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Lyndonville honors the late Col. Rick Parsons
1962 grad was first from Lyndonville to attend U.S. Air Force Academy
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The family of the late Rick Parsons, a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, holds a banner with his portrait.
From left include Parsons’ daughter Penn Grow, son Rustin Parsons, wife Nancy (Custer) Parsons, and Maj. James Plummer, retired from the U.S. Air Force. Parsons’ wife served as honorary grand marshal of the parade. She is a Lyndonville grad and she and her husband were high school sweethearts.
Parsons was the first Lyndonville grad to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. He graduated in 1966 and then served in the military for a 26-year career, including two tours in Vietnam, and a pivotal role as commander of the 33rd Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He logged over 5,000 flight hours in his career in the T-38, F-4, F-15 and F-16.
While the flag was raised the national anthem was sung by Kayleen Sanchez and Joanna Folman. The 914th Air Refueling Wing of the U.S.A.F. from Niagara Falls had four soldiers serving as honor guard during the parade with one raising the flag in Parsons’ honor.
Under his leadership, the 33rd TFW(P) achieved remarkable success, said Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion in Lyndonville. Parsons led a unit that recorded 16 combat kills, the most of any allied unit. That earned Parsons the distinction of being the only wing commander to achieve an aerial victory during Desert Storm.
“Beyond his military achievements, Rick was a devoted husband, father and grandfather,” Goodrich said.
Parsons passed away at age 77 on May 25, 2021 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Steve Goodrich, commander of the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion in Lyndonville, is at left while Lynne Johnson, chairman of the Orleans County Legislature, reads a proclamation in honor of Parsons’ distinguished career. The offices of Assemblyman Steve Hawley and State Sen. Rob Ortt also presented citations in honor of Parsons being picked as honorary grand marshal.
Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about noon. Mackenzie Poynter sent in this photo of the plane passing over Route 63, just south of the village.
Medina Railroad Museum offering history talks, and children’s story time
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Cassandra Harden of Medina reads a train story to young children in a new event every Saturday at Medina Railroad Museum.
MEDINA – Medina Railroad Museum is starting off the summer with a new event coordinator and a series of new events.
Renee Hemby, who joined the Museum earlier this spring, has developed several ideas to bring more people to the world-class train museum.
First is Reading at the Rails, an opportunity for young children up to the age of 8 to come and learn about trains from picture story books, read by Cassandra Harden of Medina. Any age, however, is welcome to come, Hemby said. Sessions start at 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and are free. Youth who attend three sessions will receive a souvenir badge. Anyone who joins the museum will also receive a souvenir badge.
The next feature, a historic speaker series, was suggested by museum volunteer and history buff Erica Wanecski. She will be the first speaker on July 9, talking about steel plants and how they related to the railroad.
On July 16, Medina native and news writer Ginny Kropf will share the history of the railroad museum and its founding by the late Martin Phelps.
On Aug. 6, the Cobblestone Society will discuss “Written in Stone.”
Speaker for Aug. 20 will be Craig Lacy, former owner of a sandstone building on North Main, which houses a jail in the basement, where the late Grover Cleveland was held when arrested during a visit to Medina. Lacy, who is also past president of the Medina Historical Society, will also discuss other facts of historic interest in Medina.
On Sept. 3 the discussion will focus on Bill Lattin’s book, “Architecture Destroyed.”
On Sept. 17, Ryan Duffy from the Holland Land Office in Batavia will talk about the life of Dean Richmond.
Sessions will start at 6 p.m. each week and light refreshments will be provided. There is no charge, but donations to the museum are always appreciated.
“We are trying to bring more people to the museum,” Hemby said.
She remembers going to the late Beverly Mitchell’s house in Albion and listening to all her stories about the past.
“Hearing about history is cool,” Hemby said.
Midget League 12U playoffs begin Monday
The Albion Midget League 12U Division playoffs will get underway on Monday with four quarterfinal round games at 6 p.m.
