Greenwood Lake Library hosts book signing by local author this Saturday, Nov. 16

“We’ve all heard of the crazy cat lady," local author Peggy Gavan said, "but what about the crazy cat man?"

This Saturday, Nov. 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Greenwood Lake Library, she will answer that question at a book signing and reading from her best selling new book, "The Car Men of Gotham: Tales of Feline Friendships in Old New York."

In the 1800s and early 1900s, when many New York City residents were cruel to stray cats, many brawny men — including firefighters, cops, politicians and athletes — welcomed alley cats into their homes and hearts with open arms.

Gavan winds the audience through the streets of Old New York and Brooklyn with stories of these heroic cat men of Gotham and the stray cats they rescued and came to love.

Hear, for example, about a spectacled cat that saved Brooklyn Borough Hall; a mother cat who gave birth to Christmas kittens on Fifth Avenue; the feline police force of the New York City Post Office, and more cat-man tales.

The presentation will be fun for cat lovers as well as history fans and a portion of all proceeds from book sales is going to the Warwick Valley Humane Society’s new shelter fund-raising campaign.

The Greenwood Lake Public Library is located at 79 Waterstone Road near the elementary school.

For additional information call 845 477-8377.

- Roger Gavan

Editor's note: Roger Gavan is the father of author Peggy Gavan.