Monday, December 28, 2009

110 South Street



Arthur A.Boyd and his wife, Flore, occupied 110 South Street after Boyd, a retired naval officer, moved to Auburn to take over the Hayden saddlery hardware and home manufacturing business that had been established by his father-in-law, Peter Hayden. The company at that time employed convict labor, but later was to occupy a building with D.E. Clapp Maufacturing.

For several years, the Boyds held a cotillion at the mansion with the pit band of the Auditorium Theater providing the music.

Mr. Boyd in 1917. Then Mrs. Boyd lived at 66 South Street in the winter adn opend the mansion for the remainder of the year. Upon her death in 1928, her daughter Gladys sold the property.

The mansion was razed to make room for the Case Mansion and grounds. The stones of the mansion were recycled and used in the construction of the church school building of Second Presbyterian Church (today Westminster Church) on William Street.
School on the left


Today, First Presbyterian Church occupies the site of the former Boyd mansion, which later was the south lawn of the Theodore Case Mansion.


The First Presbyterian Church steeple had collapsed and the congregation decided to leave the corner of North and Franklin streets which had been home to them since the first wooden house of worship had been built there in 1816.

The South Street Church designed by John Y. Critchley was built at a cost of more than $550,000 on land purchased from the Carmelite Fathers.

In 1975, the Presbyterian congregation purchased the adjacent 40-room Case mansion from the Carmelites.

~ Information provided by Sheila Tucker, Cayuga County Historian

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Teaser Tuesday (December 22)

Teaser Tuesday is a meme hosted by Should Be Reading .


Bosch had never been a believer in coincidence. He wasn’t going to start now.

- Nine Dragons, page 162, by Michael Connelly

73 South Street



73 South Street


On this property was the home of Gen. John H. Chedell. Chedell was born in Otsego County. Upon the death of this father, Chedell apprenticed in the jewelry business. At the age of 21, Chedell moved to Auburn. Here Chedell opened a jewelry store at 103-105 Genesee Street. Chedell invested wisely in the Oswego Starch Co., and with this fortune, invested in the first Auburn and Syracuse Railway, as well as the Southern Central. Chedell served as president of the Southern Central and he served on the board of directors of the Leigh Valley and the New York Central railroads. Chedell was named brigadier general in 1857 of the 23rd Brigade and served in that capacity for 20 years.

Gen. Chedell donated land for the for St. John's Church as well as the bell tower and spire for St. Peter's Epiccopal Church in 1873. Chedell was a founding member of teh Orphan Asylum.

Upon the death of Gen. Chedell in 1875, the property on South Street remained in the family. In 1950 the South Street home was sold to Drs. Mary and Alan Koirkwood. The Kirkwoods razed the building and constructed the present-day building shown above. Today, 73 South Street houses the dentistry offices of Drs. William and James Elkovitch.

~ Information provided by Sheila Tucker, Cayuga County Historian

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

77 South Street



This house was built for Harold E. Hills and his wife, Caroline, in 1897. Harold Hills was a prominent Auburn attorney and the grandson of Eleazor Hills, who operated Auburn's first general store.



Harold Hills died at age 39 and the house was taken over by his brother, William, and his wife, Alice. William too was an attorney. The Hills home was the scene of formal dinner parties and multi-generational Christmas-night parties given by Mrs. Alice B. Hills for 48 years. With her gracious living style, formal dinner parties and gowns, Alice was the last of the South Street Victorians. Alice died in 1966 at the age of 98.



The Hills family occupied the home until the death of Alice's daughter, Mary Day Butler, in 1971. The home was left unoccupied by the heirs for a number of years. It is presently being restored.

~ Information provided by Sheila Tucker, Cayuga County Historian

Friday, December 04, 2009

A Christmas Memory



Joan and I with 200 other first-nighters attended the presentation of Truman Capote’s short story, “A Christmas Memory”.

Read Tony Curulla's review, Veteran Patricia Neal Still Delivers in Capote Story, as it appeared in the Syracuse Newspapers.

Back Story

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

"I got on the bus to go home."


The famous U.P.I. photo
actually on Dec. 21, 1956


Today, in 1955, Rosa Parks, a black seamstress, refused to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery, Ala., city bus.Parks was arrested, sparking a yearlong boycott of the buses by blacks.

