The Historians

...Queen Libby ran a boarding house and grocery store in the west end of Fonda, where she fed, housed and cared for Italian immigrants who worked on the railroad

Tuesday Podcast "6 Minutes"

PHOTOGRAPHER:Stan Hudy

More on The Sign-Daily Gazette

https://dailygazette.com/2021/12/27/seasonal-sign-from-citys-past-restored-by-historic-amsterdam-league-in-time-for-holiday/

by Ashley Onyon

Seasonal sign from city’s past restored by Historic Amsterdam League in time for holiday
AMSTERDAM — When spring cleaning at the carriage house behind City Hall unearthed a massive holiday sign that used to…

An Italian immigrant was the queen of Fonda

By Bob Cudmore

People in Fonda called her Queen Libby. A formidable woman from Italy, Queen Libby literally stopped a train, saved a man from the electric chair and became a major property owner in Fonda.

Elizabeth Luciano was born in Pietremalara near Naples, Italy in 1872. She came to America alone when she was 15 and settled in Fonda to be near relatives who lived in Johnstown. She married another Italian immigrant, James Cassell. They had three children before Cassell died at the age of 33. Libby then married Alfonso Mancini, who worked for the railroad, and had four more children. Libby and Alfonso returned to Italy for a time where Alfonso was a jailor. Libby returned to America by herself and Alfonso eventually followed her back to America.

According to one of her grandchildren, Libby was a large woman who received her nickname when she knocked down a man who had used an ethnic slur about Italians. “The next time you see me, you bow,” Libby told the fallen man, leading him to refer to her as Queen Libby or Queen Lib. 

Queen Libby ran a boarding house and grocery store in the west end of Fonda, where she fed, housed and cared for Italian immigrants who worked on the railroad. She had a good head for business and purchased 16 two family houses in the village. Patsy Cassell, one of Libby’s sons, ran a popular Fonda tavern called Patsy’s for many years.

In 1923, one of Libby’s daughters, Eva Mancini Pepe, was about to give birth to her first child. Eva had married Ralph Pepe, whose father Salvatore had founded Pepe’s Bakery, still a family business on Amsterdam’s South Side.

According to a clipping from The Recorder from January 20th of 1923, Libby was informed by telephone that her daughter was about to have a rare Caesarean section at St. Mary’s Hospital in Amsterdam.

Libby secured a red flag at the Fonda train station and when an express came ‘thundering in its usual way; she waved the red flag, convincing the engineer to stop the train and take her to Amsterdam. Arriving at the hospital, she charged into the operating room. Libby also made a phone call to the New York Central Railroad and demanded that the next possible train stop in Fonda to take her husband to Amsterdam.

The headline from the newspaper clipping reads: “Flags train to reach daughter as stork comes: Fonda woman bossed the whole New York Central Railroad but got to Amsterdam hospital on time.”

The child born that day was Vincenza Pepe, who passed away in 2001. Eva Pepe had seven children and the child she bore in 1924 is Salvatore Pepe of Amsterdam, who has provided information for this story.

“Queen Libby was strong-minded, tough but a gentle grandmother,” Pepe said, recalling that Libby gave quarters to her grandchildren.

Ann Nardick Sherman of Amsterdam also claims Queen Libby as a grandmother. Sherman’s mother was Constance Cassell, one of the children from Libby’s first marriage.

According to Sherman, Libby was an interpreter for Italians who could not speak English who were brought before the court in Fonda. Libby once saved an innocent man from the electric chair. Libby called Italy where the real murderer had fled and had him sent back to the United States for trial. Governor Franklin Roosevelt was so impressed that he visited Fonda to commend Libby and a parade was held in her honor.

Queen Libby died in 1938 and her grandchildren say her funeral was the biggest funeral ever seen in Fonda.

Tomorrow, December 29, 2021-Historians Podcast Episode 238- Sue Ingalls Finan discusses her historical novel “The Cards Don’t Lie.”  The book is based on real-life accounts of women during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.  The victory of General Andrew Jackson’s American forces over the British at New Orleans effectively ended the War of 1812.

Thursday, December 30, 2021- From the Archives of Focus on History in the Daily Gazette-Amsterdam police officer Andy Nelson 

In 1927 Nelson became a member of the city police force. Before switching to driving a police car late in his career, Officer Nelson rode police motorcycles. 

This Friday, December 31, 2021

Episode 403-2021 Highlights Episode #5-The Lincoln assassination; reviving New York City’s Broadway theaters; an Adirondack lumber baron; a woman bandit from the Wild West; whatever happened to Judge Crater and Trancendentalism in Concord Massachusetts in the 1800s.

New Years Eve into 2022

Mohawk Valley Weather, Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Regional Economic Development Council

2021 Awards

New York State https://regionalcouncils.ny.gov/

City of Amsterdam
Smart Growth
Comprehensive Plan
The City of Amsterdam Smart Growth Comprehensive Plan will incorporate
sustainability and climate change concerns within the municipality. The
comprehensive plan will include relevant sustainable projects and methods for
implementing development opportunities, along with elements of abating future
climate change risks.
DOS SG $90,000

City of Amsterdam
West End BOA
Nomination
The City of Amsterdam intends to develop a BOA Nomination for an approximately
158-acre area in the city’s West End. A former manufacturing center characterized
by approximately 22 brownfield sites. The two primary objectives of the BOA study
are to determine appropriate reuse of underutilized or contaminated parcels
within the city; and to generate a catalog of updated information and data
necessary to minimize exposure to potential contamination.
DOS BOA $81,000

 City of Amsterdam Water System
Improvements
The City of Amsterdam in Montgomery County will use $898,400 CDBG funding to
make water and sewer system improvements. The total project cost is $999,960
and includes $101,200 from the City of Amsterdam. The improvements will benefit
17,880 neighborhood residents which or 55% 

Mohawk Valley News, Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Daily Gazette 

Seasonal sign from city’s past restored by Historic Amsterdam League in time for holiday
AMSTERDAM — When spring cleaning at the carriage house behind City Hall unearthed a massive holiday sign that used to…

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

‘Sandwich of excitement’; A baby and a fire is all in a Christmas Day’s work for GFD

https://www.leaderherald.com/

...a conversation with Jerry Snyder on The Historians schedule in January

Monday, December 27, 2021- Story Behind the Story is an audio rendering of Saturday’s column on opera singer Albert Sochin DaCosta. "7 Minutes"

Historical Tenors

http://www.historicaltenors.net/english/dacosta.html

Amsterdam News and Weather "Scroll Down"

Amsterdam glides into winter with new ice skating rink

The Gloversville Public Library is recognized for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation 

More weather in the weather..NWS advisory at the bottom of this page

Jerry Snyder

Tomorrow, Tuesday, December 28, 2021- From the Archives of Focus on History in the Daily Gazette-Fonda’s Queen Libby

Elizabeth Luciano was born in Pietremalara near Naples, Italy in 1872. She came to America alone when she was 15

Wednesday from the Historians digital storage room

December 29, 2021-Historians Podcast Episode 238- Sue Ingalls Finan discusses her historical novel “The Cards Don’t Lie.”  The book is based on real-life accounts of women during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.  The victory of General Andrew Jackson’s American forces over the British at New Orleans effectively ended the War of 1812.

Thursday, December 30, 2021- From the Archives of Focus on History in the Daily Gazette-Amsterdam police officer Andy Nelson

An Amsterdam police officer is well-remembered by relatives and former Guy Park Avenue elementary school students. Andrew C. Nelson was born in Amsterdam in 1893

Friday, December 31, 2021-Episode 403-2021 Highlights Episode #5-The Lincoln assassination; reviving New York City’s Broadway theaters; an Adirondack lumber baron; a woman bandit from the Wild West; whatever happened to Judge Crater and Trancendentalism in Concord Massachusetts in the 1800s.

Opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

   Amsterdam native Albert Sochin became a highly regarded opera singer in America and Europe.  He performed as Albert Dacosta, using his mother’s maiden name.

   Albert’s father was Joseph Sochin, member of a prominent Jewish family who operated Sochin’s men’s clothing store first on Guy Park Avenue then on Market Street.  Albert’s mother, Violet Dacosta, was an Episcopalian, a member of St. Ann’s Church, where Albert was a boy soprano.

   When Albert’s voice changed he sang baritone.  He was in great demand.  Reader Ken Garrick said his aunt recalled that Albert occasionally was a soloist at the then Second Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam with “a tremendous voice.”  Albert performed at weddings, funerals, high school productions and concerts of Mohawk Mills Chorus, now Mohawk Valley Chorus.

   In World War II Albert joined the Navy.  He met H. Jean Rower from Toledo, Ohio at a Navy concert in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were both performing.  Albert and Jean married at the Corpus Christi Naval Base chapel in July 1945 and went on to have six children.  

   After the war Albert moved to New York City to study for three years at Juilliard music school.  He auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera in 1952 on a live program on ABC television.

   The judges were not impressed with Albert’s baritone voice and told him he should sing as a tenor!  Albert set to work training.  A year later impresario Charles L. Wagner said Albert was “one of the finest tenor voices” he had discovered.

   In 1954 the Met held another live television audition and tenor Albert Sochin Dacosta was one of the winners.  He was signed to a contract for the 1955-56 Metropolitan Opera season.

   An imposing man, Albert’s first role at the Met was as the sailor in “Tristan und Isolde.”  At the end of 1955 he returned to Amsterdam to sing and raise money for the Rotary Club’s student loan program.  Hugh Donlon of the Recorder wrote, “A remarkable voice notwithstanding, the nicest thing about him is his friendly way.”

   By 1962 Albert concluded he was not getting enough work in America.  He moved his family to Europe where, as he said, most cities with more than seventy-five thousand people have opera houses.

   They lived in Switzerland where he sang in Zurich and then moved to Horrem, Germany, a suburb of Cologne where Albert was leading tenor of the Cologne Opera Company.

   Historic Amsterdam League’s booklet “Amsterdam’s Arts” mentions Albert in connection with another Amsterdam-born opera singer, Genevieve Warner.  Albert and his wife Jean were attendants at Warner’s wedding to Count Andrew Puslowski of Scarsdale, N.Y., in 1959.

   Albert’s last trip to America was in 1966 when he visited his father in Amsterdam and his mother at a hospital in Tarrytown, New York.  His mother returned with him to Europe to convalesce.

   Albert Sochin Dacosta, died at age 39 in a 1967 automobile accident while driving to sing in a production of “Carmen” at the Jutland Opera in Denmark.

   Albert’s car skidded on a sharp curve that was slippery from rain, leaving the highway, crashing through trees and overturning.  Albert died instantly.  The man with him, Dutch singer Jan Gerksen, was slightly injured.

   Albert’s mother Violet died the next year in Briarcliff Manor, New York, where Albert’s widow Jean and her family may have moved.  Jean Sochin soon relocated to Jamaica, Vermont and worked at a school district in Townshend. 

   Albert’s father, Joseph Sochin, died in 1969 while visiting his daughter-in-law in Vermont.  Jean Sochin, pianist and vocalist in her own right, died in 2007 at age 87.  She was survived by five of their six children, fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Mohawk Valley Weather, Monday, December 27, 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO
7 AM EST TUESDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
a coating up to one inch and ice accumulations of a light
glaze.

* WHERE...Litchfield County in Northwestern Connecticut, The
Mohawk and Schoharie Valleys, Greater Capital Region including
the Helderbergs, Eastern Catskills, Mid Hudson Valley, and the
Taconics of eastern New York and the Berkshires of western
Massachusetts.

* WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 7 AM EST Tuesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions due to a light
accumulation of snow and ice.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Today

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 29. Calm wind becoming east around 6 mph in the afternoon.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) have announced that nine projects and one individual are being recognized with a 2021 New York State Preservation Award for their efforts to preserve the state’s history.

