This week will decide N-O diamond title races

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 10 May 2026 at 9:52 am

The Niagara-Orleans League baseball and softball title races will wrap up this week.

Defending champion Medina at 9-0 holds a two game lead over 8-2 Roy-Hart in the baseball standings. The Mustangs have a pair of games against Newfane and a makeup game against Albion this week to close out the league season while the Rams have a pair of games against Wilson.

In the softball race, Barker at 9-2 holds a narrow lead over 8-2 Wilson as Roy-Hart is still in contention at 6-2. Roy-Hart will visit Barker in a key contest on Monday.

N-O Standings
Baseball – Medina 9-0, Roy-Hart 8-2, Albion 6-3, Akron 6-4, Barker 4-8, Newfane 1-9, Wilson 1-9
Softball – Barker 9-2, Wilson 8-2, Roy-Hart 6-2, Akron 5-3, Albion 2-7, Newfane 1-7, Medina 1-9

Weekly Schedule
Monday
Baseball – Medina at Newfane, Akron at Albion, 4:45 p.m.; Barker at Alexander, Lyndonville at Notre Dame 5 p.m.; Wilson at Roy-Hart, 7 p.m.
Softball – Medina at Newfane, Roy-Hart at Barker, Wilson at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; CSAT at Lyndonville, Notre Dame at Kendall, 4 p.m.; Holley at Attica (doubleheader 4 and 6 p.m.)
Tennis – Albion at Roy-Hart, Akron at Barker, 4:15 p.m.
Lacrosse – Brockport at Medina, 6 p.m.
Golf – Sectionals at Shelridge, 9 a.m.

Tuesday
Baseball – Byron-Bergen at Lyndonville, 5 p.m.
Softball – Akron at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; Lyndonville at Medina, Barker at Sweet Home, Holley at Byron-Bergen, 5 p.m.; Attica at Kendall (doubleheader 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.), Albion at Newfane, 7 p.m.
Track – Newfane at Medina, Barker at Roy-Hart, Akron at Wilson, 5 p.m.

Wednesday
Baseball – Albion at Akron, Roy-Hart at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; Oakfield-Alabama at Barker, Pembroke at Kendall, 5 p.m.; Elba at Lyndonville (doubleheader 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.); Newfane at Medina, 7 p.m.
Softball – Albion at Wilson, Newfane at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Roy-Hart at East Aurora, Holley at Oakfield-Alabama, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Medina at Albion, Roy-Hart at Akron, Barker at Newfane, 4:15 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Wilson, 6:30 p.m.

Thursday
Softball – Albion at Medina, Roy-Hart at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Barker at Alexander, Lyndonville at Notre Dame, Kendall at Holley, 5 p.m.
Track – Akron at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Tennis – Albion at Wilson, 4:15 p.m.

Friday
Baseball – Kendall at Alexander, 5 p.m.; Lyndonville at Mt. Morris, 5:15 p.m.
Softball – Newfane at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; Kendall at Pembroke, Holley at Notre Dame, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Newfane at Roy-Hart, Akron at Medina, 4:15 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Akron, 5 p.m.

Saturday
Baseball – Medina at Albion, Roy-Hart at Williamsville East, 12 p.m.
Softball – Barker at Lockport, 11 a.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Bloomfield, 12 p.m.

‘Connects Day’ sends 50 volunteers into community

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 May 2026 at 8:45 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connects’ board, takes a picture of volunteers from Baxter Healthcare before they left for their volunteer jobs during Community Connects Day.

KNOWLESVILLE – Volunteers from throughout the county joined together on Friday for Community Connects Day, sponsored by Orleans Community Connects.

Formerly known as Day of Caring, nearly 50 individuals arrived for breakfast at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds, before embarking on their volunteer opportunities at a handful of sites.

Orleans Community Connects’ director Nyla Gaylord sits with volunteers Grace Ryan and Todd Schrauger, Baxter employees who volunteered for Community Connects Day on Friday.

Community Connects Day is a dedicated initiative that brings together volunteers and local nonprofits to complete meaningful projects which directly benefit the Orleans County Community.

More than a dozen volunteers came from Baxter on Friday, while others were from Velociti, Takeform, Western New York Energy and Orleans County Mental Health. Sites where they volunteered included Camp Rainbow, the YMCA, Cooperative Extension, Go Art! at Cooperative Extension, Hospice, P‘raising Kids and Arc GLOW.

