News Archive

Besides basements, no flooding here

2010-10-06T19:17:11Z

By Keith Lobdell

The rains came down and the winds came up.
But other than some basement flooding, Whitehall stood strong.
The two-part storm that dropped massive rains and produced major winds on the town to help usher in the month of October did not lead to any serious situations, according to town and village officials.
“We had 7.3-inches of rain on Thursday and Friday,” said Whitehall Village Trustee Kenneth Bartholomew. “The best part was that the wastewater treatment plant performed better than it has in any recent storm like this.”
The village has been working to upgrade the wastewater system, which included inspections of the main lines and fixing laterals to help reduce the amount of excess flow into the main filtration plant, particularly during heavy rain events.]]> The Whitehall Police Department and village Department Of Public Works received several reports of basements flooding in the village and town, and the local fire companies helped to pump water out of flooded cellars.
“We had several flooding basement reports, but other than that we did not receive any reports of issues,” said DPW head Jiem Rozell. “Some might have thought that it would have been worse, but there really were no major issues.”
“We received calls to help with basements,” said Whitehall Fire Company Chief Bryan Brooks. “There was nothing more serious that was reported to us. We were concerned that there might be flooding on the Mettowee by the day care, but I hear the canal worked on keeping the locks open and keeping the water levels down.”
Rozell also said the storm was the first major test for the new drainage system that was put in as part of the bridge and road renovations on Broadway.
“There was no flooding at all on Broadway,” said Rozell. “That was a relief to see that everything was working there.”
However, the Rev. Donna Arnold and a few members of Trinity Episcopal Church located along Broadway were at the village board meeting on Oct. 4 to address a flooding issue in their basement.”
“Every time the water gets to a certain level, we have six-to-eight inches of sewer water in our basement,” said Sheila Chaplin. “It comes in from all sides, and as soon as the water goes below the level, the water is gone from the basement.”
Arnold said the church had the Cutting Edge, the company that is overseeing the work on the water and wastewater systems, check out the surrounding wastewater lines with its cameras, but did not find any answers as to why the church would have the problem.
“We can take another look with our cameras,” said Rozell.
“We definitely want to investigate that further,” said Mayor Francis “Fra” Putroti. “We want to make sure that whatever the problem is. We need to solve it because it should not be happening all the time like it is.”
Bartholomew also addressed several complaints that came into the town during the meeting.
“We had several people who called saying that they had water coming in through storm drains in their cellars,” said Bartholomew. “Really, that is there fault because you cannot have those drains under our new ordinance. I don’t blame them for being upset that there was sewage water coming up into their basement, but it really is their fault and they need to cap those.”
“The ordinance says that if they are in violation, that they will be put on notice and they will need a corrective plan,” said Trustee Walt Sanford.

“If it happens again, we need to have the police fill out an incident report and give them 45 days to remedy the situation,” said Bartholomew

$15K needed to run

2010-10-06T19:14:18Z

By Keith Lobdell

WVFC needs increase to keep functioning

It’s $15,000 or bust.
That was the message that Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company President Brian Brooks had for members of the Whitehall Town Board during their Oct. 4 preliminary budget workshop.
“We are respectfully asking for an increase of $15,000 of funding from the town,” said Brooks. “We want to get to the point where we are able to keep the budget flowing and not have to worry about not being able to provide the services that you need.”
]]> “I feel that it is pretty cheap fire protection,” said town Councilman Richard LaChapelle.
Brooks agreed, adding that the fire company was hoping to avoid negotiating the matter.
“I really do not want to take less,” said Brooks. “We have spent every bit of our savings and we have plans for the future of the fire company, but we can’t even think about them until we know that we can stay solvent.”
Brooks also said that, unlike companies around him, the Whitehall company was experiencing and upturn in membership.
“We are maybe the only company around who is actually seeing and increase in membership,” said Brooks. “We have new people coming in and we do not have the equipment they need. We have no gear to give them.”
Town Supervisor Richard “Geezer” Gordon said that he wanted to keep the figure lower in the preliminary budget until he saw the current spending plan of the fire company.
“I’ll consider increasing the fire protection line by $5,000 until we take a look at their updated budget so we can have a preliminary budget set,” said Gordon.
“I do not have those numbers on me right now, but I will get them to you ASAP,” said Brooks. “But, I will not take only $5,000. We can’t sustain ourselves on that. You will put us at a point where we will have to start selling off trucks and you can go somewhere else for a fire contract. I cannot sign a contract with you that does not allow me to provide the services that I need to.”
“Don’t come in here threatening me and telling me what you are going to do,” said Gordon. “If that’s the case, then let’s leave it at zero until we see more on your finances.”
Other members of the board, however, agreed with Brooks’ proposed increase.
“Let’s go ahead and put the $15,000 in there,” said LaChapelle. “We all know that as of right now, it is not etched in stone as part of the preliminary budget. If we don’t like what we see, then we can change it.”
“We all know that they are hurting for money,” said Councilman David Hollister. “They are a separate entity from the town, so while it will affect the overall taxes, it does not affect the town general fund. I say that we put the $15,000 in there.”
Councilman came to an agreement to put the $15,000 in the preliminary budget, which was adopted as the preliminary budget at the end of the workshop.

