By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 November 2025 at 5:25 pm
Making the most of their first sectional final appearance, the Newfane Panthers edged the rival Wilson Lakemen 28-20 in the section VI Class D championship game this afternoon at Highmark Stadium.
Breaking a 20-20 deadlock, the Panthers scored the game winning touchdown on a five yard run by quarterback Mac Capen with only 51 seconds remaining. Capen tacked on the two-point conversion run.
Staying perfect at 11-0, Newfane advances to the Far West Regional against the winner of Friday’s Section V Class D title contest between Avon and Notre Dame, Batavia.
Newfane jumped out to a 14-0 lead on a 59 yard touchdown pass from Capen to Isaiah Gerstung in the first quarter and a 42 yard TD run by Camryn Stover and a two-point conversion run by Capen in the second quarter.
Wilson did cut the deficit to 14-7 on the final play of the first half as quarterback Vic Cusatis completed a 3 yard TD pass to Brock Lepsch and Connor Woodward tacked on the extra point kick.
The Panthers though increased their lead to 20-7 early in the third quarter on a 1 yard TD run by Capen.
However, Wilson battled back to knot the contest at 20-20.
The Lakemen first cut the deficit to 20-14 in the third quarter on a 4 yard TD run by Nick Lemke and a PAT kick by Woodward.
Cusatis then pulled the Lakemen even with a 5 yard TD run with 4:51 to go in the final period but the extra point kick attempt failed leaving the contest deadlocked.
Wilson finishes the season at 9-2 with both losses coming at the hands of the rival Panthers.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2025 at 4:32 pm
Residence on Butts Road will serve up to 25 women including 5 bedrooms for women with young children
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – A group from UConnectCare as well as others gathered for a ribbon-cutting celebration this afternoon for a new residence on Butts Road. The site will serve women in treatment for substance use disorder. The site will also offer behavioral health care.
In the center of this photo shows Amanda Lloyd, assistant director of residence; Stephanie Nadolinski (holding scissors), director of residential services for UConnectCare and the site director; and Allison Parry-Gurak, UConnectCare’s chief residential officer.
Nadolinski is the on-site leader. She has worked 25 years for UConnectCare, which was previously known as GCASA. Nadolinski brings experience of running the Atwater House in Batavia, which provides residential treatment for men with substance use disorder.
UConnectCare is looking forward to offering treatment and services at the site. It recently received its operating certificate from the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports.
The group, which includes representatives for the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce and elected officials, welcomed the first residential treatment option for women and their children in the GLOW region.
The first residents will move in next week. Nadolinski expects six to eight women to move in the first week, and then another six to eight the following week. That will give staff and the residents a chance to adjust to the new location, which will have 15 to 20 employees.
The first priority will be given to women who need treatment who are currently homeless. Nadolinski said IV users also will be given priority.
She said most of the residents at the site are expected to come from the GLOW region but she said the site will be open to women from Monroe, Erie, Niagara and other counties as well.
This is one of the bedrooms for a mother and her children. There are five bedrooms for mothers who can have up two children at the residence who are 5 or younger.
The building contains a variety of spaces to support and continue the recovery process including counseling, group sessions and career and personal development spaces.
UConnectCare said there are very few options in the region for residential treatment for women that also can accommodate their children.
Orleans County Legislator Don Allport presents a citation to UConnectCare leaders Stephanie Nadolinski (left), site director; and Allison Parry-Gurak, UConnectCare’s chief residential officer.
UConnectCare also received certificates of commendation from the offices of Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, State Sen. Rob Ortt and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
The state Department of Health provided a $4.6 million grant for construction of the residence. That grant doesn’t include the operation of the site, which will be staffed 24-7, including two employees at night.
UConnectCare picked Albion for the project because many of the agency’s other residential and treatment programs are based in Batavia.
Most of the women at the site are expected to stay several months as they work on their rehab and re-entry. The maximum tends to be a six-month stay, but Parry-Gurak said people could stay longer as long as they are working on their treatment.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Santa Claus visited Hoag Library on Nov. 28, 2022, sporting his casual wear. The library’s main meeting room was full of youngsters wanting to meet Santa and share their Christmas wish list. Santa will be back at Hoag on Dec. 1. Santa is shown reading the book, Reindeer Christmas, by Mark Kimball Moulton and Karen Hillard Good.
