MEDINA – The application for Medina’s Full Day Universal Pre-K (UPK) program is now available on the Primary School’s website or by going to oak.medinacsd.org and looking under “News and Announcements.”
Parents of children not already enrolled in UPK who are interested in enrolling their child in kindergarten for the 26-27 school year are also asked to complete the application form.
To be eligible for UPK, children must be 4 years old by Dec. 1, 2026. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old by Dec. 1, 2026.
For any families looking to learn more about the full-day UPK program, the Medina School District will be hosting an information night on Thursday, March 12th from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m., held at Oak Orchard Primary School. Childcare will be provided for any children eligible to attend school in the 2026-’27 school year.
Doors will open at 5:15 p.m. and the evening will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. There will be a brief general session for adults in the auditorium, and then participants will visit scheduled locations throughout the building. Please plan to arrive by 5:30 and stay for the duration, in order to receive all the information prepared.
Families interested in learning more about Medina’s UPK program are encouraged to attend the information night. If you are unable to attend, information will be shared afterward on Oak Orchard Primary School’s website.
Timeline for UPK application, acceptance, registration, and screening:
February 23 – April 1: UPK applications accepted by calling the Oak Orchard Main Office, or through our website, starting on Feb. 23.
Thursday, March 12: UPK Information Night 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at Oak Orchard Primary
April 8: Families notified of acceptance into UPK Program or if program capacity is reached, that lottery is to be held.
Week of April 6: Lottery held, if needed, and registration packets mailed.
Week of May 18 – May 21: UPK Student Screening, applicants should bring all registration materials to the screening. A parent and the child are expected to attend the screening. Applicants will be contacted by phone to schedule their screening time.
Any questions can be directed to the Oak Orchard Main Office by calling 585-798-2700, option 3 and then 0, between 7:30-3:30, Monday through Friday.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that applications will open for the Empire State Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program, which provides critical financial support to eligible newspaper and broadcast media businesses operating in New York State.
Administered through Empire State Development, the program offers up to $30 million annually in tax credits to help local media outlets create new jobs and retain existing employees. Information about the program and how to apply can be found here.
“Local newspapers, broadcasters and journalists are the backbone of our democracy. They inform our neighbors, elevate community voices and hold our leaders accountable,” Governor Hochul said. “This program will deliver meaningful support to newspaper and broadcast media businesses, keep reporters on the beat, strengthen local coverage and ensure New Yorkers have the trusted information they need.”
The program offers a tax credit with two components:
New Job Creation Component (up to $4 million available per year): A credit of $5,000 per net new full-time job created year-over-year, up to $20,000 per business.
Existing Jobs Component (up to $26 million available per year): A credit equal to 50 percent of annual wages per employee retained, with a maximum credit of $25,000 per employee and $300,000 per business.
To ensure that the program is available to assist media businesses of all sizes, funding will be divided evenly, with 50 percent of funds made available to smaller businesses with 100 or fewer New York-based employees, and the remaining 50 percent allocated to larger businesses with more than 100 New York-based employees. The program will be accepting applications through the state’s Consolidated Funding Application. The application period for program year 2025 will close on April 25. Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The program will provide direct assistance to print, digital, and broadcast media businesses across New York, and provide support to this critical industry.
Empire State Local News Coalition Founder and Executive Director Zachary Richner said, “The landmark Newspaper and Broadcast Media Jobs Program will not only sustain the crucial local news ecosystem in our state, but also support thousands of local jobs. We thank Governor Hochul and all of the elected officials who championed this legislation, which has become a model for states across the country. Our coalition is proud to have spearheaded the advocacy that made this program a reality, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Governor on this important, first-in-the-nation initiative.”
New York State Broadcasters Association President David L. Donovan said, “This innovative tax credit program benefits all citizens in every community throughout New York by helping to preserve locally produced broadcast news and public interest programs. Local radio and TV stations bring communities together and provide life-saving information during emergencies. We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her forward-thinking approach to ensure citizens in the Empire State remain informed about their government and the communities in which they live.”
