By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 August 2013 at 12:00 am
CARLTON – Candidates for Carlton town offices met with Carlton Democrats last night, seeking the party’s support for the Nov. 5 election. But only one Republican, who currently isn’t a town official, received Democratic Party support.
Incumbent Town Clerk Pam Rush and her GOP challenger Lea Olles both asked Democrats to back them. But during a party caucus at the home of Aggie Recco, 37 Democrats didn’t reach a majority of support for the clerk candidates. In fact, there were more no votes than votes of support for the candidates, said Jeanne Crane, a Carlton Democrat and chairwoman of the Orleans County Democratic Party.
The Carlton Democrats also declined to support either Highway Superintendent David Krull or his challenger Paul Snook, Sr.
The Democrats did support one Republican, Bilal Huzair, for Town Board. Huzair is endorsed by the Conservative Party and also will be in a Republican Primary on Sept. 10 against incumbent Republicans Joyce Harris and Jim Shoemaker.
Democrats also backed a member of their own party, Doug Hart, for a Town Board seat.
Crane said the crowd of Democrats for the party caucus was the most she can recall.
She said the controversy over town-wide reassessments, which ignited an uproar from residents this spring, has many residents watching town government closely.
“Carlton this year is the hotbed,” she said.
The Republican candidates for town clerk, highway superintendent and Town Board will square off in a Primary on Sept. 10. The general election will be Nov. 5.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – A committee weighing how to spend $25,000 to boost the fishing industry in Orleans County is considering putting the title of “Ultimate Fishing Town” on the Carlton town signs, including this one on Route 98.
CARLTON – When the Point Breeze community won the title of “Ultimate Fishing Town” in June, after two months of online voting, the prize brought lots of free publicity for the community. And it also netted cash to promote the fishery, $25,000 from the World Fishing Network.
The check is in a town of Carlton account, dedicated to promoting the area’s fishing resources. The question for a committee of fishing stakeholders is how to best use that money to entice more anglers and visitors to the community.
The committee met for the first time on Thursday. It wants plenty of signage in Carlton and Point Breeze, noting the community won the “Ultimate Fishing Town” in 2013. Some of those signs could be part of the existing Town of Carlton welcome signs on Route 98 and 18.
In the meantime, at least five businesses are working to buy banners that would be on their stores, noting Point Breeze as the “Ultimate Fishing Town.”
The committee also is considering a sportsfishing event that would partner with a veterans organization and a professional sports team. Veterans would be invited on a charter boat in that initiative.
Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle, is on the committee and welcomes ideas from the public. She spoke during Sunday’s awards celebration for the Orleans County Fishing Derby. There were 100 fishermen at the awards party, and Narburgh asked them to submit ideas for promoting the fishery.
I think the committee should use some of the money for a public art project, perhaps having some giant fiberglass fish at different locations at Point Breeze. I think they would be an attraction, and businesses would probably pay to have one on their property.
If we could get 10 of these at Point Breeze, as well as a few in Albion, Holley and Medina, we would have an added attraction that would complement all the salmon and trout.
I was in Olean in March and noticed all of the 4-foot-high fiberglass squirrels sprinkled around the city. I’ve included a picture of “Pop ARThur” from Olean’s public art project called Woodland in the City. I think a similar project in a fish theme would be a major catch for Point Breeze.
Contributed Story Posted 19 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Michael Karcz
CARLTON – The Orleans Hub has highlighted several local venues for live music in the county this summer. The list keeps growing. Ho-Jack’s Bar and Grill had a talent show and karaoke on Saturday.
Jackie Madejski and Gregg Albertson were among the musicians who performed at Ho-Jack’s on Route 98. The two sang several songs, including originals by Albertson.
Following their performance, the microphone was available for karaoke. Jackie’s father, Dr. Tom Madejski, took a turn and sang “Surfin’ Bird.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Foster Miller holds the grand prize winning Chinook salmon – a 34-pound, 13-ounce fish – that netted the $4,000 top prize in the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Miller’s son Tyler, 11, finished third in the lake trout division with a 14-pound, 6-ounce fish.
CARLTON – Foster Miller looks forward to fishing season every summer. The 40-year-old Holley resident is often out in a boat with his son Tyler or Foster’s father Ron.
The family watches for fishing derbies and will join, hopeful of hooking a big prize. The Millers struck twice in the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Foster won the grand prize, $4,000, for catching the biggest fish among the 690 anglers who joined in the derby.
Foster caught a 34-pound, 13-ounce Chinook salmon in Lake Ontario near Hamlin Beach State Park. His father, Ron, of Ontario, Wayne County was in the boat with Foster. Ron started taking Foster fishing when he was a little kid. Foster landed his first salmon when he was 5.
He has passed down a love of fishing to his son Tyler, 11. Tyler caught the third biggest lake trout in the fishing derby, a 14-pound, 6-ounce fish that was also hooked just off Hamlin Beach. Tyler’s third place finish won him $200.
His father also won another $200, given to the Orleans County resident who catches the biggest fish during the derby.
Mr. Miller works as a principal in Mount Morris for the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership.
The derby runs for about two weeks, and is sponsored by the Albion Rotary Club. Besides the $4,000 grand prize, the Rotary Club gives out $500 for first place, $300 for second, $200 for third, $100 for fourth and $50 for fifth place in four divisions: Chinook, rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. That adds up to $8,800 in total prize money.
Hunter Westcott, 10, of Hamlin won the lake trout division and $500 for catching this 18-pound, 4-ounce fish. He was all smiles holding the fish during an awards ceremony today at the Carlton Fire Company Recreation Hall.
The club expects to make about $4,500 in profit from the derby, which is used for various community projects.
The following won first prize in the different divisions: Jim Mazur, with a Chinook at 32 pounds, 13 ounces; Charles Davis with a brown trout at 15 pounds, 9 ounces; Gary Dubach with a rainbow trout/steelhead at 13 pounds, 13 ounces; and Hunter Westcott with a lake trout at 18 pounds, 4 ounces.
Derby officials and the 100 people who attended a awards ceremony at the Carlton Fire Company Recreation Hall observed a moment of silence for Judy Christopher, who was active in helping to run the derby for many years.
Christopher died on Aug. 3 after battling cancer for more than two decades. She was co-owner of Four C’s Marina and an active member of the Albion Rotary Club, which has been running the annual derby for about 30 years.
“She was an elegant woman who did a lot for the fishing industry and for this community,” said Ashley Ward, the derby chairman.
Ashley Ward, back left, gets ready to read the winning number during a raffle at today’s awards ceremony for the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Brad Shelp, lower right, helped pass out the prizes. About 100 fishermen attended the awards celebration in Carlton.
Driver needed to be extricated from wooded embankment
Press release, Orleans County Undersheriff Steve Smith
CARLTON – An Orleans County woman is hospitalized following a one-car crash Saturday night in the town of Carlton.
The incident occurred shortly before 9:30 p.m., in the 1400 block of Oak Orchard River Road. Sandra M. Flanagan (sole occupant), of Kent, was operating a 2004 Ford Taurus westbound on Oak Orchard River Rd., when she failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the south side of the roadway. The vehicle jumped a guard rail and rolled approximately 100 feet down a steep and heavily wooded embankment that leads to Oak Orchard River. The vehicle came to rest upside down against a tree.
Flanagan was trapped in the wreckage for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes before being extricated by Carlton and Albion firefighters. Once removed from the vehicle, she was brought back up the embankment by Rope Rescue Teams from the Clarendon and Holley fire departments. Flanagan was then flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter. A crew from Central Orleans Volunteer Ambulance also assisted at the scene.
While the incident remains under investigation, it appears that both alcohol and unsafe speed were contributing factors. Charge(s) against Flanagan are pending her recovery.
The incident was investigated by Deputy K.J. Colonna, assisted by Deputy J.W. Halstead and Sergeant G.T. Gunkler.
Contributed Story Posted 14 August 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Michael Karcz
POINT BREEZE – The Old Hippies entertained on Tuesday night during the summer concert series at the Orleans County Marine Park. The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association organizes the series with support from Orleans County Tourism and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
The series concludes on Tuesday with a concert by the Sophisticats from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
Lyons Collision in Medina, Carlton firefighters and local police work to reopen Route 98 at the Bridges this morning after a boat trailer got snagged in a guard rail by one of the bridges.
CARLTON Since the bridge over the Oak Orchard River was closed in December 2011, Sharon Narburgh has worried traffic to Point Breeze could be cut off if anything happened to the other bridge on Route 98 leading to the Point.
Narburgh’s fear became a reality this morning. A truck pulling a boat on a trailer created a two-hour bottleneck near Narburgh’s store, Narby’s Superette and Tackle.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was making a right hand turn on 98. The driver didn’t make a wide enough turn and the boat trailer was snagged in a guard rail. An axle on the trailer broke. The truck and trailer were stuck on 98, cutting off traffic in both directions.
“This happens a lot,” Narburgh said about the bottleneck. “The state knows this is a bad situation.”
Narburgh and Orleans County officials want the smaller Oak Orchard River bridge to be reopened. But that will take money. The state hasn’t approved funding for the small span.
The County Legislature last week approved a contract to pay Ramsey Contractors of Lakeville $15,000 to remove the small bridge. Once it’s gone, the county and state Department of Transportation can better inspect the site to look at bridge options for the site.
The bridge over Oak Orchard River, one of the bridges at Point Breeze, has been closed since last year. The County Legislature last week approved a bid to remove the bridge.
Lining up the money to pay for the project is another issue.
Narburgh bemoaned the situation on Tuesday.
“We just won the ‘Ultimate Fishing Town’ and people can’t get down here,” she said. “It’s costing me money. It’s costing all of us money.”
Lyons Collision in Medina freed the truck and trailer. Carlton firefighters and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department also responded to the scene.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Church has service and picnic at Orleans County Marine Park
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Rev. Dan Thurber, pastor of the Oak Orchard Assembly of God, delivers the sermon underneath a pavilion a the Orleans County Marine Park.
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Assembly of God in Medina didn’t have church inside its building on Route 104 today.
The congregation instead had its service at the Orleans County Marine Park. The church has been coming to the Marine Park once a year for a church service since 2011.
The Rev. Dan Thurber, the church’s pastor, said he wants the congregation to get outside and see God’s glory in nature. The Marine Park, which is nestled along the Oak Orchard River, is a beautiful spot in the county, Thurber said.
After the service today about 100 people joined together for a picnic at the park.
Thurber said he would like to partner with more churches in the future for a joint service at the Marine Park.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Lineup is part of Yacht Club’s 75th anniversary celebration
Photos by Tom Rivers
POINT BREEZE – About 20 boats floated down the Oak Orchard River this morning in a parade of boats.
The Oak Orchard Yacht Club has been doing the parade for years. Today’s parade is part of the 75th anniversary celebration for the Yacht Club. Festivities began on Friday and end today.
The club will be serving hot dogs, chips and soda today for friends and neighbors until 3 p.m. The clubhouse is on 1103 Archbald Rd. There will also be a slide show presentation about the club’s history today at 3 p.m.
CARLTON – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will offer a Boating Safety & PWC Certification Course on Saturday, July 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The class will be held at the Carlton Fire Department Recreation Hall at 1853 Oak Orchard Road (Route 98). This training is mandatory for all persons operating Personal Water Craft (Jet Skiis/Waverunners).
The class size will be limited to 45 students. There is no fee for the course, however students must pre-register and obtain a course booklet. To pre-register you must appear in-person at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office – 400 Public Safety Bldg., 13925 State Route 31, Albion. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For additional information, contact Deputy Erin Fuller (Sheriff’s Marine Unit) at (585) 682-4366 or (585) 589-5527.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Bands will play on Tuesdays during the summer
Photos by Tom Rivers
POINT BREEZE – The band Blind Leading the Blind performs at the Orleans County Marine Park tonight during the start of the “Summer Concert Series in the Park.”
Bands will perform from 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Tuesday until Aug. 20. The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association planned the concerts in partnership with Orleans County Tourism and the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council. Admission is $2 per person or $5 for a family.
The Clarendon Lions Club will be at the park for each concert serving hamburgers and sausage. Club members working the grill tonight include Kevin Johnson, left, and Don Knapp.
