Facebook

Frank, the giant hot dog, makes triumphant return to Medina landscape

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2026 at 2:58 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers: Brody Hoffmeister, owner of Rudy’s Diner, is happy to welcome back Frank, a 6-foot-high hot dog.

MEDINA – Frank, the giant hot dog mascot at Rudy’s Diner, has returned to the beloved local eatery after getting a major restoration from students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.

Frank left Rudy’s last fall. Frank was falling apart, in need of repairs and fresh paint.

He returned about two weeks ago, looking like new after a major overhaul led by students in the Orleans/Niagara BOCES autobody class and teacher Jim Rozewski.

“Frank,” a 6-foot-high fiberglass statue, kept a low profile at Rudy’s for the last several years. This famous hot dog was acquired around 2008 when Rudy’s founder, Joe Russo, wanted to celebrate the diner’s 20th anniversary. Frank was out in California before making the move to Medina.

The hot dog statue also was a gift from Joe to his wife, Debbie, and their daughter, Kelly Duffield, who were both instrumental in Rudy’s success for many years.

Joe and Debbie Russo opened Rudy’s in 1988 and wanted to create a comfortable environment for people to enjoy a meal. Joe brought a sense of humor to the operation, as well as a commitment to quality food and reasonable prices.

Frank the hot dog used to be out in front of the restaurant on East Center Street, and people would stop by frequently to get photos. They also often leaned on him, knocking off one of his arms.

Frank’s paint started to come off and there was other wear and tear, prompting Brody Hoffmeister, Joe’s grandson and the current owner, to move Frank outside in back of the diner.

But now he is back in the limelight. Rudy’s staff has been wheeling him out each morning to the front of the diner. The BOCES class made Frank a new base with wheels.

Hoffmeister said he appreciates the skill and care the students and their teacher put in on Frank.

Orly the Ox, the Orleans County bicentennial mascot., met Frank last September before the frankfurter got his groove back. Orly featured Frank in one of his social media posts about interesting people places and things during Orleans County’s bicentennial in 2025.

In yesteryear, Orleans celebrated Fourth with Independence Balls, firing of canons, ringing of bells

Posted 5 July 2026 at 2:11 pm

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

 “Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 19

Invitation to an Independence Ball held in Gaines, July 4, 1848.

GAINES – In 1848, residents of Gaines celebrated the July 4th holiday at an Independence Ball, held at the Assembly Rooms. Hamilton’s Cotillion Band provided the music.

In 1849, residents of Medina celebrated the holiday “with the usual ceremonies of the day: the ringing of bells, the firing of canons, processions, music, readings, orations, toasts and fine words.” In Carlton, boat excursions were available at the Oak Orchard Harbor while landlubbers enjoyed “dancing on the green.”

In 1850, activities at Oak Orchard harbor began with a national salute at sunrise, excursions on the lake and a display of fireworks in the evening.

In 2026, Orleans County residents continued the tradition of celebrating Independence Day with processions, music, and activities, ending with a display of fireworks in the evening.

This year, we had the added element of marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The document was read aloud at some venues.

If you were unable to attend a reading, you may access the text at https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

Co-champions Barker and Wilson head the first team of the N-O All League softball squad

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 5 July 2026 at 9:11 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s first team All-League honorees, from left, Peyton Bradley, Madyson Flint and Kaylee Stoll.

Co-champions Barker and Wilson have both placed three players on the first team of the annual Niagara-Orleans All-League softball squad.

Barker is represented by senior infielders Kaylee Stoll and Peyton Bradley and sophomore pitcher Madyson Flint. All three are repeat first team honorees.

Wilson is represented by senior catcher Abbie Faery, senior infielder Kenzie Hardy and sophomore infielder Lucy Madan. Faery, who has been named N-O Player of the Year, and Madan are both repeat honorees.

Contributed Photo and Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Wilson’s first team honorees, Kenzi Hardy, Abbie Faery and Lucy Madan.

Bradley hit .462 with 8 doubles, 4 home runs and 26 RBIs; Flint .395 with 10 doubles, 2 triples and 16 RBIs’ and Stoll .342 with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 17 RBIs.

In the circle, Flint registered 183 strikeout and had a 1.96 earned run average.

Faery hit .490 with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 4 home runs and 17 RBIs’; Madan .485 with 6 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs and 16 RBIs and Hardy .400 with 1 triple and 17 RBIs.