Sit Still - Just Sit Still

Monday, November 23, 2009

The Victorian House of Westminster Manor


This mansion at South Street was built for Gordon W. Allen and his second wife, Ada, whom Allen married in November 1890. Allen had moved to Union Springs as a youth. In 1861, Allen came to Auburn to read law at his uncle's firm. In 1863 Allen enlisted in the 160th New York Regiment. Allen returned to Auburn in 1865 and wed Caroline Osborne. For 10 years Allen served as treasurer of the D.M. Osborne Company. In 1894, Allen joined with William J. Henry to form the Henry and Allen Company. This firm manufactured reaper blades, chains, and implements at its plant at 231 Wadsworth Street. In August of 1893, the wedding reception of Allen's stepdaughter, Anna Dennis Myers and William H. Seward, Jr. was held in this home.

Many elderly Auburnians associate this mansion with Charles A. McCarthy, who lived here from 1911 until his death in 1937. In 1889, McCarthy joined with John Dunn to create The Dunn and McCarthy Shoe Company. Located on Washington Street the company became a leader in the shoe industry as well as a major employer in Auburn. McCarthy's philanthropic endeavors were numerous. McCarthy gave to the Auburn Theological Seminary building fund and to the construction of the original Auburn City Hospital.

Today this mansion serves as a senior apartment facility for Westminster Manor. Westminster Manor purchased the property in 2002.

Information compiled by Sheila Tucker, Cayuga County Historian

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Montezuma Photography Workshop


New Pond


Naturalist Dave Spier conducted a meeting for nature and wildlife photography e-club members at the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) this afternoon from 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM. There were 18 attendees present.

Using the MAC facilities Dave shared several slides showing photos of fall vegetation, snow scenes and wildlife.

Dave employed recently taken photos of frost to show examples of backlighting, random pattern selection and reflection.

Emphasizing the credo, Keep It Simple, Dave pointed out how to focus on the main point of the photo and how to eliminate distractions that do not contribute to the main point.

A question was asked regarding shooting RAW. Dave's explanation seemed to favor taking your photos in the RAW, especially now that photo cards are reasonably priced.

At the conclusion of the program, Art Benning introduced Lois, his wife, and himself to the audience. Mr. Benning said that the Benning Marsh, the 5 acre marsh created in 1991 on the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge for the purpose of providing additional shorebird habitat, was named after his father, a renown birder.

Looking out through the MAC's windows the gray skies discouraged those in attendance from taking photos today.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Montezuma Audubon Center - Bird Watching


Montezuma Audubon Center - 7 AM


Naturalist Dave Spier conducted an early morning bird monitoring hike around the Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC) today.

At 7:00 AM, our group of four assembled in the MAC parking lot. Dave led our group (Linda from Palmyra, Chuck from Lyons and myself) out onto the frosty grounds.

Upon leaving the parking lot we saw a flock of Canada geese flying east. This was the first of several Canada geese that we would observe this morning.

Trail Map


Walked toward Sandpiper Shallows our presence put up a Great Blue Heron. Using Chuck's telescope stand we viewed 13 Trumpeter Swans floating at the south end of the pond.

Sandpiper Shallows & Marganser Marsh


Went towards the rim of Marganser March.

Marganser Marsh


We continued toward the observation deck. Upon entering the wood Chuck brought to our attention a Red-bellied Woodpecker. Then Dave noted a Tufted Titmouse.

From the observation deck we scanned the area. Some of the Trumpeter Swans took to flight.

View From Deck


Dave on the right, Linda & Chuck


We headed back to the MAC center by way of Warbler Walk. There to the right of the path was a huge tree. Dave identified this massive tree as a wolf tree.

Warbler Walk


Cresting a mound Chuck pointed out an area in which he would like to place a bench.



Views From Chuck's Suggested Location for a Bench


Some of the Audubon Center flora seen on this frosted morning.







Back inside the MAC center referring to The Sibley Field Guide Dave took a few minutes to point out the birds that we saw today.

The sightings the Trumpeter Swans and the Red-bellied Woodpecker were a first for me making the early morning waking worthwhile.

