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585-415-6107
howardhanna.com • 9 MAIN ST. BROCKPORT, NY 14420 • JoanneBocach@gmail.com
Suburban News
Hamlin-Clarkson Herald
Westside News Established 1953 Serving the communities of Spencerport-Ogden, Churchville-Riga, North Chili, Hilton-Parma, Hamlin, Clarkson, Kendall, Bergen, Clarendon, Holley-Murray, Brockport-Sweden
August 30, 2020
Issue No. 34
westsidenewsny.com
Clarkson Town Clerk Sharon Mattison retires shared that her first election was won by It all started with a water bill. Thirty years ago, a young Sharon Mat- only one vote. The transition to the new Town Clerk tison walked into the Clarkson Town Hall on a wintery morning to pay her water appeared effortless to the public. Sharon bill. After an exchange of pleasantries, won the election and has held that posiFran Wilcox, the town clerk at that time, tion for 13 years - serving her fourth said, “You know we have an opening for a four-year term. She has worked with three Justice Court Clerk, and I think you’d be supervisors. Current supervisor Christa perfect for the job.” Sharon hadn’t heard Filipowicz said, “No matter what the chalabout the opening or even considered lenge is, Sharon is the ‘go-to’ person in the Town Hall with wisdom and a historical working outside the home. She was married to local farmer Mark perspective of the town. She has always Mattison, owner of Ridgecrest Turkey taken care of our residents and visitors, Farm, and a young mom to two of her spending as much time as needed with eventually three children, when she decid- each to ensure that their needs have ed to call Fran back, intrigued by the op- been met.” In 2010, Sharon began collecting Brockportunity. Fran passed Sharon’s name on to the judge, and she was called in for an port Central District school taxes, a task interview. She nervously met with the late not required but which eased the taxpayHonorable Stanley Progroszewski at the ing process for residents. Two years ago, old courthouse. The outgoing court clerk she brought tax processing fully back into her office, eliminatwas Grace Culhane, ing potential bank who was quite wellfees of thousands of known and left some dollars annually. big shoes to fill. The Sharon is dejudge started the lighted to have been interview, “Well I Clarkson’s mardon’t have a lot of riage officer and questions for you, I has coordinated the just know you are a Umpteenth Annual hard-working farm Children’s Christgirl, and if you will mas Party, rabies put in that same efclinics and blood fort here, we’d love drives with Monroe to have you as our County, and hostcourt clerk.” ed numerous food And so the jourdrives at the town ney began. hall. She’s been beSome may rememhind the scenes at ber the old Clarkson large celebrations Courthouse located like Good Neighbor behind the Town Hall, almost on top Sharon Mattison is retiring after 30 years of Days and the 2019 Bicentennial. She of the creek, at the service to the Town of Clarkson. has continued to entrance to the rear parking lot. Court was in session one pursue records management grants, the evening when the main support beam processing of passports, hunting and gave way, and the floor began to buckle fishing licenses, and the ability to accept seriously. One by one, the defendants and credit cards for payment. She’s a founding attorneys were evacuated to safety. As any member and active volunteer for Seymour good captain of a sinking ship, Sharon and Library’s After Hours Fundraisers and has Stan were the last to leave, and the build- served on the Garland Cemetery Board. With all that she’s done, it’s a good bet ing was declared beyond repair. Sharon quickly learned the job and over- that Sharon knows most of the residents saw the building of the current courthouse by name, their families, where they live, across from Hafner Park, appropriately and probably their dog’s name too. She’s named Stanley Progroszewski Justice a professional that will be greatly missed, Court years later. She stayed in this especially by Clarkson residents who have position for 18 years and secured several come to depend on her for solid service and advice. Sharon’s last day on the job court-related grants. When Fran Wilcox retired in 2007, was August 28. As she enters retirement, Sharon plans Sharon was the logical replacement. Fran shared with Sharon how important the to enjoy her new home, her grandchild, town clerk position is to the town as it and traveling. Provided information and photo is “the face of Clarkson,” and that running for office was arduous. In fact, Fran
American Graffiti rolls through Brockport by Tami Raco 2020 was not an ideal year for the Rochester Street Rods Car Club. The club began in the 1970s, devoted to showcasing automobiles built for performance and creating a community of classic and muscle car enthusiasts. Summer is usually full of events for the club and the community. With the pandemic and quarantines, all events were canceled. Chad Holberton, President of Rochester Street Rods, began thinking about how he could safely bring the classic and custom car community together. He had an idea of a “rolling car show.” One evening Chad was watching the classic movie American Graffiti, which got his creativity flowing. “It hit me! This is the answer,” Chad said. Chad then began to create an event like that in the movie American Graffiti. The film featured hot rods of the 60s cruising the night away out on the strip to see and be seen. The scenes of this classic movie included not only the hot rod and classic cars but also ice cream and car hop type food. After careful consideration, Chad chose several locations for the Rochester Street Rods Car Club to hold the American Graffiti-themed events. Locations varied from Greece to Webster and Henrietta. “These cruises would let people who wanted to distance themselves stay safely in their vehicles, and those who wanted could also step out to grab some food or ice cream,” said Chad. Chad really liked Brockport for a venue as it provided a perfect backdrop for American Graffiti. When he was scoping out the parking/staging area and drive, he noticed the nostalgic theatre, The Strand. He learned that The Strand is the second oldest movie theatre in the United States and faces an economic crisis due to statemandated closures. Chad had an idea of how his event could help benefit the century-old movie theatre while also offering an excellent opportunity to bring the car enthusiast community together. With the help of Debbie and Jimmy from Jimmy Z’s, Chad was able to contact Jeff Yantz, the owner of The Strand, and run an
idea by him. If The Strand put the words “American Graffiti” on their marquee, they could serve as a backdrop for the event. Participants could then have portraits taken of their classic cars in front of the iconic theatre with a suggested donation of $20, to the help The Strand through this challenging time. On Saturday, August 8, American Graffiti arrived in Brockport with an impressive turnout of 300 cars. Two Great Danes even participated, riding in a motorcycle sidecar. “This was our biggest turnout,” said Chad. With the help of social media and promotional support from Advanced Auto manager Steve Schultz, the event surpassed the club’s expectations. “The cars kept coming,” said Chad, pleasantly surprised. The Brockport Police even participated in a picture simulating a scene from the American Graffiti movie. “I heard people saying they have not had that much fun since high school,” said Chad. Chad and the Rochester Street Rod Club appreciate the hospitality given to their event from the village of Brockport and the Brockport Police Department. He also is grateful for the support from many who helped make the event possible, from his son, Paxton, to Steve at Advanced Auto, Jimmy Z’s, and The Strand. To see more pictures or to learn more about The Rochester Street Rod Club and its future events, check out the club’s Facebook page.