Amsterdam places are remembered

By Bob Cudmore

Laurie Resila of Rotterdam has contributed memories from the Rockton Y and Reid Hill neighborhoods in Amsterdam, remembering businesses including City Cycle, Sincerely Yours and Reid Hill Liquors.

The Rockton Y is the intersection of Clizbe Avenue, Lyon Street, Hewitt Street and Northern Boulevard.  Amsterdam firefighter Robert Resila, his wife Violet and their sons, Dennis and Bobby, operated City Cycle Shop on Northern Boulevard near the Rockton Y from the mid 1960s until 2004.  The family believes the building that housed City Cycle on Northern Boulevard used to be known as the We Blew Inn.

Their business previously was located on Edson Street on Reid Hill. 

Laurie Resila’s husband Jim, now an Albany attorney, is the youngest of eight Resila children.   She said her husband grew up near City Cycle in the Northern Boulevard days and worked there during his college summers:   “Every spring, Jim remembers the creek behind City Cycle would overflow, and he and his friends and siblings would play in the creek, walk on the rocks and look for crayfish and salamanders.  He remembers fishing in the ‘Penny Pool’ off Hewitt Street.  Jim doesn't remember if that's the real name or not, but that's what the kids then called it.”

Other Rockton Y memories were of Marczyk’s store on either Second or Third Street where Mrs. Marczyk provided bones for the family dog.  Tuman’s on Forest Avenue was a favorite for lunch, where the Mohasco mill crowd and neighbors enjoyed steak sandwiches served by Bill and Nadio Tuman and Bill’s father, Bill.  And Resila said, “Crystal Bar (on Lyon Street) served the best pizza!”

Laurie Graff Resila, now a schoolteacher in Altamont, grew up on Northern Boulevard in Hagaman, not far from her future husband’s home.  She said, “I went to St. Stanislaus Catholic School and then Amsterdam High.  Jim and I rode the same school bus together all those years but never knew each other.  He remembers me sitting in the front of the bus wearing the plaid Catholic school uniform.  We never officially met until I moved down to the state of Florida during my high school years, came back to visit my grandmother over the summer between my junior and senior year, and we met on a blind date.  We dated for five years through college at Syracuse University, then got married.”

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive now stands at $2625.  Our goal is $6000.  Thanks to recent donors: Jim Kaplan, Meredith Best and an Anonymours contributor.  Please donate online here- https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  Or send a check made out to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  You may give anonymously and no donation is too small

25-CENT HAIRCUTS

            Laurie Resila’s great-grandfather, Michael Burowic, owned Mike’s Barbershop on Reid Hill where he gave haircuts for 25 cents a head.  

“Just around the time he retired, haircuts went up to $1.00,” Resila said.  “His shop was across Reid Street from what is now Kiddo's Tavern.”

Resila’s grandfather, John Polochacz, worked for Sears Roebuck on East Main Street in Amsterdam for 33 years, where he was the hardware manager.  Resila said, “Some people referred to him as Hardware John."  

Resila’s father, John Graff, owned Reid Hill Liquors in the 1960s and 1970s and his brother Joe Graff operated Joe’s Barber Shop on the other side of Reid Street. 

Laurie Resila said, “I fondly remember going to St. Stanislaus School, walking to Sincerely Yours with Kay Skrzynecki as the crossing guard.  She always had a friendly smile and took such good care of us to make sure we got across the street safely.  Then we would walk to my dad's liquor store and go to Brownies on Reid Street for some great hot-dogs.  Fred's Flowers is still there!

"Sincerely Yours was a stationery and card store which was across the street from the old Brownie's hot dog restaurant.  My husband remembers Sincerely Yours being a favorite spot to get baseball cards and those gummy cinnamon coins.”

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 18, 2022-From the Archives-January 7, 2022-Episode 404-Evacuation Day was November 25, 1783, the day the British left New York City finally ending the American Revolution.  Attorney and historian Jim Kaplan discusses the significance of Evacuation Day and how the day has been commemorated through the years.

Thursday, May 19, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-George Tralka’s recollections of war. 