Power going out along wall?

2010-10-06T19:09:10Z

By Keith Lobdell

The lights may soon go out for those along the Whitehall - Champlain Canal “free wall.”
Whitehall Town Supervisor Richard “Geezer” Gordon said he is now willing to bring the matter of the electricity provided along the wall to a vote at the next board meeting.
“I think that we are going to have the vote on this during the Oct. 13 meeting,” said Gordon. “I have no more interest in any property along the canal, and this is something I have been wanting to do since I first got here.”
Gordon had recently said he wanted to wait until the first of the year to make a decision on the matter, in part because the town was currently occupying Canal Corp. property in the Pavilion and it was planning to move soon.
However, Gordon said he would like to see the matter resolved sooner rather than later.
]]> Last week, Champlain Harbor Marina owner Bob Elmy and Lock 12 Marina owner Ray Faville both said that they will most likely not be opening their marinas next summer, citing the increasing loss of business due to the availability of free boat docking along the Champlain Canal as the main reason for the closing of their docks. Both owners said the biggest problem they have is that the New York State Canal Corp. will not change its stance on having a free wall in Whitehall, where boaters can tie up for as long as 48 hours and have access to electricity on the docks and showering stations inside the Skenesborough Canal Park Pavilion.
“I understand where the town is coming from because they are being forced by the state to give the electricity,” said Faville. “But that irreparably hurts our businesses. We have to be able to make money. We all know that the economy is bad, and compound that with the free wall and neither of us are going to be able to make it past this winter.”
Previously, Gordon said the board would bring the matter to resolution at the beginning of next year.
“For now, we are going to stay the same for the rest of the season,” said Gordon. “We will look at getting the meters in here beginning next year. As a board, we felt it would be better to wait until we found out some more things before we brought the matter up to a vote.”
Gordon at the time added that the potential move from the Pavilion to a new town office was part of the reasoning behind the tabling of the matter.
Gordon also said that he has talked with Canal Corp. officials about meeting with them in the future.
“They are going to come up here for a meeting so we can get some things on the table,” said Gordon.

