NIAGARA FALLS —
don.glynn@niagara-gazette.com
Countless times you heard people complain that they have no idea what kind of gift to buy someone for Christmas.
For a few years — actually more than a decade — I’ve suggest books focusing on the Niagara area and its history. The reader response has been gratifying.
That’s a relatively inexpensive gift that always seems especially appropriate for longtime residents or perhaps natives who have moved elsewhere.
The list includes new publications as well as some popular for years.
One of the best released in 2010 is “After The Falls: Coming of Age in the Sixties,” by Catherine Gildiner, who grew up in Lewiston and as a child worked at her father’s pharmacy (McClure’s) at Third Street and Ferry Avenue. It’s a sequel to Gildiner’s “Too Close to the Falls,” a New York Times’ best-seller.
“Niagara Falls, New York: A City Is Born, A City Matures,” by Hamilton B. Mizer (Niagara County Historical Society, paperback, $12.50). Mizer, a former managing editor and publisher of the Niagara Gazette, produced this topical history through in-depth research at the Niagara Falls Public Library’s Local History Department.
“Niagara: A History,” by Pierre Berton (McClelland & Stewart Inc., 478 pages, paperback, $8.99.
“Inventing Niagara: Beauty, Power and Lies,” by Ginger Strand (Simon & Schuster, 337 pages, paperback, $16)
“Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought The Second War of Independence,” by A. J. Langguth (Simon & Schuster, 482 pages, hardcover, $30). As the bicentennial of the forgotten war approaches, here’s an excellent chance to find out exactly how it started and what happened during those three years.
“Ghosts of 1812: History, Folklore and the Niagara Way,” by Mason Winfield (Petit Printing Corp., 188 pages, paperback, $15.95)
“Niagara Falls Q&A: Answers to the 100 Most Common Questions About Niagara Falls,” by Paul Gromosiak (Western New York Wares, 45 pages, paperback).
More than 20 years after publication, this small book remains a favorite with tourists as well as local residents wanting to provide their out-of-town guests with interesting facts about Niagara.
“The Golden Age of Buffalo Sports,” by Daniel P. Starr (Buffalo Heritage Unlimited, 314 pages, paperback, $24.95). Don’t be misled by the title. Niagara University basketball fans will find a wealth of memories from the days when the Purple Eagles played in Memorial Auditorium.
“Bodyslams in Buffalo: The Complete History of Pro Wrestling in Western New York,” by Dan Murphy (Western New York Wares, paperback, $9.95) Remember Monsignor Franklin Kelliher as the Masked Marvel, Ilio DiPaolo tossing Gorgeous George in and around the ring, and Ricky Steamboat?
Lots of memories here for the wrestling fans who packed the old Buffalo Memorial Auditorium.
•••
OUT OF THE PAST: Did you know that the Pilgrims first observed Thanksgiving in October, when the new colonists and their Indian allies feasted on turkey and venison, pumpkin and corn?
The event was first formally celebrated in 1864 during President Abraham Lincoln’s administration. It was moved to its November date and declared a national holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
A number of people along both sides of the U.S.-Canada border think it would be appropriate for the two nations to celebrate the feast on the same date. At present, Canadians observe theirs on the second Monday in October.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Opinion
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Glynn
GLYNN: Books on Niagara area still popular as gifts
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GLYNN: VFW post keeps spirit alive
At one time, members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars-Post 313 would march down Main Street in Youngstown on Memorial Day to the 1812 Cemetery near Old Fort Niagara. That same scenario out of the past occurred for decades in cities, towns and villages across the U.S.
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HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
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GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
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BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
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CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
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CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
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GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
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HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
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GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
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