Three New York Army National Guard members from Orleans County recently earned promotions.
Alden Cayea of Medina – assigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 101st Cavalry Regiment – received a promotion March 20 to the rank of 1st lieutenant.
Andrew Hill of Albion – assigned to the 222nd Military Police Company – received a promotion March 25 to the rank of specialist.
Niyah Thompson of Medina – assigned to the Company C, NY Army National Guard Recruiting & Retention Battalion – received a promotion March 19 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.
These promotions recognize the best qualified soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard, said Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York.
ONEONTA – Daisy Perez-Reyes of Albion was one of 42 first-generation SUNY Oneonta students who were inducted into the Alpha Alpha Alpha national honor society during a ceremony on April 12 at Morris Hall.
Perez-Reyes is studying Sociology and is part of the class of 2027.
Alpha Alpha Alpha, known as Tri-Alpha for short, was founded in 2018 to recognize and celebrate the hard work and academic success of first-generation university students. This was the fourth class of SUNY Oneonta students to be inducted into the national honor society.
Students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria: The student has earned at least 30 credits/semester hours in the academic year toward an associate degree or baccalaureate degree; the undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; and neither of the student’s parents, stepparents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.
SUNY Oneonta is a public, four-year university in Central New York, enrolling about 5,300 students in a wide variety of bachelor’s degree programs and more than a dozen graduate certificate and degree programs.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 April 2025 at 11:13 am
Arthur Barnes receives Lifetime Achievement Award and Lyndonville Lions named ‘Supporter of the Year’
Photos courtesy of GO Art! – (Left) Arthur Barnes accepts a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) on March 29 during the annual Genean Awards celebration at Go Art!’s Seymore Place in Batavia. Gregory Hallock, Go Art! executive director, is at right. (Right) Bruce Schmidt from the Lyndonville Lions Club accepts the award for the Lions Club, which was named “Supporter if the Year.”
BATAVIA – The Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council (GO Art!) on March 29 honored important contributors to the local arts and culture scene.
The annual Genean Awards were presented at the Seymore Place in Batavia. The honorees include:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Arthur Barnes of Millville
A self-taught artist, Barnes’ work has defined the visual identity of Orleans County for nearly four decades, GO Art! said in presenting the award.
“Arthur’s murals, drawings, and paintings are not only beautiful—they are historic documentation,” said Gregory Hallock, Go Art! executive director. “Through his eyes, we see the Erie Canal, our rural landscapes, and our communities as they were, and sometimes as they still are.”
Barnes painted mural about the canal that are featured in Medina, Knowlesville, Albion and Holley.
“His commitment to preserving a historic cobblestone Quaker meeting house as his studio only deepens the story of his life and work,” Hallock said. “Arthur, you are truly one of a kind.”
Lifetime Achievement Award: Lorie Longhany of Le Roy
From Go Art!: “Lorie’s legacy as an artist is expansive—pointillistic drawings of historic places, murals, public commissions, and works featured in everything from t-shirts to museum displays.
“Her impact extends beyond her own artwork into her role as a mentor and educator—teaching seniors, students, and developmentally disabled adults with grace and passion. Lorie is proof that an artist’s reach goes far beyond the canvas. Thank you for a lifetime of creativity and generosity.”
Individual Artist of the Year: Bryan Wright of Batavia
GO Art!: “Bryan Wright, is a native of Charleston, South Carolina, who now calls Batavia home. Bryan draws inspiration from water and oceanic life, infusing his artwork with a sense of depth, fluidity, and emotion that reflects both his roots and his new surroundings.
“He is a multi-medium artist whose work offers quiet yet powerful reflections of the world around him. Nominated by Jim Burns, Andrew Fisher, Tina Burns, and Brianne Wright, Bryan’s passion and dedication shine through in every piece he creates.”
Supporter of the Year: Lyndonville Lions Club
GO Art!: “The Supporter of the Year award goes to the Lyndonville Lions Club, a cornerstone of community spirit and celebration.
“From organizing one of the most spectacular July 4th fireworks shows in Western New York, to their Street Dances, park concerts, and their newly launched Oktoberfest—this organization knows how to bring people together.
“For over 50 years, they’ve shown that arts and culture thrive when communities care. Nominated by Lynne Johnson, we are proud to recognize the Lions for their outstanding and ongoing contributions.”
Visionary Artist Award: Frank Corbiserie of Batavia
GO Art!: “When we think of vision, we think of someone who sees not just what is, but what could be. Frank Corbiserie, this year’s Visionary Artist Award recipient, has brought something entirely new to Batavia: a thriving stand-up comedy scene.
“Before Frank, you had to go to Buffalo or Rochester to find local comedy. Now, thanks to his passion and talent, we can laugh, connect, and discover local comedic voices right here in our own community. He’s not only hilarious himself, but he’s also a builder of spaces—literal and creative—where joy happens. Frank, thank you for making us laugh and believe in the power of the arts to transform community.”
