Yesterdays #AtoZChallenge

History is a part of all of our lives.  Without learning about our Yesterdays, we can not fully understand the forces at work in our todays.

I'd like you to come with me for some peeks into New York State Yesterdays.  I have to warn you in advance, some of these pay tribute to painful parts of our history.  I'll try to keep them towards the end in case you would rather consider the beauty portions of history. 

Let's start with some historic buildings.

It's always nice looking in the interior of historic buildings.  I was given permission, in 2015, to take some pictures of the interior of the old Binghamton City Hall, which, at the time, was converted into a hotel.  It has since closed, and I've lost track of what is happening to the property.  The building was built in 1897.

A detail from the front doors of that building.

The home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, our only four term President, who guided us through World War II.  This is his childhood home, where he also lived part of his adult life with his mother.

Oswego Armory in Oswego, New York, built in 1906.  This is currently occupied by a YMCA.

Oswego Public Library, built circa 1855.

Yesterday, spouse and I visited Owego, New York, a town about 16 miles to the west of Binghamton and decided to take a short walk to admire spring flowers.  On our walk, we ran across this historic sign.

The house it belonged to is on the right, and I felt comfortable taking its picture as it is now a commercial property.

You don't often pass the house of a Presidential candidate on a casual walk, especially a woman who ran for President before women had the right to vote in New York State.

But then, admiring a magnolia in bloom, I saw this historical sign.  The original sign dates from 1932 and commemorates the burning of the original Owego (Owegea) Native American village burned August 19, 1779 by troops commanded by Colonial General James Clinton.  You can read more about that campaign here.

Here is another historical marker related to that event, erected in 1927. I will note here that there are other historical markers related to that campaign, where other Native American villages were burned.  Another burned village, Chugnut, lay where spouse and I sometimes walk for exercise on an extension of the Vestal Rail Trail. 

History - it can be beautiful, but it also can be painful.  We need to learn from our Yesterdays, though, so we know the mistakes we must avoid - and the successes we need to repeat.

"Y" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  New York State.

Outdoors #AtoZChallenge

 "O" is an easy letter for those blogging about New York State (like me) in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  There are so many place names beginning with "O", thanks to the Native Americans in our area.  In fact, too many.  I found this to be such a challenging letter that I decided to provide a variety of "O"s and other Outside sites.

Oswego - a college town on the shores of Lake Ontario. One of SUNY Oswego's  most famous alumni is TV personality Al Roker. 

Oswego has a Peace Garden to celebrate the peace between us and Canada after the War of 1812.

A farmer's market in their historic downtown.

Otsiningo Park in Binghamton, New York - you have to love a park with a plaque like this.

Owego, New York - the Baker Fireman's Fountain, recently restored due to fundraising efforts by the Owego Hose Team.

One Tough Cookie, campus of the CIA (Culinary Institute of America, that is), Poughkeepsie, New York.

One last Outdoors photo. An Outstanding view of the Hudson River from Poughkeepsie, New York.  Maybe it belongs under "P", but if you don't say so, I won't, either.

"O" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  New York State.

New York Skies #SkywatchFriday #AtoZChallenge

Today is "N" day on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and is also SkywatchFriday.

How about some beautiful New York State skies?  My theme for A to Z, after all, is "New York State", which leaves things just a little open.

So many places afford views of sunsets, but one of the best is Kershaw Park in Canandaigua, New York, along Canandaigua Lake, one of the Finger Lakes.

Another is Breitbeck Park in Oswego, New York, along Lake Ontario (one of the Great Lakes).

But urban sunsets and skies have their charms, too.  These next few pictures were taken in downtown Brooklyn, New York.

Brooklyn is one of the boroughs of New York City.

These were taken around Christmastime, 2018.

Once you are up above street level, the perspective changes.

 Who says I don't love New York?

My final picture is the sky in my area of New York State on Wednesday.  There was just something about the way the clouds looked, contrasted against the leafing out trees.

Join Yogi and the other sky loving bloggers who meet up every Friday to celebrate #SkywatchFriday.

"N" day of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  New York State.

Holocaust to Haven to Home #SkywatchFriday #AtoZChallenge

Yes, I admit this is a weird combination, but today is both Skywatch Friday and "H" day for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  There is an important story connected with my theme, New York State, that needs to be told.

