Feature Stories January 2012
What’s new at the library?
Staying relevant in a rapidly changing world
by Terra Osterling
Victor Lipka from Hamlin reads an e-book on his Nook E-Reader device at the Seymour Library E-Readers Made Easy Program. Area public libraries are adapting to the rapidly changing world of technology and meeting patrons' needs in unique waysOne of the hottest gifts during the 2011 holiday season was the e-reader. Amazon reports selling over one million of their Kindle devices per week throughout December, not to mention the countless millions sold of Sony’s e-reader, Barnes & Noble Nooks and other e-reader devices.
For people who enjoy reading, a new world has arrived. And in that new world is a familiar place: the public library. While rising demand for access to technology and non-print media has spurred significant change for libraries, their relevance remains constant.
Donna Haire has been the director of the Newman Riga Public Library in Churchville for 28 years, a time period that she says has seen “incredible, incredible change.” E-readers add a new facet to book-borrowing and regularly Newman Riga hosts a class on downloading e-books from Overdrive – a web-based service used by the Monroe County Library System to meet the book-borrowing public’s increasing demand for access to e-book titles.
“We’ve watched our video collection morph into DVDs and our Books on Tape morph into Books on CD. We stand on the brink of more change, watching Books on CD morph into downloads,” says Haire, as she considers the shifts that have occurred over her career. To cope, Newman Riga keeps their collections basic. “We embrace the fact that we cannot afford to be ‘state of the art.’ Books remain our focus.”
Lisa Rice (second from the right), evening librarian at the Newman Riga Library, answers questions from library patrons during her session on how to download e-books to a personal computer. Photograph by David Knox.Even so, the Newman Riga Library also offers for check-out several portable and easy to use Playaways, a device pre-loaded with a digital audio book. Four computer workstations are equipped with basic office programs and supply internet access. Free wireless hotspot is also available on-site for internet access on personal devices (laptops, e-readers and smartphones), as it is at most member libraries in the Monroe County system.
The expense of Playaway devices, DVDs and Books on CD, computer equipment, not to mention print materials, is significant.
With state aid to Monroe County libraries flat over the last decade after being slashed to 1993 levels, and town aid flat for the past three years, Newman Riga is run purposefully like a small business on a modest annual budget of $180,000 and a wisely invested endowment. Haire draws on a philosophy that combines “fiscal prudence” and focus on the core mission.
An expansion in 1989 doubled the size of the library to about 3,200 square feet, with most of it today still dedicated to what Haire calls the library’s reason for being: books.
“When money is limited, we can’t be all things to all people. We stick with the basics, those fundamentals that … fall under the general heading of education.” Repairs, projects and programs are all second to providing access to print material, computers and the internet.
“Our board has tried hard not to reduce our book budget,” says Haire, and in turn Newman Riga specializes in reader’s advisory (i.e., recommending the right book to the right patron) and promoting a summer reading program, with all prizes donated.
Barbara Maleski from Brockport and Pauline Brown from Hamlin learn how to navigate the Monroe County Library System to download e-books on a laptop computer at the Seymour Library E-Readers Made Easy program.The small business strategy and focus on books has paid off. In fact, circulation at the center-village library has increased over the years, with 28,000 materials checked out in 2011.
While the wave of technology washed out card catalogs a decade ago to make way for computer workstations, libraries continue to function both as the local depository for books and non-print media, and as a community-based education hub.
“Our role has not been diminished by these changes, but has become more important as people try to sift through an abundance of information and technology,” states Becky Tantillo, director of the Parma Public Library, where e-readers have been embraced along with other new technologies.
“We held classes last year in the spring and summer (on downloading library books for e-readers), and will probably do it again.” Tantillo will also personally assist patrons with downloading to an e-reader from Overdrive if online instructional YouTube videos linked to the library’s home page still leave users perplexed.
The Parma Library’s website, Facebook page and six desktop computers showcase the library’s role in accessing technology.
“The limited space in the library prevents us from adding more desktops (computers) for our patrons, so to expand the number of patron access computers, we recently purchased five laptops.” Tantillo adds that the laptops will be available for patron use in February and will connect to the internet via the library’s free wireless hotspot.
The Parma Library also recently increased the number of large-print books available in response to high demand, circulating in all over 142,000 items in 2011.