Volunteers perform such duties as painting, lawn work, filing, cleaning, assembling bookcases and small maintenance jobs.

Orleans Community Connects’ director Nyla Gaylord welcomed volunteers and explained the organization’s name change and the successes achieved in recent years. This included grants and support for expanded broadband in Orleans County, including classes on how to use the modern technology.

“Our new name and new focus are to bring the community together, solve its problems and make it attractive for people to live here,” Gaylord said.

She also shared her appreciation to North Shore Network, who sponsored the day by providing funds for goodie bags for all volunteers. NSN, the company doing broadband installation in the county, is owned by Duston Ellis of Medina.

Dean Bellack, president of Orleans Community Connect’s board, addressed volunteers, saying the agency has made tremendous strides in recent years, having applied for and received more than $2 million in grants, which have funded a grant writer, broadband expansion, respite for caregivers and nutrition programs.

“Our next step is building finances to help towns and villages get state grants and to bring in housing and development,” Bellack said. “We are a housing development agency with a charitable component.”

Orleans Community Connects’ board president Dean Bellack chats with Rahema Quedue and Megan Davenport from Takeform on Friday before they leave for their volunteer opportunities for the day.

Gaylord and Bellack emphasized Orleans Community Connects will continue to give financial aid to its charitable partners throughout the county.

Among Friday’s volunteers were Grace Ryan from Baxter Healthcare. This is her third year of volunteering for the day.

“I have been a big supporter of everything Baxter does involving volunteers,” Ryan said. “I love doing it. Two years ago, I helped clean up the playground at Towne School, and last year I cleaned the storage at the YMCA. I’m going there this year. It’s for sure I’ll be back again next year,” she said, giving a ‘thumbs up.’

Terry Kingdollar, a family support specialist with Arc GLOW, was with a group from the Arc’s Self Advocacy All Stars. Kingdollar said this was her third time volunteering.

“I like helping people,” she said.

Dawn Winkler, financial manager at Orleans Community Connects, checks in three volunteers at Community Connects Day – Cari Matusak and Larah Rotali from Baxter and Terry Kingdollar from Arc GLOW’s Self Advocacy All Stars.

Matt Luker came with co-workers from Western New York Energy.

“This is my first time here, but I’m a big community person,” he said. “I help in my community a lot, doing anything I can. I’m that kind of person.”

This was Megan Townsend’s first year to volunteer.

“I wanted to last year, but I was too busy at work,” she said. “So this year I made sure I had time this year.”

An employee of Takeform, Townsend headed to Camp Rainbow for the day.

Melinda Rhim, an employee of Orleans County Mental Health, has been an avid participant in the day for many years, going back to when she was on the board of United Way. She comes every year with a team of co-workers to volunteer.

A team from Western New York Energy wait to start out for their volunteer assignments at Community Connects Day on Friday, sponsored by Orleans Community Connects.

Volunteers recognized at St. Peter’s Food Pantry in Medina

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 May 2026 at 8:25 am

Photos by Ginny Kropf: Officers of the Food Pantry at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church are, from left, Michelle Capstick, president; Sally Grimm, volunteer coordinator; Kari Root, new board member and secretary; and Robin Dubai, food pantry coordinator. Absent is board member Marian Fry.

MEDINA – Behind the scenes at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church’s Food Pantry is a dedicated team of volunteers who give of their time and energy to make sure the food pantry is there for those who need it.

Pastor Sohail Akhtar of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church welcomes guests and gives the blessing at the annual luncheon Thursday honoring volunteers of the Food Pantry.

On Thursday, those volunteers were recognized at a luncheon sponsored by St. Peter’s Church.

Robin Dubai has overseen the food pantry for 32 years, with help from her husband Denny and Bob Maryjanowski, who do the heavy work and unload the Foodlink truck. Dubai’s sister Diane Mazur is also a volunteer.

Dubai said the community is generous and they have been very good to the food pantry. She also acknowledged Kathy Iorio’s contribution to the food pantry by doing the double bagging.

President Michelle Capstick has also taken over the treasurer’s duties formerly handled by Jim Hancock, until he retired in 2025 after 45 years. He continues to help by picking up food once a month which has been donated to Lee-Whedon Memorial Library for the pantry.

Dubai said the food pantry serves 60-65 families a month. It is open from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday. Days it is not open, those in need of food can go The Vine on Maple Ridge Road.

