September 30, 1945 Celebrating an 82nd Birthday

Among the many entries in Dewitt’s diaries are those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries.

Mary Catherine Peterson was born September 30, 1863. She was the fourth child of Abram Ditmars Peterson and Mary Jane Wintersteen Peterson.

Dewitt mentions her brothers, his uncles, at various times, Charles Peterson, William Peterson, and Fred Peterson. Mary never knew her sister, Sarah born 29 Oct 1853 who died in August 1854.

Sunday, September 30, 1945: Mother’s birthday. She was 82 today. We had a party for her down to the boys’ cottage. A beautiful day after frost this morning. Temperature 32 early this morning. Frosted squash vines. No frost towards the lake.

Undated photograph in Dewitt's photo album.
Myron, Dewitt, Mary Catherine, Lemuel and Francis "Pete" Bassette.

Dewitt’s Diary, Thursday, September 30, 1948

Mother’s birthday. She is 85 years today.

A little rain this morning keeps us from working at the beans.

We worked at the bean all afternoon. Have about half of them pulled and piled.

September 28, 1831 Dedication of the Reformed Church Building

An article in the Farmer Village Review, April 19, 1890 provides one “historical sketch of the Reformed Church Society of Farmer Village.” The original was “read at the dedication of the Church Parlors, January 6, 1890, by E. E. Tunison."

Interlaken Reformed Church, circa 1900
Print from a glass plate negative
Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #1226

In discussing the early membership and building, Mr. Tunison noted, “Such of our records as have been preserved contain very little in regard to the building of the first house, but from reliable sources I have gleaned these facts: …Dr. Brown donated to the society the lot on which it was built, and this house in which we meet to-night is the first house with such additions as have been made hereto, and such remodelings as it has sustained.”

He then describes that first building, “it was 40 by 51 feet, with galleries extending along the north, east and south sides of the auditorium, the pulpit being located in the west end of the auditorium.”

In noting the early use of church building, “Services were held in it long before its completion; the Lord’s supper having been administered therein March 20, 1831, six month[s] before its dedication.” On August 11, 1831 Rev. Oscar H. Gregory was installed as the first pastor.

The building was begun in 1829, and on September 28, 1831 it was dedicated. Rev. J. F. Shermerhorn delivered the dedicatory sermon, “Hitherto has the Lord helped us.”

The 1890 article continues with information on the pastors who followed Rev. Gregory, and the building expansions that took place over the years.

Rev. Gregory was invited to be the dedicatory speaker on September 6, 1857 following significant repairs and extensions to the church. His sermon was later reprinted in a small book entitled, “The Glory of God’s House.” A copy of that booklet is in the collection of the Interlaken Historical Society.

Cover, O. H. Gregory's dedicatory sermon 1857
Interlaken Historical Society Collection item 1983-107

Title page from the sermon book noted above.

Rev. Gregory, in his preface note wrote, “This discourse was not written with a view of publication, but composed in haste amid many pressing cares; and the author consents to it now, principally to gratify those among whom he labored so pleasantly for seven years.”

In the nearly 38 pages that follow that introduction, Rev. Gregory used Haggai ii, vs 3 for his text, “Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? And how do you see it now?”

Rather than quote more from Mr. Tunison’s article, it is reprinted here.

For additional information on the Interlaken Reformed Church, its history and buildings, please see the two volumes of the church history.

Dewitt’s Diary, September 28, 1929-1932

Saturday, September 28, 1929 The weather is very warm today. I set up some of my field corn today. Went up and got some minnows for fishing to George T’s tonight. Drove to town tonight.

Sunday, September 28, 1930 I went fishing today. Caught a big bass 3 ¼ pounds. Also a small pike, the first one I ever saw. Caught him in front of the Cayuga Lake house old dock. Cool without wind today.

Monday, September 28, 1931 Planted the bean ground to wheat today. Cold with wind today.

Wednesday, September 28, 1932 Ground is getting a little rain today.

September 26, 1945 Interlaken Post 462 American Legion Renewed

At the end of World War I, sixteen veterans made an application on September 3, 1919 for an American Legion Post for Interlaken. John V. Kellogg was elected the first commander. With the passing of time, many of those veterans moved to other places. Of those who remained, they affiliated with other Seneca County posts.

