Walk on Sunday will pay tribute to Lyndonville swan that died in June

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2026 at 11:07 am

This photo from April 2024 from Whitney McDowell of Lyndonville shows two swans and their newly-hatched babies behind the Yates Community Library in Lyndonville. The father swan recently died of natural causes.

LYNDONVILLE – There will be a walk on Sunday at 2 p.m. for people to show their respect and appreciation for the male swan at Lyndonville that died in June.

That swan was an iconic part of Lyndonville for many years. It passed away not long after four baby swans hatched. The mother swan has helped those new swans grow. Their wings are starting to turn white and they seem ready to try flying, said Chris Schilling, who has organized the walk on Sunday.

Schilling has been a Lyndonville resident for the summers since 2008. She feels blessed that the swans are part of the community, and she is sad that the father swan has died.

“I’ve loved the swans ever since I’ve lived here,” she said this morning. “I really believe these swans are beautiful.”

On Sunday, the walk will start at 2 p.m. from the parking lot of the United Methodist Church. People will then walk to the dam and behind the library where the swans can often be seen.

Martillotta has a strong start to his senior soccer season at Russell Sage

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 September 2026 at 10:30 am

Contributed Photo – Peter Martillotta

Goals in three straight games has highlighted the early season of Roy-Hart graduate Peter Martillotta’s senior year as a member of the Russell Sage College men’s soccer team.

A four year player for Russell Sage, Martillotta scored the lone goal in the Gators 1-1 tie games with both Whittier and Elmira.

In between those two games he had a goal in Russell’s Sage’s 3-0 victory over Elmira.

Martillotta then made it four straight scoring games as he had the assist on the Gator’s lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Houghton.

A Physical Education major, Martillotta now has a total of 13 career goals. That includes a school record 3 goal game in the Gators 4-0 win over Houghton last year.

The Gators are now 2-1-4 on the season.

Building Blocks event at Medina library shows creativity with LEGOs

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 September 2026 at 8:29 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Children of all ages sit at a play table filled with building blocks during the second annual Building Blocks Event sponsored by Medina Tourism Committee.

MEDINA – The second annual Building Blocks event sponsored by Medina Tourism Committee attracted a crowd of adults and children, some who came to look, others who came to enter their creations and those who came to build or play while they were there.

The event, with a United States’ 250th anniversary theme, was moved to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library when the Sacred Heart Club was booked by another group.

D.J. Tucker, 10, describes his pirate ship he made out of building blocks. It took him three days to build, he said.

“The library turned out to be perfect place for our event,” said Kathy Blackburn, who co-chaired the event with Barb Gorham. “It was a great success.”

Blackburn shared they even had an entry from Philadelphia. The family was visiting the area for another family get-together, when they learned of the Building Blocks event and brought their child to the library.

Kathy Blackburn, co-chair with Barb Gorham of the Building Blocks event Saturday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, helps some young builders with their creation.

One feature attraction was a giant display by the Rochester Lego Users Club. Building blocks are not just for kids, according to ROCLUG members Scott Lawrece, Jeremy Tolski and Jerry Santelli. The men have been members for 7 to 15 years and say their club regularly has 50 to 75 members in attendance at their monthly meetings at Gates Town Hall.

“Building Blocks of all sizes were a hit with all the kids,” Blackburn said. “Especially the giant blocks the children were using to build, with one child inside.”

Winners were chosen in several categories. In K-2, Ryder Russell was first with Jack Mufford and Rowan White tying for second.

In grades 3-7, Byron Hill was first, Hollis Green and Ian Mufford tied for second, and D.J. Tucker and Maggie McManus tied for third.

Three members of the Rochester Lego Users Group stand by their display at the Building Blocks event Saturday. From left are Scott Lawrence, Jeremy Tolski and Jerry Santelli. The club meets monthly at Gates Town Hall, where 50 to 75 members attend regularly.

In the adult category, Aaron Gould was first and Samantha Gould was second.

An added feature this year was a hot dog stand by Boy Scout Troop 28. The Troop is led by Scoutmaster Todd Draper and Assistant Scoutmaster Aaron Thomas.

