By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 January 2026 at 11:26 am
Today’s final regular season Buffalo Bills game at Highmark Stadium also brings an end to an era of area high school football as the Section VI playoffs have been held at the stadium since 1979 (except for the Covid season).
The Albion and Medina football teams have played a good number of sectional championship games at the stadium. In fact, the two teams took turns playing in each of the first five games at what was then called Rich Stadium, all of which were victories for the Purple Eagles and Mustangs.
This scribe has enjoyed covering all of the local title games from the sideline at the stadium. The following are a few photos from some of those memorable contests. As a sidenote, this scribe also enjoyed being at the Bills inaugural game at the stadium in 1973, a preseason contest against the Washington Redskins.
File Photos – Albion in fact had the distinction of playing in the inaugural sectional title game in 1979 as the Purple Eagles nipped Springville 13-12. Dan Monacelli, shown here picking up yardage during the game, scored all of Albion’s points. The Purple Eagles also scored title game victories over Frewsburg (49-14) in 1981, Silver Creek (35-6) in 1983 and Salamanca (15-8) in 1987.
Medina also made a very successful stadium debut in 1980 defeating Silver Creek 20-14 led by running back Eddie Bloom who is shown here in action during the game. The Mustangs also posted a title win over Cassadaga Valley (26-7) in 1982 led by running back Dave Fluellen.
The Medina – Albion rivalry was also showcased on Western New York’s biggest stage at the stadium in 1988 as the Mustangs edged the Purple Eagles 14-7. The Mustangs were led by running back Jim Snyder, shown here, who scored both touchdowns.
Most recently Medina scored a very snowy victory over Fredonia (58-6) in the 2021 stadium title contest. Here quarterback Xander Payne hands off to Noah Skinner early in the game when the snow came down the hardest.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 4 January 2026 at 9:52 am
Weekly Schedule Monday Boys Basketball – Medina at Eden, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball – Medina at Sweet Home, 5 p.m.; Albion at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday Boys Basketball – Albion at Barker, 6 p.m.; Wilson at Roy-Hart, Akron at Newfane, 6:30 p.m.; Lyndonville at Attica, Holley at Elba, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m. Girls Basketball – Roy-Hart at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Barker at Albion, Newfane at Akron, 6:30 p.m.; Alexander at Holley, 7 p.m. Swimming – Albion at Medina, Akron at Newfane, 5 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Basketball – Tonawanda at Medina, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball – Attica at Lyndonville, Elba at Holley, Kendall at Byron-Bergen, 7 p.m. Wrestling – Medina at Roy-Hart/Barker, Newfane at Albion, Wilson at Akron, Holley-Kendall at Lyndonville, 6 p.m.
Thursday Boys Basketball – Lyndonville at Byron-Bergen, Elba at Kendall, 7 p.m. Swimming – Medina at Akron, Newfane at Roy-Hart/Barker, 5 p.m. Wrestling – Holley-Kendall at Medina, 6 p.m.
Friday Boys Basketball – Medina at Wilson, 6 p.m.; Roy-Hart at Albion, Barker at Akron, 6:30 p.m. Girls Basketball – Wilson at Medina, 5 p.m.; Albion at Roy-Hart, Akron at Barker, 6:30 p.m.; Byron-Bergen at Lyndonville
Saturday Boys Basketball – Lima Christian at Lyndonville, 1 p.m.; Dansville at Holley, 3:30 p.m. Swimming– Roy-Hart/Barker at Akron, 10 a.m. Wrestling – Albion at Eastern States; Lyndonville at Cal-Mum Duals; Holley-Kendall at Pavilion Tourney
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 January 2026 at 9:34 am
Geno Allport’s family have been season ticket holders since 1974, a year after stadium opened
Photos courtesy of Allport family: Geno Allport holds daughter Hensley at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
ALBION – It’s not just a football stadium to Geno Allport. The Buffalo Bills are in his family’s DNA, he proudly says, and today’s final regular season home game at Highmark Stadium will be an emotional farewell.
Geno’s family have been season ticket holders since 1974, a year after the opening of what was Rich Stadium. The home of the Buffalo Bills has been called Ralph Wilson Stadium “The Ralph”, New Era Field and Highmark.
The Bills will move to a new $2.1 billion stadium next season. The current facility will be demolished.
