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Utica male persons asked to help clear snow from Railyards

2009-10-05T19:52:00.003-04:00

Seems like only yesterday when, in winter time, and especially after a Big Snow, there was an announcement through the media asking for eligible males to assist in the clearing of snow from the rail yards at Union Station, Main Street, in downtown Utica. These men were asked to sign in at the Utica City Hall which, at that time, was located at the corner of Genesee and Pearl Streets. They were also supplied with a snow shovel which each male person carried on their right shoulder (as if carrying a rifle) and this "army" would march down Genesee Street to the Union Station where they were assigned an area to shovel and clear the snow so that rail traffic would not be hampered. This was a time when rail travel was the main method of traveling. I recall the newspaper photo which appeared on one occasion which showed about 200 men walking from the Utica Hall location to the Union Station. I presume the Railroad paid for these services and the City Hall used for its convenient location. And I also presume the railroad provided the shovels. I'm going to attempt to obtain a newspaper photo about this. I see I have my work cut out for me. Does anyone have aphoto to share?

Downtown Utica NY memories

2009-09-28T20:32:00.003-04:00

Been a lot of changes in Utica NY downtown but the most memorable, of course, was the season of Christmas shopping. Throngs of people were elbow to elbow on the sidewalks and crossing the intersections. Remember when the Boy Scouts of America stood on both sides of the intersection holdng bamboo poles to restrain the shoppers when they arrived at the intersection. And, although there were traffic signals, the Boy Scouts synchronized their bamboo poles raised up and down with the traffic light. The boy scouts took their jobs seriously. They stood ramrod straight, always looking ahead. Reminded me of the Guards at the Buckingham Palace in London.
There was one person who also took his job to heart. And that was Johnny Martorella, an elevator operator of one of the three elevators in the First National Bank Bldg, now named the Adirondack Bank Building. In its heyday, the elevator operators were required to wear uniforms. And John, although an endomoph, was extremely kind and considerate of his passengers. I recall once when I was in his elevator, a mother and child were also there. Once the elevator began its ascent, the child began to cry and complain the elevator was going too fast. Johnny stopped the elevator, turned to the child, assured the child he would drive very slowly, not too worry. And he did. What a guy. At Christmas time, Santa Claus was extremely generous in the presentation of Christmas gifts. Santa was representing the tenants of the building. Then automation reared its ugly head, Johnny obtain employment in the Mayro Building, Genesee St and Bank Place, then that place installed automatic elevators, then to the Gardner Bldg where England and McCaffrey Drug store was on the ground floor. That buildng used an odl clunker but the die was cast and Johnny was forced to retire. Johnny was a small person but had a gigantic heart. You can visit my website, Uticaamradio.org to view a black and white 16 MM movie on Utica, 1941.

Famous landmakrs in downtown Utica 1945

2009-09-16T20:26:00.003-04:00

Posted recently was a photo (shown in Blogspot.com) taken by an Od Photographer in August of 1945 when the announcement was made the Empire of Japan was suing for peace in the Pacific after two atom bombs were exploded over Hiroshima and Nagaski.
Uticans and others thronged to downtown Utica to celebrate the end of World War II.
Checking the photo renews interest in the downtown Utica history. At the corner of Genesee and Oriskany Street, southeast corner, was an office building named the Foster Building. I recall that's the location of the City's Justice of the Peace.
Yeah, remember. Later, that location, known as the Foster Building, was acquired by Interstate Department Stores, owner of the Boston Store, the Foster building demolished and the Boston Store added construction to its famous store, increasing the size of the famous downtown Utica store. Travelng east on the sotuh side of Oriskany Street is the locatin for a famous Diner. The Diner was situated bedhind the Colonial Theater. The Theater itself fronted on Bleecker Street. Can you name the famos diner on Oriskany Street. This should be an easy one for you. And, lastly, agan travelling east on Oriskany Street was located another diner, located on the southwest corner. Yes, please give us the name of that diner on Oriskany and Burnet streets. I hope we never forget of what was located in downtown Utica during the golden years of a very busy downtown Utica, New York. Awaitng your responses, I remain your most humble servant.

