By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 December 2024 at 9:36 pm
Parada portrays Santa to 10,000 people each year in Lockport at Christmas Cottage
File photos by Tom Rivers: Christopher Parada portrays Santa in December 2018 and greets a young girl at the Christmas Cottage, a site he designed and built with his father in 2010 at a park in Lockport.
LOCKPORT – Medina native Christopher Parada, who portrays Santa each year to about 10,000 people at the Christmas Cottage in Lockport, has been inducted in the Santa Claus Hall of Fame.
Parada, a 2002 Medina High School graduate, built the Christmas Cottage in 2010 with assistance from his father, Daniel Parada. The 15-by-15-foot cottage is at Day Road Park in the Town of Lockport.
Parada has a tribute set up in the building for the late Charles W. Howard, founder of the Santa School in Albion from 1937 to 1966.
Howard was in the charter class of the Santa Claus Hall of Fame in 2010.
Parada’s induction was announced today by the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the group’s website which shows all of the inductees since 2010.
The Hall of Fame states the following about Parada:
Photo from Santa Claus Hall of Fame: Christopher Parada gives a very convincing portrayal of Santa.
“Christopher is a true renaissance man in the entertainment industry, directing and producing theatrical productions as the Executive Director of the Historic Palace Theatre for over 20 years.
“In 2010, he founded, built, and created the Santa Claus Christmas Cottage in Lockport, New York. This enchanting destination allows families to visit Santa Claus each Christmas season at no cost. Each year, over 10,000 visitors come to experience the magic of the holiday spirit in this special place. Christopher’s work and dedication has made a lasting impact on the community, bringing joy and festive cheer to families during the most wonderful time of the year, creating ‘Community Togetherness.’
“Growing up just a stone’s throw away from the historic and prestigious Santa Claus school in Albion, New York, Chris was surrounded by the magical world of Santa Claus from a young age. The stories, the spirit of giving, and the joyful atmosphere filled his childhood with wonder. However, it was the theatrical design of the iconic Santa Suit that truly captured his heart.
“Chris honors this cherished tradition by creating historic department store Santa Claus Suits, ensuring that the magic of ‘Nostalgic & New’ continues to delight generations.”
Parada first portrayed Santa in high school. When he was a teen he learned about Charles Howard. Parada learned about the local community’s connection to Howard from his late grandmother, Elaine Janele, who was the children’s librarian at the Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. She created the Santa Claus story hour at the library.
“It intrigued me so much when I found out about this school,” Parada said in a previous interview with the Orleans Hub.
Parada has a Howard suit on display, and black-and-white photos from when LIFE magazine visited the school in Albion in 1961. He has other merchandise, including an admission ticket to Christmas Park, a “Family Funderland.”
“I wanted there to be a connection to where the spark came from, where it all started,” Parada said. “For Albion to be home to the Santa Claus School is a really cool thing.”
He has visited the school, which is now in Midland, Mich. He follows the principles taught by Howard for Santas with how he acts and looks. Parada also plays the role for free at the cottage. He accepts donations which he uses for landscaping at the site and for materials.
Parada wears a suit in the style designed by Howard. The suit is made of wool – not velvet or plush. He has a white shawl collar that is about 6 inches wide all the way around, and has a yarn pom pom tassel on the hat. His beard and wig are made of yak hair, which can be styled with a curling iron.
He also followed Howard’s example with a shiny leather belt with a big silver buckle.
When Parada decided to build a Christmas Cottage, he scouted sites in Lockport. He liked the spot at the town park, next to a big parking lot. The park is popular with its playground, soccer field and other amenities.
Parada had a feeling the cottage would be a hit, especially if it was free for families. He saw Santas in the malls where there was a hefty charge for a photo and the Santas didn’t seem to engage with the children.
“In the mall it’s a nightmare,” he said in the previous interview. “People tell me this is so much better than the mall.”
Parada wanted to create a site where people would feel like they’re going into a storybook.
“Santa and Christmas are fun,” he said. “It’s exciting, it’s happiness. The world needs more of that.”
Parada is the fourth Orleans County person in the Santa Claus Hall of Fame. Besides him and Howard, the Hall of Fame inducted Santa Suit maker Elizabeth Babcock in 2019, and George Cond in 2016. Cond was hand-picked by Howard to be the Santa at Christmas Park in Albion.
A Charles Howard suit is on display in the Christmas Cottage, as well as information about Elizabeth Babcock, who made the Santa suits.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 16 December 2024 at 9:49 pm
File photo: Adam Kirby holds the trophy for winning the 2019 corn yield contest in New York.
ALBION – A local corn grower is the state winner for highest corn yield in conventional irrigated class.
Adam Kirby of Albion won the title with a yield of 290.548 bushels per acre. He grew the crop with a Pioneer hybrid seed – PO859AM*. He used a John Deere planter and a Case IH to harvest in the corn.
Kirby’s top yield was announced by the National Corn Growers Association in its 60th annual yield contest. Kirby won one of the state categories from 2019 to 2021.
He will be honored at Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado, from March 2-4 with 27 national and 535 state winners from around the country.
David Hula of Charles City, Virginia had the top yield in United States at 490.6276 bushels per acre in the strip-till irrigated division.
For more information on the corn yield contest, click here.
Provided photos: Local professionals who attended the suicide prevention conference are, from left, Lynne C. Mignemi, Morgan Williams, Sue Gagne, Katelyn Zufall, Sara Andrew, Cheryl Netter, Sherri Bensley and Nola Goodrich-Kresse. Peter Mittiga also attended.
BATAVIA – The Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition was recognized at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany last month for excellence in the Lethal Means Safety category.
Sara Andrew, a licensed clinical social worker and community engagement and partnership coordinator at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, accepted an award on behalf of GOW Pathway to Hope.
The coalition was nominated for this award by Lynda Battaglia, director of Community Services in Genesee County in partnership with Kelly Dryja, director of Community Services in Wyoming County and Danielle Figura, director of Community Services in Orleans County.
Sara Andrew, community engagement and partnership coordinator at the VA Medical Center in Batavia, accepts an award on behalf of the GOW Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition, from Dr. Thomas Smith, chief medical officer, New York State Office of Mental Health, at the 2024 Suicide Prevention Conference in Albany.
Andrew works with coalitions in Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming and Niagara counties to implement community-based interventions for suicide coalition, with a focus on service members, veterans and their families.
About 150 professionals in the suicide prevention field attended the conference at the Desmond Hotel Crowne Plaza.
Lethal means are objects (e.g., medications, firearms, sharp instruments) that can be used to inflict self-directed violence. Lethal Means Safety is an intentional, voluntary practice to reduce one’s suicide risk by limiting access to those lethal means.
