By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 May 2025 at 9:01 am
The national average price for a gallon of gasoline was at $3.14 on Monday, down three cents from the previous week. A year ago, the price was $3.62, AAA reported.
The New York State average is $3.09, down a penny from a week ago and a drop of 63 cents from a year earlier.
AAA said prices dropped in the past week in the “lull between spring travel and the kick-off to summer.” The OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries also announced last week it will increase output again in June. That should widen the supply surplus, andcould cause crude prices to continue to fall, AAA said, leading to even lower prices at the pump this summer.
Here are the average prices in counties around Western New York:
Press Release, NYS Health Facilities Association/NYS Center for Assisted Living
ALBANY – Susan Luxon, a personal care aide at The Willows in Medina, has received the 2025 NYSCAL Noble Caregiver of the Year Award from the New York State Health Facilities Association/New York State Center for Assisted Living.
The award was presented on May 7th at the 2025 NYSCAL Awards Banquet during the Association’s annual conference in Bolton Landing.
Luxon has been a dedicated caregiver at The Willows for the past 26 years. She demonstrates a deep commitment to preserving the dignity and well-being of each individual under her care.
Her empathy and genuine concern for the residents’ happiness and comfort are evident in every interaction. She listens intently to their needs and concerns, providing both emotional support and practical assistance whenever necessary. Luxon consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues, often picking up shifts and assisting in any way possible to ensure smooth operations in the facility.
“In a field that requires both skill and heart, Susan excels in every aspect of caregiving,” said Jacquie Morgante, administrator of The Willows. “We are proud that she has been honored with this prestigious award from NYSHFA | NYSCAL.”
The NYSCAL Nurse of the Year Award recognizes an adult care/assisted living nurse who demonstrates outstanding compassion, supervisory success, innovation, achievement, and capabilities in their provision of high quality resident-centered care in a service-oriented culture in an adult care/assisted living community.
Winners received an engraved obelisk and were invited to attend the NYSHFA | NYSCAL annual conference.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 10:00 pm
Provided photos
HOLLEY – Nora Lindsay (center), a junior at Holley Junior-Senior High School, is shown with Neil and Diane Valentine, parents of Evan Valentine.
Lindsay sold cookies in April in memory of Evan, who passed away at age 18 on February 21, 2021 after a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Evan was very active in Holley’s music program and also was a soccer player and Eagle Scout.
Lindsay was able to donate $700 for the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association in memory of Evan Valentine.
“This community will not and can not forget everything Evan meant to us,” Lindsay said in a message to promote the cookie sale for the C.U.R.E.
Members of the Ontario Shores Sweet Adelines photographed in November 1976. Front row, from left: Edna Walck, Bonnie Powley, Marcia Housel (musical director), Betty Cole and Penny Powley. Second row: Pat Balcerzak, Joan Arnold, Pat Few, Phyllis McCarthy, Mary Lee Knights, Sylvia Allen and Theda Powley. Third row: Kathy Stahl, Audrey Lamb, Carol Lenhardt, Linda Rau, Janet Walck, Jean Gates and Helen James. Members absent from the photo: Claire Simons, Jan White, Elaine Jamele, Mary Lou Zimmerman, Kathy Hartway, Sue Wingfield and Janine Holbrook.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 18
MIDDLEPORT – Ladies who liked to sing, harmonize and socialize formed a local chapter of the Sweet Adelines in 1972.
Named for a barbershop song popular in the early 1900s, the Sweet Adelines started in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1945 with a small group of women who liked to sing. It grew into an international, educational and social organization which promotes the folk-art style of singing four-part harmony, barbershop style.
The local chapter, named the Ontario Shores Sweet Adelines Chorus of Middleport received its international charter in February 1976. It included Niagara and Orleans counties and was part of Region 16 which covered New York State to Kingston, Ontario. Ontario Shores members at that time hailed from Holley, Lyndonville, Medina, Barker, Middleport and Newfane.
Marcia Housel of Lyndonville, a founding charter member, was the group’s music director for 16 years. An ardent proponent of the power of group singing, she believed that it provided “a real lift.” In a November 1974 interview, she explained that the Sweet Adelines repertoire focused on familiar tunes “music you can hum along to,” show tunes, patriotic songs and the “old classics” such as “Down by the Riverside.”
The newly formed Sweet Adelines presented their first annual show on November 6, 1976, at the Roy-Hart School auditorium in Middleport. The theme was “From Bonnets to Bellbottoms” and featured early and contemporary music.
Thus began a busy schedule of shows, competitions and performances at civic events and of course weekly rehearsals. A professional choreographer instructed the group in facial expression, mime acting, characterization and dance.
In 1984, Ann Gemerek of Holley was the director of the Christmas entertainment presented at the Carl I. Bergerson auditorium in Albion.
In 1985, a double quartet from Ontario Shores performed for the 700 members attending the Region 16 annual Music School event held at the Ramada Inn in Niagara Falls. They included: Jan Pritchard and Jean Gates of Medina; Janet Walck, Lyndonville; Joyce Compson and Mary Brocksopp of Holley; Laurie Costello, Brockport, Pat Few and Marie Krockenberger of Lockport.
The group’s activities were chronicled in the Medina Journal Register newspaper through the late 1980s. Carol Oschmann of Kendall was awarded the “Sweet Adeline of the Year” in 1987. Rosanne Mauragis became a new member in 1987 and Bonnie Orgar joined in 1988.
Cindy Parada’s mother, Elaine Jamele, was a member of the Sweet Adelines for many years. Cindy recalls: “Mom loved being a member of the Sweet Adelines! They just had so much fun. She joined with her best friend, Linda Rau. There was a great sense of camaraderie among the members. They sang music that they liked and wore fun costumes. It was theatrical, they enjoyed the thrill of performing but as a group which made it easier. Good times.”
It appears that the chapter discontinued in the early 1990s. We are sure that those ladies who loved to sing, harmonize and socialize kept photos, scrapbooks and other memorabilia of their Sweet Adeline adventures. The Orleans County Dept. of History would like to chronicle this aspect of our musical history, please contact Catherine.Cooper@orleanscountyny.gov. if you have material to donate.
Can any readers help us identify these happy harmonizers?
ALBION – On Saturday at approximately 9:54 a.m., Albion police officers responded to a report of a visibly distraught female at the Albion Police Department. The individual reported that she had been physically assaulted earlier that morning by her boyfriend, Brandon Armstrong, at a residence on West Bank Street.
Officers observed visible injuries on the victim, including red marks on her neck and cuts to her hand. The victim reported being choked multiple times, physically restrained from leaving the residence, and threatened with a knife.
She stated that Armstrong, age 41, attempted to stab her, resulting in the lacerations to her hand. Emergency medical services were requested to provide evaluation and treatment at the scene.
Patrols responded to the suspect’s residence and attempted to get Armstrong to come out for approximately 30 minutes. When he refused, the Albion Police Department K9 Unit was dispatched to assist. Patrols were advised Armstrong was hiding in the attic of the residence. After another 30 minutes, he came out and surrendered to patrols without further incident.
Armstrong has been charged with Robbery 3rd Degree (Class D Felony), Assault 2nd Degree (Class D Felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon with intent to use (Class A Misdemeanor), Criminal Obstruction of Breathing (Class A Misdemeanor) and Unlawful Imprisonment (Class A Misdemeanor).
The Albion Police were assisted by Orleans County Sheriff’s Office.
The Albion Police Department takes all allegations of domestic violence seriously and is committed to ensuring the safety of victims and holding offenders accountable.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence is encouraged to contact law enforcement or reach out to local support services for assistance.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 11:09 am
Organization reminds public flag holders for flags belong to cemeteries
Photos courtesy of Steve Goodrich: These flag holders are at veterans’ graves in Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – The American Legion welcomes the public to be a part of the Memorial Day parade on May 26.
