Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to five Jamestown High School students have been accepted into the New York Summer School for the Arts. Sophomores Joseph Tanksley and Chris Edens were accepted for the video art program, along with sophomores John Brown III and Sonia Angeli as alternates. Junior Nigel Eastman was accepted into the cinematography program for the second consecutive year. The students are eligible to attend the Summer School for the Arts at SUNY Oswego from June 29 to July 25. While some scholarships are available, most students must pay for the month-long program. Anyone is interested in helping to sponsor one of the students can call Sam Qadri at Jamestown High School at 483-4493.
Thumbs down to what is hopefully a temporary halt to a longtime tradition. Prendergast Library officials would typically be readying themselves for the library’s annual two-day book sale this week. The sale would bring thousands of people through the library, result in thousands of dollars to help the library pay for operations and spread books to collections throughout the county. The library’s planned renovation project will make it impossible for the library to host the sale this year, but those who want to buy books can still visit the library’s daily book sale. Donations will continue to be accepted throughout the year, and sale proceeds are still used for new library materials and services. Regular prices are $2 for adult hardcover books; $1 each for adult paperbacks, young adult books and children’s books. The daily sale is a good addition to the library, but we know hundreds of people look forward each year to the yearly book sale. We hope if makes a return in future years.
One way to decrease county residents’ dependence on illegal drugs is to make sure they never start using in the first place. In that vein, thumbs up to the Chautauqua Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council annual bowl-a-thon, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at Jamestown Bowling Company. Money raised will be used to provide alcohol and other drug prevention education and intervention services for youth in the community. CASAC’s goal is to reach $7,000.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
On this Memorial Day weekend, thumbs up to the Blue Star Mothers. The group will kick off the weekend fittingly at 10 a.m. today with its second annual Gold Star Memorial in the Jamestown Veterans Park on West Third Street, between Harding and Logan streets. In 2013, a rock with a plaque and several flowering cherry trees were dedicated in memory of area natives who have died in service to their country, from the Revolutionary War through the war in Afghanistan. This year’s memorial will honor several additional area natives. Seating is limited and those attending should bring chairs. Much is said about the ways our nation has lost touch with the real meaning of Memorial Day. Thumbs up to the Blue Star Mothers for helping keep the weekend’s focus in the proper place.
Thumbs up to the area’s college graduates. Jamestown Business College will host its graduation ceremonies at 10 a.m. May 31 at First Lutheran Church, following Jamestown Community College and the State University at Fredonia, both of which held graduation ceremonies May 17. Hundreds of these students are now armed with associate’s or bachelor’s degrees as well as certifications in technical, vocational and pre-professional fields that represent a crucial step toward a better life; studies show having a college degree increases a person’s income potential when compared to those who don’t have a degree. Thumbs up to all those, including those area natives who studied at colleges and universities outside the area, who have put in the work to be called college graduates.
Thumbs up to the start of another season for the Bemus Point-Stow ferry, which will begin with a fireworks display Sunday night. Ferry rides are unfortunately postponed until lake levels subside. The opening of the ferry is just another reminder that the warm summer months lie ahead, and with them come the opportunity to take a ride that sparks nostalgic thoughts of the days when crossing Chautauqua Lake didn’t involve the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The ferry crosses the narrows of Chautauqua Lake between Bemus Point and Stow and is open weekends and holidays throughout the summer. Other days and special charters are available on request by contacting John and Betty Lou Cheney at 386-3065. Donations are appreciated, and contribute toward maintaining and operating the ferry.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to a program at the Grape Discovery Center in Westfield that will teach all one needs to know about how grapes are grown. “From Grape Bud to Taste Bud: A Novice Introduction to Grape Production and Viticulture” begins today from 9:30-11 a.m. at the center, 8305 Route 20, one mile west of Westfield. Future sessions will focus on disease and pest identification, management, care and feeding of grape vines and the multiple grape varieties locally and harvesting grapes for the table and for wine. The grape industry is vastly important for Chautauqua County. The Grape Discovery Center is proof that grapes can be fun, too.
Thumbs down to a state Legislature that seems to think being a running joke is a good thing. The latest late night fodder came from the state Senate’s debate over making yogurt the state’s official snack. The Senate spent 45 minutes this week debating the merits of the legislation, which was introduced at the urging of students from a dairy-producing area in Western New York. Before passing the bill, senators mulled the distinction between snacks and meals and whether other snacks were more deserving. Among the high points were Sen. Gustavo Rivera, a Democrat from the Bronx, asking “Did you consider, say, the potato chip?” before posing the same question about raisins and pretzels. He then asked: “What if the pretzel was dipped in yogurt?” Then there is this response from Sen. Michael Ranzenhofer, the bill’s sponsor. “I mean, you have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and then you have snacks.” At least the students got to see what a joke discussions in our state Legislature often become.
