achievements

Masons honor members with many decades of service

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 March 2018 at 11:51 am

Don and Bernadine Ross lead the way with 75 years

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Don Ross (center), a member of the Medina Masonic Lodge, was honored on Saturday for 75 years to the Masons. Ross and several other long-time members of the Albion and Medina lodges were recognized during an awards program at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion.

Ross received a framed certificate and pin during the presentation. Tim McGee of Albion, the current junior warden and a past district deputy grand master, gives Ross the pin. James Sullivan, left, of Lockport is a past grand master for the Masons in New York State.

Ross, a Barre resident, ran a plumbing business for 40 years in Albion. He joined the Masons when he was 22. He was a pin boy as a kid, setting up bowling pins on two lanes owned by the Masonic Lodge. The members were always good to him, and welcomed him to join the lodge as a young adult.

Ross was praised for serving the many in many roles over the past 75 years.

“Don has been dedicated, loyal and hard-working, doing almost all of the jobs in the lodge,” said Jonathan Incho, lodge master in Medina.

Ross’s wife, Bernadine, also was recognized for 75 years of service to the Order of the Eastern Star. She receives a certificate from Brenda Busch, the worthy matron of the Canalside Order of the Eastern Star, and from Steven Pawlak, the worthy patron of the organization.

Mrs. Ross worked with her husband in the plumbing business, running the office. She also has been active in the Order of the Eastern Star.

“She has worked very hard, doing whatever has been asked of her,” Incho said.

Several other long-time members were recognized for their service to the Masons. This certificate and pin goes to Roy Salmon, who has 65 years of service to Masons.

The Albion Renovation Lodge 97 presented the following awards in honor of service on Saturday:

• 55 years to Rex Horton

• 50 years to both Dennis Smith and David M. Bertsch

• 45 years to Allen B. Lackey

• 30 years to Warren Seager

• 20 years to Keith Bane III and Neal Martin

• 15 years to Scott Kranzmann, Charlie Nesbitt, Stephen E. Coville II and Juan Morales

• 5 years to Alex Allport

Rex Horton accepts an award for his 55 years of service as a Mason in Albion. James Sullivan, the past grand master for the Masons in New York State, presents the award.

Dennis Smith was honored for his 50 years as a Mason. He was presented a white apron noting the 50 years of service.

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Roy-Hart grad makes Dean’s List at Brockport

Staff Reports Posted 22 March 2018 at 9:07 am

BROCKPORT – Nickolas Ander, a Roy-Hart graduate, is a freshman in the honors college at The College at Brockport. He is majoring in biology and made the Dean’s List with a GPA between 3.40 and 3.69.

He is the son of Scott and Michelle Ander, and the grandson of Wilson Harris of Waterport and Bob and Carol Ander of Gasport.

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GCC to induct new members of Alumni Hall of Fame

Posted 21 March 2018 at 4:36 pm

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – The Genesee Community College Foundation is proud to announce its 2017 and 2018 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees. The community is invited to the induction ceremony at 4 p.m. on March 28 at the Conable Technology Building, One College Road.

Candidates for the Alumni Hall of Fame are nominated by friends, family, colleagues or other associates. Each of the selected honorees has made significant contributions to their profession and has provided distinguished service to the community and/or Genesee Community College.

The GCC Alumni Hall of Fame, which is located on the second floor of the Conable Technology Building, boasts honorees from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds.

Each of these outstanding GCC graduates has made a lasting impact on their communities and earned this honor. We are proud to welcome the following to the Alumni Hall of Fame:

2017 Inductees:

• George Walker IV, ’98, SVP of Creative Development, Dynamic Attractions

• James Branciforte, ’80, CEO Lifetime Assistance, Inc.

2018 Inductees:

• Georgann Carrubba, ’03, President and CEO, Tencar

• Scott Gardner, ’98, President and CEO, Wyoming County Chamber of Commerce

The complete list of Hall of Fame members is available at www.genesee.edu/alumni/HallofFame/.

The Alumni Hall of Fame Induction is free and open to the public. GCC welcomes all Hall of Fame members, GCC alumni, and of course, the friends and family of our newest inductees to attend this celebration.

