Sunday, June 30, 2019

Congrats to graduates




Yesterday's graduation ceremony was an ending but it was also a new beginning. Congratulations and good luck to all the graduates. Your families, educators and the community look forward to the impact you will have on the world, in your own way, as parents, partners, workers, and volunteers. Continue to make Roy-Hart proud.

Friday, June 28, 2019

Trees coming down at the high school



This weekend, graduation weekend, take in the beauty of the trees in front of the high school one last time. Next week, they are coming down as a part of the FMC remediation. Those lovely trees always provided a beautiful and fitting pastoral back drop -- and shade -- for our small town graduation ceremonies. They've also provided beauty and a park like setting to the front of the campus.

Dr. Stopinski has said that, when it comes time to take care of the front of the high school once the FMC remediation is done, the plan is to plant sweetgum trees along the street (fittingly, they will turn purple in the fall). There will be two white lilacs near the front entrance way. Roy-Hart's FFA Chapter will be developing new landscaping plans once the work is complete.

John Robinson to handcycle through Gasport Monday

John Robinson of Our Ability, Inc will complete his 7th Journey Along the Erie Canal, July 1 through July 11. Born without full arms and legs, Robinson will use a handcycle to ride all 360 miles to raise awareness of the needs of people with disabilities. He will be passing through Gasport on Monday. Be sure to say "hi!"

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/gearing-up-for-a-new-journey-along-the-erie-canal/article_15bd4638-c768-532a-9e5d-da1edff1f7c1.html

BBQ and garage sale


Thursday, June 27, 2019

2016 commencement message still rings true

Roy-Hart's graduation is this weekend. It's such a bittersweet time -- our community's youths will bid farewell to the school, their peers, and, in many cases, the community while heading into so many new adventures.

Three years ago I had the honor and privilege of delivering the commencement address at Roy-Hart. The names have changed but the message should still resonate with the class of 2019 and their families -- they were given a meaningful education in our small school.


Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Gasport primary results

There were 2 contested races in Gasport in yesterday's primary.

In the town of Hartland's Republican, Independence and Conservative primaries for town clerk, Cynthia Boyler was victorious over Shari Arnold.

In the town of Royalton's Republican primary for highway superintendent, James Spark defeated Gregory Lindke.

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The Voice Box competition at Salt & Light


Salt & Light Festival schedule


Mrs. Rogenmoser has passed away


Mrs. Rogenmoser, who taught 1st grade at Roy-Hart in the 1960s and 1970s, has passed away....

Marilyn C. Rogenmoser, age 98, died June 23, 2019 in Orchard Manor Nursing Home following a long illness.

She was born February 13, 1921 in Wilson to Clare and Rena (Tripp) Coe and was a life-long resident of Western New York.

Marilyn was a 1938 graduate of Wilson High School, and a 1942 Graduate of Geneseo State Teachers College. She taught Elementary Education in Niagara Falls prior to raising her children and as her children got older she taught 1st Grade in the Royalton Hartland School District where she retired from in 1979. Marilyn enjoyed traveling and cooking and was a member of the Middleport United Methodist Church, a charter member of the Barge Canal Art Center, a member and former chairperson of the Medina Hospital Willow TWIG, the Library Association of Middleport and the Alpha Delta Epsilon Sorority.

Mrs. Rogenmoser was predeceased by her husband Barry and her sister Virginia Pursell.

She is survived by her sons: David Rogenmoser of Rochester, James (Marlene) Rogenmoser of Shelby, her daughter: Sue Ann (John) Palmer of Middleport, 3 grandchildren: William, Jeremy, Stephen and Barry Rogenmoser, a great-grandson: Thomas Rogenmoser, 2 nieces: Patricia Kane (Gabe) Palmer, Cynthia Ann (Jeffery) Hackett, as well as several great nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at the Bates, Wallace and Heath Funeral Home, 38 State Street-Middleport, WEDNESDAY from 4-7 p.m. only. Her graveside service will be held THURSDAY 11 a.m. in Hartland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Middleport United Methodist Church, 9 Park St., Middleport, NY, 14105 or the Royalton Hartland Community Library, 9 Vernon Street, Middleport, NY, 14105.

Monday, June 24, 2019

Input wanted on capital project


Gasport's poor ranking with millennials

Business First has crunched the numbers and shared the Census Bureau's recent data that look at demographics of the local populations.

In their most recent report, they ranked WNY zip codes by the abundance of millennials. Gasport comes in ranked 106 out of 116 zip codes with just 12.3% of the population being ages 21 to 34.

That begs the questions: How do we get young people to stay in Gasport? How do we get young people to come to Gasport?

