Bound Volumes, Hometown History
September 12, 2024
110 YEARS AGO
The State Education Department has made public a list of students of the public schools of the state who have passed the examinations necessary for college entrance diplomas and who are eligible for state scholarships under the amended school law of 1913. Those eligible and their test averages from Oneonta are: Riley Crippen (90.38); Alice E. Kilkenny (83.8); Earnestine Ethlyn Morse (77.7); George Herbert Fletcher (77.57); and Stuart Grant (70.5).
Headlines from WWI: War’s Greatest Battle Is Raging East of Paris; Hundreds of Thousands Fighting On Each Side Will Decide Fate of Paris; Germans Are Checked; Teutonic Forces Have Been Under Disadvantage of Marching Through Swamps of Petit Morin; Russo-Austrians In a Death Grip; Continuous Fighting in Poland—Scales Turning in Russia’s Favor; Austrian Troops Are Driven Out of Russia; Supplies and Many Prisoners in Russian Hands.
September 1914
70 YEARS AGO
Oneonta public schools have registered a total of 2,135 pupils for the start of the 1954 school year. This represents an increase of 13 over opening day figures. Total enrollment is the highest in 30 years. It includes 1,120 in the grades; 542 in Junior High and 473 in Senior High. Oneonta’s Superintendent of Schools, Harold V. Hager says he will ask the Board of Education to approve a new policy eliminating any thought of abolishing Kindergartens because of space limitations in the school buildings. Elimination of Kindergartens, in order to keep the rest of the grades on full-day schedules, would eventually hurt the youngsters involved. “Kindergartens,” he said, “are essential to progress. Our records show that a youngster who goes through Kindergarten is a better reader and writer and has made a better social adjustment. He gets along better with other and, in addition, he has learned to form better personal habits.”
September 1954
30 YEARS AGO
More than 17,000 pounds of brand new pianos were unloaded recently at the State University College at Oneonta and it didn’t cost the school a cent. In a unique agreement between SUCO and the Baldwin Piano and Organ Company, and Binghamton-based Larkin Musical Instrument Co., the college got 23 new Baldwin pianos in trade for 23 older, deteriorating Steinways—20 studio uprights and three grand pianos. “It sounds like a good deal for both parties,” said local piano technician Eric Mazarak. “I think they both made out very well. Baldwins are a good quality piano. Steinway has the name, but I would rather have a new Baldwin than a worn-out Steinway.
September 1994
20 YEARS AGO
September 2004