Family Court in Orleans County allows mental health stigma, not science, to disrupt lives
Editor:
For too long, primary care parents in Orleans County have been railroaded by a family court system that claims to serve justice, yet routinely operates in secrecy, without medical expertise, and with little regard for the real impacts on children and families.
Until COVID, Judge Sandy Church held family court proceedings in the large, public courtroom upstairs—where the community could witness the decisions that shape lives. Today, those cases are pushed into a smaller, first-floor courtroom, out of sight, away from the eyes and accountability of the public. Why hide, if there’s nothing to hide?
Even more alarming: prior to the pandemic, Judge Church had the benefit of a mental health advocate who sat in on court sessions. That advocate would meet with him in chambers after hearings to provide context, education, and a professional perspective on mental health and addiction.
This safeguard helped ensure that families weren’t dismantled by a lack of understanding. Now, that safeguard is gone. Families are being judged—and too often punished—based solely on one man’s opinion, without medical guidance, without professional input, and without accountability.
We cannot allow a system that decides the fate of children and parents to operate in darkness. Family court should not be a place where stigma outweighs science, or where ignorance of mental health is allowed to destroy lives. It should be transparent, informed, and accountable to the public it serves.
Our community deserves better. Orleans County deserves a family court that prioritizes the well-being of children, respects the rights of parents, and seeks professional expertise before issuing life-altering decisions.
Until then, every parent who enters that courtroom is at risk of being failed—not because of their ability to parent, but because of a system designed to silence and control rather than support and understand.
It’s time for change. And it starts with us demanding it.
Sincerely,
Courtney Henderson
Albion
Worlds Canals Conference makes stop in Medina today, with Seneca Chief boat due on Thursday
Photo by Aidin Bharti/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul – Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks on Monday during the opening of the World Canals Conference in Buffalo, which is during the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial year.
MEDINA – The World Canals Conference is in Buffalo this week, and today a group of about 85 people will be in Medina as one of four field visits with the conference.
In Medina, the group will visit the Medina Triennial headquarters, the Bent’s Opera House, Canal Culvert in Ridgeway, the First Baptist Church, Shirt Factory and downtown. The group will be on two buses and will head over to visit Lockport around noon.
The Medina-Lockport field trip has a focus on how art and history have helped spur downtown revitalization.
Other field trips include North Tonawanda and Lockport with a focus on waterfront revitalization and economic development; Niagara Falls and the Welland Canal with a focus on the Underground Railroad and freedom seekers who crossed the Niagara River to live in Canada.
A field session in Brockport and Fairport shows how those canal communities use the historic waterway for recreation, access, and accessibility.
The Seneca Chief, a replica of the Erie Canal boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the canal for its maiden voyage in 1825, will depart Buffalo on Wednesday morning to recreate the governor’s famous trip from 200 years ago.
The Seneca Chief will embark on a 33-day journey that will end in New York City on Oct. 26, the official anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal. The boat will reach Medina on Thursday and stay overnight before continuing east on Friday to Brockport.
During remarks on Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted 2025 as the Erie Canal’s Bicentennial year. About 500 people are in Buffalo for the conference.
“The Erie Canal is more than a waterway; it is a symbol of perseverance and progress,” Hochul said. “Two hundred years ago, it stood as a marvel for innovation and determination fueling America’s growth and opening pathways of opportunity. Today, as we celebrate its bicentennial, I am honored to welcome the world to Buffalo, my hometown, for the 2025 World Canals Conference. Together, we will carry forward the Erie Canal’s legacy as a global symbol of connection, commerce, and possibility for the next century and beyond.”
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Seneca Chief is shown in Medina on Aug. 12, 2024. The boat is a reproduction of the original 73-foot-long Seneca Chief boat that opened the Erie Canal in 1825. It was the first boat to travel the canal from Buffalo to New York City. It will be back in medina on Thursday before heading east on Friday to Brockport.
Local trio playing collegiate soccer
Contributed Photos – Local players competing in collegiate soccer this season is this trio of, from left, Holley graduate Chris Mosier who is a freshman forward at Genesee Community College, Roy-Hart grad Peter Martillotta who is a junior forward at Russell Sage College majoring in Physical Education and Holley grad Cameron Bates who is a junior midfielder at Keuka College majoring in Sports Management.
Knights-Kaderli 5K and basket raffle planned for Oct. 4 in East Shelby
Photo by Tom Rivers: A group walks down East Shelby Road on Oct. 7, 2023 for the 35th annual walk/run for the Knights-Kaderli Fund. The Knights and Kaderli families estimate that more than $1 million has been used from the fund since it was established, helping cover some of the utilities, co-pays and other bills for people fighting cancer in Orleans County.
MEDINA – For the past 37 years, the community has gathered for a walk/run to support patients living with cancer in Orleans County.
