Little Joe Tower

I've always been fascinated by the size, shape and history of the Little Joe Tower. At 196 feet, it's always visible from any location in Corning.

The Corning Area Chamber of Commerce questions and answers about 'behind the scene' aspects of Corning include a bit of history about the tower...

Q. What is Little Joe Tower?

A. "Little Joe" Tower facilitated the production of thermometer tubing by using a "vertical draw" process. Hot glass was pulled by cable 196 feet to the top, creating a continuous tube. It was then cooled and cut to length. Today, thermometer tubing is made automatically in a "horizontal draw".

Imagine pulling hot glass 196 feet straight up in the air. Thermometer tubing? The kind we take our temperature with?

******


Standing at the base of the tower, looking straight up...








******

Click any picture to see an enlarged version.

******












At the base of the tower...















Above a parking garage...




Across the Chemung River, from the far side of the YMCA...




I often stop and take a second, and third, look, noting the contrasts in this scene...






















From the west end of Market Street...

The Senior Center

The Corning NY Senior Center is open to everyone 55 years of age and older. Visitors are welcome; that includes non-residents.





Click on any photo to see an enlarged version.


Some days this room is packed full with euchre or bridge players...



Such a clean, neat kitchen...



In addition to signing up ahead for pre-planned meals, diners can order specialty items...



The dining room. Shove the tables and chairs down aways and the room becomes home to dance and exercise classes...




A few of the many activities available...



Ceramics ~ Tai Chi ~ Blood Pressure ~ Dancing Grannies ~ Craft Class ~ Strength Training ~ Painting ~ Ballroom Dance ~ Knitting ~ Euchre ~ Bridge ~ May I ~ Bone Builders ~ Greenhouse ~ Sewing ~ Zumba Gold ~ Trust Group ~ Pinochle ~ Wood Carving ~ Sugar 'n Spice ~ Photography ~ Scrapbooking ~ 500 Club ~ Scrabble ~ Energy Flow ~ Wood Marquetry - Bingo










Plants are everywhere throughout the Senior Center. Many plants behind the building. Plus, there's a greenhouse. All this green activity is manned by senior volunteers...







Following a Zumba Gold class, participants cool down with strengthening exercises...

Movies on Market Street

Remember when movie candy was 25-cents? Well, some of you might remember.



I've been to few movies in the past twenty years. In this last year, though, I've been to at least three showings at the Palace Theatre. My favorite was "Julie & Julia".



(Click on any photo to see an enlarged version and enjoy the details.)






Relax in the lobby while you wait...












The Palace is really two theaters. Each with soft, padded seats. What a treat for someone who remembers hard, wooden seating. Some of the seating even reclines slightly. Plus, there are the cup holders and the tables...