Photos by Tom Rivers: Natasha Wasuck, co-owner of The Lockstone, gives State Sen. Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley a tour of the wedding and events center. Wasuck and her husband, John Hernandez, have turned a former auto repair site into a destination site for Albion that also includes Tinsel, an ice cream shop.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2021 at 11:24 am
ALBION – State Sen. Robert Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley recently toured downtown Albion, including four of businesses that will be receiving part of a Main Street grant to help upgrade their historic buildings.
Albion was approved for $311,079 and that was divvied up among 10 property owners for building improvement projects. The grants will fund up to 75 percent of the projects, which need to be approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.
The state allowed a maximum award of $50,000 per building owner for non-residential projects with residential projects eligible for up to $100,000.
Assemblyman Hawley takes a photo with his phone while in the Pratt Opera House on the third floor. A state grant will help with some restorative work at the site.
Albion’s Main Street grant is for $388,192 total and that includes $311,079 for building renovations, $47,613 for streetscape improvements, $25,000 for administration and $4,500 for architecture, engineering and environmental costs. The property owners have until December 2022 to complete the projects as part of the grant.
Hawley and Ortt were given tours of projects planned for The Lockstone, the Pratt Opera House, apartments above the Hustl House (former Albion Fitness Center) and Krantz Furniture.
Ortt praised the property owners for their investment and commitment to Albion’s downtown. He and Hawley both said they are pleased to see state funds going to small-town business owners.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley, left, and State Sen. Robert Ortt tour The Lockstone, which has been turned into a wedding and events center. A state grant will help the owners make additional improvements to the building.
The grants include:
The Lockstone – owned by John Hernandez and Natasha Wasuck at 160 North Main St., approved for $18,750 towards replacing a soffit, repairing masonry, putting in new front doors, commercial heaters and a mural.
Morrison Realty – owned by James Theodorakos at 132 North Main St., approved for $21,017 towards new flooring on the first floor, waiting the exterior and front trim repairs.
Krantz Furniture – Linda Smith, owner at 129-131 North Main St., approved for $64,776 to scrape and repoint brick, prime and paint the exterior, put in four commercial double doors, replace front stairs to upstairs apartment, replace windows, upgrade drywall and paint apartments, upgrade electric and plumbing.
Day and Day Building – Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler, owner of 114-116 North Main St., approved for $36,880 for the site that includes the Downtown Browsery, Albion Bible Baptist Church, and the historic Grand Army of the Republic post. The work includes second floor renovation including reattaching the historic plaster medallions in the GAR room, restoring floors, installing a HVAC system. With the building, Bonafede and Koehler want to install steps and improve egress to the third floor door, weatherize east and west windows, construct protective railings around stairway, lighting, re-coat roof, repair and paint the fire escape, complete third floor bathroom, seal and preserve the historic plank west wall.
Michael Bonafede shows State Sen. Rob Ortt the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Room in the Day and Day Building. Bonafede wants to reattach the historic plaster medallions in the GAR room, restore the floors and install a HVAC system.
Pratt Opera House – Michael Bonafede and Judith Koehler, owner of 118-120 North Main St., approved for $23,830 for the site that includes the Downtown Browsery, Bookery, Kylie’s Salon, Red Check Rustic, pottery studio and a bakery office. The funding will go towards recoating the roof, repairing east parapet east wall, re-installing vintage signage at ticket booth, new rear door, new entrance awning, repairing north brick wall, opera house stage renovations, refurbishing six arch-top decorative windows with stained glass.
Hair Fantasy – Corey and Marilyn Black, owners at 55-57-59 North Main St., approved for $11,250 to repoint and replace brick as needed, and repaint window frames.
Lyman & Lyman – Nathan Lyman, owner at 45-51 North Main St., approved for $38,277 for a site that includes Lyman & Lyman attorney offices, Laura Loxley, Milk & Honey Boutique and one residential unit. The money will go towards two ADA-compliant bathrooms, ADA entrance at back of the building, replacing back windows, new VFR cooling systems, upgrade electric, replace apartment flooring, new LED lights, improve signage, and upgrade residential bathroom.
Dance Reflections by Miss Heather – Jared and Heather Hapeman, owners at 50-52 North Main St., approved for $11,616 to go towards new ceiling in studio, 12 windows rebuilt in current frames, bathroom remodel and office remodel.
Albion Agencies (Seaway Insurance Agencies) – Bill Bixler, owner at 30 North Main St., approved for $16,753 to replace roof and make gutter repairs, rebuild side entrance stairs and upgrade HVAC.
Apartments above The Hustl House – John Brabon, owner at 10-12 North Main St., approved for $67,930 for five apartments, putting in new walls, electric, plumbing, HVAC, bathroom, drywall, trim and flooring, lighting, smoke detectors, and painting the apartments.
Village of Albion – approved for $47,613 for streetscape improvements at 19 North Main St, which includes extending existing retaining wall, adding parking spaces to municipal lot, picnic tables and trash receptacles.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul attended the ground-breaking ceremony on Monday for a $2 million shoreline protection project along Lakeshore Road in Carlton.
Posted 27 July 2021 at 9:13 am
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Monday announced construction has begun on a $2 million resiliency project in Orleans County, as part of the Governor’s Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative.
