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.

Lineup is part of Yacht Club’s 75^th 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 75^th 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.

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess

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.

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.

To see a schedule of concerts, click here.

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.

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.

Taking flight!

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.

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.”

POINT BREEZE – The fishing community at Point Breeze spent two months reeling in a prized catch: The title of “Ultimate Fishing Town.”

Today the community will celebrate the award at 11 a.m. by the lighthouse. Representatives from the World Fishing Network will join locals during a presentation at the Point.

The Orleans County fishing community topped 700 others in on-line votes to win the title that comes with $25,000 to spend on promoting the fishery.

Point Breeze is already well known for brown trout, salmon, steelhead and cohoes. A committee will discuss how to spend the prize money, to entice more anglers to fish at the Oak Orchard River, Lake Ontario and other tributaries.

Press release, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department

CARLTON – A Carlton man injured in an explosion at his home last month died on Monday, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department reported.

Wesley R. Baes, 75, died at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, where he had been hospitalized since the May 17 incident.

Baes was operating an acetylene torch in an attempt to patch a hole in a 200-gallon above ground gasoline tank. The tank had been drained, but there were residual vapors that ignited and caused the explosion at his home, 12905 South Hillcrest Drive.

Baes sustained severe burns and was flown to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester by Mercy Flight helicopter.

The original incident was investigated by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and that investigation now shifts to the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.