Massena's Winter Carnival Underway

MASSENA - The groundhog in Pennsylvania may have predicted six more weeks of winter on Tuesday, but Dennis Kemison won't have to worry about the snow and cold much longer.

Mr. Kemison was one of three people who guessed - right on the nose - the amount of snow that would be on the ground on Feb. 1 as part of the Massena Winter Carnival's "Think Snow" campaign.

When official measurements were taken at a box that had been built outside the 1340 WMSA studio, the judges determined that 3 1/2 inches of snow was the ground.

Sanford T. Cook, the master of ceremonies for Thursday night's winter carnival opening ceremonies at the Knights of Columbus, said there were 9 inches of snow at one point. But then it rained and the temperature hit in the 50s one day last week.

"Suddenly the 9 inches of snow was quite diminished," he said.

When judges measured on Monday, the number was indeed diminished, but three people still hit the number on the head - Mr. Kemison, Linda Curry and Nancy Opalka.

To break the tie, names were drawn out of a basket, and Mr. Kemison emerged as the winner. He opted to take the trip for two to the Bahamas including air fare.

As the next name drawn, Ms. Curry selected a 42-inch flat screen television, and Ms. Opalka won a hockey package with tickets to Clarkson, St. Lawrence University, Cornwall Colts and the Ottawa Senators.

"I hope you like hockey," Mr. Cook quipped.

Mr. Kemison said he never went out to the radio station on state Route 420 to see how much snow was in the box before submitting his number.

"I just guessed," he said. "I plow snow."

Those three individuals weren't the only winners recognized during Thursday night's ceremonies. Also in the spotlight were this year's winter carnival king and queen, Massena Central High School seniors Dan Matthews and Nikita Gupta, who were elected by their classmates.

Ms. Gupta noted that students were nominated for the honor and those names were whittled down to the top five boys and girls. Those were the individuals who were up for election.

"Everyone in the senior class voted during their physical education classes. It was announced last Friday at the pep rally," Mr. Matthews said. "I was really surprised."

"I was shocked, but I was happy," Ms. Gupta said.

"They are terrific representatives of Massena High School and the terrific young people we have in this community," Mr. Cook noted in introducing the king and queen.

The opening ceremonies kicked off a host of activities that will run for the next three days at various venues around the area. A committee had spent the past 10 months planning for the return of the winter carnival, which was last seen in Massena approximately 30 years ago.

Ideas that they originally floated aren't necessarily what's taking place in the community through Sunday, according to committee member Miriam S. Catapano, who is also the president of the Greater Massena Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors.

"It's vastly different," she said.

In fact, even as of Thursday some changes were still being made to the schedule, according to chamber Executive Director Michael J. Gleason.

He said the horse-drawn wagon rides that were scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight at the Harte Haven Plaza have been canceled. And while the Massena Dash dog sled races are still on for Saturday and Sunday at Hawkins Point, the sanctioned race for the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Association points has been canceled.

In addition, Mr. Cook said, the closing ceremonies have now been moved up to 1 p.m. Sunday at Hawkins Point. They were originally scheduled for 3 p.m.

Even with the last-minute changes, Mr. Gleason said the final slate of activities offered something for everyone, no matter what their age.

"It's been an interesting ride," he said. "It's going to be something that Massena remembers for years to come."

Mr. Cook agreed.

"It's going to be a great weekend. This is going to be something special," he said.

Jay Tarbell, general manager of the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino which is sponsoring the dog sled races, said he appreciated working with the town of Massena on the winter carnival effort.

"This is a great event and I know everyone's excited. We were honored to be approached to be part of this special event. We just can't wait for a wonderful weekend here in Massena," he said.

Today's events include the Massena Cup hockey tournament starting at 1 p.m. at the Massena Arena annex; the winter carnival parade that steps off at 7 p.m. on Water Street and marches to Bridges Avenue and fireworks beginning at 8:30 p.m. at Bushnell Field.

The full schedule of events can be found at the chamber's Web site, www.massenachamber.com.