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August 1, 2009
Local man battles Brothers Marvin to benefit from golf tourney tumor, triathlon By Matt Bosley
matt@denpubs.com
Joel Harwood of Elizabethtown still managed to muster a smile as he crossed the finish line in the 2009 Lake Placid Ironman triathlon July 26. Harwood, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, had made it a personal goal to complete the grueling race. Photo by Linda Dolly
By Linda Dolly and Kevin McKee denpubs@denpubs.com
ELIZABETHTOWN — Two teenage brothers faced with a life-threatening heart condition are inviting golfers from around the North Country to join them once again for a day out on the greens. The second annual Brock and Connor Marvin Golf Tournament will be held at The Westport Country Club Friday Aug. 21, a fundraiser to support the two boys, who anticipate exorbitant out-of-pocket medical expenses. After he suffered a heart attack in April 2008, doctors discovered 15-year-old Brock Marvin had dilated cardiomyopathy, a disease that causes the heart to grow three times its normal size and pump blood at a rate significantly lower than the average person. Since then, Brock’s father, Walter “Smitty” Marvin III, mother Darlene Mitchell and stepmother, Margot Roemischer, have undertaken a continued effort to seek effective treatment for him, and raise funds to pay for it. Last year ’s tournament, held at the Lake Placid Club, drew over 140 golfers and raised more than $12,000 for a medical trust fund set up to do just that. This year ’s tournament has some additional goals, however. Last fall, the Marvins decided to have 13year-old Connor tested for the disease, too, since it is often the result of a genetic defect. In March, doctors confirmed the test as positive.
See MARVIN, page 15 LAKE PLACID — Joel Harwood just wants to have fun; Ironman style. Harwood, 41, of Elizabethtown, was one of more than 2,200 athletes from across the globe competing in the ninth annual Ford Ironman Lake Placid triathlon July 26, the grueling race where each participant must complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bicycle ride and a 26.2-mile marathon. “I have always had an interest in the Ironman. I saw the Ironman a couple of years ago, and just loved it. I wanted to compete.” But Harwood had other reasons for going after his goals. In 2007, he won a monthslong battle with a brain tumor. “When I had the tumor, it and some friends pushed me to do it,” he said prior to the race. “I'm very happy I'm able to be in the race. On Sunday I'm going to go out there and have fun.” After training for nine months, Harwood felt ready. As dawn broke that morning, the streets of Lake Placid were nearly empty. Traffic to much of Lake Placid was closed from 5 a.m. until the last racer able to qualify crossed the finish line at midnight.
See HARWOOD, page 16
Brock, Smitty, and Connor Marvin, enjoy a walk down the 18th fairway on the Old Course at St. Andrews Links in Fife, Scotland. The three visited the site during a trip to the 2009 British Open that was paid for by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Brock and Connor, who have both been diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, will be the beneficiaries of a golf tournament scheduled for Aug. 21 at the Westport Country Club.
Chesterfield to open new visitors’ center By Matt Bosley matt@denpubs.com
The historic Estes House, located next to AuSable Chasm, has been turned over to the town of Chesterfield for use as a visitors’ interpretive center. The building will house exhibits assembled by the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association. It is slated to open in June 2010.
AUSABLE CHASM — Thanks to three-way partnership between a business, town, and nonprofit organization, a historic building near AuSable Chasm is taking on new life. The Estes House, a 19th century sandstone home overlooking Rainbow Falls, was recently donated by the AuSable Chasm Corporation for use as the Town of Chesterfield’s new Visitors’ Interpretive Center. The exchange was celebrated July 27 with a ceremonial key passing. “It’s just a good thing for the community,” said AuSable Chasm Corp. Executive Director Tim Bressette, noting how the building has sat unused for over a decade. The building was originally built as the home of Herbert Estes, a Civil War veteran and superintendent of the AuSable Horse Nail Company in the late 1800s. Later, it served as the residence for Chasm management. As part of the agreement, the town will own the building and be responsible for renovating and maintaining it. In exchange, donation of the building acts as matching funds for
See VIC, page 8
EGGLEFIELD’S
45th ANNIVERSARY MUSTANG REUNION AUGUST 2, 2009
ELIZABETHTOWN, NY • WWW.EGGLEFIELDBROS.COM
Open to the Public ! Call to Register! Show Off Your Mustang !
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