Photos by Ginny Kropf: Assemblyman Steve Hawley presents a proclamation to Amy Machamer during a luncheon Friday celebrating Hurd Orchards inclusion on the State Historic Business Preservation Registry. County Legislator Ed Morgan is at right.

HOLLEY – Hurd Orchards, a seventh-generation family farm going back more than 200 years, was presented with a proclamation by Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Friday during a luncheon celebrating Hurd’s inclusion in the State Historic Business Preservation Registry.

Amy Machamer, who owns Hurd Orchards with her mother Susan Hurd Machamer, said they had already planned a special luncheon featuring rhubarb when they learned of their historic designation.

Holley mayor Mark Bower added his congratulations to Amy Machamer on being included in the State Historic Preservation Registry, after presenting her with a proclamation from the village.

“Our guests will be surprised to learn about our honor,” Machamer said.

The State Historic Business Preservation Registry recognizes business that are at least 50 years old, according to Hawley.

Hurd Orchards was established by Luther Hurd in 1825 and has evolved into a thriving fruit-growing enterprise. It is now in its eighth generation.

“From a pioneer farm, they have changed and thrived with the times, yet kept their historical significance and maintained conservation practices,” Hawley said. “It is extraordinary in this day and age for an agricultural business to last this long.”

Hawley presented Amy with a proclamation from the New York State Assembly, while Ed Morgan presented one from the Orleans County Legislature and another came from Holley mayor Mark Bower.

Amy, who has been in business with her mother since 1985, is the seventh-generation Hurd to run the farm, and when her daughter joins the operation, she will become the eighth-generation.

“I love all that goes into it,” Amy said.

She was not only honored by Hawley’s bestowing such an honor (which she called cool) on the farm, but praised him for supporting farms. She cited this spring when they needed water desperately, which they get from the canal, and was told it would be six weeks before the canal was filled. She contacted Hawley and their state senator, and within 24 hours, there was water in the canal.

Luncheons, such as Friday’s, have become a tradition in the family’s 200-year-old barn. Each one focuses on a different theme found on the farm, from Friday’s rhubarb to chives on June 3. Peonies, strawberries and roses will be featured in upcoming June luncheons.

Amy welcomed a full room of guests to Friday’s lunch, first sharing a little history of the family farm, then explaining about rhubarb. The menu included rhubarb/raspberry jam cookies rolled in paprika, rhubarb muffins, herb bread hot out of the oven, ham with a rhubarb sauce and for dessert, rhubarb pie (also known as pie plant), brown sugar rhubarb cookies and rhubarb custard cake.

“We are contributing in a very special way to the heritage of Western New York,” Amy said.

Hurd Orchards is the fourth Holley area business to be included on the Historic Business Preservation Registry, following Kirby’s Farm Market (just across the Orleans/Monroe County line), who was recognized last year, and Stockham Lumber and Holley Cold Storage, both in Holley, which were announced a week ago.

Honored businesses were identified after Orleans County historian Catherine Cooper compiled a list for Hawley, showing companies in business more than 50 years.

Prior to receiving a proclamation from Assemblyman Stave Hawley, Amy Machamer described the benefits of rhubarb to guests gathered for lunch Friday at Hurd Orchards.

Photo courtesy of Albion Central School: The new inductees in the National Junior Honor Society are shown at the middle school in Albion.

Press Release, Albion Central School

ALBION – There were 25 students at Carl I. Bergerson Middle School recently inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.

Current NJHS members led the ceremony, explaining that the organization is built on the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Inductees must exhibit all four qualities and be recommended by a faculty member in order to be eligible.

This year, students invited middle school teacher Patrick Uveino to serve as the guest speaker. He has taught and coached for 26 years. He encouraged inductees to take chances, to embrace being different, and emphasized the importance of their character.

“Remember, your character is seen, it’s not said,” said Uveino. “You can’t tell someone you have good character, you have to show them. Be genuine, be one of a kind and always continue to work hard to better yourself each and every day.”

