By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 July 2025 at 6:21 pm
Author says connecting with ‘blue space’ is good for physical, mental health
File photo by Tom Rivers: Dan Rubinstein of Ottawa is shown on Aug. 1, 2023 on the Erie Canal in Albion headed west. The canal was part of a 1,200-mile adventure two years ago. His book Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage has just been released and is available from several sources, including Author’s Note Bookstore in Medina, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
In June 2023, writer Dan Rubinstein of Ottawa lashed camping gear to his stand-up paddleboard and embarked on an improbable solo voyage which would take him more than 1,200 miles on rivers, lakes and canals of a landlocked region.
During the 10-week journey, he explored the healing potential of “blue space,” the aquatic equivalent of green space, and sought out others drawn to their local waters.
The cover of Dan Rubenstein’s book shows him on a paddle board. The 336-page book was published last month by ECW Press, an independent book publisher in Canada.
Rubinstein has announced his book, Water Borne: A 1,200-Mile Paddleboarding Pilgrimage, has been published and is available from several sources, including Author’s Note Bookstore in Medina, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Click here for more information.
Rubenstein turned 50 on the trip, on which he traveled the waters to Montreal and New York City, then took a Greyhound bus to Albany, where he entered the Erie Canal, which took him to Buffalo and the Niagara River above the Falls. Here, friends took him to Lake Ontario, and he spent two days getting around the western tip of the lake to Kingston and the Rideau Canal.
Rubinstein said the farther he paddled, the more he realized that being in, on or around water does more than boost mental and physical health and prompt stewardship toward the natural world. He discovered that blue spaces are also a way to connect with the kaleidoscopic cross-section of people he met and the diverse geographies and communities he passed through.
His love of paddleboarding stems from the fact he can jump in and swim if he wants to; he can see down in the water; and he can see all around.
“Everyone knows what green space is,” Rubinstein said in a phone call from his Ottawa home. “But blue space is good for your physical and mental health. It makes us want to take better care of our planet.”
During his journey, Rubinstein said he arranged interviews with people along his route whose whole lives revolve around water.
“I met so many strangers who were kind, welcoming and generous,” he said. “They gave me food, cold water, let me stay in their spaces (most of the time camping), but some let me stay in their houses and hotels. It’s really about community and people when we meet by the water. The Erie Canal might be the most beautiful and where I met the most amazing people.”
He described Tomtuga campground at Gasport, where he spent a night, and the canal basin in Medina where two men he met on a boat sent him up the hill to the Captain Kidz restaurant.
Paddling down the canal, he was enchanted with the towpath, where he could look over and see beautiful farm country. He said the locks in Lockport were fun to go through, but he was also taken in by the culvert.
Rubinstein said he took a year off from his job as a writer for a university to write his book. He has one explanation for what he did:
Photos courtesy of Albion Alumni Foundation: Alumni Foundation board member Mollie Radzinski congratulates Emily Richardson as she receives the Jonathan Doherty Memorial Scholarship.
Press Release, Albion Alumni Foundation
ALBION – The Alumni High School Alumni Foundation awarded $174,325 in scholarships to Albion High School Class of 2025 graduates during their Class Night ceremony on June 20. These awards provide financial assistance to seniors as they continue to pursue their educational goals after high school graduation.
The Foundations’ scholarship committee chose recipients for 56 academic, vocational, service, leadership, arts and athletics scholarships. The committee reviewed numerous applications and chose students that they felt best fit each scholarship’s criteria.
Three new annual scholarships were awarded for the first time this year:
Raymond Lissow Jr. Memorial Scholarship – This scholarship was established in 2024 by the Family of Raymond M Lissow. Ray graduated from Albion in 2006 and benefited greatly from Albion’s special education personnel. Ray was very active in his community and thoroughly enjoyed his years at ACS. Sadly, he passed away in 2022 at the age of 34 but left a lasting impression on everyone he met and hopefully he always put a smile on their faces. This $2,000 scholarship, administered by the Albion Alumni Association, is awarded to a graduating senior attending college to pursue a degree in Special Education.
Ray and Fran Lissow congratulate Nicholas Baxter as the first recipient of the Raymond Lissow Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Paganelli Family Scholarship – This scholarship has been established by the Paganelli family to support the pursuit of higher education, whether academic or vocational. It will be awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrates financial need and actively participates in extracurricular activities, whether related to work or academics. This scholarship is administered by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation.
Coach Robert Ord Scholarship – This scholarship was established in honor of Coach Ord who dedicated many years of service to the Albion School District and the Athletic program. This scholarship is administered by the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, Inc.
Our scholarships are made possible through the generosity of our Albion alumni members and the local community. We are grateful to them for their willingness to support so many Albion graduates through our scholarship program.
If you are interested in starting a scholarship or want to learn more about the Albion High School Alumni Foundation, please contact Steve Hicks, Albion Alumni Foundation President at steve@albionalumni.org or go to albionalumni.org.
Congratulations to all 2025 scholarship recipients!
Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarship – Willow Gaines, Krystalin Taylor, Taylor LeFrois, Adysyn Stirk
Paul R. Haines Memorial Scholarship – Leo Bolton
Elizabeth Balcom Smith Scholarship – Madison LeBaron
Golden Performance Scholarship – Alexis Hand
Jim & Susie Fraser Health Careers Scholarship – Alana Irvine
Minier Family Scholarship – Jayden Lewis
Albion Alumni Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship – Mallory Kozody
Coach Richard Diminuco Scholarship for Athletic Excellence – Camryn London
Harry W. Salchak Science Scholarship – Tye Talbot
A.B. Dick Eddy Service Above Self Scholarship – Leo Bolton
Nancy Elaine Lagamba Scholarship – Madison LeBaron
(Left) Jayden Lewis accepts the Minier Family Scholarship from Marissa (Minier) Olles and her daughter Hannah. (Right) Zachary Baron receives the Brennan Michael Carlyle Moody Scholarship from Erin and Jackson Moody.
Dr. Paul Mahany Family Scholarships – Madalyn Ashbery
Robert P. VanDeusen Memorial Scholarship – Donovan Braley
Moore Family Scholarship Fund – Kenadie Patten
Sawyer Brigham and Donovan Braley receive the Benjamin Dennis Kirby Memorial Scholarship from Ben’s friends. Lucas Martin also received this scholarship.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 July 2025 at 8:46 am
Provided photo: The winning team at Orleans Community Health Foundation’s golf outing June 20 at Shelridge Country Club were Eric Waters, Kemal Koksal, Eric Nolle and Adam Macha.
MEDINA – The 38th annual Orleans Community Health Foundation golf outing was a sellout success, bringing together a full roster of golfers, community supporters and local businesses for a day of fun and philanthropy, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach.
The event on June 20 at Shelridge Country Club took place under sunny skies and raised critical funds to support patient-centered initiatives through the Orleans Community Health Foundation. Proceeds will directly benefit healthcare projects which enhance services and improve the well-being of the local community.
The day began with registration and basket raffles, followed by a 10 a.m. shotgun start. Golfers enjoyed lunch on the course, and the day concluded with dinner, awards and final raffles.
The first-place team of Eric Waters, Kemal Koksal, Eric Nolle and Adam Macha led the competition, followed by second-place finishers Zach Newton, Brad Wilson, Scott Sloper and Evan London. Third place went to the team of Davied Monti, Gary McCarthy, Joe Guisiana and Michael McCarthy.
Individual contest winners were Lou Sassel, Closest to the Pin (#12); Brandi Pasnik, Longest Drive (#2); and Dustin Pahura, Longest Drive (#5).
“This event is so much more than just a day of golf,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of the Orleans Community Health Foundation. “It’s a celebration of community, generosity and our shared commitment to improving local healthcare. Every swing truly makes a difference.”
The Foundation extends a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who came out to support the event and to the dedicated volunteers who made the day run smoothly from start to finish, Johnson said. Their time, energy and enthusiasm played a key role in the outing’s success, she added.
A special thank-you was extended to event sponsors Lawley Insurance, TeamHealth and MS Hall for their generous support, which helped make the tournament possible, Johnson said.
With such a successful tournament this year, planning is already underway for an even bigger 39th annual outing in 2026, she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 July 2025 at 7:59 am
Kimberly Stawicki sent in this photo from Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.
It will be a scorcher today in Orleans County with the high temperature at 92 degrees.
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a heat advisory from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Orleans, Niagara, Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, Oswego, Ontario and northern Cayuga counties. Heat index values in the upper 90s are expected.
“Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat-related illnesses to occur,” the Weather Service said.
The highs for the rest of the week include 87 on Monday, 80 on Tuesday, 84 on Wednesday, 82 on Thursday, 85 on Friday and 85 on Saturday.
Photos and information courtesy of Murray Joint Fire District
MURRAY – A three-alarm fire badly damaged a multi-family house at 17131 Gulf Rd. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at about 3 a.m.
“Thankfully, no injuries have been reported but several families have been displaced and experienced significant loss,” the Murray Joint Fire District stated on its Facebook page. “Our thoughts are with them during this incredibly difficult time.”
Several other agencies provided mutual aid to Murray firefighters including, Clarendon, Kendall, Brockport, Albion, Spencerport, Hamlin, Shelby, Bergen, Medina, Barre, Carlton, Mercy EMS, Orleans County fire coordinators and fire investigation team, Village of Holley Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office (road patrol, investigations and 911 center), Town of Murray code enforcement and the water department.
“We are incredibly grateful for the brave firefighters who arrived on the scene swiftly and worked tirelessly to keep everyone safe,” The Murray Joint Fire District stated. “The blaze was contained and extinguished before more damage could be done.”
The following departments were on standby to protect Orleans County while the fire companies responded at the scene: Hilton Fire Department, Ridge Road Fire District, Town of Batavia Fire Department and Middleport Fire Department.
“This was a true team effort that shows the strength of mutual aid, coordination and public service in our region,” the Murray Joint Fire District said. “To those affected by the fire, please know that your community stands behind you as your recovery begins.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2025 at 10:45 am
1962 grad was first from Lyndonville to attend U.S. Air Force Academy
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The family of the late Rick Parsons, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, holds a banner with his portrait.
From left include Parsons’ daughter Penn Grow, son Rustin Parsons, wife Nancy (Custer) Parsons, and Maj. James Plummer, retired from the U.S. Air Force. Parsons’ wife served as honorary grand marshal of the parade. She is a Lyndonville grad and she and her husband were high school sweethearts.
Parsons was the first Lyndonville grad to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. He graduated in 1966 and then served in the military for a 26-year career, including two tours in Vietnam, and a pivotal role as commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He logged over 5,000 flight hours in his career in the T-38, F-4, F-15 and F-16.
While the flag was raised the national anthem was sung by Kayleen Sanchez and Joanna Folman. The 914th Air Refueling Wing of the U.S.A.F. from Niagara Falls had four soldiers serving as honor guard during the parade with one raising the flag in Parsons’ honor.
Under his leadership, the 33rd TFW(P) achieved remarkable success, said Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion in Lyndonville. Parsons led a unit that recorded 16 combat kills, the most of any allied unit. That earned Parsons the distinction of being the only wing commander to achieve an aerial victory during Desert Storm.
“Beyond his military achievements, Rick was a devoted husband, father and grandfather,” Goodrich said.
Parsons passed away at age 77 on May 25, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is at left while Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, reads a proclamation in honor of Parsons’ distinguished career. The offices of Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt also presented citations in honor of Parsons being picked as honorary grand marshal.
Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about noon. Mackenzie Poynter sent in this photo of the plane passing over Route 63, just south of the village.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 July 2025 at 9:55 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Cassandra Harden of Medina reads a train story to young children in a new event every Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum.
MEDINA – Medina Railroad Museum is starting off the summer with a new event coordinator and a series of new events.
Renee Hemby, who joined the Museum earlier this spring, has developed several ideas to bring more people to the world-class train museum.
First is Reading at the Rails, an opportunity for young children up to the age of 8 to come and learn about trains from picture story books, read by Cassandra Harden of Medina. Any age, however, is welcome to come, Hemby said. Sessions start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and are free. Youth who attend three sessions will receive a souvenir badge. Anyone who joins the museum will also receive a souvenir badge.
The next feature, a historic speaker series, was suggested by museum volunteer and history buff Erica Wanecski. She will be the first speaker on July 9, talking about steel plants and how they related to the railroad.
On July 16, Medina native and news writer Ginny Kropf will share the history of the railroad museum and its founding by the late Martin Phelps.
On Aug. 6, the Cobblestone Society will discuss “Written in Stone.”
Speaker for Aug. 20 will be Craig Lacy, former owner of a sandstone building on North Main, which houses a jail in the basement, where the late Grover Cleveland was held when arrested during a visit to Medina. Lacy, who is also past president of the Medina Historical Society, will also discuss other facts of historic interest in Medina.
On Sept. 3 the discussion will focus on Bill Lattin’s book, “Architecture Destroyed.”
On Sept. 17, Ryan Duffy from the Holland Land Office in Batavia will talk about the life of Dean Richmond.
Sessions will start at 6 p.m. each week and light refreshments will be provided. There is no charge, but donations to the museum are always appreciated.
“We are trying to bring more people to the museum,” Hemby said.
She remembers going to the late Beverly Mitchell’s house in Albion and listening to all her stories about the past.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2025 at 8:51 am
Lions Club sets goal for its biggest show ever in 2026 for USA’s 250th anniversary
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club capped its 51st annual Independence Day celebration with another spectacular fireworks show on July 4th.
The Lions Club works with Young Explosives to put on one of the biggest fireworks shows in Western New York.
The Lions last year had its biggest show ever for the 50th anniversary of the club doing the July 4th celebration.
Club President Eric Johnson and fireworks chairman Harold Suhr want to make next year’s show even bigger. They have set a $52,000 fundraising goal which would top the $50,000 from 2024.
The band Bleeding Hearts performed from a stage near the Lyndonville ball fields right up to the start of the fireworks show. Bleeding Hearts has been performing in Western New York since 1989.
The band plays a unique blend of Classic Rock from the ’60s and ’70s, retro hits of the ’80s, alternative hits from the ’90s and current hits of today. The band closed with a tribute to Lyndonville by performing John Mellencamp’s “Small Town.”
The Bleeding Hearts include David Lloyd on lead vocals, drums and guitar; Bob Kupczyk on bass, vocals and keyboards; and Tim Unger on lead guitar and vocals.
Daniel Nottingham of Brockport swirls a sparkler while passing time before the fireworks show.
Wynter Dominguez, 2, of Brockport had glow-in-dark bracelets on and tried spinning a sparkler.
The fireworks proved to be a crowd pleaser for the big group gathered on the Lyndonville ballfields.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2025 at 5:58 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – This group represents Head Start and Early Head Start in today’s Lyndonville Fourth of July Parade.
Snowstorm Solutions follows them with a tribute to Sept. 11, 2001 victims – “Gone but not forgotten” is painted on the snow plow with an image of the World Trade Center towers.
About 50 different groups were in today’s parade. The 51st annual Independence Day festival put on the Lions Club concludes with a big fireworks starting around 10 p.m.
Orly the Ox, Orleans County’s bicentennial mascot, was decked out in red, white and blue for the parade. Orly is driven by Susan Starkweather Miller, a member of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about 11:55 a.m.
A big crowd filled Main Street as the procession of fire trucks and floats made their way along the route.
Bob Eberle once again dressed as Uncle Sam. He waved to the crowd along Main Street.
Mark Watts has lots of people on board while he drives a former Medina fire truck from 1933.
The Christ family in Murray was in the parade promoting the Murray Tractor Pull July 19 on Groth Road.
Lyndonville native Matt Tabor was back in the parade as the character Deadpool.
Gallagher Hill Trucking brought some tractor trailers for the parade.
The Niagara Falls Air Force Honor Guard marches in the parade.
Many in the crowd removed their hats to show respect to the soldiers in the Honor Guard.
The Lyndonville marching band from the school had a strong contingent of students in the parade.
Veterans ride in a trolley provided by the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office led the parade with the family of the late Colonel Rick N. Parsons of Lyndonville not far behind. Parsons’s wife Nancy served as honorary grand marshal.
Colonel Parsons graduated from the Lyndonville Central High School in 1962 and was the first Lyndonville High School graduate to attend the United States Air Force Academy graduating in 1966. He spent 26 years in service to his country before his retirement from the Air Force in 1994.
Scott Schmidt served as the parade emcee. He is joined on the parade platform by his father, Bruce Schmidt, a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club.
The Alexander Fire Department Band has been a perennial parade performer in Lyndonville for many years.
Kids from the Oak Orchard Assembly of God unleashed many bubbles in the parade. They were promoting Kids Crusade from July 20 to 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for children ages 4 to 11.
The Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums in Gates is another parade mainstay in Lyndonville.
Joshua Vacanti, a star from The Voice, sang from a float to promote the upcoming Salt & Light Festival from July 25-27 at Solid Rock Assembly of God, 8590 Rochester Rd., Gasport.
Ontario Shores Realty generously sprayed water soakers at the crowd. The temperatures weren’t too bad at around 80. Some recent Independence Day holidays have been well above 90 in Lyndonville.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2025 at 10:22 am
Provided photo: Medina firefighters Adam Fisher, left, and Paul Urquhart are pictured by a Medina ambulance. The two delivered twins early this morning while in an ambulance was headed to the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
MEDINA – Two Medina firefighters – Adam Fisher and Paul Urquhart – delivered twins very early this morning while the ambulance was headed to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
The two delivered a baby boy delivered at 2:49 a.m. while the Medina ambulance was in Orleans County, followed by a baby girl born at 2:56 a.m. in Genesee County.
The girl was born breech. Both babies and their mother are doing well, the Medina Fire Department stated this morning.
Medina firefighters are also trained to respond to ambulance calls. Fisher is a paramedic. These were his third and fourth field deliveries, while Urquhart, an EMT, made his first and second deliveries in the field.
The ambulance was dispatched at 2:08 a.m. for a call in the village. They then headed to the Batavia hospital with the mother in labor.
“Thanks to our partners at Orleans County Sheriff’s Dispatch and United Memorial Hospital for making this morning go super smooth!” the fire department posted on its social media today. “What a way to start of Independence Day!”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2025 at 9:45 am
‘I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life.’
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bullard Park was hopping on Thursday for a July 3rd celebration. The Who Dats are shown near the beginning of their concert. They were the final band out of three during the day.
People spread out in their lawn chairs to take in the music.
The Who Dats had many in the crowd dancing. The band includes, from left: John Borello, Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, Ed Hilfiker and Alex DeSmit on the drums.
These kids watch the finale of the fireworks from the top of a playground on Thursday night.
Bullard offered expanded activities throughout the day with the event capped by fireworks for the first time in a decade.
Several thousand people were at the park. Organizers aren’t sure of estimate.
Ron Albertson helped push through the upgrades to Bullard, an effort that started about a dozen years ago.
It paid off with a spray park for kids, an amphitheater, new playground equipment, a new pavilion with bathrooms, and other more recent improvements, including basketball courts, a walking trail, a disc golf course and soon, a pickle ball court.
“We have an absolute gem in our town,” Albertson said this morning about Bullard. “We wanted to bring recognition to our park.”
Albertson helps organize the upcoming Albion Summer Music Festival/Rock the Park which includes two days of bands on Aug. 1-2. This will be the 10th year for Rock the Park, which started to raise money for the Bullard upgrades.
Seeing all the people at Bullard on Thursday felt like the realization of the Bullard dream for Albertson and others who worked on Bullard’s transformation.
“I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life,” Albertson said. “I thought it was fantastic.”
Volunteers with the G-ACRE (Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.) served 500 chicken barbecue dinners. In front are Denise London and John Kurtz at the pavilion by the spray park.
Albertson praised John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, for leading the effort to have a big Independence Day celebration in Albion, a day early on July 3. Grillo also rallied the community to donate $10,000 for the fireworks show.
“I just knew it would draw a lot of people,” Grillo said about the fireworks and day’s events. “I’m very proud of this community.”
Grillo also praised the efforts of the Albion Police Department, Department of Public Works and firefighters for make the day go smoothly.
Madaline Bloom, 9, rides a pony brought to the park by KTJ Saddle Up Pony Rides.
Jim Navarra gave people wagon rides through the park.
Emma Hollenbeck, 8, gets her face painted by Mary Jo Whitman.
These kids played an intense game of Gaga Ball. There were also several bounce houses available.
104 Country performed for nearly two hours. There were about 50 food and craft vendors at the park.
104 Country includes Mike Hartman on vocals and guitar; Norm Bock on vocals and guitar, mandolin and banjo; Luca Quagliano on percussion; and Cindy Lynn on bass and vocals.