The Knights-Kaderli Walk/Run began when two families – those of Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli – decided to join their fundraising efforts in memory of their loved ones into one event.
“This year we are happy to celebrate our 37th annual Knights-Kaderli Walk on Oct 4,” said Stacey Knights Pellicano, Knights-Kaderli board member and daughter of Richard Knights. “This is our favorite time of year. We look forward to being with all of our supporters. If you have ever participated in our event, you understand the energy of that day. It gives us hope and unites participants.”
The walk/run will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 4 at East Shelby Volunteer Fire Hall. Registration fee is $20 and participants are encouraged to ask their friends and neighbors for small sponsorship donations. Every dollar helps, Pellicano said. There is also a large basket raffle for the Knights-Kaderli Fund that morning at the East Shelby Firehall.
The 5K will continue as an untimed walk/run, so registrants can participate in a leisurely walk with family and friends, or set their watches for a 5K run. As always, participants and the community are encouraged to participate in their basket raffle. Lunch will be served immediately after the race and guests may eat outside under the pavilion. Everyone is urged to photograph their experience and tag Knights-Kaderli on Facebook and Instagram at #KnightsKaderli5K for some fun prizes.
Richard Knights and Sue Kaderli were both lifelong residents of Orleans County. Knights died from cancer at age 38 in 1984. Kaderli passed away from the disease at age 52 in 1989.
“They were both known for their spirit of community and we are honored to remember them in this way,” Pellicano said.
Funds are raised through annual events and various contributions made by individuals, organizations and memorials.
The Knights-Kaderli Memorial Fund is a tax-exempt 501©3 organization, run by a board of directors, with no administrative costs. Money raised is used for the benefit of Orleans County cancer patients, to help them with medical supplies, nutritional supplements and prescriptions, transportation or day-to-day living.
For more information or financial assistance, contact Mary Zelazny at (585) 746-8455, Melissa Knights Bertrand at (716) 983-7932 or Pellicano at (716) 998-0977.
Participants may register for the walk/run online (click here). Those unable to participate are asked to consider a direct donation through Venmo@knightskaderli.
Boxwood at Night returns Oct. 4 at historic cemetery in Medina
Photos courtesy of Friends of Boxwood: The Burroughs family plot is shown at left. Shawna Baldwin recites Edgar Allan Poe (right).
Press Release, Friends of Boxwood Cemetery
MEDINA – The Friends of Boxwood Cemetery, in Medina, are excited to announce the fourth annual, “Boxwood at Night: See the Cemetery in a New Light.”
This year’s event will be on October 4. Tickets cost $20 and there will be two time slots: 7 to 8 p.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. The time slots are when you can enter. Once you are checked in, you are welcome to stay until the event ends at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are limited to the first 300 people so you will want to get your tickets before they sell out.
“Guests will take a leisurely walk through the cemetery at their own pace in a relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere,” said event co-chair, Nicole Bensley. “I’m especially excited by the new entertainment and the partnership with Paradise Fest NY to provide even more dramatic lighting to the cemetery.”
This is the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery’s biggest fundraiser of the year and the funds will go to completing the Potter’s Field memorial.
Tickets are available during business hours at the English Rose Tea Shoppe and Thistle Ridge – both places are on Main Street in Medina. Tickets will also be available at the Canal Village Farmers Market in Medina on Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. As an added convenience, you may also purchase tickets using a credit card by going online.
Raffle tickets will also be available to purchase at the Farmers Market booth and again at the event.
This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by GO Art!
“We are proud to partner once again with GO Art! to make this a special event for the community,” said Robbie Klino, president of the Friends of Boxwood Cemetery. “It is through their generous support, and the support of businesses and individuals throughout the community that will allow us to put on a spectacular night of entertainment featuring several local artists.”
Kendall blanks W-C to stay unbeaten at 8-0
Staying undefeated Kendall shutout visiting Wheatland-Chili 4-0 in a Genesee Region League boys soccer game this evening.
Brenden Eichas scored two goals for Kendall as Pablo Rosario-Reyes and Brandon Barrett each had one.
Jonny Conte earned the shutout in goal.
The Eagles are now 5-0 in the league and 8-0 overall at the halfway point of the regular season.
Byron-Bergen 4, Lyndonville 1
Raul Morales scored Lyndonville’s goal off an assist from Colton Smith in the Tigers 4-1 G-R loss at Byron-Bergen.
Lyndonville is now 4-2 in G-R action.
Akron downs Medina in N-O girls soccer
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Lillian Maynard works to get around Akron’s Rilyn Snyder during this evening’s Niagara-Orleans League game at Vets Park which was won by the visiting Lady Tigers.
Seven players scored goals as Akron blanked Medina 9-0 in a Niagara-Orleans League girls soccer game this evening at Vets Park.
