Annual sports awards banquet honors Lyndonville High’s student-athletes
Contributed Photos – Exceptional Athlete and Milestone Awards Front (L-R) – Lilly Raduns, Brooke Robinson, Arnie Sturtevant, Isabella Groves, Elena Barry Back (L-R) – Austin Fonda, Quincey McClinsey, Lane Woodworth, Greyson Romano, Brody Hazel, Colton Smith, Ben Doolan.
Lyndonville High held its annual Athletic Banquet this past Thursday at White Birch Golf Course highlighted by the presentation of over 75 total awards to culminate the varsity sports year.
The Coaches Award was presented to Colton Smith and Isabella Groves.
Ben Doolan and Elena Barry received the Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award.
The “Doc” Layer Award was presented to Colton Smith.
Brooke Robinson received the “Bub” Meland Award.
The Alfred Schmitt Memorial Award was presented to Brooke Robinson and Colton Smith.
Braedynn Dillenbeck and Jesus Reyes Rosario received the Harold Dix Jr. Memorial Soccer Award.
The Mike Fuller Memorial Wrestling Award was presented to Ben Doolan.
Lane Woodworth (289 points and 151 rebounds) and Isabella Groves (238 points and 136 rebounds) received the Paul Howell Memorial Basketball Award.
Arnie Sturtevant (.509) and Austin Fonda (.424) received the Ted Hettig Batting Award.
The Trevor T. Cook “Unsung Hero” Award was presented to Emily Dill and Austin Fonda.
The Tri-Athlete Award was presented to Colton Smith (Soccer, Basketball, Baseball), Isabella Groves (Soccer, Basketball, Softball), Emily Dill (Volleyball, Basketball, Softball) and Rylan Townsend (Soccer, Basketball, Softball).
Genesee Region League Scholar-Athlete Awards were presented to Isabella Groves, Brooke Robinson and Colton Smith.
Lilly Raduns and Greyson Romano received the U.S. Marine Corps Award.
The U.S. Air Force Award was presented to Ben Doolan and Rylan Townsend.
Several Milestone Awards were presented including to Softball Coach Joe Moore (200 game wins). Arnie Sturtevant (200 strikeouts), Kate Draper (Positive Athlete, Coach Award), Varsity Wrestling Team (Frank Marotta Sportsmanship Award), Boys Basketball Team (Thomas Emmanuel Sportsmanship Award), Colton Smith (Harvey E. Anderson Scholarship) and Brody Hazel (100 career wrestling wins).
Team Awards – Front (L-R) – Greyson Romano, Lilly Raduns, Braelynn Dillenbeck, Leah Costello, Natalie Rath, Arnie Sturtevant, Brooke Robinson, Rylan Townsend, Elena Barry, Shyann Little. Back (L-R) – Lane Woodworth, Shannon Withey, Colton Smith, Quincey McClinsey, Austin Fonda, Isabella Groves, Alexa Robinson, Kyle Hutchings, Brody Hazel.
The following varsity Team Awards were presented:
Girls Soccer – Most Improved Offensive Player – Rylan Townsend; Most Improved Defensive Player – Arnie Sturtevant; Most Valuable Player – Alexa Robinson; Heart and Hustle Award – Abigail Alexander.
Girls Volleyball – Most Improved Player – Shyann Little; Most Valuable Player – Hannah Fox; Queen of the Court – Emily Dill; Coaches Award – Elena Barry.
Boys Soccer – Most Valuable Player – Colton Smith; Most improved Player – Shannon Withey; Coaches Award – Austin Fonda.
Boys Basketball – Most Valuable Player – Lane Woodworth; Most Improved Player – Devon Babcock; Coaches Award – Colton Smith.
Girls Basketball – Most Valuable Player – Isabella Groves; Most Improved Player – Leah Kenyon; Outstanding Defensive Player – Lilly Raduns; Heart and Hustle Award – Alexa Robinson; Coaches Award – Braelynn Dillenbeck.
