BUFFALO – Two Albion High School seniors, Kyle Thaine and Meredith Patterson, took the top two spots during the American Legion Oratorical District Competition in Buffalo on Jan. 10. Thaine was the first place winner and Patterson took second.
They move on to the zone competition at Mt. Morris High School on Feb. 6. The American Legion Zone Oratorical Contest includes students from the Western New York area. They are finalists of previously held contests stretching from Auburn to Buffalo and Lake Ontario to Pennsylvania.
Patterson won the Orleans County Oratorical Competition last year and Thaine took the county award this year.
The students need to deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech without notes about the Constitution. Each contestant also will speak for 3 to 5 minutes on one of five topics, assigned at the contest. Topics include provisions in the Bill of Rights and Articles of the Constitution.
The competition teaches leadership qualities and the history of our nation’s laws. The American Legion Oratorical Contest also teaches an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of American citizenship.
The winner of the zone contest will advance to Department Oratorical Contest held March 4-5 in Albany.
SYRACUSE – The New York State Agricultural Society shared photos from last week’s annual meeting and awards program where two farms in Albion were honored for generations of work growing food.
The Century Farm Program began in 1937 and honors NY farms in continuous operation on the same land by the same family for 100 years or more. In 2000, the Bicentennial Farm Awards were initiated. Located in Albion, Kast Farms and LaMont Farms have both been acknowledged for their longevity and success.
In addition, a business based in Oakfield was named a Business of the Year.
LaMont Farms – Bicentennial Farm Honors
Photos courtesy of NYS Ag Society – Founded in 1815, LaMont Farms was honored as a Bicentennial Farm in 2016 by the NYS Agricultural Society. Bottom row, from left: Kristina Kramer, Ingrid LaMont and Suzanne LaMont. Top row: Jerry Cosgrove – Farm Credit East (award sponsor); Hans Kunze – President, NYS Agricultural Society; Richard Ball – Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets; George Lamont, Roger LaMont and Kurt LaMont.
Josias LaMont, the first generation of LaMonts to be born in the US, moved his young family to Orleans County in 1815. He purchased a 140-acre farm in the Town of Gaines from the Holland Land Company.
With the advent of the Erie Canal, the farm grew and transitioned to a second generation. Major LaMont grew dry beans and wheat like his father, and built a house that still stands on the property today.
Third and fourth generations of the LaMont family expanded acreage and diversified the business to include beans, grains, livestock, apples, peaches, pears and vegetable crops.
In 1938, George F. LaMont convinced his son Thomas to return to the farm, leaving his position as a land economics professor at Cornell University. Working together, father and son expanded to almost 500 acres with the same diverse mix of livestock, fruits, and vegetables.
The sixth generation entered the farm in 1959, including George F. and Roger LaMont. Under their management, they built the first controlled-atmosphere storage in Orleans County, and over the next three decades saw continued expansion to a peak of approximately 3,000 acres, and a Massey Ferguson dealership. In 1982 they helped form Lake Ridge Fruit Company in Gaines to access markets beyond the scope or reach of any individual farm.
In the past 10 years, the LaMonts have down-sized the operation, and George is now retired. Roger continues to own 531 acres, including the original 140 acres purchased by Josias in 1815. He also operates a fruit brokerage company, which markets fruit from local growers to wholesalers and packers in the Northeast.
Kast Farms, Inc. – Century Farm Honors
Kast Farms was recognized as a Century Farm by the NYS Agricultural Society. Pictured, from left: Hans Kunze – President, NYS Agricultural Society; John Kast; J. Stanley Kast; Tom Cosgrove – Farm Credit East (award sponsor); and Richard Ball – Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets.
First purchased in 1884 by Adelbert Chapman, great grandfather of present owner David Kast, Kast Farms has grown from 140 acres to a 4,200 acre business of fruit, vegetable, and grain crops.
The land is currently 50 percent owned and 50 percent leased, with 2,700 acres in field corn and small grains, and 1,000 acres of processing vegetables. An additional 450 acres is in fruit, primarily apples.
The original farm was located in a desirable area, seven miles from Lake Ontario and less than two miles from the Erie Canal. This was an ideal location to grow fruit and variety of crops due to the microclimate, soil types and proximity to the Erie Canal, an excellent transportation route at the time.
In 1915 John T. Kast married into the Chapman family, and purchased the farm from his mother-in-law. With sons Stanley and Merwin, they worked the farm for more than sixty years. Stanley Kast took over the operation in the 1950s, and in 1989, David and wife Kathy took over full operation.
The fifth generation of the Kast family – John and Brett – have returned to the operation after pursuing careers off the farm.
David Kast partnered with eight local farms, including LaMont Farms, to form Lake Ridge Fruit Company, LLC, an apple packing and storage facility located in the Town of Gaines. He served as president for over 20 years. The company has since grown into one of the largest apple packing and storage operations in the Northeast.
Farm Fresh First – Business of the Year
Farm Fresh First of Oakfield received one of two Business of the Year awards at the 184th Annual Forum of the NYS Agricultural Society. Bottom row,from left: Ken Mattingly; Dave Paddock; Mark Kellogg – Farm Credit East; and Jim Vincent. Middle row: Richard Ball – Commissioner, NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets; Hans Kunze – President, NYS Agricultural Society; Tom Facer; and Mike Gardinier. Top row: John Kast; Brett Kast; and David Kast.
First presented in 2001, the Business of the Year Award was presented to Farm Fresh First. Farm Fresh First, LLC is an agricultural raw products supply and services company specializing in fruits, vegetables and popcorn for the processing industry.
Farm Fresh First, LLC was formed in January 2007 to supply vegetable production and agricultural services for the vegetable processing facilities that had recently been purchased by Allen Canning Company from Arkansas. The ownership of the company is comprised of 15 growers plus three management personnel. Annual sales exceed $50 million.