In 1945 as the World War II veterans were returning, the desire for an active post in Interlaken was again brought forth.

Interlaken American Legion Post Home, Main Street Interlaken
Now the Town of Covert Municipal Building
Photo by the author

On September 26, 1945, a meeting was held “in the Fire Rooms for the purpose of forming an American Legion Post in Interlaken. 20 veterans were present, John V. Kellogg was appointed temporary chairman of the meeting.” Thus begins the article in the Interlaken Review of September 28, 1945.

The article continued, “Past Commander Francis J. Edwards of Ovid, was present and gave a very interesting talk concerning the Legion.” In reading the list of membership committee personnel many familiar names are shown, T. J. Mahoney, Frank Goodwin, Stanley Hagerman, S. Leslie Macomber, Lyle VanArsdale, Floyd Dickerson, Lew Egan, Albert Jones and Thomas Northrup.”

“The Post received word on October 26, 1945 that it would be able to use the original name and number, Interlaken Post #462.” [Article by Wm. Peabody, Patterson, 1976 Bicentennial History]

The November 16, 1945 Interlaken Review listed the newly elected officers who were elected on November 8^th. Commander, John V. Kellogg; 1^st Vice Ora D. Jenkins; 2^nd Vice Stan Hagerman; Adjutant, Herman Emmons; Treasurer, Lyle VanArsdale; Sgt at Arms, Leslie Macomber, Historian, Lew Egan; Chaplain Frank Goodwin.

In time, a Post home would be built on the property donated by the Halstead Canning Factory and Mr. and Mrs. John R. VanLiew.

Plaque in the Covert Municipal Building honoring the VanLiews and the
 Halstead Canning Factory for the land for the Interlaken Legion Post Home.
Photo by the author

 In 2008 the Post elected to retire its charter. The Post home is now the Town of Covert Municipal building. With its service flags and World War II honor roll in front of the building, memorial boards and Legion emblem on the main table inside, its original use is still very much evident.

1951 Charter for the Interlaken American Legion Post #462
Photo by the author

Dewitt’s Diary, Wednesday, September 26, 1945

The ground was too wet to work on this morning. Cleaned up and treated seed wheat this morning.

Bob A and I went fishing this afternoon. Caught three nice bass across the lake.

The weather was nice this afternoon. Looking for Leland most any day.

For more on the history of Interlaken Post #462 see Patterson, Between the Lakes, The History of South Seneca County, (1976) page 154-156, and Covert Memories 1950-2015 pages 167-171.

September 23, 2017 Awards of Merit Received

Occasionally, there isn’t a specific date for an item to be shared as a snippet. Today is one of those items.

New York’s museums and heritage organizations are many and diverse. These institutions collect and interpret art, history, natural history, science, technology and culture. These valuable organizations provide opportunities for inquiry, engagement, inspiration and education about the state’s cultural and natural heritage.

The Awards of Merit program acknowledges outstanding programs and individuals who have made the state's museum community richer and more relevant. They reward the innovative efforts of staff and volunteers and they provide encouragement for the development of new and remarkable projects. [Museum Association of NY website]

The Interlaken Historical Society and its volunteers have been recognized three times through the Award of Merit program. One of the interesting aspects revolves around the awarding organization. In 1989 the first Award of Merit was presented by the Regional Conference of Historical Societies; in 2007 the second was from the Upstate History Alliance, and the most recent Award of Merit, presented earlier this year, was from the Museum Association of New York. Over the years that organization has evolved and changed but has remained true to assisting and encouraging historical societies.

The Fall 2007 Between the Lakes newsletter had a short item noting the receipt of an Honorable Mention certificate for the Covert Historic Tour of 2006. [August 6, 2006 Snippet]

The article included a note that “This is the second time our Society has been honored…the first time the Covert Family book by Fischer, Patterson and Covert won an Award of Merit.”

