FIVE COWS DEAD...MAYBE POISONED

Here's one for the X-Files...

The local news media reports that a farmer on Quaker Road found five of his cattle dead. Because he has not changed his herd or had a sick cow in years he believes they were poisoned. Adding to his claim, his friend overheard two guys talking about the dead cows at a local store before the community knew about it.

Strange.

ANNUAL TURKEY DINNER: NOVEMBER 3rd

The Covenant United Church of Christ on Main St. will have its annual turkey dinner on Saturday, November 3rd, starting at 3:30. This great meal is donation-based, so pay what you'd like. It's always a great meal, cooked by the Church members and served by Boy Scout Troop 18.

ST. MARY'S TO CLOSE

On Sunday the Buffalo Diocese's bishop Edward Kmiec announced his latest plans for downsizing and streamlining churches in his district. Among the closings slated to occur: St. Mary's, Gasport's ONLY catholic church.

The church will merge with St. John the Baptist of Lockport, with the buildings and property in Gasport never being used again. It is unknown exactly when this will occur. The complete closings and merging list can be read at the Diocese website here:

http://www.buffalodiocese.org/stories/latest_parish_restructuring_announced.htm

This is tragic. Gasport is a loving, close-knit community and the Catholics in it have always relied on St. Mary's not only as the venue to share their religion but also as an outlet to positively affect the community with fundraisers, dinners, outreach, clothing drives, food drives, scout meetings, and more.

This sort of thing, though well-intentioned, further adds to the erosion of small town America.

ROY-HART LOOKING TO EXPAND

The Roy-Hart school district is planning to expand and renovate its properties. Read here: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_285023028.html

GASPORT'S HOLLYWOOD STAR

Many people don't know that Gasport produced one of the more popular action stars of the mid-1900's, Warren Hull, who appeared in many movie serials. Here's the Wikipedia entry about him: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Hull

ERIE CANAL TO CLOSE EARLY THIS YEAR

Boating on the Erie Canal will end on November 1st this year, NOT November 15th as usual. The NYS Canal Corporation says drought condtions in the Mohawk Valley have required this endeavor as a means to conserve water.

So, get out and enjoy Gasport's signature body of water!

ROY-HART OFFERS YOUTH BASKETBALL PROGRAM

The Royalton-Hartland school system is offering basketball to the elemntary school students. The program starts October 30th and the kids must sign up by this Friday. Read about it in detail here:

http://www.journal-register.com/sports/local_story_278113504.html

ROY-HART RAMS ACTUALLY WIN ONE!

The Roy-Hart Rams football team has been atrocious in recent years. Despite trying their darnedest, the team hasn't won in what seems like five years and rarely have they even been in the game...30(+) to 6 scores being common.


Well, that changed last night as the Rams won!


Read about it here:


http://www.lockportjournal.com/sports/gnnsports_story_279003433.html?keyword=topstory

ROYALTON TOWN BUDGET DRAFT: 2% HIKE

The town of Royalton is in the planning stages of its 2008 budget. Writes the Lockport Union Sun and Journal...

The town board is getting its first look at a 2008 spending plan that appears almost ordinary.

Supervisor Cal Rhoney on Wednesday released copies of the tentative budget showing a roughly 2 percent increase in year-over-year spending. Given the fiscal tumult of the last couple years, and the inescapable knowledge that the town is significantly in debt, he said, “I think it’s an excellent budget.”

To read the article in its entirety, go here:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_277010253.html