Photos and information courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club held its second annual Oktoberfest on Saturday at the White Birch Golf Resort in Lyndonville.
The Die Wiesen (festival goers) enjoyed lively, traditional German music performed by The Frankfurters German Band. Their performance featured authentic Bavarian bell music and several pieces played on the Alpine horns—both instruments deeply rooted in the Bavarian Alps region of southern Germany.
Guests were treated to a hearty German buffet featuring bratwurst, sweet and sour cabbage, and pork schnitzel, followed by apple streusel for dessert. Of course, Oktoberfest beer also made an appearance and was enjoyed by all the attendees.
This year, the Lions added a new highlight to the program – the crowning of Oktoberfest Royalty. This fun tradition pays homage to the origins of Oktoberfest, which dates back to the early 1800s. The very first Oktoberfest was held in southern Bavaria to celebrate the marriage of King Ludwig I and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Guests from Munich traveled to the royal festivities, which featured horse races, music, and plenty of Bavarian beer.
Since then, Oktoberfest has become an annual celebration held in late September and early October, drawing millions of visitors to Munich each year — and it’s estimated that over one million gallons of beer are enjoyed during the festival.
The Lions also introduced the Traditional “Shot Ski”, a lively addition that has become a staple at modern Oktoberfest celebrations. The tradition traces its roots to Alpine skiers in the Bavarian Alps, who began sharing shots together from a single ski to celebrate camaraderie and good cheer.
The Lyndonville Lions Club would like to thank everyone who supported this year’s Oktoberfest fundraiser and helped make it such a success. We hope all who attended had a wonderful time celebrating with us!
Looking ahead, the Lions are excited to host several upcoming community events, including the annual Village Christmas Tree Lighting in late November and the second annual Snowflake Bowling Tournament on Saturday, February 28th. Additional details on these events will be shared soon.
As we move through the beautiful fall season, the Lions extend warm wishes to all and ask that God continue to bless our community and this great nation we call home.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 October 2025 at 7:58 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Dylan Cote of Pavilion casts a line out on Friday evening at Johnson Creek in Lyndonville. This is a spot near the top of waterfalls of the dam.
“This is the magical spot,” Cote said.
He usually catches blue gill, bass, cat fish and carp. Cote frequently is in Lyndonville to see his girlfriend.
He said several salmon fishermen were in the area on Friday. The salmon make it all the way up Johnson Creek from Lake Ontario, but can get no farther than the dam. Cote said sometimes the big fish are jumping, trying to get past the dam.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 October 2025 at 9:29 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Wes Bradley served as Lyndonville’s fireworks chairman for 19 years. He is shown on July 4, 2024, pulling a collection container in the Lyndonville parade. Bradley raised $50,000 to make that fireworks display the biggest ever in Lyndonville. That year was the 50th anniversary of the Lyndonville Lions Club organizing the July 4th celebration.
LYNDONVILLE – One of Orleans County’s greatest citizens passed away on Sept. 27. Wes Bradley was 77.
After a career as a science teacher for middle schoolers and a coach at Lyndonville, Bradley may have been best known in recent years as the chairman of Lyndonville’s phenomenal fireworks show on July 4.
He worked all year rounding up donations for the show. The July 4, 2024 show was his last as chairman. He met his goal of raising $50,000 for the 50th anniversary fireworks display for the Lyndonville Lions Club.
Wes Bradley, shown on Dec. 3, 2016, for many years also served as emcee of Lyndonville’s Christmas celebration in early December when Santa arrived and 60 to 100 Christmas trees are typically lit up at Veterans’ Park. Bradley has said many dedicated volunteers put on events to enliven Lyndonville.
Bradley proudly wore a one-of-kind T-shirt that Young Explosives made for him showing the fireworks in Lyndonville. Bradley had a strong bond with the crew from Young Explosives. He brought them chicken barbecue dinners while they set up in stifling heat for the July 4th show in Lyndonville. It was one of the biggest shows in all of Western New York despite Lyndonville being one of the smallest communities to host a fireworks show.
Those fireworks would bring in thousands of people, and Bradley was proud to show off the village with its flag-lined Main Street and friendly residents.
