Situated on the west bank of the Hudson River, Bethlehem traces its history to the Dutch settlement era of the 1600s. Incorporated on March 12, 1793, Bethlehem's rich soil, abundant timber, river access, and proximity to Albany drew Dutch, English, Scottish, and German settlers. Bethlehem's farmers became known for their oats, hay, apples, and dairy products. The year 1863 marked the coming of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad and the beginnings of the town's transformation to a suburban community. This trend continued in the 20th century with the success of the automobile. In Bethlehem, images from the late 1800s to mid-1900s tell the story of the community's history through its many hamlets, including Delmar, Elsmere, Glenmont, Selkirk, Slingerlands, and North and South Bethlehem. Photographs of churches, schools, blacksmith shops, hotels, farmhouses, and elaborate summer homes illustrate Bethlehem's journey from a rural farming community to a bustling modern suburb.

A people's history and the horror of war: Howard Zinn meets Apocalypse Now. Political autobiography. March 1972, about to graduate from NYU. A journey: two days and nights in the New York subway. Love it or leave it. A decision: become a Great Academic Marxist; blow up the Williamsburg Bridge; go into exile. Vietnam Veterans with placards, for and against the war. Seven placard-men at the seven gates of Thebes, brandishing their shields. A decision. Political or personal? Or pure Zen? Mind or no-mind? Kill for peace! Dylan, Hendrix, or the Fugs. The two Suzukis, or Dogen. Monk and Coltrane! The relation between Hegel's logic of thinking as such and his logic of practice, which does not exist. The screech of the subway stops. A fork where three roads cross, the realm of shadows, what is to be done? A Chinese menu? Stab it! Stab it with your fork! But what I, myself, decide is not the point. The point is the question of 'what a decision is and what making a decision means.' The answer is 'never stop asking.' Ask yourself. Ask FDR, JFK, LBJ, McNamara and his band, John Kerry, or a Vietnam War veteran of your choice. Ask Nixon, Kissinger-Trump! Ask Trump! Ye great decision-makers, have you ever asked yourselves what a decision is and what making a decision means! That is the question. The Empty Shield asks it. Repeatedly, repetitiously, abysally, and, possibly, once and for all.

Bethlehem's bucolic countryside and bustling suburbs reflect the town's rich history. Uncover the stories that shaped the town from its Dutch settlement to today. Nathaniel Adams, along with his wife, Rhogenia, opened a stagecoach inn and became the first postmaster in what is now Delmar. The opening of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad broadened travel and freight transportation. The LaGrange family farmed the same land for over two centuries and exemplified the region's deep agricultural roots. Suburbs flourished in the region following World War II. Drawing from her articles that first appeared in Our Towne Bethlehem, town historian Susan E. Leath celebrates the enduring community spirit of Bethlehem with this fascinating collection of essays.

Sunshine Through Rain Watch for sunshine to peek through the rain. For joy chasing sadness as we grow from our pain. Look for the rainbow showing God’s love In the form of His multi-colored promise above. There’s always a way to a new tomorrow That comes from giving God our sorrows Our joy, our laughter, our fear and our pain In an offering of praise for He rations the rain. Don’t Run!!?? The shortest distance Between two places is RUN! Nathan doesn’t waste time From here to fun! He’s bright and quick And wants to know What makes things work And why they go. He wants to know The how’s and why’s Of birds and bats And butterflies. Everything he see Is GREAT! And so he runs, He cannot wait; Please help this Young man on his way He doesn’t want to waste A single minute of TODAY! Family Because of God’s plan, We are family. As the seed of Adam and Eve, We are family. As the offspring of Abraham, (literal or spiritual) We are family. By baptism into Christ, We are family. By ancestors of many generations, We are family. By choice and strength of love, We are family. By circumstances and God’s design, We are family. In God’s family all are equal. Race, gender, social position, Finances, place of birth; None of these matter because Christ’s life, death and Resurrection, has restored us In Him, to the Holy Family of God. We are family. Full Moon The field has been transformed Tonight, into a sea of light. The moon is shining high above And everything is bright. The bales of hay are now the ships On which my musings glide. The cricket’s song a symphony, A distant star it’s highest note, Carries me far from all life’s fears, And mankind seems remote. Surely the Lord is in this place His presence fills my heart. His glory bids my darkness flee, And gives me a new start.

Monique remembers an old flame. She is also reminded of what happiness feels like by a dream. Was this dream about a man she met a long time ago? She romps through a tongue-in-cheek philosophical quest for understanding of herself, the mystery of life and a search to explore a missed opportunity. Monique questions her motives, her failures and how she got to this point in her life. She is aware of a nagging "something" that she would like to understand