Week of August 29
August 28, 1875 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
AROUND HOME — PICNIC AT “SYLVAN GROVE”
Last Friday Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Wood, of Clarksville, gave a picnic in “Sylvan Grove,” Rockland Lake, for the especial enjoyment of the ladies employed by them in the shoe-fitting business. —The party arrived upon the ground at about 11:30 a.m., and soon settled themselves down for a good time generally. The afternoon passed very pleasantly, and all those present enjoyed the occasion exceedingly. In the evening, a good number were present, including several from Nyack, and those who loved to “trip the light fantastic” (which included nearly the entire crowd) were afforded an excellent opportunity to gratify their desire. —The dancing broke up at about 1 o’clock in the morning, and the picnickers sought their homes and coaches, all feeling in a pleasant mood. —Mr. and Mrs. Wood’s endeavors to please their employes [sic] by giving these annual picnic gatherings are well appreciated, and nothing is lost by the kind act.
August 27, 1925 – 100 YEARS AGO
Pearl River News
GOVERNOR MAY SOON INVADE ROCKLAND CO. — Plans to Tour State to Urge Adoption of Constitutional Changes for Bond Issues and Reorganization
Efforts are being made by the Rockland Democratic County Committee to have Governor Smith speak here during his tour of the State to rally support for the three constitutional amendments that are to go to the voters for decision on election day.
One of the amendments is that proposing a $300,000,000 bond issue for the elimination of grade crossings throughout the State.
Of the other two amendments which the Governor will urge, one is designed to carry out a reorganization of the State Government. The Governor has urged this ever since he was first elected to office. It is designed to consolidate the existing State agencies into twenty-one civil departments.
The third amendment is designed to authorize a $100,000,000 bond issue for permanent State improvements, such as a new State office building in Albany, a new double system of highways between Albany and New York to relieve the already overcrowded conditions, a new bridge at Poughkeepsie, and other similar projects.
This latter proposal has been under attack by former Governor Nathan L. Miller and Representative Ogden L. Mills. It is the proposal which the Governor and Mr. Miller recently debated in New York, with former Governor Charles E. Hughes as arbiter.
Governor Smith’s tour is to begin in the western section of the State, starting at Buffalo. Mr. Smith then will go to Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Albany, then down the Hudson Valley, and wind up in New York City just before election. He hopes to bring about a big plurality in New York for all three proposals.
August 28, 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News
VALLEY AMBULANCE CORPS NEEDS RIG
The new volunteer ambulance corps in south Spring Valley now has its volunteers, but it still needs an ambulance.
Organizers of the corps say that service is a number of months away. Training, fund-raising and legal steps must be completed before the corps can begin serving the area, where residents have complained that the nearest ambulance service is not near enough.
The new corps will be named after William Paul Faist, the late son of Erna and William Faist who have been instrumental in the formation of the corps.
William Paul Faist died 18 months ago at the age of 26 in a car accident only blocks from his parent’s home on South Main Street.
Rather than the belief that her son could be saved by the speedier arrival of an ambulance, it was the accident itself that prompted Mrs. Faist to think that south Spring Valley needed a corps of its own.
“We have over 200 people on petitions calling for it,” she said. “I think everyone wants a corps here and the other corps also feel we can use it.”
Ambulances from the Ramapo Valley Corps nearest the south Spring Valley area, take about 20 minutes to arrive.
Mrs. Faist said ambulance officials in the county have told her that the costs of starting a corps are between $40,000 and $50,000. A used vehicle alone can cost $15,000 to $20,000.
The fledgling corps is hoping that a building to house the vehicle and adjoining property, will come free. The Faist’s property might serve that purpose, according to Mrs. Faist.
The corps now has eight volunteers who will be trained as emergency medical technicians.
The corps has not yet obtained the official sanction of the regional volunteer ambulance council, but Mrs. Faist said that an attorney is currently preparing legal papers.
Neighboring corps from Pearl River, Nanuet and the town of Ramapo have been helpful already, Mrs. Faist said.
This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2025 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.
