Dear Folks, This afternoon my friend Janet Jachlewski, our Village of Youngstown Historian, and I had a long intense and productive discussion about finallizing my veterans project and then we went from there to what was being planned in September here in Niagara County. Janet is a couple of years older than I and I don't know where she gets her energy from, but she's on top of everything. She had clued me in about a month ago that the local historians of Niagara County would be playing host to the historians all over New York state in September. That surprised me inasmuch as I subscribe to the NYS historians mailing list and no mention has been made so far as to all of us meeting here. Janet explained that it was still in the planning stages. Janet told me that as a welcoming "basket" for each attendee each Town and Village and Hamlet would put something in it that would symbolize our particular simple "fame." Janet had even planned ahead as what the Town of Porter could contribute that would symbolize the town. Not only did she come up with the perfect idea, she made phone calls, searched through catalogs and had the perfect plan down almost to a tee. What is the rural Town of Porter really noted for? It's noted for it's fruit orchards. Janet came up with the idea of buying simple 4-inch square boxes, selecting the perfect September local apple in season (I suggested wrapping it in tissue paper), closing the box and paste a stickum label on it with the wording "The Town of Porter Invites you to [inserted graphic of the Town logo] Take a bite out of history." Of course the two of us really came up with that eventual idea. Just the Youngstown Historian and me the Town of Porter Historian. But here's the thing of it. I've never attended any the local historian's meetings in the county seat of Lockport which is a 30 minute drive from my house (a day-trip for me). Not only can't I sit very long (pain) but I can't stand very long either (unsteady legs). But more importantly, those meetings start BEFORE noon and even if I were to suffer the pain and wobbly legs, ain't no way am I getting up before noon! But on this occasion I may make an exception. And the biggest reason is that over the past year that I've subscribed to the NYS historians' list, I've become acquainted with a number of them. They're always willing to help one another with information and frankly I'm a bit impressed with not only the number of county historians who help on the list but the wonderful information that the NY State Archivist or a similar person has posted who knows where the historical records can be located. But I guess more than that, I'm curious to meet the "little folk." The Town Historians, the Village Historians and those who are like I am who are intensely interested in our local history and have the courage to speak up and ask simple but intelligent questions of the big guys. And what makes me smile is when most of them identify themselves as the "Town of _______ Historian." The reason that I smile is that I don't have a clue where that town is located or even in what county it's located. Now how could I not attend such a prestigious state-wide meeting of historians just "down the road?" vee town of porter historian