A walk around Dobbs Ferry – A former movie theater

October 20, 2022 by Howard Dale Posted in Buildings/Structures Leave a comment

The Embassy Theatre was opened November 20, 1928. In the 1940’s the Trans-Lux Embassy Theatre was operated as an art cinema. It was later renamed Pickwick Theatre and closed in October 1982.

It’s now the home of Stolen Moments Entertainment.

According to its About page: “Al Scatt founded the company in 1955. More than 50 years later, his sons Paul and Peter uphold the tradition of high-energy performances and musical expertise. From our wide range of emcees and DJs to the integrity of The Stolen Moments Band and Band of Gold, each event is treated with respect and receives personalized service.”

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II

A walk around Dobbs Ferry – Zion Episcopal Church

October 20, 2022 by Howard Dale Posted in Buildings/Structures Leave a comment

“Built in 1833 atop the knob of a hill that overlooks the village of Dobbs Ferry, Zion Episcopal Church was once known as the “Mother of Churches” in the lower Hudson Valley. It was instrumental in the founding of Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown, Grace Episcopal Church in Hastings-on-Hudson and the Church of St. Barnabas in Irvington. Now Governor Andrew Cuomo has recommended it among 18 historic properties to join the Register of Historic Places.

It is the oldest surviving Gothic Revival style house of worship in Westchester. Its older (1783) Rectory is believed to be the oldest surviving building in Dobbs Ferry. Its features include buttresses, quatrefoils and Gothic arches. Its exterior is made from the Greystone so familiar along the Hudson River front.

“We are over the moon,” says Lesley Yu Walter, a member of the church’s current vestry after learning of their selection.

Along with its architecture, the church has a history filled with familiar names. Both James and Alexander Hamilton Jr. once sat on its vestry, as did Washington Irving, who was also a vestryman at Christ Church Tarrytown. The Reverend William McVickar, who eventually built St. Barnabas in Irvington, was its Rector and designed the church’s first extension. McVickar and Irving were good friends who often dined together.

The land on which the church was built originally belonged to the Livingston family, whose properties and manses run well up the Hudson Valley. Peter Van Brugh Livingston, who had been a parishioner at the South Presbyterian Church (then on Ashford Avenue), fell out with the Presbyterians over the issue of temperance (he being abstemious) and donated the property to the Episcopalians.

Zion has long since embraced progressive values. It was one of the first Episcopal churches in the country to ordain women.” (Hudson Independent, September 14, 2020. Dobbs Ferry’s Zion Episcopal Church Nominated for State and National Registers of Historic Places)

“The parish hall was probably built in 1875 and may have served as a horse barn. In 1885, the parish hall was faced with stone and dedicated in honor of The Reverend George Reese who had served as rector from 1865 until his death in 1885.

The ground floor of the parish hall has served as the location of the Hillside Thrift Shop for over fifty years.” (Zion Episcopal Church website).

“The rectory was purchased in 1865 as a home for the rector and his family. Owned by a Hudson River ship captain, John Smith, it was built in 1783 and is one of the oldest homes in the Village of Dobbs Ferry.

In 1870, the rectory was enlarged by adding two rooms on each floor and a third story. In 1876, a new stucco exterior was added to the building and the mansard roof was installed.

Currently church offices, a classroom, and a parlor with small kitchen occupy the first floor with living space for the clergy upstairs and for the sextons on the ground floor.” (Zion Episcopal Church website)

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II

A walk around Dobbs Ferry – Garden outside Sushi Mikes

October 20, 2022 by Howard Dale Posted in Food and Drink, Gardens Leave a comment

This garden is outside a popular Japanese restaurant: Sushi Mikes. I’ve heard its very good, but have never eaten there. I think what caught my eye was the eclectic mix of objects in the garden: the car; the empty gumball machine; whatever that thing is with the US flag design that’s behind the car. There were other objects including a grouping of small dog statues, but I couldn’t fit them all in.

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II

A walk around Dobbs Ferry – Along the Croton Aqueduct Trail

October 19, 2022 by Howard Dale Posted in Landscapes Leave a comment

The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail passes through Dobbs Ferry. I’d walked along this trail a lot and had taken lots of pictures, so I didn’t need to take any more. I walked for a little while, took these pictures and then walked back to the village.

Apparently Robert Frost said:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

I say:

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And now I don’t know where the #@*@ I am.”

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II

A walk around Dobbs Ferry – The Fire Department

October 19, 2022 by Howard Dale Posted in Buildings/Structures, Things, Vehicles Leave a comment

Who doesn’t love a bright red fire truck (or as we call them in my native land – UK – “fire engine”.