Press Release, Hoag Library
ALBION – Hoag Library invites the community to join in a series of engaging programs as the library concludes 2025, featuring the final concerts of its Music Series, festive holiday events, and a community blood drive.
The Hoag Library Music Series, presented in partnership with GO ART! and the Statewide Community Regrant Program, offers two remaining performances in 2025.
On Saturday, November 15 at noon, classical guitarist Tom Torrisi and violinist Angel Rhodes will perform. The series concludes on Saturday, December 13 at noon with a performance by the Rochester Mandolin Orchestra. All concerts are free and open to the public, with plans already underway for the 2026 season.
The library’s holiday programming begins with a visit from Santa Claus on Monday, December 1 at 6 p.m. This family-friendly event is free and open to all ages.
The Friends of Hoag Library will host their annual Tasty Treats event on Thursday, December 4 at 6 p.m., featuring local business Serenity Vitality Café. Registration is required. Proceeds from this event directly support Hoag Library programs and services. The Friends also want to remind the community that their bookstore sells titles by local authors, which make great holiday gifts!
Additionally, Hoag Library will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members are encouraged to register in advance at www.redcrossblood.org.
For more information about Hoag Library programs and events, please visit www.hoaglibrary.org or follow Hoag Library on Facebook and Instagram.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) commented today on the state’s decision to delay the implementation of the controversial All-Electric Buildings Act.
The proposal, which was set to go into effect at the start of the new year, would prohibit natural gas and heating oil equipment in many new construction projects, including private residences. News of the delay broke after state attorneys agreed to a stipulation that was filed in the U.S. District Court calling for a suspension until an appellate court made a decision in the case.
This news comes amid backlash from upstate communities over the effect this policy would have on rural areas that rely on fossil fuels to heat and power their homes and businesses. Hawley, a longtime critic of this initiative, is pleased to see this delay; however, he hopes to see a permanent suspension of this proposal from the state.
“Today is a day of victory for rural communities across Western New York,” said Hawley. “We must keep in mind, however, that while Kathy Hochul’s ‘Green New Deal’ agenda has been delayed, we need to keep working toward a full repeal of this disastrous policy.
“I’ve spoken with countless individuals across my district, many of whom own small businesses or simply rely on fossil fuel sources in their daily lives, and they all tell me the same thing. This proposal was simply not feasible. I’m glad to see the state has finally woken up to the needs of rural communities, and I will continue to work alongside my colleagues in the state Assembly to repeal the rest of this radical climate agenda.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 November 2025 at 1:39 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s first team All-League honorees include, from left, Lauren Snyder, Grace Pearl and Peyton May.
Contributed Photos – Newfane’s first team honorees Elenna Garcia and Kim Schmitt.
Champion Roy-Hart has placed a total of six players on the Niagara-Orleans All-League volleyball squad.
Senior Grace Pearl, who has been named N-O Player of the Year, head’s Roy-Hart’s trio of first team honorees which also includes senior Peyton May and sophomore Lauren Snyder.
The Lady Rams have also placed seniors Kylie McOmber and Raegan Kern on the second team as senior Ryleigh Capen has earned Honorable Mention.
Pearl had 158 spiking kills, 38 aces and 91 digs; May 44 aces, 145 digs and 23 assists; Snyder 33 aces, 32 kills and 20 assists; McOmber 80 kills, 20 aces and 8 blocks; Kern 70 kills, 39 aces and 46 digs and Capen 42 aces, 340 assists and 97 digs.
Contributed Photos – First team honorees Emma Johnston (Newfane) and Lyla Adamczyk (Wilson).
Newfane also has a trio of first team honorees in senior Kimberly Schmitt, sophomore Elenna Garcia and freshman Emma Johnston.
Schmitt had 87 kills, 48 aces and 111 digs; Garcia 48 aces, 295 assists and 88 digs and Johnston 154 kills, 59 aces and 15 blocks.
Newfane has also placed junior Julia Leibring on the second team as senior Julia Noonan and Sara Klinger has both earned Honorable Mention.
Rounding out the first team is Wilson senior Lyla Adamczyk.
The Lakewomen have also placed senior Donna Clark on the second team as juniors Paige Thrush and Shelby Robinson have both received Honorable Mention.
Albion has placed junior Jillian LeBaron on the second team as junior Anna Grillo has earned Honorable Mention. LeBaron had 65 kills and 59 aces and Grillo 46 kills and 26 aces.
Medina junior Mya Anderson has been named to the second team as junior Samantha Heschke has received Honorable Mention.
Akron junior Kylie Mangione has been selected to the second team and junior Kenadee Jonathan has earned Honorable Mention.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2025 at 10:11 am
Construction to start in spring on new visitor center
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Cobblestone Society held its annual meeting on Nov. 1 and presented awards including, from left: Jeannette Riley representing the Riley family received the Donna Rodden Hospitality Award; Chris Capurso was named Volunteer of the Year; and Marie Bell, owner of Country Treasures Quilt Shop in Brockport, received the Business Partner of the Year award.
GAINES – The Cobblestone Society & Museum held its annual meeting on Nov. 1 and honored several key supporters of the Cobblestone Museum. The attendees also heard about an effort to save the last remaining cobblestone house in Rochester.
Museum President Matt Holland announced the organization expects to break ground on a new visitor center this spring. The museum has $1.6 million in place for the project. That includes a $716,000 state grant for the visitor’s center at the corner of routes 98 and 104 in Gaines. The new Thompson-Kast Visitors Center will go next to a brick house from 1830.
The Cobblestone Society formed in 1960 initially to save the Cobblestone Church from 1834 and the then the cobblestone schoolhouse down the road on Route 104. The school was built in 1849. The museum has grown to about 15 structures.
This rendering shows the new Thompson-Kast Visitors Center for the Cobblestone Museum, left, which would be next to a historic brick home from the 1830s.
The Cobblestone Museum & Society held the annual meeting at the Gaines Carlton Community Church and presented awards for people who have made significant contributions to the organziation.
Business Partner of the Year – Marie Bell, owner of Country Treasures Quilt Shop in Brockport, was named Business Partner of the Year. Since 2016 she has extended financial support toward programming connected to quilts, whether live or virtual events. In 2025 she was the exclusive sponsor of a virtual program featuring a remarkable textile held by the Kentucky Historical Society, the Elizabeth Roseberry Mitchell Graveyard Quilt, c. 1843, said Sue Bonafini, the museum’s assistant director.
Provided photo: Pat’s Auto Repair of Albion owned by Patrick & Marissa Olles received the Community Partner Award for sponsoring several events at the Cobblestone Museum.
Donna Rodden Hospitality Award – The Riley family of Albion graciously allowed members and friends of the Society to visit their magnificent gardens on the north bank of the Erie Canal for our midsummer celebration in July.
“They received the Donna Rodden Hospitality Award, which recognizes the hosting of events on behalf of the museum,” Bonafini said. “This special event has become an ideal fundraiser for the Museum, and we greatly appreciate the family’s efforts to prepare and share their beautiful location with all of us.”
Community Partner Award – Patrick & Marissa Olles, owners of Pat’s Auto Repair of Albion, received the Community Partner Award. Museum members at the Bronze Membership level, the Olles have sponsored several events when funding was needed, including sponsorship of two virtual programs during the 2025 off-season, and they were the exclusive sponsor of last year’s Solar Eclipse celebration in April.
“They have provided more than one gift basket for our events,” Bonafini said. “They’ve donated some merchandise with their company logo for our use, and they went home with more than one item from our Membership Dinner auction this past May, which equates to additional financial support for our organization.”
Volunteer of the Year – Chris Capurso was named Volunteer of the Year. She is a trustee of the Cobblestone Society and a volunteer since 2021. Capurso has demonstrated a willingness to take on a variety of roles to assist staff with daily operations, special events or other projects. She also recently became a docent and is now sharing the history of the museum buildings with the public. This past season she tackled several special activities, including the sorting of 110 boxes of donated books for our Used Books building.
Tim Keller and his wife Debbi shared about a community effort to prevent the last cobblestone house in Rochester from being demolished to make way for a dollar store.
