We Love Binghamton, New York!!!
CLOSE TO HEAVEN, Golfing On Top of Mount Prospect, The History of Ely Park Municipal Golf Course, Binghamton, New York
First Friday of the Summer of 2019 in my hometown of Binghamton, New York! Featuring the Bundy Museum (the Bundy Time Recording Company was the predecessor of I.B.M.), art, music, & a gorgeous sunset! I love these events! (Andy Reistetter; 6/7/19; Facebook Post with 30 Pics)
CLICK HERE for video of Greek Men & Women Dancing to Greek Music!!!
I am a Greek for the weekend with a real Greek, the Greek, my friend John Yianni Koutsaris! Beautiful celebration of family, friends, culture, dancing, & great FOOD! The tour of Church was very informative & a spiritual experience! Goes through tomorrow Sunday at 5 pm! (Andy Reistetter; 6/1/19; Facebook Post with 2 Videos and 28 Pics).
Ain’t life just like riding a Merry-Go-Round? Lots of anticipation, excitement, & sure to be a wild ride! Lots of Ups & Downs neither of where you can stay for long! Sometimes it feels like you are just going around in a circle and then you realize that you are! The bands play, the horses neigh, and you hold on for dear life.
Another trip around just to make sure that you did not miss anything and then all of a sudden you are another day, another year, another decade, but only one dear, precise, & non repeatable lifetime older.. and wiser so you are ready to let go of the reins and jump horses!
After all there are people in line waiting for the next ride! But then the music stops, life slows down, sometimes abruptly with the slam of a coffin, sometimes it seems like it takes forever to end… longevity indeed has its place… with or without a Grand Finale! Enjoy the ride, the moment, the day, and the rest of your life! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)!!! (Andy Reistetter; 6/1/19’ Facebook Post with 1 Video)
Some pics to complement the video! Truly a treasure of my hometown of Binghamton, New York! See Rod Serling of Twilight Zone fame… (Andy Reistetter; 6/1/19’ Facebook Post with 30 Pics)
Photo Credit: Google Search.
There are fewer than 170 antique carousels in the United States and Canada, and the Binghamton area has six, making it home to the biggest collection in the world. The six carousels are located in parks in Johnson City, Binghamton, Endicott and Endwell. They’re open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The carousels were a gift from George F. Johnson, a shoe manufacturer and benefactor, who donated them between 1919 and 1934 so anyone could ride for free.
The largest of the six carousels is located in Johnson City’s C. Fred Johnson Park and contains 72 original figures. With mirrors and painted scenic panels, this carousel is a decadent attraction. The oldest carousel resides with the animals at the Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park, and boasts some creatures of its own. With 60 jumping horses, two chariots and monkeys, this one turns to the tune of its original 51-key Wurlitzer Military Band Organ. They are all now currently in enclosed areas to keep them from being exposed to the elements, to save on maintenance later. Still free, some of the parks ask for a piece of litter in exchange for an admission ticket as a way to have the community help keep the community spaces clean. Now in their eighth decade, the carousels have become a part of many memories, young and old..
–Excerpts from article by Alexandra Abel on April 20, 2012; CLICK HERE for the full article!
Interesting & informative lecture by Lynda Carroll on the archaeology of the Ottoman Empire! One & half hours went by like 5-10 minutes! The Ottoman Empire & the Habsburg/Austro-Hungarian Empire were the main reasons my grandparents emigrated here from CzechoSlovakia in the early 1900s. Coincidence or destiny that I am in my hometown of Binghamton, NY where they emigrated to? Educated like never before! Feels good to know a little more about how they must have felt! Lynda is an energetic & amazing speaker. Easy to tell she is good at what she does & loves it too! Thanks Lynda! Thank you to Dr. Tim Bridgman for organizing this series! Next Thursday at 6 pm Tim will be educating is on whether or not the Romans ever set foot in Ireland! See you there! (Andy Reistetter; 5/30/19; Facebook Post with 18 Pics).
Me and Kach77 after an enjoyable Memorial Day round of golf up at Ely Park!