Geno, 51, said going to the games has been a strong bonding experience for him with his father and grandfather, and also his son and other family and friends.
“I was born and raised there,” he said on Saturday before today’s finale. “I have all the memories with my mom, dad and grampa there. Hopefully I can create new memories with my kids in the new stadium.”
The Allports will continue to be season ticket holders at the new stadium, but Allport said people who have been in the seats close to them will have spots elsewhere in the stadium. Other long-time fans close to them opted against buying season tickets at the new stadium.
Geno was hoping the current stadium would stay. It has been significantly upgraded over the years. It is the fifth oldest stadium in the NFL.
Geno has been to every home game since 1981, including in Covid when fans weren’t allowed. Allport was able to get a job in security to be at the games in 2020.
When Geno was a kid, the family parked near the players’ lot. Geno would get their autographs and his mother would get photos of him with the Bills players. Now, they aren’t nearly as accessible.
The only game he missed was in October 2006. A freak snowstorm on Oct. 12-13, moved back the playoff game for Albion’s youth football team coached by Allport. He coached that championship game for the Albion team on a Sunday. (He tried to push the game back but the league set it for the same time as the Bills game.)
Tre Allport, 31, has been a regular with his father at the Bills games. In bottom right photo he is shown with retired quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Buffalo Bills legend.
Allport said the Bills have provided many incredible victories over the wins. He counts the 51-3 win over the Raiders on Jan. 20, 1991. That demolition of the Raider sent the Bills to their first Super Bowl. The Bills used their no-huddle offense led by Jim Kelly to torch the Raiders that day, running up 41 points by halftime.
“They could do no wrong,” Allport said. “Everything went right.”
He remembers another game from a dark time in the Bills era. They were 0-11 when the mighty Dallas Cowboys came to town on Nov. 18, 1984. The Bills beat them 14-3 with running back Greg Bell gaining 206 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown on the first play. The Bills finished 2-14 that season, and also in 1985.
The team became a powerhouse in the late 1980s and first half of the 1990s with Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas and Andre Reed among the star players. They remain the only team to ever make it to four straight super bowls.
The fans would endure a 17-year playoff drought from 2000 until the 2017 season. Led by Josh Allen, the team has now made the playoffs seven straight years.
Allport loves the team, but he loves the people next to him in the stands even more.
The past 25 years, the Allports have had six seats at section 135, row 12, seats 1 through 6.
Before his family heads to today’s game, Allport will go to the Bates Road Cemetery in Medina to stop by gravesites for his parents, Gene “Lou” Allport and Pam Allport.
Geno considered ending his season tickets after this season. But his daughter Hensley, age 7, loves the team, too.
“We will keep going next year,” he said. “I don’t want my youngest one to miss out.”
He is grateful for the many friendships he’s made in the stands. They have watched his son, Tre, grow from a boy to a man. Tre is 31 and endured the 17-year drought before experiencing a team that has made the playoffs eight of the past nine years.
“I wish it wasn’t happening,” Allport said about the finale at the stadium. “I was born and raised there. It will be a sad day. I’ve been dreading it since they announced it.”
Allport said the new stadium won’t be the same mainly because many of the long-time fans who are his friends won’t be right next to him.
“You get used to the people around you,” he said. “We are all yelling to support the team. Next year we’ll be making new friends.”
File photo by Tom Rivers: Geno Allport proudly displays his love for the Buffalo Bills at his Albion home. He was the Buffalo Bills Fan of the Year in 2021. The Allports have been season ticket holders since 1974, and Geno was also recognized for his leadership with Albion youth football.
RIDGEWAY – Ridgeway firefighters & EMTs responded to 378 emergency incidents in 2025, making this a record high year for us!
Broken down:
214 EMS
9 Structure Fires, including a chicken coop fire, 3 barn fires, and multiple house fires
5 Vehicle Fires, including a lawn mower, a farm sprayer and a combine
8 Brush Fires
1 Misc. Fire – a power substation
23 Motor Vehicle Accidents, including 1 requiring extrication
10 Automatic Alarms
59 Hazardous Conditions
2 Fire Police Requests
8 Good Intent Calls
1 Water Rescue – multiple stranded kayakers on Oak Orchard Creek
19 Mutual Aid including 1 ice water rescue in Medina, 12 fill-ins to other agencies, and 9 working structure fires.
We averaged 8 personnel in attendance at each incident.