You can see the full rankings here:

Thursday, June 20, 2019

HUGE raffle to benefit Boy Scouts

Here's a great basket raffle to participate in...

Next Wednesday, June 26th, the Confer Plastics Classic Golf Tournament will take place at Willowbrook Golf Course & Restaurant in Wright's Corners. A raffle will accompany the event and the raffle is open to the public from 12:30 to 4:30 while the golfers are out on the course.

The raffle is run by Gasport's Carol Genet and her friends. Carol does a GREAT job with this event. The list of prizes (growing every day!) and ticket costs can be found in the link below.

All proceeds benefit the local Boy Scouts through the Iroquois Trail Council. Please share this -- there are so many great prizes and the impact will be huge on the scouts!

Ram Jam Color Dash

The 2nd annual Ram Jam Color Dash Sponsored by the Roy-Hart PTSA is this Saturday, June 22nd. This year it will begin in the Middle/High School parking lot (54 State Street, Middleport). Registration is from 8:15-8:50. Race begins at 9 (Option of 1.1 or 3.7 mile course). Color Blast Off Party is at 10:15 back at the school.

Here's the Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/RAMJAMCOLORDASH/posts/444052936156202

Hartland splash pad is open


From the Town of Hartland's Facebook page:

JUNE 19TH

On behalf of Supervisor Ross Annable and the Hartland Town Board, we would like to announce that our newly constructed "SPLASH PAD" is NOW OPEN!!!

Hours of operation will be 10 am til 8 pm Daily

We ask that you please abide by the following rules to insure a Safe Environment for all to enjoy.
Children "MUST" be Supervised by an Adult and Swim Shoes are Strongly Recommended. Please see other posted rules at the Splash Pad

And Please, lets Always Remember that first and foremost this is a "Family Friendly Park"
Many Thanks to Titan Development/Jim Donner, Our Highway Staff under the direction of Highway Superintendent Keith Hurtgam, A Superior Concrete and Mike Carnes of Sunrise Door. Without all of you this would not have been possible!

Our hope is that everyone enjoys this new addition to our Town Park as much as we have enjoyed providing it for "All of You"

There is no Parking @ the "Splash Pad" at this time and no driving at any time on any grassy areas. Parking is in the main Park parking lot only. Thank You for your cooperation as we continue to improve our Park

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Food pantry schedule for June, July, August


Les Washbon Memorial


I was listening to Giant FM, the Niagara Region (Ontario) classic rock station when I heard an ad mentioning a special event this weekend recognizing the late, great Les Washbon of Gasport.

The Welland Motorcycle Club is presenting the fourth annual Les Washbon Memorial/750 Twin night this Saturday, June 22, at the Club's Welland, Ontario speedway.

Washbon competed professionally in AMA Pro Flat Track from the early 1980's until his retirement from racing in 1995. Washbon wore number 90.

Details about the Club and its Ontario facilities can be found here: http://wellandmotorcycleclub.com/

Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Ulrich receives Michelle A. Bewley scholarship

This message was posted on Michelle's Memorial Facebook page...

Congratulations to Colleen Ulrich for becoming the 14th recipient of the Michelle A. Bewley Scholar Athlete Award!

As we mentioned before, this year we had more individuals qualify for Michelle's award than ever before which made our decision challenging but we are encouraged knowing that year after year, more and more students are striving for the highest levels of excellence. We are also reminded of the importance of community and how small acts of kindness and selfless service can play such a tremendous role in impacting the lives of those around us. Colleen has gone above and beyond in supporting and encouraging her community all while representing herself and her school with grace and joy. It’s people like her, in addition to meeting all of the other requirements, who remind us so much of Michelle.

Colleen was in Orchestra as well as a member of the Royalton-Hartland School District Cross-Country, Swimming and Track and Field Teams. She is attending Keuka College in the fall for Occupational Therapy.

Colleen, we wish you the very best and welcome you into the Michelle's Memorial family.

Congratulations!

Annual fly-in breakfast

Gasport Masonic Lodge 787's annual fly-in and drive-in breakfast will take place Sunday, June 23rd at the Gasport Airport at Dale and Mackey Roads from 8:00 till noon. It's an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. There will be pancakes with homemade blueberry sauce, eggs, sausage, coffee, juice, and milk.Cost is $8/adults; $4 for kids under 12; free for kids under 4.