In submitting the nomination form, Battaglia outlined steps being taken by the local coalition to reduce means of harm.
“For the GOW Pathway to Hope Suicide Prevention Coalition, it might mean having someone taking a few extra minutes of having to unlock a gun safe or unlocking medications that can give someone that time to pause and not make an impulsive decision, such as suicide,” she wrote.
“We know that people have access to lethal means in their environment and we know the goal of lethal means safety is to promote and give opportunities between thinking of suicide and acting on it for individuals. Preventing access to lethal means in that very moment gives that person a couple of life saving minutes to think about what they are doing and to reach out for help instead.”
Battaglia pointed out that the local coalition has worked to overcome “unique challenges” faced by rural areas, such as accessibility to services and lack of transportation. She noted that suicide in agriculture and farming – key industries of Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties – is on the rise.
“While the coalition focuses on the needs of each county, collectively the coalition is stronger working together,” she wrote. “This is demonstrated on a routine basis in ways of sharing resources, education, supports, and promoting efforts to reduce stigma associated with mental illness and suicide by close partnership and collaboration of efforts.”
GOW Pathway to Hope has adopted an evidenced based, suicide prevention initiative that was initially developed in Virginia. The Lock & Talk training educates local residents on what Lethal Means Safety is while encouraging communities to engage in mental wellness conversations.
“Locking/safely securing or removing lethal means is one of the few evidence-based strategies to substantially prevent suicide- many suicides occur with little planning during a short-term crisis,” Battaglia wrote. “Talking can often alleviate distress and reduce the intention to act on suicidal thoughts. It’s also about sharing resources and getting the right help to the right individuals who need it, when they need it.”
Thus far, GOW Pathway to Hope has distributed around 400 Lock & Talk bags that each include a cable gun lock, locking medication pouch or medication lockbox, a pre-paid medication disposal envelope among other local and national resources.
Additionally, about two dozen LMS trainings have been provided to human service professionals as gatekeepers, who in turn received the Lock & Talk bags to provide to community members in need, and several firearm safety for suicide prevention workshops have been conducted.
For more information about the Lock and Talk program, email spcgenesee@gmail.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 November 2024 at 1:55 pm
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Provided photos
HOLLEY – The Holley Village Board last week honored Sal DeLuca as Holle’s Citizen of the Year.
DeLuca was hailed for his long-time contributions on the Board of Education, as a coach and with the Holley Sports Boosters.
The top photo from left shows village trustees Rochelle Moroz and Jessica MacClaren, Sal DeLuca, Mayor Mark Bower, and trustees John Morriss and Jim DeFilipps.
The photo at right shows Mayor Bower presenting the award.
“Sal DeLuca has given an enormous amount of his time in service to the Holley community as a school board member and coach,” Bower said. “ He has impacted numerous Holley residents for the better.”
ONEONTA – Daisy Perez-Reyes and the SUNY Oneonta iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team traveled to Paris in late October to compete in the annual iGEM Grand Jamboree and received a gold medal in its first-ever collaboration with students and faculty from Hartwick College.
Perez-Reyes of Albion is studying Sociology at SUNY Oneonta.
The iGEM Grand Jamboree is a competition where teams of students from around the world “push the boundaries of synthetic biology by tackling everyday issues facing the world.” More than 450 teams registered for the competition this year, making the 2024 Grand Jamboree the largest in iGEM history. This was the fifth competition for the SUNY Oneonta team, which won silver medals in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
“We could not be prouder of this year’s team, not only for their success, but also for their enthusiasm and dedication to having a positive impact on the world,” said Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Kelly Gallagher, who advises the team alongside Associate Professor of Biology Jill Fielhaber.
“Receiving a gold medal represents the culmination of countless hours spent both in and outside of the lab from every student,” said Dr. Fielhaber. “Our team’s first collaboration with students and faculty from Hartwick College makes receiving SUNY Oneonta’s first gold medal all the more significant.”
This year’s team included 16 SUNY Oneonta students from a wide variety of majors – including Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Dietetics, Early Childhood/Childhood Education, Earth Science, English, Exercise Science, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology. They worked on both the scientific and human practices aspects of the project.
Hartwick team members included majors in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry and Mathematics. Together under the mentorship of faculty from both SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick, the students worked on a project titled, “pHish and CHIPS,” to create a device that would neutralize water automatically after detecting the presence of extreme pH imbalances.
“It all started with thinking about what the CHIPS and Science Act meant for upstate New York and all the investment in semiconductor manufacturers that has impacted the state,” said Dr. Gallagher.
Signed into law by President Biden in August 2022, the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act has accelerated the development of new semiconductor chip fabrication plants throughout the United States, with two plants planned for construction near Oneonta. Research for the team’s “pHish and CHIPS” project began in April 2024.
According to the team’s project description, water is crucial to the manufacturing process of semiconductor chips. Prior to release or recycling of these chips, fabricators purify their wastewater by adjusting the pH level and removing contaminants called polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). With millions of gallons of water to process daily, real-time pH adjustment presents sustainability and water management challenges.
Part of the iGEM students’ goal was to use their knowledge of synthetic biology to design a pH-sensitive wastewater system that would “turn on” and release buffers to neutralize the water in the presence of pH extremes during the chip fabrication process.
While one part of the team was concerned with the research and development of the pH device, the human practices group investigated the ethical and regulatory landscape of the project and how to best engage public interests and concerns.
This included how to successfully approach corporate sponsorship, researching what human impacts are related to these types of waste streams, where current holes in regulations exist and what can be done to help close those gaps, and how the group can improve industry issues.
Together, the full team worked on “pHish and CHIPS” with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Six (Ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all) and Nine (Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation) in mind.
The 2024 iGEM Grand Jamboree was four days long, from Oct. 23-26, at the Paris Convention Center – a roughly 15-minute drive from the Eiffel Tower.
At the conference, the team had a booth set up and coordinated times for each member to represent “pHish and CHIPS.” With guidance from their faculty advisors, each student was prepared to answer questions during the judging session by being an expert on at least one part of their project. When they weren’t at the booth, the students explored the other presentations at the Grand Jamboree.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 November 2024 at 2:55 pm
Provided photos
NEWARK – The following students from Orleans County participated in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Zone 2 Sr. High Area All-State festival this weekend at Newark Central High School (from left):
Ryder Jones from Medina, trumpet in symphonic band
Amir Huzair from Lyndonville, tenor in mixed chorus
Noah Fox from Lyndonville, tenor in mixed chorus
Zachary Baron from Albion, bass in mixed chorus
Mallory Kozody, soprano in mixed chorus
Sarah Corser, soprano in mixed chorus
These students are joined by the top singers and instrumentalists from all over Zone 2, which encompasses Monroe, and all its surrounding counties, including Orleans to the other side of Wayne County and south, said Jennifer Neroni-Trupo, vocal teacher and musical director at Lyndinville.
