Dog Resolutions

Two resolutions having to do with dogs were introduced at the informal Common Council meeting on Monday night. The first authorizes the mayor to enter into an agreement with the Columbia-Greene Humane Society to provide kennel services for "unleashed, unlicensed, or untagged dogs" captured by the dog control officer. Under the terms of the proposed agreement, the regular fee of $305 would be reduced to $75 if a dog is redeemed by its human guardian within 24 hours.

Photo: Helen Arrott

The second resolution authorizes and directs the mayor to enter into an agreement with Wes Powell to be the City's dog control officer. The duties of the dog control officer are described in the agreement as follows:

• [He] shall, whenever called on a 24 hour daily basis, seize stray and abandoned or loose dogs which are found on the streets and other public places.
• [He] will respond to call(s) by the Police Department of the City of Hudson for assistance when needed.
• [He] shall issue appearance tickets to owners of dogs that are in violation of the provisions of City Code Section 70 or Article 7 of the Agriculture Markets Law.
• [He] will at least twice a week patrol the streets of Hudson.

What is new about the agreement with the dog control officer is his ability to issue appearance tickets to people who have not licensed their dogs, do not keep their dogs on a leash, fail to pick up after their dogs, or allow their dogs, on a leash or off, to enter Henry Hudson Riverfront Park.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK   

Responding to Grand Jury Decisions

During the demonstration protesting grand jury decisions not to indict police officers involved in the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown, Common Council president Don Moore told the Register-Star that he planned to propose a resolution calling for the Department of Justice to undertake a civil rights investigation. Last night, at the informal meeting of the Common Council, Moore explained that such a resolution would not be necessary, because Attorney General Eric Holder had already announced that the Justice Department would conduct independent investigations into deaths of both Garner and Brown.

Photo: Victor Mendolia

At the meeting, Moore distributed copies of Holder's statement about the Justice Department investigation to members of the Common Council and the press, along with copies of an article that appeared in the Times Union on March 6, 2014. The article concerned Jermaine McCrae, a former Hudson resident who has filed a civil complaint in U. S. District Court alleging that he was repeatedly harassed and twice badly beaten by Hudson police officers in 2011 and 2012. Although it was distributed, there was no mention or discussion of the article or subject matter at the meeting.

On the same topic, although not related, this morning an online petition began circulating demanding that Governor Andrew Cuomo appoint, by executive order, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to "investigate and, if necessary, prosecute cases involving unarmed civilians killed by police officers." That petition can be accessed here.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

The Best Laid Plans . . .

Every year, Winter Walk is an amazing feat of planning and logistics, but once in a while something unanticipated happens. This was the case last Saturday, when a vendor set up on the wrong corner of Seventh and Warren streets, completely blocking the view of the awesomely decorated window at Sketch.

By the time the Winter Walk elves became aware of the problem, it was too late to ask the vendor to move. 

To make up in a tiny way for the unfortunate mix-up, Gossips publishes this picture of the Sketch window in all its glory . . . for everyone who missed seeing it on Saturday.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

From the Evening Register for December 9, 1914

A Hundred Years Ago in Hudson

These days we talk about the entrepreneurial spirit of Hudson and its creative economy, but a hundred years ago, things were quite different. This article, discovered this morning, appeared on the front page of the Hudson Evening Register on December 8, 1914--exactly one hundred years ago today.  

ALBANY, Dec. 8.--The city of Hudson in the 1913 ranked first among the cities of the State in the manufacture of cement and ninth in the manufacture of cotton and woolen hosiery and knit goods. These facts are contained in a statement issued by the State Labor Commissioner James M. Lynch, in connection with the forthcoming second edition of the Industrial directory which is published by the Labor department under the direction of the commissioner.

According to the directory figures, Hudson in 1913 had a total of forty-nine factories that gave employment to 2,854 persons. Of this number there were 2,720 who worked in the shops themselves and the remainder were engaged in office work or elsewhere than the shops. Of the shop force 2,112 were men, 588 were women and twenty were children between the ages of 14 and 16 years.

The number of factory employees to each 1,000 of population, according to the Industrial Directory, was 227. There were 358 male operatives to each 1,000 male population and 93 operatives to each 1,000 female population. In the State as a whole there were 184 male factory operatives to each 1,000 male population and 80 females to each 1,000 female population.

Using the number of persons employed as the standard of measurement, the Directory figures will show that the most important industry to the city was the manufacture of cement. This furnished employment to 1,135 persons. Cotton and woolen hosiery and knit goods held second place with 954 employees and machinery was third with 197.

Of the total of 2,720 shop workers, 111 were working less than 52 hours a week, 867 were working on a nine hour day schedule or its equivalent and 1,081 were working on a ten hour day schedule or its equivalent.

