Movers and Shakers

Mary Virginia Parkhurst, holding a cat, stands in her office at the Journal News. Beginning in the 1930s, Virginia was a reporter and later an editor. She interrupted her newspaper career to serve in World War II. For many years she was the historian of the Village of Nyack and was the originator of the Nyack Library Local History Room clippings files. She also donated many Journal News photographs to the library, creating the nexus of the photograph collection there.
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In 1954, Miss Helen Powell received 2 books on African-American history. The volumes were given to the Nyack Library by the Monday Evening Study Group at a history program held by the club in St. Philip's A. M. E. Zion Church, Nyack. The presentation was made by Mrs. Hilda Bryant, club librarian. Helen was the head librarian for decades, from 1891-1957. Hilda was the wife of a local dentist and was active in Nyack’s Urban Renewal Project and the building of the Nyack Senior Center on DePew Avenue.
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In the 1960's, there was a bowling alley at the top of Main Street across from the Highland Hose fire house. Raso Distributor's sponsored a women's bowling competition in 1963. Pictured are Ethel Doller, Shirley Halgren, and Catherine Raso.
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