Photo and information courtesy of Orleans County DSS
ALBION – Employees at the Orleans County Department of Social Services wore purple today, October 17, for “Purple Thursday.” This is in recognition of survivors of domestic violence.
October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, bringing awareness to domestic violence within our community, as “Every1 Knows Some1” affected by domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is not limited to physical or sexual abuse by a partner, it can also be emotional or financial,” said Judianne Gearing, supervisor of Orleans County domestic violence program. “Domestic violence is also not gender specific and can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, race or sexual orientation.”
If you or someone you care about is a survivor of domestic violence in need of support, know that there are services available locally and at the state level.
Please contact Kelley Ortiz, Orleans County Domestic Violence Senior Caseworker, at 585-589-3159, call the NYS Hotline at 800-942-6906, text 844-997-2121 or go to opdv.ny.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2024 at 9:35 am
Provided photo: Sandra Shaw was honored last week during the Holley Village Board meeting with the “Mayor Vaughn Award.” County Legislator John Fitzak, left, and Holley Mayor Mark Bower presented the award. Shaw is the seventh recipient of the award which was started by Holley’s mayor from 1976 to 1982.
HOLLEY – Sandra Shaw will be honored today with a retirement party at the Community Free Library beginning at 5 p.m.
Shaw is retiring after leading the library the past 19 years. During her tenure she led library in acquiring a former video store next door where the library expanded in 2008 and dedicated that space for children’s programs and materials.
She also has led the library in adding two large murals on the back side of the brick building, and steered the library through the Covid pandemic.
Shaw was honored last week by the Holley Village Board with the “Mayor Vaughn Award.”
Mayor Mark Bower said Shaw has expanded programming and improved services at the library.
“Sandy Shaw’s influence on the Village of Holley and the larger community, its residents, the school district and its students is quite significant,” Bower said. “She’s had a strong presence as the library director and has ensured that they remain viable in our community.”
He is pleased she will remain active in the community, including serving on the Mayor’s Advisory Council.
“She has always been a huge advocate for the library, reading, and the children’s library and programming,” Bower said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2024 at 9:02 am
The Barre Betterment Committee presented Heritage House awards to two homeowners.
BARRE – The Barre Betterment Committee has presented two “Heritage House” awards to the owners of well-kept houses that have endured for about two centuries.
Betsy Miller, president of the BBC, presented Heritage House plaques to Willy and Joan Wraight, posthumously, and to William and Sue Bias.
The Wraight house was built in Barre Center in the early 1800s by the same gentleman who also built the Barre Center Presbyterian Church, Miller said.
The Bias house was built in 1841 by William Puzey out of fieldstone cobble.
The Barre Betterment Committee’s mission is to promote, unite, improve and enhance the quality of life for the common good and general welfare of the people of the Town of Barre. All Barre residents are welcome to join the BBC in this mission. For more information, send a message through Facebook to the Barre Betterment Committee or call (585) 590-7503.
The BBC will next be hosting a Trunk or Treat event at the Barre Town Park from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. People are welcome to bring children dressed in costumes to receive candy and treats.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 October 2024 at 8:25 am
Provided photo
KENT – The Old Crow Motorcycle Club on Wednesday evening presented a check for $3,000 to the Justice for Children Advocacy Center.
The money was presented at the Old Crow clubhouse on Petersmith Road in Kent. The funding is the proceeds of the Old Crow’s annual pig roast which was held on Sept. 14.
“We were blown away tonight by the Old Crow Motorcycle Club in Kent, NY,” Justice for Children posted on its Facebook page. “This incredible group of individuals presented us with an extremely generous donation, and they couldn’t have been more kind, warm, and supportive. They have supported the JFCAC for several years now in multiple ways and we are so very grateful!!! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!”
Justice for Children Advocacy Center provides services for children who have been sexually or physically abused, or who have been a witness to violence.
The goal of Justice for Children is to improve the response to child abuse by eliminating multiple interviews and examinations of children, providing quick access to mental health, victim advocacy, and support services for children and families and enhancing multidisciplinary communication and coordination.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 17 October 2024 at 7:59 am
Provided images: Linda Se Park will be in Medina at Author’s Note on Monday for a book-signing and discussion of Gracie Under the Waves.
MEDINA – Author’s Note will welcome Newbery Medalist and No. 1 New York Times Best-Selling author Linda Sue Park at 6:30 p.m. on Monday to celebrate the launch of her newest middle grade release, Gracie Under the Waves.
The acclaimed author of A Long Walk to Water, Park presents an empowering new story starring a young snorkeling enthusiast who draws inspiration for fighting climate change from interacting with her pesty little brother. Inspired by her own experience, Park tells the story of a girl learning how to impact a cause she cares about while navigating the ups and downs of a sibling relationship and turning disappointment into opportunity.
Gracie loves snorkeling so much that she convinces her parents to let her plan a family vacation to Roatan, Honduras, where they all snorkel together. She even makes a new friend there. Now, if only her irritating little brother would leave her along, everything would be perfect.
Then Gracie hurts her leg, and all her carefully made plans start to come apart. Worse still, she learns the reef itself is in serious danger. Gracie wants to help the reef, but she’s just a kid. How can she make a difference?
The novel has garnered rave reviews from the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Publisher’s Weekly and the Washington Post.
Linda Sue Park is the author of many books for young readers, including the 2002 Newbery Medal winner “A Single Shard,” and the New York Times bestseller “A Long Walk to Water.” Her most recent titles are “Gracie Under the Waves,” a contemporary middle-grade novel about a girl who loves snorkeling, illustrated by Maxine Vee; and “My Book and Me,” a picture book about the joys of books and reading, illustrated by celebrated Caldecott Medal artist Chirs Raschka.
Park is also the founder and curator of Allida Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. She serves on the advisory boards of We Need Diverse Books and the Rabbit hOle museum project, and created the kiBooka website, www.kibooka.com to highlight children’s books created by the Korean diaspora. Her website is www.lindasuepark.com.
The Monday evening event at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., is free and open to the public. Pre-ordering copies is recommended. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered at www.authorsnote.com. Contact Author’s Note for more information at (585) 798-3642 or visit www.authorsnote.com/events.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. from Michigan dredges the Oak Orchard Harbor on Aug. 26, 2021. The dredging barge is near the breakwall at the end of the Oak Orchard channel. The harbor was previously dredged in August 2014, when it was done for the first time in 10 years.
Posted 16 October 2024 at 3:53 pm
Press Release, Orleans County Legislature
ROCHESTER – Orleans County Legislature Chairman Lynne Johnson and Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey presented to the Great Lakes Commission at the group’s annual conference last week at the Strathallan Hotel in Rochester.
The legislators were invited to present on the innovative Regional Dredging Management Plan (RDMP), an initiative began by the Niagara Orleans Regional Alliance.
Provided photo: Niagara County Legislator David Godfrey, Orleans County Legislature Chairwoman Lynne Johnson and Carolyn Ryan from the NYS REDI Commission present at the conference.
“The RDMP is a comprehensive approach for the on-going maintenance dredging of harbor access channels, utilized primarily for recreational boating, along the south shore of Lake Ontario,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to have multiple counties working in partnership to help jointly fund dredging projects across our communities through annual appropriations, thereby keeping the cost of any single project manageable for individual counties and ensuring dredging is performed on schedule.”
The presentation covered the formation of the RDMP and the creation of a Lake Ontario Regional Dredging Management Council. Initial dredging was funded by a grant from the New York State Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI).
Niagara County Legislator Dave Godfrey said the next step is Wendel Engineering updating the RDMP with information from the REDI Commission to revise dredging statistics and projected ongoing costs. From there, participating counties will enter into formal Inter-municipal agreements and an RFP will be issued to hire a dredging contractor to perform the work.
“Recreational boating activities generate nearly $100 million annually for our communities and that number will continue to grow, provided harbor access is maintained,” said Godfrey. “That means we must keep our harbors dredged and the most efficient and cost-effective way to do so is through collaboration among local governments.”
