Canalside carousel celebrates 100 years, but has only been in operation for 24 years

If there were entries in the Guinness World Records for the most years a carousel is stored, or the time elapsed between two people riding a carousel, they would almost surely say “Buffalo Heritage Carousel at solar energy”.

The menagerie park-style wooden carousel, which began its fourth season at Canalside this month, turns 100 this year – an even century since Italian immigrant Domenick DeAngelis purchased the attraction in 1924 from a business in North Tonawanda, 13 miles from his current home.

The carousel has not operated for 67 consecutive years, including 63 years in storage. The inactivity began in 1954, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower was in his first term, and ended 12 presidents later with Joe Biden in the White House.

That’s when the meticulously restored carousel, powered by rooftop Tesla solar panels rather than electricity, reopened as a waterfront attraction in 2021.

“Carousels have universal appeal and, remarkably, something popular in 1954 is just as popular in 2024,” said State Senator Sean Ryan, who played a leading role in installing the carousel on the seafront.

(RELATED: Check out the before and after gallery of the carousel animals from chief news photographer Derek Gee. here)

Millions to support cultural groups taken by Erie County lawmakers for donations: Less than half of all money earmarked in 2022 by Erie County Executive Poloncarz under the Arts and Culture Capital Projects Fund has been allocated in the manner originally envisioned by the administration of Poloncarz. Learn more

Kaleida plans new psychiatric emergency program at Olean General Hospital: Olean General secured $5 million in state funding to add a comprehensive psychiatric emergency program, which will provide services to people facing a behavioral health crisis. Learn more

Fired Locust Street Art employee apologizes and says she had “clear approval” for emailed termination of Jewish school partnership: Locust Street Art employee who stopped work with Ohr Temimim Jewish school over support for ‘Palestinian genocide’ says she sent the email about the school’s relationship with the Jewish Federation of Buffalo, which supported Israel during the Gaza war. Learn more

WNY to get $8.8M from youth vaping deal with Juul: Western New York is awaiting $8.8 million from a massive multistate settlement with Juul Labs Inc. for the company’s role in the youth vaping epidemic . Learn more

Lancaster superintendent retires; Replacement of school board names: Lancaster Central School District Superintendent Michael J. Vallely will retire later this year and his replacement will come from within the district. After 11 years as superintendent, Vallely’s last day with the district will be Dec. 1, and Andrew P. Kufel, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and school personnel services, will assume that role. Learn more

Josh Allen to Represent Pepsi in ‘Gladiator II’ Commercial: The commercial is expected to debut later this year, ahead of the premiere of “Gladiator II” and the start of the NFL season. Learn more

The lighter side of The News: Grilling Sen. Schumer; A-MAY-zing; Ode to a friend: Read the offbeat stories our journalists gathered for this week’s Off Main Street column. Learn more

Sunny Saturday: Mixed sun and clouds throughout the day. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Maximum temperature of 83 degrees. Learn more

Foxglove Pub brings European charm and cocktails to Hamburg: Foxglove Pub (20 S. Buffalo St.) is hosting a grand opening party today from noon to midnight. Learn more

On location: Buffalo’s Gold Dome helps filmmakers tell the story of “The Panic”: “The Panic” spent June filming in the Buffalo area taking in the city’s historic architecture in such prestigious buildings as Butler Mansion, the Twentieth Century Club and M&T’s “Gold Dome” bank. Learn more

Cole is selling a steak sandwich in honor and raising money for Old Pink: Cole’s is paying homage to the Old Pink’s Steak Sandwich by offering its own version, complete with Guinness-baked peppers and onions, as its specialty for the next two weeks. Cole’s will donate 25% of all its steak sandwich sales to the owners of Old Pink’s. Learn more

“Inside Out 2” concept art donated to the National Comedy Center: A rare donation of concept art from the new film “Inside Out 2” has been donated by Pixar Animation Studios to the National Comedy Center’s permanent archives. The art is now available in the center’s Cartoon and Animation Gallery, the Jamestown Museum and Pixar announced Friday. Learn more

“We’re all doing our best to fix this”: Cyberattack pushes dealerships to go old school: Local dealerships are transacting business with customers the old-fashioned way, following a cyberattack on a widely used software provider. The company targeted by the attack, Illinois-based CDK Global, temporarily shut down most of its systems as a precaution. The effect has spread to showrooms and service areas across the country, affecting approximately 15,000 auto dealers who use CDK’s services. Learn more

Former Irving Hospital could be transformed into a mental health facility: A former hospital campus in Chautauqua County could be revived to meet the growing need for mental health care services. Officials with Northeast Medical, which is called NE Med, said Friday the company has entered into a contract to buy the former TLC-Lakeshore Medical Center in Irving. Learn more

The warning label: The U.S. surgeon general is calling for mental health warning labels on social media apps for young users. See the latest Adam Zyglis cartoon

Ryan O’Halloran: Bills linebacker Deion Jones ready to lead, rookies ready to listen: “I just like being a help to the young guys coming in, being a voice of reason for them and helping them sort things out as they first transition into the league,” Jones said. “I want to make sure they have a positive mindset and know what it takes to be a pro.” Learn more

Clarence’s Ella Harrison and Nardin’s Erin Nuwer named softball players of the year: Clarence senior Ella Harrison, who will play in college at Rutgers University, was named Class AA Player of the Year, while Nardin’s Erin Nuwer, who will play for the University of Tennessee, was named Class A Player of the Year. Learn more

“The Panic” is filmed at the Gold Dome branch of M&T Bank in downtown Buffalo: The cast and crew of the feature film “The Panic” filmed scenes Wednesday at M&T Bank’s Gold Dome branch in Buffalo. View Libby March’s gallery here

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