Matt Krueger, Adult Services Librarian at the Brockport Seymour Library, demonstrates to his patrons how to download e-books as part of his E-Readers Made Easy program. Photograph by David KnoxAgain, computers and books (even downloadable) cost money and the Parma Public Library experienced the same reduction in state aid as all Monroe County libraries. But their 2012 budget is up 10% from last year, thanks to a partial restoration of the materials budget. Patrons didn’t suffer from the cuts in prior years as the library’s endowment fund was used to supplement materials purchases.
“This is only a temporary solution,” concedes Director Tantillo, acknowledging that the fund balance will be needed for potential future improvements, such as to the library’s HVAC and structure. Outside efforts also help the library to make ends meet, including the “Friends of the Parma Public Library”-run used bookstore located across the street, where half of the profits go to the library. Money raised by the Teen Advisory Board through candy sales was used to purchase a café table set and wall art for the teen section.
“They’re in here a lot,” Tantillo says of local teens. “They jump on the computer, log into Facebook, and borrow all kinds of things,” including Japanese manga (a style of comic art), checking out “stacks at a time.”
The youth of the community benefit from much of the Parma Library’s programming. The Teen Advisory Board pushed to have the “Get Locked In @ The Parma Public Library” program last fall where 21 teens attended a night of scavenger hunts, movies, games and food. It was so successful that another lock-in is planned for February. Tantillo highly values this relationship, saying, “These teens essentially become ambassadors for the library.”
Youth-oriented services provided by the Parma Library don’t stop there. “We do have a large home schooling population,” explains Tantillo. To help support that segment of the community, the library offers a Family Book Discussion group during the day and grant-purchased “subject kit bags,” filled with books and CDs on topics such as music and art, are available for check-out.
A popular evening story time held last fall, in addition to the standard twice-weekly morning story time, fills a need for working parents and their children of all ages. So popular was the evening story time that registration has opened for another series.
Barbara Dodson from Brockport works on her smartphone e-reader device at the Seymour Library E-Readers Made Easy program. Photograph by David Knox“Often it is listening to the needs of an individual patron and meeting that one person’s needs,” says Tantillo, reflecting on the library’s role in the community.
The idea of the library as a community hub was a major focus when the Seymour Library in Brockport relocated to its 18,000 square foot facility in 1996. Here a patron can use one of more than a dozen desktop computers yet still thumb through the repair manual for a 1980-1987 import car.
“It isn’t just about the books,” confides Patty Good, interim library director at the Seymour Public Library. “It’s not the same as it used to be … which makes it exciting!”
Benefits of having built a facility in the last 20 years include both being well-prepared for the technology shift, and positioning the library as a community meeting place.
Meeting rooms (space offered free of charge) are used by local non-profits, scouting troops and groups of all ages. The library also hosts an active community on its Facebook page. Interim Director Good emphasizes the point saying the Seymour Library strives to be “a community place -- ‘your’ place to come.”
The Teen Scene, renovated and expanded in 2010, is café-like: along one wall are four desktop computers equipped with quality headphones and situated at a high countertop with stools. Restaurant-style booths along a glass partition separate the teen area from the rest of the library. A large section of Young Adult books flanks an open area of soft seating and a coffee table stocked with board games.
There is a room for local history research and in one corner of the children’s book wing an area for stimulating pre-literacy play. And there are lots of electrical outlets throughout the library for patrons visiting with their laptops to access the free wireless hotspot.
In what has become a familiar link among libraries, the Seymour Library hosted an “E-readers Made Easy” class in January, with pre-registration for the session filled well in advance. Additional classes will likely be offered as Good feels that this provides the opportunity to demonstrate for patrons the library’s role in the new technology landscape. The Seymour Library, which circulates nearly 200,000 materials a year, even has an e-reader available for check-out.
A long capital campaign provided the funds for the new construction in 1996, and aggressive fundraising continues to be the norm. With a budget of over a half million dollars, the Seymour Library still relies on help from outside sources. A “Friends” group has in the past purchased fixtures, furniture, Playaway devices, office equipment, and food, t-shirts and prizes for youth programs.
