Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Lectures and Walking Tour at Cultural Festival

“Preserving Our Italian Heritage a Treasure!”
12:15 pm Visitor Center– Upstairs
Prof./Cav. Philip J. DiNovo

Some may wonder what Prof./Cav. means, Prof. DiNovo has been knighted by the Italian government. He taught at Morrisville College, a part of SUNY and was the chairman of the Business Admin Dept for 33 years.  He has a AAS, BS and a MBA.  Prof. DiNovo founded the International American Italian Heritage Association in 1979 and the American Italian Heritage Museum in 1985.  He is also the President of the Association and the Executive Director of the Museum and the editor of the American Italian Heritage Digest bi-monthly newsletter. 

  “Origin for Your Irish Ancestor” 2:00 pm Visitor Center– Upstairs
Lisa Dougherty

Anyone who has an Irish ancestor in their family tree is usually eager to find out just where in Ireland they came from. This can be a very difficult task for researchers, given the limited information typically given in historic documents about Irish ancestors, especially those of the famine era (1840's-1860's). This presentation will focus on sources to use here in the United States to help identify a place of origin for your Irish ancestor, and hopefully help further your research in Ireland.

Lisa Dougherty has been actively pursuing genealogy as a hobby for 17 years. Lisa is a former volunteer at the National Archives, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and currently volunteers at several local libraries offering assistance to people tracing their family stories. She lectures regularly around the area on genealogy topics, and has contributed to various published genealogies and society newsletters. She has been working as a professional researcher for nearly 4 years, is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and various local genealogy groups.

Waterford and Cohoes’s Franco-American Community– 3:15 pm
Visitor Center– Upstairs
Bernard Ouimet

Mr. Ouimet is the author of a book on the history of the former Franco-American church, St. Anne’s, in Northside, Waterford. He will discuss the characteristics of the make up of the French people in Northside, give an overview as to why they came to Northside, who they were, the type of work they did, and their everyday life based on the years 1887-1914.

Walking Tour of Canal –12:15 pm Lock 2 Park
Russ VanDervoort

Walk the old towpath with local author Russ Vandervoort and hear some stories from the old canal days.

Craft Beer Tasting at the Waterford Cultural Festival

The Waterford Museum will be holding a craft beer tasting fundraiser aboard the “Caldwell Belle” featuring the award winning Scottish Ales of the Olde Burnside Brewing Company of Hartford, Connecticut. The tasting will be part of the Waterford Cultural Festival taking place August 4 at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center. The tasting will cost $20, which will include a souvenir cup. All proceeds go toward the Museum.
From 3pm to 9pm you can climb aboard the unique paddlewheel boat to sample Olde Burnside’s flagship brew, "Ten Penny Ale", which has been recognized as Hartford's #1 Microbrew for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 by the Hartford Advocate's Reader's Poll. There will be other tasty ales from Olde Burnside to sample while you enjoy the Irish folk tunes of the Boys of Wexford playing live onboard.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

The Waterford Cultural Festival

The Waterford Museum invites you to come celebrate America’s roots at The Waterford Cultural Festival and free concert featuring Hair of the Dog on August 4, 12pm- 9pm, at the Waterford Harbor Visitors Center, the entrance to the historic Erie Canal. This day-long music and arts festival celebrates the ethnic heritage of the people of Waterford and the surrounding communities.

There will be two performance areas with ethnic music and dancers, a kids zone, a craft fair, walking tour along the old Champlain Canal, bus tour of the Waterford Flight, history and genealogy lectures featuring Irish, Italian Franco-American heritage and the Dutch Replica Ship “Onrust” will be open for tours. There will also be a tug of war competition. Check our website blog for the latest news and for a complete list of performers.

The Museum will also be holding a fund raiser aboard the “Caldwelle Belle” featuring craft beers by Olde Burnside Brewing Company from Hartford, Ct. The tasting event cost is $20 per person for three award winning Scottish inspired beers and features live performances by The Boys of Wexford. Come join us from 3pm to 10pm and enjoy the festival from the best view on the waterfront!

The fun filled day will be capped with a free concert by Hair of the Dog – the Capital Districts #1 Irish rock band. The band will perform aboard the Grand Erie, the flagship of the New York State Canal System. This event is made possible by the generous support of our major sponsors: Momentive Performance Materials ™, Mohawk and The Town and Village of Waterford.

If we have rain the event will be moved to the Waterford Halfmoon School –Middletown RD

Cultural Festival Entertainment

Here is the latest update on our performers for the festival- The final Schedule will be posted next week. Hair of the Dog
Boys of Wexford
Comhaltas musicians
Country Hill Cloggers
Brian D- Italian Music
Al Spain- Children’s Performer
"Set Americain"- Franco America band and Contra dancers
An Clar Irish School of Dance
“Dennis”- Irish singer - Tentative
Boland School of Dance - Tentative
Albany set dancers - Tentative

Friday, July 13, 2012

TUG-O-WAR RULES

TUG-O-WAR COMPETITIONS

This a team contest consisting of either five or eight members to each team and one coach. The coach will encourage the team to pull as and when required dependant on the opposing teams actions. The coach must be very alert to keep his team fully aware of the moves intended or to just hold awaiting the correct time to make a move. The competition will commence with the command from the judge `Pick up the rope`, thereupon the two teams move back until the rope is taught and the judge inserts the marker flag opposite the central marker on the rope. The teams thump their feet into the ground for firm hold and then lean back on the rope and the judge gives the command ` Pull` whereupon the two teams then pull with all their strength. The object is to pull with nearly straight arms and legs from as low a position as possible with all members of the team in unison. The length of the pull may vary but officially should be 12 feet which is measured by two markers on the rope each six feet from the centre. When either mark passes the stick placed in the ground by the judge at the central point of the rope when starting competition, the other side has won that pull.

TUG-O-WAR RULES

Teams to consist of five members and one coach if required No spiked footwear. Raised heels up to a maximum of ¼ inch (7mm) allowed on footwear (to be inspected)
Gloves may be worn
Overall pull to be 12 feet and winner is the team to pull their opposition 6 feet from the starting mark.
No hand over hand pulling allowed. Team members must go back with rope when pulling. Anchorman to loop rope around one shoulder to secure rope. No knot is permitted on the rope end.
All team members to remain on their feet at all times, no hands are persistently allowed on the ground apart from the anchorman who is permitted to use one hand on the ground.
Teams through coaches or captains will be reminded of the rules prior to commencement of competition. Only coaches can consult with the judge and the judge’s decision is final.
A team member is permitted to pull for only one team during a competition. Direction of pull will be decided by toss of coin.
Prior to commencement of pull, judge will ask coaches if they are ready, then give the command `take the strain`, at this point team members may heel in, when teams are balanced, order to `pull`, is given and the tie has commenced.
Teams will leave area of competition during ties in which they are not involved. Two warnings for infringements of the rules or inappropriate behaviour, including foul language, will be given. A further warning will result in disqualification.

Tug of War!