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OC Rivals will host Sectional opener Thursday
The OC Rivals will begin Section VI Class B football playoff competition on Thursday by hosting Iroquois at 7:05 p.m. at Vets Park.
The OC Rivals are the B1 Division’s No. 2 seed while Iroquois is the B2 Division’s No. 3 seed.
The other Class B quarterfinal games, which will all be played at 7 p.m. Friday, will have Lackawanna at West Seneca East, McKinley at Depew and Maryvale at Pioneer.
West Seneca East is the No. 1 seed, McKinley No. 3 and Maryvale No. 4 from the B1 Division.
Pioneer is the No. 1 seed, Depew No. 2 and Lackawanna No. 4 from the B2 Division.
Field Hockey, Volleyball sectionals start Mon.
Section VI Class C field hockey playoff competition will get underway on Monday with four quarterfinal contests.
Those games will have No. 8 seed Newfane at No. 1 Iroquois, No. 7 Roy-Hart at No. 2 Akron, No. 6 Medina at No. 3 Barker and No. 5 Eden at No. 4 Wilson.
All at 5 p.m. games except the Medina at Barker contest which is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Volleyball sectionals
The Section VI volleyball sectionals will also begin on Monday.
In Class B1, No. 8 Albion will host No. 9 East Aurora at 6 p.m.
In Class B2, No. 9 Akron will visit No. 8 Alden at 6 p.m.
In Class C, No. 13 Medina will visit No. 4 Chautauqua Lake, No. 5 Wilson will host No. 12 Falconer and No. 2 Newfane will host No. 15 Tapestry all at 6 p.m. In addition, No. 8 Roy-Hart will host No. 9 Allegany-Limestone at 6:30 p.m.
In Section V volleyball openers on Monday at 6 p.m. No. 13 Kendall will visit No. 4 Byron-Bergen in Class C2 and No. 14 Holley will visit No. 3 Pembroke in Class C1.
In Class D2, No. 7 Lyndonville will visit No. 2 Fillmore on Friday.
Barker/Roy-Hart will host Portville in a Class C sectional quarterfinal game on Friday
Top seeded C North Division champion Barker/Roy-Hart will begin Section VI playoff competition by hosting Portville in a Class C quarterfinal game at 7 p.m. Friday at Barker.
Barker/Roy-Hart, which brings a 7-0 division record into the playoffs, is the C North No. 1 seed while Portville, is the No. 4 C South Division seed.
The victor will play the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between Cleve Hill and Clymer-Sherman-Panama (CSP) in the semifinals.
The other Class C quarterfinal game on Friday will have Chautauqua Lake at Springville and JFK at Falconer/Cassadaga Valley/Maple Grove.
Bogeys slow Green’s final round at Korea
It was a tough final few holes as Medina’s Melanie Green posted a 2 over par 74 on Sunday’s (Korea time) final round of the LPGA Tour’s BMW Championship being played in South Korea.
Green had three bogeys over the final five holes on 14, 17 and 18. Earlier, she also had a bogey on 7 and a double bogey on 3. Those were largely off set by 4 birdies on 1, 6, 9 and 16.
She finished the tourney with rounds of 68, 72, 75 and 74 for a 289 total.
The LPGA Tour will next compete in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia next week.
Lyndonville will cut ribbon on new playground this Wednesday
Photo by Tom Rivers: A team from Parkitects and others work to install playground equipment and pour concrete on Oct. 6 outside Lyndonville Central School.
LYNDONVILLE – The school district will celebrate a new playground for students and the community with a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday.
The new playground is accessible for children with mobility issues and disabilities. The playground was designed and installed by Parkitects, a company owned by Lyndonville graduate Ben Frasier.
Parkitects donated about $250,000 in equipment and in-kind services to the playground. The school district also was able to use $160,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds for playground equipment.
Frasier and a team of 18 Parkitects employees spent most of the day on Oct. 6 installing a new playground at Lyndonville. A rubberized surface also has since been added.
Orleans Ready Mix donated concrete for the project. Those donations were lined up by Steve Grabowski, the district’s director of facilities.
Other donations included: Watson Construction Group with removal/demolition of all of the old playground equipment and 14 inches of mulch; Barre Stone Company with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Shelby Crushed Stone with 100 tons of crusher run stone; Town of Yates with hauling the stone to the school; and Medina Lumber & Hardware with pressure treated 2×12’s covering 228 linear feet around the perimeter.
The new playground includes a We-Go-Round, Sway Fun Glider, We-Saw and other equipment that will be accessible to kids of all abilities and mobilities. The previous playground was over 20 years old and wasn’t handicapped accessible.
