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The Old Clubhouse at Ely Park…

January 20, 2021 By admin

July 1960- Mrs Ernest Smith and Stephen Vaskovic perform ceremonial razing in wake of council decision to build new Ely Park Clubhouse. Photo Credit: David Lasky

July 1960- Mrs Ernest Smith and Stephen Vaskovic perform ceremonial razing in wake of council decision to build new Ely Park Clubhouse- house shown in back round was the “clubhouse”. (David Lasky; Facebook Private Group—Vintage Broome County; THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE UGLY in photos and articles; Post with Pic; 1-19-20)

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! What an awesome pic! Truly amazing! Never seen such a good picture of the old clubhouse! Look at that pull cart & bag! Bit strange that it is Mrs. Smith (pro Ernie’s wife) & Steve Vaskovic (Greens Superintendent/Maintenance) but makes sense as she ran the pro shop & he would be the one to coordinate the teardown! Will have to research city council records! THANK YOU David Lasky You aced that one for sure!!! (Andy Reistetter; Facebook Comment; 1-19-21)

Andy Reistetter Sr. on the 2nd tee at Ely Park Golf Course circa 1950s.

Same old clubhouse in the background of this picture of my father Andy Reistetter Sr. on the 2nd tee (downhill par-3 with shoe-like green). Closest green is the 6th green (par-4 around the hill). Further green is the old practice putting green. Remember the first hole was a 200-yard par-3 from what is now the ladies tee on the par-4 No. 3 hole. Note cinder parking lot of whose cinders you can still feel and hear beneath the grass walking off the 3rd tee!

AGED PRO SHOP—Mr. Smith inspects fireplace frame which has sagged several inches. Fireplace is in the Pro Shop. Mr. Smith says that he fears building might collapse in wind storm.

SAGGING CEILING—Mr. Smith points out smashed window in Pro Shop door. Ceiling and door have sagged over years. Mr. Smith says golfers still play at Ely Park but only because of the fine condition of the golf course.

ELY PARK CLUBHOUSE—This is the old clubhouse that would be replaced if city goes through with plan to erect a new $160,000 structure. Present building is said by Ernest E. Smith, professional at the course, to be in dangerous condition.

AGED PRO SHOP—Mr. Smith inspects fireplace frame which has sagged several inches. Fireplace is in the Pro Shop. Mr. Smith says that he fears building might collapse in wind storm. Photo Credit: Joe Danvers

SAGGING CEILING—Mr. Smith points out smashed window in Pro Shop door. Ceiling and door have sagged over years. Mr. Smith says golfers still play at Ely Park but only because of the fine condition of the golf course.

ELY PARK CLUBHOUSE—This is the old clubhouse that would be replaced if city goes through with plan to erect a new $160,000 structure. Present building is said by Ernest E. Smith, professional at the course, to be in dangerous condition.

More pics of the Old Clubhouse please!

Filed Under: Golf Course History, Histoy, Ely Park

Timeline/History of Land Acquisition for the Ely Park Golf Course

January 15, 2021 By admin

100 Years Ago Today – May 3, 1919…

An important real estate transaction developed yesterday when Prytherch and Thompson purchased Prospect Park comprising about seventy acres situated west of Ely Park. The land lies fairly level about 1,600 feet above sea level and commands charming views of hills and valleys for ten miles around in every direction. The advantages of Mount Prospect for homes is well known. It is above the fog line of the valley and enjoys almost continual breezes. The movement of the better classes is toward the highlands, where the air is pure and the noises of the city remote. Mount Prospect is by far the most accessible and attractive of the highlands about Binghamton. (Roger Luther, Facebook Group Broome County Hstory, 5-2-2019)

Roger Luther I believe the city bought some of the Prytherech property to expand the golf course from its original 9-hole Layout on S. Mills Ely land… in fact the original Prytherech home became its first clubhouse left of what is now the 3rd fairway! Includes the land & westwardly views of what is now the par-5 15th hole (old No. 13) with a double green). Correct Christine Pavlisak, Ray Linsky

Filed Under: Golf Course History, Histoy, Ely Park, S. Mills Ely

Mount Prospect, Home of the Ely Park Golf Course, is part of the Appalachian Mountains!

January 14, 2021 By admin

Credit Source: Binghamton, NY Nearby Mountains

Mountains have always held a special place in the soul of man. From the beginning of time mankind has been fascinated with mountains. Why do mountains touch the human spirit? Is it their size? Is it their solitude? The ancients believed that mountains formed the foundation of the world, that mountains surround the world and provide a resting place for the firmament (an inverted, transparent bowl separating the heavens from the earth), and that gods ruled from the top of mountains.

The Binghamton Nearby Mountains webpage provides you with a complete list of mountains in the vicinity of Binghamton, NY. On the Binghamton Nearby Mountains webspage we list all of the nearby mountain ranges, nearby mountain summits, nearby mountain ridges and nearby mountain gaps. Check one of the neighboring counties of Broome, Susquehanna, Tioga, Chenango, Cortland, Bradford, Tompkins, Wyoming, Chemung, Wayne if you don’t see the nearby mountain you are seeking.

So why are mountains so important to the human psyche? We never answered that question. Is it their size? Is it their solitude? Is it the challenge of climbing them? We might be tempted to explain the importance of mountains by using words like grandiose and majestic; but these words or just scribbles on a piece of paper. These powerful adjectives derive their power from the mountain they describe. Without the mountain to give them meaning, grandeur and majesty are weak and powerless. Mountains are more than the words used to describe them. They are a powerful force on our subconscious that spark the creation of new words in an attempt to describe them.

