Home Care In Jamestown, LA

SPRINGFIELD -- The Jamestown Lady Eagles have gone to where no other team in school history has gone.

A state championship game.

Jamestown knocked off the Marion C. Early Lady Panthers for a 3-1 victory in Friday afternoon’s Class 1 state semifinal game, then the Lady Eagles lost 9-0 to the La Plata Lady Bulldogs in the state title game later that night at Killian Softball Complex.

“You can’t give those girls enough accolades,” Jamestown coach John Muri said. “They battled so hard and they played so well.”

Jamestown finishes second in Class 1 with a 20-7 record.

“If you ask almost any coach in the state if you would take second place at the end of the year, almost every one of them would say yes,” Muri said. “I’m just so proud of that group of girls, they fought hard all year.

“They reached heights no Jamestown team has ever made. They have so much to be proud for.”

Marion C. Early entered the postseason with the No. 2 ranking in Class 1 from the Missouri High School Fastpitch Coaches Association. With Friday’s win, Jamestown will likely take the No. 2 ranking from the Lady Panthers in next week’s final poll of the 2023 season.

“They beat (No. 1) St. Elizabeth, so they were the top team coming in here,” Muri said. “We battled hard. Our defense played a great game, our pitcher threw a great game and we scraped together enough runs to win that.”

All-state pitcher Hailey Presley gave Marion C. Early a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI double to right field.

Jamestown scored all of its runs off Presley in the top of the fourth, as the first five batters in the inning reached base.

Kylie Allen hit a leadoff single, then Jolene Sorrells drew a walk. Olivia Meisenheimer followed with an RBI single to center field, scoring Allen to tie the game at 1.

Sydney Derendinger gave the Lady Eagles the lead with an RBI single and Madison Haldiman walked to load the bases. Madelynn Gerlach gave Jamestown an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to center field.

“They all did their job, they got on base and they moved each other over,” Muri said. “Hitting was contagious there.”

The loss was Marion C. Early’s 12th of the season, but it was the Lady Panthers’ first loss to another Class 1 school.

“They play a lot of big schools, so that’s something to be proud of,” Muri said.

Presley, who ended the season with 376 strikeouts, fanned 12 Jamestown batters and yielded three walks.

Meisenheimer also had 12 strikeouts in the win to reach 200 this season. She allowed an unearned run on four hits and two walks for her 17th victory of the season.

“She’s been a rock for us all year long,” Muri said. “You know you can count on her to throw strikes and challenge hitters.”

Marion C. Early went on to defeat the Gallatin Lady Bulldogs 7-4 in the third-place game. Marion C. Early finishes with a 24-12 record, while ninth-ranked Gallatin dropped to 21-5.

The championship game belonged to La Plata, which won its first softball state title since 1999.

“La Plata is a solid hitting team,” Muri said. “They hit the ball well and their pitcher threw hard. She was probably one of the best pitchers we saw all year, she controlled the game.”

An obstruction call on the basepaths extended the top of the first inning for La Plata. Kohyn Wood took advantage of the extra opportunity with a two-run bloop double.

La Plata took a page from Jamestown’s playbook in the third inning. The first four Lady Bulldogs reached base in the third inning and they all scored.

“They had a lot of well-placed balls,” Muri said.

Jamestown only had a total of four batters reach base.

Meisenheimer reached on an infield single in the first inning, then in the next inning, Haldiman had a leadoff single and Gerlach drew a walk.

La Plata pitcher Whitney Snow retired 13 batters in a row before Meisenheimer hit a double to deep center field with two outs in the sixth.

“We weren’t quite able to put our hits together,” Muri said. “That’s the difference between a win and a loss.”

Snow struck out nine batters.

Meisenheimer pitched all seven innings for Jamestown, tallying five walks and five strikeouts.

Sixth-ranked La Plata (26-5), which defeated Gallatin 5-3 in the semifinals, had seven players finish with a hit. Wood had a team-best three RBI.

Jamestown will return six starters next season and graduate four seniors from this year’s breakthrough team.

“Jamestown had never been to a Final Four in softball,” Muri said. “Now they know they can do that, they can make it to a championship game.”

The Lady Eagles drew a big crowd for Friday’s games.

“There probably aren’t a lot of people left in Jamestown today,” Muri said. “So many of them came down to watch and support our girls.”

La Quinta Inn and Suites has taken root in Jamestown. The hotel upgraded from its Best Western status, and a grand opening will be hosted for the renovated property Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. with a ribbon cutting. P-J photo by Eric Zavinski

A hotel presence at 200 W. Third St. is nothing new; however, the La Quinta Inn and Suites taking root at that location in Jamestown sure is.

