News for the week of
March 6, 2005

In Features:

Hamlin firefighters rescue man from ice
On Friday, February 25, the Hamlin Volunteer Fire Department rescued Harry Schouten, a 69-year-old ice fisherman who had fallen into Sandy Creek. Schouten, an experienced ice fisherman, was preparing for a morning of fishing on the creek near its junction with Lake Ontario when he fell through. more

Lollypop Farm purchases van for pet therapy travel
The Humane Society at Lollypop Farm has purchased a new van for its Pet Assisted Therapy (PAT) Program. The van will be used to make PAT visits year-round, five-days-a-week to more than 90 locations. more

Long-time Chili firefighter authors historical book
Lew Gracey is proud of his 38 years of service in the Chili Fire Department. His interest in fire equipment, however, was sparked long before he put on a uniform. more

Nominees invited for Woman of Distinction award
Residents are invited to nominate friends, coworkers, and neighborhood leaders whose outstanding work on behalf of our communities makes them deserving of special recognition by the State Senate as a New York "Woman of Distinction." more

Registration open for summer camp activities
The Girl Scouts of Genesee Valley has openings for its resident and day camp at Camp Pinewood (nestled in the hills of the Finger Lakes region near Dansville) and day camp at Camp Piperwood in Perinton. Girls do not need to be currently registered in Girls Scouts to sign up for summer camp. Camping opportunities are offered to 6 to 18 year olds. more

Spencerport Fire Department adds new rescue equipment
The Spencerport Volunteer Fireman's Association recently purchased and placed into service a new thermal imaging camera (TIC). The camera interprets temperature differences and provides a color image on a small screen. more

Stormwater Coalition student logo design contest underway
The Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County is sponsoring a Student Logo Design Contest for students in grades seven through h12. The Stormwater Coalition will use the winning logo on its web page and on educational and training materials. more

Two new publications celebrate Brockport in prose and poetry
Brockport authors William G. Andrews and William Heyen will read excerpts from and sign their newly released books celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Village of Brockport. Andrews' book, Early Brockport, is a narrative history from the Senecas to 1865. Heyen's book, Brockport Sunflowers, contains his selections of previously published poems and open letters about Brockport. more

Weather delays maple syrup crop
Because of the frigid temperatures, the region expects the tapping of maple trees (sugar, black and some red) for maple syrup production to be delayed by as much as two weeks with tapping to be around March 15. more


In Briefly:

'The Exonerated' to be presented by St. Luke's and SUNY
Professional actors and community leaders are coming together to present "The Exonerated" through the efforts of St. Luke's and the Department of Theatre at SUNY Brockport. This documentary theatrical piece shares the true stories of six former death row inmates, told in their own words. more

Holley community encouraged to attend budget committee meetings
The public is encouraged to attend the remainder of the Community Budget Committee meetings for the Holley Central School District. The meetings will be held on March 7 and 21 at 5:30 p.m. in the Holley Elementary Library Conference Room, 3800 North Main Street. They will include public presentations and comment, and Board of Education discussion on key educational program components and their fiscal impact on the budget. more

Lakeside Beikirch Care Center receives bench donation
Four sisters wanted to thank Lakeside for the great care they have given their parents. Michelle Dry, Tina Burton, Renee Anthony and Donna Olson donated a bench to Lakeside Beikirch Care Center in memory of their father, John Menear who was a resident, and for their mother, Rita Menear, who is currently a resident at the Care Center. more

Photo contest winners
Winners of the "Parma's Winter Wonderland" Teen Photo Contest received their awards at a reception at the Parma Public Library on Thursday, February 24. Jonathan Wood received first prize in the senior division with his picture of a gate in winter. more

Trinity Emmanual Lutheran Church
reenacts Last Supper

Trinity Emmanual Lutheran Church, 761 Elmgrove Road in Gates, will present a reenactment of the Last Supper when Jesus and his Twelve Disciples shared a final meal before Jesus is led away to be crucified. more


Politically Speaking

Assembly Republicans want action on death penalty
Assembly Republican Leader Charles H. Nesbitt and members of the Assembly Republican Conference have called for legislative action to decide the fate of New York's death penalty. Capital punishment was struck down in New York by the state Court of Appeals last June, after it had been in place for nearly ten years. more

Consumers urged to "get smart" about insurance
The New York state Insurance Department is launching a public awareness effort urging New Yorkers to "Get Smart About Insurance," according to Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece). more

Hamlin Democrats elect new officers
The Hamlin Democratic Committee elected a slate of officers for 2005 on January 26 in the Hamlin Town Hall. The officers are: Richard Marsden of Huntington Park, town leader; Tom Jensen of Harper Park, chairperson; Pam Keller of Walker-Lake Road, secretary; Ida Miller of Shore Acres, treasurer; Jeanine Klopp of Roosevelt Highway, assistant chairperson; Peter Tonery of Moscow Road, assistant town leader. more

Holley sees contested village trustee elections
Five Holley residents will be seeking election to three available trustee seats in the March 15 election. Incumbents John Kenney and Ronald Vendetti along with Thomas O'Neill who ran for mayor in 2004, will be vying for two available two-year trustee positions. Incumbent Kevin Bedard and former trustee Ross Gaylord will be running for the one available one-year trustee seat. more