St. Peter’s food pantry was originally started by Joe and Mary Jane Sczechowiak and Ginny Krownski, and was located in the kitchen and basement of the church parsonage, Dubai said. Dubai first became involved with stocking the shelves. She likes to recall one story of a mother and her children who came regularly to the food pantry.

“One day the oldest son took a big box of cereal out of the bag and said, ‘I’m going to put this under my bed, so when I get hungry at night, I’ll have something to eat.’ I never forgot that, and I’ve hoped some day a successful man would walk in and say that was him. I’d love to know where the family is and that they are doing well.”

Medina Lions Club, scouts clean up park by canal

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 10 May 2026 at 7:58 am

Provided photo: Cleaning up Lions Park has been a tradition of Medina Lions for decades. Here Matt Kreutz, Lions Club chairman of the park cleanup (in the plaid shirt at right), poses with Boy Scouts from Troop 28 and Girl Scouts from Troop 82096, after finishing their work Saturday morning.

MEDINA – Medina Lions completed their cleanup of Lions Park on Saturday, with help from Boy Scout Troop 28 and Girl Scout Troop 82096.

The Lions thanked Tim Winters and the village of Medina, who brought mulch.

The Lions have been taking care of Lions Park for decades, said Lion Dean Bellack. He said they received a thank-you call from Mayor Deb Padoleski.

The cleanup was originally scheduled two weeks ago on April 25, but had to be postponed due to heavy rain.

Double rainbow emerges after severe thunderstorm

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2026 at 10:12 pm

A brilliant double rainbow stretched out in the sky after a severe thunderstorm this evening. The top photo was taken on Keitel Road in Albion by Ken Verhagen.

This photo was taken by Troy McGaffick, age 13, at the Eagle Harbor Road bridge.

Jeff Mitchell of Waterport took this photo of the rainbow over Main Street in Albion.

Christian Borgal captured this image of the double rainbow over South Main Street in Lyndonville.

Jodi Rowland found the double rainbow on Route 104 in Ridgeway.

Dana Miller sent in this photo of the double rainbow over North Main Street in Albion with the Lake Country Pennysaver building at right.

Dana Miller also got the rainbow in this photo from downtown Albion.

Alexander rallies past Kendall in G-R softball

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 5:46 pm

Putting together a last inning rally, Alexander edged Kendall 11-10 in a Geensee Region League softball game today.

Trailing 10-7, Alexander rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on a burst of six hits including four singles and a pair of doubles. A double by Payton Delelys plated the game winner.

Kendall had grabbed a 10-7 lead by scoring twice in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Brooke Rodas and a fielders choice play off the bat of Sophia Picardo and once in the seventh on an RBI double by Izzy D’Agostino.

D’Agostino, Rodas and Ella Cole each finished with 3 hits.

Lockport stickmen post win over Medina

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 5:30 pm

Building up leads of 4-1 at the end of the first quarter and 7-1 at the half, Lockport went on to down visiting Medina 13-4 today in an interdiviional lacrosse game.

Sawyer Lilleby, Landon Costich, Clayton Wagner and Brennan Allen each scored a goal for the Mustangs.

Medina next hosts Brockport at 6 p.m. Monday in a non league contest.

Mustangs win 12th as Papaj hurls 1 hitter

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 5:24 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Aidan Papaj hurled Medina past Pavilion/York this afternoon with a one hitter.

Improving to 12-1, Medina trimmed Pavilion/York 3-0 in a non league baseball game at Vets Park this afternoon.

Aidan Papaj hurled a sparkling 1 hitter with 16 strikeouts on the mound for the Mustangs.

Medina broke away from a scoreless deadlock in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Preston Woodworth. Papaj reached on a single and advanced to third on errors to set up the opportunity.

The Mustangs later added a pair of big insurance runs in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Jimmy Dieter and a ground out off the bat of Cam Fike. Two hit batters and a walk loaded the bases to set up the threat.

Medina returns to Niagara-Orleans League action on Monday with a 4:45 p.m. game at Newfane.

The defending champion Mustangs currently lead the N-O with a 9-0 record.

Kendall rallies for two G-R diamond wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 5:02 pm

Kendall scored a pair of come-from-behind victories in Genesee Region League baseball action today as the Eagles improve to 9-1 in the league and 14-2 overall.

First Kendall traveled to Oakfield this morning to complete a game which was halted by bad weather on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-1 when play resumed today, Kendall tied the game by scoring twice with two out in the seventh inning on an RBI singles by Vinnie D’Agostino and Nic Cole. A double by CJ D’Agostino ignited the rally.

The Eagles then pulled out the 3-2 win by scoring once in the ninth on an RBI single by Sammy Conte which followed a single by Vinnie D’Agostino.

CJ D’Agostino earned the win on the mound allowing only 2 hits and striking out 15. He fanned 3 in the bottom of the 8th and 2 in the bottom of the ninth.

Kendall then returned home to post a 12-2 win over Attica this afternoon.

Trailing 2-1, Kendall took control by erupting for 7 runs in the fourth inning highlighted by RBI doubles by Cole and CJ D’Agostino and an RBI single by Vinnie D’Agostino.

Vinnie D’Agostino picked up the win on the mound giving up just 1 hit and striking out 8.

Lady Rams post win over Mustangs

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 4:49 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Alayna Kowalski gets to second base ahead of the tag attempt by Medina’s Lillian Maynard as Savannah Jo Thompson backs up the play. The action took place during the Lady Rams home field win over the Mustangs this afternoon.

Jumping out to an early five run lead, Roy-Hart went on to down visiting Medina 12-6 in a Niagara-Orleans League softball game this afternoon.

Julia Verratti had a two-run single to highlight a three-run first inning for the Lady Rams as winning pitcher Abby Fox had a two-run double and Alayna Kowalski a two-run single to key a four run second inning upping the lead to 7-2.

Medina did cut the deficit to 3-2 by scoring twice on five walks in the top of the second inning but could get no closer.

Fox and Amelia Kinney combined to register a total of 11 strikeouts in the circle for the Lady Rams.

Savannah Jo Thompson had a single and a triple for Medina.

Roy-Hart is now 6-2 and Medina 1-9 in N-O action.

Roy-Hart’s Hannah Verratti had a key two-run single in the first inning.

Strong 3rd round finish keeps Green in the top 10 at the LPGA’s Mizuho Americas Open

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 3:14 pm

Contributed Photo – Melanie Green

Putting together a strong finish with birdies on 3 of the last 6 holes, Medina’s Melanie Green posted a 1 under par 71 at today’s third round of the LPGA Tour’s Mizuho Americs Open Tpurnament being played at West Caldwell, New Jersey.

Green started the day at 2 under for the tournament and maintained that score at the end of the front nine as birdies on 1 and 5 offset bogies on 4 and 8.

Back-t0-back bogies on 11 and 12 dropped her to even for the tourney but she came battling back.

She rebounded with birdies on 13, 16 and 18 to finish the day with a 71 and go to 3 under for the tournament which was good for a share of 10th place.

Green opened the tournament with an even par round of 72 on Thursday and improved to a 2 under par round of 70 on Friday.

The tournament will conclude on Sunday as Green is seeking her second straight top 10 finish.

Tigers make it 3 straight diamond wins

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 9 May 2026 at 1:29 pm

Making it three wins in a row, Lyndonville downed Pembroke 5-3 in a Genesee Region League baseball game this morning.

A four run fourth inning provided the margin of victory for the Tigers as Shawn Robertson and winning pitcher Landon Markidis both had RBI singles. A hit batter and a bases loaded walk plated the other runs. Devon Babcock and Shannon Withey also both had singles to help key the uprising.

Austin Fonda also had a pair of hits on the day for Lyndonville which improves to 5-7.

On the mound, Markidis allowed only 3 hits and struck out 3.

Albion’s musical, Annie, wins big at Stars of Tomorrow

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2026 at 10:17 am

Lyndonville, Medina also recognized for theatrical performances

Photos by Tom Rivers: Neveya Barnes starred as Annie in Albion’s performance of the Annie musical in March and Gideon Pask is Oliver Warbucks at right. They were both recognized for “achievement in a lead role” by the Stars of Tomorrow on Friday. Brayden Whittier, left, performed the role of Bert Healy, a charismatic and goofy radio announcer. Annie and Warbucks went on the show in a search for her biological parents.

ROCHESTER – Three school musicals in Orleans County were well represented at the annual Stars of Tomorrow program that highlights outstanding achievement in local high school theater.

There are 50 schools in the Stars program in the Rochester region.

Albion was a big winner in the small schools division, one of 10 musicals named a “Showstopper” for its production of Annie.

