Daily Archives: February 7, 2013

Herr-Story by Charles Herr: A look at local days gone by

Before there was Inlet II: James Galvin and the Fulton Chain Club

PART THREE

Theodore Basselin was an unusual choice for Forest Commissioner in 1885 as he was also a lumber baron.

Charles Goodwin Emery made his fortune from a cigarette rice paper patent (his company was among the first to advertise with baseball cards) and he held substantial Thousand Islands real estate, building Calumet Castle in 1893–1894.

Allen Kilby was a successful Carthage lawyer, served two years in the Assembly after which he continued practicing law.

Ephraim Myers learned banking at an early age, gained presidency of the First National Bank of Carthage, was connected with the new Carthage Savings Bank in the same building and served twice as Carthage’s village president.

From the outset, the association had a rocky start. Included in the tract was lot 55 (80 acres) in Herkimer County on which wealthy oil magnate Charles Pratt had a “private lodge.”

The lot was sold in 1856 for taxes but no deed had been issued.

On behalf of the association, Galvin sent Garmon to Albany to retrieve the deed.

But Basselin had instructed Garmon to return the 80 acre deed to him which Garmon (Basselin was his Forest Commission boss) did.

The members met with and tried to pay Garmon for his expenses but he refused payment and would not provide the deed.

The other members believed Basselin would procure the deed for himself and brought suit against Basselin.

The short story is that Basselin received the lot in February 1890.

In September, Basselin left the association and in return received 20 other acres in lot 55.

I could not determine if this was the same land that papers reported Pratt buying from the association in January 1890 that contained his camp.

Continue reading →

Talkin’ Code with Andrew Getty

Some permit approvals run with the deed, while others expire

Two permit types

Each municipality has the ability to establish different types of permits, such as: special permits, conditional permits, use permits, building permits, sign permits, operational permits or just about any kind of permit someone could think of.

These different permits are usually identified within the local Zoning Ordinance, if the municipality has a Zoning Ordinance.

If they do not, usually they will have various “local laws” that accomplish the same thing.

The Town of Webb does have a Zoning Ordinance that spells out all the different permits and procedures.

The Zoning Ordinance is a local law by itself.

The town has a host of other local laws as well.

Currently, a comprehensive process is underway to codify all the local laws, along with the Zoning Ordinance, into one consolidated book.

This new book will be properly indexed; will have a table of contents, and give the historical aspect of each section.

This process has proven to be a daunting task and thus, painfully slow.

However, when done it will provide a reference tool for the town, builders, developers, property owners, business owners and applicants alike.

Not to mention the ease of use it will bring for town officials and board members.

Back to the whole idea of approvals and permits. Continue reading →

Just a Thought by Richard Risley

One last lesson for seniors, soon graduating to larger world

Are we sending our high school seniors into the world without some of the most basic and necessary skills? Skills that if not needed now, will certainly be needed later in life?

Such as table manners, where a refresher might be in order, but though all know some, few know all. Wouldn’t that be a great service to our students, their colleges, their future spouses and bosses—a reminder of what the larger world expects beyond Forestport, Webb or Inlet?

I’ve enjoyed restaurant meals with many of our local youths. And all could use tips and reminders. As an example, some forget to remove their hats while at the table—or indoors for that matter.

The school hierarchy may exclude table manners from their formal teaching tasks, but if not the school, then who? Maybe View would make a good instructional venue, or someplace else. But who should take the lead? Since the endeavor involves students learning from teachers, maybe school involvement would be appropriate—in association with View.

Now that would be a great community partnership that would benefit many. And for years to come.

Any other volunteers out there? Instructors? Helpers? I’d be happy to assist.

My little story. A couple of years ago, after a local basketball game, our son Calvin and some friends wanted to hit Tony Harpers for pizza. Since they wanted a ride, and Val and I needed dinner, we made the decision to join them.

Knowing I was going to be purchasing dinner, I didn’t hesitate to look over to the boys’ table and remind them to make sure they had napkins on their laps. Cal reached for the paper towels and handed them out to each person. I turned my attention back to my own pizza without much more thought.

I understand that sometime after dinner, one of the other boys said, “Hey Calvin, ya know how your dad made us put a napkin on our lap?” Cal answered, “Yeah?”

“Is that some kind of family tradition or something?” the boy asked.

Which isn’t to say I couldn’t benefit from some instruction myself. Continue reading →

Service planned for M. Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Norris

Betty Norris

M. Elizabeth “Betty” Norris passed away in Mesa, AZ on February 1, 2013 following a brief illness.

She was born in Utica, NY on June 9, 1939 to Leonard D. Helmer and Helen Gutchess Helmer.