Lakeshore Road in the town of Carlton is a major thoroughfare with numerous residences and is one of the main routes to Point Breeze. Wave and horizontal ice pressure have eroded the bluff adjacent to Lakeshore Road creating a hazardous situation for the roadway, public utilities, and private property.
If the road were lost to erosion, travelers would be forced to detour approximately 10 miles. This project seeks to address the erosion of the bluff, as well as the existing failed shoreline protection, to ensure continued safe passage of residents and visitors.
The lake has eroded the shoreline, putting Lakeshore Road cover to Lake Ontario. The shoreline protection project will add rocks and vegetation to protect the shoreline from further erosion.
“New York continues to assist communities devastated by the flooding on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in 2019 and this project is just the latest step in that effort,” Governor Cuomo said. “Through the state’s REDI program, we are working with local governments to harden critical infrastructure, to not only rebuild, but build back better, so that shoreline communities are better positioned to withstand flooding and other natural disasters in the future.”
“Shoreline communities along Lake Ontario have faced tremendous challenges in recent years because of climate change, and New York State continues to invest in making them more resilient for the future,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “Our top priority is protecting the people who live in these communities, and the shoreline resiliency project on Lakeshore Road in the Town of Carlton will help mitigate flooding, enhance safety and create a sustainable infrastructure.”
Mitigation measures to be implemented in this project include installation of an onshore riprap revetment system with regraded slope. The area between the revetment and the slope will be vegetated to minimize potential erosion loss and protect the toe of the bluff.
Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner and REDI Co-Chair Basil Seggos said, “New York’s REDI program is advancing projects to protect shoreline communities historically susceptible to flooding from high water and extreme weather events, here in Orleans County and all along the shores of Lake Ontario. Fortifying the shoreline along Lakeshore Road is a great example of the strategic projects that were identified by community leaders and will protect residents and visitors to the town of Carlton for years to come.”
State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, “I commend Governor Cuomo for encouraging state agencies and local communities to work together to prepare for future Lake Ontario flooding. This work by Orleans County and Town of Carlton will make an important transportation link safer and more reliable for residents and visitors.”
Empire State Development Chief Operating Officer and Executive Deputy Commissioner Kevin Younis said, “This important infrastructure project in the Town of Carlton will correct the hazardous effects of roadside erosion, helping to protect the travelers and community residents who rely on this route. Through projects like this one, the multi-agency REDI initiative is working to rebuild flood-damaged communities spanning the Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River shorelines and is another important step in safeguarding the future of our lakefront communities.”
Orleans County Legislative Chair Lynne Johnson said, “In partnering with New York State, Orleans County was able to conceptualize and implement the critical Lakeshore Road project. Through Governor Cuomo’s REDI program the region will be better prepared to withstand future flooding events. We are thankful for the assistance that has been given by Governor Cuomo, the REDI Commission, and all supporting state agencies.”
This rendering from the state shows the fortified shoreline on Lakeshore Road.
Town of Carlton Supervisor Gayle Ashbery said, “On behalf of the Town of Carlton I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and the REDI Commission for assisting the region with important flood mitigation projects like the Lakeshore Road project. Additionally, we are thankful to Orleans County for taking the project on and seeing it through from design to shovel in the ground. We are thrilled to see such an importance project for our residents get underway.”
In response to the extended pattern of flooding along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Governor Cuomo created REDI to increase the resilience of shoreline communities and bolster economic development in the region. Five REDI Regional Planning Committees, comprised of representatives from eight counties—Niagara and Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga and Oswego, and Jefferson and St. Lawrence—were established to identify local priorities, at-risk infrastructure and other assets, and public safety concerns.
The REDI Commission allocated $20 million for homeowner assistance, $30 million to improve the resiliency of businesses, and $15 million toward a regional dredging effort that will benefit each of the eight counties in the REDI regions. The remaining $235 million has been allocated towards local and regional projects that advance and exemplify the REDI mission.
At Governor Cuomo’s direction, the REDI commission toured areas hard hit by flooding on Lake Ontario and worked with local communities to come up with a new vision for the shoreline from both a resiliency and economic development point of view in order to build back better and stronger for the future.
Since the creation of the Governor’s REDI program in the Spring of 2019, 133 REDI funded local and regional projects are underway, including 93 projects in the design phase, 20 projects in the construction phase, and 20 projects completed.
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo was taken recently looking out through a window at The Lockstone in Albion. It shows the Main Street lift bridge and Erie Canal.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2021 at 8:56 am
The National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a special weather statement that strong thunderstorms with damaging winds and possibly hail could hit Orleans County and other nearby counties this afternoon.
“Conditions are favorable for strong thunderstorms today, with a risk of damaging winds, large hail, and brief heavy downpours,” the Weather Service said. “Storms will develop early this afternoon.”
The threat of storms will last through early evening. Anyone with outdoor plans should be prepared to take cover if threatening weather approaches, the Weather Service said.
In Orleans County, the showers and thunderstorms are expected between 1 and 3 p.m. with a quarter to half inch of rain in the forecast. The high today is forecast to be 82.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 July 2021 at 8:16 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Olivia Streicher leads “Bleu” in the miniature horse showmanship competition for Clover Buds on Monday at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Party Animals Exotic Animal Petting Zoo – ALL DAY
8 a.m. – English Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
9 a.m. – Senior Council Stand opens
10 a.m. – Dog Obedience and Rally at Knights Building
10 a.m. – Horticulture I.D. Contest at Center Stage
This group competes in the miniature horse “showmanship at halter” competition. Pictured from left include Grace Goodrich with Sky, Lauren Zwifka with Mocha, Maci Manicki with Velvet and Carissa Klossner with Opal. Carissa won first place in the event.
