ALTAMONT — St. Patrick, Martin Luther King, the Presidents — and Susan Mc Gaughanea. All of them have their own day.

Altamont’s mayor, James Gaughan, declared May 25, 2006 Susan McGaughanea Day in the village. It was to celebrate her retirement and her birthday.
"She was a critical and important part of our village," said the mayor. He said he wanted to do something special to recognize all the work she has done.

After seven-and-a-half years of running her bagel business, Sue McGaughnea is set to retire. At a customer-appreciation party last Thursday, friends, family, and long-time customers packed Hungerford Market to wish McGaughnea well, and to welcome Jean Conklin, who will officially take the reins on June first.
"I was a customer," Conklin said of Hungerford. "I used to buy a blueberry scone every day." After spending two years running The Berne Store, Conklin thought she was ready for something different.

She isn't planning any major changes to the menu but she would like to add smoothies and some new sandwiches.
"If it’s not broke, don't fix it," said Conklin, quoting the familiar adage.
The biggest changes for the business will be a catering service and evening hours a couple of nights a week. Aside from that, Conklin says, she'll keep things "pretty much as they are."
Some of the familiar faces at the shop will also be changing since "the bagel girls," as Katherine Urban called herself and Andrea Dean, will be graduating from college. Mike Dean, Andrea’s brother, will be starting his freshman year at college this fall. Conklin hopes to have her three daughters, Sarah, Casey, and Brittany, helping with the business.
"It sounds like Jean will keep it the same," said village trustee Kerry Dineen at Thursday's gathering.

Customers at the party said they'll keep coming back and look forward to seeing what Conklin will do with the place.
"Sue made the best soup in the Northeast," said Ed Frank on Thursday. All the recipes from the restaurant will be passed on to Conklin. "She’s got ’em down cold," said McGaughnea.
"I’ll help whenever she needs it," said McGaughnea, who is looking forward to spending time with a grandchild expected in Minnesota. She plans on doing some volunteer work in the fall and relaxing.
"If Altamont is half as good to her as it was to me," said McGaughnea, "she'll be fine."