The park is located on Route 98, near the Lake Ontario State Parkway.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 July 2013 at 12:00 am
Chet Wheelock flew over his farm and rural Carlton last night
Photo by Tom Rivers – Chet Wheelock takes off over his farm on Kent Road. He was joined by his daughter Peggy Bropst, grandson Jeremy Mikels and great-grandson Mason Mikels. Greg Livadas of Penfield piloted the balloon.
Photos courtesy of Peggy Bropst – The shadow of the balloon appears in a cornfield.
KENT – He waited a long time to finally go up in the air, and Chet Wheelock says his debut hot-air balloon ride surpassed his expectations.
“It was wonderful,” Wheelock said today after his journey in the sky last night aboard the “Yeowza” balloon piloted by Greg Livadas of Penfield.
Wheelock, an 82-year-old farmer, was given the trip as a Father’s Day present. It had to be postponed until the weather cooperated.
Wheelock flew over the trees with his daughter Peggy Bropst, grandson Jeremy Mikels and great-grandson Mason Mikels.
“You don’t feel any wind up there,” Wheelock said. “You’re traveling with the wind. It’s as still as can be.”
The balloon took off over his farm on Kent Road and passed over cornfields, the Oak Orchard River, Brown’s Berry Patch, and the Harbor Pointe Country Club before settling at the Riverview Camp Site on Park Avenue in Waterport. They were up in the air about an hour.
Afterwards, they celebrated the voyage with cheese, crackers and some champagne.
“It was great, Wheelock said. “I’d love to do it again.”
Photos by Peggy Bropst – The balloon travelled near the Oak Orchard River, where you can see two of the bridges and Brown’s Berry Patch to the left.
Chet Wheelock sits on the packed-up balloon. His grandson Jeremy Mikels is at left.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2013 at 12:00 am
Chet Wheelock, 82, fulfills a life-long dream with balloon ride
Photos by Tom Rivers – Jeremy Mikels waves to his friends and family as the balloon takes off over his grandfather’s farm on Kent Road.
The balloon heads out over the countryside after a take off from Chet Wheelock’s farm on Kent Road.
The family smiles for a photo before takeoff. The group includes Mason Mikels, 5; his father Jeremy Mikels, Peggy Bropst, and Chet Wheelock, right. Balloon pilot Greg Livadas readies the balloon for take off.
KENT – Chet Wheelock got his wish tonight when he was lifted high over his farm and the rural countryside in a hot air balloon.
Wheelock, 82, was part of a four-generation ride that included his daughter Peggy Bropst of Kendall, grandson Jeremy Mikels of Webster and great-grandson Mason Mikels of Webster.
The balloon ride was intended to be a Father’s Day gift but bad weather grounded that flight. Tonight it was gorgeous with bright sunshine and little wind.
Greg Livadas, pilot of the “Yeowza” balloon, has been flying balloons for 35 years. He said a four-generation flight is highly unusual. But Wheelock is far from the oldest passenger. Livadas said he took up a 98-year-old recently.
Wheelock has watched balloons take off at the Pine Hill Airport in Barre, a balloon festival in Dansville and other spots in the Southern Tier.
“I always wanted to do it,” he said. “It seems like fun.”
Greg Livadas, center, and High Hopes Balloon Co. fill up the balloon with hot air.
The crew and passengers are almost ready to soar.
Mark Driesel, one of Chet Wheelock’s neighbors, records the events for what Driesel said was a historic day for the neighborhood.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – The Oak Orchard Lighthouse was built in 2010 at Point Breeze next to the Oak Orchard Harbor. It will be included in the International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend on Aug. 17-18.
POINT BREEZE – I climbed to top of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse yesterday for the first after the party in honor of Point Breeze winning the “Ultimate Fishing Town.”
The lighthouse was constructed in 2010, following a dedicated fund-raising effort for nearly a decade. It’s not a massive stone lighthouse like the one in Barker, but I think the new wooden lighthouse is a great symbol of hope. The lighthouse project was the second in this generation in Orleans County that rallied community dollars to build something new. It followed the Cornell Cooperative Extension’s campaign for a new education enter.
I think the Extension and Lighthouse projects encouraged Swan Library and Hospice of Orleans County to go public with their new projects – the new library in Albion and the hospice residence, which both opened last year.
Visitors are welcome to climb the stairs to reach the top of the 35-foot structure.
