Carlton

DEC delivers nearly 150K fish to Oak Orchard for pen-rearing

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 April 2024 at 3:34 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

POINT BREEZE – Three trucks from the fish hatchery in Altmar in northern New York delivered nearly 150,000 fish today to be raised in pens for about a month in the Oak Orchard River.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation brought 138,210 Chinook salmon and 10,000 steelhead for the pen-rearing.

That is up from the 126,330 Chinook a year ago, and 90,200 from 2019 for the pen-rearing.

The DEC has increase the stocking levels based on alewife biomass and Chinook salmon growth and condition. The alewife biomass has increased and the weight of age-3 salmon increased to 20.7 pounds in 2022, staying above the lower threshold of 18.4 pounds, the DEC said.

It was a community effort with the charter boat captains and other volunteers today, helping the DEC get the fish into the six pens.

Bob Songin gets the first pen propped open for a pipe from the DEC truck to the Oak Orchard. Songin has been a key leader in the pen-rearing project since it started in 1998. Oak Orchard had the first pen-rearing project on the south shore. Now there are several, including nearby at the Genesee River, Sodus, Olcott and the Niagara River.

Raising them in pens at Ernst’s Lake Breeze Marina increases their survival rate, and also helps them to imprint on the Oak Orchard River. That boosts the chances they will come back when they are mature in about three years.

One of the trucks carrying fish has a display telling people these are the good ol’ days for fishing.

The pens have automated feeders with a pellet mix of food provided by the DEC.

The DEC also will be delivering 25,000 steelhead directly to the Oak Orchard and 6,380 for Johnson Creek on Friday. They are expected to be put into the Oak Orchard from Captain’s Cove.

Fishing is Orleans County’s top tourism industry with a $28 million annual impact, according to a DEC study and survey from 2017.

Out-of-state anglers account for 70 percent of the fishing economic output in Orleans County, $19,620,488 of the $27,989,393. County residents who fish accounted for $1,767,334 in economic activity while other New York state residents outside Orleans represented another $6,601,571, according to that report.

Youth sailor from 32 years ago returns to run OOYC program

Provided photos: (Left) Becky Almeter stands at the helm of the family boat on Lake Ontario. Almeter, who was a member of the first youth sailing class 32 years ago, is leading the program this summer. (Right) Becky Almeter, foreground, sails with her brother Tim Hodgins and son Joseph Almeter during Thursday night boat races on Lake Ontario.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 28 March 2024 at 8:27 pm

WATERPORT – Sailing is not only fun, relaxing and a great way to spend a sunny day, but there are other important reasons Oak Orchard Yacht Club at Point Breeze has sponsored a long-standing youth sailing program.

Children ages 9 to 18 are taught the basics of sailing and water safety and create lasting memories in a day camp setting, according to this year’s instructor, Becky Almeter of East Bethany.

Almeter is the daughter of lifelong sailors, Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins of East Bethany. Bob is commodore of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club. Almeter was a member of the very first youth sailing class in 1992.

“I grew up on the docks of Oak Orchard Yacht Club,” Almeter said. “When my parents first got our family sailboat and brought it to Oak Orchard, we were there all the time living aboard during the summer. It was our home base, and from there our family sailed all over Lake Ontario and beyond, including a trip to the Bahamas during which my two brothers and I were homeschooled on the boat.”

Almeter took the youth sailing program several years as a student, and then got her U.S. Sailing Certificate to teach, returning as instructor for several years. After leaving the area for college, she completed her U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s 6-pack commercial license and worked on the water in various capacities. She has sailed on Lake Ontario, in Florida and the Caribbean, cruising and racing,

Almeter and her husband anticipate spending much of their summer on the Oak Orchard with their five children. Oldest son Joe has been in the sailing program for the past three summers, and this year he will be joined by his sister Abby.

“I am excited about directing the program, because it was such an integral part of my childhood and I hope my children can have a part of that same experience,” Almeter said. “My memories of my childhood at OOYC were fun, carefree summers spent swimming, sailing, going to Brown’s Berry Patch for slushies, candy and ice cream, running around playing games on the club lawn and on the playground.

