Albion and Medina win cross-country openers
Albion and Medina scored wins on the road today to open the Niagara-Orleans League cross-country season.
Albion scored a sweep over Roy-Hart and Wilson at Wilson while Medina split at Newfane.
The Albion boys defeated Wilson 15-50 and Roy-Hart 17-44. Roy-Hart bested Wilson 15-50 in the other portion of the meet.
Albion swept the top four finishing places. Stryker Sanders led the Purple Eagles to the finish line followed by Rowe Bouchey, Matt Bloom and Justin Mengs.
The Albion girls downed Wilson 15-50 and Roy-Hart 25-34. Roy-Hart also topped Wilson 15-50.
Wilson’s Hayden Barlow won the race. She was followed by the Roy-Hart duo of Marissa Bryant and Samantha Silsby and Albion’s Adele Mathes.
The Medina boys downed Newfane 22-39 led by the 1-3 finish of Cole Hughes and Jonathan Dix.
Newfane won the girls meet 15-50 led by Eden Hillman.
Barker also split with Akron winning the boys meet 20-43 and losing the girls contest 15-50.
Akron’s Quinn O’Malley won the boys race. He was followed by the Barker duo of Grayson Prynn and Logan Wagner.
The Akron girl were led by the 1-2-3 finish of Aleece O’Malley, Abby Bower and Kylee Rebmann.
Reporter feels strong connection to local rural cemetery with Revolutionary War soldier
Ginny Kropf at 7 or 8 years of age is standing in the road with the Roberts Homestead on the left, with her home down the road on the right and the East Shelby Methodist Church (now East Shelby Community Bible Church) up the hill on the left.
SHELBY – It was with great interest I read about the cemetery tours being offered by the Orleans County Historical Association this past summer.
The tour for Aug. 2 featured Maple Ridge Cemetery, which just happens to be on the property where I grew up. I lived with my uncle and aunt, Murray and Helen Baker, and the cemetery was a favorite place to play for my friend Barbara Boyle (now Schreiber) who lived across the road.
The cemetery was unkept, and weeds were knee-high. There were woodchuck holes which we had to be careful not to step in. We looked at the names on the gravestones, but none of them made any difference to us, other than we did note there was a Revolutionary War soldier buried there. We tried to climb the taller gravestones, and never did any damage. A favorite thing was eating the black caps which grew wild there.
So it was with great joy when nearly two years ago I was able to cover an event in the cemetery honoring a Revolutionary War soldier buried there. How or who discovered the grave I don’t remember. It may have been when his great-great-great-great-grandson James Walker from Pontiac, Michigan discovered the burial location after years of searching for information on his ancestor.
Walker contacted the Sons of the American Legion in Rochester and they secured a marker which was placed on the grave of Benjamin Darling in a ceremony which included members of the Sons from Buffalo and Rochester, a reading by Walker and a firing squad.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: (Left) An American and Revolutionary War flag fly in the breeze as a member of the Rochester Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution plays Taps during a ceremony on Oct. 27, 2024 at the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Darling in Maple Ridge Cemetery. (Right) A firing squad from the Rochester Chapter of Sons of the American Revolution fire a musket salute over the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Darling in Maple Ridge Cemetery.
During the ceremony it occurred to me that Benjamin had to have lived in the town of Shelby and I asked Walker if he knew where. He said after spending years trying to locate his Revolutionary War relative, he knew nothing else of him, other than the company he served with and where he fought.
I realized that Benjamin belonged to the same company and served in the same battle as my great-great-great grandfather Daniel Roberts. Then I became obsessed to learn where Benjamin had lived. I contacted Catherine Cooper, Orleans County historian. The only thing she could find is that he lived in the sixth house on the east side of East Shelby Road and he had a son who was a master builder and was credited with building many fine structures in the town.
That really piqued my interest, because the Roberts homestead (which was the first house south of East Shelby Community Bible Church and since burned down by vandals) was indeed a very fine structure. It was large and square with an upper balcony and center staircase leading to a sitting room at the top of the stairs.
As a young child growing up in the next house northeast of the mansion, we used to visit our great-aunts who lived there almost every day. A huge woodshed was attached at the back of the house, and an indoor outhouse was attached to that. I can remember clearly going in there in the winter and the wind would be blowing right up through the holes. A Montgomery Ward catalog hooked over a nail was our toilet paper.
They had “running water” in the form of a pump in a sink in the dining room, adjacent to the kitchen. A formal living room on the northeast corner was large and had a Victrola/Gramophone) there. The room was never used as I remember.
