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...in June 1934, Grace Kyle led an evening stroll at Sassafras, according to a newspaper account, “The first thing to greet the club members was a pair of lovely bluebirds busily engaged in preparing supper for their young
Thursday Chatter "12 Minutes"
The Historians Podcast 2021 fund drive has exceeded its $5,000 goal! Thanks to a very generous contribution from Amsterdam native Joan Breier Brodsky, plus contributions by Linda Hobbs and Scott Lorenz the fund drive has now raised $5,341. Thank you to the 59 people who have donated to keep Historians Podcast going and keep history alive. “It’s like public TV but for radio with a focus on US history,” wrote donor Scott Lorenz. https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021 You may also contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.
Sassafras Bird Sanctuary
by Bob Cudmore
Close to seven thousand people visited the Sassafras Bird Sanctuary in Amsterdam in 1934. The private park opened in 1931, spearheaded by two formidable city institutions— the Century Club, composed of prominent women, and naturalist Walter Elwood.
“Sassafras” is a kind of tree with aromatic leaves and bark used to make tea. The area called Sassafras Hollow is in west Amsterdam along Dove Creek. The land was the 19th century estate of the Carmichael family.
In 1912 Henrietta Carmichael offered the city 20 acres in Sassafras Hollow for use as a park. Carmichael wanted the land named Stewart Park, in memory of her father. Although Mayor Jacob Dealy was interested, the city did not acquire the land at that time.
In January 1931 Walter Elwood wrote an essay extolling the beauties of Sassafras Hollow, including its 50 varieties of birds, “Wooded ravines are always attractive, but here is one so specially favored by nature that we would have to go far and look hard to find another holding out so much for us.”
That May the Sassafras Bird Sanctuary opened as a private park on land owned by Elizabeth Carmichael, Francis Morris and Helen Sugden. Elwood had expressed concern over hunters endangering bird watchers so firearms were banned. The Century Club managed the Sanctuary and a warden was hired to enforce the rules.
The Sassafras Bird Club was created and its activities were chronicled in the newspapers. Elwood, a teacher who later founded the museum that bears his name, was the club’s first president. In the 1930s trees were planted and trails, bridges and fireplaces were built. An outdoor amphitheater and trailside museum were constructed. The children of New East Main Street School prepared a Christmas tree with food for the birds every year.
In June 1934, Grace Kyle led an evening stroll at Sassafras, according to a newspaper account, “The first thing to greet the club members was a pair of lovely bluebirds busily engaged in preparing supper for their young in a nearby bluebird house.” A garden had been planted to demonstrate the crops grown by local Indians.
Twenty attended a spring walk through Sassafras in April 1935, “The advance of the season was shown in the green leaves of the arbutus and the first blossoms of spring beauties and coltsfoot. On a trail through the open spaces twenty different kinds of birds were observed.” The walk was followed by a campfire breakfast.
Walter Elwood died in 1955 and neglect of the Sassafras became an issue during the 1950s. The trailside museum went up in smoke. Amsterdam native Bruce Northrup recalled, “The neighborhood residents turned out in numbers to look over the ruins.”
There were ups and downs. Boy Scouts placed 100 birdhouses in the park. When the now closed Clara Bacon elementary school was built on Henrietta Boulevard in 1966 at the entrance to the Sassafras, wiring was put in for the sanctuary’s outdoor amphitheater and programs were put on for awhile. However, by 1970 the birdhouses had disappeared and the electrical box for the amphitheater wiring was ruined by a shotgun blast.
In 1971 Bacon school students once again began working on improving the bird sanctuary. Later an elaborate playground, still in use, was built near the school.
Historian Hugh Donlon wrote in 1980, “Preservation programs were begun and abandoned in sequence and discouragement before onslaughts by destructionists operating beyond pale of official protection.”
Outdoor enthusiast John Naple said of his last visit to the Sassafras, “It is a great place, but needs some love.” There were wildflowers in the woods. Trails were passable but there was litter and blow-down along the trails.
