Chuck Cole and Dick McLenithan.

The team consisted of Nygard, Cole, Record, Keiski, McLenithan, Purdy, O'Malley, Donald Vitello, Lylis, Wulff, and Bell.

John Herbert was head coach and Merwin Nichols asst. James Lull was statistician and Cliff Phillips manager.

The boys had no trouble in the final game, swamping Greenwich 82-45, for one of the finest basketball records in the history of the School; probably the finest record by a boys team: 17-1.

Their only loss was to Hoosick Valley in the second of the two game series, 51-72. They had previously beaten Valley in the first game of the season 57-43. Valley finished second with a 15-3 record.

But their magnificent season ended dismally, a 75-53 loss to Ft. Edward at Mechanicville, despite a big turn-out of local fans.

Cambridge could only shoot 25 percent from the field. The Forts shot near 50 percent.

John Bell led local scorers with 15 pts. Nygard had 13.

Not to be outdone by The Holy Name Society laymen, who feted the successful football team, the Masons honored the basketball team with a dinner at McCarty's Log Cabin. Edward Donald, RPI Director of Athletics, was speaker.

Bus Hedges planned the affair, and was assisted by Gus Dering Sr., Fred Severson, John Briggs and John Sherman Sr.

A "dream" game between the two best CCS basketball teams in modern times was scheduled for April. The county champions of 1957 would meet the county champs of 1959.

The receipts from the very successful basketball season were, at the request of the players, put into a fund toward the purchase of glass backboards.

CCS launched its first track team in a decade, when Coach Carson Fuller turned out 20 candidates.

In the innitial meet, the CCS track team downed Stillwater 77-17. Dan Severson and Tommy Hunt piled up 13 points each. Hunt topped 9' 6" in the pole vault, won the l00 yd. dash and placed second in the broad jump. Severson was second in the 100, won the 220 and tossed the shot 43' 7".

Don Reed won the 440, Bob Nygard the 880 and Jim Kazimes the mile. Bill Nygard, Glen Davis and Chad Morse tied for the high jump.

Neal Laverty won the broad jump and Dick Wulff the discus.

Jerry Coon caught a three lb. trout on Mother's Day. It was 20 inches long.

CCS Grad Tom Buckley was varsity catcher for the Albany State baseball team.

Cambridge's own Kerry McKernon could be heard twice daily on the Saratoga Springs station of WSPN. He was class of '58.

Ralph Warren joined the Jerome E. Wright insurance agency. He had been in the business in Schenectady.

In a track loss to Schuylerville, Dan Severson again won the 220 and the shotput.

Ken McWhorter won the pole vault and the mile.

CCS Teams Take

Three League Titles!!!

Jim Lull moved up from statistician on John Herbert's basketball teams to writing by-lined sports stories on the school teams.

He reported that with the baseball team's 4-0 shut-out of Argyle, the Indians were a victory away from clinching a tie for the county championship with Schuylerville.

They did it the next week, on a perfect game, pitched by Bill Grady. A sophomore, Grady retired 21 men in a row, striking out 14 and gaining his 8th win of the season, against no defeats.

The Indians finished the season with a record of 8-1, good enough to be Washington County co-champions. Their lone loss was to Stillwater. According to League rules, there could be no play-off.

This was the first time in memory (perhaps in local sports history) that the CCS teams won the county crown in all three major sports: Football, basketball and baseball.

The teams on the year had a combined league record of 30 wins and two defeats, according to Statistician Lull.

Playing baseball for CCS were Ivan Purdy, Grady, Don Vitello, Al Keiski, Bill Wulff, Ublacker, Perry, Phillips, Dave Lee, Douglas and LeBarron.

Charles John Stevenson celebrated his 15th year with the widely-known "Chanticleer" program on Radio Station WGY. In 1945, Stevenson, then editor of the Washington County Post, co-founded the early morning radio foremat.

Beginning with only a 25 minute spot, the "Chanticleer" broadcasts lengthened until in 1959 they were on the air from 5:45 until 7:00 a.m. every weekday.