Wrestling – Most Outstanding Wrestler – Shannon Withey; Most Improved Wrestler – Greyson Romano; Coaches Award – Brody Hazel; Tiger Award – Michael Alexander; Most Outstanding Wrestler (female) – Abby Alexander; Coaches Award (female) – Ainsley Vann.
Baseball – Most Valuable Player – Quincey McClinsey; Most Improved Player – Shannon Withey; Coaches Award – Colton Smith.
Softball – Most Valuable Player – Arnie Sturtevant; Coaches Award – Brooke Robinson; Bandaid Award – Braelynn Dillenbeck; Most Improved Player – Natalie Rath; Nitty Gritty Award – Isabella Groves.
Girls Track and Field – Most Improved – Robin Botsford; Coaches Award – Leah Costello.
Boys Track and Field – Most Improved – Joshua Wittcop; Coaches Award – Kyle Hutchings.
YMCA will again offer free use of hydro-bikes, kayaks in canal
Photo by Isabella Zasa, Orleans County Tourism Department: Orly the Ox rides a hydro-bike on the Erie Canal in Medina on July 18, 2025.
MEDINA – The Orleans County YMCA will again be allowing people to use hydro-bikes and kayaks in the Erie Canal this summer.
The Y has offered the program for several years. People can rent a hydro-bike or kayak for free. Bent’s Opera House is covering the cost for the YMCA to have staff managing the program.
Last year 1,300 people used the equipment. The Y will have four hydro-bikes and 10 kayaks available. Two of those kayaks are tandem.
Andrew Houseman, senior program director at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina, told the Medina Village Board he expects the program to start next week, with online reservations available later this week. People soon can sign up on Event Brite and rent them for free. (Go to eventbrite.com and search for kayaks and hydro-bikes to make a reservation.)
The program will run from Thursdays to Saturdays, from noon to 9 p.m. and will continue until Aug. 17.
Most of the equipment will be kept in a trailer in the Canal Basin behind Captain Kidz restaurant at 143 East Center St. The Village Board is allowing the Y to use one dock slip as well.
The Y received the kayaks and hydro-bikes in 2020 through grants from the Ralph C. Wilson Foundation and the Erie Canalway Corridor’s Consolidated Fund.
2 Dem candidates in primary for NY-24 Congressional District
Winner will challenge Tenney in general election
Photos by Tom Rivers: Alissa Ellman of Lockport, left, and Diana Kastenbaum of Batavia both are on the ballot in Tuesday’s Democratic Party Primary for the 24th Congressional District. They are shown speaking at a candidate forum at Hoag Library in Albion on June 4.
Registered Democrats in the sprawling 24th Congressional District will go to the polls on Tuesday (June 23) to determine the party’s candidate in the general election against Republican incumbent Claudia Tenney. The district covers 14 counties including Orleans, and stretches from Niagara Falls to the Finger Lakes and North Country.
Diana Kastenbaum of Batavia and Alissa Ellman of Lockport are both seeking the Democratic Party line. Kastenbaum previously ran for Congress in 2016 against then Congressman Chris Collins in the former 27thCongressional District for New York.
The two Democratic candidates shared their views during a candidate forum on June 4 at Hoag Library in Albion. About 75 people attended the forum.
Kastenbaum, 75, previously served as CEO and owner of Pinnacle manufacturing Company in Batavia. She was one of the few women running a tool and die company.
She is a trustee for Genesee Community College. She was married to the late Hiram Kasten, a noted stand-up comedian and actor. Kastenbaum’s daughter Millie is an assistant district attorney in Manhattan.
Alissa Ellman, 42, is married with two grown daughters in Lockport. She grew up in rural Allegany County. She joined the Army National Guard at the age of 17, and deployed at age 19 to Afghanistan from January 2003 to June 2004 as a flight operation specialist.
She later returned to the Afghanistan with Halliburton from 2005-2008 managing flight line operations in Kandahar. In 2018, Ellman was diagnosed with a rare adrenal cancer, associated with toxic burn pit exposure during her service in Afghanistan. She was working at the Buffalo VA when her job was eliminated as part of DOGE cuts early last year.
“I’ve never aspired to be a politician, but I enjoy public service,” Ellman said during the candidate forum.
She showed off a small tattoo on her arm that says “NY-24.”
“That is to remind me of where my priorities are,” she said.
Diana Kastenbaum speaks during a candidate forum on June 4 in Albion. She said lowering the cost of healthcare and expanding coverage would be her top priority if elected to Congress. She is standing next to forum moderator Jim Renfrew with Alissa Ellman on the other side of Renfrew.
Kastenbaum said the country “is at a very dangerous point in time” with military conflicts, frayed alliances and growing inequality at home in the U.S. She said the rural 24th Congressional District is suffering under Trump with cuts in healthcare, growing food desserts and rising costs on families.
“Healthcare is the number one issue,” she said.
She would make agriculture another top priority, calling it an economic force for the 24th District. Trump policies and actions have threatened farming with higher fuel and fertilizer costs, vanished markets from his tariff wars, and a shortage of workers due to aggressive immigration enforcement.
She would support expanded guest-worker programs for foreign workers on farms, including allowing the seasonal workers to stay up to three years.
Kastenbaum said the Republican-controlled Congress has provided no oversight to Trump and abdicated its checks and balances.
“I want to see us get back to the rule of law and have people be held accountable,” she said. “We need to get Congress back in the game, stand up for our NATO allies, protect national security, and pitch in and help in the war in Ukraine.”
Alissa Ellman said she wants Trump impeached and to be held accountable for his “anti-American” actions, including going to war in Iran without Congressional approval.
Ellman said lowering healthcare costs “would be my utmost priority.”
She would also support impeaching Donald Trump. “He needs to be held accountable for his actions,” she said. “He needs to be held civilly and financially liable for his anti-American decisions.”
Ellman said better public transportation, especially in the rural communities also would be a top priority.
“Public transportation isn’t sexy but it’s critical,” she said. In many rural areas, senior citizens have a long drive for care.”
Both candidates say they oppose the war in Iran, and said Trump hastily took the country to war without exhausting diplomatic measures.
They are concerned about the rising costs of living and would make affordability a priority. They faulted Tenney for providing no pushback to President Trump, no matter how his actions or policies raise costs on Americans, threaten long-standing alliances or pull the country into military conflicts.
The 24th Congressional District is gerrymandered in a way that is solidly Republican with Republicans at a 219,522 registered voter advantage over 120,959 Democrats. There are also 12,527 registered Conservatives.
Diana Kastenbaum chats with Albion resident Betty Garcia Mathewson after the forum in Albion.
Ellman and Kastenbaum both believe they can get Republican support and the majority of the unaffiliated voters or “blanks” that total 132,763 in the district, making it possible to pull off an upset against Tenney in the Republican-stacked district.
Kastenbaum said she would seek to emulate the example of the Barber Conable, the esteemed late local Republican Congressman from Alexander in Genesee County. Conable connected with Democrats and Republicans, and served as president of the World Bank.
Conable showed an effective congressman respects all members and can build bridges with the other political party, Kastenbaum said.
“Barber Conable, that is the type of representative you need,” Kastenbaum said during the candidate forum. “He could talk with Republicans and Democrats and everyone. We won’t get anywhere without compromise. I know that from my business.”
Kastenbaum said she would want to serve in Congress for a maximum of six years – three 2-year terms. She favors campaign finance reform to reduce the influence of big donors on both Republicans and Democrats.
Ellman said the “blanks” would be a focus if she wins the Democratic primary and moves on to the general election against Tenney. Those unaffiliated voters are the key to the election, Ellman said, and she plans to seek out their support, even if it means knocking on the door of every “blank” in the district.
Ellman, the military veteran, said too many people profit when the country goes to war.
“We need to stop treating the military as an industrial complex,” she said.
She favors abolishing ICE due to its tactics that she said have created fear in communities around the country.
“I favor law enforcement that gets the criminals out,” she said. “With ICE, there is very little vetting or training.”
Kastenbaum doesn’t think it’s likely that ICE will be abolished. She said citizens need to continue being activists “to protect our neighbors’ rights,” she said.
