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Oak Orchard Health CEO receives ‘Women of Excellence’ award
Press Release, Oak Orchard Health
Provided photo: Pictured from left include Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of Rochester Business Journal; Karen Kinter, CEO of Oak Orchard Health; and Ben Jacobs, editor of RBJ.
BROCKPORT – The Women of Excellence awards recognize high-achieving women for their career accomplishments, including professional experience, community involvement, leadership, and sustained commitment to mentoring.
Karen Kinter of Albion, CEO of Oak Orchard Health, is among this year’s class, which features 50 women from a variety of industries. The Women of Excellence were honored at an awards celebration on May 8 at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
The honorees were selected by a panel of judges comprised of previous years’ Circle of Excellence and Women of Excellence honorees and the Rochester Business Journal’s editorial team.
“The 2025 Women of Excellence are outstanding leaders who inspire innovation, celebrate success and support the next generation of leaders. They open doors and create positive change, sharing their success with their professional network and the community around them,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Rochester Business Journal. “The Circle of Excellence honorees are trailblazers and change makers who aren’t afraid to face adversity and stand up for their beliefs. They know the value of helping other women see something special in themselves, something they might not have known was there. We at the Rochester Business Journal are pleased to honor these transformational leaders.”
Under Kinter’s leadership, Oak Orchard Health has undertaken several major initiatives to improve care delivery for patients.
“I’m honored to be selected among this group of leaders for the Women of Excellence award,” Kinter said. “Leading an organization that positively impacts numerous lives across a vast geographic area is incredibly fulfilling. We provide medical, dental, and behavioral health services to everyone.”
Oak Orchard Health is a non-profit federally qualified health center with 34,000 patients at nine locations.
With more than 20 years of health care experience, Kinter previously served as vice president of specialty revenue program and CEO of Regional Health Services for Rochester Regional Health. She holds an MBA from the University of Rochester’s Simon School of Business.
Medina celebrates grads with parade outside the school
Photos by Natalie Baron: High School Principal Michael Cavanagh leads the seniors in the parade. Sophia Gayette is attending the University of Hawaii to become an engineer. Kylee Howard is planning to be a fourth grade teacher, and Taylor Schrader is planning to be a paramedic.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
MEDINA – The Class of 2025 was celebrated with a senior walk this morning. The kindergarten class and community members cheered them on.
A little under 100 members of the Class of 2025 paraded outside, beginning at the Junior-Senior High School and past the Wise Middle School and Oak Orchard Elementary School. Kindergarten students as well as family and community members lined up on either side of the path to congratulate them. The seniors held signs announcing what their plans are post-graduation, including career and college goals.
After the walk, both the senior and kindergarten classes lined up on the field at Vet’s Park Stadium for a special ceremony. The older students gifted words of wisdom to the children on posters. In writing, they answered the question “What does it mean to be a Mustang?” which was printed on the posters. Also passed down from senior to kindergartener were necklaces in their school colors.
Brooke Stewart, who aspires to be an astrologist, and Lexey Cornelius, aspiring to be a law enforcement officer, wrote the advice “Mustangs are brave, kind and make good choices” on their posters. Sophia Goyette wrote to Skylar Houseknecht, “Being a Mustang means having a family, no matter where you go!” Madison Kennedy received the message “Mustangs always show up and try, try, succeed!”
Raquel Russell and Adrianna McMurray, among other students, participate in the parade of graduates. Raquel dreams of being a kindergarten teacher, and Adrianna hopes to be a therapist.
Josephine Pollock aspires to be a diagnostic medical sonographer. Evelyn Phillips wants to work in postal service while Maddie Lewis will study sports studies and physical therapy at D’Youville University.
During the parade, some students posed for the camera. Aubrey Jackson wants to be a restaurant worker and Zoey Weese, a teacher.
Seniors enthusiastically pose so bystanders can take photographs. The energy during the parade is electric.