Sandstone, which posted the best regular season record of 11-1, is the No. 1 seed. Elba ‘A’ (10-4), Barre (9-3) and Elba ‘B’ (9-6) round out the top four seeds.
The quarterfinal matchups will have No. 8 Holley ‘B’ (4-7-1) at No. 1 Sandstone, No. 7 Holley ‘A’ (5-8-1) at No. 2 Elba ‘A’, No. 6 Elks/Rotary (6-8) at No. 3 Barre and No. 5 Carlton (8-5) at No. 4 Elba ‘B’.
The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday at the higher seeds and the championship game for Saturday.
Lyndonville celebrates 4th with another epic fireworks show
Lions Club sets goal for its biggest show ever in 2026 for USA’s 250th anniversary
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – The Lyndonville Lions Club capped its 51st annual Independence Day celebration with another spectacular fireworks show on July 4th.
The Lions Club works with Young Explosives to put on one of the biggest fireworks shows in Western New York.
The Lions last year had its biggest show ever for the 50th anniversary of the club doing the July 4th celebration.
Club President Eric Johnson and fireworks chairman Harold Suhr want to make next year’s show even bigger. They have set a $52,000 fundraising goal which would top the $50,000 from 2024.
The band Bleeding Hearts performed from a stage near the Lyndonville ball fields right up to the start of the fireworks show. Bleeding Hearts has been performing in Western New York since 1989.
The band plays a unique blend of Classic Rock from the ’60s and ’70s, retro hits of the ’80s, alternative hits from the ’90s and current hits of today. The band closed with a tribute to Lyndonville by performing John Mellencamp’s “Small Town.”
The Bleeding Hearts include David Lloyd on lead vocals, drums and guitar; Bob Kupczyk on bass, vocals and keyboards; and Tim Unger on lead guitar and vocals.
Daniel Nottingham of Brockport swirls a sparkler while passing time before the fireworks show.
Wynter Dominguez, 2, of Brockport had glow-in-dark bracelets on and tried spinning a sparkler.
The fireworks proved to be a crowd pleaser for the big group gathered on the Lyndonville ballfields.
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Lyndonville parade puts shine on patriotism and hometown pride
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – This group represents Head Start and Early Head Start in today’s Lyndonville Fourth of July Parade.
Snowstorm Solutions follows them with a tribute to Sept. 11, 2001 victims – “Gone but not forgotten” is painted on the snow plow with an image of the World Trade Center towers.
About 50 different groups were in today’s parade. The 51st annual Independence Day festival put on the Lions Club concludes with a big fireworks starting around 10 p.m.
Orly the Ox, Orleans County’s bicentennial mascot, was decked out in red, white and blue for the parade. Orly is driven by Susan Starkweather Miller, a member of the Orleans County Bicentennial Committee.
Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about 11:55 a.m.
A big crowd filled Main Street as the procession of fire trucks and floats made their way along the route.
Bob Eberle once again dressed as Uncle Sam. He waved to the crowd along Main Street.
Mark Watts has lots of people on board while he drives a former Medina fire truck from 1933.
The Christ family in Murray was in the parade promoting the Murray Tractor Pull July 19 on Groth Road.
Lyndonville native Matt Tabor was back in the parade as the character Deadpool.
Gallagher Hill Trucking brought some tractor trailers for the parade.
The Niagara Falls Air Force Honor Guard marches in the parade.
Many in the crowd removed their hats to show respect to the soldiers in the Honor Guard.
The Lyndonville marching band from the school had a strong contingent of students in the parade.
Veterans ride in a trolley provided by the Houseman-Tanner Post of the American Legion.
The Orleans County Sheriff’s Office led the parade with the family of the late Colonel Rick N. Parsons of Lyndonville not far behind. Parsons’s wife Nancy served as honorary grand marshal.
Colonel Parsons graduated from the Lyndonville Central High School in 1962 and was the first Lyndonville High School graduate to attend the United States Air Force Academy graduating in 1966. He spent 26 years in service to his country before his retirement from the Air Force in 1994.
