OCH recognizes staff during National Activity Professionals Awareness Week
Photos courtesy of Scott Robinson: Adrienne Belson, center, activities director and MDS coordinator at Orleans Community Health, sits with residents of the North Wing during a bake sale she helped organize last summer. Belson was one of three North Wing employees recognized during National Activity Professionals Awareness Week.
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health observed National Activity Professionals Week by celebrating the dedicated activity professionals serving residents in the North Wing, along with the community partners who support individuals in long-term care, assisted living and memory care.
Organized by the National Association of Activity Professionals, National Activity Professionals Week is celebrated Jan. 26-30, focusing on the theme “Beyond the Ordinary.” The week recognizes staff who foster independence and joy through meaningful, person-centered engagement, going above and beyond to support cognitive and physical health.
Activities Assistant Angel Mackey helps a North Wing resident paint a pumpkin during a special fall activity. Mackey was another employee who received recognition at OCH this week.
This national observance honors professionals whose creativity, compassion and commitment enhance residents’ emotional, social, cognitive and physical well-being, according to Scott Robinson, director of Marketing at OCH.
“At Orleans Community Health, activity professionals play a vital role in promoting connection, dignity and purpose, ensuring residents continue to live full and meaningful lives,” Robinson said.
Among those recognized are Adrienne Belson, activities director and MDS coordinator; Anna Lewis, activities leader; and Angel Mackey, activities assistant.
Belson, a Lyndonville resident, has served Orleans Community Health for 19 years. She has dedicated her career to the elderly population and emphasizes that activities extend far beyond recreation. Her team builds trusted relationships, provides advocacy, supports residents through life transitions and creates opportunities for continued engagement within the community.
Lewis joined OCH in 2020 and celebrates five years of service this year. Known for her creativity and enthusiasm, Lewis brings versatility to each day and focuses on learning residents’ life stories to better support and individualized care. She encourages community involvement, noting that residents thrive when volunteers share their time and talent.
Angel Mackey, Activities Assistant, is also being highlighted for her compassionate approach. After beginning her career at Medina Memorial Hospital in the dietary department, Mackey transitioned into activities, where she enjoys building meaningful connections with residents. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in social work and remains deeply committed to making a positive impact.
Orleans Community Health also expressed gratitude to the broader community for its continued support, including fundraising efforts which helped provide transportation for residents’ outings. These experiences allow residents to reconnect with familiar places, memories and traditions, often creating powerful moments of recognition and joy, Robinson said.
“Activity professionals bring life, purpose and connection into each day,” Robinson said. “Their dedication reminds us that quality of life matters at every stage.”
Orleans Community Health extends sincere appreciation to its Activities Department, North Wing care teams, volunteers, families and community partners whose compassion and collaboration continue to enrich the lives of its residents.
Anna Lewis, activities leader at OCH, also recognized during National Activity Professionals Awareness Week. She is shown here with two North Wing residents on a field trip to the lake.
Lyndonville wrestlers edge Wilson
A narrow one point decision win in the final bout earned Lyndonville a narrow 36-33 victory over host Wilson in a non league wrestling match this evening.
Shannon Withey (165) provided the margin of victory for the Tigers with a 5-4 decision win which snapped a 33-33 tie.
Bryson Hazel (103), Michael Alexander (144) and Brody Hazel (150) all registered pins for Lyndonville which also got a technical fall victory by Justin Holmes (118) and a decision win by Chanse Amsdill (132).
Newfane wins six events at the annual N-O boys All-League swim meet
Regular season champion Newfane took first place honors in 6 of 11 events at the annual Niagara-Orleans boys All-League swim meet held this evening at Akron.
Newfane’s foursome of Dylan Lamont, Noah Kneeland, Eli Kneeland and Giovani Wright teamed up to win both the 200 Medley Relay in 1:54.33 and the 400 Free Relay in 3:48.25.
Noah Kneeland was also an individual event double winner taking both the 100 Butterfly in :55.63 and the 100 Breaststroke in 1:02.95.
Dylan Lamont also won the 100 Backstroke in 1:00.73 and Eli Kneeland the 200 Individual Medley in 2:37.73.
Albion’s Justin Kania also was an individual event double winner taking both the 200 Free (2:01.05) and the 100 Free (:54.80).
Kania also teamed up with Liam Leader, Nathan Wehling and Logan Kast to earn Albion a victory in the 200 Free Relay (1:42.06).
Medina had a pair of individual even winners as Bryson Ford took the 50 Free in :24.01 and Bradley Goyette the 500 Free in 5:55.75.
Purple Eagles surge past Bulldogs
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Adam Burgio puts up a shot over Barker’s Ashton Ark during the Purple Eagles home court win over the Bulldogs this evening.