“This is a little fundraiser for us,” Thomas said.

Michael Hooker volunteered to wear a hot dog costume at the food stand run by Scout Troop 28 during the Building Blocks event Saturday at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library. Seated at right is assistant Scoutmaster Aaron Thomas.

This elaborate display by the Rochester Lego Users Club features an operating passenger train.

Dr. Julie Woodworth receives Distinguished Alumni Award from Community College Trustees

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 September 2026 at 8:07 am

Provided photos: Julie Woodworth, center, is shown with Gail Tylec, SUNY Niagara trustee, and Lloyd Holmes, president of SUNY Niagara, after she was presented with the New York Community College Trustees’ Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Contribution Sept. 18 at the Saratoga Casino Hotel Ballroom.

A Lyndonville resident, Orleans County coroner and employee of Medina Memorial Hospital has been recognized with the prestigious New York Community College Trustees’ Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Contribution.

Honoree Dr. Julie Woodworth, a former nursing professor at SUNY Niagara, explained the award is presented to someone who has reached the pinnacle of one’s professional career or has achieved great success in one’s field of study.

Her write-up in the awards program stated “Her career is a testament to the life-changing impact of community college education. A SUNY Niagara Alumna, Woodworth began her academic journey by earning an associate’s degree in nursing before advancing through bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate studies to become a nationally recognized nurse educator and leader.

“Throughout more than two decades of teaching, mentorship and service, Woodworth has helped countless students achieve their educational and professional goals, while strengthening the nursing workforce and improving healthcare in the community. Her dedication to student success, lifelong learning and community engagement reflects the very best of the community college mission – creating opportunities, transforming lives and serving the public good.”

Woodworth’s nomination by Niagara Board trustee Gail Tylec was supported by the entire board. Letters of recommendation were received from the ACEN senior director, who spoke of Woodworth’s expertise provided when she was an accreditor for other nursing programs.

Another was from Professor Bridget Beilein, who talks about a recent trip to France, where Woodworth did CPR on a stranger.

Yet another was from Professor Laura Scaletta, who spoke of Woodworth’s diverse talents and contributions to her community.

“I am honored to get this prestigious award,” Woodworth said. “I have spent my career as an expert nurse, teaching the next generation of nurses, and now as the county coroner.”

She also continues to work part-time at Medina Memorial Hospital and teach at Daemen University.

In 2017, Woodworth became the first and only SUNY Niagara faculty to earn a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Award.

Community rallies for Albion man battling incurable blood cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 20 September 2026 at 8:03 pm

Brett Boring says he is responding well to chemo for multiple myeloma

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Brett Boring greets his sister, the Rev. Susan Boring, during a benefit today in his honor at the Albion Elks Lodge.

Brett, 54, was diagnosed on May 10 with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer. He said he has been responding well to chemo and is hopeful to have a stem cell transplant.

Christine Robinson looks over some of the baskets up for raffle. There were about 100 items in the basket auction, as well as a 50/50 raffle.

Elks members Mike Jenks, right, and John Spinks, left, were among the volunteers serving up 300 pulled pork dinners at the Elks Lodge. Boring has been a long-time member of the Elks and a current trustee.

“Brett is the kind of person who will do anything and everything to help someone out,” Jenks said.

Brett Boring was happy to see many friends, co-workers and family members, including his former father-in-law, Bill Staub.

Boring works as an electrician at the Albion Correctional Facility. He said he appreciated so many people coming out and contributing to the benefit today. He said he has helped with many of the benefit events over the years that have been hosted by the Elks.

“I’ve done hundreds of these for people,” Boring said. “You don’t realize what it does for people until you are the one that receives the benefit.”

Proceeds from the benefit will help Boring with his medical expenses and long-term treatments.

Chris Wilson sang for about three hours during the benefit today.

Ted Narburgh checks out some of the baskets and gift cards at the auction.

Train derailed in Holley 100 years ago, killing 1 while others narrowly escaped

Posted 20 September 2026 at 5:46 pm

Photographs courtesy of the Holley Depot Museum – Scene of the Holley train crash, Sept. 24, 1926.

