Dinner Date: CJ Fitzwater

“Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact. But maybe everything that dies someday comes back“ -Bruce Springsteen, “Atlantic City” I met newly inducted Amesbury Hall-of-Famer, and hockey legend George Dodier a year ago after winning a hand sander at the inaugural Support Our Stadium brunch. When I stopped by his home on Baker Street to pick up my raffle prize, I had the chance to get to know George. Initially, I had attended the event because of the food, prepared by the Blackstone Boys—a group of local philanthropists who use their culinary talents to raise funds for community causes. Led by friends Craig McPherson and Dan Ouellet, the Blackstone Boys bring together the community to support local projects.

After enjoying last year’s event, I wanted to reconnect with George to discuss this year’s brunch, which is on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 11 a.m., at Mill 77, 77 Elm St., in Amesbury. I also wanted to learn more about him, and delve into the history of Landry Memorial Stadium in Amesbury. This venue is much more than a sports field; it’s a home for the long-standing rivalry between Amesbury and Newburyport.

Steeped in tradition, the stadium has hosted generations of memories, culminating every other year with the iconic Thanksgiving Daygame against Newburyport. This rivalry, spanning more than a century, embodies the spirit of high school football in these cool, small New England cities. Did you have that one teacher or school administrator who supported you through the often challenging years of high school? Someone who believed in you when it felt like no one else did? Someone who put their own comfort aside to ensure you had what you needed to graduate? George was that special teacher. After years as a social studies and psychology teacher, he became a guidance counselor, pushing his students to succeed and preparing them for life after graduation. A father of four, George was also a coach, guiding teams in hockey, golf, baseball, softball, and even freshmen girls’ basketball. His influence on high school sports in Amesbury is yet another part of the gravitational pull of the star of George Dodier.

George and I met for a breakfast snack at Ovedia, the chocolate and espresso spot at 36 Main St., in Amesbury. Like the educator he is, he had prepared a “lesson” on the early history of Landry Memorial Stadium. Built in 1938 by Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration, the stadium was named in honor of James J. Landry Jr., the first Amesbury resident to die in World War II. This dedication established the stadium as a war memorial, giving it a solemn significance.

We also discussed the importance of the stadium in the Amesbury-Newburyport rivalry, which dates back to 1891, making it one of the oldest rivalries in Massachusetts. From the firsthard-fought game -a narrow 11-10 win by Newburyport the rivalry has been marked by intensity, pride, and a fierce commitment from both teams and their communities. Generations have grown up with these games, and even as times change, the passion remains as strong as ever. Iconic games and legendary players have shaped this rivalry, creating memorable plays that have become part of local lore.

By the late 1990s, however, Landry Stadium had suffered from time and neglect. In 1998, it was condemned and deemed hazardous, desperately needing repairs. Recognizing the stadium’s importance, a grassroots group called Save Our Stadium (SOS) launched a campaign to raise funds for its restoration. With a goal of reviving Amesbury’s crown jewel, SOS raised $1.2 million, including a significant $500,000 contribution from The Provident Bank.

The extensive renovations transformed Landry Stadium into more than just a sports venue; it became a hub for community events, from graduations to Relay for Life gatherings. The grand reopening in 2002 featured a concert by Lyle Lovett, drawing over 4,000 people and symbolizing a new chapter for the stadium. Over the decades, the Amesbury-Newburyport rivalry has produced countless unforgettable moments. From Amesbury’s crushing 99-6 victory in 1951, led by Sammy May and the boys from Salisbury—who, according to Jim Pollard, chose to go to Amesbury over Newburyport because “the girls were prettier”—to Newburyport’s thrilling plays that shattered Amesbury’s undefeated streak in the 1970s, each Thanksgiving Day game has their own memories. Players and coaches, from past captains like Tino Bertolini to Newburyport’s legendary Jim Stehlin, have left a lasting impact that today’s players strive to honor. Each game is more than just football; it’s a chance to be part of a history shared by both cities.

After experiencing a series of personal losses, including the passing of his brother, Peter in 2017 and his wife in 2019, George, retired in 2020, took time for soul-searching and then met with Mayor Kassandra Gove to discuss a shared desire among friends to revive a group similar to Save Our Stadium, which had successfully preserved the stadium at the turn of the millennium. Despite its restoration, Landry Stadium continues to face challenges. Funding for maintenance has been an ongoing concern, and in recent years, community volunteers—including the newly organized Support Our Stadium group with members like Mike Hildt, Dan Ouellette, Mike Vedrani, Wayne Gove, Seth Biladeau, Meghan Fahey, Craig McPherson, and, of course, George Dodier— have come together to organize additional fundraisers and initiatives to support the stadium’s upkeep. Mayor Gove has fully embraced this group, recognizing Landry Memorial Stadium as a priority for Amesbury.

This aged concrete war memorial, with its arched entryway, stirs memories— of watching your younger brother become a legend or sitting as season ticket holders with your wife on Saturday afternoons or Friday nights under the lights. Preserving this stadium is about more than having a place for kids to play; it’s where history, tradition, and community come together. The Support Our Stadium campaign and the ongoing dedication from George, volunteers, the mayor, and the town reflect a commitment to keeping this cherished place-alive.

Each Thanksgiving, as fans gather, they celebrate not just a football tradition but the countless stories told on this field for nearly a century. When we return to Landry Stadium, our lost loved ones live on in our memories—our sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives. Landry is more than a war memorial; it is a memorial to our own losses. You can help by coming down to Mill 77 on Dec. 1, at 11 a.m. Enjoy some good food from the Blackstone Boys, have a drink, listen to music, and join a community filled with love.

This year’s turkey bowl is at James T. Stehlin Field at World War Memorial Stadium in Newburyport, thanksgiving morning.

“Dinner Date” is a series of stories written by Salisbury resident C.J. Fitzwater about the places and people he meets locally for dinner. If you are interested in meeting and telling your story, send him an email at cfitzwater@ymail.com.