Informal SWEARING IN of the new Police Chief Michael Niethe December 29th, 2015

My brother has been named the new Chief of Police for Lockport, New York.  There was an "unofficial" swearing in ceremony at City Hall today.  My sisters and I met up there for it.

We got to meet our great nephew Vincent for the first time.  Here he is with his Grampa.

Molinaro's catered a lunch of baked ziti, meatballs, salad and brownies.  Everything was delicious. 

There was this cake in honor of the leaving Chief of Police.  

Here are a couple of pictures from the short ceremony.  

My siblings and I are not often all together in the same room at the same time so we took the opportunity to take pictures of the four of us.  

Victorian Christmas at the Babcock House in Appleton, NY

The Babcock House Museum is a historic cobblestone house at 7449 Lake Road near the Village of Appleton in the Town of Somerset, New York not far from Lake Ontario. The Town of Somerset Historical Society maintains the Greek Revival house which was built in l838.

On Sunday, December 13, 2015 it was open to the public for a few hours in the afternoon for "A Victorian Christmas". Visitors to the house stepped back in time and were able to learn how our ancestors prepared for and celebrated Christmas.

In the kitchen, re-enactors were busy churning butter

and baking small cakes and biscuits in the beehive oven.  One of the recipes they were using is for One, Two, Three, Four Pound Cake. The ingredients are one cup of butter, two cups of sugar, three cups of flour and four eggs. Visitors were encouraged to try the freshly made butter and biscuits and small pound cakes. Just beyond the kitchen with the fireplace, in the summer kitchen, punch and cookies were served.  Here visitors could see the old time knitting machine.

Those who came to the event were allowed to take self guided tours throughout all three floors of the house. Docents were available to give information and answer questions. In the basement, trains from the l950's were set up and small boys watched with wide eyes.

There was organ music in the first floor parlor, and Santa Claus waited for children to come and talk with him

. Upstairs, visitors walked through the bedrooms and saw the antique beds and other furnishings. The framed artwork made with human hair was interesting to see.

The three story gambrel roofed barn was open and visitors walked up a grassy sloped hill and into the building.  Once inside, while she was looking around, Rebecca Austin commented "this would be a great place to have a square dance." Down in the main part of the barn, horse and carriage rides were offered and Norm Atwater and the horse (Queen) took passengers around the property.

 Some of the passengers sang Jingle Bells during the ride substituting "one horse open carriage" for "one horse open sleigh." When asked what she liked best about her visit to the Babcock House, Elaine Stahler said "I have to say it was the carriage ride."

You might be wondering what is so special about a cobblestone house. With a few exceptions, cobblestone buildings are unique to Western New York.

 An experienced mason could lay up three or four courses of stone, on one side of a building, in a day.  This would only be about nine inches of wall. While the mortar was drying and hardening on the first house, the mason would go to another house and complete the same process. It took a long time to complete the building of a cobblestone house, sometimes two or three years, depending on the size of the house. Most cobblestone houses were built before the Civil War.

This particular house was built by Jeptha W. Babcock in 1848.  He and his wife, Mary, came to  Niagara County from Rensselaerville in Albany County in 1833. As well as being a farmer, he was a postmaster and state assemblyman. After his death, the homestead was owned by other families but much of the original  architecture was preserved. Presently, it is owned by the Somerset Operating Company.

The Babcock House Museum is open on Sundays from one until four p.m. starting the last Sunday n June through the second Sunday in October,  It is also open other times of the year for special events.  

Lockport Community Band and Community Chorale Concert 12/11/15

The Lockport Community Band and the Community Chorale offered a Christmas concert at St. John the Baptist Church on Chestnut Street.  I arranged to go with my friend, Elaine and we met up with Judy, Bonnie B. and Crystal.  The concert was great and they had nice refreshments after.  We stopped on Ontario Street to see a popular well decorated house on the way home.



Complete set of pictures taken at the concert are here:  https://www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/sets/72157662309125411

THE SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS at the HESS ROAD WESLEYAN CHURCH in Appleton, NY December 6, 2015

I missed this event last year and heard from several people that it was really great!  So, I made up my mind to go this year.  Elaine agreed to drive, so she picked me up and then we picked Bonnie and Crystal up.

Even though we arrived a half an hour early, the parking lot was almost full.  We were, however, able to get good seats near the front.  My cousin Becky joined us.

The program was spectacular.  The special surprise guests were  a Johnny Mathis impersonator

and a Liberace impersonator.  The GRINCH who stole Christmas was also there!   There were several kinds of music presented.  All was enjoyable!

After we got back to Lockport, Elaine took us to see the house on Ontario Street that is very well decorated for Christmas.

complete set of pictures can be found here www.flickr.com/photos/juneny/albums/72157662046646296

Victorian Tea at Lockport United Church of Christ

New Candy Store in Lockport!!

PINKY SWEETS CANDY SHOP OPENS in Lockport

How long has it been since Lockport had a candy store?

