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Fishermen return to Oak Orchard in quest to catch big salmon and trout

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2025 at 4:02 pm

Photos by Tom Rivers

WATERPORT – An angler uses a net to help a friend bring in a Chinook salmon this morning at the Oak Orchard River.

The fish was caught by St. Mary’s Archers Club, which lets people park for $10 and gives them access to the river.

The club opens its gate at 5 a.m. every morning for about a month up until Veterans’ Day on Nov. 11. The Archers Club has coffee, doughnuts and bagels ready in the morning, and then serves hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.

This man is happy to have landed a Chinook salmon. He released it back into the Oak Orchard.

Fishing is the county’s top tourism attraction, generating about $28 million in economic activity in Orleans, according to a report from the state DEC based on 2017 data.

There have been visiting anglers so far from Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Jersey, Virginia and Michigan. They make the trek for the chance to catch a big brown trout of Chinook salmon.

David Mangold of Cumberland, Maryland holds a small brown trout he caught. He let the fish go. He caught a Chinook salmon, too.

Mangold has been coming to the Oak Orchard the second week of October the past 10 years.

“It’s always a good time,” he said.

Howard Palmer, a member of the Archers Club, is up by 4 a.m. every day to go open the gate at the Archers Club, get the coffee pot brewing and to start a fire.

He has been on early morning duty the past five years or so and he said he’s never missed a day or been late.

Some of the fishermen are ready at 5. They like to claim their spot in the river. They can’t start fishing legally until a half hour before sunrise, or about 6:45 a.m.

Palmer, 80, said the Archers Club can accommodate about 80 parked vehicles. The fishermen like to be spread out. They say it’s not nearly as crowded or hectic as the salmon River up in Pulaski and Altmar.

“I’ve never met a bad fisherman,” Palmer said. “They’re interesting people.”

Tom O’Hearn, president of the Archers Club, cooks hot dogs and hamburgers today. He has a great view of the river from the grill.

O’Hearn has been the club’s president the past 10 years. The parking fees and revenue from breakfast and lunch help maintain the property. The Archers Club has upgraded the cooking area in recent years and extended the pavilion.

The anglers enjoy the great outdoors. It’s an ideal time to be out with colorful fall foliage and the changing of the seasons.

Local trio playing collegiate football

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 14 October 2025 at 12:27 pm

Contributed Photos – This trio of local student/athletes are playing collegiate football this season. Medina graduate Joe Cecchini, left, is a senior defensive lineman at SUNY Maritime. Albion grad Amari Jones is a junior safety at Edinboro University. He has 35 tackles, 1 interception and 1 forced fumble so far this season. Roy-Hart grad Jackson West, right, is a freshman fullback at SUNY Brockport.

OCH Foundation gearing up for Treasure Island fundraiser on Nov. 8

By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 14 October 2025 at 12:26 pm

Photos courtesy of Scott Robinson: Tables are all set up at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville for last year’s Treasure Island fundraiser by Orleans Community Health Foundation. This year’s event is scheduled Nov. 8.

LYNDONVILLE – Plans are well underway for the 31st annual Treasure Island fundraiser sponsored by Orleans Community Health Foundation.

The event, scheduled Nov. 8 at White Birch Golf Course, benefits Orleans Community Health, and promises to be an evening filled with excitement, prizes and celebration – all in support of local health services, said Scott Robinson, director of marketing.

This year’s gala will honor several Orleans Community Health Primary Care Team members as honorary chairs. They are Vinay Aggarwal, M.D.; Syed Raza, M.D.; Leah Brenner, CPNP; Pamela Eaton, A-NP; Elizabeth Gurnsey, FNP; Cheryl Kast, PA-C; Stephanie Murphy, FNP-C; and Michelle Smith, FNP-BC.

Baskets including this one with lottery tickets are already being donated for this year’s Treasure Island.

These exceptional providers represent the heart of healthcare in Orleans County – delivering quality, compassionate care and keeping patients close to home, Robinson said.

Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner, open bar, raffles, entertainment and live and silent auctions featuring more than 100 incredible items, according to Robinson. This year’s auction lineup includes a weeklong stay in Myrtle Beach, a four-day trip to Cape Cod, Buffalo Bills tickets and countless gift certificates, experiences and local treasures.

And that’s not all. This year’s Treasure Island is brimming with exciting chances to win: a Pirate’s Pillage Raffle in which the winner gets to choose any item from the live auction lineup; Lucky Cork, in which just $20 allows the guest to pick a random cork to reveal a surprise bottle of wine or liquor (no one goes home empty handed); and a Reserve Raffle in which the guest has a shot at winning $500 in cash.

“We’re excited to invite the community back for another unforgettable Treasure Island,” said Megan Johnson, executive director of Orleans Community Health Foundation. “It’s a night of fun, laughter and generosity – all in the spirit of supporting essential, local health services. Every ticket purchased and every auction bid helps us continue providing quality care close to home for our patients, families and community.”

Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased online at https://auctria.events/treasureisland.

This year’s event is presented by Seaway Insurance Associates, with additional support from generous local sponsors, donors and volunteers, who make this tradition possible, Johnson said.

“Join us for an evening of adventure, community and giving – and help support the future of health services in Orleans County,” Johnson urged.

Fire causes extensive damage to Holley home on Orchard Street

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 October 2025 at 8:42 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – A house at 21 Orchard St. was badly damaged by fire on Monday evening in Holley, with even extensive damage when the fire rekindled around 5 a.m. today.

Firefighters are shown at the scene around 7:30 this morning.

Four people who live at the house were able to safely get out on Monday evening, but one person was taken by Mercy Flight EMS to a hospital as a precaution for smoke inhalation.

The fire started in the bedroom in the northeast corner, said Rick Cary, fire chief for the Murray Joint Fire District.

The fire rekindled likely from heat trapped in insulation in the attic, Cary said. Neighbors said there were flames shooting from the roof after the fire rekindled.

Cary said firefighters left the scene at 11 p.m. only to return at 5 a.m. Murray firefighters also responded to two EMS calls, one at midnight and another around 2 a.m.

Jerry Bentley, a deputy coordinator for the Orleans County Emergency Management Office, climbs up a ladder to see the damage at the house.

Fire investigators with the county are trying to determine the cause of the fire.

Murray firefighters were assisted at the scene this morning by Clarendon, Brockport, Barre, Kendall, Hamlin, Shelby and Ridgeway.

Narrow losses for Holley’s soccer teams

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 October 2025 at 9:22 pm

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Holley goalie Dylan Warner goes high to try to tip the ball away but Byron-Bergen/Elba’s Cody Carlson header scored the first goal of this evening’s game at Holley won by the visiting Bees.

Byron-Bergen/Elba trimmed host Holley 2-1 in the Genesee Region League boys soccer season finale this evening.

Cody Carlson and Collin Rae each scored a goal for the Bees which finish the G-R season at 10-2.

Logan Gillespie scored the Hawks goal off an assist from Cooper Wolf.

Holley winds up the G-R campaign at 7-5.

Girls Soccer
Keshequa 3, Holley 2
Keshwqua downed visiting Holley 3-2 in a non league contest.

Carsyn Mogle and Brynn Thomas each had a goal and Jayna Burris an assist for Holley which is now 8-6-1.

Holley’s Cam Mosier goes up with Byron-Bergen/Elba’s Mason Farner for a header as Erron Kimble moves in for the Bees.

Holley Rotary donates new flag pole for Alms House Cemetery

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 October 2025 at 4:30 pm

Photos courtesy of Tim Archer

ALBION – A group of Albion Middle School enrichment students recently joined Craig Lane, the Orleans County DPW Commissioner, at the cemetery for the Orleans County Alms House.

Lane is also a member of the Holley Rotary Club which donated a new flag pole for the cemetery. The Alms House was a place for the poor, indigent and infirmed from 1833 to 1960. It is located at 14064 W. County House Rd., behind the Emergency Management buildings.

The cemetery contains the graves of about 250 people, and many of the sites are marked by simple numbers or have no marker at all. The site was reclaimed and restored beginning in 2010 through projects led by Albion Middle School students and the county.