The parade turns toward Vet’s Park. Garrett Koch aims to be an environmental scientist.
Konner Smith, Gary Sherman, and others approach Vet’s Park. Konner plans to go into filmmaking and Gary into customer service.
Harper Hamilton, along with other family members of the seniors, was among the lineup celebrating the Class of 2025. She happily poses for a picture.
The seniors approach the lined-up kindergarteners. The seniors hand over necklaces and provide them with words of wisdom.
Seniors stoop to speak with the children face-to-face. They would like to meet them on their level.
Some seniors meet kindergarteners they know. They warmly greeted the kids.
Graduation will take place Friday, June 27 at 7 p.m. at Vet’s Park Stadium.
Kendall has quartet of G-R All-Stars
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s G-R All-Stars include, from left, Nic Cole, Gavin Braun, Colby Hughes and Vinnie D’Agostino.
Undefeated (12-0) champion Kendall has placed four players on the Genesee Region League All-Star baseball team.
The Eagles quartet includes senior catcher Colby Hughes, senior pitcher Gavin Braun, junior pitcher Nic Cole and junior shortstop Vinnie D’Agostino.
Kendall junior second baseman Jonny Conte has received Honorable Mention.
Hughes hit .559 with 11 doubles. Defensively he threw out 31 percent of the runners trying to steal.
Braun registered 61 strikeouts and had a 1.24 earned run average in 56.2 innings of work on the mound.
Cole notched 81 strikeouts and had a 1.90 earned run average in 55.1 innings of work.
D’Agostino hit .446 with 8 doubles and 31 runs scored.
Conte hit .341 with 16 RBIs and 32 runs scored.
Lyndonville has G-R diamond All-Star
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville junior shortstop Colton Smith has been named to the Genesee Region League All-Star team. He hit .375 on the season with 3 doubles. The Tigers also had sophomore third baseman/pitcher Quincy McClinsey receive Honorable Mention.
Boat as guest rental for overnight stays proposed for Medina
Photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A boat that is proposed for a guest rental for overnight stays is tied up in Medina’s Canal Basin. Andrew Meier would like to make the boat available to stay in through Airbnb and Vrbo as a short-term rental.
Meier said the boat would stay stationary in the basin with access to village electric and water. The Village Board is determining a fee for a designated spot at its docks and also for access to the utilities.
“This year is the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal,” Meier told the board during its meeting on Monday. “I think it would put Medina on the map.”
Meier works as an attorney and also owns the Hart House Hotel with nine rooms at 113 West Ave. He also developed the Bunkhaus Hostel with three bedrooms at 511 West Ave., two blocks from the Erie Canal.
The boat could draw visitors to Medina which should be a boost to local restaurants, and those with travel boats, he said.
Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said a portion of the fee for using the dock gets shared with the NYS Canal Corp. She said she supports having the boat available for overnight stays.
Meier would need to have $2 million liability insurance as part of an agreement with the village, Sherman said.
Brian Hellner, owner of North Star Cruises, has been offering boat rides in the canal at Medina since 2023. He urged villages officials and Meier to make sure the boat is property inspected to ensure the safety of people on board. Meier’s boat is 24 feet long.
Hellner leases dock space from Medina. He said he would appreciate access to water as well to clean his boat. The board said it would agree to that and will discuss a fee for water at the basin.
Sherman told Hellner and Meier she appreciates their efforts to bring services to the canal basin.
“We’re all in this together and want to make Medina a better place,” she said.
Meier said this year is more of a trial with the boat, but so far “the feedback has been very positive.”
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Albion 18U wins diamond season opener
Albion’s Purple Eagles 18U baseball team downed Tri Town 12-1 in the season opener this evening.
Elliott Trapiss led the Albion attack with 3 hits including a double and triple and 6 RBIs.
Drew Pritchard earned the win on the mound allowing only 1 hit and striking out 4 in four innings.
