Westside News Wrap – February 14, 2021

• Large inventory of new Chevrolet Cars, Trucks, and Certified Pre-owned Vehicles.

• If we don’t have what you’re looking for we will get it for you, no extra charge!

Jim Barnard -Founder

• All just minutes away on Buffalo Road in Churchville!

• No Ridge Road hassles, no Henrietta Road hassles, no hassles at all!

CURRENT GM CARD HOLDERS USE YOUR $1,000 BONUS EARNINGS* TO SAVE EVEN MORE! 2021 CHEVY TRAILBLAZER

2021 CHEVY EQUINOX

2,250 Cash Allowance +$1,000 GM Card Bonus Earnings $

Savings 3,250 Total

$ Most ACDelco Advantage

Front Brake Pads Installed $ 95

119 Expires 2/28/21

After Rebate

Full Synthetic Oil Change, Tire Rotation & Multi-Point Vehicle Inspection

5995 $6995

$

6-quarts*

8-quarts*

*Balancing tires, tax and more than 6 quarts of oil extra.

Some V-6 and V-8 engines and other select vehicles require more than 6 quarts of oil. See dealer for eligible vehicles and details. Expires 2/28/21.

LEASE from

189 mo. for 39 mos.**

$

LEASE from

COLLISION CENTER

- EXPERT REPAIR - ALL MAKES - ALL INSURANCE

199 mo. for 39 mos.**

$

LEASE from

*

$

169 mo. for 39 mos.**

DON’T MISS OUR PRESIDENT’S DAY SALE WITH GREAT SAVINGS! 2009 CHEVY IMPALA LT

2013 CHEVY EQUINOX LS

Stk#21C006A, 83K mi.

Sale Price $

Sale Price

14,999

$

15,999 Stk#21T116A, 78K mi.

Stk#21T022A, 75K mi.

16,999

$

$

Parts & Service Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30

Stk#20T476A, 30K mi.

$

Sale Price

15,399 2018 CHEVY MALIBU LT

Sale Price

Stk#20T342A, 30K mi.

Sale Price

16,999

15,999

$

2013 CHEVY K1500 EXT. LT 4X4

2014 CHEVY K1500 LT DBL. 4X4

$

Stk#4193A, 79K mi.

Stk#21T160A, 40K mi.

Sale Price

19,999

$

Must take delivery by 2/27/21. Prior sales excluded. All prices are plus tax, title, lic. & reg.

Sales Dept. Hours: Mon., Tues. & Thurs. 8am-7pm Wed. & Fri. 8am-5:00pm; Sat. 9am-4pm

2019 CHEVY TRAX LT

Stk#4234, 13K mi.

Sale Price

18,990

14,799

2018 CHEVY TRAX LT

Sale Price

2017 NISSAN PATHFINDER 4X4 2013 CHEVY K1500 REG CAB 4X4 Sale Price

Sale Price

14,999

$

Stk#4198, 26K mi.

$

Sale Price

Stk#20T045A, 57K mi.

2017 BUICK ENCORE PREF.

Sale Price

$

2016 GMC TERRAIN SLE

Sale Price

14,999

Stk#4213, 39K mi.

15,997

13,999

$

Stk#21C012A, 764 mi.

2018 BUICK ENCORE ST

$

Sale Price

2020 CHEVY SONIC LT

$

Stk#4231, 13K mi.

Stk#20T462A, 35K mi.

Sale Price

10,999

$

2018 CHEVY TRAX LT

2017 CHEVY CRUZE LT

Stk#21T144A, 48K mi.

Stk#21T030A, 54K mi.

*Eligible Tire Brands: BFGoodrich, Bridgestone, Continental, Dunlop, Firestone, General, Goodyear, Hankook, Kelly, Michelin, Pirelli and Uniroyal. See store for details. Offer ends 2/28/21.