Lane is shown with student Elizabeth Colmenaro, Oliver Beyrle, Elliot Pettit, Colton Moreland and Maelynn Taylor.

The DPW installed the new flag pole which replaced one that was worn, said Tim Archer, who assists with the enrichment program and spearheaded several of the projects at the Alms House Cemetery.

Students look over some of the gravesites at the cemetery which is visible from Route 31A near Keeler Construction.

Archer was working as a service learning teacher at Albion in 2010 when his seventh-grade students became interested in the site. Bill Lattin, the county historian at the time, was speaking in Archer’s class about how there used to be the Alms or “Poor House” on County House Road from 1833 to 1960. The Alms House closed in 1960 when the county nursing home opened on Route 31 in Albion.

The Alms House was torn down and now the site is the Orleans County Emergency Management Office with a fire training tower.

Maelynn Taylor and Elizabeth Colmenaro visit the gravesite for Daniel Walterhouse, a Civil War soldier buried at the cemetery.

Walterhouse lived at the Orleans County Alms House or Poor House for about 15 years until his death in 1910.

The new headstone was unveiled during a ceremony at the cemetery on May 18, 2025. Two Albion eight-graders – Kendall Peruzzini and Mary McCormick – secured the 230-pound Civil War era headstone from the Veterans Affairs office in Washington, DC. The stone was installed by the DPW.

Callard’s kicks are on target for Cortland

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 13 October 2025 at 11:47 am

Contributed Photos – Cole Callard

At the halfway point of the season Medina High graduate Cole Callard has been near perfect in the kicking department for the SUNY Cortland football team.

In the Red Dragons first five games Callard has been 23 of 23 in extra point kicks and 4 of 5 in field goals with the longest being 37 yards.

His efforts have included an 8 for 8 in extra points and a field goal in Cortland’s win over Hartwick which earned him Empire 8 Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

He was also 6 for 6 and booted a pair of field goals in the Red Dragons win over Morrisville.

Cortland is currently 3-0 in the Empire 8 Conference and 4-1 overall.

Callard, who is a freshman, is majoring in Sport Management.

During his scholastic days at Medina Callard was a four year starter on the varsity football team and holds Mustangs career records for most field goals (11) and most extra point kicks (130). His longest field goal was a school record 47 yarder.

An All State place kicker, he was also a four year varsity player for the Mustangs in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy plans an open house for Friday

Contributed Story Posted 13 October 2025 at 11:42 am

The Purple Eagles Wrestling Academy will be hosting an open house this Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The Academy is located at 13939 NY-31 (the old Apollo restaurant).

Anyone is welcome to come, check out the wrestling Academy, ask questions, and register for our upcoming season. said Academy organizer Michael SAnders.

The Academy has beginner, intermediate, and advanced level classes for  wrestlers from ages 4-18.

Anyone interested can also email us at PurpleEagleWA@gmail.com for further information.

Youth continued to be bombarded with tobacco messages through deceptive advertising

Posted 13 October 2025 at 11:07 am

Editor:

The statement “youth have seen enough tobacco” is the slogan for Seen Enough Tobacco Day, an annual day of action held on October 13 in New York and led by youth members of Reality Check.

It highlights the billions of dollars the tobacco industry spends on marketing, which studies show increases the likelihood of young people starting to use tobacco products.

Despite federal regulations on tobacco advertising and sales to people under 21, the tobacco industry continues to use sophisticated and targeted marketing tactics to attract young people.

One deceitful tactic involves using appealing flavors in their products, including e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, to attract new, young users. The vast majority of underage e-cigarette users report using flavored products. You can’t miss the huge window ads and counter displays in convenience stores in our area, bombarding young people who shop there with an ever-increasing number of enticing flavored tobacco products.

The tobacco industry also heavily promotes e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where age restrictions aren’t closely monitored. Studies show frequent social media use is linked to a higher risk of youth starting to use tobacco products.