The June 1989 historical society newsletter had a lengthy article [Vol 15 #3]

Under the headline, “R.C.H.A. AWARDS OF MERIT ANNOUNCED”

“The RCHA’s Awards of Merit program recognizes excellent achievement by institutions and individuals in local history. Of particular interest are projects that can serve as models to other institutions and encourage the development of activities of similar excellence.” These criteria are still in use today.

At the Annual [1989] Meeting in Elmira, five Awards of Merit were announced, four historical societies, and one individual. Interlaken’s Maurice (Pat) Patterson received an Individual Achievement Award.

Mr. Patterson has been active in the historical agency community of central New York for more than forty years. He has worked tirelessly as a volunteer and trustee for his own and other local historical societies 'and has served on the RCHA Board of Trustees. Most importantly he has, in the last fifteen years, made the Interlaken Historical Society a model of what a small, all volunteer historical society should be. With an annual operating budget of less than $1500, Pat has trained a team of loyal volunteers who have cataloged and indexed the Society’s collection of about 2,000 artifacts and housed all items in archival-quality materials.

In continuing the newsletter article, Pat noted, “The Award of Merit was really the result of the work of many volunteers over the past 38 years, beginning with the Interlaken History Society’s charter members who met at Dorothy Wickes' home in 1951.” After a list of the many people involved over the years, Pat summed his thoughts with, “The Award of Merit should go to all the trustees and volunteers who have served for the past 38 years.” [click here to see the full article.]

Those same words of thanks to all involved applies to the 2017 Award of Merit received for the Covert Memories 1950-2015 volume.

Slide from MANY power point program, "2017 Awards of Merit"
Provided by the Museum Association of New York 

Award of Merit received by the Interlaken Historical Society, April 2017.

The Historical Society submitted all the required paperwork in March, and we were delighted to receive a telephone call telling us that we had been given an Award of Merit in the Engaging Communities category. It is rewarding for all concerned to receive this recognition from the Museum Association of New York.

If you haven’t had a chance to read Covert Memories, copies are available from the Interlaken Historical Society and the Interlaken Public Library.

The 2018 Award of Merit application materials are scheduled to be released this month, and the Historical Society will again review the options for applying based on the three programs related to the Town of Covert Bicentennial.

Dewitt’s Diary, Monday, September 23, 1968

Temperature 62, clear.

Did some work under the barn. Cut some new posts for under the barn.

Mom washed.

Clouding up the afternoon. Continuing clear weather. This is eleven days of clear days.

Picked half bushel of tomatoes from behind the barn. They are badly cracked open but good size.

We cut the heads from the sunflowers to keep the birds from eating them all up before winter. 

September 20, 2015 Truck 504 Arrives at the Fire House

After years of discussion, planning, getting specifications, and then waiting for the truck to be built, the big day arrived.

On a warm, sunny fall afternoon, fire department personnel, village board members and others gathered to take possession of the new rescue pumper. Mark Oswad from Four-Guys Fire Trucks was sharing baseball caps to all present.

The rescue-pumper, designated 504 is 32 feet long, and seats five personnel. Four of the seats have built-in air-pack storage, allowing firefighters to strap on their first air pack in-route to the scene.

The tank holds 750 gallons of water with a 750 gallon per minute pump. There is one master intake port and eight discharge ports. For those times when darkness prevails, there is an on-board generator and four-head light tower.

In addition, the multiple storage compartments hold vital equipment such as the “jaws of life,” generator, first responder medical equipment, more air packs and much more. The top bed also has three long hose lays and additional compartments.

Pictures and more pictures were taken of people beside the new truck. The compartments were opened and examined.

Slide-out tray with fire extinguishers 

Compartments waiting for supplies

Seats with air pack storage

Ovid Fire Chief looking at one of the compartments 

Looking over the new truck 

Pump panel

Photos by Karen Nelson

Then came a point in time as I watched the old red rescue truck leave the station and head north. Sitting, waiting for its first tone-out, was the bright shiny new truck, and as 541, the rescue truck drove by, I could imagine one saying to the other, “Well done. We’ll take over the watch from here.”

The old and the new
Photo from the author's collection

On 504’s maiden run she performed her job to full capacity. Delivering personnel, providing illumination and putting the jaws and tools right where they needed to be for a car into tree MVC. Since that time she continues to be an outstanding member of the fire department and has become popular with the surrounding companies for all of the same reasons. Especially with the light tower.

