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Month: October 2019

Our Letters Policy

Posted 24 October 2023 at 3:00 pm

We appreciate input from our readers, and we publish letters to the editor without charge. The letters should be written by the person who submits the letter and not be “ghost written” by someone else. While open speech and responsibility are encouraged, comments may be rejected if they are purely a personal attack, offensive or repetitive. Comments are the opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Orleans Hub. Although care is taken to moderate comments, we have no control over how they are interpreted and we are unable to guarantee the accuracy of comments and the rationality of the opinions expressed. We reserve the right to edit letters for content and brevity. Please limit the length of your letter (we suggest no more than 500 words) and provide your name, telephone number, mailing address and a verifiable email address for verification purposes. Letters should be emailed to news@orleanshub.com.

Lady Tigers, Eagles, Hawks bow in sectionals

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 18 May 2024 at 3:16 pm

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville first baseman Bella Groves goes up to haul in the ball for an out during the Lady Tigers sectional loss to visiting Arkport-Canaseraga today.

No. 12 seed Arkport-Canaseraga pushed across three runs in the seventh inning on three errors to down No 5 Lyndonville 7-4 in a Section V Class D opening round softball playoff game today at Lyndonville.

Addie Dillenbeck had a two-run home run and Kayli Miller a two-run single for Lyndonville which led 4-3 after four innings.

Cuba-Rushford 11, Kendall 9
No. 9 Cuba-Rushford trimmed 11-9 No. 8 Kendall in a Class C 2 sectional contest.

Brooke Rodas had a two-run double and Danielle Offhaus a two-run single to highlight a six run fourth inning which put Kendall up 9-7.

Cuba-Rushford rallied to tie the game with two runs in the sixth and then to claim the win with two more in the seventh.

Avon 9, Holley 0
No. 2 Avon blanked No. 15 Holley 9-0 in a Class C1 sectional opener.

Strawberry Festival welcomes parade participants with ‘Out of this World’ theme

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 May 2024 at 9:19 am

Courtesy of Wolfpack Multisports: The T-shirt for the Strawberry Festival 5K and 8K includes a strawberry in a space suit.

ALBION – Organizers of the 36th annual Albion Strawberry Festival picked “Out of this World” for the theme of the two-day festival next month.

The festival committee thought the theme would build off all the hoopla for the solar eclipse on April 8. It wasn’t planned with lots of buildup like the eclipse, but the spectacle of the Northern Lights on the night of May 10-11 also had people looking to the skies.

Now, it’s up to the community and festival participants to rally around the theme. Becky Karls, the festival committee chairperson, wants to see many displays with a space theme for the parade at 10 a.m. on June 8. She said “Out of this World” lends itself to lots of creativity in the floats.

“I want to see more floats,” Karls said. “That would be my wish.”

Some of the events during the festival will feature the theme. Organizers of the 5K and 8K on June 8 unveiled the T-shirts for the race which show a strawberry in a space suit on a rocket. The dash plaques for the car show also have the festival theme.

The June 7-8 festival also will feature live music at four different locations, an arts and crafts show, many food vendors, and many other events.

Karls is leading the committee for the first time, after many years as a key volunteer.

“I love people and I love community events,” Karls said. “I think it’s great to have something in the community to bring people out.”

She said the committee has many dedicated volunteers who work well together.

The committee leaders include:

  • Mark Johnson – Business/Information/Raffle Vendors
  • Trevor Thaine – Craft/Artisan/Farm Market Vendors
  • Mike Bonnewell – Parade Participants
  • Rebecca Alexander – Food Booth Vendors
  • Jason Tarnowski – Family Fun Center
  • Bill Pileggi – Music/Bands
  • Mckenna Boyer – School Royalty/Artwork
  • Becky Karls – Turtle race and Car Cruise In

For more information on the festival, click here.

Lee-Whedon was more deserving of state funds than a microbrewery in Medina

Posted 18 May 2024 at 8:45 am

Editor:

I am very dismayed at the choice of development of a new microbrewery business over the enlargement and improvements to the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library.

In my opinion the state was wrong in advancing an alcohol-related facility over an educational and community gathering facility. I understand the choice of housing, waterfront development and hotel space and think they were wise. The signage and storefront ideas were also needed and appreciated.

