MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE magazine Oct 2022 issue

MY TOWN

MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE magazine takes a look at the people who make up the area, at work and at play. Together Binghamton, Endicott, Johnson City, Endwell and Vestal with our neighbors have grown together on the same path sharing a bond of one past, one present and one future. This family of cities and towns have so many great stories to tell. Here at MY TOWN we’re glad to be able to share a few of them with you each month. If you have a story you think your neighbors would like to read please let us know and maybe your story will be here next.

MY TOWN is published monthly & distributed throughout the Greater Binghamton area. MY TOWN reserves the right to refuse to sell space for advertisement it deems inappropriate for the publication. All content of this magazine, including without limitation the design, advertisements, art, photos and editorial content, as well as the selection, coordination and arrangement thereof, are Copyright (C) 2018-2022, MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. All Rights Re served. No Portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written permission of the publisher. Follow MY TOWN A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE group on Facebook. This magazine is for entertainment value only. The views/opinions expressed may not be those of the magazine or its management & staff.

Endicott Apple Festival

Johnny Appleseed would be proud to see the turn out for Endicott's Apple Festival. In an area of New York with Apple Orchards stretching across the countryside, Endicott is proud to salute the fruit that has not only found its way into our kitchens but has also taken a standing role in literature with the stories of William Tell and Snow White, in science with Newton's Law of Gravity, in medicine with the saying an Apple A Day will keep the doctor away, in education on teacher's desks, and of course in our hearts as an American Icon.... Mom's Apple Pie. No wonder with such versatility the Apple has taken center stage with its own festival here in the town of Endicott and all across the country. Shout out to the Union Endicott Select Choir for kicking off the day with our National Anthem! Great job!

Rod Serling

At the Helen Foley Theater

located at the Binghamton High School

Taking a walk through Recreation Park you’ll come across an old bandstand with a plaque laid in the center recognizing one of our town’s most inspiring hometown boys, Rod Serling, and a very special story he wrote for his show The Twilight Zone called Walking Distance. This episode was Rod’s favorite. As the story unfolds he depicts his neighborhood and Recreation Park as it was when he was growing up here in Binghamton complete with a bandstand and a merry-go-round. The story that follows presents a topic we have all dealt with about reliving our youth and a little personal reflection from Rod in the writing. As Rod Serling’s daughter, Jodi, shared, her father would often drive to Binghamton to visit his old home, the neighborhood and Recreation Park. "That episode is so nostalgic [for me] because it's so much about my dad, I can't help but see him." ~ This October 22nd the Binghamton Philharmonic is bringing us back this very special story. Be sure to catch it and relive an incredible Binghamton based story as only Rod Serling could write. For more information about this incredible event please visit www.binghamtonphilharmonic.org

“Walking Distance”

by Dr. Paul Cienniwa, Executive Director, Binghamton Philharmonic Orchestra Bernard Herrmann is probably most famous for his music for “Psycho.” His score for “Walking Distance” is anything but psychotic! Featuring 18 strings and harp, Herrmann evokes the nostalgia of Rod Serling’s Binghamton through several techniques, including: muted strings (a practice that creates a hazy, impressionist effect); “divisi” (at times, we are hearing nearly 18 separate lines in a lush texture); and, at the climax of the story, a repeated “circle of fifths” (an harmonic pattern that is both recognizable and endearing).

Conductor Michael McGehee, the Los Angeles-based conductor of the Hollywood Studio Orchestra, will lead the Binghamton Philharmonic. Southern Tier Actors Read, under the direction of Judy McMahon, will read Serling’s screenplay as the orchestra plays the incidental music. The performance, permitted through a special rights agreement with CBS Broadcasting, will even include a mechanical carousel organ, courtesy of the Endicott Rotary Foundation. This is a one-of-a-kind concert not to be missed!

