Event continues today in Holley’s Canal Park

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Bart Dentino sings “I Wish I Was A Dinosaur” on Saturday at Holley’s Canal Park. Dentino was one of the featured performers at the Erie Canal Artisan Festival in Holley.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council organized the three-day event which started Friday and concludes today. Other performers on Saturday included Judd Sunshine, Damn the Flood and Paul Almeter.

Today’s schedule for musicians includes:

• Bart Dentino Children’s Performance (10 to 11 a.m.)
• Judd Sunshine Children’s Performance (11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
• Bart Dentino Children’s Performance (1 to 2 p.m.)
• Judd Sunshine Children’s Performance (2:30 to 3:15 p.m.)
• The Strummerz (4 to 5 p.m.)

J. Lee Jewelry in Lockport is one of about 20 vendors at the festival. Gary and Sharon Melius have been working on the jewelry together the past 19 years.

They enjoyed the setting for the Holley show.

“It’s very homey,” Mrs. Melius said.

The vendors were set up along the path at Holley’s Canal Park.

Jodi Fisher, program director for GO Art!, said she was pleased to see more vendors as well as four food trucks for the event.

“It’s a beautiful location,” she said about the Holley site. “A lot of people don’t know about this park. It has shade and the paved walkway makes it accessible.”

GO Art! also wanted to highlight artisan vendors at the festival.

GO Art! distributed DoodleFace toy and wall art made by the Holley company that also makes Teacher Geek products. The DoodleFace products are available for free during the festival in Holley. Kids can color on the sets and them wipe them clean. They can be displayed easily on walls.

Helenna Ummen, in back at left, works for GO Art! as the creative administrations and communications coordinator.

Bart Dentino will be back today in kid-friendly concerts at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The stage is next to the playground. Admission is free.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Volunteers, including Brianna Stewart in front, get chicken barbecues dinner ready on Saturday during the first Cared by Koleson fundraiser.

Koleson Meakin’s family and friends put on the event near the Glenwood Lake boat launch as a fundraiser for the new Cared by Koleson foundation.

The event was a sellout with all 300 dinners sold. The chickens were cooked by Chiavetta’s.

Brady and Dominque Meakin started the foundation in honor of their son, Koleson, who passed away on Jan. 3 at age 4. Koleson lived with TPK1 Thiamine-Deficient Leigh Disease, a rare genetic condition.

The foundation will raise money for gift cards for DoorDash, Uber Eats and hospital café at children’s hospitals in Rochester and Buffalo for the families.

There were some leftover meals from Saturday’s even from people who paid ahead but didn’t pick up the meal. Brady and Dominique delivered those meals to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. They also shared the mission of their new foundation, and connected with a father of child with a serious illness.

“We cried on the way home. Not because we were sad, but because we are just so incredibly thankful. Thankful for everyone who is supporting us, believing in our mission, and helping us carry on Koleson’s legacy,” Dominique and Koleson posted on the Cared for Koleson Facebook page. “We miss him beyond words, but we know his light shines through us. How blessed are we to be his parents!”

Dominique Meakin chats with two of the event volunteers, Sara Page at left and Dominique’s mother, Jennifer Hughes, at right.

Brady Meakin, in back, gets a hug from a person picking up a dinner.

Provided photos

ALBION – SUNY Brockport students were at Bullard park today sanding the pavilion and digging out weeds in the playground. They also raked up mulch and filled in sports around the park.

There were about 1,000 Brockport students working on projects around the Rochester region today for the university’s annual Saturday of Service.

 Brockport wants to see students build community connections and a strong civic responsibility.

These students are pictured with John Grillo, Albion recreation director for the past 50 years.

Some Brockport students also worked on projects at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion. They helped with some painting and weeding around the church.

Students are shown in the sanctuary of the historic Albion church.

Photos by Tom Rivers

CLARENDON – Melissa Snider, left, embraces her sister Amanda this afternoon at a benefit for Amanda, who has stage 4 cancer with carcinoma sarcoma. Amanda also has Dandy Walker Syndrome which causes some mental disabilities. This photo was taken near the beginning to today’s benefit which goes until 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

Melissa organized the benefit with lots of help from family and friends. Morgan Schaffer of Medina saw a promo on social media about the benefit about six weeks ago and she volunteered to help. Schaffer was able to recruit many of her softball buddies to serve in the kitchen and help with today’s benefit.

