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Fonda buildings become historyWritten By: Michelle Monroe ST. ALBANS CITY — The buildings at former Fonda paper products plant site have been taken down and now meticulous cleanup work will begin, according to St. Albans City Director of Planning Chip Sawyer. “It’s coming along really well,” said Sawyer of the demolition that’s taking place on Lower Newton Street. Only a small structure, outfitted with hoppers remained at the site this morning and those soon will be taken down with a crane. Materials from that portion of the complex will then undergo asbestos abatement and any recyclable metal will be reclaimed. Thus far, 1,160 tons of general debris have been removed from the site along with 65 tons of mildly contaminated debris, Sawyer reported this morning. There are a couple of areas within the former factory where there is a high level of PCBs – a class of chemicals which have been linked to cancer – and those areas will be sealed off and permanently fenced, explained Sawyer. Currently, the pieces of the buildings are still being sorted through and cleaned. Recyclable materials are being gathered and recycled as part of that process, as well. About a month of work remains, said Sawyer today. The basement will be filled in and all of the cleaning areas and materials will need to be dismantled and cleaned. As part of the demolition, steps have been taken to insure water does not leave the site and stormwater is being treated on site before being sent to the wastewater treatment facility. Funds for the demolition project have come from the State of Vermont and the Northwest Regional Planning brownfield’s loan program. Total cost of the demolition, which began on Sept. 15, is roughly $900,000. The paper products factory was built in 1942 and was acquired by Fonda in 1980. In 2002, about 245 people were employed at the plant, which was sold to Solo in 2004. A year later Solo announced its intention to close the factory, and the doors were shut for good in 2006. When Solo announced the closing there were 168 employees. In some local families multiple generations have been employed at the plant. The site, which straddles the town-city divide, is now owned by the city. The future of the site is still undecided, but a feasibility study for a co-generation facility found that a facility generating 10 megawatts of electricity along with steam heat — fueled by wood chips — would be able to pay for itself in approximately seven years. The city is investigating the possibility of a private company building such a facility at the Fonda site. Clock ticks for Fonda buildingWritten By: Leon Thompson, St. Albans Messenger
Demolition bids’ deadline TuesdayST. ALBANS CITY, VT –– Crews responsible for demolition of the vacant Fonda/Solo plant on Lower Newton Street could be mobilized and ready by May 1, according to one of the city’s development leaders. Contractors’ bids to raze one of the largest enclosed spaces in the city, are due at City Hall Tuesday. Jim Tischler, planning and development director, told aldermen during their regular meeting last week that he hopes to have a contractor’s bid to them by the second week of April. Two weeks ago, about 65 people – more than has graced the inside of the plant for years – went on a walk-through of the site for potential bidders. Tischler said the city has already received 24 sets of plans from bidders all over New England and the Midwest. Ward 5 Alderman Joe Luneau wondered $600,000 was adequate. Tischler said demolition could come in under bid. Project specifications also require the city to recycle some materials at the site. During demolition, workers will fence off the area and post signs that warn of contamination in the area. Contaminated areas will be covered with gravel for protection. The winning contractor will provide flaggers for traffic control and also remove debris without going through neighborhoods, Tischler said. Note: It is not certain why the company originally took the Fonda name, but there is a family branch which settled in the area in the mid-1800’s and a local town used to be called Fonda Junction.
Note: The early lineage of the Fonde family is uncertain (as is the Fonda family). Fonde family records (see excerpt below) indicate that the American progenitor, Andrew Fonde (1765-1833), immigrated from France, settling in Philadelphia in the 1790’s. The family apparently fled from Italy due to political unrest, possibly during the incursion of Napoleon into Northern Italy. This is remarkably similar to the account from the American Fonda family, who reportedly left Italy for Holland in the 1500’s due to political unrest, then Jellis Douw Fonda (1614-1659) migrated to Upstate New York in the 1650’s. A possible link between the two branches could exist if Andrew Fonde is the son of Pieter Douw Fonda (1739-1779) of Marblehead, MA. This may be a stretch at this point, but it bears further investigation. Or perhaps there is a common link further up the line in Italy. Either way, the Fonde branch has been included in the American Fonda genealogy in order to track and differentiate the many common name occurences. Further insights from Fonde family researchers or others is welcome.