Now I am obsessed to learn if Benjamin’s son might have been the builder of that house.
Ginny Kropf, Larry Boyle and Barbara Boyle (Schreiber) in the driveway where I grew up on Maple Ridge Road. The peach orchard is behind us and the Maple Ridge Cemetery is behind the peach orchard.
My oldest son Randy has taken an interest in genealogy, and some months after the cemetery ceremony, I got an e-mail from him with a map from the 1800s showing the four corners in Millville, with location of homes and owners. It shows a Darling lived the last house on the south side of 31A , which begins just past the “Y” in the road where County House Road and 31A begin. Another Darling (which we know was Benjamin) lived six houses south on East Shelby Road, which I assume to be where Meyers lived when I was young and where Mr. Gardner lives now.
But I know of no way to document who built the Roberts Homestead. What a coincidence it would be if it were Benjamin Darling’s son!
I am happy, however, to have been able to provide James Walker with a little more information than he previously knew about his Revolutionary War ancestor.
It should also be noted that a marker designating the name of the cemetery was placed on Maple Ridge Road a few years ago and the town of Shelby has taken over its care. Old bushes and trees have been removed and the grass is kept mowed.
Barbara and I have been planning to go there and walk around.
Scout gives Clarendon Historical Society new sign for his Eagle project
Provided photos
CLARENDON – The Clarendon Historical Society has a new sign on the group’s property on Route 31A at 16426 Fourth Section Rd.
Tyler Moore, wearing yellow shirt, led the effort for the new sign, which was installed on Saturday.
Materials for the sign were donated by Stockham Lumber in Holley and Ken and Katie Spohr of Troop 94. The Clarendon Lions Club also donated funds towards the sign.
The sign was cut and routed by Ken Shaw of Troop 94 and Jeremy Neal of Albion.
Volunteers included the Troop 94 leaders of Ken and Katie Spohr, and Randy Moore; Nicole Jurzysta, Mark Laitenberger, Jesse Smith, Bert Mathes and Merri Mathes as well as the scouts in Troop 94.
Nearly 2,000 gather for photo celebrating 150 years of Albion school district
Photos courtesy of Albion Central School
ALBION – The school district gathered on Friday for a group photo to celebrate 150 years of the school district. This year there are 1,649 students and 278 staff members.
The district did a similar photo 25 years ago, gathering on the football field, for a group photo. That time it was for the 125th anniversary.
The district will be celebrating the milestone anniversary throughout the year, especially during homecoming on Oct. 5 through Oct. 10, the 150th day of the school year and with other activities.
One of the teachers, Tim Archer, is working with students on a 150th anniversary booklet about the district that was established in 1876.
Church choir from Albion sings anthem at Red Wings game
Photos courtesy of Mike Thaine
ROCHESTER – The choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Albion sang the national anthem just before the Rochester Red Wings game on labor day, Sept. 7.
The Red Wings would go on to defeat the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 3-1.
The choir received an enthusiastic response from the standing-room only crowd, with one long-time usher remarking that it was one of the top anthem renditions of the season, one of the church members said.
Pictured from left in row one: Anna Symons, Martha Batt, Annette Mannella, Pastor & Choir Director Sue Thaine, Amanda Krenning-Muoio and Jeanine Baron. Second row: Donna Eisermann, Maggie Martin, Kevin Gardner, Tod Symons, Erin Moody, Alec Sherman and Shirley Mazourek-Murray. (Missing from photo: Sharon Anderson and Marietta Schuth)
The choir’s performance was projected on the ESL Ballpark’s Jumbotron scoreboard.
Schumer: Job Corps will remain open after Trump Administration rescinds closure plans
Iroquois Job Corps in Medina employs over 100, with space for 225 students
Photos by Tom Rivers: U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer was in Medina on Aug. 5, 2025 outside Brunner to show his support for the Iroquois Job Corps Center, one of 99 that was targeted for closure by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Press Release, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer
A new federal settlement agreement between Job Corps and the Trump administration includes protections against the closing of Job Corps campuses and stopping of operations, among other provisions.
Schumer explained that the Job Corps centers and programming help train tens of thousands of students across America each year, including thousands in New York, providing them with the skills they need to enter in-demand fields.
“When the Trump administration announced that Job Corps was going to be eliminated, I got to work to protect it—traveling across Upstate New York to stand shoulder to shoulder with students, staff, and small businesses that have seen firsthand the benefits of this program,” Schumer said ina news release.
