Month: May 2013

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Posted 24 October 2023 at 3:00 pm

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Albion and Medina post N-O tennis wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 May 2024 at 10:24 pm

Staying unbeaten at 8-0, Albion downed host Wilson 4-1 in a Niagara-Orleans League tennis match this afternoon.

Leo Bolton and Mark Ames scored singles wins to lead the Purple Eagles.

Albion also got doubles wins by the duos of Jordan Marshall – Landon Graybill, Oliver Beach – Jason Anstey.

Medina 3, Newfane 2
Medina completed a home-and-home sweep over Newfane with a 3-2 victory.

Angel Mulcahy won at second singles for Medina which also got wins from the doubles teams of Levon Fuller – Michael Clark and Paisley Pasnik – Talia Rupp.

Eden downs visiting Medina in lacrosse

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 May 2024 at 10:14 pm

Building up a commanding 16-3 halftime advantage, Eden went on to down visiting Medina 21-5 in a Class D Division lacrosse game this evening.

Will Prest had 2 goals for Medina as Dylan Lonnen, Ayden Johnson and Cole Callard each netted 1.

The Mustangs are now 4-5 in the division and 5-7 overall.

Lady Tigers post win over Lady Hawks

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 May 2024 at 10:08 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Addie Dillecbeck slides safely into third base during the Lady Tigers win over visiting Holley this afternoon. Natalie Foose awaits the throw for Holley.

Scoring early and often, Lyndonville posted a 17-2 win over visiting Holley in a Genesee Region League softball game this afternoon.

Brooke Robinson had 4 hits including a double and triple, Hannah Fox 3 including two doubles and a triple and Emma Freas 2 to lead the attack for the Lady Tigers which scored 3 runs in both the first and fifth innings and 5 in both the second and third frames.

Lily Newman and Leigha Walker both had 2 hits for the Lady Hawks.

Notre Dame 15, Kendall 0

In another G-R contest, Notre Dame downed Kendall 15-0 as Loretta Sorochty pitched a no hitter with 15 strikeouts and also banged out 3 hits including a two-run double and an RBI single.

Mustangs romp past Lady Panthers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 May 2024 at 9:55 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Lila Class stretches to try and get the out at second base on Newfane’s Alexis Rutherford during the Mustangs win over the Lady Panthers at Vets Park this afternoon.

Erupting for 14 runs over the first three innings, Medina went on to blank Newfane 15-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game at Vets Park this evening.

Samantha Heschke earned the win in the circle as she allowed just 2 hits and struck out 4.

Natalie Herbert had a single and double to lead the Mustangs at the plate.

Wilson 4, Albion 2
Riley Robinson registered 11 strikeouts in the circle to lead the way for Wilson in the 4-2 win over visiting Albion.

Abbie Faery had 3 hits and Ava Mielke 2 to lead the Lakewomen at the plate.

Alana Irvine had 2 hits for Albion.

Barker 6, Alexander 5 (8)
Barker scored a run in the eighth inning on an RBI line out by Madelina Pavlock.

In the circle, Madyson Flint and Peyton Bradley combined to hurl a 6 hitter with 15 strikeouts.

In another non league contest Oakfield-Alabama downed Roy-Hart 8-2.

N-O Standings
Barker 9-0, Wilson 8-2, Roy-Hart 5-3, Albion 5-4, Akron 3-6, Medina 2-7, Newfane 0-10.

Medina tops Albion to hike N-O lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 May 2024 at 9:42 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina catcher Ryleigh Culver gets set to tag out Albion’s Nathan Gibson at home plate during the Mustangs win over the Purple Eagles at Vets Park this evening. Preston Woodworth backs up the play for the Mustangs.

Medina combined a rainy 6-2 victory over rival Albion at Vets Park this evening with Newfane’s 4-2 win at Roy-Hart this afternoon to open up a two game lead in the Niagara-Orleans League baseball title chase.

Improving to 6-1 with the win, Medina moves two games up on a trio of runner-up teams including Roy-Hart at 4-3 and Newfane and Wilson both at 6-3.

Albion jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Josh Bovenzi but Medina got out of further trouble in the frame as a relay from Julian Woodworth in centerfield to Aidan Papaj at second to Ryleigh Culver at catcher cut down another runner at home plate.

