A Changing of the Guard

Hello, and welcome to the Boonville Historical Club blog. It’s been much too long since this site has been updated, and for that we do apologize. Hard to believe – at least for me – it’s just been sitting here doing nothing for more than a year! But, thanks to a willing and able volunteer, it appears that won’t happen again. More about that later.  In the meantime . . .

Our last post concerned the club’s participation in the 5th Annual Oneida County History Day on October 1, 2011. Originated in 2007 by the Oneida County Historians Association to call attention to the county’s rich history, the 2011 History Day observance coincided with Boonville’s Annual Fall Arts Festival. Several Oneida County historical societies joined the Boonville club, displaying exhibits of interesting information about their areas.  There were lots of things going on, not just at the History Day focal point in the historic Masonic Temple, but all around Boonville. Attendance was great, despite the dismal weather, and lots of folks ventured in to look around.

There have been many photos hiding out on my camera since that 2011 event. But, as the saying goes, “Better late than never.” So here are some of the photos we took of activities on that History Day.

   

As you’ll note, there were many things to see and do.

Here are more photos for your enjoyment!

And so, what about someone else taking over the updates for the Boonville Historical Club?

JoAnn Ballard, director at the historic Dodge-Pratt-Northam Art and Community Center – the beautiful building pictured above – (www.dpnboonville.com) along with officers of the Historical Club, will add the latest news, so you won’t be wondering what’s going on! If you have any questions, you can contact JoAnn at dpnart@frontier.com.

Just in case you weren’t aware, yours truly has moved from the Boonville area, back home to York County, Pennsylvania. Although I miss all my friends in the Boonville area, and especially all the Historical Club ladies, it’s great being close to family.

My personal blogsite – previously called boonvillebeat – has long been neglected, too. But my goal is to update that site (now renamed)  more often, mainly to fulfill my urge to write! If you care to follow me, visit me often at www.dillydallyingindillsburg.wordpress.com.

Thanks for visiting the Boonville Historical Club’s blogsite. Please come back again soon – and tell your friends!

ONEIDA COUNTY HISTORY DAY IS COMING TO BOONVILLE!

History will come alive in Boonville during the 5^th Annual Oneida County History Day on October 1. The Boonville Historical Club is planning activities for the whole family. Originated in 2007 by the Oneida County Historians Association to call attention to the county’s rich history, this year’s History Day observance will coincide with Boonville’s Annual Fall Arts Festival, so there will be plenty of fun for everyone! And don’t forget your walking shoes!
 

 

The historic Masonic Temple, next to the Dodge-Pratt-Northam Art and Community Center, 106 Schuyler Street, will be the focal point for the History Day events. From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the Boonville Historical Club, as well as several Oneida County historical societies, will be on hand with exhibits of interesting information about their areas.

 Tammy DePaola  will be demonstrating carding, spinning, and weaving with a table loom – which shows the process from beginning to end! The Boonville Historical Club will also display the wall covering that members recently completed.

From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., there is a Kids Corner coloring contest for two age groups; up to 7 years, and from 8-12 years old. Kids can win a prize for coloring either a canal scene or a Civil War figure.

Boonville Town and Village Historian, James Pitcher, will be available from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. to answer any questions about local history.

An exciting feature for everyone is the Civil War reenactment unit, which will be camping nearby. Members of the 76^thNew York State Volunteer Infantry look forward to visitors, and the soldiers will be happy to answer questions and explain their activities.

The 76th NYSVI Re-enactors Unit as they appeared at the June 3, 2006 dedication of the historical marker in Erwin Park honoring Boonville's 97th NYSVI.

Included in the History Day events are walking tours to view the historic architecture in the village. Maps are available for self-guided tours throughout the day. If you’re not brave enough to venture out on your own, a guided tour will depart from the Masonic Temple at 11:30 a.m.  Another fun family activity is the Historical Marker Scavenger Hunt.

Maps will be available beginning at 11 a.m., and at 2 p.m. a winning name will be drawn from the correct entries. The lucky winner will receive a gift certificate for the Historic Hulbert House.