So, as you look at the sky, I hope you'll stay for the story of Safe Haven, in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, which was yesterday.  The story of Safe Haven in Oswego, New York is part of the history of our country that many don't know, and should know.  I grew up in New York City and never heard of it until a couple of years ago.

Taken during a visit in September 2019

Welcome to Ft. Ontario State Park, Oswego, New York, near the shores of Lake Ontario.  Ft. Ontario has the distinction of having seen military service in every war our country has been involved in, up to and including World War II.

But it also completed a special mission that many people alive today are not aware of.

World War II created millions of refugees as war raged between the Nazis and the Allied Forces, including the United States.  In 1944, then President Franklin Roosevelt signed an order permitting a group of mostly Jewish refugees from Europe to come to the United States.  Other than the invite, they had no legal right to stay here.  In fact, they had to sign an agreement to leave our country at the conclusion of the war.

Some 982 refugees made the journey to Ft. Ontario and Oswego, New York.  There, they were to spend nearly two years in a type of limbo at the Ft. Ontario Emergency Refugee Shelter, as it was called.  It was the first, and only, refugee shelter set up during World War II in the United States.  

These refugees came mainly from Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Yugoslavia and Germany.  Some of them had already been refugees for well over five years.  Some had been tortured.  All of them were hungry, malnourished, and scared.  The ship journey to the United States had left many of them with major seasickness.

At the camp, they lived enclosed by barbed wire.  They were "guests" and not permitted to work or leave the camp for the first month or so.  Eventually, the refugee children (all ages were at the camp, including children and the elderly) were able to go to school in Oswego.  Residents of the city brought the refugees food.  A couple got married.  Volunteers taught them English.  They published a camp newsletter for themselves.  They dreaded their first winter up in the snowbelt of New York State, but made their way through.

After World War II ended in 1945, the refugees' legal status remained doubtful, but eventually, they were allowed to stay in the United States if they wished.  The camp then closed in early 1946.  A 50th reunion was held in 1994 and a commemoration of the 75th anniversary was held in 2019 with 19 former refugees and their families.

Various oral histories and other documents are available online.

Lake Ontario, Oswego, September 2019

I will close today with a couple of Oswego sunsets.

A Humble end to a little known story.  Thank you for reading.

"H" day at the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  New York State.

Joining Yogi and other Skywatchers for #SkywatchFriday.

Downtown and "D" Songs #MusicMovesMe #AtoZChallenge

 It's Monday, and it's time to join up with other music bloggers for #MusicMovesMe.

Who are the #MusicMovesMe bloggers? We are bloggers who blog about music each Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only , please!)   First, there is XmasDolly,   Her co-hosts are: Stacy of Stacy Uncorked, Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, and me. Each month we have a guest post and this month we welcome DrillerAA of Driller's Place.

His theme:  You Pick.

This is also the 4th Day of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, meaning my artists or song titles must all begin with the letter D.   My theme for Blogging from A to Z is "New York State" and I am choosing for today a New York State downtown and the song "Downtown"

When you think of downtowns in New York State, many think right off of Manhattan.  But New York State is more than New York City.  Instead, I want to show you a couple of views from a city along Lake Ontario - Oswego, New York, plus a view of downtown Binghamton, New York.

Here, a view of downtown Oswego along the harbor.

Thanks to Oswego's Harbor Rail Trail.

Foliage trees turning color in downtown Binghamton, New York.

Now,  to our music.  I'm not quite Done yet.

Petula Clark sings her 1964 hit "Downtown".

How about some other "D" songs from New York State artists?

Dirty Work from New York State's Steely Dan's debut album in 1972.

 The Beastie Boys and "Deal with It".  Short, and you either like it or you don't.  I like it.

One more New York State group - Donna the Buffalo is a band somewhat local to me (about an hour away, and they have played in this area.  Here is one of their songs, "Dance in the Street".

And so ends another episode of #MusicMovesMe.

Next week, my Music Moves Me post will be published on Sunday, so that I can devote Monday to my Blogging from A to Z post.

"D" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme:  New York State.

Parks (And no Recreation)

 The snow flurries fly.  The sun refuses to shine.  The virus still has its hold on New York State.

