Mohawk Valley History: New Hartford High School wins championship

It’s a record day at MVCC

2012, 10 years ago

Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) graduates the largest class in its 66-year history when more than 1,000 students cross the stage at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. They receive associate degrees or certificates and hear keynote speaker Morris Dees. He is a civil rights activist and co-founder and chief trial counsel for the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama. Also speaking is John Buffa, the college’s alumnus merit award winner.

The college’s granddaddy – the New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences – first opened on Oct. 15, 1946 with 53 students attending classes in the old Country Day School in New Hartford. By 1950, enrollment reached 700 and the school had a new name – State University Institute. In 1953, it became known as Mohawk Valley Technical Institute and 10 years later it was renamed Mohawk Valley Community College.

Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and his wife, Susan, announce that the annual Mayor’s Benefit Gala raised $62,475 for the Stevens-Swan Humane Society and the Children’s Museum of History, Science and Technology.

Names in the news: George Clark, a 27-year veteran of the Utica Fire Department who is promoted to assistant fire chief; and Michael Sweeney of Newport, who is the new chief executive officer of the Presbyterian Home of Central New York in New Hartford.

In high school baseball, Sauquoit Valley defeats Cooperstown 2-0 as right-hander Aaron LoPiccolo tosses a no-hitter, strikes out 10 and also has two hits, including run-scoring triple.

Looking back: A 35-foot candy counter. Two floors of shopping. Whatever happened to Woolworth in Utica?

Mohawk Valley History: Genesis Group honors health professionals; police officers honored

1997, 25 years ago

New citizens

U.S. District Judge David N. Hurd swears in 64 new citizens in his courtroom at 10 Broad St., Utica. He tells them: “Your new country offers much and expects much. The freedoms, rights and liberties which you are receiving today are not gifts. You have earned these rights by your courage and commitment to this country … along with those freedoms, rights and liberties come duties and obligations.”

New Hartford High wins the Tri-Valley League girls track and field championship with an 85-47 win over Chittenango. Coach Jackie Tompkins squad is led by winners Annie Herbowy (400 meters), Anna Arnold (triple jump) and Kelli Abounader, Erin McDonald, Herbowy and Arnold (1600 meter relay).

The Rome Twigs – volunteers serving and supporting Rome Health – elect new officers: Wendy Waters, president; Mary Nowak, vice president; Bonnie Kinne, secretary; and Jo Ellen Hadlock, treasurer.

1972, 50 years ago

Neighborhood Center

Anthony Falvo is elected chairman of the board at the Neighborhood Center of Utica. Other officers include: Stephen Casakos, vice chairman; Carol Felt, secretary; and John Dale, treasurer.

The New Hartford Jaycees elect Frank Aiello as its president. Others elected include: Al Cardamone, external vice president; Bill Randall, internal vice president; Fred Snediker, treasurer; Bob Tyksinski, secretary; Gary Gilbert, state director; and directors Bill McCoy, Brian Rosetti, John Wishart, Joe Thierry and Tom Hagerty.

1947, 75 years ago

Grant appointed

Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant III, grandson of former President Ulysses S. Grant, is appointed vice president of George Washington University. The 1903 graduate of West Point is a summer resident of Clinton and a frequent visitor to Utica. His wife, Edith, is the daughter of internationally known statesman Elihu Root, a native of Clinton and graduate of Hamilton College.

Harold Pendleton of Rome is elected president of the Oneida County Rural Mail Carriers Association.

Cheerleaders at Whitesboro Central High are judged the “best in the Central-Oneida League.” They are: Irene Wind, Barbara Cheetham, Barbara Hawken, Mary Diehl, Joan McDonald and Barbara Newlands.

1922, 100 years ago

A one and only club

The Kirotex Club of Utica celebrates its one-year anniversary and has the distinction of being the only such club in the world. Its name is taken from the first syllables of three well-known service clubs – Kiwanis, Rotary and Exchange. It basically is a training school for men from ages 20 to 29 who are not members of the three clubs, but might be some day. Its members – there are 21 charter members who meet weekly – experience the principles of service and fellowship which have made Kiwanis, Rotary and Exchange important forces in the local business community.

1778, 244 years ago

Valley Forge celebrates

Clouds of death and depression at Valley Forge are beginning to disappear as spring arrives with its warmth – and much more. General Nathaniel Greene now is in charge of getting food and supplies to General George Washington’s troops and he is succeeding doing just that. Muskets, too, are arriving from France – America’s new military ally – along with much needed clothing and shoes. The troops celebrate with a parade and it gives them an opportunity to demonstrate what Baron von Steuben has been teaching them – how to march and present arms properly.

Trivia quiz

Who was the first member of the Republican Party to run for president of the United States? (a) William Seward, (b) Abraham Lincoln, (c) John Charles Fremont, (d) Nathaniel Prentice Banks. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week’s question: In 1909, President William Howard Taft ordered the White House transportation fleet to get rid of its horses and carriages and replace them with automobiles – a seven-passenger White Steamer touring car, two Pierce-Arrow limousines and a Baker Victoria Phaeton electric car.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Mohawk Valley History: MVCC graduates largest class ever