The annual $25-per-ticket “After Hours” is an evening-long food, wine and entertainment event that raises money for additional major purchases – the 2011 event proceeds were earmarked for new computers, computer seating and an electronic message board. Community groups and business owners contribute to the library’s financial well being, including donations for specific needs such as new book purchases or needed equipment.
The costs to keep up with technology advancements, as well as rising costs for employee benefits and retirement plans, will continue to strain library budgets. But based just on the activities and programs of these local libraries, the return for communities cannot be overstated.
Aside from overdue fines and nominal hold fees, every book and non-print item available for check-out, computer equipment and software for use on site, wireless hotspot internet access, as well as entertaining and educational programming, continues to be free and open to the public.
Whether it is the pre-literacy play area at the Seymour Library, a teen lock-in program at the Parma Library, or the one-on-one relationships built over book recommendations at the Newman Riga Library, it is obvious that the Kindle won’t be putting libraries out of business anytime soon. If anything, e-readers might introduce new patrons to their local library.
“The library will continue its commitment to provide free and open access to information for all people,” says Parma Public Library Director Becky Tantillo. “The role of the library in the community is to inform, educate and enrich lives. These values are timeless.”
Editor’s note: The libraries asked to participate in the content of this article were chosen to represent the various size facilities within the readership of Westside News Inc. newspapers, Suburban News and Hamlin-Clarkson Herald.
1/29/12
Time and talents needed for 2012 Hilton Apple Fest
by Maggie Fitzgibbon
The Hilton Apple Fest Board of Directors has issued an invitation for new volunteers to help plan and execute the annual fall festival. An open house for those interested is set for February 4 (see article for specifics). Shown at a recent meeting (from top left) Joe Lee, Chris Young, Jill Tobin (guest), Rick Bjornholm, Kathy Bjornholm, Faye Cole, Jim Sage, Ginny Kidwell, Linda Viney, Kristine Watson (guest). Photograph provided by Matt Ulakovic.For the last 31 years, the Hilton community has celebrated the autumn season with a festival called the Hilton Apple Fest. This year, the weekend event is planned for September 29 and 30 and the 2012 Board of Directors hopes to attract record crowds as well as a new crop of volunteers.
As one of the area’s largest festivals, the Hilton Apple Fest offers a host of events and activities bound to please all who venture to this small village located near the shores of Lake Ontario. While this event takes place over the course of two days, what many do not know is that the planning of this weekend fest takes the time and efforts of dedicated board members and a slew of volunteers.
Faye Cole has volunteered for the Hilton Apple Fest for 25 years. As in the case with many groups, she’s seen the festival evolve and grow.
“When I first volunteered with the Apple Fest, it was a group of friends putting together an event like a block party. Now the Apple Fest has grown into a big business,” she explained.
The Apple Fest attracts approximately 70,000 people over the course of two days. This event showcases about 200 craft booths, and 25 area non-profit organizations that sell a long list of food items. This weekend fest gives these food vendors the opportunity to raise funds to support their community work. Many local organizations are also on hand to demonstrate how their services help the community.
During her 25 years, Cole has seen the Fest grow, and she has served in a variety of capacities. She’s donned animal characters, chaired and co-chaired the board, helped kids search for prizes at Corey’s Apple Pond, served on the Hilton Apple Fest Board, chaired the 25th anniversary committee, and served on the 30th anniversary committee. But it’s the Apple Pie Contest that Cole is most proud of.
“I did some research on how the Naples Grape Fest offered their grape pie contest and presented the idea of an apple pie contest to the Hilton Apple Fest board and now 20 years later, the Apple Pie Contest is still a popular competition,” Cole said.
The Apple Pie Contest will continue as part of the festival but Cole has decided to step down from the board.
“It’s time,” she said. She has many other volunteer commitments that she will continue but she encourages others to give their time and talents to the Hilton Apple Fest.
“There’s always a need for volunteers, and many different jobs to get accomplished. It’s a great way to meet new friends,” Cole added.
In an effort to attract new members and volunteers, the Hilton Apple Fest board will host an open house/meet and greet on Saturday, February 4 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Hilton Apple Fest office located at the Hilton Community Center at 59 Henry Street in the village of Hilton.
According to board member Matt Ulakovic, “This open house is an opportunity for those interested in helping the Apple Fest in even the smallest ways, to come and meet some of the board members, and hopefully other interested volunteers from the community. We will provide information as to what areas the help is most needed, as well as answer any questions or concerns. All are welcome to join us,” Ulakovic said.
