Friday, August 30, 2013

ROY-HART ADJUSTS "DOUBLING UP" POLICY

At this week's meeting, the Royalton-Hartland school board adjusted the school policy regarding "doubling up". Read about it at the Lockport Union Sun & Journal's website:

http://lockportjournal.com/local/x312418758/At-risk-students-affected-by-policy-change

Thursday, August 29, 2013

STANDISH-JONES LAUNCHES MISSION TO HELP COMMUNITY CATS



Downtown Gasport, like many other areas of Western New York and even the nation, has long been overrun with homeless, wandering cats. This summer, Standish Jones Building Supply, along with the Talk of the Town diner and several concerned neighbors, has launched an effort to fix the problem. At the end of September, the nonprofit organization Community Cats Alive will come to Gasport, trap the feral cats, have them spayed or neutered and vaccinated, and returned.

Feral cats—those homeless cats which will not socialize with humans—are a nuisance in some ways, as they can be very noisy, and they often spray or eliminate around people’s homes and places of business. More alarmingly, this year has seen a spike in feline illness and death.

Studies have shown that TNVR (Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return) is the most humane way to resolve cat issues. Simple removal does not work, as more new cats will be drawn to the vacated area. The benefits of TNVR are many. First, it will halt the spread of feline diseases such as distemper, feline leukemia, and rabies, which also serves to protect humans and other animals co-existing with the cats. Second, spaying and neutering slows the growth of the feral cat population. Female cats can have two litters a year with as many as ten kittens per litter. Spaying is the only way to control the birth of so many unwanted cats. Neutering reduces marking and the aggressive behaviors of male cats. Finally, as cats in heat will travel great distances to mate, spaying and neutering will allow the cats to settle into an established colony. Colony cats are good for pest control, and will prevent other cats from coming into the territory.

At this time, Standish Jones, Talk of the Town, and volunteers from the Gasport community are raising money to fund the Gasport TNVR effort. Through Community Cats Alive, the surgery and medical treatment for each cat costs about sixty dollars. Each cat that is trapped will be given a name for identification purposes. At Standish Jones, anyone who donates twenty dollars can choose a name and be a cat “sponsor.” At the Talk of the Town, patrons can enter for a chance to win a lottery ticket tree.

To learn more about TNVR and the Change for Cats effort in Gasport, the public is welcome to attend an informational meeting at Talk of the Town, 4443 Main St in Gasport, on Thursday, September 5 at 5:30 pm. Representatives from Community Cats Alive will be there to answer any questions.

To donate or help in any way, please contact Emily Bragg at Standish Jones, at (716) 772-2611. To read more about the work of Community Cats Alive, please visit http://www.communitycatsalive.org.

For more information, please contact:
Emily Bragg, Media and Marketing
Standish Jones Building Supply
4440 Central Ave, Gasport, NY  14067
Ph:  (716) 772-2611

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

BOOK SALE AND RAFFLE


The Butterfly Book Tree is surrounded by the other 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 Saturday, August 31.




Labor Day means back to the books for the kids but adults are included at the Royalton Hartland Community Library.

The popular $2 a Bag Book Sale and an array of interesting baskets to be raffled off on Saturday, August 31 are a big draw, but the brightest is the Butterfly Book Tree.

The Butterfly Book Tree features hardcover selections that have been donated all wrapped up for an eye-catching display or to read. Other gift baskets up for raffle that day include Amazon gift card, an Entertainment Basket, Local Wines, a Handmade Afghan, Soup’s On, Love Your Dog and many more!

People can purchase their chances win at the library all this week or on Saturday, August 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. when the $2 a Bag Book Sale will also be underway. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5. The Basket Raffle and $2 a Bag Book Sale take place during the annual Middleport Labor Day Festivities in the Village. Winners will be drawn on Saturday day at 2 p.m. at the close of the $2 a Bag Book Sale.

The Book Sale at the library is a nice opportunity for readers to get some good reads at great prices. The library’s Book Sales and the Basket Raffles 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 $2 a Bag 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.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

WLVL COVERAGE OF ROY-HART FOOTBALL

WLVL has released their 2013 broadcast schedule for local high school football. For the first time in years, listeners will be fortunate enough to get a double dose of Roy-Hart/Barker this season. The Albion affair at Roy-Hart on Friday, September 27th will be aired, as will the Friday, October 11th trip to Wilson. You'll be able to listen on-air at 1340 AM and online at wlvl.com.

FARM LIVING IS THE LIFE FOR ME

If you are like the typical Gasport resident, there's no doubt that some suburbanites have (in either jest or actual disdain) called into question your decision to live in this great community of ours. This week's newspaper column strayed from policy and economics and offered my retort to those folks. We really do have a quality of life far better than theirs.

Read it here:

LABOR DAY HARVEST FESTIVAL

The Labor Day Harvest Festival will take place on the upcoming long weekend at Becker Farms...Sunday and Monday, September 1st and 2nd. Featuring u-pick apples, hayrides, pony rides, a chicken BBQ and music by Fiddle Stix. Find out more at www.beckerfarms.com. What a great way to cap off your kids' summer vacation!