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 26

HOLLEY – On a Friday afternoon, September 24, 1926, a fast moving east-bound freight train crashed head-on into a switch-engine on the Falls branch of the New York Central Railroad a short distance east of Holley.

The train was coming from a stone quarry, some two miles east. The local switch engine traveled daily from Rochester to deliver freight to the local office.

The engineers of both trains took evasive action to avoid the crash, but it was too late.

F.J. Maloney, of Suspension Bridge, a fireman on the freight train was scalded to death in the impact. The engineers of both trains jumped to safety.

As the engine crashed, the train buckled and several cars derailed. One car crashed into the baggage room of the station and tore a corner off the building. Another car struck the freight house with such force that the entire building was moved from its foundation. Freight agents had a narrow escape.

Spectators quickly flocked to the scene of the Holley train crash.

Following an inquest immediately following the accident, Coroner Ogden of Holley concluded that “misinterpreted signals” caused the accident. Both the train and the switch engine were traveling on main westbound track. The engineer of the fast freight train testified that the automatic signal had shown a green light and that he did not see any flagman from the switch engine, while others testified that they had seen the flagman unfurl his flag.

The October 14, 1926 issue of the Holley-Standard followed up with a report stating that the evidence indicated that the switch engine must have entered the block after the fast train had passed the automatic signal and that there was no criminal neglect on behalf of the railroad employees

A later inquest conducted by the Interstate Commerce Commission concluded that the brakeman on the express train failed to protect his train properly.

The most severe railroad accident in Orleans County occurred on July 27, 1883. Seventeen people were killed in the Carlyon/Ashwood accident when a passenger train collided with a loose freight car that had drifted onto the track.

High School Football Weekend Recap

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 September 2026 at 12:27 pm

B1 Division
Game Results
Albion/Medina 38, Williamsville South 34
West Seneca East 41, Lake Shore 13
McKinley 72, Lew-Port 7
Maryvale 16, Amherst 6

Standings (Division, Overall)
West Seneca East     3-0, 3-0
Albion/Medina           2-0, 3-0
McKinley                    2-0, 3-0
Williamsville South    2-1, 2-1
Maryvale                    1-1, 2-1
Lew-Port                    0-2, 0-3
Amherst                     0-3, 0-3
Lake Shore                0-3, 0-3

This Week’s Schedule
Friday
Albion/Medina at Lew-Port, 7 p.m.
Williamsville South at Amherst, 7 p.m.
West Seneca East at McKinley, 7 p.m.
Maryvale at Lake Shore, 7 p.m.

C North Division
Game Results
Barker/Roy-Hart 48, Eden/North Collins 29
Cleveland Hill 26, Alden 20
Springville 44, Akron 8
JFK 38, Tonawanda 6

Standings (Division, Overall)
Springville             2-0, 3-0
Barker/Roy-Hart    2-0, 2-1
Cleveland Hill        2-0, 2-1
Alden                    1-1, 1-2
JFK                       1-1, 1-2
Eden/NC               1-2, 1-2
Akron                    0-2, 0-3
Tonawanda           0-3, 0-3

This Week’s Schedule
Friday
Springville at Barker/Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Akron at Tonawanda, 7 p.m.
Alden at JFK, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Eden/NC at Cleveland Hill, 2 p.m.

Some Triennial installations will stay, while one is headed by barge to NYC

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 20 September 2026 at 11:49 am

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Mary Mattingly’s “Floating Garden” will be leaving Medina’s canal basin and traveling the Erie Canal to New York City, where it will become a permanent display, indicating it is “Medina’s Gift to New York City.”

MEDINA – Medina’s first-of-its-kind Triennial has ended a three-month visit, but its effects will linger far and beyond Medina for a very long time.

Exciting news is that the barge transformed by artist Mary Mattingly into a floating garden in the canal basin will be taken to New York City, where it will become a permanent exhibit.

“The barge will have a sign indicating it was made in Medina, and another which reads ‘Medina’s Gift to New York City’,” said Kari Conte, executive director and co-curator of the Medina Triennial. “Some of Medina’s dirt will forever be in New York City. How cool is that?”

Conte added it will take weeks to dismantle everything from the Triennial.

