MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE magazine Issue Aug 2022

MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE

Aug 2022

Events! Festivals! Fairs! & Bazaars!

August has it all for you!

Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally The Dick's Open SerlingFest 2022 St. Mary's Bazaar Town of Conklin Fair Trucks On The Tracks Gusto Italiano Festival Binghamton Porchfest Afton Arts & Crafts Festival And of course your Backyard BBQ's

About The Cover

Our thanks once again to Dan Thompson for creating a very special cover for us depicting the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally entrance at Otsiningo Park. You may remember a couple of Dan's other covers with us that he did for Christmas and The St Patrick's Day Parade. Dan's unique style lends itself to the many canvas ideas he creates with a purpose we can all appreciate; "I like to create work that gives pleasure, laughter and happiness to the viewer." Thanks Dan for another great cover! You can see more of Dan's work on his FB page or Google #DANtheMAN607 like the celebrity fanart shown here of Rod Serling, Barbara Eden, and Andy Griffith.

Brought to you by John Vallone & Lisa O'Keefe ~ Consultant Louise Vallone Follow us on Facebook

Fo r S t o r y / P h o t o i d e a s a n d a dve r t i s i n g ra t e s please write: jvallonecr@aol.com *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 experiences. Photo credit to the following: Antonio Banderas to David Shankbone CC BY-SA 2.0, and Halle Berry to Gage Skidmore CC BY-SA 3.0.Thank you one and all!

Summer has always held special times in B.C. with so many great events. Just like our parents and grandparents told us about the festivals they would go to in the past with incredible food and music we now find ourselves carrying on the tradition going to these great events and sharing our own stories of days past. If you're Italian you're sure to have told a story or two about going to the St Mary's Bazaar.

Its all about family, friends & good times. There's a lot more still to come this summer, like the Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally, the Dick’s Open, Saint Mary’s Bazaar, Gusto and so many more.

See you there!

Spiedie Fest Photos Courtesy of Randy Gumaer

onth Photo of the M ia

by Mark Mino

Continuing on with our tribute to the Apollo Missions and space exploration we asked Mark Minoia to share a few of the photos he has taken recently of space.

Mark is an accomplished photographer who captures amazing detail in his works of what nature has to offer like scenes from Alaska’s coastline wildlife, and the skies above like the ones he shared here.

Thank you Mark!

Bands at the Park

Otsiningo

We're kicking off another great summer of Bands at Otsiningo Park. Come join the music Tuesday evenings. There's food & drinks on hand and you're welcome to bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Here's the line up for Aug: Aug 2 Wreckless Marci Aug 16 Two Dollar Pistol Aug 23 Beard of Bees & Don't forget all the music at Spiedie Fest

National Dog Day ~ August 26th National Dog Day started back in 2004 with a goal

to rescue as many dogs as possible. Currently the goal is 10,000 dogs a year. If you're looking for your new best friend try an adoption center like the BC Humane Society, The Broome County Dog Shelter, Pet Finder, and Best Friends. They have some great dogs that are looking for a loving home. All through the month you can help bring attention to the adoption centers and your pals by posting photos of your dogs on social Beulah media and adding #NationalDogMonth.

3

Here's some photos to the left that some of your neighbors sent in to help bring attention to this great cause. All dogs are unpaid models. All movie contract offers should be submitted to their agents.

1 2 4 5

1: Liz Woidt with her two dogs Hops (L) & Nugget (R) 2: Rosie Diorio with her pup Beau.

3 & 4 Casey Leahy's puppies Merle & Remi 5: Lori Leahy's two pups Hank & Cash.

Don't forget to share your photos on social media and use: #NationalDogMonth.

And if you're looking to adopt a new best friend here are 5 great choices from the Broome County Humane Society (1 top right and 4 below)!

Babette

Kano

Rousey

Sheila

We've Got Talent

Junkyar

d Heigh

ts

Photo credit: Dr. Jill Bennedum

~ Junkyard Heights started as an acoustic cover trio called Wheelhouse in 2018. They had such great success playing together, that they casually decided to start writing some original material. Once again, their chemistry shined through, from the stage, now to the studio. As the material started to flow, the trio continued to write.