12 p.m. – Paid admission begins and free public parking opens at Wood and Taylor Hill Road Parking Lots; Buildings open to the public
12 p.m. – Leaders’ Pie Stand opens
12 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Synchronistic Psychic Services with Free Rune Readings at Lartz Building
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Showmanship at Wachob Pavilion
1 to 3 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Knowledge Contest at Wachob Pavilion
3 to 10 p.m. – Main Event Amusements $20 Unlimited Ride Wristbands at Midway
Local veterans formed an Honor Guard for Monday’s opening ceremonies, which included a flag raising.
4:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving Log at Cabin Lawn
5 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
5 p.m. – Beef Cattle Show at Show Arena
6 p.m. – Registration Ends for Small Fry Pedal Tractor Pull at Fair Office
6 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Show Costume, Pet and Cloverbud Classes at Wachob Pavilion
6 to 7 p.m. – Ag Stories with Orleans County Libraries (Lee-Whedon Memorial Library) at Cattle Barn
Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke and a local veteran salute while the flag is raised during the opening ceremony.
6 to 7 p.m. – Hot Country Liners Dance at Orleans Hub Stage
6:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carvingat Log Cabin Lawn
7 p.m. – Rabbit and Cavy Show, Breed Classes at Wachob Pavilion
7 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
7 to 9 p.m. – Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) Demo
7 to 8 p.m. – Down Home Country Cloggers Dance Group at Orleans Hub Stage
9 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
10 p.m. – Buildings close
James Luckman, right, served as judge of the showmanship competition at the Swine Show. The 4-Hers in the event included Jenna Cecchini, front left; Jack Cecchini, behind her; Carter Kuipers, far back; Ruth Kuipers, back right; and Grant Kuipers, not in photo. Carter Kuipers won the event was was named master showman with his sister Ruth the reserve master showman.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2021 at 10:42 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Jenna Cecchini of Medina competes in the swine show this evening at the Orleans County 4-H Fair. It was one of the first livestock shows at the fair in two years.
The swine show participants use a whip for a gentle tap and brush to help keep the pigs under control and walking in the right direction.
Last year’s fair was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions on crowd sizes. This year’s fair was in doubt until the state eased the restrictions in early May.
Paige Nesbitt, 11, of Albion washes this quarter horse named “Sam Roper.” Paige will be competing in horse shows from Tuesday through Friday.
Zack Welker, president of the board of directors for the Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County, speaks during opening ceremonies for the fair. He said frequently changing guidelines from the state made it difficult to plan for the fair.
He thanked a big group of volunteers, as well as Extension staff for being so committed to the event, which continues through Saturday night.
Welker, 32, is a local beef farmer and a past 4-H’er. He wanted to see the fair tradition continue for the community.
“The board all along wanted to have some kind of event, from the bare minimum to doing everything,” he said about the fair. “But there were so many unknowns.”
This week’s fair will have the full gamut of livestock shows, food vendors, a midway and other activities.
Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, stands and acknowledges the flag while it was raised during opening ceremonies. She is pictured looking through a salute by one one the veterans.
Johnson commended the 4-Hers and their leaders for preparing for the fair.
“4-H is truly a special program,” she said. “Here we teach youth about leadership, learning by doing, while focusing on theme: ‘Heads, Hands, Heart, Health.’”
She encouraged the community to come out to fair and see the 4-Hers work with the animals, and their arts and food exhibits.
“Rather than focusing on ribbons, we focus on impact,” Johnson said. “4-H has helped many of our youth come out of their comfort zones in beneficial ways.”
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley also spoke at the opening ceremony and said 4-H is a great leadership program.
These veterans were part of the flag-raising ceremony just after 6 p.m. They include, from left: Ron Ayrault of Holley, Navy; Mark Traxler of Lyndonville, Air Force; and Tony Vicknair of Lyndonville, Army.
Jim Freas from the VFW in Medina watches as the flag is raised.
The flag is raised during the opening ceremonies, which included a presence from local veterans.
Kendall Kidney, 13, and Joey Forte, 11, work together trimming the hair on this beef cow’s face and ears.
Aaron Preston volunteered in Farm Bureau’s milkshake booth, which has new windows and insulation. It was still hot inside the booth.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2021 at 5:05 pm
State paying 95 percent, part of REDI erosion and flood protection projects
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said the project will protect an important road in the community, ensuring access for residents and visitors. It’s part of $300 million in projects along the south shore of Lake Ontario to make the shoreline more resilient to flooding and erosion in the future.
CARLTON – The shoreline along Lakeshore Road in Carlton was chewed away in 2017 and 2019 when there was flooding and erosion from very high lake levels.
The loss of land and soil has put the lake closer to the road, within about 15 feet in some spots. About 1,500 feet of the shoreline, going east from Route 98 in Point Breeze, will soon be fortified with massive rocks. The shoreline will also be regraded and will have a new vegetative cover to help stave off some erosion and damage from the waves. (The threat of flooding isn’t an issue right now with the water levels down about 3 feet from the highs in 2019.)
