Fleabrain Loves Franny (27 page)

“Happy Birthday to You,” the melody allegedly from the song “Good Morning to All,” by American siblings Patty and Mildred J. Hill, 1893.

“Heigh-Ho,” by Frank Churchill (music) and Larry Morey (lyrics) for the Walt Disney movie
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
, 1937.

“It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo'” by Wendell Woods Hall, 1923.

“Three Little Words” by Harry Ruby (music) and Burt Kalmar (lyrics), 1930.

“Too Young,” by Sidney Lippman (music) and Sylvia Dee (lyrics) in 1951, sung by Nat King Cole in the same year.

“Yankee Doodle,” an Anglo-American song dating back to the Seven Years' War (1756–63).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It has been a joy discovering the Wonders of Pittsburgh, past and present, aided by current and former Pittsburghers generous with memories of their beloved city (and in particular, Squirrel Hill): Gary Apter, Fern Bathhurst, Gerry Buncher, Barbara Friedland, Susan Klee, Linda Marcus, Jerry Perlmutter, and Vera Weiss. And for their above-and-beyond generosity and boundless patience, special thank-yous to Abbot Friedland, Audrey Glickman of the Squirrel Hill Historical Society, Elva Perrin, Nanci Perrin, Michelle Pilecki, and Mel Solomon. Thank you as well to Art Louderback, Head Librarian, Thomas and Katherine Detre Library and Archives, Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, and David R. Grinnell, Reference and Access Archivist, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh Library System.

I am also indebted to Izi Kulkin, Deb Rodriguez, and Harriet Sturtz for their special expertise, as well as the wise input from Joan Headley, Director of Post-Polio International.

My talented critique group helped me unfold the core of my story: Diane Fraser, Suzi Jensen, Marissa Moss, Emily Polsby, and Eleanor Vincent. And, as always, I am grateful for the support and guidance of my agent Erin Murphy, and all of her team at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency, as well as my editor Maggie Lehrman and the hardworking team at Abrams.

All my love and gratitude to my wonderful family who keep me in touch with what is true and important, so I can go down to my basement and into my head and try to write about it.