3 more sites to be inducted into Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame
Inductees include St. Stephen’s Church in Middleport, Christ Church in Rochester, Albion Academy Apartments (former Grammar School) with Sandstone Park in Albion to receive Heritage Award
Photos by Tom Rivers: The former Albion Grammar School, now the Albion Academy Apartments, will be inducted into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame today, one of three new inductees.
MEDINA – The Medina Sandstone Society will induct three sites into its Hall of Fame today during at 1:30 p.m. ceremony at Medina’s City Hall.
The new inductees bring the total to 46 since the Hall of Fame was started in 2013. The Hall of Fame is located in the main meeting room at Medina City Hall, 600 Main St.
The new inductees include:
STEPHEN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, Middleport, NY
St. Stephen’s Catholic Church was built in 1908 at 21 Vernon St. in Middleport.
For more than a century, St. Stephen’s Catholic Church was a spiritual home for the faithful in Middleport, a village in eastern Niagara County.
The congregation formed in 1854, and the church building was constructed in 1908 at 21 Vernon St. The local Catholics were diligent stewards of this site for the next 117 years.
St. Stephen’s celebrated its final Mass on Jan. 12, 2025. It closed as part of a restructuring in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo due to a shortage of priests and declining attendance.
The church has been combined with St. Mary’s Church in Medina as part of the Holy Trinity Parish.
“We recall the great many blessings that have come into our lives and community from this church,” Father Mark Noonan said during the final Mass.
The church was the site for more than a century for baptisms, weddings, funerals, communions and confessions.
St. Stephen’s may be on a side street, but it is a dominant building in the community. The building has been a landmark in Middleport since the building’s construction. The top of the large church looms over trees and downtown buildings that are blocks away.
St. Stephen’s was inducted into the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame on Oct. 23, 2025.
CHRIST CHURCH, Rochester NY
Christ Church at 141 East Ave. in Rochester was built in stages between 1883 and 1894 with the Johnson Tower, the tallest part of the church, completed in 1903.
Christ Church in Rochester was founded as an Episcopal parish in 1854. The cornerstone of Gothic Revival edifice was laid in 1883. The church at 141 East Ave. was built in stages between 1883 and 1894, using rock-faced red sandstone from Albion. The Johnson Tower, the tallest part of the church, was added in 1903.
The church was designed by nationally renowned architect Robert Gibson, and includes buttresses, flying buttresses, and a polygonal apse.
Christ Church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. It is also part of the Eastman Historic District. In 2022, Christ Church received a Merit Award from the Landmark Society of Western New York for a restoration project to repair its aging infrastructure and preserve its historic beauty.
The church is noted for its soaring ceilings, excellent acoustics, and numerous Tiffany stained-glass windows, mosaics and tiling. The church’s location and superb acoustics have made it a major musical venue in Rochester. Many Eastman School of Music rehearse and perform there.
Christ Church also embraces artistic expression and contemplative practices. In addition to its regular services, it hosts candlelight and virtual concerts, gallery exhibits, and seasonal events.
ALBION ACADEMY APARTMENTS (FORMER GRAMMAR SCHOOL), Albion, NY
This photo shows the community room in the former Grammar School, which was turned into 30 apartments for senior citizens, as well as the base for Meals on Wheels and a day rehabilitation program for Arc GLOW.
The striking grey Medina Sandstone building at 16 East Academy St. in Albion was originally a four-story school, built in 1906.
The 55,000-square-foot site has been transformed, becoming 30 apartments for senior citizens on the second to fourth floors, while the bottom floor is used for Meals on Wheels, and a day rehabilitation program for Arc GLOW.
The $7 million renovation has given the build a new purpose, providing vital services in the community for housing, nutrition and rehabilitation.
PathStone, known as Rural Opportunities at the time, took on the ambitious project with construction starting in September 2007 and the building opening in 2009.
The project involved repairing the Medina Sandstone exterior, restoring the grand main entrance with wood wainscoting and stamped tin ceilings, and preserving the grand staircase, moldings, and wood trim throughout the building.