The $2 million project is 95 percent funded by the state. It is part of $300 million the state is spending through the Lake Ontario Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI).
A contingent of local and state officials, including Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, celebrated the start of the project’s construction today.
Hochul recalled the damaging flooding in 2017 and 2019, that ate away at backyards, roads and the shoreline. She was at Kendall on May 11, 2017, helping stack sandbags with the National Guard.
“This is a real hazardous situation with the road and infrastructure,” Hochul said about an encroaching lake during a time of high water levels. “When this project is done the residents won’t have to worry.”
Keeler Construction in Barre submitted the low bid of $1,321,858 to install the new breakwall. There are other costs for engineering and construction services.
Tim Walsh, DEC regional director, said that wall of rock will harden the shoreline. The new vegetation also is part of a softer and “greener solution” to protecting the shoreline, Walsh said.
Lynne Johnson, Orleans County Legislature chairwoman, speaks during a ground-breaking today for a $2 million breakwall project along Lakeshore Road in Carlton.
Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman, thanked Gov. Andrew Cuomo for pushing for the funding for the shoreline communities, and for the REDI Commission for pushing through the projects during the Covid pandemic.
Johnson said the local and regional government officials spent many hours evaluating the damage, and developing projects to be considered by the REDI Commission.
“This is an example of what a true partnership looks like,” Johnson said. “And it is an example of what can be achieved when everyone comes together for the common good.”
Local officials join for a ceremonial ground-breaking this afternoon along Lakeshore Road. Pictured from left include Tim Walsh, DEC regional administrator; Jayleen Carney, representing Assemblyman Steve Hawley; County Legislator Fred Miller; Gayle Ashbery, Carlton town supervisor; Lynne Johnson, County Legislature chairwoman; County Legislator Bill Eick (barely visible in back); Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul; County Legislator Ken DeRoller; John Papponetti, Orleans County DPW superintendent; and County Legislator John DeFillipps.
The REDI projects total $17 million in Orleans County. The projects will improve public land and infrastructure, including roads, a new sewer system in Kendall and Hamlin, and an improved Yates Town Park.
The local projects include:
Wastewater Infrastructure for Kendall and Hamlin, $9,053,000 – This project will disconnect homes from the septic systems and connect them to a wastewater system. A privately owned facility (located at Troutburg in the Town of Kendall) will be turned over to the Town of Kendall, and approximately 125 residences in the towns of Hamlin and Kendall will be connected to the facility. The project will solve the problems for lakeside residences with septic issues west of West Kendall Drive, including along Lomond Shore West, Edrose Shore, Knapp Shore, Thompson Drive, and near Lakeland Beach Road and Bald Eagle Drive in the Town of Kendall, plus residences near Beachwood Park Road in the Town of Hamlin. This project will connect these areas to a sanitary sewer and convey wastewater to a treatment facility.
Yates Town Park, $2,531,000 – The Town of Yates plans to expand the town park with enhanced recreational and water access opportunities. This project seeks to further enhance the park’s environmental resiliency, protect and expand its natural and nature-based features, and increase public access to the area’s recreational resources.
Public Town Road Ends/Culverts in Kendall, $1,500,000 – Culverts adjacent to Ed Rose Shore, Knapp Shore, and Thompson Drive are impacted by high water levels resulting in culvert ends being clogged with debris. This project adds a more resilient box culvert concept. A culvert located at Lakeland Beach Road needs fortification, and riprap will be placed at the outlet of the culvert to provide protection.
Point Breeze Boat Launch in Carlton, $751,000 – The project will start after Labor Day. It will replace fixed elevation docks with floating docks and slips, inclusive of anchorage and posts to permit only vertical dock movement.
Lakeside Park Road East in Carlton, $385,000 – The bluff on which the eastern portion of Lakeside Park Road sits has been experiencing erosional impacts, creating a 30 to 40 foot drop that has become a hazardous condition for the road and public water line in the area. The project will protect the toe of the bluff with shoreline stabilization.
Lakeside Park Road West in Carlton, $235,000 – The shoreline on which Lakeside Park Road sits has been experiencing flooding impacts from both Johnson Creek and Lake Ontario, including the loss of an access road/lane, land protecting homes, and public water lines. West of the intersection with Lakeside Road there is approximately 300 feet of public water line at risk of being exposed and compromised. The project will construct an access road to place protective materials along the shoreline, and add riprap stone to protect the public water line during future high water level.
Thompson Drive turnaround changed to beach access in Kendall, $131,000 – The former Thompson Drive turnaround provides beach access to the Lake Ontario shoreline. There is an opportunity to turn the former turnaround into beach access, coupled with nature-based shoreline protection. The project will reduce shoreline erosion, protecting local infrastructure and maintaining access along the route.
Route 237 right-of-way in Kendall, $40,000 – The shoreline/waterfront area along the Route 237 right-of-way is experiencing significant erosion as a result of high water levels, flooding, and wave intensity. A project is currently ongoing to install riprap along the waterfront to protect the eroding shoreline associated with the right-of-way, abutting the riprap of two neighboring private properties. This project adds a berm to further stabilize the shoreline and protect the area from future flooding. It also fills the gap between existing shoreline protection features with additional shoreline protection.
