News for the week of
February 8, 2004

In Features:

Biking along the Danube River - and the Erie Canal
In August 2003, Judy and I bicycled along the Danube River (known only as the Donau River throughout Europe) from Regensburg, Germany to Bratislava, Slovakia, eleven days of biking bliss. Why wouldn’t it be when we’re traveling on flat (slightly downhill, the river flows east) paved paths with the prevailing winds at our backs along some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. more

Brockport officials argue police staffing
A heated discussion regarding police department staffing and a letter to the editor written by one of the village trustees dominated a portion of the Brockport Village Board meeting on February 2. more

Community leader Dennis A. Pelletier, 54,
dies suddenly February 2 while in Albany
Area residents were shocked by the news of the sudden death of Dennis A. Pelletier, 54, of Spencerport on Monday, February 2. Mr. Pelletier collapsed in Albany at the New York State Association of Counties’ legislative conference, there to deliver a tribute for another Monroe County official, Kevin Crerand, who died last summer. more

Further studies of Route 531 extension likely
The first step in what could prove to be a long project was taken when the federal government announced it will likely spend $5.8 million on a study to lengthen Route 531. The extension has been a project that has been talked about for decades, officials said. more

Hometown Business Directory proven community resource
Business owners - service providers – merchants: What have you done for your business lately? Marketing professionals have determined that one of the keys to building a successful business includes the development and use of an advertising plan which gets the company name recognized and remembered. more

Medical professionals invited to learn about asthma care
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Rochester Region is holding education sessions for primary care physicians and their staffs to learn about caring for patients with asthma. Two sessions, with identical programs, will be held in February and March. more

Panels on DWI to be held at SUNY College at Brockport
SUNY College of Brockport is hosting two panel presentations focusing on DWI and how to prevent these tragedies from happening in the future. The first presentation is for SUNY Brockport students and will take place on Thursday, February 12. more

Questions posed regarding board member's residency
Some Hamlin residents are questioning the legitimacy of Jim Breslawski's position on the Town of Hamlin's Planning Board. They are asking why someone who doesn't live in Hamlin is given the opportunity to decide policy for the town. more

Snow removal costs eat into local DPW budgets
The white stuff is stacking up across Monroe and Orleans counties with the green stuff following it. With snow continuing to fall and with no end to snow removal in sight, Brockport Department of Public Works Supervisor Brad Upson announced they have exceeded their snow budget. more

Town of Chili receives public works award
At the American Public Works association (APWA) banquet in January, the Town of Chili received an award for the Westside Drive Improvement Project. The award category was transportation projects under $2 million. more

USCG Academy scholarships open to juniors
Applications are now being taken for high school juniors who want to find out more about life at a military academy and are interested in a career as an officer in the United States Coast Guard. more

Wal-Mart public hearing set for February 9
It's been in the works for more than a year and residents will have the opportunity on Monday, February 9 to voice additional opinions on Wal-Mart's proposal to build a supercenter in the Town of Sweden. more

Winter Open House at Morgan-Manning
A winter open house will take place Sunday, February 22, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Morgan-Manning House located at 151 Main Street in Brockport. The event replaces the Holiday Open House that had to be postponed from December 14 due to inclement weather. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. more

In Briefly:

Adams Basin canal bridge repairs on schedule
The engineer's design for repairs to the Adams Basin (Route 36) bridge over the Erie Canal will be completed by December 2004 and work on the bridge can begin as scheduled in May 2005, according to information which Ogden Supervisor Gay Lenhard has received. more

Brockport village swears in two officials
Village of Brockport officials welcomed a part time police officer and a village treasurer and issued the oaths of office to both men at the regular board meeting on February 2. more

Cars illegally parked on Spencerport school campus to be towed
Concerned over the safety hazard of cars illegally parked in bus loops at schools, Spencerport Central School District officials say a private contractor has been hired to start towing cars at owner's expense as of February 16. more

Cub Scouts receive Arrow of Light awards
Cub Scouts in Pack 125 in Hilton received the Arrow of Light award Sunday, February 8. more

Homeowners reminded of upcoming STAR deadline
The deadline to apply for STAR, the School Tax Relief program, is March 1. more

