Provided photos: Brittany Dix, Community Outreach Specialist for Hospice of Orleans, presents awards to Ike Burr, left, and Linda Chrzan.
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans County
LYNDONVILLE – Annually, Hospice of Orleans honors volunteers during National Volunteer Week by hosting a luncheon. This year’s event was held at White Birch in Lyndonville and volunteers were acknowledged for their time spent with the organization.
Linda Chrzan was recognized for 30 years of service. Linda’s work on hospice’s golf tournament over the years has been invaluable to the organization and she continues to offer unique insight to improve the event.
Another golf committee member and volunteer, Ike Burr, was honored prior to the event with an “Above Par” Award as he was unable to attend. Ike has stepped down from tournament planning after many years and wished continued success to the organization’s event.
Brittany Dix presents “Volunteer of the Year” awards to Jim Pratt, left, and Kathy Babbitt, right.
This year’s Volunteer of the Year was awarded by Brittany Dix, Community Outreach Specialist, to a “dynamic duo” – Jim Pratt and Kathy Babbitt.
“Whether at a table in the community or in conversation with potential donors, the advocacy for our organization in these interactions and conversations is enthusiastic and heartfelt,” Dix said.
While Mr. Pratt could not attend the luncheon and was awarded ahead of time, unbeknownst to Kathy, both recipients echoed that there must have been other, more deserving, candidates for the award. The humility of this sentiment is a truly valuable characteristic in anyone, but especially a volunteer.
“Jim & Kathy are simply happy to help. If challenges at any time arise, they engage in dialogue and are happy to seek solutions. Each of them is fantastic people to have working with us, together they complement each other in the best way,” Dix said.
Hospice of Orleans extends thanks to all of our incredible volunteers and is currently welcoming new volunteers in all areas of service, but is especially seeking direct-care volunteers as the number of patients served continues to grow.
“Our mission is so tenderly carried out at times that are most often wrought with stress and isolation. That anyone would choose to step into those moments is profound,” Dix stated.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 April 2026 at 3:15 pm
Honorees include Dr. Warren Blount, Michael Royal, Nelda Toussaint and Mary Woodruff
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Michael Royal, assistant superintendent of Mooresville, N.C. School District and a 1997 graduate of Medina High School, accepts his Distinguished Alumni Award in ceremonies Thursday. Looking on at right is school principal Michael Cavanagh.
MEDINA – Four extraordinary individuals were honored at ceremonies Thursday afternoon at Medina High School with induction to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Honorees were Dr. Warren Blount, a 1963 graduate of Medina High School; Michael Royal, a 1997 graduate; Nelda Toussaint (posthumously), 1947 graduate; and Mary Woodruff, 1965 graduate.
The program began with a welcome from Michael Cavanagh, High School principal, followed by introduction of honorees by the school’s Student Government officers.
“Today we honor four individuals who will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to their community and/or chosen career,” Cavanagh said. “Listen to their stories and I am sure you will agree they are quite inspirational.”
Next, Lilah Class led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the A’Cappella Select Ensemble under the direction of Rachel Trillizio singing “Sawubona.”
The audience at Medina High School’s Distinguished Awards Ceremony Thursday afternoon was entertained by the A’Capella Select Ensemble, under the direction of Rachel Trillizio.
This was followed by an overview of the awards presentation by Christopher Mulcahy Jr., who explained the Distinguished Alumni Award is given annually to honor alumni, promote school spirit, foster pride in the school and community and to serve as an incentive for the current student body.
“The people we honor today are proof we are all capable of achieving greatness and truly making a difference in society,” Mulcahy said.
The Distinguished Alumni awards were established in 2003. To earn this honor, a person nominated must be a current or former member of the school community who has graduated at least 10 years ago and who has achieved one of more of the following: achieved excellence in their chosen career, made outstanding contributions to their community or profession, or made an outstanding contribution to humanity as determined by the Distinguished Alumni Committee.
“What we find quite interesting is the diversity among our honorees,” Mulcahy said. “They have definitely left their mark in society, whether it is right here in our hometown or in places throughout the world.”
Each honoree was presented with a plaque, and a second plaque will be displayed in the hallway leading from the cafeteria toward the agriculture room.
The late Dr. Warren Blount’s nephew accepted his Distinguished Alumni Award at ceremonies Thursday afternoon at Medina High School.