Rick and Kathy Bjornholm became involved with the Hilton Apple Fest in 1993 and have served on the board for 18 years. Like Cole, the Bjornholms have worn many hats while giving their time to the Hilton Apple Fest.
“I’ve made the five-foot (wide pans of) apple crisp, chaired the food groups and apple growers committees, served on the 25th Hilton Apple Fest anniversary committee and also was the Hilton Apple Fest chairperson for three years,” Rick explained. “I believe that the Apple Fest is a great community organization, one of the few community festivals totally run by volunteers. I think that members of a community should take a few hours each year to help their neighbors, and I believe that the Apple Fest is a wonderful way to help many different people and have a great time doing that,” he added.
Joe Lee is the mayor of Hilton and a long-time Apple Fest board member. He’s been involved for 12 years and he encourages others to volunteer. “Anyone can come to the monthly board meeting and find out what the Apple Fest is all about and see how they can become involved. There’s so much to do, a million things you get involved with. Some as simple as giving a few hours to help with the event set up or volunteer at Corey’s Apple Pond or help organize an event or the entertainment,” Lee said. “Many hands make light work,” he added.
1/29/12
Two scouts improve community through achievements
David Belknap (r) and Michael Volta Jr. with Rochester Mayor Tom Richards. Provided photoTogether, David Belknap and Michael Volta, Jr. at age 7 started down a path of personal development beginning with the Cub Scouts that has led them through the threshold of success while forging a lasting friendship.
Both advanced through the ranks of Boy Scout Troop 53 to achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout. They shared in being congratulated at the 61st Annual Mentor Dinner and Gathering of Eagles on January 12 which included Rochester Mayor Thomas Richards, a Distinguished Eagle Scout. Belknap and Volta will join in celebrating their Eagle Scout distinction at their Court of Honor on February 4 which will be held at St. Christopher’s Church in North Chili.
Belknap and Volta also completed their Eagle Scout project at the same location, St. Christopher’s Church.
Belknap removed and replaced a concrete handicap ramp to help make the church accessible to people of all ages, needs and abilities. Volta created his own “field of dreams” by removing and replacing the backstop and benches at the church softball field.
Belknap and Volta encourage other youth to take a hard look at the Eagle Scout distinction. They say that the personal challenges and rewards are great and it’s an achievement that is universally recognized that can never be taken away.
And the Belknap - Volta trail of success marches on. Both are looking at a long list of post-high school options and one thing is for sure: “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle” and these two young men from Rochester can always look back with pride on what they have accomplished.
Provided information
1/29/12
Guests for lunch
About a dozen residents of the Beikirch Care Center were treated to a homemade lunch by members of the Brockport Police Explorer Post with help from Brockport Police Chief Dan Varrenti, Sgt. Adam Mesiti and Officers Brian Winant, Stephen Mesit who is Post leader and Robert Hagen.
This was the sixth year the Post members and Brockport Police Department staff have spent time with Care Center residents during the holiday season.
This year’s lunch was prepared by the Red Bird Tea Shoppe and transported to Beikirch. Joy Levandowski and Danielle Mesiti provided desserts.
Provided photos
1/29/12
Renowned singer, songwriter and entertainer Christine Lavin returns to Brockport for celebratory concert
Internationally renowned contemporary folksinger, satirist and raconteur Christine Lavin, a College at Brockport alumna, will celebrate the longevity of her career with a performance entitled "My 25th Anniversary Concert: What Was I (EVER!) Thinking?" on Friday, February 3 at 7:30 p.m. at The College at Brockport's Tower Fine Arts Center Mainstage.When internationally acclaimed contemporary folksinger/satirist/entertainer Christine Lavin plants her feet on the Tower Fine Arts Center stage on Friday, February 3, she should feel right at home. The Brockport alumna’s performance, “My 25th Anniversary Concert: What Was I (EVER!) Thinking?” will begin at 7:30 p.m. in Tower’s Mainstage, 180 Holley Street, Brockport. Ticket prices are $15/General, $10/Seniors, College at Brockport Alumni, Faculty and Staff and $8/Students and are available by phone at (585) 395-2787 or at the Tower Fine Arts Center Box Office. As folksy as she is charming, attendees are invited to join Lavin for her traditional pre-concert knitting circle at 6:30 p.m in the Tower Lobby.
