chatter april 2013
DESCRIPTION
Pretend like you live in a small town, tooTRANSCRIPT
April 2013…….No. 13…..Vol. 2
SIGNS OF SPRING!!
After our somewhat snowy winter, many of us have been longing for Spring! So the first sighting of a redwing blackbird caused excitement even though the day was a snowy one. The robins are out in force, the chipmunks scurrying about, and the snow piles are rapidly receding although green grass will take a bit longer to emerge. And until the end of May, we can count on a few cold snaps, so be prepared.
Along Main Street, the re-‐opening of The American Hotel and 204 Main Bistro are good harbingers of springtime. Stop by the Cobbler & Company to enjoy the spring bulbs decorating the storefront. Mohawk Valley Living sent a team to feature “Springing into Spring at the Springs” – be sure to watch the March 31st and April 7th shows at www.mohawkvalleyliving.com.
CHALYBEATE PARK UPDATE
The Committee for the Restoration of Chalybeate Park is organizing a park
cleanup day for Saturday, May 4th. Hope to see many Chatter readers there – since the flooding in September 2011, FEMA has done some massive regarding, including the removal of the concrete wall from the defunct swimming pool making the park area about twice as large. The new plans will be unveiled on the 4th, so come on out!
MAY 4
May 4th,10am-2pmJoin your neighbors and others who love Sharon Springsin kicking off the restoration of Chalybeate Park.
Bring your shovel. Bring your gloves. Bring your smiles.
Refreshments will be provided by “Mos Delicious” catering company!
HARD WORKERSOF ALL AGES NEEDED!!
BANK ROBBERIES IN SHARON SPRINGS by Sandy Manko
The bank heist on January 23, 2013 wasn’t the first bank robbery in Sharon Springs. Many of us remember the robbery in 1982. That was when the bank was located downtown next to the Roseboro Hotel. Police arrested 3 men in connection with the hold-‐up and recovered the $17,000 that had been taken -‐ just 6 hours after they learned of the armed robbery at the Sharon Springs branch of Central National Bank. One man was from Fort Plain, one from Nelliston, and the third from Van Hornesville.
Approximately 10:30 a.m. on Fri. Dec. 17, 1982, two men wearing ski masks and gloves and armed with a sawed-‐off shotgun and starter’s pistol entered the bank and demanded money from the 3 employees. Bank Manager Helen Wardwell and tellers, Linda Lape and Dorothy Farro gave $17,291 to the two men. No one was hurt and no shots were fired. The two men fled in a blue Ford LTD, which police found abandoned about 20 min. later on Beechwood Road about two miles from the bank. Police also found the masks and gloves and determined the two men had used a second car.
Through interviews with people in Sharon Springs, they established the make and color of the second car, a brown Chevy with a toy beagle in the back window. All three men were arrested about 4:00 p.m. The shotgun, pistol and money were later recovered off McPhail Road, a short distance from Sharon Springs.The tellers were interviewed. Dorothy Farro said “We just started filling the bag up as fast as we could.” The bank manager, Helen Wardwell and the other teller, Linda Lape, thought friends were playing a joke.“I couldn’t believe it was happening,” said Mrs. Lape, an employee of the bank for seven years. “I thought that any minute they’d pull off their masks and they would be someone we all knew.”
