By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 September 2025 at 8:36 pm
Getting back onto the winning track, Medina rolled to a 6-0 win at Akron in a Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game this afternoon.
Aleks Seefeldt scored two goals as Luke Duffina, Caden Kingsbury, Aidan Papaj and Izzy Anderson each chipped in with one for Medina which bounced back from last week’s 4-1 loss to front running Wilson.
Seefeldt, Anderson, Kingsbury, Vinny Gray, Owen Sargent and Colvin Poole each had an assist.
River Jones earned the shutout in goal as Duffina, Sargent, Ryan Pegelow and Jimmy Dieter anchored the defense.
The Mustangs are now 3-1 and the Tigers 1-2 in N-O action.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 September 2025 at 8:24 pm
Roy-Hart scored a straight set 25-8, 25-23, 25-22 win over Lockport in a non league volleyball match this evening.
Grace Pearl had 11 kills, Lauren Snyder 8 kills and 4 aces, Zoe Healy 4 kills, Peyton May 6 aces and Ryleigh Capen 25 assists to lead the way for the Lady Rams.
Byron-Bergen 25-25-25, Albion 18-10-8
Byron-Bergen bested Albion 25-18, 25-10, 25-8 in another non league volleyball match.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2025 at 4:25 pm
Provided photo: Those who attend the class will receive a free disaster preparedness kit.
KNOWLESVILLE – There is still time to register for citizens preparedness class set for this 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Trolley Building of the Cornell Cooperative Extension on Route 31.
September is National Preparedness Month, and the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County is working to educate the community on how to prepare.
The class on Thursday is free, but registration is required – simply to ensure that National Guard can bring enough emergency kits to distribute to those who attend.
The mission of these training classes is to give residents the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible. The course provides an introduction to responding to natural or man-made disasters.
Participants are advised on how to properly develop family emergency plans and stock up on emergency supplies. Those who attend a class will be given a free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit (one per family) containing key items to assist in the aftermath of a disaster.
“For our community, these classes are extremely beneficial in helping the everyday resident to prepare for the different weather events that impact us,” said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director. “The classes are taught by the Army National Guard and offer a quick synopsis of various events experienced regionally, the impact they had and how individuals and families can take steps to minimize the impacts of similar events in the future.”
To register for the event, visit www.prepare.ny.gov and click on the training calendar to find the event you would like to attend.
Image courtesy of Kendall Central School: The new elementary school playground at Kendall is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. The playground includes ground-level entry points, durable turf surfacing, and equipment designed to accommodate children with limited mobility.
Press Release, Kendall Central School
KENDALL – Kendall Central School invites the public to the official ribbon cutting ceremony for its new elementary school playground on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kendall Elementary School, 1932 Kendall Rd.
The celebration will mark the opening of Kendall’s first community-accessible playground, which is a one-of-a-kind facility in the Northeast that will serve both students and families for years to come.
“I am beyond excited to finally share the finished product with our school and larger community,” said Superintendent Nick Picardo. “Our early vision was to ensure that our students and residents had a space to come and spend time with family and friends right in our community. I believe this playground will become a central place for families to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors right here in Kendall.”
The playground was made possible through the district’s 2023 Capital Project Vote and features cutting-edge structures including the Volo Aire, a multi-level climbing tower with covered slides that is the first of its kind on the East Coast. Other highlights include a zipline, We-Go-Round, We-Saws, swings, climbing mounds, chill spinners, and shaded seating areas.
Designed with accessibility at its core, the playground includes ground-level entry points, durable turf surfacing, and equipment designed to accommodate children with limited mobility. Dedicated areas for both younger and older elementary students ensure that children of all ages can play safely and comfortably.
This new addition is a major milestone not just for the district, but for the region: a protected design radius has been placed around Kendall, ensuring that no other nearby playgrounds will feature the same exclusive components.
“In early January 2025, with a completed design in hand, the superintendent received a frantic call from me thanks to a brand-new, never-before-seen structure having just been released to the market,” said Andy Walsh, Genesee Regional Manager of Parkitects. “Under Nick Picardo’s leadership and with the support of the Kendall team, the decision was made to pivot and include the first Volo Aire in New York State. That bold move brought one of the most inclusive and accessible tower structures ever built to the Kendall community.”
Planning for the playground began with a unique focus on student voice and research. A student-led committee worked alongside staff and design experts to test playgrounds across Western New York and cast votes on preferred features—including the curly slide, which won by a landslide during Kendall’s own “Voting Day.”
