The First Black U.S. Navy Officers (Aired on January 3, 2021)

RadioRotary interviews author and journalist Dan Goldberg about his book The Golden 13: How Black Men Won the Right to Wear Navy Gold.  Mr. Goldberg, an award-winning writer for Politico, spent eight years researching the story of the first Black officers in the U.S. Navy, working to restore these men to their rightful place in history. World War II was nearing its end in January 1944. The Navy until then had assigned all Black sailors to the Mess Corps, but it was past time for a change. Sixteen Black sailors were chosen to take secret and intense training to become officers. Although all sixteen passed their finals, the U.S. Navy knew that of ordinary officers-in-training, only 75% passed, so they whittled the final list down to thirteen. All thirteen served with distinction in the last days of World War II.  Listen to their story as told by the author of this readable and important book.

Learn more:
The Golden 13 by Dan Goldberg: https://smile.amazon.com/Golden-Thirteen-Black-Right-Wear/dp/080702158X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Golden+13&qid=1610137918&s=books&sr=1-1
Dan Goldberg: https://smile.amazon.com/Dan-Goldberg/e/B084B27MD3?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000
Golden Thirteen: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Thirteen
African-American Experience in the U.S. Navy: https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/diversity/african-americans.html

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January 9, 2021 · Posted in History  

Cider Mill Annual Cider Tasting (Aired on September 27, 2020)

The show is a “triple play,” as co—hosts Sarah O’Connell-Claitor and Jonah Triebwasser are joined by three representatives of the history-preservation teams of Dutchess County: Lisa Weiss from the Cider Mill Friends of Open Space and Historic Preservation; Bill Ponte of the Sports Museum of Dutchess County; and Amy McKenzie of the Fishkill Historical Society and Van Wyck Homestead Museum. These volunteers and the many volunteers who work with them are dedicated to keeping the significant history of Dutchess County alive, from Colonial Days right up to the present. The event that brings them together is the 8th annual Cider Tasting at Kimlin Cider Mill, a historic building from the 19th century that was rescued from destruction by volunteers in 2008 after a  seven-year-long effort. Similarly, the Van Wyck Homestead, which dates from 1732, has been preserved since 1962 by the Fishkill Historical Society. The Sports Museum has since 1977 maintained a Hall of Fame for the many sports figures who played or lived in Dutchess County. The Cider Tasting features ciders from local farms as well as other treats.

Learn more:
Cider Mill Friends of Open Space and Historic Preservation: https://cidermillfriends.org/
Sports Museum of Dutchess County: https://www.dutchess.org/museums/sports_museum_of_dutchess_county
Carnwath Farms Historic Site and Park: https://carnwathfarms.webs.com/
Fishkill Historical Society and Van Wyck Homestead Museum: http://www.fishkillhistoricalsociety.org/

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October 4, 2020 · Posted in Dutchess County, Events, History, Museums  

Firehouses Celebrate 100th Anniversary (Aired on August 3 and 4, 2019)

For 100 years, the villages of Red Hook and Tivoli, New York, have been served
by their respective volunteer fire departments, so they are jointly celebrating the
anniversary in 2019. RadioRotary gets the whole story of the history and of the
celebration from guests Stephen Fell, Chief of the Red Hook Fire Company, and
Marc Hildenbrand, Chief of the Tivoli Fire Department. In the 19 th century, fire
companies were mostly privately owned, often specializing in a particular aspect
of fire fighting, such as a hook-and-ladder company or a hose company. Near the
beginning of the 20 th century, the villages moved to consolidate everything into
two volunteer fire companies—both villages are part of the Town of Red Hook.
In this program, you will learn about the training and equipment a fire fighter
needs; the other services of a fire company, including EMT-staffed ambulances;
duties of the fire police; and much more. You will also learn about the recent
disaster when the Tivoli Fire Station burned and how the community is coming
together to rebuild and re-equip it.

Learn more:
Red Hook Fire Company: http://www.redhookfire.org/
Tivoli Fired Department on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tivoli-Fire-Department-275848023267/
Dutchess County Volunteer Fireman’s Association: http://www.dutchesscountyvolunteerfiremensassociation.com/
How to Become a Volunteer Firefighter: https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/fire-helmet-fronts/articles/1063900-how-to-get-involved-with-a-volunteer-fire-department/

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August 15, 2019 · Posted in Events, History, Volunteers  

Mount Beacon Crashes Recalled (Aired on March 9 and 10, 2019)

Photohistorian and local history activist David Rocco visits RadioRotary to tell
about the project to mount a plaque in Veterans Park, Beacon, NY, to
commemorate two airplane crashes on Mount Beacon. Mount Beacon, named
for its role in the use of a fire atop the mountain during the American Revolution
that would notify Washington’s army of British advances toward West Point, is
the highest peak of the Hudson Highlands. In 1935 two Navy reservists lost their
lives when their biplane crashed high on the mountain; then, ten years later, a
twin-engine Navy plane carrying 6 Navy aviators, including legendary Captain
Dixie Kiefer, also crashed on the mountain, killing all aboard. Mr. Rocco has
been spearheading a group that is mounting a commemorative plaque. Mr.
Rocco has been involved in a number of local projects, including developing the
Walkway on the Hudson, a local dog park, and restoring the Mount Beacon fire
tower. Recently Mr. Rocco has taken 10,000 photographs documenting the
replacement of the Tappan Zee Bridge with the new Mario Cuomo Bridge,
including six showing the dramatic explosions used to bring down the last span of
the Tappan Zee structure.

Learn more:
Mount Beacon Eight Remembered: https://medium.com/thegroundhog/mount-beacon-eight-remembered-5ae37428ed35
Beacon Historical Society: http://beaconhistorical.org/
David Rocco Tappan Zee Bridge Exhibit: https://www.theexaminernews.com/dramatic-tz-bridge-construction-photos-on-
display-at-white-plains-library/
David Rocco on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavidAllanRocco
The Indestructible Man: https://smile.amazon.com/Indestructible-Man-Story-World-Captain/dp/1548322598/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Indestrctible+Man&qid=1552405409&s=books&sr=1-1-spell

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March 17, 2019 · Posted in History, Hudson Valley  

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