New Year's Outlook at the Outset of 1941 With War Looming

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Happy New Year dear Pelham!  As we look forward to 2018 with confidence and optimism, our Pelham ancestors had their own views of the future on New Year's Day at the outset of 1941.

Though the winds of war were blowing in Europe, as New Year's Day passed in Pelham at the beginning of 1941, no one knew that later in the same year the Japanese would attack Pearl Harbor and draw the United States into World War II.  Instead, at the beginning of the year, the local newspaper asked local merchants and village officials to provide their outlooks for local business and their thoughts about what would happen in the upcoming year.  Some of the forecasts were surprisingly astute and on point.  Others, not so much. . . . 

War was on the horizon.  A common thread among virtually all who provided their forecasts for the upcoming year was the need for national defense and a hope that peace would prevail in Europe before the United States could be drawn into the war.  

War preparations and national defense improvements had begun to lift the United States out of the dark depths of the Great Depression by 1940.  Many local businessmen noted that their businesses had done well in 1940 and that the Christmas holiday shopping season had been successful.  

Several business people expressed near certainty that the New York, Westchester & Boston Railway would resume service though Pelham under the auspices of the Port Authority in 1941.  All hoped that such a resumption of service would improve the business climate of the Village of North Pelham.  The bankrupt railroad never resumed service and the railroad line eventually was dismantled.

Local village officials were quick to note that they were not advocating consolidation of the villages but were advocating for closer cooperation among the villages to reduce duplication of efforts and expenses.  Taxes, it seems, were on the minds of Pelhamites that New Year's Day -- exactly as they are today for modern Pelhamites.  As one village official put it, "I should also like to see the Pelham villages working in closer co-operation, with a view toward eliminating duplication of effort and expense.  While I am not at this time advocating the consolidation of the villages, I do believe that it will be possible during the next year for village officials to get together on a program of combined action of certain agencies in the village governments.  Any effort of village officials to reduce expense will be welcomed by the taxpayers.  That should be a New Year Resolution for local officials."

As one would expect, Pelham business people were looking for ways to encourage Pelham residents to buy locally -- just as their counterparts today do.  One forecast the possibility that more electric lights would be installed along Fifth Avenue to encourage evening shoppers.  

All who expressed their hopes for the new year of 1941 on that day more than 75 years ago spoke with love for their Town and Villages.  The hopes of each shed interesting light on how much we Pelhamites today are like those who came so long before us.

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"1940 Good Year For Local Business; Merchants See Good Outlook For 1941
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A fairly prosperous year 1940 and hopes for an even more prosperous and happy New Year provided the keynote to the thoughts expressed by Pelham merchants interviewed by The Pelham Sun this week.  All voiced the wish that in 1941, Pelham should and undoubtedly will continue to develop into a real and thriving center of business and culture.  Following are statements of the merchants.

Willard N. Young, Manager of the Pelham Branch Bank:  'Standing at the opening of a new year, there is little firm ground on which to base a future prediction.  Even the eternal certainty of taxation is qualified by the more important consideration of unknown degree.  The most dependable probability is a continuation of rearmament activity.  The consequences of our own increasing involvement may also appear in definite form.  The coming months will furnish anxieties about the outcome of the war; about our own participation in it; about effectiveness of our own defense efforts and the like.  1941 will be a year for history.

'Local business at the bank continues to show improvement as it has in the past.  Deposits have in-

(Continued on Page Five.)

1940 Good Year For Business
-----
(continued from page 1)

creased a half-million dollars.  Commercial, interest, Christmas club accounts, and safe deposit boxes show a decided increase over last year.  We look forward to a better business at home in 1941.'

Mayor Dominic Amato of North Pelham:  'The world will remember the Year 1941 as one of great importance, just as it will not forget the years 1939 and 1940.  We can earnestly hope that the international situation will be cleared up this year, so that 1942 may not be viewed in the same dark international aspect.  Let us all in the United States remember that we are 100 per cent Americans, and steadfastly hold to the true tradition of Democracy, and stay out of foreign wars, yet ever be ready to defend that which is ours.

'For the Pelhams I have high hopes of continued progress.  It is practically certain that the New York, Westchester & Boston Railroad will be operated again under Port of New York Authority supervision, which will provide through train service to the 180th street terminal of the subway.  This will be a decided boon to North Pelham and to other communities which have been at a standstill since the train service was discontinued.  This single project will be the biggest contribution toward progress that can be made during the next year.

'I should also like to see the Pelham villages working in closer co-operation, with a view toward eliminating duplication of effort and expense.  While I am not at this time advocating the consolidation of the villages, I do believe that it will be possible during the next year for village officials to get together on a program of combined action of certain agencies in the village governments.  Any effort of village officials to reduce expense will be welcomed by the taxpayers.  That should be a New Year Resolution for local officials.'

