Erie Authors

Georgann and Michael Wachter were on a backpacking trip through Europe in 1972 when they did some snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea and were introduced to the underwater world.  Since that time they've completed hundreds of dives all over the world including the Caribbean, the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and all around the Great Lakes. 


On Thursday, July 8 at 7 p.m., the Wachters will be at the Amherst Public Library to talk about their experiences and their books, Erie Wrecks West, Erie Wrecks & Lights, and Erie Wrecks East.  They'll even have a display of some of the various artifacts the've brought back from shipwrecks they've explored.

Erie Wrecks West covers more than 100 shipwrecks complete with photos and ship information.  Each book includes a shipwreck map of the area and detailed information such as surviror's stories and GPS coordinates.  Erie Wrecks and Lights gives details on the lighthouse of Lake Erie and the five greatest storms in Lake Erie history.

They traveled thousands of miles for a history lesson

How far would you go to find out about your family history?  Deborah and Stephen Jackson traveled more than 2500 miles from their home in Stockton, California, to find information on Deborah's family.  The retired couple had been on the road almost three weeks, traveling to Georgia and up the east coast through New York before winding back through Ohio and stopping recently at the Amherst Public Library.

"We came to Amherst because that's where my family is from originally", said Deborah.  "We've spent our vacation visiting cemeteries, historical associations, and genealogy centers tracing back our own family history."  Stephen's family was mostly from Georgia which led them to a great archives in the Atlanta area where they were able to find clues and fill in gaps in his family tree.

Deborah was very happy when she found the book Amherst Pictorial History by Fay Van Nuys Ott in the library's local history collection.  On page 129 of the book she found a photo of John Ulrich Sr., sitting in his cobbler shop, dated 1920.  "He was my great grandfather", she explained. "I've seen a photo of his house but never this one of inside the shop." 

The Jacksons spent quite a while pouring over books and maps while on the other side of the room, kids took part in the library's regular Wednesday craft activity.  "It makes me miss my grandchildren seeing all these happy little faces," said Deborah.  "We've really enjoyed our time on the road.  It's been a very relaxing vacation."  Stephen is holding a copy of the new book by Arcadia Press, Images of America: Amherst.  Find it at the library or purchase it online.

The Jackson's were traveling in their RV and had to head out to make arrangements for the evening.  Before they left town, though, they headed downtown to take some photographs.  Perhaps one day they'll tell their grandchildren about their journey across America to document their family history and tell them about some of the nice people they met along the way, maybe even the nice folks they met at the Amherst Public Library.

Find more information, including Amherst and South Amherst High School Yearbooks, historical photographs, and one of a kind books when you visit our Digital History Collection online. Also check out some of the Amherst News Times that are now available online.  No need to travel thousands of miles and you just might find something you didn't even know existed.

Summer Series

No more teachers no more books....hey, wait a minute, let's not get carried away.  Summer is the perfect time to pick up that book just because you like the cover, because someone told you it was good, because you have time to sit back and just read for fun.  Remember reading for fun?

Sometimes the best books are the ones you find by accident.  Barefoot: a novel by Elin Hilderbrand is one such story.  Connecticut housewife Vicki, diagnosed with lung cancer, has packed up her two kids for a chemo-commuting summer at the family's Nantucket cabin.  Vicki brings along with her two other women that have there own baggage.  The three women are noticed by Josh Flynn, a creative writing student that can smell a story in the air and quickly inserts himself into the drama that unfolds. 

Summer People by Brian Groh is a quick read that puts you into the world of social privilege, but fills you with a great story of friendship and compassion.  A debut novel, a light read that's perfect for poolside.

Sweet-and-sour summer is part of the series Dish by Diane Muldrow.  This young adult series combines friendships, cooking, talking...what else is there?  Short books, all with an underlyling culinary tie that brings characters and drama together on one menu. 


