Dubby’s Tailgate feels the love on final day and hopes to reopen in future

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2026 at 3:22 pm

Wood fired pizza mobile business will continue

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Alexander family completed a busy day Saturday at Dubby’s Tailgate, the last one at 165 Platt St. for Dubby’s.

Brian and Rebecca Alexander opened the business about 5 ½ years ago. They said lease and building issues forced them to close Dubby’s Tailgate but they are hopeful Dubby’s Tailgate will be back at another location in the future.

“This is a bump in the road and not a dead end,” Brian said on Saturday night.

The top photo includes Brian and Rebecca and their five children as well as employee Madison Muckle at far right. Pictured from left include Brian, Maxine, Rebecca, Barrett, Abby, Michael, Lily Strickland and Madison Muckle. The Alexanders employed about 10 people at Dubby’s outside of their family over the years.

Dubby’s operated out of a 10,000-square-foot warehouse that proved a great venue for cornhole tournaments, parties, benefits, and other special events, including a wine-tasting after party with musicians for the Albion Merchants Association, Orleans County’s Family Game Night and the Home and garden Show for the Chamber of Commerce.

Rebecca Alexander cooked out of a wood-fired oven on Saturday. Her husband Brian and their daughter Abby also are shown in the busy kitchen. Abby said she racked up 18,000 steps by the end of evening.

Dubby’s will continue the wood-fired pizza mobile business that started about eight years ago. This Friday they will be at the Red Rocks Ponds RV Resort on Canal Road in Holley.

The Alexanders said they appreciated the strong community support for Dubby’s Tailgate, which featured the restaurant and many tailgate games, including cornhole, pool, “Fowling” a combination of football and bowling, Skeeball, darts and other activities.

The Alexanders said they are proud the concept as an “eater-tainment” business worked. They made many friends and were pleased to see the many benefits raise money for people in a health crisis.

Brian and Rebecca Alexander are shown by a Dubby’s Tailgate mural inside the warehouse that offered many games for people to have fun. Dubby’s hosted popular cornhole leagues and tournaments. Some of those tournaments had 100 teams, and brought in professional players.

Debbie Prest helped put on some of the benefits, and has been a loyal customer from day one at Dubby’s Tailgate. One of the benefits was in her honor after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“They have definitely contributed to the community and to everybody,” Prest said on Saturday at a counter inside Dubby’s.

She praised the Alexanders for not charging a rental fee to host the benefits, and they welcomed outside groups to cook chicken barbecues on site as additional fundraisers for the beneficiaries of the benefits even though Dubby’s didn’t get any direct revenue from the chicken barbecues.

Dubby’s also had plenty of space to put baskets up for raffle. Some of the benefits had well over 100 baskets and other larger items.

Prest said she admires how the family with five children works well together.

There were more than 150 baskets up for raffle on July 20, 2025 during a benefit at Dubby’s for Debbie Prest. Dubby’s hosted many benefits and community events in the past five years.

Tina and Jeremy Neal often would dine out at Dubby’s, meeting there for dinner after her Friday shift at Ace Hardware. Their late son Byron loved the cheese pizza at Dubby’s. His parents would often order that pizza in his honor.

“We adore these people,” Tina said about the Alexanders. “They are lovely people.”

On Saturday, Tina ordered pizza logs while Jeremy had an Uncle Tony pizza with meatballs and creamy garlic drizzle.

Mike Beach has been the cornhole league coordinator the past five years. Dubby’s proved a great venue for the league and tournaments. Albion is located between Rochester and Buffalo and the tournaments drew players from both metro areas.

Dubby’s also had space for 14 boards to be played at once. Most other tournament sites have space for 5 to 8 boards. Dubby’s also has the restaurant and bar on site, where many locations might just offer pizza slices and hot dogs.

“People love it here,” Beach said on Saturday after a final cornhole tournament. “It had the best of everything.”

He was happy to coordinate the league and tournaments, pleased to see people socializing in Albion.

“Here you had a place to hang out,” he said. “There was nothing like it. We’ve met so many people and had so much fun here the past five years.”

