Tuesday, July 31, 2012

FIREWORKS IN HARTLAND SATURDAY

The bicentennial celebration last Saturday was a truly awesome event for Hartland. Kudos to everyone who organized and participated in it. Events like that are what Small Town America is all about!

The festivities continue this Saturday, August 4th, capped off by a fireworks

The park opens at 5:30 for general picnicking. Bring a picnic basket or dine on the food that will be available in the park.

There will be musical entertainment prior to the fireworks. From 7:00PM til 9:00PM Dave, Dan, and Mike, "The Good Ol Boys", will provide the tunes. Then, from 9:00 till the fireworks start, the Brass Band from Germany will be playing.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

BURNOUTS RESULT IN DWI ARREST

The Buffalo News reoprted the following on Monday...

Niagara County sheriff's deputies said a Gasport man did "burn-outs'' until his tire popped early Sunday, then drove off at high speed.

By the time the man arrived home, the tire had fallen off the vehicle and he was riding on the rim, according to sheriff's reports.

WATCH YOUR SPEED ON THE CANAL

I listen to the lift bridge on my police scanner and I often hear the Gasport bridgemaster give a heads up to passing boaters to watch their speed by the Gasport Marina. They have had a lot of boats in the marina this year and have had probablems with speeding boaters creating too great of a wave action that could damage the boats. So, watch your speed...keep it at "no wake" levels around the Marina and, also, don't exceed the 10 mph limit set for the Niagara County stretch of the Canal.

CHARLIE & CHECKERS AT THE LIBRARY THIS THURSDAY

Charlie and Checkers, a colorful and entertaining duo, will be at the Royalton Hartland Community Library on July 26 at 2 p.m. to perform as part of the library’s Summer Reading Program.

The match up of Charlie the Cowboy and Checkers the Clown is sure to make everyone smile. Their act features magic tricks, hilarious stunts, juggling, and audience participation. Charlie and Checkers, who are brothers in real life, created the characters to provide unique entertainment for people of all ages. They hope to spark everyone’s sense of creativity during their performance, which parents are invited to attend along with their children.

The Summer Reading Program features special activities for children grades K-4 every Thursday that are designed to highlight the wonders of the natural world. All programs take place at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

The next program in the series will be on August 2 at 2 p.m. when Professor Klutzo shows off zany science activities. The ups and downs of gravity will follow on August 9 at 7 p.m. with a show about juggling with Gravitational Bull. The Summer Reading Program ends on August 16 at 7 p.m. with Rick Merritt’s Traveling Campfire.

For more information about the visit by Charlie and Checkers or any of the Summer Reading Programs at the Royalton Hartland Community Library, call Rose Bernard at 735-3281 or stop in at 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

4 CANDIDATES FOR ROYALTON JUSTICE

The Buffalo News recently reported that 4 people are vying for the town justice position made vacant by the passing of Magaret Raduns.

They are James G. Budde, Deborah A. Carpenter, Laura A. Wagner and Robert A. Wilson.

Read the story here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/lockport/article948984.ece

BIG POT BUST IN HARTLAND LAST WEEK


HARTLAND'S BIRTHDAY PARTY THIS SATURDAY

The town of Hartland will be celebrating it's bicentennial with a day chock full of special activities this Saturday, July 28th...

Grand Celebration Parade & Park Activities

Parade Starting at Noon: Floats, Bagpipes, Pipes and Drums of the McKenzie Highlanders Marching Band, Military Units, Shriner's Go Carts, and a Clown troop will be present in the parade. Free Helium Balloons, mardi gras beads & candy giveaways for the children.

The participants will proudly March from Robson Road in Johnson Creek to the "Hartland Town Hall" before disbanding

Along with the parade the Activities Start at NOON

1:00 PM OPENING CEREMONY- RAISING OF THE 15 STAR FLAG
IN FRONT OF THE MOBILE STAGE WITH VETERANS IN ATTENDANCE
SINGING OF THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER


70 CRAFTERS, VENDORS, AND ARTISANS


Continuous music....