Whistle may return

2010-10-06T19:05:57Z

by Matthew Rice

Mayor proposes return of unique timepiece

Just as the streets of Granville had not heard the chimes of the Veterans Memorial Clock in many years, the mayor proposed the return of another unique timepiece to Granville Monday night.
Mayor Jay Niles asked the board if there was interest among the board members in bringing back the noon whistle.
“I think it’s a nostalgia thing,” Niles said regarding the requests he receives from residents on a regular basis to bring back the whistle.
“Having the clock in place makes people feel good and I think for some reason people just like knowing when it’s noon,” Niles said.]]> Board member Frank Caruso said he agreed with the nostalgic aspect of bringing the siren back, saying it was one of the sounds from his youth, like train whistles, he thought would be nice to have back.
“I’d kind of like us to look into that provided it’s not too obnoxious,” Caruso said, calling it part of the character of the town.
“I get plenty of sirens where I live,” board member Dean Hyatt quipped, adding he was interested in further investigation.
The noon whistle once sounded the middle of the day on a daily basis in the village from a large horn mounted atop the former village hall.
The question to ask, Niles said, is would it be useful to the village now?
Village Clerk Rick Roberts said the horn finally went silent in 1998 when the building was sold to by the village.
The physical horn itself was sold several years ago, officials said.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Dan Williams said given the age and condition of the old horn he was certain new technology could accomplish the task with much less hassle and much more efficiently.
Niles said he has been approached by enough residents expressing an interest in the return of the mid-day horn he decided it was something the village board should at least discuss bringing back.
Niles said Granville Village Fire Chief Russell Bronson agreed the horn could have some civil defense or public safety uses. Bronson said he is looking at the possible emergency uses of the horn.
Bronson is currently looking into what it would take to return the whistle to Granville.
The cost of returning the whistle is not known at this point and would figure heavily in future discussions of its return, officials said.
In the past the horn sounded not simply at noon but also to alert firefighters in the days before beepers and cell phones to a fire. The horn could possibly be used as a signal for major public safety issues that require the attention of all of the people in the village for natural disasters or the need to evacuate or move to shelters.
Although Niles said he was not certain what kind of reaction he would get from the village board or the public at large, he said one thing he was sure of is the horn would not be returning to its original location – the top of the old village hall.
The former village hall is now the home of Gwen and George Schneider and is out of the question.
The current village hall is also out of the question, Niles said, because the idea is to locate any possible new horn to someplace where it would not be blasting in someone’s back yard or bedroom.
“As long as we can place it where it won’t bother people or become a nuisance … we would not place it where it was before for sure,” Niles said.
Niles said possible locations for a new horn could be the water tank on Braymer Mountain or somewhere on the water treatment or wastewater treatment plants.
Niles said the village is seeking input on both the return of the horn and potential locations. “This is only in the discussion phase; we’re seeking input from the public,” Niles said. Those who wish to comment can reach the village via e-mail at granville@roadrunner.com with “noon whistle” or “fire siren” in the subject line.

Large animal clinic relocates

2010-10-06T19:03:17Z

by Matthew Rice

Vet changes and moves
They’re your one-stop large-animal veterinarians, but the place you stop at will be different very soon.
The Granville Large Animal Veterinary Services practice is moving.
Headquartered at the end of the triangle near the intersection of Quaker Street and Route 22 since the practice started in Granville just after World War II, the operation is relocating to Middle Granville near the Mary J. Tanner Primary School.
The new office is located on the right side of county Route 23 just .3 miles from Route 22.
“We’re moving next week; we want to let everybody know we’re moving,” said office manager David Jensen. ]]> With animal owners more willing to move themselves, it became necessary to have a place for them to bring their animals for treatment.
The four vets from Granville Large Animal Veterinary Services cover an area from Warrensburg in the north over to Rutland and Benson in Vermont as well as south to Gansevoort and Manchester, Vt.
“We hope to draw clients from a wider base now,” Jensen said.
With horses and other animals in herds numbering well below 100 head, it is much more possible for the owners to bring the animals to the vet.
Jensen said veterinary services from vaccinations to check-ups will still be offered. Nothing is changing there, he said, but with the change of location the veterinarians will be able to offer increased services such as digital X-rays.
“We still offer the full ‘ambi’ package, but now we have a way to treat animals on site as well,” Jensen said. “And we’re hoping to reach clients who were too far away in the past.”
If the animal health business in Granville is any indication, the economy might just be picking up some steam.
The practice is looking to add another veterinarian for a fifth full-time veterinarian since reducing staffing when the economy slowed in 2008-2009.
“We had to reduce (staffing) but now need more help. Hopefully bring in new people as well; we’re optimistic business will grow with this change,” Jensen said.
The new facility allows Granville Large Animal Veterinary Services to keep a few animals on site while providing spaces for the animals to receive care at the office for lameness or dental work, to name a few.
“For example if someone had a colicky horse that needed more observation they can bring it over and we can keep it on site and care for it on site,” Jensen said. “If they need to go to work they can leave it with us we’ll be able to monitor it.”
Veterinarians Dr. John McDermott and Dr. Jack Rath purchased the five-acre parcel and building in July 2009 and work was recently completed on the building.
The veterinarians are Rath and McDermott, Dr. Sarah Jensen and Dr. Kirk Ayling. The practice also has four full-time support staff members, including Kathy McGraw, lab services; Rose Smith, business manager; Karen Kilmartin, accounts receivable; and Jensen.
The practice was started in the late 1940s by Philip Liebig in the old Quaker School House then moved across the parking lot to what was Liebig’s house where it remained until now.