Both candidates said they are concerned about the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce as well as the growing push for massive datacenters, including one proposed for the STAMP manufacturing site in Alabama, near the Orleans County line.
Kastenbaum wants a moratorium on new data centers, putting new ones off until more research can be done on the ramifications of the centers and AI’s impact on the workforce.
“You need active people who know what they’re doing and will work on it,” she said about challenging issues. “I’m one of those people.”
Alissa Ellman meets some of the people gathered for the candidate forum held at Hoag Library in Albion.
Ellman said AI could further disrupt the workforce, making it even more challenging for people to make a living and buy a home. She said she would support a universal basic income “so people are not working three jobs.”
With AI and its impact on workers: “We have to band together,” she said. “We have to work together.”
Ellman said she sees a struggling NY 24th, including in Orleans County. She would like to see more job opportunities for people. She is encouraged by an active citizenry in the district.
“I see a lot of people out here who want to do the right thing,” she said.
Kastenbaum calls NY-24, “the Lake District” due to its proximity to Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes.
Medina in particular has a lot to offer, she said, with a bustling downtown with many independent businesses.
“I’ve seen the beauty of this district,” Kastenbaum said. “You have a lot to be proud of. You have a lovely community.”
Gas price falls below $4 nationally, but $4.23 in NYS and $4.40 in Orleans
The average gas price for regular unleaded has fallen below $4 nationally for the first time in about three months, down 14 cents in the past week to $3.93, AAA reported today. A year ago the price was $3.22.
In New York State, the average price is $4.23, which is down 13 cents in the past week. The average price in Orleans County is at $4.396 today. A week ago it was $4.503, according to AAA.
“Drivers are getting a break at the pump as summer arrives and the travel season heats up,” AAA said. “Last week, for the first time since March 30, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped below $4 and has continued to drop to $3.93 this morning.”
“Unfortunately, New York prices remain over $4 per gallon with the state ranking 9th for the highest prices in the country,” AAA said. “Crude oil prices are down as the U.S. and Iran reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This morning, oil prices are down to $75 to $79 per barrel.”
Diesel prices are down this week, with the national average at $5.01, down 19 cents from last week, but up from $3.68 a year ago.
Here are the average prices at counties around Western New York:
- Orleans, $4.396
- Genesee, $4.300
- Monroe, $4.302
- Niagara, $4.363
- Erie, $4.350
- Wyoming, $4.422
- Livingston, $4.423
- Chautauqua, $4.299
- Cattaraugus, $4.213
- Allegany, $4.360
Yates County has the highest price in state at $4.549, while the lowest price of $4.028 a gallon is in Nassau County.
78 cast ballots over 9 days of early voting in Orleans County
Primary will be Tuesday with polling sites throughout county
ALBION – The nine days of early voting, from June 13 to June 21, resulted in 78 votes for primaries in Orleans County.
There is one early voting polling site in the county – at the Board of Elections in the County Administration Building.
There will be polling sites throughout the county on Tuesday and they will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The primaries include:
- NYS Comptroller: Thomas DiNapoli, Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle (Democrats countywide)
- U.S. Rep. NY 24: Alissa Ellman and Diana Kastenbaum (Democrats countywide)
- Clarendon Town Supervisor: Marc Major and Frederick Seeman (Republicans in Clarendon)
- Shelby Republican Committee District 1 – two positions: Dale Root, Steve Seitz and John Parada (Republicans in Shelby for District 1 only)
Here is a list of the polling sites for Tuesday:
- Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
- Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
- Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
- Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
- Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
- Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
- Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
- Ridgeway – Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
- Ridgeway – Districts 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
- Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
- Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.
Iroquois refuge eaglet named, takes flight for first time
Photo from Pixcams, Inc.: The eaglet featured on a nest cam at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge has been named Skanon. The eaglet took flight for the first time on Sunday.
By Dick Moss, president of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
BASOM – The eaglet that has been the focus of attention at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge took flight for the first time Sunday morning.
The fledging occurred just a day after Amy Merritt of Corfu, a member of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge (FINWR) and one of the lead eagle camera moderators, announced the eaglet’s new name.
