The premarital bliss between Tom Flanagan and fellow historian Mindy McDonnell is disrupted by mysterious writing on their living room wall and a sudden visit from their former adversary, Martha Radisson. Her fresh and unexpected insights regarding the circumstances of the unexplained disappearance of Tom's brother Patrick sends Tom on a harrowing journey, from the Saint Lawrence River in the present day, to the Anti-Rent Wars of 1840's Upstate New York. Strange, time-bending forces abound, but Tom finds aid from his friends at "The 357" in Clinton Falls, the motley crew of River Rat Reporters in the Thousand Islands, and a puzzling folk singer named Lodi from Delaware County. As he desperately seeks the truth, Tom's stubborn determination to find answers might very well destroy not only his relationship with Mindy, but his own personal existence.Ariel's Gift takes its readers on a heart-pounding historical and spiritual adventure, first begun in Cornflower's Ghost and continued in Napoleon's Gold. The characters, places and events fully come to life in the hands of this most entertaining and informative storyteller.
Ulysses Grant is dying of throat cancer. Surrounded by intimates, Grant attempts to write his memoirs in his final days. This is a spellbinding tale of an American hero trying to win one last battle. Based upon original source materials, the story is an accurate depiction of who and what filled the mind and last days of the man who saved the Union.
The Erie Canal made New York into The Empire State and transformed the shape of a young nation. The official seals of the municipalities along the canal tell its history. First published in 2010, this Erie Canal Bicentennial Edition has been revised and expanded to include extra information for school children, history buffs and educators.
Schenectady's Vale Cemetery was established in 1857 as part of the "Rural Cemetery Movement" of the early 19th century. When it was originally designed by Burton A. Thomas and John Doyle, it indeed was rural. Expansion of residential and commercial development eventually engulfed the area around the cemetery, and it is now an integral part of the city. Vale is not only a beautiful and well laid out cemetery-it is also a history lesson. Many of the residents buried at Vale made major notable contributions to American history in science, politics, military, literature, education, business and invention, and a host of other disciplines. Laid out among the 33,000 residents at Vale are many names found in history books. Among the millionaires and notables can be found the small business owner, tailor, soldier or iron worker. The book contains chapters on the burial practices during Schenectady's first 200 years of history, the development of The Vale over more than a century, and a description of the various plots, such as the Union College Plot and the African-American Burial Plot. Extensive appendices include short biographies of 101 notable people, as well as a listing of plantings throughout the acreage. Hundreds of photographs and illustrations make this an indispensable narrative to the history of the city that was once known as "The City that Lights and Hauls the World."
When Vincent Schaefer (1906-1993) had to leave high school in 1922 at the age of 16 to help support his family, little did he know that he was about to embark upon one of the most astounding careers in the world of science. Beginning as an apprentice instrument maker at the legendary General Electric Research Laboratory, Vince was soon called upon by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Irving Langmuir to be his laboratory assistant. Thus began a 20-year collaboration that led to Vince earning eighteen patents, hundreds of publications, and three honorary doctoral degrees. His independent research, aided by the process of "serendipity," led to his invention of cloud seeding, preservation of ice crystals, advanced television tubes, and other instruments and techniques that advanced several fields of scientific inquiry. When he left the GE Labs in the 1950s, he became Director of Research for the Munitalp Foundation, and later was a co-founder and Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center at the University at Albany (New York). A naturalist and avid hiker since his youth, Vince was instrumental in studying, conserving and establishing many of upstate New York's natural preserves and trails, and was the visionary who originally conceived of the Long Path, a hiking trail running from New York City to his beloved Adirondack Mountains. He was the founder of both the Mohawk Valley Hiking Club and the Schenectady Wintersports Club, where he established the nation's first Ski Patrol, and made Gore Mountain into a skiing destination. His natural curiosity as a boy led him into archaeological and historical field research later in life, where he focused on such subjects as the old Erie Canal and the preservation of Dutch Barns across the state. This autobiography, written in Vincent Schaefer's easy-going, readable style, and filled with personal and historical photos, is complemented by a chapter of stories and memories composed by friends, family and former professional colleagues. His important memoir begins with the words, "I have led an interesting life!" An interesting life indeed! About the Editor: Don Rittner is an American historian, archeologist, environmental activist, educator, and author living in New York's Capital District. He has published more than 30 books, more than a thousand articles, publisher of three magazines and scientific journals, and a former columnist for the Troy Record newspaper. He currently writes a history blog for the Albany Times Union.