The Floor of the Sky by Pamela Carter Joern depicts four generations of Nebraska ranchers packed into 250 pages that will have you wanting more.  Lila is a pregnant teenager spending the summer at her grandmother Toby's Nebraska ranch. Toby has problems of her own, Toby is trying to save her ranch from foreclosure while dealing with her sanctimonious sister Gertie.  What begins as a summer visit opens up Lila to family secrets and generations of turmoil that can only be felt by those people whose very existence, and life depends on the land around them.  A gritty novel that would make a great movie.

Cabin pressure: one man's futile attempt to recapture his youth at summer camp  by Josh Wolk is available as a book on CD.  Reminicent of an Adam Sandler movie, Josh find himself faced with the ultimate step into adulthood - marraige.  He returns to the summer camp of his youth before walking down the aisle. But while his beloved campgrounds have remained the same, Wolk finds that he has grown out of touch.  What's worse is that he's still intimidated by supermacho co-counselor Mitch.  If summer camp brings back memories of wedgies and misquito bites then join with Josh Wolk and share the memories.

Front Porch Tales by Philip Gulley invites you to sit and just enjoy the front porch of life.  Lift your spirits and share in the warm and inspirational stories that help you put some perspective on what is really important in your life.  A nice, relaxing read.  Where's my iced tea?

Sure there's always work to be done but even young readers can relax and have fun with Mr. Putter & Tabby Paint the Porch by Cynthia Rylant. Everything is ready to go.  The drop cloths are laid, the paint has been stirred, but when a squirrel gets curious, the resulting chaos is worth a few laughs, especially if you're not the one cleaning up. This is one of the books located in our Beginning Readers section in the Children's Department.  Look for the red sticker on the book spine that says "Reader". 

Remember, the library has a summer reading program for those ages 4 through 104.  Visit our online registration page or our Youth Services page for more information.

A memorial for the weekend

Often we get caught up with our daily schedules, lists and agendas, timetables that fill up our days yet drain us of precious minutes. Holidays sneak up on us and add to the chaos with cookout, parades, and party invitations.



And while an aura of uneasiness settled over my morning routine I looked at the calendar, having missed a doctor appointment the previous day and now committing myself to better organization, and noticed the date and suddenly realized the reason for the emptiness. May 27, a prelude to Memorial Day weekend, and the day, eight years ago I lost a very good friend.



Alison Dodson was my friend and what I would call a spiritual sister. When our family moved to Columbus, we lived a stone’s throw from Alison and her family. Alison and her husband had both graduated from Amherst and it seemed ironic that we were now living so close to each other. Several years later when she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer the journey was a rocky one and I just held on for the ride.



When the chemo kicked in I buzzed her hair and swept up the clippings from the kitchen floor. I shopped with her for clothes as she continued to lose weight.



Holidays were always a celebration at the Dodson household with food, kids in the hot tub, and pool volleyball. But that year I remember painting Alison’s toenails, red, white, and blue, as she laid resting on the sofa, because how could you go to the hospital without a proper pedicure.



She left that day, me promising to meet her at the hospital after I’d gone home to shower, change clothes and regroup. I promised her kids I would pick them up. But I never made it. I didn’t keep my promise. I got word she had died while I drove down Interstate 71, the day was sunny and James Taylor was singing “Fire and Rain”. Somehow the plans they made, the chemo, radiation, and all if it, had put an end to you.

 Today I remember that Memorial Day weekend in 2002, the one I spent writing an obituary, and think about all the people who might view this weekend as not just a time to remember our veterans but all of our friends who have left, whose journey included a battle of a different kind, one they fought bravely, but overpowered them in the end.



We’ll honor others this weekend, my father, whose reissued Army medals I just received, and Mike Barvinchak, who was a Navy medic in Viet Nam and survived the horrors of war yet lost his battle at home with cancer.


I pull in the parking lot at work, another day, another battle of deadlines, shifting priorities and requests. But as I put the van in park a song comes on the radio and I pause, my hand on the ignition key, as James Taylor comes on the radio:



I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain
I’ve seen sunny days
That I thought would never end
I’ve seen lonely times
When I could not find a friend
But I always thought that I'd see you again.

Me, too, Alison….me, too. Sorry I let you down but thanks for the song.