11,500 Total Savings

$

*

Trailblazer and Equinox and Bolt: **For Current Lessees of a 2016 model year or newer GM passenger car or truck. Must show proof of lease. Lessor must approve lease. Not available with other offers. Take new retail delivery by 03-01-2021. See Dealer for important details. Some customers will not qualify. Take new retail delivery by 03-01-2021. See Dealer for important details. *Not available with some other lease and finance offers. See dealer for details. Take new retail delivery by 03-0121. Must be a GM Rewards Cardmember as of 1/4/2021 to receive Bonus Earnings. Bonus Earnings can be used on the purchase or lease of eligible, new 2021 or 2020 GM vehicles and can be used above applicable GM Rewards Cards program limits. Bonus Earnings expire 3/1/2021. Cannot be combined with certain other GM offers.. Nontransferable. Only one Bonus Earnings offer per Account.

2017 CHEVY EQUINOX LT

Provide us with a better price at the time of purchase and we’ll match it. Find a better price within 30 days of the purchase, and WE’LL REFUND THE DIFFERENCE.*

2020 CHEVY BOLT 8,500 Cash Allowance +$3,000 GM Card Bonus Earnings $

Savings 5,000 Total

$

*

5,995

Tire Price Match GUARANTEE

4,000 Cash Allowance +$1,000 GM Card Bonus Earnings $

7101 Buffalo Rd. (Rt. 33) Churchville • 293-2120 Advertised vehicles may be subject to open safety recalls.

Go to safercar.gov or contact dealer for more info.

$

Sale Price

25,999

WESTSIDE NEWS EAST and WEST EDITIONs Wrap - FEBRUARY 14, 2021

• Guaranteed best price Every day!

“It’s Not ‘Business As Usual’, It’s Personal!”

Andy Barnard, Tim Barnard & Allyn Barnard

1

JIM BARNARD CHEVROLET

2 WESTSIDE NEWS EAST and WEST EDITIONs Wrap - FEBRUARY 14, 2021

sports & recreation

Krebs and Calus, a winning combination Courtesy of Chris Metcalf, Livingston County News Churchville-Chili diving coach Ricky Krebs has been around the York diving board more than anyone.

Krebs grew up watching standout divers doing their thing on the springboard back when Jayson Gambino broke both the school and pool record in 1999.

Ricky’s mother, Spring Morrow, was the York coach for years up until he graduated in 2007. At that time, Ricky

Churchville-Chili’s Jake Calus left the York pool on January 23 as the new pool record-holder in the six dive event.

held the No. 2 spot on York’s all-time leading divers.

Krebs looked on January 23 as one of his divers, senior Jake Calus, broke Gambino’s 22-year record for the six-dive event during a meet at York that day.

That moment when the points board lit up, and Calus broke Gambino’s record was something Krebs probably won’t ever forget.

After all, Krebs grew up on that same board.

“I spent every day after school on York’s pool deck watching my mom coach Jayson and a slew of other athletes for years,” Krebs said.

York’s pool has a wooden record board which lists the top five athletes in each event. When Krebs graduated, his diving record was in the spot just below Gambino’s.

“Having watched him for years, I was rather proud of that,” Krebs said.

Krebs is also no stranger to coaching at York, where he took over the diving program until 2015 when he started at Churchville.

During his time at York, a few of his divers made their way into the top five board.

“Currently, the entirety of those top five records are comprised of my mom’s and my athletes,” Krebs said.

In 2017, Coach Morrow returned to the diving board to coach a state-level diver at Rush Henrietta, who at the time did not have a coach.

It was that year that Krebs planned several joint practices for his divers, which was Calus’s freshman year.

Currently a senior, Calus has broken both ChurchvilleChili’s school and pool records several times. He qualified for the state meet three years in a row, finishing ninth last year.

Coach Morrow, one of the area’s most gifted dive coaches, passed away in 2018 due to complications from surgery after a battle with cancer.

“Jake was one of the last athletes she ever worked with,” Krebs said.

In an effort to keep Coach Morrow’s legacy alive, a special award was created in her honor, which is handed out at sectional championships each year. This year it was made permanent and merged with the traditional sportsmanship award and will be called “The Spring Morrow Sportsmanship Award.”

“Her and I used to talk about Jake’s potential, and she thought Jake might be the one to finally break Jayson’s pool record,” Krebs said. “On January 23, that became a reality.”

