This Hertel Avenue litter triggered an instant memory flashback: Hey Steve-o, here’s a couple bucks. Go to the store and get your ol’man a pack of smokes. Your grandmother, too. And get yourself a candy bar, ok? Even at 6 years old, Dad didn’t have to tell me to get him Parliament 100s or Grandma … Continue reading The every day is filled with memories of those who make us who we are
I’m blessed that as a child of the 80s, my ol’man did a lot of channel changing during the local TV news– or should I say, since our TV didn’t have a remote for most of the 80s, that I did a lot of channel changing at dad’s command. I’m glad I got to watch … Continue reading Bob Koop sitting at the wheel of a 1985 Chevy Celebrity
Most of us hear about the lurid details of a suicide and can’t even fathom hanging ourselves by a belt from a door knob like Robin Williams did. Seems impossible that he would, either. He was always the life of the party, always smiling and trying making people laugh. Most of us can’t rectify being so despondent … Continue reading A brief memoir in depression and anxiety
My ol’man took me to my first Bills game at Rich Stadium against the Baltimore Colts in 1982– the players’ strike shortened season. Gramps was a ticket taker at the stadium, so we didn’t pay– we handed him a matchbook which he ripped and gave back to us in case the boss was watching. Aside … Continue reading Remembering my first Bills game… and it hasn’t gotten much better
A social media recap of the 48 hours after Election Day 2017, where I was defeated in the race for Erie County Clerk by a margin of 52% to 48%: The one good thing about no longer running for office is…. I can be snarky whenever snarky is called for. Here’s an email I received tonight, and responded to … Continue reading Election Day 2017: The best is yet to come!
When I was a kid at Holy Family grammar school in South Buffalo, I loved election season. Watching the news with my dad every night, I got to know all the players on the local scene, and through my ol’man’s instant, savage analysis, I always knew who was a good guy and who was a … Continue reading Sign of the times
Seeing this guy on the window sill in our dining room fired up a Father’s Day memory. This is one of a couple of brass lizards that were in hidden in the dining room plants at the house of my great-grandpa and namesake, Stephen Julius Wargo. Especially when they were dirty, these things looked real– … Continue reading Scary brass lizards and memories of Father’s Days past
I just realized today the newly restored cherubs on the walls at St. Mark’s are the spitting image of my dad’s big sister Tricia– who died of kidney disease while my ol’man was overseas in the Marine Corps (years before I was born.) My dad’s stories about her were always filled with special happiness in … Continue reading Aunt Tricia the real life angel– and the angel on the wall at St. Mark’s
The Complete History of Parkside By Steve Cichon A history of the Frederick Law Olmsted designed neighborhood, from its place in the history of the Seneca Nation, to its role in the War of 1812, to Olmsted’s design and the turn of the century building out of the area, and the neighborhood’s 20th century evolutions. … Continue reading Titles in our Bookstore
Buffalo, NY – This is my ol’man celebrating his birthday at the VA Hospital in 2007. It’s very rare to have served our country and not have left some piece of your mind, spirit, sanity, or body behind to ensure the freedom and tranquility of Americans and good people all over the world. The … Continue reading An appreciation of the sacrifice of veterans
