By Erik Pekar
School board meetings sometimes get the public interest, and sometimes are practically ignored. The latter result also occurred a century ago, as reported in the August 10, 1923 issue of the Sentinel: "The annual meeting of school district 7 of the town of Granville was held Tuesday evening in the high school building with only about a dozen persons present. S.E. Everts acted as chairman. The report of the finances for the year as well as the estimated report of the expenditures for the present year were read and accepted.
"The following nominations for trustees were made: Dr. W.L. Munson, Dr. R.C. Davies, Mrs. D.D. Nelson.
"At the election Wednesday afternoon eighteen votes were cast of which Dr. Munson received 18, Dr. Davies 18, M.W. Hicks 11, Mrs. D.D. Nelson 5, John Pember 1, R.G. Hughes 1.
"The treasurer's report showed that the total expenditures last year was $51,838.49."
Annual school board meetings were the predecessor to the annual school board and budget elections, and were held later than their modern equivalents. Today candidates do not get on the school board ballot via nominations by constituents at a meeting held in the town meeting style, but rather by the candidates themselves securing signatures for petitions and submitting them to the district.
+++
A century ago there were Civil War veterans living in Granville. Their group, the Grand Army of the Republic, had a Granville post and a report in the August 10 issue told of an upcoming event: "H.E. Howard Post, G.A.R., and the Women's Relief corps, will meet with Comrade Harrington and his sister, Mrs. Woodell, in Hartford, for a picnic dinner Tuesday, August 14. Ladies of the W.R.C. will kindly provide food. Members desiring transportation should notify L.L. Barnard not later than Monday."
+++
A business change was reported: "Ernest L. Allen is to re-open the late Charles Mosher's garage in which he will do repairing and automobile painting." The garage was located in the village, on Elm Street.
Another business was mentioned in a brief item, that likely is unknown today: "Arrangements may be made by the telephone to the Shaw Homestead Tea Room of Truthville, for the entertainment of clubs with refreshments provided."
+++
The Granville Fruit Market's advertisement in the August 10 issue started with a reference to a popular song of the time: "Yes, We Have No Bananas, but we have some Bananas - nice fruit, too; also a complete line of other fruits, such as Oranges, Grapefruit, Pineapples, Peaches, Plums, Pears and all Berries in season.
"Our line of Confectionery is in a class by itself and the special boxed goods we handle are the finest to be procured. We have a special stock of chocolate Bon-bons with an extra coating at 60c per pound which cannot be equalled. We recommend you give these a trial and you'll come again.
"Our Own Ice Cream, manufactured under every sanitary condition, is the finest in town. We make a specialty of service social functions and on short notice can give any desired flavor."
The business was owned by Albert Rigali and nephew Emilio Bernardini. It was located in the two-storefront Rigali block on Main Street, which has since been renovated to a one-storefront building, and now is the location of O'Reilly Auto Parts.
+++
In last week's column we mentioned that the summer is fair and carnival season, and told of various carnivals that were operating locally in 1938. Going further back, there were some fairs operating in the summer of 1923.
The Great Cambridge Fair was announced that it would be held in Cambridge, New York, from Tuesday to Friday, August 14 to 17, 1923. Their advertisement said it was "Day and Night, Bigger and Better Than Ever".
The ad continued: "The Management cordially invites the Public to attend the Fair this year, assuring them of good clean amusements and entertainment. Come and bring the little folk, and let them enjoy this great collection of concessions." One building had a display of "novelties and kindred exhibits with novel Fernery, palms and flowers, the output of several mammoth greenhouses."
On Tuesday the admission would be free, with free dancing and special music. On Wednesday and Thursday, the admission would be 50 cents for adults and 15 cents for children, but no other charges. There would be "grand display of fireworks, free dancing, Band concert and special platform attractions."
Horse racing was a part of the Cambridge Fair in those years, and races were held daily, with a special trot and pace on Friday for "local horses that have never trotted or paced for money" with the restriction that the drive could not be professional or does business in owning or driving horses.
The ad concluded "A Good Time For All. Come Early! Go Home When You Please."
The Great Cambridge Fair was held from 1890 to the early 1940s. Its charter was dissolved in 1947. Some writings claim the modern Washington County Fair to be the successor of the Cambridge fair, but that is not the case as both coexisted for some years. In 1929 there was an advertisement in the August 9, 1929 Sentinel for the Washington County Fair to be held at the "Washington County Fair Grounds, Between Fort Edward and Hudson Falls." The Washington County Fair ad was at the top of the page, and the ad for the Great Cambridge Fair appeared at the bottom.
+++
An annual community program returns this week. The 17th annual Backpack Project will be held this Saturday, Aug. 12, at the Granville Baptist Church on 23 Quaker Street, Village of Granville, from 9 a.m. to noon. The event is open to students in the Granville Central School District, the Wells Village School and the Mettawee Community School. This applies to all grades within these schools, from pre-kindergarten up through 12th grade.
The founder and leader of the Backpack Project is Ann Schinski, who started it in 2006 in memory of her late husband Steve Schinski. She spends time over the winter and spring getting the next year’s program ready. In recent years, about 200 to 300 children have benefitted from the program; last year's program attracted about 300 children.
On the day of the backpack project, each child receives a backpack. The child and parent look over several tables of school supplies, picking up what they need. Every child leaves with a full backpack.
Donations are received throughout the year from local businesses, organizations and individuals. The monetary donations go towards the cost of buying backpacks and school supplies. Checks can be sent to The Backpack Project, c/o Ann Schinski, 5075 Vermont Route 31, Poultney, VT 05764. Those seeking to volunteer, or interested in more info, are encouraged to call Schinski at 802-236-4726. Thank you to Ann Schinski and all involved with the Backpack Project for putting together, or supporting, this community minded endeavor, which has helped many children over the years.
No comments:
Post a Comment