Crystal Beach Sunset

A talented writer could craft a short paragraph about his first novel in such a way as to demand further attention. I'm not that good. However, Crystal Beach Sunset is set in an interesting place and time and the interplay among the four principal characters will have universal appeal. What's not to like about a self-proclaimed devout atheist who does charitable work in several area churches? The day-to-day narrative begins when Jim and Rebecca Thornton, corporate banker and English teacher, opt for a two-week vacation on the shores of Lake Erie across from Buffalo. They expect some quiet time away from the heat of Manhattan and not the four-week, life-changing adventure that ensues. But then, they did not imagine that they would spend so much time with their landlord, a middle-aged, self employed, non-tax paying eccentric and his live-in twenty-eight year old girlfriend, a part time stripper and part time exercise rider at the local racetrack. The story takes place in Fort Erie, Ontario and Buffalo, NewYork, its crossborder neighbor, during the late summer of 1989. It ends on Labor Day that year, the last day of operation of Crystal Beach, a popular amusement park on the lake. The four principal characters occupy a lakefront property one bay over, the fifty year old Jack Mahoney and Linda McCollum in the main house and the young couple from New York City in the rental cottage. A cancellation provides an offer of a free extension of their stay if they "assist with some projects." The characters connect by gender and prim is influenced by the bawdier side of life and proper by the unconventional. The area backdrop provides a second sharp contrast, current and historical, between the Canadian and American sides of the Niagara River. Photo: (c) 2008, Above All Aerial & Specialty Photography-Ohio www.aboveallohio.com

“The memories within the millions of people who experienced Crystal Beach, even just once, will never be lost.” One of Canada’s greatest entertainment centres existed for one hundred years in an isolated little village in one of the southernmost corners of Ontario, just across the lake from Buffalo, New York. Nicknamed “Buffalo’s Coney Island,” the Crystal Beach Amusement Park swarmed with American visitors in its mid-century glory days, and its stories were carried all over the world. A Crystal Beach resident since childhood, Gary Pooler takes readers behind the scenes of a world class amusement park, combining local history, sports journalism, true crime, and North American folklore to create a unique picture of the quirky Crystal Beach community, both in and “out of the park,” through its geographical and social history. These collected stories tell of the life and times in an amusement park resort community—a summer-long carnival, illegal prizefighting in the nearby sand hills, world class entertainers and athletes, featuring the likes of Jesse Owens, an eccentric traveling minstrel, vaudevillians settling in the village, police scandals, bootlegging, and even murder. Pooler chronicles the gradual decline and closure of the amusement park and the effect this had on the village, and illustrates the community’s triumphant renaissance in recent years. Harrowing and nostalgic, Crystal Beach: Out of the Park is a rare and vital historical record and a spirited exploration of Crystal Beach in all of its various shades and stages.

“Adkins’s insightful assessments are right on the mark . . . The historical references and insider’s tips made me want to pack my luggage immediately.”—Connie Yingling, Maryland Office of Tourism Development Maryland offers an abundance of natural and cultural riches. Limitless exploration and entertainment opportunities await travelers and residents alike, and this thoroughly revised edition of Explorer’s Guide Maryland is the perfect companion for every excursion. The best restaurants, places to stay, and activities for every budget and interest are laid out in an easy-to-navigate guide as useful on the bookshelf as it is in the glove compartment. Descriptions and listings cover the whole state, including the quiet Eastern Shore; picturesque, historic Annapolis; the heart of downtown Baltimore; the many historical sites dotting the southern region; and the scenic northwestern mountains. Detailed maps and a “What’s Where” subject guide will aid in travel planning. Author Leonard Adkins spent months traveling to research hundreds of inns, B&Bs, vacation cottages, museums, historic sites, special shops, fishing areas, and much more. Want to know where to find the quintessential crab feast? The finest five-star restaurant? All the Maryland reviews and recommendations you’ll ever need are right here. Features include: hundreds of dining and lodging reviews, from soft-shell crabs to four-star cuisine; opinionated listings of inns, B&Bs, hotels, and vacation cottages; up-to-date regional and downtown maps; an alphabetical "what's where" guide for trip planning; handy icons pointing out places that offer best value, cater to families, welcome pets, and provide handicapped access; calendar guides to annual events and celebrations.

