ALBION – The VFW Strickland Post 4635 will be at Ace Hardware on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., selling Buddy Poppies. Veterans in past were at Walmart selling the poppies but will be at Ace Hardware this time.
Veterans have been selling the poppies for over a century to support causes that assist vets.
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Photos and information courtesy of Medina Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161
MEDINA – Medina Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2161 proudly congratulates Captain Michael Young on his retirement from the Medina Fire Department following nearly two decades of dedicated service.
Captain Young transferred to Medina from the Salamanca Fire Department in April 2007 and has spent the years since serving the Medina community.
During his career, he served as Municipal Training Officer, Lieutenant and Captain of First Platoon. He also spent many years as a New York State Fire Instructor assigned to Orleans County, passing along his knowledge and experience to firefighters throughout our area.
Today, Mike and his family were surrounded by past and present Medina firefighters and friends from departments around the county for a retirement luncheon hosted by Local 2161 and the Medina Firefighters Benevolent Association.
Local 2161 Vice President Tim Miller presented Mike with a ceremonial fire axe on behalf of the membership as a token of our appreciation for his years of service. Chief Cooley also presented him with his retired badge.
Congratulations, Captain Young. Thank you for everything you have given to Local 2161, the Medina Fire Department and the community we serve. Enjoy a long and well-deserved retirement.
Return to topPress Release, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Friendly Markets will honor those who have served our country with an 11 percent discount on groceries this Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11. Now in its 13th year, the program has provided more than $1 million in savings to military personnel and their families.
The discount will be available at all Tops locations to U.S. veterans, active-duty military personnel, reservists and retired military personnel, as well as immediate family members residing in the same household. Customers should present proof of their own or their immediate family member’s military service to receive the discount on their total purchase that day.
“Behind every person who serves is a story of commitment, courage and sacrifice—and often a family making sacrifices alongside them,” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “We are grateful to count so many veterans and military families among our associates, customers and neighbors. This Veterans Day, we’re honored to offer a small expression of our appreciation for all they have given to our country and continue to give to our communities.”
Tops’ appreciation for the military community extends throughout the year. The company has supported veterans’ memorials and traveling tribute walls, Honor Flight missions, and military fundraising events.
Most recently, proceeds from the Tops tents at both the Taste of Buffalo and Taste of Syracuse went to three veteran based organizations. Tops also continues to support the Stars for our Troops program, having run the program twice over the past eight years, collecting over 58,000 to present to those who have protected our freedoms.
Through participation in veteran job fairs, parades and community events, Tops continues to honor the service of military associates, customers and their families.
About Tops Friendly Markets
Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops operates a robust network of 151 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including one franchise location. As one of Western New York’s largest employers, and with over 14,000 associates across its entire footprint, Tops is committed to delivering sustainably sourced, premium-quality products. Beyond retail, Tops is committed to the communities it serves through initiatives focused on hunger relief, health improvement, youth education, and environmental sustainability. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.
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Provided photos: Katie Oakes, facilitator of the Master Gardener training program, shows students how to conduct a soil pH test.
Press Release, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension will be offering the Master Gardener training course starting in February. Applications are being accepted now until December 1st.
The Master Gardener program is a nation-wide volunteer service program, one of the largest volunteer programs in the country. Master Gardener volunteers support the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension by “extending” the research-based information and guidelines put forth by Cornell University to their county residents.
The Master Gardener Training Course is the required first step for those who are interested in becoming a Master Gardener volunteer with Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The course in 2027 will be a hybrid of online lessons along with weekly in-person classes to reinforce key topics. The online portion is self-paced, meaning students are given a time frame within which to complete each module and they can choose when to complete the coursework based on their personal schedule.
In-person classes will be held every Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Orleans County CCE “Buzz Hill” Education Center, led by CCE Horticulture Educator Katie Oakes, the coordinator of the Master Gardener volunteers and the facilitator of the Master Gardener Training Course.
There were plans to run the training in early 2026, but Orleans CCE did not receive enough applications to continue with the course. This coming year, the course will start February 4th and will run through May 6th. The in-person classes are held every Thursday evening at the ‘Buzz Hill’ Education Center from 6 to 8 p.m.
“The Master Gardener Training Course was an excellent experience; it changed the way I garden and look at my environment. The research-based educational materials were thorough, interesting, and challenged me to think differently,” explained Sue Starkweather Miller, who completed the course in 2022.
Students in the 2024 Master Gardener Training class learn about diagnosing plant problems.
Once students complete the training program, they serve 40 hours within the next year through the MG Program to become official Master Gardener volunteers. Those service hours can include attending monthly Master Gardener meetings, helping at various Master Gardener educational programs, tabling at public events like the Home and Garden Show and the Orleans County 4-H Fair, or finding answers to gardening questions that come in from county residents.
“I love the Master Gardener program,” said Elaine Clute, a graduate of the 2024 MG Training Course. “It’s a great group of gardeners who support each other and are committed to community and outreach.”
Orleans County CCE will close the application process on December 1st, after which participants for the course will be selected and notified of acceptance into the program. Preference will be given to Orleans County residents and those who are interested in becoming long-term volunteers with the Master Gardener Program.
The cost of the course is $200. If you are interested in the course, but require financial assistance, please contact Katie Oakes directly at 585-798-4265 ext. 125 or by email at klo54@cornell.edu.
Applications can be found online at https://cce.cornell.edu/orleans/programs-and-education/master-gardener.
Join CCE, become a Master Gardener volunteer, and help your community grow!
Return to topPress Release, Oak Orchard Health
LYNDONVILLE – Oak Orchard Health, a leading healthcare provider serving rural communities across upstate New York, is preparing to welcome patients back to its Lyndonville health center, with an official reopening date of Nov. 16.
The reopening reaffirms the organization’s commitment to expanding access to quality, affordable healthcare in underserved communities and marks an important milestone for the Lyndonville community.
As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Oak Orchard Health recognizes the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing essential healthcare services. Limited transportation options, geographic barriers and provider shortages can make receiving consistent, preventive care difficult for individuals and families.
Re-establishing services in Lyndonville reflects the organization’s ongoing commitment to reducing these barriers and ensuring that residents have access to trusted healthcare providers close to home.
The reopening represents more than the return of a healthcare facility. It is an opportunity to strengthen relationships with the Lyndonville community, support continuity of care and provide residents with a convenient, community-based option for managing their health and well-being. By bringing healthcare services closer to the individuals who need them, Oak Orchard Health continues to emphasize the importance of accessible, patient-centered care that responds to the needs of the communities it serves.
With preparations underway, Oak Orchard Health looks forward to sharing more about the providers and services that will be available at its Lyndonville location, offering residents a closer look at what they can expect when its doors reopen.
“Oak Orchard Health is proud to announce the reopening of our Lyndonville office on November 16,” said Marco Altieri, CEO. “This project reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that every member of our community has access to high-quality, compassionate, and convenient healthcare services. We are excited to welcome patients back and continue serving the Lyndonville area for years to come.”
Patients interested in scheduling an appointment at the Lyndonville health center are encouraged to contact Oak Orchard Health’s Medina office at 585-765-2060.
Return to topPress Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) want your help planning future health and wellness classes. We want to know which programs interest you and what would work best for you.
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program – A program for people who live with ongoing health conditions. You will learn ways to manage symptoms, improve your health, and feel more confident making health decisions.
National Diabetes Prevention Program – A program for people who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. You will learn ways to eat healthier, be more active, and make healthy changes that can last.
Tobacco Cessation Program – A program that helps people quit tobacco and nicotine products. You will learn about tools and strategies to help you quit and stay tobacco-free.
We want to hear from you!
Please take our short survey to tell us what programs you are interested in and what would work best for you, including:
“Community input is an important part of planning programs that are accessible and useful to the people we serve,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “We want to know which programs residents are interested in and what would work best for them.”
The survey takes only a few minutes to complete. You can also provide your contact information if you would like to hear about upcoming classes.
Help us spread the word! Share the survey with family, friends, and neighbors who may be interested. Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Classes27
For more information on GO Health programs, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your respective health department.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Rick Stacey (third from left) is the owner of CannaWave at 162 South Main St. He is pictured with employees, from left: bud tender Brian Cunningham, co-manager Alyssa Winder and co-manager Jacob Shaw.
ALBION – A legal cannabis shop will be having its grand opening celebration in Albion today and on Saturday.
CannaWave opened in July at 162 South Main St. The business sells products grown locally in Waterport at Hydro-Grow NY. It also carries products from other legal producers.
CannaWave is Orleans County’s only licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary. It sells lab-tested flower, edibles, vape carts and beverages to local adult consumers.
Rick Stacey of Albion owns the business. A process engineer, he also owns RS Automation on Route 98 in Albion, and he owns a greenhouse in Waterport where the plants are grown for many of the products at CannaWave.
Rick Stacey, owner of CannaWave, is on the ground floor of the state’s emerging legal cannabis market. The name of the business ties into its close proximity to the waves of Lake Ontario.
Stacey said he was drawn to the cannabis business seeing it as a way to offer safe products to consumers. The products are all heavily tested and regulated. He has videos inside the store showing the cannabis plants being grown and harvested at his greenhouse, Hydro-Grow NY Inc.
He is happy to share the test results of all the products. An independent lab takes samples and the cannabis products need to pass state standards for residual solvents, microbials, heavy metals, mycotoxins and pesticides. CannaWave grows its plants in an enclosed greenhouse in Waterport that is conducive to the safety standards, Stacey said.
“As a local, family-run business, we care deeply about our neighbors and the community we live in,” he said. “CannaWave is built on providing a safe, professional and transparent environment where the customers can feel confident about where their products come from and how they are grown.”
Provided photo: The cannabis plants are grown at a greenhouse in Waterport, making the operation a seed-to-sale vertically integrated business.
Stacey also owns Hydro-Grow at 4015 Oak Orchard Rd. He initially was focused on cannabinoid hemp at Hydro-Grow, which started in 2019.
The state legalized adult-use cannabis for people 21 and older in 2021, and the first adult-use dispensary opened in December 2022. There are now 1,039 licensed adult-use retailers statewide.
Stacey has a license to grow cannabis plants at the 20,000-square-foot greenhouse. He uses his expertise in advanced industrial engineering in growing the cannabis plants.
Hydro-Grow features proprietary automated environmental controls, custom software integration, specialized fertigation systems and prevision HVAC chiller.
Hydro-Grow can fine-tune lighting, humidity, airflow and plant nutrients around the clock, producing clean, contaminant-free flower without heavy chemical inputs. The flower, sold in bags by an eighth of an ounce, is the top sellers so far at CannaWave.
At Hydro-Grow, Stacey said the operation merges industrial process engineering with sustainable horticultural science.
“By controlling every parameter of the cultivation environment right here in Albion, we ensure consistent product quality, strict safety testing, and sustainable energy efficiency,” he said.
These products are packaged for sale at CannaWave and include bags of fresh flower at an eighth of an ounce which are $30 each. That includes a 13 percent tax. The state gets a 9 percent tax, with the county 1 percent and the village 3 percent.
The dispensary features CannaWave-cultivated strains alongside curated selections of state-licensed edibles, beverages, tinctures and topicals.
‘There has been a lot of positive feedback,” Stacey said about CannaWave. “People don’t have to drive to the reservation, and they feel it’s safer.”
There are six employees at CannaWave, and the staff works to educate customers. Some customers use the products for anxiety and pain relief, and others are recreational users.
Stacey said the safe, transparent and approachable atmosphere helps to destigmatize cannabis products. He said the adult customers include curious first-timers to experienced patients and those seeking wellness alternatives.
CannaWave is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For additional information, including product menus, check cannawaveny.com or the verified listings on Weedmaps.
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Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce held its 28th annual awards dinner this evening at the White Birch Golf Course. About 80 people attended the event.
Pictured from left, front row: Erin Hackenberg, owner of EH Collectives in Holley, New Business of the Year; Brandon Johnson, owner of Dance Theater Premier Performing Arts in Medina, Phoenix Award; Shannon Blount, leader of Cat by Cat Inc.’s Medina Team, Community Service Award; Jennifer Thom, owner of JLThom CPA in Medina; Small Business of the Year; Kim Martillotta-Muscarella, owner of Marti’s on Main art gallery in Albion, Hidden Gem; and Kerry Panek of Panek Farms in Albion, Agricultural Business of the Year.
Brian Christiaansen, owner of three Mark’s Pizzeria locations and Tapped on main in Medina, Businessperson of the Year; Bill Bixler, owner of Seaway Insurance Associates and Albion Agencies as well as active in many community organizations; Lifetime Achievement Award; Rollin Hellner, owner of The Walsh in Medina, winner of People’s Choice Award at Taste of Orleans in August; Dana and Eric Watson of the Watson Construction Group, Business of the Year; Alan, Philip and their father Jim Panek of Panek Farms, the Agricultural Business of the Year.
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Photos by Tom Rivers: Martin Stirk, an Orleans County sheriff’s sergeant, accepts the Employee of the Year award today from Katie Harvey, the county’s director of personnel and self insurance.
ALBION – An Orleans County sheriff’s sergeant was recognized today as the county’s “Employee of the Year” for applying a life-saving tourniquet on a man with a severe cut to his upper legs.
Martin Stirk was working on June 1 when he heard the call on the scanner. It wasn’t a call for law enforcement. It was an emergency medical situation.
The call was at Heron Falls in Clarendon. Stirk keeps a tourniquet by the front pocket of his uniform. He wasn’t sure how quickly an ambulance crew could get there so he headed to the scene.
He encountered a man bleeding profusely after being cut with a circular saw. Stirk put on the tourniquet to stop the bleeding.
That action likely saved the life of the man, by keeping him from bleeding out, said Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Stirk has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for 11 years. He said all the deputies are trained in CPR and first aid. He has used tourniquets before while on duty.
He was praised during the county’s employee recognition luncheon today for staying calm under pressure, and taking decisive action.
“This employee’s commitment to the community, willingness to take initiative, and professionalism reflect the high standards of public service within Orleans County,” said Katie Harvey, the county’s director of personnel and self insurance. She was also emcee at today’s luncheon.
The county also recognized employees of the month since last October. Those employees include:
Some of the employees of the month honored today include, from left to right: Marilea Greean, Donald Mack, Brett Sobieraski, Dana Goetze, Jeff Ashbery, Linda Karp, Martin Stirk and Hayli Kuellertz.
The county also honored the following retirees: Dawn Allen in Real Property, Della Fisher in the Office for the Aging, Judy Gress in Department of Social Services, Tammy Kendrick in the Sheriff’s Office, Holli Nenni in DSS, Christine Ryan in DSS, Marty Sanders in the Sheriff’s Office, Julie Sanford in DSS, and Allen Turner in the Sheriff’s Office.
Lynne Johnson, the County Legislature chairwoman, thanked all of the county employees for the work they do every day.
“Across every department, you play an important role in keeping our county running, and providing the services our residents depend on,” she said. “Much of what you do happens behind the scenes, but it makes a real difference in the lives of the people we serve.”
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Photos courtesy of Albion Central School: Introducing the Albion NHS 2026-27 class of inductees: Front (Left to Right): Peyton Dimatteo, Julia Graham, Makenzie Cook, Sophia Bouchey, Chloe Mosele, Tra’Monie Walker, Aniela Wilson and Abigail Faskel. Back (Left to Right): Kasia Robinson, Alivia Dumrese, Adelaide Pettit, Nathan Wehling, Drake Schomske, Alex Yankevich, Lilian Fisher and Sadie Money. Missing from picture: Cordelia Rivers.
Press Release, Albion Central School
ALBION – Albion’s Charles D’Amico High School National Honor Society (NHS) inducted 17 new members into its ranks this school year. The ceremony was held in Albion’s middle school auditorium on the evening of Oct. 29.
Founded in 1921, the NHS is built upon four pillars; scholarship, service, leadership and character. In order to be eligible, inductees must exhibit all four qualities, be recommended by a faculty member and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 90% or higher.
Current members led the ceremony and guided inductees through the NHS Pledge. After the inductees took the oath, they each accepted their membership pin and signed their names within the book that holds the names of all Albion members before them.
The ceremony included recognition of outstanding Albion staff members, decided on by current NHS members. The following individuals were chosen for exemplifying one of the four NHS pillars:
Middle school teacher Patrick Uveino was honored with the Albion NHS Excellence in Teaching Award for deeply embodying what it means to be a Purple Eagle. Students selected him for his unwavering dedication and his ability to strongly connect with students and empower them to be the best versions of themselves.
Uveino, who has taught health and coached various sports at Albion for 27 years, served as the guest speaker at the ceremony. In his remarks, he congratulated inductees and dared them to dream big and stay relentless in the pursuit of their goals. He emphasized that above all else, it is their character that defines them at the end of the day.
“Step outside your comfort zone, follow your heart, and embrace the uniqueness of others,” he said. “True character isn’t about standing above others, but about using your values to lift others up.”
Current members: Front (Left to Right): Lorelei Gailie, Maddison Button, Anna Grillo, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Brooke Doty, Lily Brigham and Carley Smith. Back (Left to Right): Ava Woolston, Mason Snook, Nicholas Luft, Adam Burgio and Olivia Andrews. Missing from picture: Jaxon Lynch, Jackson Snook, Logan Kast, Heidi Franco-Lopez, Jillian LeBaron and Shayla Cruz.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: These four Medina firefighters came to the Grove United Methodist Church on Wednesday morning to deliver 42 red barrels to local establishments, kicking off MAAC’s annual Christmas Present Program. From left are Lt. Adam Fisher, fire chief Steve Cooley, firefighter Steve Baxter and Lt. Tim Miller.
MEDINA – The Medina Area Association of Churches annual Christmas Present Program got underway Wednesday when Medina firefighters picked up and delivered 42 red barrels to local businesses, churches, schools and the library.
Fire chief Steve Cooley was accompanied by Lt. Adam Fisher, firefighter Steve Baxter and Lt. Tim Miller, and they loaded the barrels in ambulances and pickup trucks – to be filled by the community with toys and gifts for local families.
The red barrels evolved from the Medina firefighters who years ago collected old toys and refurbished them for delivery to Medina children.
“It was in the early 1930s with the Depression hitting the area hard that firemen collected toys which some children had outgrown or toys that were broken,” said fire chief Steve Cooley. “The toys were collected, repaired and or repainted and then Social Services redistributed them to those in need. It was considered one of the greatest community endeavors.”
With more toys changing to plastic and less firemen working in the 1970s, MAAC took over the program of collecting food, clothes and toys, Cooley said. The Medina Fire Department handled the logistics of getting out the barrels, collecting them and delivering the gifts.
“Currently, we receive assistance from Shelby, East Shelby and Ridgeway fire companies on gift delivery day,” Cooley said.
(Left) Lt. Tim Miller loads MAAC Christmas barrels on his pickup on Wednesday at the Grove United Methodist Church. Delivering barrels to local establishments is a tradition which goes back to the 1970s. They will pick up the filled barrels and return them to the church on Dec. 2, where toys and gifts will be sorted and packed into Christmas boxes for local families. (Right) Medina fire chief Steve Cooley, left, and Lt. Tim Miller discuss delivery of the MAAC Christmas barrels with Sherry Tuohey, who coordinates the annual Christmas Present Program.
Lt. Adam Fisher eagerly joined the effort on Wednesday, delivering the barrels into the community.
“I grew up here,” Fisher said, when asked why he was happy to help. “I was a scoutmaster, and this is my community. I’ve had family members who were helped by this program.”
When the full barrels are returned to the church on Dec. 2, volunteers begin the enormous task of sorting the donations into boys or girls, age appropriate and separating the clothing from books and games, said Sherry Tuohey-Sipple, who is in her ninth year of overseeing the program.
In addition to boys and girls up to 18, the program provides gifts for as many as 35 seniors. Gifts sought for seniors include puzzle books (especially large print), lap throws, socks, hats and gloves, and boxes of cookies.
Tuohey-Sipple said they are fortunate to have a lot of volunteers who help with this task and with packing the boxes. In addition to gifts for the children, each family gets food for Christmas dinner, including a ham.
She said there are six people on the Christmas Present Program, who are shopping all year.
“We are constantly looking for bargains,” she said. “We are blessed to have The Grove to store the barrels and use of the Fellowship Hall to sort donations and pack boxes.”
MAAC is always happy to accept cash donations, to help with the items they have to buy, to assure every child has a gift. Checks should be made payable to MAAC and sent to 536 Orient St., Medina, with a notation it is for the Christmas Present Program.
Information on how to apply is sent to all the schools, day cares and BOCES, Tuohey-Sipple said.
Families must apply during the second and third weeks of November at one of two locations – St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1355 West Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 and 17; or at The Vine at 11031 Maple Ridge Rd. Medina, from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 12 and 19.
Families must show proof of eligibility by providing the following – proof household, proof of residence (must be in the Medina school district) and proof of income.
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Photo by Tom Rivers: Bruce Blakeman speaks at a “Ride for the Blue” rally on Aug. 16 on Countyline Road in Murray. About 150 people attended that rally. He was joined from left by Virginia McIntyre, a Monroe County legislator who ran for Congress against Joe Morelle of Rochester; State Sen. Rob Ortt; Joe Hernandez, candidate for comptroller against Tom DiNapoli; and Todd Hood, the lieutenant governor candidate and Madison County sheriff.
Kathy Hochul received about 60 percent of the vote in her re-election for governor but some counties gave very strong support to her challenger, Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman.
Orleans County was overwhelmingly in favor of Blakeman, one of five counties to top 70 percent for the Republican candidate.
Orleans voters backed Blakeman with 71.3 percent of vote. Lewis County had the highest percentage of support for Blakeman at 76.3 percent, followed by Wyoming County at 75.8 percent, and Allegany County at 72.9 percent. Herkimer County, at 70.5 percent, also topped the 70 percent mark.
Hochul topped Blakeman by more than 1 million votes – 3,499,396 to 2,349,047, with some votes still to be counted.
She received more than 80 percent of the vote in two New York City boroughs: Bronx at 83.2 percent and Manhattan, 82.2 percent.
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Provided images: Mylisa Larsen will be in Medina on Monday giving presentations about her books, including Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t be Better.
MEDINA – On Monday, acclaimed author Mylisa Larsen will visit all three of Medina’s schools, presenting her works to more than a thousand students, before coming to Author’s Note to discuss and sign several of her youth titles, ranging from picture books to middle grade novels.
Larsen will visit Oak Orchard Primary School and Wise Intermediate School in the morning, and Medina Junior-Senior High School in the afternoon.
“I am excited for my students to meet Mylisa Larsen, because they are currently enjoying her novel Playing Through the Turnaround,” said seventh grade English teacher Mindy Hill. “Her presentation a few year ago after the book’s release was dynamic and engaging. Students identified with her characters and appreciated her willingness to answer questions about them.”
Larsen’s newest middle grade novel is Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t be Better, which has received five starred reviews. It is full of humor and sharp insight, capturing the distinctive voice of a young teen forced by his mother’s unstable mental health to recalibrate his outlook and build a new life with a found family. Booklist calls it “An amazing story told with deep understanding and touched with humor. Buy it, read it, talk about it and share the love by passing it on.”
Larsen will be at Author’s Note, starting at 6 p.m., where she will do a presentation discussing her works for all ages. Afterwards, her books will be available for signing and purchase. At 7 p.m., she will do a workshop activity with teens as a program for Author’s Note’s Teen Advisory Council.
Larsen has been telling stories for a long time. She says this has caused her to receive gimlet-eyed looks from her parents, her siblings and later, her own children, when they felt that certain stories had been embellished beyond acceptable limits. She now writes children’s books where her talents for hyperbole are actually rewarded. Larsen is also the author of the award-winning novel Playing Through the Turnaround. She has lived in nine states and two countries and has loved things about each of them. The first place she always finds is the library.
Author’s Note suggests preordering copies of the author’s works at Author’s Note, 419 Main St., or online at authorsnote.com/events. For more information, contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642.
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Photos by Tom Rivers: Carlton firefighters, Andrew Niederhofer, left, and Evan London spray water on a fire Tuesday morning in Waterport.
WATERPORT – The man who died in a fire on Tuesday morning in Waterport has been identified as Franklin Miller, age 68.
He was located deceased inside a double-wind trailer. Fireifghters were dispatched to 1763 Waterport Rd. just before 9:30 a.m. after a neighbor reported smoke coming from the residence.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Carlton Volunteer Fire Company, multiple mutual aid fire departments and EMS responded to the scene.
Two Orleans County deputies, John Doyle and Ashleigh Stornelli, suffered minor injuries when they attempted to enter the residence in an effort to rescue Miller. They broke windows and forced open a door but were unable to enter the residence due to heavy smoke and heat, said Sheriff Chris Bourke. They were treated at Medina Memorial Hospital.
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and Orleans County fire investigators.
Neighbors say Miller was retired from doing maintenance work, including lawn mowing, at a nearby state park.
This is the second fatal fire in Orleans County in less than two weeks. David Greene, 68, was killed in a fire in Knowlesville on Oct. 22.
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