Farm Fresh First, LLC works with growers in several states, however the New York State volume is the highest. Their staff of experienced agricultural managers works very closely with customers to match their needs on a daily basis to the acreage that is produced specifically for the customer.
Farm Fresh First has expanded significantly in its first eight years of operation. The initial vegetable operation has experienced modest increases in total NY acreage.
Farm Fresh has also been instrumental in re-introducing the production of lima beans, spinach, collards and turnips for processing in Western NY. Today Farm Fresh First has over 30,000 acres of vegetables under contract in New York.
The most significant area of growth has been in the processing fruit supply business. Farm Fresh First is the largest marketer of tart cherries and processing peaches in New York, and a significant marketer of apples for processing in the state, marketing fruit for over 100 individual growers. Farm Fresh also participates in the fresh apple market through an investment in Pomona Packing, Wolcott, NY.
In addition to New York operations, Farm Fresh markets popcorn from growers in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. To meet customer needs that cannot be supplied from New York production, Farm Fresh markets fruit from North Carolina, Virginia and Michigan.
Consumers see products that originate from Farm Fresh First in frozen bags of peas, microwave popcorn, fresh sliced apples served in fast food outlets, peaches in peach yogurt, cherries used to make Cheribundi cherry juice, apples in applesauce served in local schools and apples used to make hard cider.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 15 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers – Ed Morgan, chairman of the board for the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District, congratulates Todd Roberts, center, after Roberts Farms was named the 2015 Conservation Farm of the Year in Orleans County. Todd’s son, Mason, is at right.
GAINES – A family farm now in its fourth generation was honored today for decades of conservation efforts, including installation of drainage tile, planting cover crops, reducing chemical usage and optimizing soil health.
Roberts Farms was started in 1931 by Justin Roberts. He was succeeded by sons Orren and Lee. Todd Roberts joined the farm in 1986 and became a partner with his father Lee in 1993. Lee retired in 2000 from management but was active with the farm until his death on April 7, 2015.
Todd’s son Mason, 21, is now part of the farm when he is home from Morrisville College, where he is majoring in agri-business.
The Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District honors a farm each year for being committed to protecting the environment. Roberts Farms today was named the 2015 “Conservation Farm of the Year.”
The farm produces corn, wheat, soybeans, peas and lima beans on 2,000 acres in Orleans and Niagara counties. It is based on Salt Works Road in Shelby.
Todd Roberts, in accepting the award today, thanked Soil and Water staff for their expertise over the years with drainage tile, cover crops, grass waterways, soil testing and integrated pest management.
Gerald Scharping, the first Soil and Water district manager in 1972, assisted the farm in installing drainage tile about 40 years ago and Roberts said those tiles still work. Scharping attended today’s annual meeting.
State Sen. Robert Ortt congratulates the Roberts family on the conservation award. Ortt is pictured with, from left: Todd, Mason, Virginia and Deb Roberts.
Todd Roberts has a business card and letterhead that declares the farm is “Stewards of the land for generations.” The family has tried to live by those words in growing crops, Roberts said.
“You have to take care of the land and we have,” he said after Soil and Water’s annual meeting today at Tillman’s Village Inn.
State Sen. Rob Ortt and State Assemblyman Steve Hawley attended the meeting and presented the Roberts family with citations. Ortt said farmers are conservationists every day. A representative for Congressman Chris Collins also presented the family with a citation.
Dennis Kirby, the Soil & Water district manager, went over highlights from 2015 that included installing 245,000 feet of drainage tile (about 46 miles), surveying and designing 13 culverts, helping with 11,460 feet of ditches, and working with 15 farms to use Best Management Practices for conservation.
In addition, Soil and Water did its 15th annual shoreline cleanup and collected 489 pounds of trash from waterways, collected about 400 tires in its 10th annual tire cleanup, hosted Conservation Field Days at the farirgounds, sold 7,000 trees, 4,000 fish and maintained 5,275 feet of impaired waterways using a Slashbuster to remove debris and overgrown areas. The agency also works with farmers on agricultural value assessments, and is available to highway superintendents and residents for expertise.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 12 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Fourth grade teacher Karin Richards, her student Landin Chaffee and Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley John Grillo are pictured at Monday’s Board of Education meeting after Landin was recognized for his good character.
HOLLEY – Sharon Zacher, Holley Central School’s assistant superintendent for business, says school officials will be watching closely on Wednesday when Gov. Andrew Cuomo makes his State of the State address.
“We are anxiously awaiting it to get a handle on what will go between him and legislators,” she said in her report Monday evening during the regular meeting of the Holley Central School Board of Education.
Zacher additionally told board members she has begun work to determine where the tax cap will be for the district in the upcoming budget year. Due to “carry over,” Zacher said she anticipates the allowable increase in the levy could be up to 2.5 percent. The district will have to determine by March 1 if it will vote to override the tax cap, she said.
Board members and district officials will begin work on the preliminary budget for 2016-17 on Feb. 1.
Zacher mentioned to board members the district might want to consider participating in a survey being compiled by Transportation Advisory Services, a consulting firm, regarding the possible regional sharing of certain school transportation services.
Districts around the region are finding it “tough to get bus drivers,” Zacher noted. The survey might result in programs that would “help all districts having trouble … it’s something everybody is having an issue with,” she said. Substitute driver pools was an example cited by Zacher as a potential shared program.
“It can’t hurt to participate in the study,” District Superintendent Robert D’Angelo said.
The district would have to pay $1,600 to participate in the survey, but Zacher said there is aid available to help with the cost.
In other business, Board of Education members recognized fourth grader Landin Chaffee, 9, with the monthly Soaring to New Heights Award for “his tremendous character.”
Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley John Grillo presented the award saying Landin heard about a child in the eastern part of New York State who had suffered the loss of her father and three siblings in a fire and was asking that people send her cards for Christmas.
