By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2020 at 3:35 pm
ALBION – The school district announced this afternoon that five of our Albion students received positive test results for Covid-19 over the weekend.
All five are hybrid learners – two at the high school, one at the middle school and two at the elementary school. Hybrid learners attend in-person two days a week.
Four of the students had not been in school for the week prior to testing positive, the district said in a notice to the community.
“The Health Department determined there is no need to do further contact tracing in the school for those students,” the district said.
Contact tracing regarding the fifth student has been completed. Staff members and parents of any students who were identified as being close contacts have been notified by the Health Department.
“We continue to remind our staff and students the importance of proper handwashing, wearing face masks covering the nose and mouth, physical distancing and limiting group activities, especially where social/physical distancing is difficult,” the district stated in its message to the community. “Please stay home if you are experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19 or the flu.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2020 at 3:20 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Workers from Christa Construction of Victor are making progress on a 40-unit apartment project in Albion.
Construction of project for DePaul Properties of Rochester started in spring after three houses were removed last year on Liberty Street to make room for the new building. The complex is located between the railroad tracks and Beaver Street.
That block will be home to the DePaul Boxcar Apartments, which will have 36 one-bedroom units and four two-bedroom units. The one bedroom units can have up to two people and the two-bedroom apartments have room for up to four people.
DePaul is aiming for a November 2021 move-in date for tenants. DePaul is designing the project to support people with disabilities, including senior citizens and veterans. The organization will do extensive background checks for credit, criminal and sex offender history and evictions.
The site will be enhanced with safety features that allow ageing in place, with details that address mobility issues, lighted ADA bathrooms and appliances, DePaul officials have said. Twenty of the apartments will offer on-site supported housing supports for persons that are frail-elderly or those with in recovery for mental health. All units are one-year leases with an on-site property manager, full-time maintenance person and security on nights and weekends.
MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library has been selected as one of 20 U.S. libraries to participate in Community Connect: Digital Access at Home, an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA) and Capital One that offers cash grants to help rural libraries offer internet access and financial education for their patrons.
“We are so proud to be selected from a pool of more than 170 applicants to bring Community Connect to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library and the Medina community,” said Samantha Covis, Lee-Whedon assistant director. “Internet access is so important at this time for distance learning, remote working, and tele-medicine visits. We are also excited to offer online banking and money management resources.”
Five Verizon WiFi hotspots will be available for check-out beginning in January 2021. Lee-Whedon will also receive a $2,000 cash grant to support programs on financial literacy, online banking, and to enhance our collection of money management resources. For more information and a calendar of upcoming library programs, visit www.leewhedon.org.
As the past year has shown, people across the country are increasingly reliant on internet for essential services like education and tele-medicine, but rural areas often lack at-home internet access.
“Lee-Whedon has extended the reach of our onsite WiFi and purchased Chromebooks for students to use at the library,” Covis said. “This grant allows us to further strengthen our digital resources by giving people internet access at home.”
Lee-Whedon also offers WiFi access for the community from the library parking lot on West Avenue.
Provided photos: Claire Squicciarini takes the National Honor Society pledge.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Albion High School inducted 27 students into the National Honor Society last week. The event looked a little different this year, due to COVID-19 safety restrictions, and was held as a drive-thru ceremony.
Inductees signed up for time slots and arrived in approximately 5-minute intervals, walking with their family to the front entrance of the high school for the outdoor ceremony.
Sierra Kast is joined by her mother Cheryl Kast and other family members for the ceremony outside the school.
After saying the NHS pledge and signing the membership book, the students received their NHS membership pin and certificate.
The new members were welcomed into NHS by National Honor Society Advisor Suzanne Newton and Albion High School Principal Jennifer Ashbery.
The 2020 inductees include Ashley Ames, Jylees Bermudez, Sarah Brace, Aubrey Boyer, Aisha Drisdom, Logan Dumrese, Bryne Dysard, Gina Fox, Alexa Grandy, Alanna Holman, Sierra Kast, Skylar Lonnen, Nolberto Martinez Mayo, Quinn McCue, Emily Mergler, Olivia Morrison, Melissa Robinson, Christopher Shabazz, Madalynn Snook, Colburn Spierdowis, Brittany Spies-Hunt, Claire Squicciarini, Annalise Steier, Chelsea Tucker, Saleya Williams, Samuel Williams and Faith Woody.
