Saturday, September 30, 2017

OUTSTANDING FIND, LINCOLN TUNNEL, MADE BY UNIQUE ART

Because we're always looking for inspiration in our Christmas villages--and we love vintage tin toys too--Everything Croton is pleased to present the “Lincoln Tunnel”, 1935, manufactured by Unique Art,---24”, tin w/u; cars & buses travel between New York & New Jersey w/ Policeman in center; all original C8.5, really nice--and courtesy of a previous auction at Croton's own SeriousToyz.com

It sold for $488.32--proof positive that if you have serious stuff...think SERIOUSTOYZ.COM

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS BELOW.  Outstanding graphics.

Friday, September 29, 2017

COURTESY OF THE CROTON UNITED FB PAGE--OUTSTANDING PHOTO ALBUM--JACK O'LANTERN BLAZE 2017 SETS RECORD

CLICK ON THE PHOTO
Welcome to Everything Croton--a collection of all things Croton, our history, our homes, our issues, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

COURTESY OF THE CROTON UNITED FB PAGE--AN OUTSTANDING PHOTO ALBUM--THE BLAZE 2017

JACK O’LANTERN BLAZE SETS RECORD - The 2017 Blaze hosted the opening reception, and a group of Croton seniors were among the guests. Over 160,000 people will attend this year, and while most times are sold out, new time slots have just been added, so this year will break the attendance record.

Mayor Greg Schmidt welcomed the guests to Croton, and toured the spectacle with Trustee Ann Gallelli, Village Manager Janine King, and Deputy Mayor Bob Anderson. SEE 33 PHOTOS HERE https://www.facebook.com/crotonunited/posts/868536396636726

NATIONAL VFW DAY & A LOOK BACK AT CROTON'S VFW

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

TODAY IS NATIONAL VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS DAY - Each year on September 29, VFW Day is celebrated at Posts and in communities around the world. It’s a day devoted to the organization and its dedicated members who are so deeply committed to serving those who bravely serve this nation. YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THE VFW HERE https://www.vfw.org/

AND IN HONOR OF THIS DATE, A LOOK BACK AT CROTON'S OWN VFW, COURTESY AS ALWAYS OF THE OUTSTANDING ARCHIVES MAINTAINED BY THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE CROTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY (click on the photo).  See more at the links below:

Part 1:  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-look-back-at-crotons-vfw-veterans-of.html
Part 2:  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/10/part-2-look-back-at-crotons-vfw.html
Final Installment:  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-look-back-at-crotons-vfw-final.html

Thursday, September 28, 2017

CROTON AUTO PARK & SUPPORT CONNECTION, ANNUAL SUPPORT-A-WALK, OCT. 1, 2017

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

AND NOW A WORD FROM CROTON AUTO PARK: We are proud to be a sponsor of Support Connection, Inc. Annual Support-A-Walk this Sunday, October 1st at FDR Park and help raise funds towards their free support services. Visit https://supportconnection.org/support-a-walk-overview/ to learn more!

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/01/croton-auto-park-and-support-connection.html

CROTON ROTARY FB PAGE: PHOTO ALBUM FROM THE 2017 ROTARY CAR SHOW, THE WINNERS

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

PHOTO ALBUM COURTESY OF THE CROTON ROTARY CLUB--THE 2017 CROTON ROTARY CAR SHOW WINNERS--listed here with their award designations http://bit.ly/2xHTXs3

WINNER OF THE CHILI COOK-OFF--MEX-TO-GO--more from Croton United's FB page here http://tiny.cc/gmiyny

MORE FROM THE 2017 CAR SHOW HERE http://bit.ly/2yoWAwf AND HERE http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/part-1-photos-from-2017-croton-rotary.html

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

MEXTOGO WINS 2017 CROTON ROTARY CHILI COOK-OFF

PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK.COM/CROTONUNITED
Welcome to Everything Croton, a collection of all things Croton--our history, our homes, our issues, our businesses, our schools, our houses of worship--in short, EVERYTHING CROTON.

MEXTOGO WINS 2017 CROTON ROTARY CHILI COOK-OFF

Croton resident Mayra Viznay Caguano has won the Rotary Club of Croton on Hudson chili cook-off. The Executive Chef and owner of Mex To Go, Croton on Hudson, NY took first place with her interpretation of the classic dish.

SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE 2017 CAR SHOW HERE:
--Courtesy of the Croton United FB page--To see 16 fab photos, click on the link http://bit.ly/2yoWAwf
--Courtesy of Everything Croton http://bit.ly/2yFkt3P

FALL 2017 DAYS AT HOLY NAME OF MARY'S COMMUNITY GARDEN

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

Fall is here, and the Holy Name of Mary Community Garden is slowly winding down---it's been another amazing year--for the birds, bees, and local food bank. Click on the photo.