Monday, August 26, 2013

CHUCK HENSEL HAS PASSED AWAY


 My fellow scouts of Boy Scout Troop 18 will remember Chuck Hensel. He founded the troop in 1947 and throughout the years made regular appearances at troop meetings, sharing his Scouting skills and great memories about the camping trips they had back in the day. He was one of the nicest guys around.

Chuck passed away last week at age 90.

Here is his obituary....

Charles William Hensel, age 90 of Gasport, entered into rest on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Medina Memorial Hospital.

Born July 21, 1923 in Lockport, Charles is the son of the late Charles and Lara M. (Berner) Hensel. Charles was a Lockport High School graduate and served in the US Army from 1943 until 1945 where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

He married Leah Snyder May 17, 1947 at the Somerset United Methodist Church. Mrs. Hensel died July 27, 2004. Charles had worked as a tool and die maker at Norton Laboratory in Lockport. Charles was a member of the Covenant United Church of Christ in Gasport, a life member of the Gasport American Legion Post #1253, life member of the Gasport Chemical Hose Fire Department and member of the Gasport Masonic Lodge #787 where he served as Past Master in 1970.

Surviving Charles are his children: Sharon (Robert) Steimer of Churchville, NY and James Hensel of Gasport. Uncle of: Roxann (Carl) Peckham, David (Kathleen) Snyder, Stephen (Arden) Snyder and Wayne (Patricia) Thompson.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation at the Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home 4521 Main Street, Gasport on Monday, August 26, 2013 from 4 – 7 pm. Funeral Services will be held at Covenant United Church of Christ, 4449 Gasport Road, Gasport, NY on Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 10:00 am with the Reverend Dr. Dorothea Brooks officiating. Interment will be in White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Amherst following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to Covenant United Church of Christ.

Please sign guest register at www.sherriebreamfuneralhome.com

Friday, August 23, 2013

3RD ANNUAL ALLIE O’GRADY MEMORIAL HORSE SHOW

3RD ANNUAL ALLIE O’GRADY MEMORIAL HORSE SHOW

August 24th 2013

Show begins at 10:00 am (Rain or Shine)

SEVENTEEN FOREVER FARMS
4575 Royalton Center Rd. Gasport, NY 14067

All ages are welcome, riders or not

Activities, Basket Auction and food available

All Proceeds will help fund the Alexandria O’Grady Memorial Scholarship at First Niagara Bank

Allie O’Grady was a 17 year old, junior at Royalton Hartland High School when she passed away. She was very involved in academics and athletics at school. Allie loved the outdoors, especially riding and taking care of her horses.

Show Participants: Registration is at 8:00 am $5 per event or $40 to ride all day
Rabies and Coggins Certificates Required
Riders 18 & under: helmets required

Stall rental: $15

Interested Participants please call for more information: Katie O’Grady at (716) 534-4545 or Rich O’Grady at (716) 695-4177

Any interested volunteers please contact.

Monday, August 19, 2013

ERIE CANAL PHOTO CONTEST

Since 2006, the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has hosted an annual photo contest to capture the beauty, history, people, and distinctive character of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Winning images become the basis for their yearly calendar.

Over the years, the contest has helped them showcase the canal corridor and remind people of what makes it a unique place to celebrate and preserve.

Deadline for entries is September 6, 2013.

For a list of categories and an entry form, visit http://www.eriecanalway.org/get-involved_photo-contest.htm

Friday, August 16, 2013

CAR WASH ON THE 17th

The Royalton-Hartland Cross Country team will be having a car wash tomorrow, August 17th, at Darrel's in Middleport from 11 - 1:30

FIELD HOCKEY CAR WASH

The Roy-Hart Field Hockey team will be having a car wash on Saturday, August 24th from 11 till 4 at Crosby's in Gasport. Please stop by and support the girls. Donations are accepted.

Thursday, August 15, 2013

SADDLE UP FOR ROSWELL

On September 21st, Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center will be hosting their 8th annual Saddle Up for Roswell event.

This is a wonderful horse show where the riders raise money for Roswell. The day benefits cancer research and patient care in Western New York at Roswell park Cancer Institute.

The Chestnut Ridge Equestrian community is passionate about cancer, a cause that has touched so many in one way or another. They are proud to partner with Roswell Park to assist those who face this disease. Over the past 7 years, they have raised more than $91,400.

In order to continue this special event, they are seeking both in-kind and monetary donations. They also sponsor a basket raffle at the event. Donors would receive exposure on many levels from hundreds of participants, ads in the newspapers, TV spots, links with USEA (United States Eventing Association) and USDF (United States Dressage Foundation).

For more information please contact Megan Gamin, Co-Chair of Saddle Up for Roswell, at (716) 772-7703 or pistolmeg@thegamins.com.

