I posted on Facebook remembering how I attended 3rd grade here after the North Salem School burned. Our class was afternoons in the lower right. Kathy Sanborn was our teacher. I'm sure locals like Wayne Outhouse, Margie Russell McCabe and Elaine Tompkins remember as they were classmates. :) jaybird View Comment

Nice scoop Katherine! I still haven't seen anything in our local papers or news about this. Will have to ask some of my law enforcement friends about this :) Maybe it's because of all the snow the past week- we got 11" in Marshalltown. View Comment

Sound like a great idea for a prosperous restaurant and ambitious owners. As a Planning & Zoning Commissioner here in Iowa, I would be leery about the ability to make the remodel and renovations to meet ADA & Life Safety Codes, especially where there is open flame for cooking and the cozy interior spaces will mean people packed tightly together. Parking is always an issue whether here in Iowa or in Westchester/North Salem area. Here we always approve plans that are well thought out and the commission does not make spur of the moment decisions. Personally I get concerned when people say "the previous owners did it this way or were allowed to do" "Temporary structure" is a warning. I wish the best to both the owners and the members of the P/Z Board to get things worked to a satisfactory conclusion. I can remember when this building belonged to Dennis Zuffo years ago when I lived in Croton Falls. :) View Comment

I can remember going to see Paul & Jean-Pierre Van Lent for after school activities-Seems to me JP was in my class and Paul either a year younger or year older than us. I also think I've seen where Jean-Pierre is an attorney. If I recall correctly, the family lived down on Route 100-Nice feature by Katherine :) View Comment

I've been gone since Sept 1963-Have some general questions about the town you might be able to answer. Did Tom DePaoli have a 'connection' to Elbert Purdy? Seems I remember him living in Purdy's home and was also involved with the remodel of the old Purdy Drug Store? My direct email is jaycarollo@mchsi.com - maybe we know each other? View Comment

I can remember when this building was constructed for a drug store. Elbert Purdy had closed his drug store at the end of the next block. Seems to me the drug store didn't last too long and the late Harris Valden had his store and shop there for a while. I recall our family getting a Hotpoint refrigerator from this location. The US Post Office and Village Library were to the left of Heritage Oil and maybe still are. Lots of memories - thanks for sharing! Jay Carollo jaycarollo@mchsi.com Marshalltown, Iowa View Comment

While it's been 50 years since I've been in this building, I really don't remember the clock being at the entrance, nor the spelling of Purdy NY vs. Purdys. Great to look at the information, photos and go to the reunion site to see some still familiar names ( like my old neighbor Elaine Purdy Scott) along with the long unseen photos of the North Salem Elementary fire scene ( I know I have that LIFE magazine stashed away somewhere) and remember a group of us HIllside kids being taken there to see the fire & crews working. View Comment

Wish I was closer-They deserve a good home and would fit right in with my trio :) View Comment

Wonder if Dean has ever seen Iowa, there's a Sicilian pizza maven in Marshalltown who could be become a repeat customer! View Comment

Wonder if there is still a restaurant in Purdys/Lake Purdys area operated by Dennis Zuffo at one time? Might be long gone considering I've been here in Iowa almost 50 years. Used to be a very popular spot with excellent food and Zuffo himself was a personable host. Jay Carollo-Marshalltown, IA jaycarollo@mchsi.com View Comment

While I have been away from the Croton Falls/NorthSalem/Brewster area since September of 1963, I do have memories of attending school with Peter Krinitsky and his (twin) sister Pam from kindegarten thru the 6th grade. Sorry to hear of his passing. Mention of Jeanette McNamara and the North Salem Police Department reminds me of officers Eichner, Feener and Saladin- who were part timers and if I recall correctly used their own personal autos for patrol. For some reason Feener and a large silver car and equally large revolving red light stick in my mind.... Also seem to remember both Feener & Saladin working for the school district full time. Feener as a gym teacher and Saladin as a custodian. Thoroughly enjoy the news and memories these pages bring to me in Iowa. Jay Carollo View Comment