By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2025 at 3:15 pm
Dan Dragula, Lyndonville’s Educator of the Year in 2020-21, embraces new role
Dan Dragula
LYNDONVILLE – The school district has a new business administrator who is already well-connected with students and staff.
Dan Dragula, a popular physics and science teacher, was appointed to the business administrator position last week. He had been working as the business administrator intern since July with business official Bart Schuler, who has retired after 2 ½ years with Lyndonville following a long career at Newfane. Schuler has been coming in the office once a week providing guidance for Dragula.
The new business administrator worked 11 ½ years as a Lyndonville teacher and was the district’s Educator of the Year in 2020-’21.
Dragula brought humor and creativity to his class lessons in physics and astronomy. He served as a class advisor, built sets for the school musical, and was a go-to person with sound, electrical, lights and technology. He also has been working in educational technology and integration.
“I love Lyndonville, the students, the community, and the school district,” Dragula said today. “We have amazing staff, faculty, and administration and this is where I wanted to work.”
Dragula said in his new role he can have an impact on the entire district and community. As a teacher he worked with about 100 students directly.
“In my new role, I can support 70 teachers, who impact 100 kids each,” he said. “My direct impact is diminished, but my overall impact is multiplied. By serving the community and the district behind the scenes, I can now serve more students than I could in my previous classroom.”
Dragula enrolled in SUNY Brockport’s School District Business Leader program in 2023. The certification program requires 20 graduate hours in budgeting, accounting, school finances, school law, and data management.
He has earned his initial certification and has 20 more graduate hours and needs to pass two more state tests to earn his permanent certification. He expects to complete have the permanent certification next spring.
Sharon Smith, Lyndonville’s district superintendent, said Dragula has proven to be an asset to the school district, and now is doing it in a different role.
“He’s a great guy,” Smith said. “Kids and parents really respect and love him. He has built great relationships with kids and families.”
He brings a strong work ethic and diligence to the details as school administrator.
“He believes he can help more people,” Smith said about the new role for Dragula. “He has a servant’s heart.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2025 at 2:21 pm
ALBION – It’s been a month of transition for The Lake County Pennysaver since it was sold to Featured Media, owner of about a dozen Pennysavers including the the Genesee Valley Pennysaver in Batavia.
The Lake Country Pennysaver has gone from being delivered by carriers to the Postal Service. The Postal Service is delivering the weekly publication to over 19,000 households in Orleans County, and more drop sites will be added in the county, said Brad London, sales manager for the Pennysaver.
He is getting good feedback from the community about the reliable delivery of the Pennysaver throughout the county. He wanted to dispel rumors that the paper isn’t available for home delivery. He said the agreement with the Postal Service is working out well and will continue.
The Pennysaver also is available online by clicking here.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 24 January 2025 at 10:59 am
ALBION – Current climate changes and threats to peace, safety and security have prompted the World Life Institute to create a Global Nuclear Awareness Program.
At the Hoag Library at 7 p.m. Wednesday, WLI will sponsor an evening of engaging and thought-provoking speakers who will share their expertise on critical issues surrounding nuclear energy, climate change and the implications of global conflict, according to Linda Redfield Shakoor, deputy director of WLI’s Global Nuclear Awareness Program.
“We focus our presentations on two general areas – the effects of radiation on humans and the environment with an emphasis on the risks and consequences of nuclear power plant accidents, and the direct effects and local consequences of nuclear war,” Shakoor said.
Global Nuclear Awareness is a program of WLI headquartered in Medina. It was founded by the late Col. Dr. Asaf Durakovic, the director of radiology and nuclear medicine for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Wilmington, Del.
Highlights of Wednesday’s event will be “The Fukushima Accident…or is it,” and “What’s War Got to do with it? Nuclear Winter, Nuclear Warming and Rapid Climate Change.”
The session on the Fukushima Accident will be presented by Stella Gresham, a member of Durakovic’s team who coordinated and presented Radiation Emergency Management medical education lectures at Veterans Affairs hospitals and professional and public education programs sponsored by Brockport State College. She continues to be a researcher and presented for Global Nuclear Awareness, giving public presentations locally and at Niagara University.
Tedd Weyman, deputy director of the Uranium Medical Research Center and a lecturer for WLI’s public, community and school programs on Global Nuclear Awareness, will lead the presentation on “What’s War Got to do With it? Nuclear Winter, Nuclear Warming and Rapid Climate Change.”
