Monday, December 30, 2019

NEW YEARS AT TEN ACRE FARM (1903) A Crowd of Skaters Enjoy the Day at this Popular Pond

Photo Courtesy: Greenwich Library 


Source: Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, January 3, 1903. Page 1, Column 6.


Ten Acres is flocked with skaters. Merrily the skates clink as someone goes whizzing past. The bright steel glimmers in the afternoon sunlight. 

It is New Year's Day, and five hundred souls are merry as they softly fly over the icy surface. Hardly a safe on the pond which is not dotted with skaters.  The old winter sport is on. Everyone is enjoying it to the utmost. 

Here and there will be seen a trio coming along in a row. Swiftly a single flyer dashes past. There a couple with hands clasped come gracefully up, pausing for a moment to make a turn, then gliding away to some other part of the pond. In and out among these go the skaters in another direction. 

Not a moment is lost. It is a grand panorama. 

The eye first feasts itself upon one happy group and then another as each goes by. The bright coats of the ladies catch the eye. Now it is red, now blue. Sweaters are much in evidence. 

Here comes a hite one, and the graceful outline of the girl's figure is seen for a moment. Next comes a red, and from another direction one of brown. The variation bring rest to the eye. 

Bright hats are everywhere to be seen. Jauntily they sit upon the heads of the fair wearers. How well the colors harmonize. What a picture for an artist to paint! The rosy color of the fair one's cheek is heightened by the exhilarating exercise. 

Here comes a couple! It is worth while to watch them a moment. See how their blades move together; the same ray of light strikes one and the other. The flash comes together. The man's strength tells in that stride, but his fair partner is no hindrance. Away they go with a short glide and then to a catch-step which sends them away out to the side. Off they go again on the other tack. 

Now a single skater goes sailing by with hands clasped behind his back. 

Off at a distance some of the more inexperienced skaters are hovering about the shore, skating back and forth in the hope that no one will notice their poorer efforts. 

In the enclosure at the lower part of the pond two teams are playing the king of ice games-hockey. They are very much in earnest, as their shouts of "Here it is!" "Pass it here!" and other terms familiar to the sport would prove. 

Here and there on other parts of the pond a match game is on and the same earnest spirit is shown. Now and then someone gets a fall, but quickly rising is away again.

Occasionally a skate comes off, and the disgusted skater wanders to some secluded spot to put it on again.

A fancy skater is doing his "stunts," and an interested group looks on. Then the group breaks up. 

Everyone goes where fancy leads him. The bank of earth which crosses the northern side of the pond is covered with weary ones in groups or alone. No one stays there longer than is necessary for rest. 

Carriages come to the edge of the pond to bring fresh skaters or to carry others home. 

A car goes by and another crowd is dumped at the lower end. The car going the other way carries back those weary with the sport. Coming or going, skating or resting, all are happy, all are beginning a happy new year. 

Snow Fever in Mianus 1894 (featured on Jan. 1, 2020 Show)



Source: Greenwich Graphic. February 24, 1894.

Editor Graphic:

A mysterious affection has made its appearance in Mianus which has been diagnosed as "snow fever." In most cases it appears immediately after a snow storm. 

The person effected, (in all cases so far, it has been confined to the male gender), arises at six a.m., and finds snow to a considerable depth, has fallen during the night. He takes a large dose of the best rye whiskey and repeats it every half hour for the succeeding four hours, but finds no relief; on the contrary is afflicted with symptoms about the head known as dizziness; being anxious and finding that he gets no relief, applies a double dose at eleven o'clock. 

After the last dose he feels relieved, and is ready to discuss the medical properties of all vegetables or minerals, with those best qualified to discuss such subjects. At twelve o'clock he again repeats the dose. 

The patient is then ready to diagnose any case that pertains to horses or cattle such as "exudations," "exostosis," and "fibrinous inflammatory conditions of the cartilaginous surfaces." 