Moving on top to stay with a scoring burst to close the first half, Albion went on to down visiting Barker 72-49 in a Niagara-Orleans League boys basketball game this evening.
Breaking away from a 27-27 tie, Albion closed the first half with a key 12-3 scoring surge, including seven by Wesley Olles, to take the lead for good by a 39-30 margin at the half.
The Purple Eagles then broke the game wide open by outscoring the Bulldogs 18-5 in the third period to pull away to a commanding 22 point, 57-35 lead.
Elijah Doxey scored 8, including two threes, and Tyler Cody and Nate Gibson both added 4 to spearhead that Purple Eagles uprising.
Albion’s Tyler Cody (4) and Nate Gibson (10) try to block a shot attempt by Barker’s JJ Prynn.
Doxey finished with a game high 29, including 20 in the first half. Cody had 13 and Gibson 10 on the evening as Olles tallied 7, Adam Burgio 5, Josh Schoeberlein 3, Nick Luft and Hunter Huscher 2 each and Ezra Bloom 1.
Anthony Taliaferro and Donovan Hefferon both scored 12 and JJ Prynn 10 to lead Barker as Carter DerSarkissian and Blake Carnes 3 each, Peyton Wagner, Ashton Ark, Caden Garcia and Dominic Cimato 2 each and Carson Schwab 1.
Albion is now 4-5 and Barker 1-6 in N-O.
Barker next visits Medina at 6:30 p.m. Friday for a make-up game.
Akron 67, Newfane 39
In the other N-O game, Akron (6-2) defeated Newfane (3-6) 67-39 as Ben Gerstung scored 19, Derren Brooks 15 and Ace Abrams 13.
Kasey Wheat took game high honors for Newfane with 26.
Barker’s Donovan Hefferon goes to the basket between Albion defenders Wesley Olles, left, and Tyler Cody.
Albion girls score sixth N-O victory
Albion improved to 6-3 in Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball competition with a 65-40 win at Barker.
Madison Muckle scored 17, Aaliyah Jones 15, Melia Prince 9 and Jocelyn Friedl 6 to pace Albion which led 29-19 at the half and by 15, 46-31, at the end of the third quarter.
Elise Monaco led Barker with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Oakfield-Alabama 53, Lyndonville 18
Oakfield-Alabama downed Lyndonville 53-18 in a Genesee Region League game as Allison Williams scored 12, Raine Denny 9 and Alexa Clark 7.
Isabella Groves scored 6 for Lyndonville as Braelynn Dillenbeck, Rylan Townsend and Leah Costello each had 3.
Oakfield-Alabama led 28-6 at the half.
Alexander 40, Holley 18
Ali VanAmeron had 7 points and 7 rebounds for Holley in the G-R loss to Alexander as Kyla Burne and Ella Turpyn both had 4 rebounds.
County accepts $979K bid to replace Eagle Harbor Road bridge in Barre
ALBION – The replacement of the Eagle Harbor Road bridge in the Town of Barre is moving forward.
The County Legislature on Tuesday accepted a bid from Nardozzi Paving & Construction of Geneva for $979,000. This project is 100 percent reimbursable and won’t need any local dollars, county legislators said.
The Legislature also approved a bid for $1,077,947 for preventive maintenance on bridges in Kent. Keeler Construction in Barre submitted the low bid for a project that is 95 percent reimbursable.
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Voters have until Feb. 14 if they want to change party enrollment for June primaries
Press Release, Orleans County Board of Elections
ALBION – The Orleans County Board of Elections (BOE) reminds all registered voters that Saturday, February 14, is the deadline to change your party enrollment before the 2026 Primary Election on June 23.
Primary elections are a way for political parties to choose who will be their candidates on the General Election ballot in November. New York State has closed primaries, meaning that to vote in a party’s primary election, you must be an enrolled member of that party on or before Feb. 14.
Enrollment requests must be received by the BOE no later than Feb. 14 to be effective for the June Primary Election. Any enrollment changes received after the deadline will take effect June 30.
The Orleans County Board of Elections will be open Saturday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to receive any last-minute enrollment changes.
Paper forms are available at your local post office, municipal building, or over the counter at the BOE. Call the BOE at 585-589-3274 if you need a form mailed to you or have any other questions.
Cobblestone Museum, GO Art! each awarded $13,500 from Community Foundation
Photo by Tom Rivers: Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, speaks on July 6, 2025 during the annual patriotic service held near the Fourth of July in the Cobblestone Church.
BUFFALO – The Cobblestone Museum and Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council have both been approved for $13,500 grants from the Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo.
The money comes through the 2025 Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative awards, which total over $421,000 to support 46 small to mid-sized arts organizations.