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Union recognizes employees with 25 years or more of service at jail, dispatch

Posted 19 March 2018 at 7:54 am

Provided photos

ALBION – The union for employees at the county jail and dispatch center recently recognized employees, including some recent retirees, with 25 years of more of service to the county.

The following, from left, received plaques for their 25 years or more of service: Kevin Kaderli, Beverly Taylor, Nancy Daniels, John Mignano, Sheriff Randy Bower, Bill Oliver and Allen Turner. Absent from event were Charles Dingman, Sue Emerson and Wayne Litchfield.

The Orleans County Sheriff Department Local 2966 organized the celebration, which was held at the county jail on March 8.

Each of the recognized employees, including Allen Turner, received a plaque.

Sgt. Michael Christopher, a corrections officer at the county jail, is president of the union. He is pictured with Sheriff Randy Bower.

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2 Lyndonville students picked for Girls State

Staff Reports Posted 14 March 2018 at 8:31 pm

Pictured, from left: Ritajane Isaacson (Alternate), Carly-Grace Woodworth (Citizen), Lillian Strickland (Citizen), and Cathy Fox, Orleans County Chairperson for the American Legion Auxiliary Empire Girls State. Missing from photo: Joyce Stamp (Alternate).

LYNDONVILLE – Carly-Grace Woodworth and Lillian Strickland, juniors at Lyndonville High School, were recently selected to represent the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliaries this summer at Empire Girls State to be held at The College at Brockport, July 1–7.

Interviews were held at the Jewell Buckman American Legion Post #529 in Holley. Candidates were interviewed by members of the American Legion Auxiliaries from Orleans County which resulted in Carly-Grace and Lillian being selected as Citizens; Ritajane Isaacson and Joyce Stamp as Alternates in the event a Citizen is unable to attend. All candidates interviewed were from the Lyndonville school district.

Empire Girls State is an American Legion Auxiliary-sponsored program. Empire Girls State is a week-long, educational experience with hands-on workshops on the political process designed to create a government from the county to the state level. This mythical 51st state allows the participants to learn the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society.

Annually, high school principals with the help of teachers and guidance counselors, identify girls who are juniors in high school who are in the upper third of their class academically and who possess outstanding qualities of leadership, character, honesty, scholarship, cooperation and maturity. Those girls identified and who are interested will then submit their name and resume to the Auxiliary Unit for consideration.

Final selection is made by the local American Legion Auxiliary Units. Cathy Fox serves as the Orleans County chairperson for the American Legion Auxiliary Empire Girls State.

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Dr. Madejski to be appointed president of the Medical Society of the State of New York

Staff Reports Posted 8 March 2018 at 3:49 pm

Dr. Tom Madejski

MEDINA – A local physician, Thomas J. Madejski, will be appointed president of the Medical Society of the State of New York at its upcoming meeting on March 24 in Buffalo.

Madejski, an Albion resident, works in Medina with General Physician, P.C., on Ohio Street. He is also president of the medical staff at Medina Memorial Hospital, as well as medical director of the Villages of Orleans Health & Rehabilitation Center in Albion, Absolut Care in Gasport, and Hospice of Orleans County.

As president of the Medical Society, Dr. Madejski will oversee all the public health and legislative activities of the state’s principal professional organization for physicians and will work to protect and defend the rights of all patients in New York state.

“Dr. Madejski has been a tireless supporter of MSSNY’s legislative priorities and has been a champion of both physicians’ and patients’ rights during challenging times,” said Dr. Paul Hamlin, chairman of MSSNY’s Board of Trustees. “We look forward to his leadership as he takes office as president of MSSNY.”

Dr. Madejski is a graduate of SUNY Buffalo School of Pharmacy and The School of Medicine, SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospice Palliative Care.

“I am honored to have been elected to lead the Medical Society of the State of New York for the upcoming year,” Madejski said. “MSSNY is the leading voice for physicians in New York State, working for patients, and our physician members and their healthcare teams, to improve the health of our patients and the delivery of healthcare in New York State.”

