Photo by Tom Rivers: Assemblyman Steve Hawley speaks during last month’s Legislative Luncheon at Tillman’s Village Inn. That event was organized by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) will host a series of town hall meetings on Saturday in Orleans County at Gaines Town Hall, Albion Village Hall, and Murray Town Hall, during which he will also be addressing the concerns of locals from the town of Carlton and the village of Holley.
Residents are encouraged to attend to discuss local issues and share any questions or concerns they have with Hawley.
All applicable health and safety protocols will be followed during this event.
The schedule includes:
Town of Gaines/Town of Carlton – 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Gaines Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd., Albion
Village of Albion/Town of Albion – 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Albion Village Hall, 35-37 E. Bank St., Albion
Village of Holley/Town of Murray – 12:45 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Murray Town Hall, 3840 Fancher Rd., Holley
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 August 2021 at 10:45 am
Several improvements at monument with clock on ‘Fancher Curve’
FANCHER – The top image shows the program for the rededication of the Fancher memorial this Saturday at 2 p.m. It is mostly a replica of the program from the original dedication exactly 72 years earlier on Aug. 14, 1949.
The Fancher community built the memorial out of local Medina sandstone as a tribute to 10 local soldiers who died in World War II. Those soldiers include John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, John Kettle, Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Richard Merritt, Camille Nenni, Floyd Valentine and Richard Vendetta.
Provided photos: The monument includes a new plaque mounted on the north side of the property.
Representatives from some of those families will be at the rededication on Saturday to lay a commemorative wreath.
The memorial on the “Fancher Curve” on Route 31 is a four-faced clock in a stone monument made of local sandstone. It gradually deteriorated over 72 years and recently was overhauled. The crumbling mortar was chipped out and replaced with new matching green mortar.
New movements for the clocks and new electrical service were installed. The flag pole was painted. New sandstone pavers were added as a walkway on the north side of the property.
And a new bronze plaque was mounted on the north side near the flagpole. The original plaque remains, but it is on the west side facing the guardrails and wasn’t in an easy-to-see location for most people to know the true purpose of the monument.
Town Supervisor Joe Sidonio said it should be clearer now that the site isn’t a municipal clock, but is a war memorial dedicated to local soldiers who died serving the country.
The project was funded with a donation from Fred Fiorito, a former local resident who now lives in the New York City area. He would typically home a few times each year to see family, including his brother Ted Fiorito. Fred noticed the memorial gradually deteriorate.
Sometimes the clocks didn’t work. The mortar was crumbling. The site wasn’t a great showcase or memorial for the 10 who in World War II, he said.
“I knew some of those families,” Fiorito said in a recent interview. “The monument’s condition was distasteful.”
Saturday’s rededication will include comments from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Congressman Chris Jacobs.
The Brockport Symphony Orchestra will perform “To Reap The Blessings of Freedom,” the national anthem, “America the Beautiful” and “Brother James’ Air.” Mary Wojciechowski will be a vocalist with the orchestra.
Father Richard Csizmar, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Albion, will give the invocation. Matt Passarell, commander of the VFW Post 4635, will read the names of the soldiers and a bell will be rung with each name. That bell is from the former American Legion Post in Fancher.
An Honor Guard from the local American Legion and VFW will fire three volleys and Taps will be played.
Sidonio encourages people to either park at the Post Office in Fancher on Route 31 or north of the railroad tracks on Fancher Road. Route 31 at the Curve will be open to traffic during the rededication program but fire police will be out urging people to slow down during the service with the crowd of people close by.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 August 2021 at 9:03 am
Class of 2022 needs 7.5 hours, instead of 30
Photo by Tom Rivers: These Albion students pick up trash on March 24 near the railroad tracks close to Platt Street. A group of students and Rotary Club members filled 23 bags with trash that day.
ALBION – The Board of Education has reinstated the community service requirement to graduate, after waiving the need for community service hours for the Class of 2020 and 2021.
The district didn’t require community service to graduate the past two school years due to Covid-19 restrictions that made it more difficult for students to volunteer with local organizations, businesses and churches.
The district has required students to have at least 30 hours of documented community service to graduate. Albion will phase in to get back to the 30 hours over the next four years.
