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Monday, February 18, 2008
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20 comments:
Dear Mike;
Words cannot describe how heart broken I have been all week after learning of your passing. We worked together for a long time at West Point and not once had a bad word between us. You taught me to laugh and take things as they come. I saw how strong you were when your son passed away. My life will never be the same, I will miss you coming in my office and most of all I will miss your booming voice and great presence.Thanks Sue for sharing him with me!
Always a friend-Buttercup!
On Friday, March 14, the first ever Irish Mouth will be presented at ARts on the Lake in Kent/Carmel. The lineup will include local and regional talent--musical and literary--who share a love for Irish culture. Join us that evening. More info? www.Arts on the Lake.org
When I think of the Chapel, I can't help but smile. The memories the people and Jim's kind smile.
I may of been crude, rude and a bore. But for me Mr. Guinan's was more than a store.
To John & to Margaret, Kelly, Dean, Todd and more. I'm glad that I've met you and wished our time was much more.
Mr. Guinan I thank you for your words and your songs. To Capt'n Tom and to Ed, Much I can not convey. But Thanks can be hard for me to express.
Soon Summer will be here and the fall bicycle ride. God willing I'll be there support to provide.
But for Easter I trust God will be by your sides.
The final nights at Guinan's was possibly more than anyone thought they ever seen before. To those who I asked not to enter the doors, it was for your safety we feared (and not the age of the floors). The crowd was substatial the exits were few. Please forgive me if then I offended a few.
So those I haven't mention please don't think of me ill, but these limited space and volumes to fill.
Wendy, thaks for the book, the memories and much more.
Quinn
I grew up in the Garrison/Cold Spring area and had just started a new job in NYC. On certain nights of the week I'd get off the train in Garrison and walk into Guinan's with basically no money to my name and ritually started buying a soda and a candy bar before routinely trudging on foot up a steep hill in the dark, to a nearby AA meeting. I slowly started a fun, comically sarcastic dialogue with the white moustached man behind the counter who turned out to be John Guinan. One night while talking about our favorite rock bands, he curiously asked me where I was walking to and I figured the last thing this seemingly tough Irish guy running a bar would want to hear is an AA meeting, but he was gracious and congratulated me and said more people oughta to the same and we continued our conversation on favorite rock bands. I'm really sorry he's gone. I'll always remember my brief comical exchanges with him after a hard day at work.
Thanks to the Guinan family (surname and friends). You have touched a transient Army officer in more ways than you can imagine...thanks for the everlasting memories. I hope the spirit remains when I pass through your lovely land again.
...keep on smiling
I just finished reading the book over the Christmas vacation form school. I had planned to travel to Garrison to see Guinan's, only to read I am too late. So sad. I would have loved to have seen for myself just what the book described.
I just finished Little Chapel on The River. The people depicted in the book are engaging and endearing...and so it was with some sadness and not a little shock to see that one of the major players, John Guinan, has passed on. "The good they die young". My condolences to all and may the spirit of Guinan's live on!
Hans P. Bosse
Stamford, CT
Wendy,
Just rereading Little Chapel and decided to blog. My wife, last Jan 27 saw an article in the NY TImes about Guinan's closing. We decided we must visit and came with her determined to get jim to sign her copy of the book. Not only did she get Jim to sign but most everyone else there. We cherish our copy of your book now often rereading the signings, matching them with characters from the book. We only regret not having your signature but than you so much for sharing and bringing this wonderful place to us all.
We hope to be at the reunion on March 11 and will bring the book if you will be there.
Hope you are well and we thank you again for sharing this with us
Don and Eileen Goodrich
Bethel, CT
hi wendy. i saw you filmong the meeting and i wondered if you were going to post it someplace and i found your terrific site. i was going to say something, but everybody seemed to tell the story better than i could. i don't understand why they want to spend 500k or so on the building. we redid our house and added ~2000 sqft for about 1/2 that price. as an old guinan guy, i hope the plaza guys can accept a compromise on this. i'm a numbers guy and, while one can get numbers on the charity i can't find anything re the for profit plaza which, as i understand it, owns the whole area and probably some other assets/land as well. anyway your site is great and good luck with all of this. clip bartow
Sorry to hear about Mr. Guinan. I only read the book, but felt like I knew him or wanted to.
