Canal Fest sees more vendors, performers at Holley

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2026 at 9:16 am

Event continues today in Holley’s Canal Park

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Bart Dentino sings “I Wish I Was A Dinosaur” on Saturday at Holley’s Canal Park. Dentino was one of the featured performers at the Erie Canal Artisan Festival in Holley.

The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council organized the three-day event which started Friday and concludes today. Other performers on Saturday included Judd Sunshine, Damn the Flood and Paul Almeter.

Today’s schedule for musicians includes:

Bart Dentino Children’s Performance (10 to 11 a.m.)
Judd Sunshine Children’s Performance (11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)
Bart Dentino Children’s Performance (1 to 2 p.m.)
Judd Sunshine Children’s Performance (2:30 to 3:15 p.m.)
The Strummerz (4 to 5 p.m.)

J. Lee Jewelry in Lockport is one of about 20 vendors at the festival. Gary and Sharon Melius have been working on the jewelry together the past 19 years.

They enjoyed the setting for the Holley show.

“It’s very homey,” Mrs. Melius said.

The vendors were set up along the path at Holley’s Canal Park.

Jodi Fisher, program director for GO Art!, said she was pleased to see more vendors as well as four food trucks for the event.

“It’s a beautiful location,” she said about the Holley site. “A lot of people don’t know about this park. It has shade and the paved walkway makes it accessible.”

GO Art! also wanted to highlight artisan vendors at the festival.

GO Art! distributed DoodleFace toy and wall art made by the Holley company that also makes Teacher Geek products. The DoodleFace products are available for free during the festival in Holley. Kids can color on the sets and them wipe them clean. They can be displayed easily on walls.

Helenna Ummen, in back at left, works for GO Art! as the creative administrations and communications coordinator.

Bart Dentino will be back today in kid-friendly concerts at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The stage is next to the playground. Admission is free.

8 veterans lead Lady Tigers volleyball team

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 August 2026 at 9:03 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Getting set for the Genesee Region League season the Lyndonville varsity volleyball team is led by this group of eight returnees. In front are Grace Kenyon, Emily Garcia and Grace Fox. In back are Destinee Holmes, Leah Kenyon, Hannah Fox, Bella Bresett and Sarah Corser. Lyndonville will open the season with a non league match at CSAT on Wednesday and then begin G-R competition at home on September 8 against Wheatland-Chili.

Albion and Medina golfers open Monday

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 30 August 2026 at 8:58 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Coming off a 10-2 second place finish last fall, Albion returns a solid nucleus with which to make a run at top Niagara-Orleans League golf honors this fall. In front are sophomores Luke Bedford and Viktor Snyder and junior Owen Spencer. In back are seniors Mason Snook, Nick Luft, Drew Pritchard and Gavin Boyce. Spencer earned first team N-O All-League honors last year while Pritchard and Snyder were both second team honorees. Albion will begin N-O competition on Monday sgainst Wilson at Hickory Ridge.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Finishing in third place last fall, the Medina High golf team’s veterans include Chasen Bouter, Emily Smith-Flatley and Tyler Draper. The Mustangs returnees also include Cam Fike, Jameson Pilon, Parker Bruning, Nick Weatherbee and Jackson Reese. Fike earned first team Niagara-Orleans All-League honors last fall while Draper was a second team selection. Medina begins N-O competition at Newfane on Monday.

Cared for Koleson sells out of chicken barbecues in first fundraiser

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 August 2026 at 8:21 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Volunteers, including Brianna Stewart in front, get chicken barbecues dinner ready on Saturday during the first Cared by Koleson fundraiser.

Koleson Meakin’s family and friends put on the event near the Glenwood Lake boat launch as a fundraiser for the new Cared by Koleson foundation.

The event was a sellout with all 300 dinners sold. The chickens were cooked by Chiavetta’s.

Brady and Dominque Meakin started the foundation in honor of their son, Koleson, who passed away on Jan. 3 at age 4. Koleson lived with TPK1 Thiamine-Deficient Leigh Disease, a rare genetic condition.