Members of the Class of 2022, who will be seniors this coming year, will need to fulfill 25 percent of the previous requirement or at least 7.5 hours, followed by 15 hours for the Class of 2023. The standard will be at least 22.5 hours for the Class of 2024, and then the full 30 hours for the Class of 2025.
Jennifer Ashbery, the high school principal, requested the return of the community service requirement. The Board of Education on Monday voted in support of her request.
Students that meet the threshold for community service also receive a 0.5 credit. Albion has had the 30-hour community service requirement in place beginning with the Class of 1998.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2021 at 9:45 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
CLARENDON – Village of Holley employees including Matt Campbell (in the excavator) are working late tonight to fix a water main break on Route 31A in the Town of Clarendon.
This is the primary 12-inch waterline from the Monroe County Water Authority that feeds the town’s water districts.
There is currently widespread low water pressure because the water needed to be shut off near the leak at about 7:45 p.m. This spot is between Thomas Estates and Akeley Manor on Route 31A, just west of Hall Road and Countyline Road.
This photo was taken at about 9 p.m. The workers were waiting for National Grid to show up and give the OK for the crew to dig down and find the leak, and “cut it and clamp it” on the watermain. That would be a repair to the waterline.
Campbell is Holley’s superintendent of water and electric. He is shown in the excavator scooping water out of the spot where they will be working. The crew is hopeful the water main will be fixed tonight.
‘After months of prolonged suffering and uncertainty, Canada is finally allowing ‘non-essential’ travel across their land border.’ – Congressman Jacobs
Press Release, Congressman Chris Jacobs
ORCHARD PARK – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) is releasing the following statement as Canada opens to Americans for non-essential travel today.
“After months of prolonged suffering and uncertainty, Canada is finally allowing ‘non-essential’ travel across their land border,” Jacobs said. “While seemingly unreasonable restrictions remain, this change in policy highlights the outright failure of the Biden administration to address this problem affecting thousands of Western New Yorkers and small businesses.
“Even with Canada making changes, the President has remained conspicuously silent on this issue and has completely ignored families, small businesses, and lawmakers for months. I once again urge the President to take definitive and transparent action to reopen the U.S. land border to travel from Canada and work with Prime Minister Trudeau to develop a consistent and reciprocal plan for further opening. The President’s silence and inaction have gone on long enough.”
Jacobs has sent numerous letters to the Biden administration requesting answers and a plan of action. All have been ignored. In addition, Jacobs introduced the Northern Border Reopening Transparency Act to force the Biden administration to provide all information regarding plans, discussions, and efforts to reopen the U.S. – Canada border.
As of today, any American seeking to enter Canada must be fully vaccinated and provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test within 72 hours of travel. In addition, Americans must download the ArriveCAN app which stores testing and vaccination status and is required at Canadian ports of entry. Erie County is conducting testing for Americans wishing to travel – to schedule an appointment, call (716) 585-2929.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2021 at 5:08 pm
Orleans County is considered to have “substantial level of community transmission,” according to CDC Covid Data Tracker (click here).
The number of active cases in the county has increased in the past week from 3 on Aug. 2 to 26 today. Genesee County is considered to be at “moderate level of transmission” and the active cases are up from 7 a week ago to 21 today.
The change in designation for Orleans isn’t a surprise, said Paul Pettit, public health director in Orleans and Genesee counties. That’s because Niagara, Erie and Monroe counties are all considered to be at the substantial level of transmission.”
The uptick of new Covid cases in both counties includes some cases where the individuals are fully vaccinated.
“This is not unexpected as we are seeing this across the state and nation,” Pettit said. “This is what viruses do. Even for those who are fully vaccinated there is a chance the individual may become infected with Covid-19, especially due to the high transmission rate of the Delta Variant. Although being fully vaccinated may not completely protect someone from getting Covid-19, the vast majority of those who have been fully vaccinated and have become infected had little or no symptoms or serious complications.”
Pettit and the local health department urge people eligible for the vaccine to get it if they haven’t already. The vaccination is free and clinics are held weekly at each of the health departments (click here to see clinics and locations).
Pharmacies and health care providers also provide the Covid-19 vaccine. Check www.vaccines.gov for a location nearby.
