Thursday, October 30, 2014

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

--A fabulous scene, courtesy of Mary L, from THAT HAMILTON WOMAN We think Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier were perfect together in this 1941 film. You can read more about it here http://bit.ly/105jzLf

It's followed by an outstanding collection of vintage and antique Santa Claus candy containers.

Click on the photos.

--WELCOME to the October, 2014 update of Trains-N-Towns(tm), the Official Newsletter of BIGIndoorTrains.com 

This newsletter serves families who like O Scale trains and Christmas Trains, including those who are interested in combining On30, O gauge, or vintage toy trains with collectible villages or vintage accessories. It is produced in conjunction with the Big Indoor Trains(tm) and Big Christmas Trains(tm) web sites. We recommend that you check the newsletter out in web format so you can see the photographs.  If you have web access, please click on the following link: http://www.bigindoortrains.com/trains_n_towns/14_10_newsletter_indoor.htm

--Larger size ornament houses @ JC Penney http://bit.ly/1vlTD6x

--Now here's something you don't see everyday, Katzenjammer Kids, Christmas  Light Covers http://bit.ly/1tnd1C6

--Can anyone answer this question about a vintage Paramount tree topper? http://www.oldchristmastreelights.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=91

--As many of you know, Gloria Swanson had a house here in Croton....and so, Part 3, MORE GLORIA SWANSON http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/10/more-gloria-swanson-croton-connection.html 

WANT MORE VINTAGE CHRISTMAS, PUTZ HOUSES, ETC.? GO HERE  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/11/more-fabulous-vintage-websites-finds_19.html

CROTON UNITED ON THE ISSUE OF SECRECY CONCERNING "SOMETHING GOOD IN THE WORLD"

OCTOBER 30, 2014 - Several months ago an environmental education organization called Something Good in the World (SGW) approached the village and proposed moving its “Earth School” from the county’s Hilltop Hanover Farm to the Gouveia property (assuming the village acquired the property).  SGW’s Director,Barbara Sarbin, made a presentation to the Village Board on her organization and its plans.  So far, that all sounds perfectly reasonable.

Ms. Sarbin stated that she was a friend of Mrs. Gouveia and Mrs. Gouveia was favorably disposed to her proposal and, prior to Mrs. Gouveia’s death, it appeared that SGW was already working on the property.  When questioned as to what was happening on the property, Mayor Wiegman and Trustee Ann Gallelli denied any knowledge of SGW’s activities and indicated that it hadn’t even been decided that the “Earth School” was coming to Croton.

It was only after a Freedom of Information Law request produced an extensive file of e-mails between the Mayor, Ms. Gallelli and Ms. Sarbin that the truth was revealed.  Contrary to their public statements, for over a year the Mayor and Ms. Gallelli had been secretly working closely with Ms. Sarbin to promote her project.  Ms. Sarbin reported extensively on her activities, including the erection of new buildings on the property in violation of the Village Code, to her co-conspirators.  They, in turn, kept Ms. Sarbin fully informed of the progress of negotiations over the acquisition of the property – information that was denied to residents.

Most egregiously, the e-mails revealed that the Mayor, Ms. Gallelli and Ms. Sarbin, fearing opposition to the project, actively and successfully concealed their activities not only from the citizens of Croton, but also from the other three Village Trustees, all members of the Democratic Party, as are the Mayor and Mrs. Gallelli.  In fact, on more than one occasion, the Trustees kept in the dark by the Mayor and Ms. Gallelli took pains to reassure the public that no back room deals were being made, and ridiculed members of the public who suggested otherwise.  These same trustees now refuse to offer any criticism of their colleagues regarding these secret dealings. READ MORE HERE https://www.facebook.com/notes/croton-united/croton-united-on-the-issue-of-the-secrecy-concerning-something-good-in-the-world/359828400840864

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN
https://www.facebook.com/notes/croton-united/croton-united-on-open-government/359548760868828

MORE GLORIA SWANSON, THE CROTON CONNECTION PART 3

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.
 