Mayor Edmund C. Gause of Pelham Manor:  'I look forward to a prosperous year 1941 for the residents of Pelham Manor.  The municipal house of the village is in excellent order, and during 1941 the taxpayers may be assured that the program of efficient management will be continued, with a view toward economies which will permit the present reasonable tax rate to be maintained, and if possible reduced.

The officials and employees of the village of Pelham Manor extend to all citizens, their very best wishes for happiness and success during 1941.

'I hope that we in Pelham, in this country, and in the world will take our time to think and make social, economic, and political adjustments to the best advantage of all.  I feel that we must be prepared for any eventuality but at the same time, keep our noses out of any business that is not concerned in our behalf.'  --  John House, prop. of the Pelham Stationers, 89 Wolf's Lane.

'Business has been generally good, and I think we can look forward to the new year with optimism.  During 1940 many people who live in Pelham started to realize that they can purchase in Pelham what they need, just as conveniently and sometimes cheaper than they could have elsewhere.'  --  Albert Wise, Wise Hardware Store, 129 Fifth avenue.

'For a town of this size with the existing population, we had an excellent business year and holiday shopping period.  I would like to suggest for the New Year, that the merchants of Pelham get together and strive to put up more electric street lights on Fifth avenue and Wolf's Lane.  This would establish Pelham as more of a shopping center to both residents and those who pass through the town.  I think the extra lights would make Pelham more attractive in the minds of prospective dwellers, too.'  -- Joseph Klein, Klein's Pharmacy, Fifth avenue.

'In comparison with past years, 1940 proved to be a good business year.  Christmas shopping was good, and I just hope 1941 will end up as well.'  --  Freeman York, Florist, 211 Wolf's Lane.

'I would like Pelham to develop as a place of business even more during the new year, and would also welcome the building of a few more apartments in the town in 1941.  We were satisfied with out business record of 1940 and hope we do as well this year.'  --  Irving J. Wallach, Carolina Markets, 217 Wolf's Lane and 304 Fifth avenue.

'Our old year business and Christmas shopping was good, and we hope for the same in 1941.  We wish every one a Happy New Year.'  --  Clarence Russell, Pelham Pharmacy, 1 Fifth avenue.

'We had a good Christmas shopping and general business throughout the year and hope for a similar increase next year.  In 1941, I'd like to see the Boston & Westchester Railroad in service again for Pelham's benefit.  Of course, we all pray for a lasting peace abroad during the new year.'  --  Herman Glasser, Pelham Paint & Hardware Co., 311 Fifth avenue.

'To the people of Pelham, I wish health and wealth for the new year.  For the world in general, I'd like a universal and lasting peace to be ushered in with 1941.'  --  Samuel Dreyer, Dreyer's Pharmacy, 85 Wolf's Lane.

'I've been in Pelham now for 15 years and during the next 15 years I hope I see as much or even more business development in the town.  All the years I've spent here have been good business years, but more growth will bring better business for everyone in the town.  As a real New Year's wish, I'd like to come to work some morning and see in the headlines that peace had been declared in Europe.  The sooner the better.'  --  Dave Campion, stationer, 5 Fifth avenue.

'With the national defense program rapidly swinging into full operation, Pelham real estate may now look forward to its share of the resulting prosperity.  Pelham being one of the more attractive suburban residential communities, is in an excellent position to take full advantage of the many opportunities now afforded it.'  --  Hubert M. Finnerty, Fourth street and Sixth avenue."

Source:  1940 Good Year For Local Business; Merchants See Good Outlook For 1941, The Pelham Sun, Jan. 3, 1941, Vol. 30, No. 40, p. 1, cols. 2-3 & p. 5, cols. 5-8.

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"A Christmas Creed" Presented to Pelham During the Holiday Season in 1922

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Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year Dear Pelham!

Pelhamites enjoyed the holidays in 1922 at the outset of the Roaring Twenties.  The local economy was humming along.  All was good in the world.  

"Radiophones" were the new rage in Pelham that year.  See Mon., May 22, 2017:  Early Radio in Pelham: Pelham Firefighters and Business at Pelham Picture House Installed "Radiophone" in 1922.  Prohibition was underway that year as well, though it didn't stop Pelhamites from celebrating with a nip or two.  See Thu., Feb. 02, 2017:  Bootleggers Began to Feel the Heat in Pelham in 1922.  The Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church at Four Corners celebrated its 46th anniversary that year.  See Thu., Aug. 24, 2017:  Huguenot Memorial Presbyterian Church Had a Special Celebration of its 46th Anniversary in 1922.  "Silent Cop" traffic "semaphores" and signals were being installed throughout Town as traffic grew to otherwise dangerous levels.  See Wed., Nov. 29, 2017:  Pelham Grows Up: Installation of "Silent Cop" Traffic Lights and Traffic Semaphores in the 1920s.  Grading and construction of Memorial Park next to Town Hall began in 1922.  See Fri., Sep. 22, 2017:  The Establishment of Memorial Park by the Town of Pelham During the 1920s.  Single copies of The Pelham Sun, our local newspaper at the time, cost six cents in 1922.  An annual subscription cost three dollars.  The "Good Ol' Days" were well upon Pelham that year.

