At 8:22 p.m. on November 23, 1949 on a chilly Thanksgiving Eve Roanoke Mayor, A R. Minton threw a switch and illuminated the Roanoke Star for the first time. At that moment, Roanoke earned the nickname, "Star of the South" and the star has been a part of the landscape of Mill Mountain ever since.
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Why was the "Star" constructed in the first place? The purpose for erecting the star was to serve as a seasonal, Christmas decoration to shine over the city during the brisk holiday shopping season of 1949. The project was sponsored by the Roanoke Merchants Association. The original plan was to dismantle the star when the holiday season ended. John Payne, a Roanoke native and, at the time, a Hollywood leading man came to Roanoke to add his celebrity status to the formal lighting ceremony. Less than 100 braved the cold night to stand under the star as it was switched on. Payne had made the movie, Miracle on 34th Street in 1947 prior to the visit to his hometown.
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John Payne with Edmund Gwenn and Maureen O'Hara
Miracle on 34th Street
Circa 1947
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Roy C. Kinsey, then owner of Kinsey Sign Co., built the Roanoke Star along with his three sons, Roy Jr., Bob and Warren. Bob and Warren designed and built the 2,000 feet of neon tubing still used today. The "Star" is actually three stars. A small star in the center, enveloped by a larger, mid-sized frame surrounded by the largest outer frame. Each frame contains three to five sets of clear neon tubes.
The Roanoke Star stands at 88.5 feet, weighs 10,000 pounds and requires 17,500 watts of power to illuminate. It is the world's largest iluminated man-made star. As the largest, free-standing star in the world, the Roanoke Star is one of the most photographed attractions in the area. The scenic overlook at the base of the structure is a popular stop for an incredible view of the region.
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In 2024, the iconic Roanoke Star celebrated its 75th birthday. It is illuminated each night until midnight. The height above the City of Roanoke is 1,847 feet.
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Visibility from the air is 60 miles and several possible color combinations can illuminate the Star.
The Roanoke Star is a symbol of the progressive spirit of Roanoke.
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Saturday, June 14, 2025
Circus Parade Day! .. in Baraboo!
This year, the Big Top Parade will be held on Flag Day Saturday, June 14 2025.
11:00 a.m.
Baraboo is most often known as "Circus City" for several reasons and not just for the fact the Ringling Brothers called Baraboo home and had their original winter quarters here through 1918. In 1884, the young Ringling Brothers gave their first official circus performance in Baraboo, Wisconsin .. and the rest is history! .. Ringling history!
Guests at the Al Ringling Mansion can view the parade from the home's historial veranda.
Friday, June 13, 2025
Tennessee Theatre
604 S. Gay Street
Knoxville, Tennessee
All The Way Home
Starring Robert Preston and Jean Simmons
Initial Release: September 14, 1963
The magnificient Tennessee Theatre first opened its doors on October 1, 1928 and was hailed as "the South's most beautiful theatre." When the first patrons stepped inside downtown's movie palace to see their favorite stars on the silver screen, they paid only 40 cents for matinees and 60 cents for evening shows (children paid only 10 and 15 cents).
The Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee has a rich history initially opening ij 1928 as a grand movie palace. It evolved into a premier performing arts venue, hosting both live performances and films, particularly during the Great Depression and WWII. The theatre faced challenges in the post-war era, but was revitalized through a major renovation in the early 2000s. As with many theatres of its era, the rise of suburban multiplexes and changing entertainment trends lead to those challenges for the Tennessee Theatre.
In 1928, the Tennessee Theatre, designed by Graven & Mayger in the Spanish-Moorish Revival style opened its doors as a "motion picture palace". The original seating capacity was 1,996. The grand lobby, designed by the same architects features Czechoslovakian crystals in the French-style chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring and Asian-inspirred carpets and drapery.
The Tennessee ceased showing premier films and temporarily closed in 1977, only to be revived and reopened in the early 1980s with a renovation in preparation for Knoxville's World's Fair in 1982. A comprehensive $30 million renovation project restored the theatre to its historic grandeur. The theatre reopened in 2005 as a premier performing arts venue, hosting Broadway shows, concerts and opera. In February 1935, the Tennessee Theatre hosted the legendary Ziegfeld's Follies. In 1938, the Tennessee Theatre screened movies for decades including popular films like Disney's "Snow White" in 1938.
