The first time I met Roger was on the Route 26 construction site. You were headed west in the state pickup and Charlie Champagne had stopped you across from the Harold Davis barn and the two of you had a man moment. I must have known you were Janeane's father because this minor event caught my attention. That one brief moment painted you as a well liked man and a bit of a joker.
Beth the first time I met you was the first time I had come to your house late that summer to see Janeane. I walked into the family room towards the kitchen and you were standing in front of the stove stirring a pot. I could tell you were unsure of me. Not too surprising since I was unknown and had an eye for your youngest. I would have been less polite.
The next 2-3 weeks were a blur as the summer was winding down and everyone was headed back to school. But I did get to know Steve, Bert, Kerrie and the Gooches. I recall one early morning after a night of "partying" falling asleep in my car parked in your driveway and Roger finding me and Janeane in the morning. Not a scene for making a good impression.
The wedding.
The jeep rides. A typical Sunday afternoon during the summers at the Young home was to get the jeep out, hitch the wagon, fill the coolers and load the extended family for several hours of treking the back roads of Columbia and Colebrook. Being a non-native I would be lost within a few miles and not have a clue where we were. Even though we undoubtly traveled some of the same roads and trails several times it always seemed like we were in new territory each trip. The stories were enchanting. The time relaxing. The time was wonderful. Every once in awhile the jeep would veer off the dirt road onto a little traveled trail and undoubtly into a bog. The winch would be used to move us forward to new adventures. The old jeep served us well for many summers including the summer I met your daughter. One of our first alone evenings was her driving me in the jeep to the top of Jordan hill for a late evening sunset. Several evenings were spent in the jeep with her, Steve, Kerrie, Bert and others roaming about town.
The pond and homestead. The pond was always great gathering spot and focal points for many Young gatherings. Swimming with the youngsters. I have heard the stories of the post wedding reception where apparently many wedding party members found themselves soaked from a pond dip. I remember my young cousin Greg and Janeane's young cousin Marcy frogging before our wedding. The backdrop of the pond was fitting for our wedding. The homestead could make any magazine cover proud. The grounds are immaculately maintained which is particularly impressive given the local climate and incessant and oppressive winter months!
Let's take a ride. A favorite time for me was hearing Roger say "let's take a ride". This was the pretense of a long conversation between us "men." The the early years you would drive your old pickup over some of the same roads as the jeep had traveled years before. Or we would head to Pittsburgh or Bloomfield to look for moose. Time would fly but we would catchup and I'd hear stories of some old friend or a tidbit of Roger philosophy and you'd hear my banter about whatever was going on with me.
Buck and Doe. One summer evening we packed into your old green plymouth and drove to Island Pond to have dinner at the Buck and Doe. Such a wonderful Northeast kingdom resturant. On the way back the road got dimmer and dimmer. Both of us ignored this until it was nearly pitch black. As we both know the number of street lights between Island Pond and North Stratford is less than zero. A flashlight was on board and you drove the green monster home with the flashlight pointing the way.
Nan King in Sherbrooke. Sherbrooke fair.
The family room. One of my goals from the first time I visited your home was to have a family room as inviting as yours. So far I have not come remotely close. There's something inviting with the flagstone floor, the warmth, the fireplace that draws people to this room. I've never seen another room like this in any other home.
The trip to the Allagash. I worked until the end of the day and drove to Colebrook that night. It was about 1 am when I got to your house and decided to sleep the rest of the night on your family room sofa instead to waking anyone up at that hour. Janeane and Bria were already there. The next morning you, Perley, Steve, David, Red, and Hap drove the many hour trip to the Allagash. I have to admit I had been looking forward to the this trip for quite some time. The stories of the Allagash had always intrigued me. Now was my chance to see this northern frontier first hand. It did not disappoint. The cabin was classic. Generator fed electricity. Bunk sleeping. Lights out at sunset. Stories by the fire. On intent was to enjoy the fishing. We did enjoy the fishing. There apparently wasn't a trout in the Allagash or perhaps even in the all of northern Maine to be had. Rest assured the youngsters were much less than disappointed. We did catch a few bottom feeders but the commaradirie was the real fun. Steve, David and I spent a good part of a day looking for an alledged Bean Pond, but never to be found. But we did have an excellent time playing frontiersmen on the verge of getting lost in the great north woods.