At one p.m., finding that the disease has reached his lower extremities, he makes another application of the remedy, and lapses into a semi-comatose state, which necessitates his removal to the hospital.

With the train of symptoms enumerated above, the best physicians have diagnosed the disease as a pronounced attack of "Snow Fever." The doctor recommends five hours' rest. The patient awakes, takes another dose and patiently awaits another snow storm.
OLD TIMER

Sunday, December 29, 2019

Happy New Year! Elise 'Easy' Kelsey of Kelsey Farm in Backcountry Greenwich







Did you ring out the old and ring in the new? 

I hope you did because this is the January 1, 2020 Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show on Radio 1490 WGCH and WGCH.Com anywhere.

Happy New Year! May your new year be filled with all the good things that make life worthwhile. 

A Greenwich, Connecticut tradition since 1949, Kelsey Farm is one of the town's oldest equestrian farms in the backcountry. I grew up just down the road. With us on this first day of Year 2020 is Elise "Easy" Kelsey who is carrying on the farm into the 21st century. 

The Kelsey Farm tradition continues! You'll hear a little about how the people of Greenwich enjoyed New Years Day 1903 at Ten Acres -a Mead farm that is now the campus of Greenwich High School. You'll also hear a humorous letter from 1894 about a epidemic of 'Snow Fever in Mianus' among the men there. 

See below for the text of both newspaper clippings:




*NEW YEARS AT TEN ACRES (1903) A Crowd of Skaters Enjoy the Day at This Popular Pond (CLICK HERE).





*SNOW FEVER IN MIANUS (1894) (CLICK HERE).




Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons airs on Radio 1490 WGCH Greenwich, Connecticut USA, WGCH.com anywhere via live audio streaming and 105.5 FM Stamford. It is the first show ever focused on the stories of Greenwich history as well as that of area communities. Tune-in every-other Wednesday morning after the top-of-the-hour 9:00 a.m. news.  Contact the host at the email address GreenwichATownForAllSeasons@gmail.com.



Sunday, December 8, 2019

Pastor Leo Curry, First Church of Round Hill: December 18, 2019





The final guest of Year 2019 on the Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show on Radio 1490 WGCH in Greenwich, Connecticut and WGCH.com anywhere via streaming over the Internet is Pastor Leo Curry. 

The First Church of Round Hill -located at the intersection of Round Hill Road and John Street -is the quintessential New England edifice. It stands proudly as it has for nearly two hundred years in this location. The church is a Christian community in the Methodist tradition that is rich in heritage, open and caring and bound together by faith. 


You'll hear about this Philadelphia native's early life, upbringing and early career. As Robert Marchant of the Greenwich Time noted in its 3rd of November, 2019 edition, "The Rev. Leo Curry went into the family business-becoming a minister and educator." Pastor Curry will share background about his leadership positions in the New York Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, and some history of his new church in Round Hill. 

We'll also learn about his philosophy and role of the church in both families and the larger community -and, yes, we'll discuss Christmas! 




On our most recent broadcast two weeks ago we featured a Greenwich History Question! We'll announce the winner. We'll part with some Christmas thoughts, too, such as this:


Xmas Rush is on at the Post Office: Horses Wanted for Mail Delivery

Greenwich Press. December 20, 1917. Page 1.
Postmaster Meany has issued a call on public spirited citizens for the use of their horses for the purpose of facilitating mail deliveries during the Christmas rush which face delay owing to the congestion in traffic because of the snowstorm. Because of the heavy fall of snow automobiles are practically useless especially in the outlying districts. Mr. Meany has thus far experienced considerable difficulty in obtaining horses, and owing to the scarcity, he is anxious to receive offers from horse owners to tide over the situation.

The Christmas rush is on in full tilt and indications point to a much greater business than during the 1916 holiday season. Tuesday, the clerks and carriers started on double shifts, working from 5:54 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

If weather conditions are favorable Postmaster Meany plans to obtain automobile machines for the delivery of the big influx of Christmas gifts as was done last year. At that time under favorable weather conditions every Christmas package was delivered on time.

The incoming and outgoing packages began to pile in large numbers Monday and quantities increased everyday. Yesterday all of the available space was occupied by the hundreds of Yuletide packages. All of the substitutes have been drafted into service in an effort to take care of the large volume of business.

Hundreds of packages for the soldiers have been sent abroad and to home camps. One recent consignment from Christ Episcopal Church to the "boys of France" consisted of about seventy packages.

Postmaster Meany is elated over the splendid showing of the Greenwich office this year. It is expected that the 1917 volume of business will exceed last year's receipts by between $6,000 and $7,000. The approximate business for the last year was approximately $50,000.


The First Christmas
Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, December 22, 1894
On Juda's hills long centuries past
In the dim and silent night
The Shepherds watching o'er their folds
Beheld a glorious light.

A light as the sun by day,
Shone through the midnight still,
Illuming wth silvery sheen
Each dark Judean hill.

A star from out the eastern sky,
In flood of radiance broke;
While "Peace, Good Will to all the Earth"
A Heavenly music spoke.

What mystery holds that Orient star?
What means the angel song?
Why shine those hills and deep ravines?
Why float those notes along?

"The promised one of Israel.
Savior of every land;
The Christ Child lies in Bethlehem,"
Proclaim the angel band.

Thus in that far Judean land,
Broke the first Christmas morn
Where in the centuries long gone by,
"The Prince of Peace" was born.

EMILY STUART WEED.
Greenwich, December, '94




The Merry Christmas Time
Greenwich Graphic. Saturday, December 28, 1901. 
It probably is fortunate for the post office and express company's clerks that Christmas comes but once a year, for to them this is the hardest part of their season's work.

The Christmas mail in Greenwich was unusually heavy this season and extra deliveries were made about town on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, there being two on Christmas day. The new mail schedule, which was put into operations a few months ago helped to relieve any accumulation of packages in the post office, and there were six of these mails in which bundles could be sent away, where last year there were only two. 

The rural delivery carries also had their fair share of packages, which delayed them somewhat in making their journey through the country.

The Adams Express Company's clerks were kept busy from the early morning till late in the evening delivering and receiving the many Christmas tokens.

Their workers were loaded to the top with bundles, and it seamed as though the horses had about all they could pull through the streets. 

The trains, too, were delayed in many cases over an hour and Christmas eve the crowd in Grand Central Station was the largest ever seen there.

It was indeed a Merry Christmas and enjoyed by all throughout the land. 





Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons airs on Radio 1490 WGCH Greenwich, Connecticut USA and WGCH.com anywhere via live audio streaming. It is the first show ever focused on the stories of Greenwich history as well as that of area communities. Tune-in every-other Wednesday morning after the top-of-the-hour 9:00 a.m. news.  



1937: Belle Haven Resident Witnesses Battle of Shanghai

Cathay Hotel/Sasoon House, now the Peace Hotel, Shanghai

My listeners may be reminded that I host and produce both the Greenwich, A Town for All Seasons Show and Asia Today with Jeffrey Bingham Mead on Radio 1490 WGCH in Greenwich, Connecticut and WGCH.com anywhere via the Internet. 

In the course of conducting show research at Greenwich Library I stumbled upon the article below. Dated December 2, 1937, Mrs. Arthur Bull Sullivan of 76 Bush Avenue in the Belle Haven section of Greenwich was in Shanghai during the invasion by Imperial Japanese Forces. 



Describes Horror of War in China:
Mrs. Arthur Bull Sullivan Recounts Experiences in Shanghai
Source: Greenwich Press. Greenwich, Connecticut. December 2, 1937, Pages 1 and 40. 
Note: Original spellings of place names from the text of the article have been retained. 