“Very little will go in the trash,” she said. “We sell or repurpose everything. After all, the Triennial’s motto was ‘All That Sustains Us’.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mary Mattingly is shown about a year ago on Sept. 17, 2025 when she was removing sludge from a barge that months later be teeming with vegetation.

The Floating Garden will stop at canal villages along the way to share Medina’s story, Conte said.

Conte has also shared news about at least two exhibits which will remain in Medina. One is “I traveled 66 million years to be with you and then you came,” Berlin-based artist Anne DukHee Jordan’s creation, which will remain in State Street Park. It is located between the pavilion and the canal.

 Photo by Tom Rivers: “I traveled 66 million years to be with you and then you came” is artist Anne DukHee Jordan’s creation, which will remain in State Street Park until the next Triennial. It features barnacles sculpted by the artist, and set atop a large rock with fossils and several slate boulders sourced from Western New York. This photo was taken during the Aug. 6 concert at State Street Park, where 900 people turned out to see the band Grosh.

This piece features Roman concrete mixed with biochar, locally sourced slate stones and fossils. It was first commissioned by UP PROJECTS in London. Like real barnacles, the sculpture’s parts filter rainwater through the natural properties of biochar, collecting it for local birds and insects to drink.

Photo by Ginny Kropf: Artist Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge created this exhibit at Medina Memorial Hospital titled “All the hours” for the first Medina Triennial. It is one of several exhibits which will remain until the next Triennial in three years.

The final news is that of artist Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge’s creation at Medina Memorial Hospital. It is titled “All the hours” and is installed on both sides of glass panels around the building near the main entrance.

More exciting news is the Triennial has made a donation to have a permanent space in Lee-Whedon Memorial Library dedicated to the Triennial. It will feature books and Triennial memorabilia. A full story will appear when the space is dedicated.

Weekly High School Sports Schedule

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 September 2026 at 10:46 am

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Boys Soccer – Medina at CSAT, 5 p.m.; Albion at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.; Lyndonville/Barker at Kendall, Holley at Attica, 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Roy-Hart/Medina at Sweet Home, Holley at Bloomfield, 5 p.m.; Akron at Newfane, 6:45 p.m.
Volleyball – Medina at Newfane, Albion at Byron-Bergen, Lew-Port at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday
Girls Soccer – Alden at Roy-Hart, 6:30 p.m.; Kendall at Alexander, 7 p.m.
Field Hockey – Medina at Wilson, Akron at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.; Newfane at Barker, 5:30 p.m.
Volleyball – Lyndonville at Attica, Kendall at Alexander, 6:30 p.m.
Cross-Country – Albion and Barker at Medina, Akron at Roy-Hart, Wilson at Newfane, Kendall at Pembroke, Holley at Livonia, 5 p.m.

Wednesday
Boys Soccer – Medina at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; Akron at Albion, 6:45 p.m.; Lyndonville/Barker at Byron-Bergen, Wheatland-Chili at Kendall, Holley at Pembroke, 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Albion at Akron, Barker/Lyndonville at Wilson, 6:45 p.m.
Volleyball – Wilson at Albion, Newfane at Akron, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday
Girls Soccer – Byron-Bergen at Kendall, Holley at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
Field Hockey – Roy-Hart at Medina, Barker at Akron, 4:30 p.m.; Newfane at Kenmore, 7 p.m.
Volleyball – Holley at Lyndonville, Byron-Bergen at Kendall, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Football – Medina at Lew-Port, Springville at Barker/Roy-Hart, Holley/Lyndonville at Geneseo/Mt. Morris, 7 pm.
Boys Soccer – Newfane at Akron, 5 p.m.; Medina at Albion, Wilson at Roy-Hart, 6:45 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Roy-Hart/Medina at Wilson, 6:45 p.m.; Rochester Prep at Kendall, 7 p.m.
Field Hockey – Barker at Starpoint, 5 p.m.
Volleyball – Albion at Medina, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
Boys Soccer – Attica at Kendall, 1 p.m.; Pembroke at Lyndonville/Barker, 5 p.m.
Girls Soccer – Alexander at Barker/Lyndonville, 1:30 p.m.; Albion at Batavia, 5 p.m.
Volleyball – Albion at Lyndonville, 12:30 p.m.; Pavilion at Kendall, 2 p.m.
Field Hockey – Akron at Newfane, 10 a.m.

