Barre Tractor Parade showcases heart of this rural community
Editor:
On December 13th at 5:30 p.m., the heart of Barre will once again glow with a warmth that no winter chill can diminish.
Now in its 8th year, the Barre Tractor Parade has grown into a charming holiday tradition. A celebration not just of the season, but of community, creativity and the rural roots of Barre.
At a time of year when holiday events can feel increasingly commercial, Barre’s Tractor Parade stands proudly apart. It doesn’t rely on a grand budget.
Instead, it draws its magic from the hands of local farmers, families and businesses who transform their hard working tractors into rolling works of art, draped in twinkling lights and bursting with personality. A reminder that the most meaningful traditions are often the ones we build together.
More than a light parade, it reflects the heart of Barre itself. Neighbors gathering, children and adults bundled up and generations sharing stories of their favorite tractor.
Join us at 5:30 pm on December 13th for another year of bright lights, shared laughter and a town that continues to shine from the inside out.
Respectfully submitted,
Betsy Miller
Barre Betterment Committee
Lee-Whedon announces gala and auction to support expansion project at library
Press Release, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library
MEDINA – Lee-Whedon Memorial Library is thrilled to announce its upcoming Fundraising Gala and Auction, marking the grand conclusion of the library’s fundraising campaign.
All proceeds from the event will directly support construction costs, ensuring the community’s library continues to grow and thrive.
The gala on Feb. 6 will feature a live auction of library furniture, a silent auction, and a basket raffle, offering guests a wide variety of exciting items. Tickets are available at the library or online through Eventbrite (click here). General admission tickets are $30, while VIP tickets are $50 and include early admission and a swag bag. The event will include music, cash bar, and hors d’oeuvres.
Guests can look forward to fun and unique auction items such as winery tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, signed books by popular authors, and original artwork including children’s book illustrations and pottery. For sneak peeks of available items, attendees are encouraged to follow Lee-Whedon Memorial Library on Facebook and Instagram. Tickets are limited, so early purchase is recommended.
“We are deeply grateful for the incredible support this community has shown throughout our expansion project,” said Library Director Kristine Mostyn. “The generosity of volunteers, both in time and contributions, has been invaluable.”
If you are interested in donating to the gala, please contact Kristine at 585.798.3430.
Construction on the expansion is well underway. Foundation walls, underground electricity, and underground plumbing have been installed, with the exterior of the building expected to be completed by year’s end. Two naming opportunities remain available for donors wishing to make a lasting impact on the library’s future.
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Walsh in Medina doing toy giveaway on Sunday while Santa visits
Provided photo: This wine barrel Christmas tree is part of the holiday decorations at The Walsh on West Avenue, where the business will give free toys to children from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday, as long as supplies last.
MEDINA – The Walsh Hotel is showing its holiday spirit this Christmas season by giving back to the community which has supported them.
From 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday, The Walsh will give out at least 200 toys for children, said owner Rollin Hellner.
“We thought this would be something positive for the community,” Hellner said.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be at The Walsh and available for pictures.
In addition to free toys for the kids, the event will have food and drinks available, including the classic Tom & Jerry. The cocktail dates back to the 1820s, when it was created by British writer Pierce Egan to promote his novel “Tom and Jerry,” Hellner explained.
It became a huge holiday tradition in the United States, especially in the Midwest and Northeast. Unlike eggnog, it is served hot and made with a fluffy batter of eggs, sugar, spices, rum and brandy. Although less common today, the drink remains a beloved December favorite in Upstate New York, Hellner said.
Hellner purchased The Walsh in the spring of 2022 and has been working on more renovations, including eight apartments and 10 hotel rooms.
“We are roughly half way through our multi-million dollar investment,” Hellner said.
The Walsh has also added a country courtyard, which is currently decorated with a wine barrel Christmas tree.
Hellner said he also has plans to rebuild the original porch. A lot of work has already been completed, including a new roof, replacement of rotted wood siding/trim and fresh exterior paint.