For those of you who don't know...Tucked away on a small plot generously donated by a Croton resident is a most remarkable garden: The Holy Name of Mary Community Garden. 

Church volunteers—led by Hallie Flanagan Wolfe—exemplify the highest ideals associated with true community gardens: nearly all the produce---tomatoes, greens, peas and more--is donated to meet local needs.  

And they've been doing it for a long time! As always, literally hundreds and hundreds of pounds of produce have gone to food banks and related initiatives. That's this editor's definition of public service.

It's been a pleasure to photograph this garden year after year--and to write about its core mission. The volunteers are to be commended for all their hard work.

Here's a slideshow of garden photos from assorted years https://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/albums/72157627327860417

& AGAIN BY SPECIAL REQUEST, EVEN MORE FALL 1983 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.

AND AGAIN BY SPECIAL REQUEST, YES EVEN MORE FALL 1983 IN CROTON-ON-HUDSON. Click on the images below courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by The Croton Historical Society.

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/by-special-request-even-more-fall-1983.html

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

HOLY NAME OF MARY BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS 10/1

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

HOLY NAME OF MARY - Blessing of the Animals 2017 - Bring your dog, cat, hamster, parakeet, goldfish or whatever to the Garden of Peace this Sunday at 2 pm. Father Brennan (and probably Gus) will be there to bestow the annual blessing of the animals in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. 

What: Blessing of the Animals
When: Sunday, October 1 at 2:00 pm
Where: Garden of Peace at Holy Name of Mary


And if you can't make this blessing  on 10/1 at Holy Name, there will be a blessing on 10/7 at OUR SAVIOUR http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/blessing-of-animals-at-our-saviour-10717.html

UPDATED: SEE THE 2017 PHOTOS HERE  https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/10/photos-2017-blessing-of-animals-at-holy.html

AND NOW A NOVEL WITH CROTON CLOSE TO ITS HEART

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

FOUND THIS NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR OF "A RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS" IN THE MAILBOX THIS MORNING--looks very interesting:

Good morning Everything Croton.

My name is Richard Savin; I am a writer living in England and the South of France.

In 2008 while visiting Canada I drove down from Quebec and stayed in Croton for a few days with my wife and son. We have very fond memories of our stay and I was inspired to set my new novel ‘A Right to Bear Arms’ in the surrounding area and the town. 

EDITOR: now available on Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBook and others. http://amzn.to/2hutWXD

Monday, September 25, 2017

PART 2: PHOTOS FROM THE 2017 CROTON ROTARY CAR SHOW AND CHILI COOK-OFF, COURTESY OF CROTON UNITED'S FB PAGE

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

PART TWO: PHOTOS FROM THE 2017 CROTON ROTARY CAR SHOW AND CHILI COOK-OFF, courtesy of the Croton United FB page (Click on the photo to see Bryan Deyo of 3rd Universe Comics, Dino Tsagarakis of Croton Colonial, and Mayor Greg Schmidt.  To see 16 fab photos, click on the link  http://bit.ly/2yoWAwf

And photos--the winners--courtesy of the Croton Rotary FB page  https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=700606380128847&id=130964137093077

PART ONE: Photos, courtesy of Everything Croton  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/part-1-photos-from-2017-croton-rotary.html

2017 TUNNEL TO TOWERS RUN

Representing Croton and more at the 2017 Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Run--Jake Tuttle, Danny Bennet, Justin Cusano, Gordon Ingalls, Jake Dominello, Andrew Liebler; from Millwood, Dominic Raguso, Rob McCarthy, Paul Levi; from Tarrytown, Andrew Wilgermein, Scotty Weaver Jr. Photo taken by Benjamin Simon Goldsmith. And if anyone's name has been forgotten, it's unintentional!  Thank you all....VERY PROUD AND A BIG EVERYTHING CROTON SHOUT-OUT TO ONE AND ALL.  Click on the photo.

MORE HERE---AND CONTENT COURTESY OF THE CROTON FIRE DEPT.  https://www.facebook.com/CrotonFire/posts/895171557297069

REMEMBERING WALTER PIDGEON

Remembering Walter Pidgeon, who died this date in 1984. Adored him in Mrs. Miniver--although many baby boomers will remember him best from  FORDBIDDEN PLANET; read more here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Pidgeon

And click on the photo for a great vintage postcard courtesy of our friends at EFSP, one of our favorite vintage blogs specializing in European cinema, past and present http://filmstarpostcards.blogspot.nl/

Sunday, September 24, 2017

WALK WITH THE LIONS

Courtesy of the Croton United FB page: When Deputy Mayor Bob Anderson had surgery recently, the Croton Lions were there to assist in his recovery, loaning a shower chair, a cane, and a walker. 