October 22, 2022

amEndicott

The Cider Mill & The Ciotoli Family

The Fall season means a visit to the Cider Mill. And you can’t tell a story about the Cider Mill without talking about the Ciotoli Family and the man who started it all, Anthony Ciotoli Sr. Anthony was an employee of Endicott Johnson but during the 1930’s he started his own business picking up coal in PA and trucking it back to NY. In 1941 Anthony’s business was growing, so he decided to purchase 2 Nanicoke Ave in Endicott. The following year Anthony bought the adjacent Cider Mill building. And so the Ciotoli family’s Cider Mill business began. Back in those days the Mill would process Apples for about 1 Cent per gallon, handling about 2000 gallons a day. As the business grew, Anthony brought his two sons Orlando and Anthony Jr. into the business. They passed it on to Orlando’s sons Jim and Dan. The rest as they say is history. For thousands of families, Autumn, Halloween and the Cider Mill go hand in hand. We go there for their cider, donuts and candy apples as well as pumpkins, 26 varieties of New York apples and even mums, Indian corn and hay stacks. Want to see how their famous Cider and Donuts are made? Well you can take one of their free tours. Did you know that the Cider Mill does over 80 school field trips every Autumn on top of the fundraising they do for local schools.

And let us not forget the Cider Mill Stage. The Ciotoli family worked hard to bring back the Cider Mill Stage, so make sure you check their schedule and get your tickets for “A Christmas Carol”! Thank you Jim, Dan, and all the Ciotoli family for truly helping make this a great place to live!

The Golden Age of Hollywood

who

on the big

Julie Andrews

When you hear the name Julie Andrews you may think of the musical hits The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, or possibly The Princess Diaries or Cinderella. But no matter what role you think of her in, you are sure to have been amazed by her incredible talent and voice. So how did this girl whose early years saw her singing on top of a crate to audiences come to perform for Royalty. Well Julie’s story begins in England. During the Second World War her mother and step father entertained the troops. Early on they recognized her talent and began arranging for lessons in London’s art’s education school as well as singing lessons with Lilian Stiles-Allen, a renowned singing and voice coach who was amazed by the purity and 4 octave range of this young incredibly talented girl. Her early performances were with her parents. She would sing while propped up on a crate to reach the microphone. So amazing was her voice that soon she made her professional debut at the London Hippodrome at just 12. Just one year later she would sing for King George VI and the future Queen Elizabeth at the London Palladium. Her career grew to include radio, tv and roles on stage with her first Broadway performance of The Boyfriend when she was 19.The show was a hit, bringing her to her next starring role on stage in My Fair Lady. Rogers & Hammerstein were so impressed that they starred her in CBS’s hit, Cinderella, which was viewed by over 107 million people. The world was taken with this incredible rising star who would soon be immortalized as Mary Poppins followed by The Americanization of Emily with James Garner, The Sound of Music with Christopher Plummer and Thoroughly Modern Millie alongside Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing. Her career which has spanned some 7 decades now, continued on screen, tv, radio, stage and even into being an author. She has performed all over for charities and the troops, has had numerous tv specials performing with stars such as Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby and Carol Burnett, and has even been Damed by Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 for the Performing Arts. She’s received countless Awards from Oscars and Golden Globes to BAFTAs and Life Time Achievement Awards. Today she continues to entertain us all with no signs of ever slowing down. There is so much Julie Andrews has given us all that we can be sure generations and generations to come will continue to be amazed by each of her amazing performances!

What more can be said about the 1939 great American classic film The Wizard of Oz that hasn't already been said over the years in countless newspapers, magazines and TV shows. Yet year after year we want to say more, because this classic is so much more than a film. Besides its incredible cast, storyline, humor, thrills, won der and spectacle that only Hollywood could do, it had a message that was so much needed. It put America and our values on the screen bigger than life in one teenage farm girl from Kansas named Dorothy, and her friends. It showed that courage, heart and intelligence are found within us all even if we don't recognize it at first. And above all it displayed our value of family and friends and how dear our home life is to us all. Life was not easy for America and the world when this film hit theaters. America was coming out of the depression, bread lines were still common place, the world was on the brink of its second world war and the great dust bowls of the prairies destroyed farming, forcing millions to leave home to try to find work elsewhere. The Wizard of Oz showed the character of America, its courage, compassion and know how, along with the de termination to never give up hope or our dreams as better days were coming. A sentiment sung to us in this very special movie by America's sweetheart, Judy Garland, in a song that has for ever held its place in our hearts, Somewhere Over The Rainbow.

Judy Garland as Dorothy

Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow

Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion

Jack Haley as the Tin Man

Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West

Frank Morgan as the Wizard of Oz

Some of our favorite Halloween movie picks....

