HOLLEY – The Holley Central School District is proud to announce that all dual enrollment courses offered at Holley Jr./Sr. High School will now be available to students tuition-free, eliminating any cost burden for families.
Through the district’s continued partnership with area colleges and universities, and as part of the Early College Access (ECA) program through Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, students who have completed prerequisites and are currently registered for college courses will no longer pay tuition beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Holley students currently take dual enrollment classes at Brockport State College and Genesee Community College. The new policy from the school district doesn’t include students in the 3-1-3 program at Brockport.
Dual enrollment courses allow high school students to earn both high school and college credit simultaneously, enhancing their academic readiness for higher education while helping to reduce the overall cost of a college degree.
“Investing in dual enrollment is an investment in our students’ futures,” said Brendan Keiser, Director of Teaching and Learning. “By removing the financial barrier to college-level coursework, we are empowering our students to earn college credit and take confident steps toward their postsecondary goals.”
“This initiative reflects our commitment to the goals outlined in our Strategic Action Plan and our Portrait of a Graduate,” said Karri Schiavone, Superintendent of Schools. “By making dual enrollment tuition-free, we are ensuring that more students have access to challenging academic experiences that build confidence, expand opportunities, and prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.”
The Holley Central School District remains committed to ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education characterized by rigorous, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences that challenge students, foster their growth, and inspire them to reach their full potential.
For more information, families are encouraged to contact Principal Matthew Feldman at (585) 815-5459.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2026 at 12:37 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Firefighters work to put out a fire in a storage building at 15959 Bridge Rd. in Kendall.
Flames were shooting out from the building and melted some of the siding at a barn next door, but the fire was largely contained to the storage shed. The sandstone smoke house next door also acted as a fire wall and kept the fire from spreading.
Tom Munzert said he was burning weeds with a torch around the shed this morning. He kept a close eye on them and everything seemed fine. He was working outside on a lawnmower when a passerby alerted him to the fire.
The storage building had ATVs, lawnmowers and a mattress inside that were owned by a former tenant, Munzert said.
Kendall firefighters were dispatched to the scene around 11:30 a.m. They were assisted by firefighters from Carlton, Murray, Clarendon and the Hamlin-Morton-Walker Fire District.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 18 August 2026 at 10:35 am
Provided photos: These inflatable bounce houses are away the items in the carnival zone on Saturday at Bullard Park.
ALBION – A fundraiser will be Saturday at Bullard Park to benefit Hospice of Orleans. The event was originally planned for July 18 but severe weather that day forced organizers to reschedule the event for this Saturday.
Christina Nenni and Michelle Wiseman of Best of Tymes Party Rentals are leading the event from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A $5 wrist band gives access to all of the bounce houses and games, including the foam pit. There will be face paintings, basket raffles, a 50/50 raffle and other activities.
More than 30 vendors will be there, along with a food truck and Best of Tymes Party Rentals, who will have all their new inflatable games set up with Rowdy Rentalz bounce houses for all ages. As a special bonus, Spiderman will arrive around 1 p.m. to hang out with the kids.
Key Bank is going to match what they raised up to $2,000.
“Hospice is such an amazing organization and is near and dear to my heart and Michelle’s,” Nenni said.
Nenni said her grandmother was served by Hospice in the residence on Route 31. The family is very grateful for the care of her grandmother by Hospice.
“I wouldn’t have survived without them,” Nenni said.
Wiseman said Hospice cared for her mother, with nurses coming to her home and providing exceptional care.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2026 at 8:31 am
Basket raffle on Saturday at Lockstone goes towards museum
Photo by Tom Rivers: The bronze statue of Santa at Waterman Park is shown recently while traffic moves along Main Street. The Albion Betterment Committee is working to develop a Santa School Museum in the brick building in the middle across the street.
ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee has been awarded a $10,000 grant towards a new roof for the Santa School Museum. A new roof for the building at 128 North Main St. could be at least $70,000.
The Betterment Committee continues to pursue grants and raise money for the roof and the museum. There will be a basket raffle on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at the Lockstone, 160 North Main Street. Proceeds go to the Santa School Museum.
