Provided photos: Agri-golf will be featured at the Orleans County 4-H Fair July 21-26 at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Knowlesville.

Press Release, Robert Batt, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County

KNOWLESVILLE – The Orleans County 4-H Fair committee annually attends the NYS Association of Agricultural Fairs convention. This year held in Syracuse from Jan. 17-19 at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown Hotel.

Highlights from this year include:

The major entertainment we’re bringing in this year includes Agri-golf, The Amazing Bubble Factory, and Aim High Canines Dog Show.

All three will have shows throughout the fair, with Agri-golf being open for all to play for free throughout the day, except during tournaments.

Fair Committee member Natalie Ricci meets a representative from Aim High Canines Dog Show.

Bands and music are also still being booked for the fair with Vinyl Recovery planned to play the Orleans Hub Stage on Saturday night. The fair is also looking for buskers interested in performing at the 2025 Fair from July 21 to 26.

The Amazing Bubble Factory also will be making its debut at the fair in July.

NYS has announced grant funding for the Agricultural Fairs Advertising, Promotion, and Education Program (AFAPEP) which has been awarded to all fairs and will support up to $10,000 for the promotion of our fair including advertising costs, unique educational exhibits or other promotions that enhance and encourage visitor participation and appreciation of agriculture and domestic arts.

Fair volunteers and CCE staff attended workshops including Marketing and Promotions of fairs, Succession planning, Self-Care as you Fair, Emergency Response during Festivals, Fairs, and large events, and other topics. The team also workshopped several new contests which will premiere at the fair including a basketball free throw challenge, rubber duck throwing contest, and disc golf tournament.

The Amazing Bubble Factory also will be making its debut at the fair in July.

Press Release

ALBION – For the second year Albion is hosting a Classical Music Series in 2025.  The performing groups will be the Wind Chamber Group of the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, The Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, The E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet, and the Argos String Trio.

Starting us off on Feb. 8 will be the Wind Chamber Group of the Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble performing a 4 p.m. recital at the Albion First Baptist Church, 30 West Park St.

The Wind Chamber Group is made up of small ensembles: a flute trio, a clarinet quintet, a bassoon duet, a saxophone quartet and a mixed woodwind ensemble with director Philip Briatico. All members are experienced musicians who play in numerous organizations throughout Monroe, Genesee and Orleans counties. Many are current or retired music teachers.

The program promises to be interesting and diverse, from classical works to popular pieces including long time favorites. The concert is free and open to the public.

The following concerts in the classical music series will be the full Genesee Valley Wind Ensemble, directed by Philip Briatico on May 3 in the Albion Middle School Auditorium at 4 p.m.

The E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet will join the Cobblestone Society’s Summer Soirée on July 17, playing at 5 p.m. The soirée will be held at the gardens at Riley Place in Albion. The event is a summer favorite of the museum membership and community, enjoying a beautiful garden setting, music and fellowship.

The fourth concert of the series is the Argos Trio featuring Liana Kirvan, violin; Lars Kirvan, cello; and Ciao Wen Chen, piano. All are also members of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert will be held at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church, 10 East Park St. in Albion.  A fall date will be scheduled.

All concerts are free and open to the public. This series is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!

Rendering by Wendel: The Lyndonville Board of Education has approved a bid to replace the district’s track with a new one with synthetic lanes.

LYNDONVIILE – The Board of Education has approved two construction to replace some of the roofs on the school and also for site work that includes a new track with synthetic lanes.

The Board last week accepted the low roofing bid of $498,000 from Weaver Metal & Roofing Company of Buffalo. It was the lowest of four bids, with the others at $506,850, $589,300 and $952,000. The new roofs do not include recent emergency roof projects.

The board also approved a site work contract for $2,047,700 to DiFiore Construction of Rochester. It was the lowest of six bids, with others ranging from $2,050,000 to $2,673,215.

The DiFiore bid just edged the $2,050,000 bid from Ingall’s Site Development.

The site work contract includes replacing the track with a new one with synthetic lanes.