Osage Orange - Revisited



In fall, this fruit’s color turns a bright yellow-green and it has a faint odor similar to that of oranges thus it name The Osage Orange.

Are Osage Oranges edible?

How do you grow Osage Oranges.

Do Osage Oranges repel insects?

This last question was addressed in the October 2009 issue of Better Homes and Gardens. On page 141 to the left of a photo of a decorative tray of wrinkly green hedge apples was the question - Do hedge apples keep spiders out of houses? The answer - This belief isn't supported by science evidence but is widely held, particularly in the Midwest. Demand for hedge apples is such that many grocery stores sell them each fall when the fruits ripen. The tree, known as osage orange, was planted to create fence rows before barbed wire was invented, but it is not a recommended ornamental tree.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Sarah Palin

Going Rogue - Auburn Visit




Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, right,
rides with her husband Todd and daughter Willow


Former Alaska governor Sarah Palin took part in Auburn's Founders Day on June 6, 2009. This event celebrated the 50th anniversary of Alaskan statehood. Founders Day is an annual celebration of the Auburn's history.

Going Rogue, Palin's book, is being released this week in the midst of a national media blitz.

In the book Palin calls her visit to Auburn and the Finger Lakes “inspiring,” stating she was able to visit sites associated with “heroic figures” like Harriet Tubman - who helped runaway slaves escape through the Underground Railroad - and women's rights pioneers Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.

Palin recalls in the book seeing Tubman's home in Auburn, a visit that took place the day before Founders Day. “As with Seward, Tubman hadn't taken the easy path. But it was the right path,” Palin writes.

William H. Seward, one of Auburn's most famous residents, was responsible for the United States' purchase of Alaska.

On pages 12-13 of her book, Palin points out that Seward dealt with a lot of criticism for the purchase, which was panned as “Seward's Folly.” But she called him a “visionary” for seeing the land's valuable resources and strategic position.

“Decades later, (Seward) was posthumously vindicated, as purveyors of unpopular common sense often are,” Palin wrote.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Rake'em & Bag'em



The City of Auburn code prohibits city residents from depositing leaves on the street, sidewalk, gutter, curb or other public places unless they are in bags or containers for collection. Also according to the code, property owners are responsible for keeping the street, gutter and sidewalk in front of their properties free of leaves.

In The Citizen today Auburn City Manager Mark Palesh reacted to this the law.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Osage Orange Road Trip

Today after lunch Joan and I drove out to Aurora. Entering Union Springs Joan noted the price of gas at the Indian's fuel pumps, $2.56 a gallon. Doing a quick u-turn I pulled up to the pump and filled the TrailBlazer. Then came the hard part getting back on the highway. The locals were doing their own thing and we were forced to veer off to the left when the red arrows on the signs told you to go right. After detouring around the back of the station we were on our way again.


Osage Orange


Passing the cemetery and rounding the bend coming into Aurora there she was old faithful. Not only did she look glorious in the Fall sunlight but underneath her in the culvert were a multitude of large osage oranges. Always hesitant to venture into the yard here we were able to fill three plastic shopping bags with the oranges that were lying just off the highway.


Osage Orange Tree
Aurora NY


We continued into the village of Aurora. We were seeking the Wells College golf course. Jackie at Smiley's told us that there was an osage orange tree near the clubhouse. A student obligingly directed us to the course. However we did not notice any tree bearing oranges. Since there were several golfers using the links we passed.



We then drove to Long Point State Park. Here Joan collected a bag of rose hips and I walked down to the shoreline.


Long Point State Park
Aurora NY


Driving along the lake we turned back on to the highway and headed for Sherwood. Just south of the four corners we came upon another tried and tree osage orange tree. Once again today we found the culvert overflowing. Joan filled three bags.


Osage Orange Tree
Sherwood NY


We definitely agree that searching for osage oranges before Thanksgiving is the best time.

Upon returning home we celebrated our most successful road trip with take-out from Connie's.