“Landin started a discussion amongst his peers which lead to a class project to assist the child. He showed selfless compassion and true leadership,” Grillo said.
“The effort became contagious,” said Landin’s teacher, Karin Richards. “The entire fourth grade got involved.”
Photo by Debbie Patt – Luke Rath is congratulated on earning his Eagle Scout rank by State Assemblyman Steve Hawley.
KENDALL – Luke Rath from Kendall Troop 94 was awarded his Eagle rank during a celebration on Sunday.
Luke’s Eagle Scout project was re-siding with metal the Kendall United Methodist barn.
The church uses this barn for the storage of many items used throughout the year by many community organizations and this was Luke’s way to give back to the community.
Luke also has two younger brothers in Boy Scouts who are aspiring to earn their Eagle ranks.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 10 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
SHELBY – Shelby Fire Chief Andy Benz, left, is pictured with Dale Watts, the 2015 “Firefighter of the Year” for the Shelby Volunteer Fire Company. Watts was recognized during the fire company’s annual installation dinner on Saturday.
The Shelby Volunteer Fire Company also honored two 50-year members, Lee Hellert and Anthony “Toby” Satkowski Jr,. and installed officers for the Fire Company, Ladies Auxiliary and Junior Firefighters.
Dale Watts is a 40-year member of the Shelby Fire Company. He is a mechanic at Radiators Plus next door to the Shelby firehall. He is often the first to the fire hall when someone needs help and firefighters are dispatched.
Last March, the emergency dispatch went out about a man in cardiac arrest at Shelby Crushed Stone. The man delivers parts and had been at Watts’ garage earlier that morning. Now the man was unconscious with his heart stopped.
A Shelby Crushed Stone employee started CPR, and Watts was soon on site to take over. The man survived and is alive today.
Andy Benz, the Shelby fire chief, fought back tears in presenting Watts with the “Firefighter of the Year” award before about 200 people.
Watts has been at the firehall since he was a kid. His father, Sid Watts, was one of the Fire Company’s first chiefs.
“It’s in my family,” Watts said.
He estimated he has done CPR 30 times in the past four decades. He is thankful the man survived last year. Watts said that was a first for him, giving CPR and having the person be revived.
Shelby Town Supervisor Skip Draper, right, presents an award to Lee Hellert for his 50 years of service to the Fire Company.
Hellert remains an active volunteer. Over the years he has consistently been among the top 10 of volunteers in responding to calls each year.
“Lee, you’re a special person and I thank God everyday for people like you,” said Gary Lamar, the Fire Company’s outgoing president.
Toby Satkowski, right, also was recognized by Draper for 50 years of service to the Fire Company. Satkowski and Hellert received citations for the State Assembly, State Senate, Congressman Chris Collins, and the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York.
Satkowski recently broke his hip. He has been recovering at Medina Memorial Hospital, which arranged a shuttle so he could attend Saturday’s awards banquet.
Officers are sworn in for the Fire Company, including from left: President Tim Petry, Vice President Dale Watts and Treasurer Kirk Myhill. Other officers include: Lori Miller, secretary; Ed Quackenbush, sergeant at arms; Phil Keppler, chaplain; Dale Watts, assistant chaplain; and Gary Watts, steward.
Junior Firefighters are sworn in including Dominic Viterna, secretary; and Dylan Sturtevant, president. Fire Chief Andy Benz is in back and reads them the oath. Other officers include: Andrea Benz, vice president; and Alex Benz, sergeant at arms.
Benz said the Fire Company has been blessed with a strong youth program that is developing a new generation of firefighters.
Eight firefighters completed the basic firefighter training class in 2015, including: Brandon Arnett, Jared Cassett, Jack Miller, Jake Quackenbush, Jessica Reigle, Dustin Shaffer, Hunter Sturtevant and Shawn Woodward.
The Fire Company completed 1,855 training hours for firefighters last year, which Benz said led the county. Dustin Shaffer completed 206 of those hours, the most of any firefighter in the county, Benz said.
In addition, John Miller led the county with 708 training hours for EMS. Two Shelby members completed the training to become EMTs: Miranda Miller and Josh Mckeehen.
Darlene Rich, left, was presented with an award by Rosey Pray, the outgoing president of the Ladies Auxiliary. Pray has been a member of the Auxiliary for 76 years and also was the first woman to serve as firefighter in Shelby. She thanked Rich for being a dedicated volunteer in 2015.
The officers for the Ladies Auxiliary in 2016 include: Patricia Fuller, president; Ike Watts, vice president; Lori Myhill, treasurer; Amy Watts, secretary; and Elaine Watts, chaplain.
Andy Benz, center, presents Jeff Lyons with a “Friend of the Fire Company” award. Lyons Collision donates equipment to the Fire Company, including radios and flashlights for the fire police, electric winches, and also runs extrication and other drills for the Fire Company. Gary Lamar, Fire Company president, is at left.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
BATAVIA – Ed Fancher is honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, the highest award given in the Rotary Club. Fancher receives the award on Friday evening from Kevin Crosby, Rotary district governor for 7090, which includes 69 clubs in Western New York and Canada.
Fancher’s wife Christine and Don Bishop, left, also were part of the award presentation at Terry Hills Golf Course during a holiday party for Rotarians in Orleans and Genesee counties.
Bishop, a long-time Albion Rotarian, listed Fancher’s many acts of service to the Albion community and Rotary Club. Fancher, the executive director of Community Action of Orleans & Genesee, is a past Rotary Club president. He also was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow before and is now a two-time honoree.
He helps runs the annual St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner, sets up and takes down the hot dog stand at the Strawberry Festival, serves as treasurer of the Orleans County Fishing Derby and budget consultant for the annual Rotary golf tournament, and also is communications chairman for Club Service. He volunteers with many other Rotary activities.
Fancher has three grown children and last month became a grandfather for the first time.