While Krebs continues to implement many of the fundamentals that his mother taught him and all of her divers during his tenure, he will never forget the passion and drive his mom brought to the board on a daily basis.

Churchville-Chili dive coach Ricky Krebs (left) with diver Jake Calus at last year’s NYS meet.

“Her passion and the way she connected with her athletes, I still have not seen matched,” Krebs said. “My mom was an outgoing, fun-loving, and caring person, but when she was coaching, she really came alive. Her drive as a coach and a person left an impact on anyone that knew her, which prompted the creation of ‘The Spring Morrow Memorial Award’ now, which is given out to one athlete from each team at sectional finals. My goal as a coach is to pass my love and knowledge of the sport onto the next generation. Just as my mom passed hers onto me.”

Calus finished second in the recent Class A sectionals and also broke his own 11-dive school record with a score of 586.25.

For Coach Krebs, he admits, diving is in his blood.

“Diving is an incredibly unique sport in that it requires tremendous control and power while still expecting an athlete to appear graceful,” he said. “It is based in physics and requires an extraordinary level of not only physical but mental toughness.”

Mahomes wins “overall” 2020 Hickok Belt® Award and January 2021 monthly award Kansas City Chiefs rising star Patrick Mahomes has kicked off the 2021 Hickok Belt® Award by being selected the winner of two honors, the “overall” winner for 2020 and the monthly winner for January 2021. Voting was conducted by a select panel of members of the National Sports Media Association (NSMA). Mahomes was selected the January winner due to his two playoff victories against the Cleveland Browns and the favored Buffalo Bills. These two wins clinched the third straight AFC title for the Chiefs.

In addition, Mahomes won the “overall” yearly 2020 Hickok Belt® Award for his victory in Super Bowl LIV and his performance in the entire 2020 sports season.

“What a year Patrick Mahomes has had,” said NSMA executive director Dave Goren. “He won last year’s Super

Bowl and led the Chiefs back again to this year’s.”

Other finalists for January in order of how the NSMA ranked them were: Bradley Beal (basketball), Dustin Poirier (UFC), Travis Kelce (football), Joel Embiid (basketball), Leon Draisaiti (hockey), Petr Mrazek (hockey), Patrick Reed (golf), Jessica Korda (golf), Knick Go (Jockey: Joel Rosario) (horse racing).

Other finalists for the “overall” award included each of the 2020 Hickok Belt® Award monthly winners, who finished in the following order, based on the NSMA voting: LeBron James (basketball), Dustin Johnson (golf), Bryson DeChambeau (golf) and Josh Allen (football) – tie, Donovan Mitchell (basketball), and Jon Rahm (golf).

“This is the beginning of a very long career for the young

quarterback Patrick Mahomes who already has been playing on an elite level,” said Tony Liccione of the Hickok Belt® Award. “I anticipate a very long battle royal between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs as they are the two premier teams of the AFC division.”

Mahomes’ selection as the Hickok Belt® Award winner not only recognizes him as “the best of the best” in professional sports for the month of January, it also makes him the first candidate eligible to receive the 2021 overall award as he will be joined by other finalists throughout the year based on NSMA voting.

To learn more about the Hickok Belt® Award and its history, visit www.hickokbelt.com.

Provided information and photo

3

Schedules subject to change due to evolving regulations.

Please contact the church for the most up to date information.

ELMGROVE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Our mission: To reach people for Christ, for the salvation of the world. Join us for worship led by Rev. Jeffrey Aiosa at 10am every Sunday. Bible study meets Wednesday at 10am and Thursday at 7pm. We are located at 1500 Spencerport Road, Rochester 14606 (Rt. 31 in Gates between Long Pond Road and Elmgrove Road). Handicap accessible. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook. com/ElmgroveUMChurch. For more information, call 585-247-4973 or visit our website: ElmgroveUMC.org.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BROCKPORT

35 State Street, Brockport, NY 14420. “We are a church community that loves God, cares for our neighbors and each other, and is open to all.” Current worship is online only. For more information, go to our website, fpcbrockport.org; phone (585) 637-3780; email fpcbrockportoffice@gmail.com.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CHILI

Our Mission: Recognizing that Jesus is the true vine and we are the branches, we are called to be rooted in faith, grow together and care for the community.

