Presentation on Jbg's WWII-era skiing soldiers set for Feb. 22

NORTH CREEK| A program delving into the history of the U.S. Army's famed 10th Mountain Division — focusing on skiers from Johnsburg who were among its formative members — is to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at the Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek. The event is a presentation of the Johnsburg Historical Society, whose members have been researching the topic. The program is one of the dozen or so events to be held this winter and spring in celebration of the 90th anniversary of the first "Snow Train" which brought skiers from Schenectady and points south to ski in North Creek beginning in early March 1934. The 10th Mountain Division has a strong connection to the town of Johnsburg and its hamlet of North Creek. A dozen or so members of the Gore Mountain Ski Patrol and Ski Club joined the 10th Mountain Division in its formative years. This branch of the U.S. Army was activated in 1943 as a mountain warfare unit, the only one of its size to receive training for combat in challenging mountainous conditions. The skiers from Johnsburg who joined the 10th Mountain Division in the 1943-1944 era include Percy "Perry" Ehlers, Richard Jaeger, Carson "Tunk" Freebern, Art Draper, Arnold Alexander, Wallie Arnheiter, and Philip Santasiero — and possibly Luther Waldron and Daniel Vincent Waldron, according to the research conducted by the local historical society. According to various sources, the 10th Mountain Division fought in the mountains of Italy and Austria in what was considered some of the most challenging terrain and conditions in World War II. In recent decades, the division was reactivated and fought in Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia as well as being deployed for natural disasters or to maintain peace and stability in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo, as well as providing disaster assistance in Florida during Hurricane Andrew in August 1992. The historical society's Feb. 22 program is being held at no charge, but donations are welcome, as they support the society's research efforts and activities. Those who wish to assist in presenting the program are encouraged to contact society secretary Deana Wood, who also serves as the Johnsburg Town Historian, at 518-744-7931 or contact Pat at 518-898-7156. The Snow Train anniversary events are being held primarily from March 2 through March 4 by various area community entities including Gore Mountain, the North Creek Depot Museum and the Tannery Pond Community. Details on these programs and events can be viewed on Tannery Pond's website. Another program entitled "Schenectady's Women of Winter" is to be presented at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, detailing the activities of area women who were among the first female certified ski instructors and/or ski patrol members.

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Presentation on Jbg's WWII-era skiing soldiers set for Feb. 22

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