Plans for Quackenbush building in Herkimer show signs of life

By Dave Warner

Scott Flansburg’s plans for the Quackenbush property and the origins of basketball took a step forward this June by clearing approximately 30,000 square feet of the four-parcel area in Herkimer.

The location was first built in 1873 and extended in 1890. Flansburg acquired the property and created the Herkimer 9 Foundation to revitalize the area back to how it was in 1891 and restore the buildings surrounding the historic four corners. They’re also focused on proving that basketball was invented in Herkimer, with the first game being played on February 7, 1891.

According to the book ‘I Grew Up with Basketball’ the second game was on February 21, 1891, between a combined Herkimer 9 team and the Little Falls 9.

“The County was going to tear the building down, and I just didn’t feel like that was the smartest move with the historic nature of that building,” stated Flansburg.

The building was recently listed on the National Historic Registry to protect the Quackenbush legacy. “He had all these inventions, including the nutcracker, but built all the machines that built all those inventions in this factory.” have a picture of the first team, and his kid is in that picture, so that’s why the Quackenbush factory is where we had to start. We have that same team in ‘92 and ‘93 with the same kids growing up, and you can see it.”

Some of the smaller addon buildings will probably have to come down, but plans are for the main building to become a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) learning center. “We’re starving in this area for programs like that. What better building to put it in than where a guy had 50 patents?”

Frank J. Basloe,

written by

‘The Herkimer 9’ was the name of the first basketball team from the Herkimer YMCA. Lambert Will was the first coach/player and was recognized in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his contribution of early innovations to the game.

That first game was between the Herkimer YMCA 9 and the Businessmen 9, and

The factory also was used during the World War to create bullet cores, shell casings, and other screw machine products used in the war effort. Quackenbush, in his early life, worked at Remington Arms and ended up making the .22 caliber rimfire rifle, various air rifles, and pistols, ammunition for airguns, including lead air rifle shot (known as BBs), and felted slugs. “All these things first came out of the Quackenbush factory.”

Flansburg is convinced and has evidence to prove that basketball started at the same location. “We

Flansburg said they had to do something to show the community that the project was moving forward, so they decided to complete Phase I to show they were serious about making a difference.

“That 30,000 square feet of concrete, metal scrap buildings, and everything people see from Main Street towards these beautiful buildings in the background. We’re going to make that a beautiful green space in the middle of Main Street and celebrate and honor the factory that had so much impact in the community,” he said.

After this, plans are to begin remediation, which should take about six months. “It will cost almost a half million dollars, but we’ll clean up all the contaminants in that building that have been Please See LIFE Page 8

City of Little Falls

July 4, 2023

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

July 10, 2023

Police and Fire Board Meeting - Bills 8:30 am and Regular Session

9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 12, 2023

Urban Renewal Agency Meeting - 8:15 am in the Mayor’s conference room at City Hall.

July 13, 2023

Tourism Committee Meeting 8:30 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 13, 2023

Harbor Commission Meeting 9:00 am in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 18, 2023

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting - 6:30 pm in the Mayor’s Conference room in City Hall.

July 19, 2023

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

Little Falls Elks

July 7, 2023

Live Music at LF Elks Lodge 7-10pm, featuring Charlie Sherman. Free admission. Age 21 & over only.

July 11, 2023

Lodge meeting 7pm. All members are encouraged to attend.

July 27, 2023

$1,000 monthly raffle drawing at 9pm at LF Lodge. Only 200 tickets sold, @$10 each. Age 21 & over only.

Dolgeville

July 1, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 6, 2023

Dolgeville Forward Monthly Meeting - 6:30 PM - George Ward Library.

July 8, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 15, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’

Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 19, 2023

Public open house for NY Forward award 4-8 pm, Southern Girl Diner 83 North Main St.

July 20, 2023

Dolgeville Forward Blueberry Fest Meeting - 6:30 PM - George Ward Library.

July 22, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park.

July 29, 2023

Dolgeville Farmers’ Market - 9 AM - 1 PM, Plowe Park

The Dolgeville Violet Festival will be selling ice cream as a fundraiser every Thursday night in July during the Community Band Nights at Dolgeville Plowe Park.

Salisbury

Salisbury Historical Society Open every Sunday 1pm-3pm

July Truck and ATV Sand Drags - 2 Day Event at: The Salisbury Ridgerunners Where Old Friends Meet

July 29, 2023 - Trucks race on Saturday

ATVs race on Sunday July 30, 2023.

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

WELLNESS From Page 2 outside in Rotary Park or on the rooftop of the Rock City building.

Life Interrupted

Her resume is very impressive, and the story could end here, but there is much more to tell you.

