HISTORY COLUMN
By Tom Heitz |
10 Years Ago – February 1999 More streets in the village of Richfield Springs will not be opened to snowmobiles this winter, according to Mayor Jerry Buck. The village board had been asked to add several streets to those already open to snowmobiles, but after several residents complained about how the recreational vehicles were being driven around the village, the board tabled a measure to increase their range. Members of the Canadarago Snowtoppers had lobbied for greater access, saying that this would help stimulate local commerce. Other residents asked that snowmobile access be curtailed because a few operators were driving recklessly. The Snowtoppers insisted these drivers were not members of their club and called on the board to enact, specific, enforceable laws governing snowmobile use in the village. 20 Years Ago – February 1989
Volunteers will soon begin surveying home on Center, Park and Division streets in Richfield Springs so the village can apply for a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant to rehabilitate housing in that area. Charles Pannaci of Richfield Springs has volunteered to direct surveys of homes in the target area. The grant could provide the village as much as $400,000 to improve housing, according to Anthony Scalici, director of the Otsego Rural Housing Association. HUD awards Community Development Block grants to cities with a population of less than 20,000. Richfield Springs will compete with other small cities to receive the grant. 50 Years Ago – February 1959
The Top Ten records this week are: “I Don’t Need You Anymore,” by Teddy Bears; “You Tear Me Up,” Ricky Nelson; “Charlie Brown,” The Coasters; “All American Boy,” Bill Parsons; Stagger Lee,” Lloyd Price; “I’ve Had It,” the Bell Notes; “With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair,” Pat Boone; “Plain Jane,” Bobby Darin; “I’ve Got a Wife,” Mark VI; and “The Lonely One,” Duane Eddy. The Food Travel Basket, with a profit of $32, made its return at the Thursday night meeting of the Cary Guild in the home of Mrs. Edward Bernhardt. The Basket visited the home of each member this year and as it made its round an article of food from a favorite recipe was placed in it and purchased by the next recipient. Mrs. B.W. House, presiding chairman, announced that the basket will start another round of members next week. A fine of five cents is charged for keeping the basket longer than a week. 60 Years Ago – February 1949
Corporal Milan Kucerak, 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kucerak of the Town of Stark, met death Sunday, January 30, in a fire which destroyed an Army Air Force barracks at Yokota, Japan. Word of the tragic death came Wednesday from Tokyo. Milan was graduated in the class of 1946 from the Van Hornesville Central School. He was active in baseball, football, and the F.H.A. He was stationed in this country for awhile and went overseas not long ago. Milan’s fondness for the service led his younger brother Paul to follow in his footsteps and enlist. 75 Years Ago – February 1934
According to Civil Works program director Robert M. Rose, the sum of $60,450.54 has been paid out in Otsego County in federal wages since the program went into operation last fall. Compared with that amount, the local communities have expended about $111,000 for the purchase of materials for use in the projects. The principal dissatisfaction with the program at the present time, Rose said, lay in the fact that so many people have been unable to secure work. This was due largely to the publicity that accompanied the announcement last November which led the public to believe that anyone and everyone could get jobs. Over 2,500 enrolled for work in Otsego County and work was available for only between 700 and 750, Rose explained. 100 Years Ago – February 1909
“Little Buckshot,” a three-act melodrama, will be presented at Grange Hall in Van Hornesville by the members of the Grange on Monday evening, February 22. Admission is 10, 20 and 30 cents and seats are now on sale at L.F. Eckler’s. Following the presentation of this interesting play there will be dancing with music by Smith’s orchestra of five pieces, the bill for which, including supper, will be 75 cents. Rev. Alexander H. Grant, the new Rector of St. John’s Church, arrived here from Fulton Saturday and occupied the pulpit of his new charge for the first time Sunday. Resources for this column have been provided courtesy of the New York State Historical Association Library.
|
|