Photo courtesy of Jim Panek
ALBION – This combine from Panek Farms is out at sunrise to harvest soybeans on Route 98 between Route 31A and Barre Center.
The farm is trying to beat the rain this morning.
It’s been a tough year for the farmers due to the drought conditions in Orleans County. Jim Panek said the farm’s soybean yields are down to about 60 percent of normal.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It was a dramatic sky tonight with a Harvest Moon. The top photo was taken at 8:27 of the Dunkin’ Donuts in Albion.
The moon is shown at 8:47 p.m. high above the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church in Albion.
Bryan McDowell of Lyndonville sent in this photo he took up close of the moon.
It was also an amazing sunset this evening. Tim Archer sent in this photo looking west towards the sun.
Photos by Tom Rivers: This photo at 6:55 p.m. shows St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at left, then the First Baptist Church of Albion, and Christ Church (Episcopal) at right.
Social media has featured many photos of the this evening’s sunset. This one shows St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the First Baptist Church of Albion.
After a couple of days in the 80s, the highs will be a little cooler the rest of the week with 72 on Tuesday, 60 on Wednesday, 57 on Thursday, 65 on Friday and 67 on Saturday.
Lyndonville outlasted host Kendall in five sets 25-23, 24-26, 25-19, 23-25, 17-15 this evening in a Genesee Region League volleyball match.
Leah Kenyon had 3 kills, 1 ace and 1 block, Hannah Fox 2 kills, Bella Bresett 3 kills and 3 blocks, Sarah Corser 2 aces, Destinee Holmes 3 aces, Elena Barry 1 ace and 1 kill, Ainsley Vann 2 kills and 1 block and Emily Dill 4 kills, 3 aces and 3 blocks for Lyndonville.
For Kendall, Emma Minster had 5 aces and 2 kills, Rylan Clark 7 kills and 5 aces and Maya Tarter 5 aces and 3 kills.
Kendall put a lock on a second straight Genesee Region League boys soccer championship by downing Byron-Bergen 3-0 this evening at Kendall.
Brandon Barrett scored two goals in the second half and Vinnie D’Agostino one in the first half for Kendall as Pablo Rosario-Reyes earned the assist on all three goals.
The Eagles are now 11-0 in the league and 14-0 overall while the Bees are 7-2 and 9-4.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Kailee Anstey drives the ball ahead against Medina defenders Tessa Costich (11) and Sophia Greco (8) during the Purple Eagles home field win this evening.
Getting goal production from six players, Albion rolled to a 9-0 win over visiting rival Medina in a Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer game this evening.
Shayla Higgins, Madi Frasier and Mia Standish each scored two goals for the Purple Eagles as Julia Button, Kailee Anstey and Aubrey Gannon each netted one. Frasier also had two assists.
Ava Woolston earned the shutout in goal.
Albion is now 1-5-3 and Medina 0-8 in N-O action.
Albion’s Madi Frasier battles with Medina’s Lillian Maynard for control of the ball.
It was a record setting evening for Medina as the Mustangs downed Buffalo Seminary 4-0 in a non league field hockey game at Vets Park.
Penelope Schalck scored three goals to spark Medina and become the Mustangs career goal scoring leader with 81.
Emi Batista netted the other goal for the Mustangs which improve to 7-4 overall.
Medina next visits Wilson on Thursday in a Niagara-Orleans League game.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Logan Gillespie looks to stop a pass by Lyndonville’s Shannon Withey during the Hawks win over the host Tigers this afternoon.
Avenging an earlier season 1-0 home field loss, Holley downed host Lyndonville 2-0 in a Genesee Region League boys soccer game this afternoon.
Gage Yockel scored what proved to be the game winning goal for Holley midway through the first half off an assist from Chase Kemps.
Kempa later added a big insurance goal 11 minutes into the second half as Cameron Kelley earned the assist.
Dylan Warner earned the shutout in goal for the Hawks.
Holley is now 6-4 and Lyndonville 5-5 in G-R action.
Lyndonville’s Chanse Amsdill works to move the ball up field as Chase Kempa (1) and Avante Walker (17) move in to defend for Holley.
Holley’s Isaac Bartlett reaches around Lyndonville’s Maddox Smith to drive the ball ahead.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
The Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health) are urging residents to remain vigilant against rabies and to take advantage of upcoming clinics.
“Rabies is a deadly disease, but it is 100% preventable when proper precautions are taken,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for GO Health. “We encourage residents to attend our upcoming clinics and protect their pets and community.”
Final Rabies Vaccination Clinics of 2025
GO Health will host its final free drive-thru rabies vaccination clinics in October. Funding is provided by the New York State Department of Health.