Stevenson became a regular radio personality in 1934, when he began to present 15 minute humorous sketches of rural comment, at first on WGLC in Glens Falls. When this tation removed to Albany, WTRY went on the air in 1940 and Stevenson did a weekly "Small Town Stuff" program for five years. In June of 1945 he switched to WGY and Chanticleer.

Back in 1942, WGY hired him to do a monthly, farm paper of the air feature. This he continued into 1959.

In 1947, WGY began featuring him in a 45 min. afternoon segment, entitled "The Jolly Judge". Background was provided by Stevenson's brief experience as police judge of Cambridge.

Since before WW II, Stevenson had been in steady demand as a speaker. At one point, the National Republican Committee sent him in a nation-wide speaking tour, on behalf of the Party.

That summer, 165 kids turned out for classes at Hedges Lake. Coach Fuller went looking for more qualified swimming instructors.

Civil Defense distributed booklets showing how to design fall-out shelters.

Burlingame Heads

SUNY Baseball

Robert Burlingame, a former Cambridge resident and recent three sport coach at St. Johnsonville Central, became varsity baseball coach at Albany State.

One of the grand ladies of Old Cambridge died in mid-August. Miss Elizabeth Allen Smart passed away in Washington DC. She was former owner of the Washington County Post and the national lobbyist for the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

The CCS athletic program had rebounded sharply under Principal Bowler and the rapid growth in enrollment. Eleven man footbal returned. Track was added. CCS acquired seven championship trophies three in baseball, two in basketball and two in football, in the five previous seasons.

School opened Wednesday, Sept. 9th. Reporting were 1,058 students.

The CCS football team, decimated by graduation, still had enough the fall of 1959 to defeat Stillwater 27-13.

Don Vitello was quarterback. As his father, John, did a generation before him, Dan Severson played fullback.

Tom Canzeri continued the tradition begun by his father, Nicholas, who played halfback on the immortal teams of the '20s.

Other players were Ken Stinner, Neil Laverty, Dave Lee, John Ublacker, Dick McLenithan, Bob Nygard, Butch Dering and Butch Wilkie.

CCS went to Whitehall for a non-league game and won 16-0.

Then the Indians swamped Hoosick Falls 49-7. Dan Severson and Tom Canzeri scored twice. Jack Douglas, Chad Morse, Bob Nygard and Don Vitello scored once each.

Robert Warren, 12, got his deer with bow and arrow when Vermont season opened.

Fort Edward cut down the high-flying Indians 18-6. It was the first defeat in county competition since CCS dropped out of the Saratoga league. The Forts were undefeated in eight games.

CCS bounced back from their defeat at Fort Edward to knock off St. Peters 26-0.

King's Bakery reopened at their new location near the railroad tracks on Main St. on Monday, Nov. 2, moving from the former Estramonte sweet shop on East Main.

The pin boy was a thing of the past. For the fall bowling season, Walter Gann installed the new AMF pin spotter equipment.

The second successive Saturday of pouring rain forced the postponement of the Greenwich-Cambridge football game.

CCS downed Salem 19-0. Then in the rain delayed game, they beat Greenwich 25-6.

The Holy Name Society honored the football team with a banquet at the Hotel Cambridge. The boys finished 6-1 in the county league.

Matt Meagher Sr. served as toastmaster.

CCS began the basketball season with a 65-40 win over Greenwich, then took a tough game from Fort Ann 48-37.

Cambridge stayed with Hoosick Valley and Salem atop the county league, posting a 51-34 win over Stillwater to go to 3-0. Bob Nygard, Bill Potvin and Don Vitello led scoring.

Then they dropped off the pace, losing a thriller, 63-61 to Hoosic Valley in double overtime. Bill Nygard scored 30 points before fouling out. That put CCS and Valley at 4-1 behind undefeated Salem.

Effective Jan. 1, 1960, Gardner Cullinan became proprietor of the Old WCP. Theretofore, he had leased the paper from Elizabeth Smart, who had died the fall of 1959.