Brian and Rebecca said they want to recreate Dubby’s Tailgate at another location. They learned some lessons with the Platt Street location, and they know the business model works.

“We’re not going out because we weren’t unsuccessful,” Rebecca said. “We were just hitting our groove.”

Kendall will face Gananda in Class C state qualifier Monday evening at Dwyer Stadium

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 31 May 2026 at 10:10 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Fresh from repeating as Section V Class C2 champions, Kendall is now taking aim at earning a second straight trip to the state tournament as the Eagles face Gananda at 7 p.m. Monday at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia. Kendall advanced to Monday’s Section V Class C state qualifier by downing Genesee Valley Belfast 3-1 to win the Class C2 title while Gananda nipped Notre Dame 1-0 to claim the Class C1 championship. Kendall is now 20-2 and Gananda 19-2. Here Kendall players and coaches celebrate with the championship trophy after downing Genesee Valley Belfast in the Class C 2 title contest Friday at Livonia. The contest was a repeat of the 2025 C2 title matchup which saw the Eagles score a 6-0 win. The Eagles roster includes seniors Jonny Conte, Adrian Bucci, Jonas Rhodes, Vinnie D’Agostino, Izaiah Rivera, Mikey Colucci and Nic Cole; juniors CJ D’Agostino and Jacob Abrams; sophomores Sammy Conte, Andrew Cole and Owen Collyer and freshmen Andrew D’Agostino and Luca D’Agostino. Guiding the Eagles are Head Coach Tige Noni and Assistant Coaches Jeff Conte and Tim Stedman.

Lots of sunshine in forecast this week

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 May 2026 at 8:55 am

This photo of the sunrise this morning was taking at Glenwood Lake in Medina by Kimberly Stawicki.

It’s going to be a sunny week in Orleans County. The forecast shows lots of sunshine.

Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 72, followed by a sunny Monday with a high near 69, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

Tuesday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 73, and then a sunny Wednesday with a high near 76.

The Weather Service said Thursday also will be sunny with a high of 81, followed by a partly sunny Friday with a high near 82, and a partly sunny Saturday with a chance of showers and a high near 80.

Robyn Ottaviano took this photo of the a nearly full Blue Moon on Saturday night in Medina.

Bob Barrett encountered a newborn deer in the weeds on the edge of his yard in Clarendon on May 28. “So cute,” he said. “Look but don’t touch… mama will be back!”

Ortt exaggerates claims of Constitutional harm with Glock ban

Posted 31 May 2026 at 8:40 am

Editor:

State Senator Rob Ortt wrote an illogical letter opposed to State Senate Bill S399A which is designed specifically to address Glock pistols that can easily be converted into illegal machine guns.

In his unhinged rant he claims that banning this pistol would “strip New Yorker of their freedoms.” This proposed legislation does not ban the sale of handguns by other companies. It does not increase regulations or create a burden on gun owners or those wishing to buy a handgun.

Mr. Ortt even acknowledges that: “By law, the very thing Democrats are trying to prevent is already illegal.” Since it is already illegal how does it “strip New Yorker of their freedoms” or chip “away at the constitutional rights and liberties of responsible citizens?”

Mr. Ortt’s logic further falls apart when he criticizes statements made by Governor Kathy Hochul in her state of the state address as “complete nonsense” and then, in the very next sentence, writes that what she said, “may be factually true.”

The Glock pistol is sought after by criminals because they can be easily modified into machine guns. Over 11,000 devices to convert semi-automatic firearms into illegal machine guns have been recovered between 2019 and 2023. These devices have been recovered from numerous crime scenes.

California, New Jersey, and Connecticut have or are considering bans on Glock pistols. Last October a New Jersey judge allowed a lawsuit against Glock Inc. to continue writing that the lawsuit: “sets forth factual claims that Glock deliberately designed its handguns to be readily convertible to illegal machine guns, marketed those products, and failed to employ responsible controls or modify the design despite numerous warnings and increased harm.”

Rob Ortt is being very melodramatic and exaggerating claims of Constitutional harm. If we didn’t have government regulations, people could sell broken glass to children, like in the Saturday Night Live sketch.

This proposed law does not affect law abiding responsible citizens. As a taxpayer and as a citizen I am tired of reading about school shootings, or church shootings, or shopping mall shootings. And I am tired of reading that every proposed gun safety law is a Constitutional crisis. This is a common-sense law.

William Fine

Brockport

Medina Memorial has 2 DAISY award winners as compassionate nurses

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 31 May 2026 at 8:27 am

Provided photos: Kim Gray, left, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health, is shown with the nominees for this year’s DAISY Award. They are Pamela Washak, Carol Martucci (winner), Karina Rotoli and Amy Strickland.

MEDINA – For the third year, Orleans Community Health has participated in the DAISY Award program, recognizing two nurses whose compassion, professionalism and dedication have made a lasting impact on patients and families throughout the organization.

The internationally-recognized DAISY Award program honors extraordinary nurses for the clinical skill and compassionate care they provide every day, according to Scott Robinson, director of marketing.

Jennifer Adams, one of the recipients of the DAISY Award at Medina Memorial Hospital, poses with Kim Gray, chief nursing officer, after the awards ceremony last week.

This year’s award recipients are Emergency Room nurse Jennifer Adams and nursing supervisor Carol Martucci.

“The partnership with the DAISY Foundation underscores our commitment to acknowledging the exceptional work of our nurses who make a meaningful impact on the lives of our patients and their families every day,” said Kimberly Gray, chief nursing officer at Orleans Community Health. “Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system, and we are excited to join hands with the DAISY Foundation to shine a spotlight on their extraordinary efforts.”

In addition to Adams and Martucci, this year’s nominations included Danielle Gullo, Leann Balcerzak, Jill Kotzbach, Karina Rotoli, Lisa McQueen, Amy Strickland and Pamela Washak.

One nomination for Adams highlighted the comfort and reassurance she provided during a patient’s care experience.

“What stood out most was how she guided my care so seamlessly,” the nomination stated. “She anticipated my needs, ensured my comfort, and consistently checked in on my pain and anxiety. Nothing ever felt chaotic or uncertain because she created an environment of reassurance and compassion. It was clear she was not just performing tasks – she was caring for me as a whole person.”

A nomination for Martucci recognized her compassion and professionalism during a stressful medical situation.

“She compassionately explained my situation and reassured me I would be in good hands and all would be well,” the nomination read. “When I got to Unity, the ER doctors there looked over my chart and records and said, ‘Well, we really don’t have any further tests to do. Medina did everything.’ This brought a smile to my face and pride for my hometown hospital.”

Established in 1999, the DAISY Foundation was created by the family of J. Patrick Burns, who died at the age of 33 due to complications of the autoimmune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura. “DAISY” stands for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem.

The DAISY Award is presented through nominations submitted by patients, families and co-workers who wish to recognize nurses for the outstanding care they provide. Orleans Community Health congratulates all of this year’s nominees and thanks its nursing staff for their continued dedication to serving the community.

Green has a strong bounce back round

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2026 at 8:48 pm

File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Melanie Green

Registering three birdies on both the back and front nines, Medina’s Melanie Green fired a 3 under par 68 today on the second round of the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite Tournament at Galloway, New Jersey.

Starting on the back nine, Green registered birdies on 10, 12 and 18. Keeping the momentum she scored 3 more birdies on the front 9 on 1, 3 nd 4.

The 6 birdies more than offset 3 bogies (on 11, 15 and 5). as she rebounded strongly from a 1 over par round of 72 on Friday.

Her two day total of 2 under par 140 puts her in a tie for 12th place heading into Sunday’s final round.

Mustangs extend Section VI Class B championship reign with shutout victory

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2026 at 8:30 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Aidan Papaj banged out a pair of hits and hurled a shutout on the mound to help Medina captire the Section VI Class B title with a 3-0 win over JFK this afternoon at Frontier High School.