Weyman was the field team lead for UMRC’s studies into armed forces contamination and civilian effects of uranium weapons used by the coalition in Afghanistan, Iraq and Gaza. He will explore the sudden climate effects of nuclear war and its potential to modify global and local temperatures, affecting food production and person security in North America.
In a press release from Samiah Ghani, a member of the Global Nuclear Awareness Program, she states this is a unique opportunity for individuals interested in learning about nuclear energy’s role in global security and the environment to engage directly with experts in the field.
“Whether you are a professional in the field or simply curious about the subject, this event offers valuable insights into one of the most pressing issues of our time,” Ghani reports.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2025 at 9:34 am
Shelby seeks more time for wind energy regulations
Photo by Tom Rivers: The 17-member Orleans County Planning Board met for the first time this year on Thursday in the legislative chambers at the Orleans County Administration Building. The board re-elected Brian Napoli of Ridgeway as chairman and Dan Strong of Carlton as the vice chairman.
ALBION – The Town of Albion is working on updating regulations for larger solar projects and also wants an ordinance for battery storage utilities.
The Orleans County Planning Board on Thursday backed six-month moratoriums in Albion for constructions of commercial solar farms and construction of battery storage utilities.
Albion has three commercial solar farms under construction and another one has been approved. Dan Strong, a member of the County Planning Board, said Albion wants to address “some glitches and holes” in its ordinance and have an option for host fees to allow the town to receive a larger percentage of the revenue for the projects. Right now with a PILOT the revenue is shared in thirds among the town, school district and county.
The town approved regulations for solar farms in 2017.
The Albion Town Board has scheduled public hearings on the moratoriums for 5 p.m. on Feb. 10. During a moratorium no applications shall be considered or processed by the town while it works to update or write its ordinances.
The town currently doesn’t have any battery storage utilities, including among the four commercial solar projects, Strong said.
Albion approved regulations for battery storage systems in 2021, but wants to update those, he said.
The Planning Board on Thursday also gave its OK for a six-month extension of a moratorium in Shelby on wind energy systems. The Planning Board approved a six-month moratorium in July 2024, but the town wants more time to go through and approve the regulations.
Kirk Myhill, the Shelby Planning Board chairman, said the Planning Board has made its recommendation to the Town Board, which is now reviewing the ordinance.
During the moratorium, town officials will suspend any permitting, processing, interpreting or deliberating upon wind energy projects and wind energy overlay districts.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 January 2025 at 8:08 am
Planners recommend Kendall approve farmworker housing for Herberle Farms
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board recommended the Village of Medina approve a variance to allow for a bigger parking lot for Oak Orchard Health at 911 West Center St.
The board on Thursday evening also recommended the Town of Kendall approve the site plan and permit for farmworker housing at 17288 Lakeshore Rd.
Oak orchard Health opened a healthcare center in June 2022 at the former office for Dr. Surinder Bath, a Medina physician for nearly 47 years. He retired in September 2021.
The office currently has eight parking spaces. Oak Orchard wants to expand the lot by seven feet to the east, which would then allow it to have 14 spaces. Two of those spots would be designated as handicapped accessible.
Medina’s code requires a 10-foot setback to a property line for a parking lot. Oak Orchard would need a 7-foot variance to expand the lot and only have a 3-foot buffer to the neighboring property line, where there is a privacy fence.
County Planning Board member Gary Daum of Lyndonville stated his support for the variance saying it would allow Oak orchard to better serve the community, and help patients to park closer to the building, especially those with mobility challenges.
Oak Orchard is hoping to have the expanded parking lot done in the spring.
In Kendall, Heberle Farms is working to establish farmworker housing at 17288 Lakeshore Rd., near the Monroe-Orleans Countyline Road.
The property is outside the agricultural district so the housing requires a permit and site plan review from the town. Joe Heberle, the farm owner, told the Planning Board he will apply to have the property go in the ag district during the review process later this year beginning in July.
Heberle Farms has expanded recently, acquiring 100 more acres while also planting more high-density orchards. Heberle said he needs more farmworkers to bring in a crop of 200,000 bushels of apples.
A smaller double-wide structure would first be used for five or six farmworkers, Heberle said. The Orleans County Health Department will determine the maximum number of workers that can stay there in an upcoming inspection.
