Kendall

Ortt, Hawley will be in Kendall Tuesday to highlight proposal for local control in setting speed limits by schools

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 October 2017 at 10:05 pm

KENDALL – State Sen. Robert Ortt will be in Kendall on Tuesday morning with Assemblyman Steve Hawley to meet with local officials about state legislation that would give local government officials control on setting speed limits with school zones.

Kendall has been trying to have the speed limit by the high school on Route 18 reduced from 50 miles per hour but has been unable to convince the state Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit.

The DOT has declined to reduce the speed limits by the Kendall school. The state recommended that the Kendall Central School District utilize flashing beacons to help make Rt. 18 safer for students and motorists.

Ortt is pushing legislation that would allow counties to set the speed limits by schools, even if they are located on state roads. Last week Ortt held a press event by Starpoint High School, where school leaders want the speed limit reduced from the current 45 miles per hour.

Ortt and Hawley will be joined Tuesday morning by County Legislator Ken DeRoller, Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, and School Superintendent Julie Christensen.

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DOT recommends flashing beacons by Kendall school, instead of speed limit reduction

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 19 October 2017 at 9:19 am

KENDALL – The New York State DOT has recommended that the Kendall Central School District utilize flashing beacons to help make Rt. 18/Roosevelt Highway outside the Jr./Sr. High School safer for students.

The district, local elected officials and parents last year asked the state to reduce the speed limit in the area, which is 50 miles per hour, following accidents involving students at the entrance to the school campus. They had requested the limit be reduced to as low as 20 miles per hour.

“The DOT conducted a thorough assessment and determined a reduction in speed was not the solution based on traffic patterns, a 10-year review of accidents in that area, site lines, etc.,” District Superintendent Julie Christensen told Orleans Hub.

The DOT did provide a multitude of suggestions, however, she explains, to help improve safety in the area.

The district has already completed several including moving the stop bar line, moving signs for better visibility and trimming trees around signs.

“A no-pass zone in front of the high school is in progress now,” Christensen said, “and changing our current flashing signs with some that are programmable and with improved visibility to travelers.”

During the Kendall School Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening, Christensen said she has asked State Senator Robert Ortt’s office to consider funding to help the district purchase the flashing beacons as the signs and posts are expensive. The district will purchase the beacons regardless, she said, to address community concerns about safety.

The district hopes to purchase the beacons and have them installed as soon as possible.

In other business Tuesday evening, Superintendent Christensen opened discussion regarding the district’s next capital project.

She said the next capital project could come during the 2020/2021 school year, which means the planning stages could begin as early as 2018.

Christensen and board members discussed preliminary ideas for projects which might be covered in a future capital project. Those ideas include art, music and technology hallways in the high school; replacing gymnasium floors in both the Jr./Sr. high school and the elementary school; replacing the partition in the high school gymnasium and refurbishing heating and ventilation in the elementary school.

“It would not be as extensive as our last capital project,” Christensen said.

Board President Nadine Hanlon said the district should move forward with the process.

“May of 2019 is too long (to wait),” she said. “The flooring in the art room and gym is getting dangerous.”

The Board and the district superintendent discussed holding a public information meeting early next year and putting a new capital project up for a vote during the school budget vote/district election in May 2018.

Christensen also recognized Board of Education members for their volunteer service by reading a state proclamation for School Board Recognition Week, Oct. 23-27.

“We thank you and recognize all you provide to the Kendall community,” Christensen said.

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Troutburg looks to become year-round community in Kendall

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 18 October 2017 at 9:58 am

KENDALL – Town Board members Tuesday evening heard from residents of The Cottages at Troutburg who expressed their concerns over plans by the owner of the development to convert from a three-season to a four-season community.

Currently, there are six cottages which have been sold and several residents told council members they want to be certain that the conversion of their cottages to four-season homes be done by a reputable, independent contractor and in compliance with town codes.

They said they are worried that the assistance which owner/manager Jack Howitt is offering is not enough to make the cottages four-season ready.

