Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Bolivar-Richburg’s McKinlee Harris leaps over Lyndonville third baseman Ella Lewis to try to avoid the tag during this afternoon’s Section V Class C3 title game at Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Unable to build on a first inning lead, top seeded Lyndonville dropped a narrow 4-3 decision to No. 3 Bolivar-Richburg in the Section V Class C3 softball championship game this afternoon at Honeoye Falls-Lima High School.

Lyndonville jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI double by Ella Lewis, an RBI single by Haley Shaffer and and error. A single by Gracie Johnson ignited that uprising.

However, the Lady Tigers could not cross home plate again and managed just three more scattered hits the rest of the way on singles by Johnson, Shaffer and Addy Dillenbeck.

Bolivar-Richburg, which also bested Lyndonville in last year’s final 9-7, got back into the game on RBI singles by winning pitcher Jessica Majot in the fifth inning and Haley Mascho in the sixth inning which cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Wolverines then completed their comeback by scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Malayna Ayers, a single by Braedin Bentley and an error. Another error and a single to open the inning set up the threat.

The Lady Tigers defense turned two double plays on the day. The first went from Lewis at third base to Johnson at first in the second inning and the second from Shaffer at pitcher to Lewis to Johnson and back to Lewis in the fifth frame.

Lyndonville finishes the season at 20-1 and Bolivar-Richburg advances to next week’s Section V Class C state qualifier also with a 20-1 record.

Lyndonville’s Brooke Robinson gets back to first base before Bolivar-Richburg’s Braelin Bentley can put on the tag.

WILSON – The Niagara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a body that washed up on shore of Lake Ontario today.

The Niagara County Emergency Communications received a 911 at 11:35 a.m. today that a body had washed up on the shore of 3049 Maple Ave. in Wilson.

Responding deputies, and the Criminal Investigative Bureau and Crime Scene Technicians all arrived on scene. Coroner James Carroll responded to the scene and took custody of the unidentified body, the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina seniors Joe Cecchini, Zach Fike, Xander Payne and Hayden Woodroe hold the championship plaque after the Mustangs nipped rival Roy-Hart for the Class B2 title this afternoon at Grand Island High School.

Making a lone first inning run stand up Medina nipped rival Roy-Hart 1-0 at Grand Island High School this afternoon to repeat as Section VI Class B2 baseball champions.

The Mustangs scored that lone run right at the outset as Xander Payne led off the game with a single and came around to score two outs later on an error.

Medina pitcher Zach Fike, who hurled a sparkling one hitter with 5 strikeouts, and his Mustangs defensive mates did the rest.

Roy-Hart’s best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the first as the Rams got the bases loaded with one out on a walk, a single by Brayden Hy and an intentional walk. However, Fike bore down to quickly get out of the jam on flyouts to Julian Woodworth in leftfield and Hayden Woodroe in right.

“I started out a little shaky but then I settled in and I got some great support from my defense,” said Fike, “I couldn’t have done it without my defense.”

Zach Fike hurled a one hit shutout for the Mustangs.

Settling in Fike allowed only one baserunner the rest of the way on a one out walk in the second inning as he retired 18 of the last 19 batters he faced.

“Gutsy”, said Medina Coach Jon Sherman of Fike’s performance on the mound. “Zach was steady and our defense was solid. We knew what was coming in Roy-Hart and our kids were ready.”

The Mustangs infield of Payne at catcher, Aidan Paul at first, Tyler Kroening at second, Joe Cecchini at shortstop and Brody Fry at third all took turns making key plays for outs.

At the plate, Payne and Paul each had a pair of hits.

Roy-Hart likewise got a strong pitching performance from Thomas Russo who scattered 4 hits and struck out 7.

Medina got runners in scoring position in four straight innings from the third through the sixth but couldn’t cross home plate again,

The Mustangs got a runner to third in the third inning as Payne doubled and advanced on a sacrifice fly by Cecchini but Russo ended the threat with an inning ending strikeout.

Then in the fourth inning, Paul led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Woodworh but again Russo bore down to end the threat with back-to-back inning ending strikeouts.

The Mustangs got two runners aboard on walks in the fifth but another strikeout by Russo ended the inning.

Paul then led off the sixth with a double and moved to third with two out on a sacrifice bunt by Fry but Russo ended the inning on a groundout back to the mound.

Medina now advances to Monday’s Section VI Class B state qualifier game at noon at Niagara University. The Mustangs will face the B1 champion (either Depew or Lew-Port).

The Mustangs improve to 20-3 while the Rams finish the season at 19-5.

Roy-Hart’s Ethan Kuzma slides to try and reach first base as Aidan Paul takes the throw for Medina.

Let’s go on an adventure together….to Scotland!

This bagpiper greeted and entertained us at a wonderful “Spirit of Scotland” night. He accompanied a lady singing a beautiful rendition of “Amazing Grace” that brought me to soppy tears.

I just spend an amazing week in Scotland with a group of old and new friends! We were planning to go in 2020, but it got canceled due to Covid……we hoped it would get rescheduled in 2021, but Covid prevented that from happening, too! So, finally, we got there! This was a Busy Buddies trip – the group I belong to that does frequent day trips, overnighters, and some longer trips – all expertly arranged by our fearless leader, Mitzy Peglow of Orleans Travel. There were 19 of us that went. When we got there, we joined 20 others from all over the US and one from Australia to make 40 on the bus….42 counting our tour guide and driver. It was a great bunch of people and we had an awesome time touring the stunning country of Scotland!

We took a tour called “Scottish Outland Adventure” that was hosted by the Cosmos tour company. It was a seven day tour by motor coach and we pretty much saw the entire country! We arrived in Glasgow on Sunday morning and spent our first night there. Then we spent two nights in Edinburgh, two nights in Strathpeffer, and our last night back in Glasgow with photos stops, tours, and adventures throughout the seven days across the beautiful countryside of Scotland. Cosmos did an excellent job on the tour – the hotels, planned stops – and a couple bonus unplanned stops, optional evening excursions, and meals. Their tour guide – Michael – and driver – Tam – were awesome. All made for some wonderful memories and fun had by all. I would recommend Cosmos if looking for a guided tour vacation like this. I’ve also taken tours put on by Caravan that were pretty amazing, too. It is a great way to see a lot in a relatively short period of time.

Stirling Castle – one of two major castles we toured while in Scotland.

Our first full day was spent seeing a bit of Glasgow and driving to Edinburgh. We spent some time looking around Stirling Castle, made an unplanned stop to see the Kelpies sculpture – Kelpies are water spirits of Scottish folklore, typically taking the form of a horse and reputed to delight in the drowning of travelers and casting spells. The Loch Ness Monster is a Kelpie. We loved that we got to see these huge metal sculptures…..so beautiful!!! Then, we stopped at Linlithgow Palace – the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and James V. This was a really interesting place – great architecture. But, what made the “Outlander” Fans on the coach squeal with delight was that it is the building used for the filming of scenes at the Wentworth Prison on the TV show “Outlander”. Another “Outlander” sight was a stop at the village of Culross, which is featured in the series. 

After a few more stops and breathtaking views of the countryside, we ended the day with a night of traditional entertainment and dinner. Highland dancers, singers, and bagpipers delighted us. We also enjoyed the “Ceremony of the Haggis” – a rich Scottish tradition which includes getting to taste the Scottish delicacy….hhhmmm….I draw a hard line at eating any kind of organ meat, but my mother always made me try at least two bites of anything new…I was brave and ate ONE bite – check out the link to “I Tried It!” to find out what I thought of it. LOL

A tower peeking out of the Scottish countryside. Views like this made the ride across Scotland so amazing.

Other highlights of the trip included a local tour guide joining us to tell us all about Edinburgh as we drove through Scotland’s capital city and time at the beautiful Edinburgh Castle. We spent some time at St. Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club and saw the beach where the opening scene of “Chariots of Fire” was filmed. We stopped in the lovely resort town of Pitlochry for lunch and shopping and visited the famous battlefield of Culloden Moor. I especially liked our lunch stop at Ullapool – a remote fishing village on Loch Broom. We also took that big coach onto a ferry to cross the Sound of Sleat after spending some time in the Isle of Skye. “Harry Potter” fans were excited to get to see the train and viaduct made famous by the movie and actually got to see the train cross the viaduct…timing is everything! We stopped at Fort William beneath Ben Nevis – the tallest mountain in Britain, the Kyle of Sutherland, the Falls of Shin, and Glen Coe – aka The Three Sisters Mountain where the MacDonald Clan was massacred in 1692. I was also especially happy to get to stop for a bit at the “Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond – so beautiful!

Other optional evening events included a tour of Holyrood Distillery and tastings of the “spirits” they produce there and dinner after at a local pub that is said to be haunted with spirits of a different kind. We also took a cruise on Loch Ness in search of “Nessie” – no sightings of the famous beast, but it was a lovely boat ride and time at a museum that taught us all about the legend and investigations about “Nessie” with dinner after.

The food was amazing! I tried to get traditional dishes of Scotland whenever I could. I had Fish ‘n Chips in the pub, a Steak Pie, Bangers ‘n Mash (that was awesome, BTW), traditional Scottish breakfast food items from the morning buffets, and, of course, that one bite of Haggis! The food at the planned dinners were delicious, too – we sure ate good while we were there with desserts at every meal….I was shocked that I actually lost 3 pounds while I was away – must have been all that walking!

Scotland was simply stunning….the group I went with was amazing…..the tour was awesome…..it was a wonderful trip. I highly recommend it, if you’re looking for something like this. See Mitzy at Orleans Travel or google “Cosmos Tours” to find it and other tours that company puts on. 

If you want to read more and see LOTS of photos about this adventure, check out these blog posts I wrote about all about our adventures in Scotland:

I Tried It! 

Part One  

Part Two  

Part Three

Happy Adventuring!

Site will be named for Thompson and Kast families

Photos by Tom Rivers: The Cobblestone Museum will put an addition on this house from 1824 and make it a visitors center. The site is prominent at the intersection of routes 98 and 104.

CHILDS – Only eight months after aggressively launching a fundraising campaign to build a Visitors Center in Orleans County, the Cobblestone Society has announced exceeding its goal by reaching $759,000.

On the heels of that announcement comes the news of two local families who have stepped up for the naming rights to the center which be in a brick house from 1824 that will include an addition with a large meeting room.

The site will be known as the Thompson-Kast Visitors Center, Cobblestone director Doug Farley, membership chair Gail Thompson Johnson and fundraising chair Dick Remley announced Friday morning.

The Thompson and Kast families are longtime farmers in the Albion area, with a connection to each other. Gail Johnson’s parents Charles and Hannah Thompson sold their farm on the corner of Ridge Road and Brown Road to David and Kathy Kast in the 1960s.

Leaders of the museum and the fundraising effort discuss plans for the visitors center. From left include Doug Farley, the museum director; Dick Remley, the board president; and Gail Thompson Johnson, the membership chairwoman and a key donor to the project. David and Kathy Kast also gave for the naming rights to the visitors center, but were unable to attend Friday’s announcement.

Johnson remembers her father saying he could have probably received more money for the farm from someone else, but he knew the Kasts would take better care of it, she said.

“When we identified the Thompson family as having naming rights, it was natural we should also think of the Kasts,” said Farley.

He contacted the Kasts and 10 months later, they committed.

In addition to those major donors, other local families have also stepped up to buy naming rights, starting at $15,000, to more than a dozen rooms in the new Visitors Center.

Roger and Ingrid LaMont, also local farmers, fell in love with the fireplace in the front room and bought the naming rights to that space.

Roy Bubb of Holley was the first person Johnson called, and he immediately pledged support for another room, followed shortly after by John Nipher, who chose the kitchen with its antique fireplace.

Peter and Patricia Hurd have chosen naming rights to the reception room, which will probably be located in the new addition being planned to the existing house.

Other early donors are Bill and Jackie Bixler from Albion Agencies, Lawrence and Gabriella Albanese, Jack and Debby Batchellor, Orleans Chapter DAR, Elizabeth Dye Curtis Foundation and Jim and Sue Bonafini.

