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Month: July 2017

Our Letters Policy

Posted 24 October 2023 at 3:00 pm

We appreciate input from our readers, and we publish letters to the editor without charge. The letters should be written by the person who submits the letter and not be “ghost written” by someone else. While open speech and responsibility are encouraged, comments may be rejected if they are purely a personal attack, offensive or repetitive. Comments are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Orleans Hub. Although care is taken to moderate comments, we have no control over how they are interpreted and we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of comments and the rationality of the opinions expressed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content and brevity. Please limit the length of your letter (we suggest no more than 500 words) and provide your name, telephone number, mailing address and a verifiable email address for verification purposes. Letters should be emailed to news@orleanshub.com.

Scouts clean up trash at Canal Culvert

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2024 at 1:11 pm

Photos submitted by John Dieter, Scoutmaster of Troop 35

RIDGEWAY – Boy Scouts and parents from Troop 35 in Medina this past Saturday organized a garbage cleanup at the Canal Culvert, the spot where the road goes under the canal on Culvert Road.

Scouts picked up litter at the Culvert, and also along the towpaths both east and west to the nearest canal bridges.

Several bags of garbage, plastic chairs, and a bicycle were removed from canal banks. This event was part of the Canal Sweep cleanup program that is held annually.

Enhanced fishing conditions from canal water honored with ‘engineering excellence award’

Photo by Tom Rivers: A fisherman stands in the Oak Orchard River on Oct. 20, 2023. Several of the tributaries get a boost in water from the Erie Canal from the fall through early December.

Posted 30 April 2024 at 12:07 pm

Press Release, New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corp.

The New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corp. announced its annual fall fishing program was honored this month with an Engineering Excellence Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) New York.

The fall fishing program received a Diamond Award in the category of Water Resources for its strategic use of canal infrastructure that allows regulated flows of water from the Erie Canal into Lake Ontario tributaries.

The enhanced flows, through deliberate releases of canal water, improve spawning conditions, expand angling opportunities, and enrich the world-class fishing destinations in Monroe, Orleans and Niagara counties.

“The construction of the Erie Canal has long been viewed as an engineering marvel and, as we look ahead to the canal’s third century of operation, the fall fishing program is an excellent example of how we are using canal infrastructure and its water in a different way to benefit more than just mariners,” NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said. “As we prepare for the fifth season of the program, the recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies, both at the state and national levels, reaffirms how thoughtful engineering adjustments play a key role in our operations that allow the canal to be a driver of economic activity today and in the future.”

New York State Canal Corp. Director Brian U. Stratton said, “As we approach the Erie Canal’s bicentennial, the prestigious awards from both the New York and national chapters of the American Council of Engineering Companies confirms the historic waterway’s continued impact and influence on our state. Through the fall fishing program, we are strategically adjusting century-old water management control gates along the western Erie Canal to improve conditions for both fish and anglers, and that, in turn supports the local canalside economies and boosts tourism.”

The fall fishing program is one of 124 projects from across the state that encompasses both the public and private sector that was recognized with an Engineering Excellence Award this year. Annually, more than 50 ACEC New York member firms submit projects that are judged on a rigorous set of criteria, which includes complexity, innovation and value to society.

In addition to receiving recognition from ACEC New York, the fall fishing program will also be honored with a National Recognition Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies 2024 Engineering Excellence Awards competition. The national award will be presented in May.

In 2023, the fall fishing program and Orleans County were recognized with an “Excellence in Tourism Marketing” award from the New York State Tourism Industry Association for the “More Water = More Fish” campaign. The collaborative effort raises awareness of the program and aims boost regional tourism.

Each fall through early December, the program supplies four Lake Ontario tributaries with elevated flows to improve conditions for fish, thereby enticing more salmon, steelhead and brown trout to enter and remain in these streams. The north flowing tributaries include Sandy Creek and Oak Orchard Creek, the premier streams of Orleans and Monroe counties, along with Eighteenmile Creek of Niagara County and Johnson Creek of Niagara and Orleans counties.

As the upcoming season approaches, the Canal Corp. will update its fall fishing webpage to provide anglers with the program’s latest news and information.

OCH seeks to recognize veterans with display at hospital

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 April 2024 at 7:25 am

MEDINA – Orleans Community Health is asking the community to join with them in paying tribute to local veterans.

A year and a half ago, the hospital formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee to do internal education, and decided to include the community.

In March, to celebrate Women’s History Month, they created a wall of honor in the hospital lobby, where anyone from the hospital or in the community could write the name of a special woman on a slip of paper and post it on a wall of windows.

“For everyone who walked in the lobby, that was the first thing they saw,” said Scott Robinson, director of Marketing, Communication and Outreach at Community Partners. “Chances are, everyone who comes into a hospital is not in the best mood, and this is a chance to brighten their day and showcase people who deserve to be highlighted.”

For the next month, the public is asked to write down the name of a late veteran, with a picture if possible, who deserves to be remembered.

“The intention behind this display is to sincerely honor the memory of friends, family and others who have served the nation and are no longer with us,” Robinson said. “That said, we also want to ensure that no one is overlooked or forgotten. We have a deep admiration for anyone who has served or is currently serving our country in the Armed Forces, and we’ll be working on a future display that honors all veterans and those in active duty.”

Names and photos can be sent to Kristin Grose at KGrose@medinamemorial.org or brought to her at the hospital.

Baby swans hatch behind library in Lyndonville

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 30 April 2024 at 7:17 am

Bryan McDowell of Lyndonville, lead pastor at Oak Orchard Assembly of God on Ridge Road, submitted this photo his wife Whitney took of two swans and their newly-hatched babies behind the Yates Community Library in Lyndonville.

LYNDONVILLE – Bryan McDowell, his wife Whitney and their children often take walks down to the pond behind Yates Community Library.

They have been keeping an eye on a mother swan, which has been sitting on her eggs for a number of weeks, while the male swan keeps a close watch from nearby.

On Monday, Pastor McDowell was working when his wife and kids walked down and discovered some of the eggs had hatched.

“Our 3-year-old daughter Aurora said, ‘They are so cute, I wish I could pet them,’” McDowell said.

2 cross over from Cubs to Boy Scouts in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 April 2024 at 6:58 am

Provided photos

ALBION – Leo Gotte, left, and Graham Kirby crossed over from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts on Monday evening with Troop 164 in Albion.

Both boys earned Cub Scouts’ highest honor, the Arrow of Light. Both boys were in Troop 164’s first kindergarten Lions den which started with a few dozen scouts. On Monday, they are 5th graders moving up. Covid took a hit to scouts’ participation. Leo and Graham were praised for sticking with Scouts when some of the activities were derailed from Covid.

This group photo shows Cub Scout Troop 164 and Boy Scout Troop 164 with Cub Scout leaders Ben Metcalf and Justin Kirby, and Boy Scout leaders Jeff Braley and Dan Flanagan. Leo and Graham both crossed the bridge to Boy Scouts.

GO Art! distributes $336,000 in grants for 2 rural counties

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 April 2024 at 9:55 pm

State funding for local arts sees big increase from the $70K in 2019, and $210K in 2023

Photos by Tom Rivers: Mary Jo Whitman (speaking in front at right) and Jodi Fisher (left), co-coordinators of the Statewide Community Regrant Program for GO Art!, announce the awards in Orleans County during a program Saturday at Hoag Library in Albion.

ALBION – The arts and cultural scene in Genesee and Orleans counties is getting a big funding boost through the Statewide Community Regrant Program.

GO Art! announced $336,000 in grants for artists and community events that celebrate the arts in 2024. That is up from $210,000 in 2023, and well above the $70,000 that was available for the two counties in 2019.

This year there will be $210,151 for programs and artists in Genesee County, and $125,849 in Orleans County. GO Art! tends to divvy up the funds in a 60-40 split. Genesee gets more because it has more people than Orleans – 58,388 compared to 40,343.

Mary Jo Whitman, co-coordinator of the community grants program for GO Art!, said the big increase in state funding will allow for more murals, more support for concerts, and more creative projects to build stronger connections locally.

She is hopeful the state won’t cut back on the new higher funding limit, but she said the amounts are unknown in the future.

Although Go Art! was able to fund more projects and programs in 2024, Whitman said there were some proposals that didn’t get funding because there wasn’t enough money for every project. She would like to see more arts funding in the future because there is a demand for it.

“We are investing in projects, people and the future of our two counties,” she said Saturday at Hoag Library in Albion, where the Orleans grants were announced.

The Community Arts (REACH) grants provide seed money to individual artists, collectives and arts organizations for projects and activities that enable Genesee and Orleans counties communities to experience and engage with the performing, literary, media and visual arts.

The grants include the following:

ORLEANS COUNTY

  • E-Yah-Pah-Hah Wind Quintet: $5,000 for Classical Music Series in Albion Community
  • Barre Betterment Committee: $1,000 for Square Dance at the Town Park
  • Laura Jackett with fiscal sponsor, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina: $5,000 for Art Workshops at the Libraries

  • Rob Klino from Friends of Boxwood accepts the grant for the organization dedicated to Medina’s historic cemetery. Boxwood will rededicate a restored stained-glass window in the chapel on May 18 and will put on its Boxwood at Night event on Oct. 5.

    Julie Berry with community partner, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee: $5,000 for Live Jazz Swing Bands for Community Social Dances

  • Friends of Orleans County Marine Parks: $5,000 for OONA Summer Concert Series
  • Community Action of Orleans & Genesee: $3,000 for “Community Action Helping People Change Lives,” a mural on the building at Main Street Corner Thrifts, Gifts and More
  • Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum: $1,000 for “Capture the Light”
  • Albion Merchants Association: $4,000 for Albion Merchants Association’s 2024 Event Season
  • Lakeshore Arts Incorporated: $1,331 for Lakeshore Fine Craft Workshops
  • Tegan Leach with community partner, Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension: $4,519 for “Transforming Natural Fibers through Spinning and Dyeing”
  • Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events: $5,000 for Village of Albion Summer Festival featuring Rock the Park
  • Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension: $1,799 for Craig Wilkins and Craig Wilkins Band – Senior Lunch performance at Orleans County 4-H Fair
  • Lee-Whedon Memorial Library: $5,000 for Finally Fridays! concert series
  • Yates Community Library: $5,000 for Yates Community Library – More Than Just Books summer concert series
  • Friends of Boxwood Cemetery: $5,000 for Boxwood at Night
  • The Cobblestone Society: $5,000 for the Cobblestone Museum Arts Series
  • Lyndonville Lions Club: $5,000 for “I Hear the Music”
  • Village of Holley: $3,000 for Village of Holley Canal concert series
  • Community Free Library: $5,000 for Continuation of Myron Holley Erie Canal Mural, with new mural by Arthur Barnes
  • Care Net Center of Greater Orleans: $5,000 for “Artists and Their Styles”
  • C.W. “Bill” Lattin with community partner, The Cobblestone Society: $5,000 for reprint and additions to his book, “Architecture Destroyed in Orleans County, N.Y.”
  • Village of Holley: $2,000 for festival series
  • Canalside Radio Inc.: $5,000 for “Harmonizing Communities: The Canalside Radio Initiative”
  • William Schutt with fiscal sponsor, Village of Albion: $5,000 for “Lighting the Erie Canal,” a lamppost made from old steel from the Main Street lift bridge
  • Village of Albion: $5,000 for Village of Albion Summer Concert Series
  • Hoag Library of the Swan Library Association: $5,000 for Hoag Music Series
  • Michelle Cryer with community partner, Town of Carlton: $5,000 for Carlton Mural at the Cove

Arthur Barnes stands next to this painting which he will do large scale on the back of Community Free Library in Holley. He will paint it to blend with a canal mural done last year by Tony Barry. Barnes said this will be his sixth mural in Orleans County. The first five were all Erie Canal scenes.

GENESEE COUNTY 

  • Batavia Concert Band: $5,000 for Music in the Park Summer Concert Series
  • Holland Purchase Historical Society: $5,000 for HLOM Guest Speaker & Concert Series
  • Haxton Memorial Library: $5,000 for “Talented Thursdays”
  • Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Band: $4,837 for Alexander Volunteer Fire Department Community Performances
  • The Elba Betterment Committee: $4,550 for “EBC Presents….”
  • Oakfield Betterment Committee Inc: $5,000 for Oakfield Labor Daze
  • Genesee Chorale Inc.: $5,000 for Genesee Chorale Season’
  • Village of Bergen: $2,300 for Hickory Park Concert Series
  • Rebecca A O’Donnell with community partner, Warrior House of WNY INC: $4,000 for “Creative Community Connections at the Goose”
  • Batavia Business Improvement District: $5,000 for Jackson Square Concert Series
  • David F. Burke with Community Partner Warrior House of WNY INC: $2,500 for “Wings” Mural for The Goose Community Center
  • Heather Kathleen Davis with community partner St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: $3,100 for “Opera on the Oatka”
  • Genesee Symphony Orchestra: $5,000 for Genesee Symphony Orchestra’s 78th Season
  • Byron-Bergen Public Library: $5,000 for “Arts in our Community”
  • Mandy Taylor with community partner, City of Batavia Fire Department: $2,900 for “Main Street Fire Hydrant Murals”
  • Bergen Business and Civic Association: $5,000 for Bergen Park Festival
  • Woodward Memorial Library: $4,979 for “Art All Year, Take Two”
  • St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: $2,415 for “Music at St. Mark’s’”
  • Kathlyn Baker with Community Partner, Warrior House of WNY: $5,000 for “Art Exploration Project”
  • Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, Wyoming OUT!: $5,000 for GLOW OUT! Pride Festival
  • Village of Corfu: $5,000 for Corfu Farmers Market Music Series
  • GLOW YMCA, Inc.: $1,000 for GLOW Corporate Street Beat
  • Gillam-Grant Community Center: $4,640 for “A Spectrum of Art”
  • The Batavia Players, Inc.: $5,000 for 2024 Season
  • Marianne Skye with community partner, Warrior House of WNY: $5,000 for “Groovy Moves-Family Music and Movement”
  • Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Incorporated: $4,710 for “Artful Observation: Inspired by Nature”
  • Joshua Lang with community partner, Batavia Concert Band: $2,500 for “Holst: Suite de Ballet movement 4”
  • Magen Peters with fiscal sponsor, Batavia Business Improvement District: $5,000 for “Fairy Doors of Downtown Batavia”
  • Lorie Longhany with community partner, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church: $4,000 for “The Joy Project”
  • Jennifer Grey with fiscal sponsor, Batavia Business Improvement District: $5,000 for “Summer Groove of Jackson Square”
  • Sara Tenney with fiscal sponsor, Batavia Business Improvement District: $5,000 for “Summer Sounds of Jackson Square”
  • Everpresent Church: $3,600 or “Take My Hand” Mural
  • Town and Country Garden Club of LeRoy: $5,000 for “Rooted Harmony: Artistic Benches Cultivating Community Connection”
  • LeRoy Historical Society: $4,305 for “Discovering LeRoy’s Ingham University: The First Woman’s University in the Country”
  • Jill Pettigrew with community partner, Village of Corfu: $5,000 for “Roadside Art Gallery’
  • Justin Benedict with community partner, Richmond Memorial Library: $5,000 for “The Nightroad Volume 1”
  • Andy Rich with community partner, Batavia Players: $5,000 for “Acting and Filmmaking Outside of Major Markets”
  • Hollwedel Memorial Public Library: $5,000 for “Shake on the Lake – Henry V”
  • James Lullo with Fiscal Sponsor, Batavia Players Inc.: $5,000 for “Kitty”
  • Brian Kemp with community partner, Batavia Business Improvement District: $5,000 for “2024 TableTopArtShow”
  • Oakfield Historical Society Inc.: $5,000 for “History Comes Alive”

Randy Reese of Medina accepts a grant for “Harmonizing Communities” initiative on Canalside Radio, which is currently available online. He announced it has been approved as an FM station at 107.9. Jodi Fisher, at right, helped present the grants on Saturday for Go Art!

Individual Artist Commission (RIPPLE) supports local, artist-initiated activity, and highlights the role of individual artists as important members of the community. The commission is for artistic projects with outstanding artistic merit that work within a community setting.

ORLEANS COUNTY

  • Patricia Greene: $2,500 for “Images of Beauty”
  • Eric Weatherbee: $2,500 for “The Humble Bard Presents”

GENESEE COUNTY

  • David F. Burke: $2,500 for “Extension to Harvester Center Hallway Mural”
  • Thom Jennings: $2,500 for “Missing Man – The Vince Welnick Story”
  • Joshua Lang: $2,500 for “Suite de Ballet Mvt 3”
  • Eric Zwieg: $2500 for The Family Model

The Arts Education Program (SPARK) is offered in two funding strands: K-12 In-School Projects and After-School and Community-based Learning. Emphasis is placed on the depth and quality of the creative process through which participants learn through or about the arts

ORLEANS COUNTY     

  • Brandi Zavitz with community partner, Lyndonville Central School District: $5,000 for “Mural in Music Hallway”
  • Judd Sunshine for Erie Canal Songwriting Project with fourth-graders

GENESEE COUNTY

  • Linda Fix with fiscal sponsor, BCSD Foundation Community Schools: $5,000 for “#It Takes A Village”
  • Bart Dentino with community partner, Oakfield-Alabama Central School District: $4,815 for “The Spaces Between the Leaves”
  • Chris Humel with community partner, The Office For The Aging: $5,000 for “Cartooning For Seniors”

Roy-Hart and Barker score N-O tennis wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 April 2024 at 8:59 pm

Roy-Hart blanked Medina 5-0 and Barker trimmed Newfane 3-2 in Niagara-Orleans League tennis action this afternoon.

Tyler Rothwell and John Konstanty scored singles wins for Roy-Hart.

The Rams also got victories by the doubles teams of Allie Trombley – Ella Martillotta, Abby Glyshaw – Emily Livergood and Garrett Glyshaw – Kaylie Churchill.

Wins by the doubles duos of Aurora Wass — Brooke Dunkelberger and Sam Meza Ray – Oscar Dergal keyed Barker to the win.

Improving to 3-4, the Bulldogs also got a win from Nick Heideman at second singles.

Newfane’s Luke Gunby won at first singles.

Lady Rams sweep twin bill from Mustangs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 April 2024 at 8:55 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart catcher Peyton May tags Medina’s Baileigh McAdoo out at home during the Lady Rams doubleheader sweep of the Mustangs at Vets Park this evening.

Roy-Hart swept to a doubleheader victory over Medina by scores of 13-0 and 16-7 in a Niagara-Orleans League softball doubleheader at Vets Park this evening.

Abby Fox pitched a 4 hitter with 10 strikeouts to lead Roy-Hart in the opener.

The Lady Rams broke the contest open at the outset by scoring 7 runs in the first inning on 6 walks and singles by Kaitlin Mettler and Alayna Kowalski.

Nine walks later keyed a big 7 run second inning which sparked the Lady Rams to a win in the nightcap.

Roy-Hart is now 4-2 and Medina 0-6 in N-O action.

Lady Tigers roll to win over Lady Eagles

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 April 2024 at 8:51 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Bella Groves slides into third base before Kendall’s Lia Larson can make the tag. The action took place during the Lady Tigers home field win this afternoon.

Scoring in every inning, Lyndonville romped to a 16-1 win over visiting Kendall in a Genesee Region League softball game this afternoon.

Bella Groves had 4 hits and Hannah Fox and Kayli Miller 2 each as the Lady Tigers pounded out a total of 16 hits.

Lyndonville moved on top to stay with a pair of runs in the first inning on RBI singles by Addie Dillenbeck and Brooke Robinson.

The Lady Tigers later erupted for 4 runs in fifth inning and 3 in each of the third, fourth and sixth frames.

Lyndonville is now 5-2 in G-R action.

In another G-R contest, Alexander downed Holley 22-0.

Barker romps to keep two game N-O lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 April 2024 at 8:28 pm

Maintaining a two game league lead, Barker romped to a 15-3 victory over Newfane in a Niagara-Orleans softball game this afternoon.

Kaylee Stoll, Madyson Flint, winning pitcher Peyton Bradley, Anna Bowerman, Rachel Sutter and Madelina Pavlock each banged out a pair of hits to lead the Barker attack. Pavlock had 2 doubles as Flint, Bradley and Bowerman each had 1.

In the circle, Bradley scattered 4 hits and struck out 9.

Barker took charge at the outset scoring three runs in the first inning highlighted by a double by Bowerman and then five times in the second as Bradley had a two-run double.

Barker is now 8-0 and Newfane 0-7 in N-O action.

Wilson 8, Akron 4
A two-run homer by Rian Faery in the bottom of the first inning put Wilson on top to stay at 2-1 and the Lakewomen went on to post an 8-4 N-O win over Akron.

Faery, Ava Mielke and Lyla Adamczak each finished with two hits for Wilson.

Akron took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a double by Sloan Jonathan.

Wilson is now 5-2 and Akron 2-5 in N-O competition.

Encouraging sign to see enough Republicans support aid for Ukraine

Posted 29 April 2024 at 7:37 pm

Editor:

On April 21st, Governor Noem of South Dakota, who apparently believes President Biden is trying to destroy America, demonstrated conclusively that being clueless doesn’t disqualify a person from becoming that state’s governor.

She seems to think we need America’s answer to Nicaragua’s Daniel Ortega to save our nation.  Governor Noem was being interviewed by Dana Bash on CNN.

Fortunately a significant number of Republican members of the House of Representatives thought for themselves and joined Speaker of the House Johnson and most Democrats in approving funding for Ukraine.  That—to me—was an encouraging sign that Johnson isn’t the only member of the Republican majority with a mind of his/her own.

Hopefully it is not too late to give the Ukrainian defenders of their country some of what they need to rein in Putin, an autocrat who suggests we are not done having to deal with Hitler-types today.

Sincerely,

Gary F. Kent

Albion

Kendall ‘9’ bests Alexander

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 April 2024 at 7:27 pm

Improving to 9-3 overall and 5-2 in the league, Kendall downed Alexander in a Genesee Region game this afternoon.

Colby Hughes had a big day at the plate for Kendall with 3 hits and 4 RBI. He had a two-run triple to key a 4 run fourth inning and a two-run single to highlight a 6 run fifth frame which also included an RBI double by Louis Conte.

Conte and Vinnie D’Agostino both had a pair of hits on the day.

Gavin Braun picked up the win on the mound for the Eagles scattering 4 hits and striking out 6.

Mustangs rally to post key win over Panthers

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 April 2024 at 7:15 pm

A big late inning scoring burst keyed Medina to a narrow 8-7 victory at Newfane this afternoon vaulting the Mustangs into the Niagara-Orleans League lead.

Trailing 4-1, Medina took the lead for good by erupting for six runs in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run triple by Carter Woodworth, an RBI double by Ryleigh Culver, an RBI single by Richard Keppler, an error and a wild pitch.

Newfane closed the gap to 7-6 in the home half of the seventh on a two-run homer by Ben Dickinson but the Panthers could get no closer.

The Mustangs picked up what proved to be the winning run in the top of the seventh on an RBI single by Brandon Christiaansen.

The Panthers again closed back to within one in the home half of the seventh on a solo home by Brayden Seitz.

However, Medina pitcher Aidan Papaj, who came on in the fourth inning, retired the next three batters on two strikeouts and a groundout back to the mound to preserve the key win.

Papaj allowed 3 hits and struck out 7 over the final four frames while Julian Woodworth gave up 5 hits and fanned 3 over the first three innings.

Culver finished with 3 hits and Christiaansen 2. Seitz and Jack Goehle both had a pair of hits for the Panthers.

Medina now moves into the N-O lead at 4-1 by percentage points over 5-2 Newfane.

Wilson 1, Albion 0
Tyler Johnston hurled a 3 hitter with 17 strikeouts to lead Wilson to a narrow 1-0 win over Albion.

Seth Krenning likewise pitched a strong game for Albion scattering 4 hits and striking out 4.

Wilson scored the game’s lone run in the fourth inning as Ryan Hough doubled and came home on a ground out off the bat of Conner Ernest.

Wilson is now 4-3 and Albion 2-3 in N-O action.

Roy-Hart 5, Akron 1
Two quick runs in the first inning on RBI singles by winning pitcher Jake Gould and Dawson Draper sparked Roy-Hart to a 5-1 win over Akron.

Rem Albee added an RBI single in the second inning and Draper plated another in the third on a sacrifice fly for the Rams.

On the mound, Gould allowed 5 hits and struck out 13.

Gould and Draper both finished with a pair of hits as did Vincent Consiglio for Akron.

The Rams improve to 3-2 and the Tigers slip to 3-4 in N-O competition.

New visitors center about Erie Canal will open in Buffalo in time for bicentennial

Posted 29 April 2024 at 3:26 pm

Renderings courtesy of Governor’s Office: A new visitors center about the Erie Canal is planned for Canalside in Buffalo. “Waterway of Change: A Complex Legacy of the Erie Canal” will share the story of the Erie Canal.

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

BUFFALO – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced plans for “Waterway of Change: A Complex Legacy of the Erie Canal,” a new Erie Canal bicentennial visitors experience at Canalside in Buffalo.

On May 7, after four years of construction in the Longshed, the replica Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief will move out to make way for interior construction and installation of the new experience in the building.  Work will be completed in time for next year’s Erie Canal Bicentennial.

“Waterway of Change will share the remarkable story of the Erie Canal and the area now known as Canalside with visitors,” Governor Hochul said. “As the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal approaches in 2025, this visitors experience will draw more people to Buffalo’s waterfront and help them connect to its history in a new and participative way.”

