The Villager

Bristol Harbour Village Association

January 2025

Northern Lights: photo taken by Ron Fortin from his Cliffside Balcony

October 10, 2024

Writing the Villager is a labor of love, but also a struggle at times. I forget that life in the Finger Lakes continues without me. Libraries, museums, restaurants and our BHV community continue to provide opportunities for people to socialize. We host movie nights and the Buffalo Bills games at the Community Center. Consuela offers free Zumba classes every Wednesday at 9:30 am and Fridays at 9:00 am. Tuesday is trivia night at Lock, Stock and Barrel. Heron Hill has happy hour on Friday evenings. The details are listed below.

I asked for help with this edition and received it in Spades. Thanks to all who sent informative articles, jokes, poems, venue links, and photos.

One can see there are endless opportunities for residents to get involved this winter through volunteer work; but there are also art classes, cooking classes, lectures, ski trips, cultural excursions. Take the time to click on what's provided. I have learned a lot and have only scratched the surface. For more local information, one can subscribe to the Finger Lakes Connected newsletter. Check that out when time permits.

In this Villager Ginny Lalka informs us about political openings in the town of South Bristol this fall. Having a representative or two from Bristol Harbour Village would be very helpful.

Doug Llewellyn provides information on the new boater safety course required of all boat drivers in 2025.

Jon Link tells us all about the holiday party and Darren Brennessel writes a poem about Perseid's meteor shower.

I am very excited that Diana Gifford Jones contacted me. Diana and her father have written a book on Healthy Retirement. Please look over her Dad's bio as well. He is over 100 and has had a condo in building 3 since 1978. Some of us will recognize Mr. Walker's from his photo towards the end of the Villager..

Thanks to Kelli Becka, Kathy Corry, and Ginny Lalka for providing photos and links to various events.

Please remember https://www.bristolharbourvillage.org/ is our official website: The Homeowners' password is: BHVA 1413. One will find the minutes, latest financials, the audit, amendments, plus the address of the town of South Bristol's Transfer Station where residents can take trash that does not belong in the dumpster. No redeemables at this time in our trash room, please.

Important additions to the website include the revised Environmental Committee Rules and Regulations, plus the new and simplified Environmental Committee Application form. Anyone contemplating exterior changes needs to read the rules and fill out the form available on our site.

If I missed mentioning your contributions, I do apologize. I appreciate your involvement and look forward to seeing you all in June. Here's wishing every resident at BHVA a prosperous, safe, joyous, and healthy 2025.

Sincerely,

Patricia King (editor)

patricia.pking904@gmail.com

____________________________________________________________

BHVA Board of Directors

Gloria Harrington - President

John Constance - Vice President

Alexis Ortiz Heaney - Treasurer

Patricia King - Secretary

Ginny Lalka - Environmental Committee Chair

John Schultes - Facilities

Gina Sarkis Cushing - Contributing Member

Dave Richardson - Contributing Member

Steve Cortese - Contributing Member

Meetings at the Town of South Bristol

January 15, 6:30 pm - Town Board Meeting

January 22, 7 pm - Zoning Board of Appeals

February 10, 7 pm - Town Board Meeting

February 19, 6:30 - Planning Board Meeting

February 26,, 7 pm - Zoning Board of Appeals

March 10, 7 pm, Town Board Meeting

March 19, 6:30 pm - Planning Board Meeting

March 26, 7 pm Zoning Board of Appeals

April 14, 7 pm - Town Board Meeting

April 16, 6:30 pm - Planning Board Meeting

April 23, 7 pm - Zoning Board of Appeals

Important Phone numbers

FF Thompson Hospital - 585-396-6000

Kenrick - 585-424-1540

Bristol Water - 585-204-6754

Bristol Sewer - 585-532-6136

RG&E - 800-743-2112

Spectrum - 888-406-7063

Town of South Bristol - 585-374-6341

Frontier Communication - 800-921-8101

Marine Docks - 585-789-0015

Happenings in and around the Finger Lakes in the coming months:

Finger Lakes Winter Carnival: January 17-19

https://www.visitfingerlakes.com/event/finger-lakes-winter- carnival/30657/

Watercolor Painting Class: February 1, 12-2 - The Bristol Library

Darlene Rayburn will lead this class where participants will have fun sectioning a 11x15 inch watercolor paper and into 4 sections. Participants will use ink to create intuitive pieces from the watercolors placed on the four sections after it is painted. 

