The Historians

Wednesday, July 6, 2022-From the Archives-February 7, 2020-Episode 304-Maria Riccio Bryce discusses her historical music production Home Again which deals with her hometown and current residence of Amsterdam, N.Y.

Historians Go Fund Me https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

Tomorrow, Thursday, July 7, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Two Johnstown floods

Ilion, My Childhood, My Memories Growing Up in a Bygone Era. 

Friday, July 8, 2022-Episode 430-Kevin Hall, author of a memoir on growing up in Ilion, New York

Lake Placid Tonight

Call Ahead

 518-523-2051

https://www.adirondackalmanack.com/2022/07/lake-placid-sinfonietta-american-patriot-set-for-july-6.html

In the first of six Wednesday night performances, all are welcome to celebrate the 4th of July holiday-week with the Sinfonietta’s “American Patriot” concert. This free concert will take place in the Paul White Memorial Shell in Mid’s Park in Lake Placid on July 6th, from 7 to 8 pm.

Enjoy inspiring music in a family-friendly atmosphere with a magnificent view of Mirror Lake. Seating is limited, so please feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair, and even a picnic dinner.

Mid’s Park is located at 2445 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, July 6, 2022

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Baseball memories

By Bob Cudmore

Today’s Amsterdam Mohawks in the Perfect Game collegiate baseball league play at Herbert Shuttleworth II Park. The recreational site was called Crescent Park in 1914, then Jollyland in 1923, followed by the name Mohawk Mills Park in 1934. The facility was named in Shuttleworth’s honor in 1977; he died last year. Before his days as chief executive of Mohawk/Mohasco carpets in Amsterdam, Shuttleworth was president of the New York Yankees’ farm team the Amsterdam Rugmakers, who played at what was then Mohawk Mills Park.  

Amsterdam native David Pietrusza has documented those days in his book “Baseball’s Canadian-American League.” A scorecard from the 1939 Rugmakers season, when Shuttleworth headed the team shows admission was 40 cents and the scorecard cost five cents. Many of the businesses that advertised are no longer with us, including East End Coal Company, People’s Ice, Olbrych’s Dairy and Sampone’s soda fountain at 225 East Main. Sampone’s advertised that its treats were always a hit on a hot day.

The Yankees played two exhibition games at Mohawk Mills Park in the 1940s. Joe DiMaggio came to Amsterdam in 1942 and Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto played there in 1949. The 1942 game was particularly remarkable in that the grandstand had burned eight days before the arrival of the Yankees.

Pietrusza wrote, “Hammers and saws replaced bats and balls at the site, and a miracle happened. By the time the Yankees arrived, not only had every barbecued seat been replaced, but the park’s total capacity had been increased by 200 seats.”

Joe DiMaggio hit a two-run homer over the 320 foot right field fence in the fourth. The game went to extra innings and the Yankees won 9-5 in the 10th. A seven-year-old heart patient named Johnny Martuscello, wearing a Superman shirt, got to meet DiMaggio. The New York City baseball writers were impressed with what Jack Smith of the Daily News called the “sheer love of baseball, enthusiasm and support” they found in Amsterdam.  

Baseball memorabilia collector Bob Mayer of Putnam Valley, New York has a 9-inch by 12-inch carpet square commemorating the Yankees’ 1942 trip

When the Yankees returned to Mohawk Mills Park in 1949 they drew a crowd of 4,562, about 500 more than 1942. The Yankees beat the Rugmakers 9-2.

The late John Szkaradek tried to get into Mohawk Mills Park for free by finding baseballs that had been hit out of the park. If that didn’t work, he and other youngsters resorted to peepholes in the park fence. Szkaradek recalled that Charlotte Snyder, who lived at Hawk and Church Streets, was at every game and rang a loud cowbell from time to time.

