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William R. “Billy” Martin: Lawyer

Marcus

Black History Month is a time to reflect, recognize, and celebrate the contributions of Black and African Americans whose influence continues to shape our communities and our nation. In this second installment of our series, we proudly continue to highlight local Black voices whose impact has strengthened Sewickley, Quaker Valley, and beyond.

William R. “Billy” Martin

Today’s African American History spotlight shines on William R. “Billy” Maritn. Billy Martin is one of the top trial lawyers in the United States. He has tried more than 150 jury trials, many in U.S. District Courts throughout the country involving large corporations and leading figures in politics, sports and entertainment. Before entering private practice, was appointed Special Attorney in the Organized Crime Strike Force in San Francisco, a position he held for four years.

Mr. Martin graduated from Quaker Valley in 1968 and participated in track and basketball. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Howard University in 1973 and received his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1976. Mr. Marting lives in Washington, D.C.

Daniel B. Matthews Historical Society * Stratton Nash 2026

Library of Things – Offering More Than Books

Marcus

Did you know the library offers a unique collection of electronic equipment, kits, and other non-traditional library items available for check-out? With the Library of Things Sewickley Public Library you can discover and try various kits to help you explore, learn, and create. There are cameras, laptops, hotspots, telescopes, music making kits and more available to check-out 

See what you can find at SPL here.

That’s not all you can find in the Library of Things. Tools, sports equipment, musical instruments, games, and more can be lent from libraries across the county. Browse the entire Library of Things in the online catalog to see what is currently available. With categories like arts and crafts equipment, board games, bakeware and cookware, you are sure to find something useful. 

Try before you buy or save on one-time tools. Interested in a new hobby? Check the library of things to see if it’s as fun as it sounds before purchasing all the equipment needed. Maybe you need a specialty tool for a home repair, check-out the tools you need for that project from the library. 

Looking for an opportunity to try out some of the items available in SPL’s Library of things, come to the Library of Things: Try it Fest Thursday April 24. 

At the Try It Fest, you’ll have the chance to get a firsthand look at some of the exciting tools and resources available for checkout, including cameras, musical instruments, birding kits, and much more! This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, try out items you’re curious about, and discover how these unique resources can enhance your learning, projects, and personal interests. We want to help you make the most of what the library has to offer, and this event is a great way to get inspired by the possibilities. 

Discover more than books with the Library of Things. You could borrow a sewing machine, a telescope, a power drill, or even a power washer. Why buy when you can borrow and explore something new.  

Bah Humbug

Dustin

One of the most recognizable and re-adapted stories is A Christmas Carol, the 1843 classic by Charles Dickens.  This time of  year at the library, one of our patrons asking for A Christmas Carol might be overwhelmed by the response they get.  There have been hundreds of adaptations and variations over the years.   Are you looking for a book?  a movie?  a TV show?  a stage production? animated? comedy? drama? There are so many ways to enjoy this Dickens classic, let’s run through a few that you can request from the library.

In Print

Let’s start with the basics.  Many different printings and adaptations have published Dickens’ original text. These include picture books and abridged versions for younger audiences.  But if you really want to go back to the original source and get a sense of Dickens mind in 1843 you should check-out A Christmas Carol: The Original Manuscript Edition.  This printing includes detailed emendations, deletions, and insertions in Dickens’s own hand.

On Stage

A Christmas Carol went to the stage almost immediately after being published.  In 1844 Edward Stirling staged A Christmas Carol; or, Past, Present, and Future, running 40 nights in London.  That year eight different theater companies in London staged their own version of the Dickens classic.

Composer Alan Menken wrote the songs for the musical A Christmas Carol, which was performed at Madison Square Garden from 1994-2003 during the holiday season.  It was later staged at the Lyceum Theater in London.  You can check-out a song book with the music and lyrics from the live performance Madison Square Garden Presents A Christmas Carol. The musical was also adapted into a 2005 Made for TV movie in NBC which starred Kelsey Grammer as Scrooge.  Check out the DVD today!

 

 

In Film

The very first live action movie version of A Christmas Carol was a 1901 silent, black and white film called Scrooge, or, Marley’s Ghost. Patrick Stewart did his best Scrooge in 1999.  George C Scott did his best bah hum bug in 1984.   But the “classic” 1951 version of A Christmas Carol starring Alastair Sim seems the be the most well revered and revisited live action adaptation.  But everyone has their favorite!

 

Animation

If you grew up in the 60s you might remember a Christmas 1962 special on NBC called Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol. Even if you didn’t grow up in the 60s you can still check out the DVD version from the library. Tim Curry and Whoopi Goldberg led an all-star voice cast of the 1997 production by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment – reviews were mixed.  In 2009 a Disney digitally animated version of A Christmas Carol with a powerhouse performance by Jim Carrey hit the theaters. But my personal favorite in the animation category has to be Mickey’s Christmas Carol from 1983.

 

 

 

 

Voice

Over the years this Christmas classic has been performed by some pretty well known voice performers for radio and audiobook.  This radio play can be found at your local library: A Christmas Carol by Shane Salk. CBS Radio Network aired their production of A Christmas Carol, starring Lionel Barrymore, starting in 1934. That’s the same Lionel Barrymore who plays Mr. Potter in It’s a Wonderful Live. The radio production ran every year until 1953.  This 1938 recording starring Barrymore and Orson Welles comes from Youtube.

 

Merry Christmas to all!

Dustin, SPL