1:00 - Opening Ceremony with the Barker Community Band
2:00 - Vignette's sing WWII Songs
3:00 - Hot Country Line Dancers
3:30 - Reunion (Folk Music)
4:30 - Middleport Community Choir
5:30 - Barber Shop Quartet
"Traveling through the park-the Backroom Jazz Band" (Dixieland Band)

A free meal, consisting of a hot-dog, potato chips and drink will be given to anyone appearing in period dress at the "Historical Society Snack Shack"

Ten vendors will be on hand to satisfy the taste of every visitor during the Bicentennial Celebration



Activities:

COME ONE COME ALLto the grand Celebration in the park to honor Hartlands' History

Displays by the Artisans of the Area

Genuine Wood Carving-Spinning -Weaving-Basket Weaving-Scroll-saw Artist- Sock Machine-Quilting, Caricatures,Wood Lathe and other "Artisans"


Adult Contests:

Beard Growing Contest ; Categories: Longest Beard; Longest Mustache; Most Original; Best in Show
The Pie Baking Entries MUST be Submitted at the Fire Hall,8945 Ridge Rd, By 10:00 AM, Judging will take place at 11:00 AM, the WINNER will be Announced in the Park at 2:00 PM

Log Sawing Contest; Contest to be held at 3:00 PM, 2 (two) person teams sign up by 2:30 PM



Activities and Contests for the Children:

Hula Hoop
Sack Race Contest
Stilt Walking
Face Painting
Magician
Goliath Sling Shot Target
Bow and Arrow Shooting (Supervised)
Corn-husk Doll Making


Displays:

Vintage Tractors and Farm Equipment
Modern Military Display
Old Fort Niagara
Mercy Flight
The Niagara Sheriffs Department will provide a K-9 Exhibition
Watch at the police animal tracks a convict with pinpoint accuracy
Sara Reed (Fort Hyde Kennels) will be demonstrating "Dog Agility Performance"

Don't miss the Encampments located more towards the north end of the park

Among these will be French & Indian War, Civil War, Exhibit from the Fur Trader Era, 2 Blacksmiths, Dave Caldwell from Old Fort Niagara will have a display


Don't forget to stop and take a look at the War of 1812 United States Soldiers from the 1st Artillery Regiment

See the Amazing display of artifacts from their period of time

Also in this area wil be a platform where Abraham Lincoln (David Kreutz) and Belva Lockwood (Edna Stubbs) will give performances during the day

Thursday, July 19, 2012

NEWS FROM THE BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE

Here is some news from the good people in the Gasport Beautification Committee....


Gasport Beautification Committee, Inc would like to announce the Winner of this years "Adopt A Barrel Contest" for the Fourth of July Judging. This years Winner is Barrel number 14, belonging to BI Haag. We wish to thank all who Adopted a barrel, planted them and water them, they really look nice.

Have you noticed the project we worked on this year. The new "Welcome to Gasport" Mural on the building of the NE corner of the lift bridge. The building which houses the Once and Again Store was chosen as our location, for the mural. This will allow it to be seen by those crossing the Erie Canal Bridge and the many people who use the Erie Canal. This project could not have been done without a lot of volunteers not only from our committee, but also from the community. We would like to thank Bill Donovan and Rick DeWaters for volunteering to prime and paint the building, and also for helping us to get the supplies donated. We also would like to thank Standish Jones and Sherwood Williams for the supplies.

The Mural created by Vic Thibault of The Lake Ontario Art Factory, was purchased with funds we raised and funds we applied for. We received a matching funds grant from the William G. Mayne Jr. Business and Community Enhancement Grant Program to do two projects. This year we voted to purchase and have installed the new Mural, and to have the frame and post repainted on the Welcome sign on the east end of town on Route 31.

Our next community event is our "Annual Free Movie Night" at Gasport Vet's Park on Fri. Aug 10th. The gates and "Snack Shack" open at 7:30. This years movie is "The Muppets" and will start at dusk. Come out with your chairs and blankets for a family night of fun, snacks and movie under the stars. We will once again offer our "Family twelve pack" for $10. Purchase a card for $10 and get twelve dollar items from the "Snack Shack". New this year we will have a Kick Ball game starting at 7:45 for all ages. Join us for a great community fun filled event for all ages.

We applied for and received a grant from the Grigg-Lewis Foundation towards the purchase of Equipment needed for movie nights.

There have also been many generous donations from community members and businesses this year whom we are very grateful for.

MIDDLEPORT CHOIR TO HOST GERMAN CHOIR

Sunday, July 15, 2012

MR. MISCH CELEBRATES 50th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

The society page of today's Lockport Union Sun and Journal has an announcement saying long-time Royalton-Hartland teacher Mr. Misch and his wife have celebrated their 50th anniversary. Mr. Misch worked at Gasport Elementary from 1958 to 1991. He was my 5th grade teacher and one of my favorites. If you see the Mischs, congratulate them on this great achievement.

Monday, July 9, 2012

KUDOS TO TERRY'S CORNERS

Today's Buffalo News features a story about the new radio towers that will carry emergency and police communications for the county. It notes that David Ulrich is performing a great community service by hosting one of the towers on his Newfane property for free.

That's pretty awesome.

And, it's also awesome what Terry's Corners is doing. According to the article, TC will be charging the County just $1 a year for hosting a tower on the fire hall grounds.

Ulrich and Terry's Corners should be commended for their efforts.

They "get it". They know that no one would benefit from charging rent since it would be us, the taxpayers --- the money behind the County!! -- footing the bill. Olcott had been planning on charging $5,000/year (before Ulrich stepped in) just as Upper Mountain will be.

Thank you, Terry's Corners for making Gasport proud yet again.

Saturday, July 7, 2012

500 CYCLISTS (ALONG WITH CUOMO'S CABINET) TO PASS THROUGH GASPORT SUNDAY

500 cyclists will make their way through Gasport on Sunday as a part of the Cycling the Erie Canal bike tour that begins tomorrow in Buffalo and concludes 8 days and 365 miles later. Read about this 14th annual event here: http://www.ptny.org/canaltour/ 

Joining the bike riders will be 16 members of Governor Cuomo's cabinet and executive staff (all wearing blue and white shirts). Of course, their participation is political in purpose: They plan to announce economic development initiatives in various communities along the way (including Lockport).

After passing through Gasport the vast contingent will stop in Medina for an overnight stay.

So, welcome the cyclists as they pass through...and while you are at it, flag down the folks in blue and white and tell them what's got your goat.

HIBBARD'S ICE CREAM COMING TO AREA

Wright's Corners is just outside of Gasport, but we'll mention it anyways since so many people have been missing good ice cream since Udder Delight's closure in Gasport: The small building next to Troop 40's scouthouse, at the corner of Wick's Road and Route 78 in Wright's Corners, will soon see a Hibbard's Ice Cream stand. Hibbard's has made quite the name for themselves in Lewiston, so this is good news!

ORDER YOUR NEW ROYAL CHERRIES NOW

New Royal Orchards at 7577 Slayton Settlement Rd. will have sour cherries available starting July 18th in 10 and 30 pound containers, freezer-ready. Call now to place your order at 772.2469, Monday to Saturday 8:00 to 5:30.

ROYALTON'S RABID CAT PROBLEM

The town of Newfane (specifically the hamlet of Olcott) has had problems of late with dozens of feral cats raising trouble. The town debated euthanizing the cats, but some animal lovers stepped in and raised funds to initiate a trap-and-fix program.

In my opinion, one called out in the Lockport paper at http://tonawanda-news.com/columns/x1856219430/CONFER-The-dangers-of-feral-cats, it's not a good idea to follow the path of the cat lovers. The colony should be eradicated for various reasons among them diseases...and rabies.

My point was made, unfortunately, right here in Gasport.

A man was attacked by a grey, rabid cat and subsequently had to receive treatment. The attack occurred on Berner Parkway (the "old" Orangeport Road), near the turnaround popular with Canal walkers and fishermen.

If one cat has rabies, chances are more do in the colony that lives near there. This could put animals and people in danger...especially small children who don't understand rabies or might be hesitant in saying they had a run-in with a cat.
The Niagara County Department of Health Environmental Division Rabies Control Program have advised anyone who has come in contact with the cat, or any cat in the Berner Parkway area, to notify the Niagara County Department of Health at 439-7511 during business hours or 439-7430 after hours.

For details about the incident, refer to this newspaper article:

http://tonawanda-news.com/local/x1058726226/Rabid-cat-attacks-man

Sunday, July 1, 2012

WANDERING GASPORT TODDLER LEADS TO CHARGES

Today's police blotter in the Buffalo News reports the following...

A Rochester man is facing charges after a 2-year-old boy left in his care was found wandering down a Gasport street unsupervised, sheriff’s deputies said. Deputies responded when a woman found the child near her home in the 8400 block of East Avenue, just before 9 a.m.

Read the full report about how the baby wandered off and who was charged. Scroll down to June 25th...

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-county/police-blotter/article929891.ece

MIDDLEPORT AND THE FMC CLEAN-UP

The Niagara section of today's Buffalo News looks at the reasoning behind the possible clean-up of Middleport and the frustration of its citizens...

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/niagara-county/article929897.ece

GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT STEVE HARRINGTON & THE ERIE CANAL DERBY

The front page of the Sunday edition of the Lockport paper looks at the Erie Canal Derby and, more specifically, the effort and love that founder and organizer Steve Harrington puts into it.

It starts as follows:

After 22 years of doing the same thing, a guy could get tired of the routine.

Not Steve Harrington.

Days before the Wednesday launch of the 22nd annual Erie Canal Fishing Derby, he’s still checking items off his last-minute to-do list, to help ensure the 12-day contest goes flawlessly, and he’s as excited as ever.