As Marchell was driving on a Sunday morning in January of 2021, a pickup truck crossed into her lane and hit her head on.

In her words, “I clenched and moved back in my seat. When I opened my eyes, all of the airbags went off. It turned my car completely around, and I ended up facing in the opposite direction. I knew part of the car was not there. I thought I wanted to get out, but I couldn’t get out. I was broken.

Those first seconds, I didn’t know...but the pain rushed right in.”

“God bless those two Little Falls Firemen. They were perfect that day. They asked me the right questions, and they listened. I was directing them to hold this, hold that as they moved me. They were compassionate and gentle. “God was with me that morning, and I know that,” she stated.

“I was moved to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and was in a lot of pain. I actually remembered to use my yoga breathing to relax because if you can relax, the pain would be less. Part of everything we do, the way we take care of ourselves, our nutrition, yoga, whatever it is, affects our recovery time when things happen. In a short time, I was sent to Upstate Medical in Syracuse and was in an ICU unit.”

“My right knee had hit the console, and it splintered my femur and my tibia. They did two surgeries on the leg, one of which was 10 hours. Part of my tibia bone was powdered, so they had to rebuild that bone. My right leg has metal bars that will be with me forever. There are bars, wiring, and screws,” Marchell said.

“The radius and ulna on my left wrist came into my palm, and both broke off, so my hand was pretty much broken off underneath the skin.” They did two different surgeries on the arm resulting in two plates on the bones. They did a phenomenal job of putting my arm back together.”

“I was in the hospital for five weeks, and no one was able to come because of Covid. When I was there, one of the therapists actually had me do chair yoga, sitting in the wheelchair. She said, ‘Teach me what I can do with other people.’ That got me thinking that I can do this.”

“I went home in a wheelchair. It took a couple of months before I was able to start using a walker. PT at Kress was very helpful. I started to crochet and wash dishes to get my hand working. Then I went to knitting, which was also good therapy.”

“The leg took a long time to recover. After a while, I was using the walker and had to make a decision whether I would re-open my studio. My family and friends encouraged me to go back.

Coming Back

The first time I came back, I walked in with a

Please See WELLNESS Page 6

WELLNESS From Page 5

walker and said, ‘Either they will come, or they won’t come.’ I had a chair in the corner. They started coming back, and I taught. That encouraged me to work harder at therapy. I went from the walker to a cane and was able to stand and teach.”

“And here we are. I teach eight classes a week and am trying to get back to teaching at the college as well. I am still looking forward to being able to do more. I will do this as long as I can until people stop coming, and then I will be all by myself doing it on my own. I have learned to be a better teacher of yoga. I have learned to have more compassion for people that have injuries. I love what I do, I love people.”

Inspiration

Marchell is an inspiration for anyone who wants to be fit or may be overcoming any kind of physical challenge.

If you would like to learn more about Yoga and Wellness, you can find her at https://www.facebook. com/yogawellnessforall, or you can reach her at marchellray@hotmail. com (315) 868-1907.

Senior Meals For July

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.

Jul 03 - Ham and cheese pasta salad, cottage cheese, three-bean salad, watermelon.

Jul 04 - Happy Fourth of July!

Jul 05 - Chicken and biscuits, mashed potatoes, broccoli, pudding.

Jul 06 - Macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes and zucchini, green beans, fresh fruit.

Jul 07 - Lasagna, tossed salad, Italian blend vegetables, garlic roll, sugar cookie.

Jul 10 - BBQ chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, peanut butter cookie.

Jul 11 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, spinach, pudding parfait.

Jul 12 - Turkey dinner with gravy, stuffing, corn, peaches.

Jul 13 - Ham with plum sauce, scalloped potatoes, green beans, pie.

Jul 14 - Seafood salad cold plate, potato salad, carrot raisin salad, frosted birthday cake.

Jul 17 - Salisbury steak with gravy, rice pilaf, squash, berries in a cloud.

Jul 18 - Baked chicken with mushroom gravy, stuffing, country blend vegetables, pineapple.

Jul 19 - Tuna salad cold plate, macaroni salad, marinated beets, sherbet.

Jul 20 - Frittata, sausage patty, hash browns, muffin, fruit cup.

Jul 21 - Yankee pot roast, boiled potatoes, carrots, chocolate chip cookie.

Jul 24 - Chicken broccoli alfredo over pasta, cupcake with topping.

Jul 25 - Roast beef cold plate, coleslaw, three-bean salad, pears.

Jul 26 - Ziti with meatballs, tossed salad, garlic bread, apple crisp.

Jul 27 - Hamburger, cucumber red onion salad, potato salad, ice cream.

Jul 28 - Pulled pork, au gratin potatoes, broccoli, cantaloupe.