GLOVERSVILLE GLOVERS

The Gloversville Glovers also played in the Canadian-American League. According to Pietrusza’s book, Glovers Park needed work in 1937 when the Can-Am team started using the facility. Even though baseball had been played there as far back as 1898, the outfield was a muddy hayfield and the original fences were snow fences. Lights were installed in 1940 and the park was overhauled in 1948.

 In 1950, an orange and black color scheme was adopted for the scoreboard. Major league manager Jack McKeon, who led the Florida Marlins to a World Series victory in 2003, was a catcher for the Glovers in 1950. The late area broadcaster Phil Spencer did play-by-play for Glovers’ games on WENT radio that year.

The Glovers, a farm team for the former St. Louis Browns, played their last season in 1951. Spencer said television coverage of major league baseball put a damper on the minor leagues. Glovers Park was at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Route 30A. Wal-Mart now occupies the site.  

Wednesday, July 6, 2022-From the Archives-February 7, 2020-Episode 304-Maria Riccio Bryce discusses her historical music production Home Again which deals with her hometown and current residence of Amsterdam, N.Y. 

Thursday, July 7, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Two Johnstown floods 

More than 2,000 people died on May 31, 1889, when the South Fork Dam collapsed at Lake Conemaugh sending a wall of water and debris into Johnstown, Pennsylvania, already experiencing flooding from the Little Conemaugh and Stony Creek rivers.

Friday, July 8, 2022-Episode 430-Kevin Hall, author of a memoir on growing up in Ilion, New York-Ilion, My Childhood, My Memories Growing Up in a Bygone Era.

Follow this young boy from his ages of 6 through 13, as he explores his hometown of Ilion, the town he grew up in, the neighborhoods he lived in, and the many friends he enjoyed spending time with. Enjoy his many adventures and the sometimes-unexpected consequences of those adventures, not always anticipated by the young boy.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, July 5, 2022

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On The Historians production schedule this week, to post in August

"Off the Northway"

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Baseball memories

By Bob Cudmore

Today’s Amsterdam Mohawks in the Perfect Game collegiate baseball league play at Herbert Shuttleworth II Park. The recreational site was called Crescent Park in 1914, then Jollyland in 1923, followed by the name Mohawk Mills Park in 1934. The facility was named in Shuttleworth’s honor in 1977; he died last year. Before his days as chief executive of Mohawk/Mohasco carpets in Amsterdam, Shuttleworth was president of the New York Yankees’ farm team the Amsterdam Rugmakers, who played at what was then Mohawk Mills Park.  

Amsterdam native David Pietrusza has documented those days in his book “Baseball’s Canadian-American League.” A scorecard from the 1939 Rugmakers season, when Shuttleworth headed the team shows admission was 40 cents and the scorecard cost five cents. Many of the businesses that advertised are no longer with us, including East End Coal Company, People’s Ice, Olbrych’s Dairy and Sampone’s soda fountain at 225 East Main. Sampone’s advertised that its treats were always a hit on a hot day.

The Yankees played two exhibition games at Mohawk Mills Park in the 1940s. Joe DiMaggio came to Amsterdam in 1942 and Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto played there in 1949. The 1942 game was particularly remarkable in that the grandstand had burned eight days before the arrival of the Yankees.

Pietrusza wrote, “Hammers and saws replaced bats and balls at the site, and a miracle happened. By the time the Yankees arrived, not only had every barbecued seat been replaced, but the park’s total capacity had been increased by 200 seats.”

Joe DiMaggio hit a two-run homer over the 320 foot right field fence in the fourth. The game went to extra innings and the Yankees won 9-5 in the 10th. A seven-year-old heart patient named Johnny Martuscello, wearing a Superman shirt, got to meet DiMaggio. The New York City baseball writers were impressed with what Jack Smith of the Daily News called the “sheer love of baseball, enthusiasm and support” they found in Amsterdam.  

Baseball memorabilia collector Bob Mayer of Putnam Valley, New York has a 9-inch by 12-inch carpet square commemorating the Yankees’ 1942 trip

When the Yankees returned to Mohawk Mills Park in 1949 they drew a crowd of 4,562, about 500 more than 1942. The Yankees beat the Rugmakers 9-2.