The addition is planned for the sloping grassy area on the southside of the brick house. It will have a large meeting room and new bathrooms.

The Visitors Center will be located in an 1824 home on the southeast corner of Ridge Road and Route 98.

Farley said a committee had been looking at establishing a visitors’ center in Orleans County for the last five years.

“We looked at everything – from existing buildings to a new build,” Farley said. “Then this building became available, and it checked off all the boxes, except a large meeting room. That we plan to add on.”

The Cobblestone completed purchase of the historic home on Dec. 1, 2021 from Ray and Linda Burke. They gave the brick house new life after extensive work about a decade ago.

Farley said the Cobblestone Museum is not open during the winter, but the Visitors Center will be open all year.

Farley shared benefits of establishing a Visitors Center at this location, which include prevention of a 19th century home from demolition or unrelated commercial activity, high visibility at an essential crossroads location, plentiful parking for school and tour buses, year-round access to restrooms, further expansion of the Cobblestone historic district, expansion of educational programming and visitation with year-round access, and a kitchenette for use by caterers or small receptions.

There will also be a large community meeting space for educational programming, a multi-purpose room, room for Orleans County Tourism, new exhibit space to interpret Orleans County history, space for viewing an introductory video and new cobblestone interactive exhibits, and space to display materials for all local attractions, such as the Medina Railroad Museum, Erie Canal, Point Breeze lighthouse, campgrounds, marinas, bed and breakfast sites, sportsfishing, agri-business, the wine trail and more.

Gail Johnson attended the Cobblestone School as a kid and has been a member of the Cobblestone Society since the 1960s, as a charter student member.

In addition to her family receiving the naming rights for the Cobblestone Visitors Center, Gail Johnson’s connection to the Cobblestone Society goes back to the early 1960s, when she became a student charter member of the Cobblestone Society. Next, she became a life member and now a legacy member. She heads the membership and donor committees.

“I had not been active in the Society for 30 years,” Johnson said. “Then after my husband Lyle died, I felt the need  to start meeting new people and I turned to the Cobblestone Museum, which was half a mile down the road where I began to do volunteer work, and I’ve been active ever since.”

Along with half of the naming rights to the building, Johnson is also adding her name to the new large meeting room.

Farley said they knew they didn’t have the resources to purchase the property for a visitors’ center, and would have to start fundraising.

Dick Remley had chaired the fundraising committee for the new Hoag Library in Albion, and stepped up as chair of the Cobblestone’s fundraising committee, with Brett Kast, Andrew Meier, Fred Miller, Bill Lattin and Johnson as co-chairs; Kevin Hamilton, treasurer; Erin Anheier, president of the Cobblestone board; and Farley.

“Like every good fundraiser, you lead by example, and we asked all the fundraising committee members and all the board members to make a contribution,” Farley said. “Within a month, we had identified $350,000 in pledges and before we went public in September, we had $500,000. Two weeks ago, right after our annual membership fundraising dinner, we met our goal.”

The Cobblestone Society initially identified 12 naming opportunities in the existing building at a minimum cost of $15,000 each, plus several more in the new building addition. Several naming opportunities still exist. Anyone interested in becoming part of this legacy program may contact Farley at (585) 589-9013, or Remley at (585) 506-8312.

Lynne Johnson, chair of the Orleans County Legislature, added her support for creation of a visitors’ center in Orleans County.

“The new Thompson-Kast Visitors Center will provide for better programming and educational opportunities that will enhance and further the understanding and celebration of this historic site,” Lynne Johnson said. “This is so vital to the community and our tourism. The visitors’ center will be a better way to accommodate all our annual visitors who descend upon our historic area. We look forward to its unique history and beauty and contribution to Orleans County.”

The Visitors Center committee is currently in the architectural drawings phase of the project.  Farley and Remley said they anticipate groundbreaking next spring.

Site will establish telehealth hub to help people access healthcare

Renee Hungerford

HOLLEY – The homeless and those experiencing poverty and other challenges will soon have access to free health care, due to a grant received by Community Action of Orleans and Genesee County.