I hope the community and business leaders will support the library with the money to go ahead with their expansion plans in the near future! With the many needs in the community’s infrastructure currently in the works I am afraid the library will be left behind.

Dayton Hausman

Medina

Diamond sectionals off to a soggy start

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 May 2024 at 7:53 pm

Area sectional baseball and softball action got off to a soggy start today as the rainy weather caused 6 of the 9 scheduled games to be postponed until Saturday.

Here is an update of the rescheduled games and the three completed contests.

Section VI Baseball
Class A
No. 10 seed Albion will now visit No. 7 Dunkirk at 2 p.m. Saturday with the winner advancing to a Tuesday quarterfinal test at No. 2 Iroquois.

Class B
No. 4 Roy-Hart will now face No. 13 Allegany-Limestone at noon Saturday at Medina’s Vets Park. The victor will face the winner of the No. 5 Southwestern vs. No. 12 Eden game in the quarterfinals on Monday.

No. 8 Akron will host No. 9 Salamanca at 1 p.m. with the victor advancing to a quarterfinal contest at top seeded Medina on Monday.

No. 7 Newfane will host No. 10 JFK at 11 a.m.

Class C
In the lone baseball game to be completed No. 5 Wilson blanked Niagara-Orleans League foe No. 12 Barker 5-0 in a Class C contest. Tyler Johnston and Conner Ernest combined on a 2 hitter with 13 strikeouts for the Lakemen which will next visit No. 4 Holland on Tuesday.

Section VI Softball
Class A – No. 8 Albion will host No. 9 West Seneca East at noon on Saturday. The contest was started today but was halted by rain in the first inning.

Class B
In two completed games No. 7 Springville defeated No. 10 Newfane 16-4 and No. 8 Southwestern downed No. 9 Medina 21-4 in a contest played at Allegany-Limestone.

Section V Softball
Class C1
No. 15 Holley will visit No. 2 Avon at 10 a.m. Saturday.

In addition seven other area sectional games were already scheduled for Saturday. Those contests are as follows.

Section V Baseball
Class C2 – No. 4 Kendall will host No. 13 Caledonia-Mumford, 4 p.m.

Section V Softball
Class C2 – No. 8 Kendall will host No. 9 Cuba-Rushford at 11 a.m.

Class D – No. 5 Lyndonville will host No. 12 Arkport-Canaseraga at 11 a.m.

Section VI Softball
Class B1 – No. 6 Akron at No. 3 Olmsted, noon,
Class B2 – No. 7 Roy-Hart at No. 2 Portville and No. 6 JFK at No. 3 Wilson both at noon.
Class C – Top seeded Barker was scheduled to host the winner of today’s No. 8 Frewsburg vs. No. 9 Maple Grove contest. That game was not played so the new date for Barker’s opener has not been set.

160 senior citizens celebrated during luncheon at fairgrounds

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2024 at 7:18 pm

Office for Aging honors Shirley Walter and Charlene Wisnewski for volunteer service

Photos by Tom Rivers

KNOWLESVILLE – Charlene Wisnewski, right, of Medina accepts a “Volunteer of the Year” award today from the Office for the Aging. Wisnewski is joined up front by Melissa Blanar, OFA director, and County Legislator Skip Draper who presented Wisnewski with a citation from State Sen. Rob Ortt.

The OFA held its annual Spring Jubilee luncheon today and about 160 senior citizens had lunch at the Trolley Building at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds. The 160 is the biggest crowd for the event since before Covid-19 hit in 2020.

Wisnewski is a retired civilian worker from the Albion Correctional Facility. The past two years she has volunteered as a driver for the OFA, taking seniors to appointments.

Wisnewski last year drove seniors to 55 appointments, logging 952 miles. She said she took about 15 different people, including three veterans. Two of those veterans are legally blind.

“You meet so many wonderful people,” Wisnewski said about volunteering as a driver.

Shirley Walter of Barre also was recognized as a “Volunteer of the Year.” She is shown being presented with an award by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.

Walter is retired after a career as an accountant and bookkeeper. She also served on the Barre Town Board.

She has volunteered with the OFA at a new Caregivers Connections Respite program, which started in July at the Albion Academy on East Academy Street in Albion where the Meals on Wheels program is based. The respite program offers a break for caregivers of people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays each month.

