We want to wish everyone a very happy Columbus Day.
Now we know some of you may not have to go to work or school, but many people will still go about your normal daily activities. I was watching the news on television yesterday morning and they were discussing the history of Columbus Day. Apparently the activities of Christopher Columbus were somewhat controversial in more ways than one.
First of all he did not really land on the United States, and secondly, I did not realize his arrival and activities created havoc among the Native Americans.
The other thing I discovered was the formal Columbus Day was initiated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt in April 1934 through the lobbying of Knights of Columbus and Congress itself. Many other states, countries and locations celebrated this holiday prior to 1934, however.
I do think Columbus Day has been part of our culture since we all were in elementary school. Let's all enjoy it.
As a reminder we will have a meeting of all our downtown businesses, attractions and anyone who would like to attend Tuesday at 8 a.m. in the Renaissance Center. The attractions attending will give you a summary of activities they have all been part of and these same organizations will also discuss upcoming events and be able to answer questions.
Once again everyone is invited to attend - as we have said in the past this is a method to get everyone on the same page and understand what we are doing right here in Jamestown.
Now I have a report on the train station.
Due to changes in some of invited officials' schedules, we have had to change the date of the ribbon cutting and grand opening. It will not be on Oct. 12 as previously planned. The rescheduled date will be Oct. 26. The time will remain at 10:30 a.m.
We will have a full complement of both state and federal officials on hand to welcome the opening of the newly renovated former Erie Lackawanna train station. Since the ribbon cutting has been rescheduled on very short notice, we would ask you let people know of the change - many of you have connections with people who are interested and may be going to attend.
We are doing all we can to get the word to every one of the change. We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and sincerely apologize. If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 664-2477.
We would like you to know our local railroad; the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad have been wonderful to work with and will provide rolling stock for the event.
We have also been working with another local railroad that, as rumor has it; will provide a working steam engine on site for all to see. We will have many railroad displays and organizations represented and a local railroad author will be present to provide books as well as take part in the ceremony.
For your information, we do have copies of the book "Remembering The Erie Lackawanna Railroad" by Kenneth C. Springirth of Erie, Pa., in our office. Chapter 5 in the book is devoted to the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad while Chapter 6 is entirely devoted to the "Rebirth of a Station" - Jamestown's very own Gateway Station.