“This vibrant new space is more than just a place to play, it’s a reflection of our community’s creativity, collaboration, and commitment to joyful learning,” said Elementary Principal Kevin Watson. “From the first sketch to the final bolt, this playground was designed with our students in mind. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built together. We invite you to come explore, play, and celebrate with us. This playground is a gift to our students, families, and neighbors, and we can’t wait to see it filled with laughter and joy!”
The community is encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting on Oct. 1 to explore the new playground and celebrate this exciting milestone. For more information about the new playground, visit http://www.kendallschools.org/playground or follow @kendallcsd on Facebook.
Church will dedicate refurbished pipe organ, celebrate people featured on quilt from 1987
Photo courtesy of Lyndonville Presbyterian Church: This quilt was made in 1987 by a Sunday School class at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church.
Press Release, The Rev. Martha Mitchell, pastor of Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
LYNDONVILLE – Eight years ago, when I first came to Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, a parishioner rescued a quilt from storage in the church basement.
We hung it in our dining hall. Since then it has fascinated people who wander in. Some head right over saying, “My name is on this quilt!”
The Sunday School class made it in 1987 when the church was the United Presbyterian Church. Ever since we placed it for public display, we have dreamed of hosting a homecoming.
We are hoping that many of the people on the quilt will materialize in person. They are now parents or even grandparents. Some of the leaders are deceased. We thought it would be fun for people to reunite who once knew LPC and contributed to its history.
Saturday, October 11th, we invite anyone who ever had any connection with Lyndonville Presbyterian Church to come on over and mingle at 107 North Main St.
11a.m. to 3 p.m. family activities like ring toss, cornhole, a fishpond, chalk drawing (so you can fill up our parking lot with chalk art), pumpkin decorating and more.
Beef on Weck lunch at noon, free will offering.
Photo Booth so that we can get as many photos as possible to correspond to the names on the quilt for an updated picture quilt.
Sunday, October 12th, we are dedicating our refurbished pipe organ during our special musical worship service at 10:30 a.m. Once again, all are invited to join us.
A coffee hour follows worship, so come peek in and see where you once spent time. Or just come join us for two days of wonderful celebrations whether you’re an old friend or a brand-new curiosity seeker.
Bring your whole family and head over. We look forward to seeing you on October 11th or 12th or both!
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2025 at 12:03 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Medina Mustang Band was among 10 marching bands that performed on Saturday during Medina’s home show, the Fall Festival of Bands.
The top photo shows Raelynn Baker, a member of the Color Guard.
Medina has about 80 students in the band. They compete in the Small School, Division 1. Medina scored 72.450 points for first place in that division.
Medina’s program is entitled, “Fragile World – The Way We Were.” The program includes selections from “Raging Machines” by Brian Balmages, “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand, and “Winds of Change” by Randall Standridge.
The band enters the field at Vets Park for its performance. There are about 80 students in the band that is directed by Matt Jaeger.
Carmen Stalker serves as drum major of this year’s band. She is shown leading the group on Saturday.
The front end ensemble follows the drum major’s lead.
Mackenzie Poynter is a senior member of the Color Guard.
The trumpeters brought a big sound to the show. River Jones, left, was one of the featured performers on Saturday.
Natalie Herbert, left, and Ella Crooks show their skills tossing the wooden rifles as part of Medina’s Color Guard.
Lyla Page serves as the backfield conductor for the Mustangs.
Kylee McMullen smiles after a segment in Medina’s show.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2025 at 10:33 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Webster Marching Band closes out Saturday’s Fall Festival of Bands in Medina, which featured 10 marching bands from Western New York and the Rochester area.
About 1,000 people attended the event. The bands compete in the New York State Field Band Conference which culminates on Oct. 26 with the championships in Syracuse at the JMA Wireless Dome.
Jayliana Wilson, drum major for the Greece Marching Band, signals to judges that the marching band is ready to perform during the Fall Festival of Bands. Greece performs in the Large School, Division 2 category.
The scores for the bands on Saturday include:
• Small School 3 – 1. Marcus Whitman, 68.000; 2. Pioneer, 66.400; and 3. Falconer-Frewsburg, 66.150
• Large School 3 – 1. Hilton, 68.800
• Large School 2 – 1. Lancaster, 76.500; 2. Greece, 76.150; 3. West Seneca, 73.300; and 4. Orchard Park, 73.050.
