By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2026 at 6:07 pm
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club is trying a new fundraiser and community event on Tuesday and people are invited to gorge on all-you-can-eat pancakes.
The Shrove Tuesday or “Fat Tuesday” eating fest has been popular in many churches, a time to partake in very sweet food just before the start of lent on Wednesday, a 40-day fasting season.
The pancakes will be served by the Albion Rotary from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at the First Presbyterian Church, 29 East State St. in Albion. There will be options for fruit toppings, chocolate, peanut butter, and different flavored syrups.
The pancakes also come with sausage, bacon and applesauce. Tickets are $10 presale from Rotary members, $12 at the door, and $5 for kids 12 and under.
Marlene Seielstad, a Rotary member, hopes there will be a big crowd eating at the church fellowship hall. There will be Mardi Gras decorations and a fun atmosphere, a nice break from the recent brutal winter weather, she said. People can also get their pancakes to go.
The Shrove Tuesday event will replace Rotary’s St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner in March.
“We wanted to offer something different to the community,” Seielstad said. “We hope people will bring their friends and neighbors. Everyone wants to have some fun in February.”
Several years ago, the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) decided to place an industrial park next to the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the Tonawanda Seneca Nation’s Reservation Territory, right on the border of its biodiverse old-growth Big Woods.
The GCEDC said it would create 9,000 good-paying jobs. But to date, they have created zero.
Recently, Stream Data Centers is proposing to build a 2.2 million square foot, 500 megawatt data center. And how many jobs would they create? 125. And how much in tax breaks are they asking for? $810 million. Which translates into roughly $6.4 million per job.
This is so outrageous that even our state environmental conservation agency has put GCEDC on notice.
In a recent letter to GCEDC, DEC set forth rigorous and meaningful requirements for GCEDC’s environmental review of the monster data center.
For the first time, the DEC is directing GCEDC to conduct a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the STAMP site as a whole and for data centers specifically. This guidance represents a meaningful turning point for environmental review at STAMP and answers the Nation’s decade-long call for a robust SEIS for STAMP.
Moreover, DEC points out numerous gaps of information and inconsistencies in the plans that STREAM has submitted so far, and raised numerous important additional details that STREAM and GCEDC will have to provide in order to complete SEQR review.
And: DEC states that GCEDC must analyze how a massive data center providing just 125 jobs (they say 120, the number listed in the original application) jobs is consistent with the original goal of the STAMP site to provide 9,000 jobs.
Well done, DEC! I’m glad to see the agency calling out GCEDC for their failed promises and challenging them to justify how building an environmentally harmful, energy wasting data center using taxpayer subsidies is good for the public.
Nationwide opposition to data centers is growing. According to datacenterwatch.org, $64 billion of data center projects have been blocked or delayed.
Nobody wants them in their back yard and yet the GCEDC and other organizations are offering huge incentives for the companies to bring data centers to their communities.
Most of these communities are rural and important agricultural areas.
We oppose this monster data center and ask GCEDC to rethink STAMP. Why not build a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary and a native plant nursery?
People are wanting more native plants and more protection of our food and water sources.
Join the Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation alliesoftsn.weebly.com and tell GCEDC and Stream absolutely not!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 February 2026 at 2:58 pm
Board may vote Feb. 23 on whether to put it as a referendum on March 18
MEDINA – Will the public get a say in whether the village moves its elections from March to June?
The Village Board is expected to vote on Feb. 23 whether the issue will be a referendum in the March 18 election.
During Monday’s board meeting, Mayor Marguerite Sherman and Trustee Jess Marciano said they favor putting it to a public vote.
Trustees Deb Padoleski, Mark Prawel and Scott Bieliski all said they favor keeping the election in March.
Marciano has led the effort to move the village elections back three months. She said the timing would be better for incoming board members who could ease into their roles of the running the village government.
With the election the third week in March, the elected board members start their terms on April 1 and then are tasked with putting together the village’s budget by April 30.
Marciano said that isn’t a good fit to have inexperienced people developing the village’s budget and setting the tax rate.
