2017 July In Review: Harborfest Celebrates 30th Anniversary

by Steve Yablonski | December 28, 2017 11:59 pm

OSWEGO, NY – Here’s a glimpse of the some of the news from the past 12 months.

Annual Fourth Of July Parade Attracts Hundreds
Families and friends packed both sides of Bridge Street for Oswego’s annual 4th of July Parade.

Temperatures were comfortably in the 70s and a light breeze made it perfect to sit by the side of the road and watch the parade go by.

The parade came up West Bridge Street at 1 p.m. and headed east, passing large cheering crowds as it did so.

Many people have been attending the annual parade for years.

For some, it is a tradition to arrive several hours before the parade and stake out their favorite spots using lawn furniture and blankets. There is an unwritten parade law that you don’t disturb a location someone has already claimed.

While Oswego had hosted many parades on different occasions, it was during 1964 that friends and fellow Jaycee members Bill Green and Bill Gregway decided that Oswego needed a bigger event than just a fireworks display to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

Oswego County Legislators Act to Preserve Jobs at Nuclear Plants
The Oswego County Legislature continued to advocate for the region’s nuclear power industry and urged defeat of measures in the state Assembly and Senate that would repeal the Clean Energy Standard.

The state Legislature had adjourned for the season without acting on the bills.

However, members of the Oswego County Legislature were concerned the issue could re-surface when the state Legislature re-convenes.

The state Clean Energy Standard was intended to transition the state’s economy from depending on fossil fuels to a clean energy by 2030. The CES created credits for nuclear energy with the cost allocation distributed to all users of electricity.
After the Clean Energy Standard was adopted, bills were introduced into both houses of the state Legislature to eliminate or dramatically change key elements of the policy.

The changes could be detrimental to the Nine Mile Point and FitzPatrick nuclear plants in Scriba, as well as the Ginna nuclear station in Wayne County.

“The economic and environmental benefits of preserving our upstate nuclear plants exceeds the cost of the CES program dramatically,” said Legislator Roy Reehil, District 5, Constantia, chairman of the Oswego County Legislature’s Economic Development and Planning Committee. “These plants support more than 25,000 full-time direct and secondary jobs in our region and the legislation being considered by the Senate and Assembly threaten to negate months of negotiations, rallies, letter writing campaigns and advocacy for the Clean Energy Standard. This will be extremely unpopular Upstate because of the tremendous public support that was demonstrated during the Public Service Commission’s hearing process across the state. I urge county residents to immediately contact their state representatives and raise their voices to protect our nuclear plants.”

Oswego School Board Names Officers For 2017-18 School Year
A year after they were initally sworn in as new Oswego school board members, Aimee Callen and James Bell took the oath of office again – this time as the new leaders of the board.

In a brief reorganizational meeting July 5, the Oswego school board appointed its slate of officers for the 2017-2018 school year and swore in new members Brian Chetney and Brandon Lagoe and returning veteran Sam Tripp. They were elected to full three-terms on the board this past May.

2016-17 vice president Tom DeCastro was nominated for president. Callen was also nominated and she received the majority of votes. Bell was the choice for VP.

The board then acted on various housekeeping items for the upcoming school year.

Be Like Ruth Campaign Under Way In Oswego
For the past 70 years, Oswego’s historic, educational and cultural organizations have benefited from the energy, enthusiasm and leadership of Ruth Sayer.

Born July 2, 1917, in North Carolina, she came to Oswego in 1947 and began a career in education.

Ruth Sayer immediately recognized Oswego’s historic importance and dedicated herself to its preservation. Whether serving as member, chair, president, or volunteer, her impact on her adopted city is “awe-inspiring.” She dedicated her life in the Port City to helping others and enhancing the quality of life.

“Ruth’s impact on the H. Lee White Maritime Museum and her continued support of the museum is hard to fully measure,” said Executive Director Mercedes Niess.

A 100th birthday celebration was held at Bridie Manor for Ruth. The mayor presented her with a city proclamation recognizing the milestone, and he publicly recognized her at the Common Council meeting.

A special campaign, named in her honor, was under way in the Port City. Citizens were encouraged to support as many civic organizations as they can.
“A couple of month’s ago, Justin (White, president of the Oswego County Historical Society) and I met with Mrs. Sayer and asked if we could have a community thank you for her,” Niess said. Mrs. Sayer replied, “No way,” Niess added.

“There was nothing we could do to convince her otherwise. What she did want is to inspire people to do what she did for 70 years. So, for myself, as a member of several of the cultural not-for-profits that Ruth helped support and found … not just organizations that Ruth fostered but in some cases helped to found – we are honored and humbled by her 70 years of dedicated service to the culture and heritage of Oswego,” Niess said.

To celebrate Ruth’s many contributions, Niess and White launched the “Be Like Ruth Sayer Campaign: A summer of service” began July 10 and continued throughout the summer.

The Be Like Ruth Sayer Campaign was designed to encourage folks in the Oswego community to get involved, contribute, give back and volunteer in your community to make Oswego a better place for all.

Ritchie: $100,000 Will Help Upgrade Exhibits At Safe Haven Museum
State Senator Patty Ritchie announced she has secured $100,000 in state funding for the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum at historic Fort Ontario in Oswego.

The grant funding to the museum will help keep alive the stories of nearly 1,000 World War II refugees, mostly European Jews fleeing Nazi persecution, who were brought into the United States as “guests” of President Franklin D. Roosevelt between 1944 and 1946.

“In the face of so much terror, heartbreak and despair during World War II are many stories of hope and bravery, like those the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum seeks to tell,” said Senator Ritchie. “This museum is key to ensuring that we keep alive the memories of the nearly 1,000 refugees who made their home at Fort Ontario, as well as to remembering the important role Oswego played in our nation’s history.”