He will be remembered.
Joe Marcklinger
Nantucket, Ma.
jim was my nans brother,i never new him but look forward to reading the book.my thoughts are with his family
shaun proodfoot
guildford,england
I was just told about this book and can't wait to read it...I grew up in Garrison, and would go to Guinan's all the time...I moved from Garrison in 1975 while in high school, I do believe I went to school with some of the folks mentioned in the book...I miss Garrison so much, it was such a special place to grow up, which of course you don't realize until you're gone...
The Guinan's were a fixture in Garrison, and will be greatly missed, I was very sorry to hear about the passing of both Mr Guinan and John....will post after reading the book....Thanks
Alex Hatziemanuel
Does anyone know how to get in touch with Billy Fitzgerald? I just finished the book and was surprised to read about him. I grew up with him in Ossining and lost touch over the years. If you know how to reach him, pass this along and tell him Wing is looking for him. Thanks
Gwendolyn,
Great story, quickly from bigcity & tragic to the local everyday, a few beers, few stories, small town. Gives meaning to the commonplace, refuge of time. therapeutic for you to write, for us to read. Well done.
Paul
from the Millbrook book day fair
I have lovely memories of Guinan's... a beer after sunset, acting at the Depot, and the lovely folks who thrive at Garrison's Landing. Whenever I pass by on the train, it saddens me to think it no longer exists. Finally picked up your book and it makes those feelings even more pronounced. I wish... I hope? that someone will continue the tradition and create another venue for comraderie and tradition there. Is it possible? Who knows, but we need more such places in our lives. Thanks.
was a great place, 'tis time to come over and pay my last respects - two dolly partons that's what my uncle told me as he taught me how to cook a fry!
I just finished reading "Little Chapel on the River" and was deeply moved by this fascinating portrayal of a town and its many characters. I live in NYC and have never set foot in Garrison. However, I feel a strong connection to this place and The Guinan family. The book is a tribute to a time when honesty, character, and service to community truly meant something. Then, I stumbled across this blog and found myself in tears when I discovered that Mr. Guinan and his son John had passed. I never met these men, but it would have been an honor and a privilege to have done so. Even though Guinan's is now closed, the memories and the spirit will live on. I plan on taking my wife and 11 month old son to Garrison so the vivid images in my head will come to life. I just want to thank you, Wendy, for bringing this story into my life.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for the great read. Growing up in Garrison I visited Guinan's for one-cent tootsie rolls and fireballs, the paper with our family name on it, and then later for the atmosphere in the bar. My most vivid Jim-memory was of him pouring me a Guinness. When I remarked that it was the best beer I'd ever had, he quickly corrected me by saying "It's not a beer, it's a stout!" One of many happy memories of Garrison's Landing. -Wil
I just finished reading Little Chapel and now found this website. How sad Big Mike, John, Jim and the Chapel are all gone. I feel a loss and I really have no right to. I wish I could have found you all earlier....... I will read the book over and over and keep visiting here to keep you all alive in my heart.
Thank you Wendy for writing such a wonderful tribute to Guinan's and those who loved and frequented it. Sorry that 9/11 is what brought you to discover such a wonderful place. Even sorrier that Guinan's is no more and the owner and his son are dead. I've given the book to several others who also enjoyed reading it. Sometimes i watch or listen to the YouTube videos and wish there could be another Guinan's somewhere. But no one could replace John and Jim and the rest of the family, friends, and the place itself right there on the Hudson. I think back to times i'd been there years ago and took it for granted! Darn if i'd only known ... Thank you again Wendy. I look forward to reading more of your writing!
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