OPEN ACCESS AT THE LIBRARY

Anyone challenged with new technology can breathe a sigh of relief because some help is on the way at the next Open Access Session at the Royalton Hartland Community Library. It will be held on Monday, June 3 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Open Access refers to instruction time on a computer, iPad, eReader or Smart Phone with a trainer. Area residents are invited to the upcoming session at the library at 9 Vernon Street in Middleport, to learn how to use just about any of the new devices out today.

You can also learn how to download the free e-books from the NIOGA library system’s online service called Overdrive, and learn how to use Freegal, the free music download service. Freegal offers patrons up to three free songs each week and features songs from tens-of-thousands of popular artists. The songs can be played on many devices and downloading them is a snap, especially after learning how to it at the upcoming Open Access Session. Downloaded songs are yours to keep after downloading them from Freegal.

Residents can stop by and meet with an e-mobile trainer from the NIOGA Library System, who will be at the library to answer questions and show how to use just about any electronic device on an individual, walk-in basis. Bring your own electronic devices like the Kindle, Nook, iPad, flash drive or other computer equipment (including your charging cords) and ask questions about them or about Overdrive and Freegal. You will be able to download items right at the session so you will know how to do it on your own. There will also be computers and some devices provided by NIOGA at the session.

According to Rose Bernard, Library Director, “We were so delighted at the great participation at our last Open Access Session. This session has been scheduled in the afternoon and early evening to be convenient for most people and there is no fee for this helpful session.”

“There are no silly questions at these Open Access Session. Please come and ask all questions you have,” says Bernard. "That is what the June 3 Open Access session is for.”

The Royalton Hartland Community Library periodically offers sessions like Open Access and residents are encouraged to check the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com for program information or you can call the library at 735-3281.

CHARITY TRAP SHOOT

On Sunday, June 2 there will be a Charity Trap Shoot at the Hartland Conservation Club on Orangeport Road. This event supports the American cancer Society's Relay for Life.

It runs from 9am to 3pm. $25 includes 50 birds and breakfast or lunch. The first 75 entries get a T-shirt.

HULL WINS ILIO DiPAOLO AWARD

Last night, Roy-Hart wrestler Drew Hull was named the winner of the 18th annual Ilio DiPaolo Award for a spectacular 45-0 season which saw him pass Roy-Hart's career wins record formerly held by the great Lou Rosselli.

Read the Buffalo News' story here:

http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130524/SPORTS/130529598/1004

BOOK SALE & BASKET RAFFLE AT THE LIBRARY THIS WEEKEND

Here are a few of the Gift Baskets packed full of items that are being raffled off at the Royalton Hartland Community Library. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5 and are available now at the Circulation Desk.
Winners will be chosen at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

Memorial Day means it’s time for the annual Used Book Sale, the popular $2 a Bag Book Sale and a basket raffle at the Royalton Hartland Community Library.

On May 25, books are only $1 for a hardcover, $ .50 for a paperback and only $ .25 for a children’s title and the books and various magazines will go quickly during the Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Royalton Hartland Community Library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

But Monday, May 27, means even more joy for avid readers as the $2 a Bag Book Sale gets underway from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the annual Middleport Memorial Day celebrations in the Village. Books that have been donated, and there are a lot of them, will be available that day for an amazing $2/bag.

While readers are picking up summer reading material, they can purchase tickets to win one of the fabulous gift baskets on display at the library. Winners will be drawn on Monday at 2 p.m. at the close of the $2 a Bag Book Sale.

The Book Sales at the library are a nice opportunity for readers to get some good reads at great prices. The sales and the Basket Raffle are sponsored by the Friends of the Library and held periodically throughout the year. Most of these items sold during the Book Sales are donated by residents for someone else to read and enjoy along with a small number of outdated or discarded materials from the library’s shelves.

For more information about the Book Sale or the Basket Raffle, call the library at 735-3281.

The Royalton Hartland Community Library provides residents a variety of programs, events and materials that are listed on the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com .

BUDGET PASSES

Roy-Hart residents approved the $22 million 2013-2014 school budget by a vote of 319-109. Sara Fry and Daniel Bragg, who both ran unopposed, were elected and reelected, respectively, to the school board. 

HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETS TONIGHT

Today, Monday, May 20 at 7 PM, the Town of Royalton and the Town of Lockport Historical Society's will be holding a joint meeting. The meeting will be held at the Lockport Town Hall, 6560 Dysinger Rd. Their guest speaker will be Mr. John K. Hall, discussing his book, "Wandering Through the Town of Lockport." All are welcome!! Please join them for an evening of fun and history. If you have any questions, you can call President Jennifer Bieber at 716 735-7335

PRESCHOOL STORY HOUR AT LIBRARY

A Season for Celebration at Pre-school Story Hour at Royalton Hartland Community Library

As we approach summer, some of the seasonal activities we enjoy and celebrate during this time of the year will be the focus of the reading selections shared at the upcoming Pre-school Story Hours at the Royalton Hartland Community Library.

Pre-school Story Hour is held every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport in the upstairs meeting room. Children aged 2, 3 and 4 are invited to attend and enjoy this great introduction to the world of books. Children love the activities, discussion and the children’s book selections with different themes that are read at each session.

