Understanding Upstate

This week we are turning up the heat and taking a seat at the hibachi station as we learn about a venerable Vestal institution: Kampai Japanese Steakhouse. We'll chop it up about what has made this a destination for the Binghamton area for more than 50 years, and how founder, Richard Matsushima, came to create the first Japanese Restaurant in the Southern Tier. Get your hands on the NEW Unders...

Things are heating up out there this summer so we are rewinding the tape back to one of our HOTTEST episodes, that's right, we're revisiting one of our MANY hot dog episodes and taking another bite out of the beloved Upstate delicacy: Michigan Red Hots. Throw us a rating and a review on Apple Podcasts! Include a suggestion in your review for something you'd like us to cover on Understa...

Often in these descriptions we use the phrase "buckle up", but today we mean it, because we're headed to the famous Watkins Glen International race track, host to Formula 1, NASCAR, IndyCar, and much more. So gas up, kick your tires, and get ready to speed into another great episode. Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://understandingupstate.pri...

As we turn the page to another episode we shift our focus to Turning Stone Resort & Casino. From it's lengthy court battles to establish itself as legitimate in the eyes of the federal government, climbing all the way to the Supreme Court, to tales of gambling splendor and squander, we'll cover it all! If we don't have you exclaiming "BINGO" by the end of this episode, I...

If you spent any amount of time in front of a TV as a child in the 80's or 90's you are well aquatinted with the work of Albany's own. John McTiernan. He launched the Predator, Die Hard, AND Jack Ryan franchises, among many other films, and is heralded with reinventing the action genre. BUT it isn't a Hollywood ending for McTiernan, as you can take the director out of Upstate but y...

Take me to the river because this week we're learning all about one of the greatest Southern Tier traditions, BC Pops on the River! What could be better than popular tunes blasted by a floating orchestra? Add in giant floating rocking horses, and children perilously descending as a makeshift E.T. and you'll start to get an idea! Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

This week we are putting BIG BLUE under the microscope. That's right, we're talking about one of the biggest companies in the world, IBM, and it's humble origins in Upstate, NY. If you aren't already saying "I be excited", then I don't know what to tell you aside from, start listening! Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://understand...

This week we are serving up a slice of the Southern Tier as we look at a Binghamton institution: Nirchi's Pizza. We've got an episode packed with first hand experiences, reviews, and much more. So slid on over as we cut into a half sheet and talk about Nirchi's. Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://understandingupstate.printful.me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab Jim'...

This week we follow the yellow brick road to L. Frank Baum to learn about his childhood and early days upstate to his success as an author. But there's more behind the curtain, as we uncover some of Baum's intensely held views, that make him yet another influential but problematic figure from Upstate, NY. Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://understandingup...

Chautauqua means many things to many people, and today we're going to get into each of those descriptions. It's a town, an institute, a summer getaway, and a movement that for some became synonymous with the pursuit of knowledge. We'll dig into the 150+ year old institution that calls Upstate New York home to see what it's all about. Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate...

Though it's gone by many names over the centuries, one fact has remained true, the Binghamton Inebriate Asylum is one spooky looking building. From it's origins as the first facility of it's kind in the world to it's decades long decay, the House on the Hill has been an imposing fixture in Upstate New York for a long time. Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

CANALS ARE BACK BAYBEEE! That's right, we're talking all about the Eerie Canal's younger sibling, the Chenango Canal! Ditch digging, tow path pulling, canal locks locking, what more could you want?! Well, unfortunately for this short lived Upstate canal system, evidently the people of Broome county wanted more things and they wanted them faster than the canal could provide. Join us as we learn abo...

This week we are unpacking the history and impact of Melville Dewey. He didn't just influence library systems, but the entire state through his work in education, not to mention having a hand in the Adirondacks hosting the Winter Olympics. Overshadowing all of those accomplishments though is the fact he was a horrible person (and that's putting it lightly). But is it any surprise that a man obsess...

Put on your dancin' shoes and practice your lifts as we head back to the Borscht Belt to talk about the 1987 film "Dirty Dancing." While the film is set in Upstate, NY, it was shot in Virginia and North Carolina. Does it do Upstate justice or should we put "Dirty Dancing" in a corner? Listen to find out! Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March: ⁠⁠https://under...

This week we return to Utica, New York to learn about yet another one of its many unique culinary dishes: tomato pie. Whatever you do, don't serve it hot, and don't call it pizza! Watch: In The Twilight Zone Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Upstate March:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://understandingupstate.printful.me⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Grab Jim's comedy album:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Join us as we look at the rich history of three Negro League Baseball Teams that once called Upstate New York home. From the Acme Colored Giants, to the Schenectady Mohawk Giants, and the New York Gorhams, we'll take swing at learning all about these teams and their players. Batter UP! Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other than Jim...

Come along with us as we delve into the opulent splendor of one of the crown jewels of Binghamton's now long gone Mansion Row, the Phelps Mansion. We'll take a look at the the man who financed this mansion, and the architect behind the designs, both of which who provide a treasure trove of upstate history. Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton feat...

Glide on over to Elmira, New York with us to unpack the history of a town that has gone by many names, from "Queen of the Souther Tier" to "Hellmira", there's a lot to get into. Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other than Jim Search: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠March 27th at 6:30 PM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get your hands on the NEW Understanding Up...

Lace up your sneakers because we are hitting the court once more to examine another former pro NBA team that once called Upstate New York home. Come along as we look at the founding of Syracuse's own NBA team: the Syracuse Nationals. Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other than Jim Search: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠March 27th at 6:30 PM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Get your...

This week we're learning all about the quadruple threat, Grace Jones. Though she was born in Jamaica, Grace Jones spent her teens in Upstate New York before she was launched to stardom in the 70's and 80's. There's LOTS to cover on her quadruple threat career, so lets get to it! Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other tha...

This week we're learning about the Elmira Express, Ernie Davis, one of the greatest athletic talents to ever come out of Upstate NY. We'll learn about his domination on the court and field, and the tragic end to his short life. Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other than Jim Search: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠March 27th at 6:30 PM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please conside...

This week we are heading to Petersburg, New York to learn all about the National Abolition Hall of Fame and Museum! We'll learn about the building that houses the museum and its own connection to the abolitionist movement, and dive into some of the inductees who have ties to Upstate, NY. Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other than J...

This week we are touring some of the finest breweries that Upstate NY has to offer. We're touring across the whole state so buckle up because we've got a lot of ground to cover as we explore the finest ales of the Adirondacks, the premiere pilsners of western New York , and the best beers in the Mohawk River Valley. Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Bingh...

This week we slip into the muddy waters of the serene Susquehanna to learn all about this riveting river. There's plenty of twists and turns in the tale of this 400+ mile long river, so there's no time to waste, dive in! Grab tickets for Stellar Human Presents: A Stand-Up Comedy Banger in Binghamton featuring none other than Jim Search: ⁠⁠March 27th at 6:30 PM⁠⁠ Please consider donating if...

This week we return to Broome County, NY to look at what has become a bit of an oddity floating in the middle of the serene Susquehanna: Murphy's Island. This private island would become the home to a local family, replete with 60's splendor (and its own cable car), and has since fallen into disrepair. So come along as we take a look at the story of the eccentric island (and a couple more...