I Never Knew That

 The Curious History of Love Potions

The idea of a love potion created to win the heart of an uninterested companion has been around for virtually as long as recorded history. While no one knows for sure when these elixirs first bubbled into existence, their development through the years, in many guises, serves as a snapshot for the cultures these creative concoctions have passed through.

The Ancient Greeks Set the Tone

According to Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and Mores, by Harry E. Wedeck, the ancient Greeks were among the earliest civilizations to foster the regular use of love potions, also known as “philtres.” The physician Xenocrates, who lived in the third century BCE, suggested that drinking the sap of the mallow plant would arouse passions in women. The stimulating effects of the roots of the satyrion and mandrake plants were well known to both the Greeks and the Romans that followed. The Greek physician Dioscorides, who served as an army surgeon for the Roman Emperor Nero, wrote of how the mandrake root dipped in wine would help win over prospective lovers.

Even those who lacked wealth and power enjoyed access to love-inducing aides, as they could find various charms and concoctions in a seedy district of ancient Rome known as the Sabura. Yet the widespread availability of such philtres, with their varying degrees of effectiveness, could also be a source of trouble. The poet Lucretius, a contemporary of Julius Caesar’s, was said to have been driven mad by a potion administered by his wife. Later, the Roman writer Apuleius stood trial for his alleged concoction of love potions to win the heart of a widow, with recipes including such stimulating seafood as spiced oysters, cuttlefish, and lobsters.

Source: historyfacts.com

Contributed by Jane Hart

From the Attic

A Bit of History in Our Neighborhood

Cathie Campbell dug up the photo above from their days living in the neighboring Sleepy Hollow Manor. Look closely at the date of the manhole cover, set down way back in 1927. But if you look at most of the homes in The Manor, they don’t seem to correspond to those built in the 1920s and 1930s. What happened? Quick answer: 1929 happened, with its stock market crash, the drop in incomes, and the slump in new homes built. Then, of course, came World War II. Perhaps that’s why many of the homes are split-level in nature. The split-level house came into vogue in the 1950s, which was about when house building started up again. And The Manor shows it.

Do you have something from “way back when” that speaks of your history, that of the town, that of the country? Send a photo our way for “From the Attic.”

Out and About

A Sleepy Hollow Birthday

If there’s one person who defines Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown, it is Washington Irving, author, diplomat, and wanderer of the rocks and rills of our towns. Also the Daddy of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman.

And April 3 is his birthday—his 242nd, no less! Each year, the Historical Society of Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow celebrates the day. This year was no different. Celebrants included the great man himself (in the person of Aaron Newcomer). And Kendal’s own Cynthia Ferguson, who managed to get a picture of the birthday boy’s cake as it was being cut (above). While it was being consumed, there was a talk about Irving himself and a reading of some of his favorite tales of our area. Sadly, the Headless Horseman was unable to attend.

I Never Knew That

The Human Skull Never Fully Stops Growing

By the time most of us reach age 20 or so, the bones in our body are pretty much done growing. The growth plates that cause us to put on inches in our youth are now hardened bone, and in fact, adults tend to drop an inch or two in height as worn-out cartilage causes our spines to shrink over time. However, there are a few bones that buck this biological trend. Skulls, for example, never fully stop growing, and the bones also shift as we age. A 2008 study from Duke University determined that as we grow older, the forehead moves forward, while cheek bones tend to move backward. As the skull tilts forward, overlying skin droops and sags.

The skull isn’t the only bone that has a positive correlation with age. Human hips also continue to widen as the decades pass, meaning those extra inches aren’t only due to a loss of youthful metabolism. In 2011, researchers from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine discovered that hips continue to grow well into our 70s, and found that an average 79-year-old’s pelvic width was 1 inch wider than an average 20-year-old’s. So while it’s mostly true that humans stop growing after the age of 20, nature always likes to throw in a few exceptions to the rule.

Source: Interestingfacts.com

Contributed by Jane Hart

From the Attic

It started well before the unpacking, but became a mystery with the unpacking. For years, we’d relieve family members of obscure boxes as their downsizing eliminated storage space. Down to our basement or up to our attic or into our garage they went. “One day soon, we’ll go through these and clean them out.” One day, but not that particular day. And so when the Kendal phone call came, and we signed on all the dotted lines, those boxes came with us. Still taped up. Still unexplored.

During our just-arrived time when boxes were being—if not cheerfully, then arduously—opened, objects were laid out in a flurry on every flat surface available, awaiting their final resting places. In achieving (sort of) that second task of resting places, we came across an item whose use neither of us could fathom. Nor could we figure out whose family it came from. It simply appeared out of nowhere.

For the past 3 years, we’ve contemplated just tossing it. But what would we be tossing? Made of wood, with metal fittings at either pointy end, it was elongated and hollow in its middle. The other day, it turned up again and, upon very, very, very close inspection, we found a set of numbers and tossed those numbers, along with the accompanying word “Southern,” into the computer. To our immense surprise, about six other of its ilk immediately popped up.

Now, Marilyn Bottjer is going to know immediately what it is. But here are its pictures (top, bottom, sides) and what we have learned about it:

Top (unless it’s the bottom)

Side

Bottom (unless it’s the top)

“Southern 1417-1”

Our “treasure” (?) is a “vintage” wooden textile-mill weaving loom shuttle, used in making rugs, tapestries, and fabrics. It has lost its innards—probably a long time ago. We have only vague notions where it came from—but at least we now know what it is. Thank you, Internet.

Art by Hart

Everyone looked up to Ratner-Coyle

Lurelle’s ongoing power struggle with Woofie showed no sign of letting up

Fred found out he was allergic to Maddie’s new puppies

Everybody went to pieces when the Mr. Frostee truck was late

Aunt Lulu was on time to pick up Shad, but which one was he?