Construction crews recently finished renovations at the former Best Western location Nov. 7, priming the new La Quinta Inn and Suites for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand opening to be hosted for the public Dec. 6 at 4 p.m.

Director of Operations Jim Burke said the year-long renovation process came about through the owners’ desire to upgrade the hotel’s brand and further capitalize on the local tourism successes such as the National Comedy Center, which opened in August.

“La Quinta was a nice fit for the Jamestown market,” Burke said. “It was a perfect fit for both of us.”

Owners Jay and Ram Patel partnered on the Best Western as the first hotel they owned together. Since 2005, the duo has owned the establishment. In response to recent lackluster business at the Best Western, it was decided that a brand upgrade would be the best way to bring in more customers.

Even during the busy summer with the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in action and renovations continuing on the former Best Western, the hotel managed to stay at 85 percent occupancy during July. The hotel was always open for customers during renovations while local construction workers renovated different parts of the building at a time.

“It’s been rewarding,” said Heidi Cronin, general manager. “I haven’t had any dull moments.”

Amy Schumer even booked a room at the soon-to-be La Quinta when she performed for the comedy festival in August. In the same vein, La Quinta has partnered with the National Comedy Center and Northwest Arena to give customers special rates if they attend those attractions during their Jamestown stay.

The hotel has been refurbished from top to bottom, with a new exterior and upgraded furniture (courtesy of Artone LLC), appliances, fixtures and carpeting to be found in every room and lobby in the hotel. Other new attractions include a renovated pool, fitness center with multiple new exercise machines, a business center, improved breakfast display and more.

See Tuesday’s edition of The Post-Journal for more coverage.

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If the zoning codes in Jamestown for tattoo parlors are relaxed, an artist who applied for a use variance last year, but was denied would still be interested in a downtown location.

Tattoo artist Denise de la Cerda told The Post-Journal via email that she would still be interested in a downtown business location if the city’s zoning codes are less restrictive. de la Cerda said she is living in the Jamestown area and still wants to open a tattoo parlor downtown.

“I think it would be a very good thing for Jamestown,” she said. “With such restrictions in place, it is as if they are saying, ‘We really don’t want your kind around here,’ but (it’s) too late, many people already are tattooed, and visibly so, and carry on perfectly well with their professional lives.”

de la Cerda said the current city zoning, which only allows for tattoo parlors to be located in service and highway commercial, light manufacturing and manufacturing zoned areas of the city and not downtown, isn’t stopping anyone from getting a tattoo.

“They will just have to take their business elsewhere,” she said. “When people come to a location to get a tattoo, which usually costs in the hundreds of dollars, they don’t just spend money at the tattoo parlor. They buy lunch or dinner, they buy coffee, they go get a craft beer afterwards or see a show. Jamestown is currently stopping these people in their tracks. People who have money and want to spend it.”

In November 2019, de la Cerda was denied a use variance to operate a tattoo studio at 14 E. Fourth St., Jamestown. de la Cerda had proposed to open an appointment-only tattoo studio, along with a fine arts studio. She said there would only be about three appointments a week for the tattoo studio, and didn’t expect that much more foot traffic for the fine arts studio. She said the tattoo business would have been located above Maurice’s Beauty Salon and would have been in close proximity to businesses like the Labyrinth Press Co. and Brazil Craft Beer & Wine Lounge, so the business wouldn’t have created a significant increase in foot traffic along East Fourth Street.

de la Cerda said where the city allows for tattoo businesses — in the manufacturing district — wouldn’t be clean enough to get approved by the health department because of dirt, dust and mildew. She said tattoo businesses are becoming more like boutiques and are being located in downtown business districts. She said the business doesn’t belong in the same area as light manufacturing companies.

Following the variance denial, Ellen DiTonto, city Zoning Board of Appeals chairwoman, attended a city Planning Commission meeting in December, asking the commission to update the zoning code to possibly allow for tattoo parlors downtown.

The planning commission plans to discuss a local law to possibly allow for tattoo parlors in the city during its meeting today.

Earlier this month, the Jamestown City Council discussed the possibility of changing city zoning codes for tattoo parlors to allow them to be located downtown. Brent Sheldon, Ward 1 councilman, said the current zoning for the city on tattoo parlors was created in 1969. He said back in 1969, there were no health regulations for tattoo parlors. He said today the Chautauqua County Health Department inspects tattoo parlors and issues a license to allow them to operate.

