The Salem [email protected] www.salemcourthouse.org U.S. Postage PAID Salem, NY Permit NO. 30 NEXT ROUND OF RESTORATION BEGINS SOON! Or Current Resident 518-854-7053 P.O. Box 140 Salem, NY 12865 P.O. Box 140 • Salem, NY 12865 518-854-7053 www.salemcourthouse.org THE COURTHOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER IS OPEN: [email protected] Monday-Friday 9 am-2 pm Visitors are always welcomed! 2015 5 pm saturday July 25 13th OUR CELEBRATION A year ago at this time, we were proud to announce the award of a New York State Environmental Protection Fund grant awarded to the Courthouse. The grant will be administered by the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in Saratoga Springs. The awarded amount of $200,000 with its $200,000 cash match will fund the next important round of restoration on this important historic building. The Courthouse executive team has been working very closely with the architectural firm of John G. Waite Associates of Albany and New York City to determine the scope of the project. The contracts and covenants have been signed, and the final plans have been drawn up and submitted to Albany for approval. Within a short period of time, the bidding process should begin. By spring, the scaffolding should be erected, and extensive work on the gutter system, cornices, brackets and other necessary roof support installations should commence on schedule. Watch for hard hats! JOIN US FOR A FABULOUS DINNER UNDER THE STARS OF ALL THE Save the Dates! GOOD SALEM HAS TO OFFER! COURTHOUSE EVENTS APRIL 26 Sunday at 3 pm SPRING CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT I MAY 2 Saturday 4–7 pm KENTUCKY DERBY DAY PARTY MAY 8 Friday 5–7 pm JOAN DUFF-BOHRER EXHIBIT Opening Reception MAY 17 Sunday at 3 pm SPRING CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT II JUNE 5 Friday PLANTING DAY FOR THE COURTHOUSE COMMUNITY GARDEN JUNE 6 Saturday at 7:30 pm TALENT SHOW at Fort Salem Theater JUNE 14 Sunday at 3 pm SPRING CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT III JUNE 26 Friday 5–7 pm CIVIL WAR EXHIBIT Opening Reception JULY 3 Friday 1–7:30 pm CIVIL WAR WEEKEND begins around Salem (see page 2) JULY 4 Saturday JULY 4th PARADE & CIVIL WAR ACTIVITIES including 2 pm BALLADEERS CONCERT in the courtroom JULY 6 Monday LUNCH, LEARN & PLAY commences JULY 25 Saturday 5 pm AL FRESCO DINNER Spring 2015 Join us for our farm-totable dinner & dance the night away! MARK YOUR CALENDAR TICKETS GO ON SALE ☛ Monday, June 1 at 9 am CELEBRATE the 141st RUN for the ROSES On Saturday, May 2, the Courthouse Community Center will celebrate the 141st Run for the Roses with a Kentucky Derby party offered at Maple Lane Farm, the lovely home of Bob and Carolyn Akland in Cossayuna, New York. A special fundraiser to support the many enrichment programs offered at the CCC, Derby Day has become a much-anticipated annual event. Starting at 4 pm, guests will arrive in their special Derby finery including gorgeous hats. The afternoon’s festivities will culminate with a viewing of the race with excitement at a fevered pitch. To reserve your place at this wonderful party, please contact the CCC at 518-854-7053. O n Saturday, July 25, the Historic Salem Courthouse celebrates its 13th Al Fresco Dinner. This popular event is a quality experience that comes together as a result of a dedicated broad community effort. Each July, people from near and far gather to celebrate all the good this rich agrarian region has to offer. At 5 pm, folks start to assemble on the side lawn surrounded by majestic hills and verdant countryside. Crisp white tents radiate from the historic old building like spokes protecting linen-covered tables lush with local flowers and charmingly mismatched china. While sipping wine and reaching out to friends, guests enjoy a sumptuous selection of local artisan cheeses. Widely known creameries including 3 Corner Field Farm, Argyle Cheese Farmer, Consider Bardwell Farm, Cabot, Longview Farm and Sweet Spring Farm provide the assorted cheeses for which this event has become synonymous. Cheeses made from cow, sheep and goat’s milk are offered on 3 large tables enhanced by glorious large-scale floral arrangements. Planning for the 2015 dinner began in August of 2014. Once again, Seth Pitts and Dan DiBlasi have graciously offered to lend their experience and talents to the dinner preparation. Basil and garlic sausage, fresh herb marinated beef, potato salad, grilled local summer vegetables are but a few of the tempting items on the menu. At 6:30, guests are seated and the parade of platters carried by a small army of area high school servers begins. In addition to the delicious food, Al Fresco is also a feast for the senses. The popular Roadhouse Rhythm and