Even Dear Pelham's "Christmas Spirit" was optimistic that year.  Indeed, The Pelham Sun devoted its entire front page on December 15, 1922 to "A Christmas Creed."  With yet another Christmas now underway in Pelham, "A Christmas Creed" is transcribed below, followed by a reproduction of the front page of the newspaper on which it appeared ninety-five years ago.

"A Christmas Creed

By MARTHA B. THOMAS
Copyright 1922, WESTERN NEWSPAPER UNION

I believe in Santa Claus.  I believe no hair is snowier, no cheeks redder, no smile merrier and no eyes more twinkling than his.  I believe the heart inn him is big enough to encompass the world -- if people would let it!  I believe in the jingle of his sleigh bells, the swiftness of his reindeer, the sound of their tapping feet on the roof.  I believe in chimneys, big, broad, deep-throated chimneys that will not cramp the Merry Gentleman with his bulging pack.  I believe in solemn rows of stockings hanging by the fire -- father's short one, mother's long one and the dangling ones of the children, all waiting and expectant.  I believe in the invisible blossom of happiness that Santa Clause leaves at every house, and I believe that it will grow through all the year if people try to keep the spirit of Christmas every day!"

Source:  Thomas, Martha B., A Christmas Creed, The Pelham Sun, Dec. 15, 1922, Vol. 13, No. 42, p. 1, cols. 1-7.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Dear Pelham!

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Thanksgiving Celebrations Throughout Pelham in 1925

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I awoke this morning with a devout thanksgiving

for my friends, the old and the new.  Shall I not

call God the Beautiful, who daily showeth himself

to me in his gifts?

Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Friendship" in Essays, First Series (1841).

Happy Thanksgiving dear Pelham!

Pelham may have been a very different place 92 years ago in 1925.  Yet, were we to be transported back in time to November 26, 1925, we would recognize the warm and sincere giving of thanks and the many celebrations of Thanksgiving held in our little Town that Thanksgiving week.  Indeed, Pelham's Thanksgiving celebrations of today remain rich with tradition and look much like the Thanksgiving celebrations of Pelham in 1925.

College students flooded into Pelham to gather with their families for the holiday.  Pelham families hosted out-of-town guests for the celebration.  A surprising number of Pelhamites attended the Army-Navy football game at the Polo Grounds Thanksgiving weekend.  Some Pelhamites traveled elsewhere to spend the holiday with out-of-town families and friends.

Throughout Thanksgiving week there were grand gatherings and parties, particularly on Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1925).  For example, that Wednesday night, the Liberty Engine and Hose Company hosted a massive "fancy dress carnival" attended by 400 people at the firehouse on Fifth Avenue.  Prizes for best costumes included, among other things, a fifteen-pound turkey.  A six-piece orchestra provided music for a ballroom dance until midnight when the costume party attendees were unmasked.  Then, three additional musicians helped provide music for continued dancing that lasted until 3:00 a.m. Thanksgiving morning.

At the same time on the same evening, the Pelham Country Club hosted its own Thanksgiving dinner and dance.  Neighbors and friends reserved tables together and enjoyed a massive Thanksgiving celebration.

Even Town Justice Anthony M. Menkel got into the Thanksgiving spirit on that Thanksgiving Eve in Pelham.  He held a Town Court session that evening.  When Thomas Grivffre of Mount Vernon appeared in Court to answer for an unspecified infraction, the Judge fined him $10.  When the poor fellow emptied his pockets, he only had $8.  Judge Menkel, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, reduced the fine to $8.  

The Manor Club, in turn, hosted its annual "Thanksgiving Feast" on the evening of Friday, November 27, 1925.  The annual Manor Club Thanksgiving celebration was the hottest ticket in town each year.  Seating was limited to 150, so tickets had to be bought for the event.  The Manor Club clubhouse was decorated in "Harvest" decorations for the traditional turkey dinner and the grand dance that followed.

Thanksgiving celebrations began as early that week as Sunday, November 22.  For example, that day the Young People's Society of the local Congregational Church hosted a lecture by Catharine Garber on the subject of "Thanksgiving Day" in which she "contrasted the spirit in which it was first celebrated and the way we celebrate it today."  Additionally, Dr. William Milton Hess explained to the audience "the difference between the Pilgrims who came to America for complete religious independence and the Puritans who came later and founded Massachusetts Bay Colony although they were not determined to entirely separate from the English church. . . ."

