US should shift from Trump policies that have proven petty and divisive
Editor:
I have not written waiting as the inevitable revealed itself.
Today I was in Canada. I felt embarrassed – dirty. The best thing I can say is that they’re pivoting to ensure that economically, socially and geopolitically they don’t get sucked down the same sewer.
They voted for talent. We voted for a gangster and a braggart.
The coming question is what to do about those leaders who intentionally participated in this frightful absurdity for their own benefit or were so feckless they could not spot a forked tongue sales pitch.
Clearly one choice is to follow the road to autocracy and impoverishment of the majority.
The other lies with the free world which promotes modern capitalism so all can share based on their will to excel and skill.
The inevitable is to either keep sinking or put petty, old divisive ideas behind us and join the modern world.
That time is now. Throw the bums out. Start the rebuild. New and better.
Conrad F. Cropsey
Barre
Kendall downs rival Holley in G-R tennis
Kendall improved to 5-0 in Genesee Region League tennis competition with a 4-1 win at rival Holley this afternoon.
Match Summary:
1st singles – Jonny Esposito (K) def Arthur Biggs (H): 6-0, 6-0
2nd singles – Joe Fagan (K) def Cooper Wolf (H): 6-3, 6-1
3rd singles – Dylan Warner (H) def Mitch Buzard (K): 7-6 (7-3), 6-0
1st Doubles- Aidan Kwiatkowski/Lucas Barrett (K) def Carissa Klossner/Tarek Garnett (H): 6-0, 6-4
2nd Doubles- Anthony Seymour/Devin Derosia (K) def Adyn Feiock/Alexianna Guerrero (H): 7-6, 6-4
In a Niagara-Orleans League match Roy-Hart downed Albion 4-1.
Landon Graybill earned Albion’s point with a win at first singles.
Triple play highlights Lady Tigers high scoring victory; Kendall posts win over Byron-Bergen
A nifty triple play highlighted the action as Lyndonville romped to a 21-0 victory over Wheatland-Chili in a Genesee Region League softball game this afternoon.
The triple play came in the second inning as second baseman Braelynn Dillenbeck caught a fly ball for the first out. She threw to Isabella Groves at first base for the second out who in turn threw to Natalie Rath at third base for the third out.
Offensively for the Lady Tigers, Arnie Sturtevant had 4 hits including a home run and a double as Brooke Robinson, Hannah Fox, Rylan Townsend and Groves each had 3 and Morgan Woodworth 2. Robinson’s hits included a triple as Fox, Townsend and Woodworth each had doubles.
Fox earned the win in the circle allowing just 1 hit and striking out 3.
Kendall 10, Byron-Bergen 4
Kendall improved to 4-1 in the G-R and 6-2 overall by downing Byron-Bergen 10-4.
Teagan Shaw had 3 hits including double, triple and 5 RBIs for the Lady Eagles as Izzy D’Agostino had 3 triples and Brooke Rodas a two-run homer.
Kourtney Marion earned the win in the circle scattering 4 hits and striking out 6.
Pembroke 14, Holley 0
Pembroke downed Holley 14-0 in another G-R game as Jayden Hootman registered 6 strikeouts.
Skylar Gallagher had 2 hits for Holley.
Barker tops Roy-Hart in N-O softball
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Barker’s Aine Davis bangs out one of her 4 hits during the Lady Bulldogs win over host Roy-Hart this afternoon.
A three run fifth inning scoring burst, which snapped a 4-4 tie, keyed Barker to an 8-5 win over Roy-Hart in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.
An RBI double by Kaylee Stoll and an RBI single by Peyton Bradley highlighted the decisive frame for Barker which also included a single by Aine Davis.
Roy-Hart had tied the game at 4-4 by scoring three times in the fourth inning highlighted by a two-run triple by Peyton May.
Davis finished with 4 hits for the Lady Bulldogs as Stoll and Lexi Brazzell both had 2.
May finished with 3 hits for the Lady Rams.
The contest was a matchup of defending N-O co-champions.
Newfane 5, Medina 0
Newfane earned its first N-O win of the season by blanking Medina 5-0 as Emma Schaughnessy hurled a 1 hitter with 13 strikeouts.
N-O Standings: Barker 4-0, Akron 3-0, Wilson 3-1. Roy-Hart 2-2. Newfane 1-4, Medina 0-3, Albion 0-4
Roy-Hart’s Millie Owens slides safely into home plate as Barker pitcher Madyson Flint comes in to cover home. Roy-Hart’s Peyton May is in the background.