With many different influences, Junkyard Heights prides themselves on being a multi-genre band. With songs like Rusty Truck, that has a roots rock meets blues vibe, to The End of the End, that shows an alternative influence. Plus songs like Junkyard Dog , Out the Window Pain and Cherry Pop that are straight up blues rock tunes, and Train to the Morning Sun lean heavily toward country.

It's the flexible, diversified approach that makes Junkyard Heights the band that they are. With Craig Charles as lead vocalist and lyricist, Brian Swan as guitarist/songwriter and Kevin Hamm as bass player, song writer and mix mastering genius. And now, with the recent additions of Liam Wagner (guitar) and Joe Weston (drums) they form a great, well rounded unit, on stage or in the studio! ~Best wishes, Craig Bennedum You can catch Junkyard Heights at the Spiediefest and Balloon Rally Pre Party Sat, Aug 6 @ 3:00PM — 5:30PM.

~ SOLD ~ 9 PARMERTON DR., ENDICOTT, NY 13760 MLS #317756

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T he G olden Age of Ho lly w ood Happy August Birthdays to one and all!

Ann Blyth Aug 16, 1928 Mildred Pierce

Vera Miles Aug 23, 1929 The Searchers

Nita Talbot Aug 8, 1930 Hogan's Heroes

Barbara Eden Aug 23rd, 1931 I Dream of Jeannie

Gary Clarke Aug 16, 1933 The Virginian

Julie Newmar Aug 16, 1933 My Living Doll

Geoffrey Horne Aug 22, 1933 Bridge On The River Kwai

Connie Stevens Aug 8, 1938 Rock-A-Bye Baby

George Hamilton Aug 12, 1939 Love At First Bite

Jill St. John Aug 19, 1940 Diamonds Are Forever

Tuesday Weld Aug 27, 1943 Looking For Mr. Goodbar

Patty McCormack Aug 21, 1945 The Bad Seed

&

some who's careers started a bit more recent

Martin Sheen Aug 3, 1940

Halle Berry Aug 14, 1966

Tony Bennett Aug 3, 1926

Angela Bassett Aug 16, 1958

Loni Anderson Dustin Hoffman Antonio Banderas Steve Martin Aug 5, 1945 Aug 8, 1937 Aug 10, 1960 Aug 14, 1945

Timothy Hutton Robert Redford Aug 16, 1960 Aug 18, 1936

Elliot Gould Aug 29, 1938

Richard Gere Aug 31, 1949

Barbara Eden

On Sep 18, 1965, viewers all across America turned their television set to NBC and fell in love with a genie in a bottle who in a wisp of pink smoke appeared to Captain Tony Nelson. The show of course was I Dream of Jeannie and the star playing Jeannie was the beautiful Barbara Eden.

This was not Barbara’s first time on screen as she had already been a very successful actress on many shows earlier. But this was the show that would launch her career and popularity to a level few could imagine with notoriety that still reaches around the world today.

Barbara was born in Tucson, Arizona and later moved to San Francisco with her mother. There was already a little bit of fame associated with her name as she was a descendent of none other than Benjamin Franklin. Life was not easy living during the Depression. As so many families did, you worked hard, did without a lot, and helped out where you could. In her early teens Barbara was already earning money singing in Night Clubs. Her talent for singing was one that she shared with her mom who used to sing to her as a child. It was early on that Barbara knew she wanted to be an entertainer. While in High School she studied singing at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and acting at the Elizabeth Holloway School of Theatre. In High School she became a cheerleader and shortly after graduating won the Miss San Francisco Beauty Pageant.

Barbara soon started her career with appearances on many tv shows like The Johnny Carson Show.

Come 1957, 20th Century Fox would sign her to her first movie with many parts to follow including a leading role in Flaming Star where she starred opposite of Elvis Presley. Throughout the 50’s and 60’s Barbara continued to be on tv on shows like How To Marry A Millionaire, I love Lucy, Father Knows Best, Gunsmoke and of course in The Andy Griffith Show where she played a manicurist in the “friendly town” of Mayberry. As did all the characters in this episode take notice of this beautiful stranger who came to town, tv viewers all over became fans wanting to see this star with a charm all her own in ever more roles. Not to be disappointed, starring film roles came one after another with hits like All Hands On Deck, The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm and 7 Faces of Dr. Lao with Tony Randall. And then in 1965 it happened. Barbara won the role of Jeannie in I Dream of Jeannie while also winning the admiration of us all. Overnight she became America’s sweetheart. Barbara was a star with a career that embraced the big screen, tv and stage, as an actress, singer, and dancer. One of her more popular films to come was Harper Valley PTA with a series of the same name to follow. You could also find Barbara on tour with the USO and Bob Hope and on many variety shows. There’s no putting this genie back in the bottle with performances still to come and even appearances at celebrity events where you may be able to get a photo and autograph with this real life legend who made her way into our living rooms and hearts with a little magic of her own. Thanks for everything Barbara!

