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Kendall celebrates start of big sewer project with Hamlin
Photo by Tom Rivers: Kendall Town Board members on Thursday joined state officials for the ground-breaking of a $17 million sewer project in Kendall and Hamlin. They are shown at Lake View Park on Thompson Drive, where the project will start and then head east to Hamlin covering about 15 miles of sewer pipe. From left include Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak; Mark Mistretta, WNY regional director for NYS Parks; Tim Walsh, DEC Region 8 Director; Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata; and Town Board members Barb Flow, David Bentley and David Gaudioso.
KENDALL – The Town of Kendall celebrated the start of a $17 million sewer project on Thursday, a project that was delayed a few years after initial bids exceeded the budget.
The town was able to secure more funding from the state to allow a 15-mile-loing sewer district to go forward serving 330 residences in the two towns with most of the sewer pipe going in Kendall.
The project starts at Thompson Drive and heads east along the shoreline in Kendall, and then includes part of Hamlin, covering an area just south of the Hamlin Beach State Park.
Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said the sewer project is a first for the 10 towns in Orleans County. He recalled when the lake waters were so high they chewed away many feet of the shoreline in 2017 and 2019, threatening residents’ property. He thanked the state for increasing its contribution to the project when the initial bids came in far above projections.
Kendall was able to tap more than $12 million in the State’s Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative (REDI), up from the initial award of $9 million. Kendall also was awarded a $1,763,835 state grant through the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act.
“This is a blue ribbon project,” Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata said during the ground-breaking celebration on Thursday. “I am very honored. This is one of the largest REDI projects in the state.”
Kendall has created five water districts during Cammarata’s tenure as town supervisor, but he said the sewer district was by far the most challenging to line up the funding and work out all the details.
Tim Walsh, DEC Region 8 Director, said the state has worked with lakeshore communtiies with the permitting process for solutions that make ecological sense, protecting the environment and property.
Two contractors are lined up and ready to start work on the project which serves about 270 residences in Kendall and about 30 in Hamlin.
Blue Heron Construction Co. LLC will be paid $8,326,480 to install low-pressure sewer collection system from Thompson Drive to Troutburg Cottages. The company will install will install grinder pumps, lateral connections and abandon septic tanks at each residence.
Rochester Pipeline Inc. is the low bidder at $5,380,730 to construct three sewer pump stations, and install sewer force main and gravity sewer from Troutburg Cottages to the sewer connection point in Hamlin. The three sewer pump stations will be near Lomond Shores/West Kendall Road, Troutburg Cottages and Hamlin Beach State Park entrance off Moscow Road.
The entire project should be done by late 2026. The transmission lines and pump stations are scheduled to go in this year, with the connections to the houses next year.
The project costs include paying for the connections to the homes and the grinder-pump stations for each residence. The work also includes decommissioning the septic systems and filling in those areas with dirt. Residents will have to pay to have electricians put in the electricity connections.
Powerful waves from Lake Ontario took out chunks of land, including this spot on Ed Shores Road shown on May 7, 2017.
Cammarata recalled when Lake Ontario water levels were high in 2017 and 2019, eroding the shoreline. Residents and National Guard soldiers tried desperately to save property with sandbags and Aqua-Dams. The highway department, firefighters and Ladies Auxiliary all teamed in a valiant effort to help the shoreline residents, Cammarata said.
“Something needed to change to prevent the destruction of our town,” he said.
The National Guard from Rochester helped stack sandbags in Kendall on May 7, 2017.
The new sewer system is designed to allow for sewer expansion in the future, said Jason Ebbs and Jacob Bower, engineers from LaBella Associates.
Cammarata and Town Board members said they will continue to look for ways to expand infrastructure in the town, including additional water districts.
From left include Jacob Bower, project engineer for Labella Asssociates; Jason Ebbs, project manager for LaBella; Eric Maxon, Kendall highway superintendent; Kendall Town Supervisor Tony Cammarata; and Town Board members Barb Flow, David Bentley and David Gaudioso.
Air quality advisory in effect for Orleans, WNY until midnight
Photo by Tom Rivers: A farmer gets a field ready on Harrison Road in Shelby on Wednesday for planting season.
Another air-quality advisory has been issued today for Orleans County, Western New York and the counties along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.
The National Weather Service said air quality levels in outdoor air are predicted to be greater than an Air Quality Index value of 100 for Fine Particulates.
The State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the air quality include the very young and those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease.
The high today will be 76 followed by highs of 74 on Sunday, 76 on Monday, 72 on Tuesday and 75 on Wednesday.
