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‘This is amazing’ – Lyndonville elementary kids celebrate new playground
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – A new playground opened this morning at Lyndonville Central School and these fourth-graders were delighted to try the We-Go-Round.
The new playground is accessible for children with mobility issues and disabilities. The playground was designed and installed by Parkitects, a company owned by Lyndonville graduate Ben Frasier.
Kids could be heard shouting, “I Love it” and “This is amazing” as they tried the different playground equipment.
One fourth-grader goes down a double slide.
The new playground includes a We-Go-Round, Sway Fun Glider, We-Saw and other equipment that will be accessible to kids of all abilities and mobilities. The previous playground was over 20 years old and wasn’t handicapped accessible.
Dr. Heather Lyon, Lyndonville superintendent, checks out a new sensory dome in the playground by the elementary school. The sensory dome is an intended spot for children on the autism spectrum to get away from the activity and noise from the other parts of the playground.
Lyon was thrilled to see the children having so much fun on the new playground.
“You cannot have a bad day when you have this much joy,” she said about the happy kids on the playground.
Ben Frasier, a 1988 Lyndonville graduate and owner of Parkitects, gets ready to cut the ribbon and open the gate for kids to try the new playground. Fourth-graders Sophia Kleeh, left, and Ernest Orgar hold the ribbon while Dr. Elissa Smith, principal of grades PreK through 6, leads a countdown.
Ben Frasier gives a victorious gesture after cutting the ribbon. He said it’s phase 1 with plans to expand, adding equipment geared towards older children.
He will be meeting with students next month and wants to hear their vision of a “dream playground.”
Frasier believes with fundraising, grants and in-kind services, Lyndonville can build a great playground for children of all ages.
These kids play on the Wee-Saw.
Frasier and Parkitects donated about $250,000 in equipment and in-kind services to the playground. Parkitects had a team of 18 employees on site on Oct. 6 to install the playground.
The school district also was able to use $160,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for playground equipment.
Donations for the project included Orleans Ready Mix with concrete; Watson Construction Group with removal/demolition of all of the old playground equipment and 14 inches of mulch; Barre Stone Company with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Shelby Crushed Stone with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Town of Yates with hauling the stone to the school; and Medina Lumber & Hardware with pressure treated 2×12’s covering 228 linear feet around the perimeter.
Play Surface Specialties installed the 3 ½-inch rubber surface which includes an outside lane with orange paws prints. Lyndonville’s school mascot is a tiger.
OC Rivals will host Iroquois Thursday in a Section VI Class B quarterfinal contest
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the offense for the OC Rivals heading into Thursday’s sectional opener against Iroquois at Vets Park is this group of linemen. From left are Cole Herman, Nate Surdell, T.J. Champney, Matt Jacobs, Jackson Snook and Logan Kast.
Post season football playoff action gets underway Thursday as the OC Rivals host Iroquois in a Section VI Class B quarterfinal game at 7:05 p.m. at Vets Park.
The B1 Division’s No. 2 seed, the OC Rivals bring a 7-1 overall record into the sectionals while the RedHawks, which are the B2 Division’s No. 3 seed, are 5-3.
The victor will advance to the semifinals against the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between Pioneer (B2 Div. No. 1 seed) and Maryvale (B1 Div. No. 4 seed).
Friday’s other quarterfinal matchups will have Lackawanna (B2 Div. No. 4 seed) at West Seneca East (B1 Div. No. 1 seed) and McKinley (B1 Div. No. 3 seed) at Depew (B2 Div. No. 2 seed.)
The RedHawks offense has been led on the ground by Trey Pfeiffer (795 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns) and through the air by quarterback George Issa (1,163 yards passing and 14 touchdowns). His main receivers have been Jackson Kwaizer (21 receptions for 395 yards and 7 TDs), Larson Fragale (20 for 338 and 4 TDs) and Roman Williams (37 for 330 and 3 TDs).
OC Rivals quarterback Preston Woodworth has passed for 1,202 yards and 15 touchdowns. His main receivers have been Noah Harrison (28 receptions for 552 yards and 7 TDs) and Eijah Doxey (26 for 495 and 4 TDs). Doxey also leads the teams in rushing with 591 yards and 8 touchdowns as Jayzon Wills has 471 yards and 4 TDs.
Final B1 Division Standings (Division and Overall records) – West Seneca East 6-1, 7-1; OC Rivals 6-1, 7-1; McKinley 5-2, 6-2; Maryvale 4-3, 5-3; Williamsville South 4-3, 4-4; Lake Shore 2-5, 3-5; Amherst 1-6, 1-7; Lew-Port 0-7, 0-8
NOTE: Tickets for the game must be purchased online by clicking the following link here.
DSS in Orleans County honored for being best in region for foster care outcomes
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature on Tuesday gave “Special Recognition” certificates to employees in the Department of Social Services who work in Child & Family Services, Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention. This also includes the DSS attorney and Legal Department.