The class will run two hours and is $35 per person, all supplies included. No experience is necessary, this class is doable for any artistic skill level.

You can pay in person for the class using cash or check. 

 Please Pre-Register here on our Website! 

https://owwl.libcal.com/event/13851795

New FACEBOOK PAGE -   Facebook.com/TheBristolLibrary/

When one clicks on the Bristol Library Facebook page, numerous offerings appear including The Basics of Estate planning information session on 2/5/25 from 6-7 pm.

MONTRÉAL AND CARNAVAL DE QUÉBEC: February 7 - 12

Kelli Becka is taking this marvelous trip with the Landmark Society and was hoping some others might want to join her. One does not need to be a member to take this trip. Perhaps there are still openings.

"We will be taking a motor coach to Montréal, and stay at the Hôtel Place d’Armes in Old Montréal where we will enjoy two nights in this beautiful Canadian city before taking a scenic train ride to historic Québec City for the thrilling experience of Winter Carnival. The luxurious Le Chateau Frontenac, in the center of all the activity, will be our home base, as we become immersed in great cuisine, architecture, ice sculptures, Carnival activities, and the French Canadian culture".

https://www.landmarksociety.org/event/landmark-travels-quebec-winter-carnival/

Heron Hill Happy Hour - January - March

Fridays 3:30 - 5 pm, $7.00 tastings, $2.00 off glasses

Returning this summer: Wood fired pizza - 5/24/25 - 9/27/25, Live Music until 7 pm



The Canandaigua Fire and Ice Festival, February 22 and 23

https://www.downtowncanandaigua.com/

The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum - what it will look like

Kathy Corry, who lives on Hagen Trail, volunteers as the bookkeeper for this museum. She encourages all of us to check out the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum, located at the four corners of Branchport and Keuka Lake. The new campus is under construction for the foreseeable future, but they offer various programs throughout the year. February 1, there will be a guided cross country skiing tour at Cumming Nature Center. While perusing the site, I noticed that one of our residents, John Meisch, was a founding trustee.

I found their website very interesting. I hope you will too.

https://www.fingerlakesmuseum.org/

Check out the offerings at our local libraries through their websites. I also added a link to New York kitchen's classes and events.

https://napleslibrary.org/

https://woodlibrary.org/

https://nykitchen.com/classes-events/

Please remember that the Naples Open Cupboard always needs volunteers and/or donations. Contact Christina at 585-905-8424 if you are interested in helping out.

BCYC's Holiday Party

by Jon Link

The snow would be retreating by morning, but on the evening of December 7, partygoers rushed from their cars to escape the chill of Jack Frost and his biting winds. No one complained, though, because inside the community center, the atmosphere was warm and inviting, with a cozy holiday vibe that perfectly matched the season.

The Bristol Harbour Yacht Club wrapped up its 2024 season with a festive holiday gathering filled with joy and holiday spirit. Two large tables were heaped with guest-inspired appetizers, each bite more tempting than the last. Savory roast beef finger bites, golden flatbread pizzas, and creamy buffalo dip, just to name a few, lined the tables, while scrumptious jumbo shrimp and colorful holiday cookies added extra flair to the spread.

In the Caprini Great Room, guests sipped on sparkling wines and authentic French champagne, the bubbles adding a touch of elegance to the celebration. Laughter and conversation filled the air as everyone mingled and enjoyed the delicious offerings.

After some lighthearted chatter, the group gathered for the highly anticipated White Elephant gift exchange in the Great Room. The excitement grew as none other than Santa Claus himself made a surprise appearance to officiate the event. Dressed in his full red suit, he brought even more cheer to the occasion, keeping the crowd in stitches with his barrage of dad jokes. With each gift exchanged, Santa cracked a new one-liner, and his playful humor added a delightful touch to the friendly competition. Gifts were opened, stolen, and re-stolen, the room bubbling with laughter as the back-and-forth antics unfolded.

It was an evening brimming with warmth, camaraderie, and holiday cheer—the perfect way to end the year with frivolity and style.