On the List

Gloversville Public Library, City of Gloversville, Fulton County

Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation

The Gloversville Public Library is recognized for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation for the recently completed work that transformed the 1904 Carnegie Library. Funded by a NYS Environmental Protection Fund Historic Preservation grant, the work included interior and exterior restoration and upgrades to the building’s original mechanical systems.

The year was 1900

US Population was 70,000,000

Mohawk Valley News, Monday, December 27, 2021

Daily Gazette 

https://dailygazette.com/

Amsterdam glides into winter with new ice skating rink

AMSTERDAM — Cold weather aficionados and bemoaners alike will have something to look forward to as...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Salvation Army toy drive helps families in Fulton, Montgomery counties

by Jason Subik

https://www.leaderherald.com/

...who was Walter Elwood

The Historians Archive dates to October 14, 2014

402 Interviews with People You Know

Sunday, December 26, 2021-From the Archives- August 21. 2020-Episode 332-Colbert Nepaulsingh discusses his book “Walter Elwood: ‘Glitter’ and Other Unpublished Plays.”  Amsterdam, N.Y.’s community museum is named for Elwood. Sunday Small Talk "38 Minutes"

Debuting on Historians Podcast this Friday, December 31, 2021 Highlights Episode #5-The Lincoln assassination; reviving Broadway theaters; an Adirondack lumber baron; a woman bandit from the Wild West; whatever happened to Judge Crater and Transcendentalism in Concord Massachusetts.

The Olden Days continue in 2022

...sounds like a western movie

Coming soon on Historians Podcast-January 7, 2022-Episode 404-Jim Kaplan discusses the history of Evacuation Day, when British troops finally left New York City following the American Revolution; Episode 405-Jerry Snyder of Historic Amsterdam  League has stories from the new booklet on Amsterdam’s arts, focusing on visual artists, actors, singers and more with ties to Amsterdam.

Opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

Tomorrow, Monday, December 27, 2021- Story Behind the Story podcast is an audio version of Saturday’s column on opera singer Albert Sochin DaCosta. Monday narrative "7 Minutes"

   Amsterdam native Albert Sochin became a highly regarded opera singer in America and Europe.  He performed as Albert Dacosta, using his mother’s maiden name.

   Albert’s father was Joseph Sochin, member of a prominent Jewish family who operated Sochin’s men’s clothing store first on Guy Park Avenue then on Market Street.  Albert’s mother, Violet Dacosta, was an Episcopalian, a member of St. Ann’s Church, where Albert was a boy soprano.

   When Albert’s voice changed he sang baritone.  He was in great demand.  Reader Ken Garrick said his aunt recalled that Albert occasionally was a soloist at the then Second Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam with “a tremendous voice.”  Albert performed at weddings, funerals, high school productions and concerts of Mohawk Mills Chorus, now Mohawk Valley Chorus.

   In World War II Albert joined the Navy.  He met H. Jean Rower from Toledo, Ohio at a Navy concert in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were both performing.  Albert and Jean married at the Corpus Christi Naval Base chapel in July 1945 and went on to have six children.  

   After the war Albert moved to New York City to study for three years at Juilliard music school.  He auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera in 1952 on a live program on ABC television.

   The judges were not impressed with Albert’s baritone voice and told him he should sing as a tenor!  Albert set to work training.  A year later impresario Charles L. Wagner said Albert was “one of the finest tenor voices” he had discovered.

   In 1954 the Met held another live television audition and tenor Albert Sochin Dacosta was one of the winners.  He was signed to a contract for the 1955-56 Metropolitan Opera season.

   An imposing man, Albert’s first role at the Met was as the sailor in “Tristan und Isolde.”  At the end of 1955 he returned to Amsterdam to sing and raise money for the Rotary Club’s student loan program.  Hugh Donlon of the Recorder wrote, “A remarkable voice notwithstanding, the nicest thing about him is his friendly way.”

   By 1962 Albert concluded he was not getting enough work in America.  He moved his family to Europe where, as he said, most cities with more than seventy-five thousand people have opera houses.

   They lived in Switzerland where he sang in Zurich and then moved to Horrem, Germany, a suburb of Cologne where Albert was leading tenor of the Cologne Opera Company.

   Historic Amsterdam League’s booklet “Amsterdam’s Arts” mentions Albert in connection with another Amsterdam-born opera singer, Genevieve Warner.  Albert and his wife Jean were attendants at Warner’s wedding to Count Andrew Puslowski of Scarsdale, N.Y., in 1959.

   Albert’s last trip to America was in 1966 when he visited his father in Amsterdam and his mother at a hospital in Tarrytown, New York.  His mother returned with him to Europe to convalesce.

   Albert Sochin Dacosta, died at age 39 in a 1967 automobile accident while driving to sing in a production of “Carmen” at the Jutland Opera in Denmark.

   Albert’s car skidded on a sharp curve that was slippery from rain, leaving the highway, crashing through trees and overturning.  Albert died instantly.  The man with him, Dutch singer Jan Gerksen, was slightly injured.

   Albert’s mother Violet died the next year in Briarcliff Manor, New York, where Albert’s widow Jean and her family may have moved.  Jean Sochin soon relocated to Jamaica, Vermont and worked at a school district in Townshend. 

   Albert’s father, Joseph Sochin, died in 1969 while visiting his daughter-in-law in Vermont.  Jean Sochin, pianist and vocalist in her own right, died in 2007 at age 87.  She was survived by five of their six children, fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, December 26, 2021

...PATCHY FREEZING DRIZZLE POSSIBLE EARLY THIS MORNING...

While widespread precipitation has ended across the region,
residual moisture combined with surface temperatures below
freezing may result in patchy freezing drizzle early this morning.
This will be possible for areas mainly north of Interstate 90 in
eastern New York and in southern Vermont. The threat for freezing
drizzle should end by around 8 AM. Untreated roads and walking
surfaces could become slippery in some spots.

