Author Richard Russo, raised in Gloversville, talks about his new novel.

On Friday, Amsterdam’s top police detective — Lieutenant Tom DiMezza — announced he will retire from the police force at the end of the month. DiMezza will continue as town of Amsterdam supervisor. Asked about possibly running for Sheriff in the future, he said that was not in his current ...

Next Saturday (Aug. 8) in Focus on History in the Daily Gazette, the main topic will be Amsterdam’s rocket man—Rocco Petrone who was launch director for the Apollo moon missions. Also we’ll have a correction pointed out by many readers regarding an earlier column about Susie Sardonia. I thought Susie ...

A poignant yet humorous publication from February 1945 has surfaced called Service Men’s News, dedicated to the “South Side boys” from Amsterdam n World War II. The Fifth Ward Service Flag Committee put out the News and Angelo Sardonia is listed as managing editor. However, the four-page newsletter is signed ...

In his day, ragman Harry Demsky was better known in Amsterdam than his son Isadore. Isadore, whose nickname was Izzy, changed his name to Kirk Douglas and became one of the 20th century’s best known Hollywood actors and producers. Harry Demsky was a legendary strong man, drinker and brawler. Kirk ...

A tragic event in Amsterdam’s history was the January 9, 1939 fire that killed 25 thoroughbred horses and did $200,000 damage at the Sanford Stud Farm outside the city limits on Route 30. A police dog also died in the blaze. Carpet mill executive Stephen Sanford started the farm, at ...

For many years a fiberglass statue from Amsterdam’s Mohawk Carpet Mills was used to depict the mascot of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Hudson Valley sports teams adopted the Viking as a mascot some time after the college was created in 1953. No one knows why the Viking was ...

Relatives and friends of the late M. Paul Keesler have published the book that the late Mohawk Valley historian and outdoorsman was working on before his death. Keesler died of cancer in July 2005 at age 67. Keesler’s posthumously published book is “Mohawk—Discovering the Valley of the Crystals.” The book ...

With World War II over for only five months, the Mohican Market at 117 East Main Street in Amsterdam proudly advertised in a January 1946 newspaper, “Yes! We have plenty of meat.” Lean tender hamburger cost 28 cents a pound. Bologna was 21 cents a pound. Corned beef went for ...

Amsterdam’s enterprising undertaker, W. Max Reid, is credited with being a prime mover in creation of telephone service in the city. Reid is well known as an historian for his 1901 book, “The Mohawk Valley.” He was president of the Amsterdam Board of Trade from its founding in 1884 until ...