The event also will include drinks from Cold Brew Coffee, treats from Sav’s Creekside Café, a photo backdrop from The Wed Shed. Jesse Colmenero photography will be there to take photos of families and children. Gary Simboli will be performing music from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. To donate a basket contact Lori Laine at mailgirl2159@yahoo.com.
The $10,000 grant was awarded by the Rochester Area Community Foundation. That organization also approved a $5,000 grant in the spring for new windows at the building.
The Betterment Committee purchased the building in November from the estate of Henri Pulley. The site is 6,600 square feet.
The Betterment Committee is working to turn the vacant two-story site into the Santa School Museum. It will pay homage to the late Charles W. Howard, who created the first Santa School in the world. He ran it on Phipps Road in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966.
Howard continues to be revered among the people who portray Santa. The Santa School continues in his name in Midland, Mich. Howard also was well known as the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1948 to 1965. Howard also was inducted as an inaugural member in 2010 of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
The Betterment Committee wants to make the Main Street site into a tourism center that celebrates Santa. The group wants to develop an interactive tourism center with displays about the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park, which Howard ran for many years near his farmhouse on Phipps Road.
The Betterment Committee envisions the first floor as interactive exhibits and displays, as well as room for a bakery and food operator. The site could also offer services, including showers, for canal boaters, cyclists and other visitors.
The second floor is envisioned to offer space for artists – painters, potters, and others in need of studio space. The second floor has large windows that let in natural light that would be ideal for artists.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 August 2026 at 7:37 am
The average price for regular unleaded gas was up 5 cents nationally to $4.06 on Monday, compared to a week earlier, while the average price dropped 3 cents in New York State to $4.13, according to AAA.
In Orleans County, the average price went down a cent from $4.30 to $4.29 a gallon.
A year ago the national price was at $3.14 while the average in New York was $3.16, AAA reported.
Diesel prices are up again this week, with the national average at $5.45, compared to $5.30 a week ago. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.62, up 2 cents from last week, and up from $3.91 last year.
“The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is back on the rise though regional prices remain down,” AAA said on Monday. “While gasoline demand is down, crude oil prices are keeping pump prices higher than normal for this time of year. So far, this is the highest August on record when it comes to the national gasoline average.”
Here are the average prices on Monday in counties around Western New York:
HOLLEY – Come hungry and discover a new local favorite. The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce will host Taste of Orleans on Thursday, August 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Holley Canal Park, bringing local food businesses together for an evening of tasting, live music and community.
Rather than choosing just one restaurant for dinner, Taste of Orleans gives attendees the opportunity to sample their way through Orleans County, enjoying tastings from participating restaurants and food businesses in one location.
Guests are welcome to arrive anytime between 5 and 8 p.m., making the event an easy after-work dinner, date night, family outing or evening with friends.
Admission is just $10 per person and tickets are available by presale only.
In addition to plenty of local flavors, attendees can enjoy live music from V3 throughout the evening, creating the perfect soundtrack for a summer night along the Erie Canal.
Participating food businesses will provide tasting portions for guests, with select vendors also having additional dishes or products available for purchase.
Whether attendees stay for the entire evening or stop by for dinner and music, Taste of Orleans is designed to offer a relaxed way to eat local, discover local and support the Orleans County business community.
For those who prefer to purchase tickets in person, tickets are available at convenient locations throughout Orleans County: Cuppa Joe in Medina, Sourced in Medina, Roots in Albion, and Red, White & Moo in Holley. Tickets can also be purchased online through Eventbrite (click here).
The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce extends a special thank you to: Ticket Sponsor – Cobblestone Federal Credit Union; Band Sponsor – George Bidleman; Event Sponsors – ClearSource, Takeform and Zambito Realtors.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2026 at 4:18 pm
Canalside Tattoo has now raised more than $100K in 5 years for Cat by Cat Inc.
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Dawn Dyson, left, of Middleport gets a Buffalo Bills tattoo on Sunday by Melissa Freebern as part of the Caturday fundraiser at Canalside Tattoo in Medina.
The fifth annual event raised just over $30,000, topping the $29,000 from last year. In five years, Caturday has now raised over $100,000 for the Medina team of Cat by Cat Inc.
