October 21, 1876 – 150 YEARS AGO
Rockland County Journal
MRS. WOOD’S ENTERTAINMENT
Friday evening, 27th inst., at 8 o’clock P.M., Library Hall, Piermont, is expected to witness the opening of its musical career. Mrs. R. V. D. Wood will offer Library Hall a benefit evening under her auspices, on which occasion the following artists will appear:
Miss Louise Finch, contralto, from the Broadway Tabernacle. This lady has been in demand for some time, as her appearance in Piermont once before awoke much warm praise.
Miss Fannie Eddy, pianist, a young lady of rare accomplishments.
Miss Alice Fowler, already favorably known to many of our residents.
Miss Jennie Gidley, elocutionist, will recite with dramatic energy. This quality some of our citizens did not fully appreciate at a recent appearance of the celebrated Miss Prondfit, in a dramatic recitation at Tappan.
Mrs. R. V. D. Wood, organist and accompanist, who has done so much to educate the musical taste of our Piermont neighbors.
Mr. Berkely Wood, tenor: not the well-known Piermont gentleman, we believe.
Mr. Joseph Lewenberg, violinist, who created such a favorable impression at his recent appearance at Norwood.
Mr. J. A. Fowler, Ante, whose reputation is too well established to need praise at our hands.
The members of the Library are working this concert up with energy and enthusiasm and we hope they will meet with the highest success.
October 22, 1926 – 100 YEARS AGO
Pearl River News
CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Grace McGill, of Nanuet, and Rose Usatch, of Spring Valley, are the winners of the popularity contest sponsored by the Dexter Chain papers. These young ladies will be presented with the prizes when they call at the office of this paper for same at Pearl River. The paper wishes to thank all those who have worked in the contest and also wishes the young ladies, who won, a very pleasant trip to the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition. Miss McGill had 10,410 votes and Miss Usatch 2,260.
CHANGE IN ARMISTICE DAY IS URGED
A plea to America to make Armistice Day, November 11, a time for joyful celebrations to make it a Victory Day instead of a memorial, is contained in the following statement by Colonel Peter E. Traub, Chief of Staff of the 77th Division and Commandant at, Camp Bluefields in recent years. Colonel Traub’s statement follows:
“What did you do on November 15, 1918, when you heard the great news? Did you sulk or did you shout? Did you put on sackcloth and ashes or did you yell with joy. Did our churches clang muffled bells and hymn dirges, or did they ring-out joyous chimes and sing Te Deums?
“Why shouldn’t we celebrate The Day now as we did then? Why change from joy and thanksgiving to gloom and sorrow?
“Wake up ye patriots! Cheer up America! Let there be laughter and a merry noise!” Let there be general rejoicing in celebration of The Day that brought a glorious and victorious conclusion to the greatest war in history and bid the slaughter cease!
“Let the profiteers, the ‘Peace at any pricers,’ the obstructionists, the slackers, the enemy pessimists, go into mourning but let the rest of us rejoice, be happy and gay, and extend the hand of good fellowship and cheer in honor of the Day.
Armistice Day is not Memorial Day; it is Victory Day! Let’s be proud of it! Let there be turkey and plum pudding! Let there be games, bands, twinkling feet, happy reunions! Away with the flag at half-mast! No need of lugubrious parsons! Up with the Stars and Stripes to the topmost staff with tuneful melodies.
“Make Armistice Day an inspiration for rejoicing to our children’s children of gallant work well done and smilingly by America’s patriotic sons and daughters!”
October 20, 1976 – 50 YEARS AGO
Our Town
ORANGETOWN JOINS IN WELCOME FOR PRESIDENT FORD
[Image: President Gerald Ford addresses the crowd while Congressman Benjamin Gilman and Senator James Buckley look on. Our Town News Photo]
Rockland County welcomed President Gerald Ford, last Wednesday at New City, with cheers, marching bands and—all the hoopla it could muster up for the auspicious occasion. Orangetown was well represented by Pearl River’s prize-winning St. Margaret’s Fife and Drum Corps, the Orangetown Midgettes All Girl Color Guard and Drill Team and the Pearl River Ambulance Corps.
It was like one grand holiday picnic for the crowd of 10,000 who good-naturedly waited for almost an hour for the President to arrive. Many were there for what they considered a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to see and hear the President in person, Members of the Orangetown Midgettes were especially thrilled when the President shook each one’s hand individually saying, “You look just fine girls and you did a great job.”
Secret Service men were all around, mingling with the crowd, and in some instances asking to look inside of ladies’ handbags. Marksmen were posted on the roofs of the New City Courthouse and office buildings surrounding the area.
The President’s speech was what he called “straight talk,” and hard hitting in the old-time political tradition of whistle-stopping Harry Truman. He said he has restored confidence in the government in the last twenty months. He said he was against increasing taxes, “Do you want your taxes raised?” he asked. “No,” the crowd shouted back,
President Ford said he wants to hold the lid on spending, and he told the crowd he wants to “keep more of your own hard-earned money in your pockets.” He does not, however, want to cut the defense budget. “The Army, Marine and Navy should be Number One,” he said. “The United States represented leadership throughout the world. We are strong and we are going to stay that way.” The crowd cheered each point he made, and there were some who came away convinced that this was the man they would vote for, come November 2.
“I think he’s a nice guy,” a Pearl River resident said. “It makes a difference when you see him in person.”
This Week in Rockland (#FBF Flashback Friday) is prepared by Clare Sheridan for the Historical Society of Rockland County. © 2026 by The Historical Society of Rockland County. #FBF Flashback Friday may be reprinted only with written permission from the HSRC. To learn about the HSRC’s mission, upcoming events or programs, visit www.RocklandHistory.org or call (845) 634-9629.