Following is a list of books you might enjoy:

You can do this! : surviving breast cancer without losing your sanity or your style 
by Elisha Daniels and Kelley Tuthill


Some of the best therapy comes from within.  Help a friend by updating her look, new eye make-up, ideas and tips from someone who's been there.



Stand by her : a breast cancer guide for men by John W. Anderson
Chapters cover common concerns and questions from husbands who are on the front lines of the breast cancer battle.  Topics cover "emotional fallout" and "Chemo: the shot heard round the world".  Worth a look.

The unforgiving minute : a soldier's education by Craig M. Mullaney
 A West Point grad, Rhodes scholar, and Army Ranger recounts his unparalleled education in the art of war.  Nice personal narrative that includes "an appeal" as well as contact information for three non-profit organizations that help military personnel and their families. 


Miss O'Dell : my hard days and long nights with the Beatles, the Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the women they loved
by Chris O'Dell 

Here's your backstage pass to some of the most momentous events in rock history.  O'Dell was part of rock royalty's trusted inner circle and this tell all tale will give you the inside story to what went on when the Beatles, Dylan, Taylor, Santana, and others came to town.  Nothing wrong with living the dream.

Summer Grillin'

June is the number one month for grilling according to the National Food Safety Board.  With holidays like Memorial Day weekend to kick off the official grilling season there's lots of events like the Cleveland Rib Burn off to get you motivated.  Just because the Amherst Fire Department heads over everytime you get the grill out shouldn't discourage you.

Warm weather, holiday entertaining, and just enjoying the great outdoors are reasons to fire up the grill and fire up some fun with some great books from the Amherst Public Library.

Barbecue Bible! sauces, rubs, and marinades, bastes, butters & glazes  by Steven Raichlen, is a great book to start with.  No matter what your taste, there's some easy recipes here for basic marinades that can also be used for basting sauces.  Marinating is a great way to tenderize meat and cheaper cuts of meat do great on the grill when they're prepared properly.

Emeril at the grill : a cookbook for all seasons by Emeril Lagasse will have you kicking it up a notch with some of Emeril's original spice blends.  You don't have to be a television chef to put together some of his recipes that go beyond the usual summer classics to include great grilling options for year round dining.

Lots of celebrity chefs jump on the grilling band wagon.  Bobby Flay started off at the grill when he first appeared on television.  Now his book, Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill cookbook : explosive flavors from the southwestern kitchen, will take you beyond the grill, with recipes full of fresh ingredients.  Flay holds true to his southwestern flavor palette but makes it accessible to the everyday cook.

Rick Browne, the host of the PBS series, Barbeque America, has put together his book The big book of barbecue side dishes : over 125 recipes.  There's more to grilling than just the main dish and Browne will show you great salads, sides, and even desserts that can round out your menu and keep you out of the kitchen a little longer. 

Depending on what type of grill you have there may be a specific cookbook for you.  Grillin' with gas : 150 mouthwatering recipes for great grilled food  by Fred Thompson is just one of many books that speak to specific cooking styles. 

If you'd rather stay out of the heat, and out of the kitchen, order a pizza and relax with a good  mystery while you're waiting for the delivery car. Pick up The Grilling Season by Dianne Mott Davidson.  This is the seventh book in her Cordon Bleu series and has Goldy being hired to cater a hockey party.  Will Goldy's fresh-baked Chocolate Comfort Cookies give her the strength to solve a baffling mystery that threatens her catering deadline, her relationship with her son, and even her life?  Recipes are included and maybe the Chocolate Comfort Cookie recipe will have you back in the kitchen.  Too bad you can't make these on the grill.

Two fire trucks!  Come on...I only used three habanero peppers just like Bobby Flay!

New Teen Reads

Fans of Percy Jackson are lining up for the latest book by Rick Riordan. The Red Pyramid, Book one in the Kane Chronicles, hits book shelves this month and Percy fans will find that this latest tale seems right out of a parallel universe. Like his Last Olympians series, this new offering also takes place in New York. This time instead of Manhattan, Brooklyn is the scene for the fast paced action involving Egyptian gods and ensuing chaos.   Witty characters, short chapters, young people with special powers, it’s a formula that works for Riordan and has fans lining up for his latest book.



