New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

New York City

Last Three Segments of NYS Birding Trail Complete

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Downy Brook Nature Preserve courtesy DECNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the grand opening of the final three regions of the New York State Birding Trail, highlighting the state’s world-class and wide-ranging birding opportunities.

The Adirondacks-North Country, Catskills, and Southern Tier segments bring the total number of birding trail locations across the state to more than 300, providing a variety of quality birding experiences for New Yorkers and visitors to enjoy. [Read more…] about Last Three Segments of NYS Birding Trail Complete

Rough And Tumble: A Short History of Eye Gouging

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Retired NYPD officer Thomas Webster, dubbed the 'eye gouger,' attacks a DC police officer in a still from January 6th videoLast week Thomas Webster, a 20-year veteran of the NYPD, was sentenced to the stiffest sentence so far – 10 years – for his actions while attacking the U.S. Capitol on January 6th in an effort to keep Donald Trump in power. In the effort to identify the insurrectionists, Webster was given the name “eye-gouger” for his attempt to gouge the eyes of a Washington D.C. police officer.

It’s a long American tradition. Eye gouging, not insurrection. [Read more…] about Rough And Tumble: A Short History of Eye Gouging

Comic Book Artist Jack Binder & Fort William Henry History

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figures created by Jack BinderWhat might Lake George have looked like 265 years ago, on the eve of the French attack on Fort William Henry?

That’s the focus of the display in the entryway to the Fort museum and historical attraction. It includes three figures – an American provincial, a British regular and a ranger, all created by the late Jack Binder for the reconstructed fort, which opened to the public in 1955. [Read more…] about Comic Book Artist Jack Binder & Fort William Henry History

Poachers Using Nets Face Charges in Suffolk, Sullivan Counties

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Over-the-limit menhaden, short fluke, and undersized crab haulsAccording to a press release issued by DEC, on August 17th, NYS Environmental Conservation Officers Dickson and Pabes responded to the Captree Fishing Pier at Captree State Park in Suffolk County on Long Island after receiving reports of anglers using nets to catch undersized crabs and other species. [Read more…] about Poachers Using Nets Face Charges in Suffolk, Sullivan Counties

Preservation Long Island Receives Collections Care Grant

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preservation long islandPreservation Long Island (PLI) has announced they are the recipients of an Inspire! Grant for Small Museums from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Collecting since its founding in 1948, Preservation Long Island’s diverse and comprehensive collections comprise approximately 3,000 objects and 185 cubic feet of archival materials. [Read more…] about Preservation Long Island Receives Collections Care Grant

Swiss Americans, Neuchâtel and the Slave Trade

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The Ida ZieglerThe earliest Swiss immigrants to North America were religious refugees. This group consisted predominantly of German speaking Anabaptists who began settling in eastern Pennsylvania from the mid-seventeenth century onward following a schism among the Brethren in 1693 which led to a division between Mennonites (named after Menno Simons of Friesland) and Amish (named after their leader Jakob Ammann who was born in the canton of Bern). [Read more…] about Swiss Americans, Neuchâtel and the Slave Trade

Man Faces Charges For Killing Protected Osprey

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deceased osprey courtesy DECAccording to a press release issued by DEC, on August 3rd, Environmental Conservation Officer CO Small responded to a call from Suffolk County Police about a resident in Port Jefferson who had heard gunshots just prior to seeing a large bird fall out of a tree. [Read more…] about Man Faces Charges For Killing Protected Osprey

Peter Quinn’s Cross Bronx: A Writing Life

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cross bronxCross Bronx: A Writing Life (Fordham University Press, 2022) is Peter Quinn’s forthcoming one-of-a-kind account of his adventures as an ad man, archivist, teacher, Wall Street messenger, court officer, political speechwriter, corporate scribe, and award-winning novelist.

Quinn is a New Yorker through and through. His evolution from a childhood in The Bronx, to his exploits in the halls of Albany, to his decision to walk away from it all — is evocative, enlightening, and most of all, entertaining. [Read more…] about Peter Quinn’s Cross Bronx: A Writing Life