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3 more sites inducted into Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame
Village of Medina, Western Orleans Senior Citizens presented ‘Heritage Award’ for upkeep of railroad depot
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Village of Medina and Senior Citizens of Western Orleans were presented with the “Heritage Award” from the Medina Sandstone Society on Oct. 22 for their work keeping the railroad depot as a bustling site in good condition. Pictured from left include Deputy Mayor Scott Bieliski, Mayor Debbie Padoleski, Senior Citizens of Western Orleans board member Jean Wetherbee, director Kelly Shaw, and Sandstone Society board members Jim Hancock, and Reinhard Rogowski.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society inducted three more members in the Medina Sandstone hall of Fame on Oct. 22, bringing the total inductees to 49 since the Hall of Fame was established in 2013. The Hall of Fame is located at City Hall in Medina.
The new inductees include the Belhurst Castle in Geneva, the Genesee County Jail in Batavia and the Titusville Presbyterian Church in Titusville, Pa.
The Sandstone Society also will be presenting a Heritage Award to the Medina Village Board and Western Orleans Senor Center for their ongoing commitment to maintain the New York Central railroad depot, a Medina Sandstone building constructed in 1908.
Representatives from Genesee County accept the Hall of Fame plaque for the Genesee County Jail. They also received citations from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and the Orleans County Legislature. Pictured from left include Justin Gerace, assistant county engineer; DJ Snyder, deputy highway commissioner, parks and facilities for the Genesee County DPW; Laura Wadhams, commissioner of public works for Genesee County; and Genesee County Legislator Gordon Dibble, a retired Genesee County chief deputy.
Belhurst Castle – Geneva, NY
Belhurst Castle in Geneva was built as a private three-story, nine-bay-wide mansion over four years from 1885 to 1889. It sits along the shores of Seneca Lake. It was built with a rich brown Medina Sandstone. The site was a speakeasy and illegal gambling casino during the 1930s.
It was converted into a hotel, winery and spa in 1952, and offers overnight lodgings, dining, and event spaces. It has two restaurants, including one named the Stonecutters Tavern.
This historic 3-story Romanesque Revival stone mansion now hosts weddings and other major events. It has been named a “World’s Best Wine Hotel” by Wine Enthusiast, voted number three in USA TODAY’s Top 10 Wine Country Hotels, and voted one of the “Most Romantic Places” in New York State.
Belhurst was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Genesee County Jail – Batavia, NY
The Genesee County Jail in Batavia was built from 1902-1903 in a Victorian Gothic and fortress-like structure made of Medina Sandstone. In the early days it served as the sheriff’s residence. It later was the offices for the Sheriff’s Department.
The jail on West Main Street features five turrets, quoins, and rusticated sandstone. The building was designed by Poughkeepsie architect William J. Beardsley, who also designed Attica State Prison.
The Genesee County Jail sits as a focal point in the Genesee County Courthouse Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The county sheriff and his family used to live in the front portion of the jail building until the 1970s. The jail originally had 10 to 15 cells. The county put a brick addition on the jail in 1985, increasing the capacity for 97 inmates.
The county built a new jail in 2024 at 3839 West Main Street Rd., but hasn’t neglected the sandstone site. The county in 2022-23 did a $2 million restoration on the old jail with lots of repointing and work on the sandstone and brick. The county repaired crumbling and deteriorated sandstone blocks, which were meticulously deconstructed, labeled and safely restored.
Workers then rebuilt the underlying foundation, concrete slab, and front porch walls before placing the historic sandstone back in position.
Titusville First Presbyterian Church – Titusville, Pennsylvania
Photo courtesy of David Miller
Titusville is the birthplace of modern American petroleum industry. Edwin Drake successfully struck oil on Aug. 27, 1859. The city’s population surged after the world’s first commercial oil well was drilled.
The earliest religious association in the Titus settlement was begun by the Presbyterians, and the congregation increased over the years, outgrowing four buildings before the current one was built of Medina red sandstone from 1887 to 1888 in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.
Rather than the conventional spire, the design called for a distinctive main tower topped by a belfry and dome. The wood of the interior is oak, and the pews are in a semicircular arrangement. The south-facing Emerson Chapel was added in 1907. The church contains a pipe organ and historic art glass windows designed by J & R Lamb Studios of New York City.
