TEEN SHOTS SELF IN FOOT

East Niagara Post is reporting that a Gasport teen shot himself in the foot last Saturday while hunting. Details here:

http://www.eastniagarapost.com/2014/12/teen-shoots-self-in-foot-while-hunting.html

WATER MAIN REPAIR IN HARTLAND

The water supply to Hosmer Road is shut off from 2647 Hosmer Road north to Townline Road while crews repair a water main. Estimated restore time is 3 p.m.

FROZEN PARTY AT THE LIBRARY

Children from Grades K-5 are cordially invited to attend a fabulous “Frozen” party at the Royalton Hartland Community Library on Saturday, January 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite character for this fun event that will feature treats and activities, all with a  “Frozen” theme.  The kids will also be able to sing along to their favorite songs from the movie at the party.

“Frozen”, the 2013 animated musical fantasy-comedy by Walt Disney  was inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tale “The Snow Queen”.  As of December 2014, the movie soundtrack has had forty-three nonconsecutive weeks on the top of Billboard’s Top Soundtracks.

The “Frozen” party at the library is limited to 25 participants so please register for this event by calling 716-735-3281 or registering in person at the library

For more information about events, activities or new releases at the library, please call 716-735-3281, or visit the Royalton Hartland Community Library at 9 Vernon St., Middleport, NY, or find more information on the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com.

ROY-HART LEOS CLUB

ATTENTION: Middle and High School students

The Gasport Lions Club is looking for young men and women between the ages of 12 and 18 who are interested in serving their community. They are reorganizing the Roy-Hart Leos Club; their first meeting is open to all students and their parents who are interested in learning about Leos and what they do in their community.

The meeting will be held at the Zion Lutheran Church, 4447 Central Ave, Gasport at 7PM, Sunday January 11th.

Anyone interested that is unable to attend please call Lion Joan at 716.772.7688. Leave a message and she will contact you. The Lions hope to see you there.

ST. MICHAEL'S WOLCOTTSVILLE

INTERVIEW WITH McQUEEN

Here is video of 92 year-old Jack McQueen's interview with the Lockport Union Sun and Journal's Michael Canfield about World War II and what led to Jack's French Foreign Legion award...

NEW YEAR'S EVE AT TC

GASPORT MAN HONORED BY THE FRENCH

This is an extremely awesome achievement: WWII veteran Jack McQueen, 92, received the Légion d'Honneur Chevalier medal from the French government in a special ceremony last month:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/gasport-native-receives-french-legion-of-honor/article_a70bb243-b849-5b44-a142-3d5fdc6d906b.html

COME TO ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

The Christmas season can recharge or create a feeling of reverence in people, and they will often seek out a church at that time that they can call home, not just at Christmas, but for the entire year.

If you are one of those folks who are experiencing such an awakening or inquiry, I suggest that you give Zion Lutheran Church on Central Avenue in Gasport a try.

The Church offers a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for young families and retirees alike and there are plenty of activities, social events, and evangelism available for all age brackets.

Pastor Rodney Klinzing gives excellent sermons chock full of theology, wit and caring. Whereas some churches might make people fear God, Klinzing's sermons are always positive and lead one to love their God and their fellow man.

Zion has two services on Sundays, one at 8:00 AM and another at 10:30 AM. Sunday school is also available for the little ones at 9:00 AM.

ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH

Pastor Rodney Klinzing and the Zion Lutheran Church will be celebrating Christmas at these services:

Christmas at the Barn: 4:00 PM on Christmas Eve at Becker Farms

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: 7:00 PM on Christmas Eve at the Church

Christmas Eve Late Service: 11:00 PM on Christmas Eve at the Church

SEX OFFENDER RELOCATION NOTICE

New York State authorities released a sex offender relocation notice to the public today, indicating that a level 2 registrant (moderate risk of repeat offense) has moved to Gasport.

Details can be found here:

http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/SomsSUBDirectory/offenderDetails.jsp?offenderid=27781

This is for notification purposes only. Per the state's official notice, anyone who uses this information to injure, harass or commit a criminal act against any person may be subject to criminal prosecution.

WOLCOTTSVILLE CHURCH HIGHLIGHTED FOR ALTERNATIVE ENEGY USAGE

St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Wolcottsville has once again been highlighted in a national magazine for utilizing alternative energy. Theirs is a feature story in the December 2014 edition of "Contractor".

The article can be read in its entirety online at:

http://contractormag.com/geothermal/congregation-embraces-geothermal-thanks-buffalo-geothermal-heating

St. Michael's utilizes both geothermal heating and solar to offset their electric costs. They are the only church in Niagara County to utilize both systems as a way of alternative energy, and they were told by their installers that they were the second church in the country to use both systems.