Former U-M Football Player/Coach Henry Fonde DiesPublished: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 “It still amazes me how many people know the name ‘Fonde’ and it’s because of him,” Fonde’s son, Chuck said. “He made such a mark in this community, both through Ann Arbor High School and the University of Michigan. A lot of people knew him, a lot of people loved him.” Fonde remained on the staff at Michigan through the 1968 season and became an academic advisor for the football team when Bo Schembechler replaced Elliott in 1969. Henry Fonde’s record in the Fonda family tree is here. He has a Wikipedia entry here. The following obituary was excerpted from the Ann Arbor News on MLive.com on 5/5/2009: Another good story about Hank Fonde, written by his son-in-law, Joel Thurtell – “I beat Ohio State!” Andrew Fonde’s record in the Fonda family tree is here. A cemetery memorial for him is here. Excerpt from “Ancestors of Charles Henry Fonde” website
See the Fonda Family Merchandise store at http://www.zazzle.com/fondafamily
Daniels went down to FondaConcert among events at fairSeptember 5, 2010 By AMANDA WHISTLE, The Leader-Herald ![]() Charlie Daniels plays his fiddle during the song “Devil Went Down to Georgia” during his concert at the Fonda Fair on Saturday. FONDA, NY – With the stroke of a bow on a fiddle, a crowd in the sold-out arena at the 169th Fonda Fair knew what Charlie Daniels was going to play next. The unmistakable notes followed by the unforgettable lyrics, “The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal,” and with that the crowd rushed the stage for the classic they’d been waiting for all night. Seating for 2,000 people was set up in the Arena between chairs and bleachers. The show sold out shortly after 7:30 p.m. as people took their seats in anticipation of one the fair’s most well-known bookings to date. Tickets were sold in advance at Price Chopper and at the door. As Daniels walked to the stage dressed in blue jeans, boots and cowboy hat, fans lined up along the ropes raising their cameras and cell phones hoping to get a nod and a photo from the legendary fiddler. Sue Yamrozy of Scotia got to the show early enough to snag a seat in the front row for her first time to see the Charlie Daniels Band live. This year also marks the first year Yamrozy has attended the Fonda Fair. “It was something to do on a Saturday night,” she said, adding that the $20 charge to see an American legend was a steal. For 9-year-old John Cressy of Glen, who plays the fiddle, seeing Charlie Daniels was the highlight of the fair. John, donning his cowboy hat and a red handkerchief around his neck, is a fair regular with his family, who are members of 4-H and compete in many of the livestock competitions and horse shows. “This is awesome,” said his mother, Margie Cressy. “It’s Charlie Daniels right here in Fonda.” Daniels played a variety of classic favorites, including “Long Haired Country Boy” and “The Legend of Wooley Swamp.” Drummer Pat McDonald also stole the show for about 10 minutes with a solo. “Here’s a small gesture of thank you,” Daniels said as he played “In America” for the those in the U.S. Armed Forces after saying the pledge of allegiance. This year’s Fonda Fair Junior Princess, Tiffany Sargalis, looked forward to meeting Daniels all week, her mother, Wendy Sargalis, said. All of the winners in the pageant are invited to meet the fair’s Saturday night performers each year. Wendy said Tiffany’s sister, Kimberly, met Trent Tomlinson when she won Junior Princess in 2005 and Tiffany remembered the excitement. Kelly Knoop of Fort Plain and her friend, Nicole Casolari, both 23, also had passes to meet Daniels and said he seemed like he was just excited to meet them as they were to meet him. “He was very polite. It was wonderful,” said Casolari, of Rochester. “I let him know I think I’ve been listening to his music my whole life and he said ‘I think I’ve been playing music since before you were born.'” Knoop said though past acts at the fair have been great, the Charlie Daniels Band is legendary. “It’s a huge deal for us,” she said. “Others have come here, but he’s a legend.” Daniels said before the show that meeting fans is something he looks forward to at each show. “Every night before we play we have a meet and great,” Daniels said. “I always enjoy that.” As for Daniels’ favorite song to perform, he said he loves them all. Saturday was “Country Folks Day” and also featured open gymkhana, 4-H livestock shows, the 4-H aerospace exhibition and rocket shoot and a demolition derby. The Fonda Fair continues today with fireworks tonight at 10 p.m. The last day is Monday with a parade scheduled at noon. Amanda Whistle covers Montgomery County news. She can be reached at montco@leaderherald.com
The gravestone of E. Raymond Fonda at Albany Rural Cemetery, who gave his life in battle during the Civil War, has been restored.
