achievements

FastFitness expands, hailed as small business success

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 31 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Kim Lockwood, owner of FastFitness in Medina, recently added a tanning business, FasTan. Lockwood, right, is pictured with FasTan manager Danielle Waters at the site, which was a garage and has been renovated with five tanning booths.

MEDINA – In 2004, Kim Lockwood wanted to start a women’s-only gym. She was working as an occupational therapist for the VA in Batavia at the time.

But Lockwood believed there was potential in a business that catered to women with their own gym.

She brought passion and lots of energy to her goal. But she didn’t have a business background. She took a 10-week class through the Orleans Economic Development Agency, a class that helped her develop a business plan and also included insights on taxes, marketing, legal issues, computer skills and other issues.

Lockwood also used a low-interest loan through the EDA’s revolving loan fund to open FastFitness in 2004. She started the business in Albion and added a FastFitness in Medina in 2010. (She sold the Albion location which is now XPress Fitness.)

In 2013, with the Medina site on Main Street crammed for space, Lockwood moved to 627 West Ave., in a former hardware store. She tripled the space for the gym, and six months later opened a fitness room next to the gym for women to take Zumba and other exercise classes. During her winter peak, Lockwood has more than 400 members at FastFitness.

Kim Lockwood, left, gave up a job as an occupational therapist with the VA in Batavia to start FastFitness, a gym for women only. Lockwood credited assistance and ongoing expertise from her business advisor through the Small Business Development Center. Lockwood is pictured with her advisor Sam Campanella, third from left, and another business advisor Dick Pettine, left. Both serve as instructors with the Microenterprise Assistance Program, which is directed by Diane Blanchard, second from left. Lockwood graduated from that 10-week program in 2004 and continues to get advice from her business advisor.

When she was in the MAP program in 2004, she worked with Sam Campanella, one of the class instructors and a small business advisor with the NYS Small Business Development Center.

Campanella has been a frequent resource for Lockwood, connecting her with consultants for marketing, legal issues and accounting. He pitched an idea to Lockwood. He thought a tanning business would complement FastFitness.

Lockwood researched the issue and crunched the numbers with Campanella. She opened FasTan in March at 627 West Ave., in the same building with FastFitness. She already has more than 200 tanning clients using five tanning booths, including a stand-up booth, a 10-minute tanning booth and a 12-minute tanning booth.

The quick tanning sessions give people a chance to swing by on a lunch break, Lockwood said.

Lockwood is considered one of the biggest success stories in the small business training and assistance program through the EDA, said Diane Blanchard, MAP coordinator.

Lockwood said the small business assistance has been invaluable, and critical for her to grow her business.

Campanella said Lockwood has the key qualities for a successul entrepreneur.

“You need the ability to work hard and work smart,” he said today while visiting Lockwood at FastFitness and FasTan. “You need to have vision and determination and a don’t-give-up attitude. You need to understand the business you’re in.”

Kim Lockwood has a stand-up tanning booth at FasTan, which has five tanning booths at 627 West Ave.

Campanella and Pettine are both part-time certified business advisors. Campanella works out of GCC in Batavia and has 48 clients while Pettine works out of Brockport State College and has 58 clients.

Diane Blanchard, the Microenterprise Assistance Program coordinator, said the two are great resources for business owners. They can help get a business off to a good start and help as business owners grapple with other issues later on.

“They are an advisor forever,” Blanchard said.

Lockwood has grown from using 1,200 square feet on Main Street in Medina to 7,500 square feet at the current location, a former hardware store and garage.

She said the success of the business has her thinking about adding more locations. She has applied to be on the Shark Tank show for a big capital investment to turn FastFitness into franchises. She is waiting to hear from the show.

In the meantime, she may add another location nearby. She said she is grateful she made the decision in 2004 to start the business, and see the hundreds of people who have improved their health and confidence through FastFitness.

The EDA is starting another MAP class on Sept. 8. The program runs through Nov. 17. For more information about MAP, call Blanchard at (585) 589-7060 ext. 101.

Medina native commands Navy repair facility in Japan

Posted 27 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – Capt. Garret Farman relieves Capt. Michael Ballou as 28th commanding officer of the U.S. Navy repair facility in Japan. The Ship Repair Facility Japan Regional Maintenance Center provides ship maintenance and modernization to Pacific Fleet Type Commanders using advanced industrial techniques to keep the Seventh Fleet operationally ready. Photo by Michelle Bridges, Ship Repair Facility Japan Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs.

By Alicia Akashi, SRF-JRMC Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan – Captain Garrett Farman relieved Captain Michael Ballou as U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) Yokosuka’s commanding officer at a change of command ceremony on July 10.

SRF-JRMC is a full-service ship repair facility providing maintenance, modernization, docking, fly-away and emergency repairs for U.S. Navy vessels. The SRF-JRMC mission is to “Keep the Seventh Fleet Operationally Ready.”

Captain Farman is the son of Robert and Patricia Farman of Medina. A 1986 graduate of Medina High School, Captain Farman attended the University of Rochester, earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

He was commissioned through the University of Rochester Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program in 1990. He was awarded a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in 2000.