New York News Publishers Association President Diane Kennedy said, “Newspapers connect the residents of New York State, from rural small towns to our largest cities by providing timely, accurate information about the events that affect their lives. Governor Hochul’s tax credit initiative will keep journalists on the job, covering the town boards, high school sports, city governments and art communities that serve as the web of civic life in communities throughout the state. Governor Hochul recognized the loss of newspaper jobs resulting from the dramatic change in the media ecosystem and stepped forward to help newspapers to build a bridge to a future in which local news can thrive.”
New York Press Association Executive Director Bryce Jacobson said, “The true beneficiaries of this program are New Yorkers themselves — people bound together by shared neighborhoods, cultures, languages, and traditions. By supporting community-based media outlets as they invest in their workforce and strengthen how they gather and share news, this program helps ensure that local journalism remains accessible and at the forefront. It reinforces the vital role these outlets play in representing and connecting communities across New York — online, in print, and on air.”
Rebuild Local News Coalition Chair Steven Waldman said, “This landmark effort to help preserve and revive community media in New York has now begun! It will provide meaningful support for news organizations that hire and retain local reporters and other media jobs. We thank Governor Hochul and the legislature — and truly appreciate the efforts of the staff at ESD to create a high-quality program. We urge all local media groups to apply!”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2026 at 11:35 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Elvis impersonator Terry Buchwald performs “Bue Suede Shoes” and other classics from a stage on Main Street on Aug. 27 during the Super Cruise. Buchwald is shown looking through the side windows of a 1965 GMC pickup owned by Jim Stone.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board has approved the schedule for the 2026 cruise nights. The Friday car shows will again be held at the parking lot of the Medina Senior Center on West Avenue.
For the third year, Rollin Hellner will be organizing the cruise nights and sponsoring the events through his business, The Walsh.
“We has a very successful year last year,” Hellner told the Village Board on Monday. “It was the largest car count ever.”
He would like to bring in more than 300 cars for the Super Cruise on Main Street on Aug. 26. Last year’s event drew 289 cars. Hellner said Terry Buchwald, an Elvis impersonator, will be back for the Super Cruise.
Hellner was asked about having the Friday car show back at the Canal Basin, but he said he wants to keep the event at the Senior Center parking lot.
Here is the 2026 schedule for Cruisin’ in Medina:
May 29: Opening cruise
June 5: Country Truck Night
June 12: Corvette Night
June 19: Mustang Night
June 26: Hot Rod Night
July 3: Bike Night
July 10: British/Foreign Night
July 17: Camaro Night
July 24: Mopar Night
July 31: Cruisin’ at the Fair (in Knowlesville at 4-H Fairgrounds)
Aug. 7: Van Night
Aug. 14: 50s Night
Aug. 21: ’60’s and ’70’s Night
Aug. 26: Super Cruise with Elvis (on a Wednesday on Main Street)
The events are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on a Friday and are at the Senior Center parking lot on West Avenue unless otherwise noted.
Many onlookers wanted a close look at this 2023 Vanderhall owned by Rick and Judy Overholt during the Super Cruise last summer. Vanderhall Motor Works manufactures these three-wheeled autocycles, which have two wheels in the front and one in the back.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 February 2026 at 11:03 am
MEDINA – Medina Area Partnership is embarking on a new year with a new slate of officers and exciting list of events for 2026.
In recent elections, those elected to the 2026-27 term were Amy Crandall, president; Marc Shurtz, vice president; Sara Flansburg, secretary; Riki Lake, treasurer; and board members Mary Lewis, Michael Snyder and Patrick Weissend.
“These individuals bring a diverse range of experiences, expertise and perspectives that will help guide the Medina Area Partnership as it continues to support local businesses, promote community development and strengthen our regional economy,” said representatives of the Nominating Committee.
Crandall is assistant vice president/market manager of Orleans County Generations Bank; Shurtz is CEO/CIO of Orleans Community Health; Flansburg is owner of Blissett’s; Lake is logistics and finance manager for C&H PC; Lewis is owner of Creekside Floral and Gift Shop; Snyder is CFO of MDS Consultants and co-owner of Main Liquor and Modern Mercantile; and Weissend is vice president and Community Banking Manager of Tompkins Community Bank.
