Buffalo Spree Holiday Shopping Guide 2021

BUFFALO SPREE MAGAZINE buffalospree.com

2021 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

New books By local authors Adam Zyglis, Bruce Jackson, and many others

Traditional holiday cookies Holiday calendar A complete listing of seasonal happenings HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

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2021 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

EDITORIAL

Elizabeth Licata ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sabrina Kahwaty PROOFREADER Sharon Levite EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BUFFALO SPREE MAGAZINE buffalospree.com

2021 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

New books By local authors Adam Zyglis, Bruce Jackson, and many others

Traditional holiday cookies Holiday calendar

ART & PRODUCTION

Jean-Pierre Thimot

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS/ILLUSTRATORS

Joshua Flanigan, Kim Miers, Adam Van Schoonhoven, Nicholas Vitello GRAPHIC DESIGNER

A complete listing of seasonal happenings HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

PUBLISHER

Barbara E. Macks

ON THE COVER

Taramarie Mitravich

EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

Luke Copping, Eric Frick, Stephen Gabris, kc kratt, Nancy J. Parisi EVENT PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cheryl Jackson, Nancy J. Parisi ADVERTISING & SALES

Barbara E. Macks

2021

DIRECTOR OF SALES & ADVERTISING

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Mary Beth Holly, Caroline Kunze, Robin Lenhard ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Keren Green, Rachel Wasserman

NATIONAL AD DIRECTOR Terri Downey ADVERTISING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Dan Cappellazzo, Sean Dowdell, Stephen Gabris SALES COORDINATOR Robin Lenhard

Make spirit(s) bright this holiday season with a gift from Hartman’s. Grab a bottle of any of our spirits, including our brand new 375ml bottle of Hartman’s Straight Blended Bourbon. ’Tis the season to celebrate; ask for Hartman’s at your local liquor store or visit hartmansdistilling.com to shop online.

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Robin Lenhard DIGITAL

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR Sabrina Kahwaty WEBMASTER

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BUFFALO SPREE (Issn 0300-7499) November 2021, Volume 55, Number 12. Published 13 times per year.

Printed in US. Published monthly, with additional special issue (Holiday Shopping Guide) on November 20. Copyright ©2021 by Buffalo Spree Publishing, Inc., 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228-2795. Telephone (716) 783-9119. Fax (716) 783-9983. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any text or graphics without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. Periodicals postage paid at Buffalo, NY and additional post offices. US Postmaster: Send change of address to Buffalo Spree magazine, 1412 Sweet Home Road, Suite 12, Amherst, NY 14228-2795. Domestic subscription rates: $16.00/one year, $26.00/two year, $36.00/three year. Single issue: $4.95. US Newsstand distribution is handled by Southern Tier News Company. Buffalo Spree assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. A SASE must accompany all such submissions for possible return.

PRESIDENT

Sharon Levite PUBLISHER/CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

Barbara E. Macks ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Elizabeth Licata VICE PRESIDENT/ADMINISTRATIVE & FINANCE

Michele Ferguson CORPORATE COUNSEL

Timothy M. O’Mara, Esq.

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2021 HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

21 | 2020 holiday calendar 32 | A roundup of local books

Cartoons, remembrances, historical fiction, conservation, self-help, and more

BY ELIZABETH LICATA

42 | Cookie muse

Traditional holiday cookies that evoke memories

P. 62

BY JOE GEORGE

56 | A different holiday cake

Expressing childhood through baking

BY MICHAEL MARARIAN

62 | Little people/big fun

A heavenly match made by Fisher-Price, the Bills, and Wegmans

BY ELIZABETH LICATA

68 | Imagine, discover, grow

Children’s books to delight the heart and mind

BY SABRINA KAHWATY P. 68 P. 32

CARTOON IMAGE (DETAIL) COURTESY OF ADAM ZYGLIS; FISHER PRICE ® LITTLE PEOPLE ® IMAGE COURTESY OF MATTEL; ILLUSTRATION BY RINO ALAIMO; COURTESY WORKMAN PUBLISHING

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PHOTO BY BRANDON NAGY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021 Lindsey Stirling once again presents her holiday concert on December 11.

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THROUGH DECEMBER

Poinsettia and Railway Exhibit This exhibit features thousands of lush and colorful poinsettias, whimsical woodland scenes, and an entertaining model railway.

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens (2655 S. Park Avenue)

BUFFALOGARDENS.COM, 827-1584

IMAGE COURTESY OF BPO

Zoo Lights

N OV E M B E R 28, D EC E M B E R 5

Handel’s Messiah

Experience this glorious performance by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, conducted by Adam Luebke.

7:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Our Lady of Victory Basilica

N E G L I A B A L L E T Artists’ production, presented in collaboration with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, transports audiences to the fantastical Land of Sweets, ruled by the Sugar Plum Fairy. Four dancers from the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in New York City will perform this year, as well as children hailing from WNY dance schools, including Neglia Conservatory of Ballet, Barb Denny’s Studio, Lisa Taylor Academy, Elite Dance Company, and Performing Arts Dance Academy.

Shea’s Performing Arts Center (646 Main Street) SHEAS.ORG, 847-0850

(767 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna)

2:30 p.m. on Dec. 5 at St. Mary’s Swormville (6919 Transit Rd, East Amherst) BPCHORUS.ORG, 980-5701

DECEMBER 2-3

Cami Clune & Vitamin D3 Holiday Show

Ed Croft Presents: Charlie Brown is in Town

(310 4th Street, Niagara Falls)

(19 Wadsworth Street)

Enjoy the Zoo after hours as you stroll through an illuminated winter wonderland. Take in dazzling light displays (charge your phone for those Instagram-worthy photos!), listen to holiday music, indulge in warm winter treats, and visit Santa.

5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Buffalo Zoo

With festive light displays, holiday shows, kiddie rides, and of course, Santa, this festival has something for everyone.

Hamburg Fairgrounds

This dynamic Buffalo native recently had a semifinal run on Season 19 of NBC’s The Voice. Enjoy the sounds of the season with Clune’s incredible range.

7 p.m. (doors) at The Bear’s Den, Seneca Niagara Casino; 7 p.m. (doors) on Dec. 3

BUFFALOZOO.ORG, 837-3900

THE-FAIRGROUNDS.COM, 649-3900

SENECANIAGARACASINO.COM, 299-1100

(300 Parkside Avenue)

DECEMBER 1-31

Festival of Lights at the Fairgrounds

(5820 S. Park Avenue, Hamburg)

DECEMBER 3, 4

The Ed Croft Trio will perform Vince Guaraldi’s holiday classic, along with some other gems from his catalog. Have a festive cup of cheer and ring in the holiday season.

7 p.m. at PAUSA Art House PAUSAARTHOUSE.COM, 697-9075

BUFFALOSPREE.COM

2021 HOLIDAY CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 27–28

The Nutcracker

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2 0 2 1 H O L I DAY CA L E N DA R HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

THROUGH DECEMBER 23

Buffalo Holiday Market

as Barbra Streisand and Frank Sinatra and sing memorable music and holiday songs.