Medina pulled even in the third inning on an RBI single by Papaj and then moved on top to stay at 3-1 with a pair of runs in the fourth frame on RBI singles by Richard Keppler and Brandon Christiaansen.

Albion closed the gap to 3-2 with a run in the top of the fifth on an RBI double by Kaiden Froman but could get no closer.

The Mustangs then put together a key three run scoring burst in the home half of the fifth on a two-run double by Preston Woodworth and a fielders choice play off the bat of Keppler to extend the advantage to 6-2.

Preston Woodworth pitched the first four and one-third innings scattering 4 hits and striking out 2. Papaj came on to hurl the final two and two-thirds inning allowing no hits and fanning 4 as he struck out the side in the seventh.

Medina will next visit Albion at 4 p.m. Monday.

Albion third baseman Gavin Boyce tags out Medina’s Aidan Papaj.

Newfane 4, Roy-Hart 2
Trailing 1-0, Newfane rallied for four runs in the top of the seventh inning without the benefit of a hit to down Roy-Hart 4-2.

A squeeze bunt by Konner Courtemanche pulled the Panthers even and a passed ball plated the game winner.

Cam Perry pitched a two hitter with four strikeouts for the Panthers.

Roy-Hart had grabbed an early 1-0 lead on a two out RBI double by Rem Albee in the third inning.

The Rams only other run came on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh.

N-O Standings
Medina 6-1, Newfane 6-3, Wilson 6-3, Roy-Hart 4-3, Akron 3-5, Albion 2-5, Barker 0-7.

Antique tractors featured in Plow Days this weekend in Elba

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Louis Esten, who founded Plow Days 26 years ago, stands by some Farmall tractors which will take part in the event Saturday and Sunday.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 May 2024 at 8:53 pm

ELBA – An antique tractor purchased “just for kicks” by a Medina man is expected to take part in Plow Days Saturday and Sunday at the Torrey Farm at 7411 Oak Orchard Rd., about one-half mile south of Elba.

Larry Boyle, who lived in Millville at the time, purchased a 1938 McCormick Deering Model 04 tractor for $200 in the late 1960s from a friend in Barre. The tractor ran and Boyle used it to haul wood and work up the fields on his small farm.

After moving to Medina, the tractor was stored in a barn and there it has sat for decades, until Larry’s son Terry decided to restore it.

Terry Boyle of Medina, left, and Louis Esten of Elba stand by the 1938 McCormick Deering tractor which Boyle restored and Esten trailered to the site of Plow Days on Saturday and Sunday on Torrey’s farm at 7411 Oak Orchard Rd., Elba.

Terry knew Louis Esten, having worked for him at Path Truck Lines, and knew about Esten’s passion for old tractors. It became Terry’s goal to get his father’s tractor running and take it to Plow Days, a demonstration by old tractors Esten started in 1998.

John Torrey from Torrey Farms also loves old tractors and has an impressive collection of 85 Farmalls and a large toy tractor collection of die cast and pedal tractors. He offered a large field on his farm just south of Elba for Esten to hold his Plow Days.

The day will feature 15 to 20 tractors working in the field, all of them McCormick Deering and Farmall, with the exception of one Cockshoot, a Canadian/Oliver brand.

This display of Farmall tractors is among the 85 antique tractors collected by John Torrey. He lines them up at his home south of Elba every year.

Terry said his dad’s 1938 McCormick Deering hadn’t been run in 50 years when he started working on his several months ago. The tractor is No. 24 out of only 104 built. Terry estimates he has put at least $5,000 in it. It isn’t clear how much it is worth today, but one site online lists similar models being offered for $9,000 to $20,000. Larry, however, isn’t ready to part with it.

There is no charge to attend Plow Days, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.

Esten said they have been rained out only once, and people still came to view tractors in the barn, enjoy the camaraderie and visit the vendor booths. Breakfast and lunch are available from food trucks on the grounds.

Esten said he has lots of help from his sons, grandchildren and friend Daniel Gerould in putting on Plow Days.

A lineup of assorted McCormick Deering and Farmall tractors sits ready to perform for Plow Days Saturday and Sunday at the Torrey Farm on Oak Orchard Road, just south of Elba.

Terry Boyle, second from left, sits in front of his antique McCormick Deering tractor with Michael Esten, his dad Louis Esten and Louis’ grandson Ayden.

