Mohawk Valley Express Volume 4 Number 4 April 2024

Little Falls WCA Announces “Women of Distinction Award” Recipients

The Little Falls WCA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Women of Distinction Awards, who will be recognized at a breakfast at the Little Falls Elks Lodge on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Please join us as we honor and celebrate these exceptional women who have made significant contributions to the betterment of the Little Falls community. This event is sponsored by Van Meter & Van Meter, LLC.

The honorees have been selected through a nomination process in the following categories:

Business/Industry

Deborah A. Kaufman:

Kaufman was instrumental in securing numerous large grants for the city of Little Falls and the formation of My Little Falls, the Mohawk Valley Express, and the Creative Outpost, Inc. She has the honor of being elected the first female mayor of Little Falls and is currently serving full-time in that leadership position.

Religion

Maryanne Terzi: Terzi is an active member and volunteer of Holy Family Parish. She serves in the capacity as leader and treasurer in the Holy Family Rosarians. Terzi gives her time to the Church without reserve and brings her faith and commitment to all facets of life being involved with

community organizations and events.

Music/Arts

Kara Milianta: Milianta is a high school art teacher and is a leader in the arts community. She has a wealth of knowledge and sees things from a unique perspective. Milianta is a skilled arts educator and has dedicated endless hours advocating for new programs she has developed for students and the Mohawk Center for the Arts.

Health/Wellness

Roza Karabanov, FNPBC: Karabanov is a family nurse practitioner working in Little Falls through Mohawk Valley Health Systems, fulfilling a vital need in the community which is lacking in primary care providers. She has been caring for patients in Little Falls since 2016. Karabanov has provided exceptional care with her incredible knowledge of medicine, as well as the needs of her patients,

and combines that with true compassion and concern.

Education

Tracy Young: Young is a STEAM Specialist and Engineering by Design instructor at Benton Hall Academy. STEAM means the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. Young is a skilled educator and community volunteer at the Mohawk Valley Center

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New Name, New Look for Local Building Material Store

Story by Carol Vogel

Serving the community for over 50 years, George Lumber is a well-known business in the area. Robert F. George, a World War II Navy Veteran, founded George Lumber in 1972.

Continuing his legacy, is a thriving family-owned and operated building material business run by Robert M George (Bob) and his two daughters. In

September 2023, George Lumber of Dolgeville expanded its offerings and updated to a new name, George Lumber Home Center.

Moving Forward

With a newly remodeled showroom, even more exciting changes are on the way for George Lumber Home Center. Coming soon, is a fully remodeled store and

upcoming events you won’t want to miss in early May - for both contractors and customers. “We appreciate the business we’ve received from the area all these years,” said Bob.

Located at 40 McKinley Avenue in Dolgeville, NY, Bob George and his dedicated staff work closely with independent contractors and individual customers alike. Offering

a wide range of services from foundations to finish trim, for George Lumber Home Center, “no job is too big or too small.” Bob added, “We want to continue to provide the highest level of service and bring in the newest products on the market.”

Need a contractor referral? Are you looking for window, door, or garage door installation services? They also provide pole barn and garage packages – all with free estimates! If you are a local contractor, a Contractor Advantage rebate program is available to you.

Upcoming Events

With all the changes in store, George Lumber Home Center will be holding some special events to showcase their new renovations. Bob is excited about the

store updates. With his industry knowledge and experience, he is focused on quality. “We’re bringing new ideas and staying updated with building needs as things change over time. I tell my customers, ‘This is what’s out now; this is what you should use’”.

On May 3rd, George Lumber Home Center will be holding a contractor appreciation day. There will be multiple vendors in attendance, including Representatives from insulation window and door manufacturers, composite decking, lumber mills, and more. The Store will offer special discounts for contractors during this event.

On May 4th, the Home Center will hold a Grand re-opening and customer appreciation day. There Please See GEORGE Page 2

Photo by Dave Warner - L-R - Front row - Caren Woolner, Deborah A. Kaufman, and Maryanne Terzi. L-R - Back row - Tracy Young, Kara Milianta, and Roza Karabanov.

Photo by Dave Warner - An aerial view of George Lumber Home Center in Dolgeville, New York.

Some in Little Falls not happy with public transit service

By Donna Thompson

It’s not easy to manage without a car in a rural community.

However, Little Falls residents who want to travel to Utica or villages between the two cities have a public transit option provided by the Birnie Bus Service.

