On Friday, August 25th a.m. Jean left the Stoughton family after a wonderful evening exchanging ideas about goals in someone's life, peace and faith. We must not forget that the Stoughtons having read the "Post Star" very early Thursday morning, had called the Gordons in Whitehall asking Jean to stop at their home when he arrives in Hudson Falls in the afternoon. Some kind of a reservation, you might say...
At that point, Jean was very popular, having made the local newspaper a few times. So, people honked their horn and waved at him when they passed by or people simply got out of their house to applaud him as he went by. He was walking merrily, signing autographs when suddenly, he felt as if he had landed on the moon... nobody recognized him anymore... Unaware of it, he had walked across to another county and we know that people from different counties have different newspapers...
Wondering why his fame had evaporated so suddenly, Jean stopped at a church in Mechanicville where he met the Minister, Daniel King who kindly explained the change of counties to him. That night, he slept in the church and I am sure he had holy dreams... Earlier, Jean had a swim in the pool but had declined an invitation to play basketball with the local men and teenagers.
On the 26th he planted his tent in Sandy and Pat Knauf's yard in East Greenbush. The Knaufs had just moved into their house but showered him with niceties. The next morning, while Jean was folding his tent preparing to leave, Mother in Law came asking him to delay his departure for TV 13 from Albany was coming to interview him.
The afternoon saw him knocking on Karen and Michael McCrady's door, in Hudson, asking if he could watch himself on their TV set... " I have to say I was a little reluctant, as you can imagine." was commenting Michael. While he was at the McCrady's home Jean had 3 newspaper interviews and he met Mayor Kenny Cranna. In the evening he wrote an email telling me how nice people were to him, that they were suggesting he appears on the "David Letterman Show" that he meets the Mayor of New York city etc...
On the 29th he camped in the Mackey's yard, in Hyde Park, where he recovered from a minor indigestion. Well these things happen sometimes, even at home... The Mackeys were as nice with him as the other families who offered him a shower, a place to sleep and food.
On the 31st he stopped in a Y.M.C.A in Tarrytown that is pretty close to New York City. The Director, Mr. Ravenell Williams lV did all he could to find him a room for the night but there was none to be had. So, Mr. Williams drove Jean and his "Winnebago" to the nearest Hilton where he personally paid for a room for Jean for the night. Thank you so much Mr. Williams.
Do not forget to check on Jean's Website once in a while, there might be new additions.
http://www.geocities.com/marathon_monde/
Till next week...
Luce