Rilyn Snyder and Kylie Karmazyn both scored two goals for the Lady Tigers as Olivia Novak, Brooke Warren, Hannah Liss, Clara Bogdan and Naomi Romesser each netted one.
Akron is now 2-2-1 and Medina 0-3 in N-O action.
Roy-Hart 2, Newfane 1
Roy-Hart improved to 4-1 in N-O action with a 2-1 win over Newfane.
Maria Trombley scored both goals for the Lady Rams as Ruth Walker and Kaylie Churchill had the assists.
Stephanie Chunco scored Newfane’s goal on a penalty kick.
Wilson 7, Albion 0
Front running Wilson shutout Albion 7-0 to improve to 4-0.
N-O Boys Soccer
League leading Wilson improved to 4-0 with a 12-0 win over Albion which slips to 1-2-1 and Roy-Hart lost to Newfane 4-1.
Aidan Neumann scored 6 goals for Wilson.
Attica tops Lady Tigers in G-R volleyball
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s Emily Dill serves up a point during the host Lady Tigers 25-22, 25-17, 26-24 Genesee Region League volleyball loss to Attica this evening. Dill had 4 kills on the evening, Hannah Fox 6 kills and 2 aces, Leah Kenyon 5 kills, Ainsley Vann 3 kills and Elena Barry 1 ace. In another G-R match Oakfield-Alabama downed Holley 25-23, 25-17, 25-17. For O-A, Kendall Newbould has 7 aces, Chloe Luttrell 6 kills and Bella Andrews 3 aces. For Holley, Ali VanAmeron had 6 kills and 4 aces and Desiree McCormick 5 kills.
Mustangs rebound to post win over Tigers
Getting back onto the winning track, Medina rolled to a 6-0 win at Akron in a Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer game this afternoon.
Aleks Seefeldt scored two goals as Luke Duffina, Caden Kingsbury, Aidan Papaj and Izzy Anderson each chipped in with one for Medina which bounced back from last week’s 4-1 loss to front running Wilson.
Seefeldt, Anderson, Kingsbury, Vinny Gray, Owen Sargent and Colvin Poole each had an assist.
River Jones earned the shutout in goal as Duffina, Sargent, Ryan Pegelow and Jimmy Dieter anchored the defense.
The Mustangs are now 3-1 and the Tigers 1-2 in N-O action.
Roy-Hart spikers post win over Lockport
Roy-Hart scored a straight set 25-8, 25-23, 25-22 win over Lockport in a non league volleyball match this evening.
Grace Pearl had 11 kills, Lauren Snyder 8 kills and 4 aces, Zoe Healy 4 kills, Peyton May 6 aces and Ryleigh Capen 25 assists to lead the way for the Lady Rams.
Byron-Bergen 25-25-25, Albion 18-10-8
Byron-Bergen bested Albion 25-18, 25-10, 25-8 in another non league volleyball match.
Anna Grillo had 2 aces and 24 digs for Albion.
Roy-Hart locks up N-O golf championship
Roy-Hart put a lock on outright possession of the Niagara-Orleans League golf championship with a 221-269 victory over Medina this afternoon.
The N-O title is the first since 1986 for Roy-Hart which improves to 11-0.
Gavin Heideman took medalist honors with a 39 for the Rams as Evan Poeller and Blake Stahl both shot 43.
Cam Fike had a 41 and Tyler Draper a 46 to lead Medina.
In other N-O action, Albion downed Barker 232-255.
Drew Pritchard took medalist honors with a 42 for Albion as Gavin Boyce shot 45, Owen Spencer 47 and Luke Bedford 48.
JJ Prynn had a 46 and Hudson Prynn a 49 for Barker.
Albion is now 8-2.
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Citizen preparedness class available on Thursday at CCE
Provided photo: Those who attend the class will receive a free disaster preparedness kit.
KNOWLESVILLE – There is still time to register for citizens preparedness class set for this 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Trolley Building of the Cornell Cooperative Extension on Route 31.
September is National Preparedness Month, and the Emergency Management Office in Orleans County is working to educate the community on how to prepare.
The class on Thursday is free, but registration is required – simply to ensure that National Guard can bring enough emergency kits to distribute to those who attend.
The mission of these training classes is to give residents the tools and resources to prepare for any type of disaster, respond accordingly and recover as quickly as possible. The course provides an introduction to responding to natural or man-made disasters.
Participants are advised on how to properly develop family emergency plans and stock up on emergency supplies. Those who attend a class will be given a free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kit (one per family) containing key items to assist in the aftermath of a disaster.
“For our community, these classes are extremely beneficial in helping the everyday resident to prepare for the different weather events that impact us,” said Justin Niederhofer, the county’s emergency management director. “The classes are taught by the Army National Guard and offer a quick synopsis of various events experienced regionally, the impact they had and how individuals and families can take steps to minimize the impacts of similar events in the future.”