Installing markers on submerged structures in Orleans and Niagara, $50,000 – In-lake structures throughout Niagara and Orleans counties, when underwater, may result in hazardous boating conditions. Installing temporary safety markers is a proactive approach to protect public safety. This project will install safety markers on submerged structures (piers). The structures will be clearly marked by installing temporary warning buoys.
Orleans County Legislator Ken DeRoller holds a shovel signed by Kathy Hochul after today’s groundbreaking. “We are REDI,” Hochul wrote.
CORFU – At a press conference this morning at Reyncrest Farms, Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) highlighted the need for full enforcement of the USMCA. Specifically, he is calling for Canada to adhere to their agreement as it relates to their tariff-rate quota (TRQ) policies.
“One of the major victories of the USMCA was the provisions that expanded Canadian dairy markets for American producers. However, now over a year after its implementation, Canada is still denying our farmers the access they are entitled to,” Jacobs said. “Specifically, Canada is setting aside a percentage of each TRQ for Canadian producers, in turn blocking American farmers from accessing these markets and millions of dollars in sales.”
Under the United States Mexico Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) Canada is required to allow increased market access to U.S. dairy products in 14 different categories, ranging from milk to cheese to ice cream. Currently, Canada is setting aside a percentage in each of these categories solely for Canadian producers, effectively blocking American ones from the market and preventing them from realizing their full market share in Canada.
The tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) are a system that places one tariff rate on a quantity of an import under a certain level. After the quantity exceeds the set rate, the tariff increases. Canada’s work to set aside a percentage of their TRQs for Canadian processors undermines the ability of US producers to fully access Canadian markets as they are allowed under the USMCA.
Jacobs sent a letter to former United States Trade Representative (USTR) Lighthizer calling for a dispute panel to be convened to settle this issue. USTR Lighthizer initially convened the United States and Canadian governments in December to attempt to settle the dispute, this was unsuccessful. In June, the new USTR, Katherine Tai, convened a dispute panel – the most aggressive legal action taken to date to settle the trade dispute. The process can take months and is currently underway. Today, Jacobs sent a letter to Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman highlighting the issue and the need for a resolution.
“Canada adhering to the USMCA and allowing for its full implementation will have a huge impact on American dairy producers. In fact, the US International Trade Commission has estimated it could be over a $220 million gain,” Jacobs said. “With dairy representing a massive portion of the agriculture in my district, and the state of New York, swift enforcement of the USMCA has the potential to bring new economic opportunity and prosperity – I’ll keep fighting until our farmers are given access to what they deserve.”
MIDDLEPORT – Brent Sensenich (right), FMC Middleport Agricultural Sciences Plant manager, presents $1,000 scholarship checks each to Royalton-Hartland graduating seniors Rebecca Berner (middle) of Gasport and Thomas Ragonese (far left) also of Gasport. The scholarships were awarded based on their winning essay submissions on the theme: “picking an experience from your life and explaining how it has shaped you for the career you have selected.”
Rebecca Berner was an active participant on the varsity girls’ basketball, field hockey and track and field teams. She will pursue a career as a nurse family practitioner when she enters St. John Fisher College in Rochester this fall.
Thomas Ragonese was captain and MVP of the boys’ varsity basketball team at Roy-Hart. He plans to pursue a career in agriculture while attending Cairn University in Langhorne Manor, PA. His life experience in working on local farms was supplemented by the agricultural and food science studies he undertook at Roy-Hart.
“As a company dedicated to our local community, FMC is proud again to honor two outstanding Roy-Hart graduates by providing them with scholarships as well as best wishes as they undertake their career studies in college,” said Brent Sensenich, FMC Middleport plant manager.
Provided photo – Fourteen scouts and four leaders from Troop 35 attended BSA Camp Mountain Run, located in Penfield, Pennsylvania, this past week. In the picture from left to right are Bryson Costich, Nicholas Reese, Mike Reese (leader), Gideon Pask, Jason Roush (leader), Jackson Moreland, Ryder Jones, Jimmy Dieter, Vinny Gray, Colton Smith, Michael Chisler, River Jones, Joseph Reese, Brayden Lewis, Will Roush, Mason Moreland, John Dieter (leader), and Shaun Smith (leader).
Posted 26 July 2021 at 10:54 am
Submitted by John Dieter, Scoutmaster of Troop 35 in Medina
In 2020 going to summer camp for Boy Scouts was not possible due to Covid, and 2021 summer camp guidelines in NYS were not well defined until late June causing concerns of another year without summer camp.
With our local council camp deciding not to open, Troop 35 leadership started the search in late May for a camp within a few hours radius that would work for the week we selected to go to camp. We found BSA Camp Mountain Run 3.5 hours away in central Pennsylvania in the Allegany Region of the state.
The scouts had a great experience at camp earning over a combined 50 merit badges, two scouts (brothers) Jackson & Mason Moreland both earned the mile swim award, and the troop competed in the volleyball tournament and won the championship by beating the staff in the final game.
Provided photos: Scouts in Troop 28 last week went canoeing and did many other activities that typically would be at a Scouting camp.
Posted 26 July 2021 at 9:19 am
Respectfully submitted by the communications merit badge scouts, Joseph B., Brandon B., Aidyn J., Jake J., Roman V., Nathaniel M., AJ H., David V. and Matthew J.
The scouts did a lot of hiking during the camp experience.
MEDINA – Summer camp is something that all Boy Scouts look forward to and for the second year in a row when our troop got the news that camp will be canceled we were pretty disappointed.