Political Openings at the town of South Bristol

by Ginny Lalka

Interested in getting more involved in local politics? There are some openings coming up in the November 2025 election. These include the Town Supervisor and two council members. Very briefly the responsibilities for each elected office are shown below.

The Town also has openings on the Planning Board and Zoning Board.

If you are interested in running for the Town Supervisor position or as a Town Council Member, contact the Ontario County Board of Elections located at 74 Ontario Street in Canandaigua or go to their website at Ontariocountyny.gov.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Planning or Zoning Boards, contact Judy Voss at the Town of South Bristol at 585-374-6341. Their website is southbristolny.org

Town Supervisor

Very briefly, the major duties of the Town Supervisor include CEO responsibilities, budgeting, conducting town board meetings. The Supervisor is also responsible for addressing emergencies, setting town agendas and creating new laws as needed. The Town Supervisor is also a member of the Ontario County Board of Supervisors and is appointed to other committees within Ontario County. Of course there are additional responsibilities, but these are the major duties. Public town meetings occur once a month, but additional planning meetings occur as needed. Between the Town of South Bristol and Ontario County, the salary can range anywhere from $45,000 to $50,000.

Town Council Member

A Council person monitors community needs and is responsible for ensuring municipal services are provided while maintaining affordable fees and taxes. They also enact and vote on ordinances, resolutions and formal motions that provide direction for the town staff. They attend all monthly town meetings and others as needed. Council members receive $50 per meeting. 

Planning Board Member

A Planning Board member works on the town’s Master Plan, reviews site plans, zoning amendments, conducts public hearings, analyzes land use, develops design guidelines, assesses environmental impacts, works on creating new laws and looks at historic preservation among other responsibilities as required. This is an advisory role and final decision making usually lies with the Town Council. They meet monthly. Members receive $35 to $40 per meeting. 

Zoning Board Member



These members review appeals. They only meet as needed. The stipend is $35 to $40 per meeting. 

Boating Safety Course Now Required 

by Doug Llewellyn

As of January 1, 2025, anyone operating a motorized boat or personal watercraft (jet ski) on New York State waters will be required to complete an 8-hour boating safety course. This law also includes operators of sailboats with motors as auxiliary power. The requirement is a result of Brianna’s Law signed into effect in 2019. The law is named for Brianna Lieneck, a 11-year-old girl who died from a boating accident in 2005.

With a commitment towards educating the boating public, the Ontario County Sheriff's Office is committed to bringing boating safety awareness to the residents of Ontario County. According to Undersheriff Micheal Rago, officers on lake patrol may use discretion when dealing with boaters and their awareness of the new law. 

To get dates and register for the Boater Safety Course in Canandaigua, logon to the Ontario County Sheriff’s Department website at: https://www.ontariocountyny.gov/1919/Boater-Safety-Course.

Upcoming classes will soon be announced and conducted at the Ontario County Safety Training Center, 2914 County Road 48, in Canandaigua.

Other area locations include the Salvation Army Ewing Community Center in Canandaigua, Perinton/Fairport Community Center, the Penfield Community Center, and the Finger Lakes Boating Museum in Hammondsport. Call a convenient location for dates, times, and cost.

This 8-hour course is an introduction to the basic principles of safe and responsible boating. Successful completion of this course earns the participant a safe boating certificate which may be requested by a Sheriff officer. Registrants must be at least 10 years old to participate.

Healthy Retirement Residence Living by W. Gifford-Jones, MD

Dr. Ken Walker, a Canadian physician, has been the owner of a condominium in Bristol Harbour Village since 1978. In addition to a recreational destination for his family, Dr. Walker enjoyed the scenic location for writing a weekly medical column, syndicated in both Canada and the U.S. under the pseudonym W. Gifford-Jones, MD. Now, at over 100 years of age, he continues enjoying visits to Bristol Harbour – and he is still writing his column every week, now in collaboration with his daughter, Diana. Together, their “common sense health advice” covers insights on the latest research and striking opinions on a range of often controversial topics. A recent article introduced the focus of a new book by Gifford-Jones on retirement living. 

Are Retirement Residences a Good Move?

Yes, at 100 years of age I’ve written another book! After ten other books sharing health advice with readers, why add another one? Because I’m now living in a retirement residence and I have new perspective on the many health hazards that seniors encounter when relocating into these homes, but which rarely get mentioned. And I’ve got views on how to avoid them.

