Provided photos: Brittany Dix, Community Outreach Specialist for Hospice of Orleans, presents awards to Ike Burr, left, and Linda Chrzan.
Press Release, Hospice of Orleans County
LYNDONVILLE – Every year during National Volunteer Week , Hospice of Orleans honors volunteers by hosting a luncheon. This year’s event was held Thursday, April 23 at White Birch in Lyndonville.
The event provides an opportunity to extend gratitude and appreciation to the many volunteers who dedicate their time and talents in various ways to move the organization’s mission forward in the community.
Volunteers were recognized for their years of service with Hospice of Orleans, including Linda Chrzan, who was honored for an incredible 30-year commitment. Linda’s dedication to the mission of Hospice of Orleans – especially her hard work supporting the hospice’s golf tournament – has been truly invaluable.
Another golf committee member and volunteer, Ike Burr, was honored prior to the event with an “Above Par” Award. After many years of dedicated service, Ike has stepped down from tournament planning and wished continued success to the organization’s event.
Brittany Dix presents “Volunteer of the Year” awards to Jim Pratt, left, and Kathy Babbitt, right.
Jim Pratt and Kathy Babbitt received the Volunteer of the Year Award.
“Whether this ‘dynamic duo’ is representing Hospice of Orleans at a table in the community or in conversation with potential donors, their advocacy in these interactions is enthusiastic and heartfelt,” shared Brittany Dix, Community Outreach Specialist.
Upon receiving their awards, both recipients echoed that there must have been other, more deserving candidates. The humility of this sentiment is a truly valuable characteristic in anyone, but especially a volunteer.
“We are so happy to have them working alongside our hospice family, and together they complement each other and our organization in the best way,” Dix said.
Hospice of Orleans is currently welcoming new volunteers in all areas of service, and is especially seeking direct-care volunteers as the number of patients cared for in Orleans County continues to grow.
Provided photo: Pictured form left include Zachery Freas (Lyndonville), welding teacher Verenice Bragg and Renzo Tomasi (Albion).
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – Two Orleans Career and Technical Education Center (OCTEC) welding students brought how two of the top three medals from the 2026 AWS (American Welding Society) Weld Off competition.
Their teacher, Verenice Bragg, is proud to announce that seniors Zachery Freas (Lyndonville) took first place and Renzo Tomasi (Albion) placed third. Renzo also received a $1,000 scholarship that he will use when he attends Alfred State College this fall.
The competition was held on March 28th at the Northland Workforce Training Center in Buffalo. It was free to all participants and each BOCES and/or technology school is allowed to send two seniors and two juniors. First place winners receive a $200, second place $150 and third place is a $100 prize. They also receive a prize pack from the American Welding Society.
Zachery’s first place win and Renzo’s third place win qualify them to attend the Thruway Cup in Albany in May.
Provided photo: From left include Hunter Zambito (Albion), Bradyn Whittier (Albion) and Carina Hartigan (Royalton-Hartland) with their teacher Chef James Atzrott.
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – The Orleans Career and Technical Education Center’s (OCTEC) Culinary Arts team of Carina Hartigan (Royalton-Hartland), Bradyn Whittier (Albion) and Hunter Zambito (Albion) took home first place at the New York State Restaurant Association’s (NYSRA) ProStart Invitational.
The competition was held at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York and was sponsored by the United States Coast Guard.
ProStart is a two-year, industry-backed culinary arts and restaurant management program for high school students. The students, under the guidance of their teacher Chef James Atzrott, blew the judges away with their menu of daikon scallops with a fennel cream sauce and smoked paprika oil, sirloin steak with mashed potatoes with caramelized shallots and Brussel sprouts and a red wine reduction and a dessert of pistachio Frasier with a raspberry and chocolate sauce.
Joshua Klotzbach from Medina, a member of the New York Army National Guard, has been promoted to staff sergeant. He is assigned to Bravo Company, 152nd Brigade Engineer Battalion.
Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, announced Klotzbach’s promotion.
Army National Guard promotions are based on a soldier’s overall performance, demonstrated leadership abilities, professionalism and future development potential.
The New York National Guard 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.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Jax Richards-Dyson of Holley, a member of the senior high all-county band, raises a cymbal after he was announced on Saturday as the winner of Scholar Artist Award among senior music students in Orleans County.