“During my 25+ years with MSSNY I am proud to have worked on a wide range of issues including: advocacy for HIV testing and treatment for newborns, electronic interchange of health data with privacy protections, reducing social ethnic and other healthcare disparities, and the opioid crisis in WNY, and throughout the state, among many others. MSSNY will continue to work to advocate for improved access and the betterment of health for our patients at both the state and federal levels.

“I am also thankful and honored to be a part of General Physicians, and Kaleida, which have been supportive of my involvement and also committed to improving the health and lives of our patients, friends and families.”

2 from Orleans re-enlist in National Guard

Staff Reports Posted 6 March 2018 at 1:06 pm

Two soldiers from Orleans County recently re-enlisted in the Army National Guard.

Specialist Kyle Otto from Holley re-enlisted and will continue service with the Headquarters and Service Company, 642nd Support Battalion.

Staff Sergeant Robert Reis from Kent re-enlisted and will continue service with the Company D, 3-126th Aviation.

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.

“New Yorkers count on our citizen soldiers to be ready and be there when disaster strikes,” said Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General. “And our nation counts on our soldiers when duty calls for overseas service. I congratulate our members for choosing to stay in service and striking that balance between military duties, education or employment commitments and family obligations.”

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Albion student wins state oratorical contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 3 March 2018 at 10:33 pm

Melissa Barnosky advances to National Competition April 14-15 in Indianapolis

Provided photo

Melissa Barnosky, an Albion senior, is the American Legion New York State oratorical contest champion. She won the event today in Albany. She is pictured with Lee Brusino, Zone 5 chairman for the Legion.

Barnosky won a $6,000 scholarship today. She advances to the national competition on April 14-15 in Indianapolis.

Barnosky also made it to the state competition last year and finished third.

Melissa won at the school and county levels. She came in second at the district level to qualify for the zone competition, which she won to advance to the state contest.

Students in the competition deliver a prepared speech on the U.S. Constitution and citizen duties and obligations to the government. The speech must be 8-10 minutes in length. If it is over or under, there are penalty points.

The students also prepare for several assigned topics on various amendments. The students do not know which assigned topic they will have to present until 5 minutes prior. The assigned topic is randomly chosen by one of the members. Then the contestant is informed of the topic. The speech needs to be 3 to 5 minutes in length without penalty points.

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Several from Orleans named to RIT Dean’s List for fall semester

Staff Reports Posted 27 February 2018 at 7:54 pm

ROCHESTER – The following students from Orleans County made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at the Rochester Institute of Technology:

• Dakota Clay of Kendall, who is in the business administration-management program.

• Alyssa Hering of Albion, who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

• Michael Matela of Kendall, who is in the civil engineering technology program.

• Carson Zgoda of Medina, who is in the medical illustration program.

• Ganna Yaroshchuk of Holley, who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

• Nicholas Bogan of Lyndonville, who is in the chemical engineering program.

• Jessica Smith of Lyndonville, who is in the film and animation program.

• Amber Smarpat of Albion, who is in the illustration program.

• Kyle Appleman of Albion, who is in the mechanical engineering program.

• Morgan Zona of Holley, who is in the diagnostic medical sonography program.

• Stella Russo of Medina, who is in the physician assistant program.

• Traci Westcott of Holley, who is in the photographic and imaging arts program.

• Brady Smith of Holley, who is in the civil engineering technology program.

• Nicholas Ettinger of Albion, who is in the electrical engineering technology program.

• Riley Starr of Lyndonville, who is in the mechanical engineering program.

Degree-seeking undergraduate students are eligible for Dean’s List if their term GPA is greater than or equal to 3.400; they do not have any grades of “Incomplete”, “D” or “F”; and they have registered for, and completed, at least 12 credit hours.

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls about 19,000 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

Medina native opens Chick-fil-A near Syracuse with big crowd lined up

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 February 2018 at 11:20 am

Photo courtesy of Andrew Szatkowski: Medina native Jimmer Szatkowski speaks during a grand opening celebration this morning for a new Chick-fil-A in Cicero, near Syracuse. Szatkowski’s brother Andrew of Medina made the trip for the restaurant’s kick off.

The Chick-fil-A opened at 6:30 this morning and there were more than 150 people waiting in line by 6 in the morning, according to a report from the Syracuse Post-Standard.

