Foggy Feast at the Old Rockpile

The gray skies of December often remind me of an afternoon 42 years ago when the Buffalo Bills won their first championship in the old American Football League. On the day after Christmas, 1964, the Bills played the San Diego Chargers in War Memorial Stadium at the corner of Jefferson and Best streets. The stadium had been built in the 1930s and was earning its name: the Old Rockpile. A hastily added expansion the previous year with a weirdly raised roofline only detracted from its appearance.

The game started at 2 o'clock but the sky was so overcast that it seemed like the sun had nto risen that day. Thankfully, the temperature was above freezing and the rain had stopped. Dark clouds still covered the area and the warmer lake supplied the fog. The game had sold out quickly and pre-game excitement ran high...

To read more of Donald Golba's story, see page 6 of the Winter 2007 Heritage Magazine. Suscribe now!

Joseph Bennett of Evans: Western New York Pioneer

It was June 1820. The 16-year-old stared out at the rocking scenery as the stage he happened to share with young Buffalo congressman Albert H. Tracy bounced uncomfortably over the sharp ridges and deep ruts that marked the road from Central New York to the village of Buffalo. Because he'd had job responsibilities to wrap up at Union Springs on Cayuga Lake, he'd been left behind by his parents and the rest of his large family who were heading west. Now, having tied up loose ends with his employers, he was en route to join his family in Williamsville, Town of Amherst.

The young Vermonter's name - Joseph Bennett - would, by the time of his death nearly eight decades from now, be well known in this part of New York State.

To view the rest of this story by Kevin Siepel, see page 12 in the Winter 2007 Heritage Magazine. Subscribe now!

 

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