Melissa said the work on the benefit made her closer to family and friends, and also introduced her to many people.

“I’ve met a lot of amazing people,” she said. “It’s brought a lot of communities together.”

Eric Hackenberg, right, and his daughters Cara, left, and Kalleigh, in back, get 250 spaghetti dinners ready.

The meatballs are by the Bella Pasta Restaurant in Rochester with sauce by Fazool’s Italian Bistro in Rochester.

Hackenberg and his family volunteered to help after Morgan Schaffer helped with a fundraiser for some of their friends who lost their home from a fire in Holley.

Kalleigh Snell works in the kitchen along with Eric Hackenberg, Cara Hackenberg and Janelle Derisley in back left. Derisley said she worked with Amanda Snider when Derisley was with Lifetime Assistance.

“Amanda is a great girl,” Derisley said. “We love her.”

There were about 250 baskets and higher-end items up for raffle.

Proceeds from the benefit will go towards Amanda’s medical care and other bills.

Major art exhibition continues in village until Sept. 7

Photos by Tom Rivers: Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge created an exhibit “All the Hours” at Medina Memorial Hospital. It is staged entirely in decorative glass appendage that bridges the building and the outside world.

MEDINA – The Medina Triennial is winding down, with only two weekends left.

“People from 32 states have come so far, and so should you,” said Kari Conte, co-artistic director for the Triennial. “This has been an extraordinary summer for Medina, with the inaugural Medina Triennial transforming the village into a destination for contemporary art and welcoming visitors from 32 states.”

The Medina Triennial is heralded as a major success for the community, drawing national attention to Medina’s history, architecture, canal front, parks, public spaces and distinctive character.

Conte called the Medina Triennial a remarkable opportunity for Orleans County residents to experience an ambitious contemporary art exhibition in their own backyard.

Familiar local places seen through a new lens, Main Street, the canal front, Rotary Park, Medina Memorial Hospital, Medina Theater, the YMCA, State Street Park, Medina Railroad Museum, Sacred Heart Church and the historic Medina High School are highlighted with exhibits from 39 artists worldwide.

Special programming is planned from noon to 2 p.m. today of Leblanc Robarge’s hour-long film “As the Hour Turns Blue” at the Medina Triennial Hub, 234 Main St.

The Triennial says of the exhibit: “Like of piece of visual poetry broken into stanzas, the installation plays with the experiences of felt temporarily, becoming a gentle and deeply interior reflection on resilience, mourning and change.”

Also today, an artist-led tour of her newly-commissioned installation “All the Hours” will take place at 4 .p.m. at Medina Memorial Hospital. This is a site-responsive work shaped by the hospital’s rhythms of care and its importance as a place of wailing, resilience, mourning and change – experiences that touch nearly every local family. This will be a rare opportunity to walk through the installation with the artist and hear about the research and creative process behind a work made specifically for Medina.

A full schedule of events is planned for the closing weekend of the Medina Triennial Sept. 5-7 – the final opportunity to experience the full village-wide exhibits of “All That Sustains Us.”

The Cobblestone Museum and Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum are joining forces in a first-time event involving the community.

On Sept. 19, the two museums are sponsoring a Museum Odyssey Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The idea for this collaboration was one of Chris Manaseri’s. He is president of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum board.

“He approached Doug (Farley) and me to propose we try to co-host an event to coincide with International Museum Day on May 18 or Smithsonian Day on Sept. 17,” said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum Society and Museum. “Neither date fell on a Saturday, the best day of the week for both of our museums to attract visitors of all ages. “

They chose Sept. 19 for their joint venture, and keeping with the practice of other events, there will be no admission fee at either museum that day. However, donations of any amount will be gladly received.

Manaseri suggested the event include the name “Odyssey,” because of all the hype associated with the movie released this summer, and because of the definition of the word itself, Bonafini said.

Participants in the Scavenger Hunt tours will need to travel to the two museums to pick up their paperwork of scavenger hunt questions.  They may begin at either location, and participation is by donation only.

After picking up their paperwork, participants will embark on a journey to learn the answers to questions, which must be correct to be eligible for a prize drawing at the end of the event. Four winners will receive prizes – two winners drawn from each museum. All participants will receive a free gift at the Cobblestone Museum, simply by choosing to take part in the special Scavenger Hunt Tour event.

Winners will be contacted by phone if they are not present when the drawings take place, Bonafini said.

All visitors who tour the Cobblestone Museum will receive a free coloring book with illustrations suitable for children or adults. Standard campus tours will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. as usual. Special tours of the National Historic Landmark cobblestone building will be offered each hour throughout the day.

A docent will be on duty at the Lighthouse Museum for tours throughout the event.

Anyone wishing more information may call (585) 589-9013 or visit the Cobblestone’s event page at CobblestoneMuseum.org.

Provided photos: Melissa Snider is shown with her sister Amanda Snider, on right side of the photos. There will be a benefit today for Amanda from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

CLARENDON – There will be a benefit today at the Clarendon Rec Hall for a young woman battling stage 4 carcinoma sarcoma.

Amanda Snider, 38, of Holley also has Dandy Walker Syndrome which causes some mental disabilities.

Her sister Melissa and their family and friends will have the benefit from 2 to 6 p.m. at 16169 East Lee Rd.

Melissa said she loves her sister very much and the benefit will help pay for Amanda’s medical care and other bills.

Amanda has had surgery to remove a nodule from her lung. Doctors are considering the next steps in her treatment.

“She is recovering very well,” her sister said.

Tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $17 at the door and include meatballs by the Bella Pasta Restaurant in Rochester and sauce by Fazool’s Italian Bistro in Rochester. Dinners will be served from 3 to 5 p.m.

There will also be a basket raffle, 50/50, music and other door prizes.

Darrel Gray played for Albion and coached Adirondack modified football team

Darrel Gray, the modified football coach at Adirondack Central School District, is shown with his daughter Nora. They were both killed in a car accident on Thursday in Oneida County.

A 1992 Albion High School graduate and his daughter were killed in Oneida County on Thursday.

Darrel Gray and his daughter were in a head-on collision at about 7 a.m. with a fully loaded tractor trailer.

The two were on their way to swim practice. They are from West Leyden in Lewis County. The accident occurred in the town of Ava.

Gray was driving an SUV and crossed into the opposite lane, colliding with the tractor-trailer, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office reported.

He and his daughter were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The two have both been very active members of the Adirondack school district, where Gray was the modified football coach and Nora was on the swim team.

Gray stayed connected with many of his Albion classmates and former teammates.

He is survived by his wife Marion and their son Mitchell.

Geno Allport, a local football coach, graduated with Gray in 1992 and played with him on the football team. They would see each other each spring at high school coaching conferences.

Gray was a long-time Seattle Seahawks fan and reveled in their recent Super Bowl victory. But Gray brought his family to Orchard park to see the Bills last Nov. 2. Buffalo won, 28-21, against their nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gray was a long-time coach at the Adirondack school.

“He was coaching football for the right reasons,” Allport said. “He loved the kids. He was teaching them life. It wasn’t about the wins and losses.”

Allport said the death of Gray and his daughter is devastating for his friends in Albion, and especially for the Adirondack school community.

“He’s always been a great guy with a great family,” Allport said. “It’s just horrible news.”

Geno Allport, in back, reconnected during a Nov. 2 Buffalo Bills game with Darrel Gray, his wife Marion and their children, Mitchell and Nora.

Photos courtesy of Geno Allport: Darrel Gray, no. 48, warms up with the Albion football team during the Sectional final in 1991 when the team was edged 27-26 by Williamsville South at the former Rich Stadium. Gray was a receiver on the team. Geno Allport bought Gray’s old jersey from the school and sent it to Gray who was thrilled to put it on again.

Gray’s wife asks Albion community to share memories of her husband, daughter

In the wake of the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Darrel, and daughter, Nora, Marion Gray is asking the Albion community and anyone whose life was touched by them to share those memories.

Mrs. Gray has created an email for herself and their son Mitchell: CoachandNora@gmail.com.

“With everything being so overwhelming, and the way social media feeds can make messages difficult to find later, Marion is asking anyone who knew Darrel or Nora to please send stories, memories, funny moments, or anything special you remember about them,” said family friend Geno Allport of Albion.

“Her hope is to print these messages and create a book for herself and Mitchell, something they can turn to on the dark days to read about Mitchell’s dad and sister, remember the lives they touched, and hopefully find moments to smile, laugh, or cry together.”

Marion may not be able to respond to the emails, but she asks that you please include who you are and how you knew Darrel or Nora, Allport said.

