NY’s Haunted History Trail brings busload of people to sites in WNY

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brian Cano of Staten Island led a group of 23 people on a paranormal exploration on Sunday night at the Pratt Event Center.

The group arrived by bus as part of a two-day journey around Western New York on the NYS Haunted History Trail.

Cano is shown on the stage of the former Pratt Opera House. On the walls are old play advertisements and programs from theater shows in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

The wall is covered with signatures of stage hands, and advertisements from comedy and theater shows. For more than a century, they were hid behind a tin barrier in the Pratt Opera House.

Brian Cano started hosting paranormal TV shows back in 2002 with “Scared in Staten Island.” He said there has been growing interest and acceptance of the paranormal, partly through the popularity of shows such as “Ghost Hunters.”

He led people over two days to several sites in Western New York on the Haunted History Trail. Before coming to the Pratt on Sunday night, the group was at the Buffalo Naval Yard touring a WWII ship.

Cano said the Haunted History Trail highlights interesting places and communities, and isn’t just for people interested in paranormal explorations.

State tourism officials offered the bus tour for the first time, and 23 people signed up.

“Some are just curious, and others are more investigation minded,” Cano said.

Michael Bonafede gave the group some background on the three buildings they would be touring. Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler have worked more than 20 years of restoring the Pratt Event Center and turning the site from near vacancy to buildings with many tenants.

The Pratt Event Center is made up of three interconnected historic buildings, including the former Grand Opera House, the Day and Day Building and the Stone Building. The site features a preserved Grand Army of the Republic meeting room where Civil War veterans from three Orleans County brigades gathered from 1884 to 1930.

The Pratt has hosted paranormal investigations the past five years. Albion resident D.J. Button leads the groups. He has EMF readers, light balls and motion sensors.

Button leads group tours throughout the year, with October and November the busiest months. Click here for more information on the Pratt paranormal tours.

Michael Bonafede shows the group Beaver Alley, a sandstone paved street next to the Pratt Opera House.

The Gold Medal Flour mural was added to the building at 120 North Main St. The tried to replicate a Gold Medal Flour sign from the early 1900s.

The building from 1882 has an intact GAR Room used by the Grand Army of the Republic, and many programs and posters from performances at the opera house, as well as several other artifacts.

Photos courtesy of Taylor McCabe

The group on the Haunted History Trail gathered in a circle on the stage of the Pratt Opera House before their paranormal investigation on Sunday night.

The group is shown in the Grand Army of the Republic room where Civil War veterans would meet regularly.

Some of the group in the theater saw shadows moving in the rear of the opera house where John Pratt is often believed to come up the back stairs and toward the stage. Many felt energy or presence on stage during their circle around the Ghost Light. Others also heard words related to performances, one observer said.

In the GAR room, they received direct responses through paranormal equipment to questions pertaining to the time period in which the room was used by soldiers, the observer said.

For more on the Haunted History Trail, click here.

‘All That Sustains Us’ concludes today in Medina

Photos by Tom Rivers: This group is on a bird-watching expedition on June 7 on the Glenside Avenue canal bridge, looking towards the wooded area along the Erie Canal towpath. The Triennial hosted several workshops and expeditions in the past three months exploring the environment, ecology and sustainability. The exhibitions have an overall theme of “All That Sustains Us.”

MEDINA – The Medina Triennial concludes today after three months as a showcase of art installations from 39 artists at 10 locations in Medina.

Most of the works are located in the former Medina High School. The $2 million initiative has been funded by the New York Power Authority, the Canal Corp. and other sponsors. There is no admission charge.

About 30,000 people have come to Medina to see the Triennial in the three months. Attendance has grown, especially in August. On Saturday, more than 500 people stopped by the Medina Triennial Hub, the welcome center that also includes two of the art installations.

Organizers are pleased with the response from the public, many glowing reviews in art publications and the funding support. Kari Conte, co-director of the Triennial, said she fully expects there will be a second triennial in three years – 2029.

Kari Conte, co-curator and artistic director of the Triennial, introduces Richard Ibghy & Marilou Lemmens at Rotary Park on June 7. The two artists created a whimsical toolshed that highlights how birds use tools. They will be back today for another discussion at Rotary Park from 2 to 3 p.m.

Medina has felt the increase in visitors, said Jim Hancock, the Medina Tourism Committee chairman. He helps staff the Visitor Center at Rotary Park.

“We have people stop by Visitor Center asking about the Triennial,” Hancock said. “Our visitors are way up. There have been a lot more people in town than in years past. It’s just been busy.”

Federico Rosario, the community engagement and programs coordinator for the Triennial, said there was a noticeable jump in visitors after an Aug. 1 article in the Buffalo News that encouraged people to see the Triennial and its exhibition of artists from 21 countries.

He said about 35 to 40 percent of the visitors had never been to Medina before. Some visitors have come back more than once to fully experience the Triennial.

Most of the visitors make a day trip from Buffalo, Rochester and Toronto.

“Word of mouth has been the most powerful way people are learning about the Triennial,” Rosario said.

The former Sacred Heart Church site in Medina features an installation, “Exhibit” by Mary Mattingly. Rooted in a living sculpture: a multi-tiered shelving unit of glass jars and terrariums containing edible plants adapted to a changing climate. Mattingly also created the popular floating garden on a barge that is moored in the Canal Basin.

Sacred Heart Church hosts works from four artists or collectives including a palm tree constructed from 540 handmade soap bars cast from recycled cooking oil. This was created by FIBRA, an all-women collective – Lucia Monge, Gianine Tabja, and Gabriela Flores del Pozo – from Lima, Peru.

An exhibit of trophies repurposed to pay homage to working people is in the gym of the old high school. Jean Shin, an artist who works out of New York City and the Hudson Valley, has given a new purpose to more than 400 trophies on display at the old high school. Instead of celebrating athletic achievements, Shin now has the trophies to highlight everyday professions: caregivers, food service employees, postal carriers, sanitary workers and others whose labor is often unappreciated.

This group gathers for food and conversation at the Triennial Hub on Saturday. This is the office and welcome area for the Hub. It is located in the former NAPA Auto Parts building at 345 Main St. This site had more than 500 visitors on Saturday.

People on Sunday check out the exhibits inside the historic Medina High School, where many of the art exhibits are located. In back artist Aki Inomata entitles this piece as “How to Carve a Sculpture.” Based in Tokyo, Inomata traveled to five zoos in Japan providing material for beavers to create these gnawed-wood sculptures. The smaller sculptures were made by beavers and the bigger ones were machine-carved versions on a larger scale.

‘A wonderful experience for us in Medina’

By Ginny Kropf, Correspondent

Photo by Scott Robinson: Roux, 5-year-old son of Scott Robinson and his wife Alix Gilman, is fascinated by a painting of the late Niagara Falls artist Jay Carrier. The painting is in Room 102, with several other artists’ work in the historic Medina High School.

MEDINA – As the inaugural Medina Triennial approaches its last day, residents and visitors are reminded they have one more chance to view this first-time extravagant venture, which began the first week in June.

“Over the past three months, we have watched visitors from near and far come to experience artworks by 39 artists and collectives across 10 sites throughout the village,” said Kari Conte, creative director. “The response from both critics and visitors has been beyond anything we could have imagined.”

The Triennial’s primary indoor sites, Medina High School and Sacred Heart Church, are free and fully accessible. Conte shared that the high school now has a platform lift to the second floor, and accessible parking is available behind the building.

Twenty-eight of the 39 artists’ works are exhibited on the first and second floors of the high school, while James Beckett’s “A Good Wall” occupies the southeast corner of the front lawn.

Recently, Scott Robinson and his wife Alix Gilman took their 5-year-old son Roux to view the exhibits. Much to their surprise, many of the exhibits fascinated the young child. At Medina High School, he stood staring at Jay Carrier’s painting. They couldn’t tear him away from an ecological video, Robinson said.

“Roux joined me at the hospital for the artist’s overview, and to my shock he stood the entire time so ‘he could pay attention.’ Then on Sunday, we finally walked the old high school. Hours after we got home Roux asked Alix if we could do something for the people who lost their homes (referring to the exhibit of keys of people who have lost homes in Palestine.) He’s currently trying to figure out a way to build homes, invite the people over to ours or buy them food.”

Robinson is director of marketing at Medina Memorial Hospital, where one artist’s exhibit is available for viewing, half outside and the other side in a covered walkway.

“Over the last couple of months, I’ve been able to see firsthand the impact of the Medina Triennial,” Robinson said. “Everyday I watch as patients, visitors, team members and out-of-town guests view the installation at Medina Memorial Hospital. The response has been great. Questions are asked, opinions are shared and there is excitement that the hospital was able to participate. For a building that’s been part of the community for 101 years, it’s great to be able to take part in this exciting time. I’ve also had the opportunity to speak to many of the first-time visitors to our village. I bartend at the Shirt Factory once a week, and there hasn’t been a day over the summer where someone doesn’t set their Triennial book on the bar and invite a conversation about Medina – something I love talking about. There’s no question this has further put Medina on the map.

“On a personal note, we’ve made this a family adventure,” Robinson continued. “Our 5-year-old has participated in the butterfly release, he attended the presentation at the high school and we’ve all walked around the old Medina High School and Triennial Hub.”

During their recent trip to the historic Medina High School, Robinson said Roux never stopped asking questions, even after they returned home.