A month after the bombing of the Cathay Hotel in Shanghai, a jagged hole still remained in the street outside, a grim reminder of the indescribable horror of the war in China. Mrs. Arthur Bull Sullivan of 76 Bush Ave., Belle Haven, who returned from a trip to Shanghai on Thanksgiving Day, recounted tales such as this and others about her experiences in the Far East.

Mrs. Sullivan left for China in the middle of August, to visit her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. A. U. Fox. Shortly before she left, the report came from China that a shell, later found to be a dud, landed in the apartment where Mr. and Mrs. Fox lived. The shell tore through the window frame and went right through a newspaper Mrs. Fox was reading at the time. Her husband quickly picked up the shell and threw it out into the courtyard down below. 

Mrs. Sullivan arrived in Shanghai ten days before the birth of a grandson, on Sept. 28. She remained until Oct. 17, spending most of the time in the French Settlement, where the Foxes have an apartment. Mr. Fox is a member of a New York brokerage firm, with offices in Shanghai. Mrs. Fox went to China two years ago to marry him there. She is the former Isabelle Sullivan, well-known in Greenwich. 

Japanese newspapers proved infuriating to Mrs. Sullivan during her eight days in Japan. The publications there seemed to feel that Japan was saving the Chinese from the Bolsheviks, Mrs. Sullivan said. She told of the tremendous preparations before the war started and the readiness of the Japanese. On the other hand, she described China as unprepared. There were only 100 airplanes left out of 400 when she started home.

Many things happened while Mrs. Sullivan was in Shanghai, and were there or was far from over. She stayed up until 3 o'clock the night before she sailed, watching the Japanese planes flying overhead, the red glare from the Chinese anti-aircraft guns, and the lacy fingers of the searchlights attempting to pick up the flying craft overhead.

And telling of the Hotel Cathay bombing, Mrs. Sullivan advised the Press reporter to imagine Macy's in New York, jammed full of people, struck by a bomb. People were blown to pieces in a way quite indescribable, she said. She also recalled that most of the bombing had been done by the Chinese themselves, whose marksmanship she thought exceedingly poor. 

"The Japanese were ruthless in their destruction," she said, pointing out that the centers of education as the Rockefeller Foundation and other colleges and institutions were ruthlessly destroyed. 

An amazing commentary upon the Chinese was brought back, one of the first instances of its kind reported. Mrs. Sullivan said that machine guns, their muzzles trained upon British troops, were discovered in a hut destroyed by fire. Cross-examination of some Chinese soldiers brought the laconic reply that the guns were there in case the British evinced pro-Japanese leanings. 

Mrs. Sullivan said that most of the Chinese were "apathetic" about the war. She expressed the opinion that some of the Chinese just do not care, the idea being that there are so many Chinese to kill that the war will last a long time. She recalled the time Chapei was bombed while she watched from the Foxes apartment in the French Settlement. She called to the Chinese "boy" to come see the destruction. The “boy" only grinned, Mrs. Sullivan noted. 

The pilot who guides boat into the Wangpoo River comes aboard 70 miles out because of the treacherous waters, Mrs. Sullivan said. She described her trip from Japan, the 36-hour wait before the Japanese would allow the boat to proceed into the harbor. It took the boat three hours to go 15 miles, she said, ascribing the long trip to the treacherous waters and the hulls of ships sunk purposely by the Chinese. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fox are still in Shanghai. The family here received a cable from them Thanksgiving Day. Mrs. Fox remained with her husband, who stuck to his job under the most trying circumstances. Mrs. Sullivan said that Mr. Fox bought his wife a ticket to leave the country with other “evacuees,” but she chose to remain by his side. Incidentally, persons leaving China could only take two suitcases with them, Mrs. Sullivan said.

Besides being a ruthless peoples, according to Mrs. Sullivan, the Japanese used a clever ruse in routing a detachment of Chinese that goes back to the days of Troy and the wooden horse. She told of one incident where the Chinese prisoners had to dig their own graves before being disposed of. The wooden horse stepped into a modern role when she told the story of captured water buffalo and they used to which the Japanese put to them. It seems that the invaders hid behind the beasts and crept up close enough to the defenders of a small fort to take them unawares.