Walter faithfully is there spending time with people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. She has lunch with them, does crafts together, and chats.

“It is rewarding just to listen to them,” Walter said. “They have a lot to say.”

Walter also joins other volunteers in helping the OFA prepare the agency’s monthly newsletter, The Friendly Carrier, that goes to about 3,200 addresses.

Office for the Aging and Arc GLOW staff hold a paper chain that was intended to show how the group of 160 were all connected, with no one alone.

The luncheon was part of the OFA’s annual celebration in May of “Older Americans Month.”

County Legislator John Fitzak read a proclamation about the month. This year’s theme for the month is “Powered by Connections.”

“May is Older Americans Month, a time for us to recognize and honor Orleans County older adults and their immense influence on every facet of American society,” Fitzak said in reading the proclamation. “Whereas, through their wealth of life experience and wisdom, older adults guide our younger generations and carry forward abundant cultural and historical knowledge.”

Vicki Havholm, nutrition program manager for Arc GLOW, emphasized the message that senior citizens aren’t alone and there are many services and opportunities to stay connected in the community.

Kristina Suski-Jewell sings “Sweet Caroline” while entertaining the crowd before the luncheon. She sang for about 45 minutes.

Lyndonville district should look at bigger issues, rather than disrupting health insurance

Posted 17 May 2024 at 6:09 pm

Editor:

I recently received a couple of items in the mail relating to the upcoming Tuesday Lyndonville CSD budget vote and board election.

One item was from a board candidate and the other was the school district newsletter containing a statement by the same board candidate.

Both items were disturbing and unlike any school communication I have ever received.

The item from the candidate contains, in bold print, the following header: “Keep a conservative minded majority on this board!”

Besides pandering to a partisan political constituency, reading between the lines, the message of the incumbent candidates is clear: Books will be banned if they don’t align with the new, conservative viewpoint, and support for some segment of the student population will be withdrawn if it doesn’t align with a radically restrictive social viewpoint.

There is no room for that kind of policy in a public school preparing kids for the 21st century!

In the board newsletter the candidate tries to defend eviscerating health insurance coverage for current employees and retirees. Coincidentally, collective bargaining is now underway between the Board of Education and union leadership.

Allusions are made to significant savings with virtually no change in coverage. The facts are otherwise. Participating providers, service coverage and deductibles would all result in greater personal dollar cost and inconvenience to policy holders. The current Orleans-Niagara health insurance consortium has provided adequate coverage for a reasonable cost for years. The BOCES and seven of the smaller districts find annual cost savings in the cooperative plan. The plan is reviewed annually.

The coverage advocated by the candidate would harm employees and retirees. If the school district wants to continue to attract the most qualified teachers, it can’t provide the same level of health insurance coverage as provided to burger-flippers.

In a condescending commentary about the competency of educational administrators, the candidate claims expert qualifications in business matters. If that were the case, why go for the low-hanging fruit? Why not look at tougher issues such as extending contracted transportation services? Why not re-visit consolidation with another district? (ie: If consolidated with Barker, the new district would still be the smallest in the BOCES).

The message to me is clear: Boycott voting for the current board members on Tuesday. Educational quality and fiscal responsibility are at stake.

Ralph Smith

Lyndonville

Group appreciates good care for dogwood trees in Albion

Posted 17 May 2024 at 5:59 pm

Editor:

The Albion Betterment Committee believes this may be a good time to thank Village of Albion residents for accepting white dogwoods many years ago.

The trees were looking magnificent this past week as they showed off their gorgeous flowers. Those blossoms will be followed by stunning red berries that are coveted by many native birds.

We thank all those property owners who have taken care to prune the trees appropriately as well. Very few of the small to medium-sized trees have been left with short, ugly stumps when unwanted branches have been removed.  Cutting such limbs back to larger stems allows the trees to heal and helps assure good health.

For residents who missed out when local teens helped put about forty of the trees in years ago, we say, “Better luck next time.”

Very truly yours,

Gary Kent on behalf of Albion Betterment Committee Board of Directors

Albion

Four inducted into Lyndonville Hall of Fame

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 17 May 2024 at 5:51 pm

Contributed Photo – Four new members were inducted into the Lyndonville High Athletic Hall of Fame last weekend. The new inductees, shown here holding their induction plaques,  include, from left, Connie Wehner (Class of 1980), Gary Wilson (Class of 1964), Coach Mark Hughes and Terry Stephens (Class of 1996).

