WILLIAMSVILLE DEPOT - 2013 UPDATES

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Williamsville Depot 2013

January - February 2013

by Art Toale

Here, it is almost Spring and our committee is looking forward to warmer weather (as I am sure, most of the rest of you are). As usual, we have a full calendar of events planned.

On Saturday, May 5th, we will be running an outdoor flea market and book sale. If you are looking to declutter your home, this can be an excellent opportunity to do so. You can rent a 15 ft. by 15 ft. space for twenty dollars. The flea market runs from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM with a 6:30 AM set-up time. This is a rain or shine event. Bring your own table, tent, chair, etc., along with the items to be sold. Give Art Toale a call at 837-1791 for more information or to reserve space.

The largest of these is a combination car and craft show. This is a cooperative event with the Steel Museum and the Heritage Center. The proceeds will be split three ways. This event will be held at 100 Lee Street on Saturday, June 29th. The show will run from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you would like to show a classic car or truck, or rent a table to sell crafts, give Art Toale a call at 837-1791 or call Roxanne Bennett at 984-9997.

The Lehigh Valley Historic Site will hold two combination flea markets / used book sales again this year. The first one is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Dealers can set up at 6:30 AM if they so desire. This is a rain or shine event and vendors/ exhibitors are encouraged to bring a pop-up tent. Space rentals are $20.00, the same as last year. The spaces are 15 ft. by 15 fy (225 square feet).

If you do not want to participate in the flea market but would like to clean out your basement, attic or garage, you can always donate items to the site. We can then sell them ourselves, with the proceeds benefitting the Western New York Railway Historical Society's former Lehigh Valley Williamsville depot restoration project. You would be provided with "thank you for your donation" letter as your donation would then be tax-deductable. If you are interested in renting a space or donating items, give Art Toale a call at 837-1791. I will make arrangements to pick up donations if you are unable to drop them off. Thank you!

The second combination flea market / used book sale will be held on Saturday, September 14th. Details are the same as for the May 18th event.

On Monday, July 29th, we will be hosting our third annual car cruise night. This is always a fun night with some really nice autos and trucks. The evening starts at 5:30 PM and goes until dusk. We will be grilling hot dogs for sale. Snacks and beverages will also be available.

ERIE COUNTY FAIR CABOOSE AND BOXCAR DISPLAY
by Art Toale

I am still looking for someone to take over this project. As I wrote in the last issue of the FLYER, I am not entirely getting out of the way. What I need is for someone to order passes for the fairgrounds and coordinate volunteers to staff the caboose and the boxcar. I will help anyone interested, and, of course, work a couple of shifts. This is not a very difficult project, but it does take some time. Please call Art Toale at 837-1791. Thank you!

March - April 2013
by Tom Stackhouse

The Williamsville Depot Committee met for planning and listing of priorities for the up coming season. Projects to be completed this season are but not in this order:

Refinish walls and ceiling in waiting room.
Ceiling lights for waiting room and Agent's office.
Reinstall window shades in waiting room.
Install semaphore mast and arm.
Convert gas lights to electric and installed them.
Extend siding.
Replace gravel entrance from parking lot with cobblestone.
Construct ornate bathroom vent for roof.
The contractor will start refinishing the waiting room on April the 8th.

The Committee also came up with a list that will be dependent on fund raising:

Replace security system.
Install gas service and furnace. (Depot open all year)
Refinish walls and ceiling in Agent's office.
Restore freight room doors.
Replace gutters and downspouts.
Restore platform outside of freight doors.
Install benches for waiting room.
Custom desk for Agent's room.
Some old these projects will be bid out when funds are available.

May - December 2013
by Art Toale

2013 was a busy year for us at the Williamsville Lehigh Valley Depot. In April, we contracted with David Kasmier Painting to strip and refinish the depot waiting room. The project took only a couple of weeks and the result was terrific.

We received a donation of four gas street lights from the Town of Amherst. The Village of Williamsville donated four street light poles to attach the lights to. Thank you to Amherst Town Supervisor Dr. Barry A. Weinstein and Williamsville Mayor Mr. Brian Kulpa for their continued support of the Williamsville Depot restoration project. Over last summer our crew dug a trench and laid electric conduit along the driveway and parking lot so that Zacher Electric could pull the necessary wiring and convert the old gas lights to electric lighting. With foundations poured and wiring installed, the light poles were put in place and the converted gas lights were installed. We now have four "Platform" lights and they make a real addition to the depot property.

Larry Brenton continued his restoration work on the concrete phone booth. This signal box was originally located on the railroad about a quarter mile east of the depot and was used by the train crews to call the railroad dispatcher for changes in train orders. The village moved the concrete phone booth to the depot site several years ago and Larry took on the job to fully restore it. The phone booth required restoration of some deteriorated concrete, replacement of the windows and door and a full paint job. Larry finished the restoration this past year and it is one of only a handful of these structures that have been preserved across the country.

The depot crew also installed a railroad crossing signal at the end of the display track behind the depot. It is complete with the Rail Road Crossing Crossbuck, ringing bell and is fully operational. It will be used during special events at the depot.

The Williamsville Depot Committee also hosted "Music on Main Street" one Thursday evening this past August. This was a new event for the committee and was made possible by committee member Mr. Marty Visciano. Marty is also responsible for our annual Oktoberfest Hayride and Pumpkin Sale. This event is held in conjunction with the Village of Williamsville Oktoberfest celebrations. In addition to these special events, the depot hosted two Flea Markets in May and September and our annual Classic Vehicle Cruise Night in July. Keep an eye on the calendar for this year's events.

Our funding is primarily raised from the rental of the depot to Native Offerings Farm Cooperative where they distribute organically grown foods to their member, the two flea markets, cruise night and the hayride. We also sell the Night Out Discount Coupon Books. These books are $12.50 each and are a great value if you ever eat out or go to a movie, or even with your dry cleanings. Use of one coupon and fully return your investment and they make great gifts. They can be purchased by calling Art Toale at 837-1791 and will happily get you as many as you need. Also let me know if you want to volunteer at the depot to help out or staff one of the Sunday open houses this year.

As you can read, the Williamsville Depot Committee had a very productive 2013 and has many projects lined up for next year.

The Williamsville Depot Committee is looking for people interested in the following: Construction
& Maintenance, event planning, tour guides, marketing, data base management
and finance/budget knowledge. We would welcome any and all help you may have to offer.

Call the Depot at 716-633-7002 or eMail Art T. Thank You!