A larger brick house will likely be a two-year renovation effort, Heberle said. Bruce Newell, a Planning Board member from Kendall, said town officials are pleased to see the brick building getting attention.
Heberle said the farmworker housing will be used from May to November.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2025 at 8:44 pm
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council is seeking nominations to recognize artists and others who promote cultural activities in Genesee and Orleans counties.
GO Art! in 2018 created the Genean awards for GENesee and OrlEANs counties, which “recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties,” GO Art! Executive Director Gregory Hallock said.
The nomination deadline is March 1. To submit a nomination, click here to be directed to the GO Art! website.
GO Art! wants to recognize the following:
Organization of the Year – This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization for its outstanding achievements in 2024.
Individual Artist of the Year – This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for achievements in 2024 or career-long body of work.
Arts and Culture Supporter of the Year – The award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector during 2024.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2025 at 2:50 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orly the Bicentennial Ox was on the move this morning, going from the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds to Hoag Library in Albion.
Keith Ward, left, and Vincent Zona, motor equipment operators for the Orleans County DPW, move the painted fiberglass statue from a trailer into the library. The ox isn’t too heavy, approximately 60 pounds.
Orly was painted during last July’s fair by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward. One side has an agricultural theme honoring the pioneer settlers and the other side has a 4-H and County Fair theme.
The ox was moved the library today so people could get a close look at him.
There will be an informational meeting at noon on Saturday at Hoag for artists, organizations, businesses and other sponsors to hear how they could be part of having more oxen painted around the county.
The ox was featured during the Medina Parade of Lights on Nov. 30 and then Albion Christmas parade on Dec. 14.
Library director Betty Sue Miller sizes up Orly with the DPW workers, who also include Wayne Krull, the deputy commissioner for the DPW.
Miller noted the library has several other paintings and a large mural done by Stacey Kirby Steward.
Orly will greet library patrons for maybe the next three months or so. He might be on the move again on April 15, which is the county’s official 200th birthday. April 15, 1825 was the day the State Legislature first recognized Orleans County. Before that Orleans was part of Genesee County.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 January 2025 at 10:06 am
Don Cielewich piloted aptly named Hard Luck, a B-17 bomber
Provided photos: This formation of B-17s shows Hard Luck, center, the plane in which Medina native Don Cielewich went down on a bombing mission in Germany.
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a three-part series about Medina native Don Cielewich and his family.
MEDINA – Don Cielewich enlisted in the Army July 1, 1943 and became part of the Army Air Corps. He went to Transition Flying School in Sebring, Fla. and Advanced Flight School in Seymour, Ind., before eventually joining the 100th Bomb Group in Scotland as a lieutenant.
The mission which changed his life began on Aug. 14, 1944, when he was assigned to pilot the B-17 Hard Luck. Their target in Germany was Mannheim/Ludwigshaven. This was his first time flying that plane and on runup for takeoff, he realized it was aptly named. He reported to his commander the engines were shot, but he refused to let Don abort the mission.
The late Don Cielewich of Medina wears a bomber jacket and headset in this photo from World War II, when he was a B-17 pilot and POW.
News accounts of the mission say Hard Luck was shot down, but his co-pilot Lenard Moen of Whittier, Calif., who Don’s son Scott visited in later years, said that wasn’t true. They ran out of gas.
“When they took off, the plane was struggling,” Scott said. “Lenard said dad was a strong guy and he was struggling to get the plane over a grove of trees at the end of the runway. He was pulling with all he had and just touched the tops of the trees. As they were turning for the bombing run, the engines quit.”
Moen said they had realized with the increased manifold pressure, they were consuming way too much fuel, and Don dumped the bombs when the first engine quit. He gave orders for the crew to bail out the rear side door and set the plane on autopilot.
Don and Moen tried to bail out the nose hatch, but had trouble getting it open. They were at 1,400 feet over mountains when the hatch finally gave way. The plane was at 500 feet when Don bailed out and his chute didn’t fully open. He landed in a tree and was hurt.
The men were separated and Moen walked for three days through the mountains until he was captured. Don attempted to make his way to France, following a railroad line. He traveled at night and found shelter during the day. Both men were taken in by German farmers who discovered them and then turned them over to German officers.
Fritz Rey was the farmer who found Don and fed him a raw egg and a glass of home brew. They cooked another for him to take with him, but it was taken by the authorities to whom he was turned over. They next took him to a large Gestapo interrogation center outside Frankfort, where he spent six days and nights in solitary confinement before being moved to Stalag Luft III, 90 miles southeast of Berlin.
