Appreciation: James Dennis

This week our family and our community lost a gentle soul with the passing of James Dennis.

“Jim,� as he was known by many, lived an unobtrusive life filled with meaning and love for his family. He adored his girls, Denise and Nicole, and his great-grandson, Mason, was the apple of his eye.

To our family, he was a quiet force; he was always there when needed. He was the best man at my parents’ wedding. One of my fondest memories is the blinding snowstorm that arrived the day of my 7th birthday party.

My Dad and Uncle Jim took off in Dad’s truck and rounded up every child for my party! What a marvelous day that was.

My uncle was an accomplished carpenter, who built and worked on many homes in our area. His craftsmanship will be one of the legacies he leaves behind.

Uncle Jimmy: Roxanne, Joanne, Colleen, Dad, Mom and I will miss you terribly. May our lord watch over you, bless you and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

— Tammy Dennis Van Deusen, your loving niece

Latest News

Tuning up two passions under one roof

The Webb Family in the workshop. From left: Phyllis, Dale, Ben and Josh Webb, and project manager Hannah Schiffer.

Natalia Zukerman

Magic Fluke Ukulele Shop and True Wheels Bicycle Shop are not only under the same roof in a beautiful solar powered building on Route 7 in Sheffield, but they are also both run by the Webb family, telling a tale of familial passion, innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

In the late ‘90s, Dale Webb was working in engineering and product design at a corporate job. “I took up instrument manufacturing as a fun challenge,” said Dale. After an exhibit at The National Association of Music Merchants in Anaheim, California, in 1999, The Magic Fluke company was born. “We were casting finger boards and gluing these things together in our basement in New Hartford and it just took off,” Dale explained. “It was really a wild ride, it kind of had a life of its own.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert Cray’s soulful blues coming to Infinity Hall

Robert Cray

Photo provided

Blues legend Robert Cray will be bringing his stinging, funky guitar and soulful singing to Infinity Hall Norfolk on Friday, March 29.

A five-time Grammy winner, Cray has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame and earned The Americana Music Awards Lifetime Achievement for Performance. He has played with blues and rock icons including Albert Collins, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton and many more.

Keep ReadingShow less