Polar Express on pace to draw 25,000 to Medina this holiday season
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Santa and his elves pose in front of the headquarters at the North Pole as they wait for the arrival of the Polar Express on Sunday afternoon. The Polar Express will run for four more weekends.
MEDINA – More than 25,000 people are expected to visit Medina during the next four weekends to ride the Polar Express at Medina Railroad Museum.
The magical train of movie fame will depart the Railroad Museum for the North Pole on the corner of Bolton Road in Gasport for six runs each Saturday and Sunday.
The Museum has acquired use of property by Bolton Road to construct their North Pole site, complete with a permanent work shop, a clock tower and live Christmas trees.
Passengers on the Polar Express receive “the first gift of Christmas,” hot chocolate and a cookie enroute, while elves read and dance through the aisles. Santa also rides the train and visits with youngsters in every car.
When the train pulls into the “North Pole,” Santa and his elves come out of the workshop and wave as the train slows and prepares to stop for its return to the Museum.
Some tickets are still available and may be ordered by visiting the Museum’s website at medinarailroadmuseum.org. Trains depart for the hour-long ride every hour and 20 minutes, from 11:20 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As the Polar Express train from Medina Railroad Museum arrives at the North Pole, Santa and his elves line up in front of the clock tower to welcome it.
Albion girls prepping for early N-O opener
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Albion this season will be this veteran quintet of Aubrey Gannon, Melia Prince, Aaliyah Jones, Madison Muckle and Leah Pawlak.
Five veterans anchor the lineup for Albion which will get the Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball season off to an early start as the Purple Eagles are scheduled to host Akron on December 8 at 6:30 p.m.
The Purple Eagles veteran quintet includes seniors Leah Pawlak, Madison Muckle and Aubrey Gannon along with junior Melia Prince and freshman Aaliyah Jones.
“We did lose four starters but we’ve got good experience back,” said Coach Wil Prince.
The Purple Eagles graduation losses included the starting quartet of Cami London, Julia Knight, Paige Newton and Kenzi Snook.
Albion, which went 4-8 in N-O action and 6-14 overall last season, will tune up for the N-O campaign by visiting Wheatland-Chili on December 2.
Veteran trio set to lead Barker cagers
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Leading Barker into the upcoming season is this veteran trio of Anthony Taliaferro, Donovan Hefferon and Jackson Prynn.
Looking to improve upon last year’s 3-9 league record, Barker has four non league contests scheduled before the Niagara-Orleans home opener against Medina on December 11.
Seniors Donovan Hefferon and Jackson Prynn along with junior Anthony Taliaferro head Barker’s returning group which also includes seniors Carson Schwab, Carson Marvin, Austin Puchlerz and Maico Vazquez. The Bulldogs are also looking to juniors Ashton Ark, Carter DerSarkissian and Peyton Wagner.
“We’ve got good size and pretty good experience back,” said Coach Jake Haight.
Barker is slated to host Lyndonville in the season opener on December 1 at 6:30 p.m. The Bulldogs also have non league games scheduled at Attica on Dec. 3 and home against Notre Dame on Dec. 5 and Alden on Dec. 8.
7 music students from Orleans perform at Area All-State
Photos and information courtesy of Zach Busch, Holley band teacher: (Left) Aurora Avery, left, and Sara Corser performed at Area All-State, representing Lyndonville. (Right) Two Albion students, Gideon Pask and Phoebe Allen, were part of the festival.
CHURCHVILLE – This weekend 7 students from Orleans County participated in the NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Zone 2 Sr. High Area All-State festival at Churchville-Chili High School.
NYSSMA Zone 2 encompasses schools from Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Monroe, Livingston, Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne counties. To be selected for Area All-State, students must first prepare a solo on their instrument or voice for adjudication at Solo Festival.
Then, based on their score and a teacher recommendation, an application is sent to a committee of music teachers from the NYSSMA Zone 2 area who select that year’s student participants in the Area All-State ensembles. Students performing at Area All-State are among the best of the best in the Zone 2 region.
These students include Aidan Kelley of Holley, River Jones of Medina and Elise Olsen of Medina.
