Crickets is all the rage in Utica: This week in Mohawk Valley history

1845, 179 years ago

Batter up

Cricket -- the bat and ball game that has been a major sport in England for years -- is all the rage in Utica.

A local team, called the "Star of the West," has been playing exhibition games against teams from Rochester and Syracuse and attracting large crowds. They play on a field on Cornelia Street, between Columbia and Court streets

On the Utica team are: Dr. Theodore Dixon, a physician; George Ralph, a brewer; Charles Smith, who sharpens tools; George Beesley, who owns a newsstand; George Stevens, a merchant; Dr. William Foster, a veterinarian; Frederic Martin, who works with brass; Samuel Vines, who owns a variety store; O. G. Kellogg, a lawyer; John Hackett, a merchant, and John Lindley, who works with wagons.

1924, 100 years ago

Cows are champions

Cows in Washington Mills and Boonville produce the most milk in the First Oneida Dairy Improvement District.

The leading cow is Holstein "No. 21," owned by F.S. Sessions of Washington Mills. Last month, she produced 1,815 pounds of milk carrying 61.7 pounds of butterfat. The leading cow in butterfat production is "Guernsey," owned by W.L. Davis, of West Winfield -- 70.1 pounds of fat from 1,131 pounds of milk. The leading cow in milk and fat production is Holstein "No. 1," owned by William Casbaker, of Boonville -- 3,042 pounds of milk carrying 91.3 pounds of butterfat.

George W. Bush, manager of the Oneida County Farm Bureau, says, "Never before in history has it been so necessary to keep close records of milk production. No farmer today can be successful without records."

1949, 75 years ago

Names in the news

Robert Allinger is new commander of Whitestown Post 1113, American Legion.

Phil J. Green is elected president of the one-year-old Mohawk Valley Advertising Club.

And players on the Whitestown Veterans softball team include Joe Manore, Peter Mielnick, Frank Cichowski, Larry Edlinger, Mike Dabieraj, Lou Wengert, Tony Wolencik, Edwin Korzenski, Jack Tine, Stan Lopata, Frank Cheslak, Stephen Fedor and Coach "Jitter" Bowes.

1974, 50 years ago

It is a first

In an ecumenical showing of goodwill, Utica's Ziyara Temple honor color guard escorts 100 fourth degree Knights of Columbus candidates in ceremonies in St. Paul's Church in Rome. It is the first time in Utica-Rome history that the two groups have gotten together for such an observance.

Meanwhile, the pot is sweeter this year for golfers in the 15th annual Jenny Open. Chairwoman Cash Garvey says the first-place professional winner will receive $2,500. Total prize money is at an all-time high of $15,000, up $3,000 from last year.

1999, 25 years ago

Boilermaker chips

Runners in this year's Boilermaker Road Race in Utica will have computer chip timing devices on their shoes, thanks to the sponsoring of PAR Technology in New Hartford. They will be just a little bigger than a quarter and will attach to shoes with a Velcro strap designed by PAR Technology.

Joe Kelly, director of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, says: "This is the best system we can find. Runners are going to love it."

George Ptak is elected commander of Clark Mills Post 26, American Legion. Others elected include John Cardone, first vice commander; Herbert Wiedieger, second vice commander; Richard Borges, third vice commander; Michael Wakefield, sergeant-at-arms; John Shepherd, treasurer, and Richard Wagner, adjutant.

The Post 26 Ladies Auxiliary also elect officers: Elsa Anderson, president; Ginger Atherly, first vice president; Louise Roach, second vice president; Brenda Cobb, third vice president/membership; Shirley Dykstra, historian; Carlene Machold, treasurer, and Kathy Pianka, secretary.

Meanwhile, six area girl scouts receive the Gold Award for their "hard work and dedication" --girl scouting's highest award. They are guests of honor at a Foothills Girl Scout Council dinner in The Beeches in Rome. They are Sarah Smith and Samantha Nelson, of Holland Patent; Jessie Marafioti, of Stratford; Melissa Symonds, of Marcy; Sara Adams, of Rome, and Jessica Davis, of Whitesboro.

2014, 10 years ago

Students honored

The Kiwanis Club of the Central Adirondacks honors two students at the Town of Webb Union Free School. The club -- in partnership with the Town of Webb Police Benevolent Association -- selects William Johnson, of Forestport, as Kiwanis "student of the year." Samantha Notley, of Old Forge, is named Town of Webb "student of the year."

In high school baseball, Oriskany defeated New York Mills, 3 to 1, behind the pitching of Tyler Tarkowski and the hitting of Sam Martel, Nick Springer, Ethan Juarez, Ryan Enos and Shamis Lasher.

Trivia quiz

This U.S. president was a great football player in college. He was a linebacker and center and when his team won the national championship, he was named its most valuable player. He turned down offers to play pro ball with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, and chose, instead, to attend law school. Name him. (Answer will appear here next week.)

Answer to last week's question: Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, was originally named "Shangri-La." President Dwight D. Eisenhower -- 34th president from 1953 to 1961 -- changed the name to "Camp David" after his grandson, David Eisenhower II. David is married to Julie Nixon, daughter of President Richard Nixon.

This Week in History is researched and written by Frank Tomaino. E-mail him at ftomaino221@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Computer timing devices come to the Boilermaker: This week in history