The Lockwood-Alhart Cobblestone House & Retail Plaza is at 1090 Culver Rd. After the community rallied to save the building from 1835, the owner opted to donate it to Rochester Land Bank Corporation. The Kellers and community members are now optimistic the site will be a satellite city office for people to meet with city staff.
Don Alhart, a legendary Rochester television broadcaster, shared about his family’s connection to the house. The Alhart family owned it until 1988.
“Losing a structure like the Lockwood-Alhart House for a dollar store, that’s quite a slap in the face to the residents of the City of Rochester,” Alhart said.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 13 November 2025 at 8:57 am
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Volunteers on duty at Lyndonville United Methodist Church’s Hope Resales Holiday Shop are, from left, Cathy Bane-Dinse, Cathie Barry, Anne Hyndman and Roxinne Montague.
LYNDONVILLE – Anyone looking for an unusual or unique Christmas gift just might want to check out Hope Resales Holiday Shop at Lyndonville United Methodist Church.
Hope Resales Thrift Shop was an idea developed by former church member Ruth Hedges in 2019, before she moved east to be near her family.
Since then, the shop has generated thousands of dollars, which have benefited the church and its missions.
“Ruth was in charge of missions for our church and got the idea to start a thrift shop to earn money for missions,” said Cathie Barry, a church member and thrift shop volunteer.
Cathie Berry and Colleen Gooding look at a list of charitable causes to which the Lyndonville Methodist Church has donated with profits from their Hope Resales Thrift Shop. The shop’s Christmas Store recently opened, with an entire fellowship hall full of holiday items.
The shop was immediately popular and profitable. Then they decided to open a separate holiday shop at Christmas time.
“People who work in our sorting room say there’s not a day goes by that they don’t get donations of Christmas items,” Barry said.
“This is the place to get good deals on games and toys,” said volunteer Anne Hyndman. “People who regularly shop here are always asking when are we opening the Christmas store.”
The Christmas Store grew from an idea developed years ago by their women’s group, who started a mini mall at Christmas, where children could come and shop for their parents and friends at very reasonable prices.
“Whatever money a child had, we accepted it for the gift they wanted,” Barry said. “It was a custom for parents to sit in another room drinking coffee and eating cookies while volunteers helped their children shop. There was also a room for wrapping.”
A customer browses in Hope Resales Holiday Shop at Lyndonville United Methodist Church. The shop is full of all kinds of Christmas items, from games and toys to clothing and Christmas trees.
Hyndman said people would come in and give them donations to be used for children who didn’t have any money to buy gifts.
After the lady who came up with the idea died, people were constantly asking if the church was going to do it again. The result was the Christmas Store.
“People like to shop here because they get good deals on games and toys,” Hyndman said.
This year could end up being a record year for giving, Barry said. Last year they gave a total of $10,000 to their church missions and to local charities, including the food pantry housed at the Presbyterian Church, Orleans Koinonia Kitchen in Albion, a homeless shelter in Lockport, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, local libraries, PAWS Animal Shelter and more. They have already donated $9,000 to various causes and anticipate a very busy month ahead.
This table features an assortment of miniature Christmas buildings and accessories.
“It takes a lot of volunteers to run the thrift shop,” Barry said. “We need sales people, cleaners, sorters, organizers and people to create displays. We can always use more help. It’s really kind of fun. Some great friendships have been made with the people we work with here. And we really love the people who shop here. We often pray together before we open the doors.’
“And we have prayed with our customers who came through the door,” Hyndman said.
Hope Resales has become a favorite place to shop for many people.
“Often, we open the doors at 10 a.m. and by 10:02 there are eight people in the store,” Barry said.
Hope Resales, managed by Colleen Gooding, is located in the basement of the church at 102 North Main St., and offers clothing in all sizes for the entire family, gifts, housewares, jewelry and more. Entrance is through the door on the northeast corner of the building. The Christmas Store is in the fellowship hall, one floor above. Hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 4 to 7 p.m. Thursdays. The Christmas Store opened Nov. 5 and will be open through Dec. 20.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 November 2025 at 8:25 am
Orleans approved for $1.75 million for Public Safety Building roof, upgrades
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Public Safety Building, which opened in 1998 at a former furniture store building, was approved for $1.75 million for roof repairs and other upgrades.
