Another Visit to Syracuse

Researching The Brass Bell

Next week, on June 7, I take off from Portland, Oregon, and fly to Syracuse for my final round of research for the book: The Brass Bell. I'll be there from the 7th until the 22nd.

I'll be in the area talking with alumni, with members of the Solvay-Geddes Historical Society, poking through the files at the Onondaga County Historical Society and the Onondaga County Library.

If any CRS alumni, especially those who attended Cherry Road School any time from 1927-1953, are nearby and have a story or any memories to share, I'd love to hear from you while I'm in town.

Most of the research is complete and the book is well on its way to the finish line, at least the first finish line. Making a book is a long and tedious process as those of you who have done it know. Once the first draft is done, there are rewrites, and more rewrites, editors, peer reviews, more editors, production staff, artists, marketing staff, and endless outreach, once the book is actually printed, to let people know that the book is available. Those of us who do it believe that we were born to complete the task. Without that drive, the sane person would give up and get a "real job."

Writing The Brass Bell is a labor of love, love for Westvale, love for my Aunt Marion, and love for the education process.

Marion Parsons affected the lives of thousands of people who now live all over the country. Many still live in Westvale; some have returned to Westvale. They all share one thing in common: love and respect for the diminutive woman who had a giant impact on their lives. The Brass Bell is a tribute to her, the teachers at Cherry Road School who worked diligently beside Miss Parsons, and educators worldwide who struggle to find ways to engage students in a love of learning.