By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 27 June 2026 at 9:35 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall G-R All-Stars Teagan Shaw, left, and Izzy D’Agostino.
Three Kendall players have earned Genesee Region League softball All-Star honors.
The trio includes senior catcher Brooke Rodas, sophomore shortstop Izzy D’Agostino and sophomore first baseman Teagan Shaw.
Kendall G-R All-Star Brooke Rodas
All three are repeat All-Star honorees.
In addition, senior outfielder Alea Barrett and junior outfielder Sophia Picardo have earned Honorable Mention.
Rodas hit .371 with 5 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs and 29 RBIs. On defense, she had 68 assists and threw out 25 baserunners.
D’Agostino hit .463 with 8 doubles, 6 triples, 24 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. Defensively, she had a .929 fielding percentage with 93 assists and 25 putouts.
Shaw hit .520 with 13 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 43 RBIs. On defense she had a .950 fielding percentage with 68 putouts and 15 assists.
Holley sophomore pitcher Madison Bonacci also received Honorable Mention.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 June 2026 at 8:42 am
Public responds after café’s commercial AC/furnace, hot water tank and ice machine all need replacement
Photos by Tom Rivers: Sarah Ferguson, a staff member at Risen Café and pastor of God’s Voice Ministries, adds caramel to a glass of iced coffee today. Ferguson has been with Risen Café since it opened on March 7, 2023 at 469 East State St.
ALBION – The Risen Café has been serving meals and taking prayer requests for more than three years at 469 East State St., the former Crooked Door Tavern.
The café has two paid employees and other volunteers. The site also is used as a church for God’s Voice Ministries. Risen Café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church has services at 11 a.m. on Sunday. (There is also a prayer meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Bible study at 6 p.m. on Thursday and faith-based recovery meeting at 6 p.m. on Sunday.)
Risen Café has been narrowing the gap of covering its costs, and not needing much support from the church, said Sarah Ferguson, pastor of God’s Voice Ministries and also one of the tow employees at the café.
But the café was dealt several blows in the past 30 days when four major pieces of equipment all failed. The air conditioning system, furnace, hot water tank and ice machine all needed replacement at an estimated combined cost of $20,000.
Ferguson shared the news on Facebook four days ago that the Risen Café was in need and detailed the challenges.
By Friday, a donor bought a new ice machine, and another contributor gave $5,000 for a new hot water tank.
Ferguson said about $9,000 is still needed for the combined AC unit/furnace that must be commercial size.
“God is faithful,” she said. “He is using his people. It’s beautiful to witness.”
Risen Café welcomes more assistance for the AC/furnace. People are welcome to stop in and donate. There will be a basket raffle and chicken barbecue from noon until 7 p.m. on July 18 at the café.
John Angelucci holds a chicken salad wrap with French fries. He is the chef at the Risen Café and has been with the café since day 1.
Ferguson said Risen Café has been a successful ministry, welcoming people from all backgrounds and is especially welcoming to people who have been battling addiction.
The café plays contemporary Christian music and no alcohol is served. Many of the local pastors use the site to meet informally with people looking for some spiritual direction.
Ferguson said not everyone feels comfortable going inside a traditional church building. God’s Voice Ministries wants everyone to feel welcome even if they aren’t familiar with hymns, Bible passages and the usual structure of a church service.
Ferguson is a Lyndonville resident. She started attended God’s Voice Ministries church in Lokcport in 2019, and was part of the team establishing the site in Albion at the former Crooked Door Tavern.
“As a ministry this works, and as a business it’s by God’s grace,” Ferguson said about the Risen Café. “This is a place where conversations are more comfortable around grace and recovery.”
The café doesn’t accept tips for the staff. Instead, there is a “Pay it Forward” jar where people can give a tip to go towards meals for others, including unhoused people, and people struggling to make ends meet. Ferguson said about $25,000 has been donated to the Pay It Forward Fund in about three years.
Risen Café also collects donations each month for a different agency or ministry in the community. Customers have given over $20,000 that has been shared with the hands 4 Hope ministry, Care Net, Community Action, Hospice, the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen and other organizations.
