Jake’s Barber Shop celebrates a century of service: Tradition, quality keep customers coming back

By Carrie Dylag

Jake’s Barber Shop in Perry celebrated 100 years on Monday, Aug. 20 with coffee, snacks and recollection of fond memories.

The shop first opened in 1912 and was owned by Shorty Lanckton. The shop is named after Jake Jacuzzo, who began working for Lanckton as an apprentice. Jacuzzo attended Robert’s Barber School and graduated in 1955. He eventually bought the shop from Lanckton in 1963.

Talking with the customers or the two barbers at the shop, Barbara Mucher and Heidi Hoffman, it’s easy to get a sense of who Jacuzzo was.

“If it weren’t for him we wouldn’t have the opportunity to keep this going,” Mucher said. “He was so liked—everyone was welcome here, and he accepted everybody. He never turned anyone away.”

Hoffman laughed as she told a story of how Jacuzzo would say hi to anyone, even if he didn’t know them.

“He would say hi to everyone walking by, then ask me, ‘Who was that?’” she said. “I would always tell him ‘I don’t know, you were the one who said hi to them!’”

Mucher and Hoffman have tried to preserve his legacy and the old-fashioned atmosphere of the shop by continuing to be welcoming and carrying on other traditions that Jacuzzo had. The only complaint about the traditional feel is that the shop only accepts cash or check.

“We don’t accept credit or debit cards,” Hoffman said. “People get upset, but we are old-fashioned.”

Customer Bernie Hartman thinks the girls are doing a great job keeping up the shop. 

“It’s a nice hometown barbershop. It makes you feel comfortable,” Hartman said. “They’re nice girls, you feel at home, the price is right and they do a good job.”

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Perry resident honored for years of weather service

By: Carrie Dylag

For local Perry resident Gary Jurkowski, the weather is more than just a report he watches on television. For him, it’s a daily hobby, and he gladly reports the weather to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. 

Earlier this month, Jurkowski, a certified weather observer through the Cooperative Observer Program, was honored for his 15 years of contributions to the National Weather Service. Dan Kelly, observing NWS program leader, visited Jurkowski’s home on Thursday, Aug. 9 to present him a certificate of recognition, as well as a pin and mug, for his dedication to the program. 

Jurkowski has been observing weather for much longer than 15 years, though. He was in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War as an air traffic controller. Part of his job in that capacity, was acting as an official weather observer.

“That’s when my interest started,” Jurkowski said.

Since he left the Air Force in 1970, he has been sending in reports to the NWS station in Buffalo. Jurkowski has three weather stations set up on his property, and records all the information at his home.

Becoming a weather observer is all done on a voluntary basis. There are a little over 10 thousand observers across the United States and 50 in the area. Reports sent in are archived and used for researchers on issues such as droughts and climate change.

Reports can also help areas receive federal funding after a large storm—the data collected from observers is what the government uses to determine the funding. For instance, the core of engineers at the Mount Morris dam uses the information to determine water level and what changes need to be made to the gates at the dam.

Observers are given training and must record the weather on a daily basis.  

“We get a lot of people interested, but they don’t last long once they realize it’s on an everyday basis,” Kelly said.

Kelly said because many people do not stay in the program for very long, 15 years is quite the accomplishment. He said he is glad people like Jurkowski contribute to the program.

“We really appreciate all that you do for us,” Kelly said.

In addition to his weather duties, Jurkowski was also the Perry Chief of Police and the Perry Village Judge for nine years. His plans for the future are simple: to continue observing the weather for as long as he can. 

Perry Recreation celebrates another season

By: Carrie Dylag

The Perry Village Recreation program is coming to an end, but the summer has been full of fun for its participants. The six-week program began in July and will wrap up on Friday, Aug. 17. The program takes place at the Perry Village Park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Perry recreation program originally started in the 1980s and was run completely by the village.

“We’ve got a long tradition of having an active (recreation program),” said Terrence Murphy, the village administrator.

Five years ago, the YMCA took over the program due to the increase of rules and regulations.

“With new regulations and safety, it was easier and more feasible,” Murphy said. “They have the staff and the expertise, so why not use it?”

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Warsaw’s Main and More fails to flourish: Low turnout disappoints some participating vendors

PHOTO: Dance Creations, located on the corner of North Main and East Buffalo streets, faces an empty sidewalk during Warsaw’s Main and More event on July 12. Photo by Carrie Dylag.

By Carrie Dylag

The streets were bustling and the sun was shining last Thursday, making it a seemingly perfect day to participate in the Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce’s Main and More event in downtown Warsaw.

The only problem was, almost nobody showed up to the event.

Main and More events have taken place in other towns in Wyoming County, such as Perry and Attica, and it’s headed to Arcade this fall. The event’s goal is to showcase local shops and businesses and promote local shopping.

“It’s part of the “buy local” program,” said Laura Lane, WCCC president. “It exposes people to what they have on their Main Street and more.”

From 5 to 8 p.m. on July 12, around 30 business owners and representatives were set up along Main Street promoting their businesses. Many had food, drinks, and handouts to give participants.

However, only 15 to 20 people took part in the event. In comparison, Perry’s Main and More event in September 2012 drew 65 people.

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Let the “Chalking” Begin

PHOTO: Erica Hauser, this year’s feature artist, works on her drawing in the 2010 Perry Chalk Art Festival.

By Carrie Dylag

Meghan Hauser, the event coordinator of the Perry Chalk Art Festival, described the upcoming weekend in just a few words: “It’s a great weekend to be in Perry.”

For the first time ever, The sixth annual Perry Chalk Art Festival will be a two-day event, taking place this Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14 in downtown Perry. With a crowd of 1,800 to 2,000 people expected this year, full days of events have been planned.

“You can experience a real mix of events, with the food, art, shopping, crafts and vegetables at the farmer’s market,” Meghan said.  “It’s a fun place to go on a summer day.”

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