Rod Serling Chances are if you grew up in the Binghamton area you already know that Rod Serling, famed creator, writer and host of the Twilight Zone was from here and went to Binghamton Central. You may even know that while in HS Rod on occasion could be found telling stories to neighbor kids on their porch steps. A real treat for the kids for sure and a prelude to his incredible career to come. But there's another story about Rod Serling that you may not know....

"Before he became the well-known creator of "The Twilight Zone," Rod Serling was a young, 5'4" paratrooper in the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. As one of "The Angels", Rod did not meet the height requirements for the parachutes, but talked his way into the regiment anyway. While the division was on New Guinea, Jack Benny came by to perform for the Angels and Rod was able to write and perform in a small skit that was broadcast on Armed Forces Radio. It was a sign of things to come for Serling."

"During the Angels' campaign to liberate Luzon, Rod and the Demolitions team kept busy with the dangerous job of blasting countless grass-covered pillboxes and blockhouses, many of which were heavily defended. On one occasion, Rod found himself staring down the barrel of a Japanese rifle. Luckily one of his buddies was quicker and shot the enemy soldier. In one Manila neighborhood, Rod and the other Angels were enjoying an impromptu celebration by the newly-liberated Filipinos when the Japanese began shelling the area. Noticing a wounded Filipino woman out in the open, Rod rushed into the fire to carry her to safety, an action that earned him the Bronze Star. After the war, Rod turned to writing and went on to become one of television's most well-known, and award-winning, screenwriters, playwrights, television producers, and narrators. He also was a passionate teacher at Antioch College (Ohio) and Ithaca College (New York)." We have a lot to be proud of in this incredible man who once walked the halls of Central.

You can read the full story and many more like it on World War II uncovered on FB. Story by: Jeremy Holm, regiment historian for the 511th PIR And don't forget this August is SerlingFest 2022 in Binghamton, Aug 12th-14th

There's a lot of great memories that we all have from different life experiences. It doesn't take much to recall special moments in our lives. Sometimes just watching an old show can bring back a lot of fond memories. If you love our history, nostalgia and antiques as much as we do, why not visit one of our great antique stores and take a trip down memory lane.

TREASURE HUNT ANTIQUES ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES

300 Clinton St. 607-797-4995 Binghamton, NY 13905 607-765-3434 Leave Message Like us on Facebook Call Ahead to check Packed Full of Treasures...enjoy the Hunt!!

HOURS: Wed - Sat 11am to 5pm

HICKORY & DOC ANTIQUES & GIFTS

CHRIS KEHOE PROPRIETOR HICKORYDOC2012@AOL.COM

607-222-6805 169 MAIN STREET AFTON, NY 13730

FACEBOOK.COM/HICKORY&DOC HOURS: TUES - SAT 10-5

V-J D AY

August 14-15, 1945 Quite possibly the most important day in US history as well as that of the modern world for this is the day that World War II came to an end. On this day millions took to the streets to celebrate the end of this tragic conflict that took the life of so many fathers, sons, mothers and daughters. From train stations just like our own in downtown Binghamton countless families and loved ones said their goodbyes not knowing if they would ever see each other again. Each day solemn crowds gathered downtown to read the list of casualties, praying their sons and fathers were not on the list. For many there was a sigh of relief. For others tears. All of the United States was in this fight together. It didn’t matter what your nationality, color, religion or politics were. We were all Americans. This was a fight that had to be won or the world would be lost. The United States, our way of life, our families...all would be lost. The battle was fought over seas where 11 million US soldiers, sailors, airmen, doctors and nurses risked their very lives for a free world with many never returning home having sacrificed all and being buried on distant shores. The battle was fought here in the states where millions went to work relentlessly in manufacturing and other capacities to make what was needed for the effort. The battle was fought at home where everything from sugar to meat to even rubber was rationed in every home while any money that could be spared was used to buy war bonds so that our soldiers overseas would not run out of supplies.

