Scotia Glenville, this is my hometown. As of today this is the view of one of it’s landmarks Dairy Circus.
Dairy Circus is owned by Robb and Doreen Clemons. A family gathering place, a lifelong memory spot and one that my parents carried along to my children as they looked after them while I worked.
You may recognize Dairy Circus from its cameo in the movie “The Place Beyond the Pines.”

Dairy Circus is in a state of devastation pending teardown this coming Monday following a fire that rapidly swept through the building.

When I was quite a bit younger, the owner Robb Clemons would often pay me and a friend to take out the trash and sweep the parking lot free of winter’s sand and dirt. He would send us off after a few hours of physical work telling me “come back next weekend, maybe I will have something else for you to do.”
And so I did. Weekend after weekend I would pedal my BMX over to Dairy Circus in hopes of making more of that cold hard cash that seemed like a mint back then.

Robb always gave back to the community, made a positive impression on Scotia’s youth and certainly played a part in molding the work ethic I possess today.

As years passed, this is the same building I used to gaze longingly at from my steamy window seat across Sacandaga road in Mr. Marty Ziac’s social studies classroom.
This is the place we would flock to at dismissal and on our half days during finals week for bubble gum ice cream and mozzarella sticks with a side of raspberry sauce.

Everyone I know on a personal level have expressed how deeply saddened they are after learning about the fire.
It was rumored it may not be rebuilt following Monday’s demolition.

Just today I learned, Dairy Circus will be back, and this is the good news we have all been waiting to hear.
I look forward to bringing our family back on opening day for one of those bubble gum ice cream cones!

Owners Robb and Doreen Clemons are focused on rebuilding and Mayor Kris Kastberg has established the “Dairy Circus fund” at First National Bank of Scotia.

If you are interested in helping rebuild, you can make a donation at any First National Bank of Scotia branch or mail it to:
First National Bank of Scotia “Dairy Circus Fund”
201 Mohawk Avenue, Scotia NY 12302
100 percent of the donations go to the Clemons family.