By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2026 at 12:30 pm
Photos courtesy of Crosby’s
ALBION – The remodeled Crosby’s convenience store reopened on Friday at 204 South Main St. This follows the remodeling of Crosby’s other store in Albion on North Main Street in May 2024.
Crosby’s, owned by the Reid Group in Lockport, has revamped the store at the intersection of routes 98 and 31. The company operates 86 throughout Western New York and Northwestern Pennsylvania.
The celebration also was a kickoff to Crosby’s yearly partnership with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in which various donation efforts will begin across all Crosby’s stores in service of CF and finding a cure for cystic fibrosis.
Crosby’s also donated $300 to Albion Central School District and $500 to Albion Fire Department.
The remodeled store has 16 employees. The store will offer Crosby’s food items including pizza, made-to-order subs and specialty drinks such as hot chocolate, 100% Columbian Coffee and slushies.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2026 at 10:36 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from March 6 shows icicles on the bronze statue of Santa at Waterman Park on Main Street in Albion. A building in back in center is owned by the Albion Betterment Committee and will be turned into a Santa School Museum. Charles W. Howard ran the first Santa School in the world on Phipps Road in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966. The school continues in Howard’s name in Midland, Mich. The Betterment Committee dedicated the statue, created by Brian Porter, during the Strawberry Festival in June 2023.
ALBION – The Albion Betterment Committee is a step closer in its goal of developing a Santa School Museum in downtown Albion.
The Betterment Committee has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Rochester Community Foundation to replace a front-arched window on the second floor of 128 North Main St. The window will be replaced with wood at the exact dimensions as the existing window which has rotted wood.
This is the first grant from the Rochester Community Foundation for the Betterment Committee, said Natasha Wasuck, one of the committee’s board members.
The committee purchased the building in November from the estate of Henri Pulley. The site is 6,600 square feet.
The Betterment Committee is working to turn the vacant two-story site into the Santa School Museum. It will pay homage to the late Charles W. Howard, who created the first Santa School in the world. He ran it on Phipps Road in Albion from 1937 until his death in 1966.
Howard continues to be revered among the people who portray Santa. The Santa School continues in his name in Midland, Mich. Howard also was well known as the Santa in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from 1948 to 1965. Howard also was inducted as an inaugural member in 2010 of the International Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
The Betterment Committee wants to make the Main Street site into a tourism center that celebrates Santa. The group wants to develop an interactive tourism center with displays about the Charles W. Howard Santa School and Christmas Park, which Howard ran for many years near his farmhouse on Phipps Road.
The Betterment Committee envisions the first floor as interactive exhibits and displays, as well as room for a bakery and food operator. The site could also offer services, including showers, for canal boaters, cyclists and other visitors.
The second floor is envisioned to offer space for artists – painters, potters, and others in need of studio space. The second floor has large windows that let in natural light that would be ideal for artists, Wasuck said.
The group is seeking grants to help with building upgrades, especially a new roof that will cost an estimated $50,000. The Betterment Committee welcomes donations.
“The roof is the most important part,” Wasuck said about the building’s pressing needs. “We need to raise the money to replace it.”
The group is a 501c3 organization that accepts tax deductible donations. Donations can be sent to Albion Betterment Committee, c/o Joe Gehl at 14487 Baker Rd. in Kent, NY 14477.
“This project is built on belief — in our history, our community, and the magic of what’s possible,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2026 at 9:06 am
Photos courtesy of Marsha Rivers: The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is shown on Sunday evening looking east across the Oak Orchard Harbor.
It won’t be so cold this week compared to last week when the temperatures often fell below freezing.
Today is forecast to be mostly cloudy with a high near 64 in Orleans County, with overnight showers, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
Tuesday will be the warmest day of the week with a high near 65, but there could be a half inch to ¾-inch of rain.
The highs then include 48 on Wednesday with showers, 51 on Thursday with showers, 63 on Friday with showers likely, and 59 on Saturday with a chance for precipitation.