As many of you know, ACTRESS GLORIA SWANSON once had a home in Croton. You can read and see more about that in our Everything Croton series, thanks to The Croton Historical Society and the Everything Croton elves, at these links:

PART 1 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/03/did-you-know-that-actress-gloria.html
PART 2 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/07/part-2-actress-gloria-swanson-croton.html

And so without further a-doo, some more Gloria Swanson culled from our vintage magazine stash etc. thanks to the Everything Croton elves. Click on the photos. Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

AUTUMN SUNRISE @ ST. AUGUSTINE'S IN CROTON

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

Just love to photograph the recently renovated steeple/bell tower at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church and managed to catch this sunrise shot before the leaves fell last week. Click on the photo.

For more about "St. A's", visit http://www.stacroton.org/

You may also have an interest in: http://bit.ly/1FWM0Mh

CONGRATULATIONS CROTON-HARMON HS SENIOR DAN VLAD

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

Croton-Harmon High School senior Dan Vlad accepted an award from Arlene Gonzalez-Sanchez, commissioner with the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, on Oct. 20 for his work in the school and beyond.

Vlad currently serves as president of the school’s Teen Leadership Council and was selected to serve as a youth staff member during the Eastern States National Youth to Youth Summer Leadership Conference.

“My role at the conference was to be a leader, role model, support system and helper to any in need,” said Vlad. “It's important to have this group in our school because it does promote a positive environment and alternative to kids who are unsure of what they want to do. I have personally seen how this group has changed students in our school for the better.”

Vlad has been an active participant in the Teen Leadership Council during his time at CHHS, and also works closely with the Croton Community Coalition on anti-substance abuse efforts in the community. http://bit.ly/1veSoGu

Dan is the son of volunteer fireman and Croton businessman, Danny Vlad.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

AN UPDATE ON BRADLEY D'AURIA's MONTROSE VA/EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT, CROTON 2014

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

For everyone who asked about the status of Bradley D'Auria's Eagle Scout project, (those who don't know about it can read more here http://bit.ly/ZZBgvx) we located this item from the mid-October bulletin at Holy Name of Mary:

I would like to thank everyone who generously donated towards my Eagle Scout project. All of the donations will be used towards the instrument cart and new instruments for the music therapy department of the Montrose Veterans Hospital. Thank you to everyone who brought in CD's and movies for the veterans and feel free to continue doing so while my project continues! Bradley D'Auria, Boy Scout Troop 28

A LOOK BACK @ HELENE SARDEAU, CROTON SCULPTOR & WIFE OF GEORGE BIDDLE

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

COURTESY OF THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY:  A LOOK BACK @ HELENE SARDEAU, CROTON SCULPTOR & WIFE OF PAINTER GEORGE BIDDLE. Click on the images below.

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN:
--CROTON & CORTLANDT ARTISTS, THE EARLY 1970'S http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/02/croton-artists-early-1970s.html
--1975 ART EXHIBIT @ GALLIMAUFRY http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/09/1975-art-exhibit-gallimaufry-in-croton.html
--CROTON'S OWN VERA NEUMANN http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/08/1970-crotons-own-vera-neumann.html
--UPCOMING EVENTS @ CROTON COUNCIL ON THE ARTS http://www.crotonarts.org/

Sunday, October 26, 2014

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

Throughout the years, Croton's own SeriousToyz has featured some excellent vintage trains in their auctions. The one to the right is an O guage Fleishmann Clock Work Train, made in Occupied Germany. It's followed by an oldie but good, The Winner line by Lionel, circa 1930's.

And they're followed by one of our favorite decorating scenes from Linda's aunt--now in her late 90's--who still decorates every year--and proof positive that mixing vintage putz houses and vintage Christmas with old photographs can be very effective! Click on the photos and enjoy.

For more about SeriousToyz, visit serioustoyz.com

For the reader who was looking for REALLY black mica flakes, we found 'em at Silvercrow Creations; this is a really fun site with lots of putzing and cafting inspiration  SILVERCROWCREATIONS.COM

And newly updated from BIGINDOORTRAINS.COM,
signs---signs--everywhere a sign!

Click here for more.

AND...DESTINED TO BE THE MOST TALKED ABOUT FILM OF OUR TIME! PANIC IN YEAR ZERO--STARRING RAY MILLAND AND....FRANKIE AVALON!   https://www.flickr.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/15442321329/

CROTON'S DEPUTY CHIEF TEX DINKLER VISITS HOLY NAME OF MARY'S MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Just got word that Deputy Chief Tex Dinkler recently visited Holy Name of Mary's Montessori School to speak with the children about what to do in case of a fire. They learned that smoke rises to the ceiling because it is lighter than air, and that they should try to stay low during a fire. Deputy Chief Tex encouraged the children to have fire escape plans in thier own homes as well as having one place where the whole family would meet once outside the home. Deputy Chief Tex put on his complete uniform including the mask, so the children would see it and not be afraid in the event of a real emergency. Later they all went outside and the children had a turn to go inside the fire truck.

