Contents
Annual Ziti Dinner on Election Day
Treasure Chest at Historical Society – Silvia Briber
The
buried treasure is in a little gray and cream speckled shoe-like file box,
tucked away on a low shelf at the Schenectady County Historical Society at 32
Washington Avenue.
This little box contains priceless items!
Have you ever wondered what your house looked like years ago? Well, here in this box is a collection of photos of Stockade houses that records how they looked in 1962, taken for the National Register of Historic Places. Why would you care, you say?
In riding my bicycle one early September morning, I chanced upon Bill Bibby working on his house at 7 Washington Avenue, soon to be featured on the Walkabout as a “work in progress.” You may remember it as the home of long time Stockade neighbors, Emily and Percy Phelps. Bill was thinking about putting up a railing on the porch, in between the existing columns. And, as we both stood looking at the porch, it did almost seem like there was a railing there at one time.
I
recalled coming across this little box of photos at the Historical Society and
told Bill I would check to see what his house looked like in 1962. So I did and
sure enough, there was the railing. At the Historical Society I made a
photocopy of the photo and gave it to Bill.
This photo proved crucial in providing the needed evidence to The Schenectady Historic Commission for Bill obtaining their permission to put a railing on the porch.
That little box at the Historical Society is waiting for
you. Just ask Ginny LaGoy, the librarian, to point
you to it.
Autumn in the Stockade – Krystyna Kusielewicz
The memories of summer
Are not yet gone;
Yet the first signs Of autumn
Are there to behold.
On the ground,
A carpet of leaves
In red, auburn and gold;
And up in the sky
A flock of geese
Flying South
In a lopsided V.
Orange, magenta
And golden mums
Adorning the streets
And the fiery sunsets
Over the Mohawk
Announcing cold winds.
Type some text.
Wunderbar 2001
The
Riverview Entertainment’s sprightly revue of German music and comedy revue
plays to the public in a dinner theater production Thursday through Saturday
evenings and a Sunday matinee, November 8, 9,10 &
11 at the Mohawk Club, 1 North Church St. Dinner is at 6:30 with show
following: music and comedy from beer hail to cabaret and opera houses of
Berlin and Munich.
Stockade Association members qualify for a 25% discount price of $16.50 for the Thursday or Friday performances only. Tickets for Saturday are $24. For reservations, call 393-8024. Indicate Stockade membership to qualify for the discount.
It’s not a Muzzle – Alexander
Aguila, DVM
Many
of you in the Stockade may have seen me walking around with my tall and long
greyhound “Argus.” You may have noticed the black nylon “muzzle” over his long
nose and WIDE-OPEN mouth before you noticed his beautiful white coat and
brindle patches. To clarify, what you saw was not a muzzle, and as you saw, it
did not prevent him from smiling with a mouth open wide. It is a specially
designed “head collar that humanely prevents him from pulling my arm out of its
socket without having to choke him or dig prongs into his neck.
When I rescued “Argus” from a racetrack three years ago, I quickly found that his mind and body wanted to go after that squirrel, and that it did not matter to him if my arm went along for the ride. I quickly found out that occasional sudden bursts of up to 40 mph out of a dog that spends most of the day lying on a couch, could be harmful to both his neck and my shoulder joint. This head collar was the ideal alternative.
The two companies I know of that make these head collars (Haiti and Gentle Leader) claim that it is a humane way for a very small person to have control over a very large dog on walks (though, the collars come in sizes to fit small dogs as well). Since the leash clips underneath the chin, like it does on a horse’s halter, you have control of the dog’s head, and therefore, of the dog. “Argus’s” pulling action forces his head to face me, making it impossible for him to pull me forward. It’s simple physics, and it works. Most importantly, it works without hurting him. These collars are obtainable at big pet stores or through animal apparel catalogues, like “Foster’s and Smith.” Be patient. It may take your dog a week or two to get used to the collar. . . but he will.
