CROTON SENIOR CLUB: HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY MARY CLAIR

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.

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY MARY CLAIR!

The Croton Seniors celebrated at the Croton Yacht Club and a good time was had by all. (Click on the photos provided by Bob Anderson, all rights reserved).

Sr. director Valerie Nolan did a great job decorating and preparing for the event with the Seniors party committee.

Mary’s nickname is “Martini Mary” since she has one daily at 4 pm sharp!

Click on photos and enjoy.

Mary joins the ranks of other Croton notables who achieved 100 years of age and more:

--From March of 2017, Vera Munson; photos courtesy of Croton United; more here.

--And another noted centenarian, ED RONDTHALER; more here.

AND FYI--The Croton Seniors gather for weekly meetings on Fridays at 11 AM at the Municipal Building Community Room. Membership is available to all residents of the Village and School District ages 60 and older. 

If you would like to receive a membership packet, contact Valerie Nolan, at 271-5804.

You may also have an interest in:

--2018 CROTON SENIORS INSTALLS OFFICERS AT LITTLE SORRENTO; more here.

--A QUICK LOOK AT THE CROTON SENIORS CLUB, THEN AND NOW; more here.

BY SPECIAL REQUEST, A LOOK BACK AT JUNE 1983 IN CROTON

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.

BY SPECIAL REQUEST, A LOOK BACK AT JUNE 1983 IN CROTON. Click on the images below. Courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by The Croton Historical Society. 

You may also have an interest in https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2017/04/june-1983-upper-village-fair-aka-early.html

GOODBYE TOYS R US & 1986 COMPANY TOY BOOK

The inevitable occurred yesterday---TOYS R US closed the last of its US stores....Friday, June 29, 2018 02:25AM NEW YORK, N.Y. (WPVI) -Toys R Us is closing its last U.S. stores by Friday. The chain has been known to generations of children and parents for its sprawling stores, brightly colored logo and Geoffrey the giraffe mascot.

But many of the children who happily sang the "I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid" jingle grew into busy parents who found shopping online more convenient. READ MORE HERE. 

CLICK ON THE LINK TO SEE A 1986 TOYS R US "TOY BOOK" Flickr album courtesy of WISHBOOK JASON https://bit.ly/2NdhRS7

YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN...FAO SCHWARTZ  http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2015/05/fao-schwartz-closing-signature-flagship.html

IMPROVING PARKING IN HARMON

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 following letter was published in this week’s issue of the Gazette.

JUNE 29, 2018

To the editor:

I recently attended the Village-sponsored affordable housing workshop. There were approximately 25 residents in attendance, a rather small turn-out.

One of my takeaways from the meeting was the lack of parking for visitors to any new apartments, especially in the Harmon area. There are two very slow-moving projects underway and I would like the mayor and the board to consider the following proposal. I believe it would be a win for the Village, the Fire Department and the residents and business owners. My experience has shown that many problems have simple solutions and with a little cooperation great results can be achieved. READ MORE AT http://www.crotonunited.org/news-views/2018/6/29/improving-parking-in-harmon

SOME RECENT REQUESTS: PARKWAY DELICATESSEN, MESSA'S BARBER SHOP, HENRY HECKMAN & CROTON'S BOOTLEGGING PAST

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

Some recent requests...to see the photos in full-screen, click on the images:

--A reader has fond memories of The Parkway Delicatessen and asked if anything was available in the files. Here's a 1940 article courtesy of The Croton Historical Society archives.

--A reader was looking for anything on "Messa's Barber Shop".  Here's two clippings, again courtesy of the Croton Historical Society archives, and both dated 1962.

and...

--To the reader looking for anything on "Henry Heckmann", the name was actually spelled with only one "n".  

An outstanding member of the community, Croton Lions and Rotary, race car driver, and village business owner. You can read Heckman's obituary and much more here.

