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Month: June 2018
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Albion tops Roy-Hart in N-O tennis
Frontrunning Albion improved to 5-0 with a 4-1 victory over Roy-Hart (1-3) in a Niagara-Orleans League tennis match this afternoon.
Leo Bolton and Mark Ames scored singles wins for the Purple Eagles which also got victories from the doubles duos of Jordan Marshall – Landon Graybill and Oliver Beach – Jason Anstey.
In the other N-O matches, Barker improved to 2-3 with a 5-0 win over Medina (0-4) and Akron stayed unbeaten at 5-0 with a 4-1 win over Newfane (0-4).
The Bulldogs were led by singles victories by Dan Goodwin and Lucas DerSarkissian.
Albion, Barker, Akron score N-O softball wins
Albion edged Roy-Hart 4-3 and Barker downed Medina 14-1 in Niagara-Orleans League softball action this afternoon.
Taylor LeFrois singled in two runs in the fourth inning for Albion and Janessa Lindsey singled in one in the second frame and doubled in what proved to be the game winner in the fifth.
Aubriella Barry and Cami London also both had a pair of hits for Albion. London’s hits included a triple.
Albion is now 3-2 and Roy-Hart 2-1 in N-O competition.
Barker 14, Medina 1
Two big early scoring innings sparked Barker past visiting Medina 14-1.
Barker scored four times in the second inning on a two-run double by Arnie Sturtevant and RBI singles by Rachel Sutter and Madelina Pavlock. Elise Monaco then had a two-run single to highlight a six run third frame which also included RBI hits by Sutter and winning pitcher Madyson Flint.
Sturtevant, Sutter, Flint, Pavlock and Kaylee Stoll each finished with 2 hits.
In the circle, Flint allowed 2 hits and struck out 12.
Barker stays unbeaten at 5-0 in N-O action while Medina slips to 0-3.
Akron 23, Newfane 1
Defending champion Akron evened its N-O record at 2-2 with a 23-1 win over Newfane which drops to 0-5.
Ashlee Henning had 4 hits and Kylie Mangione and Sloan Jonathan 3 each for Akron which took charge at the outset by erupting for seven runs in the first inning.
Pembroke 10, Lyndonville 5
Pembroke downed Lyndonville 10-5 in a Genesee Region League game as Taylor Bischoff had 3 hits, including an home run, and 4 RBI to lead the way.
Alexa Robinson had 5 hit, Bella Groves 4 and Rylan Townsend 3 for Lyndonville.
Byron-Bergen 11, Holley 8
Ryleigh Weader and Skylar Gallagher both had 2 hits for Holley in the 11-8 G-R loss to Byron-Bergen.
Elba 9, Kendall 4
A big six run second inning sparked Elba to a 9-4 G-R win over Kendall.
Big inning sparks Mustangs past Rams
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Brody Fry had a big day both at the plate and on the mound this afternoon as he led the Mustangs to a 5-0 win over host Roy-Hart.
One big scoring inning earned Medina a 5-0 win over host Roy-Hart this afternoon as the Mustangs avenged a 3-2 Niagara-Orleans League season opening loss to the Rams last Friday at Vets Park.
Winning pitcher Brody Fry had the big hit of the day for the Mustangs as he banged out a clutch two-out, three-run double to highlight the decisive 5 run fifth inning uprising. Preston Woodworth and Carter Woodworth followed up with RBI singles to cap off the rally which was set up by two hit batters and a walk which loaded the bass.
On the mound, Fry allowed only 2 hits and struck out 8 in 6 innings of work. Preston Woodworth came on to hurl the final frame and retired the Rams in order with one strikeout.
Roy-Hart threatened at the outset as the Rams got two runners aboard in the first inning after a single by Jake Gould and a walk. The Mustangs though quickly got out of trouble as shortstop Aidan Papaj triggered a key inning ending double play. Gould had both of the Rams hits.
The Rams also got the first two runners aboard in the sixth after a walk and a hit batter but Fry got out of trouble by retiring the next three batters on two strikeouts and a fly out.
Roy-Hart is now 2-2 and Medina 1-1 in N-O action.
Roy-Hart’s Isaac Smith tags out Medina’s Vinny Gray at third base.
Wilson 1, Akron 0
Wilson nipped Akron 1-0 in 9 innings leaving both teams at 2-1 in N-O action.
Blake Simpson drove in the winning run for the Lakemen in the ninth.
Tyler Johnston and Conner Ernest combined to hurl the shutout for Wilson allowing 6 hits with 9 strikeouts.
Aiden Romesser pitched 8 innings for Akron giving up 4 hits and striking out 6.
Kendall 3, Northstar 2
Kendall edged Northstar 3-2 in a non league game as the winning run came home on an error for the Eagles in the sixth inning. Hits by Colby Hughes and Louis Conte set up the threat.
Kendall’s other two runs came in the first inning on a single by Conte and a double by Jimmie Swift.
Gavin Braun pitched the first six and two-thirds inning for the Eagles allowing 5 hits and strikeout out 8. Nate Shaw came on to get the final out with a strikeout.
