Photos courtesy of Tim Archer
ALBION – Some Albion eighth-grade students worked on community service projects over the summer.
In the photo at left, Elizabeth Colmenero (right) and Giuliana Liuzzi painted portions of the Town of Albion sign along Clarendon Road.
In the photo at right, Gavin O’Brocta (right) and Kyler Bennett painted the poles for historic markers, including the one by the Orleans County Courthouse.
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Photo by Tom Rivers: A giant American flag is displayed high over Main Street from the Murray and Albion ladder trucks on Sept. 11, 2025.
ALBION – Orleans County will again be holding a Sept. 11 remembrance service on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.
There has been a remembrance service every year on Sept. 11 since the attacks, but the crowds have been getting smaller. Last year about 75 people attended the service outside the courthouse.
Scott Schmidt is hoping for a much bigger turnout this year. Schmidt is the keynote speaker for the service that starts at 6 p.m.
Schmidt, the Orleans County chief coroner and a funeral director for Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals, spent three weeks with the federal DMORT team after 9/11 and assisted in collecting and identifying remains, and interviewing family members searching for loved ones.
He left for New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. He was there for 20 days, including a week at Ground Zero. He noted the death toll continues to grow as more people die each year from their exposure to particulates while working at or near Ground Zero or from when then were fleeing the site where two skyscrapers collapsed.
He would like to see more students and younger people at the remembrance service.
“The new kids in school don’t know what Sept. 11 is or what happened that day,” Schmidt said today. “I want bigger turnout, especially among students. I would love to see the courthouse lawn full like it used to be. It’s something we shouldn’t forget.”
The terrorists attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and injured more than 6,000 others. Terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and the other into a field in rural Shanksville, Pa.
During the service, Schmidt and the speakers will remember the nearly 3,000 victims from the attacks, and highlight the bravery of the first responders who fled towards the danger to help others.
The service will include a welcome message from Lynne Johnson, chairwoman of the Orleans County Legislature; and opening and closing prayer from David Fish, pastor of the Barre Center Presbyterian Church; a timeline of Sept. 11 by Justin Niederhofer, the Orleans County emergency management director; and a gun salute from the Honor Guard of the American Legion and VFW.
Doug Egling will play “America the Beautiful” and the crowd will join in singing, “God Bless America.”
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File photo by Tom Rivers: A woman fishes off the end of the western pier at Point Breeze on March 20, 2021.
Press Release, Congressman Joe Morelle
ROCHESTER – Today, Congressman Joe Morelle (D, NY-25) introduced the “Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act,” legislation to stop President Donald Trump’s attempt to rename Lake Ontario and protect the historic names of all five Great Lakes.
The legislation, co-led by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D, MI-06) and Congressman Tim Kennedy (D, NY-26), comes after President Trump issued an executive order on Aug. 27 attempting to rename Lake Ontario as “Lake America.”
“Lake Ontario is Lake Ontario. No executive order, proclamation, or presidential temper tantrum is going to change that,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Families are worried about paying their bills. Businesses are looking for certainty. Communities like ours are asking Washington to focus on the challenges that actually affect people’s lives. And Donald Trump is spending his time trying to rename a lake.
“This is ridiculous, it’s embarrassing, and it’s exactly the kind of unserious distraction Americans are tired of. President Trump can play games with a map all he wants, but I’m not going to stand by while he wastes the authority and resources of the federal government doing it.
“Here in Rochester, we’ll keep calling it Lake Ontario. And in Congress, I’m working with my colleagues to make sure it stays that way.”
The Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act would prohibit the President, Secretary of the Interior, or any other federal official acting under presidential authority from changing the official geographic names of Lake Huron, Lake Ontario, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, or Lake Superior.
The legislation would also specifically nullify Executive Order 14422, issued by President Trump on Aug. 27, and prohibit the federal government from implementing or enforcing the order—or any substantially similar action. It would further prohibit federal funds from being used to carry out the attempted renaming.
“The Great Lakes are a shared treasure that generations of Americans and Canadians have worked together to protect. Canada is not our enemy. It is our neighbor, our ally, and one of Michigan’s most important economic partners. It is a friendship that no stroke of a pen should be able to erase,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “By preventing President Trump from trying to divide us with distracting public relations stunts, maybe then he will turn his attention to his reckless trade war that is raising costs and threatening American workers.”
“Americans are struggling to afford groceries, housing, and everyday essentials, and yet this President chooses to pick petty fights with our closest ally,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “This unserious, unacceptable attempt to rename the historic, shared Lake Ontario adds insult to injury as Trump’s tariffs drive up costs, making an already difficult situation worse. Our families, workers, and businesses need an administration focused on lowering costs and strengthening our economy, not distractions. Renaming a lake won’t put food on the table, lower anyone’s bills, or create a single job. It is a pathetic attempt to distract from an affordability crisis that this President has failed to fix.”
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Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board last week approved opening a new parking lot at 115 Pearl St. This photo was taken last Monday before the traffic cones were removed. The lot was used by the public later in the week.
The lot is at the southwest corner of the intersection of Pearl Street and Proctor Place. It is rectangular in shape with dimensions of approximately 132 feet frontage on Pearl Street and 100 feet frontage on Proctor Place.
This land was donated to the village by 415 West Avenue LLC, which is owned by Dr. Syed Shah, a cardiologist.
The DPW removed concrete from the site and put down the millings. It will be paved in the future.
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Photo from GoFundMe: Darrel Gray and his daughter Nora were killed in a Friday morning car accident in Oneida County while on the way to swimming practice for Nora.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established for the family of an Albion native and his daughter who were both killed in a car accident on Friday in Oneida County. Click here to be directed to the GoFundMe which will help the family with memorial expenses.
Darrel Gray, 52, and his daughter Nora, 17, both died in the collision with a tractor-trailer.
Gray graduated from Albion in 1992 and was a member of the school’s high-powered football teams. He was the modified football coach at Adirondack Central School. His daughter was involved in swimming and gymnastics.
The Gray family lives in West Leyden in Lewis County. The accident occurred in the town of Ava.
Gray is survived by his wife Marion and their son Mitchell.
The organizer of the GoFundMe posted this message:
“We are overwhelmed by the kindness that has surrounded Marion and Mitchell in such a short time. Every donation, every share, every message, every memory, and every gesture of love has been felt so deeply.
“Thank you to each of you who has helped carry this family in whatever way you can. The generosity of this community is incredibly moving, but even more meaningful is the reminder that Marion and Mitchell are surrounded by so many people who care for them.
“Please continue to hold them close in your hearts as they navigate the days ahead. We are so grateful for all of you.”
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Photos courtesy of Jamie Traxler
BROCKPORT – Cooper Traxler, 12, of Albion is shown on Friday before he got his hair cut at Next Level Barbershop in Brockport.
Cooper had 16 inches taken off with his first haircut in five years. He is donating the hair to Wigs for Kids in memory of Byron Neal, who passed away from cancer at age 8 on April 14, 2023. Byron and his family sat in front of Cooper for church services at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Albion.
Cooper got a major overhaul with the haircut by Jeremy at Next Level Barbershop. Many of Cooper’s friends and football coaches recommended Jeremy for the haircut.
Cooper said he was excited for the change with a new school year starting next week. He will be going into seventh grade.
Cooper’s hair will be given to Wig for Kids out of Ohio. He will be raising $500 to go with his hair which will start the wig production, said his mother, Jamie Traxler.
Many kids with cancer lose their hair while enduring chemo treatments.
“He wanted them to have his hair to make them feel more like themselves until their hair grew back,” Jamie Traxler said. “So that they could focus on feeling better and getting better while not worrying about people staring because of losing their hair and how that made them look.”
Anyone interested in donating towards the new wig can send the money by Venmo to @JamieTraxler82.
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File photos by Tom Rivers: Joe Morlino was among many volunteers cooking food at St. Rocco’s Italian Festival in Hulberton on Sept. 1, 2024. The event is a big fundraiser for the ONE Catholic Family of Churches. Morlino has been volunteering at the festival for 20 years. He is shown cooking French fries, ravioli and mozzarella sticks.
Press Release, ONE Catholic Family of Churches
HULBERTON – The St Rocco’s Annual Italian Festival is celebrating its 51st year with a variety of local musicians on Sunday.
Live music will begin at 11 a.m., and it will feature a varied line-up of talent under the tent throughout the afternoon until 4 p.m.
First up, from 11a.m. to noon, will be PSA – Public Service Announcement, a Holley High School band including lead singer Isla Schultz, Brody Williams on drums, Aidan Kelley on guitar and Kallan Babcock on bass.
From noon to 1 p.m., Roxy’s Accordion Band will take the stage. The legacy of Roxy Caccamise and her Roxy’s Music Store in Batavia has carried on after her passing by her family and a collection of accordion enthusiasts.
Katie Robinson, a pianist and vocalist, will perform from 1 to 2 p.m. Katie performs hits from the 1970s and 1980s including Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Carole King, Seals and Crofts, Cyndi Lauper, James Taylor and more.
Rounding out the live music, from 2 to 4 p.m. will be the Bennetts Corners Band. The band members are Michael Kinsey, Tom Kinsey, Charles Kinsey and Nathaniel Kinsey. They play American Folk, Celtic Folk, American Country, Sea Shanties, and they take occasional comedic breaks.
“We are blessed and excited to be able to host this wonderful community event,” said Jeanne Maxon, chair of the festival committee. “It is especially fun to showcase some amazing local musicians – so please bring a lawn chair and enjoy the free entertainment.”
The St. Rocco Italian Festival is at 3415 Hulberton Rd. Traditional food favorites are served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the beer tent will offer Rohrbach Beer & Black Creek Cidery on tap.
There will be a bocce tournament, vendors, raffles and family play areas. The event grounds are a smoke & vape free environment. For their safety, no pets will be allowed. There is plenty of free on-site parking. The festival is a cash-only event with no ATM access.
Members of a band, PSA, from Holley Central School performed on June 24 when the Seneca Chief boat came to town. The band members include lead singer Isla Schultz, Brody Williams on drums, Aidan Kelley on guitar and Kallan Babcock on bass.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
Provided photo: Dr. Michael Weyrauch (left), Orleans/Niagara BOCES director of Career & Technical Education and Adult Education, congratulates Todd Eick on his award from the New York Association of Agricultural Educators.
Todd Eick, an Orleans/Niagara BOCES animal science teacher, was announced as the New York State winner of the Ideas Unlimited Award.
Eick, who works at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center, was recognized during the June 2026 New York Association of Agricultural Educators (NYAAE) Conference at the Oswegatchie Education Center for his dedication, leadership, and commitment to agricultural education.
The annual conference celebrates excellence in agricultural education by recognizing teachers whose passion for student success, innovative instruction, and service to their schools and communities exemplify the highest standards of the profession.
The NYAAE says, “Through hard work, dedication to students, and an unwavering commitment to the school district and community, Mr. Eick has demonstrated the qualities of excellence that define outstanding agricultural educators.”
Eick, a former teacher and FFA advisor at Medina Central School, was recognized for the development a project he titles Threads of Agriculture – Weaving Global Agricultural Data into Fiber Art.
The weaving project is an interdisciplinary activity where students design and produce a circular loop scarf that represents and graphs agricultural data. Students collect authentic agricultural data, organize the information for data interpretation and then weave a finished agricultural product that also functions as a linear proportion color graph.
This project can engage students in a global agricultural understanding, fiber and textile production and data analysis – and it is a way to make the hot career skill of data science interesting in a way that can be difficult. Students report strong engagement because of their own decision making, hands-on production and personal research. Students of multiple learning styles find a place where their style is engaged and the project is aligned with standards and reinforces academic concepts in science, mathematics and art.
The NYAAE and Orleans/Niagara BOCES congratulate Eick on his well-deserved award and his continued contributions to agricultural education across New York State. This is the third time that he has won this award at the state level and he is also a previous winner at the national level.
His commitment to developing future leaders in agriculture strengthens local communities and inspires the next generation of agricultural professionals.
“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers in our professional state organization,” Eick said. “The other projects that were nominated were equally (if not more so) demanding of this recognition. I’m proud of this project, what it provides for the students, and is a great way to incorporate the fiber industry into our curriculum. It is also a wonderful introduction for students to global agriculture.”
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Photo by Tom Rivers: The Crosby’s in Gaines was selling regular unleaded gas for $4.41 a gallon on Sunday.
Gas prices jumped 8 cents in the past week in Orleans County from an average of $4.30 a gallon to $4.38, according to AAA.
The national average price for gas is at $4.08 today, which is down 2 cents in the past week. A year ago, the price was $3.19.
The New York State average is $4.21, up 5 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.18.
“For the first time ever, the national average gas price in August has been above $4 per gallon every day,” AAA said in a news release today. “This month is poised to set a new record as the most expensive August at the pump, surpassing the previous August record set in 2022. There’s been little movement on the crude oil front. Due to continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices remain elevated. This morning, oil prices range from $85 to $90 per barrel.
“Despite elevated fuel prices, Labor Day travel is expected to be strong with travelers taking advantage of the last long holiday weekend of the summer season.”
The average prices among Western New York counties includes:
Hamilton County in the Adirondacks is the highest in the state at $4.671 a gallon, while Chemung has the lowest average at $4.073.
The national average for diesel prices is down a penny to $5.60. Last year at this time, the national average price was $3.70. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.74, up 4 cents from last week, and up from $3.90 last year.
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Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: New Albion teachers stopped by Panek farms on Thursday.
ALBION – The group of new Albion teachers toured sites in the community on Thursday as part of their orientation.
Tim Archer, a retired teacher who led many community services projects with students, led the new teachers on a three-hour tour of the Albion community.
They visited Doug Farley, Bill Lattin and Collin Capurso at the Cobblestone Museum and its one-room schoolhouse, Kathy Harling (associate court attorney) at the Orleans County Courthouse, the Rev. Sue Thaine at the First Presbyterian Church, Harriet Greaser in her home (former Presbyterian Church manse), the Mt. Albion Cemetery Soldiers and Sailors Monument (Civil War memorial), and Jim and Kerry Panek at Panek Farms. New school board member Kaitlyn Panek was on hand to welcome the teachers.
Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, shows the teachers a one-room schoolhouse that was built in 1849 and served the school district until 1952.
The teachers are shown inside the County Courthouse, a building constructed in 1858 that remains as the county’s main courts facility.
File photo by Tom Rivers: These sailboats race as the sun comes down on Lake Ontario on Aug. 12, 2021. Ten sailboats raced for 4 miles, having to change directions frequently. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to rename the lake to “Lake America.”
The leader of the Seneca Nation says Donald Trump’s executive order on Thursday, renaming Lake Ontario to “Lake America,” shows “blatant disrespect” toward the Seneca people and all Indigenous people.
Provided photo: J.C. Seneca is president of the Seneca Nation.
J.C. Seneca, president of the Seneca Nation, said the executive order goes against the United States’ historic commitment to the Seneca people and other Haudenosaunee nations. The executive order is “starkly un-presidential and demeaning to his office,” Seneca said in released statement.
Trump made the order after trade negotiations fell apart with Canada. The president 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. 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.
Trump’s executive order compels the Secretary of the Interior and the Board on Geographic Names to rename the body of water to “Lake America” and update federal databases to reflect the new name. Google Maps also made the change for U.S.-based users.
Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York, Canadian Prime Minister John Carney and other political leaders said the name will remain Lake Ontario.
J.C. Seneca said the Seneca Nation will always call it Lake Ontario. He issued the following statement:
“Lake Ontario derives its name from Indigenous roots. In our traditional Seneca language, its name is sga:nyodai:yoh, meaning ‘beautiful lake.’ Long before the United States existed, and before settlers brought the English language to our lands, our Seneca and Haudenosaunee ancestors traveled Lake Ontario and surrounding waterways for many reasons, including diplomacy among our nations. Now, we are seeing the exact opposite of diplomacy.
“The action that President Trump is taking is starkly un-presidential and demeaning to his office and his standing as the leader of the free world. His blatant disrespect toward the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations, and all Indigenous people is unacceptable.
“The President cannot assert ownership over our culture or erase it through irresponsible political action. His order should be rescinded, and the name Lake Ontario should be left as it is, reflective of the Seneca people, other Haudenosaunee nations and all Indigenous people surrounding the lake.
“To us, Lake Ontario is not a political pawn. It does not separate the countries of the United States and Canada. It is all Indigenous land, which has been occupied by Indigenous people since time immemorial.
“In 1794, President George Washington and the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee nations signed the Treaty of Canandaigua, promising to live in peace and friendship with one another. The United States also promised our people the free use and enjoyment of our lands forever. President Trump’s aggression toward our culture with his Executive Order violates that peace, friendship and commitments of the Canandaigua treaty. This is the latest in a long history of willful attempts to disregard the United States’ commitments to the Seneca and other Haudenosaunee nations. President Trump needs to be reminded of those commitments.
“I would also remind the President of the tenets of the United States Constitution, where Article 6 clearly states that treaties are the ‘supreme Law of the Land,’ and need to always be honored as such.
“We will always call Lake Ontario by the name derived from the language of our ancestors – the name that, like the strength and influence of the Seneca people, will live on forever, long after the intrusive political tirades of individual men.
“All Native Nations need to stand united to vocally and forcefully reject this change. We are also calling on all federal, state and local representatives – regardless of political party – to stand with the Seneca Nation and oppose the President’s Executive Order.”
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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:
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.
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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.
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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.
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