The eight Great Lakes states created the Great Lakes Commission (GLC) in 1955 via the Great Lakes Basin Compact. In 1968, Congress provided its consent to the Compact and the interstate compact agency it created. The eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces are represented on the nonpartisan GLC by a delegation of government-appointed commissioners.
The GLC recommends policies and practices to balance the use, development, and conservation of the water resources of the Great Lakes and brings the region together to work on issues that no single community, state, province, or nation can tackle alone.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2024 at 11:57 am
ALBION – Three pedestrians were struck by a vehicle on Route 31 at about 8 p.m. on Monday evening, and were transported by ambulances to Strong Memorial Hospital, the Albion Police Department reported today.
The driver was headed westbound on West Avenue and struck the pedestrians who were in a crosswalk near King Street.
“At this time two of the persons struck have been released from the hospital with minor injuries and the third still remains hospitalized,” according to a press release from the Police Department.
Albion police have spoken with the person who remains hospitalized and he is expected to be released in the next few days, said Lt. Brandon Annable of the Albion PD.
The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and was cooperative with law enforcement, he said, adding that alcohol, drugs or speed were not a factor in the accident.
There are no charges filed yet but a traffic violation could be pending, Annabelle said. The accident remains under investigation.
Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is urged to call the Albion Police Department at (585) 589-5627 or the Orleans County Dispatch Center at (585) 589-5527.
Albion police officers were assisted at the scene by the Albion Fire Department, Monroe Ambulance, Medina Fire Department Ambulance, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police and the Orleans County Emergency Management Office.
Press Release, Holley and Kendall school districts
HOLLEY/KENDALL – Holley and Kendall high school students had a new sport to choose from this fall: bowling.
The new offering is categorized as a Special Olympics Unified Sport, which brings together students with and without intellectual disabilities to compete together on the same team to promote accepting school environments.
This is the second Unified Sport offered to Holley and Kendall students. They have been combined for the Unified Basketball league since 2017. Holley and Kendall schools both pride themselves on their distinction as Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools and value their partnership to enhance the impact of their Unified programs.
“We have never had a bowling team before and we are thrilled to start bowling as our second Unified sport,” said Dan Courtney, Holley MS/HS athletic director and assistant principal. “Unified Bowling represents our commitment to providing inclusive opportunities for all of our students. This is a new opportunity for students to come together, have fun, and be part of something special.”
“Bringing Unified Bowling to our students is more than just a game – it’s an incredible opportunity for camaraderie, inclusion, and shared victory for all involved,” said Mark Driesel, Kendall JSHS athletic director and assistant principal.
The Holley/Kendall team consists of 32 players, 20 from Holley and 12 from Kendall. They began practices earlier this month at Brockport Bowl to prepare for their first match on Oct. 21. Their five-match season, followed by a tournament, runs through the beginning of November.
Special Olympics New York and New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) launched a partnership in 2013 to bring Unified Champion Schools (UCS) programming to NYSPHSAA member schools. The program focuses on social inclusion and is built upon the notion that having something in common, such as a sport, has the power to put an end to any preconceptions, and promote both friendship and understanding of differences. The schools look forward to the continued expansion of their Unified programs.
“I am excited to see student athletes learn and participate in a sport that can become a lifelong activity for them,” said Jason Cole, Holley MS/HS math teacher and Unified Bowling coach. “I have watched this event in the past and I know we will be able to provide the same amazing atmosphere as we watch our bowling skills on display.”
“Adding Unified Bowling is a powerful reminder that we strive for inclusion and support mutual respect between athletes,” said Macey Harrell, Kendall JSHS PE teacher and Unified Basketball and Bowling coach. “Unified sports provide a great opportunity for those of all abilities to be a part of a team who supports each other’s achievements.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2024 at 8:34 am
ALBION – A video from a neighbor’s home shows a fatal collision in Barre last Feb. 8, where Noah Magee was driving a pickup truck and struck Roger Kingdollar who was riding a dirt bike.
Magee has been charged with second-degree murder for the collision. District Attorney Joe Cardone said the video “is very clear he was driving off the road on a dirt path. The video speaks for itself on the victim’s conduct.”
Cardone made the comments last week in Orleans County Court. Magee’s attorney, Paul Vacca Jr., instead said the video is “blurry” and not so clear.
There will be a hearing at 1:30 p.m. Thursday with the video shown in Orleans County Court to determine how clear it is and if it can be presented to a jury in a trial set to begin Nov. 13.
Vacca also asked that Kingdollar’s medical records be provided to Vacca for review. He wants to see if Kingdollar had a prescription for a medication that was in a toxicology report.
Cardone said that is unnecessary because the video from the collision shows Magee on the wrong side of the road, with Kingdollar doing nothing wrong with his ability to operate the dirt bike not impeded.
“No expert would testify that that would contribute to the death of Mr. Kingdollar,” Cardone responded after Vacca’s claims about the medication. “It had no involvement in this incident.”
Judge Sanford Church during the hearing on Oct. 17 will hear from both sides what can be admitted as evidence for the trial.
• In another case in the County Court last week, Joshua Smith of Byron was sentenced to weekends in the county jail for a year and five years of probation.
Smith pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and second-degree menacing. Smith entered a Clarendon gas station and convenience store on April 30 even though he was told repeatedly to stay out of the building by the owner.
Smith entered with a crowbar and threatened to harm the owner of the business.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 October 2024 at 7:43 am
KNOWLESVILLE – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) will be announcing a new arts and cultural facility in Orleans County, “a space that will serve as a creative hub for our community, fostering fiber arts, fine arts, performing arts, culinary arts, and much more!”
Gregory Hallock, executive director of GO Art!, will unveil the location and more details about the project on Oct. 29 at the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
Hallock said GO Art! welcomes the community to be part of shaping the future of the arts in Orleans County.
GO Art! is asking people to fill out a survey about the project. Hallock said the bottom floor of the proposed facility includes a culinary kitchen, fiber arts gallery, and fiber arts store.
GO Art! wants to hear from the public about the best use for the third floor.
“This space will support a variety of arts and cultural programming, and your feedback will help us design a space that meets the community’s needs and interests,” he said in an email, inviting people to take the survey (Click here).
In the survey people are asked if they would support the following programs on the third floor?
Fiber Arts Expansion (advanced techniques, weaving, spinning, felting etc.)
Fine Arts (painting, drawing sculpture)
Pottery
Glass Blowing
Performing Arts – Dance (ballet, modern, cultural dance)
Performing Arts – Theater (acting, directing, playwriting)
Performing Arts – Music (instrumental, vocal, songwriting)
Literary Arts (writing workshops, poetry readings)
Design Arts (fashion design, interior design)
Tech Arts (digital design, coding, interactive media)
Media Arts (photography, videography, film production)
Folk Arts (basket weaving, quilting, cultural crafts)
Provided photos: The Eastman Trombone Choir will perform in Medina on Oct. 26 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Posted 15 October 2024 at 9:19 pm
Press Release, Orleans Renaissance Group
MEDINA, NY- “Never look at the trombones, it only encourages them.” – Richard Strauss
The Orleans Renaissance Group (ORG) will be bringing the world-renowned Eastman Trombone Choir to Medina for a performance on Oct. 26 in the soaring sanctuary of St. Mary R.C. Church. The ensemble is part of the Eastman School of Music– the music school of the University of Rochester.
“Unlike Richard Strauss, we hope to have a full house both looking and listening to the trombones, and we definitely want to encourage them!” said Chris Busch, ORG.
The Eastman Trombone Choir is under the co-direction of Larry Zalkind, left, and Mark Kellogg.
The Eastman Trombone Choir is under the co-direction of Larry Zalkind and Mark Kellogg, who are among the world’s most accomplished trombonists.
“The Eastman Trombone Choir is looking forward with great anticipation to playing a concert in the beautiful acoustics of St. Mary’s in Medina.” said Mark Kellogg, co-director of the Eastman Trombone Choir. “This group is the oldest, continuously-serving ensemble at the Eastman School and while it has performed across Europe and the United States, the opportunity to connect with audiences right here in Western New York is particularly meaningful.”
Mr. Zalkind, an Associate Professor of Trombone at Eastman, by the age of 17, Larry was studying with Robert Marsteller as a student at the University of Southern California. At USC, Larry double majored in Music Education and Music Performance, earning a master’s degree in Music.
In the fall of 1980 Mr. Zalkind accepted the Trombone Teaching Assistant Position at the University of Michigan and began working with Dennis Smith. In 1981, while pursuing his doctorate in Music Performance, he won the audition to become the Principal Trombonist for the Utah Symphony.
He held this position (simultaneously serving on the faculty at the University of Utah) until 2015, when he accepted the position of Trombone Professor at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Larry performed as Acting Associate Principal Trombone with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Mr. Kellogg Mark Kellogg has held the position of principal trombonist of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. He is an associate professor of classical and jazz trombone and euphonium at theEastman School of Music.
Mr. Kellogg holds a bachelor’s degree and performer’s certificate from Eastman, where he studied with John Marcellus and Cherry Beauregard.
He was a member of the San Francisco Symphony, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and National Repertory Orchestra. He is also a co-founder of the jazz group Rhythm & Brass. Kellogg has performed with Clark Terry, Wynton Marsalis, Eddie Daniels, Mel Tormé, Jeff Tyzik, Gene Bertoncini, Allen Vizzitti, Steve Gadd and others.
The Eastman Trombone Choir was founded in 1941 by Emory Remington, and is highly regarded around the world as one of the best ensembles of its kind.
St. Mary Church has been the site of numerous, world-class concert events presented by ORG over the years, including among others the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, world-renowned quartet Anonymous 4 and internationally acclaimed Irish tenor Ronan Tynan.
The Fredonia Trombone Choir of the SUNY Fredonia School of Music has performed at St. Mary’s Church twice in 2012 and 2014.
Busch, president of ORG, said the concert is generating a lot of exciting interest.
“People are talking about this concert and for good reason,” he said. “This world-renowned and majestic ensemble performing under the soaring vaults of St. Mary Church will be breathtaking. This will be a spectacular and singular concert event.”
The event has been generously underwritten by Medina businessman, Rick Drilling.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Rick for his extremely generous support of not only this concert event, but of our many previous concerts,” Busch said. “His support has made this and many other events possible.”
The concert is set for Saturday, Oct. 26 at St. Mary’s. Doors open at 6 p.m. with concert starting at 7 p.m. Updates can be found on the Orleans Renaissance Group’s Facebook page.
General seating tickets are $20 each and are available for pre-sale now at the English Rose Tea Shoppe, 527 Main Street in Medina (585-798-4410), the Central Business Office at ONE Catholic, 106 South Main Street in Albion (585-589-4243) and at the door the night of the event.
This work from Peter Langen of Batavia is representative of the artistic expression that empowers people to be successful in their recovery journey. Richmond Memorial Library will be hosting the Grateful for Recovery art show throughout the month of November.
BATAVIA – Understanding that creative expression serves as a therapeutic means toward healing and self-esteem, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County and UConnectCare are partnering to sponsor the Grateful for Recovery art show throughout November.
“The mission of this art show at Richmond Memorial Library is to let the community know that people do recover from substance use disorder, mental health and other issues while giving them the opportunity to share their experiences and break down the stigma surrounding recovery,” said Sue Gagne, Suicide Prevention Coalition coordinator.
This local initiative follows on the footsteps of the national Art of Recovery project started earlier this year by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Gagne said all submissions will be displayed in the Gallery Room at the library from Nov. 1-30. Artists are requested to drop off their work by Oct. 28 at The Recovery Station, 5256 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia. Participants may submit up to three pieces of art for this show.
“We’re accepting work in various genres – original drawings, paintings, photographs, mixed media, poetry and more,” Gagne noted, adding that family members of those in recovery are welcome to submit as well as those under 18 years old, with parental permission.
“Additionally, we’re asking that each artist submit a short bio or a paragraph about his or her journey in recovery,” she said.
Artists are able to sell their work through this show, Gagne added. Each piece does not have to be framed but all pieced need to have a proper hanging system or hardware to be placed in the Gallery Room.
For more information about the show and/or to receive entry and consent forms, contact Gagne at sgagne@uconnectcare.org or at 585-813-6448.
