Week of April 11

April 10, 1875 – 150 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Journal

AROUND HOME

     The Spelling Match, which will take place at Smithsonian Hall next Tuesday evening, 18th inst., will be one of the most entertaining and amusing affairs that has ever taken place in our village.

        The spelling-class will be composed of over one hundred persons—half the number to be taken from our schools, and the other half to be made up of ladies and gentlemen of our village, some of our most prominent citizens taking part. The words to be spelled will consist in a greater part of those in common use in our everyday literature. A silver cup will be presented to the person who spells down all the rest, and the one who misses first will be made the happy recipient of a Webster’s spelling-book. The price of admission is small—25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children—and we hope to see an audience present that will crowd the Hall to overflowing

April 11, 1925 – 100 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Times

MRS. SERVEN PRESIDENT – PEARL RIVER LADY SUCCEEDS MR. FOX AS PRESIDENT OF THE ROCKLAND COUNTY SOCIETY

[Image: Lulu Edsall Serven. HSRC Archive.]

      At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Rockland County Society, held at Supreme Court Chambers, Monday evening last, the resignation of David Fox, as President of the Society, because of ill health, was received and accepted with deepest regret. Mr. Fox’s work during his short term as President has been of the greatest benefit to the County, especially in connection with saving the Treason House [sic] at West Haverstraw for at least a year.

        Mrs. Lulu E. Serven, who had been acting as Vice President, was unanimously elected President to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Fox and H. F. McKenney, of Suffern, was elected as Vice President of the Society. This is an innovation, Mrs. Serven being the first woman President of the Rockland County Society.

        The Trustees decided to hold a Rockland County Society dinner on Saturday evening, June 20th, at the Nyack Club for its members and guests to be followed by a dance to which others will be invited.

        The new President and Vice President expect to make this affair one of the social events of the year and anticipate securing the attendance of speakers of considerable prominence at the dinner.

April 10, 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO

The Journal News

PETITIONS BRING HOPE OF DISCOUNT MOVIES — COST A BURDEN, YOUTHS SAY

        State Sen. Linda Winikow (D-Spring Valley) recently received a petition from 192 Ramapo youngsters asking why teens are now charged adult prices at local theaters.

        The Petition headed by Ramapo residents Ilene Leibowitz and Jim Bacher, said that while movies are now one their few recreations, current prices are too high.

        Orangetown youth have also circulated a petition in their township asking lower prices.

        Theaters charge young people aged 12-17 $2.50 to attend movies. The youngsters are seeking rates between $1.25 to $1.75, according to Anne Schaible, 13, of Pearl River

        Mrs. Winikow contacted Rockland theater owners requesting a meeting, and most owners said they will take some action in favor of the young people.

        Children aged 12 to 17 are generally charged $2.50 to attend movies in local theaters.

        Some theaters are willing to accommodate the children’s request. Cinema 45 in Hillcrest will charge students $2 while the Route 9W Cinema in Stony Pont will charge $1.25.

        The Spring Valley theater will reduce its rates to $1.75 on Thursday only, with the New City Town Theater willing to charge $2 every day.

        United Artists in New City will take 75 cents off the regular price and Route 59 theater will cut 50 cents.

        The Orangeburg Theater will charge $1.50 on all nights except Saturday, but only for College Students.

        Nanuet Mall Cinema, the Plaza Theater in West Haverstraw, and the Pearl River Central said they will think about it.

        Both the Lafayette Theater in Suffern and Pearl River Theater said they will not comply with the children’s request.

        Price changes can be expected within the next few weeks, the owners said.

This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2025 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.