BROCTON - With planning stages well under way, the Portland Bicentennial Celebration committee is officially in full fundraising mode.
Portland Town Supervisor Dan Schrantz, who serves on the committee, reported to town council members during the monthly council meeting that several fundraising initiatives are under way to raise funds for the town's 200th birthday celebration slated to begin in April.
Celebration hats, available in green or white, are available for sale at the Town Clerk's office. Also in progress is the sale of calendar date placements which will be customized in a town history themed calendar for the celebration year. Birthdates, anniversary dates, memoriam dates or any other type of event town residents wish to mark can be added to the calendar, which will feature a pictorial history of the town.
Residents are also encouraged to get their tickets soon for an Oct. 13 featured wine-tasting event at 21 Brix Winery to benefit the bicentennial celebration. The ticket price of $15 entitles the attendant to six complimentary tastings of 21 Brix's award-winning wines made from local grapes, a unique sampling of hors d'oeuvres and entertainment. A display of local artistry is planned, and several door prizes and giveaways will be available on site.
On Sunday, Nov. 4 the committee will also be sponsoring a fundraiser spaghetti dinner from noon to 4 p.m. at Brocton's American Legion. Presale tickets will be available at the town hall, as well as other locations in Brocton and Portland, or can be purchased from one of the several committee members. A sizeable auction of items will also take place at the dinner.
Committee members will also be selling $5 daily lottery based chances which will be awarded through the month of November.
Town Councilman Jerry Boltz, who spearheads the Marmaduke Recognition Committee, also announced the Sept. 25 meeting date, beginning at 6 p.m. at the town hall. That committee has been hard at work in order to honor famous Portland native and nationally-syndicated cartoonist, Brad Anderson. Bicentennial Committee Chair Dave Travis announced at last month's committee meeting that in lieu of a specific gift to the town in honor of Portland's 200th birthday (which Brocton's four corner arch was erected for) the committee would like to throw their support behind Anderson's recognition statue.
Schrantz also reminded council members that special honors will be bestowed upon Brocton Central School alumni on Oct. 6 at the annual BCS Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, to be held at 21 Brix. This year's recipients are Judith (Remington) Fingerhut and Jerome Skinner.
In other matters, Councilman Al Valentin reported that the Brocton/Portland Historical Museum officially closed another successful season, with increased attendance compared to previous years. He noted that he would like the council to engage in some discussion regarding budgetary items for the year in light of the museum's integral involvement in the Bicentennial Celebration, which will happen during an upcoming budget workshop.
The town council will meet on Monday at 6 p.m. to discuss budgetary items with town department leaders.