The parade begins at the Lake Avenue baseball field at 9 a.m. Participants should be there by 8:45. The processional then heads to Main Street and stops at Veterans Park by the library for a ceremony.
Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post 1603 of the American Legion, also wanted to remind the public the markers and flag holders set by veterans’ graves are meant to be there year-round and are the property of the cemetery where the veteran is buried – not the family of the veteran.
Goodrich said the markers can be costly to replace at $150 for a bronze marker at $33 for aluminum if bought in bulk.
“The markers are provided by veteran’s organizations at no cost to the families of those veterans,” Goodrich said. “Please do not take them home! If a grave is found without a marker, a new one will be bought at expense to the post in that town.”
If a marker is dislodged, do not take it to a veteran or to a post, Goodrich said. Leave it where it is and notify a post member exactly where it is so it can be determined what grave it is near and should be returned to.
Post selling tickets for Bills bench as fundraiser
The Houseman-Tanner Post also beginning on Memorial Day will be selling tickets for a fund-raiser until Aug. 15.
“We will be again raffling off a hand-made bench,” Goodrich said. “This year’s model a Buffalo Bills in a Zuba pattern.”
The tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The drawing will be held Aug. 15 at the annual Lyndonville Street Dance. The bench is made by retired US Army veteran Calvin Wadford.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 9:20 am
Photos courtesy of Tim Archer
ALBION – Some Albion eighth-graders teamed with Clarendon Town Historian Melissa Ierlan to give two historic markers a facelift with fresh coats of paint.
The top photo shows Emmaline Gailie, Nicole Loney and Tatiana Morales with Ierlan and the marker for the First Academy between the Niagara and Genesee.
The marker is in Gaines on Ridge Road, one mile west of Route 279.
The students also teamed with Ierlan to give this marker for the Brick Pond fresh paint. This marker is on Route 98, south of Route 104. Ierlan has removed old, flaking paint from about 30 markers in Orleans County and given them new paint.
J.A. Lafler opened a brickyard here in the 1850s, producing drainage tile and bricks for local buildings. He patented a brick machine in 1863.
Lux Froman paints the pole black on the marker for the Brick Pond.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 May 2025 at 8:22 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Mount Albion Cemetery is in its budding and blossoming glory right now, with many colors on display in the historic cemetery along Route 31.
Mount Albion in 2022 became accredited as an arboretum through ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum. The cemetery covers about 100 acres and is home to more than 1,100 trees and an array of flowers and bushes.
There are 65 varieties of trees, ranging from alder to beech, butternut to basswood, oak to spruce, hemlock to dogwood, pine to cedar and chestnut, according to the listing by ArbNet and The Morton Arboretum.
“But what dominates the landscape is New York State’s official tree – the Sugar Maple,” the group stated. “It’s brilliant fall colors dance across the landscape like a kaleidoscope of calm.”
Many people enjoy walking and visiting the cemetery, especially in the fall. But right now might be the best time of the year to visit the cemetery.
The cemetery hosts tours in the summer. A spring-time tour highlighting the different types of trees would be much appreciated by the public as well.
File photo by Tom Rivers: Dave and Gail Miller, left, and Medina historian Todd Bensley look up close at the restored stained-glass window in the chapel at Boxwood Cemetery on May 18, 2024. The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery rededicated the chapel and invited the community to see a cleaned up chapel.
Press Release, Friends of Boxwood Cemetery
MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery are excited to announce their newest event, “A Day of Remembrance.”
The event will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 11 a.m., starting at the Boxwood Cemetery Chapel on North Gravel Road in Medina. It is a rain or shine event that is free and open to the public.
The idea is for people to bring mementos and/or stories of loved ones buried at Boxwood Cemetery. “The stories can be as simple as a cherished memory or the significance of the memento,” according to board member Todd Bensley.
Bensley is also the Village of Medina historian and has led several tours of the cemetery over the years.
“We are hoping to add to the rich history of Boxwood Cemetery by hearing from individuals with a personal connection to those buried at Boxwood,” he said.