2006-04-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

1958: 11 Man Football Champs

Word reached the Village that "Duffy" White and Betty Boeker were National Merit Scholar semi-finalists.

John Bell led Cambridge with 22 points as John Herbert's CCS basketball team won their fourth League game, 54-45 over Salem.

Then Argyle gave them a loss 62-41.

CCS got back on the winning track at the end of January with an over-time victory, 49-46, over Hoosic Valley.

The Walter Ganns purchased from the Delaware and Hudson Railroad all of the land from Main St. north along Broad St. to the Historical House, including the former railroad depot. The railroad kept occupancy rights on the building until May 1, 1958.

CCS that February boasted a 6-1 Washington County League record, following a 62-28 win over Greenwich. Players were John Bell, Dick Record, Bruce Wands, Dick Wulff, Al Keiski, Ivan Purdy, and Frank Cristaldi.

Then they downed Bennington Catholic 69-46. It made their season record 8-3.

Then they went on to down Fort Ann 61-54.

CCS downed Hartford 48-33. Then they blasted Salem 65-52.

Their record went to 10-1 in the League.

A late winter blizzard buried the community. Several feet of snow were blown into drifts by winds reaching 50 mph. Boy Scouts helped clear the fire hydrants, but the plows couldn't keep the sidewalks open.

Then the temperature dropped to 32 below. The Joe McCarty family of Cobleskill visited the James McCartys of Cambridge, then needed 12 hours to cover 18 miles.

In a non-league game, Hudson Falls downed the Indians 62-53.

The Feb. 27th issue of the WCP carried a picture and story on Betty Boeker, who was named a merit scholar in the National Merit Scholarship Contest. She was the first and to date the only local scholar to win such an award. Less than one half of one percent of the seniors in a state ever receive such an award.

And she was not yet done.

Then the Scots of Argyle did it again, downing CCS 43-37 for their second win of the season over the locals and locking up the County crown. A record crowd of l,000 over-flowed the local gym for the game.

CCS finished the season with a 77-70 win over Hoosic Valley, for a 10-2 league mark.

Members of the team were Dick Wulff, Joe O'Malley, Frank Cristaldi, Cliff Phillips, Tim Motsiff, Ivan Purdy, Dick Record, Larry Decker, John Bell, Bruce Wands, and Al Keiski. Dick Chase was manager, John Herbert coach and Merwin Nichols asst. coach.

In March, T.T. Buckley sold the Chas. A. McGhee, Inc. business to Graeme F. Parrish. Mr. Parrish ran it for years as The Cambridge Lumber Co.

That spring, things amongst local conservationist hunters and fishermen got sort of tense. Editor Cullinan introduced a column to lighten things up: "Uncle Jeb From Shushan".

Frank Fressie, local history teacher, was awarded a Fullbright to tour Europe during the summer.

The Masons sponsored their second annual dinner for the CCS basketball team.

CCS opened the baseball season with a 15-0 win over Hoosick Falls.

John Luke, a star shortstop for Plattsburgh College, joined the Plattsburgh Falcons as they entered the Quebec Senior Baseball League.

The Lions Club sponsored a banquet for CCS athletes.

The lead story in the May 1, 1958 issue of the WCP was that Betty Boeker had actually won a National Merit Scholarship. She is the only student in the history of Cambridge schools to have done so.

She took her undergraduate degree at Radcliffe and her Ph.D in bio-chemistry at the University of California at Berkeley. She became a research scientist and college professor, but died prematurely of cancer.

In that same issue Ken Wilbur and Charley Bowler announced that CCS was awakening with the rest of the Nation to the fact that America's schools lagged behind Russia in science. A new, more challenging and extensive program was to be implemented.

Charley Banner took the CCS band to Manchester for the Loyalty Day parade.

The John L. Hunts of Downington, Pa., purchased 500 acres of land on Mount Colfax. They also purchased the Martha McFarland homestead on Rt. 22 north of the Village.

The CCS baseball team downed Fort Ann 13-3 and Greenwich 11-4.