Happy Memorial Day! Let the Summer of 2019 begin! What better way to kick off summer than a round of golf up at Ely Park with my high school buddy Kach77! Golf course is in great shape! Sooo green, green, green! With nearly 360-degree views of Binghamton and the Chenango & Susquehanna River Valleys every round is a spectacular round no matter how you play! Lots of birdies up at Ely Park! Awesome to see the course packed with families, young guys & gals and us ‘old timers’ too! Great to be back home for the holiday weekend! Hope yours is great too! Safety for all travelers with gratitude to the women & men of the military who gave the Supreme Sacrifice for the Freedom we enjoy! God Bless them & these United States of America! (Andy Reistetter; 5/27/19; Facebook Post with 30 Pics)
An absolute treasure in my hometown of Binghamton, New York! Thank you to benefactor George F. Johnson & the Cty of Binghamton’s Parks & Recreation Department & community for improving & preserving this beauty! Beautiful 18-acre park that I grew up in playing all sorts of games & sports! Nice to be back home to enjoy it once again! TROML Baby (an exclamation of JOY)! (Andy Reistetter; 5/25/19; Facebook Post with 30 Pics)
Recreation Park is a public, urban park in Binghamton, New York. Located in Binghamton’s West Side, Recreation Park is bordered by Seminary Avenue on the South, Beethoven Street on the West, Schubert Street on the North, and Laurel Avenue on the East. It was founded by shoe manufacturer George F. Johnson, and is home to one of his six famous carousels. The park also contains a bandstand, statues, numerous athletic fields and courts, a playground, and walking paths.
Prior to being a park, the property was primarily farmland, owned by Abel Bennett, the former first mayor of Binghamton, along with three smaller parcels owned by others. These parcels, totaling eighteen acres in all, were purchased by George F. Johnson, the founder of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Corp., and then donated to the City of Binghamton in October 1921. The only condition of this gift of property was “that it shall remain forever a public park, and that it shall be properly improved and maintained by the city as such. If at any time this property shall be used for any other purpose, it shall revert to the giver, his heirs or assigns.”
The Herschell carousel was added in 1925 with a Wurlitzer #146-B Band Organ providing the carousel’s music. The bathhouse, which once had a red tile roof, still serves its patrons. The bandstand hosts concerts in the summertime. In the early days of the park, a giant wooden toboggan slide was situated at the Laurel Avenue side but was lost in a fire.
By the 1980s, the park was in serious disrepair. In the 1986 Heritage Committee Special Report, written by a task force that reviewed the park and made recommendations, members lamented that the park “has primarily changed only in the form of falling into such a state of disrepair that renovation is no longer cost efficient.” The park underwent restoration, including restoration of the bandstand. The reflecting pool and its sculpture, Boy with Fish, were restored in 2004 (the latter by the Binghamton University art department through a grant from the Rose-Ross University and Community Projects Fund).
There is a Rod Serling memorial plaque in the bandstand, which refers to the Twilight Zone episode Walking Distance: Serling grew up close to the park and the carousel setting of the episode is said to have been inspired by Recreation Park. The plaque and episode are also referenced heavily in the 2015 film The Rewrite, which is mostly set in Binghamton.
The 2018 Ely Park Celebration was hosted by Joan Davis and Andy Reistetter. Photo Credit: FOX40 News
Dozens came out to Ely Park Golf Course Tuesday to celebrate its history and its veteran golfers.
The fifth ‘Ely Park Celebrations’ honored four women, one man, and Ely Park’s benefactor S. Mills Ely. This was the first time women have been honored in this ceremony.
The women golfers honored included Evie McCarthy (represented by her daughter Joanie), Mary Lewis, 98, Pat Osgood, 81, and Millie Lentine, 74. Also honored was local champion amateur golfer Ray Linsky, who won 15 Club Championships. The ceremony also recognized the golf course’s benefactor S. Mills Ely. who donated the land to the city in 1909.
“I’ve been up here in Ely since the early 80s before that I was out at Belden Hill and I’m also in a league in State Park,” said Pat Oswood.
In the last 21 years, Oswood has won 15 Club Championships. Oswood said she currently plays at the Ely Park three times a week.
The first ‘Ely Park Celebration’ was held in 2003 to honor the people who have made a lasting contribution to the golf course.
As of Tuesday, Ely Park has honored 22 golfers.
McCarthy, Lewis, Lentine, Osgood, Linsky, & Ely Honored at 5th Ely Park Celebration!
Additional pictures are courtesy of Andy’s Golf & Travel Diary:
The six Honorees of the 5th Ely Park Celebration brings the total honored to date to twenty-two!