Members of the Nominating Committee were Scott Robinson, director of marketing for Orleans Community Health; Cindy Robinson, owner of English Rose Tea Shoppe; and Kristine Mostyn, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Both Scott Robinson and Cindy Robinson previously served as president of MAP and were instrumental in its founding.
MAP extends is appreciation to the Nominating Committee for its service and to all board members – past, present and future – for their continued dedication to the Medina community.
The Medina Area Partnership was founded in 2020 as a spinoff of the former Medina Business Association, whose members were required to operate within the village limits. The move to a name change allowed for the organization to be a single standalone entity, whose membership includes businesses and organizations within the 14103 zip code, as well as those who have a vested interest in the area. This could include businesses outside of Medina.
The idea came from collaborative work done by the Medina Business Association’s board of directors and committee chairs. The original board consisted of the committee chairs of the previous MBA. While there is a board that acts as the governing body of MAP and has liaisons to different committees, much of the work is done at the committee level. This allows for more members with different skills and expertise to be involved in a variety of focus points, Scott Robinson explained.
Since its forming, MAP has taken on the events previously sponsored by the Medina Business Association and expanded to include more and new successful activities. These include Wine About Winter (which sold out 800 tickets on Feb. 7); the Easter Bunny on March 28; a Murder Mystery and Dapper Day May 2; Medina Scavenger Hunt May 24 – Aug. 31; the Enchanted Faery Festival June 20; Medina Sidewalk Sale Aug. 1; Ale in Autumn, Sept. 26; Beggar’s Night, Oct. 30: Moonlight Madness, Nov. 19; numerous events during Olde Tyme Christmas, Nov. 28; Holiday Open Houses, Dec. 2-6; and the Peppermint Trail (holiday-themed shopping event), Dec. 5-25.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 February 2026 at 8:36 am
MEDINA – The Village of Medina won’t have a referendum on changing the village elections as part of the March 18 vote this year.
Jess Marciano, a village trustee, has decided to wait a year before introducing a resolution for the board to put the issue to a public vote. Marciano wants to move the village election from the third week in March to the third week in June.
But Marciano doesn’t want the issue to be rushed on the public or the village employees. She also heard from village office staff who believe June is already a busy month for the employees.
“More things need to be evaluated and employees need more time,” Marciano said during Monday’s board meeting.
Marciano said moving the election back would be better for incoming trustees and the mayor who would then start their terms on July 1 instead of April 1. With the March election, board members start their terms on April 1 and immediately face the difficult task of putting together the village’s budget by the end of April.
Marciano thinks it would be better for the new members to ease into their roles and learn about the village departments before having to hammer out the budget.
A later election season would also mean candidates would be seeking petitions and campaigning during much warmer weather, rather than the often bitter cold of January, February and March.
Marciano and Mayor Marguerite Sherman have stated support for moving the elections to June while trustees Deborah Padoleski, Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski said they prefer the current timing. Padoleski, Prawel and Bieliski said it’s better for new board members to put together the village budget rather than getting handed a spending plan that didn’t have their input.
One village resident, Tim Zeiner, said he hopes the issue will eventually go before the voters for them to decide.
Group came to aid of French special operations forces in northern Iraq
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jean Sanon: U.S. soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, stand in formation during an award ceremony in Rochester on Sunday. Six New York Army National Guard Soldiers who came to the aid of French special operations forces during an Aug. 28–29, 2023, mission in northern Iraq were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star by Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general for Army. Pictured from left include Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott of Rochester, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor of Blasdell, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg of Rochester, Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco of Lockport, and Sgt. Jedediah Estrada of Horseheads. Missing from photo is Sgt. Zachary Albright of Elba, who is an Albion graduate.
Press Release, New York National Guard
ROCHESTER – Six New York Army National Guard Soldiers who helped rescue 34 French special forces during an August 2023 firefight in Iraq, received the French equivalent of the Bronze Star, during ceremony on Sunday at Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Rochester.
The soldiers, assigned to Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, were presented with the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star.
Sgt. Zachary Albright
The aviation soldiers were honored for providing rapid aerial support to French special operations forces who pinned down under enemy fire near Hawija, Iraq, on the night of Aug. 28 and 29, 2023. The French unit was conducting a mission against ISIS terrorists.