Admission to the Area All-State ensembles requires students to receive a top NYSSMA solo festival score in the spring, a nomination from their music teacher, and eventual selection from a committee of music teachers from Zone 2 based on the first two criteria.
“It is a rigorous process and a tremendous honor for all students involved!” Neroni-Trupo said.
The mixed choir was conducted by Cody Mott from Edinboro University. The choir performed Nox, by Elaine Hagenberg; When Dreams Take Flight, by Rollo Dilworth; Even When God is Silent, by Michael Horvit; Soon ah Will Be Done, by William L. Dawson; and Walk Out on the Water, arr. Geung Kroeker-Lee.
The Symphonic Band was conducted by Dr. John C. Coggiola from Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University. The band performed On Parade, by Amanda C.E. Eldridge; Cloudburst, by Eric Whitacre; Homage to A Dream, by Mark Camphouse; and Ride, by Samuel R. Hazo.
Photos courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES: This group includes Medina students inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
Posted 16 November 2024 at 9:57 pm
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Congratulations to the students from the Orleans and Niagara Career and Technical Education Centers, who were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
Out of all the high school students in the United States, the National Technical Honor Society students who receive this honor comprise 1.6 percent of that population. For staff at the Orleans/BOCES centers, they represent the four pillars of the National Technical Honor Society: scholarship, leadership, service and character.
The students were honored in front of their teachers, families and school district representatives. The students had to maintain an 89.5 grade average in their career and technical education programs and an 84.5 average at their high schools, have superior attendance, exemplary behavior, be a member in good standing with SkillsUSA and have a recommendation from a faculty member.
Lyndonville celebrated their students being inducted into the National Technical Honor Society.
Congratulations go to:
Orleans Career and Technical Education Center in Medina:
Ava Achtyl (Animal Science/Roy-Hart), Garrett Armenia (Computer Technology/Roy-Hart), Andrew Austin (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Lyndonville), Lilyan Beals (Allied Health/Roy-Hart), Shianne Beauman (Security and Law Enforcement/Roy-Hart), Austin Bentley (Security and Law Enforcement/Lyndonville), Alexis Capen (Cosmetology/Roy-Hart), Scott Clark (Computer Technology/Roy-Hart), Jacie Craft (Cosmetology/Roy-Hart)
Madison Davis (Allied Health/Lyndonville), Adler Detschner (Electricity & Electronics/Barker), Madilyn Detschner (Early Childhood Education/Barker), Kelli Dingle (Graphic Communications/Albion), Emma Freas (Welding/Lyndonville), Sofia Gagliardi (Allied Health/Medina), Gisella Garcia (Allied Health/Medina), Nathan Garrett (Graphic Communications/Albion)
Tracy Garrett (Graphic Communications/Albion), Sophia Goyette (Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering/Medina), Gloria Haller (Security & Law Enforcement/Barker), Sahara Holland (Security & Law Enforcement/Barker), Lucas Hollenbaugh (Computer Technology/Lockport), Jayden Lewis (Allied Health/Albion), Markaija Ming (Cosmetology/Lockport), Trenton Morley (Electricity & Electronics/Medina), Paige Newton (Allied Health/Albion), Isabella Pearl (Cosmetology/Lockport)
Brooklyn Schumacher (Cosmetology/Roy-Hart), Brady Schwartz (Computer Technology/Roy-Hart), Roseland Steffen (Animal Science/Albion), Monet Thomas (Allied Health/Albion), Maria Vasquez (Security & Law Enforcement/Medina), Connor Wesolek (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Roy-Hart), Brianna Windham (Cosmetology/Newfane), Abigayle Wright (Electricity & Electronics/Medina) and Keira Zambito (Animal Science/Albion).
Barker also has a contingent of students at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES who went into the National Technical Honor Society.
Niagara Career and Technical Education Center in Sanborn:
Jordon Andrzejczyk (Emergency Medical Services/Niagara Falls), Christian Barker (Welding/Niagara Falls), Malayna Berhalter (Emergency Medical Services/North Tonawanda), Madison Boyce (Early Childhood Education/Wilson), Jayden Burns (Culinary Arts/North Tonawanda), Brodie Charnley (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield), Madison Chase (Early Childhood Education/Wilson), Vincent Cipolla (Web & Game Development/Niagara Wheatfield)
Emily Droegmyer (Culinary Arts/Lewiston-Porter), Elizabeth Finley (Health Occupations Technician/North Tonawanda), Brady Finn (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield), Sophia Haley (Culinary Arts/North Tonawanda), Mattingly Huff (Cosmetology/Niagara Wheatfield), Joey-Dane Jones (Building Maintenance & Management/Wilson), Tyler Kinyon (HVAC/Starpoint), Joseph Kott (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield), Sean Kropp (Computer Technology/Wilson), Jaylyn Linderman (Early Childhood Education/Starpoint), Alexander Liu (Security & law Enforcement/Niagara Wheatfield)
Kaitlyn Meahl (Culinary Arts/Starpoint), Elijah Miron (Early Childhood Education/North Tonawanda), Adam Niver (Web & Game Development/Newfane), Faith Pittsley (Emergency Medical Services/Niagara Wheatfield), Henry Riek (Diesel Technology & Heavy Equipment/Niagara Wheatfield), Savannah Shaffer (Early Childhood Education/North Tonawanda), Sarah Skorik (Graphic Communication/Niagara Wheatfield)
Jessica Slye-Butz (Early Childhood Education/Lewiston-Porter), Kagan Smith (Project Based Engineering/Starpoint), Azalynn Stalvey (Animation, Film & Visual Effects/Lewiston-Porter), Keing-Keith Taylor (Web & Game Development/Lockport), Jeremy Taylor (Conservation/Niagara Wheatfield), Benjamin Wagner (HVAC/Niagara Wheatfield) and Sean Wellsby (Building Maintenance & Management).
Press Release, Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
ALBION – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is proud to announce that Cassie Healy, a valued team member, has recently achieved her Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) Certification.
ROMA, a nationally recognized framework used by Community Action agencies, emphasizes accountability, effectiveness, and a results-driven approach to community services.
This certification strengthens our agency’s commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families in Orleans & Genesee counties by promoting self-sufficiency and positive community impact.
Cassie’s certification marks an exciting development for our organization, as she is now equipped with enhanced skills and tools to focus on outcome-oriented planning and assessment. This will support our mission to implement data-driven strategies and measurable results that benefit community members and address critical needs within the area.
