ARTICLE ABOUT JAMES SOLOMON

This website has constantly discussed the heightened levels of burglaries and break-ins in the Gasport region. One young man, James Solomon, is doing something about it. You'll be really impressed about Mr. Solomon after reading Bill Wolcott's article about him...


HARTLAND — Starting a neighborhood watch is a difficult task for anyone, according to the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department.

Consider a 17-year-old freshman at St. Mary’s for the Deaf taking on the task in the rural communities of Hartland, Middleport and Gasport.

James Solomon, who was declared functionally deaf as an infant and has a speech impairment, is doing the job.

The Stone Road resident has set up a Web site, printed business cards, made professional signs and brings in speakers for his monthly meetings at the Hartland Town Hall on Ridge Road.

“It’s a big undertaking,” Chief Deputy Steven Preisch said at the Saturday morning meeting. “In our society, people are so busy; it’s not until they are victims that they come to be involved. It’s tough to get people involved.”


There is much more to the column. Read it in its entirety online at:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_038005651.html

It should be noted that online is the only place to read the entire article because the piece starts on Page 1 of the paper, directs you to page 5A for the second half, and it's nowhere to be found on that page or the rest of the newspaper.

US&J COVERS WINTERFEST

The Lockport Union Sun and Journal's Bill Wolcott stopped by Winterfest and wrote a nice front page article about it...


GASPORT — Winterfest 2010 drew bundles of kids and their parents to a mid-winter party Saturday a the Royalton-Hartland Elementary School.

The parking lot was full and the hallways were bustling with young families going from venue to venue. Many children had their faces painted, carried balloons. They wore firefighters’ caps on their heads and snowflake stamps on their wrists.

Outside, there was snowshoeing and sno-gusta mini golf. The Fiddlesticks played Stephen Foster songs in the auditorium and children bounced around in the gymnasium. Crafters showed off their wares in the A, B and C Wings of the school

About 40 volunteers and several community groups made the first Winterfest a success. Helen Feron of Absolut Care hopes to make it an annual event. She estimated attendance between 650 and 700.



The rest of the article, featuring interviews with organizers and kids, can be read online at:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_038005850.html

WINTERFEST WAS A HUGE SUCCESS

I was unable to attend Winterfest as I was working on Saturday, but my mom was in attendance as a part of the ambulance crew and she said it was awesome. She was impressed by all the activities -- indoors and outdoors -- and thought it was a great family event.

If you took your family there you should comment on the event on the Winterfest Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=270680787035&ref=ts

Please let the organizers know how much you appreciated their hard work in setting up Winterfest, an event that hopefully is here to stay.

Here are some pics from Winterfest, showing the clowns and the Snowgusta golf course...

CHANNEL 4'S COVERAGE OF BARN FIRE

TRYING TO CONNECT LOST PEN PALS

On a couple of occasions this website was instrumental in connecting long-separated friends and schoolmates who once lived in Gasport.

Today I received such a request for help from Sheala Lyons in Ireland. If you are the person she is looking for (or you know of the person) please email me at bobconfer@juno.com and I will share her contact info with you. Here's her message...

My name is Sheala and I am trying to trace a long lost pen pal (my fault) who lived in Gasport New York in the 1950s. Her name was Judy Luedemann. She married and had one daughter. She would have known me as Sheala Whiting and I lived in London. I have seen her name on the'Class Mates' web site, but I cannot contact her as I would need to register. I would really love to hear from her.


06 February 2010 update: I had two people email me to say that Judy has moved to the state of Washington. I will provide the information to Sheala. I know she will appreciate your help!

THE CASE OF THE DEAD STARLINGS

I came home last night to an eerie sight: My lawn was littered with dozens of dead starlings. I don't know what exactly caused their deaths, whether they got into some bad food or were purposely poisoned, but I am leaning towards the latter.

Starlings are a pest, an invasive specie brought to the US in the 1800's to fill the world with all the birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays (seriously). They have become one of the most abundant birds in agricultural and urban America and have been harmful to the populations of other cavity dwellers (like bluebirds). The USDA has poisoned them on many occasions in an effort to assist dairy farmers in getting rid of these birds which frequent barnyards, stealing feed meant for cows and pooping in the feed, making cows and calves sick.

I've been told that another person in Royalton found numerous dead starlings recently and the rumor is the USDA was poisoning the birds in town. I left a message with the local agencies in hopes of getting down to the cause of this mass die-off.

TROOP 23 CAN & BOTTLE DRIVE

Boy Scout Troop 23 of Middleport will be holding their semi-annual Can and Bottle drive on February 13th from 9am-1pm at the Scout House (located next to Holy Cross Lutheran Church) on Route 31 in Middleport. Drop off your returnable cans and bottles and help support your local Boy Scout Troop. All funds raised help Boy Scouts pay for Summer Camp and also equipment for the Troop.

BARN FIRE IN GASPORT

There's been an early morning barn fire in Gasport and a section of Root Road is closed for the morning commute because of it. More to follow.

7:00 AM Update: The fire occurred at 4073 Root Road and was reported by a neighbor at 5:30 AM. Four fire departments are on scene (Gasport, Hartland, Terry's Corners, Middleport). The owners estimates $50,000 in property loss within the structure.

WINTERFEST THIS WEEKEND

The Town Of Royalton Winterfest 2010 will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2010, from 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM at the Royalton Hartland Elementary School.

This family friendly event will offer activities for children/families both inside the school and outside (weather permitting) on the school grounds.

Indoor activities include: Chinese Auction and raffles, Bounce House and games, Child ID kits, Craft Fair, Vendors, Clowns, Musical Entertainment, Magician and Food.

Outdoor (snow) activities include: Snogusta Mini Golf, Snow Shoeing and Sno-saic.

Admission is $3.00 for anyone 10 years of age and over (price includes 25 Chinese Auction tickets) and includes all activities. Children under 10 are free.

Parking will be available in the school lots and at Hartland Bible Church (shuttle service from the church lot will be provided).

This event is sponsored by Sigma Motors, Middleport Family Health Center, Absolut Care of Gasport, The Royalton-Hartland Business and Professional Association and the Lockport-Union Sun and Journal.

ROY-HART ON WLVL TONIGHT

Royalton-Hartland will be taking on Starpoint and Wilson on Thursday night's installment of Scholastic Bowl. The competition begins at 5:30 and can be heard at 1340 AM or online at www.wlvl.com