To the Editor,

I am writing to express my deep appreciation to you and David Cross for the tribute paid to Gayle Smith in the Clinton County News.

My mother was the daughter of Della (Smith) and Olid Cowan, and I have visited Albany since the 1940s. So, the words I read about Gayle (first cousin, once removed) brought back a flood of memories of years past–some of which include:

* Spending time sitting in Ruby and Jim Smith’s yard sipping lemonade and listening to Prof Robinson ruminate about his ‘managerial techniques’ that contributed to the development of students and teachers alike. Little did I know of or appreciate the legendary status of Robinson’s impact on the school system.

* Visiting the J.B. Smith store and sitting on the tractors, watching the delivery of a first-time refrigerator to one of the remote houses in the county, and hearing the store clerk say, “Let me sack them for you”–bag the groceries.

* Listening to the locals sit and chat “for a spell” at my uncle’s store–Cowan’s Men’s Shop. I was probably one of the youngest kids around wearing Allen Edmond’s Shoes; I wear the brand to this day.

* Wondering about the itinerate preachers who pontificated on the courthouse steps; experiencing the haunting harmony of the church choir singing, “Just as I am…” and sitting through long summer sermons (I guess they were long year round!) preached in the basement of the Baptist Church long before the current, air conditioned sanctuary was dedicated.

* Watching my grandfather milk his two cows (I was a city kid) and catch a chicken for Sunday dinner; watching my grandfather churn cream to butter and “put up” vegetables at the high school cannery (Thanks to the owner of The Flower Shop who saved the old house from total ruin.)

* Going for spring water because city water was highly chlorinated and tainted the taste of coffee.

* Hearing Ruby (Gayle’s mother) brag on how handsome Gayle looked in his dress blues after he received his military commission. Hearing Gayle tell of some of his exploits on Camp A.P. Hill (not far from where I live.)

* Breaking bread with Gayle and Barbara in Florida. I learned more about family roots from Gayle than from any of my other relatives.

Now I find myself in the generation which will soon fade. My last visit to Albany was this past Memorial Day weekend. As I paused at my parents’ graves and reflected at the freshly turned earth on Gayle’s, I found myself becoming nostalgic for a time that is lost to the generations. Thanks for providing a perspective on Gayle and sharing some of his legacy.

As a footnote, my late brother Gerald, while a teenager, acquired his life-long interest in printing from your father during a prolonged summer visit to Albany. Today, Gerald’s son continues to run the business which undoubtedly will close or be sold when retirement beckons.

Sincerely,

Dick Ridge