By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 7 August 2026 at 10:17 am
Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Jameson Eisenhauer and his Medina Mustangs FC will play for the playoff championship on Sunday.
Looking to keep the momentum from Tuesday’s big semifinal upset victory, No. 6 seed Medina Mustangs FC will face No. 5 Sporting Cavs for the Buffalo District Soccer League Championship Division playoff title on Sunday at 5:45 p.m. at Nichols School in Buffalo.
Medina upset top seeded Buffalo Italia 1-0 in the semifinals while the Sporting Cavs upended No. 2 Ukraine 2-0. Jameson Eisenhauer scored the Mustangs goal.
The Mustangs had played to a 2-2 tie with Buffalo Italia in the regular season finale while the Sporting Cavs avenged a 2-0 regular season loss to Ukraine.
Medina played to a 2-2 tie with the Sporting Cavs during the regular season.
Both teams bring identical 6-4-2 records into the championship game.
The Mustangs have gone 6-1-2 over the last nine games after an 0-3 start to the season when the team was playing shorthanded.
Medina opened the playoffs with a 2-0 win over No. 3 Revolution. Peter Martillotta scored both Mustang goals.
Offensively Medina has been led by Cole Callard (8 goals, 3 assists) and Martillotta (5 goals, 2 assists) as Tyler Ribbeck in goal has anchored the defense.
The Mustangs are looking for their first playoff championship since 2023 when they defeated top seeded Ukraine 2-1 to win the 3rd Division title.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2026 at 9:59 am
Summer theater program has shows today and Saturday in Barker
Photos by Tom Rivers
BARKER – The cast of Finding Nemo Jr. performs the opening number of “Big Blue World” during a rehearsal on Wednesday evening at the Barker Central School auditorium.
There will be shows at 7 p.m. today, and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. The school is located at 1628 Quaker Rd, Barker, NY 14012. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online (click here) or at the door.
There are 36 students in the cast with most of them from Orleans and Niagara counties. The production is by the Lake Plains Players, which has been running a youth summer theater program since 2014.
Jennifer Trupo directed all of the shows until Finding Nemo Jr. This time, Heather Rutherford, Annalise Steier and Evan Steier are serving as the co-directors. Evan Steier said the show has lines for 34 roles, which is much more than a typical musical where he said there are speaking parts for 12 to 20 characters.
Madelyn Elliott of Medina plays the role of Marlin and holds the last remaining egg after a vicious Barracuda attacks their reef, taking the eggs and killing Coral, the mother. Marlin would name the lone survivor Nemo.
Marlin, a clownfish, is grief-stricken and very overprotective of Nemo, who has a weak fin. Elliott, who will be a senior at medina, has been involved in local theater programs since she was in second grade. She wants to major in theater and music education in college.
She said Finding Nemo touches on heavy subjects, such as grief and learning to trust others, especially for parents as their children get older and head out into the bigger world.
“It is a story about trust,” she said. “Parents need to trust their children to make decisions on their own.”
Nikola Fuller of Roy-Hart plays the role of Professor Ray, a cheerful, singing schoolteacher. Professor Ray is a spotted eagle ray that guides students on field trips across the reef.
The reef kids want to go on an adventure. Ariel Avery stars as Nemo, with Charlotte Smith as Pearl, Nathan Stirling as Sheldon the seahorse, and Loxley LeFrois as Tad.
Ariel Avery is going into seventh grade at Lyndonville. Ariel said Nemo sends a message to not give up. Nemo gets separated from his father, and Marlin goes to great lengths to be reunited with him.
Nemo also overcomes a weakened fin to swim and explore with the other creatures of the sea.
“Even if something is different about you that doesn’t mean you can’t do it,” Ariel said.
Ariel’s sister Aurora also is in the cast as Crush the turtle and a reef parent. Aurora, 15, said she enjoys the five-week summer theater program and meeting kids from several other school districts.
“It’s a good time,” Aurora said. “You are building a community.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2026 at 9:28 am
File photo by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – A cemetery tour on on Aug. 27, 2023 at Boxwood Cemetery in Medina included a stop by the grave of May Howard, a survivor of the Titanic sinking on April 15, 1912.
Howard was 27 when she was on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Howard, a native of England, was headed to visit her brother in Toronto and then her sister in Albion. She traveled as a third-class passenger and secured a spot on a life boat. May lived locally until she died at age 68 in 1958. About 1,500 passengers died after the Titanic hit an ice berg. Howard was one of about 700 survivors.