Looking to the future, Cassie is committed to expanding her expertise further. “Next year I plan on starting to work toward becoming a NCRT (Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer),” said Cassie. “With that, I plan to work within our agency to gain a better awareness of what ROMA is and how it impacts our daily life as a team. With this certification, my plan is to bring our focus back to outcomes and plans to reach them, so we can better assist our community members in reaching self-sufficiency.”
Cassie’s commitment to professional development and to the ROMA approach will enable our agency to continually enhance its support for those we serve, fostering greater awareness and a shared focus on outcomes among the Community Action team.
Ugene Harrison of Albion and assigned to the Company C, Recruiting & Retention Battalion, received a promotion on Oct. 26 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, said Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York.
The New York National Guard (New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs) is the state’s executive agency responsible to the Governor for managing New York’s Military Forces, which consists of nearly 20,000 members of the New York Army National Guard, the New York Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia and the New York Guard.
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Receiving a Historic Preservation Award from Cobblestone director Doug Farley are Gar and Virginia Trusselle for their home on South Clinton Street in Albion. They also received proclamations from Jayleen Carney, a representative of Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, Skip Draper on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt and John Fitzak from Orleans County Legislature.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 31 October 2024 at 8:33 am
LYNDONVILLE – Efforts to save and preserve six historic buildings in Orleans County were celebrated Friday night at the third annual Historic Preservation Awards dinner at White Birch Golf Course.
Sponsored by the Cobblestone Society and Museum, awards were presented for restoration of the Gaines Basin District #2 Schoolhouse, the Butterfield cobblestone home of Erin Anheier and Russ Bosch, Gar and Virginia Trusselle’s William V.N. Barlow home in Albion, the Isaac Bennett home of Delbert Young, the Murray-Holley Historical Society/Railroad Depot and Holley Gardens, the former Holley High School.
Cobblestone Museum director Doug Farley welcomed guests and introduced emcee Brenda Tremblay and Bill Lattin, former Cobblestone director and Orleans County historian, who talked about the reprint of his book, Architecture Destroyed. The book was originally published in 1984 and republished this year through a grant from Go Art!, with the addition of a dozen destroyed structures.
Every guest at the banquet received a free copy of the book, which is also for sale at the Cobblestone Museum Gift Shop.
(Left) Bill Lattin, retired Orleans County historian and director of the Cobblestone Museum, addressed guests and showed a copy of his latest book, a reprint of Architecture Destroyed. Every guest at the Historic Preservation Awards dinner Friday night received a copy of the book. (Right) Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society of Western New York, was the keynote speaker at the Cobblestone Society’s third annual Historic Preservation Awards ceremony Friday at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
Lattin also thanked Farley for his work in creating a power point of structures in the book, showing the original structure and what is at that site today.
Tremblay, an Albion native, is a classical morning host and producer on WXXI-FM in Rochester. She reminisced about being born in Arnold Gregory Memorial Hospital and working at Fisher-Price in Medina, which have both closed in Orleans County.
The evening’s keynote speaker was Wayne Goodman, executive director of the Landmark Society of Western New York.
Goodman came to Rochester in 2011 from the Indiana Landmark Society in Indianapolis. He explained a landmark society advocates for buildings that need a voice. The Landmark Society of Western New York was established in 1937 and is one of the oldest in the country. With 1,800 members, it is also one of the largest, serving a nine-county area, he said.
Erin Anheier and Russ Bosch, at right, accepted a Historic Preservation Award from Doug Farley for their restoration of the Butterfield cobblestone home on Bennetts Corners Road, Holley. At left, proclamations were presented to winners from Jayleen Carney, a representative of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Skip Draper on behalf of Senator Rob Ortt and John Fitzak on behalf of Lynne Johnson, representing the Orleans County Legislature. At right on the podium is emcee Brenda Tremblay.
Goodman led the effort to create the Landmark Society’s Five to Revive, which has draws attention to sites in need of investment. Several locations have been on the list in Orleans County, and that designation helped secure funding and attention.
The Landmark Society sponsors local and regional tours, as well as national and international tours. They recently completed a window restoration project and sponsored a house and garden tour. The restoration of the former Holley High School into Holley Gardens is one of their success stories, and one of their “Five to Revive,” Goodman said.
Goodman explained historic restoration is about progress, innovation and authenticity. He said you can tell where you are by the historic buildings, such as the Old Faithful Inn in Wyoming; or the balconied buildings which line the street in New Orleans.
“When you see a cobblestone house, you know you’re in Western New York,” Goodman said. “When we know where we are and where we come from, we can better understand who we are.”
Doug Farley, director of the Cobblestone Museum, presents a Historic Preservation Award to Chris Capurso, trustee with the Orleans County Historical Association and Tina Inzana, Association treasurer, for the Gaines Basin District #2 Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road. Capurso’s husband Al was instrumental in restoration of the schoolhouse.
Six structures were recognized during the Historic Preservation ceremony, in which Farley presented plaques to Chris Capurso, trustee, and Tina Inzana, treasurer, both with the Orleans County Historical Association, for restoration of the Gaines Basin District #2 Schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road; Erin Anheier and Russ Bosch for their Butterfield cobblestone home on Bennetts Corners Road, Holley; Gar and Virginia Trusselle for restoration of the William V.N Barlow house on South Clinton Street in Albion; Delbert Young, who owns the Isaac Bennet home on State Street, the oldest cobblestone house in Medina, built in the late 1820s; Danny Mawn, president of the Murray-Holley Historical Society/Railroad Depot; and to Krystal Goodwin on behalf of Home Leasing’s restoration of Holley High School into an upscale Holley Gardens.
Standing at right front is Krystal Goodwin, who accepted the Historic Preservation Award from Doug Farley on behalf of Home Leasing for their restoration of Holley Gardens, formerly the Holley High School. Representatives also presented her with proclamations on behalf of Assemblyman Steve Hawley, Senator Robb Ortt and Orleans County Legislative chairman Lynne Johnson.
Matt Holland, president of the Cobblestone Society, said they do so much to preserve old structures, but they also are committed to educating the community. They are doing more school tours, and reached more than 3,000 visitors.
“It’s not just about history, it’s also science and art,” Holland said. “It’s something special for the community to partake in. When you restore a building, you have to do it again. It is ongoing.”
He praised the Cobblestone Society’s volunteers and staff for the “wonderful job they do.” He also thanked the Rochester Area Community Foundation and Landmark Society of Western New York for their support.
The program concluded with an appeal for donations to enable the Cobblestone Society to continue their work preserving local history.