The concert will be vintage Lavin, celebrating the last quarter century by reprising some of her hits, introducing her latest compositions, and interweaving her stories about the people, events, near disasters and minor miracles that have defined her life and music. Never one to shy away from controversial subjects, her humorous songs can lob barbs at today’s politicians as well as her hairstylist (both skewered in her popular song “What Was I Thinking?”).
Lavin confides that she is “really looking forward” to her visit. “I had a terrific four years at Brockport, although I changed my major six times, I think ... I remember ushering every night when the Acting Company, featuring Patti LuPone, Kevin Kline and David Ogden Stiers, performed. There is so much that is brought to your door-step when you are in a school like Brockport - and if you are smart, you open the door and let it in.”
Lavin has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN and NPR. She was the creator and host of xm satellite radio’s Slipped Discs, which featured the albums of fellow artists and aspiring musicians “slipped” to her backstage at her concerts.
An author and freelance writer, her articles and book contributions have appeared in Memories of John Lennon, edited and compiled by Yoko Ono. The anthology “Knit Lit, Too” contains her account of knitting on the road and sometimes on stage. “In Remember Me When I am Gone,” Lavin and other notables such as Larry King write their own obituaries. She is the author of “The Amoeba Hop,” an award-winning children’s book that was cited as the Outstanding Book of the Year by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Along with the book’s illustrator, Betsy Franco Feeney, Lavin completed a book for young readers, The Runaway Christmas Tree, as well as the soon-to-be released children’s environmental songbook, Hole in the Bottom of the Sea.
Provided information
1/22/12
Share your memories of Eastman Kodak Company
E-mail your memories of the Rochester photo giant to
Please include your name along with your address & phone number (address & phone number not for publication).
The memories will be compiled on this website.
1/22/12
Hamlin parishioners help in Haiti
Parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS) parish are working to bring hope to Haiti.
Two years ago, Pastor Bill Spilly, showed a slide presentation of his visits to Haiti and parishioners responded enthusiastically by forming a local affiliate of H.O.P.E. - Haiti Outreach Pwoje Espwa, named in Creole, the language of the common people of Haiti. The core leadership team consists of Jerry Clement, Amy and Bob Flanagan, Cathy Newell, Les Tandler and Fr. Spilly.
Parishioners say the H.O.P.E. organization began in the early 1990s with a few meetings between Fr. Jim Callan (then pastor at Corpus Christi parish in Rochester) and several people with connections to Haiti.
The group began formal operation in 1995 and was granted 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit designation from the IRS.
The group’s goal is not to impose solutions, but provide assistance and expertise as requested by the Haitian people, members say.
According to parishioners, in its first year of collaboration, SEAS donated over $8,500 to efforts to help Haiti.
Growing knowledge of conditions in Haiti also led SEAS’ Youth Ministry Leader Lisa O’Brien to recently visit Haiti with Habitat for Humanity International.
SEAS parishioner Jerry Clement visited Haiti last summer.
“I’ve hiked miles, climbed mountains and waded across rivers in search of understanding,” he says. “I know that the people of Borgne, Haiti, truly appreciate the work of the group called H.O.P.E.; that H.O.P.E. is doing excellent, measurable work - our ties are to the right organization; and that we at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish are achieving our mission of promoting/sustaining community well-being for the people of Borgne by working with H.O.P.E.”
Clement explains that life in Haiti is difficult. He notes people are very friendly and clean and crime rates are low, but people live with limited transportation facilities, few latrines, very little clean water and no garbage removal.
Members say H.O.P.E. has made much progress in Haiti over the last 15 years including:
•Helping a local hospital set up 14 rural health stations staffed by 75 volunteers offering early care and health education. A special hangar was used to isolate and treat earthquake victims. This “health system” has played a major role in controlling the recent cholera epidemic. SEAS is working to acquire an autoclave for the hospital, has provided cots for the rural health stations and has sent over $3,600 to assist during the cholera outbreak.