The schedule on the Birnie Bus website (https://www.birniebus. com) shows pickups for the westbound Little Falls to Utica routes at 5:40 a.m., 7:18 a.m., 7:51 a.m., 10:25 a.m., 11:40 a.m., 2:15 p.m., 4:25 p.m., 6:50 p.m.and 5:10 p.m. at the Best Buy appliance store, 578 East Main St. Little Falls.

The schedule also shows stops in Herkimer, Mohawk, Ilion, and Frankfort en route to Utica. From Utica, passengers can connect with Birnie Bus routes heading to stops in the Utica, Rome and Oneida

area and to Syracuse as part of the service’s FourCounty Line Run.

Eastbound routes from Utica show stops in Little Falls at 5:40 a.m., 7:18 a.m., 7:51 a.m., 10:25 a.m., 11:05 a.m., 1:50 p.m., 3:50 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. Route 2, which is scheduled to pick up passengers at 8:20 and 11:25 a.m. at Utica’s Union Station, come only as far east as Herkimer.

Because services are paid for through the Federal Transit Administration’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program and the New York State Department of Transportation’s Statewide Mass Transportation Operating Assistance, the fares for passengers, which are listed on a chart on the Birnie Bus website, are low. There are discounts for senior citizens, the disabled, and college students with valid

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will be special deals for all including 20# propane tank refill for $9.99, 10% off all pressure treated deck packages, a heating wood pellet special at $319.00 a ton and a window installation package -10 windows installed for $4500.

Home Improvements = Life Improvement

Home Improvements are a great investment in your property and for your lifestyle. Updating your home can increase your property value, improve livability, and provide better functionality. Surveys have shown that after improvements are made to their spaces, homeowners have a greater desire to spend time in their home and enjoy the new features and upgrades they have made. Many feel a sense of accomplishment as well. Updating your home through a trusted partner, like George Lumber Home Center, gives you the satisfaction of a job well done.

Shop Local

Local businesses contribute to the local character and identity of a community. They reflect the culture and history, and when they thrive, the community thrives. Supporting local businesses helps to create job opportunities and stability within the area. Local shops support and contribute to community events, initiatives, and charities, creating stronger connections. Bob commented, “We will continue serving the community like we have been the last 40-plus years and keep the family business going.”

Not only are you supporting a small, family-owned business in George Lumber Home Center, you are also supporting all the independent contractors who do business with them, so your support locally goes a long way!

Don’t worry! Even with some renovations of the store, George Lumber Home Center will be open for business as usual! Their hours of operation are Monday -Friday 8 am-4 pm and Saturdays 8-12 pm. Give Bob, Don, or Erik a call at 315-429-9962 to get your next project started. You can also follow them on Facebook.

If you would like to see your story in the Mohawk Valley Express - email it to news@ mylittlefalls.com

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Photo submitted by George Lumber Home Center.

Photo submitted by George Lumber Home Center, located at 40 McKinley Avenue in Dolgeville, New York.

Return To Sugar Bush, Sugaring Off

Home State Historic Site, 200 NY-169, Little Falls, NY 13365. (315)-823-0398

Saturday, April 20th, 2024, 10 am-3 pm.

Herkimer Home invites you to join us for the return of our historic ‘Sugaring Off’ event in our 40th year! This year’s event will be held on Saturday, April 20th from 10am until 3pm, with a special Pancake Breakfast from That Little Place On Main starting at 10am. Standard site admission of $4 for adults and $3 for students/seniors will be charged, children 12 and under are free.

Join us as we bid farewell to winter and welcome the start of the agricultural season with a colonial tradition of Sugaring Off! Herkimer Home will host the festivities as visitors learn about the traditional sugaring skills around General Nicholas Herkimer’s colonial manor in the scenic Mohawk Valley.

Returning to our annual schedule of events, Sugaring Off at Herkimer Home welcomes visitors of all ages for a day of fun full of historic demonstrations, military/ civilian recreations, vendors, children’s

activities, and more!

The tradition of sugaring and its importance to the Mohawk Valley pre-date European colonization, when local Native American tribes began to process maple sap from the abundant maple groves of New York.

European colonization expanded these traditions as colonists acquired a taste for maple products and saw opportunities for profit. The rising cost of cane sugar in Colonial America further increased the demand for maple sugar as colonists sought to escape Britain’s control of the sugar trade.

