R is for Recreation at Caroga Lake and Rebound on the basketball court. No. 18 of 26 posts in the April 2024 Blogging From #AtoZChallenge. Theme, My Life: The Prequel (in Snapshots) — adding my parents’ story to the family history mix. Please join me on the journey.
Recreation in a cool location was a welcome summertime retreat during the years before air conditioning.
That’s why my mom’s family had a camp on Caroga Lake in Fulton County, a short drive west of her Gloversville, N.Y., hometown.
My mom, Peg Laurence, was familiar with Caroga Lake from attending Girl Scout Camp there — but she also regularly escaped to the family camp with her parents Tony and Liz (Stoutner) Laurence and her younger sister Rita.
Recreation
Naturally, extended family was invited, and my grandmother’s Stoutner relatives were welcome visitors, as shown below. I love how avant-garde my maternal grandmother Liz (Stoutner) Laurence looks in this photo.
Rebounds
Meanwhile, my dad, Norm Charboneau, who already lived on Otter Lake, turned to sports for recreation.
Taller than his four older brothers, at 6 feet 4 inches, Dad excelled in high school on the basketball court (see clip below) — where I am sure he successfully handled any rebounds that came his way.
In fact, Dad did so well on the court that in 1942, his senior year, he was awarded a varsity letter for basketball (second paragraph). He also got a gold star for winning five letters in major sports (last paragraph).
What a surprise! I still find it hard to believe that the corporate dad I knew had once been a high school jock.
Up next, S is for Ski Trip: Mom meets the in-laws. Please stop back!
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