For more about your all volunteer Croton Fire Department, visit  http://www.crotonfd.org/

For more about Holy Name of Mary's Montessori School, visit http://hnmmontessori.org/

Saturday, October 25, 2014

A BANNER DAY IN CROTON'S HISTORIC UPPER VILLAGE: WILBUR, GOBLIN WALK, PHOTOS AND FUN! 2014

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

A BANNER DAY IN CROTON'S HISTORIC UPPER VILLAGE: WILBUR, GOBLIN WALK,  PHOTOS & FUN!

Click on the pix--ALL rights reserved. If anyone would like a copy, contact your editor directly.

P.S. In case you're wondering who Wilbur is, he "belongs" to Craig Purdy of Tagine and Umami fame--and he insists on knowing where Craig is at all times!

 

MEMORIES OF THE PEWTER HORN IN CROTON, 1978 & 1979

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

139 Grand--the former home of Croton's Dr. Acker--has been undergone many reincarnations throughout the years--assorted restaurants, including The Croton Steak House, a gift shop known as Treasures & Tales, followed by another known as Wake Robin. 

For a time it was also the home of THE PEWTER HORN, started in 1978 by Ed and Mabel Dean. Click on the images below from 1978 AND 1979, as well as a recent photo from this past summer. The site is now the home of THE ACKER HOUSE CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH (update closed; IN 2021, IT IS THE HOME OF STATE FARM INSURANCE).

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN MEMORIES OF THE CROTON STEAK HOUSE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/09/more-croton-memories-croton-steak-house.html and MORE CROTON STEAK HOUSE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-croton-memories-part-two-croton.html

all rights reserved

Thursday, October 23, 2014

THEY'RE BACK! GORGEOUS HENNA HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS BY HENNA ON HUDSON

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

THEY'RE BACK! HENNA HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS BY HENNA ON HUDSON--click on the photos. Want to know more? Contact hennaonhudson@gmail.com - Marlene does gorgeous work! Now this is what we call a "statement" pumpkin!

WTF: WIEGMAN'S TIMESHEET FABLE, AN IMPORTANT LETTER FROM BRIAN POWERS

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

Thanks to Croton United candidates Anderson, Brijeski & Calcutti, Croton residents have now had an opportunity to review the mayor's recent "timesheets" used to justify his taxpayer funded health insurance. Trustees Gallelli and Slippen, and candidate Pugh, have stated that they cannot "judge" him, despite some startling revelations in these timesheets. You can read more about that here https://www.facebook.com/notes/croton-united/trustees-gallelli-slippen-candidate-pugh-say-we-feel-it-is-not-for-any-of-us-to-/357497134407324

For now, however, please take a moment to read an important letter from resident Brian Powers. Click on the two part image below.

Thank you Mr. Powers.

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS, ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

--To the right a wonderful but very battered find--a vintage tinplate dollhouse, circa 1960's by Wolverine--it will benefit from a thorough but careful cleaning soon and will probably join this year's Christmas display.

It's followed by one of our favorite putz/train creations from Howard Lamey of littleglitterhouses.com: The Pine Mountain Train station. Click on the photos.

--Wreck of WWII German U-boat found off North Carolina http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/21/us/north-carolina-u-boat-wreck/index.html?hpt=hp_bn1

--Eastward Again, more "sale-ing" adventures from Rob and Monica, quite a bit of vintage finds, including Sputnik Christmas ornaments, made in Japan Christmas elves and more! http://bit.ly/1nAnN8z

--Blumchen has published a how to on making old fashioned crepe paper rosettes and medallions; click on the link and scroll down the page a bit http://www.blumchen.com/craft_shop_crepe_paper.html

--AND BECAUSE THESE OLD PHOTOS OF A CORA BAITLER CHRISTMAS CIRCA 1950'S, complete with an extensive putz house village, never get old, click on the link http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/10/more-fabulous-vintage-websites-finds_24.html

--HALLOWEEN AROUND CROTON  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/10/halloween-around-town.html

1945: VAN CORTLANDT MANOR'S GHOSTS ARE NO TROUBLE TO THE NEW OWNERS

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON. 