They can be located at www.stmichelsakron.com, Facebook: St. Michael's Lutheran Church and Preschool, and on twitter @StMichaelsAkron. Their email address is: stmichaelsakron@gmail.com

ROY-HART GRADUATION RATE SPIKES

New York's high school graduation rate improved slightly to 76.4 % last year, even with higher learning standards, education officials said Thursday.
Roy-Hart showed major improvement. Its mark of 85 % was higher than the 77.4 % of a year ago.

Read the Lockport Union Sun and Journal's report on local results here:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/graduation-rates-up-statewide/article_c69f9e43-814d-55b9-a20f-816061f9457e.html

FUTURE TEACHERS TO HOST CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Roy-Hart’s Future Teachers Club will be reading children’s books and playing Christmas music again this year in the Community Room at the Royalton Hartland Community Library on Saturday, December 20 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Community members are invited to attend this annual event that takes place at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

Local residents have enjoyed this free and fun holiday celebration hosted by students from the Royalton-Hartland Central High School for the past several years. The Future Teachers Club members look forward to this festive community event which is a great time for anyone, at any age, who loves Christmas to come and listen to holiday music and stories.

There will be coloring and activity sheets for the children and everyone can enjoy the delicious holiday treats and cider that will be served. Children can even bring their own favorite Christmas story for the Future Teachers to read aloud. The Community Christmas at the library is a great opportunity to hear the Christmas classics once again.

The future teachers from Roy-Hart hope to see lots of local residents including singles, families, adults and children at their annual Future Teachers and the Community Christmas event.

For more information, please call 716-735-3281, or visit the Royalton Hartland Community Library at 9 Vernon St., Middleport, NY, or find more information on the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com.

ZION CHRISTMAS PAGEANT

If you'd like to be entertained and experience the joy of the holiday season, attend the annual Sunday School Christmas Pageant put on by the children of Zion Lutheran Church at the Church's 10:30 AM service this Sunday, December 14th.  

MITTEN TREE DEADLINE

The last day to hand-in toys for the annual mitten tree toy drive is Monday, December 15th.

FMC Grant Helps Start-Up of Roy-Hart Schools FFA Chapter

FMC Supports Roy-Hart FFA Chapter.  FMC Community Liaison Jessica Heideman (second from right) oversees the presentation of a grant check from FMC Corporation supporting the start-up of the Royalton-Hartland Schools chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Accepting (from left to right) are Diana O'Rourke Daigler, chapter co-advisor, Nathan Grant, Megan Blackburn, chapter president, Becca Albrecht, Jesse Wilcox, chapter sentinel, Emma Halstead, chapter vice president, Ian Becker and (far right) Carolyn Waters, chapter treasurer.

MIDDLEPORT, N.Y. –  FMC Corporation, which operates the Agricultural Solutions plant in Middleport, has awarded a $4,500 grant to help with the start-up of a chapter of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) for the Royalton-Hartland Schools.

The grant, one of three made nationwide to FFA chapters in each of the company’s Agricultural Solutions plant communities, illustrates FMC’s commitment to investing in farming’s future by supporting youth agricultural education.

"To continue America's leadership in agriculture, we need to engage students now," said John Kasper, FMC Agricultural Solutions North America commercial business director.

"FFA prepares students for more than 300 careers and reaches more than 600,000 members,” Kasper said. “Our support can make a positive difference in the lives of many young people who will be the future scientists, business leaders and educators in global agriculture, food, fiber and natural resource industries."

FMC’s support is aimed at helping expand students’ interest in science and agriculture by engaging with FMC visiting scientists and developing vital career skills through participation in career development events.

“The students are very appreciative to FMC for their generosity in this grant that will directly benefit the students in working towards the goals they have established,” said Megan Blackburn, FFA Roy-Hart Chapter president, and Emma Halstead, chapter vice president.

In addition to the grants, FMC is co-sponsoring the national FFA Agriscience Plant Systems Research Proficiency Award. This award recognizes student research covering the life cycles, classifications, functions, and practices of plant systems related to crops, turf grass, trees and shrubs, and/or ornamental plants.

LIGHT UP GASPORT

Light Up Gasport Christmas Party hosted by the Gasport Beautification Committee

Free Fun for the Whole Family!

When: Sunday, December 14, 2014
Place: Gasport Firehall
Time: 4:00pm

Festivities will include: Santa Claus, Music, Caroling, Decorating and Lighting of Community Christmas Tree, Basket Raffles and more!

Last year 85 kids participated and every one of them went home with a gift thaks to donations from the community and local business.

GASPORT BOOKS MAKE GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Are you racking your brain trying to figure out what to get a loved one for Christmas?

I suggest these books steeped in Gasport history....