Other forms of local government – town boards, county legislature, fire districts and school boards – all have their elected officials start terms after the budgets have been developed.
Padoleski, a retired Medina village-clerk treasurer, said she is “hesitant” to put the issue to a public vote on March 18. She said the election would add more work to the clerk’s office in June during what is already a very busy time in the office.
Padoleski said it is beneficial for the new board members to have a say in the budget process. If the election was the third Tuesday in June – after the village fiscal year starts on June 1 – the newly elected board members “work with a budget you had nothing to do with.”
Prawel also said new board members gain a deeper understanding of the village government by being part of the budget process and working with the department heads on the spending plan for the village.
“I think you should be part of the budget process,” Prawel said. “It certainly helped me.”
Mayor Sherman said the public sits in many of the budget discussions and often offers feedback. But Prawel said that is different than having a seat at the table and making budget decisions.
Moving the election back would also mean warmer weather for the vote, and when candidates are out securing signatures for their petitions and campaigning. The candidate petitions – signed by at least 100 registered voters in the village – currently are due in early February.
Bieliski acknowledged the winter season is tough on candidates for getting signatures and going door to door. But he said he wouldn’t want to take office and have to work with a budget put together by the prior board.
“I’d rather work with a budget I created than one handed to me,” he said.
Marciano said she believes village residents ultimately get a better budget product with experienced board members working on the budget.
She said she will introduce the resolution on Feb. 23 to move the elections to June. If at least three of the five board members back that resolution, it would be on the March 18 ballot and would take effect in 2027.
“Let’s see how the residents feel and put it on the ballot,” Sherman said.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 15 February 2026 at 2:51 pm
The Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey Knights made their way to Jamestown Saturday evening in their opening game of this season’s playoffs and suffered a 4-1 defeat, ending their season.
Getting on the board first at the 9:11 point of the opening period, RBM’s goal was scored by Ryan Felicetti (Wilson) with the assist from Connor Woodward (Wilson).
That lead lasted for a short period of time before Jamestown tied the score which saw the opening period end at 1-1.
That was the closest RBM would be for the night.
Jamestown scored two goals in the second period and a shorthanded goal in the final period.
Jamestown outshot RBM 45-29 for the entire contest.
The Knights ended the season with a record of 5-11-1.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 15 February 2026 at 12:59 pm
MEDINA – Medina’s Lenten luncheon series hosted by the Medina Area Association of Churches will begin Feb. 19 and take place at noon every Thursday for six weeks at the First Presbyterian Church on Main Street.
Participating churches will provide lunch on a rotating basis, followed by a meaningful reflection.
The first lunch Feb. 19 will be soup and sandwich provided by the First Presbyterian Church, followed by pasta on March 6 by Holy Trinity, quiche by One Church on March 6, pulled pork by Alabama Full Gospel Fellowship on March 12, beef on weck March 19 by New Hope Community Church and scalloped potatoes and ham March 26, prepared by the Grove United Methodist Church.
Everyone is welcome to stop in to share in the meal and fellowship, said Barb Hancock, organizer of the Lenten lunches.
Meals begin at noon and the program ends at 1 p.m. Takeouts are available, beginning at noon. There is a suggested donation of $5 for lunch, with all the proceeds going to the Meals on Wheels orogram and the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion.
Comfortable seating for guests is available in the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
Internationally recognized Mexican artist and composer will premiere work during Triennial arts initiative
Press Release, Medina Triennial and Go Art!
MEDINA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) is pleased to partner with the Medina Triennial to announce a casting call for community participants in a collaborative performance artwork premiering during the Triennial’s inaugural event in 2026.
This unique opportunity invites individuals of all ages and backgrounds to take part in a filmed performance created by a renowned Mexican artist in collaboration with a composer and sound artist. The work will explore the history and hydrology of the Erie Canal through simple, guided vocal actions that together form an immersive soundscape.
Casting Call Details
The Medina Triennial will run from June through September 2026, highlighting contemporary art and community engagement throughout Medina and the Erie Canal corridor.
