Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

The official fireworks at Bemus Point apparently weren’t enough for these guys – they were both charged for unlawfully dealing with fireworks last night. 51-year-old Bruce Stockton was allegedly setting off fireworks at about 9:40 p.m. on South Everett Avenue. 19-year-old Peter Trathen of Lakewood was allegedly setting them off at about 11:50 p.m. on South Oriental Avenue. Sheriff’s deputies issued both of them appearance tickets for Town of Ellery Court. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

As you watch fireworks this July 4th, remember that the colors that are splashed across the sky are the direct result of mined minerals and metals. The components of fireworks—when heated to specific temperatures—give off a colorful glow. Metals like aluminum, magnesium, and titanium burn very brightly—and are useful for increasing a firework’s temperature. Barium is combined to create green colors. Copper is used at lower temperatures to create blue colors. Red colors are created with either lithium or strontium. White colors are made from either magnesium or aluminum. Yellow colors require sodium. Other colors—such as orange, silver, and lavender—can be created by mixing compounds. And, special effects are created by yet other mineral products. The American Pyrotechnics Association reports that more than 186-million pounds of fireworks were consumed in the U.S. last year—with more than 163-million pounds of that figure involving consumer fireworks. More ...