Author James E. Reagen To Speak At Waddington Library On Booze, Badboys & Bootleggers April 5 Sponsored by The Friends of the Waddington Library

James E. Reagen, author of Booze, Badboys & Bootleggers Vol. 1 and 2, will be speaking at the Waddington Library on Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. about the St. Lawrence Valley’s lawless and violent Prohibition era.
Reagen was the award-winning managing editor of the Ogdensburg Journal and Advance News for 30 years where he wrote about life in the North Country. He is also the author of two other books on Northern New York’s history, a book on area’s role in the French and Indian War – “Warriors of La Presentation,” and a book on area’s role in the Revolutionary War – “Fort Oswegatchie.”
He is also the author of a fifth book, a sword and sorcery novel, “Wizardry, the League of the Crimson Crescent.”
He helped found the War of 1812 annual Battle of Ogdensburg in February. He was a charter member of the Fort la Presentation Association and the Ogdensburg Historic Commission. He is one of the founders and current vice president of the Ogdensburg History Museum. He has worked with the OFA Key Club for over 30 years as its advisor and was honored with New York State’s Key of Honor for his service to Ogdensburg’s young people.
Over his career, Ogdensburg Command Performances has presented him with its Frankie Award, the Ogdensburg Rotary Club gave him the Paul Harris Award, the Ogdensburg Kiwanis Club honored him with its Kiwanian of the Year, and the Ogdensburg City School District awarded him with its Civic Award, the Ogdensburg Lions Club presented him with the Robert J. Uplinger Award, the Fort La Presentation Association presented him with its Persis Boyesen Award and the Seaway Festival gave him the Jay Cole Award.
In 2011, he went to work for New York State Senator Patty Ritchie and in 2019, he was elected to the St. Lawrence County Legislature to represent Ogdensburg.
He and his wife Donna purchased the Sherman Inn, a historic bed and breakfast. They were recently honored by Booking.com with the Traveler’s Review Award; Trip Advisor has honored the Inn with its Traveler’s Choice Award for 4 years in a row for having a lodging place ranked among the top 10 percent in North America and the world and the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce honored the inn with its Best to the Guest Tourism Excellence Award.