“As the Village of Dobbs Ferry was expanding during the late 19th century the need for formalized fire protection became more evident On May17,1883 the Board of Trustees led by President (Mayor) Downey held a special meeting of the board in Huber Hall which was located at the comer of Chestnut Street and Main Street to address the issue. A petition was presented by 25 residents of the village asking to be organized into a fire company to be known as the Resolute Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. The petition was promptly granted by the Board of Trustees. President Downey then called for an election of a foreman and assistant foreman. Mr. Joseph Embree was elected foreman and Mr. L. W. Boyle was elected Assistant Foreman. President Downey then turned the meeting over to the membership who elected John R Ackerman chairman, Joseph Gillispie Secretary and John Ebenspacher Treasurer. A committee was formed to work with the Village Board to purchase a fire truck and to develop company by-laws.

The first organizational meeting of the company was held a week later May 24, 1883. It was decided at this organizational meeting the company would hold a monthly meeting of the membership on the second Monday of the month. This meeting schedule has remained in effect for 125 years. During its first year of existence Resolute responded to two fire calls.

The first piece of apparatus purchased for the company was a hand drawn, hook and ladder wagon and was housed in the company’s first firehouse located on Cedar Street at the location of the present-day Allstate Insurance Office that used to be the old Streb Realty building.

In February 1891, the company sent a letter to the Mayor stating they were dissatisfied with their present quarters and needed a more suitable location. Space was made available in the Village Hall located at 63 Main Street in the building presently housing the Niji Sushi restaurant, next door to the Rembar building. Resolute occupied the ground floor and shared the space with the Villages newest fire company the Livingston Hose Company which was formed in August 1888.

By the time Resolute relocated to 63 Main Street horses were being used to pull the apparatus. The horses were kept in the John Best Livery Stable located at 32 Main Street. The horses were alerted to a fire by banging a metal hoop with a hammer in front of the firehouse. Mr. Best would let the horses loose and they would charge up the street to the firehouse. The company voted to give a reward of five dollars to the first man to get to the firehouse and have the team of horses hooked up ready to respond.

In February 1898, the company began a quest for a new apparatus. Looking for a more modern piece of equipment the company requested the Village appropriate $2,500.00 for a new piece of apparatus. In an April referendum the proposal was voted down by the residents of the Village. In 1909 the company finally did take ownership of a new modern apparatus. The company received their first motorized apparatus when a gas-powered Mack tractor was purchased to replace the horses. The tractor was hooked to the company’s original trailer. While happy with this new equipment the company never forgot that their original request for a new apparatus was voted down by the residents of the Village several years earlier.

In June of 1917, the company took ownership of a new modernized tractor drawn tiller apparatus with a 100-foot aerial. This was the start of an 85-year tradition of tractor drawn tiller fire apparatus utilized by the company. This tractor drawn apparatus served the company during many large fires in the Village including two devastating fires on Main Street in 1918 and 1948.

In 1927 Resolute moved for the final time to their present firehouse in the Village Hall at 112 Main Street. The company shares the firehouse with the Livingston Hose Company. Mr. F.Q. Brown donated the land valued at $30,000 to the Village. Upon completion of the firehouse members of the company voiced displeasure with the design of the apparatus floor which had no dividing wall between Resolute and the Livingston Hose Company.

In 1948 after 31 years of service the first tractor drawn tiller apparatus was replaced with a new tractor drawn American LaFrance tiller with a 100-foot aerial ladder. The apparatus cost the Village $35,000. The trailer portion of this apparatus would serve Resolute for 44 years. The tractor was replaced in 1971 with a new enclosed cab and the open cabinetry on the trailer was replaced with new closed cabinets. This overhaul cost the Village $50,000.

The tiller drawn aerial went through one final overhaul in 1983 in time for the 100th anniversary of the company and the Westchester County Volunteer Firemen’s Convention that was hosted by the department in September of 1983. The overhaul involved a new red and white paint scheme and a new 100-foot aerial ladder.

In 1990 Resolute formed a truck committee to develop specifications for a new apparatus. The recommendation of the committee was to purchase a Mack Tower Ladder with a 95 boom and bucket and end Resolute’s 85-year tradition of tractor drawn tiller fire apparatus that required two drivers. Tower Ladder 23 was placed into service in February 1992 and has served the company for the last 20 years responding to some of the biggest fires in the Villages history as well as to numerous neighboring communities on mutual aid. At the December 1997 Rosalind Gardens fire, members of Resolute were credited with utilizing the Tower Ladder to rescue a woman trapped by fire on the fifth-floor fire escape.

Over the last 125 years Resolute has served the Village in many fashions outside their traditional firefighting role. In 1886 due to the lack of a formal police department the company formed Vigilance Committee to patrol the Village at night. During World War II the company assisted Air Raid Wardens and responded to alerts. They have assisted in building playgrounds and have supported numerous civic organizations throughout the Village. They have played an integral part in the social and political fabric of the village by being resolute in their desire to help the residents of the village at a moment’s notice 24-hours a day seven days a week.” (Dobbs Ferry Fire Department Site).

Taken with a Fuji X-E3 and Fuji XC 16-50mm f3.5-5.6 OSS II