“The big man, the one who came to Dorothy’s window, got up on the counter, threw the bag over, and told us to fill the bag up,” said Mrs. Wardwell. “He was waving his gun awfully close to Dorothy, so without thinking, I said to him, 'Get off that counter,’ It was a stupid thing to say and he didn’t get off.” The men made the 3 women lie on the floor when they left, Mrs. Lape said, and the entire robbery took no longer than 3 minutes. Edward Spraker, spokesman for Central National at bank headquarters in Canajoharie, said, “So far that’s the first holdup and we hope the only holdup.” Dorothy Farro later wrote a poem to “commemorate” the robbery:
It was Dec 17 in 1982, On a Friday morning about 10:02 When a sudden “swish” sound in C. N. B. At Sharon Springs office alerted me – On looking up two “black holes” I did see, And behind them a mask peering ghastly at me. I suddenly realized before the crook spoke, We were being held up – armed robbery – no joke! There were two of them armed – with guns in our faces. They demanded our money while we stayed in our places. This done they ordered us flat on the floor, While they instantly turned and rushed out of the door. We spring to our feet and hit the alarm, Which I couldn’t do sooner without risking harm, In a very short time the Village was covered, With police officers, bankers, and newsmen who hovered. Before the sun set the culprits were caught, We were open for business more cautious in thought. $17,000 recovered, the guns were taken, The robbers in custody then were the shaken! Through all of this our Christmas tree stood, Giving strength and hope with the promises of good. The robbers themselves without any reason, In their red and green jackets were dressed for the season!
Then, on March 27, 2001, a bank robber was killed in Sharon after a high speed chase. He was an
Oneonta man who had robbed a bank in Colonie and possibly other bank heists. The driver was seen throwing a bag out of the van window near I-‐88. The bag was recovered and contained the money from the robbery and a toy gun. The high speed chase that began on I-‐88 ended on Short Road in Sharon Hill.
The Times Journal quoted Sheriff John Bates who said, “This incident shows more and more that Schoharie County is no longer isolated. Things happen. People travel through. Things are changing.” This brings us up to the present and the bank robbery which happened in January. We’re thankful no one was hurt. Let’s hope we don’t have more bank robberies to reminisce about in the future.
Luna cakes and music Luna, Cakes by Design from Sharon Springs, was represented on Broadway with the Opening night cake of Cinderella. The Event was themed Cinderella and the Princes Wedding Reception. It was held at the famed and beautiful Gotham Hall in Manhattan. The Wedding Cake was a 7 tiered cake with 6 cake pumpkins surrounding. The cake served was our rich chocolate cake with raspberry ganache and raspberry filling and chocolate buttercream and our silky vanilla cake with raspberry filling and vanilla buttercream. The cake was the center piece of the room with spot lights high-lighting it. Photos of the wedding party as well as Cinderella and the prince were taken around the cake. Everyone danced and enjoyed the evening. We're happy to report that Cinderella didn't have to leave at Midnight. And...Everyone lived "Happily ever after..."
"Songs From a Glass Half Full" A Musical Revue by our very own Drew Taylor and Robert Cioffi originally performed in Sharon Springs, was presented at the ReVision Theatre in Asbury Park, NJ. The cast performed to full houses and standing ovations. We will be producing a cast album later this year so keep your eyes and ears open for a CD release. Exciting things happening!
We (Leila and phil durkin) LoVe PaRiS . . .