N-O Standings
Boys Soccer: Wilson 4-0, Akron 2-1, Newfane 2-2, Medina 1-2, Albion 0-2, Roy-Hart 0-2.
Girls Soccer: Wilson 3-0, Akron 2-1, Albion 2-2, Barker/Lyndonville 2-2, Roy-Hart/Medina 2-2, Newfane 0-4
Field Hockey: Barker 4-0, Akron 2-0, Kenmore 2-1, Newfane 1-1, Wilson 1-3, Medina 0-2, Roy-Hart 0-3
Volleyball: Newfane 3-0, Wilson 3-0, Akron 2-1, Roy-Hart 2-2, Albion 0-3, Medina 0-4

Albion and Batavia split in youth football

Contributed Story Posted 20 September 2026 at 9:46 am

Contributed Photo – Albion’s trio of James Mahoney (8), Hudson Hodgins (2) and Myles Labarge (21) in pursuit of Khamdyn Wenner of Batavia during Saturday’s Beginners Division game.

Albion split a series of four games with Batavia at Bullard Park Saturday in Niagara Orleans Football Association (NOFA) action.

Beginners Division
Batavia 38, Albion 7
The Albion Beginners battled hard but fell to Batavia, 38-7, in youth football action.

Myles LaBarge led the Albion offense with 128 rushing yards and a touchdown. James Mahoney added 22 yards on the ground, while Tanner Beecher contributed 20 yards. Levi Purnell chipped in six yards, and Hudson Hodgins added four.

Defensively, Jaxon Nashburn led the Eagles with seven tackles, followed by Cameron Froman with three. LaBarge, Beecher, Hodgins, Blake Dawley, Grant Whitcroft and Purnell were also in on tackles for Albion.

Despite the setback, the young Eagles continued to gain valuable experience as they prepare for the final stretch of the regular season.

Mini Division
Batavia 21 Albion 0
Hudson Palmer led the Albion offense with 55 rushing yards, while Patrick Westlund added 16 yards and Tre Ellis contributed four.

Defensively, Xavier Weis, Palmer and Lexington Pridgen led the Eagles with eight tackles apiece. Jaxon Sloper and Westlund each recorded six tackles, while Xavier Richardson, Gunner Jackson, Landon Stalker and Ellis added three each. Carter Hall chipped in two tackles.

Jai’heem Drisdom, Arlen Beecher, Drake Neri, Wyatt Snyder and Maximiliano Rivera were also in on tackles for the Eagles.

Albion will look to bounce back next week as the Mini Eagles travel to LeRoy for their next matchup.

JV Division
Albion 28, Batavia 13
The Albion JV Eagles picked up an impressive 28-13 victory over Batavia.

With Albion trailing late in the first half, Cayden Farrell connected with Elijah Warren on a 60-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 15-13 lead heading into halftime. Albion never looked back, shutting out Batavia in the second half to secure the victory.

Jayce Torres led the Albion rushing attack with an outstanding 222 yards and two touchdowns. Farrell added 11 yards on the ground, while Kairo Bennett contributed 10 and Jai’Kaih Drisdom chipped in four. Warren had a big day receiving, hauling in two touchdown receptions and finishing with 80 receiving yards on passes from Farrell and Greyson Roberts.

Defensively, Arkell Lewis and Bennett led the Eagles with 11 tackles apiece. Kyle Schomske and Kaydence Russaw each recorded 10 tackles, while Farrell, Harrison Froman and Conor Murphy added five each. David Parcell and Parker Gardner chipped in three tackles apiece.
Mason Cornick, Chase Armer, Zion Richardson, Jaidyn Harper, Kaynon Reamer and Christopher Swan were also in on tackles for Albion.

Varsity Division
Albion 51, Batavia 6
The Albion Varsity Eagles continued their impressive season Saturday at Bullard Park, rolling to a convincing 51-6 victory over Batavia.

