Reviewing 2006 in the readership
Business
Star of the West mill, located in the village of Churchville, wanted to expand its existing flourmill through the construction of eight, 110 foot high concrete grain storage silos and a grain receiving facility. Residents voiced their concerns on the proposed expansion questioning how Star of the West planned to expand its business but not increase truck traffic in the village; the additional noise from the proposed silos; what would happen when snow and ice accumulate on the top of the silos and similar concerns. (1-1)
Fire Service Safety, Inc. celebrates 15 years of providing firefighter peace of mind. When firefighters are rushing into a burning building, it’s a combination of equipment and training that helps them perform their risky tasks. When it comes to equipment, such as safe ladders, many of the local fire companies know they can rely on Steven Speer and Fire Service Safety Testing, Inc. (FSST) which has been quietly providing ladder service across New York state. (1-29)
Lakeside Hospital’s OB renovation kicked off a new era with a major renovation of its department to bring it up to the standards both physicians and patients have come to expect. It wasn’t too long ago that the fate of Lakeside Memorial Hospital’s obstetrical department had been in question because of falling births in the facility. (2-26)
As reported in October 2006, as one enters the new Birthing Unit at Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport they are a greeted with smiling faces. Donna DuPont, director of nursing for obstetrical services at Lakeside Memorial Hospital, brimmed with excitement as she opened a door to a new birthing suite. Each of the four suites is an all-inclusive birthing unit. A maternity patient labors and delivers her child in one of these suites. These suites are private, only one patient per suite and includes bathroom with a whirlpool tub. The suites are fully equipped with all of the medical equipment needed for delivery and even include CD and DVD players. (10-15)
On Tuesday, July 24, Birds Eye Foods Inc. announced plans for a restructuring through the sale or closure of six production plants nationwide by June 2007. The results of the divestiture total roughly $200 million in net sales, and an exiting of about 1,400 workers - nearly half of all those currently employed by the company. The company has facilities in Brockport and Bergen. (8-4)
The owners of Ledgedale Airport said they had no specific businesses in mind but they came before the Town of Sweden board requesting changes to zoning from residential to light industrial and residential to airport on close to 40 acres surrounding the Colby Street airstrip. The application was denied. (9-10)
Harry Bostley has a knack for seeing things that others can’t. That’s how Bostley, with the help of dedicated employees, created a multi-million dollar business from nothing. Rochester Cassette Sales and Service, located at 50 Hojack Road in the Village of Hilton, is one of three major players in the x-ray cassette repair business nationwide. RCSS has a network of more than 150 x-ray dealers and they provide services and products to many hospitals across the country. Last year, 10,000 cassettes came through the shop. The company’s success is predicated on its ability to work with hospitals, clinics and private practices to cut their imaging costs. (10-8)
Lakeside named James E. Szalados, M.D. as interim vice president, medical affairs. Szalados has been practicing medicine since 1986 and most recently has been practicing at Unity Health System, both as an anesthesiologist and as an attending in Critical Care Medicine. (10-8)
Happenings
Out of the 265 hospitals in New York state, only nine were named “top performers” and Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport was among the elite few. Hospitals participating in the Premier Hospital Quality Incentive demonstration, based on first year results in the pay for performance initiative, will share in $8.85 million in Medicare bonus payments. (1-22)
Brockport tributary clean up was deemed a success. Clean-up and soil sampling continues along Tributary 3 to Brockport Creek and, according to a fact sheet distributed by the Department of Environmental Conservation, the clean-up, completed October 4, was deemed a success. (2-5)
The Village of Brockport’s Welcome Center and Harvester Park were recognized with a Project of the Year Award. The newly constructed Welcome Center and the restoration of Harvester Park on the Erie Canal in the village of Brockport earned designation as a Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association. (2-12)
In June 1914, the Monroe County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented to the Village of Brockport a tower clock that was placed on the steeple of the United Methodist Church at the corner of Erie and Main Streets. The clock had fallen into disrepair and with state assistance obtained through Assemblyman Bill Reilich and with funds from the village’s clock restoration capital project, Brockport commenced the project’s much-needed restorative work - work that included the evaluation, overhaul and reinstallation of all mechanical components. (2-26)
A re-dedication of the prominent village time keeper was hosted on August 1 after repairs were made to the original fixture. (8-13)
The Stagecoach Inn, located on the northeast corner of Rt. 259 and Rt. 33, was scheduled to be torn down. In its infancy, the building, known as the Stagecoach Inn, was a popular stop for weary travelers on their way to and from Rochester and Buffalo. Then in 1867, Benjamin Roberts, the founder of the present Roberts Wesleyan College, purchased the building to house his fledgling academic institution. A Walgreens store was proposed for the site. (3-6)
The Hilton Historic Barn Project, a Hilton Apple Fest committee, put together a display of photographs for the festival which featured the “Historic Barns of Hilton.” There are more than 170 barns in Parma which were photographed and displayed. Calendars created with the photos were very popular in sales in December. (3-6)
The Hilton-Parma Historic Barn Project will display more than 100 Barn Photographs at Apple Fest on September 30 through October 1 in Ingham Room of Hilton Community Center. (9-3)
A proposed Brockport Main Street road project drew merchant concerns. Proposed reconstruction of Brockport’s Main Street is in the early design phase and is not slated to begin for a year-and-a-half to two years, according to Lori Maher, public information officer of the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT). (3-26)
In response to concerns from Brockport merchants, DOT met with them to discuss the pending downtown road project in June. “We want to give the village what it decides it wants - within reason - when it comes to a road construction project,” Department of Transportation Regional Director Kevin O’Buckley said. “It’s not our job to come to a village and say this is what you need and want. The village officials give us direction.” Members of the Brockport Merchants Political Action Committee met with a handful of DOT officials to hear, first-hand from DOT officials, what was proposed for the Main Street reconstruction project slated to begin in 2008. The planned reconstruction has caused some of the merchants sleepless nights as they worry how their revenues will be affected by lane closures and ripped up roads if a construction project commences. (6-18)