Lenten program centers on loss
St. John the Evangelist Parish Reaching Out Ministry is offering a Lenten Bereavement Program, a six week series of faith sharing sessions "Grieving the Loss of a Loved One." more

Nursing scholarship offered by Orleans County American Legion
The Orleans County American Legion is offering a Nursing scholarship to an Orleans County resident who will graduate from high school in June 2004. more

Parma Public Library display window available to nonprofit groups
The Parma Public Library's 7 1/2' high by 20' wide, highly visible, night lit, front display window (facing Route 18) is free for the booking to nonprofit organizations that wish to get their message out to the community. more

State grants awarded to Orleans, Niagara counties
Assembly Republican Leader Charles H. Nesbitt (R,C-Albion) and Governor George E. Pataki last week announced $45,000 in grants to aid both Niagara and Orleans Counties in preparing strategic plans for community development. more

In Schools:

Balancing act
Holley sixth-grader Adam Bower sports some eye-catching safety glasses to watch a performer from the National Circus Project balance a rubber chicken on a pole. more

Brockport Schools in session - March 12
Students in the Brockport Central School District will have school on March 12. The day, originally scheduled as a workday for teachers and staff only, will now be a regular day of student attendance. more

Brockport students honored by PTSA
The Brockport Central School District PTSA honored Brockport elementary students in the National PTA program called Reflections. Students used their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works. more

Geography is the buzz at Holley contest
Holley students in grades 4-8 really know their way around the globe. The annual National Geographic Bee at Holley was held in January giving students the opportunity to earn the chance to compete at the state level. more

It's magic
Holley fourth-grader Nohely Castillo performs a magic trick for her classmates with the help of "Rich The Magic Man," a.k.a. Rich Stein. more

Kendall names top spellers
Kendall Junior High Spelling Bee champion Claire Lustumbo (left) and runner-up Rael Brown showed off their spelling skills during a recent PTSA sponsored Jr. High Spelling Bee for grades seven and eight. The PTSA presented top spellers with special prizes. more

In Sports:

Blue Devils netters in finals
Top-seeded Brockport overcame a nine-point deficit in the first game and went on to sweep fifth-seeded Gates Chili 25-16, 25-19, 25-18 in the semi-finals of the Monroe County Championships. The win allowed the Blue Devils to advance to play third-seeded Churchville-Chili in the championships. more

Brechue, Boley pace Blue Devils
Senior Justine Brechue and junior Gabrielle Boley each scored twelve points to lead the Brockport Blue Devils to a 46-37 girls varsity basketball victory over Gates Chili. For Brechue, the offensive output tied her game high for the season as Brockport improved to 7-7, 5-4. more

Bright Raven gymnasts take second place in Buffalo
Bright Raven Gymnastics Level 4 team took second place at the 2004 Girls Buffalo Challenge held January 25 at the Greater Buffalo Gymnastics Center. Several gymnasts earned individual all around honors also. more

Hawthorne nets overtime winner for Saints
Senior Colby Hawthorne scored an unassisted goal into an empty net 3:04 into overtime to lead Churchville-Chili to a 3-2 victory over Spencerport in high school hockey at Scottsville Arena. The Rangers had pulled their goaltender in an attempt to pick up extra points in their bid to make the sectional playoffs. more

Holley Karate hosts first annual tournament
Holley Karate hosted the first annual USA/IFKK Junior Invitational Karate Tournament Saturday, January 17 in the Holley Jr./Sr. High School. Over 70 students ranging in age from 4 to 17 of various karate styles within the area participated, according to Sempai Larry Quaranto. more

Ogden Recreation's upcoming programs
Ogden Recreation is taking registrations for the following programs: Awesome Activity Day, February Vacation Camp, Toddler's Time, Biddy Basketball, Family Bowling Day, Swim Lessons and Karate. more

Pegler to play hockey at Cornell
Churchville-Chili senior Lindsay Pegler has committed to play Division I hockey with the Cornell Big Red beginning with the 2004-05 season. more

Underdog Wrestling Club invites new members
Any child in grades 4 through 8 who wishes to learn wrestling skills can register for the Underdog Wrestling Club, a program offered through Churchville-Chili Continuing Education. more