“We are all very committed to making this community a success, but we feel like the owner blatantly disregards the original concept of the community in order to make a profit,” residents stated in a letter sent to the board dated Oct. 10. In the letter, they spelled out three areas of concern including the conversion of current properties, security and safety.

Residents say the development still does not have security gates and the original large lake house on the property as well as a vacant cottage are rented out the owner to anyone. The Cottages at Troutburg is located at a former Salvation Army Camp along Lake Ontario.

“In the email from the owner, he stated that a benefit of converting to four season will be ‘cross country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, possible ice fishing and skating,’” a group of residents wrote to council members. “The cottage owners’ issues with this is that it may not be rented out to strangers who will have total access to the community when days are much shorter.

“These are not just frivolous weekend cottages and are, in fact, primary homes to some,” the residents informed council members. “When we bought, we were committed to the idea that was sold to us, and actually signed contracts for a three season community. Now, the whole concept of what we purchased is being changed and we feel our concerns are being ignored at every turn and we have no say.”

In a separate, anonymous letter to Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata, a writer stated that there are residents who are happy with the change to four season.

“We feel it would be both beneficial to the town and the residents. We have also heard prospective buyers would buy if it was a four season community which is why we believe the sale of the cottages have been challenging,” according to the letter.

In a letter to Supervisor Cammarata from Jack Howitt, he writes that he believes the change will assist The Cottages with sales efforts.

“We expect this to increase, to some small extent, the number of full time residents of Kendall, increase town tax revenue, and increase the prospects for success of this slow moving project,” he said.

Howitt requests town approval for four-season use of the Cottages going forward.

Residents of Troutburg were notified of the change in an email from management. The notice states that current residents will not be affected by the change unless they choose to have their leases amended to allow four-season use of their site. Management states hot boxes (the cottages do not have basements) will be upgraded at no charge with a four-season choice. New cottage sites will be leased year-round.

“Four season owners will pay 100 percent assessed taxes rather than the present 80 percent,” the notice states. “The additional tax cost for all season use is quite gentle at approximately $49/month for a cottage that cost $140,000.”

The notice states that this is a one-time offer to present residents and contract holders to have their lease modified free of charge and with no rental adjustment other than a small increase in RE taxes.

“Troutburg Management will be paying the difference in taxes to the Town of Kendall for current residents who remain three season. The single tax bill that comes to The Cottages with this charge will now reflect 100 percent assessment for all cottages.”

Residents attending Tuesday’s Town Board meeting told Supervisor Cammarata they will be satisfied if they are assured winterizing of their cottages will be done correctly to meet the standards of a four season residence.

Council members took no action on the issue Tuesday evening.

• In other matters, the board heard from residents Trudy and Bob Slocum, who live in the area of Norway and Lake Shore Roads, and who would like the town to expand public water into their neighborhood. They presented the board with signed petitions of residents in the Lake Shore/Kendall Road/Norway Road area who would like public water.

Cammarata said the town has been working diligently to create water districts and that West Kendall Road is next in line.

“We appreciate the work you have done,” Cammarata told the Slocums. “A staple of life is water, and we’ve been working for five years getting water districts in place. We do want to get you water. For Kendall to grow, we need water.”

The town would take the petitions to the town’s engineer to discuss moving forward, but because of the process involved in creating a water district, it could be sometime in 2019 that a water district would actually be in place.

Town of Kendall is now accepting partial tax payments

Kendall property owners now have the option of making partial payments for or on account of taxes, special ad valorem levies or special assessments under certain terms and conditions.

Council members approved the partial payments in September to help taxpayers who are having difficulty paying their real estate taxes on a timely basis.

Partial payments can be made from January 1 through April 30 and there is no limit to the number of partial payments a taxpayer may make on a tax bill for a particular tax map parcel, but it must be at least $200.

The partial payments provide, “tax relief for people having difficulties,” Supervisor Cammarata said.

By allowing for partial payments during the tax collection period, residents can avoid or decrease penalties charged against the unpaid balance.

