The Skene Memorial Library #4CLSroadtrip

The four county library system (Broome, Delaware, Otsego and Chenango counties in New York) roadtrip ended September 2, but the memories remain.

Today, we visit the only Carnegie library in the system.

Fleischmanns, New York, in rural Delaware Count, has an interesting history.  It was once a popular summer vacationing destination easily reached by railroad from New York City, and was the home of many grand hotels.  It was also the summer home of the Fleischmanns family (of yeast and gin fame), which had a large family compound built on land acquired in 1883.  Of the five mansions in the compound, I believe only one remains.

One of these resorts was owned by the father of a girl, Tillie Edelstein, who is much better known to older generations as the actress Gertrude Berg, who starred in the radio (and later, television) series The Goldbergs.  But that is a story for another day if any of my readers is interested.

Dr. Alexander Skene, who was born in Scotland and lived in New York City, used to vacation in Fleischmanns.  He was a childhood friend of industrialist Andrew Carnegie, and was one of the foremost gynecologists of the 19th century. 

Dr. Skene's wife Annette worked with others to raise funds to get Fleischmanns a library.   Andrew Carnegie contributed $5,000 with the sole stipulation that the library be named after his childhood friend Dr. Skene, who died before the library was built.  

In 1930, the building was turned over to the Village of Fleischmanns.

Unlike many memorial libraries we visited on the roadtrip, this building (which dates from 1901) has always been a library.  Let's go in.

I'm assuming this is a portrait of Dr. Skene.

I found the wood paneling gave the interior a warm feel.  You'll see the lion statuette, too.  Lions are considered by some as powerhouses of wisdom and a fitting library mascot.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Fleischmanns family left in 1913 and only a handful of hotels remain in the area out of the more than 50 that were there in the early 20th century.  At one time, the population during the summer swelled to some 10,000.  But when cars became something any household could afford, those days ended.  

The year round population of the village has dropped to around 210 people (2020 census) from a high of some 500,  but it is still popular as a destination for those wanting (and able to afford) a second home.

This roadtrip was so much fun, and I learned so much.

Do you want to see more posts like this?

The 22nd Anniversary

My dear readers from countries other than the United States, please permit me to concentrate on my country today.  If you are looking for my Music Moves Me post, please click here.

Today marks 22 years. 

These anniversaries will become fewer and fewer, because that is how life progresses.  This year, though, there will still be ceremonies.

I believe we've reached the point where September 11 is only the day on the calendar between September 10 and September 12.   When someone makes an appointment for September 11, or mentions something they are doing on September 11, our mind doesn't catch on the date for a moment. That isn't a bad thing, but people of my generation will remember 9/11 for the rest of our lives.

There are still thousands of people who were impacted by the events of those days.

I remember that evening, too, sitting with my preteen son in front of a computer and reading headlines from newspapers all over the world.  It was front page news everywhere, our American tragedy.  Now, newspapers die everyday and we are connected by social media, something we could not have imagined on September 11, 2001.

For our grandchildren, perhaps they will ignore a plaque in the lobby of their high school honoring the alumni who died that day.  This is the plaque in the lobby of my high school with 11 names of alumni who died that day.   But, more likely, they will have their own way of remembering, perhaps the way we who were not alive for Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941) still remember and honor that day.

One of the names on that plaque in my high school is Christian Regenhard.  He was the youngest New York City fire fighter to die on 9/11. He was one of those who ran to danger, making it possible for others to escape and live another day.

Of the 11 people who went to my high school that died that day, two of them left pregnant spouses.

Yes, we who remember, remember September 11, 2001 in different ways.

My father in law was born on a September 11 (although he was no longer with us on that day.)  

On September 11, 2016, I visited his grave and took these pictures of a 9/11 memorial on the cemetery grounds.

Other people I know (family and friends in New York City, where I grew up) lost loved ones, friends, neighbors. 

There were the children in a nearby elementary school and a nearby high school to the World Trade Center in New York City.  The story of the students of Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan is especially poignant.

There were the Sarasota, Florida children who had been gathered with then President Bush to listen to a story time before he was called away.  They are also children of 9/11.

There is comedian Jon Stewart, still fighting for health care for 9/11 responders who are still dying from their exposures that day, and the following days.  We must never forget them.  Too many people in power seem to have forgotten these men and women.

Maybe you, my reader, don't remember because you weren't yet born, or were too young to remember, and have no personal connection like the children of 9/11.  After all, it's been 22 years.

But history doesn't forget.

And I won't, either, until the day my memory or my body fails.