That’s when the parents and leaders of Troop 28 rallied together and were able to put on a great week of scout camp for us to work on skills merit badges and make so many memories.
When we found out camp would be canceled we had the option to go to camp out of the area. However, our scout troop is trying to raise funds to go to Florida Sea Base next year so that would not of been feasible, especially so last minute and in the end we are really happy about how things worked out as we all had a great week.
It took a lot of work and all of our parents and leaders chipped in to put in the extra effort to make everything come together. We had a camp store with all the essentials, and first year boys participated in the Brownsea program completing rank requirements. We were also able work on nine merit badges throughout the week including hiking, fishing, orienteering, swimming, lifesaving, cooking, athletics, public speaking and communication as wells as take a canoe trip. We also completed a CPR course.
One of the requirements for our communication merit badge was, “write to the editor of a magazine or local newspaper to express your opinion or share information on any subject you choose.” We decided to share what makes Troop 28 special, why scouting is so important and what we loved about summer camp.
First of all, what makes our troop special: We feel that Troop 28 is special because although it is not always easy. Electronics have no place at camp and we can really appreciate what is around and learn important skills. We feel that our leaders do everything they can to help us succeed and really care about us.
The scouts studied maps in one project. The group worked on nine merit badges during the week.
Boy Scouts is important because it teaches us how to take care of ourselves, do fun things and we get to do merit badges to learn what we may want to do when we grow up. Another thing that makes scouting important is you help each other, meet new people and friends.
During our closing campfire we listed some of our favorite things from scout camp and we want to share what they were. We loved doing the morning polar bear swim, going fishing and canoeing, playing games, hiking 6 miles, hike-in movie night, and watching scouts that are normally quiet, smile or open up. We had a great week at Troop 28’s summer camp and can’t wait to do it again.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 July 2021 at 7:48 am
Photos by Tom Rivers: Owen Collyer, 11, of Kendall was on manure duty Sunday afternoon in the dairy cattle barn. He will be showing an angus in the beef show this week at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
Opening Day: Gates open at 4 p.m.
Midway will not be open today.
Party Animals Exotic Animal Petting Zoo – All Day
By noon – Dairy Cattle must be in by noon at the Dairy Cattle Barn
9 a.m. – Senior Council Stand opens
8 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Commercial Exhibits in place
9 to 1 p.m. – Orleans County Open Flower Show entries accepted at Lartz Building
9 a.m. – Cloverbud Horse Show followed by Walk/Trot Horse Show at Carlos Marcello Arena
9 a.m. – Small Animal Department Meeting for all exhibitors at Wachob Building
9:30 a.m. – Cattle Barn Department Meeting for all exhibitors at Cattle Barn
9 a.m. – Dog Show Grooming and Handling at Show Arena
10 a.m. – Goat/Sheep Department meeting for all exhibitors at Livestock Barn
Izzabella McCoy made a creative display for Nugget, an animal she will be showing at the fair this week in the cattle shows. Many of the 4-Hers made signs to introduce their animals to the public.
10:30 a.m. – Market Auction Weigh-In
10 a.m. to noon – Common Garden Vegetables, Market Packages, Cut Flowers, Indoor Gardening, Fruits and Nuts, Plant Collection (Preserved and Scrapbook), Landscape Pictures and Plants, Experiments, Horticulture Methods judged at Trolley Building
11 a.m. – Field Crops judged at Trolley Building
1 to 3 p.m. – Group Exhibits, Food Preservation, Baked Goods and Visual Arts judged at Trolley Building
3 p.m. – Fair Official Meeting at Fair Office
4 p.m. – Paid admission begins and free public parking opens at Wood and Taylor Hill Road Parking Lots
4 to 10 p.m. – Synchronistic Psychic Services (Free Rune Readings) at Lartz Building
4:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carvingat Log Cabin Lawn
5 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
6 p.m. – Opening Ceremony, Presentation of Colors by Orleans County Veteransat Flag Pole on Education Center Lawn
6 to 7 p.m. – Ag Stories with Orleans County Libraries (Hoag Library) at Cattle Barn
6 p.m. – Leader’s Pie Stand Opens
Adele Mathes, 10, of Barre gives her a goat a wash on Sunday, on moving in day at the fair. Adele will be showing animals at the fair this week for the first time after last year’s fair was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.
6 p.m. – Swine Show at Show Arena
6:30 p.m. – 4-H Clothing Revue at Orleans Hub Stage
6:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
6:30 p.m. – Mini-Horse Show and Horse Driving Classes and demoCarlos Marcello Arena
6:30 p.m. – Trolley Building Youth Exhibits Open at Trolley Building
7 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
8 p.m. – Orleans County 4-H Fair $1,000 Karaoke Contest at Orleans Hub Stage
8:30 p.m. – Chainsaw Carving at Log Cabin Lawn
9 p.m. – Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show at Curtis Pavilion Lawn
10 p.m. – Buildings Close
The food vendors get set up on Sunday. Many of the long-time vendors are back and there are some that are making their debut at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2021 at 9:30 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – Kaitlin Bennett (left), 12, of Barre and Anna Grillo, 12, of Albion bring buckets of water to their animals at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds this afternoon. Today was moving in day for most for the animals.
Kaitlin will be showing two dairy animals and Anna will be in the show ring with a dairy and beef cow during the busy week.