--To the reader looking for anything on Croton's bootlegging history, CROTON HISTORY & MYSTERIES has two excellent articles on THE MYSTERY OF THE RUM PLANE that might interest you: "On May 15, 1922, when the Rum Plane crashed in Croton with 250 quarts of Canadian Scotch, it attracted the attention of the police, the press and curious Crotonites."

Read and see more here. 

And as an added bonus, if you liked the old television show--THE UNTOUCHABLES--check out this blast from the past https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2013/01/yes-we-admit-itwe-loved-untouchables.html

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

A fabulous cover of actress and later, artist, Elke Sommer, from 1963; a quintessential 1960's look--the updo hair, the black eyeliner and lashes. You can read more about her here 

She's followed by a fabulous 1950's Mattel offering featured in a previous auction @ Croton's own SeriousToyz.com - the “Shootin’ Shell Buckle Gun Western Belt Set” #632, 1958--a Remington Derringer cap gun mounted on buckle, & embossed leather belt!

The ‘no hands’ gun shoots a plastic bullet automatically when you push out (with your stomach)--it sold for $303 at auction.

It's followed by a special request--an oldie but goodie--Howard's "Mrs. Claus Cottage" based on Pete Oehmen's photos and blueprints. Posted here as well is the original vintage putz house as well. 

CLICK ON THE PHOTOS AND ENJOY.

Then SEE MORE PUTZ EYE CANDY--and see some kits and patterns too--available courtesy of Pete Oehmen--at the link. Have fun! http://bit.ly/23wuXvo

Can't get enough vintage--and vintage inspired putz houses--check out the link to these photo galleries and more, courtesy of Paul Race's forums HERE. 

From the Golden Glow of Christmas Past FB page 2013, a nice collection of old putz houses arranged in a tree; hope you can see the photo http://on.fb.me/17NFvi4

To the reader looking for a lighthouse putz pattern/template, go here  

Miniature unfinished plastic dolls, perfect for putz projects; could definitely be re-worked; more here

WEST SIDE STORY, IL CINEMA RITROVATO; more here 

ALL THINGS VICTORIAN Flickr album has been updated; more here

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

A fun article from an old movie and television magazine--1965--GREAT TV SPY SCRAMBLE--COMPETITORS OPEN FIRE ON U.N.C.L.E.'s domain!  There's Get Smart, The Wild Wild West, I Spy, Honey West, and much more. Click on the photos and enjoy.

A fabulous 4th of July Flickr album with lots of vintage--and vintage inspired motifs, flags, memorabilia, and more--artfully arranged by MISS CONDUCT; more here

PATRIOTIC PUTZ HOUSE! MORE HERE

FOR FANS OF TOOTSIE TOYS--Tootsie Toy was a popular brand of diecast toys back in the day and in 1937 they introduced a set of four Buck Rogers toys; READ AND SEE MORE HERE

AN INTERESTING  ETSY SHOP WITH UNFINISHED, PRE-CUT PUTZ HOUSES--BUT SOME WITH MORE UNUSUAL DETAILS/ARCHITECTURE; the shop is called ITEMS BOX, out of Lithuania.

ADVENT CHRISTMAS VILLAGE PROJECT KIT; cut out and assemble; more here 

The official video about Miniatur Wunderland Hamburg, the largest model railway in the world, and one of the most successful tourist attractions in Germany. 

On the 1.300 m² large layout, far more than a thousand trains, aircrafts, cars and ships move about.  

SEE IT ALL HERE

PS - IF YOU LOVE BIG INDOOR TRAINS, have we the place for you:  https://bigindoortrains.com/

AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, LOTS MORE VINTAGE  GOODNESS, CHRISTMAS OR OTHERWISE, HERE  

COLLECTIONS ETC. IS HAVING A SALE AT THEIR CHRISTMAS OUTLET; MORE HERE

CONGRATULATIONS FRANZOSO CONTRACTING & BAKED BY SUSAN, BEST OF WESTCHESTER 2018

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

Congratulations to Franzoso Contracting, Westchester Magazine's Best Roofer Best of Westchester List---2018

In addition--and just to name a few: The company works with or supports diverse organizations, including the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce; the Rotarians; The Support Connection, a women’s breast- and ovarian-cancer support group; Habitat for Humanity, Purple Heart Homes and more.

