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Flashback Friday Archive 2019-20: Flashback Friday: Week of November 20

Nyack Erie Depot. Photo by Al Witt.
Nyack Erie Depot. Photo by Al Witt.

November 19, 1870 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal

CHICKEN THIEVES
       The people residing in that part of the county, about a mile or mile and a half north of Nanuet, have had their hen roosts visited very severely lately. Pullets and old fowls have been subject to foul proceedings and strange to say no sign of the thieves has been discovered. That there is a nightmare in the business is evident from the fact that a worthy citizen of our county, having had occasion to be out at an early hour a few mornings ago discovered a demure looking equine of the female gender on her way to Haverstraw and dragging a wagon in which contained a large number of chickens, which were making night hideous with their ceaseless squawking. No human agency was visible in or around the wagon and a few of the simple-minded inhabitants are impressed with the idea that the mare is the channel through which the chickens disappear. The mare was owned at one time by Captain Jabez Lyons, but the captain will make his affidavit that she never stole a chicken, while he owned her.

November 19, 1920 – 100 YEARS AGO
Rockland News

RIGHT THANKSGIVING SPIRIT
       We once saw a little card tacked up before the eyes of a busy man. He could see it every time he raised his eyes from his desk on it, he had written, “Get your pleasure out of your work, or you will never know what pleasure is.”  That attitude will help us to get the right Thanksgiving spirit into our hearts. Let’s forget that we have pictured happiness in terms of idleness and sloth. It’s just the other way, this Thanksgiving Day will be a good time to get the new angle of vision.

THIEVES LOOT PEARL RIVER STORE
       Burglars entered the newsstand and cigar store of A.C. Kosel and Co., Pearl River one night last week and helped themselves to many small articles to a total value of about $135.
       The burglary was not discovered until the next day when Mr. Kosel opened the store in the morning, he noticed a gun missing from the show window, but thought his partner Mr. Matner had sold it the night before.
       Later in the morning, one of the boys employed in the store discovered that the rear door had been forced open.
       Then Mr. Kosel looked his stock over.  He found many things gone.  A gun, fountain pens, watches, cigars and other small articles in all as near as could estimate about $135 worth of goods.
       It is thought local parties are guilty and arrests are likely to be made at any time.

November 19, 1970 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News

A NEW ROLE FOR AN OLD SCHOOLHOUSE
       A century-old schoolhouse on Oak Tree Road, Palisades, will undergo a transformation Saturday, one of the first steps in fulfilling its role as the new Palisades Community Center, Inc. Dr. Thomas E. Tierney, a Palisades psychologist who looks like Sigmund Freud himself, says he feels he is, in a sense, playing a father-figure by organizing a volunteer work force and a fund-raising project for Saturday. Once the center has been initiated, according to the organizing committee, it will provide the “social, cultural and recreational facilities for members of the community.”
       Dr. Tierney, treasurer of the organization, has hopes it will serve as an active center for youth and other age groups.
       This weekend, volunteers at the center will include representatives of the plumbers’ union, the carpenters’ union, and an electricity teacher supervising the work of his BOCES class.
       The Community Center’s board has an educator, CA. Baker, as president; a member of the youth committee, Sandy Rosoff, as vice president, and Daniel Chiefitz as secretary.
       The Orangetown Zoning Board, which meets Dec. 8, must approve the building before a certificate of occupancy can be issued. The South Orangetown school board classified the schoolhouse as “surplus” in 1969 and has transferred the property deed to the center.

HRVC OKs PLANS TO RAISE ERIE DEPOT
       The Hudson River Valley Commission has approved South Nyack’s plan to demolish the village-owned former Erie Railroad depot and the adjoining former Railway Express building.
       Carl J. Mays, HRVC executive director, said the commission had given its approval reluctantly because the buildings have local historical and architectural interest.
       The commission, however, decided it could not, in good conscience, recommend preserving the structures because they have deteriorated and their interest “is not quite enough to justify the cost of restoring them.”Mays said the commission also took into consideration the incompatibility of the buildings’ 19th century architecture and the modern design of the nearby South Nyack firehouse.
       The buildings and the firehouse are located on the former railroad property, which the village hopes to develop as a municipal park.
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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.


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