Mohawk Valley News Headlines, Sunday, December 26, 2021

Daily Gazette 

Voices of WWII soldiers live on in letters collected, preserved by Schenectady woman
They called themselves “Em’s gang.” Or sometimes simply “The gang.” They were a group of young men hailing from Schenectady…

Gloversville set to hire assistant DPW director during department transition
The Gloversville Common Council is set to vote Tuesday on the resolution to appoint of Donald Schwartz as Temporary Assistant Director of Public…

https://dailygazette.com/

Focus on History: ‘One of the finest tenor voices’ was from Amsterdam

Amsterdam native Albert Sochin became a highly regarded opera singer in America and Europe. He performed as Albert DaCosta, using his mother’s maiden name.Albert’s father was Joseph Sochin, a member of a prominent Jewish family...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Make Us Part of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

...the judges were not impressed with Albert’s baritone voice and told him he should sing as a tenor! 

Saturday Gab "38 Minutes" with information about HAL and Episode #402-Marta McDowell on Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book.

Mohawk Valley Weather and Dispatch of the News Headlines "Bottom of the Page"

December 25, Christmas Day 2021

Opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta

By Bob Cudmore, Focus on History

   Amsterdam native Albert Sochin became a highly regarded opera singer in America and Europe.  He performed as Albert Dacosta, using his mother’s maiden name.

   Albert’s father was Joseph Sochin, member of a prominent Jewish family who operated Sochin’s men’s clothing store first on Guy Park Avenue then on Market Street.  Albert’s mother, Violet Dacosta, was an Episcopalian, a member of St. Ann’s Church, where Albert was a boy soprano.

   When Albert’s voice changed he sang baritone.  He was in great demand.  Reader Ken Garrick said his aunt recalled that Albert occasionally was a soloist at the then Second Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam with “a tremendous voice.”  Albert performed at weddings, funerals, high school productions and concerts of Mohawk Mills Chorus, now Mohawk Valley Chorus.

   In World War II Albert joined the Navy.  He met H. Jean Rower from Toledo, Ohio at a Navy concert in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were both performing.  Albert and Jean married at the Corpus Christi Naval Base chapel in July 1945 and went on to have six children.  

   After the war Albert moved to New York City to study for three years at Juilliard music school.  He auditioned for the Metropolitan Opera in 1952 on a live program on ABC television.

   The judges were not impressed with Albert’s baritone voice and told him he should sing as a tenor!  Albert set to work training.  A year later impresario Charles L. Wagner said Albert was “one of the finest tenor voices” he had discovered.

Monday, December 27, 2021- Story Behind the Story podcast is an audio version of Saturday’s column on opera singer Albert Sochin DaCosta. Monday audio story "7 Minutes"

   In 1954 the Met held another live television audition and tenor Albert Sochin Dacosta was one of the winners.  He was signed to a contract for the 1955-56 Metropolitan Opera season.

   An imposing man, Albert’s first role at the Met was as the sailor in “Tristan und Isolde.”  At the end of 1955 he returned to Amsterdam to sing and raise money for the Rotary Club’s student loan program.  Hugh Donlon of the Recorder wrote, “A remarkable voice notwithstanding, the nicest thing about him is his friendly way.”

   By 1962 Albert concluded he was not getting enough work in America.  He moved his family to Europe where, as he said, most cities with more than seventy-five thousand people have opera houses.

   They lived in Switzerland where he sang in Zurich and then moved to Horrem, Germany, a suburb of Cologne where Albert was leading tenor of the Cologne Opera Company.

   Historic Amsterdam League’s booklet “Amsterdam’s Arts” mentions Albert in connection with another Amsterdam-born opera singer, Genevieve Warner.  Albert and his wife Jean were attendants at Warner’s wedding to Count Andrew Puslowski of Scarsdale, N.Y., in 1959.

   Albert’s last trip to America was in 1966 when he visited his father in Amsterdam and his mother at a hospital in Tarrytown, New York.  His mother returned with him to Europe to convalesce.

   Albert Sochin Dacosta, died at age 39 in a 1967 automobile accident while driving to sing in a production of “Carmen” at the Jutland Opera in Denmark.

   Albert’s car skidded on a sharp curve that was slippery from rain, leaving the highway, crashing through trees and overturning.  Albert died instantly.  The man with him, Dutch singer Jan Gerksen, was slightly injured.

   Albert’s mother Violet died the next year in Briarcliff Manor, New York, where Albert’s widow Jean and her family may have moved.  Jean Sochin soon relocated to Jamaica, Vermont and worked at a school district in Townshend. 

   Albert’s father, Joseph Sochin, died in 1969 while visiting his daughter-in-law in Vermont.  Jean Sochin, pianist and vocalist in her own right, died in 2007 at age 87.  She was survived by five of their six children, fifteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Tomorrow, Sunday, December 26, 2021-From the Archives- August 21. 2020-Episode 332-Colbert Nepaulsingh discusses his book “Walter Elwood: ‘Glitter’ and Other Unpublished Plays.”  Amsterdam, N.Y.’s community museum is named for Elwood.

Christmas Day Weather in Amsterdam and The Mohawk Valley, Saturday, December 25, 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS
AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Freezing rain. Additional ice accumulations of up to one
tenth of an inch.

* WHERE...Bennington County Vermont, the Berkshires in western
Massachusetts, the southern Adirondacks, Mohawk Valley and
Hudson Valley north of I-90.

* WHEN...Until 1 PM EST this afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

...songs out of Boston

December 25, first work

1815

The Handel and Haydn Society

Mohawk Valley Headlines, Saturday, December 25, 2021

Daily Gazette 

Rotterdam will allow marijuana dispensaries, consumption sites
The town of Rotterdam will allow for marijuana dispensaries and on-site consumption locations in town, despite residents’ comments to opt-out before…

https://dailygazette.com/

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Johnstown crossing guard making a name for himself

https://www.leaderherald.com/

...in June 1934, Grace Kyle led an evening stroll at Sassafras, according to a newspaper account, “The first thing to greet the club members was a pair of lovely bluebirds busily engaged in preparing supper for their young

Thursday Chatter "12 Minutes"

The Historians Podcast 2021 fund drive has exceeded its $5,000 goal!  Thanks to a very generous contribution from Amsterdam native Joan Breier Brodsky, plus contributions by Linda Hobbs and Scott Lorenz the fund drive has now raised $5,341.  Thank you to the 59 people who have donated to keep Historians Podcast going and keep history alive.  “It’s like public TV but for radio with a focus on US history,” wrote donor Scott Lorenz.  https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021 You may also contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Sassafras Bird Sanctuary

by Bob Cudmore

Close to seven thousand people visited the Sassafras Bird Sanctuary in Amsterdam in 1934.  The private park opened in 1931, spearheaded by two formidable city institutions— the Century Club, composed of prominent women, and naturalist Walter Elwood.

