Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Movie Rumors and Updates

J.J. Abrams loves to work in secrecy, and the results of some of his projects would have benefited everyone if they would have stayed a secret. But one of J.J. Abrams' projects that has gotten the attention of science fiction and kaiju (giant monster) fans is the Cloverfield series.

The original Cloverfield movie featured a new kaiju stomping around New York City destroying everything in its path. The movie was mildly entertaining despite the fact that it focused way too much on the human stories and the shaky camera effect was so bad that theaters eventually had to put up warnings about the movie.

Literally the Best Reviews: Chaos

Chaos Patricia Cornwell
William Morrow
400 Pages

There are certain authors who, whenever they have new books, I absolutely have to read. When I find a writer I like, I am unequivocally loyal to their work. Such is the case with today’s author, Patricia Cornwell. All the way back to 1990’s Postmortem, I’ve read all 24 Kay Scarpetta books. That first one was loaned to me by Jack Ioannone. Once I started reading it, I enjoyed the series. Over 25 years later, I still read Cornwell’s books, mostly has a lighter (in tome, not subject) flair to my regular reading. So once I spotted this on the library shelves, I grabbed it to bring it home.

Monday, February 27, 2017

On the Historical Trail: Rogers Grove

Nathan B. Rogers founded one of the oldest and most prominent families of Lockport before there even was a Lockport.  Mr. Rogers walked from Massachusetts in 1817, and he built a cabin at what today is the corner of East Avenue and Cleveland Place.  He was one of the first men to clear the road from Cold Springs to Transit, today’s East Avenue and Main Street.

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Lockport Downs East Coast 12-2 Sunday

The Lockport Express edged ever closer to that final playoff spot in the Northeast Division of the NA3HL after a convincing 12-2 victory over the East Coast Minutemen at the Essex Sports Arena in Massachusetts. Lockport now trails Roc City by a single point for the position, with the next game to be those two teams on Friday evening in Rochester.

Lockport Shoots Down Minutemen, 8-2

The Lockport Express edged closer to a playoff spot after an 8-2 victory over the East Coast Minutemen at the Essex Sports Center in Massachusetts. They now trail the Roc City Royals by 3 points with four games left on Lockport’s schedule. Roc City has two games remaining, including one against the Express on Friday.

REMINISCING: Race Day With Grandma

Today is the Daytona 500. Watching the race is kind of a tradition in my family, although I’m sure neither Wendy, nor the girls really care too much about it. But it is a tradition that goes a long way back to when I was a young kid. Some readers may initially scoff at a NASCAR tradition, but I think you’ll understand by the end.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Thinking Out Loud on the Homefront: Oh, the Things We Do

Hello again. It's been far too long since I graced this virtual space with some thoughts. I'm sure the bosses are thrilled. But they know life happens while you're making plans. Right? I think that's the phrase. Anyway, let's get to it, shall we?
For all you parents out there, I have a question:

Friday, February 24, 2017

Quick Thoughts of Bacon Volume 1

I don’t normally post on a Friday. For the most part, I have made Friday and Saturday my days away from posting unless there is a hockey game. As the official media sponsor for the Lockport Express, Niagara’s Watercooler must post on those days they have games. On other weeks, I simply give myself a break on those days. Today, however, while reading the news, I read something that I thought I could write about.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Southern Tier Derails Lockport 9-4

The playoff hopes for the Lockport Express get tighter and tighter as each game winds down. With only five games remaining in the regular season and still trailing the Roc City Royals by five points, each point is worth so much more. After losing Thursday morning to the Southern Tier Xpress, 9-4, Lockport is facing a pair of must-wins in Massachusetts this weekend.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: Signs Signs

Many people probably remember the restaurant in North Versailles, Pennsylvania which used its business sign to get some political messages across to the public, particularly before, during, and after the 2008 Presidential election. Those messages made waves across the internet. While Lockport did not have signs like those, we did have signs that were very close to the heart.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Catching Up With the Lockport Express Week 21

The Lockport Express grabbed 4 out of 6 points last weekend, including an all-important pair of points against the Roc City Royals. Lockport trails Roc City by 5 points, with four games in hand over the Royals. The Express split the other pair of games against the Skylands Kings. Roc City were handed two additional defeats after the Lockport game, to the Binghamton Junior Senators.

The Official Guide On How To Have Cancer

I promised myself and you guys that I would not constantly write about my experiences in battling cancer, but I guess it is now such a part of me that I have to get some of it out. Now that I am able to kind of slow everything down and look at my situation objectively, I realize that I may be able to help people who have cancer and people who know someone who has cancer.

How can I help? By giving you advice based on experience that may just help you realize what is going on in your head, and what is going on in the heads of the people around you.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Literally the Best Reviews: Conclave

Conclave -- Robert Harris
Knopf Publishers
304 Pages

Occasionally I pick up a book that I simply cannot put down. This week’s book, Conclave by Robert Harris, was one of those books. I read the whole thing in one day. The first 275 pages were simply stunning. The ending left a little bit of an empty feeling as a reader, but overall, I just could not put down this book.