Kendall firefighters complete very busy Fire Prevention Week at elementary school
Photos and information courtesy of Kendall Fire Department
KENDALL – The Kendall Fire Department has officially wrapped up its 2026 Fire Prevention Week, following five days of educational activities, interactive demonstrations, and community involvement at Kendall Elementary School.
The week, held October 19–23, brought together firefighters, students, teachers, families, and neighboring emergency service agencies to promote fire safety awareness and teach potentially lifesaving skills.
Assistant Fire Chief James Fox of the Kendall Fire Department described the week as an overwhelming success, crediting the dedication of department members, school staff, neighboring agencies, and especially Deputy Chief Mike Cole, who was responsible for planning and coordinating the entire week.
“We had an absolutely incredible week,” Fox said. “I’m honestly not sure who enjoys Fire Prevention Week more, the kids or our firefighters. Seeing the excitement on their faces and watching them learn things that could someday save their lives makes all the planning and preparation worthwhile.”
The department organized a different set of activities each day, giving students multiple opportunities to interact with firefighters and learn about fire prevention.
Monday, October 19 – Fire Prevention Week Kickoff
The week began with Kendall firefighters greeting students as they arrived at school. Later that morning, firefighters visited kindergarten classrooms to read to students and introduce important fire safety concepts.
The day’s safety message encouraged families to check their smoke detectors and replace batteries when needed.
Tuesday, October 20 – Family Safety Night
Tuesday evening brought students and their families together for Family Safety Night, held from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at the Kendall Central School tennis courts and FTF building.
Families had the opportunity to explore fire apparatus, examine firefighting gear, learn about escape planning, and enjoy pizza while interacting with local firefighters.
The evening emphasized the importance of having a family fire escape plan and knowing what to do when a smoke alarm sounds.
Wednesday, October 21 – Firefighters Visit Kendall Elementary
Wednesday featured one of the week’s most interactive experiences as firefighters visited Kendall Elementary School during the school day.
Students toured fire trucks, participated in fire hose demonstrations, and learned through a smoke simulator.
The Hamlin Morton Walker Fire District joined the activities, bringing its rescue truck and giving students a closer look at specialized equipment used during emergency operations.
Orleans County Emergency Management Office also assisted by providing its Smoke House Trailer, offering students an opportunity to learn about smoke conditions and safe evacuation practices.
“Having Hamlin come out with their rescue truck and the EMO provide the smoke trailer added so much to the experience,” Fox explained. “It gives the kids a chance to see equipment and learn things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.”
Thursday, October 22 – Home Fire Escape Planning
Thursday’s activities shifted the focus to what students and their families can do at home to prepare for an emergency.
Students were encouraged to practice a home fire escape plan, identify a safe family meeting place, and discuss emergency procedures with their parents.
Families were also invited to participate in a special activity by submitting a photograph at their designated meeting location for an opportunity to enter a prize raffle.
“One of the biggest things we want kids to take away from this week is the importance of having a plan,” Fox said. “We want them going home and talking to their parents about smoke alarms, escape routes, and where everyone should meet if there’s a fire.”
Friday, October 23 – Firefighter Safety and the Pumpkin Drop
The week concluded Friday with firefighter safety presentations, a fire ladder truck question-and-answer session, and the highly anticipated pumpkin drop.
The Brockport Fire District brought its Quint, an aerial ladder truck, to Kendall Elementary School for the grand finale.
Students watched as pumpkins were dropped from the elevated ladder, providing an exciting conclusion to a week of learning and fun.
“The pumpkin drop was one of the highlights of the week,” Fox said. “The kids absolutely love it, and I think our members enjoy watching their reactions just as much. Having Brockport bring their Quint to help us finish the week was fantastic.”
Deputy Chief Mike Cole Recognized for Planning and Leadership
While Fire Prevention Week involved numerous firefighters and community partners, Fox made a point of recognizing Deputy Chief Mike Cole for the extensive work he put into organizing the entire event.
“I really want to give credit where credit is due, and that’s to our Deputy Chief, Mike Cole,” Fox said. “Mike planned this entire week and coordinated everything from start to finish. From working with the school and arranging the different activities to coordinating with neighboring departments and making sure everything came together, he put an incredible amount of time and effort into making this happen.”
Fox emphasized that much of the work involved in organizing an event of this size takes place long before students ever see a fire truck arrive at school.
“People see the fire trucks, the demonstrations, and the excitement, but they don’t always see the countless hours of preparation that go into making something like this possible,” Fox explained. “Mike deserves a tremendous amount of recognition for the work he did behind the scenes. He took the lead on this, and the success of the week really speaks for itself.”
