by Kristina Gabalski
A happy celebration for residents and officials of Point Breeze in the Town of Carlton, Orleans County, Wednesday, June 26, as they received a large trophy and a large check – for $25,000 – from the World Fishing Network for winning the 2013 “Ultimate Fishing Town” competition.
WFN’s “Ultimate Fishing Town” host, Mariko Izumi, was in Point Breeze for the ceremonies. She and her crew were also touring local spots like Brown’s Berry Patch and producing a video feature about Point Breeze which will be presented on-air and on-line throughout the year.
“I love to see these kinds of towns every year accomplishing something (they) didn’t think was possible for such a small town,” Izumi said.
Orleans County Sport Fishing Coordinator Mike Waterhouse said, “Over 700 towns across the U.S. and Canada (took part) and we ended up number one.”
He noted that nearby Port Colborne, Ontario, won the Canadian Ultimate Fishing Town.
“It proves in today’s world, great things really do come in small packages,” Waterhouse said.
James Shoemaker, Carlton Town Board, NYS Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Carlton Supervisor Gayle Ashbery, NY State Senator George Maziarz, Sharon Narburgh, and Joyce Harris, Carlton Town Board – display the trophy presented to Point Breeze by WFN for their 2013 Ultimate Fishing Town win.A committee of community leaders will now decide the best way to spend the winnings, Sharon Narburgh told the Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald. Narburgh was involved in rallying the community to win the prize and also runs Narby’s Superette and Tackle in Point Breeze.
“We’re elated,” she said about the win. “It’s very significant. We are really excited about the title.”
Waterhouse said the winnings might be spent to “make Point Breeze look even better than it already does.”
New York State Assemblyman Steve Hawley called Point Breeze “a treasure.” He said the win “will bode well for this area and all of Western New York. We hear so much bad news. It’s good for the heart and good for the mind to hear about these things that are good for the soul.”
Point Breeze lighthouse.Point Breeze was up against some stiff competition from around the country. Places like Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Cocodrie, Louisiana, and Grand Lake, Colorado, for example, each of which ended-up winning regional awards.
Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard and District 4 Legislator Kenneth Rush presented Point Breeze with a special resolution recognizing the significance of the win.
“We are so excited this is the ultimate fishing spot in the U.S.,” Chairman Callard said.