In stores, tobacco products are often placed in highly visible areas, like near candy displays, or promoted with price discounts that appeal to younger people. The industry uses bright, colorful imagery on packaging and has historically used branded promotional materials and sponsorships of social events to appeal to youth.

The Seen Enough Tobacco movement is part of broader anti-tobacco efforts that have been successful in reducing cigarette smoking among youth. However, the rise of new products like e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches presents a new challenge. Join the voices who have seen enough tobacco marketing and are saying something  about it – on October 13 and beyond.

Brittany Bozzer

Reality Check Coordinator for Tobacco-Free GOW

Gas prices dip 5 cents nationally, 2 cents in NYS in past week

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 October 2025 at 10:37 am

Gas prices decreased an average of 5 cents per gallon of regular unleaded nationally in the past week, and are down an average of 2 cents per gallons state-wide, according to AAA.

The national average price for a gallon of gasoline is $3.08 while the average price in New York State is $3.16, AAA said today.

“According to the Energy Information Administration, demand for gasoline has fallen to a four-month low, contributing to the continued decline in pump prices,” AAA said. “With the third quarter of 2025 ending in higher gasoline inventories and the seasonal transition from summer-grade to winter-grade fuel, consumers are likely to see even lower prices at the pump in the coming weeks.”

Here are the average prices today for regular unleaded in WNY counties:

  • Orleans, $3.239
  • Genesee, $3.195
  • Niagara, $3.167
  • Monroe, $3.176
  • Livingston, $3.203
  • Wyoming, $3.214
  • Erie, $3.177
  • Chautauqua, $3.285
  • Cattaraugus, $3.145
  • Allegany, $3.192

The ‘Good Roads Movement’ in 1880s sought to improve muddy and rutted roadways

Posted 13 October 2025 at 8:53 am

Photos from Orleans County Department of History Collection – “Transportation Options”

By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian

“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 36

The photo at top shows a lady, wearing the hat and ankle-length skirt of the era, walking along a path. Powerline poles, adorned with glass insulators, line the route.

An automobile approaches. Spooked by this noisy charging machine, the horses have to be led by their drivers. This photograph perfectly captures the old and the new, that brief time when the pivot was tilting from the horse-drawn era to the age of electric power and automobiles.

Road conditions such as those photographed above and directly below led to the formation of the Good Roads Movement in the 1880s. Rural and suburban roads were mostly dirt: muddy and soft when it rained, dusty when dry.

The campaign to improve the roads was initiated by bicyclists who were enjoying the freedom of the roads for the first time. The advent of the automobile further highlighted the problem of muddy roads, as rutted roads damaged vehicles.

“Stuck in the Mud” Burrows Collection, Orleans County Dept. of History Collection

The Good Roads Movement was not without controversy. Who would be responsible for the cost of improving roads? In New York State, some people argued that infrastructure investment had focused too much on the canal and the railroads to the detriment of rural roads. Others argued that the canal and the railroads were far more efficient in transporting goods, so why bother with investing in roads?

Much of the debate focused on whether the condition of the roads impacted farmers. Proponents argued that farmers were socially isolated and hampered in getting access to markets.

Farmers resented the imposition of an extra tax. They also felt that the tax would be used to improve roads other than the roads they needed. This debate was aired in the newspapers right through the 1920s. The Lyndonville Enterprise, for example, ran regular columns of syndicated posts on Good Roads.

In New York State, the issue of payment for road improvements was first addressed by the Higbie-Armstrong* Good Roads Act of 1898 which established cost-sharing between municipalities, counties and the state for the construction of main roads.

The Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 provided matching federal funds for road paving conducted by the states and in 1921, the Federal Aid Highway Act provided funding for paving up to 7% of roads in each state.

Lynn & Bea Burrows on a happier motoring outing. (Burrows Collection)

*Senator William W. Armstrong, who co-sponsored the 1898 Good Roads legislation, spent his early years in Albion. Educated locally, he became a lawyer and was clerk of the Orleans County Board of Supervisors in 1886 and 1887. He later moved to Rochester where he was elected State Senator from 1899-1908.  He died in 1944 and is buried in Mount Albion Cemetery.