Press Release, Orleans County Music Educators’ Association
MEDINA – Jax Richards-Dyson, a senior from Holley, was the recipient of the Scholar Artist Award at last Saturday’s All-County Music Festival in Medina.
The Orleans County Music Educators’ Association (OCMEA) wanted to recognize and celebrate their graduating music students who demonstrate commitment and leadership in their respective music programs, while also prioritizing academics and maintaining good grades.
County music teachers were asked to nominate students who met the following criteria: maintain a GPA of 90.0 or above, actively participate in their school’s music department, and demonstrate leadership in their school district and/ or community. Jax, who was nominated by Mr. Zach Busch (Holley junior-senior high band director), was selected by the OCMEA executive board.
Jax has a GPA of 97 and is a leader in his music department. He plays percussion in the HS concert band, piano in the jazz band, serves as Holley’s Concert Choir accompanist, and marches on the drumline of the Holley-Kendall Marching Band.
Jax has also been a regular in his school’s theater productions, taking on roles both on stage and in the pit. He also plays piano and performs in a variety of groups around the Rochester area. He plans on attending college next year and hopes to major in pre-med.
“Jax has always been a lead by example type of student,” Mr. Busch wrote in his nomination. “He is always a musician I can count on to know his music and positively contribute to any ensemble he is playing in through his preparation. He is also the musician who spends the most time practicing of all the musicians at Holley HS – and it shows in his skill and ability. Jax’s actions in practice set an example for other students who wish to work up to the level of musicianship he has achieved. Jax can often be observed helping younger students with their music during rehearsals for the many groups he performs in.”
Jax was one of four nominees this year. Other nominees included Madison Hults from Kendall, nominated by Miss Chalmers; Gideon Pask from Albion, nominated by Mr. Michki & Mr. Confer; and Emily Miner from Lyndonville, nominated by Mrs. Trupo.
Mrs. Andrea Busch, Co Vice-President of OCMEA, created the award last year and said, “I am so proud of Jax and all of the other students who continuously go above and beyond to make Orleans County an amazing place for music education. All four of this year’s nominees are outstanding young men and women, and I cannot thank them for the positive impact they have made.”
Provided photo: These students were recognized on Wednesday for committing to paid co-ops. From left include Joshua Zayac (Albion), Tyler Rothwell (Royalton-Hartland), Elliot Beyrle (Albion), Miles Arbegast (Medina), Deven Byrne (Medina), Carson Schwab (Barker) and Aaden Munn (Barker).
Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES
MEDINA – There was a celebration on Wednesday evening at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES’ Orleans Career and Technical Education Center.
The Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering students in teacher Bill Rakonczay’s program had their annual Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program signing event. The Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship Program bridges the gap between youth and manufacturing careers through apprenticeships, job shadows and paid co-ops. Students gain skills and experience while connecting to future career opportunities.
“Students get recognized for signing on to play college sports, correct? Why not recognize students signing on to the workforce?” Mr. Rakonczay said.
The students were recognized for officially signing on to their paid co-op program. Each student received a swag bag from the Finger Lakes Youth Apprenticeship that included a caliper and micrometer set.
“Thank you to all the parents that showed up to support their loved one,” said Mr. Rakonczay. “A huge thank you to our local employers that support my program and students. Without them none of this would be possible. I am so proud of these students!”
Group came to aid of French special operations forces in northern Iraq
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jean Sanon: U.S. soldiers assigned to Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, stand in formation during an award ceremony in Rochester on Sunday. Six New York Army National Guard Soldiers who came to the aid of French special operations forces during an Aug. 28–29, 2023, mission in northern Iraq were awarded the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star by Maj. Gen. Michel Natali, the assistant adjutant general for Army. Pictured from left include Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott of Rochester, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor of Blasdell, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg of Rochester, Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco of Lockport, and Sgt. Jedediah Estrada of Horseheads. Missing from photo is Sgt. Zachary Albright of Elba, who is an Albion graduate.
Press Release, New York National Guard
ROCHESTER – Six New York Army National Guard Soldiers who helped rescue 34 French special forces during an August 2023 firefight in Iraq, received the French equivalent of the Bronze Star, during ceremony on Sunday at Army Aviation Support Facility 2 in Rochester.
