The Historians

What I don’t like about Amsterdam

By Bob Cudmore

          Ann Thane of the Walter Elwood Museum—a mayoral candidate--has shared a booklet from the museum’s collection that dates to an era many regard as the good old days.

          In 1946, the Chamber of Commerce published “What I Don’t Like About Amsterdam.”

          The city’s carpet mill economy was still thriving.  However, the Chamber wanted to identify problems and held a contest soliciting complaints about Amsterdam. 

   A numbering system enabled the Chamber to award cash prizes to the anonymous winners among the 850 essays submitted.

          Charles H. Schenck, Chamber Executive Secretary, said lack of recreation facilities, conditions of the streets, garbage collection, hotel accommodations, transportation, theatrical facilities and sale of alcoholic beverages were the most frequent complaints. 

          “We are quick to criticize those who make an honest effort to do something,” wrote the first prize winner.

          The writer continued, “Misguided leadership has done a lot to put nationalism above civic responsibility and has tended to build up group interest with selfish motives.  We are all Americans and we should work together. 

          The second place essay called for Sunday evening services in the churches and an end to competition among veterans groups.  The writer suggested city employees only get 10 days in sick leave, that the city buy sidewalk snow plows and dedicate the proposed athletic field near the Lynch School as a World War II memorial.

          The third place finisher suggested a waste disposal system so that sewage would no longer be dumped into the Mohawk River.  The writer also called for beautification of the riverfront.

          “I don’t like the taste of city water,” wrote one entrant.  “It has too much chlorine in it.  They admit the water looks bad and tastes bad but say it’s harmless.  It should be—the way it’s been drugged.” 

          Here are more complaints from 1946:

          “Amsterdam should have a curfew law for children up to 16 years, and it should be enforced, even if it means bringing parents into court.”

“The streets are a hodge-podge of houses, dinky little stores (often empty), gas stations, vacant lots (used as dumping grounds) and unoccupied buildings with broken windows.”

          “Keep the habitual bums out of Bergen Park, the ones who occupy the benches for 16 hours out of 24, thus keeping women and children from having a place to sit.”

          “The characters that clutter up the streets in front of some of the downtown cigar stores are no ad for the police department.”

          “Amsterdam needs a sort of night club just for us kids, with special attractions by kids who can sing, dance, play an instrument or perform.”

          “Clerks, on the whole, are very unaccommodating, snippy and very discourteous.  They yell ‘What do you want?’ from the other end of the store or counter, and wish you would disappear.”

          “There are certain sidewalks in Amsterdam that are never shoveled in winter, and too many persons have broken bones because of this.”

          “What I don’t like about Amsterdam is that it is a city made up of saloons, grills, bars, restaurants and other forms of drinking places.”

“Couldn’t a few mills be erected soon in order to induce manufacturers to come here?”

          “It would be a lot easier to see what is wrong with Amsterdam if these clouds of smoke and soot that hover above the city were eliminated.”

          “Garbage collection should be done more carefully.  At present, one-half is left in the can and the other half in the gutter. 

          And a final bit of negativity from over 60 years ago, “Have another contest entitled ‘What I do like about Amsterdam’ and limit the answers to one word.  Mine would be ‘Nothing!’” 

Tomorrow, Friday. May 6, 2022

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

When the eleven- and twelve-year-olds on the Cannon Street YMCA All-Star team registered for a baseball tournament in Charleston, South Carolina, in June 1955, it put the team and the forces of integration on a collision course with segregation, bigotry, and the southern way of life. White teams refused to take the field with the Cannon Street All-Stars, the first Black Little League team in South Carolina. The Cannon Street team won the tournament by forfeit and advanced to the state tournament. When all the white teams withdrew in protest, the Cannon Street team won the state tournament. If the team had won the regional tournament in Rome, Georgia, it would have advanced to the Little League World Series. But Little League officials ruled the team ineligible to play in the tournament because it had advanced by winning on forfeit and not on the field, denying the boys their dream of playing in the Little League World Series.

Registration is open for the 11th annual I Love My Park Day this Saturday, May 7, 2022 ! Parks & Trails New York, in partnership with New York State Parks and DEC, will provide the opportunity for volunteers to participate in cleanup events at nearly 150 state parks, historic sites and public lands from Long Island to Western New York and covering all regions in between. From beach clean-ups to trail restoration and tree and flower plantings, hundreds of events are planned to spruce up our parks and get them ready for the summer season.

I Love My Park Day is an annual event that brings together thousands of volunteers to enhance and celebrate New York's amazing parkland.

Join your friends, family and neighbors and sign up today to volunteer at your favorite state park or site.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Thursday, May 5, 2022

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Leader Herald

CDC: Covid 19 has high rate of transfer in Fulton County

by Jason Subik

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Wednesday, May 4, 2022-From the Archives-January 11, 2019-Historians Podcast Episode 248, Jack Kelly is author of “The Edge of Anarchy: The Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America.” Kelly tells the story of the 1894 Pullman strike.

The dramatic story of the explosive 1894 clash of industry, labor, and government that shook the nation and marked a turning point for America

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 5, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-What I don’t like about Amsterdam

The writer continued, “Misguided leadership has done a lot to put nationalism above civic responsibility and has tended to build up group interest with selfish motives.  We are all Americans and we should work together.”

Friday. May 6, 2022

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

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday May 4, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Historians Podcast Episode 248, Jack Kelly is author of “The Edge of Anarchy: The Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America.” Kelly tells the story of the 1894 Pullman strike.

This epochal tale offers fascinating portraits of two iconic characters of the age. George Pullman, who amassed a fortune by making train travel a pleasure, thought the model town that he built for his workers would erase urban squalor. Eugene Debs, founder of the nation's first industrial union, was determined to wrench power away from the reigning plutocrats.

What I don’t like about Amsterdam

Tomorrow, Thursday, May 5, 2022

From the Archives of the Daily Gazette

The writer continued, “Misguided leadership has done a lot to put nationalism above civic responsibility and has tended to build up group interest with selfish motives.  We are all Americans and we should work together.”

Friday. May 6, 2022

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

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

https://www.fortticonderoga.org/

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday May 4, 2022

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Leader Herald

GJSD takes questions from taxpayers

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Out of Storage Today

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Bowling was once a semiformal occasion

Players wore shirts, ties in the 1930s

By Bob Cudmore

          When local history fan Sam Vomero gave me a photocopy of a newspaper picture of my uncle Percy Cudmore from 1939, I was intrigued to see Uncle Percy in a classic bowling pose wearing a tie and long-sleeved shirt.

          Percy Cudmore was born in Torrington, England in 1905 and lived in Amsterdam most of his life, except for some time spent in Philadelphia and service with the U.S. Army in World War II in Italy and elsewhere.  He worked at Keller Plumbing and Heating Company and Amsterdam Memorial Hospital.  He died in 1975.

          Percy was a great bowler who passed on his love of the sport to one of his sons, Roger Cudmore, who now lives in North Greenbush. 

          “It was a common practice to wear a tie and long-sleeved shirt to bowl in those days,” Roger said in commenting on the picture of his father from 1939. “I have an undated bowling picture of my dad with Arthur Walsh, George Rink, Andy DiLorenzo, Albert Albright and Sam Riccio.  The first five were the bowlers and they are all wearing long-sleeved shirts and ties.  Riccio must have been the team sponsor as he sits in front with a three-piece suit.”

   In the late 1940s, another picture showed Percy Cudmore and other Amsterdam bowlers at the American Bowling Congress National Tournament in Atlantic City.  Long-sleeved flannel shirts have replaced the shirts with ties. 

   Roger added, “My recollection of going with my Dad to (Tony Griffin’s) Wil-Ton Lanes in Amsterdam in the fifties was that the ‘tie thing’ must have become old hat as I don't remember the bowlers wearing ties. I do remember that each team wore bowling shirts with their name on the front and the sponsor's name on the back.  My father's shirt usually had Cudy rather than Percy as most of his bowling buddies called him Cudy. 

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 to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302. 

   Women bowlers also dressed appropriately.  Roger produced a bowling team photo of his mom, Pansy Keller Cudmore, and her twin sister, Daisy Keller Sager, with three other women.  Roger said, “The women are all wearing dresses, which of course match!” 

   Roger has rolled 12 perfect games, most recently in January, but said that his father apparently never scored 300 in one game as such scores were rare in those days.  Roger said, “I think his high score was 289 which meant that he got the first ten of the twelve strikes needed for a perfect game.”