Captain Farman is an Engineering Duty Officer involved with the design, acquisition, construction, repair, maintenance, conversion, overhaul and disposal of ships, submarines, aircraft carriers and the systems on those platforms.

For more information, click here.

Albion couple has lovingly maintained one of county’s grandest homes

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 24 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – This house was built in 1893 at the corner of East State and Platt streets as the manse for the First Presbyterian Church in Albion.

ALBION – I have admired Phil and Harriette Greaser’s house in Albion for many years. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s part of the Courthouse Square District, which includes 34 sites on the National Register, including seven churches.

The Greasers were often out on the front porch together. I would wave, and compliment them on their house. They told me I could get a tour sometime.

I didn’t pursue a tour until Thursday. I wish I had tried harder sooner. Mr. Greaser passed away at age 88 on June 30.

The house has several oval-shaped windows that face the Courthouse and other historic sites in Albion. Mrs. Greaser says this is the half-moon window.

The Greasers bought the house from the Presbyterian Church in 1987. It had been the church manse, the home for the pastor, since the house was built in 1893.

The Greasers were downsizing after restoring a 22-room house in Eagle Harbor that they called “The Four Chimneys.”

The house in Albion was designed by acclaimed Rochester architect Andrew Jackson Warner. It was constructed in the Queen Anne style.

“To have this architecture – an Andrew Jackson Warner house in Albion – was a great privilege to take on,” Mrs. Greaser said.

Harriette Greaser is pictured with the staircase made of golden oak.

The Greasers would transform the house, scraping away paint and bringing back woodwork. They planted trees, hedges and a big garden of flowers and vegetables.

The Landmark Society of Western New York took notice and gave the couple a Historic Home award in 2002. In 2007, their house was featured in a Rochester magazine.

The reception room in the Greaser home puts the woodwork on display. The house includes red birch, golden oak and cucumber wood.

Mr. Greaser grew up in Pennsylvania, the son of a Baptist minister. He moved to Holley when he was 20 after serving in the Navy. His father was leading the Baptist church there at the time.

Phil Greaser would work 37 years for Kodak. He and his wife were married for 51 years and they raised four children.

He loved architecture, music and literature. One of the rooms in the house includes his library. He liked to read by a window while birds fluttered nearby outside.

The library at the Greaser home lets in lots of natural light from the windows.

Phil Greaser enjoyed the many birds that were in the backyard at the Greaser property in Albion. His children gave him the stained-glass artwork for his 80th birthday.

The house in the village, across from the Courthouse and next to the Presbyterian Church, proved convenient. Mrs. Greaser is the organist at the Holy Family Catholic Parish. Her husband was the organist for more than 50 years at the First Baptist Church.

They each have a piano in the house. Mr. Greaser played a Steinway and his wife a Knabe. She continues to teach piano lessons from her home.

After years in the country, the couple enjoyed the easy access to the library, Post Office, grocery store and other amenities in the village.

But the Greasers weren’t used to such a public location, especially when they were out weeding and doing other yard work.

Harriette Greaser is pictured in the backyard of the property at 31 East State St., where she and her husband created a garden with numerous types of flowers, as well as a sandstone walkway. The yard used to be all grass.

Many pedestrians pass by each day on Platt and East State streets. Mrs. Greaser is aware of the location’s prominent spot in a historic district and busy part of the community.

“This is a very public place and the grounds need to showcase the house,” Mrs. Greaser said. “It’s wrong to have a house like this and not invest it.”

She and her husband preferred to spend money on bushes, flowers and the landscape, rather than go out for dinner.

Mr. Greaser loved Daylilies, his wife said. They have Daylilies in several different colors.

About 20 years ago a man stopped by the Greasers and offered them this sandstone bench, thinking it would go nicely with their backyard. The couple gratefully accepted.

Mr. Greaser took on many of the building projects at the house himself. He and his wife did lots of scraping, and Mr. Greaser liked to pick reproduction wallpaper to give the interior a feel from a century ago.

His wife said the community is fortunate to have contractors who can skillfully work on historic houses. They hired Panek Coatings to paint the house on three different occasions. Steve Ernst has helped them with some of the bigger projects, especially with the chimneys.

The front room has windows with refracted glass that send bursts of light in different directions throughout the day.

“The light comes in and just sparkles,” Mrs. Greaser said.

Mrs. Greaser said she and her husband enjoyed the house, tending to details inside and outside.

They enjoyed sitting in the patio, chatting with their friends and family.

She was asked why she and her husband tried so hard to decorate the house and keep it up.

“It’s your home,” she replied. “It’s want you want to live in and be surrounded by.”

The Greasers preserved many of the historical features of the house, including this communication system within the home. People could talk to each other from the top to bottom floors with these phones mounted on the walls.

Builders of the house didn’t cut corners with the woodwood. The Greasers also kept many plants inside the house, including one that hangs from the top staircase.