On-site, visitors will learn firsthand about the historical process of sugaring with live demonstrations and opportunities to see the creation of the traditional tools used in sugaring. Additional on-site demonstrations include colonial brewing, military drills, 18th-century children’s games, German foodways, colonial woodworking, and self-guided mansion tours.

All guests are welcome to come hungry and join us for ‘Breakfast With The General’ throughout this year’s event. Guests

315-336-4176 josepheasyout@aol.com

for this addition will be served pancakes with maple syrup, eggs, and sausage, and historical interpreters will accompany them to General George Washington’s favorite breakfast! Tickets for our ‘Breakfast With The General’ are $12 and will be catered by That Little Place on Main, located at 28 W Main Street, Little Falls, NY 13365.

Be sure to check in with the Herkimer Home Facebook page for additional announcements in the near future. We hope that you stop by and join us as we commemorate the Sugar Bush Raids of the American Revolution and a local tradition marking the end of winter at Herkimer Homes’s Sugaring Off event.

City of Little Falls

April 2, 2024

Public Hearing on Local Law #1—Land Use Moratorium at 6:00 p.m. in City Hall.

April 2, 2024

Public Hearing – Tentative Budget – 6:45 pm in City Hall.

April 2, 2024

Common Council Meeting - Auditing of the bills: 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting: 7:00 pm in City Hall.

April 6, 2024

Fiber Art Showcase

10 am - 5 pm. Come celebrate textiles and the makers of the valley at Main Street Mercantile, 600 East Main Street.

April 7, 2024

Fiber Art Showcase

10 am - 5 pm. Come celebrate textiles and the makers of the valley at

Main Street Mercantile, 600 East Main Street.

April 8, 2024

Police and Fire Board Meeting - Bills 8:30 am and Regular Session 9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

April 10, 2024

Golf Commission Meeting - Regular Meeting: 8:00 am at the Municipal Golf Course.

April 12, 2024

Powder Puff & Pinewood Derbies - 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm, Little Falls Youth and Family Center, 15 Jackson St. Under the Sea Theme - admission to the derbies is to bring a non-perishable item per person to be donated to the Little Falls Food Pantry.

April 13, 2024

Andy Weinstein presents first solo show at MVCA.

Panel discussion on travel to Ireland

Join us at The H.A.R.P.

Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley on Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for a panel discussion on travel to Ireland.

Have you been dreaming about visiting the Emerald Isle? What would it be like to visit Ireland and see all the beautiful ancient lands, experience the charm of the music, dance, language and the people who will greet you with the world’s warmest welcome?

Opening Reception - 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Andy was the Best in Show Winner of the 2022 Regional Juried Photography Show. As a senior at Colgate University, Andy has expressed life in art. While he decides what his career will be, what he does know is that art will be a large part of it. 401-403 Canal Street, Little Falls, NY 13365.

April 20, 2024

Little Falls Rotary Cleanup - Canal Clean Sweep. Please save the date Sat, April 20th, for our annual clean up. If you are a community group that helps, please register your own group so you can get T-shirts in the right sizes and amounts. Even though it is not until April signing up now helps you get the shirts. Little Falls Marina - 9 am - 12 pm.

Dolgeville

April 21, 2024

The Dolgeville Manheim Public Library - Friends of the Library - Sunday Salon. Radio Theater “Dole: The First Years” with audience participation. Chapter One from “The Chapters of Alfred Dolge” by Sally Madison will be performed by a variety of attendees. Come in and participate in reading the score of this historical rendering of Alfred Dolge’s life, at 24 North Main Street at 2:00 pm.

Salisbury

The Salisbury Historical Society’s summer display this year will be of our local military veterans, past and present. We are looking for input about those who’ve served in the military, or are serving now. If anyone has any information on a family member or your own service, we would love to

hear from you. We hope to collect photos, dates of service, experiences, military artifacts or memorabilia that we can put on display for the summer. You can contact Bob or Mary at 315-4298694, leave a reply under this post on our Facebook page or send an email to salisburynyhs@gmail. com.

Palatine Bridge

April 19, 2024

Trinity Lutheran Church, Stone Arabia, Rt 10N, Palatine Bridge, will hold a Rummage and Bake Sale on Friday, April 19 from 11-4 pm (rummage only) and on Saturday, April 20 from 9-1 pm (rummage and bake). Adirondack, garden, household items, jewelry, fabric, clothes and much more will be available at bargain prices along with homemade baked goods.