Stocking 504 under the lights 

Dewitt’s Diary, Wednesday, September 20, 1972

Temperature 40. Clear and a taste of what is to come.

We went over all of the wheat ground. Art Horton planted it for me this afternoon.

A cool fall day. No frost around here.

My field corn shows ears dented on more than half of them. Corn is very backward this year, a few more days before frost will make a big difference in the crop.

We dug out 8 bushels of potatoes. The first row went about 10 bushels of sorted potatoes. I have 26 rows of late potatoes.

September 19, 1929 Sullivan Clinton Monument Dedication

Have you taken the time to look at the monument near the sidewalk at the library? It was dedicated, along with a number of similar monuments, in 1929. They marked the progress of the Sullivan and Clinton campaigns of the 1770s.

Detail of the plaque at the Interlaken Public Library
Photo by the author

Two articles appeared in the Interlaken Review with regard to these events.

The first, entitled, “Suggest Night Fires As Celebration Feature” 

A thousand bonfires along the 600 miles of shore line of the six Finger Lakes are expected to blaze on the night of September 21st, like the Indian watch-fires of a century and a half ago. As a spectacular night feature of the region's sesquicentennial celebration, the suggestion for such a celebration is made by the highway committee of the Finger Lakes Association

A longer article written by Wheeler A. Bassett about the events of is re-printed here.

History was made in Interlaken on Thursday last, September 19, 1929, when, in holiday attire, with banners waving and flags flying, the Sullivan monument recently erected on the library law was unveiled and dedicated.

Early in the day a party of twenty-two people including high officials of the state, formed at Seneca Falls to make a tour of the county, stopping enroute to dedicate markers at Seneca Falls, Burrough’s Point, Lodi, Interlaken and Kenedaia.

The party arrived at Interlaken at 12:45 o’clock, and immediately took lunch at the Florence Rest Home. By 1:30, the time set for the ceremonies, a large crowd had gathered on the library lawn. The High School faculty and entire student body were present and the Interlaken Boy Scouts, in uniform, were lined up near the monument.

The dedicatory exercises were under the auspices of the Interlaken History Club, in whose name the marker was erected. Miss Mabel Case, president of the club, acted as chairman of the day, while Dr. Frederick W. Lester, of Seneca Falls, was master of ceremonies. The local speaker of the day was Mrs. T. P. Currier, who, in a happy, inimitable way, told the story of Interlaken’s history. She was cheered by rounds of applause. After a brief prayer by Rev. R. D. VanWagenen, two Boy Scouts, Dedrich Willers and Clarence Haskins, unveiled the monument by removing the beautiful flag which had been draped about it.

Other speakers were Rev. William B. Clark of Seneca Falls, congressman John Taber and Dr. Alexander C. Flick, State Historian. Also, in the party were Peter Nelson Assistant State Historian, Cyrun Garnsey, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Hubert L. Mott, of Seneca Falls, J Devillo Follard and Rev. and Mrs. E. D. Morrill of Seneca Falls. Mrs. Morrill is the designer of the bronze tablet.

Generations yet unborn will view this monument with much the same thoughts as we view it today, and silently pay tribute, we trust, to the efforts of our citizens for making its erection possible.

How true those 1929 words concerning generations unborn.
Five-year old Dani Nelson fascinated with the relief map and finding Interlaken
Photo by the author.

 Incidentally, we may add, the committee was congratulated by the state officials for the secure and very appropriate location in which it is placed. In this connection, we may, if we choose, regard it as a memorial to one who has passed on—the late J. B. Bradley—for he took a great interest in, and it was at his suggestion, this marker was placed on the library lawn.

Dewitt’s Diary, Thursday, September 19, 1929

We got a very hard freeze for the first time this fall last night. The ground was froze slightly. Ice formed ¼ inch thick.

My crops were out of danger of frost. 

September 16, 1943 Victory Garden Prizes

Do you recall the Victory Gardens of World War II? Not only was it a way to help the war effort, for two years it was also a fun way to have a little competition and win a prize or two.

