By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2025 at 8:52 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
HOLLEY – Crystal Botello is a big purple grape while she walks with her son, Sylas Botello, who was dressed as Bumblebee, a Transformer. Wanda Blanco is a dinosaur.
Nick Pifer of the Murray Joint Fire District served as an escort for the group while they were in a costume parade and could get candy from local merchants and organizations.
Amanda Anderson, director of Community Free Library, has treats ready for the kids in costume.
Dustin’s Pizzeria was happy to be a candy stop during the parade. The business is owned by Dustin Reisman. His wife Jennifer and their children, Dustin Jr. (dressed as a hot dog) and Harper (a slice of pizza), doled out lots of treats.
The Village of Holley Fall Hallow Fest included several vendors who were set up along the Public Square.
There was also a chili cook-off inside the American Legion, and a trunk or treat outside the police station on Thomas Street and at the Holley Gardens.
The Murray-Holley Historical Society also had a bake sale and introduced people to its new mule it purchased as part of the Orleans County Bicentennial celebration this year.
The mule is named Sal and will be rolled out for special events. Sal is shown with Dan Mawn, president of the Historical Society (left), and Raymond Santoro, the village historian.
The museum wanted to highlight a mule for their role pulling the canal boats. This mule came from the Long Island Statue Shop.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 October 2025 at 8:14 pm
Orleans County and Greater Niagara Region in peak foliage conditions
Photos by Tom Rivers: This tree has a full canopy of colorful leaves in Holley on Saturday. The East Avenue lift bridge is in the background.
The area may be in its peak for fall foliage, or slightly into “past peak.”
There are still lots of colorful leaves on the trees, but it may not last much longer.
I Love NY put Orleans County and the Greater Niagara region at peak conditions on Wednesday. Most other parts of the state – Chautauqua-Allegheny, Catskills, Central NY, 1,000 Islands and the Adirondacks – were deemed past peak.
This photo from today shows colorful leaves along the Erie Canal in Eagle Harbor with the lift bridge in the background.
Provided photo: Nancy Mattus and Michelle Ohar show off the team’s award.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
SHELBY – Congratulations to our Safety Risk Department who recently received the 2025 School Safety Excellence Award from the Utica National Insurance Group.
We are one of 156 school districts and BOCES in New York State to receive the titanium award with honors – the highest level presented. This makes the 22nd year that Orleans/Niagara BOCES has received this prestigious award.
A BOCES Safety Risk Team is a department within Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York State that provides schools with expert guidance and services to ensure a safe and compliant learning environment. These teams help districts with everything from emergency planning and regulatory compliance to environmental safety, staff training, and risk management. They act as a liaison with various government agencies and help schools prepare for and respond to emergencies.
Congratulations to our Safety Risk team of James Comb, Nancy Mattus, Paul Nawotka, Michelle Ohar and Dan Connolly (Director Facilities) and Dr. Melanie Conley (Director of Business Services) for a job well done! We are so proud of them!
In the darkness of night on Sept. 30, 2025, approximately 300 federal agents, in full tactical gear and face coverings to prevent accountability, some even rappelling from Black Hawk helicopters, attacked a Chicago apartment building with 130 units.
Carrying fully automatic weapons, they threw flash bang grenades and chemical agents, breaking down doors, zip-tying residents, separating children from their parents, and detained residents, including some U.S. citizens, for hours.
They kicked down doors, emptied bookshelves and overturned mattresses. The operation was filmed for propaganda purposes showing residents terror-stricken and humiliated. They arrested 37 people.
Aid groups, lawyers and journalists are having a difficult time identifying and locating those taken by federal agents. Federal officials have not identified those arrested nor stated where they are, making it impossible to verify claims that those taken were immigrants with criminal records.
The New York Times reported that at least three people identified as being arrested in the raid had no criminal record. The Associated Press reported that “only two of the 37 immigrants arrested were gang members.” The Trump administration claims that they are arresting criminals including rapists, murderers and child predators.
But the government’s own evidence and the data demonstrate that isn’t the case. ICE’s own statistics show that 71.7% of those detained had no criminal records. The only logical explanation I can come up with is to terrorize citizens.
Thomas Jefferson stated: “When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.” This administration wants us to fear the government. Furthermore, these actions violate the Constitution of the Unted States in several ways.
