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Daily Update
From the Archives-Historians Podcast Episode 408-WGY radio’s 100th anniversary-featuring the voices of Kolin Hager, Martha Brooks, Howard Tupper, Earl Pudney, Don Tuttle, Elle Pankin and Diane Ward.
Sunday, February 20, 2022
WGY’s Mike Patrick describes podcasts he has recorded for wgy.com with many WGY veterans. The station airs special anniversary programs today from 1-5 pm and 7:30-8 pm the date of WGY’s first broadcast in 1922.
...this was on a public street
Tomorrow, it's a podcast Bob calls The Story Behind the Story an audio version of Saturday’s column on bobsled coasting events in hilly Amsterdam. "Seven Minutes"
Thanks to donors who have contributed $1,000 so far toward our $6,000 yearly goal on Go Fund Me. https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022
Or send a check in The Overland Stagecoach
Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.
Bobsledding on Amsterdam city streets
By Bob Cudmore
Coasting carnivals for bobsled teams were popular winter sporting events in the late 1800s in Amsterdam and other area cities with steep hills.
The bobsleds had front and rear steering, clanging bells and brake systems, according to “Annals of a Milltown” by Hugh Donlon, “Much depended on the steersmen and brakeman of the teams that ranged from 10 to 20 men, all colorfully uniformed. The Joker Club, for instance, wore red St. Nicholas caps, red coats, blue cuffs and collars, blue knee breeches, red stockings and low shoes.”
The Amsterdam Daily Democrat gave an account of a coasting carnival on Valentine’s night 1887 on Northampton Road.
The weather was not ideal. Amsterdam had thaw and slush, not the clear, bracing weather that was desired. Nonetheless the evening was “fairly successful” according to the newspaper.
A dozen coasting clubs arrived from Albany on the 6:16 p.m. train, which included a special car for their handsome bobsleds or bobs. The Thirteenth Brigade Band of the National Guard played to greet them. The “hungry bobbers” did “ample justice” to food provided at the Y.M.C.A. and the Hotel Warner.
There was a parade before the coasting began. Red flares and Japanese lanterns lighted the course.
Albany’s clubs included several named Yum. Other names were Beverwyck, Monitor and a team named for Tammany Hall, the New York City Democratic Party political machine.
The Beverwycks were in dark blue and white, Yum Yums in orange, Monitors in gray, and Tammany Hall men wore plaid suits.
Clubs from Fort Plain and other points west arrived on the 8:43 p.m. train.
During the pre-coasting parade crowds of people lined the sidewalks and covered the snowbanks. The handsome bobs of the Albany clubs attracted much attention.
At the foot of the hill a string of Japanese lanterns was suspended across the street. There was a fireworks display. The Thirteenth Brigade band escorted the bobsled procession to the top of the hill.
Coasting began at 9 p.m. There were no actual races as it was too dark.
The Democrat wrote, “The bob Beverwyck made the first trip down the slide. As it was turning the corner at the foot of the hill it went over the bank. The bobs Niagara, Bob Moore and Nonpareil, which were close behind, ran into the Beverwyck. The crews of the bobs were thrown into a confused mass. Several persons received injuries.”
Teams of horses hauled the bobsleds up Northampton Road for the next event. Yum ’88 tipped over. Yum ’87 collided with Yum ‘86.
The wounded were taken to the home of Dr. Timmerman. Amsterdam’s first hospital, Amsterdam City Hospital, would not open for another year. One injured man spent the night at the Hotel Warner.
Despite the accidents, the Amsterdam Coasting Association entertained at a party at the Y.M.C.A. after the event. The out of town teams left on midnight trains. Some Albanians stayed overnight and enjoyed a barouche ride the next day. A barouche is a stylish horse drawn carriage.
The 1888 Coasting Carnival moved the bobsled run from Northampton Road to Market Street.
Harley Plantz, 18, was the “youngest member of the Reindeer sled team,” according to Jerry Snyder of Historic Amsterdam League.
Snyder wrote, “With the racing concluded and the winners announced, (Plantz’s) team decided to make one last run just to see if they could beat the night’s winning time.”
Their bobsled hit a lamp post. Harley Plantz died from his injuries during the night and was buried at Green Hill Cemetery.
With increasing automobile traffic, bobsled racing on city streets was finally banned in Amsterdam in the 1920s.
Historians Radio Schedule
Today at 4:30PM WBDY Binghamton N.Y.
99.5FM
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has released the 2021 Erie Canalway Annual Report.
You may have spent somtime there, great place to be.
Picture worth a thousand...
https://eriecanalway.org/application/files/2416/4495
/1996/ECNHC_AR_2021_Final_spreads.pdf
Amsterdam and Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, February 20, 2022
Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 24. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Washington's Birthday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
Mohawk Valley Sunday News Headlines, February 20, 2022
Daily Gazette
DRI renovation brewing at future Happy Mug site
When Tanyalynnette Grimes bought 13 North Main Street in January of 2020, she said the building was in such disarray…
https://dailygazette.com/
Amsterdam Recorder
Scout honors late teacher with project to help fifth graders entering Lynch
AMSTERDAM — When Parker McHeard began mulling ideas for his Eagle Scout service project, he knew...
https://www.recordernews.com/
Leader Herald
Outdoor spaces central to revitalizing downtown Gloversville
In revitalizing a downtown, the outdoor elements are just as important as shops and restaurants, says Gloversville Mayor Vince DeSantis….
https://www.leaderherald.com/
View all episodes
By Bob Cudmore
From the Archives-Historians Podcast Episode 408-WGY radio’s 100th anniversary-featuring the voices of Kolin Hager, Martha Brooks, Howard Tupper, Earl Pudney, Don Tuttle, Elle Pankin and Diane Ward.
