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Batavian spends the day in Le Roy

By Philip Anselmo

The Batavian is spending the day in Le Roy today. In fact, I'm already sitting, sipping a coffee at Javas on Main—p.s., they make a fine breakfast sandwich: the bacon is crisp, the egg tasty and the bagel oozes buttery goodness. Plus the service is a dream. Of course, I'm working, too. Of course.

So if you've got any ideas for what we should do while we're here—places to see, people to talk to, shops to visit, restaurants to patronize—please let me know. I'm on the hunt for Le Roy stories. I'm sure they're out there.

Laura Scarborough

Philip: I work here in Leroy. It is a great Village. For Lunch you could cross the street and go to over the LB Grand. Everything there is always fresh. I can tell you I have never had a bad meal there. My husband loves the Reuban Sandwich w/potatoe wedges instead of chips. If you get the pasta.. you get a lot of food. The Jello House is up the street across from the school.. you might want to pop in there if they are open. (since you're in town today. It gives some history of Jello :0)

Jan 23, 2009, 10:57am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Is Tylers still open? Great place for a reasonably priced meal and a large menu. Too bad the Wiss Hotel closed down. I'd send you up there for a beer.

Jan 23, 2009, 11:07am Permalink
Laura Scarborough

did you wonder up the street to the village office? Sometimes they have displays there etc... it's a lot bigger once you step inside the doorway. They have court towards the back of the building. Too bad it's cold, during the summer its nice to walk around the village. Behind the post office you can see a pretty view... just stopping on the bridge over the creek is nice during the summer. Nice to take pictures to post on lets say a website? ;0)

Jan 23, 2009, 11:40am Permalink
Laura Scarborough

The creekside never reopened. Not sure if they were working out of the Leroy Country Club or not. The food at the country club is good. Went there over the holidays.

Jan 23, 2009, 11:58am Permalink
Andrew Erbell

The building that housed the Creekside Inn was purchased by a gentleman that specializes in restoring old cut stone structures and will re-open with a restaurant on the 3rd floor. Work has been ongoing now for some time. The concrete blockwork out back is for an elevator.

Jan 23, 2009, 12:20pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

I'm actually hoping Philip can come up with something on the Creekside ... looks interesting.

I'll be back out there this afternoon (or so planned) introducing myself to businesses.

Jan 23, 2009, 12:37pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Check out the little building behind it over the water. It controls the waterfall or something. I have a picture of it at home that I think was done by Lorie Longhany. I've been wondering if it is "our" Lorie.

Jan 23, 2009, 1:54pm Permalink
Philip Anselmo

Beth: if you're talking about the little shed-like structure built at the side of the creek, next to One Main Street, I took a picture of it! I also made a little video, because I liked the way the water issued out from the thick curves of ice. Unfortunately, the video didn't come out too well, but I'll post my photo of it in a little bit. Check it out and let me know if that's the place you're referencing.

Howard: The Creekside is no more. It's in the midst of becoming something else.

Jan 23, 2009, 1:55pm Permalink
Darrick Coleman

Another food (dinner) suggestion is the classic D+R Depot http://www.dandrdepot.com/. Also, The Ganson House right next door is also good.

If you are looking for some hiking there is a little trail at Bunnell Park at the high school right about here:

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Jan 23, 2009, 2:57pm Permalink
Andrew Erbell

The food at the D & R Depot is good, although the menu is somewhat limited and hasn't changed much over the years. I've known Nancy for a very long time and have had her cater some business functions for me. I knew her husband Don as well, before he passed. If he were still alive, he would have been a great guy to feature in an article or two.

To say that the food at the Ganson House Inn is "good" is like saying the Blue Danube Waltz is "pretty". The adjective works but falls short. It's much more expensive than the D & R but if you're looking for a place to impress someone or have a special evening on the East side of Genesee County, the Ganson House is definitely the place to go.

Jan 23, 2009, 3:57pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Beth: I think that you may be referring to that drawing I did of the Dam House. Although I have drawn the creek bank from just about every angle and from every vantage point imaginable.

Howard: A very dear friend of mine actually grew up at One Main Street. Her Dad was the beloved Dr Knoll, who practiced medicine from that house for decades. She tells some great stories of growing up right in the hub of the village and looking out the window to watch people going in and out of the Post Office. I would be glad to hook you up.

Philip: So glad that you came down and shared your day. It really is a picturesque village. The locally owned restaurants are a treat (every one of them) and if you stop in to Java's in the morning it is a kin to a community gathering. Everyone sits together. Pulling up a chair to join a group for breakfast is normal and expected.

Of all the eatery's in the village all have their own unique flavor. LB Grand -- awesome sauce, great home made pizza and the best coconut cream pie in the world, D & R Depot -- great train themed ambiance and a chicken pot pie that puts the word "comfort" in comfort food, The Eagle for their Friday night Fish Fry (and they deliver), Carl Kline's menu at the Ganson is out of this world -- my favorite is the Chicken French (he'll make a Haddock French on request) and Pecan Encrusted Chicken with raspberry sauce. And for pizza besides Pontillo's which is where we ordered from last night; Pizzaland (a generational favorite) and Ficcarella's. I've always loved the Casino down on Mill Street, too. So there's some food for thought the next time you come out to LeRoy.

Jan 24, 2009, 10:23am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Yes Lorie. That's the one. It has the Dam House in the foreground and then the bridge and the falls and St. Marks Church behind it. What exactly is the Dam House? Does it actually function? It is a beautiful picture. Brings me back home. We used to sit out on the ledge when we were younger. Probably something I wouldn't want my own children doing. Does anyone remember the regattas that they used to have on the creek? People would make boats out of whatever they could (including a few bathtubs) and race them down the creek. When I was young my father, who was the principal of the elementary school, used to bring us up to the third floor of the school, which was closed for summer, to watch the race. Does anyone remember when they were replacing the bridge and put a footbridge across for pedestrians, mainly the kids who walked to school? In the spring when the snow melted and the water got higher the footbridge collapsed into the water. I remember the 5th and 6th grade teachers watching it with us kids and taking bets on when it would fall in. They had to hire some kind of bus for the walkers that took the bridge. As you can see, I have many fond memories of LeRoy.

Jan 24, 2009, 12:58pm Permalink
Lorie Longhany

Ah, yes Beth. I do remember those Regatta's -- great fun. I was very good friends with your sister, Mary, and I remember your Dad fondly from my grade school days.

I was a senior the year they replaced the bridge -- I certainly miss the old one. You could actually see over the top of it and I think it was more aesthetically pleasing than the current bridge. Can't recall the collapse, but certainly walked across that temporary foot bridge plenty of times.

The dam house actually regulates the water flow through the gates.

My childhood is filled with so many Oatka Creek memories. We swam and fished it in summer and skated on it in winter.

One of my favorite memories of the creek from my childhood was looking out over it 32 years ago from my Social Studies class (I believe it was 6th period) on January 28, 1977. The skies blackened and we all watched that historic wall of snow roll in across that creek like we were being covered by a blanket in slow motion. The Blizzard of '77 will always be etched in my memory with that indelible visual from Mr. Schwenebraten's class.

Howard, Yup that would be my Mother.

Jan 24, 2009, 2:04pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Oh - I remember the Blizzard well. I walked and half crawled all the way home. They shut down the school for a few weeks due to an oil shortage if I recall. Lorie, what is your maiden name?

Jan 24, 2009, 2:49pm Permalink

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