A goose is moving on Lake Ontario as the sun sets on Sunday night near the Oak Orchard harbor in Carlton.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 March 2026 at 8:26 am
Photo by Tom Rivers: The gas price at the Crosby’s on Route 104 in Gaines was at $4.05 on Sunday. The average price in Orleans County jumped from $3.77 to $4.03 in the past week.
The price for regular unleaded gas in Orleans County jumped another 26 cents in the past week and has now passed $4. The price went from $3.766 a week ago to $4.030 today, according to AAA.
The price in Orleans County is the highest in Western New York. Here are the prices around WNY:
Orleans, $4.030
Genesee, $3.930
Monroe, $3.958
Niagara, $3.882
Erie, $3.952
Wyoming, $3.879
Livingston, $3.906
Chautauqua, $3.878
Cattaraugus, $3.781
Allegany, $3.832
Other counties in the state at $4 or higher include: St. Lawrence, $4.173; Franklin, $4.180; Clinton, $4.132; Essex, $4.248; Hamilton, $4.199; Rockland, $4.075; Westchester, $4.077; and New York (Manhattan), $4.040.
The average gas price nationally is at $3.99 today, up 5 cents from last Monday, while the New York State average is $3.93, up 7 cents from last Monday. The war in Iran has hit the four-week mark. A month ago, the NYS gas price average was $3.002. The diesel price in NYS has gone from $4.008 a month ago to $5.75 today, AAA reported.
AAA issued this statement: “As March winds down, drivers are feeling renewed pressure at the pump as the national average for regular gasoline continues its sharp climb, fueled by rising seasonal demand and the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Over the past several weeks, prices have surged on the back of elevated crude oil costs, increased road travel, and broader geopolitical uncertainty.
“Crude prices remain stubbornly high as the conflict approaches its fourth week, pushing the national average toward the $4-per-gallon mark for the first time since August 2022. Spring break travel is also ramping up, adding another layer of upward pressure on pump prices.”
Photos and information courtesy of the Medina Band Boosters
GATES – Medina’s varsity and JV winter guard groups both competed Saturday in the North East Color Guard Circuit Championships at Gates Chili.
The top photo shows Medina’s varsity winter guard with scored 78.55 and finished fourth in the A1 class. Corning-Painted Post HS won with 82.810 in the division.
There were 29 guards performing that came from NYS, Canada and PA at the championships.
Classifications are determined by age and skill level. The Medina Colorguard Club performed in exhibition and therefore not scored.
Medina’s JV guard competed in the Cadet class and scored 75.24 putting them in 2nd place in a group of 6 guards. The Lancaster Cadet scored 76.780 for first place.
While the WG season comes to close the entire band will be preparing for the parade season.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 March 2026 at 6:00 pm
File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Melanie Green
Three birdies on the back nine of today’s final round has earned Medina’s Melanie Green a solid 10 under par finish at the LPGA Tour’s Ford Championship Tournament at Phoenix.
Green started the day at 7 under and was still at that score after 10 holes.
However, she put together back-to-back clutch birdies on 11 and 12 to go 9 under and the tacked on a birdie at 17 for the second day in a row to finish the day with a 3 under 69.
She completed the tourney with a 10 under par total score of 278.
She had just one bogie on the day and 4 birdies to earn her third sub par round of the four day tournament.
She also had a 3 under par 69 to open the tourney on Thursday. She followed that up with a 5 under 67 on round two on Friday and a 1 over 73 on the third round on Saturday.
Green’s next LPGA Tour start will be at the LA Championship April 16-19 at Tarzana, California.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 March 2026 at 9:29 am
The calendar says it is a bit early but the Niagara-Orleans League softball season is scheduled to get underway on Monday with a full slate of three games at 4:45 p.m.
Those contests will have Medina at defending co-champion Barker, Albion at Akron and Wilson at Newfane.
Defending co-champion Roy-Hart, which has the bye on Monday, will visit Medina at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. The other two 4:45 p.m. games that afternoon will have Newfane at Albion and Barker at Wilson.
On the baseball diamond, Kendall will be playing a pair of games at Myrtle Beach on Monday and Thursday.
Weekly Schedule Monday Baseball – Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, 5 p.m. Softball – Medina at Barker, Albion at Akron, Wilson at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.