Blues Band will lure dancers to their feet with their horn-driven sound. Graceful large-scale sculpture on loan from artists at Salem Art Works provides points of interest on the side lawn. This year’s Great Hall exhibit will focus on the Civil War in keeping with the many events commemorating the 150th anniversary of the end of the war. A highlight of the evening is the annual procession of the Mettawee River Theater Company, charming guests with their whimsical creatures large and small. Throughout the evening, guests have the opportunity to bid on an amazing assortment of goods and services on display in our Youth Center/Activity Barn. Artwork, jewelry, Telescope outdoor furniture and restaurant gift certificates are but a few of the 100 plus items available. The Al Fresco Dinner has evolved into the most important fundraising event for the Courthouse each year. Over 200 volunteers donate their time and energy to “make it happen”! Please consider joining us in July to experience this wonderful celebration of good food and community yourself. The $60 tickets will go on sale Monday, June 1 at 9 am. Be sure to purchase your tickets early to ensure your place at a table. 1 FLOAT into SPRING with BATTENKILL INSPIRED COOKING CLASS Gorgeous Music in the Courtroom Float into spring on the glorious notes of classical music giants including Beethoven, Schumann, Bach and Mozart. Now in its sixth year, the Courthouse is pleased to present its distinguished series of chamber music concerts on 3 Sundays at 3:00 pm: April 26, May 17 and June 14. These events provide local audiences with the opportunity to hear the finest music in an elegant atmosphere. Music director and pianist, Daniel Shulman, and his wife, violinist and violist, Kaori Washiyama, will delight audiences by collaborating on several pieces. The couple’s son, Adam, will also perform with his father. Mr. Shulman is a former head of the conducting program at the California Institute of Arts, and a faculty member of CCNY and C.W. Post College. He frequently performs on piano in Asia and throughout the United States. Ms. Washiyama is a competition winner who directs her own chamber music series in Japan and has appeared frequently on both coasts of this country. She is on the faculty of Bennington College. Among the other participating musicians are Melanie Dexter, violin, member of the Vermont Symphony and Bennington String Quartet; Joana Genova, violin, well known for her prominent role in the Manchester Music Festival; Nathaniel Parke, cello, faculty member of Williams College and principal cellist of the Berkshire Symphony Orchestra; Josh Rodrigues, violin, member of the Glens Falls Symphony and faculty at Skidmore College; and Josh Thomas, cello, recent graduate of Juilliard School and frequent performer in the Courthouse Series. Once again, this series has been partially funded by a grant awarded by LARAC. The tickets are $20 each or $45 for the series of 3 concerts. To reserve your tickets, please call the Courthouse at 518-854-7053. 3 DISPLAYS in the GREAT HALL The Courthouse is happy to celebrate art, culture and history with the community by featuring exhibits in the Great Hall throughout the year. Each exhibit features a wine, cheese and dessert reception from 5 to 7 pm on the opening day of the show. Feel free to stop in and enjoy the exhibits any weekday, from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Art Naïve, a collection of “artfully playful” works by Cambridge artist Donna Wynbrandt, opened the spring season of exhibitions in the Great Hall with a reception on March 6. This is a unique collection of thirty works spanning five years of different projects, reflecting Donna’s use of whimsy and vivid colors. The Art Naïve exhibit will remain in the Hall until April 18. Joan Duff Bohrer, also a local artist, will open her show of abstract oils and acrylics on Friday, May 8 with a reception in the Great Hall from 5 to 7pm. Joan is a familiar face at CCC, where she shares her talents as an art teacher in the Lunch, Learn & Play program each summer. Joan’s works will remain in the Hall until June 19. In connection with the celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the end of the Civil War, historian Al Cormier and his committee will gather Civil War items to create a fascinating display in the Great Hall from June 26 through July 31. The historical mementoes, maps and artifacts will come from private collections and will intrigue Civil War buffs. Look for the opening of the Civil War Collection at a reception on Friday, June 26. ANOTHER WONDERFUL SUMMER PLANNED for AREA CHILDREN 2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ PERFECT FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT At the Courthouse Community Center, Lunch, Learn & Play Director Herb Perkins On Saturday, June 6 at 7:30 pm, we will and Program Coordinator Ruthanne Hunter are finalizing plans for this summer’s once again be offering the Old Courthouse L, L & P program for children, K-6th grade. An exciting season starts July 6. Talent Showcase at the Fort Salem Theater. Jay and Lynne Kerr have graciously agreed to Happy to Report: Forty-five community folks shared their talents last year and help organize this entertaining event which most of them will return this summer. Salem Art Works, Bancroft Library, Merck will be presented at their beautifully restored Forest and Farmland Center, Salem School and Woody Hill Farm will continue theater. Former CBS 6 News Anchor and well their relationships with L,L & Play to offer a variety of experiences to the children. known personality, Jerry Gretzinger, will serve Happy to Expand: L,L&P’s presence in the Courthouse Community Garden as the 2015 Master of Ceremonies. Auditions will be expanded with the aid of our own gardening counselor. Cooking classes will take place at the Courthouse on April for kids in the Battenkill Kitchen will be expanded based on last summer’s success. 11 and 18 from 10 am to noon. Interested Codes of conduct will be instituted for staff and children to ensure appropriate, performers should contact the CCC at 518safe and polite behavior. 854-7053 to schedule an audition. Happy to Welcome: Children have always been welcomed to L,L&P without a tuition fee. In 2015, we are requesting that families become members of the CCC. This small commitment is important to us as we apply for grants to keep our program operating. Happy to Share Thanks: We thank all those in the community who value and support L,L&P, both financially and with donations of time and effort. We are always looking for new exciting, educational and recreational programs. Please share your ideas with Ruthanne Hunter, Program Coordinator, at 854-7053. The Battenkill Kitchen of the Historic Salem Courthouse in conjunction with Crandall Library’s Folklife Center’s exhibit “Battenkill Inspired” will be offering a cooking class featuring preparation of delicious wild edibles as well as traditional fish dishes from and around our local Battenkill River with consideration given to important fish and wildlife conservation. Local chefs Bliss McIntosh and Bill Rose will be preparing wild leeks, fiddlehead ferns, and marsh marigolds to name a few, used in soups, salads, and risottos and will also feature trout and other fish dishes created in an interactive fun-filled class. Two classes will be offered; Sunday, May 3 from 12 pm to 3pm and the second class will be held Monday, May 4 from 6 to 9 pm. The Battenkill Kitchen is located behind the Salem Courthouse Community Center, 58 East Broadway, Salem, NY. Space is limited and these classes will fill up quickly. The cost is $35 to be paid at the time of registration. Call 518-8547053 to register. The Battenkill Kitchen is a not-for-profit certified commercial kitchen available for rent in order to create and produce food products for your home or business for market. Shoppe Hours: 1 pm–6 pm Wednesday 10 am–1 pm Thurs./Fri./Sat. SHOPPE OFF BROADWAY THRIFT STORE 2015 is shaping up to be an excellent year for the Shoppe. Generous donations arrive regularly, and new volunteers are contributing quality time to the effort. In 2014, volunteers contributed 2,863 hours which enabled the Shoppe to donate close to $30,000 to various youth and community needs. The hard-working Shoppe volunteers with regular work schedules include Sue Keyes, Betty Campbell, Nancy Gadzinski, Marilyn Chambers, Anne Dunigan, Vickie Maxwell, Val Sheldon, Margaret Waite, Sandy Adams, and Sandy Behan. The substitute workers are Kelly Bukowski, Phyllis Clark, Susan Persbacker, Lonnie Rasmussen, Mary VanDeWater, Elsie Rieckel, Quimby Mahoney, and Julie Myler. Because strong male help is great to have as well, the men’s team includes Don Campbell, Joe Childs, Peter Dunigan, Rob Sellar, and Ken White. The year is young, but the Shoppe has already provided funding for 2 great opportunities for area children. On March 27, the Salem Central Elementary School was treated to a production of Saratoga Opera-to-Go’s The Three Little Pigs. During spring break, area children in grades 2 through 6 will be able to participate in the popular Puppet Club at the Courthouse. Many other opportunities are in the works including the annual Salem Central School Grants awarded in the fall. In June, the Shoppe will celebrate its 11th anniversary with special opportunities. Still being finalized, plans will be announced shortly. Please help make 2015 their greatest year to date, and don’t