“I didn’t know it then, but while I was having all that fun, I was creating deep bonds with my friends, learning confidence and self-sufficiency, learning how to read weather, how to feel comfortable on open water, general ‘rules of the road’ for navigating creek traffic and countless other smaller things that kids absorb through engaged activity,” Almeter said. “In this busy day and age, when it’s a much more difficult time to be a kid, I feel like this program is able to give kids back a little more time and space – to turn off the screens, and step away from devices. To simply be kids a little bit longer – having fun, learning skills hands-on, being active and engaging in teamwork – all the things that enrich their minds and bodies in a ‘back-to-basics’ way.”

The youth sailing program is a win-win for both parents and kids, according to Almeter. It builds many life skills, including teamwork, weather and wind awareness, knot tying, boat handling and more. Also, it is a healthy activity that gets kids outside, while having tons of fun and making new friends.

“Our youth sailing program provides an introduction to an activity kids can enjoy for a lifetime,” reads a pamphlet provided by OOYC.

Youth sailing camp begins each day at Oak Orchard Yacht Club, 1103 Archbald Rd., Waterport. Dates are July 8-12 and 15-19 for Session 1 and July 22-26 and July 29-Aug. 2 for Session 2. Camp is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Campers bring their own lunch.

Instructors decide where to sail and take lunch break each day, based on the weather and curriculum. Parents can often watch their young sailors from the pier at Point Breeze.

Instructors are U.S. Sailing certified, with a low student-to-instructor ratio. They follow the latest safety guidelines, including a mandatory swim test for all campers.

Cost is $460 for one session of 10 days or $685 for two sessions. Discounts available include a sibling discount, OOYC member discount and early registration discount by May 1. Families should contact the Yacht Club to discuss pricing.

Registration can be done online by logging on to ooyc.org and clicking on Youth Sailing from the top banner. Once registration is completed, an invoice and any necessary paperwork will be sent by OOYC. A current medical form, waiver and safety agreement must be completed for each camper.

“I am truly honored to be leading the sailing program this year, and am looking forward to a safe, fun program for all our sailors,” Almeter said.

More information can also be obtained by contacting Almeter at (585) 813-7259 (call or text) or e-mailing beckya@hodginsengraving.com.

General store endured as cornerstore of Carlton for 140-plus years

Posted 24 March 2024 at 8:50 am

Judging by the price of gas, this photograph of Narby’s Superette was taken in 2001.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Vol. 4, No.12

CARLTON – For over one hundred and forty years, a general store has operated from the location which until recently housed the now closed Narby’s Superette at The Bridges in Carlton.

Several photographs from the Orleans County Department of History collection document this history.

This photograph, dated 1887, shows two adjoining businesses – that of G.W. Root on the left and G.D. Fowler’s general store on the right. A hotel, later destroyed by fire, had originally been built on this location.

Two men are standing on the left of the building. Peering closely, we can see two young children wearing white shirts peeking out from either side of what appears to be a tub.

The man standing on the left on the front porch is identified as George Root, who was a Civil War veteran of 8th NY Heavy Artillery. To the right, the man leaning against the pillar is identified as Ed, but his last name in not readable, while the man to his right is identified as G. D. Fowler.

This photograph, dated 1888, shows G.D. Fowler’s’ General Merchandise delivery wagon. Canned goods and fabric may be seen on the back of the wagon. The body language captured in the interchange between the three people shown here is classic. The salesman, identified as A.J. Small, is obviously pitching a sale for his goods. The older lady in the middle appears skeptical, while the young lady on the left is almost convinced, but still a little uncertain.

Fowler’s store also housed the Post Office. Benjamin and Gifford Fowler alternated as Postmasters from 1877 -1915 with a brief interruption from 1894-1897 when the post was held by James J. Waldron. Postal service to The Bridges was discontinued in 1915, when the mail was sent to Kent. Benjamin Fowler was one of the directors of the Albion-Carlton Telephone Company formed in 1880 and his store was among the first to provide telephone service in the area.

Fowler’s store was later purchased by Benjamin Bamber. A listing in the 1903 Orleans County Directory noted that Bamber was a general merchant who sold dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps, drugs and medicines, hardware, crockery, paints, and oils. The store was also identified as a “Telephone Pay Station.”

Following Benjamin Bamber’s death in 1921, the store was run by his son Ward and was later acquired by Floyd Burns. The left half of the building was torn off many years ago.