Modern apartments were created within the former classrooms and auditorium, designed to maximize natural light and utilize the original window openings. The entire building was made fully accessible in accordance with ADA standards.
This project was honored by AIA Rochester for urban building re-use, the APWA with a Historic Preservation Award, and the NAIOP with a Historic Adaptive/Re-Use Award.
Heritage Award – SANDSTONE PARK, Albion NY
This photo shows one of the Little League teams for Sandstone Park in the late 1950s. Sandstone Park was an original member of the Albion Midget League in 1956 and has fielded a team every season. Next year will be the 70th anniversary of the league.
In 1954, volunteers created a baseball field and park on East State Street in Albion by a former quarry. Since then, generations of families have cared for the property, and fielded a Little League team every year.
Sandstone Park wears a distinctive bright orange uniform. The teams are often among the top contenders in the Albion Midget League. Sandstone is one of the original teams in a league that formed in 1956. Sandstone has had a team every year, and they play on one of the best fields in the area.
That field got a major makeover in 2021 with new bleachers, dugouts, a fence in the outfield, a new backstop and flagpole. Other improvements have followed with a new concessions stand, rehabbed equipment shed, and expanded parking.
A non-profit board oversees the park, and many, many volunteers keep up the field and work with the team.
They keep “Sandstone” prominent in the Albion community, and continue to bring pride to the quarrymen families who helped establish the park more than 70 years ago. Those families in the neighborhood back in 1954 paid the village $25 for 16 acres to create the park.
A sandstone plaque in the shape of home plate was placed near the base of the new flagpole in 2021. That plaque states:
“Sandstone Park – Our Greatest Generation created a unique neighborhood recreation area for the children on East State Street and the village. Generations of volunteers allowed Sandstone to provide and maintain the sense of fair play and sportsmanship the founders worked to instill in their children. The residents of East State Street and the Village of Albion are forever in their debt. To the Greatest Generation – Thank You!”
Editor’s Note: Orleans Hub editor Tom Rivers is a member of the Medina Sandstone Society board of directors and is currently chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee.
Medina wins N-O field hockey season finale
Celebrating Senior Night, Medina blanked Newfane 6-0 in the Niagara-Orleans League field hockey season finale this evening at Vets Park.
Maggie Lonnen and Penelope Schalck both scored two goals for the Mustangs as Ava Blount and Jennelle Stalker each added one.
Final N-O Standings: Akron 12-0, Barker 10-2, Medina 6-6, Roy-Hart 5-7, Kenmore 4-8, Wilson 4-8, Newfane 1-11.
Lake Shore ousts Albion in A2 sectionals
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Breaking away from a 1-1 deadlock, No. 9 Lake Shore scored three unanswered goals in the second half to down No. 8 Albion 4-1 in a Section VI Class A2 opening round boys soccer tournament game this evening at Albion. Here Albion’s Garret Jones battles for the ball with Lake Shore’s McHale Connors.
Albion’s Malik Lamars goes for the ball between Lake Shore’s Ryan Madison and Maddex Clarke. Colin Coyle scored Albion’s first half goal.
Hawks win sectional opener in overtime
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – One goal proved to be just enough as No. 7 seed Holley nipped visiting No. 10 Red Creek 1-0 this evening in the opening round of the Section V Class C1 boys soccer tournament. Here Holley’s Chase Kempa sends the ball towards the goal under the tackle attempt by Red Creek’s Eoin Wynne.
Tarek Garrett scored the goal for the Hawks off an assist from Chase Kempa. Here Holley’s Cameron Kelley goes up for a header with his teammate Hunter Pacha and Red Creek’s Connor Hopp. Improving to 9-8, Holley will next visit No. 2 Sodus in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Roy-Hart and Barker/Lyndonville win girls Class B soccer sectional openers
File Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Alexa Robinson
Roy-Hart and Barker/Lyndonville both scored home field victories this evening in the opening round of the Section VI Class B girls soccer tournament.