Madelyn Elliott introduced the first honoree, Dr. Warren Blount, whose award was given posthumously and accepted by his nephew Travis Evans.
Dr. Blount embodied the virtues of character, patriotism and grit throughout a lifetime of extraordinary service, which began as a member of the United States Marines, third Forces Reconnaissance Battalion. Serving three tours of duty during the Vietnam War, Blount displayed immense bravery during the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive. His gallantry in the face of conflict earned him numerous prestigious honors, including the Purple Heart, the Naval Commendation Medal, Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross.
After his military service, Blount became a highly skilled surgeon’s assistant in cardiac vascular surgery. His career in Michigan saw him assist in more than 6,000 open-heart surgeries and transplants. He furthered his education at the Michigan University College of Human Medicine, completing a residency in emergency medicine to expand his capacity to care for those in crisis.
He concluded his career in Tallahassee, Fla., where he served 17 years as a practicing emergency physician at the Capital Region Medical Center. Known for his unwavering compassion and dedication, he treated every patient with the same steadfast resolve he showed as a Marine. He remains a shining example of the heights a Medina alumnus can reach through hard work and a heart for service.
Evans also described the suffering Blount endured because of Agent Orange – first having his right leg amputated and finally succumbing from Agent Orange at the age of 78. He is buried in Arlington Cemetery.
“He was a fantastic individual and a compassionate surgeon,” Evans said.
The next honoree, Michael Royal, was introduced by Ava Blount, who said Royal has built a distinguished career defined by academic excellence and leadership.
“A member of the National Honor Society and a record-setting athlete in the 4×400 relay, Royal carried his Medina work ethic to the Mooresville Graded School District in North Carolina,” Blount said.
Since 2001, Royal ascended from an award-winning mathematics teacher and principal of Mooresville High School to chief operations officer, where he oversaw more than $100 million in construction projects, and currently serves as assistant superintendent of the school. His visionary leadership in digital learning and student growth earned him the 2016-2017 Administrator of the Year Award and led to his appointment as interim superintendent in 2022.
In addition to his administrative success, Royal is a legendary figure in North Carolina athletics. One of only five coaches inducted into the Mooresville High School Athletic Hall of Fame, he led his teams to a staggering 39 team titles and six state championships. Most notably, his 2007-08 boys’ teams achieved the historic “Triple Crown,” winning state championships in cross country, indoor track and outdoor tract, a feat unmatched by any other boys’ program in state history.
Beyond the scoreboard, Royal’s contribution to humanity is seen in his devotion to his brother, Corey. By running marathons for Team Spina Bifida, Royal turned personal loss into a mission of hope, raising vital funds and awareness in Corey’s memory.
In spite of his deep roots in Mooresville, where he has been honored by Rotary as a Paul Harris Fellow and an active community volunteer, Royal remains a “Mustang” at heart. Inspired by the civic example of his father Craig Royal, Michael frequently returns to Western New York to support the Buffalo Bills and participate in local races. Whether he is mentoring students, guiding a district of 6,000 pupils or honoring his brother’s legacy, Michael Royal exemplifies the character and grit of a Distinguished Alumnus. He resides in Mooresville with his wife Mary and two daughters, continuing a life of service that makes his hometown proud.
Royal said he was humbled to be standing before the audience as a member of the Class of 1997. He also paid tribute to his grandmother Sheila Royal who had passed away last year.
“Twenty-nine years ago on this stage I graduated and received my diploma,” Royal said. “There were five teachers who made an impact on me, my coach, Jack Kiebala, Maria Biano, Steve O’Dea, Ed Weider and Cynthia Kiebala. I see them as the architect of my character, and I am honored they are all here today.”
Royal added, “The race is not always to the swift. It is to those who keep running.”
In conclusion, he added, “As we approach National Teacher Appreciation Week, please know you are appreciated.”
Jeff Toussaint, left, and Jennifer Cardone accepted their mother Nelda Toussaint’s Distinguished Alumni award posthumously from Medina High School principal Michael Cavanagh.
Nelda Toussaint was introduced by Izabella Garcia, who called her “a woman of remarkable intellect and determination.”