Albion middle schoolers expand flower mural at Bullard Park

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2024 at 4:37 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – A group of Albion eighth-graders spent today painitng a flower-themed mural on a utility building at Bullard Park.

Two years ago, students in teacher Kamie Feder’s art classes painted the back of the building with colorful flowers. On Thursday and today, students painted the sides and front of the building.

They used leftover paint from the previous project.

“We wanted to make it fun and colorful,” Feder said. “Otherwise it’s just a tan building.”

Ayme Vallejo Morales works on painting a flower on the building. The students all designed their flowers for the mural.

This building used to be the bathrooms at Bullard Park until a new pavilion with bathrooms opened in 2021.

Drake Schomske, center, works on the mural this morning.

There were eight students working on the project on Thursday. Today’s group included nine: Schomske, Ayme Vallejo Morales, Mackenzie Cook, Cordelia Rivers, Tra’Monie Walker, Adelaide Pettit, Sophia Bouchey, Nate Wehling and Arian Fazliu.

Some of Feder’s students also painted a “Welcome to Albion” canal mural on the fire hall last fall.

Governor announces $50 million investment in canal system

Photo from Governor’s Office: Brian Stratton, the canal commissioner, greets boaters this morning in Waterford, which is north of Albany.

Posted 17 May 2024 at 1:28 pm

Press Release, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Office

ALBANY – Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a historic $50 million capital investment into the New York State Canal system as part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget.

As the state prepares to celebrate the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial in 2025 and looks ahead to the next century of operation along the 524-mile Canal system, this funding ensures that the waterway will remain safe, operable, and a driver of tourism and economic activity. Investments will focus on high-priority infrastructure needs including the rehabilitation of water-impounding structures that have been in service for more than a century. Today’s announcement coincides with the seasonal opening of navigation on the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga-Seneca Canals.

“Nearly 200 years ago Governor DeWitt Clinton opened the original Erie Canal connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean and now we are making a significant investment to ensure the current Erie Canal and the entire canal system remain safe and a vibrant part of our state’s fabric,” Governor Hochul said. “As a lifelong boater who has plied the canal waters, I know firsthand that the canalway means so much to our communities. This commitment of funding will allow our historic canals to be part of New York’s story for generations to come.”

The funding included as part of the FY 2025 Enacted Budget is part of a comprehensive effort to revitalize the iconic Canal system by the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation. This effort includes strategically rehabilitating and improving the system’s infrastructure including locks, dams, embankments, culverts, and other civil assets so that the network of waterways and trails will continue to positively support the more than 200 upstate New York communities that are within the canal corridor.

Projects to be funded with the $50 million may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Rehabilitation of reservoir dams built in the 19th and early 20th century to supply water to the Enlarged Erie Canal (1836 – 1918) and other canals.
  • Waste weirs used to regulate the canal’s water levels.
  • Improvements to earthen embankment dams, including the continuation of extensive work in Royalton, Niagara County to install a soil-bentonite slurry wall to mitigate seepage.
  • Rehabilitation of other water management structures that provide resilience benefits, like guard gates which can be used to isolate and protect sites during high water events.

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Since the Canal Corporation became a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority in 2017, we have supported the development of Dam Safety and Asset Management programs, conducting more than 800 structural inspections each year, and assessing the vast majority of the civil structures across the 524-mile Canal system. While NYPA has increased investment into the waterway to approximately $140 million per year, the funding prioritized by Governor Hochul and the state Legislature allows us to invest more in critical water-impounding structures to ensure safe operations for canal users and neighboring communities.”

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton said, “With the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial on the horizon, I applaud Governor Hochul and the members of the state Senate and Assembly for recognizing how vital the Canal system is to our local economies. Funding these critical infrastructure projects will safeguard downstream residents and businesses and allow the canal to continue to thrive.”

The Canal system’s 57 locks and 16 lift bridges will operate daily through Wednesday, October 16, 2024.

Medina Unified posts win over Newfane

Contributed Story Posted 17 May 2024 at 11:18 am

Contributed Photo – Aiden Cherry makes a layup for Medina during Thursday’s win over visiting Newfane as Treyvon Shine and Xavier Moyer follow.