Monday, February 20, 2017

Bacon to Give Talk About Census Saturday, February 25th.


Census Line by Line

For genealogists, census records are an essential and invaluable source for geographically locating their family over time, as well as for pointing to other original, primary records for additional information.

On the Historical Trail: The Bacons Come to America

Recently, I was taking a look through Ancestry.com to see if I could find when my great-great grandfather and his family arrived in the United States from England. I knew the approximate year, so I checked ship records for their names. Not only did I find Edward Bacon with his family, I found his brother George and his family who joined them, and the name of the ship on which they sailed. Then I learned some amazing things about that ship.

PODCAST: Lockport Express vs Skylands Kings 02-19-2017 PART TWO

PART ONE can be found:  http://www.niagaraswatercooler.com/2017/02/podcast-lockport-express-vs-skylands_20.html

PODCAST: Lockport Express vs Skylands Kings 02-19-2017 PART ONE

Lockport Drops Skylands 6-2 Sunday Afternoon

The Lockport Express kept their playoff hopes alive while dashing those hopes for the visiting Skylands Kings. After a spirited 6-2 victory, Lockport moved within five points of Roc City, who lost 13-3 earlier in the day. The Royals have two games remaining, and the Express still have six to go on the season Meanwhile, the loss dropped the Skylands Kings out of playoff contention.

Sunday, February 19, 2017

PODCAST: Lockport Express vs Skylands Kings 02-18-2017

Lockport Drops 3-2 Decision to Skylands

In the race for the final playoff spot, Binghamton helped Lockport with a 16-1 victory over the Roc City Royals. However, at the Cornerstone Ice Arena, Lockport was not able to overcome the visiting Skylands Kings. Despite being outshot 60-34, the Kings were able to skate away with a 3-2 victory.

REMINISCING: Social Media Origami

The idea for this week’s Reminiscing comes to us courtesy of Scott Leffler. I asked him what I could write about this week and he mentioned this subject. I’ll be discussing my generation’s social media -- the intricately folded notes that we passed from one to another in junior high and high school. That was the way we communicated with each other in school. Whether it be a surreptitious pass to the cute girl in the next aisle when the teacher’s back was turned, or while passing in the hall, our news spread through these little, folded pieces of paper.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

PODCAST: Lockport Express vs Roc City Royals 02-17-2017

Lockport Drops Roc City 5-1 Friday Night

The playoff race for the Lockport Express looked a little rosier after their 5-1 takedown of the Roc City Royals. The Royals currently occupy the fourth and final spot in the playoff race in the Northeast Division with 33 points. Lockport trails by 7 points with four games in hand on Roc City.

Friday, February 17, 2017

North Park Library Dedicated in Honor of Aaron Mossell

The City of Lockport School District honored the man who broke racial barriers in Lockport’s school system Thursday evening. The Aaron A. Mossell Library Media Center was formally dedicated at a ceremony in the library at North Park Junior High School.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Three Express Players Make Niagara Commitment

Three members of the Lockport Express have made their college commitments to Niagara University and that college’s ACHA Hockey program. Goalie Sam Fitzpatrick, and Defensemen Gibson Stuart and Pavel Kovtunov will be joining the hockey team for its next season. The three were recruited by Nate Miller who had much to say about his new team members.

These Old Walkin' Shoes: A Pirate Looks at 40

I turned 40 a couple years ago. I had a big party and they tell me it was a very good time. But, now that I’ve entered my 40s, I’ve officially become old according to every teenager on the planet. While I don’t feel nor act old, I do have some questions firmly from the Land of Curmudgeon. There were some questions from childhood that have yet to be satisfactorily answered.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

I Can Make It ... Of Course I Can

Every year the Buffalo Bills let us down like an unreliable prom date, and every year it still feels like Sundays without football is like torture. Yes, I know. Football players and the NFL are:


  • Whiny millionaires and billionaires
  • Thugs
  • Self-entitled people
  • Arrogant
You can add in your own stereotype there if you want, but I would always fight people by saying that not every NFL player is like that. The majority of owners have shown themselves to be money grubbing liars, but not every owner. Most...pretty much all of them.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express Week 20

The Lockport Express lost ground to the Roc City Royals in the playoff race, but still remain in the thick of the hunt. Lockport dropped a 5-4 decision to Roc City on Friday, and then the Royals split a pair of games against Skylands. Lockport trails Roc City by 9 points for the final playoff spot, but have four games in hand on the Royals.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Literally the Best Reviews: Brooklyn

Brooklyn -- Colm Toibin
Scribner Publishers
262 Pages


It is very rare that I watch a movie before reading a book, if there’s a book available. It’s even rarer that I like the movie better than I like the book. Generally, the movie glosses over certain aspects while the book dives deep into the plots and characters. This book breaks the mold and the movie ends up far deeper than the book.