File photo: Ed Fancher puts hams with brown sugar and pineapple on top in the oven with help from Bruce Landis on March 12 during the St. Patrick’s Ham Dinner at the First Presbyterian Church in Albion.
KENDALL – Each year the Kendall Lions awards four scholarships for $250 each to deserving seniors. The Kendall Lions on Thursday were pleased to officially present scholarship checks to three of the 2015 recipients. The scholarship winners and their families were guests for the evening.
Pictured include, from left: Marisa Hanlon (attending Daemen College), Lions President Tom Minigiello, Lions Club member Ken DeRoller, Tania Arellano (attending Roberts Wesleyan College), and Taylor Kingsbury (attending St. John Fisher). Not pictured is the other scholarship winner, Luke Rath, who has enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – The LaMont family celebrated 200 years of farming in Gaines during a party on Aug. 15. The family was recognized on Thursday as a “Century Farm” by the New York State Agricultural Society.
GAINES – Two farms that have been neighbors for more than a century were honored by the New York State Agricultural Society during its annual meeting in Syracuse on Thursday.
The LaMont and Kast families were both recognized as “Century Farms.” The LaMonts have actually been farming for two centuries. Josias LaMont started the family farm in 1815, when he bought 140 acres at Lattin Road and West Transit Church Road.
Roger and George LaMont are the sixth generation of the family to farm. The brothers have both been industry leaders in the apple business.
The Kast family dates back to 130 years of farming in Gaines. The farm today is owned by David and Kathy Kast, and their sons John and Brett. They attended the celebration on Thursday in Syracuse with David’s father, Stanley, 98.
Kast Farms is diversified with fruit, vegetables and grain.
David said the two families, Kast and LaMont, have been long-time friends and neighbors on Densmore Road.
“It was nice to see the neighbors received awards,” Kast said this afternoon.
The NY Ag Society is expected to send photos from the event.
A 140-foot-high wind turbine for Kast Farms on Densmore Road stands tall as the sun sets last July.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 2 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Holley Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley John Grillo, Elementary Library Media Specialist Julie Bader and Principal Karri Schiavone are pictured last month when Bader was presented with a Soaring to New Heights award.
In October, Holley elementary students decorated pumpkins to look like book characters, including this one that resembles Junie B. Jones.
HOLLEY – Julie Bader, Holley Elementary School Library Media Specialist, was presented with the Soaring to New Heights Award during a recent Holley Board of Education meeting.
Karri Schiavone, Holley Elementary School principal, and Ashley John Grillo, Holley Elementary assistant principal, nominated Bader for the award recognizing her efforts to bring the Elementary School Library to life.
“There is always something great inside and outside the library,” Schiavone told Board members on Dec. 21. She noted the library “is always full of kids.”
Schiavone described Bader as “so clever and so creative. There is always something fun happening in the library.”
In their nomination, Schiavone and Grillo praised Bader for collaborating with teachers to incorporate themes and skills being taught in the classroom.
“She designs activities during the day and after school to involve children in the ‘fun’ of reading,” the nomination stated. “She helped design and is teaching integrated technology classes to all of the third through sixth graders. Julie has really taken the library from a place to simply exchange books to a child friendly, adventure filled literacy rich media center.”
School Board President Brenda Swanger said she also has been impressed with the activity surrounding the Elementary Library.
“I walk by and then I turn around and go back,” she said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 1 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Holley man inspired many in campaign for sheriff
Photos by Tom Rivers – Randy Bower is joined by many members of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department when he was sworn in as new sheriff on Dec. 30.
Randy Bower in early 2015 met with many Republican Party leaders, trying to make his case to be the next sheriff of the county. When it was time to endorse a candidate on May 7, Bower would get about 40 percent of the vote from the Orleans County Republican Committee.
The majority chose Tom Drennan as the party candidate. Drennan worked as chief deputy for nine years. He certainly had the resume to succeed Scott Hess, who would retire on Dec. 31.
Bower, on May 4, secured the Conservative Party endorsement ahead the GOP committe vote. He was guaranteed a spot on the November ballot, but to win, he would likely need the Republican Party line in November. To do that, Bower would have to force a Republican primary against Drennan and win.
Bower, 50, may have seemed like an unlikely sheriff candidate. He didn’t have experience as a police officer. He worked 29 years as public safety dispatcher.
He also has been confined to a wheelchair after a serious car accident at age 18.
Bower has been active in the community, even coaching the Holley varsity girls basketball team when his daughter Jessica played. The team went from winless to the playoffs with Bower earning coach of the year honors.
If people thought Bower would quietly go away after the Republican Party endorsement, they were wrong. The following week he announced Chris Bourke, a long-time lieutenant and K9 handler, would be his undersheriff.
“Randy is an organizer,” Bourke said during a May 13 interview at Bower’s home in Holley. “I have no doubt he can do the job.”
On June 6, Holley held its annual June Fest parade. There were a few political candidates in the parade, usually the candidate and maybe one or two supporters passing out candy.
Bower had about 50 supporters. They were wearing red “Bower for Sheriff” T-shirts and many of the people in the parade were deputies and employees for the Sheriff’s Department. Drennan didn’t march in the Holley parade.
Randy Bower, left, had a large contingent of supporters wearing red during the Holley parade, helping him in his campaign for Orleans County sheriff. Holley is Bower’s hometown.
Bower’s supporters on the parade routes would grow at Lyndonville’s Fourth of July Parade and the Kendall Firemen’s Carnival. Drennan also appeared with many supporters at those parades.
By June, Bower hand more than 500 signatures of registered Republicans to force a Primary on Sept. 10 versus Drennan.
Bower had his own display and outside booth at the Orleans County 4-H Fairgrounds and met with residents daily. While many candidates seem to get worn down in a campaign, Bower maintained an enthusiasm throughout.
He met frequently with his supporters and assigned team captains to get out the vote throughout the county. He built an organization outside the leadership of the Republican Party, which has long dominated local politics.
