A painting by Dale Rath, a former state assemblyman, Monroe County Republican Chairman, Monroe County Legislator and Sweden Town Supervisor will be on display at the North Star History Center at the corner of Walker Lake Ontario (Rte 260) and Church Roads in Hamlin. Rath grew up in Hamlin. The painting of his father's barber shop in the Dollard commercial block on Lake Road, Hamlin in the 1950s is one of a series that Rath has painted of his remembrances growing up there. "I could hardly wait to get there each day after school," Rath said, "to hear the town news, colorful stories and political debates that my dad could keep going for hours, often changing sides as the customers changed, just to keep it lively and jovial." "If I had to title the painting," Rath said, "I'd call it 'Grab a chair Bub. Just one ahead of you,' because that's what he (my dad) always said." The night scene is appropriate because often he'd be there until 8 or 9 at night." The 3/1/2 feet-square acrylic-on-canvas painting, evokes a pleasant feeling of nostalgia for all who view it. "It's the first time I've publicly displayed one of my paintings," Rath said. "but how can you say no to Mary Smith. Look what she has done for Hamlin by preserving and restoring the History Center and collecting the records and artifacts of our town. If you walk in the door, you'll stay for the day." "Mary Smith has given the residents of Hamlin over 30 years of diligent, dedicated service," Rath added. "Her latest book, "Remembering Hamlin: 1802-2002," includes a priceless compilation of her interviews with some of Hamlin's best known residents and story tellers." "Although she will deny it," Rath said, "Mary Smith also deserves an important place in Hamlin history. If displaying my painting can add something to the History Center, I'm pretty lucky." Rath's other paintings depict Thunder Bridge on Brick Schoolhouse Road and Duffy Mott and the Homestead Inn. The History Center is open by appointment through Mary Smith by calling 964-2101. November 19, 2006 |