Village of Medina Historian Todd Bensley will lead another tour of Boxwood this Sunday beginning at 6 p.m.
Boxwood Cemetery opened in 1850. About 5,000 people have been buried at the site north of the village on North Gravel Road (Route 63).
Sunday is the second of the Orleans County Historical Association’s tour of cemeteries on Sunday evenings in August.
County Historian Catherine Cooper led the first tour this past Sunday at the Maple Ridge Cemetery in Shelby. Nearly 40 people attended that tour.
Other tours after Boxwood include:
August 16 – Beechwood Cemetery, Kendall with Dave Gaudiso, Lydia Richardson and Former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin (1523 W. Kendall Road & Woodchuck Alley, Kendall)
August 23 – Otter Creek Cemetery with Town of Gaines Adrienne Kirby (13252 Ridge Road, Gaines)
August 30 – Mt. Albion Cemetery with Former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin and Village of Albion Historian Sue Starkweather Miller (Rt. 31, Telegraph Rd, Albion, NY 14411)
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 7 August 2026 at 8:59 am
Jane Jin Kaisen will give a presentation at 4 p.m. on Saturday in Medina.
MEDINA – The Medina Triennial is in its final month at 10 locations throughout the village.
A highlighted event this weekend is a screening and conversation with artist Jane Jin Kaisen and Toronto-based curator Noa Bronstein at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Triennial Hub headquarters on North Main Street.
Jane Jin Kaisen is an internationally known artist who will discuss her work directly with local audiences. The event demonstrates how the Medina Triennial connects a village along the Erie Canal with artists and histories from around the world.
Kaisen’s attention to memory and changing landscapes may resonate in Medina, where historic buildings and infrastructure are being given new cultural uses. The film’s questions about abandoned architecture, historical memory and the future of communities have relevance beyond Jeju Island.
Jeju Island in Korea is famous for its volcanic landscape, beautiful beaches and distinct cultural heritage, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and Global Geopark.
The artist will share what drew her to the abandoned resort as a setting for her three films. She will explain how Burial of This Order, Dokkaebi and Sorrow Waters This Land speak to one another. Burial of This Order will be shown at the Hub, while the other two are running continuously at Mustang City, the former Medina High School.
Jane Jin Kaisen was born on Jeju Island in 1980 and is based in Copenhagen. She is interested in histories that have been excluded from official accounts. She represented Korea at the 8th Venice Biennale – the highest honor for an artist. It’s like winning an Olympic gold medal for your country, according to Triennial’s co-curator Karin Laansoo.
Bronstein is a writer and curator who has led two Canadian artist-tun organizations – Gallery 44 Centre for contemporary Photography and Gallery TPW. She has organized exhibitions and programs at institutions throughout Canada. Her work has appeared in numerous artists’ publications and she is currently assistant director of the Art Museum at the University of Toronto.
Federico Rosario, community engagement and programs coordinator at the Medina Triennial, is looking forward to a good crowd on Saturday. He said attendance at programs to date has been very well attended as word spreads. The Triennial was a front-page feature on last week’s Sunday edition of the Buffalo Evening News.
The Medina Triennial continues on Thursdays to Sundays through Sept. 7.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 August 2026 at 8:02 am
Grosh performs for about 900 people at State Street Park
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Grosh performed for about 900 people spread out at State Street Park on Thursday evening to conclude this season’s Blue Thursdays concert series.
The first three concerts were cancelled due to weather, but the final three shows proved to be crowd pleasers with performances on July 16 by The Pat Harrington Trio, J͏u͏l͏y͏ ͏2͏3͏ ͏by the Eric Weinholtz Band and Thursday by Grosh.
Megan Brown is the lead singer for the band from Buffalo.
Grace Lougen plays the guitar for the band.
Grosh initially was a duo with Grace Lougen and Josh English on drums, but it quickly evolved into a high-energy quartet that also includes Megan Brown on vocals and Dylan Hund on bass.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2026 at 6:03 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
LYNDONVILLE – Representatives from National Grid stopped in Lyndonville to deliver 100 backpacks to students.
It is part of an overall outreach in Western New York where the utility company is giving away 2,000 backpacks, which have school supplies, personal care items and a water bottle inside.