Thanksgiving Day in 1925 dawned bright and brisk.  The Young People's Society of the Congregational Church sponsored a pre-Thanksgiving dinner hike.  The group and guests hiked to Scarsdale and back before sitting down to their tables for a turkey feast.

At mid-day, Pelhamites throughout the Town sat down to their own turkey feasts with family and friends.  It was the height of the Roaring Twenties and the price of turkeys was up that year.  The Pelham Sun reported as follows:

"Pelham residents were just as anxious to buy their gobblers for the annual feast despite the fact that the price was about 5 to 10 cents higher [per pound] than last year.  Most of the turkeys came from Maryland and Ted's Market, People's Market and Pelham Heights Market reported that the price ranged from 40 to 65 cents per pound.  Although the majority of Pelham people wanted the usual Thanksgiving delicacy all markets reported a brisk demand for ducks and geese.  The prices for cranberries and the rest of the makings were correspondingly higher this year but that fact apparently made little effect on the Thanksgiving buyers."

The Pelham Sun lamented what it viewed as a decline in the nature of the Thanksgiving holiday spirit.  In an editorial that week, the newspaper stated:  

"[W]hen the first bountiful harvest came and a few of the Indian savages showed their friendship, [the Pilgrims] were certain that God had smiled on their religious venture and they hastened to give thanks.  The tables were heaped high with game from the forests and corn from the fields.  All feasted that day in a manner befitting a people who recognized the fact that their God had seen fit to treat them well.  Today this holy day has degenerated into little more than a mechanical holiday and the true fervor of the Thanksgiving spirit is experienced by few.  It is a day of rest and amusement from the tasks of the previous weeks instead of a day of prayer for the escape from dangers past."

Pelham, it seems, celebrated Thanksgiving in grand style in 1925 just as it is doing this day, ninety-two years later.

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"Good Turkeys Were Higher This Year
-----
Demand for Ducks and Geese in Advance of Last Year's and Higher in Price
-----

Pelham residents were just as anxious to buy their gobblers for the annual feast despite the fact that the price was about 5 to 10 cents higher [per pound] than last year.  Most of the turkeys came from Maryland and Ted's Market, People's Market and Pelham Heights Market reported that the price ranged from 40 to 65 cents per pound.

Although the majority of Pelham people wanted the usual Thanksgiving delicacy all markets reported a brisk demand for ducks and geese.  The prices for cranberries and the rest of the makings were correspondingly higher this year but that fact apparently made little effect on the Thanksgiving buyers."

Source:  Good Turkeys Were Higher This Year -- Demand for Ducks and Geese in Advance of Last Year's and Higher in Price, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 3, col. 2.  

"THE MANOR CLUB. . . . 

THANKSGIVING FEAST

One of the most important, and certainly one of the most enjoyable social events of the Manor Club season is the Thanksgiving Feast which will take place tonight at the club house.  The attendance has been limited to 150 and that number of tickets is reported as having been sold for some time past.  Each year the club members look forward to this event, when a feast is served in the old-fashioned way and followed by music and dancing to bring in the modern note.  The club will be attractively decorated in Harvest atmosphere and those of the members who are fortunate will enjoy one of the most delightful affairs that the Manor Club program has to offer. . . . 

AT THANKSGIVING FEAST OF MANOR CLUB
-----

One of the tables at the Thanksgiving feast at the Manor Club this evening will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. William Currie, Mr. and Mrs. Julius A. Migel, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph C. Angell, Mr. and Mrs. Lockwood Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Hull, Mr. and Mrs. Herber Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hess, Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Cutting and Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Tuttle and Mr. and Mrs. Theodore H. Dauchy."

Source:  THE MANOR CLUB, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 7, cols. 4-5.  

"Four Hundred at Annual Ball of Liberty Hose Co.
-----

Over four hundred attended the annual dance and fancy dress carnival of Liberty Engine and Hose Company at fire headquarters on Wednesday night.  Mrs. Jennie Pickard won first prize, a silk umbrella, for her Santa Clause costume.  Miss Katherine Tully was awarded a silver compact for her costume.  William Heisser won a fifteen-pound turkey.

A six-piece orchestra supplied music until midnight when the unmasking took place.  After midnight the orchestra was augmented by three extras and dancing kept on until 3 a.m."

Source:  Four Hundred at Annual Ball of Liberty Hose Co., The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 1, col. 7.

"CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Y. P. S.

Catharine Garber gave a talk on the subject of 'Thanksgiving Day' Sunday night at the meeting of the Young People's Society at the Congregational Church in which she contrasted the spirit in which it was first celebrated and the way we celebrate it today.  Dr. William Milton Hess explained the difference between the Pilgrims who came to America for complete religious independence and the Puritans who came later and founded Massachusetts Bay Colony although they were not determined to entirely separate from the English church. . . ."