And Hollywood too pitched in for our men and women in uniform to raise moral and money while many of them put on a uniform themselves to fight the fight that had to be won. An entire country joined together. An entire country shared in the tragedy with sorrow coming to the doorstep of too many. And on this day in 1945, all came together in the streets in every city and every state across this great country and around the world to celebrate the end of this tragic war. And when we see our seniors or walk by a memorial let us take the time to truly be thankful for all they did to save us. For that senior, those that that memorial pay tribute to, were once young with hopes and dreams of their own. They were once young and fought for our future with too many never returning home to be with their families again. They were once young and put away their youth and dreams to save a world.

Let us hope that we never forget them and what they did for us all.

God Bless them all.

Bob Hope WWII 1943

Marilyn Monroe Korea 1954

Marilyn Monroe 1954

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TUNNEL TO TOWERS AMERICAN LEGION Since 1941 over 1.5 VFW AND USO million people have

Ann-Margret Vietnam 1966

joined the ranks of the USO with names like; Hope, Crosby, Welch, Margret, Gable, Reynolds, Heatherton, Davis, Garfield, Flynn, Russell, Rooney and Garland to entertain and help bring a little bit of home to our troops here and all across the globe wherever our men and women in uniform may be. May God Bless our Troops and the USA!

Check us out at www.Biscotti-Viscotti.com Phone (607) 798-0658 Fax (607) 770-7238 Email: GioV@Viscotti-GioV.com

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

Aug 2 Tue

Wreckless Marci @ Otsiningo Karaoke @ The Dugout Shambles @ Ross Park Zoo

Aug 3 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ Night Cap Ship of Phools @ The Dugout Wreckless Marci @ Red Jug

Aug 4 Thu

Open Mic @ Watermans

Aug 5 Fri

Rob Irvin @ Madrona The Kitchen Sink @ The Dugout Karaoke @ The Night Cap Brian Kelly @ Spiedie Fest Brian Wolf @ Ransom Stl Rhythm Hill Blues @ Kellys Brother & Friends @ SC Publick Jason Wicks @ McGirks Alyssa Trahan @ Tioga

Aug 6 Sat

Gary Reynolds @ Madrona Bands @ Night Cap Allie Torto, Kipani, Junkyard Heights @ Spiedie Fest Gramm @ Spiedie Fest Storm Front @ McGirks Murder Mystery Musical @ Watermans Devon Lawton @ Fat Cowboys Caviar & Grits @ Beer Tree PC

Aug 7 Sun

Cornwell,FanPageTezza,OsbornNash@SpiedieFest Gary LeVox @ Spiedie Fest

Aug 10 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ Night Cap Bands @ The Dugout

Aug 11 Thu

Open Mic @ Watermans James & The Giant Peach @ Epac Beard of Bees @ Kirkwood Fair

Aug 12 Fri

Karaoke @ The Night Cap Brothers & Friends @ McGirks Jason Wicks @ Tioga The Guess Who @ SUNY B The Gents @ Kirkwood Fair James & The Giant Peach @ Epac

Aug 13 Sat

Katie Scott @ St. Marys Bazaar Storm Front @ Night Cap Brewhaha @ McGirks Parlor City @ Ransom Stl James & The Giant Peach @ Epac Caviar & Grits @ Vestal Museum

Aug 14 Sun

Khalil Jade @ Madrona James & The Giant Peach @ Epac

Aug 16 Tue

$2 Pistol @ Otsiningo

Aug 17 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ Night Cap Bands @ The Dugout

Aug 18 Thu

Open Mic @ Watermans Greg Neff @ McGirks

Aug 19 Fri

Karaoke @ The Night Cap Zack Brown Band @ Dicks Open Trouble Brewing @ Seebers The Look @ McGirks Park Ave Review @ SC Publick

Aug 20 Sat

End of Summer Soiree @ Madrona Bands @ Night Cap Yada Yadas @ Irish Kevins Ship of Phools @ Tap House Michael Charles @ Ransom Stl Kevin Ludwig @ McGirks

