Life History of Philip Harris

11. Share a story about one of your siblings.

I have wonderful stories about my brothers and sisters. I think I will tell about my brother Bill. My father would pull out our loose teeth with a pare of tooth plyers One day brother Bill about 4 or 5 years old fell off the table and loosened his front teeth. I, being the oldest, promptly got the tooth plyers and pulled out all his front teeth. How proud I was of this accomplishment. Bill was still crying when my parents came back home. Bill didn't have any front teeth for several years.

12. Did you have a favorite pet while growing up? Tell us about your pet(s). If you didn't have one what did you wish for?

I have had a lot of favorite pets when growing up. I will always remember my dog Rex. He was run over by the local church minister. I walked on to the dead dog a couple of weeks later. It was the saddest time of my youthful life. My father who was in the service at the time said he could see the tears on his letters.. The dog was my constant companion. He would follow me to school and wait until I got out. We would hunt and swim together.

13. Did you haver a favorite family vacation? Tell us something about it.

My all time favorite family vacation was when we went to Idaho and Utah and our family was sealed in the Temple. I had a spiritual experience in the spring that I should take my family to the Temple. The closest Temple was Salt Lake City . I was offered an opportunity with Grand Union to be Produce Mgr. in Bolton Landing for the summer. I would have a lot of overtime. Alice was offered a summer job as book keeper in the Lake George Grand Union. We saved enough money through the summer to upgrade our car and go on vacation. We camped every night in a campground or open field all the way to Blackfoot Idaho where we stayed with Gomer and Mary Williams who had been a missionary couple in Glens Falls.. The kids road horse back on their farm. We spent a night in Yellowstone park. The girls were scared on the path to the bathroom by a bear. We toured all the historic sights in Salt Lake City. We all had a spiritual experience in the Temple and at General Conference. We totaled the car on the way home in Nebraska . We bought another car for $200 and drove it for four years. No one was seriously hurt. We all got home with grateful hearts for the vacation of a lifetime.

14. Do you follow any religious beliefs? Tell us about your church.

I do remember when I first felt the Spirit. I was about 12 years old. In the Harrisena Community Church, a wonderful warm feeling came over me while in prayer. I saw a picture of Christ before my eyes. We joined The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints when our children were young. It has been a wonderful way to bring up a family. My children and grandchildren are strong in the Church. My sons, Jim and Randy, served as Missionaries for the Church. My grandson Jay just returned from his Mission in Chile. His brother Jorden will go in July. I served as Bishop of the Glens Falls Ward for 12 years. We built the Ward chapel. I also served on the Albany NY Stake High Council for 12 years. My favorite calling was that of a Sunday School teacher. All these callings were great but if I could do it over, I would have spent more time with my family. We attend Church every Sunday . My Church or Wanda's Church, The United Methodist Church. I don't think it makes any difference what Church you attend, if you feel the Spirit. If you don't feel the Spirit get out of there.

15. Do you collect anything? Tell us about your collection or favorite item.

We don't collect much anymore. I do collect all the James Bond movies. I do have all 18 . I collect books on Warren County History for research. I used to collect coins. I still have a few. When I was a young lad I collected match box covers. I had several hundred. I don't know what happened to them. I did have a large Indian Arrowhead collection that was stolen. I do have a lot of genealogy I have done. My daughter Renee Zamora has taken over that job, for which I am grateful.

16. Is there someplace you lived that you especially liked or disliked and why?

I liked my home at the homested in Harrisena,with my parents and brothers and sisters. We had a lot of chores but could slide down the hills in the winter and ride down the hills in my wagon in the summer. I could go hunting or fishing whenever I wanted to if my work was done. My grandparents, who owned the house lived next door, were very special people. The first home I owned was at 9 Hudson Street in South Glens Falls. It was a 3 family home. I couldn't get used to the noise of
tenants and neighbors. I can say, I didn't like this home. I sold that home and bought the old farm house at 1564 Ridge Road in Harrisena. It had plenty of space with five acres of land. We could have a garden. We raised five wonderful children along with dogs and cats. We had chickens,ducks,geese, even a sheep at one time. We raised pigs and at one time Renee talked me into buying a horse. It was a small home but what wonderful memories.