Thumbs up to Taylor West, a student at Southwestern Central High School who recently won a full tuition scholarship to Paul Smith’s College after participating in the Presidential Scholarship Competition on campus. West was one of 100 competitors at the event. To win his scholarship, West had to perform several problem-solving challenges, including an exercise to build a tower using balloons and few other materials and writing and acting a play using a handful of provided elements. Students also participated in a one-on-one interview with a college representative. Recipients who choose to attend Paul Smith’s are eligible to receive the scholarships annually for as long as they are enrolled.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to the newest slate of Master Teachers, a group which includes three more Chautauqua County teachers. David Doty of Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School, Amy Lauer of Fredonia Central School and Paula Ferneza of Frewsburg Central School were among 215 teachers included in the second round of selections for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s New York State Master Teacher program. Eligible teachers must be ranked highly effective under the state evaluation system, have at least four years of experience and teach math or science in sixth through 12th grades. Among the duties of Master Teachers are peer mentoring and content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year, working closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers, attending required regular cohort meetings, participating in and leading several professional development sessions each year and participating in the training of pre-service and early career educators. Such programs shouldn’t replace a school district’s teacher training program, but the collaborative environment the Master Teacher program fosters is certainly a positive thing.
Thumbs down to the education misstep in New York state. Throughout the state, a batch of third-grade math tests were sent out missing questions. About 100 schools called the state to report the printing issue, which was limited to some copies among the four variations of the exam. Teachers were asked to make copies of a complete test of use a different version from a nearby school, or students were to complete the missing page during a make-up class this week. The state Education Department, and its vendors, must get their collective act together.
Thumbs up to the Jamestown Gateway Train Station taking center stage again – even if it is only for one day. National Train Day festivities will take place at the station from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today and includes an open house, train displays and exhibits, work cars, artwork, a book signing by Erie author Ken Springirth, who will have copies of his new book, “Jamestown To Buffalo By Trolley”; toy train sales; antique Trolley Car 93 on display, and, of course, trains. National Train Day, May 10, marks the 100th anniversary of the electrification of the Jamestown, Westfield and Northwestern Railroad from Westfield to Jamestown which occurred in 1914. The event is a must-see for anyone who wants to see the restored building in all of its glory.
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down
Thumbs up to a milestone for the Jamestown Babe Ruth World Series Committee. Contracts were signed this week to bring the 2015 13-year-old World Series to Jamestown. It will be the 16th tournament hosted in Jamestown – and it comes on the 35th anniversary of the first Babe Ruth World Series to be hosted in Jamestown. Jamestown has played witness to many stories in its years of hosting these World Series events, but perhaps none is as impressive as the dedication of longtime volunteers like Russell E. Diethrick Jr., Kim Ecklund, Russ Prinzi, Kathy McMaster, the late Pat Ohl, John Bauer, Chuck Strand and a host of others too numerous to list. At a time when community involvement seems to be lagging, the continued success of the Babe Ruth World Series Committee in Jamestown should give us all a reason to smile.
Thumbs down to the Buffalo Bills for the team’s treatment of its cheerleaders. The Buffalo Jills likely won’t be part of the Bills’ upcoming season after a civil action filed in state Supreme Court against Stejon Productions Corp., which manages the Jills; the Bills, and the Jills’ former manager, Citadel Communications Co. alleging the cheerleaders are wrongly classified as independent contractors, subjected to policies violating the state’s minimum wage law and aren’t paid for games, practices or required community appearances. The Jills also have to pay for their own uniforms and aren’t reimbursed for travel and other expenses. Labor law correctly stipulates differences between paid employees and independent contractors, but it should go without saying the cheerleaders should be paid fairly for their time and effort. A lawsuit shouldn’t have been necessary.
Thumbs up to a new book focused on the tiny community of Maple Springs. Beth Peyton, author of “Clear Skies, Deep Water,” will discuss her inspiration for the book at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Bemus Point Library. Refreshments will be served. The discussion is free and open to the public. Peyton’s book centers around the appreciation of moving to Maple Springs and the healing process that Peyton and her husband experienced after a year of difficult personal issues. Peyton also plans to discuss her writing process, read passages from the book and answer questions from the audience during Wednesday’s event. Copies of the book are available at the Chautauqua Institution book store and the Off The Beaten Path bookstore. E-book and hard copies can be ordered at www.sunypress.edu. We hear often the benefits of living in a small town – Peyton’s book puts those feelings into words.