Run for the Fallen makes way through Orleans, part of 500-mile journey
Group honors soldiers who died during War on Terror
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Runners and their support staff on the New York Run for the Fallen pose in front of the Canal Culvert in Ridgeway with David and Carol Cook (holding son Trevor’s Honor and Remember flag at left) and Carol’s sister. Trevor Cook was killed on July 6, 2011 during a training mission with the Marine Corps. Sgt. Cook was a crew chief for a UH-1Y helicopter.
Many people have not heard about the New York Run for the Fallen, but this week, a handful of runners dedicated to honoring New York military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, left their mark on Orleans County.
The New York Run for the Fallen is a 10-day journey encompassing more than 500 miles of remembrance, unity and purpose. The relay foot run wants to honor every New York military service member who died while serving or as a result of serving during the War on Terror since Oct. 12, 2000.
Family and friends of David and Carol Cook of Lyndonville gathered with participants of the New York Run for the Fallen on the towpath over Culvert Road to welcome two runners Thursday afternoon. This was one of the memorial stops along the 500-mile run from Buffalo to New Yor City. The ceremony on the culvert honored the Cook’s son Trevor, a Marine killed in a training accident on July 6, 2011 when he was 25.
Volunteer runners in groups of up to 20, along with a support crew, will stop at two- to six-mile intervals at a pre-placed marker along the towpath, where they will call out the name, rank, branch of military and date of death of each fallen service member from the nearby area. Family members, friends and patriots are welcome to be at the stops, where they may be presented with an Honor and Remember flag with their loved one’s name on it.
Such was the case for David and Carol Cook of Lyndonville. The Cook’s son Trevor was killed in a training accident in 2006, while serving in the Marines in California. The service honoring their son took place on the culvert at Culvert Road, east of Medina.
Each memorial stop along the way includes a reading, in which it is explained, “We run for them all, honoring their service and sacrifice and remembering that each gave up a future so we could have ours.”
“It’s nice they remembered Trevor,” David said.
Left – Photo by Robin Boyle: Runners on the first leg of the New York Run for the Fallen stopped for a break at Marshall Road bridge Thursday afternoon. From left are Kevin Travey of Lockport, Jacina Ramirez of Buffalo, Brian Carol of Rochester, Jeff Tracy of Lockport, Lori and Joe Jablonski of Buffalo, Nancy Weber of Syracuse, Alton Lewis of Buffalo, Beth Harvey of Tennessee, Cayna Mangine of Oneida, Ryan Milton of Saratoga Springs, Tara Evans of Knoxboro and Cory Mangine of Oneida. Right – Photo by Ginny Kropf: Two members of the team on the New York Run for the Fallen hold an Honor and Remember flag with Trevor Cook’s name, which was presented to his parents on the towpath Thursday afternoon.
Lori Jablonski of Buffalo, organizer of the local event, learned about Trevor from a friend of hers in Lyndonville and contacted David and Carol. Lori and her husband Joe lost their son Jason to leukemia while he was in the military.
This year is the 10th anniversary for the New York Run for the Fallen, which began with an opening ceremony at 7 a.m. Thursday at Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park Memorial Garden. The 10 runners who started the day departed for Medina at 8 a.m., with several ceremonies in Erie County and Niagara County. Arriving at the Marshall Road bridge, they held another ceremony, then continued to Culvert Road.
Curt Follman, standing at left, and Kelly Follman (seated) welcome runners on the New York Run for the Fallen to their home on Wilson Road Extension, Waterport. Standing next to Curt is Kelly’s mom, Jeanne Crane.
Following the ceremony there, the entire group of runners and their accompanying crew left the canal bank and headed to the home of Curt and Kelly Follman of Waterport, where they had been invited to have supper and spend the night.
The Follmans had learned about the Run for the Fallen from Brian Carl, president of the WNY Parent Club, whom they met at a parents’ meeting at Annapolis. Four of the Follmans’ seven children are in the military, including a daughter at the Naval Academy, so they were eager to support the runners.
Also invited to dine with the runners were a Gold Star family from Cambria.
Enjoying supper at the Follman home Thursday night are, clockwise from left, Bruce Schmidt, his sister Heather Schmidt Maitland and Scott Maitland with Lori Jablonski, organizer of the New York Run for the Fallen. Bruce and Heather’s older brother died on a training mission while serving in Kuwait.
The first Run for the Fallen took place in 2008 when runners went from California to Arlington National Cemetery.
“That spawned other events across the country, including New York state in 2016,” said Ryan Milton of Saratoga Springs, who has taken part in the run all 10 years.
