The Olde Corner Deli located at 6344 Centralia-Hartfield Road goes back many years to the name, Lopresti's Corner Store. In September of 1973 Frank and Barbara Riccio with children, Joyce and Larry moved from New Jersey to open the Olde Corner Deli. Their daughter, Joyce took over the business after her parents decided to retire.
During Joyce's deli ownership her slogan was "The best sub out of the water". In the summer of 2019 and 2021 she offered her culinary delights at the Chautauqua Lake Pops in Mayville, New York.
Since 1973 the Riccio/Lewallen and Klossner families have been friends so it seems only natural after 49 years the Olde Corner Deli tradition in 2023 tranfers to the Klossner family. From 1973 to 2023 the deli has been a staple and a favorite stop serving customers for 50 years.
Asked about the importance of the historical side of the Olde Corner Deli the Klossners both agreed.
"We think it is huge. This is actually the 50th season in September. That's part of what we've sort of enjoyed about it. It's been a business that's been in operation, so we weren't starting from scratch. The nostalgia of it and the history is important to us. We wanted to carry that on. That's why we really didn't want to change anything about it. The Olde Corner Deli served the previous owners well for 49 years, we wanted to keep going with the same things."
Roger Klossner, Jr.
"Our hope and desire is to provide the same things people loved about the Olde Corner Deli, but taking a good thing and making it better. The deli is an "icon" in the community. Everyone looks forward to it opening in the spring. It has been a "summer staple" through the years. The people have been just great. We've been busier than we imagined and everyone has been patient and understanding. It's been a fun new experience."
Stacie Klossner
When researching for this story I found many positive reviews. One of the reviews was posted by a Caldie Proper who gave the deli .. 5 stars!
"Best old fashioned sub ever! Fantastic subs! Everything is fresh and the customer service is great! Prices are right on and reasonable! To quote my 3 year old .. "This is the best sandwich I ever had!"
Roger Klossner, Jr. prepares a side of beef every morning for the daily roast beef sandwiches and Beef on Weck (with horseradish) at the customer's request. Every day Monday through Friday the Olde Corner Deli receives fresh rolls from a local bakery.
Roger, Jr., his wife, Stacie and son Brendan look forward to carrying on the many traditions of great subs and sandwiches, freshly cooked roast beef, homemade sauces, cold cuts, salads, pickles, chips and drinks. They invite you to stop by or place an order by calling 716-753-7390. The Olde Corner Deli is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; closed on Mondays and Sundays.
Here's to a New Adventure!
The Klossner family knew they were purchasing a "great business".
A well-established business.
Monday, September 11, 2023
James William Buffett
December 25, 1946-September 1, 2023
Jimmy Buffett, born in Pascagoula, Mississippi was an American musician, singer-songwriter, author and businessman. He was best known for his tropical rock music which often portrayed a lifestyle described as "island escapism". Buffett recorded hit songs known as Margaritaville (1977), Come Monday (1974), Fins (1979), Cheeseburger in Paradise (1978), Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes (1977), Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978) and It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (2003). He formed the Coral Reefer Band in 1975.
Of the over 30 albums released by Buffett, 8 are certified gold and 9 are certified platinum or multiplatinum. In total, Buffett sold over 20 million albums.
Buffett also parlayed the "island escapism" lifestyle of his music into several business ventures including Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chains. Buffett was one of the world's richest musicians with a net worth of $1 billion. He was also a bestselling author having written A Pirate Looks at Fifty and Tales from Margaritaville among others.
His devoted fan base, composed mostly of baby boomers, are known as "Parrotheads".
Buffett was an avid pilot and owned a Dassault Falcon 900 jet that he often used while on concert tours and during his travels. In 2015, Buffett's hometown named a bridge after him in his honor, Buffett Bridge.
According to a statement on Buffett's official website he was "surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs" at the time of his passing. His last words to his sister, Lucy Buffett were "Have Fun".
Jimmy's music gave us lots of fun!
RIP Jimmy
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Doublemint is a variety of chewing gum made by the Wrigley Company. According to early advertisements it is "double strength" peppermint flavored and was launched in the United States in 1914. Related brands are Juicy Fruit and Wrigley's Spearmint.
The first set of women to portray the Doublemint Twins were sisters Marie and Mildred Maier of Silverhill, Alabama.
The first Doublemint Twins to appear on television came along in 1959. The role belonged to 21-year-old twins, Jayne and Joan Knoerzer from Hammond, Indiana.