Check out the Chestnut Ridge Equestrian Center today at http://chestnutridgeequestriancenter.com/

BLOCK CLUB EVENT

On Saturday, September 14th the Middleport Hartland and Gasport Block Club Council is hosting the Niagara County Safety and Crime Awareness Day at the Hartland Volunteer Fire Company and the Town of Hartland Park. It will be held from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM and a band will begin playing at 6:00.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

DOG ENUMERATION

This week, Royalton residents will be receiving in the mail a postcard from the town regarding their dog census. Fill it out and send it in even if you do not have a dog (postage is provide). If you do not return the card, you will be visited by the dog control officer.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

RABIES CLINIC THIS SATURDAY

The Niagara County Department of Health in cooperation with the Niagara County Veterinary Society will hold a free rabies immunization clinic this Saturday, August 17 at the Town of Royalton Highway Garage from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The address is 5316 Royalton Center Road.

By law, all cats, dogs and domesticated ferrets must have a current rabies vaccination from four months of age and on.

Cats and dogs receiving immunization WITHOUT PROOF of a previous rabies immunization will receive a certificate valid only for one year. Cats and dogs WITH PROOF of previous rabies immunizations will receive a certificate valid for three years.

Ferrets must receive vaccinations annually, regardless of previous immunization.

All Animals must be properly restrained. Cats & ferrets must be in a box or carrier. Dogs must be leashed.

The Department does not offer dog or cat vaccinations other than rabies. It is very important for the health and well being of your animal and the other animals attending our rabies clinics, that they have seen a veterinarian and are up to date on all of their immunizations, to include dog parvo virus.

Volunteers are welcomed. Please call 439-7511 if interested.

It is requested that anyone bringing more than six animals to one clinic contact the Niagara County Department of Health at 439-7511 up to one week prior to the clinic so paperwork can be processed more efficiently.

TOWNLINE ROAD CLOSED

The Niagara County Sheriff's Office is reporting a road closure today in the Town of Hartland.

Townline Road between Checkered Tavern and Hosmer is closed until 4 p.m. today for replacement of a culvert pipe.

CLARIFYING ANIMAL DISPOSAL

In an earlier post that talked about what to do with certain items upon closure of the Niagara County landfill, we shared information that was provided by Niagara County that said, "Dead animals, such as dogs, could be taken to Modern disposal. The county used to charge 21.00 for this service. Modern does charge 55.00."

This is not true. Modern Landfill, Inc. does not receive dead animals from individuals. This service is only for the Niagara County Highway Department.

So, if your pet dies, do as you should and give it a proper burial on your property. Or call your vet to see what he can do or suggest.

BOOK CLUB TO DISCUSS "THE WALK"



What would do if you lost everything? That is what the members of the Royalton Hartland Library Book Club will be pondering at their Monday, August 19 meeting at 7 p.m. in the upstairs meeting room at the library, 9 Vernon Street in Middleport. The discussion springs from this month’s selection, “The Walk” by Richard Paul Evans

This book, the first in a series by Evans, is a story about the physical and spiritual journey of Alan Christoffersen, the main character. Christoffersen, a successful executive who has lost his wife, his job and his home, decides to take a walk before taking some more “drastic measures” that he has been contemplating. His walk becomes a life-changing journey as he encounters more than he expected.

The Royalton Hartland Book Club meets monthly to discuss selected literary works, and they welcome other interested readers to join to share their ideas and opinions.

More information can be found online at www.royhartcommunitylibrary.com. Please call the library at 716-735-3281 with any questions or for more information.

Monday, August 12, 2013

ROYALTON COMMUNITY DAY

Attention one and all, come out to the first annual Town of Royalton Community Day.

The celebration will be held at the Royalton Town Hall, 5316 Royalton Center Rd, Middleport, NY 14105 on Sunday, August 25, 2013 from noon to 4:00 PM.

The Volunteer Fire companies from Wolcottsville, Terry's Corners, Middleport and Gasport will be there with fire trucks. The Niagara County Sheriff's new command center will be on display for tours as well as members of the Mounted Division. Modern Corporation will be available to talk about recycling. The Niagara Orleans County Dairy Princess will be serving milk punch.

Entertainment will feature one of the opening bands for Kellie Pickler, the "Good Ol Boys" from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

Absolut Care of Gasport will be attending to give free blood pressure checks and much much more.

If you have any questions or if you are a local organization or a local business and would like to be a part of the day, please call Supervisor Jennifer Bieber at 716-735-7335.

Friday, August 2, 2013

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AT ZION

Zion Lutheran Church will have Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. till noon Monday. August 12th to Friday, August 16th.

Kingdom Rock is the theme. Kingdom Rock is filled with Bible-learning experiences like team-building games, cool Bible songs and tasty treats. Plus, kids discover how to see evidence of God in everyday life.

Pre-registration is not required. For more information, contact Marilyn Kozma at 434-9525 or email makmkk@verizon.net.