8 p.m. at Riviera Theatre

(67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda) RIVIERATHEATRE.ORG, 692-2413

DECEMBER 4

The Nutcracker (presented by American Academy of Ballet)

Headed into its twenty-fifth year, Buffalo’s longest-running production of The Nutcracker takes a child-friendly approach; Clara and her prince visit exciting lands like China, New York City, and the North Pole.

1 p.m. and 6 p.m. at UB Center for the Arts (Center for the Arts, UB North Campus, Amherst) UBCFA.ORG, 645-6259

Mark Filsinger Quintet’s Tidings of Comfort & Jazz

presents a European-themed holiday market featuring a rotating roster of WNY artisans, vintage sellers, and food vendors, plus selfie stations, kids’ activities, live music, and special weekend appearances by Santa and his reindeer.

LOADED LUMBER BUFFALO

Tuesday-Friday from 3-9 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday from 12-9 p.m. at Loaded Lumber Buffalo (223 S. Park Avenue) BUFFALOVEHOLIDAYMARKET.COM

Join Mark Filsinger, Elliot Scozzaro, Harry Graser, Joe Goehle, John Bacon, and special guest vocalist Rebecca Filsinger as the perform holiday favorites including “The Christmas Song,” “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” and selections from “The Nutcracker Suite.”

7:30 p.m. at the Kenan Center (433 Locust Street, Lockport) KENANCENTER.ORG, 433-2617

A Motown Christmas

The Motortown All-Stars comprises members of legendary groups the Capitols, the Miracles, and former members of the Temptations.

7:30 p.m. at Riviera Theatre

(67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda)

The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus: Our Finest Gifts

As part of its twentieth anniversary season, the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus presents its holiday concert.

7:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 at Trinity Episcopal Church (371 Delaware Avenue)

3 p.m. on Dec. 5 at North Presbyterian Church

(300 N. Forest Road, Williamsville) THEBGMC.ORG, 883-1277

DECEMBER 4-5, 11-12

Gingerbread Wonderland

Visit Santa Claus in a life-size gingerbread house, and each weekend participate in different holiday festivities, such as chef demos, a toy train show, live performances, face painting, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, and more!

11 a.m.-7 p.m. on December 4 and 11, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 12 Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (28 Old Falls Street, Niagara Falls) NFCULINARY.ORG, 210-2525

DECEMBER 4, 11, 18, 19

Breakfast with Santa

A beloved WNY holiday tradition returns after a year away! Each party will have a table for up to six guests. Bring your appetite for a chef-prepared breakfast buffet and special photo opportunity with Santa. After breakfast, stroll the grounds, see beautiful holidady decorations, and wish your favorite animals on exhibit “Happy Holidays!”

Space is limited, reservations required.

9 or 11:30 a.m., Buffalo Zoo (300 PARKSIDE AVENUE) BUFFALOZOO.ORG, 837-3900

RIVIERATHEATRE.ORG, 692-2413

DECEMBER 3

DECEMBER 5

Elf in Concert

Relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of composer John Debney’s wonderful score is played live, conducted by Debney himself.

7:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall (3 Symphony Circle) BPO.ORG, 885-5000

The Barbra & Frank Holiday Show

Direct from Las Vegas, Sharon Owens and Sebastian Anzaldo star

DECEMBER 4-5 FREE

Roycroft Campus Holiday Show

Get in the holiday spirit at the Roycroft Campus with appearances from local artists and vendors throughout the historic buildings.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Roycroft Campus Corporation (31 South Grove Street, East Aurora)

ROYCROFTCAMPUSCORPORATION.COM, 655-0261

FREE

Tree of Light

The family-friendly, outdoor event features crafts, holiday treats, and the lighting of the Martin House tree. The Martin House will be open for walk-throughs, and the museum store will be open for holiday shopping.

4 p.m. at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House (125 Jewett Parkway)

856-3858, MARTINHOUSE.ORG

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2 0 2 1 H O L I DAY CA L E N DA R JazzBuffalo and Seneca One present a special tribute to legend Vince Guaraldi and his soundtrack to Charles Schulz’s 1965 holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

2 p.m. at Seneca One Tower (One Seneca St.)

JAZZBUFFALO.ORG

Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun Honky Tonk Holiday Show

Guitarist Bill Kirchen and Too Much Fun fill the air with songs like “Truckin’ Trees for Christmas,” “Reindeer Boogie,” Albert King’s “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’,” and Commander Cody favorite, “Daddy’s Drinkin’ Up Our Christmas.”

5 p.m. at Sportsmen’s Tavern

treasures when JoAnn is joined by operatic soprano and Buffalo resident Sirgourney Cook.

10:30 a.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall; 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 11

DECEMBER 11

The Lindsey Stirling Christmas Program

(3 Symphony Circle) BPO.ORG, 885-5000

Brunch with Santa

Create magical memories with Santa and friends at a holiday brunch with arts and crafts and a photo opportunity with Santa. Guests may purchase brunch-only tickets or tickets that include brunch and a 1:30 p.m. performance of The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus.

12 p.m. at O’Connell & Company at The Ken-Ton Elmwood Commons (3200 Elmwood Avenue)

OCONNELLANDCOMPANY.COM, 848-0800

(326 Amherst Street)

SPORTSMENSBUFFALO.COM, 874-7734

DECEMBER 11, 18

The Castle by Candlelight

Tour Old Fort Niagara and the French Castle, lit entirely by candles.

Enjoy holiday decorations by the Youngstown Garden Club. Meet historical characters and witness the firing of the grand feu de joie.

6:30 p.m.—8:30 p.m. at Old Fort Niagara (102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown)

Christmas Tea

Begin the Christmas season with a delightful afternoon tea, then tour the historic house right next door.

11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Hull Family Home (5976 Genesee Street, Lancaster)

PHOTO BY BRANDON NAGY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

HULLFAMILYHOME.COM, 741-7032

DECEMBER 9

Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti: Christmas Comes to Town

An evening of Christmas songs and hits with America’s Got Talent’s Sal Valentinetti.

7:30 p.m. at Riviera Theatre (67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda)

RIVIERA THEATRE.ORG, 692-2413

DECEMBER 10, 11

JoAnn’s Classical Christmas Celebrate the holidays with a collection of traditional classical

OLDFORTNIAGARA.ORG, 745-7611

DECEMBER 12

Jingle Bell Jam

A family tradition of festive frivolity including a narrated ’Twas the Night Before Christmas, ballet dancers, Santa helping conduct the orchestra, and a seasonal souvenir for kids.

2:30 p.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall (3 Symphony Circle) BPO.ORG, 885-5000

DECEMBER 15

Christmas with the New York Tenors

Experience the music, moments, and magic of New York, along with some Christmas favorites through the vocal artistry of Andy Cooney, Daniel Rodriguez, and Christopher Macchio.

7 p.m. at Riviera Theatre

(67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda) RIVIERA THEATRE.ORG, 692-2413

THE TALENTED LINDSEY STIRLING, whose holiday concerts sell out worldwide, is back in Buffalo by popular demand.

8 p.m. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center (646 Main Street) SHEAS.ORG, 847-0850, FOR TICKETS: 800-745-3000

BUFFALOSPREE.COM

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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2 0 2 1 H O L I DAY CA L E N DA R HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

DECEMBER 19

The Nutcracker in the City of Light 2021

C O N F I G U R A T I O N D A N C E T H E A T R E A N D S C H O O L O F B A L L E T ’ S 2021 performance of The Nutcracker in the City of Light is a timeless holiday classic set at the turn of the century in Buffalo, the renowned city of light.

Two performances @ 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. at the Flickinger Performing Arts Center (Nichols School) BALLETBUFFALO.COM

DECEMBER 16-19

Frankie Scinta is Comin’ to Town!

John Morris Russell’s Holiday Pops

(310 4th Street, Niagara Falls)

(3 Symphony Circle)

Seneca Resorts & Casinos fan favorite Frankie Scinta adds his own flavor to holiday classics with Vegas-style showmanship.

7 p.m. (doors) at The Bear’s Den, Seneca Niagara Casino

Join singers Zoe Scruggs (aka Curtis Lovell) and George Brown and the BPO for an eclectic and varied seasonal celebration featuring favorite carols, seasonal pop, gospel, and jazz.

10:30 a.m. at Kleinhans Music Hall Dec. 1617, 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 19

SENECANIAGARACASINO.COM, 299-1100

BPO.ORG, 885-5000

DECEMBER 17

A Carpenters Christmas

Singer and playwright Lisa Rock and her six-piece backing band are keeping the Carpenters’ holiday traditions alive by bringing their unforgettable Christmas songs to the stage.

8 p.m. at Riviera Theatre

DECEMBER 18

Santa on the Carrousel Join Santa for lunch, followed by photo opportunities and a carousel ride.

Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum

(67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda)

(180 Thompson Street, North Tonawanda)

RIVIERA THEATRE.ORG, 692-2413

CARROUSELMUSEUM.ORG, 693-1885

PHOTO BY J.P. THIMOT

DECEMBER 16, 17

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2 0 2 1 H O L I DAY CA L E N DA R

DECEMBER 21

Carolcade

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Christmas Eve and Other Stories

A beloved East Aurora tradition, this event now features nearly 2,000 singers as family and friends come together to sing carols, enjoy hot cocoa, and see historic Main Street decked out for Christmas.

7-8 p.m. in front of Vidler’s 5 & 10 (676-694 Main Street, East Aurora, between Elm and Olean Streets) FACEBOOK.COM/EACAROLCADE

DECEMBER 22 FREE

WurliTzer Christmas Concert with Joe Momot

Get into the spirit with local organist Joe Momot as he plays Christmas classics and holiday favorites on the Riviera’s own Mighty WurliTzer organ.

7 p.m. at Riviera Theatre (67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda) RIVIERATHEATRE.ORG, 692-2413

D E C E M B E R 2 4

Grammy-winner Ramsey Lewis’ Monthly Saturday Salon: More Sounds of Christmas Ramsey revisits his classic, bestselling holiday record More Sounds Of Christmas.

1 p.m. (streaming) STAGEIT.COM/RAMSEYLEWIS

DECEMBER 26-31

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Living History for the Holidays The Fort is open Christmas week offering daily living history programs. On display this week: traditional holiday decorations by the Youngstown Garden Club.

All day at Old Fort Niagara (102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown) OLDFORTNIAGARA.ORG, 745-7611

DECEMBER 31

First Night Buffalo

This annual tradition is offering family-friendly activities for everyone to celebrate at home. Tune in to see videos of everyone’s First Night performers.

Virtual, 6 p.m.

FIRSTNIGHTBUFFALO.ORG, 635-4959

Trans-Siberian Orchestra celebrates the twenty-fifth anniversary of the group’s landmark album.

MULTI-PLATINUM, PROGRESSIVE ROCK GROUP

7 p.m. (doors) at the KeyBank Center (1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza) KEYBANKCENTER.COM, 855-4444

BUFFALOSPREE.COM

DECEMBER 18

Loriann Fraas, MD Elizabeth Allen, MD Millicent Trevett, MD Nina Strollo, MD Marijane Cotroneo, CNP Carolyn Lee, CNP

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- Owner, Peter Calieri Hours Monday - Thursday: 11am to 8pm Friday & Saturday: 11am to 9pm Sunday: 3pm to 8pm 429 Davison Road Lockport, NY VillageEatery.com

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A comedy about Fact vs. Fiction

A classic about finding your true match

A drama about addiction, recovery and everything in between

$120 General Admission | $105 Senior Admission

Purchase tickets at KavinokyTheatre.com or call (716) 829-7668

32

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

33

BUFFALOSPREE.COM

A ROUNDUP OF LOCAL BOOKS

Cartoons, remembrances, historical fiction, conservation, self-help, and more

by Elizabeth Licata

THIS

YEAR’S

WESTERN

NEW

CROP YORK

OF

BOOKS

WRITERS

BY AND

ILLUSTRATION BY ADAM ZYGLIS; COURTESY MACINTYRE PURCELL

A R T I S T S is much too large for us to completely cover, but we’ve cast as broad a net as possible.

Here are some titles that caught our attention.

You know you’re from Buffalo if

By Adam Zyglis MacIntyre Purcell, 2021 This (mostly) lighthearted collection of cartoons from Buffalo News Pulitzer-Prize-winning artist Adam Zyglis has a hyperlocal theme. What makes Buffalo Buffalo? Who are we, the people who live here? What do we care about? How do we express it? Zyglis answers these questions in a series of drawings that are just as spot-on as the book’s concept. Zyglis has been looking for a way to escape from the polarizing conflicts that have dominated the subject matter of all political cartoonists for the past five years; as he says in his brief intro, this represents “a muchneeded break from politics and a return to my roots.” Buffalo born and bred, Zyglis unerringly

pinpoints the attitudes, mannerisms, fears, points of pride, grim realities, and heedless joys that characterize the region. Not every cartoon will prompt a nod of agreement, but most will impel a nod of recognition— even if reluctant. Every drawing testifies to Zyglis’s unparalleled ability to create and manipulate visual metaphors. A watch with Buffalo hands illustrates the easy commute, a For Sale sign is also a snow gauge, medieval torture devices handily recall the agony of sports losses, and a snow-ignoring figure hangs from a lamppost singing about the team’s victories. Zyglis’s drawing style is more florid and detailed than many of his peers; this is also what makes the cartoons work as they do. He gives everything we need, but stops at the border of overplaying his hand.

The grim reality Zyglis includes— sparingly—focuses on the indisputable problems with poverty and racial divisions that can also define Buffalo. It’s clear that the artist intends to include as much truth as possible, but also with as light a touch as possible. He succeeds. Is it “Buffalo” to worry that Zyglis is too good to stay here? I hope it is and that we’ll be seeing more books just as wonderful as this as well as enjoying his cartoons in the paper for decades to come.

34

Changing Tense: Thirty memento mori

By Bruce Jackson BlazeVOX, 2021 People die, dogs die, trees die, but the stories remain. And Bruce Jackson has some great stories. Some are somber, even angry, but just as many are lighthearted to the point of comedy.