This plaque notes the house is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Chuck Nesbitt picked to serve on board for association of counties

Posted 10 July 2015 at 12:00 am

File photo by Tom Rivers – Chuck Nesbitt, the Orleans County chief administrative officer, details the Orleans County budget during a public hearing in December 2013 at the County Courthouse.

Press Release
NYS Association of Counties

ALBANY – Chuck Nesbitt, Orleans County chief administrative officer, was named to the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Counties earlier this week.

NYSAC represents New York’s 57 counties and New York City in Albany and Washington, D.C. on matters germane to county governments, and informs county officials and the public about issues that impact county governments across the state.

“We are pleased that Chuck has agreed to serve on the board of directors,” said NYSAC President Anthony J. Picente, Jr., the Oneida County Executive. “His experience with local government efficiency programs and economic development will add depth and expertise to a very active and committed board of directors.”

Nesbitt has served as the chief administrative officer for Orleans County since 2005. In his post, he oversees the day-to-day operations of the county government on behalf of the County Legislature, from budgeting to departmental oversight. Nesbitt also serves at the president of the NYS Association of County Administrators, which is an affiliate of NYSAC comprised of 33 county administrators and managers.

“I have worked with Chuck for many years and I welcome his wisdom and perspective on our board of directors as we continue to advocate for mandate relief, investments in local infrastructure, and a strong economic recovery,” said NYSAC Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario.

Prior to 2005, Chuck served as the state’s economic development specialist for the Finger Lakes Region, where he devised business incentives to retain and create jobs in the area.

“NYSAC is a strong county advocate and plays an important policy development role in Albany,” Nesbitt said. “I am happy to have this opportunity to serve the Association on the board. I look forward to sharing our experiences from Orleans County, and learn from the leaders of counties in other parts of the state.”

Albion man honored for 4 decades of documenting daily weather

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers – Gerald Scharping checks the thermometers inside a shed in his backyard. Scharping has been a weather observer for the past 41 years for the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

GAINES – Gerald Scharping has checking the thermometer and the rain gauge in his backyard as a daily duty for 41 years.

He is dutiful in recording the high and low temperatures, as well as the precipitation for the day. He charts it all, and makes notes about other weather issues of the day, noting if it was windy, sprinkling or snowing.

He sends in a report each month to the National Weather Service, with puts the information in the National Climatic Data Center.

Gerald Scharping is presented a framed certificate and letter of appreciation for his years of service as a weather observer from Dan Kelly of the National Weather Service.

Today the Weather Service presented Scharping with a certificate and letter of appreciation for his many years of service. Only a weather observer in Oswego, who has been volunteering daily in the data collection for more than 50 years, has been at it longer than Scharping, said Dan Kelly, the observer program leader for the National Weather Service in Buffalo.

Kelly works with 53 observers in a territory from Buffalo to Watertown.

“There are very few who have been at it longer,” Kelly said about Scharping.

The Crandall Road resident walks to his backyard each day, sometimes trudging through snow. He tries to get the measurements at 5 p.m. each day.

“I was interested in it,” Scharping said about collecting the weather data.

Scharping checks the rain gauge.

Kelly said the Weather Service has data from Albion since 1938. Tom Lamont was the first to collect the data on Densmore Road, which is about a mile from Scharping’s. Dennis Kirby and Stanley Kast followed, with Scharping starting in 1974.

Kelly said the Weather Service doesn’t have too many spots like in Albion with daily data from the same area going back more than 75 years. That long-term data can help the Weather Service study possible changes in weather patterns and climate, Kelly said.

Scharping has lived in his house for all 87 years of his life. He ran a general farm until 1972, when he was hired as the first manager for the Orleans County Soil & Water Conservation District. He worked in that job until retiring in 1992.

Kelly shared some highlights from Scharping’s reports over the years. The hottest day recorded was 101 degrees on July 8, 1988 and the coldest was minus-20 on Feb. 18, 1979.

Scharping has counted 2,706 inches of snow in the 41 years with the biggest snowfall – 16 inches – on March 11, 1992. He has also tracked 1,448.76 inches of rain with the biggest day, 4.83 inches, on Sept. 14, 1979.

Scharping said he is committed to the task each day and wants to keep at it.

Kelly said he welcomes more volunteers to collect data. He said the Weather Service would like someone in Medina and people near the Lake Ontario shoreline. For more information, email Kelly at Dan.kelly@noaa.gov.

Artist shows some attitude in taking on Common Core

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 7 July 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos and article by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Jennifer Ohar Scott has found a way to funnel her outrage about what she sees as the over-testing of children and stifling of their creativity.

Scott, a Medina High School art teacher, has turned to painting to vent her frustrations with Common Core and state leaders, including Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Education Commissioner Dr. John King. He was commissioner when the state implemented Common Core.

Some of Scott’s paintings are featured in an art show at the Marti’s on Main art gallery at 229 North Main St., Albion. There will be a closing reception there on July 24 from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

The top photo shows Gov. Andrew Cuomo with a crown of hundred-dollar bills on his head. That mixed media art work is entitled “Cuomo: The Emperor of Contingent Funding.”