The group resumed their trek at 8 a.m. Friday, starting at Allens Bridge Road and concluding the day in Fairport. Their journey will end June 14 at the Intrepid Museum in New York City.
Photos courtesy of Natasha Wasuck: A runner carries an American flag as he heads towards Main Street in Albion on Friday morning.
The group poses for a photo on Friday morning near the Main Street lift bridge.
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After giving out $270K in grants, GO Art! announces $115K more is available
Funds support arts and cultural programs in Genesee, Orleans
Photos courtesy of GO Art! – (Left) Idris Salih accepts a grant for a photography project. (Center) Kae Wilbert leads a quintet, E-YAH-Pah-Hah, that performs Native American music. (Right) Randy Reese of Medina accepts a grant for Canalside Radio to upgrade its equipment.
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council today announced a second round of grants is available for arts and cultural projects in the two counties.
GO Art! on April 25 distributed about $269,905 in grants to 46 different organizations and artists in the two counties. With the second round, $115,000 more will be available.
Applications for the funds are due June 20. The money is available through the Statewide Community Regrant Program (SCR), a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts. It was developed in 1977 to ensure that the state’s cultural funding would reach every part of the New York State.
The cornerstone of SCR is its focus on local decision making through a transparent and competitive peer review panel process.
Gregory Hallock, executive director for GO Art!, and Jodi Fisher, program director & Statewide Community Regrant Co-Coordinator, announce the grants April 25 during a celebration at Wise Intermediate School in Medina. Another round of funding is now available.
Altogether, GO ART! will be regranting $385,000 through SCR to artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and programming taking place in 2025.
The Peer Review Panel recommended 46 applications for funding from the first round. Applicants were eligible to apply for up to a total of $5,000 in the categories of Community Arts (Reach) and Arts Education (Spark), and $3,000 for Individual Artist Commissions (Ripple).
The categories and recipients are as follows:
REACH: The GO ART! Community Arts Grants provide seed grants to individual artists, collectives and arts organizations for projects and activities that enable Genesee and Orleans County communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media and visual arts. Each year the program supports arts projects, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more.
RIPPLE: The GO ART! Individual Artist Commission supports local, artist-initiated activity, and highlights the role of artists as important members of the community. The Commission is for artistic projects with outstanding artistic merit that work within a community setting.
SPARK: The Arts Education Program supports arts education projects for youth and/or senior learners. Emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the creative process through which participants learn through or about the arts. Projects must focus on the exploration of art and the artistic process.
Artists, nonprofits, and municipalities seeking funding for arts related projects, programming, and events in Genesee and Orleans counties are encouraged to apply to the second round of SCR funding through GO ART!
For more information on applying for the Statewide Community Regrant Program visit: goart.org/grants or contact Jodi Fisher at jfisher@goart.org.
These grants are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Orleans County recipients:
- Lee-Whedon Memorial Library – Finally Fridays! 2025
- Yates Community Library – More Than Just Books
- Brandi Zavitz – For the Love of Dogs Mural
- Lyndonville Lions Club – I Hear the Music
- Kim Martillotta-Muscarella – Mosaic Compass Rose
- Village of Holley – Village of Holley Canal Series
- Town of Carlton – Orleans County Ox art for bicentennial
- Carol Culhane – Orleans Bicentennial Ox Community Public Art Project
- Village of Albion (Fiscal Sponsor for Mary Jo Whitman) – The Village of Albion in Pictures
- Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum – The Art of the Aurora at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse
- Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events – Albion Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park
- Village of Albion – Village of Albion Summer Concert Series
- Friends of Boxwood Cemetery – Boxwood at Night – See the Cemetery In a New Light
- Orleans County Historical Association (Fiscal Sponsor for C.W. Lattin and Neil Johnson) –Historic Markers Erected During The 20th Century in Orleans County, New York
- Albion – July 3rd, Independence Day Celebration
- Tegan Leach – Sharing the wonder of fiber arts
- Hoag Library of the Swan Library Association – 2025 Hoag Music Series
- Friends of Orleans County Marine Park – 2025 OONA Summer Concert Series
- E-YAH-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet – Classical Music Series in Albion
- Orleans County Chamber of Commerce, Barre Betterment Committee – 2025 Barre Betterment Committee Public Events
- The Canalside Radio – Bringing The Canalside Radio to the Airwaves: Essential Equipment for Community Broadcast Expansion
- Idris Salih – American: Intimate portraits of who we are as a society.
- Judd Sunshine – Erie Canal Songwriting Project
- Janet Klossner – Steps for fiber processing, from raw fleece to yarn. A series of 3 classes.
