Photo by Tom Rivers: Albion firefighters Fred Piano and A.J. Fisher sweep the burnt grass and branches back into a fire along an Erie Canal embankment near Keitel Road in Albion on April 8, 2021.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C Batavia) is encouraging eligible volunteer fire departments throughout the 139th Assembly District to apply for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) 2026 Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant Program, which provides up to $3,500 for wildland firefighting equipment and supplies.

Eligible purchases include protective gear, communications equipment, hoses, nozzles and hand tools. Departments must have at least 80 volunteer personnel, provide wildland fire protection to communities with fewer than 10,000 residents and provide a dollar-for-dollar local match.

“Our volunteer firefighters dedicate countless hours to protecting our communities, and ensuring they have the equipment and resources necessary to do their jobs is incredibly important,” said Hawley. “I encourage eligible departments to pursue this funding opportunity, and my office is available to provide letters of support for their applications.”

Applications are due Dec. 30. Departments can find program information and applications through the DEC website or contact DEC at vfagrant@dec.ny.gov or 518-402-2496.

Photo by Tom Rivers

BARRE – Stacey Kirby Steward is working on a mural celebrating the Barre community. The 4-by-8-foot painting will be unveiled at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at the Barre Town Hall.

The mural includes Barre landmarks and highlights an agricultural theme. Steward is working on the final touches, and she tried to show different parts of Barre, including Route 98, West Barre, East Barre, Pine Hill and some of the crops on the muck.

The Barre Betterment Committee spearheaded the project and received a grant through the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.

Steward did two community painting sessions in September with the Barre community as part of the project.

The public is welcome to the unveiling next Wednesday.

Some months will have 2 distributions with 1 in afternoon

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brian Patten, a member of the Albion Interact Club at school, helps with a food distribution this morning from the Albion municipal lot on Platt Street across from the back entrance to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Community Action of Orleans & Genesee manages the state-funded food distribution, working with Foodlink in Rochester.

Tina Schleede, chief financial officer for Community Action, helps pack boxes with food. Caleb Wolfe, right, was one of four Interact Club members from the school who helped this morning with the distribution.

Community Action and the volunteers were able to give out food for about 200 households.

The food distributions started more than six years during the height of the Covid pandemic. Community Action announced the distributions will continue through at least June, with some months having two distributions in Albion, including an afternoon option.

The dates for the distribution in Albion for the upcoming months include:

• Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.
• Jan. 11 at 10 a.m.
• Feb. 8 at 10 a.m.
• Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.
• March 8 at 10 a.m.
• March 30 at 4 p.m.
• April 12 at 10 a.m.
• May 10 at 10 a.m.
• June 14 at 10 a.m.
• June 29 at 4 p.m.

Ernest Gursslin of Community Action, left, and Brody Furness, an Albion student, carry food to the vehicles that were lined up in the parking lot.

 For more information about the food distributions, call Community Action at (585) 589-5605. Ext. 101.

The Lyndonville Presbyterian Church and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orleans County also run food distributions. Check Foodlink for a calendar of the when the distributions are happening in the Rochester region.

Kimberly Stawicki sent in this photo from Sunday morning at the Swallow Hallow Nature Trail off Knowlesville Road at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

The area won’t see snow accumulations yet this week with the forecast showing highs in the mid 40s and above, including one day with a high of 60, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Today, the forecast shows a high of 51 with a chance of showers and an overnight low around 40 followed by a high of 60 on Tuesday with an overnight low of 41.

On Wednesday, which is Veterans Day, the high will be 55 with an overnight low of 39. That is followed by a high near 49 on Thursday with an overnight low around 34.

Friday will have a high near 44 with a low around 32, followed by a high near 46 on Saturday with an overnight low around 34, according to the Weather Service.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The Speedway gas station in Pembroke was selling regular unleaded gas for $3.99 on Saturday.

The average price for regular unleaded gas is at $4.00 nationally today, which is down 16 cents in the past week, AAA reported this morning. A year ago, the average price was $3.06.

In New York State, the average is $4.25 today, which is down 9 cents in the past week. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.11 a gallon.

“Gas prices have been going down for nearly two weeks, as crude oil prices have dipped, but pump prices remain the highest they’ve ever been during this time of year,” AAA said in a news release. “Before 2026, the national average had never gone above $4 per gallon during the month of November. This morning, oil prices range from $89 to $96 per barrel compared to $99 to $108 one week ago.”

Diesel prices are down, though prices remain much higher than a year ago. The national average is $6.17, down 12 cents from last week, but up from $3.73 a year ago, AAA said. In New York, the average diesel price is $6.43 per gallon, down 5 cents from last week. A year ago, New York drivers were paying an average of $3.89 per gallon.

