The Lewis County Historical Society and the Publications Committee mourn the death of Leslie Safford, our cherished colleague. We dedicate this year’s annual LCHS Journal to her, in honor and remembrance of her many invaluable gifts to us.

The Publications Committee relished her expert and generous baking; delighted in her love of contra dancing; was impressed by her polished discourse- she spoke in well-rounded paragraphs, not mere sentences; and mostly enjoyed being in the company of her cheerful and enthusiastic warmth. Her keen, learned intellect was astonishing and her offered input and advice, gentle good humor and laughter, along with her sweet treats, graced our committee meetings. She also happened to be a wonderful, gifted writer. We have lost a quietly remarkable person in our midst.

Leslie revisited her Lewis County roots in a vivid memoir beginning with her great-grandfather Seymour van Santvoord. She writes that in 1903, “Seymour bought land on Beaver Lake and built a house he called Shingle Shanty.” Readers can enjoy the lively reminiscences of four generations of Shingle Shanty, the haven for so many families and friends, in “Summers and Seasons at Number Four,” printed in the LCHS annual journal, November 2023, Volume XLIV.