And congratulations to Croton's own BAKED BY SUSAN, BEST BAKERY, Westchester  Magazine's Best of Westchester List---2018 

From scones to pies to cookies, congratulations!

(Click on the photo to see Susan making some of her famous breads.) 

FOR MORE ABOUT BAKED BY SUSAN, VISIT  https://www.facebook.com/Bakedbysusan/

MORE RECENTLY UNEARTHED BITS & PIECES ABOUT CROTON NOTABLES, GLORIA SWANSON, RALPH WALDO TRINE, KATHLEEN BELLER AND HAROLD GRAY

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

SOME MORE RECENTLY UNEARTHED BITS & PIECES ABOUT CROTON NOTABLES, GLORIA SWANSON, RALPH WALDO TRINE, KATHLEEN BELLER AND HAROLD GRAY--click on the photos.

A very early photo of one of Croton's most famous residents--Gloria Swanson--VERY early in her career--1920 to be exact--from WHO'S WHO IN PICTURES----fresh off her recent films, WHY CHANGE YOUR WIFE, MALE AND FEMALE, etc.

Also noted was her height--five feet three inches....much more petite than we thought.

Read more about Swanson--and see her with Rudolph Valentino here.

Next up from Who's Who in America 1903 to 1905--Ralph Waldo Trine---of Mt. Airy and NEW THOUGHT COLONY FAME---showing his address of 'Croton Landing'.

For those who don't know, Trine was an American philosopher, author, and teacher. He wrote many books on the New Thought movement. Trine was a close friend of Henry Ford and had several conversations with him about success in life. He moved to Mount Airy when he was 30 years old; at that time, he met his future wife Grace Hyde an author of poetry and plays. Living in the area for many years, while raising their only child, Robert, they became involved in metaphysical seminars that were held at Lake Oscawana. READ MORE ABOUT TRINE HERE.

Next up is Croton's Katheen Beller in a 1978 ad for THE BETSY,a film made by the Harold Robbins International Company and released by Allied Artists and United Artists. The film starred Laurence Olivier, Robert Duvall, Katharine Ross, Tommy Lee Jones, Jane Alexander, Joseph Wiseman, Kathleen Beller, Edward Herrmann, Paul Ryan Rudd, and Lesley-Anne Down. Read more here.

Next up a 1977 ad for Beller in MARY WHITE, a made-for-TV period biographical movie directed by Jud Taylor about American newspaper editor and author William Allen White (played by Ed Flanders) and his teenage daughter Mary (played by Kathleen Beller).

Read more about the film at https://bit.ly/2Kr1tvk

Here's a link about Beller you may have an interest in: A Few Words About… Kathleen Beller (Kirby, Dynasty) in the November 22, 1983, issue of Soap Opera Digest--read more here. 

And finally from Croton's own SERIOUSTOYZ.COM, a little HAROLD GRAY ORPHAN ANNIE MEMORABILIA. (For those who don't know, Annie's creator Harold Gray was a Croton resident.)

CHECK OUT THIS "Little Orphan Annie Travel Game”, 1930s, by Milton Bradley, featured in a previous SERIOUS TOYZ auction.  Early and scarce with a great illustration by Gray.

SEE THE LAST EDITION OF MORE RECENTLY UNEARTHED BITS & PIECES ABOUT CROTON NOTABLES CLIFFORD HARMON, GLORIA SWANSON, LENORE ULRIC, HOWARD DA SILVA & OSCAR BRAND at http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2018/06/more-recently-unearthed-bits-pieces_22.html

NEW FROM EFSP: RITA HAYWORTH IN GILDA (1946)

Our friends at European Fiolm Star Postcards continue their coverage of CINEMA RITROVATO with...

