100th Anniversary Ira F. Thomas Celebration

Just wanted you to know about a wonderful event we had on November 10, 2010. Exactly 100 years ago on that date my Great Grandfather gave a banquet for his nephew, Ira F. Thomas, for most of the gentlemen of the Village. Ira was the catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics who had just won the World Series Championship from the Chicago Cubs. The banquet was held in his home town of Ballston Spa, NY which is also the birth place of Abner Doubleday (and me!).

Since the hotel where the original banquet was held is no longer in existence, we held our 100th Anniversary banquet at The Factory which is now a restaurant, but was a factory in 1910 and only a few blocks from the original King House!

It was like time stood still as we had almost 40 people in attendance in the Speakeasy Room. A famous composer and pianist, Cole Broderick, played music from the 1910's and we even sang "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". I have an extensive collection of Ira memorabilia and displ ayed much of it. I have 2 pictures that were taken at the 1910 event as 24" x 36" posters. I also have a beautiful 18" x 24" poster of Ira framed. As a matter of fact as we were coming to the close of the evening, all of a sudden that picture of Ira fell off the easel and onto the floor. Someone quietly said "Safe!" As my husband picked up the picture, which had fallen face down, we discovered there was not a crack in the glass. It was still perfect! We knew Ira was telling us he was pleased with the tribute!!!

I am very proud of my cousin (1st cousin twice removed) and so are my 2 granddaughters who acted as junior hostesses for the evening!

Cathy King Eddy
New Britain, CT 06051