BECKER FARMS TO BE HONORED BY NIAGARA CHAMBER

Yesterday, the Niagara USA Chamber announced their distinguished honorees that will be recognized at the Chamber's annual dinner on March 18th at the Seneca Niagara Casino.

Among the honorees 6 organizations or individuals being awarded is Gasport's own Becker Farms and Vizcarra Vineyards.

Congratulations on the much-deserved honor!

ROY-HART STUDENTS CAN APPLY FOR HISTORY CENTER POSITIONS

The Niagara History Center is taking applications to fill two student positions funded by the Grigg Lewis Foundation Workership Program at the museum this summer. The grant will support the student positions of a registrar assistant and an office assistant. Both staff will work from late May to mid-August, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

The registrar assistant will be supervised by the curator and executive director and will work at the 215 Niagara St. museum complex and Erie Canal Discovery Center, 24 Church St., both in Lockport.

This person must have good organizational skills, Microsoft Office program knowledge and aptitude for customer relations. This individual should also be highly motivated, have phone skills and multi-tasking abilities. The registrar will need to learn Erie Canal history to assist the education curator with school tours of the Flight of Five Locks restoration on site. In addition, the candidate will need to learn use of the History Center’s Past-Perfect museum software.

The office assistant would work primarily at the 215 Niagara St. site but also at the Erie Canal Discovery Center and Bond-Hawley House, 143 Ontario St. in Lockport.

This individual should possess good organizational, customer relations and phone skills, Microsoft program knowledge, multi-tasking ability and ease in speaking before a group. The assistant will be required to assist in interpreting the Flight of Five Locks restoration for visitors when others are not available. The audience would include tourists and locktenders.

Both positions will also include light housekeeping and assisting with moving light objects, such as books and artifacts, writing, filing, copying and working in the museum gift shop.

Summer is particularly busy at the History Center, with many additional visitors and research requests. Both positions will enable staff to be more responsive to visitors’ needs. The diversity of duties and skills in our non-profit museum setting offers students many opportunities for new learning experiences.

Eligible applicants must be students currently enrolled in college or accepted for college this fall, and must be residents of Eastern Niagara County. Applicants cannot be a close relative of a History Center staff or Board member.

Interested students should contact the History Center for an application at 434-7433 or email melissa@niagarahistory.org.

The Grigg Lewis Workerships are intended to provide financial assistance to local college students, allow institutions to expand summer programs and provide meaningful summer experiences to participating students.

GASPORT CRASH

Check out this WIVB report about a car accident that occurred on Dale Road, just south of Humphrey Road, overnight...

ZION'S NEW WEBSITE

Zion Lutheran Church in Gasport has a brand new website. Check it out at:

http://www.zionlutheranchurchgspt.net/

HARTLAND INSTALLATION DINNER

The 45th annual Installation Dinner of the Hartland Volunteer Fire Company, Ladies Auxiliary and Exempts was held recently to induct the 2016 officers and present awards.

The report from the US&J:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/hartland-volunteer-fire-company-holds-installation-dinner/article_21985f5d-2bf7-5a88-818a-6c4e3884ae7e.html

ROY-HART MIGHT HOST BOCES PROGRAM

The Royalton-Hartland Board of Education has been presented with a proposal to host a BOCES personal training program at the high school. Details at the Lockport Union Sun and Journal's website:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/roy-hart-may-host-boces-program/article_50190ccd-b437-5b9a-a304-635f3676a538.html

LIBRARY TO HIRE PART-TIME CLERK

Applications are now being accepted for the position of Library Clerk at the Royalton Hartland Community Library.

Hours: Approximately 4-10 hours per week, consisting of evenings and Saturdays.

Candidates must possess excellent customer service skills and demonstrate a comfort with new computer skills and technology programs. They’re on the lookout for someone with a cheerful outlook and a passion for libraries!

Education: candidates must have a High School diploma.

Duties include staffing the Circulation Desk, patron registration, issuing, renewing, discharging and shelving library material, as well as other related tasks. Training will be provided. Additional consideration will be given to those with proven interest and experience in social media, teen programming or bookkeeping duties.

Qualified candidates’ resumes and cover letters must be received by 4pm on Saturday, February 6th by email to the Director (smiller@nioga.org) or by mail to the Royalton Hartland Community Library, 9 S. Vernon St., Middleport, NY.

Job Type: Part-time

Salary: $11.00 /hour

STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE SAYS ROY-HART IS OVERTAXING RESIDENTS

The Royalton-Hartland Central School District has been overtaxing residents for years, creating a surplus far larger than allowed by law, according to an audit released Thursday by the State Comptroller's Office.

Details are available at the Buffalo News:

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/all-niagara-county/roy-hart-has-overtaxed-residents-kept-surplus-too-large-state-audit-says-20160121

PARP AT ROY-HART

Thursday's Lockport paper featured a cover story about the PARP program at Roy-Hart and how the elementary school students celebrated it by soaking the principal with paint on Wednesday.

PARP's special event -- a family fun night -- takes place at the Elementary School tonight.

Here's the US&J article:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/roy-hart-celebrates-parp-with-some-paint/article_72b2279c-2d2c-5ae8-8119-ceab5989d205.html

BRIDAL SHOW AT TC

CUTEST BABY CONTEST

SAVOR THE HARTLAND NATURE TRAIL

Today I broke up the monotony of a winter day by taking the lil' one for a hike on the Hartland Nature Trail. You can tell by the tracks in the snow that it's hardly been used lately, which is unfortunate...it's really a nice little spot and a hike is a great way to get kids away from video games, phones and the TV. Here's a 2014 nature column I wrote looking at that under-appreciated trail:

http://www.eastniagarapost.com/2014/07/exploring-niagara-frontier-hartland.html

ROY-HART JOB OPENING

Roy-Hart is looking to fill an anticipated vacancy for School Business Administrator...

