Time Marches Onward

Marion Parsons' home today, contributed by the current owners

As the author, my speaking engagements for The Brass Bell have come to an end for this year. It's been an adventure since last June. The best part of the book tour was the launch event at the school. So many people who had loved and admired Marion Parsons from 1926 until she retired in 1952 were there to get their signed copy of the book. I have known all along that the popularity of the book has little to do with me and everything to do with those who have loved and admired my aunt's leadership and graciousness. She's been gone for over 40 years, but not forgotten.

As for her school, last month Cherry Road School was presented with the national Blue Ribbon Award, pronouncing it one of the best schools in the country. Oh, if only she were around to know  this!

As for her house, the darling house once featured in Better Homes & Gardens and Architectural Digest.... the wonderful people who live there now have shared some pictures. Looking at the picture of their front door in this picture, I can still smell the pungent odor of the juniper shrubbery at her front door, feel the warmth of her home as you stepped inside the vestibule, hear her laugh, hear her call out. By the look of this autumn snapshot, they love the house as much as she and her family had once so long ago.

I'm told the book will make a great Christmas gift for those who were lucky enough to live in this neighborhood, attend this school, or to have known Miss Parsons. For others, it will make a lovely gift for anyone with a penchant for the past and what we've left behind in quality of schools, strength of community relationships, and integrity of leadership. 

If you're wondering where you can purchase a copy, here are a few examples:

• The Brass Bell can be ordered directly from Sahalie Publishing, or from
• Amazon.com
• For those in the Syracuse area, you can also buy directly from:
• Onondaga County Historical Society's Museum store, 
• the Marcellus Historical Society's store
• Skaneateles Historical Society gift store
• First National Gifts, Skaneateles, NY
• Solvay-Geddes Historical Society..see their website
• The Book Cellar, Solvay NY