Participants are needed for a filmed performance directed by an internationally recognized artist.
The performance will feature accessible vocal actions, requiring no prior training.
Filming will take place on March 28 at 324 Catherine St., Medina (the former Medina High School) with optional rehearsals on March 25 and 26.
Participant Requirements
Open to singers, vocal enthusiasts, movers, and community members of all ages; no experience necessary.
Participants must provide their own transportation to Medina.
Individuals under 18 must be accompanied by an adult and submit a signed photo release.
Application Process
Interested individuals or groups should complete the participation form by February 20.
All participants will be credited and must consent to being filmed for promotional and archival purposes.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 February 2026 at 7:25 pm
A quartet of Holley-Kendall wrestlers earned top six place finishes at the Section V Division 2 state qualifier tournament which concluded this afternoon at Bath Haverling.
Jeremy Lutes (103) placed fourth, Brenden Eichas (138) and Immanuel Cornell (285) fifth and Parker Denning (144) sixth.
Press Release, The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
BATAVIA – Do you know an artist or organization from Genesee or Orleans County that deserves recognition for their accomplishments in 2025? GO Art! is inviting community members to submit nominations for the annual Genean awards.
“Why ‘Genean’ you ask?” says Executive Director, Gregory Hallock, “Well, simply put, we decided that we needed to have our own unique awards (like the Oscars or Tony awards) for GENesee and OrlEANs counties, to recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties.”
The categories for nomination are as follows:
• Organization of the Year – This award honors a not-for-profit or for-profit arts organization for its outstanding achievements in 2025
• Individual Artist of the Year – This award honors an individual artist in any discipline for their achievements in 2025 or career-long body of work
• Arts and Culture Supporter of the Year – This award honors an individual or an organization outside of the arts and cultural sector for their work directly aiding in the arts and/or cultural sector during 2025.
To submit a nomination visit www.goart.org/genean. All nominations are due by March 1, 2026.
Last year’s winners included Organization of the Year, Dance Theater in Medina led by Brandon Johnson; Supporter (of the cultural sector) of the Year, Eden Cafe (Judy Hysek), Individual Artist of the Year, Mary Jo Whitman; Volunteer(s) of the Year, The Beatty Bro’s; Lifetime Achievement, The Batavia Concert Band.
On February 2, Stream US Data Centers hosted an “Open House – Community Information Session” at the Town of Alabama Fire Hall regarding the massive data center complex they are applying to build at WNY STAMP in Alabama. Here are our takeaways.
1) The event was structured so that all conversations between Stream employees and members of the public happened one on one or in small groups. The room was set up like a science fair, with numerous display boards arranged in a large circle. After signing in, members of the public were encouraged to walk around looking at the displays and talking with the specific Stream employees at each of the displays. Many glossy informational handouts were available to take home.
2) There was no large group presentation by Stream and no opportunity for members of the public to ask their questions in front of the whole group.
3) The event was well attended (about 75 people total over the course of two hours) and, from our observations and the conversations we overheard, most people seemed to be opposed to the proposed data center or to have significant concerns. This perception is reflected in the media coverage, see “Most attendees at Stream Data Center information session remain opposed to project” in The Batavian on Feb. 3 as an example.
4) A number of GCEDC staff and board, as well as local elected officials and Town employees, were present. They mostly stayed in a circle in the corner of the room, talking amongst themselves.
5) There were very few chairs and finding a place to sit down was difficult. This presented challenges for numerous attendees and also discouraged group conversation.
6) Stream provided comment postcards with a two lines of space to write in comments. No information was provided on other structured opportunities for asking questions, sharing concerns, or discussing the project with other community members. We were not proactively told about the review process.
Overall:
We were disappointed by the event.
We had hoped for an opportunity to hear a comprehensive presentation from Stream, and instead we had to ask for information in piecemeal conversations.
We wanted a chance to hear our neighbors’ questions and ask our questions in front of a large group so that others could hear our questions and concerns.
We were disappointed that GCEDC and local elected officials did not come over to talk with us.
