Anthony M. Sammarco, noted author and historian, will present a lecture followed by a book signing on his new book The History of Howard Johnson’s: How A Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became a Roadside Icon at the Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue on November 25, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Following the lecture there will be a book signing, books are $20.00 per copy

Howard Johnson created an orange-roofed empire of ice cream stands and restaurants that stretched from Maine to Florida and all the way to the West Coast. Popularly known as the “Father of the Franchise Industry,” Johnson delivered good food and prices that brought appreciative customers back for more. The attractive white Colonial Revival restaurants, with eye-catching porcelain tile roofs, illuminated cupolas and sea blue shutters, were described in Reader’s Digest in 1949 as the epitome of “eating places that look like New England town meeting houses dressed up for Sunday.” Boston historian and author Anthony M. Sammarco recounts how Howard Johnson introduced twenty-eight flavors of ice cream, the “Tendersweet” clam strips, grilled frankforts and a menu of delicious and traditional foods that families eagerly enjoyed when they traveled.
Anthony M. Sammarco is a noted historian and author of over sixty books on the history and development of Boston. He teaches history at the Urban College of Boston and his latest book “The History of Howard Johnson’s: How A Massachusetts Soda Fountain Became a Roadside Icon” was published in August 2013 and has become a best seller.

This event, sponsored by the Friends of the Milton Library, is free and open to the public and is appropriate for all ages. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Jean Hlady, Adult Services Librarian, at (617) 698-5757 or visit the library’s website, www.miltonlibrary.org