Main Street development

In a lot of communities, economic development is only done when governments buy up properties or pour tons of money into them with grants and loans. Here in Gasport we are blessed with people who conduct economic development the old fashioned way -- with entrepreneurial spirit. This property on Main Street is the latest to be added to Dominick Ciliberto's portfolio. It will be interesting to see what the young man does with it. This property has housed the Main Street Station restaurant, a chiropractors' office, and a tutor.

Roy-Hart musical is finalist for Kenny Award

The Roy-Hart musical "Thoroughly Modern Mille" has been announced as a finalist for the Kenny Award given by Shea's and the Lipke Foundation: http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/roy-hart-musical-is-chosen-as-kenny-awards-finalist/article_44f79049-0b72-5924-b18a-58e8f51a79e9.html

Saplings for sale

Every spring the Niagara County Soil & water Conservation District sells DEC-raised saplings for local residents to plant for use in conservation projects and lawns. Over 60,000 trees are distributed across the county on an annual basis. The trees will be available in late April but you have to order them before March 1st.

It's a really great program for two reasons...

1) It gives you access to many different species of trees and shrubs suitable for a wide variety of soil. So, there are trees available for any conservation project you may have like creating a hedgerow, planting foodstuff for birds & mammals, starting a woodlot, stifling erosion, improving your lawn and more.

2) It's cheap. You could never buy these types and amounts of trees from nurseries or online without paying an arm and a leg. These trees are a great buy.

The order form is available in their Winter 2017 newsletter which can be downloaded here:

http://niagaraswcd.com/Winter%202017%20NCSWCD%20Newsletter.pdf

Roy-Hart retirements

The Lockport Union Sun & Journal is reporting that Carol Blumrick, Debra Holahan and Carl Husung will retire from Roy-Hart at the end of the school year.

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/roy-hart-teacher-retirements-announced/article_700bdecd-ad5a-58e1-ada8-7122e3258187.html

Terry's Corners spaghetti dinner

Do you live in the Terry's Corners fire district? If so, they would like to meet you! Come on down to Terry's Corners for a FREE Spaghetti Dinner on Sunday, January 29th 2017 at 4:00 PM.

They are trying to bring the Fire Hall back to being the center of the community like it once was. So, visit them to see what they are all about, what they do, how they raise money, and learn about the benefits to joining the fire company as either a Firefighter, Auxiliary or as a social member on Team TC -- all while filling your appetite.

Please RSVP by Saturday the 28th so they can make sure to get enough food. To RSVP, fill out the online form here: http://www.terryscorners.com/community-dinner

Mrs. Bridge has passed away

Long-time Royalton-Hartland residents will remember Mrs. Bridge who taught at our schools for 40 years before retiring in 1985. Mrs. Bridge passed away a few days ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and former students.

Her obituary: http://www.allwnynews.com/2017/01/elizabeth-betty-mary-bridge-oct-6-1923.html

Bicentennial dates

Cuomo releases school aid budget

Last night, the Governor's office released his budget proposal including school aid. Roy-Hart is slated to receive under Cuomo's proposal $13,709,217 in formula-based aid plus another $1,197,557 for the Smart Schools initiative. 

USJ introduces new reporter

If you're looking to have something newsworthy covered by the Union Sun & Journal, they have a new reporter on the Royalton beat -- Tim Fenster:

http://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/tim-fenster-joins-us-j-staff-as-city-reporter/article_a484c7e2-412b-5d77-b8cc-7b0e0be78768.html

Summer Sizzler 2017

In celebration of Royalton's 200th anniversary -- and of the Summer Sizzlers of yore -- there will be a Summer Sizzler at Terry's Corners this year on Saturday, July 22nd.

The bands are...

NERDS GONE WILD
CARL DIXON
STRICTLY HIP
JONESIE AND THE CRUISERS
DIRTY BLOND
DAVE VITERNA GROUP

There will be a huge beer tent, a collection of food trucks, a $20,000 raffle, and a VIP tent.

Admission to the event is free.

FMC's Kloda appointed to NSC board

Roberta Kloda, Environmental, Health and Safety manager for FMC’s Agricultural Solutions plant in Middleport, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Safety Council.

The nation's leading safety advocate for more than 100 years, the National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization of more than 55,000 members with the mission to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

Dr. Kloda has more than 10 years of environmental, health and safety knowledge and a strong background in heavy industrial manufacturing. She leads the safety and health programs for the FMC Middleport plant and also manages environmental requirements and waste reduction projects.

She received a Doctorate in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University, and a Master’s in Public Health and Bachelor’s in Chemistry and Recombinant Gene Technology from Western Kentucky University. Dr. Kloda, a resident of Lewiston, also serves on the Board of the Western New York Safety Council.

Royalton calendars

The town of Royalton bicentennial calendars are in! In the calendar there are over 100 old time pictures from around the town. They will be available starting Monday at the following places... Middleport Village Hall, Royalton Hartland Community Library and at the Royalton Town Hall. The price is only $6.00. If you want one mailed to you the price will be $8.00 each. Send check or money order payable to Royalton Bicentennial Committee. Send it to Middleport Village Hall, Attention Christa Lutz, PO Box 186, Middleport, NY 14105.

Bad Ash BBQ opening in February

A BBQ joint in Gasport? Our quaint burg is becoming a little more perfect. The good people at Bad Ash BBQ -- which has been a popular food truck in the area for a few years now -- are opening their first brick and mortar restaurant, right here in Gasport. They are taking over the facility that once housed Gina's, Talk of the Town and the Gasport Diner. They announced today on Facebook that opening day is Wednesday, February 8th, with hours of 11:00 to 9:00. You can follow them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BAD-AsH-BBQ-823603574375667/

Free prom dresses in Gasport

Do you know 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 in 2015 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....

Tuesday, February 21st from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday, February 22nd from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, March 18th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, April 8th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, April 29th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

If you have any questions or 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.

Gasport Fire Company Raffle

The Gasport volunteer fire company will be holding a raffle on February 18th. This is a critical fundraiser for this critical service. Tickets can be purchased from any Gasport fire member or at Drum Oil and Standish & Jones.

Gasport bingo

The good people at Gasport Chemical Hose have a new bingo schedule underway. Here's a peek at what they are offering: