By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 July 2019 at 10:33 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers
EAST SHELBY – A barbershop choir that includes Sara Dorpfeld of Medina, center, and Patricia Fox of Medina sing during today’s Old Tyme Day celebration at the East Shelby Community Bible Church.
The ladies in the choir were The Honey Bee Flats while the men were The Hound Dog Harmonics. The crowd was asked to vote for which of the two groups they preferred. The vote ended in a tie.
Evan Allen of Albion dressed as a chicken while the choir sang the popular children’s song, “Alouette,” which is about plucking feathers from a lark.
Lynnea Mayne and Will Trembley are in center while a group of youth dance to the reel.
Denise Jaczynski of Basom and Tony Dispenza of Akron get more pies ready for a crowd that was estimated at more than 2,000 people. The church served slices of pie for a penny, and went through 340 pies for the annual event.
Ken Baker of Medina cooks hot dogs. The East Shelby Community Bible Church served 2,750 hot dogs during the popular event at 5278 East Shelby Road. The hot dogs and everything else were available for a penny.
Paula Nesbitt fills cups of iced tea. The church went through 150 gallons of lemonade, ice tea and loganberry.
Randy Pearl, a blacksmith, led members of the community in making metal hooks. Carl Quackenbush, right, of Medina appreciated the chance to give it a try.
John Bentley of the Collins Draft Horse Ox and Pony Club leads a group on a ride around West Jackson Corners.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 July 2019 at 12:30 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Evan Allen of Albion explains his fair entry to evaluator Sharon Smith of Middleport, while his club leaders Jon and Brie Trembly look on. Allen wrote an arrangement of Hooked on a Feeling for four trombones.
Ella Wilson, 8, of Holley got a blue ribbon and designation for State Fair for her model of an air vehicle. Youth exhibits will be on display in the Trolley Building during the Orleans County 4-H Fair this week.
KNOWLESVILLE – Among the highlights of the Orleans County 4-H Fair are the youth exhibits in Trolley Building. The exhibits represent the year-long accomplishments of youth in the many 4-H clubs affiliated with Orleans County Cooperative Extension.
On Saturday morning, more than a dozen evaluators took their places to examine and evaluate the entries submitted by dozens of youth. By noon, all entries had been submitted and judged, with those deemed extra special marked for State Fair.
One of those was a piece of sheet music submitted by Evan Allen of Albion. Evan is a trombone player and wrote an arrangement of “Hooked on a Feeling” for four trombones. With the help of his 4-H leaders Jon and Brie Trembly, Jon put his arrangement on a thumb drive to submit with his entry. Evaluator Sharon Smith of Middleport, an elementary school principal at Kendall, also has knowledge of music and was very impressed with Evan’s creativity.
Jon plans to enter Alfred University to study animation, but for sure he is going to join their jazz band, he said.
Many children submitted several entries, such as Shania Mathes, 11, of Albion, whose entries included a tennis ball puppet, a canning jar ring pumpkin and Clara Barton poster, all testaments to the variety of topics a youth can learn about in 4-H.
The Orleans County 4-H Fair opens Monday and runs through Saturday.
Youth line up early in the Trolley Building Saturday morning to have their entries judged for the Orleans County 4-H Fair, which opens Monday.
Shania Mathes, 11, of Barre hands her exhibits for the Orleans County 4-H Fair to Sharon Smith for evaluation. Shania submitted a puppet, canning jar ring pumpkin and Clara Barton poster. Looking on is Kristina Gabalski with Orleans County Cooperative Extension, who was in charge of evaluators who judged entries.
Photo by Mike Groll from Gov. Cuomo’s Office: Vice President Al Gore joined Governor Cuomo for the announcement on Thursday in New York City.
Posted 21 July 2019 at 9:11 am
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, joined by former Vice President Al Gore, on Thursday executed the nation’s largest offshore wind agreement and the single largest renewable energy procurement by any state in U.S. history – nearly 1,700 megawatts – with the selection of two offshore wind projects, that will create enough energy to power over 1 million homes, create more than 1,600 jobs, and result in $3.2 billion in economic activity.