Together, the new inductees recited the NJHS pledge before crossing the stage to receive their certificates and sign the registry book, which holds the names of all inductees before them.

The 2025-26 class of inductees include (listed alphabetically): Kyler Bennett, Oliver Beyrle, Lily Bringenberg, Blake Brown, Olivia Bruski, Elizabeth Colmenero, Maci Conn, Avery DiMatteo, Lilah Dix, Ellady Fisher, Korey Ginger, Julianna Grier, Emma Hammons, Kaydence Haylett, Addisyn Jaczynski, Giuliana Liuzzi, Colton Moreland, Gavin O’Brocta, Peyton Palone, Elliott Pettit, Zylia Rolon, Mason Rotthoff, Jenna Snook, Julianna Wilson and Kelbie Woodard.

They join the ranks of the following current members: Madysin Austin, Luciana Borello, Isabella Colonna, Annabella Dusharm, Jeffrey Echevarria-Saldivar, Avery Faskel, William Fisher, Madison Frasier, Brody Furness, Robert Hickman, Amelia Klatt, Allyson McQuay, Brian Patten, Peyton Pisano, Kennedy Roberts, Sutton Sanders, John Michael Vivas and Caleb Wolfe.

Additionally, the following 11 current members were recognized for completing 25 hours of community service: Madysin Austin, Luciana Borello, Isabella Colonna, Annabella Dusharm, Jeffrey Echevarria-Saldivar, Amelia Klatt, Brian Patten, Kennedy Roberts, Sutton Sanders, John Michael Vivas and Caleb Wolfe.

Press Release, Medina Tractor Supply

MEDINA – The Medina Tractor Supply is inviting customers to attend a Pet Adoption Event on June 6 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.

During the event, community partners will be on hand with dogs and cats looking for homes.

In addition to supporting community groups in their work to find good homes for great animals, Tractor Supply’s pet adoption event will include pet photos, pet treat tasting, and a pet clinic.

“As an active advocate and supporter of pet rescue and adoption, Tractor Supply strives to inform our customers of the pet adoption process by providing a safe and comfortable space for placing adorable animals in welcoming homes,” said Serenity Baumgart, manager of the Medina Tractor Supply store. “Through this and other year-round adoption events, our goal at Medina store is to connect adoptable pets with interested owners.”

The pet adoption event is open to the public and friendly, leashed pets. It will take place at Tractor Supply at 11181 Maple Ridge Rd.

For more information, please contact the Medina Tractor Supply at 585-798-9932.

Photo by Tom Rivers: These veterans in the honor guard carry the colors along the parade route in Medina during last year’s Memorial Day parade on May 26, 2025. The parade started at the Pickle Factory on Park Avenue, then onto Main Street and East Center Street to State Street Park.

Communities in Orleans County are planning parades and services for Memorial Day. All of observances are on Monday, except in Kendall which has its service on Saturday, May 30. That was the original day of Memorial Day. It was changed to the be the last Monday of May in 1968 to have a three-day weekend for federal employees.

• ALBION – The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Main Street near the Park Street intersection. From there the processional goes to East Avenue, and then to the middle school.

A service will be held in front of the middle school at approximately 11 a.m.

• HOLLEY – A ceremony will start at 9 a.m. at the American Legion Post on Wright Street and will include patriotic music played by the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.

The Holley-Kendall Marching Band will then lead the way down 31 to the traffic light and then down South Main to Hillside Cemetery where the first of three services will take place. The Jewell Buckman gravesite across South Holley Road is the next service and then the Catholic cemetery for final prayer service.

• KENDALL – A ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Kendall Community Park where there is a war memorial and gazebo. It is located on Kendall Road, across from the Kendall Elementary School.

• LYNDONVILLE – A parade will start at 9 a.m. from the parking lot at the former St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Lake Avenue and participants will march to the library for the ceremony which follows. (For veterans who wish to march in the parade or ride the trolley, they should arrive in the Lake Avenue parking lot no later than 8:45 a.m.)

• MEDINA – The parade will start at 11 a.m. at the Olde Pickle Factory building on Park Avenue and proceed to the State Street Park where a ceremony will be held at about noon.

ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee, which has planted numerous dogwood trees in Albion, wants to see more trees planted in the village.

The ABC will be selling trees today at cost from 4 to 6 p.m. at Bullard Park. There will be 10 white oaks at $4.90 each and 10 white dogwoods for $7.50 each. The white oaks are about 4 to 5 feet high while the dogwoods are 3 feet high.

Gary Kent, an ABC board member, said the white oaks are good wildlife trees. They are slow growing and very hard. The dogwoods are flowering trees in the spring.

Provided photos

KENDALL – Students and staff at Kendall Elementary School gather around the flagpole in the front of the school on Thursday during the school’s annual Memorial Day observance.

The annual ceremony at the school began with students watching a 2-minute video created by our art teacher, Andy King. The video discusses the history of Memorial Day and differentiates it from Flag Day, Veteran’s Day, and the 4th of July.

“We strive to ensure that students understand and appreciate the true meaning behind this 3- or 4-day holiday weekend,” said Kevin Watson, the school principal. “During this video, students are instructed about the sounding of Taps, Taps-related etiquette (not wearing hats, not speaking, not clapping following the playing of Taps).”

This group plays Taps in the school’s front yard.

The students gather around the flag pole and Taps was played by a group of five musicians. That included two high school students – Leah Brundage and Savannah Stone; Kendall music teachers – Lindsey Chalmers and Josh Mantegna; and Board of Education trustee David Warren. The BOE member is part of Bugles Across America, a national organization that links bugle players up with miliary funerals.

Kendall also live streams the Changing of the Guard in an available room so that classes may stop by throughout the day and watch the ceremony.

The musicians playing Taps include, from left: Lindsey Chalmers, Savannah Stone, Leah Brundage, Joshua Mantegna and David Warren.

Chancellor’s Award winners from top left to bottom right: Jessica Hibbard, Susane Nugent, Stephanie Ortel, Tara Freitag and Dr. Christopher Caputi.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Five exceptional members of the Genesee Community College team have been recognized by the State University of New York for outstanding contributions to their profession, the campus and the community.

The SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence is given in recognition of consistently superior professional achievement and encourages the ongoing pursuit of excellence.

“The SUNY Chancellor’s Awards represent the highest recognition of excellence across the SUNY System,” said Dr. Craig Lamb, president, GCC. “I am incredibly proud of our faculty and staff whose passion, innovation and dedication have earned this distinguished honor. Their work exemplifies the very best of Genesee Community College and our commitment to student success.”

The following faculty and staff members earned a SUNY Chancellor Award for the 2025-2026 academic year.

• Tara Freitag won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.

Ms. Freitag has served as a dedicated member of the GCC adjunct faculty since August 2015. Throughout her tenure, she has instructed a diverse range of courses, including Introduction to Dance, Hip Hop Dance, and Dance for Musical Theatre. Beyond the classroom, Ms. Freitag plays a vital role as a Student Engagement and Inclusion Associate and as the Head Coach of the GCC Dance Team.

Her extensive contributions as a choreographer for the GCC Theatre Department further underscore her profound commitment to both the institution and its students. Ms. Freitag’s technical mastery is matched by her inclusive teaching philosophy, which ensures that dance is accessible and enriching for all students, regardless of their prior experience. Her adaptability and unwavering focus on student success make her an invaluable asset to the college community.

• Susane Nugent won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service. These are system-level awards established by the University to give system- wide recognition for superior performance and extraordinary achievement by employees in the Classified Service. These awards demonstrate the University’s commitment to individuals who provide superior service to its students and the community at large.

