Charlie LaDue is a man in my memory whom I would call a real saint.
Charlie’s age to a 12 year old was easily near 100, but actually he was probably around 50. He was a single man, very deaf, and made his living as a house painter. Somehow he got the idea that the kids in the town needed a ride to Stissing Lake for swimming.
Thus began his singular gift to the town in the summer of 1942. The lake beckoned but World War II was raging. Gas was rationed and no one dared use his car for luxury. Nonetheless, Charlie drove his truck to the Grange Hall every day at 1:00 in the afternoon during the week for swimming. Every kid in town would wait and then jump into the back of the truck which was a big part of the lure of swimming.
Promptly at 4:00 Charlie’s truck would arrive at the lake and the process in reverse took us back to the Grange. We always thanked Charlie by each one leaning into the cab and screaming at him, “Thanks, Charlie!”
The season ended the end of August when we each gave Charlie a quarter! He came to the Presbyterian Church in a new pair of trousers which he proudly announced to anyone, “The kids bought me these.”
Truly, as a 94 year old who was brought up in Pine Plains, yes, to me he was truly a real Saint.
Emily Bostwick Henry
Schoharie, New York
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As we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the town we all call home, the New Pine Plains Herald wants to hear from you!
Maybe you have a family story that stretches back through generations. Maybe you remember a favorite walk, friendship or pet. It could be the winning run in a baseball game, the birth of a calf or the crunch of autumn leaves. There’s simply no limit to what Pine Plains represents to each of the people who live here.
Throughout the Bicentennial year, the Herald will be publishing your stories, creating a portrait of the town through your memories and images. If you’ve got a story you’d like to share, please send 200 to 500 words and a single photograph mypineplains@newpineplainsherald.org or editor@newpineplainsherald.org.
Please include your name, brief biographical details and contact information so we can reach you with any questions or edits.
We look forward to hearing from you!