CROTON'S PETER STRAUSS, THE 1981 MINI-SERIES, MASADA, UPDATED IN 2025

By special request, a very detailed and updated post about Masada, a 1981 television mini-series which starred Peter O'Toole and Croton's Peter Strauss (who got his start with The Croton Shakespeare Festival; see their FB page here)

FROM Masada, a movie review
Posted on March 14, 2015 by mysm2000

I don’t know when I first became aware of the story of Masada, and the tragedy of what occurred there. It may have been the first time I watched the TV mini-series starring Peter O’Toole and Peter Strauss. Certainly my interest rekindled when I read the amazing story by Alice Hoffman called The Dove Keepers which draws together the lives of 4 women with varied backgrounds who tended the doves at Masada until the end of the story. It has also spurred my interest in the archaeology of the Middle East. It is a story of courage and faith....READ MORE AT Masada, a movie review | Ms M's Bookshelf 

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THESE ADDITIONAL LINKS:

---The 1981 ABC promo FOR MASADA here.

---Remembering Peter O'Toole; click here

---A Flicka album of the site as it exists today; go to Masada | Flickr

WANT MORE PETER STRAUSS? GO TO EverythingCroton: PETER STRAUSS, LOVE ON THE LAND, 1997, FROM THE MAILBOX

SERVICE INFO & OBITUARY FOR VIRGIL J. MELITI

FUNERAL HOME -Babcock Funeral Home Inc 19 Pulver Ave - Ravena, New York--UPCOMING SERVICE

Visitation Mar. 7, 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Babcock Funeral Home Inc. 

Virgil Meliti Obituary--SELKIRK - Virgil J. Meliti Sr., 101, of Selkirk, passed away on February 26, 2025, at his home.

Born on June 1, 1923, and raised in Croton, N.Y., Virgil James Meliti Sr., was one of seven children, born to Italian immigrants, Teresina Quattrocchi and Nicholas Meliti. A World War II veteran, Virgil served in Pacific Theater as a Naval Air Force Gunner participating in 26 flights defending important shipping lanes. In addition, he participated in 11 harrowing anti-submarine nighttime patrols that brought him within range of hostile shore-based anti-aircraft weapons. Virgil also flew in six special missions conducted in very life-threatening situations. He received several awards and commendations for his valor, and returned home to Croton and his family in 1945.

Virgil began his 41-year career with the railroad, where he started as a brakeman. During those years, the railroad went through many iterations: from The New York Central Railroad, followed by The Penn Central Railroad, to Conrail, and then, to MTA Metro North Commuter Railroad. He served as Vice-General Chair of the United Transportation Union (UTU) and negotiated the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Metro North Railroad and the UTU. Virgil also served as Local Chair of Local 1763 of the Hudson Division for Conductors and Trainman. Many subsequent and current railroad employees benefited from his tenacity and outstanding negotiating skills.

Beyond his 41-year career, Virgil always stepped up to volunteer and help others. He served as a Croton School Board member, and along with his wife, Grace, co-chaired the Parent Teacher's Association at Frank G. Lindsey Elementary School in Montrose, N.Y. Virgil was also an active life member of four fraternal organizations: the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), and the Knights of Columbus (KofC).  More at Virgil Meliti Obituary (2025) - Selkirk, NY - Albany Times Union

PART TWO--FAT TUESDAY 2025 IS MARCH 4TH! A LOOK AT MARDI GRAS PRESENT & PAST, CROTON AND BEYOND!!!!!!!!!!!

VINTAGE MARDI GRAS POSTCARD 
CORNELIA COTTON GALLERY
111 GRAND ST., (914) 271-6802
Click on image; circa 1940's; reprint

Part Two!!!!! Mardi Gras (a.k.a., Fat Tuesday) falls each year on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent.

(ASH WEDNESDAY IS 3/5).

SEE PART ONE WITH SERVICES, EVENTS, LENTEN MENU OPTIONS AND MUCH MORE HERE BUT FOR NOW, CHECK OUT SOME 

ADDITIONAL VINTAGE CROTON MARDI GRAS AT THE LINKS 

BELOW:   

--2014 PHOTOS FROM MARDI GRAS AT HOLY NAME OF MARY; CLICK HERE

--2013 PHOTOS FROM MARDI GRAS AT HOLY NAME OF MARY; CLICK HERE

--2010 MARDI GRAS BASH AT THE GRANDSTAND; MORE HERE & HERE

CONGRATULATIONS JOHANNA H.

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.

(SEE PHOTOS AT Croton-Harmon Booster Club | Facebook)----Congratulations to Johanna H. (9th gr.) on being recognized as a 5-Star player by @gameday_one. Carla wants to remind Tiger Fans that Johanna is part of a strong group of underclassmen that went undefeated on JV last year. It’s true that we are losing 4 amazing seniors but the girls hoops dynasty will continue! Watch: https://www.youtube.com/w@atch?v=zZIb_ZnGWB8.