Murray-Holley Historical Society president Danny Mawn holds his Historic Preservation Award presented by Cobblestone Director Doug Farley.
Delbert Young accepts his Historic Preservation Award from Doug Farley for restoration of the oldest Medina Sandstone home in the village of Medina.
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday recognized award winners for 2024. The group includes, front row, from left: Lisa Christiaansen, Tapped on Main in Medina; Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee; Jenna Pangrazio and Brody Hoffmeister of Rudy's in Medina; Marisa and Matthew Burch, Chop's Shop Bar & Grill North in Lyndonville; and Tom Laine, owner of Frontier Heating & A/C Service. Back row: Brian Christiaansen of Tapped on Main, David Mitchell; Bob Gibbs of Environmental Construction Group in Albion; George Lacey and Samantha Tillman of Captain's Cove in Carlton; Gary and Maggie Roberts of Roberts Farm Market in Medina; Rex Harvey, Ray Laine and Lori Laine of Frontier Heating & A/C Service.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 21 October 2024 at 9:55 pm
LYNDONVILLE – The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce honored several businesses and community leaders during the 26th annual Chamber awards celebration last Thursday at the White Birch Golf Course.
Camber Director Darlene Hartway said the award winners all show tremendous “tenacity” in running successful businesses and completing projects for the community.
The following were recognized during the awards celebration:
Matt Burch, owner of Chop’s Shop Bar and Grilled North, accepts the award for new business of the year. He is joined at the podium by his wife Marisa, left, and Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director.
New Business of the Year – Chop’s Shop Bar and Grilled North in Lyndonville
Matt Burch opened Chop’s Shop Bar and Grilled North in the former Curly’s location on April 22.
Burch opened his first pizzeria in Gasport in 2008. He expanded that site in 2017, adding a bar. He is looking to add more to the Lyndonville site.
He thanked his employees for getting off to a good start in Lyndonville at 16 North Main St.
“It’s been a blessing so far in Lyndonville,” Burch said at the award dinner, which was attended by about 125 people. “The community has been so supportive.”
Darlene Hartway, the Chamber director, praised Burch for choosing Lyndonville for the new pizzeria.
“I’m always in awe of people willing to take that leap, especially in a small town,” she said.
Brian and Lisa Christiaansen accept the Phoenix Award for their extensive renovations to create Tapped on Main in Medina.
Phoenix Award – Tapped on Main at Mark’s Pizzeria in Medina
Brian and Lisa Christiaansen completed an extensive remodeling at at 549 Main St., Medina, in December 2019, opening a bar at Mark’s Pizzeria. The bar was forced to close due to Covid restrictions in March 2020.
The Christiaansens reopened Tapped on Main in 2021, and last year added a game and party room that can accommodate groups of up to about 50.
Brian Chriastiaansen opened his first Mark’s Pizzerias in Hamlin about 30 years ago, and followed with Mark’s in Bushnell’s Basin and then Brockport. He now has stores in Medina, Albion and Newfane.
He and his wife wanted to have a space for customers to sit down and dine and he and Lisa had always wanted a bar. They decided to combine a bar with the pizzeria, and became the first Mark’s franchise to serve beer and wine from a bar.
As part of the renovations they kept the original ceiling and brick walls in the historic building.
Agricultural Business of the Year – Roberts Farm Market
Gary and Maggie Roberts of Roberts Farm Market accept the award for Agricultural Business of the Year. The farm market is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The Roberts family has been farming since 1931 in Medina. In 1974, the family started a farm market on Maple Ridge Road, which has expanded and includes a greenhouse and apple cider press.
Gary and Maggie Roberts and two of their children, son Patrick and daughter Jenna Bruning, all have key roles in the operation today.
Gary praised his wife for the success of the farm market over many years.
“She has brought the market to where it is today,” Gary said during the awards banquet.
He said he is fortunate to have two of his children alongside him working in the business.
The farm began when Gary’s grandparents, Justin and Lorraine Roberts, purchased their home and 166 acres of land on Maple Ridge Road in 1931, just across from the farm market.
The family grows fruit on about 200 acres, yielding about 175,000 bushels. Of those 20,000 bushels are sold at the farm market or are used for making cider.
George Lacey, owner of Captain’s Cove in Carlton, accepts the Hidden Gem award. He is joined by Captain’s Cove manager Samantha Tillman, center, and Dawn Borchert, Orleans County tourism director.
Hidden Gem – Captain’s Cove Motel & Marina
The Chamber honors a business as a “Hidden Gem” for its role promoting and supporting Orleans County tourism, often without much fanfare.
George lacey has overcome many challenges since he purchased Captain’s Cove Motel & Marina in 2015. His wife passed away three weeks after Lacey bought the business, which was they flooded in 2017 and 2019.
He has rebuilt the store with improved parking on the upper level. All the wood in the new building came from the trees up on the hill.
Lacey recently obtained his beer license for the new store, and has groceries, fishing tackle, live bait and hunting licenses.
The property also includes a 14-unit motel and 32 slips. Captain’s Cove rents pontoons, fishing boats, kayaks and canoes. He has refrigerators available for fisherman to store their catch.
The entire west wall of the new building facing the river also has a new look. Mural artist Michelle Cryer of Clarendon is painting a large mural showing the lake and the Oak Orchard Lighthouse.
Lacey was praised by Dawn Borchert, the county’s tourism director, for his hard work to make Captain’s Cove and Point Breeze a destination.
Lacey urged more people to invest in Point Breeze and local community.
“I see lots of opportunity in Orleans County,” he said.
Businessperson of the Year – Bob Gibbs of Environmental Construction Group
Bob Gibbs, owner of the Environmental Construction Group, is presented with the award of “Businessperson of the Year.” He accepts it from Lindsay Ward, regional director of the SUNY Brockport SBDC.
Bob Gibbs owns the Environmental Construction Group, a full-service abatement, remediation and selective demolition company. ECG is based in Albion and employs about 50 people.
Gibbs has worked in the environmental field for more than 30 years, starting when he was 23. Most of the company’s work in is Monroe County, doing remediation and demo work in some of the biggest construction projects in the Rochester area, including several school districts, Strong Memorial Hospital, Innovation Square (former Xerox Tower).
ECG also has taken on projects in New Jersey, Arkansas, Virginia, Texas and Wisconsin.
Gibbs has also bought distressed properties in Albion, done major renovations and sold them as homes. He is has cleared some vacant land, turning them into ready-to-build lots, and is currently transforming 101 East Bank St. into a place that can be rented out for parties.
Gibbs thanked his wife and two grown daughters for their support, and for riding “the emotional journey with me.”