Participating students from Orleans County include:
Albion: Gideon Pask, 12th grade – Mixed Choir; and Phoebe Allen, 11th grade – Mixed Choir.
Holley: Aidan Kelley, 11th grade – Symphonic Band.
Lyndonville: Sara Corser, 11th grade – Mixed Choir; and Aurora Avery, 10th grade – Treble Choir.
Medina: River Jones, 11th grade – Symphonic Band; and Elise Olsen, 10th grade – Symphonic Band.
Conducting the Symphonic Band was Dr. Jared Chase of Nazareth University, where he directs the Wind Ensemble. Dr. Chase also conducts the Penfield Symphony. The band performed “Galop” by Dmitri Shostakovich, “Rising Light” by Kevin Charoensrir, and movements from Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”.
Conducting the Treble Choir was Dr. Crystal Sellers Battle of Eastman School of Music where she is the Inaugural Dean of Equity and Inclusion as well as the Director of the George Walker Center for Equity and Inclusion in Music. The treble choir performed works including “Colorful” by Philip E. Silvey, “Keep Your Lamps!” a spiritual arranged by Andre Thomas, and “Shine the Light” by Raymond Wise.
Conducting the Mixed Choir was Mr. Holden Maiorana who serves as the Director of Choirs at Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie, NY. Mr. Maiorana and his choirs have performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the Lincoln Center, as well as in Europe. The mixed choir performed works including “Does the World Say?” by Pederson, “Wisdom of the Moon” by LaBarr – which featured Lyndonville soloist Sarah Corser, and a world premier of “Songs for the People” by Lloyd.
Hawks, Eagles, Tigers have All Tourney picks
Holley, Kendall and Lyndonville have all placed players on the All Tournament teams following the recent Section V soccer playoffs.
The Holley girls team, which won the Class C1 title, is represented by the quartet of Hanna Ostrom, Mia Thom, Brynn Thomas and Jayna Burris
The Hawks boys squad has placed Tarek Garret.
In Class C2, the Kendall girls team has placed the trio of Addison Kludt, Sophia Picardo and Brooke Rodas.
The Eagles boys squad is represented by the threesome of Brandon Barrett, Jonny Conte and Pablo Rosario-Reyes.
Both of the Eagles teams lost in the C2 finals.
In Class D2, the Lyndonville Tigers have placed Jesus Reyes and Colton Smith.
Lady Rams face a busy opening week
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart’s veteran group includes, in front, Adella Dukes, Millie Owens and Peyton May. In back are Brooke Corser, Courtney Aquilina, Abby Fox and Kylie McOmber.
Anchored by a good group of seven returnees, Roy-Hart will be tuning up for the Niagara-Orleans League girls basketball season with a busy slate of three of non league road games the first week of December.
The Lady Rams, which went 6-6 in N-O action and 11-9 overall last year, will visit Kenmore East on December 1, Lyndonville on December 3 (6:30 p.m.) and Niagara-Wheatfield on Dec 5.
Junior Courtney Aquilina, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last year, and junior Adella Dukes, who was a second team honoree, head the Lady Rams veteran contingent. Aquilina had 192 points and 122 rebounds and Dukes 236 points and 158 rebounds.
That veteran group also includes seniors Millie Owens, Kylie McOmber, Abby Fox and Peyton May along with junior Brooke Corser.
“We have a good group back, The key is figuring out everyone’s role,” said Coach Grace Swick.
The Lady Rams also have two more non league games scheduled Dec. 11 home vs. Byron-Bergen and Dec. 16 at Starppint before opening the N-O season at home against Medina on Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Tigers to open season with North Country trip
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Lyndonville’s veteran group includes in front, Sebastian Clark, Colton Smith and Raul Morales. In back are Atticus Mank, Lyric Raduns and Lane Woodworth. Missing is Quincy McClinsey.
The high school basketball season will tip off the day after Thanksgiving as Lyndonville travels to the North Country to compete in the Lafargeville High tournament.
The Tigers will face the host Knights in Friday’s opening round.
This is the second year in a row Lyndonville has competed in the Lafargeville tournament which is a bit of a homecoming for Tigers Coach Rich Augustus who formerly taught and coached there.