   The caption under Percy Cudmore’s picture from the October 12th, 1939 Recorder photo stated: “No one likes to bowl more than Percy Cudmore, holder of the all-time city record for 30 frames, and few are any better at kegling.  Cudmore established what may prove to be a lifetime record when he rolled 740 for 30 frames a few years back.  The closest score to that figure in the City League was 729, made by Cudmore himself.  In addition to holding the all-time high mark for 30 frames, Cudmore also compiled the highest average ever made in the City League for a complete season with an average of 198.2” 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, May 4, 2022-From the Archives-January 11, 2019-Historians Podcast Episode 248, Jack Kelly is author of “The Edge of Anarchy: The Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America.” Kelly tells the story of the 1894 Pullman strike.

The dramatic story of the explosive 1894 clash of industry, labor, and government that shook the nation and marked a turning point for America

The Edge of Anarchy offers a vivid account of the greatest uprising of working people in American history. At the pinnacle of the Gilded Age, a boycott of Pullman sleeping cars by hundreds of thousands of railroad employees brought commerce to a standstill across much of the country.

Thursday, May 5, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-What I don’t like about Amsterdam

Another Historians Original Podcast this Friday. May 6, 2022

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

Summer is Coming

Enjoy an incredible journey with these multiday trips and discover some of the best communities, food, and sites of interest along the canals. These trips include information about accessibility to make it easier for people of all abilities to experience the canals.

Plan your Trip

Erie Canalway

https://eriecanalway.org/ 

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, May 3, 2022

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https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Greater Johnstown School District hosts public budget hearing Tuesday

by Andrew Pugliese

https://www.leaderherald.com/

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 to our lonely mailbox at 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Focus on History in the Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder-Two Amsterdam people: The jockey and the artist not posted today, hope to have more information tomorrow.

This story is in The Daily Gazette, it is a great, great Idea

...simple, do not mow your lawn in May and "Save the Bees"

https://dailygazette.com/

This weekend marks the start of No Mow May, a campaign from the charity Plantlife calling for people to stop cutting their lawns for the month of May. Grass left unmowed allows dormant wildflowers to flourish, providing extra food for struggling pollinators and becoming a haven for insects, birds and hedgehogs.

No Mow May: Growing environmental movement now has local roots
SARATOGA COUNTY–Some local lawns might look a little shaggier this month. That’s because Sustainable Saratoga has launched a No Mow…

Tomorrow

Episode 418-Bruce Dearstyne is encouraging New Yorkers to celebrate April 20 as the birthday of the Empire State.  The first New York State constitution was adopted April 20, 1777 during a momentous year for the state during the Revolutionary War.  Bruce Dearstyne was formerly on the staff of the Office of State History and the State Archives.  He has written books and articles on New York State history.

Tuesday, May 3, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-The days when bowlers wore ties.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022-From the Archives-January 11, 2019-Historians Podcast Episode 248, Jack Kelly is author of “The Edge of Anarchy: The Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America.” Kelly tells the story of the 1894 Pullman strike.

Thursday, May 5, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-What I don’t like about Amsterdam 

Like to Fish

New York State DEC

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html

New York State has some of the finest fishing in the country. There is world class fishing for a wide variety of coldwater and warmwater fish species. Whether it's smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Erie, brook trout fishing on a crystal clear Adirondack lake, Pacific salmon fishing on Lake Ontario, fishing for stripers on the Hudson River, brown trout fishing on the Beaver Kill or fishing for bluefish in Montauk's surf, there's something special here for everyone. With more than 7,500 lakes and ponds, 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of coastline, fishing opportunities are always nearby!

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, May 1, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

https://www.leaderherald.com/

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 to our lonely mailbox at 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Focus on History in the Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder-Two Amsterdam people: The jockey and the artist not posted today, hope to have more information tomorrow.

This story is in The Daily Gazette, it is a great, great Idea

...simple, do not mow your lawn in May and "Save the Bees"

https://dailygazette.com/

This weekend marks the start of No Mow May, a campaign from the charity Plantlife calling for people to stop cutting their lawns for the month of May. Grass left unmowed allows dormant wildflowers to flourish, providing extra food for struggling pollinators and becoming a haven for insects, birds and hedgehogs.