Big innings key wins for Albion and Roy-Hart; Brockport hands Kendall first loss
Breaking away from a 2-2 deadlock, Albion erupted for 7 runs in the fourth inning to key an 11-3 win over visiting Barker in a Niagara-Orleans League baseball game this afternoon.
A three-run triple by Nate Gibson highlighted the Purple Eagles decisive uprising which also included an RBI double by Mason Snook, an RBI single by Kaiden Froman and a run producing sacrifice bunt by Nick Luft.
Gibson had a total of 4 hits on the day, including a pair of triples, as Snook and Luft both had 2 hits.
Logan Flint and Billy Jacques both had doubles for Barker.
Gavin Boyce went the distance on the mound for Albion scattering 3 hits and striking out 9.
Roy-Hart 27, Newfane 2
A marathon 16 run second inning scoring barrage highlighted undefeated (6-0) Roy-Hart’s 27-2 win over Newfane in an N-O game this afternoon.
Sean Mettler had a pair of RBI singles, John Brigham a two-run double, Jared Hy a two-run single and Evan Poeller and Blake Shahl RBI singles during the marathon frame.
Mettler had a total of 3 hits as Hy, Stahl and Isaac Smith each had 2.
Mettler and Stahl shared in hurling a 3 hitter with 9 strikeouts.
Akron 10, Wilson 0
Gavin Miller hurled a no hitter with 8 strikeouts to lead Akron past Wilson 10-0 in another N-O contest.
Akron moved on top to stay by scoring twice in the first inning on a two-run single by Jackson Nice.
A five run fourth inning highlighted by a two-run double by Collin Miller and a two-run single by Gavin Cottle put a lock on the win.
N-O Standings: Roy-Hart 6-0, Medina 3-0, Akron 2-2, Albion 2-3, Barker 2-4, Newfane 1-3, Wilson 1-5.
Brockport 12, Kendall 5
Kendall’s season long 10 game winning streak came to an end as Brockport downed the Eagles 12-5 in a non league game this afternoon.
A five run fifth inning put a lock on the win for the Blue Devils who were out hit by the Eagles 13-10.
Sammy Conte and Andrew Cole both had 3 hits for the Eagles as Jonny Conte and Vinnie D’Agostino each had 2.
Iroquois refuge eaglet growing stronger after hatching 3 weeks ago
Nest cam watchers amused at eaglet’s antics
Courtesy of Pixcams, Inc. – The eaglet who is the focus of the Iroquois refuge’s nest camera has been growing by leaps and bounds. The chick hatched on April 3.
Press Release, Friends of the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
BASOM – The baby eaglet that’s in focus at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is now over two weeks old, is getting a lot bigger and is entertaining nest cam watchers with its antics.
The eaglet is in a nest that belongs to one of several nesting pairs of bald eagles at Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, on the border of Genesee and Orleans counties. The nest camera was put in place and maintained by Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, with the help of Pixcams, Inc., Treeman Tom and others.
The chick is standing upright more often and using its wings to move itself around and balance. It is much more aware of its surroundings and now reliably tracks the parents’ movements, approaches them for food and grabs it from them directly instead of waiting for them to place food in its mouth.
It is taking much bigger bites of food – most often fish, including a lot of carp ─ and eating larger, less frequent meals (separated by hours-long food comas!). You can usually see its visibly full crop.
The eaglet’s first wispy white down is being replaced by a more insulated grey thermal down so it can thermoregulate better and no longer needs to be incubated as intensively. You can sometimes see the father eagle, especially, since he’s the smaller parent, struggling to stuff the chick under him to brood. The chick is also doing some practice preening as its new feathers come in.
On these warmer days the parents have been leaving the chick alone in the nest for longer periods of time. When they aren’t on the nest at least one of them is usually on guard nearby. If viewers are seeing the parents gone for longer now, this is normal. The chick is much more independent and the adults are still out there guarding against predators and intruders.
The chick’s antics have included a “Lady and the Tramp” moment when the mother eagle had one end of a string of duck intestine and the chick had the other. To see moments like these, tune in the nest cam streaming through the link at FINWR.org.
A quick recap, for those who may not have been following along: Our eagle parents laid three eggs at the end of February and they hatched the first week of April. Unfortunately, two of the chicks died due to accidents in the nest. But that has left the middle chick, the one that survived, as the sole focus of mother and father and ─ without any competition ─ the recipient of an enormous amount of fish bits.