He grew up helping his father, the late Robert Gibbs Sr., who was a contractor. Gibbs was 19 when he bought a house at age 19 and completely renovated it by age 21.
Brody Hoffmeister and his wife Jenna Pangrazio were honored with the Small Business of the Year for their commitment to Rudy’s Diner in Medina.
Small Business of the Year – Rudy’s Diner
Brody Hoffmeister was thrust into ownership of Rudy’s Diner following the death of his mother, Kelly Duffield, from cancer in October 2019.
Hoffmeister is the third generation to lead the establishment. In March 2020 he faced an unexpected challenge. The business was forced to close to in-person customers due to Covid restrictions. Rudy’s and other diners had to shift to takeout-only.
The pandemic sliced away a big chunk of Rudy’s business, and some customers did not return. They preferred the comfy booths, nostalgia and friendly faces at the popular diner.
Hoffmeister and his wife Jenna Pangrazio have retooled the operation, keeping the 1950s feel of the diner while offering a pared down but popular menu.
Hoffmeister urges the community to continue to support Rudy’s, where he said the focus on food is quality over quantity.
Rudy’s currently operates with 10 employees, down from a peak of 25 before Covid hit.
“We’ve had an uphill climb but we’re still here,” Hoffmeister said during the Chamber event.
Renee Hungerford, executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, accepts the Community Service Award on behalf of the agency that assists about 5,000 people a year. Mary Lou Tuohey, last year’s winner, is at right.
Community Service Award – Community Action of Orleans & Genesee
Community Action of Orleans & Genesee is an agency dedicated to helping people become self sufficient. The agency offers numerous services to help build a stronger community.
Community Action has more than 100 employees and the agency assists families of very young children through Early Head Start and Head Start, and has numerous other programs, including ACT (helping youth ACT responsibly), Stone Soup Success/Food Rx (educating to prepare healthy meals), Child Care Resource and Referral, Weatherization and Energy Services, Main Street Thrifts, Gifts and More store, a credit recovery program for Albion seniors, emergency services, holiday meals and gifts, the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley, which provides daily meals, a clothing depot and food giveaway.
Community Action is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Renee Hungerford, the executive director, said Community Action has been on a journey of transformation as an agency, embracing new technology while staying true to the mission of uplifting the community.
She said many people can find themselves thrust into poverty, whether from a tragic event or an illness. Sometimes, a rise in income from a higher minimum wage can lead to hardship, disqualifying people for some assistance and making their rent unaffordable. She urged compassion and understanding for some of the challenges of lower-income people in the community.
Tom Laine, owner of Frontier Heating & A/C Service, accepts the award for “Business of the Year.” Behind him are his son Ray Laine, left, and son-in-law, Rex Harvey, and Darlene Hartway from the Chamber. Ray and Rex are both key leaders at Frontier.
Business of the Year – Frontier Heating & A/C Service
In 1991, Tom Laine started Frontier Heating and AC Service in his garage. The business has grown to over 7,000 customers.
After four years in his garage, Frontier moved to East Bank Street in Albion. Last year, the business moved to a 12,000-square-foot facility on Route 31A.
The site has more parking and a larger a showroom to display the products they sell. Frontier services all brands and sell Amana and Mitsubishi equipment, as well as boilers, water heaters, air conditioning units and heat pumps. In addition they install Generac and Honeywell generators, and deal with all types of fuel, including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and propane.
Frontier offers “around the clock service.” The business employs 15 to 20 people at any given time, nearly all Orleans County residents. Over the years, their service area has expanded to include Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties.
‘They’re not happy until you’re happy,” said Hartway, the Chamber director.
David Mitchell, left, is congratulated on the Lifetime Achievement Award by Darlene Hartway, center, and Mark Tillman, last year’s winner of the Lifetime Achievement.
Lifetime Achievement Award – David Mitchell of Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals
David Mitchell wanted a career where he could make an impact with local families going through a tough time in life. He considered being a police officer, but chose to be a funeral director.
The community is grateful for that decision, said Mark Tillman, last year’s winner of the Lifetime Achievement for his long career running Tillman’s Village Inn.
Mitchell has served Orleans County for 40 years as a funeral director. He took over as owner of Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes after his father Rho retired. Mitchell has expanded to owning funeral homes in Middleport, Gasport and Medina, and has the business set up with local ownership long into the future with his son Josh Mitchell and Jake Hebdon from Cooper Funeral Home in Medina. Christopher Mitchell has been rebranded as Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals.
David Mitchell has maintained and grown the local ownership of the funeral homes in an era when corporate conglomerates have been buying up funeral homes in smaller towns.
Tillman said David Mitchell has been a trusting presence for the community during times of immense grief.
“Compassion, dignity, professionalism, community service and, most of all, kindness,” Tillman said in listing some of Mitchell’s attributes.
Mitchell has been active in many community organizations – as a member of the Holley Rotary Club and Albion Lions Club, as a board member for Community Action, United Way, Ministry of Concern and the Curtis Foundation.
He sponsors many local events and gives to other community causes and projects, including donating two vans to the Orleans Joint Veterans Council to transport veterans to medical appointments.
Mitchell Family Cremations and Funerals has eight employees, including two long-time funeral directors: Paula Fuller with 30 years and Scott Schmidt with 27. Mitchell said the employees are committed to the community and are instrumental to the business’s success.
Tillman quoted the late Steve Jobs, CEO and co-founder of Apple: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.”
Tillman followed that by saying, “David, the love shows.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: David Mitchell is shown last week by a photo from 2012 showing David with his father Rho and David’s son Josh. All three chose funeral directors as their career. David joined his father in the business in 1984.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 October 2024 at 1:10 pm
Mitchell has worked as local funeral director for 40 years
ALBION – As a kid, David Mitchell often joined his father Rho at Christopher Mitchell Funeral Homes in Holley and Albion.
David would mow the lawn, washed cars and helped around the funeral homes. He grew up thinking he would pursue a career as a police officer. Mitchell thought that job was a great way to serve the community and help people.
But he realized following his father as a funeral director also met that goal of service. Mitchell was 21 and was doing a residency in Rochester to become a funeral director. Mitchell said he has always preferred to be a person in the background, making sure everything is in order and tended to, while also making sure a family’s needs are being met.
He was at a service when a family went out of their way to thank you for his attention to all the details.
“That was a moment when the light bulb went off, and confirmed that I do want to do this,” Mitchell during an interview last week in Albion.
He joined his father in 1984 at Christopher Mitchell, and has upgraded both the Albion and Holley sites. David’s son Josh joined the business in 2012, making it three generations of Mitchells in the funeral service.
