Altamont

On a nice day, many people like to take a ride in the country and just enjoy nature. I can remember with great fondness the Sunday rides my family would take in our old Buick.

On the road

We would travel over many of the same roads but frequently would try a new and different road “just to see where it would take us”. Those were days before the interstate highway gave us a faster way to get from one point to another. A ride was not just to “get somewhere” but also to enjoy the day.

At the end of the ride, if I was good and did not ask, my father would pull into a favorite ice cream parlor and we would cool off from the heat of the ride. Many people still remember those days when you cooled off in the car by rolling the windows down and letting the air blow through the car. Air conditioners were not as effective and cars used more gasoline when you had the cooling system working.

Changing times

With today’s super interstate highways, we can travel from one place to another with very few delays along the way. With our GPS programmed for a destination we simply pull on to the highway, set the cruise control to the speed limit, and sit back (on guard for other drivers) until we approach our destination.

There are no more giant teepees to attract us in hopes that we will stop to visit the gift shop. No more giant coffee cups to let us know they have some hot coffee inside just waiting for us. No more oversized anything to attract us.

Those were the days when you could find some beautiful American Indian silver and turquoise jewelry. Or perhaps one destination could be a roadside hut where they  sell baskets, dresses, and fine hand braided blankets.

Today, if people are traveling to see what the local American Indians have to offer they are probably on their way to one of the casinos. We have several just a short distance from Altamont, but the largest would probably be Foxwoods in Connecticut.

More than a casino

It started as a Bingo hall years ago, and added different gaming options as the years have gone by.

On a trip to Foxwoods when they were just beginning to advertise and bring in people from the area we discovered a small museum in the lower level. That was not a surprise since my husband loves museums and can almost sense when there is going to be one in the area.

One display was an early map of what would later be Connecticut. Most of the territory was labeled as owned by the Pequot Indians. Several other maps showed their territory shrinking until the date they opened the Bingo hall and owned just a small piece of land.

Since opening the Bingo and gaming they have continued to make purchases and currently own about 10 percent of Connecticut.

With their growth and new money they have added schools and other benefits for those who belong to the Pequot Tribe. They have acquired businesses, purchased land, and established a professional fire department and police force. They have also built one of the best American Indian Museums that we have ever seen.

Although, I have described their museum in detail in the past I can only suggest that you take the two-and-a half hour trip to see it yourself.

The museum is not a small room with a few artifacts to look at. It is a combination of life-sized dioramas, changing exhibits, and live performances that will transport you into the past.

Their two libraries offer a wide selection of materials on the history and culture of all the Native People of the United States. It is the world's largest Native American museum.

Traditions

Many of the other Native American tribes have smaller museums, but continue to celebrate their heritage with annual celebrations that attract thousands to enjoy their sports, dancing, arts and crafts, and of course their good food. We were fortunate to be in Florida to enjoy the 40th anniversary of their Annual Miccosukee Indian Arts and Crafts Festival at the Miccosukee Indian Village.

We were able to witness the infusion of The Miccosukee Tribe’s tradition with contemporary art and dance as Native American tribes and artisans from across the Americas made their journey to the Miccosukee Indian Village.

Upon arrival at the Miccosukee Cultural Center, we quickly viewed some of the handiworks of local artists including live painting demonstrations by  Navaho artists Thomas Greyeyes and Bunky Echo-Hawk.

Our stomachs were rumbling as we viewed the fine arts and crafts so we headed to the food section to try some of the Native American treats that awaited us.

After we finished our hot dogs we wandered to the outside stage which featured ceremonial dances. Joe Tohonnie and the White Mountain Apache Dancers, a group of medicine men, performed a 100-year-old ritual dance from the Apache Tribe.

The announcer described the eagle as the king of birds, and said it was highly regarded for its strength, grace, and beauty.

Because of the high esteem with which the American Indians held the eagle they prized just a single eagle feather and believed it had curative powers.

As the dancers moved around the dance area they stomped their feet to make the bells affixed to their ankles jingle. Around their waist was a belt of larger bells that also jingled with each bouncing step, or an occasional smack with one of the ceremonial sticks carried in their left hand. In their right hand the medicine men each carried an eagle feather.

As the announcer chanted and beat a drum the medicine men worked their way around the square dance area.

They stopped to perform what was described as a healing ritual when they came upon a child, older person, or someone with a wound or handicap. As they danced past the two of us the medicine men stopped when in front of Jim, my husband (he was seated on his walker). They tapped his hands, legs, head, and heart with the eagle feather as if to ask for healing. One of the medicine men seemed to scoop up the bad with the feather, place it in one hand, crush it by rubbing both hands together, and then blew what was left to the wind.

More performances

After that cleansing dance, we went to the amphitheater to watch The Great Plains Dance Company which is a nationally acclaimed dance company and 2014’s Native American Artist of the Year Tony Duncan perform a hoop dance.

Another award winning female hoop dancer Jasmine Bell exhibited the beauty of the hoop dance. From Zuni, New Mexico The Cellicion Traditional Dancers performed the dances of the Zuni. And representing the Iroquois Tribe, making their way from Canada, were the Sky Iroquois Smoke Dancers, performing a traditional dance style.

At the end of the day, as we were driving home, watching a magnificent sunset, we could not help but think about how fortunate we are to be able to enjoy the music, art, dance, and food of so many different cultures. We are able to take the best features of each life style and adapt it to our own.

Let us hope that the best of all cultures includes and makes a priority of love, peace, and the joy in family life while giving and sharing with others.

Schools reopen

Schools in the Guilderland District reopened this past Monday.  It is hoped that all have enjoyed the holidays and have returned to schools safely.

Continuing Ed

Registration for the Guilderland's Continuing Education's winter session is now being accepted.  Mail registrations must be postmarked by Jan. 16.

For additional information or to view the catalog, go on line to www.guilderlandschools.org/district/academics/continuinged/continuinged.cfm

New director

An hearty welcome is extended to Joseph Burke who has been named the new director of the Altamont Free Library.  May your stay with our community be long and enjoyable.

Food pantry

As the new year begins, the community of Altamont and surrounding areas are reminded that the food pantry located in the parish center of St. Lucy /St. Bernadette's church on Grand Street has continuous needs.  When shopping, especially when there is a good deal, be sure to pick up some items and drop them off in the gathering space at the church.

Items such as toilet paper, tissues, napkins, and paper towels are always needed. 

Mass schedule

Masses at St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Church are held at 5 p.m., on Saturday and at 9:30 a.m., on Sunday. The church's office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The number to call for information is 861-8770.

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Luke Meinzer, Eric Ucci, Dana Rose Goodknight, Colleen McHugh, and Al Schadow on Jan. 9;

— Donald Haviland, Nellie Hughes, Paul Ingle, and Jennifer Keogh on Jan. 11;

— Heather McDonough and Nadene  Qickenton on Jan. 10;

— Doris Derby, Steven Enides, Gary Ingles, and Jen Staub on Jan. 12;

— Darla Jean Mohr on Jan. 13; and

— Peter Cure on Jan. 14; 

Correspondent note:  As the new year begins, I am attempting to update my birthday and anniversary lists. If you would like to add a name or two or if you would like to correct a mistake made in spelling or date, please do so by writing to me at rojascaru@aol.com.

I personally know that there are names on my list of individuals who are now married. 

All corrections and additions will be appreciated.

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