“Sassafras” is a kind of tree with aromatic leaves and bark used to make tea. The area called Sassafras Hollow is in west Amsterdam along Dove Creek.  The land was the 19th century estate of the Carmichael family.

In 1912 Henrietta Carmichael offered the city 20 acres in Sassafras Hollow for use as a park.  Carmichael wanted the land named Stewart Park, in memory of her father.  Although Mayor Jacob Dealy was interested, the city did not acquire the land at that time.

In January 1931 Walter Elwood wrote an essay extolling the beauties of Sassafras Hollow, including its 50 varieties of birds, “Wooded ravines are always attractive, but here is one so specially favored by nature that we would have to go far and look hard to find another holding out so much for us.”

That May the Sassafras Bird Sanctuary opened as a private park on land owned by Elizabeth Carmichael, Francis Morris and Helen Sugden.  Elwood had expressed concern over hunters endangering bird watchers so firearms were banned.  The Century Club managed the Sanctuary and a warden was hired to enforce the rules.

The Sassafras Bird Club was created and its activities were chronicled in the newspapers.  Elwood, a teacher who later founded the museum that bears his name, was the club’s first president.  In the 1930s trees were planted and trails, bridges and fireplaces were built.  An outdoor amphitheater and trailside museum were constructed.  The children of New East Main Street School prepared a Christmas tree with food for the birds every year.

In June 1934, Grace Kyle led an evening stroll at Sassafras, according to a newspaper account, “The first thing to greet the club members was a pair of lovely bluebirds busily engaged in preparing supper for their young in a nearby bluebird house.”  A garden had been planted to demonstrate the crops grown by local Indians.

Twenty attended a spring walk through Sassafras in April 1935, “The advance of the season was shown in the green leaves of the arbutus and the first blossoms of spring beauties and coltsfoot.  On a trail through the open spaces twenty different kinds of birds were observed.”  The walk was followed by a campfire breakfast. 

Walter Elwood died in 1955 and neglect of the Sassafras became an issue during the 1950s.  The trailside museum went up in smoke.  Amsterdam native Bruce Northrup recalled, “The neighborhood residents turned out in numbers to look over the ruins.”

There were ups and downs.  Boy Scouts placed 100 birdhouses in the park.  When the now closed Clara Bacon elementary school was built on Henrietta Boulevard in 1966 at the entrance to the Sassafras, wiring was put in for the sanctuary’s outdoor amphitheater and programs were put on for awhile.  However, by 1970 the birdhouses had disappeared and the electrical box for the amphitheater wiring was ruined by a shotgun blast. 

In 1971 Bacon school students once again began working on improving the bird sanctuary.  Later an elaborate playground, still in use, was built near the school.

Historian Hugh Donlon wrote in 1980, “Preservation programs were begun and abandoned in sequence and discouragement before onslaughts by destructionists operating beyond pale of official protection.”

Outdoor enthusiast John Naple said of his last visit to the Sassafras, “It is a great place, but needs some love.”  There were wildflowers in the woods.  Trails were passable but there was litter and blow-down along the trails. 

The walk focused on ferns growing in the sanctuary. Walkers also saw a “showy lady’s slipper” with thirteen blossoms. 

Among these the vesper sparrow, hermit thrush, tree swallow and fox sparrow have arrived within the last two weeks.”

Tomorrow Historians #402 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Friday, December 24, 2021-Marta McDowell on Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book. Friday Interview "29 Minutes"

This weekend the latest Historians Podcast also posts on The New York Almanack

https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/

Episode #402 will air next week on RISE the service for the blind WMHT 89.1FM Public Radio Albany

Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day 2021-Focus on History-Amsterdam opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta.

   In World War II Albert joined the Navy.  He met H. Jean Rower from Toledo, Ohio at a Navy concert in Corpus Christi, Texas, where they were both performing. 

Mohawk Valley Christmas Weather, Thursday, December 23, 2021

Daily Gazette 

Census Bureau: N.Y. population loss greatest in nation
WASHINGTON — U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this week show the slowest one-year population growth ever for the nation and…

https://dailygazette.com/

Amsterdam Muni questions raise concerns about consent resolutions at council meeting

AMSTERDAM — The Common Council declined to move an add-on item introduced during Tuesday’s meeting...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Christmas Eve Car Sleigh set to deliver presents in Gloversville Friday

by Jason Subik

https://www.leaderherald.com/

The Historians Podcast 2021 fund drive has exceeded its $5,000 goal!  Thanks to a very generous contribution from Amsterdam native Joan Breier Brodsky, plus contributions by Linda Hobbs and Scott Lorenz the fund drive has now raised $5,341.  Thank you to the 59 people who have donated to keep Historians Podcast going and keep history alive.  “It’s like public TV but for radio with a focus on US history,” wrote donor Scott Lorenz.  https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021 You may also contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

Tomorrow

Thursday, December 23, 2021- From the Archives of Focus on History in the Daily Gazette-Sassafras Bird Sanctuary

“Sassafras” is a kind of tree with aromatic leaves and bark used to make tea. The area called Sassafras Hollow is in west Amsterdam along Dove Creek.  The land was the 19th century estate of the Carmichael family.

Friday, December 24, 2021-Episode 402-Marta McDowell on Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book. Friday Interview "29 Minutes"

This Christmas Weekend in The Daily Gazette and Amsterdam Recorder

Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day 2021-Focus on History-Amsterdam opera singer Albert Sochin Dacosta.