The dead tree belongs to a neighbor, who clearly does not value it as Jackson does. The dog is Randolph Scott, one of several canines who assumed key roles in the lives of Jackson and his family.

A few of the narratives advance theories and ideas that are less about the departed than about the intellectual field he inhabited, as with “Ben Botkin: Listening,” which is as much about the development of folklore studies in America as it is about Botkin, who collected and archived

folklore (poetry, songs, writing) for various national institutions and went on to write six seminal books on American folklore.

Jackson’s remembrance is a fascinating discussion about how folklore should be approached and understood.

In other essays, Jackson recounts organizing a Pete Seeger concert for an auditorium of Texas convicts in 1966, his abortive run against Max McCarthy for US Congress in 1968, his decades of guesting on the John Otto show, and his friendships with such departed (some recently, some long gone) friends and colleagues as John Berryman, Alan Ginsburg, and William R. Kunstler. It should be clear by now that this is not so much a book of obituaries as it is a series of windows, offering views of intersections—between personalities, ideas, and moments in history.

PHOTO BY BRUCE JACKSON; COURTESY BLAZEVOK

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

Local books continued

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By Mark Goldman Friends of the Buffalo Story, 2021 Activist, educator, developer, and writer Mark Goldman has embedded himself in the culture of Buffalo through his books and his work as an entrepreneur on Chippewa, in Allentown, and in Black Rock. He’s also been prominent in urging “lighter, quicker, cheaper” incremental development at Canalside and has promoted a vision of Buffalo’s future that respects its history, architecture, and diversity. Goldman’s previous books have been third person narratives, examining seminal moments in Buffalo’s history from 1900 to the present. City on the Lake focuses on the city’s postindustrial decline, the 1976 desegregation case, and other developments of the sixties, seventies, and eighties. City on the Edge takes a more expansive view of Buffalo throughout the twentieth century. In contrast, City of My Heart, as its title implies, is personal. It’s written in the first person and details Goldman’s efforts to implement positive change in a wide range of spheres, zeroing in on his experiences as the creator of the Calumet and associated venues on Chippewa and the Allentown Hardware Café on Allen, as well as other types of “place-making” endeavors, as he terms them. The book’s autobiographical approach takes deep dives into the Buffalo neighborhoods and people Goldman has cherished over the years, with a list of acknowledgements at the end of each chapter. It’s a series of remembrances and tributes with a strong thread of community spirit, optimism, and respect for hard work running throughout. All who love Buffalo as Goldman does should read this warm and joyful chronicle.

Everybody Dies in the End (The First Ward, Volume Five)

By Richard Sullivan Montgomery Ewing, 2021 Here’s the final book in a series of hefty historical novels chronicling Buffalo’s First Ward/the heyday of Irish Buffalo between 1850 to 1935. The three main characters are ruthless tycoon Fingy Connors, alderman John P. Sullivan, and detective James E. Sullivan, all of whom interact with other major players of the period, notably William J. “Wild Bill” Donovan. Volume Five, covering the years between 1920 and 1935, includes some eye-opening examples of the brutality of those who enforced Prohibition as well as money laundering, murder, strike-breaking, smuggling, and more. The chapters are often named after actual historic events; indeed, the book, like its predecessors, can barely be called a novel. Its fictional events play out against a firm background of solid history. This is a great gift for anyone fascinated by early Buffalo.

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City of My Heart: Buffalo 1967–2020

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

Local books continued

Meander: Making Room for Rivers

By Margaret Wooster SUNY Press (Excelsior), 2021 In this exploration of the importance of flowing water in the Great Lakes ecosystem, Wooster uses a relatively minor body of water, Buffalo Creek, as an example of how the traditional connectivity of water to land should work, how it has been undermined, and how it can be restored. Spree nature writer Gerry Rising calls Meander “an important book, a necessary book” and “a book to be read, absorbed, and acted upon.” A native of Buffalo, Wooster has a Ph.D. in English and a master’s degree in urban and environmental planning from the University of Buffalo. She has been a watershed planner on the Erie and Niagara County Planning Board, was a founder of the Friends of the Buffalo River (now Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper), and served for eight years as executive director of Great Lakes United.

The Day the Buffalo River Burned

By John Zach Archangel, 2020 Thunder Snow of Buffalo

By Don Purdy & Billy Klun Archway, 2021 Two other local titles also take up environmental themes, to varying degrees. John Zach’s saga of Stanley P. Spisiak, Buffalo’s first modern environmentalist, is diligently researched and well-timed as we assess the progress of restoring Buffalo’s waterways. Spisiak, a first generation Polish-American jeweler, was one of Buffalo’s most outspoken environmental advocates, from his early days as a young conservationist and naturalist to his midcentury activism on behalf of the Buffalo River, which caught the attention of President Lyndon Johnson in 1966, leading to Spisiak’s receiving the Water Conservationist of the Year award in Washington. Sadly, the river’s decline reached its apex in 1968, when it famously caught fire near the South Park Avenue lift bridge. Spisiak’s activism both prior to and after this event was greatly influential in ultimately getting this body of water on the road to health. This book is important for a true appreciation of the early struggles of environmental activists in the modern age.

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A very different catastrophe is still being remediated fifteen years after it happened, but Thunder Snow of Buffalo covers much more than the tree destruction caused by 2006’s “October surprise.” An account by Don Purdy and Billy Klun gathers the experiences of a diverse array of Western New Yorkers as they lived through the emergency. Much of the narrative centers on the Buffalo Bills organization—Purdy was Director of Football Administration—but there are also first-person accounts from local meteorologists, news media, law enforcement, and medical staff. One section deals with the long-running ReTree effort to replace 55,000 downed trees. Fans of Bills history and trivia should be first in line for this book; the storm ultimately takes second place to One Bills Drive.

If You Don’t Ask, the Answer is No

By Rich A. Schlesinger LLH Publishing, 2021 Its subtitle of A Practical Guide for Getting Through College Without Falling Through the Cracks reassures that this book is not a primer for salespeople; nonetheless, its lessons would likely be valuable in many other fields than education. Headings with names like Bullying, Transgender Rights, Fair Housing, Title IX, Financial Aid Advocacy and many others demonstrate that this nononsense guide is full of practical advice in areas where it is most needed. Basically, Schlesinger preaches the gospel of student self-advocacy, urging those on the path to higher education to find out their rights and insist that those rights be acknowledged. He also urges students to be informed financial consumers in order to lessen their postgraduation debt burdens. It’s a practical gift idea for prospective students and their parents.

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COOKIE MUSE Traditional holiday cookies that evoke memories

by Joe George

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IT’S

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RECALL

TIMES

Food can really transcend time, for however brief a period. A kitchen in the winter with steamed up windows, for example, gives me vivid memories of when I was a child. The smell of baking cookies does this also, especially around the holidays. They conjure up special and rosy memories.

