Last year, in the June 9, 2022 issue, we wrote in "Granville Then and Now" of the owners of Main Street stores, eateries, and offices in the 1960s. At that time, there were two living retired merchants surviving from that era: John Belemjian and John Norton. Belemjian died earlier this year, of which we wrote about in this column. The death of John Norton last month removes the last surviving of the merchants of the Main Street stores of the 1960s.
Norton's involvement in community functions was numerous. He was an owner of Wilson's Clothing, and later had a painting and contracting business with his son. He served as village trustee in the 1960s and again in the 2000s, and as village mayor in the late 1960s. At the time of his death he was a member of the town planning board, a position to which he was appointed in 2001. Norton was a member of several organizations, including the Granville Rotary Club, the Granville Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion, and the VFW.
Norton raised his family in Granville, eight children with his wife Noreen. They were also friendly and welcoming to the neighborhood children: first the "Pine Hill Gang" when they lived on Pine Street, then another group after they moved to North Granville. In later years both displayed the same hospitality to their grandchildren and other relations and neighbors.
John Norton left a positive mark on the Granville community, one which has had a lasting impact. He will be missed, but he will be remembered for a long time. In our biography of him last year, we concluded in part with the following: "(John) Norton is certainly someone who contributed to Granville being a great place. He can look back on his efforts towards bettering Granville with a sense of pride and accomplishment." We can say that he did, and that his family can reflect with fond memories and pride that he was a true Granville booster who was determined, whenever possible, to take action for the betterment of his hometown of Granville.
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Going back to the Granville Sentinel of August 17, 1923, we find there were some news items coming from Lake Saint Catherine in that 1923 issue. A different sort of carnival was being planned: "The recreation committee of the Lake St. Catherine Association is arranging for a water carnival for Wednesday, August 22, at the Idylwild Forest House section of the lake. All the cottagers with guests and friends and the townspeople of Poultney, Wells and Granville are cordially invited to come and enjoy the day. A program is being planned of races, sports and a water parade of all kinds of boats, a feature of which will be the decorated section. The merchants of the nearby towns have generously given many beautiful and useful things which will be awarded as prizes. A full list of them with the names of their donors will be published in a later report of the event. The Granville band will give a concert and music for free dancing at the Forest House from 3 to 6 o'clock."
Dances, ever the popular social event for locals in 1923, were being held: "The private dance which was held by the members of the Lake St. Catherine Association Saturday evening at the Forest House was a delightful affair and was largely attended. All lake cottagers are included in the association, which was recently organized, and its success will mean the erection of a club house. Dances will be held every Saturday night; a children's dance from 8 to 9 o'clock. The main object of these dances is that cottagers may get better acquainted with each other."
In columns earlier this year we mentioned the island, the building of the footbridge connecting the island to the mainland, and the sunken island. With this column we mention another name associated with the lake, named in this item: "Roy Williams of Granville is building an addition to his cottage at Horseshoe bay."
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A picnic was announced in the same issue: "Granville Mettowee grange and Pawlet Mettowee Valley grange, will hold a picnic Monday, August 20, at the Forest House, Lake St. Catherine. All grangers, their families and friends are cordially invited. Sports, a ball game and a good dinner will be the features of the day. In the evening there will be a dance, with both round and square figures. Juckett's orchestra will furnish the music. The committee in charge will buy the rolls and the picnicers are to bring the good things for the tables. A way will be provided for the members of Granville grange who have no conveyance. Notify Leon C. Tooley."
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This Middle Granville news item had a connection to Lake Saint Catherine: "The DeKalb family reunion was held at Idylwild Park, Lake St. Catherine, Tuesday of last week with thirty-six in attendance. Members from Middle Granville and Raceville were present. A beautiful day at the lake and an excellent dinner is worthy of the efforts one takes to leave cares for awhile to get together for reuniting friendships and recreation. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all."
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A Granville woman gained a prominent position overseeing the rural schools of a portion of Washington County: "Mrs. Lena M. S. Brown was officially notified Tuesday afternoon, after the board of directors had held a meeting, that she was unanimously elected superintendent of the rural schools of this district. Mrs. Brown succeeds Mrs. Emily Devine-Cronkhite, who resigned. Mrs. Cronkhite was a most faithful worker and accomplished results that ere entirely satisfactory. The Sentinel can assure the public that Mrs. Brown will put forth every effort for a successful administration, which will not be second to her predecessor in any way."
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A change of management was happening to a component of a Granville business: "D.R. Haskins has sold his soda fountain after operating it in his store for over forty years." The fountain eventually closed, as an advertisement in 1939 announced that Haskins' Drug Store was opening a soda fountain counter.
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