The organization is trying to rein in the feral or community cat problem in Orleans County. Cat by Cat seeks to humanely “TNVR” cats through targeted trapping. Cat by Cat focuses on a TNVR model – Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return.
Dawn Dyson, 58, got her first tattoo 11 years ago. She said a Buffalo Bills tattoo has been on her list.
Freebern traveled from lake George to be part of Caturday where 14 tattoo artists donated their time and talent. The tattoos were $100 each and the artists did about 100 altogether.
Ellen Blanc, front left, and Kim Desantis greeted people at the gift basket auction where 180 baskets were available.
Shannon Blount, leader of the local Cat by Cat, thanked the community for donating so many quality baskets. She also appreciated the big crowd of people that bought tickets for the gift baskets.
Shannon Blount checks in on some cats that were available for adoption.
The fundraiser will pay for veterinarian costs, cat food, litter and other supplies.
Cat by Cat’s Medina team last year was able to TNVR 150 cats in the community. The organization took in 130 cats and adopted out 90 cats last year.
So far this year Cat by Cat has taken in 107 cats and adopted out 56, Blount said.
“The need is great but the resources are scarce,” she said.
The local group has about 10 volunteers who drive cats to vet’s appointments in Blasdell and Hamburg for spay and neutering services, which is done at a discount. There also is a network of about 10 foster homes for the cats while they are waiting to be adopted.
Shawn Ramsey, owner of Canalside Tattoo, puts a Buffalo Bills tattoo on Marissa Stanley of Gasport. She went to her first Bills game on Saturday, a preseason win over the Carolina Panthers, 29-14, which was the first home game in the new Highmark Stadium.
Stanley said she adopted a cat “Opie” through Cat by Cat. She wanted to support the organization at the fundraiser and also get a new tattoo.
Ramsey and five of the Canalside tattoo artists were joined by eight visiting tattoo artists for Caturday. The 14 in total was up from the 13 last year.
Ramsey said he appreciated the big response from the community to support Cat by Cat.
Shannon Blount and Shawn Ramsey, who are engaged, turned Canalside Tattoo into a festive atmosphere for Sunday’s fundraiser.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2026 at 3:58 pm
State Police are reporting that a missing teen-ager from Orleans County has been located and is safe.
State troopers out of Albion on Sunday asked for the public’s helping in locating Carmella Rowe, age 16. This afternoon, the State Police reported she has been located.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 August 2026 at 9:02 am
Candidates for governor, state offices campaign in Orleans
Photos by Tom Rivers: Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive who is running for governor, speaks at the Orleans County Republican picnic on Sunday at the Clarendon Historical Society. Behind him are Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and Todd Hood, right, who is Blakeman’s running mate for lieutenant governor. Hood is the sheriff of Madison County.
MURRAY/CLARENDON – The Republican candidate for governor made two campaign stops on Sunday in Orleans County and blasted the state’s top leadership for putting New York on a pathway to ruin due to excessive taxes, high utility bills and an embrace of socialist principles.
“Our state is in a death spiral,” said Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive.
He is challenging Kathy Hochul, the incumbent. A Siena poll last week showed Blakeman is gaining. Hochul has the edge, 49 to 39 percent. In a June poll, he trailed 52 to 32 percent among registered voters.
“Kathy Hochul is the most pro-criminal governor in the United States of America,” Blakeman said.
Bruce Blakeman speaks at a “Ride for the Blue” rally on Sunday afternoon on Countyline Road in Murray. About 150 people attended that rally. He is joined from left by Virginia McIntyre, a Monroe County legislator running for Congress against Joe Morelle of Rochester; State Sen. Rob Ortt; Joe Hernandez, candidate for comptroller against Tom DiNapoli; and Todd Hood, the lieutenant governor candidate and Madison County sheriff.
Blakeman faulted Hochul for supporting bail reform and Raise the Age that that raised the age of criminal responsibility in New York to 18 for non-violent offenses, putting most 16- and 17-year-old offenders into family court rather than adult prisons. Hochul also backed the HALT Act, which many correction officers opposed enough to go on strike at prisons throughout the state. The HALT Act limited how prisons could punish inmates with solitary confinement.
Blakeman said the changes have tipped the scales with criminals and prisoners gaining more rights and power over law enforcement officers.
