Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.
Jordan Wolcott from Albion and assigned to the 105th Military Police Company received a promotion to the rank of Private.
Zachary Farruggia from Holley and assigned to the Company D (Forward Support Company Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition, 427th Brigade Support Battalion received a promotion to the rank of Private First Class.
Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability, and development potential.
These promotions additionally recognize the best qualified Soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber Citizen Soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 April 2017 at 11:58 am
Press Release, National Corn Growers Association
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – As the American farmer strives to meet the growing demand for corn required to satisfy increasing world demand, one area grower has been honored for their efforts through the 2016 National Corn Yield Contest.
The national contest, sponsored annually by the National Corn Growers Association, recognizes farmers from across the country for their exceptional efforts.
Matt Kludt
Matt Kludt of Kendall placed 1st in the state in the C: A No-Till/Strip-Till Non-Irrigated Class with a yield of 298.5 bushels per acre. The hybrid used in the winning field was Pioneer P0843AM.
Kludt was one of 400 state winners nationwide. The 2016 contest participation included 7,979 entries from 46 states. Of the state winners, 18 growers – three from each of six classes – were named national winners, representing nine states.
The average yield among national winners was 374.7 bushels per acre – greater than the projected 2016 U.S. average of 175.3 bushels per acre. Five of the national winners recorded yields of 400 bushels or more per acre.
“This harvest, the world witnessed the incredible bounty U.S. corn farmers can provide to meet the growing need for food, fuel and fiber both in our nation and around the world,” said NCGA President Wesley Spurlock, a corn grower from Stratford, Texas.
“Our contest participants demonstrated that America’s farmers continue to strive for excellence while adopting state-of-the-art tools which help them meet those goals,” Spurlock continued. “The top yield in this year’s contest – a tremendous 521.3968 bushels per acre achieved by Randy Dowdy of Valdosta, GA – is a testament to these efforts.”
Farmers are encouraged through the contest to utilize new, efficient production techniques. Agronomic data gleaned from the contest reveal the following:
• Average planting population for the national winners was 39,111 seeds per acre, compared to 34,110 for all entrants.
• National winners applied an average of 311.06 pounds of nitrogen, 84.61 pounds of phosphorus and 180.83 pounds of potassium per acre.
• Average commercial nitrogen use per bushel of yield was 0.83 pounds for the national winners and 0.83 pounds for all entrants.
• 33.33 percent of the national winners applied trace minerals, compared to 37.04 percent of all entrants.
• Use of manure as a fertilizer was consistent. 33.33 percent of national winners applied manure, compared to 14.91 percent of all entrants.
The winners were recognized March 3th at the 2017 Commodity Classic, the premier convention and trade show of the U.S. corn, soybean, sorghum, wheat and equipment industries, held this year in San Antonio, TX.
Provided photos: The four Madejski brothers from Albion all now have attained their Eagle rank in Boy Scouts. The brothers include, from left: Greg, Giovanni, Joe and James. They are pictured at Joe’s Court of Honor celebration today in the Lyceum at Holy Family Parish.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 2 April 2017 at 10:35 pm
Joe follows brothers, Greg, James and Giovanni
ALBION – Joe Madejski is now an Eagle Scout, the fourth of the Madejski brothers to earn the highest rank in Scouting.
Madejski had his Court of Honor celebration and ceremony today. His brothers – Greg, James and Giovanni – attended the event, their first time all together in more than a year. (They also wanted to see Joe perform as Terk, one of the lead roles, in Albion’s musical, Tarzan.)
Greg, 28, was the first to reach the Eagle Scout milestone, followed by James, 27, and the Giovanni, 24.
The Madejskis have been active in Scouting in Albion for about two decades. Besides the four brothers, their father Tom has been Scoutmaster and is a past president of the Iroquois Trail Council. The boys’ mother, Sandra, was a den mother and has served in numerous roles for Troop 164, currently the advancement chairwoman.
Jackie Madejski, the brothers’ sister, has been a supporter of her brothers. She worked at Dittmer, a Boy Scout Camp in Phelps. She is pictured with James, Joe, Giovanni and Greg.
Jackie Madejski, the boys’ sister, also had a role in Boy Scouts, working at Camp Dittmer, a Scout camp in Phelps.