Friday, May 20, 2022-Episode 423-Charles Gehring’s life work has been to translate Old Dutch language documents from the 17th century New Netherland colony in New York, New Jersey and Delaware.  Gehring is Director of the New Netherland Research Center at the New York State Education Department in Albany.  His work has been used by many historians, including Russell Shorto whose book “The Island at the Center of the World” is a history of New York City dating back to colonial Dutch times.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, May 17, 2022

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Leader Herald

Softball brackets show four champs with top seeds

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Monday, May 16, 2022-The story behind the story podcast- Charles Gehring, the New Netherland colony.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 17, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Rockton and Reid Hill memories

Laurie Resila of Rotterdam has contributed memories from the Rockton Y and Reid Hill neighborhoods in Amsterdam, remembering businesses including City Cycle, Sincerely Yours and Reid Hill Liquors.

Historians Go Fund Me 2022 Drive, the need to feed the kitty

U.S. Mail or On-line  https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022 

Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Fort Plain native keeps Dutch heritage alive

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

   In 1994 Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands conferred a Dutch knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau on Fort Plain native Charles Gehring.

   Part German and part Italian, Gehring was born in his grandmother’s house in Fort Plain.  His family moved to Nelliston after World War II.  His doctoral dissertation at Indiana University was a linguistic investigation of the survival of the Dutch language in colonial New York.

   His career has been spent translating Old Dutch records from the New Netherland Colony which included cities now called Albany and New York City. Many of the documents are barely legible and written in Old Dutch, which is different from the modern day language. 

   Gehring works in Albany as director of the New Netherland Research Center housed at the New York State Library.

   Gehring said, “I’ve been translating Dutch records for 40 some years.  These are the original records of the Dutch colony here in the 17th century.  I’m also busy promoting people’s knowledge of Dutch heritage in the area.  So it’s not just a translation project but a dissemination project as well, and an education project.  We try to make people aware of the unique area that they live in in the Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley.”

   For 35 years Gehring had help with the translations from Janny Venema, a Dutch school teacher who moved to the Capital District and began working with Gehring in Albany in the mid 1980s. 

   In a 2020 interview Venema said she and Gehring for example translated New Netherland council minutes, “The council would be Peter Stuyvesant and a few other men.  They were the government of the entire colony of New Netherland.”

   Venema retired in 2020 and moved back to Holland.  Gehring said he will continue translating, “Well I’ll take it as long as I can.  As long as my eyes hold out.”

   Many scholars and popular authors have used Gehring’s translations.  The Albany translations, for example, made possible Russell Shorto’s acclaimed 2004 bestseller, “The Island at the Center of the World.”  Shorto’s book is a history of Manhattan’s founding by the Dutch which Shorto argues led to New York and America’s immigrant culture.

   In the 1990s Gehring and William Starna, a longtime friend originally from St. Johnsville, translated their own book, Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert’s journal, “A Journey into Mohawk and Oneida Country, 1634-1635.”

   Van den Bogaert was a Dutch barber-surgeon who lived in what we call Albany and what was then called Fort Orange.  He was the first European to document a journey through the Mohawk Valley.

   His journal also makes the first printed reference to the Iroquois confederacy of nations. 

   Van den Bogaert and two other men set out in December 1634 to learn why the Fort Orange fur trade had dropped off with Iroquois tribes to the west.  The travelers returned to Fort Orange with gifts. 

   Van den Bogaert became commander of Fort Orange.  But in 1648 he was embroiled in a sexual controversy, accused of having a sexual relationship with a male slave named Tobias.  Van den Bogaert was charged with sodomy, a capital offense.  

   He fled to Indian country.  A bounty hunter caught up with him at an Oneida longhouse and in an exchange of gunfire, the longhouse was set ablaze and destroyed.  Van den Bogaert was taken back to Fort Orange.  

   He escaped again when a sheet of floating ice badly damaged the fort. However, he then drowned in the Hudson River.  Ironically, the penalty for sodomy was drowning.  

   Gehring said, “If you were to write all this in a novel it would seem too absurd.”