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Albion girls’ soccer teams wear ‘Hearts for Harrier’ in support of Kendall player

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 October 2017 at 5:39 pm

Photos courtesy of April Scanlan

ALBION – The top photo shows the Albion junior varsity girls soccer team, which is playing Kendall’s team this afternoon in Albion. Both the JV and varsity Albion teams wore Kendall blue “Hearts for Harrier” T-shirts as a show of support for Kendall JV player Kari Harrier.

Her parents, Rebecca and Randy Harrier, were killed in a car accident last month on Route 31 near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The Albion players all bought T-shirts, which are a fundraiser for the Harrier family.

The varsity team is pictured before today’s game versus Kendall.

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Cuomo wants State Legislature to approve another $35 million for Lake Ontario flooding victims

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 October 2017 at 11:15 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from May shows sandbags stacked by the shoreline in Kendall.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has sent a letter to state legislators who represent Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River communities, urging them to approve an additional $35 million from the state for flooding victims from the high lake levels this year.

Cuomo said he would support a special session of the Legislature to appropriate the additional $35 million for residents with damaged property from the lake.

The state approved $45 million for flooding victims in July and that money hasn’t been enough for all the eligible applicants for the funding.

Cuomo wants to meet the demand “in a time frame that recognizes the urgency of the situation,” he wrote in a letter today to state legislators. “There are other pending issues that could also be addressed at a special session, including the financial hardship the State will face from potential federal cutbacks.”

The letter was sent to eight Assembly members including Steve Hawley and five state senators, including Rob Ortt. Hawley and Ortt both represent the county in the State Assembly.

In the letter, Cuomo said the high waters “did tremendous damage for many months.” New York innovated and tried new equipment, including portable dams and high speed pumps, and also deployed hundreds of National Guard personnel, he said.

For impacted homeowners, legislation enacted in July increased the maximum award from $40,000 to $50,000 and expanded eligibility to include all primary homeowners, as well as non-primary homeowners with income up to $275,000.

Program assistance will reimburse homeowners for eligible losses, including repairs to and restoration of structures, equipment, and other physical damage. The program is being administered through not-for profit housing organizations seeking to help homeowners affected by the flooding.

The governor doesn’t want to wait until April, the next new budget for the state, to increase funding for the flooding victims.

“Many applicants have argued that they simply cannot wait seven months for funding,” Cuomo said in a letter to legislators. “I find their arguments persuasive. The flooding has devastated many families and businesses and has affected the overall economy of the region. I believe the State should fulfill its commitment to these applicants in a timely manner.”

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Schumer says bipartisan support for Great Lakes bill that would help fishery

Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer was in Kendall this afternoon to discuss the Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act, which would provide grants to repair or replace aging dams, culverts, and roads that inhibit the movement of fish populations across Lake Ontario and its tributaries. Schumer is shown with, from left: Mike Waterhouse, sportsfishing promotion coordinator for Orleans County; Mike Elam, a leader of the Orleans County Sportsmen Federation; Dennis Kirby, manager of the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District; and John DeFilipps, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 October 2017 at 3:55 pm

KENDALL – U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer said he has enjoyed fishing since he was a kid. But the activity provides more than mere fun. Schumer said it is big business for many communities, including Orleans County.

However, aging infrastructure, including many culverts that should help move water under roads, often are clogged. That condition can prevent fish from moving upstream, especially during the critical spawning runs. If fish spawn in sub-optimal conditions, the eggs are less likely to survive, Schumer said, quoting The Nature Conservancy.

Schumer was in Kendall today at the Bald Eagle Marina to announce there is bipartisan support for the Great Lakes Aquatic Connectivity and Infrastructure Program Act. The bill supports infrastructure updates that will improve Great Lakes fisheries and restore habitats. The bill would provide grants to repair or replace aging dams, culverts and roads that inhibit the movement of fish populations across the Great Lakes Basin. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program that would fund infrastructure projects to help improve fisheries.

“Sportsfishing is the #1 tourism industry in Orleans County,” Schumer said. “Each year droves of tourists – many from other states – pump over $12 million into the economy, supporting local employers like marinas, bait shops, charter boat operators, restaurants, and inns. But it is all dependent on us protecting and maintaining fish populations in Lake Ontario.”

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer shakes hands with Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sports fishing promotion coordinator.

Schumer cited an example of one unfunded project long sought by the local Orleans County sportsfishing community to reconfigure the overflow channel at the Waterport Dam. This channel can now trap hundreds of fish as they migrate along on the Oak Orchard River. When the river water level rises, fish can enter the overflow channel only to then become trapped and stranded as the water level drops.

In 2006 an estimated 300 Chinook salmon were trapped and died in the channel in 2006, reducing the number of Chinook available to anglers and causing aesthetic issues resulting from the dead fish, Schumer said.

“Protecting and improving Lake Ontario’s fisheries, especially through funding for infrastructure updates, is a win-win to not only boost our sport finishing industry but to provide much-needed funding to fix faulty and dilapidated infrastructure,” Schumer said.

He supports the bill introduced by Senators Debbie Stabenow, Gary Peters, Tammy Duckworth, and Sherrod Brown, who represent Great Lake states.

Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sports fishing promotion coordinator, said fishing is the county’s top tourism draw. The big fish was recently restored by the Medina FFA and has been displayed at parades and community events this year. That fish is 13 feet long.

The bill would provide grants to repair or replace aging dams, culverts and roads that inhibit the movement of fish populations across the Great Lakes Basin. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program that would fund infrastructure projects to help improve fisheries. Schumer said local governments would apply for the funding.

There are now approximately 400 culverts in Orleans County that must be maintained, often at an expensive cost to local taxpayers. For example, the County recently replaced four aging culverts that carry waters of Oak Orchard Creek River at a cost of over $1.2 million which was funded from an $8 million county bond issue in 2014. Schumer noted this legislation could help provide funds to offset the cost of replacing these culverts while improving fish habitats and spawning areas.

Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator, said fishing is the top tourism draw in the county, generating about $12 million in direct visitor spending.

“Orleans County’s economy is dependent on protecting our world-class fishery and that requires investments to repair infrastructure, combat invasive species, and improve fishing habitats,” Waterhouse said. “For example, we have long sought to construct a raceway to prevent fish that get stranded and die in the overflow channel at the Waterport Dam as they migrate along on the Oak Orchard River. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s push for this new funding program to help grow Great Lakes sportsfishing which is our top tourism industry.”

The county has about 30 charter boat operators, several marinas, bait shops and dozens of fishing derbies and tournaments that attract out-of-state tourists.

Two charter boat captains, Jerry Felluca (left at podium) and Lucas Falkner, spoke at the press event today at the Bald Eagle Marina.

Two of the charter boat captains were at Schumer’s announcement at the Bald Eagle Marina in Kendall.

Jerry Felluca of Rebel Fishing Charters and Lucas Falkner of Make the Turn Charters both said they have many repeat customers who travel for the chance to catch trophy size salmon and trout.

“We’ve been able to catch fish for the children that are the same size as the children,” Falkner said.

The charter captains also said a pressing concern is the deteriorating condition of the Lake Ontario State parkway in recent years. A section has been paved east of Kendall in Orleans County this year, and more will be paved next year from Hamlin to Route 237 in Kendall, Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said.

Schumer said a federal infrastructure bill could take care of neglected roads and bridges. He said the Parkway is an asset.

“It’s one of the most beautiful drives in the country,” he said.

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Schumer will be in Orleans today to discuss push to boost Lake Ontario fishery

Staff Reports Posted 9 October 2017 at 11:12 am

KENDALL – U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is expected in Orleans County today to discuss legislation to boost the fishery in Lake Ontario.

Schumer will join tourism officials, marina owners, charter fishing boat captains, and sport fishermen at Bald Eagle Marina in Kendall.

Schumer will announce a major push to support the sportsfishing industry and protect local fish populations.