To register for the event, visit www.prepare.ny.gov and click on the training calendar to find the event you would like to attend.
Kendall sets Oct. 1 ribbon-cutting for new elementary school playground
Image courtesy of Kendall Central School: The new elementary school playground at Kendall is designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. The playground includes ground-level entry points, durable turf surfacing, and equipment designed to accommodate children with limited mobility.
Press Release, Kendall Central School
KENDALL – Kendall Central School invites the public to the official ribbon cutting ceremony for its new elementary school playground on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kendall Elementary School, 1932 Kendall Rd.
The celebration will mark the opening of Kendall’s first community-accessible playground, which is a one-of-a-kind facility in the Northeast that will serve both students and families for years to come.
“I am beyond excited to finally share the finished product with our school and larger community,” said Superintendent Nick Picardo. “Our early vision was to ensure that our students and residents had a space to come and spend time with family and friends right in our community. I believe this playground will become a central place for families to gather, play, and enjoy the outdoors right here in Kendall.”
The playground was made possible through the district’s 2023 Capital Project Vote and features cutting-edge structures including the Volo Aire, a multi-level climbing tower with covered slides that is the first of its kind on the East Coast. Other highlights include a zipline, We-Go-Round, We-Saws, swings, climbing mounds, chill spinners, and shaded seating areas.
Designed with accessibility at its core, the playground includes ground-level entry points, durable turf surfacing, and equipment designed to accommodate children with limited mobility. Dedicated areas for both younger and older elementary students ensure that children of all ages can play safely and comfortably.
This new addition is a major milestone not just for the district, but for the region: a protected design radius has been placed around Kendall, ensuring that no other nearby playgrounds will feature the same exclusive components.
“In early January 2025, with a completed design in hand, the superintendent received a frantic call from me thanks to a brand-new, never-before-seen structure having just been released to the market,” said Andy Walsh, Genesee Regional Manager of Parkitects. “Under Nick Picardo’s leadership and with the support of the Kendall team, the decision was made to pivot and include the first Volo Aire in New York State. That bold move brought one of the most inclusive and accessible tower structures ever built to the Kendall community.”
Planning for the playground began with a unique focus on student voice and research. A student-led committee worked alongside staff and design experts to test playgrounds across Western New York and cast votes on preferred features—including the curly slide, which won by a landslide during Kendall’s own “Voting Day.”
“This vibrant new space is more than just a place to play, it’s a reflection of our community’s creativity, collaboration, and commitment to joyful learning,” said Elementary Principal Kevin Watson. “From the first sketch to the final bolt, this playground was designed with our students in mind. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built together. We invite you to come explore, play, and celebrate with us. This playground is a gift to our students, families, and neighbors, and we can’t wait to see it filled with laughter and joy!”
The community is encouraged to attend the ribbon cutting on Oct. 1 to explore the new playground and celebrate this exciting milestone. For more information about the new playground, visit http://www.kendallschools.org/playground or follow @kendallcsd on Facebook.
Lyndonville Presbyterians plan homecoming celebration Oct. 11-12
Church will dedicate refurbished pipe organ, celebrate people featured on quilt from 1987
Photo courtesy of Lyndonville Presbyterian Church: This quilt was made in 1987 by a Sunday School class at Lyndonville Presbyterian Church.
Press Release, The Rev. Martha Mitchell, pastor of Lyndonville Presbyterian Church
LYNDONVILLE – Eight years ago, when I first came to Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, a parishioner rescued a quilt from storage in the church basement.
We hung it in our dining hall. Since then it has fascinated people who wander in. Some head right over saying, “My name is on this quilt!”
The Sunday School class made it in 1987 when the church was the United Presbyterian Church. Ever since we placed it for public display, we have dreamed of hosting a homecoming.
We are hoping that many of the people on the quilt will materialize in person. They are now parents or even grandparents. Some of the leaders are deceased. We thought it would be fun for people to reunite who once knew LPC and contributed to its history.
Saturday, October 11th, we invite anyone who ever had any connection with Lyndonville Presbyterian Church to come on over and mingle at 107 North Main St.
- 11a.m. to 3 p.m. family activities like ring toss, cornhole, a fishpond, chalk drawing (so you can fill up our parking lot with chalk art), pumpkin decorating and more.
- Beef on Weck lunch at noon, free will offering.
- Photo Booth so that we can get as many photos as possible to correspond to the names on the quilt for an updated picture quilt.
Sunday, October 12th, we are dedicating our refurbished pipe organ during our special musical worship service at 10:30 a.m. Once again, all are invited to join us.
A coffee hour follows worship, so come peek in and see where you once spent time. Or just come join us for two days of wonderful celebrations whether you’re an old friend or a brand-new curiosity seeker.
Bring your whole family and head over. We look forward to seeing you on October 11th or 12th or both!