Aug 21 Sun

Pat Kane @ McGirks

Aug 23 Tue

Beard of Bees @ Otsiningo

Aug 24 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ Night Cap Bands @ The Dugout

Aug 25 Thu

Rick Iachocvelli @ McGirks Open Mic @ Watermans

Aug 26 Fri

Karaoke @ The Night Cap Mason Warrington Orch @ Gusto Donna The Buffalo @ Choconot Matthew Cornwell @ SC Publick Virgil Caine @ McGirks Sawyer Brown @ Tioga

Aug 27 Sat

Bands @ The Night Cap

Aug 28 Sun

Porchfest @ Binghamton’s West Side

Aug 31 Wed

Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ Night Cap Bands @ The Dugout

What’ s Happening Aug 2 National Night Out ~ Schorr Stage JC & West Endicott Park

Aug 14 Broome County Backs The Blue ~ Glendale Park Endicott

Aug 11-13 Town of Kirkwood Fair ~ Kirkwood

Aug 20 - 21 Afton Arts & Crafts Festival Info: GreaterAftonAreaCoC.com

Aug 5-7 Spiedie Fest & Balloon Rally ~ Otsiningo Park Aug 12-14 SerlingFest 2022 ~ For info: SerlingFest2022.com Aug 13 St. Mary's Bazaar ~ 152 - 156 Hawley Street.

Aug 15 -21 Dicks Sporting Goods Open ~ En-Joie Golf Club Aug 26 Gusto! Italian Festival ~ Odell Ave Endicott

Aug 28 Binghamton Porchfest. ~ Bing West Side Abel Bennett Tract

As with all events please check dates, times and safety requirements with the venue ahead of time. Stay safe & have fun!

Life really can be Ideal!

A safe, caring community offering convenience and peace of mind Are you looking for a living environment with all the comforts of home and none of the worries? Apartment life at UHS Senior Living at Ideal is just right for you.

Live in your own comfortable apartment on our quiet, pleasant campus on High Avenue in Endicott. Maintain your independence and enjoy the security and amenities that are all part of adult apartment living today. No matter how much your needs change as you grow older, our highly qualified UHS professionals and healthcare options are here for you.

The Ideal Life features: • • • • •

Studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments Dining room-style meal service Library and computer room on campus On-site hair salon Access to transportation and social activities

AVAILABLE NOW!

Come for a personalized tour and start experiencing the Ideal Life today! Call (607) 786 -7440

nyuhs.org

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Did You Know

There are sure to be some National Holidays here that you may not have known about.

Make the most of everyday.

Aug 1 National Girlfriends Day Aug 2 National Night Out Day Aug 3 National Watermelon Day Aug 4 National Coast Guard Day Aug 5 International Beer Day Aug 6 National Root Beer Float Day Aug 7 National Purple Heart Day Aug 8 Global Sleep Under The Stars Night Aug 9 National Book Lovers Day Aug 10 National S'mores Day Aug 11 National Son's and Daughter's Day Aug 12 National Vinyl Record Day Aug 13 National Garage Sale Day Aug 14 National V-J Day, Spirit of '45 Day Aug 15 National Relaxation Day Aug 16 National Tell A Joke Day Aug 17 National Thrift Shop Day Aug 18 National Fajita Day Aug 19 National Aviation Day Aug 20 National Radio Day Aug 21 National Senior Citizens Day Aug 22 National Be An Angel Day Aug 23 National Ride The Wind Day Aug 24 National Waffle Day Aug 25 National Kiss and Make Up Day Aug 26 National Dog Day Aug 27 National Just Because Day Aug 28 National Bow Tie Day Aug 29 National According To Hoyle Day Aug 30 National Beach Day Aug 31 National Matchmaker Day

FOOD & DRINK

You are going to love us!

Scan the QR codes below to go directly to each establishment's FB page or Website where you can see their latest posts, photos, and even the daily specials & events.

Check us out

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

Di Rienzo Bros.

Bakery & Deli

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

Di Rienzo Bros. Bakery & Deli

Great Pizza, Baked Goods & Fried Fish. Open 7 days a week. Find us across from the Rumble Ponies. Look for the Truck!