It is includes a column from New York Times writer Paul Krugman, who on Feb. 23, 2015, wrote “Knowledge isn’t power.” Krugman argues that a failed education system isn’t the cause of the wealth gap in the country. Click here to see the article.

Jennifer Scott created this mixed media artwork of John King, the former state education commissioner.

“The King of Standardized Testing and Unregulated Data Sharing” depicts King wearing a crown made of a test bubble sheet.

The artwork also include portions of a letter written from Medina English teacher Karen Jones to King. She sent him a six-page letter, detailing her concerns about Common Core testing. Scott said King never responded, and his lack of a response angered her.

Her Common Core-themed artwork has been featured in Buffalo galleries. She won the “People’s Choice” award for the artwork on John King at Gallery 464 in Buffalo.

“At the very least this should provoke a conversation,” said Scott, who lives in Lockport. “I feel strongly about educating parents, but I don’t want to shove my viewpoint down their throats.”

“One Size Will Not Fit All” is a statement about standardized testing.

Scott opposes the reliance on standardized tests in assessing students’ and teachers’. Those state tests don’t measure students who may learn and test better through auditory, cognitiive and other learning styles, she said.

“One style of testing is the antithesis of what I’ve learned,” Scott said. “The testing they’re doing now is not helpful. It only benefits the testing companies.”

“This is a Normal Brain” is a work by Jennifer Ohar Scott.

“This is Your Brain on Common Core” is displayed next to the other painting of a healthy brain.

Scott teaches teaches eighth grade and high school at Medina. She was recently selected as one of 25 teachers of merit by Buffalo Business First.

She said she doesn’t oppose the state wanting accountability for teachers. But she said the overreliance on test scores is not good for students, teachers or the community.

She stressed her artwork is her opinion and not the Medina school district’s. Scott said the testing issue, which prompted many students and parents to “opt out” of the most recent tests this spring, has dominated her artwork.

“Everything I’ve been doing lately is about Common Core,” she said.

For more on Jennifer Ohar Scott, visit jenniferoharscott.com.

To see the artwork at Marti’s, contact gallery owner Kim Martillotta-Muscarella at 589-6715.

A journey to highlight ability

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 30 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – John Robinson is making his third ride along the Erie Canal, going 363 miles from Buffalo to Albany. He is pictured at about 11:15 this morning with his wife Andrea. They are close to the Main Street lift bridge in Albion.

This time the journey has been harder. The rain has softened the towpath, making it mushy and requiring more push from Robinson to move his adaptive use bicycle.

Robinson is pictured on East Bank Street, headed to the former Grammar School on East Academy Street.

Owen Robinson, 12, joins his parents Andrea and John on the bike ride, which took a brief detour off the canal today in Albion so the family could meet residents served by The Arc of Orleans County.

Robinson, 46, stopped in Albion late this morning. He visited developmentally disabled residents served by The Arc of Orleans County. Robinson, who was born without arms and legs, was given a big reception and he happily greeted residents and posed for pictures.

He has made promoting abilities and skills of the disabled to businesses and government officials. He wants people with disabilities to have a shot at employment. When they can’t work, he wants there to be services in place so they can remain part of the community.

John Robinson is praised by Donna Saskowski, executive director for The Arc of Orleans County. She also leads the state ARC chapter in Genesee County.

“We’re doing everything we can to advocate for people with disabilities at the local, county, state and national levels,” Robinson said during a reception at the former Grammar School in Albion, where The Arc provides services. “We’re trying to make a better life and a better economic opportunity for people with disabilities.”

Robinson in October was honored at the White House as a “Champion of Change” for his efforts to connect disabled residents to jobs.

Robinson lives in the Albany suburb of Glenmont. He is managing partner and CEO of Our Ability, a company that supports people with disabilities.

Robinson meets with local developmentally disabled residents.

He recalled when he first stopped in Albion two years and was struggling on the bike ride. He didn’t think he would be able to get to Albany, about 300 miles away.

But a big crowd of residents, including local officials and many disabled residents, gave him a huge welcome, including a quilt with blocks showing their support for his trip.

Robinson keeps that in his office. He is also a motivational speaker and he shares how the enocuragement from the Albion group lifted his spirits during a trying time.

“You guys inspired me to keep going,” Robinson told a group of about 30 people today. “I mention Albion, NY, and Orleans County every where I go.”

Andrea Robinson rides behind her husband John and their son Owen as they go down East Bank Street today in Albion.

The Robinsons started today’s trip in Medina and plan to go to Spencerport at the end of the day. It will take about two weeks to travel the canal.

They are traveling with Robinson’s business partner Doug Hamlin, a para-palegic who is using an adaptive use bicycle. Hamlin was slowed today because of the rain and soft towpath.

Robinson said he hopes their example will inspire the community to look past the disabilities and see the abilities in everyone.

He said he was encouraged after the visit at The Arc today.