Major General Michel Natali, the New York National Guard’s assistant adjutant general, Army, who presented the French medals, praised the Soldiers for their quick response in loading up and moving a French quick reaction force of 30 troops into the fight.
“We’re very proud of what they’ve done as aviators, but I’d say more importantly, I’m very proud of them being New York National Guard Soldiers,” Natali said after the ceremony.
“The operation they were involved in happened in the dark of night,” he told reporters.
“The French government did not have to recognize our soldiers, but they went that extra mile to identify our soldiers who were working that evening to keep their soldiers safe. We’re very appreciative of what the French government has done in recognizing our troops,” Natali said.
The medals were authorized by French General Thierry Burkhard, then France’s Chief of National Defense Staff, in March of 2024.
At the time of the mission, the New York Army National Guard aviation crews were on standby at Erbil Air Base as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational effort to counter Islamic State terrorist operations in the region.
When the approximately 35 French Special Forces troops took casualties and requested reinforcement and extraction, two CH-47F Chinook helicopters crewed by the Rochester-based Bravo Company launched in support.
Within 30 minutes, the aircrews loaded approximately 30 French commandos to relieve them and flew nearly 70 miles to the objective area then stayed nearby, ready to provide follow-on support.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, a Rochester resident, who served as air mission commander during the operation, said uncertainty upon arrival created immediate challenges.
“The biggest challenge was not knowing the situation on the ground or what support we had until we got on station,” said Scott, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002.
He added that once they made radio contact and confirmed their location, they adjusted the grid, coordinated with the other aircraft and their crews, and identified the support available to them.
Scott said that the crew’s preparation and cohesion were critical to executing the mission successfully.
“I’m most proud of the way the crew came together,” he said. “They had the aircraft ready to go. While I was receiving the mission, the crew was already preparing the aircraft.”
Once Scott briefed them, they conducted a short planning session on the way and were ready to execute.
Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a Horseheads resident who served as a door gunner during the mission, said the recognition carries lasting personal meaning.
“Afterward, I read the French press release about the death of Sgt. Nicolas Mazier, [the] paratrooper with the French commandos who was killed in combat,” Estrada said. “I’ve remembered him ever since.”
“Being honored by the French government is a way for me to continue honoring his legacy – not just what our unit was able to do, but what we accomplished together with our partner force,” Estrada said.
“It really brings together why we were there and what we were working to defeat,” he added.
Recognized during the ceremony were:
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, a Rochester resident, is a 42-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002. He was commissioned as an Aviation Warrant Officer in 2009. He is a recipient of the Air Medal W/C Device, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor, a Blasdell resident, is a 35-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2009. He was commissioned as an Aviation Warrant Officer in 2015. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal W/C Device.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg, a Rochester resident, is a 38-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2007. He was previously a flight engineer with the unit until he commissions as a pilot in 2019. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal
Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco, a Lockport resident, is a 40-year- old helicopter maintainer and crew chief who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2004 and served until 2012. He reenlisted in 2019, again as an aircraft mechanic. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal W/C Device.
Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a Horseheads resident, is 36-years-old. He enlisted as a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist and went through flight progression as a door gunner with the unit. He entered the New York Army National Guard in 2019. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
Sgt. Zachary Albright, an Elba resident, is a 22-year-old helicopter maintainer and crew chief who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2022. He has since been warranted commission as a WO1 in 2025 and is currently in flight school to become an Aviation Warrant Officer. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/C Device and Army Achievement Medal.
The French National Defense Medal, known as the Medaille de la Defense nationale, was established April 21, 1982, by then French Minister of Defense Charles Hernu to recognize honorable and meritorious service in support of France’s national defense.
The medal is awarded in three grades, bronze, silver and gold, reflecting increasing levels of distinguished service. The gold grade recognizes particularly distinguished contributions to national defense.
When accompanied by a bronze star device, the medal signifies the recipient was officially recognized at the regimental or brigade level for notable operational service during multinational missions.
The decoration may be awarded to both French service members and allied military personnel and serves as a symbol of professional excellence and international military cooperation.