On Primary Day, Bower would hold a razor-thin 27-vote lead, 1,588 to 1,561, over Drennan. When the absentee ballots were counted on Sept. 15, Bower won 1,671 to 1,650.
Randy Bower is all smiles outside the Board of Elections office on Sept. 15 when he realizes he has won the Republican line for Orleans County sheriff in the Nov. 3 election. Chris Bourke, left, campaigned with Bower as Bower’s choice for undersheriff.
Drennan also wouldn’t go away quietly. He believed he had the experience in law enforcement and the proven leadership skills to lead the department. He also had the Reform and Independence party lines.
Drennan showed plenty of fortitude and commitment in his campaign.
A third candidate also would emerge for the November election. Don Organisciak, a retired Medina police investigator, had the backing of the Democratic Party.
Orleans County residents were witnessing one of the most competitive and grueling local elections in recent history. On Nov. 3, the election felt like a tossup.
Bower won by a comfortable margin. He topped Drennan, 3,951 votes to 3,507, with Organisciak getting 847.
“I think the people are ready for a change,” Bower said after the results came in Nov. 3. “Now we have to go to work for the people of Orleans County.”
Bower was busy after the election meeting with law enforcement leaders in the county and region. He attended a state-wide conference for sheriffs in Albany.
He ran with several goals for the Sheriff’s Department, including bringing mental health and drug addiction services to inmates in the county jail. “These are our people,” Bower has said.
During the Albany conference, he heard from sheriffs who have success helping inmates with mental health problems. Last month, the Orleans County Legislature announced its support for a similar effort in the county jail after hearing a presentation from Bower; Scott Wilson, the jail superintendent; and Mark O’Brien, the director of mental health in Orleans County.
Mark O’Brien (right), director of the Orleans County Mental Health Department, presents the Stepping Up Initiative to Orleans County legislators on Dec. 16. O’Brien is joined by Scott Wilson (center), the jail superintendent, and Randy Bower.
Bower has shown he can bring people together and inspire them to a higher purpose. During a time of voter apathy and public disenchantment with politicians, he inspired an army of “Randy Red” in his campaign for sheriff.
Bower said it wasn’t just about winning an election. During his swearing-in on Dec. 30, about 125 people filled the main courtroom at the Orleans County Courthouse.
“Now we go to work for the people of Orleans County,” Bower again told the group.
Judge James Punch has sworn in many elected officials the past two decades and he said he didn’t recall such a crowd for one of the ceremonial events.
He told the group at Bower’s swearing-in that the new sheriff is an inspiration for the community, bringing an upbeat attitude and strong desire to serve the public.
“He’s an unstoppable force,” Punch said.
Punch recalled when he was in his late 20s and he met Bower when he was 19, soon after his serious accident. Bower, even then, exuded optimism and gave people a boost, the judge said.
Bower said he lives a blessed life with his wife Robin and their two grown children: Jessica and Jacob. In addition to working as a dispatcher, he has been a member of the Sheriff’s Department’s Off-Road Patrol from 1992-1998, riding all-terrain vehicles to help locate missing persons, stolen property and respond to other situations.
“This wheelchair is just a perception,” said during a campaign speech. “I can do anything I want.”
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Orleans County is blessed to have many dedicated volunteers and generous residents, who give of their time, talents and financial resources for a better community. Each year since the Orleans Hub started in April 2013 we’ve recognized outstanding citizens and we want to do it again.
This time there are two – Melissa Ierlan of Clarendon and Al Capurso of Gaines – who are first-time “repeat winners.” We have no limits on how many times someone can be recognized. Many residents make big contributions to the community, year after year.
This year’s “Outstanding Citizens” include:
Kendall Community Chorus hits the right notes
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Mary Campbell, far right, directs the Kendall Community Choir during a holiday concert in November. The concert also served as a benefit for the Kendall Food Cupboard.
In 2008, Mary Campbell put notices in Kendall churches and public buildings, looking for singers. Campbell retired as a Kendall music teacher in 2007. A year later, she was eager to lead voices again.
Campbell hoped 20 people from Kendall would volunteer for the Kendall Community Chorus. The first practice, 50 people showed up. The choir has performed in numerous concerts since then, including a big bash for Kendall’s bicentennial in 2012. They have sung in the school, at the town park, and many local nursing homes. They begin the annual Kendall Fireman’s Carnival Parade with the “Star Spangled Banner” and “America, the Beautiful.” They even sang a patriotic medley in a flash mob at Wegmans in Brockport.
The group’s annual November concert benefitted the Kendall Food Cupboard, with people urged to bring canned goods or cash donations.
“We tried to go where there were people we knew,” Campbell said.
Sixty-eight people have sung in the choir since it started. Many have become close friends through the group. Campbell announced after the November concert she was retiring from directing. She thanked the many dedicated singers. About 30 have stayed with the group since it started.
Campbell has been the group’s leader as it enriched the community, and built strong bonds of friendship. She said the singers have all given of their time to make the group a success.
Provided photo
Eighteen members of the Kendall Community Chorus sang in October 2014 at the Middleport Community Choir Invitational. The 18 members from the Kendall Community Chorus are, from left, first row: Kristy Markham, Alissa Grimm, Lisa Rowley, Katie Presutti, Marilynn Kundratta and Mary Campbell. Second row: Cindy Curtis, Debbie Collichio, Eileen Young and Candy Mael. Third row: Carol Duerr, Marietta Schuth and Mary Lou Lockhart. Fourth row: Jeremy Rath, Nancy Grah, Christopher Tobin, Robert Bissell and Eileen Grah.
Animal lover has boosted dog and cat adoptions, improved shelter
Photo by Tom Rivers – Joette McHugh of Albion, center, is pictured with her husband Bill and Gina Smith of Hilton. They are with Zurie, a Shar-Pei/Lab mix. About 20 volunteers are regulars at the Orleans County Animal Shelter, feeding animals, taking dogs for walks, socializing cats and performing other duties.