Outside of calls, volunteers hosted our normal fundraisers including 2 sportsman raffles, Fathers’ Day Chicken BBQ, 2 vendor shows, money raffle, toy show and our new trailer raffle!
Volunteers have worked multiple birthday parties, retirement parties, weddings, funerals and other rentals.
Crews attended multiple parades in Lyndonville, Albion, Medina, Middleport and Wildwood KOA!
Members even started some new traditions to work in our community even more. Firefighters & EMTs met with a Home School group to have a Fire Safety day!
Firefighters attended multiple classes. In 2025 Ridgeway gained: 7 Exterior Certified FFs, 2 went onto Interior Certified FFs, and 4 EMTs.
We are excited to see what the year 2026 brings with new members, trainings and ways we can engage our community! We’re always looking for more membership. Firefighters, EMTs, Drivers, Fire Police or even social membership are needed to help with events! We’re at our Ridge Road Fire House every Tuesday Evening at 7 p.m.
We thank all of you for your continued support to our Fire Company! Without you, there would not be an us.
The 2026 Ridgeway Fire Operational Line Officers are as follows:
Fire Chief – Tyler Luckman
Deputy Fire Chief – Kristin McAdoo
Assistant Fire Chief – Gerald Lewis
Fire Captain – Jason Bessel
Fire Lieutenant – Austin Mosher
Fire Lieutenant – Buford McAdoo
Safety Officer – Donald Marchner
Fire Police Captain – Paul Wengrzycki
Fire Police Lieutenant – (Not yet announced)
EMS Captain – Morgan Austin
EMS Lieutenant – Page Smith
The 2026 Ridgeway Fire Executive Line Officers are as follows:
Yesterday, we saw another egregious act by our President. The sole purpose of this offense can be directly tied to the multitude of offenses by this Administration and its tag-along Congress.
Regime change is prevalent in our DNA, but it has never boded well for us or other countries. In fact, it is often destabilizing for a country and can cause irreparable harm in terms of the consequences and sometimes lead to civil wars.
The fact that Congress was not informed, and the President and his Administration lied in briefings to them by saying this was not going to lead to regime change. Senator Ruben Gallego repeatedly asked that question to Secretary Rubio and was told it was not.
We have removed President Maduro and his wife, flown them to New York where they will be held in a New York Detention Center in Brooklyn. I would say that is definitely regime change! Nobody should be a fan of Maduro and his corrupt government, but this brazen act was taken by President Trump and his administration.
We have a Congress, and under our Constitution, they have the sole power to declare war on a country. Why is that not respected and upheld, but instead mowed down by the ego and hubris of this President?
We have also witnessed the expected complicity by this Congress, including NY24 Rep. Claudia Tenney. Her statement praised the action of our government saying it “sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.” She also said that the Venezuelan people “now have the opportunity to pursue freedom and prosperity.”
This has absolutely nothing to do with the Venezuelans pursuit of freedom and prosperity, nor a stand against tyranny and corruption. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! It does, however, have everything to do with the grift of this President and his administration.
Once President Trump got off script in his press conference, he was not shy about revealing the reasons he did it either. He repeatedly said “we are running Venezuela now.” And when asked why, he made no bones about how “we’ll be selling large amounts of oil to other countries.”
He is on the take for himself and his cronies. We have no money to pay for healthcare in this country, or rising cost of groceries, but he and his oligarchs are lining their pockets with Venezuelan oil money.
So, I ask you, is this what we are asking our brave military to do now? Be the muscle behind the grift and corruption? It is shameful, that this President, would send our young men and women to wage a war for the benefit of the 1%. That is the reality of today’s actions. It is most disgraceful that those in Congress, such as our Rep. Claudia Tenney, play a shell game with the truth. She does not deserve to represent us.
Time for a change!
Diana Kastenbaum
Batavia
Kastenbaum is a candidate for the 24th Congressional District of New York.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 January 2026 at 7:50 pm
Congressional representatives for Orleans County are reacting to the U.S. military action in Venezuela, where President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken from Caracas, the capital, and brought to New York City to face indictments charging them with narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine.