Nolberto Martinez Maya signs the membership book.
Despite the changes to the ceremony, Newton says she was really happy with it went.
“Although I would have loved to have our traditional ceremony with all of us together, this was the next best thing,” Newton said. “These students have worked so hard through their high school careers and I was happy that we could recognize them along with their family members who joined them to celebrate their accomplishments.”
Originally, there were 30 inductees who were to be welcomed into NHS this past April.
However, due to the pandemic, three of the recipients were inducted early as they were seniors and were welcomed into the NHS before they graduated in June. Those students were Cody Wilson, Jack Finley and David Baldassarre.
In order to join, inductees needed to meet the criteria , set by NHS, for their scholarship, service, leadership and character.
Faith Woody and her family celebrate her induction into the NHS.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2020 at 10:08 am
There is rain in the forecast for several days this week in Orleans County, with high temperatures in the 40s and 50s, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Today is forecast to reach 50 with showers likely before 1 p.m. and the more showers tonight between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Tuesday also has a chance for showers with a high near 46. Wednesday will be partly sunny with a high near 54.
Thursday will have a chance of showers and be mostly cloudy with a high near 50.
Friday also has a chance of showers and will be partly sunny with a high near 42, according to the Weather Service.
Saturday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 49.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
In an effort to keep our roadways safer during Halloween, Orleans County law enforcement agencies will join forces to increase presence during Stop DWI’s Halloween Crackdown initiative from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
This nationwide enforcement initiative aims to stop impaired driving, prevent injuries and save lives. Although alcohol impaired driving is completely preventable, there is an increase around all holidays, which can prove to be deadly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 2018 stats revealed 10,511 drunk driving deaths (average-one person killed every 50 minutes).
You can help save lives – don’t drive and drive – have a sober plan!
Plan a safe way to get home.
Call for a ride from a sober friend, family member, taxi or Uber.
The STOP-DWI Crackdowns are promoted by New York State STOP-DWI Association with additional funding from the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and implemented by the STOP-DWI Foundation.
Alpaca items will be auctioned through Facebook live
Provided photos: Medina FFA members Kiana Cleveland and Lily Carpenter are ready for the annual citrus sale which includes some alpaca wool products.
Press Release, Medina Central School
MEDINA – Medina High School’s FFA chapter is rolling out their annual Citrus Sale virtually this year.
FFA advisor and teacher Todd Eick said that due to Covid protocols the sale is being held a little differently this year.
FFA advisor and teacher Todd Eick and Zach Fike, Medina FFA president, are pushing for a successful fundraiser for the FFA.
“This year we have a very limited online only selection,” explains Mr. Eick. “We didn’t want to completely get rid of it and the company we always use gave us this option, so we took advantage of it. Now instead of coming to the school to pick up your order, it will be shipped directly to our customers’ house.”
Mr. Eick says it has opened up options to serve family, friends and supporters across the country.
“We have people buying from as far away as Alabama and far east of us as Schenectady,” Eick said. “We also have a lot of support from our local area with more than half our sales. We are so grateful to everyone who is helping us raise money for our FFA. It means a lot to us.”
For all of those who have ordered before and enjoyed the alpaca goodies, Mr. Eick and his students have been hard at work making them.
“We are going to hold a live Facebook raffle for a one of a kind gift basket for everyone who has bought from our sale,” said Mr. Eick. “We want to thank everyone for their support.”
For more information on the FFA’s citrus sale, click here or scan the QR code on the Medina Chapter of the FFA Facebook page. The fundraiser will run until Nov. 30.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 October 2020 at 5:31 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Jacob Corser and his Medina/Lyndonville teammates will face a key Niagara-Orleans League game at Akron on Tuesday and will then host rival Albion on Friday.
The fall high school sports season heads into the stretch run this coming week with key tests on tap to help determine league soccer, field hockey and cross-country titles.
In Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer action, Medina/Lyndonville (4-3) looks to remain in the thick of the title chase as the Mustangs visit co-leader Akron (6-2) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Mustangs will also host rival Albion at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Roy-Hart, which shares the league lead at 6-2, hosts Newfane (4-4) in another key game at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
In Genesee Region League boys soccer, Kendall will host front-running Attica (6-1-1) at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and visit rival runner-up Holley (6-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday. Holley also hosts Wheatland-Chili (4-3-1) in another key game at 7 p.m. Thursday.
The N-O field hockey lead will be at stake as undefeated (8-0) Akron hosts defending champion Barker (6-1) at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The N-O cross-country champions will be determined at the All-League meet on Saturday at Barker at 11 a.m. The defending champion Newfane boys and girls teams again lead the way after both went 6-0 during the dual meet portion of the season.
Weekly Schedule
Monday
Girls Soccer: Roy-Hart at Barker, Albion at Akron, Lyndonville/Medina at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; Newfane at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Wheatland-Chili, Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Boys Soccer: Medina/Lyndonville at Akron, Attica at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; Byron-Bergen at Holley, 7 p.m.
Field Hockey: Newfane at Roy-Hart, Barker at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; Akron at Medina, 7 p.m.
Wednesday
Boys Soccer: Albion at Wilson, Newfane at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Holley at Oakfield-Alabama/Elba, Kendall vs. Lyndonville/Medina, 7 p.m. at Medina
Thursday
Boys Soccer: Wheatland-Chili at Holley, Kendall at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Akron at Barker, 4:30 p.m.; Newfane at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Albion, 6:30 p.m.
Field Hockey: Roy-Hart at Barker, Akron at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.; Kenmore at Medina, 5 p.m.
Friday
Boys Soccer: Albion at Medina/Lyndonville, Roy-Hart at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Holley at Attica, 4:30 p.m.; Alexander at Kendall, Lyndonville/Medina at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Boys Soccer: Kendall at Holley, Akron at Newfane, 1 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Albion at Barker, Akron at Newfane, 10 a.m.
Field Hockey: Barker at Akron, 10 a.m.; Medina at Newfane, 12 p.m.; Wilson at Kenmore, 1 p.m.
Cross-Country: N-O All-League meet at Barker, 11 a.m.
N-O Standings
Boys Soccer: Akron 6-2, Roy-Hart 6-2, Medina/Lyndonville 4-3, Newfane 4-4, Wilson 3-4, Albion 0-8
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 October 2020 at 3:22 pm
Nearly 700 vote this weekend in first chance to cast ballots
Photo courtesy of Scott Bennett: There was a long line outside the Orleans County Administration Building on Saturday morning for the first chance of early voting.
ALBION – Nearly 700 people have cast ballots in early voting this weekend in Orleans County. That is already almost twice the number of early voters a year ago over nine days, the first time there was an early voting option in Orleans County.
There was a long line on Saturday morning just before 9 a.m. at the Orleans County Administration Building.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Early voting is at the Orleans County Administration Building on Route 31.
“It was crazy,” said Scott Bennett, a voting machine technician for the county. “It’s been insane.”
There were 364 early voters on Saturday, followed by 332 today.
“Today was steady,” Bennett said. “Yesterday was swamped.”
The polls were open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Board of Elections at the County Administration Building on Route 31.
When there was early voting for the first time a year ago, there were 32 voters on the first day and then 26 on Sunday, the second day. In the nine days of early voting in 2019, there were 374 early voters out of about 23,000 registered voters in the county.
Early voting continues until Nov. 1 at the Board of Elections.
The schedule includes:
Oct. 26 (Monday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 27-28 (Tuesday and Wednesday) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Oct. 29-30 (Thursday and Friday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oct. 31-Nov. 1 (Saturday and Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Janice Grabowski, a county elections commissioner, expects the turnout will remain high due to interest in the presidential election.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 October 2020 at 2:38 pm
Heather DiGiacomo uses a TRX straps for a stretching exercise. With the TRX straps people use their bodyweight to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability.