My love of baked goods was initiated by my mother and grandmother who were both avid and excellent bakers. As a child, Christmas brought not only the anticipation of gifts from Santa but also platters of cookies and kuchen. It seemed as though my mother began her “cookie production” weeks before Christmas (it was probably just a few days). She baked them by the dozens and dozens. The cookies were stored in plastic bags within a large metal can, which was “off limits” until Christmas. For someone like myself, with a sweet tooth from day one, it was pure torture knowing that that old metal can was stuffed with cookies. To this day I really believe that my mother had a sixth sense when it came to hearing that can open. She could hear it being slowly and gingerly opened no matter where she was in the house. Needless to say the can of cookies never made it to Christmas before being opened. My mother would always relent and allow my sisters and me some pre-Christmas treats.

WHEN THINGS WERE SIMPLER.

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Cookies continued

Cookies are not a dieter’s food, or for people who fear food; two of the main components to most cookies are butter and sugar, but that’s what makes them so good. Most cookie recipes, in fact, begin by chanting the cookie mantra: “Cream the butter and sugar, add the eggs…” This is the basis on which cookie making is founded. Like fine little pastries their ingredients and preparation methods are everything. Cooking in general is clearly an art form but it can also be a precise science, especially when making and baking sweets. As with many baked goods, when making cookies the emulsification of the butter, sugar, eggs, and eventually flour is often an exact ratio.

And each of the basic ingredients serves a very definite and distinct function.

Take butter and sugar, for example. Simply said, without these two ingredients there would be no cookies. Oh alright, sure you could replace the butter with another fat, such as shortening or oil, but the cookies would not have the same flavor.

And yes there is the possibility of substituting butter with a fat alternative, such as fruit purée, but then the outcome would be quite different—it would not be an equal comparison. Personally I would rather eat the real thing or none at all.

The sugar in cookies adds moisture and flavor as well as sweetness; the type and quantity of sugar will determine the cookie’s flavor and texture. Eggs bind the ingredients with the flour and add richness and also a small amount of leavening action. Speaking of which, cookies are generally leavened with a chemical agent such as baking soda or baking powder, opposed to bread-type products that often contain yeast.

And with all baked goods, flour is what makes up their substance, it creates its body, so to speak.

Utilizing these few ingredients—along with a little salt—can produce a seemingly endless variety of cookies. Any number of ingredients can be added—cocoa, chocolate, spices, dried fruit, etc.—to determine the type of cookie.

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Myra’s Aniseed Christmas Cookies

Yield: About 4 dozen 4 ounces unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1/2 cup milk 1 tablespoon aniseed 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3 cups all-purpose flour In a large bowl combine the butter and sugar and beat with a wooden spoon (or alternately, cream the butter and sugar in an electric mixer that is fitted with a paddle attachment). Add the egg, then the milk and mix until combined. In a separate bowl combine the aniseed, salt, baking soda, and flour, mix well then add this mixture to the first bowl. Mix the dough until it forms a dough, then knead together just until it forms a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in cellophane and refrigerate it for at least one hour.

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Almost as important as the ingredients themselves is the method in which cookies are made, and when doing so the most essential step is creaming the butter, sugar, and eggs.

There’s sometimes a misconception that this step is difficult (it’s not) or that it incorporates the use of cream (it doesn’t). Creaming butter and sugar is simply another name for the action of vigorously beating the two ingredients together.

It incorporates air into them and they take on a creamy appearance, hence the name. Today this is most often done with the aid of an upright electric mixer, but it can also be done the old fashioned way—with a bowl and wooden spoon.

Creaming is the initial action that pulls all of the ingredients together into an emulsification and forms a homogenous mass; the ingredients become one. And the small amount of air that is incorporated into the dough lends a lighter and more delicate texture to the finished cookie.

The origin of gingerbread can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Ginger was most likely added to dough not only for flavor but also medicinal and preservation purposes, and quite possibly as a status symbol during times when spices were worth as much as actual currency.

Ditto for gingerbread’s first cousin, the German cookie known as pfeffernusse, which translates to “peppernuts” in English and uses ground black pepper as one of its ingredients.

The recipe for the gingerbread cookies listed below is courtesy of my friend, pastry chef Tony Songin. The aniseed cookie recipe was given to me by one of my sisters. She received it from our mother, who learned it from her mother, who learned it from her mother.

If you find yourself with an overabundance of cookies (something I personally can not imagine) store them in plastic bags in the freezer to keep them fresh. Alternately, if the storage is intended for a shorter period of time, store them in plastic bags inside a large metal can. This will make them more accessible to the kids who cannot yet reach the freezer.

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021 Pfeffernusse

Cookies continued

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough out to approximately quarter-inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Bake the cookies on a lightly oiled cookie sheet in the preheated oven for approximately ten minutes, or until light golden-brown. Cool on a wire rack and, if desired, ice the cookies with simple sugar icing.

Viennese Sugar Cookies

Yield: About 3 dozen 4 ounces unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 3 large egg yolks 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons baking powder 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour In a large bowl combine the butter and

sugar and beat with a wooden spoon (or alternately, cream the butter and sugar in an electric mixer that is fitted with a paddle attachment). Add the egg yolks and vanilla extract, mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, mix together the salt, baking soda, and flour, mix well then add this mixture to the first bowl. Mix the dough until it forms dough, then knead together just until it forms a smooth ball. Wrap the dough in cellophane and refrigerate it for at least one hour.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough out to approximately quarter-inch thick and cut into shapes. Bake the cookies on a lightly oiled cookie sheet in the preheated oven for approximately ten minutes, or until light golden-brown. Cool on a wire rack and, if desired, ice the cookies with a simple sugar icing or drizzle with melted chocolate.

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BUFFALOSPREE.COM

Pepper Nuts (Pfeffernusse)

Yield: About 4 dozen 8 ounces unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup dark molasses 1 large egg 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice powdered sugar In a large bowl combine the butter and granulated sugar and beat with a wooden spoon (or alternately, cream the butter and sugar in an electric mixer that is fitted with a paddle attachment). Add the molasses and eggs and mix thoroughly. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, salt, pepper, cloves, cardamom, and allspice; add this mixture to the first bowl. Mix the dough until it forms dough, then knead together just until it forms a smooth ball. Cut the dough into small pieces and roll the pieces into one inch balls. Place the balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet and refrigerate for one hour.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bake the pfeffernusse in the preheated oven for twelve to fourteen minutes or until they expand slightly and are golden brown. Cool the cookies on wire racks and roll them in powdered sugar.

Tony’s Gingerbread Cookies

Yield: 2-3 dozen 4 ounces unsalted butter 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 large egg 1/2 cup molasses 1/4 cup honey 2-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 3 cups all-purpose flour

In the bowl of an electric mixer that is fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and honey, and mix thoroughly. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula.

Sift together the salt, baking powder, and flour, and add it to the creamed ingredients. With the mixer on slow speed, mix the ingredients just until it forms a thick dough. Wrap the dough in cellophane and refrigerate it for at least one hour.

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Roll the dough out to approximately quarter-inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Bake the cookies on a lightly oiled cookie sheet in the preheated oven for approximately ten minutes, or until they begin to brown around their edges. Cool on a wire rack and, if desired, ice the cookies with simple sugar icing.

Sugar Icing

Pour a small amount (quarter cup) of cool milk or water into a bowl and stir in enough powdered sugar to form a thick batter. Store any unused icing in a sealed container at room temperature (if made with water), and in the refrigerator (if made with milk).

