Bicentennial Ball To Benefit Ferry
By PATRICK L. FANELLI
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9/12/2006 - BEMUS POINT — In 1806, William Bemus and his entourage trekked across frozen Chautauqua Lake and landed at the present site of Bemus Point.
Two centuries have passed, and residents of the lakeside village are both celebrating their bicentennial and supporting their most time-honored tradition — the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry.
On Saturday, the village’s historical society will host the Bemus Point Bicentennial Ball — and all proceeds will benefit the non-profit tourist attraction as it ends its first short season under new management.
‘‘It was very important because, of course, it was the only means of transportation (across the lake) until they put in the bridge in 1982,’’ said Mary Jane Stahley, Bemus Point village historian. ‘‘People were using it to transport animals a lot. Some people even had farm land on both sides of the lake.’’
The event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Bemus Point Village Casino, which is adjacent to the ferry’s northern landing.
‘‘It’s a wonderful 200th birthday celebration for anyone who loves Bemus, and we welcome the whole community,’’ said Sarah Trainer-Goebel, Bemus Point Historical Society member.
Tickets are $20 and include refreshments, a cash bar, door prices, give-aways and four hours of dancing to the ‘‘live, vibrant music of Razz and Friends,’’ according to Ms. Trainer-Goebel. Table packages are also available for $200, which include 10 tickets and additional opportunities to win prizes that evening ‘‘as a thank you from the event committee.’’
Guests will be in for another treat, too, as Ellery resident John Cheney, who is helping to manage the ferry and got it up and running this year, will keep it operating all night.
‘‘I had talked to John Cheney and I told him about the ball, and he was excited about us raising money for that purpose,’’ said Desmond Drischell, another historical society member helping to organize the ball. ‘‘I asked him if it would be possible to provide complimentary rides the night of the ball, and he said he’ll keep it open until 11.’’
This way, guests will be able to park across the lake in Stow and ride the ferry across to the Village Casino.
‘‘They could ride to the ball, and ride back at the end,’’ Drischell said.
The year has been marked by various events to honor the 200th birthday of Bemus Point, which was originally little more than a grist mill and a tavern. On March 10 — the actual day Bemus arrived — Neil Robinson, historical society president, led residents from the fire hall to the cemetary where their founding father is buried.
The ferry is nearing its own bicentennial. It began operating in 1811, only five short years after Bemus founded the village. It has operated ever since, though hours of operation did not commence until August this year while the ferry underwent repairs and was transferred to new management.
Tickets can be purchased from most merchants in Bemus Point; online at razzandfriends.com; or by mail to the Bemus Point Historical Society, c/o Sarah Goebel; PO Box 39; Bemus Point, NY 14712-0039. Tickets ordered by mail will be held at the door.
‘‘It was pretty hard to throw the ball together in less than a year, but the support from the community has just been great,’’ Ms. Trainer-Goebel said. ‘‘They wanted to make this event a lot of fun and give a reason to celebrate Bemus Point.’’
For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Ms. Trainer-Goebel at 386-5033
Two centuries have passed, and residents of the lakeside village are both celebrating their bicentennial and supporting their most time-honored tradition — the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry.
On Saturday, the village’s historical society will host the Bemus Point Bicentennial Ball — and all proceeds will benefit the non-profit tourist attraction as it ends its first short season under new management.
‘‘It was very important because, of course, it was the only means of transportation (across the lake) until they put in the bridge in 1982,’’ said Mary Jane Stahley, Bemus Point village historian. ‘‘People were using it to transport animals a lot. Some people even had farm land on both sides of the lake.’’
The event will take place from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Bemus Point Village Casino, which is adjacent to the ferry’s northern landing.
‘‘It’s a wonderful 200th birthday celebration for anyone who loves Bemus, and we welcome the whole community,’’ said Sarah Trainer-Goebel, Bemus Point Historical Society member.
Tickets are $20 and include refreshments, a cash bar, door prices, give-aways and four hours of dancing to the ‘‘live, vibrant music of Razz and Friends,’’ according to Ms. Trainer-Goebel. Table packages are also available for $200, which include 10 tickets and additional opportunities to win prizes that evening ‘‘as a thank you from the event committee.’’
Guests will be in for another treat, too, as Ellery resident John Cheney, who is helping to manage the ferry and got it up and running this year, will keep it operating all night.
‘‘I had talked to John Cheney and I told him about the ball, and he was excited about us raising money for that purpose,’’ said Desmond Drischell, another historical society member helping to organize the ball. ‘‘I asked him if it would be possible to provide complimentary rides the night of the ball, and he said he’ll keep it open until 11.’’
This way, guests will be able to park across the lake in Stow and ride the ferry across to the Village Casino.
‘‘They could ride to the ball, and ride back at the end,’’ Drischell said.
The year has been marked by various events to honor the 200th birthday of Bemus Point, which was originally little more than a grist mill and a tavern. On March 10 — the actual day Bemus arrived — Neil Robinson, historical society president, led residents from the fire hall to the cemetary where their founding father is buried.
The ferry is nearing its own bicentennial. It began operating in 1811, only five short years after Bemus founded the village. It has operated ever since, though hours of operation did not commence until August this year while the ferry underwent repairs and was transferred to new management.
Tickets can be purchased from most merchants in Bemus Point; online at razzandfriends.com; or by mail to the Bemus Point Historical Society, c/o Sarah Goebel; PO Box 39; Bemus Point, NY 14712-0039. Tickets ordered by mail will be held at the door.
‘‘It was pretty hard to throw the ball together in less than a year, but the support from the community has just been great,’’ Ms. Trainer-Goebel said. ‘‘They wanted to make this event a lot of fun and give a reason to celebrate Bemus Point.’’
For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Ms. Trainer-Goebel at 386-5033
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