Governor Cuomo also signed the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, or CLCPA, which adopts the most ambitious and comprehensive climate and clean energy legislation in the country. The announcement underscores New York’s undisputed position as a global leader in climate and clean energy, and advances Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading mandate of 9,000 megawatts by 2035. Additionally, the offshore wind announcement is expected to catalyze the first generation of major United States supply chain investments by the fast-growing offshore wind sector, positioning New York to be the hub of the nation’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.
“The environment and climate change are the most critically important policy priorities we face,” Governor Cuomo said. “They literally will determine the future – or the lack thereof. Even in today’s chaos of political pandering and hyperbole there are still facts, data and evidence – and climate change is an undeniable scientific fact. But cries for a new green movement are hollow political rhetoric if not combined with aggressive goals and a realistic plan on how to achieve them. With this agreement, New York will lead the way in developing the largest source of offshore wind power in the nation, and today I will sign the most aggressive climate law in the United States of America.”
Nation’s Largest Offshore Wind Agreement
To jump-start progress towards New York’s unprecedented clean energy goals, which includes 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035, Cuomo announced the winners of New York’s first comprehensive offshore wind solicitation: the Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind development projects of Equinor US Holdings, Inc. and Bay State Wind LLC, a joint venture of Ørsted A/S and Eversource Energy, respectively.
Combined, both projects will total 1,700 megawatts, enough to power more than one million New York homes and support more than 1,600 jobs with a combined economy activity of $3.2 billion statewide. As of today, New York has awarded a total of approximately 4,700 megawatts of new large-scale renewable energy contracts since March 2018 through three separate solicitations, a globally significant advancement in renewable energy in just two years. Collectively, these projects will provide enough renewable energy to power up to two million households and meet nearly 10% of New York’s electricity needs by 2025.
The project developers have committed to make additional investments in manufacturing and port infrastructure, on top of the commitments in Governor Cuomo’s 2019 State of the State address. A total of $287 million will be invested in cutting-edge infrastructure in multiple regions of the state, including the Capital Region, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Long Island. These financial commitments will unlock private supply chain capital and maximize the long-term economic benefits to the state from the regional development of offshore wind.
Reaching 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs. The state is also taking new steps to support workforce development in partnership with the private sector, including establishing a New York State Advisory Council on Offshore Wind Economic and Workforce Development, a new $20 million Offshore Wind Training Institute (OWTI) and a $3 million Community and Workforce Benefits Fund (CWB Fund) to establish the institutional infrastructure to educate, train and employ New Yorkers. Offshore wind will utilize many of the same labor trades that have driven New York’s infrastructure and economy for the past several decades. These investments will particularly benefit New York’s low-income and environmental justice communities, critical outcomes of the CLCPA and Governor Cuomo’s commitment to a just transition to clean power.
Historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act
The CLCPA requires the State to achieve a carbon free electricity system by 2040 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions 85% below 1990 levels by 2050, setting a new standard for states and the nation to expedite the transition to a clean energy economy. The new law will drive investment in clean energy solutions such as wind, solar, energy efficiency and energy storage. Importantly, implementation of the CLCPA will target investments to benefit disadvantaged communities, create tens of thousands of new jobs, improve public health and quality of life and provide all New Yorkers with more robust clean energy choices.
Highlights of the new law include:
• Putting New York on Road to Economy-Wide Carbon Neutrality: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will, through the adoption of regulations, drive an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim mandate of 40% reduction in emissions by 2030 (both relative to 1990 levels). The Climate Action Council will develop a plan to offset remaining emissions through carbon capture or other technologies, resulting in a carbon-neutral economy.
• 70% Renewable Energy by 2030 and Zero-Carbon Emission Electric Sector by 2040: The CLCPA codifies Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading goals as called for under his Green New Deal, mandating that at least 70% of New York’s electricity come from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2030, and that the state’s power system is 100% carbon neutral by 2040.
• Nation-Leading Clean Energy Investments: The CLCPA also codifies Governor Cuomo’s nation-leading commitments to install 9,000 megawatts of offshore wind by 2035; 6,000 megawatts of distributed solar by 2025; and 3,000 megawatts of energy storage by 2030.
• Climate Action Council and Policy Roadmap: Expert heads of relevant state agencies and legislative appointees will craft the roadmap of policies needed to achieve the law’s mandates. The Council, co-chaired by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) and DEC, will establish sector specific working groups to make sure experts and stakeholders inform all policies developed under the CLCPA. Planned working groups include a just transition working group, as well as working groups on transportation, agriculture, energy-intensive and trade-exposed industries, land use and energy efficiency.
