History of the St. Lawrence County Chapter of AARP
“WHAT’S PAST IS PROLOGUE” . . . . . Shakespeare
The St. Lawrence County Chapter of AARP was initiated because of the zeal and enthusiasm of Belva Hennigan who came back to the North Country and was missing her former AARP Chapter. Her letter to the editor ran in the local papers March 23, 1976 inviting persons interested in starting a chapter to contact her. The results are history.
The first newsletter in November/December 1976 was issued before the group met the requirements to be recognized by the National AARP. The newsletter lists a complete roster of officers and also reports on a New York State legislative workshop in Glens Falls attended by Dr. Harold Hughes (legislative chair of our chapter) and other chapter representatives. This workshop was attended before the Chapter was chartered, so you can see our Chapter has been involved in legislative activities from the very beginning. Topics discussed in the 1976 legislative workshop included health care, tax relief, transportation, legal services, and teacher’s pensions. This was a joint meeting with the National Retired Teachers’ Association. (Note: AARP and NRTA share our existence in a common founder, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus.)
The local AARP Chapter could not become a chartered member of the National AARP until there were 50 members. This goal was reached and the Chapter was chartered in May of 1977 becoming Chapter 2831. Founding members were Parepa Earle Adams, Margaret Clark, Dorothy Dodds, Margaret Gollaher, Mildred Gilmore, Belva Hennigan, Harold and Mildred Hughes, Dorothy Johnson, Viola Kilroy, Myron and Eunice Mochel, Madaline and Frank Potenzano, Dr. Edward Prescott, Mildred Talcott and Mary Wake.
The newsletters through the years reflect the emphasis on legislation, health issues, and community involvement and service.
When the membership was smaller, there were many covered dish luncheons, summer picnics, bag lunches, and afternoon teas. Money was often raised through food sales and silent auctions. From the earliest days the May meeting was set aside to honor the most senior members.
Chapter presidents to date have been: 1976 for ½ year: Belva Hennigan; 1976-1977 for 1.5 years: Amorette Christin; 1977-78 for 1 year: Margaret Gollaher; 1978-80 for 2 years: Mildred Hughes; 1980-1982 for 2 years: Clara Smith; 1982-1984 for 2 years: Isobel Ingraham; 1984-1986 for 2 years: Dorothea Gamble; 1986-1988 for 2 years: Eileen Hoppe; 1988-1989 for 1 year: Neal Caneen; 1989-1990 for 1 year: Myron Mochel; 1990-1992 for two years: Leah Tracy; 1992-1994 for 2 years: Robert Waite; 1994-1996 for 2 years: Lyle Richardson; 1996-1998 for 2 years: Mary Carmen Earle; 1998-2000 for 2 years: Beatrice Woodward.
Some of the community service activities sponsored by AARP Chapter 2831 have been:
1982: 55 Alive/Mature Driving Course initiatied – continues under the leadership of President, Beatrice Woodward. Tax Aide Program started. Stuart Jones responsible for 17 years – now Philip St. Amand is in charge of the program. Ombudsman program involvement through the Office for the Aging, a program that advocates for nursing home residents.
1983: Knit booties for infants at Canton-Potsdam Hospital. Gifts purchased or made for St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center. Residents gave time to relatives as Christmas gifts. This project continued for several years.
1984: Lifeline personal response system in conjunction with Canton-Potsdam Hospital, Office for the Aging and the Presbytery of Northern New York. On 1984 there was an open house to introduce the service to the community. The chapter donated $200 to help pay for the installation of Lifeline and to help with the fee for people unable to afford this system.
1986: Tax Aide Program had 12 volunteers. Chapter paid for installation of 14 of 36 Lifeline units.
1987: Volunteers sang every third Wednesday at Canton United Helpers Nursing Home.
1989: 175 people helped by the Tax Aide Program. Sewed and knitted doll clothing given to needy children by Canton Neighborhood Center and the Church and Community Program.
1990: 25 volunteers completed a four day training course to help seniors with the medical bills.
1992: The Chapter donated $100 to Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Andrew in Florida. Idea for scholarship program was presented.
1993: Guidelines for awarding scholarships were set up by the scholarship committee.
1994: Two $200 scholarships were given.
1996: Initiated “File of Life” packets with the Office for the Aging and TRIAD for people’s medical information to be placed in a conspicuous place for emergency personnel.
1997: Chapter observed it’s 20th anniversary.
2001: Involved with the St. Lawrence County Elder Fraud and Abuse Project. Helped people become aware of “Are You OK?” telephone assurance program. Four charter members, Parepa Adams, Myron Mochel, Madaline Potenzano and Mary Wake were recognized for their continued contribution to our AARP Chapter 2831.
- History compiled August 2001 by Mary Carmen Earle, Current Chapter Historian and published on this website in 2016 by Vicki Clark, Vice President for 2017-19.