The name is Skanon (pronounced Skä•noñh), a name with deep Seneca roots meaning peace and wellness. It was suggested by FINWR board member Marvin Jacobs of Cheektowaga, an elder of the Seneca Wolf Clan, and was one of three names that interested observers chose among.
Skanon has many meanings and also expresses: Continuance — the idea that life, culture, and responsibility carry forward; as well as journey — walking a path guided by the Great Law of Peace.
Skanon spread her wings and took off from the nest at 7:31 a.m. Sunday, aged 79 days, and swooped down toward the marsh. She returned later in the morning after her adventure, and settled for a time on a branch near the bald eagle camera operated by FINWR before returning to the nest.
“Skanon had what we call an intentional fledge,” Merritt said. “She wanted to fly! You look for a poop shoot first, she will extend her neck out looking for a target, judging distance, wings extended. Then a spring from the legs, as if you were jumping off a diving board!”
The name was chosen from among three possibilities by FINWR members, participants in the eagle cam chat and followers of FINWR’s web pages who made a small donation to the nonprofit to participate in the voting. The other two options were Oneida and Casey.
FINWR’s eagle camera committee also named Skanon’s parents Cayuga and Seneca, in tribute to the Haudenosaunee legacy of the land the refuge sits on.
The mother bald eagle, previously designated IF1, will now be known as Cayuga — a name rooted in the People of the Great Swamp, reflecting strength, resilience, and deep connection to the waters and wetlands that cradle this nest.
The father, previously IM1, will now be known as Seneca — honoring the Keepers of the Western Door, a name that carries the spirit of guardianship, wisdom, and watchful protection.
Merritt said that in the post-fledge period, expect Cayuga and Seneca to continue to bring food to the nest, or wherever Skanon happens to be.
“She will explore, as she did today,” Merritt said.
“She seems to be a strong flyer,” said FINWR Vice President Emma DeLeon of Williamsville, who has shared the main moderator duties with Merritt and is one of the people most responsible for the eagle camera and its setup. “Over the next 4-6 weeks, the parents will continue feeding her as she learns to hunt and scavenge. Gradually she will spend more time independently and more time outside of the parents’ territory. She will be fully independent and have left the territory by this fall.”
The eagle camera idea was born mostly from comments and feedback from visitors to the refuge Visitor Center asking if the original eagle cam was still working. It had stopped working over 20 years ago, said FINWR past president and current board member Garner Light of Gasport.
“The inquiries happened often enough that it seemed like a good idea to propose installing a new camera,” he said. “The camera was installed on a beautiful warm day in October of 2024. This was the culmination of a year’s worth of research, consultations, permissions, discussions and a lot of logistics.”
Many people were involved in making the camera a reality, among them the state Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Iroquois NWR management, Bill Powers of Pixcams Inc. of Export, PA, Treeman Tom LLC of Wilson, DeLeon and Light.
Dick Moss of Medina is president of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, a 501(3)c nonprofit, all-volunteer corporation that helps support and maintain the refuge for future generations.
Collegiate sports next for Roy-Hart seniors
Contributed Photo – A total of nine Roy-Hart seniors will be continuing their education and their athletic careers at the collegiate level this fall. They include, from left, Gavin Heideman (SUNY Niagara for Baseball), Brooke Zglinicki (SUNY Morrisville for Field Hockey), Tysen McCaa (Alfred University for Football), Anthony Adinolfe (Erie Community College for Football), Evan Poeller (Finger Lakes Community College for Baseball), Millie Owens (Genesee Community College for Basketball), Joe Reiter III (Alfred University for Football), Sean Mettler (Finger Lakes Community College for Baseball) and Isaac Smith (Clark University for Baseball).
Replica of famed canal boat will be back in Orleans this week
Seneca Chief will be open for tours on Wednesday in Holley, Thursday in Medina
Photos by Tom Rivers: This group gets a ride on the Seneca Chief replica boat last year as part of the commemorative bicentennial journey of the original Seneca Chief that took Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the entire newly constructed Erie canal in 1825. The photo shows the replica boat headed east as it passes though Eagle Harbor under the lift bridge on Sept. 26, 2025.
