The Palace Billiard Academy started in the basement of the Pontiac Theater and later moved to the Altman's block.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, November 15, 1966
Play-by-play
By Bob Goetz
Since the political wizards of New York State passed the law allowing 16-year-olds at pool rooms, the local billiard abode, owned and operated by Sam Sherman, has taken on the looks and sounds of youth. Business has evidently increased for the Palace Billiard Academy as Sam has ventured to add another table giving him seven which on weekends all see action.
Not only has the political enactment brought about an increase in business but also provides an informal gathering place for the local football buffs who wish to speak their piece on the high school football season or on a nationwide basis.
At times during the night, many of the Palace yearlings drop their cues to defend their loyalty to their team. Football seems to generate more of a discussion and often talk centers around the two high schools, St. Pius and Saranac LakeCentral. If a match between the two schools ever occurred it would quiet one side or the other and leave the poolroom with an air of silence.
As if this weren't enough to keep the boys playing, Bernie Robinson, who handles the 7-12 shift, manages to keep the conversation going with his bits of wisdom. As a representative from the Golden Age of sports at SLHS he can tell you of the earlier heroes of the Redskins and how they measure up with the gridders of today.
Bernie is undoubtedly the best pool player in town and has brought a new $40 cue to retain his title. As one of the poolroom greats he suffers from lack of competition. Recently he has been playing against insurmountable odds but he can always come through more than he loses. Lindsay Putnam handles the afternoon tutoring with his games against the local boys.
If football should ever leave the scene as a high school sport the obvious replacement would be the organization of a team of pool players. I would venture from the number of high school boys who play at the PBA that Saranac Lake would be assured of a good team in competition with other towns such as Massena, Plattsburgh and Canton.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, August 30, 1967
Play-by-Play
By Bob Goetz
The United Billiard Association, more astutely known as the UBA, came into town yesterday seeking the Little City in the Adirondacks' most controversial pool figure who has risked his future with the cue by supporting competitive pool on the high school level.
The four-man blue ribbon panel sought out Bernie Robinson, who recently undertook the proprietorship of the Palace Billiard Academy, and upon coming across the pool wizard in his subterranean establishment, quickly locked the doors for an official consultation.
Little is known what went on during the confidential UBA-Robinson parley, but judging from the facial expressions of the ageless expert of the cloth and cue, the proposed high school pool team hit home with the heads of state from New York.
Bernie isn't quick to say what actually came of the meeting, only that within weeks he expects competition on the school level to reach a peak and some sort of league set up with Bernie's boys the charter members.
The new coach says he has at least 50 eager players awaiting the first practice session and if that number is on hand he will have to run a series of eliminations to cut down the squad. Since there are no league rules or any rules for that matter to follow, Bernie will hold his first skull session on Sept. 1, which, incidentally, is the initial starting date for some area grid teams.
No mention of who the local set will confront during this the first season of organized pool was made, but rumors have it that the Robinson-coached team will face seven rivals with an exhibition tilt sometime in mid-September.
In preparation for the coming season, Bernie has set up a series of exercises designed to improve the nimbleness of the hustling group of eager high school students. He also has designated Saturday mornings as time set aside for practice in which the pool room will, be closed for business.
The ageless master of the cue expects big things from his squad as evidenced by the dashing shirts in white with red lettering saying "Bern's Billiards." Each shirt is numbered and in addition there are two shirts decked in gold for the captain and co-captain of the team.
As of late Bernie has been eyeing prospective candidates with a scornful look destined to scare away any who may add to the list of candidates. He hadn't offered any helpful hints to the many aspirants, but to give them a sound shellacking to prove the master is still No. 1.
Although it is way to early to establish a goal for his team, Bernie has been quoted as saying that his boys will definitely finish among the top three. From what he sees of the local entourage there are at least five prospective All-Northerns whose John Penns are already on the scroll of first-year hopefuls.
The UBA was quick to leave, stopping for only a mid-afternoon snack, and little was heard from the lords of billiards only to say that Bernie Robinson will long be remembered for his historic moments in the sport of pool.
