Once upon a time there was a man named Sam Patch. He liked to jump off things, and people liked to watch. He famously leapt into the Niagara River near Niagara Falls, gaining daredevil status. When Patch decided to come to Rochester, he wanted to have a go at the High Falls of the Genesee. He succeeded the first time, but when he decided to try a second time (in front of 8000 spectators), he increased the height of the jump and didn't make it. His body was found a year later, encased in ice in Charlotte.

This year marks the 180th anniversary of Patch's death, on Friday the 13th (the same day of the week of the fatal jump). The City of Rochester hosts a special event in commemoration of Patch from 3 to 6 p.m. on November 13 at the Kate Gleason Auditorium, Bausch & Lomb Building, Central Library (115 South Ave). There'll be a book signing by Julie Cummins, author of "Sam Patch: Daredevil Jumper," and storyteller Howard Edmond will tell a re-enactment of the jump. There'll also be short presentations by Vicki Schmitt, executive director of Corn Hill Navigation, and Christine L. Ridarsky, city historian. Go to cityofrochester.gov for more information.