Newfane 11, Barker 2
Newfane stayed unbeaten at 4-0 in N-O action with an 11-2 win over Barker (0-4).
Aiden Perry picked up the win on the mound for the Panthers allowing 3 hits and striking out 6.
At the plate, Brayden Seitz had 3 hits and Jon Beiter, Konner Courtemanche and Jack Goehle 2 each. Seitz’ hits included a triple while Beiter had 2 doubles.
Tristen Garcia had a double and Issac Monaco a single for Barker.
Mary Thomas celebrates 100th birthday with bash at Orchard Manor
Photos by Ginny Kropf (Left) – Mary Thomas celebrates her 100th birthday at Orchard Manor in Medina today with granddaughter Maria Heeg of Chili, formerly of Albion, daughter Bonnie Ruhlen of Albion, son Jim Thomas of Florida, and granddaughter Barbara Bernhardt of Chicago. Jim and his family are former residents of Newfane. Son David from Pennsylvania was also present for a celebration on Sunday, her actual birthday. (Right) B.J. Thomas of Medina hugs her husband Ron’s aunt, Mary Thomas, on the occasion of her 100th birthday, celebrated at Orchard Manor.
MEDINA – Mary Thomas’ 100th birthday turned into a three-day celebration at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation Center.
On Sunday (April 21), her actual birthday, she celebrated with a party for family and friends, including her three children, Jim and David Thomas and Bonnie Ruhlen, followed by cake on Monday with Jim, Bonnie, granddaughters Maria Heeg and Barbara Bernhardt and B. J., Thomas, wife of Mary’s nephew Ron Thomas. On Tuesday, she will celebrate again when Orchard Manor observes all the birthdays falling in April.
Mary grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where she met her husband Franklin at a USO dance.
“He was in the Army Air Corps and we were told it was a girl’s duty to go dance with the servicemen,” Mary said.
Franklin was from Lyndonville and when they married, they returned to Orleans County and settled in Waterport.
Mary led an active life, starting work while she was still in high school for the local Farm Bureau. After moving to Waterport, she was active in Waterport Methodist Church and worked for Orleans County Farm Bureau.
When Mary’s and Franklin’s third child, Bonnie, was born, Mary wanted to stay home, so she got a job selling Avon, where she could take the kids with her to drop off catalogs and pick up orders.
Mary Thomas blows out the candle on her birthday cake at Orchard Manor, in observance of her 100th birthday on Sunday.
Bonnie said her mother lived for a time in Clover Hill Adult Care home in Albion, where she loved to reminisce about the dresser in her room.
“I bought that with my very first paycheck,” she would say.
Jim reminded the family that his mother was still in high school at the time.
When the children were growing up, Mary was president of their school’s PTA, district clerk for Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation, and president of the Rebecca Lodge.
“Us kids like to be in charge, and now I know where we get it from,” Ruhlen said.
The family had set a goal for Mary to receive 100 birthday cards for her 100th birthday. Today they announced she had received 110 cards.
National Infant Immunization Week highlights protection from serious childhood diseases
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
April 22-29, 2024 is National Infant Immunization Week. National Infant Immunization Week is a yearly observation that highlights the importance of protecting infants from birth to two years of age from serious childhood diseases.
Vaccines, a successful public health tool, have greatly reduced infant deaths and disability caused by 14 preventable diseases like measles, mumps, whooping cough, chickenpox and polio.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on-time vaccinations throughout childhood help provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Delaying vaccines leaves children unprotected during the time when they need vaccine protection the most.
“Children who may have missed or skipped vaccinations may be at an increased risk of diseases, which can be serious,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health). “It is important to stay on track with well-child visits and recommended vaccination schedules. Please check with your healthcare provider to make sure your children are up to date on their routine vaccinations.”
For more information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit these resources:
- Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule (click here)
- Vaccines for Your Children (click here)
- The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Parenting Website (click here)
For more information on GO Health’s Immunization Clinics or to set up an appointment, visit GOHealthNY.org. You can also contact your respective health department:
- Orleans County- 585-589-3278 or OCPublicHealth@orleanscountyny.gov
- Genesee County- 585-344-2580 x5555 or Health@co.genesee.ny.us
Master Food Preservers announce workshops, which will be in new format
Provided photos: Long-time Master Food Preserver volunteer Karen DesJardin will once again offer her popular Intro to Canning and Review class on May 1 to kick-off the workshop series.
Press Release, Orleans County Master Food Preserver
KNOWLESVILLE – Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension offers food preservation and food safety education by way of their Master Food Preserver Volunteer Group. Each year, the volunteers choose topics to present to the public in small hands-on workshops. This year, the volunteers decided as a group to change the way they offer their classes in an effort to reach more people.
In the past, each Master Food Preserver class would focus on a specific method of food preservation, the volunteers who lead the classes would choose 1-3 recipes to teach during class, and the public participants would create those products, following the step-by-step procedures taught to them by the MFP instructors.
