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Window into History
Oct 11, 2007
October 1944: Dateline Lewisboro
Every so often while looking for some tidbit or another in the historical files, my hand touches a scrap of paper from the past that corresponds with the current date.
I always marvel at such a coincidence! While looking for ancient voter registration files for the town clerk recently, a yellowed page from The Katonah Record for Oct. 12, 1944 appeared, totally out of provenance. Sixty-three years is a lifetime for some, and an incredibly long ago for others. Perhaps if I share some of the “hot” news items from that wartime era a few readers may still recognize names, possibly even their own, from that autumn so long ago.
Our town was more rural then, fewer people lived here year-round. Many folks returned to their lower Westchester homes after a summer spent at one of the lakes — Truesdale, Kitchawan, Katonah or Waccabuc. Families who spent the activity-filled summer months at The Colony returned to the grime of the Bronx and Manhattan. Soldiers came home to visit their families throughout the town and those visits were happy occasions, worthy of a mention in the local paper. The Lewisboro Chronicle or The Ledger had yet to make their appearances so the community news was found in The Katonah Record or The Ridgefield Press.
On the war front, things were moving fast toward the war’s end in 1945. The Operation Overlord invasion of the Normandy beachhead on June 6 began the Allies drive through Europe. The sweltering days of August witnessed the liberation of Paris and on Sept. 11, the first Allied troops stood on German soil. On the Pacific Front, Americans were battling the Japanese Navy in the Marianas and the Philippines. By Aug. 10, the capture of Guam was complete and by the fall, the Japanese Navy was crying “Uncle!” (Notes taken from www.worldwar2historyinfo).
Most families in the area had members involved in the war effort; the South Salem Studios worked tirelessly in Enzo Yocca’s Spring Street factory producing ship and plane models for naval reconnaissance purposes. Housewives, retirees and teens provided the workforce there while loved ones served overseas. Red Cross volunteers rolled bandages and knit underwear, hats, socks and sweaters for the soldiers. Some volunteered as plane spotters and air wardens. Children collected scrap metal and paper and coins to buy war bonds that would help in the purchase of airplanes. Lewisboro provided enough cash to purchase at least three planes.
Meanwhile, an active social life went on and now we’ll share snippets of that life with you. The following items are taken from The Katonah Record for Thursday, Oct. 12, 1944.
Goldens Bridge
“Miss Sara Quinn has sold her residence on Main Street to a party from Lincolndale” (Sara Quinn was Lewisboro’s longtime receiver of taxes.)
“The women’s society of the Methodist Church met Monday evening at the home of Mrs. George Comings. The society will hold a Food Sale on Election Day at the Fire House.”
“We are glad to report that Mrs. Gordon B. Fear, who has been quite sick, is able to be around once more.”
“Fred Hayes is enjoying a two-week vacation from work and is working around his place.”
“Mrs. C.M. Eggleston has returned to her home after spending two weeks with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Brown of Crosby Avenue, Brewster.”
“Born in the Northern Westchester Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Meyer Lieberman on Sept. 30, a son.”
“John Joseph Grimmke, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Willy A. Grimmke, was baptized at the Methodist Church Sunday afternoon.”
“The third meeting of the Youth’s Institute was held here Tuesday evening. Over 50 people attended, and Rabbi Bloom of Newburgh was the speaker. The local group served refreshments.”
South Salem
“The polls will be opened at the South Salem Library for registration on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m., and on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m.”
“Herman Smith has returned from his trip west, to direct the dinner given in honor of the third anniversary of the Chinese Republic, on Tuesday at the Congregational Church House.” (Herman Smith owned the Shaker Hollow Inn on Spring Street and was a well-known local theatrical director and New York newspaper columnist.)
“Dauchy Keeler, Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class, just returned from Africa, is home on leave for 15 days, and will report to New York at the end of his leave.”
“The South Salem Nursery School, under the direction of Miss Louise Bouton, has started its third year with a further increase in enrollment. The registration this year includes Joseph Paul and Ronald Lander of Vista, Wayne Phelan and Spence Eastman of Waccabuc, Doris Tips and William Morgan and Annabel Stearns of South Salem.
The community is proud to have such a fine school and grateful to Miss Bouton for providing advantages for our children which are usually found only in much larger communities. The hours continue to be from 9 until 3 to meet the schedule of the school buses. Lunch is served at noon time.” (Miss Bouton’s Nursery School continued for three more decades and the venerable Miss Bouton retired at the age of 96, in June 1977!)
“Miss Tony Barrington, formerly on the faculty of the Union Free School, was a guest of Mrs. Paul J. Black over the weekend.”
Lake Katonah
“Mrs. George L. Young of Mt. Marion, N.Y., is visiting the Walter N. Youngs. Mrs. Walter Young has sold the dramatic rights to her book, Mother Wore Tights, to Ed Gross, producer. Mr. Gross has just left for Hollywood to sign up a playwright and a leading lady for the dramatic version, which will probably not until fall [sic].” (Mother Wore Tights starred Betty Grable and Dan Dailey and won the 1947 Academy Award for Best Musical Score.)
“Lieut. John Nesbit returned from the Philadelphia Naval Yard Saturday to spend the weekend with his family here. Mrs. Nesbit, Peter and Dan occupy the Bailey cottage.”
“Jack Ross, Gerald and Jack Barra, Dot Reda, and Norman and John Winter were guests of Jimmy Gilbert at a house warming party Saturday at their new home on Route 22.”
“Barbara Waldhauser, Delia and Ralph Brown, Betty Duffy, Kenneth Winter and Walter and Joel Rutter attended Howard Birch’s birthday party Wednesday afternoon to help usher in his ninth year.”
So ends the gossip for the week of Oct. 12, 1944. Sorry, Cross River, Vista and Waccabuc. No social gleanings this week. Tune in next time when you hear the newspaper pages turning ...
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