Section VI Class C field hockey playoff competition will get underway on Wednesday with a quarterfinal round doubleheader at Vets Park.
No. 4 Roy-Hart will face No. 5 Eden in the 5 p.m. opener. No. 3 Medina will then take on No. 6 Wilson at 7 p.m.
Wednnesday’s other quarterfinal will have No. 7 Newfane at No. 2 Barker at 7 p.m. as top seeded N-O champion Akron draws the bye.
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – No. 5 seeded Allegany-Limestone downed No. 4 Roy-Hart 3-0 at Gasport this afternoon in a Section VI Class B quarterfinal round girls soccer playoff contest. Here Roy-Hart’s Ruth Walker sends the ball up field as Kendall Lemon defends for Allegany-Limestone. In a Class C quarterfinal matchup of Niagara-Orleans League teams top seeded Wilson downed No. 8 Barker/Lyndonville 2-0.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Mike Snyder, left, vice president of Sacred Heart Club, stands with president John “JT” Thomas next to the new plaque on the wall, where the names of members with 50 or more years of membership will be added. (Right) John Thomas looks at a list of the founding members of Sacred Heart Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024.
MEDINA – John “JT” Thomas, president of Sacred Heart Club, has unveiled a new way the club has started to honor long-standing members.
In the future, members who reach 50 years of membership will have their name on a plaque on the wall. The names have already been added of 45 members who reached that milestone. Topping the list is the late Stanley Stack, who was a member for more than 60 years.
“I wanted to acknowledge and recognize those members who do good things,” Thomas said. “It’s about thanking those guys. We couldn’t do it without you.”
The plaque has already been hung on the wall and 45 names are on it, and others will be added as they reach the 50-year membership level.
“We’ve never had anything like this here,” Thomas said.
Thomas shared the history of Sacred Heart Club, the church and school.
Polish settlers started arriving in Medina in the late 1870s. There was no Polish parish, so most of them attended St. Mary’s with a few going to the Polish parish in Albion. As Medina’s Polish community grew, Henry Piatek began to lay the groundwork for a parish. A delegation approached the Albion priest and on June 20,1909, he held the first Polish Mass in the home of Vincenty Wysocki on Commercial Street.
John “JT” Thomas, president of Sacred Heart Club, left, talks to a handful of members about a new feature to honor longtime members. There is a plaque on the wall on which is placed the names of those with 50 years or more of membership. At right front is Jack Davis, 89, a member with 47 years at Sacred Heart.
Parish members began building a church on Ann Street in 1909 and it was completed Feb. 1, 1910. Founding members were Franciszek Waclowski, Andrew Kujawa, Wojciech Dorski, Leon Fracszak, Stanislaw Levandowski, Thomas Gottovi, Michael Balcerzak and Josef Maryjanowski.
As the church was being built, a group of 24 leading Polish men from the Sacred Heart purchased a plot of land on North Gravel Road to be used as a parish cemetery. The first interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery was Sept. 4, 1910.
Sacred Heart members next purchased a clubhouse on North Gravel Road, and it became the Sacred Heart Club. It was officially incorporated as the Sacred Heart Society on May 24, 1924
In 1925, the Sisters of St. Joseph were petitioned to come to Medina and establish a school. A school was built and on Jan 2, 1926, it officially opened, admitting 61 students. Hundreds of students were educated there until its closing in 1969.
The church suffered a tragic fire in 1981, when an arsonist set it ablaze. The interior was badly damaged and took two years to remodel.
“The church may have survived the fire, but it couldn’t hold up to the economic decline of the region,” Thomas said. “In 2008 the Sacred Heart of Jesus joined with St. Mary’s in Medina and St. Stephen’s in Middleport to create the Holy Trinity Parish, resulting in the closing of Sacred Heart Church.”
The mission previous members passed down to Sacred Heart Club is dedication to support local worthwhile charities financially and otherwise, including youth, seniors and a veterans’ group. They continue to support St. Peter’s Food Pantry, the yearly Veterans’ trip to Washington, D.C., Wreaths Across America and other multiple veterans’ causes, the Orleans County 4-H Fair, YMCA, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, police and fire departments and a $500 yearly scholarship at Medina High School.