Comments received by email:
Nov 15, 2009
Here in Kentucky, I saw them in the fields where I played as a young preteen. They were called horse apples and weren't considered eatable. Your pictures are very entertaining. Have a great day, Bill Mitchell

Nov 15, 2009
I haven't seen one of them in ages.. my Uncle who had the Dairy Farm would gather them up and give them to all us kids and he would have us stand across from one another to see who could hit who with them. They make good bruises on a youngster...haha

Nov 15, 2009
Here in Ohio we call them,hedge apples....
Mountain-Sprite

Nov 15, 2009
What a unique and strange looking fruit. I loved the pictures of your road trip. Please paste more. I've been to Long Island before. What a beautiful state. Enjoy your day :o)

Nov 15, 2009
Sounded like a fun trip! Enjoyed the trip photos. Thanks for sharing with us. Take care now, mitzi

Neat road trip. Scavenging as well, as a bonus.
-- jroot

Beautiful tree and very interesting fruit. When I was thinking about ideas for growing a living fence, my research brought me to the Osage Orange. Evidently, before barbwire was invented, farmers planted young Osage Orange trees close together in a line. By pruning them into a thick hedge, it would grow into a living fence horses, cattle, pigs and goats could not get through. In addition, the trunks make incredible fence posts that resist rot and termites for decades. One of these days, I might try to use this tree to grow a living fence. Thanks for the photos!
-- Robin, Massachusetts

A very successful venture to get the Orange and a Rose bud as bonus. Doug you have taken beautiful photos. Your posting has given us very important information on practical uses of Osage Orange tree for which I thank Robin.
-- Sharad

Osage Orange Revisited

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Fire on Perrine Street

Early this Sunday morning a fire damaged the home at 99 Perrine Street. The homeowner, Maryellen Williams, got out without incident. No one was hurt but the house received moderate smoke damage.

Arriving about 2:07 A.M. firefighters found flames in the attic loft of the wood-frame structure. The blaze was out by 2:24 A.M. but not before firefighters pulled down ceiling tiles in a second floor bedroom to get at it.

Judged accidental. The cause was determined electrical failure in a ceiling fan in an upstairs bedroom. Damage was confined to the upstairs bedroom and a crawl space above the ceiling where a fire hose was used to extinguish the flames.

Terry emailed us after breakfast noting the incident. Until then we were unaware of the happening which took place just down the street. Our house must be sound-proof.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Accident on Perrine Street


Car in front of Vergie's house
Cell phone photo


Awoken by the sound of crash at 2:15 AM this morning. Looked out bedroom window and saw Bob's van had collided with Courtney's car. Called 911.

Within a matter of minutes two fire engines, five patrol cars and an ambulance were on the scene.

Dressing and going out onto the porch saw there was a crumpled vehicle in front of Vergie's house.




Emergency vehicles in our front yard
Digital Camera - still working on taking nite photos


Joan gathered some details from the crowd. Evidently Bob arrived home a little after midnight from his work. Parked his car as usual across from his home. He heard the crash. Went out into the street. The driver requested that Bob not call the police. Mute point since I already phoned 911. Bob was amazed that the force of the crash could move his car over a hundred feet east since it was in park.


Police looking at Courtney's auto
Cell phone photo


Courtney's car sustained considerable damage to the driver's side door.

The driver who caused the accident appeared to be intoxicated. The ambulance attendants strapped him to a body board and transported from the scene.


Loading the injured driver
Cell phone photo


This incident reinforces why the city should mandate off-street parking. Granted this rule would not eliminate drunken driving but it would protect personal property.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Elizabethtown Trek

Friday, September 18th
Packed the Trailblazer and headed North by way of the Thruway without the our E-Z Pass which has been temporarily disabled. Did not pack a lunch. But as we were tooling East on Rt. 90 Joan suggested that we have lunch at that restaurant which is visible from the Thruway.

As we approached Interchange 30 (Herkimer - Mohawk - Route 28) the restaurant appeared on the right along the Erie Canal. The restaurant turned out to be The Waterfront Grille.

Waterfront Grille Chef


Our hostess seated us at a window table with a full view of the canal. The Lil' Diamond II, a 60 passenger United States Coast Guard certified vessel operated by the Erie Canal Cruises, was boarding just as our first course was served. We watched as the Lil' Diamond II left the dock and headed east on the canal.