Lonely Planet's Florida is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Snorkel in the Keys, explore the magic of Walt Disney World resort, and marvel at Miami's art deco masterpieces; all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Florida and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Florida Travel Guide: Up-to-date information - all businesses were rechecked before publication to ensure they are still open after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak NEW pull-out, passport-size 'Just Landed' card with wi-fi, ATM and transport info - all you need for a smooth journey from airport to hotel Planning tools for family travelers - where to go, how to save money, plus fun stuff just for kids What's New feature taps into cultural trends and helps you find fresh ideas and cool new areas our writers have uncovered NEW Accommodations feature gathers all the information you need to plan your accommodation Color maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine, politics Over 65 maps Covers Miami, The Everglades, the Florida Keys & Key West, Southeast Florida, Orlando & Walt Disney World, the Space Coast, Northeast Florida, Tampa Bay & Southwest Florida, the Panhandle The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Florida, our most comprehensive guide to Florida, is perfect for both exploring top sights and taking roads less traveled. Looking for just the highlights? Check out Pocket Orlando & Walt Disney World Resort, a handy-sized guide focused on the can't-miss sights for a quick trip. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet USA for a comprehensive look at all the country has to offer. Authors Written and researched by Lonely Planet, and Fionn Davenport, Anthony Ham, Adam Karlin, Vesna Maric, Trisha Ping and Regis St Louis. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveler since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and phrasebooks for 120 languages, and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travelers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, videos, 14 languages, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more, enabling you to explore every day. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' – New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves; it's in every traveler's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' – Fairfax Media (Australia)

From the roaring power of nature to the adventure waiting beyond the falls, Moon Niagara Falls reveals the best of this bucket list destination. Inside you'll find: Flexible itineraries for both the American and Canadian sides, including Buffalo, a weekend at the Falls, and day trips to Niagara-on-the-Lake, wine country, and more Strategic advice for families, couples, travelers on a budget, and more The top sights and unique experiences: Take in views at Horseshoe Falls or glide on a thrilling zipline above the Niagara River. Visit the Underground Railroad Heritage Center and head out to see some its most important sites for yourself, or go north to experience military history come-to-life at Fort George and Old Fort Erie. Stroll through Buffalo to spot architectural gems, kayak the Buffalo waterfront, or catch some live music in a former grain silo. Sip your way through the Niagara Wine Trail or have a romantic evening at a picturesque Canadian winery Honest advice from Buffalo native and Niagara Falls tour guide Joel Dombrowski on when to go, what to pack, where to eat, and where to stay, from campsites and motels to luxurious inns Full-color photos and detailed maps throughout Essential information on getting there and getting around, crossing the US-Canada border, weather, wildlife, and safety Helpful tips for seniors and visitors with disabilities With Moon's practical tips and local insight, you can experience the best of Niagara Falls and Buffalo. Exploring more of Canada? Try Moon Montréal & Quebec City or Moon Atlantic Canada. Headed down the East Coast? Try Moon New England Road Trip or Moon Pennsylvania.

This practical travel guide to the Philippines features detailed factual travel tips and points-of-interest structured lists of all iconic must-see sights as well as some off-the-beaten-track treasures. Our itinerary suggestions and expert author picks of things to see and do will make it a perfect companion both, ahead of your trip and on the ground. This Philippines guide book is packed full of details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information and top time-saving tips, including a visual list of things not to miss. Our colour-coded maps make the Philippines easier to navigate while you’re there. This guide book to the Philippines has been fully updated post-COVID-19. The Rough Guide to THE PHILIPPINES covers: Manila; Northern Luzon; Southern Luzon; Mindoro; Boracay and the Western Visayas; Cebu and the Eastern Visayas; Palawan; Mindanao. Inside this Philippines travel guide you’ll find: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER Experiences selected for every kind of trip to the Philippines, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Batanes to family activities in child-friendly places, like Tagaytay or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Manila. PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS Essential pre-departure information including Philippines entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more. TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES Includes carefully planned routes covering the best of the Philippines, which give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip. DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter of this Philippines travel guide includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options. INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for hiking, diving, food, surfing or learning about history. HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS Rough Guides' rundown of Cebu, the Eastern Visayas, Palawan and Mindanao’s best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to the Philippines, even in a short time. HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS Written by Rough Guides’ expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, this Philippines guide book will help you find the best places, matching different needs. BACKGROUND INFORMATION Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter of this travel guide to the Philippines features fascinating insights into the Philippines, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary. FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Panglao Island and the spectacular Negros. COLOUR-CODED MAPPING Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Subic Bay, Donsol and many more locations in the Philippines, reduce the need to go online. USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.