A charming article from December 1945 about Van Cortlandt Manor: Manor House Ghosts Are No Trouble To The New Owners. Click on the images below, courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by the volunteers of the Croton Historical Society.

You may also have an interest in VAN CORTLANDT MANOR, 1953 THRU 1973 http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/02/van-cortlandt-manor-1953-thru-1973.html

 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

CROTON UNITED EXPOSES THE MAYOR'S TIMESHEETS. GALLELLI, SLIPPEN, PUGH DON'T CARE. 4 HOURS FOR 'TIME SHEET COMPILATION'!

A message from Croton United:

10/22/14 - TRUSTEES GALLELLI & SLIPPEN, CANDIDATE PUGH SAY: "We feel it is not for any of us to judge his actions.”

CROTON UNITED begs to differ.

Our opponents won't even name him, but we will. So just how did Mayor Wiegman justify elevating a part-time Mayoral position to full-time? 

We won't  get into the endless 'E-mail & consitutent (sic) discussion' entries, the numerous meetings of an equally numerous number of 'energy' groups & consortiums,  or even manning the Summerfest booth.

But highlights like these, obtained through FOIL requests, do deserve special merit:

READ MORE HERE  https://www.facebook.com/notes/croton-united/trustees-gallelli-slippen-candidate-pugh-say-we-feel-it-is-not-for-any-of-us-to-/357497134407324

ON CROTON DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE BRIAN PUGH & ELECTIONS MOVED TO NOVEMBER, IN THEIR OWN WORDS

The following letter was published in last week's Gazette:

ON CROTON DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE BRIAN PUGH & ELECTIONS MOVED TO NOVEMBER, IN THEIR OWN WORDS

To the Editor:

Candidate Brian Pugh is very proud of the effort he made in 2011 to move village elections from March to November.  In fact, this “accomplishment” seems to be the cornerstone of his current candidacy for village trustee.  In letters to the paper, in paid political advertising and on the Croton Dems candidates’ website, the Dems relentlessly tout Pugh’s referendum as an important reason to vote for him.

Candidate Pugh also ballyhooed this “accomplishment” last year during his unsuccessful run for Town board.  This apparently stuck in the craw of the current leader of the Town Democrats (who is also the former chair of the Croton Dems), who took to the pages of this newspaper to lambaste Mr. Pugh for misrepresenting the impact of this work.  On Mr. Pugh’s claim to have saved Croton taxpayers money, the Dems’ former party leader had this to say: “Proponents of moving the elections from March to November said it would save taxpayers money.  In truth it will not save anything.  The cost just got shifted to your county tax bill.”  

Even worse, the former party leader revealed the true motivation behind Mr. Pugh’s campaign to move the elections.  Mr. Pugh may publicly say that this initiative “increased voter turnout and encouraged democracy,” but, according to the former party leader, privately Mr. Pugh bragged that a very “important factor” in supporting this change, and in fact “the real purpose behind the election day shift” was to “make it hard for anyone other than a Democrat to win an election in Croton.”

The Cortlandt Dems current leader (and former Croton Dems’ party leader) didn’t support candidate Pugh for election to the town board because he felt that Pugh’s efforts to change the date of village elections was nothing but a selfish attempt to promote Pugh’s own political aspirations, because Pugh’s “only interest is in winning elections.” 

Now the Dems expect us accept the misinformation and political chicanery of Mr. Pugh’s “accomplishment” as an endorsement of his “qualifications”.  If all he has to recommend him is that he led a misleading and selfish campaign to disenfranchise village voters, that doesn’t say a lot.  Or perhaps that says it all.

ROBERT WINTERMEIER

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

HALLOWEEN DAYZ IN CROTON, DECORATING FROM YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES & BEYOND

Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

HALLOWEEN DAYZ--click on the photos! Stay tuned for more--and click on the link for some photos from the recent Window Painting Contest http://www.everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/10/some-photos-from-2014-croton-halloween.html

P.S. Alas, someone punched a hole in Umami's giant pumpkin in order to steal the seeds--and it wasn't these guys....click on the link https://www.facebook.com/124684690934636/photos/a.129626557107116.24089.124684690934636/736081289794970/?type=1&theater