“Everybody in here has a will to live and has a family that wants the best for them,” he said. “We’re trying to send the message that we are people with ability.”

For more on Robinson and Our Ability, click here.

Cyclist born without arms and legs will ride canal in Orleans on Tuesday

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 29 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Tom Rivers

John Robinson, left, and his friend Doug Hamlin, right, ride adaptive use bicycles along West Bank Street in Albion on July 1, 2014. The duo and their supporters rode the Erie Canal and stopped in Albion to visit The Arc of Orleans County. They will be back Tuesday morning at 11 for a program at the former Grammar School on East Academy Street.

The Arc provides services at the former school for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Robinson will leave Medina in the morning and head to Albion. Robinson was born without full arms and legs. He is riding an adaptive bicycle from Tonawanda to Albany.

This is the third year Robinson is making the trip along the 363-mile-long Erie Canal.

Robinson has made the trek to show people that disabled residents can achieve big dreams, too.

Robinson also brings a message seeking job opportunities for disabled residents. Whether in sheltered workshops or other jobs in the community, Robinson said people with developmental disabilities have skills that can be used in the workplace.

Albion Rotary honors retired village clerk, outgoing club president

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 26 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Albion Rotary Club honored Kathy Ludwick, retired Albion village clerk/treasurer, as a Paul Harris Fellow on Thursday. She is pictured with Rotarians Don Bishop, center, and Bill Diehl.

This is the highest honor given by a Rotary Club. The Albion club will donate $1,000 in Ludwick’s name to Rotary International to be used for humanitarian work.

Ludwick was praised for her 32 years as a village employee, including 25 years as clerk/treasurer. She has been a volunteer with the Albion Strawberry Festival for all 29 of the events. Even in her retirement, she continues to help with the festival, serving as treasurer of the two-day event, which costs more than $20,000 to put on. Ludwick for many years coordinated the craft vendors.

The Rotary Club now is the main sponsor for the festival. Ludwick thanked the club for stepping up and leading the event.

Bishop has volunteered with the festival for two decades and he said Ludwick has been instrumental in the effort.

“She has been my mentor and go-to person for over 20 years,” Bishop said.

Marlee Diehl puts a Paul Harris Fellow pin on Bill Diehl, her husband and the outgoing president of the Albion Rotary Club. This is Diehl’s third Paul Harris award.

Diehl is a retired teacher and financial advisor. His wife also is a member of the Rotary Club and will serve as district governor in 2017-18 for 70 clubs in Western New York and Southern Ontario.

Mr. Diehl said the club tackled several important community projects in the past year in addition to the Strawberry Festival. A golf tournament raised $5,000 for a van for the Joint Veterans Council to take veterans to medical appointments. The Saint Patrick’s Dinner in March raised $1,633 for Rotary Interact to give to a community in South Sudan that is building a school and safe drinking water system.

Diehl also said the club secured funding for literacy projects in the Philippines and also locally with Head Start families.

The Rotary Interact leaders at Albion High School attended the Rotary meeting on Thursday. The Interact club started in Albion in 2000. Tim Archer, left, is advisor for the club that includes these student officers for 2015-16, from left: Elizabeth Goff, president; Meredith Patterson, treasurer; Matilda Erakare, vice president; and Vivian Rivers, secretary.

The Interact Club connects students to community service, including projects far from Albion. Besides the humanitarian work in the South Sudan, Interact has raised money to dig water wells in Peru, build a school for girls in Pakistan and help hurricane-ravaged Biloxi, Miss.

“We’ve done a lot with your help to touch our world,” Archer told the Rotary Club. “The world is full of places in need and we’re grateful to touch just a few of them.”

Karen Sawicz, owner and publisher of The Lake Country Pennysaver and Orleans Hub, was inducted as the new Rotary president for the next year.

Sawicz, left, is sworn in as new president by Carol Toomey, a newspaper publisher and a Sawicz friend from Concord, Mass. Toomey is a past district governor in Central Massachusetts.

Sawicz joined the Rotary Club in 1995 and served as president in 2002-03. Her father, the late Vincent St. John, also was a Rotarian.

This year’s theme for Rotary is “Be a Gift to the World.”

Albion’s Jenny McKenna named National Guernsey Queen

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photos courtesy of Jenny McKenna – Jenny McKenna is pictured with her parents, George and Iva McKenna, after Jenny was named National Guernsey Queen on June 20 at the American Guernsey Association’s 139th Annual Meeting in Walnut Creek, Ohio.

An Albion woman has been named National Guernsey Queen and will serve as an ambassador for the Guernsey dairy breed this year, attending major livestock shows and writing a monthly article for the Guernsey Breeders’ Journal, among her outreach efforts.

Jenny McKenna, 20, is currently a student at Cornell University, majoring in animal science with a concentration in dairy science. She is the fundraising officer for the Dairy Science Club.

McKenna served as dairy princess for Niagara-Orleans counties in 2013 and last year was the New York State Guernsey Princess.

She was crowned queen on June 20, vying with candidates from seven different states. McKenna was chosen the winner at the National Guernsey Convention and 139th Annual Meeting in Walnut Creek, Ohio.