Jayne and Joan Knoerzer
Jayne and Joan were singers who had no real interest in acting though they signed a contract with Wrigley in the late 50s. Wrigley put their musical background to work and let them cut a 1/3 EP record called "Double Your Pleasure" written by Arthur Meyerhoff. The song is the official Doublemint theme song! Wrigley put the identical twins in ads showing them doing things like riding bikes, playing tennis and other fun activities together. Strangely, the company wouldn't let them chew gum in the ads. They spent every moment of their life promoting the gum and made great money doing so. They lived in a beautiful apartment and bought a mink coat for their mother. They lost the gig when Joan became pregnant in 1963 as they were no longer identical twins. Not much is known about the twins today. They both got married and Jayne now lives in Beverly Hills, California.
The Knoerzer's replacements were Chicago natives, Terrie and Jennie Frankel in late 60s. Like their predecessors, they were great musicians who often performed for patients. They signed on with Wrigley in 1963 at the age of 13. When they turned 18, they auditioned for the USO and resigned their role as the Doublemint Twins. Over the next few years, they performed for the troops in Vietnam, Hawaii and various other locations. Both went on to have very successful careers in Hollywood. Terrie was a screenwriter, producer and composer who served on the boards of numerous prestigious institutes. Jennie and Terrie got David Letterman his first gig writing for The Tonight Show and wrote Dr. Phil's first pilot. They also wrote many successful movies over the years. Later in life, they became New York Time best-selling authors. Jennie passed away in 2008 and Terrie currently resides in Sedona, Arizona.
Terrie and Jennie Frankel
"Doublemint Twins" included June and Patricia Mackrell through the 1970s. They had also been the Toni Twins for Toni Home Permanent which used the slogan "Which twin has the Toni?" though they spoke for many brand products. There's not much information on what the Mackrell Twins did later in life. After they left the gig as the Doublemint Twins they faded into obscurity.
Patricia and Priscilla Barnstable got their start as Doublemint Twins though what they were most famous for was modeling in Playboy magazine later in their career. Today, they are known for their massive Kentucky Derby Gala they throw almost every year!
Patricia and Priscilla Barnstable
Identical twins Patricia and Priscilla Barnstable were so popular as the Doublemint Twins that they were later asked to pose for Playboy magazine. Although they were wholesome and cute as chewing gum models, the Barnstable twins projected an entirely different image during their Playboy photo shoot.
Dian and Denise Gallup became another set of Doublemint Twins through the years and benefited from the prestige of being the spokepersons for the iconic gum brand. They acted in small roles on shows like The A-Team, Hill Street Blues and Who's the Boss.
The Segal Doublemint Twins
Liz and Jean Segal were cast for the role in the 1980s. Their role was short-lived, but they used it as a stepping-stone to act in their own TV show, "Double Trouble". Later on Liz acted in the movie Howard the Duck and enjoyed a successful career as a TV writer for the show, Sons of Anarchy which starred her sister, Katey and was created by her brother-in-law, Kurt Sutter.
Linda and Lisa Yokubinas
Linda and Lisa were the longest running Doublemint Twins therefore were some of the most recognizable twins. From small beginnings in small-town Illinois, they were cast in 1985 to bring Doublemint into the new era. This partnership was extremely benefical for the two as it ended up as a career for them. They became stars over the next six-decades. Over ten years they starred in six commercials for the iconic gum. You might remember the one where they lost their hats next to a swimming pool. Six commercials don't seem like a lot but they were earning up to $30,000 in residual checks for a period based just on reruns. Another perk of the gig was the travel. What could be better than shooting commercials around the world with your best friend?
Ten years of playing twins created issues down the road for them. When they no longer worked as the Doublemint Twins, casting directors typecast the as twins. With no work, except together, the twins began to resent each other. They didn't speak for many years, but have since mended their fences.
Brittany and Cynthia Daniel
After the Yokubinas long reign came to an end, Brittany and Cynthia Daniel became the Doublemint Twins. They were the first set of twins to be fraternal, not identical. Their reign was shorter than their predecessors due to the fact they landed a sweet job as the stars of Sweet Valley High a year later. After the show ended a few years later, Cynthia Daniel retired from acting to become a photographer. The one exception was a cameo on That 80s Show which featured her sister at the time. Brittany continued acting and had a successful career for the next decade.
Tia and Tamera Mowry
You may recognize these Doublemint Twins from their hit show, "Sister, Sister". They were Doublemint Twins during the 1990s. Some mistakenly believe they were the first black Wrigley spokepersons, but that distinction goes to Sharon Sansaverino and Sheryl Valenti in the 1980s. The Mowry sisters had arguaby the most successful post-Doublemint acting careers.
After a long break, Wrigley decided to bring back the Doublemint Twins for the modern era. In 2005, Nicole and Natalie Garza landed the job. Their ads mostly consisted of wearing vintage clothes and singing songs about enjoying the simple things as a stark contrast to modern life.
The Garza Doublemint twins were the last to be featured by Wrigley which has scaled back its gum advertising over the last decade. The concept has staying power so this might not be the last we see of the beloved Doublemint Twins.