Added to the National Honor Society were Mary Lee Kent, Richard Evans, Ann Chase and Linda McMorris. They joined members Carol Brewer, Mary Ellen Watkins, Betty Boeker, Patricia Decker and Donald Murdoch.

Dr. Howard Romack, Dr. Seth Craig, George Morse, Gardner Cullinan and Robert Boeker left that May for St. Combs, Canada to fish. Numerous other locals headed for Maine or Canada for the same reason.

John Luke, a senior at Plattsburgh State, received 12 varsity college letters in his four years of competing in three varsity sports. His senior year he was chosen all New York State Soccor team goalie. His junior year he was captain of the baseball team. His senior year he was co-captain. He played shortstop and pitched.

The CCS baseball team of Coach Carson Fuller wound up tied for second in the League, as Al Keiski pitched a 5-3 win over Hoosic Valley.

Betty Boeker, the highest ranking scholar ever to graduate from Cambridge Central School, was neither the valedictorian or the salutatorian of her class. Those honors went to Mary Lee Kent and Carol Brewer, respectively.

Miss Boeker was deprived by Principal Bowler on the rationale that she only joined the class that year, by way of her extreme excellence in scholarship, having compressed her high school career into only three years. It wasn't thought "fair" to the other students for Miss Boeker to be so honored.

That June saw the largest class in CCS history graduate. Forty donned the mortar boards.

America's new emphasis on science brought Richard Ross to the CCS faculty. Peter Proud would succeed Charles Banner as band director.

Albert Brigham was hired to teach the one special education class, grades 7-12. This was a new program in the State.

James Leone became full-time elementary principal at CCS and Merwin Nichols became full-time guidance counselor.

Cloudless skies that July gave locals a view of the Russiona satellite "Sputnik" as it streaked across the sky.

The Cambridge Squaws softball team launches another season with victories over Granville and Hoosick Falls.

That Fall, CCS topped a thousand students, the actual enrollment being 1,028. Of these, 612 were K-6, 173 were 7-8 and 243 were 9-12.

Forty-five boys turned out for Coach Carson Fuller's CCS football team that fall.

The Cambridge Saddle Club planned its third gymkhana.

League bowling began at Cambridge Recreation. Boys could still work as pin boys.

Mr. Lylis made a statement that Board policy had always been not to make available the salaries of teachers. Mr. Coulter indicated that the information, was however, always available to the public.

The James King family purchased the Mabel Clark property on Main St. near the railroad. This would be their home, as well as allow expansion of their King Bakery business next door. Their new Main St. store was due for completion in early 1959. They also operated an annex in the White Swan Hotel building, Greenwich.

More than 300 parents attended the PTA meeting that September, to inspect the new addition to the central school.

BOE President Lylis outlined the effect of the new addition: Ten new classrooms, a new cafeteria, and storage.

The football season opened with a 20-7 win over West Rutland, but Alfred King was lost for the season. He broke his leg in practice.

Al Kieski, Dick Record, Dan Severson, Don Vitello, and Dick Wulff were stand-outs.

CCS then won its first League contest 21-0 over St. Peters.

This was followed by a 25-6 triumph over Greenwich.

Two new sets of bleachers went up on the east side of the football field. They were built by the Ag boys, supervised by Wally Roewer. The student council raised the funds for one set, and the FFA donated the cost of another.

CCS took another League win, 20-0 over Salem.

The tradition of the Old Oaken Bucket was begun in 1956. John Briggs of Cambridge gave the bucket in memory of his father, Frank C. Briggs, who was an outstanding athlete at Washington Academy in the early 1900s. It stayed with the school that won the most of the varsity contests between Salem and Cambridge. Cambridge won it 5-0 in 1956-57 and 2-1 in 1957-58.

The win over Salem put Cambridge in full possession of the League lead. Al Keiski passed to Bill Nygard for one score. Then Dick Wulff went up the middle 26 yards to the one and Keiski took it in.

A thirty yard "holiday" pass play, from Don Vitello to Record to Nygard put the ball on the Generals 7, from whence Wulff drove it over.

On defense, Butch Dering, Cliff Phillips, Dennis Ford, Jimmy Kazimes and Gary Brown were outstanding. Keiski, John Bell and Dave Lee stopped the passing.