Jul 31 - Turkey cold plate, pasta salad, corn salad, 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.

there for decades. Then we can begin renovating those buildings to make them viable for tenants,” Flansburg stated.

He says it will take them through July to complete the green space area, and they hope to begin the remediation phase on the building in September. They have talked about what the green space should be - everything from grass and benches, but they’re just going to seed it for now. “We really want to protect that space at first to grow in the grass and give it a chance to fill in.”

In the future, they’re looking at everything from a basketball court to a stage for concerts and community events. “We’ve also discussed putting the biggest basketball in the world in that spot. That’s where it happened,” he stated.

He said, “Herkimer has

LIFE From Page 3 Please See LIFE Page 9 been credited with the first backboard, rim, and net. Lambert Will was using a bushel basket that kept shredding during the games. So, they took it to the local blacksmith to have him reinforce the top of the basket with a metal band.”

They realized they didn’t need the basket once they brought it back, but his mother made a net for it. “She’s the Betsy Ross of basketball,” Flansburg said. “That’s why we want to honor the story on the block that it happened.”

The group also wants to turn the courthouse into a hall of fame or museum displaying all the evidence they’ve put together to prove basketball was invented in Herkimer. “We want to put it on public display so people can go through it at their leisure.”

Flansburg says they also

MARKET From Page 1

You can find activities for your little ones, such as pedal tractor rides and a coloring station. The kid’s activities change each week, but there is always something for everyone at the Dolgeville Farmer’s Market.

While each week brings new seasonal produce and items, a core group of vendors makes up this charming Farmer’s Market in the middle of town. The products are varied and fresh, so you are sure to fill your shopping bags with plenty of great market finds.

Keep up with what’s new at the market each week by emailing Coleen at winterfarmersmarketdolgeville@ gmail.com to be added to the weekly newsletter. You can also follow Dolgeville Forward on Facebook for Saturday morning updates on the market: https:// www.facebook.com/people/Dolgeville-ForwardInc/100064641254401/

The following booth descriptions come from the Farmer’s Market Newsletter to give you an idea of the variety of goods the market provides. New vendors are welcome and join each week, and the market continues to grow!

K & A CORRAL - ground Beef, chicken, eggs, homemade lemon bars, strawberry, cherry, and strawberry rhubarb pies, and of course, Aunt Peg’s Shortbread.

STOLZFUS FAMILY FARM - chemical-free vegetables, including onions, asparagus, garlic scapes, peas, chard, and potted vegetable plants.

HISTORIC HOFFMAN FARM - infused herb and infused Carolina Reaper salts, new jam and jelly flavors include strawberry rhubarb, cranberry pear, olde fashioned plum, apricot habanero, and basil banana pepper.

J&R BAKERY - located just two miles outside of Dolgeville, makes white and wheat bread homemade from scratch. Also, whoopee pies, oatmeal raisin, chocolate, and pumpkin. Plus, several types of cookies.

JONES FAMILY FARM

- hand crafted artisan cheese including white cheddar, cream cheese, feta, and soft flavored goat cheese.

Artists in Residence

Richard and Leah have classic handcrafted grapevine baskets, wreaths, and unique found form art creations, including a giant size praying mantis ready to be hung on a tree or wall.

Summer Event

Dolgeville Forward will host a “Blueberries, Blues and BBQ” event on Saturday, August 5th, 2023, at Plowe Park from 9 am-4 pm.

The Farmer’s Market will be on as usual from 9 am - 1 pm with a Chicken BBQ and Blueberry Ice Cream Social in the afternoon.

There will also be music, and local businesses and restaurants will have specials for the day. A themed basket raffle will also be held and will serve as a fundraiser to benefit Dolgeville Forward and its efforts to elevate the quality of life in the village.

Dolgeville Forward is looking for local vendors and artisans to participate in this event.

“We’re looking to spotlight local artisans, goods, and services,” says Chris Reynolds of Dolgeville Forward.

“We are not charging anything for a booth. We are here to promote the village.” If you would like to have a booth at this event, please contact Dolgeville Forward at Please See MARKET Page 8 dolgevilleforward@ gmail.com.

Dolgevillle Forward

Their mission states:

Farmers Market Coupons

“Dolgeville Forward, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization of volunteers committed to improving life for the residents of the Village of Dolgeville and its surrounding areas.” With eight subcommittees, all the projects and events are funded through donations, fundraising, and grants.

Membership is open to the public, and everyone is welcome to join. With a community pavilion project in the works as well as other helpful resources for residents such as the Fun and Fitness Area, The C.A.T. Project, and Village Beautification initiatives, volunteers and members are always needed.