Research

Flashback Friday Archive 2019-20: Flashback Friday: Week of May 29

2020-05-29 TWIR Image - Zeldins

May 28, 1870 150 YEARS AGOO
Rockland County Messenger

Written for the Journal
AN ODE TO SPRING – By Fannie A. Dean


Again, thou comest, lovely Spring,
Bright flowers bloom, and birdlings sing
In ecstasy the livelong day,
Their tuneful natures to obey.

Each little stream, each murmuring rill,
At last released from winter’s chill
And icy bond, is now set free,
And dances off with merry glee,

O’er hill and dale, or mountain dell,
To fill some river, brook, or well,
Performs its mission brave and true;
With limpid, joyous music too.

The tiny bud bursts from its shell,
Disclaiming now the frost-king’s spell;
And little leaves of vivid green,
Spring whence the barren stalks were seen

Each balmy eve the leaflet’s cup
No more with snow, but dew, filled up.
Young grass, beneath the yellow sere,
And scented clovers, now appear.

Oh, beauteous spring! Whose perfumed breeze,
Borne by the myriad flowers and trees,
Whose singing birds, and gurgling wealth,
Restores the feeble frame to health;

Thy righteous praises now I’ll sing:
Dear blooming, rippling tuneful spring.
Nor fail to Paris the Maker, too,
Who fills the senses, charms the view.
Oh, God! Thy praise on earth shall ring,
Who brings us this delightful Spring.

May 28, 1920 100 YEARS AGOO
Rockland News

PAMPHLET TO AID HOUSEWIVES  The Bureau of Weights and Measures of the State Division of Foods and Markets has just issued a pamphlet entitled “Make Your Dollar Deliver One Hundred Cents Through the Door of Thrift By the Way of Accurate Weights and Measures.”
     This pamphlet contains hints and information for the housewife which aim to aid in conserving the financial resources of the family.  Weights and measures officials claim that carelessness on purchasing is almost as great an offense as carelessness in making change and the object of the pamphlet is to advise the purchasing public of the principal points to be observed in daily transactions.
     The pamphlet is for general distribution and a copy may be obtained from Thomas L. Shankey, 13 Broad Street, Haverstraw, the sealer of  Weights and Measures of Rockland County or by writing direct to the Bureau of Weights and Measure, Departments of Farms and Markets, Albany, N. Y.

RACES AT ORANGEBURG  The Rockland County Driving Club will hold the races at the Orangeburg track, Saturday, May 29 beginning at 2pm. Admission is free and all are invited to witness these races which promise to be close and interesting.

INCREASE IN PAY FOR TELEPHONE EMPLOYEES  To help its employees meet the high cost of living the New York Telephone Company since October 1, 1919 or within seven months has increased salaries by an amount totaling nearly $10,000,000 annually. More than half of this sum or nearly $6,000,000 will go to telephone operators. Linemen, installers, cablemen and other plant department workers will benefit within the year by additions to their pay envelopes totaling more than $2,700,000. Commercial, engineering, accounting and financial workers will receive about $280,000 and executives $73,000.

May 28, 1970 50 YEARS AGOO
The Journal News

FLAG LOWERING PEACE GESTURE DRAWS ‘STRANGE’ REACTION
[Image: Mrs. Zeldin with her sons Darryl (front), Todd (rear) and James.]
Dr. and Mrs. Martel Zeldin of 6 Midway Rd., South Spring Valley, decided two weeks ago they could remain silent no longer on issues affecting the future of mankind and so began their own small revolt against war and killing by lowering their flag to half mast, and leaving it that way.
     The reaction has been “strange,” according to Mrs. Zeldin, who said she hadn't expected to become the center of a neighborhood controversy when the campaign began.
     Several passing motorists and many of her neighbors have been openly critical, accusing them of being un-American and un-patriotic, she says, while others have stopped to congratulate them for leaving the “silent majority.”
     New comers to the area and to the world of politics, the Zeldins decided that there has been enough warfare in South-east Asia and their lowering of the flag was meant as their small symbol of disgust at the mass killings there of men and civilians on both sides.
     The issue came into sharp focus for Mrs. Zeldin when she recently gave birth to her third son and she realized that her whole family could be wiped out in a “senseless war” such as the United States is engaged in now in Vietnam and Cambodia.
     “We decided to take a stand and show people where we stood on war and killing, and to also show our own three sons how we felt on their future,” she said yesterday. Along with the lowering of the flag, they erected a large “peace” sign on the front lawn, facing the street. Most of the neighbors who have spoken to them are highly critical of both moves, although she says none have been hostile or belligerent. Instead they have expressed an opposite viewpoint.
     At first she became angered at their resentment of her beliefs, and she “clammed up,” retreating to the inside of her home and refusing to discuss the matter with them, for fear of starting what often turned into shouting matches and violent arguments
     Then she had second thoughts when she realized that the only road to peace in the world is through discussion and an exchange of viewpoints, and that her reaction was the same one nation’s experience, which often led to open hostilities.
     Now she discusses her views with anyone who stops, although she says most of the exchanges take place with passing motorists rather than neighbors, who apparently refrain from the dialogues from fear of starting a neighborhood political war.
     Those who do stop however are about evenly divided between those who strongly support her position and those who are strongly against it and urge instead a U.S. military campaign aimed at winning the war in Vietnam.
     Many of those who argue with her say American citizens should support their president, regardless of his views or actions. She calls these positions “childish” and “immature.”
     Others criticize her for not taking the flag in at night, and for leaving it out in the rain.
     “The flag of my country will stay out at night and in the rain, at half mast, until our boys in Vietnam are brought home from fighting at night and in the wind and rain and mud,” she asserted yesterday with determination.
     The majority of people who pass by just look at the flag and sign, sometimes expressionless, others with surprise and still others with resentment, but they don't say anything. These, the apparent true “silent majority,” are apathetic, she feels, and don't feel strongly for or against war and just don't want to “get involved.”
     She is involved though and is becoming more and more so each day. Recent activities have included joining a host of “peace” groups, including Women’s Strike for Peace.
     Even her children are involved, her five-year-old son carrying a “peace” sign around with him throughout the neighborhood.
     “It's interesting and heartwarming to see my own five-year-old arguing with some of the youngsters and often winning them over to the side of love and peace rather than hate and war.”
_____

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan on behalf of the Historical Society of Rockland County. To learn about the HSRC's mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.


Comments:

Add a Comment:

Please signup or login to add a comment.