This style of workshop was extremely popular, but the kitchen could only comfortably fit 9 participants plus the volunteer instructors and helpers. As the program has gained in popularity over the years, the workshop registration would fill up within days of being announced, and then each class would have 10-20 additional people on waitlists, hoping for cancellations.
Eileen Sorochty, an active volunteer with both the MFP and Master Gardener programs, will offer a pie making class on October 23. Participants will be able to bring home their own pie crust that they make in class.
This year, the MFP volunteers decided they wanted to reach a bigger audience, so all of their workshops will be held “demonstration-style” in a larger room instead of the hands-on classes in the kitchen. In these demo-style classes, the instructors will be at the front of the room, showing participants each step in the process of that particular method of food preservation. Participants will be able to experience the food preservation process, handle and observe the various equipment needed, and receive printed handouts with detailed tutorials and relevant recipes.
“Due to class size limitations in the kitchen, we wanted to make the information accessible to more people in our community,” said Karen DesJardin, long-time MFP Volunteer and instructor of the annual Intro to Canning class, “By doing demonstrations instead of the hands-on classes, it helps to keep costs down, and allows the education to be available to all.”
Because each participant will not be making their own preserves to take home, the need for produce and class supplies is greatly reduced to just what the instructor needs for their demonstration activities. In this way, the group is able to offer the classes at a reduced cost to the participants. This year, all classes except pie making (where participants will be able to make their own pie crust to take home) will be offered for an optional $5 donation to the program. These funds will help cover the costs of educational outreach, updated testing materials, and supplies for future workshops.
(Left) MFP volunteer Colin Butgereit will once again teach participants how to safely and effectively can low-acid foods in a pressure canner on August 24. (Right) On June 26, MFP volunteer Kevin Bedard will lead participants through the proper techniques in dehydrating and freezing.
Despite of the change in teaching format, participants can expect the same level of professionalism, education, and experience that Cornell Cooperative Extension public outreach is known for.
“There aren’t many workshops or events that are as in-depth and comprehensive as the workshops provided by Cornell Cooperative Extension,” said Eileen Sorochty, a long-time volunteer for both the Master Food Preserver and Master Gardener programs. “We present a science-based learning experience for anyone who has an interest in knowing about and/or doing themselves, proper and safe food preservation.”
The classes in this year’s series include the annual Intro to Canning and Review class on Wednesday, May 1 at 6 p.m.; Freezing and Dehydrating on Wednesday, June 26 at 6 p.m., Pressure Canning on Saturday, August 24 at 10 a.m., and Pie Making on Wednesday, October 23 at 6 p.m. The Pie Making class will be offered for a required class fee of $15 – participants will be able to make their own pie crust to bring home (they will need to bring their own rolling pin) – all other classes are offered at an optional donation of $5 to benefit the Master Food Preserver program.
Please call 585-798-4265 ext 125 or email klo54@cornell.edu to register. Pre-registration is requested to allow for enough seating and handouts.
Meals on Wheels delivered more than 40,000 meals in 2023
Photos courtesy of Arc GLOW: Pictured around the table are: Peggy Fransisco of Albion, Henry Ford of Kent, Lewis Tombari of Lyndonville, Doreen Clark of Clarendon, Doreen Brumbaugh of Barre, and Ace Caldwell of Albion.
Press Release, Arc GLOW
ALBION – Gathering at a small table at 16 E. Academy St. in Albion on Thursday, several seniors in Orleans County sit together to talk over a hot meal.
The meal is Salisbury steak covered in gravy with carrots and mashed potatoes for a side. They are given bread with butter, some milk and after they eat they will be given a dessert. Some help themselves to hot water or coffee as they exchange stories.
This is just one service which Meals on Wheels/Nutri-Fair program offers, which Arc GLOW has overseen since 2009. Its main goal is to assist in maintaining the healthy independence of our senior population and improving their quality of life.
“It’s important to our community, it’s important to our seniors,” said Vicki Havholm, nutrition program manager. “It’s keeping them in their homes longer by getting a nutritional meal that is done by our dietician to make sure it has what they need.”
In addition, Meals on Wheels acts as a wellness check. Havholm said drivers for Meals on Wheels checks on the clients Monday through Friday, and if there are any issues, Meals on Wheels will reach out to family members.
Office of the Aging passed along a comment that a legally blind woman said about the Orleans County Meals on Wheels program, “Without the meals, I wouldn’t be able to stay in my home.”
Meals are prepared every day. Kitchen staff come in at 6 a.m. to start cooking, so that drivers can start delivering them by 11 a.m. The menu is put together monthly by a dietician, and Havholm meets with her head cook to look at last year’s menus to review them. They remove unpopular meals and add new recipes.
In addition to the Meals on Wheels staff, volunteers from the Arc GLOW day habilitation and prevocational programs come to help put the meals together.
In 2023, Meals on Wheels delivered 42,384 meals and served 2,057 at their Nutri-Fair sites for a total of 44,441 meals served.