Provided photos: Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski and Logan Callara, owner of Logan’s Landscaping, try out two of the new benches at Butts Park that were donated by Logan’s Landscaping.

Press Release

MEDINA – Logan’s Landscaping has donated four new custom benches at the basketball courts at Butts Park.

The custom-made concrete give players, parents and visitors a new place to sit while enjoying the courts.

The benches feature a wood-grain finish and custom Logan’s Landscaping plaques. They were made to provide strong, long-lasting seating that can handle regular use and Western New York weather.

“Medina has supported my business from the beginning, so I wanted to give something back that people in the community could actually use,” said Logan Callara, owner of Logan’s Landscaping. “We’re really happy with how the benches turned out and proud to have them at the park.”

Logan’s Landscaping is a locally owned landscaping and property-maintenance company serving Medina and the surrounding communities.

Logan Callara assembles one of the new benches. He donated four at Butts Park.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Ken DeRoller speaks on April 15, 2025 during the Orleans County Bicentennial celebration in the County Courthouse. DeRoller was a member of the county’s Bicentennial Committee.

ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature this week recognized for County Legislator Ken DeRoller with a “Special Recognition Award” for his 12 ½ years of service on the GLOW Workforce Development Board.

DeRoller was on the board during his eight years as county legislator. He retired from that position on Dec. 31, 2021. He then continued to represent the county on the GLOW board for another 4 ½ years.

“You were instrumental in keeping Orleans County present and involved in all aspects of the GLOW region activities,” county legislators stated in the award presented on Tuesday. “You were vocal and passionate about the regional Work Force Development efforts, along with foresight into the future needs of our County. Even as a retired legislator, you understand the need to present ‘in the room.’”

DeRoller, a Kendall resident, helped the GLOW Workforce Development Board to establish a non-profit organization to seek out grants. That gives the organization another funding opportunity at a time when federal funds are dwindling for traditional workforce development programs.

Kelly Kiebala, the county’s job development director since 2015, saw DeRoller’s advocacy up close on the GLOW board. DeRoller pushed the board to stay as a collaborative four-county effort, Kiebala said.

She recalled his mantra: “There would not be a GLOW without Orleans as the ‘O’ in GLOW.”

“Right for the start it was clear to me how committed he was – and is – to Orleans and the folks who live and work in our communities,” Kiebala said.

Press Release, Nioga Library System

File photo by Tom Rivers: Tom Bindeman, the director of the Nioga Library System for 21 years, is shown speaking at an Orleans County Legislature meeting in October 2021. Bindeman urged legislators to keep some funding in the county budget for libraries, which he said helped many residents during the Covid pandemic with internet access, including people using the WiFi in parking lots after hours.

LOCKPORT – Nioga Library System is pleased to announce the appointment of Frank Sykes as executive director, effective August 10. His appointment comes after the retirement of Tom Bindeman, who served as executive director for over 21 years.

Frank Sykes joins the Nioga Library System with over 18 years of public library experience, most recently serving as executive director of the Geneva Public Library. He holds a Master of Library Science Degree from University at Buffalo and Bachelor of Science in History from SUNY Brockport.

Sykes was awarded 2024 Youth Advocate of the Year by Geneva 2030 for his commitment to fostering community and advocacy work with families in the Finger Lakes area. As a leader, Sykes is passionate about collaboration and strengthening the roles libraries play in our communities.

“Public libraries are cherished places where people come together, learn something interesting, meet a new friend, and feel a sense of belonging,” Sykes said. “That is what makes this opportunity with the Nioga Library System so meaningful to me. I am honored to begin this new chapter alongside the dedicated people who make each Nioga member library such a vital part of Western New York.”

The Nioga Library System is a non-profit cooperative library system that serves the public libraries in Niagara, Orleans and Genesee counties. Chartered in 1959, Nioga seeks to extend and improve library services by assisting local libraries in meeting the information needs of their communities through leadership, education, inspiration, and enhanced resource sharing.

“I’m looking forward to hearing their stories, championing their hard work, and building meaningful connections across our region,” Sykes said. “Together, I believe we can strengthen our libraries and ensure they continue to be places where everyone has the opportunity to learn, connect, and thrive.”

