A big thumbs up

[Clipper]

I am super glad to have a new thread that is open to simple reminiscence as well as more serious discussions about moments in area history. Thank you Ralph for creating the topic and thank you especially Artsyone for having the idea and the desire to create it. I am sure it will give us all the freedom to remember and share experiences in our lives from days gone by as well as enjoying the works of you, Dave and Jon from past years. Thank you for thinking of it and moderating it Artsyone.

While the original intent and focus is on the works of Dave, Jon, and yourself I am hoping that others will participate and post relevant memories of their own, that were made as they grew up in the area.

[artsyone]

you're so very welcome Clipper. It is my hope that this will be a success and open and enjoyable to all.

[Clipper]

I think it will be quite successful as a place for the average member to post memories of their own personal life growing up in the area. We were all very fortunate to have grown up in an area with all the diverse recreational as well as retail opportunities. The real drawing card that invokes interest in the area is the amazing history all up and down the Mohawk valley going back to the revolutionary war. Erie canal history has always been of special interest to me and I never tire of reading about it, and I loved the Olbiston and Rutger Park pieces. The photos you and Dave posted and the maps from Jon were very informative and interesting.

I like the title of the thread "Scatterings." In my mind it allows for reminiscing about experiences that we have had ALL OVER central NY and the Adirondacks.

Another area of interest several years ago was the Utica Entertainment History. I love reading about all the familiar local bands, and loved having the original musicians bring the history to life. It just seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle with the death of Dave, and Jon and others that played music back when I was young.

Thankfully we still have Kit and Dick Laurey with us and maybe THIS thread will revive some of their memories.

[Deleted]

Here is a good memory. Does anyone remember the old James Street movie theater. Much later on it became a Jewish Orthodox sect Synagogue. Years later it because a Senior Citizen Center. When the Senior Center opened up on Parkway this one closed down. Since then the building has become a target of vandalism and various forms of vulgar graffiti. Today it is being demolished by the City of Utica for it has become an eyesore. Many more buildings in that area are also eyesores.




The James Theater dates back to at least 1927. Listed in the 1951 Film Daily Yearbook but not in the 1955 edition. The James Theater opened on Christmas Day, 1926. It closed in 1950 and was converted to a Jewish synagogue. Following this, it was used as a senior center and briefly as a performing arts theater known as the James Street Theater. The Kallet Bros. bought the James from Sam Slotnick in October 1927.




UTICA DPW BEGINS WORK DEMOLISHING FORMER CORNHILL SENIOR CENTER; SECOND PROJECT SET FOR MARCH

www.cnybj.com/utica-dpw-begins-work-demolishing-former-cornhill-senior-center/

[artsyone]

[artsyone]

                                                                        RAIN
a short short by Fiona, original photograph by Fiona

Steuben Street, where the old blue slate walks were frying hot after breakfast and I went barefoot all the summer's afternoon through the  short burnt grass, until the rains came; high black clouds boiling and scudding in the great grey bowl of God's Heaven. I recall the world being both light and dark, running home through the downpour splashing loud upon the road and all the Elms bending, waving, whispering: Go on girl, go on,  hurry...life is waiting...waiting... waiting...  inhaling deep the sweet dusky smell of wet concrete and steam, until dazzled by the spreading rainbow sun and shade, went barefoot still on the cool  of the lawn, till my grandmother, rapping loud on the bay window with her ring, called me to supper just as the cricket fiddlers were tuning up for the dance.

[Clipper]

Great story Artsyone. Dave wasn't the only talented author.

[artsyone]

"Parks of Old Utica"
as written and composed

by the late great Dave Griffin and the ever present and always repentent Fiona M. O'downey.
all rights reserved, 2014 and 2021.

[artsyone]

 
Welcome to "Parks of Old Utica", a rowdy and raunchy tale of the Parks of Old Utica, written by himself Dave Griffin around 2015 and composed by herself, Fiona M. O'downey, around the same time. The tour stars Dave as Dave and Fiona, as well, the redoubtable Mrs. F., Skizzer and Eb as themselves and a whole host of characters, nefarious and otherwise. It one of Dave's final genius works and I hope you find it enjoyable. The whole thread cannot be presented at once because it's kind of long and sort of like eating an over stuffed ham sandwich- you can only take small bites at a time. Also, you will notice the photos on the side. I don't know how to center them, but they can be enlarged by clicking on them and so, without ado, I present to you : "Parks of Old Utica" in it's breathtaking entirerity...entireity...Well, here it is!!

Dave, our fearless leader.

[artsyone]

Mrs. F. blindly following Dave, our fearless leader.

[artsyone]

and Skizzer and Eb as themselves

[artsyone]

Good Sunday morning! Welcome to "Parks of Old Utica.", a post card tour of Old Utica. Please allow me to introduce our guides for today, the Misses AnnaBell and ClaraBell Moore who are in my service.

[artsyone]

As well may I present Mr. Dave's personal and devoted manservant, the Mr. J. Waddington (Waddy) Farnsworth. Don't be alarmed good people of Utica, Dave has assured me he is perfectly harmless.

[artsyone]

And so, we are off!! Stop 1: Watson Williams Park, James Street, Utica NY. Hold on to your hats, ladies!!! Speeding along at 3 miles an hour can be frightening!!

[artsyone]

Stop 2: Here we go over Pleasant Street to view the elms planted by the Honorable Horatio Seymour when Seymour was just a tad