Sharon and William Narburgh, Jr. acquired the business in the mid 1960s. Sharon continued the operation following the death of Mr. Narburgh in 1992. Upon her recent retirement, she calculated that she had worked at the store for a remarkable 58 years.

Narby’s, mainstay at ‘The Bridges’ in Carlton, closes after more than 50 years

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 March 2024 at 8:40 am

Photo by Tom Rivers: Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle, is shown in October 2020 for a news article about how local fishing-related businesses adapted during the Covid pandemic. Narburgh said Narby’s was busy during Covid. “We’re getting more people who were stuck at home and haven’t fished for years,” she said then. “They want to be out of the house.”

CARLTON – Narby’s Superette & Tackle, a mainstay for more than a half century in Carlton, is now closed.

Sharon Narburgh, Narby’s owner, made the announcement on Facebook on Tuesday. For 58 years she was dedicated to Narby’s, which was a gas station with groceries and a tackle shop at 1292 Oak Orchard Rd.

“Your loyalty and support have meant the world to me and I am truly humbled by the relationships we have built over the years,” Narburgh stated. “Although Narby’s Superette & Tackle may be closed, the memories and friendships forged within its walls will always remain cherished.”

Narburgh said she is closing due to unforeseen circumstances and for the good of her well-being.

“Thank you once again for your kindness, your loyalty, and your friendship,” she said. “You have made this journey unforgettable and I am forever grateful.”

Narburgh was one of the Point Breeze area’s biggest proponents for many years. She was instrumental in promoting the local fishing industry and often urged the community to see even more potential for the area.

She tried to get a covered wooden bridge at “The Bridges” to replace one of the spans that was taken out about a decade ago.

She was honored by the Orleans County Legislature in October 2010 after she retired from a volunteer role of running a fishing hotline. Every day for nearly 30 years she listened to the fishing stories from her customers and local charter boat captains, and managed to compile their observations in a fishing report that became a go-to for local and out-of-town anglers.

County legislators praised her “for providing a long and familiar voice” and for her dedication to the fishing and tourism industries in the county.

Narburgh and her late husband Bill were the first business to sell fishing licenses in the state. Before, only municipalities sold the licenses. The Narburghs became active in promoting the industry, attending many sportsfishing trade shows on behalf of Orleans County, promoting Lake Ontario and the tributary fishing.

The Albion Rotary Club in 2016 honored Sharon Narburgh as a Paul Harris Fellow, the club’s highest award. She is shown with Dick Pilon, left, and Bill Downey of the Rotary Club.

Narburgh was recognized by the Albion Rotary Club for her long-time commitment to the club’s fishing derby. Narburgh sold more than half of the tickets for the fishing derby, which was last held in 2019.

Narburgh also was a key leader in the 2013 community effort when Point Breeze was named “The Ultimate Fishing Town” by the World Fishing Network.

Historic marker for ‘Fording Place’ gets refurbished at Oak Orchard

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 March 2024 at 8:22 am

Provided photos

CARLTON – Albion eighth-graders Anakin Bowman and Brayden Lindke stand by a repainted “Fording Place” historic marker on the pole at the corner of Oak Orchard Road and Clark’s Mills Road in Carlton. Bowman and Lindke are in the eighth grade enrichment class.

The marker from 1932 was recently restored by Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon, who has scraped and refurbished about 40 of the markers.

The Fording Place marker is north of a shallow part of the Oak Orchard River where Native Americans and early pioneers would cross. “The Oak Orchard Trail from Batavia to Ontario crossed the creek here.”

Here is how the marker looked before it was cleaned up and repainted.

Friends group formed to promote county marine parks

File photos by Tom Rivers: The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is shown on June 23, 2022 at Point Breeze. The 35-foot lighthouse is a replica to one that toppled in 1916 after a storm.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2024 at 9:14 am

CARLTON – A new group, the Friends of Orleans County Marine Parks, has been formed to help promote and push for funding for two county parks.

The new “Friends” is a non-profit organization and registered 501c3. It was created under the auspices of the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association.

OONA has been running a summer concert series at the Orleans County Marine Park on Route 98 for about a dozen years. Those events often bring in crowds of 500 people.

With the new Friends group, OONA can pruse funding through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) to enhance the concerts “and take them to a whole new level,” said Lynne Menz, the Friends president.