Capturing a sectional title for the third straight year and the sixth time in the last seven seasons, No. 2 seed Medina shutout No. 1 JFK 3-0 in the Section VI Class B baseball tournament championship game this afternoon at Frontier High School.

Aidan Papaj hurled the shutout on the mound and Preston Woodworth drove in all three runs to lead the way as the Mustangs advance to the state tournament with a 19-2 record.

Preston Woodworth celebrates after banging out a two-run double in the first inning.

Papaj scattered 5 hits and struck out 11. He worked out of trouble several times in the early going as JFK left runners stranded in scoring position in each of the first three innings.

He allowed only 2 hits over the final four innings and finished strong notching three strikeouts in the seventh to close out the win.

“I just tried to stay within myself,” said Papaj. “It means so much” he added of winning the sectional title.

Woodworth banged out a two-run double in the first inning and an RBI ingle in the third for the only scoring the Mustangs would need.

A single by Papaj and a bunt single by Vinny Gray set up the first inning scoring opportunity. Another single by Papaj and a walk to Gray then set up the third inning scoring chance.

Medina, which had only three scattered hits over the final four innings was stymied a bit by hitting into a pair of double plays and having three runners thrown out on base.

“We battled through it,” said Woodworth. “Aidan did a fantastic job pitching.”

The Mustangs other hits included a double by Cam Fike and singles by Hadrian Batista and Carlos Doval.

Medina will next begin state playoff competition by taking on the Section V Class B champion (either Bath Haverling or Wellsville) in the Sub Regional at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Frontier High School.

Note: Additional photos are now posted on the Hub’s Facebook pages.

Medina first baseman Cam Fike awaits the throw on a pickoff attmept on JFK’s Matthew DeSilva.

Medina’s Vinny Gray lays down a bunt.

Medona’s Jimmy Dieter steals second ahead of the throw to JFK’s Victor Borowick.

Scouts put in garden by UConnectCare’s women’s residence in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2026 at 6:43 pm

Logan Kast led the project for Eagle Scout rank

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Logan Kast, a Boy Scout in Troop 164 in Albion, led scouts today in putting a garden in behind UConnectCare’s residence for 25 women on Butts Road.

Logan, a junior in high school, has been in scouts since first grade. He worked to put in the garden for his Eagle Scout project.

He said he hopes the garden is therapeutic for the residents.

He has completed all of his merit badges and the project will fulfill the requirements to earn scouting’s highest honor.

Logan will follow his brother Tyler and father John as Eagle Scouts.

Jax Gotte works on the garden with other scouts. Other scouts who helped today, besides Logan Kast and Jax Gotte, include Stryker Braley, Leo Gotte, Jack Breuilly, Peter Stritzinger, Sebastian Stritzinger and Colton Durow, as well as scout leaders Jeff Braley and Ben Metcalf.

Logan Kast works on the garden with the other scouts. Logan appreciated local donations to the project, including brown mulch and gravel from Art Hill Construction, pavers from Kast Farms, flowers from Roberts Farm Markets and Kirby’s Farm Market, and a bench from Kathy Kast.

Logan said he plans to attend Texas A&M after he graduates from Albion to pursue range land management and wildlife biology. His brother Tyler and sister Sierra graduated from Texas A&M.

Logan said he is grateful through the opportunities through Boy Scouts.

“I love helping my community, being outdoors and being around nature,” he said.

Cal-Mum downs Lady Eagles in Class C2 final

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2026 at 2:02 pm

Top seeded Caledonia-Mumford downed No. 3 Kendall 6-2 in the Section V Class C2 softball tournament championship game this afternoon at Livonia.

Kylie Padlick-Field and Grace Beach combined to hurl a 2 hitter with 12 strikeouts for Cal-Mum.

Kendall did grab a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Alea Barrett singled and came home on an error.

Cal-Mum answered with a pair of runs in the third inning on an RBI single by Padlick-Field and an error to take the lead for good.

The Cal-Mum lead increased to 4-1 on a two-run homer by Colleen Talty in the fourth inning.