Quarryman plans in works

2010-10-06T18:57:55Z

by Matthew Rice

Moments after the sharp crack and before the sawdust had even settled into the grass of Lions Park on that cool and clear fall day, chainsaw artist Tim O’Brien knew he wanted to make another Quarryman statue
Before the pieces had been gathered together and moved from the lawn where the statue stood for a decade, O’Brien was already figuring out what he would do the next time.
It has taken a year to get to the next step, but it looks like Granville could have another Quarryman by spring.
Monday night Mayor Jay Niles approached the village board asking it to consider entering into an agreement with O’Brien for a new Quarryman sculpture. Niles said O’Brien told him he plans to work on the new statue over the course of the winter and have it finished by sometime in the spring. O’Brien will provide the village with a plan for the new sculpture for the board’s November meeting. Board members reacted positively to the news.
]]> O’Brien said he wanted white pine versus the silver maple used previously because the pine is easier to find and even easier to work with.
In 2009, noticing the statue was in need of repair O’Brien, along Dan Williams and Russell Bronson, gathered in hopes of preserving the Quarryman as he stood.
Insects and dry rot had damaged the statue to the point village officials realized something had to be done to keep the icon around for the future.
However, when they loosened up the mounting bolts and hooked straps around the body of the Quarryman, no one knew how far the silver maple statue had deteriorated.
The Quarryman buckled under its own weight and snapped in half, much to the surprise of those assembled.
After hearing about what had happened, local arborist Calvin Bourn came forward and volunteered to find a tree big enough for O’Brien’s plans.
Bourn searched for some time before he eventually found several sections of pine tree at a job site big enough for what O’Brien planned.

New look for OLH

2010-09-29T15:33:13Z

By Keith Lobdell

Knights provide gracious gift for renovations As the couple was coming in, the last of the nails were going in.
The Rev. Michael Flannery said it literally took up to the last second to put the finishing touches on the remodeling of Our Lady of Hope Church in Whitehall, but things were ready for the opening Mass on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 4 p.m.
“I wasn’t nervous at all until this week,” said Flannery. “We were ahead of schedule the whole time but in this last week, everything that could go wrong did and we were working right up until 2:25 p.m. this afternoon. I had a couple coming for a renewal of vows ceremony at 2:30 p.m. and as they were walking in, they were just finishing up.”
The Mass celebrated the culmination of a six-week, approximately $280,000 project to completely remodel the upstairs portion of the church building.]]> Flannery said the appeal for the remodeling project started with an announcement on Father’s Day weekend.
“I announced the project then and asked for support on July 4,” said Flannery.
Flannery said donations for the project came in through the first couple of weeks, but it was a donation from the Knights of Columbus that gave him the confidence to know that the job was going to get done.
“The Knights of Columbus presented us with a donation of $50,000,” said Flannery. “That was huge. That was the turning point for me when I knew that we could do it.”
“We used to own a building that we sold and put the money into the bank to live off,” said Jim Lafayette of the Knights of Columbus. “When Father Flannery started this campaign, the Knights met and discussed the situation and thought that the money would be better used for the good of the parish. People can’t afford a lot right now, so $50,000 helps.”
Flannery said everything fell into place afterward.
“The people just really helped out,” he said. “We had most of the money that we needed in those first two weekends and everyone just made real sacrifices to see this happen.”
“A lot of the Knights have also helped out on the project getting things done,” said Lafayette. “We are very pleased with what is here and how great it looks.”