One big challenge, she said, is letting the community know about the Risen Café. It is located on a side street by the Brown Street canal bridge that has been closed since July 2012. Ferguson said Risen Café is more than a church and more than a restaurant.
For more information on the café, click here to be directed to its Facebook page.
Instead of accepting tips, the staff at Risen Café direct that money to a “Pay It Forward” jar for meals for unhoused people or others in need.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2026 at 10:26 pm
Photos by Tom Rivers
MEDINA – Lilly Caleb and Avangelene Nash celebrate next to the “2026” that was on display outside Vets Park during graduation this evening.
The two were among 100 students who graduated from Medina.
The grads toss their caps after everyone was awarded their diploma.
Ava Blount, the class president in front, is happy after the commencement program. She is followed by Penelope Schalck, the class vice president, and Izabella Garcia, the class secretary. The Daisy Chain members are behind them in white dresses.
Tatianna Maxon is congratulated by school administrators and Board of Education members for receiving her diploma.
The Daisy Chain continued as part of commencement in a Medina tradition that goes back to 1922. Daisy Chain members – the top 16 girls and top two boys in grade point average among juniors – create two 27-foot-long chains of daisies.
The Daisy Chain members include Maya Anderson, Teagan Balaban, Madalyn Clute, Madelyn Elliott, Camden Fike, Aspyn Garley, Grace Goodrich, Samantha Heschke, River Jones, Adelynne Lacy, Sofia Lopez, Madeline Mark, Lillian Maynard, Natalia Olsen, Isabelle Perez, Carmen Stalker, Madison Watts and Arabella White.
Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez gets ready to move her tassel to signify graduation.
Class valedictorian Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez shared a message, “From Google Meets to Senior Seats.” She recalled how the class was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic during middle school, sending them home during sixth grade in March 2020.
They needed to learn through online school during the pandemic.
“It didn’t break us,” she said about the Covid pandemic. “It built a foundation of adaptability that will serve us the rest of our lives.”
Lilah Class
Gomez-Hernandez, who is headed to Fordham University to major in international studies, thanked the Medina teachers and the graduates’ families for their support.
“Teachers, thank you for holding us to high standards and seeing the potential in us when we didn’t see it in ourselves,” she said.
Lilah Class, the salutatorian, shared a message, “Our Next Step.” She said failures are to be expected in life’s journey, and graduates should learn from their mistakes and struggles.
“We have made it this far,” she said. “Everyone is capable of great things.”
The grads are stepping out in “endless possibilities,” Class said. She urged them to be support themselves with encouragement and to be their own personal cheerleader.
“Be proud of how far you’ve come and where you are going,” she said.
The graduates sit in chairs on the football field and listen to a message from Dr. Julie Webber, Medina’s Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and AVID District Director.
She presented a message, “Your Destiny Awaits.” All of the speeches were prerecorded and displayed on the scoreboard.
Dr. Webber said she was the primary school principal when the graduates were in third grade. She reflected on a comment from famed orator William Jennings Bryan, who said destiny is not so much based on chance but on choices.
She said luck is passive, while destiny is active. The graduates so far have had their daily schedules tied to school. But starting tomorrow, the structure of their lives is up to them.
“The canvas becomes entirely yours,” Dr. Webber said.
Dr. Julie Webber gives the commencement address.
In the future, not everything will go to plan, no matter their best efforts, Dr. Webber told the grads.
“Detours are not a dead end,” she said, urging them to pivot and try a different door or direction. “Don’t give up.”
Dr. Webber urged them to be life-long learners, and she congratulated them on earning their high school diplomas.
“You did the hard work,” she said. “You are the proud product of a community that believed in you.”
Kymberlyn Brady feels joy after receiving her diploma.
Casey Reeves walks onto the field in the processional with her classmates.
