CANAL SPLASH EVENT A SUCCESS!

Richmond Aqueduct site on the Canal Splash Tour 

A beautiful warm August day helped bring out twenty visitors for the Erie Canal Splash Historic Tour Walk in Montezuma on August 13th. Mike Riley led another interesting tour along the Byron Lapp Memorial Towpath Trail explaining the historic sites and how Montezuma played an important role in New York's canal history.
 (Photo compliments of Ed Laraway)

Marian Ellinwood, Volunteer of the Year shares a special moment with her family

Following the tour a Community Picnic was held at Memorial Park to honor Marian Ellinwood as Volunteer of the Year. She was recognized for over 35 years of dedicated service to the Town of Montezuma.  Anyone who has lived here and voted I'm sure can always remember Marian's smiling face greeting us on Election Day.  A special surprise for the day was Marian and Don's son, Ricky was able to be at the recognition. He was transported from Newark Hospital to proudly see his mother receive the award. Marian made special note in receiving the award to share her sediments for the community she lives in with friends and neighbors who have generously helped in many ways while her and Don have visited Ricky everyday since his hospitalization nearly two years ago.

NEW HISTORIC MARKERS IN TOWN!!

Located on the west side of Chapman Road near the Byron Lapp Memorial Towpath Trail that leads to the Richmond Aqueduct on the Seneca River

Dan Randolph and Stan Longyear installed two new historic markers received by the Montezuma Historical Society for the Town of Montezuma Heritage Park area today.  The markers were made possible through a grant awarded to the Society from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation. The William G. Pomeroy Foundation launched its Historic Roadside Marker program in 2006. This year it expanded its program from Onondaga County to Cayuga, Cortland, Madison Oswego and Onondaga Counties. The Foundation's focus for this program is to help preserve history with a particular interest in organizations supported in large part by volunteers.

Catskill Castings of Bloomville, NY, did an excellent job of making the markers.

The markers help to identify two very important historic sites in Montezuma, and we're thankful to the William G. Pomeroy Foundation for making this possible.

Located off Rt 90 on High Street near the Firehouse and entrance of the Byron Lapp Memorial Towpath Trail.

CANAL SPLASH FOLLOWING THE FLOW TOURS - AUGUST 13TH

A series of events are planned in connection with state sponsored Canal Splash weekend in Cayuga County.  The second annual historic canal site driving and walking tour called, Following the Flow: The Tale of Two Erie Canals is sponsored by Old Brutus Historical Society,  Port Byron Lock 52 Historical Society and the Montezuma Historical Society.  Mike Riley, canal historian, will weave in interesting local history and canal stories to make the connections between man and river, ecology and geology, early explorers, settlers, industry and the evolution of New York’s canal system through Cayuga County.
For more information about canal history in Cayuga County go to:
http://www.cayugacountycanalhistory.org/

AUGUST 13TH SCHEDULE OF TOURS:

• 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM -- WEEDSPORT: Ongoing tours will be held at the Old Brutus Historical Museum in Weedsport, 8943 North Seneca Street featuring Erie Canal displays and heritage 
• 11:00 AM -- WEEDSPORT/JORDAN on Route 31 at the site of the former Lock 51
• 12:30 PM -- PORT BYRON at  St. John’s Church parking lot, Route 31, West
• 1:30 PM -- MONTEZUMA walking tour starts at the Heritage Park Byron Lapp Memorial Trailhead near the firehouse off Route 90.

MONTEZUMA COMMUNITY PICNIC & VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:  MARIAN ELLINWOOD

The Town of Montezuma will continue the celebration by honoring a community volunteer  created to recognize an individual who has unselfishly given to the community. This year’s award will be given to town resident, Marian Ellinwood. Marian has given countless hours and many years service to the community including serving as election officer for thirty-five years, and twenty years on the town planning board. She has helped many people preparing income taxes without expecting payment. For the last several years Marian and her husband, Don have devoted their life to daily visiting and caring for their son, Ricky who has been hospitalized in Rochester and Newark hospitals. In spite of the long days at the hospital, Marian faithfully continues to attend monthly planning board meetings.

•  4:00 PM at the Memorial Park pavilion,  Dock Street. Bring a dish to pass, table service and beverage. Meat and rolls will be provided. 
•  6:00 PM at the town hall, there will be a 1953 movie version of “A Farmer Takes a Wife,” starring Betty Grable and Dale Robertson. The movie was based on Walter Edmond’s novel "Rome Haul, " and is a tale of love and conflict along the Erie Canal in the mid 19^th century.