She married Robert (Rusty) Norris on December 31, 1967 in Las Vegas, NV. Rusty predeceased her in 1980.

Betty is survived by her brothers William Helmer (Gail) of Old Forge, NY and Thomas Helmer (Linda) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and brother-in-law Charles Hopsicker, husband of her predeceased sister Catherine (Casey).

“Aunt Betty” also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews and a countless number of dear friends.

Donations in Betty’s memory may be sent to: Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States, 406 W. 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111.

A memorial service will be held in the spring in Old Forge.

Friends and family celebrate Ceil Buckley’s 100th Birthday

From left: Gabe Duguay, Jon Paul Duguay, Evan Rannels, Sandy Fetterman, Mike Schoen (behind Sandy), Brett Russell, Betty Buckley Rannels, Lynn Russell, Mark Buckley, Ada Rannels. Seated from left: Yvonne Duguay Mekkri with Rielley, and Ceil Buckley.

Cecelia Buckley’s surprise 100th birthday celebration was amazing!

Over 80 folks attended and she received 100 cards—one of them from the President and Mrs. Obama.

Thanks to all. She’s made a lot of friends in her long life.

Thanks to all who donated to the Silver Needle Awards. Thank you Pointed Pine Quilters for initiating this tribute to Ceil’s past craft ability.

View can now continue the award for years. Thanks to all the staff of View—what a wonderful venue.

Thank you Patrick Russell and the Herkimer County Legislature for proclaiming January 30, Ceil Buckley Day in Herkimer County.

Mirnie Kashiwa, left, with Yvonne Duguay Mekkri and baby Rielley

Thanks Peg Masters for your excellent photography, also Deb Evans. Thanks to all who “pitched in.”

Thanks Karen Anderson and RCIL for the flowers.

Thanks to the family for the awesome cleanup!

Thank the Lord for the beautiful day that allowed family and friends to be with Ceil and may she be blessed with more healthy years of sharing.

Betty Rannels, Thendara

On behalf of Ceil Buckley’s family

Ceil Buckley’s firned at the Resource Center for Independent Living (RICL) group in Inlet celebrated her arrival at centenarian status with a party on Wednesday, January 30, Ceil’s actual birthday.

Growing up Adirondack by Mitch Lee

Being respectful of the ice while engaging in February fun

I can’t remember exactly how old I was when I began to understand the properties of the ice that formed on the lake, the edges of creeks, and the marshy areas that surrounded my Limekiln Lake house.

As children, we were trained to be respectful of the ice and to avoid trekking on thin ice.

In school we were told the story of Mr. Meneilly, who, long before we were born, drowned as he tried to cut across Fifth Lake on bad ice.

I had a fascination with the ice and investigated its progress every time I was outside.

I would go down to the lake as often as I could to poke a stick in the edge of the shore to check its depth.

I would roam around the woods and stick the toe of my boot into the creek edges and swamps to see what the ice was doing.

I liked to crack the ice with rocks or skip a rock across its surface. As a rock flew along I could tell the depth of the ice by the sound it made.

A twang-like sound would indicate thin ice, while a low growling boom would tell me the ice was thick.

The ice varied in color at different locations. Some of the real dark ice was so hard I could barely scratch its surface.

The white ice seemed softer and more fragile, like glass. Continue reading →

Just Call me Mrs. Lucky

Love means never having to apologize for a last minute assignment

It’s 6:30 a.m., and I’ve just been phone-interviewed by a Town of Webb School student. I’ll do my best to keep this anonymous because clearly, he waited until the last possible minute to complete this homework project.

Let’s call him, say, Tyrone.

“Morning Jan, I need a favor…”

“Sure thing Ty – what’s up?”

“I need to do a phone interview about Love, and (just in case I was feeling flattered), you’re the only one I know who’s awake at this hour.”

“Hmm. Lemme guess, it’s due today.”

“Yup – it sure is. Bus’ll be here in ten and I’m eating my breakfast sandwich…”

So on it went, me spewing gooey stuff about Love, more specifically, Young Love.

I don’t really recall all of my words, but I definitely remember stating that “love is the stuff that helps you sleep at night,” and ending with the sappy, “better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

This particular kid is a super duper student and I would never want to jeopardize his potential “A” after he dedicated all this time to his assignment.

I hung up the phone chuckling to myself, and thinking if I had just a few more moments of preparation this could’ve been a terrific—no, SPECTACULAR—interview.

For sure I would’ve liked to fast forward his young life ten years or so, when he’s maybe married with a couple of his own kids.

Would my answers have been different? Oh yeah.

“What is Love?”

“Well Ty, was the toilet seat up or down when you left for work this morning?” Up = Love, Down = Doghouse. Continue reading →

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