Wednesday, May 18, 2022-From the Archives-January 7, 2022-Episode 404-Evacuation Day was November 25, 1783, the day the British left New York City finally ending the American Revolution.  Attorney and historian Jim Kaplan discusses the significance of Evacuation Day and how the day has been commemorated through the years.

George A. Tralka was at his family’s James Street home in Amsterdam the afternoon that radio broadcasts were interrupted to report the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Tralka at first thought Pearl Harbor was in Alaska.

Thursday, May 19, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-George Tralka’s recollections of war. 

Friday, May 20, 2022-Episode 423-Charles Gehring’s life work has been to translate Old Dutch language documents from the 17th century New Netherland colony in New York, New Jersey and Delaware.  Gehring is Director of the New Netherland Research Center at the New York State Education Department in Albany.  His work has been used by many historians, including Russell Shorto whose book “The Island at the Center of the World” is a history of New York City dating back to colonial Dutch times.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Monday, May 16, 2022

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https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

McClellan runs through pain to repeat as Great Sacandaga Lake half-marathon champ

by Stan Hudy

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Daily Gazette https://dailygazette.com/

NOTE: The Bob Cudmore email blast including the history column is sent out on Sunday, a week after the column runs in the newspapers.

Historians Go Fund Me 2022 Drive...augmentation needed $100.00

U.S. Mail or On-line  https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022 

Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Fort Plain native keeps Dutch heritage alive

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

   In 1994 Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands conferred a Dutch knighthood in the Order of Orange-Nassau on Fort Plain native Charles Gehring.

   Part German and part Italian, Gehring was born in his grandmother’s house in Fort Plain.  His family moved to Nelliston after World War II.  His doctoral dissertation at Indiana University was a linguistic investigation of the survival of the Dutch language in colonial New York.

   His career has been spent translating Old Dutch records from the New Netherland Colony which included cities now called Albany and New York City. Many of the documents are barely legible and written in Old Dutch, which is different from the modern day language. 

   Gehring works in Albany as director of the New Netherland Research Center housed at the New York State Library.

   Gehring said, “I’ve been translating Dutch records for 40 some years.  These are the original records of the Dutch colony here in the 17th century.  I’m also busy promoting people’s knowledge of Dutch heritage in the area.  So it’s not just a translation project but a dissemination project as well, and an education project.  We try to make people aware of the unique area that they live in in the Hudson Valley and Mohawk Valley.”

   For 35 years Gehring had help with the translations from Janny Venema, a Dutch school teacher who moved to the Capital District and began working with Gehring in Albany in the mid 1980s. 

   In a 2020 interview Venema said she and Gehring for example translated New Netherland council minutes, “The council would be Peter Stuyvesant and a few other men.  They were the government of the entire colony of New Netherland.”

   Venema retired in 2020 and moved back to Holland.  Gehring said he will continue translating, “Well I’ll take it as long as I can.  As long as my eyes hold out.”

Tomorrow, Monday, May 16, 2022-The story behind the story podcast- Charles Gehring, the New Netherland colony. Bob tells the story in 7 Minutes

   Many scholars and popular authors have used Gehring’s translations.  The Albany translations, for example, made possible Russell Shorto’s acclaimed 2004 bestseller, “The Island at the Center of the World.”  Shorto’s book is a history of Manhattan’s founding by the Dutch which Shorto argues led to New York and America’s immigrant culture.

   In the 1990s Gehring and William Starna, a longtime friend originally from St. Johnsville, translated their own book, Harmen Meyndertsz van den Bogaert’s journal, “A Journey into Mohawk and Oneida Country, 1634-1635.”

   Van den Bogaert was a Dutch barber-surgeon who lived in what we call Albany and what was then called Fort Orange.  He was the first European to document a journey through the Mohawk Valley.

   His journal also makes the first printed reference to the Iroquois confederacy of nations. 

   Van den Bogaert and two other men set out in December 1634 to learn why the Fort Orange fur trade had dropped off with Iroquois tribes to the west.  The travelers returned to Fort Orange with gifts. 

   Van den Bogaert became commander of Fort Orange.  But in 1648 he was embroiled in a sexual controversy, accused of having a sexual relationship with a male slave named Tobias.  Van den Bogaert was charged with sodomy, a capital offense.  