This church at 216 N. Franklin Street in Titusville is part of the Titusville Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
Heritage Award – Village of Medina, Western Orleans Senior Citizens
The Sandstone Society honored the Village of Medina and the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans for their stewardship of the NY Central Depot, a Medina Sandstone building constructed in 1908, a site that continues as a social hub for older adults and other community events.
The site has been used as the Senior Citizens of Western Orleans since 1968. It started when a group of seniors got to thinking there should be a place in Medina for seniors to gather and enjoy camaraderie.
The village was approached about using the New York Central railroad depot on West Avenue, and an agreement was reached to allow use of the building.
The group at one time had 600 members. The Senior Center of Western Orleans now has about 250 members, and the center is still very active with euchre games, pinochle and luncheons.
There also are exercise classes on Wednesday mornings and one can expect to find a jigsaw puzzle in the works any time.
The center has a gift shop which is always full of unique gift items, puzzles, clothing, jewelry and hand-knitted and crocheted items.
The building has seen recent improvements with a new air-conditioner, exterior painting, and other upgrades.
For more on the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame, click here.
Polling sites will be open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at all 10 towns in county
There will be polling sites open in all 10 towns in Orleans County from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. There are 25,899 registered voters in the county.
The county already had 2,665 people cast ballots through nine days of early voting. That site was at the Board of Elections in Albion.
On Tuesday, there will be polling sites throughout the county. Most of the polling sites are at town halls, although Albion votes at Hoag Library, part of Ridgeway uses the Volunteer Fire Company, and Carlton uses the Fire Company Rec Hall.
Here is a list of the polling sites:
- Albion – Districts 1 through 6 – Hoag Library, 134 South Main St.
- Barre – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 14317 West Barre Rd.
- Carlton – Districts 1 through 3 – Carlton Fire Co. Rec Hall, 1853 Oak Orchard Rd.
- Clarendon – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 16385 Church St.
- Gaines – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 14087 Ridge Rd.
- Kendall – Districts 1 through 3 – Town Hall, 1873 Kendall Rd.
- Murray – Districts 1 through 6 – Town Hall/Highway Garage, 3840 Fancher Rd.
- Ridgeway – Districts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 – Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company, 11392 Ridge Rd.
- Ridgeway – Districts 4, 5 – Town Hall, 410 West Ave.
- Shelby – Districts 1 through 4 – Town Hall, 4062 Salt Works Rd.
- Yates – Districts 1 and 2 – Town Hall, 8 South Main St.
Shelby voters urged to keep town clerk and highway superintendent as elected positions
Editor:
The Town of Shelby Board would like you to vote to make the town clerk and the town highway superintendent’s positions appointed by them, as opposed to the current process of electing them.
This proposal by the board stems from disagreements between the current board and the people currently holding those positions. It has absolutely nothing to do with their qualifications for the job or their accountability. True leadership on the board would be able to work with anyone in those positions.
But more important than that leadership issue, is the fact that the elected clerk and elected highway superintendent’s positions are the only checks and balances over the board itself.
The clerk is responsible for protecting the records of the town. If the board appoints the clerk, there is nothing to keep board members from accessing those records, or disposing of records they might not want preserved, without the clerk’s oversight.
The highway superintendent would become a board bobblehead if that position were appointed by the board. Without constructive conversation, and differences of opinion, creative solutions aren’t possible. If the board is unable to function with those differing opinions, then maybe they should not be board members.
Taking the choice away from the voters is never a good answer.
Respectfully,
Wendi Pencille
Shelby
HEAP opens for season with up to $1,086 available for eligible households
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the State is now accepting applications for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), helping eligible New Yorkers save on the cost of heating their homes this winter amid rising energy costs.
The program could provide up to $1,086 this winter to help low- and middle-income households and older adults, depending on how they heat their home.
“No New Yorker should have to choose between heating their homes this winter and keeping food on the table,” Governor Hochul said. “As President Trump’s war in Iran drives up energy prices across the country, programs like the Home Energy Assistance Program will deliver relief to New Yorkers who need it most.”
Households that do not automatically receive assistance through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) can begin applying today, Monday, November 2.
Applications for assistance are accepted at local departments of social services and can be submitted online, through the mail or in person. New Yorkers can visit ny.gov/HEAP to learn more and apply. Additionally, older adults needing assistance with HEAP applications can contact their local office for the aging or contact the NY Connects helpline at 1-800-342-9871.
Editor’s Note: In Orleans County, people can inquire about HEAP at the Department of Social Services, 14016 Route 31 West, Albion, NY, 14411. The phone number is 585-589-3182. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The benefit amounts vary based on income, household size, heating source, and if the household includes a vulnerable member. A family of four can have a gross monthly income up to $6,852, or an annual gross income of up to $82,230, and still qualify for assistance.
In response to the rising cost of heating oil and kerosene stemming from President Trump’s war in Iran, New York State has increased base HEAP benefit amounts for recipients who have their heating fuel delivered to enable them to purchase a minimum delivery of fuel. The benefit amount for those who heat with oil, kerosene, or propane has been increased by $90, to $990, and the amount for those who heat with wood, pellets, and coal increased by $65 to $700.
Eligible households can receive one Regular HEAP benefit per season and could also be eligible for an Emergency HEAP benefit if they are in danger of running out of heating fuel or having their utility services shut off. Applications for the additional emergency benefits will be accepted beginning January 4, 2027.
HEAP benefits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligible low- and middle-income households in need of assistance are encouraged to apply for HEAP benefits as soon as possible.
Beyond helping to defray energy costs, HEAP will also support New Yorkers whose equipment is in need of cleaning and/or repairs. Eligible homeowners can also now apply to have their primary heating equipment inspected and cleaned through the HEAP Heating Equipment Clean and Tune benefit.
Homeowners with inoperable heating equipment can also apply to have their heating equipment repaired or replaced through HEAP’s Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement program. Applicants for these benefits should contact their local department of social services for more information.
Medina Marching Band takes 2nd at state championships in Syracuse
Photos courtesy of Medina Band Boosters: The Medina Marching Band performs on Sunday at the former Carrier Dome, now known as the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.
The Medina Marching Band took a close second during the championships on Sunday in Syracuse for the New York State Field Band Conference.
Oswego edged Medina for the title in the Small School 2 Division.
The scores for the nine marching bands in the division include: Oswego, first at 89.550; Medina, second at 88.300; Mohonasen, third at 86.975; Le Roy, fourth at 86.800; Jordan-Elbridge, fifth at 84.900; Horseheads, sixth at 83.250; Westmoreland, seventh at 82.750; Johnson City, eighth at 81.175; and Vestal, ninth at 80.600.
The state champions include Walt Whitman in Large School 3, Greece in Large School 2, Norwich in Small School 3, Oswego in Small School 2, Mineola in Small School 1, and Arlington in National.
Medina was one of 50 bands in 6 classes that performed during the championships.
Medina’s show is called “We The People” and celebrates the nation’s 250th anniversary with the music of Aaron Copeland.
The band consists of 90 students and is directed by Kyla Leno-Denise and Andrea Busch. The band is led on the field by drum major Sophia Lopez. The group performed in new uniforms this year.
Christopher brothers from Fancher made ultimate sacrifice during World War II
John A. Christopher (1917-1943) and Joseph F. Christopher (1919-1943) are two of the 10 Fancher area soldiers who died in World War II. The two gold stars on the flag indicate that two service members in the family died in action.
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 6, No. 30
FANCHER – While preparing his late aunt’s home for sale, John W. Long of Albion discovered a V-mail letter under a blotter on her desk.
Dated April 22, 1943, it was a friendly and encouraging letter to a former student and family friend then serving abroad, filled with local news and details of life on the home front. Undelivered, it was returned to her after he was listed as missing in action. Mr. Long recently shared the letter with the Orleans County Department of History.
Dear Joe:
Have been thinking about you, so decided to send a note. Here it is Easter time. We have had a very cold wet spring. Very little spring work has been started. Orleans County has got to be a very wild old place. The hunters have killed three to four wolves and several foxes.
Bob H.* brought a large wolf (48 lbs.) up to school so the children might see it. They were thrilled. Everything is okay here at home and also at your home. I see the boys often**. There doesn’t seem to be many fellows around. I guess those that aren’t in the service are doing defense work.
Everyone seems so busy. We have been having a big bond drive, also a defense stamp drive. A jeep called at school*** and explained and showed the children. They thought it was great. Maybe you will get to see some local boys over there, for many are there. If possible, take pictures and make notes so you can tell us when you get back.
I saw the picture of yourself which you sent home. You look fine. (Fat -Ha). When we were studying geography about that section, you had no idea you would ever see it, did you? Neither did I. Take care of yourself.
Sincerely,
John and Mary Long
Their nephew, John W. Long, recently provided the following explanations for the starred items:
* Bob H. was Bob Harling, a neighbor on Transit Road. The wolf story was big news, and was even mentioned in local newspapers.
** “Seeing the boys often” referred to Joe’s brothers.
*** An Army representative visited country schools to demonstrate a jeep to students.
This letter unleashed a flood of memories for Mr. Long. Now in his 90s, he remembers the flag which hung in the living room window of the Christopher home in Fancher during World War II. Then just eight years old, he remembers that at first it featured one blue star, then two, and then three. Then, two of the blue stars were replaced with gold stars. John still remembers the hushed adult conversations, the worry and the sadness which overcame the family.
Nicholas and Mary Christopher farmed on Transit Road in Fancher. They had ten children. John’s aunt, Mrs. Mary (Gavigan) Long was a teacher at the district school, known as the Yellow Schoolhouse, which was directly across from the Christopher home. She taught nine of the ten Christopher children and was a close family friend.
Three of the Christopher boys – Michael, Joseph and John enlisted at the beginning of the war. Michael, who had trained as a barber, was assigned to a military base in Arizona, where he worked as a military barber for the duration of the War.
Joseph F. Christopher served with the Army Air Forces as a Technical Sergeant with the 512th Bomb Squadron, 376th Bomb Group. He and the entire crew of the plane they were traveling in were killed when the plane exploded outside Naples, Italy April 28, 1943. He was listed as Missing in Action over the Mediterranean Sea.
John A. Christopher served as a Private First-Class with the Army Air Forces, 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion. The transport ship carrying his unit was struck by a German glider bomb off the coast of Algeria on November 26, 1943. His family received a telegram from the War Dept. on Dec. 30, 1943, informing them that he was missing. The Christophers were the first Orleans County family to have two sons reported missing at the same time. John’s death was not confirmed until April 4, 1944. He was survived by his wife, Dorothy, and a 20-month-old son, Robert John. Pfc Christopher was awarded a Purple Heart.
John Christopher was 24 at the time of his death, Joseph was 22. They are both memorialized at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. Nicholas and Mary Christopher, the Gold Star parents who lost two sons in 1943, are buried at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Albion.
A total of ten young men from the small hamlet of Fancher were killed in WWII, among them another set of brothers, Leonard and Martin Licursi. A memorial stone in their honor was dedicated in Fancher in 1949.
A new historical marker was unveiled at the site in May 2023. For additional information and photos see: https://townofmurrayny.gov/world-war-ii-monument/
File photo by Tom Rivers: The memorial at the “Fancher Curve” on Route 31 was rededicated on Aug. 14, 2021. The monument was originally dedicated on Aug. 14, 1949 as a tribute to 10 young men from the Fancher community who were killed in World War II.
Those men include John Christopher, Joseph Christopher, Cosmo Coccitti, John Kettle, Jr., Leonard Licursi, Martin Licursi, Richard Merritt, Camille Nenni, Floyd Valentine and Richard Vendetta.
The photo shows Richard Christopher of Albion placing a commemorative wreath by the monument. Richard is the son John Christopher, who was killed on November 26, 1943 when the transport ship carrying his unit was struck by a German glider bomb and sunk off the coast of Algeria. He was laid to rest at the North Africa American Cemetery in Tunis, Tunisia.
GCC captures Region III soccer titles
Contributed Photo – Alivia Wolf
Ranked No. 4 in the nation, the Genesee Community College women’s soccer team captured the Region III championship Saturday by blanking Onondaga Community College 2-0.