Here are the average prices among Western New York counties for regular unleaded gas:

• Orleans, $4.381
• Genesee, $4.276
• Monroe, $4.299
• Niagara, $4.240
• Erie, $4.310
• Wyoming, $4.378
• Livingston, $4.338
• Chautauqua, $4.343
• Cattaraugus, $4.263
• Allegany, $4.350

Hamilton County in the Adirondacks is the highest in the state at $4.57 gallon, while Chemung has the lowest average at $4.05.

It is by the Grace of God and the expertise of medical personnel at Medina Memorial Hospital’s ER that I am writing this column.

The night of Oct. 17 I thought a cough I had for a week was finally letting up. Then about 10 p.m., it worsened again. I had decided earlier in the day that after the weekend, I would go the ER. By midnight, I wondered if I could make it until morning and then I’d have to go then. I was coughing so bad I couldn’t get my breath.

At 2 a.m., I woke my daughter Robin and told her to take me to the ER. Phone already in hand, she called an ambulance. I protested, but she said they were on their way. I went out and sat in a kitchen chair by the door to wait for them.

It was only minutes before they were out front and two paramedics rushed in and immediately put an oxygen mask over my face and gave me a shot of what I was later told was Albuterol. Then they proceeded to take me to the ambulance.

At the ER, nurses came running at me on both sides with IVs and that is the last I remember. Until four hours later. I opened my eyes and the doctor asked if I knew where I was. I told him Medina Memorial Hospital, and he said, “If you hadn’t done just what you did, you wouldn’t be here now.”

I didn’t think much about that until later, when I learned if my daughter had taken me, I probably would have not made it to the hospital. I was in heart failure.

Then I tried to end it in the ER, they tell me. My blood pressure soared to 286 over something, a number unheard of to survive or not have a stroke. Robin said she heard them say, “We’re losing her,” and the doctor asked if I had a DNR.

Well, I’ve been told more than once I’m stubborn, and I don’t “get lost” that easily.

I was diagnosed with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure, with pneumonia. My lungs were filling with fluid and my heart was shutting down because of the strain from coughing.

I am indeed lucky and very grateful to be here.

And it’s due to those paramedics and the team in the ER at Medina Memorial Hospital.

I spent three days in the hospital and came home, a little shaky and with not as clear vision. As it turns out, the surge in blood pressure damaged my retina. Added to that, I was already dealing with double vision.

I can’t drive until I get my eyes straightened out, but I can cook, talk and write. How fortunate I am at 88 to have a job where I get to sit down, talk to people I love and write their stories.

And I have three friends who have stepped up offering to take me to my interviews until my eyes get straightened out. One can’t get much luckier than that.

                                                                                    ***********

It was a coincidence I ended up in the ER at Medina hospital a few days ago. I had recently asked Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health, if he could gather some information for me on the ER, as I’d like to do a story on their increased number of patients and capabilities, not dreaming I would become one of those statistics.

More and more people are realizing the benefits of the ER at Medina Memorial Hospital. Robinson sent me information saying in July they saw 825 patients, the busiest month in years. Throughout 2025, they saw 8,473 patients. They are on track to see more than 8,600 this year, he said. Both of those numbers are at least 10-year highs.

Medina’s ER is not just a “stable and transfer” facility any more. Currently, the ER transfers only four percent of its patients. Those are ones they are able to stabilize before being transferred.

That brings to mind another time the ER at Medina Memorial Hospital came to my rescue. A little more than a year ago, I fell flat on my face at Hospice. My glasses cut my face above the eye, laying open the bone. Being on blood thinners, the blood was flowing. The ambulance driver asked if I wanted to go to Strong or ECMC, and I told him Medina. He said I needed to go to a hospital which had a plastic surgeon, as that was the nastiest wound he had seen. I insisted and he took me to Medina.

Today, there is no sign of a scar above my eye. It happened to be just under my eyebrow and a doctor in the ER at Medina Memorial Hospital glued it.

If it weren’t for Medina Memorial Hospital, the nearest facility to receive medical attention is at least 30 minutes away, and for many the outcome could be disastrous, Robinson said.

One such case is the Rev. Tom Gardner of Knowlesville. In late December 2014, he had a heart attack.

“My first stop was the ER in Medina, or I wouldn’t have made it to Buffalo General,” he said. “The long days and nights and weeks in the ICU, Buffalo General and rehab unit at Medina Memorial Hospital ended when I returned home on Jan. 13, 2015.”