Presentation on Irish container gardening

This presentation will include a panel discussion and question and answer format. You will gain insight into the optimal months to visit, the best places to visit, choices of lodging, how to get around and so much more . Finding the best pubs will also be a program highlight.

Join us for this fun and informal session and please bring a friend along. That friend may end up being your travel partner as you are sure to be planning your trip in no time!

You will have the chance to come learn how wonderful and affordable travel to Ireland is. A panel of easoned Ireland travelers are eager to share their knowledge and experiences with you.

Join us at The H.A.R.P. Museum at the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. for a presentation on Irish container gardening.

In a world of limited time and space, container gardens make more and more sense. Containers allow you to enjoy growing plants in places that might be thought to be impossible. Poor soil or no places to put plants in the ground is no longer an excuse for not being able to enjoy the simple pleasure of gardening. Let’s double that pleasure and transport to Ireland as we explore and build a lush garden container much like those seen at homes, pub window boxes, or other scapes of Ireland. Local arborist and landscaper, Mike Mahanna, will present the basics of container gardening and educate on the flowers of Ireland , many of which are used here as well.

admission!

$15 admission includes wine and 1 raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets will be available for purchase.

During the presentation, we will enjoy a glass of wine or soft drink as we settle in and listen and observe the creation of a beautiful container garden. The final masterpiece will be raffled off at the end of the session to one lucky participant. Your raffle ticket is included in your

You can attend this presentation at the H.A.R.P. Museum located on the second floor of the Irish Cultural Center of the Mohawk Valley, 623 Columbia St, Utica. All are welcome to attend this program and the museum is wheelchair accessible. Please register at this link, https://bit.ly/3Tk0jGN or visit our events calendar at https://www.iccmv.org/ my-calendar/ or leave a message at 315-7334228 ext.6.

Little Falls Public Library Calendar

identification.

According to some Little Falls residents, the problem is that the buses don’t always arrive on schedule, leaving some potential passengers out in the cold—sometimes literally—for much longer than the 10 minutes they are asked to be at the stop prior to their scheduled pickup.

Ann Anderson has seen some of this firsthand.

“I’ve seen people standing out at Best Buy waiting for the bus for hours in the freezing cold,” she said. “It was one of those times it was 70 degrees one day and 18 the next.”

She thought there should at least be a shelter at the stop.

Anderson said that one time, her grandson was among a group of passengers taking the bus to Little Falls when the driver dropped them off by the Empire Diner in Herkimer and turned the bus around to head west.

“That’s not acceptable,” she said, adding that she was able to go pick up her grandson that day and would have offered a ride to others, but they had left by the time she arrived.

She said she has also had problems getting an answer when she has called the company, although sometimes a phone call has been returned late in the day.

A reporter who called the phone number listed with the schedule was able to connect with Birnie employees but was referred to Paul D’Aiuto, area general manager, for comment. Multiple calls placed to the phone number listed on the Birnie Bus website were not answered, and

there was no opportunity to leave a message.

Similarly, several emails sent to the contact email address listed were not responded to.

There are some transportation options for people in certain segments of the population.

Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, for example, offers a transportation/ companionship program for individuals receiving Medicaid and having gaps in services, and the Herkimer County Office for the Aging offers transportation to senior citizens aged 60 or older within Herkimer County. Reservations are required for these services; those requesting them are advised to plan ahead. The Office for the Aging notes a high demand for rides.

However, public transportation may be the only option for those who don’t have their own vehicle and don’t fit into one of these categories.

When asked about Herkimer County’s involvement in public transportation, County Administrator Jim Wallace said the county serves as a “pass-through” for the state and federal funds that support it.

The Herkimer-Oneida Counties Transportation Study, which developed a study examining the transportation needs of the two-county region for the 20-year period ending in 2040, found that at the time the information was compiled, 11% of the households in the region lacked an automobile. The study called for encouraging more use of public transportation.

Birnie Transit, Inc., which provides management and operating services for multiple public transportation systems throughout Central New York, offers a Dolgeville loop between Little Falls and Dolgeville with limited seating for the duration of the Dolgeville school calendar, according to the website and asks those interested to call for information.

Other services offered with a reservation include route deviation up to three-quarters of a mile from a scheduled stop and a wheelchairaccessible bus, which is available with a 24-hour notice.

Anyone with questions about the schedule or pricing is asked to call Birnie Bus Service at 315-797-4933. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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for the Arts and has been recognized by both state and international organizations for her superior teaching credentials and her dedication to students.