When Albert’s voice changed he sang baritone...

Weather Including Christmas

Amsterdam and Mohawk Valley Weather, Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Daily Gazette 

Report shows Johnstown knew for over a year about need for qualified operator
The state Department of Health informed the city of Johnstown more than a year ago that the municipality needed to…

https://dailygazette.com/

Amsterdam IDA names Bearcroft executive directo

AMSTERDAM — The Amsterdam Industrial Development Agency has made Amanda Bearcroft’s interim...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Johnstown Town Board approves time clocks for employees

by Jason Subic

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Story Behind the Story podcast is an audio version of Saturday’s column on heroes who helped a Northville family survive a 1940 fire. Monday Audio Story "6 Minutes"

...also in October 1940

...the draft

The registration of 16 million men begins in the United States

The Monday, December 20, 2021 Historians Go Fund Me Update

$90.00 raised this past weekend

Over the next 12 Days, $160.00 needed to reach $5,000.00

Thanks to a generous contribution from Stephen Riegel, the Historians Podcast 2021 fund drive has $4,840. You may contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  Or donate online here: https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021   You may give anonymously and no donation is too small. Thank You

Make a Deposit on History "The Historians with Bob Cudmore on the Internet and Radio

Friday, December 24-Episode 402-Marta McDowell on Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at the history of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book.

Friday, December 31-Episode 403-Highlights Episode #5 ends 2021 with excerpts from John Rhodehamel on President Lincoln and assassin John Wilkes Booth; Jim Kaplan on Tammany Hall’s role in reviving Broadway theaters in the 1980s; Travis Proulx profiles a lumber baron from Croghan, NY; John Boessenecker on Pearl Hart, the Wild West's notorious woman bandit; Stephen Riegel on the disappearance of Judge Crater and Robert Gross on transcendentalism.

Coming in January 2022: Jim Kaplan on observance of Evacuation Day in New York City; New York State Historian Devin Lander and more.

...and with any luck, there is always tomorrow

Tuesday, December 21, 2021- From the Archives of Focus on History in the Daily Gazette-Toys at the hardware store.

Larrabee’s hardware store, located on Market Street in downtown Amsterdam for over 80 years, was a beloved institution.  Born in the town of Amsterdam in 1851, John E. Larrabee...

Heroes helped Northville family survive 1940 fire

By Bob Cudmore

   Fire that broke out Wednesday, October 2, 1940, in a first floor apartment on Second Street in Northville almost took the lives of the five children of the Rhodes family who were living there.

   The oldest was Shirley, born in 1930.  She told her mother smoke was coming from one of the bedrooms as she was getting her brothers and sisters up at eight a.m.

   Their mother, Esther Rose, got all but one of the children out of the burning building including Shirley, Earl, John and Mary Ann.  Three-year old Jimmy was missing. 

   Esther suffered smoke inhalation.  That morning Esther’s husband Arnold was working for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Speculator.   

   When firemen arrived Chief Loren E. Crannell was told of the missing child.  Chief Crannell put on a smoke mask and ran into the burning building where he found Jimmy, who had buried himself in his blanket, rolled out of bed and was up against a wall.

   Chief Crannell grabbed another blanket which he pulled over their heads.  He crawled out of the building carrying Jimmy.  Jimmy suffered smoke inhalation and shock. 

   Chief Crannell had cuts and bruises and the smoke bothered his throat the rest of his life.

   Mary Ann Rhodes Johnson, the youngest member of the family, provided information for this story, “Fire Chief Crannell is truly a hero and the Rhodes family was forever grateful to him.”

   Years later Jack Sands, Shirley’s husband, purchased a memorial brick with “Fire Chief Loren Crannell Northville NY” engraved on it.  The brick was placed in the Brick Memorial Park at the Firemen’s Museum in Hudson, N.Y.

   The story of the fire was told in the Northville Northampton Historical Society News Letter.  Gail Cramer, the editor, wrote, “I’m proud to say that Fire Chief Loren Crannell was my father.”

   The fire may have started from wiring in a bedroom wall.  The alarm was turned in by meat market owner Frank Langr whose store adjoined the Rhodes apartment.  After the fire he provided groceries and other support.

   Living upstairs were Mr. and Mrs. Leon Horton who made it out of the building safely but lost their belongings.

   The headline in the Gloversville newspaper stated, “Mother Saves Four, Fire Chief 5th Child From Burning Northville Home.” 

   After the fire, Jimmy stayed with his grandmother Alida Canfield.  His Aunt Rachel Mills was a nurse and lived next door.  The rest of the family stayed with Bertha and Clarence Resseguie, their aunt and uncle. 

   After the fire, Esther and Arnold had two more children, Carol and Joan.

   The family then lived in a house on Mechanic Street owned by Arch Dunham until the house was sold in the 1960s.

Others who helped the family included Oscar Chamberlin and his wife who owned a grocery store.  Dan and Emily Weaver provided transportation in their car.

   The family moved back to Second Street eventually.  Arnold had a big garden and the children helped.  After the war Arnold worked at Mohawk Carpet Mills in Amsterdam.  He died in 1965.  Esther died in 1978.  Mary Ann and Joan are the only Rhodes children alive today. 

   Jimmy Rhodes served in the U.S. Army then worked at General Electric in Schenectady.  He died in 2019 from a heart attack.  

   His sister Mary Ann Rhodes Johnson said Jimmy had his first heart attack at GE, “He was working on top of a generator when it happened and they had to get a crane to get him down so they could get him to the hospital.  (Sounds like he just liked to make things difficult when it came to saving his life.)” 

Mohawk Valley Elements for a new week, Monday, December 20, 2021

High pressure will bring mostly sunny and seasonably
cold conditions today. A weak disturbance and a cold front will
bring some scattered snow showers to the western Adirondacks late
Monday Night into Tuesday morning. High pressure builds back in
Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday night, as another clipper type system
brings some spotty rain and snow showers for the mid week.