Barker also had senior infielder Madelina Pavlock and sophomore catcher Lexi Brazzell earn second team honors.

The Lady Bulldogs also had sophomore outfielder Elise Monaco and freshman outfielder Aine Davis receive Honorable Mention.

Wilson had senior infielder Rowan Simpson and sophomore pitcher Katie Hardy receive second team honors.

The Lakewomen also had senior designated hitter Lauren Vanderlinden and sophomore outfielder Taylor Ernest earn Honorable Mention.

Lyndonville celebrates July 4th with another amazing fireworks show

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 July 2026 at 1:22 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The older water tower on West Avenue is silhouetted on Saturday night at the start of Lyndonville’s Fourth of July fireworks show. Lyndonville works with Young Explosives to put on one of the region’s biggest fireworks shows. The Saturday night show was just over a half hour.

This photo shows the Lyndonville United Methodist Church at left with the Presbyterian Church in back at right.

Saturday’s fireworks show was part of Lyndonville’s Independence Day celebration on the 250th anniversary of the country.

The water in Johnson Creek reflects the fireworks that are shot off behind the school.

The Lyndonville Lions Club added the red, white and blue illumination as part of the Independence Day celebration.

There were cutouts of Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty near the waterfalls on Main Street.

This photo looks through the cutoff of Uncle Sam with fireworks in the background.

Fireworks are shown in the distance while looking through the Statue of Liberty cutout.

There were lots of concessions available throughout the day, including right up until the fireworks.

A basketball hoop is shown with lots of fireworks.

The basketball hoop is a silhouette against the colorful fireworks during the finale.

Two kids play with light-up swords on the basketball courts during the fireworks finale.

Bryan McDowell sent in this photo from the finale with the scoreboard in the foreground.

Lyndonville marks Fourth with festive patriotic parade

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2026 at 7:42 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville marching band performed with a big contingent of students for the Fourth of July Parade today that started at noon. The marching band is shown going down Main Street.

The band heads north on Main Street near a giant American flag that was displayed by Panek Farms. Panek held the flag high from an old City of Lockport ladder truck the farm acquired.

Veterans ride in a trolley provided by the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion.

Main Street was packed with people to see the parade.

Lyndonville Mayor John Belson wears the Lyndonville baseball jersey of the late Mark Hughes, a much loved Lyndonville teacher and coach who passed away at age 75 on June 4, 2025. Belson assumed Hughes’s long-time role, pulling the fundraising barrel for the fireworks, which start at 10 tonight.

Auston Ley portrays George Washington and tosses candy to kids along the parade route.

Mike Fiegl plays Abraham Lincoln and Jeff Costello is Ben Franklin. There were more than the usual famous U.S. leaders in the parade, which falls on the 250th anniversary of the country.

Bob Eberle dressed as Uncle Sam and waves to the crowd along Main Street during today’s Fourth of July parade in Lyndonville. He is approaching the giant American flag.

Eric Johnson also pulls a fundraising barrel for the fireworks. He added some touches for President Donald Trump with the orange hair and a golf club for a cane.

Scott Schmidt, second from right, served as the parade emcee. He is joined on the parade platform by his father, Bruce Schmidt, a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club, which organized the Fourth of July celebration for the 52nd year.

The Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums in Gates have been a parade mainstay in Lyndonville.

Mark Watts drives a 1933 fire truck that was used by the Medina Fire Department until 1972, when it was taken out of service.

Marlene Seielstad, a candidate for Orleans County legislator, had a contingent with her during the parade.

3B Manufacturing, a precision machining and fabrication shop in Medina, tossed candy to the crowd, many of the people were wearing red, white and blue.

Community Action and Head Start was out spreading the message about their programs serving children and families.

Snowstorm Solutions brought a plow truck with a tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The Oak Orchard Assembly of God promoted an upcoming Vacation Bible School – July 12-15 with a theme of “Emerald Crossing.”

The East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company was among many fire departments represented in the parade.

2 high school seniors from Orleans attend band camp at SUNY Fredonia

Posted 4 July 2026 at 3:31 pm

Teagan Balaban of Medina and Aidan Kelley of Holley spent week at camp

Photos and information courtesy of Zach Busch, Holley band director

FREDONIA – Incoming Seniors Teagan Balaban of Medina and Aidan Kelley of Holley spent the last week at the Fredonia Summer Music Festival Band Camp.