H.O.P.E’s Mobile Teacher Program’s three teachers travel to rural areas and set up schools for 25 children for one week each month. Three more teachers and more mobile classrooms will be added this school year. The cost to parents is providing a chair for their student. SEAS has helped to fund this program and also supplied bilingual books written in both French, the language of the upper class and Creole, the language of the majority of the people.
Fr. Bill Spilly quotes a Haitian saying, “Dye mon, gen mon,” which means “Beyond the mountains, more mountains.”
“The amount of work ahead is unimaginable,” he says, but his parishioners note the work has begun at SEAS, one mountain at a time.
Edited from provided information
1/22/12
Winter Farmers Market offers fresh and local products
Ed Fraser, owner of Fraser's Garlic Farm in Churchville and president of the Highland Park Farmers Market Association, shows a customer a Long Island Cheese Pumpkin. Ed is also an expert with garlic and enjoys teaching people how to grow, harvest, store and use garlic. In its second year, the Highland Park Farmers Market Association, a local farmer-led initiative, is running the Highland Park Winter Farmers Market.
Ed Fraser, owner of Fraser’s Garlic Farm in Churchville, is the president of the group. According to Del Ippolito, the Market Manager, the Highland Park Winter Farmers Market is an opportunity for local farmers to sell their crops during the winter and provide some of the finest food available in the greater Rochester region.
John Bolton, owner of Bolton Farms, a hydroponic greenhouse facility in Hilton, bundles spicy micro greens for a customer at his Highland Park Winter Farmers Market booth. His product line also includes fancy lettuces, herbs, greens, chards, green beans and heirloom tomatoes.
John Bolton, who owns Bolton Farms, a hydroponic greenhouse facility in Hilton, said his product line is picked the morning of the market.
The market has been held weekly from this past November and runs through May 2, 2012 on Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Cornell Cooperative Extension Building, 249 Highland Avenue, Rocheser.
Photographs by Dave Knox
1/22/12
Martin Road - Home of Hamlin Supervisors
The Martin Homestead - circa 1900 - Pictured are John Martin, wife Kate, children, other relatives and two hired hands. Photograph provided by Dennis RoachThe slightly-less-than two miles long Martin Road in the north-central portion of the rural Town of Hamlin is similar to most other roads in the town. Modest ranch homes border the road amidst older farm houses and barns, some now crumbling, which were the homesteads of some of the earlier Hamlin settlers. The houses share their boundaries with the fertile farm lands that produce a bounty of cabbage, butternut squash, and grain crops, which are the staples of this agricultural area. What makes Martin Road unique is the fact that four of the town’s supervisors reside/have resided on it, three live/have lived on the same, original family homestead property and two have lived in the same house - although from different families and political parties.
John Martin, Hamlin Town Supervisor from 1906 through 1911, was a second generation Irish-American, who, in 1864, settled with his wife, Katharine (Kate), on the Hamlin homestead acquired in 1857 by his Ireland-born parents, Mike and Bridgette. It was on this homestead property that John became a successful farmer and businessman, buying, selling and shipping large quantities of fruit, cabbage and other vegetables. Supervisor Martin was both a highly respected businessman and, apparently, an energetic and successful politician as he became one of just a few elected Democrats in a predominantly Republican town. Historical notes indicate he readily beat out a two-term Republican incumbent. The Martin homestead sits along what is now called Martin Road, reportedly so named by Supervisor Martin.
In 1999, Martin Road resident Austin Warner III was elected Hamlin Supervisor succeeding Richard Kruger. Warner served three terms as supervisor before stepping down at the end of 2005. Warner and his wife, Billie, still reside on Martin Road, just four houses to the south of the Martin homestead. Coincidentally, although Supervisor Kruger doesn’t reside on Martin Road, he and his family own and actively farm land adjacent to Martin Road and directly across the road from the original Martin homestead.
In 1997, the Martin homestead was sold by John Martin’s grandson and his wife, Jim and Nancy, to recently retired naval officer, Denny Roach and his wife, Cindy. One hundred years after John Martin first assumed office as supervisor, Roach took office as the newly elected town supervisor in January 2006, becoming the third supervisor elected from Martin Road and the second to have lived in the Martin homestead.