Hudson Portland Cement Plant and Quarries, 1905

Using the ratio of factory workers to total population provided in this article, it is possible to calculate that the population of Hudson in 1913 was about 12,575.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

The Windows of Winter Walk

An hour before the official beginning of Winter Walk on Saturday, the Hudson Opera House announced the winners of the 2014 Window Decorating Contest. For those who didn't brave the rain that night or the bitter cold wind on Sunday evening to view the windows, Gossips brings the winners to you on Monday morning. 

SPECIAL CITATIONS

The Jackie O Preservation Prize
Santa's Village in Seventh Street Park

Spirit of Hudson Prize
Mrs. Zito's First Grade Class
Hudson Police Department, 427 Warren Street


WINNING WINDOWS

Best Dainty Christmas Ornaments
Dish, 103 Warren Street

Best 19th Century Experience
(p.m.) Wine Bar, 119 Warren Street

Most Elegant Use of Pine
Lili and Loo, 259 Warren Street

Chic, Chic, Chic!
Rural Residence, 316 Warren Street

Most Inappropriate Mannequin with Gothic Christmas Tree
Shana Lee Jewelry, 315 Warren Street

Most Edible Display
Talbott & Arding Cheese and Provisions, 323 Warren Street

Thriftiest Display
Antigo, 337 Warren Street

Best Pink Christmas
Hawkins New York, 339 Warren Street

Best Freak Folk
White Whale, 410 Warren Street

Biggest Wreath
Classic Country, 431 Warren Street

Most Unexpectedly Whimsical
George, 438 Warren Street

Best Barbie Baubles
Five & Diamond Vintage, 502 Columbia Street

Most Epic Earl
Stair Galleries, 549 Warren Street

The Nightmare Before Christmas
554 Warren Street

Best Sleigh
Carousel Antiques, 611 Warren Street

Best Menorah, Christmas Canister and Three Cacti
Marks Antiques and Larry's Back Room, 612 Warren Street

COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

From the Evening Register for December 8, 1914

Where's the Window?

Last May, when it was determined at the annual meeting of the Friends of the First Presbyterian Church that sufficient money had been raised to begin the restoration of the major stained glass window in the church's soaring Gothic facade, it was anticipated that the re-created wood tracery would be in place by the end of September, and the restored stained glass would be reinstalled by Thanksgiving or Christmas. Thanksgiving has passed, and Christmas is fast approaching, but the window is still missing.

In a letter sent recently to members and supporters, Phil Forman, president of the Friends of the First Presbyterian Church, explains the delay: "In the process of removing the old tracery and confirming the soundness of the support system, we found that a major bearing beam under the floor between the organ and the window had developed a sag. This is being carefully addressed, but set us back to a Spring 2015 installation. That said, the restoration work itself is on track and the restored glass is stunning."

Wouldn't it be grand--and fitting--if the restored window could be back in place in time for Easter?

COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

From the Evening Register for December 7, 1914

Tonight's the Night!

"Whether the weather be fine, or whether the weather be not," it's Winter Walk tonight, on Warren Street and beyond. 

As you perambulate from one end of the festive street to the other, be sure to stop at 611 Warren Street and climb one flight of stairs to the offices of Historic Hudson to enjoy some eggnog and view the rare photograph of the fabled Phoenix Bridge. The opportunity is yours from 5 until 8 p.m.

The Indoor Market Returns

Tomorrow night brings Winter Walk, but tomorrow morning brings the return, for its pre-holiday run, of the Indoor Farmers' Market at Christ Church, 431 Union Street. From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., twenty-five vendors offer the wares you need for holiday gift giving and entertaining and for just steeling yourself against the dark days ahead and the unrelenting approach of winter.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

Santa's Village Redux

This morning, the final house was added to the renovated and re-imaged Santa's Village in the Public Square: the Piet Mondrian house. Amazing!

Don't miss visiting Santa's Village during Winter Walk tomorrow!

Gratitude to Rob Perry, DPW superintendent, for this picture

THIS JUST IN: Gossips has received word from the elves that the window coverings will be removed to reveal the wondrous interiors today by 5 p.m.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

Landmarks Commission Has a Change of Heart

On Tuesday, Gossips reported that the Landmarks Preservation Commission in New York City was proposing removing ninety-four sites from consideration. Yesterday, the New York Times reported that the commission, in response to "opposition from local politicians and advocacy groups," has withdrawn that proposal: "Landmarks Panel Drops Proposal to Trim List."

From the Evening Register for December 5, 1914

Hudson in the New York Times

Sometimes, you have to read the New York Times to find out what's happening in Hudson. That was the case yesterday, when this article appeared in the Business section: "Ann Marie Gardner Steps Down as Editor of Modern Farmer." In case you've forgotten, Modern Farmer is the "stylish agrarian quarterly" headquartered right here in Hudson, at the corner of Warren and Fourth streets, above Face Stockholm, and Ann Marie Gardner is the person who coined the term Rurbanism to describe the new culture of Hudson.
COPYRIGHT 2O14 CAROLE OSTERINK

The Stuff of Legend on Display at Winter Walk

Today, the Dr. Oliver Bronson House is isolated and inaccessible on the grounds of the Hudson Correctional Facility, but in the 19th century that wasn't the case. There is evidence that the estate and its residents were an integral part of Hudson. For reasons not yet understood, it appears that this was the only estate that did not secede from the City of Hudson when Oliver Wiswall and other major landowners decided to establish the Town of Greenport in 1837.