‘The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans.’ – Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, released a statement after the military action against Venezuela was launched without congressional authorization and Trump’s announcement that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela.
“Let me be clear: Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator. But launching military action without congressional authorization and without a credible plan for what comes next is reckless.
“The administration has assured me three separate times that it was not pursuing regime change or taking military action in Venezuela. Clearly, they are not being straight with Americans.
“The idea that Trump plans to now run Venezuela should strike fear in the hearts of all Americans. The American people have seen this before and paid the devastating price.
“The administration must brief Congress immediately on its objectives, and its plan to prevent a humanitarian and geopolitical disaster that plunges us into another endless war or one that trades one corrupt dictator for another.
“To district from skyrocketing costs Americans face and the historic cover up of the Epstein files, Donald Trump is attempting to throw Americans into more international chaos and uncertainty.”
‘This operation sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.’ – Claudia Tenney
U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, NY-24, praised President Trump for leading the action against “tyranny.”
“Last night, under the leadership of President Trump, Secretary Marco Rubio and Secretary Pete Hegseth, the U.S. conducted a decisive and successful action against Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his illegitimate regime,” Tenney said. “This operation sends a clear message that the United States will stand firmly against tyranny and corruption that threaten US security in our hemisphere.
“I also want to recognize the brave men and women of the United States Military for carrying out a flawless operation with professionalism, precision, and strength. Their service continues to protect freedom and uphold American leadership on the world stage.
“Nicolás Maduro was not only a brutal dictator, but an indicted drug trafficker. The people in Venezuela now have the opportunity to pursue freedom and prosperity.”
‘The Constitution and international law are not optional.’ – Kirsten Gillibrand
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement”
“Nicolás Maduro was a thuggish dictator who abused his power, his people, and refused to accept the results of elections. No one disputes that he should be held accountable for his crimes.
“But the Constitution and international law are not optional. The administration must justify these actions to my fellow members on the Senate Armed Services Committee and explain to the American people how this was a justified act of war against a foreign country.
“After repeatedly telling me and my colleagues that it was not seeking to do so, the administration must also explain why they would carry out this military operation to perform regime change without authorization by Congress and how the United States is going to ‘run’ Venezuela indefinitely without putting our service members in harm’s way.
“Beyond this flagrant breach of trust, I remain concerned that the administration’s actions are not the end of something, but the beginning of chaos and instability in the region that threatens our service members, our allies, and American security.
“The administration must lay out a concrete plan to ensure peace and stability in Venezuela and the Western Hemisphere, with transparency and in consultation with Congress.”
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 7:08 pm
Holley-Kendall and Lyndonville both had five top five place finishers at the Perry Tournament today.
Holley-Kendall had Jeremy Lutes (103) and Immanuel Cornell (285) both place second, Brenden Eichas (138) fourth and Owen Cornell (144) and Tyler Davenport (190) fifth.
Lyndonville had Greyson Romano (175) place second, Brody Hazel (150) third, and Bryson Hazel (103), Michael Alexander (144) and Shannon Withey (157) fourth.
Albion competes at Section VI Duals
Albion lost to Gowanda 41-35 and to Newfane 40-33 at the Section VI Division II Duals Tournament today.
Against Gowanda, Stryker Sanders, Drake Schomske and Jackson Snook all registered pins for Albion as Justin Mengs had a technical fall win.
Against Newfane, Mengs, Sanders, Snook and Alakai Colmenero all had pins and Jaxson Lynch a decision win for the Purple Eagles..
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 6:30 pm
Barker posted a 61-44 victory at Byron-Bergen in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.
Anthony Taliaferro scored 15, Carter DerSarkissian 14 and Donovan Hefferon 11 to lead the Barker offense as JJ Prynn led the way on the boards with 17 rebounds.
Girls Basketball Kendall 77, Barker 29
Izzy D’Agostino scored 16, Teagan Shaw 15 and Stella Kwiatek and Mia Price 10 each to lead Kendall to a 77-29 non league win at Berker.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 6:23 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Vinnie D’Agostino drives to the basket during the Eagles 47-40 loss to visiting Northstar in the championship game of the Kendall Tournament this afternoon.
Ice cold shooting in the second half proved costly as Kendall dropped a 47-40 decision to Northstar in the championship game of the Eagles Holiday Basketball Tournament this afternoon.