The National Grid representatives include Mark Johnson, community manager; Leslie Vishwanath, regional exterior affairs manager; and Tracy Sutherland, regional account services.
The backpacks were delivered in the parking lot at the Lyndonville Presbyterian Church, which is hosting a summer recreation program. The students in the rec program as well as summer school at Lyndonville were able to receive backpacks.
The backpacks with school supplies is especially helpful for the district, which is operated under a contingency budget. The district is unable to purchase school supplies for students with district funds due to the contingency budget.
Dr. Elissa Smith, elementary school principal, said she and many of the families appreciate the donation from National Grid.
“We want as little impact to the students as possible,” Dr. Smith said about the contingency budget implications.
A National Guard soldier from Medina has been promoted in the New York Army National Guard, Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced.
Ashley Lowery of Medina is assigned to Charlie Company, NY Recruiting and Retention Battalion. Lowery was promoted on July 31 to the rank of private.
Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.
For more information about the New York Army National Guard, visit www.dmna.ny.gov.
Huge, insane, disparity in wealth causes a fusion of government run by elites and money/job dependent politicians. (“Post capitalism”)
But good capitalism depends on economies of scale (bulk buying), competing sellers to keep the price down (unless public sources are cheaper and better like police, school lunches, and mortgage assistance programs), and sufficient regulation to ensure a fair playing field.
The progressive Democrats are consistently laser focused on affordability. They propose using basic economic tools to right the ship.
Being liberal because you want to help regular people is better than being conservative because you help the rich who run a deep state holding onto power.
I think we have to keep an open mind and decide if some of the progressives may be the best capitalists to come along in a long time. In these economically aberrant times it bears watching.
P.S. Why are President-related forces are using the primaries to see where votes and machines are stored? We already have excellent state monitors for this. Do we need monitors for the administration’s new monitors? Hmm.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 6 August 2026 at 4:39 pm
Photos from State Police
ALBION – State Troopers out of Albion are seeking public assistance identifying the male in these photos who is allegedly taking parts off vehicles parked in parking lots.
If you have any information on the identity of this individual, contact the State Police at 585-344-6200.
At left showcases January from the 2026 Orleans County Calendar featuring “Winter Wonderland at Medina Falls” by Robyn Ottaviano, while the photo at right shows February, featuring “Year Round Travelers” of a horse and buggy passing by the Lyndonville Shoe Tree. Photo by Isabella Zasa.
Press Release, Orleans County Tourism
ALBION – Orleans County Tourism has opened its annual call for photo submissions, encouraging the community and visitors to share their favorite images of the county.
Selected photographs may be featured in the organization’s 2027 marketing materials, including the travel guide, calendar, fishing calendar, social media and other promotional campaigns.
Submitted photographs must be taken within Orleans County and highlight a tourism-focused subject, such as the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, museums and historic sites, outdoor recreation, natural scenery, annual events or other attractions. Images should capture the destinations, experiences and landscapes that showcase what makes Orleans County a fun and memorable place to visit.
Images selected for use will receive appropriate credit. Those chosen to represent a month in the 2027 calendar or featured on the travel guide cover will also receive an Orleans County Tourism swag bag. Individuals whose images appear in the calendar will receive five complimentary copies.
Entries must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2026, via email or mail. The official rules and entry forms can be downloaded by clicking here.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 6 August 2026 at 4:03 pm
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Roy-Hart closed out the home portion of their Buffalo District Youth Soccer League girls U19 season by hosting Niagara-Wheatfield Tuesday evening. Here Allie Trombley, left, and Maria Trombley advance the ball up field against N-W which posted a 7-0 win. N-W is now 5-3-2 while Roy-Hart, which closes out the season at Orchard Park this evening is 2-6-1
ALBION – Earlier today, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center was conducting training on the new Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, commonly known as IPAWS.
During the training, a message was unintentionally transmitted to members of the public. There is no emergency associated with the message, and no action is required.
Please do not call 911 solely regarding the alert. The 911 emergency lines should remain available for those experiencing an actual emergency.
We apologize for any confusion or concern the message may have caused and appreciate the public’s understanding.
Assemblyman Hawley announces Joseph Lestorti will address local veterans at Washington, D.C.
Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley
Provided photo: Major General Joseph Lestorti has served 33 years with the U.S. military.
Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) announced that Major General Joseph Lestorti will serve as a guest speaker during this year’s Patriot Trip to Washington, D.C., taking place Sept. 17 to 20.
The annual trip provides participants with the opportunity to visit some of the nation’s most historic landmarks honoring the men and women who have served our country.
A native of Holley in Orleans County and a graduate of SUNY Brockport, Major General Lestorti has dedicated more than 33 years of commissioned service to the United States military. His distinguished career as an infantry officer includes command assignments at every level from platoon to division, with leadership roles in the 82nd Airborne Division, Joint Special Operations Command and U.S. Army North, as well as service with the U.S. Department of State. He currently serves as director of the Inter-American Defense College at U.S. Southern Command.
This year’s trip itinerary will include visits to the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery. The trip will also feature a special Saturday evening dinner held at Spates Hall on Fort Myer Joint Base.
“This year’s Patriot Trip is a great opportunity to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans while bringing members of our community together to experience these important landmarks firsthand,” said Hawley. “Having Major General Lestorti join us will make this year’s trip especially meaningful. His journey from Orleans County to a distinguished career serving our nation is an inspiring example of dedication, leadership and service.”
Thanks to the generosity of community members, local businesses and organizations, the expected cost of the trip is approximately $450 to $500 per person with transportation, lodging and scheduled activities included.
There are currently 20 seats remaining for this year’s Patriot Trip. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register by Aug. 10.
To reserve one of the remaining seats or receive additional information, contact Hawley’s office at 585-589-5780 or email hawleys@nyassembly.gov.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 August 2026 at 10:46 pm
New events and popular mainstays kept fairgrounds busy
Photos by Tom Rivers
KNOWLESVILLE – A group of inflatable costumed characters walks to the starting line for a race on July 30 at the horse arena. There were 17 participants in the race which was won by the French Bulldog, Rachel Livingston of Albion. It was one of several popular new events at the Orleans County 4-H Fair.
The attendance for the six-day fair totaled 23,379, which is down just slightly from a typical year. The biggest attendance in recent years was in 2021, when the fair recorded 27,700 visitors.
Robert Batt, executive director of the Cornell Cooperative Extension, said he is pleased with the turnout from the community for the fair.
He said some rain plus cloudy weather on Tuesday and Wednesday likely deterred some people from coming for those days.
“Generally we all thought it was a great fair,” Batt said.
He praised a team of about 130 volunteers who donate their time to make the fair a success.
Orleans is one of only four youth fairs in the state. Niagara also has a youth fair, which is this week.
Bert Mathes, the assistant fair manager, gets drenched on Saturday with a big bucket of water from Marty Zwifka, the fair manager. Mathes was among the volunteers who were willing to be part of a dunk bucket fundraiser.
There were 14 people in the fundraiser throughout the fair. Kristin McAdoo, the Ridgeway deputy fire chief, raised the most money at $198, which was $2 more than Robert Batt, the Cornell Cooperative Extension executive director.
The dunk bucket raised about $800 for the Orleans County Jr. Fair Committee. It was one of several new events at the fair.
Ruth Kuipers, 16, of Byron leads her steer named “Dude” towards the show ring during the 4-H Market Auction last Friday. The auction set a new record at the Orleans County 4-H Fair with 98 lots totaling $213,031.
That is a big jump from last year’s $139,852, which also set a new record. Before that the high was $64,128 in 2024. The total has now more than tripled in two years.
Five years ago, when Ruth had a steer in the auction, the total for all of the lots in the auction was about $20,000, just a tenth of the sales from Friday’s auction.
The fair for the first time included professional wrestlers from the Empire State Wrestling. There were nine matches at the Curtis Pavilion, including the opening bout with Jay Blast against Anthony Musso. In this photo, Musso has Blast up high and gets ready to slam him to the mat.
These kids are excited to have a front row seat to watch professional wrestlers at the Orleans County 4-H Fair on Aug. 1. In this match, Anthony Musso defeated Jay Blast.
Karaoke was popular from Monday through Thursday at the fair, with the finals on Thursday. The top five singers from left included Asher Dix, first place, with “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5; Gideon Pask, second place, with “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash; Tiana Mortensen, third place, with “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims; Brittany Dix, fourth place, with “Looking Out” by Brandi Carlile; Olivia Manfredi, fifth place, with “(If You’re Not in It For Love) I’m Outta Here” by Shania Twain.
