submitted by Jean Barber
The Berlin July 4th Parade Committee is pleased to announce that Sharon Klein, Berlin native and Town Historian, has been chosen as Grand Marshal for this year’s Independence Day parade to be held on Thursday, July 4, at 11 am. Sharon is a Charter Member of the Taconic Valley Historical Society, founded in 1973, having served as President and numerous times as Secretary. She is currently Historian for the Town of Berlin, a post she has held since January 1997.
[private]From the time she was a young girl, Sharon has been involved in Town affairs, having been a member of the local Bluebirds and Camp Fire Girls groups. She has served the community through various organizations and committees. She volunteered as a member of the Berlin Youth Commission for several years and served as Superintendent of the First Baptist Church Sunday School in the early seventies.
She has been a member of the Board of Directors of both the Watipi Association and the Berlin Free Town Library. At a time when there was no boy scout troop in the area, she, along with a few other area residents and her husband, Karl, was instrumental in forming local Boy Scout Troop #937. Local American Legion Post #937 sponsored the troop.
In 2006, Sharon led the celebration of Berlin’s bicentennial serving as chairperson of the bicentennial committee. The commemoration was a brilliant success as many joined in the variety of festivities. When it comes to the July 4th Parade, she is a veteran, having served as a committee member for a number of years through 2011.
When Sharon was approximately seven years old, her father, Elwin, and uncle, Llewellyn Palmer, purchased from Clarence Williams the building that, at that time, Clarence had operated as a store. The building, having been a hotel in prior years, dated back to 1806. Elwin and Llewellyn brought it back to its hotel status, renaming and operating it as the well known Colonial Inn. When Sharon’s father, Elwin, died unexpectedly in 1967 at the age of 47, Llewellyn and Helen continued to operate the Colonial Inn until later years when Llewellyn retired from the business. Helen continued to run the Inn until her death in 1998.
Sharon attended Berlin schools from kindergarten through grade 12, graduating in 1960. She went on to Hartwick College in Oneonta where, in 1964, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education. In later years she would complete graduate work in North Adams.
On July 3, 1965, Sharon and Karl Klein, were married. “We went to high school together and started dating when I was in college. Karl was in the navy, and was stationed on the
U.S.S. Enterprise,” she said. “Since then, almost every year for a number of years, we ended up spending our anniversary working on a float for the Berlin July 4th Parade.”
She and Karl moved to Dolgeville, NY, where, for three years, Sharon taught school. Karl attended Fulton-Montgomery College. They then moved to Glens Falls where Karl was offered a job, and she taught for Washington, Warren and Hamilton County BOCES for one year. Their son, Erik, was born in 1968 and, shortly after, they returned to Berlin.
Sharon would substitute teach periodically for the Berlin School District. She would also help out occasionally at the Inn when they held special events. In 1969 she was elected Berlin Town Clerk and served in that capacity from 1970 through 1973. During that time, in 1971, their daughter Laura was born.
In September 1976 Sharon began teaching business education for the Berlin School District. She also enjoyed teaching an elective class in local history. Sharon and Janice Newport, also a Berlin teacher, started what was known as the JOBBS (Joint Opportunity between Berlin Businesses and Schools) Program. The program was to acquaint students with various types of jobs through job shadowing, mock interviews and presentations by local business people. The program proved to be quite popular and continued beyond her June 1997 retirement for approximately ten years. Shortly before she retired, in January 1997, Sharon succeeded Margaret Kinn as Town of Berlin Historian.
It was the story of Van Veachton Rogers, born in Berlin, a world renowned harpist and composer, that Sharon remembers most sparking her interest in history. A brief biography can be found in the bicentennial booklet, “Celebrating 200 Years, Berlin, New York.” Because there was no grave marker in the Berlin First Baptist Cemetery where Mr. Rogers was buried, the Taconic Valley Historical Society raised the funds for and placed a marker on his grave.
Town Historian duties involve answering letters and phone calls, assisting writers, researchers and students, recording local history and items of lasting interest, maintaining files, leading celebrations, doing research and giving lectures about Berlin. She must be regularly available to the government, schools, community, the press and the general public. You can find historical pictures and articles on the Berlin website, www.berlin-ny.us.
She enjoys researching genealogy. “People contact me from all over the country looking for information,” she said.
Please join us in congratulating Sharon as we honor her for the important work that she does, for her contributions to local history and for her community service over the years.
Parade Theme
This year’s parade theme is “American Adventures.” Join in the fun and community spirit! The 1.7 mile Parade steps off at 11 am from the Berlin Elementary School. The Parade will take place rain or shine. Only due to severe weather will we delay or cancel the Parade.
Parking
We encourage parking in the established parking lots. Off-street parking is available at all churches on Main Street and at the Berlin Firehouse. Look for parking signs.
No Entry Fee Or Entry Deadline
Gather your friends, family or organization together and join the Parade! It is not necessary to follow the theme; it is offered only as a guide. Be creative! There are cash prizes for floats and ribbon awards for other categories. Prizes are also awarded for the best appearing fire company as well as the fire company with the most firemen in line.
Refreshments And Entertainment
Cold beverages will be provided for Parade participants at the Berlin Firehouse immediately following the Parade, compliments of the Berlin Vol. Fire Co. Join us in the Fire House parking lot for further entertainment, provided courtesy of The Hill Hollow Band.
Support The Tradition
We need your support to continue this time honored tradition. The cost of the Parade is funded almost entirely with private donations. We urge you to send your contribution to us at the address below. No amount is too small, and your support is greatly needed and appreciated. Please make your contribution payable to Berlin July 4th Parade Committee, P.O. Box 66, Berlin, NY, 12022. To contact us for participation information or more details, please email berlinjuly4thparade@yahoo.com or call Jean at 658-3010 or Carol at 658-3936.[/private]