The federal government shutdown is over after 43 days after the House of Representatives followed the Senate in voting to keep the government funded. President Trump then signed the budget bill on Wednesday evening.
Congressman Joe Morelle of Rochester, a Democrat whose district used to include part of Orleans County, voted against the bill.
He issued this statement on Wednesday night: “Today I voted NO on the funding deal because it fails to do what matters most: bring down the crushing cost of health care for working people.
“The Republican majority continues to be more focused on fulfilling Donald Trump’s whims and pleasing their billionaire donors than on making Americans’ lives better. Once again, the President has used fear, hatred, and cruelty to get what he wants.
“At its heart, this budget fails millions of American families who now face massive increases in their health insurance premiums. Mr. President, how are they supposed to survive that?
“There is a long way to go, and we must find a bipartisan solution before it’s too late.”
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, a Republican whose district includes Orleans and about a dozen other counties, supported the bill, which passed 222-209.
She highlighted $1.75 million in the bill for Orleans County for repairs to the roof at the Orleans County Public Safety Building and other upgrades to the building on Route 31 in Albion.
Tenney issued this statement: “After weeks of senseless disorder and delay, the House has finally taken action to reopen the government and deliver stability to families, small businesses, and our troops.
“This shutdown was entirely avoidable. Democrats manufactured a crisis to damage President Trump’s America First agenda while federal workers went without pay and essential services were disrupted. Their partisan games hurt the very people they claim to represent.”
“House Republicans delivered a clean CR to fund the government and pay our servicemembers. Democrats blocked every effort and used hardworking Americans as political leverage. Only after weeks of using the American people as leverage did they finally accept nearly the same terms we offered from the start.”
Tenney highlighted these projects in her district FY26 Community Project Funding and general appropriations process:
City of Oswego Police Department — $1,000,000 towards a new police station, to enhance public safety operations.
Orleans County Public Safety Building — $1,750,000 for critical safety and security improvements.
Town of Torrey Water District #2 — $2,050,000 for resource and infrastructure upgrades, expanding clean water access for residents.
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station — $16,110,000 for the new Combined Operations Airfield Facility.
Fort Drum — $9,500,000 for the design of the Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition and $8,300,000 for the design of the ORTC Transient Training Barracks.
“These projects will strengthen public safety, expand access to clean water, bolster our national security, improve troop readiness, and deliver meaningful results for our region,” Tenney said. “While Democrats wasted weeks playing politics, House Republicans remained focused on getting things done for the American people and for Upstate New York.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 November 2025 at 9:25 pm
Contributed Photo – Samantha Bates
Holley High graduate Samantha Bates provided the game winning goal in dramatic fashion as No. 6 seed Genesee Community College nipped No. 3 Rowan College South Jersey Gloucester 1-0 in overtime this evening in the quarterfinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III women’s soccer national championship tournament.
Bates, who is a sophomore, scored the dramatic goal on a direct kick from 30 plus yards out with only 29 seconds remaining in the second overtime period.
The goal was the team leading 15th of the season for Bates who has been named Mid State Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
Byron-Bergen graduate and GCC freshman Natalie Prinzi earned the shutout in goal.
GCC will now face No. 2 seed Dallas-Brookhaven in the semifinals on Friday. Dallas-Brookhaven blanked No. 7 Mohawk Valley 3-0 earlier in the day.
The game was originally scheduled to be played on Tuesday at Herkimer Community College but because of bad weather was postponed until today at SUNY-Poly near Utica.
Video of the winning goal which can be viewed on the Hub’s Facebook and X page courtesy of Renee Wolf.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 November 2025 at 3:15 pm
Ryan Armstrong
ALBION – The man driving a U-Haul that plunged into the Erie Canal on Sept. 2, following a high-speed chase with law enforcement, was arraigned in Orleans County Court this morning on manslaughter and numerous other felonies.
Ryan Armstrong, 43, was driving a stolen U-Haul with Reginald Russell, 56, of Rochester as the passenger.
The two had been spotted allegedly stealing items from the Walgreens in Brockport and loading them into the U-Haul. They attempted to flee law enforcement in a chase where speeds reached speeds up to 85 miles per hour. The chase went from Clarkson into Ogden, back through Brockport and eventually onto a canal service road in Orleans County.