Senior Colton Smith and sophomore Lane Woodworth lead Lyndonville’s veteran group which also includes seniors Sebastian Clark and Raul Morales along with juniors Atticus Mank, Lyric Raduns and Quincy McClinsey.
“Most of our scoring is back so we are looking to build off of last year,” said Augustus. “Defense will be key for us.”
Following the North Country trip the Tigers are scheduled to visit Barker for a non league game on December 1 at 6:30 p.m.
125 free turkeys given out to veterans
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Jim Nudd, left, and Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, hand out free turkeys to veterans on Friday. Here, Albion American Legion commander Brad Rouse gets his free turkey.
ALBION – Orleans County veterans received 125 free turkeys for Thanksgiving this year, thanks to support from the Pfc. Joseph Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program.
Nik Mroz, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, and retired veteran Jim Nudd handed out the turkeys on Friday.
One of the first to get his free turkey was Brad Rouse, commander of the Albion American Legion, who praised the give-away program, funded by the Pfc. Joseph Dwyer Peer-to-Peer program.
“This is an excellent program,” Rouse said. “I also picked up one for my vice commander, Bob Gilsinan. We will probably cook both of them for veterans in the Legion.”
Mroz said in total they handed out 1,000 pounds of turkeys. They also do a ham give-away at Easter, passing out 100 hams to veterans.
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Hardware store opens on Main Street in Lyndonville
Photos by Tom Rivers: Allen and Rose Phillips opened Rosenal Hardware today at 29 South Main St. They ran a hardware store in Albion the past two years next to Save-A-Lot before moving the store to Lyndonville.
LYNDONVILLE – Allen Phillips tried to stay retired from the hardware business but he finds he likes to share his knowledge with the public.
He started working with a hardware distributor 50 years ago when he was in high school. He worked as a sales rep for many years, visiting hardware stores all over the region.
He finally retired, but when a new hardware store opened four years ago in Albion, Phillips decided to take a part-time job at Pro Hardware. Not longer after he became the store’s manager and then two years ago, the owner.
He renamed the store, Rosenal Hardware, which is a combination of his wife’s first name and his, Al.
The couple lives in Lyndonville and they decided to move the hardware store closer to their home.
Allen and Rose Phillips chose the name, Rosenal Hardware, as a combination of their first names, Rose and Al. Rosenal Hardware is located a building that saw a major renovation. Lyndonville native Robert Smith owns that site as well as others on Main Street that have been significantly refurbished.
Today was an unofficial opening day at 29 South Main St. They are still settling into the space. Only half of their hardware inventory is currently available at the site.
Phillips said Rosenal has a full array of hardware products, from a paint department to plumbing, electrical, nuts, bolts, rakes, shovels, rock salt, fasteners and many other products. Rosenal sells DeWalt power tools.
Rose and Allen are happy to have the store in Lyndonville, where the couple raised their four daughters: Amanda, Alicia, Rachael and Dana.
Rosenal will be open Monday through Saturday. Call (585) 765-1144 for more information.
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Albion middle schoolers performing Junie B. Jones
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Annabella Dusharm stars as Junie B. Jones in the Albion Middle School’s production of Junie B. Jones, The Musical. Junie B. is a first grader with friendly and bright personality.
She is shown in the opening number: “Top Secret Personal Beeswax.”
Friday was opening night. There also are shows at noon today with the finale at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.
Samiyah Sanders plays the role of Mrs. Gutzman, who is loved by the class for baking the best brownies and other treats. Samiyah and the cast are singing, “Gladys Gutzman Queen of Snacks.”
Sutton Sanders plays Lucille, center, who was Junie’s best friend but has ditched her for two new friends, Kinzie Rickner as Camille and Nadalee Ryan as Chenille. The three have rhyming names and Junie bemoans no other names rhyme with hers. This trio is singing, “Lucille, Camille, Chenille.”
Kenya N. Bennett plays the role of Miss Scary, the teacher. She instructs the class to choose a word from the list and draw a picture of it.
Junie tries on her glasses. Her teacher suggested she might need them when Junie struggled to see the chalkboard. Junie worries the kids at school will make fun of her because of her glasses, but they tell her she looks good in them.