The group could also pursue funding through GO Art! for murals on the bridge abutments at the Marine Park.

The Friends also can help the county seek state and federal grants for the Marine Park, and also for the Point Breeze boat launch and lighthouse area.

“Right now we’re putting our wish list together for what enhancements we could do and what funds are available,” said Menz, who is also the county’s tourism coordinator. “We’ll be looking for funding to improve the amenities.”

The Dave Viterna Group performs on July 2, 2019 at the Orleans County Marine Park to kick off last summer’s concert series. There were about 500 people at the concert. The park is located on Route 98 in Point Breeze along the Oak Orchard River. It has hosted the summer concert series since 2010.

Ken Martin is vice president and Frank Panczyszyn is secretary/treasurer with the Friends, while Dawn Borchet, the county tourism director, and Chris Manaseri, OONA president, are ex-officio members.

The Friends may push for pickleball courts at the Marine Park, and an accessible kayak ramp at the boat launch at Point Breeze, while teaming with the county to upgrade other infrastructure at the two sites.

Other nearby parks have Friend groups, including Hamlin Beach State Park and Golden Hill State Park. The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge also has Friends.

Manaseri is a retired school superintendent at Romulus in Seneca County. When he worked at that district, he was a member of the Friends group for the nearby Sampson State Park.

Manaseri said OONA isn’t being taken over by the new Friends group. OONA will continue with its concert series and other community projects, including helping to make the lighthouse available for tours during the summer.

The Friends will spread the word about the marine parks, which he said are a great asset to the local residents and visitors.

“We think it’s another venue to know what it’s the parks and what’s available in them,” Manaseri said about the Friends.

Menz and the Friends welcome ideas for projects and activities at the parks. The group is getting suggestions, including a light show during the holidays.

Menz moved to Point Breeze 21 years ago. She said a close-knit group there wants to promote the area. It was 14 years ago when construction started on the 35-foot-high lighthouse that has become an icon for the community. That effort was spearheaded by local citizens.

“Point Breeze has really blossomed,” Menz said. “It’s a strong community.”

She sees the Friends group as helping to build on the recent progress at Point Breeze.

She welcomes volunteers and ideas for the parks. To reach her, email lynne@focmp.org.

The group also has a new Facebook page.

Father-Daughter Dance returns, memories made in Carlton

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 February 2024 at 8:56 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – Nick Hollenbeck dances to “Twist and Shout” with his daughter Emma, age 7, during the Father-Daughter Dance this evening at the Carlton Rec Hall.

“We have fun dancing together,” Hollenbeck said. “”It’s something that is fun to do that is just for us.”

About 125 people attended the dance. Here the dads and daughters enjoy a slow dance together.

The event returned after a four-year absence. It was held at the Albion elementary school for nearly 20 years and always was held near Valentine’s Day.

Organizers from the Harvest Christian Fellowship church wanted to try the Carlton Rec Hall because it has a kitchen to cook pizzas and also offered a chance to decorate the day before the big dance.

Sharon and Matt Sugar have been the lead organizers for the dance since it started in 1998. Matt started the event when his daughters were young. This evening he was able to dance with his granddaughters.

Sharon Sugar said the church wants to make the event open to the community.

When the dance was at the school, more than 250 attended. Sugar said she expects the crowds will be bigger in the future.

“This is a rebuilding year,” she said. “So many of the dads said they are so excited to be back.”

People take a short break from dancing and try some of the pizza and snacks. The Rev. Tim Lindsay, center, is pastor of the Harvest Christian Fellowship. Tom Yockel of the Carlton Fire Department, right, helped serve the refreshments. He also attends Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Bert Mathes of Barre dances with his daughter Shania, age 16. Mathes also attended the dance with his daughter Adele, 12. Bert said he was happy to dress formally with his daughters for a fancy night out.

Photos by Bruce took portraits of the dads and daughters. Here, Jordan O’Connor of Spencerport poses with his daughters, Maeve, age 5, and Shea, age 3.

Tower goes up in Carlton as part of upgraded broadband system

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2024 at 12:10 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – Workers from Upstate Tower Construction in West Seneca are putting up a 180-foot-high tower in Carlton today. The tower is next to the Town Hall and highway garage on Waterport-Carlton Road.