   He fled to Indian country.  A bounty hunter caught up with him at an Oneida longhouse and in an exchange of gunfire, the longhouse was set ablaze and destroyed.  Van den Bogaert was taken back to Fort Orange.  

   He escaped again when a sheet of floating ice badly damaged the fort. However, he then drowned in the Hudson River.  Ironically, the penalty for sodomy was drowning.  

   Gehring said, “If you were to write all this in a novel it would seem too absurd.”

Tuesday, May 17, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Rockton and Reid Hill memories

Wednesday, May 18, 2022-From the Archives-January 7, 2022-Episode 404-Evacuation Day was November 25, 1783, the day the British left New York City finally ending the American Revolution.  Attorney and historian Jim Kaplan discusses the significance of Evacuation Day and how the day has been commemorated through the years.

Thursday, May 19, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-George Tralka’s recollections of war. 

Friday, May 20, 2022-Episode 423-Charles Gehring’s life work has been to translate Old Dutch language documents from the 17th century New Netherland colony in New York, New Jersey and Delaware.  Gehring is Director of the New Netherland Research Center at the New York State Education Department in Albany.  His work has been used by many historians, including Russell Shorto whose book “The Island at the Center of the World” is a history of New York City dating back to colonial Dutch times.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, May 15, 2022

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Leader Herald

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...follow the bouncing ball

Bob "on the turnpike"

There will be a Fife & Drum Concert Cocktail Reception on Saturday Evening June 11th located at the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook located at 26 River Street, Amsterdam

https://fortplainmuseum.org/index.aspx

Historians Go Fund Me 2022 Drive ...need to advance $100.00 this weekend

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Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Gazette and Recorder Story Tomorrow

Sunday, May 15, 2022

Focus on History

Charles Gehring on the 17th century New Netherland colony.

Gehring said, “I’ve been translating Dutch records for 40 some years.  These are the original records of the Dutch colony here in the 17th century.  I’m also busy promoting people’s knowledge of Dutch heritage in the area. 

Bob Cudmore The Historians on Amsterdam Radio today, Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 12:05PM

WCSS 106.9FM and 1490AM

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, May 14, 2022

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Leader Herald

Racial diversity questioned in Gloversville’s DRI process
GLOVERSVILLE — During the last six months of Gloversville’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative process a total of three economic…

by Jason Subik

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive now stands at $2525.  Our goal is $6000. 

Thank You to Meredith Best

Please donate online here- https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  Or send a check made out to Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  You may give anonymously and no donation is too small, we use them to pay the light bill, you know.

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Bob Cudmore with interviews from the Fort Plain conference on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley: Jim Kirby Martin is first on the list...

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 12, 2022-Top history topics from 2005 

Amsterdam was shocked one morning in 1953 when city recreation superintendent Alex H. Isabel, 53, died of a heart attack.  A native of Italy, Isabel was also a Brooklyn Dodgers scout and basketball and baseball coach at St. Mary’s Institute at the time of his death. 

Episode 422

All the Historians Podcasts are 29 Minutes

Friday, May 13, 2022-Episode 422-Highlights podcast #2 for 2022.  Topics include early American patriot Marinus Willett, a corset maker in Poland, early radio, World War I, the Titanic and celebrating New York State’s birthday.

Later this Month of May...so far a good year for the Daffodils

Coming soon-May 20-Episode 423-Charles Gehring translate Old Dutch language documents from the 17th century New Netherland colony; May 27-Episode 424, David Brooks of Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site looks at life on the wild side of the Erie Canal with tales about the Kilboys, including balladeer Tom Kilboy.

The Killing of Schoharie Deputy Sheriff Huddleston in 1818

by Milton Sernett

New York Almanack

https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2022/05/killing-of-schoharie-deputy-sheriff-huddleston-in-1818/

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Elements this week "very good"

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Leader Herald

Common Council approves water line extension

by Jason Subik

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Historians Go Fund Me 2022

In the U.S. Mail or On-Line

 A check made out to Bob Cudmore 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  You may give anonymously and no donation is too small.