My book is titled Healthy Retirement Residence Living: What Does Gifford-Jones Say?  In it, I describe the security these homes offer and the many facilities that can be enjoyed. But there is also an old saying, that when porcupines make love, they do so very, very carefully! I’ll use the same caution to prepare you for the possible pitfalls of retirement residence living.

Choosing the right location is among the most important considerations. Managers of classy outfits sometimes offer a free meal to attract prospective residents. Accept it, and take a good look, especially at the bathrooms! Look for grab bars in showers and around the toilet. How much care has been taken to reduce the likelihood of falls? Remember, for the thousands of dollars a month charged for the accommodation, little things that protect your safety should not be a matter for negotiation.

Several chapters show why the bathroom is the most dangerous place. In a split second it’s so easy to slip and fall. This can result in a minor bruise or multiple bone fractures requiring weeks of recovery. It’s a terrible start if this happens when you’ve just moved into a retirement residence.

The book acknowledges a major problem of aging. It is the loss of muscle and bone strength. The change is gradual, and many may not be aware of deteriorating abilities. That is, until they cannot get off the toilet. A cry for help is deeply embarrassing when it happens. You may believe a gym instructor is needed. But there’s a way to prevent this annoying problem that you can easily do on your own.

The book also contains a bit of history. For instance, why a common human malady may have been responsible for Napoleon Bonaparte losing the Battle of Waterloo!

Constipation is a taboo topic for many people. It is due to poor dietary habits. But when hard fecal material lodges in the large intestines, it can hold up a bowel movement to the point of a crisis. This means emergency care, and nobody ever forgets this digestive complication. Yet it’s easy to prevent.

At my age, I can sleep nine hours at night without a bathroom break. I’m convinced it’s due to the high doses of vitamin C I take daily. The book outlines the benefit of this safe natural remedy. For instance, how it always solves constipation and how good it is for cardiovascular health and the immune system. 

The book also shows how you can be overweight but still healthy. Many residents of retirement homes develop health problems due to lack of exercise and over abundance of food. This does not need to happen. Never forget, “the fault is not in our stars, but in ourselves.”

This is my final book and there’s a touch of sadness. I hope it will be well received by children and parents who are facing the move into a retirement home. May it make everyone’s lives healthier and longer at any age.

It’s been the great pleasure of my life to be both a surgeon and medical journalist. Being a book author is harder because getting the word out depends on other people. For this reason, I hope you will mention my new book to your family and friends.

Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter. For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones.

Sharon Sands sent in the joke below which seems pertinent in this day and age.

Enjoy!

Perseid’s August Night

by Darren Brennessel 

Pointillism speckled blackness of frozen time 

Cleansing scents of brine

Secrets whispered by pine

Autumn’s breath is faint - but here -

As it always is this time of year

A heart beats red

Arcing overhead 

Across a trillion stars

Just south of planet Mars

Skin of the harbor on this night

Wrinkled in yellow boat light

Streaking arrows pierce darkness in silvery silence 

Fading away into infinite existence 

At horizon’s East emerges a glow

Signaling the end of heaven’s show

‘Tis the sun that sits below

Soon to rise - to cast shadow

From darkness came the light

Ending Perseid’s August Night

Nature at play in the Village. photos courtesy of Darren Brennessel.

Dave Godshall took this photo at the end of his driveway of a juvenile bald eagle with a rabbit. Please be careful with your small pets.

Buffalo Bills fans at the Bristol Harbour Community Center: Go Bills!

A recipe idea for the next game:

Pumpkin Dip

3/4 Cup low fat cream cheese

1/2 Cup packed brown sugar

1/2 Cup canned pumpkim

2 tep. maple syrup

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Beat first three ingredients 3 minutes with an electric mixer.

Add next two ingredients and beat until smooth.

I serve it with apples. It is simple and was a hit over the holidays.

 Update on the Redeemable Cans and Bottles Project

BHV does not have anyone to take redeemables to the recycling center. So for the time being, do not leave redeemable cans or bottles in the building where other trash is sorted. Residents may take cans and bottles to various grocery stores or to the recycling center in the Big Lots plaza in Canandaigua. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.