By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 9 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Kristina Gabalski – Holley Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory presents head wrestling coach John Grillo with the February Soaring to New Heights Award.
HOLLEY – John Grillo, Holley’s head wrestling coach, was recognized during Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting for his milestone 700th win, which came Jan. 20 in a Genesee Region League match hosted at Lyndonville High School.
Grillo was presented with the “Soaring to New Heights” award by Holley Middle School/High School Principal Susan Cory. Grillo’s 700 wins are the most of any wrestling coach in New York State.
“This is huge,” Cory said. “John has given a lot of dedication to the wrestling program.”
Grillo has coached wrestling for more than 40 years, 30 of those at Holley. He also coached at Pavilion Central School. His Holley Hawk wrestlers have won 20 Genesee Region League titles and 11 Section V championships. Grillo was named Genesee Region Coach of the Year 15 times and Section V Coach of the Year six times.
Grillo, who also teaches physical education at Holley, coached his three sons over the years – Ashley John, Adam and Andrew – who continue to assist their dad in coaching the Holley wrestling teams. Ashley is now Elementary Assistant Principal at Holley and Andrew is a grade K-12 physical education teacher at Holley.
“We didn’t have a winning season until you joined us,” Board member John Heise said and noted Grillo has also worked over the years to help students who have been struggling academically as well those with discipline issues. “After they talked to you, the behavior stopped.”
“You’ve helped a lot of kids,” Board President Brenda Swanger told Grillo. “We appreciate all you have done for the kids.”
Grillo thanked students, parents and school staff. “Your support is part of it,” he said of his accomplishment.
In other business, Assistant Superintendent for Business Sharon Zacher reported to board members regarding the tax cap for the 2016/2017 budget. Zacher said the state must be notified by March 1 as to whether or not the district thinks it will need to override the tax cap.
With the allowed carryover, Zacher estimated the increase on the 2016/2017 tax levy to be capped at 2.173 percent. Board members agreed that they did not foresee a need to override that figure.
Superintendent Robert D’Angelo said during his report that the governor’s proposal for school districts is “ridiculously low.” However, he noted that Holley is in “pretty good shape.”
“I have a sense of optimism,” D’Angelo said, which stems from assurances he has received from State Assemblyman Steve Hawley and Sen. Robert Ortt that there will be “a huge difference between what the governor is proposing (in aid) and what members of the State Senate and Assembly arrive at.”
He said local superintendents have made it clear to state lawmakers that, “the proposed aid to education is unacceptable at this point.”
Although D’Angelo had wanted lawmakers to take real steps to provide relief from unfunded mandates, he said Monday evening that at this point he does not see that coming.
“They are not serious about it,” he said of lawmakers. “It hurts both the districts and the taxpayers.”
Holley Central will continue to monitor the state budget process in relation to its own budget development, D’Angelo said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Provided photo
Meredith Patterson, an Albion senior, won the zone competition for the American Legion Oratorical Contest and advances to the state competition on March 5 in Albany.
The zone event was held Saturday in Mount Morris. Another Albion student, Kyle Thaine, also competed. He won the district competition in Buffalo last month. Thaine and Patterson both advanced to the zone competition.
Patterson won an $800 scholarship for the Zone 5 victory and will receive another $2,000 scholarship for competing at the state level.
The participants at the zone event needed to deliver an 8- to 10-minute speech without notes about the Constitution. Each contestant also needed to speak for 3 to 5 minutes on one of five topics, assigned at the contest.
Patterson is valedictorian for the Class of 2016. She is also captain of the cross country team, a drum major in the marching band, and a lector at Holy Family Parish. She wants to attend an Ivy League school to major in political science.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 4 February 2016 at 12:00 am
Gerald Harter’s medal was found in filing cabinet at Veterans Service Agency
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Earl Schmidt, director of the Orleans County Veterans Service Agency, presents the New York State Medal of Merit to Gerald Harter of Holley this morning.
The medal was approved for Harter in December 2000 but was stashed away in a filing cabinet at the Veterans Service Agency. Schmidt started as the new director in December. He was going through the files when he discovered the medal for Harter.
“My job is making sure the veterans get what they deserve,” Schmidt said.
Harter served two years in the U.S. Army, including a year in Vietnam from 1967-68, which included the Tet Offensive. He missed the birth of his daughter when he was in Vietnam. He met his daughter Buffie when she was 6 months old. She is now Buffie Gleason.
Harter worked for Kodak and retired about two decades ago. For the past 19 years he has worked part-time as a school bus driver for Spencerport.
He also has served as a past American Legion commander for the Holley post, and was a past VFW Post commander in Holley and for Orleans County.
He thanked Schmidt for finding the medal.
“This is wonderful,” he said. “It will go in my Man Cave.”
John DeFilipps was recognized in Albany on Tuesday during the annual legislative conference for the New York State Association of Counties.
DeFilipps, a Clarendon resident, was elected to the Orleans County Legislature in November 2013, and was re-elected to another two-year term this past November.
He graduated from NYSAC’s County Government Institute, an educational program established by NYSAC in conjunction with Cornell University. The Institute provides an educational program for county elected and appointed officials, to enhance the knowledge, skills and abilities of county officials. The Institute allows the public officials to engage in informed, constructive and civil discussions on the current challenges they face as public servants.
“The County Government Institute’s vigorous curriculum prepares county leaders with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the intense demands of local government leadership today,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.
DeFilipps joined the County Legislature following 12 years on the Clarendon Town Board. He owned a convenience store and gas station in Clarendon for 10 years before joining the Town Board. He worked 28 years at General Motors in Rochester before retiring about nine years ago. He also helped develop the Red Rock Ponds RV Resort in Murray.
DeFilipps is on the Orleans Economic Development Agency board and he said the agency has the county well positioned for new businesses and expansions with shovel-ready sites. DeFilipps is an at-large legislator from the east side of the county.
He said the NYSAC program improved his knowledge of government and he met people with innovative thinking.
“It has made me a more effective representative,” he said.
The Institute’s curriculum includes extensive course work on government ethics, building consensus in a political environment, principles of county budget and finance, and public sector labor/management relations. The courses are supplemented with electives, training sessions, and continuing education courses designed to support county leaders in serving their constituents to the absolute best of their ability.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photos by Tom Rivers
RIDGEWAY – Glen Busch II and Valerie Childs, who got engaged to each other on Wednesday, both were honored for their service to the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company on Saturday.
Busch received the President’s Award from outgoing president Mike Kelly. He cited Busch’s work as treasurer, and for attending many fire calls as well as training courses.
“He puts a lot of time and effort into this place,” Kelly said.
Childs received the Chief’s Award from Don Marchner, the outgoing fire chief.
“Anything you ask of her, she’s there,” Marchner said.
Childs last year took an inventory of all the equipment – turnout gear, helmets, radios and pagers – and now does an annual inspection of all the equipment.
Childs, 31, also is the new president of the Fire Company, the first woman in that role in the Fire Company’s 63-year history. She joined in July 2013, four months after she and Busch started dating. She went to a few calls with Busch, waiting in his truck before she became a member. She decided to join, “rather than just sitting there twiddling my thumbs.”
Busch assumed she wanted to be a social member. But Childs took classes for scene support. She has a goal this year to take the class so she can drive fire trucks, including the big pumper-tanker.
“If you told me five years ago I would be president of a fire company and winning an award I would have laughed at you,” Childs said.
Busch, 32, joined the Fire Company in 2011. He was volunteering with Cub Scouts, and three of the Scouts were sons of Kristin McAdoo, the EMS captain.
“She inspired me,” Busch said about McAdoo. “I saw what they do.”
He also wanted to be a firefighter in memory of his brother, who died at age 10 from leukemia. Jeffrey Busch wanted to be a firefighter and when he was battling leukemia was made an honorary fire chief by the Warsaw Fire Department in Wyoming County, where Busch grew up.
Busch has worked the past 15 years as a campus safety officer for Hilbert College in Hamburg. Childs works as a technician at Baxter Healthcare in Medina.
Ridgeway Fire Company officers take the oath of office, including Francis Woodward in white. Others pictured include, from left: Guy Scribner, first assistant chief; James Marciszewski, deputy chief; Valerie Childs, president; and Melissa Hansler, vice president.
Other officers include: Rick Tuohey, second assistant chief; Patrick Kelly, captain; Jason Bessel, lieutenant; Mike Kelly, fire police captain; and Kristin McAdoo, EMS captain.
Other executive committee members include: Glen Busch II, treasurer; Laurie Marchner, secretary; Stacey Seefeldt, Kristin McAdoo and Katie Tuohey as directors; and Todd Hansler, sergeant at arms.
