By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 April 2026 at 3:06 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nathan Pace and his wife Margaret will be closing the Medina law office of Mack & Pace on May 31 for a three-year sabbatical while they lead a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guatemala City.
MEDINA – Nathan and Margaret Pace are following a higher calling beginning this summer when they take a break from the Mack & Pace law firm for three years to lead a Mormon mission based in Guatemala City.
They will lead the mission’s 180 to 200 full-time missionaries, young adults who are often on their first extended time away from their families.
Over the three years, the couple expects to work with 400 to 500 missionaries, with a new group coming in every year as others head back home.
“We are so excited,” Mrs. Pace said. “We have loved young people our whole lives. I cannot wait to get there.”
The law firm will close for three years. Mr. Pace said he expects the office will reopen on July 1, 2029.
While they are gone, Tom Seaman, a Lockport attorney, will maintain documents – wills, trusts, powers of attorney.
“We have a solid plan that our clients will be taken care,” Pace said. “I love my clients. We have thousands of people that we have worked with and helped through the most difficult times in their lives.”
He hasn’t taken on new criminal cases, but the office will continue to do estate planning, power of attorney and health proxy until May 31. He and his wife fly out to Guatemala on June 14. The Paces will have about a two week-transition with the current leaders before they take over.
Provided photo: Nathan and Margaret Pace have raised their six children in Medina. Beginning on July 1, they will lead 180 to 200 young adults over three years in Guatemala.
Nathan Pace, 60, said he is grateful for the chance to serve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in such a big role. He has learned Spanish and has been studying the Guatemalan culture.
“Guatemalans are the most humble people,” he said. “And they have the best food.”
Nathan will stand out in the crowd. He is 6 foot, 7 inches. That towers over the average man at 5’ 3’’.
“I will be a giant,” he said.
He knows the two-year mission assignments can be critical for young Mormons to embrace their faith and also to serve others. The missionaries in his charge will work in an urban environment and also out in the jungle areas. Guatemala City has 3.3 million people – and more than 30 volcanoes.
Pace was born in Wyoming, but moved to Medina when he was a boy after his father, James Pace, was transferred to the FMC plant in Middleport.
Nathan said he loved growing up in Medina. He went to Brigham Young University and met his wife, who from North Carolina. Nathan served his mission commitment in Spain for two years, and he said the president of the mission had a tremendous positive influence on him.
Nathan and Margaret spent the first 12 years of their marriage in Salt Lake City where he was an attorney, a city councilman and a judge pro tem.
Their goal was to raise their children in Medina. Their six children graduated from Medina. The Paces have 14 grandchildren.
Nathan for the past 21 years has teamed with Tom Mack to run the law practice at 534 Main Street, Suite 6. Nathan also has been active in his church, first as a leader of a congregation in Lockport and then as president of nine congregations in Western New York.
He then was picked as part of the Area 70 leadership in the Northeast from North Carolina to Canada. Nearly every weekend he was gone, doing leadership trainings and working with Mormon members. He was often away Friday morning to Sunday night or Monday morning.
Pace’s tenure as an Area 70 leader ended last Aug. 1 and he thought life would slow down a little. He and Margaret became certified scuba divers and went on vacations.
But a new opportunity would be presented in January: to live in Guatemala City and lead the mission for an area of 4.5 million people including the city and more remote areas.
Nathan and Margaret welcomed the opportunity to serve in the volunteer role for the next three years.
“It may seem crazy but every adult should do something crazy,” Mrs. Pace said. “It’s everything we love all wrapped into one. It’s the most amazing thing.”
Pace said he will bring his skills as a planner to the assignment as well as one who enjoys working with other people.
“Fundamentally, it’s sharing the love of Jesus Christ and the willingness to love the people,” he said.
He is grateful his wife will be with him as the lead the mission.
They will strive to monitor the physical, mental and spiritual health of the young missionaries.
The Paces said they will be doing frequent Zoom video conferencing with the parents of the Mormon missionaries, letting them know how their children are doing. They know the anxiety when a young adult goes away as a missionary for two years.
Their son Levi served in Uruguay in southeastern South America bordering Argentina; Nate was in inner city Chicago; Lincoln served in Ecuador; and Isaac recently finished a two-year commitment in Peru.
Mr. Pace said he and his wife have been studying the photos and bios of the 180 missionaries who will be in Guatemala City when they start as the leaders.
“We pray for them every day,” Nathan said. “And not only for them, but that we’ll be sensitive to their needs. We are so enthusiastic and optimistic and looking forward to these relationships.”
BROCKPORT – Oak Orchard Health, a leading healthcare provider in rural upstate New York, has introduced Marco Altieri as its Chief Executive Officer.
On Wednesday night, the Oak Orchard Health Board of Directors voted unanimously to remove the interim status from Altieri’s title. This vote followed a rigorous interview session conducted by the board on Monday, April 20th, and due deliberation thereafter.
Altieri comes to Oak Orchard with over 20 years of experience in healthcare, 16 of which was spent as a CEO. In his role as interim CEO, he spearheaded efforts to inspire and motivate Oak Orchard’s providers and staff through open and transparent communication, equipping them with the tools to improve patient care across our communities.
Altieri has set ambitious goals as CEO: stabilize operations; develop a 3–5-year strategic plan; improve overall organizational efficiency; reduce the potential for risks and liabilities; continue efforts at strengthening organizational culture; focus on Oak Orchard’s financial well-being and provide for controlled growth. The Board of Directors believe these goals align with their priorities as well as the overall needs for the organization.
“We are pleased to announce that Marco Altieri has accepted the position of Chief Executive Officer at Oak Orchard Health,” said John Slenker, chairman of the Board of Directors. “He brings a wealth of experience, proven leadership, and a dynamic vision for the future of our organization.”
In his new role, Altieri will be responsible for directing all operational activities while balancing present-day stability with a clear vision for the organization’s future.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 April 2026 at 11:16 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Nicholas Goluses performs on Saturday in the Hoag Library concert series. Goluses, a professor of guitar at the Eastman School of Music, opened the concert on Saturday with “Fantasis our guitare seul, Op. 58” by Fernando Sor.
Goluses followed that “The Five Preludes” by Heitor Villa-lobos.
Goluses performed for about 50 people in Saturday’s concert. He has played around the world as a soloist, with an orchestra and as a chamber musician. He has a new album, “Across the Horizon,” which was released in the fall by Parna/Albany Records.
Goluses praised the acoustics at Hoag Library during Saturday’s concert.
“I love the sound in this room,” he said. “It’s very nice. Sometimes you play in places and it’s as dead as a doornail. Here, it’s very alive.”
He performed as part of the third concert series at Hoag. The concerts are at noon on Saturdays. The series started on March 28 with Medusa Quartet.
The remainder of the schedule includes:
Striking Strings Ensemble – May 23 at 12 p.m.
The White Hots Jazz Trio – May 30 at 12 p.m.
Matthew Ardizzone – June 27 at 12 p.m.
Lynn McGrath – July 25 at 12 p.m.
Adrianna Noone – August 22 at 12 p.m.
Muriel Anderson & Kinloch Nelson – Sept. 12 at 12 p.m.
Evie Ladin & Keith Terry –October 10 at 12 p.m.
O’s Pipa & Fiddle Witch Duet – Nov. 7 at 12 p.m.
Rochester Ukulele Orchestra – Dec. 5 at 12 p.m.
All performances are free and open to the public. The Hoag Music Series is aimed at bringing unique music experiences to Albion from artists who do not frequently perform in Orleans County.
The events are possible with funding from the New York State Council on the Arts that is administered by GO Art!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 April 2026 at 7:41 am
Budget includes $300K profit from sale of ladder truck
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Medina Village Board approved the village’s new budget on Monday for 2026-27. From left includes trustees Jeff Wagner and Jess Marciano, clerk/treasurer Jada Burgess, mayor Debbie Padoleski, and trustees Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski.
MEDINA – The Medina Village Board on Monday approved the village’s budget for 2026-27 that shrunk a tax increase from 22 percent in the tentative budget on April 13 to a final figure of 1.3 percent.
The budget is boosted by $300,000 in profit from the sale of a new ladder truck. Medina also will be spared about $130,000 from making the first bond payment for the truck.
To net a $300,000 profit, the village would need to sell the truck for $2.1 million. The village already has received offers for $2 million for the truck without any advertisement, said trustee Scott Bieliski. The board said on Monday it will reaching out to three different brokers to try to maximize the price for the new truck. The broker would get 1 percent of the sale, or about $20,000 and that fee may be paid by the buyer, Bieliski said.
Medina is looking to sell the truck, which will spare it from the $130,000 annual payments over 20 years and also save the village from taking on the expense of an addition to the fire hall to house the truck. The truck is too big for the existing fire hall.
The village budget was adopted unanimously by the board on Monday. It preserves all existing village positions. The budget a year ago eliminated four firefighter positions and also didn’t fill a vacancy in the DPW. The board also cut the K9 program and withdrew from having the Medina PD as the school resource officer.
The budget for 2026-27 increases spending in the general fund by 2.0 percent from $7,723,296 to $7,877,764. The tax levy is up by 1.29 percent or $50,418 from $3,910,344 to $3,960,762.
The tax rate will increase by 21.5 cents from $13.995 to $14.21 per $1,000 of assessed property.
The village’s tax base decreased by $690,258 from $279,406,911 to $278,716,653. New townwide reassessments won’t take effect in the village until the 2027-28 budget.
The new budget was the first one for Steve Cooley as fire chief and Christian Navas as the police chief. They both thanked the board and Jada Burgess, the clerk/treasurer, for their assistance with the budget.
Mayor Debbie Padoleski said the department heads all attended extra meetings and worked hard with the board to reach the final spending plan.
The board also approved the water fund budget, which is up 1.1 percent or by $23,395 – from $2,210,778 to $2,234,173.
Medina also adopted the sewer fund budget, which increased by 8.7 percent or by $118,133 – from $1,360,558 to $1,478,691.
Provided photo and press release, Orleans County Legislature
BUFFALO – Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson and Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey took part last week in the Great Lakes Shallow Harbor Draft Stakeholders meeting led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The legislators continue to advocate for dredging of our recreational harbors along the shore of Lake Ontario to ensure they remain open to boaters. These recreational harbors are a significant economic driver for the communities along the lake.
Editor’s Note: The Oak Orchard Harbor was dredged in 2025, 2021 and 2014.
A total of approximately 15,000 cubic yards of material from Oak Orchard was dredged last year.
Dredging of the harbors ensures accessible depths for vessels traveling the Great Lakes and enables recreational boating which supports business revenue and labor income to the transportation sector combined.
Oak Orchard Harbor is a shallow-draft harbor. Recreational boating facilitated by the harbor supports $6.8 million in business revenue, 94 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, and $6 million in labor income to the nation, the Army Corps of Engineers stated in a press release last year.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office reports the arrest of multiple individuals following a series of investigations conducted in conjunction with the Department of Social Services into alleged public assistance fraud.
As a result of these investigations, several subjects were charged with offenses including Welfare Fraud, Petit Larceny, Grand Larceny, Forgery and Offering a False Instrument for Filing.
It is alleged that the individuals collectively received $27,255 in public assistance benefits to which they were not entitled.
The following were charged: Olivia Schultz, Stacey Wright, Salina Sunday, Sara Ward, Kelly Gibson, Amber Walls, Greggory Steinmetz and Larneice Hall.
All eight were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in the Town of Albion Court at a later date.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work closely with the Department of Social Services to investigate and prosecute fraud-related offenses.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2026 at 1:40 pm
MEDINA – Murder and mystery will return to Medina on May 2, when the Medina Area Partnership sponsors Murder and Mocktails at the Mayflower.
This is the fourth annual murder/mystery event MAP has held in downtown Medina.
“Each year we change the era and theme,” said Ann Fisher-Bale, who chairs the event for MAP.
This year’s event also has the added feature of mocktails.
Murder and Mocktails embraces the rock ‘n roll era and jiving to the sounds of the 1950s, Bale said. It’s class reunion time and class adviser May O’Ryll Powers has decided she is the only one capable of organizing the big event. She schedules a meeting at the Mayflower Diner to get started. She only invited her favorite classmates to help her out. However, one of them holds a grudge from school days. This is revealed when the waitress comes screaming from the bathroom announcing May no longer has powers.
It is up to ticket holders to decide who did the dastardly deed.
Fisher-Bale explained the fictional 1950s-themed murder mystery gives a historic nod to the Mayflower Restaurant which once occupied a storefront on Main Street where Avanti’s is now located. Old classmates have gathered together there to help plan their long-awaited reunion, but not everyone is there to reminisce.
Attendees will visit 10 characters stationed withing participating businesses to obtain clues to solve the mystery. Sleuths (attendees) will have to determine who they can trust and who has the most to hide. Those who solve the mystery will be entered in a drawing to win a prize pack valued at more than $200.
New this year, attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of mocktails at participating businesses.
Dressing up isn’t required, but it is encouraged.
“So grease your hair, grab your pearls and don your favorite poodle skirt for a fun fifties afternoon,” Fisher-Bale said. “Be sure to don your dapper duds for our themed photo-ops.”
Tickets are available for $20 each. Click here for more information ad to get a ticket.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and check-in will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Senior Center, 615 West Ave., where participants will receive their investigator’s booklet to compile notes/clues and a goodie bag, which will include store coupons.
“This year’s mystery is a perfect mix of nostalgia, suspense and fun,” Fisher-Bale said. “We invite you to dress up, visit our local shops and help us catch a killer.”
As an added perk, “dapper day” specials and activities will be offered at local businesses.
The event also happens to be the same day as the Kentucky Derby, so MAP is encouraging participating businesses to offer specials relating to derby day. For bars and restaurants, that could be 1950s or Derby-themed drinks or foods. For other businesses, MAP suggests they offer murder/mystery books or games, hats, gift items, etc.
MAP anticipates the event will bring up to 250 people to downtown Medina to enjoy a spring day and visit local businesses.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 April 2026 at 10:17 am
Gas prices for regular unleaded continued to creep up in the past week with a 4-cent increase in Orleans County, 6 cents nationally and 8 cents in New York State.
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is at $4.11 today, up $4.05 a week ago, AAA reported today. A year ago, the price was $3.15.
The New York State average is $4.19, up 8 cents from last Monday. A year ago, the NYS average was $3.10.
“After a brief decline, gas prices are on the rise once again as tensions persist in the Middle East,” AAA said in news release. “Oil prices dropped sharply after the announcement of a ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, but continued instability along the Strait of Hormuz has prices pushing upward. This morning, oil prices range from $97 to $108 per barrel, compared to $88 to $94 per barrel one week ago. Oil is the main ingredient in gasoline, so oil prices have a direct impact on pump prices.”
Diesel prices are down slightly this week with the national average at $5.45, down 8 cents from last week, and up from $3.55 a year ago. The New York average for diesel fuel is $5.91, down 1 cent from last week, and up from $3.90 last year, AAA said.
In Orleans County, the average for regular unleaded went from $4.176 a week ago to $4.216.
Here are the average prices at counties in Western New York:
Orleans, $4.216
Genesee, $4.169
Monroe, $4.188
Niagara, $4.116
Erie, $4.175
Wyoming, $4.184
Livingston, $4.219
Chautauqua, $4.131
Cattaraugus, $4.015
Allegany, $4.092
The highest price in the state is in Manhattan at $4.614 in Manhattan. In upstate, Essex County is the highest at $4.417.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2026 at 9:42 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Victoria Chatfield of Williamsville watches as Mackenzie Sullivan of Medina buys a book from author Ed Ashton during an Independent Bookstore Day event at Author’s Note in Medina. Chatfield comes to the store at least four times a month and belongs to every book club there, she said.
MEDINA – It was five years ago to the day when Julie Berry and her husband Phil opened Author’s Note at 519 Main St.
As the store celebrated Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, Berry, who is also an author, said she could never have imagined its success.
“It’s been so joyful,” she said. “I am thrilled to feel so much love and support from our customers and community.”
Not only were visiting authors busy selling and signing their books, but customers were finding many other books of interest, including Berry’s latest novel If Looks Could Kill, which debuted on the New York Times Best Selling list.
(Left) Chrissy Bloom of Albion buys books for her kids during Independent Bookstore Day Saturday at Author’s Note. (Right) Scott Robinson of Medina brought son Roux to Author’s Note on Saturday to meet Crush, the therapy dog, whose owner/trainer Wendi Pencille has written a book about him.
Customers and the community came out on Saturday, the store’s fifth Independent Bookstore Day, during which they welcomed authors Kate Hosford of Brooklyn, Ed Ashton of upstate New York, Pembroke School librarian David Neth and Wendi Pencille of Shelby.
Ashton said he and his wife Jennifer, a professor at Brockport State College, enjoy coming to Author’s Note and Medina.
“It’s a beautiful store and town,” he said.
Chrissy Bloom of Albion came to buy books for her kids.
“I’m glad I came,” she said, as she deposited a stack of books on counter.
Ashley Harnish of North Tonawanda, center, holds the Golden Ticket she found hidden at Author’s Note, during Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday. The prize earned her 12 free audio books. With her, at left, are Amanda Tarsdale and Katie Edwards, right, both of Medina.
Many book club members came as a group, including Victoria Chatfield of Williamsville.
“I come here at least four times a month,” Chatfield said. “I belong to every book club here.”
McKenzie Sullivan of Medina said their entire book club met for lunch at Zambistro’s, then came to Author’s Note, where she picked up Ashton’s latest book and had it autographed.
“I’m enjoying this little independent bookstore,” Chatfield added. “I like to shop local. Our book club member come from three or four counties.”
As an added attraction, Berry had hidden a golden ticket somewhere in the store, which was discovered by Ashley Harnish of North Tonawanda, who visiting the store with her book club friends Amanda Tarsdale and Katie Edwards of Medina. She won 12 audio books, which she loves, she said.
Wendi Pencille came to the book signing with her therapy dog Crush, the subject of her first book, Crush Finds His Place.
Author’s Note owner and best-selling author Julie Berry, kneels down to kiss Crush, the St. Bernard therapy dog owned by Wendi Pencille, left. Pencille signed copies of her first book, Crush Finds His Place, during Independent Bookstore Day.
The idea to write a book came about when Pencille and her therapy dog were visiting Bornhava, a preschool in Snyder which deals with children with disabilities.
“They cannot find hard cover books, so I decided to write one,” Pencille said.
In it are pictures of the children.
Proceeds of her book will go to Bornhava and the CNC Learning Center in Amherst.
Pencille said when she starts training a therapy dog, they pull its tails and step on its toes, things a young child would do. So when children actually do those things, the dog thinks nothing of it.
Copies of her book and those of the other authors are all available at Author’s Note or by visiting AuthorsNote.com or e-mailing info@authorsnote.com.
More than 5,000 residents in Orleans have Irish descent
A postcard view of the port of Queenstown, later Cobh (cove), on the south coast of Ireland, the disembarkation point for many emigrants to the US from 1815 through the early 1930s.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 10
At one minute past midnight on April 18, 2026, the long-awaited digitized version of the 1926 Irish Census was made available by the National Archives of Ireland, to the delight of family researchers and genealogists worldwide.
One hundred years prior, on the night of April 18, 1926, householders in each home in the 26 counties of Ireland filled out a detailed census form. These handwritten forms are now available for view. In combination, they provide a detailed view of life at the time.
Orleans County is within the 8th percentile of New York State counties for Irish population density, with 5,369 residents or 13.5% of the total county population of Irish descent, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey data, so the availability of this census will be of interest.
The 1926 Census is significant because it was the first census conducted by the newly established Irish Free State. A prior census had been conducted in 1911 by the British government. There had been great upheaval in the intervening years – World War I, the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Civil War.
Though we now take it for granted, digital access to census records is phenomenal and nothing short of miraculous to those of us who served time in those ante-diluvian pre-computer days.
The online version of the 1926 Irish Census comes complete with “bells and whistles.” The forms recorded twenty-one pieces of information: name, age, occupation, religion, housing, ability to speak or read Irish. One can search by last name, first name, town, townland or electoral division.
If you click on “View Household Record,” you will see details of all of those who resided in that house on the night of April 18, 1926.
Click on “Household Form A1” to view an original view of the form, complete with the signature of the head of the household.
The data provided is linked to the 1924 Ordnance Survey map. Just toggle to “View Map” to zoom in and see with increasing detail the counties, townlands, and even outlines of fields.
You can see how many O’ Brien’s there were in Cork (5,537), or how many men in the country were named Patrick (182,070), whether your Aunt Julia was older or younger than your Aunt Molly, or find out that your cousin Bud’s name was actually Kevin, or view the residents of a street or village.
If your ancestors left Ireland in the 1920s (as many of those who fought on the side of the Anti-Treaty during the Civil War were obliged to do, finding themselves boycotted from employment), then you will see your family members, grandparents, siblings and cousins listed.
If your ancestors left Ireland prior to the 1920s, chances are, you will still find relatives. If you only know a family name and a county, you can view the occurrences of that surname on the map.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 27 April 2026 at 8:33 am
Provided photo: This is the group of kids Andrew Szatkowski was able to get to the Salvation Army’s summer camp last year. He needs $2,000 this year, and volunteer chaperones to ride down and back.
MEDINA – Andrew Szatkowski’s lifetime passion has been helping children have a happy childhood. He was instrumental in starting a corporate toy challenge to benefit Community Action’s holiday giveaway.
While participating in the toy drive, he became acquainted with Annette Finch, who at the time managed the Red Kettle drive at Community Action for The Salvation Army. He learned from Finch about a Salvation Army camp on the banks of Seneca Lake in Penn Yan. Children from Orleans County could go and spend a week at Long Point Camp.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Andew Szatkowski, although busy as the new general manager of Hinspergers Poly Industries, still finds time to pursue his passion of helping children attend summer camp.
There used to be a Salvation Army camp in Kendall – Camp Troutburg, which catered to children in lower-income families.
While Camp Troutburg has closed, The Salvation Army continues to provide summer camp at Long Point Camp. It has become Szatkowski’s current mission to sending kids to summer camp in Penn Yan. Attending camp is already financed by donations to the Red Kettle Campaign, but Szatkowski is trying to raise $2,000 for transportation to get the children to camp and home again.
“As a kid I went to camp at Camp Troutburg and I loved it,” Szatkowski said. “A lot of kids in Orleans County went there, and I know there are a lot of kids here now who would enjoy Long Point Camp and benefit from it.”
Anyone wishing to donate to help with cost of transporting kids to camp may contact Szatkowski at aszat74@yahoo.com or by calling (585) 205-0581. They also may bring donations payable to The Salvation Army to open enrollment nights at Hoag Library from 5 to 7:30 p.m. May 14, 21 and 28.
Szatkowski will be there to help any family register and to answer questions. Registration for camp must be done online. Any money collected over the required amount will be used towards next year’s season.
Eligible children must be between 6 and 12. The camping week is Monday through Friday.
Camping activities include swimming, arts and crafts, canteen, evening programs, hiking, outdoor living, kayaking, music, sports and recreation, archery, a gaga pit and more.
Ann Vail, service extension director for the camp, said they can accommodate 192 youth a week. They are fully staffed, she said.
She said attendance dropped after Covid. The camp reopened in 2023 and is continuing to grow. She said Orleans County kids are being targeted for the last week in July.
Lake Plains Players is honored to announce the 2026 recipient of the Lance Anderson Memorial Scholarship, Jenna Hunt.
Jenna is a Starpoint High School senior who plans to attend SUNY Fredonia in the fall for a Bachelor’s of Theater Production & Design. Jenna grew up attending theater productions with her parents and now has a deep passion for the arts.
She has been helping to design costumes for many years and now plans to become a professional costume designer. Her goal is to inspire other children through the arts in the same way that she was inspired as a child.
The scholarship is a $1,000 award established in honor of the late Lance Anderson. Lance was the President of Lake Plains Players for over 10 years, and had a passion for education as well as theatre.
He was always a vocal supporter of students and a leader and one of the founders of the group’s Summer Theatre Program. He affected the lives and futures of countless young people who are now making their own contributions in the arts fields. Through this scholarship, the Lake Plains Players hope to continue to honor his legacy.
Find more information about the Lake Plains Players at their website (click here) or on Facebook @Lake Plains Players.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 April 2026 at 1:52 pm
‘Grandpa Ace’ assisted in many renovations at Gotta Dance, cheered on performers
Photo by Tom Rivers
Photo by Marsha Rivers: A seat in the front row was reserved in honor of “Grandpa Ace” for Saturday’s dance recital in the Albion Middle School Auditorium.
ALBION – The recital at Gotta Dance Performing Arts LLC included a tribute to the late Waldo “Ace” Caldwell Jr., the father of Amy Sidari.
Three seniors in the dance program – from left Ava Ludwick, McKinley Knight and Kaitlynn Basinait – did a senior dance together and dedicated the performance to Caldwell, who passed away at age 93 on April 16.
Caldwell was a fixture at Gotta Dance during the 28 years it was owned and run by his daughter, Amy Sidari.
The two teamed to overhaul the building at 28 West Bank St., transforming a building that was used for a plumbing business into three dance studios, a cabaret venue, and a piano studio.
Caldwell was a carpenter for decades, putting in kitchens, bathrooms and tackling other projects in the community.
“Grandpa Ace” attended the cabaret shows and dance recitals, and was loved by the hundreds of dancers over the years.
The three seniors – Ava Ludwick, McKinley Knight and Kaitlynn Basinait – have been part Gotta Dance since they were three years old.
The studio for the first time this past year was run by Danielle Schmidt following Sidari’s retirement. Schmidt thanked Sidari on Saturday for building a strong dance program in the community and for trusting Schmidt to lead the studio in a new era.
There were about 100 dance performers during the recital on Saturday, which included 48 different dances.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 26 April 2026 at 8:22 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Ric Jones of Medina leads the Middleport Community Choir, while Debby Clark, seated at piano, is accompanist and director of the Belltones. Their spring concert is scheduled May 3 at the United Methodist Church, 9 Park St., Middleport.
MIDDLEPORT – Keeping with a tradition which began several decades ago, the Middleport Community Choir will present its spring concert at 4 p.m. May 3 at Middleport Methodist Church, 9 Park Ave.
Titled “Legacy,” the program celebrates the history, heart and enduring spirit of the Middleport Community Choirs, according to director Ric Jones of Medina.
“It honors the voices that have shaped this ensemble over the years, the shared dedication to serving through music and the community built through countless rehearsals and performances,” said Carol Blumrick of Middleport, an original member of the choir.
The concert is in two parts, Jones said. Part One celebrates music and its importance on our history. Part Two celebrates and honors those who have been a part of the history of the MCC – those both with us and those we have lost, Jones said.
“Our program will not only honor those we have lost, but all former members who, although they have not passed, are an important part of our history,” Jones said. “Some of the songs we will be singing are ‘O Divine Redeemer,’ a piece the late Herb Koenig always wished the choir would sing; ‘Roberts Song,’ a song my wife Karen and I composed after one of our members, Robert Maedl, had passed, “Through the Legacy of Years,” and ‘We Remember Them,’ two songs honoring all who have gone before us.”
In addition to the choir, accompanist Debby Clark will lead the Belltones in several selections.
The concert is free, but a free will offering will be taken.
At one minute past midnight on April 18, 2026, the long-awaited digitized version of the 