(Mr. Aguila, a Stockade resident, is a Surgical Intern for the
Veterinary Specialties Referral Center, in Pattersonville,
NY)
Going Dutch
– Walkabout a Great Success - SyIvie
Briber, co-chair
The leaves were bright, the sun was warm, the trolley and carriage were always full and people were happy! A perfect day and another successful tour of old homes in the Stockade. 700 visitors walked about the Stockade and toured homes, churches, the Historical Society, the Knights of Columbus, the Hudson River Bank and Trust Co. and the Mabee Farm.
Several things were new this year: 1) we had two much appreciated underwriters to help with expenses: Hudson River Bank and Trust Co., and the Heritage Foundation; 2) we hired the City trolley to transport visitors to the historic Dutch Mabee Farm outside of the Stockade; 3) we sent out a three-fold brochure describing the tour with a tear-off for advance tickets, netting $2,000 as early as mid September!
We thank all the home owners for their generosity in allowing so many visitors to walk through their private spaces, all the docents and tour guides who gave colorful descriptions, the ticket sellers, the balloon blowers and runners, the cookie bakers and tea servers from the Historical Society, the wonderful Horlepiep Dutch Dancers, the serenading “Curragh’ Irish Band, and the strolling singers, “In Good Company.” A special thank you to members of the steering committee who spent hours attending meetings, making phone calls, lining up houses, arranging for publicity and getting mailings out.
Through these efforts we were able to create net proceeds of approximately $8,261 - an increase over the $7,400 from last year.
And last, but most importantly, a great big thank you to Anne and Joe Bernat who have led wonderful Walkabouts for so many years. Unfortunately for us they are moving away. We will certainly miss you both and miss all the fun you brought to the Walkabout. Good luck!
Light up the Stockade
Again this year, along with the Downtown Schenectady Christmas Parade on Friday, November 23, Proctor’s Theater is having The Festival Of Trees on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 21, 23, 24 and 25.
To add to the atmosphere, Stockaders are asked to put lights in their house windows, or lights somewhere outside their homes in time for these events, Of course this is very early in the season, but all the folks planning the Festival and Parade would appreciate early support from residents in making the Stockade special for the holidays.
Stockade Association Minutes –Bob Briber
Joe Fava called the meeting to order at
7:05 PM in the offices of Feibes and Schmitt. Present, in addition to Joe, were Meredith Anker, Bob Briber, Connie Colangelo, Diane DeMeo, Brad Fisher, Emily Klotz, Ruth Harvey, Peter Rumora, and Jennifer Wells.
Anne Siddell joined the group as a visitor, to discuss the opportunity for grants for local agencies through Metroplex. She said there were seed grants for up to 200 hours of technical planning services, and up to $30, 000, to assist in local planning and additional grants in downtown development initiatives. Joe had also talked with Jamie Lahut and Milt Mitchell, discussing the same general subject. Anne will talk with Mr. Lahut again and fly to get clear guidance from him as to what exactly is wanted and how precise it has to be. Joe will set up an “adjunct committee” of several people, besides himself, to think out the general elements of a 5 or 10 years plan of improvements to the Stockade. The group discussed these issues at length.
Meredith reported that there currently is $11,197.12 in checking and $16,000 in CDs. Her Treasurer’s report was accepted, and the Minutes of the previous Board meeting were read and approved.
The group discussed the Walkabout. The event made some $8660 and was a great success with an excellent turnout. Several elements of the event were discussed such as providing more tickets at Arthur’s and the unexpected closing of St. George’s early in the afternoon. The group also discussed organization of the event next year - since the Bernats are moving away - and asked that Sylvia Briber suggest how to handle it.
Meredith gave the garden group’s report for Susanna. The Re-Tree Schenectady had received an additional $1000 for trees; fourteen of which have been designated for North College St. and will go in on October 27. Volunteers are needed to help with planting. The second phase of the Gateway project also has been completed.
The group discussed the Christmas tree lighting. A child to
light the tree has been identified, and Emily will ask Father McSwain to do the dedication. We are looking for $180 for
the tree itself; reference to the need should appear in The Spy.
