Around Geneseo

Ghost project leaves behind more mysteries

The Bleistein Mansion ghost project seems to have ended. Still unanswered is whether the boy ghost moved to Erie Hall. Bleistein was on lower Court Street. Mary Disparti and other kids believed they had seen the ghost around 1925.

Around town

A special e-mail from the Livingston County Soil and Water Conservation District with their “Conversation News” telling of the 2012 Conservation Tree and Shrub Seedling Program with deadline orders on March 16.

The District offers 28 different native species of trees and shrubs including 13 deciduous and eight evergreen trees. Who can resist a locally-made blue-bird nest box for $12? County Executive Officer Dean Pendergast and SWCD Board Chairman John White told the confirmation-of-order and pick-up date notices will be sent April 6. The Soil and Water District office is at 11 Megan Drive, Suite 2 in Geneseo.

The Monday Evening Class met at the Goodwill Community Center on Feb. 8 according to Catherine Robin. President Pam Hatton introduced Geography Professor David Robertson who spoke on the history of area oak trees. Robinson is an Associate Professor at the College and chair of the Geography Department.

Tim Cornell reported he attended the Washington D.C. March for Life. Tim traveled all night on a chartered bus but made it on time. He suggested there were hundreds of thousands on the march, many more than were reported in the media.

Personally speaking, thanks for the reader compliments. Please rer-ead Cindy Carestio’s Letter-to-the-Editor in the Feb. 18 “News.” What she observed during her trip to the Towanda, Pa. related to fracking told of a sad environmental story.

My Niagara Falls, N.Y. home town of the 1950’s survived several years of the Niagara Power Project. Prosperity for everyone was the byword. The project concluded and the city never was the same after the heavy construction. In the same way, an environmentally disabled Genesee Valley will remain after the dollars have come and gone.

Dr. Richard Reiily passed away on February 8 leaving wife Jane and children Dianne and David. Having taught biology at SUNY Geneseo beginning in 1960, he later earned a Ph. D. in Botany at the University of Ottawa.

It was a pleasure to serve with Dick on the Cub Scout Council and share dog stories at the Young-at-Heart meetings; both Dick and Jane very caring persons.

Rotary Club Cog Grindings

Matt Gaynor was presented a Paul Harris Fellowship honoring his year of 2010-11 presidency. This was the Club’s 72nd Paul Harris, each awarded after $1,000 is donated to the Rotary Foundation which funds worldwide projects as Polio Plus.

Gretchen Micheaux have a two-minute presentation on her personal meaning of Rotary, with the Pike, N.Y. Camp having been of benefit to her son. Past-president Steve Wiener reviewed plans for the February 28 community pasta dinner at the Central School. Margie Wallin mentioned parent’s gratitude for Club efforts at the Blue and Gold Cub’s dinner.

There were two guests from the Perry Club. Dennis Dawson remembered his success in 1983 when Jack Kemp accepted his invitation to speak before area Rotary clubs. Tim Hayes volunteered to be the Spelling-bee coach with Mrs. Stewerd a team member according to husband Howard.

Geneseo welcomes the new SUNY University Career Services Director, Stacey Wiley. Wiley holds a juris doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law.

Joyce Wechsler received a loud round of applause at the February Geneseo Torch Club meeting for her service at the Interfaith Center. Her award was given at the College Martin Luther King Day event. The Interfaith kitchen remains one of her crowing achievements. The Club enjoyed Jane Oakes as Martha Washington.

Speaking of shining lights, it was asked what Noah used to light the Ark during the 40 days? Of course he used “Flood Lights.”

Again speaking of Marcellus Shale, on April 18, 2:30 p.m. Dr. Jeff Over from the Geology Department will present The Marcellus Shale Hydrologic Fracking in New York State at Milne Library, Room 105.

Have you noticed the Walmart greeters have disappeared following the Batavia store assault of a greeter? A cashier reported greeters now are spread throughout the stores bringing good-will.

Happy birthdays

Helen Bennett, March 15; Ron Luce, 16; Joe Kane, 17; Nora Garrett, 20; Nancy Wilson, 24, Linda Gibbs, 23; Bruce Godsave, April 2 Nancy Cleveland, April 19.

14 Years Ago in Geneseo

In march, Mayor Richard Hatheway fought off a vigorous challenge from Tom Mix. Sixth graders in Ms. Green’s science class raised money to benefit endangered species.

Barber Conable was keynote speaker at the Farmer and Neighbor Evening.

Kimberly Jean Smith graduated from the Weidner School of Law, Delaware.