• Small School 1 – 1. Medina, 72.450
• National – 1. Webster, 79.450
The Medina Marching Band features about 80 students. The theme of this year’s show is “Fragile World.” “It starts out dark and mysterious, with voiceovers about a fragile and frail society. Near the end the mood turns joyous.
Braedan Signorino, drum major for the Falconer and Frewsburg marching band, leads the group in performing “Through the Storm.” This is the ninth year the two schools have worked together for a field band program.
Pioneer presented a show, “Pure Imagination,” which featured music from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and “A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.
Marcus Whitman performed “I’m Mortal” featuring music by Ludwig van Beethoven.
The Hilton Crimson Cadets Marching Band presented “Sweet Dreams.”
The Marching Legends of Lancaster performed “Vacancy on 13,” a show focused on superstition and bad luck where many hotels do not have a 13th floor.
Orchard Park performed “Color and Light” which combined classic musical theater and contemporary classical music.
Greece performed “Into the Storm” – a journey through Mother Nature’s unpredictability of mayhem and beauty that lies ahead.
West Seneca’s marching band presented “Inspiration.”
Webster brings out some of the props for its show, “In times of …” which explores human experience in innocence, struggle, loss and reflection.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 22 September 2025 at 9:57 am
Contributed Photos – Holley players on the GCC women’s soccer team include Sam Bates, Emma Brady and Isabella Thom.
The Holley contingent also includes Alexia Renner and Alivia Wolf.
Five players who played key roles in the Holley girls varsity soccer team’s success over the last few years have reunited this season on the Genesee Community College women’s soccer team.
The Holley quintet includes sophomore midfielders Sam Bates and Emma Brady, sophomore defender Isabella Thom and freshman forwards Alivia Wolf and Alexia Renner.
Bates has 7 goals and 2 assists to date while Brady has 2 goals and 6 assists, Thom 2 goals and Wolf and Renner 1 goal each.
Overall the GCC roster includes a total of 14 former Genesee Region League players.
That large G-R contingent includes Natalie Prinzi, Janessa Amesbury and Ava Gray from Byron-Bergen; Alexis Marine, Eva Heineman and Carly Burgess from Alexander, Cayleigh Havens and Nina Barts from Notre Dame and Piper Hyde from Oakfield-Alabama.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 September 2025 at 8:51 am
Photo courtesy of Carl Tuohey
MEDINA – Medina Theatre was open on Sunday afternoon for people to watch the Charlie Kirk memorial service.
About 80 people were in the theater on Main Street, and they came from Kent, Lyndonville, Medina, Middleport and Rochester.
Kirk, a conservative leader, was shot and killed on Sept. 10 at an event in Utah for his “The American Comeback Tour.” Kirk visited students on college campuses to debate on hot-button issues.
His service was held at State Farm Stadium in Arizona. Some of the speakers included President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Kirk’s wife Erika
On several occasions the speakers of the service brought a full round of applause from the local attendees during the peaceful event, said Carl Tuohey, one of the attendees
While the memorial service lasted five hours, well beyond the expected two hours, the Medina viewing ended at 4 p.m. with a speech by local minister Vincent Iorio. The event was hosted by Bob Sanderson.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 21 September 2025 at 7:10 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Brad Zacher and his son Henry, 5, build a fort with the giant LEGO blocks during Saturday’s special event at Sacred Heart Club.
MEDINA – A first-time LEGO/Building Bricks event sponsored by Medina Tourism at Sacred Heart Club was a resounding success, according to Kathy Blackburn, a member of the Tourism Committee.
“It’s been great. We had quite a turnout,” Blackburn said.
Jan Smith, a member of the Tourism Committee, brought the idea to the Committee and they jumped at it.
The event featured several components – assorted building blocks for children (and adults) to play with at Sacred Heart Club; a competition between first-, second- and third-graders at Roy-Hart and Medina school districts; prizes for everyone who brought in a LEGO creation; displays by Roclug (a Rochester LEGO user group) and local merchant Shawn Ramsey; an I Spy game sponsored by Lee-Whedon Memorial Library; a building table; a sensory area; and a scavenger hunt at downtown merchants.
LEGO and Building Bricks competitions are a big deal, in places like Rochester where there is Roclug. In Medina, Shawn Ramsey from Canalside Tattoo, with friends Sam Vella and Tyler Vercruysse are starting a hobby club to get people interested in LEGOs and Building Bricks.