David Mitchell was honored in November 2018 by the Cobblestone Museum with “The Pullman Award” in appreciation of Mitchell donating a couch made by George Pullman in the 1850s. Mitchell acquired the couch when he purchased the Merrill-Grinnell Funeral Home in Albion. Mitchell wanted the couch to stay in the community and be displayed for the public to enjoy. George Pullman was a furniture manufacturer in Albion before he moved to Chicago and developed the Pullman’s Palace Cars for the railroad industry.
Christopher Mitchell in recent years has expanded and acquired funeral homes in Middleport (Bates, Wallace & Heath Funeral Home) and Gasport (Sherrie Bream & Kenneth H. Sherrie Funeral Home). Last year Mitchell announced a partnership with Cooper Funeral Homes in Medina, with Cooper owner Jake Hebdon becoming a part owner with Christopher Mitchell.
Hebdon joins Josh Mitchell in ensuring local ownership and leadership of the funeral homes for many years to come. The business has been rebranded as Mitchell Family Cremations & Funerals.
David isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. He remains the full-time leader of Christopher Mitchell. The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce will honor him with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” on Oct. 17 during the annual Chamber awards banquet.
Mitchell said he appreciates the award, and is grateful for a long career in his home community, working with so many families.
“Ninety-nine percent of this job is dealing with the living,” Mitchell said. “You treat them with the utmost respect and care. You treat each family the best you can as if they are your own.”
When he started in 1984, Christopher Mitchell was doing about 90 funerals a year. That is now about 400 a year at the five funeral homes.
Christopher Mitchell has eight full-time employees who Mitchell said are instrumental in the business’s success. He noted Paula Fuller has worked as funeral director with Christopher Mitchell for 30 years, and Scott Schmidt has been there for 26 years. Mitchell also said the late Lee Minier was a big contributor to Christopher Mitchell, helping it grow during his tenure from 1992 to 2007.
David’s father Rho passed away in 2015, and he was active in many community organizations. David has followed his father’s example serving with the Albion Lions Club, Holley Rotary Club and on the boards for several organizations. Christopher Mitchell also donates and sponsors numerous events and causes in the community.
‘The community has been good to us and I’d like to believe we’re good to the community,” Mitchell said.
Christopher Mitchell recently was recognized for the ninth year in a row with the National Funeral Directors Association Pursuit of Excellence Award, which is given to funeral homes that deliver extraordinary service while adhering to the highest ethical and professional standards. Mitchell said the recognition goes to the top 1 percent funeral homes out of more than 11,000.
Christopher Mitchell values traditional funeral services, and also embrace modern technology to serve families, including video tributes, live-streaming services, and jewelry or other mementos with fingerprints of loved ones.
“We’re always out trying to learn new ideas and techniques,” David Mitchell said. “It’s all about connecting with the families.”
Provided photos: Heidi Wyant of Albion was named Arc GLOW’s “Employee of the Year” and Nathan Johnidas of Albion was named the “Self-Advocate of the Year.”
Information courtesy of Arc GLOW
BATAVIA — The Arc GLOW, a four-county organization serving people with disabilities, held its second annual awards banquet and annual meeting on Wednesday. Two of the award winners are from Orleans County.
Heidi Wyant, the Arc GLOW transportation director, was named “Employee of the Year.”
Wyant has been with the agency for almost three years, coming to Arc GLOW from Community Action of Orleans Transportation. So, although she has only been with the agency since 2021, her impact has been felt by the people we serve for over 30 years since CATS had a long-standing partnership with Arc of Orleans and later Arc of Genesee Orleans, Arc GLOW officials said.
“The impact that Heidi has on the agency is far more in depth than most people realize,” said John Prospero, vice president of transportation.
Wyant supervises over 30 employees, is responsible for the transportation of over 200 adults and children, all with some type of special need, on more than 25 bus routes.
“In addition, Heidi is responsible for managing our northern vehicle fleet of about 100 vehicles—which entails everything from fleet maintenance to fuel and oh by the way now is done in a NYSDOT certified facility,” Prospero said. “And here is one other tidbit that I am guessing most of you do not realize—Heidi’s operation transports people throughout seven counites. In the three years that Heidi and I have worked together, she has brought in new business, recruited drivers and literally doubled the number of bus routes and the people we serve.”
Nate Johnidas of Albion was named “Self-Advocate of the Year.” Johnidas was voted president of the Self-Advocacy All-Stars. As president, he led the group in preparing for the annual talent show and reached out to community members to invite them to speak at the 3rd Annual Jonathan Doherty and Gladys Hopper Self-Advocacy Day.
“This year was a big one for him,” said Jill Pegelow, vice president of self-direction and community services. “Nate set many goals for himself this past year regarding his desire to be more independent. In an effort to facilitate this, Nate took the appropriate measures to become his own guardian and representative payee. His self-advocacy efforts paid off and he was successful in reaching these goals and now resides his own apartment in the community. Nate continues to work with staff and natural supports to maintain his independence in his new apartment.”
Other award recipients include:
Community Services and Self-Direction Person of the Year – Brittany Murphy
KidStart Employee of the Year – Margaret Putman
Supported Employment Person of the Year – Elizabeth Padilla
Pre-Vocational Person of the Year – Tammy Reimels
Day Habilitation Person of the Year – James Gibbs
Residential Person of the Year – Monica Mineo
Direct Support Professional Person of the Year – Heather Taft
Friend of Arc GLOW – Hoffman Hanafin & Associates
Business Partner of the Year – Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop
Volunteers of the Year – Kevin and Dawn Fisher
Over 300 staff, individuals, family members and community members came to the Batavia Downs to honor the 12 award recipients. Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and representatives from Senator George Borello and Assemblyman Steve Hawley’s office were also in attendance.
“October first marked our official three-year anniversary as Arc GLOW; we have accomplished so much as one agency,” said Martin Miskell, CEO.
Additionally this year, Arc GLOW launched Genesee IGNITE in partnership with Genesee Community College. This, and the LIVES program through SUNY Geneseo which celebrated 15 years in April, are Arc GLOW’s inclusive higher education and college experience programs.
Two other agency milestones which were celebrated this year were Hilltop in August which celebrated 50 years and Finders Keepers Thrift Shop which celebrated 15 years in June.
Over 137 Arc GLOW staff also celebrated longevity milestones ranging from five to 40 years of service in 2024.
“We completed our first phase of the strategic plan to examine where we are, where we want to go, and how we are going to get there. Our first major initiative resulted in a Brand Marketing Plan, and we will be working with Causewaves to guide us through,” Miskell said.
In the coming year, Miskell said Arc GLOW aims to:
Look to expand the variety of our programming to meet every interest and ability.