Brennan Woodruff gets some help arranging his cords from friend Kylee Howard, who graduated in 2025. Woodruff served as the Student Association president and also was a student representative on the Board of Education. He is headed to Geneseo State College to major in philosophy/politics/economics. He wants to be a Constitutional lawyer.
He appreciates his education at Medina.
“It’s been a great foundation for what I want to do,” he said. “All the teachers are ushing you to be your best. They are all so supportive.”
Rhoswyn Oakes is congratulated by Mollie Mark, the assistant junior-senior high school principal.
Lyla Page hams it up while getting her photo taken after getting her diploma.
Luke Duffina goes through the receiving line and receives congratulations from Medina school officials.
The grads walk off the football field while the scoreboard displays a message, praising them for earning their diplomas.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 June 2026 at 9:04 pm
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Four bogeys proved costly today as Medina’s Melanie Green has missed making the cut by just one shot at the Women’s PGA Championship which is being held at the Hazeltine Country Club in Chaska, Minnesota.
Green fired her second straight 1 over par round of 73 today. That left her with a two day total of 2 over par 146 but unfortunately the cut line was 1 over par.
Starting on the back nine, Green did get off to a strong start by birding the 10th hole to pull back to even for the tourney.
However, bogeys on 17, 1 and 2 erased that gain and put her to 3 over.
A birdie on 3 did improve her score to 2 over but a double bogey on 6 proved to be too much to overcome as it put her to 4 over with only three holes remaining.
She did rebound to notch birdies on 7 and 9 to get back to 2 over par but the rally fell one shot short of advancing to the weekend.
Press Release, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli
CLARENDON – State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Orleans County District Attorney Susan M. Howard and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James today announced that the former president of the Clarendon Historical Society pleaded guilty to a felony for stealing over $62,000 from the non-profit.
Melissa M. Ierlan, 59, of Holley, will pay $62,000 in restitution. She also previously held positions as the town historian, the code inspector for the Town of Clarendon and the code enforcer for the towns of Byron and Murray.
The Clarendon Historical Society, which receives town funding, operates and manages two buildings as a museum, housing local artifacts and displays.
“Ierlan exploited her role in preserving the town’s rich history to instead enrich herself,” DiNapoli said. “As part of her plea agreement, she now has to return the money she stole. My thanks to D.A. Howard and the New York State Police for their partnership on this case.”
“We will not tolerate the conduct of those who use their position to steal money meant to enrich the community and the lives of others. It is disreputable for any entrusted individual to take advantage of others, especially in this manner. The State Police will continue to assist the Comptroller’s Office and Orleans County District Attorney’s Office in investigating and apprehending anyone willing to engage in dishonest acts,” James said.
A joint investigation by DiNapoli’s office and the New York State Police determined that Ierlan, who had been president and financial controller from 2020-2025, had unchecked control of the society’s accounts, which enabled her to embezzle more than $62,000 from July 2020 to September 2025.
Ierlan made numerous personal purchases and payments with the society’s debit card and checkbook, withdrew thousands of dollars in cash in person at the bank branch and at the ATM. She also made payments to her personal credit card with society funds.
Ierlan also fraudulently reimbursed herself for the purchase of a fiberglass ox statue for the “Oxen of Orleans” Public Art Project. Ierlan purchased the ox with her own personal funds and was reimbursed by the Town of Clarendon with federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. She then issued herself a second reimbursement with society funds. Ierlan also used society funds to purchase a shipping container for personal use, deposited society donations into her personal bank account, and transferred society funds to a deceased relative’s estate account of which she was the executor.
Ierlan pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree before Judge Sanford Church in Orleans County Court. Her sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 26.
Since taking office in 2007, DiNapoli has committed to fighting public corruption and encourages the public to help fight fraud and abuse. New Yorkers can report allegations of fraud involving taxpayer money by calling the toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-888-672-4555, by emailing a complaint to investigations@osc.ny.gov or by mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Division of Investigations, 8th Floor, 110 State St., Albany, NY 12236.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Dylan Cote of Pavilion casts a line out on at Johnson Creek in Lyndonville on Oct. 10. This is a spot near the top of waterfalls at the dam.