YMCA offering new Judo class for home-schooled teens

Provided photos: Marie Delobbe-Scott is instructor of the new Judo class for teens at the Orleans County YMCA.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 May 2024 at 2:55 pm

MEDINA – The Orleans County YMCA is piloting a new teen homeschooling program, which took effect April 30.

The program, which will continue through June 11, will run simultaneously with the current Younger Children’s Home School Extension Program from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays, according to Noori Bibi, vice president of the YMCA board.

Teens in grades seven through 12 may still sign up for the teen program by contacting the YMCA at (585) 798-2040. Cost is $50 for members and $70 for non-members.

Katie Hill is spearheading the teen program, which was started to support homeschooling families with teens.

“This program is high quality, which is why I put my kids in it,” Bibi said. “The children love it and look forward to it every week.”

The program includes physical education, music and art.

For seven weeks, the Tuesday sessions will include one hour of instruction, provided by a seasoned personal trainer. Teens will be given the tools they need to build their own strength training program, learn how to use the weight machines at the YMCA, set personal goals, learn proper eating habits and understand the science behind the number of reps and sets performed for what they are trying to achieve physically (strength, power, flexibility, etc.), Bibi explained.

In addition to this, teens will be provided with a 45-50-minute ART/STEAM/Self expression program tailored to the interests of the teens enrolled. There will also be a 30-minute Free-Write/Free Draw Expression class, where teens can interact socially with each other to build lifelong relationships, work on personal projects or tutor each other.

“Our vision is to launch this first session and gain insight from the local homeschooled teens as to what skills and classes they desire,” Bibi said.

Marie Scott leads the Judo sessions, while Hill is the art and music instructor.

Katie Hill leads a special session for homeschooled kids at the Orleans County YMCA. A new program is geared for teens.

Remediation work under way at former Starlite site in Medina

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Equipment is on site at the former Starlite Dry Cleaners. The state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Environmental Remediation is doing remediation of the site, which burned in 2004. Work started last week and continues this week.

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 May 2024 at 1:23 pm

MEDINA – A plan for remediation of a site at 331 North Main St. has been solidified by the New York State Department of Environment’s Division of Environmental Remediation.

According to Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman, the DEC knows where the contamination is on the site formerly occupied by Starlight Dry Cleaners. The business burned in 2004 and the building was demolished in 2016.

Information supplied to Sherman from Gail Dieter, environmental chemist with the state Department of Environmental Conservation’s Division of Environmental Remediation, states that an approximate 300-foot square area will be excavated to depths up to eight feet below ground surface.

An estimated 90 cubic yards of material will be disposed of off-site, and clean fill meeting state requirements will be brought in to replace the excavated soil.

Site cover will be maintained and may include paved surface parking areas, sidewalks or soil.

The planned remediation process has been approved by the New York State Department of Health.

Prior to the fire and demolition, the site contained a 4,332 square foot stone building constructed circa 1830 as a produce warehouse and a 3,258 square foot addition to the north built circa 1910 as a livery and hitch barn.

The building and addition were subsequently used for automobile sales and storage from about 1927 to 1948, and then as a dry cleaners from 1953 to 2004, when fire heavily damaged the building and destroyed the dry-cleaning facility.

Contaminants in the building included tetracholorethane, which was used from 1953 to the 1990s, when the business switched to petroleum-based solvent. Both a site characterization concluded in November 2009 and a remedial investigation in September 2017 identified chlorinated solvents in soil and groundwater samples from the source location likely proximate to the equipment maintenance area of the dry cleaners, according to the DEC.

Cost of the remediation is part of the state’s hazardous cleanup funding, according to Sherman.

Kids of all abilities welcome to sign up for Camp Rainbow

Posted 3 May 2024 at 1:11 pm

Press Release, Arc GLOW

LYNDONVILLE – Time is running out to sign-up for the 2024 season of Camp Rainbow.

Applications and scholarships are due Wednesday, May 15, which can be found online (click here). Scholarships, which are part of the application, and covers one week of camp and transportation.

Taking place between July 8 through Aug. 9 this year, Camp Rainbow is a summer day camp available to all children between 5 to 21. The camp is located at 2272 Yates Carlton Townline Road in Lyndonville.

While Camp Rainbow was originally designed to meet the needs of children with developmental and/or physical disabilities, it was opened up to all children in 1992. Since that time, Camp Rainbow has encouraged friendships and understanding among children with and without disabilities as well as promoting integration and inclusion.

