A Pennsylvania woman has caught the biggest fish so far in the Orleans County Fishing Derby. Debbie Murphy of New Albany is the new leader of the derby with a 27-pound, 7-ounce Chinook.
The derby continues until Sunday with $4,000 the grand prize. There are $8,800 in prizes for fish in the top five of four divisions. The Albion Rotary Club runs the derby.
Bill Magee of Northwood, Ohio leads the Salmon Division with a 26-pound, 13-ounce Chinook. Other leaders include Destiny Bickel of Burt with an 18-pound, 11-ounce brown trout; Mike Schaeffer of Sligo, Pa., with a 14-pound, 1-ounce rainbow trout; and David Johnson of Rochester with a 17-pound, 6-ounce lake trout.
Heather Saeva of Albion is in the lead for the bonus prize given to the Orleans County resident who catches the biggest fish. She caught a 23-pound, 15-ounce Chinook.
WATERPORT – Project Life is thrilled to welcome three orphans from war-torn regions of Afghanistan, arriving in Buffalo today to take part in Western New York’s War Orphan’s Rehabilitation Program.
Iqbal Satar, Mohammad Meer and Nasratullah Lal have all overcome great challenges – including recent massive technical problems with the U.S. visa system – to join orphans from around the world for the two-month program.
“We are pleased that we were able to get the Afghan orphans here, despite the enormous difficulties,” said Linda Redfield, Program Director for Project Life. “They live in a country that has been torn apart by war for decades now, so their physical and social needs are very high.”
Project Life is an all-volunteer, locally based program that brings small groups of orphans to the countryside of Western New York every summer from international war zones. The children are hosted by caring local families and benefit from daily English instruction, art therapy, physical recreation, and lots of field trips in the area.
They also receive free medical and dental care donated by local health professionals and medical facilities. At the end of the program the orphans return to their extended families in their home countries.
“Two months of rest and relaxation, with good nutrition and medical care, can literally save the lives of these children,” Redfield said. “They go home healthier, happier and much more hopeful, knowing they have friends here who care deeply about them.”
Project Life is funded by donations from private citizens and benefits from the generous support of local faith organizations, service clubs and small businesses.
Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Chris Collins – along with the great staff of the American embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan – have helped Project Life hugely in making it possible for Afghan war orphans to travel to the United States for this life-saving program.
Photos by Sue Cook – Acoustically Sound members Tom Zangerle (left), Tim McPherson (center) and Jack Cardone rock out.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association welcomed about 250 people to the Orleans County Marine Park on Route 98 on Tuesday night. This is the fifth year the organization has held concerts featuring local bands.
The crowd looks on during “My Best Friend’s Girl” by The Cars.
The Marine Park overlooks the Oak Orchard River. Boat docks are filled for the season.
Acoustically Sound performed tonight. The band features the trio of Tom Zangerle, Tim McPherson and Jack Cardone.
The group plays acoustic rock along with a mix of other music. The members of the band are veteran musicians, but the band is only a little over a year old. This is their first time as an OONA concert performer.
“We play some Beatles, old Tom Petty and old Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young. Our twist is we play “Fly Me to the Moon” and some jazz tunes thrown in there with the classic ’60s rock,” said McPherson of their variety style.
Tim McPherson sings Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel.”
The series was off to a rocky start last week when inclement weather caused the first concert cancellation the organization has ever had to authorize. The Who Dats have been rescheduled for the final Tuesday of August, along with the vendors.
“We couldn’t do it without our sponsors,” said Lynne Menz, concert coordinator. “We want to extend a big thank you to all of them, as well as the Clarendon Lions Club, the Black North Inn and Barbara Ann Concessions for serving food during the concerts.”
Concerts take place every Tuesday at 6 p.m. Admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. Admission is free for OONA members and Marine Park seasonal dock renters.
Below is the updated schedule of concerts.
July 22: Julie Dunlap & High Maintenance
July 29: The Dave Viterna Group
Aug. 5: Blind Leading the Blind
Aug. 12: Jive Street Five
Aug. 19: The Sophisticats
Aug. 26: The Who Dats
CARLTON – A Rochester couple escaped serious injury early this morning after their car crashed into a tree in the Town of Carlton.
The incident occurred at approximately 5 a.m. in the 13200 block of Lakeshore Rd., at intersection with Lakeside Road.
Elizabeth A. Marcano, 46, was operating a 2014 Nissan Suburban travelling east on Lakeshore Road, when she failed to stop for the stop sign at the T-intersection with Lakeside Road.
The vehicle continued east across Lakeside Road, and left the roadway before striking a metal gate that controls access to New York State Park Lands. The vehicle continued on for several feet into a wooded area before striking and coming to rest against a tree.
Marcano’s husband Joseph Marcano, 48, was a front seat passenger in the vehicle. Both were transported by Medina Fire Department ambulance to Medina Memorial Hospital, where they were treated and released. Carlton firefighters also assisted at the scene.
Elizabeth Marcano was cited for Unsafe Speed, Moving from Traffic Lane Unsafely, and Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign. She will appear in Town of Carlton Court later this month.
The incident was investigated by Deputy M.C. Mele, assisted by Investigator D.E. Foeller Jr.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo courtesy of Carl Bish – Richard Helmich, a Vietnam veteran from Delevan, holds up a fish he caught this morning in Lake Ontario. He was out fishing with three other veterans from the Vietnam War era.
POINT BREEZE – Charter boat captains and other leaders of Orleans County’s fishing industry today wanted to say thank you to area veterans of the Vietnam War. More than 50 veterans were treated to chartered fishing trips, and many hauled in big salmon and trout.
“It was very much appreciated,” said Owen Toale, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era. He was stationed in Thailand.
“It feels like we’re the forgotten generation of military personnel.”
Provided photo – Owen Toale holds a fish he caught today while in Salmo Charters with three other veterans.
Joe Toomey, captain of the Irish Pride charter boat since 1984, suggested the fishing trip for veterans to a committee in charge of spending $25,000 to promote the fishery. The Point Breeze area received that award last year for winning the Ultimate Fishing Town contest through the World Fishing Network.
Some of those funds were used to put on today’s event, that included 52 veterans on 13 charter boats.
Toomey was grateful to see the committee acted on his idea to recognize the veterans and treat them to some fishing on Lake Ontario.
“I just felt it was time to give back,” he said.
Photos by Tom Rivers – Mike Waterhouse, Orleans County’s sportfishing coordinator, addresses about 100 people during a luncheon after today’s fishing trips for Vietnam War veterans.
The charter captains volunteered to take a day off from their paying customers. They did receive a stipend for gas and some of their expenses.
Kevin Johnson of Clarendon was in the same charter boat as Toale, and two other veterans: Larry DePalma and Richard Helmich. Johnson has a small fishing boat and likes to get out on the lake. He appreciated a chance to fish on a professional charter boat. Carl Bish is captain of Salmo Charters and he made the day fun for the veterans, Johnson said.
Paul Fulcomer, the county’s Veterans Service Agency director, had never been on a charter fishing boat before this morning. Fulcomer said it was the biggest boat he had been on since serving on a river boat in Vietnam.
“It was nice to be on a boat without someone shooting at you,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Carl Bish – Kevin Johnson of Clarendon holds up a fish he caught on today’s Ultimate Fishing Challenge trip for Vietnam War veterans.
Fulcomer praised the organizers for reaching out to the veterans who served in Vietnam.
“We all had a great time today,” Fulcomer said at the luncheon at the Black North Inn.
The group was treated to coffee and doughnuts in the morning by Tim Hortons and the Orleans County Deputy’s Association picked up the tab for beverages at the luncheon.
The veterans were joined on the water by Vietnam veteran and former State Assemblyman Charles Nesbitt, current county legislators Lynne Johnson and Ken DeRoller, and Eileen Banker, chief of staff for Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The committee for the $25,000 in prize money has other projects in the works, including “Welcome To” signs. About half of the money still needs to be spent.
A celebratory cake awaits the veterans after they were treated to chartered fishing boats on the lake.
Photos by Sue Cook – Nicole McGurn and her fiance Ed Bellinger light the first lantern of the evening.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
POINT BREEZE – Saturday night, the members of OONA celebrated the summer solstice with a party saying goodbye to the spring sun.
During the final moments of sunset, Bob Chaplin played the drums as party-goers shook gourd maracas, hit sticks and cheered.
“I play drums all over the place and I had a night free, so I said I would do it. I was drumming down the sun,” said Bob Chaplain who had been invited by OONA members to help them celebrate.
Cora Goyette and other members light another Chinese lantern.
Jeanne Lauta explained the reason for celebration. “Today is the longest day of the year and summer starts today.”
McGurn releases a lantern into the air while Deanne Borrie watches.
“It’s a great time, great people, a beautiful location, and it was awesome watching the sun go down,” said Debbie Magliocco, who attended as a guest of a member.
The lanterns floated around in the breeze and eventually burned out further down the shore.
Sue Zeppetella said, “I just think it was awesome. This is the third year we’ve done this and it’s a great event. The weather was beautiful and we had fun.”
Fire photo by Tom Rivers – The band Blind Leading the Blind performs at the Orleans County Marine Park last July to kick off the “Summer Concert Series in the Park.” The series will be back beginning July 8.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association in Point Breeze is working hard to promote the Oak Orchard area through a concert series and other community projects.
OONA will once again present the Summer Concert Series in the Park on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from July 8 through August 19. Those concerts will be at the Oak Orchard Marine Park on Rt. 98.
The lineup for the concert series is as follows:
July 8: The Who Dats (classic rock, pop)
July 15: Acoustically Sound (acoustic rock)
July 22: Julie Dunlap & High Maintenance (contemporary country)
July 29: The Dave Viterna Group (blues)
August 5: The Blind Leading the Blind (contemporary rock)
August 12: Jive Street Five (classic golden age, rat pack)
August 19: The Sophisticats (swing, jazz, blues)
On average, each band draws between 200 and 325 people depending on the band’s fan base and the weather. OONA has between 20 and 24 of its members serve as volunteers to help run the event.
OONA receives their funding through business sponsors, admission charges, their 50/50 raffle and membership fees. They also receive a subsidy from the county tourism board to help pay for advertising for the event. This year they have 30 business sponsors. Their membership includes about 100 families totaling to approximately 150 total members. They also have a coupon book that businesses can purchase a space in.
The bands are chosen through a committee of OONA members. About half of the bands this year are new to the series and the other half were so popular they are returning for another concert.
The admission is $2 per person or $5 per family. The Clarendon Lions Club will return this year as vendors to raise money for their organization by selling food and drinks.
“The Lions are a community support. It’s a big fundraiser for them,” said Frank Panczyszyn, the Environmental and Conservation Committee chairwoman.
“We’re happy to have them back,” said Jeanne Lauta, Communications Director.
Photo by Sue Cook – OONA takes interest in the community. They are working to make it a great place to live and visit.
Besides the concert events, OONA works toward improving the community and helping to bring a sense of pride about the Oak Orchard area to the county.
OONA is a member of the Adopt-A-Highway program along Route 98. They are also part of a Neighborhood Watch program. They have helped to recover lost dogs and protect property. During the recent storm, they checked on neighbors and made sure people were safe.
They are also working with Albion to make two walking trails through Volkssport, an international walking organization. One trail would go through Albion, the other would involve the lighthouse in Point Breeze and would focus on points of interest and exercise.
OONA also uses some of its funding toward charity. They have made donations to the Carlton Fire Department, the county nursing home and COVA.
“There’s some circumstances where we donated directly to people in need and their families,” said Panczyszyn.
OONA makes an effort to educate the community and work with officials about issues such as lake levels, dredging, and advocating for better conditions for bridges, roads and the Parkway. The group sends a representative from their organization to town meetings with the interest of property owners and businesses in mind.
“We wanted to make it a social organization as well as community support,” said Communications Director Tracy Panczyszyn. “We’re always looking for more volunteers and ideas of things we can do to get more people involved.”
“We want people to help this grow more. It’s their community,” said Lauta.
Members also have special benefits that are not available to the public. This weekend, OONA members are having an invite-only party at a private residence along the lakeshore. To welcome summer, they will be releasing Chinese lanterns tonight over the lake.
OONA wants for more people from the area who love the lakeshore and Point Breeze to become members and support the community. Even visitors who live outside the area may join. For more information about OONA, visit their website http://www.oakorchard.org/.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 June 2014 at 2:49 pm
Some students will be dropped at Rec Hall this afternoon
CARLTON – National Grid has returned electricity to nearly everyone after a severe thunderstorm knocked out power to thousands of Orleans County residents on Tuesday night.
There are about 20 customers still waiting to have their power restored, and National Grid said it expects to have nearly everyone back on line by 4 p.m. today.
There are nine customers without electricity on Route 98 in Carlton near the intersection with Waterport-Carlton Road, and fewer than five without electricity in Kenyonville near Platten Road, according to National Grid’s latest update at 2:32 p.m.
There are also two outages on East Avenue and West Park Street in the village of Albion and fewer than five customers without power in East Shelby.
Albion Central School this morning used the Carlton Fire Company Recreation Hall as a bus pickup because some roads were closed. The Rec Hall will continue to be used this afternoon for bus drop offs for students who live on Route 98 from Waterport-Carlton Road to Route 18. The school expects normal bus schedules to return tomorrow.
Albion closed school on Wednesday due to the aftermath of the storm. Students were supposed to take finals for Grade 8 Latin and Spanish. Those tests have been rescheduled for Friday at 11:30 a.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 June 2014 at 10:04 pm
Photo by Annalise Steier
CARLTON – A day after a severe thunderstorm took down trees, knocked out power and strewn debris over Orleans County, a radiant rainbow appeared this evening at sunset.
Annalise Steier, 11, of Carlton took the top picture from her front porch on Route 98 after 8:30 p.m.
Her dad, John Steier, shared it on Facebook with this message: “Proof God is not going to destroy Carlton.”
Power has been nearly restored to the county, but National Grid reports that 79 people remain without power in Waterport/Kent with it expected to be back on by 11:30 p.m. tonight.
Another 289 people are without electricity from the storm north of Route 104 near the Carlton/Yates town line.
They are expected to be restored by 11:59 tonight.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 June 2014 at 7:25 am
Provided photo
CARLTON – Much of Carlton remains without electricity this morning after a storm Tuesday night knocked down trees and power lines.
The top photo shows Park Avenue Extension in Carlton, where trees remain down and the road impassable this morning.
National Grid reports that more than 3,000 customers in Orleans County remain without power this morning. That includes 1,479 just north of the village of Albion, from between Sawyer Road and Eagle Harbor. The power company reports it is assessing the condition.
Those numbers don’t include 836 customers without power in Carlton. National Grid is estimating they will have power restored at 6 p.m.
There are also 720 customers wit no electricity from Knowlesville to East Shelby and West Barre. National Grid is assessing the condition in that area.
Provided photo – The storm snapped poles in Waterport near the dam and power plant.