Please join us for worship each Sunday at 10am with Rev. Brandi Wooten, either in-person or virtually via live-stream or recording. We have a family friendly service and Children’s Church where all are welcome. Masks are required. Access our services by visiting facebook.com/firstpreschili/live (a Facebook account is not required.) Reservations necessary for all in-person worship - please call the church office by noon on Thursday before the Sunday service. Youth Group, Bible Studies, and Community Outreach Programs are a few of the opportunities we offer that enrich our faith. In need of prayer or counsel, call the church office 585-889-9896 or email revbrandi@gmail.com. Handicapped accessible. Website chili-presbyterian.org. Located at 3600 Chili Avenue, Rochester, NY 14624.

HILTON BAPTIST CHURCH

50 Lake Avenue, Hilton, (585) 392-7990, Email hbchurch@frontiernet.net, Pastor Dan Brown. Join us on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am. We offer In-person services and Live-Streaming on YouTube under “Hilton Baptist Church Live.” Visit our Website at hiltonbaptist.org for more information. We are a Congregation of the American Baptist Churches. Our Building is Handicap Accessible and we offer Hearing Assistance during the Worship service. Everyone is Welcome to join our Church family!

HILTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by Following Christ; Connecting Generations; Transforming Communities. 21 West Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468, (585) 392-8761. Rev. Jennifer Green, pastor. Website: www. humcny.org, E-mail: office@humcny.org. Worship Service is open in the HUMC Sanctuary. Service: 10am. Fellowship: 11am. Handicap Accessible.

LIFEQUEST COMMUNITY CHURCH

59 Henry St, Hilton, Hilton Community Center, www.lifequest.cc, email: info@ lifequest.cc, Facebook: LifeQuestCC, twitter: @lifequestcc Lead Pastor: Rob Dickerson. Worship 10am. Midweek programs: Tuesday 7pm Royal Rangers – a scouting program for boys. Saturday 7pm YouthQuest High School & Middle School student ministry. “Journeying together as we discover God’s love and purpose for our lives.” Faith, Family, Friends, Fun, Freedom.

MORTON BAPTIST CHURCH

1152 County Line Road, Hamlin, NY 14464. Church phone 585-659-8459, email mortonbaptistchurch@yahoo.com. Pastor: Steven M Worrall, email pastorsteve712@gmail.com, cell 585-354-9779. Sunday Worship 10:30am. Sunday school is held during church service. Adult Bible Study is held on Wednesdays at noon, Choir practice at 6:30pm Wednesdays. Youth Group meets on Friday nights from 7 to 9pm. Our building is handicap accessible and visitors are welcome.

OGDEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

“To equip ourselves and others to be disciples of Christ as we seek God’s will for our church and beyond.” Sunday worship with choir at 10:00 a.m. with Sunday School for children. Fellowship hour after worship with lots of good food. Men’s and Women’s Bible studies. Youth group. Many Service and Fellowship opportunities. Handicapped accessible. 2400 South Union Street, Spencerport 14559, 585-352-6802. www.ogdenpresbyterian.org. Pastor Tedd Pullano.

WESTSIDE NEWS EAST and WEST EDITIONs Wrap - FEBRUARY 14, 2021

Area Worship Services PARMA CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

39 Hovey Street, Hilton, (585) 615-6383, www.PCFMinistries.com, Facebook: Parma Christian Fellowship Church. Rev. Dr. Myke Merrill, Pastor Michael Whitcomb-Tavey. Worship Services: Saturday 5:00PM, Sunday 10AM. Family Midweek: Wednesday 6:30PM – Kids Club, TurningPoint Teens, Adult Bible Discussion Group. Nursery School: Parma Kids Preschool and Child Care Center, 39 Hovey Street, Hilton. School Phone: (585) 392-5792.

PEARCE CHURCH

pearcechurch.org. 4322 Buffalo Road, North Chili, NY 14514. 585-594-9488. Join us for worship! Saturday: 5pm. Sunday: 10:30am. Pearce 4 Kids Child Care Center, Pearce4kids.org, 585-594-1833. Handicapped Accessible.