“Art is meant to be enjoyed, it’s meant to drive conversation, and it’s meant to share emotions,” Robinson said. “What we never realized was that our child would be so impacted by some of the installations he experienced. One of my fondest memories of this summer will be the moments we spent at the Medina Triennial sites.”

Jeanne Crane, a former nurse at Medina Memorial Hospital, said she has visited the display at the hospital and the barge in the Canal Basin.

“This has been a wonderful experience for us in Medina, especially for people who are unable to travel,” Crane said. “Many talented artists have exposed us to a world we do not see in our small community. It was well-publicized and many visitors have come and spent money in our community. This has been a wonderful event. Thank you to the organizers.”

Cora Goyette of Medina volunteered as one of the guides for the Triennial. Visiting the sites on one its last days, she said, “It’s quintessentially Medina.”

Photos by Ginny Kropf: A seasoned flyer glides to a landing in his paramotor after a short flight. The public is welcome to bring their lawn chairs and watch the flying activity most evenings.

LYNDONVILLE – A new flying school has gotten off the ground on Lakeshore Road, near Lyndonville.

Airborne Acres is a passion of Kayla “Kale” Browning, 28, who is a jet pilot, but recently became interested in paramotors.

“I grew up thinking aviation was not an option for me, because you either had to be rich or ‘know somebody’,” Browning said.” With more research, I found out a career in aviation was very possible. You just needed to get creative and be willing to work hard while staying consistent.”

Browning is from Williamsfield, an Amish community in Ohio, where after graduating from high school, decided she wanted some excitement in her life.

“I woke up one day, put everything I owned in my car and researched ‘cheapest flight school in America,’” Browning said. “One in Miami came up and I left. I made ends meet working three jobs while going to flight school. This was back in 2017.”

(Left) Kayla Browning sits in the hanger she outfitted with a classroom to teach people how to fly a paramotor. (Right) Kayla “Kale” Browning watches a paramotor in the air from a landing strip carved out of a farmer’s field on Lakeshore Road, Lyndonville. She opened Airborne Acres, a flying school, this summer.

Browning first flew in gliders and got her pilot’s license when she was 18. That would lead to a job flying a jump plane for parachutists, until she advanced to jet planes. She now flies jets for private owners, in addition to running Airborne Acres.

When she became interested in paramotors, 2-cylinder gas-powered flying machines that strap on the flyers back, she started looking for a place to start a paramotor school. A friend in Youngstown told her of the property at 10954 Lakeshore Rd., which already had an airstrip built by Robert Williams for his private plane.

She arrived here in April 2024, purchased the 38-acre property and started making improvements. She mowed the 3,000-foot landing strip, which took her three days, cleaned out the hangar on the property and built a classroom and shower.  She also built a patio, dug the trench for water lines and put in water and electricity herself.

Instructor Chris Holbert straps Robin Boyle of Medina into a paramotor rigged to teach people how to fly one.

To get the word out, Browning began advertising the adventure on Facebook. Last November, she entered a float in Medina’s Parade of Lights. She had 11 students last year and this year her class has more than doubled. Her project has drawn attention from paramotor owners from around the country, including Chris Holbert, a paramotor instructor from Ohio who also has a school there.

“He is one of the best pilots in the world,” Browning said.

He sees the venture as a great way to get the community together. Friends and neighbors are invited to bring their lawn chairs and watch the activity, usually starting at about 6 p.m. most days.

“A paramotor is an incredibly unique way to fly,” Browning said. “It is the fastest and cheapest way to learn to fly.”

It’s possible to be able to fly in 10-14 days, at a cost of about $3,000, and own an aircraft for $8,000, plus $3,000 for wings, she said.

She has had students from Maine and Texas, and currently has one from Canada. Visitors have come from Tennessee, California and Norway, in addition to local visitors from all over Western New York.

Scott Julius of Hamburg also contributes to the success of Airborne Acres, as a discovery flight/tandem pilot. Tandem flights are available in a 55 h.p. aircraft.

 On Friday night, Alexis Hyman of Strykersville came to take a discovery flight.

“My sister tried it a year ago and now has her own paramotor,” Hyman said.

It is possible to do aerobatics, including rolls, in a paramotor, as a pilot demonstrated Friday night.

“He is one of the best pilots in the world,” Browning said.

A paramotor is capable of flying to 12,000 feet, however, flights are usually no more than 1,500 feet.

Weather permitting, flying is usually going on early in the morning and after 6 p.m. The typical season is April to October.

Anyone interested in learning to fly a paramotor can contact Airborne Acres at (305) 923-4238 or at flyairborneacres@gmail.com.

A student comes in for a landing in his paramotor at Airborne Acres on Lakeshore Road.

Photos by Tom Rivers

HULBERTON – Lori Richardson, left, and Noreen Ford have chicken parmesan ready at today’s St. Rocco’s Italian Festival in Hulberton.

There were big crowds for the event, with people showing up an hour early for the Italian food.

Ford co-chairs the food pavilion with her brother Bill Bower and his wife Rose Mary.

Ford graduated from the St. Mary’s School in Holley and has been at every one of the 51 festivals.

“We see a lot of people who we went to school with and their families,” Ford said.

The event is a fundraiser for the ONE Catholic Family of Churches.

Gail Christ works with other volunteers to get powered dough waffles.

The festival grounds were packed with people.

There were about 25 vendors selling arts, crafts and vegetables.

Chuck Maxon and Rachael Spychalski serve up spaghetti dinners.

Some of the spaghetti crew include from left Gary Maxon, Chuck Maxon, Rachael Spychalski and Jean Maxon.

Volunteers started preparing the food for St. Rocco’s on Tuesday.

They cooked 40 pounds of spaghetti, 45 gallons of meat sauce and 1,350 meatballs.

The volunteers also prepared 224 pans of eggplant with six servings a pan. The eggplant was donated by Vendetti Farms and Piedimonte Farms.

Jean Maxon is the overall festival chairwoman. She said the group promoted the festival more in the region. She was impressed by the big crowds.

There were 12 teams competing in the bocce tournament.

Enzio Molinaro, 1 ½ of Lockport, holds one of the bocce balls on an idle court. He was at the festival to watch his uncle and grandfather play.

Katie Robinson, a pianist and vocalist, performed hits from the 1970s and 1980s including Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Carole King, Seals and Crofts, Cyndi Lauper and James Taylor. Here she is singing, “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper.

Photo by Tom Rivers: The old Holley High School is shown on June 16. The front steps crumbled in spots and have been partially blocked off to the public.

HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board will be changing its meeting location for the next   three meetings while repairs are made to the front steps at the old Holley High School.

The village is a tenant at the building and holds its monthly meetings in the former auditorium.

The monthly board meetings will instead be held at the American Legion at 1 Wright St., beginning on Tuesday and then on Oct.13 and Nov. 10.

The village offices moved from 72 Public Square to the former school beginning in August 2020.

Home Leasing turned the building, which was vacant for more than two decades, into 41 apartments and the offices for the village. It was a $17 million transformation to redevelop the property now called the Holley Gardens.

Home Leasing earlier this year notified the village that the old school and the majority of real estate properties have been sold to Pennrose Holdings, a Philadelphia-based firm.

Book gives humorous insights into the cutthroat world of competitive quilting

Eli McCann will sign books and give a presentation on Sept. 21 at the Author’s Note in Medina.

MEDINA – A social media personality and humorist will visit Author’s Note this month to introduce his highly acclaimed new book.

Eli McCann will sign copies and discuss his new book Stitched at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the book store. In addition, he will do presentations at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Hollwedel Library in Pavilion and at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Newstead Library in Akron.

Kirkus calls Stitched “Simply charming. McCann’’s prose is bursting at the seams with humor and genuinely tender, touching moments. Cal Crosby from The King’s English Bookshop describes the book as “One part Schilt’s Creek, one part Golden Girls and a whole lot of Eli McCann’s signature wit and charm.”

Stitched  is the story of Betty Lou Dearden who has been a member of the Ogden Quilters Association for mor than 20 years, when it is announced that the biggest quilting competition in the country is coming to Utah. With the clock ticking and a chance to finally beat their long-time quilting rival quilting circle, the women welcome two young gay men to their group as they bicker their way to an award-worthy entry. It is with disarming humor and extraordinary heart that Eli McCann takes readers deep into the cozy but cutthroat world of competitive quilting and sometimes messy friendships that shape our lives.

In addition to being an author, McCann is a humor columnist, podcaster and lawyer. He writes a monthly humor column for The Salt Lake Tribune,  and his work has been featured in The Washington Post, Newsweek, Huff Post and the BBC. He has a sizable and enthusiastic Instagram following. He lives in Salt Lake City with his husband, son and two naughty dogs.

Author’s Note anticipates a strong turnout for these events and suggests preordering copies of the author’s works at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., or online at authorsnote.com/events. Author’s Note may be contacted at (585) 798-3642.

County has seen sales tax revenue jump by $8 million since 2019

Photo by Tom Rivers: Downtown Medina is shown in a recent photo. Medina’s Main Street is a vibrant business district.

ALBION – Orleans County continues to see growth in the local sales tax revenue, but not at the pace of the other rural GLOW counties.

The state comptroller has highlighted the sales tax revenue for the first half of the year among counties in the state, as well as the overall state growth.

Orleans County, in the first six months of 2026, is up by 2.8 percent or $340,000 from $12.41 million to $12.75 million.