Tuesday Softball – Alexander at Barker, 4:45 p.m. Lacrosse – Medina at Akron, 7 p.m.
Wednesday Baseball – CSAT at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Tonawanda at Albion, Roy-Hart at Sweet Home. 5 p.m. Softball – Roy-Hart at Medina, Newfane at Albion, Barker at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; CSAT at Lyndonville, 5 p.m. Lacrosse – Depew at Medina, 7 p.m.
Thursday Baseball – Pembroke at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Lyndonville at Oakfield-Alabama, 5 p.m. Softball – Oakfield-Alabama at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.
Friday Softball – Wheatland-Chili at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 March 2026 at 9:25 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – The Lyndonville varsity baseball squad’s lineup includes, in front, Austin Fonda, Landon Markidis, Colton Smith, Devon Babcock and Shannon Withey. In back are Shawn Robertson, Brandon Dill, Quincy McClinsey, Thomas Blake, Atticus Mank and Will Arlington. Missing are Christopher Dix and Lane Woodworth.
Continuing to build, Lyndonville is prepping for its second season since returning to varsity baseball competition with a youthful but veteran laden lineup.
Seniors Austin Fonda (second base) and Colton Smith (shortstop) head the Tigers large veteran contingent which also includes juniors Quincy McClinsey (pitcher/third base), Atticus Mank (first base/pitcher), Landon Markidis (third base), Shannon Withey (outfield), Will Arlington and Thomas Blake along with sophomores Lane Woodworth (outfield), Brandon Dill (first base), Shawn Robertson (third base) and Devon Babcock (outfield).
The Tigers graduation losses from last spring’s return to varsity competition 1-16 team include Cole Moyle (catcher) and Jacob Pitcher (outfield/pitcher).
“We do have a large group back but it is a young team that needs to get more varsity experience,” said Coach Brad Hoffee.
The Tigers are scheduled to open the Genesee Region League season at home on Monday against Wheatland-Chili at 5 p.m.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 March 2026 at 8:54 am
‘Connected we are stronger. This is not a slogan. It is a strategy for rural success’
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Kathy Blackburn, left, and Gabrielle Barone share a light moment during the gathering Wednesday night sponsored by Orleans Community Connects. (Right) Dean Bellack, board president of Orleans Community Connects (formerly United Way) and director Nyla Gaylord addressed invited guests to an informal gathering Wednesday night at Zambistro’s. Its purpose was to explain the name change from United Way.
MEDINA – Invited members of the community shared conversation and camaraderie at a gathering Wednesday night at Zambistro’s, during which leadership of the former United Way explained the new mission and reason for the name change to Orleans Community Connects.
The evening began with introduction of officers from Jodi Gaines, who was a longtime member of United Way of Eastern Orleans (when there were two United Ways in the county). Gaines now continues her membership, having served as president several terms and is now treasurer of Orleans Community Connects.
Virginia Kropf started as a member of United Way of Western Orleans around 2000-01 and later also became a member of Eastern United Way until the two merged in 2011. She continues to serve as secretary, a position she has held for more than a decade.
Jerome Pawlak is vice president, having started as a member of Eastern United Way in 1985. He remembers his dad’s grocery store in Albion supporting United Way when he was a youngster helping in the store.
Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connects, speaks to a gathering of local residents who attended an informative meeting Wednesday at Zambistro’s.
President Dean Bellack attended his first meeting in 2019, at which the current director announced she was leaving. Bellack stated he had just retired from his company and sold it and he would be willing to step in as director until a new director could be hired. He served in that position until Nyla Gaylord was hired, who serves as director today.
Other board members are Barry Flansburg, Richard Hellert, Amit Misra and David Gagne.
Wednesday’s program continued with a brief history of United Way by Kropf. She shared how the agency was founded in the 1960s by Van Hungerford and several friends as the Community Chest. It was Hungerford’s belief there ought to be one agency in the county to which people could donate, thereby eliminating all the individual requests an organization would get.
United Way of Western Orleans shared an office with the American Red Cross, first above where Avanti’s is now, then in an office on the west side of Main, until moving across the street when Kennedy Brothers closed in 2000.
