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WINTER EDITION - 2004
From the Supervisor’s Desk
Happy New Year!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a Happy and Healthy New Year. There are a lot of new and exciting things happening around the Town Hall. We have a lot of new faces in both the town offices as well as the town highway department. Terry Pienta has taken over as the new Town Clerk, Jeff Stowell is our new Highway Superintendent and David Leible is our Councilman. Also, Darya Vaillancourt will be serving as my secretary/assistant. Please stop in and say hello to all the new people. I’m sure they will be happy to meet you and help you in any way that they can. I also ask for your patience with all the new folks in the town government. I’m sure everybody is doing the best they can for our town and, if we can all work together, we can make Pendleton better than ever. Town website should be up and running by the time you read this (www.pendleton.ny.us). The website is meant to be informational at first, but we hope to make it more interactive soon so that you can print forms that you may need right off the website and not have to come and pick them up. We also hope to have things like minutes of the various meetings on the website along with agendas for the meetings. We look forward to your comments and suggestions for the website. After all, it is there to help you and to make town government more efficient. We also should have our new accounting system in use during the first quarter. This should help us keep better control of the spending of our tax dollars and that is good for everyone. Lastly, I want you to know that I’m here to help you in anyway that I can. If you have a problem, please do not hesitate to call me. I may not be able to solve the problem for you right away, but you have my promise that I’ll do the best I can to resolve the issue. Please feel free to contact me at my office, 625-8833 ext. 13 or at my home at 694-5582
Jim Riester Supervisor, Town of Pendleton
From the Town Clerk’s Office
I am looking forward to serving all of Pendleton as your new Town Clerk. For those of you that do not know me, I thought you may want to know a bit about me. I worked for a bank for 19 1/2 years. Much of my training and the various jobs I held within the bank will serve me well in my new position. I worked in a branch for my entire career so I have been serving the public for all that time. I always placed a high priority on satisfying the customer and I will do the same for any resident entering the Town Hall. I am looking forward to serving you all and please do not hesitate to stop by or give me a call. I look forward to meeting you.
Building Department
JUST A REMINDER... • Any structural work requires a permit. • Whenever any permit is issued, Smoke Detectors are required to be installed. • Carbon Monoxide Detectors are required for new homes and homes being sold. • Buildings shall have approved address numbers (4 inches high) placed in a position to be plainly legible from the street or road fronting the property. • New roofs require a permit. • No more than one unregistered, uninsured or uninspected motor vehicle is permitted on a residential property. IF IN DOUBT, CALL & ASK Our phone number is 625-8833 Ext 14 or 15. Leave a message if you miss us. We return calls as soon as we are able. Call ahead for visits & appointments. Thanks for your cooperation,
Terry Pienta Town Clerk Help Wanted
Looking for volunteers to help on our Business / Economic development Committee. Background in business is helpful or business contacts. For more information please call Joe Frawley at 625-8705 or Jim Riester at 694-5582 or send a letter of interest to the town hall attention Jim Riester.
Dave Gerber and Jack Striegel
Code Enforcement Officers
Pendleton Baseball/Softball Registration
Registration for the 2004 Pendleton baseball, softball seasons will be held Saturdays, February 7 and February 14 from 9 AM to 12 noon and Tuesday, February 10 and 7 from 7 PM to 9 PM at Pendleton Town Hall on Campbell Blvd. Baseball/Softball leagues are available for boys and girls ages 5-17. The Challenger League for handicapped youth is also available. Fees are $25/player for Pendleton and Town of Lockport residents (max $60/family), and $40/player for nonresidents.
Pendleton Instructional Youth Soccer Registration
The 2004 summer soccer program will be presented by PLYSA and KidsPlay. The program will be the same as the 2003 program. This is an instructional league designed to develop skills and play games in a noncompetitive environment. Emphasis is placed on building skills and having fun. There will be three divisions: Soccer Level 1 (Ages 5-6) Players meet once a week for 60 minutes. Each class consists of 20-40 minutes of skill instruction, followed by a 20-40 minute scrimmage. Players are assigned to different teams each week. Cost: $40/player. Blue Division (Ages 7-9) and Red Division (Ages 10-12) Players meet once a week for 90 minutes on a rotating schedule (ex. Mondays @ 5:30 and 7:00 PM) each meeting consists of 30-40 minutes of skills instruction followed by a 40-60 minute game against another KidsPlay team. Players are assigned to the same team throughout the entire league. Cost: $50/player. (All players must be of age by May 10, 2004) SIGN-UP /HELP NEEDED. We are in need of volunteers to assist in sign-up. Anyone interested should contact Ed or Liz Harman @ 731-9743. Sign-Up will be held at Pendleton Town Hall on the following dates: Saturday, February 7th and 14th 9AM – 12 Noon Tuesday, February 10th 7PM – 9 PM Registration is limited and positions will be filled on a first come first taken basis. Registrations received after February 14th, 2004, will be placed on a waiting list and used to fill vacant positions on teams. Additional information will be available at sign-up.
Winter Baseball Clinics
Pendleton recreation will be holding open baseball clinics at Starpoint Intermediate Gym during January and February 2004. Clinics will be from 6:30 – 8:30 PM on Mondays for boys 13-18 and on Thursdays for boys 9-12. For further information contact Tom Szalkowski Director, Pendleton Baseball 625-6955 or tomdoc8@aol.com
Tennis Lessons
The Town of Pendleton Recreation Committee is planning to hold tennis lessons this year. As long as a sufficient number of people sign up for lessons, the lessons will run approximately four to six weeks. At the end of the lessons, we will be holding a tennis tournament (this will be open to everyone, not just those taking lessons). If you would be interested in either lessons or the tournament, please sign the attached form and return it to: Carol Albright, 6532 Sheetram Road, Lockport, NY 14094.
Wendelville Senior Citizens
Our Christmas parties were a huge success, as usual. The PendletonWendelville Seniors party was held on December 2nd at the Best Western, hosted by our trip directors, Richard Wagner and Elmer Walter. The dinner buffet was delicious and the door prizes were wonderful, as usual. They deserve a big thank you for all their efforts on our behalf. The Wendelville Seniors Christmas party committee, Jean and Don Haylett and Allene Miller did an outstanding job as usual. The door prizes and Bingo prizes were appreciated by all; thank you committee! We wish to thank the Wendelville Fire Company for allowing us to meet at the Old Wendelville Social Hall each month and wish them success in all their endeavors. During this winter seasons, keep healthy and drive carefully. Remember our Veterans and all our armed forces throughout the world. The Wendelville Seniors meet on the second Monday of each month at 12:00 noon for a pot luck lunch at the old Wendelville Social Hall. If you are 55 years or older and are a resident of Pendleton, you are eligible to join us. If you have any questions, call president Loraine Gately at 625-9106. Have a happy and healthy new year.
NAME ________________________________ ADDRESS_____________________________ ____________________________ PHONE ____________________________ ADV. BEGINNER
LEVEL: BEGINNER CIRCLE ONE::
ADULT (over 18) CHILD (please state age ____)
LESSONS AND TOURNAMENT (SINGLE OR DOUBLE) TOURNAMENT ONLY SINGLE DOUBLE TIME AVAILABLE: MORNING AFTERNOON NIGHT
The cost for lessons will be $10 (10 lessons) The cost for the tournament will be $5 DO NOT SEND MONEY UNTIL NOTIFIED
Wendelville Fire Company