Kevin Bittner recognized by NY Farm Bureau for outstanding service to agriculture
Press Release, Niagara County Farm Bureau
Provided photo: Kevin Bittner accepts the James Quinn Award during the annual meeting of New York Farm Bureau.
VERONA – A Niagara County fruit grower who has served several years in leadership roles with Farm Bureau has been recognized by the organization.
Kevin Bittner on Wednesday was presented with the James Quinn Award during NY Farm Bureau’s annual meeting at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. This is the second highest award in the organization and goes to someone who has gone above and beyond in supporting Farm Bureau and NY Agriculture during the past year.
Bittner is the orchard manager for Bittner Singer Farms based in Appleton. His father Jim is managing partner and brother David is field manager for the farm.
Kevin Bittner just completed his term as Niagara County President. In addition to helping plan the March Ag Forum, he served as emcee. As Farm Bureau president, he served on a number of other county committees. Bittner was a resource person for local farmers and members of the media. He also promoted agriculture through presentations to various organizations including Lions Clubs.
On a state level, Bittner serve on the Resolutions Committee for Farm Bureau. As a grassroots organization, their priorities are set by the members. The Resolutions Committee coordinates each county’s items into a coordinated format. He also serves on the advisory board for the Cornell University Geneva Experimental Station.
When accepting the award, Kevin expressed appreciation for those who helped him throughout the year. As part of Bittner Singer Orchards, he appreciated his father and brother for keeping the farm functioning when he was gone. Bittner appreciated the Niagara County Farm Bureau Board for their help with the numerous projects throughout the year. Finally, he acknowledged the input and friendship from members across the state.
New York Farm Bureau provides the resources that support and enrich the rural way of life. Through the efforts of our organization, farmers have learned to work together to promote more efficient production, better marketing, fair legislation, and a safe food supply and work environment. Membership is open to all involved in agriculture, whether in production or consumption.
3 more lighted parades in Orleans County, including Clarendon’s tonight
Albion and Barre host parades on Dec. 13
Photos by Tom Rivers: Clarendon’s lighted parade on Dec. 6, 2024 included this goat, shown rounding the corner from Route 31A onto Route 237.
There are three more lighted parades this holiday season in Orleans County following Medina’s Parade of Lights this past Saturday.
Clarendon’s parade is today starting at 7 at the fire hall on Route 31A. The route then goes through the town’s main intersection, takes a right turn onto Route 237, and then a left on Church Street to the Historical Society.
Santa will then greet people at the museum in Clarendon.
Barre also will be hosting its eighth annual lighted tractor parade at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 13. The parade starts on Route 98 at East Barre Road and goes north on 98 to the Barre Town Park.
Albion is hosting Charles W. Howard’s Hometown Parade at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13. The parade starts and ends at Dubby’s Tailgate on Platt Street. The route goes on Route 31 heading west, turns right on Main Street, right on State Street and then right on Platt Street.
Santa rides on a trailer pulled by a tractor in last year’s Barre Tractor Parade.
Lyndonville will light up 82 decorated Christmas trees on Saturday
‘Christmas in Lyndonville’ includes many activities throughout the day
Photo by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Village of Lyndonville will host many activities on Saturday as part of its community Christmas celebration.
The community has decorated 82 Christmas trees at veterans Park. The lights on the trees will be turned on at 5 p.m. by Santa.
The village started the tradition of decorating the trees in 2013 with 26 the first year. The number steadily grew reaching a record high of 98 in 2022. There continues to be a big response to decorating the trees with 85 in 2023, and 82 in both 2024 and 2025.
The trees stay lighted up until just after New Year’s Day.
There are nearly 20 activities throughout the day beginning with a community breakfast/basket raffle from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. The Webber Cafe will host holiday cookie decorating station with crafts from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
There will be caroling at Veterans Park from 4:30 to 5 p.m. just before Santa’s arrival and the lighting of the trees.
Afterward, Santa will be available to visit with kids from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.
The events conclude with a Christmas LaLaPalooza at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church. Click here to see the full schedule of activities.
