The Middleport Fire Dept. will be hosting their first “Taste of Middleport” event at the fire hall from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The event will feature the finest wines and foods of the Niagara Wine Trail and the Middleport area. Local wineries have been invited from the Niagara Wine Trail. Are you looking for a new wine for the Thanksgiving holiday?  Please note due to the wines being served age is 21 and over. Taste wines from Spring Lake Winery, the Winery at Marjim Manor, Arrowhead Spring, Eveningside Winery, Freedom Run, Honeymoon Trail, Leonard Oakes Estate, Niagara Landing, Warm Lake Estates, Vizcarra Vineyards and Schulze Vineyards. Stop by and enjoy samples of food from Alternative Grounds, Barker Chocolate Factory, Darrell’s Restaurant, Peggy’s Towpath Café, Pizza Place II, Pony’s, and Talk of the Town in Gasport.  Admission is free, tickets will be sold for $5 for the Grand Prize. Food can also be purchased at the event. The grand prize will be a four hour limousine tour of the Niagara Wine Trail and dinner for 6 at the historic Basket Factory Restaurant (a $300 value).  The tour service will be provided by Timkey Limousine. You can get your raffle tickets at the Middleport Fire Hall, 28 Main St., or from any Middleport Fireman. The tickets are $5 and the event is a fundraiser for the Middleport Fire Department.

Hunters are reminded of changes in the hunt programs at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Beginning with the 2009-2010 hunt season the refuge is using standardized application forms and permits which is necessary to comply with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the Privacy Act.
For deer, and upland small game (including woodcock, snipe and rail) the refuge will be instituting combination Refuge Hunt Brochures/Permits. There will be one brochure/permit for “Deer Hunting” and another for “Small Game and Other Migratory Bird Hunting”. When signed on the front the brochures will serve as valid permits for the duration of the State hunting seasons except that there is no hunting before October 1 or after the end of February. The brochure(s)/permit(s) must be on the hunter’s person while hunting on the refuge. Brochures can be obtained at any of the five hunter information kiosks, at the refuge office in person or via mail. Harvest reports will be optional this year; however, the information they provide to the refuge is valuable and we hope hunters will voluntarily complete these reports. Harvest reports can be obtained at the hunt kiosks, from the refuge office or downloaded as follows: for upland small game — http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2362.pdf; for migratory birds other than waterfowl (woodcock, snipe and rail) — http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2361.pdf; and for big game (deer and turkey) http://www.fws.gov/forms/3-2359. The refuge allows turkey hunting in the spring only.
For additional information, contact refuge staff at 585-948-5445. Also consult our website and printed fact sheets.
Iroquois NWR is located midway between Buffalo and Rochester, NY, in Genesee and Orleans Counties, and is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Individuals with disabilities and any other person who may need special assistance to participate in this program should contact the Refuge at 585/948-5445 or at the Federal Relay No. 1-800-877-8339.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

 November starts the Middleport Library Annual Fund Drive. Why not stop by and see all the library has to offer? Checking out books, movies, magazines are just some of the benefits of library patrons. Durning the year the local library offers programs for children, some for adults,and the Friends of the Middleport Free Library sponsor a silent auction each year to help with costs . Each year in November the library has the Annual Fund Drive. 

  All donations are greatly appreciated. Donations can be sent in the during the whole month.  There is a slip on the bottom of the donation forms that will enter you in a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the Basket Factory.

 Congratulations to the Boys Roy-Hart XC team for 3rd place in their Niagara -Orleans All League race on October 31st. 

Here are the boy’s results:

http://www.section6runs.com/2009-2010/2009XC/results/N-OLeague_VarsityBoysResults09.pdf

Here are the girl’s results:

http://www.section6runs.com/2009-2010/2009XC/results/N-OLeague_VarsityGirlsResults09.pdf

Congratulations to all the runners and thanks to www.section6.com site for all the posted results. Runner, XC fans and parents can find your school on the list. 

  Boys N-O First Team All League

Boys N-O Second Team All League

 Girls N-O First Team All League

Girls N-O Second Team All League

Congratulations to Girls First Place Team Newfane

Congratulations to Boy’s First Place Team Barker

Congratulations to Roy-Hart Boy’s and Girl’s XC Teams! Thanks to Mr. and Mrs .Pfeil and Mr. Bligh for the terrific photos of the team all year.

    The Middleport Outdoor Playground committee has installed two Saddle Mates at the MOP. They are Duckie, a duck, and Scooter, a motorcycle. They were purchased with funding from local organizations, community members and businesses. Passersby may have noticed a beautiful new bench under the tree in the garden near the Geraldine Lupo monument, generously donated by Ridge Road Express.

            The MOP Committee has received their 501 (C) (3) status. All of the donations will now be going toward improvements to the playground. The MOPC will be sending out a letter in November asking for donations for work planned for 2010. Volunteers are planning continued improvements and ongoing maintenance. All meetings were held this summer but after the fund drive this fall, membership will stay in touch to plan for the upkeep and any additions to the playground in 2010. There are many ideas planned for MOP but performing them depends on the donations. The MOP committee wishes to thank the Middleport community for all its support.

        The Hartland Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Monday  Nov 8 at the cobblestone schoolhouse at Carmen and Seaman Roads. Guest speaker will be Tim Roberts of Barker who will explain the art of “coopering,” or making barrels. Annual election of officers will take place at this meeting.    

      To commemorate their ten year anniversary, the Middleport Community Choir (MCC) has recorded their first CD.  Celebrate! A Community of Voices, Ten Years Strong features some of the choir’s favorite songs sung throughout the years and a selection of new pieces as well.    Under the direction of Ric Jones, the 40 member choir spent two evenings in Mark Custom Recording studio laying down tracks; another new experience for most members who enjoy stretching their wings and their talent, traveling to Germany twice and performing in unusual formats like prism concerts. 

    Featured on the CD are pianists Debby Clark and Wendy Gypson, violinist Katie Thomas and a song composed by choir director Ric Jones and his wife Karen Jones.  

  The CD costs $10.00 and is available from MCC members, online through their website at www.Middleportcommunitychoir.com and at these select locations: Middleport Family Heath Center, Pathways in Lockport, The Book Shoppe in Medina and LynOaken Farms.  

  Would you like to get into shape? Are you in shape and want a change of pace? Consider purchasing a membership to the Fitness Center at the Royalton-Hartland High School. The center is open during the school year on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday nights from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  (The facility is closed when school is not in session according to the school calendar or other closings.)No appointments are necessary, but you must be a resident of the Royalton-Hartland School District. Students may work out at no charge as long as they are at least 14 years of age and have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian. Membership fees are based on semesters (September-January and February-June).  The fee for an adult membership is $75 ,or $65 for adult seniors (62 years of age or older).  A full school year (September-June) is $130 for adults and $110 for adult seniors. To join or get more information, please contact Mrs. Husarek at 735-2000, extension 2017. What a great way to get in shape and get to know members of the community!

The last night for the Middleport Farmers Market for this season is Friday October 30. Stop by from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of Middleport Health on Rochester Rd. There will be trick or treats for all and there is plenty of produce still to enjoy! Get ready for fall with your squash, pumpkins, apples and dried herbs for your culinary needs. Come support your local farmers. If it is raining heavily, the farmers will not be setting up.

Congratulations to the Roy-Hart Boy’s XC Team for their 3rd Place win in the Small Schools division at Akron Falls Park on Saturday Oct 24 , 2009.

http://www.section6runs.com/2009-2010/2009XC/results/Clarence09/candids/index.htm