Nov 3

Written by: Joe Longo
Monday, November 03, 2008 

Meet local historian and author Sherman Zavitz on Nov. 8 from 10am to 1pm when he will have autographed copies of his two new books for sale. This is another library fund-raising initiative to purchase additional books for adults and children.

The revised and enlarged edition of "It Happened At Niagara" is a compilation of three earlier books of the same title. Series 1 was first published in 1996 by the Lundy's Lane Historical Society in cooperation with the Kiwanis Club of Stamford. Series 2 came out in 1999 and Series 3 in 2003, both published by the Lundy’s Lane Historical Society.

Founded in 1887, the Society is the second oldest organization of its kind in Ontario. It is still very active, not only publishing local history books but also holding regular monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month at the Victoria Ave. Library.

The Society’s executive decided a year or so ago that rather than trying to keep three "It Happened At Niagara" books in print, it would be more practical to combine them into one volume. This has now been done.

Many of the stories have undergone some revision and a number of additional pictures have been included. The first photos ever taken of Niagara Falls are in the book. They were made by Hugh Pattinson in 1840.

As well, three new stories have been added, bringing the total to 78. All are relatively short, high interest stories dealing with the history of Niagara Falls or the immediate area. The stories span the years 1678 to 1997.

Examples include: Niagara's First Honeymooners, Benjamin Lett: A Terrorist At Niagara, Jarvis Hanks: Drummer Boy at the Battle of Lundy's Lane, Nikola Tesla: Electrical History is Made at Niagara Falls, John Birchall: Swindler and Murderer and Marilyn Monroe: The Making of Niagara.

The format of “Niagara Falls: Historical Notes" published by Looking Back Press, a division of Vanwell Publishing Ltd., is the same as "It Happened At Niagara".

It has a collection of 45 of his favourite stories as originally published in the Niagara Falls Review, although many have been revised and more photos have been added, including some taken by George Bailey.

Examples include: The Green Tigers: The Stuff of Legends, The Cyanamid Pool: "Paradise for Bathers", The Spanish Flu: A Global Tragedy Scars Niagara, The Telephone Concert: Voices Across the Border and White Pigeon: A Fortune in Gold.

Many of the stories deal with people from our city's past who deserve to be remembered, such as Jim Rose, William Morwick, Claire Shuttleworth, Winnifred Stokes Hill and Dr. James McGarry.

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The topic “What is work?” will be discussed at the next Philosopher’s Café on Nov. 3 at 7pm at the Victoria Avenue Library with facilitator Jim Agar.