From left: Doug Moog, Charlie Epes, Rick Halpern, Nick Bakay, Kingman Bassett, Sr.
A photo from Charlie Epes of a 1960s cookout at Kingman Bassett's house in Rose Hill, Canada, across the Peace Bridge from Buffalo. Looks like cheeseburgers on the (typically rusty) BFG. Somebody once told me that at dinner time, you could hear the whirr of the blowers cranking up from house to house along the shore. Thanks, Charlie, for posting this on Facebook and letting me share it here.
A snap of my dad's old dog, Smokey, running down a 1930s Buffalo street, back before leash laws. As I recount in The Secret of Math below, Smokey could say "I want one!" according to my father. When I told my kindergarten teacher that maybe some animals could talk, specifically Smokey, I was laughed out of class by her and my classmates. This led me to question some of my father's other claims, for instance, that the secret of math was "a sharp pencil." Now, a YouTube video has shaken me to the core. A dog that can say "I love you" as clear as day, here. And there are countless other posts of talking dogs.
My father was telling the truth after all. So the secret of math is a sharp pencil? My hair was too long? Dad, I'm sorry I ever doubted you. Happy Father's Day to the World's Greatest Dad.
This is my friend Harley Spiller's rare Weber. He has recently taken it "into the shop." I have asked him to keep us posted on the project. Note the metal handle, which is what they used before they switched to a wood handle, because wood doesn't get as hot. This was told to me by Weber expert Matt O'Brien, a curator at the blog Weber Kettle Club, which is absolutely fantastic.
The Weber was purchased by Harley's father, Mortimer Spiller, who sold grills himself.
Nice boxes for sale on craigslist, spotted by Adam Gibson. Adam remembered that I had spotted some earlier at a farmer's market. They were nice and sturdy.
I know, it's a little late, but I just got this and thought I'd post it. Maybe some Buffalo, NY readers may recognize a name or two in it. My father plays a Boy (Monday night) and Jared, a hostler (also Monday night). Dad was a student at the School of Practice there. Click to enlarge.
Photo: Jim Nolan
Photo: Fred W. McDarrah, Albright-Knox Collection
The terrific shot above is of George Segal working on his wonderful "Cinema" sculpture, taken by Fred McDarrah in 1964. "Cinema" is one of the many amazing works from the 1960s in the Albright-Knox. Both the photo and the sculpture were given to the gallery by, who else, Seymour H. Knox, Jr.
My grandmother Isabel Curry Nolan, fashionably keeping her hands warm in Buffalo. My friend Jon Ward informs me that this was also known as a "snood."
Buffalo's Central High School Class of 1912. My grandfather, the Class Poet, is in the top row, 6th from the right. And my younger son, George, graduated yesterday. The Class Poet's son, George's grandfather, was there to watch.
Click here to listen to To The Class Of 2010, from the Class of 1912
Photo credit: Adam Gibson
Adam Gibson reports on a recent Buffalo outing with his son Trent:
"I am not sure if you have ever had the opportunity to visit the Buffalo Fire Museum but it is really something you should consider on one of your trips home. I meant to tell you weeks ago when we were there that I ran into some older gentle souls that volunteer there that used to work for Buffalo Forge. Most of the tour guides are retired fireman and like I mentioned the one guy I spoke with had some amazing Buffalo forge stories to tell me. Here are a few pics from the visit. The museum is located in the Love Joy district."
Thanks, Adam. If you get a chance, check it out. The address is: 1850 William Street, Buffalo, NY 14206. The phone number is (716) 892-8400.