Local author Irene Uttendorfsky will be promoting her newest book, “I Will Stand With My Father,” a novel for middle school readers about the Revolutionary War in the Mohawk Valley as seen through the eyes of a 15-year-old Oneida warrior. Irene’s book signing will take place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Masonic Temple. For more information about Irene visit www.ireneuttendorfsky.com

The Boonville Black River Canal Museum, Main Street and Route 12, will also be a part of History Day. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., and will host a variety of activities, including an open house, tours, and demonstrations of old-time skills.  The film, “Little Ditch,” an excellent documentary about the building of the Black River Canal, will be shown continuously throughout the day. As always, admission to the museum is free.

Stephanie Dietz, author of “Under the Blinking Light,”will host a book signing at 1 p.m. Her children’s book is based on her two daughters going to camp in the Woodgate area, and it debuted this summer. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., there will be a shingle-making demonstration by Bob Coscomb. The cedar shingles can be purchased for a $2 donation. Charlie Hammond will be on hand with his forge to brand the shingles. Mark Kehl from Woody’s Mountain Folk Art will be demonstrating his wood-working talent outside on the lawn.  Peg Sawyer will be inside the Mercantile Building with her loom, and Sharon Woodcock will have a display of antique canal era toys in the Archive Room in the Conference Center. Books, canal items, shirts, and jackets will also be available for sale in the Mercantile Building.

 For more details about the Canal Museum, visit their website: www.blackrivercanalmuseum.com.

In addition to the free History Day activities, the Fall Arts Festival will provide ample opportunity to enjoy food, crafts, cooking contests, music, sidewalk sales, and more fun for the kids. So plan to visit beautiful, historic Boonville on Saturday, October 1.

For more information about the Boonville Fall Arts Festival, call the Chamber office at 942-5112 or visit www.boonvillechamber.com.

Club Presents Annual Awards

The Boonville Historical Club presented its annual Fourth Grade History Awards to students in the Adirondack elementary schools during the year-end awards assemblies. The club presents these awards to a girl in each fourth grade section who shows an exceptional interest in local history. This year each recipient received a certificate and a Native American one-dollar coin. (See http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/nativeamerican/?action=2010NADesign for more information about the coin.)  

  

  

Those receiving the awards at Boonville Elementary were Raigen McGahey, a student in Ms. Tina Weiler’s class; Madeline Maher, in Mr. Richard Chrisman’s class, Sadie Buckingham, from Ms. Jackie Layton’s class, and Hannah Hutchinson from Ms. Christina Kornatowski’s class.  

At Forestport Elementary, the award went to Elizabeth Seelman, whose teacher was Ms. Erin Burns.  

The West Leyden award recipient was Ashley Britton, a student of Ms. Christina Jokajtys.  

Adirondack Central High School graduating seniors Amanda Marsh and Dalton Hyde tied for the club’s annual cash award, which they received during commencement exercises Saturday, June 26. Since 1979, the club has given this award at graduation to the senior receiving the highest mark in a grade 12 Social Studies elective, taught by the Social Studies Department. Both Amanda and Dalton had a 99 average. (Sorry we have no photos of the students!)  

Adirondack Central High School, Boonville, New York

Barb Traxel is New Club President

The Boonville Historical Club held its end-of-season dinner meeting and election of officers on Monday evening, June 7, at Steak & Brew Restaurant, Turin, with 22 members attending.

Several members were recognized for perfect attendance and membership milestones. Those with perfect attendance during the 2009-2010 season were: Jeanne Cerro, Joyce Charboneau, and Judy Routson. Others recognized were Vivian Brucker, with two years perfect attendance; Glenyce Trainor, three years; Barb Traxel; four years; and Patty Bellinger, 11 years. Patty and Joanne Sattler were recognized for 15 years of membership, while Melanie Fitzgerald was honored for her 25-year membership.