Do mountains loom large in our mind because they are the closest point to heaven here on Earth? Why did Moses receive the 10 commandments on a mountain? Why did Mohammad receive his first revelation on a mountain? Why did Jesus ascend to heaven from a mountain? Whatever the reason, we created the Binghamton Nearby Mountains webpage to help you find mountains near you. Click on a different location if the mountain you seek is not listed.

Filed Under: Ely Park Today, Golf Course History, Histoy, Ely Park

History/Timeline of S. Mills Ely House at 85 Henry Street!

January 14, 2021 By admin

100 YEARS AGO TODAY… November 24, 1920

The Safety Garage Parking Company, Inc. is organized to build a large parking garage on the S. Mills Ely property on Henry street, the first devoted exclusively to parking Binghamton has ever had. Plans were presented by the architect, Arthur T. Lacey, calling for a building to accommodate virtually 500 cars.

This was incorrect information placed in the newspaper by the FORMER Broome County Historian. It was the Waring Weed mansion that was razed in 1917 to build the Sharpe/Sun block at 66 Chenango street. There are no parts of the old home incorporated into the present building. That is some pipe dream! The S. Mills Ely house was at 85 Henry street almost directly across from Carroll street. (Facebook Comment by Historic Binghamton

Filed Under: S. Mills Ely

History/Timeline of S. Mills Ely Wholesale Grocery Business…

January 14, 2021 By admin

100 Years Ago Today – November 3, 1919…

In a deed recorded in the County Clerk’s office late Saturday, the S. Mills Ely Co., local wholesale grocers, convey to the McTighe Grocery Co., a five story warehouse building on North Depot street. The consideration was approximately $20,000. (Credit Roger Luther Post; Facebook Broome County History Group; 11-23- 19)

—WOW, new information! S. Mills Ely Co.sold to McTighe Grocery Co. In 1919 about 12 years after the death of S. Mills Ely! I wonder what happened to the McTighe Grocery Co…. present day??? Roger Luther Joe Danvers Edward G Brewer Christine Pavlisak Ray Linsky

Filed Under: S. Mills Ely

Ely Park Fall & Foggy; Courtesy & Credit to “Drones Over Broome!”

October 14, 2020 By admin

Sunrise to the East; Clubhouse lower Left; Looking out over the top holes (1,7 & 9) of Ely Park and Mount Prospect! Photo Credit: Drones Over Broome

Sunrise to the East; Clubhouse lower Left; Looking out over the top holes (1,7 & 9) of Ely Park Golf Course and Mount Prospect! 10th Tee and 18th and 5th greens in foreground. Photo Credit: Drones Over Broome

Ely Park Fall & Foggy; Courtesy & Credit to “Drones Over Broome!”

To be added: Description & Bio of “Drones Over Broome.”

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Filed Under: Ely Park Today, Media, Photo Gallery

Saint Mary’s Bizarre Bazaar: Dancing Sisters, Gambling, All in Honor of the Virgin Mary!!!

August 9, 2019 By admin

This might be like the 20th festival of the ‘Summer of 2019” for me in my hometown of Binghamton, New York! Where did the 3 months go?

Let me tell you that the St. Mary’s Bazaar is a lot of fun and also a quite bizarre too!

I love the Statue of the Virgin Mary right in the tent amidst the festivities! And the Dancing Sisters were a joyous celebration showcasing what this event is all about—community, charity, and faith!

Quite interesting that the mascot of the Binghamton Devils, a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League was present among the sinners, saints, and the somebodies of Greater Binghamton (lots of politicians and judges working the crowd with hopes of being elected in November)! All are welcomed, including me so who cares!

I did note that there were more people dancing to the rock n’ roil band than doing the polka at earlier festivals! Plus they had real Black Jack (21)! The Church wins ties which were my first 3 hands, than I got hot and was a winner and took my winnings over the Big 6 and lost it all for a good cause! Pick a number in Big 6 and stick with it would be my advice!

Then there was time for I look inside the Recreation Center where I played against St. Mary’s for the St. Cyril’s CYO basketball team. Nice rosters of the championship teams! Undefeated CYO Champions in the 2009-2010 Season? What happened to the St. Cyril’s team?

CLICK HERE for a Video of the Dancing Sisters!!!

Then there was Marge the Lupini Lady (present one) in matching blue horizontal stripes? Never had a lupini before and never realized St. Mary’s was an Italian parish? Never made the nearby Sons of Italy connection! You learn something new about your hometown every day!

Then there was the food! Highly recommend the Eggplant Parmigiana and Meatball sandwiches. And the cannolli was great!

What a fun evening!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Posts (2) with 30 Pics & 1 Video; 8-9-19)

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Filed Under: WeLoveBingo

“Stay-Vacation:” We Love Binghamton and Broome County!!!

August 7, 2019 By admin

‘Stay Vacation Day’ today in my hometown of Binghamton, New York in the Summer of 2019!

Picking blueberries at Miller Family Farm; visiting Chenango Valley State Park; buying a hickory club at a garage sale for $10; lunch at the Spiedie & Rib Pit; spending the afternoon at Roberson Museum and Science Center including two Planetarium shows & visiting the mansion with no one else around; a couple of carousel rides; enjoying the sunset, view, & dinner at Traditions Hotel and Spa; & having a nightcap at Abel’s Pub!

TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy and Gratitude)!!!

(Andy Reistetter; Facebook Post with 28 Pics; 8-7-19)