The orphans, including Rianne Hand on table, sing the opening number form Annie, “It’s the Hard Knock Life.”

In addition to being a “Showstopper,” Albion won the following awards and recognitions:

Achievement in theatrical storytelling
Achievement in acting ensemble
Achievement in vocal ensemble
Achievement in dance ensemble
Achievement in production crew
Achievement in production design
Achievement in student orchestra
Achievement in a leading role – Neveya Barnes as Annie and Gideon Pask as Oliver Warbucks

Lily Brigham received a “Tip of the Hat” for her solo in the song, “N.Y.C.” Brigham played the role of a “Star to Be.”

Tip of the Hat:

Kaitlin Basinait as the deck manager
Hannah Kumalac as the stage manager
Lily Brigham, “Star to Be”
Julia Button, “Lily St. Regis”

Lyndonville’s Gavyn Draper performed the lead role of Peter Pan and was recognized for “Achievement in a Leading Role.”

Lyndonville’s production of Peter Pan received several honors:

Achievement in theatrical storytelling
Achievement in acting ensemble
Achievement in production crew
Achievement in production design
Achievement in a leading role – Gavyn Draper as Peter Pan

Lily Botsford received a “Tip of the Hat” as the Crocodile and also as the Ostrich. Her the Crocodile pursues Captain Hook, played by Austin Fonda.

Tip of the Hat:

Lily Botsford as the Ostrich/Crocodile
Sarah Corser as Tiger Lily
Sierra Frasier and Melanie Jay, percussion

Medina performed High School Musical. Ava Blount played Gabriella and was recognized for “achievement in a lead role.”

Other laurels for Medina include:

Achievement in theatrical storytelling
Achievement in acting ensemble
Achievement in dance ensemble
Achievement in production crew
Achievement in production design
Achievement in a lead role – Arabella White as “Sharpay Evans” and Ava Blount as “Gabriella Montez”

Tip of the Hat

Madelyn Elliot as “Taylor”
Adam James Horton as “Jack Scott”

Arabella White starred as Sharpay Evans in Medina’s production of High School Musical.

Group gathers outside county courthouse for Day of Prayer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2026 at 9:21 am

Provided photos

ALBION – A group of church leaders and Christians in Orleans County gathered at noon outside the Orleans County Courthouse on Thursday for the National Day of Prayer.

There were about 35 people at the gathering. Orleans and all 62 counties in the state were part of the observances.

“This was the 75th annual National Day of Prayer and it coincides with America 250, so there was some additional effort to have prayer gatherings throughout the country on that day,” said the Rev. Tim Lindsay, the founding pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship.

Jovannie Canales, lead pastor at Harvest Christian Fellowship, leads the group in a time of worship.

There were about 35 in attendance, including some of the students from the Orleans County Christian School.

Gov. Kathy Hochul issuing a proclamation declaring May 7 as the “Day of Prayer.”

“New York honors and acknowledges that collective reflection strengthens social fabric; praying for friends, family, neighbors, and newcomers is an act of love and respect, not done in the interest of self, but in service to others,” the proclamation states.

“New York State welcomes and values the autonomy of those seeking peace and belonging by way of deep reflection when in need of divine support.”

The first call to prayer was in 1775, when the Continental Congress sought wisdom for a new nation,” the proclamation states.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of “humiliation, fasting and prayer,” and in 1952, President Harry S. Truman signed a joint resolution establishing a National Day of Prayer. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan officially designated it as an annual tradition on the first Thursday in May.

Forecast shows 50s, 60s this week with sunshine

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 May 2026 at 8:41 am

Bob Chaplin took this photo of a sunrise recently at Oak Orchard Lighthouse at Point Breeze.

The forecast for today shows showers and thunderstorms will be possible late this afternoon and evening between 5 and 9 p.m., some of which could produce strong gusty winds and hail, the National Weather Service in Buffalo said.

The high should reach 66 today in Orleans County on a party sunny day.

The forecast then calls for sunny and high of 58 on Sunday, sunny and a high of 54 on Monday, sunny and a high of 56 on Tuesday, mostly cloudy and a high near 59 on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the forecast calls for a chance of showers and high near 60, with a partly sunny Friday and a high near 65.

Robyn Ottaviano took a photo of this striking sunrise this morning at the Medina Canal Port to kick off Mother’s Day weekend.