MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE magazine Issue Dec 2022

MY TOWN A GREAT P L ACE TO LIVE

Dec 2022 December Warm

Who can recall, Decembers of past, Where images of Holidays linger and last.

For some there’s a child, and kings from afar, For others there’s a candle, eight nights and a star. For some there’s a Carol as they Deck the Hall, With a red suit and a tree, some seven foot tall. Still others will celebrate the New Year to be, Remembering friends and great things to be.

For some December’s, a holiday held dear, For some it’s a month, with friends always near.

For many its ice, some snow and a storm, With friends and family, that keep December Warm. Our wish for you, to hold, and recall, For joy and good tidings, and good will.... to all.

~ By John Vallone

*In grateful appreciation to all the stars, shows and film companies covered within. Photos & stories of celebrities and films and other articles within are either in the public domain, public knowledge, determined as fair use and/or researched through sources such as Wikipedia or from interviews and personal experienes. Photo of BenKingsley & Jeff Bridges credited to Gage Skidmore CC BY 3.0 Photo of Samuel Jackson to Thiery Caro CC BY 3.0, Photo of Kim Basinger credited to Roland Godefroy CC BY 3.0, Photo of Denzel Washingotn Credited to Alan Light CC BY 2.0, Photo of Val Kilmer credited to Georges Biard CC SA 3.0, Photo of Maisa Tomei credited to Chrisa Kickey CC BY 3.0, and thank you to organizations like Project Gutenberg, and so many others for sharing great classics like Twas the Night Before Christmas. Thank you one and all!

"Every day of the year, NORAD defends North America using an all-domain and globally integrated approach to track everything that flies in and around Canada and the United States. On Dec. 24, NORAD adds a special mission: tracking Santa.

Like many origin stories, NORAD’s mission to track Santa began by accident. In 1955 a young child, trying to reach Santa, dialed the misprinted phone number from a department store ad in the local newspaper. Instead of calling Santa, the child called the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Air Force Col. Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night who answered the child’s phone call, was quick to realize a mistake had been made and assured the child he was Santa. After more incoming calls, Shoup assigned a duty officer to continue answering calls and a tradition was born, that continued when NORAD was formed in 1958.

Each year since, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions of children and families across the world. Because of the support, services and resources generously provided by volunteers and our government and corporate contributors, NORAD Tracks Santa has persevered for more than 65 years.

In fact, what started because of a typo has flourished and is recognized as one of the Department of Defense's largest community outreach programs.

Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa Web Site receives several million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers typically answer more than 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline from children across the globe.

In addition to the phone line and website, children and the young-at-heart can track Santa through our mobile apps and our social media platforms:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noradsanta

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoradSanta

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/NORADTracksSanta

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noradtrackssanta_official

NORAD Tracks Santa Website: https://www.noradsanta.org

NORAD Tracks Santa Newsroom: https://newsroom.24-7pressrelease.com/noradsanta Several contributors such as OnStar and Amazon Alexa also provide convenient ways to keep tabs of Santa’s location."

From the good people at NORAD

the men

women of the

Roberson's Mansion was the site of one of the most delightful Christmas events to kick off the holidays. Matthew Vavalle's voice and piano students brought a warmth to the mansion filling the decorated halls with the holiday spirit for all to enjoy. What a fantastic event with so many talented singers who shared their time and songs with us all. Our sincerest thanks to Matthew, his students and Roberson for hosting such a truly wonderful event!

Merry, Merry Christmas!

Your Neighbor Matthew Vavalle

You may know Matthew Vavalle as a husband, a father, a friend, or a talented music teacher who has been sharing the gift of music with so many over the years. And this month, we're very proud to share with you a bit about the man who has helped to make this a great place to live!

