Saranac Lake Business Men's Band, undated
Historic Saranac Lake Collection, 2024.1.35. Gift of Ann Pecora Diamond.The Saranac Lake Business Men's Band is first mentioned in newspaper accounts in 1911.
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, February 8, 1952
Our Town
By Eddie Vogt
...The 1911 parade had 60 floats and was again marshalled by L. B. Magill with Arthur D. Moir and Rev. W. B. Lusk, as aides. It was led by the Business Men's Band of Saranac Lake, and there was also a Rube Band...
Plattsburgh Sentinel, September 2, 1913
Clinton Co. Fair
…Third Day
…Grand concert by Saranac Lake Business Men's band.
Lake Placid News, July 17, 1914
Ray Brook
Note the arrow to Ford Towner and the store at right with signs reading H. F. Towner & Co. Grocer
From Adirondack Daily Enterprise article by Howard Riley, July 2, 2005
Courtesy from the Adirondack Room of the Saranac Lake Free Library
…The Saranac Lake Business Men's Band rendered a concert here last week which, was very much enjoyed.
Malone Farmer, September 8, 1915
LOCAL DEPARTMENT
...The Elks had splendid weather for their clam bake at Rainbow this year, which was participated in by about 250 members of the order from Malone, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and other towns. The meeting proved one of the most delightful ones which the Elks have yet enjoyed. Good music was furnished by the Business Men's Band of Saranac Lake, and the spread served at 2 o'clock by the caterers was one fit for a king...
Malone Farmer, August 16, 1916
LOCAL DEPARTMENT
...The regatta of the Saranac Lake Boat and Waterways Club will be held on Lake Flower on Friday, August 25, beginning at about 1:30 p.m. in the afternoon there will be a number of events which, will include an open race for motor boats, a bang and go back race for motor boats, swimming races, tub races, canoe doubles, rowing singles, canoe mixed doubles, tilting match and a hurry-scurry race. Prizes will be awarded in the various events. In the evening of the day of the regatta there will be a concert by the Business Men's Band and there will be a general illumination of the waters of the lake and the residences which front on the lake...
Malone Farmer, February 7, 1917
Saranac Lake Business Men's Band, 1914
Among its members were Roy Lobdell, Earl Lobdell, "Pop" Duso, Phil Steneri, Earl Carter, Archie Nimmo, H. Ford Towner, Nelse Trombley.
Photo courtesy of the Saranac Lake Free Library
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, 27 January 1996Those who patronized the Fraternal Day excursion to the Saranac Lake Carnival on Thursday had a most delightful outing. Nearly 200 took the train at Malone, including people from surrounding towns...The train arrived in Saranac Lake about noon and the men of the party were formed in line and escorted through the principal streets by the Saranac Lake Business Men's Band and members of Saranac Lake's fraternal societies, delegations from Plattsburgh, Tupper Lake and Lake Placid, who had arrived on other trains, joining...
Adirondack Daily Enterprise, March 27, 1970
Excerpt from a letter a letter to the editor from George Towner about Saranac Lake bands
...I always believed that it was Mr. Rusterholtz who was the ‘Harold Hill' of the SL Boys Band. I know that Archie Nimmo (not Nemmo) taught the trumpets when the band was first organized and all had to learn their instruments, just as my Father H. F. Towner taught the trombones, Frank Hastings the clarinets, the Lobdell Bros. the drums, and Mr. Trombley the basses. I used to attend these rehearsals, but could not join the band as I was too young at that time... One had to he at least 12. All these men were part of the S. L. Business Men's Band, which had been in existence for many years.