Albion wasted no time in taking charge by erupting four 4 runs in the first inning on a two-run triple by Nate Gibson and RBI singles by Trapiss and Kaiden Froman.
The Purple Eagles also scored 5 runs in the third inning as Trapiss had a three-run triple and Rocco Sidari an RBI single and three times in the fifth as Trapiss had a two-run double.
Albion will next visit Pavilion on Tuesday.
Four local SUNY Niagara softball players earn post season honors
Contributed Photos – Rylee VanNostrand, left, Mia Herman, Natalie Brandel and Sidney Ziemendorf.
A quartet of former Niagara-Orleans League players on this spring’s SUNY Niagara softball team have earned post season honors.
Medina graduate sophomore middle infielder Rylee VanNostrand and Barker grad freshman pitcher/first baseman Natalie Brandel have both been named to the second team of the All Western New York Athletic Conference squad.
VanNostrand, who has also played soccer and basketball for the Thunderwolves, hit .304 with 7 doubles and 16 RBIs.
Brandel, who had 9 starts in the pitching circle, hit .389 with 6 doubles, 1 triple and 9 RBIs.
Barker grad freshman outfielder/shortstop Mia Herman has earned the team’s Coaches Award.
Wilson grad, freshman outfielder Sidney Ziemendorf has received the Thunderwolves Award.
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Top 10 grads from 5 school districts get praise for dedication, discipline
Photos by Natalie Baron: The top 10 graduates for Lyndonville’s Class of 2025 stand and are recognized during a banquet on Wednesday at the White Birch.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub intern
LYNDONVILLE – The top 10 graduates for the Class of 2025 from all five school districts of Orleans County were honored at the annual Top 10 banquet on Wednesday evening at the White Birch Golf Course.
Top 10 graduates had plenty of advice to offer incoming high school freshmen. Jacob Pitcher, ranked No. 3 from Lyndonville, wanted freshmen to know they should be themselves and not procrastinate in order to have success.
Garrett Koch, the third-ranked student at Medina, and Dan Owen De Vera, the valedictorian from Medina, carried a similar sentiment: Even in your first years of high school, don’t slack off! That will only hurt you later on, they said.
Ava LaMay, ranked No. 5 from Kendall, said “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” and instead focus on what really matters in order to be successful. Isabella Goodrich, the salutatorian from Kendall, advised freshmen that they should “Stick to a schedule” and prioritize themselves.
Dr. Steven Blount of Medina gave the keynote address.
In the keynote speech, students from Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville, Medina and Albion were lauded for their dedication to hard work.
The speaker this year was Dr. Steven Blount, a former top 10 graduate from Medina. Dr. Blount has a Doctorate in Health Administration from D’Youville University, as well as degrees in Physician Assistant studies and Nuclear Medicine Technology. He is working toward the completion of an MBA.
Dr. Blount practices family medicine in Medina and hospitalist medicine in Batavia. He is an assistant professor at D’Youville University and a captain in the Army National Guard, working with the Medical Detachment.
Dr. Blount is also a community leader. He has leadership positions within the Medina Central School District Board of Education and the Medina Zoning Board. In the past, he was also involved with the Hospice of Orleans.
In his speech, Dr. Blount expressed how he changed his major four times and at one point was working three jobs on top of doing college work. “Grit isn’t about never wanting to give up, it’s about committing yourself to feeling that way and then choosing to continue anyways,” he said.
Dr. Blount stated that in being from Orleans County, these graduates understand grit better than most. Orleans County’s farmers don’t stop after one good harvest or bout of bad weather, he said. Their continued achievement relies on ceaseless effort. “Success isn’t a destination. It’s a way of living. Grit is how you build a meaningful life.”
Dr. Blount challenged the students to look around them and identify someone in the room who helped them to see and meet their potential. “Build your team,” he advised. “Find that person who will push you, surround yourself with people who inspire you, and never forget to be that person for others.”