(Left) Robby Klino, president of Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, appreciated the funds for the “Boxwood at Night” event. (Right) Chris Manaseri, president of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum, accepts a grant for the museum’s “The Art of the Aurora at the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.”
Genesee County recipients:
- Batavia Concert Band – 2025 Batavia Concert Band Summer Concert Series
- Warrior House of WNY – Community Acoustic Music Nights
- Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Band – Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Band Season 2025
- Haxton Memorial Public Library – Talented Thursdays
- Batavia Business Improvement District – Jackson Square Concert Series
- St. Mark’s Episcopal Church – Music at St. Mark’s
- Richmond Memorial Library (Fiscal Sponsor of Laura Jacket) – Arts at the Libraries
- Batavia Business Improvement District (Fiscal Sponsor for Jennifer Gray) – Summer Grooves of Jackson Square
- Batavia Business Improvement District (Fiscal Sponsor for Sara Tenney) – Summer Sounds of Jackson Square
- Woodward Memorial Library in LeRoy – Workshops at Woodward
- Hollwedel Memorial Library in Pavilion – Shake on the Lake Presents William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’
- Justin Benedict – The Nightroad Anthology Two
- Andy Rich – Acting for Large Markets II
- Oakfield Betterment Committee – Oakfield Labor Daze
- Melissa Lee – Tree Sweaters
- Village of Bergen – Hickory Park Concert Series
- Richmond Memorial Library – Shake on the Lake: The Tempest
- Gillam-Grant Community Center – Cultivating Creativity: Fostering Community Through Art and Culture
- Byron-Bergen Public Library – Enriching lives through Arts and Music
- The Genesee Symphony Orchestra – The Genesee Symphony Orchestra’s 79th Concert Season
- Genesee Chorale – Genesee Chorale Seasons for 2025
- Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming, OUT! – GLOW OUT! Pride Festival 2025
- Brian Kemp – Table Top Art Show
- Bergen Evangelical Presbyterian Church – Spring Concert Series
- Laurence Tallman – Native Sojourns for Wind Quintet
- GLOW YMCA – GLOW Corporate Cup Street Beat
- Batavia Development Corporation – City Centre Exterior Cityscape Mural
- David Burke – Mural panels
- Heather Davis – Opera on the Oatka
- Mary Jo Whitman – Breaking Boundaries: Art Installation in City Centre
- William C. Schutt – Love Wins
- Cecelia “Chee” Lullo – Zucchini
- Deb Slusser – Creativity in Clay
- Chris Humel – Cartooning For Seniors
- Leah Peca – Community Youth Art Lessons
- Bart Dentino – “The Spaces Between the Leaves”
Holley plans lots of fun for June Fest on Saturday
File photos by Tom Rivers: Vendors will line the path of Holley’s canal park on Saturday for June Fest. This photo is from last year’s festival.
HOLLEY – The village will be abuzz with activities on Saturday for the annual June Fest celebration.
The events begin with a 5K near the elementary school. The Holley Rotary Club is planning the annual Jim Ferris Memorial 5K. Click here for more information about the race.
Jim Ferris was one of the top runners in the Rochester region in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He died at age 53 from a sudden heart attack on May 7, 1994.
Mayor Mark Bower said the weather looks good for “a full day of fun” in Holley.
“Enjoy live entertainment, local vendors, food, music and activities for all ages,” he said today in a social media post to the community. “Events will take place throughout the village, including the Holley Public Square, Holley Canal Park along the historic Erie Canal, and the beautiful Holley Falls Park.”
The lineup of activities includes:
- Jim Ferris 5K at 8 a.m.
- Vendors from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Children’s Athletic Parade led by Sal DeLuca, Holley’s Citizen of the Year, starts at 9:30 a.m. with line up beginning at 9 a.m. by Red, White and Moo
- Cardboard Regatta at 10 a.m. in Canal by gazebo
- St. Mary’s Chicken Barbecue starts at 11 a.m. until gone
- Orly the Bicentennial Ox doing meet and greet at village booth from 11:30 a.m. to noon
- Concert by Celtic Spirit at playground pavilion at 12:30 p.m.
- Community Free Library doing book sale and scavenger hunt
- Concert by Beggars Will Ride from 6 to 8 p.m. at Public Square. (The Who Dats kicked off the fest this evening, Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Square.)
The runners line up at the starting line for last year’s Jim Ferris 5K which was organized by the Holley Rotary Club. The race returns on Saturday at 8 a.m. with the sign in outside the elementary school.
