Vol. 3, issue no. 2, Aug. 18, 2012

THE PORT HENRY FACT FINDER

Reporting the News and Needs of Port Henry and Vicinity

vol. 3, issue #2 August 18, 2012
This issue has been made possible by the generous support of the following:

The King's Inn, Patricia E. Lovell, Fred and Randi Collins, and Decker's Flats

DINER OPENING AUGUST 21ST!!!!

See below under pH7 Notes for full details.

A DOUBLE DAY

Champ & Johnny Podres Day came and went on a beautiful, though rather hot, Saturday, August 4th, the same day both Westport and Essex had similar events. For those of us "womening" the Information Booth it seemed there was not the crowd of people we were expecting to see. When I checked with friends in Essex and Westport, they said they felt their event had been well attended. I hope my perception of crowd was wrong. The people I spoke with and saw attending seemed happy and Pat Salerno said he was very pleased with the attendance at his Johnny Podres exhibit in the old Army/Navy store. I stopped in and can vouch that everything was beautifully displayed, the many different shirts Johnny had used, pictures and a case filled with smaller memorabilia. The star of this group was a recently acquired blue belt worn by Johnny in the Brooklyn Dodger's World Championship Game #7 of 1955. This belt is a true collector's prize for several reasons. First, that it exists. Belts were usually worn until they needed replacement because of looks and then they might have been sent on down to the minor leagues where they were worn until they simply had to be tossed; so not many belts have survived. Secondly its condition, which is excellent, the "why" is the following lovely story.

About four weeks ago the telephone rang and a man named Bill Harris from Napa Valley, CA called Pat saying he wanted to contribute to Pat's Johnny Podres collection. He then sent Pat Johnny's 1955 World Series Brooklyn Dodger #7 game belt! This belt had been given to his father Bill Harris, Sr. right after the 1955 Series by Joe Podres, Johnny's father and then, of course, given to his son Bill Harris, Jr. who then made Pat Salerno one happy, happy man. If Pat's wishes come true, eventually there will be a proper museum in which to house all his Johnny Podres mementos.

When I stopped by, Joni Podres was being photographed holding the belt. I was struck by what a beautiful woman she is. She was a skater with the Ice Follies when she and Johnny met in LA. Also, at the exhibit was Bill Bennett, author of "Yankee Killer" and Plattsburgh's Hometown Cable filming the event for airing on channel 4 & 15.

Champ Day also brought well-deserved recognition to Jack Woods, long-time president of Moriah Chamber of Commerce and a generous benefactor to Port Henry of his time and energies. The village traffic circle, The Oval, had a plaque installed dedicating it to him and listing others involved in the project. The Oval's being filled with flowers seemed just the right touch as one of the self-assigned responsibilities Jack took on was watering the flowers in front of businesses and along the streets.

A less happy use of the Oval is the big red warning sign, which went up about a week ago, telling all traffic headed for Mineville it must use Pilfishire Road as a detour. The Moriah Center bridge over Mill Brook right before the "Y" was "red flagged" a whole year before its scheduled replacement in 2013 through a federal aid program. This bridge is one of those A-to-B bridges, the only straight path to get from important goal "A" to important goal "B" for many, many people and, even more importantly, emergency equipment, school buses, highway and delivery trucks, totally over 3000 uses per day. The goal is to have it open in time for school bus use.

BOARD NOTES

A special meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled for Monday, August 20th at the Village Hall at 7 pm to discuss matters pertaining to the Campground. As always, the public is not only invited to Board meetings but encouraged to attend. This is OUR village, OUR responsibility, not just the Board's. It is not just the Board or the Moriah Chamber of Commerce's responsibility to try and fill our empty store fronts, to let the absentee landlords know we villagers do not like having the face of our village represented to visitors and outsiders by the Catch Penny building or the building on down the hill, with no repair being continued, just left with vivid blue plastic as a partial flapping "roof". It is OUR responsibility to maintain our own properties the best we can, keeping them picked-up, neat and clean even it our finances don't allow us to repair and paint as we would like. And part of our responsibility to our hometown is finding out about its needs and how these needs are being addressed, village wide, not just the parcel that is our own and about which we hasten to complain if anything goes wrong. You must know the "beast" to understand the "beast" and in understanding it you can best help it and, in turn, yourself, so - come to Board meetings.

The scheduled monthly meeting of the Board was held Monday, August 13 at its usual time and location. There have been some complaints about water quality which was addressed immediately. These complaints were caused when hydrants at the end's of streets need to be flushed. If you feel your water quality is not as it should be, do not hesitate to call Chip Perry, he would rather check something that is OK than have something that really needs attention not be checked. A warning: if you have an in-line filter, it needs maintenance after installation.

The NYS Consolidated Funding Application for the 2012 Block Grant was submitted by Matthew McNamara of the Essex County Community Development and Planning Office on July 13, 2012. A copy of the complete application is on file in the Village Office where it may be read for those interested in knowing more about this grant. There was discussion concerning the Water Debt Service charge and the new water meters.