Damareon Shine led the Albion offense with 95 rushing yards and three touchdowns. AJ Lewis added 80 yards on the ground and a touchdown while also hauling in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jace DiMatteo. Camden Holt contributed 58 rushing yards and a score, while DiMatteo added a five-yard touchdown run of his own.

Defensively, Conner Hinkley led the Eagles with 10 tackles, followed by Lewis and Holt with eight apiece. Ryan Gardner recorded seven tackles, while Brady Graham added five. Harrison Galloway and Jace Wright each finished with four tackles, while Shine, Roman Allport and Kayden Donnelly contributed three each.

Owen Beecher and Hudson Armer were also in on tackles for Albion. Lewis and Allport each came away with an interception as the Eagles held Batavia to just six points.

The Varsity Eagles will now have two consecutive bye weeks before returning to action on October 10th at Batavia for their final regular-season game.

Lyndonville youth football teams win two of three games at Akron

Contributed Story Posted 20 September 2026 at 9:22 am

The Lyndonville youth football teams went 2-1 as they visited Akron on Saturday.

At the Beginner division the Cubs won 26-0. The offense was fueled by TD runs of 50 and 65 yards by Sawyer Joy while Teddy Tardibone added a 16 yard touchdown and Luke Joy tacked on an 18 yard TD as well. Sawyer Joy and Tardibone both added PATs as well. Carson Dix had a few long runs on the day as well. The defense was led by Jameson Hetzel, Harrison Joy, Easton Zeliff, Noah Allen, Brodie Suhr, and Hank Petry.

At the Mini level the Sabres lost a tough fought game 19-0. The game was a defensive battle for most of the contest. The defense was led by Nicaly Rhim, Bowin Erdle, Zendaya Bishop, Brantley Wik, and Jason Wetherbee who had great games on the edge for the defense.

The Majors level saw the Bengals win 30-14. Zach Allen sparked the offense on 3 long touchdown runs of over 60 yards each while Jameson Schoales scored on a 45 yard TD run of his own. Scottie Nesbitt, Luke Aryhart, Raymond Faro-Dix and Kanyon Stephens led to defensive front who pressured the Akron passing game all night. Stephens had two big stops on 4th and short to help seal the win.

The records for each so far: Cubs 4-0, Sabres 1-3, Bengals 2-1 (makeup to be determined).

Holley wins, Kendall ties in G-R boys soccer

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 September 2026 at 9:15 pm

Holley edged visiting Lyndonville/Barker 1-0 and Kendall battled to a 2-2 tie with Byron-Bergen in Genesee Region League boys soccer games today.

Chase Kempa scored the lone goal for Holley which improves to 4-0 in the league and 5-0 overall.

Brendan Eichas scored both goals for Kendall as Sammy Conte and Ray Szymanski earned the assists.

Kendall is now 3-1-1.

Medina hosts 3-day international conference on preservation trades

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 September 2026 at 8:23 pm

160 people attended workshops on repairing windows, roofs, plaster and other parts of older buildings

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Sadie Rose leads a workshop today on “The Art of Stencil.” It was among several workshops today in the former Medina High School.

There were 160 people in Medina for the three-day International Preservation Trades Workshop, with sessions from Thursday through today.

Rose works in the Detroit area as a preservation craftsperson specializing in decorative painting, mural conservation and wood restoration.

The Preservation Trades Network picked Medina for the conference partly because it’s the base for Talis Historic Restoration, which employs 20 people and utilizes 30,000 square feet of the old high school.

A banner welcomes attendees to the International Preservation Trades Workshop held the past three days at the former Medina High School.

The conference has recently been in Savannah, Ga., and Frederick, Maryland. In Medina, the attendees could see a remarkable concentration of historic cobblestone buildings that reflect extraordinary craftsmanship and durability, the Preservation Trades Network said.

“Just as important is Medina’s connection to the Erie Canal—one of the most transformative infrastructure projects in American history,” the group said in promoting the conference. “The canal turned small towns like Medina into hubs of trade and movement, fueling the growth of local industry and shaping the built environment you see today. Medina sandstone, quarried locally and shipped via the canal, became a defining material in buildings across the region and beyond.”