Magazine Ranks SUNY Oswego No. 4 For Aspiring Broadcast Journalists
Hands-on opportunities and academic strengths contributed to SUNY Oswego being ranked fourth recently in College Magazine’s “Top 10 Colleges for Broadcast Journalism.”

Oswego’s facilities include “three fully equipped state-of-the-art digital TV studios plus audio/radio production labs and recording studios,” the magazine said.

“Students work hands-on in class and student-run groups,” including WTOP-10 TV, WNYO radio and The Oswegonian, the article noted.

“When I was transferring, many people … told me Oswego is the place to go for broadcasting,” senior Andrew Luces told the magazine. “The people who I work with are very dedicated to the station and the product that is put on the air.”

The broadcasting and journalism majors, part of the communication studies department in the college’s School of Communications, Media and the Arts, succeed because of a team effort that cuts across generations, said Julie Pretzat, SCMA dean.

“In many ways, this ranking is even more meaningful because it comes from the students in these programs — that means they feel well-prepared, supported and appreciated on our campus. Between our amazing faculty, excellent student organizations that provide real-world experience and incredibly responsive alumni, Oswego students are provided a ‘top-10’ education,” Pretzat noted.

Oswego Health Awarded $13 Million Grant to Transform Behavioral Health Services
Oswego Health was awarded a $13 million grant from the New York State Department of Health that the health system will use to transform its behavioral health services in the county.

“This is wonderful news for Oswego Health,” said President and CEO Michael Harlovic. “I’d like to thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for recognizing the importance of providing exceptional behavioral health services locally and that health system is the healthcare leader to delivery these important needed services.”

Oswego Health has provided behavioral health services to county residents for more than 35 years.

The health system provides care at its BHS division at the Oswego County Building on Bunner Street in Oswego, and at its Child and Family Services Department on North Second Street in Fulton.

Oswego School District Readies For Office Move
The Oswego City School District was moving ahead with plans to relocate its Central Offices.

The district looked to move out of the Education Center on East First Street and into the northeast part of Frederick Leighton Elementary School. As part of the move, renovations were also under way for Oswego High School, across the street from Leighton.

The technology department is housed there.

Superintendent Dr. Dean Goewey expected the move to take place sometime in last August.
The Education Center had been the district’s home since 1992. It has been on the market for several years. Recently, the possibility of a purchaser increased.

Paddlefest 2017 Draws Huge Crowd
Roughly 650 participants took to the Oswego River for the fifth year of Paddlefest fun.

Some launched from Indian Point in Fulton for an 11.17-mile trek while others launched from Minetto for the shorter course of 5.86 miles to finish at H. Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego.

The event began five years ago when Oswego native, Jake Mulcahey first thought up the idea and put it to the test, garnering 75 participants in its infancy.

Each year since, the event has grown by hundreds and the Paddlefest organizer’s volunteer group enlisted the help of Cre8 Studios, contracted as the event coordinator.

Cre8 Studios, in its fourth year coordinating the event, will likely be taking over the event entirely in years to come as event founder, Mulcahey said he is participating for the last time.

“This event has grown so much in strength and I know it’s going to continue to be fantastic. My time is limited- work is busy, my family is growing. I know Cre8 has this under control so now is as good a time as any to step out and move on,” Mulcahey told Oswego County Today.

Harborfest Kicks Off Its 30th Anniversary Party
Harborfest turned 30 in 2017 and it’s just as vibrant as the day it started.

The festival’s opening was greeted by clouds and rain earlier in the day. But by evening, it was warm and partly cloudy as hundreds of people, young and old, were ready to celebrate in Breitbeck Park.

The music started at 5:15 p.m. on the Lakeview Stage with Avalanche, the US Army Band followed at 7 p.m. by Atlas.

“I’ve been a fan of Atlas for years,” Gil Oldenburg told Oswego County Today. “We’ve been following them since the time they used to play at Great Laker Inn, and were known as Atlas Linen Company.”

Pete Myles, Harborfest’s executive director, said things were “fantastic.”

“Things are going very well. The weather even cooperated and the rain stopped,” he said. “It’s a great opening night.”

“I really have to thank the community and everybody here for the support we have had the last 29 years,” said Chuck Handley, president of the Harborfest Board of Directors. Members of The Family Stone, he added, were behind the stage – taking photographs of Oswego’s beautiful sunset.

Oswego Mayor William Barlow Jr. welcomed the enthusiastic crowd to the 2017 edition of Harborfest, the largest “family reunion” in the Northeast. He also thanked all the sponsors and volunteers.

Mayor Barlow joined the crowd in a countdown and then, in unison, they proclaimed, “Let the fun begin!”

Hundreds March In Annual Children’s Parade
Hundred of youngsters, their friends and families, marched from Breitbeck Park to the Novelis Family Park (West Park) the next day in idyllic weather.

The annual Children’s Parade is considered by many to be the official start of Harborfest.

The parade drew an unofficial throng estimated at more than 1,000 participants, from infants to adults.

Mexico High School’s Matadors provided marching music for the event. Following the parade, the also performed in West Park.

To ensure everyone stayed safe, the Oswego Health Sun Patrol passed out sun screen to the marchers as well as those along the parade route.

As in years past, the parade route was lined with people; many of them cheering and taking pictures of the marchers as they went past. Some youngsters broke ranks and dashed over to hugs friends along the route on Lake Street.

Did we miss any of your favorites? Let us know in the comments section.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/2017-july-in-review-harborfest-celebrates-30th-anniversary/

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