Bulletin Board: May 2014

RABIES
This past March, an Orangeburg woman was bitten by a rabid coyote while defending her dog from its attack. The police shot the coyote dead and tests on its brain performed by the Rockland County Health Department were positive for rabies. In an unrelated incident, a woman was bitten by a raccoon found in her basement. This animal is still on the loose. Rabies is especially prevalent in raccoons, coyotes, bats, skunks, and foxes. If you see a wild animal acting strangely, do not try to engage it, but let it go away on its own. If you need assistance, you may call the Orangetown Police Department at 845-359-3700 and ask to speak to an Animal Control or Police Officer. If people or pets are in immediate danger, call 911. Free rabies vaccinations are available from the Rockland County Department of Health at the Rockland County Fire Training Center in Pomona.

NICHOLAS GESNER DIARY TRANSCRIPTION NEARLY FINISHED
Alice Gerard has been working on the transcription of the 19th century Gesner Diary since the beginning of 2013 and believes that the work will be completed later this month. Nicholas Gesner, the diarist, built the Kellogg house on Closter Road in 1793 and lived in it with his family for the rest of his life. The diary, with gaps, covers the years 1829 through 1850; Nicholas died in 1858 at the age of 93. It is a fascinating document that gives a detailed picture of life in our community 180 years ago and will be a valuable resource for historians and genealogists

Since the diary is 1,600 pages long, Alice plans to publish it in four volumes. Volume I of the transcription, in paperback, is already in the Palisades Free Library. The final publication will be in four hardcover volumes, to be sold by subscription at publication cost. Alice will contact libraries and historic associations and will also sell copies to individuals. Each volume will cost circa $20; with shipping costs the total will be under $100.

Please let Alice know if you are interested in getting a copy of the diary. Publication will take place this summer. You can contact Alice at 845-359-4338 or at: gerard55@verizon.net

PALISADES ATHLETES EXCEL
On March 14, 2014 in Boston, Jain Lattes, daughter of long time Palisades resident Jane Lattes, won national first place in her age group in the Pentathlon at the USA Track and Field National Masters meet. The pentathlon included competition in hurdles, long jump, high jump, shot put, and a half mile run. Jain’s track career started at Dwight Englewood School and continued at Bowdoin College.

Palisadian Chul Hyun, MD was featured in the March – April 2014 issue of the Rochester Review for his hobby of running marathons all over the world. He had begun running in his mid-forties to stay in shape but when he arrived at age 49, he set himself a personal goal of completing a marathon before his fiftieth birthday. Since then, he has run 56 marathons in places like Barcelona, Rome, and Quebec, as well as the New York City and Boston races. He says about his training, “You get to meet new people and see beautiful scenery. There’s endurance and hardship in running, but it also creates a sense of well-being and accomplishment and it makes me spiritually stronger.” He typically runs five or six marathons a year but his new goal for 2014 is to complete one marathon a month.

FRANCIS BREER PHOTOGRAPHY
This past April at the Piermont Library, Palisadian Francis Breer exhibited photographs, mostly from the period when she lived in Paris with her husband, the artist Robert Breer. The black and white photographs of daily life in the Parisian markets and in other parts of Europe reveal Breer’s great sympathy for the hardships of ordinary folk still recovering from WWII in an expanse of deeply felt tradition and beauty.

NEW COOKIE IN TOWN
Palisades resident Marjorie Galen recently decided to turn her long time cookie baking hobby into a small time business, Over the River Cookies. She joined forces with high school best friend and fellow baker, Peggy Aronowitz, who lives on the other side of the Hudson - hence the company name. Marjorie and Peggy bake homemade cookies with all- natural ingredients, just like grandma used to make. Look out for them at the farmers market or get in touch at: overtherivercookies@gmail.com