During the Great Deprression and WWII, the Tennessee Theatre served as a sanctuary for the community, providing a place to escape and stay informed. The theatre played a role in Knoxville's transition from segregation to integration.
The Tennessee Theatre is a National Register of Historic Places landmark and was added April 1, 1982. The Tennessee Theatre is home to the Knoxville Opera and to the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
The Mighty Wurlitzer
Tennessee Theatre
The instrument is a 3/17 Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Oran and is set apart by its magnificent console, an original red Balaban 2 Style Wurlitzer done in a French Moorish motif. Only one other Wurlitzer organ in the world was manfactured with such a console, the 4/24 Mighty Wurlitzer installed at the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama.
Mighty Musical Monday with organist, Freddie Brabson
February 1, 2021
For decades, a favorite elemtn of the Tennessee Theatre experience has been the golden-voiced Mighty Wurlitzer organ. The Wurlitzer was installed in the Tennessee Theatre at the time of the bulding's opening in 1928. The organ was built by the Rudolph Wurlitzer Company in North Tonawanda, New York and cost about $50,000 at that time. Today, it is one of the few theatre organs still installed in its orginial location.
Miss Jean Wilson was the Tennessee Theatre's first house organist and whose name appeared on the marquee alongside early films. Since then, many organists have followed her, mostly notably Billy Barnes who entertained at the console four times daily in the 1930s and 1940s. Tennessee's emeritus organist, former Chancellor and Dean of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Dr. William T. Snyder graced the organ for decades before current House Organist, Freddie Brabson joined the team. Matthew Fisher is currently the Associate House Organist and the theatre's Development Associate.
In October 2000, virtually the entire organ with all the pipes and the console with its manuals, stops and pedals were shipped to Reno, Nevada to master theatre organ rebuilder, Ken Crome. Mr. Crome and his technicians painstakingly restored the instrument piece by piece. Artisans and craftsmen returned the organ's appearance to its original 1928 color scheme and design. The chambers on either side of the stage, which house the pipes, have been replastered to fully ensure the protection and preservation of the restored instrument.
While the organ originally came from the factory with 14 ranks of pipes, Mr. Crome expanded these to 17 ranks during the rebuild, giving the Mighty Wurlitzer a world-class voice.
The Wurlitzer returned to Knoxville on August 27, 2001 and was re-installed by Mr. Crome and his staff during the entire month of September. Acclaimed theatre organist, Lyn Larsen was involved in much of the configuration and tonal regulation of the organ Larsen was the first to publicly perform on it as a sold-out gala concert on October 1, 2001.
"I am so excited about the newly restored Wurlitzer organ in the Tennessee Theatre and I consider it to be among the handful of the very finest 'in-theatre' installations in the country. The unsurpassed craftsmanship of Ken Crome and his expert team of artisans, the perfect match ofthe auditoriium's acoustics to the organ sound and the commitment to 100% quality by everyone at the theatre have all combine to produce this 'new-old' pipe organ that is absolutely sublime. I hope to be a part of the Tennessee Theatre for many years."
Lyn Larsen
Dr. William T. Snyder
Organ Emeritus, Tennessee Theatre
Sidenote: I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Synder several years ago while visiting friends in Knoxville. He gave Bill and myself a tour of the Tennessee Theatre and played the organ while we sat in the auditorium.
A memorable moment!
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Image from 1927 Kling literature
Kling Factories was founded in May 1911 when John A. Kling, an immigrant from Sweden purchased the bankrupt Chautauqua Spring Bed & Lounge Company in Mayville, New York and renamed it the Chautauqua Cabinet Company. John Kling immigrated at age 17 to Jamestown, New York in 1885 and worked in several furniture factories in the area as a cabinet maker, cabinet room foreman and plant superintendent before getting the opportunity to own his own business.