Per the CDC recommendations for communities with substantial or high spread of Covid-19, the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments encourages everyone to continue, vaccinated and unvaccinated, to continue practicing the following public health prevention precautions:
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
If water is not readily available, use hand sanitizer.
Wash and sanitize frequently shared/touched items.
Stay 6 feet away from others and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
Wear a face mask indoors in public if you are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
Monitor your health daily and stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms.
Get tested if you are experiencing symptoms and self-isolate until you get your results back. If you test positive for Covid, you are to isolate for 10 days.
“The best way to protect yourself from Covid-19 or health complications from Covid-19 is to get vaccinated,” Pettit said. “Now is the best time to take advantage of getting vaccinated for Covid-19 before the new school term starts and the weather changes and we start moving back indoors.”
The number of people getting first dose in vaccine in past week includes 230 in Orleans for 18,427 total receiving vaccines out of 40,612 residents (45.4 percent), and 265 in Genesee for 29,132 total out of 57,511 residents (50.7 percent).
In Orleans the 230 was up from the number in the previous two weeks.
Week ending Aug. 9: 230 in Orleans, 265 in Genesee
Week ending Aug. 2: 166 in Orleans, 330 in Genesee
Week ending July 26: 92 in Orleans, 142 in Genesee
Provided photos: Stacie Bridge, chief operating officer at Oak Orchard Health, gives a thumbs up after getting her Covid-19 vaccine.
Nationwide, health centers provide preventive and primary care services to almost 30 million people and have continued to do so while facing a global pandemic.
In 2019, Oak Orchard Health served over 23,339 patients and that number continues to grow when we added three new locations in 2020 – Batavia, Pembroke and Alexander.
Community health centers are not just healers, we are innovators who look beyond medical charts to address the factors that may cause poor health such as poverty, homelessness, substance use, mental illness, lack of nutrition, and unemployment.
Over the past year, we’ve cared for our community during the pandemic whether they were our patients or not. Oak Orchard was one of the first to do drive-through Covid-19 testing in our health center parking lots for people with symptoms and without.
“We have done over 6,800 Covid tests and 5,600 vaccinations,” said Dr. Mary Obear, Chief Clinical Officer. “And consultations with patients throughout the pandemic to advise them on how to care for themselves and their loved ones.”
Oak Orchard used telehealth technology to communicate with patients who needed to “see” their providers. And as soon as vaccines were available, Oak Orchard created vaccine events where people could get vaccinated. All while ensuring that farmworkers had the healthcare they needed since they are essential workers.
Dr. Mary Obear
“We are proud to employ 275 people and have contributed significantly to the economies of Monroe, Orleans, Steuben, Wyoming and Genesee counties,” said Mary Ann Pettibon, CEO, Oak Orchard Health.
Oak Orchard Health
Originally founded in 1966, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 23,000 patients at eleven locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Lyndonville, Hornell and Warsaw.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2021 at 11:52 am
So far, sales tax collections up $2 million in county in first half of the year
Photos by Tom Rivers: An apple-themed bike rack is shown on Main Street in Medina last week. A report from the State Comptroller’s Office shows a big increase in sales tax revenue locally and state-wide.
Orleans County’s sales tax revenue is up 33.5 percent or by $1.4 million for the second quarter of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020 when many businesses were on “pause” with in-person customers either not allowed or limited due to restrictions from the state in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Many of those restrictions were eased or lifted in the second quarter of 2021 and the sales tax revenue was up significantly.
Statewide the sales tax was up by 49.2% in the second quarter, surpassing the amount during the same period in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli said in a report.
Second quarter sales tax revenue in GLOW counties
Genesee: $13.2 million ($9.1 million in 2020), up 44.8 percent
Livingston: $11.3 million (7.8 million in 2020), up 44.9 percent
Orleans: $5.8 million ($4.4 million in 2020), up 33.5 percent
Wyoming: $6.2 million ($4.3 million in 2020), up 44.5 percent
Among the nine counties in the Finger Lakes region, the 33.5 percent increase in Orleans is the second lowest. Only Wayne at 32.1 percent is lower. Seneca has the biggest increase at 58.7 percent, followed by Ontario County at 55.2 percent.
For the first half of the year, the sales tax revenue in Orleans County is up by $2 million or 22.1 percent, from $8.8 million the first six months of 2020 to $10.8 million the first half of 2021.