If you live in Orleans County, transportation is free due to a grant from the Fox-Knoeferl Family Fund at the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Genesee County residents can take a shuttle bus from Batavia to camp from the Arc GLOW Community Center at 38 Woodrow Road.

There will be other updates to camp this year thanks to the generosity of community organizations. The Medina Sandstone Society provided funding to replace two benches which Jonathan Doherty built over 20 years ago as part of his Eagle Scout project and a plaque to honor him.

With the help of the Curtis Foundation, Camp Rainbow was able to install a tankless hot water heater and a new roof for the athletic building. Both the Orleans County United Way and Youth Bureau also generously granted money to help with running camp.

Arc GLOW is also looking to hire lifeguards, a camp cook and counselors for Camp Rainbow. To apply, visit ArcGLOW.org/Work-For-Us.

For more information on Camp Rainbow, contact Director of Community Services Jenifer Batt at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1150 or JBatt@ArcGLOW.org.

NY expands TAP minimum to $1,000 to help make college more affordable

Posted 3 May 2024 at 12:21 pm

Press Release, Governor Kathy Hochul’s Office

Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the historic expansion of the Tuition Assistance Program included in the FY 2025 Enacted Budget to make higher education more affordable and accessible.

The Governor also released the New York State TAP Difference Report, which highlights the significant role the New York State Tuition Assistance Program plays in broadening college access, boosting completion rates, and fostering educational equity particularly among low-income families and first-generation college students.

Hochul celebrated the TAP expansion today at Farmingdale State College where she also announced $431,000 for new, modernized air traffic control simulation technology to further the institution’s commitment to meeting the critical workforce needs of the aviation industry in New York State.

“Higher education can transform New Yorkers’ lives, helping students develop the skills they need to pursue their dreams,” Hochul said. “We are taking significant steps to ensure all New York students have access to the financial support they need to continue their education and become the next generation of leaders in our state.”

The Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is one of the nation’s largest need-based college financial aid grant programs. Since its inception in 1974, it was provided nearly $30 billion to help more than 6 million New Yorkers attend college.

The FY 2025 Enacted Budget increases the minimum TAP award from $500 to $1,000. Additionally, the Budget increases the dependent student net taxable income (NTI) limit for TAP eligibility from $80,000 to $125,000, the independent married student NTI limit from $40,000 to $60,000, and the independent single student NTI limit from $10,000 to $30,000. These changes are estimated to benefit roughly 93,000 students in public and private colleges and universities, including 48,000 students newly eligible for TAP.

The New York State TAP Difference Report is the first study that examines the six-year outcomes for students who have benefited from TAP. Highlights of the report include:

TAP recipients were more likely to graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree within six years, compared to students who did not receive TAP.
TAP recipients were found to be twice as likely to begin their college education at a four-year institution, and two times more likely to complete their education at a four-year institution.
More TAP recipients stayed at New York State schools, with the greatest difference among upward transfers from a two-year to a four-year school. TAP: 89 percent; non-TAP: 62 percent.
TAP advanced educational equity. TAP recipients saw reductions in the gap in six-year completion rates between disadvantaged and advantaged subgroups.
60 percent of TAP recipients for the academic years 2013 and 2014 completed their four-year degrees in six years, as compared to 26 percent who did not receive TAP.

5 initially appointed appointed as Albion fire commissioners all bring needed expertise

Posted 3 May 2024 at 11:38 am

Editor:

The Village of Albion took a step forward when they determined that the towns of Albionand Gaines as well as the village must join together and create a fire district. I commend all of the board members for having the vision and the initiative to put forward a plan that will, in the end, best serve the needs of the residents of all three communities.

It is important that we have the best people serving as the initial Board of Fire Commissioners. We need people who have experience in not just understanding how a fire department works, and the needs of firefighters, but also have the necessary skills and abilities to work together.

The five people appointed by the boards of the towns of Gaines and Albion as well as the village all appear to have the experience needed to accomplish the goal of getting the district off to a solid start. While some may not have a background in the fire department they each bring a great set of skills.

Al Cheverie and Jeremy Babcock have been long-term firefighters in the Albion Fire Department. Gary Mufford has been a Fire Commissioner for the Town of Barre for 15 years. Chuck Nesbitt, former Chief Administrative Officer for Orleans County, has the expertise needed to secure the necessary funding for the district (through grants, etc.) and will understand how the district itself will fit within the county. Dave Buczek brings experience and knowledge in dealing with emergency situations and handling people during such situations. All are great choices to handle the creation of this fire district.

