To the Editor:

The COVID-19 virus has caused many or all of us to be almost isolated in our homes and finding ourselves performing various projects, such as cleaning the house and closets or repairing and redecorating the home.

To eliminate boredom, there is the TV, puzzle-solving, reading, painting, Christmas card-designing, or even playing solitaire. 

I’ve decided to write this letter.

It is early morning and I am sitting in my cottage overlooking the quiet water of Glen Lake. Colorful shadows of the homes, trees, and flag poles are cast upside-down across the bay. Soon the lake will be rolling when the wind starts blowing. The sunshine will cause sparkles upon the waves.

My mind turns to picturing my former home in Altamont in contrast to location, size, and scene. It was in the village of Altamont. It was there I had 34 years of teaching; met my husband-to-be; and my son, Dick, was educated there.

I have many happy memories of the quaint village. The neighbors — Canavans, Moffetts, and Keenholtess — were friendly and helpful. One could always count on help, assistance, or advice from such hard workers as John and Holly Armstrong, John and Ed Pollard, Bill Quay, Merlin Osterhout, or Ernie Cafferella. There were many others, too.

These names I can quickly recall: Sanford, Orsini, Brunk, Severson, Hilton, Kitter, Weaver, Westfall, Butler, Bradt, Crounse, Secor, White, Schaible, Hoover, Rambaugh, Hall, Gage, Ricard, and Ogsbury — plus many more.

Between the years of 1948 and 1949, Blanch Conney Blessing, an Altamont Enterprise reporter, decided to walk through the streets of the village and observe the numerous houses that had been recently sold.

The World War II veterans were settling down with families. It was the time of the Baby Boom. Strollers and baby carriages were very noticeable: Gordie Clickman, Dick Spadaro, Robert Spadaro, Bobby Walters, Peter Wright, Alan Ross, Peter Hammond, Susan Cook, Larry Claus, and Mark Keenholts were among the newly born babies.

Mrs. Blessing listed many homes, including 168 Western Ave. sold by the Lainhart family to Patrick and Betty Spadaro. It was spacious with one floor. It included a sizable lot, and was in an excellent location.

After our purchase, the inside of the building was improved by painting, papering, and sanding of the floors. A new kitchen sink and a new bathroom were installed.

In 1976, the back entrance and kitchen were renovated thoroughly. The porch with the arches of concrete and stone were demolished. An inside porch was built with electric heat. Last of all, the siding was changed to white vinyl. What a difference!

The porch was designed by Paul Krause, a Guilderland Central School art teacher. He designed our lake cottage, too.

By 2015, our house was sold and again a restoration took place. The results are very pleasing.

However, it is very sad for me as I miss the American Legion Auxiliary, the firemen and Veterans of Foreing Wars auxiliaries and the Order of Eastern Star of Helderberg Chapter meetings and the Altamont Fair. The house would be too much  for one person to manage after losing a husband and son.

The beautiful Helderberg mountains look down upon the village that has added more people, homes, streets, and different businesses, but lost Crupes, the A&P,  the Grand Union, Crabills, Paul De Sarbo’s, and the Galusha Pharmacy.

A new school was built and churches have had additions. The Altamont Fair has added more acreage and the library is a great credit to the community.

Banks have been added and a post office relocated, even The Altamont Enterprise has the very ambitious and clever editor, Melissa Hale-Spencer. Jeffrey Thomas has improved the region greatly.

Altamont inhabitants should be so proud!

Betty Allen Spadaro

Lake George

Editor’s note: Betty Allen Spadaro, a long time Altamont resident, was a teacher at the one-room schoolhouse on the Bozenkill, since moved to the Altamont fairgrounds. She turned 101 last Sept. 8.