The Japanese put on a good show for Mrs. Sullivan the day she sailed up the Wangpoo River. It was raining at the time, she recalled, and planes were swooping down over the boat. Suddenly Japanese convoys loaded with troops appeared, to impress the foreigner with the greatness that was Japan.

Life in the International Settlement has its curfew, Mrs. Sullivan declared. People have to be indoors long before midnight. Buildings are piled high with sandbags, and troops of all nationalities are in evidence. She thought it “outrageous” the way America had “fallen down on the job,” with little evidence of American interest in the settlement, she declared.

On the return voyage, Mrs. Sullivan completed her trip around the world. She sailed from Vancouver on the first leg of the trip and took an Italian steamer from Shanghai to Naples. There she changed to the Vulcania, landing in New York last week. The phrase, "glad to be home," took on a new life when Mrs. Sullivan said it. 

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Rick Hansen, Local History and Genealogy Librarian, Greenwich Library Joins Us






On the Wednesday, 4th of December 2019 broadcast of Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons on Radio 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere, Host Jeffrey Bingham Mead welcomed Rick Hansen, local history and genealogy librarian of the Greenwich Library.

Greenwich Library has been a point of pride for generations. The library contains a wealth of historical and genealogical records and resources. You'll hear about its digital collections, oral history transcripts, books, microfiche and microfilm periodicals, photo collections and more. 



When we reach out in caring, when we act with kindness, when we seek peace and never give up on finding it -then we live out the true spirit of Christmas. 

On today's show we announced that once again Acacia Lodge No. 85 Greenwich Free Masons and Neighbor-to-Neighbor are -in Greenwich's tradition of bounteous giving- donating 100 Christmas trees to families in need. While all 100 trees have been spoken for you may call 203.622.9208 and place a request for a tree for next year. 

These special Christmas trees will be distributed starting on the 3rd of December and concluding on the 7th of December 2019. 

It's the time of year to think of those who make all our lives warmer and brighter. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Acacia Lodge No. 85 Greenwich Free Masons and to Neighbor-to-Neighbor. When reflecting on all the ways we've been blessed this year, its our community family like you who keep coming to mind. For it is in giving that we receive. 

As we pause to give thanks for the many blessings of life, we want you to know how grateful we are that you are among this show's supporters and listeners.

May the good things of life be yours not only during this holiday season but also throughout the year. May your gatherings be filled with laughter, friendship, warmth and togetherness. Please remember to reach out to the lonely and forgotten. 
Grace, peace and aloha be yours in abundance.





The Greenwich History Contest is back! The question was delivered near the conclusion of the December 4 broadcast -with the listening audience having up to one week from today to answer. The first listener who contacts Host Jeffrey Bingham Mead with the correct answer at GreenwichATownForAllSeasons@gmail.com or by Facebook Messenger wins a $25 gift certificate made possible by the Greenwich Historical Society for purchases at its cafe and/or gift shop. 

What's the contest question? Here it is: 

The Greenwich News on December 6, 1912 reported the following: "The November number of the Nippon-Jin, which is published monthly by the Nippon-Jin Sha at the I.N. Phelp Stokes farm at Pecksland, G.M. Matsuzawa, editor; Hiroshi Tamaki, assistant editor; Tamizo Watanabe, proprietor and publisher." 

Between 1908 and 1910, Stokes designed and constructed a stone castle on a portion of the 177 acres he purchased in 1900 from W.A. Husted. 

In the 1920s and 1930s it was developed into an exclusive neighborhood with renowned New York Central Park landscape designers Olmsted Brothers and Architect I.N. Phelp Stokes creating an aesthetically pleasing environment. 

Name this exclusive neighborhood. 