In closing, Thomas said they honor, not only members who have passed, but they honor and thank members who have served Sacred Heart Society for 50 consecutive years or more.
“Without the pillars you created, this Society would not be in existence,” Thomas said of the long-term members. “Your legacy of service inspires us all, and we are eager to continue building on the foundation you have helped create for the future of this Society. Thank you for being a vital part of our past, present and future. We are incredibly proud to celebrate your service and accomplishments and to share our deepest appreciation for all you’ve done for the Society.”
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker/Roy-Hart’s Vinnie Fazzio hauls in a touchdown pass from quarterback Tysen McCaa during the Bulls key C North Division victory at Maritime/Tapestry this afternoon.
Barker/Roy-Hart capped off a perfect 6-0 C North Division championship campaign by scoring a 50-34 victory at Maritime/Tapestry this afternoon.
“It was a great turnaround this season by the kids,” said Barker/Roy-Hart Coach Bill Bruning. “They worked extra hard in the off season. They really worked hard to get to this point. They are all great kids and they really play for each other.”
Quarterback Tysen McCaa led the Barker/Roy-Hart attack by completing three touchdown passes two to Vinnie Fazzio and one to Ashton Ark. Joey Reiter added two touchdown runs for the Bulls as Fazzio and Carter DerSarkissian each had one.
Barker/Roy-Hart jumped out to a 19-0 lead at the outset as Reiter had a 25 yard TD run, McCaa a 34 yard scoring pass to Fazzio and DerSarkissian a 10 yard TD carry.
A fumble recovery by Fazzio on the ensuing kickoff after the Bulls second TD set up the third score, a drive highlighted by a big 40 yard run by Reiter.
However, Maritime battled back to cut the deficit to 19-12 at the half on a pair of touchdowns by quarterback Jaylin Coleman.
The Seahawks then grabbed the lead twice in a sea-saw third quarter first at 20-19 and then at 28-27 again both on touchdowns by Coleman.
However, Barker-Roy-Hart answered right back both times with touchdowns to regain the lead.
First, the Bulls went back on top 27-20 after a 25 yard McCaa to Fazzio TD pass and a two-point conversion carry by McCaa.
Then the Bulls regained the lead for good at 35-28 on a 25 yard TD run and a two-point conversion carry both by Reiter in the final two minutes of the wild quarter.
“That was huge,” said Bruning of the Bulls rebound after falling behind. “The kids really responded.”
Barker/Roy-Hart then broke the game open with a pair of fourth quarter touchdown drives to extend the lead to 50-28.
First, Fazzio broke loose up the middle for a 56 yard touchdown run and McCaa added the extra point kick to make it 42-28.
McCaa then capped off the Bulls scoring parade with a 5 yard TD pass to Ark as Fazzio tacked on the two-point conversion run skyrocketing the led to 50-28. Another fumble recovery by Fazzio set up that scoring opportunity.
Improving to 7-1 overall, Barker/Roy-Hart, which is the C North Division’s No. 1 seed, will next host Salamanca next Friday evening in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C tournament. Salamanca is the C South Division’s No. 4 seed.
Final C North Standings: Barker/Roy-Hart 6-0, 7-1; Eden 5-1, 7-1; Akron 5-1, 5-2; Medina 4-2, 6-2; JFK 2-4, 3-5; Alden 1-5, 2-6; Cleve Hill 1-5, 1-7; Tonawanda 0-6, 0-7.
Bulls win gets Medina in sectionals
The Barker/Roy-Hart victory has also earned Medina the C North Division’s No. 4 seed for the sectionals. The Mustangs will open at Southwestern the C South No. 1 seed.
Barker/Roy-Hart’s Joey Reiter breaks loose up the middle for a good gain. Pursing for Maritime is Davion Blackwell and Logan Flint for the Bulls.
Barker/Roy-Hart’s Anthony Adinolfe and RJ Townsend team up to tackle Maritime’s Jayvon Funderbunk.