Elliot Raimondo, city corporation counsel, said he has been reviewing zoning codes for several cities in the state, of which he said many allow for tattoo parlors in their central business district.

Ben Haskin, city associate counsel, said he looked through 45 zoning codes of other cities in the state and found only one other city with restrictions similar to Jamestown, which was Ithaca where Cornell University is locate. He did find restrictions like how close one tattoo parlor could be to another, which was usually 200 to 250 feet apart. He also said there were restrictions like a tattoo parlor needs to be 200 feet from a park or a school.

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Denise de la Cerda is looking to get the word out on her Secret Undisclosed Location.

The new tattoo shop in downtown Jamestown will officially open its doors on Monday, an effort more than a year in the making that required a local law to rezone the area. Not only that, but de la Cerda has had to wait out a worldwide pandemic.

“It took some time and a little persuasion, but they did change the zoning for downtown,” said de la Cerda, noting that she experienced similar roadblocks as a tattoo artist in New York City and Jersey City in New Jersey where she’s also worked.

A 1980 graduate of Southwestern Central School, de la Cerda returned to Chautauqua County two years ago. “I came back to Jamestown because my father is here. I have family here and I grew up here,” she said.

The area native studied fine art and tattooing in New York City and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tattooing professionally since 1994, she hoped to open a shop downtown, but those initial efforts hit a dead end when the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals denied a use variance.

The setback was nothing new to de la Cerda. She pointed to a time in New York City — between 1961 to 1997 — when tattoo shops were banned. The city blamed the ban on a hepatitis B outbreak.

As a child of the ’70s, she noted Watergate and a “cloak and dagger” era with politicians and reporters. The name of her new business is a nod to that period of time.

“You have to have a sense of humor,” she said.

De la Cerda finally obtained a permit from the county to operate a tattoo shop after the city passed a local law and changed the zoning. But then COVID-19 arrived, and even when tattoo shops were permitted to reopen this year, de la Cerda waited until she was fully vaccinated.

“I wouldn’t dare get close to people without being vaccinated,” she said. “It’s one thing to be in a grocery store, but you can’t keep 6 feet apart while you tattoo someone.

“This pandemic took a toll on everybody,” she added.

Now, more than a year later, all her efforts are about to pay off. De la Cerda credits Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist and other city officials in helping to get the zoning changed, allowing her 14 E. Fourth St. shop to finally open its doors.

“Sundquist, he’s been amazing and very helpful,” she said, “and not to sound sappy, but he’s been a presence working in the background on all of this and I appreciate all of his help.”

At the moment, la Cerda travels regularly to Philadelphia to work at as a tattoo artist. She said business has clearly picked up as restrictions, including mask mandates, have eased across the county. She hopes there’s enough interest in the Southern Tier for those looking to get a tattoo that she won’t have to travel as often for work.

“I’m thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” she said of opening her new downtown business.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for noon Monday, with Sundquist to be in attendance. Secret Undisclosed Location is open by appointment, and a consultation is always free. Her website is www.jamestowntattoo.com.

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Knit topiary is one of ten outdoor art installations in Jamestown. (Photo by John Reposa)

Among the 10 public art works installed around Jamestown as part of the Jamestown Arts Center’s Outdoor Arts Experience (OAE), one is unique.

The family of three sheep grazing in front of the Jamestown Philomenian Library was created by the local group, Needles Galore, whose 23 members include both experienced and beginner knitters. The knitted display, titled “La Yarn Bomb-baa,” is the rare craft project selected for the prestigious outdoor exhibition that features large sculptures and other fine arts projects by professional artists.

All exhibits in the OAE have been on display at locations throughout Jamestown since June and will remain on view through October.

Other local artists in the show are Nicholas Benson of Newport’s historic The John Stevens Shop. His hand-carved black slate headstone, titled “@,” is exhibited at Jamestown Town Hall. Newport-based Jeff Soderbergh’s wood and steel sculpture, “Empty,” can be viewed at East Ferry Gardens, at the intersection of Conanicus and Narragansett avenues.

“La Yarn Bomb-baa” is the kind of collective project that women have traditionally created, usually without recognition and for domestic purposes.

“Women have always gotten together to craft, quilt or knit, but it’s rarely in the realm of fine art,” said Needles Galore member Allie Sabalis, who led the project. “When the competition was announced, everyone was on board. It was a thrill to be chosen. No one could believe we were picked from 100 applicants. We chose sheep because Jamestown started as an agricultural community and we were looking to celebrate that with something fun and community-oriented.”

