Day: April 15, 2025

Greg Steinmetz’s presentation explored the life and legacy of Jay Gould, a Gilded Age railroad magnate often overshadowed by contemporaries like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller. Steinmetz argued that Gould’s reputation as a pariah was unjust, highlighting his pivotal role in building America’s railroads, his financial innovations, and his disadvantaged upbringing. While Gould’s business practices were controversial, Steinmetz emphasized his contributions to industry and finance, contrasting his unmarked mausoleum with the enduring legacies of other robber barons.

My mom was a passionate and dedicated ice skater throughout her childhood; she would have loved for my sister and me to follow in her graceful footsteps. However, lessons at the Dorothy Hamill Skating Rink in Byram didn't lead to the mastery of a double axel, much less a Hamill Camel. Instead, I proudly donned the ever-popular 1976 Dorothy Hamill haircut and learned to love watching ice skating with my family on television. It became a cherished family event— rooting for our favorites during Nationals, the Olympics, and the Worlds.