Backtracking: The Early Decades: Theater, baseball fulfilled leisure time in Norwich in June 1921 | Columns
Norwich inhabitants ended up barely bored with their leisure time for the duration of June 1921.
Although there have been motion pictures to observe at the Colonia on South Wide Street, for example, there weren’t quite a few at that time.
Viewers of the Norwich Sun on June 1 found out, “That between 2,000 and 3,000 motion picture personnel in Hollywood … are really starving.
“Following the feverish wave of wartime prosperity and higher wages, has appear the response which is currently being felt in the movie marketplace as elsewhere, with the consequence that 1000’s of artists, helpers, clerks, and many others. in the studios have been thrown out of work.”
With new movies in shorter provide, community inhabitants made their own enjoyment by becoming entertainers. Also observed in the Sunlight of June 1, “All is in readiness for the presentation of ‘Katcha-Koo’ at the Colonia theatre this evening, the Oriental fantastique to be offered by household talent.
“The play, which is in two functions, is laid partly in India and bash in New York town. It requires its title from that of an East Indian fakir, who in actuality is an American aviator missing in Hunga, who by this disguise has place anxiety into the hearts of the natives.
“The scenic and lighting effects are unusually lovely, and the grand finale which is participated in by more than 100 young children, is one particular of the features of the complete generation.”
The Sun gave it a critique the next day, expressing, “A riot of coloration, of entertaining and of audio, ‘Katcha-Koo’ proved to be a huge surprise to several who attended, more to see their close friends disport on their own on the phase than to witness a quite worthwhile musical comedy. From the principals of the forged to the smallest one of the Yankee-Dixie women, everyone did whole justice to his or her purpose, and the viewers voiced its enthusiastic acceptance time and all over again.”
Though the movement photo business was possessing its woes, those people who did go to the silent movies locally got a new shock. The Sunshine of June 23 claimed, “Norwich theatre patrons who attended the Colonia theatre Wednesday night heard the to start with organ at any time put in in a nearby theatre.
“Large audiences at the two performances … totally liked the new songs. It was the to start with time many of them had at any time read an organ enjoying with the films and they were being pleased.”
While some ended up making the most of the thrills of the theater, are living or on film, some others liked sporting activities.
For the players and spectators, information in the Sun’s June 24 version instructed how, “The Norwich baseball club will have a new diamond. Perform on it was started out Thursday and will be accomplished by Saturday. The place, at the fairgrounds, has not transformed.
“When finished, right industry will be as great as centre and still left. The to start with recreation will performed Sunday afternoon when the Bobs oppose the Oneida Neighborhood Minimal team from Sherrill.” Bobs was evidently a nickname for the crew identify, Athletics.
To defray the expenses of the new diamond, the club held a dance at city corridor on July 11, placing some enjoyment into the fund raising.
As for the recreation, the Athletics shed to Sherrill, 11-6. As noted June 27, “Rain at intervals right before the begin of the match, hindered the attendance. The 1,000 or much more enthusiasts who did witness the contest had been surprised at the new diamond. It was additional than they experienced bargained for. With the addition of a grass infield it would be massive league, but as it stands now it is the most effective diamond the metropolis has ever experienced.”
They probably did not like it, but personnel of the David Maydole Hammer Corporation, one of the oldest of Norwich industries, joined the leisure existence when it was declared June 23 that the plant would shut down for the thirty day period of July.
The Sunlight noted the subsequent day, “Notice was given the 125 workers of the organization Tuesday forenoon. A lot like the motion photo business, “Lack of business is given as the motive why corporation officers for the shutdown. It was said by the administration that the factory is envisioned to be closed all through all of July, but that this is unsure.
The pressured leisure essential Maydole workforce to find affordable entertainment for a although.
On Wednesday: Various comings and goings domestically all through June 1976.
Oneonta City Historian Mark Simonson’s column seems twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the location prior to 1950. His Wednesday columns handle community heritage 1950 and afterwards. If you have comments or tips about the column, generate to him at The Daily Star, or email him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His web page is www.oneontahistorian.com. His columns can be uncovered at www.thedailystar.com/feeling/columns/.
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