17. Tell us about your mother, do you have a special memory of her?

I have special memories of my Mother. I recall when food was scarce she would not eat until all seven of us kids were fed. She worked very hard even doing laundry for other people. She went out to work cleaning other people's homes and bought our first oil burning stove. That was the end of the wood stove. I recall one time my father was in jail because of his drinking and all we had to eat was corn meal mush. When my father was in the service she scrounged and bought me a used bicycle. She lived a hard life but she had a great love for all us kids. When my father got out of the Army he was a total alcoholic and he was real mean to my mother. In later years he recovered and life was easier for my mother. She loved their Mobile Home they bought in Jenkinsville. In her last years she was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis. The years of hard work took its toll on her. I would pick her up and carry her into the Dr's office. The last months of her life were spent in our home. She was the greatest.

18. Do you have strong political feelings? If so, do you have any idea where you got them? Or if you have no political persuasions, how come?

I was brought up as a Republican. My Grandfather Harris was the Chairman of the Warren County Republican Committee. I remember when my father came home and announced that he had voted for Franklin Roosevelt for President. I can still remember the argument my father and Grandfather had. My father was almost put out of the family. When it came time for me to register to vote, I signed up in the Conservative Party. I got really involved in Right Wing politics. I even became the Warren County Chairman and a Member of the State Executive Committee. I discovered that the party was run by big business and was anti-labor. Some of the members were not only segregationists but many were anti Semitic . I began to question why I was involved with this stuff. The LDS Church itself was extreme right wing on many things. I then joined the Republican Party. The party was run by big business leaders and lawyers. I became disillusioned and joined the Democratic Party, which is more in tune with what I believe. Working for the working people, senior citizens, health care, equal rights, education for all, raising the minimum wage, veteran benefits, Social Security, Medicare, clean air, balanced budget, keeping jobs in the US, and keeping a strong defense without a unneeded war. Needless to say my Political views have evolved from my foolish younger days. I could never vote for George Bush or be a Republican again.

19. How has music influenced your life, do you sing, play an instrument or have a favorite song?

Music has always been a great joy in my life. I enjoy most music with the exception of Rap and Heavy Metal. I like soft pop and classic country music. The oldies are the best for us oldies. When I went to South Glens Falls High School in the 6th grade, we had a music class. In order to pass the class, everyone had to sing a solo. Being from the country, I was very bashful. With my legs trembling and in a panic I sang ,"Strolling Thru The Park One Day" The kids out of pity and the teacher gave me the loudest applause of any of the kids. I did pass the class. I have been a square dance caller for several years, but am now cutting back on calling. I have one dance to call in May and June. In Florida I call and teach twice a month at a senior park. I have enjoyed playing the harmonica since my early teens. My kids all remember "Nelly Gray." I have to go to the symphony with Wanda (don't like it) so she then will go to a blue grass concert with me. (she doesn't like it). It works out good for us.

20. Do you have a school experience that really stands out in your mind, either good or bad?

I have had good and bad school experiences. In Harrisena country school my teacher Mrs. Pulver promoted me from third grade to fifth grade. She said I was very smart and didn't need to go to forth grade. THAT WAS GOOD> In the Hicks Road Country school the teacher Mrs. Mc Keckren decided I wasn't as smart and made me repete fifth grade. THAT WAS BAD. In South Glens Falls Ferry Street School the school bully would come up behind the kids and push their heade into the snow. One day he did that to me . I got up and whooped him good. For all the kids THAT WAS GOOD. The next day, two of his brothers from High School whooped me THAT WAS BAD. I brought a big Indian Arrow Head collection for a display to South Glens Falls School. I had collected them following Art Harris when he was plowing at the Indian camp site. The teachers were happy. THAT WAS GOOD The collection was stolen. THAT WAS BAD. I had to leave high school in the 11th grade to help support my family. My father was sick. THAT WAS BAD. I did complete my high school and two college courses. THAT WAS GOOD

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