Christmas in Lyndonville is sponsored by the Village of Lyndonville, Lyndonville Fire Department, Lyndonville Lions Club or the Lyndonville United Methodist Church.
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Lyndonville seeks volunteers to help place wreaths on vets’ graves on Dec. 13
Photo by Tom Rivers: This photo from Dec. 17, 2022 shows volunteers getting ready to place wreaths on veterans’ graves at Lynhaven Cemetery on Housel Avenue in Lyndonville. Volunteers placed 441 wreaths at veterans’ graves as part of the Wreaths Across America observance.
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville community will be placing wreaths on about 450 graves of veterans on Dec. 13. This will be the eighth year the American Legion will be holding a ceremony at noon and then joining volunteers to set the wreaths for veterans as part of Wreaths Across America.
The ceremony begins at noon at Lynhaven Cemetery. There will be other activities after the wreaths are set at Lynhaven, with others put at veterans’ grave sites at Yates Center Cemetery, Robin Hill Estate, the Greenman Road Cemetery, Lott Cemetery on Angling Road and a cemetery on Marshall Road.
“I want to remind visitors and volunteers alike in Lyndonville we are fortunate to have a memorial fund set up in memory of Fred (Fotius), Peter, George Menel and Ernest Stelianou by their sister Anna,” said Steve Goodrich, commander of the American Legion in Lyndonville and coordinator of Wreaths Across America for Lyndonville. “All veterans (current & future) graves will receive a wreath at no expense to the veteran’s families.”
Any donations made to the Lynhaven Cemetery will be redirected to the Boxwood Cemetery in Medina to help support the wreaths’ effort there, Goodrich said.
There will be a complimentary volunteer appreciation luncheon at the Webber Café afterwards. Webber Café also will offer free crafts for kids, including rock painting and cookie decorating.
The Grinch will be at Sweet Tilly’s Mercantile on Main Street, offering ornaments for kids.
Albion wrestlers top Byron-Bergen in opener
Albion opened the high school wrestling season with a 44-36 win over visiting Byron-Bergen in a non league match this evening.
Leading 38-36, Albion locked up the victory on a second period pin in 3:30 by Jackson Snook (285).
The Purple Eagles also got pins by Justin Mengs (118) in 3:47, Stryker Sanders (126) in :51, Drake Schonske (132) in 2:42 and Corbin Piccirilli (138) in 3:01 as Parker Roberts (144) and Jaxon Lynch (165) both had major decision wins.
Albion will next compete in the Charger Duals at Cheektowaga on Saturday.
Churchville-Chili 37, Medina 36
Medina dropped a narrow 37-36 decision to host Churchville-Chili in a season opening non league wrestling match this evening.
The contest was tied at 36-36 at the end of the match but Churchville-Chili earned the winning point on the tie breaker criteria of having won the most matches.
Luke Duffina and Tyler Raduns both scored pins for Medina which will next compete in the Byron-Bergen Tournament on Saturday.
Non League swimming
Pembroke sweeps Medina
Host Pembroke swept to a doubleheader win over visiting Medina in a season opening non league swim meet this evening winning the boys’ meet 58-35 and the girls’ 52-28.
Bryson Ford won the 50 Freestyle and 500 Free and Bradley Goyette the 100 Breaststroke for the Medina boys while Madeline Mark took both the 200 Free and 500 Free for the girls.
Fast start powers host Kendall to a tournament victory over Albion
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Izzy D’Agostino puts up a shot as Alexis Neff (25) and Semaj Miller (10) defend for Albion. The action took place during the host Lady Eagles tournament win over the Purple Eagles this evening.
Exploding out to a 19-0 first quarter lead, Kendall went on to down Albion 59-29 in the opening round of the Lady Eagles tournament this evening.
Stella Kwiatek and Mia Price both had a three and a two for the Lady Eagles in the decisive period which also included a three by Sophia Picardo and baskets by Izzy D’Agostino and Payton Vogt.
Kendall went on to lead by 24 at the half, 33-9, and by 29 after three quarters, 49-20.