The walk focused on ferns growing in the sanctuary. Walkers also saw a “showy lady’s slipper” with thirteen blossoms.
Among these the vesper sparrow, hermit thrush, tree swallow and fox sparrow have arrived within the last two weeks.”
Tomorrow Historians #402 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Friday, December 24, 2021-Marta McDowell on Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book. Friday Interview "29 Minutes"
This weekend the latest Historians Podcast also posts on The New York Almanack
https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/
Episode #402 will air next week on RISE the service for the blind WMHT 89.1FM Public Radio Albany
Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day 2021-Focus on History-Amsterdam opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta.
In World War II Albert joined the Navy. He met H. Jean Rower from Toledo, Ohio at a Navy concert in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were both performing.
Mohawk Valley Christmas Weather, Thursday, December 23, 2021
Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Light snow, mainly after 1am. Low around 21. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday
Light snow likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Christmas Eve
Snow likely between 11pm and 5am, then snow and sleet. Low around 27. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Christmas Day
Snow and sleet before 8am, then freezing rain likely between 8am and 11am, then rain likely after 11am. High near 37. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
December 1947
If you were a "Transister-Sister" of the 50s and 60s
The transistor is first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories
Mohawk Valley News, Thursday, December 23, 2021
Daily Gazette
Census Bureau: N.Y. population loss greatest in nation
WASHINGTON — U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this week show the slowest one-year population growth ever for the nation and…
https://dailygazette.com/
Amsterdam Recorder
Amsterdam Muni questions raise concerns about consent resolutions at council meeting
AMSTERDAM — The Common Council declined to move an add-on item introduced during Tuesday’s meeting...
https://www.recordernews.com/
Leader Herald
Christmas Eve Car Sleigh set to deliver presents in Gloversville Friday
by Jason Subik
https://www.leaderherald.com/
View all episodes
By Bob Cudmore
...in June 1934, Grace Kyle led an evening stroll at Sassafras, according to a newspaper account, “The first thing to greet the club members was a pair of lovely bluebirds busily engaged in preparing supper for their young
Thursday Chatter "12 Minutes"
The Historians Podcast 2021 fund drive has exceeded its $5,000 goal! Thanks to a very generous contribution from Amsterdam native Joan Breier Brodsky, plus contributions by Linda Hobbs and Scott Lorenz the fund drive has now raised $5,341. Thank you to the 59 people who have donated to keep Historians Podcast going and keep history alive. “It’s like public TV but for radio with a focus on US history,” wrote donor Scott Lorenz. https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021 You may also contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.
Sassafras Bird Sanctuary
by Bob Cudmore
Close to seven thousand people visited the Sassafras Bird Sanctuary in Amsterdam in 1934. The private park opened in 1931, spearheaded by two formidable city institutions— the Century Club, composed of prominent women, and naturalist Walter Elwood.
“Sassafras” is a kind of tree with aromatic leaves and bark used to make tea. The area called Sassafras Hollow is in west Amsterdam along Dove Creek. The land was the 19th century estate of the Carmichael family.
In 1912 Henrietta Carmichael offered the city 20 acres in Sassafras Hollow for use as a park. Carmichael wanted the land named Stewart Park, in memory of her father. Although Mayor Jacob Dealy was interested, the city did not acquire the land at that time.
In January 1931 Walter Elwood wrote an essay extolling the beauties of Sassafras Hollow, including its 50 varieties of birds, “Wooded ravines are always attractive, but here is one so specially favored by nature that we would have to go far and look hard to find another holding out so much for us.”
That May the Sassafras Bird Sanctuary opened as a private park on land owned by Elizabeth Carmichael, Francis Morris and Helen Sugden. Elwood had expressed concern over hunters endangering bird watchers so firearms were banned. The Century Club managed the Sanctuary and a warden was hired to enforce the rules.