These workers are 100 feet up after the first five sections, each 20 feet long, were installed. The workers will bolt the new section.

The project is paid for as part of $2,990,000 grant from the state to the county through the Statewide Interoperable Communications Grant.

The grant pays for the new tower in Carlton, a new tower and equipment at the Orleans County Emergency Management Office on West Countyhouse Road in Albion, and two backup 911 dispatch consoles at the EMO site.

The Carlton tower is the fifth new one to go up as part of the county’s broadband internet project as well as an improved emergency radio communications network. The other towers included 180-foot-high towers are next to the Public Safety Building on Route 31 in Albion, Millers Road in Yates near the water tank, and at the Kendall Central School near the bus garage. The other tower is 150 feet high next to the Holley water tank on Route 237.

The previous towers were completed in 2020 with a $5,897,141 grant. That money also paid for communication shelters, technology to connect separate radio systems and new radio channels.

Workers move a sector frame for where equipment will be installed near the top of the tower.

Carlton gets needed third vote to approve contract with Monroe Ambulance

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 December 2023 at 12:21 pm

CARLTON – The Town Board, in a 3-2 vote on Saturday, approved a contract with Monroe Ambulance, just a few days after the board was deadlocked at 2-2.

The contract needed at least three votes to pass. The board was down a member following the resignation of Debbie Yockel, effective Dec. 1. She was appointed the town clerk on Tuesday following the resignation of Karen Narburgh.

Jeff Gifaldi was appointed to fill Yockel’s vacancy and on Saturday he voted in favor of the agreement with Monroe Ambulance, joining Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery and Councilman Dana Woolston is approving the contract. Two other board members, Brian McCue and Charlie Ricci, opposed it, citing concerns from residents about slow response times.

Gifaldi, a chief deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, also was the Carlton code enforcement officer. He resigned from that town position on Dec. 13.

Carlton was the seventh of the seven towns in a consortium to vote on the contract. It had already been approved by Albion, Barre, Gaines, Clarendon, Murray and Kendall.

Carlton will pay $22,350 in 2024, up from $14,800 this year, the first time the towns have had a contract with Monroe where they paid to have an ambulance based in the county.

The $300,000 contract among the seven towns is divvied up among call volume in the seven towns. The agreement calls for Monroe to station an ambulance in Albion 24 hours a day, seven days a week and one in Holley for at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Monroe also said it will draw on ambulances in Monroe County if there is a need in Orleans County.

Carlton doesn’t get enough votes to approve Monroe Ambulance contract

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 December 2023 at 11:10 am

CARLTON – The Carlton Town Board didn’t have enough votes to approve spending $22,350 in a contract with Monroe Ambulance for 2024.

The board is down a member following the resignation of Debbie Yockel, effective Dec. 1. She was appointed the town clerk on Tuesday following the resignation of Karen Narburgh.

The board needs 3 votes to pass a resolution, and contract proposal from Monroe was 2 votes in favor and 2 against.

Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery and Councilman Dana Woolston voted for the contract while council members Brian McCue and Charlie Ricci were against it.

The vote followed public comments when several residents said they were concerned about not enough ambulances being available in the community, resulting in frequent delayed responses even in critical emergencies.

The $300,000 contract calls for Monroe to station an ambulance in Albion 24 hours a day, seven days a week and one in Holley for at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Monroe also will draw on ambulances in Monroe County if there is a need in Orleans County.

Carlton was the seventh of the seven towns in a consortium to vote on the contract. It was approved by the first six – Albion, Barre, Gaines, Clarendon, Murray and Kendall.

It’s unclear if the $300,000 contract among all seven towns is null and void. At least one town, Murray, made its commitment contingent on all seven towns approving the deal.

5 of 7 towns approve contract with Monroe Ambulance with last 2 voting next week

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 December 2023 at 10:59 am

Five of the seven towns in a proposed contract with Monroe Ambulance have approved a contract for 2024.

The remaining two towns, Gaines and Carlton, vote next week. The $300,000 contract requires all seven towns to ratify the deal.

The seven towns are divvying up the share for each municipality based on the call volume. That puts Gaines and Carlton among the lowest in expense. Gaines would need to pay $12,030 in 2024 while Carlton is at $22,350. (Gaines was at $24,600 in 2023 and Carlton at $14,800 this year.)