Press Release, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton today announced that a Free Fishing Weekend in New York State will take place June 27–28.
The weekend is part of six designated Free Fishing Days that take place each year in New York State. During these days, the fishing license requirement is waived for freshwater fishing on New York’s waters.
“With summer officially here, the timing of these free fishing days couldn’t be better,” said Commissioner Lefton. “New York is home to thousands of angling opportunities across our abundant freshwater lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers. Fishing is an affordable and rewarding pastime and I encourage everyone to get outside and visit New York’s waters during this Free Fishing Weekend.”
DEC’s Free Fishing Days program began in 1991 to give New Yorkers who might not fish a chance to try the rewarding sport of freshwater fishing at no cost, introduce people to a new hobby, and encourage people to support conservation by purchasing a New York State Fishing License.
Free Fishing Day participants are reminded that although the requirement for a freshwater fishing license is waived during free fishing days, all other fishing regulations remain in effect. Outside of free fishing days, anglers over the age of 16 must have a valid fishing license.
The remaining Free Fishing Days of 2026 will take place on September 26 (National Hunting and Fishing Day) and November 11 (Veterans Day).
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2026 at 3:18 pm
Photo by Tom Rivers: A deer stands in the original loop of the Erie canal in Holley on Wednesday. This is a rare section of the canal remaining from when the original was complete. Most of the original was widened several times. In Holley, the original loop was near the Public Square, but was later straightened out from 1854 to1861 to create a shorter, more navigable waterway. A new section of the canal was built over a very high and long embankment.
The temperature will be much hotter next week, with the forecast showing three days with highs in the 90s.
Today is forecast to reach 75, followed by a high of 78 on Saturday and then 81 on Sunday.
Then it will get hotter with a high of 87 on Monday, 93 on Tuesday, and 91 on both Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Weather Service in Buffalo.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 June 2026 at 1:07 pm
Contributed Photos – Recipients of the Pony Awards at this week’s annual Medina High Block ‘M’ sports banquet included, in front, Penelope Schalck, Lillian Maynard, Allie Frentz, Karlee Cau, Aurora Owczarczak and Aleeyah Martinez. In back are Hunter Walczak, Miles Arbegast, Cole Hughes, Luke Duffina, Preston Woodworth and Hadrian Batista.
The presentation of a number of special awards highlighted this week’s annual Medina High Block ‘M’ Athletic banquet.
Senior Luke Duffina received the Babe Ruth Award while freshmen Jude Lacy and Caliyah St. Louis received the Russell Houserman Awards.
The Larry Decker Memorial Scholarships were awarded to Mahri Harmer-Owen, Madison Farley, Kolton Fletcher, Vinny Gray, Penelope Schalck and Aurora Oczwarczak.
Luke Duffina received the Gary Gross Memorial Scholarship.
The Sargent Memorial Scholarship was presented to Vinny Gray.
Emiliana Batista and Lilah Class received the Boice/Ossont Scholarship.
The Barna Scholarship was awarded to Frankie Stephens and Luke Duffina.
Vinny Gray and Maggie Lonnen received the Mustang Heart Award.
The Niagara Orleans Scholarship was presented to Lilah Class and Luke Duffina.
The Pony Awards were presented to the following varsity student-athletes:
Field Hockey – Penelope Schalck; Football – Preston Woodworth; Cross-Country – Cole Hughes (Boys), Faith Baker-Austin (Girls); Fall Cheerleading – Aleeyah Martinez; Golf – Tyler Draper; Volleyball – Allie Frentz; Boys Soccer – Luke Duffina; Girls Soccer – Lillian Maynard.
Boys Swimming – Hunter Walczak; Girls Swimming – Madeline Mark; Wrestling – Luke Duffina (Boys) and Penelope Schalck (Girls); Boys Basketball – Preston Woodworth; Girls Basketball – Tatianna Maxon and Rhoswyn Oakes; Unified Bowling – Gunner Pitcher; Winter Cheerleading – Mahri Harmer-Owen.