Doris Elo was added part-time to the Central School to aleviate the 44 student per teacher situation in Kindergarten.

CCS won the Washington County League football championship that fall with a 25-0 win over Stillwater. The Indians were undefeated on the year.

This was the first 11 man football crown for the school since 1926. Cambridge was 4-0, followed by Salem at 3-1, Greenwich at 1-2-1, Stillwater at 1-3-0 and St. Peter's at 0-3-1.

A banquet honoring them was put together by the Holy Name Society of St. Patrick's Church. Dom Denio, varsity football coach at LaSalle Institute, was guest speaker. Dr. Joe Pender was Toastmaster.

In an editorial, Editor Cullinan lauded the boys: "It has been a long wait.... Many times before, just as it seemed that the championship was within reach, something always happened to put it off....

"This year takes us back to the days of Johnny Galloway, the galloping ghost, and his associates, who made football history at Cambridge during the middle 1920's."

Of course, it was made easier when CCS was able to drop out of the Saratoga-Washington League and compete primarily within the county.

The front page of the Nov. 6 issue was adorned by a large picture of the champs:

Carl Adams, James Ashton, Albert Baratto, George Bassett, John Bell, Terry Briggs, George Brimmer, Albert Broadhead, Gary Brown, Tom Canzeri, George Dering, Harold Dewey, Earl Douglas, Gerald Eddy, Nelson Eddy, Dennis Ford, James Kazimes, Alvin Keiski, Alfred King, Neal Laverty, Gerald LeBarron, David Lee, John Lylis, Alvin Macauley, Richard McLenithan, Matt Meagher, Chad Morse, Robert Nygard, Wm. Nygard, Carmen Olff, Dan Pemrick, Cliff Phillips, Wm. Potvin, Wm. Randles, Richard Record, Dan Severson, Mike Severson, Ken Stinner, John Ublacker, Don Vitello, Robert Wallace, Dan Wilkie and Richard Wulff.

They were coached by Carson Fuller. Maurice O'Connor was assistant. Fred Knapp, George Morse Jr. and Ivan Purdy Jr. were managers. Dr. William Manson, Jerome E. Wright and Joel Ketonen assisted with the team.

But theirs was not to be an undefeated season. In the final game of the season, a non-leaguer, they lost 27-19 to Bennington Catholic.

Bennington scored three times in a wild first quarter.

Nonetheless, more than 200 attended the banquet honoring them.

CCS seniors again conducted a successful halloween carnival.

Ray Eberle and his Serenade in Blue Orchestra appeared in Glens Falls. Eberle sang with the Glenn Miller band. He was from Hoosick Falls.

The CCS basketball team readied for an 18 game season, exclusively against Washington County League teams, as more schools were added.

The CCS basketballers won their first game, 57-45 over Hoosic Valley.

CCS went to 3-0 in the League with a 58-45 win over Stillwater. Dick Record and Ivan Purdy led the scoring attack. John Bell and Nygard controlled the boards.

Famed musician Sigurd Rascher of Shushan gave a Town Hall recital in NYCity. His 13 year old daughter Karin played with him.

The Cambridge Merchants basketball team entered the area league that winter. Players included Chuck and Jimmy Estramonte, Dick Dame, Ray Luke, Tony Cristaldi, John Buckley and Walt Headwell.

The December 25th issue carried a picture on the front page of the present Washington County gave itself, a new county office building, designed by Milton L. Crandell.

The Town of White Creek supervisor died in an auto accident that week. Amos D. Moscrip Jr. was killed instantly when he car left Rt. 22 about six miles above the Village at 10:30 Thursday night. He hit a utility pole.

Attorney George Morse was appointed by the Town Board to fill the remainder of the term.

CCS walloped Hartford 68-37. It was their fifth league contest without a loss. Joe O'Malley, Ivan Purdy and Dick Record led scoring.