The Rev. Gardner said in a sermon he preached Feb. 22, 2015, “I survived by the grace of God.”

And I’m sure another big factor was the ER at Medina Memorial Hospital – only minutes away.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Donte Bovani, left, and his friend Dillon Williams made the 5-hour drive from Scranton, Pa. to fish in the Oak Orchard River on Oct. 11.

The final free fishing day of the year will be on Wednesday, Veterans Day, where anyone can recreationally fish the freshwaters of the state without a freshwater fishing license.

This offers an opportunity to try out fishing for the first time, get back into the sport after taking a break, or take a friend or the whole family along to fish, the state Department of Environmental Conservation said.

Even though a license is not required, all fishing regulations apply. Click here for more on the regulations.

This is first time in about 30 years an Orleans County school district hosted Area All-State

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Zone 2 Area All State Mixed Choir, featuring junior high students in the Rochester area, are conducted by Keith Ersing during a concert on Saturday at the Stroyan Auditorium in Lyndonville. In this photo they are performing, “Come and Go to That Land” by Brandon Boyd.

Zone 2 includes eight counties in western and central New York: Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca and Wayne.

Lyndonville hosted the Junior High Area All-State Music Festival which included 300 student performers and over 1,300 people in attendance for two concerts. Lyndonville’s auditorium holds about 700 people so the festival had to be split into two different concerts.

The first concert featured the Area All State Symphonic Band, followed by the Area All State Treble Choir.

The second concert included the Area All State Mixed Choir, followed by the Area All State Symphony Orchestra.

Members of the Zone 2 Junior High Area All State Symphony Orchestra perform “Marriage of Figaro” on Saturday in Lyndonville. These students on the double bass, cello and other symphony orchestra instruments are all from the Rochester region.

The students in the different groups all auditioned in the spring and needed to perform for a judge to be selected for Area All State. Their district teachers also helped prepare them for the concert.

Provided photos: There were six students from Orleans County who performed on Saturday, including (Left) Madelyn Ingersoll of Lyndonville, alto in mixed choir, and Emily Kroll of Lyndonville, clarinet in the symphonic band. (Right) Lillian Olsen of Medina, left, played trumpet and Lauren Allis of Medina played the clarinet in the symphonic band.

Oscar Lopez of Medina was a bass in the mixed choir and Amber O’Kussik was a soprano in the treble choir.

The students were at Lyndonville from for rehearsals from 2 to 6 p.m. on Friday and then beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The concerts were at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. This photo shows the Area All State Treble Choir led by conductor Maureen Reilly with Gary Simboli as the accompanist.

Amy Erhard conducted the Area All State Symphonic Band. Erhard leads the Buffalo Wind Symphony. She has twice been nominated for the Grammy Music Educator Award.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville school district superintendent, Dr. Heather Lyon, welcomes the crowd to the second concert. She praised the student performers, including the Area All State Mixed Choir next to her for their high levels of engagement in pursuing excellence as musicians.

The Area All State Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at Lyndonville.

The group was conducted by Emily Greetham, who teaches orchestra at Orchard Park Central School. She also performs as a violinist in with Buffalo Opera Unlimited and other groups.

Keira Betz of Fairport sings a solo with the mixed choir as part of “My Days” from the ‘The Notebook.”

A group of students play violins in the symphony orchestra.

These singers in the mixed chorus perform “My Days.”

GAINES – The Cobblestone Society and Museum has announced its winners to be honored at the annual meeting Nov. 14 at the Gaines Carlton Community Church on Ridge Road.

The luncheon will begin at 12:30 p.m. with invocation by the Rev. Marsha Rivers, followed by a toast by Bill Lattin, retired Cobblestone Museum director.

Lunch will be served at 1 p.m., after which guests will adjourn to the sanctuary for award presentations and the business meeting.

Guest speaker will be Todd Bensley, local historian from Medina, who will discuss the changes that have taken place at Medina’s historic Boxwood Cemetery over the years.

Following the business meeting, the Cobblestone Society and Museum will present its annual awards.

Winners are NBT Bank – Business Partner of the Year; Diane Furness, president of Gaines Carlton Community Church Women’s Fellowship, Community Partner of the Year; Marty Taber, for excellence in serving the museum as a former board member; and Collin Capurso, Intern of the Year.

Provided photo: Members of the newly formed Medina Chorale meet for practice at 7 p.m. every Wednesday at the Grove United Methodist Church. Shown here are, from left front, director Eddie Reeb, Nancy Hausman, Patricia Worrad, Jan Toale and Gary Lawton. Second row, Karen Hoart, Diane Odle, Mary Zangerle, Brenda Lindsay and Kristina Fuller. Third row, accompanist Tom Wenhold, Hal Goodwin, Paul Goodwin and Wendy Fuller.