Master gardeners hosting homesteading open house on June 21
Photos courtesy of Cornell Cooperative Extension: The Master Food Preserver program will be at the event, showcasing canning equipment and providing recipes. Karen Desjardin is one of the local Master Food Preservers.
Press Release, Master Gardeners in Orleans County
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County CCE Master Gardeners are excited to announce a new event for this year – an Intro to Modern Homesteading open house, set to take place on Saturday, June 21 from11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Trolley Building of the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The event will feature information tables showcasing various skills that increase self-sufficiency.
Modern homesteading can be loosely defined as reducing reliance on global supply chains and increasing practices that enhance self-sufficiency, sustainability and independence. The idea for an event based on modern homesteading skills was tossed around the last few years at the Master Gardener planning meetings.
As county residents witnessed rising grocery prices, looming tariffs on outsourced products, and signs of economic downturn, Orleans CCE Executive Director Robert Batt encouraged Master Gardeners to try to find a way to offer some type of education involving homesteading in their 2025 program year.
(Left) The compost tumbler that will be raffled off as a door prize for the event. (Right) There will be a table with information on the importance of using rain barrels.
Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs) Eileen Sorochty and Kathleen Contrino formed a subcommittee and set to work detailing skills considered important in modern homesteading and finding professionals, volunteers or hobbyists willing to extend their experiences and information to the public.
“Modern homesteading can be a great way to save money and know what your family is exposed to,” said Contrino, MGV Co-Chair for the event. “The more we do for ourselves and our community, the less we have to rely upon large corporations whose goals are reaping profits.”
Some of the topics that will be featured at the event include: food gardening, seed saving, sewing, soap-making, homeschooling, composting, rain barrels, chicken raising, canning, and more!
Volunteers will be at each table offering examples and information on each of the skills. In addition to the informational tables, there will be demonstrations on fiber spinning, live animals from the Orleans County 4-H and Rosemary and Pine Goatscaping, and a Kidsteaders table with hands-on crafts for children.
Master Gardener Brenda Radzinski will showcase quilting and sewing techniques.
“I think it’s important that folks see and experience some of the home skills that our parents and grandparents relied on,” said Sorochty, the other MGV Co-Chair for the event. “Whether it’s raising a vegetable garden or having chickens, it can only benefit us all to know how to feed ourselves from our own backyard. Yes, it might be a bit more work, but the satisfaction and rewards are worth the efforts.”
This event takes place directly after the Master Gardener class on Flower Gardening (at 10 a.m. in the Education Center). The Intro to Homesteading event is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees are welcome to come and go throughout the event. Each attending family can enter a free raffle to win the door prize of a Lifetime Compost Tumbler donated by Orleans County resident and Master Gardener supporter Pam Maryjanowski.
“We are hopeful the event will be successful and can grow into something even bigger in the future. We’d love to see larger series of monthly events and hands-on classes next year.” Contrino said, “Homesteading can help make our lives more sustainable, build local infrastructure and increase community through sharing and bartering.”
For more information on this or any other Master Gardener program, contact MGV Coordinator Katie Oakes at klo54@cornell.edu or 585-798-4265 ext. 125.
Master Gardener Kate Hardner, an advocate for backyard chicken raising, will be at the event with information about raising chickens at home. Photo by Kelly Lucyszyn.
Crash simulation in Lyndonville sends message to students, community about drunken driving
Firefighters, law enforcement also stress distracted driving puts people in danger
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Pastor Dan Thurber, right, comforts Amy Burgess this morning during a DWI crash simulation at Lyndonville Central School. Burgess saw her son, Shane Ritzenthaler, be put in a body bag and be taken from the scene in a hearse.
Lyndonville firefighters and local law enforcement have teamed for the DWI simulation for about 20 years, creating a car wreck scene right before prom and graduation parties. The Lyndonville prom will be June 25.
There were also DWI simulations this morning in Holley and Albion.
Orleans County Sheriff’s deputies Jason Barnum and Ashleigh Stornelli were at the scene today. Barnum, the school resource officer at Lyndonville, urged students to be safe and not put themselves and others in danger. He said there fatal accidents every year in Orleans County often involving teen-age drivers.
Dr. Julie Woodworth, an Orleans County coroner, works with Kevin Bogan, left, and Norman Smolarek of Bogan & Tuttle Funeral Home to move Shane Ritzenthaler into a body bag and then into a hearse.
Ritzenthaler said he has watched the simulation before and he said it sends a powerful message to students. He volunteered to be in the simulation and be covered in fake blood and portray a deceased person.
“It definitely paints a picture and a sense of what could happen,” he said.
Other students in the simulation who portrayed injured people were Autumn Kidney, Emma Freas and Anastasia Hess.
