For Immediate Release
Media inquiries contact: Erin Owens, Marketing Assistant
843.853.2070 x 214
eowens@arcadiapublishing.com
Discover West Brighton’s Modern History in New Book
Local mother and son author team releases new book featuring stunning images
Telling a story in pictures is West Brighton, the newest addition to
Arcadia Publishing’s newest series, Images of Modern America. The
book by local authors Cecelia N. Brunner and Jim Harkins is set to
release on August 25, 2014. The book boasts 160 stunning images, many
of which have never been published, and showcases the modern history
of the Staten Island town.
West Brighton has come a long way from its 19th-century name of
“Factoryville” and has evolved into a wonderful residential community
on the north shore of Staten Island. Today, West Brighton remains a
place of family-owned and -operated businesses and churches that have
surpassed the century mark. It retains the spirit of what Staten Island
once was, while continuing to grow alongside the rapidly changing
times.
The most enduring characteristic about West Brighton is its people, the
generations that have chosen to live and raise their families here. They
have celebrated milestones and achievements, such as being elected
borough president of Staten Island, which was accomplished by native
West Brighton residents Anthony R. Gaeta and Ralph J. Lamberti.
Highlights of West Brighton include:
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The book showcases the Staten Island Zoo, which continues to
be a popular attraction 78 years after opening.
Some churches in the neighborhood are well over 100 years old.
Most of the images in the book come from the personal
collections of local West Brighton families.
Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers,
or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.
Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history
in the United States. Our mission is to make history accessible and
meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of
America’s people and places. Have we done a book on your town?
Visit http://www.arcadiapublishing.com.
Authors Jim Harkins and
Cecelia N. Brunner are
lifelong Staten Islanders.
Harkins, through his
company Kins Productions,
has produced short and
feature film projects. Brunner
is proud of her West Brighton
roots and is happy to tell the
story of her neighborhood.
West Brighton
by Jim Harkins, Cecelia N.
Brunner
Images of Modern America Series
Price: $22.99
128 pages/ softcover
Available: August 25, 2014
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420 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 ∙ Telephone: 843-853-2070 ∙ Facsimile: 843-853-0044 ∙ www.arcadiapublishing.com
ARCADIA PUBLISHING ∙ PUBLISHERS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL HISTORY BOOKS
For Immediate Release
Media inquiries contact: Erin Owens, Marketing Assistant
843.853.2070 x 214
eowens@arcadiapublishing.com
About the Authors of West Brighton
Cecelia N. Brunner was born and raised in the West Brighton section of Staten Island. She graduated from
Sacred Heart School and St. Joseph Hill Academy. She retired from Nynex in 1991 and worked for the
Claddagh Gift Shop in West Brighton for ten years. In 2004, Ms. Brunner organized the committee for the 50th
reunion of the Sacred Heart School – Class of 1954. She also chaired the committees for the 55th and 60th
reunions as well. Ms. Brunner has traced her family back to the 1850s, when they arrived from Ireland and
settled in West Brighton. She is proud to be the co-author of both West Brighton books from Arcadia
Publishing with her son, Jim Harkins.
Both books were family projects with her
daughter Debra scanning all the photos.
Cecelia N. Brunner is very happy to tell the
story of her neighborhood.
Jim Harkins was born and raised on
Staten Island. For over twenty years, Jim
Harkins has written works in various
writing styles including newspaper articles,
short and feature length screenplays.
Several of these scripts, written in
collaboration with fellow Staten Islander
Tom Bragg, have done very well in some
prolific screenplay competitions. They
also screened two short films in the Staten
Island Film Festival.
Mr. Harkins was the producer on the 2011
documentary, HONOR THEM ALL, chronicling the annual “Day of Remembrance” ceremony by the Thomas
J. Tori Vietnam Veterans Chapter 421. The box set included interviews with the chapter Honor Guard and
family members of the 85 Staten Island men that were killed in Vietnam. The project meant a lot to Mr.
Harkins. His mother’s cousin, Terrence J. Moran was one of the eighty-five.
For the past two years, Mr. Harkins and his Staten Island-based production company, Kins Productions, has
produced several short and feature length film projects. What he enjoys the most is working with young actors
and actresses on worthwhile projects, and helping them achieve their success.
He is proud to have co-authored Images of America: West Brighton with his mother, Cecelia N. Brunner, and is
hopeful the follow up book, Images of Modern America: West Brighton will be equally successful.
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What lasting impact do you hope your book will leave?
We’re proud to have told the story of neighborhood twice. Not only are these books informative and nostalgic,
they show that West Brighton is one of the finest neighborhoods in New York.
420 Wando Park Blvd., Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 ∙ Telephone: 843-853-2070 ∙ Facsimile: 843-853-0044 ∙ www.arcadiapublishing.com
ARCADIA PUBLISHING ∙ PUBLISHERS OF LOCAL AND REGIONAL HISTORY BOOKS