Roll out the Brand Marketing Plan to include a new mission and vision statement.
Advocate for more funding and grants.
Continue to make renovations to Arc GLOW homes and sites to accommodate the needs of the individuals it serves.
Increase staff retention and recruitment to be the employer of choice.
Increase community awareness in Arc GLOW.
Three Arc GLOW Board of Directors were recognized for their service: John Haugh, Susan Maha and Michelle Mahler.
Additionally, Arc GLOW recognized the Tuohey family of Medina and their commitment to Arc GLOW. Mary Lou Tuohey announced she will be retiring from her family business Case-Nic Cookies at the end of 2024.
“The Tuohey family is the true definition of a community friend and supporter of Arc GLOW’s mission and vision,” said Englert. “The Tuohey family always can be found volunteering at Arc events or organizing fundraisers to benefit Arc GLOWs programs and other communities. Mary Lou constantly provides cookies for our fundraisers and events, and her daughter, Nicole, heads her own fundraisers. Her Have a Heart Campaign raised over $2,300 this year that benefited many programs within the agency.”
BATAVIA — Arc GLOW will be holding its second annual meeting and awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Batavia Downs.
Rebecca Leclair, the President of Rebecca Leclair Communications, LLC and former anchor and reporter from WHEC-TV (Channel 10), will be the emcee. Individuals will also be providing entertainment. For a month, Arc GLOW nominated staff, individuals and community members for a variety of different awards.
The award winners are the following:
• Self-Advocate of the Year – Nathan Johnidas, Albion
Award goes to a person served by Arc GLOW who has grown and is meeting their personal outcomes. They also have positively influenced the lives of others.
• Supported Employment Person of the Year – Elizabeth Padilla, Walnut Street, Batavia
The award honors a person supported by Arc GLOW who has demonstrated a strong work ethic, dedication to their job, ability to learn new community employment skills and maintain successful employment.
• Pre-Vocational Person of the Year – Tammy Reimels, Hilltop
The honor goes to a person supported by Arc GLOW with a dedication to learning about the world of work including new job skills, striving to complete quality work and showing attention to the task of learning.
• Residential Person of the Year – Monica Mineo, Garfield IRA in Batavia
The award honors a person supported by Arc GLOW who resides in residential services, grew in their independence and learned life skills.
• Day Habilitation Person of the Year – James Gibbs, WOW Day Hab in Batavia
The recognition goes to a person supported by Arc GLOW who participates in day habilitation activities, strives to learn, and demonstrates effort and commitment to be included in their own communities.
• Community Services and Self Direction Person of the Year – Brittany Murphy, Genesee County
Honors a person served by Arc GLOW who shows outstanding participation and contribution to their community. Shows the initiative in trying new activities and gain leadership potential through community involvement.
• KidStart Employee of the Year – Maggie Putman
Goes to an employee who demonstrates exceptional support to children and families, and is committed to assist in all areas of their growth and education.
• Direct Support Professional Person of the Year (DSP) – Heather Taft, residential manager at Avon IRA in Avon
The award honors a DSP who provides a variety of activities to adults with developmental disabilities within a home setting, day programs or recreational activities in the community. Provides excellence in support in living skills, personalized goals, arts and crafts, sensory activities, and facilitates our individuals to take their active role in the community.
• Employee of the Year – Heidi Wyant, transportation manager
Recognizes an employee of Arc GLOW who is committed to the mission and vision. They demonstrate the values of diversity, respect, integrity, visionary, equality, empowerment and excellence.
• Friend of the Year – Hoffman Hanafin & Associates, LLC
Recognizes a community friend and supporter of Arc GLOW’s mission and vision.
• Business Partner of the Year – Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop in Geneseo
Honors a partner who supports our mission and vision through excellent customer service or providing work opportunities for employment.
• Volunteers of the Year – Kevin and Dawn Fisher
The award goes to people committed to Arc GLOW, volunteering their time by serving the local community and supporting the Arc GLOWs mission and vision.
Reservations are open until Sept. 30. at ArcGLOW.org/event/awards-banquet-and-annual-meeting. For any questions, contact Tracey Jones at (585) 343-1123 ext. 1735 or TJones@ArcGLOW.org.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 1 October 2024 at 8:06 pm
Chamber’s Business of the Year moved to bigger location, maintains focus on customer service
Photos by Ginny Kropf: Tom Laine, owner of Frontier Heating and AC Service, stands by one of their trucks at the base at 14530 East Lee Rd. The business has been named “Business of the Year” by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce. Frontier will be recognized at the awards dinner Oct. 17 at White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
ALBION – The owner of Frontier Heating and Air Conditioning Service is honored to be named Business of the Year by the Orleans County Chamber of Commerce.
“I was elated with the news,” said Tom Laine. “It’s nice to be recognized for the good work we’ve done over the years.”
Laine founded Frontier Heating and A/C Service in 1991 in his garage in Albion, after working for 11 years for other contractors, he said.
“We did business there until 1995, when my wife Lora (Lori) and I purchased 115 East Bank St., where we did business for 27 years,” Laine said.
In March 2023, Laine moved his business to a new, bigger location at 14530 East Lee Rd. The new 12,000 square foot facility is more convenient for them to better serve their customers, he said. They have ample parking with a showroom to display the products they sell.
It’s a challenge to keep on the cutting edge of technology, Laine said.
The worst part of his business is “around the clock” service, but Laine knows it is important to his customers to have emergency service available at any time.
This facility at 14530 East Lee Rd. is the home of Frontier Heating and AC Service, the Orleans County Chamber’s Business of the Year.
They service all brands and sell Amana and Mitsubishi equipment, as well as boilers, water heaters, air conditioning units and heat pumps. In addition they install Generac and Honeywell generators, and deal with all types of fuel, including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and propane.
Laine, who will be 67 this year, is gradually letting his son Raymond and son-in-law Rex Harvey have more responsibility.
“I keep going, because I know the day will come when I can’t,” he said.
Frontier Heating employs 15 to 20 people at any given time, nearly all Orleans County residents. Over the years, their service area has expanded to include Orleans, Monroe, Genesee, Niagara and Erie counties.
Laine is proud of how his business has grown over the years.
“When I started, my wife delivered mail and would speak to her customers daily, giving out my business card,” Laine said. “That’s where I got my first lead for a furnace.”
Today Laine boasts a customer base of 7,000.
“I’m happy to say we still have that first client,” he said.
He says his job is making sure each and every customer has a good experience and is 100 percent satisfied.
“We’re looking for customers for life, and we’re not happy until you’re happy,” he said.
BATAVIA — Arc GLOW will be holding its second annual meeting and awards banquet at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Batavia Downs.