Lyndonville hasn’t been able to host a home track meet for about 15 years due to the subpar state of the current facility, superintendent Sharon Smith said.

The new synthetic track will have a natural grass regulation soccer field in the middle and better drainage added for the site. The track will be able to be used by the community. The work is expected to get started in the spring.

The bids approved last week are phase one of an overall capital project totaling $19,505,384. The project was approved in a public vote on Dec. 14, 2023 with 97 yes and 36 no.

Phase two includes demolition of a wing known as the “metal building.” It will be replaced on the same footprint of four new classrooms. School officials say the metal building has outlived its expiration date, and it is not cost-effective to renovate.

The metal building was constructed in the 1970s as temporary classrooms and was expected to only last about eight years, Smith said.

The new classrooms will have bathrooms and will be multipurpose space that could be used by elementary grade levels or by high schoolers.

Phase two is expected to start in the spring 2026.

Lyndonville’s capital project also includes upgrades to the entrances of both school buildings for improved security and safety. There also will be heating and cooling (HVAC) improvements.

Photo by Tom Rivers: A snowmobiler heads west along the towpath in Albion on Friday afternoon.

The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a high wind watch for Orleans County from Monday morning through Monday night.

Southwest winds from 30 to 40 miles per hour are expected with gusts up to 60 mph. The high wind watch also includes Niagara, Monroe, Erie, Genesee, Wyoming and Chautauqua counties.

The forecast for the next few days includes scattered flurries and a high of 29 today in Orleans County, and a mostly cloudy Sunday with a high of 30.

Monday will be partly sunny with a high of 32, followed by a mostly cloudy Tuesday with a high near 24.

Dan Dragula, Lyndonville’s Educator of the Year in 2020-21, embraces new role

Dan Dragula

LYNDONVILLE – The school district has a new business administrator who is already well-connected with students and staff.

Dan Dragula, a popular physics and science teacher, was appointed to the business administrator position last week. He had been working as the business administrator intern since July with business official Bart Schuler, who has retired after 2 ½ years with Lyndonville following a long career at Newfane. Schuler has been coming in the office once a week providing guidance for Dragula.

The new business administrator worked 11 ½ years as a Lyndonville teacher and was the district’s Educator of the Year in 2020-’21.

Dragula brought humor and creativity to his class lessons in physics and astronomy. He served as a class advisor, built sets for the school musical, and was a go-to person with sound, electrical, lights and technology. He also has been working in educational technology and integration.

“I love Lyndonville, the students, the community, and the school district,” Dragula said today. “We have amazing staff, faculty, and administration and this is where I wanted to work.”

Dragula said in his new role he can have an impact on the entire district and community. As a teacher he worked with about 100 students directly.

“In my new role, I can support 70 teachers, who impact 100 kids each,” he said. “My direct impact is diminished, but my overall impact is multiplied. By serving the community and the district behind the scenes, I can now serve more students than I could in my previous classroom.”

Dragula enrolled in SUNY Brockport’s School District Business Leader program in 2023. The certification program requires 20 graduate hours in budgeting, accounting, school finances, school law, and data management.

He has earned his initial certification and has 20 more graduate hours and needs to pass two more state tests to earn his permanent certification. He expects to complete have the permanent certification next spring.

Sharon Smith, Lyndonville’s district superintendent, said Dragula has proven to be an asset to the school district, and now is doing it in a different role.

“He’s a great guy,” Smith said. “Kids and parents really respect and love him. He has built great relationships with kids and families.”

He brings a strong work ethic and diligence to the details as school administrator.

“He believes he can help more people,” Smith said about the new role for Dragula. “He has a servant’s heart.”

ALBION – It’s been a month of transition for The Lake County Pennysaver since it was sold to Featured Media, owner of about a dozen Pennysavers including the the Genesee Valley Pennysaver in Batavia.

The Lake Country Pennysaver has gone from being delivered by carriers to the Postal Service. The Postal Service is delivering the weekly publication to over 19,000 households in Orleans County, and more drop sites will be added in the county, said Brad London, sales manager for the Pennysaver.

