Niagara Falls & Wheatfield Courier / Friday, October 17, 2014
-NIAGARA FALLS & WHEATFIELD-
Budwey’s U.S. #1, 5 lb. Bag
All Purpose White or Russet Baking Potatoes
24 $ For
1 535 Division St. Twin City Highway
VISIT US ON THE WEB! North Tonawanda
www.budweysmarkets.com
FROM OUR BAKERY Made From Scratch Daily
Budwey’s Famous Donuts Order Now
S $1.9 ave 8 on 2
693-2802
7
$ 69
for Your PRICES GOOD Halloween Party FROM 10/19/14-10/25/14 No Order Too Big or Small!
OCTOBER 17, 2014
Dozen
CIRCULATION 7,995
City twinkles once again By Mery Dorr
NT SUN CORRESPONDENT
A crowd of about 100 people gathered for a conversation with author Lauren Belfer in the City of Tonawanda library Saturday, Oct. 11. The author has penned two novels; however the focus
of the gathering was on the authors’ first novel “City of Light.” The novel is a historical fiction that showcases Pan American Buffalo and the technological revolution that occurred in the city in the early 1900s. Belfer was raised in the 1970s in the height of the economic de-
pression in Buffalo. After a lifetime of being unmotivated by the city she was raised in, it was serendipitous that the author was inspired to write “City of Light.” The novel took six years to research and write. On Saturday it took the author about 30 minutes to give the audi-
FALL LEAFGUARD SPECIAL Before LeafGuard
After LeafGuard
FREE IN-HOME DEMONSTRATION
THE LEAFGUARD DIFFERENCE
• Lifetime No Clog Warranty • Lifetime “No Fall-Off” Warranty • Unique Heavy Gauge Aluminum One Piece Seamless Also Design - Made Right At Your Home specializing in standard gutters, • Commercial Size 3”x4” Downspouts & Elbows covers for existing & • Choose From 13 Designer Colors aluminum or vinyl soffit & fascia. • Fully Insured/No Sub-Contractors
First 25 Appointments Will Receive
25% OFF Entire LeafGuard System
Up To $750 STOP CLEANING OUT GUTTERS & START SAVING! Save *Minimum 50 Feet
CALL TODAY • FREE ESTIMATE • BUFFALO 695-1010 • www.leafguard.com
With coupon. New contracts only. Not valid with any other coupon or promotion. Expires 11/30/14.
ence a visual and oral tour of her inspiration and the effort it took for her to gather material. Belfer described how she was inspired to include additional characters as she unearthed articles and accounts of influential people during Pan American Buffalo. Along with her husband Michael Marissen, who manned the visual equipment, Belfer showcased pictures of famous, and some forgotten, significant Buffalonians. She included slides of Buffalo architecture, some of which made it into the novel. The audience laughed at Belfer’s story of how she spontaneously received a tour of the Coatsworth mansion, after approaching someone moving into the home. Belfer pointed out Mary Talbert was only known to her for the housing project with her namesake in Buffalo. During her research, Belfer re-discovered Talbert and her contributions to the city and was inspired to write her into the novel. Belfert now lives in New York City; she explained much of her research was done at the library. She explained the libraries, both in New York City and Buffalo, are loaded with information about Buffalo and the surrounding area. While researching in Buffalo she did venture outside to find existing hints of historical Buffalo. She said, “The old city is all around us.” The slides showed the transformation of majes-
Lauren Belfer at the City of Tonawanda library. tic mansions and parks into parking lots and highways. Belfer also pointed out existing structures that hint to Buffalo’s regal past. On West Ferry Street the red brick wall that once fenced in the Albright estate now stands among a cluster of homes. Librarian Betsy Higgins invited the author to speak at the library. Higgins explained “City of Light” was published in 1999, making it really old in book years, but it still gets checked out. Higgins described Belfer as an advocate for libraries. She said, “She really does her homework. She goes to the NY public library. When
she comes to Buffalo, she goes to the downtown library; she goes to the historical society library, so she really uses libraries. It comes out in her books, she knows her stuff. She is very informed.” Belfer’s first short story was published after 43 rejections and her second after 27 rejections. Belfer credits her tenacity to her Buffalo roots. She joked that in Buffalo she learned to never give up and always keep going, akin to the city itself. Belfer believes the city of Buffalo is rejuvenated and once again the twinkling city of light.