There were full tummies a plenty after the Lock 52 Historical Society spaghetti dinner on Oct. 22. More than a hundred dinners were cooked and served by Lock 52 volunteers in the first spaghetti dinner fund-raiser held by the society. President Chick Walker, along with all the volunteers, wishes to thank those who helped to make this event such a success. The funds raised will be used in making repairs to the society building on Pine Street. The society also wishes to thank those who came to the weekly Thursday morning open hours for a look around, or to do some study. This was the first season that volunteers have staffed open hours at the historical society and the response has been encouraging. With the onset of winter, the building will be closed until spring unless arrangements are made ahead of time. Look for an open house during the Christmas season.

The village remains atwitter after the premier of “Black Mary.” Heard often is a repeat of, “Where did you pick her up? Weedsport?,” which seems to be the favorite line of the movie. Also heard is, “I didn't get it!” But this writer has it on good authority that the movie must be seen at least a couple times before one fully understands it completely. I understand that copies of the movie will be available soon in the village.

The town of Mentz board recognized local Meals on Wheels volunteers at the Nov. 1 board meeting. If you know John Forgham, Mary Brown, Betty Burtless, James Scarlon, or Mr. and Mrs. Angels Maddelena, thank them for all their hard work. Together they deliver to house-bound seniors an average of 16 meals a day, five days a week.

Everyday they cover 46 miles in six different towns and villages and the city of Auburn. The folks who deliver the meals also watch out for the welfare of the home-bound seniors, providing a much needed service. Thank you folks!

There has been talk of an Erie Canal Trail for many years in Port Byron. Rough clearing and snowmobile use has kept the old towpath open for all, but the trail surface is very rough and in areas, it is very difficult to safely ride a bicycle on. But trail improvements might be soon coming.

In September, the Cayuga County Legislature signed an agreement with the state to see that the next section of the New York State Canalway Trail is built between Jordan and Port Byron. The old towpath between Port Byron and the Centerport Aqueduct Park near Weedsport, along with the trail east of Weedsport, will be graded and given a layer of packed stone dust. Schasel Park will be the western end terminus of this section of trail construction.

It is expected that the trail construction will begin next spring and be complete in 2007. Construction to the west is in question as much of the towpath is under the thruway or in private hands.

Work is on-going to find a reasonable connection between Port Byron and Seneca County, but for now Route 31 will continue to be the marked Canalway Trail route to the west.

Mike Riley lives and writes from Port Byron