No. 4 seed Roy-Hart shutout No. 13 Tonawanda 3-0.
Maria Trombley scored a goal in the first half for the Lady Rams and Ruth Walker added two goals in the second half.
Courtney Aquilina earned the shutout in goal.
Roy-Hart will next host No. 4 Allegany-Limestone, a 4-0 winner over No. 12 Newfane, in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
No. 8 Barker/Lyndonville downed No. 9 Chautauqua Lake 5-2.
Alexa Robinson scored all five goals for B/L. Villette Jary, Natalie Rath and Leah Costello had assists.
Barker/Lyndonville will next visit No. 1 seed Wilson on Saturday.
In other Class B openers involving N-O teams, No. 6 Akron downed No. 11 Silver Creek and No. 3 Falconer blanked No. 14 Medina 8-0.
Sheriff names senior public safety dispatchers at 9-1-1 Center
Photo from Sheriff’s Office
ALBION – Orleans County Sheriff Chris Bourke, right, announced two dispatchers have been promoted to senior public safety dispacthers.
Mike Schultz and Jerry Bentley will serve in the roles. Both are long-time local volunteer firefighters, with Schultz a past chief at Kendall and Bently a past chief for Barre.
In their new roles, Schultz and Bentley will assist in overseeing the Sheriff’s Office Communications Division, with responsibilities including supervision, training, quality control, and managing materials related to FOIL requests and NYS Discovery requirements, Bourke said.
“Both Schultz and Bentley are highly experienced, dedicated, and well-respected professionals whose leadership and expertise will greatly benefit the Communications Division,” the sheriff said.
Squirrels’ stacking piles of pine cones could be omen for rough winter coming, animal control officer fears
ALBION – Harry Papponetti has seen a lot of things from local wildlife in his 33 years as animal control officer for the village of Albion.
But Papponetti has never seen squirrels working so furiously to stack pine cones for the upcoming winter. Papponetti has pine trees at his house and he said squirrels are scampering about his property amassing piles of pine cones. He sees it at other residences too in Albion.
He also has received calls from residents about squirrels getting in their attics, and bringing in pine cones.
Papponetti thinks the squirrels know something about the winter, and they are gearing up for extended harsh conditions.
“You’re looking at cold, hard winter coming up,” he told the Village Board during its meeting this evening.
Papponetti said he received many calls about squirrels and skunks on the move recently. He said the wildlife has been active as they get ready for winter.
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Governor announces Route 98 will be resurfaced from Route 104 to Parkway in 2026
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state will be spending $600 million to pave nearly 2,150 lane miles in the 2026 construction season, including $1.4 million to resurface Route 98 in Orleans County from Route 104 in Gaines going north to the Lake Ontario State Parkway in Carlton.
The paving plan also includes $2.8 million to resurface Route 262 from Route 63 to Route 98, and Route 98 from Edgerton Road to the Orleans County line in the towns of Oakfield and Elba, Genesee County
Hochul, in announcing the projects today, called the work an “unprecedented paving investment” that leverages $800 million secured in current state budget.
“As someone who has ridden on virtually every mile of every state road across New York, I know firsthand every curve and every pothole, and next year we will be making an unprecedented investment to improve state roads across New York,” Hochul said. “New Yorkers will be seeing crews out there like never before next year, rejuvenating highways, enhancing the safety of the traveling public, and laying a solid foundation for economic development across the Empire State.”
Generations Bank presents $50K in grants to non-profits in Orleans County
Site at former Medina Savings & Loan will become ESL in 2026
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Generations Bank on Tuesday presented $50,000 in grants to nine non-profit organizations. Eight of them received $5,000 each and one other, Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, was awarded $10,000.
Pictured from left in front include: Debbie Taylor, fire chief of East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company; Samantha Covis, assistant direct at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library; AG Cutrona, executive vice president and chief banking officer of Generations Bank; Angela Krezmer, CEO of Generations Bank; Jim Hancock, treasurer of the Medina Emergency Food Pantry; and Amy Crandall, assistant vice president and market manager of Orleans County at Generations Bank.
