Replica of famed boat headed to Medina today

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Seneca Chief carries of a contingent along the Erie Canal on Wednesday afternoon. Most of this group includes Brockport and Holley residents. They were guests on the Seneca Chief, a 73-foot-long replica of the famed boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton on the Erie Canal in 1825 when it opened following eight years of construction.

Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center worked for four years to recreate the Seneca Chief. The 73-foot-long replica received great fanfare last year as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal. It went from Buffalo to New York City and spent the winter in Waterford near Albany.

The Seneca Chief is doing a “Back to Buffalo” tour this month. The boat was open for tours on Wednesday in Holley.

Because the replica has no engine, the 33-foot historic wooden tugboat C.L. Churchill is used to push and maneuver the vessel along the Erie Canal.

The Seneca Chief will be in Medina today. The schedule includes:

• 3:30 p.m. – Seneca Chief arrives at Medina Canal Basin
• 4 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
• 4:30 p.m. – Visitor experience that is open to the public
• 7 p.m. – Visitor experience public hours end

As part of the welcome ceremony in Holley, some water from the Erie Canal was scooped out of the canal and out in a barrel that will be used to water a white pine tree in Buffalo. Robbie Weit, a Holley elementary student in the red hat, scoops out the water from the canal in Holley.

This Holley group adds the water from the canal in Holley to the barrel. In back are Dan Man, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society and Mayor Mark Bower. He is assisting Holley students Robbie Weit, Timothy Hendrickson and Vivian Applegate.

The Buffalo Maritime Center did a “Gathering of the Waters” ceremony at each stop last year and then used it to water a white pine tree in New York City.

This year the group is collecting water from each stop and it will be used to water a white pine in Buffalo. The white pine trees were planted as a symbolic tribute to the Haudenosaunee and a commitment to a sustainable future.

Dr. John Montague, president emeritus of the Buffalo Maritime Center, thanks the Holley community for welcoming the Seneca Chief on Wednesday.

Montague said hundreds of volunteers worked over four years to build the replica boat, which he said has helped unite communities along the canal.

“It’s worked out far beyond our dreams,” he said. “It astonishes me that we pulled this off.”

Members of a band, PSA, from Holley Central School performed while people toured the Seneca Chief.

The band members include lead singer Isla Schultz, Brody Williams on drums, Aidan Kelley on guitar and Kallan Babcock on bass.

Former Holley Mayor John Kenney, a retired Holley teacher, steps off the boat after a riding from Brockport to Holley. He has lived in Holley for more than 60 years and said it was his first time riding a boat on the canal.

“You don’t realize how a gorgeous a ride it is with the homes are along the canal and all the wildlife,” Kenney said. “It was very relaxing.”

People line up to tour the boat which was docked at Holley’s Canal Park.

Holley Mayor Mark Bower holds up a souvenir button showing the Seneca Chief. Those buttons were given to crew members as a gift from Holley. They were made by Robbie Weit and his mother, Jessica Weit.

The boat heads west on the Erie Canal, getting close to the Holley Canal Park. This photo was taken from the Bennetts Corners Road canal bridge.

The Seneca Chief reaches the Holley Canal Park, where it was open for tours and docked for the night. The boat was given an escort by the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department’s Marine Patrol.

Photos by Tom Rivers

CARLTON – The Dave Viterna Group performed Tuesday evening at the Orleans County Marine Park to kick off the summer concert series.

There were several hundred people at the concert. The band members include from left: Marty Hobbs, “Scooter” Scott Felice on drums and Dave Viterna.

Dave Viterna and his band have been sought after performers in Western New York for many years.

“Scooter” Scott Felice pounded the skins for about two hours during the concert on Tuesday.

The park is located on Route 98 in Point Breeze along the Oak Orchard River.

The schedule for the rest of the season includes:

• June 30 – Something Else, playing pop covers
• July 7 – SkyCats, playing classic rock, southern rock, country, blues, soul
• July 14 – Feedback, playing Motown to country
• July 21 – The Who Dats, playing dance rock
• July 28 – No Concert due to Orleans County 4-H Fair
• Aug. 4 – Stone Age Romeos playing Classic 70’s Vinyl and more
• Aug. 11 – rain date
• Aug. 18 – rain date

The concerts go from 6 to 8:30 p.m. There is a $2 admission charge.