The work scope was more extensive than planned because of the discovery of marble side rails in addition to the three-piece headstone and the footstone. Great care and expertise was taken by Joe Ferrannini of GSM, assisted by Civil War Historian Mark Bodnar (credits for photos). Thanks also to Colonie Historian Kevin Franklin for his interest and coordination efforts.
Eldert Raymond Fonda; b. 1837 in Watertown, MA; 1850 & 1860 Census, Edinburgh, Saratoga Co., NY; 1860 Census, Vergennes, Addison, VT; d. 7/22/1864 in New York City from wounds sustained in battle; bur. John Fonda Lot, Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, Albany Co., NY; DAR Library, GRC National Index: Fonda, E Raymond, State IL, Series/Vol s1 v10, Page 175 Civil War Service: 1). E Raymond Fonda; Vergennes, Vermont; enlisted as a Private on 02-May-1861; enlisted in Co.G, 1st Infantry Regiment Vermont on 09-May-1861; mustered out Co.G, 1st Infantry Regiment Vermont on 15-Aug-1861 in Bradtleboro, VT; 2). E Raymond Fonda; enlisted as a Private on 21-Jul-1862 at the age of 24; enlisted in Co.H, 115th Infantry Regiment New York on 01-Aug-1862; POW on 15-Sep-1862 at Harper’s Ferry, VA; paroled on 16-Sep-1862 at Harper’s Ferry, VA; promoted to Full Sergeant MAJ on 16-Oct-1862; wounded on 07-May-1864 at Chester Station, VA; died of wounds Co.H, 115th Infantry Regiment New York on 22-Jul-1864 in New York, NY ![]() Battle of Chesterfield Heights, Virginia - May 1864 Sgt.-Maj. Civil War; mortally wounded at Chesterfield Heights, VA on May 7th, 1864; born in Watertown, Mass., but resided in Cohoes, Albany county, when he enlisted in Co. H. He was a mechanic by trade, and twenty-four years of age. Besides the hard service seen in the 115th NY Infantry, he served his country three months in the 1st VT Infantry, early in the war. His father had been in the employ of the government for nearly forty years; a younger brother held the position of sergeant in the regular army, and Raymond himself had been familiar with military operations from his youth up, so that he was a finished and well drilled soldier. Possessed of a brave and resolute will, he was a good soldier. Blest with a kind and loving heart, he won many friends. Pleasant and amiable to both officers and men, he was highly respected. His military career was without a single blot, and he died a true patriot and esteemed by all who knew him. The battle of Chesterfield Heights, Va., was his last battle with the rebels. The regiment was lying behind a bank of earth, firing at the rebels, and Raymond refused to lie down with the rest, but kept walking along the lines while the bloody conflict was progressing, making his person a mark for the enemy’s bullets. Suddenly he sang out to the commanding officer, “Major, we are flanked right and left!” And sure enough we were flanked, and many brave men shed their blood before we cut our way out. Among the first to fall was E. Raymond Fonda, and two frightful wounds sent out streams of blood. The soldiers carried his bleeding form from the field, and in due time he reached the city of NY. After many weeks of suffering he died in the arms of his friends. ![]() ...was treated in a field hospital until the 10th, when he was admitted into Hampton Hospital, Fort Monroe; thence transferred to New York, and admitted to Ladies' Home Hospital on the 23d of May. I did some more searching and found this (rather gruesome) account of Sgt-Major Fonda’s hospital treatment: ![]() ... and the brave young soldier who saved the regiment was E. Raymond Fonda... And more on the battle where he was wounded: History of Cohoes: History of Saratoga County: True Stories of the War For the Union – Personal Experiences and Observations of Union Soldiers in the Several Campaigns: |