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Huge turnout for Fuller 155 basket raffle/walk to benefit suicide prevention
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – The fourth annual Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness Basket Raffle saw its biggest turnout yet on Sunday with people supporting suicide awareness and prevention in memory of the late Erin Fuller.
A former deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office, Fuller was 45 when he died by suicide on Sept. 12, 2015.
His family, friends and many others in the community put on the benefit which included 239 baskets, gift cards and other items up for raffle at the Shelby Fire Company Rec Hall.
The event also included a 5K walk/run for the first time.
Some of the volunteers who worked on the fundraiser include, front row, from left: Anita Hughes, Pam Canham, Joette Oberther, Savanna Watts and Nancy Bracey.
Back row: Jason Watts, Ike Watts, Debbie Fuller, Sydney Watts, Tammy Fearby, Sheriff Chris Bourke and Chief Deputy Jim DeFilipps.
Ike Watts is Erin Fuller’s cousin. She has taken the lead in the organizing the local event the past four years. Before that she led a team in an “Out of the Darkness” walk in Buffalo about suicide prevention and awareness.
She wanted a local event to bring the community together about the issue, which afflicts many families.
Watts said she appreciates the strong turnout from the community, and the numerous donations from people and businesses in Orleans, Genesee, Niagara, Erie and Monroe counties.
“I know there is so much support in the community,” Watts said.
Proceeds from the previous two benefits, $15,600 total, were given to the Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition. That group is planning an “Out of the Darkness” walk at 11 a.m. on Oct. 10 at Bullard Park in Albion. Registration starts at 10 a.m.
The group also is part of a Men’s Day Out Pre-Tailgate Party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25 at the Orleans County YMCA in Medina.
Ike Watts said the proceeds from Sunday’s event may instead go to a non-profit organization thought he Shelby Volunteer Fire Company with the proceeds focusing on first responders. The money could fund Critical Incident Stress Management training, covering debriefings for first responders after difficult response calls. The money could cover mental health counseling as well.
She is grateful the benefit will provide funded to help people receive care if needed. The event also raised awareness of the mental health toll on first responders, who see many critical incidents.
Representatives from OpOverwatch in Lockport also attended the Fuller 155 event. Jake Reeves, an Orleans County Sheriff’s deputy, chats with Wade Boyer from the organization that seeks to help law enforcement officers and other first responders with post-traumatic stress.
OpOverwatch is a ministry that serves law enforcement officers, correction officers, dispatchers, military personnel, firefighters and EMS personnel.
“We help first responders with the trauma you see on a daily basis,” Boyer said. “First responders are exposed to hundreds to thousands of incidents.”
Provided photo: The event for the first time included a 5K walk/run. The 5K was organized by Debbie Fuller.
Walk on Sunday will pay tribute to Lyndonville swan that died in June
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