The visit to California. We had been in California a couple of years and had purchases our first house. You came out just before Christmas and spent Christmas with us. Afterwards to we drove to San Francisico along the Pacific Coast Highway and bac after a couple of days there. I recall the short stay in Solvay on the way north. On our return you got the news of the death of Lew and you had to cut your trip short. A sad day. I didn't get to know Lew very well but I remember the stories of the Cadillac and it was clear he was the family head in years past. I could also sense that Roger had deep respect for the man.
The visits to Granby. Our move to Granby was largely motivated by the desire to be closer to the extended family. California was a great experience for both of us and we have no regrets but we both knew it wasn't going to be our home forever. Your visits to Granby were many and appreciated. It was great having help with the girls as babies and in their young lives. I definitely appreciate all the help you gave with the many projects we undertook. The skylights. The kitchen sunroom. The winter of wood burning. I never had anyone on my side of the family that taught or even exposed me to some of life's simple but necessary skills like sweating copper pipe, mitering, brick and mortar..............
The visits to Fairview. I felt bad that we were moving further away from Colebrook. I recall the call I made explaining what we were doing and you gave 100% support. I'm sure the 600 mile trips were dreaded but you made many. We had fun doing back with the girls. We got to see a part of Vermont that I had never seen before. The girls got to hear Vincent Price tell spook stories as we were maiking our well north of Island Pond. One of the most welcoming sights was rounding the bend on Route 3 as your house came into sight and the we could see the Christmas lights and the lit up family room.
Grammies holiday meals. Some of my fondest meals have been in the family room. Large tables with dozens of family members eating turkey, bean casserole, beef roast, sauteed onions and mushrooms, and the old standby "eat it up, we're just going to throw it out." The post meal would usually result in a game of Trivial Pursuit with Beth cleaning up the movie category.
The girls. The girls love their grandpa and grammie. The connection was made early in their lives and will never diminish. Their memories of Easter egg hunts, Christmas mornings, trips to Grove City and , your support at horse functions, Attending their graduations.
Our visits to Florida. I lost track of the trips we took to Florida to visit you. I do know the were very enjoyable an the girls will forever remember them. Several trips to Disney. Busch Gardens, Sea World. Hommassa Srpings. The show jumping in Tampa. Silver Springs. Daytona Beach. Swimming in Lake Weir. The
Horses. I always admired your affection for horses. It was clear you truly enjoyed your walking horses particularly Sam. I sensed that Sam was special because he might have been an equine version of Roger. I was always good to see you work with the girls and our horses. I know you were biting your lip on many occasions expecially the spill Bria took on Cannes and the subsequent trip to the hospital. Your quiet demeanor was appreciated. If it's any comfort I had the same reservations and couldn't wait to find Cannes another home.
Kippy and Willy. One of the best gifts we've every received was Willy. He was as docile as any dog and I sometimes flet back when we had to leave him for the day while we worked. But he was always a welcome sight at the end of the day and a joy to be around. He wa certainly a well traveled dog having made several cross country trips by auto and airplane. I'm sure he didn't enjoy the air flights but I bet he loved the car trips.
The moves. The first was from Manhattan to Littleton. Jessie pulled the big rig onto Calumet Ave in Hastings-on-Hudson to collect our worldly possessions after Beth had spent a week with Janeane.
A filled gas tank during the gas shortages. The use of the shop for the body work. The staging, aircompressor, ladder, power miter, innumerable tools.......... Tractor foot pads. Stock for the girls.
Your Family, Friends and Foe. Janice and Perley. Jean and Dean. Red. Hap. Clyde and Dorie Shallow(I never met Clyde and Dorie but the stores are priceless.) Buster and Betty. Bert and Bev. Sis and Joe. Robert and Ione. Mildred and Clarence. The Rileys. Lew. Aunt Edith. Norman and Amy. Jeanette.
Some northern ditiees:
- better close the gate tonight
- blacker than Sip's a**
- colder than a witches t*t