This sign on Route 63 in Shelby notes the Iroquois Job Corps, a center with space for up to 225 students served by 104 full-time equivalent employees.
“Today, I’m proud to announce that the administration has officially backed off its ill-conceived plan to close one of America’s largest workforce training programs,” he said. “Saving Job Corps is a win-win-win because students get the skills they need to get a good job, small businesses get the trained workforce they need to grow, and Upstate communities get a boost to their economies. Job Corps is about more than training. It’s about giving people across Upstate New York a pathway to a good-paying career, strengthening local communities, and building the healthcare, construction, and manufacturing workforce that will keep our state strong. And I’ll always fight to protect it.”
After hearing about Trump’s proposed cuts, Schumer traveled to Job Corps centers across Upstate New York, from the Iroquois Job Corps center in Orleans County to the Cassadaga Job Corps center in Chautauqua County and the Oneonta Job Corps Center in Otsego County, to stand with students, staff, and small business owners and demand we protect this vital pipeline for skilled workers to fill jobs. Earlier this year, the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill rejected Trump’s call to eliminate Job Corps and instead provides $1.76 billion in federal funding to keep them open. Schumer also secured language that blocks the closure of Job Corps centers unless such closures meet specific requirements.
In May 2025, Trump paused operations at Job Corps centers nationwide. Afterward, a federal judge temporarily blocked Trump from shutting down Job Corps centers, and another federal judge said operations must resume until the previous case is resolved. Schumer explained that the Trump administration not only attempted to shut down Job Corps centers, but in his budget request, Trump said he wanted to totally zero out funding for the program, effectively killing the program without needing the approval of federal courts.
In addition to fighting back on Trump’s proposed elimination of funds for Job Corps in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, Schumer led efforts in the Senate to oppose the Trump administration’s destructive and potentially illegal actions like pausing existing funds for the Job Corps centers.
Schumer called on U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to protect Job Corps and demanded answers on these destructive efforts. Due to Schumer’s leadership, the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education funding bill rejected Trump’s call to eliminate Job Corps and instead provides $1.76 billion in federal funding—consistent with the previous year—to keep them open and includes language to protect against efforts to illegally shut down specific centers.
Schumer said Job Corps centers have helped millions of young people ages 16 to 24 finish high school, learn technical skills, and get jobs in in-demand fields such as healthcare and construction.
Low-income and at-risk young people have received stable housing and healthcare while developing the skills they need to get good-paying jobs after graduation. Across Upstate NY, centers in Albany, Sullivan, Orleans, Otsego and Chautauqua counties serve thousands of young New Yorkers and employ over 500 staff.
To learn more about Job Corps, visit www.jobcorps.gov, or to apply, visit https://enroll.jobcorps.gov.
90-and-older get praise at event in Holley
Long-time residents celebrated for ‘countless contributions’ to community
Photos by Tom Rivers: Margaret Roggow waves after being recognized for reaching 90 years. She was among nine residents and former residents honored during a celebration on Friday in Holley for people in the community who have turned 90 since the last celebration two years ago.
HOLLEY – The Holley community wants to send a message to its oldest residents: you are appreciated and valued for your long-term commitment to the area.
The Village of Holley and Towns of Murray and Clarendon on Friday honored nine residents who have turned 90 since the last celebration for nonagenarians (people in their 90s).
On Friday, the honorees included Margaret Roggow of Holley, Betty Knight of Murray, Dorothy Freestone of Murray, Joseph Salvatore of Murray, Orrin VanOrden of Clarendon, Roy Kenyon of Murray, Betty Rex of Murray, Mary Brocksopp of Murray and Marion Myers of Clarendon.
Holley Mayor Mark Bower greets Dorothy Freestone of Murray and her son Scott Morgan. Freestone is 93 years old. She attended a celebration at the American Legion on Friday.
Clarendon Town Supervisor Marc Major, left, and Murray Town Supervisor Gerald Rightmyer commended the long-term residents.
The two towns plus the Village of Holley issued a joint proclamation for residents who have reached 90 since September 2024:
“We have all been so enriched by the countless contributions these individuals and their families have made to our communities,” the proclamation states.
“We do also encourage all of our residents to recognize, appreciate, respect and honor each of these women and men in as many ways as they possibly can.”
Roy Kenyon waves after being acknowledged during Friday’s celebration.
There are about 2 million Americans are 90 or older among the U.S. population of 340 million, which is about .06 percent of the overall population. The 90-and-older are a fast-growing demographic, the U.S. Census Bureau reports.