The soldiers, assigned to Bravo Company of the 3rd Battalion, 126th General Support Aviation Battalion, were presented with the French National Defense Gold Medal with Bronze Star.
Sgt. Zachary Albright
The aviation soldiers were honored for providing rapid aerial support to French special operations forces who pinned down under enemy fire near Hawija, Iraq, on the night of Aug. 28 and 29, 2023. The French unit was conducting a mission against ISIS terrorists.
Major General Michel Natali, the New York National Guard’s assistant adjutant general, Army, who presented the French medals, praised the Soldiers for their quick response in loading up and moving a French quick reaction force of 30 troops into the fight.
“We’re very proud of what they’ve done as aviators, but I’d say more importantly, I’m very proud of them being New York National Guard Soldiers,” Natali said after the ceremony.
“The operation they were involved in happened in the dark of night,” he told reporters.
“The French government did not have to recognize our soldiers, but they went that extra mile to identify our soldiers who were working that evening to keep their soldiers safe. We’re very appreciative of what the French government has done in recognizing our troops,” Natali said.
The medals were authorized by French General Thierry Burkhard, then France’s Chief of National Defense Staff, in March of 2024.
At the time of the mission, the New York Army National Guard aviation crews were on standby at Erbil Air Base as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the multinational effort to counter Islamic State terrorist operations in the region.
When the approximately 35 French Special Forces troops took casualties and requested reinforcement and extraction, two CH-47F Chinook helicopters crewed by the Rochester-based Bravo Company launched in support.
Within 30 minutes, the aircrews loaded approximately 30 French commandos to relieve them and flew nearly 70 miles to the objective area then stayed nearby, ready to provide follow-on support.
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, a Rochester resident, who served as air mission commander during the operation, said uncertainty upon arrival created immediate challenges.
“The biggest challenge was not knowing the situation on the ground or what support we had until we got on station,” said Scott, who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002.
He added that once they made radio contact and confirmed their location, they adjusted the grid, coordinated with the other aircraft and their crews, and identified the support available to them.
Scott said that the crew’s preparation and cohesion were critical to executing the mission successfully.
“I’m most proud of the way the crew came together,” he said. “They had the aircraft ready to go. While I was receiving the mission, the crew was already preparing the aircraft.”
Once Scott briefed them, they conducted a short planning session on the way and were ready to execute.
Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a Horseheads resident who served as a door gunner during the mission, said the recognition carries lasting personal meaning.
“Afterward, I read the French press release about the death of Sgt. Nicolas Mazier, [the] paratrooper with the French commandos who was killed in combat,” Estrada said. “I’ve remembered him ever since.”
“Being honored by the French government is a way for me to continue honoring his legacy – not just what our unit was able to do, but what we accomplished together with our partner force,” Estrada said.
“It really brings together why we were there and what we were working to defeat,” he added.
Recognized during the ceremony were:
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Christopher Scott, a Rochester resident, is a 42-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2002. He was commissioned as an Aviation Warrant Officer in 2009. He is a recipient of the Air Medal W/C Device, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Retired Chief Warrant Officer 3 Aaron Taylor, a Blasdell resident, is a 35-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2009. He was commissioned as an Aviation Warrant Officer in 2015. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal W/C Device.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jared Twigg, a Rochester resident, is a 38-year-old CH-47F helicopter pilot who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2007. He was previously a flight engineer with the unit until he commissions as a pilot in 2019. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal
Staff Sgt. Samuel Sacco, a Lockport resident, is a 40-year- old helicopter maintainer and crew chief who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2004 and served until 2012. He reenlisted in 2019, again as an aircraft mechanic. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal W/C Device.
Sgt. Jedediah Estrada, a Horseheads resident, is 36-years-old. He enlisted as a 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist and went through flight progression as a door gunner with the unit. He entered the New York Army National Guard in 2019. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
Sgt. Zachary Albright, an Elba resident, is a 22-year-old helicopter maintainer and crew chief who joined the New York Army National Guard in 2022. He has since been warranted commission as a WO1 in 2025 and is currently in flight school to become an Aviation Warrant Officer. He is a recipient of the Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal W/C Device and Army Achievement Medal.
The French National Defense Medal, known as the Medaille de la Defense nationale, was established April 21, 1982, by then French Minister of Defense Charles Hernu to recognize honorable and meritorious service in support of France’s national defense.
The medal is awarded in three grades, bronze, silver and gold, reflecting increasing levels of distinguished service. The gold grade recognizes particularly distinguished contributions to national defense.
When accompanied by a bronze star device, the medal signifies the recipient was officially recognized at the regimental or brigade level for notable operational service during multinational missions.
The decoration may be awarded to both French service members and allied military personnel and serves as a symbol of professional excellence and international military cooperation.
Detachment 1 of Bravo Company operates seven CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
The unit falls under the 42nd Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade’s 642nd Aviation Support Battalion and has conducted numerous deployments overseas and disaster response operations here at home.
SUNY Oswego and SUNY Cortland have recognized Orleans County residents as high academic achievers on its President’s List and Deans’ List for the fall 2025 semester.
At Oswego, President’s List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher while carrying required academic credits. Students on the President’s List include:
Jordan Wright, Albion, criminal justice
Isabella R. Zasa, Knowlesville, public relations (online)
Deans’ List students are those attaining semester grade-point averages between 3.3 and 3.79 while carrying required academic credits. Students on the Deans’ List include:
Jack Cecchini, Medina, adolescence education
Willow E. Gaines, Albion, health promotion and wellness
Tracy Garrett, Eagle Harbor, studio art
Kenadie J. Patten, Albion, finance
Alex E. Stahl, Medina, operations management and information systems
Charlotte R. Symons, Albion, creative writing
At SUNY Cortland, students from Orleans County on the Dean’s List include:
Cole Callard of Medina, with a major in Sport Management
Nathan Sherman of Medina, with a major in Business Economics (also named to President’s List)
BUFFALO – The following local students were named to the University at Buffalo’s fall 2025 dean’s list.
Daniel Barry of Lyndonville
Adriana Botello of Kendall
Sawyer Brigham of Albion
Caiden Class of Medina
Dan De Vera of Medina
Autumn Flugel of Albion
Kevin He of Albion
Gwen Ingro of Lyndonville
Emma Jacobs of Medina
Jordan Marshall of Albion
Brookelyn Nawotka of Medina
Anna Oakley of Medina
Jaxon Phillips of Medina
Cole Quiter of Holley
S’koi Sanders of Albion
Hilda Santiago Bautista of Medina
Carson Uderitz of Albion
UB is New York State’s flagship university and the largest and most comprehensive institution in the State University of New York system.
To qualify for the dean’s list, full-time undergraduate students must demonstrate academic excellence by earning a grade point average of at least 3.600 while completing a minimum of 12 or more UB letter graded (A-F) credit hours.
“Each term, we are inspired by the determination and drive of our students,” says Ann Bisantz, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education. “Those named to this semester’s undergraduate dean’s list have distinguished themselves through their commitment to academic excellence, intellectual curiosity and personal integrity. Their success reflects not only hard work, but also a steadfast dedication to their goals. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and look forward to the impact they will continue to make at UB and beyond.”
LOCKPORT – Ben McPherson, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Lockport, has accepted an invitation to become a limited partner in The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P., the holding company for the St. Louis-based financial services firm.
“I am honored to be invited to become a limited partner in the firm,” McPherson said. “I value working at a firm with such a strong sense of purpose – to make a positive difference for our clients, colleagues and community.”
McPherson joined Edward Jones in 2019 and has served investors in Western NY for the past seven years. He is active in the community and currently volunteers with the Medina Rotary, Medina Area Partnership and the Orleans/GLOW YMCAs.
Edward Jones currently employs 50,000 associates throughout the United States and through its affiliate in Canada. This is the firm’s 18th limited partnership offering in its 100-year history.
Edward Jones is a leading North American financial planning firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm’s more than 20,000 financial advisors throughout North America serve more than 9 million clients with a total of $2.4 trillion in client assets under care as of Sept. 26, 2025.
ROCHESTER – Several students from Orleans County have been named to the Dean’s List at Nazareth University for the fall semester. Those students include:
Tyana Burroughs of Kendall
Hailey Crawford of Albion
Riley Tompkins of Medina
Raine Baker of Lyndonville
Kailie Regan of Holley
Faith Bennett of Albion
Olivia Belgiorno of Waterport
Ryder Jones of Medina
Makenzie McGrath of Medina
A student’s grade point average must be at least 3.5 or above, and they must complete 12 credit hours of graded work that semester in order to be included on the Dean’s List at Nazareth.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 11 January 2026 at 11:04 am
Finger Lakes Community College, Jacksonville State University, SUNY Canton and Southern New Hampshire University note academic achievers from Orleans
Four colleges have recently notified the Orleans Hub of students from Orleans County who made either the Dean’s List or President’s List for the fall semester.
• At Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, there are 973 students on the Dean’s List, maintaining at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester.
Those students include Rachael Howard of Albion, Bryan Hardenbrook of Kendall, and Addison Paul and Julian Woodworth of Medina.
• Seagan Christine Majchrzak of Medina has been named to Dean’s List at Jacksonville State University in Alabama.
To be named to the Dean’s List, students must earn a 3.5-3.99 GPA for the semester while completing at least 12 GPA hours of course credit.
• Two students from Orleans County were named to the President’s List at SUNY Canton with GPAs of 3.75 or higher.
Lakshia Johnson of Albion and Lorelei Sanders are both Legal Studies majors.
• Two from Orleans also were named to the President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH.
Andrea Sanchez Vargas of Holley and Nordia Campbell of Albion both had GPAs of 3.70 or higher.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 6 January 2026 at 3:40 pm
Photos by Ginny Kropf: A.J. Gere, creative director for Orleans Hub and Lake Country Media, garnered the most votes in an annual program called Rochester Community Votes. Here, she shows examples of some of her work.
ALBION – A.J. Gere, creative director and graphic designer for Orleans Hub and Lake Country Media, has emerged a winner of Rochester Community Votes, an annual program in which the public can vote for their favorite individual, business or service in a variety of categories.
Gere learned about the contest and entered Specialty Art Services and Graphic Design.
She won gold in Specialty Services for her pyrography (woodburning), and silver for her Graphic Design. The skull took her 35 hours to complete, she said.
To be considered for the program the entrant must first be nominated by the public. Then the top nominations move to the voting stage, where the public can vote daily for their favorites. Winners are revealed at an awards gala, which this year took place Dec. 10 at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
“The fact someone anonymous nominated me made it so special,” Gere said. “I had tears in my eyes when I learned I had won.”
The pieces in woodburning held here by A.J. Gere are some of her favorites, the cabin being an homage to her childhood camping and the skull at right the piece which won her a gold award in Rochester Community Votes.
Gere first started doing woodburning several years ago. One of her first pieces was of the home her grandmother used to live in. She gave one to her parents, and her hobby just took off from there, she said.
Her main subjects deal with nature.
“I grew up camping and surrounded by nature,” Gere said. “To be able to combine my hobby with nature was appealing to me.”
She likes to do her woodburning on recycled wood and has found a gentleman who used to own a saw mill and provides her with wood when she needs it. News of her talent is spreading, and she recently finished a commissioned piece for someone in Kansas.
Her woodburning is accomplished under the name of Fern and Timber. She recently entered a craft fair at the Rochester Museum of Science Center and did very well, she said.
At work, Gere is the creative director, or graphic designer, for Orleans Hub, having started working there in 2019. She manages Hub uploads and orders and is a liaison between her office and vendors. She also works at the front desk, answering phones and greeting customers when no one else is available.
“Whatever position needs to be filled or whatever customers want, I find a way to get it done,” she said.
Photo by Tom Rivers: A.J. Gere is shown during an Aug. 15 reception at the Marti’s on Main art gallery in Albion, where she was one of the featured artists. She is shown next to her creations showing a barn owl on top, then “Mirrored Mushrooms,” and a riverside cabin.
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent Posted 11 December 2025 at 11:45 am
Provided photo: Nyla Gaylord, director of United Way of Orleans County, holds the Pillars of Homeless Service Award she received at the WNY Homeless Alliance 20th anniversary celebration on Dec. 5.