Those pining for Percy will pick right up with14 year old Carter Kane and his 12 year old sister Sadie when mysterious forces descend upon the city and the teens get caught up in the action right from page one. While the publisher suggests this series for ages 10 and older, the action transcends word count barriers and reluctant readers, and busy adults, will find this book a welcome addition to their summer reading list.

You’ve read his books and seen the movies, but now, popular author John Grisham breaks into the Young Adult market with the character of Theodore Bone, a 13-year old who knows every judge and every policeman in his small town, as well as a bit about the law.

Sure he dreams of being a great trial lawyer, someday, but Theodore finds himself in a courtroom sooner than expected. A cold blooded killer is about to go free and Theodore’s the only one standing in his way. The resulting courtroom drama will have Grisham fans on edge as the suspense builds. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, available May 25, will keep you guessing until the final bang of the gavel. A must read for teens and anyone who enjoys a great courtroom saga.

Historical fiction just sounds like something thick and dusty but in the hands of author Michael P. Spradlin the age of kings comes alive in his series The Youngest Templar. The newest book in this series, Trail of Fate, follows the journey of Tristan, a young squire attending to the needs of the Knights Templar.  Together with Robard, the king's archer, and a young female assassin named Maryam, they travel across France, protecting the Holy Grail.  Adventure tinged with French history, and a bit of romance might have you thinking again about studying medieval history.  Think young Indiana Jones in the year 1192 and you're on the right track.  But start with book one in this series, Keeper of the Grail.

Reel in some Steelhead Books at the Library

Every good fisherman knows there's more to just tying the fly or baiting the hook.  With about one more week left of finding steelhead in our local rivers, many people are searching the library shelves for ideas, insights, and techniques to help them bring home the big ones.


Flyfishing doesn't have to be complicated and with a few simple egg patterns being an effective choice for Lake Erie waterways even a novice can have a successful day on the water.  In Steelhead Guide: Fly FIshing Techniques and Strategies for Lake Erie Steelhead by John Nagy, you'll find lots of information about everything from flies to steelhead behaviors.  Many of the photos were taken in Pennsylvannia but resemble shorelines in Mill Hollow as well as other spots along the Vermilion River.

Fishing Ohio by Tom Cross gets specific, listing more than 200 fishing spots around Ohio.  You'll find a map in the front with numbered icons that direct you to more in detailed descriptions.  The map makes it easy to locate your area or even plan a trip.  Number 41 is the Vermilion River, with notes that it is one of the more recent additions to the state's list of steelhead sites.For each spot a brief overview is listed along with headings for Special Regulations, Driving Directions, and Camping Facilities. If you're headed to Van Buren Lake, Number 40, the author gives you a tip about a great little local ice cream spot located in the center of town. Hey, it's not just about fishing.

Best Streams for Great Lakes Steelhead by Bob Linsenman notes that several world-record fish have been caught in the Great Lakes Basin.  This comprehensive guide includes maps of all the Great Lakes. Rivers in Chapter 8 include the Rocky RIver, Grand RIver, and Elk Creek.  A brief history of Great Lakes fishing is also included.  Check page 58 where a section called "Fly Recipes" begins.  Here you'll find everything to put together the perfect combination of hook, thread, and everything else to put together the fly that will get the job done.


An index and resource guide make this book a good starting point for beginning anglers.

For another perspective try A Good Life Wasted or Twenty Years as a Fishing Guide by Dave Ames.  If you've ever daydreamed about what it would be like to not have a real job, but just fish every day for a living then this book is for you.  Written by a man who spends more than 150 days a year fly fishing, this collection of insights and stories will have you looking at that desk job in a whole different way.  Anyone who spends that same amount of time in a cubicle will want to tag along as Dave Ames takes you down river to abandoned copper mines to the tune of distant fiddles.  A perfect campfire or lounge chair adventure.


Whatever you're looking to hook, be it fish or just a solemn interlude spent contemplating the fishing lifestyle, the library has the book for you.  Cast off, but stop at your library first.