forget to Shop the Shoppe! KATHLEEN “KAT” CHRISTENSEN NEW HSCPA BOARD MEMBER Kat Christensen, who has been a resident of Salem for eleven years, begins a two year term on the HSCPA Board. “I enjoy living in a tight-knit community where people care about each other.” Kat is originally from Queensbury, NY and first became acquainted with Salem on visits to the Gardenworks’ fall pumpkin patch. She and her Salem Central School sophomore daughter, Abbegale Krug, fell in love with the Salem countryside and soon moved to the village. Ms. Christensen is a registered nurse with degrees from ACC and Russell Sage. Kat worked in the inpatient oncology unit at the Glens Falls Hospital and also was a case manager with High Peaks Hospice. She is Marketing Director for the Indian River Rehabilitation and Healthcare Facility in Granville and is presently a clinical evaluator for Centers Health Care (previously named Centers for Specialty Care). Kat found that hands-on care is a worthwhile and satisfying endeavor. Kathleen is Co-President-Elect of the Salem Rotary Club and will begin her term with Dottie Schneider this July. Ms. Christensen is also on the ACC Nursing Alumni Steering Committee. She and her daughter enjoy spending time at the ocean in Maine for two weeks every year. Kat is an optimistic, upbeat person who enjoys reading, her two horses, two dogs and a cat. As a new member of the Board, Kat is looking forward to helping ensure that opportunities provided by the Courthouse are available for all in the community and surrounding areas to embrace. Welcome aboard, Kat! BAT TENKILL INSPIRED at the CCC Todd DeGarmo, Founding Director of Crandall Library’s Folklife Center in Glens Falls, is the curator of a new multi-faceted exhibit at the Center inspired by and showcasing art and artifacts of the Battenkill – the exhibit will open with a reception at the Folklife Center on March 12 at 5 pm. Todd is collaborating with other organizations to expand the outreach of Battenkill Inspired including Salem Art Works and the Courthouse Community Center. SAW will feature an exhibit of area artists whose work was inspired by the Battenkill River with an opening reception on April 10 at 5 pm. As a member of the Courthouse Board of Directors, Todd wanted to include the CCC in this wonderful opportunity. The Battenkill Kitchen will host cooking classes featuring the preparation of wild edibles found along the river – a detailed article is included in this edition. Also the CCC will host four Battenkill Inspired talks on the following Wednesdays at 7 pm: May 13 & 20 and June 3 & 10. The talks will include area covered bridges and beginning ornithology. Details will be provided on our website, and via Constant Contact and Facebook. Please take advantage of the experience being offered by the three organizations. 7 SUCCESSFUL NEW EVENT MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR W e should all gives ourselves a congratulatory pat on the back for having endured and survived winter! Mother Nature truly challenged everyone this season and settled for once and for all who was in charge. Fortunately, while the thermometer dipped to record lows, a moderation in the cost of oil prevented a devastating impact on the Courthouse budget. A modest setting on the thermostat and extra layers of warm clothing saw us through. A new approach to programming during the coldest months was also of great benefit. Classes were grouped together on “warm Tuesdays and Wednesdays” allowing us to boost the thermostat sparingly yet effectively to keep students warm. The approach worked, and classes offered on the two days had a maximum enrollment of warm participants. Now with spring upon us, our attention turns to a calendar of events chock-full of enjoyable op- Executive Director: Donna Farringer Administrative Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator: Ruthanne Hunter HSCPA OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS Directors: President: Robert Akland Kathleen “Kat” Christensen Vice-President: Todd DeGarmo Herb Perkins Tom Kerr Secretary: Brenda Levey Irene Baldwin Dottie Schneider Treasurer: Karen Sheldon Robert Sellar Tim Whalen Directors Emeriti Bill Eberle & Kay Tomasi Salem Courthouse Chronicle, Spring 2015 Editor: Donna Farringer Contributors: Carolyn Akland, Irene Baldwin, Donna Farringer, Cathy Firman, Ruthanne Hunter, Julie Moline, Majken Sellar & Anita Witten Photos: Donna Farringer 6 Design/Illustration: Heather Bellanca March 2015 portunities. We have listened to your requests and the spring roster of classes, lectures, workshops and events is well-rounded with many new listings. In an effort to maximize enrichment opportunities, we have collaborated with other organizations including