We were disappointed that Stream did not share more details about their plans for “community engagement” and we assume this means they aren’t actually interested in hearing from the community that would be most impacted by the monster data center. We assume they held the Open House so they could check the box on community engagement.
Let’s tell Stream: hold an actual public meeting.
Stream says they plan to hold another open house during the week of February 23. We don’t want another science fair setup. Stream says they want to hear from us. So let’s tell them to change the format – we want an actual presentation on their plans, with time for questions and answers from the audience. Submit a comment on their website today!
Then, join Allies of TSN for an open, honest conversation about the data center plan
We know Stream isn’t telling us the whole story. But we’re trying to educate ourselves and each other. If you’d like to learn more and be part of our conversation, join us!
Desserts and Data Center Discussions #4 with Allies of Tonawanda Seneca Nation. February 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Library at 19 Ross St. in Batavia.
No prior knowledge is needed to join and all perspectives are welcome. There will be light refreshments, and you’re welcome to bring a sweet treat to share. It is open to all so please invite your friends, family and neighbors to talk about what our community truly needs — and what we want to see at that site. For more info, see Allies of TSN and STOP the STAMP Monster Data Center on Facebook or call/text us at (585) 300-4925.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 February 2026 at 1:47 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Elijah Doxey goes in to score what proved to be the game winning three point play as CJ D’Agostino defends for Kendall. The Purple Eagles rallied with a big fourth quarter to nip the Eagles 62-61.
Putting together a huge fourth quarter comeback, Albion rallied to nip visiting Kendall 62-61 In a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.
Trailing by 15, 52-37, at the end of the third period, Albion rallied to outscore Kendall 25-9 in the decisive final quarter including a big 17-2 closing run to claim the wild win.
Still down by 14, 59-45, the Purple Eagles got back into the game with a key 9-0 run, including five by Elijah Doxey and four by Tyler Cody, to cut the deficit to 59-54.
Vinnie D’Agostino interrupted with a basket for Kendall upping the lead back to seven at 61-54, but the Eagles could not score again.
Albion got free throws by Adam Burgio and Elliot Trapiss to make it a two possession, 61-56, game setting the stage for a dramatic final 20 seconds.
Wesley Olles hit a big three with 17 seconds remaining to pull Albion to within two at 61-59.
The Purple Eagles then capped off the big comeback win on a steal and lay-up by Doxey which he converted into a game winning three point play with 14 seconds to go.
Doxey finished with a game high 22 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, as Cody had 14, Nate Gibson 11, Olles 8, Burgio 4, Ezra Bloom 2 and Trapiss 1.
Tyler Cody puts up a shot in traffic for Albion as Vinnie D’Agostino (10) and Noah Morehouse (22) defend for Kendall.
All five starters hit double figures for Kendall as CJ D’Agostino had 16, Noah Morehouse 14, Vinnie D’Agostino 11 and Sammy Conte and Jonny Conte 10 each.
Kendall jumped out to a 16-4 first quarter lead as CJ D’Agostino had 8 and Morehouse and Sammy Conte 4 each.
The Eagles went on to lead by margins of 11, 29-18, at the half and by 15, 52-37, at the three-quarter mark. Jonny Conte had 6 in the second period while Morehouse had 8 and CJ D’Agostino 6 in the third quarter.
However, Albion caught fire in the final period as 12 points by Doxey, 6 by Cody and a big 3 by Olles sparked the Purple Eagles successful comeback bid.
Albion finishes the regular season at 10-9.
Kendall is now 12-6 with two Genesee Region League games remaining next week at home against Lyndonville on Monday and at Notre Dame on Wednesday.
Holley 58. Oakfield-Alabama 53
Holley trimmed visiting Oakfield-Alabama 58-53 in a G-R game this afternoon as Blake Coleman had 6 key points, including a three, to put the Hawks on top in the fourth quarter.
Josh Silpoch scored 20 and Avante Walker 14 to lead Holley.
