July 2016
GREECE HISTORICAL SOCIETY and MUSEUM
The Corinthian
Strawberry Dessert Tasting Festival and Fundraiser Photos
Volume 37, Issue 7
July 2016
Points of Interest:
In Every Issue:
President’s Message
2
Programs
1
Calendar
2
Museum Community
4
Board of Trustees
4
Of Interest
5
Contact Us
8
History Report
7
Thank you to scouts and family members of
Boy Scout Troup 48 from Greece Baptist
Church and Cub Scout Pack 173 from Greece
United Methodist for helping to clean up our
gardens on Friday June 3rd.
On Wednesday, May 25th we were visited by
the Athena Middle School History Club. A great
group of young people interested in history!
"President's Message"
“Museum Events”
Thank you to everyone who came
and enjoyed our Strawberry & Dessert
Tasting Festival fundraiser on June
20th. Despite a very hot and windy
afternoon, more than 350 of our
friends and neighbors enjoyed the
festivities and visited our museum and
our newest exhibit "Hometown Sports
of Greece, NY." Due to a nearby motor vehicle accident, Long Pond Rd was closed between
3:30 and 4:30 affecting many who planned to come
early. I am sure the very hot weather also affected the
attendance.
Museum and Museum Shop hours:
Sunday 1:30 - 4p.m.
GHS office hours: Mon-Tue 9:30 a.m.-Noon
Museum and Museum Shop also open office hours.
Sunday, Jul 24th, 1:00 pm Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Tour I: East Sections 1-13
Sunday, Aug 28th, 1:00 pm Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Tour II: East Sections 18-26
Sunday, Sept 11th, Greece Museum 2:00 pm
The Manhattan Project by Wally Rust
A special thank you goes to all our volunteers, vendors,
sponsors and all the organizations who contributed to
the success of our major fund raiser of the year. An
event like this takes months of planning and a lot of
hard work the day of the event. Some of the organizations, businesses and volunteers that helped were:
Tuesday, Sept 13th, Greece Library 7:00 pm
Searching for the Musical Dossenbachs by Lisa Kleman
Sunday, Sept 18th, 1:00 pm Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Tour I: East Sections 1-13
Tuesday, Oct 11th, Greece Library 7:00 pm
The life of Harriett Tubman by Maggie Moore
Vendors: Legacy at Park Crescent, Long Pond Family
Restaurant, Tim Horton's, Tops Friendly Markets, Village
at Unity, Pop Corn Plus and Cinelli's Ristorante.
Nonprofit community organizations: Charlotte-Genesee
Lighthouse, Spencerport Depot Museum, Rochester
Baseball Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, Community Clothing Closet, Veterans, Outreach Center, Baseball
Historical Society and Honor Flight.
Organizations and businesses that contributed gifts or
services: Adventure Landing, Bill Grays, Blanchard Florist, Faris Pharmacy, Greece Chamber of Commerce,
Senator Joe Robach, Joe's Homestyle Eatery, LiDestri
Food & Beverage, Marriott Hotel, Memorial Art Gallery,
Masters Seafood, Northwest YMCA, Rochester Red
Wings, Rochester Rhinos, Rockcastle Florist, Sea Breeze,
Sky Zone, Shorewood Garden Club and Van Putte Gardens.
Entertainment: Jeremy Carter and Brian Hardick of Party Productions.
Corporate Sponsors: Wegmans, NW Savings Bank, Vay
–Schleich & Meeson Funeral and Cremation Chapels.
(continued from col 1)
Mueller, Lorraine Beane, Deborah Whitt, Bill Peeck,
Dennis Ruger, Tom Sawnor, Terry LeFeber, Keith
Kroon, Bill Coe, Officer Todd Gumaer, Greece Police
Explorer Post 400, Greece Special Police, Maureen
Whalen, Terry Robach, Marie Poinan, Angie Kananen,
Sue Hodge, Lynn Smith, Sandy Peck, Bobbie Young,
Karen Henry, Lyn Heard, Joan DiGiacomo, Dagmar
Doland, the Lakeview Garden Club, Barton's Parkside
Hots who provided his delicious grilled food, The
Signery for their continued support in creating signs
for us and finally, several unnamed guests who
helped tie down some of our tents during heavy
winds.
Bill Sauers, President
Individual and group volunteers: Joe & Carol Riesenberger, Kathy Firkins, Jack Heller, Judith Chafel, Bobbie
Roberts, Faye Cole, Renee Sanger, Kathy Kier, Sue Eddy,
Pat Palumbo, Hanna Chibber, Wendy Peeck, Bradley
Haag, Ruth Curchoe, Steve Lemon, Andrew Easterly,
Jack Wallenhorst, Joe Vitello, BSA Venturing Crew
1910, Paula Smith, Barbara & Joe Giancursio, Paula
Kosiorek, Alan (continued col 2)
*Pre-registration Required for Programs at the Library
Call the Greece Library at 585-225-8951or go online at
http://www.greecepubliclibrary.org, click on the calendar
link, click on the event and follow the instructions. Please
register individually for each person attending the program.