With the prospect of a Main Street reconstruction project looming in the Village of Brockport, officials decided to form a Main Street Committee. The committee would be charged with working with officials through the reconstruction project from conception through developing a marketing strategy to keep the businesses alive downtown during the construction phase. (9-10)
Downtown Brockport merchant Anthony Peone has been requesting action from the village board on the formation of a committee to address proposed Main Street reconstruction. At the October 2 board meeting he presented village officials with a petition listing signatures of merchants on Main Street from State Street to Ryan’s Big M. “We are the group that will be sacrificing our livelihood for this project,” he said. (10-8)
While other towns are studying placing moratoriums on wind tower construction, the Town of Hamlin hosts a public hearing on a motion to construct meteorological towers (METs) in the town. The towers would measure whether wind energy would be viable there. (3-26)
Town of Hamlin officials gathered information, researched potential environmental impacts and found there to be none, and subsequently approved a change to its zoning laws to allow the construction and placement of meteorological (MET) towers. (6-18)
In 1956, one of the last one-room schoolhouses, The Clarkson Schoolhouse, closed. Fifty years later, narratives about the schoolhouse were told by the students who attended it. The Clarkson Historical Society has teamed up with students from SUNY Brockport’s cultural anthropology research methods class to help reconstruct the schoolhouse’s history. (5-7)
The Ogden Presbyterian Church, with a history dating back to August 20, 1811, rededicated its bell and planned a steeple replacement. The church building was erected in 1824 and the church’s 975-pound bell was installed in 1849 after the original bell was moved to the new Congregational Church in Spencerport. (5-7)
Construction of state-of-the-art dry mill ethanol plant, the first in New York state, was announced in Orleans county. The $87.4 million facility is to be located on 144 acres in the Town of Shelby. (5-7)
A facility that will burn landfill gas to produce power will be constructed at the Monroe County-owned Mill Seat Landfill in the Town of Riga. The plant will produce between 4.8 and 6.4 megawatts of energy derived from the garbage decomposition process. (5-7)
Clairol Development began construction of 18 single family homes in Erie View Landing off of Evergreen Street next to the canal in Spencerport village. Prices for these single family homes begin at $220,000. Lot sizes range from one-quarter acre to one-and-three-quarter acres and include wooded areas. (6-4)
For the third year, Brockport played host to a weekly Farmers Market. A strawberry social, hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brockport Fire Department, kicked off the season which started on Father’s Day. (6-18)
New York State Department of Transportation closed the Smith Street bridge over the Erie Canal in the village of Brockport. A bridge inspection revealed additional, rapid deterioration of the steel since the bridge was posted for a maximum of three tons last season. (6-18)
With the recent closure of the Village of Brockport’s Smith Street bridge and the potential for an extensive road project looming in 2008, residents and officials are concerned with traffic flow. Village officials received word that the bridge was closing and no date was given for its reopening. Neither the fire department nor school buses utilize the bridge but according to a DOT survey, close to 1,400 vehicles utilize the bridge daily. (6-25)
Steps are being made toward a decision on the fate of the Smith Street Bridge in the Village of Brockport. Trustees Carrie Maziarz and Hanny Heyen visited Village of Medina officials to see how they fared under the same circumstances Brockport now faces. The Department of Transportation offered Medina the option of having its high bridge removed or have the DOT rehab it and turn ownership of the bride over to Medina. Village officials in Medina opted to have the bridge rehabilitated and take ownership, perform spot maintenance and use it for as long as it lasts. (10-22)
At year’s end, the fate of the Smith Street bridge in the Village of Brockport is still up in the air. Village officials asked the DOT for specific answers to questions before they can make a decision on what they are going to do with the bridge. There had been discussion that the bridge could be rehabilitated by the DOT, but following repairs, ownership of the bridge would revert to the village. The expected lifespan, once repairs are made, is 50 to 70 years. Village officials have been trying to gather information to make a decision on whether to keep the bridge closed or push for repairs and eventual ownership. (12-10)
Spencerport’s Canal Days marked 25 years of offering entertainment, food, crafts, parades and something for everyone at this community celebration (7-2)
When Charles, Jessica and Ana Lester lost their mother, Maria, who was killed in a car accident, they discovered how much her presence had touched the community. That became even more evident during a 5K/Community fitness walk. More than 150 people showed up for the 5K fitness walk/run in what organizers hope will become an annual event. Tami Mungenast, of Hamlin, rounded up volunteers from the Mom’s Club of Hamlin/Clarkson and a local women’s exercise club called the Couch Potato Fitness Club and pulled together the idea for a benefit race. (7-16)
The Town of Sweden held a grand opening of its new disc golf course, an event that included demonstrations of game play, free commemorative discs (while supplies last) and the opportunity to play on Sweden’s new 18-basket course. (7-16)
The Hamlin Firemen’s Carnival may be outgrowing its name. In its 55th consecutive year of operation, the carnival boasts more family entertainment than ever before. (7-30)
More than 150 children received photo identification cards and had their finger prints registered by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, toured fire safety trailers, received smoke and carbon dioxide detectors, practiced calling 911, rode the “Convincer,” a crash simulator, and chatted with “Sparky,” the talking fire safety dog, at Safety Day in Hamlin. The events were all part of the Sunday offerings at the Hamlin Firemen’s Carnival. (8-13)
Attendance at the Brockport Summer Art Festival is a “must do” on the calendars of many people, as evidenced by the crowds that make their way to this Victorian canal village annually for the two-day event. Gary Zimmer, president of BISCO, said there are a lot of new vendors, attractions and many returning favorites at the Art Festival this year. (8-4)
Adams Basin Erie Canal bridge work progress update from Gary Price showed, “The shrouds came down last week. Now we are cutting rusted steel out and scrapping it. Next we’ll be putting a new bottom chord (the horizontal portion of the trusses), then we’ll replace the floor beams.” The shrouds covered the entire bridge since late spring so scraping and sand blasting could take place. (8-13) Walter Horylev photographed progress on the bridge repairs throughout 2006. The bridge reopened to vehicles December 16.