Jack Woods submitted a $40.00 donation from Kim Kolodzey for flowers in the Village. Thank you, Kim! Proposed Local Law No. 3 of 2012, titled: Unsafe Structure Law of the Village of Port Henry, as received from the Village attorney, was available to the public attending the meeting and will be available for public inspection at Village Hall during normal hours. If the Board does not wish to make any changes or revisions to the proposed law as presented, then a Public Hearing may be scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2012 at 6:45, prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting. This Law helps protect villagers against the problems created by these dilapidated and/or empty, uncared for buildings.

The College Street project is ready and waiting only for stones from the County for its completion.

The Campground reported reservation requests for seasonal sites are coming in nicely. There was an incident where a cyclist had a seizure and could not continue to his next stop. One of the campers took him, his wife and their bicycles to their next stop. In a thank you note for the care he had received at the Campground, he wrote that he was able to continue the next day. Laurie warns that it is best to wear swim shoes while swimming as there are invasive zebra mussels attached to seaweed and they are not fun to step on.

Fire Chief Hughes reported a continuing busy schedule of OSHA training, equipment maintenance, annual fire inspections, meetings concerning emergency safety and participation in the Chilson FD BBQ and Truck Display held in July where Port Henry's 1946 American LaFrance captured 3 awards. PHFD held a "Meet and Greet" with the Moriah FD on August 7th, where each department became more familiar with the others equipment, so joint efforts could run more smoothly.

TOWN BOARD MEETING NOTES

As Port Henry is a Village within the Town of Moriah, it seems wise to attend as many of their meetings as possible. Although much of the meeting's discussions do not affect Port Henry directly, joint concerns, such as school and police force do. In an effort to find more ways where both Town and Village can benefit by solving problems from combined efforts, Town Supervisor Tom Scozzafava, Councilman Tim Garrison, Village Mayor Ernie Guerin and Village Trustee Ruth McDonough will meet trying to find ways to improve both Town and Village life.

NOTE FROM LITERACY VOLUTEERS

The New York Times has just issued

The Times in Plain English. This new initiative is designed to reach those readers who, for whatever reason, find reading the New York Times too time consuming but still like the Times' views on current news. It presents major news stories in a more readily readable format and wordage. Each story is short and to the point. The design is simple and inviting. The online newspaper is available at no cost. It is available internationally, and with a simple click of the mouse the text is instantly converted to another language of choice. If having the news in a handy, time-saving package appeals to you, go to:

pH7 NOTES

The pH7 committee is sponsoring a Meet the Candidate night for the Town Justice position. The meeting will be on Monday, August 27, at 7 pm at the Town courthouse. The candidates will describe their backgrounds and their reasons for running for the Town Justice. There will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.

The primary is Thursday, September 13. Only registered Republicans can vote in the primary, however, everyone is invited and encouraged to attend the Meet the Candidate night, because whether you are Republican or Democrat, one of these three will be your justice. The three candidates are Brandy Patnode-Michener, Rick Carpenter, and Larry Wintle. The meeting will be taped and broadcast on Channel 17.

Saturday, September 1, the Info Booth will be open at 10am - 2pm. The latest Port Henry Champ Shirts will be on sale and there will be a Hula Hoop contest at 10am with a prize of a half-hour riding lesson at Black Watch Farm being donated by Lynn Wallace.

The pH7 painting "crew" has been very busy the past two weeks. With a request from the Moriah Presbyterian Church and an approval by building owner Pete Gilbo, the "crew" set to work and has produced an absolutely beautiful flower mural rising up out of the wide, manicured stretch of grass adjoining the Church facing Church Street. Santa's summer helpers took time out from the mural to join Don Foote, Kathy and Grant Spinks (his sister and her husband) in painting the historic Port Henry diner its original colors of cream and apple green in readiness for its OPENING, TUESDAY AUGUST 21ST! Yes, yes, yes, the Diner, now called Foote's Port Henry Diner (a sign has yet to be installed) will be open for early, 6 am, breakfastAUGUST 21st. The Diner will also be open for lunch from 11 am to 2 pm, closing time. If you are one of those people who enjoy breakfast at lunch time, you are very lucky indeed, the diner will serve breakfast anytime from 6 am to 2 pm. The phone number for the Diner is 546-7600.

FARMERS' MARKET NOTES
The Port Henry Farmers' Market is doing very well about half way through its second year. The vegetables are truly wonderful and business seems to be building, even on the unusual rainy day. Old customers keep coming back and new faces appear, hopefully to become returnees. Other than vegetables, there are flowers, jams and jellies, baked goods, art works and those wonderful baskets produced by Adirondack Weavers who are patiently making more baskets while they wait for their fire-ravaged shop to be repaired and returned to them. The market is open Wednesdays 9 am - 1 pm, rain or shine, unless the rain brings lightening, then you may have to buy your produce somewhere indoors. Special note: tomatoes seemed to be the "in" veggie this past Wednesday, with squash (zucchini and summer a close second) each stand offering their prizes. Come next Wednesday and assure yourself enough of these lovely necessities for your winter sauces, salsas and frozen zucchini for "zucchini parmesan." Oh yes, if you have not tried using zucchini instead of eggplant, you have a real surprise treat in store. Also, it is much better for those suffering from arthritis, as eggplant is a night shade plant and night shades are not good for arthritis. Unfortunately, each person will just have to make their own decisions about tomatoes and potatoes, yup, night shades.

The next issue of Fact Finder will be found at its usual places on Saturday, September 1st.