Two new members were inducted into the Mustangs Hall of Fame – former Medina coaches Sue O’Dea and Sue Holland. O’Dea coached the first Medina varsity Field Hockey and Softball teams while Holland coached Volleyball and Cheerleading.
Two new members were inducted into the Mustangs Athletic Hall of Fame former coaches Sue O’Dea, left, and Sue Holland.
Jude Lacy, left, received the Russell Houserman Award and Luke Duffina the Babe Ruth Award. Also receiving the Houserman award was Caliyah St. Louis.
Maggie Lonnen and Vinny Gray received the Mustang Heart Award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2026 at 11:54 am
Holley’s Class of 2026 celebrates commencement on Saturday
Photo by Tom Rivers: Aubrey Gannon, a senior at Albion, lights a candle during a baccalaureate service on June 7 at the Holy Family Parish.
Today and Saturday will culminate 13 years in the public school system for about 400 students in Orleans County.
The five public schools in the county all will celebrate graduation with ceremonies today for Albion, Kendall, Lyndonville and Medina, while Holley has its commencement on Saturday. There are 381 grads total in the five districts.
Here is a snapshot from each district’s ceremony:
• ALBION is graduating 114 students this year during a 7 p.m. service today outside on the football field. The ceremony speakers are Neveya Barnes (Class of 2026 President), Nathaniel Miesner (Salutatorian) and Gideon Pask (Valedictorian) as well as Linda Weller (Board of Education President) and Mickey Edwards (Superintendent).
• HOLLEY has 72 students graduating on Saturday during commencement at 10 a.m. in the school auditorium.
Spanish teacher Jane DelGudico was picked by the Class of 2026 to give the commencement address. The Salutatory address will be given by Kohle Pachla and the Valedictory address will be delivered by Mia Thom.
• KENDALL – The Class of 2026 includes 53 graduates. The ceremony will be 7 p.m. today in the school auditorium.
Maggie Allocco, a Kendall science teacher, has been picked by the class to be the commencement speaker.
The top two students academically also will give speeches, including Valedictorian Marlie Clark and Salutatorian Madison Hults.
• LYNDONVILLE has 42 students graduating today during a 7 p.m. ceremony in the auditorium. Valedictorian Elena Barry and Salutatorian Brooke Robinson will each give an address.
• MEDINA has 100 graduates receiving diplomas at 7 p.m. today at Vets Park.
The Class of 2026 Valedictorian is Bellaflor Gomez-Hernandez, who will deliver an address titled “From Google Meets to Senior Seats.” The Salutatorian is Lilah Class, whose speech is titled “Our Next Step.”
This year’s commencement speaker is Dr. Julie Webber, who will present an address titled “Your Destiny Awaits.” Webber is Medina’s Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and AVID District Director.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2026 at 10:27 am
Former Clarendon official avoids jail in plea agreement, must pay restitution
File photo: Melissa Ierlan
ALBION – Melissa Ierlan pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree today in Orleans County Court, admitting to taking $62,000 without authorization from the Clarendon Historical Society when she was the group’s president.
Ierlan won’t have to go to jail, but will need to pay full restitution and will be on probation for five years as part of a plea agreement. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 26 by Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church.
The amount of funds missing from the Clarendon Historical Society was down from the $102,752 initially determined by the state comptroller’s office. The comptroller’s office then lowered the amount to $70,000.
Ierlan was able to show how some of the funds were spent for the Historcial Society, said Susan Howard, the county’s district attorney.
Ierlan’s attorney George Muscato said the $62,000 “was a fair and reasonable number.”
Judge Church asked Ierlan, who was under oath this morning, if she stole money from the Clarendon Historical Society from Dec. 16, 2020 to Sept. 27, 2025. She replied yes.
She acknowledged she took actions to take the money out of the bank without authority. The Historical Society allowed her to be the sole signer for writing checks.
Ierlan worked many years as the Clarendon code enforcement officer and cemetery administrator. She also has been president of the Clarendon Historical Society. In the Historical Society role she is alleged to have falsified records to steal $102,752.
