It’s a privilege to share this story about two well-respected long-time Tannersville residents, Judy and Perry Legg. (Judy has been called the unofficial Mayor of Tannersville, and the Guardian of Tannersville Lake, aka Voss Lake or the Rip Van Winkle Lake.
Although they’re still young, it’s been 65 years, and here’s how it all began.
Remember what Justine Legg Hommel used to say, “It’s people that make history!” Judy and Perry are the neighbors defining the history of small-town living.
As found in an August 1958 paper, “The marriage of Miss Julia Ann Eldred to Perry Charles Legg Jr. of Tannersville took place, on August 24, 1958, at St. George’s Church in Pittstown. The Rev. Philip Grady officiated. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Eldred, Hoosick Falls, and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Perry C. Legg Sr. of Tannersville.” (It was a pleasant surprise discovering this story so soon after studying the life of Molly Voss Smith, Perry’s grandmother. The Legg’s announcement begged to be shared with the community, and I was lucky to get approval for this from Perry’s sister June Ann).
(Thirty, forty, and fifty + years ago, a complete description of the bride’s, and her assistant’s, attire was usually written up in local papers. “Escorted to the altar by her father, the bride wore a floor-length gown of white Chantilly lace and tule designed with a portrait neckline and bouffant skirt ending in a cathedral train. Her crown of pearls and sequins was caught in an illusion veil, and she carried a prayer book covered with white carnations and baby’s breath.
Miss Barbara Eldred, the maid of honor, wore a rose tulle over a pale pink taffeta gown. The bridesmaids, Misses Barbara Eldred, June Ann Legg of Tannersville, sister of the groom, and Marcia Bean (?), wore similar yellow, light blue, and lilac gowns. Audrey and Doris Ann Grogan, junior bridesmaids, wore cotillon blue and chartreuse, and Cathy Bell, the flower girl, wore white. The flower girl carried a basket of mixed flowers, and the others carried colonial bouquets.”
Perry’s brother, Ed, was the best man, and the ushers were Fred Showers and Kenneth Eldred. Michael Yager was the ring bearer.
Besides their parents, Mrs. Mollie Voss Smith of Tannersville also attended.
The couple left the reception for a wedding trip to an unknown destination!
The article said Judy graduated from Hoosick Falls Central School and Perry from Hunter-Tannersville Central School. Perry was employed in his father’s construction and excavating business. He later drove heavy equipment and operated a large crane for the Blenheim Dam project. Perry then worked for Peckham until retirement. The couple’s first home was in Elka Park.
Perry and Judy raised two sons who remained “Tannersville Locals.” The Legg’s are hard-working people; Judy performed a variety of skilled jobs: Mother, HTC school bus driver, NYC Police Camp employee, and caregiver to many locals. Perry spent years as a heavy machine operator, operating a massive crane at the Blenheim Dam. It was said Perry could fix just about any machinery.
Thanks for reading. This was a fun story to share. Have a great Memorial Day weekend, and thank you to all service men and women for your service. — Dede Terns-Thorpe
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