“You are part of a select group who possess the history of the places you have lived,” Clarendon Town Supervisor Marc Major stated. “It means that through your own life’s ups and downs, you have gained so much insight. It also means you great insight to share with the rest of us.”
Holley mayor Mark Bower shared that he was eating at Sam’s Diner with his wife Karen in 2022, when he first became mayor. In a booth near theirs, was Bower’s aunt Betty Passarell and Jane Petty. Jane was already over age 90.
Bower and his wife reflected on people in Holley they knew who were over 90.
“It struck us both that many times, communities forget about us as we get older,” Bower said. “I wanted to change that by doing something that put the focus solely on our 90 and older residents.”
There have been celebrations for the nonagenarians in 2022, 2024 and now in 2026.
Previous honorees include Dorothy Barringer, Rose Gifaldi, Jane Perra, Isabelle Wager, Virginia DeFilipps, Lorraine Pera, Pauline Stazie, Clark Knapp, William Billotti, Duane Prince, Theodore Foote, Susan Hurd Machamer, Vivian Ward, Rose Caley, Connie Gaines, Phyllis Keyes, Beverly McKinney, Ethel Robinson, Norma Thom, Roy Bubb, Arlene Mawn, Edna Ruggeri, Rhoda Broekhuizen, Louise Lusk, Fred Roeck, Norman Wheeler, Helen Heath, Lydia Fallato, Louis Sevor, Theodore Jenney, Mary Ann Spychalski, Amy Zazzara, Margaret Dobrowsky, Jack Kemp, Maxwell Maclean, Gene Pickett, Lawrence Snider and Henry Lehning.
Father Mark Noonan, priest for the ONE Catholic parishes in Orleans and eastern Niagara, shared a reflection about the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks, where “ordinary Americans” going on an airplane or to work were victims of the terrorists attacks. The group observed a moment of silence for the nearly 3,000 who were killed.
Father Noonan then reflected how the residents 90 and older have been living “ordinary” lives for decades, quietly contributing to their families and community. He marveled at their longevity and their example for others.
“These ordinary Americans have been doing the little things to make our town, homes and community better,” Father Noonan said.
After the outdoor service, the group was treated to refreshments inside the American Legion.
Basket raffle event for suicide awareness adds 5K run/walk this Sunday
Fourth annual event ‘supports the fighters, admires the survivors and honors the taken’
Photo by Ginny Kropf: There were more than 200 baskets donated for the Fuller 155 basket raffle/walk to benefit suicide prevention last September at the Shelby Fire Hall.
SHELBY CENTER – The fourth annual fundraiser for suicide awareness this Sunday will again include more than 155 baskets up for raffle. The event for the first time includes a 5K run/walk.
Provided photos: Ike and Jason Watts show some of the baskets donated for the Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness Basket Raffle on Sunday at Shelby Firemen’s Recreation Hall.
The Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness Basket Raffle and 5K Fun Run/Walk is in honor of the late Erin Fuller, a former deputy with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office. Fuller was 45 when he died by suicide on Sept. 12, 2015.
The message for the fundraising event is simple, but powerful, said Ike Watts, Fuller’s cousin and coordinator of the event: “We support the fighters, admire the survivors, honor the taken and never give up hope.”
Watts continued to say, “We honor the memory of many family members, friends and community members who have died by suicide and offer support to those affected by it. Our goal is to raise enough funds to offer support and training to first responders and others in our community who may not know where to turn or what to do next after tragedy strikes. We want people to know that it’s okay to not be okay, that you matter and you are not alone.”
The event on Sunday will be at the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. The 5K will begin at 9 a.m. with a $10 registration fee. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and pre-registration is open now. Information on how to pre-register can be found on the Fuller 155 Facebook page or you can Venmo $10 along with your full name and email address to @Fuller155. The 5K is organized by Watt’s sister, Debbie Fuller of Florida.
Thursday at 6:30 p.m., organizers will meet at Shelby Recreation Hall to stuff 100 gift bags which will be given to the first 100 entrants for the 5K. Anyone needing more information can call Fuller at (716) 481-1474.
The basket raffle will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. So far 155 baskets have been donated, including a Dolly Parton basket. Donations are still being accepted by contacting Watts at (585) 590-0291.
Watts said support for their annual event has been overwhelming. They have received donations from businesses, individuals – the entire community, including Lockport, Albion and even from Fuller’s home town in Florida.
“This is not just about Erin,” Watts said. “It’s about any family touched by suicide.”