Among the other GLOW counties, Genesee is up 25.0 percent from $18.9 million to $23.7 million. Livingston increased 25.4 percent, from $16.2 million to $20.2 million, and Wyoming is up 25.4 percent, from $8.8 million to $11.0 million.
“The strength of these collections, along with federal aid, will give local governments statewide the chance to improve their fiscal stability, but it will take time to recover from the strain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” DiNapoli said in a statement about the sales tax report. “While this is good news, local leaders are advised to budget carefully. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to always plan for unpredictable circumstances.”
The size of the increase largely reflects extremely weak collections in the April to June period of 2020, DiNapoli said.
However, even compared to pre-pandemic collections for the same period in 2019, statewide collections in 2021 were up 8.7% or $396 million. Every region outside of New York City experienced two-year growth over 18 percent. New York City’s collections grew by 44.6 percent in the second quarter of 2021for its first increase after four quarters of year-over-year declines. NYC has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, DiNapoli said.
He said an easing of Covid restrictions, pent-up demand and more internet sales tax collections are all factors in the state-wide sales tax growth.
Downtown Medina is a shopping hotspot in Orleans County.
Public urged to follow the rules of the road, slow down and be observant
Press Release, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office
LOCKPORT – The Niagara County Traffic Safety Board is charged with promoting and overseeing traffic safety throughout Niagara County. This coalition includes members of law enforcement,
local and county public works departments, and Niagara County Legislators. The goal is to ensure the safety of residents and visitors as they travel throughout Niagara County.
“Recently, there has been an increase in the number of complaints to law enforcement agencies in Niagara County regarding vehicles that are speeding, operating recklessly and failing to observe traffic controls,” stated Middleport Police Chief John Swick, Chairman of the Niagara County Traffic Safety Board.
Traffic Safety is public safety. Law enforcement will be increasing enforcement efforts to combat these and other traffic-related offenses.
“The three leading causes of accidents in Niagara County are distracted driving, failure to yield the right of way, and unsafe speed,” stated Sheriff Michael J. Filicetti, Vice Chairman of the Niagara County Traffic Safety Board. “We will be focusing patrols on these behaviors in an effort to reduce accidents and make the roadways safer.”
Law enforcement representatives of the Niagara County Traffic Safety Board are comprised of the Lewiston Police Department, Lockport Police Department, Middleport Police Department, New York State Park Police, New York State Police, Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, Niagara Falls Police Department, North Tonawanda Police Department, and Town of Niagara Police Department.
The safety and security of the residents and visitors of Niagara County is paramount. These and all other agencies in Niagara County would like to remind the public to follow the rules of the road, slow down and be observant.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2021 at 10:10 am
ALBION – Orleans County will replace the air-conditioning system in the original County Office Building on Route 31 for about $600,000. That building, formerly known as the County Administration Building, was constructed in 1980.
The AC units often haven’t been working, even during oppressive heat. The county can no longer find parts to repair the units.
“They are in desperate need of replacement,” County Legislator Bill Eick said during the Legislature’s July 28 meeting when the bids were approved. “You can fix and fix and fix, but there gets to a point where they have to be replaced.”
County legislators accepted a bid for $355,674 from Trane in Buffalo to supply and install a Turnkey chiller and pump replacement. The county also agreed to pay Trane $258,840 to replace pneumatic VAV controls and interface with the existing Trane Building Logix automation system. This will control the air pressure in the system.
In addition, the County Legislature approved an agreement with Trane with the company to be paid $5,994 for repairs on a valve replacement on the HVAC equipment.
The county is pursuing a $177,500 state grant through the Department of Environmental Conservation to help pay for the replacement and upgrades. That grant application is through the state’s “Climate Smart Communities Grant Program.”
John Papponetti, the county DPW superintendent, advised county officials in June that the AC units needed to be replaced.
“The AC units aren’t working and we can’t get parts anymore,” he told the local officials on June 22 during the meeting of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. “The can has been kicked so many times it can’t be kicked anymore.
The section of the building that opened in 1980 includes the DMV, Social Services, Tourism, Planning and Development, Office for the Aging, Personnel and Job Development.