The late John Szkaradek tried to get into Mohawk Mills Park for free by finding baseballs that had been hit out of the park. If that didn’t work, he and other youngsters resorted to peepholes in the park fence. Szkaradek recalled that Charlotte Snyder, who lived at Hawk and Church Streets, was at every game and rang a loud cowbell from time to time.

GLOVERSVILLE GLOVERS

The Gloversville Glovers also played in the Canadian-American League. According to Pietrusza’s book, Glovers Park needed work in 1937 when the Can-Am team started using the facility. Even though baseball had been played there as far back as 1898, the outfield was a muddy hayfield and the original fences were snow fences. Lights were installed in 1940 and the park was overhauled in 1948.

 In 1950, an orange and black color scheme was adopted for the scoreboard. Major league manager Jack McKeon, who led the Florida Marlins to a World Series victory in 2003, was a catcher for the Glovers in 1950. The late area broadcaster Phil Spencer did play-by-play for Glovers’ games on WENT radio that year.

The Glovers, a farm team for the former St. Louis Browns, played their last season in 1951. Spencer said television coverage of major league baseball put a damper on the minor leagues. Glovers Park was at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Route 30A. Wal-Mart now occupies the site.  

Tomorrow, Wednesday, July 6, 2022-From the Archives-February 7, 2020-Episode 304-Maria Riccio Bryce discusses her historical music production Home Again which deals with her hometown and current residence of Amsterdam, N.Y.

Thursdays Story

Two Johnstown floods 

“Police tried in vain to move sightseers from the water's edge, when many people were dumped into the raging current. Five men died".  

Friday, July 8, 2022-Episode 430-Kevin Hall, author of a memoir on growing up in Ilion, New York-Ilion, My Childhood, My Memories Growing Up in a Bygone Era.

Follow this young boy from his ages of 6 through 13, as he explores his hometown of Ilion, the town he grew up in, the neighborhoods he lived in, and the many friends he enjoyed spending time with. Enjoy his many adventures and the sometimes-unexpected consequences of those adventures, not always anticipated by the young boy.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, July 5, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Make Us A Part Of Your Day

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The Historians with Bob Cudmore

Mohawk Valley History on the Internet, Local and Public Radio, New York State Museum,

The New York Almanack with the production schedule for July now Posted

Bob Cudmore Focus on History a weekend feature in The Daily Gazette, Amsterdam Recorder and Leader Herald

The Historians Podcast kitty needs your helping hand!  On line, https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  Or dispatch a check made out to Bob Cudmore, 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  

Looking West The Mohawk River on a July Day

They go someplace, but they also pass thru "Home" for many readers of The Historians

Sunday, July 3, 2022

From Arnold to Tonko, Congressmen who lived in Amsterdam.

   Paul Tonko is the eighth member of Congress to call the city of Amsterdam home.  He is now in his seventh Congressional term. 

   Amsterdam is being moved out of Tonko’s 20th Congressional district and will become part of the 21st district.   Tonko is expected to seek reelection in the 20th district, even though that district no longer includes his home town,

   Benedict Arnold was the first Amsterdamian elected to Congress in 1828.  Arnold was a House member during the administration of President Andrew Jackson, although he opposed Jackson politically.                    

   The Benedict Arnold elected to Congress was not the infamous traitor but a merchant and brewer.  Arnold served in the State Assembly and was a general in the War of 1812.  Arnold Avenue was named for his family.  He died in 1849. 

   Three members of Amsterdam’s carpet-making Sanford family served in Congress.  Two were named John and one was named Stephen.

   The first John Sanford was born in Roxbury, Connecticut and migrated to Amsterdam.  He served in Congress as a Democrat from 1841 to 1843. 

   That was when President William Henry Harrison caught cold at his inaugural and died shortly thereafter, propelling John Tyler into the Presidency.