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Arts & Culture Initiative was established at the Community Foundation to support arts and culture in the eight counties of Western New York, plus Monroe County, in recognition of the key role arts and culture organizations play in a thriving economy.
The grants are in two categories:
Category 1 – Combined Capacity-Building and General Operating Funds for organizations with at least one full-time staff member to help organizations build the solid foundation necessary to pursue an ambitious mission and vision.
Grantees include:
- Alfred Box of Books Library – $13,500
- Beau Fleuve Music & Arts – $14,500
- Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology – $13,500
- Buffalo Institute for Contemporary Art – $13,500
- Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Inc. – $13,500
- Center for Exploratory and Perceptual Arts, Inc. – $13,500
- The Cobblestone Society – $13,500
- Community Canvases – $13,500
- Cordelia A. Greene Library – $13,500
- Danceability, Inc. – $13,500
- El Museo Francisco Oller Y Diego Rivera – $13,500
- Fenton Historical Society of Jamestown, New York – $13,500
- The Fountain Arts Center, Inc. – $13,500
- Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council – $13,500
- Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, Ltd. – $13,500
- Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center – $13,500
- IndicatorArt Corporation – $13,500
- KORP Foundation Inc. – $14,500
- Lewiston Council on the Arts Inc – $13,500
- Locust Street Neighborhood Art Classes, Inc. – $13,500
- North Park Theatre of Buffalo, Inc. – $13,500
- Pappy Martin Legacy Jazz Collective – $13,500
- Shake on the Lake – $13,500
- Sukanya Burman Dance Inc. – $13,500
- The Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. – $18,515
- West Falls Center for the Arts – $13,500
- Western New York Minority Media Professionals Inc – $13,500
Category 2: General Operating Micro Grants up to $2,500 for organizations with less than one full-time staff member to execute immediate programming.
Grantees include:
- Arts Services Inc. – $5,000 (for two separate projects)
- Aurora Players – $2,500
- Batavia Players – $2,500
- Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus – $2,500
- Buffalo Heritage Carousel – $2,500
- Chautauqua Youth Symphony – $2,500
- Community Canvases – $2,500
- El Museo Francisco Oller Y Diego Rivera – $2,500
- Genesee Symphony Orchestra – $2,500
- Harmonia Chamber Singers, Inc. – $2,500
- LMCimpact Inc. – $2,500
- Minerva Free Library – $2,500
- Polish Arts Club of Buffalo – $2,500
- Sotto Voce Inc. – $2,500
- Starring Buffalo – $2,500
- Tonawandas’ Council on the Arts/Carnegie Art Center – $2,500
- Ukrainian Congress Committee of America – Buffalo, NY Branch – $2,500
- Vocalis Chamber Choir – $2,500
- WAHI Studio, Inc. – $2,500
Lee-Whedon awarded addition $874K state grant for library expansion
State now contributing nearly $1.7 million to $5.2 million project
This rendering from Passero Associates shows the front of the library in Medina, which includes an overhang near the entrance. This is part of a $5 million capital project at the library, which includes a 4,785-square-foot addition.
MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina has received confirmation of an additional $874,124 grant from New York State Public Library Construction Aid towards the library’s $5.2 million expansion.
This is the second state library construction grant. Lee-Whedon also received a $795,320 grant in construction aid which brings the total from the state to $1,669,444.
In December, Lee-Whedon also received $25,000 in funding from the Garmin Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo.
“Lee-Whedon has received a total of $1,697,444 in grants toward expansion costs exceeding our goal of $1.5 million,” said Kristine Mostyn, the library executive director.
Lee-Whedon will host a gala and auction from 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 6. That is expected to be the final big fundraising event for the library expansion. Click here for more information about that event.
Lee-Whedon celebrated a ground-breaking on Aug. 22, 2025 for a 4,785-square-foot addition on the back of the current library, which is 11,100 square feet. That project is expected to be complete in July.
The addition will create space for two meeting rooms, two tutoring rooms, a programming room with makerspace, Friends of the Library book sale room, a quiet research room, an art gallery, a teen room and 14 parking spots.
There will also be additional restrooms, a new circulation desk, a new entry portico with automatic sliding doors, about a 10 percent increase in the collection and upgraded technology.
“The library’s expansion project is designed to meet growing community needs and ensure the facility can continue to provide high-quality service for decades to come,” Mostyn said.
RBM Knights bow in Senior Night contest
Contributed Photo – Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey team senior players are shown here with their families at Thursday’s Senior Recognition ceremony. The seniors include Max Pilon, Aiden Cronkhite, Noah Orens, John Peracciny, David Ward, Nate Downey and Sean Mettler.