Sunday, February 20, 2022
WGY’s Mike Patrick describes podcasts he has recorded for wgy.com with many WGY veterans. The station airs special anniversary programs today from 1-5 pm and 7:30-8 pm the date of WGY’s first broadcast in 1922.
...this was on a public street
Tomorrow, it's a podcast Bob calls The Story Behind the Story an audio version of Saturday’s column on bobsled coasting events in hilly Amsterdam. "Seven Minutes"
Thanks to donors who have contributed $1,000 so far toward our $6,000 yearly goal on Go Fund Me. https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022
Or send a check in The Overland Stagecoach
Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.
Bobsledding on Amsterdam city streets
By Bob Cudmore
Coasting carnivals for bobsled teams were popular winter sporting events in the late 1800s in Amsterdam and other area cities with steep hills.
The bobsleds had front and rear steering, clanging bells and brake systems, according to “Annals of a Milltown” by Hugh Donlon, “Much depended on the steersmen and brakeman of the teams that ranged from 10 to 20 men, all colorfully uniformed. The Joker Club, for instance, wore red St. Nicholas caps, red coats, blue cuffs and collars, blue knee breeches, red stockings and low shoes.”
The Amsterdam Daily Democrat gave an account of a coasting carnival on Valentine’s night 1887 on Northampton Road.
The weather was not ideal. Amsterdam had thaw and slush, not the clear, bracing weather that was desired. Nonetheless the evening was “fairly successful” according to the newspaper.
A dozen coasting clubs arrived from Albany on the 6:16 p.m. train, which included a special car for their handsome bobsleds or bobs. The Thirteenth Brigade Band of the National Guard played to greet them. The “hungry bobbers” did “ample justice” to food provided at the Y.M.C.A. and the Hotel Warner.
There was a parade before the coasting began. Red flares and Japanese lanterns lighted the course.
Albany’s clubs included several named Yum. Other names were Beverwyck, Monitor and a team named for Tammany Hall, the New York City Democratic Party political machine.
The Beverwycks were in dark blue and white, Yum Yums in orange, Monitors in gray, and Tammany Hall men wore plaid suits.
Clubs from Fort Plain and other points west arrived on the 8:43 p.m. train.
During the pre-coasting parade crowds of people lined the sidewalks and covered the snowbanks. The handsome bobs of the Albany clubs attracted much attention.
At the foot of the hill a string of Japanese lanterns was suspended across the street. There was a fireworks display. The Thirteenth Brigade band escorted the bobsled procession to the top of the hill.
Coasting began at 9 p.m. There were no actual races as it was too dark.
The Democrat wrote, “The bob Beverwyck made the first trip down the slide. As it was turning the corner at the foot of the hill it went over the bank. The bobs Niagara, Bob Moore and Nonpareil, which were close behind, ran into the Beverwyck. The crews of the bobs were thrown into a confused mass. Several persons received injuries.”
Teams of horses hauled the bobsleds up Northampton Road for the next event. Yum ’88 tipped over. Yum ’87 collided with Yum ‘86.
The wounded were taken to the home of Dr. Timmerman. Amsterdam’s first hospital, Amsterdam City Hospital, would not open for another year. One injured man spent the night at the Hotel Warner.
Despite the accidents, the Amsterdam Coasting Association entertained at a party at the Y.M.C.A. after the event. The out of town teams left on midnight trains. Some Albanians stayed overnight and enjoyed a barouche ride the next day. A barouche is a stylish horse drawn carriage.
The 1888 Coasting Carnival moved the bobsled run from Northampton Road to Market Street.
Harley Plantz, 18, was the “youngest member of the Reindeer sled team,” according to Jerry Snyder of Historic Amsterdam League.
Snyder wrote, “With the racing concluded and the winners announced, (Plantz’s) team decided to make one last run just to see if they could beat the night’s winning time.”
Their bobsled hit a lamp post. Harley Plantz died from his injuries during the night and was buried at Green Hill Cemetery.
With increasing automobile traffic, bobsled racing on city streets was finally banned in Amsterdam in the 1920s.
Historians Radio Schedule
Today at 4:30PM WBDY Binghamton N.Y.
99.5FM
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has released the 2021 Erie Canalway Annual Report.
You may have spent somtime there, great place to be.
Picture worth a thousand...
https://eriecanalway.org/application/files/2416/4495
/1996/ECNHC_AR_2021_Final_spreads.pdf
Amsterdam and Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, February 20, 2022
Mostly sunny, with a high near 36. West wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 24. South wind 5 to 7 mph.
Washington's Birthday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. South wind 5 to 8 mph.
Mohawk Valley Sunday News Headlines, February 20, 2022
Daily Gazette
DRI renovation brewing at future Happy Mug site
When Tanyalynnette Grimes bought 13 North Main Street in January of 2020, she said the building was in such disarray…
https://dailygazette.com/
Amsterdam Recorder
Scout honors late teacher with project to help fifth graders entering Lynch
AMSTERDAM — When Parker McHeard began mulling ideas for his Eagle Scout service project, he knew...
https://www.recordernews.com/
Leader Herald
Outdoor spaces central to revitalizing downtown Gloversville
In revitalizing a downtown, the outdoor elements are just as important as shops and restaurants, says Gloversville Mayor Vince DeSantis….
https://www.leaderherald.com/