The ‘Baby Derby’ held fascination 91 years ago

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn, Vivian Sukenik, Nancy Vialpando and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library

91 years ago: January 1933

“Baby Derby is a Great Sporting Proposition”: Seldom has anything caught the interest of the public and enlisted the enthusiastic support of the merchants of the community as the great Baby Derby. One reason for this is that it combines the thrills of a sweepstakes with the suspense of a drama. The big question is, “Who will be the lucky youngster?”

“Millerton Free Library Ass’n has Meeting”: …The Book Committee, which consists of Mrs. George Culver, chairman: Mrs. G.S. Tabor, Mrs. David Traver, Mrs. Frances Rundall and Mrs. David Sherman has Miss Clara Bercher as a new member for 1933. ‘It was voted to set aside $100 for the purchase of new books, …’

“Missing Safe Discovered Near Copake”: The safe which was stolen from the New York Central Railroad station here two and one-half years ago was discovered between Copake and Ancram by Clarence Cole on Sunday while he was hunting rabbit in the swamplands owned by the Copake Developing Co.

It was on the night following Labor Day in 1930 that thieves entered the station through a window, opened a door, and loaded the safe into an awaiting truck, leaving clues as to their methods behind them.

The safe, which was found locked, contained $127, tickets, stamps, and chewing gum…

25 years ago: January 1999

“Joshua McGhee Heads to Australia”: While most college students are preparing to return to their second semester college classes, Joshua McGhee is planning to continue his education in Australia. Mr. McGhee of Millerton, leaves Jan. 27, with a one-day stopover in Singapore, for Australia, where he will remain until mid-May.

During the three and one-half month term, students [study a wide-ranging array of topics]. In addition to coursework, Mr. McGhee will visit a rainforest, travel to Queensland to dive at the Great Barrier Reef, the New Zealand Tableland region, and the western plains in the outback zone.