Terry Wullenweber, a master plasterer from Milan, Indiana, leads a workshop about plastering today entitled, “Look Up! Don’t miss the ornaments above.” Wullenweber received an award at the conference for his decades of work and expertise.

The Preservation Trades Network seeks to share knowledge on the importance of preservation, and how to repair and restore windows, stained-glass, plaster, finishes/paint, masonry. metals and roofing.

Dan Totten, a commercial estimator and project technician for Talis Historic Restoration, is on the board for the Preservation Trades Network. Totten went to art school and he said that he, like many in historic trades, came to the profession after working in other careers.

He enjoys the challenge of working on older buildings, many were built extremely well but have seen decades of deferred maintenance.

He said there is need for workers in historic trades. Talis in Medina has 20 employees and Totten said the company is actively hiring.

Talis started eight years ago in a business led by Roger Hungerford. Talis works across upstate New York and in the Northeast. Some notable window restoration projects by Talis include the Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church (Harriet Tubman’s church) in Auburn, NY; nearly 300 windows at the old Medina High School in Medina; Cobblestone Museum in Albion; William J. Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, New Jersey; Morgan Manning House in Brockport; Sojourner Truth house in Kingston, NY; and other prominent historic sites in Effingham, New Hampshire; Buffalo, NY; Sackets Harbor, NY; Ithaca, NY; Canandaigua, NY; and Rochester, NY.

Travis Farnsworth is president and CEO of Talis Historic Restoration. He has been with Talis since it started eight years ago. The company led several workshops in glazing windows during the historic trades conference.

Totten said Talis Historic Restoration was pleased to be a part of hosting the convention and welcoming people with a passion for the historic trades.

“At Talis we’re very collaborative,” he said. “We like to bring people together.”

John Moore leads a workshop today in the former Medina High School. Moore is a preservation carpenter, educator, and former residential builder. He taught carpentry and construction technology at West Kentucky Community & Technical College, where he helped develop a historic preservation curriculum.

Clarendon voters have more than one choice for town supervisor

Posted 19 September 2026 at 7:26 pm

Editor:

My name is Kathy Harnischfeger. I am running for Clarendon Town Supervisor as a write-in candidate. I am a moderate Democrat who believes in the 2nd amendment. While this may deter some of our residents, what is important to know is that the position of Town Supervisor holds no more power than the Town Board members.

I decided to run as a write-in candidate after the primary election results because I felt that our community needed another choice. The Town of Clarendon has faced some serious issues the last 9 months which has unfortunately divided our community in a big way.

I want to help the community heal and move forward by serving every Clarendon resident. I have been to too many board meetings to count over the years. I have worked with our Town Board to try to improve Clarendon’s standard of living, so every resident can live happily in peace and harmony with their neighbor.

I have studied the town law book and continue to do so. I believe the leader of a community should hold honor, integrity and most importantly, have the taxpayers’ best interests at heart.

This is an important position. This shouldn’t be a personal race. This shouldn’t be a popularity contest. This should be about who is the best person to lead the town, and who can best represent every resident in the community, regardless of who they support.

Ultimately, my goal is to bring everyone together and move forward in a positive direction.  This is not a partisan race for me, I simply want to serve the community I have called home for 20 years.

I have asked the other candidate to join me on October 16 starting at 6 p.m., at the Clarendon Town Hall for a Community Q&A session. This will be the opportunity to get to know me as a person, what I stand for, and what my goals are for the community of Clarendon.

Enough is enough! It is time we move Clarendon forward together as a community by creating a more unified environment for all that call Clarendon their home. I am so excited to meet everyone!

Clarendon, you still have a choice!

Sincerely,

Kathy Harnischfeger

Clarendon

Barker tops Wilson in N-O field hockey

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 19 September 2026 at 3:19 pm

Barker improved to 4-0 in Niagara-Orleans League field hockey competition with a 4-0 win over Wilson this afternoon.

Autumn Lewis, Sophia Pavlock, Lexi Brazzel and Xyon Weese each scored a goal. Pavlock also had a pair of assists.

Wilson is now 1-3