Take a peek into the past . . . and do some browsing too
It was just like the good old days on Saturday, July 7, when — just as a century ago — the Delaware and Ulster brought a whole trainful of visitors to the hamlet of Roxbury — all eager for shopping, good eats, a fine time and visiting! "Railride into Yesteryear" brought the past to life, and old-fashioned Roxbury commerce, too. On Bridge Street, strollers could hop aboard a horse drawn coach, enjoy savory sausage and rare organic brews at the Public (with quite a "side" show by its infamous founder, one Dolly Eagen Fuller), and even more traditional treats by Fane's Deli and Tastebuds. There were lecture demonstrations on the culture and issues of 19thc America, and an exhibit of 19th Roxbury life in the newly opened Masonic Hall. Click here to take a peek into the past . . .
Roxbury's "Railride into Yesteryear" visitors were rewarded with the best of both centuries: when they turned onto Main Street, there was the annual Sidewalk Festival with dozen of vendors, ice cream by the Rotary, Brooks BBQ at the Methodist Church and burgers and dogs by the RFD: all great sustenance to enjoy the vintage base ball game between the Roxbury Nine and visiting Elizabeth Athletics from New Jersey. If you missed the fun on Saturday, you still haven't missed the the last "Railride" into the past: be sure to be on hand on Saturday September 1, when Railride into Yesteryear will collide with the vintage base ball event of the year: The Harry M. Keator Vintage Base Ball Tournament, when 10 of the Northeast's fiercest teams will converge on Kirkside Park to slug it out for the coveted Keator Cup.
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| On a clear day, you can see all the way to Old Clump on your way to Roxbury. Railride visitors could not have asked for a more perfect Catskills summer day . . . |
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| Henry Hermann and Connie Mohar supplied the 19th century "mood" music as soon as folks stepped off the train and into the past. |
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| Carriage stands throughout town gave pedestrians a chance to catch a ride. |
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| Weaver Tabitha Gilmore Barnes demonstrated to visitors how a sweater was made "back in the day" from sheep to spinning wheel to yarn . . . |
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| Tastebuds had fresh produce, pies, preserves and the ever popular . . . pickles! |
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| Railride offers only natural ingredients: and old fashioned marketing, too! |
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| Is this the infamous financier Jay Gould strolling the
streets of his native Roxbury once again? Is he trying to sell these folks short? |
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| Writers in the Mountains had fresh roasted peanuts for
sale: wonderful snack to munch during those close innings! |
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| Tisch Family Trio at the Sidewalk Festival |
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| Roxbury Cub Scout Nicholas Plante was very proud of the birdhouses he helped to hand craft to help benefit his troop. How many'd you sell, Nick? The Roxbury Cub Scouts raises money not for fancy trips or perks but to help make scouting accessible to all boys, regardless of means. |
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| Rev. Richard Dykstra is also a key member of the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department. Here he ministers to the hungry. |
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| Massage therapist Danielle Hinkley knows where it hurts . . . and how to fix it too! |