The format will be a stroll around the cemetery with stops at the graves of those that people want to share a story about.
Bensley stressed that the event is open to the public and you do not have to have a story to tell to join in the walk. Anyone with an interest in local history or Boxwood Cemetery is welcome to attend.
Photos courtesy of Kendall Lions Club – (Left) Lions Club President Zina Cappotelli is shown accepting a proclamation from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley. (Right) Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak presented a citation to the Lions Club on behalf of the Legislature.
Article by Helen Unterborn, Kendall Lions Club member
KENDALL – The Kendall Lions on Saturday celebrated 50 years of service to the Kendall Community. Members, their families and guests gathered at the Hamlin VFW for dinner, a program and display honoring our members past and present.
State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak both presented official citations recognizing the service of the Kendall Lions Club. The guest speakers were Korey K. Brown, Monroe County Undersheriff and Holly Dutcher, Executive Director of C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association.
Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown Monroe County Undersheriff shares his family’s journey with childhood cancer, which has twice affected his grandson Joel.
Undersheriff Brown shared his family’s cancer journey with their grandson Joel and how he is giving back to C.U.R.E. in appreciation for their help and to raise awareness of childhood cancer. During September, Childhood Cancer Month, he completes a 5K every day to raise funding and awareness for C.U.R.E.
Dutcher then shared the work of C.U.R.E. And the resources and assistance they provide to families. This past February the proceeds of the Kendall Lions annual Chicken BBQ were designated for C.U.R.E., and a check for $6,500 was presented to the organization at the dinner on Saturday.
Kendall Lion President President Zina Cappotelli (middle) presents a check for $6,500 to Holly Dutcher, executive director C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer and Monroe County Undersheriff Korey K. Brown, who is an active volunteer for the organization.
The Kendall Lions Club has been very active serving the Kendall community since it was chartered on January 28, 1975, under the leadership of charter president Ray Ernenwein. From early in our existence, the Kendall Lions Club has had an impact on the community in big and little ways.
The Lions Club played a significant role in creating the Kendall Medical Center and bringing Kendall its first doctor. As time went on, the Lions club helped the fire department purchase a new truck and a new ambulance. The club has also made important donations to our school by donating such things as vision testing machines, nebulizers and AEDs.
We were one of the original supporters of Camp Abilities, a week-long camp at Brockport College for visually impaired students. To this day we continue to cook a dinner for the campers annually.
For most of our existence, we invite parents to bring their Pre-K to 3rd grade students to come for a wagon ride to a Pumpkin Patch for a free pumpkin, donut and cup of cider. We also celebrate the accomplishments to each senior class at our Senior Breakfast at a local facility.
A banner marks the Kendall Lions Club’s 50th anniversary.
Each year, on Superbowl Saturday we have a Chicken BBQ with the proceeds going to a local family in serious need, to the school or to a non-profit organization.
In 2018, our community was stunned by the tragic deaths of a single mother and her son to carbon monoxide poisoning. The Kendall Lions responded by teaming with the Kendall Fire Department providing and installing free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to any community member who wanted them.
Most recently, our club raised the funds and provided AEDs to each of the churches in the Kendall Community.
In addition, we also play Bingo with the vets at the VA in Batavia twice a year. We have an emergency fund and a medical loan closet to support community members as needs arise. We sponsor an Environmental Cleanup Day and a Fourth Grade Forester Program on Arbor Day (we give each 4th grader a tree to bring home to plant). We give scholarships to graduating seniors, are the district’s hub for eye glass collections and offer free eye exams and glasses to students in need.
As you can see, for our entire existence, the Kendall Lions Club has proudly and tirelessly lived up to our motto, “We Serve.”
Lions Club members and guests celebrate the milestone anniversary for the service organization.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 May 2025 at 8:42 am
Lyndonville’s Newsies named ‘Production of the Year’ for small schools in Rochester region
Photos by Tom Rivers: Lyndonville is shown in a scene from Disney’s Newsies. The district won the top award for small schools in the Rochester region for its musical production.