In January 1945, Don and 10,000 American officers were forced to walk for 11 days, covering 110 miles, before being loaded into boxcars for transport to Moosburg. Here, he spent the remainder of his confinement until being liberated April 29, 1945 when General George Patton’s tanks rolled through the front gates.
Don was home from the war about a year when a letter arrived from Fritz Rey, inquiring how he fared during imprisonment and if he ever thought of the egg Fritz gave him. He went on to tell Don because he had given him that egg, he was reported to the circuit prison. But he said his concern for Don was because he had spent four years as a prisoner of war in France during World War I and could put himself in Don’s plight.
Photos courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society: (Left) Right) This “Graveyard Quilt” crafted by Elizabeth Roseberry Mitchell around 1843 to memorialize deceased family members will be the topic of the Cobblestone Society’s Virtual Lecture Series on Jan. 28. There is still time to register for the online presentation. (Right) Jennifer Downs, curator at the Kentucky Historical Society, will share history of a historic quilt housed there during the Cobblestone Society’s Virtual Lecture Series on Jan. 28.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 23 January 2025 at 9:14 am
CHILDS – Virtual Lecture Series have become a popular way for the public to support the Cobblestone Museum and enjoy programs, even when the museum is closed. They also make it possible for speakers to share their expertise on interesting subjects with members and friends of the museum, without having to travel, said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the of the Cobblestone Museum.
Bonafini has announced the museum will host three monthly history-based virtual programs, via Zoom, beginning with a presentation at 7 p.m. Jan. 28 on Elizabeth Roseberry Mitchell’s “Graveyard Quilt.” Bonafini shares that this extraordinary textile was created by Mitchell and her daughters around 1843 to memorialize their deceased family members.
The quilt was designed with a graveyard in the center, bordered by a picket fence, trellis and climbing roses. It’s an unusual mourning quilt of this period because of the presence of coffins, both in the cemetery and around the perimeter of the quilt, Bonafini explained. Additional coffins were incorporated with the intent of adding the names of new family members as they arrived.
Jennifer Downs, curator at the Kentucky Historical Society, where the quilt is housed, will share a program of the quilt’s history within the context of the 19th century Kentucky and Victorian mourning customs. Because of its fragility, the quilt is rarely shown to the public, Downs has explained.
Registration online and a donation are required to take part in the program, and will close soon, Bonafini said. PayPal and credit card payments are accepted, and all proceeds benefit the Cobblestone Society and Museum.
Official sponsor of this program is Marie Bell, owner of Country Treasures Quilt Shop in Brockport.
Pat’s Auto Repair in Albion is the sponsor for the remaining two virtual programs.
For assistance or information, call (585) 589-9013 or watch the CobblestoneMuseum.org website to view full details of the February and March programs.
February’s program on the 27th at 7 p.m. will be “U.S. Grant & Civil Rights,” presented by Ben Kemp, operations manager of the U.S. Grant Cottage State Historic Site. This fitting program during Black History Month discusses subject matter that helps to highlight a very difficult but promising period of the Civil Rights struggle and Grant’s role in it, Bonafini said.
The March 20 presentation at 6:30 p.m. will feature Elizabeth Farrell, assistant director of Education and Public Programming at the Erie Canal Museum, who will share “Waterway of Change: Women and the Erie Canal. “ This celebrates the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal and Women’s History Month by joining the virtual audience for this presentation, according to Bonafini.
“Learn how the fight for women’s rights grew out of the changes brought about by the Erie Canal and the movement’s dependence on the networks that the canal facilitated,” Bonafini added.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2025 at 8:35 am
Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club last week presented $1,000 checks to the New York State School for the Blind in Batavia and the pre-diabetes program at the Orleans County Health Department.
The donations were made towards the Lions Club’s global causes of vision and diabetes. They money came from the proceeds from the Kendall Lions Club’s annual Christmas Party Auction.
In the photo at left Lions Club President Zina Cappatelli presents a check to Nola Goodrich-Kresse, a public health educator and public information officer, for the Orleans County Health Department to support the pre-diabetes education program.
In the photo at right, Lions Club President Zina Cappatelli presents a check to Batavia School for the Blind’s Christopher Wolsey and Jackie Simpson.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 January 2025 at 8:03 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – The Holley Waterfalls were nearly frozen in ice on Wednesday when then the temperatures were near 0 in the morning and peaked at about 12 degrees.