France had never been my first choice for travel. I favored Mexico and Italy ~ warm cultures with words I could wrap my tongue around. Three trips later, I am now a bit of a Francophile, too . . . sort of. The language still eludes me. I am picking up odds and ends of sentences and can, for the most part, get around on the Metro and order a meal - with help from my husband. The odd thing is when we are there it feels familiar and comfortable ~ as though it were home. I try not to be one of those people who becomes a zealot, throwing comparisons into every conversation, “Well, in France they do this or don’t do that.” But, it does happen from time to time. I am impressed with the country’s cultural pride and the value placed on whole foods. I am not fooled into thinking it is perfect, though. Questions arise that never get answered. Such as, why are there no washcloths in the hotels? If they love butter so much why don’t we ever get a pat of butter with a baguette. I have grown bold enough to ask for it - they do have it, hidden away for Americans. And, what could possibly be the reason for taking the seats off the toilets? I find the most memorable experiences in traveling aren’t always the big ones, but in the everyday moments of chance meetings & fleeting visions. And so it was on this trip. Our friend Joseph, an artist, works in his Paris atelier during the winter. I don’t know of another artist who is as prolific and still as enthused about making art - even after 50+ years of doing so. As we were walking from his studio to his apartment to have dinner I lagged behind, dreaming, catching snippets of the conversation ahead of me. As I glanced up, it occurred to me I was witnessing a timeless scene: a tired artist, hat and clothes disheveled, a bit of a limp ~ stopping at the Boulangerie for baguettes on the way home. The next day, after seeing an extraordinary exhibition of Chagall paintings, we headed to Le Select in hopes of some literary inspiration. We chose an outdoor table to soak up the sun. At the next table was an older woman who caught my attention. She was having an animated conversation with the waiter, while smoking, drinking, eating, and writing down notes on a yellow legal pad. Of course, I had to meet her. She began by telling us that she was 85 and doing the best work of her life. She apologized for her appearance and was quick to tell us she was beautiful when younger. As a scripteur she had traveled to New York where she had danced with Bing Crosby and Cary Grant. She went on to say that the renowned director, Francois Truffaut, loved her voice - enlisting her to do a voice over in “400 Blows.” Coincidentally, a movie we had just watched. Sitting there seemed like we were a cliché. The Parisian café, a writer, café & croissant . . . For austerity I did take out my notebook and jotted down a few profound notes.
The list of things to do and see in Paris remains long . . . but, we will save it for next year’s trip. New Store Opening in Village Mark your calendar for June 1st as Sustainables at 183 Main St. in Sharon Springs will be opening its doors! Sustainables will carry a wide variety of organic, bulk foods, local meats, produce, health and beauty products, gourmet coffee and tea and much more! Check out sharonspringssustainables.com or contact us for more info at [email protected]
NEWS FROM ADELPHI PAPER HANGINGS
Looking for a new wallpaper for your hallway? Recently Adelphi was commissioned to develop two new (well, new for us – early and mid-‐19th century) ashlar patterns. These architectural patterns were composed of relatively large blocks, often about 18 inches wide and 9 inches high and were commonly used in hallways and staircases – high traffic areas. The thinking was that if a spot were to be damaged then a replacement block could be cut from a spare roll and pasted over the blemish.
Their popularity seems to have spanned most of the 19th century; one “sandwich” of wallpaper we acquired from a home in Savannah, Georgia had 4 different ashlar patterns.
The earliest of these new patterns comes from the Cooper-‐Hewitt Museum in New York City; while we can’t be certain it’s probably a French pattern. It’s composed of not quite authentic looking marble blocks delineated with a green and blue ribbons(?) and rosettes. We’re producing this for a designer in New York.
The second ashlar comes to us from Dundurn Castle in Hamilton, Ontario. Their fragment is not as complete as but, as it’s a smaller pattern, there’s enough. Though I’ve visited the site Chris has and said the building contains a cock fighting pit in the basement. No mention of wallpaper there.
Black Cat News
Black Cat is still open 7 days a week; we're still at the Farmer's Market every Saturday 9-2 (Cooperstown.) Black Cat picnics for Glimmerglass can now be ordered at Blackcat-alog.com Dinner Club continues for at least another music and live music is back. Tony's new cookbook is available online or at the Cafe, and also on Amazon. We're re-doing the front once the weather permits and adding a "porch" and tables.