RITA HAYWORTH IN GILDA (1946) - Every evening the public of Cinema Ritrovato gathers at the Piazza Maggiore for a spectacular open air screening. One of these evening events is the screening of Gilda (Charles Vidor, 1946). Among the many attractions of this Film Noir is the sultry star of the film, Rita Hayworth. When she performs Put the Blame on Mame clad in lustrous black satin, she suggests a full striptease by only removing a glove. Gilda sealed Hayworth's reputation as Hollywood's leading love goddess of the 1940s. READ AND SEE MORE HERE.

PHOTO ALBUM, CROTON LIONS 2018 CRAWFISH ON HUDSON

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.

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CROTON LIONS CRAWFISH ON HUDSON EVENT; click here to see an extensive photo album from the 2018 boil. The Croton Lions also thanked SUPER FOODTOWN OF CROTON FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION, as well as HOMESTYLE DESSERTS. Balloon Crawfish from WESTCHESTER BALLOON COMPANY.

FROM 1939: THE WOMEN!!! 135 WOMEN WITH NOTHING ON THEIR MINDS BUT MEN!!!!

By special request--an oldie but goodie--We've been having so much fun scanning and photographing our recent vintage magazine hauls--and right smack dab in the middle of a 1939 Silver Screen magazine was this ad for THE WOMEN--not to be confused with that awful re-make. 
This is the original and a true time capsule. Yes, 135 women with nothing on their minds but men. Click on the photo. NORMA SHEARER--JOAN CRAWFORD--ROSALIND RUSSELL--to name just a few...Dowagers and debutantes! Countesses and cowgirls! Chorines and mannequins! See them in cold cream and mudpacks! In smart budoirs and sleek salons! Biting...kicking..scratching...kissing...Read more here

Oh and if you want to know what a "Chorine" is, it's a chorus girl.

MORE VINTAGE CROTON BUSINESS ADS, 1965 & 1971

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. 

MORE VINTAGE CROTON BUSINESS ADS, 1965 & 1971--courtesy of the outstanding archives maintained by The Croton Historical Society. Click on the images below.

And since the 1965 grand opening of Cole's Market is mentioned, you may also enjoy A LOOK BACK AT COLE'S MARKET IN CROTON 1973; more here

CARRIE SENA, NEW CROTON CARING COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 2018

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.

The Croton Caring Committee welcomes Carrie Sena as its new Executive Director. Read more about Sena in the 6/21/18 edition of THE GAZETTE.

YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY THESE RECENT LINKS ABOUT THE CROTON CARING COMMITTEE: 

--PHOTOS 2017 CROTON ROTARY CROTON CARING LUNCHEON; more here
and from 2016 here
--2013, Perez-a-Palooza raises OVER $8K for the Committee; more here
--2017 SHOPRITE check to Committee; more here
--2018 CROTON ROTARY AND THE CROTON CARING COMM. LUNCHEON; more here

MORE FABULOUS VINTAGE WEBSITES, FINDS ETC. FROM EVERYTHING CROTON

To the right, another pastel color re-interpretation Pack-o-Fun cardboard putz house by Howard Lamey. (See an index of PACK-O-FUN house patterns and more at https://bit.ly/2lxw3IR)

Howard's house is followed by two pages from a 1918 electrical catalog showing Mazda decorative/figural bulbs/lamps available at Christmas.  

A great way to date those antique bulbs in your collection!  Click on the images and enjoy!

