This database contains an index to the collection of images held in the Niagara Falls Public Library's Local History Collection. Most images are available in digital format as well.
Images include photographs, slides, negatives, and postcards of local interest.
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Quaranta, Sarah
Sarah Quaranta was born and raised in Niagara Falls and attended Saint Paul Catholic High School. Sarah played boys A and AAA hockey all the way up to Major Bantam for the Niagara Falls Canucks. She was named Assistant Captain for two years. In grade nine, she made the switch to girls hockey and started playing with the Stoney Creek Jr. Sabres, where she was named Captain. In 2009, she was named Niagara Falls Athlete of the year. In 2015, Sarah was selected to play for Canada’s National Women’s U18 Team in Buffalo, NY where she played on the third line and was on the team’s first penalty-killing unit and contributing to a Silver Medal win. Later that same year, Sarah was selected to play for Team Ontario at the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, BC where she helped the team to another Silver Medal win. After graduating from high school, Sarah received a full hockey scholarship and went on to play NCAA Division 1 at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. She posted her first collegiate point in her very first outing as a Colonial. During her time there she was named female student athlete of the week (2015), named College Hockey America (CHA) rookie of the week, selected for the 2016 All-CHA Rookie Team, and ranked third in CHA rookie points. In 2016-17, she helped her to team to become regular season champions for the first time in program history. That same year she was awarded a championship ring when they won the CHA tournament and competed in RMU’s first NCAA tournament. Sarah managed to balance her studies with her incredible sports career and was named an All-American Scholar in the CHA and Presidential Scholar-Athlete in 2019. She is now a teacher, living and working in the Niagara Region. -
Biamonte, Ralph Dr.
Ralph’s interest in horses and the field of horse racing began in the 1950’s in Niagara Falls, where he was employed as a hot walker for horses at Fort Erie Race Track. His passion for horses remained strong, even as he attended dental school and established a dental practice in Niagara Falls (1971-2002). In the midst of running a busy dental office, Ralph pursued his interest in horse racing as an owner, and in 1985 he took the next step and acquired his Thoroughbred Trainers License. Within a few years, Ralph established himself as the top trainer at Fort Erie Racetrack, and was the leading trainer at that track from 1992-1997. In consecutive years, he broke the track record for number of wins in a single season by a trainer. Ralph achieved his 1000th career win in 2013 and currently has 1160 victories while still maintaining a successful stable. These wins include over 20 different “Stakes Race” winners, and Ralph is ranked as a Graded Stakes Winning Trainer. Over the past few decades, Ralph has raced his horses in Ontario, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, West Virginia, Florida, and Ohio. He has also enjoyed great success in the field of breeding, and has bred multiple Stakes winning horses of his own. Total purse earning over the course of Ralph’s training career have reached 23 million dollars. He continues to train and race horses in Southern Ontario. -
Yerich, Paul
Paul Yerich had a passion for competitive running in all categories of the Sport. During his impressive and prestigious career that spanned over thirty years, he participated in full marathons in Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, New York City, Buffalo, and Boston. He also represented Canada at the Berlin, Germany, and Athens, Greece, full marathons. In 2001 and 2004, Paul won the Niagara Casino half marathon and in 2003 he was selected “Runner of the Year” by Track Niagara. In 2015, at the Canadian Masters Championships held in St. Catharines, Ontario, he won three gold medals (200 metre, 400 metre, and 5000 metre). In 2019, at the World Masters Athletic Championships held in Toronto, Ontario, he won two gold medals (800 metre and 1500 metre) and three bronze medals (200 metre, 400 metre, and 5000 metre). In 2003, and 2010, Paul’s team won the “Man-A-Mile” championship event (Niagara-on-the-Lake to Niagara Falls). His career also included many victories in cross country disciplines. Paul credits the coaching, motivation, and support that he received as a member of the Road Runner and Track Niagara Club for his many successes. He was very proud to represent Niagara Falls at the cities and venues where he competed.