An Enterprise story by Evelyn Outcalt began: “Compared with the problems encountered in 1971, the 1972 Diamond Jubilee Winter Carnival was a breeze. Or, so it seemed to the public. The carnival committee, headed by Bill Grogan and Margaret Haig, may have thought otherwise.” (This committee was then planning the 1973 carnival.)

During an earlier planning meeting, there was a long discussion on local royalty versus celebrity royalty, and it was decided to go with an elected king and queen and a notable guest.

There was a combination of ideas ending with having at-large nominations followed by a primary of the leading contenders.

On Jan. 14, former Queen Norma Allen, announced the candidates: Sue Dyer, Mona Fobare, Margaret Haig, Dottie Haig, Phil Lalande, William Mansion and Eddie Norman for queen and king.

“It’s hard to keep a secret in this friendly town of 7,000, but few knew who had been elected until they read the biographies in the Rotary Show program. Then it was obvious that the ‘handsome, debonair King of Winter born in Canada’ was Phil Lalande and the Queen, whose special interests had been with the teenagers, managing the ‘Teen Canteen’ was Mona Fobare.

(Phil, a friend and goodhearted man, along with his contributions to the village of Saranac Lake — just to name a couple — was one of the founders of the Pewee Hockey League and worked to get the arena built on Ampersand Avenue.

In Lake Placid, he built most of the sets for the Saturday night ice shows. It may have had something to do with his beautiful daughter, Tammy, being a figure skating soloist in those shows and later a figure skating coach. She skated in skits with our son, Kelby, later a soloist with Ice Capades. Those ice shows in the 1932 Olympic Arena always attracted a full house.)

“Back at the first meeting other important decisions were made. A village official promised that the village would help with the building of the Ice Palace and that a square dance be incorporated into the festivities.

“The village crew and equipment built one of the most impressive ice palaces that had been seen for some time. The Fish and Game Club sponsored the square dance.

“Lee Haig was named Chairman of the 1973 Winter Carnival. Mr. Haig has something up his sleeve. To date he has named Bill Scheefer chairmen of the parade and awards; Mr. and Mrs. John Steuer in charge of bands; Mrs. Cindy Kelly, the court; Bill Grogan has charge of buttons for which Ed Schaber is making a new design; Margaret Haig, finances. Sue Dyer, Joanne Smith and Debbie Phalen are roving planners.

“The Society for the Promotion of Winter Carnivals in Saranac Lake is still in existence and standing by to offer assistance. It consists of Sue Dyer, president, Mario DeVit, vice president; Margaret Haig, treasurer; and Virginia Bristol, Shelia Morgan, Barbara Chapin, Graham Foster, Bill Grogan and Joe Duffy, directors.

“On New Year’s Eve it was announced that the guest celebrity would be Gordon MacRae, star of stage, screen, radio and television. It was also announced that the traditional Rotary Show would be cut to the bones and would consist only of the coronation, the Rotary Dancers and entertainment by MacRae. This proved to be the happy solution to the perennial problem of rotary Show length.

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Special events were held at the ’73 Carnival…

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“As it turned out, the newest event was one of the most successful. The Carnival opener; the fancy dress skating party for children, brought out 228 assorted robots, penguins, kings, snowmen, etc., just about twice as many as chairmen Ron and Peggy Keough had expected. Nevertheless, and despite a biting cold day, everyone had fun and lots of hot cocoa served by the Christian Family Movement and the Parent-Educators.” (Maybe Ron and Peggy should be future king and queen of Carnival.)

“The parade was one of the largest in years, and there were more spectators in many years, possibly because of the moderate weather and sunshine. Mountain Al, (Bunk’s creation) a new Adirondack character, was the favorite subject for the day in spite of the old-time theme. The Ray Brook Rehabilitation Center float got stuck getting up Berkeley Hill but it was rescued in time to pass the reviewing stand and capture first prize.”

So, a great Carnival in ’73 and just maybe because of the extra work put in by the planners.

The Carnival Committee ran a Bulletin Board in The Enterprise to appraise the public of developments. Looking back we are reminded that a Carnival bazaar, a casino night, food sales, employer-employee contributions, a Thanksgiving raffle and a radio auction, were all held over the months to raise money for trophies, the special guest and other expenses.

I get such a thrill from Winter Carnival. Understand, dear readers, that I want to pat myself on the back.

Because I participated in the very first revived Winter Carnival parade in 1947, (after Winter Carnivals were canceled during WWII) as a member of the Saranac Lake High School Band.

In the Carnival parades that followed, I participated again with the SLHS band, the Veteran’s Club Drum & Bugle Corps as Historic Saranac Lake; as mayor with Saranac Lake village trustees when we marched as a group; Carnival chamberlain in 1981 and Carnival Grand Marshall in 2003. There, and I didn’t even hurt my arm.