Ladies Auxiliary Officers are sworn in, including, from left: Tracey Hendrick, president; Melissa Hansler, vice president; and Donna Lockwood, treasurer. Other officers include Effie McAdoo, secretary; Harriett Petrie, chaplain; and Michelle Lechner, flag bearer.
Fire Chief Francis Woodward holds an axe while firefighter Charles Smith announces names of members who died in 2015. Valerie Childs would ring the bell three times in their memory.
The Fire Company’s memorial service, recognized two charter members: Gary Ehrenreich as a firefighter and Marjorie Canham in the Ladies Auxiliary. They were the last living members from when the Fire Company formed 63 years ago.
Jack McCarthy, the former fire coordinator in the county, also was remembered during the memorial service.
Charles Smith and Valerie Childs hold new axes given to the Fire Company by Harriett Petrie, right, in memory of her husband, Larry Petrie. Those axes will be used by the honor guard at funerals, parades and other events.
Rob and Rachel Kaiser, owners of Wildwood Lake KOA Campground in Medina, were given an award for helping raise money for the Fire Company and for giving firefighters a discount to use the campground. Francis Woodward, the fire chief in back, is a regular at Wildwood.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – David Bellavia, a Lyndonville native, addresses the Albion Rotary Club on Thursday.
GAINES – A war memoir by Lyndonville native David Bellavia, detailing his experiences as a staff sergeant in the second battle of Fallujah in Iraq, is being made into a film by Universal Pictures and Imagine Entertainment.
Bellavia wrote House to House with John R. Bruning, detailing the efforts of front line forces in urban combat against insurgents. Bellavia was part of a campaign that took the heavily fortified city. He was recognized with a Silver Star.
The project as a film had languished in recent years, but became sought after by studios after the success of American Sniper, a film about Navy S.E.A.L. sniper Chris Kyle’s pinpoint accuracy. The film grossed $350 million domestically and nearly $550 million worldwide.
Bellavia said famed movie director Ron Howard will be a part of the House to House project. Bellavia also said he will be a part of the film’s development and production. He said the film could be released in December 2017. He is hopeful the film will include scenes of Lyndonville, where he grew up as son of local dentist Bill Bellavia.
During the Albion Rotary Club meeting on Thursday, Bellavia was reminded by a Rotarian of his high school starring role in Lyndonville’s musical production of Into The Woods. Bellavia played Jack in the show.
David Bellavia lives in Batavia and now works as a radio talk show host and as an advocate for veterans in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
During his message to the Rotary Club on Thursday, Bellavia said he was in Iraq during their first free elections, and helped guard residents when they went to vote in 2005, in the famous “purple finger” elections. Residents who voted had a finger dipped in purple ink. Images of smiling residents with purple fingers became iconic images around the world.
Bellavia said one woman that day was shot in the stomach and jaw while waiting at the polls. As she lay dying, she insisted she cast a ballot before getting medical care.
Bellavia contrasted that determination with the low turnout at American elections.
In Orleans County, during a hotly contested election season this past November, turnout countywide was 38.2 percent.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Dennis Piedimonte helped see county through big changes with voting machines
Photos by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Orleans County Legislator Bill Eick presents a special recognition award to Dennis Piedimonte who is retiring after 18 years as an elections commissioner.
Piedimonte was appointed as the Republican elections commissioner 18 years ago, succeeding Bob Batt.
Piedimonte and Helen Zelazny, the former Democratic elections commissioner, saw the county through implementation of the Help America Vote Act of 2002. HAVA resulted in the end of the old lever voting machines and transition to new electronic machines that scanned ballots.
Piedimonte said he enjoyed working in the elections office with Zelazny, who was later succeeded by Janice Grabowski. Clara Martin and Eileen Aina have been deputy election commissioners, with Martin switching about a month ago to become confidential secretary for Sheriff Randy Bower. Dorothy Morgan is the new deputy elections commissioner.
“It’s been a wonderful 18 years,” Piedimonte said at Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting. “We never once had an argument in the office. There were never any loud voices. I don’t know how many places can say that.”
The Legislature appointed Sylvia Shoemaker of Carlton to serve as elections commissioner. Shoemaker worked for the county for 17 years as a welfare fraud investigator. She is currently vice chairwoman of the Orleans County Republican Party. Her husband, Jim Shoemaker, is on the Carlton Town Board.
Sylvia has worked part-time the past four years as clerk in the BOE.
