Go and Say Goodbye

The word came down this week that we’re losing The Bon Ton store in Lockport. With its closing, it truly marks the end of an era, in several ways. The last vestige of the Lockport Mall will now no longer be there. Sure, the building may remain, but the last ties have been broken. It also breaks the chain back to the Buffalo department store -- AM&A’s.

Let's Eat! - Sunset Drive-In

As a drive-in person, I often forget that many drive-ins are also legitimate restaurants. We have many drive-in theaters in our immediate area, and many of them are also very good restaurants. With drive-in season just around the corner, it is a good time to check out the food offered at the Sunset restaurant and maybe throw a little light on the ice cream stand that has been running at the Sunset for years.

Thank You Old Gray Goose

I have lived in Lockport for all but four of the years I have been alive. I grew up here, which means I had plenty of contact with the Old Gray Goose. We kids knew him as Goose. For some reason, when we became adults it became necessary to put a last name on him, so we call him Goose Gray. He always claimed to be 150 years old, and I don't think there is a living Lockportian today who would contradict that. On February 14, 2018 we lost our Old Gray Goose...but we will never forget him.

Let's Eat! Lou's Restaurant

If you have ever spent any time on Webster street in North Tonawanda, then you know that there are some great places to eat near the Riviera Theater. That whole area is filled with interesting places, and Lou's Restaurant is one of the more cozier places to grab something to eat. From the outside, Lou's looks like a tiny place. But don't let that fool you or stop you from grabbing a table.

Lack of First-Hand Perspective

It is bad enough that no one wants to discuss things on the Internet anymore and that everyone prefers to argue even though they are not changing anyone's mind. Along with that, I have noticed a disturbing trend of people who give opinions and even lash out at others when they have no first-hand knowledge of what is being discussed. To me, this is a significantly larger problem than the constant need to argue because now people are arguing without facts, and that is absolutely dangerous.

Let's Eat! - Grovers Bar and Grill

Yeah, this one is a bit of a drive out of Lockport, but it is well worth it. After years of driving by Grovers and never stopping in but hearing amazing things about it, I finally decided to check it out. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I found a place worth leaving the house for once in a while. There is a lot to Grovers Bar and Grill that make it well worth the trip.

What Will 2018 Bring?

It has been a while since I have written anything here, or done much of anything outside of my home. Maybe you are wondering where I have been, maybe you haven't. But I feel like I at least owe an explanation to the good people who have taken the time over the past few months to read what I write. My intentions for 2018 are ambitious. However, what my body will actually allow me to do is another question.

Shenanigans Episode 10 - The Happy Birthday Show!

The guys talk a little bit about some upcoming birthdays in the group, and a lot about comments on things found on the Internet. Howie educates the guys on the happiest little town in the world, and we all learn about the mass destruction capabilities of sugar-free gummy bears.

This Is Not How You Build A Hockey Team

I haven't done a sports column in a long time, and I am seeing a pattern emerge with the Buffalo Sabres that inspired me to write about sports today. There have been rumors about the Sabres trading Evander Kane since last season, and now the media is speculating that every player on the roster except for Jack Eichel is up for grabs. It seems to me that the Sabres in general, no matter who the general manager may be, have no idea how to actually build a winning hockey team.

Shenanigans Episode 9 - Using our Doggy Style

The guys finally bring out the Bibizzle and read the 10 Commandments from it. Everything just sort of goes downhill from there.

Cast: Howie, George, Charlie, Craig, Rich, just enough Yoko to make it interesting

Runtime: About 60 minutes

Happy Thanksgiving from Niagara's Watercooler

Tomorrow the day starts at about 7:00 a.m. when I get up and then the babies get up. The wife would have been home from work for about an hour, and she will be cooking something. Every year I try to convince her to lay off on all of the pies and stuff she makes, but the lady loves to cook. Thanksgiving and Christmas are the two days out of the year when I stay out of her way. At 9:00 a.m., the babies and I will turn on the parade while the fire in the fireplace just gets started. Thanksgiving will be in full force, and it will be awesome.

Shenanigans Episode 7 - The Stuff They Sell On Amazon

The guys talk a lot about poop and then get distracted by books. Craig announces the pending arrival of the Bibizzle, and then the guys do a little shopping on Amazon. Charlie starts to say a lot more than 7 words in an hour, and Howie retains his title as Shenanigans champion. Once the guys realize Rich is not there, the show comes to an end.

He Ain't Heavy

I have a very unique position here with Niagara's Watercooler in that I do what I can, when I can. Over the last couple of weeks, I have been so sick that I could not talk or really do much of anything else. I am one of those "lucky" people who can turn a regular cold into a bedside watch. I remember when Craig and I started the Watercooler, and then I had to take a backing role to his lead when my health just showed no signs of getting better. But in my capacity as unpredictable contributor, I get to sit back and watch the volumes of material Craig puts out. And I don't think many people realize just how much he puts into educating Lockport about itself.

Shenanigans Episode 6 - The Vatican's Porn

Craig, Rich, and Charlie bring in Wendy to talk about a variety of topics, including the extensive porn collection owned by the Vatican. One can only wonder.

Cast: Craig, Charlie, Rich, Wendy, Howie's balls (always there in spirit)

Shenanigans Episode 5 - The Worst Halloween Special Ever

The guys start off with an honest attempt at a Halloween special, but beverages get served and everything just goes wrong. Rich gives his website of the week, and the big story of the show puts an emphasis on punctuation.

Let's Eat! - Papa Leo's

Papa Leo's is a local business started and run by a local guy that serves really good local food. The Main Street location has been around long enough that everyone should have eaten there at least once. There used to be a lunch buffet at Papa Leo's that was out of this world, but they no longer do it. I would imagine expenses got in the way. But that buffet was my introduction to Papa Leo's and we have been going back ever since.

Shenanigans Episode 4 - Dude Looks Like A Lady

In this episode the guys start off discussing some of Howie's potential friends and Rich suggests that Howie could be friends of a future Playboy centerfold. Charlie speaks up, Rich gives us the website of the week, Craig talks about where his thumb holes are, and Nicholas Cage's suspect skills as an actor are examined.

Rest In Peace Officer Lehner

For the past week or so, we have all seen the tributes to Officer Craig Lehner on Facebook. Officer Lehner was one of those specialists who was trained to do things most other officers could not do. When the police needed an expert diver for difficult situations, Officer Lehner was one of the experts they called on. When one of his extreme training sessions went wrong, Officer Lehner was suddenly and unjustly taken from us. His passing is a tragedy, but what Officer Lehner was able to accomplish in the wake of his accident was more significant than anything any politician has been able to do for a very long time.

Meet The Clinton Street Mural Painter

By now, you may have noticed the new mural that has been put in place on Clinton Street hill and wondered about the guy who did it. There have been plenty of murals painted on that wall, but this one is something different. The new mural also contains a piece that is a tribute to the late, great singer of the Tragically Hip, Gord Downie. The artist who painted the mural is Jeffrey Sidebottom, and we talked to him about his new Lockport piece of art.

Let's Eat! - Lock 34 Bar and Grill

I give credit to any bar and grill that can stay in business for years in downtown Lockport, because that is not an easy thing to do. Lock 34 has shown that not only is it capable of sustaining itself in that difficult business climate, but it thrives. There is so much to Lock 34 that one review won't do it justice, but I will give it a try!