The town boards in the other municipalities have already agreed to their contributions for 2024 (with 2023 in parentheses): Albion at $155,820 ($84,400), Barre at $13,740 ($8,000), Clarendon at $25,350 ($18,800), Kendall at $17,850 ($0) and Murray at $52,860 ($30,600).

The Gaines Town Board meets at 7 p.m. on Monday at the Gaines Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Road West. There will be a public hearing on the ambulance contract and then a vote by the Town Board.

Carlton will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at the Town Hall, 14351 Waterport-Carlton Rd.

The towns started paying for ambulance coverage for the first time in 2023. In 2023, Monroe sought $200,000 from the seven towns. It was reduced to $181,200 after Kendall bowed out of the contract, claiming it didn’t need to pay because there already was an agreement with the local fire districts in Kendall.

In 2024, Kendall will be paying out of its town budget. The $300,000 contract calls for Monroe to station an ambulance in Albion 24 hours a day, seven days a week and one in Holley for at least 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Monroe also will draw on ambulances in Monroe County if there is a need in Orleans County.

Kitchen fire damages Carlton home on Vinecliff Street

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 November 2023 at 8:10 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – A kitchen fire damaged a home in Carlton this evening. Firefighters were dispatched to 931 Vinecliff St. at about 6 p.m.

The house is owned by Jody Sugar. She wasn’t home at the time of the fire. Her son was able to get safely outside, and so were the family’s dogs.

Firefighters were able to put out the fire with extinguishers, said Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County Emergency Management director and a Carlton firefighter.

He said there is extensive damage to the kitchen. He suspects the stove may have been leaking propane gas, but the cause hasn’t been determined yet.

Carlton was assisted at the scene by several fire departments.

Archers Club finishes busy month welcoming fishermen from several states

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2023 at 8:43 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

WATERPORT – These fishermen try to catch trout and salmon on Friday afternoon in the Oak Orchard River. They parked at the St. Mary’s Archers Club and fished in the oak Orchard.

St. Mary’s has room for about 50 vehicles to park each day at $10 a vehicle.

There were vehicles from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, Virginia and Michigan as anglers made the trek to catch the big fish in the Oak. Some fishermen also came from Croatia and France.

Mark Wildschutz (left), a longtime St. Mary’s Archers Club member, and Tom O’Hearn, the club’s president the past 8 years, stand outside the clubhouse at St. Mary’s, where the wood was stained. The club also has sided a pavilion, done concrete work, and made other improvements to the property.

“It’s the camaraderie,” said Wildschutz. “You meet all kinds of people.”

He lived in Texas for about five years before moving back to Orleans County, with the Oak Orchard River one of the big attractions. Wildschutz lives right around the corner from the Archers Club.

“For what we have here we’re pretty spoiled,” he said.

The Archers Club welcomed the anglers from mid-October until Sunday. The club typically makes its space available to visitors for a month during the fall fishing season.

Club member Howard Palmer was there everyday to open the gate on Clark Mills Road by 5 a.m. People can then fish until about 4 p.m.

St. Mary’s closed access to visitors during the Covid pandemic in 2020 but has welcomed them back since.

The club normally serves breakfasts and lunches, but was short on help this season and made coffee and hot chocolate, bagels and peanut butter and jelly available. O’Hearn would like to bring back the bigger meals next year.

O’Hearn has been a member for 28 years, first drawn to the Archers Club so he could go camping by the water with his son.

The club has 125 members who pay a $100 annual fee for access to the property.

The club hosts weddings and many parties for its members.

The Archers Club has a setup in a prime area of the county’s world renown fishery. Visiting anglers are happy to pay for access to the river.

Anglers are grateful for a calmer experience while fishing near the Archers Club. Up closer the dam, the fishermen said tempers often flare in the closer quarters, with fishermen bumping into each other.

“It’s combat fishing up by the dam,” said one fisherman named Nate from Pennsylvania.

He and a friend made a 6-hour drive to fish at the Oak Orchard. He and a friend named Matt try to come to Orleans County about three times a year.

They appreciate the Archers Club sharing their space with out-of-towners.

O’Hearn said the club realizes they play a big role in the county’s tourism, welcoming fishermen who they visit other local businesses.