Vaccinations are free for dogs, cats and ferrets. Animals must be at least 3 months old. Each animal must be leashed or crated and accompanied by an adult who can control the animal. Limit 4 pets per car maximum. Donations are accepted to offset costs to the health department.
NOTE: Proof of previous rabies vaccination must be provided at the clinic in order to receive a 3-year vaccination. Otherwise, only a 1-year vaccination can be provided. Originals, copies, and clear cell phone images may be accepted.
To help stop the spread of rabies, GO Health reminds residents to follow these important tips:
For more information about GO Health Programs and Services, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
Contributed Photo – Geno Allport with former Buffalo Bill Stevie Johnson.
On this National Coaches Day, Project Play WNY has announced that Geno Allport, of Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading, will receive the Dick Gallagher Lifetime Service Award.
The award, which will be presented at an event later this month in conjunction with the Buffalo Bills, recognizes an individual who has used their platform as a youth sports coach or youth sports organization leader to support, recognize and advocate for youth athletes both on and off the field, for a decade or more.
The award honors the legacy of Dick Gallagher, a tireless youth sports advocate and Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame inductee, who also dedicated his professional life to helping young people struggling with addiction.
Allport, described as the “heart and soul” of Albion Youth Football, has been involved with the club for 25 years.
In addition to his role as president of Albion Youth Football and Cheerleading, he also serves as an executive board member for both the Niagara Orleans Football Association and the Western New York Amateur Football Alliance.
The three people who nominated Allport lauded his steadfast commitment to sportsmanship and fairness and described how he fosters an environment where each child feels valued.
One of his nominees, Robin Silvis, said in part, “Geno has built a legacy defined not just by wins and championships, but by the values that make youth sports meaningful: sportsmanship, fairness, honor, integrity, honesty, respect, determination, enthusiasm, sincerity, and caring.”
“From the beginning, Geno has insisted that the playing field is more than a place for competition, it is a classroom for life. His steadfast commitment to sportsmanship and fairness has shaped Albion Youth Football into an organization where players, coaches, and families know that respect for the game and one another comes first. He has fostered an environment where all children, regardless of ability, are given the chance to learn, grow, and feel valued,” she said.
“Geno Allport’s 25 years of service represent the very best of what youth sports can be. His leadership has left an indelible mark on Albion, NOFA, and the Western New York Amateur Football Alliance. But most importantly, his influence has shaped the lives of generations of young athletes who carry with them the lessons of respect, teamwork, and perseverance that Geno has championed throughout his remarkable career,” she added.
Project Play Western New York is driven and funded by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s Youth Sports & Recreation focus area in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program. Project Play Western New York envisions a community in which all children have the opportunity to be active through sports. Every child—regardless of location, income or ability—should have access to fun and fulfilling physical activities that build confidence and set them on a path for lifelong success
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Matt Ballard, former Orleans County historian, led a tour on Saturday at Albion’s downtown and Courthouse Square, highlighting “Murder and Mayhem” in the community’s past.
The event was attended by about 65 people who paid $20 each for a fundraiser to restore the chapel at Mount Albion Cemetery.
Ballard is shown speaking from the steps of the County Clerks’ Building. He highlighted two famous murder trials in Albion.
George Wilson was convicted by a jury of killing his wife Alice Wilson by strangulation. George was executed in 1888 in a stockade near where the current county jail is located. That execution on June 22, 1888 was the last one in Orleans County.
Wilson was allegedly having an affair with a girl under age 18. He and his wife had five children.
Wilson protested his innocence. His neighbor provided damning testimony against Wilson. That neighbor was found guilty of committing a murder in Rochester. Ballard said some people have speculated that Wilson didn’t kill his wife. Instead, it was the neighbor.
In another high-profile case, William Lake was convicted of killing Emma Hunt who spurned his advances. She was brutally murdered on Oct. 18, 1894. Lake would be the seventh person put to death at Auburn prison by the electric chair.
There would be 55 people put to death by electric chair at Auburn prison from 1890 to 1916.
Susan Starkweather Miller, Village of Albion historian, welcomed the group for the tour which started at the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. She is shown in front of the pulpit and church organ. Starkweather Miller has been leading the effort to restore the chapel and roof at Mount Albion Cemetery. She said the group has raised $200,000 towards at $225,000 goal.
Ballard, speaking from the lawn in front of the courthouse, shared about William Stafford, the district attorney during the Wilson murder trial. Stafford would later run for Orleans County judge and was defeated. He blamed the Baptist congregation, where he attended, for not giving him enough support.