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
The British-born actor William Chapman built the first showboat, the "Floating Theatre" (14 by 100 feet) in Pittsburgh in 1831. He and his family floated from landing to landing, playing dramas such as William Shakepeare's Taming of the Shrew with music and dance specialties. Upon reaching New Orleans late in winter they junked the boat and returned by steamer to Pittsburgh to repeat the pattern the following year. One unusual example of a popular showboat of this early period was the Floating Circus Palace of Spaulding and Rodgers built in 1851 that featured large scale equestrian spectacles. By the mid 19th century, showboats were seating up to 3,400 and regularly featured wax museums as well as equestrian shows though because of the Civil War they disappeared entirely.
When showboats were revived in 1878, they specialized in vaudevile and melodrama. The steam calliope greatly increased audiences. Such boats as the Water Queen and the Princess plus dozen of others with seating capacities of 100 to 300 carried their rich cargoes of humor, music and simple entertainment on every river of the Ohio-Mississippi system from the narrow Monongahela in the Northeast to the bayous in the South.
With the disappearance of river frontier conditions in the 1900s and with the coming of better roads, automobiles and motion pictures, the number of showboats declined. To compete with land entertainment, they became larger and more elaborate.
The last showboat to travel the rivers was a showboat called the Golden Rod in 1943. Its glory days are recalled by the Majestic, which today performs in Cincinnati during the summer months.
The showboat, Majestic being pushed by Attaboy
A showboat was a floating theater that traveled along the waterways of the United States bringing culture and entertainment of the inhabitants of river frontiers. Showboats were a special type of riverboat designed to carry passengers rather than cargo and they had to be pushed by a small towboat also known as a pusher which was attached to it. Showboats were rarely steam-powered because the steam engine had to be place right in the auditorium for logistical reasons therefore making it difficult to have a large theater.
As I see it, showboats which provided live entertainment on water were the predecessors to floating stages that provide live entertainment on water, as well.
Lake Compounce in Bristol Connecticut
Pat Locke
Sunday, August 27, 2023
Sarasota's "Kissing Statue"
The Unconditional Surrender
If you've ever spent any length of time in Sarasota, you've most likely encountered the Unconditional Surrender statue on the Sarasota Bayfront. If you have not yet come across this statue, it's definitely worth your time and energy to make a trip to Bayfront Park. Not only will you get the opportunity to have yourself photographed in front of this unusual landmark in downtown Sarasota, but you can also walk the length of the marina.
But for all the attention the statue receives, the meaning and history behind it can get lost. So the experts at Best Western Siesta Key though it would be a good idea to help you know what you are looking at when you visit their "Kissing Statue".
What Is The Kissing Statue?
Unconditional Surrender, otherwise known as the "Kissing Statue" is a greater-than-life size version of a famous photograph snapped at the end of World War II. The original photograph, entitled "V-J Day in Times Square" by Alfred Eisenstaedt captures the celebratory essence of sailors, nurses and other military returning home from home after WWII ended. Originally printed in Life Magazine in 1945, this image was the cause of some mystery for decades as no one, including the photographer, knew the names of the couple in the photograph. Eventually, it became known that George Medonza caught up up in the spirit of the celebration that day, had grabbed Greta Zimmer Friedman a woman he didn't know who was walking past him at the time and kissed her before moving on in the crowd. Medonza passed away in February of 2019 at the age of 95.
In my research of this statue I have found George's last name spelled 2 different ways .. Mendonsa as the signature reads on a b/w photo I found online and Medonza in this follow-up research article. As to the correct spelling of the name, I am not sure.
Where Did the Statue Come From?
Originally part of a series by sculptor, Seward Johnson this statue has several versions located around the world including Hamilton, New Jersey; Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Normandy, France. Some controversy has surroundeed Johnson's choice of subject stating there are copyright infringements, but Johnson insists his statues are renderings of a similar but lesser-known photograph by Victor Jorgensen which is still public domain.
Why Is the Statue in Sarasota?
The Unconditional Surrender state pays tribute to the many WWII veterans who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Installations around the country and the world allow people everywheere to recapture a bit of history and share in the victory experienced everywhere when the war ended. While there has been some controversy from the art community abuot the contribution of this statue to Sarasota's community, it has quickly become a landmark unlike any other in the area, drawing dozens of people each day to visit, take photographs and revel in a bit of history.
The next time you're in the Sarasota area, be sure to stop by and take in this unique piece of culture and history. Share its story with those around you and remember the celebratory passion experienced by those in Times Square that day in 1945.
The statue, which first came to Sarasota as a temporary exhibit in 2005 was bought by Jack Curran and donated to the city in his wife's memory. It has been moved to create room for a new roundabout on US 41 and Gulfstream Avenue. The statue is now located between O'Leary's Tiki Bar and Grill and Marina Jack.