Anglers, many from out of state, make trek to Orleans for big salmon and trout

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2023 at 7:18 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

WATERPORT – Lucas Bodinez of Pittsburgh stands in the fast-moving current of the Oak Orchard River on Friday, trying to catch a Chinook salmon or a steelhead (rainbow trout).

Bodinez traveled to Orleans County in a group of 10 of his friends.

“We’ve been coming here for years,” Bodinez said.

They venture down the stream where there are less people.

“We like to get away from the crowds,” he said.

Many fishermen converge near the Waterport Dam to try to land one of the big salmon and trout.

Orleans County sees a big influx of fishermen this time of the year, with many out-of-state license plates in the parking lots. They are trying to catch big fish that are in the Oak Orchard and other tributaries to spawn and deposit their eggs.

Dustin Cowen, 37, of Michigan made the trip to Orleans County for the first time. He joined his father.

“I’ve never seen this many fish in one spot,” Cowen said. “The fishing here is phenomenal.”

Cowden had already caught a brown trout, and had many fish on the line.

Fishing is big business in Orleans County, according to survey by the state Department of Environmental Conservation that put the total economic impact at $27,989,393 in 2017.

Out-of-state anglers account for 70 percent of the fishing economic output in Orleans County, $19,620,488 of the $27,989,393, according to the survey that was released in 2020.

County residents who fish accounted for $1,767,334 in economic activity while other New York state residents outside Orleans represented another $6,601,571.

Oswego which includes the Salmon River is the highest-ranked county with $192.7 million in total economic impact from fishing.

This angler from Pittsburgh enjoys a fall day in the Oak Orchard.

Lighthouse Museum hosting haunted event to highlight local Lake Ontario shipwrecks

File photo by Tom Rivers: A volunteer kept the Oak Orchard Lighthouse open on the evening of June 23, 2022 for people to climb to the top and learn about information at Point Breeze. The 35-foot lighthouse is a replica to one that toppled in 1916 after a storm.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 October 2023 at 9:22 am

POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum will celebrate its second haunting on Oct. 20 and 21.

The project was first suggested last year by board member Anne Martin to raise funds for continued operation of the lighthouse, and it was a big success, according to Lighthouse Museum board president Chris Manaseri.

“Anne has done her homework to investigate more about some of the local shipwrecks on Lake Ontario over the years, and has constructed a short story featuring the widow of a lost crew member on a steamboat that sank near Point Breeze,” Manaseri said.

Martin portrays the lost sailor’s widow in narrating the story to visitors. A few other board members also play roles to make the story come to life, Manaseri said.

“She’s done a very clever job of incorporating actual local history with the lighthouse and the ‘spirit’ of Halloween, spiced with a little humor as well,” he said. “It’s actually one more creative way to interpret local history through the lighthouse, one of the major missions in which we are involved. We wanted to create a safe venue where families with young children could do something together in the community around Halloween.”

Martin said she knew the Lighthouse board was looking for a new fundraiser and she thought it might be a creative way to drum up donations and, of course, more interest in the little neighborhood lighthouse.

“I read Jim Kennard’s book Shipwrecks of Lake Ontario and found it so fascinating,” Martin said. “I found the wreck of the Samuel F. Hodge and the Ontario, both located just off Point Breeze. I have some community theater experience and put it to use creating the story line and acting. I’m also a self-confessed Halloween freak and used to decorate my home in Indiana for Halloween prior to our move here three years ago, so I had a lot of Halloween decorations just sitting in my attic. We have no trick or treating in our isolated neighborhood, so this was a terrific outlet for me on both counts.”

Martin plays the role of the wife of Martin Deeley, the only fatality on the Samuel F. Hodge, and the commander of the Ontario, where all 120 lives were lost. She also gives a nod to the original lighthouse keeper, John Kelly.

“My character Eileen Deeley, is creative license, but the stories I tell to visitors about the three gentlemen are historically accurate,” Martin said. “And I do work a sighting of the Lake Ontario serpent into the story, which was also creative license.”

The event is free, but donations will be accepted.

Cider and donuts will be offered and the lighthouse will be open from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

“This gives the lighthouse one last hurrah for donation opportunities before we close it for the winter,” Manaseri said.

He said they will have a large tent to protect visitors against rain or wind, which can be brisk at Point Breeze. They keep the event to the early hours for young children and families.