Carson Fuller, chairman of the Cambridge Recreation Commission, hoped to have ice skating behind the Hubbard Annex (Union School), as well as games and dancing inside. Youth Commission members included Jerome Wright, George Chapin, Mrs. Donald Presler, Mrs. Henry Bates, John Hunt, Mrs. Andrew Bell, Charles Clark, Burton Woodward and Dr. James Lee.

2006-04-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

1957-58: Sectional Power-house

After 38 years as an officer of the Cambridge Valley National Bank, many of them as its president, Malcolm Parrish announced his retirement. He joined the bank as Teller in 1918, following service in WW I. In 1921 he was elected Cashier and in 1924 President.

On January 8, 1957 he was elected president of the Board of Directors for the 34th consecutive year, and in that capacity he would continue after retirement.

CCS basketball team continued to roll, taking their sixth straight 58-54 over St. Mary's Academy. "Duke" Nennstiel continued to throw down 20 or so points per game.

CCS Indians took over top spot in the league with a 44-40 win over Argyle. Don Record scored 18 and Nennstiel l0.

The $320,000 proposed addition to the central school would provide seven new classrooms, expansion of the cafeteria for more general use, a yard storage room to give the ag. shop more space and a new cafeteria-playroom.

Of course, if the community had have spent this extra money back in 1951 when the school was first built, it would have avoided the cheap work of the new school and would have gotten twice as much for its money. It is a classic example of how being "cheap" can be wasteful.

Cambridge Indians continued to roll, downing Hoosic Valley 63-58. Nennstiel had 31 pts., Don Record 16.

The school addition passed over-whelmingly, 92 percent of the voters for it, 565 to 46.

Charles Ackley announced that he would not be a candidate to succeed himself as Village mayor. In a full-page ad in the same issue, Charley let the public know that he was going to attend to his new businesses. He held a week long, 2nd anniversary sale at his furniture store.

The Indians reeled off their 9th straight victory, 71-50 over Greenwich. Coach Herbert substituted liberally. John Bell was high scorer with 15.

CCS rolled along, 64-37 over Fort Ann, despite a postponement because of poor roads. "Duke" bucketed 20.

John Pockette and James King, of Shaftsbury, Vt. announced that they would soon open a bakery in the James Estramonte building on East Main. To be called the "Tasty Bake Shop", it was the fore-runner of the highly successful (in 1995) King's Bakery near the railroad.

CCS took down Salema 63-49, for their second win over their arch rivals. They were undefeated in the League. Larry Decker was high schorer with 19.

In mid-February, the Indians brought their season record to 13 wins against a single loss whena they downed Williamstown, Mass. 65-52. Don Record scored 23. Coach Herbert used subs most of the second half.

Playing their final non-league game of the season, the Indians fumbled the ball, stumbling before St. Mary's Academy 66-55, in the second meeting of the clubs.

The following week they were back on track, downing Hoosick Valley 75-51. This assured them of at least a tie for the Washington County Championship.

Then their hopes for an undefeated league season went out the window when Argyle got even with them 65-54.

In '56-57 the CCS faculty associated themselves with the NEA.

Two local newspapermen shifted jobs. Linwood Strout took over as sports editor of the Post-Star of Glens Falls as Rogers Gorman resigned to move to the sports dept. of the Albany Times-Union.

That March, Floyd R. Smith was elected mayor of the Village without opposition.

Despite having dropped one game in the league that year, CCS wrapped up the championship with a decisive, 94-63 victory over Greenwich. "Duke" had 31 points. They were 15-3 on the season and 11-1 in the league.

Their first sectional opponent was Warrensburg.

Members of the Washington County League Basketball champion team: John Pemrick, Dick Record, John Bell, William "Duke" Nennstiel, Larry Decker, Don Record, David Herrington, Andy Anderson, Frank Cristaldi, Bruce Wands, Jim Lull, Dick Greminger, and Tony Olff. Edward Atwll was manager and John Herbert was coach.

CCS, playing at Saratoga, rallied past Warrensburg 63-59 to advance to the Class D semis, where they would face Berne-Knox.

