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Postcards From Springfield

by Bill Dusty

So you’re sitting in the waiting room at the dentist’s office and your mind is locked on to that 2-inch-long Novocaine needle that’s going to be sinking into your gums in about ten minutes. Your eyes dart about as you search for a distraction. You look to the table on your left, where an old copy of Sports Illustrated features Tom Brady on the cover, proudly holding up a Super Bowl trophy – from Super Bowl 36.

Women’s Day. Model Railroader. Quilter’s Almanac. What kind of dentist reads Quilter’s Almanac?

Your eyes glance to your right. Another small table with stacks of old magazines. But what’s this? Your eyes focus on a small, softcover book with the title “Springfield.” You reach over and pick it up. Your eyes light up as you leaf through its pages. You like this…

It’s Arcadia Publishing’s latest offering from local author G. Michael Dobbs – and it’s a good one.

“Postcard History Series – Springfield” is a 5-chapter, 128-page treasure trove of over 200 vintage photos and postcard images of the City of Springfield.

Chapter One features images of Springfield’s historical landmarks, including vintage images of the Municipal Group (City Hall and Symphony Hall) and Court Square. Chapter Two delves into the city’s downtown, with photos of street cars trundling along Main Street and rare images of hotels and theaters – some lost to history, others still with us today. Chapter Three, “Around The Town,” takes readers on a trip around Springfield’s neighborhoods, while Chapter Four features images of the city’s manufacturing past. The final chapter, Five, treats readers to vintage shots of Forest Park, including images of the Barney Residence and the old Forest Park zoo.

“Springfield” will be on sale starting August 25, 2008, for $19.99, and can be purchased at local and online bookstores, as well as at Arcadia Publishing’s website (arcadiapublishing.com).

** LOCAL BOOK SIGNING ** Author Mike Dobbs will also be hosting a book signing for “Springfield” on Saturday, September 6, at 1:00pm at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, located at 25 Hazard Avenue, Enfield, CT.

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Check out some sample photos, below.
(Reprinted with permission from “Springfield,” by G. Michael Dobbs.
Available from the publisher online at www.arcadiapublishing.com
or by calling 888-313-2665.)

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The dentist will see you, now.

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Posted by Bill Dusty on Aug 21st, 2008 and filed under Cities & Towns, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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