The fair made a big change on Friday night by trying a laser show instead of the traditional fireworks. Batt, the CCE executive director, said there was good feedback about the laser show, but many people missed seeing the fireworks.
The Fair Board made the change because the fireworks, with the loud booms and explosions, were hard on many of the animals at the fair, especially the horses. Fireworks also can be very stressful for people with PTSD, Batt said.
“We are gauging the response to it,” he said about the change to the laser show and whether fireworks will be back next year.
Erica Wanecski of Medina tosses a rubber chicken 35 feet, 10 inches in a contest at the fair that was back for the second year. Austin Seefeldt had the farthest throw at 102 feet.
Firefighters from several departments in Orleans County helped at the Senior Council Stand on Friday, grilling and serving food. Some of the volunteers included Fred Piano, right and Robert Toman from the Albion Fire Department. At left is Emmanuel Cornell of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Company, who is also a 4-Her. Next to him is Nick Boyle from the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 5 August 2026 at 9:10 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Oak Orchard Lighthouse is shown on Aug. 14, 2025 during a light show. The 32-foot-high lighthouse was built in 2010.
POINT BREEZE – The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum’s annual fundraising event will feature an evening of music, along with the usual extraordinary dessert buffet.
From 7 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 29 at the Carlton United Methodist Church, the Lighthouse Museum will sponsor “Lyrics and the Lighthouse,” featuring performances by local musicians, Lily Brigham, Hannah Brewer, Shannon Vanderlaan and Andy & Mindy.
There will also be raffles, in addition to desserts and live music.
While raising money to build the lighthouse was an enormous community effort, it is also necessary to raise funds to maintain it, according to board president Chris Manaseri. He added the Lighthouse has an annual budget of $5,500, of which more than half goes to insurance and tax reporting. He said their revenue comes from fundraisers, donations and gift shop sales.
In the past the museum has sponsored dinners, raffles and talks centered around Lake Ontario, including several presentations by shipwreck hunter Jim Kennard.
For the past three years, the fundraiser has taken place at the Carlton United Methodist Church, on the corner of Archibald Road and Route 18, where Larry Grimes is not only a member, but an incredible pastry chef. His array of delectable desserts has become a popular addition to Lighthouse fundraisers.
Tickets for the evening are $25 at the door or $20 presale and can be purchased at OONA summer concerts at the Marine Park, or by calling (585) 230-7829
The history of the Oak Orchard Lighthouse goes back to 1871 when there were two piers in the harbor at Point Breeze and a lighthouse was built on west pier. It was in service from 1871 to 1916, when a violent storm took it into the lake.
Fast forward to 2002 when Peg and Richard Wiley moved to a marina on Route 98, just south of the Orleans County Marine Park. Peg was interested in the area which had become her new home and started researching its history.
When she discovered there used to be a lighthouse at Point Breeze, she realized the potential for tourism, and thought why hasn’t anyone ever attempted to rebuild one?
She contacted Dick Anderson, who lived in the former lighthouse keeper’s home at the end of Archibald Road. In the summer of 2003, they and several other interested citizens met under the bridge in the Marine Park to discuss a new lighthouse.
The Oak Orchard Lighthouse Museum was chartered in 2004 to raise funds to rebuild the lighthouse. The first public meeting took place at the Carlton Recreation Hall, where a model of a lighthouse built by Anderson was on display.
Original members of the board, besides Wiley, Anderson and Diane Blanchard (who are still board), Cheryl Staines, Dan and Marietta Schuth, Diana Jeffords and Jamie Kowalski. Other supporters who soon joined in were Joan Higley, Kim Remley and Ginny Kropf.
The lighthouse was completed with donations by individuals, families and businesses, fundraising events, grants and a member item from former State Sen. George Maziarz and Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
A memorial walkway composed of hundreds of bricks sponsored by donors, was installed and sponsors were sought for the compass rose and benches crafted from Medina Sandstone. The benches were created by internationally known stone craftsman, George Graham of Oakfield. A Children’s Peace Garden was installed with plantings beneficial to migratory bird populations that pass through the area. Volunteers maintain it.
Most importantly, according to their website, a building will be acquired or constructed near Point Breeze to serve as the physical Museum, housing documents, photos, exhibits and memorabilia related to the general and maritime history of Point Breeze, Oak Orchard Harbor, and the surrounding region.