Source:  CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH Y. P. S., The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 7, col. 3.

"HIKED TO SCARSDALE FOR THANKSGIVING APPETITE

The annual Thanksgiving hike of the Young People's Society of the Congregational Church was held Thursday morning when a small band of determined spirits walked ten miles in the bracing autumn air before coming back to attack the gobbler and fixings.  Dr. William M. Hess was with the party and they got as far as Scarsdale before turning back."

Source:  HIKED TO SCARSDALE FOR THANKSGIVING APPETITE, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 1, col. 5.  

"Judge Reduces Fine on Account Of Thanksgiving

Judge Anthony M. Menkel gave Thomas Grivffre of Mount Vernon something to be thankful for Thanksgiving eve at Town Hall where Grivffre's fine was reduced from $10 to $8.  When the fine of $10 was first announced, Grivffre searched his pockets and was able to gather only $8.  Judge Menkel thereupon declared the fine $8."

Source:  Judge Reduces Fine on Account Of Thanksgiving, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 4, col. 4.

"THANKSGIVING

'A solemn day set apart wherein we return glory, honor, and praise with all Thanksgiving to our good God' -- that was the first Thanksgiving Day according to that redoubtable religious leader of Massachusetts, Governor John Winthrop, who wrote down this interesting commentary in his diary in 1623.  In those days it was a heartfelt giving of thanks, for hostile Indians lurked in the shadowy forests and it was with great difficulty that the little hands of the settlers raised enough food to last through the long and bitter winters.  Plague and pestilence combined with the savages and grim hunger to make their lives a hard and disappoint trial.

Consequently, when the first bountiful harvest came and a few of the Indian savages showed their friendship, they were certain that God had smiled on their religious venture and they hastened to give thanks.  The tables were heaped high with game from the forests and corn from the fields.  All feasted that day in a manner befitting a people who recognized the fact that their God had seen fit to treat them well.

Today this holy day has degenerated into little more than a mechanical holiday and the true fervor of the Thanksgiving spirit is experienced by few.  It is a day of rest and amusement from the tasks of the previous weeks instead of a day of prayer for the escape from dangers past."

Source:  THANKSGIVING, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 1925, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 2, col. 1.

"NEWS AND PERSONALS

Miss Edith Jackman of 545 Fowler avenue, Pelham Manor, will be home for Thanksgiving vacation from Russell Sage College, Troy, New York.

Miss Winifred Leo of Benedict Place had several out-of-town friends as her guests at the Thanksgiving dinner-dance at the Pelham Country Club on Wednesday evening.  Her guests were Miss Elizabeth Stirling, of Montclair, N. J., and Mr. Monroe Dreher and Mr. Charles Durr, of Newark.

Mr. and Mrs. William Currie of the Esplanade will attend the Army-Navy game on Saturday.

Mr. James F. Wilkinson, of Rochester, N. Y., was the guest of Mrs. Washington Cockle and Miss Anna Secor at their home on the Boston Post Road over the holiday.

Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Junker and family, formerly of Mount Vernon are now residing in Pelbrook Hall.

Robert and Lloyd Brook are spending the Thanksgiving recess with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. John T. Brook, of Monterey avenue.  They arrived from Amherst on Wednesday.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Coulson of Witherbee avenue entertained at the dinner-dance at the Country Club on Thanksgiving Eve.  Their guests were Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Shipman, and Mr. William B. Warner of Pelham, Mr. Lewis Calder, of Greenwich, Conn. and Miss Mary Berke and Mr. Charles Lovering, of New York City.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lyon, Jr. formerly of New York City, have taken up their residence in Peldean Court.  

Mrs. R. Rice of the Esplanade is in Elmira, N. Y. for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Miss Mary Beutell of the Esplanade returned today from The Castle, Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson, to spend the week end with her family.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Odell Whitenack of Monteret avenue are in Washington, D. C., where they are spending the holidays with their daughter, Janet, a student at National Park Seminary.

One of the tables at the dinner-dance at the Country Club on Wednesday evening was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Maxwell, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Dodge, and Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Passmore.

Miss Winifred Leo of Benedict Place will attend the Army-Navy game tomorrow at the Polo Grounds with a party of friends from Washington, D. C.

Miss Katherine King, of the Esplanade, is home from Wells for the holiday season and will attend the Army-Navy game on Saturday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E. C. King, and her brother, Seymour.

Mr. and Mrs. Dennis J. Kennedy, formerly of New York City, now made their home in The Peinord.

Miss Elizabeth Doherty has returned to her home in East Orange, N. J. after spending a few days as the house guest of Mrs. Walter Browne, of Pelham Manor.

Mr. and Mrs. Dwight E. Wheeler and Mrs. E. L. Wheeler of Storer avenue left on Wednesday to spend the holidays in Trenton, N. J. with their children, Miss Dorothy and Mr. Clarence Wheeler.