On your mark! Get set! Hop! It’s BYOF (bring your own frog) to the popular frog jumping contest at the Clarkson Good Neighbor Days. “This has become a popular event,” Town Supervisor Paul Kimball said. “You would not believe the number of kids we get - we had close to 30 last year.” (8-20)
The Village of Brockport and the Walk! Bike! Brockport Action Group dedicated an original sculpture by SUNY Brockport artist Jennifer Hecker titled, “Les Racines et les Raisons,” French for “The Roots and the Reasons” at Remembrance Park on Park Avenue on Sunday, September 10 at 2 p.m. Alicia Fink, co-chair of Walk! Bike!’s Art and Aesthetics Committee, made the presentation and Mayor Mort Wexler accepted on behalf of the village. The committee sponsored the project and raised the $10,000 needed for completion. Most of the funds paid for the materials and fabrication of the work. The artist donated most of her artistic services. Funds were raised through the Stone Soup Auction in October. Members of the Greater Brockport community donated the art work and crafts that were auctioned. Members of the department of public works installed the sculpture. (8-27)
Vandalism was suspected in the damage to the newly installed wrought iron sculpture in Remembrance Park in the Village of Brockport. Jennifer Hecker’s, “The Roots and the Reasons” sculpture was installed and dedicated on September 10. (9-24)
The First Presbyterian Church of Brockport was the site of historic events such as a rallying point for both the Civil and Spanish American Wars. It was its long, impressive history and the fact that it is situated in the midst of a Preserve America community that put it over the top and earned the church a $100,000 grant for much-needed renovations. The matching grant was received through the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. (9-10)
On September 9, at about 6:31 p.m., the Brockport Fire and Police Departments responded to 100 Fair Street, the property formerly occupied by Kleen Brite Laboratories, for a reported structure fire. Damage occurred to the rear of the building. The cause was ruled arson and two youths were arrested and charged. (9-10)
Fifty-two people participated in the 4th annual Tour de Brockport and 88 merchants supported the walkers by helping them find the object in their store and provided gift certificates valued at $726.52. (9-24)
It’s been a long time coming but the Village of Brockport received $62,000 from G.E./Black & Decker for environmental and/or community recreation enhancements. G.E. and Black & Decker were accused of polluting the village for more than 30 years when pollutants were discharged into soils and storm sewers in the Lyman Street area. (10-22)
On September 10, the Clarkson Historical Society held its second annual Clarkson Schoolhouse Reunion, in the recreation room of the Clarkson Community Church. There was a table of very old photos taken of students at the Clarkson Schoolhouse over a period of years and those present were invited to help identify their ancestors or neighbors. There was a discussion of the activities that took place daily in the one-room schools of our country with many of the people in attendance adding their experiences for the record. (10-29)
From early morning until mid-afternoon on Sundays, shoppers and farmers alike filled Market Street in Brockport for the weekly farmers market during the growing season. Trustee Carrie Maziarz was the driving force behind getting the market up and running the first year and keeping it viable the next. Maziarz has been asked to speak in March at the Farmers Market Federation on how to start a farmers market. “The Federation wants to use what we did here in Brockport as a model,” she said. (11-26)
As the library patron evolves and technology compounds the person’s tasks and training, the librarian needs to be more adaptable than ever before. In addition to the mastery of the Dewey Decimal system, library directors and staff act as the buyers of fresh and weeders of outdated stock, tasks that themselves require countless hours of reading: library journals, bestseller lists, publisher magazines, and other data. Westside News Inc. considered today’s libraries in a three part series. (11-26)
Five out of six people enjoyed the Village of Brockport’s first Walk to School Day event on October 4, according to survey results. The Walk to School Committee of the Walk! Bike! Brockport action group, chaired by Dr. Jim Goetz, Sara Silverstone and Dave Ball, gathered up volunteers and spread the word to schoolchildren in the Brockport School District to give up the bus and car and take to their feet as a way to get to school. When checked against other communities on the walkability rating, Brockport scored a 26. According to Goetz, scoring between 26 and 30 meant a neighborhood was “great” for walking. (11-26)
The Hamlin Baptist congregation that first gathered in a living room on Hidden Creek Lane 15 years ago will finally have a place to call its own. The Emmanuel Baptist Church has been under construction on Lake Road in Clarkson since June and the 5,100 square feet building already seems to fill a field across from Lawrence Road. (12-3)
Passages
George McKinney, 91, respected area veterinarian, was compassionate and dedicated to the care of animals, and was part of the area communities for more than 60 years died December 29, 2005. (1-8)
The only solace that Daniel and Rita Hasenauer found following the death of their son, Jason, was in the outstretched arms of the community. The couple understands the pain and pride that comes with being parents of a fallen hero. Jason’s funeral was the largest funeral the Village of Hilton has witnessed in a long time. Buses were used to transport mourners to the services and hundreds of firemen lined the street to give Specialist (he was promoted posthumously) Jason Hasenauer a fitting burial. (1-15)
BHS faculty started a scholarship to remember student Shawna Cyr, who was killed in a car accident on April 15. (16-18)
People
Steven DiFulvio, Troop #04, Spencerport, earned his Eagle Scout honors with a project that entailed him revitalizing the pond located by the Canal View Elementary School. He cleared the perimeter around the pond of debris and branches, placed mulch around the pond and made a trail that was lined with mulch and trimmed with timber. (1-1)
Wendy Dunham, Brockport, was published in Chicken Soup Soul for the Christian Soul 2, Stories of Faith, Hope and Healing. (1-15)
Local writer Rhonda Penders of Adams Basin found success with romance writing when she penned a story that included the Pennsylvania groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Her story coincided with groundhog day and included a day spent in Punxsutawney with copies of the “True Romance” magazine in which her article appeared. (1-15)
