Lyndonville Lions named ‘Supporter of the Year’ by arts organization

Photos by Tom Rivers: Arthur Barnes is pictured on Sept. 7, 2024 during a celebration in Holley of his agricultural-themed mural on the back of the Community Free Library. Barnes’ artwork has been featured in murals and publications in the Orleans County for about 40 years.

BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council will be honoring Arthur Barnes with a Lifetime Achievement Award this Saturday.

Barnes, a resident of Millville, has shared his artistic talents with the community for about 40 years, with his work featured in tourism materials, murals on prominent buildings, and as treasured keepsakes for residents.

He will be recognized on Saturday when the 2025 Genean Awards are presented by GO Art! at 5:30 p.m. at GO Art!’s Seymour Place, 201 East Main St., Batavia. The evening includes live entertainment, light refreshments, a cash bar and magazine-style photo booth. Click here for more information.

“This special event isn’t just about honoring remarkable individuals—it’s about securing the future of arts and culture in Genesee and Orleans counties,” said Gregory Hallock, GO Art! executive executive director.

Barnes has been a prominent local artist for about four decades, despite having no formal artistic training.

Arthur Barnes created this pen and ink drawing of the former Waterport Trestle, an iconic landmark that was demolished about 30 years ago.

Barnes uses his artwork to celebrate Orleans County and its rich history. Barnes created a series of five large-scale murals depicting the Erie Canal which can be enjoyed in Medina, Knowlesville, Albion and Holley.

Both a photographer and artist, Barnes highlights local tourism landmarks, such as the County Courthouse, the Culvert in Ridgeway and Mount Albion Tower. However, most of his work pays homage to the houses, barns and beautiful rural landscape of the area.

These pieces serve to document Orleans County history as several of the houses and barns in his paintings are no longer standing.

In 2000, Barnes bought a cobblestone building in Millville originally built as a Quaker meeting house in 1841. Barnes has repaired the roof and spent countless hours on additional improvements to spare what would have been an inevitable collapse of the building.

Arthur Barnes is shown installing a mural on May 21, 2021 at the Orleans County YMCA facing West Avenue on a brick building near Lee Place. This is the fifth Erie Canal-themed mural Barnes has created. Barnes used a scene near the Allens Bridge Road canal bridge on the west end of Albion for inspiration.

Barnes is active on social media as “The Artist Monk” posting photos and artwork about local sites. Barnes praises the county’s rich history and vibrant landscapes, including the wildlife refuge, muck, apple orchards, canal, historic downtowns and even the barns that often appear to be on their last legs.

The Lyndonville Lions Club also will be recognized by GO Art! as the “Supporter of the Year.” The Lyndonville Lions have organized the annual July 4^th community celebration for 50 years, bringing thousands of people into the village for entertainment capped by one of the biggest fireworks shows in Western New York.

Last summer on Aug. 23, the Lyndonville Lions Club teamed with the Village of Lyndonville and Town of Yates for the third annual Street Dance on a closed off section of Main Street. The Lions for several years also have organized a July concert at the Yates Town Park, usually featuring the band Crash Cadillac.

The Lions last year also started a new Oktoberfest at the White Birch Golf Resort.

Other 2025 Genean Award winners include Bryan Wright – Individual Artist of the Year; Frank Corbiserie – Visionary Artist Award; Thea Anderson & Kyle Moore – Volunteers of the Year; and Lorie Longhany – Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fireworks light up the sky and are reflected in Johnson Creek during the finale on July 4, 2024. The fireworks show was more than 40 minutes and capped off the 50th anniversary of the Lyndonville Lions Club’s Independence Day celebrations.

A student from Orleans County has made the Dean’s List at Hartwick College and another made the Dean’s List at Grove City College.

Erin Kiefer of Lyndonville was named to Hartwick College’s Fall 2024 Dean’s List. Kiefer, who is pursuing a major in English at the college in Oneonta, was among the approximately 425 students who were named to the Fall 2024 Dean’s List.