Whitehall marinas closing their doors

2010-09-29T15:31:24Z

By Keith Lobdell

Owners say they can't compete with free wall, electricity along the canal

The end of the boating season may very well be the end of the remaining Whitehall marinas.
Champlain Harbor Marina owner Bob Elmy and Lock 12 Marina owner Ray Faville have both said they will not be opening their marinas next summer, citing the increasing loss of business due to the availability of free boat docking along the Champlain Canal as the main reason for the closing of their docks.
“We have put so much money into these businesses and we are not seeing any of it coming back,” said Elmy. “Ray has been fighting this fight since 2002. The point is that this is unfair competition no matter how you look at it, and we just cannot compete with free docking and electricity.”]]> Both owners said the biggest problem they have is that the New York State Canal Corp. will not change its stance on having a free wall in Whitehall, where boaters can tie up for as long as 48 hours and have access to electricity on the docks and showering stations inside the Skenesborough Canal Park Pavilion.
“If you look at the Canal Corporation’s by-laws, these sites were created to help those towns that needed them thrive,” said Elmy. “The problem here is that we have a unique situation because we are not on the canal, we are on the end of the Lake.”
“When this started several years ago, I told them that there was going to be an issue with these marinas,” said Faville. “This isn’t rocket science – it’s wrong and financially; we’re both being harmed by this situation to the point where we will no longer be in business.”
“The Canal Corp. maintains walls and docks throughout the Canal System that are free for public use (for up to 48 hours) and are located near private marinas,” said Richard Harris, deputy director of community development and land management at the Canal Corp. “Some of those locations include a Visitors Center or other amenity, such as park/picnicking, rest rooms/showers, beach/recreational area, amusement park, etc. These locations include Waterford, Schuylerville, Crescent/Halfmoon, Plattsburgh, Port Henry, Sylvan Beach, Verona Beach, Syracuse, Amherst, Greece, Gasport and Lockport.”
Faville said the problem lies more with the state than with the town of Whitehall.
“I understand where the town is coming from because they are being forced by the state to give the electricity,” said Faville. “But that irreparably hurts our businesses. We have to be able to make money. We all know that the economy is bad, and compound that with the free wall and neither of us are going to be able to make it past this winter.”
“They are advertising all over that they have these free walls with electricity and there is no way that we can compete with that,” said Elmy, who went to the town board asking for the town to stop paying for the electricity that is given to boaters along the canal.
At the Sept. 8 meeting, Town Supervisor Richard “Geezer” Gordon said the board would bring the matter to resolution at the beginning of next year.
“For now, we are going to stay the same for the rest of the season,” said Gordon. “We will look at getting the meters in here beginning next year.”
“The Canal Corporation-owned wall in Whitehall near the Visitors Center was first installed by the State of New York in 1912, and has been used for commercial and recreational use since that time,” said Harris. “The existing water and electric services were installed by the Corporation in 2000-2001, with the bills for water and electric usage by vessels at the wall paid for by the Town of Whitehall. It is the Corporation’s understanding that the Town may relinquish this responsibility next season.”
Tricia Elmy said she and her husband were concerned about Gordon’s statements that he could not comment on the matter because he had an interest in canal-front property.
“He had said on television that they were going to come to a resolution as a town board and then said at the meeting that they were going to table the matter,” said Elmy. “His comments put him in conflict if he is right.”
“As a board, we felt it would be better to wait until we found out some more things before we brought the matter up to a vote,” said Gordon, who added that the potential move from the Pavilion to a new town office was part of the reasoning behind the tabling of the matter.
Gordon added that while he no longer is the controlling owner of the Liberty Eatery along the canal, he still has an interest in canal-front property and would not be able to vote on any measure like this.
Both marina owners said that they will be closing all of their facilities before the next boating season if things did not change.
“I used to have 20 employees working here,” said Faville. “Now I am down to eight. This will be the first time ever that I will not have the restaurant (Finch and Chubb) open in the winter months, and as of right now, at the end of October I am closing the whole thing.”
“We do have some winterizing that we will be doing for boats, but after that we will no longer be open for business, including the restaurant (Sea Harbor Tavern) and the RV park.”
Elmy said he is concerned that there will be problems for travelers if both he and Faville close their doors.
“What will happen for the boaters if both of us shut down,” said Elmy. “If anything is going to cause a problem, it is going to be the dump-out situation for waste. If you’re boating and your (bathroom) fills up, then you don’t have too many choices.”
In the end, both owners said that unless something changes to give them more of a competitive balance with the canal wall, then closing their doors would continue to be the only option for both.
“I would like to think that something is going to happen,” said Elmy. “But as I have said, in the end you just can’t be in business trying to compete with free.”
“The Canal Corporation has offered to meet with the marina owners and the Town to discuss the future use of the wall and Visitors Center, and discuss how to partner to enhance and improve revitalization efforts in Whitehall,” said Harris.

Elks continue to prep for golf tourney

2010-09-29T15:28:04Z

The fourth annual Whitehall Elks Cerebral Palsy Golf Tournament will take place at the Valley View Golf Course on Saturday, Oct. 16.
Interested golfers can sign up at the Valley View course or at the Whitehall Elks Lodge. Teams will be four-players with a co-ed option and there will be an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.
Registration fee for the tournament is $40 per player, with proceeds to benefit the Elks major projects for battling Cerebral Palsy
Tournament events will include a longest drive competition, closest to the pin, door prizes and refreshments and food on the ninth hole.
For more information, contact Orson Kingsley at 499-9351

FFA’s 24-foot-tall scarecrow comes to life

2010-09-29T15:24:54Z

By Alissa Dunavan
Granville FFA Reporter

The time has finally come for the Granville Future Farmers of America’s 24-foot-tall scarecrow to stand tall next to their chapter store on Route 22 in Hebron. On Sunday, Sept. 19, the Granville FFA members worked hard as a team to finish sewing the clothes and stuffing the scarecrow.
By mid-afternoon the scarecrow was finished and ready to be displayed. Although it wasn’t an easy task for the FFA kids, they pulled together and with a few failed attempts they successfully staked the scarecrow into the ground and secured it. Several FFA parents were visiting the store and had a great time snapping pictures of the scarecrow; a couple of parents even offered their help and joined in the raising of the scarecrow. ]]> The FFA store is located at 6972 State Route 22 in Hebron, between Granville and Salem.

Haunted house saved by firefighters

2010-09-29T15:16:58Z

By Matthew Rice

The Haunted House that wouldn’t Die

In horror movies it’s the crazy slasher villain who gets shot, stabbed and even burned, but just keeps coming back – he’s unstoppable.
In the Granville variation of that tale, the haunted house no one expected to return does so when least expected and scares a few bucks up for a good cause.
In the fall of 2009 Granville High School student Nick Crouch put together a haunted house in his parents’ garage off Mettowee Street along with his cousin. ]]> Crouch said then he did it because he enjoyed putting together a creepy little experience for those who dared venture forth while collecting funds for a good cause. Crouch said he had a good time providing people with a fun scare.
“I like scaring people. It’s just a lot of fun,” Crouch said.
The haunted house raised funds for Crouch’s favorite charity -- the Haynes House of Hope in South Granville. “I gave to the Haynes House because I know Mrs. Everdyke,” Crouch said.
In late July, fire claimed the family’s garage and it looked like there was no way for the haunted house to rise from the dead.
But Crouch said he still wanted to do something so he brought the idea to fellow firefighters at the Penrhyn Engine & Hose Company. “I brought it up to the membership and they said yes and that they were going to help me do it,” Crouch said.
The Middle Granville fire company voted and allowed Crouch some space to get spooky – cue Dr. Frankenstein’s most famous movie line – “It’s Alive!”
“I think that it is really great that Nick is doing a haunted house for us again,” said Crystal Everdyke, Haynes House board president and high school band director.
“(Nick) told me that some of his decorations were burned in the fire, but that the more expensive ones had not been stored in the garage,” she said.
Everdyke said she had a chance to check out the haunted garage in 2009 and was impressed.
“I couldn’t believe how elaborate his setup was last year, and scary, too,” Everdyke said.
Although the fire consumed some of his props, Crouch said, he’s got plenty to continue his scary tradition and is looking forward to doing so in October with a little help from his friends.
Penrhyn Fire Chief Milt Dunbar said he was happy to help Crouch when he came forward and asked about moving his haunted house to the fire station.
Dunbar said the haunted house will be set up in what used to be the old fire station and is now used for the food booth during events like the department’s annual car rally.
“The young guys are helping him out and I’m happy to see all of these guys looking out for the rest of the community like this – I’m really proud of the guys,” Dunbar said.
Crouch started with the department in the “under 18” program and is now a full-fledged firefighter with the company after joining at age 16.
“I’ve been watching them put it together and it’s coming along really well,” Dunbar said.
The Haunted House will open Oct. 8 behind the Penrhyn Engine and Hose Company firehouse off county Route 24 near Chapman’s General Store.
The haunted house will be open weekends and run on select dates through Oct. 31, open from 7 p.m. to when the undead stop showing up at the door.
Entry costs are covered by a good-will donation, the proceeds of which will all go to help support the Haynes House of Hope.
The South Granville comfort care home provides a cost-free place for the terminally ill and their families to be together during the final days and weeks without the need to provide care.

