Grey Fox (By California Department of Water Resources – California Department of Water Resources, Public Domain)

The Chautauqua County Health Department has confirmed that a grey fox that has bitten people in Bemus Point is rabid.

The Department said the fox bit multiple people near Route 430 on Friday, June 9. The Health Department is following-up with the people involved to ensure that they receive proper medical attention. A New York State Department of Environmental Conservation officer responded to the situation and killed the grey fox on June 9, 2023. The grey fox was sent for testing and was determined to be positive for rabies.

Chautauqua County Director of Environmental Health Jessica Wuerstle said the incident should serve as a reminder to residents that animal rabies is a serious public health concern, “According to the Centers for Disease Control more than 90% of rabies cases occur in wildlife. Pets and livestock can be protected from rabies by keeping rabies vaccines up-to-date.”

If you believe you had physical contact with the grey fox that was killed in the Bemus Point area and have not seen a medical provider please call the Chautauqua County Health Department at 716-753-4783.

Rabies is nearly always a fatal disease when exposure is missed and untreated.

Visit chqgov.com/environmental-health/rabies-prevention for general rabies information.

The See-Zuhr House

The See-Zurh House in Bemus Point will have new ownership.

Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency Project Manager Rosie Strandburg said Bruce Scroxton and Andrew Haney are purchasing the building from Thom Shagla.

She said Scroxton has been interested in buying the business for about 30 years, “They’re looking to keep the charm of the restaurant. Most of the menu items will stay but they are going to install a brick oven for pizza. And they are going to open up the kitchen so that you can see them cooking. They are going to add ADA accessible bathrooms and a ramp outside. Access to the upstairs is not going to be currently addressed. There’s not really a good way to change access to the upstairs, but they’re going to keep the same flow for the upstairs as well.”

The CCIDA Board approved Scroxton and Haney’s request for $250,000 in loans from the Al Tech Revolving Loan Fund. $124,000 will be for machinery and equipment and $126,000 in working capital. The interest rate on both loans is 4%.

Strandburg said the 17 employees who currently work at the restaurant will be kept on with another five to six full-time employees anticipated to be hired in addition to nine part-time employees.

The See-Zuhr House opened in 1960 and was purchased by Thom and Cheryl Shagla in 1984, who have operated it since.

EDITOR’S NOTE: As a point of transparency and disclosure to our audience, Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency is a corporate underwriter for WRFA and has provided a financial contribution for the general operations of the station within the past year. Funding we receive for General Operations is not used to fund our coverage of local news in the community. That is only made possible through a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

Hotel Lenhart

The Hotel Lenhart in Bemus Point and Neckers Company General Store in Clymer have been added to the New York State’s Historic Business Preservation Registry.

State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andy Goodell recently presented the historic business awards to the two businesses.

The Historic Business Registry was established in 2020 and newly launched this spring. It includes businesses that have been in operation for at least 50 years and have contributed to their communities’ history.

The Hotel Lenhart was built in 1881 by Dr. J.J. Lenhart and his wife, Dora Baldwin overlooking Bemus Bay on Chautauqua Lake.

The current hotel, rebuilt following a fire in 1891, has a main floor and three upper sleeping floors, with a total of fifty-three rooms. It also has a 185-foot wrap-around veranda. Up until the end of this summer season, the hotel had been in the same family for four generations.

Neckers Company General Store

Neckers Company General Store was founded by John H. Neckers and Ed Neckers. The store opened at its current location in 1910. Groceries, dry goods, boots, shoes, kerosene and wallpaper were some of the items for sale. The fourth generation of Neckers, Barry and his wife, Kathy, continue to run the store.

Today the business sells groceries, fresh cut meats, made-to-order pizzas and subs, home decor, shoes, boots, apparel, and more.

The honorary program, which provides educational and promotional assistance to help ensure businesses in the state remain viable, is coordinated through the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).

An interactive storyboard map, which provides information about the location and history of each business, can be found on the agency website at https://parks.ny.gov/historic-preservation/business-registry/default.aspx.

The celebration of autumn will include a street market with over 50 vendors and sidewalk fare, a petting zoo, open houses, live music and seasonal food and drink specials at the restaurants.

For more information, visit facebook.com/VisitBemusPoint

A Boat Parade will take place at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 14. Boat entry is free and will have a pirate theme.

Bemus Point stores and restaurants also will have activities or specials involving the pirate theme. Kids activities will take place at the Musky Mall from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Live music is also scheduled at various venues.

