Thursday, August 16, 2018

ARENA #23


Posted by Chic Silber at 8/16/2018 12:08:00 AM

6 comments:

Chic Silber said...


Roger Smith should regale us all

with much history of this ol joint

It's where we both learned how

to spell circus & make many long

lasting friendships

The building was only known as

"Commack" where it was situated

16 August, 2018 01:34
BOBBY'S LITL BRO. said...

THANKS CHIC FOR THE WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE FOR A OLD SHOW RIGGER !! I HAVE WORKED ALMOST ALL OF THESE BUILDINGS OVER MY CAREER.

16 August, 2018 13:09
Roger Smith said...

As it happened, I never made Commack. I had applied to Mr. Beatty after seeing in AB that he was looking for an apprentice. Long story, but on the night he called, March 8, 1964, to tell me when to join in DeLand, I had been taken down in my first bad lion attack, and was up in surgery. It took two months to heal up and get a release from my surgeon. I joined out at Lighthouse Field, in Philadelphia.

16 August, 2018 14:05
joe giordano said...

I have always heard rumors that McCloskey and company were going to buy the L.I.Arena at one time. Can anyone shed some light on this? Also on the east side of the building, which served as the back yard, septic tanks were put in specifically for when the Beatty show played the building.

17 August, 2018 13:48
Cindy Potter said...

I believe it was 1980 or 1981 when the Beatty show returned to the Commack Long Island Arena, this time under canvas...NOT inside, since owner Barney Rogers had turned the building into a rather large Flea Market. We did set up on the east side and the sewer lines still existed, and were utilized by those who remembered! Mr. Rogers owned several properties on Long Island at the time and we (the Beatty Show) played most if not all, of them. I recall returning to Long Island throughout my tenure on the show. I do remember that the elephants were set out on the highway, and Freddie Logan commented it was the longest hike from there to the back door for spec!
:-)
Cindy Potter

17 August, 2018 14:55
Chic Silber said...


Hi Cindy how is Ned Doing

17 August, 2018 15:29

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