In May 2005, Jonathan Pack from Troop 111 in Brockport fulfilled the requirements to become an Eagle Scout with the completion of an Eagle Scout project. He approached Lifetime Assistance about a project and was taken on a tour of their Sensory Park which had a pond that was not wheelchair accessible. He undertook that as his project. (1-22)
A Spencerport couple took on a major remodel by themselves when they embarked on a project to add two additions and an entire second story to their 1920s Cape Cod home. The project more than doubled their living space but the couple called the process, “challenging and overwhelming.” (1-29)
Steve Appleton, Cool Kids organizer, heralded a project to involve students in the making of 1,000 Peace Cranes and Spencerport native Sharron Dow inspired an origami project in her seventh grade classroom last September and challenged her English students to become crane folding experts. She accompanied the 10 students during their two afternoons of teaching others the craft at the Cold Rush event at the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Options include sending them to the United Nations, as Appleton has suggested, or sending them to the Sadako Memorial. (1-29)
Zachary Buell of Troop 111 in Brockport earned Eagle Scout honors. The Eagle Scout tradition runs in the family as Geoff Buell, Zachary’s dad, became an Eagle Scout 25 years ago. For his project, Zachary repaired, stripped, painted and sealed two “hawk watch” platforms at Braddock’s Bay Park. This project included nearly 200 man hours of community service by Zach, fellow scouts and family. He was presented a Citation from the State of New York, honoring his achievement. His father arranged for a real eagle to be part of the ceremony. (2-5)
Nine-year old Tyler Banker of Kendall, who was born with a suppressed immune system that requires monthly trips to Strong Hospital for blood transfusions, undertook a project to raise money and buy stuffed animals for the other sick children at Strong. He always takes an animal with him when he goes for treatments and thought other children might like them as well. (2-12)
When Brian Burke and Cary (Capurso) Burke, lifelong residents of Bergen and graduates of Byron-Bergen High School, lost their twins boys, they knew they didn’t want their memories to be forgotten so they undertook a project to have a memorial park constructed in their memories. (2-12)
Advocate for farmers and agriculture, Karen Watt of Albion, was named to the North American Farmers Direct Marketing Association Hall of Fame. (2-19)
Westside News Inc. Editorial Assistant Robbi Hess completed her first published book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to 30,000 Baby Names. While there were many lessons learned along the way, Hess said one of the most comforting was that she was still pleased with the names she and her husband, Tim, chose for their two children. (2-26)
Homeschooler Samantha Stewart exceeded her goal of collecting 300 pairs of tube socks and collected close to 320 pairs for her community service project, Operation: Socks from Sam. Stewart was a 10th grader who, as part of her schooling curriculum, had to participate in a community service. (3-6)
When Chili residents Jackie and Vinnie Finn traveled to Ireland with their two sons, Tom, 16, and John, 14, they were hoping to spend time with family and reconnect family ties. They never thought they would find a piece of their family that was thought to be lost - relatives they never knew they had. (3-13)
Nobody had a bigger smile on her face than Lena Stendardo, grandmother of Kim Insalaco, Olympic bronze medal winner for the United States women’s hockey team. Insalaco visited her grandmother, who resides at Hilton East Assisted Living, and shared her Olympic experience with her. (3-19)
The Board of Directors of Lakeside Health System announced the appointment of Kevin C. Nacy as chief executive officer of Lakeside Health System and president of Lakeside Memorial Hospital. Michael Perry was appointed chief operating officer of Lakeside Health System and president of the Lakeside Beikirch Care Center. (4-2)
John Barclay was acknowledged with a Certificate of Recognition from the Monroe County Legislature. He was recognized as an individual who donates his time and effort to numerous community organizations and activities. Barclay founded and coordinated the Hilton-Parma Veterans Display and Brick Memorial at the Village Community Center. He coordinated the Veterans Memorial Day Parade as well as the Flag Committee. (5-21)
Morning can’t come soon enough for Tom Arcara. About a year ago, the Spencerport man was on the verge of never witnessing another sunrise. Now, he is loving each day and relishing the opportunity to give back to the hospital that made today possible. He is a heart transplant survivor and he and his wife, Chris, have become advocates for Strong Memorial Hospital and the staff that they say saved his life. (5-28)
Hari and Sarla Garg, physicians who practiced at Lakeside for more than 30 years, retired but don’t plan to rest in retirement. Hari Garg followed in his father’s footsteps when it came to pursuing a career in medicine and the way it was delivered to patients - the only difference was he did it several thousand miles from his native India. (6-11)
Bernard J. Maier was named the Town of Hamlin’s Building inspector/SEQR officer/code enforcement officer/fire marshal - the job with the longest job title within the town. (6-18)
A Hilton pastor came in to town driving a Lincoln Continental but upon his retirement, three decades later, he will leave town riding a Honda motorcycle. After 33 years of ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pastor Albert Zoller, 66, retired and left behind a church family that he helped put together one person at a time. (6-18)
On June 28, Hilton’s Mayor Larry Gursslin announced that St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Pastor Albert Zoller, was selected as the 18th recipient of the Citizen of the Year award. (7-16)
Eagle Scout, Jeffrey Krahe of Troop 111, completed a project that fulfilled the dreams of many residents of Royal Gardens Apartments in Brockport. Residents wanted a gazebo in their courtyard and Krahe made that dream a reality as part of his Eagle Scout project. He is the son of Michael and Pam Krahe of Brockport. (6-25)
David J. Goodwin, Superintendent of Highways in Clarkson, received a 20-year attendance award at the 61st Annual School for Highway Superintendents held at Ithaca College. (6-2)
Eagle Scout Ryan Taylor completed the requirements for his Boy Scout Eagle rank. He collected soccer equipment which he then donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester for use in their youth soccer programs as part of his Eagle Project. (6-25)
The Young Citizen of the Year was presented to Churchville youth Donald Polaski, a 16-year-old junior at Churchville-Chili Senior High School, who was awarded the Monroe County 2006 Young Citizen of the Year Award. (7-2)