~ I was Born in Johnson City and grew up on Binghamton's Southside, on Vine St. My father worked for EJ Shoe stores when we were kids. Later he went into contracting, and worked for himself and then for Neuman Development. My mom is a nurse, she worked for Wilson Hospital until a back injury forced her to leave that work, and she became a full time mom, I'm pretty sure nursing was much easier! I am a twin, my sister's name is Michelle and we have 2 younger brothers, Marc and Michael. Growing up, I loved playing with my siblings and cousins. Anytime we all got together we had the best time. I loved Star Wars, and music, especially Bruce Springsteen and I used to pretend to be a rock star! The holidays were always great. My favorite Christmas memory would have to be our Christmas Eve dinners at my grandparent's house. We took turns each year but it didn't matter which house we were at, everything smelled amazing and there were always piles of gifts for us and our cousins! I loved my high school days. I went to Seton CC and was on the football team for awhile and tried out lacrosse, but felt the most home in chorus and band or on stage! I always loved music, even as a young kid I enjoyed hearing my grandfather's recordings of the 3 tenors. I also enjoyed musi cals. My favorites were Fiddler on the Roof and Oliver. It wasn't until a close friend talked me into being in a musical in 9th grade that I began to think about performing. I did that first production of Peter Pan and I was hooked. As a pianist, I had been playing since I was 7 or 8, but it wasn't until I met my high school band teacher Jim Wheeler, that I really fell in love with playing. He taught me how to improvise and I had already been given a great foundation from my piano teacher Irene Kanazawich. Once I learned how to merge the two approaches my piano playing really took off. I started off as a voice major at Binghamton University before transferring to the Opera Conservatory at Purchase College. I loved my time at Purchase. I met some of the greatest friends and colleagues there. I was involved in numerous productions while I attended, but the standouts were Gianni Schichi in which I sang the role of Gherardo and later I sang the tenor lead, Eisenstein in Die Fledermaus. Before finding my current path, I worked as a server for several restaurants through the years. I also worked in construction with my dad for a few years. I've been a barista, a Gap employee, a bagel baker, an RA, a bartender... I honestly tried a little of everything. Now I am the Director of Music at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and the K-6 Music teacher at St Johns Evangelist and All Saint's Schools. I started teaching voice in the summers during college at Johnson City Schools Summer Program. When I began teaching for the Catholic Schools I

began teaching voice and piano to my students who were looking for extra music training. I learned with every student how to refine, and differentiate my approach in order to meet the needs of the individual. I teach both piano and voice and little by little I've grown my studio to where it's now large enough that I actually have to place people on a waiting list or refer them to other teachers in the area. What I enjoy the most about teaching is watching my students thrive. There's a special joy in seeing them take what you've taught them and make it their own. When you see them performing and doing it well you know all the work they put in to get themselves to that point and it makes their performance all the more special. Our performance at Roberson came out of a desire to find performance opportunities for my students. There aren't always many outlets for young singers so I'm making it a point to create opportunities for them to get up in front of an audience and perform. In my personal life I have been blessed with my beautiful wife Kelly, and three wonderful kids; Cecilia, Jude and Caroline. All three kids love music, they sing in the car and at home as well as in their music classes with me. Cecilia studies voice and drums, Jude studies violin, and Caroline parrots everything she hears me teach during lessons. All three love to sing their fa vorite songs while we drive. My wife also loves music and sings along with anything she hears. She has an amazing memory for lyrics and remembers almost everything she has ever sung! Now with a family of my own the holidays continue to be special just like when I was growing up. My favorite Christmas memories with my wife and kids are the trips we take each time during the Holidays. We've traveled to Lancaster, Hershey, Utica and seen Christmas concerts, gone on Polar express rides, and just had a great time in each other's company. And yes my family actually does go Caroling every year around my parent's neighborhood on the Southside, and yes I usually end up behind the piano at family parties, playing Carols while friends and family sing along. In closing I'd like to wish my family, friends and everyone the very best this Holiday Season. Happy New Year all! (To find more information about Matthew's studio he can be reached through his Facebook page, Vavalle Piano and Voice Studio, or via email at mvavalle@syrdiocese.org. )

Connie’s Place Family Hair Care Happy Holidays

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Originally titled "A Visit from St. Nicholas" in 1823 by Clement Clark Moore, this American classic poem has been recited and sung for children and audiences of all ages during the holidays from such greats like Burl Ives, & Luis Armstrong and can even be found in movies such as National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. This Christmas why not make this tradition part of yours and recite it at your family gathering.

WAS the night before Christmas, When all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that ST. NICHOLAS soon would be there;

he children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And Mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap;

hen out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

he moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow, Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below. When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,

ith a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

ow, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of Toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof, The prancing and pawing of each little hoof—

As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And he look'd like a pedlar just opening his pack.