Back in 2010, Frederick Fierch of Middleport, in conjunction with Arcadia Publishing, released a pictorial book, Images of America: Royalton, Hartland and Middleport that features a great collection of awesome pictures highlighting our community's history.

This book is available online at Barnes and Noble for $16.99 (plus taxes, shipping) at:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/royalton-middleport-and-hartland-new-york-frederick-g-fierch/1100095023

Another Gasport-themed book that would make a great Christmas present is the 2012 release by retired DEC officer, former Roy-Hart wrestling coach, and former Royalton supervisor Dick Lang.

It's an easy and fun read that's a collection of adventures from his days with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation.

Entitled "Behind The Badge: My Life as a Game Warden", the 368-page tome is described as follows:

Whoever thought conservation work could be so exciting! After 34 years as a New York State Environmental Conservation Officer, Dick Lang has more stories than could fit into any one volume. Join him as he watches a fellow officer give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to a deer, runs high-speed chases after dark, moves a cougar in the patrol car, finds a skeleton in the trunk of a car, and many more fun stories. Told in Dick’s comfortable, easy-to-read style and embellished with photos and illustrations, this is a book that will appeal to all ages and is a tribute to the dedication of our Environmental Conservation Officers, regardless of which state they patrol.

You can find copies of this book for $17.28 on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Badge-Life-Game-Warden/dp/1480144215/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417955244&sr=8-1&keywords=dick+lang

Another excellent book is 2003's "Gasport Girl." It's an enjoyable read and I strongly suggest Gasport residents get a copy to get a feel for the village's history during the World War II era.

The book is a memoir of sorts by Jean Lang who used to write for the Henrietta (NY) Post. She gives accounts of the summers and holidays of her youth that were spent with her grandparents in Gasport.

This book is getting difficult to find. It is no longer available online through Trafford Books. Your best bet is to check out local bookshops or antique shops in hopes of stumbling on one. Also, peridoically check eBay.

8th ANNUAL MITTEN TREE

When you’re out and about shopping for Christmas, please extend your giving beyond your family. Please buy a gift for a needy child in Gasport.

The Mitten Tree is back this year.

This is the eighth year for this awesome program that is run by the Gasport Lions Club.

Here’s how it works…

The tree is located out front of the Gasport post office at the corner of Main Street and Route 31.

Take a mitten from it and give a gift that is appropriate to the age/gender of the child noted on the mitten.

Attach the mitten to the unwrapped gift and drop it off at Absolut Care or Drum Oil (they have drop boxes) or at the Elementary School (under the tree in the lobby). The Lions Club will distribute the gifts in time for the holidays.

It’s extremely important that the community supports the Mitten Tree. The economy is still  a little messy, unemployment (and underemployment) is still high, and we need folks to help those who are struggling.

Please participate and make Christmas a little better for a child – maybe even your neighbor – who is in need. That’s what the holiday is all about.

GET ROYALTON'S TOWN CODES & LAWS ONLINE

The codification of the Town of Royalton's records is complete.  Here is the link to look up general information, local laws and ordinances:

 

http://www.ecode360.com/RO3169

MOVIE NIGHT AT LIBRARY

It’s movie time at the Monday, December 8 meeting of the Royalton Hartland Library’s Book Club when the group will watch “The Pilot’s Wife”. The made-for-TV movie is based on the 1998 bestseller by Anita Shreve about a young American widow’s discovery that her husband was living a second life with another wife and two children who live in England.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m., which is an earlier than usual meeting time for the group due to this special viewing of “The Pilot’s Wife,” which will be shown at 7 p.m.

Interested residents and prospective new members are always welcome to attend the meetings of the Royalton Hartland Book Club. During the meeting, the members choose the book that they will discuss at the following meeting and a wide variety of genres are always considered.

For more information about the Royalton Hartland Book Club and the library’s other programs please call the library at (716) 735-3281. Additional details can be found online at the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com .

SANTA CLAUS COMING TO ROYALTON HARTLAND LIBRARY

Santa Claus will be visiting the Royalton Hartland Community Library on Thursday, December 4 from 7 to 8 p.m.  Everyone is invited to come and see Old St. Nick at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport.

While Santa is at the library, children will be able sing a Christmas song with him, which is one of Santa’s favorite holiday things to do.  After visiting with the children in the group, Old St. Nick himself will read a Christmas story at about 7:15 p.m.

Following the story and song, children will be able to sit on Santa’s lap so that parents can get a photo. There will be a small candy treat for everyone from Santa, as well as wrapped books for the younger children.

To complete this holiday celebration with Santa, Christmas cookies will also be served.

For more information, please call 716-735-3281, or visit the Royalton Hartland Community Library at 9 Vernon St., Middleport, NY, or find more information on the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com.