Fox added that Cole’s commitment reflects the dedication of the department’s leadership and its continued investment in community education.
“We’re fortunate to have someone like Mike who is willing to put in that kind of time and effort for our community,” Fox said. “He did an outstanding job, and I want to make sure he gets the recognition he deserves.
Fox emphasized that an event of this size would not be possible without the cooperation of multiple organizations and countless hours of preparation.
The Kendall Fire Department extended special appreciation to the Hamlin Fire Department, Brockport Fire Department, Orleans County, and the Kendall Central School District.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of our neighboring departments, the school district, and our own members,” Fox explained. “Everyone came together to make this a memorable experience for the kids.”
Fox also recognized the volunteer firefighters who dedicated their time throughout the week.
“Our members are volunteers. They have jobs, families, and responsibilities outside the fire department, but they still make time to come out and spend the day with these kids,” Fox said. “That says a lot about the dedication of the people we have in this department.”
More Than Just Fire Trucks and Fun
Although the week included plenty of excitement, Fox stressed that the primary mission remains education and prevention.
“Fire Prevention Week is about much more than showing kids fire trucks and letting them spray water,” Fox said. “We’re teaching them how to recognize dangerous situations, what to do when a smoke alarm goes off, and how to get themselves and their families out safely.”
Fox explained that building positive relationships between children and firefighters is another important benefit of the program.
“We want kids to recognize firefighters as people they can trust, especially during an emergency,” Fox said. “If a child ever experiences a fire, we don’t want them to be afraid of the firefighter coming to help them. We want them to understand that we’re there to keep them safe.”
Already Looking Ahead to 2027
While this year’s activities have concluded, the Kendall Fire Department is already preparing for next year’s event.
“Believe it or not, planning for Fire Prevention Week 2027 has already started,” Fox said. “Every year, we try to build on what we’ve done and find ways to make it even better. We want this to be something the students remember and look forward to every year.”
Fox concluded by once again recognizing Deputy Chief Cole, the department’s volunteers, and the community partnerships that made the week possible.
“I’m extremely proud of our department and everyone who helped make this happen,” Fox said. “Mike Cole deserves a lot of credit for putting this entire week together, and our members deserve recognition for stepping up and making it happen. We have an incredible school district, great neighboring fire departments, and firefighters who genuinely care about this community. When everyone comes together like they did this week, great things happen.”
For the Kendall Fire Department, Fire Prevention Week 2026 was not simply five days of activities. It was an investment in the safety, education, and future of the community’s youngest residents.
And with preparations for 2027 already underway, the department hopes to make next year’s celebration even bigger and better.
Holley wins Class C1 quarterfinal in double overtime; Kendall, Lyndonville/Barker bow
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley goalie Dylan Warner goes up to make a save during the Hawks double overtime sectional win over visiting Red Creek this evening.
No. 3 seed Holley had to go to double overtime to nip No. 11 Red Creek 2-1 in the quarterfinal round of the Section V Class C 1 boys soccer playoffs this evening at Holley.
Cam Kelley scored the game winner for the Hawks off an assist from Aidan Kelley.
Jayden Rivera tallied Holley’s other goal in the first half as Gage Yockel earned the assist.
Improving to 14-1-2, Holley will next face the winner of the No. 2 Byron-Bergen/Elba vs. No. 7 Kearney quarterfinal in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Geneseo 2, Kendall 1
In a Class C2 quarterfinal No. 1 Geneseo edged visiting No. 9 Kendall 2-1.
Brenden Eichas scored the lone goal for Kendall which finishes the season at 8-8-2.
East Rochester 1, Lyndonville/Barker 0
Top seeded East Rochester edged No. 8 Lyndonville/Barker 1-0 in a Class C1 quarterfinal.
Holley’s Jayden Rivera scored the Hawks first goal on this kick.
Medina native Anne Joynt is great choice for State Supreme Court justice
Editor:
Orleans County residents have a unique opportunity to elect Anne Joynt, formerly of Medina, to the New York State Supreme Court’s 8th Judicial District.
Anne was raised in a family that taught in Medina as well as Albion. The 8th Judicial District encompasses an area of our state not acknowledged enough for its history, resources and hardworking, talented people.
Anne’s resume reflects numerous accolades and awards. View her profile on her worksite: lipsitzponterio.com. Her accomplishments as a lawyer have changed the lives of real people. She can make a difference in our court system.
As she was raised by a Democratic father and a Republican mother, she had an opportunity to hear a variety of perspectives. In my view she is an ideal candidate.