His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlfull of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself, A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And fill'd all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

Christmas on Lisle Ave

For I guess everyone, thinking of Christmases past over the generations brings to mind visions of our homes filled with family and friends, the holiday feasts, and the traditions which have been shared year after year. Home for the Holidays is so much more than a location. It’s a warmth, embracing you through memories that can bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. For our family one of the first homes that carried such memories of the holidays was at 3 Lisle Ave in Binghamton within a melting pot segment of the city. There were four children; Jenny, Jack, John and Aggie the youngest. Our parents Frank and Gracia Vallone, emigrated from Calabria, Italy and Pagliatta, Sicily, to come to America for their American Dream. Like so many in the neighborhood they were devoted parents, hard workers, devout Christians, and filled our home with love. Each of us kids have now grown and have children and grandkids of our own, with our traditions and values being passed on to each of them. It’s a blessing to have had many of our children experience these holidays with our parents and seeing them now pass these traditions on to their kids. As we put our memories to paper of Christ mases on Lisle Ave, it’s a remarkable reflection for us to see that over the decades at 3 Lisle Ave from when I was growing up to later when my youngest sister Aggie was growing up, to even when our sister Jenny’s son Brian was in his early years, that we all got to experience Christmas on Lisle Ave at different times but shared the same experiences, traditions and most of all warmth of the holidays. Essentially, life was always good at home as a family committed to each other with the frosting on the cake being those special family days and holidays. Christmas was the most exciting holiday at our house, filled with the wonderful aromas from baked goods and food, lots of activity, and family and friends. The house itself on Lisle Ave was modest but the bonds and connections of family and friends made it richer than any mansion. 3 Lisle Ave was home to two families, our family lived downstairs and my dad’s sister Carmela’s family lived upstairs. All the activity of family and friends going upstairs and downstairs and back upstairs and then downstairs again made Christmas Eve so much fun. Having so many people in one house laughing and enjoying each other and the spirit of the holiday is what Christmas is all about. The house each year was decorated with red wreaths in each window and the focus was always on the tree, decorated with old and colorful balls and lights. Our dad would always go to buy the Christ mas Tree and every year he threatened to get a small tree; but then he would come home with the most beautiful tree ever. We didn’t have a car, so he would go to a place nearby and carry it home. With dad’s artistic eye he would get a tree that was perfectly shaped but so tall he always had to cut off the top. Then it came time to decorate the tree with all the beautiful old ornaments and garland. There were delicate glass bells and houses, and balls with concave cone layers painted different col ors. The lights were the old c5 tree lights that gave a wonderful hue to the night. The ornament at the top was a spire that seemed to point to heaven. And after all the lights, garland, and ornaments were carefully placed, we would place silver tinsel on the tree. The decorations at Christmas would always cast such a warm glow in our home. The final touch would be the Nativity. Our Dad had built a picket

