Writing, Photography, and the life lessons I learned from Street Academy
Way back in the day, Albany – like most metropolitan cities and towns – had businesses that would offer their own coinage for purchasing that company’s wares. There are several examples of “Civil War” coinage, in which someone could redeem a token to a merchant in exchange for flour or fruit. I came across this…
Read MoreSo I found a very interesting piece of the Times Union’s history. And I have absolutely no idea what it’s supposed to represent. It’s a copper, coin-shaped object about the size of a penny. On the obverse are the words “Buddies Ambition Club,” an inkwell and feathered quill, and the words “Albany Times Union.” The…
Read MoreRemember back in the day when you had a camera full of film and you had to “finish off the roll,” take a few pictures here and there so that you could have the film developed? I did that yesterday. Background. On my way home from Dutchess County a week or two ago, I took…
Read MoreMany years ago, when I was clearing out most of my accumulated collections in the wake of my divorce, I bundled up boxes of Albany-based scorecards and game programs and memorabilia, all for donation to the Albany Institute of History and Art for their records and archives. The other day, I heard from Tammis Groft,…
Read MoreWhen it comes to my family tree, my mother’s side of the family is a mix of various Native American tribes and some rural Southern culture. Members of my father’s side of the family came from Lithuania or Estonia or some Eastern European country, one of millions of families whose first view of the United…
Read MoreIt was time. All my preparation, all my research, it all came down to this moment. Well, fifteen minutes of moments, to be precise. Last night, at the Shaker Ridge Country Club, I was the guest speaker for the Albany High School Class of 1964 50th reunion banquet. I did this gig two years ago…
Read MoreTwo years ago, I was fortunate and honored to participate in the Albany High School Class of 1962 50th anniversary reunion. I was the keynote speaker for the reunion, and everybody at the event had a great time. So much so, in fact, that a few weeks after that event, word got around to other…
Read MoreI’ve been following the news regarding the new construction projects in the Park South neighborhood. Apparently if I read the proposal correctly, two city blocks are going to be plowed over to build new parking garages. One of those areas – the area currently designated as “Phase II” of the construction plans – is currently…
Read MoreI was a Boy Scout once… many, many, many years ago. I only did it for a single year, achieved the rank of Tenderfoot, then left. As much as I respect Scouting, it just wasn’t for me. I do recall the many different camping trips my troop embarked upon. They were fun moments of exploration…
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Last week, I told the story of the little Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic camera whose previous owner served in World War I. After I documented the camera’s individual history, I contacted the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids, and asked if they would be interested in the camera as part of their historic archives.…
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