Dream Weavers #MusicMovesMe

Yes, it's Sunday but today it will be time for music on my blog.  Tomorrow, I will concentrate on the 22nd anniversary of September 11.  Today, it is time for Music Moves Me.

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?

The Music Moves Me bloggers blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and yours truly.

You are welcome to join our Monday music group.  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video.  No music video? Your post may be removed, or may be labeled *NO MUSIC*.We alternate theme weeks and no theme weeks.

Our co-host Cathy from Curious as a Cathy may not be with our group today, as she is mourning  the death of her father . We will continue to keep Cathy and her family in our thoughts and prayers these coming next few weeks.

And now, to happier topics - dreams, to be exact.

For the month of September, our guest host is Sandee from Comedy Plus.  For today, she declares a "Freedom of Music Choice" week.  We can choose our own theme.

Rock and Roll Heaven has been so busy with inductions, and this week, a new member joined the heavenly group.  Gary Wright died on September 4, 2023 at the age of 80.  The causes of death included Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia.

Wright was a child actor and appeared on a show on the defunct Dumont Network called Captain Video and His Video Rangers.  Several videos from the series are available on You Tube.

Before Wright went solo, he was the keyboardist for a group called Spooky Tooth.  Here is their Better By You, Better Than Me, a later performance (after Wright left the group, but rejoined for a time in 2004).  I believe this is from a 2004 concert released in 2007. 

I knew him best for two songs.  First, Dream Weaver, from 1975.

Love is Alive was also featured as part of a number of movie soundtracks, including Wayne's World and Toy Story 3.

Wright had a long musical career through 2017, but eventually, due to his health, was no longer able to perform.  May he rest in peace.

While we are on the topic of dreams, I wanted to include several other songs mentioning dreams.

Daydream Believer - The Monkees from 1968.

Heart - These Dreams, from 1985.

Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over, from 1986.

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next Monday for another episode of Music Moves Me.

Lasts But Not Leasts

I saw these tomatoes my spouse had picked out of our community garden today and they looked so pretty in his black colander.  There was even a pepper in the mix.

 Included in this mix are several types of cherry tomatoes, including a black tomato (the ones that look purplish.

So I was inspired to take some pictures in our flower garden at home.  I found some lasts or near lasts that probably won't be around for September 15 (Garden Bloggers Bloom Day)

 

Cardinal flower - just a couple of little sprigs left.

Last hibiscus flower of the season.

One of the last of the reblooming yellow daylily.

And a surprise.  Our purple tall phlox is past its bloom but the other day I saw a differently colored one in almost full bloom.  A volunteer?  I hope this lasts until Friday.  It's so pretty.

Lasts in the garden always make me a little sad, especially knowing that fall is just about here.  One day in the near future, I'll look at these pictures and wonder "was there ever a growing season full of flowers?" as I scan the snow filled yard.

But not just yet.

Enjoy while we can!

Vermont Vista #SkywatchFriday

On Monday, during a short visit to southern Vermont (in the Northeast United States), my spouse and I decided to take a drive from Bennington, Vermont to the Marlboro/ Hogback Mountain area.

Vermont Route 9 from Bennington to the Hogback Mountain Country Store (where they have an overlook) is a beautiful drive on a twisty highway dotted with Moose Crossing signs and plentiful mountain scenery.  My ears were popping and I was starting to get a little bit of vertigo in places, so no pictures of the moose warning signs.

This road doesn't fool around - here's a runaway truck ramp sign.

The runaway ramp.

I would not want to be on this highway in the winter. 

This highway is called the Molly Stark Scenic Byway and you can't leave this part of the state without learning who Molly Stark was. 

We arrived at the Hogback Mountain Country Store and, after a maple creemee (a special type of ice cream I love and yes, it's spelled that way), went to the overlook.  

On a clear day, you can see Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Lots of green vistas and blue sky.

Joining Yogi and other skywatchers each Friday for #SkywatchFriday.

Early September Vermont Wildflowers

These pictures were taken Sunday, September 3, during a short visit to Bennington, Vermont.  

The Bennington Museum (highly recommended) has, outside, a sculpture and wildflower walk.  Let's do some exploring.

Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) is a perennial relative of the sunflower, and is grown for its edible tubers.  These were cultivated by indigenous people of what is now the central United States and eventually made its way to New England.

Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum).

I'm thinking this is New York ironweed (Vernonia noveboracensis) but if it isn't, I'm sure someone will correct me.  I'm far from a wildflower expert, and many of these plants were not labeled.

Great Blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) caught my eye.  Again, no label - I got this from my iPhone built in plant ID

One of the sculptures.

Sweet autumn clementis nestled in some ferns.