Congratulations to Barb Traxel, who will serve as president for the next two years; also to our new vice-president, Joan Ferguson. Vivian Brucker remains as treasurer, while  Melanie Fitzgerald replaces Barb as recording secretary. Elaine Tompkins and Joanne Sattler will continue as corresponding secretary and  historian, respectively.

After several years without a recipient, the club’s Outstanding Citizen Award , commonly referred to as The Woman of the Year Award, went to former club president Daphne Larrabee (see previous post).

The club has adjourned for the summer and will reconvene regular meetings in October. Women who live in the Adirondack School District are welcome to join the club, and can contact Vivian Brucker at 942-4251 for more information.  

In photo, front row, left to right:  Judy Routson, Joan Ferguson, Patty Bellinger, Melanie Fitzgerald, Vivian Brucker, Joyce Charboneau, Laura Sawyer; in back, Geraldine Crumb, Joanne Sattler, Elaine Tompkins, Carol Kulpa, Jeanne Cerro, Daphne Larrabee, Nancy Trainor, Linda Marcy, Evelyn Wagoner, Ruth Hughes, Barbara Traxel, Glenyce Trainor, Marilyn Fowler, and Shirley Linck.

Daphne Larrabee – “Woman of the Year”

 

Daphne Larrabee

Congratulations to Daphne Larrabee!

She’s the Boonville Historical Club’s most recent Woman of the Year. The announcement was made at the annual end-of-the-season dinner meeting, Monday evening, June 7, at Steak & Brew Restaurant, Turin.

 A retired teacher and busy community volunteer, Daphne is the sixth woman to receive the coveted title, officially labeled, The Outstanding Citizen Award.  Members have taken to calling it the Woman of the Year Award since shortly after it was initiated in 2002. We don’t choose a winner every year – only if the committee finds someone who fulfills the criteria. 

 A Historical Club member since 1989, Daphne served as president from 2006-2008. She also volunteers at Matthew’s Place (local thrift shop and food bank), is on the board of directors for the Boonville Black River Canal Museum, and assists in many capacities at the Boonville United Methodist Church. She has been a long-time member of the church administrative council, is in charge of the volunteer clean-up crew, and is active in the United Methodist Women‘s group. Her duties with the Black River Canal Museum include the difficult task of recruiting, scheduling, and training volunteer guides.

While club president, Daphne presented a donation to Black River Canal Museum Director Dale Ferris.

 Daphne is a very busy woman, indeed!

 A Rochester native, Daphne taught third grade, kindergarten, and remedial reading in the Adirondack School District for approximately 23 years, before her retirement a few years ago. She met her late husband, Bob, while student teaching there. She and Bob, who passed away in 2002, were married in 1962 and had three children.

When her children were growing up, Daphne operated a small nursery school from her home. She was also involved in scouting with her children, and later Brownies with her only granddaughter. A former board director of the Dodge-Pratt-Northam Art and Community Center in Boonville, Daphne also at one time served as its secretary.

Under her tenure as Historical Club president, members completed a beautiful quilted wall hanging, now on display at the Canal Museum. Another major project was the installation of a bench near Erwin Library in memory of deceased member Jo Vella.

As chairperson of the club’s fundraising committee in 2006, Daphne spearheaded a campaign to raise money for the repair and restoration of the Gettysburg monument to the 97^th Regiment. The fundraising was so successful that a marker was also dedicated in Boonville’s Erwin Park.

 

NNY FWC Spring Meeting and Luncheon

Boonville Historical Club members, front row, Geraldine Crumb, Melanie Fitzgerald, President Joyce Charboneau; back row, Laura "Peg" Sawyer, Daphne Larrabee, Secretary Barbara Traxel

Several club members enjoyed a luncheon buffet at Gentry’s Clam Cove, just outside Governeur, following the Northern New York Federation of Women’s Clubs’ annual spring meeting on Saturday, May 1. The Historical Club has been a long-time member of this regional organization, and as such, we encourage local students to enter the federation’s art and poetry contests.