Detachment 1 of Bravo Company operates seven CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
The unit falls under the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade’s 642nd Aviation Support Battalion and has conducted numerous deployments overseas and disaster response operations here at home.
Press Release, Orleans Economic Development Agency
ALBION – Applications are now available for the Spring Microenterprise Assistance Program (MAP), a 10-week business development course offered through the Orleans County Local Development Corporation.
The MAP program supports aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage small business owners by providing practical training in business planning, finance, marketing, and operations. The program is designed to strengthen the local economy by expanding access to small business education across Orleans County.
Classes will be held Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning April 2 through June 4. Sessions will take place at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The course fee is $300. Financial assistance is available based on demonstrated need.
Graduates from recent MAP cohorts pursued local ventures ranging from retail to beauty and wellness, landscaping, property management services, and specialty manufacturing.
Applications will be accepted through March 13, and can be done online (click here).
For questions about MAP program requirements contact Matt Holland at the Orleans Economic Development Agency, (585) 589-7060 ext. 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 February 2026 at 10:20 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Don Allport last week presented a proclamation declaring March as “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.” He presents the proclamation to representatives from the Arc GLOW.
From left include Arc board member Marlene Hill of Medina; Mary Lou Touhey, mother of person supported; Nicole Touhey, a person supported; and Lisa Bors, VP of Public Relations and Development for Arc GLOW.
March is Developmental Disabilities (DD) Awareness Month highlights the inclusion, contributions, and potential of people with developmental disabilities.
The former Arc of Genesee Orleans and Arc of Livingston-Wyoming merged in 2021 to form the new Arc GLOW. This is the first four-county chapter of The Arc New York. This follows the merger in 2016 of the former Arc of Orleans and Genesee Arc.
In Orleans County, Arc GLOW has three homes for individuals with disabilities, operates Orleans Enterprises Work Center in Albion, day habilitation programs, Meals on Wheels/Nutrifare in Albion and Camp Rainbow in Ridgeway. Several programs and departments also share space with the finance department on Caroline Street in Albion, Arc GLOW officials said.
The original ARC of Orleans County formed about 60 years ago.
“March is designated as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month to highlight the abilities and achievements of people with developmental disabilities, while raising awareness of the challenges they face,” according to the proclamation form the County Legislature. “People with developmental disabilities are an essential part of our community, bringing unique talents, perspectives, and strength to Orleans County.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 February 2026 at 9:24 am
Festival welcomes patriotic themed floats for big parade
Photo by Tom Rivers: Becky Karls, Strawberry Festival Committee chairperson, is shown with The Turtle at the 2023 Amazing Turtle Race. This year’ s turtle race will have more tickets and prizes.
ALBION – The Albion Strawberry Festival has announced the theme for this year’s celebration on June 12-13: “A Berry, Big 250th”
The 38th annual festival wanted to tie in with the country’s 250th anniversary. Becky Karls, the festival committee chairperson, urges parade participants to have patriotic floats for the June 13 parade.
The festival this year also is expanded the prizes and tickets for the amazing turtle race, where rubber turtles “race” a short distance on the Erie Canal. The turtles are all numbered from 1 to about 1,000. The top five have shared $1,000 in winnings.
This year the tickets will be expanded to 1,500 with 6 prizes. Each turtle will now have two tickets, one green and one yellow. There will be 750 turtles in the race. Every year there are a few turtle casualties, dropping the number of available turtles down from the original 1,000.
The prize money has been increased from $1,000 to $1,700. The new prize structure includes two $500 winners, two at $250 and two at $100.
The turtle race is a fundraiser for the festival. The tickets will remain at $5 each or 5 for $20. The race will be at 2 p.m. on June 13.
Karls said there is a hard-working committee that works on the festival. The group will welcome more volunteers as the festival gets closer.
The committee has leaders in charge of different aspects of the festival:
Business/Information/Raffle Vendors – Mark Johnson
Craft/Artisan/Farm Market Vendors – Trevor Thaine
Parade Participants – Mike Bonnewell
Food Booth Vendors – Jeff Holler
Family Fun Center – Taryn Moyle
Music/Bands Festival Performers – Bill Pileggi
School Royalty – Val Pettit
Sponsorships/Media – Marlene Seielstad
Turtle Race Tickets/Car Cruise In/Other Info–Festival Chairperson – Becky Karls
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 February 2026 at 8:27 am
$3.17 price in Orleans County highest in WNY
The average price for regular unleaded gas in New York State is at $3, up a penny from a week ago, according to AAA.
