By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 8:31 pm
MEDINA – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Orleans Community Health is committed to promoting early detection and education to help combat this disease. In support of this initiative, Medina Memorial Hospital is offering 3D mammography screenings during the months of October and November.
3D mammography is a groundbreaking screening tool that improves the accuracy of breast cancer detection, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing for OCH. Unlike traditional mammograms, this advanced technology captures multiple images of the breast, giving radiologists a detailed, layer-by-layer view. This results in better detection rates, especially for women with dense breast tissue.
To qualify for a free screening, a mammogram appointment must be scheduled in October or November. Whether one already has an appointment or needs to book one, this offer applies only during these two months.
“We strongly encourage all women, especially those aged 40 and over, to schedule their appointments now,” Robinson said.
For women who require additional testing, onsite ultrasounds are also available. The hospital’s dedicated team provides compassionate care in a supportive and comfortable environment.
Breast cancer impacts countless families, and early detection can save lives. At Orleans Community Health, they believe access to advanced screenings makes all the difference.
“This October and November, join us in raising awareness, encouraging early detection and standing together in the fight against breast cancer,” Robinson urges.
In Orleans County individuals face $1,251 increase for year, while family of 4 would pay $2,547 more
Press Release, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to discuss the impact of rising health insurance premiums on New Yorkers across the state and to call on Republicans to extend the health insurance subsidies that help many Americans get care at a price they can afford.
Editor’s Note: In Orleans County, Gillibrand said single individual making $65,000 or less would see a 31.7 percent increase, from $329.46 to $433.76 a month, a $1,251.60 increase for the year.
For a family of four in Orleans County making $130,000 or less, the monthly cost goes up by 20.7 percent from $1,023.96 to $1,236.22 a month, a $2,547.12 increase for the year, according to data from Gillibrand.
“At least 1.6 million New Yorkers in every corner of our state are on the brink of seeing their premiums skyrocket – all because congressional Republicans refuse to extend the health care assistance that families rely on,” Gillibrand said. “This is a Republican-manufactured health care crisis that low- and middle-income New Yorkers simply cannot afford.”
Without an extension, Affordable Care Act enhanced tax credits will expire at the end of 2025, causing 20 million Americans to see a sudden increase in their health insurance costs. This includes at least 1.6 million New Yorkers, who will face an average yearly increase of $1,360 in the amount they pay for their premiums, with people in some counties experiencing far greater increases.
“Democrats stand ready to negotiate a bipartisan deal to keep health care costs low and reopen the government, but we need Republicans to come to the table,” Gillibrand said. “I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to prioritize American families over billionaires and end this crisis.”
Gillibrand emphasized the immense strain that this will put on working families and the dire need for Republicans to work with Democrats to address the looming health care crisis and end the government shutdown. Enrollees in New York State are already receiving notices of premium hikes ahead of the start of open enrollment on November 1st, underscoring the importance of extending the subsidies immediately.
Health insurance premiums are expected to increase by double- or triple-digit percentages in all of New York’s 62 counties if President Trump and congressional Republicans fail to extend ACA subsidies.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 October 2025 at 2:13 pm
Contributed Photos – Among the local student/athletes playing collegiate soccer this fall is this trio of, from left, Kara Choate a Roy-Hart graduate and a senior midfielder at Roberts Wesleyan University; Megan Gates, a Kendall grad and a sophomore midfielder at SUNY Brockport and Sydney Mulka, an Albion grad and a senior goalie at Penn State Harrisburg. Choate, who is an Education major has four goals on the season and a four year career total of 12 goals and 9 assists.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 11:33 am
Provided photo: Aaron Grabowski will play the organ at St. Mary’s Church in Medina for a Spanish concert on Oct. 25.
MEDINA – The historic St. Mary’s Church (Holy Trinity Parish) will be the site of a first-time concert of Spanish music on Oct. 25, performed by organist Aaron Grabowski, who will also perform on harpsichord and bass. The concert includes special solos by soprano Bradeen Walders-Erekare, alto Susan Walders and tenor Sebastian Erakare.
Titled “Ecos de Espana,” the concert will begin at 7 p.m., and is free and open to the public.
The idea for a concert of Spanish music was born after Grabowski performed a concert of French music at the church last November.
“It was so well received, my wife said, ‘Why don’t you do a Spanish program,’ and I started investigating it,” Grabowski said. “I had previously done French, German and English repertoires, but it became obvious there was a lot of music that came from Spanish colonies in the South and Central America and it influenced how our liturgy (Mass) unfolded musically. This will be an exciting program – something a little different. It will show the richness of the Spanish contribution to classical music.”
The concert will showcase music from the 16th to the 19th centuries.
Grabowski holds a bachelor’s degree in organ performance from SUNY at Buffalo and studied with Michael Burke and Davd Fuller. He has been principal organist and music director of St. Mary’s Church (Holy Trinity ONE Catholic Parish) since December 2007.
In July 2024, Grabowski restarted his performing career with a concert at Old Fort Niagara and has since performed concerts at St. Mary’s Church and, most recently, at Barker United Methodist Church. He has held teaching positions at St. Paul’s Roman Catholic Church School in Kenmore and at the Eastman School of Music as professor of Organ History and Maintenance. He offers lessons in both organ and harpsichord.
In addition, he is a tuning foreman and organ builder with Parsons Pipe Organ Builders in Canandaigua, specializing in historic organ restoration. He joined the firm in 2013 and is a member of the American Institute of Organ Builders.
Grabowski is also an avid re-enactor who regularly volunteers with his family at Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, portraying a French Royal Artillerist of the French and Indian War era. He is a member of the Artillery Niagara and Campagne LeBeouf.
Soprano Bradeen Walders-Erakare is a musician and artist who lives in Batavia. She has been performing vocal music for 15 years, both professionally and recreationally. Since receiving a bachelor of fine arts from Niagara University for Theatre Performance in 2016, she can most often be heard singing with the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in Albion.
Art and music are two of the most important parts of Bradeen’s life and she is delighted to be a part of this special performance.
Susan Walders is an alto and a flutist at Holy Family Parish in Albion. Her background in music extends to founding a wind ensemble, E-Yah-Pah-Hah, which aims to honor American indigenous composers. She is a former music educator and is the founder and president of Cycling Without Age of Orleans County, an organization aiming to help people of limited mobility using trishaws (tricycle) feel the freedom of moving about accompanied by a companion driver.
Sebastian Erakare trained as a tenor in college and has spent most of his life writing, arranging and performing in various ensembles as both a vocalist and instrumentalist. He has performed at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C., and took part in a performance of the opera Il Trovotoreby Guiseppe Verde as a member of the gypsy chorus and anvil chorus.
Currently, he is part of the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in Albion and is a regular participant in open mic nights near his residence in Batavia. He has most recently been invited to join the Rivertree Singers in a future engagement as they perform Dan Forrest’s Creation at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The concert is sponsored by Orleans Renaissance Group with support from Go Art!
Grabowski added he will also be doing his annual program for Advent and Christmas in mid-December.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 11:19 am
Sandra Nickel will sign copies of her new book, SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, during a book discussion on Oct. 15 at Author’s Note in Medina.
MEDINA – Sandra Nickel, a writer from Switzerland, will visit Author’s Note, Medina’s independent book store, to discuss and sign her new picture book, SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, at 6 p.m. Oct. 15.
Nickel’s visit to the area will also include visits to Oak Orchard Elementary School and Royalton-Hartland Elementary School to share her story with school children there.
SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon is a charming tale, paired with Aimee Sicuro’s endearing illustrations, which celebrates the different ways folks of all feathers navigate the world, said Author’s Note owner and New York Times Best-selling author Julie Berry. Booklist calls it a “soaring celebration of individuality,” and Kirkus Reviews calls it “an uplifting tale that celebrates difference.”
Nickel is an award-winning author of picture books and has two new books out in 2025 – SEVEN: A Most Remarkable Pigeon, an uplifting tale that celebrates differences, and Making Light Bloom, Clara Driscoll and the Tiffany Lamps, where Nickel continues her mission to celebrate extraordinary individuals who have been nearly forgotten by history.
Nickel holds a master of fine arts in writing for children and young adults. She is the winner of a Christopher Award, the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators Crystal Kite Award, a finalist for the Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction for Younger Readers, a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection honoree and a Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Author.
Nickel will read her book, sign copies and answer questions during her visit to the bookstore on Oct. 15.
Copies of the picture book are available at Author’s Note, 519 Main St., Medina, or online at www.authorsnote.com/events. For those unable to attend, signed books can be ordered for pickup or free shipping at www.authorsnote.com. Contact Author’s Note at (585) 798-3642 for more information.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 11:07 am
Donations have dropped significantly in recent years
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Kristina Ettinger, left, community services manager at Community Action, hands a Red Kettle to Jami Allport, executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. The two agencies will oversee the Red Kettle Drive in Orleans County this holiday season.
ALBION – Two agencies that serve Orleans and Genesee counties are combining their efforts to re-invent the annual Red Kettle drive in Orleans County through the Salvation Army.
