Joes International Airport Yocks Landing

We are in unprecedented times and have all experienced significant disruption to our everyday lives due to the Coronavirus.  During this time, while you take care of yourselves, it is important to also be compassionate to others and help where you can. We can all think of a time when someone has reached out and helped us during our time at Cornell or in life with a meal, some money, or simply a cold beverage.  Our time at Cornell included many experiences that were important to us, but there's one place that was special to many, including each of us and that,of course was Joe’s International Airport, our neighborhood bar.  Perhaps it was Joe McClain himself, the owner, mentor, leader, and friend, who helped us in a significant way, or was there for us when we needed someone to listen or dole out advice. Maybe you met your spouse or made a life-long friend there. Maybe you get to relive those days for a short period of time each October during Cornell Homecoming. Whatever makes it a memorable place for you, we want to preserve that sense of belonging, for us, and for those who come after us. We propose helping this great business in Mt. Vernon, as a legacy to the McClain family and to assist the family who took up the torch to carry on with Joe's Traditions.  They need our help to continue to run this small business, which was, and continues to be, influential to many and a special and important place to Mt. Vernon. Our college days may be behind us but we still have Joe’s (aka Yock’s Landing).

The new owner, Kelley(Douda) Yock, a Cornell Grad (’99) and her husband, Duane, have returned our bar to the one we loved and remember.  The only thing missing is Joe sitting in the corner drinking his Kessler’s and Diet Mt. Dew, being there for all of us. Before the “Safer at Home” regulations were implemented, Kelley and her husband talked about extending the back patio and doing some sort of homage to Joe.  However, with the mandated closure, and the students no longer around, they are beginning to feel the pinch, as many businesses are today.  While they will get through these times, they are continuing to invest in and restore this great place... but they need our help.

We write to you today to tell you about a great community project called Joe’s Landing.  This is an opportunity to invest in Mt. Vernon and be part of something very special.  Today, we begin to raise money to help the Yock's through the summer - for their business expenses and, for the addition of a patio as a living memorial to Joe and his family , as well as their commitment to the Mt. Vernon community.  We hope that when this pandemic is over we can come together and celebrate the mark our contributions leave on this special place.  We know that making a donation at this time might be difficult and not at the top of your mind, but during this time, the family is excited to move forward, continue to grow and to be ready to be back in business better than ever upon reopening.  In the near future you will hear more from us about the details of this capital campaign, ways for you to help, and how to make a difference for a place that we love and to honor the man and family that were all important to all of us.


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Wishing you all great health and happiness during this trying time. Remember, we are all in this together.