Marylee Manson Armour knew how to turn a phrase. She was one of Liverpool’s most gifted writers ever. Her crowning achievement was a book about a Fourth Lake mail-boat captain, “Heartwood: The Adirondack Homestead Life of W. Don Burnap.”
Marylee died Feb. 20 at age 89, but she had continued journaling up into her 87th year, this time in the form of a blog. Her favorite topics were nature, spirituality and homespun Hoosier humor.
Born in Terre Haute, Ind., Marylee had resided in Liverpool since 1947, spending summers at the family camp at Fourth Lake.
Here’s how she remembered meeting her husband, George Armour, and moving into the village:
Settling in the village
George and I came to Liverpool from our home in Philadelphia. We both had worked for the Signal Corps Inspection Agency, but at the end of World War II, that work was ending.
It was interesting how George and I met.
I was the editor of the monthly periodical for the Inspection Agency. I was also a two-fingered typist. Because that method disturbed the rhythm of the other typists, I was moved to another room. My office had a spacious window and desk. No mind that the room also had a number of filing cabinets.
Another desk was across from mine, and to that desk George Armour regularly came in from field work needing to type his report. George also typed with two fingers. An office secretary would have typed George’s report, but he liked to do his own work to be certain it contained what he needed.
After work and on weekends, George and I and other young workers had fun activities. We had suppers together, picnics, roller skating, hiking, bowling. George and I began to pair off.
When the company moved its office to Philadelphia George and I were assigned to go. We decided we would get married by George’s Uncle Herbert, a Baptist minister.
Here at General Electric, George worked in the Quality Control Division overseeing the top-secret manufacture of heavy military equipment.
The first day that we came to the Liverpool area, we had two blessings.
As we drove up First Street, we saw a sign in an upstairs window that advertised an “Apartment for Rent.” We stopped and rented it immediately. Driving around the village later, we found a vacant lot for sale [along Sixth Street just west of Oswego Street]. In due time, we bought it. Three years later, that lot held our new home that George built, almost entirely by himself.
A sudden statement
Marylee Armour is survived by her daughter, Jean Armour Polly, the director of Liverpool Public Library. A few days before Marylee died, Jean was wheeling her to dinner at Iroquois Nursing Home in Jamesville. Though her verbal skills had begun to wane, Marylee suddenly looked up from her wheelchair, winked at Jean and said, “I have something up my sleeve, honey!” She always did!
Her friend, Gail Travers from Jordan, said Marylee Armour brought out the best in others. “She listened without judgment and loved others for who they are,” Travers said. “Those of us who cared for Marylee are all the better for it. I will never forget her.”
Flicker shows recalled
Film historian Norm Keim will recall Liverpool’s silent-era movie theater located 90 years ago on First Street. Keim will discuss Flicker Shows at The Lakeshore at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, at the Liverpool Public Library, 310 Tulip St.; 457-0310; lpl.org. Admission is free and open to the public.
Keim is the author of “Our Movie Houses: A History of Film and Cinematic Innovation in Central New York.” Copies of his books will be available for purchase and signing following the program which is sponsored by the Historical Association of Greater Liverpool.
Francesca’s now open
Francesca’s Pizza & Italian Kitchen opened last month at 207 Old Liverpool Road in the old Ponderosa Steakhouse building recently home to Juanita’s. When you stop by, don’t bother with the front door. You access the restaurant via the door which faces the east.
Entrees such as eggplant rolatini and lobster ravioli range in price from $8.95 to $12.95, respectively. Specialty pizzas include a vodka sauce pie and a Hawaiian, costing $17.95 medium or $19.95 large. Those with less hearty appetites might try some Utica Greens (6.95) or an apple gorgonzola Salad ($8.50); 451-1200.
Ascioti’s super sausage
Meanwhile on the other side of the building at 207, Dawn and Mark Ascioti are selling countless pounds of meatballs and sausage. I enjoyed a sausage-and-peppers sandwich last week, and it was one of the tastiest Italian sausages I’d ever eaten. I complemented the sub with a cup of garlic basil sausage soup with spinach and onions, the Wednesday special. Dee-lish!
Call Ascioti’s at 457-0683.