“This has been a dream of mine since I was showing at the county fairs,” McKenna, 20, said today by phone from California. She is working this summer for a dairy farm and cheese processing plant in Modesto.

McKenna and her family have been Guernsey fans for many years. They show the red and white animals at local and national shows.

The breed produces milk with a rich flavor that is high in butterfat and protein. The animals can handle heat better than Holsteins, McKenna said. When it’s hot in the summer, the Guernseys see little drop off in milk production.

Their milk also is easier for people who are lactose intolerant, she said.

Jenny McKenna, far right, served as the NY Guernsey Princess last year and handed out ribbons at the State Fair.

McKenna is the youngest of four daughters of George and Iva McKenna. Jenny and her three sisters make all the decisions on their family’s Wee Kin Farm, a small hobby farm with a variety of species.

Jenny also helps at her family’s animal hospital, Country Lane Veterinary Services in Barre.

In the future, McKenna hopes to own and operate an agricultural tourism farm to educate the public about agriculture and dairying. She plans on always owning Guernsey cattle and to continue to be a Guernsey advocate.

Her sister Betsey was the National Guernsey Princess.

Jenny said the Guernsey industry is a close-knit group.

“We are like a family,” she said. “We all work together and like to share ideas.”

Photo by Tom Rivers – Jenny McKenna of Barre is pictured during the Albion Strawberry Festival parade in June 2014 when she was the New York State Guernsey Princess. She was the Niagara-Orleans Dairy Princess in 2013.

Albion Alumni Foundation gives out $40K in scholarships, including four new awards

Staff Reports Posted 25 June 2015 at 12:00 am

ALBION – Albion High School Alumni Foundation takes great pride in making a difference for a lifetime for the Albion Central School District community – alumni, students, teachers and friends.

Its claim to fame, so to speak, is the scholarship program. Each year at the Class Night celebration, the Foundation presents scholarships to graduating seniors who meet the criteria of each specific scholarship. This year, the Foundation awarded 20 scholarships to 28 students totaling: $39,650.

These awards provide financial assistance so that Albion’s bright young scholars may continue their educational goals and be successful in their future endeavors.

The funding for the scholarships are made possible through memberships and gifts from AHS Alumni, as well as individuals or organizations that contact the Foundation to establish a scholarship. The Foundation manages the funds and awards the scholarships annually during the Class Night event, along with other scholarships that are awarded that evening.

Four new scholarships were added in 2015: The Rex & Marilyn Horton Scholarship, The Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship, The Glassner Family Scholarship and The John Panek Memorial Scholarship.

The Foundation is already working on at least three more for the 2016 awards: the Ronald Sodoma Scholarship, the Masons Scholarship, and the Archibald Scholarship.

Here are the results of the 2015 scholarships managed and awarded by the Albion HS Alumni Foundation.

Albion High School Alumni Foundation Scholarships ($1,500): This year’s recipients are Dominic DiCureia, Brittany Francis, Kellie O’Hearn, Morgan Seielstad.

Paul R. Haines Memorial Scholarship ($1,500): This year’s recipient is Morgan Ferris.

Smith Foundation Challenge ($1,000): These scholarships are awarded annually by the Foundation to students entering the second year of college. This year’s recipients are Kali Benjovsky and Lydia Erakare.

Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Madyson Coville.

Elizabeth Balcom Smith Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Gabriell Struble.

Golden Performance Award ($500): This year’s recipient is Elijah Martin.

Jim and Susie Fraser Health Careers Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Olivia Neidert.

Dr. Lee Minier Science Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Jacob Squicciarini.

Albion Alumni Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Charlyne Olick.

Coach Richard Diminuco Scholarship for Athletic Excellence ($1,500): This year’s recipient is Clayton Stanton.

Harry W. Salchak Science Scholarship ($2,500): This year’s recipient is Jacob Squicciarini.

A.B. “Dick” Eddy “Service Above Self” Scholarship ($1,250): This year’s recipient is Adryan Cheeseboro.

The Nancy Elaine LaGamba Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Savannah Allen.

The Dr. Paul Mahany Family Scholarships ($1,250): This year’s recipients are Nita Bela, Mallory Broda, Amanda Covis, Jordan Deskins, and Sara Maxon.

Panek Family Farm Acriculture Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Riley Kelly.

Hoag Scholarship ($10,000): This year’s recipient is Kyler McQuillan.

Panek Family Farm Agriculture Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Jayne Bannister.

The Rex & Marilyn Horton Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Jayne Bannister.

The Wayne A. Burlison Memorial Scholarship ($500): This year’s recipient is Nicholas Ettinger.

The Glassner Family Scholarship ($1400): This year’s recipient is Drake Arnold.

The John Panek Memorial Scholarship ($1,000): This year’s recipient is Sara Millspaugh.

For more information on the Alumni Foundation, click here.