Back row: Patty Coffee, director of People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Orleans County; Mary Zelazny, treasurer of Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund; Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action of Orleans and Genesee; Andrew Houseman, senior program director of the Orleans County YMCA; Steve Winans, volunteer for Operation Honor; Howie Gardner, member Board of Directors at Generations Bank; Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation; Cindy Hewitt, vice president (Orleans County) of Generations Bank; Derek Dyson, senior vice president and chief information officer of Generations Bank.
This is the third year Generations has offered the $50,000 in grants to non-profits. In prior years, the funds were disbursed to organizations near Seneca Falls and Union Springs. Generations will become ESL Federal Credit Union with a target date of Jan. 1.
ESL is acquiring the assets of Generations Bank. The two organizations announced an acquisition deal in September 2024.
Generations merged with the former Medina Savings & Loan in 2018. Generations is based at Seneca Falls and has nine locations including a site in Medina on Maple Ridge Road.
Angela Krezmer, CEO of Generations Bank, said Generations wanted to give back to the non-profit organizations that serve many people in Orleans County. Generations was able to access the funds through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.
The nine grant recipients are: Community Action of Orleans and Genesee (Albion), East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company (Medina), Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund (Medina), The Lee Whedon Memorial Library (Medina), Medina Emergency Food Pantry (St. Peters Lutheran Church), Operation Honor (Medina), Orleans Community Health Foundation Inc. (Medina), Orleans County YMCA (Medina), and People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) of Orleans County (Albion).
Erik Fix (left), executive director of GLOW YMCA, and Andrew Houseman, senior program director of the YMCA in Orleans County, accept the grant from Howie Gardner, a board member for Generations.
Fix said the $5,000 will support services for community members, regardless of ability to pay, including scholarships for individuals and families to use the Y on Pearl Street.
Kristina Ettinger, left, community services manager at Community Action, and Renee Hungerford, CEO of Community Action, said the $5,000 grant will help the agency that faces significant uncertainty with its federal funding. The $5,000 will support essential needs, including food, rental and utility assistance.
East Shelby Fire Chief Debbie Taylor and President Mike Fuller accept $5,000 on behalf of the fire company from AG Cutrona, executive vice president and chief banking officer.
East Shelby plans to use the money for a new set of turnout gear and other personal protective equipment and tools.
The Knights Kaderli Memorial Fund, which assists Orleans County residents battling cancer, received $5,000. The fund has been assisting local families for more than 30 years, helping people with some of their bills. Pictured from left include Kevin Kaderli, Laura Marek, Mary Zelazny, Mike Zelazny and Brad Jones, the Generations chairman of the board.
Patty Coffee, director of the PAWS Animal Shelter, accepts a grant and a gift from Amy Crandall, assistant vice president and market manager of Orleans County at Generations Bank. Angela Krezmer, CEO of Generations Bank, is in back. The $5,000 will cover veterinary costs for animals to be spayed/neutered and vaccinated.
Marc Shurtz, CEO of Orleans Community Health, and Megan Johnson, director of the OCH Foundation, accept $5,000 from Howie Gardner, a Generations board member. The grant will go towards expanding services and healthcare access at OCH.
Steve Winans, a volunteer with Operation Honor, accepts a $5,000 grant for the organization that assist veterans with some of their bills and also contributions to a medical van transport service. AG Cutrona, executive vice president and chief banking officer, presents the grant.
Jim Hancock, left, thanks Generations Bank for the $5,000 grant to the Medina Emergency Food Pantry, which is based at St. Peter Lutheran Church. The money will allow the food pantry to acquire food during a time of decreased donations.
More photos will be posted soon.
Hawley presents award to Kirby’s Farm Market for going on Historic Business Registry
Photos courtesy of Assemblyman Hawley
BROCKPORT – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley on Tuesday presented a citation to the Kirby family in Albion for being on the NYS Historic Business Preservation Registry.