Orleans is coming off a big sales tax year in 2025 when revenues jumped 9.3 percent or nearly $2.2 million from $23.42 million in 2024 to $25.59 million in 2025.

The revenue helps the county offset increases and helps hold down property taxes at the county level. The County Legislature also shares $1,366,671 with the 10 towns and four villages, a level that has been unchanged since 2001. The towns and villages collectively receive about 5 percent of the total.

The county has seen steady growth in sales tax in recent years. It has now gone up nearly $8 million from the $17.7 in 2019 to the $25.6 million last year.

Orleans County sales tax revenues

• $25.6 million in 2025
• $23.4 million in 2024
• $23.1 million in 2023
• $22.5 million in 2022
• $21.8 million in 2021
• $19.4 million in 2020
• $17.7 million in 2019

The comptroller’s office said overall inflation, including much-higher gas and fuel prices in 2026, are a factor in higher sales tax revenue so far in 2026, compared to 2025.

Aggregate sales tax collections for counties grew by 5.7 percent in the first half of 2026, year over year, with 52 of 57 counties outside of New York City experienced increases in first-half collections. More than half of those counties saw growth exceed 5 percent.

Among the GLOW counties, the growth in Orleans County is lagging behind.

• Genesee County is up 12.5 percent from $27.78 million to $31.26 million, an increase of $3.48 million
• Livingston up by 5.2 percent from $22.48 million to $23.64 million, an increase of $1.16 million
• Orleans up by 2.8 percent from $12.41 million to $12.75 million, up by $340,000
• Wyoming increased by 9.2 percent from $12.80 million to $13.97 million, an increase of $1.17 million

Neighboring Monroe County only saw 0.5 percent growth from $321.0 to $322.7 million, while another neighbor to Orleans, Niagara, is up 8.9 percent from $85.23 million to $92.78 million, according to the state comptroller.

Provided photos: The following are historic properties which have been selected by the Cobblestone Society to be recognized in the annual Cobblestone Museum Architectural Tour, scheduled Oct. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. Selected structures, all in Niagara County, are the Babcock House Museum in Appleton, Appleton Hall (Marjim Manor) in Appleton, Van Horn Mansion in Burt, First Baptist Church in Newfane, Alton & Arlene Schwarzmuller’s home in Wilson and the Wilson House Inn and Restaurant in Wilson.

The annual Tour of Homes sponsored by the Cobblestone Museum will have a new look this year when it takes place Oct. 3. Aptly named as the Cobblestone Architectural Tour, the event from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 3 will feature six structures in Niagara County,

Tickets are $20 for Cobblestone Society members and $25 for non-members. Tickets are available online at CobblestoneMuseum.org or by calling (585) 589-9013.

The first Tour of Homes took place in 1961, according to Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum. The 20 featured buildings that year were all cobblestone and were located on or near Ridge Road between Childs and Oak Orchard on the Ridge. Seven of the homes allowed indoor tours, while 13 were exterior only or drive-by. It was organized by Carl Schmidt and other early Cobblestone Society board members.

“These days, I work with a planning committee each year,” Farley said. “We pick a geographic area on which to focus to minimize the drive time between stops. We also have limited the tours to no more than six indoor tours to keep the timeframe manageable.”

The tours have also grown to include other types of construction, which explains the name change from Cobblestone Tour of Homes to Cobblestone Museum Architectural Tour this year. In 65 years, only a few annual tours have been missed.

The cobblestone Babcock House Museum at 7449 Lake Rd., Appleton, is owned by the town of Somerset Historical Society. The Greek Revival Babcock House was built in 1848 by Jeptha Bacock near the shores of Lake Ontario. He was a farmer, first postmaster in the town, supervisor of the town of Somerset and a New York State assemblyman.

A succession of owners eventually led to New York State Electric and Gas acquiring the property in 1982 as part of its 625 megawatt electric generating plant. An agreement was signed in 1987, allowing the town of Somerset Historical Society to operate the Babcock House Museum and Visitors’ Center.

The cobblestone masonry, using water washed stone from Lake Ontario, is typical to this area of Ne4w York, with most of these homes being erected prior to the Civil War. When one steps over the threshold, they enter a world gone by. A brick beehive oven and fireplace are focal points. The home is completely furnished with vintage antiques, china, light fixtures and pump organ. It is if the original owner is just outside in the impressive barn tending to his animals.

One of the largest barns in Niagara County, visitors can tour the old machinery inside and view the barn’s soaring architecture. The Somerset Historical Society holds square dances, storytelling and old fashioned pot luck meals inside the barn several times a year.

Appleton Hall (Marjim Manor) is located at 7171 Lake Rd., Appleton, where it is home to the Winery at Marjim Manor, woman-owned by Margo Sue Bittner.

The Marjim name comes from a blending of her first name with that of her husband Jim. It is a name they created 35 years ago when they began dairy farming.

The winery is truly a family affair. Margo Sue is president, and daughter Janet Walker assists with sales and marketing. The fruit comes from Bittner-Singer Orchards, where Margo’s husband is president. Their sons work full time there also.

The 9,500 square foot mansion has a unique appearance and history. Formerly called Appleton Hall, it is built of bricks imported from Italy by its original owner Shubal Merritt, who bought the property from the Holland Land company. The house was originally and Italianate villa style brick house. In the 20th century, a wrap-around enclosed porch was added.

Originally built in the 1800s as a farmhouse, it later became a summer retreat for the Sisters of St. Joseph Convent. It even has resident ghosts. Visitors to the Tasting Room hear the whole story. No recent sightings have been reported.

The Van Horn Mansion at 2159 Lockport-Olcott Rd., Burt, has a history that is both fascinating and a classic American story. A pioneer family earned riches from dreams and hard work, yet lived through plenty of hardships and heartaches. This can also describe their homestead, which was built by the first Van Horn to settle in Niagara County.

James Augustus Van Horn was born in New Jersey in 1770. He became a blacksmith and settled with his wife Elizabeth Hall and their three surviving children, moving to Seneca County around the turn of the century. In 1801, at age 31, James purchased 637 acres south of Lake Ontario from the Holland Land Company. As was the rule at the time, one could not take possession of property until it was paid in full, and James, like most new landowners of the day, would take many years to pay off the property and move.

In 1807, Elizabeth passed away and James, almost immediately, married his second wife Abigail Carpenter. Together they had six surviving children and two who died in infancy. James visited his new property for the first time in 1809, along with business partner Levi Ellis. Both arrived from Seneca County with plans to build a new water-powered grist mill along Eighteen Mile Creek and sell flour.

Construction began in 1810, around the same time James’ son Launey was born. Unfortunately, all the workers would become very ill with swamp fever. The project was abandoned before winter, leaving the men to return to their lives in Seneca County. James would not give up, however, and returned alone the next year to complete construction and put the mill into operation.

James decided that until the businesses were strong, his family would remain in Seneca County. One main reason may have been the wide-spread illnesses in Niagara County due to the large amount of swamp land at the time. The land was properly drained in 1832 by the state, eradicating the health problems.

When the War of 1812 erupted, many settlers left the area, but James Van Horn remained and began sending flour to support the American garrison at Fort Niagara. In December of 1813 the British headed to Eighteen Mile Creek, with orders to destroy all before them west of the creek. They burned homes, mills and factories, leaving the settlers to the mercy of the woods and harsh temperatures.

The British attacks spared most families and property east of the creek, but had orders to burn the Van Horn’s mills, which were considered “military targets,” since they were supplying Fort Niagara with flour. The mill was burned to the ground, yet the British spared James’ home, because (some believed) he was diplomatic to the invaders and supplied them with food and brandy.

In 1817, with the war over, James started over with a new partner and millwright, Ira Tompkins. They rebuilt the gristmill and the next decade added a brickyard, small general store and sawmill. He rebuilt the gristmill again after a fire in the 1830s. James also began plans to build a large home for his family, and by 1819, they were officially settled at their log cabin home in Newfane. That same year he began construction on what would become the first brick building in the area, known today as the Van Horn Mansion. The new brick home was an immense structure in Federal Greek style. It had two stories, plus basement with four fireplaces on each floor, a basement kitchen and an outdoor summer kitchen.

James, then in his 50s, owned 637 acres of property. The family business was known as Van Horn and Company, a business which grew with the addition of a wheat farm, distillery, wooden mill with a clothing shop and several other mills.

The First Baptist Church at 6047 East Ave., Newfane is built of cobblestone and was organized in 1829, five years after the town of Newfane was incorporated. The church, with its landmark cobblestone building, has been the spiritual home to generations from Newfane and surrounding communities for so long that no one today can remember when this house of worship did not exist.

Historical events in the church’s history include its founding May 27, 1829 as the First Baptist Church and Society of Newfane; It’s new house of cobblestone in 1843 – one of only a handful of cobblestone churches in the nation; extensive renovation completed in 1907, including building the bell tower and installed stained glass windows; constructing Memorial Hall to honor Newfane men who served in World War I; purchase of a used pipe organ, whose pipes today are a backdrop for a lighted hanging cross in the sanctuary; in 2004, the church’s acceptance for listing on the New York and National Registers of Historic Places; and celebration in 2015 of the church’s 186th anniversary.

The cobblestone home of Alton and Arlene Schwarzmuller at 2533 Wilson-Cambria Rd., Wilson was built for Captain Morgan Johnson about 1844-45. It was considered one of the most elaborate of Niagara County’s cobblestone homes. Morgan was captain of the ship “Milly Cook,” which caught fire and burned in Wilson Harbor.

The house is constructed with small water-washed stones with a very interesting herringbone design. It also features unique belly windows with grill facings ad two stone columns at the front door. It is also known as the “Anchor House” because of the500-pound anchor on the front lawn. The anchor was lost from the schooner Franklin Pierce during a story in 1840 and found near the Wilson pier around 1897.

The current owners purchased the home in 2001. The house had fallen into disrepair for several years and was even foreclosed on at one point. The Schwarzmullers saw the house for its potential and looked past the numerous blue tarps used to protect some damaged areas in hope of stopping further degradation.

Wilson House Inn & Restaurant is located at 310 Lake St., Wilson. Owner Kerry Atlas will offer a special menu for guests at the remodeled Luther Wilson family cobblestone home, originally built in 1844 on the site of the village’s first schoolhouse, which was erected in 1820.

In 1890, the home was the scene for the double funeral of Captain Luther Willson, 92, and his son Reuben F., 68. Later, it became the Wilsonian Club, a private club for area businessmen, with a bowling alley in the basement and a dance hall on the second floor. A large porch was added where musicians played and revelers danced in the street.

It eventually became a bar/restaurant in 1947 and has continued to be one, under several different managements.

Resident says many people can’t afford roof projects, other costly repairs

Photo by Tom Rivers: Tim Zeiner Sr. speaks during a recent Village Board meeting when the board said it was concerned about lingering property maintenance issues in the village. From left include Trustee Jeff Wagner, Trustee Jess Marciano, Village Clerk/Treasurer Jada Burgess and Mayor Debbie Padoleski.

MEDINA – A village trustee said he wants to see more progress in the village with property owners fixing leaking roofs, painting buildings and tending to other property maintenance.

Jeff Wagner, a Village Board member, says some roofs have been covered with tarps for years. It is unsightly and unfair to neighbors and other residents to have that blighting effect, he said.

“We have to figure out how we can take this village from a B to an A,” Wagner said during last week’s board meeting.

Tim Zeiner, a Park Avenue resident, said aggressive enforcement may not be the answer because many residents are cash-strapped and can’t afford a new roof that he said can top $30,000.

“I understand the cost is prohibitive,” Wagner replied.

Code enforcement officer Dan Gardner said he issues many citations a month and tries to be reasonable in working with people to address the issues.

“Many people are long-term residents on fixed incomes,” Gardner said.

He issues tickets and many go to court, and the cases can drag on for months, even years without resolution.

Some of the residents said Gardner could use more help with code enforcement. The village used to have three part-time staff that assisted the codes officer.

Mayor Debbie Padoleski said new Police Chief Corey Black can be part of looking at the codes and seeing if police officers can help with enforcement.

“We get a lot of complaints,” Padoleski said about some of the problem properties.

Wagner would like to see more improvements among the home and building owners.

“I’m not talking about throwing people in jail,” he said. “It’s about holding people accountable and doing what they should be doing.”

Press Release, Orleans County Emergency Management Office

The Orleans Aware App provides alerts on emergencies, and also other health and safety information.

ALBION – The storms that ripped through Orleans County this week, including the tornado in the Town of Shelby, point out the need for residents to be able to receive real time emergency alerts, according to Scott Buffin, Deputy Director of Orleans County Emergency Management.

Orleans County Emergency Management joined the National Weather Service (NWS) yesterday to complete a damage survey from the tornado. NWS reported the tornado had a rating of EF1 with an estimated peak wind of 105 mph, a path length of 1.20 miles and a width of 200 yards.  Orleans County volunteer fire departments answered nearly 200 storm-related calls during the weather events.

“First, we are very thankful that such serious storms, including the tornado, did not lead to any serious injuries or deaths,” said Buffin.  “We also want to recognize the great work of the county’s first responders and emergency personnel, including those in the Orleans County 9-1-1- Communications Center who fielded a tremendous number of calls and did a great job directing resources. This was a team effort that continues as we deal with the aftermath of the storms.”

Buffin said the county’s Emergency Management Director Justin Niederhofer has made direct communication with residents a priority of his office, recognizing the importance of sharing information quickly in emergency situations. That is what led to the development of the Orleans Aware app to their smartphones.

The app provides alerts and other real-time information during emergency situations while also serving as a resource for other health and safety information. The app is available by clicking here.

Buffin also encouraged residents to follow Emergency Management on Facebook (click here).

“These are free communication vehicles that allow us and other agencies to quickly push out notifications as situations develop and change,” said Buffin.  “Do yourself and your family a favor and download the app and follow us on Facebook so you are prepared for the next emergency situation.”

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 28th annual business awards.

Nominations are due by Sept. 14 and can entered on a Google Form (click here).

The categories include:

• Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year. (Last year’s winner: Velocitii in Medina.)
• Lifetime Achievement – This award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements. (Rita Zambito received the award in 2025.)
• Phoenix Award – This award is presented to an organization or business that has successfully adapted or re-used an existing facility. (Newell Lounge/Shirt Factory in Medina won the award last year.)
• New Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business or organization that has opened in the past year. (Homestead Pest Control in Albion won last year.)
• Community Service Award – This award is presented to a business, organization or individual that has provided meaningful contributions to the community in either professional or non-professional spheres. (Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern won in 2025.)
• Agricultural Business of the Year – This award is presented to an agricultural business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year. (RLW Cattle in Lyndonville won the award in 2025.)
• Small Business of the Year – This award is presented to a small business that has experienced significant achievements/success throughout the year. (Bentley Brothers in Albion won last year.)
• Hidden Gem –This award is presented to a business that has made a positive contribution to tourism in Orleans County. (Hurd Orchards in Holley won the honor in 2025.)

ALBION – Two people were arraigned in Orleans County Court on Wednesday for felony drug possession and weapons charges.

Daniel Busch, 34, and Kayli Burrows, 28, both of Albion, were arraigned on two different indictments.

They both face charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminally using drug paraphernalia in the second degree after being charged on April 30 for allegedly having 690 milligrams of cocaine as well as scales and baggies.

In a separate indictment, they face criminal possession of a weapon in the third and fourth degrees, as well as criminal possession of a controlled in the third degree allegedly for having on Sept. 14, 2025 a loaded handgun and 14-round large capacity magazine. Busch faces an additional charge of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree due to a prior conviction.

Both have been released on their own recognizance with conditions that they attend UConnectCare appointments and not break the law.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Construction has started on a new pedestrian bridge in Medina that will cross the Oak Orchard Creek.

RJT Construction Services in Rochester is the contractor for the project on Maple Ridge Road (Route 31A) in Medina. This area also will get about 2,000 feet of new sidewalks on the north side of the road.

The Medina Village Board on March 23 approved the $837,448 bid by RJT Construction Services to install the bridge and sidewalks. RJT was the lowest of four bidders when the bids were opened on Feb. 18.

The section of Maple Ridge Road by the creek has become busier with a housing development, several new businesses and also the GCC campus center. There are also about 200 available acres in the area being promoted for development by the EDA. (In this photo, the Mariachi de Oro Mexican restaurant is shown in the background.)

The new bridge and sidewalks have been several years in the waiting. The village in 2021 was awarded a $1,094,196 grant to construct the bridge and sidewalks as part of a multi-use path for pedestrians and bicycles. The funding was awarded by the state through a federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant.

That is covering 80 percent of the project. The remaining 20 percent will be paid locally from the village ($55,000), Town of Shelby ($130,000) and Orleans County ($97,500).

In addition to the construction bid, the village has approved paying Barton & Loguidice $166,300 for construction services and inspections.

Crosby’s is the first business west side of the creek on the north side, near the approach to the new bridge.

The National Weather Service has confirmed that an EF-1 tornado, with estimated winds of 105 miles per hour, hit East Shelby on Wednesday evening, the National Weather Service reported on Thursday.

Tornados from the powerful Wednesday evening storms also hit in Olcott, Niagara County, and in Alexander, Genesee County.

The East Shelby tornado started at 6:45 and ended at 6:47 p.m. The tornado had a path length of 1.2 miles and a path width of 200 yards.

This supercell thunderstorm snapped multiple trees with significant damage to trees across several residences, but only minor structural damage, the Weather Service said.

The agency said a severe supercell thunderstorm moved into western Orleans County, circulation tightened and a tornado touched down in a field east of Bigford Road and south of Martin Road.

“Several trees were toppled on the edges of this field before the tornado crossed over East Shelby Road causing significant tree damage across several residences on the east side of the road, along with minor structural damage to a home,” the Weather Service said. “The tornado then continued eastward through a forested area with numerous trees uprooted and few snapped. The tornado then lifted over an open field west of Townline Road.”

• Olcott tornado – The National Weather Service confirmed tornados in the hamlet of Olcott from 6:07 to 6:08 p.m., with a path length of 0.67 mile, with a maximum path width of 70 wards. The estimated wind speed was 105 miles per hour.

“A supercell thunderstorm, that previously produced a waterspout moved onshore producing damage from the shoreline inland.”

• Alexander tornado – The east Alexander tornado last six minutes, from 7:29 to 7:35 p.m. It had a path length of 3.78 miles and a width of 150 yards with maximum wind speeds of 110 miles per hour. It flattened a corn field and snapped multiple trees.

There were also confirmed tornados in Waterloo and Fayette in Seneca County in the Finger Lakes.