He called Hochul “Comrade Kathy” for her support of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, he was elected as a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Other members of the DSA have recently won Democratic primaries in Buffalo, Syracuse and New York City.
“We are in a battle for the soul of New York State,” Blakeman said about the rise of the DSA. He worries there will be a shift away from capitalism to socialism.
“She has aligned herself with Mamdani the Commie,” Blakeman said.
He faulted Hochul for providing state aid to illegal immigrants and said he would work closely with ICE to remove undocumented immigrants from the state.
Blakeman also said he embraces tapping into the natural gas in the Southern Tier. The Marcellus Shale could bring tremendous prosperity to the Southern Tier while bringing down utility bills, he said.
“When I become governor it’s ‘Drill baby, drill!’” he said at the Republican rally at Clarendon.
Joseph Hernandez, a son of Cuban immigrants, is running for state comptroller against Tom DiNapoli. Behind him are State Sen. Rob Ortt, left, and Bruce Blakeman.
Hernandez fled with his family from Cuba when he was 7. Hernandez went to Florida public schools, and then earned degrees from the University of Florida, Yale University and the University of Oxford. A biotechnology entrepreneur, he has founded 12 companies.
Hernandez said he would aggressively pursue fraud in Medicaid and any abuse of tax money.
“Albany is not an honest place,” Hernandez said. “I will bring a blow torch to it.”
State Sen. Rob Ortt urged people to get out and vote for Republicans. Ortt is the Republican conference leader of the State Senate. He said Democrats only need to flip one seat and they would have a veto-proof majority.
Ortt’s district includes Orleans, Niagara and part of western Monroe counties. He said he will be very busy campaigning for Republican candidates across the state for the Senate.
“I’m going to bust my ass,” he told a crowd of over 100 people at the picnic in Clarendon.
Ortt said Hochul, despite being a Western New Yorker from Hamburg, has lost touch with the local community. He said she has yet to meet with families in Niagara County with properties contaminated by radioactive waste. Blakeman has met with them in person.
“If it happened in Westchester County or Manhattan, you bet your ass she would be there,” Ortt said.
He said leadership is about showing up and Hochul hasn’t done that for the families in Niagara County.
During the “Ride for the Blue” rally, Ortt said he continues to be amazed that such a ride is needed. But he said Democrat policies have painted law enforcement as the bad guys.
“I’d like to get in a place where our elected officials back the blue,” Ortt said. “Kathy Hochul doesn’t have law enforcement’s backs or ICE’s back. Bruce Blakeman will work with ICE.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley said more extreme Democrats are winning primaries and poised to go to the 150-member Assembly. He sat near Mamdani when the NYC mayor was an assemblyman. He said Mamdani has “a fake smile” and is pushing socialism.
He said Hochul, who once represented WNY in Congress, “has lost her way” by supporting Mamdani and other far left politicians.
Hawley accompanied Blakeman to other campaign events on Sunday in Batavia and then in Pike for the Wyoming County Fair.
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke spoke against “crazy” pro-criminal legislation.
“It’s probably never been a tougher time to put on the uniform than it is right now,” Bourke said at the Ride for the Blue rally. “There are issues with morale. You got out and make a great arrest and the judge doesn’t have the ability to consider dangerousness (of the individual).”
Bourke said the criminal justice state legislation “have been devastating to victims, to communities, to law enforcement and in many times the defendants who would be better sitting in a cell and getting some treatment.”
He urged support for Blakeman and the Republican candidates.
“These crazy socialist Democrats, listen, they are riding high on their supply, if you know what I mean,” Bourke said.
Virginia McIntyre, a Monroe County legislator, is running for Congress against Joe Morelle of Rochester. McIntyre said Morelle has embraced big money donors and lost touch with the district.
She said she would lead the Republican Party in being more connected to the City of Rochester.
She regretted there has been a portrayal of police officers as bad guys.
“Law enforcement are the ones who can help you when you’re exploited,” she said. “Local police are our neighbors, our brothers and our sisters.”
After the political speeches, there was about a 50-mile Ride for the Blue. These vehicles are lined up near a large American flag at the start of the ride at David Paul’s property.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 August 2026 at 7:44 am
Cliff Grant has more than 4,000 toys of iconic farm brand
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Cliff and Sue Grant of Gasport sit by a portrait of the late John Deere in one of three barns full of toys. They will have an open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at their home at 3251 Hosmer Rd.