A local hobbyist makes lighthouses for many shores. When Dick Bausch of Spencerport completes a lighthouse he never knows where it will end up, or on which coast. His lighthouses grace front yards, overlook majestic rocky coasts, and keep guard over garden-scapes. (7-30)
Julie Scott of Fairport was selected the 2005-2006 recipient of the Norman V. Ryan Memorial Scholarship Award, a recognition offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension and named for the father of Westside News Inc. owner Keith Ryan. (7-23)
Fran Wilcox trained for many months to get in shape for a three-day, 60 mile walk at the Boston Breast Cancer 3-Day benefiting the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation. The event has deep meaning for Wilcox, who serves as the town clerk in Clarkson. She is a 20-year survivor. “I am celebrating 20 years of being cancer free. Back when I was diagnosed, if you were a five-year survivor you were considered fortunate. At 62, this is a true celebration of my life.” Wilcox, her daughter, Michelle Sullivan, of Connecticut, and her daughter-in-law, Sheryl Wilcox, of Clarkson, completed the walk. (7-23)
It’s all reward and no regrets for Kathy Beaumont who completed 20 years in June as the Sweden-Clarkson Dog Control Officer. “Every day I go to the pound and I see the dogs; I look in their eyes and know they are not on the street getting hurt. That’s my reward; that is my pay.” Beaumont says she, her husband, Paul, son, Scott, and daughter, Tami, have gotten up from meals, left parties or canceled other social plans to respond to calls about dogs in danger or creating a problem. She serves an area from Reed Road to Roosevelt Highway and between county lines. Her husband is deputy dog control officer and the two of them are on call 24-7.(8-6)
Deanna Gump served 33 years at the Hilton Post Office. She was a City Carrier for 10 years and a clerk for the past 23 years. When asked about her favorite memory about her job she replied: “I loved the people; I love Hilton. I’ve really enjoyed being of service to the community.” (8-6)
Franklyn Dailey remembered the beech tree in the front yard of his home on 52 South Avenue as being much smaller when he climbed it as a child. His grandfather built the family home in the 1890s, but following a foreclosure the family had to move and the new owners let the family homestead fall into disrepair. Dailey was in town to celebrate the plot of land that was once his home and was dedicated as a park by the Village of Brockport. (8-13)
Lakeside Health System officers for the 2006-2007 term elected at the annual meeting in May were Elizabeth (Libby) Caruso, chairperson; Donald Pophal, vice chairperson and treasurer; Robert Slocum, secretary; Chriss M. Andrews, past chairman. (8-27)
Hilton has an Ironwoman who, as far as her family is concerned, is made of gold. Patricia Pirnie is a wife, mother of four, preschool teacher, president of the parents association and soon headed to the Super Bowl of Ironman competitions. An update on her race was printed December 31. (9-3)
Kay Tegelaar and her mother, Dora Naylor Jones, and her aunt, Bernice Naylor Clarke, made a donation to the Town of Ogden’s historical collection. Sisters Dora Jones and Bernice Clarke were born in Ogden in 1914 and 1916, respectively. The gift of an antique quilt and handwoven blanket represents a significant reflection of the town’s past. The quilt bears the names of over 20 Ogden women who contributed squares and is estimated to be 140 to 150 years old. It was owned by Harriet Electa Clark Gundry, the grandmother of Dora and Bernice and passed down from Harriet to Dora and Bernice’s mother, Electa Flora Gundry. The Clark Family lived on Stony Point Road. (9-10)
During his summer vacation, Nick Maenza, 12 years of age, found himself in a situation that called upon his martial arts training. While spending the day with the family at Stony Brook State Park, Nick and his family followed the trails to a natural pool at the bottom of one of the park’s waterfalls. Damian Wright, Nick’s five year old cousin, was pulled under water by the current of the waterfall. Damian’s mother, Jennifer, screamed and Nick took action. Applying his learned martial arts skills of confidence and quick reaction, Nick jumped in, slipped on the rocks of the pool, and pulled Damian to safety from the bottom of the pool. Nick is a seventh grader at Churchville-Chili Junior High School. (9-10)
Junior Girl Scout Troop 579, from the Black Creek Service Unit in Chili, completed its bronze award last spring. For their service project, the Scouts “adopted” the Sunset House hospice and collected items for the home. They also made pillows and lap quilts to donate to the residents of Sunset House. (10-1)
The Clarendon Historical Society recognized Eric Spychalski, Troop 59 of the Boy Scouts, for his work on its nature trail. He earned his Eagle Scout Badge for this project. (10-8)
Craig Holland from Bergen Troop 31 earned the Eagle Scout Award. He is a junior at Byron-Bergen High School. His Eagle project consisted of building flower boxes which are visible at the corners in the Village of Bergen. He also constructed signs for Drews Nature Center and Linear Park, and also solicited donations for the purchase of several picnic tables for Hickory Park. (10-22)
Orleans County 4-H Youth Development Educator Margo Bowerman was selected by the New York State Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Educators as the 2006 New York State Achievement in Service Award recipient. (11-12)
Steve Sasson, of Parma, is recognized for creating the first digital camera. Sasson and his wife, Cynthia, rarely discuss photography around the dinner table, and he even often misplaces his best camera - but the photography world will never forget this Parma resident. As he shows off his clunky-looking eight pound camera, Sasson is almost apologetic. “It I had known that 30 years later this would be nearly as interesting to people I would have made it prettier,” he said. The camera, created by Sasson, is the world’s first-ever digital camera. Sasson invented it while working as a research engineer for Eastman Kodak. (11-12)
Steven Modica, Spencerport resident and founding partner of the law firm Modica & Associates, was one of three recipients of the 2006 Nathaniel Award at a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Rochester on November 7. The Nathaniel Award - named after the founder of The Daily Record, a local legal/business daily newspaper - recognizes individuals and organizations who are “champions of justice and community service.” (11-19)