The chick’s flight feathers are beginning to emerge. In the next few weeks, it will develop more substantial feather growth on its head and back and will take on more of an “awkward teenager” look, and the parents will spend even less time brooding.
Around 5 to 6 weeks, the chick will start to stand more steadily and will begin wing flapping in earnest. At 6 to 8 weeks, the eaglet will get very large, almost adult sized. At 8 to 10 weeks – the end of May and beginning of June ─ it should be feathered enough to look like a dark juvenile bald eagle, and its first few unsteady flights might begin by mid-June. The typical fledgling window is 10-12 weeks after hatching. Even 4 to 6 weeks after fledging, roughly mid-July, the eaglet will still be dependent on its parents for food and flight training.
If all goes well, by late summer or early fall the chick will be a full juvenile and out on its own, but it won’t develop its white head and tail feathers until it’s 4 to 5 years old.
This article was a collaboration of Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge members Richard Moss, Emma DeLeon, Amy Merritt and Garner Light. If you have a bald eagle question for the team, send it to Richard Moss at heron@finwr.org and we may answer it in a future release.
Green makes the cut at The Chevron
File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Melanie Green
Putting together a strong bogey free run over her final nine holes this afternoon, Medina’s Melanie Green has made the cut at the LPGA Tour’s first major of the year – The Chevron Championship – which is being played at Houston.
Green finished with a 1 under par round of 71 today for a two day total of even par 144 to advance to the weekend as the cut line was at 1 over.
Starting on the back nine today Green had a birdie on 15 but bogeys on 12 and 17 to go to 2 over par for the tourney.
Rebounding on the front nine, she registered clutch birdies on 1 and 3 and avoided making any bogeys to wrap up the round at 1 under.
Green posted a 1 over par round of 73 on Thursday to open the tourney.
The tournament continues on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.
Green qualified to compete in the major by finishing in the top 10 at last week’s LA Championship Tournament.
Section of Route 18 in Yates closing on Monday until late May for culvert replacement
Route 31A in Sweden also will be closed to traffic from County Line Road and West Sweden Road
YATES – The state Department of Transportation will be closing a section of Route 18 in the town of Yates beginning on Monday for a culvert replacement. The road is expected to reopen to traffic in late May.
Route 18 (also known as Roosevelt Highway) will be closed to all traffic between Hall Road and Breeze Road. Motorists should follow posted detours using Route 63, Route 104 and Route 98, the DOT said.
The state DOT also is closing a section of Route 31A just outside Orleans County in the town of Sweden for a culvert replacement. Route 31A (also known as Fourth Section Road) will be closed to traffic beginning at 6 a.m. on Monday between County Line Road and West Sweden Road. Motorists should follow posted detours using Route 31 and Route 98, the DOT said.
“Motorists should anticipate travel delays during this time and are advised to seek alternate routes if necessary,” the DOT advised. “Construction activities are weather dependent and subject to change based on conditions.”
Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones, the DOT said. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.
Eagle Harbor Road reopens after repairs from flooding on April 1
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A section of Eagle Harbor Road reopened to traffic this afternoon following repairs to the road from flooding on April 1.
The top photo shows the Orleans County Highway Department using a Bobcat with a power broom to remove dirt and dust on a section of the road that was repaved.
A big rainstorm on April 1 flooding across the road and took out a chunk of it on the east side.
The Orleans County DPW put in about 120 tons of crusher-run stone to shore up the shoulder and part of the road support that had washed out. The DPW then added heavier stone and riprap to hold the gravel in place.
Keeler Construction put new pavement on top of the road. The repairs cost about $20,000, Lane said.
The four culvert pipes carry water from Otter Creek underneath the road. There used to be a ridge here more than 30 years ago, said Craig lane, the DPW superintendent for the county.
The bridge had a span of about 24 feet. It was replaced with culvert pipes. Those pipes don’t handle the water as well with a big rainstorm, and the culvert pipes sometimes get clogged with debris, impeding the water flow, Lane said this afternoon.
He said he will be seeking state and federal funds through the Genesee Transportation Council to turn this spot back to a bridge in the future.
Here is how the rebuilt road and culvert looks this afternoon, not long before the road reopened to traffic.
Soon after the April 1 flooding, which Lane called a once-in-a-decade-storm, the Orleans County DPW also reset drainage pipes that were exposed and knocked out of place on Culvert Road in Ridgeway near the Canal Culvert. The DPW also cleared debris out of the Culvert tunnel.
The DPW workers also fixed a driveway on Orleans-Monroe Countyline Road, adding stone that had been washed out near the road.
Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director, said it looks like the county may be eligible for federal reimbursement from the storm damages. Many counties were affected by the storm and there is a threshold statewide for the counties to receive aid. The state is going through that process now to see if there will be FEMA aid for the counties, Niederhofer said.
Medina plants trees with lots of glee on Arbor Day
Photo by Tom Rivers: Second-graders in Medina’s Glee Club make a heart shape with their hands while singing “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” during an Arbor Day ceremony today. The Glee Club also performed “Sunshine Day” and “Joy to the World (Jeremiah was a Bullfrog).”
MEDINA – The Village of Medina celebrated Arbor Day today with second- and third-graders from Oak Orchard Primary School helping plant four of the 51 new trees in the village.
The students each got to toss a shovel full of dirt in the big holes along Gwinn Street where new trees are going in the public right-of-way along the sidewalks.
Medina has been named a “Tree City USA” for its ongoing commitment to planting trees.
Jason Wetherbee, a second grader in Mrs. Brooks class, helps plant a Red Jewel Crabapple tree on Gwinn Street near Williams Street. Another group of second-graders planted the same type of tree less than a block away on Gwinn near Frank Street.
Farther down the street going south, third-graders planted two Zelkova serrata trees.
Medina Mayor Debbie Padoleski reads a proclamation about Arbor Day. She thanked the Tree Board volunteers for their efforts to bring new trees to Medina.
Arbor Day was first celebrated in Nebraska when that state celebrated planting more than a million trees. J. Sterling Morton in 1872 proposed that a special day be set aside to lant trees.
“Trees are enjoyed by everyone, young and old, wherever they are planted, and are a source of happiness and beauty in our village,” Padoleski said.
The Tree Board is led by Mary Lewis with Jake Hebdon, Lisa Tombari and Esther Weeks as members. Chris Busch, the past board chairman, also assists in selecting the trees as the village’s forestry coordinator.
The Medina DPW has planted 51 trees this spring on West Oak Orchard Street, West Avenue and Eagle, Gwinn and West Center streets.
Medina elementary students have been a part of the Arbor Day celebration for many years in Medina.
These second-graders in Dana Reeves’ class planted a tree with gusto this morning.
Medina’s urban forestry program is recognized as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
The new trees are funded through donations. Information about donating can be obtained at the village clerk’s office or by downloading the ReLeaf brochure online at www.villagemedina.gov or by contacting Lewis at mLewis.villagemedina@gmail.com. Checks for tree donations should be made payable to the Orleans Renaissance Group, Inc. – Notation: ‘ReLeaf Medina’ and mailed to PO Box 543, Medina, NY.
Andrea Busch, a music teacher at Medina, leads the Glee Club which has been part of Arbor Day for several years now.
The new trees will make up for some of those that are lost each year. Jason Watts, the Medina DPW superintendent, said the village usually has to take down about 40 to 50 trees annually that are decaying or dead and are in danger of falling.
Hundreds of Santas expected to visit Albion and WNY in August 2027
Photos by Tom Rivers: These Santas and some elves are shown in April 2015 in Albion as part of a group photo with about 200 Santas who were in town for a Santa convention. A group of Santas will be back in Albion in August 2027 celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.
Group will be in town to celebrate 90th anniversary of Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School
The logo for the upcoming Santa gathering from Aug. 6-8, 2027 in Albion and Lockport. The event will be based in Lockport at the palace theater with the group visiting Albion, where Charles Howard ran a Santa School from 1937 to 1966.
ALBION – The Santas will be coming back to Albion in Auust 2027 for a 90th anniversary celebration of the Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School.
There were about 200 Santas in Albion for convention in 2015 and a smaller group in 2010.
The gathering next summer could have 400 Santas and other Christmas entertainers, said Phillip L. Wenz, a recently retired professional Santa who organized the 2010 and 2015 events in Albion. Wenz worked at Santa’s Village in east Dundee, Ill, near Chicago and serves as a Santa historian.
“We are planning upwards of 400 Christmas performers for all over North America,” Wenz stated. “We would like to have as many local people participate in the events as well.”
Charles Howard started the first school for Santas in Albion in 1937 and kept it going for nearly 30 years. He passed away on May 1, 1966. The school continues in his name, now run by Tom and Holly Valent in Midland, Mich.
The Santa School celebration will host activities in Albion and at the 1,100-seat Palace Theatre in Lockport.
