YOUR WEEKLY COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
www.StarNewsDaily.com
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Week of August 30, 2012
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Vol. 5, No. 35 – FREE
Bemus Bay Pops Closes Out Another Successful Season grained now after 15 years.” Managing Editor That being said, Dalpra admits that Now in its 15th year, the Bemus Bay there are some events that haven’t Pops has continued to expand its sea- had staying power. He says, “I would like to see Light the Lakes sonal entertainment offerings while come back.” I’m disappointed we boasting one of the best attendance records in years. Crucial to this suc- couldn’t keep everyone in the county involved.” According to Dalpra, it cess was still another feat - bringing is uncertain whether the Thursday back much needed sponsorships, evening Symphony of Lights concerts which had in recent years declined. will continue. “The changes we’ve made have been On balance, however, many of the pretty productive.” That was the programs that the Pops have initially assessment of Pops Founder Dan Dalpra as he spoke about the number experimented with have turned out of new additions over the last several to be successful, including its special events, lake nights at the movies, Idol seasons. and its line-up of acts. Adding Saturday evening perforKarl Sisson, WCA Hospital Director mances to its entertainment line-up was very well received by the public, of Development said, “by partnering with Crèche this summer, we once according to Dalpra. He adds, “we experimented with Story Time Pops again enjoyed a successful fundraising concert event with the Boogie for Kids, and ended up doing four shows, something we can build off of Wonder Band to support pediatrics here at our community hospital. in the future.” Also, through the amazing efforts An old stand-by for the last nine of the Shults Auto Group and their years, the Chautauqua Lake Idol, has partnership with the Bemus Bay continued to increase in popularity. Pops, the ‘Car on the Barge’ raffle will Drawing on local talent, the singraise a record amount of money to ing competition is a favorite among support the capital campaign for our locals, bringing groups of friends, new Emergency Department.” family and followers to the audience Dalpra states, “the Pops has reached Monday nights to cheer on their that plateau now where it has become favorite contestant each week. a way of life—there is an expectation “Overall,” Dalpra states, “I think it’s of a certain amount of social activity (the Pops) is something that has that goes on and disappointment if it come into its own now—there is no doesn’t—we’ve created it, we’ve nurlonger a surprise as much as there tured it, now its like a young adultis an expectation. This has been enwe’ve got to maintain it.” By Patricia Pihl
He continued, “We need to figure out how to keep it going and keep it going, well.” To that end, the Pops has scored a major accomplishment this year adding a new sponsors as well as the addition of a higher “ambassador sponsorship” level of $20,000. Organizations supporting the Pops in the ambassador level this year include DFT Communications, 59 Lucy Lane, The Italian Fisherman, Shults Auto Group and Century 21.
Dalpra says that some of the sponsors have also “made a personal effort to encourage others to participate in supporting the Pops.” Commenting on the summer-long venue, Senator Cathy Young stated, “I can’t imagine summer on Chautauqua Lake without the Bemus Bay Pops. The Pops brings class, culture, and exciting entertainment to our region…attracting visitors who Continued on page 16
The Pops Labor Day season finale draws large crowds each year.
It’s Big. It’s Bright. It’s Got Blinking Red Lights. By Scott Wise Star Copy Editor
Everyday, 50,000 New Yorkers fail to stop for a stopped school bus. “We need to make the motorists more aware of the stopped school buses,” said Ken Schnur, Manager for First Student branch in Fredonia. “A lot of [drivers] get lax over the summer, in regards to school bus safety. But they’ll be out and in full force in September, and we want them to remember they have to stop at the red lights.” The Fredonia branch of First Student has an excellent safety record. No fatalities on site or on any bus run, no fatal accidents and no students left sleeping on buses. For the drivers at First Student, safety and care for their students is the number one concern. “We have quite a few folks around
here who run the reds,” said Schnur. “The only time you really get into learning safe driving around a school bus is for your permit test. Other than that, there’s nothing- so people forget about it.” According to Safe New York, “The fine for failure to stop for a school bus displaying flashing red lights is $250 to $400 for a first conviction, plus possible imprisonment up to 30 days. A second conviction within three years requires a fine of $600 to $750, plus possible imprisonment up to 180 days. Third or subsequent conviction fines are $750 to $850, and up to 180 days in jail.” Carol Wise (Hi, Mom!) has been driving school buses for almost 20 years. Having trained on a conventional (as opposed to a transit style The flashing red stop sign that opens up from modern day school or flat-nose) bus with a standard buses is one of many safety advances part of an attempt to bring transmission, she’s seen numerous public awareness to a stopped bus. Photo by Scott Wise
Schools in Western New York will resume in September, so drivers need to be on guard to drive safe and understand the laws regarding stopped school buses. Photo by Scott Wise
changes in her time with First Student “I love my job, and I love my kids,” said Wise. “I’ve been driving the (formerly Laidlaw Transportation). same run for almost 17 years- I’ve got children of my children now. You get “Take the extra time… very close to these people, and I’ve become good friends with a lot of the Take a deep breath families. My kids mean a lot to me. and pretend it’s your They keep me thinking young and give me something to get up for.” child” –Carol Wise, Wise, who’s run takes her from First Student School Fredonia out to Route 5 and into Van Bus Driver Buren Bay, has seen first hand time and time again the lack of concern and patience that some drivers have While all the buses are equipped with when it comes to the school bus. automatic transmissions and plenty “My least favorite part of my job is of other swanky upgrades, the idea putting up with people who don’t is the same- transport umpteen children from home to school in a safe, Continued on page 16 timely manner.
Inside This Week
Portage Pie Main: PG. 14