“Thank you to all the Lions” said the Deputy Mayor. “The Lions loan closet was a great help to me, as it has been to Croton and the surrounding communities for more than half a century. More than just saving some money, the fact that our neighbors do care is appreciated when you get home from the hospital.”  READ MORE HERE http://bit.ly/2xtGFxL

PART 1, SOME PHOTOS FROM THE 2017 CROTON ROTARY CAR SHOW AND CHILI COOK-OFF

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

THERE'S STILL TIME TO GET DOWN TO THE 2017 CROTON ROTARY CLUB CAR SHOW AND CHILI COOK-OFF at the Croton train station parking lot. This is an important fundraiser for the club's many charitable endeavors--Mayor Schmidt and the club volunteers work hard to bring one of the best car shows around to our little village...click on the photos below, all rights reserved. And stay tuned for more.

UPDATED: PART TWO--MORE PHOTOS COURTESY OF CROTON UNITED AND THE CROTON ROTARY FB PAGES  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/part-two-photos-from-2017-croton-rotary.html

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

--We were going through our antique Christmas postcard collections the other day and were amazed at how many--pre-1900--that had images of dogs--and in particular, some type of spaniel (as pictured to the right dated 1898, click on the photo).

--Western Auto Stores, a collection of assorted catalog pages—Christmas, Summer, 1937-1960’s http://bit.ly/2ym63EF

--Fall decorating--Blumchen has some of the best vintage and vintage inspired decorating items around. It's fast becoming our favorite place when the "originals" on EBAY exceed our pocketbooks:

***INDIAN CORN HONEYCOMB! This is something you haven’t seen in years! http://www.blumchen.com/thanksgiving_shop_ha72.html

***HONEYCOMB PUMPKINS – SMALL http://www.blumchen.com/thanksgiving_shop_ha58az.html AND LARGE http://www.blumchen.com/thanksgiving_shop_ha58bz.html 

AND BLUMCHEN'S HALLOWEEN SHOP CURRENTLY HAS A 20% OFF SALE http://www.blumchen.com/halloween_shop.html

--Repro VINTAGE stoves—what a chunk of change these go for http://bigchill.com/site/stoves

--THE VINTAGE KITCHEN, BATHROOM AND LAUNDRY flickr set of photos has been updated: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22283683@N07/sets/72157626073029426/

--Putz-abilities; THE GRAPHICS on this vintage doll house are outstanding  http://www.flickr.com/photos/36581242@N06/3371352727/in/set-72157615706439796/

--Yabba Dabba do http://toyconnect.blogspot.com/2012/03/cardz-1994-return-of-flintstones-cards.html

--Howard's latest project--a copy of a vintage German castle with train; check it out here, includes pdf pattern https://www.cardboardchristmas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1386

--That Girl! http://bit.ly/2jUlHok

Friday, September 22, 2017

NANCE'S COFFEE SHOP CLOSING AFTER 51 YEARS

FROM NANCE'S COFFEE/FB PAGE - After 51 years of service, my family's coffee shop will be forced to close its doors. We have no information regarding the time frame that we will have to leave within. The MTA Real Estate Department's finest, Alicia Biggs, reached out to us on Rosh Hashanah to let us know that we would not be awarded the bid. For anyone who feels that they need to comment, Alicia Biggs stated that ALL comments, and concerns about the RFP and the decision of the bid could be directed to her. Why not reach her directly then? www.facebook.com/Alicia.Biggs.589 (She is also on messenger)
Thanks to all of you for your continued support over the past 51 years

MARCH 2018 UPDATE HERE

BY SPECIAL REQUEST, EVEN MORE FALL 1983 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. 

AND BY SPECIAL REQUEST, EVEN MORE FALL 1983 IN CROTON-ON-HUDSON. Click on the images beloW courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by The Croton Historical Society.

You may also enjoy: http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/by-special-request-even-more-croton-in.html

REMEMBERING IRVING BERLIN

Die-hard vintage Christmas collectors that we are, we couldn't let this day pass without remembering the great Irving Berlin, who wrote that quintessential holiday classic, White Christmas, and who died this date in 1989 at age 101. (Click on the photo for the sheet music.)

For those who don't know, Berlin also wrote God Bless America, which would become Kate Smith's signature song, as well as Alexander's Ragtime Band, and other familiar songs too numerous to mention. Read more about Berlin here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Berlin

Simply one of the best American composers ever.  YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY READING http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/06/remembering-kate-smith.html

Thursday, September 21, 2017

A LETTER FROM MARK FRANZOSO ADDRESSING TRUSTEE PUGH

The following letter from Mark Franzoso appears in this week's Gazette.

Dear Editor, 

It seems I struck a chord with Trustee Brian Pugh in my address to the board and my last Letter to the Editor outlining my objections to the Village purchase of two parcels of land for a new DPW facility that will strap taxpayers with decades of payments and increased taxes—not to mention its ill-conceived out-of-town location. Who locates its DPW garage in another community over 3 ½ miles away from their biggest and most used asset? Answer: Croton, thanks to Trustees like Pugh. 