MEDINA – Music is in the air, and its coming from the Medina Chorale.

The Medina Chorale is a new singing group of community-minded individuals who love to sing, said Barb Brewer, pastor of the Grove United Methodist Church.

The group will be performing a concert at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Grove United Methodist Church, located at 11004 W Center Street Ext.

The idea for a Medina chorus evolved when Pastor Brewer was walking downtown and heard the music over the loud speakers.

“We need a singing group,” she said to herself.

Shortly after, a group of individuals who expressed an interest in singing in a new chorale group met at the Grove United Methodist Church and made plans for their first concert.

Any community member is welcome to join the Medina Chorale, which rehearses at 7 p.m. Wednesdays at the Grove United Methodist Church.

Nancy Hausman is a member of St. Mary’s Church, who saw information about the chorale on Facebook.

“I like to sing,” she said. “I also belong to the Middleport Community Choir. This one is closer to home.”

Hausman also remembers the original Medina Chorale which was directed by the late Jack Wheatley.

“I enjoy being with other people and getting together in a group,” Hausman said. “We were strangers when we met and now we have developed new friendships. These people give 100 percent. The chorale was Pastor Barb’s idea. She doesn’t sing, but she loves music.”

 Tom Wenhold of Lyndonville, who is organist at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, is accompanist for the Medina Chorale.

“I have been playing piano since I was in eighth grade,” Wenhold said. “There is a lot of talent in this group. Eddie Reeb of Lockport is our director. We have been practicing for two months, working hard on the songs we chose. It is a well-rounded show, including contemporary music, show tunes and religious favorites. ”We are excited to do the show. No one will be disappointed with it.”

Brenda Lindsey of Medina used to sing in a choir years and years ago, and when she saw the Medina Chorale on Facebook, she was immediately intrigued.

“I love to sing and attended the first informational meeting,” she said. “It pleases my soul to be able to sing with other people.”

Director Reeb is a graduate of Roberts Wesleyan Music Program. He leads the chorale in singing four-part harmony, said Pastor Barb.

“The church is thrilled to allow the group to practice and hold concerts there,” she said.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Downtown Albion is shown in this file photo from March 6.

ALBION – Village officials will be holding public meetings on Thursday at Hoag Library to go over two programs that could bring in state resources to the community.

One program focuses on vacant rental property and the other is an economic and community development initiative.

The first meeting at 5 p.m. focuses on a vacant property rental program. Landlords and property owners with vacant rental units are encouraged to attend the informational session.

It will detail the Vacant Property Rental Rehabilitation Program through the state. Village officials and G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing will lead the session at the library.

This state-funded program provides financial assistance to property owners to rehabilitate vacant rental units and return them to active use, helping to increase the supply of quality rental housing and support revitalization efforts in Albion, according to a press release from the village.

Attendees at the meeting will learn about program eligibility requirements, available funding, the application process, and how disbursements are handled.

“This initiative presents an excellent opportunity for property owners to invest in their buildings while contributing to Albion’s housing stability and future growth,” G&G Municipal Consulting and Grant Writing stated in the press release. “We’re excited to help local property owners understand how to take full advantage of the program.”

For questions or additional information, contact G&G at scott@ggprocess.com or (315) 921-4008.

Albion will then have a second public information meeting at 6 p.m. with this one about a potential application for Round 5 of the NY Forward program, which could offer up to$4.5 million to boost economic development, tourism, housing and other projects. Medina was awarded this grant in 2023.

“The Village is exploring a NY Forward Round 5 application to build momentum, attract investment, and enhance our downtown and community assets including the Erie Canal, Bullard Park, the Heritage Trail and more,” according to an announcement from the Village of Albion.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: National Honor Society senior Gaven Dahldaus clears plates from the table of veteran George Lee Brown of Albion. He said he had spent most of the day at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, where he was driven by a volunteer with the Veterans’ Van Service in Albion. He attended the dinner with his daughter Andrea.

MEDINA – A record number of veterans and their families attended the 16th annual Veterans’ Day Dinner, sponsored by the Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society at Medina High School.

The 177 responses, which included 64 veterans and their families, was the largest since the dinners have taken place, said Honor Society Adviser Zach Harris. Harris is a Medina High School graduate and said he remembers the dinners sponsored by the Honor Society when he was a student.

“I’d like to see this event get as big as possible, even if we have to get a fire hall,” Harris said. “I am so grateful for these students who have worked so hard to give back to you.”