They were honored because Orleans County received the number one ranking in the region for permanency outcomes for children in foster care.
Legislator Don Allport, right, presents certificates to, from right to left: Lianna Sheffer, supervisor in Divisions of Foster Care, Adoption and Prevention; Dana Graber, DSS attorney; Renee Rowley, legal assistant; Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner of DSS; and Shirley Mazourek, DSSS commissioner.
Mazourek praised her staff for working towards permanency outcomes in foster care, when children cannot remain safely with their biological parents. The main permanency outcomes can be reunification, where a child returns to their biological family; adoption, where full parental rights and responsibilities transfer to adoptive parents; legal guardianship, where care responsibilities transfer to a relative or trusted adult; and emancipation/aging out, where youth reach adulthood.
The County Legislature also recognized DSS staff including Elizabeth Boring, Jessica Czechowicz, Allyson Deslatte, Judianne Gearing, Isabella Gibbs, Saul Harrison, Brianna Heffernan, Heather Jackson, Jeannine Larkin, Elizabeth Milazzo, Sharon Nenni, Meghan Reuther, Rebecca Rinker, Julianna Schultz, Tyra Shepherd, Shelley Sherman, Holli Smith, Aaron Strathearn, Maria Strathearn and Miya Troidl.
County Legislator Don Allport presented a proclamation on behalf of the Legislature to the DSS declaring November as National Adoption Awareness Month. He gave the proclamation to Cyndi Stumer, deputy commissioner (center); and Shirley Mazourek, commissioner.
The proclamation states:
“Whereas, November 2026 is National Adoption Awareness Month and is designed to provide us with an opportunity to acknowledge the families and staff who are involved in adoption activities throughout the year; and
“Whereas, adoptive and foster care families open their hearts and homes, demonstrate great compassion and provide hope and love to children. National Adoption Awareness Month helps to raise public awareness of the fact that there are children available who are waiting for caring families; and
“Whereas, in Orleans County there are currently children in foster care awaiting adoption. The valuable contributions of foster care and adoptive parents are recognized as they continually strive to improve the quality of life for the children brought into their lives.”
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Lady Hawks nip Red Creek in Class C1 semi
No. 3 seed Holley upended No. 2 Red Creek 1-0 in the semifinals of the Section V Class C1 girls soccer playoffs this evening at Red Creek.
Carsyn Mogle scored the lone goal for the Lady Hawks in the first half off an assist from Emma Burne.
Zoey Warner made 2 saves to earn the shutout in goal as the Lady Hawks improve to 13-5-1.
Holley will next face the winner of the other semifinal between No. 1 Avon and No. 4 Byron-Bergen/Elba in the Class C1 championship game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Geneseo High School.
Wilson 2, Portville 1 (OT)
Top seeded Wilson edged No. 5 Portville 2-1 in overtime in the semifinals of the Section VI Class C girls soccer playoffs this evening at Wilson.
Wilson will now face No. 3 Frewsburg for the Class C championship on Friday at Allegany-Limestone. Frewsburg downed No. 2 Holland 4-2.
Medina picks Fisher Associates to design Canal Basin improvements
Rendering from Empire State Development and Governor’s Office: The Canal Basin parking lot along the Erie Canal will be turned into a “waterfront gateway” complete with green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities as part of the NY Forward grant in Medina. This is not the final design for the parking lot. This is not the final design of the project.
MEDINA – The Village Board on Monday hired an engineering and design firm for a new look of Medina’s Canal Basin, a project that will better connect boaters and pedestrians to the basin, and improve the aesthetics of a space that is heavily asphalt.
Village officials last week interviewed six firms that submitted proposals for the project. On Monday, the Village Board hired Fisher Associates in Rochester.
Fisher called its proposal for the project, “Distinctly Medina: A Generational Vision for the Canal Basin.”
Fisher, in its presentation to the village, said the project will create “Medina’s definitive place on the Erie Canal for the next 20 years and beyond.”
The Village Board hired Fisher with the design services of the Canal Basin at $111,615 with an additional $17,955 for engineering and design work for electric car charging stations. It would be another $18,995 if a topographic survey is needed.
The Canal Basin parking lot will redesigned as part of a $1.345 million grant from the state. The new lot will have less asphalt and more green space. The parking lot will lose about 15-20 spaces. There will be about 70 spots remaining.
The project will add green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities.
The redesigned basin was awarded $1.345 million of the $4.5 million from the state to Medina in the NY Forward grant. The state finalized eight projects for the $4.5 million on May 17, 2024. The transformed parking lot received the largest grant of the eight projects.
The village is looking to upgrade the entry drive from Main Street; enhance the pedestrian walkway extending from Main Street, across rear building facades, to East Center Street alleyway; add a gazebo for shade and cover; expand flexible greenspace areas for programming with amenities including seating tables, benches, bike racks, shade trees and native plantings; and add pedestrian walkways with decorative, permeable pavers.