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

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Memories of the Mohawk Valley

By Bob Cudmore 

   Mail and electronic messages have been coming in regarding the old days in the Mohawk Valley.

Famous Ferry Owner Buried Near Glen

   Al Adams of Amsterdam provided information about a Montgomery County link to the American Revolution. On Route 30A, about four miles south of the town of Glen, is a New York historical marker noting that a nearby grave is connected to General George Washington.

   The marker states that William McConkey is buried there and that McConkey, who lived from 1777 to 1825, was the owner of a ferry on Delaware River on which Washington crossed December 25, 1776.   After crossing the river, Washington and his troops defeated the British in Trenton, New Jersey.

Her First Name Was Estelle

In a recent column on the 100th anniversary of the Montgomery County Historical Society, which operates Old Fort Johnson, it was noted that Mrs. Frederick Greene was the first female president of the society in 1915, one of the first women in the state to head a historical society. Mrs. Greene’s first name was unknown. Mary Manning of Amsterdam has provided that elusive fact, producing an obituary notice for Frederick Greene stating that Mrs. Greene was Estelle Delbridge Greene, a native of Atlanta, Georgia. Frederick Greene was an official of his family’s knitting mill in Amsterdam. Manning’s aunt had been a cook for the Greenes. 

Newspaperman Remembers

Richard G. Ellers now lives in Warren, Ohio, after a career as a newspaper reporter, most notably at the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Ellers lived in Amsterdam when he was young and has memories of the Carpet City.

In a cold spell in either 1943 or 1944, Amsterdam High School closed to conserve coal. Ellers said, “We were told that closing A.H.S. saved as much coal as all the other schools burned.” Ellers said the snow crunched underfoot when it was very cold, adding, “That crunch is linked in my memory to walking to Christmas midnight mass at St. Michael’s from our home, an apartment on East Main Street downtown.”

Ellers also remembered that in the spring, “You could see the strata of winter in the curbside snow piles, snow-cinders-snow-cinders and so on.”

At Christmas in his East Main Street apartment, Ellers could hear the Salvation Army bell ringer on the street below. There was only single pane glass on the windows in the apartment and Ellers said, “I can still hear the clink-clink-clink of snow chains on cars driving below. Occasionally every third or fourth clink would be counterpointed with a double thunk, which was the sound of the ends of a broken chain slapping the underside of a fender.”

Rugmakers in 1939

Virginia Dybas Czeluzniak of Amsterdam contributed a scorecard from the 1939 season of the Amsterdam Rugmakers baseball team in the Canadian-American League. Admission was 40 cents and the scorecard, which she had filled out, cost five cents. Herbert Shuttleworth, 2nd, who went on to head Mohawk Carpets and Mohasco, is listed as president of the Rugmakers and Eddie Sawyer is manager.

Czelusniak, who grew up on Crane Street, said she and her friends walked to the ball field at what was then Mohawk Mills Park and liked to talk with the young ballplayers. She recalled when Joe DiMaggio and the New York Yankees came to play the local team.

Amsterdam native Sam Zurlo noted that practically all the businesses that advertised in the 1939 score card are no longer in operation: Andy Russo’s Service Station, East End Coal Co., Peoples Ice, Lawrences Market and Olbrychs Dairy, for example. Also gone from the local scene is Sampones at 225 East Main Street, which advertised that its treats were always a hit “On a hot day, stop and refresh yourself in our modern fountain.”

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Episode 60, May 10, 2015 - Bob Cudmore with interviews from the Fort Plain conference on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley: Jim Kirby Martin, co-author of “Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution; Jack Kelly, author of “Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America’s Independence;” Don Hagist, author of “The Revolution’s Last Men: The Soldiers Behind the Photographs;” Kyle Jenks of “Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama,” retired Montgomery County Historian Jacqueline Murphy, John Warren, editor of the New York History Blog and Brian Mack of Fort Plain Museum. 

Thursday, May 12, 2022-Top history topics from 2005 

Queen Libby, Boss Snell and Coach Isabel were among the Mohawk Valley figures profiled in Focus on History in 2005.

