HOMETOWN HISTORY, March 28, 2014

100 Years Ago
From alterations about the front of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the seating capacity of the edifice will be increased by 40 for each service held therein. Many who have been unable to obtain seats at either mass will in the future be assured of a sitting. The altar has been moved back about four feet from its former position, the altar rail moved a like distance, and in the newly acquired place, pews will be placed. The left side of the church near the altar has also been remodeled to give additional room for the vested choir, this change being architecturally for the beautification of the church.
March 1914

80 Years Ago
Twenty-four members of Oneonta Post, American Legion, enjoyed an Army bean supper, a boxing program, and a musical entertainment at Civilian Conservation Corps Camp 30, Gilbert Lake State Park, last evening. Commander Earl Rodgers and Dr. William F. Brady of the legion post put on the boxing gloves for the main bout of the evening, which, by general agreement, lasted only one minute. Both men were on their feet and swinging furiously when the bell rang. The bean supper was served in the camp mess hall, after which the visitors adjourned to the recreation room. Rodgers was at the piano for general singing, which included World War and Civil War songs. Others who took part in boxing matches were Delberta, C. Smith, J. Smith, Britton, Birtez, Sawyer, Sinstack, Hoover, McDonald, Payne, Pessatore, and Targia. Warren Walker acted as timer. Following the athletic events, the camp’s musical organization, the Musical Woodsmen, presented a fine entertainment which included violin selections by Hugo Villatore, trio numbers by Wilson on the harmonica, Chase on the guitar, and J. Robbins on the violin. There was a comedy sketch by H. Balinower.
March 1934

60 Years Ago
As the onetime Ulster & Delaware Railroad prepares to dismantle and pack up its last passenger train, the children of the late William H. Hickok, for 48 years a conductor on the line, are also packing up the possessions in his home at 88 Elm Street. The house has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Estabrook. Dr. Benjamin B. Hickok of Michigan State University and his sister, Mrs. Charles Hampe, Thornwood, are preparing to move or store away the contents of the Hickok house, among which are nearly priceless antiques. “Bill” Hickok, who always said he was a third of the famed western marshal, was known and loved by thousands who traveled between Oneonta and Kingston. He died January 30, 1937, when 65 years old, after having been employed for 48 years by the railroad – both when it was the U. & D. and after the line’s acquisition by the New York Central.
March 1954

40 Years Ago
A $10 billion tax cut to ease the bite of inflation was urged Sunday by the Democratic majority of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee. In its annual report, the committee said it believes the Nixon administration has grossly underestimated the pace of inflation and the growth of unemployment. The committee described Nixon administration efforts to control prices as a “debacle” and said efforts to offset rising unemployment are “pitifully weak.” The panel predicted an inflation rate this year of 8 percent or more and said unemployment will rise to 6 percent or higher.
March 1974

30 Years Ago
Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” and “Pretty Young Thing” will open and close the 1984 Live Video Dance Review to be presented by the Wendy Wade Studio at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 31. Proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. The show in the Oneonta High School auditorium will consist of nine numbers performed by Wendy Wade and her students. Three breakdancers from New York City will perform floor and Electric Boogie routines. Mrs. Wade will do a spiritual number with the theme “Sameness.” The group will split up and perform three short pieces and unite at the end. A “Jellicle Ball” will be done by Mrs. Wade and her daughter, Kelly, with Kelly dressed as a cat. Mrs. Wade says she does dance reviews for the public to show prospective students that they can learn to dance.
March 1984

20 Years Ago
In too many cities, suburbs and even rural areas in New York state, drugs play a part in nearly half of all homicides and violent crimes nationwide. With frightening regularity, young people are the victims – and the assailants. More teenage males die of gunshot wounds than of all natural causes. In New York City, homicide is the leading cause of death for men between the ages of 15 and 29.
March 1994

10 Years Ago
Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. will host the Hospice Foundation of America’s Eleventh Annual “Living with Grief,” Teleconference at the Morris Conference Center at SUNY Oneonta. The program, moderated by Coke Roberts of ABC News, will be broadcast live via satellite. The program will focus on Alzheimer’s disease and its implications for family life. Reaching an audience estimated at 125,000 people nationwide, the teleconference will benefit a wide range of professionals who support their communities and help families cope with grief and loss issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
March 2004