Frederck T. Proctor Park in East Utica

2009-09-04T19:56:00.003-04:00

There's a green belt in Utica, New York which starts at Bleecker Street and Culver Avenue and continues to Oneida Street and the Memorial Parkway. One piece of this green belt is the Frederick T Proctor Park at Rutger Street and Culver Avenue.
Here are 50 acres of God's paradise. It has been referred to as the "NEW" proctor park to contrast with the park to the south -- the Thmas R Proctor Park which was known as the "OLD" park. The FT Proctor Park. No park in Utica has been more popular for picnics than the FT Proctor Park. And most recently, the City of Utica Council passed legislation to exclude all vehicular traffic so as to provide a safe haven for the vast numbers of walkers in the morning, afternoon and evening. The park closes its doors at 9:00 PM. In my research of the Park, I find there was a caretaker's cottage where a husband and wife, Mr and Mrs David Williams, resided in the cottage; they took great pride to keep the Frederick T. Proctor Park in the best condition. They also attended to the beautiful shade trees of which there were more then in the early 1900's than today and caring for the velvety lawns on the higher level. The lower level was a babbling brook with lovely looking swans.
I have marvelous memories of the FT Proctor Park. My parents and my sister and I visited this place often in the summer. When in grammar school, I joined Troop 47 of the Boy Scouts of America. My friends and I, and our Scoutmaster, enjoyd an overnight stay. We pitched our tents on the corner of Redfield and Ludlow Streets.
A newspaper photographer visited and snapped my photo standing in front of the tent.
When my mother was alive, during the hot days of summer, I would drive to the Park, take two lawn chairs from my auto, find a comfortable, shady spot under a tree and we would discuss the current events of the day in Italian. I was so pleasantly surprised at the absence of traffic noise from Culver Avenue.
I have met persons from all over the area who converge on the FT Proctor Park for their daily stroll. As in days of old, the FT Proctor Park attracts hundreds a people each day. And more recently, the Central New York Conservancy has been instrumental in having placed Utica's ark System on the Federal Register of Historic Places. The members also created a Butterfly Sanctuary on the lower level.
The Frederick T. Proctor Park at Rutger Street and Culver Avenue was deeded to the City of Utica in 1923. The Utica Common Council received a deed to the property on August 21, 1923. Mr and Mrs David Williams were allowed to live in the cottage until January 1, 1924 with expenses paid by the Proctor family.

VJ Celebration in downtown Utica New York

2009-08-23T11:13:00.000-04:00

An Interview with Richard Enders

2009-03-29T10:42:00.000-04:00

Jobs report

2009-01-26T09:16:00.096-05:00

The government defines mass layoffs as those that involve "at least 50 persons from a single employer."

Jobs eliminated the week starting 4/13/2009
Hallmark - 750
UBS - 7,500
Linear Tech - 130
Teradyne - 350
Smart Modular - 3%
Xilinx - 200

Jobs eliminated the week starting 4/06/2009
Isilon Systems - 10%
FARO Technologies - 7% (7% announced in Feb 09)
Olympic Steel - 21%
John Deere - 160
Whirlpool - 600
Constellation Brands - 5%
Capstone Turbine - 22

Jobs eliminated the week starting 3/30/2009
Dyax - 60
KLA-Tencor - 10%
KHD Humboldt Wedag - 50%
Quidel Corporation - 31
Frozen Food Express Industries - 150
Computer Associates - 3,100
Cascade Corporation - 20%
LMI Aerospace - 60
Sparton - 970
Opnext - 10%
Internap Network - 10%
Cardinal Health - 800
Wausau Paper - 7%
AllianceBernstein Holding - 237
Vitesse Semiconductor - 12%

Jobs eliminated the week starting 3/23/2009
Hospira - 10%
Entropic Communications - 55
Arbitron - 10%
IBM - 5,000
Agilent - 2,700
Plantronics - 670
Key Technology - 7%

Jobs eliminated the week starting 3/16/2009
Caterpillar - 2,354 (20,000 announced in January with 2,000 voluntary retirement)
Ramtron - 119
Cerus Corp - 31
LeCroy - 6.5%
Cintas - 9%
Cortex Pharmaceuticals - 50%

Jobs eliminated the week starting 3/9/2009
The McClatchy Company - 1,600
Eastman Chemical Company - 200-300
United Technologies - 11,600
Medis Technologies - 50 (Israeli office)
Mercury General - 360
Belo Corp - 150
PGT - 100
PPG - 2,500
Advanced Energy Industries - 330
Sunoco - 750

Jobs eliminated the week starting 3/2/2009
Timken - 400
HSBC - 6,100
WTVH - 40
RF Micro devices - 100
Finisar - 17%
Marvell Technology Group - 15%
Deere & Company - 325

Jobs eliminated the week starting 2/23/2009
iPass Inc - 70
Verenium Corporation - 15%
Micron - 2,000
PPL Corporation - 200
Spansion - 3,000
Elan Corporation - 230
Interface - 290
Macerich - 142
Kulicke and Soffa - 215
Nortel - 3,200
Cisco Systems - 250
Armstrong World Industries - 10%
Sotheby's - 15%
J. Crew - 95

Jobs eliminated the week starting 2/16/2009
Smithfield Foods - 1,800
State of California - 20,000
Goodyear - 5,000
General Motors - 47,000 (over course of 2009)
Agilent - 600
Celera - 20
Anglo American - 19,000
iGo - 20%

Jobs eliminated the week starting 2/9/2009
KV Pharmaceutical - 700
Nissan - 20,000
FedEx Freight - 900
GM - 10,000
IntercontinentalExchange - 55
UBS - 2,000
Walmart - 800
Zenith National Insurance Corp - 100
Grainger - 400
Toro - 100
Oscient Pharmaceuticals - 97
Netgear - (TBD)
Rackable Systems - 15%