fence to surround the tree. It was green and he made a golden gate with a little latch on it so the gate could be opened. The manger had the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph surrounded by the Magi and desert animals. The Christ Child and his crib were kept on a table away from the manger. Our father explained that Jesus would not be in the manger until December 25th, the day he was born, and on the 25th the good lord and angels would bring the baby to the manger. Sure enough, every Christmas when we woke up there he was in his crib. Later as we got older we got to share in the tradition of placing the Christ child in his crib at Midnight on Christmas Eve. Then of course there was the food. The weeks preceding Christmas were busy with the baking of special Italian pastries and the planning of the traditional Italian meals. There were so many different types of pastries like Chinoli which looks like a ravioli, little Italian tarts, and of course cannolis. Sadly most of the cannolis you find in a bakery today have the baked shell. Back then the shell was fried in Olive Oil. Yes, it makes a difference. Maybe fried is not as healthy as baked, but if you eat enough cannolis where that makes a difference in your health…. you just may have a bigger problem . Christmas Eve was the precursor to a fantastic traditional (non meat) feast consisting of pastas and seafood. We’d have bushels of Zeppole ( Italian fried bread), Melanzane (fried eggplant), fried shrimp, baccala, stuffed calamari in tomato sauce, homemade spaghetti, lupini beans, soup and fish fillets. After Christmas Eve Dinner the kids would go to other rooms to play while the adults had coffee and played card games using lupini beans as betting chips as they talked and told stories with laughter always being heard from the kids in the other rooms as well as the adults in the dining room. Later depending on how old you were we’d make our way to St Mary’s for the midnight mass. For the kids, walking to church that late at night was kind of a scary treat. Seeing the town in the dark felt very adventurous. St. Mary’s was always crowded as were most Catholic churches for Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The music was always full and rich from the organ and the choir and included trumpets. The hymns were a mix of English, Latin and Italian. Tu Scendi Dalle Stella was our parent's favorite. To this day we still get choked up when we here it. And so comes Christmas Day. We’d wake up early, check the presents and then the manger. Dad was right, the good Lord and angels did place the Christ Child in his crib inside the manger, and even the gate that was left open to the manger anticipating the Christ child was now closed. What a beautiful morning. Now we’d all have a quick breakfast, dress up, and off to the 9am Mass. I think us kids and the other kids always prayed it would be a short mass so we could run home and tune in WNBF on the radio so we could “Watch” Lionel Barrymore play the Scrooge in A Christmas Carol while our folks welcomed friends with genuine Christmas best wishes. Dad would call all of his friends and wish them a Buon Natale. Finally, at 12 noon our family and relatives joined together for the fabulous Christmas Meal with a table stacked with the feast to outdo all feasts; Lasagna or ravioli in a sausage and meatball flavored tomato sauce, sausages, meatballs, chicken, stacks of homemade bread etc, etc, the food would just keep coming. To drink there was wine for adults much of which was made by each family, and soda for the kids. The rest of the day everyone relaxed and reestablished deep friendships and committed to the future of their yet to be born children. Our memories we’re sure are much the same as yours for Christmas & the holidays. It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year for all of us no matter our age. It’s a time of rebirth, a new beginning to share with those we love and with those who are less fortunate. It's a time when the spirit of Christmas touches each of us and brings us closer together. And with that, we remnants of the Vallone family extend our sincerest wishes that you and yours may enjoy the blessing of Christmas and find not only peace on earth but also peace within your hearts.

~ Lt Col John Vallone, Agatina Vallone and Brian Pendleton

movie When Harry Met Sally along with the NYE finale. Although this was Hollywood, its a scene played out all over the world every NYE when we'll raise our glasses in toast and give a kiss to those we hold dear. And as the music plays a familiar song we may even sing along to this heartfelt tune which has been part of a great tradition since 1799. A song called Auld Lang Syne.

Auld Lang Syne

Should old acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should old acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely you'll buy your pint cup! and surely I'll buy mine! And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

CHORUS….

In Old Scottish, “for auld lang syne” translates to “for old long since”, which today would mean simply: “for old times’ sake”. ---------------------------------------------------------------------

So here's to you... A Toast this New Year's to all our friends & family, for all the todays and tomorrows, and for auld lang syne.

The Golden Age of Hollywood

William Reynolds Dec 9th, 1931 The FBI

Sherry Alberoni Dec 4th, 1946 The Mickey Mouse Club

Dick Van Dyke Dec 13, 1925 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Ben Kingsley Dec 31, 1943 Gandhi

Anthony Hopkins Dec 31st, 1937 The Lion In Winter

Kim BasingerDec 8, 1953

Jeff Bridges Dec 4, 1949

Samuel Jackson Dec 21, 1948

Teri Garr Dec 11, 1944

John Amos Dec 27, 1939

Denzel Washington Dec 28, 1954

Val Kilmer Dec 31, 1959

Brad Pitt Dec 18, 1963

Marisa Tomei Dec 4, 1964

Jamie Foxx Dec 13, 1967

Maria Riva Dec 13th, 1924 Scrooged

Russ Tamblyn Dec 30th, 1934 West Side Story-Riff

Kathy Garver Dec 13, 1945 Family Affair - Sissy

Rita Moreno Dec 11th, 1931 West Side Story-Anita

Judy Strangis Dec 23rd, 1949 Room 222

Abbe Lane Dec 14th, 1932 Chicago Syndicate

Donna Martell Dec 24th, 1927 Hills of Utah

Whether you're at home or visiting friends for the holidays, here are some great classic holiday movies to watch that are sure to get you in the spirit .