Provided photo
ALBION – The Albion Lions Club recognized two of its members, June Persia and Ben Lennox, with an award named in honor of the late John Keding, a very dedicated member.
The “Pride of the Pride” award was presented to Persia and Lennox for their outstanding service to the club, and active participation at many of the clubs fundraisers and community service projects.
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION/MEDINA – The downtown business districts in Albion and Medina held their annual Beggar’s Nite celebrations on Friday evening and passed out candy to hundreds of kids in costume. They were able to fill their bags and baskets with treats – a week before Halloween.
The top photo shows a kid dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob is on the hunt for candy along Main Street in front of KeyBank.
Provided photo: Rylie, Sydney and Shelby Ierlan are shown with their mother, Mykailah Roberts, in Albion. They had a Cat in the Hat theme.
Anita Finley, lower right, was among the merchants passing out candy in downtown Albion.
A friendly Freddy Krueger from A Nightmare on Elm Street made an appearance in Albion.
The Downtown Browsery welcomed kids into the building where there were several stops for candy and prizes.
This group did a witches’ dance on Main Street in Albion.
The Print Shop upped its efforts during Beggar’s Night in medina, creating this banner as a photo back drop. A long line waited outside at the Print Shop’s parking lot.
These kids in the photo include a brother and sister. Alyvia Chmylak, 6, of Holley is the Corpse Bride and her brother Kayden, age 9, is a Horror Rabbit.
Jana Howard, back left, and Tina Oosterling, co-owner of A Kut Above, gave out lots of candy. They look forward to Beggar’s Nite every year.
“We live to see the kids,” Howard said. “We see a lot of people we know. The kids are growing up fast.”
Randy Heslor, production supervisor for The Print Shop, dressed as the IT character and served as a crossing guard during the busy event.
Riki Lake, dressed as pumpkin, passed out candy next to her son, Lakato who was a character from Squid Games. They are outside the new office for CHPC.
Micheal Fuller, co-owner of The Print Shop, hands out boxes of candy and stickers. Print Shop went through 800 in the first hour and had 1,000 ready to give away. Nicole Keith is the butterfly and her daughter Aurora is Miraculous Ladybug.
Marci Fullwell, a vendor at the Downtown Browsery, disperses candy while in a character in the window portrays Jason from the Friday the 13th movies.
The Fringe not only passed out candy but they dressed out as characters from Hocus Pocus.
In front, Khloe Mank, 9, is Emily Binx. In back from left are Leah Printup as Thackery Binx (the iconic cat), Jennifer Printup as Winifred Sanderson, Amanda Mank as Mary Sanderson, and Vanessa Lhommedieu as Sarah Sanderson.
Lhommedieu is owner of The Fringe. Last year the group dressed up as characters from Beetlejuice.
“I love the magic of Halloween for kids,” she said. “It’s fun when your co-workers join in the shenanigans with you.”
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – This scary character is at the beginning of the Haunted Hallway at The Villages of Orleans, a nursing home on Route 31 in Albion.
For the second year, the activities staff at The Villages has created a “Haunted Hallway” where the community can get a scare, and at the end receive candy and treats from residents of The Villages.
Orly the Ox, the county’s bicentennial mascot, ventured through the creepy hallway. Orly dressed as a nurse. He wanted to support the effort, and meet some of the residents who were passing out candy at the end of the hallway.
The dimly lit indoor hallway has several scary spots. Some Albion students are volunteering during the event which continues today from 6 to 8 p.m. (Watch out for the Silly String from these students.)
The activities department dressed up as characters for the event. From left includes Rhiannon Farrell, Meghan Clark, Orly the Ox and Nancy Donahue.
There is no charge to go through the Haunted Hallway but donations are accepted for the activities department.
Some of the residents passing out candy said they hope to see more kids today going through the hallway.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Kolton Fletcher dives in for the winning touchdown in the final two minutes of tonight’s game against Batavia at Vets Park.
A touchdown in the final two minutes earned Medina a narrow 27-26 win over Batavia in a penalty filled regular season ending non league football game at Vets Park this evening.
