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September '75 scrapbook
School spirit, artistic spirit and the Spirit of ’76 were all around Schenectady during the late summer of 1975.
People had put away their beach balls and swimsuits and begun their September songs. Teenagers were back in high school and others began their college careers. People who knew how to paint and draw brought their works to the annual Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show in Schenectady’s Stockade section. And folks with a sense of history began preparing for the nation’s coming 200th birthday party the following summer. And talk show provided some star power with a local visit. Posted on September 10, 2012.
Members of the Rotterdam Bicentennial Commission prepare to raise the flag designating the town as a bicentennial community in September 1975. Showing the colors are, from left, Ruth Walter of the state Bicentennial Commission; Rotterdam commission members Nick Tripoli, Supervisor John F. Kirvin, chairman John Mageean and Patricia Bielawa; and Mike Barrett, assistant director of the state Bicentennial Commission.
Members of the Stillwater Bicentennial Commission are in historic moods in September 1975, after parading with fife and drum to the Hotel Van Dyck in Schenectady. From left are James Farnan, John Anson, Linda Palmieri, Keith Luther and Jim Champlin.
Eileen McGarry smiles behind the fence of St. George’s Church — and behind the oil paintings she has brought to the 24th annual Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show in Schenectady’s Stockade section. The show was held Sept. 7 that year.
Ruth Lynch draws in her sketch pad during the Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show in Schenectady’s Stockade section in September 1975.
Fort Hunter Volunteer firefighters prepare for the Guilderland department’s 25th anniversary celebration in September 1975. Seated from left are Marion Robinson, on the food committee for the department auxiliary; Harry Coton, general chairman of the party; and William C. Adams, parade chairman. Standing are Ray Smith, left, department president, and John Slingerland, program chairman.
Students in the Niskayuna High School chapter of the American Field Service promote their September paper drive in 1975. The girls are Kris Dietz (standing), Marion Delgado (pointing), Sandy Dambergs (kneeling) and Diana Cross.
Newcomers sign up for the drama club at Schenectady County Community College on Sept. 2, 1975 — an orientation day. Standing from left are Susan Yanker, a Mohonasen High School graduate; Mary Rose Lucier of Notre Dame High; Carolyn Hind, a transfer from the University of Wyoming; and John Farina of Linton High. Seated are Robin Paulson, left, and Judy Schoene, both of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High.
Victor Barraza, right, an exchange student from Mexico who spent the 1975-76 school year at Niskayuna High School, shows off a Mexican sweater to members of his new “family” — from left, Frances, Jean and Grant Dobbins. Victor stayed with the Dobbins family on Ruffner Road.
Syndicated TV talk show host Phil Donahue talks with radio and television personality Ellie Pankin and James J. Delmonico, general manager of WRGB television and WGY and WGFM radio in September 1975. Donahue and pals were at the Americana Inn in Colonie for dinner.
Rev. Maurice Drown, pastor of Albany Street United Methodist Church, smiles after making a donation of blood to the Capital Region chapter of the American Red Cross. Also in on the operation are blood drive volunteer Mary Theresa Holland, left, and nurse Barbara Elliott. The drive was held at the church.