The Clarendon Lions Club are back serving grilled items, including burgers, hot dogs and sausage. Clarendon Lions members Don Knapp, left, and Roger Boynton were assisted by Philip Molino, age 12.

There are other food vendors at the park for the concerts.

Provided photos – (Left) Iroquois Job Corps pre-apprentice students in the International Masonry Institute brick masonry program grind the Medina Sandstone on the wall at Boxwood Cemetery. From left are Michael Whitfield, Imani Palmer and Jayden Sharp. (Right) Iroquois Job Corps’ IMI brick masonry instructor David Gonzalez, right, shows Center director Eric Seppala the technique on how to point and finish the Medina Sandstone wall.

MEDINA – Boxwood Cemetery Commission recently partnered with the Iroquois Job Corps to do much-needed masonry work on the cemetery’s Medina Sandstone wall, preserving it well into the future and saving the Cemetery many dollars.

On June 1, students in the International Masonry Institute’s brick masonry program began work to help restore the historic Boxwood Cemetery’s sandstone wall. The Preservation League of New York state and their program partners at the New York State Council on the Arts helped fund this project, as they have recognized the significance of Boxwood Cemetery, according to information from Job Corps Operations Director John Thomas.

Jacob Hebdon, chairman of Boxwood Cemetery Commission, reached out to Iroquois Job Corps to see if the center could offer any assistance with the project. IMI Brick Instructor David Gonzalez worked with Todd Bensley of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery and village of Medina historian.

Village historian and Friends of Boxwood member Todd Bensley, center, pose with International Masonry Institute pre-apprentice students from the Iroquois Job Corps, Michael Whitfield, left, and Jayden Sharp in front of the sandstone wall they recently repointed.

The students in the Brick Pre-Apprentice Program at Job Corps donated all of their professional brick masonry labor skills to assist with the preservation project at Boxwood Cemetery. The students worked a week, grinding, pointing and re-finishing the sandstone that had been worn down over 175 years and was crumbling in some areas of the wall.

“It has been a pleasure working with Dave Gonzales and his students,” Bensley said. “The quality of their work and their enthusiasm for the project are amazing.”

Bensley said by partnering with Job Corps, the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery has been able to stretch their dollars further, which means they can accomplish more in regards to the restoration of the cemetery.

“The work Job Corps has done repointing the walls will stand for years to come,” Bensley said.

ALBION – An Albion man admitted in Orleans County Court today that he was driving under the influence and without a license when he was driving recklessly in the village on May 18, crashing into two Albion patrol cars.

Timothy Ausman Jr., 56, of Albion pleaded guilty to two felonies in county court today, and faces a 1 to 3-year sentence in state prison when he is sentenced on Aug. 26.

Ausman pleaded guilty to aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and attempted criminal mischief in the second degree.

He has a previous DWI in 2010, which caused him to lose his driver’s license.

He appeared before County Court Judge Sanford Church this morning. Ausman agreed to pay $14,259 in restitution for damaging two Albion Police Department patrol cars. That restitution covers the cost of repairs, towing and getting decals replaced.

Ausman admitted that he intentionally drove into the patrol cars, intending to damage them, and said he had been drinking alcohol before driving on May 18.

Ausman has been in the county jail for about six weeks. Judge Church was asked by Public Defender Joanne Best to either reduce Ausman’s bail or let him be released on his own recognizance.

But Judge Church said he would keep bail at $10,000 cash, $20,000 insurance bond and $50,000 ten percent partially secured bail bond.

In other cases:

• Mohammed Ayash, 35, of Cheektowaga was arraigned for criminal sale of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree and criminal nuisance in the second degree.

Ayash, owner of D-R Smoke Shop in Albion, was charged in September after undercover controlled buys by the Orleans County major Felony Crimes Task Force.

One of the numerous controlled buys was a chocolate bar infused with mushrooms (Psilocin) which is a controlled substance classified as a hallucinogen.

Ayash entered not guilty pleas to the charges in court this morning.

• Allan Bieber, 22, admitted to violating terms of his probation. Judge Church said they were substantial violations and revoked Bieber’s probation and will sentence him up to a year in the county jail on July 22.

Bieber in December was sentenced to 10 years of probation for third-degree rape for having sex with a 15-year-old girl at St. Joseph’s Park on South Clinton Street on April 25. Bieber is a first-time offender.

He has missed many of his appointments for probation, a job training program, sex offender counseling and mental health counseling. Those appointments are terms of his probation.

