We Say Goodbye to Korean War Vet Bill Dover

 Today there was a service for Korean War Veteran Bill Dover at the cemetery in Calcium, NY. He was 91 years old. Mr. Dover owned and operated a small country store in the hamlet of Calcium, the place where I grew up. His daughter Nora and I are the same age, graduating together from Indian River High School in 1972. Most people in Calcium interacted with Mr. Dover in one way or another on almost a daily basis. The store was the hub of the community and he, along with his wife Angie,  became iconic figures. Outside the store and after he retired he was helpful and kind. The following obit says it all. 

I had the honor of attending Bill Dover's 90th Birthday.

William A. Dover Obituary

William A. Dover, 91, formerly of Calcium, NY, passed away on May 26, 2025, at Samaritan Nursing Home, where he had been a resident.

He was born on January 5, 1934, in Toccoa, Georgia, the son of James K. and Winnie Ruth Rickman Dover. William graduated from high school in Toccoa, Georgia, and entered the U.S. Army in March 1951. He served as a medic during the Korean War and was honorably discharged after being wounded in action on March 19, 1954. For his service, he was awarded the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars.

While stationed at Camp Drum, he met Angelina Lago. The couple married on March 21, 1954, in Toccoa, Georgia. In 1963, they moved to Calcium, NY, where they owned and operated Dover’s Grocery Store for 32 years. During that time, William also worked for Loblaws for 20 years.

William was an honorary member of the Calcium Fire Department, an avid gardener, a collector of coins, and a true jack-of-all-trades.

He is survived by two daughters and their husbands: Nora M. and Mark K. Cloonan of Calcium, NY; and Cheryl A. and Francis A. Montressor Jr. of Calcium, NY; five grandchildren: Ryan Montressor, Jade and Jamie Montressor, Jerick Montressor, Gabrielle and William Mayfield, Brittany Widrick and fiancé Greg Essenlohr; and great-grandchildren Gavin, Logan, Sasha, Joseph, Aydriana, Cameron, Levi, and Brielle.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Angelina Dover, who passed away on August 21, 2023; his brother, James Ray Dover; and three sisters: Evelie Walrup, Willie Ruth McCracken, and Sally Mae Dover.

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Wild Turkeys Visit Our Yard

Wild turkey wandering around our yard in Chaumont, NY. 

A pair of wild turkeys visited our yard in Chaumont NY today. They wandered around the backyard pecking at and inspecting things. Then they walked down the street and crossed over into a neighbors yard. I was able to get some nice photos of them with a Minolta 200mm f2.8 lens. That lens delivers amazingly sharp images. 

Wild turkey portrait. Creature was in our backyard. They are a rather homely bird.

Weather today started out partly sunny with high of 65 degrees. The day finished at under 40 degrees with some rain. There was also a funeral today for my brother Tom's mother-in-law, Ellen Dean from Calcium, NY. She was 82 years old. ai spent some time at Clay St too, accomplished little. Apt #4 has a problem with entrance door and some cieling and wall damage around the chimney. Brother Ron was there checked it out. Hope tohave hime repair it Sunday. iPhone says I walked 3,168 steps today. 

Cazenovia high school football practice

I spent a part of the afternoon photographing high school football practice in Cazenovia, NY. These two photos were from that.

These football photos were taken Tuesday September 3rd. Yesterday, the 5th I attended a funeral for Doug Wood, musician in Watertown, NY. Doug died at home. He had health problems related to drinking. He was 57 years old. Doug leaves behind a wife and two sons. Doug was well known in the community, an excellent musician, played piano, guitar, and oboe. He taught music and was the organist at St. Anthony's church for more than 20 years. I met Doug around 1980. He and Ron Sacci founded Black River Music store. I met them both when I went there to take guitar lessons. We became friends and eventually I started teaching guitar there. Doug was always even tempered and never seemed to get rattled. He was always ready to lend a hand. When one of his sons became bed ridden with serious medical issues Doug became his full time care giver. So we gathered yesterday and paid our last respects.