Jobs eliminated the week starting 2/2/2009
Macy's - 7,000
Morgan Stanley - 1,880
Hollis-Eden Pharmaceuticals, Inc - 20
King Pharmaceuticals, Inc - 760
PNC Bank - 5,800
Rockwell Collins - 600
Liz Clairborne - 725
Redpoint Bio Corporation - 12
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated - 500
Northstar Neuroscience - 64%
Electronic Arts - 11%
ArvinMeritor, Inc - 1,500
Panasonic - 15,000
Allergan - 460
Estee Lauder - 2,000
Domtar - 185
Harman Int'l - 1,100
THQ - 600
Finisar - 200
Brown Shoe - 12%

Jobs eliminated the week starting 1/26/2009
Caterpillar - 20,000
Home Depot - 7,000
ING Financial - 7,000
Pfizer - 19,000
Sprint Nextel - 8,000
GM Ohio, Michigan - 2,000
Royal Philips Electronics NV - 6,000
Tata Steel - 3,500
Barnes Group, Inc - 800
Lincoln National Corp. - 540
Brooks Automation Inc. - 350
Altus Pharmaceuticals Inc - 140
Texas Instruments - 3,400
Quiksilver - 200
LECG Corporation - 72
FirstFed Financial Corp. - 62
Corning - 3,500
United Stationers Inc - 250
Baker Hughes - 1,500
Target - 1,500 (600 full time, 400 open positions, 500 Dist. unit)
Boeing - 5,500 (total of 10,000 as 4,500 were announced 1/9/09)
Analogic - 140
AOL/Time Warner - 700
Pacific Sunwear - 57
Sepracor - 530
Starbucks - 700 (In November '08 they announced closing 300 stores which will affect 6,000)
Jabil Circuit - 3,000
Skyworks Solutions - 150
Ford Motor Credit - 1,200
Allstate - 1,000 (over next 2 years)
Abbott Laboratories - 200
Kodak - 3,500 - 4,500
Teradyne - 504
International Game Technology - 200
AstraZeneca - 6,000
Cessna - 2,000 (announced 2,600 jobs earlier this year)
Bon-Ton Stores - 1,150
Oshkosh - 1,050
Schwab - 500-600
Conexant - 140
Eddie Bauer Holdings, Inc - 193
ZYGO - 7%
Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - 52
Broadcom - 3%
O'Brien & Gere, Syracuse, NY - 40
InBev, B'ville, NY - 15
Lee Memorial Hospital - 200
MKS Instruments - 10%
Pep Boys - 50
Baldwin Technology Company, Inc - 80
Chico's - 180

Jobs eliminated the week starting 1/19/2009
AMB Property - 22%
Artic Cat - 100
BHP Billiton - 6,000
Bridgestone - 543
Clear Channel Communications - 1,850
Eaton - 5,200
Employers Holdings - 14%
Ericsson - 5,000
FiberMark paper - 100
Harley Davidson - 1,100
IBM - 1400
Intel - 2,950
John Deere - 702 (692 prviously announced restated that 10 additional at its Davenport location)
Lexicon Pharmaceuticals - 102
McQuay - 60
Microsoft - 5,000
Pall Trinity Micro - 80
Polaris - 460
Rohm and Haas Co - 900
Schlumberger - 5,000
Sonic Solutions - 75
UAL Corp - 1,000
Viacom - 850
Warner Bros. - 800
Williams-Sonoma - 1,400

Previous weeks 2009
Advanced Micro Devices - 1,100
Alcoa - 13,500
Autodesk - 750
Barclay's - 2,100
Barnes & Noble - 100
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan - 1,000
Boeing - 4500
Borg Warner - 200
Cessna - 2,600
Cigna - 1,100
Circuit City - 30,000
ConocoPhillips - 1,300
Corus - 3,500
Crouse Hinds - 39
Cummins - 800
EMC Corp - 2,400
Ethan Allen - 350
Google - 100
Hertz - 4,000
Honda - 3,100
Huntsman Corporation - 1,175
Lee Memorial Hospital - 36
Logitech - 500
Macy's - 900
MeadWestvaco Corporation - 2,000
Motorola - 4,000
Neiman Marcus Group - 375
New York & Co - 350
Penn Traffic (P&C foods) - 207
Saks Fith Ave - 1,100
ShopNBC - 11%
Stature Electric - 17
TDK Corp. - 8,000
Walgreen's 1,000
WellPoint - 1,500
World Wrestling Entertainment - 60
Wynit - 61

Interview with Mary Lisa Nolan, re: her new book

2008-11-23T10:14:00.001-05:00

2008-10-03T06:55:00.000-04:00

This is the location for the radio studios of WIBX Radio on Genesee Street, opposite the Bank with the Gold Dome. For more information on early Amplitlude Modulation radio broadcasting in Utica, New York, visit my website at:
uticaamradio.org

Stanley Theatre Renovation

2008-10-03T06:50:00.000-04:00

Just a short time ago! Renovation work in progress at the Stanley Theatre. This view is from Hopper and King Streets in downtown Utica.