File photo: Terry C. Abrams, a resident of the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, is shown speaking in may 2024 at the Cobblestone schoolhouse in Gaines. He was one of the presenters during the Leadership Orleans program. Abrams will speak today at 7 p.m. at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse – 3286 Gaines Basin Rd. in Albion.

Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association

GAINES – The signing of the Declaration of Independence, the subsequent Revolutionary War and the politics of the post-war years had a profound impact on the Native American population.

The Orleans County Historical Association has invited Terry C. Abrams, a resident of the Tonawanda Indian reservation, to speak on the topic ”The Haudenosaunee Perspective of NY 250” today at 7 p.m. in the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse (3286 Gaines Basin Road, Albion).

Abrams is the Curator and Collections Manager for the Niagara County Historical Society and a member of the Council on Iroquois Research. He lectures frequently on issues pertaining to Native American history.

This free event is open to the public. All are invited to attend.

Future History Talks

• July 1 – “Revolutionary War Veterans: Sharing their Stories.” The program will be at 6:30 p.m. at Fancher-Hulberton-Murray Fire Hall and will be presented by Deborah Wood, the Murray Town Historian.

The following programs will begin at 7 p.m. at the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse:

• July 29: “Soldiers Who Served in the Revolution from Orleans County” with Tim Archer

• Aug. 26: “Songs and Stories of the Erie Canal” with Don Dwyer

• Sept. 30: “The Burned Over District Part II-The Fire Was Not Easily Distinguished” with Doug Miller

• Oct. 28:  “Neat Stuff from the Hoag Library History Collections” with Dee Robinson

Former Ogden police officer also was briefly chief deputy of Orleans County Sheriff’s Office

Steven Ploof

ROCHESTER – Steven Ploof, who briefly was chief deputy of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office in 2023, was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca.

Ploof, 48, of Greece was convicted of threatening to assault a member of the immediate family of a federal law enforcement officer with the intent to impeding that law enforcement officer while engaged in the performance of official duties, or with intent to retaliate against such law enforcement officer on account of the performance of official duties.

Ploof, who worked 16 years for the Ogden Police Department, resigned from the Orleans County in June 2023 after being put on administrative leave relating to suspected drug use, according to Channel 10 News in Rochester.

Ploof on September 15, 2025, went to the Ogden residence of an FBI special agent and his family. When he arrived at the house, Ploof placed two posterboard signs on the front porch. One sign read “Corrupt FBI AGENT!” and the other sign read “I Want To (expletive) Your Kids!”

Video of Ploof placing the two signs on the front porch was obtained from a residential security system, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo A. Rodriguez, who is handling the case for U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo of the Western District of New York.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the Greece Police Department, under the direction of Acting Chief Ryan Parina, the Ogden Police Department, under the direction of Chief Travis Gray, and the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Christopher Bourke.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Alissa Ellman speaks during a candidate forum in Albion on June 4 at the Hoag Library. She is next to moderator Jim Renfrew and candidate Diana Kastenbaum.

Diana Kastenbaum of Batavia has conceded to Alissa Ellman of Lockport in the Democratic primary for the 24^th Congressional District.

Ellman will move on to the general election against Claudia Tenney, the Republican incumbent.

Ellman, 42, is married with two grown daughters in Lockport. She grew up in rural Allegany County. She joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17, and deployed at age 19 to Afghanistan from January 2003 to June 2004 as a flight operation specialist.

She later returned to the Afghanistan with Halliburton from 2005-2008 managing flight line operations in Kandahar. In 2018, Ellman was diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer, associated with toxic burn pit exposure during her service in Afghanistan. She was working at the Buffalo VA when her job was eliminated as part of DOGE cuts early last year.

The 24^th district includes 14 counties. In Orleans County, Ellman received 216 votes compared to 207 for Kastenbaum. There are 119 absentee ballots in Orleans County that may still come in.

Kastenbaum issued this statement this morning to her supporters:

“I know this is not what we wanted,” Diana told her campaign team, “but this is how a democracy is supposed to function. We cannot waste time sulking over my loss; we must be pragmatic, and support whomever is willing to challenge Claudia Tenney and the broader MAGA movement in November. Alissa and I may disagree on approach, but we agree on the end goal: the preservation of our democratic values and a return to people-first politics.”

Kastenbaum acknowledged a Democrat faces an uphill challenge in a Republican-leaning district.