Firefighters staged these two vehicles to appear as if they were in an accident. Automotive Solutions donated the vehicles for today’s simulation.
Lyndonville Fire Chief Mike Heideman said he has been to numerous motor vehicles collisions in his 38 years as a volunteer firefighter, including some fatal accidents.
“It’s very difficult to tell the parents what happened, especially in the middle of the night,” Heideman said.
He was one of 11 Lyndonville Lyndonville firefighters who participated in this morning’s simulation.
“We do it for the kids and the community to show what can happen,” Heideman said.
It’s not just drunk and impaired driving that are dangerous, Heideman said. He worries about drivers being districted by their phones. They not only put themselves sin danger but their passengers and other motorists on the road, he said.
Tervel Atanassov, 23, shared about being a volunteer firefighter in Lyndonville. He joined the fire department 238 days ago, and told students he has been welcomed with open arms.
He urged students to consider joining. Last year, three students signed up after the simulation and have proven to be dedicated members, Heideman said.
Atanassov said he has responded to MVAs, lift assists, gas leaks and fire alarms. He will be taking classes to be trained as an interior firefighter, an emergency medical technician and responding to hazardous materials. He also would like to be trained for the tactical rope rescue team.
Scott Goetze, a Lyndonville fire district representative, urged the students to consider joining the fire department or pursuing a career as a police officer.
“We need young people to go into law enforcement and the fire service to meet the needs of small towns like Lyndonville,” Goetze said.
Amy Burgess said it was “surreal” to see her son lying on the ground and then put in a body bag.
“I just hope that nobody will drink and drive,” she said.
Regional next for Mustangs on Saturday
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina catcher Ryleigh Culver and pitcher Brody Fry and their Mustangs teammates will face Oneonta in the Class B Regional at Frontier High School at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Having successfully cleared hurdle No. 1 in the state baseball playoffs, Section VI champion Medina will next face Section IV champion Oneonta in the Class B Regional at 2 p.m. Saturday at Frontier High School in Hamburg.
The victor advances to the state semifinals next Friday in Binghamton.
The Mustangs bring a 22-1 record into the Regional while the Yellowjackets are 19-3.
Medina, which is competing in the state playoffs for the third time in four years, bested Section V champion Wellsville 6-2 on Wednesday in the Sub Regional played at Newark.
Oneonta earned a berth in the state playoffs by nipping Lansing 2-1 for the Section IV Class B championship.
Senior Brody Fry and sophomore Preston Woodworth have shared the lions share of the pitching duties for Medina this season. When not on the mound, Fry has played in the outfield and Woodworth at second base.
The Mustangs staring infield lineup has also included senior Ryleigh Culver at catcher, senior Carter Woodworth at third base, sophomore Aidan Papaj at shortstop and freshman Cam Fike at first base with senior Tyler Koening playing second when Preston Woodworth is on the mound.
Junior Vinny Gray has manned the centerfield spot as sophomore Hadrian Batista, Kroening and senior Brady Christiaansen have also shared time in the outfield.
The Medina roster also includes senior pitcher Lukas Grimes along with junior outfielders Ryan Pegelow, Jimmy Dieter and Kolton Fletcher and sophomore infielder/outfielders Lathan McEwen-Miller and Carlos Doval.
Overall, Medina is 3-1 in four previous Far West Regional games. The Mustangs defeated Sodus 4-0 in 2003, LeRoy 10-2 in 2019, lost to Palmyra-Macedon 11-1 in 2022 and downed Wellsville 8-3 last spring.
Youth Board recognizes outstanding students, adult leaders
Photos by Tom Rivers: Karter May of Kendall accepts commendations on Thursday as one of 14 youths honored during the annual youth recognition banquet. May has dedicated over 600 hours of community service, and also is involved as a leader of several clubs at Kendall.
Clockwise starting in back right: Karter May of Kendall, Aidan Oberther of Medina, Hannah Rowland of Shelby, Kylee Dann of Holley, Grace Goodrich of Medina, Madison Davis of Lyndonville, Garrett Koch of Medina, Noah Fox of Lyndonville, MacKenzie Fiorito of Holley, Keira Zambito of Albion, Theresa Biesinger of Medina and Morgan Bidwell of Kendall. Not pictured include Christina Molina of Medina and Makenzie McGrath of Medina.
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Youth Board recognized 14 students and three adults on Thursday for their service to others.
About 100 people attended the 43rd annual youth recognition banquet at the White Birch Golf Course. They received commendations from the Orleans County Legislature, Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Robert Ortt.