The upcoming topics include Children’s Book Week on May 16; B is for Bicycle on May 23; May Flowers on May 30; Going to the Drive-in on June 6; Father’s Day on June 13; Summer Begins on June 20 and Monkey See, Monkey Do on June 27.

For a list of the upcoming Story Hour Topics or for more information call the library at 735-3281 or check them online at the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com.

WIN A MOUNTAIN BIKE AT PETUNIA'S

From now through June 30th, Petunia's Pizzeria is running a contest through which you can win a mountain bike. Check out the news from Niagara Buzz here:


http://niagarabuzz.biz/niagara-business-news/win-a-mountain-bike-at-petunias-pizzeria-in-gasport-just-check-in/

GASPORT VIEW DAIRY ON WKBW

Gasport View Dairy and owner Roger White were featured in a WKBW TV news report about the impact that the farm bill will have on local farmers....

BUDGET VOTE & OTHER EVENTS ON TUESDAY

Tuesday the 21st is the annual budget vote and, as has been tradition, there are numerous events taking place on the Roy-Hart campus that day....

The budget vote itself will take place from noon till 8:00 at the High School gymnasium.

The budget notice can be downloaded here:

http://www.royhart.org/High%20School/budget%20flyer%201314.pdf

The budget being presented to the community is $22,020,002 which represents a 0.17% decrease in spending compared to 2012-2013, with an estimated tax levy increase of 3.0%. It has an estimated increase in the full value tax rate of 66 cents per thousand -- meaning for every $1,000 in property assessment it is estimated you will be paying an additional 66 cents in school tax. For a home assessed at $100,000 the estimated increase in your tax bill will be $66.00.

The budget vote will be complemented by a health and wellness fair from 5:30 to 7:45 with vendors and door prizes.

There will also be a chicken BBQ sponsored by the Class of 2013 from 3:00-7:00pm in the high school cafeteria. Tickets are $10.00 -- ask any Senior. Last year they sold out, so get your tickets early. Cash is accepted and all checks payable to "RHCSD-Student Activity Fund." Dinners include 1/2 BBQ chicken, salt potatoes, coleslaw, roll & butter, and a dessert.

CANAL DERBY ACCEPTING SPONSORSHIPS

The very popular Erie Canal Fishing Derby - headquartered in Gasport - is now accepting sponsorships for this year's event running July 3 to 14.

Your ad will go on all posters and there are four levels of ads available: $75, $150, $300, $500. There exists a variety of other options, too, including web sponsors, tag sponsors, and road banner sponsors.

If interested in helping out this great family-oriented event, call Steve Harrington at 772.7972 or 716.830.8434. Steve has incredible passion for this great cause, which gets kids and whole families outdoors, utilizing a regional asset -- the Canal -- that we tend to take for granted.

For info about the derby visit www.ErieCanalDerby.com

BUDGET HEARING TONIGHT

Royalton-Hartland’s budget hearing will take place tonight at 7:00 at the High School. Under discussion will be the $22 million spending plan which features a $37,000 cut in spending versus this year's budget and will raise the levy by 3 percent.

SALT & LIGHT FESTIVAL

The annual Salt & Light Festival will take place June 7, 8, and 9 at 8590 Rochester Road in Gasport.

A Youth Rally will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday with Elmwood Drive providing music, and Chet Caudill of the National Youth Ministries of the Assemblies of God.

At 9 a.m. Saturday, the day will begin with a yard sale, Chinese Auction, informational booths, crafters, flea marketers and bounce houses for the kids. There will be a visit from Mickey and Minnie Mouse along with Hello Kitty, Big Bird and Cookie Monster.

From noon until sold out there will be a Chiavetta Chicken Barbecue with tickets available on the grounds for $8.50.

At 12:30 p.m. Country music by Jerry Moore and band.

At 2 p.m. Art Huntington singing oldies.

At 3 p.m. the featured event will begin with Elvis Wade (number one impersonator of Elvis Presley) and Grammy Nominee Sandy Posey, both returning for their 3rd year with a full band, horn section and the Middleport Community choir singing back-up.

Additional features throughout the day are children’s activities, wildlife exhibit, Birds of Prey Display with Paul and Anne Schnell. Liberty the Bald Eagle presentation and story telling. Wild Kritters of Niagara County will also have a display.

At 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Elvis Wade and Sandi Posey will be singing Gospel Music.

GASPORT PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN NEW YORK

Western New York property owners pay the state’s highest median effective tax rate, according to newly released data from the Empire Center. The internet-based tool – BenchmarkingNY’s Property Taxes by Location – allows taxpayers to compute and compare total school district, municipal and county tax burdens in thousands of communities across the state.

High tax rates hold true even in our rural towns...

Royalton's combined tax rate (town, county, school) is $38.59 per $1,000 assessed. The upstate average is $29.75. So, we exceed that by 30%!

Hartland's combined tax rate is $37.80 per $1,000. So, we exceed the upstate average by 27%!

It should be noted that the disclaimer on the Empire Center's report says....