The May 15, 1942 Interlaken Review had a front-page article about Victory Gardens. “The campaign, which is intended to encourage as many people as possible to have gardens, is locally under the sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce, …has succeeded in registering approximately fifty gardens.” Dr. E. W. Thompson, as president of the Chamber, has “been instrumental in arranging for nearly thirty prizes to be awarded for the best gardens and for various specimens of garden vegetables.”

The 1942 exhibit and awarding of prizes occurred at the school on September 10^th. A year later, September 16, 1943, the second Victory Garden Campaign held its exhibit and awarding of prizes. The article, including all of the winners follows.

Interlaken Review, September 24, 1943

More than $90.00 in prizes was awarded to the winners at the 4-H and Victory Garden exhibit, held in the school last Thursday evening, September 16. The splendid prize list, contributed by the Wheeler National Bank of Interlaken and nineteen of Interlaken's business men and women, brought out an exhibit twice the size of last year. Dr. Allen of Cornell, who judged the exhibits, said that their quality was very high. Much credit should also go to Dr. Thompson and the Interlaken Chamber of Commerce for their splendid co-operation.

The lists of winners is as follows:

Best 4-H Club Garden-First, Rose Marie Wilcox; Second, Daniel Bassett; Third, Donald Pell.

Cleanest and Best Kept Garden by Boy or Girl under 16--First, Louise VanDoren; Second, Rose Marie Wilcox.

Best and Most Complete Garden Record by Boy or Girl-First, Rose Marie Wilcox; Second, George Stewart; Third, Eleanor Stewart.

Best Exhibit from 4-H Club Garden-First, Rose Marie Wilcox; Second, Robert Bassett; Third, Phyllis and Robert Warner.

Best Exhibit from non-4-H Club Garden-First, Stanley Wilkins; Second, Arthur Brokaw; Third, George Stewart.

Best display of Canned Produce from 1943 Victory Garden - First, Mrs. M. L. Patterson; Second, Charles Bassett; Third, Shirley McBride.

Largest Amount Canned from 1943 Garden-First, Bernice Stewart (237 quarts); Second, Mrs. Huhn (224 quarts); Third, Rose Marie Wilcox (162 quarts).

Best Can of Fruits or Vegetables: First, Charles Bassett; Second, Rose Marie Wilcox; Third, Mrs. M. L. Patterson.

Best Peck of Potatoes-First, Henry VanDoren; Second, Earl Wilson; Third, Victory Garden Club.

Best Plate of Potatoes-First, Mrs. Howard VanDoren; Second, Bernice Stout; Third, Mrs. Caroline Hand.

Best Plate of Tomatoes-First, Nathan Hanford; Second, Edward Dennison; Third, Helen Caward.

Largest Tomato - First, Shirley McBride; Second, Mrs. Caroline Hand; Third, Stanley Wilkins.

Largest Cucumber - First, Shirley McBride; Second, Mrs. Caroline Hand; Third, Forrest Rosbaugh.

Largest Summer Squash - First Nathan Hanford; Second, Mrs. Howard VanDoren; Third, Vernon English.

Best Plate of Carrots-First, Mr. and Mrs. William Green.

Largest Pumpkin - First, Rose Marie Wilcox; Second, Forrest Rosbaugh; Third, Vernon English.

Largest Cabbage - First, Edward Dennison.

Largest Potato - First, Bernard Stout; Second, Clarence Covert; Third, Earl Wilson.

Mrs. Jack Wiggins judged the canned produce. If that display is any indication, no one in Interlaken will suffer from hunger this winter. Dr. Allen of the College of Agriculture at Cornell judged the gardens and the garden exhibits. He also gave a talk, illustrated with lantern slides, on methods of storing vegetables for winter. It gave a number of good ideas for everyone to use.

After the prizes were awarded, Paul Landon auctioned off a number of the winning entries in return for pledges to buy War Bonds. Three hundred dollars’ worth of War Bonds were sold and credited to the 4-H War Bond drive. Especial thanks is extended to the exhibitors who gave their exhibits to help promote the sale of War Bonds.