   After John Sanford came home he went into the carpet manufacturing business, bringing his son Stephen into the firm.  John Sanford died in 1857.

   Stephen Sanford, born in Amsterdam in 1826, made the family carpet business prosper but did not ignore public service.  He attended West Point and was a friend of Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant.  A Republican, Stephen Sanford served one term in Congress during Grant’s first term. 

   According to historian Hugh Donlon, Sanford did not enjoy Congress, saying, “It is a thankless job to work for the public and I have had enough of it.”  Stephen Sanford died in 1913.

   Stephen’s son John Sanford served two terms in Congress as a Republican from 1889 to 1893 while Benjamin Harrison was President.

   After returning from Congress, John Sanford headed the family carpet business and oversaw the Sanford horse racing operation until his death in 1939.

   John Knox Stewart was born in Perth in 1853 and moved to Amsterdam in 1860.  He was an industrialist, making paper and textiles.  He was elected to the State Assembly in 1889.

   Stewart served two terms as a Republican in Congress from 1899 through 1903.  Republican William McKinley was President when Stewart was elected.  McKinley was assassinated in 1901 and Theodore Roosevelt became President.  Stewart lost his bid for reelection in 1902 and went back into the textile business.  He died in 1919.

   While a resident of what was then called the village of Akin outside the city of Amsterdam, Theron Akin was elected a Progressive Republican member of Congress during the Presidency of William Howard Taft from 1911 to 1913.  Akin later became the village of Fort Johnson.  In the early 1920s Theron Akin lived in Amsterdam and served two controversy-filled terms as mayor.  He died in 1933. 

   Samuel Wallin, a Republican from Amsterdam, served one term in the House during the Presidency of Democrat Woodrow Wilson.  Wallin was a native of Pennsylvania, born 1856.  He was a principal in the carpet firm of McCleary, Wallin and Crouse which owned the factory complex known as the Upper Mill.  Wallin was an Amsterdam mayor. He died in 1917. 

   Samuel Stratton, a Democrat who served in Congress from 1959 to 1989 lived for a time in Amsterdam.  Schenectady—where Stratton had been mayor--was taken from his district in a redistricting in the 1960s, and the Congressman moved to a rented apartment on Amsterdam’s Guy Park Avenue.

July on The Historians

Friday, July 8-Episode 430-Kevin Hall, author of a memoir on Ilion, New York-Ilion, My Childhood, My Memories Growing Up in a Bygone Era.

Friday, July 15-Episode 431-Former New York Times investigative reporter Howard Blum exposes the danger posed by the suspected infiltration of America’s Central Intelligence Agency by Russian spy agency moles.  Blum’s new book is The Spy Who Knew Too Much.

Friday, July 22-Episode 432-The third Highlights Edition of 2022 has excerpts from 12 podcasts including stolen Little League dreams, an Erie Canal balladeer and a boy’s life in Ilion, New York.

Friday, July 29- Episode 433-A brief history of the Mohawk River with Mary Zawacki of the Schenectady County Historical Society.

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Sunday, July 3, 2022

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Leader Herald

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Friday, July 1, 2022-Episode 429-John Wood Sweet is author of “The Sewing Girl’s Tale,” the story of the first published rape trial in American history.  Sweet researched Lanah Sawyer’s decision to charge an upper class man named Henry Bedlow with rape, leading to a raw courtroom drama, riots in the streets, and public debate over class privilege and double standards.  Sweet is a professor at the University of North Carolina.

Saturday, July 2, 2022

A journalism professor who lives in Nova Scotia, Dean Jobb is the author of “Empire of Deception,” the story of Chicago swindler Leo Koretz.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

From Arnold to Tonko, Congressmen who lived in Amsterdam.

Three members of Amsterdam’s carpet-making Sanford family served in Congress.  Two were named John and one was named Stephen.

