PORT HENRY — The new Port Henry traffic circle has been dedicated in honor of community volunteer Jack Woods.
The brick roundabout at the intersection of Main and Broad streets was recently completed by mason Patrick Salerno, who praised Woods for his decades of community involvement.
“I’ve seen Jack Woods here for many years donating his time to make the Village of Port Henry a better place. I donated my time to build a beautiful oval.”
A large crowd turned out to witness the recent ceremony.
“This is Jack’s day for being a good person,” Salerno said. “It’s dedicated to him for his hard work over the years.”
Woods said he couldn’t have done all he has done — running Champ Day, the Labor Day celebration and serving as Moriah Chamber of Commerce president — without help.
“The various committees stepped up to the fight. It’s a great group to work with. I’m one of the ‘richest’ men in the world.”
‘LOTS OF FUN’
Woods, 60, has been chamber president for 15 years.
“I’ve run Labor Day, Champ Day, Midnight Madness, the concert series in the park,” he said in an interview. “One year, we did a car show, another year, a gun show, a seminar. I’ve had a lot of fun.”
He said he was happy to devote his time to the community he grew up in.
“It makes me feel good to see everyone having a good time. I did what I could to serve, to help the quality of life here.”
New groups like pH7 and EDGe, the Moriah Community and Economic Development group are operating now, and so some of the burden is off him, Woods said.
“People are taking an interest. I hope it will spread, get infectious. And the media has been wonderful at getting out the word.”
CHERISHES FRIENDS
Woods is still heading Champ Day and the Labor Day event this year but said he may start slowing down. He ran Sagan’s Department Store in Port Henry for many years, closing it last year to enter semi-retirement.
Village Mayor Ernest Guerin said he and the Village Board thought the new traffic circle was appropriate for dedication to Woods.
“This is the centerpiece of our community. Jack has been out there in all kinds of weather. We wanted to say thank you.”
Woods said he cherishes all the friends he has made over the years.
“These are great people. Our community family has been wonderful. Everyone has been good to me, and I’ve been the same to them. I love everyone dearly.”
Email Lohr McKinstry:
lmckinstry@pressrepublican.com