“You can’t beat the prices here,” said Doreen Brumbaugh of Barre, who stopped into the Albion Nutri-Fare site on Thursday to eat. To eat at the congregate dining sites, a person must be over the age of 60 or the spouse of a participant of a person over 60. Guests of an eligible senior if they are under the age of 60 are asked to pay the guest fee for the meal.
Vicki Havholm, nutrition program manager for Arc GLOW, puts a meal in a warm box to be delivered. Arc has been running the program the past 15 years.
Seniors can come to the Nutri-Fair locations in Kendall, 1873 Kendall Road, and Albion, 16 E. Academy St. Albion serves Monday through Friday at noon, and Kendall serves noon Wednesdays and Fridays. Call (585) 589-7817 ext. 1417 by at least 9 a.m. to inform the kitchen staff you are coming in. A notification of 24 hours is preferred.
There are 10 routes which go all through Orleans County. Havholm said there are people on a waiting list for several of them due to the limitation on how many meals can be placed in a hot box.
“The food should only technically be out on the road for two and a half hours,” she explained. “Most of my drivers (who go to the northern part of the county) have plug-ins to go into their car (to keep the food warm) because they are in the car the longest.”
Havholm said a lot of people think Meals on Wheels is welfare and just for people who are poor. It is not.
“We are here for you to help you,” she said. “To put that ease of mind for your family knowing that someone is checking on you, you’re getting a meal. If there is an issue, we’re here.”
To help support this important program, every year for over 30 years, with the exception of a couple years break around Covid pandemic, Meals on Wheels holds a spaghetti and meatball dinner. Prior to Arc GLOW running the Meals on Wheels program, Albion First Presbyterian Church was in charge of it, and they started the fundraiser.
This year the spaghetti and meatball dinner will be held 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 25 at Meals on Wheels, located at 16 E. Academy St., in Albion. Tickets cost $12 and children under 10 eat free.
There will also be a picnic at Lakeside on June 21 which requires a reservation, and the Office of the Aging will be holding its Spring Jubilee on May 17.
For more information on Meals on Wheels and eligibility in Orleans County, contact (585) 589-5424 option 5 to sign-up. You can also visit ArcGLOW.org for information.
Hodgins family brings passion for sailing to Oak Orchard Yacht Club
Provided photos from Hodgins family: Oak Orchard Yacht Club commodore Bob Hodgins and his wife Mary Lu share their love of sailing with their three children. They pose here on their boat on Lake Ontario when the children were young.
POINT BREEZE – As Becky Hodgins Almeter prepares to lead the youth sailing classes at Oak Orchard Yacht Club, her father Bob Hodgins will begin his third year as commodore when the Oak Orchard Yacht Club opens for the season on May 24. With a lifelong love of sailing, he is aptly suited for the position.
“My first sailing experience was when I was about 12 years old,” said Hodgins, a resident of Alexander in Genesee County. “My family was on vacation and there was a guy renting Sunfish sailboats. We rented one and had a blast. That led to a family Sunfish, then a Lightning sailboat on Silver Lake for a few years, and it just grew from there.”
Hodgins went on to own numerous boats, including a 26-foot sailboat when he met his wife Mary Lu in 1975, and she has been “onboard” ever since, Hodgins said.
“We have had some great adventures,” he added.
They bought a 41-foot sailboat on Cape Cod and sailed it home to Oak Orchard. They have traveled through the Trent-Severn Waterway in Ontario, Canada, up through Georgian Bay, the North Channel of Lake Huron, down through Lake Huron, the Detroit River to Lake Erie and Buffalo, through the Welland Canal and back to Lake Ontario.
Bob and Mary Lu Hodgins are on their boat in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.
When their children were 5, 7 and 10 years old, they sailed for a year and home-schooled their children on the boat. They went from Lake Ontario, through the Erie Canal to the Hudson River, down the East Coast to Florida, spent the winter in the Bahamas and then sailed back home in the spring.
Their ocean experience started in 2008 when they left Lake Ontario, went down to the Chesapeake Bay, then spent 11 days sailing directly to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. After a full year cruising the Caribbean, they sailed back to South Carolina and sold that boat.
In 2010, they crossed the Atlantic Ocean from the Canary Islands to St. Lucia.
They bought an ocean boat in 2012 and cruised the Caribbean for seven years, then went through the Panama Canal and spent two years crossing the South Pacific. They left the boat in New Zealand and flew home when the pandemic started, then sold the boat there.
For now, Hodgins said they are content to spend their summers on Lake Ontario and winters somewhere warm, most likely on land.
He is committed to growing membership in the Yacht Club and welcomes potential new members to check them out.
Mary Lu Hodgins was asked to pin a medal on the chief of the island of Gaua, Vanautu, during their trip to the South Pacific. The chief had received the medal from the head of the country for his longevity in governing his island.
Gas prices jump 18 cents in past week in New York
Gas prices jumped an average of 18 cents for regular unleaded gas in New York State in the past week, going from $3.51 to $3.69.
In the past two weeks, the average price is up 22 cents in the state, AAA reported today.
The average price in Orleans County increased 14 cents in the past two weeks from $3.42 to $3.56 a gallon.
AAA issued this statement: “Gas prices have risen significantly over the past few weeks as regions return to the more expensive summer blend of fuel and tensions overseas led to the recent rise of oil prices. We are closely monitoring geopolitical issues that could impact the oil markets. This week, the cost of crude oil has since fallen back down to the mid-$80s per barrel as the oil market watches for any further military actions.
“According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand rose slightly last week while total domestic stocks decreased slightly. Higher demand and a rise in oil prices could push pump prices higher. It is not unusual to see a lull in gasoline demand this time of year, between the end of spring breaks and ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. The national average for gas may continue to waffle with small increases, some flat days, and even some price dips over the next few weeks.
“Diesel prices remain relatively steady. The national average price for diesel is $4.03, down one cent from last Monday. The New York average is $4.40, up one cent from a week ago.”
Here are the average prices today in Western New York counties:
- Orleans, $3.556
- Genesee, $3.537
- Wyoming, $3.589
- Livingston, $3.607
- Monroe, $3.608
- Niagara, $3.471
- Erie, $3.594
- Chautauqua, $3.630
- Cattaraugus, $3.553
- Allegany, $3.629
Volunteers rid Kendall of roadside litter
Provided photos
KENDALL – Volunteers from the Kendall Lions Club and Kendall Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts picked up litter from Kendall roadsides on Saturday.
The annual event is organized by the Kendall Lions Club. The volunteers were able to pick up litter and debris from about half of the roads in Kendall.
“There were twice as many people last year so we got more roads done,” said Eric Maxon, Kendall Lions Club president and Kendall highway superintendent.
The Kendall Lions have been doing the environmental cleanup day for many years.
The group was served hot dogs and soda as a token of appreciation.
Terry Anderson, Albion native held hostage, dies at 76
Anderson was captive for 2,545 days before his release on Dec. 4, 1991
Photo by Tom Rivers: This historical marker in Albion is on main Street by the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church and notes Terry Anderson, a journalist from Albion, was held hostage for almost seven years.
Terry Anderson, one of the most famous people from Albion, died today at age 76.
Anderson spent several years of his childhood in Albion before moving to Batavia and graduating from high school there in 1965.
Terry Anderson is on the cover of Time magazine on Dec. 16, 1991 after being released after nearly seven years as a hostage. Part of his glasses are missing.
He worked as a newspaper reporter for the Associated Press and was the AP’s bureau chief in Lebanon when he was taken hostage by Islamic militants on March 16, 1985. His sister Peggy Say fought for his freedom, meeting with the Pope, Mother Teresa and President Ronald Reagan. Say died in 2015.
Many prayer vigils were held in Western New York, and his status as one of the longest-held American hostages was frequently in the news in Western New York and nationally. He finally gained his release on Dec. 4, 1991, and met his daughter Sulome for the first time. She was 6 ½ when she finally could hug her father in person.
Anderson chronicled the ordeal of being kept captive in a book, “Den of Lions.” Anderson died at his home in Greenwood Lake in Orange County, NY, his daughter Sulome Anderson told the AP.
Anderson made an appearance in Albion in the late 1990s in the fundraiser for Community Action, a rare local event for him.
“Though my father’s life was marked by extreme suffering during his time as a hostage in captivity, he found a quiet, comfortable peace in recent years. I know he would choose to be remembered not by his very worst experience, but through his humanitarian work with the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, homeless veterans and many other incredible causes,” Sulome Anderson said in a statement.
After his release and return to the United States, Anderson taught journalism at prominent universities, ran for Congress, operated a blues bar, Cajun restaurant, horse ranch and gourmet restaurant, the AP reported today.
The Orleans County Department of History erected a historical marker for Anderson on Main Street in Albion near the Pullman Memorial Universalist Church. The marker notes Anderson grew up in this neighborhood in the 1950s, and would later be taken hostage and held prisoner for 2,545 days.
Frances Pierce posted this comment on the Orleans Hub Facebook page: “Terry was actually born in Ohio. His family moved to Albion when Terry was still a child. His family lived in the upstairs of the big house that sits on the corner of Clarendon and East State Street, directly across from what was then Guido’s. Terry was a lot of fun and super smart. We hung around in the same group including Lynn Miller, Terry’s then best friend. His family moved to Batavia a year or so before graduation from High School. He was one of a kind, one that you never forget.”
Dorothy Boyer of Albion sent in this childhood memory of Terry Anderson: “When I knew Terry Anderson in the ’50s he lived where Bloom’s Flower Shop used to be on Main Street. As far as I know they had the whole house. We used to go over on a Friday night when his mom got home from Marti’s (Supper Club) and help her count all of her tips. It was so much fun as a child to do. We used to play canasta together and yes, he was Lynn Miller’s best friend. We had a bamboo fort behind his house with a lot of patches. It was always fun.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. CPJ defends the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.
CPJ issued this statement:
“The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply saddened by the death of Terry Anderson, journalist and CPJ’s former vice chair and honorary chairman.”
Anderson, a former Associated Press journalist who was kidnapped and held hostage in Lebanon for six years, knew firsthand the threats that faced journalists seeking to report freely, and was an outspoken and dedicated advocate for press freedom.
“Terry was part of the CPJ family for over 25 years,” said Jacob Weisberg, CPJ chair. “He took that responsibility seriously – joining CPJ to advocate on behalf of journalists at risk around the world at the highest levels. Our thoughts are with his family and especially with his daughter Sulome, herself a journalist.”
In 1998, Anderson was part of a CPJ delegation that met with then Turkish Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz to press for an end to the jailing of journalists in the country. A year later, he and CPJ colleagues traveled to Yemen to ask Prime Minister Abdel Karim al-Iryani to halt the arrests and harassment of editors and reporters there.
“Terry Anderson’s public advocacy was instrumental in freeing journalists from jail and protecting them against the worst abuses,” said former CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon, who worked closely with Anderson during the years that Simon led CPJ. “But what distinguished Terry was his personal and often private interventions on behalf of journalists held hostage around the world. Terry counseled many families experiencing helplessness and trauma. His deep compassion helped them understand they were not alone and bolstered their spirits in the darkest times.”
Anderson accepted an Emmy in 2006 on behalf of CPJ for its work in defense of press freedom. His words then resonate more than ever today, with record numbers of journalists in jail, near record levels of killings and threats against journalists in all corners of the globe:
“CPJ began its work…and continues it today, not because we believe journalists deserve more protection than anyone else, but because we believe that journalists are the first to be attacked by those who wish to oppress, to deny the basic human rights and human dignity of all,” he said. “Journalists are on the front line, the first casualties in the constant fight to preserve freedom.”
Ortt, Hawley say new state budget ‘irresponsible’ with ‘misplaced priorities’
State Senate Majority Leader Robert Ortt, R-North Toanwanda, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R-Batavia, are reacting to a new $236.8 million state budget.
Ortt issued this statement:
Rob Ortt
“After blowing nearly three weeks past the budget deadline, Albany finally came together to pass a nearly $237 billion New York State budget that includes a historic amount of spending and misplaced priorities.
“Anyone who is paying attention can see that Albany Democrats are living on a totally different planet than the rest of us. Governor Hochul and the Senate Democrats had an opportunity to address the serious concerns of New Yorkers. Instead, they passed a budget filled with extreme policies that will make our state more expensive and less safe.
“In a clear sign that the socialists have taken charge of the Democratic Conferences, this budget includes a radical housing policy that will eliminate the rights of small business landlords to control their private property. The housing agreement, which includes the radical ‘Good Cause’ eviction, is a giveaway to the socialist tenant advocates who believe in making it illegal to make money in New York. Even worse, communities outside of New York City will get absolutely nothing out of this deal while absorbing all the negatives that will drive up housing costs and devastate small property owners.
“This brazenly out-of-touch budget also includes a whopping $2.4 billion in giveaways to migrants who entered this country illegally. With families across the state grappling with the effects of rising inflation, Democrats rejected Senate Republican efforts to provide any budget relief to middle-class families. Instead, they are sending billions of dollars to New York City to hand out prepaid gift cards to illegal immigrants, costing taxpayers millions of dollars a day.
“And as this budget seeks to make our state more comfortable for illegal immigrants, it fails to do anything to protect the safety of New Yorkers. Governor Hochul’s strategy to tackle retail theft is to establish a task force and throw money at the problem. The real solution is to empower police officers to throw these criminals in jail and give our judicial system the discretion to keep them there. The Democrats’ obsession with catering to the needs of criminals is the driving force behind the rise in violence against police, including the tragic deaths of three law enforcement officers in the past month. This chaos will continue until Albany makes it clear that they stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement to keep the people of this state safe.
“New Yorkers have made it clear they believe our state is heading in the wrong direction, and this budget will only turbo-charge our decline. I proudly voted no on this disastrous budget agreement and want to assure my constituents, as well as the people of this state, that the Senate Republican Conference will continue to champion public safety, affordability, and freedom in New York.”
Steve Hawley
Hawley said the new budget is almost $10 billion more than last year and includes billions in funding for illegal migrants and inadequate spending for public safety measures. He said the Majority conference has dramatically increased spending for the next fiscal year, but has not properly explained how the state will be able to pay for it.
“New York’s debt is currently over $400 billion and rising by the minute,” said Hawley, calling the budget fiscally irresponsible with misplaced priorities.
“Budget season in Albany is like watching an old rerun of Groundhog Day,” Hawley said. “Every year it’s the same story time and time again. The budget is late, expensive and as always, a complete disaster.
“With the billions of dollars they’re spending, it’s astounding the Majority is doing nothing to curb the public safety crisis in our state. We’ve had four police officers killed in the line of duty this year alone, one of them in Genesee County. Not to mention the irresponsible decision of giving the Governor the power to close up to 5 prisons with only 90 days’ notice. Instead, we’re pulling money out of thin air to pay for problems we created. This is unacceptable. Families would never be this irresponsible in their personal budgets, so why are the Governor and Majority Conferences doing so?”
CASA honors volunteers for their work with children
Provided photo: Jon and Alena Winters were guest speakers during a volunteer appreciation lunch on April 18 for CASA.
Press Release, Court Appointed Special Advocates
BATAVIA – In April, Court Appointed Special Advocates celebrated the volunteers that serve the agency by organizing a special event on April 18 in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month.
The event was graced by special guest speakers, Jon and Alena Winters, who are experts in mindfulness practices and life coaching. They took the audience through a series of interactive and engaging exercises, including breath awareness, body awareness, and sensory awareness exercises.
The exercises were aimed at helping the attendees find balance and inner peace in their lives when feeling overwhelmed or stuck. The highlight of the event was the Circle of Life exercise, which allowed the group to reflect on their unique needs and values, and how they could align their lives with them. For more information about the Winters, check their website empoweryoucoachsulting.com.
Jennifer Metz, the executive director of CASA for Children, expressed her gratitude towards Jon and Alena for their time and expertise, which greatly benefitted the attendees. The event was a huge success, and attendees left feeling rejuvenated and empowered.
CASA is a local nonprofit based in Batavia with a purpose to train and supervise a diverse group of advocates for children who have been abused and/or neglected. These children are at risk of being removed from their homes or have already been placed into the foster care system.
CASA aims to ensure that these children have safe and permanent homes as quickly as possible. A child who has a CASA is half as likely to re-enter the foster care system, more likely to succeed in school, and more likely to find a safe, permanent home.
“Even though not all children are safe and cared for in this world, we are determined to change this reality,” said Jennifer Metz, CASA executive director. “We are constantly recruiting new advocates who are passionate and committed to making a difference in the lives of these children. With our collective efforts, we are confident in our ability to create a safer and more nurturing environment for all children.”
Weekly high school sports schedule
Weekly High School Sports Schedule
Monday
Baseball – Kendall at Northstar, 4:30 p.m.; Medina at Roy-Hart, Newfane at Barker, Akron at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; Attica at Holley, 5 p.m.
Softball – Medina at Barker, Roy-Hart at Albion, Akron at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; Pembroke at Lyndonville, Holley at Byron-Bergen, Kendall at Elba, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Holley at Alexander, Byron-Bergen at Kendall, 4 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Albion, Medina at Barker, Akron at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
Track – Akron at Medina, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Baseball – Albion at Attica, Wilson at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Orchard Park, Holley at Elba, Kendall at Notre Dame, 5 p.m.
Softball – Aquinas at Kendall, 4:30 p.m.; Holley at Barker, 4:45 p.m.; Lyndonville at Akron, 5 p.m.; Medina at Newfane, 7 p.m.
Track – Albion at Barker, Newfane at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
Lacrosse – East Aurora at Medina, 6 p.m.
Wednesday
Baseball – Albion at Barker, Newfane at Wilson, 4:45 p.m.; Akron at Medina, 7:15 p.m.
Softball – Wilson at Medina, Albion at Akron, Barker at Roy-Hart, 4:45 p.m.; DeHostos at Holley, Alexander at Kendall, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Holley at Kendall, 4 p.m.; Albion at Akron, Medina at Wilson, Barker at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday
Baseball – Finney at Kendall, 5 p.m.; Holley at Perry, 5:15 p.m.
Softball – Roy-Hart at Oakfield-Alabama, Attica at Lyndonville, Red Jacket at Holley, 5 p.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Akron, 5 p.m.
Tennis – Oakfield-Alabama at Holley, 4 p.m.; Wilson at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
Track – Medina vs. Newfane at Wilson, Wilson at Albion, Roy-Hart at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Friday
Baseball – Medina at Akron, Barker at Albion, Wilson at Newfane, 4:45 p.m.; Kendall at Holley, 5 p.m.
Softball – Barker at Akron, 4:45 p.m.; Maryvale at Medina, Oakfield-Alabama at Lyndonville, Pembroke at Kendall, 5 p.m.; Albion at Newfane, 7 p.m.
Tennis – Elba at Holley, Oakfield-Alabama at Kendall, 4 p.m.; Albion at Newfane, Barker at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
Baseball – Medina vs. Kenmore West at Niagara Falls High, 1 p.m.; Roy-Hart vs. Salamanca at Niagara Falls High, 3:30 p.m.
Softball – Wilson at Roy-Hart, 10 a.m.; Alden at Medina, Northstar at Kendall, 11 a.m.
Lacrosse – Medina at Amherst, 11 a.m.