SPENCERPORT ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Located at 3940 Canal Road, Spencerport, NY 14559. We offer a place for people of all ages to encounter God through worship, fellowship and Biblical teaching so we can grow in our relationship with Jesus and make a difference in our community and the world. Services are: Sunday School at 9:30 AM. Sunday Worship at 10:30 AM. Enjoy a cup of coffee before service. Wednesday Bible Study for Adults and Youth Group meets at 6:30 PM. Prayer follows at 7:30 PM. Nursery is provided for all services. Handicap accessible. Samaritan Harvest provides free prepared and perishable foods every fourth Sunday of the month. Look for our special events at www.spencerportag.com or like us on Facebook. Phone: 585352-5900. Cell: 585-363-8922. E-mail: Spencerportassemblyofgod@gmail.com.

All are welcome.

SPENCERPORT FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

Promoting the Christian way of life through service and stewardship to the community and the world. Look for the white steeple at 65 Church Street in downtown, Spencerport NY 14559. (585) 352-3448. Rev. Michael Sloan. We provide worship, educational and mission opportunities for children, youth and adults. Worship services are Sundays at 10am live on Facebook and on site in our sanctuary, We are committed to keeping our members and guests safe, so masks are required and we practice social distancing. Sunday’s Cool, Nursery care and Fellowship are currently suspended. Handicap accessible. Email: info@spencerportucc.org.

Website: www.spencerportucc.org. Facebook: Spencerport UCC.

SPENCERPORT WESLEYAN CHURCH

“Loving everyday people into a caring family of God.” 2653 Nichols St. (Rte. 31), Spencerport, (585) 352-3398, www.spenwes.org. Sunday Schedule: 9:00am Sunday School (for all ages); 10:15am Worship Service or online at spenwes.online. church. Mid-Week Family Night: 6:45pm Connect Kids & Youth Group; 7:00pm Adult Bible Study. Rev. Jason Daniel, Senior Pastor. Rev. Phalkun Nov, Cambodian & Nepali Ministries & Pastor R. Mason Sebian, Youth & Worship Ministries.

ST. GEORGE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Welcomes all to worship with us in a warm, inclusive fellowship in the Episcopal tradition of openness and caring for all. 635 Old Wilder Road, Hilton, NY (across from Kelly’s Apple Farm), 585-392-4099. Please join us for Sunday worship at 10am September through June, 9am in July and August. Sunday School meets at 10am September through May. Follow us on facebook or look for us on the web at www.stgeorgehilton.org.

ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH

Pastor Chris Bode. 1107 Lake Road West Fork, Hamlin, NY 14464, 585-9642550, www.stjohnhamlin.org. Facebook: St. John Lutheran Church, Hamlin, NY. Sunday Services at 8:30 & 11AM. Church office is open 7:30AM-3:30PM, Monday through Friday. For daily inspiration and Sunday services visit our Facebook page or YouTube Channel. “To know Christ and to make Him KNOWN.”

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST CHURCH

55 Martha Street, Spencerport, NY 14559, Phone: 585-352-5481, E-mail: sstjohnc@dor.org, Father Peter Mottola. Mass Schedule: Saturday Vigil 5pm; Sunday 7:45am, 9:30am and 11:15am; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 8am; Wednesday 6:30pm; Friday Traditional Latin Mass 8am. Check out our Website for details www.stjohnschurchspencerport.org.

ST. LEO’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

Looking for a Church home? All are welcome. Our new address is 110 Old Hojack Lane. (We haven’t moved but have a new entrance.) 392-2710, www.stleochurch. org. Fr. Joseph Catanise. Daily Mass is celebrated: Monday 5:30 PM; TuesdayThursday 8:30 AM; Friday Communion Service 8:30 AM. Weekend Schedule: Saturday Confession 2:30-3:30 PM; Rosary 3:20 PM; Mass 4 PM (live-streamed).

Sunday: Mass 8 AM; 10:30 AM (Children’s Liturgy); 6 PM. Handicapped accessible.

