With or without fever, these recipes are familiar to those who desire a cool drink today. I suspect Diane Lapis, local researcher and President of the Board of Trustees at the Beacon Historical Society, has included a version of the Tomato Cocktail in her book, Cocktails Across America: A Postcard View of Cocktail Culture in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. I look forward to acquiring an autographed copy this summer.
At any time in history, recognition of those in the healing profession is appropriate. Today as we experience Covid-19 history in the making, it is apropos to include Burton Coon’s recognition of physicians in his newspaper article “Recollections of Red Hook: The Country Doctor” written in the early 20th century. Coon concludes with these words, “The country doctor is fast passing out of our civilization. Time was when no storms were too heavy, no snow banks too high, no roads too bad to travel when he heard the call; and like old MacClure of Drumtochty, he rode or waded as the case required. If the case was a serious one, he would stay on the job, watching the progress of the disease, while the lamp of life burned low and the watchers stood about with anxious faces. And there were other risks. The doctor always stands a chance of contracting certain diseases himself. One doctor died of erysipelas which he got while treating a patient with the same disease. When there is an epidemic, the doctor is exposed to its contagion more than anyone else. Yet no one thinks of the doctor except to get his help. All honor to the worthy sons [and daughters -2020 update] of this profession who literally take their lives in their hands to minister to their fellow human beings.” (Memories of Old Red Hook From the Burton Coon Collection)
Keeping NY History Alive 