The Fredonia Summer Music Festival is a six-day camp hosted on the SUNY Fredonia campus. Middle and high school students from around the state can enroll in various camps such as Middle School Band, High School Band, Choral, Composition or Piano.

While attending the camp, students can perform in groups like the Wind Symphony, Chamber Ensembles, and Jazz Ensemble. To round out their daily schedule, students attend music elective classes, master classes and lessons with SUNY Fredonia Staff and students, and various recreational activities. Attending the Fredonia Summer Music Festival gives students a week-long taste of life as a college music major.

Teagan Balaban of Medina, back left in glasses, and Aidan Kelley, right in second row, both played the clarinet at the band camp.

Both Teagan and Aidan play clarinet as their primary instrument and participated in the same ensembles at last week’s camp. Thursday evening, they performed with the Woodwind Choir, comprised of about 30 student musicians playing instruments ranging from the Flute to the Baritone Saxophone. The students performed movements II and III of Patrick Glenn Harper’s “Three Sketches for Woodwind Ensemble” under the direction of Ms. Jackie Ellmauer, camp counselor and 7/8 Band Director at Transit Middle School in Williamsville.

During the Fredonia Summer Music Festival’s Large Ensembles Concert, Teagan and Aidan performed in the Festival Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, and Wind Symphony.

The Festival Chorus was under the direction of Dr. Vernon Huff of SUNY Fredonia, and performed a medley from the musical Rent, as well as the Armed Forces Salute to honor the 250th Anniversary of the United States.

The High School Jazz Ensemble was under the direction of Elliott Scozzaro, adjunct Jazz Lecturer at SUNY Fredonia. The group performed “Isle of Blue” by Les Sabina and “All ‘Dem Leaves” by Ryan Erik Adamsons. Aidan and Teagan were able to showcase their talents on secondary instruments in the Jazz Ensemble, playing the tenor sax and alto sax, respectively.

The Wind Symphony was under the direction of Mrs. Christina Helbock, band director of Brentwood High School on Long Island. The Wind Symphony performed technically challenging repertoire including “The Iliad” by Robert W. Smith, “Mary Shelley Meets Frankenstein” by Erika Svanoe, and “Exultate” by Samuel Hazo.

Both Teagan and Aidan intend to audition to SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music this coming year.

Albion Midget League playoffs begin Monday

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 July 2026 at 10:12 am

Albion Midget League 12U Division playoff action will begin with four quarterfinal round games at 6 p.m. Monday.

Those contests will have No. 8 seed Vets at No. 1 Sandstone, No. 7 Hamlin at No. 2 Barre, No. 6 Holley at No. 3 Elks/Rotary and No. 5 Elba 1 at No. 4 Brockport 2.

Sandstone won the regular season title with a 13-0 record as Barre (10-2) and Elk/Rotary (10-4) rounded out the top three finishers.

The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday and the championship game for Saturday.

The Midget League 9U playoffs are scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m. Tuesday with four quarterfinal games.

Those contests will have No. 8 Holley at No. 1 Sandstone, No. 7 Elba 2 at Barre, No. 6 Elks/Rotary at No. 3 Elba 1 and No. 5 Carlton at No. 4 Hamlin.

Sandstone took top regular season honors at 11-0 as Barre (8-2) and Elba 1 (7-2) round out the top three finishers.

The semifinals are scheduled for Thursday and the championship game for Saturday.

Orchestra helps Holley celebrate Independence Day holiday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2026 at 10:11 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – The Joey Stempien Big Band, a group of young adults performing as a professional jazz orchestra, gave a concert on Friday evening in Holley by the Erie Canal.

The band includes 17 musicians, many who were students at the Eastman School of Music.

Holley has new banners to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. The banners were designed by Lake Country Media and funded by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Joey Stempien Big Band led off the Holley Canal Concert Series. The rest of the schedule, with concerts beginning at 6 p.m., includes:

  • July 10: Feedback
  • July 17: Who Dats
  • July 24: Triple Play
  • July 31: Road Less Travelled
  • Aug. 7: Stanton Band
  • Aug. 14: Vinyl Recovery
  • Aug. 21: Beggers Will Ride
  • Aug. 28: Blue Circle Band

The Joey Stempien Big Band played next to the Erie Canal by the gazebo.