Around 1900, an apple storage barn was constructed on the Martin Farm. In 1972, then owner Jim Martin converted the barn into a unique single family home, which was once featured by famed Rochester news reporter/sports writer Jean Giambrone in a series of “unusual real estate” themed articles. The home is now owned and occupied by Tom Breslawski and his wife, Ann, and infant daughter. On January 3, 2012, Tom took the oath of office as Hamlin’s newest Town Supervisor becoming the fourth Hamlin supervisor from Martin Road and the third to live/have lived on the original Martin homestead property.
In the Town of Hamlin, Martin Road proudly claims the title of “Home of Supervisors.”
Information provided by Dennis Roach former Hamlin Supervisor
1/15/12
Paddy Hill area topic of historical talk
The Greece Historical Society will highlight the history of Read’s Corners, better known as Paddy Hill, with a new exhibit at the Historical Museum, 595 Long Pond Road, opening Sunday, January 15 and continuing for the next few months. Learn about St. Ambrose Church, founded in 1829, later renamed Our Mother Of Sorrows, and the present brick church that was built in 1860. Also learn about the Irish settlers, Mother of Sorrows cemetery, Paddy Hill School, first built as a frame one room school in 1839 and the Paddy Hill Players, a theatrical group that performed for a quarter century. At 2 p.m. on opening day, volunteers will share the history and stories of the early days. Rev. Alex Bradshaw, pastor of Mother of Sorrows, will join the group at 3 p.m. to talk about the history of the parish and the efforts that have been made to preserve the old church. There will be Irish scones and clotted cream for refreshments.
The exhibit will continue on Sundays from 1:30 to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
Also during the winter months, the Museum will offer free Sunday programs. Donations to help support the Greece Historical Society and the operation of the museum are appreciated. Presentations will include, January 22, Aviation Pioneers of New York & Monroe County by Jonathan Arney, a member of the Vintage Aircraft Associations, 2 p.m.; January 29, Irondequoit Stories by Pay Wayne, Irondequoit town historian, 2 p.m.; February 5, The Rochester Area in 1968, 2 p.m.; February 12 Genealogy Tips by Scott Chase, 2 p.m.; February 19, In Search of the Paddy Hill Players by Bill Sauers, 2 p.m.; February 26, Rochester Public Library History, 1911-2011 by Maureen Whalen, retired librarian, Charlotte Branch, 2 p.m. For information call (585) 225-3760 or visit www.greecehistoricalsociety.net.
1/15/12
The journeys of Sarah Hart
by Doug Hickerson
Sarah often does a charcoal rendering of her subject before painting it in oil. In this photo you see both the charcoal drawing and the finished oil painting of her daughter reclining in a chair, reading. Photographs by Dianne Hickerson.Artist Sarah Hart has had a fascinating life journey, starting with her childhood in Brockport, followed by college, and then years in Europe studying the paintings of the Old Masters. While away, bundles of letters were exchanged with her childhood sweetheart still in Brockport, until she returned home to marry him. Talking with Sarah in her art studio above A Different Path Gallery on Market Street, her story includes a great passion to teach the unique painting techniques of the Old Masters, a love of Brockport where she is settled with her family, and continuing world travel with her husband in their biking adventure company.
Roots in Brockport and returning “home”
Sarah was born in Brockport, as were her older siblings Rich and Karen and her younger sister Marsha. Her parents are Richard and Sally Booth. She went to the Brockport schools where in fifth grade she first met Benton Hart, who would become her husband. After graduation in 1986, she attended Meredith College in North Carolina, planning to teach art. “The romance with Benton was on and off through college and my post-graduate years in Italy, but he was my best friend and I had all these things I wanted to do,” Sarah said. “So, we always corresponded with letters, always. We both have bundles of the letters.” She studied a semester in Paris with renowned fresco painter Ben Long, spending mornings in his studio and afternoons at the Louvre sketching paintings of the masters. After receiving her BA in 1991, she spent four years of post-graduate studies at the Charles Cecil Studios in Florence, Italy, living in the small town of Impruneta. “I was planning to stay there the rest of my life,” Sarah said. The letter exchange continued with Benton. Then, she began to realize, “I would always be the foreigner on the outside looking in. I wanted to come home where I knew everybody and belonged.” In 1995, her brother flew her home for the Christmas break. “I saw Benton and realized I could not live without him,” Sarah said. “He was the one.” While she remained in Impruneta, the two families planned the wedding set in June, 1996. “Benton did the Herculean task of moving me home from Italy.” The move to Brockport was completed just two weeks before the wedding.