Scott Schmidt served as the parade emcee. He is joined on the parade platform by his father, Bruce Schmidt, a member of the Lyndonville Lions Club.
The Alexander Fire Department Band has been a perennial parade performer in Lyndonville for many years.
Kids from the Oak Orchard Assembly of God unleashed many bubbles in the parade. They were promoting Kids Crusade from July 20 to 23, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for children ages 4 to 11.
The Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums in Gates is another parade mainstay in Lyndonville.
Joshua Vacanti, a star from The Voice, sang from a float to promote the upcoming Salt & Light Festival from July 25-27 at Solid Rock Assembly of God, 8590 Rochester Rd., Gasport.
Ontario Shores Realty generously sprayed water soakers at the crowd. The temperatures weren’t too bad at around 80. Some recent Independence Day holidays have been well above 90 in Lyndonville.
All 7 schools share in earning N-O titles
It was a year in which everyone earned a piece of the pie.
During the recently completed 2024-25 school year the Niagara-Orleans League crowned champions in no less than 17 varsity sports and each of the league’s seven schools earned at least one of those titles.
Newfane led the way with five championships. The Panthers won Wrestling, Boys Swimming and Girls Cross-Country and shared the title in Girls Basketball and Girls Swimming.
The wrestling title is the 11th in a row and the Girls Cross-Country title the 10th straight for the Panthers.
Roy-Hart claimed four championships. The Rams won Volleyball and Girls Soccer and also shared the crown in Softball and Girls Swimming.
Akron captured three championships including Boys Basketball, Field Hockey and Golf.
The Field Hockey title is the fifth straight for the Lady Tigers.
Wilson also earned three titles including Girls Track and Boys Soccer and a co-championship in Girls Basketball.
The Girls Basketball title is the 7th straight and the 15th in the last 16 years for the Lakewomen.
Albion claimed a pair of titles in Boys Track and Tennis.
The track championship is the sixth in a row for the Purple Eagles.
Barker also captured two titles winning Boys Cross-Country and sharing the Softball championship.
Medina captured the Baseball championship. The title is the fifth in the last six seasons for the Mustangs.
Barre wins extra inning thriller to capture Midget League 9U playoff championship
Contributed Photo – Barre players and coaches celebrate after this past week’s exciting extra inning 1-0 victory over Rotary in the Albion Midget League 9U Division playoff championship game. Finley Baird singled in the winning run in the seventh inning after Axel Pfalzer, Everett Neri and Chase Armer had all reached to load the bases. Neri also earned the win on the mound. The Barre roster also includes Amelia Salvatore, Calvary Carr, Nicholas Bloom, Parker Gardner, Vincent Monacelli, Garrett Barnard, Mason Hicks, Monroe Flor, Benjamin Allen, Joshua Bennett, Keegan Dibley, Preston Panek and Timmy Madison, The Barre coaches include Josh Baird, Dan Monacelli Jr. and Steve Hicks.
Medina firefighters deliver twins in ambulance on way to hospital
Provided photo: Medina firefighters Adam Fisher, left, and Paul Urquhart are pictured by a Medina ambulance. The two delivered twins early this morning while in an ambulance was headed to the United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
MEDINA – Two Medina firefighters – Adam Fisher and Paul Urquhart – delivered twins very early this morning while the ambulance was headed to United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia.
The two delivered a baby boy delivered at 2:49 a.m. while the Medina ambulance was in Orleans County, followed by a baby girl born at 2:56 a.m. in Genesee County.
The girl was born breech. Both babies and their mother are doing well, the Medina Fire Department stated this morning.
Medina firefighters are also trained to respond to ambulance calls. Fisher is a paramedic. These were his third and fourth field deliveries, while Urquhart, an EMT, made his first and second deliveries in the field.
The ambulance was dispatched at 2:08 a.m. for a call in the village. They then headed to the Batavia hospital with the mother in labor.