Lacrosse honors for Mustangs trio

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 July 2026 at 9:55 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Three Medina players have earned spots on the All Western New York Class D lacrosse squad. They include, from left, freshman attacker Clayton Wagner who earned Honorable Mention, senior goalie Miles Arbegast who was named to the second team and junior attacker Gavin Dahlhaus who received Honorable Mention. Arbegast made 161 saves in goal while Dahlhaus had 11 goals and 8 assists and Wagner 3 goals.

Love of country has been replaced by worship of money for too many in government

Posted 4 July 2026 at 9:40 am

Editor:

For over 120 years, economists and sociologists have predicted that an era of accelerating income inequality would lead to something termed a “post capitalist collapse.” Due to massive turnout by voters (who voted out the entire hierarchy of politicians who supported elites and outdated economics) the Franklin D. Roosevelt New Deal led to policies that addressed the inequality then.

Those changes led to unparalleled decades of prosperity. There was greater opportunity provided for all. The rub (which resulted in decades of gorilla politics financed by the greedy) was that the greedy did not get ultra rich as fast.

Meanwhile government printing presses covered a lot of the tax shortfalls by printing money. Problems, caused by lack of money for job creation, training, education, infrastructure, health care (needed to cut the high death rate in rural areas), were blamed on big government which could not spend enough to meet real people’s real needs.

The worship of money and downright meanness now pervades every level of government and includes many on our Supreme Court. People who should know better glorify illegal illogic when it benefits them or their buddies.

This is the 4th of July – a day to express love for our country. But love for our country is not the same as meanness, distain of other human beings, or policies which really enrich only a few.

Love for our country is a collective expression or it dissembles into the selfish chaos we are experiencing as the long predicted post-capitalist era arrived and now accelerates.

On this 4th of July we must all, as Patriots, rededicate ourselves to massive voter involvement. All levels of government must be run by brave people dedicated to: factual accuracy and consistent, one person, one vote, and ensuring all have the opportunity to go as far in life as both their talent and their will can take them.

God bless our Country and let us work to ensure the voter turnout to bring in a New New Deal. A New Deal which once again will  take us back to our core principles.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Big crowd celebrates at Bullard for early Independence Day

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 July 2026 at 8:40 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Fireworks light up the sky over Bullard Park during the finale of a fireworks show. A 1967 Ford is in the foreground. The car was there for a cruise-in, one of the many activities at the park as part of a July 3rdIndependence Day celebration.

The Village of Albion and Great Albion Community Recreation & Events, Inc. (G-ACRE) organized the event which included fireworks for the second year in a row.

Some kids watched the fireworks from the playground at Bullard.

The Who Dats played for about two hours before the fireworks, including “867-5309/Jenny.” They were joined at the amphitheater stage by the Who Dat Dancers.

Kids enjoyed the swings and the playground while the fireworks went off.

Some kids were shooting hoops at the basketball courts while the fireworks went off at the park.

These kids gathered on the basketball court at the start of the fireworks show.

A crowd watches the Who Dats perform at Bullard. There were about 40 vendors.

The activities started at 4 p.m. and included bounce houses, food vendors, artisans, a chicken barbecue, carriage rides, a car cruise-in and fireworks to cap the day.

People lined up at night for food. The vendors were busy throughout the day, especially at night before the fireworks.

The Citrus Circus Crew and Albion Masonic Lodge were popular spots for Friday night food.

Ed Hilfiker and The Who Dats kept the crowd entertained. Other bands also played for about six hours total.

A day early, Albion throwing big birthday party for USA at Bullard Park

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 July 2026 at 8:15 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Ryan & Company, led by Ryan Klatt (center), performed at Bullard Park this afternoon as part of a July 3rd Independence Day celebration at Albion.

The community has been throwing the big party a day before July 4th. For the second year in a row, the day will be capped with fireworks at 10 p.m.

There are other musical performers, including The Who Dats beginning at 8 p.m. on the amphitheater stage.

There are numerous artisan vendors at the park.

Nick Holler of the Citrus Circus Crew has red, white and blue kettle corn, as well as lemonade and snow cones for sale.

Confection Connection in Albion has cookies, brownies and craft sodas. MyKayla Deyarmin, left, is helping Confection owner Becky Harris at her booth.

Volunteers prepared 533 chicken barbecue dinners. Tom O’Hearn, left, led the group that includes from left in back John Sacco, Dan Conrad and Gary Moore. Gary Van Wyke, Ray Stefani and Dusty DeCarlo also were part of the crew.