(Left) Organizer Ike Watts said support for their annual Fuller 155 Suicide Awareness Raffle has been overwhelming. Here is an insulated bag with $500 gift certificate from Wegmans. (Right) An elaborate fall centerpiece is one of the baskets which will be raffled off Sunday at a fundraiser to benefit suicide awareness.
Watts said she is grateful to Shelby Fire Company for allowing them to host this event there every year.
“I wouldn’t be able to do it otherwise,” she said.
Refreshments will be provided by the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company, located at 4677 S. Gravel Rd., Medina.
Informational booths will be set up by the Orleans County Mental Health, Orleans County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, and Alzheimer’s Awareness. There will also be a special Suicide Awareness photo op station, generously donated by Sheryl Watts of Air Raising Events.
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Kendall girls blank Attica; Holley, B-B tie
Kendall blanked host Attica 2-0 in a Genesee Region League girls osccer game this evening.
Izzy D’Agostino and Ryleigh Denning each scored a goal for Kendall which improves to 2-0 and 3-0 overall. Denning and McKenzie Cooper both had assists.
Teagan Shaw earned the shutout in goal.
In another G-R contest, Holley and visiting Byron-Bergen battled to a 0-0 tie in double overtime. The Lady Hawks are now 2-0-1 and 4-0-1 overall.
Zoey Warner made 3 saves in goal for Holley.
Medina and Barker golfers post N-O wins
Medina defeated Wilson 256-271 and Barker downed Newfane 262-343 in Niagara-Orleans League golf matches this afternoon.
Cam Fike shot a 43 to lead Medina while Wilson’s Ben Meyers took medalist honors with a 40.
Hudson Prynn took medalist honors for Barker with a 47 as Lucas Nestoros and Grant Ginavan both had rounds of 48.
Strong start for Callard and the Red Dragons
Contributed Photo – Cole Callard
The place kicking of Medina High graduate Cole Callard has helped Cortland open the football season with a pair of road victories.
Callard, who is a sophomore at Cortland, has kicked two field goals on distances of 28 and 34 yards and has booted six extra points as the Red Dragons have defeated Grove City 28-18 and Union 26-0.
He is also handling the kickoff duties.
Callard, who is a Sport Management major, earned second team All Empire Eight Conference honors last year as a freshman. He scored a total of 70 points on 52 extra point kicks and 6 field goals.
The Red Dragons will host Hartwick on Saturday in the home opener.
Barker bows in non league field hockey game
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Two goals in the first six minutes sparked Nichols to a 3-1 win over Barker in a non league field hockey game this afternoon at Barker. Barker did cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by Sophia Pavlock but the Lady Bulldogs could not pull even. Here Pavlock brings the ball up the sideline against Brynn Griffin of Nichols.
Barker’s Lexi Brazzel works to keep the ball away from Alyssa Starkey of Nichols. Barker returns to Niagara-Orleans League action on Tuesday with a game at Roy-Hart at 4:30 p.m.
State Ed Department won’t require Regents to graduate beginning with Class of 2028
Press Release, NYS Department of Education
ALBANY – The New York State Education Department today announced that the Board of Regents has authorized the Department to move forward with the next phase of NY Inspires, advancing plans to establish a single New York State high school diploma, sunset separate diploma assessment requirements, and refocus Regents examinations on measuring student achievement of State learning standards.
The action marks a significant step forward in New York’s multi-year transformation of graduation measures, developed following extensive statewide stakeholder engagement and the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Graduation Measures.
Under the implementation plan, beginning with students graduating in 2028, New York will transition to one State high school diploma, and students will no longer be required to pass a prescribed set of Regents examinations to graduate.
Regents examinations will continue as rigorous statewide measures of student achievement. The Department will advance proposed regulatory amendments to the Board of Regents by February 2027 to implement the changes in the 2027-2028 school year.
Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young, Jr. said, ”Every student in New York deserves access to rich, high‑quality learning experiences and meaningful opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do. Advancing this work moves us closer to a more equitable system, one that upholds high expectations for all while ensuring that a student’s zip code, background, or circumstance never determines their opportunities for success.”
NY Inspires was announced in November 2024 and includes four major transformations:
- Adoption of the New York State Portrait of a Graduate;
- Redefining credits and learning experiences;
- Sunsetting separate diploma assessment requirements; and
- Moving to one New York State high school diploma.
The Board of Regents adopted the New York State Portrait of a Graduate in July 2025. With the Board’s authorization to advance the remaining transformations, the Department will now continue the policy, regulatory, guidance, and implementation work necessary to begin in the 2027-28 school year.
