Now I grant you — that was a tall order to fill. April 9 in 1938 happened to be a Saturday and the local news on that page was sparse, to say the least.

Here is a sampling:

BLOOMINGDALE — Baron Ling, 79, a farmer in this section for many years, died this morning at 7:50 o’clock at his home here, which continued with his obituary.

Mrs. Louis Pelkey was hostess at a card party at her home Thursday evening. Mrs. Lee Stickney won first pinochle prize and Mrs. Erwin Strobel won consolation. Mrs. Lee Gillespie won first bridge prize and Mrs. Clarence Fletcher consolation.

This was all followed by a few lines from Lake Clear and Lake Placid.

I can remember searching for ‘fillers’ when I was Enterprise editor and 1938 was no different, so the ‘local’ page also carried other stories …

“Horses Still in Use by New York State Troopers”; “Canadian Dog Sled Team Resumes Travel” and “Church Body Scores Sunday Jam Sessions” — [We used to love going to Jam Sessions on Sunday – hot Jazz bands – at the Swiss Chalet, the Birches and other places in Lake Placid.

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Other fillers —

‘St. Charles, Mo. –Harley Sheldon 49, a farmer, escaped injury when a tornado damaged his home.

“But when he began his repairs he fell 15 feet from a ladder and fractured his skull.”

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“Before 1793 the proceedings of the U.S. Senate were conducted in private.”

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“Monmouth, Ill. (AP) — A golden eagle with a seven-foot wing spread was shot and killed by Arthur Fyre near here after the bird had stolen several pigs weighing more than 25 pounds.”

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“The first law school in the United States was established at Litchfield, Conn., in 1784.”

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Lots of moose here in 1938

“Election of officers will feature a meeting of the local lodge, Loyal Order of the Moose, Thursday night at 8:30 o’clock at the Moose home, 156 Broadway.

“Contests for several of the offices developed at the recent nominating session. Louis Fobare, however, is undisputed candidate for reelection to the office of dictator.

“William Zerbe is the sole candidate for the vice-dictatorship. Candidates for prelate are Tuffield Latour, Floyd Burkett and Alfred Anhleim; for secretary, C. E. Davis and Richard Ormsby; for treasurer, Anthony (Tony) Anthony and Perley Ebare.

“Candidates for trustee for one year are William Ryan, Charles Reis and Leo Fobare; trustee for two years, Nick Tartaris, A. Andrews and Walter Mousseau.

“Mr. Fobare and Joseph LeClair, have been nominated as delegate and alternate, respectively, to the national convention.

“Nominees as delegates to the state convention, which will be held this summer, are Mr. Reis, Chester Randall and Willis Wells. Alternates are Milo Moody, Earl Kerr and Edward Cuthbert.”

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Heavy sentence for 10 bucks

“Robert J. Hobby of 81 Broadway was sentenced to an indefinite term in Napanoch by Justice Andrew H. Weller Thursday on a charge of petit larceny.

“Hobby was arrested by Chief James Coughlin on a charge of stealing $10 from the cash register of a local meat market.”

[There was a state prison in Ulster County in the village of Napanoch. Why wasn’t the guy sent to the Franklin County jail?]

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Nursing bill signed

by governor

“The nurse practice bill, which was signed recently by Governor Lehman, requiring of licensing of all nursing for hire, will not become effective until July 1, 1938, according to Miss Mildred Holliday, member of the New York State Nurses association, and leader of the fight in this area for the adoption of the measure.

“The bill, passed by both houses, defines the practice of nursing and demands that anyone who offers or undertakes to nurse for compensation or for personal profit will have to obtain a license to practice.

“Two classes are provided for in the bill, one for the professional nurse and another for the practical nurse. According to Miss Holliday, each group of nurses must meet definite qualifications and, after July 1, no unlicensed persons will have the legal right to nurse for hire in the state.”

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Jewish Community Center hosts Carey

“County Judge Cornelius J. Carey, Jr., will speak tonight at the Jewish Community Center in the second in a series of public forums.

“Judge Carey will discuss ‘The Functions of the Court.’ The public is invited. Bridge and refreshments will follow the talk.

“The committee on education will be in charge. Edward Fauser is chairman, assisted by Irving Altman, L. K. Beller and Jacob Schweid.”