“Thanks to our partners at Orleans County Sheriff’s Dispatch and United Memorial Hospital for making this morning go super smooth!” the fire department posted on its social media today. “What a way to start of Independence Day!”
Bullard draws huge crowds for July 3 celebration
‘I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life.’
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Bullard Park was hopping on Thursday for a July 3rd celebration. The Who Dats are shown near the beginning of their concert. They were the final band out of three during the day.
People spread out in their lawn chairs to take in the music.
The Who Dats had many in the crowd dancing. The band includes, from left: John Borello, Todd Graham, lead singer Lonnie Froman, Ed Hilfiker and Alex DeSmit on the drums.
These kids watch the finale of the fireworks from the top of a playground on Thursday night.
Bullard offered expanded activities throughout the day with the event capped by fireworks for the first time in a decade.
Several thousand people were at the park. Organizers aren’t sure of estimate.
Ron Albertson helped push through the upgrades to Bullard, an effort that started about a dozen years ago.
It paid off with a spray park for kids, an amphitheater, new playground equipment, a new pavilion with bathrooms, and other more recent improvements, including basketball courts, a walking trail, a disc golf course and soon, a pickle ball court.
“We have an absolute gem in our town,” Albertson said this morning about Bullard. “We wanted to bring recognition to our park.”
Albertson helps organize the upcoming Albion Summer Music Festival/Rock the Park which includes two days of bands on Aug. 1-2. This will be the 10th year for Rock the Park, which started to raise money for the Bullard upgrades.
Seeing all the people at Bullard on Thursday felt like the realization of the Bullard dream for Albertson and others who worked on Bullard’s transformation.
“I’ve never seen so many people in the park in my whole life,” Albertson said. “I thought it was fantastic.”
Volunteers with the G-ACRE (Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events, Inc.) served 500 chicken barbecue dinners. In front are Denise London and John Kurtz at the pavilion by the spray park.
Albertson praised John Grillo, the Albion recreation director, for leading the effort to have a big Independence Day celebration in Albion, a day early on July 3. Grillo also rallied the community to donate $10,000 for the fireworks show.
“I just knew it would draw a lot of people,” Grillo said about the fireworks and day’s events. “I’m very proud of this community.”
Grillo also praised the efforts of the Albion Police Department, Department of Public Works and firefighters for make the day go smoothly.
Madaline Bloom, 9, rides a pony brought to the park by KTJ Saddle Up Pony Rides.
Jim Navarra gave people wagon rides through the park.
Emma Hollenbeck, 8, gets her face painted by Mary Jo Whitman.
These kids played an intense game of Gaga Ball. There were also several bounce houses available.
104 Country performed for nearly two hours. There were about 50 food and craft vendors at the park.
104 Country includes Mike Hartman on vocals and guitar; Norm Bock on vocals and guitar, mandolin and banjo; Luca Quagliano on percussion; and Cindy Lynn on bass and vocals.
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Tenney cheers passage of mega bill while Morelle calls legislation ‘heartless’
Two Congressional members have strongly differing views on the mega-bill that gained final passage in the House of Representatives in a 218-214 vote.
All Democrats opposed it, with two Republicans also casting votes against the legislation.
Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), a Republican, issued this statement on Thursday:
“Today, House Republicans kept our promise to the American people by passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This historic legislation restores and builds on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which I voted for in 2017, by locking in the Trump Tax Cuts. The bill provides a significant tax cut to lower-income seniors who are collecting the Social Security they have earned through a lifetime of hard work, while also eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. This bill not only lowers taxes for working families but also provides tax incentives for small businesses and family farms. It prevents the largest tax hike in American history, delivers an average $1,300 tax cut, and paves the way for a nearly $14,700 increase in take-home pay for New York families.”