Fort Ticonderoga this Weekend

https://www.fortticonderoga.org/event/celebrate-independence-day/2022-07-02/

Celebrate freedom by exploring the year 1777 when America was consumed in the labor of liberty. Participate in the fight for freedom when the Northern Department of the Continental Army fought to keep the great fortress of Ticonderoga from falling into British control. 

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Friday, July 1, 2022

Today

Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Light south wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph.

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Leader Herald

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The Historians with Bob Cudmore

Mohawk Valley History on the Internet, Local and Public Radio, New York State Museum,

The New York Almanack with the production schedule for July now Posted

Bob Cudmore Focus on History a weekend feature in The Daily Gazette, Amsterdam Recorder and Leader Herald

The 2022 Historians Podcast fund drive needs your help!  To donate click, https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  Or send a check made out to Bob Cudmore, 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  

Saturday, July 2, 2022

A journalism professor who lives in Nova Scotia, Dean Jobb is the author of “Empire of Deception,” the story of Chicago swindler Leo Koretz.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

From Arnold to Tonko, Congressmen who lived in Amsterdam.

Three members of Amsterdam’s carpet-making Sanford family served in Congress.  Two were named John and one was named Stephen.

July on The Historians

Friday, July 8-Episode 430-Kevin Hall, author of a memoir on Ilion, New York-Ilion, My Childhood, My Memories Growing Up in a Bygone Era.

Friday, July 15-Episode 431-Former New York Times investigative reporter Howard Blum exposes the danger posed by the suspected infiltration of America’s Central Intelligence Agency by Russian spy agency moles.  Blum’s new book is The Spy Who Knew Too Much.

Friday, July 22-Episode 432-The third Highlights Edition of 2022 has excerpts from 12 podcasts including stolen Little League dreams, an Erie Canal balladeer and a boy’s life in Ilion, New York.

Friday, July 29- Episode 433-A brief history of the Mohawk River with Mary Zawacki of the Schenectady County Historical Society.

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, July 2, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

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One of Amsterdam’s most unforgettable days

By Bob Cudmore

Could not find a picture dated to the early 40's

...if you have such a picture, send to Bob Cudmore and we will post it

[email protected]

          Sam Vomero will never forget Monday, July 20th, 1942, the day the Yankees and the carnival both came to Amsterdam.

          The Yankees’ exhibition game against their farm team, the Rugmakers, on that date is remembered by many.  But Vomero produced a newspaper ad to show that on the same day, the James E. Strates Shows arrived in Amsterdam, traveling on its own train of 30 cars.  Vomero, who lived on Morris Street in the East End, waited for the carnival train with a crowd of people at the old freight house Sunday night.  Vomero, who was 12, gave up his vigil about 2 a.m. and returned to the freight house Monday morning after the train, including Strates’ private railroad car, had finally arrived.  The carnival, sponsored by V.F.W. Post 55, set up at Karp’s Park on Upper Church Street and featured Adele Nelson’s “baseball playing elephants,” a trapeze artist and what was called “America’s best midway.”

          The Yankees arrived at 12:35 that afternoon when the crack New York Central train the Empire State Express made a special stop in the city, depositing Joe DiMaggio and his fellow Yankees in a sea of autograph-seeking fans.   Police Chief Frank Kearns assigned a special detail of patrolmen to keep the crowd off the tracks.

There was a parade complete with upper floor office workers pitching ticker tape onto the Yankees and the Amsterdam High School Band.  According to David Pietrusza’s book, Baseball’s Canadian-American League, DiMaggio and Lefty Gomez missed the team bus when it left the Hotel Thayer on Division Street.  The two ball players were given a ride to Mohawk Mills Park by fan George Sandy for the 4 p.m. game.  Sandy recalled that DiMaggio asked, “Where in hell are all the girls in this town?”

Incredibly, fire had destroyed the grandstand at Mohawk Mills Park eight days before the big game   Pietrusza wrote, “Hammers and saws replaced bats and balls at the site, and a miracle happened.  By the time the Yankees arrived, not only had every barbecued seat been replaced, but the park’s total capacity had been increased by 200 sears.” 