Farmers Market Farmers Market will have one more winter market at the Library on Saturday May 4th, then we are back to our normal schedule starting June 1st. Every Saturday, rain or shine, at the Roseboro, from 9am to 2 pm though October 26th. Join us for fresh local produce, meats, eggs, bread, cheese, baked goods, fruits, flowers, and some occasional special guests. Join us on Facebook or check our website for more info www.sharonspringsfarmersmarket.com
Dance News
Students of Studio North had a busy month in March! The Sr. Dance Company performed "Amahl and the Night Visitors" under the direction of Patrick Calleo at the beautifully restored St. Peter & St. Paul Church in Canajoharie. Our "Student Choreographer's Showcase" took place the following week in the auditorium at Sharon Springs Central School. This annual event affords our older advanced level students to experience the art of choreography. Their responsibilities included holding auditions, dancer selection, rehearsal scheduling, choreography and costume design. Our younger intermediate level dancers benefited by gaining performing experience. March culminated with an exciting Acting Workshop taught by our own wonderful actor, Drew Taylor who taught them to be "in the moment" both on and off stage. April is proving to be no less busy! Betty will teach at the annual Dance +23 Festival at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. Studio North students will attend this event which features over 20 classes taught by visiting guest artists. We are now preparing for our annual performance in May. Studio North presents "A Salute to Broadway" on May 24 at Sharon Springs Central School (more details in the next Chatter).
VHG is gone, but the INVENTORY isn’ t . . .
Cobbler & Co. ~ Women of the cloud forest fair trade jewelry Sterling silver jewelry, great selection of earrings Cooperstown Art Association ~ art supplies; papers, paints & more Cooperstown natural foods ~ your favorite greeting cards The Tepee ~ functional & lovely fair trade baskets - market baskets and more. ~ if you are interested in boxed notecards, fresh water pearls, rings & misc. inventory for resale - and/or spinning card racks, contact me at: [email protected] ~If there is an artist you would like to get in touch with, let me know - I will connect you. Thank you!
Sharon historical society program The 2013 season kicks off this Monday, April 15th, since the March program was postponed due to snow. Meetings are held in the Library Conference room at 7 PM on the dates listed below. Programs are free and open to the public but membership is only $10 a person! April 15th: Josh Kilmer-Purcell and Dr. Brent Ridge: Their Amazing Year! May 20th: Tony DiPace and Tom Reynolds will talk about the iPad Revolution at SSCS June 17th: Rosemary Sibbern: Aspects of Native American Art September 16th: Karen Cuccinella: My Schoharie: Murders and Funky Stuff October 21st: Carl Waldman and Chris Campbell: The Historical Landscape:Hills, Valleys, Rivers and Two Towns. November 18th: Video Night, Kathy Venette and others will bring in DVD’s or Videos of scenes from Sharon’s past. The Sharon Museum complex will be open daily 1-4 PM July 1st through August 31st as well as during Garden Party weekend, June 1 & 2 and Fall Harvest Festival, September 21 & 22. Mark your calendars: special dates MEET THE ARTIST – April 27th Jeanne Hidenbrand 5-8 PM at The American Hotel GARDEN PARTY WEEKEND – JUNE 1ST AND 2ND featuring the grand opening of the new Beekman 1802 in the former Village Hall at 187 Main Street. Town Historian, Nancy Pfau, and Architectural Historian, Mitchell Owens will give a tour at 2 PM culminating with an English Tea at Edgefield B&B hosted by Dave and Dan Wood. FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL – September 21st and 22nd. Don’t miss the 3rd annual Harvest Hop! VICTORIAN STROLL – December 7th. Dress up and join us!
Decisions looming for imperial baths? Between newspaper articles and reporters requesting information, there appears to be
something afoot in the village. Patsy Nicosia’s article in the local Times Journal on Wednesday, April 10th, featured interviews with Mayor Cousineau and other village trustees suggesting that the village is looking into finding someone new to restore and reopen the baths before they deteriorate even further. Here’s the link to her excellent article: http://www.timesjournalonline.com/details.asp?id=81148 Since Wednesday, several village officials have received phone calls from reporter Joe Mahoney of the Oneonta Star asking questions about the baths. He has spoken with a representative of the group of investors who have allowed the buildings to decay since buying them in 2005. The representative assured the reporter that Sharon Springs, Inc. plans to begin the work of rehabilitation soon. Stay tuned; hopefully by the next Chatter we will have concrete evidence of a “happening!”
Then:
Now: