Blue Star Mothers resuming holding Gold Star Memorial Day ceremony...
The region's war dead were remembered during the eighth Gold Star family rememberance at Jamestown's Veterans Memorial Park this past Saturday... of those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. In addition to the Pledge of Allegiance... the National Anthem was sung by those in attendance for the Blue Star Mothers Lake Erie Chapter 4's annual service last Saturday morning. Several dignitaries were on hand... including former State Senator Cathy Young, who helped secure a major state grant to develop the park. She focused on what Memorial Day is all about. Young says the pain and loss "never goes away" for the families, and Memorial Day is "all about remembering, honoring, hope and healing." The Keynote Speaker for this year's program was Holly Baker, the mother of late Army Sergeant Brian Baker, who was killed in Iraq. Mrs. Baker is past-President, and current Vice-President, of the American Gold Star Mothers of New York state. The Springville resident says this is a difficult weekend for them. Several other elected officials from the region were on hand... including Congressman Tom Reed, State Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Chautauqua County Executive P-J Wendel, and Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist.
Bemus Pt.-Stow Ferry back in operation after rededication...
The weather was harsh, but spirits were high Friday afternoon as the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry was officially re-dedicated. It’s now crossing the narrows of Chautauqua Lake for the first time since it failed inspection in 2018. One of the ferry’s Co-Presidents, Jay Kuntz, was grateful for the money raised and work done. Kuntz says "never underestimate what a group of dedicated volunteers can do." One of the board members, Mary Margaret Wagner… who is also a ferry pilot… stood at the Stow landing, in driving wind and rain to give a blessing. In addition to the $200,000 in work done to make it seaworthy, Jay Kuntz says there’s one other new addition to the ferry... a plaque honoring the late John Cheney. Cheney, who was from the Bemus area, worked for decades to keep the ferry operating. At noon Monday... there’ll be a special presentation from the middle of the lake for Memorial Day. Following that the ferry will take passengers through 5 p.m. The Bemus Point-Stow Ferry is set to run weekends through the summer. The cost is just a donation.
JPS, and seven others successful in winning appeal in Small Cities lawsuit...
The Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court has unanimously reversed a lower court ruling that dismissed the Small Cities School District lawsuit against the state. The Jamestown Public Schools... which is one of the the eight districts involved in the suit... issued a statement from the Small Cities organization this morning. Officials say the case has now been sent back to the Trial Court "with the direction that the State of New York must craft an appropriate plan to remedy this situation, and such plan will be subject to further judicial review." The districts... led initially by Jamestown... first sued the state 12 years ago... claiming that those district's "were not able to provide services such as guidance counselors, social workers, English language teachers, tutorial programs, and school buildings that their (at-risk) students required." The Appellate Court agreed the eight districts need an additional, combined $1.1-billion in state aid.
Jamestown Babe Ruth WS Committee confirms 13 year-old World Series is a go...
It's official: The 40th anniversary 13 year-old Babe Ruth World Series is set for Jamestown's Diethrick Park this coming Aug. 14-21. Public Relations Division Chairwoman Kim Ecklund says they are "proud" to be able to hold the event after a one-year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ecklund says this will be the 18th World Series that has been held in Jamestown since 1980. At that time... Babe Ruth Baseball held it's first-ever 13 year-old series in Jamestown. The Babe Ruth Board of Directors are in the process of finalizing all the plans for the event and will be looking for the help of the community.
Ribbon cut on new business in Mayville involving Webb and Pucci families...
Two Chautauqua County families who have run long-time business have joined forces for create a new, and unique business in the former bowling alley at Webb's Captains Table in Mayville. The ribbon was cut this afternoon on the new Webb's Captain's Table Cafe and Cottage by Pucci. The Webb's had already been using some of the former Cottage Collection location on West Lake Road for a new carry-out service during the pandemic. Owner Ben Webb says he had known Fredonia's Todd Schaffer -- who run's Pucci's Furniture in Fredonia -- for many years and discussing sharing that space. Webb says they're worked "really well together" in making the new business work on a "handshake deal." Shaffer's wife is the former Katie Pucci. Her family started Pucci's Furniture 49 years ago. Among the dignitarites on hand for the ribbon cutting and grand opening was Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel... who talked about the space being used. It's the old bowling alley part of the Webb's complex.