The Seneca Chief will be back in Orleans County this week with the public welcome to take free tours of the boat when it’s in Holley on Wednesday and then in Medina on Thursday.
The vessel is a replica of the boat that took Gov. DeWitt Clinton on the maiden voyage across the newly built Erie Canal in 1825, going from Buffalo to New York City.
Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center worked for four years to recreate the Seneca Chief. The 73-foot-long replica received great fanfare last year as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal.
The Seneca Chief is on a three-week “Back to Buffalo” journey. The boat left Waterford on June 6 and will reach Buffalo on June 27. It will be in Rochester today and Tuesday before heading west. It is scheduled to reach Holley and be open for tours at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
Holley will have food vendors – Red Osier Lands & Lobsters, Dottie’s Lemonade, and Red, White and Moo. People are encouraged to park at the former Save-A-Lot store’s parking lot and then head to Holley’s Canal Park. A band comprised of Holley students – PSA-Public Service Announcement – also will be performing.
Holley elementary students – Robbie Weit, Vivian Applegate and Timothy Hendrickson – have been selected to board the boat in Brockport and ride the canal to Holley, Mayor Mark Bower said. They will be joined by their parents, Murray-Holley Historical Society President Dan Mawn and Village Historian Raymond Santoro.
The schedule in Holley includes:
- 3 p.m. – Seneca Chief arrives at Holley Canal Park
- 3:30 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
- 4 p.m. – Visitor experience that is open to the public. Music starts and food vendors open.
- 7 p.m. – Visitor experience public hours end
The Seneca Chief will depart Holley at noon on Thursday and head to Medina.
The event schedule for Medina includes:
- 3:30 p.m. – Seneca Chief arrives at Medina Canal Basin
- 4 p.m. – Welcome ceremony
- 4:30 p.m. – Visitor experience that is open to the public
- 7 p.m. – Visitor experience public hours end
Visitors checked out the inside of the Seneca Chief on Aug. 12, 2024 when it made a test run of its bicentennial journey. In August in 2024, the boat went from Buffalo to Rochester and back.
The Buffalo Maritime Center said the boat’s keel, frames, and other structural timbers were made of white oak. The keelson was a single 60-foot-long piece of reclaimed Douglas Fir.
The center says this about the wood in the boat:
“The planking consisted of two layers of 1-inch-thick cypress with a waterproof dynel cloth set in epoxy between the layers. The outer layer of planking was caulked with cotton in the traditional manner. This combination of modern and traditional planking methods was designed to help the boat stay watertight even if it spent winters out of the water.
“All of the bolts used in the backbone structure were forged in the BMC’s own machine shop by a crew of volunteers. This crew also produced several specialized tools and hardware needed to build the boat.”
The Seneca Chief is shown passing under the Main Street lift bridge in Albion last year on Sept. 26.
Holley United BU15 captures the Greece United Soccer Tournament Championship
Contributed Photo – Holley United’s BU15 soccer team captured the championship at Greece Tournament over the weekend.
Holley United’s BU15 team delivered a statement performance this weekend, capturing the BU15 Elite Championship at the 36th Annual Greece United Futbol Club Soccer Tournament.
The squad opened the tournament with a convincing 6-1 victory over Penfield Fusion before defeating host Greece United 4-0 in the tournament’s deciding match. By weekend’s end, Holley United had compiled a perfect 2-0 record while outscoring opponents 10-1.
However, Coach Joshua Ebbs noted that this championship was about more than wins and losses.
“The roster that lifted the title was built from athletes representing Holley, Albion, Kendall, Brockport, and Barker—five communities united by a shared passion for the game,” said Ebbs.
The championship squad included Colson Brayley, Stryker Brayley, Jax Gotte, and Michael McElwain (Albion); Delaney Lefever (Barker); Gabriel Dixon and Rocco Gubiotti (Brockport); Kallan Babcock, Colton Foeller, Cameron Kelley, Logan Lane, Mason McGuire, Jackson Taylor, Angel Vazquez-Mendoza, Trent Walker, and Evan West (Holley); and Matthew Heberle, Jackson Robinson, Landon Schiavone, and Garrett Smith (Kendall).