At this meeting, several students from Adirondack Central School District were winners:

Damen MacDougall was awarded the $30 second prize in the art contest, and Kaitlyn Traxel won $20 as third place art contest winner. Both are ACS High School students. Eighth grader Alyssa LaQuay tied for second place in the poetry contest. Other ACS students who participated were Sage Chase, Amber Case, Summer Wysocki, Brenna Galligan, Nicole Latvis, April Perry, and Jessica Hurley.

NNY Federation of Women's Club president, Shirley Hoover, left, presided at the annual spring meeting and luncheon. Her granddaughter, Elizabeth Hoover, next to Shirley, provided violin music during lunch.

10th Mtn. Div. Adopted Platoon Update

SSG Jason Roberts

Shortly after our adopted platoon arrived at Camp Mike Spann in Afghanistan on Saturday night, March 27, our Point of Contact (POC),  2LT Kapua Ampong,  discovered she was being detached from the unit. She was sent to Bagram Air Force Base to serve as LNO (liaison officer). We’ll miss her, but SSG Jason Roberts has now replaced her as our POC, and he’s doing a great job of keeping us posted. On May 8, Jason sent an email  update as follows:

 Hello again, sorry it’s taken so long to reply.  It seems every time I actually have a chance to sit down and try to get on to reply either something comes up or the internet is down.  I talked to the guys (and girls) and the biggest thing right now is “entertainment” things mainly movies, video games, computer games, board games (risk, chess, etc), and a few asked for books.  I believe I told you we have electricity so a lot of the guys have had their t.v.’s, laptops, and game systems mailed out here.  The USO has been sending a steady supply of hygiene stuff so we are pretty good on those things and I am working on getting some pictures to mail to you guys It takes a long time to get them to attach to an email and the last time I tried to email you I ran out of time trying to attach the pictures… but i am working on it.  They are trying to improve some of the base and just recently moved the MWR/Library to a larger building… it has 2 pool tables, a ping pong table, a few couches to watch movies, and a small/med size selection of books… most of the movies/books are older and outdated.  The last unit had a problem with soldiers “signing” them out and not returning them so our selection of either is severely hindered.  The girls also would like some hair care products and accessories… hair pins, clips, the thin scrunchies to hold their hair up and some good brushes so they can keep their hair clean and health and they keep losing their pins/clips and scrunchies getting worn out… also I think it was a Bio-silk or Nexxus conditioner cause their hair is getting damaged from the sun and dust etc. Also “feminine” products and razors so they can shave and do their girl things.  Thank you for your time and support of our platoon,
Jason Roberts

 Although we’re still waiting for confirmation of the shipping address, Historical Club members will soon begin preparing packages to send to our adopted 10th Mountain Division soldiers,  including some of the things mentioned in Jason’s most recent email.    

Thanks to our adopted troops in Afghanistan and to all our American military personnel, wherever they're serving!

  If anyone would like to donate items (see earlier posts  for a complete  list) or help with postage costs we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please contact us at boonvillehistoricalclub@gmail.com or leave a comment here on this weblog (don’t worry if it doesn’t show up immediately – it goes through a spam check first)!

 

More Boxes Sent to Afghanistan!

On February 18, three of us met in the library of the Boonville United Methodist Church to pack more boxes for shipment to marines under the command of our favorite First Sergeant.  We packed four boxes, for a total of nearly 90 pounds of goodies, toiletries, and reading material.  They were packed tight. As the clerk at the Post Office commented when she weighed the 31-pound carton of media mail (magazines, books, newspapers, etc.) – “Boy, you guys really packed it full!”

We were  grateful that a generous donation from the local  Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks (BPOE) #2158 helped us with the cost of postage. Thank you, Boonville Elks!

Joan, Judy, and Joyce packing boxes. Joan did not want her photo taken!

It was a cold, windy day outside, and none of us were having a very good day, so no one wanted to have their photo taken. But record it for prosperity we did, thanks to my husband’s photographic skills!