152 Henry Street Bing. 722-1220

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

Madrona Tasting Room MA DR ON A 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 Entertainment. Come try our wings and stay for the fun.

71 Lake Street Avenue, Bing. 238-7448

Phil's

Phil's Chicken House

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

The Hollywood Canteen In WWII Betty Davis, John Garfield & Jules Stein helped open The Hollywood Canteen for U.S. Troops to enjoy. It was operated completely by over 3000 volunteers made up from Hollywood’s stars, singers, writers, producers, agents, musician and so many more pitching in, entertaining and waiting on tables to support our troops. Just some of the many stars proudly contributing their time were Betty Grable, Abbott & Costello, Doris Day, Edward G. Robinson, John Wayne, Cab Calloway, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, June Lockhart, The Nicholas Brothers, Barbara Stanwyck, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Ann Blyth, Margaret O’Brien, Marsha Hunt, Bill Robinson, Walt Disney, Angela Lansbury, Cary Grant, Louis Armstrong, Elizabeth Taylor, Myrna Loy, William Powell, James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart and thousands more. The show of pride and support from Hollywood and the public could be felt from coast to coast with many more canteens opening across the land like New York's Stage Door Canteen. If you would like to relive a bit of the Hollywood Canteen you’re in luck.

Besides quite a few actual videos on line, in 1944 Warner Bros. also put out a movie by the same name “Hollywood Canteen” with many of the same stars who were actually there playing themselves in the movie. With 3 million servicemen passing through the doors of the Hollywood Canteen during World War II we can be sure that many of our own from Broome County got to enjoy the club before going overseas.

1943 Frank Sinatra Harry James &

Marlene Dietrich & Rit

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

Good Times

withGood Friends

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

a Hayworth 1942

The Rob Salamida Story From a charcoal grill in front of a tavern to America's Top Selling Spiedie Marinade and a lasting tradition.

Playing ball on the lots of IBM in Endicott a young Rob Salamida was already laying the path that would lead him to incredible success reaching from the Triple Cities to towns all across America. As Mark Twain once said; The secret of getting ahead is getting started. A recipe for success that could surely be modeled after Rob. Rob Salamida was born in Binghamton and grew up in Endicott and Endwell. His Dad was a manager at IBM and his mom was a caring housewife raising five kids. Growing up in the triple cities for Rob was much the same as other kids. “I loved the early days growing up in Endicott & Endwell. I very much enjoyed the Endicott Boys’ Club at the original location on Grant and Broad spending most of my summer there. I enjoyed Cub Scouts, and my neighborhood was full of kids of all ages. We’d play baseball in the IBM parking lots and tackle football on the lawn behind the IBM Sales School. I loved going on vacations with my family to Ocean City, New Jersey and looked forward to the JC Field Days and the fireworks that EJ had at En-Joie Park. Washington Ave was very special for me. High School was particularly a good time. I went to Seton Catholic High School in Endicott where I also played basketball. After high school I went to Bryant University, where I graduated Magna Cum Laude and attained a Bachelor of Science in Marketing.”

After graduation Rob took a job as a field rep for Proctor and Gamble which took him all around the country. So, with a career starting with one of the biggest corporations in the world you might wonder how Rob got into the Spiedie business. Well that story brings us back to that young kid and a certain summer vacation.

“I was ten years old with my family on vacation in Ocean City. Walking one evening on the boardwalk I overheard my father, a long-time IBM manager who had an entrepreneurial streak locked inside, telling my older brother, David, that someone could make a fortune selling spiedies on the boardwalk. My brother said they should do it and then added not to mention it to me since I’d tell everyone about their idea. Feeling challenged, the next morning I set off to the real estate offices downtown and asked each one how do you get to rent a spot on the boardwalk? One of the grumpy brokers remarked, “You have to wait till somebody dies.” Perhaps this was the real genesis for me to someday have a spiedie shop on the boardwalk.”