The Library will e-mail or text you a reminder or advise of last
minute changes or weather related cancellations.
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“Museum Shop”
Officers & Board of Trustees
We have many books in our Shop on local history. Right
now we are offering special pricing on most of our local
history books. Our area has been making history with our
residents – past and present. Please come and check out
these amazing stories of our great town. You can stop and
see ‘Hometown Sports in Greece’ and the Early Settlers
and Agricultural Exhibits in the museum– we are a history
making town.
President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Executive Director:
Honorary Trustee:
Trustees:
Wendy Peeck, Museum Shop Coordinator
Museum Shop hours: Sun 1:30-4:00, Mon-Tue 9:30-12
In October 2014 we unveiled an historic
marker noting the history of Paddy Hill
School. It was the culmination of many
months of research and working with the
William Pomeroy Foundation, who funded
the project though their historic sign grant
program. The sign was a gift from the Greece
Historical Society to the Paddy Hill School.
Unfortunately in February we were notified
by Kevin Maloney of the School District
maintenance office that the sign had been
damaged and broken off its pole
either by wind, vandalism or a defect in the sign.
A big thank you to Kevin for his
prompt action in retrieving the
sign and to Catskill Castings for the
great job of repairing it.
Committee Chairs:
Grounds
GHS Historian
Membership
Museum Shop
Newsletter
Programs
Publicity
Registrar
Tours, Education
Bill Sauers
Sandy Peck
Paula Smith
Bill Peeck
Needed
Don Newcomb
Ruth Curchoe
Pam O'Sullivan
Sandy Peck
Bill Peeck
Gregg Redmond
Bill Sauers
Tom Sawnor
Cyndie Shevlin
Paula Smith
Betty Tudisco
Jack Wallenhorst
Deborah Whitt
Bill Peeck
Alan Mueller
Kathy Kier
Wendy Peeck
Cyndie Shevlin
Bill Sauers
Marge Zercie
Lee Strauss
Kathie Firkins
Linda Evans
Please Remember
the Greece Historical Society in your tax
and estate planning. We are a non-profit
organization supported by your
gifts and endowments*.
Quote of the month
We sincerely appreciate your donations.
"The past we inherit, the future we create".
*Tax deductible per Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code
Edward Flanagan
New Web Page
We are in the process of transitioning to a new web page. Our current
one http://www.greecehistoricalsociety.net will soon go off line and we
will be using http://www.greecehistoricalsociety.org Take a look at the
new site and let us know what you think.
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For newsletter input only, please contact:
[email protected]
Cyndie Shevlin, Editor
This newsletter is published monthly by the editor for the
Greece Historical Society and Museum.
THANK YOU to the BUSINESSES
that have SUPPORTED the
Greece Historical Society
“Our Museum Community”
“Tours and Education”
When Spring arrived not only did the flowers bloom,
but the museum filled with excitement as we began
our annual school tours. This year we had over 300
2nd graders from Pinebrook and Longridge Elementary
schools. Along with that we had a Home School group
and the Greece Athena History Club. Each group was
unique in its own way. The 2nd graders are primarily
interested in how life was 100 years ago. They are
amazed that the house did not have electricity so therefore no electronics. What did they do after dinner? No
TV, video games or cell phones to play with. When I
demonstrate the phonograph and ask them what the
“record” is - the response is always the same - it’s a CD
or disc. What else would they think it was? I love to let
them watch it play and show how the “record” can be
turned over to play the other side. Once we get back to
the museum area they are eager to learn some history
facts about the Town of Greece. The One Room School
House, the Ridge Road Wheel and the Kitchen are favorites. We have approx. 45 minutes to one hour for
each group which always seems to go by too quickly.
Kathie Firkins, Education Committee
American Custom Interiors & Exteriors
Cinelli’s Pizza Restorante
Greece Chamber of Commerce*
Greece Grange
Legacy at Park Crescent*
Long Pond Auto Body*
Long Pond Family Restaurant
Mark IV Enterprises
North Ridge Glass*
Northwest Savings Bank (Long Pond Rd)
Party Productions
The Signery
The Villages at Unity*
Tim Horton's (Long Pond Rd)
Tops Markets
Ultimate Interiors*
Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral &
Cremation Chapels*
Wegman Food Markets (Latta Rd)*
(* denotes Business Member)
Sports Exhibit Opening, sponsored by
Locker Room Sports, a Great Success!