“The weekend’s results highlighted the talent on the roster, but they also showcased the power of a club culture built on bringing communities together,” said Ebbs. “Soccer has a unique ability to connect people, create lasting friendships, and unite families around a common goal. Holley United’s success this weekend was a reflection of what can happen when talent, opportunity, and culture align.”
“For Holley United, the championship was more than a tournament title—it was another example of the club’s guiding belief: Community Builds Culture,” concluded Ebbs.
20 from Holley elementary complete Girls on the Run 5K at UB
Provided photos
HOLLEY – For the 15th year, a group from Holley Elementary School participated in the Girls on the Run 5K at the University of Buffalo campus. The top photo shows some of the Holley runners and their running buddies.
The Holley students joined about 1,000 girls from grades 3 to 5 from Western New York in the event on June 8.
Natalie Young, a fifth-grader, runs the 5K with her running buddy, teacher Kristina Rich.
(Left) Lillian Bedard gets help pinning on her bib from her father Brenden Bedard, who was also her running buddy. (Right) Carlee Dale shows the medal she received for completing the Girls on the Run 5K.
The runners from Holley pose for a photo outside the Holley Elementary School. The 8-week program combines physical activities with social-emotional skills, team work and self esteem.
The coaches for the Girls on the Run at Holley include, from left: Lynn Vendetti, Shannon Brett, Hannah Bushen and Julie Boss.
Lillian Passarell, a fourth-grader, was speedy, running the course in 26 minutes, 29 seconds.
Medina Mustangs FC blanks Germania FC
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Greg Hughson takes a shot to score Medina FC’s first goal in the Mustangs victory over Germania at Vets Park Sunday evening.
Gaining the .500 mark, the surging Medina Mustangs FC blanked Germania FC 2-0 in a Buffalo District Soccer League Championship Division game Sunday evening at Vets Park.
Greg Husung scored what proved to be the game winning goal for Medina early in the first half off an assist from Ollie Ardle.
Medina defender Trenton Jones later came up with a key block of a shot at the goal line to keep the Mustangs up 1-0 with five minutes remaining in the second half.
The Mustangs finally put a lock on the victory when Cole Callard scored with two minutes remaining as Ardle again earned the assist.
Tyler Ribbeck earned the shutout in goal.
Medina, which has now gone 3-0-1 over the last four games after an 0-3 start, is 3-3-1 with three games remaining in the regular season. The Mustangs have also picked up a 1-0 win over the Williamsville Willies as the result of last Sunday’s rain shortened game.
The Mustangs will next face Ukraine at 8 p.m. Sunday at Buffalo State.
Medina FC goalie Tyler Ribbeck goes high to make a save.
Kendall 6th-graders ‘move up’ in style to junior-senior high school
Color splash part of celebration at elementary school
Photos courtesy of Andy King, Kendall art teacher
KENDALL – Robbert Mundt, a Kendall sixth-grader, runs through a cloud of color powder thrown by sixth-grade teachers during last Thursday’s moving up ceremony outside the Kendall Elementary School.
Kendall since 2021 has celebrated sixth-graders moving up to the junior-senior high school with a ceremony that includes a color splash.
There are 51 sixth-graders moving up to the junior-senior high school.
Sidewalks were chalked by families during the day with messages for the sixth-graders. Some families need to rechalk their messages three times due to rain showers throughout the day. The moving up celebration was held in the bus loop.
Jaydon Stephens emerges from a cloud of chalk powder.
Kevin Watson, the school principal, usually handles the DJ duties for the celebration but this time handed off the role to sixth-graders Joliene Jurzysta, left, and Preston Swetz. They both have been the DJs for Kendall’s monthly SOAR assemblies. They were able to participate in the color splash when it was their turn.
Eleanor Heeks gets color sprayed by the sixth grade staff.