Jonny Conte puts up a shot for Kendall against Albion defender Adam Burgio.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 February 2026 at 1:43 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers: Rollin Hellner speaks during a Jan. 29 Medina Village Board held at the high school auditorium. At the meeting he faulted the board for poor planning with the purchase of a new ladder truck without having a spot to place it. During the meeting Hellner said he was running for mayor in the March 18 election, but he decided not to seek the position and is instead backing Deborah Padoleski, a retired village clerk-treasurer and current trustee. Padoleski on Feb. 9 made the motion to declare the ladder truck surplus, and two other trustees backed that motion.
MEDINA – Rollin Hellner’s supporters have his signs around Medina, urging people to vote for him for mayor and “Make Medina Greater” on March 18.
But Hellner ultimately decided not to pursue the position. Tuesday was the deadline for submitting petitions signed by at least 100 registered voters in Medina. Hellner, 32, said he had enough signatures but is instead throwing his support behind Deborah Padoleski.
That makes it a two-person race with Padoleski against current Mayor Marguerite Sherman.
Hellner, owner of The Walsh, also owns a property development business. He said he didn’t want to split votes with Padoleski, who he said shares a similar goal as mayor. When Hellner announced his campaign for mayor, he said he didn’t know Padoleski also was planning to run.
He shares Padoleski’s position that the village didn’t do enough planning with the new ladder truck and fire hall addition, and its high taxes are driving out residents and discouraging businesses from investing in Medina.
“We have similar views,” Hellner said today about Padoleski. “A lot of business owners are frustrated with the current administration. And the taxes are just burying people.”
Hellner said village officials can come across as picking favorites and not always being fair in applying the rules.
He said the board and village government need to develop a plan for addressing the aging water and sewer lines, and also the sidewalks in disrepair.
He regrets Medina is now in the news around Western New York about the ladder truck and not having a permanent place to put it. The truck was in the compost facility and now will go to the DPW garage which is heated – until the board decides whether to sell it or keep it.
“The fire truck gets a lot of press coverage and it’s embarrassing,” Hellner said. “People see the division on board that’s not the Medina I came here for.”
He believes Padoleski can be a strong agent of change in bringing down the tax burden and helping to unify the village government.
Hellner has encouraged people who have campaign signs out for him to swap them out once the new ones arrive for Padoleski.
Sherman has been the mayor for nearly two years. She announced on Jan. 29 she wants to form a Long-Term Strategic Planning Committee to focus on Medina’s short and long-term infrastructure needs, financial sustainability, and responsible growth while preserving the character of our village.
Padoleski is running as a team with trustee candidates, Mark Prawel and Jeff Wagner. They are running under the “People’s Party.” Sherman is running under the “Village Party.”
Another candidate, Dean Bellack, is running for trustee under the “Connect Orleans Party.”
Medina’s local election don’t have the major political parties. Candidates instead pick an independent party line.
The Medina Village Board is shown during a meeting on Jan. 29 in the high school auditorium. From left include Trustee Deborah Padoleski, Trustee Jess Marciano, Village Clerk-Treasurer Jada Burgess, Mayor Marguerite Sherman, Trustee Mark Prawel and Trustee Scott Bieliski.
Photos courtesy of Assemblyman Hawley’s Office: Assemblyman Steve Hawley picked up valentines created by students at Jackson Primary School in Batavia and delivered those valentines to residents at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
BATAVIA – Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) continued his annual Valentines for Veterans initiative, bringing together local students and veteran residents at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia.
Handmade cards created by students at Jackson Primary School were gathered and delivered in person to the veterans.
“This event is a great opportunity every year to show my appreciation for our veterans and all of the sacrifices they have made to keep us free,” said Hawley. “As a veteran myself, the son of a veteran and a member of the Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee, I know the hard work and dedication these brave men and women have given over the years, and I hope events like this can serve as a way to give back.”
Hawley began the visit at Jackson Primary School, stopping by Mrs. Megan Harloff’s first grade and Mrs. Melissa Mattice’s kindergarten classes to talk with students about veterans and the six branches of the military while thanking them for their thoughtful valentines.
The day concluded at the New York State Veterans Home at Batavia, where Hawley personally handed out the valentines and expressed gratitude to residents for their service.