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Wherever you are in your faith journey, you are welcome at St. Luke’s. Founded in 1838, Our Mission is to Worship God Joyfully, Love One Another, Serve in the Name of Christ. Located at 14 State Street, Brockport, NY, we invite you to join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 10 am via live stream or anytime after 11:30 for recorded service for viewing at your convenience. Handicapped accessible.

Hearing assistance available. Masks, social distancing, and other safety measures are being observed. Harvest Kitchen, our outreach to the greater community, currently offers a Grab-N-Go meal the second Sunday of the month, 2 to 3:30 pm. Contact us at 585-637-6650. Visit us on Facebook or on our website at www.stlukesbrockport.org. Recognized as a National Jubilee Church for outreach and service to our community.

ST. MARY’S CHURCH

ST. MARK’S CHURCH

13 South Main Street, Holley 16789 Kenmore Road, Kendall Parish Center – Holley 638-6718, www.stmarystmark.org.

Mass Times: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM at St. Mary’s; Saturday Vigil 4:00 PM at St. Mary’s; Sunday 8:30 AM at St. Mark’s and 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s.

ST. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL

158 East Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468, 585-392-4000, www.stpaulhilton.org. Senior Pastor: Rev. Mark Ball – pastorball@stpaulhilton.org, office 585-392-4000. Worship Services: Saturday at 5pm; Sunday at 8:30am and 11am. Bible Studies: Kingdom Kids – Sunday at 9:45am; Adult Classes – Sunday at 9:45am; Ladies and Mens Bible Study – Thursdays at 10:30am. School: Meeting your child’s learning needs from age 2 through 8th grade. Call for a tour!

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH & PRE-SCHOOL

191 Nichols Street (Rte. 31), Spencerport, NY 14559. Phone: 352-3143. Reverend David Bernard, Interim Pastor. Trinity’s Updated Worship Schedule starting February 7th – Sunday at 9AM ‘In Person’ in our Sanctuary. Worship Service is also Live Streamed on YouTube. Sunday School is at 10:15AM. Visit our Website at www.tlcspencerport.com. Email: trinitylutheran191@gmail.com. “The Mission of Trinity is to joyfully share the Gospel through Christ-centered worship, teaching and reaching out to the community by acts of caring.”

UNION CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

14 North Main Street, Churchvillle. A warm welcome awaits you at Union Church.

Join us Sunday mornings at 10 am for our worship service and Sunday School.

Hear our superb music – adult, handbell, and children’s choirs – and be spiritually nurtured by God’s word. Look for our special events advertised throughout the year. Food distribution for local families in need on the third Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 pm at the church. Stop by, call, email us or visit our website.

Like us on Facebook “Union Congregational Church Churchville” Phone 585293-1665, email unionucc@frontier.com. Handicap accessible. All are welcome.

ChurChes, to have your serviCes listed or updated, please Call 352-3411.

4 WESTSIDE NEWS EAST and WEST EDITIONs Wrap - FEBRUARY 14, 2021

Announcing the 25th Edition of the

Hometown Community Directory DeDicateD to our

COMMUNITY HerOes with special recognition for those serving in the United States Armed Forces.

A list of servicemen and women who are currently serving our country, will be featured inside the 25th Edition of the Hometown Community Directory to be delivered in April, 2021.

Information to be included: name, branch of service, hometown and high school from which they graduated.

Please fill out the form below and mail it to Westside News, PO Box 106, Spencerport, NY 14559 Name _________________________________________________________________________________ Branch of Service_______________________________________________________________________ Hometown_____________________________________________________________________________ High School____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone Number______________________________________________________________________ Your phone number is requested in case Westside News has any questions. It will not be listed in The Directory. A telephone number must be supplied to be listed in The Directory.

If you wish you may fax this information to us at 585-352-4811, or you may email it to info@westsidenewsny.com. If emailing, please indicate Hometown Hero in the subject line.

deadline to respond: March 4, 2021

Westside NeWs iNc.

Publishers of the best-read weekly newspapers in the area...