The Medina Unified basketball team improved to 3-2 with a 54-25 home court win over Newfane Thursday.

Xavier Moyer scored a game high 24 points to lead Medina as Aiden Cherry added 10, Matthew Kennedy 8, Russell Brunette 6, Anthony Harrington 4 and Lexi Lowery 2.

State announces $4.5 million for 8 projects in Medina

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 May 2024 at 9:31 am

Transformed Canal Basin parking lot, expanded farmers’ market get largest grants in NY Forward funds

Photo by Tom Rivers: The north end of Main Street in Medina is pictured in September. A $4.5 million state grant will pay for eight projects in the downtown area, including apartments at 409-413 Main St., the light green building at left.

MEDINA – Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced this morning how the state is divvying up a $4.5 million NY Forward grant in Medina.

The money will go to eight projects, with one of them a Small Business Fund that will assist small business owners with façade improvements, window repairs and smaller projects. A redesign of the Canal Basin parking lot is the biggest project at more than $1.3 million of the grant.

“The Village of Medina is very appreciative and excited to be selected as a recipient of this year’s New York Forward grant,” Medina Mayor Marguerite Sherman said in a news release from the Governor’s office. “The transformations, upgrades, and renovations will enhance Medina‘s ability to meet its goals in recreation, business, and housing for residents, visitors and businesses. The future is bright and promising in our beautiful historic village. I wish to thank everyone who played a role in making this happen. We can’t wait to get started!”

Medina officials and a committee of community volunteers worked last year to identify projects that would be submitted to the state for a final review. Medina’s committee had more than $9 million in considerations in the downtown and canal waterfront. The state whittled the list from 22 projects to eight that are approved for funding.

The eight projects include:

• Transform Canal Basin Park into a Waterfront Gateway – $1,345,000

Renderings from Empire State Development and Governor’s Office

The parking lot along the Erie Canal will be turned into a “waterfront gateway” complete with green space, seating areas and boater/cyclist amenities.

• Expand the Canal Village Farmer’s Market – $675,000

Upgrade the Canal Village Farmer’s market campus by modernizing the existing building, constructing a pole barn for additional vendor space and beautifying the site with green space.

• Redevelop the Walsh Hotel – $560,000

 Convert the upper floors of the former Walsh Hotel into studio and one-bedroom apartments.

 • Upgrade the Hart House Hotel – $500,000

 Upgrade the Hart House Hotel with new amenities including an enhanced outdoor courtyard space, a gourmet gastropub, a hotel guest lounge, a new front porch and an improved facade.

• Develop Arenite Brewing Company on the Canal – $500,000

Create a microbrewery with tasting room and outdoor seating overlooking the canal, complete with a rooftop solar installation.

• Rehabilitate the Upper Floor Apartments at 409-413 Main Street – $370,000

Renovate the second floor into a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments.

• Establish a Downtown Small Project Grant Fund – $300,000

Create a pool of funding to support business and property owners with smaller-scale projects like facade improvements, window replacement and other repairs.

• Install Downtown Wayfinding Signage – $250,000

Implement a system of directional, informational, and interpretive signage to direct visitors to key locations and destinations throughout downtown.

The NY Forward program favors upper-story redevelopment in buildings for housing and additional commercial space rather than new construction. The state guidelines prioritize elevating cultural, historical qualities that enhance the feeling of small-town charm. The state also made the program focus on a tight commercial activity area with an opportunity to enhance cultural heritage.

The governor’s announcement this morning also included $10 million of projects in the Village of Perry for the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and $4.5 million in Geneseo for another NY Forward community in the Finger Lakes Region.

State Senator Robert G. Ortt said, “It’s wonderful to see New York investing in local businesses throughout our rural parts of the state. The Canalside Village of Medina has seen a recent explosion of new stores, restaurants, and other local businesses and the recently awarded $4.5 Million in NY Forward grants will ensure economic growth and revitalization efforts continue to steam ahead in Medina for years to come,” said Senator Ortt.

Assemblymember Stephen Hawley said, “I’m proud to see the Village of Medina secure these projects through the NY Forward Program. This community has long been one of Western New York’s greatest hidden gems and these projects will help bring improvements for education, transportation and overall quality of life. This is a great step in the right direction to provide our upstate community and I look forward to seeing the impact it will have on the region.”