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas... is just one of the many songs that have always been a part of the Holidays from one of the most famous singers of our time, Johnny Mathis. You just can’t escape the magic of his voice for the holidays which can come from nowhere else but the heart. So much has Johnny been a part of our Christmas that we just had to ask him if he’d like to share a bit of his story with us. So in answering our holiday wish here's a great story that Johnny and the Johnny Mathis team put together for us! Merry Christmas All!

A Johnny Mathis Christmas

“Christmas is very special for me. There were seven of us growing up and my mom and dad always made it such a wonderful, magical time.”

- Johnny Mathis

The fourth of seven children, John Royce Mathis was born on September 30, 1935 in Gilmer, Texas to Clem and Mildred Mathis. As a small boy, the family moved to Post Street in San Francisco. It was there that he learned an appreciation of music from his father who taught him his first song, “My Blue Heaven”. At age eight, his father purchased an old upright piano for $25. When he brought it home, it wouldn't fit through the front door. So that evening, Johnny stayed up all night to watch his father dismantle the piano, get it into the small living room of their basement apartment and then reassemble it. “Those are the memories I have when I sing these Christmas songs,” Johnny says, “And then to get lucky and fortunate enough to have (the songs) become staples every year for the listening public – it’s just everything that I ever dreamed of, because it brings back their memory to me every time I hear them.”

Clem Mathis, who worked briefly as a musician back in Texas playing the piano and singing on stage, would continue to teach his son many songs and routines. Johnny had proven to be the most eager of the children to learn all about music. He sang in the church choir, school functions, community events, and for visitors in their home as well as amateur shows in the San Francisco area. He was also a successful track & field athlete, and was offered a chance to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials. In the same week Columbia Records called, so he chose to go to New York to record his first album, which was released on July 16, 1956. Best-known for his supremely popular hits like “Chances Are," "It's Not For Me To Say," and "Misty”, Johnny has recorded close to 80 albums, 6 Christmas albums, and has sold millions of records worldwide. During his extensive career he has had 3 songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, achieved 50 Hits on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart, and ranks as the alltime #6 album artist in the history of Billboard’s pop album charts. He has received 5 Grammy Nominations, and in 2003 he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. And in May 2017 he received an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from his Alma Mater San Francisco State University.

In addition to all this Johnny & his music have appeared in numerous films & TV shows, including The Tonight Show, Silver Linings Playbook, Family Ties, Criminal Minds, Gremlins, Mad Men, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, just to name a few. In 2017 he released his 78th studio album titled “Johnny Mathis Sings The Great New American Songbook”, and debuted his 2 “lost” albums - “I Love My Lady” produced by Nile Rodgers & Bernard Edwards of the pivotal group CHIC; “The Island” with Sergio Mendes. He also recorded new musical col laborations with other artists up to & through 2020. Johnny continues to be Columbia Records longest signed recording artist, and to fans of all ages The Voice Of Christmas! 2022 marks his 66th anniversary as a recording artist, so what’s next for Johnny?

~ “I don’t think about retiring. I think about how I can keep singing for the rest of my life. I just have to pace myself.”

Our thanks once again to Johnny & his team! We'd also like to mention that Johnny is on tour so please check out his website for dates and locations. You can even read a lot more about Johnny there and pick out some great presents from his on line store. johnnymathis.com

Here's A Christmas Wish from Johnny to everyone.

MY TOWN HOLIDAY TRIVIA

In Home Alone Macaulay Culkin’s bed-wetting cousin was actually his real life little brother.

In Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, Reginald and Rollo were other names they considered for Rudolph. When casting the movie Elf starring Will Fer rell the first person originally cast for the role of Elf was Jim Carrey, while in It’s a Wonder ful Life Vincent Price was also thought of for the part of the villain Mr. Potter.

In the animated movie The Nightmare before Christmas it took one week to make every minute of film.

In Its A Wonderful Life in the bar scene where Jimmy Stewart (George Bailey) is praying, Jimmy was so overcome with the basis of the scene that he started to sob in real life during the filming.

In The Santa Claus 2, Tim Allen played such a great Santa that many of the child actors believed him to be the one and only Santa. So Tim made sure to stay in character when he was anywhere around any of the kids. What a great guy!

