The Express Newspaper November 17, 2016

The Express Newspaper May 19, 2016

Through the Hoosac Tunnel – by Chris Kelly

Last week I described a trip my husband and I took by train from Albany to East Deerfield, Massachusetts in the fall. The trip was unique as it was the first passenger train to pass through the 4.75 mile-long Hoosac Tunnel in over thirty years. For me the trip was also special as we passed all through the town of Schaghticoke by train- a really different way to view the town.

Read the entire article in the 12/31 edition.

Hoosac Tunnel & RR – by C. Kelly

   This fall my husband and I had a wonderful train trip through the town of Schaghticoke. Every year Amtrak runs a fall excursion train one weekend. Train buffs from all over the country ride. This year the trip was from Albany to East Deerfield, Massachusetts…..with the centerpiece of the 10 hour day a journey through the 4.75 mile long Hoosac Tunnel. This was the first time a passenger train had been through the tunnel in at least thirty years. Yes, that was great, but for me as town historian, a trip by train through my town was the high point- twice, actually, as we retraced our journey on the way back.

Read the entire article in the 12/24 edition.

Rudy Helmo: Expressionist Artist – by C. Kelly

Due to my travels and circumstances beyond my control, I am very late recommending that you see a very interesting exhibit of paintings at the Rensselaer County Historical Society, 57 2nd Street in Troy, open from Thursday-Saturday from noon to 5. This exhibit of paintings by Rudy Helmo only runs until the end of August. But the society also has a great exhibit of landscape views of Rensselaer County, which will be on view until the end of the year, so your trip in September would still be worthwhile!

Entire article in the 08-20 edition .

July 4th 1915 – by Chris Kelly

As we celebrate summer, and the 4th of July, I thought it would be fun to find out how our ancestors celebrated the holiday 100 years ago. As you might think, it was the same and different.

   One-hundred years ago, Europe was embroiled in what was later known as World War I. But the U.S. wouldn’t enter the war for two more years, Europe was a long ways away, and citizens here were ready to celebrate the birth of their nation. The celebration was a little different from the usual because the 4th was a Sunday, and in 1915 no celebration could really occur on a Sunday.

Read the entire article in the July 2nd edition.

A Month in the South – by C. Kelly Schaghticoke Town Historian

  I hope some of my readers have noticed there have been no columns about Schaghticoke history for the past month.  My husband and I spent a month in Georgia and Florida. We visited grandchildren in Savannah- and acted as tourist in that city for a couple of days- and attended two five-day Road Scholar programs, one in Saint Augustine, Florida, one in Amelia and Cumberland Islands, Georgia.

Read the entire article in the Feb. 12 issue.