By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 October 2025 at 4:24 pm
YMCA starting new programs for cooking, chess and winter rock wall climbing
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Andrew Houseman, new senior program director at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina, stands in the newly-remodeled kitchen, where the Y expects to start cooking classes soon.
MEDINA – Andrew Houseman has been preparing himself to take on the role of leading a YMCA.
“This has been my goal all along,” said Houseman, who began his duties as senior program director of the Orleans County YMCA on Oct. 6. “I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly. I’m very happy to be back in my home town.”
Houseman, a Medina native and son of Shawn and Lacy Houseman of Medina, formerly worked as lead trainer at the GLOW YMCA in Batavia and is passionate about revitalizing local programs and expanding opportunities that help strengthen families and promote healthy living. He brings renewed focus on community connection, family engagement and accessible wellness for all ages.
“The YMCA was a big part of my childhood,” said Houseman, a former YMCA youth athlete. “I grew up playing sports here, and it’s incredible to now give back in my leadership role. My goal is to ensure everyone, from kids to seniors, feels welcome, included and excited to be part of what we’re building.”
In Batavia, Houseman helped manage several successful projects, including the rollout of EGYM, which quickly became one of the region’s most successful member engagement initiatives. With a background in mechanical engineering and an MBA from the University of Buffalo, he brings a data-driven and people-first approach to program development.
Under his leadership the Orleans County YMCA is expanding its offerings to serve a wider range of interests and activities. He has several new programs ready to launch, including chess and cooking classes.
The cooking classes will be Bible-based, focusing on foods that were eaten in the Bible.
“Our focus on the Bible is a return to the ‘Christian’ origin of the YMCA,” Houseman said.
Another initiative is a winter program to use the rock wall.
Andrew Houseman stands by the chess tables at the YMCA, where he hopes chess games will become a popular pastime.
An avid chess player, Houseman has already started the YMCA Chess Club and had one evening of chess, and while participation was small, he hopes it will pick up. Play is open to all ages and players may bring their own board and pieces. Games are at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Rec Room. Play is free for members and $5 for non-members.
On Oct. 25, the YMCA will welcome all to an open house to meet Houseman and the staff. The day will feature free popcorn, no-join fees for new members and a chance to register for new programs. The event will run from 9 a.m. to noon.
Starting Oct. 29, a six-week program of hockey drills and skills will begin for ages 6 to 13. Participants will build skills, practice drills and scrimmage every night – from 6 to 6:50 p.m. Cost is $50 for members and $80 for non-members. Players can register at glowymca.org.
Other events include pickleball at 8 a.m. Sundays, starting Nov. 9. Play is free, but members and non-members must register to play.
Other upcoming highlights include new group exercise classes designed for all fitness levels and schedules, and the continuation and growth of the YMCA’s highly praised youth sports programs, including efforts to collaborate with local schools to introduce more kids to the benefits of teamwork and physical activity.
“We want the Y to be a true community hub – a place where families connect, kids develop lifelong habits and friends, and adults feel supported in their health journeys,” Houseman said. “There’s truly something for everyone here.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2025 at 4:03 pm
John D. “JD” Smith Jr.
ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 10 years in state prison plus 15 years of post-release supervision for attempted rape in the first degree.
John D. “JD” Smith Jr., 31, was arrested on Dec. 12, 2024 for first-degree rape after allegedly having anal sexual contact with a person under 11 years old. The crime occurred in November 2024.
He pleaded guilty to attempted rape in the first degree and was sentenced on Wednesday in Orleans County Court by Judge Sanford Church.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2025 at 3:52 pm
ALBION – Three Albion residents, all age 18, have been charged with second-degree robbery after allegedly attacking two people and forcibly stealing property from one of the victims, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at 9:27 p.m. on Thursday to a reported roadside disturbance on Route 98 in the Town of Gaines, Bourke said.
In addition to facing second-degree robbery, a Class C felony, Raekwon Riley, Kwame Riley and Peyton Robinson also have been charged with conspiracy in the 4th Degree, petit larceny and second-degree harassment.
“At this time, the incident is believed to be isolated and targeted,” Bourke said. “There is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.”
The three who were charged were transported to Pre-Arraignment Detention at the Orleans County Jail for arrangement at CAP Court (Central Arraignment Part) at a later time. The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Albion Police Department in the investigation.
MURRAY – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 272 (also known as County Line Road) in the Town of Murray, Orleans County, will be closed to all traffic between Ridge Road and Kendall Creek Road beginning at 6 a.m. Monday, October 20, to accommodate a culvert replacement project.
Motorists should follow posted detours using State Route 18, State Route 237 and State Route 104. The road is expected to be reopened by the end of November.
Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.
Community turned out Saturday in big benefit for Hodgins family
Photo by Tom Rivers: Michael Hodgins is shown Saturday in the Shelby fire hall where the community packed the building for a spaghetti dinner and basket raffle in his honor to help the family with expenses for his second heart transplant. Hodgins had his first heart transplant 35 years ago.
By Tom Rivers and Ginny Kropf
MEDINA – Michael Hodgins got his new heart Wednesday morning. Hodgins has undergone successful heart transplant surgery for the second time.
The first time was 35 years ago. The community had a big benefit for Hodgins and his family on Saturday at the Shelby fire hall.
Hodgins, 64, was on the list for a heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic, but the exact date for the surgery couldn’t be known.
On Tuesday, his family got the call at 1:30 p.m. that a heart was available.
He was in Cleveland and headed in for surgery at 10 p.m. that night. He received the new heart at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, his daughter
went in for surgery 10 p.m. on Tuesday with new heart in at 4 a.m. Wednesday, his daughter Alisha Duffina posted on Facebook.
“Michael Hodgins is so resilient and strong!!” Duffina posted on Facebook on Thursday. “Doctors are very pleased with his recovery and he possibly will be ready to graduate to a step down unit tomorrow! Thank you for your continued love and support!”
Hodgins first had a successful heart transplant when he was 28. He had that surgery at Buffalo General and it was a tremendous success giving him 35 more years of life.
Hodgins had a failing heart at age 27. He was born a preemie, just over 2 pounds and had a hole in his heart. He had heart surgery at age 9, and seemed to be doing OK until he was 27.
After more than 20 years with the Jubilee in Medina, he needed to get a new job when the store closed in 2006. Hodgins then joined Medina Memorial Hospital and works in the dietary department at the hospital.
He and his wife, Kathy, have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
File photo by Tom Rivers: These deer are pictured on Nov. 20, 2014 when they were close to the road on the west side of Route 279 in Gaines, just south of Route 104.
Hunting is a deeply rooted tradition in America. However, the benefits of recreational hunting go well beyond the enjoyment and challenge it offers to hunters — it also plays a crucial role in wildlife and natural resource management.
Additionally, please consider donating a deer to help feed the hungry throughout New York State.
The Venison Donation Coalition, founded by sportsmen and women in 1999, is a not-for-profit organization (501(c)(3)) that helps get New York State venison to those in need while supporting hunting in the state. Please consider donating a deer this year or making a tax-deductible charitable contribution to support this important program.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 October 2025 at 8:35 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jacob Ivison stands outside his business, Homestead Pest Control, at 109 East Bank St., Albion. Homestead is the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s New Business of the Year.
ALBION – Jacob Ivision couldn’t be more thrilled about his recent honor of being named New Business of the Year by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
“I started my company in January 2024 and to be recognized that early on is very humbling,” Ivison said.
Ivison’s introduction to the world of pest control came while he was working as a delivery driver for an agricultural chemical facility during the Covid pandemic.
“I was delivering products to the owner of a pest control business in Middleport, when we started talking about the nature of his business,” Ivison said. “I’d been spraying our house for bugs with my father since I was a tyke. The guy said I should think about getting into the industry.”
Ivison said he got busier with his delivery job, but three years later when his son was born, a light switch flipped.
“I knew I had to do something that would give him the best life I could,” Ivison said.
He started hitting the books and testing in preparation of opening his own pest control business. He already had a basic license and he added categories to it and got his full license in 2020. During all this time, he said his wife Kara was very supportive of his efforts.
“I could not have done it without her,” he said.
He began doing pest control in homes and commercial facilities to rid them of bugs and rodents.
“There is no shortage of pests,” he said.
When he was ready to open his own business, he discovered his landlord had a vacant store on Bank Street in Albion. It turned out to be the perfect place for Ivison to expand his new business.
He soon realized he needed an addition to his business, and he hired Matthew Zaffran as office manager.
“Having someone here all the time to answer the phone has resulted in a lot of business for us,” Ivison said. “So many people call another exterminator and get an answering machine, so they call us.”
Ivison said the most challenging job thus far was eliminating an infestation of yellow jackets from a chimney 60 feet in the air on a school roof.
When the gentleman in Middleport who convinced Ivison to pursue the pest control business lost his one employee, he contracted with Ivison to take care of his customers.
“Learning from somebody with 50 years’ experience in the business is more than the knowledge he has shared, it is the confidence he has instilled in me that I can fix my customers’ problems.”
Ivison and his family live in his family’s 1800s homestead on Ivison Road in Byron, where the road named for his ancestors.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2025 at 9:54 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: This leaf with some rain drops is shown on Tuesday in Carlton at the upper parking lot of St. Mary’s Archers Club off Clark Mills Road.
It’s peak fall foliage throughout most of Western New York, with Orleans County at “near peak” conditions, according to the I Love NY Fall Foliage update that was released on Wednesday.
Some parts in NY are past peak – the Adirondacks, Catskills, 1000 Islands and parts of the Chautauqua-Allegheny region.
An observer for Albion reported a 65% change in Albion “with a vibrant mix of fall hues.”
The fall foliage map for the state shows a range of progression around the state, but most areas are peak or past peak.
This is a spot at the Archers Club where there is a split in two ridges. It’s amazing how the trees stay upright.
This shows the canal looking east from Butts Road in Albion on Sunday evening.
Photo and press release from Brockport Elks Riders
The Brockport Elks Riders #2110’s dice run, led by Ricky Standish Jr., proudly donated $2,350 to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee County’s Holiday Program. Next year the group plans to continue their dice run and will donate to the Pirate Toy Fund.
The event brought together riders and community members to raise funds that will help provide holiday meals, toys, and essentials to families in need across both Orleans and Genesee counties.
The Brockport Elks Riders #2110 continue to serve their community through charitable rides and events that reflect the Elks’ values of giving and fellowship.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2025 at 10:18 am
Carl Zenger wins national award for 22 years of dedicated service at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Photos by Tom Rivers: Carl Zenger holds up a certificate of commendation he received on Wednesday from a staff member for Congresswoman Claudia Tenney. Zenger received 2025 “Refuge Volunteer of the Year” award from the National Wildlife Refuge Association. Zenger has been a full-time presence at the local refuge for the past 22 ½ years.
MEDINA – There are 570 national wildlife refuges in the United States and many dedicated volunteers have been critical to educating the public, maintaining grasslands, nurturing wildlife and serving in other roles.
Of all the volunteers in the refuge system, Carl Zenger stands out among them all for his dedication at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, which covers 10,824 acres in the towns of Shelby and Alabama.
Zenger, 87, is up at 5:30 a.m. every day and make the 20-minute drive from Lockport. He is at the refuge by 7, typically the first one there.
He has kept a full-time presence at the refuge the past 22 ½ years, amassing 45,000 hours of volunteer service.
Zenger delights in mowing about 200 acres of grasslands each year, and along miles and miles of drainage dikes. He was instrumented in starting the Friends of Iroquois Wildlife Refuge in 2000, and has served as president, vice president and board member. That organization raises about $15,000 to $20,000 a year to support the refuge. Its fundraising has helped rebuild the Swallow Hallow Trail, extend the Cayuga Overlook Platform, install an accessible floating dock at the Ringneck Marsh, and sponsor youth fishing derbies and waterfowl hunts.
Tom Roster, the retired manager of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, spent just over 20 years with Zenger at the refuge. Roster praised Zenger’s commitment to the refuge and his willingness to serve in many roles at the site.
“Carl is a person of many talents,” said Tom Roster, who recently retired after more than 20 years as the refuge manager. “His volunteering has touched all aspects of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge daily operations including habitat management, wildlife population monitoring, maintenance, interpretive and educational programs, outreach and yes, we even got him to do some administrative work. We just didn’t call it that. We referred to it as safety or vehicle and facility maintenance!”
Roster was among about 100 people who celebrated Zenger and his distinguished award as national volunteer of the year during a luncheon on Wednesday at the Bent’s Opera House. Many other dedicated local refuge volunteers and staff attended the luncheon. (Due to the federal government shutdown, the refuge staff attended in regular clothes, not their refuge work attire.)
Zenger grew up on a dairy farm in Pennsylvania and worked 42 years at General Motors. When he was nearing retirement from GM, he looked for a way to stay busy and give back to a worthwhile organization. The refuge was a perfect fit, utilizing his talents at a site with a long to-do list.
Carl Zenger said he has a great relationship with the refuge staff and other volunteers. “I did it because I wanted to be there,” he said about his volunteerism at the refuge.
Some of the projects Zenger has spearheaded, outside of routine maintenance, include:
• One of his first projects was establishing a bluebird trail with over 50 bluebird boxes along the trail. Zenger still coordinates the maintenance of this trail and has taught dozens of other volunteers and interns how to maintain the boxes, manage the program, monitor and band the birds.
• Zenger has worked to expand birding programs to include other cavity nesters like swallows, kestrels and purple martins.
“Carl’s interest in Kestrel grew as he saw that kestrel populations decline by 85% in New York State,” Roster said. “Carl has provided guidance on where and how to put up kestrel boxes on the refuge including switching over to his own pulley system that assists in lowering and raising nesting boxes for monitoring, thus eliminating the need for climbing up and down ladders. He ensures that monitoring is conducted every year.”
Those birding programs resulted in 130 bluebirds being fledged in the past year, 352 tree swallows and 71 house wrens, Zenger said, praising the refuge staff and volunteers. “Great job!” he declared from the podium at Bent’s Opera House.
Zenger is presented with the 2025 Refuge Volunteer of the Year Award by Wendi Weber, a board member for the National Wildlife Association and retired regional director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
After the success of the bluebird trail, Zenger shifted to establish a purple martin colony at the refuge. Carl worked diligently for several years before he started to see any response to his efforts, Roster said.
“Each year he would put out purple martin decoys and play the ‘dawn song’ to hopefully attract any lost martins that happen to be passing by,” Roster said. “There were finally a few takers, and over the years that has grown to multiple colonies on the refuge that annually produces over 700 fledglings.”
One colony is adjacent to the parking lot at the refuge headquarters, and provides a great opportunity to educate refuge visitors on conservation of the species and show the bird monitoring and banding techniques very easily, Roster said.
Zenger makes the added effort of ensuring that calcium is available to female martins that may be deficient after laying a clutch of eggs.
“He collects eggshells from his local community breakfast event, rinses and bakes them to remove any potential salmonella,” Roster said. “He then crushes them and adds them to feeders at twelve sites where purple martin females can obtain this essential mineral that is integral to their post laying condition survival.”
This year, there were a record 950 purple martins banded at the refuge and 700 fledges.
Zenger said he prefers to be low-key and out of the spotlight. But his dedication over so many years stands out – across the country.
He thanked the staff and other volunteers, and especially his family, including his late wife of 63 years, Phyllis. She often joined him at the refuge for projects, working in the welcome center and with public education programs.
Zenger is eyeing a goal of 50,000 hours of volunteer service at the refuge.
“If it’s God’s will,” he said about continuing as a very active volunteer. “I’m not quite done yet, but I may have to temper my pace a bit.”
Desirée Sorenson-Groves, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Association, congratulates Zenger on his award. Sorenson-Groves, who is based in Washington, D.C., said refuges across the country have seen a gradual reduction in their workforces over the past decade. Iroquois, for example, used to have two full-time maintenance positions that haven’t been filled.
“The way things are going, volunteers are the future of maintaining our refuges,” she said.
Zenger is joined for a photo with his grandchildren, Malia Keespies, left, and Mattison Zenger Hain.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 16 October 2025 at 8:42 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Dan DeCarlo, shown inside Arnold’s Auto Parts in Albion, has been recognized as the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year.
ALBION – Dan DeCarlo has been involved in the family business ever since his father purchased Arnold’s Auto Parts in 1968, back when Dan was eight years old.
After taking over the business when his father retired 10 years ago, he became a big supporter of the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministry. His business ethics and support of community have earned him the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce’s honor as Business Person of the Year.
Dan admits he is a low-key guy and doesn’t like to be in the spotlight.
“But it’s nice the Chamber gave me this award,” he said. “I was not expecting it.”
He and his wife Lisa first became supporters of the Royal Body Shop’s Outreach Ministry when the pastor came to town and asked if he could hold Friday night services in their parking lot.
Since then, the DeCarlos have allowed use of their property for various church functions and also agreed to have a refrigerator placed outside their door, which the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministry keeps stocked with food, free to anyone who needs it.
In addition, the DeCarlos have supported the Easter Egg Hunt, Wine Walk and car shows, among other events.
“The community has been good to us and we want to be good to the community in return,” Dan said.
Arnold’s is a full-service auto parts store, and recently started carrying marine parts, Dan said.
They are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday.
The store is located at 116 North Liberty St.
This photo is from March 2022 when community fridge was dedicated at Arnold’s Auto Parts. Village trustee at the time Stan Farone, left, participates in the ribbon cutting with Pastor Albert Wilson and his wife Ykeeta, center, Dan DeCarlo from Arnold’s Auto Parts and other volunteers including Kevin Lemcke and Jack Burris of Hands 4 Hope.
Provided photos: Pictured from left include Roger Ettinger, Sue Starkweather Miller, Stephen Hastings, Legion Commander Brad Rouse holding a painting of the Sheret brothers, Rick Ebbs, Tim Archer and David Polisoto. The fundraising campaign has topped $200,000 towards a $225,000 goal to put a new slate roof on the chapel and address other issues.
Press Release, “Save our Chapel”
ALBION – The American Legion family of organizations donated $1,500 to the “Save Our Chapel” campaign at Mt. Albion Cemetery. The Sons of the American Legion, Auxiliary, Legion Riders and the general membership groups collectively contributed.
Save our Chapel organizers Sue Starkweather Miller and Tim Archer met with members to thank them for supporting the chapel restoration project with their generous donation and to give them a tour of the chapel and view the progress that is being made.
A painting of Sergeant James A. Sheret and his brother, Private Egbert Sheret is on permanent display in the American Legion Sheret Post #35 building.
Sheret Post #35 is the oldest American Legion in Western New York. It was founded in 1919 under the direction of Judge Bernard Ryan in honor of Sergeant James A. Sheret who was killed in action on September 29, 1918 near Ronssoy, France while charging the Hindenburg Line. Sheret was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery and was considered “one of the hundred heroes of WWI” by General Pershing.
His brother, Pvt. Egbert Sheret was also killed that day. Their younger brother Andrew, the company’s bugler, was seriously injured but survived. All three brothers were part of the 27th Division of the American Expeditionary Forces, containing the 108th Infantry Regiment and Company F. The 108th and Company F were the only men to break the Hindenburg Line that day.
Photo by Tom Rivers: The gravesites for Sergeant James A. Sheret and Private Egbert Sheret are located in Mt. Albion Cemetery. This photo is from Dec. 14, 2024 during Wreaths Across America.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 October 2025 at 10:40 pm
ALBION/MEDINA – Hoag Library in Albion and Lee-Whedon Memorial Library are both hosting representatives from the AMPED program for presentations about energy efficiency.
AMPED is part of New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The AMPED reps have been invited by Green Orleans and will discuss energy efficiency and how it can make a difference in a home. There are local, state and federal grant programs that can help residents save money, increase home comfort and reduce their environmental impact, Green Orleans said in promoting the events.
The presentations and sharing sessions will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on October. 16 at Hoag library in Albion and then from 6 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. There will also be drop-in assistance from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on oct. 30 at Hoag Library.