Trailing 26-21, Medina rallied for the win as Kolton Fletcher scored on a 4 yard touchdown run with 2:01 remaining. Fletcher also caught a 24 yard pass from quarterback Preston Woodworth to highlight the drive.
The Mustangs defensive unit then preserved the win when Avion Johnson recovered a Batavia fumble at the Blue Devils 39 yard line.
Batavia took the lead for the last time at 26-21 on a two yard touchdown run by quarterback William Stevens with 9:17 remaining.
Medina had taken a 21-20 lead late in the third quarter on a 10 yard TD pass from Woodworth to Hadrian Batista.
The Blue Devils grabbed a 20-15 lead at the half on a 22 yard TD run by Devre Sanders and a two-point conversion carry by Maggio Bucholz with just 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter..
Medina’s first half scoring came on touchdown runs of 5 and 4 yards by Christian Moss, a two-point conversion pass from Woodworth to Jayzon Wills and an extra point kick by Davi Mucoucah. A fumble recovery by Fletcher set up the opportunity for the second TD.
Medina finishes the regular season at 6-2 and Batavia at 4-4.
It marked the first time Medina and Batavia have met on the football field since 1967.
Other Scores
Maryvale 49, Albion 6 (Kaiden Froman scored the Albion touchdown)
Canisteo-Greenwood 46, Holley 0
Medina’s Kendrick Russaw tries to get around Batavia defender William Stevens.
Holley and Kendall both scored victories this evening in the Section V girls soccer tournament quarterfinals.
No. 5 seeded Holley edged Ho. 4 Red Creek 2-1 at Red Creek in a Class C1 game.
Carsyn Mogle and Lily Newman each scored a goal for Holley as Brynn Thomas and Ava Mosier earned the assists.
Zoey Warner made 4 saves in goal for the Lady Hawks which next face top seeded Geneseo in the semifinal on Tuesday.
Top seeded Kendall blanked No. 8 Warsaw 5-0 in a Class C2 quarterfinal at Kendall.
Sophia Picardo scored 3 goals and Jersie Drake 2 for the Lady Eagles. Picardo and Aleah Barrett both had assists.
Kendall next faces No. 4 Keshequa in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Maddox Smith goes up for a header during the Tigers sectional win over Houghton this evening at Albion.
No. 2 seeded Lyndonville downed No. 7 Houghton 3-1 in a Section V Class D2 boys soccer tournament quarterfinal round game this evening at Albion.
Amir Zimmerman scored for Lyndonville in the first half off an assist from Colton Smith.
The Tigers then locked up the win on second half goals by Maddox Smith off an assist from Barrett Alexander and by Austin Fonda from Colton Smith.
Lyndonville next faces No. 3 Andover-Whitesville in the semifinals on Tuesday.
Lyndonville’s Amir Zimmerman advances the ball between a pair of Houghton defenders.
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Vinny Gray, who scored the Mustangs lone goal, goes over Fredonia goalie Luka Paoletta trying to score another goal. The action took place during the Mustangs sectional win at Vets Park this afternoon.
A lone early goal proved to be just enough as No. 4 seeded Medina nipped No. 5 Fredonia 1-0 in a Section VI Class B boys soccer tournament quarterfinal game at Vets Park this afternoon.
Vinny Gray scored the Mustangs goal just four minutes into the first half off an assist from Izzy Anderson as a corner kick by Aleks Seefeldt started the play.
Cam Fike made several big saves in goal over the final 25 minutes to preserve the Mustangs narrow lead.
Luke Duffina, Ryan Pegelow, Owen Sargent, Jimmy Dieter and Bryson Ford anchored the Medina defense.
Medina next faces top seeded Lafayette in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Monday at All High Stadium in Buffalo. Lafayette downed No. 8 Tonawanda 3-0.
Class C
Wilson 4, North Collins 0
Top seeded Wilson blanked No. 8 North Collins 4-0 as Cole Hermann scored three goals.
Medina goalie Cam Fike goes high to knock the ball away on a Fredonia corner kick opportunity.
Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce held its 27th annual awards dinner on Thursday evening at the White Birch Golf Club and presented nine different awards.