The multi-colored trio of sheep, consisting of a ram, ewe and lamb, are certainly fun and representative of Needles Galore, launched in 2016 by Nancy Mowbray. The knitters, all Jamestown residents, met biweekly at the library under Mowbray’s guidance. They knitted items for use in pet shelters, hospitals and other charitable projects. Once their proposal was accepted for the OAE, they got to work immediately.

Black slate installation by Nicholas Benson, 38 inches tall by 24 inches wide. Located at the Jamestown Town Hall (Photo by John Reposa)

Sabalis, a painter and photographer with a master’s degree from Pratt Institute, has been “knitting all my life,” she said. But most Needles Galore members are not trained artists. Mowbray, said Sabalis, can “knit anything” and is instrumental in providing leadership and instruction to novice knitters.

Besides Mowbray and Sabalis, Needles Galore is made up of Eva Ambroz, Peggy Burse, Billie Cabral, Joan Caley, Carol Crafts, Barbara Cunha, Alma Davenport, Cynthia Flagg, Donna Fogarty, Anita Girard, Jeanne Girard, Sybile Gunnarsson, Ilse Hill, Jackie Lampasona, Kathy Merrill, Jan Murphy, Sandy Paterson, Linda Point, Betty Purdum, Chris Richard, Wendy Shapiro, and Laura Yentsch.

Once they’d been chosen as OAE finalists, the knitters divided into two groups. Sabalis headed the Armature Committee, which worked on how to create the structure and forms for the sheep. Sabalis credited Crafts for coming up with the idea to use topiary forms. Sabalis found a company in California that created large frames made of steel and wire. Using measurements and dimensions supplied by Needles

Galore, the company created the forms, which were shipped to the group in April.

Meanwhile, the Yarn Committee, headed by Jeanne Girard, worked on organizing the design elements of the project, including the patterns. The knitters chose colors from the acrylic yarn, used because it is durable and waterproof, and created sections in patches and strips.

Once the forms arrived, the Armature Committee had to devise a way to cover them to keep the yarn from sagging, since the display would be outside for five months, exposed to wind and rain, Sabalis said. She credited Richard, Burse, Jan Murphy and Jeanne Girard with coming up with the idea to wrap the armatures in wire and mesh netting, a difficult task, before they were covered in yarn.

Needles Galore had been meeting at the library, but since March each knitter worked at home, and then brought their work to an outdoor drop-off. In June, all three sheep were staked into the ground with their legs chained and hooked to keep them stationary. In addition to the sheep, the display includes birds flying overhead and owls perched in trees.

“It’s a whole tableau, which is what we wanted,” said Sabalis.

“La Yarn Bomb-baa” was an immediate hit. “Kids come up and touch them and take pictures. I saw one guy posing with his German shepherd in front of the sheep,” said Sabalis. “As an artist, I appreciate that art can take many forms. This is an example of what public art can be and the different forms of expression it can take.”

Visitors can vote for the Outdoor Arts Experience People’s Choice Award among the 10 outdoor displays. At the end of the exhibition, Jamestown Arts Center will announce the top three artworks. To vote or for a complete list of where the art displays can be found, visit outdoorartsexperience.org.

Artist’s Statement

For 25 years I have designed and carved inscriptions in stone for notable civic memorials, private institutions and personal monuments throughout the United States. I have made hundreds of carefully hand-drawn and hand-carved headstones, dedicatory tablets and building facade inscriptions.

I am the third generation of my family to carry on our business and the ninth generation of carvers to continue it on the site where it was founded. Our business has been producing work in the vein of classical inscriptions for over three hundred years. I have maintained a set of standards in craft, design and tradition that has persevered through trends of mechanization and modernization to remain very nearly unchanged since the business was founded in 1705.

In fact, our work is remarkably similar to inscriptions carved thousands of years ago. We are an odd business in this day and age of digitization, computer driven production and mass marketing. I received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2010 that allowed me to explore a new thread of artistically expressive and intellectual work that I had long hoped to develop.

This work began as a study in classical stone carving methods influenced by contemporary, urban calligraphic forms. My method in both lettering and carving is influenced by the ancient tradition I have learned and practiced for decade.

— Nicholas Benson

Artist’s Statement

My passion for reclaiming and creating is inspired by what comes from nature and the resulting beauty that only time can produce. There are already enough materials in existence today that we can utilize with stunning results. Let’s start looking at sustainable options through a different lens. One that offers beautiful possibilities… I would like my work to have a thoughtful impact on the world that we all share, a nostalgic connection to our past and be beautiful.

Art should inspire the viewer to emote, challenge, question, react. This piece invites the public to look through and change their perspective.

— Jeff Soderbergh

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