Nikon D-80 SLR

2008-09-21T12:01:00.001-04:00

Amazing facts about the NIKON D-80 SLR Digital camera

Utica New York Train Station Years Ago

2008-09-13T21:10:00.003-04:00

This is a pictorial depiction of the Utica NY Railroad Station years ago. The present train station building was constructed in the teen years of the 20th century and has been referred to as a second Grand Central Station. In all my train travels, I would agree that Utica New York had a magnificent architectural wonder. And it was all done by private enterprise. This image shown below is from a collection of Penny Postcard scenes of Oneida County. Grand Central Railroad station and the Utica, New York Tran Statin on Main Sreet -- what a marvelous combination. How many recall the marvelous introduction to the CBS radio program, "Grand Central Station"as announced by Ken Roberts and which aired on WIBX (and CBS) Saturday afternoons at 1:00 PM?

Oneida County Historical Society Bldg (Museum)

2008-09-09T15:18:00.002-04:00

This was the Oneida County Historical Society Building in Utica located on Park Avenue, John Street and Elizabeth Street. It was referred to as the Museum Building and featured an outstanding architecture. It was demolished to make way for a gasoline station. For shame, Utica.

Recall the location of the Irish House of Mc Guirl?

2008-08-20T20:58:00.005-04:00

I wonder how many folks remember the original location of the House of Mc Guirl's. It was located on the southeast corner of Mohawk and Eagle Streets in Utica. The Irish House of Mc Guirl became a big name locally. The grand occasion happened, though, when Smilin' Mike Mc Guirl decided to physically move the business to a new location. It was moved on "rollers" to a location on Eagle Street across from the Graffenburg Dairy Building on Eagle Street which today is an entrance to Hannaford's. That was a big occasion in Utica for that time but the Mc Guirl Restaurant became more famous at this new location. The Irish House of Mc Guirl! I must obtain photographs of the "rollers" re-locating the restaurant building from the southeast corner of Mohawk and Eagle to the new location on the next block, the 600 block of Eagle Street. I will then upload them to the Internet and to this blog site.
What a great place for a little libation, what a great city was Utica, New York. We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for the delicious memoris of the Irish House of Mc Guirl's.

A chat with Dick Cerri

2008-08-16T11:18:00.003-04:00

Dick Cerri, president of the World Folk Music Association, discusses his formative years growing up in Utica New York, his years employed at WIBX and WRUN am radio stations in Utica New York. And we chat with Dick about his position as president of the World Folk Music Association based in Washington DC. A great conversation, a most pleasant visit and tremendous nostalgia of his radio experiences.

Please visit my radio site to listen to the interview.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/cnyurbanguy

media terrorism

2008-08-10T20:16:00.003-04:00

You are cordially invited to listen to yesterday's program on my Internet radio station. Three hosts broadcast from three different venues. I was at my home, my co-host, Lou, was at his venue 50 miles west of Utica and PHD Dr. Rich Atkins at his location to discuss Media Terrorism. Because of the interest in the topic, we scheduled 30 minutes for the radio broadcast. We discussed many aspects of media terrorism and I truly believe you will find the program intellectually stimulating. My E-mail buddies are all above average intelligence. I strongly recommend you visit my radio station location at......

blogtalkradio.com/cnyurbanguy

Click play and enjoy.

Photo of start of construction of the Utica Nat'l Building in downtown Utica

2008-08-03T20:42:00.005-04:00

Click on photo to enlarge
This is a digital photo of the start of construction work on the Utica National Insurance Building in downtown Utica New York. The photo view is looking southwest, the photo taken from the parking lot of the former Marine Midland Bank (now the HSBC bank.) Photo was taken by Lou Barile. Guess who that person is.

Importance of Languge in a Global Economy

2008-07-27T20:23:00.004-04:00

Extremely interesting radio broadcast yesterday, Saturday, July 26, 2008 on my Internet radio station. We shared cohosts roles with my son, Louis, and an invited guest, Dr Rich Atkins,Phd, CEO of Improving Communications. Interesting, too, is the fact that we broadcast from three different venues -- I was in Utica, NY; my son, Louis, is in Liverpool, New York and Dr Rich was using a cell phone somehwere in the New England area; his residence is in NYC. The subject is a continuation of the discussion of the past two weeks -- outsourcing of US jobs to an offshore location -- i.e. jobs lost to foreign competition. I strongly urge you to visit our radio station website address -- cnyurbanguy.blogspot. com and click on the broadcast of July 26, 2008. It's a fifteen minute broadcast show and it flies by so quickly. Visit the site, click on the broadcast of July 26, 2008 and learn why our US jobs are in a state of crisis. Louis Barile