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021 The Christmas trees on the cake are made with ice cream cones and green frosting.

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Expressing childhood through baking

by Michael Mararian

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARARIAN

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MUCH OF A HOLIDAY BAKER.

I never make Christmas cookies for coworkers or those little white Mexican wedding cakes that people seem to love or the dreaded brick of candied fruit whose name we shall not speak.

OK, fine, I’ll speak of it: the fruit cake. Honestly, I have nothing against fruitcakes. They’ve never offended me personally; I just really don’t like the taste of them and it sort of freaks me out that they seem to last forever. After a nuclear holocaust, fruitcakes and cockroaches will remain to rebuild society.

With that said, I did not make a fruitcake for this assignment. Instead of any type of traditional offering, I went for a basic white cake with a fun decorative style: a winter snow scene with Christmas trees and a candy cane middle. It’s a festive little cake and I enjoyed making it, but, overall, I take after my dad a little bit when it comes to Christmas.

He was a bit of a scrooge. (It didn’t help that he looked like the surly Burgermeister from Santa Claus is Coming to Town.) He was fine when I was small and Christmases were magical: my parents were expert ninja elves in hiding gifts and setting them up in the early morning hours for me to find when I woke up. My mother baked for the holidays

BUFFALOSPREE.COM

A DIFFERENT HOLIDAY CAKE

and the house always smelled like cinnamon and pie crust. I would sit by the tree and gaze at my favorite little ornaments, sparkling in the lights, imagining them coming to life. On Christmas Eve, my mother’s side of the family would gather for a huge Italian feast followed by my grandfather throwing a bucket of quarters in the air for all the kids (and a few adults) to scramble after. My Uncle Gerald would show up in a Santa suit and all the kids would know it was him by his shoes. At midnight, we would start opening gifts and my cousins and I would fall asleep on the carpeted floor. Those days always bring a smile to my face.

But then, as I got a little older, Christmases changed. My father became grumpy and any gift you got him was either “too expensive” or “cheaply made,” followed by an “I don’t need this,” and a “why are you spending money on this?” My mother would scream, “You ruined Christmas!”, there would be tears, I would threaten to find a new family to live with, and then we’d eat in silence. A few hours later my dad could be seen at the kitchen table reading the directions to one of his gifts, which suggested that maybe it wasn’t such a bad offering after all. He was such a pain.

My mother got her revenge on him though—and in the most evil way possible.

Long after my father was caught once for having a momentary “lapse of fidelity” in their marriage with a woman named Edna, my mom busted his chops every Christmas by labeling one of his gifts, “To Mike, from Edna.”

In any event, years later, and much like Scrooge, my dad ended up doing a complete 180 and suddenly became giddy over Christmas, excited about getting and giving gifts. I’m not sure what happened. It could’ve been his mortality setting in, making him realize that holidays were precious times not to be taken for granted—or perhaps he had a head injury we didn’t know about. Whatever it was, he changed. Maybe it’s my turn now.

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021 A vintage JCPenney sweater makes this holiday baking project complete.

So, any guesses on how I made those Christmas trees on the cake? Anyone?

Bueller? It’s actually a clever idea I saw someone do on Instagram. They are made by cutting ice cream cones in halves and pressing them against the sides of the cake. Tiny green frosting dollops are piped around the sides to create the evergreen foliage.

The top little trees are also cones, turned upside down with the bottoms cut off. The cake is finished off by sprinkling powdered sugar over it to create snow and crushed rock candy at the base simulates chunks of ice.

Between the layers, I tried to do a spiral of red and white candy cane, but the frosting was a little too soft and it smeared.

It’s not that I despise Christmas, really. I get joy out of seeing other people excited about it and I do love surprising people with well-thoughtout gifts, but with no children of my own, decorating the house would only be for me, my dog, and my five cats— who would attack the tree anyway.

But, now, as I write this, dressed in my vintage sweater by JCPenney, I’m looking at the cake I made and I have to say, it’s pretty cute. It does give me a little twinge of holiday spirit. And if I bring my face close to the buttercream frosted trees with the powdered snow, I am back to being a child again, mesmerized by the glittering Christmas tree. If nothing else, Christmas can capture a childhood memory. I need to keep that in mind going forward, especially now, when it seems all things innocent in our world have evaporated.

This little cake today turned out to be a very nice gift to myself.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL MARARIAN

Holiday cake continued

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A heavenly match made by Fisher-Price, the Bills, and Wegmans

by Elizabeth Licata

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MATTEL

HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021 The figures depict Josh Allen, Sean McDermott, and two fans.

LITTLE PEOPLE/ BIG FUN

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I T ’ S N O S U R P R I S E that these items have been flying off the shelves. FisherPrice, the Buffalo Bills, and Wegmans have teamed up on a product that appeals not just to Bills fans but to anyone who has ever owned a set of Fisher-Price Little People. The new Fisher-Price Little People Let’s Go Buffalo! figure set is now available for sale exclusively at Wegmans Food Markets.

The set features “Little People-ized” quarterback Josh Allen, Coach Sean McDermott, and two fans representing the Bills Mafia, who are wearing authentic Bills clothing, including a chicken wing hat.

The idea was set into motion by the FisherPrice team the day after the Bills were eliminated from the playoffs last January.

Fisher-Price had an existing relationship with Oishei Children’s Hospital, the Bills, and Wegmans Food Markets, so the three entities came together to create this program. One hundred percent of net proceeds from the sale of this set are donated to the Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, providing philanthropic support to John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital.

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

IMAGINE, DISCOVER, GROW Children’s books to delight the heart and mind

by Sabrina Kahwaty

O V E R T H E PA S T Y E A R A N D A H A L F, we’ve probably all welcomed escapism in many forms, including books. For children also in need of a break from current world stress, these new titles can take them to a magical world where a boy can win the love of the moon, the depths of the animal kingdom, or a time where difference is appreciated. Check local libraries or your favorite bookstore.

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ILLUSTRATION BY RINO ALAIMO; COURTESY WORKMAN PUBLISHING

The Boy Who Loved the Moon

Written and illustrated by Rino Alaimo Workman Publishing, 2021 Adapted from his internationally award-winning independent film, Rino Alaimo’s The Boy Who Loved The Moon tells the story of a lonely boy desperate to win the moon’s love. There is nothing he won’t do—from swimming the deepest ocean to slaying the mightiest dragon—but he is continually rejected. The boy learns a powerful lesson when he discovers that the truest way to earn love is by offering a new perspective, not Herculean achievements. The dazzling illustrations are the book’s chief charm; each page is set on a black backdrop until the story’s moment of truth and the pictures seem to glow. This adapted folktale, recommended for ages five through eight, is as entrancing as it is heartwarming, and may spark conversations about love, perseverance, and doing good for others.

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Moimoi: Look at Me!

Imagine, discover, grow continued

Good Night Spencer

Written and illustrated by Michelle Romo Workman Publishing, 2021 It’s bedtime, and Spencer the cat has many things to do—brush his teeth, take a bath, choose pajamas and a story, and say good night to his family. Little ones will enjoy watching or helping Spencer complete his tasks.