The Red Kettle Campaign is a long-standing tradition which not only provides essential resources, such as food, clothing and emergency assistance, but also brings the community together in the spirit of giving, according to Jami Allport, executive director of Ministry of Concern.
This holiday season, the three organizations will work together to raise funds that directly support individuals and families in need throughout Orleans County.
Jami Allport, executive director of Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern, shows the stickers which will be affixed to anything supplied to the needy which was paid for with donations from Red Kettles.
“We have seen a drop in the amount of money being raised since COVID,” said Ann Vail, Service Extension Director of the USA Eastern Territory for the Salvation Army.
“We are excited to collaborate on this critical campaign that supports our community,” said Ryan Lasal, director of Community and Family Program Innovation/Chief Innovation Officer at Community Action of Orleans and Genesee.
“This year we are going to try something new,” said Jami Allport.
Ettinger is Community Services Manager with Community Action of Orleans.
“With our agencies and new ideas, we’re hoping to get donations up where they used to be,” Allport said.
In 2015, Red Kettle donations totaled $26,110, but dropped to $12,320 in 2023 and $6,720 last year.
Only three locations allow bell ringers in Orleans County – Walmart and Tops in Albion and Medina. This year, table top kettles will be utilized, Allport said. They will be placed in multiple strategic locations throughout Orleans County.
“We will be saturating Orleans County with Red Kettles as much as possible,” Allport said.
The Red Kettle Campaign will be a collaborative effort this year between Community Action and Ministry of Concern, Allport said.
“We are going reach out to schools, businesses and other agencies to compete with each other and make it fun,” Allport said. “We want to get youth and schools involved, including Scouts, sports teams and FFA clubs. We will urge schools to compete and make it fun by dressing in costumes or maybe singing as they man a kettle. COVID took a lot from everybody and we want to rebuild as much as we can.”
Allport and Ettinger stressed that all money donated in Orleans County stays in Orleans County. Monies are split between the two agencies to help their clients in need.
Bell ringers can start at Tops on Nov. 6 until Dec. 24, or at Walmart on Nov. 15 to Dec. 24.
Anything purchased for someone needy will have a Red Kettle sticker affixed to it to let the recipient know the money came from donations to the Red Kettle Campaign.
The new Pingo app offers customers trip planning, real-time bus information, and scheduling for microtransit pilot program.
ROCHESTER – Regional Transit Service (RTS) announced today that it has introduced a new mobile app that gives customers access to trip planning, real-time bus information, and ride scheduling for its new rural Microtransit pilot program that is launching in LeRoy on Oct. 13.
RTS customers in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Wyoming counties now have a new, easy way to ride RTS with the Pingo mobile app. With the Pingo app, customers will be able to plan and track their trips, and coming soon, they will be able to use the Pingo app to pay their fare.
Additionally, customers in these counties who will have access to RTS’ new microtransit pilot program – RTS Link – will also be able to use the Pingo app to schedule their rides.
Customers can get started by downloading the “Ride Pingo” app from the App Store or Google Play. RTS also has a Pingo app user guide available on its website at https://www.myrts.com/Pingo.
“We regularly ask our customers for feedback on our service and over the past few years, they told us they would benefit from improved investment in technology and the implementation of Microtransit in select areas,” said RTS CEO Miguel Velázquez. “The Pingo app will improve their overall experience with RTS and the implementation of RTS Link in LeRoy will offer the ability to get around town at night, which is among the most requested service improvements from customers in Genesee County. I thank our customers for their feedback and the RTS team for their work to make these important improvements a reality.”
Introducing RTS Link
On Monday, October 13, RTS is launching a new Microtransit pilot program in LeRoy called RTS Link. Provided by RTS Genesee, RTS Link is a ride-share service that will allow customers to schedule customized trips on ADA-accessible vehicles within the LeRoy service area. The pilot program will run for approximately 12 months and during this time, RTS Genesee will closely monitor the effectiveness of the program and then determine whether to extend the pilot, end the pilot, or launch RTS Link as a regular, on-going service. RTS plans to introduce RTS Link in other select markets starting in 2026. More information on those locations will be available as the launch dates near for those areas.
How it Works:
The RTS Link pilot program will operate within the LeRoy service area on weekdays from 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. Trips can only be scheduled the same day by calling RTS Genesee at (585) 343-3079 or by using the Pingo app. When a customer requests a trip, RTS Link will find the closest time available for service. If the trip is accepted, RTS Link will direct the customer to meet the vehicle at a virtual stop: a nearby, centralized pick-up point. RTS Link will drop off the customer at a virtual stop near their destination. These virtual stops are programmed to be no more than one quarter of a mile from a customer’s point of origin.
