Village Of Hastings-On-Hudson: Mayor's Message: Keeping Occupied During Hurricane Henri – The Yesteryear Podcasts

Press release from the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson:

August 21, 2021

Dear everyone,

"While you are waiting for Hurricane Henri to pass through our area, tune in to our Yesteryear podcasts, produced by Library volunteers using material from the Historical Society's archives. The prodcasts describe life in a charming small village on the banks of the Hudson River (Hastings-on-Hudson). These podcasts are available for free and are the perfect distraction, especially as we wait for the hurricane…

Latest Episode: Kitty’s Story

The fourth episode, called "Kitty's Story," features excerpts from an interview with Kitty Rapoli Brown, a Hastings resident born in 1907 of Hungarian immigrants. Beth McDonald Wyman reads Brown's account and Village historian Sue Smith provides context on our Village's immigration history. To listen to this episode, click on this link: Yesteryear: Stories from Home - Kitty's Story | RSS Podcasting

If you haven't listened to them already, here are descriptions and links for the other three Yesteryear episodes:

Episode 1: The Magic of Christmas Past

In this episode, Hastings neighbor and prolific audiobook narrator Edoardo Ballerini reads an account by long-time Village resident Steve Zebrock. The piece appeared in the local paper in 1970 and captures the spirit of the holiday season in Hastings a full half-century earlier. Former mayor and trustee Lee Kinnally provides contextual commentary. To listen to this episode, click on this link: Yesteryear: Stories from Home - Magic of Christmas Past | RSS Podcasting

Episode 2: The Ziegfelds' Girl

This episode features the jaunty wit of Patty Ziegfeld, who recalls her extraordinary and exotic 1920s childhood at Burkeley Crest in Hastings. She was the only child of Florenz Ziegfeld, impresario of the world-renowned Ziegfeld Follies, and his wife Billie Burke, best known for her role as Glinda, the Good Witch, from The Wizard of Oz. Edie Magnus reads Patty's account, with Hastings Historical Society president Natalie Barry providing context. To listen to this episode, click on this link: Yesteryear: Stories from Home - The Ziegfelds' Girl | RSS Podcasting

Episode 3: A Dissertation on Golf

In this episode, former Hastings resident Erich Kothe reflects upon the summer of 1934, when he was nine and willing to get a little scrappy in the name of a dollar. After their travails selling baitfish to local crabbers, he and his friends come upon another money-making scheme at Saint Andrew's Golf Club. Ed Herbstman reads and Saint Andrew's Club historian Bruce Clark offers context. To listen to this episode, click on this link: Yesteryear: Stories from Home - A Dissertation on Golf | RSS Podcasting
Also, do check out the Historical Society Blog, which is filled with interesting and quirky information about our lovely Village (see HERE), and when the hurricane is over pop by to visit these delightful institutions.

Hastings Public Library

The Hastings Public Library reopened fully to the public in June. Patrons may spend as much time as they wish, browsing, sitting, reading or gazing at the magnificent Palisades and river views. Masks are required while in the Library. The following services are available:

• Use of the three study rooms for 2-hour sessions, 3 times per week by reservation at the Circulation Desk
• Public computers are accessible with a library card barcode for 1 hour, once-a-day
• The Library has renewed its subscriptions to newspapers and magazines
• Museum passes have also been renewed and can be reserved at the Circulation Desk
• WiFi is available in the Library, as well as on the deck and surrounding the Library upstairs and downstairs
• There are Summer Reading Programs for adults and children with prizes

At present, all programs are taking place outside in Fulton Park next to the Library; the downstairs meeting rooms are not available. For more information about the Library and their programs please visit the beautiful new website at: hastingslibrary.org.

Hastings Historical Society

The Historical Society has resumed its regular open hours (Mondays and Thursdays from 11 am to 2 pm). It is also open by appointment. Masks are required for all unvaccinated visitors and for children under the age of 12. For questions or research requests, you can email the Society at hhscottage@gmail.com".

I hope you enjoyed the podcasts as much as I did.

Sincerely,

Nicola Armacost

Mayor
mayor@hastingsgov.org

Click here for a link to past Mayor’s Messages

This press release was produced by the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson. The views expressed here are the author’s own.