Mr. and Mrs. William L. Bradley of Elderwood avenue have as their house guests Major and Mrs. William E. Larned of Watervilet Arsenal arrived for Thanksgiving and will remain over the week end, attending the Army-Navy game with Mr. and Mrs. Bradley tomorrow.

Mr. and Mrs. Northrup Dawson of Pelham Manor Road will be among those from Pelham who will witness the Army-Navy game at the Polo Grounds on Saturday. 

Mrs. Harry B. Swayne of Monterey avenue was hostess to a number of friends at her home on Friday afternoon.  Mrs. S. L. Hale of Winchester, Mass. was the guest of honor.  Two tables of bridge were arranged, the players including Mrs. William L. Bradley, Mrs. Northrup Dawson, Mrs. Louis Carreau, Mrs. W. B. Holton, Jr., Mrs. A. Baker, Mrs. H. A. Wyckoff, and Mrs. John Duncan.

Dr. and Mrs. E. A. Schminke of Fourth avenue entertained a number of relatives over the holiday.

Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth L. Peck of Suburban avenue, and Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Clark of Scarsdale will attend the Army-Navy game tomorrow.

Mr. Frederick B. Davies of Storer avenue leaves on Saturday for an extended southern trip.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry S. Abbott of the Esplanade entertained on Thanksgiving Day at a family dinner.  Mr. and Mrs. Alpheus M. Geer of Clay avenue will be among those present.

Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Loney of Pelhamdale avenue will attend the Army-Navy game with Mr. and Mrs. Grenville Keogh of New Rochelle.

Mrs. Robert C. Black of Pelham Manor will leave for Palm Beach on December ninth.  Mrs. F. Rice leaves on the sixth.

Mrs. Walter B. Parsons has returned to her home on Bolton Road after a visit to Syracuse, N.Y.

Mrs. Dawson Furniss of Corlies avenue will attend the Army-Navy game, she will be accompanied by her young son, Harry, and his friend, Bill Parks.

Mrs. S. D. Hines has returned to her home in Bowling Green, Ky., after having spent two weeks as the house-guest of Mrs. Lockwood Barr of Highbrook avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. William B. Randall of Pelham Manor are leaving in the week for their home on Christopher street, New York City, where they will pass the winter.

Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Waters of Monterey avenue spent Thanksgiving Day as the guests of friends in Forest Hills, L. I.  Miss Betty Waters will spend the week end at home and Miss Jane will be in Philadelphia for the holiday season.  Both are students at National Park Seminary, Forest Glen, Md.

Lieut. Frederick E. Phillips and Mrs. Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Edward McGee, Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Crowell and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Knight of Mount Vernon and Miss Marian Johnson and Miss Alice Bentley are among those who will be present at the Army-Navy game tomorrow.

Mr. and Mrs. D. Gleason and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas O'Rourck were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Engerud and Mr. Louis Engerud on Thanksgiving Day at their home in The Peldale.

Miss Helyn McGovern of Haverstraw, New York, was the week end guest of Miss Evelyn Lahey of Pelham Manor.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Emmons Pervear of Pelbrook Hall motored on Wednesday to Pawtucket, R. I. to spend Thanksgiving with Mr. Pervear's mother, Mrs. C. E. Pervear.

Miss Floy Anderson of Pelbrook Hall is spending the holiday season at the home of her brother, Ross Anderson of East Orange.

Mr. and Mrs. Claude Joslin of Fifth avenue, North Pelham, and their daughter, Alice, and her fiance, Mr. William Frederick, of Westfield, N. J., were among the guests at a family gathering on Thanksgiving Day at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Darby of Brooklyn, N.Y.  Mr. and Mrs. William Weber of Philadelphia, who were also guests of the Darby's, accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Joslin home and are spending the week end with them.  

Mr. and Mrs. William Wind of Mamaroneck are spending a few days with their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. Hermanson of Fourth avenue.

Mr. and Mrs. Edmund Schulte and Miss Charlotte Schulte of Bronxville and Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Woodward were the Thanksgiving dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Shanks, of Wolf's Lane.

Mr. and Mrs. C. Constable of New York City are spending the holiday season with Mr. and Mrs. Victor G. Beutell of the Esplanade.

Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Trohe of Syracuse, N. Y. and their daughter, Mary, and son, Edmund, are spending Thanksgiving and the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Early of Pelhamdale avenue.  On Saturday they will attend the Army-Navy game with Mr. and Mrs. Early, their son Melvin, Jr., and Raymond McNeil, of Nyac avenue.  Melvin Early, Jr. and Raymond McNeil are home from Colgate for the holiday and will motor back with Mr. and Mrs. Trohe on Sunday.

Dr. and Mrs. Ken G. Hancher, of Pelbrook Hall and their children are in Elwood City, Penna., where they are spending the Thanksgiving holidays with Dr. Hancher's parents.