2008 Mt Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish Feast

2008-07-20T11:41:00.004-04:00

Speak with some wonderful volunteers for the 2008 St Mary of Mt Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish Festival.

telecommunting

2008-07-16T21:09:00.002-04:00
The more things change, the more they remain the same. The two presidentil candidates are not addressing nor attemptng the dire problems of the country. Our dependence on Oil continues unabated. Prices come down on a barrel of Oil but not the price at the pump.
We invite you to listen to our most recent radio show which features discussions on how to approach the problem, resolve it and solve it. Times' a wasting'. You are cordially invited to listen to last Ssturday's morning 15 minuite talk show on this important topic. Son Lou Barile makes some fine recommendatios. Address of podcast: blogtalkradio/cnyurbanguy.

Outsourcing of of jobs in Central New York

2008-07-06T21:06:00.004-04:00
Anyone following the 2008 presidential contest can understand why all candidate's for the office of President are not dwelling on the most important issues in this campaign. For instance, there's the issue of escalating gasoline prices, the higher costs for food, the higher the cost for almost everything else. Give me a break. Yesterday, I did my talk show on the Internet where I invited two female persons from Syracuse to discuss the outsourcing of their jobs at JP Morgan-Chase Bank. I wanted them to address the matter of the emotional and traumatic effect of getting a "pink slip". What's the next thing you do. I thought they handled the interview very well. I was joined in this discussion by my son, Louis. I invite to visit the web site for this radio program (featured on the Internet) and join in the discussion yourself. Perhaps we can be instruments to stir up the two candidates for president and all other elective offices to begin a resolution of the problem as of yesterday. The address for the archived talk show: www.blog radio.com/cnyurbanguy. We'd love to get your input.

St Peter's Square, Aguust 30, 2007

2008-06-29T19:52:00.003-04:00

St Peter's Square, Rome Italy on August 30, 2007. I viisted St Peter's on the day of the observance of my birthday anniversary. So I had an audience with Pope Benedict and he bestowed his Blessing on all of us in the audience. I saw him fly in in his white helicopter from summer residence. It was a hot, humid day on the occasion of the taking of this photograph but it was worth it.

Harbor Point, North Utica, Utica New York

2008-06-22T11:19:00.001-04:00

Lou Barile for President 2008

2008-06-21T12:31:00.001-04:00

return visit to St John's Church Grotto Utica NY

2008-06-14T12:51:00.003-04:00

I paid a return visit to the Grotto at St John's Church in downtown Utica New York.
This is a place where prayers have been answered, are being answered this date and will continue to be answered. St John's Roman Catholic Church, the first Catholic Church in Utica New York

Live on Cup of Joe Show with Joe Graziano

2008-06-07T13:30:00.002-04:00

Recorded LIVE in studios of WADR Remsen and WUTQ Uica (same studio) the Cup of Joe Show with Handsome Joe Graziano.

West End Brewery Fire, 2008

2008-05-31T11:22:00.002-04:00

I was personally at the West End Brewery fire on Thursdy evening, May 29, 2008 where this video footage was taken by me and it's my voice for the narration. I also recommend yo visit the link at the bottom of the page which directs you to the Utica 1941 movie footage of the 1941 West End Brewery recalling the glorious history of this great local business enterprise.

You can see the West End Brewery in it's 1941 glory here

Meet Corliss Archer

2008-05-22T20:09:00.004-04:00
There was a popular weekly radio program on WIBX, when Radio was King, named "Meet Corliss Archer". It was aired on Thursday nights. It was a bit of fluff but it featured two young radio actors who were to go on and achieve Hollywood movie status. They were Robert Walker and Phylis Isley. The two met while starring in this radio program on CBS (WIBX) and became a popular favorite, did well in the ratings of the time. Robert Walker and Phyllis Isley fell in love, married. The two were signed by Hollywood movie Studios and off they went to Hollwood (I'm still waiting for the call) and quickly achieved movie celebrity. Robert was featured in lots of MGM movies. My favorite of his was a movie called "The Clock" which starred Walker and Judy Garland in a straight drama role. Phyllis had her name changed to Jennifer Jones and the rest is history. Success sometime extracts a large sacrifice. Anyway, David O. Selznick (he of Gone With he Wind fame) was able to "steal her away" from Walker; Selznick, as a Hollywood mogul, was able to move forward her career. Walker was never the same after that. Took it quite hard. Meanwhile, Jennifer Jones went on to win a Best Acting Academy Award for her portrayal of Bernadette in the movie titled "Song of Bernadette". Both appeared in a movie titled "Since You Went Away". Walker was devastated when he was "dumped" by Phyllis Isley (Jennifer Jones), I, too, as a groupie, I took it hard and, I, too, was never a Jennifer Jones fan for what she did to my idol, Bob Walker. You see the price you pay for being a groupie? Walker died in his early 30's. I've always claimed he died of heartbreak. They had two sons from the marriage. Does anyone recall the famous CBS radio show "Meet Corliss Archer"?