The foundation will raise money for gift cards for DoorDash, Uber Eats and hospital café at children’s hospitals in Rochester and Buffalo for the families.

There were some leftover meals from Saturday’s even from people who paid ahead but didn’t pick up the meal. Brady and Dominique delivered those meals to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. They also shared the mission of their new foundation, and connected with a father of child with a serious illness.

“We cried on the way home. Not because we were sad, but because we are just so incredibly thankful. Thankful for everyone who is supporting us, believing in our mission, and helping us carry on Koleson’s legacy,” Dominique and Koleson posted on the Cared for Koleson Facebook page. “We miss him beyond words, but we know his light shines through us. How blessed are we to be his parents!”

Dominique Meakin chats with two of the event volunteers, Sara Page at left and Dominique’s mother, Jennifer Hughes, at right.

Brady Meakin, in back, gets a hug from a person picking up a dinner.

SUNY Brockport students tackle service projects in Albion

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2026 at 9:21 pm

Provided photos

ALBION – SUNY Brockport students were at Bullard park today sanding the pavilion and digging out weeds in the playground. They also raked up mulch and filled in sports around the park.

There were about 1,000 Brockport students working on projects around the Rochester region today for the university’s annual Saturday of Service.

Brockport wants to see students build community connections and a strong civic responsibility.

These students are pictured with John Grillo, Albion recreation director for the past 50 years.

Some Brockport students also worked on projects at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion. They helped with some painting and weeding around the church.

Students are shown in the sanctuary of the historic Albion church.

Benefit in Clarendon today includes 250 baskets up for raffle, spaghetti dinners

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2026 at 5:50 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

CLARENDON – Melissa Snider, left, embraces her sister Amanda this afternoon at a benefit for Amanda, who has stage 4 cancer with carcinoma sarcoma. Amanda also has Dandy Walker Syndrome which causes some mental disabilities. This photo was taken near the beginning to today’s benefit which goes until 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

Melissa organized the benefit with lots of help from family and friends. Morgan Schaffer of Medina saw a promo on social media about the benefit about six weeks ago and she volunteered to help. Schaffer was able to recruit many of her softball buddies to serve in the kitchen and help with today’s benefit.

Melissa said the work on the benefit made her closer to family and friends, and also introduced her to many people.

“I’ve met a lot of amazing people,” she said. “It’s brought a lot of communities together.”

Eric Hackenberg, right, and his daughters Cara, left, and Kalleigh, in back, get 250 spaghetti dinners ready.

The meatballs are by the Bella Pasta Restaurant in Rochester with sauce by Fazool’s Italian Bistro in Rochester.

Hackenberg and his family volunteered to help after Morgan Schaffer helped with a fundraiser for some of their friends who lost their home from a fire in Holley.

Kalleigh Snell works in the kitchen along with Eric Hackenberg, Cara Hackenberg and Janelle Derisley in back left. Derisley said she worked with Amanda Snider when Derisley was with Lifetime Assistance.

“Amanda is a great girl,” Derisley said. “We love her.”

There were about 250 baskets and higher-end items up for raffle.

Proceeds from the benefit will go towards Amanda’s medical care and other bills.

Roy-Hart spikers face rebuilding task

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 August 2026 at 1:25 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anchoring the lineup for the Roy-Hart volleyball team will be this group of returnees. In front are Jaycie Heck, Casey Burch and Alyse Drees. In back are Liliana Stanton, Tessa Degenhardt, Zoe Healey and Lauren Snyder.

Two time defending champion Roy-Hart volleyball team faces a bit of a rebuilding task this season having lost five starters, all Niagara-Orleans All League honorees, to graduation.

Junior Lauren Snyder, who earned first team N-O All-League honors, heads the Lady Rams group of returnees which also includes seniors Zoe Healey and Liliana Stanton, juniors Casey Burch and Alyse Drees and sophomores Jaycie Heck and Tessa Degenhardt.

The graduation losses for Coach Eliza Feocco’s Lady Rams included first team N-O All-League honorees Grace Pearl and Peyton May, second team selections Kylie McOmber and Raegen Kern and Honorable Mention pick Ryleigh Capen.