When the Catholics were looking to build a church, Stafford sold them the property on West Park Street, with a stipulation the church building had to be so close to the street it would block the view of the Baptist Church.
Ballard stands in front of the Main Street lift bridge and tells about one of the worst tragedies in Albion’s history. On Sept. 28, 1559, there were 250 people on the bridge to watch a wirewalker over the canal. The bridge also had five horses with loaded wagons.
The bridge would tumble into the water, and 15 people would die, including several children.
Outside the Presbyterian Church, Ballard spoke about the murder of Pierpont Dyer on Christmas eve in 1859.
The wirewalker in the bridge collapse had his rope strung across the canal from the second floor of the Mansion House south towards the second floor of Dyer’s building about three months earlier.
Mr. Dyer owned a grocery store. On Christmas eve in 1859, someone entered the store and smashed Dyer in the head, killing him. One man went to trial and wasn’t convicted. The murder remains an unsolved mystery.
The Citizens National Bank used to be the First National Bank of Albion. Ballard told how Albert Warner stole about $40,000 from the bank and then fled to Canada. Warner took leadership of the bank after the previous president died from a lethal dose of arsenic.
Warner was well respected in Albion. Not only did he lead the bank, but he was the Board of Education president and leader of the fire department. But poison, betrayal and greed did in his reputation, and left many in Albion facing financial ruin.
Warner was rumored to have returned to Albion briefly, when he dressed as a woman to attend his father’s funeral at Mount Albion in 1887.
Ballard also spoke in front of the former Swan Library, which was the hoe of Roswell Burrows. Burrows amassed a fortune value at over $6 million when he died in 1879.
He established the First National Bank in Albion, a bank where the coffers were embezzled by Warner.
Ballard speaks on Main Street in front of the Five Star Bank. He highlighted a catastrophic fire on Jan. 13, 1882 that wiped out the corner. The fire started in a building for a milliner that was located behind Five Star, where its parking lot is located.
The fire of 1882 badly damaged the business district. When the fire was finally put out, Ballard said a cat emerged from the rubble.
Ballard shared other stories during the nearly two-hour presentation.
Press Release, Office for the Aging in Orleans County
ALBION – The Orleans County Office for the Aging announced it will be hosting several events for Medicare beneficiaries during the fall annual open enrollment period which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.
Open enrollment is the time for Medicare beneficiaries to review plan information and make educated decisions on what they want their coverage to be starting Jan. 1, 2026.
OFA will be hosting two Medicare Vendor Fairs. Representatives from Medicare Advantage Plans will be present to assist people in understanding changes in current plans and discuss any new plans for 2026.
They can also help those interested enroll in a plan. Attendees should bring their original Medicare Card and a list of both their prescription drugs and medical providers. The Medicare Vendor Fairs are scheduled for:
OFA will also be hosting two Comparison Meetings, where health insurance counselors from OFA will be available to answer questions, screen for possible benefits and provide unbiased information unrelated to any particular plan. Those events will both be held at the Orleans County Administration Building located at 14016 NY-31 in Albion on:
“Seniors are bombarded with information and solicitations for their healthcare insurance needs and with so many choices and potential program changes, it can get overwhelmingly very quickly,” said Melissa Blanar, Director of Orleans County OFA. “The goal of these meetings is to really help people understand their choices and spend time answering questions so they can make the decisions that are right for them.”
In addition, OFA offers a Medicare comparison packet that outlines beneficiaries’ options. Those interested in attending any of these events or receiving the Medicare comparison packet are asked to call OFA at 585-589-3191.
Seniors can also visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for assistance.
By Leah Brenner, Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Orleans Community Health
Photo courtesy of Orleans Community Health: Leah Brenner greets a child at Orleans Community Health.
Childhood is a time of incredible growth and change – and as parents, it can be both exciting and nerve-wracking to watch your child reach new milestones.
These milestones serve as important markers of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development, helping you understand whether your child is progressing typically. Every small achievement, from a first smile to a first step, tells a story about your child’s development. Below are some key stages and what to expect as your child grows.
Infancy (0 – 12 months)
The first year is full of rapid physical and developmental changes. By 2 to 3 months, your baby should be able to lift their head while lying on their tummy, a sign of strengthening neck and upper body muscles. Around 4 to 6 months, most babies begin rolling over, sitting with support, and making cooing or babbling sounds. By 9 to 12 months, you may see your little one crawling, standing with assistance, and even saying simple words like “mama” or “dada.”
This is also when babies begin to recognize familiar faces, smile responsively, and show curiosity about the world around them—key steps in emotional and social development.