In ten years, no one will be thinking about the graduates’ GPA, he said. They will be thinking about what the graduates did using that GPA, their treatment of other people, the problems they solved, and whose lives they touched along the way. “That’s the legacy of grit.”
As a takeaway, Dr. Blount implored the students to never back down, even when they want to fail, and challenged them to do something that scares them in the next thirty days.
“Talent without effort is just unmet potential,” Dr. Blount said. “Talent might open the doors, but grit keeps you walking through them.”
The Albion Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Tye Talbot, Kelli Dingle, Kenadie Patten, Ella Trupo, Mallory Ashbery and Oliver Beach. Top Row: Sawyer Brigham, Zackary Baron and Tracy Garrett. Missing from the photo: Leo Bolton. Included in the photo are principal Jennifer Ashbery, superintendent Mickey Edwards, and board president Linda Weller.
The Holley Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Zoey Wolf, Allison Merle, Maggie Skehan, Natalie Foose and Mason Hein. Top Row: Alexia Renner, Alivia Wolf and Owen Schultz. Missing from the photo: Abigail Merkley and Gabriel Stevens. Included in the photo are superintendent Karri Schiavone, board president Anne Winkley, and principal Matthew Feldman.
The Kendall Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Isabella Goodrich, Inez Stangler, Savannah Holzschuh, Adareli Contreras Solis, Ava LaMay and Lia Larson. Top Row: William Kludt, Colby Hughes, Nicholas Baxter and Michael Hallowell. Included in the photo are principal Melissa Strelick, board president Rachel Fisken, and superintendent Nicholas Picardo.
The Lyndonville Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Emma Freas, Ava Austin, Aidan Allen, Evee Heinsler, Addison Dillenbeck and Alyssa Prine. Top Row: Elisabeth Ingersoll, Jacob Pitcher, Hannah Marker and Madison Davis. Included in the photo are board president Jerod Thurber, principal Aaron Slack, and superintendent Sharon Smith.
The Medina Top Ten include: Bottom Row: Abigayle Wright, Theresa Biesinger, Dan Owen De Vera, Sofia Gagliardi, Josephine Pollock and Makenzie McGrath. Top Row: Cameron Kenward, Garrett Koch, Riley Tompkins and Ryder Jones. Included in the photo are principal Michael Cavanagh, superintendent Mark Kruzynski, assistant principal Mollie Mark, and board president Alissa Mitchell.
Wildlife refuge accepting bids for haying program
Press Release, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
BASOM – Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge will offer for bid 85 acres of grassland hay in 2 fields of 50 and 35 acres.
The refuge annually provides approximately 1,100 acres of grassland habitat for migratory birds and resident wildlife. Active management of these grasslands is necessary to provide the highest quality nesting and migration habitat.
The refuge haying program helps in this management process by reducing encroachment of broad leaf weeds and shrubs. Hay will be allocated on a highest bid per field basis for each field. Sealed bids will be accepted until close-of-business (COB) on Thursday, July 3.
An official bid sheet, available from the refuge headquarters, is required to make a bid. Completed bid sheets can be mailed to the refuge headquarters at 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013 and must contain all the information requested.
If you have any questions about the haying program or would like to see the fields, please call Paul Hess at 585-948-5445 ext. 7032.
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is located midway between Rochester and Buffalo, NY and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Albion residents speak out about potential loss of services and unknowns if village government goes away
Photos by Tom Rivers: Karen Conn, chairwoman of the Village of Albion Planning Board, said the village needs to work to encourage more housing options for residents. Conn also works as an Albion teacher and real estate business owner. She speaks during a public hearing Wednesday in the village hall about the possibly dissolution of the village and folding it into the towns of Albion and Gaines. “It’s all of us,” she told a packed village hall. “We all have to do our part and choose Albion.”
ALBION – The Village Board held a public hearing on dissolving the village and consolidating its services with the towns of Albion and Gaines.