• Landmark Investments in Environmental Justice and Just Transition: Relevant state agencies will invest 35% of clean energy program resources to benefit disadvantaged communities, and will aim to invest 40%. Additionally, the just transition working group will work to ensure that individuals working in conventional energy industries are provided with training and opportunities in the growing clean energy economy.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 July 2019 at 2:21 pm
Photo courtesy of Dawnn Walters: The sunset is pictured on Friday evening from Lures restaurant at the Bald Eagle Creek Marina in Kendall.
The area will get a reprieve from the intense heat on Sunday. Orleans County is under an excessive heat warning until 6 p.m. today, when temperatures are forecast to reach 93 with the heat index as high as 106.
Sunday is forecast for a high of 81, followed by highs of 76 on Monday and 77 on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Wednesday is forecast for a high of 77, followed by 79 on Thursday and 82 on Friday.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 July 2019 at 10:13 am
This photo shows Charles W. Howard with a Santa at Christmas Park in Albion. Howard operated the Park and a school for Santa Claus in Albion until his death on May 1, 1966.
ALBION – A group that has been doing projects in Albion to honor the life of Charles W. Howard, the founder of a Santa Claus School, wants to name Route 31 in Albion in honor of Howard.
The Albion Betterment Committee would like there to be signs at each end of Route 31 in the Town of Albion, declaring that section to be in honor of Howard, who established the school in 1937 and ran it until his death in 1966. The school was located at the corner of Phipps Road and Route 31. (The school has been moved to Midland, Michigan, and still bears Charles Howard’s name.)
The Orleans County Legislature on Wednesday will vote whether to support the effort. The Legislature has a resolution on the agenda for the 4:30 meeting, which is in the new addition of the County Administration Building.
The resolution states:
“WHEREAS, Mr. Charles W. Howard was a resident of the Town of Albion for his entire life; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard was proud of his home town, county and country; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard brought national acclaim to himself and his home town by establishing the world’s first Santa Claus School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard portrayed Santa Claus in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 18 years;
WHEREAS, Mr. Howard passed away in 1966 without receiving from his local neighbors the proper recognition he deserved; and
WHEREAS, the Albion Betterment Committee (a not-for-profit charitable organization which was formed in 2003 with the intent to promote the area’s natural assets and to set the area apart from every other community in the country) is asking support to dedicate a portion of the NYS Route 31 in Memory of Charles W. Howard; now bet it
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Albion Betterment Committee had this sign honoring Charles Howard erected in 2015. It is on Route 98, on property owned by Gil and Donna Walcott, north of Route 31A.
RESOLVED, that the Orleans County Legislature supports the Albion Betterment Committee in their request from the State of New York to have a portion of State Route 31 – when entering the Town of Albion (Northwest corner of Transit Road from the east to Southeast corner of Wood Road from the west) to be dedicated in Charles W. Howard’s name; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Legislature supports signage to be placed along that portion of Route 31 to read: THIS SECTION OF NEW YORK STATE ROUTE 31 IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES W. HOWARD, A LOCAL FARMER WHO FOUNDED THE WORLD’S FIRST SANTA CLAUS SCHOOL.”
The Betterment Committee in recent years has put up a “Believe” in downtown Albion, replaced the Santa Claus School sign at Howard’s property (now owned by Robin and Jill Stinson), and erected a welcome sign on Route 98 that declares Albion is the home of Howard, founder of the Santa Claus School. That sign includes a cutout of Howard’s likeness in a Santa suit.
The Betterment Committee has also raised more than $30,000 for a monument in downtown Albion for Howard. The group also has been a regular participant in the Strawberry Festival Parade with a Santa and Mrs. Claus waving to the crowd.
This wouldn’t be the first time in Orleans County a state road was named in honor of people. Route 98 in Genesee and Orleans counties in 2014 was named the Genesee and Orleans Veterans Memorial Highway. A brown sign with white letters was unveiled on May 22, 2014. That sign is by the Orleans County Marine Park in Point Breeze. Click here to see photos of the sign unveiling.
