As we began this section we will be starting with memories of the young people who attended this school.  Cecelia H. has sent a letter from Florida telling us of her rememberances of the old school.  "When I started school there in l936 we used only the right side of the building for K-8th and the other room for play and show that we put on.  Mr. Gerard Marshall was my teacher until the 3rd grade when Alice  Blake took over and the play room became a classroom for the upper class taught by Mr. Marshall." 

Paul VerSt_ _ _ writes: "My most memorable experience with the Star Lake school house was with Mr. Gerald Marshall, who was our Boy Scout Master.  We used the school as our meeting headquarters.  I learned many valuable lessons in life there.  The school was always a warm and enjoyable place to be.  We always felt safe and confortable there;  probably because Mr. Marshall insisted that it be that way.  I can remember sitting at the desks and using the chair in front of us to learn how to tie knots on, and we did them over and over to make sure we could almost tie them in our sleep.
Another memory was many years later when I was the summer recreation director during my college years.  We used the school to meet in and teach arts and crafts.  The town provided me with a school bus and I went to all the surrounding towns to pick up kids from Fine to Cranberry Lake and brought them to the Star Lake school.  At that time, 1957-58-59 there was a beautiful wrought iron fence with stone pillars surrounding the school playground, and inside the fence area, there were large maple trees to help shade the playground.  That has changed, and I'm sorry to see it go, but now we must do something to preserve the old school or it too will be lost.  Star Lake needs to keep a part of our past for everyone to use and enjoy. Remembering where we came from is important to me and I'm sure everyone who grew up with the old school house will attest to that."

Rogene H. writes: I can't believe that some people in our area of Star Lake could see the only "Landmark",  we have left in the hamlet, be removed.   All other landmarks like the old horse barn is gone, the old Star Lake Inn on the lake is gone, the Presbyterian Church is re-designed, the old fire station was destroyed by fire, Tears Store was torn down, Ed Cleaver Grocery Store is gone, the Old Waldorf known as Harney Hotel and also known at the Bluebird Inn was destroyed by fire, and the Foley Hotel is also gone.  The only two, old buildings left in Star Lake are the old Lakview Hotel and the  old Post Office building that now houses apartments.  She stated, " I started teaching Kindergarten through the third grade in l943.  Mr Marshall was principal and taught the 7th and 8th grades.  Nettie Gale had the 4,5,and 6th in a room in the back of the fire station.  I have many pleasant memories in and of that old school house and I believe any senior citizen in his or her early sixties and early seventies should also have pleasant memories.  Please try to keep this building on the same property in tip-top shape.  It should be saved...it is the best looking building in Star Lake."

To whom it may concern:  My name is Burton Benson.  I was born and brought up in Star Lake.  I went to the old  school house in l921, our teacher was Miss Gladys Daniels from Oswegatchie.  That old school holds a precious spot in my heart.  I am so happy that you wonderful people are going to save it.  Sincerely, Burton Benson.....Kathy Benson Elliott stated,"As children, we visited my Aunt Pearl Benson Richter at her cottage on the lake, and we all have a soft spot in our hearts for the area.......My sister and I want to honor my dad for his 89th birthday by donating to the Save Our School House Project.  My dad thinks about it everyday, as he has a print of Rosa Bonheur's "The Horse Fair" hanging over his fireplce at home in Rome that he remembers looking at as a student at the Star Lake school house.  He has a rich storehouse of memories, should you desire such informtion.........


Feets, Burton Benson, granddaughter, and Irene at the Ice Cream Social, Aug. 4, 2007
Grade School Play in l938.

A recent letter that was received by Joe R. from a former student at the Old School follows along with a photo:
Hi Joe,
          Sorry to take so long to get you a copy of this photo you asked for.
          It was taken when Mom(Coretha Grant Wendt) was 18, after she moved
          to Star Lake and set up her beauty shop at l7.
          Hope this helps you and the SOS group.
                  With warm regards to you and Margie,
                                          Gail