Residents said there are many unknown answers if that change happened, primarily on whether there would continue to be an Albion Police Department and other villages services.
Village attorney John Gavenda said the Village Board isn’t formally moving towards consolidation or dissolution of the village. Wednesday’s hearing was an initial step to hear from the public, Gavenda said. In back from left are Trustee William Gabalski, Mayor Angel Javier Jr. and Trustee Greg Bennett.
Mayor Angel Javier Jr. said there is no push to dissolve the village at this time, but he said village officials and community need to keep having the discussion about the high taxes in the village and other big increases coming with water rates due to upgrades at the water plant and other infrastructure.
Javier worries the village structure of government in Orleans County may not be sustainable.
“What can we do to make Albion more affordable?” Javier said. “There might be difficult conversations. If you want the services you’re going to have to pay.”
Some residents asked just how dire the situation is for the village, and what kind of savings could the village expect if it was folded into the towns.
There was a consolidation/dissolution study in 2008 led by the Center for Governmental Research. That study concluded the village and towns of Albion and Gaines would see $336,497 in efficiency gains through more cooperation and consolidation. The Center for Governmental Research studied the three municipalities’ combined $7.5 million annual budgets in 2007, looking for ways to better share costs. A committee recommended the village dissolve. But the Village Board opted against putting the issue to a public vote.
Since then, the fire department has been removed from the village budget and now function as a joint fire district with the towns of Albion and Gaines, a move that doubled the fire department’s budget in 2025. Fire commissioners said the previous budgets left the department woefully underfunded, and didn’t set aside reserves for new trucks and equipment.
Kevin Sheehan was on the board in 2008. He said dissolution/consolidation not only was rejected in Albion, but also in Medina in a public vote in 2014. He doesn’t want to lose the Albion Police Department and have to rely on Sheriff’s deputies.
Joe Martillotta said he favors consolidation of local governments. He noted there are 10 towns, four villages, five school districts, a county governments and several fire districts. He believes a streamlined local government would operate more efficiently and at a reduced cost for taxpayers.
Village resident Jason Dragon said the current system pushes too much of the local government costs on village taxpayers. He said the county doesn’t give enough in the local sales tax, freezing the towns and villages at the same level for 24 years now, at a time when the local sales tax has more than doubled.
Dragon said the county and towns have unfairly treated the village for decades, resulting in taxes that are wildly out of whack for the village.
“There is not enough money to go around in the village structure,” Dragon said.
If there is dissolution, the current village functions would likely be assumed by the towns or county, Dragon said. The village employees would shift to a different municipality and carry out similar duties.
He envisions lower and more equitable taxes in the village, which would ring in mor investment from residents and businesses.
Dragon said the village may need to dissolve to get some tax relief, because he doubts the other government entities will provide any relief to Albion.
“I don’t see anything where the towns or county will voluntarily change the situation,” he said.
Villkage trustee Joyce Riley thinks there may be ways of sharing services with neighboring towns to lighten the village’s load without going to a dissolution. She noted the village and Town of Albion share a code enforcement officer in Chris Kinter.
“Where can we share and not lose our identity?” she said.
Paul Weiss, an attorney for Albion’s police union, said the village government is an effective way to provide services, including the police department. He said dissolving the village will prove costly and will result in diminished services for the village residents.
Janet Navarra, a member of the Albion Planning Board, reminded the board she presented them with a list if grant opportunities about a year ago that would help improve the downtown and other parts of the community. She said there are state funds and other programs to help the village without eliminating the village government.
She noted the vacant registry law would also help get residents and businesses in some of the long dormant sites in the downtown.
“You’re raising taxes but you’re not doing anything to increase the tax base,” she said.
Navarra said Albion gets cited in some websites as one of the ugliest communities in New York State.
“It’s very embarrassing to see that,” she said. “We’re standing her floundering when there is money available to help us.”