Volunteerism

Caren Woolner: Woolner, a recent newcomer to Little Falls, selflessly gives of her time to volunteer for local organizations and works hard to build capacity by attracting and engaging new volunteers. She is organized, thoughtful, full of new ideas, and incredibly passionate about whatever project she’s working on, including the Celebration

of Lights event.

Only advance sale tickets for the breakfast will be available at $20/ per person and can be purchased at the Little Falls Public Library, Van Meter & Van Meter, LLC, at 536 E. Main St., Little Falls, or by calling WCA Board President Barb Smith at 315-7155823. Proceeds from the breakfast support a scholarship for a graduating Little Falls High School female senior.

Donations in support of this event can be made directly to the WCA at 534 Garden Street, Little Falls.

SENIOR MEALS FOR APRIL

To reserve a meal, call the Herkimer County Office for the Aging at least one business day in advance, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 315-867-1204 or 315-867-1634. If you will not be home for meals, call 315867-1204 at least a day in advance. All sites are handicapped accessible.

Apr 01 - Swedish meatballs, egg noodles, Sonoma blend vegetables, fruit cocktail.

Apr 02 - Lasagna, Brussels sprouts, garlic roll, apple brown Betty.

Apr 03 - Goulash, tossed salad, green beans, sugar cookie.

Apr 04 - Breaded pork chop, stuffing, squash, frosted birthday cake.

Apr 05 - Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, peas, vanilla ice cream.

Apr 08 - Eclipse omelet with salsa, oven browned potatoes, sausage, muffin, peaches.

Apr 09 - Baked chicken with gravy mashed potatoes, spiced carrots, peanut butter cookie.

Apr 10 - Macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, green beans, sherbet.

Apr 11 - Cream of vegetable soup, chicken salad sandwich, fruited gelatin with topping.

Apr 12 - Pizza burger, O’Brien potatos, cauliflower, cream pie.

Apr 15 - Sweet sausage with peppers and onions, three-bean salad, strawberry ice cream.

Apr 16 - BBQ chicken, baked beans, creamy colesaw, pudding parfait.

Apr 17 - Hearty beef stew, biscuit, tossed salad, chocolate chip cookie.

Apr 18 - Roast turkey dinner with gravy, sweet potatos, broccoli, pineapple.

Apr 19 - Salisbury steak, seasoned noodles, corn, frosted cupcake.

Apr 22 - Baked fish with lemon sauce, rice, squash, Mandarin oranges.

Apr 23 - Ham and scalloped potatoes, peas and carrots, poke cake with topping.

Apr 24 - Cream of broccoli soup, turkey sandwich, applesauce.

Apr 25 - Pasta and meatballs, garlic roll, tossed salad, pears.

Apr 26 - Pulled pork sandwich, pasta salad, pudding.

Apr 29 - Chicken broccoli alfredo, garlic roll, beets, no bake cookie.

Apr 30 - Yankee pot roast, potatoes, carrots, chocolate ice cream.

All meals are served with 8 ounces of milk, a slice of bread, and margarine. Desserts have no concentrated sweets. The suggested donation is $3. Mail donations to Herkimer County OFA, 109 Mary St., Suite 2501, Herkimer, NY 13350. Envelopes are available from drivers.

The History of the Little Falls Fire Departmentearly Little Falls

By Scott Kinville

The history of the Little Falls (NY) Fire Department spans more than 200 years. This chapter is a look at the earliest days of Little Falls.

From its beginnings until 1899, Little Falls was served by a volunteer fire department. In fact, Little Falls had a fire department before it was an actual village. The fire department was established in 1808, whereas Little Falls wasn’t officially a village until 1811.

During this time, Little Falls comprised five dirt roads, a grist mill, a few taverns, small farms, a handful of dwellings, and the Western Inland Canal. Built in 1795, the Western Inland Canal at Little Falls was one of the first canals built in the United States. Due to the “little falls” in the Mohawk

River, the canal was vital for water travel to Utica and points beyond.

When the Little Falls Fire Department was formed, it was led by Captain Soloman Lockwood. Before 1851, the chief of the department was called “captain.” In those days, the fire department was called the Number One Company (No. 1). They had a goose-neck style hand pumper which was purchased in 1810. This pumper was stored in a shed just west of the present-day Snyder Apartments.

