Most across the region have probably had enough of winter and its harshness in the opening months of 2026.
One hundred years ago this month, Sidney was experiencing the “winter blahs,” and awaiting their departure.
A good case of these “blahs” was experienced by those having liquor stills, and their clients around the Tri-Towns — the “blahs” of getting caught.
As readers of the Sidney Record of March 6 learned, “Before the 18th Amendment, with the pure quill quoted at 10 cents a glass, we had quite a few specimens sprawling over the sidewalks. But the race like the Vanishing American is not yet quite extinct, a few still remain with us but the difference now is instead of the straight goods formerly gulped down they must swallow at Fancy Prices Hootch that would twist a dog inside out and start him running the other way.
“The ‘Dry Angels’ are aware that in Sidney and locality there appears to exist several spots where the Unwise irrigate their Parched Throats. This accounts for the fact that twice in February ‘Dry Angels’ trimmed their wings for Sidney and locality, their last descent made on Saturday, Feb. 27.
“On Saturday aforesaid three keen and alert Federal Agents who know the ropes and can even scent the stuff a mile away, again landed in Sidney. The hip flasks and jugs once more began to twist and tremble, dreading ‘Dry Angels’ even worse than the devil does holy water.
“Of course if for nothing more than a mere formality the three Drys waltzed into Charley Lee’s to pay their respects, accompanied by Chief W.R. Dickinson. They lifted the gambling outfit and Charles had to cough up $25. The dry officers then made a beeline and went prospecting up Prospect Hill. The Moose reservation was interviewed but no crooked stuff found. In the Order are many respectable members and they claim the visitation was a frame up of pure spite and later Rockdale was overhauled. Before coming to Sidney the Federal Agents also gave Unadilla the once over.” The agents also went to Masonville and Deposit, finding some stills and smashing them to pieces.
The “blahs” were further displayed by a graphic of people tumbling to the slick ground in the Record’s March 13 edition, as it reported, “South of the Mason and Dixon line this picture has no meaning but up this way we know all about it. For six weary weeks this has been our icy lot and it’s getting on peoples’ nerves.
“The trouble started Feb. 4th with a phenomenal fall of snow, blocking everything that lays outdoors, with solid ice coated streets and walks that would make Eskimos shudder. Six long weeks of ice glares tries men’s souls. If this is a mild winter, heaven spare us from any more of them.
“But the climax of a tough winter came only last week with a widespread influenza epidemic of alarming proportions in certain localities, especially in Binghamton, Syracuse and Gloversville.
“With the exception of isolated cases the epidemic has not appeared in this locality. New Milford is suffering not only from influenza but also considerable typhoid fever of which there are a large number of cases due to the defective water supply.”
There was a bit of a break from the late winter doldrums, as the Record of March 6 reported, “The gift of a valuable, centrally located property, to be devoted to community uses, is one that not frequently falls to the lot of any village and we take it for granted that at the corporation election, Tuesday, March 16, our Sidney voters will not be ungracious to the point of refusing the kind offer provided in the will of the late Mrs. E.P. Arms.
“On the score of maintenance of the Arms property on Liberty street, our taxpayers need entertain no worry. Many small, respectable families would be willing to reside in part of the upper floor rent free for care of the premises. It requires no paid janitor for that purpose. Several of our social clubs would be glad to have permanent quarters there at a reasonable rate of rental.”
The vote was overwhelmingly in favor of Mrs. Arms’ offer, according to the Sidney Enterprise of March 18.
On Tuesday, Hartwick College built and cut during 2006.