Another wonderful Ely Park Celebration of golf, community, & legacy up at the Ely Park Golf Course in my hometown of Binghamton, New York! Congratulations to the 2018 Honorees- Evie McCarthy, Mary Lewis, Mildred Lentine, Pat Osgood, Ray Linsky & benefactor S. Mills Ely. We were blessed with the presence of Frances as we posthumously celebrated the life of her husband—2017 Honoree Ron Simkulet. Special thank you to my co-host Joan E.Davis. Gratitude to Briana Supardi from FOX 40 News WICZ-TV and Trich Ligannon from Spectrum News Southern Tier for covering the event and sharing the 5th Ely Park Celebration with the Greater Binghamton community. Special thanks to the Ely Park team for hosting us! What fun meeting these Lgends of Ely Park and playing golf up at Ely Park with Ray Linsky! Always a magical & inspirational day up at Ely! Here are the two media links:
Six Honored for Contributions to Ely Park
Veteran Golfers Honored At Ely Park Celebration
(Facebook Post by Andy Reistetter with 30 Pics and two Links on 10-17-18)
Honoree Evie McCarthy (center) with co-hosts Joan Davis and Andy Reistetter.
Veteran Golfers Honored At Ely Park Celebration
Posted: Aug 21, 2018 3:44 PM EDT Updated: Aug 21, 2018 7:43 PM EDT
By Briana Supardi
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. –
Dozens came out to Ely Park Golf Course Tuesday to celebrate its history and its veteran golfers.
The fifth ‘Ely Park Celebrations’ honored four women, one man, and Ely Park’s benefactor S. Mills Ely. This was the first time women have been honored in this ceremony.
Honoree Pat Osgood being interviewed by FOX40 WICZ TV’s Briana Supardi (left) & Spectrum News’ Trish Kilgannon (hidden by camera).
The women golfers honored included Evie McCarthy (represented by her daughter Joanie), Mary Lewis, 98, Pat Osgood, 81, and Millie Lentine, 74. Also honored was local champion amateur golfer Ray Linsky, who won 15 Club Championships. The ceremony also recognized the golf course’s benefactor S. Mills Ely. who donated the land to the city in 1909.
“I’ve been up here in Ely since the early 80s before that I was out at Belden Hill and I’m also in a league in State Park,” said Pat Oswood.
Honoree Ray Linsky (center).
In the last 21 years, Oswood has won 15 Club Championships. Oswood said she currently plays at the Ely Park three times a week.
The first ‘Ely Park Celebration’ was held in 2003 to honor the people who have made a lasting contribution to the golf course.
As of Tuesday, Ely Park has honored 22 golfers.
Six Honored for Contributions to Ely Park
Millie Lentine, who was out-of-town, was represented by her husband Frank. Mary Lewis, age 97, was unable to attend and S. Mills Ely was honored posthumously.
By Spectrum News Staff | August 21, 2018 @11:06 PM
Ely Park is celebrating its 85th anniversary. Tuesday, the community honored six people who have contributed to the course’s legacy.
Some pictures from the day:
Benefactor S. Mills Ely who donated the original land will be honored at the fifth Ely Park Celebration on August 21st!
The fifth Ely Park Celebration will be held on Tuesday, August 21st up at Ely Park near the golf shop pavilion.
Four ‘Ely Park Celebrations,’ the first in 2003, have been held to honor the people who have significantly contributed to the legacy of Ely Park.
This year’s Honorees include four women golfers—Evie McCarthy (represented by her daughter Joanie), Mary Lewis (age 98), Pat Osgood, and Millie Lentine—and two men—the benefactor of Ely Park who donated the land to the city in 1909—S. Mills Ely—and 15-time Club Champion and legendary local amateur golfer Ray Linsky.
Millie Lentine (white top, center rear) in attendance for the 2017 Celebration will be honored this year along with three other women.
The first ‘Ely Park Celebration’ honored longtime Ely Park Head PGA Golf Professional/Golf Superintendent/General Manager (in those days he did all three jobs) Steve Vaskovic and two sons of Ely Park- professional golfer Al Morley and amateur golfer Mike Popik. All three honorees were living at the time and participated in the celebratory event up at Ely Park.
The second ‘Ely Park Celebration’ honored Ely Park’s golf course designer (with City Engineer Edward Prentice) and first Head PGA Golf Professional Ernie Smith, and two long time members and successful amateurs, Walt Kozak and Bob ‘Bert’ Kollar.
Ray Linsky, 15-time Ely Park Club Champion and avid historian of the game and all things Ely Park will be honored on Tuesday, August 21st.
