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Post by jon on Nov 9, 2010 10:49:17 GMT -5
Yes, just found the Cosmopolitan Center is listed as currently being at 1445 Kemble St. I think its location was considered Whitesboro Street across from the Utica Municipal Auditorium. When it moved to Kemble Street it was at the Loretto Center that was previously Utica Free Academy. They took the area which was the Band and Orchestra rooms and the gym locker rooms that had been torn down and new partitions erected. They also took the Gymnasium upstairs from the Music Departments. |
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Post by Dave on Nov 9, 2010 19:16:13 GMT -5
Thanks, Jon. Across from the Auditorium it must have been almost next door to the UPD.
And it's interesting how UFA was parsed out.
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Post by Dave on Nov 9, 2010 20:19:56 GMT -5
"Utica's Mother Lavender: I'll see you in heaven"Malio J Cardarelli Product Details (Amazon.com) * Unknown Binding: 39 pages * Publisher: The Author (1999) * Language: English * ASIN: B0006ROSF0 Out of Print--Limited Availability. According to Amazon, but the book is evidently available directly from Malio.  Since the following was written for advertising, I hope Malio doesn't mind my reproducing it here. Utica's Mother Lavender; I'll See You in Heaven - $14.95"Born into slavery and sold away from her family at age 7, Ellen Elizabeth Lavender had a horrific life in bondage and a benevolent one in freedom. Moving north after her emancipation in 1865, Elizabeth first settled in Albany, New York with her son, Amos, born as a result of a forced mating with another slave in order to create a new generation of slaves. In Albany, she married Nicholas Lavender with whom she had one surviving child, Nicholas Jr. After her husband’s death, she relocated to Utica, New York where she spent the rest of her life dedicated to her ministry of helping those less fortunate than herself. Despite her illiteracy, color, and financial deprivation, she was able to establish a following of workers and contributors, resulting in an annual New Year’s Day Dinner for the poor, satisfying her belief that no one should start a new year on an empty stomach. Serving as many as 900 in her home, the dinners that began in 1901 were held without interruption until 1968, despite her death in 1928. While this was clearly her most visible event, Mother Lavender, as she affectionately became known, had a daily ministry, one for which she always kept the door of her home open for anyone in need of a meal or a temporary place to sleep. Her commitment to doing good deeds lives in the memory of all who were in any way associated with her and even today serves as an inspiration to those who know of her. The work traces her life, beginning with her harsh years in bondage and progressing to her time in Utica and ultimately to her death. Insight is given on what motivated this remarkable woman of kindness and devotion. Original artwork by Utica Artist Robert Cimbalo is included along with some rare photographs." Malio's website is: www.booksbymalio.com/See "Purchase Books" at the bottom of the web page. (I wonder if Jon has a copy of Malio's book on the John F. Hughes school.)
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:06:41 GMT -5
Thanks, Jon. Across from the Auditorium it must have been almost next door to the UPD. And it's interesting how UFA was parsed out. No the Cosmopolitan Center was on the North side across from the Auditorium, on Whitesboro Street . |
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:15:07 GMT -5
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:16:08 GMT -5
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:16:55 GMT -5
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:17:49 GMT -5
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:18:31 GMT -5
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Post by jon on Nov 10, 2010 3:19:16 GMT -5
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Post by Dave on Nov 10, 2010 11:47:09 GMT -5
Right you are, Jon! Amazing what fifty years can do to my memory. And sense of direction.  |
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Post by fiona on Nov 11, 2010 19:27:38 GMT -5
I believe they have this book for sale at the Oneida County Historical Society.
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Post by Dave on Nov 11, 2010 22:13:01 GMT -5
I believe they have this book for sale at the Oneida County Historical Society. That gives me an excuse to go visit them the next time I'm in Utica. But I don't plan to be there until Spring. Well, maybe one last trip before the snow flies. |
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Post by jon on Feb 24, 2011 14:38:46 GMT -5
Ellen Elizabeth Lavender
(1841-1928) Known as Mother Lavender, she was born in Georgia as a slave and at age 7 was sold at auction with her brothers and sisters.
She eventually married Nicholas Lavender in Albany, and was able to obtain her freedom.
After his death in 1893, she moved to Utica where she began an evangelistic mission to help the needy.
She believed no one should begin the New Year hungry, and in 1901 she had a New Year's Day dinner in her home for those in need of a good meal.
She continued the practice every New Year's Day.
Some years, she served as many as 900. The dinners continued each year after her death until 1968.
Mother Lavender is a member of the Oneida County Historical Hall of Fame.
Observer Dispatch Archives - re-printed Feb 15th, 2011
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Post by Dave on Feb 25, 2011 19:13:29 GMT -5
Hey, Jon. Nice find! How did Mother Lavender come up in the OD?
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