“I think she is an excellent selection,” said Legislature Chairman David Callard. “She served the county for many years already and did a wonderful job.”
Shoemaker will be paid $18,860 for the part-time position.
Orleans County legislators Fred Miller, left, and Bill Eick, right, are pictured with the county’s elections commissioners, Janice Grabowski, second from left, and Sylvia Shoemaker, who starts her new job on Feb. 1.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – Kyle Thaine, a senior at Albion, delivers the speech that won the Orleans County Oratorical Contest, as well as American Legion Oratorical District Competition in Buffalo on Jan. 10. He is shown giving the speech today at the Orleans County Legislature meeting. Legislator Ken DeRoller is at right.
Thaine and another Albion senior, Meredith Patterson, took the top two spots during the competition in Buffalo. They move on to the zone competition at Mt. Morris High School on Feb. 6.
Thaine gave a speech from memory today that was nearly 10 minutes long. He shared about his family lineage, a legacy of service that dates to soldiers serving in the Revolutionary War. One of his ancestors, John Proctor, was a key settler in Gaines and known as the Paul Revere of Ridge Road because he rode along the Ridge warning settlers that the British were coming during the War of 1812.
Other Thaine relatives served in World War II and the Korean War.
The Legion 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 at Mount Morris will advance to Department Oratorical Contest held March 4-5 in Albany.
Kyle Thaine said he wants to be a history teacher for his career. He commended Patterson for advancing the zone competition as well.
Thaine and Patterson have both attended Legislature meetings before when they were seventh-graders in a service learning class. Those seventh-graders in 2011 helped fix up the cemetery for the former Alms “Poor” House on County House Road.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 27 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers – Nicole Spohr is congratulated by Chief Deputy Michael Mele, left, and Undersheriff Chris Bourke this afternoon after she was named the Orleans County Employee of the Year. Spohr works as a senior civil clerk at the Sheriff’s Office.
ALBION – A senior civil clerk, who handles payroll for 90 Sheriff’s Office employees and serves in many capacities with the employee union, has been named the Orleans County employee of the year for 2015.
Nicole Spohr prepares the payroll with knowledge of two union contracts as well as the management compensation plan. It’s a complicated job, said Jack Welch, the county’s personnel director.
He presented the award today to Spohr in the legislative chambers of the County Clerks Building during the County Legislature meeting.
Spohr has been a representative for her union since 2006, and serves on the union’s negotiating committee. She also has been on the Employee Assistance Program Committee since 2004, and has been the EAP treasurer since 2006.
She also helps plan the employee summer picnic and holiday luncheon, events that needed to be done in 2015 for the first time without the nursing home’s staff as a base.
“This employee is able to perform her duties and is willing to take on additional service to the county and to the county employees, always cheerfully with a can-do attitude,” Welch said.
Spohr was named employee of the month in February. Other employees honored with monthly awards in 2015 include Katherine Marks from Probation; Diana Kephart from Social Services; Claire Haulk from Social Services; Michael Mele from the Sheriff’s Office; James DeFilipps from the Sheriff’s Office; and Julie Vendetti from the Sheriff’s Office.
Welch said the employee of the year was picked from the pool of monthly winners. A committee looked at additional service by the employees since they were recognized with the monthly award.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 January 2016 at 12:00 am
File photos by Tom Rivers – 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.
ALBANY – An Orleans County deputy sheriff was named “Deputy of the Year” by the New York State Sheriff’s Association in Albany today.
Jim DeFilipps, an Orleans County deputy sheriff, was recognized for performing an act of valor and heroism, above the normal call of duty, the Sheriff’s Association said.
It was 3 a.m. on March 21 when DeFilipps was shot twice following a high-speed chase with James Ellis of Wyoming County.
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.
After the crash in Clarendon, Ellis 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.
DeFilipps as wearing a bullet-proof vest which likely saved his life. 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.
Deputy James DeFilipps is pictured with deputies Brian Larkin, left, and Kevin Colonna, who also responded to the March 21 incident with James Ellis. The deputies and other first responders were recognized during an April 22 County Legislature meeting.
DeFilipps, a Holley resident, did not attend the ceremony in Albany today because he and his wife just had a newborn baby.
Orleans County Sheriff Randy Bower said DeFilipps will receive the award in the spring during a ceremony at the Orleans County Courthouse.
“It is absolutely a proud day for the Sheriff’s Department,” Bower said after the announcement this afternoon.