On March 5, 1811, the No. 1 was summoned to a fire at Craines Tavern. Craines Taverns was located on Main Street (then known as Catherine Street) east of the Ann Street intersection. After this fire, the only known roll call of the Number One Company was read.

Although there were only male names on that list, Number One was not an exclusive company. Under the village charter of 1811, both men and women were required to be in the Number One. Men would carry full buckets of water from the water source to the pumper at the fire, while the women carried the empty buckets back to the water source to be filled again. Usually, the water source was the Mohawk River, but there were also cisterns (water tubs), and small water springs.

The United States of the early 1800s was an almost entirely different world from what we know today. Back then, the U.S. was predominately a farming society. The largest cities were New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 1830 only New York City had a population over 200,000 at 202,589.

The few long-distance roads that were in existence at the time were terrible at best, making Please See FIRE Page 7

Andy Weinstein presents first solo show

The Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts is honored to have Andy Weinstein present his first Solo show, Remnant Landscapes, opening on April 13, 2024.

Andy was the Best in Show Winner of the 2022 Regional Juried Photography Show.

As a senior at Colgate University, Andy has expressed life in art. While he decides what his career will be, what he does know is that art will be a large part of it.

In his own words:

In Remnant Landscapes, paint drips, moves, and disappears. Scenes take

shape through erasure as much as they do through the addition of paint. Remnant Landscapes reimagines traditional depictions of landscapes through expression, gestural, and experimental uses of paint, materials, and colors.

You’ll find incredible large paintings that will hold your eye. Smaller paintings that pull you in. “Each piece serves as a bridge, inviting the viewer to journey between the tangible world and the world of memory, sentiment, and imagination.” Andy Weinstein Remnant

Landscapes opens on April 13, 2024, at the Mohawk Valley Center for the Arts. The artist will invite the audience to hear his journey and answer questions starting at 2 p.m.

Opening Reception: April 13, 2023 from 2 PM – 4 PM

Gallery Hours: Thursday – Saturday, Noon – 4 PM

Location: 401-403 Canal Street, Little Falls, NY 13365

Remnant Landscapes runs from April 13 through May 18, 2024.

Little Falls selected to work towards coveted ‘Trail Town’ status

The City of Little Falls, the City of Amsterdam, the Village of Schuylerville, and the Town of Fort Edward join the innovative Empire State Trail-based economic development program.

ALBANY, NY – The Empire State Trail Town program recognizes and supports New York’s exceptional trailside communities that have–through a competitive application process–demonstrated a singular commitment to leveraging the full economic potential of the Empire State Trail. The popular program, now entering its third year, is designed to build capacity and guide communities through the process of identifying ways they can capitalize on their location along the longest singlestate, multi-use trail in the nation–the Empire State Trail. The goals of the ten-month program are twofold: to increase opportunities for residents to access high-quality recreational opportunities and to create trail-friendly destinations where visitors want to stay, explore, and spend.

Throughout the year, PTNY will assist the selected communities by developing a network of local partners committed to the Trail Town initiative. Additional assistance will include public workshops to educate business owners, community leaders, and others about the needs of trail users, trail use research and assessment of current conditions, and promotion of the selected communities as mustvisit destinations along the Empire State Trail. The year will culminate with a final set of recommendations for each community to use as a road map to guide

future Trail Town work.

This year, PTNY has selected two communities along the Erie Canalway Trail already well known for their trail hospitality: the City of Little Falls and the City of Amsterdam. The friendly, scenic city of Little Falls is a vibrant cultural gem that sparkles among the whitewater rapids of the Mohawk River. As it pursues ambitious plans to further enhance the connection between the city’s business districts and the trail, Little Falls is poised to become a must-stop destination along the Canalway Trail.

The City of Amsterdam’s industrial past is the perfect backdrop for trail users to get acquainted with the history, culture, art, and natural beauty of the Mohawk Valley. With bustling trailside businesses on the south side, a gorgeous pedestrian bridge across the Mohawk River, and a burgeoning trail network on the north side, PTNY is excited to work with Amsterdam to further enhance trail connectivity.

For the first time, PTNY and the NYS Canal Corporation have expanded the scope of

the program to include communities along the Champlain Canalway Trail, the north-south leg of the Empire State Trail running north from Albany to the Canadian border. The charming Village of Schuylerville on the Champlain Canal features a vibrant, trailadjacent downtown and a unique Revolutionary War history. The newly opened Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitor’s Center has the potential to be a regional hub for recreational visitors.