The winners include:
Pictured, first row, from left: Dan DeCarlo, Jeff Brandt and Heather Smith of Velocitii, Jami Allport of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, Morgan Woodworth of RLW Cattle, Laura Bentley of Bentley Brothers, Rita Zambito, and Susan Hurd Machamer of Hurd Orchards.
Back Row: Richie Sarrero and Andrew Meier of Newell Lounge/Shirt Factory, Brian O’Neill of Velocitii, Lane and Nathan Woodworth (on behalf of their parents Rachel and Patrick Woodworth) of RLW Cattle, Jacob Ivison of Homestead Pest Control, and Amy Machamer and Amelia Sidonio of Hurd Orchards.
Orleans Hub expects to have more photos and comments from the winners posted on Saturday.
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Iris Rosario Reyes and Gerardo Lareto Diaz work in their farm’s booth at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market.
MEDINA – Realizing their life’s dream didn’t happen overnight for Pablo and Beatrice Rosario of West Lee Road.
The couple immigrated to the United States from Mexico more than 30 years ago, settling in Florida and working farms there. They picked oranges and tomatoes there, then one year decided to come north in the fall to pick apples.
They had always dreamed of having a farm of their own and decided to stay in Orleans County, said daughter Iris Rosario Reyes. In 2016 the opportunity arose to purchase their own farm on West Lee Road, Albion.
“We did so many renovations,” Reyes said. “We bought tractors and built greenhouses.”
Rosario Farms now specializes in berries, with 85 acres of apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, pears, plums and nectarines.
“Every little crack of land, we plant something,” Reyes said.
They also rent a farm on Route 104.
“The best part of farming is being alone with nature,” Reyes said. “We mow the orchards and they look so cool.”
This is the family’s first year as a vendor at the Canal Village Farmers’ Market. In addition to that, they have a stand at each of their farm’s locations. They welcome the opportunity to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the community.
Located at the corner of West Center Street and West Avenue, the market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The farmers’ market will shift to its winter site at 345 Main St. beginning on Nov. 1, using the part of the building closer to the canal rather than the side facing Main Street.
Press Release, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Friendly Markets announced today that the company will once again offer military personnel and their immediate families an 11 percent discount off their grocery bill this Veterans Day.
This marks the 12th year Tops has been extending this discount to military personnel and their families. To date this program has afforded our veterans over $1million dollars in discounts.
On Tuesday, November 11, Tops Markets will honor an 11 percent discount off a total order to all veterans and immediate family members in the same household, who shop at any Tops location. Tops has stores in Orleans County at Albion and Medina.
Customers should present proof of service that they, or an immediate family member are a U.S. veteran, active duty, reserve or retired military personnel to automatically receive an 11 percent discount off their total purchase that day.
“The respect and gratitude we feel for those who serve or have served in the military is beyond measure, and for that, we are eternally thankful,” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Friendly Markets. “Since the campaign’s inception in 2014, we’re proud to have helped save our veterans over $1 million dollars. This annual savings is just one of the many ways we strive to give back to our local military community by honoring the associates and customers who have bravely defended our nation and made countless sacrifices through their service.”
Additionally, select Tops locations will be selling 4×6 US flags with a portion of its proceeds being donated back to Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight. Flags will be on sale through Nov. 15.
Press Release, Orleans and Niagara counties
Orleans County Department of Social Services Commissioner Holli Nenni and Niagara County DSS Commissioner Meghan Lutz today issued a joint statement to residents regarding the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) for the 2025 -2026 season.
“Please be advised that due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, the start of applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) has been delayed indefinitely. We know how important HEAP is to helping many families keep their homes warm in the winter and our staff will be ready to move forward with applications as soon as the process starts. We will be releasing more information about the HEAP process as we receive it.
“The shutdown is not yet affecting other programs overseen by our offices and the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Applications for Public Assistance and SNAP are continuing to be accepted, benefits are being provided, and use of benefit cards continues at this time. We have been told, however, that these programs could be impacted as well if the shutdown continues into November.”
To learn more about HEAP and to keep up with any updates, visit https://otda.ny.gov/programs/apply/#heap. Information on the federal shutdown can be found at the top of that page.