In White Christmas, Bing Crosby's on screen romance Rosemary Clooney, is in real life George Clooney's Aunt.

In the movie A Christmas Story when Ralphie's tongue is stuck to a metal pole from frost,... Hollywood decided to use a little safer trick than frost and used a little tube inside the pole to create the suction needed to give the appearance of having his tongue stuck.

Eddie Murphy and Jack Nicholson were both thought of for the part of The Grinch in How The Grinch Stole Christmas before Jim Carrey. Did you know Zuzu Bailey (Karolyn Grimes) in It's A Wonderful Life was also the Bishop's daughter, Debby, in The Bishop's Wife. You can catch her again in person this year at The Seneca Falls It's A Wonderful Life Festival!

Phil's Chicken House Your Neighbor

Chances are you are no stranger to Phil’s Chicken House. They’ve been cooking up great Rotisserie BBQ Chicken and home cooked food like mom used to make for decades. Kevin Card is the third generation to own and run the family business which all started back in 1965 when Kevin’s father, Phil, took the experience he had as a restaurant manager and as a cook in the US Army to open up a restaurant with his father Elmer. The first Phil’s Chicken House was in Endicott in the same location you can find Kevin and his wife Blanca at today. Needless to say they’ve been cooking up chicken right for some time now. A national magazine even wrote that Phil’s was serving the best chicken you’ll find anywhere on the East Coast. Besides feeling very proud and blessed to be part of this community they love so much with all of its history and traditions, Phil’s also gives back to many non-profit organizations such as Little League teams, Fire Stations, and Youth Church groups, etc. We’d like to say that we’re also proud that Phil’s is part of our commu nity and history. Thanks Kevin and Blanca for everything!!!

Live Entertainment

Dec 1 Thu

Open Mic @ J’s Tavern

Open Mic @ Watermans

Bing Symph @ Osterhout

Virgil Cain @ McGirks

Dec 2 Fri

Karaoke @ The Night Cap

Karaoke @ J’s Tavern

Acoustic Phools @ Abels Wild Card @ Tioga Downs

Old Friends @ Stus Greg Neff @ Endicott Elks Revenant @ Tap House

John Z @ South City Trouble Brewing @ Seebers

Dec 3 Sat

Karaoke @ Dugout

Trouble Brewing @ J’s Tavern Revenants @ Nips

Comedy @ Beer Thirty Holiday Brass @ Oakdale Mall Ship of Phools @ Thirstys

CTL @ My Cousins Place

Dec 7 Wed

Broadway In Bing Pres: Legally Blonde @ Forum Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ The Night Cap

Dec 8 Thu

Broadway In Bing Pres: Legally Blonde @ Forum Open Mic @ J’s Tavern Open Mic @ Watermans Sirsy@ McGirks

Bing Symph @ Osterhout

Dec 9 Fri

Karaoke @ J’s Tavern

Karaoke @ The Night Cap

A Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

The Nutcracker @ EPAC

Dec 10 Sat

Bing Philharmonic Pres: Winter Wonderland

A Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

Virgil Cain @ Tioga Downs

Bands @ Beer Thirty

The Nutcracker @ EPAC

Beedle Brothers @ Ransom Steele

Dec 11 Sun

The Nutcracker Ballet @ Forum

A Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

The Bing Crosbys @ SUNY B Chamber

Dec 12 Mon

Endwell Chorus @ Oakdale Mall

Dec 14 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ The Night Cap

Dec 15 Thu

Open Mic @ J’s Tavern Open Mic @ Watermans

A Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

Comedy @ Tap House

Lita Ford @ Touch of Texas

Dec 16 Fri

Karaoke @ J’s Tavern

A Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

Karaoke @ The Night Cap

Splash @ Tioga Downs KidBess @ Atomic Toms Brothers & Friends @ McGirks Smashing Atom @ Thirstys Rhythm Hill Blues @ Kellys

