Page 5 - AAA Central Penn – AAA Now! – November/December 2016

WITH YOU ON
THE ROAD OF LIFETM
AAA
TM
A Winter Holiday in Seneca Falls, NY...
It’s a Wonderful Life!
The Similarities Between Bedford Falls and Seneca Falls:
• Seneca Falls and Bedford Falls are both mill towns.
• Seneca Falls had a grassy median same as the one George runs down in Bedford Falls with a movie theater located off to the side.
• Both communities boast Victorian architecture and a large Italian population.
• The location is perfect: George’s sister-in-law’s father owns a glass factory in Buffalo, NY.
• Bailey’s friend Sam wants to build a soybean processing plant outside of Rochester.
• The bank examiner wants to get back to Elmira on Christmas Eve.
• The train ran through Seneca Falls just as it did in Bedford Falls.
• The Bedford Falls High School was dedicated in 1927, the same year as the old Mynderse Academy was dedicated.
• In the film, the Bailey’s Savings and Loan Association builds low-cost housing called Bailey Park. In Seneca Falls, 19th century factory owner John Rumsey helped immigrant workers by lending them money and building low-cost housing. It is still known as Rumseyville today.
• A local businessman named Norman J. Gould owned Gould Pumps, and was one of the richest man in town. He drove his car with license number NJG1. Norman Gould also had great control over politics and economics of the area. Much as Mr. Potter did in the movie, Norman could send someone to fight in the military or retain them for his factory.
When asked, “What is your favorite holiday movie?” the overwhelming response is “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Seneca Falls is widely believed to be the inspiration for Frank Capra’s holiday classic. This year celebrates the 70th Anniversary of the film. Visit Seneca Falls and see the village and locations that inspired Mr. Capra on his travels to Seneca Falls in the early 1900s. Stand on the bridge that Jimmy Stewart’s character leaped from in the movie. When you visit in December, plan to take part in the weekend festivals that celebrate the connections to the holiday classic.
Seneca Falls’ town leaders are so sure it served as Capra’s inspiration that they have created an It’s A Wonderful Life festival. The downtown will be decorated with replicas of the Christmas lights of Bedford Falls, and the shops and restaurants will serve up It’s A Wonderful Life fare. Special guests “The Bailey Sisters” – Karolyn “Zuzu” Grimes and Carol “Janie” Coombs – will join the 70th Anniversary Celebration. This year’s event is December 7-9 and will include a screening of “It’s A Wonderful Life,” during which featured guest Karolyn “Zuzu” Grimes will discuss her experiences shooting the movie. (Her character closes the movie with the famous line, “Look, Daddy; teacher says, ‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.’”)
Bedford Falls might just be a composite of small towns across America, set in Upstate New York. But the fact is, no town in Upstate New York has as many similarities to the town in It’s A Wonderful Life as does Seneca Falls. Either by design or extraordinary coincidence, when Frank Capra created Bedford Falls, he replicated Seneca Falls.
In addition to visiting for the 70th Anniversary Celebration, there are many things to see and do
all year long. The following is some information about the Finger Lakes area and Seneca County:
According to Native American legend, this land was blessed many moons ago by the Great Spirit. In doing so, it placed an outstretched hand over the region, leaving five, finger-shaped impressions. Thus, the Finger Lakes were born.
While this account leaves more to the imagination, one thing is for certain – the Finger Lakes Region
of New York State is truly blessed. The lakes were actually formed centuries ago in the glacial age.
The glaciers gouged their way down from Canada, scraping out streams and shaping the contour of the land. The minor depressions left behind would later become the basis for lakes. In all, there are 11 lakes that are known as the modern Finger Lakes, measuring from 3 to 41 miles in length.
When you visit Seneca County, the northern gateway to the Finger Lakes, you not only get to experience the breathtaking views of the lakes, taste award-winning wines and learn about history, you get to meet the people that make this area truly unique.
Our counselors are ready to help you plan your holiday, complete with hotel reservations, maps, a TripTik and helpful
recommendations.
*Information for this article obtained from fingerlakes.org, senecafalls.com and fingerlakesgateway.com
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
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