Customers in need of ADA accommodations will not be required to use virtual stops, as RTS Link will provide curb-to-curb service. These customers should be sure to let RTS Link know they require ADA accommodations when scheduling their trip.
RTS Link will launch with an introductory fare of $3 per trip for adults, and $1.50 for seniors, children 6-11, and people with disabilities. Starting in February 2026, fares will increase to $5 per trip for adults, and $2.50 for seniors, children 6-11, and people with disabilities. Veterans ride free with a Veterans Outreach Center-issued pass. Children 5 and under ride free; with a maximum of three children per fare-paying adult.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 October 2025 at 9:55 am
It is crunch time in C North Division competition for the Medina High football squad.
Medina is currently 2-2 in the C North Division (3-2 overall). The Mustangs are two games behind front-running Barker/Roy-Hart (3-0, 4-1) and a game behind a trio of teams in second place – Eden (3-1, 4-1), Maritime (3-1, 4-1) and Akron (3-1, 3-2) – with only two divisional games remaining.
The Mustangs problem in trailing four teams this late in the regular season is that the C North Division has only four berths for the up coming Section VI Class C playoffs.
The Mustangs will visit Tonawanda (0-4, 0-5) at 7 p.m. Thursday and then close out the C North campaign at home against Cleveland Hill (1-2, 1-4) on Friday October 17. The Mustangs do not play Akron and Maritime.
Medina is looking to rebound from a 45-34 loss at Eden and Tonawanda from a 28-20 loss to JFK.
This week’s other C North games will have Barker/Roy-Hart at JFK at 7 p.m. Friday and Alden at Cleve Hill and Akron at Maritime at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Also on Thursday Holley will visit Attica at 7 p.m.
On Friday, Albion (0-4, 0-5) will host B2 Division leader Iroquois (4-0, 4-1) at 7 p.m.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 October 2025 at 9:36 am
Peggy Barringer of Albion received an honorable mention in the annual Erie Canalway Photo Contest for her photo, “Winter Wonderland.” This is the area on the canal with the Medina Waterfalls and the Horan Road canal bridge.
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor has announced the winners of its 20th annual photo contest.
Peggy Barringer of Albion received an honorable mention for a wintry scene along the canal in Medina. It was the only photo in Orleans County recognized among 334 entries for the contest.
Judges select first, second, and third place winners in four contest categories as well as 12 honorable mentions.
“These award-winning images serve as a visual reminder of what makes New York’s canals distinctly beautiful and worth preserving,” said Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. “Thank you to the talented photographers who submitted images and shared their perspectives on these extraordinary places.”
Winning images can be viewed online and will be featured in the 2026 Erie Canalway Calendar, available at no cost in libraries, visitor centers, and by request starting Dec. 1. Funding support for the calendar is provided by the NYS Canal Corporation and the National Park Service.
New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “As we look ahead to our third century of operation, we are committed to celebrating canal-related arts and culture. These photographs, submitted by an ever-talented cadre of canal enthusiasts, embody some of the most beautiful aspects of our canals and support our mission.”
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 9:00 am
MEDINA – Medina Healthcare Center, located on the first floor of Medina Memorial Hospital, is working to expand same-day access to quality care, with the opening of Medina Health Care Center.
Located on the first floor of Medina Memorial Hospital, Medina Healthcare Center is now offering same-day sick care appointments and can schedule most routine primary care visits in less than a week. This commitment to timely access ensures that patients of all ages – from pediatrics to geriatrics – can get the care they need, when they need it.
Finding the right primary care provider for yourself or your family isn’t always easy, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing at the hospital.
“Too often, patients spend time researching and calling, only to discover that routine appointments may not be available for weeks – or even months,” Robinson said. “Medina Healthcare Center is working to change that.”
“We recognize that delays in primary care can cause stress for families,” Robinson said. “Our goal at Medina Healthcare Center is to remove those barriers by providing fast, friendly scheduling and quality care that fits our patients’ lives. Whether or not you are a patient of Orleans Community Health, that doesn’t matter. If you’re under the weather and need to see someone – we want to help.”
In addition to same-day services at Medina, the Albion Healthcare Center also offers walk-in care. Together, these centers provide flexible and accessible options for patients across Orleans County and surrounding communities.