Michael McDonough, President; Dale Donovan, Vice President; Ann M. Riester, Secretary; John Fouchie, Sr., Financial Secretary; Jeffrey Bannister, Treasurer; Jake Van de Put, Sergeant at Arms; Gary Albert, Clyde Donohue and James Kieffer, Sr, Trustees: Joseph Riester, Chief; Randy Moje, 1st Assistant Chief; Scott Lombardo, 2nd Assistant Chief; Harold T. Braunscheidel, 3rd Assistant Chief; Clem Joyce, Bill Drexler & Shawn Christman, Captains; Bob Campbell, Jim Moreland & Ken Kalbfleish, Lieutenants. Our First Aid Captain is Jim Riester, assisted by First Aid Lieutenant Russ Genco. The Wendelville Ladies Aux Officers for 2004 are President: Mary Korkuc Vice President: Beverly Richardson Secretary: Judy Rudes Treasurer: Mary Ernest Trustees: Lauraine Moje Nancy Christman The Ladies Aux annual chowder sale will be Saturday, March 13th, 2004. Watch for a Spring Dance coming sometime in April or May featuring Route 66. We are looking forward to another great dance with Terry Buchwald! It will be held February 14th, Valentine’s Day! Why not take your Sweetie out for an evening with Elvis? Call 692-9311 for ticket info. Looking ahead we have our Annual Ham night held Message to Residents with Grinder Tanks: just before Easter. Watch for details! Please help us maintain your grinder tank efficiently: Don’t forget to keep your walks & steps clear of snow & ice in the event of an emergency call. DO NOT FLUSH: DO NOT PUT DOWN THE DRAIN: We’d appreciate the numbers of the house or mailbox to be Rags or Socks Grease or Oil large & clear – that will help us find you if we have to. Dental Floss Paint Hygiene Products Gasoline or Diapers or Diaper Wipes Flammable Liquid Kitty Litter Any other foreign product or object Jeff Stowell Pendleton Highway Superintendent Best Wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year! We here at your fire company look with great anticipation to the twelve month of promise ahead. It will be a year of excitement, commitment and training for us. Our new members (we have taken in 6 new members this year!) are taking their basic course; there are many opportunities for our more experienced members to increase their skills and knowledge in the areas of EMS and all sides of rescue and fire science. However, this is a large commitment of their free time. Hours of classroom training as well as fieldwork on Saturdays. We feel it’s worth it; we take great pride in being proficient at what we do. Would you like to share in that pride? The reality is although we took in several new members, we retired or lost as many, if not more, to relocation, job and family commitments and health concerns. Where does this leave us? Looking once again to you to give some of your precious time to help your community. Think about it; it is a commitment. But the rewards are great. Call Chief Joe Riester at 625-8911 or Clem Joyce at 625-6121 to discuss how you can help. We will install our new Officers for the year 2004 at our annual Installation dinner in February. Congratulations and gratitude go to them for shouldering the load!
Pendleton Historical Society
Now with the holidays over and some of us gaining which seems like 5 pounds because of eating all of that good holiday food, it is time to get back on track. Speaking of track, the train show and cookie sale was a success. We would like to thank all who supported us. Listed below is our winter meeting schedule: Jan 19 - Terry Miller will have a presentation on Glacier National Park. Feb 16 - Tim Murphy will speak and have pictures on his trip to Russia and his adoption of 2 babies from there. Mar 15 - Two Timers (Banjo players) will be here to play some old time songs on the banjo. All meetings start at 7:30. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the programs and the refreshments and even a gab session after that. Trivia question: Where in town was it known as Noodletown? Come to a meeting to find out. Martin Gilbert
Pendleton Senior Citizens
It seems as if the year 2003 just started and it is over already. The old saying as you get older, the time seems to go by much faster must be true. We are all happy for the good times we shared, the memories, the fun, and new members we have met. On December 2nd, the Pendleton/Wendelville Seniors had a Christmas party at the Best Western. A good time was had by all. On December 17th, the Pendleton Seniors had a party at Brauers. Our trips for this year are over and we can’t wait for March to start our trips again. The trip directors have told us we will start out with a trip to Blaire. Officers for the year 2004 will be: President: Lauraine Moje Vice President: Jane Walter Secretary: Loraine Gately Treasurer: Jean Haylett If you are a resident of Pendleton and would like to join us, we meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at Good Shepherd School Hall. Bring a dish to pass and your own table service. We eat at 12:00. Any questions, call Lauraine at 625-8816.