By 1928, John Kling had purchased four additional factories in Chautauqua County, New York and the company was reorganized as the Kling Factories. These additions were The Frewsburg Furniture Company in Frewburg New York, The Herrick Manufacturing Company in Falconer New York, The Brocton Furniture Company and the Crandall Panel Company in Brocton, New York.
In just seventeen years, John Kling built up the organization to sales of approximately $3 million in 1928. His idea to have each of the company plants specialize in a particular furniture style would make Kling Factories one of the nation's largest volume producers of bedroom furniture. The 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing great depression hit furniture manufacturers hard. In the depth of the depression in 1933, Kling Factories sales were reduced to $1.5 million due to price deflation and lower volume, but the company was marginally profitable.
In 1934, John A. Kling passed leaving the responsibility of managing the company to his sons Arvid (President) and Denold (Vice President). Arvid had considerable experience in the furniture business due to the fact he began working in the factory in 1911 at age 19 and rose to become national sales manager. Denold, the younger brother,had also been with the company since 1922.
Through sound business management, including the introduction of more affordable lines of furniture, the two brothers brought the company through the depression while many Jamestown area furniture companies went bankrupt. Kling Factories continued to introduce new lines of furniture and business was strong enough to justify an addition to the Mayville plant in 1933. During WWII, the company produced a utilitarian style of bedroom furnitre for the United States government.
The period from 1947 to 1960 represents the peak of the Kling Factories in volume and quality reputation. Like many post war venturesthecompany took off nationally andwas aided by advertising inmagazines such as House Beautiful and Better Homes & Gardens. In 1955, Arvid Kling retired and his brother, Denold took over as president. Denold's four sons entered the family business and were assigned to responsible management positions. The company continued to expand its lines into the early 1960s.
In 1961, Denold Kling passed. Kling Factories was sold in April 1962 to the Baumritter Corporation which later became Ethan Allen Furniture. For several years Ethan Allen featured "Kling Colonial" products though eventually phased out the Kling name.
Kling Factories was a 51-year family business success story. Itis also an example of how the hardwork, dedication and special skills of European immigrants contributed to the dynamic and prosperous nature of the U.S. economy in the 20th century.
The original factory was operated by Ethan Allen until it closed in 2003.
The Kling Factories Plant Float
July 4th Parade
Mayville, New York
Circa 1940
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The Kittinger Company
The Kittinger Company was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1866 as "Thompson, Collie & Co." Around 1870 the company began crafting hand-made upholstered furniture and by this time had changed its name to "Colie & Son" after George and Oliver Colie took control. The furniture business proved so successful for the Colie's that in 1885 they built a factory specifically for the crafting of furniture.
In 1913, Irvine J. Kittinger, George Colie's son-in-law and his brother Ralph purchased the company from the Collie family and changed the company's name to the Kittinger Furniture Company. Under the Kittinger family's control, the company's primary focus was to craft the highest quality furniture possible with Irvine J. Kittinger saying "Our business is not primarily to turn furniture into money, but to produce something really worthwhile".
In 1966, the Kittinger family sold the company which began the era of "revolving door" ownership. Although respect for the furniture industry varied by various owners, the quallity of Kittinger Furniture remained excelltn and was always the pride of its skilled workers. Unfortunately, due to mismanagement and legal issues during one of the owners, Kittinger Funiture was forced to close its iconic Elmwood Avenue factory and the companies assets were scheduled for auction.
In 1996, Ray (a Master Cabinetmaker at Kittinger) and Karen Bialkowski purchased the Kittinger Furniture Company. They re-established the company and settled in a new factory in North Buffalo at 4675 Transit Road. Many of the original craftsmen returned to work for the re-opened company. Since taking ownership, Ray and Karen have expanded the Kittinger Furniture Company. In 2014, the Kittinger Furniture Company opened a new factory and headquarters where all furniture is still made to order by the hands of skilled craftsmen.
