HISTORY COLUMN
By Tom Heitz |
35 Years Ago – June 1973 The fisheries study being conducted by the Department of Natural Resources of Cornell University has revealed a large population of 10 to 13 inch black crappies (calico bass) in Canadarago Lake. The netting this spring has also revealed a few of the stocked muskellunge have survived in the lake. The study being conducted is designed to determine the effect of the new Richfield Springs’ sewerage treatment plant on the fish population. The plant is one of the most modern in the state and the only plant designed to remove phosphorus. 40 Years Ago – June 1968 Richfield Springs Central School teacher Felix C. Guernier writes (in part): “Much has been written about the readiness of present day children when they come to our kindergartens and first grades. Numerous articles can be cited about the learning capabilities of three and four-year-olds and the tremendous progress that can be achieved with this age group in our Head Start and pre-kindergarten programs. Countless times we hear educators talking about the mature vocabulary and recognition ability of this age group. Television is frequently given credit as being the primary reason that children in this age group are more “ready” for formal education than we were at a similar age. Perhaps television is getting more credit when it deserves more criticism. Hasn’t it made the job of the classroom teacher more difficult? The child has been entranced for so long with such a variety of entertainment that most classroom teachers cannot compete for this same attention. No classroom teacher could compete with Captain Kangaroo for the attention of any primary school age group. Certainly television has taken time that we used to spend on other things.”
50 Years Ago – June 1958 James McKee Jr., assistant vice-president and manager of the Richfield Springs branch of the State Bank of Albany, will report to the main office of the bank in the capital for additional training and future assignment within the bank’s system. Mr. McKee has been associated with the Richfield Springs branch operation for the past 18 years, and has been the managing officer four years. Mr. McKee is the son of Mrs. Marie T. McKee of Richfield Springs and the late James McKee, former president of the First National Bank of Richfield Springs. He is the third generation of the McKee family to have been associated with the former First National Bank of Richfield Springs. His grandfather, Myron A. McKee, was called to be the first cashier of the bank when it was first organized in 1882.
60 Years Ago – June 1948 Timely Town Topics – Pfc. Russell Soule, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clauson Soule of Richfield Springs, has completed a course of Army basic training at the 9th Infantry Division, Fort Dix, New Jersey. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Lincourt in Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, on Thursday, June 10. He has been named Laurence Lincourt Jr. Frederick W. Druse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Druse, was graduated from Alfred University last week. Miss Ollie Plaskon is home from Cortland State College after completing her freshman year. A public parking lot at the rear of the Masonic Block, Main Street, will be opened next week. This greatly needed convenience to the community and its neighbors is being made available by Richfield Springs Masonic Lodge with the cooperation of the village board and Ainslie Buck, Mrs. S.A. Haggerty, Mrs. Grace Getman, and Chef Diner, property owners.
75 Years Ago – June 1933 About 2,000 members of the Dairymen’s League Cooperative Association, Inc. gathered in Syracuse last week. President Fred H. Sexauer warned against Communistic influences which seek to utilize present discontent with economic conditions to justify attacks on government and established organizations, like the League.
Richfield – Last Friday morning, Herbert Woodbury saw a deer in his pasture, a short distance from the barn. (Ed. Note: Deer sightings were rare at this time and were invariably noted in the newspaper columns with about the same regularity presently accorded to bears.) 100 Years Ago – June 1908 A home-made refrigerator – Take two large boxes, the second one somewhat smaller on all sides, and bore two one-inch holes in each correspondingly, to give drainage and ventilation. Fill up the bottom of the larger box with powdered charcoal (or sawdust, if charcoal cannot be procured) until the smaller box will stand on a level with the top of the larger box. Put the inner box in place, and fill up the space around the sides with charcoal. Fasten lids on both boxes tightly. On each side of the inner box, by means of cleats, put several shelves, leaving a space in the center for the ice. A rack of lathing may be laid at the bottom for the ice to rest upon. Legs may be added also, and the drainage and ventilation in this way be improved. This is a rough refrigerator, to be sure, but one that has been successfully used in our home for years.
Resources for this column have been provided courtesy of the New York State Historical Association Library.
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