The latest from Toy Connect, Toys & Stuff, a vintage Greyhound bus from Corgi, the GM type 4506 in 1/50 scale diecast; more here

Also from Corgi, and remembering Patrick MacNee too; click here 

Patriotic 4th of July putz house---see it from PAPERGLITTERGLUE 

By special request, for the "house" crafters, making your own "spring" storefronts; more here

Gene Tierney and more here

Step back in time--General Store- Americana Museum in Bird-in-Hand, PA; more here

We've talked about this site before but it is so worth visiting again: MODERN MECHANIX, YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW TODAY

CROTON ENTREPRENEUR PLANS TO CHANGE PEEKSKILL SWATH

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

LOHUD - An entrepreneur plans to relocate his company here and has ideas to transform a swath of North Water Street. Bre Pettis, of Croton-on-Hudson, will move Bantam Tools — which makes machines, including those that enable electrical engineers to make circuit boards faster — to Peekskill from Berkeley, California.  MORE HERE

REMEMBERING PATRICK MACNEE

Who died this date in 2015....

Daniel Patrick Macnee was an English film and television actor best known for his role as the secret agent John Steed in the British television series The Avengers. (Click on the photo to see vintage Corgi toy models of the cars used in the show.)  Macnee also played the young Jacob Marley in the 1951 version of Scrooge.  Read more here.

ALLEN FUNT, AUDREY MEADOWS, & THE OSSINING TREASURER 1960

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

ALLEN FUNT, AUDREY MEADOWS, & THE OSSINING TREASURER 1960

It's no secret that Candid Camera's Allen Funt lived in Croton on Mt. Airy Road....

And so we weren't really surprised to discover this 1960 Patent Trader article about a little stunt both he and television actress Audrey Meadows (of Honeymooners fame) pulled over in nearby Ossining. 

It must have been something too--and certainly reflective of a different time.

Click on the images.  

You may also enjoy  these additional links:

--TURN ON THE TELEVISION 1950-1959; click here

--TURN ON THE TELEVISION 1960-1969; click here

--1969 ALLEN FUNT'S PLANE HIJACKED TO CUBA; more here

THE CINEMA OF JOHN M. STAHL, GENE TIERNEY, IL CINEMA RITROVATO 2018

Our friends at EFSP are in Bologna, Italy, at the 32nd edition of Il Cinema Ritrovato! 

"One of the programmes is 'Immortal Imitations: The Cinema of John M. Stahl'. Stahl's films treat concealed identities, troubled yet enduring love affairs, tragic destinies assuaged by altruism and sacrifice… Highlight is Leave Her to Heaven (1945), for which leading lady Gene Tierney (click on the postcard) received an Oscar nomination. With prominent cheekbones and the most appealing overbite of her day, her striking good looks helped propel the American actress to stardom." READ AND SEE MUCH MORE HERE.

COMPLEX IDENTITY FRAUD SCHEME, DEALERS IN CROTON, GOLDENS BRIDGE, MT KISCO ETC. HIT, PATCH NEWS

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

Luxury Cars, Stolen Credit: $1M Ring Busted - A Lexus, a Land Rover and a Mercedes Benz were among the vehicles scammed by the men to be resold abroad, prosecutors said. MOUNT KISCO, NY -- Two men are accused of a complex identity fraud scheme to buy luxury cars at Westchester dealerships and ship them to Africa for resale. They hit dealers in Croton-on-Hudson, Goldens Bridge, Mount Kisco and New Rochelle, armed with stolen information including forged drivers licenses and Social Security numbers, prosecutors allege. Jankely Hidalgo and Jonathan Sevilla were arraigned MORE HERE

BENEDICT BLVD APARTMENTS UPDATE JUNE 2018

After many many years and multiple owners, it appears that construction of the apartments has begun on the former "Nappy" property at Benedict Blvd.  The on-again-off-again apartment building will allegedly have "retail space"; how much is unknown to your editor. Click on the photo. Please refer your questions to village officials/staff/minutes.  It is unknown at this time how many apartments have been approved, if they are market rate, etc. For a brief history, click here. 

ON ANOTHER MATTER, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECENT VILLAGE SPONSORED AFFORDABLE HOUSING CHARETTE  https://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/2018/06/affordable-housing-workshophousing.html