GASPORT – An avid toy collector will share his massive array of John Deere toys and other farm memorabilia at an open house Aug. 22 and 23 at 3251 Hosmer Rd.
Cliff Grant first started collecting toy tractors when he bought his first son a rubber tractor teething toy. When his son no longer used it, Grant put it up on a shelf. His first actual toy tractor was a John Deere 5020 which he purchased at the State Fair.
Grant grew up on an 81-acre farm on the Johnson Road, Middleport, and although he didn’t go on to be a farmer, that life never left him.
“The farm wasn’t big enough to support two families, so I pursued a different career,” Grant said.
He completed a machinist course at BOCES, and after graduating from Royalton-Hartland High School, he went to work at E&M Enterprises in Middleport, where he stayed for 16 years. Next he went to Harrison Radiator in Lockport, where he would spend 30 years.
His love of farm tractors and toys stems from the fact he grew up with seven sisters, and there weren’t many boy toys around, he said. His only brother would be born while Grant was serving with the Army in Vietnam.
“He was 21 years younger than me,” Grant said. “As the years went along, I’d see a toy and buy it if I liked it.”
“We would stop at any John Deere dealer we saw,” said his wife Sue. “We still do.”
A life-size John Deere tractor is on display in one of Cliff Grant’s barns, along with hundreds of toy tractors and other memorabilia, much of it paying tribute to John Deere.
His collection of more than 4,000 toys includes 125 pedal cars, 10 lawn and garden tractors, a toy John Deere motorcycle and snowmobile, manure spreader, planter and numerous collections, such as Mickey Mouse and Molly Moo characters on John Deere equipment.
He has five real tractors that run, a line of 15-scale and 8-scale toys, one of every brand of pedal tractor, John Deere hammocks and flags, cookie jars, lunch pails, mail boxes and numerous framed pictures.
“I first started out only collecting John Deere, then I branched out to other makes,” Grant said.
He has several one-of-a-kind items in his collection, including a yellow and a lavender Oliver.
A 1960 grain drill was once owned by Dave Culver of Albion, Grant said.
One display case houses memorabilia from a trip to Germany the Grants made with the Middleport Community Choir, including pictures taken by the late Herb Koenig during a visit to Mannheim. John Deere’s 6000 series tractors were made there.
In 2000, Grant bought a John Deere Gator to run, but he has never put the battery in it, instead choosing to display it on a shelf.
Grant built his first barn to house his collection in 2000.
“We got it done and it wasn’t big enough,” Grant said. “So we decided to buy a second building from Penn Yan. It came in two sections.”
A third barn was built 10 years ago and is also full.
Jim and Margaret Lustumbo of Medina are close friends of the Grants and said his collection is overwhelming.
“We are so impressed and everything is so nicely displayed,” Jim said. “There is so much history there.”
The Lustombos said they also know Cliff as “Santa Claus.”
“Every year we celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas, and Cliff and Sue come as Mr. and Mrs. Claus,” Jim said.
In addition to collecting toys, Cliff and Sue Grant are Mr. and Mrs. Claus at Christmas time. Shown here is their sleigh.
Although Cliff is a farm boy, Sue grew up in town and calls herself a “farmer in training.” While she supports Cliff in his love of farm toys, she calls it “a wonderful hobby which has become an insane obsession.”
“It draws people from all over the state,” she said. “When the FFA Convention was in Medina, they came here on a tour.”
The open house Aug. 22 and 23 will be the first in 10 years, Sue said.
On Sunday, Cafora’s Pizza from Newfane will be on site selling pizza and cold drinks. Also on Sunday, the Model T Club will be on site, along with other vintage automobiles. Both days, farmers from the local area will have their modern equipment on display in the yard. This includes McCullum, Verratti, Silsby’s, Tom Britt, Steve Spencer and Jason Besso.
The open house will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The Grants say they also welcome individual tours and anyone interested in coming to see his massive collection may call them at (716) 213-3016.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2026 at 11:34 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Fireworks are shot off in front of the Lyndonville school buildings on Saturday night to cap the fifth annual Town of Yates Street Dance.