Camden Fike and Brennan Allen, both seniors and members of the National Honor Society at Medina High School, welcome veterans and their families at the annual veterans’ day dinner they sponsor.

The evening included dinner catered by Zambistro, a welcome by NHS president Madalyn Clute and invocation by Robyn Watts.

Guests enjoyed appetizers and cider before being served a spaghetti dinner catered by Zambistro.

At each place setting was a greeting card/message from students in kindergarten through third grade at Oak Orchard Elementary School. One card read, “Thank you for keeping us safe. You are so brave and strong.”

National Honor Society members Analeah Fidanza, Natalia Olsen and Aspyn Garley hand out greeting cards made by grades K-3 at Oak Orchard Elementary School.

Veterans enjoying dinner and camaraderie at the veterans’ dinner at Medina High School Friday night are Jack Miles, Guy Magliocco of Carlton and Barb and Dave Kusmierczak of Medina.

Zach Harris, standing at the podium, is adviser of the Honor Society at Medina High School. He welcomed veterans and their families to the 16th annual Veterans Day Dinner on Friday night.

The Medina Mustang Marching Band spans out across the auditorium at Medina High School, where they performed Friday night for the Veterans’ Day Dinner sponsored by the school’s Honor Society.

Veterans and their guests were then invited to walk to the auditorium, where the Mustang Marching Band performed their award-winning show under the leadership of drum major Sophia Lopez. The band this year is directed by Kyla Leno-Denise.

Also, throughout the evening local photographer Alexandra Peracciny roamed through the crowd, taking pictures. Anyone whose picture was taken may contact her  to have a picture e-mailed to them.

The Mustang Band and Color Guard entertain the audience after the Veterans’ Day Dinner at Medina High School.

ALBION – The VFW Strickland Post 4635 will be at Ace Hardware on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., selling Buddy Poppies. Veterans in past were at Walmart selling the poppies but will be at Ace Hardware this time.

Veterans have been selling the poppies for over a century to support causes that assist vets.

Photos and information courtesy of Medina Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161

MEDINA – Medina Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161 proudly congratulates Captain Michael Young on his retirement from the Medina Fire Department following nearly two decades of dedicated service.

Captain Young transferred to Medina from the Salamanca Fire Department in April 2007 and has spent the years since serving the Medina community.

During his career, he served as Municipal Training Officer, Lieutenant and Captain of First Platoon. He also spent many years as a New York State Fire Instructor assigned to Orleans County, passing along his knowledge and experience to firefighters throughout our area.

Today, Mike and his family were surrounded by past and present Medina firefighters and friends from departments around the county for a retirement luncheon hosted by Local 2161 and the Medina Firefighters Benevolent Association.

Local 2161 Vice President Tim Miller presented Mike with a ceremonial fire axe on behalf of the membership as a token of our appreciation for his years of service. Chief Cooley also presented him with his retired badge.

Congratulations, Captain Young. Thank you for everything you have given to Local 2161, the Medina Fire Department and the community we serve. Enjoy a long and well-deserved retirement.

Press Release, Tops Friendly Markets

Tops Friendly Markets will honor those who have served our country with an 11 percent discount on groceries this Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Now in its 13th year, the program has provided more than $1 million in savings to military personnel and their families.

The discount will be available at all Tops locations to U.S. veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists and retired military personnel, as well as immediate family members residing in the same household. Customers should present proof of their own or their immediate family member’s military service to receive the discount on their total purchase that day.

“Behind every person who serves is a story of commitment, courage and sacrifice—and often a family making sacrifices alongside them,” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “We are grateful to count so many veterans and military families among our associates, customers and neighbors. This Veterans Day, we’re honored to offer a small expression of our appreciation for all they have given to our country and continue to give to our communities.”

Tops’ appreciation for the military community extends throughout the year. The company has supported veterans’ memorials and traveling tribute walls, Honor Flight missions, and military fundraising events.

Most recently, proceeds from the Tops tents at both the Taste of Buffalo and Taste of Syracuse went to three veteran based organizations. Tops also continues to support the Stars for our Troops program, having run the program twice over the past eight years, collecting over 58,000 to present to those who have protected our freedoms.

Through participation in veteran job fairs, parades and community events, Tops continues to honor the service of military associates, customers and their families.

About Tops Friendly Markets

Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops operates a robust network of 151 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including one franchise location. As one of Western New York’s largest employers, and with over 14,000 associates across its entire footprint, Tops is committed to delivering sustainably sourced, premium-quality products. Beyond retail, Tops is committed to the communities it serves through initiatives focused on hunger relief, health improvement, youth education, and environmental sustainability. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.