Latest news with #GeorgeFJohnson
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Local Rotary Clubs are joining together to expand an annual celebration of our area's carousels and the music that once accompanied them. This summer, the Rotary Carousel and Band Organ Week will highlight both the historic, free carousels that Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company founder George F Johnson gifted to our community, as well as the Wurlitzer band organs that filled them with music. In recent years, the Endicott and Endwell Rotaries have been acquiring and restoring three organs to replace the ones that originally entertained carousel riders. Last year, a band organ rally accompanied the annual Johnson City Carousel Festival at CFJ Park. This year, the rally will take place at Spiedie Fest, welcoming in ten large band organs from outside our area, 20 smaller crank organs, and a tent with displays about the history of our carousels and George F. 'It's a great example of mechanical genius, these organs. We'll have ours on display. There's many different types and sizes. They were made to accompany carousels. They're loud so that they can be heard over the sound of the carousel,' said Smith. Carousel and Band Organ Week will run for eight days, beginning at the JC Carousel Festival on Saturday July 26. Then the band organ rally takes place during Spiedie Fest from August 1 through the 3. In between, Smith says representatives from various Rotary Clubs will hold events at their local carousels, and some of the portable band organs will travel to different locations as well. NY lawmakers push AI safety bills Elementary students join Mayor Kraham for first carousel ride of the season Local Rotary Clubs prepare for Band Organ Rally and Carousel Festival Binghamton High School recognized for musical excellence BLAST raises awareness for mental health with latest show 'Next to Normal' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iconic Johnson City church going on the market
JOHNSON CITY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A historic church in the heart of Johnson City, with long ties to the history of Endicott-Johnson Shoe Company, is for sale. Members of Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church on Main Street have decided to sell the property. The church was constructed in two phases, starting 100 years ago in 1924, with the building to the east that houses the gym and dining area. It was originally used for Sunday services until the neighboring three-story neo-Gothic style building was added in 1927. EJ Shoes founder George F Johnson donated money to build the church which was named for his mother who was a member. It was built using brown stone from Hummelstown, Pennsylvania and features a 112-foot-tall tower with Carillonic Bells. The gymnasium floor was made from EJ leather. In recent years, the church has been known for its community outreach with weekly free meals and bicycle giveaway program. According to the membership voted overwhelmingly to approve listing the property for sale due to the high cost of maintenance and declining membership. Some have expressed concerns that the historic building could end up being demolished to make way for a parking lot. Sarah Jane Johnson Church is participating in the annual Sacred Sites tour this Sunday and will be open to the public from 2 to 4 p.m. 'Beautiful Mistake' on display now at The Cooperative Gallery 213 Dine with the animals at Ross Park Zoo Renowned composer visits Binghamton High School chorus NYS budget allocates money for SUNY programs Iconic Johnson City church going on the market Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
