Did You Know?

Apr 1 April Fools' Day

Apr 2 Palm Sunday

Apr 3 World Party Day

There are sure to be some National Holidays here that you may not have known about. Make the most of every day.

Apr 4 National School Librarian Day

Apr 5 Passover begins

Apr 6 National Sorry Charlie Day

Apr 7 National Beer Day

Apr 8 National Zoo Lovers Day

Apr 9 Happy Easter

Apr 10 National Siblings Day

Apr 11 National Pet Day

Apr 12 National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day

Apr 13 National Scrabble Day

Apr 14 National Look Up At The Sky Day

Apr 15 National Titanic Remembrance Day

Apr 16 National Wear Your Pajamas To Work Day

Apr 17 National Ellis Island Family History Day

Apr 18 National Animal Cracker Day

Apr 19 National Garlic Day

Apr 20 National Record Store Day

Apr 21 National Kindergarten Day

Apr 22 National Jelly Bean Day

Apr 23 National Talk Like Shakespeare Day

Apr 24 National Pigs In A Blanket Day

Apr 25 National East Meets West Day

Apr 26 National Pretzel Day

Apr 27 National Babe Ruth Day

Apr 28 National Arbor Day

Apr 29 National World Wish Day

Apr 30 National Bugs Bunny Day

Your Neighbor

Betty Kocak Hidock was born in Binghamton. As many did back in earlier days her parents worked for shoe companies here in the Triple Cities. He father, Joe, worked for Dunn & McCarthy’s, and her mother, Elizabeth, at the Victory Building for Endicott Johnson. As are many of the stories you hear of old, Betty’s Childhood was a good one with lots of memories of family and friends, celebrations and holidays. This young girl though also had a path all her own that you don’t hear every day. Betty admittedly was surely a Tom Boy growing up. She loved to play baseball with the neighborhood boys in the school yard. Growing up, baseball was part of her life. Her dad was also an umpire in the Binghamton Chapter of the New York State Baseball Umpires Association. In fact both her father, and uncle Ignatius were umpires. They often went by the nicknames of Wazzo, or Little Waz and Big Waz. Betty would always follow her dad to all his ball games. And at their cottage in Windsor, her Dad would often bring out the baseball gear, and practice hitting grounders and highballs for Betty to catch. Besides baseball Betty also liked to run and bowl. Her dad was a bowler and taught her some of the techniques of the game. Betty enjoyed the game so much she got into the Junior Bowling League. As she started High School at Binghamton Central, sports were still a big part of her life. She continued bowling for Central as well as playing volleyball, softball, track and even joined the cheerleading squad. Her talent for sports did not go unnoticed receiving numerous awards and some recognition a little less known having hit a ball from the old baseball field at Central, past the length of the field, across

Betty Kocak Hidock

Front Street and breaking the window of a house on the other side. A great hit for sure, but probably not appreciated as much by the home owners as the players who saw the hit. After High School Betty wanted to be a gym teacher but got into an accident which put her in the hospital for some time. As fate would have it, once she got out of the hospital she went to a softball tournament with her dad sitting behind home plate. On one particular pitch the catcher missed the ball so her father in fun shouted out “Hey poopsie, get some glasses.” The catcher, Joe, turned and saw Betty with her father and replied “Hey there’s quiet laws.” After the game the catcher went to talk with them, and asked Betty on a date. Betty answered no. But after many attempts over the next few days she finally said yes. The two of them hit it off and two years later in 1961…they married. In 1963 Betty got back into bowling and softball joining leagues in both. Recognition for her talent in sports soon again gained attention being noted as a Press All Star for Bowling. Betty had always liked the idea of being an umpire herself and with the continual encouragement to do so by other umpires like Andy Grecko, Betty made up her mind to be the first woman umpire in the area. For 12 weeks she went to the Binghamton Chapter of the NYS Baseball Umpires Association classes and passed the test. She had made it! For the first time ever Binghamton would see a female umpire take the field. This was really a dream come true for Betty that she would live out from 1975 to 78 until sadly another car accident forced her to give it up. Sports though it would seem would never leave Betty, and shortly thereafter she began coaching the boys and girls bowling team at Seton and then Central. Her love for sports which she shared with her dad had come full circle. As a young girl she loved sports and watching her dad umpire which drew her to playing on several teams, umpiring and then coaching to teach others the love for the game, sharing her knowledge and experience. And as tradition may have foretold, the love her father, husband and her had for sports found a new home with Betty’s son, Joseph “Joey” Hidock III, who is himself a very successful PGA Class A Professional Golf Instructor in Florida and ranked one of the best by Golf Digest. Betty you have truly had an impact on sports in the area and we are very proud to have shared a bit of your story. Thank you for being another reason why this is such a great place to live!