Kittinger Furniture Company has had the honor of helping recreate the Oval office and Cabinet Room several times over at the libraries of former presidents. Since the 1970s they have crafted pieces for the following: The Richard M. Nixon Library & Museum, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Libary, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum, The William J. Clinton Library & Museum and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Red Coach Inn
2 Buffalo Avenue
Niagara Falls, New York
Named after the red carriage that squired General Lafayette around the Niagara region when he returned here for a visit in 1825. A painting of General Lafayette's red carriage is displayed above the fireplace in the Grill Room. The painting is by Buffalo artist, A. Rafael Beck and the scene depicts the greeting of Lafayette at the Eagle Tavern which was located across the street in the early 19th century.
The Red Coach Inn is an historic bed and breakfast hotel that opened its doors for business on August 30, 1923. It's renowned for its English Tudor architecture, designed to resemble the Bell Inn in Finedon, England. The Inn is known for it warm English country ambiance and is considered one of Niagara Falls' most distinctive historic structures. It is known for its unique atmosphere and architecture.
The Red Coach Iinn situated near the center of town overlooking the spectacular Upper Rapids, is an imposing structure three and one-half stories high.
The Red Coach Inn opened on August 30, 1923 as a unique and elegant hotel for Niagara Falls. The Inn was owned by William Schoellkopf and Charles Peabody who spared no expense in creating the English inn's atmosphere. When the inn was built, Niagara Falls was then known as the "honeymoon capital of the world". And yes, Niagara Falls is still considered a honeymoon destination with its first honeymooners recorded in the early 19th century.
Long considered one of the most romantic places in the world, Niagara Falls gained notoriety as a honeymoon destination back in 1801 when Theodosia Burr, the daughter of U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr and her new husband, Joseph Alston, the future governor of South Carolina embarked from Albany to the Falls as part of their bridal tour. A few years later, Jerome Bonaparte, brother of Napoleon and his bride traveled from New Orleans to Niagara Falls via stagecoach to experience its splendor.
Niagara Falls was originally considered to be a destination for the wealthy, but with new rail lines and the opening of the Erie Canal, a few decades later, more couples began to flock to the majestic, natural wonder! In the 200-plus years since, couples from all over the world have traveled to Niagara Falls to experience the breathtaking power and beauty of this natural wonder the Native Indians called .. "Mighty Thunder" or "Thundering Waters". This reflects their understanding and sheer awe of the powerful force of the Falls and its sound as one approaches. They believed the Falls were a manifestation of spiritual energy and a gateway to the divine.
Red Coach Inn Menu
Circa 1960s
A Table with a View
Ready for your favorite glass of wine or cocktail
Saturday, June 7, 2025
TRICO BUILDING APARTMENTS
628 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, New York
The TRICO Building was built in the 1890s as a large brewery for a German-American neighborhood. The building expanded and became the first manufacturer of windshield wipers in the United States which at that time was the largest employer in Buffalo.
In 2002, TRICO closed its original manufacturing facility known as "Plant #1". In 2024, the building has now been redeveloped into luxury apartments near the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Design fedatures throughout the building evoke the look and feel of the building's industrial past. Residential corridors are lined with photographs of the Buffalo community and its historical architecture.
The building is also known for once being the office of John R. Oishei (1886-1968), the TRICO founder and an industrialist who went on to become one of the most important philanthropists in the Buffalo Niagara Region. In 1917, Oishei was the manager of the Teck Theatre in Buffalo. At the time, while driving in a heavy rain he struck a bicyclist with his car. This inspired Oishei to team up with John Jepson to market the windshield wiper blade Jepson had invented.
The business first rented manufacturing space in North Buffalo, but in 1919 the Pierce Arrow Motor Company contracted the manufacturer to supply manually operated wipers for its luxury cars and in 1920 Cadillac, Packard and Lincoln did the same. The company continued to expand. In 1922, the manufacturer became the supplier of automatic windshild wiper systems to Cadillac. The entire TRICO complex included 10 buildings.
During John R. Oishei's lifetime he started a charitable foundation that has become one of the most important philanthropies in the Buffalo Niagara Region. In 2010, The John R. Oishei Foundation had $284 million in assets and contributed more than $14 million to community and medical causes in the region.
TRICO Plant No. 1 was listed to the National Register of Historic Places February 2, 2001.