December 20

1946

...the movie, you know

It's a Wonderful Life is released in New York City or you have a choice of Die Hard

Daily Gazette 

The Gloversville Common Council recently voted 6-1 to approve $787,443 worth of 2022 salaries for the city’s non-union administrative jobs,…

https://dailygazette.com/

In the holiday spirit, Amsterdam Elks sponsor families

AMSTERDAM — The Amsterdam Elks aren’t known for their covert operations, but lately members have...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Gloversville Common Council hires lawyers to defend against lawsuit

by Jason Subik

https://www.leaderherald.com/

Archives #102

The Historians with Bob Cudmore

Neil Yetwin, a history teacher, is author of a book on a War of 1812 hero who became the first Jewish New York State Assemblyman, “To My Son: The Life and War Remembrances of Captain Mordecai Myers.” 35 Minutes

War of 1812 memoirs of Mordecai Myers, Captain, 13th U.S. Infantry, United States Army, and the only Jewish-American officer serving on the Niagara Frontier during 1812-1813. Based partly on his letters, Myers describes his wartime experience, during which he was wounded. Myers turned to politics, serving in numerous positions, including New York State legislature and mayor of Schenectady, N.Y., and was a candidate for U.S. Senate.

Debuting on Historians Podcast this Friday, December 24, 2021 Episode 402-Marta McDowell author of  Unearthing the Secret Garden, a look at Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic children’s book

On The Historians Podcast-Upstate New York musicians Cosby Gibson and Tom Staudle have a new CD and concert featuring history songs about the labor union movement in America.  Songs include Sit Down, Solidarity Forever and Joe Hill. Scroll Down, by the way, scroll down is not one of their songs

We need to raise $160 in the next two weeks to reach the $5,000 goal 

Now at $4,840.00

 Your donation now will help us meet or surpass our goal.  You may contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  Or donate online here: https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021   You may give anonymously and no donation is too small. Please contribute so The Historians Podcast can keep Mohawk Valley history alive on the internet and radio with a new print and audio story posted seven days a week. 

Heroes helped Northville family survive 1940 fire

By Bob Cudmore

Tomorrow, Monday, December 20, 2021- Story Behind the Story podcast is an audio version of Saturday’s column on heroes who helped a Northville family survive a 1940 fire. Podcast "6 Minutes"

   Fire that broke out Wednesday, October 2, 1940, in a first floor apartment on Second Street in Northville almost took the lives of the five children of the Rhodes family who were living there.

   The oldest was Shirley, born in 1930.  She told her mother smoke was coming from one of the bedrooms as she was getting her brothers and sisters up at eight a.m.

   Their mother, Esther Rose, got all but one of the children out of the burning building including Shirley, Earl, John and Mary Ann.  Three-year old Jimmy was missing. 

   Esther suffered smoke inhalation.  That morning Esther’s husband Arnold was working for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Speculator.   

   When firemen arrived Chief Loren E. Crannell was told of the missing child.  Chief Crannell put on a smoke mask and ran into the burning building where he found Jimmy, who had buried himself in his blanket, rolled out of bed and was up against a wall.

   Chief Crannell grabbed another blanket which he pulled over their heads.  He crawled out of the building carrying Jimmy.  Jimmy suffered smoke inhalation and shock. 

   Chief Crannell had cuts and bruises and the smoke bothered his throat the rest of his life.

   Mary Ann Rhodes Johnson, the youngest member of the family, provided information for this story, “Fire Chief Crannell is truly a hero and the Rhodes family was forever grateful to him.”

   Years later Jack Sands, Shirley’s husband, purchased a memorial brick with “Fire Chief Loren Crannell Northville NY” engraved on it.  The brick was placed in the Brick Memorial Park at the Firemen’s Museum in Hudson, N.Y.

   The story of the fire was told in the Northville Northampton Historical Society News Letter.  Gail Cramer, the editor, wrote, “I’m proud to say that Fire Chief Loren Crannell was my father.”

   The fire may have started from wiring in a bedroom wall.  The alarm was turned in by meat market owner Frank Langr whose store adjoined the Rhodes apartment.  After the fire he provided groceries and other support.

   Living upstairs were Mr. and Mrs. Leon Horton who made it out of the building safely but lost their belongings.

   The headline in the Gloversville newspaper stated, “Mother Saves Four, Fire Chief 5th Child From Burning Northville Home.” 

   After the fire, Jimmy stayed with his grandmother Alida Canfield.  His Aunt Rachel Mills was a nurse and lived next door.  The rest of the family stayed with Bertha and Clarence Resseguie, their aunt and uncle. 

   After the fire, Esther and Arnold had two more children, Carol and Joan.

   The family then lived in a house on Mechanic Street owned by Arch Dunham until the house was sold in the 1960s.

Others who helped the family included Oscar Chamberlin and his wife who owned a grocery store.  Dan and Emily Weaver provided transportation in their car.

   The family moved back to Second Street eventually.  Arnold had a big garden and the children helped.  After the war Arnold worked at Mohawk Carpet Mills in Amsterdam.  He died in 1965.  Esther died in 1978.  Mary Ann and Joan are the only Rhodes children alive today. 

   Jimmy Rhodes served in the U.S. Army then worked at General Electric in Schenectady.  He died in 2019 from a heart attack.  

   His sister Mary Ann Rhodes Johnson said Jimmy had his first heart attack at GE, “He was working on top of a generator when it happened and they had to get a crane to get him down so they could get him to the hospital.  (Sounds like he just liked to make things difficult when it came to saving his life.)” 

