Comment

 E-mail

 Print

Research

This Week in Rockland: Newspaper Excerpts: Flashback Friday: Week of June 2

May 31, 1873 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal

HE COULDN’T UNDERSTAND IT
       A shiny-coated humming-bird on a visit to Tappan was badly fooled the other morning. Wm. Devoe & Son’s window had been newly polished and ornamented with cans bearing pictured representations of the luscious fruits contained therein. Our little friend thought it would be no harm to insert his tiny bill into the ripe side of a peach and accordingly made a charge thereat. Striking the glass he paused a moment puzzled and fluttering before it, then made a second dash. Foiled in his second attempt, a stern expression swept over his sparkling eyes and he flew indignantly away. If there are any lawyers in the humming-bird family, there will be an action for false pretences [sic] against the artist who painted that peach.

AROUND HOME
[Image: Undated view of Nyack by Van Wagner, Photographer. New York Public Library’s Digital Library.]
   ☞ VanWagner has achieved another triumph in his art in executing a life-size photograph, finished in crayons, of Captain David D. Smith. It is one of the finest of the fine things that have ever been done this side of New York.
   ☞ This is the weather that makes the denizens of the crowded city seek rest and comfort in the generous shake of old Rockland, and particularly in Nyack in vicinity. We have plaplenty of room, and bid them come—not forgetting their pocket-books.

June 1, 1933 – 90 YEARS AGO
Pearl River News

NUDIST GROUP FORM CAMP IN ROCKLAND CO. — People Seek Camp Said to Be Located in Ladentown, N.Y.
       In the New York Evening Journal last night a story about nudists of the Eastern States was featured on one of the back sections. To the surprise of many people it said that a colony was to be found in Rockland County, where Thomas L. Farley, brother of Postmaster General James A. Farley is Sheriff.
       This caused the question to come into hundreds of minds. “Where is the nudist colony?” Wires were busy and everyone was calling friends in Ladentown. They heard it was out there. People living in Ladentown said “No, it isn’t here, it is in Pomona.” People in Pomona said, “No, it is someplace else.”
       The big question was where to find the colony and how to get there.
       According to information today, the camp is located in Ladentown section and is under the direction of Herman Soshinski and has been open for the past two weeks. Its exact location is being kept secret but entrance into it is not difficult as long as the seeker obeys the rules or “doing like the Romans do” when they arrive.
       There are about 100 members in the local colony. Most of them are from New York City. It is said, however, that there are about 24 nudists of Rockland County who are either attending the league now or are on the lookout for it.
       The Rockland County colony is under the direction of the American Gymnosophical Association, a national organization. Three years ago the camp was located in Ladentown in different quarters, it was raided by Sheriff John McNee. The people arrested were brought before Judge Pincus Margulies on charges of disorderly conduct and were each fined $5.
       The camp was discontinued for the year and in 1931 and 1932 was located in Ironian [sic], N.J. This year Leader Soshinski brought his flock back to Rockland County in a different location. They have a swimming pool and grounds where they can carry on athletic activities and other body exercises.
       It could not be learned whether they were living in cabins or tents, but it was said that they are well housed. Whether there will be an effort made to raid the camp this year is not known. Efforts are being made to keep the location as secret as possible in order that those in the camp can get the most out of the warm weather and sunshine for the remainder of the summer if possible.

June 1, 1973 – 50 YEARS AGO
The Journal News

FOR THE UNRETURNING, A DAY OF RECOLLECTION
       Sunday has been declared “Missing in Action Awareness Day” in honor of American servicemen still classified as MIAs in Southeast Asia.
       In Rockland County the activities are being coordinated by the Committee for Accountability of POWs and MIAs after passage of a resolution by both houses of the state legislature.
       Ceremonies in every community throughout the nation will include bell-ringing by churches at 3 p.m. dedication of “Freedom Trees” and rallies.
       According to Charles Brownsell of New City, spokesman for the local committee, clergymen in Rockland are being urged to include in their Sunday morning services and church bulletins an explanation of the MIA situation and the significance of the special day.
       In the Northeast, families and friends of the MIAs from 15 states will hold a “family gathering” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., at 3 p.m.
       “We know that millions of Americans share our grave concern for the fate of over 1,300 American servicemen who are listed as missing in action, some of whom are very much alive,” Brownsell said.
       “With the help of this ‘people power’ we wish to avoid a repetition of the sad situation at the conclusion of the Korean conflict (where) the fate of 389 known prisoners of war was never resolved.”
       One of those participating in the MIA Awareness Day will be Mrs. Gladys Brooks of Newburgh, mother of Nicholas Brooks, who has been missing in Laos since January 1970.
       Mrs. Brooks was one of those responsible for the bill’s passage in the state legislature, and she credits Assemblyman Eugene Levy (R-Suffern) with being “extremely helpful” in getting the bill drafted and approved. He was a cosponsor of the bill with Assemblyman Harold K. Grune (R-Stony Point).
       The bill points out that more than 100 of the MIAs are from New York State and their “fortitude and tolerance behooves their recognition by every free-living citizen of our states.”
_____

 Comment

 E-mail

 Print