William Henry Pratt, better known as Boris Karloff, starred in countless horror films like Frankenstein (1931) and The Mummy (1932). Once during filming while still in full costume as Frankenstein he left the set rushing to the hospital for his child's birth.

In Dracula 1931, in anticipation of success, the same movie was made in Spanish, filming each night on the same set after the English version was done filming? Aerosmith's Steven Tyler found Igor's (Marty Feldman) line "Walk this way" so funny that he decided to write a song with the same title for Aerosmith.

In Sleepy Hallow, the Headless Horseman's sword fight scenes were played by none other than Ray Park who you may remember as Darth Maul from Star Wars. Leonardo DiCaprio was originally going to star as Max in Hocus Pocus but was filming another movie (What's Eating Gilbert Grape) at the time. Be sure to catch Hocus

Marilyn Monroe Korea 1954

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL TUNNEL TO TOWERS AMERICAN LEGION

VFW AND USO

Ann-Margret Vietnam 1966

Since 1941 over 1.5 million people have 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!

The Haunted House The Monster Mash

Back in an earlier time when we all listened to records, two Halloween favorites that you had to have were Disney's 'The Haunted House" and Bobby Pickett's "Monster Mash. The Monster Mash was #1 on the charts when first released in 1962 and a favorite for every Halloween Party, while the Haunted House with its collection of scary sounds and screams was one that everyone would play at home on Halloween night just loud enough to be heard by Trick-or-Treaters as they approached your home. A little imagination went a long way back then to making Halloween fun. If you grew up in the 60's, 70's or 80's, I bet you had both of these. Want to step back into a Halloween of yesteryear... just scan the QR codes here.

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 listening to an old record 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

Life

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.

Ideal Life

Your NeighborFrancis Doncov

Braun

October blows in with a change in the seasons, a crispness in the air, a color to the trees and a row of holidays to come. There are those of us who have enjoyed this change of seasons for as long as we can remember having been born and raised here, while many others who came to love the area grew up elsewhere, sometimes very far away in a different time. Such is the story of Frances Doncov (Braun) who for many years has lived in Endwell but whose journey started in Hungary. Life was good for the Braun family in Hungary in the early 1930’s. Francis’ hometown, Elek, was very prosperous with farmlands surrounding it making Elek a central market place. Her father traded livestock and her mother raised a family of 7 children. There was Frances and her three sisters, Louise, Anna and Eva, and her brothers Les, William and Mathias. Life was good and there was always plenty to eat. Frances loved to sew, being taught by her mother, and was soon to enter an apprenticeship to be a seamstress. But things would soon change. World War Two had come to Hungary. These times were of great hardship for everyone and many families including Frances’ lost family members to the war. With the war’s end Frances and some of her family were deported to an American camp in Germany. The Americans were good to her and everyone. They gave her a job at an old folk’s home where she could always get food to bring home. Wishing to learn English, Frances and a girlfriend got their Visa’s and went to England where they both got work in a hotel as maids. The proprietors liked Frances and her girlfriend and gave them new positions in their restaurant. The money was good. It was not long before Frances obtained another Visa to come to North America, It was hard to do because so many Hungarian refugees were already escaping to the United States due to the Communist taking over Hungary. So Frances made the voyage to Canada first. It was here in Canada that Frances worked as a waitress and met her husband Alec who was a short order cook. Earlier Alec had been an illustrator with a special talent for Technical Illustrations. It wasn’t long before they saved enough money to bring more of their family over from Europe and obtained Visas to come to New York. And so it happened that Frances’ long journey from war torn Europe had brought her to Endwell where she and her husband bought a home on Stonefield Road, living there for decades to come. Life here too was good. Here she raised her own wonderful children; Debra, Steven and Mark Anthony. With so many relatives in the area there were always celebrations, birthday parties and anniversaries to go to. Alec got a job as a Technical Illustrator for Valley Design making illustrations for IBM and Frances obtained work in her childhood dream career as a seamstress. She worked at home with a continual flow of work from individuals and clothing stores like Endwell Fashions. Today, with her children grown and living in Boston and Michigan, Frances has made the move to Ideal where she enjoys the company of friends and everything they have to offer. She still takes the occasion to make alterations for her friends. It’s something she loves to do and is very good at it. She has even made wedding gowns from scratch, including her own. It seems the years, miles and even a war couldn’t take away her love for sewing, being taught by her mom in another land, in another time. We’d like to thank Frances for sharing a bit of her story with us and we’re very glad that her journey brought her to the triple cities. Thank you Frances for being another reason why this is such a great place to live!