Lindy Strout wrote that Nennstiel took scoring honors with 22. But it was Don Record who, with the score tied 57-all, threw in the bucket that put Cambrfidge ahead for good.

Berne-Knox knocked them off. Unbelievably, the Indians had to play the fourth quarter with Pemrick, Record and Nennstiel and Decker on the bench, having fouled out. Cambridge led at the end of the third quarter 51-39.

John Bell sank a last second basket to send it into over-time, but too many big guns were missing. They lost the sectional title 71-67.

Colgate basketball coach Howard Hartman was the principal speaker at the CCS basketball banquet that spring. The committee in charge was John Briggs, Irving "Bus" Hedges and Fred Severson. The banquet was held at McCarty's Log Cabin, with 70 in attendance.

Three students, Mary Ellen Watkins, Dorothy Campbell and Carol Brewer, were initiated into the National Honor Society at CCS.

John Marsh was reelected president of the PTA.

The gypsy moth was a plague that spring. Extensive DDT sprying was expected to do the trick.

O.K. Spurr had finished his camp on Moosehead Lake in Maine, and many local fishermen enjoyed his hospitality.

That year the annual Tri-State Music Festival was held at Tanglewood, sponsored by the Lions of Lenox, Mass. Fourteen schools from New York, Vermont and Massachussetts participated, including band and chorus from Cambridge.

Based upon the sorry state of affairs in 1995, it is hard to believe that the Cambridge High School Band, in 1957, could handle the original version of Washington Post March.

Cat murders caught the attention of the local community that May. Floating down Rice's Brook past the WCP offices came the bodies of several cats. Ropes were looped around their necks. They had been either hanged or thrown in the water to drown.

"Who could be so cruel?" wondered the Post Editor. "We hope somebody finds out!"

Carson Fuller coached both track and baseball that spring.

In baseball, Don Record pitched CCS to its fifth victory against a single defeat, with a no-hitter. He faced 24 Greenwich batsmen, struck out 21 and walked two. The first eight strikeouts were consecutive, but the 9th batter popped up to the infield.

They downed Hoosick Valley 13-1, and Argyle 6-2, to give them a tie for the League title with Argyle.

It was their second baseball title of the year. The first came in a contest between all of the teams. The second came when the Class D and E teams were separated.

Cambridge got off to a bad start, their sole loss coming 2-1 to Fort Ann. Then they powered by Hartford 16-1, and Salem 22-4. Argyle had the league lead, having defeated Fort Ann, until Cambridge trimmed them.

Then Cambridge steamed on into the Class D play-offs, beating Salem 9-5 and Hoosick Valley 18-1.

Merl Galusha further cemented the Cambridge connection with Schenectady broadcasting by becoming the manager of WRGB, General Electric Co.'s television station. He had been the manager of WGY Radio.

The year 1956-57 was one of outstanding sports achievement, as summerized in the "Review".

Don Record capped a brilliant four year career by hurling a no-hitter at Greenwich, fanning 21, CCS winning 10-0. This gave CCS the co-championship of Washington County. Then the boys swept through the Class D Sectional tournament to take that trophy free and clear.

In September '56, CCS fielded an ll man football team for the first time in 21 years. They enjoyed a 4-2 season, with a big upset of Ballston Spa there, and finished second in the Saratoga County League.

John Pemrick won the Jerome E. Wright trophy for the most improved football player of the year.

Cambridge really shown in basketball, under the guidance of new coach John Herbert. CCS topped Manchester 63-45 to begin a 13 game winning streak, broken only by a get-even loss to St. Mary's Academy.

Cambridge downed Argyle 44-40 behind the 18 points of Don Record and took over first place in the Washington County League. Then on March 1, they routed Greenwich 94-63, breaking the Washington County League record for most points in one game, and clinched the league championship with an 11-1 record.

The Indians participated in the class D sectionsals for the first time in 23 years, beating Warrensburg 63-59. They lost in the finals.

"Duke" Nennstiel was the top scorer in the county with 245 points, a 20.4 pt. per game average.

"Duke" Nennstiel was awarded a $2,800 grant in aid to Muhlenberg College.