GCC honors 22 outstanding high school students in ACE program

Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo courtesy of GCC – Genesee Community College honored the following high school students in GCC’s Advanced Studies program: First row, from left: Emma Snyder, Emily Radford, Taylor DeSimone, Erin Tiede, Abigail Bleier and Megan Saile. Second row: Theodore Benjovsky, Daniel Kocher, Tania Arellano, Trevor Noon and Dylan Servos. Third row: Victoria Giglia and Megan Bullard.

Press Release, GCC

BATAVIA – Genesee Community College honored 22 high students from across Western New York as finalists for Outstanding Scholar Awards in GCC’s Advanced Studies program.

The awardees were honored at a ceremony and reception in the Stuart Steiner Theatre at Genesee’s Batavia campus.

Advanced Studies is part of the College’s ACE program, or Accelerated College Enrollment, and allows high school students the opportunity to earn college credit from Genesee while attending class within their high school.

High school teachers approved as Genesee adjunct faculty teach all Advanced Studies courses. Some of the most enterprising young students earn enough transferable Advanced Studies credit to enter their first year of college as sophomores.

This year’s Outstanding Scholars Award program featured a keynote address by Tim Tomczak, GCC’s professor of psychology and the director of the GCC’s Social Sciences department. He is a two-time SUNY Chancellor’s Award winner.

In his address to the ACE scholars, Professor Tomczak discussed his experiences and struggles in finding a path in life. Despite a discouraging start to his education as a young boy, he found his niche through the help of a concerned guidance counselor who found him an opportunity to take some college courses while in high school.

“I was one of the original ‘ACE’ students,” he said. “I liked college so much that I wanted to find a job that would let me stay there for the rest of my career.”

His address encouraged students to “keep being scholars – individuals who are passionate about learning new things and taking their thinking to higher levels.”

The 22 finalists were selected from more than 165 nominations in the five subject areas of mathematics, science, social science, foreign language and English. As in years past, a committee of academic professionals from GCC selected the following award winners, listed by school within their subject areas:

ENGLISH
Abigail Bleier, Notre Dame; Emma Snyder, Keshequa; Gabriella Giunta, Gates-Chili; Emily Radford, Holley; and Madhuri Vihani, Attica.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Austin Morgan, Pioneer; Hannah Smart, Pavilion; Tania Arellano, Kendall; and Alexandria Barber, Letchworth.

MATHEMATICS
Daniel Kocher, Alden; Olivia Marchese, Notre Dame; Jack Mann, Keshequa; Theodore Benjovsky, Albion; and Michael Safford, Perry.

SCIENCE
Dylan Servos, Alden; Abigail Bleier, Notre Dame; Megan Bullard, Caledonia-Mumford; Taylor DeSimone, Holley; and Erin Tiede, Warsaw.

SOCIAL SCIENCE
Victoria Giglia, Alden; Megan Saile, Batavia; Megan Bullard, Caledonia-Mumford; Trevor Noon, Newfane; Taylor DeSimone, Holley; and Sierra Greene, Letchworth.

Clay Crushers are on target at state meet

Posted 24 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Provided photo – The Orleans County Clay Crushers are pictured after members won many medals in last Sunday’s State Trap and Skeet Championships.

Press Release, Orleans County Clay Crushers

Thirty-six members of the Orleans County Clay Crushers youth shooting team participated in the State Trap and Skeet Championships held at the DeWitt Fish and Game Club in Jamesville on Sunday. The event is part of the New York State Scholastic Clay Target Program.

In the Trap shooting competition:

In the Intermediate Entry Division the OCCC squad of Alex Rustay (Albion), Ryan Krenning (Albion), Austin Aman (Albion), Jacob Long (Elba) and Tyler Goslau (Albion) earned first place honors.

The OCCC squad of Shane Hastings (Albion), Max Hapeman (Albion) Cole London (Albion) and Madison Bale (Medina) shot their way to a third place finish. Individually, Jacob Long broke 92 out of 100 targets to place first in the division. Alex Rustay broke 74 out of 100 targets to take third.

In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion), James Hapeman (Albion), Jacob Delamarter (Albion) and Andrea Muoio (Albion) came in first place.

The OCCC squad of Victor Benjosky (Albion), Bryan Bale (Medina), Zachary Monagan (Albion), Ryan Mileham (Wyoming, NY) and Jacob Kuhmann (Medina) placed second.

Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place, Ryan Mileham broke 83 out of 100 for second place and Andrea Muoio also broke 83 out of 100 targets and earned a third place finish.

In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Anthony Tomasetti (Holley), Bryce Wickham (Medina), Brett Nichols (Wyoming, NY), MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) and Jacob Bensley (Medina) shot their way to first place. Individually, Anthony Tomasetti broke 90 out of 100 targets to capture first place. Bryce Wickham broke 85 out of 100 targets to earn a third place finish.

In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Brandon Baker (Brockport), Zach Brazzell (Medina), Jared Atwell (Albion), Jenna Coyne (Pittsford) and Jack Burgoon (Albion) shot their way to a first place finish.