The book also allows kids to practice words in Spencer’s world and their own by breaking down vocabulary with pictures on each page. With soothing sentences and appealing illustrations, Good Night Spencer is a perfect bedtime companion for ages zero to four.

SPENCER ILLUSTRATIONS BY MICHELLE ROMO; COURTESY WORKMAN PUBLISHING, MOIMOI ILLUSTRATION BY JUN ICHIHARA; COURTESY THE EXPERIMENT PUBLISHING

Written and illustrated

by Jun Ichihara Edited by Dr. Kazuo Hiraki The Experiment, 2021 Meet moimoi, “the colorful creatures that babies love to look at.” Japanese parents swear by moimoi, highcontrast designs developed

by Dr. Kazuo Hiraki at the University of Tokyo’s “Baby Lab.” Dr. Hiraki found that babies looked at moimoi for twice as long as the competition—they will even stop crying to look. Parents and caregivers can have fun reading this book aloud by changing the tone and pitch of each “moi,” and even adding melody. Soothe babies and toddlers alike with bright, captivating designs and your own creative sounds in this eyecatching board book.

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ILLUSTRATIONS BY SAMI BAYLY; COURTESY THE EXPERIMENT PUBLISHING

Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly The Experiment, 2021 From the creator of A Curious Collection of Peculiar Creatures comes a new encyclopedia filled with sixty magnificent animals from the Australian magpie to the vampire bat.

Bayly’s mission is to “shine a light on the more misunderstood species” by explaining natural adaptations that have led them to be perceived as dangerous. Make no mistake: many of them are, but Bayly has provided gorgeous watercolor illustrations and mind-blowing facts to help young readers appreciate these animals’ abilities and contributions. A perfect gift for children ages eight to fourteen (or anyone fascinated by the animal kingdom) this new publication provides a valuable lesson in not judging a book by its cover.

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A Curious Collection of Dangerous Creatures

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

The Proudest Color

By Sheila Modir, PHD and Jeff Kashou, LMFT Illustrated by Monica Mikai Workman Publishing, 2021 Zahra sees and feels the world in intense colors. When she’s happy, she feels a “rush of razzle-dazzle pink” in her hands. When she’s sad, she feels deep blue in her eyes. She isn’t quite sure what to feel about the color of her skin, especially when kids at school tell her she is different. Through conversation with her parents, who highlight celebrated and accomplished figures with brown skin, both throughout history and Zahra’s everyday life, she finds pride in her skin and herself. Put together by an inclusive team after extensive research, The Proudest Color is a thoughtful introduction to race, racism, and racial pride for children ages five and up, complete with notes to parents and caregivers on how to facilitate cultural socialization—the promotion of cultural, ethnic, and racial pride—that can help a child develop positive racial identity in the face of discrimination.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY MONICA MIKAI; COURTESY WORKMAN PUBLISHING

Imagine, discover, grow continued

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

AMAZON BEST SELLER! “CANTVILLE” IS UNIQUE AND ULTIMATELY INSPIRING…

BY AN AUTHOR WITH A GENUINE FLAIR FOR ORIGINALITY, INSIGHTS INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION, AND AN EFFECTIVE NARRATIVE STORYTELLING STYLE. -MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW

CANTVILLE IS A PARABLE OF OUR TIMES, AND A HOPEFUL GLIMPSE INTO OUR FUTURE. IN THE HANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, THIS SIMPLE STORY CAN INSTILL LIFELONG PATTERNS, WHEN IT REACHES ADULTS IT OFFERS THEM A SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE EXISTING PATTERNS AND COURSE CORRECT. -MICHELE GRANBERG, MINDSET COACH & HOST OF POSITIVE ENERGY TVSHOW

Cantville is an inspiring fable which reminds us about the importance of a positive attitude and making good decisions.

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY SERGIO DRUMOND

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM OR YOUR FAVORITE ONLINE/BRICK AND MORTAR BOOK STORE. HARD COVER, PAPERBACK OR EBOOK

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BUFFALOSPREE.COM

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

716.754.7074

SuesFrameofMind.com

CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING & ORIGINAL ARTWORK • Diplomas • Sports Jerseys • Needlework • Memorabilia • Custom Matting & Framing

748 Center Street, Lewiston

Tue - Fri 10:30am - 5:30pm | Sat 10:30am - 3:00pm Bicycle Sales, Repairs & Awesome Gifts

654 Main St East Aurora, NY 14052 716-249-2453 • kickstandculture.com

An eclectic selection of books for readers of all ages and tastes Independent Bookstores Nourish Independent Minds

Shop Local. Grow Buffalo.

951 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 | (716) 884-9524 www.tleavesbooks.com

FOR BODY AND MIND

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FEATURING

REJUVENATE YOUR SKIN FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Susan Ciminelli, skin care expert and celebrity facialist, has a holistic approach when it comes to beauty.

She offers treatments that help the mind, body and spirit to bring the client back into balance.

10% off of gift certificates and products at the time of purchase if you mention Buffalo Spree.

716.398.5250 || 3965 Main Street, Amherst NY www.susannaturally.com

Susan Naturally Day Spa

Photo Credit: Stephen Gabris

@susannaturallydayspa

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

READ IT AND EAT Read It and Eat is a fun quarterly subscription box that combines two of life’s simplest pleasures— books and food. Because really, what’s better than curling up with a great book in one hand and a tasty snack in the other?

716.833.0740

3908 Maple Rd, Amherst

Each box contains: • A curated food item from a small, family-owned, or BIPOC business • A surprise goodie also supporting small businesses!

• A donation to a non-profit that fights food scarcity and hunger • A gently-used food writing book (Non-fiction, not a cookbook)

Made in Buffalo

BUFFALO’S HOBBY GAME STORE

BOARD GAMES, CARD GAMES, DICE, MINIATURES, RPGS, AND MORE...

www.booksnbread.com

Waterfront Living | Downtown Views Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation’s West End development on Buffalo’s vibrant waterfront features 20 upscale, new-build townhomes on 2.4 acres. Each customizable unit features 3 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 3 patios, attached garage, and views from every room.

For more information and to schedule your tour with Gurney Becker & Bourne today, visit WestEndBuffalo.com or call 716.849.1234.

MENTION OR BRING IN THIS AD AND RECEIVE A FREE GIFT

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BUFFALOSPREE.COM

Unique jewelery & accessories.

Beautiful furs.

Vintage & contemporary fashions for women and men.