Regents Exams Will Continue, With a More Focused Purpose
As NY Inspires moves forward, Regents examinations will not be eliminated. Instead, their role will become more focused.
Regents exams were designed to measure student achievement of specific State learning standards. Under the new framework, they will continue to serve as rigorous measures of academic achievement but will no longer be a separate diploma requirement, beginning with students graduating in 2028.
Consistent with New York’s Educational Assessment Strategy, districts and schools will develop local assessment strategies that draw on multiple sources of evidence, including classroom assessments, student work, performance-based learning experiences, educator observations, and State assessments.
The Department has released initial guidance, a template, and a webinar to support districts in beginning this work and will continue to provide comprehensive resources as this transformation continues.
One New York State Diploma
NY Inspires will transition New York from the current local, Regents, and Regents with Advanced Designation diplomas to one New York State high school diploma. Students will continue to have opportunities to distinguish their accomplishments through State and locally developed seals and endorsements. The current Advanced Designation will transition to a seal or endorsement, preserving opportunities to recognize additional academic achievement.
The Department will continue partnering with educators, students, families, school leaders, higher education, employers, and other stakeholders to seek feedback as it develops the regulations, guidance, and supports necessary to implement these changes.
For more information on this transformation, please visit the New York Inspires website.
Arc GLOW celebrates new offices in Albion for Community Services, Self-Direction
Money from Golisano paid for building, renovations at 438 West Ave.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Officials and supporters for Arc GLOW this morning cut the ribbon for the agency’s new office for Community Services and Self-Direction at 438 West Ave. Jill Pegelow, vice president of community services and self direction for Arc GLOW, holds the scissors for the ribbon-cutting. The Arc has moved some services over from its Caroline Street offices while keeping finance and compliance at Caroline Street.
ALBION – Arc GLOW celebrated new offices for its community services and self-direction programs today. Those services used to be based out of 122 Caroline St. in Albion.
But since last month they have been relocated to 438 West Ave., a site recently used for Serenity Spa & Holistic Center, and the Serenity Vitality Café. The previous owner, Doris Heydel closed the business after she moved back to Florida.
Arc officials said it was perfect timing when the building became available. The agency was cramped on Caroline Street. It wanted more room for its community services and self-direction programs, as well as a larger recreation area with a kitchen for individuals with disabilities. The Arc is keeping finance and compliance at Caroline Street.
The agency was able to purchase 438 West Ave. for $298,500 and make some renovations, tapping into a $5 million gift in 2024 from Thomas Golisano, the Paychex founder. On Sept. 17, 2024, he announced he was giving $360 million to 82 non-profit organizations in the Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse regions.
Arc GLOW also has used some of his gift to acquire a building in Le Roy and turn it into a home for five people with disabilities. Arc GLOW dedicated the Golisano IRA home in Le Roy on May 15.
Martin Miskall, Arc CEO, said the Golisano funds have allowed the agency to expand services. He praised the Arc team for their commitment to expanding the agency’s presence and services in Orleans County.
“This new space allows us to strengthen local partnerships, increase accessibility for the individuals and families we support, and further our mission of helping people live fulfilling lives within their own communities,” Miskall said.
County Legislator Don Allport presents a commendation on behalf of the County Legislature for the new offices in Albion. Allport, a former board member and board president for the Arc of Orleans, said he appreciates the agency keeping a strong presence in Orleans County.
The Arc of Orleans County was founded in 1970. It merged with the Genesee County chapter in 2016. In 2021, Orleans and Genesee merged with the Livingston-Wyoming chapter to form Arc GLOW.
The agency now serves 2,000 people with disabilities in the four counties and employs 1,200 people.
Jill Pegelow, VP of community services and self direction for Arc GLOW, said she has been privileged to work for the Arc for 36 years. The new offices provide a welcoming environment for individuals and their families to access support, receive guidance, and collaborate with dedicated professionals who are helping people reach their fullest potential, Pegelow said.
“Every day our Community Services and Self-Direction teams help individuals pursue their goals, build independence, and create lives that reflect their unique interests, strengths and dreams,” she said. “Whether someone is looking for community connections, support navigating resources, or the flexibility to direct their own services, ur staff is here to help them succeed.”
This photo is looking out from the former kitchen space at the Serenity Vitality Café. The Arc said they will use the kitchen to teach people cooking skills, while the bigger lounge space will give people more space to relax and socialize.
Martin Miskall urged people to become members of the agency, even at $1.
“The more advocates, the better,” he said. “There is strength in numbers.”