At some point they shared an office with the Medina Chamber of Commerce, until merging with Eastern to become United Way of Orleans County. They met at various locations, including the Crooked Door, Swan Library and the former Washington Mutual complex, until being offered permanent space (and their current office) at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
Kropf said she couldn’t count the times she has told someone that money donated to United Way in Orleans County, stays in Orleans County. And that will remain true under the new name.
Nyla Gaylord, executive director, spoke next and said the evening celebrated an important milestone in the agency’s evolution into Orleans Community Connects.
“This isn’t just a new name,” Gaylord said. “It reflects our growing role as a connector of people, ideas and resources, all focused on strengthening Orleans County.”
Dean Bellack greets MarcAnthony Bucci from the Buffalo Community Foundation and Katie Brisson from the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. They attended Orleans Community Connect’s get-together, along with Maura Dewan of the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation.
Gaylord said the agency’s new journey began when Bellack stepped into the role of executive director.
“After retiring from a long career as a manufacturer’s representative, he brought those same strengths that defined his career – relationship building, community connections and a talent for bringing people together,” Gaylord said. “Almost immediately, Dean started contacting foundations in Buffalo and Rochester to ask for money.
“Almost immediately, foundations in Rochester and Buffalo reached out to us, asking for help to distribute emergency funds for rent, utilities and basic need,” Gaylord said. “We immediately convened nonprofit leaders from across the county to coordinate how those funds would reach families in need. It was a defining moment – one which showed how powerful our local network could be when we worked together.”
When foundations asked what rural counties needed, Orleans’ answer was “digital literacy.” Then grants were written and received to address digital literacy in Orleans County, resulting in the Orleans Digital Literacy Initiative.
Gaylord explained how she spent her own time while working as director of Ministry of Concern to write a grant, which resulted in funding of a grant writer at United Way for five years. Shortly after she joined United Way. She stepped into the role as executive director in July 2023.
“As someone who spent more than 30 years working in nonprofit administration and has lived in Orleans County my entire life, I felt called to help guide this next chapter,” Gaylord said.”
This would be addressing a previously neglected homeless population, supporting countywide outreach during the rollout of a new broadband system, convening a community conversation on housing and addressing a housing shortage. United Way also was involved in establishment of a warming center in Albion, a model which is now being replicated in Brockport and Warsaw.
Photo courtesy of Dawn Winkler: Clockwise from left, Kathy Blackburn, Sally Mathes, Carol Bellack and Ginny Kropf enjoy hors d’oeuvres and conversation during Orleans Community Connects gathering at Zambistro’s. Kropf has been a member of United Way (now Orleans Community Connects) for an estimated 25 years and secretary for at least a dozen years.
Partnering with consultant Nick Coulter and former county legislator Ken DeRoller resulted in forming the first Affordable Housing Summit last fall. Coulter is now working with a local developer to help move affordable housing projects forward.
All this work was made possible by the Greater Rochester Health Foundation. Today Orleans Community Connects’ programs include Caregivers Revitalize, Connect Orleans broadband research, Highmark CHEFS nutrition education and Housing Development consulting services.
“Board member David Gagne said Orleans County needs to help itself, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Gaylord said. “We are bringing partners together, identifying solutions and building the systems that will strengthen this community for years to come. That spirit of collaboration, responsiveness and local problem solving is what inspired our new name, Orleans Community Connects. Because the truth is simple – when we connect, great things happen.”
Dean Bellack concluded the evening by explaining where the organization is going and why that direction matters to every donor, every elected official and every business leader here.
“At the center of Orleans Community Connects is a simple truth – connected we are stronger,” Bellack said. “This is not a slogan. It is a strategy for rural success.”
Bellack said we all know the challenges – a shrinking population, rising costs, limited staff and a competitive grant environment.
“These pressures affect our towns, our villages, our nonprofits and our businesses,” Bellack said. “And they affect the long-term stability of our county. But when we connect our efforts – when we stop duplicating work and start aligning resources, we can accomplish far more than any one entity can do alone.”