A new 23,000-square-foot addition opened in 2019 and includes the Health Department, County Legislature, computer services and the Board of Elections.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2021 at 9:19 am
Photos courtesy of Melissa Ierlan
GAINES – Chris Capurso, center in back, is shown with family members on Sunday afternoon, when a plaque was unveiled in honor of her late husband Al Capurso at the Gaines Basin cobblestone schoolhouse.
The schoolhouse on Sunday also a celebration of the life for Mr. Capurso, who spearheaded saving the schoolhouse from ruin. Mr. Capurso passed away at age 68 on Feb. 17.
Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, speaks about Capurso’s support for local history projects. The cobblestone school on Gaines Basin Road is owned by the Orleans County Historical Association, which Capurso led as president.
The building has been repurposed to serve as a meeting space and display for the Orleans County Historical Association.
The plaque notes Capurso was instrumental in saving the 1832 cobblestone schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, the oldest documented cobblestone building in the county.
Capurso led a team that put on a new roof, replaced windows and cleaned out junk and debris from the site. They put in new electric, a new subfloor, restored the trim and repaired the facade. He added a historic marker and flag pole. The building has been given new life as a meeting house and display of schoolhouse artifacts for the Orleans County Historical Association, which Capurso led as president.
These painting by Judy Collins shows Capurso playing his guitar. He performed at many community events, often singing songs he wrote about pioneers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 August 2021 at 8:39 pm
High temps forecast to top 90 Monday through Thursday
Photos by Tom Rivers: A hawk (that I think is a red-tailed hawk) was hanging out by the Erie Canal in Fairport on Saturday afternoon.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Monday from noon to 7 p.m. in Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne and Livingston counties.
The high temperatures are forecast for 92 in Orleans County with heat index values of 95 to 100 expected. Temperatures above 90 and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur, the Weather Service said.
People outside are urged to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
“Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside,” the Weather Service said. “When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when possible.”
It will be hot after Monday, too, with a high near 92 on Tuesday, 90 on Wednesday, 91 on Thursday, and 84 on Friday.
This same hawk let people get pretty close by the canal in this Monroe County village.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 August 2021 at 3:21 pm
‘Rare Mileage Collectors’ praise site in Medina
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Jim Fetchero of Charlotte, N.C., left, talks to passengers as them disembark the train at Medina Railroad Museum Saturday morning. Fetchero rented the train for 50 fellow train buffs who call themselves “Rare Mileage Collectors.” Many have ridden trains in all 50 states, most of Canada and several foreign countries.
MEDINA – The Medina Railroad Museum hosted an uncommon group of individuals on Saturday, who call themselves “Rare Mileage Collectors.”
“We’re not an officially recognized group, just a lot of people who love riding trains,” said Michael Dault of New York City.
Some of the Rare Mileage Collectors aspire to reach 100,000 miles riding the rails.
John Schmidt of Springfield, Va., “Boomer John” as his friends call him, has ridden trains in all 50 states and all but two provinces in Canada. He said with all the places he’d been, he was very impressed with Medina Railroad Museum.
Saturday’s ride from Lockport to Brockport in Medina Railroad Museum’s two first-class dining cars was funded by Jim Fetchero of Charlotte, N.C.
Fetchero admits to being a train buff all his life, in addition to being retired from the Iowa-Pacific Railroad.
“Just like some people are bird watchers and like to watch for all kinds of birds, I like to ride trains and see how many miles I can accumulate while seeing the sights.”
He said he has ridden on too many railroads to count – throughout the United States, Europe and South America.
“I’m delighted to have this museum here,” he said of Medina Railroad Museum, where they stopped for an hour layover. “We’re having a great day and appreciate the museum being flexible and working with us.”
Passengers on the ride came from California, Washington State, Ohio, North Carolina , Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida and Illinois, as well as New York state.
All were impressed with the museum and “awesome,” “awesome” was heard over and over.
John Schmidt “Boomer John” of Springfield, Va. looks at the bell of the famed 999 engine at Medina Railroad Museum on Saturday. He was among the 50 train buffs who rode the train from Lockport to Brockport, with an hour stop at the museum.
“This museum is the ultimate rail fan basement syndrome,” said Greg Molloy of Seattle. He has ridden trains in all 50 states.