Last but not least, my first sighting of New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae).  I love this flower but it always makes me sad to see the first one, as I know the fall asters signal that the final curtain of wildflowers will be coming down soon.  At least it was in Bennington (USDA zone 5a) and not where I live in New York State (zone 5b).  I haven't seen one at home yet, although I see they have buds.

I invite you to join me tomorrow for SkywatchFriday.

Signs and Candy Nostalgia Continued #WordlessWednesday

 Parking signs in a lot at the Fly Creek Cider Mill and Orchard in Fly Creek, New York.

This is a busy place, and when we parked at first, I didn't notice what our spot required.  Fortunately, we qualify.

So I started to look at other signs. 

Moving on

I just want to note here (I've written on the topic a couple of times), anyone can get breast cancer.

Humor mixed in with health advice.

I also wanted to thank everyone who commented on my candy nostalgia post yesterday.  I do have readers who do not live or grow up in the United States, and I didn't want to leave anyone out.  I blogged about candy nostalgia, which, for me, was the United States.  Candy nostalgia isn't just for Americans, though, and I should have known that because there is a store in Victor, New York (we visited last year and I hope it is still there) called the Exotic Snack Factory that sells candy and other sweets from all over the world.  

Even brands familiar to Americans can take on different tastes in other countries, which I know from my love of British Cadbury as vs. American.

For my several Canadian readers, here's a link to a store selling nostalgic Canadian candy:  I'd love to hear from other readers with their candy favorites.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday.

Candy Nostalgia

We all like to engage in nostalgia now and then, don't we?  In grim times such as these, it's good to step back a little and enjoy a timeline cleanser.

Songbird's Crazy World is one of the blogs I read regularly. Some time back, she blogged about a nostalgia candy store on Long Island (New York State) called Bobb Howard's General Store.

Yes, nostalgia candy is big business. 

If you are a baby boomer like me, you remember a lot of candy that disappeared over the years.  Others just declined in popularity.  Bonomo Turkish Taffy.  Wax Lips. Chuckles. Mary Janes.  Now and Later.  Candy Buttons.  Lik-m-Aid.  Fizzies (OK, not exactly a candy, but they sure were fun.).  Astro Pops. Gums like Fruit Stripe Gum and chiclets.

Every generation has its discontinued candies.

But in the past few years, many of these candies have made a comeback, hence, stores like Bobb Howard's have inventory to sell to adults who want to relive their childhoods.

Here are 14 old fashioned candy brands that are still available.

Any nostalgic candy memories you want to share?  

Here is a compilation of candy commercials from the 1960's.  Enjoy!

Sing It To September #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, it's Labor Day in the United States, and it's time for the Music Moves Me bloggers (like me) to assemble.

The Music Moves Me bloggers blog about music each Sunday or Monday and if you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please!)   Our head host is Xmas Dolly, and our co-hosts are Cathy from Curious as a Cathy, joined by the knowledgeable Stacy of Stacy Uncorked and yours truly.

You are welcome to join our Monday music group.  It's so easy. All you have to do is join the linky above with a music post that contains at least one music video.  No music video? Your post may be removed, or may be labeled *NO MUSIC*.We alternate theme weeks and no theme weeks.

Before we get going, I need to share some bad news with you.  Our co-host Cathy from Curious as a Cathy reported the sad news that her father passed away a couple of days ago.  We will keep Cathy and her family in our thoughts and prayers these coming next few weeks. (Please note, this post was written before I received the news from Cathy.)

And now, to happier things.

For the month of September, our guest host is Sandee from Comedy Plus.  For today, she asks us to feature songs with September in the title. 

It's interesting that a lot of songs mentioning September are about aging, or loss.  Maybe no one likes the thought of descending into winter.  But September can also signify new beginnings.

This theme cries out for classics.

The late Tony Bennett and 1962's Maybe September.

September Song, here sung by Nat King Cole, was actually written in 1938 by Kurt Weill (lyrics by Maxwell Anderson) for a Broadway play.  It's been covered by various artists.  The song has changed over the years, as explained in the notes of the person who posted the song.

When I was a little older, I loved a 1964 song by Chad and Jeremy called A September Song.

See You in September was originally recorded by The Tempos in 1959.  I knew it from the Happenings cover in 1966 but decided on the original.

Let's move into the 1980's with The Bangles and September Gurls. 

One more, a song from Earth Wind and Fire, because I wanted to end this post on an upbeat note.

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me.

RIP Jimmy Buffet

Jimmy Buffet joined Rock and Roll Heaven on September 1.  He was 76, a singer/songwriters and storyteller, an astute businessman who parlayed musical success into an empire that made him a billionaire, and a man that (in my opinion) created his own music genre. He charted on so many charts - country, easy listening, pop, Southern country rock.  His fans, who called themselves Parrotheads, loved him.