Ms. Nugent embodies excellence through her steadfast commitment to student success and her ability to foster high-level collaboration across the institution. By orchestrating comprehensive support networks involving Admissions, ACE, Faculty, and Academic Leadership, she ensures each student receives precise and compassionate guidance. Her dedication is defined by a proactive approach that guarantees continuity and confidence for students throughout their academic journey. Ms. Nugent’s ability to navigate complex challenges with patience and a solution-oriented mindset reinforces a culture of exceptional service at GCC.

• Dr. Christopher Caputi won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service. This award recognizes the consistently superior service contributions of teaching faculty. This service must be sustained over multiple years and may occur in a variety of venues.

For 18 years, Dr. Caputi has exemplified faculty service through his tireless dedication to his college, community, and profession. Within the institution, he has held numerous leadership roles in the Academic Senate and various committees, while also providing pro bono wellness workshops and physical therapy consultations for his colleagues.

His impactful community work includes bringing the Go Baby Go program to campus, which provides custom mobility cars for children, and serving as president for local nonprofits like ACORNS. Furthermore, he has enriched his students’ education by embedding service learning into the PTA curriculum and securing new scholarships. Ultimately, Dr. Caputi’s multifaceted contributions and professional outreach embody the spirit of service and make him exceptionally deserving of this award.

• Jessica Hibbard won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position.

Ms. Hibbard is a respected and student-centered leader who has dedicated over twenty years to the Genesee Community College community. Known for her strategic vision and steady presence, Jessica successfully led the integration of the library and learning center, creating a collaborative environment that serves as a model for our campus.

A true innovator, she pioneered hybrid learning long before it became a necessity, ensuring our faculty and rural students remained connected and supported. Her peers value her for her transparency, inclusive decision-making, and unique ability to keep student needs at the heart of every complex project. Beyond her formal duties, Jessica contributes to key committees, leads cross-campus initiatives, and supports community partnerships that promote digital equity and expand educational access.

• Stephanie Ortel won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. This award recognizes consistently superior teaching at the graduate, undergraduate or professional level in keeping with the State University’s commitment to providing its students with instruction of the highest quality.

Since joining the GCC Veterinary Technology program in 2016, Ms. Ortel has been impacting every student through her diverse course load and unwavering mentorship. With an extensive professional background, she shares real-world experiences and leverages industry contacts to secure student internships. Stephanie is renowned for fostering a supportive, community-like atmosphere, ensuring students feel supported both academically and personally.

Her innovative spirit is highlighted by her integration of AR/VR technology into the curriculum, a pioneering approach recently featured in a national professional journal. Beyond technical skills, Ms. Ortel secures funding for mental health resiliency workshops and assists students with scholarship applications. Whether guiding a committee through the intricacies of sterile surgical gowning or emailing alumni about job openings, her dedication never wavers. This commitment to student success, combined with her creative pedagogy and professional excellence, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award.

Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata speaks on June 5, 2025 during a ground-breaking celebration for a $17 million sewer project in Kendall and Hamlin. He is shown at Lake View Park on Thompson Drive, where the project started and then headed east to Hamlin covering about 15 miles of sewer pipe.

KENDALL – The Town of Kendall has been awarded an additional $4.7 million from the state for a new sewer district that is nearly constructed.

Kendall celebrated the start of a $17 million sewer project about a year ago. The 15-mile-long sewer district serves 330 residences in two towns with most of the sewer pipe going in Kendall. There is also a portion of the project in Hamlin.

The project starts at Thompson Drive in Kendall and heads east along the shoreline in Kendall, and then includes part of Hamlin, covering an area just south of the Hamlin Beach State Park.

Kendall officials pushed for the sewer project after lake waters were so high they chewed away many feet of the shoreline in 2017 and 2019, threatening residents’ property.

Kendall was able to tap more than $12 million in the State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), up from the initial award of $9 million. Kendall also was awarded a $1,763,835 state grant through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act to put in the sewer lines.

Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced $4.7 million in an additional state grant and low-cost financing for the construction of the new low-pressure sewer and collection system that serves parts of Kendall and Hamlin.

Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said 22 residences have already hooked into the sewer district.

“This is a big enhancement to protect the lakeside residents from rising waters,” Cammarata said this morning. “This is a big project that we’ve been working on for seven years.”

The additional state funds will reduce the debt payments for the district users, Cammarata said.

Gov. Hochul announced $113 million on Thursday for water and sewer infrastructure improvement projects, including the money for Kendall and Hamlin.

“Safe, reliable water infrastructure is essential to healthy communities and a strong economy, and New York is continuing to lead with historic investments statewide,” Hochul said. “We’re helping communities make needed water infrastructure improvements that improve quality of life while protecting New Yorkers from rising costs.”

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – The Senate Republican Conference today wrote a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to suspend the state taxes on motor fuel and diesel. The letter is signed by State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and 21 other senators.

Suspending the tax would provide an estimated $0.16 per gallon cost savings to New York households who are struggling with the cost of gas prices at the pump and diesel prices indirectly through increasing prices of consumer goods.

New York is facing an affordability crisis: record high energy costs, rising gas and diesel prices, the highest-in-the-nation tax burden, and an overall cost of living that is unsustainable.

The letter reads, “The last time gasoline prices in New York reached $5 per gallon, during the Biden Administration,  the State implemented a temporary fuel tax holiday that you [Governor Hochul] strongly supported. At the time you stated:

‘Fuel prices have surged in recent months, hurting working families and small businesses  the most and it is critical that we provide New Yorkers relief by suspending certain fuel  taxes for the next seven months, New York is providing $609 million in direct relief to New  Yorkers – a critical lifeline for those who need it the most.’

In 2022, the State estimated the fuel tax suspension provided a reduction of at least $0.16 per gallon statewide.”

Currently, local officials within several counties have already adopted sales tax reductions when purchasing gas including Dutchess, Onondaga, Rockland, Putnam and Ulster counties.

The last time New York passed and implemented a gas tax holiday was in 2022, under President Biden and Governor Hochul.

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Kylee McMullen and her brother Kole McMullen clean a Medina school bus on Thursday as part of annual Medina Jr/Sr High School “Mustangs Make an IMPACT Day.”

There were 160 students from grades 7 to 12 involved in more than 30 service projects at the school and community.

Jeff Dole, a Medina math teacher, and Chad Kowalik, a special education teacher, joined the students in washing  buses. The students in the group included Kylee and Kole McMullen, Brandon LeBron and Kam Lewandowski.

The students and teachers gathered for a group photo in the gym before dispersing on their assignments. The students had the option of volunteering for projects or taking a half day of school and going home for the second part of the day.

This group cleaned up at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue. Gail Miller, the market manager, holds a large garbage bag at right and teacher Kayla Rosenbeck and is holding a garbage bag in back.

The students helping include, from left, Ashley Brown, Lily Eggleston, Kendra Anderson and Avery Twitchell. Bonnie Lotz, a teacher aide, is in back at left.

Ashley Brown said she enjoyed shoveling the old leaves and pulling weeds rather than in class.

“It’s relaxing,” she said. “You’re outside and you’re getting some Vitamin D.”

Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper shows this group of students the Medina Historical Society, including the dining room. Cooper pointed out the ingenuity of people from before electricity was common in homes. That cleverness was needed in baking food, cleaning clothes and doing many household tasks.

Alex Wilson, a senior, adds dirt around a grave at Boxwood Cemetery. He teamed up with Xavier Moyer and Chris Bissell to carry buckets of dirt to many of the gravesites, and then spread the dirt around. Many of the sites had dirt eroded away from the headstones.

Xavier Moyer works on spreading out dirt at gravesites.

Alyssa Johnston, left, and Natalie Herbert clean headstones at Boxwood. They scraped off moss and biological contaminants, then washed the stone and added D-2 cleaner which should have the gravestone looking very clean in about two weeks.