Six years of lights

2010-09-29T15:12:48Z

by Matthew Rice

Horde teams play night games next week

The air is a little cooler and you can sometimes see your breath as you stand watching the games. But it is a tradition Granville athletes look forward to as much as homecoming – it’s time for Lights Week.
Lights Week returns to Granville for the sixth time with games on three nights with a schedule of contests under the lights for most outdoor varsity sports.
Gas-powered lighting units owned by the Whitehall Recreation League will be rented and hauled to town for nighttime competition by the varsity teams. ]]> “This was developed for the kids because school sports are all for the kids,” Bernard said. “When we started this I just wanted to see if it was going to work and I’m glad it did because it’s good for the school and good for the kids.”
Bernard said he thought it was unfortunate a coaching or administrative decision was going to prevent one of the night games.
“It’s too bad for the field hockey team. I understand they won’t get to play under the lights. I hope that will be addressed for next year,” Bernard said.
Bernard said one of the most rewarding things about getting involved in bringing portable lighting units to illuminate what are otherwise dark fields is the additional fan support seen at all of the night games. It ranges from the additional spectators who come out for the games to the support other teams show for their fellow athletes, often showing up with signs and painted faces.
“The response has been great. The community has really come out and supported the games,” Bernard said.
“It brings the community together; it really shows that it can work. I’m just glad to be a part of it,” Bernard said.
“(Lights Week) adds some spark to the community. Something is going on every night and everyone gets involved not for just one team,” Bernard said.
Jim Zappone at Zappone’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge said he was surprised to hear when planning for Lights Week that the event has been happening since he came to Granville. “As I said in the past it’s a lot of fun; it’s great for the kids and we have a ball doing it. It’s what we do,” he said. “We love giving back to the community and love doing what we can for the kids because it’s all about the kids.”
“I usually go to a couple of games during the week and then, of course, the football game Friday; it’s great to see the community come out and support the teams. We’re excited and it’s fun to see the kids get so excited,” Zappone said.
The final details are always being worked out right up to the last minute but Bernard said he had some event in the works for half time of the Granville Golden Horde versus the Hoosic Valley Indians varsity football game next Friday night.
The week begins Tuesday night, Oct. 5, as the Granville Golden Horde boys soccer team hosts the Stillwater Warriors under the lights at 6:30 p.m. at the Telescope Fields.
No varsity game is scheduled under the lights for Wednesday night; the Granville varsity field hockey team will play at its regular time during Lights Week, 4:30 p.m. behind the Granville Elementary School, taking on league rival the Hoosick Falls Panthers.
Starting back up Thursday, Oct. 7, the Granville Golden Horde varsity girls soccer team will square off against the Hoosic Valley Indians at 6:30 p.m. at the Telescope Fields.
Capping the Lights Week festivities will be the Granville High School Homecoming Game as the Granville Golden Horde football team hosts the Hoosic Valley Indians; kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Bernard said sharing the cost of the lights allows several area businesses to get involved without one taking on a huge financial burden during tough times.
The lights week is brought to the community through a combined donation by Bernardo’s, Bongo’s Burgers, Camara Slate, M. Shaw Insurance, Manchester Newspapers, Subway and Zappone Chrysler Jeep Dodge.