Buddy Holly Photo

2008-05-22T19:40:00.004-04:00

This is a copy of a fan magazine published in England. It is a magazine devoted to the memory of Buddy Holly and the Crickets. The photograph was spotted on my website, uticaamradio.org, and I was deluged from all over the world with requests for the photo. I gave permission to the magazine publishers to use the photo which they did by putting it on the cover. Wow! The Buddy Holly fans are a dedicated group. I'm so happy to know that an article on a website originating in Utica, New York garnered so much international attention and 'buzz'. I gave the story to the Observer-Dispatch who declined to do a story about it. The photo op occurred in Syracuse, New York at the Syracuse War Memorial. A concert in Syracuse featured Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, Paul Anka, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino; Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Clyde Mc Phatter and more. This was in the middle 1950's and the price of admission was scaled at $2.00, $2.50 and $3.00. An all-star cast of famous recording stars for that low price for admission. No wonder they refer to that time as the "good 'le days". Photo taken by Tony Marturano of Rome, now deceased. It was my son who suggested I use this photo and lots more on my website, uticaamradio.org, where you can view them also. You're invited to visit and enjoy the research on the start of Amplitude Modulation Radio (AM)Broadcasting in Utica, New York. Allow me to use this 'oldie'. Why do radio announcers have small hands? (ready for the answer?)..........wee paws for station identification.

Mr Wonderful's Birthday party

2008-05-17T11:30:00.002-04:00

A surprise birthday party was given for our near, dear, close friend --Fred Bowen
on Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the Southside Grille,Rte 5, Vernon New York. A good time was had by all. Fred is the former owner (as was his father) of Radio Station WIBX, Utica,New York. Fred is now retired, a resident of State of Maine and a snowbird in Florida. As we told Fred -- don't worry about your birthdays. For the more birthdays you have -- the longer you live. Viva Freddy Bowen!

2008-05-12T18:49:00.002-04:00

This is part three (3) of the photos of the old Mutz Confectionery Store in the 600 block of Bleecker Street, adjacent to De Rosa Hall. Left to right: John Autore; Amadeo (Mutz) D'Accurzio; barnstorming professional baseball players of the old Negro League, and the gentleman on the far right is Lou Altier, who was a bartender at the old Jobber's Restaurant which was located in the Sam Ciocca Building which was the location of Sam's Paint Store in the front and a glass service in the rear accessed through a long indoor garage to the rear. The kids who are kneeling in the foreground are not identified -- any help? Perhaps it can be you. The Sam Ciocca building was one structure away gong west. Separating the Statti Bros Shoe Repair Shop building and the paint sotre was a building which had the store for DiLeo Plumbing; the family resided on the second floor. Mutz later gave up the confectionery store and opened a coffee shop/food service, newspaper stand on the corner of Mohawk and Bleecker in the De Lalla Drug Store building.
The D'Accurzio family carried on the operation until their retirement. The business was sold to others but it just wasn't the same without the good will and friendship of the D'Accurzio's.

2008-05-08T21:57:00.002-04:00

This is another black and white photo taken in front of Mutz's Candy Store located adjacent to the De Rosa Hall in the 600 block of Bleecker Street. left to right: Johnny Voce, a local noted bowler; Phil "Clarky" D'Accurzio, brother of Amadeo (Mutz) D'Accurzio; Carl STocco, fther of Mary Stocco, and Mary was later married to Mike Risucci; Art Piccola, brother of Jimmy Piccola; Art worked later for the IRS in Utica and after retirement with IRS was employed in the Utica City Comptroller's office in Utica City Hall; Tony Daniels, who worked for Scala Packng Company on Broad Street and then, when the plant closed, went to work for Wonder Bakery; and a gentleman named "Sonny", no last name available but he had a daughter named Connie who was later married to an attorney named Zogby who was in partnership with Attorney Pat Bernardi. Mutz's Candy store was in a building owned by the Statti brothers. A brother-in-law to one of hte Statti's was Ercole Ventura, father of Rufus, Sam, Giovanni and Louis plus several attractive daughters. Mr Ventura opened his own shoe repair shop on the 700 block of Columbia Street across from St Joseph's-St Patrick's Church. What beatiful memories! What a great City.