Volunteers of the Year: Thea Anderson & Kyle Moore
GO Art!: “The Volunteers of the Year, Thea Anderson and Kyle Moore, represent the spirit of selfless dedication. Whether it’s helping set up events, managing behind-the-scenes logistics, or simply showing up again and again with a can-do attitude and a love for the arts—they make things happen. Volunteers are the heartbeat of nonprofit arts organizations, and Thea and Kyle beat strong and steady. We’re incredibly grateful for their contributions.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 March 2025 at 3:49 pm
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 4th 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.
Provided photo: From left include Melissa Fleischut (President & CEO of The NYS Restaurant Association), teacher James Atzrott, Emily Chambers (Medina), Selena Wolf (Lockport), Tirsa Converso (Medina), Justine Fitzsimmons (Medina) and Kevin Goggins (Chairman of the Board of The NYS Restaurant Association).
Posted 17 March 2025 at 12:44 pm
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Congratulations to Culinary Arts teacher Chef James Atzrott and his ProStart team of Emily Chambers (Medina), Selena Wolf (Lockport), Tirsa Converso (Medina) and Justine Fitzsimmons (Medina).
The team, from the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Orleans Career and Technical Education Center, took first place at the NYSRA (New York State Restaurant Association) ProStart Invitational held at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park. They will be representing the state at the National ProStart Invitational May 2-4 in Baltimore, Maryland.
ProStart is a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students that integrates practical skill sets and allows students to become familiar with restaurants and food service and prepare them for the workforce.
The team’s menu consisted of flat iron steak with tri-colored baby carrots, polenta fries with a chimichurri sauce and strawberry fraiser for dessert. The team competed against seven other teams and were thrilled they came out on top of the competition.
“We cried every day from the stress of everything,” says Selena Wolf. “We were very emotional and they were things that were going wrong like the burners being higher than what we practiced with and having to use plastic thermometers as opposed to metal. We finished with seven seconds left.”
The team said they started screaming when they were announced as the winners and then it was Chef Atzrott’s turn to cry.
“We were so excited and so glad to have won it for our teacher,” Selena Wolf said. “We are so ready to go to Baltimore and hopefully win there, too!”
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2025 at 8:42 am
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.
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.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2025 at 6:03 pm
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.
Provided photos: The late Art Hill on Saturday was inducted by the FOAR SCORE Fan Club into its auto racing hall of fame. Hill passed away at age 78 on Jan. 25, 2023.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 March 2025 at 9:23 am
Art Hill’s children, Jerry Hill and Jennifer Hill-Young, hold the Hall of Fame award presented for their father who was active in auto racing for about 60 years.
AMHERST – The late Art Hill, who was active in auto racing for about 60 years, was inducted into a racing hall of fame on Saturday.
The Friends of Auto Racing Seeking Cooperation of Racing Enthusiasts (FOAR SCORE) enshrines people who are outstanding in their profession and who make outstanding contribution to the sport of auto racing throughout the Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and Niagara Ontario Regions of Canada.
FOAR SCORE Club was established in 1948 by race fans for the betterment of auto racing. It is the oldest active auto racing fan club in the U.S.
FOAR SCORE honored Art Hill of Medina on Saturday at Classics V Banquet House in Amherst. Hill, the late owner of Art Hill Excavating, was an owner, sponsor and driver in auto racing.
The Hall of Fame listing for Hill states:
“The late Art Hill was involved in many different capacities in his long association with area motorsports. After some drag racing in the early 1960s, he teamed with brother Aaron to try some oval track racing at Lancaster.
“Ultimately, he connected with driver Pete Hayes; Art crewed for and eventually took on ownership of the Hayes Modified through the ’70s, travelling all over the northeast. He stepped away from active involvement in the early 1980s to focus on his business and raising a family, but maintained a connection by sponsoring a number of racing teams.
“He jumped back into the ownership/crew chief ranks in the late ’80s, teaming with Hall of Famer John Julicher to form a potent combination. That pairing resulted in Super Stock/Late Model titles at Lancaster in 1994, ’97, ’99 and 2001, and numerous feature victories, including the Race of Champions weekend Late Model event in 1999.
“In 2001, Art climbed back into the driver’s seat in a Late Model at Lancaster for a few seasons, and though he never visited victory lane, he developed into a consistent top five racer. He later moved his involvement to the asphalt Sportsman division, first as a major sponsor of John Julicher, Jr., then as a car owner for Hall of Famer Bobby Weber before his untimely passing in 2023. Art’s daughter Jen and son Jerry accepted the honors.”
About 225 attended the awards banquet. Pete Stefanski of North Tonawanda and George Skora III of Eden were honored as “Drivers of the Year” on dirt and asphalt, respectively.
Others inducted in the Hall of Fame include Linda Pratt, Bruce Roll, Dave Schulz and Kenny Troyer.
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.
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.
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:
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
