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When three friends gathered at Baxter's Boathouse in 1972 to discuss their Memorial Day weekend plans over a few beers, none of them would have suspected that they were on the verge of creating one of the prestigious sailing events on the Atlantic coast. The Figawi Race began as a challenge among a group of sailing enthusiasts who wanted to see who could race their boat to Nantucket first. After the first race, in which Bob "Red" Luby beat out brothers Bob and Joe Horan, it was decided by Bob Horan that it should become an annual event. In 1973, there were 15 boats, and the Figawi Race was off and running. The race evolved into a three-day event complete with a New England clambake. Figawi Race: Hyannis to Nantucket shares photographs and stories of a race that for over 40 years has continued to bring friends and sailors together.

The small rural villages of Mattituck and Laurel remained relatively unchanged for more than 100 years until the railroad arrived in 1844. The Long Island Rail Road launched Mattituck-Laurel into a modern era of material progress, where business flourished and the area became a desirable location for summer visitors from New York City. The railroad station stood at the center of commerce and industry. Immigrants arrived and embarked upon new enterprises alongside the already thriving small shops and businesses. During the second half of the 19th century, Mattituck was home to a pickling factory, canning factory, large-scale creamery, and successful fertilizer business. Mattituck and Laurel presents a fascinating glimpse into the historic people and businesses that shaped these two iconic hamlets on the North Fork of Long Island.

Early Macedon's shops, streets, and people come to life in this selection of photographs from the town's historian, the Macedon Historical Society, and private collections. Macedonians have been at the center of important national social issues for most of the town's history, as when individuals from Macedon signed the Declaration of Sentiments in Seneca Falls that led to women's right to vote. In the late 1800s, the village of Macedon was a manufacturing center for agricultural equipment. The Bickford & Huffman Company, known locally as the Drill Works, was a major local employer, and the Erie Canal, built in the 1820s, had an enormous influence on the growth and history of the town. Macedon's agricultural machinery and produce were shipped all over the nation from its busy terminal on the canal. Macedon Academy was founded in 1841 and served the surrounding area for 50 years. Its outstanding curriculum and reputation brought in students from a wide area. The building still stands, and today it is the home of the Macedon Historical Society. Macedon shows how far the town has come and celebrates its rich history.

Known as the gateway to the Finger Lakes, Horseheads is located in the center of Chemung County. Horseheads is the only town and village in the United States named in dedication to the service of the American military horse. In 1779, Gen. John Sullivan's army mercifully disposed of their worn-out horses on return from their war against the Six Nations of the Iroquois. The Iroquois arranged the bleached skulls along the crossroads, giving the area the name "Valley of the Horses' Heads." First with the Chemung Canal, then the earliest railroads, Horseheads became a hub for early industry. Horseheads shares photographs of a community that was nationally known for its high-quality bricks, produce, and lumber. What were once fertile celery farmlands grew into an industrial center for prefab homes that built the housing developments of Horseheads. Today, Horseheads has entered a period of growth due to the influx of the gas drilling industry.

Located entirely within the Adirondack Park, Ticonderoga has long been known for its rich natural resources like lumber from its vast wooded areas and its graphite mines. During the town's infancy, settlers harnessed the powers of Lake George as it fell into Lake Champlain with a series of dams to allow the town to truly thrive. After Ticonderoga was connected by the Champlain canal to the south and the Chambly canal to the north, the town became an economic powerhouse that helped fuel the birth of a new nation. Ticonderoga captures the rich history of a community that was shaped by its millers, blacksmiths, and farmers. Today, Ticonderoga is a destination for tourists who flock to the area to enjoy the same resources that were originally used for survival and to visit its historic fort.

Ward Pound Ridge Reservation's expansive landscapes and long-abandoned cellar holes tell a unique story. Its 4,315 acres, set aside by the Westchester County Parks Commission in 1925, hold within its boundaries a legacy left by the Native Americans and 18th- and 19th-century families who farmed the rolling fields and rocky hillsides. Marks of the 20th century include the remains of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) encampment and the stone walls, trailside shelters, and roads built by these young men. Thousands of trees planted by the CCC stand tall, shading the reservation's hiking and riding trails. Sitting amidst the park's streams, cliffs, and hills is the Trailside Nature Museum, which was enhanced by the efforts of local garden club women. Indian rock shelters and a cave used by the Leather Man lend an air of mystery to the beauty and wonders of the park's protected flora and fauna. Almost a century after its quiet beginnings, the reservation still invites visitors to enjoy and learn about the wonders of nature.

The years after World War I heralded a large influx of Polish immigrants fleeing war-torn homelands in search of a better life. Drawn by the opportunity to work in the textile and manufacturing mills, Polish immigrants moved to Wallington, New Jersey, a newly incorporated borough in Bergen County. The Polish community of Wallington established themselves as local store owners and businessmen. They constructed churches and social club buildings; established restaurants, pubs, and grocery stores; and participated in the social life of their community. By the 1920s, Polish Americans began to dominate local politics; in 1929, the first Polish American mayor, Leo Strzelecki, was elected. Polish Americans became the majority in Wallington between 1935 and 1945, representing about 70 percent of the population. In 2012, Polish Americans comprise over 50 percent of Wallington's population. Through vintage photographs that capture the spiritual life of these people and the struggles they overcame, Wallington's Polish Community honors the Polish immigrants of the past while educating new generations.