Firearms are stolen from store

2010-09-29T15:09:13Z

By Matthew Rice

Guns stolen, store owner offers reward

The owner of a Granville village business is offering a reward for information after a break-in on Sept. 24 at Whitney’s Archery on Church Street.
Granville police said they were withholding information regarding specifics on the case but said “several firearms” were taken from the 2 Church St. address, which is the home of the archery and taxidermy business owned by Dennis Whitney. ]]> A tenant who noticed something amiss just before 7 a.m. called police to the scene reporting broken glass near the front door of the store.
Police Chief Ernie Bassett Jr. responded to the store and entered, finding the outside front door’s glass had been broken and the interior door also smashed out.
After securing the scene Bassett spoke with Whitney, who verified firearms had been taken from the store.
Police are currently looking for anyone who might have seen anything suspicious in the early morning hours of Sept. 24.
“Our investigation is ongoing; we’re actively working on that as we speak,” Bassett said Monday. Any suspects identified face possible felony charges including third-degree burglary and grand larceny.
The value of the firearms is estimated to exceed $3,000.
Granville Police Sgt. David Williams said while it is always a good idea to lock up your residence or vehicle, police were not advising additional caution as the break-in did not appear to be random.
“This is not the Granville of the ’60s and ’70s so while we advise everyone to lock their doors, we believe this is a targeted burglary; they were looking for guns and they got guns,” Williams said.
On Monday Whitney said he is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the stolen firearms or the conviction of the suspect or suspects responsible for the break-in.
Anyone who thinks they might have seen something relating to the burglary or with information regarding suspects are asked to call Granville police at 642-1414.

Party time!

2010-09-22T14:23:59Z

LaFlamme’s, chamber to host fall fest

LaFlamme’s Inc. in Whitehall will be hosting a grand opening celebration this Saturday.
A free music concert to celebrate the opening of the Whitehall site will be held at the Pavilion in Skenesborough Park on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. featuring the music of Billie Jones and Out of Control.
The concert, which is being sponsored by LaFlamme’s and the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, is free and open to the public. ]]> LaFlamme said as an added bonus to all those who attend will be the opportunity to win more than $3,000 in prizes. Those prizes include a flat panel television, many gifts and much more.
“The local businesses have donated over $3,000 in prizes including a flat screen TV, Serta mattress set, $200 gift certificate to Dockside Jewelers, and many more gift certificates from Finch and Chubb, S & J Eatery, Whitehall Pet Center and MacLeod’s just to name a few,” said LaFlamme.
There will also be plenty of food and refreshments.
“There will be refreshments available including hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and more,” said LaFlamme. “There will be a pizza concession stand by the Boy Scouts, and plenty of other treats.”
Along with help from the businesses in the community, LaFlamme said he wanted to use the opening event as a way to give back to the village.
“Don’t forget to visit the Whitehall charities that will also be present at the event to raise money for each of their organizations,” said LaFlamme. “The Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cheerleaders’ Booster Club and the Whitehall Ecumenical Food Pantry will have raffles, games and more.”
LaFlamme said that he has had a lot of support from the community to bring the event to life.
“The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, Community Bank and Stan’s TV and Appliance Repair have joined with me here at LaFlamme’s Inc. to help make this event possible,” said LaFlamme.
For more information on the LaFlamme’s Inc., grand opening free fall festival, contact LaFlamme at 499-2513.

Schools to host annual open houses on Sept. 23 and Sept. 28

2010-09-22T14:21:32Z

Whitehall Central School will host a pair of open houses in the upcoming week. The Junior/Senior High School open house will take place on Thursday, Sept. 23, starting at 6:45 p.m. and lasting until around 8:30 p.m. Members of the school faculty, guidance office and administration will be on hand to answer questions and talk to parents and community members. For more information, call the school at 499-1770. The Whitehall Elementary open house will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. For more information, call the school at 499-0330.