In Orleans County, the price is higher at an average of $3.17. That is the highest price among the counties in Western New York.
The average price nationally is at $2.94, up a cent from a week ago and down from the $3.15 a year ago. The state average of $2.999 is down from the $3.17 a year ago for New York, according to AAA.
“Right now, gas prices are the lowest they’ve been for this time of year since 2021,” AAA said in a news release this morning.
Photos from Orleans County Department of History: Owned by Harvey L. and Blanche Hill, this fine dining establishment was located at the corner of Knowlesville Road and Million Dollar Highway/Rt. 31 in Ridgeway.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
Illuminating Orleans, Volume 6, No. 5
RIDGEWAY – “Service and Satisfaction” was the stated motto of Fairhaven Manor, a very successful fine dining enterprise which hosted innumerable meetings, banquets and parties during the 1920s and 1930s.
Conveniently located on the north-west side of the intersection of the Knowlesville Road and Million Dollar Highway/Rt. 31, it was owned and operated by Harvey L. Hill and his wife, Blanche.
The substantial house was built as a residence for A.M. Brinsmaid in 1870. It changed hands several times and was purchased by the Hills. They added a large dining room on the south side of the building. Rooms were also available.
Unfortunately, the establishment was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours of Friday, April 9, 1937. The fire was believed to have started in the cellar, possibly from an overheated furnace. Sleeping on the second floor, the Hills were awoken by choking smoke around 2 a.m. They managed to escape to the roof of the addition using a rope made of sheets. They, along with the manager, Thomas Fitzgerald and farm hand Donald Latta, had a narrow escape. Mr. Hill then ran, without shoes, to the home of his son, Percy, three quarters of a mile away, to summon the Medina Fire Dept. Assistant Fire Chief Ranallo responded with two pumpers, but a strong northeast wind and a lack of water stymied their efforts. The garage and barns were saved, but only the cellar walls of the Manor remained.
Remarkably, the Medina Rotary Club bell survived the blaze. The Club held their weekly meetings at Fairview. Dr. Harry F. Tanner left the bell under the entrance staircase following the April 6 meeting. The bronze bell, which had been presented to the club in 1923 and was used to summon members to meetings, had somehow fallen through to the basement during the fire. Its mahogany base was destroyed but the bell was in good condition.
(Left) Orleans Republican ad., July 4, 1928. (Right) Unidentified boys, Fairview Manor barn in the background.
The Hills did not rebuild. Mrs. Hill died the following year, and Mr. Hill died in 1961. They are buried at Tanner Cemetery, Ridgeway.
The Dept. of History file on Fairview Manor states that “the dwelling place which now occupies the site was moved there from the grounds of the N.Y. S. Training School in Albion.”
However, in a History of Knowlesville (1958), Lois Higgins wrote:
“The house that was moved to the spot of the Fairview Manor disaster had previously stood on the south side of West Avenue (Knowlesville), between the rear of the Hatch house and the Frank Higgins house”
Can any of our readers clarify this discrepancy? Or identify these two boys? (Email Catherine.cooper@orleanscountyny.gov)
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2026 at 8:55 am
Planning Board on Thursday also will review proposals for broadband tower installations
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board will meet at 7 p.m. on Thursday and will review the site plan for a new Dollar General in Albion and also will see an application for a special use permit for a cannabis growing operation in Carlton.
The meeting is in the legislative chambers of the Orleans County Administration Building on Route 31.
The Dollar General is located at 327 East Ave., across from the high school. The County Planning Board will make a recommendation to the Village of Albion Board on whether to accept the site plan. The county board also could suggestions to improve the site plan.
The County Planning Board also will review an application for a special use permit to grow cannabis in a storage building on an existing property in Carlton. The project is located on 13353 Kendrick Rd., Waterport.