Police used spike strips in the area of Bennetts Corners Road, where one of the vehicle’s tires became deflated. Armstrong then drove onto the southside of canal pathway before driving the U-Haul into the water, just east of Bennetts Corners Road.
Russell escaped the vehicle and was spotted struggling in the water before he went under, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies jumped in to try and save him, but could not find him due to murky water conditions. Russell’s body was later recovered by a scuba team from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Armstrong escaped the vehicle, swam to the north side of the canal and ran away, but was eventually caught and taken into custody with the use of drone technology, said Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke.
Armstrong today was arraigned in Orleans County Court by Judge Sanford Church. Armstrong has been charged with manslaughter for recklessly causing a death, as well as these felonies: fleeing an officer in a motor vehicle in the first degree, criminal possession of stolen property valued at more than $50,000 in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the fourth degree, leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a death.
Armstrong also faces misdemeanor charges of reckless endangerment in the second degree, unauthorized use of a vehicle, criminal possession of stolen property in the fifth degree, and criminal mischief for property damage.
Judge Church set bail at $100,000 cash, $200,000 insurance bond or $500,000 partially secured bond at 10 percent.
Armstrong is next to appear in court on Nov. 24 for a conference.
In other cases in County Court:
• Jason Dusett, 50, of Lyndonville was sentenced to six months in the county jail for aggravated driving while intoxicated, a felony. He also has to pay $490 in court surcharges, a $50 DNA database fee, $25 DWI fee and $25 crime victims fee.
Dusett was stopped on June 12 and a state trooper recorded Dusett’s Blood Alcohol Content at 0.19 percent, more than double the legal limit. Dusett has a previous DWI in Victor in 2018.
• In cases from last week, Joseph Reamer, 53, of Albion pleaded guilty to third-degree rape for sexual contact without the other person’s consent in April 2025. He faces up to two years in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 7.
• Marcus Donley, 22, of Medina was sentenced to 364 in the county jail for violating his probation by not getting treatment or housing. Donley is on probation for third-degree burglary and criminal mischief.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 12 November 2025 at 12:58 pm
VFW honors vets with service, complimentary lunch
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Heather Smith, left, and Jaylen Thomas, both students in the Job Corps’ carpentry program who worked on the project, pose with the bench their class made and donated to the Medina VFW Tuesday. With them are Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary, and Nik Mroz, Orleans County Veterans’ Services Officer.
MEDINA – The Medina VFW Post was a beehive of activity on Tuesday, as it showed its support of veterans and welcomed Iroquois Job Corps students, with operations director JT Thomas of Medina.
It has become an annual tradition for the VFW to serve a free lunch to veterans and their families, and for Job Corps students to assist with set-up and serving, and hand out cards which they made for veterans.
Tom Snyder, front, a Navy veteran, and Nick Fitzak, a member of the Marine Corps Reserves, receive greeting cards from Arletys Arrigo and Sienna Jack, students at Iroquois Job Corps. The local Job Corps is open and is accepting new students.
Part of the Job Corps’ mission is to provide community service, and Iroquois thrives on helping surrounding communities whenever needed, said JT Thomas, operations director at Job Corps.
“Our veterans play a special part in our community service, as students and staff greatly appreciate the service our veterans provided, and we help with veterans’ events whenever possible,” Thomas said. “The local VFW Auxiliary reached out to Job Corps for assistance several years back, and we have been participating ever since. The focus is on our veterans, our students and the Job Corps program. We are open and enrolling students and continuing to support and assist the community.”
Members of the Orleans County Honor Guard fire a 21-gun salute, followed by playing of Taps, at the VFW in Medina on Tuesday, prior to going to Orchard Manor on Bates Road and the Veterans’ Park in Lyndonville to fire 21-gun salutes.
The Veterans Day observance began with the a 21-gun salute in the parking lot by the Orleans County Honor Guard, after which they drove to Orchard Manor Rehabilitation facility on Bates Road and repeated the firing. From there they traveled to Lyndonville, where they performed a 21-gun salute at the Veterans’ Park downtown by the water, before returning to the VFW for lunch.
The Honor Guard is led by Jim Freas and includes members from Medina, Lyndonville and Albion VFW and Legion posts.