Sara Richardson, a 2004 graduate of Hilton High School, took up the cause of the Blue Trunks and began a collection of donations to fund the purchase of a trunk for Bancoumana, a small town 70 kilometers from the capital of Bamako. As a way to bring necessary information to the medical professionals in those areas, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a Blue Trunk Library project through which donations are solicited to fill a blue metal trunk with books on major health subjects. The trunks contain more than 100 publications on medicine and public health. (12-3)
Police & Fire
Laurence Vaughan was elected Brockport Fire Chief. His learning curve was a short one as he held the position in the past. (1-8)
Steve Kondolf took on the job of director of operations of the Hamlin Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He replaced Colleen Rogers, who served in that capacity for the last four years. Rogers will assist Kondolf as lieutenant, along with Cody Howe. (1-8)
For more than 31 years, Fire Marshal Dick McQuilkin devoted himself to helping keep the residents in the Town of Ogden safe. He retired from the Town of Ogden and was honored by officials. (12-19)
Brockport police officers Michael DeToy and Paul Wheat and Sergeant Douglas Ziegler were honored for quick actions in a bank robbery and bomb threat on December 19 at Chase Bank in Brockport. (1-22)
The Hamlin Fire District received an early Christmas present when its new $350,000 pumper arrived on December 13, 2005. The pumper’s design improved elements of fire personnel safety and community fire protection services over the next 30 years, according to department personnel. (2-26)
On March 15, President of the Orleans County Fire Police Association Jack Curtis Sr. and Vice President David Traxler awarded Secretary/Treasurer Howard Mills the annual Fire Police of the Year Award for 2005. (4-9)
Brockport firefighters responded to a house fire at 42 High Street, with a report of people trapped at 1:25 a.m. May 16. On arrival, Fire Chief Laurence Vaughan confirmed there were two adults and one child on one roof waiting to be rescued. Brockport Police Officer Sgt. Mark Phillippy and Officer Steven Mesiti, along with Monroe Ambulance Medic 42’s paramedic James Weaver and EMT Cody Howe, were already at the scene utilizing a ladder from a neighbor, assisting the residents. Two other people had jumped from windows to escape the fire. All five were transported to area hospitals with no apparent life threatening injuries. (5-21)
Brockport firefighters received a $54,000 Homeland Security grant. The funds sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the Department of Defense will be for the procurement of a radio system that allows for systems across county and state lines to communicate with one another during a large scale emergency operation. (7-2)
As a way to encourage young people to consider a career in law enforcement, members of the Brockport Police Department, the department’s union the Stetson Club and Chief Daniel Varrenti pooled resources and offered the first ever scholarship in 2006 to a graduating senior at BHS. Officer Paul Wheat came up with the idea. The officers worked with Michael Myers, the dean of students at the school, to solicit applications and Nathan Parrino was selected. (7-9)
The Reverend Joachim K. Wilck was honored at the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour on the 30th anniversary of his ordination as a Lutheran Pastor. (7-9)
On Sunday, July 9 at 2 p.m., a child who was riding their bike on Curtisdale Lane in Hamlin noticed flames in the window of a single-family home. The Hamlin Fire Department was notified and when they arrived on scene, smoke and flames were shooting out of the upstairs window of the home at 21 Curtisdale Lane. No one was home at the time of the fire and no one was hurt bringing it under control. (7-16)
Members of the Brockport Volunteer Fire Department loaded the department’s 1876 Silsby steamer on July 28 for travel to Friendship, NY, and display at the Friendship FD’s celebration of the restoration to working order of its duplicate of the Brockport machine. (8-6)
As dawn broke Friday morning, August 11, Spencerport firemen and community residents were getting the full impact of the scene. The fire company’s headquarters on Lyell Avenue was engulfed in flames. The building was called a total loss and plans had to be implemented to house the trucks and whatever equipment that had been saved. (8-13)
Spencerport firemen responded to catastrophic event, and began process of rebuilding their house. Firemen are accustomed to fighting fires and helping the victims through the tragedy that comes from losing their homes and possessions. It’s rare that they are called upon to fight a fire at their own home and begin the painful process of rebuilding and re-equipping their own fire station. (8-20)
Haulers transferred the debris that once was a Spencerport Fire Department’s Station 1. As the transport tractor trailers pulled off the Lyell Avenue sites with salvage materials and rubble, the fire district’s commissioners were handling all the details that follow the disastrous August 11 fire and preparing for the next phases. (8-27)
Location, size and cost were some topics raised at the information meeting about the Spencerport Fire District’s plans to rebuild Station One on Lyell Avenue in the village. Over 100 people attended the November 30 meeting at Spencerport High School. Fire district commissioners, Spencerport Volunteer Firefighters Association representatives, and the architect who designed the plans were among those who presented data about the fire service’s needs in the new construction. (12-3)
The Walker Fire Department Exempts and the Walker Ladies Auxiliary awarded Cory Kruger the 2006 Alan Haight Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000. (8-13)
Brockport Fire Department members marked a day of solemn reflection on September 11, the anniversary of the New York City World Trade Center disaster. Their fifth annual silent vigil, “Never Forget,” honored those lost 9/11/01. (9-3)
On Saturday, September 9 more than 600 motorcycles entered Brockport village during the sixth annual “Operation Patriot.” Sheriff Patrick O’Flynn led the procession. They came to pay their respects to those lost on September 11, 2001 while at the same time honoring those that continue to serve. (9-10)
Members of the Churchville Volunteer Fire Department have outgrown their home and are hoping to raise the funds for the construction of a new building. The building is about 50 years old and because of its age and size it has limited parking. As the needs and population oƒ the community have continued to expand and the purchase of more and bigger equipment was made, the department has begun to feel the crunch. The present building is 6,000 square feet and the one tentatively proposed would be 18,000 square feet. The potential new building carries with it a $3.7 million price tag. A meeting about the plan is scheduled for January 8 at 6 p.m. at the Churchville Village Hall.