Reversing the scene from their game earlier in the season, Timon defeated the Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Knights Club Hockey team in Lockport last evening by the same 2-0 score that RBM beat them earlier in the season.
After a scoreless first period, the visitors scored the game winning goal early in the second period and added an insurance score in the third. The Knights outshot Timon 36-15, but could not light the lamp.
The evening was Senior Recognition for RBM with the following players in their final season for RBM: Max Pilon- Medina, Aiden Cronkhite and Noah Orens- Newfane, and John Peracciny, David Ward, Nate Downey and Sean Mettler- Royalton-Hartland.
RBM returns to action at home on Friday evening at 8:15 p.m. against league- leading Rochester.
Stream Data Centers will discuss project on Monday at Alabama fire hall
ALABAMA – The public can hear from the developer of a proposed data center at the STAMP site in the Town of Alabama during a meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday.
Stream Data Centers will host an information session at the Alabama Fire Hall, 2230 Judge Rd.
The event is open to the public and advance registration is not required.
In addition, Stream has created a website which summarizes the project and responds to many of the concerns which have been raised to date in various forums. Visit streamwny.com to learn more about the project.
Stream Data Centers is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The company is looking to build a 2.2 million square foot facility on 90 acres of the Western New York’s Science, Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing Park (STAMP).
“When completed, the project would immediately create hundreds of construction and trade jobs to support development across years, offering stable, high-paying employment,” the company states on its website. “Once operational, 120+ long-term employment opportunities for high-tech, full-time jobs in operations, management, and trades. This is in addition to the hundreds of jobs required during the construction phase, which spans over multiple years.”
Resident appreciates County Legislature leader’s stance with data center at STAMP
Editor:
I am writing to express my strong appreciation for the leadership of our County Legislature Chairwoman, Lynne Johnson, and her commitment to look out for the best interest of the community.
At a time when large development projects often move forward with little regard for the long-term consequences, Chairman Johnson has shown the courage and integrity to stand up against the proposed data center in our neighboring county—a project that would have serious environmental impacts on our own community. From increased strain on water resources to potential harm to air quality, wildlife, and our rural character, the effects of this development would not stop at county lines.
Chairman Johnson understands that protecting our environment is not anti-progress—it is pro-resident. Her advocacy reflects a deep respect for the people who live here, work here, and want to preserve this county for future generations. She has demonstrated that responsible leadership means asking tough questions, demanding transparency, and refusing to sacrifice our quality of life for short-term gains elsewhere.
Our county is fortunate to have a legislative chairman who listens to constituents and is willing to stand firm when our environment and well-being are at stake. Lynne Johnson’s actions remind us of what true public service looks like, and she deserves recognition and thanks from the community she serves.
Sincerely,
Stephen Songer
Medina
Animal control officer says squirrels were right about this harsh winter
ALBION – Harry Papponetti, Albion’s animal control officer for more than 30 years, knew we were in for a rough winter.
In the fall he saw squirrels furiously stacking pine cones around his property. He had never seen anything quite like it. In October, he told the Village Board to expect a punishing winter based on what he was seeing from the squirrels.
“I told you,” Papponetti told the Orleans Hub before Wednesday’s Village Board meeting. “The squirrels were right.”
The area has been in the grip of bitter cold temperatures and frequent bouts of snow this winter.
The stacking of pine cones by squirrels as a sign of a brutal winter is believed to be folklore. But Papponetti is a believer that squirrels and wildlife knew extended harsh conditions were in store this winter.
He told the board deep cold and frozen landscape is bringing foxes and other wildlife farther into the village than in a normal winter looking for food. These creatures weren’t stocked up on pine cones.
Cold weather advisory issued for Orleans tonight through Friday morning
Orleans also could get 6 to 12 inches more of snow today through Saturday
With wind chills expected to plummet to as low as minus 24 degrees tonight, the National Weather Service in Buffalo has issued a cold weather advisory for Orleans County and much of Western New York.
The advisory begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 10 a.m. on Friday.
“This is a potentially hazardous situation to be outdoors,” the Weather Service said. “If you must be outside, be sure to cover all exposed skin. Frostbite can occur in 30 minutes or less with apparent temperatures of 15 below zero or colder.”
Orleans County also is included in a winter weather advisory with Monroe and Wayne counties from 10 a.m. today until 10 a.m. on Saturday. Those counties could see 6 to 12 inches of snow in the most persistent of snowbands.
“Greatest snowfall amounts will be closer to the Lake Ontario shoreline and across eastern Monroe to Wayne County,” the Weather Service said.
Today is forecast for a high of 15 degrees with the temperature dropping to 0 overnight.
The highs in the forecast then show 10 on Friday, 14 on Saturday, 18 on Sunday, 25 on Monday and 26 on Tuesday.