Toddlerhood (1 – 3 years)
Toddlers experience major leaps in both language and motor skills. Between 18 to 24 months, they often start using simple words and can follow basic directions. Their fine motor coordination improves too – they can stack blocks, turn pages, and begin feeding themselves with utensils. By age 3, many toddlers walk independently, kick a ball, and engage in imaginative play. Socially, they start to learn about sharing, taking turns, and expressing emotions.
It’s also common for toddlers to experience frustration as they learn to communicate and assert independence. Consistent routines, patient guidance, and encouragement from caregivers can make a big difference during this stage.
Preschool (3 – 5 years)
Preschoolers are curious, energetic learners. Between ages 3 to 4, children typically begin forming short sentences and love to tell stories. They can draw basic shapes, recognize some letters and numbers, and demonstrate a growing attention span. By ages 4 to 5, they refine motor skills like running, jumping, and climbing. Socially and emotionally, this is a time of growth in empathy, cooperation, and friendship-building.
Children also begin to develop self-control, creativity, and problem-solving skills through play, which is a vital part of learning at this age.
School Age (5 – 12 years)
Once children start school, their physical growth slows slightly while their cognitive and social skills expand rapidly. Around ages 6 to 7, many begin reading simple books, learning basic math, and developing hand-eye coordination through writing and play. They start to understand rules and routines, helping them navigate the classroom environment. By ages 10 to 12, children are capable of complex problem-solving and navigating more sophisticated social relationships. They also start taking on more independence and responsibility, both at home and in school.
Parents can encourage development by supporting hobbies, promoting healthy friendships, and keeping up with regular check-ups and screenings.
Every child develops at their own pace—there’s no single “right” timeline. These milestones simply offer a guide to what’s typical during each stage of growth. Regular well-child visits are important for tracking progress and addressing concerns early. If you ever have questions about your child’s development, reach out to a pediatrician. Early support and intervention can make all the difference in helping your child thrive and achieve their full potential.
Contributed Photo – The 50th anniversary of the Lyndonville High boys varsity soccer program was celebrated this past Saturday with an alumni game as part of Homecoming weekend. The event was dedicated to the organizer of the event, former longtime Tigers coach Wes Bradley, who passed away the week before the game. “Wes had been planning a 50 year soccer reunion for our boys soccer program this year. We were able to keep the Alumni game and had a reception at night per the family’s wishes,” said Lyndonville Athletic Directot James Zeliff. “We had a great turnout for the game with over 35 former players who actively played in the game and several more cheering them on from the sidelines. We also had Lyndonville alumnus Dave Dix and his wife Erica, officiate the game. They are certified high school and collegiate officials. It was a great game with plenty of action and a fitting tribute to the man who helped make it all possible.”
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Midha and Jaotin are co-presidents of the Voice Gavel Club from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. They performed a free concert titled “Leaves of Summer” at World Life Institute in Medina. (Right) The Voice Gavel Club member Hana sings “Dream a Little Dream of Me” during a concert Saturday at World Life Institute.
MEDINA – World Life Institute sponsored a free concert at their headquarters on West Center Street, titled “Leaves of Summer” and featuring the Voice Gavel Club from Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Coordinator of the Club is Lubna Zaidi.
World Life Institute member Deborah Wilson said she has seen the group before, and they are a young version of Toastmasters.
“They have adopted World Life Institute as a project,” she said.
Wendy Zhou, a member of the Voice Gavel Club, was unable to attend World Life Institute on Saturday, so a video was shown of her playing a pipa.
Most of the young performers were known only by their first names and presented a musical program of song, poetry and instrumental offerings. This was their ninth annual concert.
Jaotin Ling is president and Midha Siddiqui is vice-president of the group. Midha said their performance was a celebration of music and talent.
The program included performances by Raheem on clarinet; Tatiana and her student on piano; Ekansh on guitar; Emma, Aman and Greig on flutes; Noah on violin; Carol on a Gujheng (a zither-like instrument); and Wendy on a pipa, sometimes called a Chinese lute.
Also part of the program was Hana singing “Dream me a Little Dream” and “The Leaves of Summer,” and a poetry reading from “The Harvest” by Zehra.
A student named James paid a tribute to the late Dr. Asaf Durakovic, a doctor, professor of Nuclear Medicine and Radiology, writer of poetry, a Colonel in the Army Reserves and founder of World Life Institute.
“He was generous with his time, wisdom and passion,” said James.
Bruce Carter, building superintendent at 229 West Center St. who hosted the concert, gave the young entertainers this advice, “Use your talent to take you as far as you can.”
