Bound Volumes, Hometown History
December 21, 2023
70 YEARS AGO
A program on Americanism, directed by Mrs. Foster Crosby, highlighted the Christmas party of Sidney Chapter, DAR Wednesday in the Community House. Mrs. Crosby, in a reading on Communism in this country, described a devotee to Communism as a fanatic who lives only for his party, placing that above everything. She urged Americans to exert themselves to spread Americanism so others may realize how necessary freedom is in our way of life. Howard Dunbar, faculty member of Sidney Central School, introduced members of his Americanization class who have come to us from foreign shores. Among those introduced at the gathering was Miss Eva Sjagren, who came from Helsinki, Finland in January 1950. Mr. and Mrs. Kurt Kaiser emigrated from Stuttgart, Germany in November 1952. Mrs. Hedwig Riesen came from St. Gallen, Switzerland in 1922.
December 1953
50 YEARS AGO
The Cost of Living Council granted a 23 percent jump in the price of domestic crude oil Wednesday, setting up another big round of increases in the retail cost of gasoline and home heating oil. The $1-a-barrel increase will push the after-tax price of gasoline to 44.6 cents per gallon compared to 37.2 cents average for regular gasoline last January 10. The price of home heating oil will go up to 30.7 cents, up from a January average of 19.4 cents. At the same time, President Nixon proposed an excess profits tax to prevent oil companies from reaping huge windfall profits from the soaring prices on scarce petroleum products. An additional two-cent increase for home heating oil approved by the council two weeks ago goes on top of the hike granted Wednesday and would raise the consumer price ultimately to 32.7 cents.
December 1973
40 YEARS AGO
The city’s $225,000 pedestrian bridge and arcade project took a giant step toward completion Monday with the arrival of the two-piece, timber bridge that will link the municipal parking garage with the Ford Block. The smaller of the two bridge sections, measuring about 41 feet in length and weighing about seven tons, was lifted into place over the Water Street exit from the parking garage using a large crane. The bridge was attached to the third floor of the parking garage and to a pair of concrete pillars with large metal brackets and two-inch-thick bolts. The larger section, 61 feet long and over 10 tons in weight, will be placed between the support pillars and the Webb Building of the Ford Block.
December 1983
30 YEARS AGO
The Oneonta Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, has established a scholarship to assist elementary teachers in the Oneonta City Schools in obtaining further study to improve their professional performance. The scholarship honors the memory of LouElla Gridley, a member of the chapter and an Oneonta teacher. Gridley attended Oneonta Normal School from 1927 to 1930 and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hartwick College in 1932. She received a Master of Arts degree from Albany State Teacher’s College in 1938.
December 1993
20 YEARS AGO
Menu for the Otsego County Senior Meals Program for the week of December 15-19: Monday – Spaghetti and sausage with sauce, green beans, warm dinner roll, citrus fruit cup. Tuesday – Roast beef with gravy, baked potato with sour cream, brussel sprouts, wheat bread, and pudding. Wednesday – Sliced turkey and cheese, tomato soup, rye bread, cherry poke cake. Thursday – Chili, rice, orange juice, corn bread, Jell-O with topping. Friday – Chicken breast, onion gravy, mashed potatoes, beets, pumpernickel bread and fruit cup.
December 2003