He is getting good feedback from the community about the reliable delivery of the Pennysaver throughout the county. He wanted to dispel rumors that the paper isn’t available for home delivery. He said the agreement with the Postal Service is working out well and will continue.

The Pennysaver also is available online by clicking here.

ALBION – Current climate changes and threats to peace, safety and security have prompted the World Life Institute to create a Global Nuclear Awareness Program.

At the Hoag Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, WLI will sponsor an evening of engaging and thought-provoking speakers who will share their expertise on critical issues surrounding nuclear energy, climate change and the implications of global conflict, according to Linda Redfield Shakoor, deputy director of WLI’s Global Nuclear Awareness Program.

“We focus our presentations on two general areas – the effects of radiation on humans and the environment with an emphasis on the risks and consequences of nuclear power plant accidents, and the direct effects and local consequences of nuclear war,” Shakoor said.

Global Nuclear Awareness is a program of WLI headquartered in Medina. It was founded by the late Col. Dr. Asaf Durakovic, the director of radiology and nuclear medicine for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wilmington, Del.

Highlights of Wednesday’s event will be “The Fukushima Accident…or is it,” and “What’s War Got to do with it? Nuclear Winter, Nuclear Warming and Rapid Climate Change.”

The session on the Fukushima Accident will be presented by Stella Gresham, a member of Durakovic’s team who coordinated and presented Radiation Emergency Management medical education lectures at Veterans Affairs hospitals and professional and public education programs sponsored by Brockport State College. She continues to be a researcher and presented for Global Nuclear Awareness, giving public presentations locally and at Niagara University.

Tedd Weyman, deputy director of the Uranium Medical Research Center and a lecturer for WLI’s public, community and school programs on Global Nuclear Awareness, will lead the presentation on “What’s War Got to do With it? Nuclear Winter, Nuclear Warming and Rapid Climate Change.”

Weyman was the field team lead for UMRC’s studies into armed forces contamination and civilian effects of uranium weapons used by the coalition in Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza. He will explore the sudden climate effects of nuclear war and its potential to modify global and local temperatures, affecting food production and person security in North America.

In a press release from Samiah Ghani, a member of the Global Nuclear Awareness Program, she states this is a unique opportunity for individuals interested in learning about nuclear energy’s role in global security and the environment to engage directly with experts in the field.

“Whether you are a professional in the field or simply curious about the subject, this event offers valuable insights into one of the most pressing issues of our time,” Ghani reports.

To secure a spot at the presentation, individuals are encouraged to register by visiting www.globalnuclearawareness.org or e-mailing info@globalnuclearawareness.org.

Shelby seeks more time for wind energy regulations

Photo by Tom Rivers: The 17-member Orleans County Planning Board met for the first time this year on Thursday in the legislative chambers at the Orleans County Administration Building. The board re-elected Brian Napoli of Ridgeway as chairman and Dan Strong of Carlton as the vice chairman.

ALBION – The Town of Albion is working on updating regulations for larger solar projects and also wants an ordinance for battery storage utilities.

The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday backed six-month moratoriums in Albion for constructions of commercial solar farms and construction of battery storage utilities.

Albion has three commercial solar farms under construction and another one has been approved. Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board, said Albion wants to address “some glitches and holes” in its ordinance and have an option for host fees to allow the town to receive a larger percentage of the revenue for the projects. Right now with a PILOT the revenue is shared in thirds among the town, school district and county.

The town approved regulations for solar farms in 2017.

The Albion Town Board has scheduled public hearings on the moratoriums for 5 p.m. on Feb. 10. During a moratorium no applications shall be considered or processed by the town while it works to update or write its ordinances.

The town currently doesn’t have any battery storage utilities, including among the four commercial solar projects, Strong said.

Albion approved regulations for battery storage systems in 2021, but wants to update those, he said.

The Planning Board on Thursday also gave its OK for a six-month extension of a moratorium in Shelby on wind energy systems. The Planning Board approved a six-month moratorium in July 2024, but the town wants more time to go through and approve the regulations.

