Bound Volumes, Hometown History
May 1, 2025
70 YEARS AGO
It hasn’t been announced yet, but the Army engineers will burrow under Greenland’s mighty icecap this summer and, if successful, run subway trains beneath the packed snow and ice just as subways run under New York City. This spectacular project, known as Operation Ice Cube, is awaiting final approval by Danish authorities who govern Greenland. A volunteer construction crew of six officers and 172 men commanded by Lt. Col. Elmer Clark is standing by to begin the dangerous tunneling through the solid million-year-old ice. Their work will be supervised by 60 scientists, all Arctic specialists. Using the latest snow-tunneling equipment, they will bore 100 feet below the surface to build this unique deep-freeze subway. The purpose is to link scattered Arctic outposts by fast electric trains that will streak under the icecap with troops and supplies. Greenland stands as a mammoth stationary iceberg in the path of Soviet bombers that could strike America from Arctic bases.
May 1955
50 YEARS AGO
Rene Prins, principal oboist of the Albany Symphony and a member of the faculty of Hartwick College will present a recital in the Theatre for the Arts at Hartwick College at 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 6. The public is invited to attend without charge. On the program will be works by J.S. Bach, G.F. Handel and Paul Hindemith as well as some new pieces by lesser known composers. Assisting Prins will be Charles Schneider on the keyboard instruments, Janet Nepkie, cello and John Mazarak, viola. The featured vocal soloist will be soprano Janet Bucci.
A five-day residency of the Hartford Ballet Company beginning today at Hartwick College is the outstanding cultural event of the year at Hartwick College according to Dr. Adolph Anderson, President. Two performances at the Theatre for the Arts will be open to the public without charge. There will be an informal ballet lecture demonstration at 3 p.m. Friday, May 2 and a one-hour fully costumed Children’s Program at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 3. Master classes in ballet will also be available to the public for beginning, intermediate and advanced dance students May 1 through 4.
May 1, 1975
30 YEARS AGO
As Wal-Mart’s Supercenter approaches its grand opening in June or July, merchants on Southside say the competition doesn’t worry them. They believe that Wal-Mart will draw more shoppers to benefit all. Local store managers will be counting on their varied product lines and customer service to compete with Wal-Mart’s reputed hard-hitting, predatory retail strategy. “I’m not going to worry,” said Andrew McNichol, manager of NRM Music at Southside Mall. “NRM Music’s prices are competitive,” he said, “and our selection is better than a discount department store can offer.”
May 1995
20 YEARS AGO
Andrew Card, President Bush’s Chief of Staff, appearing on three Sunday morning talk shows appealed for Congressional Democrats to work with the administration and Republicans rather than complain and stall action on Capitol Hill. “We’d like to see more cooperation from Democrats,” Card said. “We have some serious problems in the country that must be addressed. We’d like to see the Democrats be part of the solution rather than just carp about the problem,” he told Fox News. Card implored the Democrats to do more than simply play what he called “partisan politics.” Democrats deny they are holding up progress. Rather, they criticize President Bush for his unwillingness to reach compromises with the minority party while insisting on his own proposals.
May 2005
