REMINISCING: Trick or Treat

It’s Halloween and that means costumes. Or does it? All the latest rage is to make Halloween the “Next Big Holiday” but there have been less and less kids out for trick-or-treating. Instead the focus seems to be on parties rather than letting the kids go out into the neighborhood. I’m torn on that, seeing both sides of the issue. However, I’d rather talk about my Halloween adventures. Well. mostly.

Jersey Shore Doubles Up on Lockport, 8-4.

Visiting Jersey Shore Wildcats doubled up on the Lockport Express 8-4 in action Friday evening at the Cornerstone Ice Arena. The same teams will face off again tonight at 8:00pm at the downtown Lockport rink.

Author Lynn Cullen Visits Lockport Library

National bestselling author, Lynn Cullen visited the Lockport Public Library Tuesday evening to discuss the background of her latest novel, Twain’s End. This was part of the 10th anniversary of the “One Book, One County” program. About 70 people were in attendance for the event.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express - Week 8

The Binghamton Junior Senators rolled into town and reminded the Lockport fans that they are number one in the league for a reason. They left with two victories and a combined score of 13-5. However, the Express showed Binghamton that on any given game, they can skate with the best of them.

Literally the Best Reviews: Twain's End

 It's a double feature today, as I repost an earlier review. Lynn Cullen will be at the Lockport Library this evening at 6:30.

Twain’s End -- Lynn Cullen

Gallery Books

352 pages

Arguably one of America’s greatest writers, Mark Twain has had plenty written about him, even a century after his death. This includes the mammoth three-volume autobiography just recently completed. Even through decades of controversy, our infatuation with Twain and his legacy continues to grow. With Twain’s End, Lynn Cullen attempts to give us a quick glimpse into the final years of Samuel Clemens and his alter ego, Twain.

Literally the Best Reviews: 15th Affair

15th Affair -- James Patterson with Maxine Paetro

Grand Central Publishing

400 Pages

I had to think and rethink as to whether I was going to write this review. While I enjoy reading the books in the “Women’s Murder Club,” I have a hard time reconciling the fact that James Patterson gets all the credit for other people’s work. Sure, he is the originator of the idea and gets final veto power on what has been written, but I believe credit is due to the smaller names on the front cover. It is for them that I decided to write this review.

REMINISCING: Lock Stock and Barrel

Yes, I know that this week’s Reminiscing is just a tad bit late, but there have been events in the family life which have taken precedence over sitting down to write an article. It is late Sunday night and I thought I had a couple ideas I could choose from. However, my mind is really not latching onto much of anything. Still, I will take a few moments and get something out for all my loyal readers.

Binghamton Knocks Off Lockport, 8-1

After a game Saturday night that saw the Lockport Express skate stride for stride with the league-leading Binghamton Junior Senators, the Express couldn’t keep up with the visitors Sunday afternoon. The Junior Senators left Western New York with a 8-1 victory on Sunday and a weekend sweep.

Binghamton Wins Close Game Over Express, 5-4

Anyone who missed the game Saturday evening at the Cornerstone Ice Arena between the Lockport Express and Binghamton Junior Senators missed a fantastic game. Despite the final score, 5-4, in favor of Binghamton, both teams put on a show for the couple hundred fans in the stands.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: If You Could Read My Mind

A couple months ago, I wrote about the Guns of Seneca, which were the strange booms that occasionally happen around here. In continuing in that same vein, I had a flashback to the summers of my youth and the mysteries I saw over Lake Ontario while it was cloaked in darkness of those warm nights. I'm talking about the lights on the lake. If you live near the lake, you might already know what I'm about to tell you.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express: Week 7

The Lockport Express had a rare off weekend as a pair of games were postponed in Massachusetts against the East Coast Minutemen. Those games have been rescheduled for February 25-26 at the Essex Sports Center. In the meantime, maybe the extra rest and planning will help the Express as they take on league-leading Binghamton Junior Senators.

Literally the Best Reviews: Guy Novel

Guy Novel - Michael Ryan

Permanent Press

263 Pages

Sometimes it feels like I’ve been writing book reviews forever. Other times it feels like just yesterday that I started. But here it is -- this is my 100th book review. Some of you have been here for each and every one. Thank you. Others may pop in and out as a book cover grabs your interest. Thank you, too. Here’s to the next 100.