Gretchen Schweigert also joined Nioga as the new Member Library Consultant on July 29 after the retirement of Lisa Erickson. Schweigert worked as a reference librarian at the Niagara Falls Public Library shortly after she graduated from UB with her Master of Library & Information Science.

Schweigert then went on to be the director of the Royalton Hartland Community Library in Middleport for 7 years before being hired as Director at the Newfane Public Library in 2024. That same year she was appointed to the Board of the Western New York Library Resources Council and currently serves as Board Secretary. Schweigert is also active in her community, most notably volunteering with the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival since its inception.

Provided photos: Marlene Seielstad, a candidate for Orleans County Legislature against Don Allport, speaks during the Democratic Party picnic on Aug. 16 at the Orleans County Marine Park. Seielstad is shown here being greeted by Jeanne Crane, former Democratic Party chairwoman in Orleans County.

Press Release, Orleans County Democratic Committee

CARLTON – The Orleans County Democratic Committee welcomed a big turnout for its annual picnic on Sunday, August 16, at the Cobblestone Pavilion at Orleans County Marine Park.

With 85 tickets sold, the event brought together Democrats from across Orleans County for an afternoon of good food, conversation, and an opportunity to meet candidates seeking local, state and judicial offices.

The pavilion was filled with animated conversations as candidates circulated among the tables, talked individually with residents, answered questions, and later addressed the group.

About 85 people attended the picnic at the cobblestone pavilion at the Marine Park.

Among the candidates attending was Marlene Seielstad, candidate for Orleans County Legislator at Large. Because the position is countywide, every Orleans County voter will have the opportunity to vote in the race.

Seielstad spoke about her concerns regarding equitable distribution of sales tax revenue and the county’s management and disposition of real estate. She said she is seeking a seat at the table to bring residents’ concerns to the Legislature, ask difficult questions, and challenge the idea that something should continue simply because “it’s always been done this way.”

Fred Miller has been the lone Democrat on the seven-member County Legislature. He previously owned the Family Hardware store in downtown Albion.

Fred Miller, incumbent Orleans County District 3 Legislator representing Albion, Gaines and a portion of Murray, also attended. Miller, who is running unopposed, thanked those gathered for their continued support. He discussed county issues, including the relocation of the County Historian and related maintenance concerns, as well as questions surrounding the need for Flock camera technology.

Sarah Wolcott, candidate for the New York State Assembly’s 139th District, spoke about her working-class roots and her commitment to improving access to healthcare, food, and housing. Wolcott also discussed her involvement in opposition to the proposed data center in Genesee County and concerns about its potential effects on regional resources, including water resources affecting Orleans County.

(Left) Sarah Wolcott, a candidate for the State Assembly against Steve Hawley, is shown with a poster from 1984 for the Democratic ticket of Walter Mondale as president and Geraldine Ferraro as his vice-presidential running mate. Ferraro was the first woman nominated for vice president by a major U.S. political party. (Right) Anne Joynt, a Medina graduate, is running for State Supreme Court.

Three candidates for New York State Supreme Court in the 8th Judicial District attended the picnic: Anne Joynt, Michael Amodeo and Craig Bucki.

Joynt, a partner at Lipsitz, Ponterio & Comerford, highlighted her deep Orleans County roots. A Medina native and graduate of Medina High School, she spoke about her familiarity with the community and likewise emphasized the importance of being accessible to residents.

Michael Amodeo is seeking to be a State Supreme Court justice. He has been endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican parties.

Amodeo, principal law clerk in the New York State Appellate Division, was unable to remain for the formal candidate remarks but spent time meeting attendees and answering questions. In response to questions at his table, he discussed how the New York Supreme Court handles cases and the role of law clerks within the court system. Amodeo received both Democratic and Republican endorsements at their respective 8th Judicial District conventions and is a longtime member of the Hamburg Democratic Committee.

Craig Bucki is a candidate for State Supreme Court justice.

Bucki, a partner at Phillips Lytle, spoke about his legal career in Western New York and his familiarity with Orleans County, including work that has brought him into the county when legal representation was needed. He emphasized his intention to remain accessible to the people he would serve.

The Orleans County Democratic Committee is also supporting Democratic candidates who were unable to attend the picnic, including Alissa Ellman, candidate for New York’s 24th Congressional District; Tom Arida, candidate for New York State Senate District 62; Kathy Hochul and Adrienne Adams, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor; and incumbent Thomas DiNapoli for New York State Comptroller.

Throughout the afternoon, candidates and community members had opportunities for informal, one-on-one conversations before and after the candidates addressed the larger gathering.

The record attendance reflected growing interest in local Democratic activities and gave Orleans County residents an opportunity to talk directly with candidates about issues affecting their communities.

About the Orleans County Democratic Committee

The Orleans County Democratic Committee works to engage voters, support Democratic candidates, encourage civic participation, and provide opportunities for residents to become involved in the political process throughout Orleans County.

President signs executive order for new name of lake that touches Orleans County

Map courtesy of White House: The White House this afternoon posted this map that shows the Great Lakes, including Lake Ontario with a new name.

President Donald Trump today signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America.”

Trump on Tuesday posted on social media that the United States was giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” because the US doesn’t “expect to doing much business with Ontario any longer.”

Canada pulled out of trade talks with the U.S. after contentious negotiations. Trump announced 50 percent tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods. Canada then announced retaliatory tariffs.

Trump last year announced an executive order that gave the Gulf of Mexico a new name – the Gulf of America.

Here is today’s executive order 14420 that Trump said honors the American history of the Great Lakes:

EXECUTIVE ORDER 14420

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  As I announced in Executive Order 14172 of January 20, 2025 (Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness), it is the policy of my Administration to recognize the extraordinary contributions of the American people and the rich heritage of our history by naming great natural landmarks for our shared achievements.  The United States is the greatest protector of the Great Lakes, including the body of water currently known as Lake Ontario. 

Without the security and investment provided by the United States, this freshwater system would not be open for shipping, recreation, and responsible use to the same extent as it is today.  The United States Coast Guard supplies 9 of the 11 ice breaking vessels on the Great Lakes, securing commercial shipping lanes free of charge.  The United States has invested nearly $4 billion in protecting the Great Lakes freshwater ecosystem in the last decade, while Canada has invested far less in similar initiatives over the same period.

Sec. 2.  Lake America.  (a)  The body of water currently known as Lake Ontario is a tremendous asset to the United States and part of our Nation’s heritage.  With the deepest parts of the Lake’s waters lying within United States territory, the United States claims most of the Lake’s volume.  The Lake has long been an integral asset to American exploration, settlement, commerce, and defense. 

From the colonial period through the early republic, the Lake served as a critical artery for American trade, commerce, and military logistics, including the establishment in Oswego of a historic fort and the first United States port of call from the St. Lawrence Seaway, shipbuilding and naval operations during the War of 1812 at Sackets Harbor and other New York posts, and the movement of goods, settlers, and later industrial cargoes that linked the interior of the United States to eastern markets and the Atlantic. 

Maritime commerce on the broader Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway system — of which the Lake is the easternmost and gateway segment — continues to generate substantial economic activity for the United States, supporting hundreds of thousands of American jobs and billions of dollars in annual economic output, cargo value, and related business revenue, with our  ports, carriers, and States deriving a significant share of the system’s benefits in iron ore, limestone, coal, agricultural products, and other bulk commodities.

Water from the Lake is used to supply nuclear, natural gas, and oil-fired power plants and to supply municipal drinking water to nearby communities.  United States domestic and cross-border shipping activity on the Great Lakes system has historically underpinned regional manufacturing, steel production, agriculture, and energy supply chains in several States, reflecting the strategic and economic importance of these waters to the United States that continues to this day.  The Lake will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy.  In recognition of this flourishing economic resource and its critical importance to our Nation’s economy and its people, I am directing that the Lake officially be renamed as Lake America.

(b)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) shall, in coordination with the Board on Geographic Names and consistent with 43 U.S.C. 364 through 364f, take all appropriate actions to rename as “Lake America” the body of water currently named as Lake Ontario, bounded on the south and east by the State of New York, and on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario.  The Secretary, conjointly with the Board on Geographic Names, shall subsequently update the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) to reflect the renaming of the Lake and remove all references to Lake Ontario from the GNIS, consistent with applicable law.  The Board on Geographic Names shall provide guidance to ensure all Federal Government references to Lake Ontario, including on executive department and agency maps, contracts, and other documents and communications, shall reflect its renaming.

Sec. 3.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

(ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

(c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

(d)  The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of the Interior.

DONALD J. TRUMP

THE WHITE HOUSE,

August 27, 2026.