To qualify, students must complete at least 12 academic credits during a term with a grade point average of at least 3.50 and no incompletes.

Emma Roush of Medina, a senior Psychology major at Grove City in Pennsylvania, has been named to the Dean’s List for the fall 2024 semester. Roush is a 2021 graduate of Medina High School. Students eligible for the Dean’s List have a GPA of 3.40 to 3.59.

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the Orleans County students on the Provost’s List for the fall semester.

Students honored on the Provost’s List have maintained part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

The following from Orleans are on the list:

• Kareem Caballero of Albion
• Santos Concepcion of Albion
• La’Cory Edwards of Albion
• Timothy Jones of Albion
• Milton Mondelus of Albion
• Michael Weezorak of Albion
• Abigael Delobbe-Scott of Lyndonville
• Emma Maynard of Lyndonville
• David Garrow of Medina
• Evan Horn of Medina
• Steven Kage of Medina
• Jenna Wildschutz of Medina
• Candice Baker of Medina
• Alivia Fidanza of Albion
• Rebecca Smith of Albion
• Bradley Pierce of Albion
• Ethan Hofmann of Albion
• Rowan Hofmann of Albion
• Autumn Schaefer of Albion
• Jessica Cookinham of Albion
• Sophia Smith of Albion
• Zachary Schultz of Holley
• Ashton Drought of Holley
• Laurie Ruday of Kent
• Elisa Bropst of Kent
• Tyrell Wright of Knowlesville
• Aaron Arnett of Waterport

Brett Sobieraski

ROCHESTER – A retired Rochester police sergeant who has inspired many and raised $300,000 towards charitable causes with endurances feats has been chosen “Citizen of the Year” and will be honored in Rochester’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday.

Brett Sobieraski, a Carlton resident, was chosen as the “Citizen of the year” by the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee. The parade starts at 12:30 p.m., beginning at East and Alexander, heading down East Avenue to the Liberty Pole. There, the parade heads west down Main Street and ends at the corner of Fitzhugh Street.

The parade has a theme celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, and honors the Irish immigrants who were a major part of the workforce for the canal.

Sobieraski has pushed himself in endurance challenges to raise money for fallen police officers and also the Special Olympics organization.

In 2023, he completed “8 States for Maz” and ran 1,310 miles through eight states over 50 days to honor fallen RPD Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was killed in the line of duty. Sobieraski ran a marathon every day in a journey tht started in Florida and ended in Rochester. One of his marathons was in Orleans County.

He wrote a book about the experience – “8 States for Maz- The Humanity Tour” – where he describes all the acts of kindness he witnessed from friends and strangers.

The writeup on Sobieraski from the Rochester St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee includes:

Brett Sobieraski grew up in Lockport and always wanted to be a police officer just like his father, John. Sobieraski was hired by the Lockport Police Department when he was 21 and worked there for four years, before transferring to the Rochester Police Department.

At RPD, he worked primarily in narcotics and on the SWAT Team during his career, as well as being an instructor at the Police Academy. He retired as a sergeant after 32 years of service.

He also served on the Board of Directors at Huther Doyle for over 20 years, helping individuals and families with addiction issues. In the early 2000s, Brett vowed to start living a healthier lifestyle. This eventually led him to ultra-distance events, and he used his grit and determination to finish extreme challenges, including swimming nonstop across Lake Ontario, running 175 miles along the Erie Canal, running 50 hours straight for various charities, and completing the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon in Death Valley, California, which is recognized as the most demanding and toughest road race on the planet.

In 2023, Brett completed “8 States for Maz” running 1310 miles through eight states over 50 days to honor fallen RPD Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz, who was killed in the line of duty. Brett wrote a book about that journey called 8 States for Maz- The Humanity Tour, where he describes all the acts of kindness he witnessed from friends and strangers. People who gave him the last dollars out of their pocket for a family and a hero they’d never meet. It’s a beautiful story about America and about the kindness of Americans.

