This Week in Local History: 6 seek seats on Utica school board; Grant OK'd for Little Falls airport
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2012, 10 years ago
Six Uticans are seeking three seats in contention on the Board of Education. They are: John Andereck, Susan Arcuri, Michele Mandia, Rochitella Napoli, Christopher Salatino (current board president) and Louis LaPolla (current board vice president). Candidates with the two highest vote totals will fill the seats of president and vice president. The third highest vote total will get the seat once held by now Utica Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi. Brindisi resigned in September when he won a special election to replace Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, who had been appointed state commissioner of the office of general services.
In Whitesboro, Dunham Public Library celebrates National Library Week and announces the winners of a poetry contest. In ages 9 to 17, the winners are Elizabeth Brigham (first) and Alexis Whiting (second). Ages 18 and older winners are Pamela Fisher (first) and Judith Leach (second).
Dianne Tuttle, who has been clerk of the town of Kirkland for 24 years, retires. An election for her replacement will take place in November. Meanwhile, Deputy Town Clerk Caryl Galinski will fill the remainder of Tuttle’s term, which expires December 31.
In high school baseball, Alex Lynch fires a one-hitter and strikes out 17 to lead Notre Dame to a 3-0 win over Camden. Ryan McCarthy singles for Camden.
More: Local History: Chamber of Commerce honors Mazloom; NY Mills plans library
1997, 25 years ago
Post burns mortgage
New Hartford American Legion Post 1376 celebrates the burning of its $150,000, 10-year mortgage. Historian Daniel Alamond says the post also is celebrating its 51st anniversary.
The Utica College (now Utica University) Alumni Association announces its awards recipients: Outstanding Alumnus -- Robert Julian Esq., a 1971 graduate and now a Utica attorney and majority leader of the Oneida County Board of Legislators; Alumnus of Achievement – Bruce Brodsky, a 1973 graduate and now president of the United Way of Greater Utica; College Service Award – Dr. John Millett, a 1952 graduate and now a dentist and member of the college’s board of trustees; Honorary Alumnus Award – Dominick Carbone, a Utica businessman and former national campaign chairman for the college and former member of its Foundation Board; Honorary Alumnus Award – John C. Ford, college bursar in 1960 and then college comptroller, treasurer and vice president; Outstanding Faculty Award – Mariarosa Allodi, a 1977 graduate and now associate professor of mathematics; Hall of Fame Award – Frank Mammone, a World War II veteran who graduated in 1950, served on the Foundation Board and was the first president of the Alumni Association.,
1972, 50 years ago
Herkimer airport
The Federal Aviation Administration approves a $592,850 grant to Herkimer County to build a small plane airport off Gun Club Road in the town of Little Falls. The project will cost nearly $1.2 million and the grant money will be used to acquire 280 acres in the area, and build apron access roads and a 4,000 foot macadam runway.
Dr. Alan Peabody is named Protestant chaplain of the Utica Fire Department. He is executive director of the Council of Churches of the Mohawk Valley.
In high school baseball, Paul Mezza tosses a no-hitter and strikes out 19 to lead Oriskany to a 3-1 win over Westmoreland. Neil Mitchell has a two-run double for the winners. Meanwhile, John F. Kennedy defeats Ilion, 3-2, behind the pitching and hitting (two RBIs) of Jim Magee and the hitting (three hits) of Tommy Briggs.
New York Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller appoints Charles T. Lanigan to the State Thruway Authority. He is a former mayor of Rome and Oneida County’s first county executive.
1947, 75 years ago
Plumbers elect William
James T. Williams is elected president of the New York State Association of Master Plumbers at its 58th anniversary meeting in New York City. Williams is the longtime president of the Master Plumbers Association of Utica.
1922, 100 years ago
Rotary election
Albert Winship is elected president of the Rotary Club of Utica, succeeding Robert Fraser. Other officers include: Clarence Williams, vice president; William Ellis, secretary; George Niles, treasurer, and Floyd W. Fenner, sergeant-at-arms.
1778, 244 years ago
Walker aids Steuben
Major Benjamin Walker, of the Second New York Regiment at Valley Forge, is on the sidelines watching Baron von Steuben drilling and barking orders to General George Washington’s poorly trained, undisciplined soldiers. Steuben is instructing them how to use properly muskets and bayonets, how to march into battle properly in columns of four instead of in single file and how to stand at ease and present arms. The German drillmaster is having difficulty because he is unfamiliar with the English language.
Walker, who speaks French and German, approaches Steuben and says, “May I translate your orders and interpret for the troops?” Steuben accepts the offer and later writes, “If I had seen an angel from Heaven, I should not have been more rejoiced.” He asks Walker to be his aide-de-camp. (After the war, both men became sons of Oneida County. Walker settled in Utica and built a house on Broad Street. He is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery. Steuben settled near Remsen and is buried there.)
Trivia quiz
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961, graduated from West Point in 1915 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the infantry. What was his rank when the United States entered World War II in December 1941? (a) major, (b) lieutenant colonel, (c) brigadier general, or (d) major general. (Answer will appear here in the next history column.)
Answer to last week’s question: The 21-gun salute is used to honor U.S. presidents. It commemorates the year 1776, the country’s birth date. Its digits add up to 21 and the salute always is fired in a one-seven-seven-six sequence of volleys.
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: 6 seek seats on Utica school board; Grant OK'd for airport