An eight lb. "pet" trout was landed at The Tackle Box. The trout was thought to be ll year old. It was 26 1/4 inches long. A female, it was 15 inches in girth, as determined by a Fish Hatchery rep.

At that time the champion Battenkill trout was thought to be the 31 1/2 inch 12 1/2 pounder caught on May ll, 1923 by Roy Brown at the Tackle Box site.

Then five year old Dianne Wilkie landed a 15 inch trout in Seed House Brook.

The governing bodies of the Presbyterian and United Presbyterian Churches united as of June 14. This paved the way for the eventual merger of congregations in Cambridge, where there were three separate churches.

That July, Tannery Pond at the West End was scene of a fishing derby. More than 150 kids caught 142 fish. Paul Virtue Jr. pulled in the largest trout of the day.

Only 37 attended the annual meeting of the CCS District. They passed a $517,500 budget. In '56-57, there were 977 pupils attending, with a cost per pupil of $427.

An enlargement of the school had been let, bids awarded and construction was underway.

John Lylis was selected to lead the BOE, after the Board decided to rotate the responsibility.

The Cambridge Squaws opened another softball season, with a 23-6 win over Eagle Bridge. Delores Skiff pitched the first five innings, then Julia Stefanovich took over.

There were four teams in the league that summer, Cambridge, Eagle Bridge, Greenwich and Easton.

The Cambridge Squaws walked away with the league softball trophy, winning nine straight games with no defeats.

Bernard Stinner was added to the faculty that Sept.

John Herbert was appointed assistant principal, while continuing his other duties.

Patrician Hall was pressed into use to take care of the over-flow of students until the addition was ready. Sixth grade would meet there, taught by Helen Wallace, Alice Murdoch and Verah Parrish.

CCS opened with another record enrollment: 974 students. Twenty of these students were attending the Eagle Bridge school.

The Student Council sold season tickets to home football games that fall to raise money for additional bleachers. CCS had 47 boys out for another season of 11 man ball.

CCS opened the ll man football season that Fall with a 19-12 win over St. Peter's of Saratoga. The starting lineup was Don Vitello, QB; Dick Record, RH; LeRoy Anderson, LH; Cliff Phillips, FB; David Wilkie, C; Richard Evans, RG; Wesley Mook, LG; Bruce Wands, RT; Wayne Laverty, LT; Larry Decker, RE; Dick Wulff, LE. Frank Cristaldi alternated with Don Vitello on defense.

Harold Dewey of Grove St. landed a 6 lb. 10 1/2 oz. large mouth bass in Dead Pond. It was 23 inches long.

The second game of the football season was a loss to Corinth 13-12. The third game was a 13-13 tie with Ballston.

Clifford Phillips of Eagle Bridge received the Eagle Scout award. He was a member of Troop 69, Eagle Bridge. He was the third boy in area history to achieve that level in Scouting.

After a series of close games, Cambridge footballers swamped Stillwater 39-0. Cliff Phillips also enjoyed the distinction of scoring one of the touchdowns.

The Village Board's provisional appointment as Police Chief did not work out. In mid-October, they gave the permanent appointment to Philip Sica.

Legalization of bingo by non-profit organizations was on the ballot that November. The boys of the Fire Dept. and Capt. Maxson Post combined in an ad, urging a "yes" vote.

A game was postponed, then the Greenwich game was cancelled. Finally, the boys got in a football game, a 19-12 victory over Burr and Burton of Manchester, Vt.

In the Nov. 7th issue appears the first WCP issue carrying a story warning of the potential danger of the Russion satellite "sputnik".

The CCS National Honor Society inducted three students, Betty Boeker, Pat Decker and Don Murdock.

The CCS basketball season, the second under Coach John Herbert, took the league opener from Greenwich 69-58, but dropped games to Burr and Burton and Hudson Falls.

CCS downed Fort Ann 38-25.

Betty Boeker of CCS was named a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. She was competing against students from 14,000 participating US schools. She would continue in the competition.

CCS basketballers rolled along, downing Hartford 52-45. They were undefeated in the county.