Scouting has been a good family activity, Mrs. Madejski said. She enjoyed meeting so many other Scouts and their families.
Tom Madejski said Scouts teaches responsibility, gradually giving the boys more and more freedom.
“It gives them a chance to get comfortable being uncomfortable,” Madejski said. “It’s a chance to be on their own.”
The four brothers – and sister – have taken varied career paths.
Greg is a graduate student at the University of Rochester, working in biomedical engineering. For his Eagle project, he put in a garden and did landscaping by Medina Memorial Hospital, a garden that still remains by the hospital.
James earned a degree in dramatic writing from SUNY Purchase and lives in Los Angeles, working in the film industry in script development.
For his Eagle project, he did a survey for the Medical Society of the State of New York.
“It was the first time in a major way I had to research something I didn’t know,” James recalled at the Madejski home in Eagle Harbor. “In the film industry, you communicate with people you don’t normally communicate with.”
Giovanni earned a degree in industrial and systems engineering and is currently a ski instructor in Colorado, embracing the outsdoors life that is a big part of Scouting. Giovanni has been a ski instructor for a year.
He said there is a strong fraternity among the Eagle Scouts, a mutual respect for the hard work and commitment to earn the rank.
He is pleased to welcome his youngest brother in the group.
“We’re all completionists,” Giovanni said about the brothers.
For his project, Giovanni designed, raised money and led the construction effort for a patio on the back end of the Eastern Orleans Community Center in Holley.
(Jackie Madejski, 22, earned a theater degree at the Catholic University in Washington, D.C. She graduated about a year ago and is working in theater in DC.)
Joe said he is grateful for Scouting, for the chance to experience the outdoors, and meet so many friends. For his Eagle project, he made a prosthetic hand for a woman who was a patient at Medina Memorial Hospital. Joe used a 3D printer to make the prosthetic. The project was also intended to give Medina Memorial some exposure to 3D printers for prosthetics.
Joe designed the prosthetic and used the printer at the UR where Greg is working as a grad student.
Joe will soon decide where to attend college to pursue a degree in biochemical engineering. A university in Chicago is in the running. If Joe goes there, the brothers said that would put one of them in four different time zones.
Photo courtesy of Marguerite Dixon: These students were interviewed recently by the Orleans County American Legion Auxiliaries for the chance to attend Empire Girls State. The group includes, from left: Alyssa Beyer, Grace Flores (Alternate), Paige Gardner, Hannah Sones (Citizen) and Brigid Keller.
Staff Reports Posted 29 March 2017 at 4:58 pm
Medina High School juniors, Hannah Sones and Grace Flores, 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 2–8.
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 Hannah being selected as Citizen and Grace as an Alternate in the event a Citizen is unable to attend. Other candidates who participated were Alyssa Beyer and Brigid Keller from Medina and Paige Gardner from Lyndonville.
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 Junior girls 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 Unit. Cathy Fox serves as the Orleans County chairperson for the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 14 March 2017 at 5:23 pm
Photo courtesy of Lyndonville Central School
LYNDONVILLE – These four Lyndonville students hold their award-winning photos in the Rural Schools Association Student Photo Contest. The students include from left: Victoria Wagner, Skyler Lear, Devon Allen and Jessica Smith.
Students were asked to submit photographs of their schools, their community or their surroundings. RSA has already used some of these photos for the cover of the organization’s testimony before the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Feb. 14.
The photos will also be displayed at Lyndonville Central School and at the Yates Town Hall.
Devon Allen took this photograph, entitled, “Community Red Barn.”
Victoria Wagner took this picture, entitled, “Johnson’s Creek on School Grounds.”
Jessica Smith’s award-winning photos feature Johnson’s Creek & the Lyndonville Library, and also one of a tree by Johnson’s Creek.
Skyler Lear’s photo shows a swan swimming on Johnson’s Creek.
To see all the winning entries in the contest, click here.
Major General Anthony P. German, the Adjutant General, announces the recent reenlistment of members of the State National Guard in recognition of their continuing commitment to serve community, state and nation as part of the Army National Guard.
• Sergeant Thomas Leggat of Albion reenlisted to continue service with the Company A, 2-108th Infantry.
• Sergeant First Class William Kelly of Holley reenlisted to continue service with the Company B (Maintenance), 427th Brigade Support Battalion.