One of the ways these actions violate the Constitution is the Fourth Amendment. At no time did these agents present a warrant for their searches, seizures or arrest in clear violation of the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment.
“The right of the people to be secure in their persons, homes, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.” The Constitution is clear about this; even those in the country illegally have protection of the Fourth Amendment.
The Fourth Amendment grew out of resistance to King George III’s use of general warrants, called Writs of Assistance which allowed customs officials to search homes and shops for contraband and smuggled goods. General warrants were used by the King to go after his enemies, real or perceived.
In 1761 Boston merchants filed a lawsuit against these general warrants in a case called Paxton v Gray. James Otis, a prominent lawyer, was hired to represent the merchants. In attendance at the trial was John Adams, who took copious notes and recalls Mr. Otis’s fiery defense using the impossible to verify claims that those taken were immigrants with criminal records.
The new phase “A man’s home is his castle,” and “Taxation without representation is tyranny.” Years later, Mr. Adams recalled “American Independence was then and there born.”
While he lost the case, the freedoms he fought for were enshrined in the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment rights. The Trump administration with Republican enablers, are intentionally, deliberately and knowing violating our Constitutional rights. That is why we protest at no-kings rallies.
Replica of Seneca Chief completes bicentennial voyage on canal, reaching NYC
Photos by Don Pollard/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – Governor Hochul today marked the 200th anniversary of the opening of the original Erie Canal in New York City with the arrival of the Buffalo Maritime Center’s Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief. Hochul is speaking at Pier 26 at Hudson River Park in New York City
Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office
New York City – Governor Kathy Hochul today marked the 200th anniversary of the opening of the original Erie Canal in New York City with the arrival of the Buffalo Maritime Center’s Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief.
The boat is a replica of the original vessel Governor DeWitt Clinton traveled on from Buffalo to New York City in 1825. The current voyage began Sept. 24 in Buffalo. The Seneca Chief made 28 stops along the Erie Canal and Hudson River before ending its journey at Pier 26 at Hudson River Park in New York City.
Buffalo Maritime Center Founder John Montague said, “From the outset of this project, our aim was to commemorate the Erie Canal and raise awareness of its profound impact on American history. By building and voyaging across New York State with our authentic replica canal boat, we have succeeded beyond our dreams. At the same time, we’ve succeeded in reconnecting communities and individuals around our shared canal history and heritage. We have been amazed to discover on our voyage the public’s interest and commitment in shaping the canal’s future.”
Gov. Hochul congratulates Roger Allen, Master Boatbuilder of the Seneca Chief replica, for the successful 33-day trip, retracing the route of the original Seneca Chief that brought Gov. DeWitt Clinton on the freshly built Erie Canal. Brian Stratton, the state’s canal commissioner, is in back.
Today’s Erie Canal is now part of the 524-mile New York State Canal system managed by the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and New York State Canal Corporation. As the Erie Canal enters its third century of operation, it has primarily become a recreational and cultural destination, with a focus on arts and culture, sustainability, and accessibility, while still moving cargo too large for other means of transportation.
“For two centuries, the Erie Canal has been a symbol of ingenuity and perseverance, shaping the economic and social landscape of New York and the United States,” Governor Hochul said. “As a Buffalo native, I have logged hundreds of hours on the canals and know first-hand of the impact and beauty. As we celebrate this incredible bicentennial milestone, we look forward to the Canal’s third century of operation and are committed to ensuring a resilient and accessible Canal system for all New Yorkers for centuries to come.”
The Governor was introduced at today’s event by DeWitt Clinton’s 15-year-old great-great-great-great-great-grandson, DeWitt Silber.
The Erie Canal has been a cornerstone in the development of New York State as we know it, and the nation. It has served as a vital connector for commerce, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, and facilitating the movement of goods and people. Over the years, the Canal has played significant roles in major historical movements, including the Underground Railroad, Women’s Right to Vote, the expansion of religions, fostering communities and driving progress.
Through their More Voices initiative, NYPA and the Canal Corporation are working to share a more comprehensive narrative of the Erie Canal’s history. Topics include the stories of underrepresented communities including those of African Americans, women, immigrants, and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Gov. Hochul pours water into a barrel in a ceremony that was done at each stop the Seneca Chief made along the canal as part of a 33-day trip to New York City. The “Gathering of the Waters” differed from the original “Wedding of the Waters” when Gov. DeWitt Clinton poured water from Lake Erie into New York Harbor in 1825, following the maiden journey along the completed canal.
