Region blooms
Eighty-five years ago, Anne Skinner of Albany, poses during the Interclass Derby for freshmen, the climax of the Spring Horse Show sponsored by Skidmore College students at Saratoga Race Course. Skinner won fourth place in the Form Class in 1935.
The Times Union received many photographs of salesgirls of the Capital Region to be passed on to the national contest to choose the most beautiful salesgirl in the country. Three local women were the first selected: Agnes Shields and Anna Horan of Albany, and Edythe Duell of Glens Falls. The prize for the national winner was 12 weeks working in motion pictures and another 12 with Ziegfield’s new “Follies of 1920.” Famed movie star Miriam Cooper was to be the leading lady of the film in which the winner would appear, and the actress would take on the salesgirl as her protege. Next, renowned theater impresario Florenz Ziegfield would give her a part in his “Follies,” which would likely result in an extended appearance on Broadway. The Times Union announced they would be giving out their own prizes for the three prettiest salesgirls of the Capital Region — $50 for first place, $30 for second and $20 for third (Approximately $640, $385 and $256 in today’s dollars).
— Times Union, May 31, 1920
Albany honored its war dead in traditional Memorial Day fashion, with parades, commemmorative services and prayers for peace. The highlight of the observance was the city’s annual parade, which was the biggest in many years both in numbers of marchers and spectators. The outstanding unit of the eight-division parade was unquestionably the Band of the Governor General’s staff, Canadian Reserve Force, Ottawa, which marched in the first division with its host, the 1st Battalion 210th Armored, New York National Guard. The parade halted briefly at Northern Boulevard for the traditional placing of wreaths on monuments to the nation’s war dead. Major General A.C. O’hara, grand marshal, and Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd places wreaths on the Spanish-american war veterans monument in the grassy triangle. Special memorial services were held at the Stratton V.A. Medical Center and the Governor General’s band performed on the hospital lawn.
— Times Union, May 31, 1970
Richard Vitkay’s lilacs are in bloom in Slingerlands.
Dottie Dack offers this view of lilacs in her Albany backyard. “They look sweet but have no scent. Wondering why!”
Al De Salvo and Susan Thompson of Albany provide this “show stopper” view of the crab apple tree in front of their house on Glendale Avenue in Albany. It is part of the city’s cooperative street tree planting program.