The Town of Fort Edward, also along the Champlain Canalway Trail, combines rich history with unique proximity and access. The trail directly serves the downtown business district, and the community features rail access to the Empire State Trail, augmenting its role as the trail gateway to the Lake George area and the southern Adirondacks.

Since the completion of the Empire State Trail in 2020, the Erie and Champlain Canalway Trails have only grown in popularity, attracting visitors from all over the nation and the world. Trail use figures from Please See COVETED Page 8

Looking for short term rehabilitation services? Alpine Rehabilitation and Nursing Center has what you need. Alpine Rehabilitation & Nursing Center specializes in short term rehabilitation. We are a small communityoriented facility located at 755 E. Monroe Street Little Falls, NY 13365.

Our in-house rehabilitation department provides residents with individually customized rehabilitation plans with measurable outcomes and guidance for each step in the transition back home. We provide services for patients suffering from strokes, orthopedic joint replacements, spinal cord injuries, neurological disorders, and rehabilitation for weakness and physical

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travel a difficult and timeconsuming task. The Erie Canal opened in 1825 and opened western lands for settlement and trade while also sparking an economic explosion that rippled throughout the entire United States. Travel time was significantly shorter, and fresh produce and seafood could now reach markets that could not survive the trip before the canal. The canal barges could carry much more freight and passengers than the wheeled wagons of the dirt roads.

Little Falls, with its ideal location straddling the canal, was poised to take advantage of this economic growth.

As Little Falls grew and changed, so too did its fire department. In 1827, Little Falls received a new village charter, and with it, membership in the fire department became restricted. No longer were men and women required to be members. With the Charter of 1827, only men could serve in Number One.

deconditioning. We also provide specialized wound care including Wound Vac therapy. We have several rehab graduates each month, and we are proud to serve the members of our community. In addition to our short-term rehabilitation services, we also offer long-term care and respite services.

For more information or to schedule a tour please contact Samantha Foster, Admissions Coordinator at (315) 823-1001 ext.: 245. Check out our Facebook page for all up to date information, photos/testimonials from our rehab graduates, and facility events.

Another change would be the selection of three fire wardens to oversee the Number One as well as the new fire prevention laws. These wardens were elected in the stone school house which still stands at the corner of School and Church Streets.

One of the fire prevention laws that was to be enforced was a strict chimney cleaning law. Another law was held over from the Charter of 1811 that read each home and business was to have a bucket for extinguishing fires. This law was taken seriously. By 1835, the fine was one dollar per day for as long as the law was violated. One Dollar may not seem like a lot of money today, but back then it was a significant amount of money.

NEXT: As Little Falls continued to grow, its fire department needed to expand as well. In the next installment of the History of the Little Falls Fire Department, find out which new companies and how many were added to the LFFD.

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network of communities along the Empire State Trail that recognize the value of the trail as both an enhancement to quality of life for residents and driver of economic growth.

million in annual economic impact.

The Trail Town program will help communities leverage the trail for sustainable economic development through strategies that entice people off the trail and into these communities.

By being selected to participate in the Empire State Trail Town program, Amsterdam, Little Falls, Schuylerville, and Fort Edward are joining a

“The Empire State Trail, ranked as the number one best rail trail in the country by Outside Magazine, is a massive economic driver for New York’s vibrant canalway communities, drawing visitors from around the country and the world,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Parks & Trails New York. “We look forward to working with the selected communities to help leverage this exceptional trail by developing and implementing strategies like improving trailto-town connectivity,

enhancing the services and amenities that trail users seek, and promoting a culture of stewardship, hospitality, and inclusivity.

“Through the Empire State Trail Town program, the Canal Corporation is thrilled to assist Little Falls, Amsterdam, Schuylerville, and Fort Edward as they work to revitalize their communities and foster connections that will increase visitation and create long-term economic and quality of life benefits for their

residents,” said New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “We look forward to this partnership and all of the new opportunities it will bring to New York’s residents and visitors so they can enjoy the Empire State Trail and our state’s vibrant canal communities for generations to come.”

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to be selected as a participant in achieving ‘Trail Town’ status,” said the City of Little Falls Mayor, Deborah Kaufman. “In Little Falls,

we are so incredibly proud of our city’s scenic beauty and historic heritage. The Erie Canalway Trail is an integral part of our community pride, attracting visitors from all over and richly benefiting our city both economically and socially.”

To learn more about Empire State Trail Towns, visit ptny.org/ESTT.