We’d like to share some memories of our dear neighbor, Eggplant.

Shortly after Milt & I purchased our Saranac Lake home, the ice in MacDowell Bay froze over and was perfect for skating. Of course, we thought this happened every year! So we were out skating when this big guy comes up to me and puts out his enormous gloved “paw” and announces with a huge smile, “I’m the Eggplant!” That was my unique introduction to Brad and it was our official welcome to the neighborhood.

Our black lab, Molly, was just a pup in 2002. She wandered away from home one cold day in late November and fell through the thin ice in front of Long Shadows. There was no way we could get to her. So Milt ran over to Birch Point. Thankfully, Brad’s runabout boat was still in the water and Brad did not hesitate. They were able to get to Molly and she was rescued! I called the Adirondack Enterprise and they printed the story on the front page. Eggplant was the man of the hour!

So Molly went on to live a long and happy life. She loved treats. Eggplant carried what he called “cookies” with him in his truck. Every time he saw Molly and I walking the road, he would toss a couple out his window and Molly would scarf them up. Well, Molly figured if she followed Eggplant, she’d get more. So she would chase his truck all the way home! I politely asked him to cease & desist the cookies – which he did – graciously.

A few years later, electricity finally came to Birch Point. I saw Brad on the road one day and asked him how things were going. With a deep guffaw he said, “I am so happy. I’m buying everything and anything with a plug!”

Every time we saw Brad on the road – whether moseying along with his walking stick or passing by in his truck – he had a smile and a wave and if time, a conversation about things. We will miss him. Eggplant was our neighborhood icon.