George Cottrell of Prospect avenue is spending the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cook, at their Belleport, L. I. home.

Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rose, and their sons, Herbert and Kenneth, and daughter, June, spent Thanksgiving with Mr. and Mrs. Charles Abel of Hartsdale, N. Y.

Mr. Paul Bosse of Storer avenue, has returned from a hunting trip in the Canadian woods.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Monel of Mount Vernon were the dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Emile Ericson of Benedict place on Thanksgiving Day.

Mr. and Mrs. John N. Young of Highbrook avenue, entertained Mr. and Mrs. Bryon Benton and family of Milford, Conn. on Thanksgiving.

Mrs. B. F. Jacobs of Peldale, and her daughter, Miss Betty, are spending the holiday season with Mrs. Folger Framingham of Boston."

Source:  NEWS AND PERSONALS, The Pelham Sun, Nov. 27, 2017, Vol. 18, No. 39, p. 7, cols. 1-3.  

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For more Historic Pelham articles about the celebration of Thanksgiving in Pelham over the years see, e.g.:

Thu., Nov. 24, 2016:  An Important Thanksgiving Sermon Delivered in 1865 at Christ Church at the Close of the Civil War.

Thu., Nov. 26, 2015:  Thanksgiving in Pelham 75 Years Ago.

Thu. Nov. 27, 2014:  By 1941, Most Pelhamites Celebrated "Franksgiving" Rather than "Republican Thanksgiving."

Thu., May 08, 2014:  Thanksgiving Day Football Game in 1895 Between Pelham Manor and Mount Vernon Teams.

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The Celebration of Arbor Day in the Town of Pelham in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries

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Happy Arbor Day Pelham!  In recent years, the State of New York has recognized the last Friday in April as Arbor Day.  The first Arbor Day celebration in the United States is generally believed to have been celebrated on April 10, 1872 in Nebraska City, Nebraska.  Some sources claim that on that day over one million trees were planted in Nebraska.  Because the Arbor Day holiday promotes a better future through tree planting and tree care, its celebration long has centered around young people including students, Boy Scouts, and Girls Scouts.  

According to one source (quoted in full below):

"The first observance of Arbor Day in this State [New York] under the law of 1888, took place May 3, 1889.  More than half of the school districts of the State . . . [celebrated] the day by planting trees about school grounds.  In nearly every case the planting was accompanied by interesting literary exercises."

Pelham has a long tradition of celebrating Arbor Day.  During the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, Arbor Day celebrations in Pelham were common and were widely reported in local newspapers.  Pelham schoolchildren planted trees.  Local Pelham Boy Scouts followed suit. Such plantings typically were accompanied by patriotic songs, presentation of the Colors, speeches, poem-readings, essay contests and essay-readings, and more.

Today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog collects and transcribes a number of news stories about the celebration of Arbor Day in the little Town of Pelham.  Happy Arbor Day!  

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Below is the text of a number of news articles about Arbor Day celebrations in Pelham.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"OUR NEARBY NEIGHBORS. 
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Pelhamville. . . .

Arbor day was observed with appropriate exercises on Friday last.  Following is the programme: 

Saluting the Flag..........................School 
Robin Red Breast........................Elmer Anderson 
Morning Call...............................Chorus 
Ginger Tree................................Harry Stone 
What to Plant.............................Fritz Ernst 
Song of Liberty..........................Chorus 
Historical Trees..........................By several 
Briar Rose.................................Evelyn Waugh 
Arbor Day March......................Chorus 
Surprise.....................................Susie Owens 
Sir Robin...................................Leonard Glover 
Violets.......................................Mary Whalen 
Brave Old Oak..........................Chorus 
Little Nut People........................Agnes Ernst 
Secret........................................Alice Miller 
Supposing..................................Bertie Glover 
Naughty Pussy...........................Gracie I. Wright 
America....................................Chorus 
Tree planting.............................John Campbell 
The Brave Rabbit......................John Marvel 
Star Spangled Banner................Chorus . . ."

Source:  Our Nearby Neighbors - Pelhamville, The Chronicle [Mount Vernon, NY], May 10, 1894, p. 4, col. 1.

"Arbor Day April 17th In Pelhams 
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Friday, April 17 has been designated as Arbor Day in the Pelhams, in a proclamation issued this week by Dr. Frank P. Graves, Commissioner of Education.

Public School children of the Pelhams, following the custom of previous years will plant trees on that day."  

Source:  Arbor Day April 17th In Pelhams, The Pelham Sun, Mar. 20, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 3, p. 1, col. 6.  

"Twenty Trees Planted.