The Parks are empty. We stay at home and if we go out and know we may not be able to keep social distance, we wear masks.  It's the law now.

Let us visit some parks from afar.

The Blogging from A to Z Challenge is challenging me to Paruse the over 10,000 Photos on my iPhone, and I realized I had a number of Park pictures.

Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn, Christmas Day 2018.

MCU Park, where the Brooklyn Cyclone minor league ballteam plays - except, of course, this year.

Speaking of the Brooklyn Cyclones - here is the original Cyclone, which my phone says is in Steeplechase Park.  This was taken on Christmas Eve 2018, when there were no crowds.  Normally, in the summer, it would be quite crowded, but this year, the opening is delayed indefinitely.

Kershaw Park, Canandaigua, New York.

 Recreation Park, Binghamton, New York.  It is said that Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame (who grew up in Binghamton) carved his initials into this bandstand, but I've never seen them.   Right now, there is no recreation in any New York park; the playgrounds are roped off.  I'm sure the carousel and swimming pool in this beautiful park won't be opening any time soon.

Finally, Breitbeck Park, Oswego, New York.  It's a beautiful place to watch the sunset.

We can all hope these parks will reopen soon.

"P" day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme "America the Beautiful" has turned more into a local theme, but I hope you are enjoying it anyway.

Oswego Onondaga and the Other O's #SkywatchFriday #AtoZChallenge

It's O day in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge, and the Challenge threw me a big, juicy softball.

For us in New York State, the letter "O" isn't a challenge at all.  The Native Americans had so many words beginning with O:  Owego, Oswego, Otsego, Onondaga, Otsiningo, and many more.  Here is a sky sample.

I've taken some nice sunset and other pictures in these "O" places.  Right now, travel is a memory, but the photos on my phone remain.

Oswego, New York, is noted for its snowfall, but I visited it in fall, when sunsets Overwhelmed.

Oswego's northern border is Lake Ontario.

Onondaga County.

Ontario County includes portions of New York's wine country.  I chose this picture overlooking vineyards.

Owego?  Once voted the "Coolest Small Town in America" this old home in snow is a photographic delight.

Finally, Otsiningo Park in Broome County, New York, with more of the overcast we are famous for.

I hope my pictures bring some joy to your life.

"O" day on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  My theme "America the Beautiful" although, as this progresses, I find myself staying close to home - as we all must, until things get better.  For now, memories carry us forward.  One day, life will reopen.

Join Yogi and the fellow bloggers who watch the sky, pandemic or not, at #SkywatchFriday.

Sliding Away #SkywatchFriday #blogboost

Oh, such sweet sky memories.

Two weeks ago, I was watching a beautiful sunset over Lake Ontario in Oswego, New York, wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt.

And, on the last day of September, this sunrise awaited me.  I was wearing a short sleeved shirt and capris in the early morning warmth.  Two days ago, it was in the 80's. (27.2 C)

Fast forward to last night.  They put the wrong slide up on the weather channel.  Right?

Right?

Someone tell me it's a mistake, and our growing season isn't sliding away.

Hopefully you aren't shivering as I join Yogi and other sky watching bloggers today, and every Friday,on #SkywatchFriday.

Day 4 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost.

Sunset Over Lake Ontario #SkywatchFriday

Where are the best sunsets?

Do I dare say the beautiful sunsets are found on SkywatchFriday, all over the world.

But are there really spectacular sunsets near to where I live, in the Southern Tier of New York State?

I decided to find out for myself.  It turns out that, by sheer luck, I've taken sunset pictures at some of the best sunset spots in upstate New York, my native state.

Now, I've added sunset over Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes.  These were taken earlier this week in Oswego, New York.

Enjoy!

These are taken at Breitbeck Park, near Ft. Ontario, in Oswego.

The tall structures, I believe, belong to an electric power plant.

Down the sun goes.

But wait, there's more!  Patience is rewarded a few minutes later.

Spouse and I traveled here to see a particular museum (I'll about that next week, hopefully) and were rewarded with natural beauty.  But, remember, beauty is all around us.  All we need to do is look, with an open heart.

Join Yogi and other Friday skywatchers at #SkywatchFriday. 

I guarantee you there will be one or more sky pictures you will just love.