Three more announce intentions in Brockport election
It's more than a month from the time that intentions for office have to be officially announced and filed but three more Brockport residents have tossed their hats into the political ring in the upcoming Brockport elections. Laura Emerson and David Wagenhauser have decided to run for trustee and Glenn Emerson is making a bid for the mayoral seat. more


In Schools:

Brockport kindergarten information night scheduled
Brockport Central School District residents who have a child who will turn five years old by December 1 can register the child for kindergarten in September 2005. more

Churchville-Chili students win in Peace Poster contest
Awards were presented to MacKenzie Martin and Jessica Lovering by Lion 20E-1 District Governor Peter Niedrauer at the February 22 Churchville Lions dinner meeting held at Naughton's Johnson House in Churchville. more

Full day kindergarten registration for 2005-06 underway
Open enrollment for full day kindergarten is underway at St. John the Evangelist Elementary School. more

Holley Board of Education petitions due by April 15
Any person interested in running for one of the vacancies on the Holley Board of Education must submit the proper petition on or before Friday, April 15 by 5 p.m. more

Holley High School presents "Little Shop of Horrors"
The musical tragedy "Little Shop of Horrors" comes to life on the Holley High School stage March 10-13. The action takes place in Mushnik's Skid Row Florist Shop and chronicles young Seymour Krelborn's glorious rise and tragic fall as he tries to succeed in wooing his coworker, Audrey. more

Holley pre-k and kindergarten registration - March 10 only
The Holley Central School District will hold registration for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten on Thursday, March 10 from 1 to 7 p.m. in the Elementary Library Classroom, 3800 North Main Street, Holley. more

Holley's new volunteer program up and running
The Holley Board of Education has approved a volunteer program that will make it possible to compile a list of regular volunteers and focus their help where it is most needed. As always, any parent is welcome to volunteer in his or her child's classroom. more

Kendall kindergarten registration set for March 21
Registration for children in the Kendall Central School District starting kindergarten next year will be Monday, March 21 in the Kendall Elementary School cafeteria, 1932 Kendall Road, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m. Children do not need to attend the registration. more

Celebrating the Chinese New Year
First graders at John J. Ginther School had a taste of the Chinese New Year when their classes visited Ho Ho Grand Buffet in Brockport. The visit was the culmination of two weeks of study of the Chinese culture. more

Read Across America at Hill School
On Wednesday, March 2, guest readers participated in "Read Across America" at the Hill School in Brockport. more

Spencerport STAGE presents 'Guys and Dolls'
Spencerport High School's Stage Drama Club members are rehearsing for their upcoming presentation of "Guys and Dolls." Pictured here (back row, l to r kneeling and standing) Libby Vujanovich, Shannon Elliott, Vesta Clement, Jessica Voelkl, Emily Bellinger and Rachel Laber; (seated l to r) Alyssa Pascucci, Lauren Zona (Miss Adelaide) and Sandra Goettelman. more


In Sports:

Area wrestlers go on to states
Five area wrestlers, including two from Spencerport and two from Brockport, won their SuperSectional weight class to advance to the state tournament March 4-5 at Pepsi Arena in Albany. more

Brockport Basketball Booster Club banquet scheduled
Ed Nietopski will be presented the 2005 Bill Corbin Award at the Brockport Basketball Booster Club ceremony. The award is dedicated to the memory of the late Brockport Boys Basketball Coach Bill Corbin, who exemplified the "sport of the hoop." more

Brockport on to NCAA's
Freshman guard Ashley Broadhurst was named tournament MVP as she led Brockport to a 74-67 overtime victory over top-seeded Oswego in the SUNYAC women's basketball championship game and an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. It was announced one day later that Brockport would host Alvernia College of Pennsylvania in the first round on March 2. more

Hilton student is K of C Free-Throw contest winner
Seventh grader Stephanie Summa has advanced to the next level of competition in the Knights of Columbus New York State Free-Throw competition. more

Saints fall in semi-final
Top-seeded Churchville-Chili lost to fourth-seeded Fairport 60-47 in the Class AAA Section Five girl's basketball tournament played at Roberts Wesleyan College. more

Spencerport teams and cheerleaders
donate to American Cancer Society

Spencerport Central Schools, along with sponsors of Roberts Wesleyan College, Wendy's Restaurants of Rochester and the American Cancer Society, hosted its 8th annual Coaches vs. Cancer Boys Basketball Tournament on December 3 and 4, 2004 at Spencerport High School and the 14th Annual Coach Chow Classic on December 28 and 29, 2004 at Roberts Wesleyan College. more

SSBC Toy Show celebrates 5th anniversary in Spencerport
The Spencerport Sports Booster Club will host their 5th Annual "Toys For Sports" fundraiser on Saturday, April 2 at Spencerport High School in the East Gym. The Toy Show will open at 9 a.m. and run until 3 p.m. Statewide toy and sports card vendors will be in attendance. Admission is $1 for adults, children 12 and under are free. more