Renee Hungerford, director of Community Action, has announced her agency has received a grant from the Finger Lakes Performing Provider System to fund a program she calls “Axis of Care.”

Hungerford has a background in healthcare with a focus on informatics and addressing the social determinants of health. A few months ago she learned FLPPS had some funding available for innovative programs to bring health care to the homeless or those at risk of being homeless.

She wrote a proposal and submitted it. She came up with name “Axis of Care,” likening the meaning of axis (a point around which things gather) to the local agencies gathering together to provide “access” to health care.

Community Action knows first-hand the extent of poverty in Orleans County. Last year Hungerford reported the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley served 6,277 meals to nearly 400 people. In addition, hundreds more were helped with free clothing, food pantry services and holiday gifts and baskets.

At the time Hungerford wrote her proposal, Orleans County had the third lowest health ranking in New York state, according to “County Health Rankings.” It ranks in the bottom quartile for both outcomes and health factors.

There is increased risk of premature death, as well as much higher than state average for child and infant mortality. Some of the health behavior challenges are smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity and teen births.

Much of the area is considered a “food swamp,” in that available food is from fast food restaurants or dollar stores. Public transportation is very limited in the county, creating an additional barrier to healthcare and nutrition.

Hungerford reported that according to “Homeless Shelters Directory,” in 2019 there were an estimated 924 homeless people in Orleans County. The pandemic and recent end of the eviction moratorium has certainly increased this number, she said.

Further information obtained by Hungerford states that medical care is estimated to account for only 10 to 20 percent of the modifiable contributors to healthy outcomes for a population. She said Orleans County has only one medical doctor per 13,540 patients.

In response, Hungerford made her proposal to FLPPS to make the Holley Center an access point that brings healthcare to the customers.

FLPPS issued a press release May 26 announcing the grant and explaining Community Action will hire a health coach who will connect and coordinate individuals with services, set and track goals and outcomes, improve health literacy among those in need and coordinate transportation to healthcare facilities as needed. The health coach will be integrated into the existing case management program and collaborate with a peer advocate from GCASA.

A telehealth hub will be established in Community Action’s Eastern Orleans Community Center, where community members experiencing homelessness or being at risk of homelessness can access healthcare using telehealth services. The agency is partnering with Orleans Community Health, Oak Orchard Health and GCASA on telehealth services, and will have a mobile health van from Oak Orchard Health available. The health coach will connect individuals with needed services such as behavioral health treatments and services at the center or at healthcare facilities.

‘Patients need a trusted source to find accurate health information, as well as support in care coordination. This program addresses these challenges by bringing coordinated health and social care to the patient. It is truly a community coming together to make a difference for people who suffer many challenges. I feel blessed with the support we are receiving.’ – Renee Hungerford, Community Action director

A section of the clothing depot at the Community Center will be sectioned off as the telehealth center, where the health coach will work. The health coach will also be able to provide information on Community Action’s other services, such as weatherization, Head Start, utility assistance and day care.

Carol Tegas, executive director of FLPPS, said her agency is proud to partner with organizations in the community who have fostered deep trust with individuals and have the expertise to deliver excellent services in a collaborative model of care.

“This pioneering program aims to address health disparities and will provide vital care to vulnerable individuals in a rural community,” Tegas said.

“Navigating the healthcare system is difficult for everyone and even more so for people who are experiencing life challenges, like poverty and homelessness,” Hungerford said. “Access to care is impeded by a low number of available healthcare providers, coupled with a lack of transportation. Patients need a trusted source to find accurate health information, as well as support in care coordination. This program addresses these challenges by bringing coordinated health and social care to the patient. It is truly a community coming together to make a difference for people who suffer many challenges. I feel blessed with the support we are receiving.”

Sean Ossont, president of Continual Care Solutions, said they are thrilled to be the technology solution partner in the Axis of Care homelessness initiative.

“Being a common digital platform is necessary to have a holistic view of individuals who will be receiving supports and services from a network of community providers,” Ossont said. “Data capture and visibility of outcomes will provide keen insights on best practices and have an impact on the initiative.”

Hungerford said they hope to have the new program up and running as soon as they can hire a health coach, hopefully over the summer.