MEDINA – On March 16, Heather DiGiacomo was forced to close the Village Spin for indoor exercise classes due to restrictions put on gyms from the state during the Covid-19 pandemic.
DiGiacomo has since adapted the business in many ways, including recently moving Village Spin to the Medina Theatre at 603 Main St. That location offers much more space for exercise bikes and equipment than her previous location on Main Street. The state allowed gyms reopen on August 24, but the guidelines require exercise machines to be spaced out for social distancing.
DiGiacomo kept the business going throughout the pandemic, leading classes online and outdoors. She opened Village Spin three years ago.
In her regular job, DiGiacomo is the instructional tech coach at the Buffalo school district. She used that knowledge to launch online classes on March 17 after the state closed indoor gyms.
She rented out bikes and exercise equipment, and led online classes that sometimes had 70 participants.
“We were thinking it would be a two to three week thing,” DiGiacomo said about the pandemic restrictions. “We wanted to keep them physically and mentally strong.”
In her previous location, she had room for about 15 people in an indoor class.
In late spring, summer and fall Village Spin also set up the cycling bikes and exercise equipment outside for classes. The Canal Basin was a popular spot and the alleyway between the Presbyterian Church and KeyBank.
On Oct. 1, Village Spin relocated to Medina Theatre. With the spacing restrictions from the state for gyms, DiGiacomo would have been limited to eight cycling bikes at her previous location.
Heather DiGiacomo and other instructors lead classes from the stage at the Medina Theatre. DiGiacomo likes the setting at the Medina Theatre. It feels like a gym in a night club.
At Medina Theatre, she can easily fit in 20, as well as other exercise equipment, including a spot with TRX straps for stretching exercises and also to build strength and flexibility. Village Spin also has free weights and BOSU ballast balls. And there is a “pound class” with weighted drum sticks. The classes are for 45 minutes or an hour.
“This is a nice opportunity for us to grow,” she said about the new location.
Village Spin offers classes at the beginner, regular and advanced levels. The class participants range from children to senior citizens. DiGiacomo leads many of the classes and also has six instructors.
There are classes early in the morning at 5 and 6 a.m., mid mornings and in the evenings.
“We’re here to build a healthy community and to do healthy social fitness,” DiGiacomo said.
My Sister Kristi sent me this picture she took on October 3rd. It was taken in her city of Billings, MT. Here is what she writes: “I saw this bright beautiful flower on my walk with Hazel this morning. This graceful flower bloomed in a dry, desolate, bleak plot of land. There is life. I pray that we can bloom like that in a world that is so bleak….by God’s grace.”
Wow. Just sit with those words and that image for a few moments…. That image, those words – they get you right in the gut. It is hope and resilience.
The strong sturdy stem of the sunflower casting its shadow of life onto the dry soil framed by a heavenly blue sky. It is showing the surrounding weeds that beauty can come from this ground, too.
I love the stillness this image displays. There is no harshness in the space of the blossom, only peace. This bloom started from a seed. It had two options, #1 give in to the dirt, dust and jaggedness of the surrounding rocks and allow it to swallow it up or #2 find the sunshine and thrive.
The message God gave my sister was that even when the days seem bleak, with faith beautiful things can sprout. We need to make the choice to thrive beautifully with grace and tolerance.
The night I received this photograph, I really needed to see that. Seems lately, like many of you, my faith in goodness and light are being tested. Somedays uncertainty and anxiety take hold and it can be hard to shake. Something always happens, whether it be a story that is shared with me, a kind gesture, seeing someone who is suffering showing gratitude rather than grief or a photo like this one that brings me back to reality.
The reality is that life is built on struggles, ups and downs and challenges. You know what I love? When someone I do not know greets me with a warm smile or says hello. Sounds so basic. But sometimes the most basic moments can be the most meaningful.
How we approach those moments will make or break us. Resolve to get your head out of your device and greet others. Look into others’ eyes. See and appreciate their struggles and joys. This little blossom is gracefully and beautifully proving that life is beautiful with a sprinkle of nurturing and grace. Grace that we can all be humbled by witnessing others ability to blossom during tough times.
