Brocton Preceptor Beta Epsilon
Members of the Brocton Preceptor Beta Epsilon Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met recently at the home of Lois Smith, with Dorothy Frontuto serving as co-hostess. Vice-President Roberta Valentine conducted the meeting in the absence of President Valerie Lis.
The group voted to make donations to the Fredonia Opera House and to the Marmaduke Statue Fund.
The Social Committee noted that the Portland Bicentennial Committee is sponsoring a Wine Tasting Event on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 21 Brix Winery to support its Bicentennial Celebrations in July of 2013. This will be discussed further at the next meeting. The Harvest Moon Cemetery Tour in Fredonia is the weekend of Oct. 19 and 20 and the group is planning to attend the second evening. Janice Hipwell will purchase the tickets.
The date of Sunday, March 17 has been reserved at the Brocton Legion for the group's annual Towel Bingo.
The next meeting will be held at the home of Margie Boltz on Tuesday evening, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. with Roxanne Fisk serving as co-hostess. The program will be presented by Lois Smith. The group's following meeting will be held at The St. Stephen's with dinner and the meeting to follow in support of this new venture.
Judy Travis presented a program on the History of the Brocton Arch and its restoration. She noted that the steel double arch was purchased from a French manufacturer and erected across the four corners of Main Street in Brocton in 1913 to celebrate the town's 100th anniversary. At the time the construction cost was $1,300. The Arch has deteriorated greatly since that time and plans are underway for its restoration. A grant has been secured from the NY State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and many, many donations have been received from various local groups and individuals.
All donor names will be placed in a time capsule, hopefully to be opened in 100 years. The final architectural drawings have been submitted and the Village is awaiting final approval and then the work will begin. It will take approximately two months for the job to be done and it is hoped this can be completed by December 2012. The Arch will be lit by LED computer programmed lighting with unique color schemes for different holidays. This will be dedicated next July during the Bicentennial celebrations, which look to be quite awesome events.
