Capital Region Scrapbook: A great run in '71

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jeff Wilkin

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Pumpkins and black cats show up in October.

In 1971, book and movie aficionados, student and civic politicians, party planners, fundraisers and good knights showed up in the October photo portfolio of the Schenectady Gazette.

Suzanne Melanson and her friends at Elmer Avenue School were on the book beat. Kids promoted the school’s book fair, one of several activities held during National Education Week.

Bob Hadley went to the movies at Schenectady’s State Theater. As executive producer of the American Theater League, which presented Broadway road shows in the Schenectady area, Hadley helped restore a cinema presence at the movie house at State Street and Erie Boulevard. “Tom Jones” was up first, on Oct. 8, 1971. Films such as “Topkapi” and “Never on Sunday” were coming soon.

The new school year put new teens in charge of student government at Linton High School. Rob Faulisi, Mark DiCocco, Sue Spencer and Linda Litz were in office during the autumn, winter and spring months. Frank J. Duci was among the candidates hoping to win office in Schenectady County. He and his supporters, some wearing “Duci” straw hats, opened a campaign headquarters at State and Wall streets on Oct. 21. Duci would win the election in November, and begin his first term as Schenectady’s mayor in 1972.

Linda Nelson Coslick and some of her friends from Mohonasen High School were getting together to celebrate the Class of 1961’s 10-year reunion. The group met in October to plan their big party, which was scheduled for Nov. 27 at the Vikings restaurant.

The Women’s Activity Committee of the Schenectady Board of Realtors had a little party earlier in 1971. The ladies’ “crazy auction” sale raised $101.70 — money donated to the Schenectady Boys Club.

The Knights of Columbus had a grand time for past Grand Knight Richard Corcoran. There was a gift of a gavel during the fall of 1971, and smiles from friends — including one from then current Grand Knight Gordon Light.