On a beautiful summer afternoon June 10th, over 70
local sports athletes and coaches, athletes’ families,
friends, dignitaries, and local sports enthusiasts gathered for the opening of the Historical Society’s
Hometown Sports Exhibit. This exhibit will run for the
rest of the year and highlights the careers of 34 local
sports stars. Athletes attending were Bob Bleier
(football), Megan Shoniker (basketball), Mindy Sawnor
(track), Jill Cardella (hockey), Jason Bonsignore
(hockey), and Coaches Ed Nietopski and Jim Johnson
along with Manager and Coach Joe Altobelli. Also
attending were the families of Jeff Weston, Jori Davis,
and Joe McShea. Dignitaries attending were Senator
Joe Robach, Councilman Andrew
Conlon, Receiver of Taxes Rick Antelli Sr. and Sarah Lentini from the
Greece Chamber of Commerce.
The premier was an outstanding
success. Kudos to Society trustee
Tom Sawnor for leading and coordinating this endeavor. Thank you
to the exhibit team members: Marie Poinan, Sandy Peck, Kathy Firkins, Paula Smith, and Lee Strauss.
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Greece History by Alan Mueller
"Apples, Pine Trees and Boxing Gloves!"
We've explained apples and pine trees......What about boxing gloves...?
Mr. Edward Sturm had once been in the furniture business on Joseph Ave. and knew well how to greet customers and run a successful retail venture. The tavern business was a bit different, but Edward slowly built the Pine Tree
Inn into a profitable enterprise. Ridge Road West would become completely paved (two lanes) from Lake Ave. to Manitou Road, the town of Greece line and beyond. Yet, with all its popularity, Sturm decided to put the Inn up for sale in
the fall of 1928. A strapping, young and gregarious fellow by the name of Clement Versluy, who had immigrated here
with his family to the United States in 1914, bought the Pine Tree Inn in December of 1928. Despite the depression of
the 1930s and prohibition until 1933 (he was cited and fined several times for having illegal spirits on site), the Inn
soon became one of the most popular eateries along the greatly improved West Ridge Rd.
Clement Versluy, having dropped his Belgian name, was now calling himself, MIKE CONROY - "the boxer"! Mike’s
professional boxing career had its start in the spring of 1920 with his first fight in Rochester. Boxing was second to
baseball in popularity during the 1920s-1950s. He was named one of the heavyweight contenders of Western New
York in the early ‘20s.
With Mike and his wife Alice as congenial hosts, "Mikes Pine Tree Inn" became one of the most favored spots on the
west side of Monroe County. The walls of the barroom were covered with framed, autographed boxing greats and
other local and national luminaries Mike had befriended. The Inn was enlarged and updated in1948 and now had a
capacity to serve 300 people in the dining room and 100 more in the "tap room"! There was also space for a bandstand and a dance floor. Boxing legends from around the country often held gatherings at Mike's place.
The Democrat and Chronicle on Nov. 11, 1953 headline on the sports page read: "Mike Conroy to Quit Business, To
See Sights with Alice". Their plan was to lease the business for a period of ten years so he and his wife, Alice, could
travel.
The business was leased to Shale (Sol) Gans. Shale had been in the restaurant business on Brown St. for many years.
Mike and Alice traveled to Europe, Cuba and Mexico. Within a few years the lease led to a sale to Gans. Shale took little time in a complete redecoration of the venerable Inn with new drapes, wallpaper & carpet, soft lighting, and overhead stars above the dance floor. Gone were Conroy's photo collection of boxers and notable personages. Shales was
a bowling fan, sponsoring several leagues. The name was now SHALE’S and in small print, for a while, “Formerly Mike
Conroy's".
Mike and Alice enjoyed their retirement years, still traveling and visiting old friends until Mike’s health declined.
Mike was "on the ropes and would soon be counted out" as longtime friend and columnist Henry Clune said in his column . When Mike Conroy (nee Clement Versluy) passed in July 1964, Clune said about his friend: "a big, blustering,
immensely good-natured man, who loved life and the hard sport of professional boxing"......"Mike died the other day,
and another colorful character departed the Rochester scene.”
As a post-script to this tale.......Mike was lucky he never saw the final chapter to his once beloved Pine Tree Inn.
Shale Gans filed bankruptcy in 1964 and The County of Monroe seized the property at 1225 Ridge Rd. for back taxes.
That is the end of "Apples, Pine Trees & Boxing Gloves" plus a few nicked bowling pins!
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Non-Profit Org.
Greece Historical Society
Greece Museum
595 Long Pond Road
P.O. Box 16249
Rochester NY 14616-0249
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Rochester NY
Permit #1188
Return Service Requested
Your tax deductible membership in the Greece Historical Society
is available at several levels. To join, renew, upgrade your membership or to donate a gift, fill out and mail the form below or bring it
to our next program meeting. To pay via PayPal, visit our website at
www.greecehistoricalsociety.net
Your donations and memberships help keep our Museum open.
Thank you for your support.
CONTACT US
GHS Office: 585-225-7221
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.greecehistoricalsociety.net
Corinthian Editor: [email protected]
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