I included much of this information in my Towpath Partyline column. Hope you enjoy reading it, here is part of the column with a few photos. If you attended the event and wish to share some of your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment.
The Village of Middleport’s Sesquicentennial celebration on Saturday was a wonderful way for neighbors to celebrate. Visitors to the event were treated by the committee to hot dogs and refreshments at the Middleport Fire Hall. Local history collectors of Middleport memorabilia were set up with displays all over the fire hall. Library Director Melane Shuttleworth of the Middleport Free Library had a display and Rose Kirkpatrick had some of the cartoons about Middleport from her family collection. Larry Lackner had bottles, store ads, postcards and local items. Nelson Colley had photographs, magnets and postcards for display. Theresa Kirkpatrick had a collection of plates and books. Her table full of memories included a Niagara County book which included information about the first settlers. Roy-Hart Media Specialist Penny Baize took photos and picked up some ideas for her library display at the high school. James Donner of Lockport helped document the celebration by taking pictures of the event.
Margaret Droman and Rose Kirkpatrick sold calendars and coffee mugs for the Sesquicentennial Celebration. Committee Chairperson Barb Albone and Rebecca Schweigert helped introduce the guests on hand to help honor the village and Village Historian Anna Wallace. Police Chief John Swick, Paul Collins and Dick Owen grilled the hotdogs for all of us to enjoy.
The Middleport Community Choir performed “Robert’s Song” dedicated to the late Robert Maedl, former member of the choir and husband of our Mayor Julie Maedl. The song was arranged by choir director Ric Jones and was the first of two lovely pieces performed by candlelight. The founding village leaders in 1859 may have held their meeting for the first Village Board by candlelight; we celebrated in the same fashion. The Middleport Community Choir is celebrating their tenth anniversary this year.
Local dignitaries paid tribute to the Village of Middleport and also to Historian Anna Wallace for 29 years of service. Joining the local residents in celebration were Senator George Maziarz, Royalton Superintendent Dick Lang, Niagara County Legislator Mike Hill and Ross Annable and Beverly Snell of Hartland. Jennifer Beiber read a proclamation written by her husband, Royalton Historian Jessie Beiber. Rebecca Schwiegert read a proclamation that had been presented on the floor of the Senate by US Congressman Christopher Lee.
The committee is still selling commemorative bricks for the walkway, order forms are still available at the village hall and the cost is $50 per brick. After the Sesquicentennial, the brick walkway will be an ongoing fundraiser, when the sale of the bricks will be handled by MATABC. Due to the overwelming response to the bricks, the latest news is that the black bricks won’t be available for 3-4 months.
Bricks are still available for purchase. If you’d like to order you can order gray bricks and those would be available by the Memorial Day Installation.
Thanks to the Barge Canal Art Center for the banners with the new village crest. !