The group discussed recent letters in The Gazette regarding the Art Show.
Joe said that he had talked with Milt Mitchell about traffic patterns in the Stockade, and will have information to discuss at the Association’s general meeting after the immediately affected people are consulted.
Future meeting dates:
Board
November 6 7 PM
December 4 7 PM
at the Feibes & Schmitt Offices
General Membership
November 8 7 PM social hour
7:30 PM general meeting
at the Schenectady Historical Society
Respectfully submitted,
Bob Briber
Birds of the Stockade - James
L. Taft AKA Capt. Eagle Eyes
One of the birds that I’ve seen in and around the Stockade is the House Finch. The male has a brown cap; front of head, bib and rump are typically red but can vary to orange or occasionally yellow. The bib is clearly set off from streaked under parts. The female is brown streaked overall. People usually confuse the male House Finch with the Purple Finch. The Purple has rose red over most of its body, brightest on head and rump. Roger-Tory Peterson calls it a sparrow dipped in raspberry juice. It does go to feeders for seeds as does the House Finch.
Did you see… - Diane
Buckley
The floral painted giraffe peeking out of the living room window at 5 Front St. - The home of Elizabeth Dunn and her family? She brought it back from Mexico. Its a complete animal but only the head is visible locking at you with beautiful blue eyes.
The Union College students with
traffic counters at the corners of Erie Boulevard at Union St. and also
Liberty? I talked with Liz Schweihs and Dan Cocozza at the Civil Engineering Transportation Engineering
class. Earlier this year they did a timed pedestrian flow
observation to cheek the variables in single and group crossings. Now They’re determining traffic light phases for best flow of
vehicles. Results can’t be used officially because they’re not yet
professionals.
The giant flag hanging from the
and floor back porch of 151 Front St.? Walk down Ingersoll.
Did you know...
Mary Clare O’Connor and Steve Kowalski rented
an apartment at 6 Washington Avenue, liked the area and quietude of the deep
back yard overlooking the Binnekill so much that
they bought the house?
The largest maple tree on the lawn at St.
George’s Church is probably 150-200 years old?
That’s what grounds-keeper Albert Relyea
thinks. Take a look at that trunk.
The Stockade predated Plymouth Rock by four
years? It didn’t. I read it in The Gazette’s article about our recent
Walkabout.
Schenectady Historic Commission Rules
According to the Zoning Ordinance for the City, any work done that can be seen from the public right of way must go before the Historic District Commission for review. This includes landscaping, painting (even if The paint is the same color as the existing paint), and any other construction or repairs done on the property. If anyone is unsure if the work they plan to do on their property qualifies for historic Commission review, they can call the Department of Development at 382-5147 and ask for Christine Slovak who will be happy to answer any questions.
Annual Ziti Dinner on Election Day
Take it easy on election day and just walk to dinner with your friends!
The Fifth Annual Ziti Dinner on Election Day, Nov. 6th will be sponsored by Holy Cross Church at 18 North Church St. The dinner includes ziti, meatballs, salad, bread and butter, dessert and coffee. Servings will be from 4 --8 PM and the donation is $6 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years of age. Take out service is available by calling 377-3818. Information 372-3381, ext. ll~. Delicious and fun!
Tidings
We welcome our new neighbors:
Ed Pavlic, Stacey Barnum and their children to Washington Avenue.
Good luck to the following Stockaders
running for office:
Karen Johnson
for County Legislature
Peggy King for
City Council
Eli Taub for Family Court Judge
We extend our deepest sympathies to
the families of two former Stockade neighbors who passed away during the
summer:
Frank “John”
Papa formerly of Front Street
Russell
Hancock Lyddane, formerly of Washington Avenue.
The Stockade Spy is published monthly, September through
May, and distributed to Stockade residents at the beginning of each month. Deadline for entries is the 15th
of the previous month.
Last revised: 11/1/2005