Nyla Gaylord, executive director of United Way of Orleans County, was recently recognized by the WNY Homeless Alliance with their Pillars of Homeless Service Award.
The award was presented Dec. 5 at Samuel’s Grande Manor in Williamsville, where more than 350 community members met for the WNY Homeless Alliance’s 20th anniversary celebration. The event recognized two decades of regional progress toward ending homelessness, and honored leaders whose long-standing dedication has strengthened the Western New York homeless response system.
A focal moment of the afternoon was the presentation of the award, which celebrated 21 individuals who have each contributed more than 20 years to supporting people experiencing homelessness. These honorees, whose combined careers represent centuries of advocacy and human compassion, were recognized for their steadfast service, innovation and leadership across the region.
Gaylord has a four-decade career in human services, which has been shaped by a commitment to walking alongside people whose struggles often go unseen.
Her work began in 1980 with Rural New York Farmworker Opportunities (now PathStone), where she provided assistance to migrant farmworkers and learned firsthand that advocacy, trust and dignity are essential to helping individuals move forward.
Over the years, she created programs and services to assist older adults, displaced homemakers, people with disabilities, refugees and individuals facing addiction, unemployment and mental health challenges. No matter the role, she witnessed a fundamental truth – without stable housing, people cannot begin to address unemployment, health or recovery.
In Orleans County Gaylord has led efforts to address the shortage of housing and rising homelessness. Following the 2022 closure of the Holley Hotel, she convened community partners for a countywide “Community Conversation on Housing,” which led to the opening of the county’s first warming center in 2023. Under her leadership, United Way continues to bring together government, nonprofit, business and grassroots partners to expand affordable housing options and respond to the growing number of residents without shelter.
The December celebration also featured a video chronicling the Homeless Alliance’s history, remarks from executive director Kexin Ma, and reflections from honorees Joy Tedeschi and Robyn Kreuger on the shared commitment that has shaped progress throughout Western New York, In a moment of national acknowledgment, Congressman Tim Kennedy’s office presented an Extension of Remarks to the Homeless Alliance – an honor that will join the official Congressional Record in Washington, D.C.
United Way of Orleans County extends appreciation to the Homeless Alliance and to all regional partners working to ensure every person has access to safe, stable housing. As the need grows, so does the organization’s commitment to collaboration, compassion and community-driven solutions.
Photo by Tom Rivers: Nyla Gaylord speaks in May during a housing forum that she helped lead for officials in Orleans County. That forum was held at the White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville.
Provided photo: Kevin Bittner accepts the James Quinn Award during the annual meeting of New York Farm Bureau.
VERONA – A Niagara County fruit grower who has served several years in leadership roles with Farm Bureau has been recognized by the organization.
Kevin Bittner on Wednesday was presented with the James Quinn Award during NY Farm Bureau’s annual meeting at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona. This is the second highest award in the organization and goes to someone who has gone above and beyond in supporting Farm Bureau and NY Agriculture during the past year.
Bittner is the orchard manager for Bittner Singer Farms based in Appleton. His father Jim is managing partner and brother David is field manager for the farm.
Kevin Bittner just completed his term as Niagara County President. In addition to helping plan the March Ag Forum, he served as emcee. As Farm Bureau president, he served on a number of other county committees. Bittner was a resource person for local farmers and members of the media. He also promoted agriculture through presentations to various organizations including Lions Clubs.
On a state level, Bittner serve on the Resolutions Committee for Farm Bureau. As a grassroots organization, their priorities are set by the members. The Resolutions Committee coordinates each county’s items into a coordinated format. He also serves on the advisory board for the Cornell University Geneva Experimental Station.
When accepting the award, Kevin expressed appreciation for those who helped him throughout the year. As part of Bittner Singer Orchards, he appreciated his father and brother for keeping the farm functioning when he was gone. Bittner appreciated the Niagara County Farm Bureau Board for their help with the numerous projects throughout the year. Finally, he acknowledged the input and friendship from members across the state.
New York Farm Bureau provides the resources that support and enrich the rural way of life. Through the efforts of our organization, farmers have learned to work together to promote more efficient production, better marketing, fair legislation, and a safe food supply and work environment. Membership is open to all involved in agriculture, whether in production or consumption.
