In the fall of 2002 the Stockade Association Web Site began showing a series of topical photo collages of related scenes from around the Stockade area of Schenectady. We offer the following archive of these collages for your enjoyment.
1. Focus on the People of the Stockade: 2002
2. Focus on Riverside Park 2002
This year we finally got the pump house
painted, and then some. In typical Schenectady manner, the area in front of
the pump house was totally landscaped and the old fences replace by wonderful cast
aluminum fence that has the appearance of wrought iron. New street lights
and an repaved parking area brought light to and finished off the area. Even
the old Cannon was moved and given a new base.
3. Focus on One Beautiful Day (Kerst Kermis) 2002
This year the Board of Directors began
the first Kerst Kermis which is Dutch for a Seasonal Craft Fair held at the Van
Dyck and combined with a wonderful Brunch, prizes, 27 artists or vendors and lots
of fun for all. Later the the day we had a wonderful Christmas tree lighting
ceremony accompanied by a visit from Mrs. Claus and two elves arriving in a Llama
drawn carriage. The tree this year was donated by Jim and Susanna Sherwood
in memory of their daughter. The day was topped off by the usual dish to pass
gathering at St. Georges Hall.
4. Focus on Dual Storms of 2002-2003
These two storms were the 8th and 9th
largest snow storms and the largest combined weekly accumulation to date.
The Christmas storm dropped 30 inches of snow on the Stockade in 6 hours, and the
January 2, storm added 24 more inches. Cars were abandoned where they died
or got stuck all over the city. The City of Schenectady was caught unprepared
for this large of snow fall and it took five days for a snowplow to reach some streets
in the Stockade. By that time, the snow was packed into 8 inches of ice with
deep and disastrous slushy ruts on these streets, that required heavy earthmoving
graders to move. As of this writing 1/16/03 snow removal efforts continue
around the clock. Total year to date snowfall after the January 2, storm exceeded
the annual total accumulated snowfall average in our area and there are two to three
months of winter to go.
5. Focus on flamingoes 2003
In recent years, on February 14th a flock
of flamingoes fearlessly flap their way north to the Stockade were they spend the
day, socialize with statues, and plaster their plasticized pinkness primping to
brighten up our dreary winters before dramatically disappearing by the next morning.
No one knows where they came from or disappear to. It's a mystery of the stockade
-- brought to you by....
6. Focus on Ice out on the Mohawk 2003
Another annual tradition in the Stockade
is the break up of river pack ice on the Mohawk River. Often this event is
accompanied by flooding and other damage water front damage caused by chunks of
ice as large as cars, the ice break up in 2003 was relatively tame. County
engineers had used demolition balls and back hoes from the Freeman's Bridge to loosen
the 30 plus inches of river ice - weakened by two weeks of above freezing weather.
Suddenly the ice clogged river, swollen by flooding pressures above lock 7
- let go and the whole ice clog rushed downstream with a noise some Stockader's
described as "like the sound of a freight train or rolling thunder."
7. Focus on Spring in the Stockade 2003
Spring in the Stockade finally came in
April, bringing with it a refreshing burst of color. From North Street to Lawrence,
to the Reformed Church to the gardens on Washington Ave. spring is always a welcome
time in Schenectady's Stockade Historic area. Squirrels scurry, hyacinths pop, tulips
and daffodils burst forth with color and everyone begins once again to see what
exciting creations they can make from their gardens.
8.
A Half-Century of tradition - Arthur's Market
In August of 2003, Pete
Polachek retired bringing to an end over a half century of service to the Stockade
providing the essentials of food, beverage, and neighborhood interaction. We
will miss Pete, Arthur, Maggie and Pauli and wish them all well for a long and justly
deserved retirement. We look forward to the day when the market will again
open under new managers
9.
Stockade-athon
Every November, heat,
sleet or snow, several hundred runners participate in the annual Stockade-athon.
Starting in Schenectady's Central park and following a winding route through the
city runners reach the Stockade and return to the point on origin. These shots
are from the November 2002 run.