To acknowledge the displacement of indigenous people during the building of the Canal, an Eastern White Pine Tree was planted at each stop of the current Seneca Chief voyage that represents the strength of the Haudenosaunee people, as well as a promise for a sustainable future for the Erie Canal. In Haudenosaunee culture, the White Pine also holds significance as the Tree of Peace.
New York State Canal Corporation Director and Erie Canal Bicentennial Commission Co-Chair Brian U. Stratton said, “The Erie Canal has been a testament to human ingenuity and the power of connectivity. As we look ahead, we are dedicated to enhancing its accessibility and resilience, ensuring it remains a vital resource for generations to come.”
Since taking office, Governor Hochul has emphasized the state’s continuing commitment to the long-term viability of the canal system, designating $50 million in each of the past two state budgets to rehabilitate reservoir dams, improve earthen embankment dams, and repair aging water control structures, many of which predate Clinton’s inaugural Erie Canal voyage. The funds are in addition to NYPA’s annual investment for canal system maintenance and operations.
Photo courtesy of NYS Canal Corp. – The replica of Seneca Chief passes by the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
As the Erie Canal’s third century of operation begins, the New York State Canal Corporation is gearing up to carry out the recently published Canal Recreationway 2050 Plan. Created with input from hundreds of stakeholders throughout the canal corridor, it is structured around seven guiding principles that together form a comprehensive vision for the 524-mile Canal system of waterways, trails and parks. The guiding principles include cultural heritage, accessibility, economic impact, ecological benefit, and environmental resiliency.
Most recently, the Canal Corporation began identifying property along the Erie Canal where pollinator meadows can be created. This endeavor not only aims to reduce maintenance needs, but also aims to enhance biodiversity, support vital ecosystems, and ensure the Canal’s ecological health for the next century. This sustainable approach honors the Canal system’s rich history while fostering environmental stewardship and resilience, contributing to a greener, more vibrant future for generations to come. 16 acres have been identified to date, with hundreds more to come.
The New York State Canal system endeavors to become a worldwide destination for accessible recreation through On the Canals, as well as NYPA and Canal Corporation’s On the Canals Accessibility Education Program. Now in its sixth year, On the Canals provides free programming across the Canal system through local providers to get people recreating on the water and the Canalway Trails.
With its relatively calm waters and level trail surfaces, it is an ideal location for people of all abilities to recreate. The On the Canals Accessibility Education Program, now in its second year, works with participating businesses to ensure they are receiving the correct tools and knowledge they need to guarantee that their facilities and programming are fully accessible for all who seek to enjoy recreation along the Canal system.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 October 2025 at 2:50 pm
C North Division champion No. 1 seed Barker/Roy-Hart will host Salamanca at 7 p.m. Friday at Barker in the quarterfinal round of the Section VI Class C football playoffs.
Barker went 6-0 in the division and 7-1 overall during the regular season while Salamanca, which is the C South Division No. 4 seed, was 4-3.
Medina, which is the C North No. 4 seed will visit Southwestern at 7 p.m. Thursday in a quarterfinal contest.
Medina went 4-2 in the division and 6-2 overall during the regular season while No. 1 seed Southwestern won the C South Division title with a 7-0 record.
The other Class C quarterfinals will have Akron at Chautauqua Lake/Westfield/Brocton on Friday and Portville at Eden on Thursday.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 October 2025 at 8:55 am
No. 4 seeded Medina will face top seeded Lafayette at 6 p.m. Monday at All High Stadium in Buffalo in the semifinals of the Section VI Class B boys soccer tournament.
Medina, which brings a 16-2 record into the semis, nipped No. 5 Fredonia 1-0 in the quarterfinals while Lafayette, which is 15-2-1, blanked No. 8 Tonawanda 3-0.
On Tuesday, top seeded Wilson will host No. 5 Portville at 6:30 p.m. in a Section VI Class C semifinal.
Section VI Girls Soccer playoffs on Wednesday
Top seeded Wilson will host No. 5 Portville at a time to be determined.
Section V Girls Soccer Playoffs on Tuesday
Top seeded Kendall will face No. 4 Keshequa in a Section V Class C2 semifinal at Cal-Mum at 5:30 p.m.
No. 5 seeded Holley will take on No. 1 Geneseo in a Class C1 semi at 7 p.m. at Avon.
Section V Boys Soccer Playoffs
On Tuesday, No. 2 seed Lyndonville will take on No. 3 Andover-Whitesville in a Section V Class D2 semifinal at Perry at 7 p.m.
On Wednesday, top seeded Kendall will face No. 4 Gananda in a Class C2 semifinal at Wayne at 5:30 p.m.
Section VI Volleyball
Section VI Class B1 volleyball playoff action gets underway on Tuesday as No. 8 Albion hosts No. 9 Alden at 4:30 p.m.
In a Class B2 opener on Tuesday No. 9 Medina visits No. 8 Salamanca at 6 p.m.
No. 3 seed Roy-Hart will host No. 6 Southwestern in a Class B2 quarterfinal match at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Section VI Field Hockey
Wednesday – Class C quarterfinals: No. 5 Eden vs. No. 4 Roy-Hart, 5 p.m. at Medina; No. 6 Wilson vs. No. 3 Medina, 7 p.m. at Medina; No. 7 Newfane vs. No. 2 Barker, 7 p.m. at Barker.
The cover of the book highlights the efforts of Orleans County Historian Catherine Cooper in compiling an updated list of historic markers in the county.
Press Release, Orleans County Historical Association
ALBION – The community is invited to join us on Wednesday, October 29, at 7 p.m. in the Gaines Basin Cobblestone Schoolhouse at 3286 Gaines Basin Rd.
This special event will spotlight the launch of our updated NYS Historic Markers of Orleans County, NY book. Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian, will lead the presentation.
Living our busy, destination focused lives, we speed by those distinctive yellow and blue roadside historic markers too quickly to read the content. In some instances, we could hazard a guess as to the reason for a particular sign based on its location, the Cobblestone Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, for example.
A newly revised guidebook “Historic Markers of Orleans County New York” provides the text and location of the signs. Compiled by Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian, in honor of the Bicentennial of Orleans County, 2025, it is an updated version of the book “Historic Markers Erected During the 20th Century in Orleans County New York” produced in 2001 by Bill Lattin, Orleans County Historian and Neil Johnson, Village of Albion Historian.
Copies of the book will be available for sale at the event – cost $15.
In addition to the book, local artist Carol Culhane will have Bicentennial posters on display (Cost $10.) All proceeds will go to the Orleans County Historical Association.
If you can’t attend the presentation but would like to purchase a book, they will be sold at:
Hoag Library in Albion on Thursday, October 30, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Lee-Whedon Library in Medina during regular business hours
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 October 2025 at 9:29 pm
Top seeded Kendall opened defense of its Section V Class C2 boys soccer title with a 7-1 quarterfinal win over visiting No. 8 Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale this evening.
Pablo Rosario-Reyes had 4 goals, Jonathan Esposito 2 and Brandon Barrett 1 for Kendall which improves to 17-0. Rosario-Reyes had two goals on headers and Barrett one.
Rosario-Reyes. Vinny D’Agostino and Brendan Eichas each had a pair of assists and Tyler McCue one.
Jonny Conte had a huge night in goal for the Eagles making a dozen stops including a pair of 3-4 shot saves on barrages by Cuba-Rushford/Hinsdale..
Kendall will next face No. 4 Gananda in the semifinals on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.
In a Class C1 quarterfinal, No. 7 Holley dropped a narrow 1-0 decision at No. 2 Sodus.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Orleans County Legislator Don Allport, right, presents a proclamation in observance of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. Accepting the proclamation are Paul Pettit, Public Health Director; and Nicole Pierce, Epidemiologist/Program Manager.
Press Release, Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments
ALBION – October 19-25, 2025 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, a time to raise awareness about the dangers of lead poisoning and how to keep children safe.
To highlight the importance of preventing lead poisoning in our communities, Orleans County accepted a NLPPW proclamation on September 23, followed by Genesee County on October 22.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal found in dust, air, water and soil. Children can be exposed to lead by swallowing or breathing in lead dust from paint that is cracked or chipped, eating paint chips, or chewing on things that have lead paint.
Exposure in children can cause learning, behavior, growth, hearing and speech problems that may last into adulthood. “Children under six are most at risk because their bodies are rapidly developing,” stated Gabrielle Lanich, Lead Program Coordinator for the Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments (GO Health).
According to the census, 72.6% of occupied homes in Genesee, Livingston, Orleans, and Wyoming counties were built before 1978, when lead paint was banned for residential use.
“Childhood lead exposure is a significant issue due to the number of older homes that may contain lead-based paint,” stated Paul Pettit, Public Health Director of GO Health. Fortunately, lead poisoning is preventable. “Contact your healthcare provider and make it a priority to get your child tested for lead,” stated Pettit.
GO Health encourages parents and community members to learn more about preventing lead exposure by exploring the three key themes of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week:
Get the Facts!
Any exposure to lead hazards can be serious, especially for children. The only safe blood lead level is zero!
The most common source of lead exposure in children is through eating dust particles or paint chips so small that they may not be visible to the naked eye.
The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures.
Other sources of lead could include metal toys, wooden toys or furniture painted with lead-based paint, metal jewelry, lead-glazed pottery or porcelain, some candies, spices, and even make-up.
Get your Home Tested!
Many homes built before 1978 have lead-based paint. If your home was built before 1978, you should get it tested for lead paint.
If you rent, ask your landlord to have your home or apartment tested.
Contact GO Health for more information on getting your home tested.
Get your Child Tested!
Children’s blood lead levels start to rise between 6 and 12 months old and are highest between 18 and 24 months old.
The only way to know if your child has lead poisoning is through a simple blood test.
Most children with detectable levels of lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms.
Pregnant women who have been around lead should also be tested.
The Genesee County Health Department has a Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Grant, funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), to help address lead-based paint hazards and other health concerns in homes and apartments in the GLOW region.
For eligibility and program details, contact the Genesee County Health Department at 585-344-2580 ext.5555 or Health.GOlead@geneseeny.gov. To learn more about local lead data and trends, visit the Lead Poisoning Surveillance Dashboard on the GO Health website.
To learn more about GO Health programs and services, or to get assistance through our lead programs, visit GOHealthNY.org or contact your local health department at:
In today’s world, local government is the most important. While the Federal Government is “shut down,” locally, our government is producing!
We at the County level manage not only NY State-mandated services and programs that are typically unfunded, resulting in higher taxes to our residents, but we also balance quality-of-life desires that are funded through our sales tax revenues, various grants, and other creative funding streams.
To suggest that Orleans County is a “business as usual” organization is misleading. While I have been a County Legislator, primarily representing the residents of the 4th District of Carlton, Kendall, Murray, the Village of Holley, as well as the rest of the County, I have entrenched myself into being a quite vocal voice to see my home county prosper.
As a retired Correction Officer, while simultaneously operating a successful business and developing a new tourist destination on the banks of the Erie Canal, I believe in leading by example. I believe that community growth starts with economic growth. That is why I not only sit on the Orleans County EDA Board of Directors as the Treasurer, I am also the current Vice-Chairman of the Genesee/Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council, so that I can bring back to this County, ideas and insights that may help us prosper.
In the past four years, I have also represented my district by regularly attending monthly board meetings, providing input to County activities, and also receiving feedback to help with more local concerns.
I’ve participated in the Lake Ontario State Parkway Study, the Kendall, Yates, Carlton Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP), the Orleans County Erie Canal LWRP, and am currently on the Carlton Master Plan Steering Committee.
In order to maintain meaningful dialogue with the other leaders of the county, I am also the Co-Chairman of the Orleans County Association of Municipalities. As the current Chairman of the Administration and Finance Committee for the Legislature, which not only details internal department operations, we are also responsible for developing the County Budget.
Again, due to the unfunded state mandates that are placed upon us, our ability to generate the necessary revenue through property taxes, which are capped at 2% annually without penalty, and sales taxes that are not a set figure, we have transformed from an organization that “was used to doing things because that’s the way it’s always been done” to one that does things because it’s in the best interest of the community.
While I’m sure that there are things that may not appear that way, I, along with the other six Legislators, have always been approachable to explain our decisions. Thank you to the voters of my District and to the rest of the County residents for the faith you have placed in me, and I hope to continue to earn your vote this election cycle.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 October 2025 at 7:51 pm
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – No. 5 seeded Allegany-Limestone downed No. 4 Roy-Hart 3-0 at Gasport this afternoon in a Section VI Class B quarterfinal round girls soccer playoff contest. Here Roy-Hart’s Ruth Walker sends the ball up field as Kendall Lemon defends for Allegany-Limestone. In a Class C quarterfinal matchup of Niagara-Orleans League teams top seeded Wilson downed No. 8 Barker/Lyndonville 2-0.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 25 October 2025 at 7:40 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) Mike Snyder, left, vice president of Sacred Heart Club, stands with president John “JT” Thomas next to the new plaque on the wall, where the names of members with 50 or more years of membership will be added. (Right) John Thomas looks at a list of the founding members of Sacred Heart Club, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024.
MEDINA – John “JT” Thomas, president of Sacred Heart Club, has unveiled a new way the club has started to honor long-standing members.
In the future, members who reach 50 years of membership will have their name on a plaque on the wall. The names have already been added of 45 members who reached that milestone. Topping the list is the late Stanley Stack, who was a member for more than 60 years.
“I wanted to acknowledge and recognize those members who do good things,” Thomas said. “It’s about thanking those guys. We couldn’t do it without you.”
The plaque has already been hung on the wall and 45 names are on it, and others will be added as they reach the 50-year membership level.
“We’ve never had anything like this here,” Thomas said.
Thomas shared the history of Sacred Heart Club, the church and school.
Polish settlers started arriving in Medina in the late 1870s. There was no Polish parish, so most of them attended St. Mary’s with a few going to the Polish parish in Albion. As Medina’s Polish community grew, Henry Piatek began to lay the groundwork for a parish. A delegation approached the Albion priest and on June 20,1909, he held the first Polish Mass in the home of Vincenty Wysocki on Commercial Street.
John “JT” Thomas, president of Sacred Heart Club, left, talks to a handful of members about a new feature he has started to honor longtime members. He has a plaque on the wall on which is placed the names of those with 50 years or more of membership. At right front is Jack Davis, 89, a member with 47 years at Sacred Heart.
Parish members began building a church on Ann Street in 1909 and it was completed Feb. 1, 1910. Founding members were Franciszek Waclowski, Andrew Kujawa, Wojciech Dorski, Leon Fracszak, Stanislaw Levandowski, Thomas Gottovi, Michael Balcerzak and Josef Maryjanowski.
As the church was being built, a group of 24 leading Polish men from the Sacred Heart purchased a plot of land on North Gravel Road to be used as a parish cemetery. The first interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery was Sept. 4, 1910.
Sacred Heart members next purchased a clubhouse on North Gravel Road, and it became the Sacred Heart Club. It was officially incorporated as the Sacred Heart Society on May 24, 1924
In 1925, the Sisters of St. Joseph were petitioned to come to Medina and establish a school. A school was built and on Jan 2, 1926, it officially opened, admitting 61 students. Hundreds of students were educated there until its closing in 1969.
The church suffered a tragic fire in 1981, when an arsonist set it ablaze. The interior was badly damaged and took two years to remodel.
“The church may have survived the fire, but it couldn’t hold up to the economic decline of the region,” Thomas said. “In 2008 the Sacred Heart of Jesus joined with St. Mary’s in Medina and St. Stephen’s in Middleport to create the Holy Trinity Parish, resulting in the closing of Sacred Heart Church.”
The mission previous members passed down to Sacred Heart Club is dedication to support local worthwhile charities financially and otherwise, including youth, seniors and a veterans’ group. They continue to support St. Peter’s Food Pantry, the yearly Veterans’ trip to Washington, D.C., Wreaths Across America and other multiple veterans’ causes, the Orleans County 4-H Fair, YMCA, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, police and fire departments and a $500 yearly scholarship at Medina High School.
In closing, Thomas said they honor, not only members who have passed, but they honor and thank members who have served Sacred Heart Society for 50 consecutive years or more.
“Without the pillars you created, this Society would not be in existence,” Thomas said of the long-term members. “Your legacy of service inspires us all, and we are eager to continue building on the foundation you have helped create for the future of this Society. Thank you for being a vital part of our past, present and future. We are incredibly proud to celebrate your service and accomplishments and to share our deepest appreciation for all you’ve done for the Society.”