He died after years of a secret battle with skin cancer, surrounded by family.

Here are some of my Jimmy Buffet favorites.

Come Monday is probably my favorite song of his.

He Went to Paris.

Son of a Son of a Sailor.

And, of course, Margaritaville.

Rock and Roll Heaven will never be the same.

Rest in peace, Jimmy.

Wildflowers of Late August

Seen in the last week of August.

 Goldenrod.

Common sneezeweed, so called because the dried flowers and leaves used to be an ingredient in a type of snuff, which made you sneeze.  This plant is a member of the aster family and used to be cultivated in gardens.  Even today, there are cultivated varieties.  What I saw is yellow but there are also types with orange highlights.

Last but not least, this.

Japanese knotweed (shudder).

Japanese Knotweed is a fact of life here in the Southern Tier of New York State, and in many other states in the United States.

It was introduced to the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1800's initially as an ornamental plant.

Many say this plant, introduced to the United States around 1825, is "beautiful but deadly".  It is characterized as being one of the most invasive plants in the area I live in.  Its powerful roots can tear up concrete and its runners can grow upwards of 60 feet long.  It grows quickly, and can be almost impossible to eradicate.  Controlling it costs billions of dollars a year.

It's in bloom now.

There is one good thing about this plant.  Bees love their flowers.  At one time, you could hear the hum of bees as you walked up to these plants.  But now, we have fewer bees each year.

I've eaten fall honey and some sell honey made by the bees from knotweed.

Some claim medicinal uses for the weed - I share this link for informational purposes only and do not advocate the use of any wild plant for medicinal uses.

Pretty, but destructive.  

Soon, the asters will be in bloom, bringing down the curtain on the wildflower season, but they aren't blooming just yet.

Downsville Covered Bridge #SkywatchFriday

Let's take a road trip today to a historic covered bridge in Delaware County, New York.  New York doesn't have too many covered bridges but this county has six of them.  Not all of them are on public property but this one is.

The Catskill Mountains near Margaretville, New York (also in Delaware County), earlier in the trip.

It's beautiful country.  My photos don't do it complete justice.

This must be the place!

Historic marker.  Built in 1854, this bridge was restored in 1998.  We weren't able to drive across it because only passenger cars are allowed.  I could have walked across it but I chose not to.

Beautiful reflection.

Another view of the bridge.

I can't resist one more.  There was a small park next to the bridge, and this picture shows part of it.

We were in this area only because of our library system's Four County Library Roadtrip, which ends tomorrow.  It was so much fun investigating many of the 43 libraries, many of which were in rural areas.  We didn't get to all 43 but who's counting?

Joining Yogi and other sky watching bloggers for #SkywatchFriday.

Fall Transitions

You may not know it from the calendar, but, according to the farm stands, fall has arrived.  Our local markets still have summer fruits and veggies for sale, but yesterday I saw some big displays of winter squash.  Also, colored dried corn has joined the fresh butter and sugar sweet corn.

Let's spend the last day of August preparing for the fall transition.

Next week, the temperatures will be close to 90F (32.2C) but fall is on its way.

Pumpkins and gourds to get us in the fall mood. 

Warts on pumpkins are desirable.

More warts.

One more before we move onto something else.

A blend of fall (the flint corn on the top row) and summer sweet corn.  Butter and sugar (white and yellow kernels) is the favorite corn in this area.

I'm always dragged kicking and screaming into fall, as much as I enjoy it once the reality sinks in.  

But tomorrow is September, and I have to face the fact that fall is almost here.

What is your favorite season?

The Bathroom Mural For the Birds #WordlessWednesday #4CLSRoadtrip

Yesterday, we visited the Andes Public Library in Andes, New York as part of the Four County Library System road trip.  I mentioned a bathroom mural and today I want to show it to you.

This is a brand new mural, created by artist Diane Lockspeiser of Long Island.  She worked on the mural in May and early June of this year.

Here is their mural in its entirety.  This picture doesn't do it justice so here are some closeups of all the detail.

A barred rock rooster and a mourning dove look at a peaceful (or is it?) cattle scene from the Anti-Rent War (I'm guessing) of 1839-1845 which I discussed briefly yesterday.

Various wildlife, including many birds, adorn this mural.

Don't disturb the snoozing raccoon.

More birds.

The - upright deer blowing a horn? - is a mystery to me. It must refer to a local legend (my guess).

One more to go.

Finally, lazy Rip Van Winkle waking up from his 20 year sleep.

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday