MARIETTA, OHIO – Marietta College’s Adam Hoot of Medina, New York, has been named to the Spring 2018 Dean’s List.
Any full-time Marietta College student completing at least 15 credit hours with a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74 is recognized as a Dean’s List student for that semester.
Hoot is a member of the Class of 2018, and is majoring in Petroleum Engineering. Hoot is also a graduate of Medina High School.
Provided photo: The following graduated from the LPN program at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES: front row, from left: Keiona Cannon, Gabrielle Smith, Kelli Tubinis, Sonja Vasiliou, Amy Lagace, Kassidy McFall, Patricia Rinehart and Mary-Lyn Adkins. Back row: Robert Seyler, Hannah Kinkaid, Alexandra Mante, Sarah Matthews, Brittany Falcone, Renne Leonarczyk, Shannah Bosley and Brittany Bennett.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – A huge congratulations to the 16 students who graduated from the Orleans/Niagara BOCES Practical Nursing Program. Successful completion of the program entitles the graduates to apply to take the New York State Licensing Exam.
Mary-Lyn Adkins, Brittany Bennett, Shannah Bosley, Keiona Cannon, Brittany Falcone, Hanna Kinkaid, Amy Lagace, Renee Leonarczyk, Alexandra Mante, Sarah Matthews, Kassidy McFall, Patricia Rinehart, Robert Seyler, Gabrielle Smith, Kelli Tubinis, Sonja Vasiliou were recognized at a ceremony and received their nursing pins to commemorate their journey to become a nurse.
Karen Kwandrans, Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Health Occupations coordinator, said she is very proud of the graduates and the program.
“We recently received word that we were ranked the number six program out of 61 by Annual PracticalNursing.org!”
The Practical Nursing Program is currently testing for the next class beginning July 2018. Go to www.onboces.org for more information.
Provided photos: Josephine Seitz, front center, is pictured with family and friends during a 100th birthday party today at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Medina. Front row includes Josephine Seitz and Arlene Winters. Back row, from left, includes Pat Wechter, Diane Mazur, John Fearby, Maryann Fearby, Stephen Mazur, Marian Fry, Steve Seitz, Judy Preston, Ann Rook, Corey Winters, Alisha Foss, Bob Rook, Al Preston and Dennis Winters. Missing from the photo: Christina O’Donnell, Francis & Diane Domoy.
Courtesy of Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center
Josephine blows out her candles with a little help from her daughter, Liz Winters. Josephine’s son Steve Seitz is in back.
MEDINA – Josephine Seitz celebrated her 100th birthday today at Orchard Manor Rehabilitation & Nursing Center surrounded by family, friends, residents, and staff.
Born in Buffalo, Josephine (Mazur) Seitz was raised on a farm in Shelby. She came from a large family with seven siblings. Josephine raised two children and now has three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
According to her daughter Liz, Josephine was a good cook, making the best vegetable soup around. “Jo” loved spending time in her vegetable and flower gardens and other hobbies included canning and cooking. She was very family oriented.
Josephine was always a friendly neighbor. Josephine’s daughter Liz found out years later through old neighbors that “Jo” would tie bags of vegetables to their doors. To this day, Jo makes her daughter bring in potatoes, zucchini and summer squash for Orchard Manor staff, to continue the tradition. Josephine’s son Steve is known as the “Candy Man” for providing candy for Josephine to have in her room to share with the staff and her visitors.
When asked about reaching 100 years old, Josephine said she attributes it all to working hard her whole life.
POTSDAM – The State University of New York at Potsdam will recognize nearly 900 candidates for graduation during the College’s 2018 Commencement Ceremony on May 19.
Sarah Boyle of Kent is set to graduate magna cum laude from SUNY Potsdam with a Bachelor of Science degree in Community Health.
Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America’s first 50 colleges – and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students.
Press Release, Girl Scouts of Western New York
MEDINA – Girl Scouts of Western New York is proud to announce sisters Jessica, 17, and Sarah Grancelli, 19, of Medina as 2018 Gold Award Girl Scouts. They will be recognized on June 2 during the Gold Award Ceremony at the Hyatt Regency in Rochester.
Jessica Grancelli
Jessica’s project, Playing with STEM, consisted of adding puppets, books, games, and storage materials to the new interactive play space at Oak Orchard Elementary School. These materials will enhance the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) experience of children who use the interactive playroom twice a week. Jessica also made the current science literature library more accessible for teachers and students by organizing hundreds of books and producing a list with all of the titles and subjects.
STEM was also a focus for Sarah’s project, Space for STEM. Sarah organized and created science activities and games for a science night at Oak Orchard Elementary School. There were more than 350 people in attendance. The students used these games and activities to learn about space science. Sarah also created and published a book relating space and geography that will help students understand their place in the world. The materials she created were saved and are available as part of the science materials available to classroom teachers from Kindergarten to third grade at the school.
Sarah Grancelli
Sarah stated, “I love science and believe in the importance of STEM education. Girl Scouts taught me to be a leader. I learned to help others before myself and to make the world a better place. I developed courage and confidence as I learned to pursue my goals.”
Jessica commented, “Girl Scouts has taught me independence and to give back to the community.”
The Gold Award is the highest award in Girl Scouts. The Gold Award project is the culmination of all the work a girl puts into “going for the Gold.” A Girl Scout’s project should be something that a girl can be passionate about—in thought, deed, and action that encompasses organizational, leadership, and networking skills.
The project should also fulfill a need within a girl’s community (whether local or global) and create change that has the potential to be on-going or sustainable. Approximately 80 hours of community service are involved in the project. Completion of the Gold Award also qualifies the Girl Scout for special scholarship opportunities.
To learn more, visit gswny.org.
Photos by Tom Rivers: Qasim Huzair plays the role of Uncle Fester in Lyndonville-Medina’s production of The Addams Family in March. Qasim won a “best supporting actor” award from the Stars of Tomorrow. The “Dancesters” in back also received a “Tip of the Hat” award.
ROCHESTER – Two high school musical productions in Orleans County were big winners Thursday night at the Stars of Tomorrow competition in Rochester, which recognizes the top school musicals in the Rochester area.
Albion and Lyndonville-Medina both won the top award for outstanding musical. Albion, which competes with many large suburban schools in Division B, performed Godspell on March 23-24 and Lyndonville-Medina, in Division D, performed The Addams Family from March 23-25.
Enoch Martin (Judas), Victor Benjovsky (Jesus) and Laiken Ricker (disciple) perform a high-energy song in Godspell, Albion’s musical in March.
Both programs won many other awards and five students from the two programs also advanced in an individual competition where the winner goes to the Jimmy Awards program in New York City in June.
Lyndonville-Medina won the following awards for The Addams Family:
• Outstanding musical
• Outstanding Dance Ensemble
• Outstanding Acting Ensemble
• Outstanding Orchestra
• Outstanding supporting actor for Brian Cunningham, Qasim Huzair and Jacob Corser
Christian Hahn, center, portrays Gomez Addams, the patriarch of the family. He is shown with Brian Cunningham, left, who portrayed Pugsley Addams and Cora Payne, who portrayed Gomez’s wife Morticia. The three all received awards for their performances.
• Outstanding leading actor for Christian Hahn
• Outstanding leading actress for Cora Payne and Layna Viloria.
• Future Stars – Meagan Hardner
• Special Recognition – Grace Masse and Miranda Lembcke
• Tip of the Hat – Ethan Bowie, Sarah Cochrane, Zayda Moyle and the Dancesters.
(Hahn, Huzair, Payne and Viloria advance to round 2 of the Stars on May 24.)
Albion won the following awards for Godspell:
• Outstanding Musical
• Outstanding Dance Ensemble
• Outstanding Singing Ensemble
• Outstanding Acting Ensemble
• Outstanding Orchestra
• Outstanding supporting actor for Enoch Martin
• “Tip of the Hat” recognitions from the adjudicators for Nate Grammatico, Riley Seielstad, Emma Tower, Sophia Zambito, Matt Kovaleski, Richard Flanagan, Miranda Smith and the Albion HS Special Olympics Club
(Enoch Martin advances to round 2 of the Stars on May 24.)
Sophia Zambito, left, and Riley Seielstad, center, both were recognized by judges.
LATHAM – Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General of New York, announces the recent award recognitions for members of the New York Army National Guard who participated in the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief support missions following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017.
Two soldiers from Orleans County are receiving the Humanitarian Service Award:
Pfc. Jordan Wolcott from Albion and Sgt. 1st Class John Anstey from Holley both served in the U.S. Virgin Islands from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, 2017. They served with the 105th Military Police Company of the New York Army National Guard.
“The support of our New York National Guard in the Caribbean following Hurricanes Irma and Maria was nothing short of exceptional, and our soldiers are the reason for that success,” German said. “Our citizen soldiers are used to responding here at home, so the effort to move troops and equipment to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands presented unique challenges. The presentation of the Humanitarian Service Medal is a great reflection of our soldiers’ commitment to serve others.”
The Department of Defense approved the Humanitarian Service Medal on March 29, 2018 for soldiers who provided meritorious participation in operations of a humanitarian nature. More than 400 Army National Guard Soldiers will be eligible to receive the award. Presentations will be made at the unit level at a future date.
Photo courtesy of Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA — Destiny Satkowski, a senior at Medina High School, recently won first place in the New York State Skills USA competition.
Satkowski competed in the health occupation pro portfolio in the Allied Health II program.
Another Orleans County student at the Orleans-Niagara BOCES also placed in the competition. Justin Corser of Lyndonville was third in the technical computer application in computer technology.
SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce.
Two local licensed practical nurse programs are among the top ranked in the state, according to the latest rankings by the Annual PracticalNursing.org.
Niagara County Community College was ranked third in the state and the Orleans-Niagara BOCES was sixth out of 67 programs.
The rankings are largely based on NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years. The NCLEX-PN exam is used by state boards of nursing around the country for testing proficiency and granting licensure.
NCCC earned a 98.15 overall score for third in the rankings with the Orleans-Niagara BOCES at 95.39 for sixth.
To see the full rankings, click here.
CAZENOVIA – Gabriell Struble of Albion was honored at Cazenovia College’s 15th Annual Student Leaders Celebration. Struble was recognized as a Leader Scholar (above 3.70 GPA).
The event recognized the remarkable contributions students, staff, and faculty made to enrich the Cazenovia College experience. Those honored play various roles and contribute in different ways to creating a positive campus-life environment. Cazenovia College is an independent, co-educational college near Syracuse, offering bachelor degree programs in the liberal arts and professional studies.
BUFFALO – Buffalo State is proud to recognize the following undergraduate students who were recognized for their academic achievements at the college’s annual Honors Convocation held in April 2018.
• Rael Brown of Buffalo (dietetics)
• Wynter Dumont of Albion (early childhood education)
• Kendra Morrison of Albion (psychology)
• Randolph Pearl of Kent (career & technical education)
• Denise Punch of Medina (career & technical education)
Honors Convocation recognizes undergraduate students who have completed at least 45 credit hours (30 credit hours for transfer students) at Buffalo State and achieved at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA.
Photos courtesy of Chris Rice: Neil Newton, left, is presented with his plaque by Steve Wowelco, president of the NYS Outdoorsman Hall of Fame.
Neil Newton, a long-time sportsmen in Orleans County, was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame on Saturday during a banquet at Theodore’s Restaurant in Canastota. Newton’s plaque will be displayed at the Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame Museum in Vail Mills, NY.
Newton is one of 10 new inductees in the Hall of Fame. The NYSOHOF is an organization dedicated to honoring those individuals who have spent many years preserving outdoor heritage, working for conservation, or enhancing our outdoor sports for future generations.
Newton has been past president and a member of the Finger Lakes Conservation Council for 35 years. He has been active in St. Mary’s Archery Club, Black North Rod & Gun Club, and Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen for 63 years.
Newton also has been active in Orleans County Federation of Sportsmen for 63 years. He also took the lead in getting centerfire rifle hunting allowed in Orleans County last year.
He has been a hunter safety instructor and served on the Hunter Education Committee of the NYS Conservation Council for many years. Newton was a co-founder of the DEC Walleye Cooperator rearing project and made arrangements necessary for the project in addition being involved with rearing and stocking the walleye fingerlings.”
Neil Newton, front row at right, joins the other inductees for a photo.
Photos courtesy of Chris Busch
BATAVIA – Two people from Orleans County received inaugural Genean Awards on Saturday during a celebration by the Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council.
Lisa Roeseler (pictured above), a music teacher and director of Medina High School’s A’Cappella Choir, was recognzied with the individual artist award.
Roeseler started at her career in Medina as a music teacher Towne Primary School in September 1986 and moved to the High School in September 1987. She has been a popular teacher at Medina, with her vocal ensembles performing in the community, especially the annual holiday concert by the A‘Capella Choir at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
When she started, she had 17 students in Mixed Chorus and 43 in A’Cappella. The Mixed Chorus now averages 85 to 90 students and A’Cappella now averages 92 to 100.
Bryan DeGraw received the Supporter of the Year for his efforts to boost the local cultural scene. DeGraw is co-owner of 810 Meadworks with his wife LaRissa. The DeGraws opened 810 Meadworks in downtown Medina on Nov. 30, 2014. They make mead products and have a tasting room. The DeGraws also have run a concert series at the “beegarten” in the back of the building at 113 West Center St.
GO Art! created its own unique awards “like the Oscars or Tony awards for GENesee and OrlEANs Counties, to recognize a few of the amazing people and organizations we have within our counties,” said Gregory Hallock, executive director.
The Genesee Chorale also was honored as the “Organization of the Year.”
Photos by Tom Rivers: Al Capurso sings, “Till We Meet Again,” during a rededication ceremony on June 9, 2017 for a bronze tablet listing the names of 24 soldiers from Orleans County who died in World War I. The tablet was installed at the Orleans County Courthouse.
ALBION – Al Capurso has led several preservation efforts in Orleans County in recent years, and has been active in environmental and social justice causes for many years.
An Albion church is holding Capurso as a shining example for the community. Capurso will be recognized with a humanitarian award at 11 a.m. Sunday at the Pullman Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church.
Capurso is retired from 30 years with the county working in social services and with at-risk youth. He also owned the Bait Barn for about 25 years, selling fishing supplies for many years.
He is a life-long resident of Orleans County who has been married to the former Chris Rodden for 45 years. They have four grown children.
Capurso is the current president of the Orleans County Historical Association. He is on the board of directors for the Cobblestone Society Museum and also served as the Gaines town historian.
He is also a musician who performs at many local community events.
Capurso also stands out for his “gentle kindness,” said Darrell Dyke, a member of the board of trustees for the Pullman church.
Capurso ran for the County Legislature last year, the first campaign by a former county employee. Don Allport held off Capurso in the election.
Capurso has been active with Stop Polluting Orleans County (SPOC), which opposed a new landfill in Albion. He also has spoken out against a new quarry in Shelby near the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.
The public is invited to the service at Pullman at 11 a.m. on Sunday. A reception will follow at noon at the church, 10 East Park St., Albion.
Al Capurso is pictured on Oct. 17, 2015 when a new historical marker that was unveiled by a former one-room schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road, just north of the Erie Canal. The schoolhouse was built in 1832 and is one of the oldest cobblestone buildings in the area. Capurso led the efforts to save the schoolhouse.
ALBION – A group of Orleans County residents will be honored as “Heritage Heroes” during an awards program at 7 p.m. today at the GCC campus center in Albion.
The Heritage Heroes Awards recognize the work and dedication of those who give their time and resources to preserve and protect the history of Orleans County for future generations. The awards are co-sponsored by SUNY GCC and the Orleans Hub. The entire community is invited to come and help honor these important individuals.
The 2018 Orleans County Heritage Heroes are:
Aaron Grabowski
Organist and director of Music at St. Mary’s Church in Medina, Aaron Grabowski has always had a passion for making music. However, Grabowski is more than a musician, he also builds organs. Prior to moving to Medina, he acquired a circa 1890s Barkhoff pipe organ, which was originally installed in Annunciation RC Church in Buffalo, built just a few years before St. Mary’s. When he joined St. Mary’s Church, it was evident to him that the church’s ailing electronic organ needed to be replaced. Although the original pipe organ was removed from the balcony many years ago, the organ facade (consisting of exposed pipes and oak millwork) remained intact. Upon inspection of the organ loft, Grabowski knew a proper pipe organ, befitting of the church’s history and space could be installed. Grabowski and several other interested parishioners worked together and decided he would install his Barkhoff organ in at St. Mary’s, and do the work himself! The Barkhoff was a perfect fit, given its age (built within a decade of St. Mary’s), classical voicing and having been designed by the same architect, Albert A Post. Grabowski’s dedication and hard work will fill the nave of St. Mary’s for generations to come.
Diane Palmer
Diane Palmer has always been a historian at heart and has long lent her talents and dedicated her time serving the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Cobblestone Society & Museum. Currently a member of the Board of Trustees at the Cobblestone Society & Museum, Palmer has led the museum’s rebranding efforts and has been instrumental in several key fundraisers.
She also is one of the coordinators of the Eastman at Albion concert series. The series has included about 20 concerts, raising more than $20,000 with the proceeds going to scholarships for Albion students who pursue music and the performing arts in college. In many of the concerts, Albion high schoolers have performed with the professional musicians in town for the concert. The series features Rochester-area musicians, often affiliated with the Eastman Community Music School, paired with Albion’s architectural treasures – the historic churches at the Courthouse Square.
Arthur Barnes
Noted local artist for over 30 years and constant advocate for the community, Arthur Barnes uses his artwork to celebrate Orleans County and its rich history. Barnes created a series of four 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.
Roy Bubb
Teacher and historian, Roy Bubb added author to his resume when he penned Memories of Manning Corners: History of the Bubb Family and its Neighborhood 1931-1942, which is a retrospective on growing up in Orleans County. In 1986, Bubb retired from The SUNY College of Brockport after 25 years of service providing the best possible learning environment to future educators. In the late ’60s, Bubb co-created a simulation program that received recognition from the National College Association. Since then, Bubb has published nearly a half dozen books including his 2017 work, The Family Scrapbook, An Era in Clarendon and Holley-Murray’s History. Proceeds from Bubb’s many works benefit both the Madison Historical Society in Madison, NH, and the Clarendon Historical Society in Clarendon, NY.
Receiving the Bill Latin Municipal Historian Award – Lysbeth “Betsy” Hoffman
Since 1980, Lysbeth “Betsy” Hoffman has served her community researching information, collecting names and dates, archiving and cataloging, and writing as the Town of Carlton Historian. Former Orleans County Historian Bill Lattin knew Hoffman as an invaluable resource, one who would always have the answer. For many years Hoffman was a regular columnist for the Medina Journal-Register reporting the “goings on” in Lakeside. She developed special displays in the Carlton Town Hall and was an avid collector of archival material that continues to aid and educate future generations.
Receiving the Bob Waters Lifetime Achievement Award – Marsha DeFillips
One of the longest servicing municipal historians in Orleans County, Marsha DeFillips has been the Holley-Murray Town historian for over 40 years. Very active in the Holley-Murray Historical Society, DeFillips was influential in establishing the Murray-Holley Historical Society Museum in the old train depot and has led multiple talks and workshops and helped many residents trace their own familial roots. Recently DeFillips teamed with Melissa Ierlan to present “Digging up your ancestors online” which is a public workshop designed to encourage and guide individuals down their own genealogy path. One of the signature accomplishments during her term as town historian has been her creation of an Index of personal names in Landmarks of Orleans County. To do this, DeFillips spent many months combing through and extracting every name mentioned in Isaac Signor’s 1894 publication, developing a permanent record of history.
The public is welcome to attend the awards ceremony at GCC’s Albion Campus Center, 456 West Ave. A reception will follow the ceremony featuring light refreshments.