Dec 17 Sat

Trouble Brewing @ J’s Tavern

Kenny G. @ Forum A Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

Bing Downtown Singers @ Sarah Jane A Prince Celebration @ Ransom Steele

Dec 18 Sun

Amahl & The Night Visitors @ TCOpera Christmas Carol @ Cider Mill

Dec 21 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ The Night Cap

Dec 22 Thu

Open Mic @ J’s Tavern Open Mic @ Watermans Greg Neff @ McGirks

Dec 23 Fri

Karaoke @ The Night Cap

Karaoke @ J’s Tavern Dec 27 Tue Comedy @ The Forum Dec 28 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ The Night Cap Dec 29 Thu Open Mic @ J’s Tavern Plaid Tidings @ Cider Mill Open Mic @ Watermans

Dec 30 Fri

Karaoke @ J’s Tavern Plaid Tidings @ Cider Mill

Karaoke @ The Night Cap

Junkyard Heights @ Tioga Downs Dec 31 Sat

NYE Lone Ryderz @ J’s Tavern

Be sure to check all your favorite venues for upcoming NYE celebrations and please remember to be safe.

Always Check the Venue for information pertaining to dates, times and Covid rules and policies.

What’s Happening

Dec 1- Jan 6

Home For The Holidays ~ Roberson

Dec 3, 10, 17

Recreation Park Holiday EventCarousel, Hay Rides, Horse Drawn Carriage, Photos with Santa, Ice Rink.

Endicott Holiday Parade ~Washington Ave Endicott

Dec 4 Discovery Center Santa's Workshop & Gingerbread House Display Dec 6 Saint Nicholas Day Dec 10

Casino Night (Benefit for Humane Soc) ~JohnsonCityEagles24WillowSt.JC

Dec 11 St. John's Santa Run ~ Boscov's Binghamton Dec 17 Holiday Horizons ~Kopernick Observatory

Dec 18- 26 Happy Hanukkah!

Dec 18 Breakfast w/ Santa ~ St Patricks

Photos with Santa ~ Madrona Tasting Room

Dec 24 Christmas Eve Dec 25 Merry Christmas! Dec 31 New Year's Eve

FOOD & DRINK

Happy Holidays!

The Beef Restaurant & Pub

For the Love of Beef & the perfectly poured Guinness. Stop in and make a friend. Live Music every Wednesday! 62 Leroy Street. Bing, 729-2333

Clinton Street Cafe

A Great American Cafe serving Breakfast and Lunch - Come in for the BEST Sausage Gravy anywhere!!

52 Clinton St. Bing. 724-9927

The Dugout Sports Bar

An infusion of great food, drinks & sports with 20+ HDTVs, pool tables, foosball, darts & outdoor tiki bar with live entertainment! 6125 State Route 434, Apalachin, 625-3188

J's TAVERN

J's Tavern

There's a new place in town on Conklin Ave. Come in and enjoy great food & drinks at a price you can afford. Live Bands, Karaoke, Open Mic... we got it all. 209-301 Conklin Ave Bing. 217-5505

Madrona Tasting Room

MADRONA TASTING ROOM

Come experience all the flavors of a state wide tasting tour, along with a very unique gift shop, live entertainment & much more. 248 County Rd 1, Chen Forks, 204-0814

The Night Cap Bar & Grill

Your Neighborhood Bar for Good Food, Inexpensive Drinks, Karaoke on Fridays and Live Enter tainment. Come try our wings and stay for the fun. 71 Lake Street Avenue, Bing. 238-7448

Phil's Phil's Chicken House

The Park Diner & Restaurant

It's all about family! Come in and see why generations have made this their stop for great food and sharing great times. 119 Conklin Ave Bing. 722-9840

You're going to love our Amazing Rotisserie Chicken BBQ. est1965. Take out or Curbside Tue- Sun. Famous catering! & Don't forget our fresh baked pies. 1208 Union Ctr Main Highway Endicott 748-6855 Good

The Wine Cellar Tavern

Vestal's Neighborhood Tavern! Meet friends for a drink, catch a game or just unwind. You always have a friend here. Weis Plaza Rano BLVD. Vestal 797-6960

Bob Porzucek The Dugout

Chris & Jimmy Papastrat The Park Diner

Kevin Card Phil's' Chicken House

Betsy Turkow J's Tavern

Rob Schuerch and Amanda Lee Janicki Madrona

All of us join in wishing you The joy of family, The gift of friends, And the best of everything This Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year!

Nora&StephenHeath

Clinton St Cafe

Debbie Palmer The Night Cap

Kevin Grace The Beef

Eileen O'Neill The Wine Cellar