The History of Amann’s Cigar Store – by P. Loatman

A few years ago, movie critics were raving about the originality of a Harvey Keitel film that  captured a “slice of life” by viewing a 24-hour day through the eyes of a Brooklyn cigar store proprietor.  “Artistes” and big-city sophisticates admired its cleverness, but the film lacked the verisimilitude of River City’s old cigar store-AMANN’S-which had a sixty year run on Park Ave. on the site of present-day Stewart’s. A picture in “The Express” showing the century-old store being bulldozed reminded me of this recently. The caption accompanying the photo correctly noted that “a cigar store” was the object of demolition, and readers were asked if they knew anything about the place.

Then entire article is in the Feb. 19 issue.

The Express Newspaper – February 19, 2015

Edward J. Zuzick, Sr. – 85

STILLWATER – Edward J. Zuzick, Sr., 85, of Route 32, died Tuesday, Feb. 10th at Saratoga Hospital, after a brief illness. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 7 PM at All Saints on the Hudson North Church (St. Peter’s), Hudson Ave., Stillwater. Spring burial in St. Peter’s Cemetery. Calling hours at the Church Friday from 4-7 PM.    In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Arvin Hart Fire Dept, in memory of Edward J. Zuzick, Sr.To leave condolences and for directions visit www:devito-salvadorefh.com

Arrangements by DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, Mechanicville.

Read the entire obituary in the Feb. 19th issue.

 

John A. Alonzo – 96

MECHANICVILLE – John A. Alonzo, 96, of Viall Ave. Hill, died early Tuesday morning, February 10, at Van Rensselaer Manor, Troy, after a long illness.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 11AM at All Saints on the Hudson South Church, (St. Paul’s) 121 No. Main St., Mechanicville. Burial in Saratoga National Cemetery. An hour of gathering for friends and family will be held at the church on Thursday, prior to the mass from 10-11 AM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Van Rensselaer Manor, Activities Department, 85 Bloominggrove Dr., Troy, NY 12180 in memory of John A. Alonzo. Visit www.devito-salvadorefh.com to leave condolences and for directions.

Arrangements by DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, Mechanicville.

The entire obituary will be in the Feb. 19th edition.

Vanessa Mickalonis is TWC Athlete of the Week – by S. McBride

Vanessa Mickalonis is the second Mechanicville High School student to be honored by Time Warner Cable News as their Scholar/Athlete of the Week for the fall, 2014 season.  Joining previously-honored classmate Michael Bove, Vanessa’s segment will air on TWC on February 15.  The local news station presents this designation each week to an outstanding student from a Capital District school who excels in the classroom, in sports and in community service.

Read the entire article in the Feb. 12 issue.

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City Reassessment Under Consideration – by M. Gowett

MECHANICVILLE FEBRUARY 4- At this past weeks  city council meeting the mayor and councilmen mentioned a citywide revaluation of property. If this goes through, this will be the first one in over 20 years. A New York state tax server, Beth Servinack of the NYS Office of Real Property Tax Services spoke of the goal of the reevaluation; so everyone pays their fair share in property taxes. She also stated that the assessment will not increase taxes.

Read the entire article in the Feb. 12 edition.