There Are Some Things They Just Cannot Tell You

There was a time when I would avoid writing about cancer because I felt like it was a cheap way to put together some content. I mean, people don't spend time writing articles about breathing, but yet they do it every day. Then it recently occured to me that I can help people with cancer by talking about things doctors cannot talk about. Being diagnosed with cancer is difficult enough without the ensuing fog of confusion that comes with it. I am going to try and be your light in that fog and help you get through a very difficult time.

Literally the Best Reviews: When the Men Were Gone

When the Men Were Gone -- Marjorie Herrera Lewis

William Morrow Paperbacks

240 Pages

I first saw this book reviewed in a literary magazine that I got from the Lockport Public Library. I thought it looked like a very interesting story that was based in history and was very character-centric. It seemed like it would be the type of book that I was go out of my way to read. When the Men Were Gone by Marjorie Herrera Lewis lived up to all the hype I gave it from just reading the review.

Shenanigans Episode 64: Our Daring Duo Saves the Day

This is the show that almost wasn't. We've never done a show with only two hosts. However, with last minute cancellations, Rich and Craig were determined that the show must go on. This isn't your typical Shenanigans. There are a lot more personal stories here, although we do hit upon some of the wacky news that we've found. Do you remember your first car? Your first apartment? When you bought your house? 

In Support of the Barker Public Library

As you’re all aware, the staff at Niagara’s Watercooler are all very into reading and visiting libraries. So, when we woke up to the awful news earlier this week about the fire at the Barker Public Library, we were genuinely shaken and concerned. We brainstormed about what we could do to help the library get back on its feet. There are a lot of different fundraisers going on, and sometimes it’s hard to wade through all of them to make sure any donation you send gets to the right place with the most impact.

Literally the Best Reviews: Saving Beck

Saving Beck - Courtney Cole

Gallery Books

304 Pages

I opened the cover for Saving Beck by Courtney Cole and read the summary on the inside. I stood there for a few moments, re-reading it. As the parent of three teenagers and a fourth one following rather closely behind, this book scared me before I even read a single page. I suppose there’s a worry that every parent gets when their children get to the age of making their own decisions. Will they make the right ones? We don’t always. That’s just a fact of life. However, what happens to the person who makes the wrong choices and what happens to their loved ones?

Niagara County Genealogical Society To Present Program January 26th

The Niagara County Genealogical Society will present a program on January 26th to help aspiring genealogists get started with their family history projects.

This presentation is for all people who have said to themselves at one time or another that they wish they knew more about who their family was, but have not started the journey (or are just starting). We can help you find those people, help you record the information in an organized way and share tips & strategies for using local and online resources to get you started!

Shenanigans Episode 63: Revisiting 2017 Part II

What happens when illness strikes the cast of Shenanigans? Well, we skip recording and build a "Best Of" (which is actually way harder than simply recording.) We dip back into the vaults to the last shows of 2017 to bring you some funny moments. We revisit bits about public restrooms, shopping on Amazon, homemade rocket kits for Flat Earthers, and Rich's favorite after dinner candy. There is an interesting conversation about the new Star Wars movies, and the Bibizzle rears its ugly head.

Literally the Best Reviews: The Hellfire Club

The Hellfire Club -- Jake Tapper

Little, Brown and Company

352 Pages

I’ve watched Jake Tapper as far back as his ABC days before he was hired by CNN. In those early days, it seemed like he used to smile a lot more. After reading The Hellfire Club, he should be smiling a whole lot more. Tapper’s debut novel had me consulting with various historical resources to keep abreast of the various pieces of this historical romp through 1950s Washington, DC.

Shenanigans Episode 62: The Toothless Sarlacc in the Devil's Junk Drawer

Shenanigans welcomes 2019 with some new looks and a new sound. Never fear -- we've kept the content the same. We have a new logo, with more visual changes coming. Thanks to Amanda Hodge for designing the new logo. This week, we try out a new game that the Bacon Bits got for Christmas. Does it pass the sniff test? Since we just survived New Year's, what are some hangover cures and do they really work? Millennials seem to hate everything, and we're sure this podcast is no different. And did Grover really swear? One of us can't hear it.

Book Reviews Reloaded: City of Savages

This article first appeared on East Niagara Post on April 14, 2015. It is repeated here as I work to put all my book reviews in one place. They will be posted on Thursdays or Fridays and only be altered from the original in that I will add publisher information and pages. Hopefully, by revisiting these reviews, other people might find a book they'd like to pick up for their own enjoyment.

City of Savages -- Lee Kelly

Saga Press

432 Pages

I pulled two books off the shelf at the Lockport Library and took both home with me. One was The Country of Ice Cream Star and the other was City of Savages. Both dealt with a post-apocalyptic world where the scattered survivors were struggling to overcome various hardships and a singular escape from the drudgery. My initial plan was to compare the two in a double book review. However, The Country of Ice Cream Star is written in the author’s invented pidgin English, and it was taking me longer to decipher it than I expected. Don’t worry though, I will be getting to that book’s review in the very near future.

Shenanigans Episode 61: The Best of Shenanigans Volume 1

It's always busy around the holidays, so we decided to take some time off. Instead, we put together some of our funniest moments from our early shows. If you're a new listener, here are some of the moments that got us started. If you're one of our loyal listeners, enjoy them once again. We start out with the Christmas Pickle story as originally introduced by George. We have bad drawings, weird cats, Paul Revere's outhouse, conning the phone scammers, Moosehead, and lip crayons. Enjoy!