The state also approved naming Route 104 in Orleans County as the “American Legion Memorial Highway in Orleans County.”
The Albion Rotary Club last year worked with artist Stacey Kirby to have a 24-foot-long mural of Charles Howard as Santa in a sleigh over downtown Albion.
By Matthew Ballard, Orleans County Historian Posted 20 July 2019 at 8:12 am
Owner found not guilty at trial in 1913 after being accused of selling beer in ‘dry town’
“Overlooked Orleans” – Vol. 5, No. 28
FANCHER – This photograph shows the Wesendorf House that operated at Fancher. Although this photograph is not labeled, it is presumed that the image was taken in the early 1900s and one of the men standing on the porch is the proprietor, John Wesendorf, Jr.
It appears these men have stepped outside from the establishment to pose for this photo as a young boy stands with the holding what appears to be a milk can. The building functioned as a saloon and hotel for a number of years in the early half of the 19th century.
John Lewis Wesendorf, a native of Germany, immigrated to Hamlin, New York with his family in the early 1870s. The Wesendorfs were part of the large settlement of Germans at that location, many whom arrived between 1865 and 1880.
At some point in the late 1880s, the Wesendorfs relocated to the Town of Murray where John Wesendorf, Sr. took up farming. As indicated by his petition for naturalization in 1891 and confirmed by the 1892 New York Census, John Wesendorf, Jr. was employed as a stone dresser by a local quarry. The petition, filed on March 12, 1891, includes signatures from Thomas Tuite, a fellow quarry laborer, and Thomas F. Reed, the owner of a quarry at Hulberton.
The exact date Wesendorf purchased this structure is unknown, but by 1905 John Wesendorf, Jr. appears on the New York Census for that year as the proprietor of this hotel located on Fancher Road. At the time this photograph was taken, Route 31 did not contain the bend in the road now known as the “Fancher Curve.”
This hotel was situated on a parcel of land situated on the southwest corner of the Million Dollar Highway and Fancher Road, the two roads forming a right-angle intersection which still exists today. In 1926, William Gallagher of Medina was contracted to add the bend and remove the right-angle intersection. As a result, this building was relocated to the east side of the road where it remains today.
Living nearby was Deputy Sheriff Walter Tice, who in 1913 accused Wesendorf of selling he and several other customers bottles of beer. The accusation came during a time when Murray was considered a “dry town” and Wesendorf was charged with an excise law violation. Tice testified that he, John Howell, George Owens, and Roscoe Minckley purchased two bottles of beer each from Wesendorf.
The defense showed that the barroom was closed and locked on the day Tice claimed he purchased the alcohol and asserted that Wesendorf was being framed. During a cross-examination, Tice admitted that a local temperance organization offered a $50 reward for evidence leading to the conviction of excise law violations. The final nail in the coffin came when District Attorney John Knickerbocker recalled Tice to the stand, believing that Tice incorrectly stated the date in which he purchased the booze. Tice doubled down, upholding his previous testimony that he was sold the beer on July 3rd; Owens and Minckley both swore that neither were with Tice on that day. The jury deliberated for one-half hour before delivering a verdict of not guilty.
Wesendorf died January 14, 1929 and was buried at Mount Albion Cemetery. Following his death, the building closed until 1940 when Michael and Ruth Fiorito purchased the building, repaired it, and reopened it as “Hotel Fancher.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 6:03 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A boat is tied up in Medina’s Canal Basin this afternoon during a rainstorm.
MEDINA – A committee working on a plan to better utilize Medina’s waterfront will have a final meeting on July 31 before sending he plan to state.
The meeting will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 11004 West Center St. The community is welcome to see the ideas from the Medina Local Waterfront Revitalization Program to improve the waterfront areas surrounding the Erie Canal, Glenwood Lake and Oak Orchard River.
Kathy Blackburn, the committee’s chairwoman, said the group wants an elevated platform near the Medina Waterfalls so the public can get a better view of that attraction. The platform would go from the towpath and extend north.
The LWRP will help Medina to pursue grant funding for that project and others, including trails, new lights on the canal bridges, streetscape enhancements, better signage at the four main entrances leading into the village, and façade improvements on the backs of buildings that face the canal.