Throughout the 19th century, owners of the estate took an active role in the affairs of the City. Dr. Oliver Bronson served as a superintendent of schools from 1841 through 1853. A later owner, Caroline Whitney Phoenix, grandmother of architect Whitney Warren, was the patron of the Phoenix Hose Company, headquartered in one of the two firehouses on Park Place. Matilda McIntrye, one of the last owners of the house before it was taken over by the State of New York, was described in her obituary in 1914 as "well known in this city" and "dearly beloved by a host of friends."

One reason for the stronger connection between the Dr. Oliver Bronson House and the rest of the city was that, at one time, it was possible to travel as the crow flies from the house to the corner of Union and Seventh streets. This detail from the 1881 bird's-eye drawing of Hudson shows a footpath leading from the Bronson House to the gate house that stood just behind 701 Union Street.

It is the bridge that carried this footpath over the ravine that is the stuff of legend. The 1881 drawing is evidence that it existed, but no one has ever actually seen it. 

Recently, Historic Hudson was thrilled to acquire a Rowles Studio photograph of the bridge, identified as "Phoenix Bridge" and very likely taken in the 1890s, around the same time as this picture of the house was taken.

On Saturday night, during Winter Walk, the rare picture of Phoenix Bridge will be displayed at the offices of Historic Hudson, on the second floor of 611 Warren Street. All are invited to get out of the weather for a bit (whatever the weather might be on Saturday night) and climb the stairs to the second floor to enjoy some eggnog and view the historic photograph of the legendary bridge.
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

Anticipating Winter Walk

Winter Walk, Hudson's own beloved holiday tradition, is happening this weekend--on Saturday, December 6--undeterred by not very promising predictions about the weather. In the time between Thanksgiving and Winter Walk, Scott Baldinger took a walk around town, in a self-confessed "tryptophan haze," and comments about about what he saw on this blog, Word on the Street: "My Own Private Winter Walk."

From the Evening Register for December 4, 1914

Heartbreaking News

Photo: Giovanni Di Mola

Timothy Dunleavy died early this morning. Gentle and gentlemanly, he was one of the lions of Hudson. 

He was the inspiration and genius of Historic Hudson, dedicated to fostering appreciation for the city's architectural heritage. One of his great passions was the Dr. Oliver Bronson House, and his tireless advocacy brought the house from ruinous obscurity to national recognition as one of the Hudson Valley's great architectural treasures.

He was the creator and proprietor of Rural Residence, "founded on the pursuit of beauty derived from the refined perception of the sentiment of nature." Established in 1999 (or as he preferred MCMXCIX), the shop was elegantly and impeccably curated, before the term curate became au courant. Every object and its placement reflected his discernment and unwavering commitment to beauty. Every visit to the shop was a chance to bask in an environment infused by his incomparable good taste and gentle spirit. 

Our loss, as individuals who knew and loved him and as a community ennobled by his life among us, defies expression. 

"Good-night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

From the Evening Register for December 3, 1914

Help for the Clearwater

It was discovered in October that the beloved Hudson River sloop Clearwater has a cracked boom. To finance the needed repairs to the sloop, which it is estimated will cost $40,000, an Indiegogo campaign has been launched to raise part of it: $25,000. Learn more about the campaign by listening to Allison Dunne's report on WAMC: "Clearwater Goes Indiegogo."  Or go straight to Indiegogo and contribute: "Clearwater Sail and Boom."
COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

Celebrate Our Walkable City

The new Hudson walking guide is out--just in time for Winter Walk and holiday shopping. The copies of the guide will be distributed on Friday, but for now you can preview it online.

Bad News for Historic Preservation in NYC

The New York Times reports today that the Landmarks Preservation Commission is proposing removing ninety-five sites from consideration, thus eliminating their protection: "Proposal Would Trim New York City's List of Potential Landmarks." Daniel Mackay, director of public policy for the Preservation League of New York State, notes that the list includes two sites that the League has identified among their Seven to Save: the IRT Powerhouse on 59th Street and Eleventh Avenue, designed by McKim, Mead & White, which was included in the 2012-2013 Seven to Save; and the Edgar J. Kaufmann Conference Center rooms at 809 United Nations Plaza, designed by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto, which were designated among the Seven to Save in 2000. 

From the Evening Register for December 2, 1914

In the Category of "It Was Ever Thus"

There has recently been much discussion of drunkenness and late night rowdiness in Hudson. All of it came to mind when this little item was discovered on the front page of the Hudson Evening Register for December 1, 1914--exactly a hundred years ago today.

COPYRIGHT 2014 CAROLE OSTERINK

From the Evening Register for December 1, 1914