A different angle on the sailplane at the New York State Pavilion

[Bill Cotter]

May 1964. The displays on the left were for horse racing; one was Monticello Raceway, the other (something) Downs.

[Jim]

Monticello is still operating.  But it has just faced a disaster.  Its owners applied for and won a permit to operate a casino.  I believe it is the largest in New York which has maybe eight Casios across Upstate now.  But Monticello failed and I believe it declared bankruptcy and has closed.  The raceway is not affected, but the huge casino, hotel and indoor waterpark are closed.

The other photo may be for Vernon Downs which was relatively new in 1964 and still operates.

[Bill Cotter]

That's sad to hear, Jim. I saw the casino being built and know the area had high hopes for it. I didn't see it being enough of a draw, though, to get people to schelp up there from NYC, and that area is economically depressed (big time) so unlikely to have a lot of local high rollers. I guess they didn't study the history of Atlantic City enough, and Atlantic City has more casino games than Monticello could offer.

[Jim]

The Monticello website is still operating but the place has been hemorhagging money since it opened.  There are some indications it is trying to remain open because of the advent of sports betting in NYS,  but recent news stories indicate the casino has lost too much money and has closed.  None of the recently approved casinos are doing well.  Del Lago in Seneca County and Tioga Downs in Tioga County are really  struggling.  Oddly, the Oneida Nation casino (Turningstone) is doing well and the Oneidas have just opened a new casino called Yellow Brick Road in Chittenango, NY (Syracuse area).  Chittenango was the home of L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz.

[SonnyTFox]

There is a limit to how many Casinos can survive .Atlantic City learned that lesson the hard way losing half of their Casinos. A saturation point has already been reached as the amount of gamblers is not infinite.

[Jim]

That's a good point.  Few, if any, of the newly built casinos are doing well.  Only the three Native American casinos seem to be prospering.  

Hey Bill, the photo has disappeared (at the top of this thread).  Do you have any information on that sail plane?  I wonder if it was on loan from the National Soaring Museum in Elmira.  It is on Harris Hill which is the location of the first sail plane and glider flights and experiments after the First World War.  One of the founders is a pilot who set soaring and gliding records and lived in the small town where I am located.  He was a pilot during WW1 and several of his gliders are on display at the NSM and one is on display at Air and Space at the Smithsonian.

[Bill Cotter]

I still see the picture. Anyone else having problems? I'll see what I may have on the glider.

 

[icedstitch]

I see it

[waynebretl]

I see it.

[Jim]

It has something to do with my computer, I guess.

[icedstitch]

Just too much 'cash' (;

[Bill Cotter]

2 hours ago, icedstitch said:

Just too much 'cash' (;

OUCH!