Friday

May 13, 2022-Episode 422

Highlights Podcast #2 for 2022.  Topics include early American patriot Marinus Willett, a corset maker in Poland, early radio, World War I, the Titanic and celebrating New York State’s birthday.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, May 10, 2022

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Leader Herald

Broadalbin-Perth board candidates meet voters at public forum

by Andrew Pugliese

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U.S. Mail 

A check made out to Bob Cudmore to our lonely, battered mailbox at 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  You may give anonymously and no donation is too small.

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive now stands at $2500.  Our goal is $6000.  Please donate online here- https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

Monday, May 9, 2022

Take the Challange "Down the Page"

The story behind the story podcast-The jockey and the artist. "6 Minutes"

The jockey and the artist: An Amsterdam story

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History 

   Lou Hildebrandt, Sr., a thoroughbred jockey for Amsterdam’s Sanford Stud farms, and Grace Gilbert, a visual artist, came together in their later years.

   Lou and Grace each had long and happy marriages.  Lou married Betty Sheridan of Amsterdam, in 1940.  They raised three children.

   Amsterdam native Grace Cermola met a Texan, Clinton Wayne Gilbert, when they were students at Syracuse University during World War II.  Married for 40 years they raised two sons.

    After graduating from high school in 1936, Lou, who weighed ninety pounds, signed a five-year contract to be trained as a jockey at Sanford Stud Farm near his home even though he had not yet been on a horse.  His mentor was Sanford’s legendary Racing Hall of Fame trainer Hollie Hughes. 

   Grace’s mother wanted her to study piano.  But Grace preferred painting.  She finished college in three years and for 33 years was a public school art teacher.

    Lou rode a Sanford horse at Saratoga in 1940 but his mount, Bea-A-Belle, did not win.  In World War II, he was a private at an Army horse training unit in Fort Robinson, Nebraska.  The captain was polo player Laddie Sanford, part owner of Bigelow Sanford carpet.

   Grace’s husband Clinton worked at General Motors in Schenectady after the war.  Laid off in 1959 Clinton secured a post in Westchester County with the State Thruway Authority.  The Gilberts relocated to Mamaroneck and Grace taught art in the Pelham schools until her retirement in 1977.

   After the war Lou won important races for the Sanfords including the Monmouth in New Jersey aboard the big horse, Roundview, in 1947.  Hildebrandt was injured several times and his favorite mount Roundview was incapacitated by illness.

  Lou said, “I discussed the situation with Betty and decided to call it quits.”  Lou had more than 480 mounts in his eleven year Sanford racing career. 

   He transitioned from horse racing to horsepower, working as a mechanic and then car salesman for an Amsterdam dealership for 30 years.

   Grace’s husband Clinton retired in 1978 and they moved back to Amsterdam.  Clinton, who died in 1985, loved the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course.

   For many years Grace volunteered at Walter Elwood Museum teaching art classes and serving on the board.  She also taught private art classes.  She said, “The community needs art.”  She also said every doctor’s wife in the area took her class.  Grace’s husband Clinton died in 1985.

   Lou’s wife Betty died in 1995.  Years later, Hildebrandt began keeping company with Grace.

   They both were graduates of Amsterdam High School class of 1936.  They met when Lou brought Grace information on a class reunion.

  Grace encouraged Lou to write his 2003 memoir, “Riders Up.”  The book was chosen 2011 book of the year by Amsterdam Reads.  Grace accompanied Lou to public appearances, although she feared horses.

   Lou Hildebrandt died November 25, 2011 at age 93.  His funeral procession made a final stop at the Sanford Stud Farm before proceeding to St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Johnson.   

   Grace Gilbert died at age 98 in 2017.  Grace’s paintings were often inspired by French Impressionists and Dutch Masters, with landscapes depicting colorful landscapes and still lifes featuring food and flowers. 

  Numerous winter scenes and portraits were inspired by Gilbert’s real-life surroundings and friends and family, who either posed for her or were painted using photos.

   Lou’s son Sam (Louis Hildebrandt, Jr.) has been active in Friends of Sanford Stud Farm which has led a campaign to preserve some of the farm’s buildings on Route 30 in the town of Amsterdam.  Most of the farm’s acreage has been developed for retail shopping.