Roy-Hart, which claimed the N-O title last fall with a 10-0 record, will visit Oakfield-Alabama in a non league match on September 3 before opening the N-O season at home on September 9 against Albion.

Triennial puts focus today on art installation at Medina hospital

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2026 at 11:46 am

Major art exhibition continues in village until Sept. 7

Photos by Tom Rivers: Evelyne Leblanc-Roberge created an exhibit “All the Hours” at Medina Memorial Hospital. It is staged entirely in decorative glass appendage that bridges the building and the outside world.

MEDINA – The Medina Triennial is winding down, with only two weekends left.

“People from 32 states have come so far, and so should you,” said Kari Conte, co-artistic director for the Triennial. “This has been an extraordinary summer for Medina, with the inaugural Medina Triennial transforming the village into a destination for contemporary art and welcoming visitors from 32 states.”

The Medina Triennial is heralded as a major success for the community, drawing national attention to Medina’s history, architecture, canal front, parks, public spaces and distinctive character.

Conte called the Medina Triennial a remarkable opportunity for Orleans County residents to experience an ambitious contemporary art exhibition in their own backyard.

Familiar local places seen through a new lens, Main Street, the canal front, Rotary Park, Medina Memorial Hospital, Medina Theater, the YMCA, State Street Park, Medina Railroad Museum, Sacred Heart Church and the historic Medina High School are highlighted with exhibits from 39 artists worldwide.

Special programming is planned from noon to 2 p.m. today of Leblanc Robarge’s hour-long film “As the Hour Turns Blue” at the Medina Triennial Hub, 234 Main St.

The Triennial says of the exhibit: “Like of piece of visual poetry broken into stanzas, the installation plays with the experiences of felt temporarily, becoming a gentle and deeply interior reflection on resilience, mourning and change.”

Also today, an artist-led tour of her newly-commissioned installation “All the Hours” will take place at 4 .p.m. at Medina Memorial Hospital. This is a site-responsive work shaped by the hospital’s rhythms of care and its importance as a place of wailing, resilience, mourning and change – experiences that touch nearly every local family. This will be a rare opportunity to walk through the installation with the artist and hear about the research and creative process behind a work made specifically for Medina.

A full schedule of events is planned for the closing weekend of the Medina Triennial Sept. 5-7 – the final opportunity to experience the full village-wide exhibits of “All That Sustains Us.”

OC Rivals host four-way scrimmage

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 August 2026 at 11:37 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Tuning up for the season, the fledgling Albion/Medina OC Rivals varsity football team hosted Batavia, Clarence and Kenmore East in a four-way scrimmage this morning at Vets Park. Here Elijah Doxey picks up good yardage for the OC Rivals against Ken East.

Noah Harrison moves in to make a tackle on Clarence ball carrier for the OC Rivals. The OC Rivals are scheduled have their season opening debut game at Akron on Thursday evening. However, the site of the game, which was to be on Akron’s new turf field, is still undetermined as the new turf complex is not ready as the track has not been completed.

Cobblestone Museum, Oak Orchard Lighthouse joining forces for scavenger hunt

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 29 August 2026 at 10:59 am

The Cobblestone Museum and Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum are joining forces in a first-time event involving the community.

On Sept. 19, the two museums are sponsoring a Museum Odyssey Scavenger Hunt from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The idea for this collaboration was one of Chris Manaseri’s. He is president of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum board.

“He approached Doug (Farley) and me to propose we try to co-host an event to coincide with International Museum Day on May 18 or Smithsonian Day on Sept. 17,” said Sue Bonafini, assistant director of the Cobblestone Museum Society and Museum. “Neither date fell on a Saturday, the best day of the week for both of our museums to attract visitors of all ages. “

They chose Sept. 19 for their joint venture, and keeping with the practice of other events, there will be no admission fee at either museum that day. However, donations of any amount will be gladly received.

Manaseri suggested the event include the name “Odyssey,” because of all the hype associated with the movie released this summer, and because of the definition of the word itself, Bonafini said.

Participants in the Scavenger Hunt tours will need to travel to the two museums to pick up their paperwork of scavenger hunt questions. They may begin at either location, and participation is by donation only.

After picking up their paperwork, participants will embark on a journey to learn the answers to questions, which must be correct to be eligible for a prize drawing at the end of the event. Four winners will receive prizes – two winners drawn from each museum. All participants will receive a free gift at the Cobblestone Museum, simply by choosing to take part in the special Scavenger Hunt Tour event.

Winners will be contacted by phone if they are not present when the drawings take place, Bonafini said.

All visitors who tour the Cobblestone Museum will receive a free coloring book with illustrations suitable for children or adults. Standard campus tours will be offered at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. as usual. Special tours of the National Historic Landmark cobblestone building will be offered each hour throughout the day.

A docent will be on duty at the Lighthouse Museum for tours throughout the event.

Anyone wishing more information may call (585) 589-9013 or visit the Cobblestone’s event page at CobblestoneMuseum.org.

Newly merged Lyndonville/Barker boys soccer team set for debut season

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 August 2026 at 8:51 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Senior captains Jesus Reyes, Brody Hazel and Michael Alexander will lead the newly merged Lyndonville/Barker soccer squad.

For the past several years Lyndonville and Barker have merged for a girls varsity soccer team which competes in the Niagara-Orleans League.

Now this fall, Lyndonville and Barker will also be combining for a boys varsity soccer team which will compete in the Genesee Region League.

Anchoring the squad will be Lyndonville’s veteran group of seniors Jesus Reyes, Brody Hazel, Michael Alexander and Ethan Franks along with juniors Jacob Franks, Chanse Amsdill, Logan Fonda, Amir Zimmerman, Gavyn Draper; sophomores Maddox Smith, Barrett Alexander and Iziah Rodriguez.

The Tigers graduation losses included Colton Smith, Raul Morales, Greyson Romano and Austin Fonda.

Coach Casey Winiecki’s squad went 6-6 in G-R action last fall and 10-8 overall.

The fledgling Lyndonville/Barker squad will open with a non league game at Park on September 3 and then begin G-R competition at home on September 9 against defending champion Kendall.

Albion girls soccer team to host season opening tournament

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 29 August 2026 at 8:47 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s veteran groiup includes, in front, Aaliyah Jones. In the first row Madison Frasier, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Lena Grillo and Alayna Flugel. In back are Isabella Truelson, Jane Nesbitt, Lux Froman, Ava Woolston, Brittany Lewis and Dulce Sanchez. Missing is Shayla Higgins.

Albion will open the girls soccer season by hosting a tournament on September 3 and 5.

The opening round on Thursday will have Attica vs. Oakfield-Alabama and Albion vs. Barker/Lyndonville. The Albion vs. Barker/Lyndonville contest, which will be at 6:45 p.m., will also count as an Niagara-Orleans League game.

Albion returns a good nucleus including seniors Ava Woolston, Shayla Higgins, Brittany Lewis, Yaritza Fernandez Perez, Dulce Sanchez and Isabella Truelson along with junior Alayna Flugel; sophomores Aaliyah Jones, Lena Grillo, Lux Froman, Jane Nesbitt and freshman Madison Frasier. Lewis was a second team N-O All-League honoree last fall and Wooston earned Honorable Mention.

“We have most of our team back and they are working hard so we should be improved,” said Coach Maggie Orbaker.

Albion went 2-6-4 in N-O action last fall.

Benefit today for young disabled woman in Holley with cancer

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 August 2026 at 8:22 am

Provided photos: Melissa Snider is shown with her sister Amanda Snider, on right side of the photos. There will be a benefit today for Amanda from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Clarendon Rec Hall.

CLARENDON – There will be a benefit today at the Clarendon Rec Hall for a young woman battling stage 4 carcinoma sarcoma.

Amanda Snider, 38, of Holley also has Dandy Walker Syndrome which causes some mental disabilities.

Her sister Melissa and their family and friends will have the benefit from 2 to 6 p.m. at 16169 East Lee Rd.

Melissa said she loves her sister very much and the benefit will help pay for Amanda’s medical care and other bills.

Amanda has had surgery to remove a nodule from her lung. Doctors are considering the next steps in her treatment.

“She is recovering very well,” her sister said.

Tickets for the spaghetti dinner are $17 at the door and include meatballs by the Bella Pasta Restaurant in Rochester and sauce by Fazool’s Italian Bistro in Rochester. Dinners will be served from 3 to 5 p.m.

There will also be a basket raffle, 50/50, music and other door prizes.

Albion grad and daughter killed in car accident in Oneida County

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 August 2026 at 7:21 pm

Darrel Gray played for Albion and coached Adirondack modified football team

Darrel Gray, the modified football coach at Adirondack Central School District, is shown with his daughter Nora. They were both killed in a car accident on Thursday in Oneida County.

A 1992 Albion High School graduate and his daughter were killed in Oneida County on Thursday.

Darrel Gray and his daughter were in a head-on collision at about 7 a.m. with a fully loaded tractor trailer.

The two were on their way to swim practice. They are from West Leyden in Lewis County. The accident occurred in the town of Ava.

Gray was driving an SUV and crossed into the opposite lane, colliding with the tractor-trailer, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office reported.

He and his daughter were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The two have both been very active members of the Adirondack school district, where Gray was the modified football coach and Nora was on the swim team.

Gray stayed connected with many of his Albion classmates and former teammates.

He is survived by his wife Marion and their son Mitchell.

Geno Allport, a local football coach, graduated with Gray in 1992 and played with him on the football team. They would see each other each spring at high school coaching conferences.

Gray was a long-time Seattle Seahawks fan and reveled in their recent Super Bowl victory. But Gray brought his family to Orchard park to see the Bills last Nov. 2. Buffalo won, 28-21, against their nemesis, the Kansas City Chiefs.

Gray was a long-time coach at the Adirondack school.

“He was coaching football for the right reasons,” Allport said. “He loved the kids. He was teaching them life. It wasn’t about the wins and losses.”

Allport said the death of Gray and his daughter is devastating for his friends in Albion, and especially for the Adirondack school community.

“He’s always been a great guy with a great family,” Allport said. “It’s just horrible news.”

Geno Allport, in back, reconnected during a Nov. 2 Buffalo Bills game with Darrel Gray, his wife Marion and their children, Mitchell and Nora.

Photos courtesy of Geno Allport: Darrel Gray, no. 48, warms up with the Albion football team during the Sectional final in 1991 when the team was edged 27-26 by Williamsville South at the former Rich Stadium. Gray was a receiver on the team. Geno Allport bought Gray’s old jersey from the school and sent it to Gray who was thrilled to put it on again.

Gray’s wife asks Albion community to share memories of her husband, daughter

In the wake of the heartbreaking loss of her husband, Darrel, and daughter, Nora, Marion Gray is asking the Albion community and anyone whose life was touched by them to share those memories.

Mrs. Gray has created an email for herself and their son Mitchell: CoachandNora@gmail.com.

“With everything being so overwhelming, and the way social media feeds can make messages difficult to find later, Marion is asking anyone who knew Darrel or Nora to please send stories, memories, funny moments, or anything special you remember about them,” said family friend Geno Allport of Albion.

“Her hope is to print these messages and create a book for herself and Mitchell, something they can turn to on the dark days to read about Mitchell’s dad and sister, remember the lives they touched, and hopefully find moments to smile, laugh, or cry together.”

Marion may not be able to respond to the emails, but she asks that you please include who you are and how you knew Darrel or Nora, Allport said.

Green misses the cut at LPGA Boston tourney

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 28 August 2026 at 5:18 pm

For the second day in a row bogey problems proved costly as Medina’s Melanie Green has missed the cut at the LPGA Tour’s FM Championship Tournament being played near Boston.

Green, who opened with a 5 over par 77 on Thursday, had a similar 4 over par round of 76 today to finish at 9 over missing the cut which was at even par.

On the day, Green had three bogeys, two double bogeys and 3 birdies.