Week of January 3

January 2, 1875 – 150 YEARS AGO

Rockland County Journal

Written for the Journal.

DEATH OF THE OLD YEAR.

Full knee-deep lies the Winter snow,

And the Winter winds are wearily sighing;

Toll ye the church-bell, sad and slow,

And tread ye softly, and speak low,

For the old year lies a-dying.

Old year, you must not die,

You came to us so readily,

You lived with us so steadily,

Old year, you shall not die.

He lieth still; he doth not move:

He will not see the dawn of days;

He hath no other life above,

He gave me a friend and a true, true love,

And the new year will take them away.

Old year, you must not go;

So long as you have been with us,

Such joy as you have seen with us,

Old year, you shall not go.

He was full of joke and jest;

A jollier year we shall not see.

But though his eyes are waxing dim,

And though his foes speak ill of him,

He was a friend to me.

Old year, you shall not die;

He did so laugh and cry with you,

I’ve half a mind to die with you.

Old year, if you must die.

His face is growing sharp and thin-

Alack! our friend is gone!

Close up his eyes, tie up his chin—

Step from the corpse, and let him in

That standeth there alone,

And waiteth at the door.

There’s a new foot on the floor, my friend,

And a new face at the door, my friend—

A new face at the door.  —R.L.C.

January 1, 1925 – 100 YEARS AGO

Pearl River News

PEARL RIVER SKATING?

[Image: On the ice pond, Sparkill, ca. 1920. Reprinted by Anita M. Brosius. Courtesy of the Nyack Library, via NYHeritage.org.]

Letter of Suggestion Appears in This Issue

       There seems to be considerable interest shown towards having a skating place for Pearl River residents who indulge in the free open-air sport. About a year ago this proposition was brought up through these columns but did not materialize in view of the fact the interested parties could get no action or aid. Several pledged their aid in having a large plot of ground covered with water during the freezing weather. It is understood that the Excelsior Fire Engine Company had offered their services in pumping the water and it is hoped they will be so kind in backing the same movement again this year. A little earlier start is being made, with hopes of real work being accomplished this time.

       The letter which appears in these columns is being published and it is earnestly hoped that others will take an interest in safeguarding skating in this section of the County. The News is willing to aid in this work and should sufficient interest be shown will endeavor to arrange for a meeting of town folks who are interested and willing to back up this movement.

       There is a movement under way in Nyack to have the pond that is located off Main Street flooded over again with about an inch or two of water to make better skating and maintain it for the public the same as is being done in Englewood, N.J. They are endeavoring to have the Town Board approve a motion authorizing one of the pumping fire engines to do this. There are hundreds every night who are seen enjoying this sport on the pond in Nyack.

       Please write the Pearl River News if you have any suggestions to offer of any kind for this work.

January 2, 1975 – 50 YEARS AGO

The Journal News

THRUWAY TAKES NOTE — NANUET GETS A SIGN

       If the meek shall inherit the Earth, then Nanuet has just taken the first step toward that goal by engaging Spring Valley in a billing contest on the New York State Thruway.

       By having the name of Nanuet added just below that of Spring Valley on the sign at Exit 14 of The Thruway the hamlet has served notice that the exit’s ramp is actually in Nanuet and not Spring Valley as long thought by visiting and local travelers.

       For years there were no signs on the Thruway indicating that Nanuet even existed. It got so, according to Assemblyman Eugene Levy, that “people were worried about Nanuet being bypassed.”

       Dr. Robert Gregory, a member of the Nanuet Rotary Club, said that Spring Valley, once known as the vacation center of Rockland, no longer deserves its reputation. He said Nanuet, which has grown into the commercial center of Rock-land, still is overshadowed by the fame of Spring Valley.

       Citing such establishments as Howard Johnson’s, the Holiday Inn and The Spring Valley Tennis Club, Gregory said, “All are in Nanuet but are listed in Spring Valley. We object that any corporation could come into Nanuet and use the name of Spring Valley. We feel this is grossly un-fair.”

       Gregory feels, though, that these places will eventually change their location nomenclature to Nanuet, since “they now have a bigger town to associate with.

       The steps to get the sign began in mid-October at a meeting of the Nanuet Rotary Club. Levy was at that meeting to discuss problems concerning Nanuet, such as the widening of Route 59. During the question and answer session the idea of the sign was presented to him.

       After the meeting, Levy wrote to Thruway Executive Director John Tiesler, who approved the sign within one month. It was posted on the road Dec. 14. —BOB SELIGMAN

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.