Landon Perry is moving to seventh grade. He is all smiles with his father, Lucas, following the ceremony.
The sixth-graders take a final group shot at the elementary school following the moving up ceremony.
Big inning lifts Bandits past Medina 15U
One big scoring inning keyed the MMB Bandits Black to an 8-3 tournament win over the Medina Mustangs 15U baseball team Sunday.
The Bandits combined 6 walks, 3 errors and a single into a big 8 run second inning.
Viktor Snyder, Brayden Calabro, Zach Graham, Jacob Duffina, Evan Collins and Kaiden Hockenberry each had a hit for Medina. Snyder had an RBI.
Lyndonville school district honors retirees and tenured teachers
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville school, district recently honored retiring staff and teachers and an administrator awarded tenure. Pictured from left include Superintendent Dr. Heather Lyon; Aimee Chaffee, tenure for role as district’s director of special education, data and grants; Emily Aydelotte, tenure as second grade teacher; Caroline “Carrie” Samson, tenure as elementary teacher; Tammy Mallon, retiree as special education teacher; Kelly Follman, retiree as music teacher; Brenna LaSpada, tenure as third grade teacher; Patrick Whipple, Board of Education president. Missing from photo: Denise Keavney, retiree as cleaner. Jerod Thurber also was recognized for six years of service on the Board of Education. His term ends June 30.
The retirees said they were thankful for the family atmosphere at Lyndonville.
Denise Keavney was praised for bringing “kindness and warmth” to her job at the school. She started as a lunch lady, and became a cleaner.
Tammy Mallon worked 31 years at Lyndonville as a special education teacher.
“She has had a profound impact on the school district,” said Aimee Chafee, the district’s director of special education, data and grants. “For three decades she has been championing students with disabilities.”
Chaffee praised Mallon for being a mentor to other teachers in the special education department.
Kelly Follman was commended for bringing passion to her job as a music teacher, and inspiring many of her students to pursue careers in the arts. Follman said 82 students will be in the marching band for the Fourth of July parade.
“I’m so proud of our music department,” Follman said. “I’m ready to pass the torch to a young person who can take it to the next level.”
Aimee Chafee was awarded tenure for role as district’s director of special education, data and grants. Dr. Heather Lyon, the district’s superintendent, said Chaffee has demonstrated “an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right for students.”
She fosters a culture of shared responsibility and commitment, Lyon said.
“What stands out is Aimee’s integrity,” Lyon said.
Chaffee will be taking a leave of absence next school year before returning in 2027-28.
Emily Aydelotte was awarded tenure in the elementary school. She thanked elementary school principal, Dr. Elissa Smith, “for always believing in me.”
Caroline “Carrie” Samson was praised for being awarded tenure in the elementary school teacher and for setting a remarkable example for students and staff. Samson started working in the school cafeteria in 2013 and then became a teacher aide and a classroom teacher. She did that while taking college classes and earning her master’s degree in education.
“She is such a role model,” said Smith, the elementary principal. “She has chased her dreams as an adult.”
Brenna LaSpada also was awarded tenure as an elementary school teacher. Her students have excelled in third grade. Smith said Lyndonville’s third graders have some of the highest academic achievers in the region and LaSpada is a big part of the third grade team.
LaSpada joined Lyndonville after started her career in the tourism and hospitality industry.
“Every day I get to wake up and come to work with the best colleagues and the best students,” LaSpada said. “I’m happy to be a Tiger.”
Sandstone nips Elks/Rotary in Midget action
Improving to 11-0, Sandstone nipped Elks/Rotary 3-2 in a key Albion Midget League baseball game Saturday.
The pitchers dual saw Sandstone’s Nikko Russo register 15 strikeouts and Elks/Rotary’s Remi Ebbs notch 12 strikeouts.
Giovanni LaMartina and Bryce Saxton had hits for Sandstone.
Kayden Donnelly had 2 hits and Ebbs and Ryan Coots 1 each for Elks/Rotary.
The loss was the second for Elks/Rotary which early in the week dropped a 10-4 decision to Carlton.
Coots had 3 hits and Donnelly 2.