In the middle of Orleans County’s world-class salmon and brown trout autumn fishing season, and as fish begin their spawning migrations up the Oak Orchard River and other local waterways, Schumer will push legislation that would support infrastructure updates to improve fisheries and restore habitats across Lake Ontario and its tributaries like Oak Orchard River.

Specifically, the bill would provide grants to repair or replace aging dams, culverts, and roads that inhibit the movement of fish populations across Lake Ontario and its tributaries. Schumer will say this program is necessary to not only protect Orleans County’s sport fishing industry, tourism, jobs, and the economy, but to provide funding to undertake needed local infrastructure repair projects, Schumer’s office said.

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Kendall Scarecrow Fest puts creativity to the test

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 30 September 2017 at 9:37 pm

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – A song-themed scarecrow display promotes the upcoming Dessert Caberet at Kendall Jr./Sr. High School on Nov. 4. These scarecrows were part of today’s Kendall Community Scarecrow Festival, which proved a popular event.

Sunshine and crisp autumn temperatures brought families out to both the Kendall Fire Hall and the Kendall Community Park for festivities including a Farmer’s Market, local vendors, food, a basket auction, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, pony rides, wagon rides, a balloon artist and more.

“It’s an event by the community for the community,” said Becky Charland, who helps to organize the festival.

Many local farms, businesses, and community organizations sponsor the event, Charland said.

Those attending the festival voted for their favorite scarecrow. “Haired-up” by Katie Zarcone and crew was the first place winner.

Zarcone ran the popular hair painting booth at the festival and said she was thrilled to take first place. Zarcone has come in 2nd place at the Scarecrow Festival on several occasions.

Taking 2nd Place was “Rockin Robin” by the Buzzard family. They used straw and dried grasses to form their scarecrow. The theme of this year’s festival was “Your Favorite Song.”

Third place went to the Kurt Charland family for “Old McDonald Had a Farm.” Alicia Charland said the scarecrow was placed at the Kendall Town Hall to draw attention to the newly installed “Little Free Library.”

Charland said the library was donated by the Kendall High School Class of 1997, “in memory of classmates lost, but not forgotten.” Anyone is welcome to take a book from the little library as well as make a donation.

Little Free Libraries are meant to inspire a love of reading, “build community and spark creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges,” Charland said.

The Kendall Little Free Library is easily accessible from the ramp leading into the Town Hall.

Logan Cole, 3, of Kendall gets his face painted during the festival.

The HooDoo Daddies Band performs from the Gazebo in the Community Park.

The Shuknecht Family of Clarendon – Jered, Katie and 4-year old Elliot – show off the scarecrow they made to take home.

Hayden, 5, and Avery Wahl, 3, enjoy the table set up by the Seneca Park Zoomobile. They are from Holley and are joined by their mom, Megan.

Paige Beers, 14, Anika Kolinsky, 12, and Marina Woodward, 13, decorate pumpkins.

Michaila Moore, 12, of Brockport paints her pumpkin in the pumpkin decorating tent….

These are the winners of the pumpkin decorating contest.

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Kendall celebrates homecoming with festive parade

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 29 September 2017 at 11:25 pm

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Homecoming weekend is underway at Kendall Central School. The sun came out Friday evening following rain showers and thunderstorms just in time for the Homecoming Parade which made its way down Kendall Road (Rt. 237) to the Jr./Sr. High School campus.

Members of the Class of 2021 (Freshmen) chose a “Back to the 50’s” theme for their float. Each class float featured a different decade.

The Class of 2020 (Sophomores) chose to feature the roaring 20’s with “Opening Night.” The float included flappers and gangsters from the 1920’s era.

The Class of 2019 (Juniors) float featured a 1980’s theme with a Rubik’s Cube, Pac-Man, M-TV,and Michael Jackson.

Kendall’s Senior Class chose a 1960’s theme for their float with flower children, peace-niks, and lots of tie-dye.

A tribute to the July 1969 Lunar Landing was also a part of the Senior Class Homecoming parade entry. Jeremy Browe said he hung on to the flagpole to stay upright throughout the parade.

Members of the Kendall Class of 2018 pose for a photo with their float following the parade.