• Specialist Joshua Brewer of Lyndonville reenlisted to continue service with the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2-101 Cavalry (Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition).
“New Yorkers count on our Citizen Soldiers to be ready and be there when disaster strikes,” German said. “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.”
“Every one of the men and women serving in our 16,000 strong Army and Air National Guard plays an important role and these soldiers who continue to reenlist provide experience and continuity for whatever challenges lay ahead for our New York National Guard family.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 13 March 2017 at 9:36 am
File photo by Tom Rivers: Michael Paduchak was honored on Dec. 2, 2014 for his service to the Orleans County Soil and Water Conservation District. He served on Soil & Water’s board of directors for more than three decades. He is pictured with Ed Morgan (left) the Soil and Water board chairman, and Dennis Kirby, manager of Soil & Water.
ALBION – Michael Paduchak, a World War II veteran who was a long-serving Kendall town supervisor and local farmer, will be recognized as “Veteran of the Month” today by Congressman Chris Collins.
The congressman will posthumously honor Paduchak, a staff sergeant in the Army from 1944 to 1946. Paduchak in 2009 received 10 medals, badges, lapel and buttons, including the Bronze Star for bravery in a time of combat. Those medals were awarded 63 years after he completed his service, fighting in France and Germany.
Paduchak would lead the Kendall town government for 32 years and was a member of the Kendall Fire Department for more than 50 years. He passed away at age 91 on Jan. 21, 2017.
His daughter, Nadine Hanlon, is clerk of the Orleans County Legislature. She and other family members will receive a Congressional Commendation and an American Flag that was flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
Collins is scheduled to present the commendation in honor of Paduchak at 2 p.m. today at the County Clerks Building, 3 South Main St.
POTSDAM – Brianna C. Blackburn of Holley received a bachelor of science degree in political science & business minor & law studies minor from Clarkson University on December 31, 2016.
With its main campus located in Potsdam, and additional graduate program and research facilities in the Capital Region and Beacon, New York, Clarkson is a nationally recognized research university with signature areas of academic excellence and research directed toward the world’s pressing issues.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 March 2017 at 4:20 pm
Provided photo, Orleans County Sheriff’s Office
Adam Hazel, left, is congratulated by Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower on Friday when Hazel earned several awards at the Rural Police Training Academy at Genesee Community College.
Hazel was hired as an Orleans County deputy sheriff on January 3, 2017. On Friday, he graduated from the Rural Police Training Academy.
He was awarded First Place Academic Achievement Award; 2nd Place Firearms Qualification Rounds Top Gun; 2nd Place Firearms Overall Averages Top Gun; and 2nd Place Overall Academy Achievement Award for Sworn Officers.
“We are very proud of his accomplishments while at the academy and welcome him to our team at the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office,” Bower said.
CLARENCE – Four students from Albion High School who are members of the Rotary Interact Club attended a youth leadership conference on Thursday at Clarence, joining about 100 high school students in Western New York.
This photo shows Albion students with Tim Howard, the Erie County sheriff, who was one of the presenters during the conference. Howard’s brother is retired Albion town justice Kevin Howard. The students include, from left: Evan Steier, McKenna Boyer, Jarod Hollinger and Vivian Rivers.
The Interact Club is a youth service organization affiliated with Rotary. Albion teacher Tim Archer serves as the Interact advisor.
Thursday’s conference entitled, “Empowering the Youth of Today to Affect Change,” included student leaders from across WNY who voiced their opinions on a variety of topics. A panel of area leaders represented media, government, law enforcement, education and health services.
ROCHESTER – The following local residents made the Dean’s List at Rochester Institute of Technology for fall semester 2016-2017:
Colm Cooper of Medina, who is studying in the business exploration program.
Flint Dilella of Holley, who is studying in the electrical engineering program.
Nicholas Ettinger of Albion, who is studying in the electrical engineering technology program.
George Glynn of Holley, who is studying in the computer science program.
Tabby Golda of Albion, who is studying in the biomedical engineering program.
Jonas Hartway of Medina, who is studying in the illustration program.
Alyssa Hering of Albion, who is studying in the diagnostic medical sonography program.
Cody Jones of Medina, who is studying in the mechanical engineering technology program.
Patrick Jones of Medina, who is studying in the mechanical engineering technology program.