The sunflower had a message that day I want to share…it is that you or WE got this. Challenges do not have to break us. Sometimes a little dust is character building. It is OK to struggle and have doubts sometime. It most certainly won’t feel good, but there is great power gained by getting to the other side. It makes us stronger if we don’t bend to the pressure and let the cynicism take over. Take a page out of this blossom’s story. Be a survivor and an inspiration to others with your beauty and grace. Tilt your head to the sun and feel the warmth in the world. Share inspiration.
To see what else blossoms in Montana, visit my blog live online at https://www.positiveperksposts.com and catch up on Weekly Photo Perks and past Sunday Posts. Like and share your comments. Truly, Debbie London
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 October 2020 at 10:01 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Renee Hungerford, left, new director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, compares notes with Annette Finch, director of Emergency Services at CAOG.
ALBION – The new director of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee brings a ton of credentials and a world of ideas to the table.
Renee Hungerford of Waterport was recently hired to replace former director Ed Fancher, who worked for Community Action for 32 years and passed away on May 24.
After Fancher’s death, CAOG’s board chair, Veronica Barhite, stepped up as interim director while the search for a new one began.
“We tried to find an interim, but in all of New York state, there were no interim directors available,” Barhite said. “So I offered to be that person. It has been a learning experience.”
The job was advertised and Bruce Schmidt was named head of the Search Committee.
“We were sent the resumes the end of August,” Barhite said. “But we knew right away who we wanted. Renee rolled right to the top of the list.”
Hungerford grew up in Cheektowaga and graduated from Maryvale High School. She got a degree in music performance at the University of Buffalo, a degree in business management at Bryant & Stratton and a bachelor’s degree in information systems at American Sentinel. She received her master’s in health informatics from Kaplan University, now Purdue Global.
She married in 1989 and has three grown children, ages 28, 25 and 22.
She had divorced and came to work at what was then Anchor Bank in Albion, where she met Mark Hungerford in 1993. Anchor became Washington Mutual, and then Chase Bank. Renee was vice president of business analytics at Chase when the company wanted her to move to Columbus, Ohio, but she decided to pursue her degree in informatics, because of her interest in medicine. She completed that in a year, she said.
“Many times during my career I have been offered the chance to relocate, but always refused for all the right reasons,” Hungerford said.
She had started dating Mark in 2005 and they were married in 2009.
Her career next included five years at Oak Orchard Health as director of informatics, quality and population health, during which time she took course work in data science.
Veronica Barhite, left, chairman of the board of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, chats with the agency’s new director, Renee Hungerford of Waterport. Barhite stepped in as acting director after the death of Ed Fancher Memorial Day weekend.
When Covid hit, Hungerford began working from home, and it was on one of those days she happened to see an e-mail about the opening at Community Action.
She started to call, then put the phone down, but she kept thinking about it.
“I was drawn to this,” she said.
She went to the kitchen to make a sandwich, then dropped down on the stairway and decided, “I’m going to apply for this.”
She figured she’d apply and forget about it, so she quickly sent off her resume. Then she realized she hadn’t included a cover letter and she wrote one the next day and sent it along.
“I didn’t think anything would come of it,” she said.
Hungerford called a friend and told her, “This really matters.”
Then she was called for an interview, and then a second one. She began work within the week.
Her start date was Oct. 5 and the first week was spent touring all the facilities and meeting all the directors in the area.
“In 30 years, I had no idea of the extent of things Community Action does,” she said. “The highlight was going to the Main Street Store. What a great place.”
“We are over the moon excited about Renee,” Barhite said. “She’s a perfect fit, with her variety of education and experience. She is a very visionary person. She’s looking at all the possibilities we can do to help people. The whole area needs a shot in the arm, and she’s it.”
Hungerford plans to fast forward Community Action into utilizing more technology.
She was amazed to discover that for some of the employees, this is the only place they’ve ever worked.
“They’ve never used the new technology, but there’s going to be more of it,” she said. “A lot of walls are going to be broken down, and we will start a technology upgrade next week. I have a lot of ideas.”
Hungerford was also amazed at the amount of buildings Community Action has throughout Orleans and Genesee counties.