Joe DiMaggio hit a two-run homer over the 320 foot right field fence in the fourth.  The game went to extra innings and the Yankees won 9-5 in the 10th.

A seven-year-old heart patient named Johnny Martuscello, wearing a Superman shirt, got to meet his idol, DiMaggio. 

The New York City baseball writers were impressed with what Jack Smith of the Daily News called the “sheer love of baseball, enthusiasm and support”: they found in Amsterdam.  An illustration accompanying Smith’s column showed a sign that was typical of Amsterdam that day, “Welcome Yanks.  Closed for the afternoon.”

“Even the hardened veterans who have played exhibition games from coast to coast were moved,” Smith wrote.

Vomero was among the 4,000 fans at the ball game and that night walked to the carnival.  The James E. Strates Shows returned the following year with a new featured performer, the Great Wilno.  Wilno was shot from a cannon over two Ferris wheels into a net.  The stunt worked well in Amsterdam but Vomero recalled reading that Wilno later died in Syracuse when he hit a Ferris wheel during a performance.  Vomero said the Strates Shows can still be seen at the State Fair in Syracuse but the carnival never came back to Amsterdam after 1943.

The Yankees returned to Mohawk Mills Park in 1949 and drew a crowd of 4,562, about 500 more than 1942.  The 1949 Yankees, including Yogi Berra and Phil Rizzuto, beat the Rugmakers 9-2. 

Tomorrow

Friday, July 1, 2022-Episode 429-John Wood Sweet is author of “The Sewing Girl’s Tale,” the story of the first published rape trial in American history.  Sweet researched Lanah Sawyer’s decision to charge an upper class man named Henry Bedlow with rape, leading to a raw courtroom drama, riots in the streets, and public debate over class privilege and double standards.  Sweet is a professor at the University of North Carolina.

Saturday, July 2, 2022

A journalism professor who lives in Nova Scotia, Dean Jobb is the author of “Empire of Deception,” the story of Chicago swindler Leo Koretz.

Sunday, July 3, 2022

Extra, Extra, read all about it!

Historians published early in the day

From Arnold to Tonko, Congressmen who lived in Amsterdam.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Thursday, June 30, 2022

Including a look at The Amsterdam weather for The Forth of July Weekend

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"Listen to a little History everyday on The Historians"

The Historians Go Fund Me for 2022  $150.00 by tomorrow, Thursday, June 30, 2022

U.S. Mail A check to Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, New York 12302

On-line https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  

Wednesday, June 29, 2022-From the Archives- Episode 87, November 22, 2015-Bob Cudmore does a series of interviews at the Chronicle Book Fair in Glens Falls including organizer Cathy DeDe and authors David Fiske, John Briggs, Chuck D’Imperio, Barry Damsky, Russell Dunn, Sheila Myers, Jim LaBate, Don Papson and Larry Gooley.

Thursday, June 30, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Amsterdam’s unforgettable day

The Yankees’ exhibition game against their farm team, the Rugmakers, on that date is remembered by many.  But Vomero produced a newspaper ad to show that on the same day, the James E. Strates Shows arrived in Amsterdam, traveling on its own train of 30 cars.

Friday, July 1, 2022-Episode 429-John Wood Sweet is author of “The Sewing Girl’s Tale,” the story of the first published rape trial in American history.  Sweet researched Lanah Sawyer’s decision to charge an upper class man named Henry Bedlow with rape, leading to a raw courtroom drama, riots in the streets, and public debate over class privilege and double standards.  Sweet is a professor at the University of North Carolina.

Tomorrow, we will get a hint of the Forth of July weather in The Mohawk Valley

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, June 29, 2022

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Leader Herald

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Summer years ago in Amsterdam

By Bob Cudmore

          In 1896, there was horse racing in Amsterdam in July with the summer meet of the Amsterdam Fair and Driving Association.  According to the web site www.mohawkvalleywev.com, the summer of 1900 did not have an “exceedingly hot day” until July 8. 