Emily Joslyn of Kent, who is studying in the psychology program.
Marco Lopez of Medina, who is studying in the electrical engineering technology program.
Stella Russo of Medina, who is studying in the physician assistant program.
Roland Sanford of Albion, who is studying in the computational mathematics program.
Brady Smith of Holley, who is studying in the civil engineering technology program.
Riley Starr of Lyndonville, who is studying in the mechanical engineering program.
Zackary Waild of Medina, who is studying in the biochemistry program.
Traci Westcott of Holley, who is studying in the photographic and imaging arts program.
Matthew Witte of Medina, who is studying in the software engineering program.
Carson Zgoda of Medina, who is studying in the medical illustration 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.
Photos courtesy of National 4-H Council: John Gabalski meets Craig Melvin, an MSNBC/NBC News anchor. Gabalski travelled to New York City last Wednesday to shadow Melvin for the day as part of 4-H’s “Day in the Life Experience.”
Staff Reports Posted 1 March 2017 at 8:26 am
4-H Day in the Life connects notable 4-H alumni to 4-H youth
Craig Melvin goes over the day’s schedule with John Gabalski. The local 4-H’er participated in a rundown meeting with Melvin and the news team, toured the New York City studio, and watched Melvin’s full-hour broadcast live in studio.
Orleans County 4-H’er John Gabalski describes his trip to the NBC studios in New York City last Wednesday as fantastic.
“It was an inspirational experience,” John said.
John, 15, was selected by the National 4-H Council to take part in a “Day in the Life Experience” with 4-H alum Craig Melvin, who is an MSNBC/NBC News anchor. Melvin anchors MSNBC Live on weekdays and is co-anchor of the Today Saturday edition.
John was able to visit the MSNBC/NBC News studios at Rockefeller Center New York, and learn first-hand from Melvin what it takes to be a news anchor at a major television network.
He also got to enjoy some down time with Melvin, who treated John to lunch from the NBC Commissary.
“I had some pasta, a roll and fruit,” John said. He and Melvin then took their lunch back to Melvin’s office and discussed the work that goes into producing Melvin’s daily one-hour news broadcast. John said Melvin was also interested in learning more about his participation in 4-H, including raising rabbits.
Gabalski watches Melvin’s hour-long segment in the studio.
John is a member of the Orleans County Rabbit Raisers and Outback Orleans 4-H Clubs, and is also a member of Orleans County 4-H Senior Council. He lives in Byron with his parents, Walter and Kristina Gabalski.
John watched Melvin’s Feb. 22 broadcast live in the studio. “That was my favorite part of the experience,” John said.
He was able to watch Melvin while listening to the director through an earpiece. “It was very interesting to see how everything works behind the camera, the way they handle the cameras and the lighting. It’s pretty cool,” John said.
Melvin also gave John a tour around the offices and studios of MSNBC/NBC News. John said Melvin pointed out the office door of Al Roker, however Roker was not in his office at the time.
John Gabalski is pictured outside the studio at Rockefeller Center New York.
The “Day in the Life Experience” is part of an alumni outreach effort by 4-H GROWS to connect notable 4-H alumni to 4-H youth.
Dvon Williams, director of integrated marketing, National 4-H Council, said John’s visit to shadow Craig Melvin at MSNBC/NBC News was the first of the “Day in the Life Experiences,” which will be repeated in other regions across the country.
John is considering the possibility of a career in broadcasting. That interest in journalism and his role as a 4-H news reporter were factors in him being chosen for the “Craig Melvin Day in the Life Experience,” Williams said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 February 2017 at 3:17 pm
BINGHAMTON – Two students from Orleans County are on the Dean’s List at Binghamton University, State University of New York, for the Fall 2016 semester. This honor recognizes students who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher.
Monica Benjovsky of Albion and Julia Smith of Kendall both are on the list of honored students.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 26 February 2017 at 9:44 am
Kaitlyn Johnson, 13, appears on the cover of the January 2017 issue of Front and Finish, a national on-line magazine for dog trainers.
Two members of the Orleans County 4-H Heelers Dog Club have been receiving national attention.