4060 Union Road Cheektowaga

634-6858 www.ritzyragsconsignment.com

• Special occasion & wedding cakes • Vegan options available • Cocoa bombs & cookies • Artisan breads & pastries • Harvest sourdough with pumpkin, apple and maple

Hours: Sun & Tue 8am-2pm Wed-Sat 7am-6pm

716.839.3500 • wheatberrybakeshop.com 3985 Harlem Rd. • Snyder, NY

A Modern yet Classic Collection of Home Decor, Gifts & Accessories

4 4 46 MAIN ST SNYDER, NY 14226

SPRUCEONMAIN.COM 716.217.4230

HOLIDAY HOURS MON-WED 10-5 THU-FRI 10-7 SAT 10-4 SUN 11-3

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING GUIDE 2021

TO BECOME A SPREE ADVERTISER, CALL (716) 783-9119 Aesthetic Associates Centre (716)839-1700, gr8look.com....................................27 Alexandra (716)699-5621, alexandragiftsonline.com...............66 Alleyway Theater (716)852-2600, alleyway.com................................75 Aremel Soaps (716)812-6607, aremelsoaps.etsy.com....................52 Avalon Apparel & Gifts (716)280-5070, avalonapparelimprint.etsy.com.....52 Barbara Rickard, Paintress (716)310-6930, barbararickard.com.......................52 Black Willow Winery LLC (716)439-1982, BlackWillowWinery.com.................73 bookmarks n breadsticks (631)707-3941, booksnbread.com...........................78 Borelli Direct (732)940-1500, borellidirect.com............................74 Buffalo Museum of Science (716)896-5200, sciencebuff.org............................. 28 Buffalo Philharmonic / BPO (716)885-5000, bpo.org..........................................59 Buffalove Apparel (716)903-2866, buffaloveapparel.com...................64 Burchfield Penney Art Center (716)878-6011, burchfieldpenney.org...................... 16 CooCooU (716)432-6216, facebook.com/27vintage/..............64 Corto’s Salon and Seasons Spa (716)648-3120, cortossalonandspa.com................. 17 Crazyartgrrl Jewelry (800)281-0774, crazyartgrrljewelry.com................ 48 Davison Road Inn/Village Eatery (716)434-8444, davisonroadinn.com......................26 Dragon Snack Games (716)833-0740, facebook.com/Dragon-SnackGames-361313642048/...78 Eastview Mall (585)223-3693, eastviewmall.com......................... 40 Edible Arrangements (716)688-6404, ediblearrangements.com...............66 Ellicottville Chamber of Commerce (716)699-5046, ellicottvilleny.com........................IBC Explore Buffalo (716)245-3032, explorebuffalo.org.........................74 Extreme Sun Capsule (716)685-2002, extremesuntanning.com................ 41 Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA (716)297-2022, theoutlets.us.....................................4 Feel Rite Fresh Markets (716)835-5686, feel-rite.com..................................25

Fisher Price (716)687-3300, fisher-price.com.............................67 Gilded Maple (716)473-5127, gildedmaple.com/.......................... 54 Gurney Becker & Bourne (716)849-1234, gurneyrealestate.com.....................78 Hartman’s Distilling Co. (716)551-6313, hartmansdistilling.com.......... Cover, 8 Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum (716)693-1885, carrouselmuseum.org.....................78 Howard Hanna / Deb Meyers (716)689-8100, howardhanna.com......................... 31 Howard Hanna / Karen Baker (716)830-7264, HowardHanna.com........................bc Howard Hanna / Merredith Levin (716)689-8100, mlevin.howardhanna.com..............67 Hunt Real Estate / Beth Klipfel (716)390-0533, bethklipfel.com..............................77 Independent Health Foundation (716)250-7331, independenthealth.com..................29 Inspired Buffalo (716)545-5544, etsy.com/shop/InspiredBuffalo....... 52 Jo-An’s Hallmark & Boutique (716)875-5588, facebook.com/joanshallmarkondelaware...............38 Josie’s on Central (716)713-7502, josiesoncentralave.com/................ 54 Julie Muscato Interiors (716)201-1274, juliemuscatointeriors.com...........12, 13 Juls and Jane (716)901-7576, juls-and-jane.myshopify.com........ 54 Kavinoky Theatre (716)829-7668, kavinokytheatre.com..................... 30 Kickstand Culture (716)249-2453, kickstandculture.com.....................76 Lace & Day (716)884-1580, laceandday.com..........................2, 3 Lilly Belle Meads (716)462-9804, lillybellemeads.com/..................... 54 Lockwood’s Garden Center (716)649-4684, weknowplants.com........................ 15 M P Caroll Hardwood (716)683-8520, mpcaroll.com.................................39 Market in the Square (716)675-8200, TheMarketInTheSquare.com..........49 Mia’s Studio (716)308-9313, miaartstudio.com/..........................52 Mills Jewelers (716)433-6456, millsjewelers.com.......................... 65 MJ Peterson / Susan Lenahan (716)819-4200, susanlenahan.com...........................9

Modern Kitchens of Buffalo (716)895-2900, modernkitchens.com......................11 National Comedy Center/Lucy Desi Museum (716)484-0800, nationalcomedycenter.org........... 50 New Image Anti-Aging Cosmetic Laser Ctr. LLC (716)634-6243, newimageantiaging.com/.............. 14 Picasso’s Pizza (716)668-0334, picassospizza.net/........................ 55 Ritzy Rags Upscale Consignment Boutique (716)634-6858, ritzyragsconsignment.com............79 Riverside Men’s Shop (716)833-8401, riversidemens.com........................6, 7 Rock, Paper, Safety Scissors Publishing (716)935-0570, rpsspublishing.com/..................... 65 Runner’s Roost (716)662-1331, therunnersroost.com.......................37 Shea’s Performing Arts Center (716)847-0850, sheas.org......................................... 1 Shear Madness (716)248-1455, Shearmadnesskids.com..................53 Shop 716 Gift Card amherst.org/shop716.............................................. 61 Skoobs Village Grille (716)473-5675, skoobsvillagegrille.com.................. 54 Spruce on Main (716)217-4230, spruceonmain.com.........................79 Suburban Women’s Healthcare (716)876-5512, suburbanwomenshealthcare.com....... 24 Sue’s Frame of Mind (716)754-7074, suesframeofmind.com....................76 SUNSHINE T-SHIRT CO (716)936-9081, sunshineshirtco.etsy.com...............52 Susan Naturally Day Spa (716)398-5250, susanciminelli.com.........................77 Talking Leaves Books (716)884-9524, tleavesbooks.com..........................76 Urban Air Adventure Park (800)960-4778, urbanairtrampolinepark.com...... IFC Wheatberry Bake Shop (716)839-3500, wheatberrybakeshop.com.............79 Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium (716)878-4911, planetarium.buffalostate.edu/........75 Winkler & Samuels (716)235-8121, winklerandsamuels.com.................. 51 WNED (716)845-7000, wned.org........................................79 WNY Heritage Press, Inc. (716)893-4011, wnyheritagepress.org.....................76 Woodhouse Day Spa, The (716)458-5700, buffalo.woodhousespas.com...........5

W ISHIN G AL L MY C LIENT S A ND T H EIR FA M I L I E S A VERY HE ALT H Y A ND H A PPY H OLIDAY S EA SO N

Thank you for all your support in 2021 Looking forward to Welcoming you to your home in 2022!

KAREN BAKER L I C E N S E D R E A L E S TAT E S A L E S P E R S O N

Cell: 716-830-7264 | karenbaker@howardhanna.com W W W. H O WA R D H A N N A . C O M | 5 4 6 2 S H E R I D A N D R I V E , W I L L I A M S V I L L E , N Y 1 4 2 2 1