Post Office Box 273

Harrisville, N. Y. 13648

E-mail: lakebonaparte@wildblue.net

Website: www.lake-bonaparte.org

   OUR MEMBERS' DUES PAY FOR THIS WEBSITE

COLUMBUS DAY BONAPARTE COOK-OFF OFFERS CULINARY DELIGHTS

            The ninth annual Lake Bonaparte Columbus Day Cook-Off (LBCDC) was held on the grounds of the home of Bob and Cathie Jackson, East Shore Road, on Saturday, October 11^th.

             More than ninety people gathered to participate in entering and sampling the thirty-two different dishes that were entered into the three contest categories – hors d-oeuvres, entrees, and deserts.

             The idea for the cook-off started nine years ago when Rick Donoghue challenged Cathie Jackson to a contest to determine who could make the best spaghetti sauce. The following year, there were four entries and each subsequent year the contest has grown until it now includes entries for the three food groups.

             The family-oriented activity includes a contest for children as well. Throughout the afternoon, groups of youngsters gathered around the cupcake decorating table to see who could create the most elaborately decorated snack. Although there was no formal judging of the youngsters’ masterpieces, all were determined to create a masterpiece.  (The only problem was that some of the children could not resist the temptation to eat their creation before others could get a look at it.)

             Everyone who attended the cook-off was asked to judge the entries in each category. After sampling to their heart’s content, ballots were placed in a secure ballot box that resembled the Great Pumpkin.

             Although there were no cash prizes awarded, the first prize winner in each category received an official LBCDC apron. The resemblance of LBCDC insignia to the LBCC insignia is not by chance. “It’s just a good natured way of reminding people our support for the conservation club,” said organizer Al Mallette.

             In addition to an apron, the winner of the entrée category also received the coveted chef’s hat to wear proudly until the following year’s cook-off when it must be surrendered to the new winner.

             That honor this year went to Robin Davis whose pulled pork with or without coleslaw was the crowd favorite. Finishing second with their Veggie Spring Rolls was Paige and Justin Weisenfeld. Third place went to Rick Donaghue, one of founders of the contest in 1999, for his Beef Bracole.

             In the hors d-oeuvres category, the first place winner was Terri Mallette who submitted Chicken Wellingtons. Runners-up were Tom Dier for his Cajun Shrimp Wraps and Richard Weisenfeld for his Pumpkin Soup.

             The desert prize went to Carolyn Gaebel whose Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Ice Cream proved to the crowd favorite. Running a close second was Faye Wisner for Very Berry Trifle and in third place was Karen Babel who created a Tropical Cheese Cake Watermelon delicacy.

             After prizes were awarded, the crowd was treated to a musical performance by the group known as the DTs. Members of the well-known group include Tom Dier, Tom Mallette and Dave Scanlon.

rcj

Culinary delights await hungry guests                                                  Kaylee McKenzie and Danika Streeter at cupcake  table

Crowd waits for winners to be announced                                 The DTs take the stage

Chef Nicholas                                                                              The winner for 2008 is Robin Davis

MOOSE ON THE LOOSE

            Several residents of the South Shore called or sent emails to the editor to report a moose sighting on September 13.

             Danielle Frank, who lives on Bullrock Point Road, spotted the animal around 6:45 AM as it walked by her house and continued on to her neighbor’s yard. She was unable to get a picture of it, but a later investigation found tracks to confirm its presence.

             Another South Shore resident, Donna Stella, was able to get a photograph of the moose. At approximately 7 AM, she took a photo of it in the wooded area behind her camp. Donna was kind enough to email the picture to the Newsletter and it is shown below.

             Moose have been sighted before in the Lake Bonaparte area. Several years ago, one was seen walking down Creekside Drive. Dave Hallenbeck, at that time the owner of a house on the East Shore Road, chased after the animal with his video camera. Unfortunately, the camera shook so violently as he chased after the moose that the only footage obtained was that of tree tops.

rcj

            Moose on the loose at Bonaparte

PHOENIX HOLDS CUSTOMER APPRECIATION DAY 

            The Phoenix Restaurant and Lounge held a customer appreciation day on Sunday, September 27^th.