“Technology can help us all work as a team,” she said.
Hungerford said Community Action doesn’t simply give handouts to those in need.
“It’s about making them self-sufficient,” she said. “They will not only receive food, they may also learn how to prepare it. They will not only learn how to apply for a job, but get the clothes for it. It will be the whole person package.”
Finch took Hungerford to the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, and she was impressed with the site. Finch said they have a new generator at the Holley Center, meaning it can now be used as a warming center in the event of a power outage.
One of Hungerford’s plans is to cross-train everybody, so if someone is on vacation, another employee can step into the position.
“What touches me is Renee’s vision for this agency,” Finch said. “I’ve been here 43 years and this is the fourth executive director I’ve worked with. It’s scary, because I didn’t know what to expect. We wondered how much things were going to change. But I can see her heart is here. This agency is going to go places.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) has cosponsored the Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act of 2019 (H.R. 692).
“Protecting coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions is a bipartisan priority that is critical to the well-being of the most vulnerable in our community,” Jacobs said. “As the son of a physician, access to quality and affordable healthcare is something I care deeply about. I am proudly working with my colleagues to lower the cost of prescription drugs, increase transparency, and decrease the cost of healthcare in the United States.”
H.R. 692 – The Pre-Existing Conditions Protection Act of 2019 – would preserve access to health care for people with pre-existing conditions if the Affordable Care Act is significantly changed or repealed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 October 2020 at 9:05 pm
School now used for 41 apartments, village offices
Photo courtesy of Erin Anheier: The front columns were added this past week to the Holley Gardens, the former Holley High School. Home Leasing of Rochester has transformed the building with a $17 million project.
HOLLEY – One of the last touches on a $17 million transformation of the former Holley High School was completed this week when six new columns were put on the front of the building.
Delivery of the columns was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The columns give the building a final exclamation point.
Home Leasing has turned the building, which was vacant for more than two decades, into 41 apartments and the village offices. The apartments include one studio, 35 one-bedrooms, and five two-bedroom apartments.
The building was last used as a school in 1975. It was last used by a manufacturing company, Liftec, which went bankrupt in the 1990s.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Here is how the former school looked on December 11, 2018 before the major construction started.
The building was nearly done in August, but Home Leasing was still waiting on delivery of the columns.
By Kim Pritt, Contributor Posted 24 October 2020 at 3:00 pm
Let’s go on an adventure together….to Bermuda!
All buildings in Bermuda are colorfully painted in beautiful pastel colors and topped with white roofs.
Whenever the weather starts to get cold, I start thinking of warm places to take the chill out of my old bones and joints. One of my favorite warm places is Bermuda.
I took a Royal Caribbean cruise to Bermuda in October 2018 and it was the most perfect trip – I cannot wait to go back again and again. We sailed out of Boston, spent two and a half days at sea, then stayed docked at Bermuda for three full days, and spent another day and a half at sea returning to Boston.
It was so relaxing to stay docked at one port and to have the freedom to come and go from the ship all hours of the day and night with no deadlines be on-board, except for the final day. A great mix of cruising fun and an extended stay at an amazing port.
In my never to be humble opinion, a cruise is the best way to go when traveling to Bermuda. Resorts and other lodging in Bermuda is extremely expensive and then you have to also factor in airfare to get there and your food and entertainment while you are there.
When taking a cruise, especially one that includes an extended stay docked exclusively in Bermuda, your lodging, meals, entertainment, etc. are all included in one price and most likely far less expensive in the long run than staying at a resort. There are other options – different cruises and different accommodations – and a travel agent can help you find the most economical way that works best for you. But, if you ask me, a cruise is the way to go!
Scene at the waterfront in St. George, Bermuda
Bermuda is a fascinating place. It is a small island – just 21 miles long and 1.5 miles wide – that is under British rule and sits on a dead volcano. Contrary to some belief, it is not part of the Caribbean. It is actually located in the Atlantic Ocean off of the eastern coast of the US.