Ever since she retired nine years ago, Joette McHugh has been a devoted volunteer at the Orleans County Animal Shelter. She knows all of the dogs and cats by name, and has been instrumental in adopting out many of the animals.
She also has been a driven fund-raiser and spearheaded the start of the Friends of the Orleans County Animal Shelter. She is president of that group, which had a fund-raising gala at The Pillars in May, bringing in about $7,000.
That has helped to have all dogs neutered at the shelter, and also paid for a new washer and dryer.
Most of the animals at the shelter are chipped which makes it much easier to find their owners if the animals are ever lost or on the loose. The number of adoptions has actually gone down in the past couple years because the shelter has been able to find many of the owners.
However, many cats and dogs don’t have homes. McHugh, the other dedicated volunteers and Animal Control Officer Kathy Smith have adopted out 1,500 dogs and cats in the past seven years.
McHugh brings enthusiasm and joy to the shelter, whether its feeding the animals, walking dogs, playing with cats or cleaning cages.
“I love the animals and thought if there was anything I could do to help I would,” McHugh said.
Medina churches unite throughout the year to help community
Some of the members of the Medina Area Association of Churches are pictured on Dec. 19 after toys. clothes and food were delivered to Medina families, including about 150 children. The group includes, from left: Grace Pries from the First Baptist Church, Rosey Boyle from the United Methodist, Donna Johnson from the Presbyterian Church, Sue Metzo from the Presbyterian, Pastor Tony Hipes of the United Methodist, Joanne Arnett with United Methodist, and Ronnie Barhite from St. John’s Episcopal Church.
For more than four decades a group of Medina churches have played Santa during the holidays for local families.
The annual MAAC toy drive allows about 150 children to have several toys each year, as well as food, and new hats, mittens, scarves and socks.
The churches also work together throughout the year running the clothing depot at the Calvary Tabernacle Assembly of God, the former Medina High School. The depot sells clothes below thrift store prices. It generates about $30,000 to $35,000 annually that the churches give back to the community for many causes.
The humanitarian work has brought Christians from several churches together, strengthening their fellowship while they provide for local residents.
“You don’t see this in many other communities,” said Tony Hipes, pastor of the United Methodist Church and current vice president of MAAC. “It’s the body of Christ. We’re giving back throughout the year.”
MAAC members Sue Metzo (left) and Sylvia Riviere are pictured in December 2014 inside the Medina United Methodist Church at the former Apple Grove Inn, which has become the headquarters for the annual present sorting.
Charter boat captain has been instrumental in raising trout, salmon for local fishery
Bob Songin, in red, lead the pen-rearing project from 1998 to 2014 until passing off the reins to a new group of volunteers this year. Songin remains active in helping to raise the fish in the Oak Orchard River.
Orleans County’s top tourism draw are big salmon and trout in Lake Ontario and local tributaries, such as Oak Orchard River, Johnson Creek and Sandy Creek. Fishing has a $12 million economic impact in the county each year.
A local charter boat captain has given countless hours to improve the fishery through a pen-rearing project. With that effort, begun in 1998, about 100,000 baby fish are delivered to pens in the Oak Orchard River from the Altmar Hatchery.
The fish arrive at about 2 inches long. The are babied and nurtured for a month in the Oak Orchard, doubling in size before they are released from the pens. They are fed five times a day, beginning at 5 a.m.
The month in the Oak Orchard allows the fish to imprint on the river, increasing the chances they will return to spawn when they are mature.
Without the pen-rearing, the fish would more likely head near Oswego and the Salmon River, near the Altmar Hatchery.
Bob Songin is charter boat captain with Reel Excitement.
Songin and the volunteers have increased the survival rate of fish, and charter boat captains say more bigger fish return to the Oak Orchard for fall fishing runs since the pen-rearing.
“He has spent untold hours getting it off the ground,” said Mike Waterhouse, the county’s sportsfishing promotion coordinator. “The whole community benefits because it ensures our fish will remain at a level to draw fishermen from all over the country.”
Songin also has shared the success of the Oak Orchard pen-rearing with other fishing communities. Now there are similar efforts in Olcott and the Genesee River in Rochester. This year he handed off the main pen-rearing responsibilities to Mike Lavender, Bob Stevens, James Cond, Chris Efing and Ian Scroger.
Downtown business owner spearheads several efforts in Albion
Lisa Stratton is dressed in costume during Beggar’s Night in October, when hundreds of children stopped by Albion businesses for treats.
Lisa Stratton, owner of the Hazy Jade Gift Shop in downtown Albion, remains one of Albion’s biggest boosters and tireless workers.
Each spring she and a few other volunteers fill concrete planters with dirt and flowers. She also arranges for the hanging baskets on Main Street.
Stratton organizes volunteers to water the flowers on weekends. She also helps plan many of the events through the Albion Merchants Association, including a wine tasting, Beggar’s Night with candy for children, and other activities throughout the year that provide fun for the community while promoting the locally owned businesses in the downtown.
She attends many of the Village Board meetings, advocating for the downtown businesses, and often will step forward to help with a community event.
Old farmhouse turned into hunting retreat for wounded warriors
Photos by Thom Jennings – Hunters pose with some of the birds harvested during a hunt in September in Shelby, the first for The Warrior House.
Peter Zeliff Jr. turned an old farmhouse in West Shelby into a therapeutic site this year for wounded veterans.
Zeliff and a team of volunteers fixed up the house and connected with veterans’ groups to bring injured soldiers to the site for a few days of hunting. The property was renamed The Warrior House.
The site hosted its first hunt in September with 13 wounded veterans. Other groups have followed and The Warrior House will be made available to spouses and children of veterans as well.
Zeliff sees the site as a ministry for people who served the country. Some bear obvious injuries and walk with a cane. Others suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and constant physical pain.