The grand larceny charge as an E felony would carry a maximum of 4 years in state prison. The charge was reduced from a C felony where more than $50,000 is stolen and the maximum would be 15 years.
One issue during the plea deal this morning was whether the Historical Society agrees to the $62,000 in restitution. Howard said the Historical Society is currently reorganizing and doesn’t have people in place yet.
“I want to know whoever gets the restitution agrees to the amount,” the judge said.
Howard said the Historical Society “was pretty much just her,” she said referring to Ierlan.
Howard said the community is working to add members to the Historical Society and get the organization functioning.
“By sentencing I hope there will be a Historical Society properly in place,” she said.
The plea agreement today also included an order of protection for a witness who helped inform authorities of the missing funds.
The judge continued to let Ierlan be free without bail. She was joined at the court appearance today by her family, including husband Fred Seeman, who likely won the Republican primary for town supervisor on Tuesday. He has a 15-vote lead over Marc Major with 16 potential absentee ballots that could come in.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 26 June 2026 at 9:07 am
Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall G-R All-Stars Nic Cole, left, and Vinnie D’Agostino.
A quartet of Kendall players have earned Genesee Region League baseball All-Star honors.
The Eagles honorees include senior third baseman/pitcher Vinnie D’Agostino, senior pitcher/first baseman Nic Cole, senior second baseman Jonny Conte and junior first baseman/pitcher CJ D’Agostino.
Cole and Vinnie D’Agostino are repeat honorees.
Eagles sophomore shortstop Sammy Conte also earned Honorable Mention.
Kendall mentor Tige Noni was named G-R Coach of the Year.
Vinnie D’Agostino, who was named G-R Player of the Year, hit .505 wirh 12 double, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 36 RBIs. On the mound he pitched 51.1 innings and had 80 strikeouts and a 0.955 earned run average.
Cole pitched 62.2 innings, registered 95 strikeouts and had a 0.894 ERA. At the plate, he had 4 doubles and drove in 22 runs.
CJ D’Agostino hit .452 and had 9 doubles, 5 triples, 2 home runs and 24 RBIs. He also pitched 34 innings and had 56 strikeouts and a 1.835 ERA.
Jonny Conte hit .419 and had 8 doubles and 22 RBIs.
Kendall G-R All-Stars Jonny Conte, left, and CJ D’Agostino.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2026 at 8:27 am
Seneca Chief makes 20-mile trek through Orleans, part of 3-week journey on the canal
Photos by Tom Rivers
The Seneca Chief heads west on the Erie Canal on Thursday. The replica of the famed boat that carried Gov. DeWitt Clinton across the newly constructed Erie Canal in 1825, is shown in Albion in a photo taken from the Presbyterian Road Canal Bridge.
The Seneca Chief travelled from Holley to Medina on Thursday. The boat carries a crew from the Buffalo Maritime Center. Each stop it also gives a ride to about a dozen people. This group, including Orleans County mascots Orly the Ox and his brother Scout, were able to ride the boat from Albion to Medina.
Because the replica has no engine, the 33-foot historic wooden tugboat C.L. Churchill is used to push and maneuver the vessel along the Erie Canal.
Volunteers at the Buffalo Maritime Center worked for four years to recreate the Seneca Chief. The 73-foot-long replica received great fanfare last year as part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the Erie Canal. It went from Buffalo to New York City and spent the winter in Waterford near Albany.
The Seneca Chief is doing a “Back to Buffalo” tour this month. It leaves Medina today for North Tonawanda, and then on Saturday will reach its destination in Buffalo.
It was raining pretty hard when the Seneca Chief passed under the Main Street lift bridge in Albion around 2:30.
Two brothers from Oakfield, Titus (right) and Jed Dart, pour water from the Erie Canal in Medina into a barrel. The Buffalo Maritime Center did a similar “Gathering of the Waters” ceremony last year on the 200th anniversary voyage of the Seneca Chief, collecting water at each stop and then using it to water an Eastern White Pine tree in New York City.