Canalway Challenge

https://eriecanalway.org/explore/challenge

Whether you are taking your first steps toward fitness or are an experienced athlete, set your sights on adventure and fun along the 524-mile NYS Canal System and 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail. Reach your one-of-a-kind, personal mileage goal – whether cycling, paddling, running, hiking, rolling, or walking – and discover all you can do along New York's canals!

Tuesday, May 10, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Memories of the Mohawk Valley

Her First Name Was Estelle

In a recent column on the 100th anniversary of the Montgomery County Historical Society, which operates Old Fort Johnson, it was noted that Mrs. Frederick Greene was the first female president of the society in 1915...

Wednesday, May 11, 2022-From the Archives- Episode 60, May 10, 2015 - Bob Cudmore with interviews from the Fort Plain conference on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley: Jim Kirby Martin, co-author of “Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution; Jack Kelly, author of “Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America’s Independence;” Don Hagist, author of “The Revolution’s Last Men: The Soldiers Behind the Photographs;” Kyle Jenks of “Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama,” retired Montgomery County Historian Jacqueline Murphy, John Warren, editor of the New York History Blog and Brian Mack of Fort Plain Museum. 

Thursday, May 12, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Top history topics from 2005 

Friday

May 13, 2022-Episode 422

Highlights Podcast #2 for 2022.  Topics include early American patriot Marinus Willett, a corset maker in Poland, early radio, World War I, the Titanic and celebrating New York State’s birthday.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Monday, May 9, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Sun and Rain's DeSantis

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive now stands at $2500.  Our goal is $6000.  Please donate online here- https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

U.S. Mail 

A check made out to Bob Cudmore to our lonely, battered mailbox at 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  You may give anonymously and no donation is too small.

Thank You to James Kaplan

Here are comments from some of this year’s donors, “A great service to history and, more broadly, to people who are interested in history.” Local history is important!”  "Really enjoyed your recent column on Amsterdam's connection to the sinking of the Titanic." “With grateful thanks to Bob for his wonderful work on behalf of spreading historical knowledge.”

The jockey and the artist: An Amsterdam story

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History 

   Lou Hildebrandt, Sr., a thoroughbred jockey for Amsterdam’s Sanford Stud farms, and Grace Gilbert, a visual artist, came together in their later years.

   Lou and Grace each had long and happy marriages.  Lou married Betty Sheridan of Amsterdam, in 1940.  They raised three children.

   Amsterdam native Grace Cermola met a Texan, Clinton Wayne Gilbert, when they were students at Syracuse University during World War II.  Married for 40 years they raised two sons.

    After graduating from high school in 1936, Lou, who weighed ninety pounds, signed a five-year contract to be trained as a jockey at Sanford Stud Farm near his home even though he had not yet been on a horse.  His mentor was Sanford’s legendary Racing Hall of Fame trainer Hollie Hughes. 

   Grace’s mother wanted her to study piano.  But Grace preferred painting.  She finished college in three years and for 33 years was a public school art teacher.

    Lou rode a Sanford horse at Saratoga in 1940 but his mount, Bea-A-Belle, did not win.  In World War II, he was a private at an Army horse training unit in Fort Robinson, Nebraska.  The captain was polo player Laddie Sanford, part owner of Bigelow Sanford carpet.

Monday, May 9, 2022- The story behind the story podcast-The jockey and the artist. Tomorrows  podcast "6 Minutes"

   Grace’s husband Clinton worked at General Motors in Schenectady after the war.  Laid off in 1959 Clinton secured a post in Westchester County with the State Thruway Authority.  The Gilberts relocated to Mamaroneck and Grace taught art in the Pelham schools until her retirement in 1977.

   After the war Lou won important races for the Sanfords including the Monmouth in New Jersey aboard the big horse, Roundview, in 1947.  Hildebrandt was injured several times and his favorite mount Roundview was incapacitated by illness.

  Lou said, “I discussed the situation with Betty and decided to call it quits.”  Lou had more than 480 mounts in his eleven year Sanford racing career. 