D’Agostino finsihed with 14 to lead Kendall’s balanced attack as Kwiatek tallied 11, Price 10, Brynn Hardenbrook 8, Picardo 6, Teagan Shaw 6 and Vogt 4.
For Albion, Jocelyn Friedl scored 11, Aaliyah Jones 9, Leah Pawlak 5 and Melia Prince and Aubrey Gannon 2 each.
Kendall will now face Medina in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday while Albion will meet Holley in the consolation contest at 1 p.m.
Albion’s Jocelyn Friedl goes up for a rebound against Kendall’s Sophia Picardo.
Big quarter sparks Medina to win over Holley in the opening round of the Kendall Tourney
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Caliyah St. Louis puts up a shot to score the first two points of the Mustangs win over Holley at the Kendall Tournament this evening. Defending for Holley are Brynn Thomas (2), Alexis VanAmeron (10) and Mia Thom (11).
A big second quarter scoring surge keyed Medina to a 58-20 win over Holley in the opening round of the Kendall girls basketball tournament this evening.
Leading 6-3 after a low scoring first period, Medina erupted for a big 20-5 second quarter to open up a commanding 26-8 half-time advantage.
Sam Heschke scored 9, Caliyah St. Louis 6, Emberlyn Oakes 3 and Roswyn Oakes 2 for the Mustangs in the decisive period.
Medina maintained a 31 point, 39-8, lead at the end of the third period which saw St. Louis score 8, including a pair of threes.
St. Louis finished with a game high 23 and Heschke 16 to pace Medina as Alexa Demmer added 8, Emberlyn Oakes 5, Harmoni Wilson 3, Roswyn Oakes 2 and Tatianna Maxon 1.
For Holley, Brynn Thomas scored 5 and Mia Thom 3 as Alexis VanAmeron, Kyle Burne, Desiree McCormack, Jayna Burris, Alexis Lujan and Madison Lowell 2 each.
Medina will next face Kendall in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. Saturday while Holley will take on Albion in the consolation contest at 1 p.m.
Holley’s Jayna Burris puts up a shot against Medina defender Alexa Demmer as Caliyah St. Louis moves in.
Board member, officers named for Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Pictured from left include Garner Light, Melissa Mance-Coniglio, Emma DeLeon and Betsy Black.
Press Release, Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
MEDINA – At its annual meeting Nov. 22, the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge elected a new member to its board and officers for the coming year.
Elected to the board was Garner Light of Gasport, the group’s past president. Emma DeLeon of Williamsville was re-elected vice president, Betsy Black of Lockport was re-elected treasurer, and Melissa Mance-Coniglio of Bergen was elected secretary.
“Congratulations to those elected by the membership,” said the group’s current president, Richard Moss of Medina. “I look forward to collaborating with them on initiatives like our popular eagle nest camera.”
Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a 501(3)c nonprofit corporation that exists to support and enhance the 10,800-acre Iroquois refuge, operated by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The nonprofit’s main goals are public education, visitor services, and wildlife protection and management.
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2 from Niagara County charged with abandoning dogs in Orleans
Photos from Orleans County Sheriff’s Office: These three dogs were found abandoned in Shelby. Two people are facing misdemeanor charges.
Press Release, Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke
SHELBY – The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division recently made two arrests for abandonment of an animal, under section 355 of the NYS Agriculture and Market Law.
On November 19, Sheriff’s Animal Control Officers charged Paula Neil of Gasport with one count of abandonment of an animal following an investigation into an incident that occurred on November 12. Neil allegedly abandoned a St. Bernard dog along Route 31E in the Town of Shelby. Neil is scheduled to return to the Town of Shelby Court in January 2026.
On December 3, Sheriff’s Animal Control Officers charged Amanda Russo of Middleport with two counts of abandonment of an animal following an investigation into an incident that occurred on Nov. 18. Russo allegedly abandoned two puppies on Niagara/Orleans County Line Road. Russo is scheduled to return to the Town of Shelby Court in February 2026.
This misdemeanor crime is punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000 or both.