The falls remained an attraction with several people stopping by on Wednesday afternoon.
Despite the ice some water kept flowing. There was still a roar from the waterfalls.
After four days in a deep freeze with temperatures typically in the teens or less, the temp will “warm up” to a high near 24 today. The highs in the following days include 22 on Friday, 29 on Saturday and 29 on Sunday.
The Holley Waterfalls are about 35 feet high and carry water from the east branch of Sandy Creek.
This bird stopped by the frozen falls on Wednesday afternoon.
Photo by Mike Groll/Office of the Governor: Gov. Kathy Hochul today launched her statewide push for distraction-free schools at Farnsworth Middle School in Guilderland near Albany.
Governor Kathy Hochul today stood with students, parents, teachers, social justice advocates and law enforcement officials to launch her push to restrict smartphone use in K-12 schools statewide.
The launch of this new effort follows the introduction of this legislative proposal as part of Governor Hochul’s FY 2026 Executive Budget Proposal. Additionally, Governor Hochul today released a new report with recommendations gathered from her statewide listening tour this past year with students, parents and teachers regarding excessive smartphone use in schools.
This effort continues Hochul’s commitment to protecting youth mental health and promoting student success in the digital age, following her action last year to secure and sign a first-in-the-nation law to restrict addictive social media feeds for minors.
“From parents and teachers, to social justice and law enforcement leaders, New Yorkers agree that our young people succeed when they’re learning and growing, not clicking and scrolling,” Hochul said. “Using the insights from my statewide listening tour, this comprehensive proposal to restrict smartphone use in schools will ensure that New York’s statewide standard for distraction-free learning delivers the best results for our kids and educators.”
The governor’s legislative proposal to create a statewide standard for distraction-free schools in New York can be seen here. This new legislation covers requirements and details including:
No unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day, including classroom time and other settings like lunch and study hall periods.
Allows schools to develop their own plans for storing smartphones during the day — giving administrators and teachers the flexibility to do what works best for their buildings and students.
Proposes $13.5 million in funding to be made available for schools that need assistance in purchasing storage solutions to help them go distraction-free.
Requires schools to give parents a way to contact their kids during the day if needed.
The Governor’s proposal also clarifies that students would still be authorized to have access to simple cell phones without internet capability, as well as internet-enabled devices officially provided by their school for classroom instruction, such as laptops or tablets used as part of lesson plans.
Additionally, the Governor’s proposal includes several exemptions to smartphone restrictions, including for students who require access to an internet-enabled device to manage a medical condition, where required by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), or for other academic purposes, such as translation.
This new requirement would be in place starting in the 2025-26 School Year and would apply to all schools in public school districts, as well as charter schools and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES).
Governor Hochul’s new report “More Learning, Less Scrolling: Creating Distraction-Free Schools” includes:
Findings from the Governor’s statewide listening tour, including:
Smartphones distract students and inhibit learning and creativity
Phone-free environments do not compromise student safety
Phone-free environments support the mental health of students and teachers
NYSUT President Melinda Person said, “Today marks a pivotal step in our push to create distraction-free learning environments, ensuring our schools are sanctuaries for learning, growth and genuine connection. This movement is growing larger and stronger every day, and has brought together parents, teachers, law enforcement, and local officials who all recognize the crucial importance of giving children a school day free from the pressures of social media and other distractions. I want to thank Gov. Hochul for keeping student mental health a top priority, and for her clear dedication to the success and well-being of the next generation.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 January 2025 at 2:38 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – These three friends from Lyndonville head down the sledding hill at Bullard Park today around 2 p.m. Carson Woodworth, 7, is in center next to Emma Lear, 9, with Richard Burch, 5, at the far right.
The trio zooms down the hill with Emma having a wipeout not too far into the descent.
They came from Lyndonville with their families for their favorite sledding hill. There was no school today due to the frigid cold. Even though the temperature was 12 degrees, it didn’t seem too bad because there was barely a breeze.
These three are on top of the hill and headed down together. From left to right include Nick Luft, 15; Walker Davey, 16; and Logan Kast, 16.
The trio has fun near the bottom of the hill with their sleds cutting through the cold snow. Front to back include Walker Davey, Logan Kast and Nick Luft.
