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War of 1812

Photos: Reenactors teach children about War of 1812 in Centennial Park

By Howard B. Owens

Members of the Hoisingtons Rangers -- a group of reenactors of Batavia residents attached to Ft. Niagara -- were in Centennial Park this morning with a group of 5- through 12-year-olds to teach them a little about history.

The kids are part of a YMCA summer program.

The reenactors taught the kids about the period they represent -- the War of 1812 -- and those clothes they wore, the dishes they ate with and the muskets they shot.

The reenactors were Michael Richmond, Richard Richmond, Pete Bosch, Cynthia Richmond, Marge Ward, Amber Richmond.

Note: Several children asked me to take their pictures hoping to be on The Batavian, and I got some fine portrait shots, but a Y staffer asked me not to publish the pictures because a waiver is required by the parents. I don't need a waiver, but I don't want to get anybody at the Y in trouble with a boss. Sorry, kids, no portrait pictures.

New, free map available from chamber: 'War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail'

By Billie Owens

A new, free brochure is now available from the Genesee County tourism office called the "War of 1812 Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail" map. It encompasses three New York tourism regions -- Greater Niagara, The Finger Lakes, and Thousand Island-Seaway Trail.

Production of the brochure was a collaborative effort between the International Peace Garden Foundation and the tourism offices of Niagara, Erie, Monroe, Wayne and Oswego counties.

The full-color trail map highlights 16 U.S. and three Canadian permanent historical sites, commemorating 200 years of peace between the United States and Canada. It identifies the specific location of each peace garden along with the historic significance of each one.

Special programming is being developed around the gardens to include concerts, art shows, reenactments, festivals and events.

A special audio component at the gardens allow visitors to tune in at any point to get more information about the site. Many sites will also display interpretive story boards.

All gardens are expected to be in bloom this Spring and will bloom annually from May through October. They are all open to the public and admission is free. Special arrangements can be made for groups by calling in advance.

Anyone who would like a free brochure should stop by the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, located at 210 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. Hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Genesee County businesses that would like a free supply should call the chamber office at 343-7440. Questions may be directed to Tourism Marketing Director Kelly Rapone at ext. 23 or via email at <krapone@geneseeny.com>.

The International Peace Garden Foundation is the umbrella organization coordinating the development of the trail. A portion of the gardens along the trail are Honorary Peace Gardens. They contain special artwork and have more extensive landscaping. The sites are identified on the map.

The foundation is nonprofit and was established in 1992 to honor nations for their peace-keeping achievements and to develop peace gardens worldwide. More information can be found at <www.ipgf.org>.

City council: From the 2011/12 budget to the War of 1812

By Howard B. Owens

Here's what happened at Monday night's city council meeting.

There were two public hearings -- one on the proposed budget with its $1.59 per-thousand property tax increase and another on the water and sewer rate increase (adding about $12 per year to the average homeowner's bill) -- and no members of the public showed up.

A pair of local residents raised their concerns about a neighbor dispute they would like the police department to take action on.

And Elijah Monroe, above, presented a framed certificate to the Batavia City Council commemorating Batavia for being the Niagara Frontier chapter headquarters for the The Society of the Second War with Great Britain In the State of New York.

The society is affiliated with the General Society of the War of 1812, which is an organization for the male descendants of anyone who served in the War of 1812.

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