Major Javier said the board will continue to discuss the issue and could have another public hearing on the matter in the next 60 to 90 days.
Craig Tuohey, the Zoning Board chairman, also is on a committee working to update the comprehensive plan. That process should identify areas for growth with business and residential development, Tuohey said, which could help ease the tax burden. Tuohey urged the community to be part of the comprehensive plan revisions.
Lyndonville Lions honor graduating seniors, get ready for July 4 celebration
Photos courtesy of Lyndonville Lions Club: The Lyndonville Lions Club recognized the top 10 graduates in the Class of 2025 during the club’s meeting on Monday at the White Birch.
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club continued its established tradition of recognizing the soon-to-be graduates from the Lyndonville Central School on June 9 at the White Birch Resort.
The Lions Club held a morning breakfast for the Class of 2025. During this event the administration from the school spoke to the senior class and wished them good luck and success in their future endeavors.
Special recognition was given to the top ten graduating seniors who were individually honored by Dr. Aaron Slack, the high school principal. He gave a short synopsis of each students’ achievements and their future plans after graduation.
Leo Club advisor Gina Marker highlighted the members of this group, some who have had six years of service in assisting the Lyndonville Lions with their community events.
David Godfrey, Lyndonville Lions Club vice president, speaks about attributes that can lead to success.
David Godfrey, Vice President of the Lyndonville Lions, gave the keynote address as he spoke to these young men and women about the “Definition of Success.” He stressed that success is measured in various ways and that it is personal achievement, self-satisfaction and a strong work ethic that are the building blocks to a successful future.
Colonel Rick Parsons
Former Club President Harold Suhr concluded the formal portion of the event by presenting $100 gift cards to each of the top ten graduates on behalf of the Lions Club. The group as a whole was asked three things by the Lyndonville Lions.
They were asked to enjoy this period of their life, to be thankful to those who helped get them to this point, and to be safe during this time. This final point was enforced since the National Transportation Agency data points to the next 100 days to be the most dangerous for high school seniors.
In further club activities, the Lions announced that posthumously it will honor Col. Rick Parsons at its annual July 4th parade. Mrs. Nancy Parsons will serve as the honorary grand marshal of the 51st Lyndonville Lions Club July 4th celebration. The parade is scheduled to kick off at noon and has multiple marching bands, parade floats and firetrucks that will participate in this event.
Those wishing to participate may contact Gwendolynlarge002@gmail.com for information and an application.
The Bleeding Hearts band will perform beginning at 7 p.m. on July 4 in Lyndonville.
The Lions are proud to announce their Fire Cracker Concert Series will open with Medina’s one-man band, Mike McCauley, performing at 4 p.m. and he will be followed by the award winning Bleeding Hearts band from Buffalo taking the stage at 7 p.m. The school grounds will again host a large craft show, Lions hot dog stand, chicken barbecue starting at 11:30 a.m., and the evening will be highlighted by the fireworks display expected to start at 10 p.m. Future announcements will be forthcoming from the club.
The Club would like to extend its deepest sympathies to the Hughes/Wolfe Family at this time with the passing of Mark Hughes. He was a fixture in the Lyndonville Lions Club and the community as a whole.
The Club would like to invite all to attend its 51st July 4 celebration. We hope everyone has a safe and healthy summer. We further ask that God will continue to bestow his merciful blessing on the people of this community and our nation.
Local artist gives painting to Holley honoring soldiers killed in Vietnam War
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Local artist Carol Culhane and Orleans County Legislator John Fitzak look at the painting of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Rochester, which Culhane donated to the Holley Village Board on Tuesday night. Nine Holley men were killed in the war and are included in the memorial.
HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board received a special gift Tuesday night from local artist Carol Culhane.
A lifelong supporter of all veterans, Culhane has a special place in her heart for Vietnam War veterans, as her late husband and current husband Jerry both served in Vietnam.