These articles are part of the World War II scrapbook kept by the Blauvelt twins, Joanne and Jeanine, daughters of Fred W. Blauvelt, owner and editor of the Interlaken Review.

Dewitt’s Diary, September 16, 1941 and 1943

Tuesday, September 16, 1941

Working on ground for what above the orchard. Temperature 90 at noon. A warm day for September.

Thursday, September 16, 1943 Working on Wheat ground. Francis R and I went to the lake this afternoon.

September 15, 1916 Minor’s Hardware Porch Damaged

Some buildings seem to be destined for close calls. Originally built in the 1820s, the building at the corner of Main and Cayuga Street, most often called the Minor Hardware building, is one of those buildings.

 

Print from an Arch Chadwick Glass Plate negative
Interlaken Historical Society photograph collection #1264
The upper left corner is broken from the original glass plate.

Street work was being done in the village in the fall of 1916. According to the September 15, 1916 Interlaken Review, a close call ensued. “In rounding the corner of Main and Cayuga streets on Wednesday one of the engines used in hauling stone got beyond control and started for Minor’s store. It tore away the corner posts and was against the steps before it stopped.”

The reaction of the neighbors is interesting, “People on Cayuga street wish it had made a clean sweep of the steps on the south side. They are in the highway and a 4-ft. walk should take their place.”

Fast forward to a Friday evening in June 1968. The Interlaken Firemen’s Carnival parade was just finished and traffic was trying to get back to normal. In the April 2005 Interlaken Historical Society newsletter Catherine “Kitty” Ritter wrote an article about that evening and the history of the building.

H. P. Minor Hardware circa 1962
Interlaken Historical Society photo collection #479

In her article, “A Few Memories of the H.P. Minor Hardware Store” she quotes from the Interlaken Review dated July 1, 1968, “When the Roof came down.” 

The “Red Hardware with the old fashion porch,” that's what strangers called the Minor Hardware building, later Cronk's Hardware and presently Howard Thompson's School Band Instrument Service. But they will have to find another ‘nom de plume’ in the future because the porch is gone.

Last Friday evening, immediately after the parade, a huge Mayflower moving van, re-routed up Cayuga Street because of the parade, cut too short and hit the overhang on the roof, damaging it beyond repair. The impact tore the roof loose, moving it nearly three feet and broke four windows in the front of the building. Luckily, the roof stayed up, as 15-20 people, who had watched the parade from its shelter, were still beneath it.

Sheriff's men, who were directing traffic here at the time, investigated and reported that the north tum was difficult because of the excessive amount of south-bound traffic.

Mr. Thompson reported that the post that supported the roof had been hit before and had been reinforced, but because of the hazard created by Friday's accident, the roof was removed.

Kitty concluded her story:

I do have a memory of being under the roof at a parade when a tracker trailer took the posts down. I was running with a small child (baby) and many other people. I had walked up to watch the parade with Virginia Crumb, her daughter, and Sharon Eva. There were a lot of children under that roof. Virginia told me Sharon fell and skinned her knee. I've heard from a friend that has called Sharon in Ohio that I was running with her baby, but I didn't remember whose child I had. Just a footnote in history!

The building is another landmark in many old photographs. Arch Chadwick’s glass-plate photograph is one often used.

As part of her article Kitty added a few comments from Webb Rankin about the facets of the building. “Webb Rankin pointed out to me the iron rings in the posts for tying horses & wagons while patrons were in the store. You could see in the picture how the restless horses chewed and rubbed the posts in many places.”

She concluded with a note, “the huge flat stepping stone at the side of the store for descending from your horse or wagon. Oh, for the good old days.”

Clickhere to read more of the history as shared in Kitty’s article.

Dewitt’s Diary, Thursday, September 15, 1966

Temperature 60 degrees.

Edna and I got up at 3 o’clock and took off with Art Horton for Florida. Lula Auten went with us.

We are in a motel in Rowland North Carolina tonight. Over 700 miles. (725 to be correct.)

Heavy rain early this morning and later in the south.

Had a good motel, went to bed early. My eyes very tired. Just a good day to ride.

Cloudy most of the way.

Dewitt would record their Florida trip concluding on Thursday, September 22, when they returned home.