Granville Then & Now – May 25, 2023

Macura brothers, nephew honored with display

By Erik Pekar

Memorial Day is the day when the people of America remember those who gave the supreme sacrifice during service to the military. Over the years, a second remembrance has emerged, for those veterans who are now deceased. It is that in latter sense of remembrance that Granville's Helen Macura decided she wanted to honor her relatives who served this country. Helen said she wanted "to show the world that Memorial Day isn't forgotten". Many families have family members who served our country, and Helen said, "one of these families is expressing its feelings during this time of remembrance."

Helen, and niece Elaine, designed the "Seven Veterans" display on the front porch of Helen's house on East Main Street. It honors Helen's brothers Alexander, Andrew, George, John, Michael, and Peter; and her nephew James Mehalick. It was designed by Helen and her niece Elaine Macura. The display consists of a banner on the railing, on which appear the names of the seven veterans, surrounded by red, white and blue garland, along with a row of seven American flags in front.

Andy Macura served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, in Okinawa and Hawaii, reaching rank of Corporal. After his military service, he graduated from Siena, and for 60 years owned his own accounting business in Granville.

Alec Macura served in the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army National Guard. After the war he worked as a Forest Ranger in Vermont, for the Glens Falls Police, and as a DEC Park Ranger in Lake George.

George Macura served in World War II. He was stationed at Headquarters Company, Persian Gulf Command in Iran. After the war he was assigned to Army intelligence in Russia. He was honorably discharged in 1946. He obtained the rank of Major in the Army Reserve. He graduated from SUNY and taught at Great Meadow Correctional Facility.

John Macura served in the U.S. Marine Corps, reaching the rank of Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1952, and served in the reserves until 1959. He worked for the Post Office for 29 years, and odd jobs for some years afterwards.

Michael Macura entered the Army in 1941, and served in Europe during World War II. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in November 1968. He was a decorated veteran, his medals including a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart. He later worked at the Granville Post Office.

Peter Macura served in the Army in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II, obtaining the rank of Captain. He later worked for the New York State Police, and as a corrections officer at Great Meadow in Comstock.

Jim Mehalick served in the Army in the Vietnam era, and reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his military service, he owned several businesses in both Germany and in the Lake George/Queensbury area of New York.

This Memorial Day, take time to have a moment of remembrance, for those who gave the supreme sacrifice for the country, and also for those who served who are no longer with us.

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Going back to 1923, a major telephony meeting was held in Granville around this time in that year. The meeting was reported on in the May 25, 1923 issue of the Sentinel: "Tuesday was a sort of a telephone field day in Granville. It was the occasion of the annual meeting of the stockholders and directory of the Granville Telephone company. Manager M. Waite Hicks, inspired by a prosperous year for the company and a substantial dividend for the stockholders, proposed to make it something besides a simple business occasion – and he did. A big dinner – old fashioned chicken pie and strawberry shortcake, together with other food accessories – was ordered and the ladies of Trinity church society provided the feast. It was pronounced a good one by the sixty or more guests who partook of the refreshments.

"Included as guests were officers of the company, speakers of authority on telephone efficiency and employees of the company. Before noon North street in the vicinity of the Community house, where the dinner was served, was parked with cars from neighboring towns, and the streets were patrolled by bright girls and prosperous looking men. It was a record day for Manager Hicks and he overlooked no details in making it a success."

There were several specialized meetings held for many of the employees, including a plant conference, and a traffic conference. Several officials of other telephone companies in the region also spoke at the event.

The event eventually came around to the decision making that was the original intention of the meeting in Granville. "At the stockholders' meeting the old board of directors were chosen and Mr. Hicks remained manager. Of course a better official could not be selected. His efficient management has placed the company on a paying basis and the system is functioning like clock-work.

"A chart was exhibited showing the condition of the company and its improvements. J. C. Cox of Syracuse, spoke, regarding the $100,000 bonds which are to be issued by the company in the different banks.

"The officers of the company are: President, M. W. Hicks; vice president, F. T. Pember; second vice president, F. W. Story; secretary, C. F. A. Siedholf; treasurer, John Balch; assistant treasurer, Miss Jennie Tooley.

"A dance at Community hall in the evening closed the events of the day. Young women of the telephone force decorated the room with the color scheme, blue and white, the telephone colors. Porter's orchestra of five pieces furnished a fine program."

The special occasion was likely a rare occasion to happen at the Granville Telephone Company's annual stockholders' meeting for the yearly election of officers. Granville Telephone later merged into New York Telephone, which through later mergers went to NYNEX and Verizon. Rural regional telephone companies are a thing of the past, and if a lavish stockholder meeting took place for a company, it would not be held in Granville, but in a large city.