The Alumni Soccer Game took place following the parade.

The Kendall Faculty Association held a silent basket auction to benefit their scholarship fund.

Class of 2014 Kendall alum Nicole Browe holds up a Hearts for Harriers T-shirt. The shirts were available during Homecoming with proceeds going to help the Harrier family. Randy and Becky Harrier were recently killed in a car accident near the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. They are survived by three children.

Families gathered in the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School gym following the parade for the annual carnival.

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Kendall may establish town park by Lake Ontario

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 20 September 2017 at 8:14 am

KENDALL – Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata on Tuesday noted that at this point, while only in its “embryonic stages,” Town Board members are discussing the possibility of the town receiving the deed from the state for property at Thompkins Circle located in the northwest corner of the town on the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Town Board member Lynn Szozda said she recently went to look at the site with town Highway Superintendent Warren Kruger to discuss if the town might possibly locate a park on the site.

Szozda said when Kendall Central Schools hosted meetings last winter regarding ways to attract families to move to Kendall, one focus group noted that the town is located on the Lake Ontario shoreline, but there is really no public access to the waterfront for residents.

“It might be a place to put a park in Kendall,” Szozda said. She indicated that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation is willing to donate the land to the town.

Supervisor Cammarata said the idea merits consideration. “We have no community park,” he noted. “Maybe it is something we can think about and have a steering committee.”

He said he hopes to keep Kendall moving forward for the benefit of residents and, “be innovative… we need to do things in a positive manner.”

Town Board members said they could develop the site as much or as little as residents desire.

Board member Bruce Newell pointed out that such a project is a perfect example of the kind of input Orleans County will be looking for regarding the amendment of the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program.

He said the committee working on the plan has discussed creating “vista” areas along the lakeshore at various exits off the Lake Ontario State Parkway for the public to be able to enjoy scenic views.

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More than 300 lakeshore property owners in Orleans have sought state aid for flooding damage

Photo by Tom Rivers: Members of the National Guard work to set up sandbags by the shoreline in Kendall in May. The high lake levels and punishing waves have taken on a toll on many properties.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2017 at 5:53 pm

A $15 million state fund to provide assistance for lakeshore homeowners with property damage has attracted a lot of interest In Orleans County.

There have been 329 property owners who have pursued the program, said Sue Boss, director for PathStone’s flood relief program in Orleans County. Of those, 25 have received funding and 255 have met the criteria for funds, she said.

The applications for funding are due Sept. 29.

“I think when the dust settles we’ll receive over 400 applications from Orleans County,” Boss said today.

PathStone is administering the program on behalf of the state in Orleans County.

PathStone has made 113 site visits, and held numerous meetings near the lake with property owners. It will have staff available on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PathStone’s Albion Office at 140 N. Main St. This is a chance to accept applications and required documents.

Of the applications submitted, 10 were denied. The state set a threshold for income if the damaged property was a secondary home. If the total annual income of the occupants exceeded $275,000, they weren’t eligible for a grant.

The state has given priority to funding for senior citizens and disabled residents, with higher emphasis given if the projects involved septic systems or flooding in the house. Damage to the shoreline is considered less of a priority, Boss said.

The state capped the grants at $50,000. The Orleans grants are averaging about $30,000 so far.

For more information on the program, click here.

Kendall welcomes students, families at annual back-to-school open house

Photos by Kristina Gabalski: Joseph Barbuto, left, watches as Justine Barbuto snaps a photo of their daughters, 3-year old Ada, who is entering Pre-K, and 7-year old Adeline, who is entering second grade. They attended an open house at the school district on Thursday evening.

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 1 September 2017 at 8:46 am

KENDALL – The school district held its annual open house on Thursday, and the community turned out to check out classrooms, meet teachers, and eat chicken barbecue dinners.

Dawn Gardner, Sports Boosters secretary, gets some help selling chicken barbecue tickets from 6-year old Ella Rae Mitchell. Donations also were taken during the dinner for the Red Cross in aid of Hurricane Harvey victims.