Mutz's candy store circa 1935

2008-05-03T19:56:00.003-04:00

Thanks to Al D'Accurzio for the loan of these three (3) photos. This is a black and white photo taken in 1935 in front of Mutz's Candy Store, situated adjacent to the Ben Franklin 5 and dime store, 600 block of Bleecker Street in the Stati's Shoe Repair Shop. Left to right: Louis Mastrangelo and Amadeo (al) "Mutz" D'Accurzio in the doorway of the store. Louiis Mastrangelo became the proprietor of Master's Luncheonette on Oneida Square. Amadeo (Mutz) D'Accurzio was employed by the McLoughlin Textile Mill which business fell on hard times and so Amadeo decided to go into business for himself, opening this candy store in the 600 block of Bleecker Street, next door to the Ben Franklin 5 and dime store. It was while employed at the Mc Loughlin Mill that Amadeo met Mary Andrello. It seems the employees of the mill allowed emplolyees to dance during lunch hours and that's ohow that love story began. Amadeo (Al Sr) was also a favorite entertainer in the fabled St Mary of Mt Carmel Church parish ministrel shows. Now I'm going to tease you a bit. I have other photos of Mutz's Candy Store which I will feature in subsequent postings. Aren't I mean? Stay tuned!

324 South Street

2008-04-27T09:57:00.002-04:00

This is a photo of 324 South Street, the birthplace of Harold Frederic, who became a best selling author and international celebrity. I have contacted the Utica Landmarks Society to intervene in their help to preserve this location and the house as part of preserving Utica history. This location is behind the Rutger Park historic sites -- e.g. former Roscoe Conkling mansion -- and, with help from the Federal and State government agencies, the entire section can be preserves for posterity. What do you think?

Mutz's candy store

2008-04-26T10:36:00.000-04:00
I wonder how many people recall the original Mutz's Confectionery store. The Mutz Legend began in a small store front in the 600 block of Bleecker Street on Utica's East Side. The store was located adjacent to the DeRosa Hall building and Mutz's was in the same building as Stati's Shoe repair shop, later the show repair shop was taken over by John D'Amore. The candy store was owned by Amadeo (Mutz) D'Accurzio. You could say that it was a penny candy store because prices were very LOW. Oh, Boy chewing gum sold two sticks for one penny and they were very long. Oh, boy, you got your money's worth; Mary Jane's candy was another favorite and, which was to be my later addiction, delicious ice cream. Money was not generally available for kids for discretionary expenditures such, (God forbid) to purchase candy. I used to help the Borden's milk man and he's give me one or two pennies for my help. Son-of-gun, as I recall now, he used me to deliver milk bottles to the third and fourth floors of neighborhood houses. But I was a kid and I relished the one or two pennies the milkman would give me for my help. And, yes, I would splurge buying candy at Mutz's candy store. He used the milk wagon which was pulled by a horse. And I loved the procedure where the horse would lug the milk wagon from house to house when the milk person would walk to the wagon. The horse knew that it had to move on to the next house which he did automatically. In winter time, Borden's used a sleigh with a lot of space, to deliver milk bottles. Alas, that scene has disappeared. No more milk men dot the neighborhood scenes. But I digress. The small candy store (mutz's) was next to the De Rosa hall until, I'd guess the early forties when Grandfather D'Accurzio moved to another location at the corner of Mohawk and Bleecker. At this location, Mutz's Confectionery became a breakfast and luncheon spot were meals with prepared with TLC (Tender, Love and Care), delicious breakfasts, and wwhere they also sold newspapers and novelties. This location was later taken over by son, Al D'Accurzio, one of the nicest male persons the Good Lord ever put on the face of this earth, assisted by his wife, by his mother and other family members. The place became a Utica landmark. I'm still searching for another candy store. But I'll never forget that little,tiny candy store on the 600 block of Bleecker Street.

Proctor Park

2008-04-13T10:36:00.000-04:00

2008-04-06T10:32:00.002-04:00

A photo of a radio purchased by parents at Goodman's Furniture Store on lower Genesee Street with a dollar down, a dollar a week. Goodman's Furniture was located on Genesee Street adjacent to the Post office, the PO on Broad Street. The building was demolished in the late 1960's to make way for the construction of aproach to new Bagg's Square Bridge. Later, it became the site of the Union-Fern Furniture Store. The model design was a rip-off of the Zenith Console which was higher and sleeker. But this model brought home the bacon. It also had Short-Wave radio where we listened to foreign broadcasts during the war. On the Amplitude MOdulation Band (AM Radio) we listened to the soap operas, the news broadcasts. Not as many radio broadcast stations in the late 1930's and early 40's -- the new stations made an appearance after World War II. This set was made of balsa wood, a lot of space around the speaker (which is covered by a felt cloth) and it had vacuum tubes. I have preserved this radio station so as preserve the wonderful memories. Oh, the name was Delco and, as you notice, a few knobs are missing but it still functions.

Utica history

2008-04-04T20:41:00.006-04:00
I mentioned the fact that Harold Frederic, a Utican, born at 326 South Street, Utica, attended school here, later became an executive with one of the Utica newspapers, wrote several novels, one of which, "The Damnation of Theron Ware" became a best seller on the New York Times Best Seller list. And, later, Frederic became the London correspondent of the New York Times. Recently, the works of Harold Frederic has been getting another look-see on college campuses around the USA. The birthplace house of Frederic does not appear to be in the best of condition and it would be a great travesty if the wrecking ball were to do a lot of damage (demolish). There's still time to save it. Dr Thomas O'Donnell, Professor at Utica College, is responsbile for re-kindling inerest in the work of Harold Frederic. Would you help in preventing this travesty of demolishing the place of birth of Frederic at 326 South Street, Utica.