The redesign of the basin parking lot also will include two direct-current fast chargers for electric vehicles, each with two charging spots. The state awarded Medina $245,184 in a separate grant for those chargers with National Grid also chipping in $73,000.
Lady Eagles romp in Class C2 semifinal
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Jersie Drake scores Kendall’s first goal as the Lady Eagles went on to down Genesee Valley Belfast 6-1 in the Class C2 semifinals this evening at LeRoy.
A quick two goal scoring burst in the first 10 minutes ignited top seeded Kendall to a 6-1 victory over No. 5 Genesee Valley Belfast in the semifinal round of the Section V Class C2 girls soccer playoffs this evening at LeRoy.
Jersie Drake scored just 6 minutes in and Ryleigh Denning followed up with a goal just 4 minutes later to put the Lady Eagles in control.
Kendall also started the second half as strongly as the first exploding for three goals in the first 10 minutes to break the contest wide open.
Denny had a pair of goals and Sophia Picardo 1 during that stretch to vault the Lady Eagles out to a commanding 5-0 lead.
Mackenzie Cooper rounded out the Kendall scoring parade with a goal in the final two minutes.
Drake also had 2 assists as Picardo, Denning and Addison Kludt each had 1.
Teagan Shaw made 3 saves in goal for the Lady Eagles.
The Genesee Valley Belfast goal came with 18 minutes to go in the second half.
Improving to 17-1, Kendall will now face No. 6 seed Fillmore in the Class C2 championship game at 5 p.m. Friday at Geneseo High School. Fillmore upset No. 2 Keshequa 2-1.
Kendall’s Ryleigh Denning, who scored 3 goals, battles for control of the ball with Genesee Valley Belfast’s Emma Calanni.
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Hoag Music Series has brought wonderful concerts to Albion
Editor:
If you haven’t yet attended a performance of the Hoag Music Series you’ve missed some wonderful entertainment. From March until December on scheduled Saturdays at noon Jim Doyle arranged for some great music for our community.
On October 10th, the concert featured Evie Ladin who sang, played the banjo and did some percussion dancing that was awesome. She performs all over the country, is based in NYC and Jim promises that she will be back. You should not miss her.
Os Pipe and Fiddle Witch Duet will be here on Saturday, November 7th for a blend of East and West.
The Rochester Ukelele Orchestra will be at the Hoag on Saturday, December 5th at noon. Bonus: Gary Simboli will lead a Christmas Carol sing along at 2 that afternoon too!
All performances are free. December 5 closes the series for 2026. Jim promises that next year’s series, starting in March, will be awesome too. Look for them, put them on your calendars and enjoy!
Catherine Moore
Albion
Local school districts should offer tax exemption for veterans who are 100 percent disabled
Editor:
I am writing to encourage residents, veterans, and local organizations to petition Orleans County school districts to hold public hearings on the newly authorized property tax exemption for permanently and totally disabled veterans under New York State Real Property Tax Law §458-a(11).
This legislation gives local governments and school districts the authority to provide a full property tax exemption to qualifying veterans who have been permanently and totally disabled as a result of their military service. However, each taxing jurisdiction must decide whether to adopt it.
Monroe County has already adopted the exemption, and some school districts have begun taking action. Yet here in Orleans County, there has been little public discussion about whether our school districts intend to offer this benefit.
I am a permanently and totally disabled combat veteran who served in Iraq. I live within the Kendall Central School District, which does not currently participate in the Alternative Veterans’ Exemption. I recently contacted the district’s Board of Education president to ask whether the new exemption had been discussed or would be considered. I was informed that the board had not discussed it and that there was no timeline for doing so.
This raises a larger question: Why should disabled veterans have to appear personally before a school board just to get elected officials to discuss a benefit that the state has already authorized?
Many permanently and totally disabled veterans live with serious physical injuries, PTSD, anxiety, and other service-connected disabilities. For some, appearing before a room full of people to publicly discuss their disabilities or advocate for themselves can be extremely difficult.
These veterans have already demonstrated their disabilities through the Department of Veterans Affairs. They should not have to stand before another government body and explain why their sacrifices deserve consideration.
I recognize that adopting this exemption has financial implications for school districts and taxpayers. Those implications deserve an open and informed discussion. That is precisely why I believe public hearings are appropriate.
I am calling on the Boards of Education in Kendall, Albion, Holley, Lyndonville and Medina to publicly consider this exemption, hold hearings, and give residents an opportunity to understand its potential benefits and costs.
I also encourage local veterans’ organizations, including VFW and American Legion posts, to help organize petitions and advocate for these discussions.
This is not a demand that school districts automatically approve the exemption. It is a request that they put the issue on their agendas, examine the facts, and make a decision in public.
Our disabled veterans should not have to fight another battle simply to have their needs considered.
Respectfully,
Dan Brundage
Kendall Central School District resident
Iraq War veteran