Press Release, Albion Central School

Provided photo: Emily Harling holds her diploma after the GCC graduation on May 21.

ALBION – Emily Harling, an Albion high senior who graduates next month, donned her cap and gown earlier than her fellow Purple Eagle classmates as she earned her associate’s degree in liberal arts and science general studies from Genesee Community College on May 21.

Harling started taking college-level and AP classes during her freshman year and realized an associate’s degree could be attainable with some hard work. She then enrolled in more GCC classes during the summer and reached all the requirements to earn a college degree before receiving her high school diploma.

“It was definitely a lot of extra work,” Harling said. “I’m really happy I did it, and I think I’ll be even happier when I’m in school next year.”

She will already be a step ahead of her fellow high school graduates when she steps on the campus of Duquesne University this fall. Knowing that her GCC credits would transfer into her college of choice was an important consideration when looking at schools.

“Having two years done gave me a lot more flexibility with where I could go because I saved a ton of money,” she said. “And I have all my prerequisites done so I can pretty much get right into major-specific classes. I want to go to law school, so it’s nice that I will not be in school forever.”

Harling took the initiative on herself to get enrolled in college classes while in high school and made sure to ask and look into what opportunities were available. She had help along the way, but also showed an individual personal drive to accomplish the goal.

“In high school you don’t get a lot of cool points for going out and doing this,” added Harling. “But I mostly did it for myself. My parents didn’t pressure me or anything, they were supportive, but they didn’t force me into it.”

For upcoming high school students, Harling advised to talk to the counseling staff and make sure to do your own research to see what scholarship and grant opportunities are available.

On June 24, she will once again put on a cap and gown, this time with her fellow high school senior classmates. For upcoming high school students, she offered this bit of advice:

“Just do what you’re going to look back and be proud of yourself for.”

MEDINA – Mayor Mike Sidari has received information this morning from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation that the drums containing hazardous waste on the site of the former Starlite Cleaners are being removed this morning.

Gail A. Dieter, environmental chemist with the Division of Environmental Remediation, said a waste disposal hauler was at the site this morning. She said she asked that they secure the site as best they can after removing the drums, as they had to cut the present lock to gain access.

“Our consulting engineer will be sending someone out next week to double check the site security – particularly the fencing and put a new lock on the gate,” Dieter said.

The drums, which had been sitting there for weeks, concern many local business people.

The NYDEC plans complete remediation in the near future, but in a recent conversation with Dieter, she said she couldn’t say just when it would begin.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Election Commissioners Janice Grabowski, left, and Kathleen Case discuss some changes with local elections. They are speaking on Thursday evening at the Orleans County Association of Municipalities.

LYNDONVILLE – Orleans County elections officials are adapting to many changes in elections and bracing for more.

One big change this year has all the election inspectors as county employees, and all will be paid the same $15 an hour. Those inspectors can out in 16 hours during an election . They also will be paid $25 for a training session.

The inspectors have been hired by the towns on a contractual basis and pay rates varied among the 10 towns. The county will now do all the payroll and will take out FICA for Social Security benefits and Medicare.

The county will then charge back the towns two thirds of the cost, with the county paying a third this year. Lynne Johnson, Legislature chairwoman, said the county decided to pay the third because the change was made mid-year when towns already had their budgets set.

The change was the focus of the monthly meeting on Thursday night of Orleans County Association of Municipalities at the White Birch Golf Course. Richard Moy, the Clarendon town supervisor, said he didn’t like the chargebacks when the inspectors are being hired by the county and on the county payroll.

He said the county also hit the towns with chargebacks for community colleges, when the expense tops $2,050,000. That was instituted in 2021, but the costs never exceeded $2,050,000. In 2020, the county was billed $2,214,515 for charge-backs to the home county of a community college student. In 2021, the cost decreased to $1,839,535, a drop of $374,980.

The county charges back many of the election costs to the towns.

“What else is coming?” Moy asked county officials about charge backs.

The state put the law in place in 2005 about inspectors being on the county payroll. But Orleans officials didn’t realize it until the county treasurer was at a conference and the issue was discussed.