DeFilipps described the incident on March 21 in a previous extended interview with the Orleans Hub. Click here to read it.
The Sheriff’s Association named two deputies for the top award. Joe Tortorella, a Niagara County deputy, was the other winner.
Tortorella responded to a 911 hang-up call at a residence in Wheatfield on April 17. While investigating the 911 call, Tortorella was confronted by an armed man who had just shot both his parents. During a lengthy shootout with the suspect, Tortorella was struck by a bullet in the chest.
The residence in Wheatfield was located next to an elementary school that was in session at the time of the incident. During the gun fight, Tortorella called dispatch over his radio to alert the school to lock-down. The suspect was shot three times, and ran back behind the house. Tortorella ran towards the school to place himself between the school and the suspect.
By Kristina Gabalski, Correspondent Posted 23 January 2016 at 12:00 am
Historical Society recognizes what is becoming a lost art
Photos by Kristina Gabalski – Winners of the 2016 Clarkson Historical Society Handwriting Contest display their certificates. Seated, from left: Emma Lenhard, Quest School in Hilton; and Carli Kirkwood, Byron-Bergen Central School. Standing, from left: Louie Conte, Kendall Central School; Aubrey Hammill, Erie, Pa. (Aubrey’s grandmother lives in Brockport); Christina Bishop, Oliver Middle School in Brockport; and Madison Marsh, Holley Central School. Not pictured: Jacey Donahue, Byron-Bergen Central School; Kennedy Jones, Holley Central School; Dakota Thompson, Holley Central School.
BROCKPORT – Orleans County students were well represented in a local cursive handwriting contest.
Students from both the Kendall Central and Holley Central School Districts were among winners honored Saturday afternoon at the Clarkson Historical Society’s Second Annual Handwriting Contest. The award ceremony was held at the restored Clarkson Academy on Rt. 104 just east of Clarkson Corners.
January 23 is John Hancock’s birthday (2016 marks his 279th) and Clarkson Historical Society President Mary Edwards explained that the national “Campaign for Cursive” group has chosen his birthday to celebrate cursive handwriting as his signature is, “the boldest on the Declaration of Independence.”
Madison Marsh, a 9th grader at Holley Jr./Sr. High School, accepts her award for second place in the High School division in the Clarkson Historical Society’s 2016 Cursive Handwriting Contest. Clarkson Historical Society President Mary Edwards looks on.
The Clarkson Historical Society holds summer camps and hosts field trips each year for local students and has emphasized teaching cursive handwriting – quickly becoming a lost art – during these events.
Edwards said Campaign for Cursive reached out to Clarkson regarding holding an event on National Handwriting Day and the cursive writing contest was born.
Winners this year include Louie Conte from Kendall Elementary School, who took second place in the 4th and 5th Grade division. Holley Central School took all three places in the High School division – First Place going to Kennedy Jones, second place going to Madison Marsh and third place going to Dakota Thompson.
Thompson and Jones were unable to attend the award ceremony due to a conflict, but will be presented with their prize on Sunday.
Winning entries were displayed at the Clarkson Academy Saturday afternoon. Those taking part had to write out the sentence: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” Students at Kendall Central and Holley Central took four of the nine awards.
Louie Conte, a student at Kendall Elementary School, accepts his cursive handwriting award from Mary Edwards, president of the Clarkson Historical Society during ceremonies at the Clarkson Academy.
Marsh, a 9th grader who lives in Clarendon, says she “loves to write in cursive,” and was inspired by her English teacher, Suzanne Lepkowski, who has a poster about cursive hanging in her classroom.
“It made me want to get into the habit of writing in cursive,” Marsh said.
Louie Conte, who lives in Kendall, said he “just started writing in cursive this year,” and he also enjoys it.
Conte was the only young man among the winners this year and Mary Edwards commended the Kendall School District for their submissions.
“Kendall is doing a really great job,” she said.
The Clarkson Historical Society received 140 entries this year and Edwards encouraged those attending to continue to work on their cursive handwriting skills.
“It’s like your fingerprint,” she said. “No one else can write exactly like you.”
She said learning how to sign your name is part of growing up and being able to sign your name in cursive “will distinguish you in the coming years. It’s a wonderful accomplishment.”
Town of Clarkson Historian Leanna Hale (left) and Clarkson Historical Society President Mary Edwards discuss the importance of cursive handwriting prior to presenting awards Saturday afternoon at the Clarkson Academy on Route 104 in Clarkson.
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.”