“I like helping out and cleaning up,” Johnston said. “It’s very satisfying.”

Savannah Jo Thompson and Brylee Christiaansen work on cleaning a headstone. Jenna Cecchini is in back. There were 13 students total doing projects at the cemetery.

ALBION – An Albion man was sentenced to 1 ½ to 3 years in state prison on Wednesday in Orleans County Court.

Stacy Moss, 36, pleaded guilty on April 1 to criminal contempt in the first degree and attempted burglary in the third degree. Moss, formerly of Medina, is a second-felony offender.

The charges originated in the Town of Shelby on November 14, 2025. Moss, in an April 1 county court appearance, admitted to going to the residence of a person he was supposed to not have contact with through an order of protection. He went to that residence on Nov. 14 and he acknowledged he tried to break down her door and threatened to kill her. He admitted to violating the order of protection.

Judge Sanford Church gave Moss the maximum sentence in a plea agreement.

In other cases in county court:

• Michael White, 22, of Albion was sentenced to six months in the county jail and five years probation for attempted criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

White was charged on Sept. 15 after he allegedly had a 20-round magazine in his backpack and pulled his hands away when law enforcement attempted to handcuff him. He also allegedly tried to strike an officer with his elbows.

White previously admitted in court to having the large-capacity device that could hold more than 20 rounds.

• Mark Underwood pleaded guilty to E felony DWI, and could face time in jail and on probation when he is sentenced on July 22.

He was charged on November 26, 2025 after registering a Blood Alcohol Content of .10 percent in Albion.

• Timothy Ausman Jr., 56, of Albion had bail set at $10,000 cash, $20,000 insurance bond and $50,000 ten percent partially secured bail bond.

He appeared in court after being arrested in Albion on May 18 on numerous charges including criminal mischief in the second degree, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle 1st, DWI, fleeing a police officer, and reckless endangerment 2nd.

Ausman damaged two Albion patrol vehicles after refusing to stop when he was observed driving recklessly in the village. He next appears in the Town of Albion Court on May 26.

Press Release, State Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) welcomed the inclusion of a five-year delay to New York’s zero-emission school bus mandate in the state education budget bill, calling it an important step toward protecting taxpayers and easing financial pressure on local school districts.

Under the budget agreement, the requirement that school districts and transportation providers purchase only zero-emission school buses will now be delayed from 2027 until 2032. The deadline for all school buses in operation to be zero-emission vehicles will also be pushed back from 2035 until 2040. Hawley said the delay will provide much-needed flexibility for districts already struggling with rising costs and tight budgets.

“This is a step in the right direction and reflects the concerns many of us have been raising for years,” Hawley said. “School districts simply cannot afford the enormous costs associated with this mandate, especially in rural and upstate communities where infrastructure challenges and harsh winter conditions create additional obstacles. Delaying these deadlines will help protect taxpayers from major cost increases while giving districts more time to plan.”

Hawley added that while the delay is welcome news, the issue is far from resolved, and local school districts should ultimately have the ability to decide what transportation solutions work best for their communities.

“I believe our school districts deserve flexibility, not costly one-size-fits-all mandates,” Hawley said. “While this delay provides important relief, many rural and upstate districts still face serious concerns about infrastructure costs, long-term affordability and whether this technology can reliably meet their transportation needs. I will continue pushing for policies that give school districts the ability to opt out and make the decisions that work best for their students, taxpayers and communities.”

Press Release, NYS Department of Transportation

 YATES – The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 18 (also known as Roosevelt Highway) in the Town of Yates, Orleans County, will be closed to all traffic between Route 269/County Line Road and Murdock Road beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, to accommodate a culvert replacement project.

Motorists should follow posted detours using Route 18, Route 269, Route 104 and Route 63. The road is expected to be reopened by the end of June.

Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary. Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone. Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.