Town of Albion Supervisor Richard Remley was quoted saying, “The quality of the person is more important to me than the residence” and I agree.

It would be a disservice to the communities to appoint people to these positions who do not have the necessary skills or who are unwilling to listen to any voice but their own.

The boards have given the communities a great opportunity, let’s not throw it away.

Sandra Walter

Village of Albion

Canalway Corridor makes bicentennial marketing kit available

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor created this bicentennial band to promote the canal's 200th anniversary in 2025. The corridor has other marketing materials available to help communities celebrate the canal’s milestone anniversary.

Posted 3 May 2024 at 9:52 am

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has released an Erie Canalway Bicentennial Marketing Toolkit to help municipalities, nonprofits, tourism agencies, and businesses along the canals prepare for the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025.

Organizations are invited to sign up to receive free access to official graphics, banners, social media, and giveaways at www.eriecanalway.org/bicentennial.

The toolkit includes a new graphic mark that incorporates the canals’ blue and gold colors and lock numbers with an invitation for people to visit the many recreational, historic, and cultural treasures along the canals. New elements will be added to the toolkit in the coming months to keep content fresh.

“This is an exciting time as we prepare to commemorate the Erie Canal’s 200th birthday. Incorporating consistent graphics and messaging will bring heightened awareness, unity, and recognition for the many bicentennial activities taking place along the canals in 2025,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

The Bicentennial Marketing Toolkit is supported by a Market New York grant awarded to the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund from Empire State Development and I LOVE NY/New York State’s Division of Tourism through the Regional Economic Development Council initiative.

Since its grand opening in 1825, the Erie Canal has been widely recognized as an engineering marvel that put New York on the map as the Empire State. It transformed New York City into the nation’s principal seaport and served as a major “Gateway to the West” for waves of immigrants coming to America. Groundbreaking inventions and social movements took place along the canals where a spirit of entrepreneurship and progressive thinking took hold.

Today, the New York State Canal System is a National Historic Landmark that offers an unparalleled place to recreate while discovering the incredible history and beauty of America’s most famous human-made waterway.

Orleans Hub presents awards to Outstanding Citizens

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 May 2024 at 9:02 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Orleans Hub held an awards program on Thursday evening at the Hoag Library, presenting plaques to “Outstanding Citizens” from 2023. We also presented two from 2021.

Pictured from left in front includes Susan Walders, Jenn Thom, Joe Gehl, Scott Christ and Annette Finch. In Back: Gary Kent, Brooke Kemblowski (accepting for her father Gary Derwick), Melisa and Jovannie Canales, Brett Sobrieski, Diane and Neil Valentine (parents of Evan Valentine). Missing from photo: Susan Oschmann.

Orleans Hub used to have an annual awards program to recognize our Outstanding Citizens that we pick for each year. These are people who pulled off a major community project or inspired others to take action on pressing issues.

We stopped having the awards program in 2020 due to Covid restrictions. Last night we were thrilled to have the winners back for a gathering. We also presented the awards for Annette Finch and Evan Valentine from 2021. Back then there wasn’t a bigger gathering and we wanted to give out those awards in front of other people.

Annette Finch retired in 2021 after working 44 years on the front lines of helping local people in need work through a crisis. Finch worked as director of emergency services for Community Action, a high-stress job where she managed food drives, toy drives and other events to bring in resources for people served by the agency.

Finch did a lot behind the scenes in helping people to not have utilities shut off and find emergency housing. She was a steady presence, a voice of encouragement and master problem solver for people in very challenging predicaments.

Evan Valentine of Holley pushed to finish his Eagle Scout project, despite being hospitalized with leukemia. He fought the disease for 2 ½ years and inspired the Holley community with his optimism and perseverance through it all.

Evan would pass away from leukemia on Feb. 21, 2021. His Eagle Scout project was dedicated on June 5, 2021. A team of scouts and volunteers follow his instructions and built a veterans’ wall around the war memorial in Holley by the Post Office and the American Legion. The stone wall includes a sitting area in front with an inscription, “Forever Remembered – Forever Missed.”

2023 Outstanding Citizens

• Three of the directors of the Albion Betterment Committee worked about a decade to raise money and work out the details for a new bronze statue in Albion in honor of Charles Howard, who started a school for Santas in 1937 that continued in Albion until his death in 1966. The school, which is now in Michigan, continues in Howard’s name.