“It will be a challenge to win against Tenney in November, but Alissa is a fighter, and understands that people are fed up with the Republican status quo and want real change,” Kastenbaum said. “With the right support, Alissa has a real chance of becoming our next representative.”

Kastenbaum said she will stay active as a citizen.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with each and every one of you,” she said. “You are the lifeblood of American democracy, and a testament to hard work and perseverance. I hope to continue to work with you on the issues plaguing our community, even if I cannot do so from Washington.”

Orleans County Democrats picked Tom DiNapoli for comptroller over two challengers. DiNapoli, the incumbent, received 285 votes compared to 81 for Drew Warshaw and 44 for Raj Goyle.

DiNapoli was the only state-wide office holder facing a primary challenge, and he won the primary handily, according to multiple media reports, including The New York Times.

Comptroller Tom DiNapoli issued this statement on Tuesday night:

“Tonight’s victory is a victory for every single working family in New York State, every public sector worker and first responder who relies on a secure pension, every student and senior who worries about the affordability crisis we’re facing.

“I want to thank all our voters, volunteers, endorsers, and especially my friends in labor who powered this campaign to victory. Our opponents tried over and over to derail our work with false attacks and reckless promises, but the people of New York once again have seen the value of steady, responsible leadership in these chaotic times.

“Now the campaign is over and we need to get back to the hard work that we do protecting taxpayers and retirees, investing in New York’s future, pushing back against Trump’s extremism, and helping working families get by in Trump’s terrible economy.

“Thank you to my family and friends, my tireless campaign team, and once again, every voter across New York. The Office of the State Comptroller will have four more years of steady, experienced leadership to serve every single New Yorker and every single corner of our State. Now on to the general election where together, we can defeat MAGA, to take back the House, take back the Senate and make sure we take back the White House in 2028!”

The race for the 24^th Congressional District was much closer. In Orleans County, Alissa Ellman of Lockport received 216 votes compared to 207 for Diana Kastenbaum of Batavia.

There are 119 absentee ballots that could still be turned in. The turnout by today has been low. There are 5,036 registered Democrats in the county. Only 8.4 percent voted. That doesn’t include the outstanding absentee ballots.

The district covers 14 counties. The winner will face Claudia Tenney, the Republican incumbent, in the general election.

SHELBY – In a close race for two positions on the Shelby Republican Committee, John Parada received 66 votes and Steve Seitz, 62, for District 1.

They were ahead of Dale Root with 55 votes. There are only two outstanding absentee ballots.

The vote is close enough that there will be a recount on July 1, said Mike Mele, the Republican election commissioner for Orleans County.

CLARENDON – Fred Seeman holds a 15-vote lead over Marc Major in the Republican primary for Clarendon town supervisor. After the votes today, early voting and absentees received by today, Seeman is ahead, 170-155.

There are 16 absentee ballots they haven’t been turned in. They need to be postmarked by today and received by the Board of Elections one week from today to be counted.

Major has been the town supervisor for about a year. He was the deputy town supervisor and was appointed town supervisor after Richard Moy retired. Major was a town councilman for 12 years.

When Major became town supervisor, his councilman seat was open and Seeman was appointed to the position about a year ago.

Both were then elected in November, but for Major it was only a one-year term, forcing him to go through the election process again this year.

Major had the Republican Committee endorsement but Seeman forced a primary. He holds the lead today.

Seeman’s wife, Melissa Ierlan, is facing felony grand larceny charges for allegedly stealing about $100,000 from the Clarendon Historical Society, where she was president. Ierlan also was the town code enforcement officer, cemetery administrator and historian.

She is scheduled to appear in County Court on Friday morning.

In Clarendon, there were 326 votes today and with early voting and absentees turned in by today. (There was one write-in vote.)  There are 1,284 registered Republicans in the town for a turnout of 25.4 percent.

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sarah Stornelli, a resident of Ohio Street, speaks during a public hearing on Monday and said an on-street parking ban was posing hardships to residents and their guests.

MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday rescinded a decision from Nov. 24 when Medina banned on-street parking on Ohio Street between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

Residents have been vocal at recent village meetings, saying the on-street parking ban has posed hardships on the affected residents and their guests, who often have to walk a couple blocks on uneven sidewalks when driveways are full.

The board held a public hearing on Monday about allowing on-street parking again, with vehicles allowed to park on the west side of the street for 525 feet of Ohio Street between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

Sarah Stornelli lives within the 500 block of Ohio Street. She said she and her family have to keep rearranging vehicles in the driveway because they can’t park a car in the street anymore.