Students give many hours of community service and find ways to assist others through clubs and organizations in their schools, or outside of school through the fire department or other programs.
The following students were recognized: Morgan Bidwell, Theresa Biesinger, Kylee Dann, Madison Davis, MacKenzie Fiorito, Noah Fox, Grace Goodrich, Garrett Koch, Karter May, Makenzie McGrath, Christena Molina, Aidan Oberther, Hannah Rowland and Keira Zambito.
Father Mark Noonan, a priest with the ONE Catholic Parish in Orleans County, was the keynote speaker. He thanked the students and the adult honorees for committing themselves to service and kindness for others.
“The best things are yet to come,” Father Noonan shared in his message.
John Grillo, a Youth Borad member and Albion’s recreation director, thanked the students for setting a good example for their peers.
“You are the leaders in the community,” Grillo said. “We only hope others will follow in your footsteps.”
The Youth Board accepted nominations from the community for the awards for the youth and the adults.
“We have great hopes for them to become the best they can be and to continue to be great contributors to their communities now and into the future,” the Youth Board stated.
These adults were recognized for their service to youth and the community, from left: Pastor Al Wilson, Katherine Anderson and Saul Harrison.
Two adults received the Eileen Heye Adult Youth Volunteer Award: Katherine Anderson of Medina and Pastor Al Wilson who leads the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries in Albion.
Anderson was nominated for helping many of her neighbors mow their lawns and shovel sidewalks. She volunteers at the YMCA, helping children with pointers on shooting basketballs and kicking soccer balls.
“I just like helping others,” she said.
Anderson is a member of the Self-Advocacy All Stars through the GLOW Arc. She is a role model for every young person with her positive attitude and willingness to help others.
“She makes a huge impact on the Medina community,” said Allison Gursslin, who nominated Anderson for the award.
Pastor Al Wilson of the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries in Albion leada a church that serves 2,000 chicken barbecues for free every year near Christmas, runs an easter Egg Hunt with about 15,000 eggs full of treats on the Courthouse lawn, donates food throughout the year, provides lunches once a week during the summer parks program in Albion, and provides lots of encouragement through words and hugs, said John Grillo, Albion’s recreation director.
“Pastor Al has a passion for youth in our community and has been volunteering his service in Orleans County for many years, especially in the Village of Albion,” Grillo said. “His message and blessings are spoken with love and peace, all with a touch of humor,” Grillo said.
Wilson urged the group to keep loving others and sharing grace.
Saul Harrison of Albion receives the Helen R. Brinsmaid Adult Youth Worker Award. He is congratulated by Barb Flow of the Youth Board.
Harrison started as a youth care worker with the county in 2008, assisting children in foster homes.
“Saul is a gentle giant and is an inspiration in our community while spreading the message of love in his profession,” Grillo said.
Harrison does supervised visits with parents and children during the day or evening. His kindness and generosity are apparent while he works with others in challenging situations.
Harrison helps the youths work on goals, taking them to fitness gyms and also to local libraries.
He has been a long-time volunteer coach for youth football and baseball programs. Harrison is also a deacon at the Shiloh Church and cooks his barbecue fundraisers, often donating the funds to sports teams, Grillo said.
Harrison said he is thankful for his career and co-workers. He noted that many of his colleagues donating their personal and vacation time during his recent cancer treatments that kept him out of work for five months. Harrison didn’t have to collect disability because of his co-workers’ generosity.
Harrison said the cancer is treatable and his health has improved. He said the experience has been an opportunity to testify about God’s mercy and power in his life.
“I look forward to helping more youth,” he said.
Hannah Rowland, a junior who is home-schooled, was recognized for her service to the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. She is a firefighter who has been an active volunteer with the fire company the past four years.
Garrett Koch, a senior at Medina, has been a trustworthy volunteer at Boxwood Cemetery, the MAAC Thrift Shop and with Medina IMPACT Day.
Strawberry Festival names royalty, winning poster
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – The royalty have been named for the Albion Strawberry Festival on June 13-14. The group will be in the parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 14.
From left include Alexis Neff from the middle school, Keira Zambito and Julia Button from the high school, and Mason Rotthoff from the middle school.
The winning posters for the Strawberry Festival also were recognized. From left include Alexis Hand, third place; Izzy McCoy (not pictured) in second place; and Alakai Colmenero, in first place. Colmenero’s poster will be featured on posters and brochures promoting the festival.
The Strawberry Festival is June 13-14 at the Courthouse Square and downtown Albion with entertainment and vendors from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on June 13 and 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 14.