I really don't know, since I moved away in l967 and

just returned last year. However, I do remember going

to a candy store on the north side of Main Street, not

far from the big bridge in the mid l960's. It was so

much fun to go in and look at all the sweets lined up 

behind glass.  I particularly liked the round flat mints

that came in different colors and flavors and the owner

would let me buy one or two at a time, which she put into

a small white bag for me to take with me. What a treat

that was!!

On Saturday, December 5th, Pinky Sweets Candy Shop

opened up at Windsor Village on Stevens Street. They

offered a free bag of treats to the first twenty

customers. I was lucky enough to be one of the first

twenty.  

I met two young ladies

who were cheerfully running 

the shop. I was delighted with the many colorful 

displays of candy on the walls, tables and shelves
.

So much to choose from! Ohhhhh......I was surprised

to see SKY BARS, which brought back happy memories from

my childhood. It was fun to break a Sky Bar into four

parts, each section had a different filling: either caramel,

vanilla, peanut or fudge. Now I can do that again!

PINKY SWEETS will be open Tuesdays and Wednesday from

ten a.m. until six p.m., Thursdays and Fridays from ten

a.m. until eight p.m. and Saturdays from ten a.m. until

four p.m. They offer a wide variety of all kinds of 

candies. I am sure there is something for everyone! 

If you need items to fill your kids or grandkids Christmas

stockings, PINKY SWEETS can help!  

Winter's Fest Eve at the Bond-Hawley House

The Bond-Hawley House on 143 Ontario Street in Lockport

is the oldest brick home in Lockport and is also one of the first brick homes built in Niagara County. It was built by Colonel William Bond between 1823 and 1824 and later owned by his brother-in-law Jesse Hawley. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built using the Federal Style and is primarily furnished in the l820's Empire  period style.

The Niagara County Historical Society opened the house to the public on the evening of Thursday, December 4th for Winter's Eve Fest.

I arrived to the beautiful sound of a drummer.  A young man named Connor was drumming on the front steps of the house.

He and his grandmother, Karen, greeted us and asked us to sign the guest book.

 Karen explained that she was dressed for the Christmas Eve ball which would be enjoyed by their friends and family. We picked up booklets printed up for this occasion. The booklet has sections about each room and tells the stories of what Christmas may have been like in this house in an early canal-era family home.

 My friend and I did a self guided tour. Each room on all three floors of the house was decorated for Christmas.

Docents offered guided tours for those who were interested in doing that. I listened to parts of the talks and descriptions given by the docents and I was impressed with their enthusiasm as well as their knowledge. My friend and I walked through all the rooms, enjoying the antiques, the trees and the holiday decorations

. We did a lot of pointing and exclaiming as we saw various antique items and furnishings.

The nineteenth century holiday spirit was evident all through the house. Seasonal music was offered in the elegant downstairs dining room by brother and sister team Lucas Herman and Sheryl Bates.

In the kitchen, cookies and hot cider were offered.

I learned that feather trees were popular in Victorian times. Candles were one of the first widely used
Christmas tree decorations but could only be lit for a few minutes at a time while the family stood nearby with buckets of water or sand in case of fire. In the 1830's and 1840's seashell collecting was a popular hobby and often the shells were made into Christmas ornaments.

It was an enjoyable evening full of both historical facts and pleasure. If you were unable to go to this event, the Bond-Hawley House holiday exhibit will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. on the following Saturdays: December 5th, 12th and l9th. If you go, you won't be disappointed.










   

LIGHT UP LOCKPORT for submission to LOCKPORT STAR

I recently moved back to Lockport after being away for over forty years.  I have been enjoying getting to know Lockport again by exploring the area and  going to community events.  When I read about LIGHT UP LOCKPORT, I decided to go.  This annual event was held in DOWNTOWN LOCKPORT on Saturday, November 28th.   I had a few free hours in the afternoon and I asked a friend to accompany me.

The events started early in the morning with breakfast at the Cornerstone Arena and continued all day long! After the evening parade and tree lighting at the Palace Theatre, the final event was the movie POLAR EXPRESS at the Palace Theatre. In between, there were a multitude of activities to choose from.

My friend and I enjoyed a free slice of pizza at PAPA LEO'S.  Thank you Papa Leo's for being so well organized and generous. The slices were delicious!

We also went to WINDSOR VILLAGE.  This former flower shop is now a gift shop (GrassRoots Mercantile) offering many locally made items. There is so much to choose from!   The shop was decorated for Christmas and they offered refreshments as well as free tours of THE SPROUT 1825 room.  This attraction is a place where children and adults can take a step back into the past and experience life on the Erie Canal in 1825, which was the year the canal opened.

WINDSOR VILLAGE is a "work in progress" as the owners have lot of plans for new additions in the future.  

At the other end of Main Street, the Emmanuel Methodist Church had a wonderful display of nativities.

While browsing and viewing the manger scenes, participants enjoyed cookies and cider and the warmth of a fireplace.

 Christmas carolers sang familiar songs and I could not resist singing along.