Chuck Weinstock of Pittsburgh said he usually isn’t a fan of railroad museums.
“Some people have a couple of rusting cars in the weeds or a room full of junk and call it a museum,” he said. “But this place has great stuff.”
After reboarding the train to continue to Brockport, lunch was served on the train by volunteer coordinator Grace Stewart. The lunch, catered by Captain Kidz, included a sandwich or salad, potato salad, chips, water and a train cookie from Case-Nic Cookies.
Museum board president Rick Henn was conductor for the trip, and engineer was Neal Keirn of Middleport.
“This was a great ride,” Henn said. “It was such fun to be with a group of people who love trains and train riding. It was also great to hear how much they were wowed by the museum.
“It’s a huge credit to everyone involved, including Genesee Valley Transportation. I have to thank them for their assistance in organizing this trip and thank the train crew for their cooperation in making the ride special.”
The Rare Mileage Collectors will continue their quest to rack up the miles by riding the train Sunday from Gowanda to Dayton, and then on Monday the Arcade and Attica.
Jim Fetchero, left, who rented the two first-class dining cars from Medina Railroad Museum for a day-long trip from Lockport to Brockport, talks to Greg Molloy of Seattle and Cincinnati, and Chuck Weinstock of Pittsburgh during their stop to visit the Railroad Museum.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 August 2021 at 12:31 pm
Sailboats also race on Thursday evenings until Aug. 19
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Bob Hodgins, commodore of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club, and his wife Mary Lou stand in front of the sign at the Yacht club’s quarters on Archibald Road, Waterport. Since taking over as the 2021 commodore, Bob is working to promote good relationships with the community. They will host a chicken barbecue and open house for the community on Sept. 11.
WATERPORT – When Bob Hodgins took over as commodore of the Oak Orchard Yacht Club, one of the things he vowed to do was make the facility more welcoming to the community.
The Yacht Club has since invited the Oak Orchard Neighborhood Association to have a meeting there, welcomed a group of high school kids who couldn’t have a prom or graduation ceremony because of Covid and offered the facility for the initial meeting of Leadership Orleans Class of 2021.
His latest endeavor is to host an open house and chicken barbecue for the public on Sept. 11. Featured will be the club’s famous chicken barbecue or the regular menu in the restaurant.
Chicken barbecue can be ordered for takeout or pre-ordered online to be served in the restaurant – with full service on real dishes and real silverware, Hodgins said.
The bar and restaurant open at 5 p.m. and reservations must be made by logging on to the club’s website. More information is available by calling (585) 305-6221.
In the afternoon the Corvair Club of Western New York will meet at the Yacht Club to show off their cars. Any member or guest who would like to drive a car to show it off may bring it along.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This group of boaters, including many with sailboats, were out June 30, 2016 in Lake Ontario near the Oak Orchard Harbor during one of the Thursday evening races.
In the clubhouse, tableside magic will be performed from 6 to 8 p.m., followed by live music by Fred DiCesare starting at 8 p.m.
Oak Orchard Yacht Club is actively seeking to grow its membership of both full and social members. Hodgins urges anyone interested to take this opportunity to come and visit the club, enjoy a great meal and entertainment and meet some of the members. Anyone wishing a personal tour of the club can contact them through their website.
Hodgins also wants the public to know about their regular races every Thursday evening throughout the summer. Their fleet consists of boats with a wide range of sizes, captained by a wide range of sailors. Some are very competitive and others are just out for the pleasure of sailing, Hodgins said.
The races are open to any sailboat which wants to join and have some fun. Their members’ boats are all measured and handicapped using the PHRF system. Anyone who wants to join in is welcome. If they do not have a PHRF rating, they cannot be officially scored against the rest of the fleet, but can still possibly earn some bragging rights by coming in ahead of the other boats.
Hodgins said crew are often needed and there are always opportunities to join a boat. He invites boaters to come out to sail with an experienced sailor and see how it’s done.
Anyone interested can contact the fleet captain Larry Travis by e-mail at larryt22@hotmail.com or by cell at (561) 846-2366 for racing instructions or help connecting to one of sailors to help with a race. All experience levels are welcome.
Races start at 6:30 p.m. just outside the harbor walls to the west. Races run through Aug. 19.