From there the wheels started turning. “The first time selling spiedies for me was at Jack’s Deli on Country Club Road, Endwell. It was the owner, Jack Kocik’s idea that I set up a charcoal grill and cook them on skewers. The spiedie meat was from a local butcher and I made up my own concoction of “After Sauce”. It must have been pretty good because my friends would sit there with me eating just the bread soaked with the sauce. I was fourteen years old at the time. “Then when I was 16, I continued my venture at a tavern on North Street, Endicott, The Railroad Inn. A year later I was lucky to get a spot in front of Kelly’s Bar on Page Avenue. It went very well and I immediately expanded having some of my friends set up at other lo-

cations including Waples Grill on Main Street, Adams Tavern on Oak Hill Ave., and Merv’s West on Nanticoke. The next year Kelly’s spot was given to a retired EJ worker since he had lost his spot up the street at the Silver Dollar. I understood the reason and decided to just concentrate on two places, The Pine Inn on Rte 26 and Butch & Freds on Pine Street, Endicott. My younger brother, Rick, worked one location while I worked the other. Both of the owners were the most generous people in many ways and I’ve always been indebted to the Wargo’s and the Westcot's for helping me get started in a business I thought was just a summer enterprise to pay for college.

“Right before I left for my first year in college, I went to the NY State Fair. Seeing so many food stands gave me the idea that it would be a great test market to see if spiedies would sell outside of Endicott. After getting into my first semester at Bryant, I started thinking about a spiedie booth at the State Fair again. I wrote a letter to the administration office and a few weeks later the Fair’s commissioner, Bernie Potter, wrote back that nothing was available. I wrote letter after letter all with the same response. One morning I woke up with the idea that I’d just go up there to see if maybe someone had canceled their spot. And so with nothing to lose, I drove up to Syracuse, walked into the Administration building, and introduced myself. The woman at the desk looked up at me with her mouth opened in disbelief. “So YOU’RE the guy who’s been writing Bernie all of those letters!” I nodded, embarrassed, and shrugged my shoulders. She got up and hurried into her boss’s office. Five minutes later, (no doubt a debate had ensued), a kindly gentleman who reminded me of the great and wonderful Wizard of Oz, came out looking a bit frustrated and introduced himself. He listened to my plea and said that there was a small place at the far end of Restaurant Row that he’d give me. He probably knew I’d never take it since there were only eight days before the 1972 fair opened. His secretary, Miss Dorothy, (the Oz connection), cut in when Mr. Potter said that I could only sell this sandwich and nothing else. She said he has to sell soda with his food. Mr. Potter shook his head. She looked at him sternly and suddenly he said okay. And if he hadn’t allowed me to sell soda I’d not have gone on to where I am today. Thanks to the Pepsi sales manager, Mr. Frank Murphy, I not only sold soda, but the saintly man gave me brand new refrigeration coolers to store my food and soda, gave me the concession counters that surrounded my tent, and had metal signs made for my stand and even gave me a freezer out of his own house. God Bless Frank Murphy.”

“The State Fair was a big challenge since I hadn’t enough time to plan all of the incidentals, not to mention where I would stay overnight. I had no idea how many people I needed, but my brother Rick and a neighbor friend, Jim Palleschi, were there and we slept inside our booth. When the fair ended I wanted to find Frank Murphy to thank him for all he had done for me. I was in a bit of a hurry since I had to leave for college the next day and as I drove around the perimeter road I tried to squeeze by a parked car and a large James E. Strait Shows trailer. I just nipped the edge of the trailer with the side of my rented van. When I returned the van to a young Steve Scoville at his father’s dealership and showed him the damage, he said he would send me a bill for the repairs. It turned out that the net profit of $287.00 from the fair was nearly the exact amount of the repair bill.”

“Now if we could go forward in time to my job with Proctor and Gamble again... With my travels one day I happened to be near the Hardees Hamburger headquarters. I called up the R&D director to tell him I had a unique sandwich product. He invited me to his office in Rocky Mount, NC. We met in the early morning with spiedies I had made up in my efficiency motel room.

Turns out they all were impressed. We made a few more to take them back to the company president and his staff. Fifteen minutes later we got back to the corporate offices. But because there had been no eager expectation that some young kid out of college was going to show >

them anything worthwhile I was told the president was in a meeting and wasn’t available. We went back to the director’s office and he asked me how would I ship them the marinated meat.

My naivete' and inexperience were exposed as I said I was only there to present the concept of spiedies. Mr. Holcomb wished me luck and said to let him know when I could come back with a ready-to-cook format of marinated spiedie meat.