Three school districts in Orleans County were big winners in the annual Stars of Tomorrow program that evaluates and recognizes school musicals in the Rochester region.
Albion, Lyndonville and medina were all recognized for “Excellence in Overall Production” by the Stars of Tomorrow with Lyndonville named the “Production of the Year” among small schools, which included many districts larger than Lyndonville.
The districts were recognized Friday night at the West Herr Auditorium in Rochester. There were 48 schools in Stars of Tomorrow this year, a record high for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.
Trained evaluators, comprised of performing arts educators and professionals, travel to watch each district’s production. They then provided students and directors with feedback in a variety of categories.
Albion, Lyndonville and Medina all were named “Top 10” Productions of the Year for Small Schools with Lyndonville performing Disney’s Newsies, Albion with Cinderella, and Medina with Mamma Mia!
Mallory Kozody is Cinderella and Zachary Baron is Prince Christopher. They dance a waltz in Albion’s production of Cinderella.
Albion won the following awards:
Excellence in Overall Production
Excellence in Acting Ensemble
Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Production Crew
Excellence in Production Design
Excellence in Student Orchestra (50-74 percent students)
Achievement in a leading role: Mallory Kozody as Cinderella, Zachary Baron as Christopher, and Ella Trupo as Fairy Godmother.
Amir Huzair plays the lead role of Jack Kelly who leads the newsboys in a strike after the wealthy newspaper owners cut the slim profit margins to the boys.
Lyndonville was recognized with the following awards:
Production of the Year
Excellence in Overall Production
Excellence in Acting Ensemble
Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Production Crew
Excellence in Production Design
Excellence in Student Orchestra (50-74 percent students)
Achievement in a leading role: Amir Huzair as Jack Kelly, Noah Fox as Davey, Auston Bentley as Crutchie, and Sarah Corser as Katherine.
Medina performed Mamma Mia! with Madelyn Elliott as Donna, center, joined by Rosie (Lyla Page) and Tanya (Arianna Lake). The three are singing, “Dancing Queen.” The musical includes songs by ABBA.
Medina won the following honors:
Excellence in Overall Production
Excellence in Vocal Ensemble
Excellence in Dance Ensemble
Excellence in Production Crew
Excellence in Production Design
Achievement in a leading role: Lyla Page as Rosie, Madelyn Elliott as Donna, Ava Blount as Sophie, Arianna Lake as Tanya, and Jackson McGrath as Sky.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 May 2025 at 8:11 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Peter Stritzinger, 13, places flags on veterans’ graves this morning at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Stritzinger and other Scouts in Troop 164 and Pack 164 set flags on more than 1,300 flags at Mount Albion and St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
The Scouts for decades have teamed with the American Legion and VFW to have the flags at veterans’ graves before Memorial Day.
Leo Gotte, 12, of Troop 164 and his mother, Megan Gotte, place flags where veterans are buried at Mount Albion.
Jack Breuilly, 13, (left) and Colson Braley, 14, carry flags while looking for veterans’ graves at Mount Albion.
Jay Baron, 5, teams with his father Jeff Baron to put flags at veterans’ markers. Jeff is the dean leader for Pack 164 which allows Scouts as young as 5. Jeff remembers putting flags at the cemetery before Memorial Day when he was a kid and a Boy Scout.
Colton Durow, 14, finds a veteran’s grave to place a flag. Mount Albion has many varieties of trees in bloom right now.
This year the Memorial Day parade begins on May 26 at 10 a.m. at the corner of Park Street and South Main Street and proceeds to the Middle School where there will be a service at 11 a.m. in front of the school.
People and organizations interested in being the parade should contact Phil Warne of the Legion at (585) 589-5701. He is co-chairman of the parade with Matt Passarell from the VFW.
MIDDLEPORT – Ladies who liked to sing, harmonize and socialize formed a local chapter of the Sweet Adelines in 1972.
The Houseman-Tanner Post also beginning on Memorial Day will be selling tickets for a fund-raiser until Aug. 15.