Gardner said the chicken barbecue is the major fundraiser for the Sports Boosters.

“JV and Varsity athletes, both boys and girls, take shifts and work as a team to make sure the dinners are delivered,” Gardner said. Funds raised from the event have enabled the Boosters to cover half the cost of the boys and girls baseball and softball scoreboards and as well as lights on the varsity athletic fields and construction of dugouts. “It also funds our sports scholarship.”

Sports Boosters award 12 of the $100 sports scholarships each year.

Chicken is cooked outside the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School on Thursday evening for the Kendall Central School Sports Boosters Chicken BBQ.

Inside the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School cafeteria, members of Kendall Central JV and Varsity Sports teams assemble the BBQ chicken dinners.

Stacey Esposito, left, enjoys a chicken BBQ with sons Jacob, 14, and Joshua Esposito, 11, prior to open houses held at both the Jr./ Sr. High School and Kendall Elementary School. The Espositos live in Kent. Jacob is entering ninth grade and Joshua is entering sixth grade.

Both the Kendall Jr./Sr. High School and the Kendall Elementary School were open Thursday evening, allowing students to find their classrooms and meet their teachers before school officially begins on Tuesday, Sept. 5. They were also able to set up lockers and leave school supplies for next week. Here, Pre-K student Addison Schultz hangs an apple with her name outside her classroom in the Elementary School.

Students and their families filled the hallways at Kendall Elementary Thursday evening. Students were able to drop off supplies at the school, find their classrooms and talk with teachers before classes begin next week.

A clothing exchange was held in the elementary school cafeteria during the open house.

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Kendall’s Home Grown Days provides summer fun for community

By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 20 August 2017 at 2:32 pm

Photos by Kristina Gabalski

KENDALL – Addison Schultz, 4, and Charlotte Schultz, 3, both of Kendall, play a fishing game at the St. Mark’s Catholic Church booth. Their grandparents were visiting from Florida and enjoyed sharing the activity with their granddaughters.

Wet conditions resulting from afternoon rain showers cancelled the family kick ball game and outdoor movie, but Kendall Home Grown Days brought neighbors together Saturday evening for food, games and entertainment at the Kendall Fire Department. The magic show with Amazing Magic Joe was able to go on as scheduled.

The Kendall Food Cupboard had one of the most popular booths with “Kendall Rocks” rock painting. Kendall Food Cupboard director Marty Goodenbery said the rocks can be hidden anywhere for people to find. Those who find the rocks are asked to post a photo of the rock on the Kendall Rocks Facebook page and then hide it again.

Goodenbery said the activity has been popular in other communities and he feels Kendall Rocks will help people to learn about the Kendall Food Cupboard. “We want to spread the word that we are here,” Goodenbery said.

The “Kendall Rocks” painted rocks featured many cute and inspirational themes.

Austin Werth, 11, and Colton Werth, 6, both of Kendall, work on their “Kendall Rocks.”

Marty Goodenbery holds his “Kendall Rock.” He said he may place it somewhere outside the Kendall community.

Addison Kludt, 7, works on a project in the booth sponsored by Kludt Farms, which promoted healthy eating. The wording in the upper left-hand corner of the sheet read: “Putting junk in your belly, will turn it to jelly. Where it’s at is veggies and fruits, be strong and healthy says Farmer Kludt.”

Local businesses set up booths in the Kendall Fire Hall for shopping.

Lora Partyka and Zina Goodenbery of Partyka Farms served up the Beef on Weck Dinner. Hot dogs were also available.

Although wet conditions from earlier rain cancelled the family kick ball game, there was still outdoor fun including a Hay Maze sponsored by Patt Brothers Farm and games of “Four Square in the Air,” which featured one server and three players volleying the ball over pipes from square to square.

Kendall Home Grown Days continued today at 10 a.m. with Community Worship at the Gazebo with refreshments afterwards.

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Lakeshore flood warning issued for today until 5 p.m.