Spaghetti dinner June 18



All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner. TODAY: Tuesday, June 18...4 - 7 pm...Solid Rock Church, 8590 Rochester Rd. Gasport...Benefits 2019 Salt & Light Festival. Includes spaghetti with or without meatballs, salad, bread/roll, beverage and dessert. Price: Donation. Take-Outs available

SMART Schools grant secured by RH

Roy-Hart officials learned yesterday that the district's $200,000 SMART Schools grant has been approved by the Education Department. On his Twitter account, Superintendent Stopinski says the grant will be used to purchase instructional technology such as Chromebooks and Touch Panels.

Monday, June 17, 2019

Flag Day










Here are some photos from Flag Day at the Elementary School. Once again, a truly awesome celebration from Mrs. Pedini and her team! She puts a lot of effort and heart into this every year.

"Conversations with US" features Jennifer Bieber

"Conversations with US-Great Lakes States" by Chris Register is the first book in a series of nine he'll be publishing after cycling 16,000 miles across the country. In the first book he interviews former Royalton town supervisor Jennifer Bieber

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/cyclist-publishes-first-book-after-epic-bicycle-journey/article_6c8d6681-646d-5d0c-99f8-19b7d7d0dd85.html

Friday, June 14, 2019

Flag day at Roy-Hart

Today is Flag Day at Roy-Hart. The US&J looks ahead to today's awesome festivities:

https://www.lockportjournal.com/news/local_news/flag-day-ceremonies-set-at-roy-hart-school/article_bb0113e2-a7af-5a41-b91e-1c61c28e2d55.html?fbclid=IwAR12Kpymyez9Vdr3UqmyLm9vynUmtb4ROlu-mrsR3vBBII_qc-3_bLY710A

Country music in Johnson Creek

There is live classic country music this Saturday the 15th, at 6:00 PM, at Community Fellowship Church at 3146 Johnson Creek and Route 104. The Creekside Classic Country Band and friends will be playing. Raffles, food, and fun. No charge -- there will be a free will offering

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Kevin Shanley proclomation

Yesterday, the New York Assembly passed a resolution recognizing Kevin Shanley upon the occasion of his retirement from the education field. The outgoing superintendent of the Akron Central School had been a principal in the Roy-Hart District.

https://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=K00547&term=2019&Summary=Y&Actions=Y&Text=Y&Committee%26nbspVotes=Y&Floor%26nbspVotes=Y

Monday, June 10, 2019

Bridge closure

Griswold Street is closed between Lewiston Road and Ditch Road in the Town of Royalton for bridge replacement until approximately November 30, 2019. Detours have been posted.

Salt and Light festival 2019


Saturday, June 8, 2019

FMC press release on settlement

FMC Corporation announced today that, as a follow up to an earlier-disclosed agreement in principle, it has entered into a new Order on Consent and Administrative Settlement with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). This document is the framework for activities related to the remediation of on-site and off-site areas impacted by historical operations at the Company’s site in Middleport, NY and to resolve other issues at the site. The Order on Consent was also approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The settlement is consistent with FMC’s financial commitments previously reported in the Company’s 2018 Form 10-K filing. Under the new Order, NYSDEC will continue to undertake environmental remedial work through the 2020 construction season, with FMC taking over the remediation work after 2020.

“FMC employees have lived and worked in the Middleport area community for decades,” said Roberta Kloda, FMC Middleport plant manager. “All parties involved are working together with the same goal in mind – to continue protecting human health and the environment while maintaining safe operations at the facility.”

Residents who have questions can contact Jessica Heideman, FMC’s Community Liaison, at 716-735-9769 or visit her at the FMCCommunity Office at 8 S. Vernon Street in Middleport. Walk-in hours are 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Other times are available by appointment. Special evening hours will also be available to area residents over the next few weeks.

Governor's press release on FMC settlement

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Roy-Hart drivers join Teamsters



STA drivers and monitors who provide student transportation for the Royalton-Hartland School District have voted to join Teamsters Local 449. Over 95 percent of workers at the yard participated in the election.

"We are thrilled that Roy-Hart drivers and monitors have decided to join the growing movement of workers at STA seeking to drive up pay and benefits by organizing their union with the Teamsters," said George Harrigan, Local 449 Secretary-Treasurer. "We now represent hundreds of workers at STA yards throughout the area. The strength we gain from building density in this industry gives us the power we need to negotiate contracts that reflect how valuable these men and women are to the safety of our children."

K. Charles Branch and Lanesia Scalise are drivers at the STA Roy-Hart yard.

"I voted yes because I know that a union can give us a chance to negotiate for higher wages, more days off and better working conditions – most importantly, in writing," Branch said.

"I support the Teamsters because I'm tired of favoritism; we also should be paid more for the responsibility that we have," Scalise said.

Teamsters Local 449 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area.