Kathy Case, one of the county election commissioners, said there are many proposed state laws for more changes in elections. One proposal would make all election commissioners full-time employees. Case and Janice Grabowski are both appointed election commissioners by the County Legislature, with Case from the Republican Party and Grabowski from the Democratic Party. They are both part-time.

Grabowski said the job should be part-time in Orleans County. She is advocating to the state if the positions are made full-time there be a cutoff based on the population size of a county. She said smaller counties like Orleans should be able to keep the positions at part-time. The county, which has about 40,000 people, has full-time deputy election commissioners and other part-time employees.

“It makes sense for the bigger counties, but we don’t need it,” Grabowski said. “We have good deputies and part-time staff.”

It will be a busy next few months for the elections office with two primaries and a general election. All will have early voting.

The June 28 primary has early voting at the Board of Elections in Albion from June 18 through June 26.

There is also a primary on Aug. 23 with the general election on Nov. 8.

The elections for state and congressional seats include new district maps this year. Grabowski and Case said the congressional redistricting split the town of Clarendon with about two-thirds in the 24^th District and a third in the 25^th District.

However, about 15 parcels of Clarendon’s first voting district are oddly included in the other district. Clarendon has three voting districts. Grabowski and Case said they have contacted the state and requested the town’s voting district one stay intact and not be split.

“We are inquiring if we can keep Clarendon One altogether,” Case said.

The office has needed to respond to numerous state laws in the past three years.

“There have been over 100 new election laws since 2019 and they’re still coming,” Case said.

Photos and information courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: Lyndonville Lions Club members Lynne Johnson and John Belson hold a tattered flag. The photo at right shows a new American flag at the cemetery.

ALBION – The Lyndonville Lions recently replaced the well-worn American Flag that had flown over the Alms House Cemetery on Countyhouse Road in Albion. The Alms House served the destitute, indigent and infirmed community of Orleans County from 1833 to 1960.

The cemetery was essentially abandoned but was reclaimed and restored about a decade ago in a project spearheaded by Albion students.

The cemetery is the final resting place for about 250 individuals. The plots are marked with simple headstones, a numbered placard, or nothing at all. At present the maintenance is done by the Orleans County Department of Public Works.

Several years ago, a Lyndonville Lions Club member, with the help of the Orleans County Legislature had a flag pole donated and erected at the site to remember the individuals buried there. In remembrance of the people resting there, and the upcoming Memorial Day, the Lions of Lyndonville removed the old flag and replaced it with a new Stars and Stripes.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Thomas Russo takes the throw as Medina’s Xander Payne dives back to second base during a regular season meeting between the Rams and Mustangs which will meet for the Section VI Class B2 title Saturday.

For Medina and Roy-Hart meeting in a Section VI baseball playoff title game is becoming part of the annual schedule.

In fact, the teams will be meeting in a postseason title contest for the fourth straight time when the Mustangs and Rams meet in the Section VI Class B2 championship game at 12 p.m. Saturday at Grand Island.

Saturday’s meeting will be an instant replay of last spring’s B2 championship game which saw Medina blank Roy-Hart 7-0 at Vets Park. Due to Covid 19 restrictions that was as far as the postseason playoffs went. Covid restrictions also wiped out the entire 2020 spring season.

The Mustangs also bested the Rams in the 2019 Section VI Class B state qualifier game 15-4. The Mustangs won the Class B1 title that season and the Rams captured the Class B2 crown. Medina went on to reach the state semifinals.

Roy-Hart edged Medina 4-2 in the Class B2 title contest in 2018 and the Rams went on to reach the state semifinals. The Rams also captured their third straight N-O championship that season.

This season Medina and Roy-Hart split a pair of league meetings to finish as Niagara-Orleans League co-champions at 10-2. The Mustangs had edged out the Rams for the N-O title in both 2021 and 2019.

The teams bring nearly identical overall season records into the final as Medina is 19-3 and Roy-Hart 19-4.

Saturday’s victor will advance to Monday’s Section VI Class B state qualifier game against the Class B1 winner either Depew or Lew-Port.