In the 19th century, New York State experienced a "Golden Age" of hop growing. During that time, The Empire State was an agricultural powerhouse that produced almost 90% of the hop crop of the United States. But the dominance of this market, which lasted for nearly six decades, was achieved by vast numbers of small, independent hop growers, for whom hops were only a part of their overall agricultural production. How did they do this? What were the methods and tools they used? And what were the external factors and mistakes made that caused New York to relinquish its leadership in this lucrative, but labor-intensive market? With the craft beer renaissance in New York now in full swing, the interest in growing hops commercially for craft and farm breweries has surged once again. What could today's small-scale hop growers learn from their predecessors? Hop historian Al Bullard answers these questions by focusing on the handful of counties in Central New York that were the center of hop culture. Using the farm diary of one successful Upstate farmer, the author provides a guide to the seasonal cycles of running a hop farm. He presents a fascinating survey of the unique hop tools used by the growers, and gives us insight into how they were used, and at what time of the year. With over 200 illustrations and supplemented with a brief overview of the styles of hop kilns found in the region, this first-ever study to focus specifically on New York State's legendary hop industry is sure to become a classic in the field.--
Each year in April the poets of New York's Capital Region make their annual pilgrimage to Voorheesville, a quiet upstate village nestled among the shadows of the Helderberg Escarpement in western Albany County. They are inspired by the quest to have their name engraved upon the coveted trophy of William Shakespeare given to the poet crowned as Laureate of Smith's Tavern. The contest, a rousing success since its inception, is organized by the Sunday Four Poets, an open-mic poetry forum dedicated to continuing the rich cultural legacy of Voorheesville and the adjacent hilltowns. Both the forum, held the fourth Sunday of each month, and the contest, are open to any interested poets. This edition features three poems each by Poet Laureate Howard Kogan, Marilyn Paarlberg, and obeeduid, as well as one poem each from the other participating poets.
Howard J. Kogan began writing poetry in his twenties, but set it aside to pursue family life and a career as a social worker and psychotherapist. In his sixties he returned to writing poetry, a time he wistfully refers to as his "Indian summer." In 2011, Howard was named Poet Laureate of Smith's Tavern, an annual contest held in Voorheesville featuring the top poets of New York's Capital Region. This first collection of fifty poems includes the six he submitted for the 2010 and 2011 Smith's Tavern contests. Howard and his wife Libby enjoy rural life in the Taconic Mountains of upstate New York.
Based on both Napoleonic history and the history of upstate New York, "Napoleon's Gold" exudes a deep reverence for the Saint Lawrence River and the Thousand Islands that comes from personal knowledge, leaving the reader wanting to explore both the region and the deeper mysteries of their own experience. 362 pp.
BOOK SUMMARY: In 1954, New York State Electric & Gas ceased operations at their Oneonta, New York hydro-electric power plant and drained a 50-acre pond known affectionately to area residents as "Electric Lake." Today, as motorists speed through Oneonta on I-88, only a stream remains of this largely forgotten gem of Oneonta's past. Once the primary recreational site of a bustling railroad town, Electric Lake provided area residents with boating, fishing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. The lake also lent its resources to electric power for NYSEG, the D&H railroad shops, and the Oneonta Trolley Line, and was the source of material for the Oneonta Ice Company in winter. Now almost completely reclaimed by the natural world, the grounds are still haunted by remnants of the dam, railroad trestles, and boat launches. Not without its share of tragic events, the story of Electric Lake has been recovered by author and historian Jim Loudon, who has collected images, facts, and personal memories from those who can still recall this fond chapter in Oneonta's history. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jim Loudon is a native of Otsego County and currently resides in the West End of Oneonta, New York. He graduated from the State University of New York College at Oneonta in 1972 with a BS in Liberal Arts, majoring in art and history. In 1982 Jim organized the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society, which currently operates the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Railroad tourist train ride, and for which he has served as Conductor, Engineer, and Brakeman. For over two decades Jim has devoted his time to researching the local area's railroad history, authoring several articles on the subject, as well two books, The Oneonta Roundhouse, and Leatherstocking Rails: A History of Railroading Along the Upper Susquehanna (2005). A practitioner of the visual arts, the subjects of Jim's paintings, drawings and photographs include wildlife, landscapes, locomotives and antique tractors.
Each year in April the poets of New York's Capital Region make their annual pilgrimage to Voorheesville, a quiet upstate village nestled among the shadows of the Helderberg Escarpement in western Albany County. They are inspired by the quest to have their name engraved upon "the Willie," the coveted trophy given to the poet crowned as Laureate of Smith's Tavern. The contest, a rousing success since its inception, is organized by the Sunday Four Poets, an open-mic poetry forum dedicated to continuing the rich cultural legacy of Voorheesville and the adjacent hilltowns. Both the forum, held the fourth Sunday of each month, and the contest, are open to any interested poets. This chapbook edition features three poems each by Howard Kogan, Carolee Sherwood, and Barbara Vink, the 2010 Poet Laureate.
Mankind has always developed symbols that relate to location, nationality, family, and more. Over the centuries in Europe a set of rules developed around heraldry, primarily through rank and privilege, but especially with monarchies and nobility. What happened when people came to America, and there was no monarchy, and essentially no central authority for municipal symbols? What happened is what this book is about. The Hudson River Valley of New York State has a unique Dutch heritage expressed in many ways, including through the official seals and logos of counties, towns, cities, and villages. These seals are found on the official government letterheads and web sites, on the police and fire vehicles, on the walls of municipal chambers, and even in works of art. As residents, we often get to choose them through our Board of Supervisors or Town Councils. Therefore, in this area of New York, you will find windmills, illustrations of a 17th century ship, and unique Dutch names-Rensselaer, Watervliet, Stuyvesant, Yonkers, Kinderhook, etc. 400 years after Henry Hudson and 345 years after the Dutch formally relinquished claim to New York, the Dutch influence is both subtle and pervasive. This influence is a part of our daily lives. In 2009 sigillographer Marvin Bubie first collected the images of these Dutch-influenced seals and related the history behind their design. This second edition is revised and expanded and includes 77 illustrations.