For the past 125 years, the Brockport Fire Department has had five companies chartered under the laws of New York state. The companies will consolidate their internal operating structure - the physical buildings and location of apparatus will not be affected by the consolidation. (9-10)
For most fire districts, the use of a siren is more for the benefit of the community and for nostalgia rather than as a way to alert firemen and EMS officials to a fire or other emergency. Over the past 20 years, firefighters’ equipment has moved rapidly forward from the scanners that would sit on a table in the corner of a fireman’s house and required volunteers to be within listening range at all times. (9-10)
The “boys,” as Dick Kron, artist and sculptor, affectionately refers to three figures which make up the Firefighters Monument in Brockport, have taken a little road trip in preparation for creating similar figures in bronze. Kron spent six months in his local wood shop carving, sanding and creating the characters out of white oak. Those “boys” stood in the Monument for the last four years. On September 26 he was there to wish them well on their trip to Toms River, New Jersey. Sculptor and artist Brian Hanlon of Hanlon Studios made the trip to Brockport to meet with Kron and fire department officials before he inspected the figures he would take back with him. (10-1)
It’s been 15 years since the Brockport Fire Department has fully updated the airpacks that the firefighters use. Now, through the receipt of a $305,954 grant from the Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighter Grants Program, they will be able to purchase 56 airpacks and three rapid intervention team packs. (10-15)
At the sixth annual Recognition Dinner held by the Monroe County Fire Chiefs Association, the Brockport Fire Department received the unit commendation award for its combined efforts to save lives and reduce the ravages of fire when the home at 42 High Street in the Village of Brockport was on fire on May 16, 2006. (10-22)
Firefighter Kevin G. Johnson received a fire call while watching football at a friend’s house with his brother, David. He and David rushed to his car where they keep their “turn out gear” and they were off to the fire. The scene is typical of Brockport Fire Department firefighters being ready to respond on a moment’s notice. It also shows the kinds of family bonds that help develop the next generation of firefighters in the department. Kevin, 26, is a captain in the Brockport Fire Department, assigned to Station #4 at Main Street and Park Avenue. Brother David, 15, is an Explorer Scout in the department. (11-26)
Politics
Voters in the Towns of Hamlin, Kendall and Riga elected new supervisors in each of the three municipalities. Denny Roach was chosen for Hamlin; William Vick in Kendall and Pamela Moore won in Riga. (1-1)
Brockport’s legal fees escalate as a result of the revocation of the police chief’s contract by three Village of Brockport board members. Police Chief Dan Varrenti’s contract was voided by the board as being illegal. (1-22)
It’s been a year since Village of Brockport officials revoked the chief of police’s contract. In that time, village officials and Police Chief Daniel Varrenti made attempts to resolve the employment contract issue, to no avail. It is now in the hands of the courts to decide. (9-3)
It took 45 minutes and at the end - by a margin of three to two - a contract resolution was reached between the Village of Brockport and its police chief. The approval of the renegotiated contract came after more than a year of legal wrangling and back and forth between the parties because of the revocation of the police chief’s former contract in October 2005. (11-12)
Lynn A. Bianchi, CMC, town clerk of the Town of Ogden was awarded the designation of “Certified Municipal Clerk” (CMC) from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) for achieving its high educational, experience and serve requirements. (3-1)
Jim McKinney was appointed Ogden fire marshal. He replaced Dick McQuilkin who retired. (4-2)
Ogden committee studied open space plans for the future. Drawing a blueprint for the future of the Town of Ogden is how Rod Stettner describes the process of Ogden’s Open Space Committee. (4-2)
Through its Urban Forestry Program, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) awarded the Village of Brockport a $4,040 grant to hire a consultant to create a comprehensive inventory and assessment of trees in the village. (4-2)
The Village of Churchville looks ahead to its future by going through the preliminary steps of creating a vision plan that will ensure the village retains its unique characteristics that set it apart from other communities, as well as guide it through changes that include the growth of various housing developments in the area and businesses whose owners want to either expand their existing operations or start up a company in the community. (4-23)
Parma residents mobilize to shutout soccer complex. Residents on Parma Center Road said they never appreciated their neighborhood as much as they did when they heard about a proposal to place a youth soccer complex in the town. A 121-acre, 25-field complex was discussed but the proposal never came before the board. (5-7)
Despite an aggressive defense that has been played by the Concerned Citizens of Hilton-Parma (CCHP), Bernie Iacovangelo planned to take his best shot at building a youth soccer complex. Iacovangelo, of the Greece Cobras soccer club, planned to submit a proposal to the Parma Town Board. The unofficial presentation of Iacovangelo’s proposed site, at the Parma VFW on April 11, drew about 100 concerned residents. Following the meeting, Iacovangelo has been reviewing the proposal to make sure he can respond to any questions. (6-4)
Close to 30 people attended a May 4 meeting in the Town of Hamlin to learn more about wind towers and meteorological towers (METs) but less than half a dozen attended and spoke out at a public hearing that followed a week later. (5-21)
Carol Kluth, Town of Parma Clerk, first elected in 1997, retired officially as of June 2. Carol had worked at the Marine Midland Bank in Hilton as a teller and then an operations clerk for 14 years before being elected.