Having a career is something we all need. And when that career is something we love that helps so many people every day, we are truly blessed. Such has been the life of First Ward Action Council’s Executive Director Jerry Willard. Walking through Recreation Park on any given weekend you may come across Jerry sitting at a bench reading the New York Times with his bike propped up against a table. Biking has always been something he enjoys, and the park is a beautiful destination where Jerry can relax, take in the scenery, and from time to time look back at earlier years growing up here and visiting this and other parks. Jerry was born in Johnson City and grew up on the South Side of Binghamton by Ross Park. His father worked at NYSEG and his mother took care of a loving home. Playing at Ross Park

Your Neighbor, Jerry Willard was a common past time for Jerry as well as playing board games with his friends and of course riding bikes. As he got older he kept his love for bike riding but as was the case with many young men his attention and interest grew to music and cars. He loved auto racing and everything about cars. Attending Binghamton High School he took auto shop where he remembers they were fortunate to find an old antique engine from a Model T to work on which of course was a bit different than the race cars he would see up at 5 Mile Point and Watkins Glen on his free weekends. All thru high school Jerry worked at the Crystal Car Wash on Main Street in Binghamton which afforded him projects for cars as well as building a pretty fair record collection. A nice job in High School but admittedly it left a lot to be desired in the cold of winter. After high school Jerry went to SUNY Binghamton for History receiving his Masters in Teaching. For 2 years he took a job as a Program Manager for a Sobering Up Station to help those in need. It was while working here Jerry met Annette, his partner of 32 years, who was working at General Hospital. Their running line when asked was that they met at Alcohol Rehab, which of course was their work. With a career already established in helping people Jerry’s next job was with the Volunteers of America working on grants for housing. From there using his experience he took a position with the First Ward Action Council renovating buildings and working on housing programs and grants. For some time now Jerry has been with the FWAC and has watched it grow with many new projects. The new challenges it brings with the growth is one of the aspects that Jerry says makes it fun. But the biggest reward for him is just how many people it has helped to find new homes and renovate existing ones, helping the elderly and many in need in so many ways. As Jerry says, “We’re rebuilding Binghamton one block at a time.”

Although Jerry looks forward to continuing the work he loves for many years to come you can still find him enjoying a bike ride in town and enjoying his record collection as well a travelling to nearby music events and taking in our restaurants. It’s a beautiful area to live and work in, and we are proud to have someone like Jerry working everyday to make people’s dreams come true. Thank you Jerry!

Realtors

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National Homemade

National Name Your Car Day

National Boyfriend Day

National Golf Lover's Day

National Coffee

National Coaches Day

World Smile Day

National Hero Day

Day

Oct

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National Clergy Appreciation Day

Happy Columbus Day!

National Sausage Pizza Day

National Farmer's Day

USA Navy's Birthday

National Dessert Day

National I Love Lucy Day

National Sports Day

National Pasta Day

National No Beard Day

National Seafood Bisque Day

National Chicken & Waffles Day

National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

National Make A Dog's Day

National Mother-In-Law Day

National Bologna Day

National Chucky (TV's Killer Doll) Day

National Pumpkin Day

National Black Cat Day

National Frankenstein Friday

National Trick or Treat Day

National Candy Corn Day

Happy Halloween!!

Blues on the Bridge continually showcases a great collection of talent taking the stage for a full day of music, put on by the City of Binghamton & the legend ary duo Tom Martinos & Don Wilkins. This yearly musical extravaganza is one of the greats where the entire family and people from all walks of life can enjoy a day outside with great music, food & vendors. It takes a lot to put on these shows, and the talent and contributions of all the great bands performing makes it a truly fun day for all!