The OCCC squad of Josh Hylkema (Batavia), Dyer Benjovsky(Albion), Hayden London (Albion), Logan London (Albion) and Kerry Rice (Albion) placed third. Individually, Jared Atwell broke 95 out of 100 targets and earned second place.

In the Skeet competition:

In the Intermediate Entry Division, the OCCC squad of Madison Bale (Medina) and Alex Rustay (Albion) earned second place honors. Individually, Madison Bale broke 52 out of 100 targets and placed second.

In the Intermediate Advanced Division, the OCCC squad of Patrick Brien (Albion), Mitchell Knaak (Albion) and Jacob Delamarter (Albion) came in second place. Individually, Patrick Brien broke 88 out of 100 targets to earn first place honors.

In the Junior Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jacob Bensley (Medina), Anthony Tomasetti (Holley) and Bryan Bale (Medina) shot their way to first place.

The OCCC squad of Zach Monagan (Albion) and MacKenzie Donahue (Albion) came in second. Individually, Jacob Bensley broke 78 out of 100 targets to earn first place while Bryan Bale broke 72 out of 100 targets for second.

In the Varsity Division, the OCCC squad of Jared Atwell (Albion), Zach Brazzell (Medina) and Brandon Baker (Brockport) earned first place honors.

Individually, Jared Atwell broke 94 out of 100 targets for first place, Zach Brazzell broke 85 out of 100 targets for second place and Brandon Baker broke 83 out of 100 targets for third place.

The Orleans County Clay Crushers, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to teaching youth safe and responsible firearms handling in a safe, fun and competitive manner. For more information, contact Chris Rice at 585-589-5025.

Medina native is in town for book-signing

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 23 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Christopher Scharping writes Word War II novel based on Medina family

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Medina native Christopher Scharping is pictured with a copy of his latest book, “We Regret To Inform You,” a World War II-based novel that is based on a Medina family.

This is Scharping’s fourth novel and the latest self-published book is nearly 500 pages. It is based on a husband and wife who have one son, who enlists in the military as a pilot. The son and his crew would be listed as Missing in Action. They flew a B-17 bomber as part of an 8th Air Force mission over Czechoslovakia. The novel details the father’s efforts to find his son.

Scharping is retired from the Air Force. He worked 16 of his 21 years with the Air Force as a historian.

Scharping visits with a childhood friend, Wayne Litchfield, during the book-signing event at Bindings Bookstore in Albion this evening.

Scharping lives in Panama City, Fla. He hadn’t been home to Orleans County in about three years. He is in town for his niece’s graduation at Byron-Begren.

Scharping is working on a fifth book, this one about bootleggers at Point Breeze and Orleans County during Prohibition.

He said he is looking to move back to the area.

Kendall Lions Club honors members committed to community service

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 22 June 2015 at 12:00 am

Club celebrates 40th anniversary and names ‘Citizen of the Year’

Photos courtesy of Helen Unterborn

KENDALL – The Kendall Lions Club celebrated its 40th anniversary last Thursday and presented several awards to members of the club, as a well as the “Citizen of the Year.”

Kim Corcoran receives the Citizen of the Year award from Kendall Lion Tony Cammarata, who is also the town supervisor.

Corcoran is the leader of the Kendall lawn Chair Ladies. That group started in 2012 for the town’s bicentennial celebration. Corcoran and some of her friends decided to add some excitement to the local parade.

Photo by Tom Rivers – Kim Corcoran, second from left, is pictured with the Lawn Chair Ladies during their performance in Albion on June 13 during the Strawberry Festival Parade.

Corcoran and her friends formed the Lawn Chair Ladies and had a dance routine on the parade route during the 200th anniversary celebration for Kendall. The women, while wearing pink boas, choreographed a number with lawn chairs.

They were an immediate sensation and now perform at many community events during the year. The group has about 20 members who practice regularly.

Corcoran grew up in Kendall and was in the marching band. After a 35-year career in New York City in the advertising and publishing business, Corcoran moved back to her hometown in June 2011. Corcoran also is the town historian.

Tony Camarrata is presented the award for “Lion of the Year” by Debbie Ryan, a member of the Lions Club.

The club’s highest honor is a Melvin Jones Fellow, givien for years of community service. Ken DeRoller (left), last year’s recipient, presents the Melvin Jones Fellow to 30-year Lion Dan Peckham. Dan’s wife Peggy joined him in the presentation.

Lion President Randy Unterborn presents the Robert Uplinger award for outstanding service to Lions and the community to Lion John Becker as his wife Wendy looks on. Becker is a former Kendall town supervisor.

The Kendall Lions Club celebrated 40 years of service on Thursday. Lions and guests were invited to come dressed as they would have in 1975 the year of our charter. In honor of our 40 years of service and in recognition of charter president Ray Ernenwein, the Lions Club presented Lions Camp Badger with a check for $1,500. This donation at an opportune time for the camp as it has been damaged by flooding.

Terry Bliss, a Kendall Lions Club member and past district governor, presents a check for $1,500 for Camp Badger to Judith McNight, first vice president in the district.