This time the water collected along the journey will be used to water an Eastern White Pine in Buffalo.
Last year, the Maritime Center had a tree planted at each stop, including one in Medina that is at State Street Park close to the canal.
Paul Winnie watches the two brothers pour the water into the barrel. Winnie is a member of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation. He noted the Eastern White Pine symbolize peace and represent a chance to bury quarrels among people.
Brian Trzeciak, executive director of the Buffalo Maritime Center, said the journey across the canal last year and this year has been a goodwill mission, helping to bring the communities together.
“This is a tour of hope and optimism,” he said.
Debbie Padoleski, the mayor of Medina, thanked the Buffalo Maritime Center for their effort sin creating the Seneca Chief replica and for bringing it to Medina the past three years. Medina was included in the boat’s test run in 2024 before the big journey last year from Buffalo all the way to New York City.
The “Back to Buffalo” journey went from near Albany to Buffalo.
The Seneca Chief pulls up along the canal wall in Medina’s Canal Basin at the end of Thursday’s trip that started in Holley.
Largest fireworks show in Lyndonville history to cap 250th anniversary celebration for USA
Photo by Tom Rivers: Fireworks lit up the sky in Lyndonville last year on the Fourth of July to cap the 50th annual July 4th celebration organized by the Lyndonville Lions Club.
Press Release, Lyndonville Lions Club
LYNDONVILLE – At its final planning meeting on Wednesday, June 24, the Lyndonville Lions Club finalized preparations for what is expected to be the largest Fourth of July Celebration in the history of the Town of Yates.
The Lions Club anticipates no changes from the traditions that have made this event a community favorite for the past 51 years. The annual celebration will once again take place throughout the streets of Lyndonville and on the grounds of Lyndonville Central School.
The celebration will begin with the “Light Up Lyndonville” initiative, encouraging residents throughout the Town of Yates and the Village of Lyndonville to illuminate their homes in red, white and blue from July 1 through July 5.
In partnership with the Village of Lyndonville Department of Public Works, the Lyndonville Lions Club will also be lighting Main Street with a variety of patriotic displays and decorations.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Just before the hour-long parade a military flyover passed over Lyndonville during last year’s parade on July 4, 2025. The plane came from the 911th United States Air Force Reserve from Pittsburgh, Pa. The flyover was at about 11:55 a.m.
The Lions encourage residents to showcase their community spirit and patriotic pride by decorating their homes with flags, banners, lights, wreaths and inflatables. Following the holiday weekend, awards will be presented to recognize the most outstanding residential displays.
A military fly over is anticipated on July 4th at 11:55 a.m. which will honor our past, present veterans and active military personnel. Please remember the military fly over is dependent on present world events and weather conditions. Further details may be forthcoming, so stay tuned.
This year’s chicken barbecue will feature chicken from Chiavetta’s along with all the traditional sides. Tickets may be purchased at the Hojack Ice Cream Shack and the Yates Town Hall during regular business hours. Tickets may also be reserved through any Lyndonville Lions Club member on a will-call basis and will be held at the door for pickup on the day of the event. In addition, tickets will be available for purchase at the door, subject to availability.
The Lyndonville Lions Club is also setting an ambitious goal this year—to sell 1,000 hot dogs during the Fourth of July Celebration. To help reach this milestone, the Lions are inviting everyone to join their “A Bad Day to Be a Hot Dog” campaign. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Lions hot dog stand, enjoy a delicious hot dog, and support the many community service projects sponsored by the Club throughout the year.
After the parade there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the grave of Nehemiah Spalding, a Revolutionary War soldier.
The parade will kick off at noon and is expected to have all the usual participants along with some new additions. The Lyndonville Lions will be sponsoring their “Salute to America’s Forefathers” float.
The Grand Marshal cars will carry the 4th generation relatives of one of Lyndonville’s “Home Town Hero’s” Mr. Nehemiah Spalding. Mr. Peter Wybron and his sister Mrs. Nancy Gerhardt are 4th generation grandchildren and are his descendants living here in Western New York. Mr. Spalding was a Revolutionary War Volunteer who served in the Albany area militias.