Bradley and one of his best friends, Mark Hughes, for years would put 75 flags on the utility poles that line the street. Bradley would climb the ladder and put the flags up, and would make an early morning check on July 4th to make sure they were all looking good and not rolled up.
Hughes passed away on June 4. He was another dedicated teacher and coach at Lyndonville. The two were both pillars of the community the past half century.
They both stayed deeply involved in the school – long after their retirement.
Bradley was a soccer official locally, and did a game about three weeks ago. He could run the field well into his 70s.
Lyndonville needed a boys soccer coach in 2024 for the varsity team. The previous year, Lyndonville didn’t have its own team due to low numbers.
Bradley agreed to be the coach and the team helped him reach a career milestone of 200 victories. Many of those players attended his calling hours on Friday.
Young Explosives also was there at the calling hours. So were many former students, teachers, Lyndonville firefighters and community members.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman: Wes Bradley is shown in late August 2024 when he returned to coaching the Lyndonville varsity soccer team. He is shown meeting with five veteran players from the last Tigers varsity team in 2022. They include Austin Fonda, Michael Alexander, Colton Smith, Jesus Rosario and Brody Hazel. The team would earn Bradley’s his 200th career soccer victory.
When Bradley moved to Lyndonville in August 1979 at age 31, he joined the Lyndonville Fire Department. He was inspired by his father’s example. Ray Bradley volunteered for more than 30 years as a firefighter in Canton, NY.
Bradley was an active firefighter responding to many calls, finding the time even during his very busy days as teacher and coach.
In his 70s, he still was going to about 50 calls a year and served as the department’s chaplain. In 2019, he was Lyndonville’s firefighter of the year at age 71.
“He does everything very professional,” Ben Bane, the Lyndonville fire chief at the time, told the Orleans Hub. “As chaplain, he is always there to comfort members when we have bad calls.”
Bradley, after years as an interior firefighter, continued as an exterior firefighter and with the fire police on traffic control. He also went on EMS calls. He wasn’t an EMT but he said it is comforting for many residents to see their neighbors in the fire service respond to the calls.
“I enjoy serving the community,” Bradley said on Feb. 1, 2020 when he was presented with the award. “The community has been good to me. I can give a little bit back.”
Laurie Bradley said her husband was “a go-getter who wanted to serve others.” She was the school librarian at Lyndonville. She and Wes raised three children in the community.
Ben Bane, Lyndonville’s fire chief in 2020, presents the Firefighter of the Year award to Wes Bradley on Feb. 1, 2020.
Bob Larkin worked as a custodian at the school district. He saw Bradley every day and without fail Bradley always was quick to greet Larkin by name. During the end-of-season pizza parties, Bradley made sure his team picked up after themselves.
If there was a fire alarm at the school, Bradley was typically the first on the scene in his firefighter turn-out gear, Larkin said.
Lee Dillenbeck, a Lyndonville teacher and coach, said the community is reeling from the loss of Bradley and Hughes. Both were tremendous mentors for teachers and students, Dillenbeck said.
Bradley never wavered in trying to be of service to the community.
“He was the best person you could come across,” Dillenbeck said. “Anything you needed he was there for you.”
Church will dedicate refurbished pipe organ, celebrate people featured on quilt from 1987
Photo courtesy of Lyndonville Presbyterian Church: This quilt was made in 1987 by a Sunday School class at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church.
Press Release, The Rev. Martha Mitchell, pastor of Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
LYNDONVILLE – Eight years ago, when I first came to Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, a parishioner rescued a quilt from storage in the church basement.
We hung it in our dining hall. Since then it has fascinated people who wander in. Some head right over saying, “My name is on this quilt!”
The Sunday School class made it in 1987 when the church was the United Presbyterian Church. Ever since we placed it for public display, we have dreamed of hosting a homecoming.
We are hoping that many of the people on the quilt will materialize in person. They are now parents or even grandparents. Some of the leaders are deceased. We thought it would be fun for people to reunite who once knew LPC and contributed to its history.
Saturday, October 11th, we invite anyone who ever had any connection with Lyndonville Presbyterian Church to come on over and mingle at 107 North Main St.
11a.m. to 3 p.m. family activities like ring toss, cornhole, a fishpond, chalk drawing (so you can fill up our parking lot with chalk art), pumpkin decorating and more.
Beef on Weck lunch at noon, free will offering.
Photo Booth so that we can get as many photos as possible to correspond to the names on the quilt for an updated picture quilt.
Sunday, October 12th, we are dedicating our refurbished pipe organ during our special musical worship service at 10:30 a.m. Once again, all are invited to join us.
A coffee hour follows worship, so come peek in and see where you once spent time. Or just come join us for two days of wonderful celebrations whether you’re an old friend or a brand-new curiosity seeker.
Bring your whole family and head over. We look forward to seeing you on October 11th or 12th or both!
LYNDONVILLE – Beginning on Sept. 23, the Village of Lyndonville will be conducting leakage testing on the sanitary sewer system located within the village.
It is anticipated that this testing will take three days and end on Sept. 25. This test is being conducted as part of a study to locate and identify areas of ground and surface water entering the sanitary sewer system.
It is important to find and identify these sources because they may seriously affect the efficiency of our Wastewater Treatment Facility and increase operating expenses.
During the test, a non-toxic smoke will be blown into the sanitary sewer system to reveal leaks where storm water and surface waters may be entering the sewer. The smoke that is utilized for this testing is manufactured specifically for this purpose, and it leaves no residual odor or stains, and has no adverse effect on plants or animals.
It does have a distinctive, but not unpleasant, temporary odor. The visible smoke and odor only last a few minutes, where ventilation is adequate.
To conduct the test, smoke will be introduced at specific sanitary sewer manholes located on the streets. During the test, personnel will conduct a visual observation along streets and around individual homes, for smoke exiting storm sewers, roof gutters, and other areas which may be connected to the sanitary sewer system.
Smoke should not enter your home unless the plumbing is defective or if your home contains drains which are infrequently used. Several days prior to Sept. 23, please pour or run water down all drains in your home or building to assure that drain traps are filled and in working order.
Please feel free to contact the Superintendent of Public Works Devan Freeman at 585-765-9312 if you have any questions regarding this notification.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2025 at 10:53 am
Dr. Heather Lyon meets with school staff and stakeholders to identify strengths and challenges
Photos by Tom Rivers: Dr. Heather Lyon goes over Lyndonville students’ results on the recent state tests in grades 3-8 for ELA, math and science. Lyon said she will do a monthly focus on student performance for the Board of Education.
Dr. Heather Lyon attended her first Board of Education meeting as Lyndonville superintendent last week.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district’s new superintendent thanked the staff and community for a warm welcome.
Dr. Heather Lyon started on Aug. 1 as the new district leader, following the retirement of Sharon Smith.
“I couldn’t feel more welcomed to Lyndonville,” Lyon told the Board of Education last week. “Everyone has been so kind and I feel like the red carpet was rolled out. This makes me even more excited for students and teachers to return.”
Lyon has classroom teacher, staff developer, principal and school district leader. She most recently was coordinator of Assessment and Data at Gates Chili Central School District.
She said she looks forward to working with the board, administration and staff on building on student successes and also improving on challenges.
She said she will present data each month to the board on student performance and participation. This month she focused on the state assessment tests for grades 3 to 8. She said next month will likely be a close look at results of the Regents tests.
Lyon went over the state testing results which generally shows Lyndonville about on par with the state-wide scores.
To be considered proficient, students need to score at levels 3 or 4.
Charts from Lyndonville Central School: Lyndonville is very close to the state-wide proficiency rates for ELA, math and science.
State-wide assessments for students in grades 3-8 show:
ELA – 53 percent of students statewide are proficient, up by 7 percent
Math – 55 percent are proficient went, up by 3 percent
Science – 44 percent are proficient (up by 9 percent)
Lyndonville results:
ELA – 51 percent are proficient, down from 54 percent in 2024. The district had 13 percent of students at the lowest level of 1 (down from 17 percent in 2024). There were 36 percent at level 2, up from 30 percent, with 35 at level 3 (compared to 41 percent in 2024) and 16 percent at level 4 (compared to 13 percent in 2024).
Math – 56 proficient in 2025, up 7 percent from the 49 percent in 2024. Lyndonville had 17 percent ent at level 1 (down from 20 percent), 28 percent at level 2 (down from 31 percent), 45 percent at level 3 (up from 38 percent) and 11 percent at level 4 in both 2024 and 2025.
Science – 43 percent proficient in 2025 (up from 29 percent in 2024). Lyndonville reports that 8 percent were at the lowest level of 1 in 2025 (up from 18 percent in 2024), 51 percent at level 2 (40 percent in 2024), 38 percent at level 3 (20 percent a year earlier) and 5 percent at level 4 (down from 9 percent).
Lyon presented this summary of findings which show a drop in proficiency in ELA and math as students move into middle school years.
Lyon said she and district staff are analyzing cohort data, and other factors in the results, which became available on Aug. 11.
Lyndonville administrators and teachers will be looking at students “on the bubble” of being considered proficient and try to get them to move from level 2 to 3, she said.
The superintendent looked back at Lyndonville’s ELA results over several years and noted the district has better scores now than before the Covid pandemic in 2020. “Not many school districts can say that,” she said.
The science scores only reflected students in grades 5 and 8. Dr. Aaron Slack, the junior-senior high school principal, said many of the top students in eighth grade don’t take the science or math assessment tests because they are already taking advanced courses. The state doesn’t “double test” students in eighth grade.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2025 at 9:02 am
Board was deadlocked in July on electing a president, VP
Photos by Tom Rivers: Patrick Whipple led the Board of Education meeting last week in Lyndonville after he was elected to be the group’s president in a 4-3 vote.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Board of Education picked a president and vice president to lead the group for the 2025-26 school year.
The election happened about a month later than usual after the board was tied in 3-3 votes on July 15.
Last week the board had all seven members in attendance and Patrick Whipple was elected the president and George Avery is the vice president. They each received four votes.
Whipple will succeed Jerod Thurber as president. Thurber didn’t seek to continue as the board leader due to increased commitments in his professional life. Avery succeeds Megan Bruning as VP.
On July 15, the president’s position was between Whipple and board newcomer, Joanne Suhr. They each received three votes.
On Aug. 19, it was Whipple and Megan Bruning vying for the top spot. Whipple received votes from himself, Thurber, Vern Fonda and George Avery, while Bruning was backed by herself, James Houseman and Suhr.
Whipple thanked the board for backing him. He also welcomed the district’s new superintendent, Dr. Heather Lyon, and said he supports her push for data-driven analysis. The new superintendent said she will do a deep dive each month on statistics measuring student performance. Last week she went over Lyndonville’s most recent grades 3-8 state testing results.
Whipple works as the director of professional learning services for the Genesee Valley BOCES. Two of his children are Lyndonville graduates.
For vice president, Whipple’s supporters all backed Avery. Joanne Suhr was backed for vice president with three votes – from herself, Bruning and Houseman.
Suhr is a retired teacher from Lyndonville. Her husband Harold served on the board for 21 years. His term ended on June 30.
Bruning said Mrs. Suhr would bring a new balance to the board’s leadership with perspective as a long-time teacher at Lyndonville.
Mrs. Suhr said the board leadership needs to consider the opinions of all board members and strive to be transparent in its decision-making for the full board.
Avery said he is honored to serve as vice president.
“I will try to ensure the best team possible and that we’re doing the right things for the district,” he said.
Vern Fonda takes the oath of office as a member of the Board of Education. The oath was administered by Megan Bruning, a member of the board.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 August 2025 at 7:54 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman: The Lyndonville community celebrated Mark Hughes’ 50 years as a Tigers baseball coach on May 20, 2022. Hughes was a much-loved Lyndonville coach and teacher who passed away at age 75 on June 4.
LYNDONVILLE – The donations keep coming in for a memorial scholarship in honor of Mark Hughes, a Lyndonville teacher and coach.
Hughes died on June 4 at age 75. Since then, nearly $40,000 has been donated to a memorial scholarship in his name.
The district received 98 donations towards the Mark Hughes Memorial Scholarship, totaling $17,215, in the first month after he passed away. Then another $21,742 came to the district office for the scholarship.
It’s an unusual situation to have money pouring in before the parameters of a scholarship have been set up, school officials. Lyndonville will work with Hughes family on criteria and the process for awarding the scholarships in the future.
The scholarship funds could be managed by the Lyndonville Area Foundation, which oversees several scholarships in the community.
Megan Bruning, a Lyndonville Board of Education member, said the numerous donations are tribute to Hughes and the a generous community.
“This will provide some amazing opportunities for our students for years to come,” she said during last week’s Board of Education meeting.
Hughes was hired in 1972 as a teacher and coach. During that time, Hughes was an integral part of seven sectional titles, 17 league titles and two trips to the state tournament as part of the baseball program.
Hughes was involved in many community efforts, including the Lyndonville Lions Club, where he played key roles with the Fourth of July fireworks, chicken barbecue and parade.
Donations may be made to the Mark Hughes Memorial Scholarship, payable to the Lyndonville Central School District, 25 Housel Ave. Lyndonville, NY 14098.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 August 2025 at 10:31 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The fourth annual Street Dance on Friday night in Lyndonville drew a crowd to a blocked off section of Main Street.
The Buffalo-based band, Bleeding Hearts, played many popular classic rock songs from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. There were other kids’ games and a bounce house, as well as several food vendors.
Bleeding Hearts has been performing for more than three decades. The band features David Lloyd on drums and as lead singer, Tim Unger on guitar at right, and Bob Kupczyk on bass at left.
The Town of Yates is the lead organizer of the annual Street Dance, which started in 2022 as part of the town’s bicentennial celebration.
Main Street in the village is closed to traffic between Maple Avenue and Eagle Street.
David Lloyd sings and plays the drums for Bleeding Hearts. Some of the songs later in the three-hour set included, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison, “I Want You to Want Me” by Cheap Trick, “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by Clash, and “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.
The Lyndonville Sports Boosters were among the food vendors, selling tacos. Pictured from left include Stephanie Freas, Emily Aydelotte and Alisha Schwartzott.
The Boosters are raising money for a new scoreboard in the school gymnasium.
Provided photo: Main Street in Lyndonville was closed to traffic on Aug. 23, 2024 for the community’s annual Street Dance.
Press Release, Town of Yates
LYNDONVILLE – The Town of Yates is very excited to welcome the community, friends and neighbors to the 4th Annual Street Dance on Friday, August 15th, from 6 to 9 p.m.
The festivities will be held on Main Street in front of the Yates Town Hall in the Village of Lyndonville.
Main Street in the village will be closed to traffic between Maple Avenue and Eagle Street starting at 4 p.m.
“We are blessed to work with our Village of Lyndonville partners to host the increasingly popular street dance on Main Street,” said co-coordinators Yates Town Board members Steve Vann and Susan Hrovat.
This year’s festivities include music by the Bleeding Hearts, with Classic Rock from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, dancing, kids’ games and a bounce house. Food vendors include Eula’s Baby Ribs, Lyndonville Sports Boosters with street tacos and tacos in a bag as well as Fetzner’s Lemonade and hotdogs.
The street dance is partially funded by the Town of Yates, and also sponsored by Plummer Orchards, Signature Styles and Burger King.
Please come out to enjoy lots of fun, food and fellowship with family, friends and neighbors. The event is free, and there will be tables and chairs on the street as well as plenty of room for… Dancing in the Street!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 July 2025 at 12:19 pm
LYNDONVILLE – Maddox Smith, a freshman at Lyndonville, has the Board of Education’s permission to build four new picnic tables for the school grounds by the playground.
Maddox is working on the tables for his Eagle Scout project. He is a Scout in Troop 35 in Lyndonville.
Maddox said he would work with scouts to build the picnic tables and assured the board they would be built well. During Tuesday’s board meeting, he asked the board to have the district cover the costs for the materials.
Jerod Thurber, the Board of Education president, thanked Maddox for spearheading the project. Thurber said the picnic tables have deteriorated and new ones would be welcome.
Thurber would like to see a quote for “forever woods.” He asked Maddox to price out the costs for the materials. Thurber said he would help Maddox secure donations so no district funds would be needed.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2025 at 11:15 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Patrick Whipple speaks during Tuesday’s Lyndonville Board of Education meeting after he was nominated for the board president. Jerod Thurber, the current president, is at left. Thurber wants to step back as president due to increased demands in his career. After the board was deadlocked, 3-3, Thurber needed to stay president for at least another month. The board will meet again on Aug. 19 when all seven members are expected to be present.
LYNDONVILLE – The Board of Education met Tuesday for its annual organizational meeting and didn’t a majority vote for the BOE leadership.
The board was tied, 3-3, in voting for a president and vice president. Without anyone getting at least four votes, the leadership reverts to the current office holders until a majority vote can be reached.
That means Jerod Thurber remains as president and Megan Bruning as vice president.
Board members said there isn’t a rift on the board despite the 3-3 votes on leadership.
Thurber would like to step back as president, citing increased responsibilities in his career. He will be president for at least another month. The board will next meet on Aug. 19 and is expected to have all seven members present. Vern Fonda was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting.
The board was split with three voting for Patrick Whipple and three for Joanne Suhr as president.
Joanne Suhr also was nominated to be board president. She is sitting between James Houseman and Megan Bruning who both backed her for president. Suhr said the board needs to be more transparent in making decisions.
Suhr is new to the board. Her husband Harold was a board member for about 20 years until his term ended on June 30. He didn’t seek re-election.
Mrs. Suhr is a retired Lyndonville teacher. She is active in the community having served on the Town of Yates Planning Board, the Town of Yates Bicentennial Committee and many committees and organizations within the school district.
She said the board needs to be more transparent and include the full board in its decision-making.
“We need more transparency with important decisions,” she told the board. “They’re not always talked about with all elected officials.”
Suhr said she would gather information and input from all members “for the best outcome for the schools, students and community.”
Suhr was backed for president by James Houseman, Megan Bruning and Suhr (voting for herself).
Dr. Patrick Whipple, who has been on the board for about a year, also garnered three votes for president – from George Avery, Jerod Thurber and Whipple (voting for himself).
Whipple works as the director of professional learning services for the Genesee Valley BOCES.
He said the Lyndonville district needs to balance education and taxpayers in its push to offer the best possible outcomes for students.
The board also was 3-3 with vice president. Megan Bruning was in the role the past year and she will stay for at least another month. She was backed for VP again by Suhr, Houseman and herself.
She said she enjoyed the past year as vice president, including the more in-depth role with the search for a new district superintendent.
George Avery also received three votes for VP – from Thurber, Whipple and himself. Avery said he would strive to build a great team in the district, working with the board to develop teamwork and goals.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2025 at 9:51 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Sharon Smith is shown with a crabapple tree presented to her as a gift from the Board of Education on Tuesday evening at what is expected to be her final board meeting. Smith is retiring after a 40-year career in education, including the past 3 ½ years as district superintendent. The crabapple tree matches the ones on the district property. The tree was grafted by Nick Nesbitt and Steve Grabowski. Crabapple trees are associated with love, and these trees are resilient with steady roots to provide strength, said board member Megan Bruning.
LYNDONVILLE – Sharon Smith was praised for her work at Lyndonville Central School on Tuesday by the Board of Education and school administrators.
Smith is retiring July 31, ending a 40-year career in public education – the first 22 years as a teacher and the past 18 as an administrator. Tuesday is her last meeting as superintendent.
“It has been an incredibly humbling experience and the greatest honor of my professional life,” Smith said at Tuesday’s board meeting.
She has been Lyndonville’s superintendent for about 3 ½ years. Prior to that, she worked three years for Lyndonville as director of Instruction and Student Services.
Previously, she worked as Kendall’s elementary principal, a curriculum coordinator for Frontier Schools and assistant principal, CIO and grants coordinator for Newfane schools. Smith worked 22 years as an elementary teacher before becoming an administrator.
“Sharon is a very hands-on leader who always makes time for staff, students, parents, and community foundations and clubs alike,” said Jerod Thurber, the BOE president.
He said Smith has made a difference for students during her career.
“Under her leadership, NYS student assessment scores at both Kendall and Lyndonville rose to the top of the region,” Thurber said.
Smith also worked with the Army Corps of Engineers which will fund a two-year study of the Lyndonville dam and reservoir “to initiate the restoration of this vital Lyndonville resource,” Thurber said.
The BOE president also praised Smith for spearheading the current $19.5 million capital project in which all roofs are being replaced, building being updated, new state-of-the-art classrooms being created and a new track installed.
Smith also convinced Lyndonville to offer a full tuition waiver for students earning early college credits. The students’ families used to have to pay a percentage of the costs for earning college credits while in high school. But two years ago Lyndonville agreed to pay that share. That has resulted in a 20 percent increase in students completing college-level classes. Smith said that cost is under $20,000 to the district.
“It’s about access and equity for all,” she said.
She believes Lyndonville and Niagara Falls are the only districts in Orleans and Niagara counties paying the full cost that would otherwise be billed to students and their families.
Sharon Smith takes the oath of office as superintendent during Tuesday’s organizational meeting. She will serve in the role until July 31.
Thurber said he sees the work Smith does behind the scenes, and he is amazed how she juggled all the duties.
“A superintendent is pulled in so many directions,” he said. “It’s a tough job – more than people know – and I think you did it very well.”
New Board of Education member Joanne Suhr, a retired Lyndonville teacher, said she often saw Smith putting in late hours for the district.
“You were excellent,” Suhr said. “I know the countless hours you put in, often late at night. You will truly be missed.”
Board member George Avery said Smith was “always warm and kind, and that made a difference to kids.”
Patrick Whipple, another board member, said Smith was always accessible to the community, and offered prompt responses to questions and concerns. He thanked her for “leading with your heart.”
Dr. Aaron Slack, the high school principal, said Smith’s championing of the full tuition waiver has resulting in more students earning college credits. He said Smith is leaving the district in a much better position than when she started.
Dr. Elissa Smith, the elementary school principal, said the retiring superintendent was welcoming to a Lyndonville contingent when Smith was the elementary school principal in Kendall. Lyndonville wanted to learn more from Kendall on how its students were achieving at such high levels.
Smith, as the principal, made time for Lyndonville and shared Kendall’s strategies for success. That showed her passion for raising student achievement everywhere, not just at her school district.
“We are exceptionally appreciative of you,” Elissa Smith said.
Lyndonville’s new superintendent, Dr. Heather Lyon, starts on Aug. 1. She has been working as the coordinator of assessment and data at Gates Chili Central School District.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 July 2025 at 8:36 am
File photo: Mark Hughes gets many high fives on April 8, 2022 when he was recognized for 50 years of service as a Lyndonville baseball coach. Hughes was hired in 1972 as a teacher and coach. During that time, Hughes was an integral part of seven sectional titles, 17 league titles and two trips to the state tournament as part of the baseball program. He passed away at age 75 on June 4.
LYNDONVILLE – The donations keep coming for a scholarship in memory of one of Lyndonville’s most beloved teachers and coaches.
Mark Hughes passed away at age 75 on June 4. Hughes was an energetic force in the school district and community for the past 52 years.
The district has received 98 donations towards the Mark Hughes Memorial Scholarship, totaling $17,215. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, said several checks arrive almost daily towards the scholarship.
The Board of Education on Tuesday voted to establish the Mark Hughes Memorial Scholarship. (Memorials may be made in his name to the Mark Hughes Memorial Scholarship, made payable to the Lyndonville Central School District, 25 Housel Ave. Lyndonville, NY 14098.)
Hughes started working at Lyndonville in 1972 and was an enthusiastic coach for football, soccer, basketball and baseball. Outside of coaching and teaching, Hughes also was a Senior Class advisor, drama director and cafeteria monitor. He relished the relationships with students.
The Die Wiesen (festival goers) enjoyed lively, traditional German music performed by The Frankfurters German Band. Their performance featured authentic Bavarian bell music and several pieces played on the Alpine horns—both instruments deeply rooted in the Bavarian Alps region of southern Germany.