Mohawk Valley Weather, Sunday, December 19, 2021

Daily Gazette 

Community efforts give new life to Canajoharie park with tragic past
For the past decade or so, Wintergreen Park has been associated with death. In a 433-foot-deep gorge, the Canajoharie Creek…

https://dailygazette.com/

Amsterdam school day goes well despite nationwide threats of violence

No incidents were reported in the Greater Amsterdam School District Friday, following recent posts...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Make Us Part of Your Day

https://www.leaderherald.com/

...when firemen arrived Chief Loren E. Crannell was told of the missing child.  Chief Crannell put on a smoke mask and ran into the burning building

$90.00 in the Last Two Days

Current total $4,840.00

$160.00 and brought to pass "Thank You"

Thanks to generous contributions from Elizabeth Russo and an anonymous donor, the Historians Podcast 2021 fund drive has reached $4,840. We need to raise $160 more in the next two weeks to reach our $5,000 goal.  Your donation now will help us meet or surpass our goal.  You may contribute by mail by making out a check to Bob Cudmore and sending to 125 Horstman Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.  Or donate online here: https://www.gofundme.com/historians-podcast-2021   You may give anonymously and no donation is too small. Please contribute so The Historians Podcast can keep history alive. Saturday Chit-Chat, hot air if you like and Cosby and Tom Podcast "38 Minutes"

Some weather in The Mohawk Valley Weather today following The new Focus on History Story

Heroes helped Northville family survive 1940 fire

By Bob Cudmore

Saturday, December 18, 2021

   Fire that broke out Wednesday, October 2, 1940, in a first floor apartment on Second Street in Northville almost took the lives of the five children of the Rhodes family who were living there.

   The oldest was Shirley, born in 1930.  She told her mother smoke was coming from one of the bedrooms as she was getting her brothers and sisters up at eight a.m.

   Their mother, Esther Rose, got all but one of the children out of the burning building including Shirley, Earl, John and Mary Ann.  Three-year old Jimmy was missing. 

   Esther suffered smoke inhalation.  That morning Esther’s husband Arnold was working for the Civilian Conservation Corps in Speculator.   

   When firemen arrived Chief Loren E. Crannell was told of the missing child.  Chief Crannell put on a smoke mask and ran into the burning building where he found Jimmy, who had buried himself in his blanket, rolled out of bed and was up against a wall.

   Chief Crannell grabbed another blanket which he pulled over their heads.  He crawled out of the building carrying Jimmy.  Jimmy suffered smoke inhalation and shock. 

   Chief Crannell had cuts and bruises and the smoke bothered his throat the rest of his life.

   Mary Ann Rhodes Johnson, the youngest member of the family, provided information for this story, “Fire Chief Crannell is truly a hero and the Rhodes family was forever grateful to him.”

Monday, December 20, 2021- Story Behind the Story podcast is an audio version of Saturday’s column on heroes who helped a Northville family survive a 1940 fire. Podcast "6 Minutes"

   Years later Jack Sands, Shirley’s husband, purchased a memorial brick with “Fire Chief Loren Crannell Northville NY” engraved on it.  The brick was placed in the Brick Memorial Park at the Firemen’s Museum in Hudson, N.Y.

   The story of the fire was told in the Northville Northampton Historical Society News Letter.  Gail Cramer, the editor, wrote, “I’m proud to say that Fire Chief Loren Crannell was my father.”

   The fire may have started from wiring in a bedroom wall.  The alarm was turned in by meat market owner Frank Langr whose store adjoined the Rhodes apartment.  After the fire he provided groceries and other support.

   Living upstairs were Mr. and Mrs. Leon Horton who made it out of the building safely but lost their belongings.

   The headline in the Gloversville newspaper stated, “Mother Saves Four, Fire Chief 5th Child From Burning Northville Home.” 

   After the fire, Jimmy stayed with his grandmother Alida Canfield.  His Aunt Rachel Mills was a nurse and lived next door.  The rest of the family stayed with Bertha and Clarence Resseguie, their aunt and uncle. 

   After the fire, Esther and Arnold had two more children, Carol and Joan.

   The family then lived in a house on Mechanic Street owned by Arch Dunham until the house was sold in the 1960s.

Others who helped the family included Oscar Chamberlin and his wife who owned a grocery store.  Dan and Emily Weaver provided transportation in their car.

   The family moved back to Second Street eventually.  Arnold had a big garden and the children helped.  After the war Arnold worked at Mohawk Carpet Mills in Amsterdam.  He died in 1965.  Esther died in 1978.  Mary Ann and Joan are the only Rhodes children alive today. 

   Jimmy Rhodes served in the U.S. Army then worked at General Electric in Schenectady.  He died in 2019 from a heart attack.  

   His sister Mary Ann Rhodes Johnson said Jimmy had his first heart attack at GE, “He was working on top of a generator when it happened and they had to get a crane to get him down so they could get him to the hospital.  (Sounds like he just liked to make things difficult when it came to saving his life.)” 

Tomorrow, Sunday, December 19, 2021--Archives #102

March 13, 2016

Neil Yetwin, a history teacher, is author of a book on a War of 1812 hero who became the first Jewish New York State Assemblyman, “To My Son: The Life and War Remembrances of Captain Mordecai Myers.”

Mohawk Valley Weekend Weather, Saturday, December 18, 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS
MORNING TO 7 AM EST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 7
inches. The highest totals will be over the southwest
Adirondacks, extreme northwest Saratoga County and portions of
Washington County.

* WHERE...The southwest Adirondacks excluding Hamilton and Warren
Counties, the Mohawk Valley, the northern portions of the
Capital Region including the Saratoga area, and Washington
County.

* WHEN...From 11 AM Saturday to 7 AM EST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions due to snow covered
roads and reduced vsibilities in the snowfall.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates will approach an inch an
hour late this afternoon into the early evening. Sleet may mix
in at times late this afternoon into early this evening across
the Mohawk Valley and northern portions of the Capital Region,
including central and southern Saratoga County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

Daily Gazette 

CAPITAL REGION — School districts in the greater area dealt with concerns surrounding school violence and threats made in the…

Canajoharie cultural center recognized for being forward-thinking
During the height of pandemic lockdowns, many community members parked outside the Canajoharie Library to connect to the wireless internet….

https://dailygazette.com/

Amsterdam school day goes well despite nationwide threats of violence

No incidents were reported in the Greater Amsterdam School District Friday, following recent posts...

https://www.recordernews.com/

Leader Herald

Gloversville school district received 2 online threats, others impacted by posts

https://www.leaderherald.com/