Municipalities across Monroe County banded together against a lawsuit brought by Monroe County to shift sales tax revenue away from towns, villages and school districts. The county has filed a lawsuit to determine the legality of using sales tax revenues - generally shared with the municipalities and school districts - to cover Medicaid costs. If the county is successful, it would allow for the county to deduct its share of Medicaid costs from sales tax revenues prior to distributing the funds to the municipalities and school districts. (6-25)
Voters in the Village of Brockport overwhelmingly cast their support behind Hanny Heyen as their choice for trustee for the next two years. Heyen defeated incumbent Mary Jo Nayman, 580 to 329. (6-25)
Legislation was signed allowing the Town of Chili to sell land at 49 Sequoia Drive and use the funds to improve existing parks or acquire new park land. The piece of land, which has been vacant and undeveloped since the 1980s, will be sold to a lifelong Chili resident who plans to build a single family home on the property. (8-6)
Donna Curry was close to two months into her job as the Town of Parma clerk when she said, “I was fortunate to have been trained in some manner for all the various functions of the town clerk’s office. I am grateful for the time I had to learn from Carol Kluth, my predecessor.” (8-6)
The practice of road maintenance on Gough Road - that according to residents has gone on since 1946 - was halted by Town of Riga officials in 2005 and that had residents on that stretch of road up in arms. Gough is a dead end road that is three-quarters of a mile long, has three homes and seven property owners. (8-13)
A long-time practice by the Town of Riga to maintain and plow Gough Road was approved to continue. The resolution was voted on by board members at a November 6 board meeting and the approval came following a close to two-hour discussion, according to Supervisor Pam Moore. (11-12)
At the annual meeting of the Municipal Electric Utility Association (MEUA) held in Alexandria Bay, Village of Churchville Deputy Mayor Nancy Steedman was awarded the D.B.H. Dalrymple Community Service Award by President Ken Stabb. (10-8)
The Town of Kendall was awarded a $15,000 grant to fund the purchase and installation of an emergency generator system for the town hall. The equipment will provide for the needs at the town hall during emergency situations and for shelter requirements, according to Kendall Supervisor William Vick. (10-22)
In addition to urging more Hilton residents to sign up for the Village of Hilton Municipal Electric Utility, Hilton officials have opened the utility up to Town of Parma residents. (10-29)
The public hearing on the Town of Sweden budget was less about tax rates, revenues and appropriations and more about a $50,000 change in the budget of the Sweden Senior Center. For more than an hour and a half, residents, and non-residents alike, voiced their displeasure with town officials’ decisions to do away with on-site food preparation at the center and contract with the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) for off-site preparation and delivery of noon meals. The decision was made as a way to save money while still providing a high quality meal for seniors. (10-29)
Schools and colleges
Kayleigh Tate was named the Spelling Bee winner at Byron-Bergen schools as part of the annual Robert Fowler Spelling Bee competition. (1-22)
Hilton’s Quest Elementary collected $2,227.12 in “Pennies for Patients.” Students in Hilton’s Quest Elementary School collected pennies for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (2-12)
Phyllis Contestable, a teacher in the Churchville-Chili School District, was named the 2005 Woman of the Year in the Arts from the Vince Lombardi Lodge Italian Community Association. At the same ceremony, Churchville graduate Raphael Ponti was also honored as the Distinguished Conductor/Musician of the Year. (2-19)
Seventh-graders at the A.D. Oliver Middle School undertook a community service project to help a school in Mississippi restock their library. The library in the Baywaveland Middle School in Mississippi was destroyed with the onslaught of Hurricane Katrina. (2-19)
Carol Pitkin, instrumental music teacher and seventh-grade band director at Churchville-Chili Junior High, has received this year’s National Alumnae Leadership Award from Sigma Alpha Iota, the national music fraternity for women. (3-12)
Ground was broken March 22 for an $18-million residential complex on the SUNY Brockport campus. The 52 town homes will house 208 and construction is expected to be completed and ready for the first student residents in the fall of 2007. (3-26)
Brockport Varsity basketball players Ryan Werner and Lindsay Hage were selected as second team All-County Players for the 2005-2006 seasons. They were awarded the Bud Lester Memorial Award for leading their teams in assists, steals and three point shots made. (4-9)
Roberts Wesleyan College broke ground April 20 on its $11.2 million B. Thomas Golisano Library, declaring it a “library for the 21st century.” Located at the academic heart of the campus, the two-story, 44,000 square foot library will incorporate innovative design elements and environmental aspects. (4-23)
The State University of New York at Brockport celebrated the inauguration of Dr. John R. Halstead as the college’s sixth president Friday afternoon, April 7. (4-16)
Kendall senior Valarie Dickinson took first place in the Skills USA Nurses Assistant Competition in Syracuse. (5-7)
Steven Seddio, a University of Rochester junior from Hamlin, participated in a 10-week internship with the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston. He was one of 12 college students, or recent graduates, chosen for the very selective internships from universities in the U.S., Canada and France. (5-21)
Spencerport High School student Jennifer Smith earned Valedictorian honors with the highest four-year cumulative grade point average (4.6667) in the graduating Class of 2006. Heather Newton is the Salutatorian of the class (4.5918). (6-18)
Principal Brian Bartalo accepted a plaque honoring three former Hilton High School students who were killed and missing in action in Vietnam. The plaque recognized the ultimate sacrifice paid by David E. Lemcke who was list as Missing-in-Action May 21, 1968; Gerald A. Wilson who was Killed-in-Action August 12, 1968; and John L. Waugh who as Killed-in-Action December 7, 1968. (8-20)
The J. Dennis Kirst Memorial sign was dedicated at Byron-Bergen Central School District. As a way to honor former school Superintendent J. Dennis Kirst who died unexpectedly in August 2002, a memorial fund was established in his name by the Byron-Bergen Central School District. (9-24)
Dr. Michael O’Laughlin, Kendall superintendent, has been named the next Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES District Superintendent. After hours of deliberation, the BOCES Board selected O’Laughlin as the fifth district superintendent in the organization’s history. (11-26)
Heather Shaw, a teacher at Spencerport’s Canal View Elementary School, is a state-level finalist for this year’s Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers the program on behalf of the White House. (11-26)