A gifted and self-taught artist, Culhane has used her talent to benefit veterans, including painting the Vietnam Veterans’ memorial in in Highland Park, Rochester.
Prior to Tuesday’s Village Board meeting, Culhane presented Mayor Mark Bower with a painting of the memorial, which includes soldiers from Holley who were killed in the war.
Holley lost nine young men: John P. Davis, David D. Case, Ronnie P. Sisson, David P. States, Howard Bowen, Gary E. Bullock, Gary L. Stymus, George W. Fischer Jr. and Paul S. Mandracchia, all of whom are memorialized on bollards at the Rochester memorial.
“The nine boys lost is the most per capita from any village in the nation,” Culhane said.
Holley has a population of about 1,800.
“We are very pleased with the painting and glad we got to meet Carol,” Bower said. “I am honored on behalf of the village to be owner of this piece of art.”
(Left) Holley mayor Mark Bower holds the painting Carol Culhane donated to the village board Tuesday night. It will be loaned out to historical societies or the library for special occasions, but hang permanently in the village office in the former Holley High School. (Right) U.S. Army veteran Bill Moroz and Dan Mawn of the Murray-Holley Historical Society look at the painting of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Rochester, before artist Carol Culhane donated it prior to the Holley Village Board meeting Tuesday night.
Bower announced the painting will hang in a prominent spot in the village offices, near another framed tribute to the local casualties of the Vietnam War given to the village by an anonymous donor.
Bower said they will loan the painting out to local organizations, including Murray-Holley Historical Society, Clarendon Historical Society and the Holley Library for their special occasions.
In her presentation, Culhane urged everyone to visit the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Highland Park. Approaching the park, visitors take what is known as the Veterans’ Walk, on which bricks in the ground are engraved with hundreds of veterans’ names from World War II and beyond. Just past that are flags flying from all branches of the military.
Culhane explained the idea for a memorial was spearheaded by Dr. Barry Culhane, a Vietnam era veteran who, as a medic, took care of napalm head wounds when soldiers arrived stateside.
“He wanted to create a memorial as a tribute to all heroes who fought in the Vietnam War and a place to honor the 280 service members from the Greater Rochester area, who lost their lives in Vietnam,” Carol Culhane said. “Some were also from Medina.”
Ground was broken for the memorial in 1992. The first of 3,401 trees was planted in 1994, and the memorial was dedicated on Sept. 8, 1996.
“The memorial serves as a place of tranquility, education and healing for veterans, their families and the wider community,” Culhane said. “The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial aims to educate about the war and its effects, and to provide a space for remembrance and reflection.”
On the poster Culhane donated there are six of the nine from Holley – Case, Bowen, Davis, Mandracchia, Sisson and Stymus. Culhane was unable to find photos of the other three.
The concept of Culhane’s painting is the soldiers walking away to rest and peace in the next life. They are in uniform with all the gear they wore in battle. Helicopters are also portrayed, as they played a big part in the Vietnam War, not only providing support in battles, but transporting the wounded out of the battle area.
“There aren’t any words I can say to describe what you feel when walking down the path in the memorial, past each bollard,” Culhane said. “As you walk on the hallowed ground, stopping at each bollard to read the name, date of birth, date of death, branch of service and high school attended, it brings tears to your eyes, and a prayer in your heart that they are all resting in peace. In my generation and beyond, we were all, in one way or another, touched by the Vietnam War and the effects to our country.
“I have been in search of a home for this painting for a long time,” Culhane said. “I am eternally grateful to hand this painting off to the village of Holley to provide a place where people can stop and remember the local boys lost, as well as the 58,211 who gave their last true measure of devotion,” Culhane added.
After the presentation, the board meeting was delayed until 7 p.m. so those present could enjoy punch, cookies and conversation.
For those who would like to visit the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, it is located on a two-acre site in Highland Park, off South Avenue, near the Al Sigl Center Campus and Elmwood Avenue.