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

Oct 1 Sat

Rachael Sage @ Atomic Toms Comedy @ Beer Thirty Eli Young @ Touch of Texas Malice Aforedeck @ Cider Mill Stage Bands @ Night Cap

Oct 5 Wed

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

Oct 6 Thu Open Mic @ Watermans

Oct 7 Fri

Karaoke @ Night Cap Friday Night Sand Jam @ The Dugout Storm Front @ South City

Oct 8 Sat

Storm Front @ McGirks Camille Thurman @ Anderson Ctr Junkyard Heights @ Touch of Texas United States Marine Band @ Forum Bands @ Night Cap

Oct 9 Sun Virgil Cain @ Madrona

Oct 12 Wed

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

Oct 13 Thu Open Mic @ Watermans

Oct 14 Fri

Friday Night Sand Jam @ The Dugout

Storm Front @ Woodys A Tribute To Neil Diamond @ Tioga Greg Neff @ Nips Karaoke @ Night Cap

Oct 15 Sat

Broadway in Binghamton Pres: The Buddy Holly Story @ The Forum Eddie & Bird Dog @ Madrona Bands @ Night Cap

Golden Circle of Bands @ Dick Hoover Stadium Comedy @ Kellys

Oct 16 Sun

Bing Theater Organ Society @ Forum

Oct 19 Wed

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

Oct 20 Thu

Home Free Vocal Band @ Forum Comedy @ Taphouse Open Mic @ Watermans

Oct 21 Fri

Friday Night Sand Jam @ The Dugout

Karaoke @ Night Cap Jason Wicks @ McGirks Sock Out Cancer @ Forum

Oct 22 Sat

BPO pres: Walking Distance @BHS Helen Foley Theater Bands @ Night Cap Destiny @ Kelly

Oct 26 Wed Bands @ The Beef Open Mic @ The Night Cap Bike Night Bands @ The Dugout

Oct 27 Thu

Virgil Cain @ McGirks Open Mic @ Watermans

Oct 28 Fri

Karaoke @ Night Cap Friday Night Sand Jam @ The Dugout Nick Gacioch @ Endicott Elks Wild Card @ Thirstys

Oct 29 Sat

Patrick Young @ Madrona Bands @ Night Cap Grit & Grace @ Touch of Texas

Oct 30 Sun

DJ Johnny Kids Halloween Bash @ Madrona

What’s Happening

with all events

the venue

check dates, times

of

safety

have

FOOD & DRINK

You are going to love us!

MADRONA

TASTING ROOM

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

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

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 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

This Halloween ghouls and goblins, and super heroes and princesses, will go door to door on a quest to bring home as much treasure in the form of treats as possible with the only limitation being time itself. It’s a tradition going back thousands of years to Ireland in Celtic lore. Today many of the customs are still in play even with the passing of hundreds and hundreds of years. Although practices of old saw children dressing up as ghouls in order to escape notice by spirits who were allowed to roam the earth on All Hallows Eve, we still hold to the tradition of dressing up in a range of costumes hiding our real identity underneath. Even Jack O Lanterns were in use in ancient times to ward off evil spirits on this night. Today we may not be faced with evil spirits about us (at least we hope not) but rather a night filled with anticipation and fun for the young and old alike. So whether you have joined the quest of your children to seek plunder, or maybe at home waiting by the door with a scary movie on the tv, or possibly even attending a Halloween Party amongst other creatures of the night, enjoy this very special night that had its beginning so very long ago.

Here’s a Little More Halloween Trivia to feed your soul

~

The largest pumpkin ever grown weighed in at 2624.7 lbs.

~ Legend has it that on Halloween night if a person were to wear their clothes inside out and walk backwards they will see a witch.

~

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During the 16th century in France there were numerous reports of Werewolf attacks with many people being put on trial for this shape shifting curse.

In the years between 1500 and 1600 over 80,00o people were put on trial as witches in Europe.

~ Did you know Frankenstein’s Castle really exists in Germany and 300 years ago there was a scientist of sorts who lived there. He was rumored to have dug up bodies to perform experiments on them. The tale says that a local cleric also warned his parish that the scientist had brought a monster to life with lightening. Sometimes fiction has more truth to it then we know.

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

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

~ Happy Halloween everyone! ~

On The Town at The Beef

The Beef Restaurant & Pub

Noun: Definition~ A local eatery where good times, friends, incredible food and music can always be found. As used in a sentence: Walking into the Beef Restaurant and Pub you know you landed in a very special place where Kevin (the owner) and his staff have created a destination that could rival the best of the best in any city. Syn: Fun, Sophisticated, Friendly, Quality, Home. Simply put.. you're going to love it here!