Gary Derwick, Joe Gehl and Gary Kent launched an ambitious project to honor Howard with a bronze statue, which was unveiled on June 10 last year during the Strawberry Festival with many of Howard’s family members present. The Albion Betterment Committee has spent years honor Howard’s legacy, putting up “Believe” signs, convincing the state to name a portion of Route 31 in memory of Howard, and backing other projects promoting Howard, including two Santa murals in Albion.

The bronze statue was the biggest effort. They raised about $80,000 for the project and hired Brian Porter to create the statue in a likeness of Howard in his Santa suit.

• Pastor Jovannie Canales of the Oasis Church in Medina wants students to be well-stocked with supplies when the school year starts. He also wants their families to be connected to agencies and churches that can make their families stronger. For six years Canales has organized a Family Fun Day at Butts Park in Medina. The event attracted 600 people on Aug. 5. It has grown from the first one in a parking lot. Now there are musicians, many non-profit organizations, lots of free food, BMX bikers and skateboarders, many from the faith community, and numerous school supplies.

• Susan Oschmann pushed for two years to get new basketball courts at Bullard Park in ALbion, lining up fundraising and support for the project. Oschmann rallied the community, including basketball legend Roosevelt Bouie of Kendall, in getting two new courts complete. They opened on Oct. 26.

• Jenn Thom of Medina leads an organization – Operation Honor – that raises money for veterans. She has put on a 5K on Veterans’ Day on Nov. 11 since 2018 as one of the group’s biggest fundraisers.

Thom hasn’t served in the military. She runs an accounting business. Operation Honor is her way of serving veterans who she said sacrificed so much for the country. Many of those vets often find themselves in financial stress. Operation Honor is able to lighten that load whether covering utility bills, car payments, or purchasing heating pellets for veterans in need.

• Susan Walders has been determined to help senior citizens, especially those in nursing home and other care facilities, get outdoors and connect with nature. She sees bike rides as a great way to meet that goal.

Last year she was able to raise $12,000 for a new tri-shaw, a 3-wheeled bike with cushions for two passengers. She has formed a non-profit organizations, Cycling Without Age in Orleans County, with a board of directors.

The bike arrived in late August and Walders took it to The Villages of Orleans on Sept. 27 for the first bike rides, taking residents on a path behind the nursing home. She and her group of volunteers expect to be busy this year going to nursing homes and other care facilities for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

• Scott “Spanky” Christ brought back the Murray Tractor Pull last year after a four-year absence. There was a record-setting crowd of about 1,600 that watched the pulls on July 22, and raised $8,500 for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides hospitality for families with children fighting a serious illness.

Christ is part of a three-generation family that competes in tractor pulling. Christ drives “Just For Fun” in the Super Farm Class and is regularly among the points leaders in that class for the Empire State Pullers. His father Lloyd drives his Heavy Super Stock tractor, “It’s Only Money,” and Scott son’s Travis also competes in the Super Farm Class with “No Expectations.”

• Brett Sobieraski ran a marathon every day for 50 straight days, honoring the memory of Rochester police officer Anthony “Maz” Mazurkiewicz, who was killed in the line of duty on July 21, 2022.

Sobieraski, a retired Rochester police sergeant, lives in Kent. He started his “8 States for Maz” jounrey in Florida and worked his way up to Rochester, going 26.2 miles a day.

Sobieraski sought to raise $100,000 for Mazurkiewicz’s family and topped that goal. Along the way he inspired people in the eight states.

Sobieraski said he wanted the officer’s family to feel love and respect from the community, and know Maz’s life of service is deeply appreciated. The response was far more than Sobieraski could have imagined. In the last 5K of the final marathon, 850 people joined him in Rochester.

Medina unified basketball team opens season

Contributed Story Posted 3 May 2024 at 9:01 am

Contributed Photo – Anthony Harrington puts up a shot for Medina during Thursday’s unified basketball season opener at North Tonawanda.

The Medina unified basketball team lost its season opener to host North Tonawanda by a score of 55-46 on Thursday.

Xavier Moyer scored 22, Anthony Harrington 14, Caliyah St. Louis 6 and Aiden Cherry 4 for Medina whose lineup also included Lexi Lowery and Russell Brunette.