The LWRP lists a goal for more rear-facing faces patios, outdoor dining and awnings.
“We want to facilitate gathering places,” Blackburn said today.
The committee said Gulf Street Park, Butts Park and State Street Park can all be enhanced. State Street Park, for example, can have a small area for ice skating and spots along the canal to tie up boats and launch kayaks.
The LWRP also wants to see more trees and landscaping at parks and public spaces by the waterfront.
The committee also wants to improve public parking, in particular the large municipal lot by Church Street and East Center Street. That lot could be improved with its layout and appearance, Blackburn said.
The Village of Medina was awarded a $37,500 state grant in December to develop the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program. Village officials say the LWRP is critical for developing a plan, both short-term and long-term, for the waterfront and also to help Medina pursue public and private investment for projects to make the waterfront and nearby areas more attractive.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 4:37 pm
ALBION – Four people were sentenced in Orleans County Court on Thursday by Judge Sanford Church.
Katherine Hahn, 30, of Medina received the longest sentence at 2 ½ years in state prison for allegedly selling and distributing heroin and the prescription drug suboxone.
Hahn was charged with criminal sale and possession crimes last September. She also faces 1 year of post-release supervision when she is out of state prison.
Alberta Ellis of Niagara Falls was sentenced to five years on probation for burglary in the third degree. Alberta Ellis and two co-defendants allegedly broke into two farm labor camps in Carlton and Yates on Oct. 11 and stole money, sneakers, a television and household items from farmworkers.
Ellis also needs to pay restitution to the victim of the crimes.
Regina Russell of Niagara Falls is a codefendant in the case. She was arraigned on May 2 for two counts of burglary in the second degree and 10 counts of petit larceny. The other codefendant is a juvenile and that case is being handled in Family Court.
Kayla A. Spry, 24, of Medina was sentenced to nine months in the county jail for violating probation. Spry allegedly had contact with someone she was to avoid, and also drank alcohol and didn’t complete substance abuse program.
Bennie L. Coger IV, 24, of Medina was sentenced to six months in jail and five years on probation for criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Other people in court also pleaded guilty to crimes.
Quincy Casanova, 22, of Medina and Brittany Osby Turner, 28, of Medina both pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree.
Casanova faces a maximum of 1 to 2 ½ years in state prison, while Turner could also face incarceration.
They will be sentenced on Sept. 12.
Maria L. Lape, 25, pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. She will be sentenced on Sept. 19.
Coley Doward Jr., 35, of Medina pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DWI and felony AUO of a motor vehicle. He will be sentenced on Sept. 19.
He was stopped in the Town of Shelby on Nov. 5. He didn’t have a license due to a previous DWI in 2007.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 4:12 pm
ALBION – Christopher Aldrich, 49, of Albion was to be sentenced in Orleans County Court on Thursday, and faced a maximum of 1 to 3 years in state prison as part of a plea agreement for felony driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.
Judge Sanford Church, however, said he couldn’t agree to the plea because he said Aldrich hasn’t accepted responsibility for the crime and has six prior DWIs.
Church wanted to sentence Aldrich to 2 to 6 years in prison, but the plea deal capped the sentence at 1 to 3 years.
The judge said he reviewed Aldrich’s presentencing report from probation, and Church said he was concerned for the community that Aldrich would be threat with another possible DWI.
Aldrich could now be on trial beginning Sept. 25, or a revised plea agreement could be worked out with a longer sentence than 1 to 3 years.
Aldrich, in court on Thursday, apologized for the crimes. He said he hasn’t been in treatment for his alcohol addiction.
“It just keeps repeating back to the same thing,” Aldrich said in court. “I really need some help.”
Aldrich pleaded guilty on May 16 to felony DWI and AUO of a motor vehicle. He was charged on Jan. 25, when he said he drank about a dozen beers before driving. He registered a BAC of 0.21 percent.
His attorney, public defender Joanne Best, asked in court on Thursday that Aldrich be sentenced to the Orleans County Jail where he could receive treatment through GCASA.
Church said Aldrich has had plenty of opportunities for help and to change through probation.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 1:34 pm
The National Weather Service in Buffalo said a severe thunderstorm is headed towards southwestern Orleans this afternoon.
The Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch from 1:25 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for northeastern Niagara County, northwestern Genesee County and southwestern Orleans – the Medina, Shelby and Ridgeway area.
A severe thunderstorm was located near Lockport at 1:25 p.m., moving east at 30 miles per hour. The storm could bring 70 mph winds and quarter-size hail.
The storm could cause considerable tree damage, and could also damage mobile homes, roofs and outbuildings, the Weather Service said.
“For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building,” the Weather Service said. “Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 10:12 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Downtown Browsery, which has operated in Albion for 15 years, is expanding to site at 413 Main St., Medina.
MEDINA – The Downtown Browsery, which includes more than 40 vendors in two storefronts in Albion, is expanding to Medina in the former Journal-Register building at 413 Main St.
“Everybody is excited about it,” said Erik Sinkora, one of the vendors and the Browsery’s treasurer.
Sinkora is the owner of Lakeshore Alpacas in Lyndonville. He sold his alpaca apparel products in Medina before. He said some of the Browsery vendors in Albion will also have spots in Medina. The Browsery also will be welcoming new vendors to the Medina location.
Sinkora and the Browsery, head by president Liz Groat, welcome vendors for antiques, vintage gifts, collectibles and handcrafted items. For more information, contact Sinkora at (585) 356-5459.
Sinkora said he expects the two Browsery locations will develop a customer base that helps both locations.
“We hope to cross traffic from Albion to Medina,” he said.
The Browsery is eyeing a Sept. opening for the site in Medina. Sinkora said there is room for vendors at 21 booths and 12 shelving units. Some vendors could use more than one booth or shelving unit.
The Browsery is set up as a cooperative with a board of directors. Each vendor works at the store. Vendors with a booth are required to work 10 hours a month while vendors with a shelving unit work four hours.
Sinkora, the Browsery’s treasurer, said the system has worked well in Albion.
“It’s a low-risk avenue for small businesses for people selling their crafts, creations or vintage items,” Sinkora said. “You share in the work of the co-op.”
The part-time commitment allows vendors to work full-time jobs or pursue other interests.
He also said customers like having many different types of items to choose from at the Browsery.
“It’s an eclectic variety,” Sinkora said. “I think it will be a good addition to Medina. There really isn’t another shop like that.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 9:24 am
ALBION – Hoag Library in Albion today will stay open until 8 p.m., instead of the usual 5 p.m. closing time on Fridays.
The library is staying open longer to serve as a cooling station due to the excessive heat warning.
On Saturday, the library will be open its regular hours from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An Excessive Heating Warning is in effect from noon today until 6 p.m. Saturday for Orleans, Niagara, Monroe, Wayne, northern Cayuga, Livingston and Ontario counties.
The high temperature today and Saturday will reach 92, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo. The heat index values could be as high as 105 to 108.
“Heat illnesses likely for those spending prolonged periods outdoors or in non-air conditioned locations,” the Weather Service said. “Prolonged heat is most dangerous for young children and the elderly. Vehicle interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes. Never leave children, pets or the elderly unattended in parked vehicles. Temperatures will remain very warm and muggy Friday night, preventing non-air conditioned buildings from cooling off.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 July 2019 at 8:33 am
Robin Silvis
HOLLEY – The Board of Education has a new president. Robin Silvis on Monday was picked by her colleagues on the board to take over for Brenda Swanger who retired from the position on June 30.
Silvis was previously the board vice president. She has been a member of the BOE the past 10 years. John Heise, a retired Holley school administrator, is the new board vice president.
“I love my community,” Silvis said. “I love the children. I love having the opportunity to be a voice.”
Silvis works as an executive confidential assistant for State Supreme Court Justice Richard Dollinger.
Her children are Holley graduates. Toni, Class of 2010, works as a nurse at Rochester General. Michael, Class of 2013, works for a division of Corning and is a wrestling coach at Holley. Lucas, Class of 2015, just graduated from the University of Buffalo and has started the graduate program at Brockport State College to be a high school counselor.
Silvis said the board of education works well together. She praised the teachers and administrators at Holley for a focus on creating a caring community at the school while pushing for excellence.
“We’ve developed a bond and commitment to improving the district on a whole,” Silvis said. “We are on the upswing. I thank the other board members, teachers and administrators. We’re going to see bigger and better.”