VALENTINE'S DINNER AT BECKER FARMS

Becker Farms is hosting a Valentine's Dinner on Saturday, February 13th with eight scheduled seatings from 5:30 to 9:00.

$75 includes food and a bottle of wine for two

Menu:

Appetizer (choose one)

Cheese Plate for Two: A local selection of cheeses, fresh fruit, candied walnuts, and crispy flatbread.

Baked Flatbread: Crispy flatbread topped with a sweet cranberry compote, crumbled goat cheese, and candied walnuts.

Entrées

Grilled Chicken and Fettuccine: Grilled chicken marinated in balsamic over fettuccine in a fresh tomato bruschetta.

Braised Short Ribs and Creamy Grits: Short Ribs and root vegetables braised in Vizcarra Pinot Noir over creamy grits.

Portabella Napoleon: Herbed marinated portabella mushrooms stacked high with layers of quinoa pilaf and a fresh pesto sauce.

Dessert

Chocolate Molten Lava Cake: Hot chocolate molten lava cake with pecan vanilla ice cream and a salted caramel sauce.

Pre-Pay online by clicking the link below or reserve your seats over the phone at 716-772-2211 ext 106 Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm

http://www.beckerfarms.com/#!valentines-date-night/c1a9h

ROY-HART SIXTH GRADERS HOLD WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE

Some Roy-Hart sixth graders are collecting hats & gloves for children in need. The report from WIVB....

BECCA'S CLOSET

Do you have a family member in financial need who might find it difficult to send their daughter to the prom this spring? There is help available. Read on...

Becca's Closet was created as a legacy to Rebecca Kirtman and the project she created prior to her passing in 2003. Becca's Closet donates formal attire to high school girls with financial need who otherwise would not be able to attend their schools' military balls, homecomings and proms. Their mission is to continue her vision and dream of helping others. You can learn about Becca's Closet here: http://www.beccascloset.org/

The Women Helping Others organization at Zion Lutheran Church in Gasport opened a chapter of Becca's Closet last year and they have hundreds of slightly used or new prom dresses to distribute at NO COST to girls in need in the area.

They will be distributing the dresses (sizes 0 to 26, with accessories) from Zion Lutheran Church on these dates....

Friday, February 19th from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday, February 20th from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

If you are in need of a dress, please schedule your appointment by contacting Paula at ladytinny559@gmail.com or 716.957.8157.

This is yet another example of the excellent local missions conducted by the good people at Zion.

SABRES ALUMNI GAME

XAPSOS MAKES A RUN AT 1,000 POINTS

The Lockport Star looks at one of WNY's best basketball players -- Roy-Hart's Andy Xapsos -- and his run to 1,000 points and his quest for a league title...

http://lockportstar.net/ahead-of-the-pack-xapsos-quietly-becomes-a-top-scorer-in-western-new-york/

GASPORT MAN IN "BEAT THE CHAMP"

The iconic TV show "Beat the Champ" disappeared from the Buffalo airwaves over 20 years ago, but it's coming back this weekend, courtesy of the good people at WBBZ. Among the competitors in the first show is Gasport's own Jason Ciliberto.  Here's the report from the Lockport US&J:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/sports/beat-the-champ-bowling-show-returns-saturday/article_7cb4be23-d5db-5a19-bfd3-9e25d4a0bc42.html

GADGETS & GEAR SESSION AT LIBRARY

Residents with questions about their Smart Phones, laptop computers, tablets or any other electronic devices can bring them to the Gadgets & Gear Session at the Royalton Hartland Community Library for answers. This hands on help session will be held Thursday, January 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

With the new digital services offered by the library, especially the latest called “Hoopla” that offers free music, eBooks, TV shows, movies and comic books via digital download, learning how to use electronic devices is more important than ever.

Sara Taylor, an e-mobile trainer from the Nioga Library System’s BTOP Express, will be at the library to answer questions about these services, and can show how to use just about any electronic device that is brought to the session. 

Interested residents are encouraged to bring in their own devices such as an iPhone, Kindle, Nook, iPad, flash drive, or laptop computer (including charging cords) and ask questions about them. Attendees will be able to download digital items from Hoopla as well as eBooks from Overdrive and eMagazines from Zinio right at the session so they will know how to use these services provided free to library patrons through the Nioga system. As the Gadgets & Gear programs are well attended, registration for the upcoming January 28 session is requested.

The Royalton Hartland Community Library periodically offers sessions like Gadgets & Gear and residents are encouraged to check the library’s website at www.RoyHartCommunityLibrary.com or stop by 9 S. Vernon Street in Middleport for program information, or they can call the library at 735-3281.

OREGON ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF YOUNG ROY-HART ALUMNA

The Lockport Union-Sun and Journal is reporting that 1998 Roy-Hart graduate Deanna Teaven passed away in a car accident in Oregon last week. Our thoughts are with her family.

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/newfane-native-killed-in-crash/article_88345b8d-b955-502e-a547-52a92078b69d.html

SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE GASPORT FOOD PANTRY

There is a food and clothing pantry hosted by Zion Lutheran Church in Gasport on the fourth Saturday of every month. It has been lightly used the past two months -- only ONE person showed up to December's pick-up date.

Based on school statistics, we know there are nearly 140 families of school-aged children who could use the services...and we know there are countless more senior citizens who could use it.

Please spread the word to them. Share the image in this link with them:

http://gasportnewyork.blogspot.com/2015/12/food-pantry-clothing-closet-december.html

Also, if you visit either of the Royalton or Hartland town halls to pay your tax bill in the coming weeks, copies of the flier will be available at the front desk. Please distribute them to people in need.

The food pantry is there for them. It is there for YOU.