Shannon Girard from Lafayette, La. was out for a hunt at The Warrior House in late October-early November. Girard, 40, said he “slept like a baby” over the weekend on his hunting retreat. That is a big deal for Girard and the other veterans.
Girard was deployed as a medic to Iraq in 2004-05. The Louisiana resident said the hunting getaway is a perfect way for veterans to calm their nerves and bodies, while connecting with others in the military.
“The best therapy is bringing people together,” Girard said on Nov. 1 after a morning of bow-hunting. “You can decompress when you come out here and be in nature and see the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.”
Zeliff, through his generosity and hard work at The Warrior House, is making a big difference for many soldiers.
Peter Zeliff Jr. is pictured in July during a workday at The Warrior House.
Volunteer made farm market a Medina hotspot
Photo by Tom Rivers – Gail Miller stepped forward this year as volunteer coordinator of the new Canal Village Farmers’ Market in Medina.
A farmers’ market that operated in the Canal Basin for about a decade ceased after the 2014 season. The Orleans Renaissance Group saw a farmers’ market as a draw for the downtown and residents’ quality of life.
The ORG decided to start a new market, The Canal Village Farmers’ Market. The market date was moved from Thursdays to Saturdays, and the location shifted from the Canal Basin to the parking lot across from the Post Office.
Gail Miller volunteered to lead the market, working with vendors and lining up entertainment and exhibitors. Some Saturdays, 450 to 500 attended the market.
“It’s been a great group effort,” said Mrs. Miller on the market’s final day of the season, which was Halloween. She dressed as an Angry Bird character that day.
Next year the market will start in June, and Miller said there will be more entertainment and demonstrations. She has been a key to the market’s success and it’s bright future.
One of oldest cobblestone schools gets new life
Al Capurso is pictured with a new historical marker that was unveiled Oct. 17 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 cobbesltone buildings in the area.
Orleans County is home to about 100 cobblestone buildings and many other historic sites that are a source of pride. But there could be more if the wrecking ball, fires and neglect hadn’t destroyed former mansions, schoolhouses and other sites established in the 1800s.
Al Capurso didn’t want to lose another building that is important to the county’s past. This year Capurso rallied volunteers to save a former one-room schoolhouse on Gaines Basin Road. The building from 1832 is one of the oldest cobblestone buildings in the county and region.
The building has been largely abandoned since 1944. This year it got a new roof. Boards were removed from windows and sashes restored. Junk was cleared out.
Capurso and members of the Orleans County Historical Association also put up a historical marker for the school. The marker notes that Caroline Phipps taught at the school. She went on to be a distinguished educator and ran the Phipps Union Seminary in Albion from 1837 to 1875. That spot later became the County Clerks Building.
The 913-square-foot building needs more work and Capurso has a game plan to get it done. Next year he said there will be repairs to the floor, and the building will be rewired and ceiling and walls plastered. Some missing sections of cobblestones will be replaced with appropriate soft lime mortar.
In 2017, Capurso said he expects the site will receive donations for a piano, school desks, teachers desk, wood stove, tables, chairs and wall hangings. The site, where hundreds of children were educated, will add to the county’s historical fabric. A treasure that could have caved in has been saved.
Capurso was recognized as an outstanding citizen by the Orleans Hub in 2014 for leading the effort to have the federal government name a creek in honor of a pioneer resident, Elizabeth Gilbert. It flows 6.5 miles along Brown Road in Gaines across Ridge Road to Carlton.
It took a year of lining up local support, and gaining permission from the federal Bureau of Geographic Names. The agency on April 10, 2014 formally approved the naming request.
Faded signs about local history get a makeover
In August, the historical marker for Balcom’s Mills on Fancher Road in Murray was reinstalled with fresh paint. Melissa Ierlan, the Clarendon town historian, repainted the marker. She is right of the marker in light purple shirt. Ierlan repainted nine historical markers in the past two years.
It started in 2014 when Clarendon was celebrating the 150th anniversary of Carl Akeley’s birth. Akeley grew up in Clarendon on Hinds Road and became one of the most famous taxidermists in the world.
Melissa Ierlan, the town historian, noticed the historical marker on Hinds Road about Akeley could barely be read due to flaking paint. She took the marker down, stripped off the remaining paint and repainted it blue and gold.
She did three others in Clarendon. It’s tedious work, but she wanted the markers to look good.
Other communities also had markers in need of fresh paint and Ierlan this year has redone five markers, including one for the Elba Muck, one in Albion for Grace Bidell, two on Ridge Road in Gaines, and one in Murray.
She has three others and some will require welding.
The restored markers not only make it easier to read about prominent people and places in the community’s past but also project a message that the community cares about its historical assets. Ierlan has done a nice service in reviving some of these markers.
She was also an outstanding citizen in 2014 for her efforts to save the chapel at Hillside Cemetery. Ierlan received good news on that project on Dec. 10 when the state announced a $126,210 grant for the chapel.
Deputy survives shootout, prevents mayhem
Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with his wife Marie and their infant son Jake at the Orleans County Public Safety Building on May 19 during a recognition program.
It was 3 a.m. on March 21 when James DeFilipps was shot twice following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County. Thankfully, the deputy was wearing a bullet-proof vest.
DeFilipps was the first police officer on scene when Ellis wrecked his vehicle in Clarendon on Route 31A. Police were pursuing Ellis after a 911 call when he threatened an ex-girlfriend in Shelby with a gun.
DeFilipps was the first on the scene. Ellis had fled to a nearby wooded area and opened fire on DeFilipps and other deputies and police to arrive on the scene. DeFilipps, despite getting hit twice by gunfire, shot Ellis, killing him and ending his threat.
Police feared Ellis could have shot more officers on the scene if DeFilipps hadn’t been there. Ellis could have fled to a neighbor’s house.
A grand jury reviewed the evidence and found DeFilipps was justified in the shooting. After recovering from his wound to his stomach, he returned to the night shift for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, where he has worked nearly 13 years.
