Mayfair Park

[thelma]

Does anyone remember the Polka band that played at the Mayfair Park (just outside of Utica on River Road-Flanagan Road)?

If I remember right, I think the name of the band was "Zumbruski" or some name that sounded like this. This would have been around 1952 - 1955. My girlfriends and I use to go there on the weekends and this is where I learned how to polka - still love that dance!

This band use to play 3 different Polkas before you could stop dancing and catch your breath. They were excellent and the parking lot use to be jamed full of cars. It was considered one of the "hot spots" in the 50s.

Those were the days of care free fun and never to return.

[dgriffin]

I certainly do, but not from that era. It reopened (probably a number of times) and I remember going there with my wife when she was pregnant for our first, in 1966. We went with friends and most of the other attendees were Polish... I mean could speak only Polish and evidently had recently arrived in America.

[thelma]

In the 50s, the Mayfair Park was "the place to go". Downstairs was a Lounge area and Bar, and another Dance Floor. Upstairs was the BIG Dance Floor and table to sit at (if my memory serves me correctly). This place was filled to the roof tops on the weekends. I was also a young teenager at the time, but met some really nice guys there - LOL.

[bobbbiez]

Wow Thelma, I bet we bumped into each other at the Mayfair at one time or another. My Uncle Walt's band was one of the house bands that use to play there along with my Dad, Alex. His band was called, "Little Wally's Polka Band," and they played all over the area and at most Polish weddings. They played at the Polish Community Club Houses in W.Utica and the one in E.Utica also.
Do you remember the old Circle Restaurant in W.Utica, and the old Rainbow Rest? They played there also along with all the Polish Days in the area and back in our time the biggest Polish Days were held at the Mayfair and at the park in New York Mills.
They did record alot of Polish songs under the name of "Little Wally" and their music is still played on the Polish program on WIBX, Sundays.

My Uncle Walt taught the accordion and the piano/accordion here and in Massachusetts for many years. Boy, was he ever good. How I miss that today. Unless you go to a Polish wedding there is no place to go to dance the night away with some damn good Polkas. Well, considering my age, maybe not all night long.

My best memories as a little girl was dancing with my Uncle and my Dad to their favorite Polka, "The Clarinet Polka." When they started to play that one of them would come off the stage and I would dance ON their feet with them doing the Polka.
Sh-t, that's got me teary eyed now. Such wonderful days.

[bobbbiez]

Wow! I really tacted my memory all day long.
Couldn't remember the name of the Polish Club House in E.Utica and it finally came to me. It was called the Polonial Hall. ;D
What a relief that is. Just hate that when the mind won't work with the mouth.

[thelma]

Bobbboez - My Sister In Law was 100% Polish and lived with her parents on Cottage Place - a few doors down from PLAV. She was married to my husband's older brother and didn't get married until she was 30 years old (ancient by the standards of the 50s). They are still happily married and living out West.

We all would all end the evening at the PLAV playing shuffleboard as for Members, it was a great after hours club.

I agree with you. Polkas were my favorite dance when I was younger. At the Mayfair, you had to be in good shape as the Band played 3 sets of Polkas and no one would dare leave the floor before all 3 of them were done!

Oh - if we could only roll the clock back to those days!!!!!!

[Clipper]

[quote author=bobbbiez Just hate that when the mind won't work with the mouth. [/quote]

Just a few quick reminders to keep things in tune with other things.

1. Always put the brain in gear BEFORE engaging the mouth.
2. Make sure you put the brain in HIGH gear or overdrive, because THAT mouth is always going at warp speed!!! hahahahahaha! ;D ;D ;D

(YOu also might want to remember that the mind is getting OLDER, it is wired into a blonde head, and it also has the complication of being part Polish, so we can't expect miracles! )

[Clipper]

By the way, sunshine. On a serious note, I hope you are doing better and getting over the flu. I know we bust on each other and make a mission of getting one over on the other one, but , I hope seriously that you are feeling better. Have good day, you little blonde pain in my ass! hahahaha! ;D

[bobbbiez]

lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a scary thought Clipper. I'd get lost in the big a-- of yours. ;D


Thanks dear friend for your concerns.
If no improvement by next Tuesday will go see that good looking Doc again for more xrays. Feeling better already.

[thelma]

Bobbbiez - If all they gave you for double pneumonia were pills, this is probably why you are still sick.

It only took me TWO days to come down with pneumonia and if my oldest daughter had not rushed me via ambulance to the Hospital, I would not be here!

I was so "out of it", there is very little I remember of those hours in the ER room where they took Xrays, did an EKG, and had at least 5 Specialists consulting on my case. I was hooked up to a IV where Penicilian was being pumped into me constantly - right up to the 4th day! My Hospital Bill for all these 5 days of "tender living care" came to over $15,000!!!!!!! Thank God for the fact I have good health insurance coverages!

If all you are relying on is pills - you are going to need something a lot more stronger before you are fully recovered. Go back to the Doctor and ask if they will give you a STRONG shot of penicilian which should help.

Get well soon, my friend.

[bobbbiez]

I am on Penicillin and I also have this damn breathing machine that brings up the crap , but I got doubled decked with double pneumonia and it will take alot longer to get rid of.
My Doc has got to be careful of whacking me with stuff because of certain allergies and other medical problems. That doesn't help.
So much for the flu shot and pneumonia shot I always keep up on.

I refused staying in the hospital because other then administrating an IV at home, I am a nurse and do know exactly what I'm suppose to do and I am alot more comfortable at home. If you know what I mean.

Thank you girlfriend for all your concerns and yes, "MOM," I am monitoring myself very carefully.

[denise]

My parent's wedding reception was held at the Mayfair in 1965. I have pictures packed away...somewhere!

[bobbbiez]

Denise, those would be so cool to see.

[john725]

WOW!! Great memories about Mayfair! When I was a kid of 16 or so, I used to mow lawns and do landscaping work in Rome. The neighbor of one of my clients was a Mr Cibula (sp) who at that time either owned or ran Mayfair. He was a Pole, used to sponsor immigrant Poles and used to tell me "You come to Mayfair, you dance, you drink, you have fun, you get lucky!!"...As an American of Ukrainian-Polish-Russian Descent, this was great!! Heck, I grew up listening to Joe Trela and Ziggy Szawicki on the Rome radio stations and to this day, there is nothing like great Polka music to get me going!!

Thank you all for the memories!!

John

[bobbbiez]

You're quite welcome, John. ;D
They were the good old days for all of us that's for sure.

I get myself going as my grandparents and my parents did every Sunday morning listening to the Polish program that is still on WIBX am. Great way to start the day.