Kendall bult up a 15 point, 34-19, advantage at the outset of the third quarter on a three by Noah Morehouse and baskets by Jonas Rhodes and Vinnie D’Agostino.
However, the Eagles managed only two more points the rest of the quarter and then went the first six and a half minutes of the final period without scoring a point.
Northstar took advantage of that drought to close the third period with a 15-2 run and rally back to within two at 36-34.
Keeping the momentum, Northstar then outscored Kendall 13-4 in the decisive final period to claim the tourney title.
Vinnie D’Agostino finished with 12 and CJ D’Agostino 10 to lead Kendall as Morehouse added 8, Ryan Gaesser 6 and Rhodes 4.
Roy-Hart 51, Livonia 49
Roy-Hart edged Livonia 51-49 in the consolation game as Matt Aquilina scored 20, Tysen McCaa 12 and Vinny Fazzio 11.
Aquilina scored 10 in the third period to help Roy-Hart extend a narrow 30-29 half-time lead into a 41-32 advantage heading into the final period.
Kendall’s Jonny Conte looks to drive to the basket.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 3 January 2026 at 6:08 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion’s Elijah Doxey puts up an off balanced shot against Warsaw defender Cooper Shute during the Purple Eagles win over the visiting Tigers this afternoon.
A huge 44-16 scoring surge over the middle two quarters keyed Albion to a 71-42 romp over visiting Warsaw in a non league boys basketball game this afternoon.
Leading 18-13 at the end of the first period, Albion outscored Warsaw 20-7 in the second quarter to extend the advantage to 38-20 at the half.
Nate Gibson scored 9 and Wesley Olles and Tyler Cody both had 4 to lead that Purple Eagles uprising. Cody also sparked the Purple Eagles in the opening period by tallying 10 points.
Keeping the momentum, Albion outpointed Warsaw 24-9 in the third period to open up a huge 33 point, 62-29 advantage. Elijah Doxey scored 7, Cody 6 and Gibson 4 to lead that uprising.
Cody finished with a game high 20, including a pair of slam dunks, Gibson 15 and Olles 11. Dozey added 9, Hunter Huscher 5. Elloit Trapiss 4, Adam Burgio 3 and Ezra Bloom and Malik Lamar 2 each.
Blake Chambers scored 13 and Jaiden Fries 10 to lead the Tigers.
Albion is now 4-2 overall.
Ezra Bloom puts up a baseline shot against Warsaw defender Blake Chambers.
Contributed Story Posted 3 January 2026 at 5:47 pm
Making it theree wins in a row, the Roy-Hart/Barker/Medina Club Hockey Knights hosted Cheektowaga Friday evening and scored a 5-2 victory, giving them a 4-4-1 season record.
Sean Mettler (R-H) began the scoring at the 12:57 point of the opening period with an assist from Gavin Ickowski (R-H). Later in the period, Ryan Felicetti (Wilson) netted a goal from Ickowski and Viktor Snyder (Albion).
Cheektowaga scored the only goal of the second period on a power play.
Within the first 38 seconds of the final period, RBM scored twice to ice the game. Clayton Wagner (Medina) scored what was to be the game winner, while Mettler and Wyatt Bryer (Wilson) tallied assists on the goal. Mettler scored again from Aiden Cronkhite (Newfane) and John Peracciny (R-H).
Felicetti completed the scoring for RBM with a short handed goal from Dominic Metro (Wilson) and Snyder.
RBM’s next game is Wednesday evening at the Riverside Rink against Team Buffalo at 8 p.m.
More 200 social media posts, TikTok videos and many appearances
Photo by Brenda Tremblay: In one of his boldest outings, Orly the Ox went kayaking on Glenwood Lake and made it close to the Medina Waterfalls on Aug. 18. He met up with the Buffalo paddle People, a kayaking group that goes to sites all over WNY. Orleans County is popular with kayakers, especially the Oak Orchard Creek and Glenwood Lake in Ridgeway.
Photo by Isabella Zasa: Orly the Ox made it to the top of the Mount Albion Tower in one of his journeys in Orleans County in 2025. Orly had more than 200 social media posts on Facebook and Instagram about local historical sites, notable residents of the past and local attractions. Orly also went kayaking, hydro-biking, skateboarding and tackled many adventures in Orleans County during all four seasons. Orly also is featured on about 200 TikTok videos.