The new lighthouse topped $200,000. That project, and the community support to make it happen, has me optimistic we can rally support for a bronze statue in Albion in honor of the quarrymen who built these canal towns.
The 35-foot lighthouse is a replica to one that toppled in 1916 after a storm. The Oak Orchard Lighthouse has become an iconic symbol for the county and the Point. It is featured on the cover of the county’s new tourism guide.
The site includes a small museum and gift shop. Visitors are welcome to climb the stairs to reach the top of the lighthouse. An LED light is on at night from April 1 to Nov. 1.
Volunteers staff the site on Friday evenings, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site is available for other events. To schedule a tour or for other information, contact volunteer Larry Albanese at (585) 230-7829.
The lighthouse includes a modern LED light that is lit at night from April 1 to Nov. 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2013 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Orleans County Legislature Chairman David Callard gives Narby’s Superette and Tackle owner Sharon Narburgh a hug today following a ceremony when the Point Breeze community received a trophy and check for $25,000 after winning the “Ultimate Fishing Town” competition.
POINT BREEZE – When Orleans County tourism promoters go to trade shows, trying to hook anglers into coming to the county, Orleans can now boast something few have achieved: The title of “Ultimate Fishing Town.”
Point Breeze won the fourth annual title after nearly two months of voting on-line through the World Fishing Network. Point Breeze topped 700 other fishing communities in the U.S. and Canada for the crown.
Representatives from the WFN are in the county today. They presented a trophy and a $25,000 check to Carlton town officials to promote the fishery.
“This can help us to stand out,” said Sharon Narburgh, owner of Narby’s Superette and Tackle.
A boater travels up the mouth of the Oak Orchard Harbor earlier today.
She has been in business for 48 years at the Point, and traveled to numerous fishing and trade shows. The lake and tributary fishing in Orleans is already popular, and a key economic stimulator for the community, Narburgh said.
But she believes the area and the fishery can be better utilized, to boost the economy for the community.
She is on a committee that will decide how to spend the $25,000 in prize money. The money will be in a Carlton town account and won’t be touched for any other purpose besides the fishery, town officials said. The victory also includes promotional videos and other free publicity about the area from the World Fishing Network.
WFN airs throughout North America. The Ultimate Fishing Town host Mariko Izumi said Point Breeze will be heavily promoted to fishing enthusiasts. She presented the trophy and check to local officials after going a charter boat with Buc-A-Roo Charters this morning. She and a film crew are also visiting Brown’s Berry Patch, The Bridges, the Waterport Dam, the Archer’s Club and Albion’s historic downtown and Courthouse Square.
The World Fishing Network presented a $25,000 grand prize to promote the fishery at Point Breeze. Pictured, from left: Carlton Town Supervisor Gayle Ashbery, Narby’s Superette and Tackle owner Sharon Narburgh, and Carlton Town Board member Joyce Harris.
“I am just beaming with pride,” State Sen. George Maziarz said during a celebration at Gene and Joette Haines’ lakeside home next to the lighthouse. “It takes a combined effort. You did a great job, Point Breeze.”
The local victory followed last year’s winning effort by Olcott, giving two southshore Lake Ontario communities the honor. Maziarz believes the two victories will draw more attention to the Lake Ontario fishery.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said the “Ultimate Fishing Town” is good news for the community that has been stung by a struggling economy. Last week Worthington Cylinders said it would close next year in medina, eliminating 174 jobs in Medina. JP Morgan Chase also is closing its Albion mortgage servicing unit, cutting 400 positions in September.
A look at the Oak Orchard Harbor from the top of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.
Hawley presented a citation to Carlton town officials for the win in the fishing contest. County Legislature Chairman David Callard and Legislator Ken Rush also presented a proclamation to Carlton and Point Breeze leaders, praising their “pride, passion and enthusiasm.” Callard said the county will keep working to promote the fishery.
The Point Breeze win was aided by fishing enthusiasts from Olcott. Three of them attended today’s celebration.
Margaret Murray of Olcott said Point Breeze’s win will shine more light on the south shore fishery.
“The neighbors on the southern shore are working together to grow economically as a tourist area,” she said. “We have wonderful fishing opportunities here.”