Kendall did cut the deficit to 4-2 in the fifth on two walks and a groundout but could get no closer.

Cal-Mum tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the sixth on a double by Padlick-Field, a run producing error and an RBI single by Talty.

It’s a family affair for the Kendall baseball squad; Eagles play at Dwyer Monday

Contributed Story Posted 30 May 2026 at 10:32 am

Contributed Photo – This season’s Kendall varsity baseball team has six starting players who are cousins (three sets of brothers). They include senior cousins Vinnie D’Agostino and Jonny Conte, CJ D’Agostino who is a junior and his brother Andrew who is a freshman, along with Vinnie’s brother Luca and Jonnny’s brother Sammy, both sophomores, to round out the group. In addition, the Eagles diamond squad also includes the Cole brothers Nic, who is senior, and Andrew, who is a sophomore. Shown here in front are Andrew and Luca D’Agostino. In back, from left, are Sammy Conte, Vinnie D’Agostino, Jonny Conte and CJ D’Agostino. Kendall, which repeated as Class C2 champions on Friday, will now face C1 champion Gananda for the Section V Class C berth in the state tournament at 7 p.m. Monday at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia.

Albion, Medina have Class track meet winners

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 May 2026 at 9:48 am

Albion and Medina both had winners at Friday’s Section VI Class track meets

Albion had a pair of winners at the Class B meet as Adam Burgio took the 400 Hurdles (:57.66) and Parker Roberts the Pole Vault (10-3).

At the Class C meet, Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis won the triple jump (33-8.50).

Also at the Class C meet, Roy-Hart’s Tysen McCaa was a double winner in the Long Jump (22-4) and Triple Jump (42-4) and Julia Rohde took the 3000 (11:43.32).

Akron had a trio of winners at the Class C meet as Reece Addesa took both the 800 (2:29.33) and 1500 (5:04.29). Anna Bergman the High Jump (4-9) and Hannah Liss the Long Jump (15-11.25).

Newfane’s Eden Hillman won the Class C Steeplechase (7:38.23)

Lyndonville will do school budget revote on June 16

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 May 2026 at 8:41 am

LYNDONVILLE – The school district is doing a budget revote on June 16, and the budget is the same as the one that was rejected on May 19 with 172 opposed and 129 votes in favor.

The Lyndonville Board of Education has held two budget meetings since the vote and the board opted to keep the budget unchanged in the revote.

The budget with a 2.5 percent tax increase is already below the district’s allowable tax cap of 4.0 percent.

The $19,194,000 budget would increase spending by 9.8 percent or by $1,719,670 from the $17,474,330 in 2025-26. The tax levy would increase from $4,758,692 to $4,877,659.

The spending increase is largely driven by a capital project with state aid covering most of the expense.

The budget is voted down again Lyndonville would have to adopt a contingency budget would mean reducing spending by another $266,495 to get the budget to $18,927,505.

Dr. Heather Lyon, the district superintendent, in a message to the community acknowledged community feedback, including residents who raised concerns about rising taxes and cost of living.

Lyon said the district considered further lowering the levy and using more reserves to lower the property tax.

“After reviewing multiple options, the Board determined that the original proposal best balances: support for students, the district’s future financial health, and limiting the impact on taxpayers as much as possible,” she wrote to the community.

If the budget is voted down, Lyndonville would have to go to a contingency budget, which Lyon said would put significant restrictions on spending and future planning.

Those reductions could affect student programs, athletics, music, extracurricular opportunities, equipment replacement, and other student services, she said.

“These consequences are set by New York State law and would not be a local Board decision,” Lyon said.

For more on the budget, click here.

Kendall repeats as Class C2 sectional champs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 May 2026 at 10:42 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Jonny Conte dives into home plate for the Eagles first run of the sectional championship game victory this afternoon at Livonia. The Genesee Valley Belfast catcher is Damon Davis.

Making a successful title defense, top seeded Kendall downed No. 2 Genesee Valley Belfast 3-1 in the Section V Class C2 baseball tournament championship game this afternoon at Livonia.