There are three applications for special use permits and site plans for broadband tower installations. In Clarendon, a tower is proposed for the top of a grain silo at 5122 South Holley Rd.
In Ridgeway, the tower is proposed for 2490 Townline Rd. and another tower is proposed to be in Carlton at 961 Wilson Road, Waterport.
Planners also will review a proposal for a special use permit to build housing for seasonal H2A workers at 2162 Lyndonville Rd., Lyndonville.
There also is an application from the Town of Yates for a home business for repairing hydraulic cylinders, heavy equipment, and possible part sales at 11916 Roosevelt Hwy.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 22 February 2026 at 8:19 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health Foundation’s annual spring gala will honor two former distinguished residents whose dedication and leadership have significantly strengthened healthcare in the Medina and Orleans County community.
The 1950s-themed “Spring Soiree Gala” from 6 to 10 p.m. March 14 at Bent’s Opera House will feature an elegant evening of refined hors d’oeuvres, crafted cocktails, live musical entertainment and dancing, all in support of patient care and healthcare services at Orleans Community Health.
A highlight of the evening will be presentation of the 2026 Bowen Awards recognizing Dr. Arthur Mruczek and Barbara Waters.
Dr. Mruczek will be honored for his decades of service as a respected ophthalmologist and former medical director of Medina Memorial Hospital. Throughout his career, Dr. Mruczek has demonstrated exceptional clinical skill, integrity and compassion in the care of his patients.
His leadership within the hospital and medical community has contributed meaningfully to advancing quality care close to home. Generations of families in the region have benefitted from his commitment o excellence and his steady, thoughtful guidance.
Waters will be recognized for her visionary leadership and enduring advocacy for seniors and community healthcare. As the founder of The Willows Adult Home and Orchard Manor Nursing Home, she expanded essential senior living services in Medina, ensuring that older adults could remain in their community with dignity and support.
Through her longstanding service on the Medina Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, Waters has played a vital role in shaping the direction and strength of local healthcare services. Her dedication has had a lasting impact on care accessibility and quality throughout the region.
The Bowen Award is named after George Bowen, the founder of Medina Memorial Hospital more than 100 years ago, and honors individuals whose professional achievements and community leadership exemplify service, compassion and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at Orleans Community Health and great-great-grandson of Bowen.
“The 2026 recipients reflect these values through their lifetime contributions to healthcare in Orleans County,” Robinson said.
“The gala is an opportunity for our community to come together to not only celebrate two remarkable leaders, but to reaffirm our shared commitment to ensuring exceptional healthcare remains accessible close to home,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. “Dr. Mruczek and Mrs. Waters have each shaped the future of care in profound ways. We are honored to recognize their legacy and invite the community to join us for what promises to be a truly special evening.”
The evening will feature live crooner-style musical entertainment during the awards presentation, followed by a DJ reception designed to encourage guests to remain and enjoy the celebration, according to Johnson. Attendees are encouraged to wear cocktail or semi-formal attire with a subtle 1950’s influence.
Tickets are $150 per person. Proceeds from the event will directly support local patient care and essential services provided by Orleans Community Health.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 February 2026 at 8:42 pm
New York State is allowing bars and restaurants to serve alcohol early on Sunday for the gold medal men’s hockey game between the United States and Canada.
The game starts at 8:10 a.m. from Milan, Italy. The USA hasn’t won gold in men’s hockey since 1980 with the “Miracle on Ice” in Lake Placid. The Canadian men’s team last won gold in 2014.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement:
“I have directed the State Liquor Authority to suspend enforcement with respect to alcohol service hours tomorrow between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., allowing bars and restaurants to open early so U.S. hockey fans can gather to watch the Olympic gold medal game.
“This will apply only in areas not under a State of Emergency, as our top priority remains keeping people in communities impacted by the blizzard safe and off the roads.
“I still remember watching the 1980 game as a college student at Syracuse University, working in a pizza shop. The whole place stopped and watched together. I hope a new generation of New Yorkers gets that same moment tomorrow.
RIDGEWAY – “Service and Satisfaction” was the stated motto of Fairhaven Manor, a very successful fine dining enterprise which hosted innumerable meetings, banquets and parties during the 1920s and 1930s.
