Sunday, March 26, 2023
Subscriber Login
My Profile
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

LETTER to the EDITOR: Memories of a Charlie Sanders

Spotlight News by Spotlight News
July 8, 2020
in Opinion, Your Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read

We moved to Brockley Drive in Delmar in 1948. This is across Delaware Avenue from the present high school. At the time it was a new 10-house development, the last street on public water supply. Further west, behind Meyers’ funeral home, was a 90-acre sheep field — with sheep in it.

Meyers occupies what was the farm house associated with the sheep field. The large, aged barn still stood by the farmhouse. Stable inside in the gloom was “Black Beauty,” an aged black Shetland pony. My next door neighbor, Ruthie, about 12 years old, took care of the daily needs of the pony for the city dwelling owner. She was also allowed to hitch the pony to the buggy and take us younger kids for a ride.

The poor old creature usually drew us across the meadows where the high school and bus garage stand today. But sometimes we drove on the streets and went in other directions. To the Slingerlands Elementary School for example. This was a long round-about drive because Brockley Drive was not yet cut through the woods to Orchard Avenue. But we did do it, and that might mean a trip to Charlie Sander’s store at The Tool Gate.  The picture above shows a gas pump. I do not recall ever seeing a car gas up there. However, it was certainly a place to visit if you wanted candy, soda or smokes.

Charlie lived in the fancy, big Victorian seen in the background of the image. Years later, this was town down. I have always felt willfully, by a new owner with no appreciation for the past. Given the many Victorian homes now proudly occupied by Slingerlands residents, I feel this philistine was guilty of a crime against humanity, by such willful destruction.

Once Charlie allowed Ruthie to hitch up his own pony to his own buggy, as we kids joy-rode to the Slingerlands elementary School playing fields and had a fun time. It was a nice thing for Charlie to do and I remember him fondly for doing so. Given today’s emphasis on legal liability, I guess I grew up in a kinder, gentler era.

Across New Scotland Road from Charlie’s was the Toll Gate itself. This building shared the Post Office, today Trustco Bank and of court Art Zautner’s restaurant. Which incidentally has not changed its décor one bit since 1950. Perhaps that restaurant should be restored as an historic site.

Pre-teen kids of my era seldom had enough money for an ice cream cone in their pockets. But there was one thing we could usually buy. I well remember one hot summer day when we parked out bieks near the door and went into the blessed air conditioned shade, clubbing together our pennies to buy — “daiquiris.”

These were not the rum and fruit drinks you are thinking of. For one thing, we were 12 years old, under-aged. No, they were a green, cold, wet, sweet relief from summer’s sunny assault. Best of all, a small cocktail glass cost just 3 cents.

As I said, I guess I grew up in a kinder gentler era.

— R. E. Mulligan,

Slingerlands

Tags: Letter to the editor
ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

Five Questions: Bob Marini

Next Post

Crossgates Mall set to open Friday

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

Recent News

Colonie Area Weekly Police BlotterMarch 15th – March 22nd

March 26, 2023

Bethlehem Area Weekly Police Blotter March 15th – March 22nd

March 25, 2023
The Rail Trail bridge over Route 85 March 2023. Photo by Scott Anson.

Route 85 to close Monday for bridge replacement

March 25, 2023
Spotlight News lists calls from Delmar, Elsmere, North Bethlehem, Slingerlands and Selkirk fire companies. These department are comprised of local volunteers. Please consider serving your neighbors as a volunteer firefighter. This data is compiled from the Town of Bethlehem Communications Center.

Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Log March 10 – March 16

March 25, 2023

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

Colonie Area Weekly Police Blotter March 8th – March 15th

March 19, 2023

Colonie Area Weekly Police BlotterMarch 15th – March 22nd

March 26, 2023
The Rail Trail bridge over Route 85 March 2023. Photo by Scott Anson.

Route 85 to close Monday for bridge replacement

March 25, 2023

Bethlehem Area Weekly Police Blotter March 8th – March 15th

March 18, 2023

Colonie Area Weekly Police BlotterMarch 15th – March 22nd

March 26, 2023

Bethlehem Area Weekly Police Blotter March 15th – March 22nd

March 25, 2023
The Rail Trail bridge over Route 85 March 2023. Photo by Scott Anson.

Route 85 to close Monday for bridge replacement

March 25, 2023
Spotlight News lists calls from Delmar, Elsmere, North Bethlehem, Slingerlands and Selkirk fire companies. These department are comprised of local volunteers. Please consider serving your neighbors as a volunteer firefighter. This data is compiled from the Town of Bethlehem Communications Center.

Bethlehem Volunteer Fire Log March 10 – March 16

March 25, 2023
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Legal Notices Portal

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Election 2022
  • News
    • Crime and Police
    • Fire Departments
    • Milestones
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Fitness
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login
    • Service Directory
    • Hire Power – Employer Spotlight
  • Capital District Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
  • Log In
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949