“This legislation protects our farmers and small businesses by preserving the small business pass-through deduction and 100% immediate capital expensing, which are tools that will empower investment and drive economic growth across NY-24. This bill will secure our borders by funding ICE and CBP, finishing the wall, and ending taxpayer-funded benefits like Medicaid for illegal immigrants. This bill will also unleash American energy and end our reliance on foreign sources of energy while lowering costs for consumers and businesses.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill also includes many stand-alone bills that I championed, including H.R. 1103, the New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act, and H.R. 1752, the Technology for Energy Security Act. The New Markets Tax Credit fosters private investments into economically distressed communities, particularly in rural areas, and has led to billions of dollars in investments into rural communities like NY-24. The Technology for Energy Security Act extends the credit for fuel cells and linear generators, helping to solidify America’s role as the leading manufacturer of these emerging technologies.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill restores economic freedom, strengthens our national security, and puts hardworking Americans first. This is a major victory for the American people and a significant step in restoring prosperity, security, and strength for all Americans across our great nation.”
Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25), a Democrat from Rochester, released the following statement:
“House Republicans have forced through the most damaging and heartless piece of legislation in generations—a betrayal of the people we are elected to serve.
“This bill will strip health insurance from 17 million Americans and slash food assistance for nearly 3 million Americans, including 900,000 seniors. It includes the largest cut to Medicaid in U.S. history, defunds Planned Parenthood, and raises health insurance premiums for some New Yorkers by nearly $2,000. Meanwhile, it adds $3.3 trillion to the national deficit—all to fund tax breaks for Donald Trump’s billionaire friends.
“It’s not budgeting—it’s cruelty. These aren’t just numbers—they’re neighbors, families, and frontline workers trying to get ahead. This bill was never about helping working families; it was about rewarding the wealthy and well-connected at their expense.
“Like so many of you, I’m angry, frustrated, and deeply disappointed—but I am not done fighting. We are going to keep standing up for the American people.
“This fight isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement: “Today’s vote makes it official: all seven New York Republicans in Congress voted to rip health care away from 1.5 million New Yorkers and jeopardize SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million more. They had two chances to stand up to Donald Trump and fight for the people they serve. They failed both times, gambling with their constituents’ lives to pay for billionaire tax breaks.
“To the 48,000 New Yorkers set to lose their coverage in Rep. LaLota’s district, the 48,000 in Rep. Garbarino’s, the 52,000 in Rep. Malliotakis’, the 31,000 in Rep. Lawler’s, the 44,000 in Rep. Stefanik’s, the 35,000 in Rep. Langworthy’s, and the 31,000 in Rep. Tenney’s: your members of Congress may have given up on you, but I never will.
“As Governor, your family’s health and well-being is my top priority. And I will keep fighting every single day to shield you from the cruelty and chaos coming out of Washington.”
Fireworks return to Albion with big show at Bullard Park
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Fireworks were back in Albion at Bullard Park for the first time tonight after a decade absence.
Young Explosives sent the fireworks into the sky over the park after a day of fun featuring three bands, about 50 vendors, and other food and entertainment.
John Grillo, Albion’s recreation director, started the fundraising push for the fireworks last October. He was able to secure $10,000 in donations from the community to bring back the fireworks.
These kids watch the fireworks from up high in the playground at Bullard.
People watched from all over the park, with some on lawn chairs, others on blankets and many others from their cars.
Elks/Rotary wins regular season finale
Elks/Rotary closed out the the Albion Midget League 12U Division regular season with a 14-1 win over Holley on Wednesday.
Matt Schomske and Ryan Coots both had 3 hits and 3 RBIs and Kayden Donnelly 2 hits and 2 RBIs to lead the offense for Elks/Rotary which broke the game open with a big 9 run fifth inning. Schomske’s hits included a triple.
Coots also pitched the first 4 innings allowing 1 hit and striking out 9. Remi Ebbs hurled the final two frames striking out 5.
Elba ‘A’ 6, Sandstone 5
Elba ‘A’ handed Sandstone its first loss 6-5 on a three run home run with two out in the sixth inning by Zaric Amaro.
Sandstone had taken a 5-3 lead by scoring 4 times in the third inning as Nikko Russo had a two-run single.