The on-street parking ban makes it harder and dangerous for older people with mobility issues, she said.

Matt Anelli lives on Ohio Street and has pushed for the parking ban, including back in November when it was approved by the Village Board. He said Ohio Street is narrow, especially in the winter. If people park on the street it’s hard to get out of his driveway.

Jill Chudy also asked to rescind the parking ban due to the inconvenience for residents and their guests.

Mayor Debbie Padoleski read a petition signed by about 15 people asking for the parking ban to be rescinded. That petition was submitted by Patricia Stacey, who spoke at a board meeting last month about the challenges of no on-street parking.

The Village Board was unanimous in voting to put the on-street parking back the way it was. Medina will allow on-street parking on the west side of the street on Ohio, between Park Avenue and West Center Street.

Dave Berry suggested the Village Board make Ohio Street a one-way street and allow on-street parking.

Photos by Natalie Baron: Madison Farley of Medina smiles as she shakes hands with Susan Starkweather Miller, the keynote speaker. She handed out Michael Josephson’s poem, “What Will Matter.”

By Natalie Baron, correspondent

LYNDONVILLE – On Monday evening, the Top 10 graduates in the Class of 2026 in Orleans County’s five school districts were celebrated with the annual banquet at White Birch Golf Course. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the event.

The graduates spoke with humility and gratitude, while their parents could not have been prouder.

“It’s such an honor to be a part of Medina’s Top Ten, to be here,” Darlene Beach of Medina said.

Parent Roxanne Ham of Holley shared, “This is such a great accomplishment, for all of these seniors to put in all of this hard work and to see it pay off. I’m proud of my daughter and each and every student here. They each deserve the recognition.”

Susan Starkweather Miller was the 2026 keynote speaker. She is known for her commitments to community and service. She is retired from the Albion school district and now serves as the Village of Albion historian.

The 2026 keynote speaker was Susan Starkweather Miller. The Albion graduate went on to serve as Albion’s Public Information Officer, Service-Learning Coordinator, Internship Program Coordinator, Grants Manager, and Community Liaison.

She has been on the Albion High School Alumni Foundation for 35 years, as a board member and, presently, as vice-president. The board is behind developing and bestowing scholarships. Last year, the board gave nearly $200,000 to graduates. Starkweather Miller has always loved shining a spotlight on members of ACS.

In her retirement, Starkweather Miller has become the Village of Albion historian. She is one of the leaders behind the “Save Our Chapel” movement for the Mount Albion Cemetery. She has also become a Master Gardener and Master Food Preserver. Starkweather Miller loves to learn, garden, take photographs, travel with her husband, be spontaneous, interact with her friends, explore Mount Albion and the Erie Canal, and volunteer in her community and at her church.

Miller has received the Orleans County Heritage Heroes Award due to her work in the preservation of local history, the Albion Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Fellow Award, which has the theme of “Service Above Self”, the Golden Empire Award from the NY School Public Relations Association for her efforts as the district’s Public Relations Officer, and the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Albion High School National Honor Society.

The Lyndonville Top 10 include: Bottom Row: Savannah Spoth, Emily Miner, Rylan Townsend, Isabella Groves, Brooke Robinson and Elena Barry. Top Row: Barbara Jary, McKinley Price, Benjamin Doolan and Colton Smith. Included in the photo are Superintendent Heather Lyon, Principal Aaron Slack and BOE President Patrick Whipple.

Before the dinner, Starkweather Miller had the opportunity to walk around and talk to some of the students present that night about what she has noticed they have done in the community, noting that they are “quite an amazing group of young adults.”

As such, she felt very honored to be speaking to them that night. Additionally, she felt a sense of “déjà vu” as she used to coordinate this very event, and she would even chat with past keynote speakers.

Starkweather Miller laid out the characteristics she believes these graduates possess or can develop that will help them to lead not only a Top 10 high school experience, but a 10 life, rich in success and fulfillment. Her broad themes were community, willingness, service, leadership, sportsmanship, helping people, volunteering and connection.

She began with human connection, describing how she read about the graduates’ accomplishments on their school websites, in the papers, and on social media and recognized their efforts to connect with others. She said how, in that room, there were Eagle Scouts, FFA members, Student Council members, Class Officers, National Honor Society members, Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Program members, crash simulation volunteers, Scholar Athletes, Lions Club Leos, Rotary Interact community service volunteers, and more.