The fireworks were more visible from Main Street rather than from the July Fourth launch area behind the school.
These people watched the fireworks behind the Yates Community Library near Johnson Creek.
Tables were set up on Main Street for people to enjoy food, fellowship and the music.
Nick Goodwin plays the bass for the band Vinyl Recovery which entertained the crowd with classic rock from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.
Vinyl Recovery also includes Nick Ciaramella on lead vocals, bass and harmonica; Mike Scanlan on drums, and Mike Zelazny on guitar and vocals.
Yates Town Supervisor Jim Simon welcomed people to the fifth annual Street Dance.
The event was partially funded by the Town of Yates, and also sponsored by Plummer Orchards, Signature Styles, RLW Cattle Company, and a New York 250 grant.
Jim Simon sings “God Bless America” with his sons Elijah (with son Theodore) and Sharbell (with daughter Esther).
Ellen LaBerth is shown with some of the iron works made by her and her son Leo LaBerth.
The Lyndonville Sports Boosters served tacos in the bag and other snacks. The group includes, from left: Alisha Schwarzott, Emily Aydelotte, Emily Costello, Stephanie Freas and Teri Buffin. The meat for the tacos was donated by RLW Cattle Co.
Best of Tymes Party Rentals brought this bounce house for kids to enjoy.
The fireworks go off behind Main Street near the “Hometown Hero” banners for the two Medal of Honor recipients from Lyndonville.
David Bellavia received the medal on June 26, 2019 in the East Room of the White House. Bellavia is the first living veteran from the Iraq War to receive the nation’s highest military medal.
Bellavia was honored for his acts of valor on Nov. 10, 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq. Bellavia led an infantry squad clearing houses of insurgents, saving the lives of the members of his unit.
Forrest Vosler was a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-17 Flying Fortress during World War II. On Dec. 20, 1943, Vosler’s fourth combat mission, the plane was under fire and had two engines knocked out with the aircraft windmilling out of control. When a fellow aviator was knocked unconscious, Vosler maneuvered himself into the tailgun.
Vosler, severely wounded and floating in and out of consciousness, begged the crew to throw him out of the plane to reduce weight. As the aircraft plunged into the frigid waters of the North Sea, Vosler crawled out of the aircraft onto a wing. A passing Norwegian trawler quickly picked up the crew and transferred them to a British rescue vessel. One of Vosler’s eyes had one of his to be removed, and the other required extensive surgery.
Fireworks go off over the Yates Town Hall on Main Street.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 August 2026 at 2:00 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Albion Elks Lodge today unveiled a new memorial for veterans by the lodge’s flagpole at 428 West State St.
Jeff Mosher, a trustee at the lodge and a member of the Elks Riders in Albion, unveiled the monument with Sharon Pollock, the exalted ruler at the lodge.
The Elks used proceeds from past motorcycle dice runs and other fundraisers to pay for the memorial, which was created by Brigden Memorials in Albion.
The front of new Orleans County Veterans Memorial includes the logo from the Albion Elks Lodge, an image of a U.S. soldier, and the seals of the six branches of the military – the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.
A group from the Elks Lodge and others on a 100-mile motorcycle dice run gathered by the flag pole to see the new memorial.
“We want to remember all the veterans, past and present,” Pollock said. “Some have paid the full price, or come back injured and crippled. This beautiful monument pays tribue to all veterans.”
The back of the monument includes a quote from President Ronald Reagan: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from Extinction.”
After the memorial unveiling, about 50 motorcyclists left for a 100-mile Veterans Memorial dice run that will include stops at the VFW in Batavia, Elks Lodge in Brockport, Priscilla’s Black North Inn at Point Breeze, the VFW in Medina and a return to the Elks Lodge in Albion. (Jeff Mosher is riding the motorcycle with the American flag and an Elks flag on the back.)
There will be food and live music at the Albion Elks Lodge today after 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
The Albion Elks Lodge hosts many patriotic events throughout the year, including a Flag Day observance. The lodge also will be having a chicken barbecue next month for veterans at the VA in Batavia. The local lodge also donated $1,000 towards a van to take veterans to medical appointments.