The third ‘Ely Park Celebration’ honored one of Ely Parks first caddies, long time Golf Professional and successful golfer Al Vaskovic (younger brother of Steve); lifetime member of the PGA of America, member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame and accomplished golfer Ed Nosewicz; legend, 1969 Club Champion and creative writer, Bob ‘the Bear & the Barracuda’ Marachek: and three guys who played Ely Park every Sunday since 1948 (57 years at the time)- Joe Gomulka and the ‘Hammer & Nails’ combo of John Hammer and Joe Kovarik.
Last year’s ‘Ely Park Celebration’ honored the only other two PGA Golf Professionals to serve the golfing public up at Ely Park—Bob Steiner and Rick Mauro. Additionally, long-time Ely Park Golfer and 1975 Club Champion Andy Reistetter Sr. was honored posthumously along with five-time Club Champion and Texas PGA Golf Professional Ron Simkulet who missed the ‘Ely Park Celebration’ while vacationing with family in Utah.
With Ronnie Simkulet and his scrapbook preparing for him being honored in 2017.
Ironically Ron Simkulet passed earlier this year on June 29th while vacationing with family in Utah. He was a graduate of Binghamton Central High School, SUNY Cortland, and Binghamton University (Master’s Program), a Vietnam Army Veteran, a PGA Golf Professional, and a history teacher and golf coach at Susquehanna Valley H.S. Ron developed his passion for golf at Ely Park G.C., held a course-record of 62 for many years, and remained a life-long competitive player. Ron Simkulet will be remembered with a moment of silence at this year’s event.
Come up to Ely Park on Tuesday, August 21st at 1 pm to celebrate the history and people of Ely Park Golf Course!
See you there!
The Sixteen Honorees to date:
Joe Gomulka—Played Ely Park together with John Hammer & Joe Kovarik for over fifty years!
John Hammer—Played Ely Park together with Joe Gomulka & Joe Kovarik for over fifty years!
Walt Kozak—Long-time Ely Park Golfer, Club Champion, and successful amateur golfer.
Ely Park PGA Golf Professionals Bob Steiner and Ricky Mauro, two of only four to have served in that position. were honored in 2017.
Bob ‘Bert’ Kollar—Long-time Ely Park Golfer, Club Champion, and successful amateur golfer.
Joe Kovarik—Played Ely Park together with Joe Gomulka & John Hammer for over fifty years!
Bob Marachek—Ely Park Legend, 1969 club champion and creative writer, & ‘the Bear & the Barracuda!’
Rick Mauro—Long-time Ely Park PGA Golf Professional.
Al Morley—Long-time PGA Golf Professional who played in eight PGA Championships (one of professional golf’s majors).
Ed Nosewicz—Lifetime member of the PGA of America; member of the Colorado Golf Hall of Fame.
Mike Popik—Long-time Ely Park Golfer and competitive amateur golfer.
Andy Reistetter Sr. on the par-3 second tee box back in the old days of Ely Park. The cinder parking lot and old clubhouse can be seen in the background on what is now No. 3 fairway. This is the picture that was the spark for Andy Jr. to research and begin to write the history of Ely Park and hold the Ely Park Celebrations!
Andy Reistetter Sr.—Long-time Ely Park Golfer and 1975 Club Champion.
Ronnie Simkulet—Five-time Club Champion and PGA Golf Professional in Texas.
Ernie Smith—First PGA Golf Professional & Designer of Ely Park (with City Engineer Edward Prentice).
Bob Steiner—Long-time Ely Park PGA Golf Professional.
Al Vaskovic—Long-time Assistant PGA Golf Professional and the competitive golfing face of Ely Park.
Steve Vaskovic—PGA Golf Professional, Golf Course Superintendent, and Ely Park General Manager.
Let’s go play Ely Park Golf Course!
Andy Jr. in front of Andy Sr.’s flagpole up at Ely Park.
It’s an extraordinary time when you get four legends up to Ely Park Golf Course!
Longtime golf pro Rick Mauro, Ronnie Simkulet, Jim Seager, and Sir Charles Novitske!
That’s Sir Charles and me in front of the flag pole dedicated to my father Andrew C. Reistetter Sr who passed in 1993. Dad was the Ely Park Club Champ in 1976!
Ely Park, opened in 1933 is a special place!
Here are some pictures of us golfing on May 29, 2008
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