The Sassafras Bird Club was created and its activities were chronicled in the newspapers. Elwood, a teacher who later founded the museum that bears his name, was the club’s first president. In the 1930s trees were planted and trails, bridges and fireplaces were built. An outdoor amphitheater and trailside museum were constructed. The children of New East Main Street School prepared a Christmas tree with food for the birds every year.
In June 1934, Grace Kyle led an evening stroll at Sassafras, according to a newspaper account, “The first thing to greet the club members was a pair of lovely bluebirds busily engaged in preparing supper for their young in a nearby bluebird house.” A garden had been planted to demonstrate the crops grown by local Indians.
Twenty attended a spring walk through Sassafras in April 1935, “The advance of the season was shown in the green leaves of the arbutus and the first blossoms of spring beauties and coltsfoot. On a trail through the open spaces twenty different kinds of birds were observed.” The walk was followed by a campfire breakfast.
Walter Elwood died in 1955 and neglect of the Sassafras became an issue during the 1950s. The trailside museum went up in smoke. Amsterdam native Bruce Northrup recalled, “The neighborhood residents turned out in numbers to look over the ruins.”
There were ups and downs. Boy Scouts placed 100 birdhouses in the park. When the now closed Clara Bacon elementary school was built on Henrietta Boulevard in 1966 at the entrance to the Sassafras, wiring was put in for the sanctuary’s outdoor amphitheater and programs were put on for awhile. However, by 1970 the birdhouses had disappeared and the electrical box for the amphitheater wiring was ruined by a shotgun blast.
In 1971 Bacon school students once again began working on improving the bird sanctuary. Later an elaborate playground, still in use, was built near the school.
Historian Hugh Donlon wrote in 1980, “Preservation programs were begun and abandoned in sequence and discouragement before onslaughts by destructionists operating beyond pale of official protection.”
Outdoor enthusiast John Naple said of his last visit to the Sassafras, “It is a great place, but needs some love.” There were wildflowers in the woods. Trails were passable but there was litter and blow-down along the trails.
The walk focused on ferns growing in the sanctuary. Walkers also saw a “showy lady’s slipper” with thirteen blossoms.
Among these the vesper sparrow, hermit thrush, tree swallow and fox sparrow have arrived within the last two weeks.”
Tomorrow Historians #402 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Friday, December 24, 2021-Marta McDowell on Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book. Friday Interview "29 Minutes"
This weekend the latest Historians Podcast also posts on The New York Almanack
https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/
Episode #402 will air next week on RISE the service for the blind WMHT 89.1FM Public Radio Albany
Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day 2021-Focus on History-Amsterdam opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta.
In World War II Albert joined the Navy. He met H. Jean Rower from Toledo, Ohio at a Navy concert in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were both performing.
Mohawk Valley Christmas Weather, Thursday, December 23, 2021
Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight
Light snow, mainly after 1am. Low around 21. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Friday
Light snow likely, mainly before 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Christmas Eve
Snow likely between 11pm and 5am, then snow and sleet. Low around 27. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow and sleet accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Christmas Day
Snow and sleet before 8am, then freezing rain likely between 8am and 11am, then rain likely after 11am. High near 37. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
December 1947
If you were a "Transister-Sister" of the 50s and 60s
The transistor is first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories
Mohawk Valley News, Thursday, December 23, 2021
Daily Gazette
Census Bureau: N.Y. population loss greatest in nation
WASHINGTON — U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this week show the slowest one-year population growth ever for the nation and…
https://dailygazette.com/
Amsterdam Recorder
Amsterdam Muni questions raise concerns about consent resolutions at council meeting
AMSTERDAM — The Common Council declined to move an add-on item introduced during Tuesday’s meeting...
https://www.recordernews.com/
Leader Herald
Christmas Eve Car Sleigh set to deliver presents in Gloversville Friday
by Jason Subik
https://www.leaderherald.com/