Nicole Mrzywka traveled to New York City in February to compete with her English springer spaniel, Champ. Cerise Renaissance Man, for the Westminster Dog Show; and Kaitlyn Johnson was the featured cover story in the January 2017 issue of Front and Finish, a national on-line magazine for dog trainers, with her rough collie dog Poirot.
Johnson, 13, is a 7th grader at Oakfield-Alabama Middle School. She says she loves to do obedience with Poirot.
“Poirot is not only my dog, he is my best friend,” she wrote in the article for Front and Finish.
Her mom, Terri Lewis, said Kaitlyn competed in the Cleveland Classic Dog Show in Ohio in December 2016 with one-year old Poirot.
“She was the only youth to compete in obedience that weekend and placed 2nd in her class,” Terri said. “The judge was so impressed with her that he asked if she would be willing to write an article for an online magazine he publishes (Front and Finish). Kaitlyn was very proud to have the opportunity and submitted her article. She was the cover story. We are very proud of her accomplishments and are looking forward to continued success.”
Nicole Mrzywka, 15, is a sophomore at Holley Central High School. She participated in the prestigious 2017 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City on Feb. 14. Nicole competed in the Breed Classes – Best of Breed Competition – with her two year old dog, Champ. Cerise Renaissance Man.
Provided photo: Nicole Mrzywka gets her English springer spaniel ready on Feb. 14 for Westminster Dog Show.
“It was a really great competition,” Nicole said. She explained that dogs are judged on how well they are built and meet the standard for their breed and how well they move. “I was very nervous.”
She said this was her first experience at the Westminster show and she did not expect to get very far this year, but, “as a learning experience, I learned so much.”
Some dogs are invited to participate in the Westminster show, she said, and others are welcome to participate if they have acquired a number of points in previous dog shows. Nicole said her springer spaniel had the points to qualify and she decided she would like to see what it would be like to take part.
Nicole said she hopes to be back at Westminster next year to take part in the Jr. Showmanship competition.
“My favorite thing is getting into the ring and showing,” she said. “It is what I love.”
File photo by Tom Rivers: Nicole Mrzywka, far right, is shown at the Orleans County 4-H Fair last July during one of the dog shows.
Provided photo: Kaitlyn Johnson and her dog, Poirot, are pictured after a competition.
Orleans County 4-H member John Gabalski has been chosen by the National 4-H Council to shadow MSNBC and NBC News anchor Craig Melvin during a “Day in the Life Experience” on Wednesday at NBC studios in New York City.
John is 15-years old and is a member of the Orleans County 4-H Rabbit Raisers Club, Outback Orleans Club, and 4-H Senior Council.
He was nominated for the opportunity by Orleans County 4-H educator Robert Batt and was selected from among youth 4-H leaders in New York State.
John has been involved in Orleans County 4-H since the age of 5, when he joined as a Cloverbud. He is a 10th grader enrolled in the Seton Home Study School Program and lives in Byron with his parents, Walter and Kristina Gabalski.
“It’s going to be a great experience,” John said. “It relates to the career I am interested in and my future goals.”
The “Day in the Life” experiences are part of the 4-H Grows alumni outreach effort to connect notable 4-H alumni to 4-H youth.
File photo by Tom Rivers: John Gabalski is pictured with a pen of rabbits during the 4-H animal meat auction in August 2015. Robert Bannister, in back, served as auctioneer for the event.
“These experiences will offer a 4-Her the opportunity to shadow an alum in their everyday career setting, experiencing their leadership in action through immersion activities, participating in meaningful leadership experience with the alum themselves, illustrating how 4-H alumni are paying it forward to the next generation of leaders,” the National 4-H Council said.
Dvon Williams, director of integrated marketing, National 4-H Council, noted John was chosen because of his interest in journalism and broadcasting and his role as a 4-H news reporter.
John’s experience on Feb. 22 will include meeting with Craig Melvin to learn more about his background and career; participation in a rundown meeting with Melvin and the news team; a tour of the New York City studio; and watching Melvin’s full-hour broadcast live in studio.
John’s parents say they are excited about the trip.
“We are grateful for the opportunities 4-H provides for our children,” Walter and Kristina Gabalski said in a statement. “They have learned about leadership both in their club-related activities, at the annual 4-H Fair, and through hands-on, real-life immersion experiences such as Career Explorations at Cornell University, Capitol Days in Albany, and the upcoming trip to NBC in New York City.”
