Greetings again. Long time readers might remember that I wrote a local news column a couple years back, but I had to give it up when I ran for local office. I really feel that it is important the community has a voice, telling of local news and events, so I am back. And I will toss in some history when I can. But I will point out that what we are doing today is history tomorrow. So in a sense, this is a history column.
Do you buy local? One might argue that there isn't too much to buy locally, but do you think about what you can get locally before you head off to the big box stores in Auburn? I am sure that most of us tend to jump in the car and drive in to a mega-mart for a do-dad, but lately I have been trying to think about what can be purchased closer to home.
Think about this; the IRS reimbursement rate is about 50 cents a mile. That means the price of gas and the wear on your car is costing you about 50 cents for every mile that you drive. A quick trip to Auburn costs you about $7. Plus, add to this the loss of business and sales tax, and you can see that buying locally makes sense.
If you can't find it here, look to our friends in Weedsport. They can use our business also. If we can't support the people who put time, effort and money into a local business, no one else will. So think about what you are driving to Auburn to buy, and think about finding it locally.
In other news:
€ The Lock 52 Historical Society needs your help. Some day take a look at the Society building on Pine Street. You can see it from Main Street. It is kind of a sorry looking building, and the back section is really starting to sag. The Society needs to put some money into the old building to make it safe for people to visit and, more importantly, to protect the history of the village and town.
Over the last few years, Society President Chicky Walker has done a very nice job of getting interested folks together, getting the Society open a few hours every week and doing what they can to fix up the building. But realistically, the building needs professional help. The Society would like to fix the foundation and make the basement usable, maybe even fit it out with a handicap accessible meeting room. All this starts with small steps, and becoming a member is a start. Help volunteer, make a donation, whatever you can do. The Society will not turn you away.
€ There have been big changes at the Port Byron Community Medical Center. It now has a family nurse practitioner, and that means the center can now see children. And there is now a dental hygienist a couple days a week and a dentist starting soon. My family had our teeth cleaned there recently. This sort of fits right in with staying local, doesn't it?
€ Have you taken a walk along the old Erie Canal? What a great place to walk the dog, bird watch and be a part of history.
The village is working on a project that could re-water the canal from Port Byron to the Centerport Aqueduct, which I, as a canal historian, am very excited about.
€ And lastly, the Heritage Days Committee is hard at work putting together another weekend, Aug. 1 and 2.
This year is the 200th birthday of the town, so that celebration will be part of the Heritage Days planning. Be on the look out for information over the coming months.
Michael Riley is the Mentz historian
Think about this; the IRS reimbursement rate is about 50 cents a mile. That means the price of gas and the wear on your car is costing you about 50 cents for every mile that you drive. A quick trip to Auburn costs you about $7. Plus, add to this the loss of business and sales tax, and you can see that buying locally makes sense.
If you can't find it here, look to our friends in Weedsport. They can use our business also. If we can't support the people who put time, effort and money into a local business, no one else will. So think about what you are driving to Auburn to buy, and think about finding it locally.
In other news:
€ The Lock 52 Historical Society needs your help. Some day take a look at the Society building on Pine Street. You can see it from Main Street. It is kind of a sorry looking building, and the back section is really starting to sag. The Society needs to put some money into the old building to make it safe for people to visit and, more importantly, to protect the history of the village and town.
Over the last few years, Society President Chicky Walker has done a very nice job of getting interested folks together, getting the Society open a few hours every week and doing what they can to fix up the building. But realistically, the building needs professional help. The Society would like to fix the foundation and make the basement usable, maybe even fit it out with a handicap accessible meeting room. All this starts with small steps, and becoming a member is a start. Help volunteer, make a donation, whatever you can do. The Society will not turn you away.
€ There have been big changes at the Port Byron Community Medical Center. It now has a family nurse practitioner, and that means the center can now see children. And there is now a dental hygienist a couple days a week and a dentist starting soon. My family had our teeth cleaned there recently. This sort of fits right in with staying local, doesn't it?
€ Have you taken a walk along the old Erie Canal? What a great place to walk the dog, bird watch and be a part of history.
The village is working on a project that could re-water the canal from Port Byron to the Centerport Aqueduct, which I, as a canal historian, am very excited about.
€ And lastly, the Heritage Days Committee is hard at work putting together another weekend, Aug. 1 and 2.
This year is the 200th birthday of the town, so that celebration will be part of the Heritage Days planning. Be on the look out for information over the coming months.
Michael Riley is the Mentz historian
The Citizens' Say
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