John Francis Quinn has a secret he can't keep -- he is in the smile business.
I have known the Mighty Quinn, or "Squeezebox Johnny," for almost seven decades and remember his early devotion to the harmonica.
John provided background music for a group of boys as they went looking for adventure -- hopping trains, swimming in the river, climbing to the top of water towers and taking long bike rides to explore mysterious places on very hot summer days.
John always brought his harmonica and played for the pleasure of his friends -- who became dreamers, too. We believed that dreamers lived forever.
A few years later, I met John while he was home on leave getting ready to go to Korea. He looked every bit a soldier and he still had his harmonica with him. Everyone still smiled and hummed along. Seeing John in uniform reminded several of his old friends to volunteer for the draft.
We often talked about how John's great-grandfather and I once lived in the same farmhouse on the Niagara University campus, but at different times. That house is gone, replaced by the Power Vista lot. Life on the farm is but one of many stories that most have not heard. When you meet the Mighty Quinn, I am sure he will have a song, a story and a smile for you to enjoy.
This year, the Lewiston Art Festival treasures will include the Mighty Quinn as a strolling minstrel with his accordion. He is still in the smile business and would love to meet you. He also has some books of poetry and stories from yesterday for the people of tomorrow.
I hope you will visit Lewiston this weekend and take a minute to say hello to the Mighty Quinn, listen to his tunes and read a poem in his book. You are sure to smile.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | August 4 2009 |