“Thank you for learning to be leaders to your peers and teaching others new skills,” she stated, taking the time and effort to thank the students for their hard work for these various groups.

The Kendall Top 10 include: Bottom Row: Adrianna Schiavone, Brooke Jurek, Marlie Clark, Madison Hults, Brooke Rodas and Stella Kwiatek. Top Row: Brandon Barrett, Jonathan Conte, Joseph Fagan and Jonathan Esposito. Missing from the photo: Wyatt Anderson. Included in the photo are Superintendent Nicholas Picardo, BOE President Rachel Fisken, BOE Vice-President Lisa Levett and Principal Melissa Strelick.

She stressed the importance of perseverance and how much these students have persevered already by simply making it into the Top 10.

“Remember that life doesn’t happen to you. You make things in your life happen for you,” she expressed. “Let’s face it, it’s easier to give up than to persevere, but the sense of accomplishment by following through is immeasurable.”

She described the need for emotional intelligence. “Being academically intelligent isn’t everything. I think having high emotional intelligence is even more important. You could be the smartest person in the room, but if you don’t care about others, show empathy, or have self-awareness on how your actions affect others, then you probably won’t be as successful as you can be.”

She discussed citizenship, focusing on contributing, responding to needs, being informed, and voting. “We each have a role to play in improving our society.”

Jax Richards-Dyson of Holley receives his copy of “What Will Matter.” The poem describes living a life focused on giving.

Starkweather Miller also talked about kindness and connection by seeing people, being happy for others’ successes, and recognizing them. She described service and getting involved even after high school, communication skills, problem-solving, creativity and innovation, teamwork, time management, active listening and responding, adaptability, and soft skills like being dependable, responsible, positive, and prideful without being overconfident.

“It’s okay. I give you permission if you change your mind on what and who you want to be. It doesn’t mean you’re a failure,” Miller said. “Don’t be afraid to fail, because often, the best learning about who you really are comes in the face of failure.”

“Think of people who have had the biggest impact on your life. Chances are they aren’t the richest or most famous, but they were the ones who showed up, the ones who listened the ones who encouraged you and helped you, even when they didn’t have to, the ones who saw you and cared.” Miller closed with a passage from Michael Josephson’s poem What Will Matter about this very idea.

“‘Choose to live a life that matters.’” As the Top 10 graduates walked the stage to receive their medallions, she handed them the poem.

The Medina Top 10 include: Bottom Row: Madison Farley, Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez, Darlene Beach, Lilah Class, Allie Frentz and Mahri Harmer-Owen. Top Row: Brennan Woodruff, Alexander Wilson, Hunter Walczak and Caden Kingsbury. Included in the photo are Superintendent Mark Kruzynski, Principal Michael Cavanagh, BOE President Alissa Mitchell and Assistant Principal Mollie Mark.

The Albion Top 10 include: Bottom Row: Hanna Kumalac, Lindsay Crawford, Aubrey Gannon, Neveya Barnes, Kaitlin Bennett and Julia Button. Top Row: Joshua Zayac, Bradley Pierce, Nathaniel Miesner and Gideon Pask. Included in the photo are BOE President Linda Weller, Superintendent Mickey Edwards and Principal Jennifer Ashbery.

The Holley Top 10 include: Bottom Row: Mia Thom, Alexis VanAmeron, Nora Lindsay, Annalee Ham, Carissa Klossner and Payton Preston. Top Row: Jax Richards-Dyson, Hunter Pachla, Landyn Burch and Kohle Pachla. Included in the photo are Principal Matthew Feldman, Superintendent Karri Schiavone and BOE Vice-President Jessica Sniatecki.

Gideon Pask shakes hands with Albion Superintendent Mickey Edwards as he is given his award. Another year of the Academic Excellence Awards Dinner wrapped successfully.

Garden soiree annual event planned by Cobblestone Museum

Photos courtesy of Beth Carpenter Dorf: Joyce Chizick, left, and Shirley Bright Neeper, co-chairs of the Cobblestone’s garden soiree, look at vegetable and flower plants started in containers in back of the Dorf’s house. At right, Georgia Thomas of Medina checks out the vegetable plantings. Thomas will serve iced tea and dessert at the soiree.

LYNDONVILLE – The Cobblestone Museum’s annual garden soiree this summer will feature not only an abundance of flowers and plants, but an artistic touch, as well.