             All drinks were half price and a free buffet was available to all who attended on the last day of business for the summer season.

             Owner, Gary Manford, stated the restaurant had a very successful year. “Our menu proved very popular,” he stated, “and there were times when we could not accommodate all those who wanted to join us for dinner.”

             A highlight of the customer appreciation day was the appearance of a musical duo that traveled to Lake Bonaparte especially for the occasion. Performing for patrons was Zach Dier, a student at Paul Smith College, and his brother, Chase Dier, a student at Plattsburg State College. The duo performed many well known favorites and encouraged patrons to sing along with them.

             Also performing that afternoon was six year old Nicholas Mallette who played two songs on his violin. Owner Manford noted that this was a return performance for the boy. “He was the first live musician to perform at the new Phoenix,” he noted.

rcj

Dier brothers entertain at Phoenix

STORM CAUSES DAMAGE ON NORTH SHORE

      Hurricane Ike, which was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached Lake Bonaparte on Sunday, September 14^th, brought with it drenching rains and wind gusts up to sixty miles per hour.

             The high winds caused scattered damage around the lake.  Many tree limbs were reported down and areas of the lake were without power for one to three days.

             The strong winds created unusually high waves that buffeted many boats that were moored to their docks.

             Kevin Miller of Dewey Point on the North Shore reported extensive damage to both his party boat and his dock. (See pictures below.)

             The storm resulted in several area schools closing on Monday, September 15^th. It also marked one of the few times the Jefferson County Emergency Management System has been utilized. All schools within the county were advised to delay opening by two hours.

             This was the second major storm to hit Lake Bonaparte this season. On June 10^th, a violent thunder storm also resulted in many downed trees, property damage, and the loss of power for several days.

rcj

High winds damage Miller party boat                                          Storm damages docks on N. Shore Road

COST SAVINGS FROM TIME WARNER INSTALLATION

            Steve Grashof, an East Shore resident who has undertaken a study to determine the cost of installation of Time Warner service in the Lake Bonaparte area submitted some cost figures for residents to consider.

             In a recent poll undertaken by the Newsletter to determine interest in the installation of high speed internet (Road Runner), cable, and digital phone service, a surprisingly low number of readers took the time to express an opinion. Of those that did, the vote was roughly sixty percent in favor, and forty percent against.

             In writing to the Newsletter, Mr. Grashof expressed a feeling that those who cast a negative vote may have been influenced by the fact that installation of service would result in a one time monetary charge of several hundred dollars.

             “What people may not realize,” he said, “is how quickly that initial fee would be recouped in comparison to what they currently pay for phone, satellite or dial-up internet service, and satellite television.”

             “Take, for example, the East Shore Road. Installation of service on that road would cost between $70,000 and $85,000. If there were seventy homes in that service area and the cost was $85,000, the company would give a credit of $70,000. The remaining $15,000 would be split between those seventy homes (assuming all hooked-in) in which the case  the assessment would be $214 per unit.

             “Time Warner currently offers a package of high speed internet (Road Runner), digital phone service, and cable television for $99.00 per month. Contrast this cost with a Verizon bill of $40-$65 per month, A Hughes or Wild Blue bill of $50-$75 per month, and a Directv bill of $60-$90 a month, and you can see how quickly the initial charge would be recouped. Plus you have the added advantage of vastly superior services.

             “To be honest with you, I am not sure where to go from here without real numbers of homes and commitments from interested homeowners. I would guess a list of all homeowners in the area would be a start, and I would then call all of them individually to see their interest level. I am looking for help with this project and would like to hear from anyone who is willing to work with me on it.”

             (Ed. Note: Anyone who would like to contact Mr. Grashof may send an email to the Newsletter at lakebonaparte@wildblue.net and it will be forwarded to him. Also, please note the Readers’ Forum contains additional letters regarding high speed internet service.)

rcj  

URBAN RENEWAL HITS VAN HEUVEL CAMPGROUNDS

            The sidewalk foremen were out in full force during the third week in September to supervise the removal of two 1950 era trailers from the Van Heuvel campgrounds.