REMINISCING: The Legend of the Corded Telephone

Many of you probably don’t realize this, but phones used to have cords on them that kept the talk basically leashed to the wall or to the desk. Some of you may even be surprised that phones used to be tied down to each house.Plus, we couldn’t take our phones with the car to us. It was the Dark Ages of the Telephony Era.

Express Games Postponed

The regularly scheduled games for the Lockport Express for Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16, against the East Coast Minutemen have been postponed until February 25 and 26 at the Essex Sports Center in Massachusetts. An issue with the rink caused the delay.

On the Homefront: Nature vs Nurture

After a week off, I've returned with a piece of writing that deals with the debate many of us learned about in high school or college. That is, are people born a certain way, or are they taught to be a certain way?

Before you get excited, thinking I'm going to be talking about ongoing political talking points like whether a man can be with a man or a woman a woman, I'll stop you. This is not that type of column. Frankly, who people choose to associate with in their private time is none of my business.

Old Fort Niagara to Offer 'Haunted Fortress' Tours

Youngstown, N.Y. – Old Fort Niagara’s seasonal fall fundraiser, Haunted Fortress, will take place on Saturdays, October 15 and 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. and tickets are now on sale. Visitors on this 45-minute tour will experience the dark side of Old Fort Niagara, meet ghosts from its past, tour the 1812 cemetery, and get creeped out by stories around the campfire.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: Mystery Train

Last night I was looking at Google Maps of the area around my grandmother's house in Lyndonville. In satellite view, I flew over the small Western New York Village, recognizing places I once played during the summers spent with my grandmother. As I moved the scene around town, I realized that the old Hojack Railroad Bridge was gone.

Literally the Best Reviews: The Room With the Second-Best View

The Room With the Second-Best View -- Virginia Smith

Harvest House Publishers

224 Pages

I have reviewed other books in the Goose Creek B&B series. While these are listed under “Inspirational” on the bookshelves at the Lockport Library, it is not the typical inspirational story that you find on those shelves. They are inspirational in that these books detail the best of what it means to be a husband, wife, neighbor, and friend.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express: Week 6

The Lockport Express head back out on the road after a quick, one game homestand and a six game losing streak. This weekend they are off to the Boston, Massachusetts area to take on the East Coast Minutemen. The Express are hoping to right the train and grab a couple wins before returning home to face the powerhouse tandem of the Binghamton Junior Senators and the Jersey Shore Wildcats.

Shea's Buffalo Presents "Finding Neverland"

It sure seems that Wendy and I spend a lot of date nights at the theater. Mostly we find ourselves at the Palace in Lockport, but this time was just a little bit different. Our anniversary was last week, and we always celebrate during Columbus Day weekend. Our schedules just work better that way. So, as a special date night for our anniversary, we got tickets to see “Finding Neverland” at Shea’s in Buffalo.

Express Continues to Struggle After 6-3 Loss

The Lockport Express completed the home and home series with the Pittsburgh Vengeance with  loss Saturday night in Pittsburgh, 6-3. With the loss, the Express drop into a three-way tie for third place with Roc City and Syracuse.

Lockport Express Fall Flat Friday Against Pittsburgh

The Lockport Express returned home after a long road trip to face the Pittsburgh Vengeance. Their efforts fell flat in a 7-3 loss to the visiting team Friday evening at the Cornerstone Ice Arena.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express: Week 5

The Lockport Express are back in Lockport for a home game at the Cornerstone Ice Arena Friday evening at 8pm. After a rather lengthy road trip, the Express will face off against the Pittsburgh Vengeance.

REMINISCING: Wedding Bells & Anniversaries

Welcome to a special edition of “Reminiscing.” Why special, you may ask? Well, Tuesday October 4th, was my wedding anniversary. After 19 years being married to Wendy, she deserves a column that talks about how great she is. And truly she’s really great. She’s put up with me for not only the last 19 years of marriage but an additional six years of dating. Yes, you mathletes have figured that out correctly. Wendy and I have been together for 25 years. It’s kind of our silver anniversary tour.

Express Derailed By Binghamton

Binghamton Junior Senators continued to dominate the Northeast Division with a resounding 7-1 win over the visiting Lockport Express Saturday evening. After starting the season with three consecutive wins, the Express have dropped the last three games, and have only been able to tally 2 goals in that time.