By Natalie Baron, Orleans Hub contributor
ALBION – Orly the Ox has completed a busy year promoting Orleans County, highlighting prominent spots and other locations and people that were lower profile.
Isabella Zasa and Tom Rivers were the driving force behind Orly’s adventures in 2025. Zasa works as a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department, Rivers is the Orleans Hub editor. Both are members of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
The committee picked an ox as a mascot for the county to celebrate the 200th anniversary in 2025. Oxen were critical in transporting early settlers across rough terrain. The oxen helped clear land and plow fields. They are somewhat underappreciated for their important role with the early settlers.
The committee wanted to recognize the oxen and acknowledge their link to the pioneers. The group also decided to have an ox in costume as a fun way to promote the bicentennial.
“Orly” was initially intended to just appear in Medina’s Parade of Lights in 2024, walking in front of the Bicentennial Committee’s float that included an ox statue. But Orly was popular along the parade route. (Lucy Rivers, the daughter of Tom Rivers, wore the costume in that parade with her sister Cordelia following up at Albion’s lighted parade in December 2024.)
Orly’s look was created by Robyn Watts of Medina, who makes many of the costumes for the Medina musical products and also for Lake Plains Players. She gave Orly a vest with all 10 towns, four villages and some of the hamlets. She also embroidered some of the early names – Newport for Albion and Saltport for Holley.
Zasa noticed how Oswego County uses a character, Ozzy the Elf, to highlight sites in that county. She suggested an ox be used to showcase places in Orleans County. Orly was activated last January for the task, and he kept up a busy pace, with at least five social media posts a week.
Zasa and Tom Rivers worked as team on the social media posts. They would share the duties of wearing the costume, taking the photos and writing the blurbs.
Zasa put together an active social media presence for Orly on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram. Tourism’s Facebook followers have nearly doubled in the past year from 2,300 to 4,500 and many of the Orly posts get hundreds of likes.
Catherine Cooper, Orleans County’s historian, loves Orly and said he has helped the community better understand local history.
“Orly’s delight in exploring the treasures of Orleans County is infectious,” Cooper said.
Zasa said the Orly posts connected with many in the public, who enjoyed the authentic storytelling over AI-generated content.
“We covered the bigger attractions and hit the smaller niche things,” she said. “It was to promote the county in a fun way.”
Photos by Marsha Rivers: (Left) Isabella Zasa, a tourism assistant and digital content creator for the Orleans County Tourism Department, takes a picture of Orly on West State Street in Albion by the historical marker for Grace Bedell, an Albion native who wrote a letter to Abraham Lincoln, urging him to grow a beard during the presidential campaign in 1860. Lincoln took her advice. Bedell, 11 at the time, was living in Westfield at the time when she sent the letter. (Right) Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor, takes a photo of Orly holding a cake with “200” with the Orleans County Courthouse in the background. This was right before the April 15 anniversary of when Orleans County was officially recognized by the State legislature as its own county, after splitting off from Genesee County. Rivers and Zasa took most of the Orly photos and wrote the features about him in 2025. They also took turns wearing the Orly costume throughout the year.
Orly picked up fans outside of the county, too. The NYS Canal Corp. often would like and share his social media posts and invited Orly to the bicentennial celebration to kick off the 200th anniversary of the canal season, a ceremony that was cancelled due to flooding on the eastern end of the canal.
Zasa said Orly helped people learn about the county, with people from other towns seeing assets that didn’t realize. The post about Orly climbing Mount Albion Tower included comments from people in Medina who didn’t realize there was a 68-foot-high tower in the back of the cemetery.
Rivers has worked as a local reporter for nearly 30 years now. He has done features about many of the local sites over the years. He saw the Orly features as a challenge to see how well he knew the community. He was also able to draw on historical columns from Catherine Cooper and past county historians, Matt Ballard and Bill Lattin.
Another way the community got to connect with Orly was via the Flat Orly challenge, where people could color printouts and take him on an adventure, snapping a commemorative photo. Flat Orly was featured in New York City, Iowa and other states. These photos were featured on Orly’s social media pages.