As an Arbor Day observance, Pelham Scouts planted twenty trees about the Scout Cabin site on the old Polo Grounds Saturday April 18th.  Troops 1 and 4 tied in the contest and Scout T. Kasmer, Troop 3 received honorable mention for bringing in the specimen showing the best preparation and care for transplanting.  The planting was in charge of Vice-President Remington Schuyler and Deputy Commissioner Stacy Wood."  

Source:  Twenty Trees Planted, The Pelham Sun, May 1, 1925, Vol. 16, No. 9, p. 3, col. 1.  

"Pelham Girls Receive A. B. Degrees At Wells
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Miss Odelein Pearce President of Senior Class Delivers Arbor Day Address
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Three Pelham girls received their A. B. degrees on Tuesday from Wells College, Aurora, N. Y. They were Miss Odelein Pearce, of Roosevelt avenue, Miss Kathrine King, of the Esplanade and Miss Eloise White, of Nyac avenue.

Miss Pearce was president of the Senior Class and delivered the Arbor Day address on Monday before the entire college and the guests assembled for the Commencement Exercises.  Miss Pearce played the part of Orsino, Duke of Hyria, in the performance of 'Twelfth Night,' given as part of the Commencement activities.  Miss King and Miss White also took part in the performance for which Miss White was chairman of the costume committee.

Miss Pearce was graduated from Pelham Memorial High School in 1924 and Miss White in 1925.  Miss King was graduated from the Lenox School in New York."

Source:  Pelham Girls Receive A. B. Degrees At Wells -- Miss Odelein Pearce President of Senior Class Delivers Arbor Day Address, The Pelham Sun, Jun. 15, 1928, p. 7, col. 4.  

"TREES PLANTED ON ARBOR DAY AT HUTCHINSON
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Prize Money Won in Essay Contest Used to Purchase Two Trees for School Campus.
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In observance of Arbor Day, Friday, May 10, the children of the Hutchinson School planted two English Hawthorn trees on the school campus to replace two which were destroyed in the ice storm of March 4.  The trees were purchased with prize money received by the school as its award in the recent Gerard Swope Essay Contests.  The planting of the trees was timely in conjunction with the project selected by the school for the essay contest,, 'Nature in Our Own Back Yards.'

The tree-planting program was conducted by Mrs. Raymond S. Deck, director of the Naturalists' Club of the school; Mrs. Mary F. Canty, teacher of the 6A Grade and Miss Jane Grinker, teacher of music.

The American Flag and the School Flag were brought on the field by the Color Guard of Scouts of the 6A Class.  The program opened with the Salute to the Flag and the singing of 'America.'

Eleanor Gillooly told 'How We Won This Money.'  Stanley Jones told 'What to do With It.'  Betty Kelly recited 'The Story of the Hawthorn Tree.'  George Jones recited an 'Introduction to Tree Poems.'  Constance Coughlin recited, 'The Tree Stands Very Straight and Still.'  John Johnson recited, 'The Friendly Tree.'  Francis Vick recited 'The Beggar Trees.'  The program closed with the singing of 'Trees' by Joyce Kilmer."

 Source:  TREES PLANTED ON ARBOR DAY AT HUTCHINSON -- Prize Money Won in Essay Contest Used to Purchase Two Trees for School Campus, The Pelham Sun, May 17, 1940, p. 5, cols. 7-8.

"ARBOR DAY.
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In a letter sent out by A. S. Draper, superintendent of public instruction, dated April 1, 1890, he says:  The first observance of Arbor Day in this State under the law of 1888, took place May 3, 1889.  More than half of the school districts of the State . . . [celebrated] the day by planting trees about school grounds.  In nearly every case the planting was accompanied by interesting literary exercises.  

This result was very satisfactory.  It is hoped that all districts which observed the day in 1888, may observe the day in 1889, may observe the day with still greater enthusiasm this year, and that school districts which did not observe it may be induced to inaugurate the custom on May 2, next.

While the work performed on Arbor Day cannot counteract in a sensible degree the constant inroads upon our forests, made necessary by the unceasing demands of our rapidly increasing population, the children of the commonwealth may be taught to love nature and a reverence for trees.  Wanton destruction of our forests may be stayed, and something can certainly be done through this agency to make attractive the school grounds of the State, already too long neglected.

It is hardly necessary to repeat here the general observations on this subject published in the circular of 1889.  The purpose of the law in establishing Arbor Day is commendable in every way, and its general observance throughout the State is earnestly recommended.  With the hope that pleasure and satisfaction may come to all who observe the day, and that practical results may follow, the accompanying suggestions are offered.

In some sections of our state it may be impracticable to delay the planting of trees till May 2, the day fixed by law for Arbor Day.  In such cases it is recommended that trees be planted when this work can most successfully be done, and that all districts unite in observing the day by literary exercises on the day fixed by law."

Source:  ARBOR DAY, The Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Apr. 12, 1890, Vol. XLVI, No. 2, p. 2, col. 2.  

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