Nic Cole hurled a sparkling 4 hitter with 12 strikeouts and only 1 walk on the mound for Kendall which improves to 19-2.

“Nic was outstanding,” said Kendall Coach Tige Noni. “We knew they would be tough but we went up early and held them. Our guys did the job.”

Nic Cole, who was named the Class C2 tournament’s MVP, delivers a pitch for the Eagles.

Kendall jumped out to an early 3-0 lead by scoring once in each of the first three innings.

In the first inning Jonny Conte reached on a walk, stole second and came home on an RBI single by Andrew Cole.

Nic Cole then helped himself at the plate by driving in what proved to be the game winning run in the second inning on a ground out which plated Jacob Abrams who had reached with a triple.

The Eagles then tacked on what proved to be a big insurance run in the third inning as CJ D’Agostino reached on a bunt single stole second and came home on an RBI single by Sammy Conte.

Genesee Valley Belfast got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning on an RBI single by Carson Foster.

The Jaguars then threatened again in the sixth getting two runners aboard via singles. However, the Kendall defense came up with its biggest play of the day as a relay throw from centerfielder Mikey Colucci to first baseman CJ D’Agostino to catcher Andrew D’Agostino got a huge out at home plate to keep the Eagles yp by two.

Nic Cole then closed out the inning with a strikeout. “Our defense made some big plays behind me,” he said. “Our guys really came up big on defense.”

Cole then closed out the Eagles championship victory by retiring the Jaguars in order in the top of the seventh on two strikeouts and a ground out to shortstop Vinnie D’Agostino.

Kendall will now face D1 champion Gananda on Monday at a site to be determined for the Section V Class D berth in the state tournament. Gananda nipped Notre Dame 1-0 in the D1 title contest as a bases loaded walk in the first inning plated the only run.

Note – Additional photos are on the HUB’s Facebook pages.

Completing the defensive play of the game Kendall catcher Andrew D’Agostino tags Genesee Valley Belfast’s Ethan Davenport out at home in the sixth inning.

Getting the out at second base Kendall shortstop Vinnie D’Agostino looks to turn two.

Kendall players celebrate after getting the final out of the sectional championship victory.

Lady Tigers bow in Class D2 title contest

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 May 2026 at 10:20 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Isabella Groves slides into third base during this evening’s sectional championship game at Livonia as Avoca-Prattsburgh third baseman Alydia Mcintyre stretches to get the ball.

Stymied on just three hits, top seeded Lyndonville dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 2 Avoca-Prattsburgh in the Section V Class D2 softball tournament championship game this evening at Livonia.

Avoca-Prattsburgh scored the only run they needed as it turned out in the fourth inning on an RBI double by Charlotte Peck.

The Titans later added a pair of big insurance runs in the sixth inning on a double by winning pitcher Peyton Hopkins, an RBI triple by Alydia Mcintyre and a run producing ground out.

In the circle, Hopkins scattered 3 hits and struck out 7.

A double by Isabella Groves and singles by Hannah Fox and Brooke Robinson were Lyndonville’s only hits as the Lady Tigers left a runner stranded at third base in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

Arnie Sturtevant gave up 6 hits and struck out 11 in the circle for Lyndonville which finishes the season with an 18-2 record.

Section VI Class C Final
Falconer 12, Barker 7
Building up an early 11-1 lead, No. 5 seed Falconer went on to down No. 2 Barker 12-7 in the Section VI Class C softball tournament championship game this afternoon at Olean.

Falconer scored 4 quick runs in the first inning on 3 doubles an 2 errors; 3 runs in the second on 2 errors, a double and a single and 4 more in the third on 2 errors, a double and 2 singles.

Barker’s run production came on a two-run homer by Kaylee Stoll, a solo homer by Madelina Pavlock, a two-run double by Peyton Bradley and a pair of RBI singles by Lexi Brazzell.

Lyndonville’s Isabella Groves tosses to Braelynn Dillenbeck covering first base to get the out on Avoca-Prattsburgh’s Addalynn Stone.