The festival welcomes more parade participants especially floats that can be spaced in between marching bands. Click here to see the schedule and to sign up for the parade.
3 graduating seniors receive Albion Rotary scholarships
Photo by Matt Holland
ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club today presented three scholarships to graduating seniors. Pictured from left include Tom Rivers, Albion Rotary Club president; Donovan Braley, winner of the Rotary Career Advancement Prize; David Rosario, recipient of the Edward Archbald Memorial Scholarship; and Leo Bolton, winner of the Dick Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship.
The Albion Rotary Club awarded the $3,000 in scholarships today during its meeting at the tavern on the Ridge.
Leo Bolton won the Dick Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship, a $1,250 award that is given to a student committed to community service and leadership, and who displays high potential for future accomplishment.
Bolton plans to become a pharmacist and is headed to Cedarville University in Ohio. He has been a key player on the varsity soccer, swimming and tennis teams while playing the trombone in the band and marching band. He is a member of the Interact Club and works at the Medicine Shoppe in Medina and as a lifeguard. He also went on a mission trip to Malawi in southeastern Africa to help at an orphanage.
David Rosario won the $1,250 Edward Archbald Memorial Scholarship, given to a senior who shares Archbald’s love of sports, recreational activities, community service and work experience.
Rosario has been on the soccer, wrestling and track teams, as well as the FFA, Honor Society and Diversity Club. He plans to study at the University at Buffalo to become a pediatric nurse.
Donovan Braley was awarded the $500 Rotary Career Advancement Prize for a senior committed to community service, school activities and work experience.
Braley has been on the soccer and tennis teams. He is an Eagle Scout who wants to be a physical therapist. He is headed to GCC this fall for the physical therapist assistant program.
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Kendall Community Band continues to make a joyful noise
Group formed in 2012 for Kendall bicentennial, draws members from Orleans and Monroe counties
Photos by Natalie Baron: John Grillo, the Village of Albion recreation director (center), is joined by recreation committee member Bernie Baldwin and Lori Cyr, director of the Kendall Community Band. They welcomed people to Wednesday’s concert at Bullard Park in Albion. The band will be back in Albion on June 13 at the Strawberry Festival, performing from 5 to 7 p.m.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
KENDALL – The Kendall Community Band performed at Bullard Park’s amphitheater on Wednesday, the kick off of Albion’s summer concert series.
The band recruits members from both Orleans and Monroe counties.
Peggy Warren
Peggy Warren, a retired chemistry teacher from Kendall, is one of the band’s flute players.
“We just love it. We go play in nursing homes, we play at the carnivals, just to share our joy of music,” she said.
David Warren, Peggy’s husband, is a retired manufacturing engineer from Kendall who plays trumpet in the band.
“I played in high school. I loved it. It saved my life,” he said. “It kept me on the straight and narrow, so music’s very important to me. I started with the band about twelve, thirteen years ago and I’ve just stuck with it. It’s grown since then.”
David and Peggy’s daughter, Tricia, is another returning member of the band, performing on bass clarinet. She works as a nurse.
The band formed for the Kendall bicentennial in 2012. It has been around ever since.
Lori Cyr, the band’s director (left), is shown with Tricia Warren, a nurse who plays bass clarinet.
Lori Cyr is the band’s director. She is a retired music teacher from Potsdam. She explained that the band gains a couple of new members each year.
“I have been involved in community music my whole life,” Cyr stated. “Starting even when I was in high school, I was involved in the community band in the summertime.”
Cyr performs in three ensembles and directs two, including a community clarinet choir in Rochester that she directs and plays in.
The band’s members give a lot of their time and energy to the band, ensuring it is the best it can be.
“I give this group a lot of credit for what they’re willing to do and the amount of commitment they make to the group,” Cyr explained. “They show up every week for rehearsals. We rehearse every week from September through June with a couple of vacations. I put music in front of them that they don’t like at first because it’s too hard, and yet they work on it and it gets better. It’s a great group of people and I absolutely love doing this.”
David Warren plays a trumpet solo during Wednesday’s concert at the amphitheater at Bullard Park.
Mr. Warren stated that the band is always looking for new members, and the offer is open to anyone who plays an instrument. The band plays for donations only.
The Kendall Community Band will next be playing at the Strawberry Festival on June 13, with future dates at The Manor House in Batavia and The Villages of the Orleans Health and Rehabilitation Center in Albion.
Visit the Kendall Community Band’s Facebook page for further details about the group.
Lori Cyr introduces some of the music during Wednesday’s concert in Albion.
The Kendall Community Band welcomes more members for their performances at community events and at care facilities.