Westside News East & West • Greece News

Ice can be nice

by T.R. Hendrick 2021 marks my third season ice fishing, and I must say I wish I had started years ago. Over these three years, I’ve learned a lot, especially about all the cool new toys I get to buy, like a pop-out ice hut, propane heater, specialized ice fishing rods and reels, and clothes made exclusively for ice fishing that would keep a human warm in the Artic. Even my ice fishing accomplice, Jim Miller, aka the “Perch Punisher,” broke down and bought some decent gear. He had been using equipment that he bought from Calvin Coolidge’s last garage sale. We are talking rusty old metal minnow bucket and wooden ice fishing poles. Now he actually looks like he knows what he’s doing out there rather than someone out of a black and white photo of people ice fishing just to eat during the Depression.

I’ve found with ice fishing, the more I learn, the more there is to learn. Luckily in this day and age, information is easy to come by. YouTube has many videos on the best techniques. I use Facebook to get up-to-date ice fishing intel. Most dedicated pages post daily, and sometimes hourly, on the fishing conditions on a particular body of water. For example, there is a Facebook page labeled sodus bay open water and ice fishing (no caps). You will see new posts almost every day. If I’m going up to Chaumont Bay to ice fish, I look at Chaumont Hardware Facebook page. They post up to the hour weather and ice conditions. There are dozens of Facebook pages dedicated to New York ice fishing. It’s just a matter of finding one devoted to the body of water you want to fish.

Please don’t tell my fellow whiteheads I use Facebook. If found out, I will be drummed out of the grumpy old men club.

They would rather find out I robbed a bank than hear I used Facebook to do anything.

I was the same way for years but have slowly come over to the dark side. I have to admit the up-to-the-hour information Facebook supplies is a huge advantage.

Fishermen can’t help but brag and post pictures on Facebook. This is great for us anglers looking for info. Even if they don’t post exactly where they caught the fish, you can usually look for landmarks in the background of their fish pictures and figure out their location.

The unique thing about ice fishing is you can see where the fish are biting. These days many anglers use portable ice fishing huts. You will see the villages out on the ice and have a good idea of where to start fishing. These portable shelters are easy to set-up, and with a heater added, can keep you as warm as if fishing in your living room.

Unlike open water fishermen, who can be secretive, I have yet to talk to an ice fisherman who wasn’t friendly and forthcoming with fishing intel. Even as you head out on the ice to fish, don’t be afraid to stop and ask the anglers out there; most are glad to fill you in on how the fishing has been.

Perch are the fish of choice for most ice anglers in our area of Western New York because they are plentiful, easy to catch, and the best eating fish that swims in

Veteran Sodus Bay angler Cory Tufano with a nice mess of Sodus Bay perch caught this year. freshwater. Perch hotspots close to home include Braddock Bay, Irondequoit Bay, and the ponds in Greece. A bit further are the Finger Lakes, which all hold good numbers of perch, along with Oneida Lake, considered by most hard water anglers to be the best perch lake in the state. I prefer to fish Sodus Bay as it has plenty of fish and good parking. Where to park can be an ice fishermen’s biggest problem, especially on the Finger Lakes.

For all of you out there who love to fish but are spooked by the ice, I promise if you follow a few simple guidelines, you will be as safe as if home on your couch. I was once that guy claiming, “You’ll never get me out there.” What an ignoramus! I can say that even after witnessing a guy go through the ice last year. I still feel completely comfortable out there. That person was doing everything wrong. He was driving a snow machine across a barren section of ice with no idea how thick the ice was. He was way off the beaten path. That’s where ice fishermen get in trouble. The math is simple - just go where you see a good number of fishermen on the ice already. They will be easy to spot. You will see the path where they have walked out, and as long as you stay on that, you will be fine. Don’t go wandering off in a direction where no one has traveled unless you have a lot of experience fishing that body of water.

This far into the winter, most bodies of water have safe ice. Any ice over four inches thick is safe to walk on, and eight inches will hold a snowmobile. Never venture out on ice over a river or stream that has moving water, for example, the Genesee River, where the ice is never safe. The current never allows the ice to be strong, no matter how cold the winter has been.

Why not make 2021 the year to make the quantum leap to ice fishing? There is plenty of social distancing, and you don’t have to wear a mask unless you want it for warmth.