For more information or to register for the boat parade, go to www.visitbemuspoint.com

The Saturday, July 16 interview sessions will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Interview topics will include:
– Memories of Chautauqua Lake: Beaches, Boating, Communities, etc.
– The Construction of I-86 and the Chautauqua Lake Veterans Memorial Bridge
– Boat Races on Chautauqua Lake
– Chautauqua County Music Venues & Musicians: Part 1
– Bill Clinton’s Visit to Chautauqua County (and other Presidents / Vice Presidents)

Pre-registration for those who want to participate is required. Participants may sign up for a 20-minute interview session at the Bemus Historical Society located at 13 Alburtus Avenue in Bemus Point.
You also may register by emailing WRFA@RegLenna.com with “I Remember” in the subject line or calling 716.664.2465 ext. 209.

More Information about the project can be found at www.WRFALP.com/IRemember.

The “I Remember” oral history project focuses on local residents who want to serve as primary sources on a variety of historical topics from the Jamestown and Chautauqua Region. The residents will be interviewed and portions of those interviews will then run in a series of audio and video programs that will be broadcast on the local airwaves and also streamed online, starting in September 2022.

Funded through a Community Action Grant from the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, as well as from additional funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the “I Remember” project has a goal of interviewing at least 100 different individuals and providing 25 hours of audio and video programming in its first year.

All unedited interviews will also be transcribed and donated to the Chautauqua County Historical Society and the Fenton History Center for their archives

Independence Day

In the City of Dunkirk, a three-day festival kicks off at 9:00 a.m. Saturday with the Marauder Trotter Run/Walk 5K at Wright Park. The rest of the festival takes place at Dunkirk Memorial Park on Route 5 with live music and food vendors. Fireworks will take place at dusk on Monday, July 4.

Cherry Creek will host an Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 2. The celebration from 1:00 to 10:00pm will feature rides, a parade at 5:00 p.m., a car show, chicken barbecue, music, and more. A fireworks show will take place at 10:00 p.m.

Bemus Point will hold its fireworks display at 10:00 p.m., Sunday, July 3. The show will be visible from on-shore and on Chautauqua Lake.

In the county seat of Mayville, the Monday, July 4 Celebration starts at 10:00 a.m. with a grand parade down Route 394. Festivities continue at Lakeside Park with face painting, a petting zoo, live music, food, games, and more. The celebration concludes with a fireworks display at 10:00 p.m.

The Village of Lakewood marks the return of the July 4th Summerfest and Fireworks at Hartley Park. The Lakewood Family YMCA’s Firecracker Run starts at 9am Monday followed by vendors on Chautauqua Avenue from noon to 10:00 p.m. Live music will be performed in Hartley Park from 6:00 p.m. until the fireworks display at 10:00 p.m., Monday.

And in Findley Lake, a Fourth of July Celebration takes place from noon to 10:00 p.m. on Monday, featuring a chicken barbeque, duck race, boat parade, and fireworks at 10:00 p.m.

The “Putt-Putt around the Point” event takes place from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, May 15.

The fundraiser is sponsored by the Bemus Point Business Association with all funds raised going towards this year’s 4th of July fireworks show.

Teams of 4 are invited to dress up and partake in 9 miniature golf holes at participating businesses around Bemus Point.

The cost is $100 per foursome with participants being able to sign-up starting at noon at The Musky Mall on Alburtus Avenue. Scorecards, maps, and a gift for participating will be provided. Players must provide their own putter.

A brief awards ceremony will be held at 5:00 p.m. at the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House. The First place team will receive a cash prize. Players may also register online at www.visitbemuspoint.com.

William Reynolds III

Jamestown City Council will hold a special voting session tonight to appoint the new Ward 5 Council member.

City Council President Tony Dolce and Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist announced that William Reynolds III will replace Republican Grant Olson.

Reynolds had previously served as the North Harmony Town Supervisor from 1989 to 2004. He also was the Bemus Point‘s DPW Streets Superintendent from 2011 to 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Reynolds served as a Jamestown Police Detective form 1984 until his retirement in 2004.

He also has been the Director of the American Legion, Post 1286; Vice President and Trustee of the Lakeview Cemetery Association, and was previously a past President the Fenton Historical Society.

Reynolds lives in Jamestown with his wife, Deborah, and has four adult children.

The voting session will be held at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Council Chambers.

Bemus Point

The event is hosted by the Bemus Point Business Association. This year’s celebration will include a street market with vendors and sidewalk fare, a petting zoo, open houses, live music, seasonal food & drink specials at the restaurants, Draw-a-Leaf Discounts at the stores and more.

More information about the event can be found on Facebook at: facebook.com/VisitBemusPoint