Even today, over 70 years after the event, the excitement generated by the prospect of the Roosevelt Birthday Ball comes through just by reading The Enterprise’s January and February 1934 headlines. Altamont’s most important and highly anticipated social gathering in many years was scheduled on the president’s actual Jan.

Meteorologically in these parts, November has the least sunshine and December the fewest hours of daylight. How did Guilderland folks in the late 1880s get through these months before electricity and all that it powers, the internet, and the automobile?

GUILDERLAND — Bill Buell will tell the story of a historic political upset. He’ll present a program titled “1912: George Lunn and the Socialist Takeover of Schenectady” for the Guilderland Historical Society on Thursday, April 20.

GUILDERLAND — “A Night With Tom Thorpe” will be the Guilderland Historical Society’s program at its March 16 meeting when this talented musician will be performing and talking about a selection of his favorite numbers.

GUILDERLAND — “From the West Manor of Rensselaerwyck to Westmere: Three Hundred and Fifty Years of Guilderland’s Place Names” will be the Guilderland Historical Society’s program at its Thursday, Feb. 16, meeting.

GUILDERLAND — “An Evening with Jim Moran: Questions and Answers” will be the Guilderland Historical Society’s program at its Nov. 17 meeting. Jim Moran has been an active blacksmith since 1972.

"American Stoneware: Objects Both Utilitarian and Beautiful" will be Robert Halley's presentation for the Guilderland Historical Society's program at its Thursday, Oct. 20, meeting.

GUILDERLAND CENTER — The public is invited to attend an open house on Saturday, June 18, when Guilderland's 1802 Mynderse-Frederick House at 451 Route 146 in Guilderland Center will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. The free event is jointly sponsored by the Guilderland Historical Society and the Guilderland Garden Club.

GUILDERLAND CENTER — “An Evening With Everett Rau” will be the Guilderland Historical Society’s program at its Thursday, March 17, meeting.