“This program connects students with our veterans, and in turn, our veterans receive messages of gratitude, such as ‘Thank you for your service,’” Hawley added. “It’s a truly rewarding experience for everyone involved.”
This evocative sign was mercifully saved from the garbage pile by Erica Joan Wanescki who donated it to the Medina Historical Society.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County History
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 4
The Bishop Nursing Home in Medina, Rose Villa Nursing Home in Albion, the Rembrandt Nursing Home in Kendall are but a few of the Orleans County facilities that provided residential care for elderly and incapacitated patients from the 1930s to the 1970s.
Variously referred to as “convalescent homes,” “care homes” or “old-age homes,” they were privately owned and operated. Usually located in larger houses, the number of patients depended on how many bedrooms could be reconfigured and could range from 5 to 30.
In many cases the homeowners were nurses. Additional nursing staff were employed to cover shifts and nighttime hours. Doctors visited on a regular schedule and patient records were kept.
Patient care was provided in a homestyle setting. Meals were home-cooked, residents who were not bedridden could socialize in a common area. Family members or outside hired help assisted with housekeeping tasks.
The Holley Standard of June 15, 1954, contains an account of a new facility, the Birner Nursing Home in Kendall:
“After considerable remodeling and installations to conform with state laws, including the addition of a fire escape, the home is now ready for occupants. The patients will have the entire second floor, including a small sitting room of their own and a total of 12 patients can be taken care of. Mr. and Mrs. Binder and their two daughters will live downstairs”
The evolution of this era of public health care is complex. The concept of public responsibility for the care of the indigent had long been established and had evolved through various phases. By the beginning of the 20th century, the poorhouse model of care was under stress. Poverty rates among the elderly increased after the Depression and it was estimated that over 50% had insufficient income to support themselves.
The groundbreaking Social Security Act of 1935 provided a cash income to the elderly poor. However, the act prohibited the payment of cash to any “inmate of a public institution,” as a result of financial irregularities uncovered at almshouses and infirmaries. At that same time, many homeowners had lost their means of income and thus private nursing homes evolved.
The Medina Daily Journal, June 15, 1959 printed this ad for Green Acres Nursing Home in Albion.
We searched through obituary listings on www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org to compile this list:
ALBION
Doloway Nursing Home
Green Acres Nursing Home
Hughsen Nursing Home
Pagel’s Nursing Home
Parker Nursing Home
Rose Villa Nursing Home aka Hazard Nursing Home
BARRE
Waldo Nursing Home
CARLTON
Young’s Nursing Home
HOLLEY
Ethel DeVoe Nursing Home
Lynch Nursing Home
KENDALL
Birner Nursing Home
Rembrandt Nursing Home
MEDINA
Bishop Nursing Home
Casey Nursing Home
Poler Nursing Home
Timmy’s (Timmerman’s) Adult Home
This home care nursing home model was all but phased out by the early 1970s as the State Health Department imposed more stringent requirements.
Mrs. Gertude Patterson, operator of the Bishop Nursing Home in Medina, observed that they were being forced out oof business.
“Rocky (Nelson Rockefeller, (Gov. NYS 1959-1973) got a grant for state-owned nursing homes, so they are trying to force us little ones out of business so they can build big hospital type nursing homes.” (MDJ 8-10-1968)
On June 28, 1969, William Knights, Jr. presided over an auction of the “Entire Household Goods and Supplies” of “The Bishop.” Included were 24 hospital beds, 12 antique rockers, 12 regular rockers, 7, fire extinguishers, night bells, hospital commodes and “many other articles, too numerous to mention.”
(Special thanks to Mrs. Jean Cardone for her recollections. We welcome any additional information, photographs, etc. Send to Catherine.cooper@orleanscountyny.gov)
The Bishop Nursing Home in Medina, Rose Villa Nursing Home in Albion, the Rembrandt Nursing Home in Kendall are but a few of the Orleans County facilities that provided residential care for elderly and incapacitated patients from the 1930s to the 1970s.