Christopher Parada is executive director of The Palace Theatre. He also built a Christmas cottage in Lockport and he has portrayed Santa there since 2010, welcoming about 10,000 children every Christmas season. Parada, a Medina native, also owns the New York Santa Claus Suits & Equipment Co., replicating Howard’s style for suits.
Parada is pleased to be hosting the event next year that is expected to bring many Santas to the community. Lockport has the hotels and accommodations for the visitors, as well as the spacious theater to host presentations.
“Bringing this historic event to the Albion and Lockport, New York areas is a truly meaningful opportunity to celebrate and honor 90 years of the Santa Claus School and the enduring legacy of Charles W. Howard,” Parada said.
The Santas will see a bronze statue in honor of Charles Howard that was unveiled on June 10, 2023 during the Strawberry Festival and also a 24-foot-long mural depicting Santa flying in his sleigh over Courthouse Square and downtown Albion. That mural was created by Albion native Stacey Kirby Steward was unveiled in June 2018. The Albion Betterment Committee also is working to open a Santa School Museum on Main Street in Albion.
Many of principles taught by Howard continue to shape the look and actions of Santas. Howard remains a revered figure among the Santas, 60 years after his death.
“As the founder of the original Santa Claus School, Howard established a standard of authenticity, professionalism, and heartfelt spirit that continues to define the portrayal of Santa Claus today,” Parada said. “As a lifelong resident, I take great pride in seeing our local communities serve as the backdrop for such an important milestone—one that highlights both our regional heritage and a nationally recognized tradition rooted right here in Western New York.”
Parada has led the theater in Lockport through multi-million-dollar upgrades. That theater opened in 1925.
“The Historic Palace Theatre provides an ideal home base for this celebration, offering a unique and immersive setting for presentations, programming and shared experiences,” Parada said. “Its theatrical atmosphere will help foster a sense of community, connection, and camaraderie among attendees.”
The August 2027 event is still in the planning stages. Wenz said discussions have been made with the Howard family, friends and other special guests to take part in the programs and activities. As in the past events, there will be no event fees. For more information e-mail Wenz at santaclausproductions@msn.com.
Albion Fire Department hosting drive-through ham dinner on Saturday
Press Release, Albion Fire Department
ALBION – The volunteer members of the Albion Fire Department will host a ham dinner on Saturday at their 108 N. Platt Street fire station.
The dinner will be a “drive through” only, with tickets available both presale for $12 each or at the door for $13 each. The drive through pickup will begin at 4 o’clock and run through 7 o’clock or until sold out that day.
The dinner includes sliced ham, scalloped potatoes, vegetable, dinner roll and dessert. Cash or checks made payable to the Albion Fire Department, Inc. are accepted for payment.
Tickets can be purchased by contacting any of the fire department volunteer members, or by calling 585-331-1410. The volunteer fire department members thank the community in advance for their support of this fundraiser.
Mustangs rally for diamond win over Wildcats
Medina rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat host Depew 6-3 in a non league baseball game this evening.
Medina got on the scoreboard with a run in the fourth inning as Preston Woodworth doubled and came home on a single by Jimmy Dieter.
The Mustangs then rallied into the lead for good over the Wildcats at 5-3 by scoring 4 times in the fifth frame on a two-run single by Aidan Papaj and RBI doubles by Woodworth and Cam Fike. An error and a double by Vinny Gray ignited the rally.
Papaj pitched the first five innings allowing only 1 hit and striking out 11. Woodworth came on to hurl the final 2 frames giving up no hits and fanning 4.
Medina, which is now 5-1, will next host City Honors in another non league contest at 7 p.m. Saturday at Vets Park.
Medina lacrosse team downs Newfane
Medina snapped a three game losing streak by downing host Newfane 13-7 in a D Division lacrosse game this evening.
Gavin Dahlhaus and Joni Wheeler each scored 3 goals, Landon Costich and Brennan Allen 2 and Sawyer Lilleby, Timmy Vasquez and Teagan Meland 1 each for the Mustangs. Lilleby also had 3 assists.
Lady Hawks top W-C for first softball win
Snapping a season opening four game losing streak, Holley defeated Wheatland-Chili 21-8 in a Genesee Region League softball game this afternoon.
Desiree McCormick hit a home run to highlight the Holley offense which also included 3 hits each by Alexis VanAmeron, Zoey Warner and Lexi Lujan. Warner drove in 3 runs.
The Lady Hawks also stole a whopping 26 bases.
In the circle for the Lady Hawks Madison Bonacci had 5 strikeouts.