At the WAREHOUSE, I purchased a few Christmas gifts and was given this great bag

and was reminded of all the great shopping opportunities Lockport offers in the form of small businesses. Have you heard about LOCKPORT HOLIDAY BINGO?  When I  made my purchase at THE WAREHOUSE, I was given this Bingo Card:

We have until December 31st to visit small businesses in Lockport and complete a  BINGO on one of these cards and then  turn it in at The PALACE THEATRE Box Office.  The grand prize is a $100 gift certificate to a Lockport restaurant and four tickets to the live performance of Mary Poppins.  So, pick up your card and get started!  This is a good opportunity to meet local shop owners and you might find a unique gift or two at one or more of the small shops .

The tasting room at The FLIGHT OF FIVE WINERY (in Old City Hall on Pine Street) offered samples of their seasonal mulled wine
and cider in a warm, relaxed atmosphere  
as well as more shopping opportunities.  Stop by someday and check out the old tin ceiling in the tasting room and take some time to look at the historical photographs in the area outside the tasting room.   The building was built in l864 and purchased by Birdsill Holly in l884,    In l893 the building was purchased by the City of Lockport.  An addition was put on which housed the courtroom.  There is so much history in this magnificent building which is just steps away from the Erie Canal and the famous Flight of Five.

LIGHT UP LOCKPORT  offered  something for everyone! Families had the opportunity to see two popular movies at the PALACE THEATER. Kids got to see Santa Claus at the PALACE and I heard that he gave out presents. History buffs were able to take inside tours (led by EXPLORE BUFFALO) of  some of Lockport's historic homes.  Christmas shoppers had opportunities to shop at THE WAREHOUSE, The Old Post Office (wreath sale), SCIRTO'S JEWELERS, GOULD'S FLOWERS,  BLING!, THE ART and SOUL  GIFT SHOP at the Market Street Art Studios and many more places. There were horse and carriage rides and children could do crafts at the Lockport Library.  Those wanting more health related activities could take a ZUMBA class at Curves and get their eyes screened by the LIONS CLUB at the Cornerstone Arena. Food was offered at various places including a new diner on West Main Street: BIG BRIDGE DINER. There were a lot more activities, too many to list here. Many of them were free.

The entire day was a wonderful opportunity for families to have fun together and get a dose of the holiday spirit. I plan to allow myself more time next year to enjoy this event.

by: Carolyn Simmons

LIGHT UP LOCKPORT 11/28/15

Mary Ann and I met up in order to go to LIGHT UP LOCKPORT....a day filled with open house and activities. Our first stop was WINDSOR VILLAGE

which is in what used to be a flower shop. They have a nice gift shop and a walk through attraction called SPROUT 1825. It tells some of the history of Lockport, and was decorated for Christmas.

Today they offered visitors free coffee or hot chocolate and cookies. Our second stop was PAPA LEO'S where they were offering free slices of pizza between noon and one p.m. At first it looked like it was too crowded and that it would take a long time to get the free pizza, but the line moved quickly and they were well organized. From there we went to the Methodist Church for their NATIVITY DISPLAY.

Many nativities in various styles were set up to be viewed. Refreshments were offered and there was carol singing. It was very nice. Then we went to THE WAREHOUSE for some serious shopping. I found a few small items for my granddaughter and a great Christmas present for my sister, Peggy. Here are some pictures taken in THE WAREHOUSE.

and

Our last stop was at the FLIGHT OF FIVE WINERY in Old City Hall
I neglected to take a picture of this great old building soThis photo of Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride is courtesy of TripAdvisor We sampled some mulled cider and relaxed a bit in the winery We never saw the horse and carriage ride which was mentioned in the newspaper. It was a nice afternoon.

BLACK FRIDAY with Peggy

I do not like to shop and normally avoid shopping on Black Friday, but Peggy had a few things she needed, and asked me to accompany her and I agreed. We set out from my house around ten thirty a.m. Our first stop was Paula's Donuts on Sheridan, where we picked up donuts and coffee. Our second stop was BED BATH and BEYOND where Peggy found a Christmas present for David using the twenty percent off coupon we were given at the front door. Then we went to CHRISTMAS TREE SHOPS and we both bought several items, again using a twenty percent off coupon. It said on the coupon that the deal expired at noon, and it was one p.m. or so, but we were able to use it. We had lunch at Old Country Buffet using a coupon, so the two of us got to eat for a combined total of a bit less than ten dollars. Everything we both tried was very good and the place was very clean today. After that we went to DSW and each of us bought a pair of shoes, much discounted because of it being Black Friday. Our last stop was TRADER JOES, and we each bought several items.

Dinner Theatre ADVENTURE at FAITH TAB

My church offers free Thanksgiving Dinner two night in a row the week before Thanksgiving every year. The object is for us to invite friends and family members. Last night was the first night and I invited several people to go with me: Barb, Elaine, her cousin Sue, my cousin Becky and Karra.

This year it was not only dinner, they showed a movie DO YOU BELIEVE? The meal was excellent

and I think everyone enjoyed the movie. Here are some pictures.

Karra's cousins were siting at the table next to ours.