Salem Art Works, the Salem Central School, the Folklife Center of Crandall Library and the Fort Salem Theater. The results of this collaboration have produced an exciting schedule highlighted in this publication. Please take a moment to read through the catalog and events featured in the newsletter, sign up for a class and help us continue in our mission to provide educational activities to people of all ages. Your support makes the difference! Donna Farringer In a continuing effort to help spread the news regarding the many enrichment opportunities being offered at the CCC, we are utilizing the power of Facebook. Program Coordinator, Ruthanne Hunter, is posting with great regularity. Please visit us at: Salem Courthouse Community Center. Like us on Facebook and share the postings and the excitement! NEW MEMBERS Weston & Bridget Burress Elizabeth Harding Thomas & Sarah Hoy Terry & Marilyn Jemison Paul & Brenda Levey Mary VanDeWater Gary & Delores Wakeman Donna Wynbrandt On Saturday, January 17, an enjoyable new event was added to the Courthouse Community Center calendar. The Christmas Tree Toss, thought of by Kay Crank, was combined with a chili contest to provide some much needed warmth on a very cold wintery day. While the thermometer never made it above 10 degrees, goodnatured guests turned out in force to participate. The 150 or so guests tossed trees, ate chili and warmed themselves by the giant bonfire in the Woody Hill Farm field adjacent to Courthouse property. Seventeen pots of chili were entered in the contest, and the winners were Carolyn Akland, JoAnn Rose and Al Budde. Tree Toss winners included Jack and Molly Erbe, Socrates Fronhofer, Gary Knapp, Dan Falk, Jase Skellie and Jerry Coon. Thanks are extended to the Battenkill Kitchen team and Courthouse Board members for planning and executing this great “friend-building” event. Plans are already in the works for an even better event in January 2016! WHEN SPRING FINALLY COMES, ENTER the CCG THROUGH A NEW PORTAL You are cordially invited to visit, enjoy, have a snack, get an introduction to growing, and otherwise participate in the Courthouse Community Garden this year. And when you do, you’ll be able to enter it through the new Garden Gateway. The Gateway’s signs and paths were made possible by a grant, Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play, funded by Glens Falls Hospital; and by Herb Perkins, Rob Sellar and Scott Thetford, who built the locust-wood portal. Designer Heather Bellanca designed the gorgeous sign that welcome visitors. Now in its 6th year, the Courthouse Community Garden is tended using organic methods without the addition of synthetic compounds. All garden activities (from planning, planting, weeding, watering, composting and critter control to harvesting) are performed by volunteers. This year, the garden plan and crop list will be limited, with the primary focus on education, said Nancy Higby, chair of the CCC Garden Committee. “We’ll be planting fewer crops, but we will expand the use of the garden for Lunch, Learn & Play participants,” she said. “Some of what we grow will be used for the Al Fresco dinner in late July. We’ll also supply fresh produce to the Salem Food Pantry.” Teens and adults are welcome to help out in the garden in exchange for fresh vegetables and fruits in season. A COMMEMORATIVE Labor of Love The Courthouse Quilters have been hard at work creating their glorious “Salem’s 123rd Regiment/Underground Railroad Commemorative Quilt”. The 68 inch square creation uses reproduction fabrics in the muted colors like those used during the Civil War. Incorporated in the quilt’s pattern are actual photographs significant to the story being portrayed, including Lincoln and the 123rd Regiment emblem. The photographs were reproduced by printing them on distinctive fabric and finished with a special wash to ensure their longevity. The many quilt blocks are edged with a black tonal fabric which brings the muted colors to life. Additional borders were added to frame the creation. Master quilter, Majken Sellar, has dedicated many years to creating fine reproductions of Civil War quilts. One of the key forces behind this project, Majken was joined by Marge Keyes, Dottie Schneider, Paulette Leonard, Sue Morrison, Inez Bianca and Romaine Guzi in the production of the quilt. Done in conjunction with Salem’s celebration of the 150th anniversary of the end of the war and the return of the 123rd Regiment, the quilt will be presented to Salem at the opening of the Great Hall exhibit focused on this subject on Friday, June 26 at 5 pm. It will be showcased at the CCC through the month of July. SALEM ROTARY HELPS KEEP the SAVE WHEELS ROLLING The Salem Area Van Endeavor (SAVE) has commenced its sixth year assisting folks in the Salem area. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, visits to Hannaford and Price Chopper help those requiring transportation for groceries and drug store items. The first Monday of each month, a special trip to Walmart allows folks to stock up on special needs. Dedicated drivers, Ken White and Trip Sturgis, make this service a reality with their generous contribution of time and effort. Thanks to the generosity of the Salem Rotary, the steep insurance premium will be covered once again. Under the supervision of Al Cormier, a Rotary grant was secured to cover $1,500 of the premium – the balance was paid from the SAVE checking account. SAVE gratefully thanks the Salem Rotary for this wonderful support! Those in need of this service may call Ken White at 854-7497. As in previous years, Janet Britt will grow seedlings in her greenhouse, Amy Maxwell will organize high school students to help with spring chores, and Dottie Schneider will coordinate with the EOC (which pays part-time workers to work in the garden) as well as with the Country’s Alternative Sentencing program. Interested in helping out? Please call Ruthanne Hunter, 854-7053, to find out more. 3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the End of the Civil War & the Return of the 123 rd Regiment MARCH CIVIL WAR LECTURES: CCC SUMMER ACTIVITIES & EVENTS DAILY LIFE, A SLAVE, A GENERAL, & A BATTLE During March, we began our celebration of the Civil War’s conclusion with four Thursday evening presentations in CCC’s Archive Room. An enthusiastic audience enjoyed fascinating talks from local individuals who graciously shared their areas of Civil War interest. The series commenced on March 5 with an informative talk presented by Al Cormier and Edie Meikel centered on Washington County’s own 123rd Regisment. In a first-person narrative, Cliff Oliver, professional photographer and reenactor, assumed the role of Solomon Northup, the subject of the award-winning film, 12 Years a Slave, on March 12. Our third presenter, Tom Smith, from Grant’s Cottage, on March 19, included music in his reflections on Ulysses S. Grant’s life, work, and death. The lecture series came to an end on March 26 with Ken Aldous, a New York City attorney whose ancestor fought for the Union, describing life directly after the war and its effect on the North. What a wonderful prelude to our 2015 Civil War celebration. We thank our speakers for their participation! the 123rd REGIMENT ~ A CALL to ARMS When President Abraham Lincoln called for volunteers in 1862, Washington County immediately responded. Nine- hundred and fifty brave men, recruited by Col. Archibald McDougall of Salem, left the village by train on the evening of September 5th to answer their president’s summons. Serving for three years, members of the 123rd Regiment came from Salem, Greenwich, Cambridge, Shushan, Argyle, Easton, as well as northern Washington County. They saw action in Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Once their contributions were over, the soldiers marched to Washington, participated in a grand review, and were mustered out on June 8, 1865. As we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the end of the Civil War, we honor those soldiers of our 123rd Regiment who returned to Washington County: the roster 6 officers and 68 enlisted men fatally wounded; and 95 enlisted men who died of disease and other causes. 4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ JULY 4th WEEKEND ~ A TRIBUTE to SALEM’S CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS On Friday, July 3, through Sunday, July 5, Salem commemorates the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War and the courageous actions of area volunteer soldiers. Bright red, white, and blue flowers and buntings, generously provided by our local businesses, greet everyone as they drive through the village. Festivities begin on Friday at the village park bandstand with a 1 pm concert by the Providence Brigade Band. Originally chartered in 1847 when there were more than 10,000 brass bands throughout the U.S., their performances include the Gettysburg Museum. Dressed in Civil War era military uniforms, the band plays music common to America during the 1840’s-50’s. At 7:30 pm, they perform in Salem Central School’s auditorium. On the school grounds at 3 pm, our Civil War encampment opens to the public for the STEP RIGHT UP, BUY YOUR CIVIL WAR SOUVENIRS HERE Are you a Civil War buff? A Salem resident? A CCC friend? Once the festivities begin, souvenirs from our commemoration will be on sale. We already know that a mug with the 123rd logo will be available. You might also like to have a medallion with a 123rd logo and a 12 and 20 Corps