The Kirby family runs Kirby’s Farm Market on Route 104, just past the Orleans County line in the town of Clarkson.
The market was established in 1970 by brothers George and Bob Kirby. George’s son Tim and his wife Linda have been owners of the market since 1989. They run it today with their daughter Stacey Steward, son Chad and his wife Mandy, as well as their dedicated employees.
The Historic Business Preservation Registry was established by the State Legislature in 2020. The program is administered by the Division for Historic Preservation at the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Steve Hawley joins the Kirby family at the market on Tuesday. Pictured in front from left include Linda and Tim Kirby, and Stacey Kirby Steward. In back are Mandy and Chad Kirby with Steve Hawley.
The farm market has expanded from one-room garage-style building to a “cozy market” with gift shop, five greenhouses, and CSA with 320 members getting weekly subscription of fruits and vegetables.
“Kirby’s Farm Market creates an environment where family shares knowledge freely and endeavors to bring out the best in local farming,” the citation from Hawley states. “They are committed to cultivating and managing resources to ensure services are available for generations to come.”
Most of the fruits and vegetables are grown in Albion. Kirby’s is a “regenerative farm” with a strong focus on healthy soils and plants.
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Ross, a write-in candidate for county legislator, would bring new voice to local government
Editor:
Orleans County voter, do you want an end to “business as usual” on the Orleans County Legislature?
Jeremy Ross is a Town of Murray resident with a job, a wife and two young children—as well as a sound mind—who would be up to the challenge of serving as county legislator for District 4 (Carlton, Kendall and Murray). He and his family have a home just east of the Village of Holley.
A George Bower/Rich Bennett-type candidate doesn’t come around that often. Want a legislator who thinks for himself and bucks the party line when conscience dictates?
Perhaps it’s time for an infusion of fresh ideas on our Legislature. We believe giving Jeremy Ross serious consideration for District 4 county legislator when you vote in November would be a good idea.
Sincerely yours,
Aggie Recco of Lyndonville
Gary Kent of Albion
Richard Della Costa of Kendall
Akron caps 12-0 N-O field hockey title season
Completing a perfect 12-0 Niagara-Orleans League field hockey championship season, Akron rolled to a 9-0 win over visiting Kenmore this afternoon.
Madison Gates, Morgan Tomporowski and Brooke Milhollen each scored two goals for Akron as Mackenzie Tomporowski, Anieka Forrestel and Ava Lombard each had one.
The N-O title is the sixth straight for Akron which has compiled a 71-1 league record during that stretch. The Lady Tigers lone loss was to Barker in 2020 when the two teams shared the N-O title.
In the other N-O game, Roy-Hart downed visiting Wilson 3-0.
Brooke Zglinicki, Adella Dukes and Alayna Kowalski took turns scoring the goals for the Lady Rams.
Roy-Hart finishes the N-O season at 5-7 and Wilson at 4-8.
Holley girls top Alexander in sectional opener
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley’s Ava Mosier takes a shot to score her second goal of the opening half during the Lady Hawks sectional win over visiting Alexander this evening.
Facing a familiar opponent, No. 5 Holley downed Genesee Region League foe No. 12 Alexander 6-1 in the opening round of the Section V Class C1 girls soccer tournament this evening at Holley.
Ava Mosier scored two goals for Holley as Hanna Ostrom, Carsyn Mogle, Addison Bevins and Jayna Burris each netted one.
Mosier, Burris, Emma Burne and Brynn Thomas all had assists.
The Lady Hawks, which led 2-1 at the half, improve to 10-6-1.
Holley will next visit No. 4 Red Creek on Friday in the quarterfinals. Red Creek downed No. 13 Pembroke 7-1.
Section VI Class A
No. 6 Williamsville South downed visiting No. 11 Albion 4-0 in the opening round of the Section VI Class A tournament this afternoon.
Holley’s Lily Newman looks to pass the ball as Autumn Crane defends for Alexander.