Resurrecting the Old Masters’ painting method
In addition to painting in oils, Sarah Hart also works in charcoal. She specializes in portraiture, painting from live models. This charcoal drawing is of her daughter, Jasmine. Photograph by Dianne Hickerson.“I like to paint the way the eye really sees,” Sarah said, referring to the method used by the Old Masters, such as Rembrandt and Leonardo da Vinci, whom she studied for years. “Our brains are wired to see lines, but in Leonardo DaVinci’s time, artists figured out that the eye actually sees cast shadows.” She often draws a figure in charcoal first, revealing the light and shadows that create form, then she reproduces it using oil paint (see photo with her daughter’s image).
She teaches the “Atelier” method (French for “studio”), “which means you can be re-creative in a classroom, passing on from one artist to another,” she says. “The best way I can teach you is to have you where I work and show you what I do.”
Sarah’s main outlet for teaching the classic painting technique is at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester. In 2008, Sarah had the distinct honor of copying the MAG’s Rembrandt painting “Portrait of a Young Man in an Armchair.” Visitors to MAG observed the creative process over several weeks. Sarah currently teaches three courses at the MAG: beginning drawing, portraiture, beginning oil painting, and drawing in galleries, learning to copy the Old Masters’ paintings.
Sarah Hart spends many hours each week painting in her studio in Brockport. One of her passions is copying paintings of the Old Masters. Behind her is her copy of "Portrait of a Man" by Velazquez. Photograph by Dianne Hickerson.In her Brockport studio one of Sarah’s select students is Judy Czerenda who owns a home in Brockport and in Florida. “Judy is very talented. I see what she wants to do as an oil painter and I know I can help her,” Sarah said. Judy has a doctorate in nursing and ran a consulting company for health care organizations until two years ago. She then started art classes in Florida, but found many of them to be for “hobbyists” which did not suit her deeper interest in art. She was referred to Sarah Hart. “Sarah was exactly what I was looking for, trained in the Atelier method,” Judy said. “She really set me on the right course. I think she is a treasure to have in our community.”
Lori Skoog agrees. For ten years Lori has run the Skoog Farm Workshop south of Brockport, teaching local artists. She referred Judy to Sarah as a suitable mentor, knowing the work of both women. “Sarah is a classically trained fine artist,” Lori said. “Her studies in Italy have made a huge impact; she is unique in the way she teaches.”
At home and out in the world
Sarah and Benton live in a Victorian home on Adams Street, her “dream house” because of its historic architecture and proximity to the Brockport schools. They have three children: Jasmine, 15; Madeleine, 13; and Van, 10 years old. With her studio in her home, “It was hard to get work done with the demands of running a household,” Sarah said. “I feel in a way that I had been sitting on my hands for 15 years (prior to moving into her new studio last May), except for my teaching at the MAG since 2007.”
Sarah remains a world traveler. She and Benton own Classic Adventures, a bike tour business which he manages. They own bike shops in Beaune, France, and in ancient Corinth in Greece. They run tours primarily in France, Greece, and Germany. The newest tours are in Austria and Switzerland. For the travel season, art has to wait while they are on the road. “It’s a nice combination when the two of us run a trip together,” she said. “It’s a husband-wife thing.” Aiding their travels, they both speak Greek; she also speaks Italian, and he speaks French.
Having studied in Europe and now biking various countries, “I love the world travel, but I need my hometown, too,” Sarah said. “I am definitely where I want to be – back in Brockport. I would never leave here.”
Sarah Hart Exhibit January 13
Sarah Hart will exhibit her works at A Different Path Gallery, 27 Market St., in Brockport.
The opening reception will be Friday, January 13, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The exhibit will be on display during regular hours from January 6 through January 31.
The exhibit will include her most recent paintings and drawings, as well as older works. The collection consists of portraits in oil, pen and ink, and charcoal. The artist’s subjects include local Brockport residents, her children, and various copies and interpretations from the Old Master painters.
Other artists exhibiting their work at the gallery in January: Diane Elmslie and Jolene Beckman. For information phone (585) 637-5494.
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