By Mary Hoar, President Emerita Yonkers Historical Society, recipient of the 2004 Key to History and President Untermyer Performing Arts Council
Monday, June 6th
June 6, 1944: When they learned D-Day, the largest offensive of the war, was happening, Yonkers churches threw open their doors and tolled their bells to call people to pray for our men fighting in the brutal battle. Local war workers renewed personal pledges to get equipment needed to fight “over there,” and Mayor Curtiss Frank proclaimed a day of prayer. A service was held 4:30 pm at the World War I Monument on South Broadway, and our factories stopped work to silently pray for our men fighting the vicious battle.
June 6, 1944: Four Sarno brothers held a reunion at home on D Day! Marine combat photographer Technical Sergeant Jerry Sarno, Staff Sergeant Henry Sarno, Captain Richard Sarno, and Private John Sarno were all on leave and celebrated at the family home on Cricklewood Road. All four brothers were in journalism before they went into the service; Henry and Jerry were with the Herald Statesman, brother Richard was on the staff of the Daily Mirror, John was with the International News Service. Two other sons, Corporal Arthur Sarno was with the Daily Mirror and James worked for the Herald Statesman. Six of Carmela Sarno’s seven sons were in photography.
Tuesday, June 7th
June 7, 1916: After hearing rumors out-of-town gamblers had infiltrated Yonkers, Public Safety Commissioner James Fleming instructed Yonkers police to run them out of town.
June 7, 1920: Yonkers officials learned Yonkers owned a large park at Vineyard and Glenwood Avenues. Apparently the property had been purchased from George and Maude Rigby in 1907 in the time of Mayor John Coyne, but no records of the sale could be found in city records.
Wednesday, June 8th
June 11, 1946: Congregation Ohab Zedek (Prospect Street) sounded the shofar, only blown for high holy days or exceptional intercessions, for the community prayer meeting for the safety and success of our invasion troops. Led by Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg, Cantor Samuel Gartner officiated. Moses Isaacs of Yonkers, Dean of Yeshiva College, read President Roosevelt’s Invasion Day Prayer; other prayers were offered for the United Nations, our government, our war dead and Yonkers’ fighting men.
June 8, 2001: Yonkers native Lieutenant General William Lennox, Jr., assumed duties as the 56th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, West Point.
Thursday June 9th
June 9, 1920: The Warburton Avenue Book and Art Company store was sold to Biber Brothers. Founded by Adolph Biber, Biber Brothers’ other partners were Joseph and Herman Biber.
June 9, 1945: According to Chairman of the Yonkers War Price and Rationing Board Robert Goodwille, more than 1400 businesses were violating OPA regulations; these included restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, laundries and garages in all areas of Yonkers.
Friday, June 10th
June 10, 1935: The Knights Templar of the Grand Commandery of New York marched through our city in one of the most colorful parades Yonkers has ever seen, cheered and applauded by more than 50,000 spectators!
June 10, 1954: Piloted by Air Force Lieutenant Donald O’Connell, a “jet powered military plane” exploded over Dunwoodie! O’Connell was flying from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to Bradley Air Force Base in Connecticut, when he heard an explosion; a piece of his tail 24 inches wide crashed into a large tree and fell on the ground in Philip Ballard’s Alido Street back yard, still hot from the explosion. O’Connell navigated his plane toward Long Island Sound to prevent crashing in Yonkers, the most densely populated area of Westchester. He bailed out of the flaming plane, parachuting into the water near Larchmont Yacht Club. The plane crashed into a retaining seawall near the club, touching off a second explosion, scattering parts on the shore. O’Connell, picked up by a Yacht Club launch. was taken to a Larchmont doctor’s office; he suffered second degree burns and cuts to his face. Fortunately, no one was hurt by the falling parts.
Saturday, June 11th
June 11, 1887: The Yonkers Driving Park formally opened to a good crowd; it was located on the former J. T. Williams property. The 25-acre grounds were on level land, perfect for a half-mile track and a two-story grand stand for 2,500 spectators. Opening day started at 2 p.m. sharp; admission to the grounds was 50 cents, with ladies admitted free. “Pools” were sold on the ground.
J. Yerance’s Clarence won the first race with a purse of $330. W. S. Brooke’s Jeff Wilkes won the second race with a purse of $300; and the $400 third race purse was won by N. J. Stone’s Little Dick. There also was a dog race handicap with a purse of $50.
June 11, 1935: Crusading Ninth Ward Alderman William Slater announced he would take movies of “scantily dressed Sunday paraders” along the Aqueduct; he wanted a ban on improperly dressed out-of-town excursionists.
Sunday, June 12th
June 12, 1944: Laurence Dunn, Personnel Manager of Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company, announced the company selected eight Yonkers high school students to be “junior scientists.” A group of 60 juniors, all in the upper ten percent of their class, were interviewed and took scientific aptitude tests. They worked in the Research and Control Laboratories for standard pay, full time for the summer, and 20-hours a week during the school year. Selected were Sylvia Bell and Adolf Fried, Yonkers HS; Vincent Benya, William Bosworth and Olga Kavochka, Gorton HS; and Roosevelt’s Lois Dow, Bassett Maguire, and Rodney Rourke.
June 12, 1945: County authorities seized 6,000 pounds of uninspected meat at an unnamed shop, and turned over to the Yonkers Health Department.
Questions or comments? Email YonkersHistory1646@gmail.com.
For information on the Yonkers Historical Society, Sherwood House and upcoming events, please visit our website www.yonkershistoricalsociety.org, call 914-961-8940 or email yhsociety@aol.com.