The island was discovered in the 1600s and the original population, after it started to develop, was mostly slaves who jumped ships to freedom when they sailed past the island because it looked like a safe haven for them. Although they are British rule, they are fairly self-sufficient and even have their own currency that is equal to ours and is used interchangeably with US currency. So, you don’t have to worry about exchange rates or getting Bermuda currency to use while you’re there.
But, be careful about bringing back any Bermuda currency, except what you may want as a souvenir – it is worthless outside of Bermuda. The cost of living in Bermuda is one of the highest in the world. They have no industry and very little agriculture, so pretty much everything has to be imported at an extremely high cost. So, expect to pay a lot at restaurants and businesses – another good reason to go the cruise option and have most, if not all, your meals on ship….not to mention the amazing free evening entertainment on-board.
You may have heard that all the buildings in Bermuda have white roofs. Well, that is correct! They are colorfully painted in beautiful pastel colors, but are all topped with white roofs. The reason for that is because there is NO fresh water on the island at all. The roofs are made of limestone and the white paint also contains limestone.
Horseshoe Bay Beach – consistently ranked in the Top 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World
The roofs are carefully designed to allow rain water to cascade across the limestone to purify it, then it is captured by a lip along the edge that directs the purified water to elaborate gutter systems sending the water into the “water cellar” – every building has one. Everyone on the island is very conservative with their water because they may need it to last through a drought!
In recent years, the island now has three plants that process salt water into fresh water, but everyone is still required to generate their own water and only use the water from the conversion plants when absolutely necessary. Also, some of the more affluent homes and businesses now have their own water systems to turn salt water into fresh.
The capital of Bermuda is currently Hamilton, whereas, the original capital was St. George – the capital was moved when the population of the island started to grow. Hamilton is a larger city and more centrally located. But, St. George is absolutely incredible and loaded with history – including an awesome old church and cemetery, which is the oldest church in the Western Hemisphere still operating as a church – established in 1612. St George is a “must see” to put on your “things to do in Bermuda” list.
I took a bus tour of the island and learned so much about the history and economy of the island – our guide was amazing. Guided tours are a great way to learn so much more than brochures will offer you when touring on your own – most of the time, they are well worth the price. I like to do a bus tour first to get the low down, then do a bit of exploring on my own to see what’s beyond the tours.
I went on two glass bottom boat tours – they were literally the same tour with different themes, but one was during the day and one was at night. Both were really fun and I’m glad I did both, but I especially liked the one at night – how cool is it to be on a pirate themed boat at night drinking rum in the Bermuda Triangle!!!??? I took a lot of ribbing when I was planning my trip – lots of jokes about never seeing me, again.
But, that whole Bermuda Triangle legend is really just a myth. Yes, strange things have happened there and the magnetic and gravitational pulls can be an issue. But, a lot of what has happened can be explained by understanding that ships and planes didn’t use to have as advanced technology as they do now and they didn’t know how to navigate through the extensive barrier reefs, so the magnetic and gravitational anomalies made it difficult for them to pass through the area safely. So, don’t worry — go to Bermuda and enjoy without fear of getting “lost”!
There is so much to see and do on this tiny little island. But, one of the best things is to just go spend some time on Horseshoe Bay Beach – consistently ranked among the Top 5 Most Beautiful Beaches in the WORLD! The pink sand (colored with pink flecks caused by the coral reefs) and crystal blue water is simply stunning and unlike any sand and water you’ll find anywhere else in the world! The water is even more blue and beautiful than the waters in the Caribbean….totally indescribable.
But, with all of the amazing things I did and saw while in Bermuda, the most memorable thing was getting to swim with dolphins. Just off the ship, there is a lagoon that I was able to swim and play with dolphins and even got to kiss one! It was the best time and best money I spent on the entire trip….I LOVED IT!!!
If you like history, snorkeling, rum, boating adventures, dolphins….did I mention rum….or just sitting on any one of several stunning beaches soaking up the sun, you’ll absolutely love Bermuda! And, October is a great time to go – it was still in the 80s every day, but it was just about the end of the season, so there were less tourists to deal with than in higher peak times of the year.
Click the following links to check out my blog posts for tons of great photos and information about the history, culture, economy, and other cool trivia associated with Bermuda:
Hope, Faith, Life