   He transitioned from horse racing to horsepower, working as a mechanic and then car salesman for an Amsterdam dealership for 30 years.

   Grace’s husband Clinton retired in 1978 and they moved back to Amsterdam.  Clinton, who died in 1985, loved the Amsterdam Municipal Golf Course.

   For many years Grace volunteered at Walter Elwood Museum teaching art classes and serving on the board.  She also taught private art classes.  She said, “The community needs art.”  She also said every doctor’s wife in the area took her class.  Grace’s husband Clinton died in 1985.

   Lou’s wife Betty died in 1995.  Years later, Hildebrandt began keeping company with Grace.

   They both were graduates of Amsterdam High School class of 1936.  They met when Lou brought Grace information on a class reunion.

  Grace encouraged Lou to write his 2003 memoir, “Riders Up.”  The book was chosen 2011 book of the year by Amsterdam Reads.  Grace accompanied Lou to public appearances, although she feared horses.

   Lou Hildebrandt died November 25, 2011 at age 93.  His funeral procession made a final stop at the Sanford Stud Farm before proceeding to St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Johnson.   

   Grace Gilbert died at age 98 in 2017.  Grace’s paintings were often inspired by French Impressionists and Dutch Masters, with landscapes depicting colorful landscapes and still lifes featuring food and flowers. 

  Numerous winter scenes and portraits were inspired by Gilbert’s real-life surroundings and friends and family, who either posed for her or were painted using photos.

   Lou’s son Sam (Louis Hildebrandt, Jr.) has been active in Friends of Sanford Stud Farm which has led a campaign to preserve some of the farm’s buildings on Route 30 in the town of Amsterdam.  Most of the farm’s acreage has been developed for retail shopping.

   Mail and electronic messages have been coming in regarding the old days in the Mohawk Valley.

Tuesday, May 10, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Memories of the Mohawk Valley

Wednesday, May 11, 2022-From the Archives- Episode 60, May 10, 2015 - Bob Cudmore with interviews from the Fort Plain conference on the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley: Jim Kirby Martin, co-author of “Forgotten Allies: The Oneida Indians and the American Revolution; Jack Kelly, author of “Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America’s Independence;” Don Hagist, author of “The Revolution’s Last Men: The Soldiers Behind the Photographs;” Kyle Jenks of “Drums Along the Mohawk Outdoor Drama,” retired Montgomery County Historian Jacqueline Murphy, John Warren, editor of the New York History Blog and Brian Mack of Fort Plain Museum. 

Thursday, May 12, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Top history topics from 2005 

Edit Complete, New this Friday

May 13, 2022-Episode 422-Highlights Podcast #2 for 2022.  Topics include early American patriot Marinus Willett, a corset maker in Poland, early radio, World War I, the Titanic and celebrating New York State’s birthday.

https://fortplainmuseum.org/viewevent.aspx?ID=1062

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, May 8, 2022

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Leader Herald

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Fort Ticonderoga "Call Ahead 518-585-2821"

Check the calendar, before you go.

https://www.fortticonderoga.org/calendar/

Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance will be open for daily visitation May 7-October 31, 2022.

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive now stands at $2300.  Our goal is $6000.  Please donate online here- https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022  Or send a check made out to Bob Cudmore to our lonely, battered mailbox at 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  You may give anonymously and no donation is too small.

Here are comments from some of this year’s donors, “A great service to history and, more broadly, to people who are interested in history.” Local history is important!”  "Really enjoyed your recent column on Amsterdam's connection to the sinking of the Titanic." “With grateful thanks to Bob for his wonderful work on behalf of spreading historical knowledge.”

Tomorrow, Sunday, May 8, 2022

Focus on History in the Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder-The jockey and the artist.

After the war Lou won important races for the Sanfords including the Monmouth in New Jersey aboard the big horse, Roundview, in 1947. 

Episode 421-Chris Lamb, author of Stolen Dreams: The 1955 Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars and Little League Baseball’s Civil War

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, May 7, 2022

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Leader Herald

Gloversville DRI committee discusses projects

by Jason Subik

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