Among the topics discussed by the Board of Directors of the Webb Property Owners Association (WPOA) at their monthly meeting held Saturday, January 19 was the value of conducting a survey to determine the unmet needs of people living in, or visiting the area.

Town of Webb Supervisor Riehle, Inlet Supervisor Frey, and Nick Rose, executive director of CAP-21, were in attendance to discuss the issue and offer their views on the subject.

According to WPOA President Letty Haynes, it was decided the survey would be a worthwhile project as many of the summer residents and visitors may be aware of needs or services that are not as apparent to year-round residents.

The survey will be primarily funded by the Webb Property Owners Association, with the hope of reaching as many people as possible.

The Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts recently announced the recipients of funds from the 2013 Decentralization Regrant Program (DEC), provided by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).

DEC funds are administered in Hamilton County by the Arts Center, which advocates at the state level to bring money to local municipalities and non-profit organizations.

These funds have been distributed directly back into Hamilton County to support the enthusiasm and creativity of organizations and their programs.

The Town of Inlet was the recipient of funds in support of its Sunsets by the Lake Concert Series, and An Evening with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, which is presented by the Fulton Chain of Lakes Performing Arts Council, Inc.

Recipients of funds in Long Lake were the Town of Long Lake’s RondeauFest, the Long Lake Friends of Music Concert Series, and the Long Lake Central School’s French-Canadian Arts in Education Celebration.

In the Indian Lake area, the Town of Indian Lake’s Adirondack Cultural Mural received funding.

The Indian Lake Theater’s Arts and Culture Thursday, as well as its Hamilton County Reads Beyond Books program, were also awarded funds through the DEC.

The Reverend Sherman Skinner, Niccolls Memorial Church Parish Associate and retired pastor, will lead a Grief Support Group at the church on Tuesdays throughout the month of February.

The first meeting will take place in the church’s Social Room on Tuesday, February 5 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. It is open to anyone who has experienced a loss of any kind.

“The group is intended to provide a source of mutual caring and support as people deal with feelings of loss, emptiness, and grief. All are invited to join us on this journey toward healing and wholeness,” Rev. Skinner said.

Reservations are not necessary.

More information is available by calling the church office at (315) 369-3475, or Rev. Skinner at 357-4800.

Niccolls Memorial Presbyterian Church is located at 228 Crosby Blvd. in Old Forge.

J

ason Perkins of Old Forge has been appointed as the new Parks and Recreation Director for the Town of Webb. Perkins was selected among a field of six strong candidates, said Supervisor Ted Riehle.

As the recreation director, Perkins will be responsible for development of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors to the Town of Webb.

He will promote and oversee events and programs that take place at town recreational venues and be responsible for coordinating existing little league and summer youth programs.

Mike Notley, also of Old Forge, has been hired as a full-time cleaner for the town. He was one of 10 applicants, according to Supervisor Riehle.

As cleaner, Notley’s responsibilities include the town offices on Route 28 and Park Avenue, the Visitor Information Center, justice courts, and the police station.

Deke and Carol Morrison have been selected to serve as the king and queen of the Old Forge Winter Carnival which will be held at McCauley Mountain Friday through Sunday, February 15 to 17.

The Morrisons were a vital force in the Old Forge ski scene in the 1970s and 80s.

Their kids Steve, Lisa, Tim and Chris began racing at a young age as members of the Polar Bear Ski Club. Deke served as president of the Polar Bears for some time.

As they got older, the Morrison kids were racers on the Town of Webb School Alpine  Ski Team. During those years, Deke volunteered as a race starter, while Carol registered racers, cooked for the team and chaperoned many away meets.

Deke proved to be so good as a race starter that he was invited to work the alpine starts in Lake Placid during the 1980 Olympics. A picture of him wearing an Old Forge hat appeared in an Olympics-featured article in Sports Illustrated magazine.

Today, the Morrisons typically spend their entire winter in Florida.

When they return to Old Forge they keep themselves busy assisting with the annual Classic Boat Show, View events, and a number of other community-minded events and organizations.

The family of Cecelia “Ceil” Buckley invites all friends and community members to join them at View on Sunday, January 27 in celebration of Ceil’s 100th birthday.

The party will take place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Guests are invited to enjoy refreshments and birthday cake.

On display at the event will be five quilts handstitched by Ceil for her children and grandchildren.

Photos depicting various stages of Ceil’s life will be streamed on a laptop throughout the party.

As a lifelong quilter and longtime member of the local Pointed Pine Quilters, an award was created in her honor at last fall’s Quilts Unlimited juried quilt show.

The annual Cecelia Buckley Silver Needle Award will be presented to the individual who creates the  most outstanding hand-quilted entry in the show.

In lieu of gifts, the family suggests donations to Ceil’s namesake award.

Ceil was born to Henry and Clara (Rozon) DeMoors on January 30, 1913 in a house on the corner of Beech and Birch Streets in Thendara. She is the oldest living Thendara resident.