Undeterred, a few weeks later I decided I was ready to fully pursue the idea of spiedies and gave Procter & Gamble my notice. This was in 1975 and I had already been at the New York State Fair for three years and I was lucky to get my spot for my spiedie stand back. That year on opening day, there was a very bad storm that tore the fairgrounds apart with high winds and very heavy rain. Our stand nearly blew over and the ground all around us was quickly turning into a muddy quagmire. I might add that I slept on the ground inside our stand and knew that it was going to be a really tough start for the ten-day event. As I stood outside the stand with my shoes soaking wet and feeling like my foolish idea to quit a corporate job at one of the largest national firms was a very bad choice, I distinctly heard my inner voice blurt, “Put the sandwich in a bottle.”

That was the genesis of the idea of selling a bottled spiedie marinade instead of starting a chain of spiedie fast-food restaurants. After the Fair, I began researching everything needed to start a bottling plant. After months of effort and many attempts to reach out for sources, I finally got what I needed for my final formula recipe. I began in the spring of 1976 to hand-fill bottles on top of a pool table in my parent’s basement. The first place I went to I was told no one would buy a spieide sauce because everyone had their own homemade recipe. Then I went to Harris Foodlines and the owner looked at my labeled 8 oz bottle and said, ”I’ve been waiting for someone to do this.” I sold the first bottle in July 1976, using the celebrated Centennial colors, red, white, and blue on my label. I spent the summer bottling product and using the trunk of my Chevy Malibu to deliver to as many local Mom & Pops stores along with a few of the local chain stores. It was hard. Over the years you have found us at many picnics and events like the Strawberry Fest, Endicott Apple Fest, JC Field Days, the early BC Open, the Broome County Air Show and of course the Spiedie and Balloon Festival that I co-founded with Paul Van Savage. And as far as our bottled sauce goes, since those days delivering store to store in my Chevy Malibu we have now sold over 50 million bottles all across America.

Miraculously being in the spiedie business has also brought me my greatest blessing, my family.

One day at Highland Park I was selling spieides for the July Fourth Celebration. It was here that I met my bride, Marybeth Bezek who was working at Highland Park. We were married in 1985 and have two incredible kids; Claire and Andrew. As a family we’ve always enjoyed going to New Smyrna Beach, Florida for vacation and we’ve always worked our concession events together.

When not working, Marybeth and I enjoy dinners at all the local restaurants and raising our rescue dogs. Also, I enjoy using the many years of owning my companies, including Satico’s Parent Teacher Gift Store and several real estate businesses, to continue teaching college courses at SUNY Broome since the early 1980s. Being a part of this great community is really an honor. There are so many great people here as well as so much to do. With all the blessing I have been given I am grateful to also have the opportunity to give back to some very important charities. When Paul and I inaugurated the Spiedie Fest our first charity was for Vietnam Agent Orange Victims and subsequently for the American Cancer Society.

In closing, to all our friends and those soon to be….. Thank you for all your support over the years! You've made this a great ride. See you at the Spiedie Fest and Balloon Rally!

Neighborhood Chef

by Kimberly Nejeschleba Villafane

Double Crust Peach Pie ~ Double Crust Pastry recipe ~ 2 cups AP flour 1 tsp salt 2/3 cup +2 Tbs shortening 4 -5 Tbs of ice cold water

Combine flour and salt; cut into shortening with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.

Sprinkle ice water in 1 tablespoon at a time, stir with fork until dry ingredients are moistened shape into a ball; chill until ready to use.

~ Peach Pie Filling ~ 5 1/2 c pealed, sliced fresh peaches 1 c sugar 1/4 c AP flour 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 3 Tbs butter 1 Tsp vanilla extract

Combine first five ingredients in a sauce pan; set aside until syrups forms. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to low, and cook 10 minutes until peaches are tender stirring often.

Remove from heat add butter and vanilla blending well.

Roll half of Pastry into 1/8 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.

Place pastry into a 9 inch pie plate; trim off access pastry along edges of pie plate.

Spoon filling into pastry shell.

Roll remaining pastry into 1/8th inch thickness cut into one half inch strips arrange strips in a lattice design over peaches. Trim strips even with pie plate edge; folded edges under and crimp.

Bake at 425 for 15 min; Reduce heat to 350 and bake 25 to 30 min more or until crust is browned. Serve warm with ice cream if desired. Enjoy!

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