Toussaint graduated at the age of 16, then went on to earn a degree in fine arts from Syracuse University. Returning to her hometown, she applied her meticulous organizational skills to the management of her family’s farm and multiple local law offices. For more than seven decades, she remained a pillar of the Medina community, balancing her professional acumen with a deep-seated commitment to civic duty. Whether managing complex finances or serving as an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, she moved through life with a grace and precision that earned her the enduring respect of her peers.
Toussaint’s most profound legacy lies in her unwavering advocacy for local education. For more than 20 years, she served as a vital member and president of the Medina School Board, steering the district through decades of growth and change. Her passion for the schools did not end with her formal tenure; she continued to serve on the budget committee and attend meetings well into her nineties. Beyond the boardroom, her leadership extended to the Medina Memorial Hospital’s Association of Twigs and the Woods Creek Pony Club, reflecting a lifetime mission to enrich the social and educational fabric of the village she loved.
To all who knew her, Toussaint was a portrait of vitality and spirit. An adventurer at heart, she traveled the world, notably riding a camel across the Sahara at the age of 89. Yet, her greatest pride was found closer to home in the achievements of her grandchildren, for whom she never missed a performance, game or graduation.
Nelda Toussaint’s life was a master class in active citizenship and family devotion. Through her decades of leadership on the school board and her tireless volunteerism, she exemplified the very best of the Medina spirit, leaving behind a community that is stronger and more vibrant because of her dedicated service.
Her children, Jennifer Cardone and Jeffrey Toussaint, accepted her award posthumously.
“Mom would be so honored,” Jeffrey said. “She volunteered her time to many organizations, but serving on the School Board was something she was very proud of.” She followed her father Laverne Beeton, who served 16 years on the School Board.
“Education was her great interest and the Medina School Board was her passion,” Jeffrey said. “She went until she couldn’t go any more. She would be humbled by this award. Service was a labor of love for her.”
Jennifer said her mom was born during the Depression and never did things for the accolades. She fought fiercely for agriculture and music, which were usually the first things cut in tight budgets.
File photo: Mary Woodruff, coordinator of the Hometown Heroes effort in Medina, is pictured in May 2019 with banners of showing the late Vincent Cardone and Mitchell Mason, a member of the Navy.
The final Lifetime Achievement Award recipient was Mary Brennan Woodruff, who was introduced by her grandson Brennan Woodruff.
His grandmother has dedicated her life to enriching her community and empowering others, Brennan said. Her distinguished 35-year career in education at the Royalton-Hartland School District was marked by a versatile mastery of teaching, ranging from elementary classrooms to specialized middle school mathematics.
Beyond the classroom, Woodruff served nine terms as union president and chairing the district’s Professional Council. Her commitment to her peers and her students established a standard of excellence that remains a benchmark for educators in the region today.
Woodruff’s impact on the local landscape is perhaps most visible through her visionary leadership of the Medina Hometown Heroes project. Inspired by a family tribute to her father-in-law in his hometown, she launched the program in 2019 to honor the military men and women of Medina. With meticulous attention to detail and profound empathy for grieving families, Woodruff has coordinated the placement of more than 410 banners throughout the village. Her tireless work has transformed the streets of Medina into a living gallery of gratitude, ensuring the sacrifices of local veterans are never forgotten.
In 2012, Woodruff made history by becoming the first woman elected to the Ridgeway Town Board in its 200-year history. Now serving her third term, she remains a steadfast advocate for her constituents and a vital member of the Decorate Medina Committee. Recognized by the Orleans Hub as an Outstanding Citizen, Woodruff embodies the spirit of a Distinguished Alumna. Her journey from a Medina student to a barrier-breaking leader and community guardian serves as an enduring inspiration to the entire Medina area.
Mary Woodruff, a 1965 graduate of Medina High School, shares her appreciation at being chosen recipient of a Distinguished Alumni award.
Woodruff was touched by her grandson’s introduction, and honored to be nominated as a Distinguished Alumna.
“I am humbled,” she said “It was a wonderful surprise.”
She acknowledged her family and friends in attendance, saying “I am so truly thankful for the presence of my family members, close friends and all of you who are connected to me.”
Her class was the largest class to graduate from MHS, she said.
She praised Medina’s mayor, village clerk and DPW workers who supported the Hometown Heroes program and helped with displays and removal of banners.
“All of you were influential in who I am today,” Woodruff said.
She addressed the youth who are “adults of the future,” saying they will accomplish great goals and build stunning careers, just as she did.
She shared her journey beginning with education, teaching at Royalton-Hartland, as a representative of her town board and director of the Hometown Heroes Banner project.
Her secret, she shared, is “Fill your path to success with people who will be there for you, so others can gain from your actions. Consideration of others is a mighty goal.”
Woodruff also addressed students in the auditorium, a percentage of whom will pursue success by joining the armed services.
“You are the future ‘freedom fighters,’” she said.
She shared the story of Glen Stewart, who at the age of 15, changed his birthday so he could enlist during World War II. His daughter was in the audience Thursday.
She spoke of other heroes, such as those who fought in Vietnam, which inspired her to take on the Hometown Heroes program.
“Our village has displayed more than 600 banners since 2019,” Woodruff said. “Those banners revealed information that was sad to read, MIA, KIA. The banners teach us empathy.”
She added the Hometown Heroes banners has been one of the most supported projects the village and towns have experienced. People come from other states to visit in the summer so they can see a family member’s banner, which claims this family member is a hero.
One of those heroes and the reason she started the Hometown Heros Program is Sgt. Willis Burr Woodruff, a World War II serviceman and her father-in-law. His courageous action provided food for starving villagers.
“Sports figures and pop stars get labeled ‘heroes,’ but servicemen and servicewomen are the true heroes,” Woodruff said.
Nominations are welcome for future honorees to the Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame. Click here to see an online form. Nominations are due to Michael Cavanagh by July 31.
Members of the Distinguished Alumni Committee are Michael Cavanagh, chair; Allissa Dunham, Lawrence Fox, Susan Holland, Karen Jones and Mollie Mark.
Shared Decision Making Committee members are Teagan Balaban, Joseph Byrne, Michael Cavanagh, Sara Cinquino, Alissa Dunham, Sara Flansburg, Amy Fuller, Theresa Gobeli, Connie Heschke, Nicole Homme, Karen Jones, Mollie Mark and Debra Tompkins.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 April 2026 at 9:44 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – These saxophone players from Albion – left to right include Isla DeBoard, Kailee Anstey, Carter Krull and Phoebe Allen – perform during Friday’s night Jazz Coffee House in the Lyndonville gym.
Lyndonville for many years hosted its own jazz event with coffee and desserts in a smaller gym at the district. This year the event was expanded for the first time to include all five districts in the county. About 700 people attended the event which was organized by the Orleans County Music Educators Association.
The music boosters groups from the five districts arranged for the refreshments. There were 20 tables on the floor of the gym and the bleachers were mostly full.
There was no admission charge. Donations were accepted to support the OCMEA Scholarship Fund for seniors pursuing a career in music.
The Medina Junior High Jazz Band plays “Thriller.” The group is directed by Kyla Leno, a Medina graduate.
The Holley Junior/Senior High Jazz Band performed two songs at the concert. Director Zach Busch is in back on the trumpet.
The Kendall High School Jazz Band is led by Lindsey Chalmers.
Kelly Follman (center), Lyndonville music teacher, directed an All Star Jazz Band of juniors and seniors from the five districts. Follman presented the idea of all five school districts performing in a jazz showcase that could rotate to other districts in the future.
Follman is retiring at the end of this year. She also performed with the other teachers to close out the concert. She said playing with all of her teacher friends was a big motivator in wanting to bring all five districts together for an evening of jazz.
The instrumental music teachers in the county played “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).”
Lily Botsford has a solo in Lyndonville’s fifth and sixth grade jazz group, which is directed by her mother, Becky Botsford. The group played “Don’t Stop Believin’.”
Becky Botsford, Lyndonville elementary music teacher, speaks on the microphone and welcomes the crowd to the first Orleans County Music Educators Association Jazz Coffee House. The Lyndonville band led off the concert.
These saxophonists play in Medina’s Junior High Jazz Band.
The Medina Senior High Jazz Band performs, including a soloist on saxophone.
Courtesy of Pixcams, Inc. – The eaglet who is the focus of the Iroquois refuge’s nest camera has been growing by leaps and bounds. The chick hatched on April 3.
Press Release, Friends of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
BASOM – The baby eaglet that’s in focus at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is now over two weeks old, is getting a lot bigger and is entertaining nest cam watchers with its antics.
The eaglet is in a nest that belongs to one of several nesting pairs of bald eagles at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, on the border of Genesee and Orleans counties. The nest camera was put in place and maintained by Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, with the help of Pixcams, Inc., Treeman Tom and others.
The chick is standing upright more often and using its wings to move itself around and balance. It is much more aware of its surroundings and now reliably tracks the parents’ movements, approaches them for food and grabs it from them directly instead of waiting for them to place food in its mouth.
It is taking much bigger bites of food – most often fish, including a lot of carp ─ and eating larger, less frequent meals (separated by hours-long food comas!). You can usually see its visibly full crop.
The eaglet’s first wispy white down is being replaced by a more insulated grey thermal down so it can thermoregulate better and no longer needs to be incubated as intensively. You can sometimes see the father eagle, especially, since he’s the smaller parent, struggling to stuff the chick under him to brood. The chick is also doing some practice preening as its new feathers come in.
On these warmer days the parents have been leaving the chick alone in the nest for longer periods of time. When they aren’t on the nest at least one of them is usually on guard nearby. If viewers are seeing the parents gone for longer now, this is normal. The chick is much more independent and the adults are still out there guarding against predators and intruders.
The chick’s antics have included a “Lady and the Tramp” moment when the mother eagle had one end of a string of duck intestine and the chick had the other. To see moments like these, tune in the nest cam streaming through the link at FINWR.org.
A quick recap, for those who may not have been following along: Our eagle parents laid three eggs at the end of February and they hatched the first week of April. Unfortunately, two of the chicks died due to accidents in the nest. But that has left the middle chick, the one that survived, as the sole focus of mother and father and ─ without any competition ─ the recipient of an enormous amount of fish bits.
The chick’s flight feathers are beginning to emerge. In the next few weeks, it will develop more substantial feather growth on its head and back and will take on more of an “awkward teenager” look, and the parents will spend even less time brooding.
Around 5 to 6 weeks, the chick will start to stand more steadily and will begin wing flapping in earnest. At 6 to 8 weeks, the eaglet will get very large, almost adult sized. At 8 to 10 weeks – the end of May and beginning of June ─ it should be feathered enough to look like a dark juvenile bald eagle, and its first few unsteady flights might begin by mid-June. The typical fledgling window is 10-12 weeks after hatching. Even 4 to 6 weeks after fledging, roughly mid-July, the eaglet will still be dependent on its parents for food and flight training.
If all goes well, by late summer or early fall the chick will be a full juvenile and out on its own, but it won’t develop its white head and tail feathers until it’s 4 to 5 years old.
This article was a collaboration of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge members Richard Moss, Emma DeLeon, Amy Merritt and Garner Light. If you have a bald eagle question for the team, send it to Richard Moss at heron@finwr.org and we may answer it in a future release.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2026 at 4:39 pm
Route 31A in Sweden also will be closed to traffic from County Line Road and West Sweden Road
YATES – The state Department of Transportation will be closing a section of Route 18 in the town of Yates beginning on Monday for a culvert replacement. The road is expected to reopen to traffic in late May.
Route 18 (also known as Roosevelt Highway) will be closed to all traffic between Hall Road and Breeze Road. Motorists should follow posted detours using Route 63, Route 104 and Route 98, the DOT said.
The state DOT also is closing a section of Route 31A just outside Orleans County in the town of Sweden for a culvert replacement. Route 31A (also known as Fourth Section Road) will be closed to traffic beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday between County Line Road and West Sweden Road. Motorists should follow posted detours using Route 31 and Route 98, the DOT said.
“Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary,” the DOT advised. “Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.”
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones, the DOT said. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2026 at 3:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A section of Eagle Harbor Road reopened to traffic this afternoon following repairs to the road from flooding on April 1.
The top photo shows the Orleans County Highway Department using a Bobcat with a power broom to remove dirt and dust on a section of the road that was repaved.
A big rainstorm on April 1 flooding across the road and took out a chunk of it on the east side.
The Orleans County DPW put in about 120 tons of crusher-run stone to shore up the shoulder and part of the road support that had washed out. The DPW then added heavier stone and riprap to hold the gravel in place.
Keeler Construction put new pavement on top of the road. The repairs cost about $20,000, Lane said.
The four culvert pipes carry water from Otter Creek underneath the road. There used to be a ridge here more than 30 years ago, said Craig lane, the DPW superintendent for the county.
The bridge had a span of about 24 feet. It was replaced with culvert pipes. Those pipes don’t handle the water as well with a big rainstorm, and the culvert pipes sometimes get clogged with debris, impeding the water flow, Lane said this afternoon.
He said he will be seeking state and federal funds through the Genesee Transportation Council to turn this spot back to a bridge in the future.
Here is how the rebuilt road and culvert looks this afternoon, not long before the road reopened to traffic.
Soon after the April 1 flooding, which Lane called a once-in-a-decade-storm, the Orleans County DPW also reset drainage pipes that were exposed and knocked out of place on Culvert Road in Ridgeway near the Canal Culvert. The DPW also cleared debris out of the Culvert tunnel.
The DPW workers also fixed a driveway on Orleans-Monroe Countyline Road, adding stone that had been washed out near the road.
Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director, said it looks like the county may be eligible for federal reimbursement from the storm damages. Many counties were affected by the storm and there is a threshold statewide for the counties to receive aid. The state is going through that process now to see if there will be FEMA aid for the counties, Niederhofer said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2026 at 12:09 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Second-graders in Medina’s Glee Club make a heart shape with their hands while singing “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” during an Arbor Day ceremony today. The Glee Club also performed “Sunshine Day” and “Joy to the World (Jeremiah was a Bullfrog).”
MEDINA – The Village of Medina celebrated Arbor Day today with second- and third-graders from Oak Orchard Primary School helping plant four of the 51 new trees in the village.
The students each got to toss a shovel full of dirt in the big holes along Gwinn Street where new trees are going in the public right-of-way along the sidewalks.
Medina has been named a “Tree City USA” for its ongoing commitment to planting trees.
Jason Wetherbee, a second grader in Mrs. Brooks class, helps plant a Red Jewel Crabapple tree on Gwinn Street near Williams Street. Another group of second-graders planted the same type of tree less than a block away on Gwinn near Frank Street.
Farther down the street going south, third-graders planted two Zelkova serrata trees.
Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski reads a proclamation about Arbor Day. She thanked the Tree Board volunteers for their efforts to bring new trees to Medina.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska when that state celebrated planting more than a million trees. J. Sterling Morton in 1872 proposed that a special day be set aside to lant trees.
“Trees are enjoyed by everyone, young and old, wherever they are planted, and are a source of happiness and beauty in our village,” Padoleski said.
The Tree Board is led by Mary Lewis with Jake Hebdon, Lisa Tombari and Esther Weeks as members. Chris Busch, the past board chairman, also assists in selecting the trees as the village’s forestry coordinator.
The Medina DPW has planted 51 trees this spring on West Oak Orchard Street, West Avenue and Eagle, Gwinn and West Center streets.
Medina elementary students have been a part of the Arbor Day celebration for many years in Medina.
These second-graders in Dana Reeves’ class planted a tree with gusto this morning.
Medina’s urban forestry program is recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The new trees are funded through donations. Information about donating can be obtained at the village clerk’s office or by downloading the ReLeaf brochure online at www.villagemedina.gov or by contacting Lewis at mLewis.villagemedina@gmail.com. Checks for tree donations should be made payable to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. – Notation: ‘ReLeaf Medina’ and mailed to PO Box 543, Medina, NY.
Andrea Busch, a music teacher at Medina, leads the Glee Club which has been part of Arbor Day for several years now.
The new trees will make up for some of those that are lost each year. Jason Watts, the Medina DPW superintendent, said the village usually has to take down about 40 to 50 trees annually that are decaying or dead and are in danger of falling.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 April 2026 at 8:41 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: These Santas and some elves are shown in April 2015 in Albion as part of a group photo with about 200 Santas who were in town for a Santa convention. A group of Santas will be back in Albion in August 2027 celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.
Group will be in town to celebrate 90th anniversary of Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School
The logo for the upcoming Santa gathering from Aug. 6-8, 2027 in Albion and Lockport. The event will be based in Lockport at the palace theater with the group visiting Albion, where Charles Howard ran a Santa School from 1937 to 1966.
ALBION – The Santas will be coming back to Albion in Auust 2027 for a 90th anniversary celebration of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.
There were about 200 Santas in Albion for convention in 2015 and a smaller group in 2010.
The gathering next summer could have 400 Santas and other Christmas entertainers, said Phillip L. Wenz, a recently retired professional Santa who organized the 2010 and 2015 events in Albion. Wenz worked at Santa’s Village in east Dundee, Ill, near Chicago and serves as a Santa historian.
“We are planning upwards of 400 Christmas performers for all over North America,” Wenz stated. “We would like to have as many local people participate in the events as well.”
Charles Howard started the first school for Santas in Albion in 1937 and kept it going for nearly 30 years. He passed away on May 1, 1966. The school continues in his name, now run by Tom and Holly Valent in Midland, Mich.
The Santa School celebration will host activities in Albion and at the 1,100-seat Palace Theatre in Lockport.
Christopher Parada is executive director of The Palace Theatre. He also built a Christmas cottage in Lockport and he has portrayed Santa there since 2010, welcoming about 10,000 children every Christmas season. Parada, a Medina native, also owns the New York Santa Claus Suits & Equipment Co., replicating Howard’s style for suits.
Parada is pleased to be hosting the event next year that is expected to bring many Santas to the community. Lockport has the hotels and accommodations for the visitors, as well as the spacious theater to host presentations.
“Bringing this historic event to the Albion and Lockport, New York areas is a truly meaningful opportunity to celebrate and honor 90 years of the Santa Claus School and the enduring legacy of Charles W. Howard,” Parada said.
The Santas will see a bronze statue in honor of Charles Howard that was unveiled on June 10, 2023 during the Strawberry Festival and also a 24-foot-long mural depicting Santa flying in his sleigh over Courthouse Square and downtown Albion. That mural was created by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward was unveiled in June 2018. The Albion Betterment Committee also is working to open a Santa School Museum on Main Street in Albion.
Many of principles taught by Howard continue to shape the look and actions of Santas. Howard remains a revered figure among the Santas, 60 years after his death.
“As the founder of the original Santa Claus School, Howard established a standard of authenticity, professionalism, and heartfelt spirit that continues to define the portrayal of Santa Claus today,” Parada said. “As a lifelong resident, I take great pride in seeing our local communities serve as the backdrop for such an important milestone—one that highlights both our regional heritage and a nationally recognized tradition rooted right here in Western New York.”
Parada has led the theater in Lockport through multi-million-dollar upgrades. That theater opened in 1925.
“The Historic Palace Theatre provides an ideal home base for this celebration, offering a unique and immersive setting for presentations, programming and shared experiences,” Parada said. “Its theatrical atmosphere will help foster a sense of community, connection, and camaraderie among attendees.”
The August 2027 event is still in the planning stages. Wenz said discussions have been made with the Howard family, friends and other special guests to take part in the programs and activities. As in the past events, there will be no event fees. For more information e-mail Wenz at santaclausproductions@msn.com.
ALBION – The volunteer members of the Albion Fire Department will host a ham dinner on Saturday at their 108 N. Platt Street fire station.
The dinner will be a “drive through” only, with tickets available both presale for $12 each or at the door for $13 each. The drive through pickup will begin at 4 o’clock and run through 7 o’clock or until sold out that day.
The dinner includes sliced ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll and dessert. Cash or checks made payable to the Albion Fire Department, Inc. are accepted for payment.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting any of the fire department volunteer members, or by calling 585-331-1410. The volunteer fire department members thank the community in advance for their support of this fundraiser.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2026 at 3:40 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Lyndonville Central School marching band plays in Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Parade last summer. The school district for the first time has been named to the list of “Best Communities for Music Education” by NAMM Foundation.
The list of school districts named to a national list for “Best Communities for Music Education” includes three school districts in Orleans County with Lyndonville earning the distinction for the first time.
Albion has now made the list 19 years and Medina has been recognized the past three years by the NAMM Foundation.
Lyndonville is the smallest school district in Orleans County. It puts on some of the best musicals. The district in 2025 performed, Newsies, and it was named “Production of the Year” for small schools in the Rochester region by the Stars of Tomorrow program which sends trained evaluators to the school musicals.
Last month Lyndonville put on Peter Pan. The district was commended for its commitment to the overall music program.
The Medina Marching Band, including Raelynn Baker in the Color Guard, performed on Sept. 21 at Vets Park during the Fall Festival of Bands. Despite being of the smaller schools that competes in the field band competition, Medina has won the New York State Field Band Conference Championship several times.
Albion High School students are shown during last month’s performance of Annie. Neveya Barnes, front center, played the lead role. Albion performs two full-length musicals during the school year by both the middle school and the high school.
The North American Music Merchants has presented the annual list for 27 years honoring school districts with strong music programs. Last year there were 935 districts total around the country as “Best Communities for Music Education.” This year, the list topped 1,000 for the first time.
“Music education plays a vital role in cultivating vibrant, connected communities,” said John Mlynczak, NAMM President and CEO. “The 2026 Best Communities for Music Education recipients exemplify how meaningful access to music fosters creativity, collaboration and lifelong learning. We are proud to recognize their leadership and unwavering dedication to ensuring every student has the opportunity to engage in music.”
“Access to music education is a true catalyst for belonging, expression, and shared purpose,” said Julia Rubio, NAMM Foundation Executive Director. “When communities invest in music, they invest in the potential of every student.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 April 2026 at 2:32 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds has 10 new trees on its campus, including eight along Route 31 near the Buzz Hill Education Center and two across the creek.
The Orleans County Bicentennial Committee funded the new trees, wanting to celebrate the county’s 200thanniversary with a gift that will last for years to come.
The top photo shows Bicentennial Committee member Ken DeRoller, left, and County Legislator Fred Miller, with Holley Mayor Mark Bower in back. Bower also is a Bicentennial Committee member.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension picked out the varieties and determined the locations for the new trees, which include four sugar maple, two willows, two white oak, and two bur oak.
Bicentennial Committee members plant one of the sugar maples. From left includes Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the County Tourism Department; County Historian Catherine Cooper; and Ken DeRoller, a former county legislator.
“For centuries, this area was undisturbed and deep woods developed,” Cooper said. “The people who settled this area 200 hundred years ago chopped down the trees to clear the land and make a living.”
The Bicentennial Committee worked on events and projects to celebrate the county’s milestone anniversary in 2025. The group wanted until this spring to team with the Cooperative Extension to plant the trees.
“Today, we have come full circle,” Cooper said on Wednesday. “We are planting trees to help restore the environment and enhance living.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 April 2026 at 12:35 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Hinspergers at 430 West Oak Orchard St. in Medina has expanded several times since coming to Medina 25 years ago. The company was named the “Business of the Year” for 2015 by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
MEDINA – Hinspergers Poly Industries will continue its successful operation in Medina under new management, with the announcement of the retirement of general manager Greg Budd.
Budd is succeeded by Medina native Andrew Szatkowski, who came on board Nov. 1, 2025.
Greg Budd, general manager of Hinspergers since it opened in Medina in December 2001, has announced he will retire as of May 29. His replacement, Andrew Szatkowski, is already on the job.
Hinspergers is owned by Peter Hinspergers of Mississauga in Ontario, Canada. He also has a plant there and in Nova Scotia.
“He always wanted to have a presence in the United States,” Budd said. “He looked as far as the Carolinas and the Northeast to the Midwest, before settling on Medina.”
Budd and his wife made Medina their home, and said it has been an interesting 24 years.
“It has been a great experience,” Budd said. “I’ve made many friends and became a member of Shelridge Country Club. I’ve promised to come back and play golf.”
There were several reasons for choosing Medina, Budd said. One was the fact the company made swimming pool covers, and because it is so cold and snowy in the northeast, every pool owner would be interested in having a pool cover.
Another reason is that Medina is only a two-hour drive away when there are company meetings. And, the 25,000-square-foot building on Oak Orchard Street was attractive and they were able to purchase enough additional land to expand.
Hinspergers in Medina opened its doors Dec. 17, 2001 with 17 employees at the former Jamestown Container site. The building was wide enough for production rooms to produce custom-made pool covers that can spread out beyond 40 feet.
Soon after, in 2003, another 25,000 square feet was added, followed by a 33,000-square-foot addition in 2005. Sales quadrupled and employment had reached 65 when Covid hit. They currently employ about 45 and are hiring.
Since Covid, Budd said it has been a challenge to get and retain good help. The key people, however, have been there many years. He said Hinspergers is clean, light manufacturing and a great place to work.
Retirement will find him and his wife living in Waterloo for six months in the summer, and wintering in Florida for the winters. The couple has two children and three grandchildren.
Budd is confident he is leaving Hinspergers in good hands and said Szatkowski is doing a great job. Szatkowski’s background has been with several local companies, including Takeform and Bernz-o-Matic.