The effective property tax rates presented in these databases are approximate, based on estimates by the Office of the State Comptroller. The effective rates are most accurate as a comparative overall measure of tax burdens as a share of property values in different New York communities. However, because local property assessment procedures vary widely, the estimated tax levels for sample property values produced by our "Property Tax by Location" tool will not always match actual tax bills for properties of the same value in those communities. This is particularly true of localities whose assessments are significantly out of date, or which have an unofficial practice of over-assessing commercial property. In a few dozen cities and towns that have established preferential tax rates for owner-occupied homes – including Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Rochester – the local effective rate presented here is an average of "homestead" and "non-homestead" tax rates. In addition, estimated property tax bills do not reflect the impact of the state "STAR" tax break, which typically reduces the school district portion of property tax bills by 10-20 percent, or by more than 30 percent for qualified seniors

You can access the Empire Center's report and compare our community against others, here:

http://www.empirecenter.org/AboutUS/news_releases/2013/05/proprtaxes050813.cfm

K-9 CARNIVAL THIS SATURDAY

Fort Hyde Kennels at 8513 Ridge Road is having their third annual K-9 Carnival from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday, May 11th.

There is family fun and entertainment for everyone and visitors are encouraged to bring their friendly, leashed dog. There will be live demonstrations of agility, flyball and scent tracking. You can get your dog’s picture taken by Wild Eye Photography. There will also be AKC Canine Good Citizen Test at 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required. Tour the kennels and meet the staff. There will be Goat Chip Bingo and a Chinese Auction.

For more information, to sign up for a photo session or CGC Test contact 772-2356.

LIBRARY LOOKING FOR TRUSTEES

The Royalton Hartland Community Library is seeking qualified applicants to run for the position of Trustee. They anticipate five openings to be filled at the annual meeting which will be held on July 8, 2013.

Interested persons must be residents of the Royalton Hartland Central School District and at least 18 years of age. Those who wish to be considered for these openings must submit a valid petition signed by at least 25 residents of the Royalton Hartland School District in support of their nomination. A voluntary nominee interest sheet is also available that will provide information to the public regarding your qualifications for Trustee. Valid petitions and voluntary nominee interest forms must be returned to the Library Director no later that June 6, 2013. Petition forms and nominee interest sheets are available at the circulation desk at the Royalton Hartland Community Library ( 9 Vernon Street in Middleport, New York) during normal library hours starting on May 6, 2013.

Trustee information packets, including a description of the duties and responsibilities of a Trustee are available at the Library or by visiting this link.

Trustee elections via a paper ballot will be conducted at the Annual Meeting of the Royalton Hartland Community Library to be held on Monday, July 8, 2013 at 7:00 P.M. You must be present at the Annual Meeting to cast your vote. You must also be a member of the Association (i.e. reside within the Royalton Hartland Central School District for at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting, be a citizen of the United States, be at least 18 years of age and not otherwise prohibited from voting under the provision of Section 5-106 of the Election Law) in order to be eligible to vote.

NEWSPAPER COVERAGE OF LITTLE'S AWARD

Here's the Medina-Journal Register's article about Marie Little and her well-deserved Clerk of the Year Award: http://journal-register.com/local/x326073558/Royalton-Town-Clerk-is-statewide-winner

HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE

If interested in becoming a hunter and putting meat on the table, there will be a NY licensing course offered this month at the Hartland Conservation Club on Orangeport Rd. You must pre-register by calling Walt or Margo at 716-778-5288, after 4:00pm. Class size is limited to 50 students. You must attend all sessions which run 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM on 5/13, 5/15, and 5/17.

MARIE LITTLE: CLERK OF THE YEAR!

Royalton town supervisor Jennifer Bieber has some great news to share with us...

Marie Little, Royalton Town Clerk, was awarded New York State Town Clerk of the Year. This is an enormous honor. There are over 900 Towns in the State of New York. Marie was one of the 10 finalists for this title.

She didn't even know until Monday that she was in the running. It was a great surprise to her.

The annual New York State Town Clerks Association holds a conference every year. This year it was in Buffalo. They have a dinner and evening where this announcement is made as well as swearing in of their new officers. 30 of us attended the dinner and totally surprised Marie when we walked into the room after the announcement was made that she had won. The best part of the evening when she was able to speak on the phone and then Skype with her son Patrick during the event, who is currently serving in Afghanistan.

SUPERINTENDENT SHARING IS OFFICIAL

The Medina Journal Register is reporting today that the Roy-Hart school board approved a resolution to share Barker’s superintendent at a special meeting Wednesday night.

Starting this summer, Dr. Roger Klatt will be responsible for roughly 2,300 students — just under 900 in Barker and about 1,400 in Roy-Hart.

Read the report here:

http://journal-register.com/local/x326073548/Klatt-appointed-as-new-super

WGRZ LOOKS AT SUPERINTENDENT MERGER

CLEAN UP GASPORT

The annual "Clean Up Gasport" event is this Saturday May 4th. The Gasport Beautification Committee and all interested volunteers will be meeting at 9 am at the Zion Lutheran Church. The last few years, with help from the community, they have finished cleaning up the hamlet in less than two hours. Please come out and help; the committee welcomes all volunteers!