Members of the Roclug LEGO building group out of Rochester sit with their giant display of creations they brought to Sacred Heart Club on Saturday. From left are Robert Herberger, Chuck Frueh and Shyra Murphy, all of Geneva.
At Roclug’s table, Robert Herberger, Chuck Frueh and Shyra Murphy of Geneva discussed their interest in building blocks.
“I have been into LEGOs since I was 6,” Frueh said. “Then about five years ago a set came out to build a typewriter. When LEGO Masters television show came out, I discovered there are LEGO conventions, and I started looking for one nearby. I found Rochester and signed up. Since then, LEGOs have taken over my life.”
Saturday, they had an entire table set up with LEGO displays they have created.
“What I hoped today was to meet some like-minded LEGO enthusiasts in hopes of making contact with others who would like to get together and create displays about the Medina community,” Ramsey said.
Shawn Ramsey of Canalside Tattoo, left, Sam Vella and Tyler Vercruysse (not shown) also had a large display of their LEGO collection. They hope to start a LEGO building group in Medina.
Medina art teacher Jen Scott’s sculpture class submitted multiple entries, which were then judged by popular vote. First place was a structure titled “Medina Sandstone,” and winning students were Sophie Kroenig, Payton Denniston, Elaina Bruce, Anna Saj and Jordan Olson.
Second place was a “Worker Boat,” created by Jordon Olson, Brady Brandt and Wyett Gunthaner.
Third place, “Canal Locks” was created by Eli Biesinger.
(Left) Photo by Ginny Kropf: Kathy Blackburn and Barb Gorham hold one of the certificates given to each entrant in the LEGO event sponsored by Medina Tourism Committee. (Right) Photo courtesy of Kathy Blackburn: The winning entry in the LEGO competition at Sacred Heart Club on Sunday was this building titled “Sandstone,” by Sophie Kroenig, Payton Denniston, Elaina Bruce, Anna Saj and Jordon Olson.
Two participants were Brad Zacher and his son Henry, 5, who sat on the floor with a pile of LEGOs.
“We went to Disney in August and got a LEGO set there to build a fire house, fire truck and helicopter,” Brad said.
Saturday, Henry said they were going to try and build a big square fort with the giant blocks piled on the floor.
“We just live down the street and when I saw this event, I thought it was cool,” Brad said.
River Cogovan, 7, came with his aunt Gretchen Albone.
“I like to build and create different things,” River said. “I have thousands of LEGOs at home.”
Orly the Ox, Orleans County’s bicentennial mascot, paid a visit to the LEGO event, getting his picture taken with the children.
Overall, Blackburn said the hits of the event were the giant LEGOs and the building table.
Fiona Tavis, 10, of Medina works on building the Medina Falls at the LEGO event Saturday at Sacred Heart Club.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 September 2025 at 5:24 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council has a new free art library outside the Author’s Note book store in Medina at 519 Main St.
The art library was architecturally designed by Jeff Pasnik, built and designed by Carpenters Local Union 276, and painted by Jaylah Sherman.
They also made and painted the free art library outside Hoag Library in Albion.
GO Art! has another free art library in Batavia created by Bill Schutt and sponsored by the Batavia Rotary Club.
A fourth art library is expected next weekend in Holley outside the Community Free Library. GO Art! also would like one at the Woodward Memorial Library in LeRoy.
Gregory Hallock, GO Art! executive director, said the organization is working to add art kits for the sites and welcomes donations.
This free art library was added about a week ago outside Author’s Note in Medina.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 21 September 2025 at 5:17 pm
File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Melanie Green
A double bogey on the first hole this morning proved to be tough to overcome as Medina’s Melanie Green finished in a tie for 12th at the Epson Tour’s Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout which concluded today at El Dorado, Arkansas.
Green’s busy day started by playing the final two holes of the second round which was suspended by darkness on Saturday.
She started the morning at even par for the tournament but quickly went to 2 over after posting a double bogey on her first hole, No. 17. Rebounding she pared 18 to finish the second round at 2 over.
That set the stage for the tourney closing third round during which she alternated birdies and bogeys to finish the round with a 1 under par 71. She had birdies on 5, 11 and 18 and bogeys on 8 and 15.
She finished the tourney with a 1 over par total of 217 and tied for 12th with some of the field still on the course.
Next up for Green will be the Epson Tour’s season ending championship tournament in California in early October.