Orleans Hub will recognize the outstanding citizens during a reception in February.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 19 December 2015 at 12:00 am
Provided photos – Thomas Follman, a Lyndonville High School senior, was presented with a NROTC Scholarship last week by Sgt. Yertich from the Batavia recruiting station. Follman is pictured with his father, Curt Follman, left.
LYNDONVILLE – It started as a normal school morning for Thomas Follman, president of the Lyndonville Student Council. He read the morning announcements on Dec. 10, one of his roles as president.
But then the High School Principal, Dr. Aaron Slack, claimed the microphone for one more announcement.
Slack let Follman and the student body know about a prestigious scholarship for one of the seniors. In fact, Follman was the recipient of the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship.
The award will cover four years of tuition for Follman, who wants to join the Marine Corps. He has applied to several universities to study either mechanical engineering or criminal justice.
The NROTC could save Follman $160,000 to $180,000 if he is accepted and enrolls at the University of Rochester, for example.
“It takes a whole lot of pressure off,” Follman said about the scholarship.
Follman keeps a 92.65 academic average, and he is president of the Lyndonville Class of 2016 and the National Honor Society. He also has been active playing football for the combined Lyndonville-Medina team, wrestling for Lyndonville and participating in the school musicals. He also works full-time in the summer at the White Birch Golf Course, maintaining the grounds.
Thomas Follman is presented with the (NROTC) Scholarship last week during a surprise at Lyndonville High School.
Follman said his dream would be to go to the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He has interviewed with the offices of the U.S. Rep. Chris Collins and U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand to be accepted to the Naval Academy. The Marines are a component of the Navy.
Recipients of the Naval Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship must meet extreme rigorous academic standards. In addition to a normal academic workload leading to a four-year college degree, NROTC students attend classes in Naval Science, participate in the NROTC unit for drill, physical training, and other activities, and are taught the leadership principles and high ideals of a military officer.
During the summer break between school years, NROTC students participate in training activities to help students understand career options and familiarize them with military life.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 18 December 2015 at 12:00 am
KENDALL – The National Corn Growers Association released the state and national winners in its annual corn yield contest and a Kendall farmer led the state and finished third in the country.
Matt Kludt of the Kludt Brothers Farm led New York with a yield of 322.97 bushels per acre in the no till/strip till non-irrigated class. He used a DeKalb seed.
Kludt will receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2016 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.
Kludt is a past winner for the state. He finished third overall in the country. Only Jill Justice of Beckley, WV, at 368.78 bushels and Jay Justice, also of Beckley, WV (360.32 bushels) had more in the no till/strip till non-irrigated class.
The National Corn Growers said improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the 2015 contest.
David Hula of Charles City, VA. Set a new national record with a yield just over 532 bushels per acre. He competed in the no till/strip till irrigated class. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.
“The contest does more than just provide farmers an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates information that shapes future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chairman of NCGA’s Production and Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques contest winners first develop grow into broad advances that help farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations. Our contest emphasizes how innovation, from growers and technology providers alike, enables us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”
File photo by Tom Rivers – Genesee Community College and Orleans Hub honored four “Heritage Heroes” on April 24 during the Civil War Encampment at GCC’s Medina campus center. The following were recognized, from right to left: Doug Miller (accepting for his wife Susan Starkweather Miller), Andrew Meier, Holly Ricci-Canham, and William Menz.
Press Release, GCC
BATAVIA – Genesee Community College is eager to recognize the efforts of dedicated citizens who work hard to preserve the county’s history. The college is seeking nominations for the third annual Orleans County Heritage Heroes Awards. Nominations will be accepted through Feb. 15.
“Residents of Orleans County take great pride in their heritage,” said Jim Simon, associate dean of GCC’s Orleans County Campus Centers in Medina and Albion. “For our third consecutive year, we want to continue to recognize the time and investment of individuals who are tireless advocates for local history.”
Nominees for Heritage Heroes Awards can be any age but posthumous nominations will not be accepted. History professionals and GCC employees are also not eligible for the award, nor are those who serve on the awards selection committees. Nominees must be Orleans County residents.
Four winners were honored last year including Holly Ricci-Canham, Susan Starkweather Miller, Andrew W. Meier and William A. Menz. Because nominations are not retained for future consideration, nominees not selected to receive awards in previous are encouraged to re-submit a nomination again for this coming year.
“Many residents from all over the county work hard on restoring historic houses and protecting other community assets, including museums and churches,” said Tom Rivers, Orleans Hub editor. “The dedicated people working to preserve these treasures deserve praise for adding to the quality of life and character of our community.”
To nominate someone for the Heritage Heroes Awards, write up a brief statement outlining the person’s contributions, projects and community affiliations. Anyone sending in a nomination should provide their name (anonymous nomination packages will not be accepted), address, phone number and email address. The more in-depth the detail provided in the nomination, the stronger the submission.
Submit the nomination to:
ATTENTION: Heritage Heroes Committee
Genesee Community College / Medina Campus Center
11470 Maple Ridge Rd.
Medina, NY 14103-9675
Nominations may also be emailed to Jim Simon at jsimon@genesee.edu. Please write Heritage Heroes Nomination in the subject line.
A screening committee made up of community members, history professionals and GCC students will review the nominations and select finalists. From those finalists, a committee including GCC Associate Dean Jim Simon, Associate Professor Derek Maxfield and Orleans Hub Editor Tom Rivers will choose the Heritage Heroes.
“We’re excited to continue these awards,” said Maxfield. “When we held the Civil War Encampment in Medina for three years, it became obvious how Orleans County values its history and embraces its preservation. These efforts often go unnoticed. This is a way to shine a light on those who make many personal sacrifices in order to preserve history for future generations.”
The Heritage Heroes will be recognized during a ceremony at GCC in Medina in April 2016.