Scheduled from 4 p.m. until dark on July 9, soiree will take place at the home of Rick and Beth Carpenter Dorf at 10436 Lakeshore Rd., Lyndonville. The flower gardens, kitchen garden and Very “She” She Shed explode with color, texture and creativity, interspersed with Beth’s artwork. Beth, however, insists she is not an “artist,” but examples of her paintings can be spotted on the barn, a shed, garage and in the She Shed.

Beth Carpenter Dorf, right, chats with Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville, who provides a variety of desserts for the garden tour. They stand in the container garden, under a painting Beth did. She tried to plant flowers which brought out all the colors in the painting, she said.

She shares her artwork with greeting cards she designs and sells under the label of “O, My Soul” at a shed Rick built for produce and at Herbalty Cottage in Medina. She also painted a barn quilt on their barn and a painting on her She Shed, which copies Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night, in which she used rhinestones to create sparkle.

“Everything has a theme,” Beth said of their gardens.

There is a container garden, meadow garden, gnome garden, picking garden and a patriotic corner.

Flowering shrubs and bushes flood the front of the home of Rick and Beth Carpenter Dorf at 10436 Lakeshore Rd, Lyndonville. The couple will host the Cobblestone Museum’s ninth annual garden soiree, “Flowers, Friends and Fantasies,” on July 9.

Beth has always loved gardening. After her husband Bill was killed in a motorcycle accident and she bought the house on Lowerlake Road, the first thing she did was renovate the house. Then she threw herself into gardening. When she met Rick she discovered he also liked to garden and was a handyman, as well.

Family friend, John Raduns, built the She Shed and Rick built the selling shed in front, from which they sell strawberries from Rick’s field, his potatoes and her artwork.

Rick built a sidewalk alongside the She Shed, in which he placed colored chips of changing colors in the cement to resemble walking into the sun. Beth’s Very “She” She Shed houses stuffed furniture, a table and walls covered in artwork – some hers and some of other artists.

Tulips bloom in the spring garden of Rick and Beth Carpenter Dorf. Their yard boasts a garden for every season.

“Beth will be able to advise people on planting, starting seeds in January and February, what blooms at what time of year to ensure color all the time, and how to thwart predators from the bluebird feeder,” said Shirley Bright Neeper of Medina, who co-chairs the event with Joyce Chizick of Lyndonville.

Beth said their typical day is to get up, have their coffee and then head outdoors. Often she doesn’t come back in until dark, she said.

The Cobblestone Society also wants to express their thankfulness to the family of Beverly Winters of Medina, who died recently and requested memorials to the Cobblestone Society Garden Soiree. Beverly was a member of the Garden Gals Garden Club and a gardener extraordinaire. She was also an accomplished floral designer. The Cobblestone Museum is honored to dedicate this year’s garden soiree in her memory, said Cobblestone director Doug Farley.

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Beth Carpenter Dorf sits in the selling shed built to sell their garden produce and her line of greeting cards.

Guests at the Garden Soiree will enjoy fabulous delicacies prepared by Chizick and Georgia Thomas of Medina. Wine and iced tea will also be served and music will be provided. The event will take place rain or shine.

This will be the ninth year the event has been co-chaired by Shirley Bright Neeper and Chizick.

Tickets for the garden soiree may be purchased at the door for $10, however, reservations would be appreciated by contacting the museum online at CobblestoneMuseum.org or by phone at (585) 589-9013. Parking is available onsite and a golf cart will be available for anyone needing assistance.

Beth Carpenter Dorf points out the measures she has taken to make her bluebird feeder safe from predators, such as sparrows.

Village plans to use the site for parking

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – This photo from last Wednesday shows a donated lot that the Village of Medina DPW is working to make available for parking.

The DPW is removing concrete from the lot this week and will then cover the site with asphalt millings. Jason Watts, the DPW superintendent, told the Village Board during last evening’s board meeting that he then wants to allow those millings to settle for a year before determining what to do with the site permanently.

The village was given the 100-by-132 foot vacant lot at 115 Pearl St. It was donated by 415 West Avenue LLC, which is owned by Dr. Syed Shah, a cardiologist.

Dr. Shah initially offered the land for the Medina Fire Department but that lot isn’t a good fit for the fire department. The village instead can use it as a municipal lot.

The lot is between the Hometown Wellness Center at 119 Pearl St. and MDS Consultants at 105 Pearl St.