"It was a cold, clear first day of winter when we laid Billy Masterson to rest in the water he loved. The river was glazed over near the shore that day but hadn't yet frozen. We followed Billy's instructions, given to Jim Pembroke several years before, exactly as he had written them. "The five remaining River Rat Reporters were with me that day. Mindy was too, having returned to the river from Buffalo after finishing the semester. The seven of us drove to the top of the American span of the Thousand Islands bridge and stopped our three vehicles to unload Billy's wrapped body from the back of my pickup. At the exact moment of the winter solstice, at 2:22 in the afternoon, a Canadian bagpiper played Amazing Grace as we lifted the body over one railing and onto the pedestrian walkway, one hundred fifty feet above the Saint Lawrence ..." Thus ends "Napoleon's Gold," Thomas Pullyblank's ambitious novel of historical discovery and spiritual wonder that feeds the imagination of all who know and love the Thousand Islands. In this remarkable collection of short stories, also set amidst the mesmerizing beauty of the Thousand Islands, Pullyblank picks up right where "Napoleon's Gold" left off. In reading these Thousand Islands Tales you'll share a ghostly adventure through space and time that fulfills a River Rat's deepest desire; an encounter with a shipwreck that will change a river matron's life forever; some unique Thousand Islands history as understood by a thoughtful teen; a dangerous thrill-ride that strengthens the bond between two cousins; a Christmas morning birth in the most unlikely of circumstances; the end-of-life reminiscences of a wealthy Thousand Islands aristocrat; and a River Rat's history-making journey home.
A still-grieving widower finds himself longing for the kind of companionship he had before the sudden death of his wife three years earlier. Dave Foster's beachside residence provides him comfort, solace, and a bucolic view of Vineyard Sound, but it's hardly enough to sustain this curious and fun-loving septuagenarian. A chance meeting with Charlie Jamison, a fellow war veteran also suffering the loss of his beloved wife, quickly turns into an unexpected friendship that will connect their lives in ways neither anticipated. The budding friendship allows each man to experience the laughter and camaraderie missing from their lives. Through the stories of Dave's adolescent past, each stumbles into love with two very different and equally compelling women. From a seaside bench, Dave and Charlie discover that life is for the living, asking themselves, "What happens when the kind of tomorrow you've hoped for finally arrives?" Set in and around Casco Bay and Martha's Vineyard, Ed Matthews delivers a heartwarming tale about a second chance at life and what it takes to find a way in a world full of new people and new rules. Ed Matthews lives with his wife, Carol, in upstate New York's Greater Rochester area. A graduate of Alfred University, he was employed as a history teacher and football coach at Caledonia-Mumford Central School for thirty-two years. He is a veteran of the Korean War and served two terms as mayor of the Village of Caledonia. Ed is the father of four grown children and nine grandchildren. Bench Talk is his sixth published effort.
In 1873 a pair of Oneonta businessmen initiated the Oneonta Fair, an endeavor that would grow into the second largest fair in the State and become known as the Central New York Fair. For one week in September thousands of visitors would fill Oneonta streets and hotels, coming from as far away as New England and Pennsylvania. The Fair offered acrobats, wild animals, midway rides, public weddings, parachute jumpers, horse races, and even the Golden Globe of Death! The most popular attraction was the Floral Parade, a procession of horses and floats decorated with hundreds of thousands of flowers, and which drew crowds of 30,000 in a single day. The Fair always tried to provide sensational new attractions, featuring an airship in 1906 and the first airplane in 1910. But, due to the increasing popularity of the automobile during the 1920's, fairgoers began staying only one day, and attendance began to drop off. In 1927 the Fair was canceled, its iconic and beautiful buildings torn down, and the fairgrounds developed into building lots to create what is today the Belmont Circle neighborhood. Peppered with colorful characters and a sense of nostalgia, the story of the Oneonta Fair has been recovered by author and historian Jim Loudon, who has collected images, facts, and personal memories from those who can still recall this fond chapter in Oneonta's history. Illustrated and indexed. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jim Loudon is a native of Otsego County and currently resides in the West End of Oneonta. He graduated from the State University of Oneonta in 1972 with a BS in Liberal Arts, majoring in art and history. In 1982 he organized the Leatherstocking Railway Historical Society which currently operates the Cooperstown and Charlotte Valley Train Ride, on which he as worked as Brakeman and Conductor. Jim has written three books on local history: The Oneonta Roundhouse, Leatherstocking Rails, and Electric Lake.
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