With Sympathy

To Joan Stone, Whitesboro, on the loss of her mother, Nora Manna. Mrs. Manna, 99, had been a resident of the Presbyterian Home in New Hartford for the past two years.

To John Davies & his family, Westernville on the death of his wife, Janice. John has been a Car Host on the Utica-Thendara runs, and Janice helped serve hot chocolate and cookies during our first season of Polar Express.

To the family of Randy Fisher, of Saranac Lake, who died in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 15, 2008 due to septic shock. Randy was one of the initial persons who was instrumental in getting the Adirondack Scenic line opened up in the Lake Placid area. He was also temporary General Manager for a time. His wishes were to have a service on the Lake Placid line sometime this summer. He will be cremated and his ashes will become part of the railroad. As we learn more of the plans about his services, we will post the information in the Coupler.

To the family of John Ashwell, formerly of Sauquoit. John was a Car Host during our early years in Thendara.

To the family of Johnny Pesarek, Syracuse, who recently passed away. Johnny was a CSX engineer and from early-on was a volunteer engineer on the ASRR. He was co-owner of engine #705 with Peter Gores. Johnny was very instrumental in getting the rolling equipment for the opening of the ASRR to Thendara just "in the nick of time" arriving on July 3, 1992 for the grand opening on July 4th.

To the family and friends of James (Jim) Simmons, Clinton, NY who passed away January 1, 2008. Jim was both a conductor and Utica division trainmaster on the ASRR.

Sympathy is expressed to Al & Linda Heywood, Remsen, on the recent death of Linda's mom in Pennsylvania.

Sympathy is expressed to John English, Utica, on the death of his mother, Sarah, who passed away on Wednesday, November 14 at the age of 97. All arrangements are to be private. John is a qualified conductor in both Utica and Thendara.

Bob, Edee and Kathy Partridge, of New Hartford and Clinton, express their deep appreciation to everyone for the kind and sincere messages of sympathy they received on the loss of Bob's brother Bill, who passed away November 5th.

Did you know?

Appreciation is expressed to the following persons who covered the Utica Office during the month of March, while Linda Smith took some well deserved vacation: Alice Bradfield, Ginny Kinsman, Marion Butler, Tony Kulesa, Kathy DiPietro, Edee Partridge, Jackie Faga, Harold Pier, Ed Gaffney, Don Stannard Jr., Judy Grassi, and Barb Trad.

Congratulations to Kim Goppert Bushnell, Webster, NY. Kim is the daughter of Car Host Kay Goppert, of New Hartford and was recently awarded an Oscar statuette for her work as one of the heads of a group at Kodak who worked on the development of special film for the Hollywood film industry.

Congratulations to Car Host Ed Gerace of Utica, who recently received eight medals for his service in the Korean War. Ed enlisted in the army and became part of the 32nd Regiment of the 17th Infantry Division. He stayed in the army until 1954. Upon discharge, Ed became a supervisor at Griffis Air Force Base, in Rome, NY, from which he retired after 38 years. Ed is one of our newer Car Hosts, having signed on in May 2006.

...George Kamiska, Holland Patent, has been ill recently. We are happy to report he is much improved and hopes to be "back in action" in the next few weeks. George enjoys volunteering at the Rome shops.

...Tony Kulesa, Utica, is recovering from foot surgery last month. Tony was unable to Car Host this past season, and we look forward to having him work with us next summer.