             The trailers had been in place since the opening of the original Van Heuvel Marina that was built a few years after fire destroyed the Hermitage Hotel.

             A work crew from Natural Bridge demolished both trailers and salvaged whatever usable parts and metal that was in them.

             Both trailers were owned by Gary Manford who does not intend to replace them. “There will just be two additional spots for weekly or monthly campers to place their rigs,” he said.

             “Since both units were placed there years ago, they were located in positions that have a waterfront view. There will be no problem renting them,” he added.

rcj

Clean-up crew removes debris from demolished trailers

NOTHING BUT THE BEAR FACTS

The last edition of the Newsletter contained a story about wood carver-artist Melinda Collins who had put on a demonstration of her work at the Walters residence on the East Short Road on August 23 and 24th.

 Working with a chain saw, Ms. Collins is able to create a wide variety of wild life images. On the two days of the Walters exhibition, she created two seven foot bears which continue to be on display in the driveway of the Walters home.

 The two day demonstrations of her carving skill lead to a number of requests for her to create additional carvings for residents of the lake.

 Shown below is her latest creation, the heads of two bears.

 The carving was done on a very large tree stump located on the Hotel Road adjacent to the Van Heuvel Campgrounds. It was commissioned by Cathie and Bob Jackson and will be on permanent display as the tree stump is immovable.

 All are invited to come and take a look at it before the snow flies.

rcj

Ms. Collins at work with final touch-up on bears' noses                             Bears like their new home on Hotel Road

READERS’ FORUM

LACK OF HIGH SPEED INTERNET CONTINUES TO BOTHER READERS

To the Editor:

I live on the North Shore Rd., and cannot receive high speed internet through Verizon. The line stops about a mile from my house (I live in a log cabin on the right side as you head toward the lake, built by Dean Richards) I've tried for 2 years to get DSL, and have the line extended, to no avail. Right now, my only option is satellite internet, which is too expensive. If there were anyway to get high speed internet to my house, be it DSL or cable, I would love it! If anyone knows what to do or who to talk to about just getting the DSL line extended, I'd appreciate any input!

 Thanks, Jessica Davis

To the Editor:

I just got back home (Illinois) and read the latest LBCC newsletter.  One of the articles talked about a Time Warner survey to determine interest in getting high speed Internet to the lake, specifically to the East Shore.  I never heard about this survey, but certainly would be interested in such a venture.  I checked in to getting an air card and using our wireless capability, but Verizon wants a 12 month commitment at close to $70 a month for this service.  That wouldn't make much sense as we wouldn't be there 10 of those 12 months.
 
        We have been using USA Datanet or Westelcom the last couple of years, but they only provide a dialup service which, as you know, is extremely slow.  We don't even attempt to read any email that has downloads attached to them.
 

            Robert Jackson

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK

This was a year of growth and accomplishment for the Internet Newsletter.

 When started several years ago, the Newsletter was intended to be solely a means of communicating to Lake Bonaparte Conservation Club members the dates and times of various club activities.

Today, the Newsletter’s scope of information is much more extensive. We now carry stories of general interest as well as the scheduled summer social events of the club.

 With the expansion of our new coverage has come a growth in readership. We  have readers in thirty states including Hawaii and several different countries including Canada, England, Thailand, Germany, New Zealand, and France.

 This year also saw a record number of reader initiated news stories, pictures submitted, and letters to the editor. People wrote to us about topics ranging from abandoned rail road cars to riots in the streets of Thailand to missing kittens.

 If there is any “perk” to being the Editor of the Newsletter, it is the opportunity it brings to meet an ever-growing number of people who love the lake and want to preserve it for future generations to enjoy.

 I can’t wait for the winter snows to disappear and the ice to thaw so that we can resume publication again in 2009.

                                                                                                                                 Robert C. Johnston

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

                                                                  Abandoned rail road cars find their way to wetlands

                                                                  2 miles south of South Shore on Rt. 3.

 
(Opinions expressed and content chosen for publication is at the sole discretion of the editor. Content is not pre-approved by LBCC Board of Directors.)