star made by Dory Productions. If you enjoy reading, be sure to look for a book about the Regiment’s Civil War service which is now in progress. weekend. Those attending may also visit the Mess Hall at the Courthouse Community Center to enjoy any of the delicious meals being served: dinners on Friday and Saturday evenings and breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Our Firemen’s Carnival begins at 6 pm with rides and booths for everyone to enjoy. Saturday, July 4, is a busy day for Salem. Between 7-9 am, breakfast is available at the Mess Hall; by 9 am the encampment opens. The village park bandstand is the place to be at 12 noon when the Providence Brigade Band plays. At 2 pm the 77th Regiment Balladeers perform at CCC. Considered modern troubadours, this group specializes in original arrangements which reflect America’s turbulence during the Civil War. Their instruments include fiddles, guitars, harmonicas, tin whistles, and bones. The Balladeers have been recognized by the U.S. Department of Interior for their authentic portrayal of Civil War period music. Early in the evening on Saturday at 5 pm, Salem firemen hold a Civil War Homecoming parade with the Balladeers and with marching horses. The carnival opens at 6 pm; fireworks begin at 9 pm. Meanwhile at the Encampment Mess Hall, a tasty dinner begins at 7 pm. O n Su n d a y, Ju l y 5 w e c o n t i n u e o u r commemoration with an inviting breakfast from 7-9 am at the Mess Hall. Throughout the day, the Encampment is open to visitors with activities to enjoy. At 3 pm our program concludes. We hope you can attend our Civil War Commemoration Weekend! FLAGS & MONUMENTS PAY TRIBUTE to VETERANS Our Civil War Commemoration committee, chaired by Al Cormier and Judy Flagg, has been hard at work for nearly a year. They have made a special effort to provide symbols of Washington County’s participation in the war effort. To that end, in addition to the existing Standing Soldier Civil War statue in Evergreen Cemetery, we will have three more symbols dedicated to the memory of Civil War veterans. Placed on the D&H Depot will be a brass plaque describing the 123rd Regiment’s departure from and return to Salem. Two flags, custom made replicas of the Regiment’s battle flag and a flanker flag will also become part of our permanent tribute. A special thank you goes to this committee for such attentiveness to our history and respect for our soldiers. CCC will be abuzz with Civil War Commemoration throughout the summer. Our free Lunch, Learn & Play K-6 program will feature speakers/demonstrations related to the war in July and August. In collaboration with the Cambridge Historical Society, Fort Edward museum, and private collectors, a Civil War Artifact exhibit will fill the Great Hall in July. A special event to place on your calendar is a flute/piano concert on July 18. At 7:30 pm in the Fort Salem Theater, flautist Rebecca Jeffreys and pianist Kent Baker will share their musical talents with us. They plan to include well-known American composers Stephen Foster, Aaron Copland, Scott Joplin, Charles Ives, and Alexander MacDowell as well as modern ones, Gary Schocker and Kevin Walker. Be sure to join us during this summer as we pay tribute to the efforts of Washington County in the Civil War. COMMEMORATION CONTINUES the Two local organizations-The Georgi on the Battenkill and the Washington County Historical Society-also are preparing to pay respect to our soldiers’ efforts in the Civil War. In August, The Shushan Georgi plans a performance of the Fyffes and Drumms of Olde Saratoga and reenactor Steve Trimm as Ulysses S. Grant on the 9th. The Community Room holds a Civil War exhibit throughout the month. On September 25 at Salem Central School and September 26 from 10 am to 4 pm at the school and our Community Center, the Washington County Historical Society is sponsoring “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again: 150 Years Since the End of the Civil War and the Return of the 123rd Regiment”. Offerings include: Civil War exhibits and memorabilia; programs, including Civil War era children’s games and quilts; women as spies; and reenactments of Ulysses S. Grant’s bodyguard and Abraham Lincoln. People of all ages are sure to enjoy this event. SPECIAL THANKS The many events lined up for this Sesquicentennial commemoration are happening thanks to the generous efforts of area folks: Al Cormier, Bruce Ferguson, Judy Flagg, Edie Meikle and Stephen Snyder. Our sincere thanks are extended to these dedicated people who are striving to create something special for Salem. To learn more about this project or lend assistance, please visit the website at 123rdregiment.org. 5
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