Press Release, Niagara Wine Trail

LOCKPORT – The Niagara Wine Trail is happy to announce the celebration of its 20th anniversary starting this month.

The year-long celebration will feature many new and returning events, refreshed branding, a new Niagara Falls icon-inspired logo, as well as a new tag line reminding guests of the very “Intimate, Authentic and Charming” experience they will enjoy along the 14-member trail. (Orleans County wineries on the trail include 810 Meadworks in Medina, Leonard Oakes Estate Winery in Medina, and Schwenk Wine Cellars in Kent.)

In this anniversary year, the Niagara Wine Trail has also adopted new mission and vision statements.

“The members of the Niagara Wine Trail, NY’s mission is to work together to enhance our unique wine region through an array of intimate, authentic and charming guest experiences.” Its vision is “to promote and host engaging experiences that entice guests to become repeat visitors to our member wineries.”

“Our Niagara Wine Trail stretches more than 60 miles along Lake Ontario, through New York’s Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties. Our members are all happy to be in operation and have lifted any regulations brought on by the pandemic,” said Shane Gustafson, wine trail president and owner of A Gust of Sun Winery, in Ransomville. “We are excited to bring back many new and revived guest experiences throughout this year-long celebration.”

That said, many wineries, especially those with small staff or tasting rooms, have adopted a more intimate approach to wine tastings. Guests are urged to call each winery ahead of the date they plan to visit before finalizing any group transport.

“Although we encourage designated drivers, we also want to be able to provide our utmost customer service,” said Gustafson. “Since the pandemic, it has become wine industry standard to make reservations when visiting a tasting room, especially if you are travelling with more than four people in your group.”

Gustafson said and noted that some wineries do not accept large limos or buses late in the day if at all. “These reservations make for a better guest experience, especially during peak times and weekend events.”

The next event is the Wine & Charcuterie Weekend on June 4-5, offering guests wine and local vendor food pairings at each participating winery. Ticketed guests will also receive a wooden engraved charcuterie board, which is the first piece of merchandise offered with the Niagara Wine Trail’s new logo.

The trail is also bringing back its popular Niagara Wine Festival, held in Lewiston’s Academy Park, July 23-24, after a two-year pandemic hiatus. It will also host its first-ever “Preseason Kickoff” football-themed weekend experience, Aug. 20-21.

In November, the trail will host its 20th Anniversary Wine Pairing Dinner, at The View in Sanborn, as well as a series of holiday-inspired shopping activities at participating locations, in support of the wineries and other small businesses throughout the area. Stay tuned for more information on these events.

For more information or to purchase tickets to wine trail experiences, visit the newly-designed website www.NiagaraWineTrail.org.

Scoring in five different innings, top seeded Lyndonville posted a 10-1 victory over No. 5 Dundee/Bradford in the semifinals of the Section V Class C3 softball playoffs this afternoon at Caledonia-Mumford.

Addy Dillenbeck had 4 hits, Ella Lewis 3 and Morgan Austin 2 and Lorelei Dillenbeck 2 each to lead Lyndonville’s 14 hit attack.

Haley Shaffer earned the win in the circle scattering 6 hits and striking out 6.

Lyndonville picked up solo runs in each of the first two innings on RBI singles first by Lewis and then by Austin.

The Lady Tigers added a pair of runs in the third inning on a single by Lorelei Dillenbeck and a wild pitch and then broke the contest open with 4 runs in the fifth highlighted by an RBI triple by Shaffer and a two-run error. Singles by Addy Dillenbeck and Lorelei Dillenbeck set up the threat.

Lewis capped off the Lady Tigers scoring with a two-run single in the sixth inning. Singles by Austin, Gracie Johnson and Addy Dillenbeck loaded the bases to set up the opportunity.

Improving to 20-0 on the season, Lyndonville will next face No. 3 Bolivar-Richburg in the Class C3 title game at 5 p.m. Saturday at Honeoye Falls-Lima Middle School. Bolivar-Richburg defeated No. 2 Keshequa 5-1 in the other semifinal.

In a Class C2 semifinal No. 2 Pembroke downed Genesee Region League foe No. 3 Kendall 6-2.