Granville Then & Now – July 13, 2023

By Erik Pekar

Summer time is known to many as concert time, and just as Granville people of today frequent the summer concert series held at Veterans Park, Granville people of 1923 listened to the repertoire of the Granville Band. They also performed in neighboring communities. The following news item, from the July 13, 1923 issue of the Granville Sentinel, reports of their performing in Granville and Salem:

"Immense crowds assemble in Salem every Saturday night to listen to the concerts given by the Granville band, many of the people doing the shopping for over Sunday and it is understood merchants are enjoying a gratifying business by these concerts. The main thoroughfare is turned into a veritable Fifth avenue every Saturday evening, Cambridge, Shushan and Rupert being well represented. Pleasing programs have been rendered at each concert, which Director Allen knows how to arrange.

"The fifth concert of the season in Granville was given last evening and the usual large assemblage of automobiles were present. Each number was heartily received, showing their appreciation. Through the kindness of George W. Braymer, our enterprising townsman, the band will be enabled to present the last six of their concert on the west side, he having consented to the erection of the bandstand on the vacant lot at the corner of Quaker street and Irving avenue. This will be an ideal location, enabling people to park their cars on four or five different streets. Next week's concert will be the final one on North street."

For many years the Granville Band lacked a permanent bandstand. The one mentioned above would soon be lost as a bungalow house was constructed at this lot, numbered 31 Quaker Street; for many years it was the residence of Granville teacher Miss Lulu Hull. The Granville Band would not get a permanent bandstand, and have it last, until the present bandstand at Veterans Park was completed.

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A Granville business owner was remodeling their business: "J.J. Lawler has been making extensive improvements about his market. An addition to his office adds much to the convenience of the place. Miss Lorraine Lawler, daughter of the proprietor, is in charge of the new office." The Lawler store was on East Main Street; its building, since demolished, stood at what is now the green at the Village Yarn Shop.

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A few weeks ago we mentioned the State Street book club. This week in 1923, a news item shows that Middle Granville also had a book club: "The Middle Granville Book club was entertained by Mrs. Sherman of Broadview Terrace Wednesday afternoon."

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A Whitehall attorney gets an important task: "L.M. Layden of Whitehall has been appointed a special attorney general for the purpose of assisting the state conservation commission to examine titles of lands, proposed for state parks. The Lake George park at Tongue mountain is among the parks considered for development along with Alleghany state park, a tract at Saratoga, additional land for the Niagara Falls state reservation, Watkins Glen, Letchworth, Enfield Falls and John Boyd Thatcher and parks in the Finger Lakes region."

This item was filed in the West Pawlet column. It may seem odd for it to be placed there, but Mr. Layden did have ties to that community. A relative of Layden was a co-partner in the Layden and Burdick general store in West Pawlet, which was located in the brick building adjacent to the building that currently houses the West Pawlet Post Office.

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A news item from West Rupert: "The degree staff of Indian River Rebekah lodge assisted the institution of Loyal Rebekah lodge, No. 66 of West Pawlet which took place Thursday of last week." The Rebekah lodges were affiliated with the Odd Fellows lodges.

Another item from the same settlement: "Carney Buck received severe injuries to his foot Sunday when it was stepped on by a cow." We wonder if he may be a relation to the Buck family that now owns the manual car wash on Quaker Street.

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A literal "fender-bender" in Vermont involving an automobile from Granville: "The Rutland Herald of Monday says: A heavy touring car, owned by Mrs. Edward Vail of Granville, and a smaller machine owned by Victor Searle of this city and driven by Mrs. Jessie LaFrance of Center street, crashed together a mile and a half north of Castleton Corners on the road to Lake Bomoseen late last evening, damaging both machines but injuring no one. Bishop Vail, Mrs. Vail's son, was driving the heavier car and with him was Arthur Sennett. The running board and fender on the Vail car were smashed and a front wheel and axle were torn from the Searle car."

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A different program was reported in that issue to be coming soon: "Young men sound physically and of good moral character, seventeen to twenty-four years of age may apply to attend one of the Citizens' Military Training camps, which are held August 1 to 30, 1923. The government pays entire expense. The basic Red course is at Plattsburg and the advanced Red, White and Blue courses are to be held at Madison Barracks, N.Y.; Fort Hancock, N.J.; Camp Alfred Vail, N.J.; Camp Dix, N.J. For further information write to Major T.L. Crystal, C.M.T.C. officer, Governor's Island, N.Y. Applications for attendance at one of these camps may be obtained from Major P.R. Manchester, Sentinel office."

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The Sarcoid Bike Tour Reception was held Friday, June 30, at the VFW Pavilion on North Street. Over 50 people were present to honor and congratulate John David Norton and Tommy Taylor on completing their cross-country cycling tour. They started from the Pacific Ocean at Santa Monica, California on April 7, and finished at the Atlantic Ocean at Hull, Massachusetts on June 26.

A two part display was put up: inside, John David's bike and some of the equipment and supplies and food the duo used during the trip were displayed at a table; outside, a tent was set up, which was used on many a night to get out of the elements for a night's rest.

Michael Norton spoke and was the emcee during the presentation. He presented the duo with "Granville Strong" shirts, the culmination of an idea of a gift brainstormed by him and some of his friends. Norton and Taylor each gave brief speeches. Ann Schinski introduced John Norton, who also spoke at the event, congratulating the duo and expressing his pride in their accomplishment.

Food, snacks and drinks were brought by many who attended. The event was enjoyed by all. Congratulations to John David Norton and Tommy Taylor on completing their incredible journey.