Brett has raised over $300,000 for charities such as Special Olympics New York, Veterans Outreach Center and the Mazurkiewicz family. Brett also wrote his memoir Gray Man – An Average Man’s Journey to Personal Greatness that provides a glimpse into what is possible when you set the conditions, put in the time and believe you can train yourself to achieve just about anything.

Dr. Clark Godshall

ALBANY – Dr. Clark Godshall, who retired June 30 after 53 years as an educator and 43 years as a school administrator, received a Distinguished Service Award this week from the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

The organization met at the Albany Capital Center for its Winter Institute & Lobby Day. Godshall was honored by the group for an “exemplary commitment to public education.” The Distinguished Service award is the organization’s highest honor.

Godshall recently retired as the Orleans-Niagara BOCES after 24 years as the district superintendent. While leading the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, he was a member of the NYS Council of School Superintendents and was one of the group’s youngest presidents and led the NY Commissioner’s Advisory Council. He also was past president of NYS Association of School Business Officials and ASBO International Associations.

He was previously named a New York State Superintendent of the Year and represented New York State on the national stage of the American Association  of School Superintendents.

His accomplishments included his 34 years at the BOCES including five interim BOCES superintendencies, completing over 76 superintendent searches, mentoring  hundreds of school administrators and providing training to school board members and his peers.

During his acceptance speech, Dr. Godshall credited his success to the great teams that he had been associated with at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES, specifically, the Board of Education, component districts, New York State Education Department, the community and O/N BOCES employees.

“A great educational staff with community support is the foundation to a great education!” he declared.

A former high school science teacher, Godshall instructed biology, chemistry and earth science in the Hilton Central School District and started his administrative career as the assistant superintendent for the Penn Yan Central School District.

Jai Li McPhatter helped woman after she had been robbed

Provided photo: Jai Li McPhatter of Albion is presented with a “Do The Right Thing Award” last Thursday at the Public Safety Building downtown Rochester. He is joined by Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Rochester Police Chief David M. Smith.

ROCHESTER – An Albion eighth-grader, Jai Li McPhatter, has been honored with a “Do The Right Thing Award” in Rochester for his efforts to help a woman after she had been robbed.

Jai Li did his good deed in June when he was on South Clinton Avenue in South Wedge of Rochester. He came to the aid of a woman who was in her parked car. A thief opened her car door, entered her car with her in the driver’s seat, reached over her and took her purse.

The woman, Marie, didn’t have a phone anymore because it was in her purse. She headed to the corner restaurant to get help and call the police.

Jai Li saw what happened and gave police a very detailed description of the robber. He also insisted he and a family member check on the lady to make sure she was safe. They waited with Marie for the police to come.

A Rochester PD lieutenant and the woman who was robbed both nominated Jai Li for the “Do The Right Thing Award.” He and other award recipients were honored last Thursday during a ceremony at the Public Safety Building in downtown Rochester.

The ceremony is expected to be posted by Channel 10 (WHEC) in Rochester and award winners will be featured on billboards in the city.

Press Release, Baldwin Wallace University

Courtesy of Baldwin Wallace Student Government: Leah Kania, left, and Aniya Qualls are the new student government leaders at Baldwin Wallace.

BEREA, OH – Students at Baldwin Wallace University elected Leah Kania of Albion as student body president. Kania, a graduate of Charles D’Amico High School in Albion majoring in voice performance, is passionate about student advocacy and progress and is committed to fostering a forward-thinking campus environment.

“As I take on this new leadership position, I am most excited to continue the conversation for positive change and work to propel BW forward to benefit the current and future student body! #YJ4L,” said Kania.

Kania officially took office, along with vice president Aniya Qualls of Elyria, Ohio, during an inauguration ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

The new leadership team is eager to work alongside faculty, staff and students to address key campus initiatives and enhance student life at Baldwin Wallace. Their dedication to advocacy and meaningful change will help shape a vibrant and supportive community for all students. Their term of office runs until the spring election in 2026.

Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,500 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 65 academic areas. Located in Berea, 12 miles from downtown Cleveland, BW offers students the cultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has named Orleans County to the fall Dean’s List. Students honored on the Dean’s List have maintained full or part-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.50 to 3.74.

The following from Orleans made the list:

• Ellisa Roath of Medina
• Alana Wilson-Drewery of Medina
• Amber Stawicki of Medina
• Jackson O’Brocta of Albion
• Devynn Pearles of Albion
• Micah Martin of Albion
• Jacklyn Botello of Holley
• Jonathan Russo of Holley
• Clancy Frearson of Kendall
• Carey Bradley of Albion
• Wayne Glasgow of Albion
• Daniel Marvin of Albion
• Kelly Werth of Medina
• Abigail Smith of Medina
• Leah Knab of Albion
• Catherine Wolck of Albion
• Emma Tucker of Albion
• Joshua Bovenzi of Holley
• Erin Salisbury of Holley
• Jacqueline O’Grady of Holley
• Ashley Makowski of Kendall
• Pedro Santiago of Kent
• Travis Baldwin of Kent

Press Release, Genesee Community College

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College has announced the students from Orleans County who are among 225 named to President’s List. Students honored on the President’s List have maintained full-time enrollment and earned a quality point index of 3.75 (roughly equivalent to an A) or better.

The following are from Orleans County on the President’s List:

• Sade Poole of Medina
• Alicia Frasier of Medina
• Emily Mayne of Medina
• Casey Conrad of Albion
• Kobe Pugsley of Albion
• Kaitlin Simons of Albion
• Brianna Sample of Albion
• Amanda Greenough of Albion
• Mckenzie Olmstead of Albion
• Isaac Neidert of Albion
• Miguel Aldaco of Albion
• Kayla Burgio of Albion
• Faith Chaffee of Albion
• Lauren Rissew of Albion
• Derick Marr of Albion
• Melanie Kuhmann of Albion
• Kimberly Weese of Albion
• Krista Lefrois of Albion
• Grace Gregoire of Albion
• Luke Gregoire of Albion
• Sadie Gregoire of Albion

OSWEGO – Four students from Orleans County have been named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at SUNY Oswego. These students have attained grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying at least 12 academic credits.

The students from Orleans County include:

• Brandon X. Boyce, Medina, majoring in psychology
• Miles W. Hartway, Medina, majoring in wellness management
• Alex E. Stahl, Medina, majoring in operations management and information systems
• Isabella R. Zasa, Knowlesville, majoring in public relations

CORTLAND – Four students from Orleans County are on the Dean’s List for the fall semester at SUNY Cortland. The Dean’s List is the highest ranking for undergraduate students in their respective academic areas of the university. Students must earn a minimum 3.3 grade point average for the semester to make the list.

The following from Orleans made the Dean’s List:

• Paige Derisley of Waterport – Major: Physical Education K-12
• Olivia Morrison of Albion – Major: Anthropology
• Xander Payne of Medina – Major: Sport Management
• Nathan Sherman of Medina – Major: Business Economics

A 2021 Medina High School is among the new graduates for the State Police Academy.

Jack Rutkowski, now of Pine Bush in Orange County, graduated last week from the academy.

Eric Miller of Medina also was in the class. Oliver Valenti of Akron also completed the 216th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The new State Troopers increases the State Police ranks to 5,034 sworn members.

Rutkowski was a Boy Scout in Troop 35 in Medina, and played on the school’s soccer and baseball teams.

AMES, IOWA – Zachary Fike of Medina has made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Iowa State University. Fike is a senior majoring in agronomy.

He is one of 11,500 Iowa State University students who have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2024 Dean’s List. Students named to the Dean’s List must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scale while carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours of graded course work.