Arto Monaco Dies at 90

LEE MANCHESTER, Adirondack Daily Enterprise, Nov. 22, 2003

           SARANAC LAKE -Arto Monaco, creator of the Land of Makebelieve and designer of Santa's Workshop, died Friday morning, Nov. 21, at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. His wife and family were by his side when he passed away.

           Monaco had turned 90 just five days earlier, on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Wells Memorial Library, in Upper Jay, was packed full that afternoon for a reception honoring the community's beloved "Uncle Arto." The following day a private party was held for Monaco in his workshop by former Land of Makebelieve employees.

           Monaco opened the Land of Makebelieve in 1954. The children's theme park was forced to close in 1979 after one too many Au Sable River floods washed through the property.

           A memorial service will be held for Arto Monaco at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, at Holy Name Catholic Church, in Au Sable Forks. Arto will be buried in Mountain View Cemetery, in Upper Jay, following the service. Friends and family are invited to gather afterward at the Wells Memorial Library.