From its attractive cover to the stories contained in its pages, history lovers, aviation enthusiasts and civic-minded citizens have been discovering an interesting tale about Rochester’s 100 year-old airport in the book, The ROC – Journey thru the 20th Century. Just fourteen months ago Greece resident and author, Rick Iekel, launched the first full length work about the development of our community’s commercial airport in a book that has drawn the attention of both Rochester residents and the residents of Monroe County’s towns and villages.
The ROC – Journey thru the 20th Century tells the story of the 1921 purchase and development of Britton Field by the City, the 1948 transfer of the Rochester Municipal Airport to Monroe County and the subsequent growth of that facility with the arrival of the jet age. It tells of the people who played important roles in the airport’s story and of the circumstances that caused an initial purchase of 110 acres of land along Scottsville Road to grow to its present 1,200 acres of aviation activities. Iekel, the former airport director, shares memories of the people-friendly airport of old where families greeted and sent off their loved ones, where children of all ages stopped to watch the airplanes and where couples experienced one of the city’s finest culinary destinations. He offers a unique look at the operation of the community’s major aviation activities inside its eight foot high perimeter fence line.
Urging support for the community’s small businesses, Iekel announced his plan to market his book through consignments with local shops when he launched his book on June 2, 2022. A variety of local businesses from Greece in the north to Fairport south of the City, from Webster in the east to Brockport in the west are now distributing Iekel’s book. “The relationship,” Iekel says, “has been a win-win-win for me, my outlets and hundreds of interested readers.” Current points of sale now include:
•Lift Bridge Book Shop in Brockport
•SOHO Bagel Café in Greece
•Taste of Rochester in the airport terminal
•Parkleigh on the corner of Park and Goodman
•Golden Harvest Bakery in Henrietta
•Yesterday’s Muse in Webster
•Another Chapter Book Store in Fairport.
Iekel has been called upon to give frequent presentations to historical societies, community groups and book clubs. He is available on Facebook (Rick Iekel, Author), Linkedin (Rick Iekel), his website (http://FlyingwithRick.wordpress.com) and by email at fjiekel@gmail.com
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