The first major initiative Orleans Community Connects is launching is a series of collaborative meetings with every town and village in Orleans County. These will be structured, working conversations, not ceremonial gatherings, Bellack said.
“When we understand the full landscape, we can begin to coordinate instead of compete,” Bellack said. “We can align projects, strengthen applications and bring more funding into Orleans County.”
At the same time, Orleans Community Connects is preparing to take a major step forward by establishing their own internal capacity very soon. This will include professional grant writing support for towns, villages and nonprofits; coordination of multi-partner projects; administrative support for complex state and federal applications; and the ability to move ideas into action with consistency and follow-through.
“As we grow, it is important to be clear about our commitments,” Bellack said. “OCC will continue charitable giving to the most deserving nonprofits in Orleans County, funded through special events, just as we have always done. We will not send one penny outside the county. Every dollar stays here.”
Above all, Bellack said to accomplish their growth in Orleans County they need leaders at the table.
“To accomplish our goals, we need two to four additional board members who share our mission and who understand the value of coordinated, countywide impact,” Bellack said. “We especially need one or two individuals with town or village government experience, and a treasurer with strong financial expertise and experience with grants. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of Orleans County in a meaningful, lasting way.”
‘We are not asking for charity. We are asking you to join us, because the return on this investment will be felt in every corner of Orleans County.’ – Dean Bellack
Bellack closed by explaining, like United Way, Orleans Community Connects needs community investment in order to grow.
He said he was not asking for gifts.
“A gift is charity,” Bellack said. “An investment is belief. An investment says, ‘I expect this to grow. I expect this to produce results. I expect this to benefit the people who live and work here.’ We are not asking for charity. We are asking you to join us, because the return on this investment will be felt in every corner of Orleans County.
“That is the future we are building. A future rooted in connection and driven by collaboration, where every community has the tools, the support and the resources to succeed. We thank you for believing in this work. Thank you for your leadership. And thank you for being part of what comes next.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 March 2026 at 8:24 am
ALBION – The non-emergency administrative phone lines for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office are currently down. The phone lines, such as (585) 589-5527, aren’t working and the Verizon doesn’t has an estimate for restoration at this time, Sheriff Chris Bourke said.
Callers can instead use 911 for non-emergency needs until the other phone lines are back in service.
Verizon and Orleans County technicians have been working on this issue since 1:30 a.m.
“We will advise when the lines have been restored,” Bourke said. “Thank you for your cooperation.”
First of all, I’d like to thank a recent letter writer, for his many years of service in criminal justice.
Hey Bob, where did you find a recent episode of Gunsmoke. I’m not a big fan of old westerns, but I believe some of the cast, have moved on to that cattle ranch in the sky.
I’m an older guy, too. I remember the St. George Floyd riots. How many of those protesters were thrown in solitary? How about the BLM riots, many of their leaders got rich, not jail time? I could name many more, like Antifa who get paid to riot..
We have a constitutional right to protest. That does not mean burning down buildings, throwing rocks or frozen water bottles at police. I can remember a reporter, standing in front of burning building, saying it was mostly peaceful.
Rioting is wrong no matter who does it. Democrats only remember the one time people on the right did it.
I read you folks are planning a No Kings protest. Please don’t destroy police cars, or block traffic. You cost taxpayers a lot of money.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as Americans across the country protest the Trump administration’s corruption and chaos as part of the third No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced that she will be introducing new legislation to bar the use of a sitting U.S. president’s name, image, likeness, or signature to decorate or designate federal property, assets, or currency.
“In America, we do not bow to kings,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Our president should be focused on bringing down grocery prices, making health care affordable, and ensuring every family can get ahead, not using their position to boost their own personal brand. It is time that we institute this ban and make sure that our government serves the people, not one person’s ego.”
This bill, which Senator Gillibrand plans to introduce in the next Senate working period, would include prohibitions on actions such as hanging banners with a sitting president’s face on the side of federal buildings; naming a class of warships after a sitting president; tacking the sitting president’s name onto the name of an existing federal building; depicting a sitting president on a federally issued commemorative coin; or placing a sitting president’s signature on U.S. paper currency.
