suns along the Mohawk

  In honor of Independence Day, I’ve collected images of the American flag taken over the past few years here in the Stockade, [with occasional additions, as merited].

Some folks hang Old Glory at their front door daily to honor their nation.  Others save it for holidays and other special occasions, to emphasize the importance of the day.  Either way, there does seem to be something glorious about those red and white stripes and the blue field of stars.

It’s only recently that I’ve focused on the flags themselves when taking a photo, rather than having them as an incidental backdrop or splash of color.  I plan to pay more attention to Old Glory itself from now on, and to remember the history and values it symbolizes.

Below is a collage I put together with photos of the American flag being flown in the Stockade neighborhood.  Below that is a slideshow with those images (or the original photo from which the detail was taken), plus a few additional shots.  Please have a memorable and enjoyable 4th of July.

– above: Old Glory seen in the Stockade [click on the collage for a larger version] –

 update (Midnight, July 4, 2013):  This posting inspired me to set out late in the morning of July 4th to photograph USA flags being flown in the Stockade. About two dozen photos have been added to the slideshow below.

 . . . 

– a few of the flags flown on July 4, 2013 –

.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

.

.

203 Union St. – 04Jul2013

.

– 4 Washington Ave. – 04Jul2013-

 .

. flag at 9 Washington Ave. looking toward the River – 04Jul2013 .

. . July 4th 2013 Collage (click to enlarge) .

update (July 4, 2016): Here are three recent favorites:

.

Old Glory & Pride — at the YWCA – Flag Day 2016

.

 p.s. Speaking of history and values and celebrations, this afternoon many members of our Stockade community will be at the Van Dyck restaurant to celebrate the life of James D. “Jim” Schmitt, who died this week at the age of 87.  The article about Jim in yesterday’s Albany Times Union (“James D. Schmitt, who helped revitalize the Stockade, dies at 87,” July 2, 2013) tells of some of the many reasons why Jim is thanked, admired and loved for all he has done for the Stockade.  More than usual, it is safe to say that “he will be sorely missed and fondly remembered”.  And, if you have a subscription, see the informative article in the Gazette, dated July 1, 2013.

. . Peter Rumora in his blossoming yard

 . . .

– some of the colors of Spring in the Stockade (click on the image for a larger version)  –

 Since my first “show and tell” posting in April, we have celebrated Cucumber Alley; spotlighted our cherry blossoms; enjoyed the scene from atop the Colonial Arms; strolled the Sidewalk Sale, watched for a flood, and more. (scroll down our home page to see those postings). Quite a few Stockade moments that I photographed did not fit into those posts and “fell through the cracks.” but still seem to deserve exposure here at suns along the Mohawk, to commemorate the variety of our Stockade beauty. Thus, this Spring 2013 Show & Tell.

The Slideshow below has the “show”, with captions hinting at the “tell”. [You can right-click on any slideshow image to see the individual photo.]

. .

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

.

– super moon on June 23, 2013, with 1st Reformed Church tower; detail below:

– click on a photo for a larger version –

This past weekend, I proved once again that I’m not cut out for nighttime photography (except, of course, for the Jumpin’ Jack’s fireworks seen from the end of Cucumber Alley). So, this posting has the three most presentable images that I took Sunday night of the so-called “super moon” — the combination of a full moon with the perigee of the moon, its closest distance this year.

Nothing more to say (and no promises this time of more night-time practicing).

– super moon over roofline of 17 Washington Avenue; taken from my 2nd floor fire-escape –

.

– view from the corner of North Church and Front Sts. –

. compare with our March 2011 Super Moon posting:

.

   Prior to an afternoon of Open Houses throughout the City to kick off the HOMES/Key to the City program, Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy cut the ribbon today to officially dedicate two new columns that mark the western entryway to Riverside Park along the Mohawk River.   Architect Frank Gilmore and Stockade Association President Mary D’Alessandro, and others from the committee that spearheaded the entryway project, were at the lectern under a hot noontime sun.

  . . .   . . .

The slideshow below has about a dozen photos from the ceremony.  Thanks to Ray Legere, I can show you this photo of the moment of the ribbon-cutting:

(L) to (R): Karen Johnson, Mayor Gary McCarthy, Mary D’Alessandro, and City Council Members Marion Porterfield, Carl Erickson, and Leesa Perazzo

.

– click to see my (sad) version of that moment:

.

 – click on this image for more views of the columns from May 2013, when their lighting was installed . .

.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

.

Finally, here’s a collage with highlights of the ceremony (click on it for a larger version):

update (June 21, Summer Solstice, 2013, 4 PM): the sun-illuminated flags were once again inspiring this afternoon on Union Street.  E.g.,

.

 . . .

original posting:

.

 . . . 

– flag at 113 Union St. around 5 PM on June 19, 2013 –

Flag Day was June 14th, but the quality and angle of the sun the past two afternoons at about 5 PM put our Stockade flags in the spotlight and got me to grab my pocket camera to take advantage of sun, shadows, and reflections.  I plan to celebrate today’s summer solstice with another late-afternoon stroll on our 4th straight day of sunny skies.

. . . 

– flags at 205 and 207 Union St. – 5 PM 20Jun2013 –

The results of my strolling and shooting on June 19 and 20 on Union and Front Sts. can be seen above and in the collage below. (as always, click on an image for a larger version and better viewing)

.

– thanks to Karen, Bob and Gloria, and Virginia for waving Old Glory –

  The threat of rain, and a gray cloud cover, must have scared off a lot of the usual participants in our annual Stockade Neighborhood Sidewalk Sale.  There were many blocks today without tables, canopies or other kinds of displays, but that didn’t stop me from strolling and schmoozing, and snapping photos.  I hope everyone who put out sidewalk, curbside, driveway, or alleyway offerings did especially well with the bargain-hungry browsers.  Thanks to Diane DeMeo for all her efforts and good spirits.

A few dozen photos can be found in the Slideshow below, with glimpses of some of the people, goods and foliage.  Below the Slideshow, I’ve provided links to the 2009 – 2012 Sidewalk Sale postings here at suns along the Mohawk, in case you missed seeing Sylvie and Lollipop.

 . . . 

.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

.

. . .

.

•  the 2012 Stockade Neighborhood Sidewalk Sale
• the 2011 Stockade Neighborhood Sidewalk Sale
• the 2010 Stockade Neighborhood Sidewalk Sale
• the 2009 Stockade Neighborhood Sidewalk Sale

update (June 9, 2013): It was a beautiful, sunny day on Sunday, and two neighbors from 17 Washington Avenue created their own Rain Date alongside Front Street:

 It took me 25 years of Stockade living to get to the roof of the Colonial Arms apartment building, at 9 North Church Street. Thanks to good neighbor and building superintendent Pete Pasternak, I finally got to enjoy the view earlier this week from the Stockade’s tallest (non-church) building, on a day with a gorgeous blue sky and lovely clouds, in tne company of two of my most charming and adventurous friends, Sylvie Briber and Susannah Hand.

Peter, Susannah & Sylvie looking east

The views were even more breathtaking than my camera could capture, but I still needed to share the results.  The new perspective on some of my favorite photographic subjects was enlightening and enjoyable. I will surely get back up there quite a few times in the next quarter century, if the Colonial Arms management invites me back.

 .

– more than ever, I urge you to click on a photo to see a larger version .

There are twenty images in this Slideshow.  You can also see them all separately in the Gallery below.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

.

 . here’s a collage with some of my favorite shots; click on it for a much larger version.

This Gallery has each of the photos in the Slideshow above.  Scroll over a picture for a description and click on it for a larger version:

Read More…