Orleans quartet on GCC basketball squad
Contributed Photos – Orleans players on the GCC women’s basketball squad include, from left, Samantha Bates, Alivia Wolf, Madison Hughson and Julia Knight.
This season’s Genesee Community College women’s basketball team lineup includes four Orleans County players.
That quartet included Albion graduates sophomore Madison Hughson and freshman Julia Knight along with Holley grads sophomore Samantha Bates and freshman Alivia Wolf.
Bates and Wolf also both played on the GCC women’s soccer team which captured the Region III championship and went on to place fourth at the national championship tournament.
The Niagara-Orleans League is also represented on the GCC squad basketball by sophomore Sloan Jonathan from Akron.
Four former Genesee Region League players are also on the GCC squad including freshman Seneca Calderon and sophomore Elle Peterson from Pembroke, freshman Janessa Amesbury from Byron-Bergen and freshman Sydney Reilly from Elba.
Volunteers, including many cheerleaders, step up with extra food distribution in Albion
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s been over five years that Community Action of Orleans & Genesee has been organizing a food distribution with Foodlink in Albion. These events have always been in the morning – until Friday when there was one beginning at 4:30 p.m. The top photo was taken about 5 p.m. when the distribution was halfway over.
Foodlink gave Albion an extra distribution due to the delays with getting SNAP benefits caused by the federal government shutdown.
Volunteers in one hour filled 200 boxes with food and placed them in the trunks of vehicles that were at the large Albion municipal lot at 165 South Platt St.
Community Action was grateful for the extra distribution on Friday but the agency wondered about having volunteers to help pack the food into boxes and deliver it to a parking lot full of vehicles.
Community Action had a big group of volunteers on Friday, with a group of 14 cheerleaders providing the most manpower.
Jami Allport is the Albion cheerleading coach and also executive director of the Genesee-Orleans Ministry of Concern. The cheerleaders also will be ringing the bell for the Red Kettle Drive to raise money for local residents in need.
There were people who haven’t been to a food distribution before due to the time later in the afternoon. The morning start time prevents many from those food distributions.
Ryan Lasal, director of community programming for Community Action, said the agency will reach out to Foodlink about alternating the times in the future, with a morning distribution one month and then the afternoon time the following month.
Jackie Dunham, chief operating officer at Community Action, was among the volunteers helping with the food distribution on Friday evening.
Other upcoming distributions in Orleans County include:
- Orleans Cornell Cooperative Extension, 12690 State Route 31, on Monday, December 1 beginning at 10 a.m. Pre-registration is strongly suggested. Those who pre-register will be assigned timeslots for pickup (12-12:30, 12:30-1, 1-1:30. 1:30-2 p.m.) Pre-register at 585-798-4265. Walk-ins may start at 2 p.m.
- Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, 107 North Main St., on Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 9:30 a.m. (No registration required.)
- Community Action at Albion municipal lot at 165 South Platt St. on Monday, Dec. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. (No preregistration required.) Community Action also has the schedule for the first six months of 2026: Jan. 12, Feb. 9, March 9, April 13, May 11 and June 8.
Five N-O League Field Hockey players earn All-WNY and All State honors
Photos by Cheryl Wertman and contributed – Akron’s honorees Madigan Regan, Morgan Tomporowski and Marissa Brege.
Medina’s Penelope Schalck and Barker’s Kaylee Stoll.
Five Niagara-Orleans League field hockey players have been named to both the All Western New York first team and to the Class C All State squad.
N-0 champion Akron is represented by the trio seniors Marissa Brege and Morgan Tomporowski along with junior Madigan Regan. Brege has also been named to the Class C state playoffs All Tournament team.
Tomporowski scored 49 goals and Regan had 4 goals and 18 assists while Brege made 50 saves in goal and had a 0.29 goals against average.
Barker has placed senior Kaylee Stoll who had 2 goals and 8 assists.
Medina is represented by senior Penelope Schalck who had 23 goals and 8 assists.
Three N-O players have also been named to the All WNY second team including Akron juniors Madison Gates and Alexis Salmon and Barker senior Madelina Pavlock.
The N-O also has two All WNY Honorable Mention selections in Medina senior Sophia Castricone and Roy-Hart junior Adella Dukes.