*Hint: You'll find the answer in The Great Estates: Greenwich, Connecticut, 1880-1930 published by the Junior League of Greenwich. 



Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons airs on Radio 1490 WGCH Greenwich, Connecticut USA and WGCH.com anywhere via live audio streaming. It is the first show ever focused on the stories of Greenwich history as well as that of area communities. Tune-in every-other Wednesday morning after the top-of-the-hour 9:00 a.m. news.  


Monday, November 18, 2019

Moses Goods of Hawai‘i & 19th Century Greenwich-based Protestant Missionaries







On the Wednesday, November 20 broadcast of the Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show I’m welcoming Hawai‘i-based playwright and actor Moses Goods. He is the founder and artistic director of ‘Inamona Theatre Company.

Goods was recently in the New England states in partnership with Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives to present his one-man play, “My Name is Opukahaia,” receiving rave reviews. 






How does this relate to our history? 

At the turn of the 18th century, Opukahaia on the island of Hawai‘i was orphaned by warriors embroiled in a power struggle. His parents and infant brother were killed -but Opukahaia was spared. 

Later, Opukahaia took to the seas by boarding an American sailing vessel, voyaging around the Pacific Rim. 

He eventually arrived in New  Haven, Connecticut. Opukahaia ended up under the wing and in the home of Timothy Dwight IV -the president of Yale- who taught him theology and secular subjects. 

Opukahaia developed a deep desire to return and proselytize in Hawai‘i, inspiring the creation of the Foreign Mission School, whose purpose was to bring the Christian word to far-flung lands that included the Hawaiian Islands. 

Opukahaia -who became known as Henry Obookiah- died aged 26 of typhus in 1818. His published memoirs were a national bestseller in early 19th century America, inspiring American Protestant missionaries to answer the call to serve in Hawai’i starting in 1820. 

American Protestant Congregationalists from Greenwich, Stamford and Danbury were among those who departed for a lifetime of Christian mission-inspired service in Hawai‘i. Read about them here: (CLICK HERE) 


Most all of them never returned to see their ancestral homes and loved ones here again. Here are more articles:

Charlotte Close Knapp Dole, Missionary to Hawaii (CLICK HERE)

When Yankee Missionaries Went to Hawaii (CLICK HERE)

When Town Missionaries Met the King of Hawaii (CLICK HERE)

Dr. James William Smith, Stamford Missionary to Hawaii (CLICK HERE)

Charlotte Close Knapp Dole, One of Punahou School's First Teachers (CLICK HERE) 

Dr. James William Smith, Physician Missionary in Hawaii: A Connecticut Ancestry (CLICK HERE) 

Rev. Chauncey Wilcox of North Greenwich: His Dismissal and Abolitionism (CLICK HERE) 


Honorary Members of the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Missions (CLICK HERE)




Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons airs on Radio 1490 WGCH Greenwich, Connecticut USA and WGCH.com anywhere via live audio streaming. It is the first show ever focused on the stories of Greenwich history as well as that of area communities. Tune-in every-other Wednesday morning after the top-of-the-hour 9:00 a.m. news.  

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

THE ELECTIONS ARE OVER! GUEST PETER J. TESEI, GREENWICH FIRST SELECTMAN









The elections are over, the results have been mostly tabulated and reported. Congratulations to all the candidates who put themselves out into the public realm, too. 

On the morning after Election Day  -November 6, 2019-  I welcomed Greenwich First Selectman Peter Tesei to the Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons Show. As many of you know, he did not seeking another term as First Selectman. 

You'll hear Peter Tesei's perspective on his twelve years in office, as well as his many years of service to the town. A listener also asked me about the Addington House located on West Putnam Avenue -the town's first post office. 

Remember to tune in to Greenwich, A Town For All Seasons every-other Wednesday after the 9:00 a.m. news on Radio 1490 WGCH and WGCH.com anywhere via live audio streaming over the Internet hosted by Jeffrey Bingham Mead.