Photo from United Shoreline: This photo on the United Shoreline Facebook page shows a Kendall backyard being battered by waves from Lake Ontario on Monday.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2017 at 9:26 am

Another lakeshore flood warning has been issued for Orleans, Niagara and Monroe counties today until 5 p.m.

The combination of a high Lake Ontario and wave action may worsen flooding in low-lying areas along the shore, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

The shoreline has been pounded by waves since Sunday, said Dawn Herbeck of Kendall, a leader with the United Shoreline organization.

“It’s really bad right now,” she said at about 9 this morning. “We had a quiet four weeks but it’s been hell on wheels the past few days.”

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Boaters Against Cancer has busy second annual event this weekend

Photo by Tom Rivers: The second annual Boaters Against Cancer event will be Friday through Sunday at Bald Eagle Marina in Kendall. This group has helped organize and promote the activities. They include, from left: Gail Grigg, president of BAC; Ray Roberts, vice president of BAC; and Susan Oschmann, general manager of the marina.

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 July 2017 at 8:43 am

Flotilla, food trucks, bands and other activities planned at Bald Eagle Marina

Provided photos: Scott Harris of Oakfield fought bravely against male breast cancer for almost four years. He was a boater for his entire life. He grew up boating with his parents at Oak Orchard Yacht Club. Harris owned several boats over the course of his life and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. He is survived by his wife Karen; children Nick, Cory and McKenzi; and grandson Tanner.

KENDALL – Last year boaters at the Bald Eagle Marina wanted a flotilla and an event to raise funds for boaters and their families fighting cancer.

The Bald Eagle boaters wanted to honor the memory of two close friends who died from cancer. Scott Harris and Phil Lance, two long-time boaters at the marina, both fought the disease.

A flotilla in their memory and other activities raised $14,000 for the newly formed Boaters Against Cancer. The BAC will hold its second annual flotilla and memorial event this weekend.

The Harris-Lance Flotilla will start Saturday at 1 p.m. It costs boaters $100 each to be part of the flotilla.

There are two nights of entertainment, food trucks, a memorial bonfire and lantern send-off. There will be a silent auction with two half-day charters up for bid, as well as a trip to a Syracuse Orange basketball game with Roosevelt Bouie, a Kendall star who went on to be one of Syracuse’s most popular players of all time.

Boaters Against Cancer has given away three $2,000 grants to families of boaters battling cancer.

“It’s helping families get through the hard times,” said Ray Roberts, vice president of BAC.

The money is focused on quality of life issues. Boaters Against Cancer said they want more requests to help families who are battling cancer.

Phil Lance, “Canada Phil,” battled colon cancer for about two years. He began boating as a youth while fishing with family. He held many boating certifications and was a member of Eagle Creek Yacht Club. His boating adventures took him all around Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and throughout the province of Ontario. He is survived by his wife Jill, her children and grandchildren.

“We have more money to give away,” said Gail Grigg, president of the organization.

She would like to see more BAC chapters open around Lake Ontario – and the country.

Bald Eagle is under new management. Susan Oschmann is the general manager. Her father, Jacobus “Jim” Oschmann, received one of the BAC grants last year. It allowed the family to take a fishing charter in Florida last December. It proved to be a great bonding time for the family, Susan said.

Another BAC grant paid for a lift chair for a woman battling cancer. Another grant funded a trip to a Boston hospital for a boy with cancer and his family. That boy from Canada is the grandson of a boater at Bald Eagle.

Grigg said the BAC funds are open to the boating community beyond Bald Eagle Marina.

The events this weekend also are a time of fellowship during a stressful past three months due to the high Lake Ontario water levels. Gregg praised Bald Eagle Marina for hosting the event, and working hard to keep the marina open.

Bald Eagle spent about $70,000 to strengthen its breakwall due to the dangers of erosion and flooding from the high lake.

The marina has managed to draw more boaters this year, and currently has 100 of its 105 dock slips full.

Oschmann said the marina will make room for transient boaters this weekend, and also becomes the non-boating community to the events.

“Come and see the good that is going on in the lake, and not just the disasters,” Grigg said.

For more on Boaters Against Cancer, click here.

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