Pete Johnson is Schroon's Citizen of the Year

SCHROON | For Schroon Lake's Citizen of the Year Pete Johnson, life is all about just working the problem. At 73 years young, Johnson will be officially honored on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Paradox Brewery from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce acknowledging Johnson's significant area contributions and long-standing commitment to the Schroon community. Johnson's goal for the evening is simple one- "I just want to be able to say hi to all my friends that show up," he confessed. That may prove to be easier said than done, a good problem to have for the man that has worked for decades towards the betterment of the town he is proud to call home. Talk to Johnson for 30 seconds and you realize right away this is an individual who likes people, who enjoys a challenge, and thrives within a social environment where opportunities for productivity are in abundance. It was Johnson's wife, Terry, who delivered the news of his recognition from the Chamber. Sharing a joint email account, Terry received the message first (not uncommon in the household), and informed her spouse that he would be the 2025 Citizen of the Year. "I know there have been several people in town that were interested in nominating me, but I never thought it would go any further than that," Johnson admitted. "I was very shocked and humbled by the news." Johnson is not a Schroon native; his roots are found 1,160 miles west in Eau Claire, WI, where he was born and then raised half an hour away in Menomonie. Johnson entered into the Air Force from there, where he retired after 20 years as a senior NCO. He has lived in Dover, DE, Osan, South Korea, and was stationed in Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon for ten years. The Johnsons (Terry is also retired from the military) then went to Great Falls, Montana (Johnson holds a degree in accounting from the University of Great Falls), and they both really loved the area and even wanted to stay, but that was not meant to be. "We moved to Schroon Lake to be closer to my in-laws," Johnson explained. "Terry's parents were up in Saranac, and we always wanted to have our daughter close to her grandparents and they were also getting up in years. We thought it was our duty to come back and assist in any way we could." The Johnsons purchased Dun Romin Cabins, and operated the business from 1995 to 2003, when they decided to sell. Following that, Johnson did real estate for one year, then thought he would use his accounting degree at the main office at Glens Falls National Bank in the credit department. Within that organization, he moved up to the accounting department and then by 2012, Johnson retired permanently. But in between 1995 and retirement, Johnson had a very full plate thanks to his joining spirit. "I really enjoyed the town," Johnson recalled of his first impressions of Schroon. "Getting to know the people was really fun, and getting involved in the different organizations was really fun." His first foray into community volunteering came when he became involved with the Chamber, then the Schroon Lake Community Church working with the treasurer and finance secretary. Someone talked him into joining the American Legion in town, of which he became the Commander after a few years. He also enlisted in the Lions Club, and worked as the Chief of Registration for the Adirondack Marathon for 20 years. Upon retirement from the bank, Johnson and Terry also joined the Schroon Lake Senior Center, where Johnson currently serves as treasurer. Though he has stepped back from the Chamber and the Adirondack Marathon (not for leisure, but to take on more active roles in his other commitments), Johnson still has the four other organizations he volunteers with. And there is one achievement that he was instrumental in that is of particular personal poignancy- the reconstruction of the church after it was ravaged and destroyed by fire in 2019. "We weren't in town when the fire happened, we were out of town visiting our daughter, and we came back the following day," Johnson remembered." Many people were crying, and I felt bad for a day. But then I thought, now the job starts. We have to get this thing down, rebuilt, cleaned up and get back in there. I felt bad about what had happened, but I didn't dwell on it." President of the Board of Directors at the time, Johnson and his time of "three amigos," Jim Morse and Scoot Chadbourne, each offering their area of professional expertise and oversaw the project. "We worked hard to get the structure torn down, get it off Main Street, get a vacant lot, get the architect, get the plans, and get going, and put up a new facility to make this town look good again. It was a very proud moment for us when the church was completed, we finally got into it with a couple of hiccups. But like I say, just work the problem." For Johnson, involvement within his community is fun, with a sense of personal satisfaction in tackling a challenge and conquering it, joy in capability and bettering the community the cherry on top of his efforts. "This town is really filled with numerous volunteers, I am not the only nor the greatest," Johno said. "Our fire department is all volunteer, there's numerous people that step up to get trained on all the stuff they have to do, and respond to all these needs by the public. You have the Fish and Game, Lions Club, Schroon Lake Association, the Chamber is filled with volunteers, we have the Schroon Lake Beautification Group. There are a lot of us in this town that have volunteers and the thing is, the majority of people belong to numerous organizations and volunteer for those." Volunteerism is an undertaking that the Citizen of the Year hopes others will take up the torch for as the years go on. "We have to get younger people to start volunteering for the community," Johnson noted. "In the organizations that belong to, we have noticed that the hard core volunteers in the organization are starting to age out. What I would like to see for Schroon Lake is more of the younger group to start stepping in and volunteering- a couple hours a week does wonders for an organization." Until then, Johnson will continue to do what he does best- work any and all challenges sent his way. Reservations to attend Citizen of the Year ($18 per individual and includes hot and cold appetizers and drink ticket) are required and may be made by calling the Schroon Lake Chamber of Commerce at 518-532-7675.

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Pete Johnson is Schroon's Citizen of the Year

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