The new Chick-fil-A is the first in Upstate New York. Jimmer Szatkowski worked 20 years with IBM as a supply chain executive. He decided to make a career change and left Raleigh, NC and returned to upstate to work on opening the Chick-fil-A.

Szatkowski told the Post-Standard he was drawn to Chick-fil-A’s focus on community service. Chick-fil-A has a custom of awarding its first 100 customers a free meal each week for a year.

Of the first 100 this morning, Szatkowski randomly selected some of the customers and they spent the morning helping at the Samaritan Center, Syracuse’s biggest soup kitchen, and the Francis House, a home for people with a terminal illness.

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Tessa White of Medina named to Conference All-Academic Team at Paul Smith’s

Staff Reports Posted 19 February 2018 at 1:26 pm

PAUL SMITHS – Tessa White of Medina was named to the Yankee Small College Conference’s Fall 2017 All-Academic Team.

White, a student at Paul Smith’s College who was honored for participation in cross country, majors in Criminal Justice.

Student-athletes with grade-point averages of 3.2 and above are eligible for the honor. Forty-three Paul Smith’s students made this year’s list.

Paul Smith’s College is the only four-year institution of higher education in the Adirondacks.

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GCASA named one of 2018’s ‘Best Companies to Work for’ in NY

Staff Reports Posted 9 February 2018 at 1:17 pm

Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (GCASA) has been named one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York State for 2018.

The agency is one of 27 organizations recognized with 15-99 employees. The New York State Society for Human Resource Management has been recognizing “Best Companies” for the past 11 years.

“As a non-profit organization it is often difficult to be competitive with compensation and benefits offered by the for profit sector,” said John Bennett, GCASA executive director. “Here at GCASA, we are always looking to enhance employees’ day-to-day job satisfaction in meaningful ways. Being honored as a best company is the result of servant leaders, a dedicated professional staff and a wonderful board of directors.”

GCASA will be honored at a public awards dinner to be held in Albany at the Marriott on April 18. During the event, GCASA will learn its rank among the 27 companies in the category for small employers with 15-99 U.S. employees.

GCASA has been serving Genesee and Orleans counties for over 40 years. Services include prevention education and outpatient and residential treatment for individuals with substance use disorders, and an employee assistance program.

The New York State Society for Human Resource Management created the awards in 2007. The society evaluates and ranks the best places of employment. This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New York, whose practices benefit the state’s businesses, economy, and workforce.

To be considered for participation, organizations had to fulfill specific registration eligibility requirements, then participate in a two-part survey of employee satisfaction and engagement, as well as workplace practices and policies. Best Companies Group, an independent firm that manages Best Places to Work programs on state, regional and national levels around the world, conducted the survey, then evaluated the results and determined the best places of employment in the Empire State.

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Cameron Morgan of Medina named one of 10 ‘Take Five’ scholars at UR

Staff Reports Posted 8 February 2018 at 10:50 am

ROCHESTER – Cameron Morgan, a Medina graduate, has been named one of 10 “Take Five Scholars” at the University of Rochester. He will be able to enroll for a fifth year at UR tuition-free.

Morgan is a senior majoring in brain & cognitive sciences and linguistics. He will do coursework on the theme of Disability, Stigma, and Identity. Morgan is the son of Dean and Mary Morgan.

The University of Rochester accepted 10 students into the Take Five Scholars Program. This program enables select undergraduates to enrich their academic experience by enrolling for a fifth year of study tuition-free. A signature program in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Hajim School of Engineering and unique in American higher education, Take Five broadens the scope of an undergraduate education by allowing students to explore new subjects outside their major area of study.

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Orleans Hub celebrates ‘outstanding citizens’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 February 2018 at 10:03 pm

Photo by Tom Rivers

MEDINA – Orleans Hub held its annual awards program this evening at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina. The Hub recognized eight residents as “outstanding citizens” for their efforts to better the community.

Front row, from left: Krista Wiley-Neale, Lori Laine, Cheryl Maxon (representing her son, Dan Schiavone), and Peter Sidari. Back row: Pastor Mike Outten, Andrew Szatkowski, Jerome Pawlak and David Green.

David Green: The retired Orleans County sheriff has remained an active community member in his retirement. For nearly 20 years he has been a key leader in a classic car show, which runs about 10 weeks in Medina. The car shows draw about 100 cars on a typical Friday. The “Super Cruise” brings about 300 cars when Main Street is closed off and Elvis impersonator entertains. Green also remains an active volunteer with the East Shelby Volunteer Fire Company and helps organize East Shelby’s annual swap meet at fairgrounds, which usually raises $5,000 to $10,000 for fire company.

Mike Outten: The pastor of North Point Chapel in Albion led his congregation in its move to the former United Methodist Church building in Albion. The building has found new life with the congregation, which has started new ministry programs while keeping a historic structure intact.

Krista Wiley-Neale: A veterinarian who owns Wiley’s Ark Animal Care in Holley was key in restarting the Holley June Fest and also in expanding the Festival of Lights in December. Wiley-Neale also serves on the Village of Holley Development Corporation Board which was able to complete the sale of eight “Diaz homes” in 2017. Those houses will be returned to the tax rolls after about 15 years of being vacant. Wiley-Neale also is a member of the Holley Rotary Club, which tackles several community projects each year.

Jerome Pawlak: The long-time grocer has been generous to numerous community efforts over the years, while also serving on the boards of directors for United Way, the Chamber of Commerce, the Orleans Economic Development Agency and many others. He has coached Little League, youth basketball and been an active member of his church.

Peter Sidari: The county’s Emergency Management Office received a $75,000 grant for a new fire safety trailer last year. Sidari, an Albion firefighter who works as a fire safety educator for the North Greece Fire District, was key in picking out the design of the new trailer and insisting on kid-friendly decals and characters on the trailer that serve as a billboard, helping to reinforce the message of having a fire escape plan. Many firefighters served on the committee to design the trailer. Sidari was key to the effort, including the training of 42 volunteers who will lead kids through the program.

Dan Schiavone: The Holley dentist served as chairman of a village-created development corporation that took possession of eight homes from the federal Environmental Protection Agency and then resold them. The organization had a big breakthrough in 2017, getting the EPA to relinquish eight houses that had been off the tax rolls for about 15 years. The EPA took ownership of them after a chemical leak in January 2002 at the former Diaz Chemical. Schiavone worked with the EPA, a real estate company and the village officials to see the sales through completion.

Andrew Szatkowski: The Medina resident organized a toy drive that resulted in about 700 gifts to be given away to children at Christmas. Szatkowski set up the donations for the Saturday after Thanksgiving, when thousands of people were in downtown Medina for a Christmas celebration, capped by the Parade of Lights. The toys were given to Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, which distributed them to families in Orleans County.

Lori Laine: The Kent resident has been enthusiastic in painting rocks with kindness messages and placing them in the community, including delivering them to nursing home residents. Laine organizes rock-painting parties on Tuesdays in Albion. She has promoted community through the rocks. Laine also is an active promoter for Donate Life, urging people to be organ donors. She also spearheaded a first-time pet parade in October for Albion’s Fall Festival.

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Albion student advances to state finals for American Legion Oratorical Contest

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 5 February 2018 at 11:01 am

Provided photo: Zone 5 Vice Chairman Norma Weissend congratulates Melissa Barnosky after she took first place on Saturday at the American Legion Zone 5 Oratorical Contest in Mount Morris.

MOUNT MORRIS – For the third straight year an Albion student has advanced to the state competition for the American Oratorical Contest.

Melissa Barnosky took first place on Saturday at the Zone 5 competition at Mount Morris. Barnosky, a senior at Albion, also advanced to the state contest last year. Meredith Patterson made it in 2016.

Barnosky competed against three other students and moves on to the finals in Albany on March 3. If she wins the state contest, she will advance to the national finals in Indianapolis, Indiana on April 14-15.

Melissa won at the school and county levels. She came in second at the district level to qualify for the zone competition. She received an $800 scholarship for winning first place at Zone 5.

The assigned topic was on the 2nd amendment – “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”

Melissa was escorted to the event on Saturday by Gary Befus, a member of the American Legion in Albion. Rich Gannon, an Albion social studies teacher, is the Oratorical Contest advisor for Albion.

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