Art and photos by Jane Hart

In and Around Kendal

A Milestone for Joe Kratovil

This year, Joe Kratovil reached a milestone in birthday celebrations: his 100th! Here’s one on the actual day!

100 birthdays may have come and gone, but Joe is still out, about, and movin’ along. The Bloomfelds met him on the way to Rockwood Park, and Joe gave them a detailed guided tour, including tree identification, a lesson on stone walls, and an explanation of the mansion layout.

Photo by Harry Bloomfeld

Workin’ on the River

Photo by Joe Bruno

Runnin’ by the River

The Rivertown Runners were out in the Sleepy Hollow Half Marathon, and Caroline Reiss and Donna Nye just happened across the Rockwood Park part of it—and the piper who serenaded them.

Donna Nye knows great piping when she hears it.

Road Runners running!

Photos by Carolyn Reiss

It’s Early Spring in Kendal Land

Soon to Bud, by Edward Kasinec

Soft Forest Floor, by Carolyn Reiss

Something Old, Something New, by Greg Lozier

Magnolia Ready to Burst, by Carolyn Reiss

A Cluster of Pines, by Edward Kasinec

Yellow Blossoms—Ready, by Carolyn Reiss

A Swallow Sets Up Housekeeping in the Park, by Carolyn Reiss

Travelin’ by the River

City-bound, by Greg Lozier

Late Afternoon Sky

Photo by Greg Lozier

Out and About

Kendal’s Trip to the Blauvelt Art Museum

Last week, Kendalites journeyed to Oradell, NJ, to visit the Blauvelt Art Museum, which features wildlife art by contemporary artists.

Watching Spring A-Bursting

Amanda Slattery and Ruth Dinowitz rode over to the NY Botanical Gardens for the 2025 Orchid Show—and saw lots more than orchids!

Poppies and forget-me-nots in March! Gives one hope.

Ruth Dinowitz marvels at the NYBG Orchid Show.

From the Attic

We all came with them: boxes of who-knew-what. Things we’d always meant to go through: photographs, souvenirs, old report cards, other memories of years before. Cathie Campbell recently found this treasure, created in her high school years:

Some sharp eyes may note that this work of art was actually created by one Helen Ellingson. An explanation from Cathie: “I was named for two grandmothers, Helen and Alice Catherine. Forget Alice! And although they wanted me to go by Cathie, they [her parents] thought Helen Catherine was more euphonious than Catherine Helen. So I was Cathie, until third grade, when I decided, Well, if my first name is Helen, that’s what to call me. I would not answer Miss L, my third grade teacher unless I was addressed as Helen.” Clearly, Miss L’s influence remained in Cathie’s subconscious, because sooner or later she reverted to Cathie. And then she married Mr. Campbell. There you have it.

So, consider this “From the Attic” a new section. Do you have any favorite, humorous, or just plain weird items that tell a story? Send pictures of them—with your explanation—our way (kohresweb@gmail.com)!

A Relaxing & Delicious Break in a Spring Day

There’s Still Room for Afternoon Tea
April 25, 2-4 pm
“April Showers Bring May Flowers”
 FDR

Menu:

Choice of Tea Fred’s Homemade Scones
with Clotted Cream and Jam
Tea Sandwiches
Finger Desserts

Still about 15 spots available—but don’t hesitate! Make a $25 check out to “KoH Residents Council” and write “Dining Services Tea” on the memo line. Leave your check in Cynthia Ferguson's cubby, #2211 by April 17. Your check reserves your place.

Ladies and Gents, let’s celebrate Spring at Kendal!   

The Weekly Kendal Low-Stakes Poker Report!

March 26’s Grand Winner

Hubert Herring, with $15!

[Insert uproarious cheers and applause]

The aim is fun, not financial windfall. Fear not any Atlantic City high-rollers joining in. All skill sets are welcome. Stakes are 25-50 cents.

Want to join the fun? Call or text John Vacher: (404) 556-0557. He’ll even come and provide a short tutorial, so you’ll fit in seamlessly your very first Wednesday night.

I Never Knew That

There Were Female Gladiators in Ancient Rome

If you learned everything you know about gladiators from a certain Ridley Scott movie, there’s a lot left to discover about the ancient Roman blood sport. Most compelling, perhaps, is the fact that there were female gladiators. Details of their exploits are scant compared to those of their male counterparts, but scholars and historians agree that gladiatrices had their share of glory in the arena.

Though most came from lower classes—including enslaved women—some middle and upper-class women also took up the sword and sandal, despite their lifestyle being frowned upon by Roman society, where they had far fewer freedoms than men and were defined in relation to them. As for why women of means would choose to enter the arena, the University of Michigan’s David S. Potter offers this timeless explanation to History.com: “It’s exciting. It’s different. It pisses off their parents.”

Though these female fights were relatively rare and mostly presented as novelty acts, literary and archaeological evidence suggests that a select few women received as much reverence as the men did. The most famous example is a bust (see above picture) depicting two gladiatrices using the stage names Amazon and Achillia, who fought to a noble draw—proving what we do in life really does echo in eternity.

Art by Hart

Tarleton’s upstairs neighbor loved to sing through the night

Heffernan had so many new movies on his list, he had to watch two at a time

Rosie’s new separation anxiety made it hard for Lance and Cecily to leave for work

Mopsy’s moral compass was a half-sour pickle

Huddleston and Primrose imagined traveling to Planet Earth

Art and photos by Jane Hart

© Kendal on Hudson Residents Association 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 all rights reserved.  Please do not reproduce without permission.

Photographs of life at Kendal on Hudson are by residents.