She praised Swanger for her 15 years of service on the board, including six years as board president.
Silvis said she is grateful for the chance to serve in the volunteer position.
“It’s become a part of me and I enjoy it,” she said.
Robin Silvis presents the high school diploma to her son, Lucas, during June 2015. Lucas has since graduated from the University of Buffalo and is now in the graduate program at Brockport State College for high school counseling.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R-Batavia) issued the following statement following Gov. Cuomo signing the Farm Labor Bill into law on Wednesday:
“The largest farm in New York City is a seasonal pumpkin patch but that didn’t stop radical politicians from dictating how our farms should operate. This disastrous legislation, ironically signed in a place with no farms, has the potential to single-handedly destroy family farming in New York as we know it.
“To make matters worse, the newly-created Wage Board, stacked with more big-labor, big-union interests than actual farmers, can unilaterally alter the labor laws how they see fit moving forward.
“Altering the maximum number of hours allowed per week or reversing the ‘no strike clause’ at any moment, goes completely against the farming industry’s standard practices where crop yields, weather patterns and labor needs are consistently fluid. If a farm can’t operate because of unavoidable weather conditions or because workers are mandated time off – the repercussions will be devastating.
“What these big-city politicians don’t understand is that our family farms are always under the gun since our growing season is virtually half of California and Florida – making reliable labor, many times seven days of week, a necessity.
“As the former owner and operator of our family farm in Batavia, I know first hand how devastating this could be to our industry. As a former President of the Genesee County Farm Bureau and 14-year member of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, I’ve spoken with many farmers and producers about this bill and its devastating effects unlike the New York City politicians who crafted this disaster. Their concerns were voiced yet ignored.
“Our family farms are not corporations, they are not run by money-hungry business people, they are ordinary families like yours and mine who have learned this art from prior generations and intend to pass it on to their children. It’s what they love, and I will always stand behind them to fight these new regulations in any way I can.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 July 2019 at 1:00 pm
Photos contributed: Josiah Olsen waves an American flag as he waits for a hot dog at East Shelby Community Bible Church’s Old Tyme Day last year. The event returns on Sunday.
EAST SHELBY – The East Shelby Community Bible Church will again sponsor its Old Tyme Day on Sunday, beginning with a church service at 10 a.m. The church is located at 5278 East Shelby Road.
Visitors are invited to bring the entire family for an afternoon of food and fun in West Jackson Corners, the 1800s village built by the congregation across the road from the church.
There will be samples of classic dishes cooked in a log cabin, fresh breads baked in a beehive oven and served with homemade butter. Visitors may also enjoy all-you-can-eat homemade pies, hot dogs, hand-spun ice cream and popcorn, all for a penny.
Tony DiGuilio helps a young visitor at the woodworking station in West Jackson Corners during last year’s Old Tyme Day.
Other activities include kids games, wool spinning, candle making, basket weaving, old fashioned photos, horse and buggy rides and horseback riding. Also featured will be weaving on an old-time loom, a working blacksmith shop, a woodworker’s shop, a sewing shop, barn, penny candy store and a mill with waterwheel fed by a sluiceway.
This year’s Old Tyme Day will feature a musical competition. The East Shelby Choir has divided into two groups, with the ladies joining the sweet Adeline group called the “Honey B Flats,” and the men forming a barbershop group called the “Hound Dog Harmonics.” The two groups will sing barbershop-styled music and compete against each other for the audience’s votes.
The crowd will be asked to judge the choirs on their style, presentation and their costumes. The competition will include one major concert and several extra performances.
Before the day concludes, visitors are encouraged to come inside the church, where information detailing the history of the church and its founding parishioners from the 1800s will be laid out for viewing. This will include old-fashioned pictures, personal letters and articles. Some names of these historic members can be seen during a wagon ride to the East Shelby Cemetery, located about a mile from the church.
Youth from East Shelby Community Bible Church perform an old-fashioned dance in a miniature barn in West Jackson Corners.
Pastor Erik Olsen conducts the choir in singing old fashioned songs during last year’s Old Tyme Day in West Jackson Corners, the 1800s village constructed by East Shelby Community Bible Church.
Charlie Silvernail of Basom masquerades as the mayor of West Jackson Corners during an Old Tyme Day in West Jackson Corners.
