New Books, Now Available

Nearly one thousand freedom seekers traveled through the area on their way to Canada. The first rendition of “The Old Rugged Cross” was sung in a local church before it became one of the best-loved gospel hymns in America. The first stop on the Orphan Train, which moved street orphans from New York City to homes across the Midwest, was in Dowagiac, and the invention of Kitty Litter by local Edward Lowe allowed cat lovers the world over to finally bring their furry friends in from the cold.

Author Rose Mary Wood commemorates the events and individuals who left their mark on Cass County and the world.

The Latin/Greek Institute at the City University of New York

by Lucas G Rubin

 Since 1973, the Latin/Greek Institute (LGI) at the City University of New York has trained thousands of students in the classical languages. After 50 days of highly choreographed study, graduates of the Institute’s basic Latin and Greek programs—who enter with little or no prior knowledge—are able to engage in advanced reading courses and/or sit for graduate language exams. This is a remarkable feat made possible by a unique curricular model developed by the Institute’s visionary founder, Dr. Floyd L. Moreland. A summer at the LGI is almost impossible to describe; it is as much an experience as a program of study. Largely assembled from the archives of Brooklyn College, this book tells the story of the Latin/Greek Institute from its prehistory to its 50th anniversary and includes a visual history of its academics, dramatis personae, and an array of customs and traditions that have come to define this unique academic enterprise.

Lucas G. Rubin is a two-time alumnus of the Latin/Greek Institute, of which he became director in 2020. He holds a doctorate in classics from the State University of New York at Buffalo, an accomplishment made possible only by his summers spent at the Institute.

Cedar Point Memories

by James A. Rogers

Since 1870, Cedar Point has been attracting visitors to its peninsula with beautiful scenery, cool breezes, and a multitude of rides and attractions. Entertaining millions of visitors each year, Cedar Point, billed the “World’s Largest Amusement Park,” is recognized around the world for its number and quality of rides—especially roller coasters. People have been making memories there for generations. This book shares the stories and photographs of Cedar Point with the purpose of seeing it through the years, relying on the photographs visitors took with their amateur cameras and the real-photo postcards they purchased. More than half the photographs used here have never been published in a Cedar Point history book, and included are images of the Space Spiral, the Monorail, and the Riverboat Ride. It is the hope that this book captures favorite memories of Cedar Point.

James A. Rogers, a career musician, is a widely published author of material related to music and a lecturer about music. A member of American Coaster Enthusiasts, he has authored several articles on Ohio’s historic roller coasters. He is usually the oldest person in line for the roller coasters.

We’re honored to help preserve and share the stories that define our communities, one book at a time. These new releases are more than just pages bound together—they're windows into the people, places, and moments that have shaped local life through the years. We invite you to dive in, discover something new about your hometown, and perhaps even see your own story reflected in these histories.

Thank you for joining us in celebrating today’s releases—happy reading, and here’s to keeping history alive!