Another poem written about Utica, New York

2008-03-31T18:48:00.003-04:00
Thank you so much for your feedback on this new Blog site. A lot of folks said they were unable to access the site. I respectfully remind those nice people the address provided by me is not an E-mail address but the location of the blog site on the web. I hope that's a help. Upon further reflection I was informed that, indeed, these nice people were able to access the blog site. Well, now, where were we. Oh, yes. Utica, New York original poems composed by William Lorne Beebe who published a slim, trim hard cover book with 62 pages of Beebe's original poems. Please be advised that no all the 62 poems are of Utica New York. He had the poems printed and published himself with Dodge Press doing the work. Dodge Press was once located on Jay Street, with the north side of the building facing Oriskany Street East. Just a little way east of John Street. The Dodge Press was purchased by Mario Mannella who also purchased Graphic Press and became Dodge=Graphic Press which, in turn, became one of the largest such organization in the State of New York.

The poem we feature now is found on page 32 of the slim book, entitled a "Medley of Verse" composed by William Lorne Beebe. I check Google yesterday and could not fnd a citation about Beebe. Can you, Dear Reader, assist me. Can you point me in the right direction to discover more info about Mr Beebe? This poem is entitled Patrolling --

From Genesee to Kossuth -
Then over the East Parkway
Doing the work of a sleuth -
Patrolling by night and day;
From Genesee far to the west -
Then over the New Hartford line,
Patrolmen doing their best -
To keep ahead of crime.

Down many a dark alley-way -
Toting his pistol he goes,
Holding his prisoner at bay -
Some plunder or theft to disclose;
The thief he expects to snare -
Is timing his nervous tread,
A shot rings out on the midnight air -
And the old back cat lies dead.

If all the stories were told -
Of encounters by night and day,
Humorous ones and bold -
What a lot they would find to say;
Yet despite mishaps and pranks -
Which occasion now and then,
We owe a million thanks -
To our day and night patrolmen.

The book of poems by William Lorne Beebe was published in 1940 so we must assume that these original works were written before 1940. Te above poem is not politically correct today because Utica NY police have added female persons to their roster. By the way, does anyone out there in cyberspace know of other original poems written about Utica, New York? I'd love to have you contact me and so inform.
The reason I'm featuring these orignal poems is because they are original works with a Utica, New York theme. Ah, perhaps I can prevail upon you to compose an original poem praising Utica, New York and allowing us to be the first to use it? Thank yo for being so nice.

Welcome to My Blog Site. Thank you for visiting

2008-03-30T20:21:00.002-04:00
I happened across a slim, thin hard cover of a book of poetry written by William Lorne Beebe. I don't a thing about the poet but he must have paid for the publishing out of pocket. It was printed by Dodge Press which, in 1940, was located in a building situated on Jay Street on one side and Oriskany Street (east) on the other. That land is now part of the East-West Arterial with all the buildings demolished. I want to share some poems about Utica New York, written circa 1940. The Title on the front of book is, "A Medley of Verse". The firsst one I share with you is about my home town entitled........

"She's the Hub of the Empire State"

Roads leading in every direction -
Like the spokes of a wagon wheel,
From cross-street and intersection -
Bridle paths for the automobile;
Trails leading to mountain and river -
To the east where great steamers await,
Or west where the Finger Lakes quiver -
She's the hub of the Empire State.

It's true we're a little belated -
With no skyscrapers reaching up to the sky,
We don't ride on the elevated -
Nor on subways do we need to rely;
We have no Radio City -
Nor a Broadway so up-to-date,
But Utica scorns any pity -
She's the hub of the Empire State.

It may seem we're a little out-distanced -
By the speed of the state's outer rim,
But the proof of our progress is instanced -
By the tide, which flowing outward - ebbs in,
And Utica bids fair to the future -
Quite modern, hopeful and great,
For she's sturdy and plain as a blucher -
She's the hub of the Empire State.

The term "blucher" above refers to a strong leather half boot or high shoe named after Field Marshal von Blucher who lead later campaigns against Napoleon. Does anyone reading this blog site have any information on William Lorne Beebe. I would venture to say he lived in Utica. I wonder if he achieved national celebrity. Wow! I haven't referred to this small volumne in such a long time. I'm going to share another Beebe poem about Utica, New York tomorrow. Thank you so much for your courtesy. You're the greatest!

Welcome to My Blog Site

2008-03-30T20:20:00.003-04:00

Welcome to My Blog Site

2008-03-30T20:20:00.001-04:00