The concept for the 2,900-square-foot Longshed, located at Canalside on the historic western terminus of the Erie Canal, is to create a visitors experience that acts as a gathering space and starting point for visitors beginning their Bicentennial Commemoration journey. Plans include visitors’ experiences that will explain and detail how Canalside’s timeline, from its beginnings as traditional homeland of the Haudenosaunee to the development of a rural village at the time the Erie Canal opened in 1825, to a thriving port and shipping hub at the end of the 19th century.

Waterway of Change will include interactive multimedia exhibits for visitors of all ages and abilities, sharing Buffalo’s Erie Canal story in an inclusive and diverse way through the use of short films, touch screens, audio, historical artifacts and dramatic lighting. A series of outdoor interpretive exhibits will also be created at towpaths along and around the canals.

The 2,900-square-foot Longshed will include interactive multimedia exhibits for visitors of all ages and abilities.

Local Projects, a multi-disciplinary exhibition and media design firm based in New York City, has been working with the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation to create the visitor experiences for the Longshed and Canalside. Other partnerships include exhibit fabrication, with Buffalo’s Hadley Exhibits, and project development with the Buffalo History Museum.

The museum is providing interpretive content and historical guidance through all phases of the project. The collaboration includes consulting with a diverse group of community stakeholders and subject matter experts to ensure Buffalo’s Erie Canal story is shared with visitors from multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Additionally, the content in the visitors’ experience will be utilized by schools to supplement their Erie Canal history curricula during visits to the Longshed. The content will meet New York State Education Department standards to broadly reach and resonate with Grade 4-12 educational experiences.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “On the eve of the Erie Canal’s 200-year anniversary milestone, we are thrilled to be working with Governor Hochul and our agency partners to bring to life Waterway of Change at Canalside in Buffalo. The Erie Canal holds a special significance in New York’s history, and this new interactive exhibit will tell the story of the canal and New York’s Queen City to visitors from near and far. Throughout the next two years and culminating with the 2025 World Canals Conference in Buffalo, the Canal Corporation is eager to celebrate the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial as we prepare for the next century of operations and opportunities along the entire New York State Canal System.”

While the anniversary of the bicentennial will likely be marked at events throughout New York State, Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is planning a large celebration at Buffalo’s Canalside, which will also host the World Canals Conference in 2025. That event, first announced by Governor Hochul in June 2022, will bring together canal and inland waterway enthusiasts, professionals and scholars from around the world to learn about a variety of canal-related topics.

The event will highlight Buffalo’s transformed waterfront district, which has seen more than $400 million in new investment, including new hotels, a major sports arena, a children’s museum, retail shops and a re-created waterway on the footprint of the original Erie Canal in the Queen City. Today, the Buffalo waterfront attracts more than 1 million annual visitors.

In 2020, a wood frame structure at the northern end of the Central Wharf, now called the Longshed Building, was completed. The structure reflects on the history of the wharf location by incorporating elements from the Joy and Webster Storehouse that was situated on the site in the early 1800s. Work on the building, which incorporates select interior modifications to incorporate a small office, transient boater shower rooms, and public restrooms, is currently being completed.

In voting to deny Ukraine funding, Tenney appeases Russia

Posted 29 April 2024 at 3:11 pm

Editor:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney voted against aid for Ukraine. In defending her vote she wrote: “Further, we must address the underlying policies that led to this war by the United States and our European partners.”

This statement is right out of Russian propaganda. That claim is based on the fact that Ukraine was moving closer to NATO and Western countries including the United States. Ukraine was moving closer to the West because Russia had invaded and took control of Crimea and was threatening to take over more of Ukraine.

It is not an exaggeration to say allowing Vladimir Putin to take over Ukraine is similar to allowing Hitler take over the Sudetenland. Appeasement does not work. Showing weakness in the face of overt aggression will encourage more aggression, not only by Russia but also China and their aligned governments.

It is not really surprising that Ms. Tenney is spreading Russian propaganda. She has endorsed for President a man who gave classified documents to Russians and said he takes the word of Vladimir Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies.

Ms. Tenney voted against the PACT act which supports veterans injured during their time protecting our way of life and our Constitution. Ms. Tenney’s vote against aid to Ukraine shows her appeasement of Russia. Her giving voice to Russian propaganda and her votes and endorsements show her loyalty is not to this country.

William Fine

Brockport