N-O Standings
Baseball – Newfane 3-0, Akron 2-0, Roy-Hart 2-1, Wilson 1-1, Medina 0-1, Albion 0-2, Barker 0-3
Softball – Barker 4-0, Roy-Hart 2-0, Wilson 3-2, Albion 2-2, Akron 1-2, Medina 0-2, Newfane 0-4
Tennis – Albion 4-0, Akron 4-0, Wilson 3-2, Roy-Hart 1-2, Barker 1-3, Medina 0-3, Newfane 0-3
Boys Track – Albion 1-0, Roy-Hart 1-0, Barker 1-1, Newfane 1-1, Wilson 1-1, Medina 0-0, Akron 0-2
Girls Track – Akron 2-0, Newfane 2-0, Wilson 1-1, Median 0-0, Albion 0-1, Roy-Hart 0-1, Barker 0-2
Lyndonville Athletic Hall of Fame will induct four new members in May
Four new members will be inducted into the Lyndonville Athletic Hall of Fame on May 11.
The new inductees include Coach Mark Hughes, Terry Stephens (Class of 1996), Connie Wehner (Class of 1980) and Gary Wilson (Class of 1964).
Hughes was a long time teacher and coach in Lyndonville who retired from teaching in 2011.
During his career he coached many sports including football, soccer, basketball and baseball.
He coached 36 seasons of soccer and basketball at the JV and Varsity levels and still coaches modified girls basketball. He coached baseball for 50 seasons as a JV and Varsity assistant.
His soccer teams won the Genesee Region league division title 3 years and also reached Sectional Finals 2 years. He saw his basketball teams win league two years and also reached the sectional finals two years. As a baseball coach, he was a part of 16 Genesee Region league championships and 7 Sectional titles and was also a part of the 2011 Far West Regional run.
“Mr. Hughes longevity and commitment to Lyndonville athletics is unmatched,” said Lyndonville Athletic Director James Zeliff.
Stephens was a three sport varsity athlete participating in Soccer (’94-’96), Basketball (’94-’96) and Baseball (’93-’96). He earned Genesee Region League all-star honors in all three (Soccer – ’95, ’96, Basketball – ’96, Baseball – ’94, ’95, ’96). He was also named GR Player of the Year in the ’95 and ’96 seasons.
He led his baseball team to Sectional Championships in both the 1994 and 1996 seasons and reached the Semi-finals in 1995. In the 1996 playoffs, he was named Class C Player of the Year.
After high school, Terry attended SUNY Brockport where he played baseball. He has also coached youth baseball and basketball at the JV and Varsity level in Lyndonville.
Wehner was an athlete and later a teacher and coach (Track, Soccer and basketball) in Lyndonville serving the district from 1986-1997.
She was a 4 year member of the Soccer team (1976-1979), 3 year member of the basketball and track and field (1977-1980) teams and also participated in volleyball (1979-80) and softball (1976).
She was named to the G-R all-star team in soccer in the 1978 and 1979 seasons with her team reaching the Class D semi-finals in her junior year and the finals in her senior year. She was also a participant in the 1979 Empire State Games.
In Basketball, she earned G-R All-Star honors in the 1979-80 season with her team reaching the Section V Class D Semi-finals her junior year.
In Track and Field, she earned G-R All-Star honors in 1979 and 1980 and was a 3 time Section V Class D champion in shotput and the 1600m relay. Her relay won the G-R championship in 1978 and 1979. She had a school record in Shotput and her relay team still holds the school record with a time of 4:27.
After graduating from Lyndonville, Wehner went on to SUNY Brockport where she was a member of the Inaugural Women’s Soccer team. She was team captain of the SUNYAC championship team and earned Honorable Mention SUNYAC honors. A 4 year Dean’s list member, she also earned the Varsity Athletic Award for Women’s Soccer as well as the Donald Tower Award for PE and Sport – “given to an outstanding student who demonstrates academic achievement, outstanding teacher potential and involvement in college activities”.
After her teaching career in Lyndonville,she went on to become an administrator in the Rochester City School District as an Athletic Director (1997-2000), Assistant Principal (2000-2001), and Principal (2001-2022).
Wilson played basketball and baseball in his high school career at Lyndonville.
Upon graduation, Wilson attended SUNY Cortland where he participated in Cross Country and Track in his sophomore, junior and senior years. He began coaching Women’s Cross Country and track for the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse winning a Division III national titles in 1982 (track), 1983 (XC and track) and 1984 (track). He also coached Men’s track and field for 5 years and the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse with his athletes earning a combined 29 conference titles between the three positions.
In 1985 Wilson went on to become Head Women’s Cross Country coach at the University of Minnesota for 28 years and was also the Head Track and Field coach from 1985-2007. During his X-C tenure, he was named Big10 Coach of the year 2 times, won conference titles in 2007 and 2008, won the Midwest regional from 2007-2009, had 15 NCAA championship appearances and watched 6 runners earn a total of 9 All-American awards. As the Head Track and Field coach, his team earned Big10 titles in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and he was named Big10 coach of the year in 2006.
He has been inducted into the University of Minnesota “M” club, a member of the UW-LaCrosse Hall of Fame and was also inducted into the National Track and Field/Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2015.
The banquet will be held on May 11th with Brunch served at 11:00am. Tickets are available for $15 each. If interested in attending, contact Jim Zeliff by phone (585) 765-3143 or email at Jzeliff@lcsdk12.org.