In 1912, public concerts began in July near Amsterdam’s Market and Main streets.  A recreation camp for National Guard soldiers was opened in the summer of 1914 in Tribes Hill; 54 students were attending Amsterdam summer school that year. 

The first 1918 pilgrimage to Auriesville Shrine took place August 4 with the faithful coming from Albany and Schenectady. 

SUMMER GOLF

          The first golf course built in the Amsterdam area was the private Antlers Country Club, opened in 1901 on land in Fort Johnson and Tribes Hill off Route 5.  Today, the facility is the Rolling Hills Golf Course.

City residents discussed the idea of an Amsterdam municipal course as early as 1929.  By 1934, the choice was made to build on 200 acres of farmland on the border between the city and town of Amsterdam off Van Dyke Avenue.

Construction was made possible through a $100,000 federal appropriation and $23,000 in city funds.  The course opened in 1938.  Mayor Arthur Carter was instrumental in advocating for the golf course and the facility is named for him. 

The designer was Robert Trent Jones, who went on to be a legend in golf course design.  A native of England who grew up in Rochester, New York, Jones created his own landscape architecture curriculum while attending Cornell University. He began his career by designing six federally funded golf courses, including Amsterdam’s.

VACANT SUMMER STREETS

On warm summer evenings in the 1940s, the streets of Amsterdam’s West End were sometimes deserted.

          To supplement food available under wartime rationing, the Italian-American residents were tending vegetable gardens on the fertile flat land south of their homes between the railroad tracks and Mohawk River.

          They built poles for pole beans and lattices to keep tomatoes off the ground.  They grew lettuce, zucchini and dandelions, much as their ancestors had done in southern Italian communities such as Pisciotta in the province of Campania.

THE BAND PLAYED

          Summertime in the 1940s meant concerts performed by the Mohawk Mills Band, formed from employees of the carpet mill and directed by Frank Musolff until he entered military service in 1942.  Then, Musolff’s brother Harry became band director.

          Reminiscent of issues faced today by the Schenectady Symphony Orchestra at Riverlink Park, the Mohawk Mills Band was once bested by a freight train in an East End performance at Coessens Park in the late 1940s.

          The band played the overture to “Oklahoma” and had the tune down pat, according to Harry Musolff’s son, Harry Irving Musolff.

          A long freight train rumbled by making it impossible for the musicians to hear each other.  When the train finally passed, the trumpets had finished but the trombones were still playing.

A BIRTHDAY PARADE         

          In July of 1954, Amsterdam celebrated its 150th birthday with a ten-division parade.  The Vail Mills drive-in float featuring young women in bikinis was a crowd pleaser. 

Celebrations went on for weeks at local taverns and ethnic social clubs, which had chapters of the Brothers of the Brush (who did not shave) and Sisters of the Swish (who wore long dresses).

The Sesquicentennial, as it was called, was a joyous and raucous event that took place at the beginning of the end of the city’s prominence as a carpet-manufacturing center. 

Ironically, one of the floats in the 1954 parade was a flying carpet.  Within a year, Bigelow-Sanford, one of the city’s major carpet makers, was moving out of town.

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 $150.00 by this Thursday, June 30

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A check to Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, New York 12302

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Tonight at 6:30 Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Puddle Program scheduled at Schoharie Crossing

“There's nothing shallow about a puddle! Puddles are homes, bathtubs, and drinking fountains for wildlife.

https://parks.ny.gov/historic-sites/schohariecrossing

The Friends of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site will wrap up Great Outdoors month on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 6:30pm by hosting environmental educator and author Anita Sanchez for the program, “Hello, Puddles!” This family friendly program will be conducted from the Enders House on Schoharie Street in Fort Hunter, near the Visitor Center.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, June 28, 2022

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