Monday, February 13, 2017

On the Historical Trail: Lockport's Oldest Park

This new column will be a semi-regular look at some local history around the area. It will mainly focus on Niagara County, but may sometimes even include some Orleans County History. That Orleans history will likely only be from Medina and Lyndonville areas. Sometimes, this history column will be something from family history. I hope you all enjoy.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

REMINISCING: Still Cruising After All These Years

I was looking through my mess of a library the other day for a piece of research for my fire department book. While I was unable to locate it (which means a quick trip to the Lockport Library on Monday to verify), I did run across my copy of “American Graffiti.” Thinking about that movie made me think of some days from my own youth.

Lockport Drops Heart Breaker to Roc City

The Lockport Express had a chance to make up ground on fourth place Roc City Friday evening when the two teams faced off at the Lakeshore Ice Arena. The Express dropped a heart breaker when the Royals scored with only two seconds left on the clock, 5-4. The loss dropped Lockport seven points behind Roc City for the final playoff spot.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

This too shall pass

I know what it feels like to have the bills keep piling up until it seems like it will never end. It never feels like you have enough money for anything and you would give your left arm just to be able to take your wife or husband out for a decent meal in a restaurant. It is a confining feeling that sometimes makes you want to yell until you lose your voice, or simply bash your head against the wall.

This too shall pass.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express Week 19

The Lockport Express split their home and home series with the Pittsburgh Vengeance and gained two points on the fourth place Roc City Royals by doing so. In the Pittsburgh series, each home team won their respective game. Lockport won 1-0 Friday evening behind a stellar performance from goalie, Sam Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh won 7-3 at their home rink on Saturday.

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Literally the Best Reviews: Speaking American -- Josh Katz

Speaking American: How Y’All, Youse & You Guys Talk -- Josh Katz
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
224 Pages

The return of the book reviews after a lengthy hiatus will be short and sweet. That’s mostly because the book I’m reviewing is short and sweet. And fun. Walking through the library last week, I saw a book on the new non-fiction release shelf. It immediately intrigued me. Speaking American by Josh Katz jumped out at me with its bright cover and its subject matter.

Sunday, February 5, 2017

PODCAST: Lockport Express vs Pittsburgh Vengeance 02-03-2017

Pittsburgh Gets Vengeance for Friday's Loss

The second half of Lockport’s home and home series with the Pittsburgh Vengeance did not turn out quite as well as the game Friday night. Pittsburgh welcomed the Express to the Alpha Ice Complex with a 7-3 victory over the visitors.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Express Delivers Shutout to Vengeance

Andrew Logar scored the lone goal of the game Friday evening as the Lockport Express defeated the Pittsburgh Vengeance in NA3HL action. The win moves the Express two points closer to the final playoff spot as Roc City dropped their decision to Binghamton 5-1. Lockport and Pittsburgh will face off again this evening at 6:30 in Pittsburgh for the second half of the home and home.

Thursday, February 2, 2017

These Old Walkin' Shoes: All You Need is Love

Some of you may have been wondering, “What’s going on with Bacon?” Yes, I have been fairly lax in posting new material since the first of the year, but soon that will be changing. I hope it will, anyway. As I’ve stated before, I go through moments of writing block. This may be one of those times, or it may be something different.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

The Escalating Joy

I am a fairly observant person and I like to make mental notes of the things that make me happy. Mostly so I can go back to them and forget a particularly lousy day I have had or am in the middle of having. Because I am observant I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing more significant or frigging cuter than watching a child develop from birth to the age of four. I have the good fortune of watching two children develop through those ages and it brings me nothing but escalating joy.

Catching Up With the Lockport Express Week 18

Lockport came away with 2 points over the weekend out of a possible six. As the number of games wind down, the points get tighter and more important, the Express will need to grab more points each week if they are to make the playoffs. Currently, they trail the Roc City Royals by 7 points for the final playoff spot in the Northeast Division.

Old Fort Niagara Annual Snowshoe Patrol February 4th

Old Fort Niagara invites the public to imagine life as a soldier on the Niagara Frontier in the 1700s by attending its annual Snowshoe Patrol on Saturday, February 4, 2017. The fort’s staff, volunteers and reenactors will offer programs and hands-on activities about winter survival, the Great Lakes fur trade, historic games and trades. Visitors will also learn about the history of the snowshoe and march into the woods to witness a skirmish between reenactors.

Defiant Monkey To Perform at Taylor Theater February 8th.

Defiant Monkey Improv will perform their live "Master of Improv Comedy Show" at the Kenan Center Taylor Theater at 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017.  The Kenan Center is located at 433 Locust St, Lockport, NY.  Over an hour of live comedy improv presented by Karen & Andy - Masters of Improv! Admission is $10.