Records from the War Department and research through the Daughters of the American Revolution corroborate Mr. Spalding’s participation in multiple local British scrimmages in the Hudson and Mohawk Valley regions. Further records show his cooperation in several of the major Revolutionary War Battles including the Battle of Oriskany, The Battle for Klock’s Field and the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga. This last battle has been considered by historians to be the turning point of the Revolutionary War in favor of the Continental Army.
A wreath laying ceremony will follow the parade at the grave marker of Mr. Nehemiah Spalding in Lynhaven Cemetery. The event is expected to include a wreath being placed by local dignitaries, a full honor guard with a flag folding presentation, gun salute and the playing of taps. This will be carried out by the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station Honor Guard. The Lions are in gratitude to The Houseman-Tanner American Legion Post 1603 and Mr. Scott Goetze for their efforts in seeing this come to fruition. The retired pastor from the Yates Baptist Church Reverend Lyle Drake will offer a few words along with a closing prayer.
At the culmination of the service the Gates Pipe and Drum Band will perform ” Amazing Grace. All are welcome to attend this brief memorial service that will honor and remember those who made this day possible.
The evening entertainment will feature an encore performance by one of Lyndonville’s favorite bands, the Bleeding Hearts. The band is expected to perform many of their popular crowd-pleasers, along with a special tribute set featuring classic hits from one of America’s most beloved summer bands, the Beach Boys.
Provided photo: The Bleeding Hearts will perform a special tribute set to the Beach Boys before the fireworks.
During the Beach Boys tribute set, the Lyndonville Lions Club will sponsor its inaugural Lawn Surfing Contest. Aspiring surfers from Lyndonville and across Western New York will have the opportunity to compete for cash prizes and bragging rights as they showcase their best lawn surfing skills. So break out your “baggies” and your “Huarache sandals,” practice your best surf moves, and join the fun.
The evening will close with the much-anticipated Salute to America 250 fireworks extravaganza. Patriotic songs will accompany the first part of the fireworks display expected to commence at 10 p.m.
The Lions would like to thank all those who have sponsored this event. The Lions would ask that all take a moment to remember those who have passed and bequeathed funds to the Lyndonville Lions to be used for this year’s fireworks display.
In further business the Lyndonville Lions selected the Scholarship winners for the Dr. Julius Layer “Doc Layer Award” and the Mr. Donald Fraiser Memorial Scholarship Award. These two scholarships are the oldest scholarships awarded at the Lyndonville High School Graduation Ceremony dating back to their inception in 1968 and 1970. Each scholarship is a $1,000 award to a graduating senior who encompasses the scholarship, compassion, civic responsibility and sportsmanship.
The Lions Club will continue its annual tradition of recognizing the top ten graduating seniors with a $100 cash gift at graduation. The club will recognize the work of the Senior Class Leo Club members with a Lions Club International Gold Pin Award. The awards will be announced by a Lyndonville Lions Club member at graduation.
The Lyndonville Lions Club extends a warm invitation to residents, former residents, neighbors, and visitors to join us for this historic Fourth of July Celebration as we commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States of America. May God continue to bless our men and women in harm’s way around the world as they continue to protect our rights and freedoms.
By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 25 June 2026 at 7:09 pm
Contributed Photo – Melanie Green
Medina’s Melanie Green fired a 1 over par 73 today on the opening round of thr Women’s PGA Championship being held at the Hazeltine Country Club in Chaska, Minnesota.
Green got off to a rough start with a bogey on the first hole and a double bogey on the third to quickly soar to 3 over par.
However, she rebounded strongly with birdies on 8, 9 and 11 to get back to even par.
A bogey on 13 interrupted that rally and left her with a 1 over par round for the day.
When she finished her round she was 10 shots back of the leader at 9 under.
The tournament will continue on Friday after which the field will be cut setting the stage for the championship deciding rounds on Saturday and Sunday.