Posing with the patriotic bench made for the VFW in Medina by students in the Iroquois Job Corps carpentry class are, from left, Tom Snyder, Eric Delano, Jim Freas, Louis Chraston, Pat Little and Mike Harmer.
This Veterans Day had one extra special feature. The students in the Job Corps carpentry class made a large patriotic bench, which they delivered and donated to the VFW on Tuesday.
Two of the students were Jaylen Thomas and Heather Smith, both of whom are in the carpentry class and worked on the bench.
“I sanded and painted it, including the stars and stripes,” Jaylen proudly pointed out.
On the front of the bench was a plaque which read, “The willingness of America’s veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. Iroquois Job Corps, Nov. 11, 2025.”
Iroquois Job Corps students Arletys Arrigo, left, and Sienna Jack set the tables at Medina VFW, in preparation of serving free lunch to veterans.
Also at the VFW was Nik Mroz, Orleans County Veterans’ Services officer, who shared information on upcoming events to benefit veterans. These included a Veterans’ Health and Benefit Fair Monday at the VFW, and the annual veterans’ holiday dinner Dec. 16 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville, sponsored through the Dwyer Peer to Peer Program. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 589-3219.
Veterans Day observances continued on Tuesday with presentation of the “Missing Man” table by Pat Little of Gasport. As he read the meaning of the table set with an empty chair, plate with salt and a lemon, a candle and upside-down class, Jim Freas and Louis Chraston stood at attention on either side.
The VFW Post annually serves the Veterans’ Day lunch to an estimated 50 veterans, according to Dave Berry, president of the VFW Auxiliary.
Jim Freas, left, and Louis Chraston stand at attention while Pat Little reads the meaning behind the “Missing Man table,” during a tribute to veterans Tuesday at the VFW in Medina.
Ron Thomas, right, a Vietnam veteran, gets a greeting card from Job Corps students Alphonzo Snow and Zyshonne Humphrey as he and his wife Betty Jean arrived at the Medina VFW Tuesday for lunch.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 12 November 2025 at 12:36 pm
File Photo – The Medina vs. Albion fotoball rivalry was renewed on Western New York’s biggest state in 1988 as the Mustangs nipped the Purple Eagles 14-7 for the Section VI title. Here Jim Snyder, who scored both Medina touchdowns, picks up yardage.
Rivals Newfane and Wilson will clash for the Section VI Class D football championships at Highmark Stadium at 3 p.m. Thursday.
That contest recalls when Orleans rivals Medina and Albion renewed their long standing rivalry on Western New York’s biggest stage then Rich Stadium in 1988.
It was a thriller which saw the Mustangs come-from-behind to edge the Purple Eagles 14-7.
Albion grabbed an early 7-0 lead on a 1 yard touchdown run by Chris Rogers and an extra point kick by Kurt Jaeger.
However, Medina rallied to first close the gap to 7-6 late in the second quarter on a 3 yard TD run by Jim Snyder and then to claim the win with 8 minutes to go in the final period on a 39 yard TD run by Snyder who also caught the two-point conversion pass from quarterback Brian Fuller.
This Thursday’s Niagara County rivalry clash will match 10-0 Newfane vs. 9-1 Wilson. The Lakemen’s lone loss was a 46-25 setback at the hands of the Panthers to close out the regular season.
Newfane advanced by blanking Silver Creek/Forestville 38-0 in the Class D semifinals while Wilson downed Gowanda/Pine Valley by a similar score of 35-8.
The Panthers are led by quarterback Mac Capen who has rushed for 1,640 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 940 yards and 10 TDs. Camryn Stover has also rushed for 330 yards and 7 TDs and Camio Flowers for 418 yards and 6 TD.
The Lakemen are sparked by quarterback Vic Cusatis who has passed for 958 yards and 15 TDs and rushed for 437 yards and 9 TDs. Michel Ruble has also rushed for 73 yards and 7 TDs and Brock Lepsch 546 yards and 10 TDs while Ryan Hough has caught 53 passes for 487 yards and 11 TDs.
The sectional title game appearance is the first for Newfane and the fifth for Wilson which is seeking its’ first championship.
The victor will advance to the Far West Regional of the state playoffs.