Monday is opening day for the Orleans County 4-H Fair. Admission for the fair is $3 for adults and $2 for kids, with a $5 pass available for the week. There isn’t a parking charge.
Adele Mathes, 10, of Barre gives one of her goats a rinse after Adele brought a menagerie of animals for the fair, including sheep, rabbits and goats.
She is excited for her first year showing animals as a 4-Her at the fair. Last year she should have made her debut, bought the fair was cancelled due to Covid-19 concerns and restrictions.
Rebecca Scharping, 14, of Clarendon checks in two white silky chickens. Bill Gerling is the co-superintendent of the barn. There are about 90 rabbits/cavies and 80 of the chickens, guinea hens and waterfowl registered.
Rebecca has five chickens in the fair. She is glad to be back and is looking forward to “hanging out with friends.”
Joey Forte, 11, of Hamlin brings a wheelbarrow of straw bedding for his goats. His brother Jacob, 14, is at left and their mother Colleen is in back. The brothers also will be showing beef cows.
Adam Dresser of Medina fastens a sign up high for Romania, a Holstein calf that will be shown during the fair by his daughter Elizabeth. Adam also showed animals at the fair when he was a kid.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 July 2021 at 3:42 pm
Building turned into art showcase by Kim and Neal Muscarella
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Marti’s on Main celebrated its grand opening on Friday evening at the former Cornell Cooperative Extension building at 20 South Main St. About 125 people attended the three-hour open house.
Kim Martillotta Muscarella, third from left, and her husband Neal Muscarella (second from right), greet guests David Purdy and Monica Beck at the grand opening.
The Muscarellas transformed the interior of the building into an art studio and gallery. The open house was by invitation only for local artists and known art appreciators. Mrs. Muscarella said other tours are available by appointment. She can be reached at (585) 589-6715 for more information.
“Mr. Anderson” is a portrait of cat by Chris Versteeg that is displayed on the stairway. Muscarella has work from about a dozen artists on display.
Muscarella likes to showcase artwork throughout the building, including the stairway leading to the top floor.
Kim Martillotta Muscarella has many of her own pieces on display, including the large acrylic painting of “Tall Flowers.”
Monica Beck and David Purdy take a look at artwork — “Green Fun” and “Succulent Girl” — by Kim Martillotta Muscarella.
Purdy, a former professional interior and exterior painter for 22 years, said the Muscarellas did top-notch work in painting the rooms with such vibrant colors.
“They did a phenomenal job,” Purdy said. “It’s nearly flawless.”
One of the guests checks out the art in a room inside the historic building.
Muscarella wanted to open the site to the public sooner, but waited due to concerns and restrictions with Covid-19.
The former Cornell Cooperative Extension building was most recently used an outreach center for the Episcopal Church in Albion. The building was originally a house built in the 1830s.
Muscarella watched the site decline for many years, with little activity inside the doors of one of the prominent buildings in the historic Courthouse Square.
For about a decade she ran Marti’s on Main, an art gallery and studio at her home at 229 South Main St. But that site, which was half of her house, was cramped to display art and accommodate groups of people.
On a whim in December 2019, she decided to look at the old Extension building, which had been for sale for years and was listed by her friend Jim Theodorakos of Morrison Realty. Muscarella and her husband, Neal, were given a tour of the building. (The Extension moved in 2007 to a new building at the 4-H fairgrounds in Knowlesville.)
The walls in the old building were all painted a very pale yellow. The floors covered in green and red carpet or asphalt tiles.
The couple also noted the high ceilings, big rooms and lots of wall space. They decided to take on the building, and give it a new life as an art studio and gallery.
Joe Martillotta (who is Kim Martillotta Muscarella’s brother) and Jim Babcock chat while in a room with many of Muscarella’s unusual sculptures.
Muscarella has art from many local artists on display, including an abstract painting at right by Jim Fiegel. He uses a combination of acrylic, enamel, and water-based paint. He paints on Plexiglass and his paintings are curved. He also creates his own wooden frames and has LED lights behind the Plexiglass.
By Doug Farley, Cobblestone Museum Director – Vol. 2. No. 29
GAINES – Much of the recreational activities of citizens in the Hamlet of Childs and Town of Gaines focused around an organization known as the Grange, or more formally, The Patrons of Husbandry.
While the organization was founded to provide valuable services to farm families, it grew to become a center of community engagement for numerous social activities such as dances, box socials, and even a choir.
The Gaines Grange #1147 was formed on Nov. 30, 1908. In May 1909, 40 people were initiated into membership. The first meeting site was in a building known as White’s Hall, shown above. The building, located on the southwest corner in Gaines, dated to the turn of the century. Albert Anson Appleton ran a store there, but it also served as headquarters for town meetings, post office, Good Templars, and eventually served as the Grange Hall.
White’s Hall suffered a disaster fire on May Day in 1910, disrupting the lives, in one way or another, of most people in the community. The hall was rebuilt following the fire and the Grange continued to meet there until 1915.
In the spring of 1915 the Grange purchased Thurber’s Hotel next to the Congregational Church and transformed it into a new Grange Hall. The third floor was fixed up for a dance hall with a superb hardwood floor being installed at the time. This was considered one of the best dance floors around at the time and one of the largest Grange Halls in the region.
