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September 16, 1932 – 90 YEARS AGO
Ramapo Valley Independent

GOING TOO FAR, SAID HARRY
       Harry Conklin one day this week left the Suffern Public Market where he is employed to eat his lunch in his car, the day being nice and pleasant. To his surprise he found two urchins busy as beavers with his lunch. Harry is a good natured chap and would just as soon give his lunch to a hungry kid as not and he made no protest. Then he saw that some fishing tackle which he had in the back of his car was all packed up as if to be taken out. “What did you do that for,” said Harry to the munching youngsters who were too surprised to do anything but keep on eating. “We’re going fishing,” said one of the boys. This was too much for Harry and as his wrath rose, he uttered a tremendous, “Beat It.” The boys did.

MRS. HELEN HAMMOND HURT BY CAR DRIVEN ONTO SIDEWALK
Mrs. Helen Hammond, associated with the insurance agency of E. P. Murrin on Lafayette Avenue was painfully hurt last Tuesday when she was struck by a car driven by Mrs. Charles P. Bispham while walking on Lafayette Avenue near the theatre. The accident occurred when Mrs. Bispham swerved to avoid hitting some school children as she turned around the monument. The car went over the curb and struck Mrs. Hammond before the latter was aware that anything unusual was happening. Mrs. Bispham’s son was in the car with her and promptly drove Mrs. Hammond to the office of Dr. George G. Veith for emergency treatment.
       X-rays of Mrs. Hammond’s right arm, which was severely hurt, were taken yesterday afternoon.

SUFFERN HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION INCREASED
[Image: High School, Suffern. Undated photo courtesy of the Craig Long Collection.]
Principal John E. Chilson, of the Suffern High School, reports a registration of 460 pupils in the junior and senior classes making use of the High School and 398 in the grammar school. This compares with 431 and 450, respectively, in 1931. The large registration in the high school necessitated the use of the auditorium for classes every session morning and afternoon. It was also found necessary to use the dressing rooms of the stage for small groups. The seating and traffic problems have all been worked out and classes are functioning normally.
       Mrs. Edna McCrudden and Mr. Orville Burroughs have been added to the faculty in the place of Misses Alicia Andrews and Miss Bernice Morrow.

September 15, 1972 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News

GOLDEN DAY FOR GOOSETOWN
       Just an old-fashioned neighborhood party is how Upper Nyack’s centennial committee describes the village’s celebration of its 100th birthday Saturday.
       Mayor Richard Jewett thinks “family reunion” is more descriptive because most of those expected to attend will be residents and former residents of the village and their friends, plus those whose family ties with Upper Nyack go back for generations.
       The celebration will begin with a parade at 10:30 a.m. at Radcliff Drive and wend its way over the village’s principal streets until it reaches the Upper Nyack school on North Broadway, where many of the day’s events will be held.
       Anyone who wants to march will be welcome. Empire Hook & Ladder Company, the village’s fire company, will have a band. All of the village’s motorized equipment, even the two dump trucks, and Empire’s truck will be in line
       The centennial committee has extended an invitation to all resident youngsters to decorate their bicycles and ride them in the parade. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated bikes.
       The formal program will include welcoming addresses by Mayor Jewett and the Rev. Robert Anthony, pastor of the Old Stone Church. Bimbo, the magical clown, will perform.
       A picnic luncheon will be served, and the spread will include two types of mini-hero sandwiches or fried chicken, and there will be corn from the Dr. Davies farm in Congers.
       Afternoon events will start at 2 o’clock and run concurrently. Boys and girls from 6 through 11 will be able to compete for prizes in several events. Walking tours in which visits will be made to the Old Stone Church and the old Upper Nyack burial ground will be conducted. Memorabilia of the village will be shown at the school. From 4:30 to 5 p.m. there will be a band concert on the school playground.
       The celebration will end with a square dance and block party to be held on North Broadway in front of the school and the village hall.
       A feature of the day will be the award by Mayor Jewett of a trophy topped by a golden goose. The trophy was given by Clarkstown Councilman John Lodico, who was born in “Goosetown” and grew up there. Why the recipient is receiving it and who it will be is a surprise that has been reserved for the celebration
       E. Michael Growney Jr. is chairman of the centennial committee. Margaret Davidson is executive director and Mayor Jewett the honorary chairman.
       Chairmen of subcommittees include John Haller, Amy Egan, Arthur Engel, Sterling Nordhouse, Village Trustee James Quigley, Kevin Egan, Patricia McDowell, Jack McDowell, Ruth Rossi, Diana Saaby, Richard Wanamaker, Emma Leigh Goodwin, John Colgan, Al Branath and Robert Buchanan.
       Among other committee members are Trustee Pat D’Auria, who has served as liaison between the village board and community, Trustees Charles Burdon and Raymond Nee, former Upper Nyack Police Chief Roy Wanamaker, Arthur Hiltebrant, Craig Carle, Ruth Humes, Orville Mann Jr., Winston Perry Jr., John Reilly, Dr. John Saunders, Harry Schupner, Wilbur Wanamaker, and Irving Weber.
       Special consultants have been William Condon, Betsy Growney, Florence Greenberg, Beth Lynch, and Roberta Siegriest.
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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.