I read Pugh's defense of his vote in favor of the land purchase for the garage, which if he had confined his remarks to the DPW garage, his letter would have been a sincere defense. Instead, he veered off and concluded the letter with a personal attack on me.

He implied that I shouldn't have an opinion if I sit on the sidelines. Having to work with a politician like Pugh is the exact reason why I do not serve in elected office. I work outside of government to make Croton a better place to live and work. I have been flattered over the years to have been asked to run for all levels of local government, but I have declined, because I want to maintain my freedom and independence.

Since I was the only individual protesting the ridiculous plan to move our Department of Public Works out of town, I can only assume his letter to the editor last week was directed at me.  I don't sit on the sidelines when the Village Board makes a bad decision, nor when my character gets attacked.

Before Pugh lectures us taxpayers, he should purchase a home in this wonderful Village of ours and start paying property taxes, and insurance, and water bills like I do, like we all do! Maybe when he's paying all those bills, he may change his attitude about me and my concerns about how to spend our hard earned tax dollars. Let's face it, he's got no skin the game and now he wants to run for Mayor! 

Additionally, Pugh had the temerity to challenge my political donation to Croton United. It was clearly a political dart aimed at linking my contributions to Croton United and the reimbursement to me for work done to repair a sewer main damaged by a low bid contractor hired by the Village to replace a sidewalk in front of my property. The damage was hidden and only discovered after years of clogged drains.  When I finally had enough, I had the sewer line dug up only to find out the contractor broke the sewer pipe. His “fix”was to cut a bucket in half and lay it over the broken pipe.

The previous administration denied the insurance claim, saying the statutes of limitation had expired. Does Mr. Pugh or anyone in this town have x-ray vision to see below ground? The current board, after the Village Manager said the Village was indeed at fault, eventually approved the claim. If politics played any role in this, it was when the previous administration refused to honor the claim. I have to ask the question - was the claim denied because it was me?

If Mr. Pugh owned a home like the one his parents just moved out of on Alexander Drive and a contractor hired by the Village caused damage to their sewer line, and covered it up, would he expect them to pay the cost of additional repairs? Would any taxpayer be expect to bear the cost? Of course not. That wouldn't be fair to his parents or any other Croton taxpayer.

He and his small handful of political cronies are now perpetuating that there was some kind of quid pro quo when the Village settled this long standing insurance claim. By honoring my claim, the current Mayor and Board (Pugh voted “No”) sought to overturn an injustice that should have been properly and legally approved by the previous administration who refused to do the right thing. All Croton residents should be treated fairly without regard to politics in such matters when they come before the Board. 

Mr. Pugh conveniently omitted that I made a similar political donation to Kevin Davis who, years back, was running on the Democratic ticket. I am an Independent; I vote for the candidates who I believe will do right by Croton taxpayers without regard to party affiliation and not for political favors. 

Now, Mr. Pugh is pushing for an ethics board. Isn't it ironic that this Village Trustee is supporting the creation of an ethics board and yet he attempted to besmirch my reputation with false allegations and implications? I wholeheartedly support an ethics review committee.  With elected officials like Pugh, I predict the committee will be very busy. 

To quote another great Roosevelt, this time Eleanor: “Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events and small minds discuss people.” Mr. Pugh should focus on ideas to move this Village forward, not on me as a person. Let us see how much more this DPW project and all of its elements is going to cost taxpayers, thanks to Mr. Pugh. 

Sincerely, Mark Franzoso
Taxpayer, property owner, businessman

7th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE AT THE GROTTO, 10/8/17

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

The 7th Anniversary Celebration of OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE at The Grotto will be held on Oct. 8th, Noon--there will be an outdoor mass at Vasallo park followed by light refreshments after the bi-lingual mass. 

Presented by the Hispanic Ministry at Holy Name of Mary. http://bit.ly/1WXfS2P

Click on the links to see photos from past anniversaries at The Grotto:

--2011 photos http://bit.ly/2ye0GHG

--2nd Anniversary https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2012/10/part-one-photos-from-todays-anniversary.html


--2014 Anniversary http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2014/10/photos-from-2014-spanish-ministry.html

--2015 https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2015/10/part-1-photos-holy-name-of-mary-spanish.html


 --2016 Anniversary https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2016/10/photos-2016-annual-celebration-our-lady.html 

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

BY SPECIAL REQUEST: EVEN MORE CROTON IN THE FALL OF 1983

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

BY SPECIAL REQUEST, EVEN MORE CROTON IN THE FALL OF 1983; CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW, courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by the volunteers of The Croton Historical Society. 

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/09/more-croton-on-hudson-in-fall-of-1983.html