Pat Locke
Monday, August 21, 2023
The title of East Wind, Rain comes from a coded weather report the Japanese used during WWII to signify an attack on the United States. The message alerted Japanese forces to be ready to go to war when they received a weather report with the words, East Wind, Rain.
Once the pilots took off, the planes were surrounded by fleet escorts that ensured the suicide craft made it to their target. It is believed that almost 4,000 Japanese pilots died in suicide attacks that killed over 7,000 Allied troops. Japanese kamikaze pilots were known to yell "Tenno Heika Banzai" as they flew their aircraft into Navy ships. These pilots were known to perform a special ceremony of drinking sake and eating rice before flying.
Tenno Heika Banzai means "long live His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor".
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Gutsy Girl comes this provocative, compelling novel of irrevocable consequences for people thrust unwittingly into a devastating war of Nations and American identity based on a little-known true event.
December 1941. The inhabitants of Niihau lead a simple life. Mostly Hawaiian natives, they work the ranch of Niihau's eccentric haole (a person who is not a native Hawaiian) owner who keeps his island totally isolated from the outside world, devoid of cars, phones and electricity. Then a plane crash lands on the island and although the villagers rescue the pilot, they have no idea that he has just attacked Pearl Harbor. War has now come to "Eden", slowly undoing its tranquility widening the crakcs in the already troubled marriage of Irene and Yoshio Harada, the island's only Japanese-American couple. It will test everyone's loyalties and all they believe in .. as Paradise, once within reach, while it slowly falls victim to its own isolated innocence.
While researching this book I found many reviews and these are just two of them ..
"A fine novel of a little-known story of WWII. This is a well-written novel based on actual events at the start of WWII. It is about individual lives and cultural beliefts that are thrown into conflict when a Japanese plane crash lands onto a very isolated Hawaiian island. The pilot survives the landing and the story begins .. a senstive exploration of people and their motivations in a fascinating historial moment."
"I felt carried back to that time, that I was there, listening in and watching the events unfold".
Be sure to visit the WWII exhibit at the Patterson Library's Octagon Gallery in Westfield (40 S. Portage) through September 7.
Pat Locke
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Greta Zimmer Friedman being kissed by a sailor named George in Times Square
Greta, who achieved unlikely fame as half of a couple caught dramatically kissing in Times Square at the end of WWII by photographer, Alfred Eisenstaedt died on September 8, 2016 at the age of 92. The iconic photo, shot on August 14, 1945 on what became known as Victory Over Japan Day, shows a sailor grabbing and kissing a woman in a white uniform in celebration of the global conflict's end. Published as a full page in Life Magazine a week later, the photo, featured 21 year-old Friedman wearing her dental hygienist's uniform, was seen around the world and even inspired a larger-than-life statue by Seward Johnson.
"It wasn't a romantic event. It was just an event of 'thank God the war is over'."
Hundreds gather in Times Square to view the 26-foot-tall sculpture at the historic site in Times Square
In recent years, the photo has been reevaluated by publications arguing the kiss wasn't consensual, based on Friedman's own account of their encounter. "It wasn't my choice to be kissed. The guy just came over and grabbed me!"
Greta Friedman and George Mendonsa
Claims have been made that forensic analysis was used to identify Friedman and Mendonsa, one of numerous men who came forward to say they are the pictured sailor.
Friedman was born to Jewish parents in Austria in 1924 and fled to the United States with her sisters in 1938. Her parents, who stayed behind, died in the Holocaust. Mischa Friedman, who Friedman married in 1956, died in 1998. Greta was survived by her two children, Joshua and Mara.
A poster commemorating Alfred Eisenstaedt’s photograph hung in Times Square on August 14, 2015, taken 70 years ago to the date, on
Victory Over Japan Day.
This post on Off Shore Muse is being shared with my readership due to the fact that I have been researching the topic of WWII for an exhibit that is on display in the Octagon Gallery at the Patterson Library in Westfield NY (40 S. Portage). The exhibit began on August 10 and will be on display through September 8. If you have interest in learning about the men and women from Westfield NY who fought in the Pacific Theatre, please come by during library hours. A well-attended reception was held on August 10 with over 70 in attendance which included an honor group consisting of Jeff Levandoski, County Vice Commander; Kirk Miller, County Commander; Joseph Seminatore, Westfield American Legion Post 327 Commander and Stanley Kawski, County Chaplain.
Library hours are as follows:
Monday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
The gentleman on the far left is exhibit lead volunteer, Charles Ferraro. Charles is responsible for bringing to the exhibit his extensive collection of dioramas and warships seen around the entire Octagon Gallery.