A local resident, Fay Hollenbeck, reflected on the Grange dance floor in 1984 at the celebration of the Town’s 175th anniversary celebration. “In Gaines, this little village has got one of the best dance floors in Orleans County. It’s all narrow boards, laid around, across the end and down the other side, and across the other end. So on a Round Dance you are always dancing with the boards never across them. In those days dances would alternate, first a Round Dance and then a Square Dance.”
Photo Courtesy Orleans County Historian
Here we see officers of the Gaines Grange #1147 posed in front of the Gaines Congregational Church in the 1930s. The women in the picture, from left to right, include: Elinor Cooper, Sarah Bacon, Octavia Mather (chaplain), Kate Crowley, Alice Hatch (secretary), Alma Appleton and Wilhelmina Taylor. The men in the photo include, from left: William Grinelle (trustee), Charles Thompson (trustee), Fred Derisley, Winton Hatch (master), Ronald Spinks, Lewis Reed and William Crowley (trustee).
Local farmer, Charles Thompson (shown in photo above) and his wife, Hannah, were very active in the local Grange. Their daughter, Gail (Johnson) remembered, “My mother used to sell donuts at the Grange square dances on Saturday evenings.” The Gaines Grange formed the basis of much of the Saturday night social life in the community for decades.
WWII presented many challenges to everyday life in the community and the Grange suffered a decline in membership in the 1940s. One local Granger, Sylvia Ball, recalled the trying times. “The war was on its terrible move and soon the boys were leaving in the service. Most of the women in Gaines began working at one type of work or another in the war effort. Help became scarce and even busy farmers worked a four hour swing-shift at some essential plant. With sickness in my home, the war on, I too began working which gave me no time for picking up where I left off in the Grange. When it was so I could return to Grange it was well under way, there was an active membership, the war was coming to a close all about and people could relax.”
The Gaines Grange #1147 received three plaques from the Sears Roebuck Foundation, along with two $25 War Bonds, for outstanding community service. The awards recognized the Grange’s community service at the time when the Congregational Church burned in 1959. The Grange allowed the church to use their hall for services during the rebuilding. The usage included scout meetings, auctions, dinners and home bureau. The Grange also assisted with construction of the church and a community playground, baseball field, and water supply pond.
The Grange Hall, seen in 1959, when Dean Sprague had a store there and also the Town Clerk’s office.
In the 1950s, membership in the Grange reached 105 people. Changing times in the 1960s and 1970s saw membership drop to just a handful of members. The building was then sold in 1979 and the last official act of the Gaines Grange #1147 was its own dissolution in 1979.
The Gaines Grange Hall is currently occupied by Americana Unlimited Antiques, Robin Stelmach, proprietor.
Plain Eastern Scorpion proves itself to be a ‘Power Animal’ in Tennessee
The Plain Eastern Scorpion of Tennessee on the Cumberland Plateau – respect and coexistence.
It was quite a shocker when my husband informed me he unearthed scorpions in our pop-up garage in the middle of our new home away from home.
In Albion, these creatures, with pincer claws, don’t skulk under cardboard. For a split second, panic set in. Then I decided there was no need to panic unless Google told me to. Google informed me that the TN Scorpion is a native breed of TN and is not poisonous. Their sting is no worse than a bee sting. Phew, that was good news. I hope to never find this out first hand.
Days passed and as most of us do, when we put caution to the back of our mind, we get complacent. So down to the pop-up I go. My chore for the morning is to situate rain barrels for showers and relocate the wood pile to the top of the property.
First, I spotted a lizard on the wood pile. Awe, he’s so cute. I decided to leave that log behind so he could continue his morning meditation. I reach through the rest of the wood and, yikes! – a scorpion. It was daytime and the scorpion is nocturnal. Once she woke up and we did our due diligence on each other, she moved right along. I faced down the scorpion and lived to tell the tale, but my husband’s story took a turn, more than once.
It was the middle of the night and he started doing some kind of jig around the room in the dark. What in the world?? One of those nocturnal little crawlers was laying in wait under our nice warm covers and was pinching on his toe. They use their pincers to hold their prey before they give them a good zap with their curly tail.
After that, we learned to adapt and adjust to our new environment by checking all shoes before putting them on and shining a flashlight under the covers each night. I tried a natural scorpion repellent by sprinkling cinnamon around the bed. This sent me on a 3-hour sneezing fit. We moved our bed away from the wall, removed any climbable objects from under the bed, and bedding never would be allowed to touch the floor again. Don’t walk around barefoot at night either. I spied a rusty brown, low-crawling creature moving quickly in the dark on the floor. I read they travel in pairs so I kept a look out for her buddy, and she did turn up.
Scorpions are moisture lovers. While enjoying my outdoor shower one crept onto my shower mat! My husband picked up a branch in the woods, grabbed a scorpion and she back handed him with her stingy tail. I read when trying to evoke a “Power Animal” you should call on the scorpion because they represent a good dose of determination.
So in that spirit, when striving for a dream puts you living outside your comfort zone and in a new reality, this dose is greatly appreciated! I hope to harbor the craftiness, grit and self preservation that my tangos with scorpions taught me.
What is your “Power Animal”? Head back to my home page to join my blog and receive new post updates and visit the main menu to read previous posts of positivity! To see a lizard meditate visit my blog (click here) and catch up on weekly photo perks and previous Sunday posts. Like and share your comments.