The “Republican Mom” is casting her vote for the person she believes is the best candidate for the position – her daughter, Anne. Please join me in voting for Anne for New York State Supreme Court on November 3rd.
Sincerely yours,
Grace Kent
Albion
Wilson, Akron advance in girls soccer playoffs
Two Niagara-Orleans League teams – Wilson and Akron – scored wins today in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI girls soccer playoffs.
In Class C, top seeded Wilson blanked No. 8 Barker/Lyndonville 9-0 to advance to Tuesday’s semifinal round against No. 5 Portville.
Lilly Gurski, Lucy Madan and Macaela Boyer each scored 2 goals for Wilson as Addison Elia, Colbie Elia and Kairi Beck each netted 1.
In Class B, No. 2 Akron downed No. 7 Silver Creek/Forestville 8-1 as Reese Adessa scored 3 goals, Hannah Liss and Clara Bogdan 2 each and Abby Gerstung 1.
Akron will next face No. 6 Fredonia in the semifinals on Wednesday.
In Class A, No. 10 Roy-Hart/Medina dropped a 4-0 decision at No. 2 Starpoint as Grace Crissman scored 2 goals to lead the Lady Spartans.
SCOPE of Orleans County backs Fred Seeman for Clarendon town supervisor
Editor:
This letter serves as a follow-up to our previous correspondence regarding the Town of Clarendon Supervisor candidates.
Shortly after the publication of write-in candidate Kathy Harnischfeger’s letter, we contacted both candidates to provide them with a questionnaire and information about our public meeting.
Candidate Kathy Harnischfeger did not return a completed questionnaire or attend our meeting. However, I did have an opportunity to speak with her on her porch and discuss Second Amendment issues.
Candidate Fred Seeman completed the questionnaire and attended our meeting. His responses were reviewed, and additional questions were asked and answered during the discussion, allowing our membership to gain a clearer understanding of his positions.
I also attended the Oct. 16 question-and-answer session at the Clarendon Town Hall.
When a candidate states, “I am a moderate Democrat who believes in the Second Amendment,” that position should be supported by a clear record, specific answers, and a willingness to defend the constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decisions in District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022) established important constitutional principles governing the Second Amendment. In Heller, the Court affirmed an individual right to possess firearms for lawful purposes, including self-defense. In Bruen, the Court established that firearm regulations must be consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.
The protection of arms in common use for lawful purposes is a fundamental part of the Court’s Second Amendment jurisprudence. Government restrictions cannot simply be justified by asserting that they promote public safety; they must withstand the applicable constitutional analysis. The precise legal outcome depends on the regulation and the relevant precedents.
Supporting bans and infringements on firearms protected by the Second Amendment is not consistent with an uncompromising commitment to that constitutional right. Candidates who claim to support the Second Amendment should be prepared to explain how their positions on firearm restrictions align with these Supreme Court decisions.
Public officials swear an oath to support the U.S. Constitution. That oath carries a responsibility to respect constitutional limits on government authority, including those established by the Second Amendment.
Accordingly, the candidates’ stated positions and willingness to uphold their constitutional obligations were given significant weight in our membership’s assessment.
Following a review of the available information, the candidates’ questionnaire responses, participation in our meeting, and extensive membership deliberations, S.C.O.P.E. of Orleans County assigned the following ratings:
Fred Seeman: B
Kathy Harnischfeger: F−
These ratings reflect our membership’s assessment of the candidates based on the information and engagement available to us. The difference in participation was a factor in our ability to evaluate their respective positions.
These ratings do not constitute an endorsement of either candidate. They represent S.C.O.P.E. of Orleans County’s assessment of the candidates’ demonstrated positions and engagement on Second Amendment issues only.
S.C.O.P.E. represents a diverse community of members and gun owners throughout Orleans County, including individuals, families, sportsmen’s clubs, and businesses that supply the equipment and materials necessary for lawful firearm ownership and the exercise of our constitutional rights.
S.C.O.P.E. of Orleans County remains committed to maintaining an ongoing dialogue with elected officials, candidates, and other public servants throughout Orleans County. We believe that open discussion, accountability, and a clear understanding of constitutional principles are essential to protecting the rights of our citizens.
We invite the public to attend our monthly meetings, held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Hoag Library, 134 South Main St., Albion, New York.
Please note that regular monthly meetings are not held in December or January. Our meetings are open to the public, and we welcome constructive discussion with anyone interested in the Second Amendment and the constitutional rights of New Yorkers.
With respect and commitment to our constitutional principles,
Mark Allen
Chairman, Orleans County S.C.O.P.E.