Orly was named the Grand Marshall of Albion’s Strawberry Festival. He also attended the Lyndonville parade, Barre tractor parade, and the Albion Christmas parade.
Orly was intended to be a 2025 phenomenon, and then head to retirement. But Rivers and Zasa said Orly is much loved by many people who would be sad if he went away.
They concocted a storyline were Orly meets up with a long-lost brother, Scout, and the two will work together in 2026, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA.
Zasa and Rivers also want to make a book of Orly’s 2025 adventures, an effort that will be a fundraiser for the Cobblestone Museum.
Click here to see Tourism’s Facebook page to see more of Orly’s adventures.
Photo by Isabella Zara: Orly the Ox ended his active year of 2025 by being reunited with his brother Scout at Welker Farms on Sanderson Road in Shelby. Scout was added to the storyline for Orly, giving him a brother as a partner in 2026 to help celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country. Robyn Watts made both of these ox costumes. Orly has a vest with the names of towns, villages and some of the hamlets in Orleans County. Scout has a more patriotic themed vest.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 3 January 2026 at 8:14 am
MEDINA – Orleans Community Health has announced it has been awarded a grant from the Garman Family Foundation, administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, to expand pediatric services, live-saving education and family support programs for children in Orleans County.
The funding will help OCH deliver a holistic and equitable approach to pediatric wellness, addressing critical needs in a rural community where child poverty, limited transportation, high infant mortality rates and a shortage of medical providers continue to impact families. More than 1,500 children and families are expected to benefit within the first year of the initiative, according to information provided by Scott Robinson, director of Marketing for OCH.
“Families in our community deserve access to care and education that protect children’s health and empower parents,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation. “This generous grant allows us to expand resources beyond the clinic walls – bringing safety education, mental health support and essential pediatric equipment directly to the families who need it most.”
The project supported by the Garman Family Foundation will include:
Free Infant CPR and Newborn Care Classes for parents and caregivers, eliminating the need for families to travel long distances for live-saving training.
A Pediatric Wellness Fair, offering education and health resources for local families.
Mental Health and Behavioral Support Tools, including the certification of a pediatric nurse practitioner in the evidence-based COPE (Creating Opportunities for Personal Empowerment) program and the use of anxiety-reducing tools during visits.
Preventative Child Safety Resources, including helmets, first aid kits and coping tools to reduce emergencies and injuries.
Important Clinical Upgrades, including pediatric exam tables and an infant warmer for safe and effective care.
A New Children’s Reading nook and Books Distributed at Well Visits to promote early literacy and development growth.
Leah Brunner, pediatric nurse practitioner who serves children in both OCH’s Medina and Albion offices, shared how the funding will enhance care from the moment the families walk in the door.
“Parents want to feel confident caring for their children, and kids deserve a safe, supportive place to grow,” Brenner said. “With this grant, we can offer families more education, more tools and a more welcoming pediatric environment. It strengthens care for every child who comes through our doors.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 January 2026 at 8:54 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s Courtney Aquilina puts up shot between Lockport defenders Alizah Barry (7) and Arden Anterline (24) during the host Lady Rams lo the Lady Lions this evening.
Roy-Hart dropped a narrow 51-47 decision to visiting Lockport in a non league girls basketball game this evening.
Emma Buzak scored a game high 25 points to lead Lockport as Arden Anterline had 9 and Ava King 8.
Courtney Aquilina sparked Roy-Hart with 21 as Millie Owens had 9, Adella Dukes 8, Zoe Healey 3 and Brooke Corser, Kylie McOmber and Peyton May 2 each.
Roy-Hart grabbed a slender 12-10 lead at the end of the first quarter as Aquilina tallied 8 in the early going while Buzak netted all 10 of Lockport’s points including a pair of threes.
The Lady Lions rallied into leads of 22-21 at the half and 39-34 at the three-quarter mark. Buzak scored 6 in the second period, including a four point play, while Anterline tallied 8, including two threes, and King 4 in the third quarter.
The Lady Rams did close to within two, 42-40 midway through the final period after baskets by McOmber and Aquilina but could not pull even.
A basket and four free throws by Buzak helped the Lady Lions lock up the win
Lockport is now 4-3 and Roy-Hart 2-5.
Brooke Corser puts up a shot for Roy-Hart ahead of Lockport defender Arden Anterline.
