Historical society makes museum donation

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg Historical Society annual picnic attendees saw on June 2 what makes small towns great at the Sterling Hill Mining Museum.
On behalf of the mine, President and Executive Director Bill Kroth presented a $2,500 donation to Ogdensburg Volunteer Fire Chief Rick Keslo, toward the Sussex County Fireman's Parade to be hosted by Ogdensburg, Oct. 6.
Kroth later said it is important to give back to the town. In addition, Kroth continued, it is the fire department's 100th anniversary and important to them. On a more personal note, he expressed his gratitude to the fire house for helping the mine during a power outage last winter. He said, it “was so nice of them” to allow the snack shop food to be brought over to the fire house.
Later, Keslo said, it was his 42nd year volunteering in the fire department, where on average, they respond to roughly 100 calls per year. Also, he was glad to report, the department received four new membership applications within the last few months.
Around 110 people attended the annual Ogdensburg Historical Society Picnic. Vice President John Kibildis and wife Dianna were actively organizing at the event. Dianna said, attendees were able to tour the mine at 4:30 p.m., with the picnic beginning at 6 p.m.
Kibildis, a retired Seventh and Eighth Grade Ogdensburg history teacher, reviewed answers to a quiz, “What do you know about Ogdensburg History?” He joked about checking to see that some of his former students knew the information – including when Ogdensburg was incorporated, March 31, 1914.
He then read a folk song's lyrics, before playing the song, “They came here to work, digging for ore. Down in the tunnels, where the sun never shines. In the dark and the damp, working down in the mine. Place now for a museum and shrine - to Ogdensburg Sterling Hill Mine.”