Town Historian
THE RAPE ON NOODLETON ROAD…MURDER ON THE TOONERVILLE TROLLEY LINE By Ben Sobczyk
It was a beautiful day in spring at the turn of the century and the daily train was pulling out of the Tonawanda train depot on its way to Olcott Beach. Looking out of the window of the car sat a young girl in her teens. A very pretty, slender girl she was with long black hair and a smile on her face that could delight everyone. A charming person this Sarah Mumford was, just ask anyone. The train was making its journey through some picturesque farmland and the further she traveled, the more this farm area made a favorable impression on her. Sarah said to herself, “This is the place where I want to live and take up work.” The train was now approaching a small station called Demsey Station in the Town of Pendleton. Before the train started up again, she gathered up her belongings and stepped down on the station platform looking around to see what direction she should go. She started to walk toward a ridge named Beech Ridge Road in search of someone who would hire her. Off Beech Ridge Road, there ran another road called Noodletown Road. Sarah walked down this road until she met up with a local farmer of some wealth stature. After some discussion with the farmer, they agreed for her to take up work as a bonded servant. Sarah was not happy with the arrangement, but she had fallen in love with the countryside, so she agreed to this arrangement (a decision she would later regret). As Sarah settled down in her work, the neighbors would come over to visit her. They asked her name. She replied, “Sarah Mumford is my name and I do not know hence where I came from for I just travel around from one place to another to find a decent place to work and live.” Sarah being as pretty as she was, had a very good personality which drew some of the younger people in town to like her. However,
Your Town Board Supervisor Jim Riester Councilmen Joe Frawley Martin Korkuc Gerald Farnham Jr. David Leible
some of the older townsfolk, particularly some of the women, did not take to her. Sarah being a person who did not know where she came from or who her family was, was looked down upon by many people. As she did her outside chores, her long black hair and the movements of her body would flow gently in the breeze. Sarah worked very hard for her employer. She tends to all of his needs as efficiently as she could. But in exchange, he would treat her badly, cursing and striking her over and over again. She cooked for the farmer and his three sons and whatever was left over was hers to eat. In the evening when her work was done, some neighbors would come over to ask her about how she liked the town and her work. These visits from the neighbors made the farmer and his sons very jealous and angry. As a result, they would take her to the smokehouse and tie her by her wrists. But Sarah was independent and would not stop talking to her friends. Down the road a bit, there was a small school house. The school master liked Sarah and took it upon himself to give her a few lessons after his classes ended. Sarah wanted to learn all she could even though she did not know how to read or write. The school master considered her a student just like the children who regularly attended classes and even asked her to be in the school’s annual picture. Sarah felt that she did everything she was hired to do for her employer, so she felt that what she did on her own time was her business. One night in the fall, there was a terrible thunderstorm. So terrible that no one dared to leave the shelter of their homes. Late in the evening, another farmer living on the Noodletown Road heard the clatter of the horse hooves and the rumble of a buggy with its top up. Since it was not fit for man or beast to be out, he and his wife looked out of the window, but could see nothing. All of a sudden, a large clap of thunder and a huge flash of lightning lit up the sky, allowing the folks to see that a buggy was
going down the road at a full gallop. They could almost recognize the man behind the reins on the buggy and they also saw what to them was a body laid across the buggy. The day after the storm, Sarah could not be found. The few friends she made since she came to town set out to see if they could find her. Then, several days later, a local hunter made a grisly discovery along the tracks of the Toonerville Trolley Line. It was the mangled remains of Sarah Mumford. Her body was almost severed in two and her once pretty face was badly beaten that it was difficult to positively identify her as Sarah Mumford. Her body was brought back to town where an inquest was held. At this inquest, it was determined that her body was so badly damaged that it was impossible to determine the cause of death. However, they were able to determine something of great significance. Sarah was in a “family way.” The inquest also determined that the carriage seen by the farmer and his wife that stormy night did, in fact, belong to and was driven by Sarah’s employer. Did Sarah die because many of the townspeople disliked her? Or did some member of her employer’s family known about her being pregnant and silence Sarah forever, so as not to bring shame to the family? Or, did Sarah Mumford lay her young body down on the railroad tracks when the midnight train was going by? She may have been afraid of what people would have done to her and her baby once they knew her secret. We will never know what really happened that dark and stormy night. Sarah was put to rest without a Christian burial in a cemetery on Mapleton Road in the Town of Wheatfield. Only her name, “Sarah Mumford,” is inscribed on the marker that identifies her grave. Perhaps she is buried near the grave of her murderer. To this day, you’ll find that, on occasion, someone puts flowers on the grave of Sarah Mumford.
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOCKPORT, NY PERMIT 487
625-8833 625-8705 625-8087 625-8761 693-4982
TOWN OF PENDLETON NEWSLETTER WINTER 2004
Family Swim Program amily Starpoint Senior High, Fridays 7-9 PM. First F Swim y Jan 9, 16, 23, 30. Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 rida & Mar 5, 12, 19, 26. Children must be This F h! accompanied by an adult. If Starpoint 9t is closed on a Friday, the swim Jan
program is canceled for that evening.
www.pendleton.ny.us