Residents are encouraged not to wait if they need care. Call to schedule an appointment at Medina Healthcare Center, (585) 798-2550.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 8:46 am
Photo by Ginny Kropf: The Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse will celebrate its 150th anniversary during the annual Christmas at the Lighthouse on Sunday.
BARKER – This year’s Christmas at the Lighthouse will also be a celebration of the 150th year of the Thirty Mile Point lighthouse at Golden Hill State Park.
Scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Sunday, the event is free and open to the public.
There will be a farmers’ market, local vendors, wineries and a basket raffle. A pulled pork sandwich lunch will be available, as well as chili, hot dogs and much more, according to park manager Renee Campbell.
Lock City Sound will provide music and Santa Claus will pay a visit, along with Blinkey, the lighthouse mascot.
Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse was built in 1875 to warn sailors of the rocky shoal and shifting sandbar offshore at what is now Golden Hill State Park. There is evidence of five shipwrecks there, Campbell said. One of the most famous was the British Naval vessel, the Ontario, which sank on Halloween night in 1780.
Golden Hill State Park was acquired by New York state in 1962. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1958 by the U.S. Coast Guard.
In the 1980s, a group of lighthouse enthusiasts formed Friends of Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse to raise money to assist New York state with upkeep of the historic lighthouse and educational projects and tours during the year.
The last project the Friends helped fund was replacing many slate roof shingles and putting a vapor shield in another section. Their donation was almost $10,000 for this project alone, Campbell said.
Mike and Kathy Dreyfus of Medina are two of the local people who support the lighthouse. They joined Friends of the Lighthouse after their daughter was married there. Mike makes magnets, which he sells at the Lighthouse Gift Shop and donates the profits to the Medina Mustang Marching Band.
The Friends meet the second Thursday of the month, April through September, at 7 p.m. at the lighthouse. Anyone is welcome to attend and help with future projects.
Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse and Golden Hill State Park are located at 9691 Lower Lake Rd., Barker.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 8 October 2025 at 8:09 am
Medina Lions organizes event which featured 212 scarecrows last year
Photo by Tom Rivers: Shea Hill of Albion and her granddaughter Lily, 4, work on a scarecrow at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds during last year’s Scarecrow Festival.
MEDINA – The annual Scarecrow Festival sponsored by Medina Lions is scheduled for Saturday at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds.
The event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to Jim Hancock, who chairs the Scarecrow Festival with Jason Cogovan.
The Scarecrow Festival, which has been a major fundraiser for Medina Lions for more than 15 years, involves a lot of people and a lot of planning. Prior to the event, Lions Club members visit the MAAC Thrift Shop and acquire a huge supply of clothing, including dresses, pants, shirts, blouses, neckties, hats and belts.
T-posts for scarecrow bodies were made and donated by Barden Homes, and Jen Scott’s art class at Medina High School painted 180 faces for cloth heads. Straw for the scarecrows’ bodies was donated by Ed Neal of Albion and Dunham Farms of Knowlesville. Last year, a record 212 youngsters made scarecrows to take home.
The day of the event, youngsters choose a post, face and clothing, and after stuffing their scarecrow, they take it to the “surgeons” who sew it together.
The cost to build a scarecrow is $12, and arrangements have been made this year by the Lions to accept credit cards.
Hancock said the event attracts not only children who build a scarecrow, but their parents, grandparents and friends, who love to watch the activity.
“Everybody loves it,” he said.
As an added attraction this year, the Master Gardeners are having a “Pumpkinpalooza” event, with pumpkin decorating and pumpkin-themed activities.
Also, the 4-H rabbit youth will have some rabbits at the Scarecrow Festival.
“Kids love to pet rabbits,” Hancock said.
Food will be available to purchase, including hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chips and soft drinks.
“The Scarecrow Festival is a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the joy on kids’ faces,” Hancock said. “All the money we raise goes back into the community. The Lions give $10,000 to $12,000 annually to charities, such as Seeing Eye Dogs and School for the Blind in Batavia.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 October 2025 at 10:08 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Wilson’s Aidan Neumann, who scored the game’s lone goal, advances the ball against Medina defender Ryan Pegelow.
Clinching at least tie for a third straight league title, Wilson nipped Medina 1-0 in a key Niagara-Orleans boys soccer game at Vets Park this evening.
Wilson’s lone goal came on a penalty kick by Aidan Neumann in the final minute of the first half.
Wilson improve to 8-0 and runner-up Medina slips to 6-2. Both teams have two league games remaining on the schedule.
Albion 2, Roy-Hart 1
Albion edged Roy-Hart 2-1 in the other N-O game as Justin Kania had a goal and an assist and Joey Bropst a goal.