Lil' Diamond II


For lunch Joan had the Haddock Sandwich which was fried to perfection and I had the New England Clam Chowder and the wrap of the day - a Caesar chicken wrap. Our waitress was most attentive. The neighboring waitress placed a dish of mustard next to my wrap. Was puzzled as to why she did this. Later found out the mustard was for one of her patrons.

After lunch we browsed through the Gems Along the Mohawk. This visitor's center was unique in that it displays and sells only New York State produced products. We noticed packages of New Hope Mills flour on their shelves.

We resumed our travels east. After filling our gas tank at the Gulf station in Ballston Spa. We parked in public parking and walked around the downtown area. While Joan went into a art and craft emporium I noticed a NYS historical marker on the corner of Washington St. & Fenwick St.




Never knew Abner's origins before.

Arrived at 32 Roscoe Road around 5 PM. Had dinner with Brian and Heather at Cashin's Cobble Hill Inn.

We sat at the table on the left.


Jenna, our waitress, was attentive to our needs and offered dinner suggestions. Heather had a quesadilla, Joan ordered the taco salad, Brian and I had burgers, Brian the Plain Jane and I the Bronx Bomber.


Saturday, September 19th

Woke up at 6:30 AM. Went to Stewart's for the morning paper,Press Republican. Stopped to check our geocache, the The Footbridge. All is well with it.

After breakfast, climbed Blueberry Hill to check our geocache, Fats Domino Tribute. Trail was dry, the view clear, and the cache box intact.

Blueberry Hill looking East


Blueberry Hill looking West


Taken with cell phone


Heather made lasagna for dinner.

Sunday, September 20th
Woke up at 6:30 AM. Went to Stewart's for the Sunday paper. Stopped at our geocache, The Colonial Garden. Although the gardener has clipped back the tree branches, the cache should still be a challenge.

In the front yard of the Adirondack History Center Museum was a unique sculpture. Heather gave me some background concerning the Wadhams artist Edward "Ted" Cornell and this work.

Angel of Inerrancy Conveying Meaningful Souls to Hell


We all went to the Arsenal for breakfast. Being Sunday the place was packed but Faye was doing her usual magic and everyone was served quickly. Brian had the full Adirondack plate and the rest of us enjoyed blueberry pancakes. Faye's sister came in after church, put on an apron and started clearing tables.

Drove to Plattsburgh High School Auditorium. Since we were early we drove to the Plattsburgh Boat Basin. Conditions were sunny but breezy. A family was having a picnic, an elderly photographer was snapping gulls with his Canon, and crew was enjoying snacks and drinks on their docked sloop.

Sailboats - Lake Champlain


Seagull


Return to the Plattsburgh High School Auditorium, the Adirondack Wind Ensemble's Fall Concert -"Gems and Treasures" began promptly at 3 PM. Bugler's Holiday (a march tune), Place St. Henri (a swing piece by Oscar Peterson) and the score from Richard Rodgers' South Pacific were my favorite selections performed by the ensemble. This would be the last concert for conductor, Dan Geldert, who has relocated.

Heather chatting with one of her students after the concert


Dan Geldert accepting accolades after the concert
Dan on the far right


Dinnertime. Went to Bazzano's Pizza. Brian had a personal pizza and the rest of us had chicken parma. The sauce was excellent.

Monday, September 21th
Woke up at 6:30 AM. Went to Stewart's for the morning paper. Sent Heather and Brian off to work. Joan and I went to the Arsenal for breakfast. French toast and hash. Faye wished us well and said that she would see us the next time we passed by.

Decided to take the scenic road home. First stop - Long Lake. New restrooms - clean and environmentally kind.

Long Lake

Town workers taking in the raft.
Can you find the tiniest worker?

Kayaker

Sea Plane

The Happy Trekkers


Continuing on we made our way down the chain of lakes. Pulled over into the Inlet public parking area. Walked to the beach and checked our geocache, Walkin' Fourth on Water. Cache is secure.

Fourth Lake - view from the cache

Sea-doo passing by

Holl's Inn

Trekking - you've got to love it


Back on the road. Got out in Old Forge. Look at a couple of shops new to us. On to Utica. Gassed at BJ's. Had a snack - chicken wraps - at KFC. Drove into 88 Perrine about suppertime.

Capped off our trek with dinner at Doug's Fish Fry/.