Kirk Myhill, the Shelby Planning Board chairman, said the Planning Board has made its recommendation to the Town Board, which is now reviewing the ordinance.

During the moratorium, town officials will suspend any permitting, processing, interpreting or deliberating upon wind energy projects and wind energy overlay districts.

Planners recommend Kendall approve farmworker housing for Herberle Farms

ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board recommended the Village of Medina approve a variance to allow for a bigger parking lot for Oak Orchard Health at 911 West Center St.

The board on Thursday evening also recommended the Town of Kendall approve the site plan and permit for farmworker housing at 17288 Lakeshore Rd.

Oak orchard Health opened a healthcare center in June 2022 at the former office for Dr. Surinder Bath, a Medina physician for nearly 47 years. He retired in September 2021.

The office currently has eight parking spaces. Oak Orchard wants to expand the lot by seven feet to the east, which would then allow it to have 14 spaces. Two of those spots would be designated as handicapped accessible.

Medina’s code requires a 10-foot setback to a property line for a parking lot. Oak Orchard would need a 7-foot variance to expand the lot and only have a 3-foot buffer to the neighboring property line, where there is a privacy fence.

County Planning Board member Gary Daum of Lyndonville stated his support for the variance saying it would allow Oak orchard to better serve the community, and help patients to park closer to the building, especially those with mobility challenges.

Oak Orchard is hoping to have the expanded parking lot done in the spring.

In Kendall, Heberle Farms is working to establish farmworker housing at 17288 Lakeshore Rd., near the Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road.

The property is outside the agricultural district so the housing requires a permit and site plan review from the town. Joe Heberle, the farm owner, told the Planning Board he will apply to have the property go in the ag district during the review process later this year beginning in July.

Heberle Farms has expanded recently, acquiring 100 more acres while also planting more high-density orchards. Heberle said he needs more farmworkers to bring in a crop of 200,000 bushels of apples.

A smaller double-wide structure would first be used for five or six farmworkers, Heberle said. The Orleans County Health Department will determine the maximum number of workers that can stay there in an upcoming inspection.

A larger brick house will likely be a two-year renovation effort, Heberle said. Bruce Newell, a Planning Board member from Kendall, said town officials are pleased to see the brick building getting attention.

Heberle said the farmworker housing will be used from May to November.

BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is seeking nominations to recognize artists and others who promote cultural activities in Genesee and Orleans counties.

GO Art! in 2018 created the Genean awards for GENesee and OrlEANs counties, which “recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties,” GO Art! Executive Director Gregory Hallock said.

The nomination deadline is March 1. To submit a nomination, click here to be directed to the GO Art! website.

GO Art! wants to recognize the following:

• Organization of the Year – This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization for its outstanding achievements in 2024.
• Individual Artist of the Year – This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for achievements in 2024 or career-long body of work.
• Arts and Culture Supporter of the Year – The award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector during 2024.

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orly the Bicentennial Ox was on the move this morning, going from the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds to Hoag Library in Albion.

Keith Ward, left, and Vincent Zona, motor equipment operators for the Orleans County DPW, move the painted fiberglass statue from a trailer into the library. The ox isn’t too heavy, approximately 60 pounds.

Orly was painted during last July’s fair by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward. One side has an agricultural theme honoring the pioneer settlers and the other side has a 4-H and County Fair theme.

The ox was moved the library today so people could get a close look at him.

There will be an informational meeting at noon on Saturday at Hoag for artists, organizations, businesses and other sponsors to hear how they could be part of having more oxen painted around the county.

The ox was featured during the Medina Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and then Albion Christmas parade on Dec. 14.

Library director Betty Sue Miller sizes up Orly with the DPW workers, who also include Wayne Krull, the deputy commissioner for the DPW.

Miller noted the library has several other paintings and a large mural done by Stacey Kirby Steward.

Orly will greet library patrons for maybe the next three months or so. He might be on the move again on April 15, which is the county’s official 200^th birthday. April 15, 1825 was the day the State Legislature first recognized Orleans County. Before that Orleans was part of Genesee County.