Holley graduate and GCC sophomore Alivia Wolf scored the second goal as GCC advances to the national championship tournament. She now has 4 goals and 8 assists on the season.
Wolf, who also had an assist in GCC’s 5-0 semifinal win over Jefferson Community College, was named to the All-Tournament team along with Abby Hall (Naples) who scored the first goal in the title game and Natalie Prinzi (Byron-Bergen) who earned the shutout in goal.
The GCC roster also includes a trio of Albion grads Mia Standish, Alison Gibson and McKinley Knight who are all freshmen.
GCC will now host the national championship tournament November 12-15.
The GCC men’s soccer team also won the Region III title with a 1-0 win over Herkimer Community College to advance to the national tournament.
Lyndonville’s Austin Fonda is a member of the GCC squad which edged Fulton-Montgomery Community College 3-2 in the semifinals.
County approves buying 4 new vehicles for Sheriff’s Office, ammunition for SWAT
ALBION – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office will be getting four new vehicles at a government discount rate. The Orleans County Legislature approved the purchase last week.
Two 2027 Dodge Durangos will be going to animal control officers at a cost of $106,980 to Bob Johnson Ford in Avon. This includes an upfitting with specialized communication and safety equipment.
The county also is buying two 2027 Dodge Durangos from Bob Johnson for $147,100 for the Sheriff’s Office patrol fleet. This cost also includes upfitting with specialized communication, emergency and safety equipment.
The Legislature on Oct. 27 also approved purchasing ammunition for the SWAT team with the Jurek Brothers in Greenfield, Mass. to be paid $29,630.
The county also approved spending $44,767 for 20 tactical vest carriers and 40 omega plates for the SWAT team. The county is paying Federal Eastern International in Jacksonville, Fla. for the items.
County Leg asks state to allow 25-year retirement plan for probation officers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is asking the governor and State Legislature to enact legislation, allowing county probation officers across the state to be able to retire after 25 years like most other law enforcement officers and first responders in the state.
County probation officers are currently in the standard tier plans through the New York State Retirement and Social Security Law, requiring them to work until age 62 or 63 to retire with full benefits, creating an inequity between probation officers and other law enforcement personnel, Orleans County legislators stated in a resolution last week.
“State support of the existing 25-year retirement plans for County Probation Officers would significantly enhance recruitment, improve retention of experienced personnel, support officer wellness, and ensure the long-term stability of County Probation Departments,” county legislators stated in their resolution approved last Tuesday.
Legislators said the probation officers are an integral part of the criminal justice system.
“The physically demanding and emotionally taxing nature of probation work exposes these officers to heightened safety risks and chronic occupational stress over the course of a long career,” the resolution states.
Probation officers are required to complete rigorous peace officer training, conduct field investigations, execute warrants, conduct home searches, monitor high-risk offenders, partner with police agencies in various state supported violence reduction measures, and respond to unpredictable, violent situations on a daily basis, legislators said.
“County probation officers perform critical, high-stress law enforcement duties that directly ensure public safety, rehabilitate justice-involved individuals, and support crime victims across New York State’s 62 counties,” legislators stated.
The County Legislature also said the state, if it includes probation officers in the 25-year retirement plan, should provide additional funding to the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services to alleviate financial pressure on counties.
Key town officials should stay elected in Shelby where political parties do candidate vetting
Editor:
Let’s review how people get on a ballot: Required signatures, deadline to be met, timely filings and requesting endorsement.
Candidates can obtain necessary signatures but if they want an endorsement they need to appear at a political party and be interviewed and vetted. The committee then votes on whether to support the candidate or not.
Every four years Darlene Rich sought the Democratic endorsement in the Town of Shelby for town clerk and appeared before us. We asked her questions regarding her work ethic and attending seminars to further her education and other pertinent issues.
The committee then voted to endorse her for another term. I would think the Republicans and other political parties follow a similar procedure.
The committee has a choice to approve or reject the candidate.
Darlene Rich has performed her duties beyond a reasonable doubt.
Thank you,
Jeanne Crane
Carlton
Crane is the former Democratic Party chairwoman in Orleans County.