Since we recently learned that Chris will  be coming home in April, this will be the last shipment we’ll be sending to him. Our adopted platoon of soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum (see earlier posts) will be deploying soon. Several weeks after they’re settled at their new location in Afghanistan, we’ll start mailing them items. We’ll be putting out a plea for more donations when we have a better idea of what the guys and gals in the Chem Recce platoon prefer. We plan to meet the soldiers for lunch on Wednesday, March 10, so we’ll get to know them and their preferences a little  better.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated articles and cash for this program! Please let us know if you have any questions or comments. You can contact us by email at boonvillehistoricalclub@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

This is a Soldier

In conjunction with our Adopt A Platoon program at Fort Drum, we were invited to take part in a seminar entitled,  

“This is A Soldier 101” 

on Friday morning, February 5,  at the beautiful Black River Valley Club in downtown Watertown, NY.  The program was presented by The Northern New York – Fort Drum Chapter AUSA and the Fort Drum Army Family Team Building. It was a real challenge to get there by 9 a.m. (especially since I didn’t sleep the night before).  But we (President Joyce Charboneau, my husband Keith, and I)  arrived in time – early enough for coffee and pastry, as a matter of fact. 

There were three different parts of the seminar:  

Expectations and Impact of the Mission on Family Life;  

The Chain of Command; and 

Family Readiness Groups and the Deployment Cycle. 

The presenters were volunteers – Army wives –  and each presentation was informative, interesting, and well done. I learned a lot about military life, and have a better appreciation of what our soldiers and their families go through.  

So, THANK YOU to everyone who serves in America’s ALL VOLUNTEER Army! 

We even received certificates for taking the course. 

Pikkwan Boston, AFTB/AFAP Program Manager, Army Community Services, hands out certificates at class conclusion.

“What is AFTB? Army Family Team Building is about Readiness – for both the mission and the Family. AFTB is about adapting to Army Life. We teach and train America’s Army and their families in a wide variety of knowledge, skills and behaviors that foster personal and family readiness. AFTB is a never ending resource that is available to every member of the Army for free. The Army takes care of its own, by teaching its own to take care of themselves.”  

I guess one of the main things I learned, is that a soldier’s family has a lot of support these days, compared to those in years past. Help is just a phone call away. 

 Thanks for visiting our blog. Please stop by again soon for the latest updates. If you have any questions about The Boonville Historical Club’s Adopt A Platoon project or any of our activities, please write to us at boonvillehistoricalclub@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!

STILL GETTING THE WORD OUT!

Hello Again and Welcome to our Blog!

I just wanted to let you know that yours truly will be heard over the airwaves again on local radio station WBRV, the
Moose, on Monday, February 8. I’ll be talking about the items we’re collecting for our Marines in Afghanistan.

I just happened to hear part of the recorded interview today, Thursday, February 4, and heard news director Brian Best say that I’d be on again Monday, telling listeners how to donate! I guess he broke the telephone interview into several short spots, and I heard just one of them earlier. The conversation was recorded Januay 18, so he’s been spreading it out over the past few weeks. I hope people don’t forget what it is he’s promoting! (To learn more about our local radio station, please visit www.themoose.net) 

Also, club president Joyce Charboneau told me she’d received a call from our area  Pennysaver reporter about our projects. I had sent out a press release to them yesterday, and I’m so excited to hear they were interested enough to call Joyce for more information. We need all the help we can get.

Tomorrow, at the crack of dawn, Joyce and I will be heading to Watertown to learn more about our 10th Mountain Division soldiers, who are a part of our Adopt a Platoon project. We’ll keep you posted with all the latest news and developments.

Historical Club Members, including yours truly in the front center, wore red at our most recent meeting, to support National Wear Red Day on Friday, February 5, 2010. Also shown, left to right, Daphne Larrabee, Joan Ferguson, Barb Traxel, and Nancy Trainor.

Please visit us again soon, or if you have any questions, write to boonvillehistoricalclub@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you. And of course, we’ll be happy to take any donations you can provide.  Thanks for stopping by!