No Mow May: Growing environmental movement now has local roots
SARATOGA COUNTY–Some local lawns might look a little shaggier this month. That’s because Sustainable Saratoga has launched a No Mow…

Tuesday, May 3, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-The days when bowlers wore ties.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022-From the Archives-January 11, 2019-Historians Podcast Episode 248, Jack Kelly is author of “The Edge of Anarchy: The Railroad Barons, the Gilded Age and the Greatest Labor Uprising in America.” Kelly tells the story of the 1894 Pullman strike.

Thursday, May 5, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-What I don’t like about Amsterdam 

Like to Fish

New York State DEC

https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/fishing.html

New York State has some of the finest fishing in the country. There is world class fishing for a wide variety of coldwater and warmwater fish species. Whether it's smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Erie, brook trout fishing on a crystal clear Adirondack lake, Pacific salmon fishing on Lake Ontario, fishing for stripers on the Hudson River, brown trout fishing on the Beaver Kill or fishing for bluefish in Montauk's surf, there's something special here for everyone. With more than 7,500 lakes and ponds, 70,000 miles of rivers and streams, and hundreds of miles of coastline, fishing opportunities are always nearby!

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, May 1, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Bob Cudmore will be one of the authors participating in the third annual Author Fest 2022 from 1-3 pm today, Saturday, April 30 at the Gloversville Public Library, 58 East Fulton Street in Gloversville.

 Books will be for sale including Bob Cudmore’s book “Lost Mohawk Valley,” based on columns he has written for the Daily Gazette newspaper.

This Weekend

Focus on History in the Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder 

Two Amsterdam people: The jockey and the artist. On-Line tomorrow, Sunday, May 1, 2022

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive now stands at $2300. Please donate online https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-historians-podcast-2022

In The U.S. Mail 

A check made out to Bob Cudmore to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Episode 420-Paul Craddock at UCL Medical School in London England is author of Spare Parts: The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery.

Today, Saturday, April 30, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
"Labor Union Songs" with Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle

https://www.oneidacountyhistory.org/programs.html

Oneida County History Center​

​The labor unions in the late 1800s and early 1900s were powerful in solidarity and activism and even included songs to motivate and give hope. This program presents a variety of these songs and a historical narrative about the development and progress of the Labor Union movement. Including a passage about the historic Mohawk Valley Formula negotiation system. About 45 minutes in length, family-friendly.

With guitar, violin, banjo, harmonica, ukelele, and dulcimer, these high-spirited independent artists present heartfelt original acoustic folk and blues." ~Folk Times

Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle are award-winning songwriters and singers and live near the Adirondacks in upstate New York.

Amsterdam and Mohawk Valley Weather, Saturday, April 30, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

Montgomery County spreading $2.12M in federal aid across 12 projects

FONDA — The Montgomery County Legislature has authorized the use of $2.12 million in federal...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

$500k grant program to assists 12 homeowners in Gloversville

by Jason Subik

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Click the Books link at the top of the page for more what's what

Wednesday, April 27, 2022-From the Archives-Episode 117, June 24. 2016-Bob Cudmore covers the 2016 American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley Conference.  Edward Lengel is author of “First Entrepreneur: How George Washington Built His and the Nation’s Prosperity,” J. L. Bell is author of “The Road to Concord, How Four Stolen Cannons Ignited the Revolutionary War” and Don Hagist explains the online Journal of the American Revolution. Wednesday Podcast "36 Minutes"

Thank You to Bruce Dearstyne

The Historians Podcast 2022 fund drive at $2300.  That’s a third of our $6,000 goal!  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. The Historians Podcast-where we’re working on Episode 422, a highlights episode with excerpts from six recent podcasts.

Tomorrow

Thursday, April 28, 2022- From the Archives of the Daily Gazette-Top Ten Amsterdam broadcasters

Dusty Miller is on the list

Friday, April 29, 2022-Episode 420-Paul Craddock at UCL Medical School in London England is author of Spare Parts: The Story of Medicine Through the History of Transplant Surgery.

Bob Cudmore will be one of the authors participating in the third annual Author Fest 2022 from 1-3 pm Saturday, April 30 at the Gloversville Public Library, 58 East Fulton Street in Gloversville. Books will be for sale including Bob Cudmore’s book “Lost Mohawk Valley,” based on columns he has written for the Daily Gazette newspaper.

Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, April 27, 2022

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Fonda, Johnstown duo describe effort to aid Ukrainian refugees
JOHNSTOWN — Two area women are sharing their experiences on the Ukraine border in hopes others will be moved by…

https://www.leaderherald.com/